China urges U.S., Philippines to withdraw Typhon missile system Xinhua) 13:33, July 13, 2024 BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday urged the United States and the Philippines to immediately withdraw the Typhon missile system and never deploy it again. The U.S. mid-range missile system is "a strategic offensive weapon reminiscent of the Cold War" and should never have been deployed in this region, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference. "Forcing its allies and partners onto the U.S. war chariot will only lead to tensions and confrontation, and undermine regional peace and stability. China firmly opposes this," Zhang said. "We urge the U.S. and the Philippines to respect the aspirations of peoples in the region for peace and development, and do more for regional peace and stability," he said. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Here are upcoming road closings: Nightfall The following roads and intersections will be closed every Friday starting May 24 through Aug. 30, from 4 p.m. until midnight: Cherry Street at E MLK Blvd. Martin Luther King Blvd Between Market Street and Lindsay Street (Market Street will remain open in both directions for the duration) Georgia Avenue from E 10th Street to MLK Blvd Georgia Avenue from MLK Blvd to E 8th Street Any traffic needing to exit businesses or street parking spaces after the closure begins will be permitted to leave the closure at the intersection of MLK Blvd and Lindsay Street. Scenic City Scorcher River Street east of Tremont Street will be closed Saturday, July 13, from 7:15-8:45 a.m. for the Scenic City Scorcher. Participants will be sharing the road with vehicles within Heritage Landing, Drivers are asked to use caution during the event. Chattanooga Market Reggie White Blvd between W 19th Street and the Skate Park access road will close every Sunday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. through Nov. 24, for the Chattanooga Market. CONSTRUCTION CLOSURES Columbia Street Columbia Street between E 10th Street to Custom Street will be closed Saturday, July 13 from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. for a crane lift. 1608 Bailey Ave Bailey Ave eastbound within the 1600 block will be closed daily between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Saturday, July 13,, and Monday, July 15 for a utility street cut. Detours will be posted. Westbound traffic will not be affected. Jersey Pike at the Norfolk Southern Grade Crossing Jersey Pike will be closed all day (estimated 8 a.m.-8 p.m.) on Monday, July 15, at the Norfolk Southern Railroad grade crossing for a track defect repair. Traffic will be detoured via HWY 153 during the closure. Oak Street Oak Street between Oneal Street and Central Ave will be closed Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19 for curb and gutter rebuilding, asphalt repair, and paving. Access will still be maintained for all residents within the closure. W 8th Street W 8th Street between Market Street and Broad Street will be closed Monday, July 15 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. to expedite debris removal. Detours will be posted. View CDOT's map of events and road closures for full details of these activities and other projects underway in our public space. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a window tint violation. Officers contacted the driver and passenger. After speaking with both parties, the male passenger fled on foot at which time officers conducted a foot pursuit. He was taken into custody after a short struggle. The man was found to have 9 warrants out of Hamilton County. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine for resale, possession of schedule II violations, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest, and evading arrest. Dispatch advised of a phase two 911 hang up at this location. While officers were checking the area, a stranded motorist was found. Police contacted a tow truck for the driver. A party was picked up downtown and transported to jail on an East Ridge warrant. The caller requested police stand by while he gathered his belongings from his mothers residence. Any potential disorders were prevented. The caller advised he was made aware of three HCDE laptops for sale on Facebook. It is currently unknown which school the laptops belong too, but the suspect is a possible former student of ERHS. The caller was able to provide the suspect name from her Facebook page. Police spoke to the complainant who stated on Sunday, while she was at the church, her wallet was taken from her purse. The wallet is described as a shiny brown fake leather containing several cards and some cash. No suspect information is available currently. A man turned himself in on an East Ridge warrant. Police spoke with the reporting party via telephone regarding the tire on her 2017 Jeep Renegade being slashed. She stated the tire was slashed sometime while the vehicle was parked at her home. She estimated the damage at $150 and provided suspect information. Following a traffic stop at this location a man was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant out of general sessions. ERPD Officers responded to this address at the request of CPD to attempt to contact a suspect involved in a hit and run crash in Chattanooga. Officers contacted a male subject at the address but were unable to locate the female suspect. Police were dispatched to meet with the complainant. He told police that he had hired a private mechanic to repair his automobile. He was dissatisfied with the repair, believed he was cheated, and wanted his $600 dollars refunded. Officers advised the man to retain a legal councilor for a civil suit. Police were dispatched to check the area after a male wearing a white bandage on his arm walked onto the porch of a residence. The homeowner did not know the person and reported it as suspicious. Police searched the area, but the party was gone. Police responded to a burglar alarm. No signs of intrusion were found. Dispatch contacted the responsible party. A party on foot flagged down police because their car broke down near the interstate and they could no longer walk on their prosthetic foot. Police provided a courtesy ride to 28th and Dodds Ave. No incident. Police responded to twelve semi-trucks parked improperly on I-75 north in front of the exit 1 Tennessee Welcome Center. They agreed to move without incident. Police spoke with a man regarding his passport that he believed was stolen and recovered by police on July 9, 2024. It had been turned over to the police station by a third party. He advised he picked his passport up and police provided him the case number for his records. While on patrol police were flagged down by a man who wanted to make a report for his wallet being stolen. He stated he had been living in a shed with a couple on Claremont Avenue. He further advised he left the shed after getting into a dispute with them. He last remembered having his wallet in the shed. The couple told him they did not have it. The caller advised the business repossessed a gray Ford Edge the previous night. On inspection several containers filled with narcotics were located. The vehicle is registered to an address in Georgia. The narcotics were entered in property. The caller advised a 70-year-old male stole several items from her. Once officers spoke with the caller it was determined the incident took place in Chattanooga. Police responded to a person shot call at this address. Once on scene officers detained the suspect and assisted the victim to awaiting EMS personnel. The victim had two non-life-threatening bullet wounds to the arm and leg. He was transported to the hospital where he was treated and released. The suspect was transported to jail and charged accordingly. The caller advised an unwanted person was observed on the property. The person was gone on police arrival. Police responded with EMS on a possible airway obstruction. Officers stood by while EMS handled the call. The caller requested police check on her sister at this address. Officers were able to speak with the elderly female. She advised she was ok. The caller advised her husband was unresponsive in their vehicle. Officers located the vehicle on the lot and the man was awake and alert. A man was arrested on warrants while at Hamilton County Jail. Police were dispatched to the store where a clerk had cashed a 3rd party check in the amount of $950.00 that was returned by the bank due to the account being closed. Police are investigating if the check was fake or stolen and will attempt to identify the suspect for criminal charges appropriate for the crime. Police and EMS were dispatched to a crash w/ unknown injury involving a motorcycle after a bystander reported seeing a motorcycle rider laying on a highway barrier near the I-75 / I-24 split. Police and EMS were unable to locate a crash in the area. No incident. The resident stated a juvenile had stolen a virtual reality headset. While police spoke with her, she could not give a straight story. She also could not provide any suspect information. She also could not provide any information on the headset. Police conducted a well-being check after dispatch was alerted to a suicidal party. Police contacted the subject who stated she was not suicidal. Police informed the concerned reporting party. No incident. A party was taken into custody on three outstanding warrants out of Chattanooga from and hit and run the previous day. Police responded to a resident concerned that someone had broken into her home. The resident stated that her clocks had been reset and her garage door was plugged into a different outlet than she remembered. Police did not observe evidence of an intruder. Georgia State Patrol requested ERPD check this location for a hit and run suspect. Police checked the area, but nothing was located. Police assisted the courtesy officer at the apartments with clearing out the pool area of juvenile that do not live in the apartment complex. Police conducted extra patrol in this area the remainder of the shift. Police were dispatched for a harassment complaint. The complainant was advised to demand the suspect to cease contact and to block the suspects cell number and social media accounts. A miscellaneous report was provided in the event of further harassment. Police were dispatched to investigate a white minivan driving in reverse on Ringgold Road. The driver had valid warrants from Sessions Court. He was taken into custody and transported to Hamilton County Jail. His van keys were left with his passenger at his request. Police respond to a disorder between a male and female w/an infant child involved. The male and female, parents of the infant child, did not like the other parent being with someone else. It was verbal only. An incident report is on file. A caller advised she was at the dog park and a male subject had hit her. Police arrived on scene and spoke with all parties but did not find any signs of assault. All parties on scene were advised to leave the park and go their separate ways. A concerned citizen of the above address called about a possible theft of her neighbors property. Police could not locate the suspicious party at this time and advised the RP to inform her neighbors for them to file a report if they needed to do so. The resident advised her ex had come into the house, assaulted her, and that she was not supposed to be there. Officers arrived on scene and found that both parties were highly intoxicated. Police determined it was a verbal domestic dispute and no assault had taken place. The parties were separated for the night. Discovered in a cave in Spain, a uniquely shaped ear bone suggests that a Neanderthal child had Down syndrome. Since the 6-year-old child, who has been nicknamed Tina, reached early childhood, it appeared that the group of Neanderthals she lived with took care of her. It is the first known case of Down syndrome in Neanderthals. Neanderthals are humans closest relatives. They lived in Eurasia from approximately 400,000 to 40,000 years ago. The ear bone was originally excavated at a cave called Cova Negra in the town of Xativa in 1989. The cave is reputed for yielding significant Neanderthal discoveries. Other remains at the cave date back between 273,000 to 146,000 years ago. The ear bone had been mixed with animal remains, so it was not identified until recently when archaeologists combed through faunal fragments they had gathered from the site. A team of researchers from Binghamton University in New York, the University of Alcala, and the University of Valencia in Spain created a digital three-dimensional model of the ear bone using micro-computed tomography scans they took of it. After studying the bone, the researchers found that it had an irregular shape that is usually seen in individuals with Down syndrome. Other odd features of the ear bone included a smaller cochlea and abnormalities with the lateral semicircular canal, which, together, can produce severe vertigo and hearing loss. People with Down syndrome possess an extra copy of chromosome 21, so a genetic test would be needed to confirm whether Tina really did have the condition. If so, multiple members from her group likely helped care for her. Neanderthals frequently moved from place to place, so continuous support and cooperation were needed to keep Tina alive for an extended period of time. This child would have required care for at least 6 years, likely necessitating other group members to assist the mother in childcare, wrote the researchers. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In one of Hollywoods biggest financial scandals, a B-movie actor named Zachary Horwitz orchestrated a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of millions of dollars. He did so by convincing them that he ran a successful movie licensing business. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022. Known professionally as Zach Avery, Horwitz played parts in films starring actors like Bryan Cox, Olivia Munn, and Bruce Dern. Over a span of five years, from 2014 to 2019, he raised approximately $690 million from friends, family members, and other investors. He claimed that his company had secured licensing deals with major platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Sony for the rights to Spanish-language films, which would lead to substantial returns for those who invested. During the five-year scheme, he scammed three of his closest friends from college, who persuaded their own family members to invest their money. Horwitz used new funds to pay supposed returns on earlier investments in classic Ponzi scheme fashion. He kept up the act by sending fake licensing agreements and forged emails from executives of the corporations he claimed to be working with. He even hired a woman to pretend to be an HBO executive who would speak to his investors on the phone and answer any questions they had about their investments. However, the deals with large streaming services were all made up, and he used the money from investors to fund a lavish lifestyle. He purchased a $6 million home near Beverly Hills, where he lived with his wife and child. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. In 1979, a pair of gold miners stumbled across the frozen carcass of a bison in Fairbanks, Alaska. They quickly notified the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and the scientists there deemed it a rare find. It was the only known example of a Pleistocene bison that had been recovered from permafrost. The bison lived during the Ice Age. Radiocarbon dating showed that it was at least 36,000 years old, but Josh Reuters, the curator of archaeology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, claimed that it was at least 50,000 years old. The animal was identified as a steppe bison, a species that is no longer living. A paleontologist named Dale Guthrie was instrumental in retrieving the carcass from its environment. At the time, he was a professor and researcher at the university. He wanted to dig the bison out right away because he was afraid it might decompose now that it had been uncovered. However, the frozen ground made excavations extremely challenging. So, he cut off the bisons head near the neck and refroze it. Then, he waited until summer for the ice to melt before extracting the rest of the animal. Once Guthrie and his team pulled out the whole bison from the ground, they noticed that it was covered in a blue, chalky coating. The bisons bluish appearance was due to a substance called vivianite, which is caused by phosphorous from the animals bones reacting with iron in the soil. Vivianite is a white compound, but it turns blue when it is exposed to air. This led the scientists to name the bison Blue Babe. According to tooth and claw marks on the bisons skin, it had died from an attack by a big cat that lived during the Ice Age. It is believed to be an ancestor of the African lion. The predators attack left wounds that exposed the bisons ribs and spine. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. On Mars, a mysterious pit on the side of an ancient volcano has been discovered. The hole has been the source of lots of excitement because of its potential to lead to a larger underground cavern beneath the surface of the Red Planet, which could provide shelter for astronauts in the future. The image of the pit was captured by NASAs Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in 2022. It is about 159 miles above the surface and is in the Arsia Mons area of Mars. The Arsia Mons is one of three dormant volcanoes in the Tharsis Montes group. The Tharsis Region is a vast plain that is around 33,000 feet above the average elevation of the planet. In the past, it was volcanically active, which resulted in features like the pit. The hole is not the only one of its kind. There are many holes that can be seen on the other volcanoes. They may be collapsed skylights or deep lava tubes that formed underground when the volcanoes were still active. This particular pit appears to be a vertical shaft and is found on a lava flow on the volcano Arsia Mons. Its nature is difficult to determine. Experts are unsure whether the hole could be a lava tube because Martian lava tubes are still a pretty big question mark. When a volcano is active, underground channels of lava flow away from it. The channels empty when the volcano grows extinct, leaving behind long, underground tubes. These tubes are found not only on Mars but on Earth and the moon as well. Since gravity on Mars is much weaker than on Earth, that should allow for much larger lava tubes. If the crust is thin enough, the ceiling of the tubes can collapse. When the entirety of the ceiling collapses, a rille or a long trench is formed. If just small areas collapse, that results in pits like the one on Arsia Mons. Scientists are intrigued by the pits because they offer possibilities of shelter for astronauts. Mars has a thin atmosphere and does not have a global magnetic field, so it cannot deflect radiation from space like Earth can. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Many people who have served in the armed forces or their local police or fire department alongside remarkable service dogs are heartbroken when they can no longer work with their special furry friends for one reason or another. However, there are instances where the unwavering dedication of volunteers and the undeniable bond between handlers and their dogs lead to heartwarming reunions. Recently, one organization managed to reunite two retired military dogs with their former handlers years after they were separated. U.S. Marine Corps veterans Dalton Stone and Sergeant Isaac Weissand met while serving in Japan. They became fast friends and eventually worked together as K-9 handlers. Dalton worked with a special German shepherd named Aida, a narcotics detection and patrol dog, for around four years. She is currently six years old. Isaac worked with the wise Poker, another German shepherd who worked as an explosives detection and patrol dog. Hes six years old as well. After working as a close group of four in Japan for over two years, in 2022, Isaac and Dalton had to sadly part ways with the dogs. Dalton decided to leave the Marine Corps, and Isaac had been assigned to another base. The dogs stayed at their base in Japan and worked with different handlers while Dalton and Isaac moved to Texas, where they currently live just a few hours apart. However, the dogs always stayed on their minds. When Dalton and Isaac found out through a friend that Aida and Poker were retiring from service this year, they immediately filed adoption applications so they could be their forever owners. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Arkansas secretary of state challenged over rejection of abortion ballot initiative Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston rejected a petition to include a measure on the November ballot that would amend the state's constitution and enshrine a "right" to abortion, but the group behind the efforts is pushing back on his reasoning. The group, Arkansans for Limited Government, seeks to add an amendment to the state constitution that would prevent the state from restricting abortions up to 18 weeks after fertilization. The amendment would also prevent the state from limiting abortions in cases of rape, incest, if the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother's life or if the unborn baby has been diagnosed with a fetal anomaly. In a Wednesday letter to the group's organizer, Thurston, a Republican, stated he denied the petition because the group failed to submit a statement identifying all paid canvassers by name and a signed statement indicating the sponsor explained to paid canvassers the requirements under state law for obtaining signatures. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Even if your failure to comply with AR Code 7-9-111 (2020) did not require me to reject your submission outright, it would certainly mean that signatures gathered by paid canvassers in your submission could not be counted for any reason," Thurston wrote. The Arkansas official wrote that paid canvassers collected 14,143 of the 101,525 submitted signatures, and the remaining 87,382 signatures collected by volunteers fall short of the required 90,704 for a proposed constitutional amendment. A spokesperson for the Arkansas secretary of state told The Christian Post that the office maintains the sponsor "failed to comply with statutory requirements in accordance with A.C.A. 7-9-111 (f)(2)." In a letter to Thurston Thursday, Arkansans for Limited Government asserted that it complied with the necessary requirements under state law and contended that it submitted information to Thurston's office about its 266 paid canvassers on July 5 and 266 affidavits signed by each individual canvasser. However, the secretary of state's staff reportedly told them it was not required to provide this information. The response letter accused Thurston of failing to specify how Arkansans for Limited Government "failed to comply with the plain language of the statute," which the group claims has resulted in members having to guess at the secretary of state's reasoning. On Wednesday, the group posted a statement about the rejection on X, alleging that the Arkansas secretary of state's office supplied them with the affidavit paperwork, which they now say appears not to have been correct and complete. "Arkansas law does not empower the Secretary of State to make an unfounded legal interpretation, which is what he did today by summarily declaring that we have not completed the steps for qualification," the group wrote. "We are owed a period to provide a hard copy of the statement, which has been emailed to their office more than a dozen times, if that is what's needed." Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders reacted to the rejection of the ballot measure in a Wednesday X post, writing that the "far left pro-abortion crowd in Arkansas showed they are both immoral and incompetent." According to KFF's ballot tracker, which the outlet last updated on Monday, Arkansas is one of 11 states where organizers have launched efforts to include a measure on the November ballot that would add abortion to the state constitution. These measures are set to appear on the ballot in Colorado, Maryland, Florida, South Dakota, Nevada, and New York, while organizers in Arizona, Missouri, Montana, and Nebraska have so far submitted signatures for approval. Whistleblower Doctor Faces 10 Years In Prison After Leaking Alleged Info On Child Transitions: Inside The Monumental Case link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 11:13 11:13 A Texas surgeon faces a massive fine and 10 years in prison after leaking information about Texas Children's Hospital allegedly performing transgender procedures on minors. Dr. Eithan Haim, 34, recently spoke with Christian Post reporter Jon Brown to explain what unfolded and what's at stake. Brown reported: Dr. Eithan Haim, 34, told The Christian Post that he feels God is with him in his battle against the U.S. Department of Justice, which slapped him earlier this month with four felony counts after he "obtained personal information including patient names, treatment codes and the attending physician from Texas Children's Hospital's (TCH) electronic system without authorization," according to a DOJ press release. Haim reportedly leaked such records to journalist Christopher Rufo last year because the hospital told the public it had paused such procedures after Texas Gov. Brown joins "The Inside Story" to discuss Haim's case, what the doctor is accused of, and why it matters. Home Opinion How different were the American and French revolutions? Another July 4th is now behind us, but another July 14th (Bastille Day, the initial act of the French Revolution) lies ahead of us. Superficially, the two revolutions those of the Americans and the French, which occurred just over a decade apart may seem like two sides of the same coin. But they are not. The conflicts were very different in their foundations and very different in their effects. And God is at the heart of that. In the simplest of terms: The American Revolution was pro-God. The French Revolution was anti-God. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Ronald Reagan articulated it so well: Here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights. We the people declared that government is created by the people for their own convenience. Government has no power except those voluntarily granted to it by we the people. Then he added, There have been revolutions before and since ours, revolutions that simply exchanged one set of rulers for another. Ours was a philosophical revolution that changed the very concept of government. In 1775, the American Revolution began. On July 4, 1776, the United States of America declared independence from Britain, while at the same time, declaring dependence upon God. They mention God four times in the Declaration of Independence. Above all, they note that He is the source of our rights. In 1787, America wrote up its Constitution, which the framers signed in the year of our Lord. The Constitution went into effect in 1789. On July 14, 1789, France began its revolution, with the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris. The newly invented guillotine was rigorously put to use, as the French revolutionaries beheaded thousands of Frenchmen, who were nobles or churchmen or otherwise deemed as counter-revolutionary. They beheaded the king (an act known as regicide) and the queen. Soon the revolutionaries began consuming their own ranks. Eventually, Maximilien Robespierre, the quintessential French revolutionary, was beheaded himself. The French Revolution declared war on Christ and the Church, which in France was mostly Roman Catholic. They desecrated many of the churches including Notre Dame itself. They forbade the mass, but instead lifted a half-naked actress onto the altar of that famous cathedral. They renamed Notre Dame, Ground Zero in the city of Paris, as the Temple to the Goddess Reason. And they worshiped her. In order to declare further independence from Christian influence, they eliminated the seven-day week with its Jewish Sabbath (generally on Saturdays) and the Lords Day (always on Sunday, to remember the day Jesus rose from the dead). Instead, the French changed the week to 10 days, thus jettisoning any Judeo-Christian influence. Furthermore, they changed the counting of the years, from 1791 to Year One of the (French) Republic. When people say that the founding fathers meant nothing by dating the Constitution in the year of our Lord, we should remember that the French not too long after explicitly rejected the year of our Lord. About a dozen years later, Napoleon (whose rise to power ended the revolution) abolished the bulk of these anti-Christian actions. While the United States, with its Judeo-Christian foundation, grew and flourished, what happened in France? Not only did blood flow in the streets, not only was virtually any Christian expression disallowed, but the government eroded under revolutionary fervor. A quick Google search on how many governments France has had since their revolution yields this result: Since 1789 and the French Revolution, France has had 14 constitutions, including 5 republics. General de Gaulle put the current constitution in place in 1958. For my series of Providence Forum films on Americas Judeo-Christian roots, I had the privilege of interviewing Dennis Prager. He said, The American Revolution and French Revolution is the [current] battle in the United States. Which revolution will prevail? Now, they loathed the idea of God in the French Revolution; the secular republic was the ideal. In America, they believed in secular government but in a God-based society, because rights come from God in America. But tragically, as Dr. Os Guinness, a great Christian writer and thinker, told us in the same series: The French view has virtually swept the world. Chinese communism, the fruit of 1789. Russian Marxism, the fruit of 1789. You know, much of so-called liberal democracy in Europe, the leftwing progressivism, [is] the fruit of 1789. Most of the American intellectuals, 1789. And thats why they have very deficient views of freedom. And the tragedy of America, its the one country whose political order was decisively shaped by the Bible and by the Reformation, and yet, its rejecting the distinctiveness of its roots. Ideas have consequences. And as John Stonestreet of the Colson Center likes to add: Bad ideas have victims. Home News Evangelical billionaire Bill Hwang found guilty in multibillion-dollar stock fraud, racketeering trial A billionaire who has claimed to be a devout Christian and was one of the Evangelical world's biggest benefactors was found guilty Wednesday in New York City of massive securities and market manipulation fraud that reportedly wiped $100 billion from the global market. Bill Hwang, who founded the investment firm Archegos Capital Management in 2013, stared ahead and sipped water as the jury announced its verdict that he was guilty on 10 of 11 counts that included racketeering, securities fraud, market manipulation and wire fraud, according to The Associated Press. Hwang was found not guilty on one charge of market manipulation that applied to one stock, but he could spend the rest of his life in federal prison. Patrick Halligan, who served as the former chief financial officer of Archegos, was also convicted of conspiracy, securities fraud and wire fraud. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice alleged that Hwang and his co-conspirators illegally manipulated the prices of publicly traded securities and engaged in a scheme to defraud leading global investment banks and brokerages to grow their portfolio from $10 billion to $160 billion. They alleged Hwang deceived banks regarding Archegos' substantial holdings in approximately 12 stocks, as The New York Times noted. According to prosecutors, they accomplished this using complex derivatives and loans. While Hwang's lawyer maintained that his client was a high-risk and aggressive investor who invested in stocks he thought would do well, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said at a news conference after Hwang's arrest in April 2022 that his actions "nearly jeopardized our financial system." "But last year, the music stopped," Williams said. "The bubble burst. The prices dropped. And when they did, billions of dollars of capital evaporated nearly overnight." When the firm collapsed in 2021, Hwang hemorrhaged $10 billion over 10 days, which also tanked the shares of the investment banks Nomura in Japan and Credit Suisse in Switzerland, according to The Wall Street Journal. UBS and Morgan Stanley also incurred losses. The global market also saw about $100 billion wiped out. Following the verdict this week, Williams claimed that both Hwang and Halligan "lied about Archegos's positions in these companies and just about every other materially important metric investment banks would use in determining the firm's creditworthiness." Their lies allowed them to "fraudulently inflate a $1.5 billion portfolio into a $36 billion portfolio," he added. Archegos was named for a Greek word meaning "chief prince" used in the New Testament to describe Jesus Christ. Before his financial ruin, Hwang had helped to establish the Grace and Mercy Foundation, which reportedly had more than $500 million in assets at its peak, according to Reuters. He had also served as a trustee at Fuller Theological Seminary. The foundation contributed to prominent Evangelical organizations such as Focus on the Family, the late Rev. Tim Keller's Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, the Museum of the Bible, The King's College, Ravi Zacharias Ministries and others. Home News IRS pressured to investigate Family Research Council's 'church' status A group of Democratic members of Congress are calling on the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the national Christian conservative advocacy organization Family Research Council's official status as an "association of churches." Reps. Jared Huffman of California and Suzan DelBene of Washington sent the letter on Tuesday, with 11 other lawmakers joining. The correspondence is addressed to U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. The Democrats conveyed "continued concerns about the tax-exempt status of certain organizations" such as the FRC, claiming that said groups "are self-identifying as 'churches' or 'associations of churches' to receive more favorable tax treatment than other tax-exempt organizations." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "While we appreciate the IRS's dedication to these matters, our concerns remain regarding transparency and the fair application of tax laws to all entities," reads the letter, in part. "Is existing IRS guidance sufficient to prevent abuse by organizations that self-identify as churches? What resources or statutory changes are necessary to ensure that the IRS can prevent organizations from exploiting tax-exempt church status to avoid public accountability and tax enforcement?" As a Section 501(c)(3) organization, the letter argues that FRC cannot "devote a substantial part of their activities to attempting to influence legislation" or "participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office." "FRC is one example of an alarming pattern of rightwing advocacy groups applying for and obtaining church status," they claimed. "This is a claim that strains credulity: FRC does not hold religious services, does not have a congregation or affiliated congregations, and does not possess many of the other attributes of churches listed by the IRS." "Therefore, we reiterate our request for the IRS to review the status of tax-exempt organizations that have obtained church status, but do not satisfy the requirements of a church, integrated auxiliary, or convention or association of churches." The Christian Post reached out to the Family Research Council for this story. A response is pending. In July 2022, ProPublica reported that FRC, founded in 1983 by prominent Evangelical leader James Dobson, filed an application with the IRS seeking reclassification as an "association of churches" in 2020. Under the Trump administration, the IRS approved the reclassification that summer. ProPublica speculated that the reclassification was meant to reduce financial accountability, since it meant that the FRC "was no longer required to file a public tax return, known as a Form 990, revealing key staffer salaries, the names of board members and related organizations, large payments to independent contractors and grants the organization has made." "Unlike with other charities, IRS investigators can't initiate an audit on a church unless a high-level Treasury Department official has approved the investigation," continued the report. Soon after the report was published, a group of Democratic representatives sent a letter to Yellen and IRS Commissioner Charles P. Rettig expressing concerns over the classification. Rettig acknowledged their concerns in a letter sent on Nov. 3, 2022. The IRS official restated his commitment to making sure tax-exempt organizations comply with tax laws but stated that it "cannot disclose any actions we may take on this information." In the past, the FRC, now headed by Evangelical activist Tony Perkins, has denounced calls to investigate its status as an association of churches. Perkins told CP in 2022 that the status change was made because it "more accurately reflects our expanding ministry work." "Based upon a lengthy application process and audit of our activities, the IRS granted our status as an association of churches," Perkins stated at the time, labeling the calls for investigation of his group "an egregious abuse of power." "The Democratic Party's attempts to silence religious organizations, with whom they disagree, will not stop with FRC." Home News A better understanding of US history: Okla. Supt. Defends Bible education in public schools Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is defending his decision to issue a directive that calls for the inclusion of the Bible in public school classrooms. Recently, Walters garnered national attention when he announced that he was changing public school social studies standards to make the Bible more of a focal point in the curriculum. In an interview with The Christian Post on Thursday, Walters defended his directive, explaining that it is of the utmost importance that our kids get a full understanding of American history. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Obviously, that includes the most read book in American history, the most purchased book in American history, the most cited book in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Bible, Walters said. We're not going to allow left-wing extremists and the teachers union to keep the Bible from schools in its historical context. So, we're very proud to be the first state to put the Bible back into classrooms and make sure that our kids understand its impact in American history. Although the Bible had technically been part of the public school history curriculum already, Walters told CP that, because of complaints from secular progressive groups, we've seen the Bible virtually removed from all classrooms across the country, and here in the state of Oklahoma. The Bible was not being used prominently in its historical role in our schools. We heard that time and time again, he continued. We made clear with the directive; this is not an ask. They will teach from the Bible, they will reference the Bible, they will make sure that that historical context is included when its appropriate. According to Walters, public schools in Oklahoma will receive additional guidance here in the next couple of weeks in preparation for the start of the school year this coming fall. Additionally, the state is working on revising the current standards for the following school year, in an effort to include more direct application of the Bible in our history classes, he explained. David Barton of the conservative Christian group Wallbuilders, who is known for making controversial claims about American history, sits on the committee overseeing the rewrites. We have our guidance to make sure the Bible is being taught in the classrooms as currently written in state law and our current academic standards, but we are rewriting the standards for the following year, Walters said. So, we're doing guidance now under our current standards, but we are currently rewriting them in a process that's been going on for about six months now that will be for the following year. Walters efforts have garnered their share of criticism from assorted groups, among them the Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United, told CP via emailed comments that she considered Walters direction to be an unconstitutional effort to indoctrinate and religiously coerce public school students. Public schools are not Sunday schools. Ryan Walters has repeatedly made clear that he is incapable of distinguishing the difference, she stated. Ryan Walters is on a crusade to abuse the power of his public office and impose his religious beliefs on everyone elses children in Oklahoma. As a former history teacher, Walters should know that our country is rooted in the promise of church-state separation, which protects families and students religious freedom and prevents the government from interfering with religion and religious doctrine. Laser believed that while public schools can teach about religion, including the books religions revere, such as the Bible, they cannot preach it as truth or indoctrinate children into a religion. Even the most well-intentioned Bible classes often go astray, Laser continued. Study after study shows that when public schools teach the Bible, they fail to meet constitutional requirements and end up religiously coercing students. Families whose religious freedom has been violated often have no choice but to challenge them in court. A long line of court decisions makes clear that strict constitutional requirements apply to teaching the Bible in public school classrooms. Laser also told CP that her organization was monitoring how Walters and schools attempt to implement this policy and are ready to respond as needed when school starts back up in the fall. We think the Constitution our countrys founding document is a more appropriate focal point for public schools. Its an entirely secular document that made America the first country to establish the separation of religion and government as the shield that protects religious freedom for everyone, she added. The records from the Constitutional Convention show the Bible was almost never invoked. The Ten Commandments were never cited. Students and educators in Oklahoma deserve to learn the real facts about our countrys founding and values. When asked about concerns that his directive might be unconstitutional, Walters maintained that it is an absurd position that the Left has taken that the most read and the most purchased book in American history should not be utilized in history curriculum. To not have the Bible prominently part of a historical curriculum, of this historical context in American history, is unacceptable, he said. We want our kids to know more about American history than any other kid and that includes understanding the role that the Bible plays in our history. There are good reasons to be concerned about where our nation is headed under Labour In an interview with Beth Rigby of Sky News some three weeks before the General Election, in answer to a question about his support for Jeremy Corbyn, Sir Keir Starmer said, 'I backed Jeremy Corbyn in 2019 because I thought he would lose.' As context, it will no doubt be remembered that this is the man who, as soon as he became leader, rejected his predecessor's far-left extremism and pledged to purge the party of anti-Semitism, as part of which he then suspended Corbyn for anti-Semitic remarks, and subsequently refused to allow him back into the party. 'So what?' you might say; Starmer was just being a politician! But this is a man who, by his own admission, says whatever he thinks will best serve the moment. In other words, he says what best serves his own interests, which can only undermine his trustworthiness. So, given Labour's recent landslide victory, what can we now realistically expect from the new government? Starmer has been loud in his claims to have purged the party of anti-Semitism and has vowed never to let it take hold of the party again. Really? In the run-up to the election, the country saw an eruption of anger among Muslim voters over Labour's apparent 'failure' to back Palestinians in the war in Gaza. Traditionally, Labour has relied on the backing of Muslim and other minority groups, which together have made up around 10 per cent of their core vote. But this time, enraged at what they saw as a failure to support Palestinian interests, local Muslim communities fielded their own pro-Gaza candidates - and it had an effect. The Labour vote was not just severely dented across the country in towns where 10 per cent of the population identify as Muslim, but Labour actually lost four of what up to then had been considered 'safe' seats. A worrying development, however you look at it, and Starmer's response has been swift. From maintaining Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas aggression, he started to call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and is reportedly now considering recognition of Palestine as an independent state, even if the US and Israel don't. The shift in emphasis has been reinforced by several of the new Government's ministerial appointments, such as that of Shabana Mahmood as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. Ms Mahmood is not just a new MP, but also a vehement advocate for Palestine, committed to rebuilding relations with Muslim voters. Starmer's wife is of course Jewish, and it is to be hoped he will continue his stand against anti-Semitism within Labour but, counterpointed against this, the Prime Minister is also trying now to win back the Muslim vote, and it is perhaps not unreasonable to say: watch this space. Other policies now emerging, and unrelated to Palestine, seem to indicate a similar equivocal approach. For example, Bridget Phillipson, the new Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, has made much of her commitment to recruit 6,500 new teachers and put education back at the top of the agenda. But she has also expressed support for transgender rights, and has refused to commit to implementation of the new guidance put forward by the last government, that would ban the scientifically inaccurate and damaging teaching of gender identity in schools. Previously, she is on record as saying that trans women with penises can use female-only spaces, and is a champion of trans rights. This is an approach shared by Anneliese Dobbs, the newly appointed Minister of State for Women and Equalities, who will no doubt be working closely with Ms Phillipson to fulfil Labour's pledge to 'modernise, simplify, and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to a new process'. Despite protests from Christian and women's groups, the two together have been given responsibility for overseeing implementation of a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion therapy. There are similar concerns in relation to Labour's position on life issues. Starmer has already committed to supporting the legalisation of assisted 'dying', reasserting his promise to allow a free vote when the anticipated bill comes before Parliament. And, despite the fact one in three women in the UK support a reduction of the current time limit for abortion, it would seem that we can expect a similar approach to the legalisation of abortion up to birth. Diana Johnson, who earlier this year attempted to hijack the Criminal Justice Bill to introduce amendments that would have allowed abortion up to birth and sex-selective abortion, has now been appointed Home Secretary, and will doubtless at some point use her position to put forward new legislative proposals that will make killing the unborn an inalienable 'human right'. On top of all this, it now emerges that half the cabinet, including Sir Keir himself, are overtly atheist, choosing, along with 40 per cent of their colleagues, to make a secular affirmation rather than take the religious oath, when they were sworn into the Commons. Of course, they are entitled to do this. However, as headlined in The Times, we have just elected the most godless Parliament in our history. But what of the economy and national defence? In their manifesto Labour pledged not to raise income tax or national insurance, but the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has said that to meet its fiscal targets, the new government will be compelled either to cut spending or raise taxes. As part of which, there are already rumours of tax being levied on state pensions, increases on Capital Gains tax, and the introduction of a 'wealth' tax. There are also plans to tax private schools, and it already looks as if many will be forced to close. So, has the government been entirely honest, and what more should we expect? There are also concerns over national defence. Military analysts warn that, globally, we are facing a situation where war could be imminent for which the UK is unprepared. To counter the threat, Starmer has launched a major review into the military and has pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent. All of which is good, but he has so far failed to provide a date or timeline for implementation. In the wake of the election, some have been talking enthusiastically about a new start and a sense of hope. But in the current cultural climate, such optimism appears misplaced. Our new government is secularist and will pursue a far-left agenda which will, without doubt, bring challenges. Christians should prepare. Aboneaza-te la rubricile dorite si primeste zilnic notificari pe email cu link-uri la articolele care au fost adaugate in ultimele 24 de ore. Notificarile vor fi expediate la adresa indicata mai jos. Daca doresti sa schimbi adresa - o poti modifica editand informatia de profil aici. BROOK PARK, Ohio - Blue Abyss, a UK-based company, has received funding from the state of Ohio for the construction of a $250 million facility that will include a hotel and a cutting-edge extreme-environment research, development, and training center in Brook Park. The center and hotel are designed to train people and test vehicles in two extreme environments: space and the deep sea. This project aligns with the trend of private companies taking the lead in space exploration. Shortly after finalizing the purchase of a 12-acre site in Brook Park, Blue Abyss CEO John Vickers confirmed in a statement on July 8 that his company received $1.8 million in one-time funding from the Ohio Capital Budget to advance its mission of fostering innovation, education, and economic growth within the region. Our intention is to create a network of the worlds foremost, extreme environment training, research, testing, and development centers, with the first in Brook Park, Ohio, Vickers told the News Sun. They are designed to support the marine and space sectorsfrom offshore energy, including floating offshore wind power, to undersea technology, deep-sea mining, underwater defense, and deep-sea robotics. The property is located adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport along Aerospace Parkway. Its also near NASAs Glenn Research Center, the Ohio Aerospace Institute and Clevelands International Exposition Center. In addition to funding from the state, Blue Abyss received over $400,000 from Cuyahoga County. Paul Marnecheck, the citys Commissioner of Economic Development, told the News Sun that the company purchased the Brook Park property from the city for $783,750. Marnecheck describes the project as catalytic. They chose us, he said. They could have gone anywhere in the world and they came here. This is exciting. This isnt just another little project. Were laying the foundations for a project that hopefully two generations from now will still be benefiting from. Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt also expressed his enthusiasm for the project, highlighting the citys potential for growth and innovation. Blue Abyss investing in Brook Park for this ground-breaking facility is a clear sign of our unlimited potential and bright future and continues the great legacy of innovation by NASA Glenn and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, both located in Brook Park. Were eager to collaborate, leveraging their expertise to boost our local economy, generate jobs, and create a lasting legacy for our community and Northeast Ohio. About Blue Abyss Blue Abyss seeks to be the worlds premier deep-sea and space extreme environment research, training and test center, Vickers said. The company envisions a future where humanity safely and routinely travels to, lives and works in the most extreme environments, Vickers wrote in a statement. It aims to deliver the worlds foremost extreme environment research, development, testing, and training facilities to enable the research and development of space, aerospace, medical and marine technologies and techniques. The Blue Abyss team includes preeminent experts in the field of human spaceflight and extreme environment exploration. Vickers said the company will now move to the planning stage, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2024. As we step into 2024, this exciting milestone in our partnership with the state of Ohio and the city of Brook Park signifies a shared commitment towards realizing a visionary Blue Abyss center, Vickers said. This facility will stand as a beacon of innovation and a cornerstone of regional and national infrastructure, fostering economic growth, and job creation, leaving an enduring legacy for Brook Park, Ohio, and the global community. Project highlights The facility will house the worlds largest and deepest research and development pool, which plunges to a depth of over 164 feet and holds 42,000 cubic meters of water. Thats enough to fill 17 Olympic-sized swimming pools, Blue Abyss states. Other notable attributes of the Brook Park facility include: Human centrifuge to enable training and physiology research at high levels of speed and acceleration. Hypobaric and hyperbaric chambers to enable training and research in hypoxic and pressurized environments. Blue Abyss parabolic flight 2.0 to enable microgravity research, training and public discovery. Vickers told the News Sun that plans for the hotel include 150 rooms but said that may increase to 200. He said construction of the center and hotel is on target to finish in early fall 2026. Economic impact Blue Abyss and the city of Brook Park shared a fiscal impact study that was conducted by Kent State Universitys Department of Economics in 2023. The study found that the Blue Abyss project will provide substantive economic and fiscal benefits to the local economy as a visitor attraction and will bring high-quality jobs and economic benefits to the local region. During the construction phase, the study states that the local economy is expected to see multiple benefits, including: Adding over 1,700 full-time equivalent jobs. Increasing residents incomes by $135 million. Creating a total spending impact of $316 million. After five years, the Blue Abyss facility is projected to: Create or support nearly 4,000 jobs. Add $277 million to residents incomes. Increase county and sub-county tax revenue by $3.5 million. Increase total output by well over $654 million. Marnecheck praised the project, telling the News Sun that he believes it will benefit Northeast Ohioans for decades. Blue Abyss represents more than just a groundbreaking project; its a catalyst for progress, he said. With its tremendous economic impact, it not only builds on the legacy of the NASA Glenn Research Center but also solidifies Brook Parks place as the hub of cutting-edge space exploration. The availability of high-quality skilled union labor played a role, and this venture opens up exciting possibilities for entrepreneurs to establish themselves right here. Blue Abyss isnt just about reaching new depths; its about reaching new heights for our community. Each time I mention Donald Trumps un-fitness for office in this column, I hear from readers asking me for my thoughts on Joe Biden. Ive ignored them until now, because those notes imply a false equivalency between Trump and Biden, and thats ridiculous. Trump has broken laws, lied repeatedly and laid plans to tear apart the fabric of our democracy. Biden has done nothing like that. But the obvious faltering of Biden in his advanced age has brought a new round of notes from Trump backers, accusing me of ignoring the evidence that Biden is unfit while repeatedly laying out the case against Trump. Thats a valid point. So, Ill give you a few thoughts. But first, my Joe Biden story. One of the early pieces I wrote as a young journalist was about Biden. My first daily newspaper job was at the Delaware State News in Dover, where I was the lone reporter covering the southernmost of the states three counties. More often than not, that meant covering the renowned coast towns, like Rehoboth Beach, but on occasion, I had stories on the other side of the state. In 1983 or 1984, a bridge controversy roiled the town of Seaford near the Maryland border. A longstanding drawbridge was in sorry shape and had to be replaced. My memory is a bit hazy, as this was more than four decades ago, but I believe it was the Army Corps of Engineers that proposed replacing it with a fixed bridge, and Seaford was furious. Townspeople there thought the fixed bridge would cripple commerce on the river there by limiting the height of ships. The town had been complaining about the plan for months, possibly even years, and the issue was boiling over around the time Seaford became part of my beat. A town meeting was arranged, to be attended by the states second-term U.S. senator, Joe Biden. I dont think I had been to Seaford before the night of that meeting, so I did not know what to expect. I walked into a room a school gym, I think that was jammed with people. Unhappy people. Angry people. I talked to a few about their expectations, and while they admired Biden, they planned to give him hell. If memory serves, Biden was late, leaving the crowd to stew. And then, in a flash, he was gliding into auditorium. Not the man you see today. A young man, filled with energy. He was 41 or so, and his hair was still dark. And his voice was booming. I think he listened to concerns from some people in the crowd for a bit, but soon, he took the microphone, and what happened next was a wonder to behold for a neophyte reporter. He mesmerized them. I cant remember what he said, other than to promise he would not let them down, but I remember clearly his impact on those assembled. He charmed them. He made them laugh. He rallied them. And when he was finished, they were applauding him with vigor. In my young life, I had never seen anyone do what he did. He owned the room with the nothing more than force of personality. Before writing this column, I tried to find the story I wrote about the session, but the papers online archives dont go back that far. Im sort of glad, because Im sure my story was lacking. I also tried to figure out which bridge it was. I think it was the Market Street bridge over the Nanticoke River, which appears to remain a drawbridge, which means Biden would have lived up to his word and blocked the replacement. But I left Delaware after one year, and I did not follow the story. I did follow Biden, however. After seeing him transfix that crowd, I wanted to see how far he might go. We all know the answer today. So, what do I think of Biden? I think he has been the kind of leader we dont see much anymore, a principled servant who has devoted his life to his state and his country. Yes, like all of us, he has made mistakes, but you cant honestly compare them to the ceaselessly horrifying behavior of Trump. That said, Im sad that Biden remains in the race. No one defeats the clock, and time has diminished Bidens mental capacity. I watched this happen with my mom before she died in February and know things will only get worse for Biden. America can see that he is, or soon will be, unfit to be the leader of the free world. He has devoted his lifetime to a brighter American future, and his staying in the race quite likely darkens it. I wish he would do one final, selfless act of service to his nation and walk away. With any luck, he could persuade Michelle Obama to replace him, resulting in such a landslide win that no one could begin to claim a rigged election. She would spark a turnout like we havent seen, and more than anything, she would give us some hope that our era of darkness is lifting. Bidens remaining in the race all but guarantees a return of Trump, and I cant believe Biden wants that to be his enduring legacy. Withdrawing would be heroic. You asked. Ive answered. Im at cquinn@cleveland.com Thanks for reading. 13 The job market may have cooled a bit, but there are still far more job openings nationwide than there are people available to fill them. That means qualified workers are still a precious commodity. So, companies seeking to attract great employees like to set up shop in states that offer a great quality of life. While some states are more than happy to oblige, these are not those states. They are America's worst states to live and work in. Each year, CNBC's America's Top States for Business study considers quality of life among ten categories of competitiveness used to rank the states. Under this year's methodology, the Quality of Life category counts for 13% of a state's overall score. We score each state on multiple livability factors including crime rates, health care, air quality and child care. We also consider worker protections, and legal safeguards against discrimination of all kinds. And, we look at personal freedom including reproductive rights. In these ten states, the welcome mat has more than a few holes in it. 10. Arizona Members of Arizona for Abortion Access, the ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the Arizona State Constitution, hold a press conference and protest condemning Arizona House Republicans and the 1864 abortion ban during a recess from a legislative session at the Arizona House of Representatives on April 17, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Rebecca Noble | Getty Images Because everyone has their own opinion about the weather, we don't include it in our Quality of Life rankings. That means Arizona reaches the bottom tier without even considering the sweltering heat. We do, however, consider air quality, and the state's rising temperatures are contributing to some of the worst ozone pollution in the nation, according to the American Lung Association. The Grand Canyon State also has growing gaps in health care, with fewer than two staffed hospital beds per 1,000 people, according to the American Hospital Association. In May, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a repeal of the near-total abortion ban passed in 1864, before Arizona was a state. But that still left the state with a 15-week ban. And a quirk in the state constitution could allow the 1864 ban to go back into effect, if only briefly, this fall. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 119 out of 325 Points (Top States Grade: D-) Strengths: Crime, Voting Rights, Worker Protections Weaknesses: Air Quality, Reproductive Rights, Health Care 9. Kansas Thomas Barwick | Digitalvision | Getty Images Quality child care is sparse in the Sunflower State, with just 825 licensed child-care centers in a state of 2.9 million people, according to Child Care Aware of America. Kansas also has some of the most expensive child care in the nation. A married couple earning a median income can expect to spend nearly 14% of it on child care. Oh, and don't let the idyllic prairie fool you: Kansans reported more than 11,000 violent crimes in 2022, the most recent figure available from the FBI. The crime rate has recently begun to decline after nearly a decade on the rise, but Kansas is still more violent than the nation as a whole. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 113 out of 325 Points (Top States Grade: F) Strengths: Health Care, Reproductive Rights Weaknesses: Child Care, Crime, Worker Protections 8. Louisiana Police officers work at the scene of a shooting that occured during the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, February 19, 2023. Chandan Khanna | AFP | Getty Images People in the Pelican State pride themselves on being made of stern stuff. That's probably a good thing in a state with the fourth-highest violent crime rate in the nation, according to FBI statistics, including more than 300 murders in 2022. Louisiana is America's least healthy state, according to the United Health Foundation, with the fourth-highest rate of premature deaths. More than 40% of Louisianans are obese. However, the state is a leader in child care, with more than 1,800 licensed facilities in a state of 4.5 million people, according to the Louisiana Department of Education. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 100 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strength: Child Care Weaknesses: Crime, Health, Reproductive Rights 7. Missouri St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell listens to a concerned voter after casting his ballot on November 3, 2020 outside the St. Louis County Board of Elections in St. Ann, Missouri. Michael B. Thomas | Getty Images In 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic raged, Missouri became one of the last states to give in and allow early and mail voting. But it remains one of the most burdensome states to vote in, according to elections researcher Michael Pomante, who has published a Cost of Voting Index since 2018. Missouri is one of only 10 states requiring a qualified excuse to vote by mail. Missouri also has America's sixth-highest crime rate, with more than 30,000 offenses reported in 2022. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 98 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strength: Air Quality Weaknesses: Voting Rights, Crime, Reproductive Rights 6. Tennessee Educators and various organizations from across the state of Tennessee march to the Amazon headquarters in downtown Nashville in protest of Governor Bill Lee's school voucher program on March 12, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Seth Herald | Getty Images The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reports that violent crime in the Volunteer State is declining, including a nearly 9% drop in the murder rate in 2022. But it is still among the most violent states in the nation, according to FBI crime statistics. The Human Rights Campaign alleges Tennessee lawmakers unleashed "a tsunami of discriminatory legislation" in 2024, including a law signed by Republican Gov. Bill Lee in April that forbids the state social services department from seeking to place LGBTQ+ foster children in supportive homes. Another law clears the way for the state to abolish its independent human rights commission, folding it into the partisan Attorney General's office. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 96 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strengths: Child Care, Air Quality Weaknesses: Crime, Inclusiveness, Health Care 5. Arkansas Kali9 | E+ | Getty Images The Natural State is dangerous, with the second-highest violent crime rate in the nation after New Mexico. Anti-discrimination provisions in the state's public accommodation law are weak, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, with no protections against discrimination based on age, veteran or military status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or marital status. However, the state is a leader in affordable child care. A married, median income couple can expect to pay just 9% of their income on child care. The state of about three million people has nearly 1,800 licensed child-care facilities. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 93 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strength: Child Care Weaknesses: Inclusiveness, Crime, Voting Rights 4. Oklahoma Dr. Franz Theard consults a woman seeking abortion from Oklahoma in his clinic, Womens Reproductive Clinic, a provider of abortions in Santa Teresa, New Mexico on May 7, 2022. Paul Ratje/The Washington Post via Getty Images Paul Ratje | The Washington Post | Getty Images Oklahoma's abortion ban, triggered by the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, is among the most restrictive in the nation, according to the Guttmacher Institute. It prohibits abortions at any stage of pregnancy, except in cases of rape or incest, or if the procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother. Oklahomans have the nation's third-highest obesity rate and the third-lowest rate of physical exercise. That helps make the Sooner State among America's least healthy. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 85 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strength: Air Quality Weaknesses: Reproductive Rights, Health, Worker Protections, Voting Rights 3. Alabama Voters enter a polling location to cast their ballots in the state's primary on March 5, 2024 in Oxford, Alabama. 15 States and one U.S. Elijah Nouvelage | Getty Images Alabama is one of only three states that do not allow early voting, according to The Center for Election Innovation and Research (the others are Mississippi and New Hampshire). And this year, the state passed significant new restrictions on absentee voting. Oxfam America ranked the Yellowhammer State dead last for wage policies. The state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour covers less than 20% of the cost of living for a family of four. Alabama is one of only five states with no public accommodation law barring discrimination against non-disabled people. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 83 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strength: Child Care Weaknesses: Voting Rights, Inclusiveness, Worker Protections 2. Indiana Solstock | E+ | Getty Images Indiana is the worst state for access to child care, with just 772 licensed facilities in a state of nearly seven million people. The low supply versus demand makes child care expensive in the Hoosier State. A married couple can expect to spend nearly 13% of a median income on child care. Indiana has joined a parade of states passing laws targeting the LGBTQ+ population, including a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and barring teachers from discussing human sexuality from pre-kindergarten through third grade. 2024 Quality of Life Score: 78 out of 325 points (Top States Grade: F) Strength: Crime Weaknesses: Child Care, Reproductive Rights, Inclusiveness, Voting Rights 1. Texas Darwin Varela is carried into the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center after suffering from dehydration on July 18, 2023 in Eagle Pass, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images A near-death experience inspired Denae McGaha to move halfway across the world. In 2011, when McGaha was 16 years old, a deadly tornado ripped through her parents' house in Harvest, Alabama while she, her brother, mother and father were inside. McGaha's father, Ronnie, threw himself on top of his daughter to protect her from the wind and debris. He was killed while shielding McGaha from the storm. The last Christmas her father was alive, he gifted her a travel guidebook to Europe. "I always had the travel bug," McGaha, 30, says. "With that gift, it felt like all of my dreams [to see the world] were supported and confirmed." McGaha started plotting her move abroad as soon as she turned 18. In college, she spent two semesters studying in London and Copenhagen, respectively, and backpacked through Europe the summer after she graduated. "Travel started as a coping mechanism for me to stay excited about life and heal after surviving such a horrific experience and losing my dad," McGaha says. "It cracked my world right open, and I wanted to experience everything that was out there. It also showed me I could build a new, beautiful life even after losing so much." After returning home from her trip, McGaha moved in with her mom on Whidbey Island in Washington and got a job as a barista at a coffee shop. "I felt like such an imposter," she recalls. "Everyone I knew was applying to grad school or landing job offers in big cities, and I was just tired and lost I had no idea what to do with myself, but I knew I wanted to keep traveling." One of her friends suggested she look at teaching jobs in Budapest, Hungary, noting the teacher shortage there and the short visa processing timeline. Within weeks of submitting her application, McGaha landed a job teaching English to kindergarteners and, in 2017, moved to Budapest the same city she still calls home seven years later. "I don't see myself living here forever, but I don't see an immediate reason why I would leave," she says. "There's still so much love I have for this city." Moving to Europe with $4,000 and a single suitcase McGaha spent $800 for a new life outside the United States and that was just on the one-way plane ticket. "I think I brought one suitcase with me," she says. All in all, she saved about $4,000 for her relocation. Her teaching contract included a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Budapest, with a monthly stipend to help cover rent and utilities. The job paid about $7,800 a year. Navigating her new career in Budapest didn't involve much of a language barrier, McGaha says, as many Hungarians speak English, and she became proficient in Hungarian after working in the school for a year. "I learned a lot working with the kindergarteners because the kids speak very simple and repetitive Hungarian," McGaha explains. She quickly made friends with other teachers, expats she met through Instagram and staff at the businesses in her neighborhood from outdoor farmers markets to Budapest's famous ruin bars. For McGaha, the biggest challenge of relocating to Budapest has been being far from her family and friends in the United States, and acclimating to what she calls a "coconut culture." "People from 'peach cultures,' like Americans, tend to be softer on the outside, friendlier to strangers, eager to make small talk, but there's a pit in the middle, some private parts of themselves, that they save for a few people," she explains. "Hungarian culture is a bit more like a coconut: they mostly keep to themselves and don't easily engage with strangers, but once you break through the outer shell, they're wonderful and loyal friends, many will treat you like family." Switching from teaching to a remote-first career Soon after moving to Budapest, McGaha started a blog to recount her experiences as an American expat and her favorite things to do around the city. Little did she know that her favorite hobby would turn into a career. McGaha was laid off from her teaching job in March 2020 when Hungary closed its schools to curb the spread of Covid-19. She spent more time updating her blog, promoting her content on LinkedIn and Instagram. Local businesses in Budapest took note and started contacting McGaha through her blog to help revamp their own blogs and social media accounts. From those opportunities, "I was able to build even more of a portfolio, and I got approached through Instagram by an acquaintance who worked at Consumer51 about helping them build out their international customer roster," McGaha explains. She now works as a freelance travel writer and part-time remote digital marketing strategist at Consumer51, a marketing agency based in Philadelphia. McGaha typically works from her one-bedroom apartment in Budapest's 5th District neighborhood or a co-working space in her neighborhood. Photo: Bence Bamer Since moving to Budapest and losing her teaching job McGaha has had to apply for several different visas. She was given a work visa to teach English when she first arrived in Hungary. Between 2020 and 2024, she applied and was approved for two different short-term visas a self-employed entrepreneur visa and a "visa for other purposes" valid for about two years each, consecutively. In January 2024, the Hungarian government overhauled its immigration system. It abolished the "visa for other purposes," the type of residence permit McGaha is trying to extend but because she applied before it was nullified, she's still eligible for it. If her application is approved, McGaha could be allowed to live in Hungary for at least another year. She's still considering applying for permanent residency in Hungary but hasn't yet because part of her dreams of being a digital nomad, traveling and working in different countries. "Living in Budapest makes me smile," she says. "The only times I cry here is when I have to deal with immigration paperwork." Living comfortably on less than $40,000 a year Last year McGaha earned about $37,731 from her marketing job and freelance gigs, which she says has been "more than enough" to cover her monthly expenses and still save money to travel and dine out with friends. In early 2020 she moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest's 5th District neighborhood, which she found on Ingatlan, a popular apartment-hunting website. Her rent, which hasn't changed since she moved in, is about $560 a month. After paying rent and utilities, McGaha says she aims to spend no more than $150 a week. "I'm grateful that living here has given me so many more options for how to spend and save," McGaha adds. "If I lived in Seattle on my current salary, for example, I wouldn't be able to enjoy the financial independence I have now or the peace of mind." Here's a monthly breakdown of McGaha's spending (as of May 2024): Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards McGaha's average monthly spending Elham Ataeiazar Food: $806 Rent and utilities: $664 Insurance: $82 Phone: $97 Subscriptions: $189 Transportation: $8 Business expenses: $25 Discretionary: $400 Debt repayment: $1,089 Total: $3,360 "In May, I ended up spending more than I made, and I think a big part of that was repayment of credit card debt," she says. "I was also being more liberal with going out to eat and have fun with friends but I'm cutting back on travel a bit this summer, and trying to be more intentional about money." Building a new life abroad A Russian diplomat leaves a plot of land where Russia's attempts to build a new embassy near Australia's parliament, suffered a legal blow with a top court backing the government's effort to seize the land, in Canberra on June 26, 2023. Russia accused Australia of inciting "anti-Russian paranoia" for charging a Russian-born couple with espionage, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday to tell Moscow to "back off." The married couple, who hold Australian citizenship, were arrested on charges of working to access material related to Australia's national security, though no significant compromise was identified, the Australian Federal Police said on Friday. "There is widespread information about the arrest in Brisbane of the spouses Kira and Igor Korolev, who have Russian and Australian citizenship, on charges of attempting to spy for Russia," the Russian embassy in the capital Canberra said in a statement to Russia's RIA state news agency on Friday. "The purpose of this campaign is obvious - to raise a new wave of anti-Russian paranoia here, distract Australians from the numerous failures of the policies of the ruling Labor Party," the embassy said. Albanese, speaking to reporters on Saturday, said Russia needed to "stop interfering in domestic affairs of other sovereign nations." "Russia can get the message, back off. Russia engages in espionage here and around the world," Albanese said in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland state, according to a transcript. Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion, announced a A$250 million ($170 million) military aid package for Kyiv on Thursday at a NATO summit in Washington. The embassy requested written information from the Australian authorities on the couple's situation and was considering "appropriate measures of consular assistance", the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported on Saturday. The embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. The Korolevs appeared in Brisbane magistrate's court on Friday, court filings show, charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. The charges are the first under laws introduced in 2018. They did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody until Sept. 20 when they are next due to appear, media reported. The wife, 40, an information systems technician in the Australian Army, travelled to Russia and instructed her husband in Australia to log into her official account to access defense materials, police said. Canberra has been supplying defense equipment to Kyiv, banned exports of aluminium ores to Russia and sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley speaks as she announces she is suspending her campaign, in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., March 6, 2024. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley has been invited to speak at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee next week, according to two sources familiar with the decision, who said details had not yet been finalized. The Republican National Committee, the Trump campaign and Haley's team did not immediately return a request for comment. The invitation appears to have come within the past few days. On Tuesday, Haley, who also served as ambassador to the United Nations under Trump before challenging him for the Republican nomination, released her 97 delegates so that they could support the former president at the convention. Chaney Denton, a longtime senior aide to Haley told NBC News at the time that she "was not invited" to the convention and that "she's fine with that." "Trump deserves the convention he wants," Denton said. "She's made it clear she's voting for him and wishes him the best." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another one of Trump's primary opponents who frequently clashed with the former president, is scheduled to speak at the convention. watch now This is a developing story. Refresh for live updates. Former President Donald Trump was rushed off stage by the Secret Service at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday after shots were fired, and taken to a local medical facility where he is receiving care. His spokesman said the former president "will be fine." Following the shots Trump could be seen on video contracting his body to the right, clutching his ear and dropping to the ground. He was then surrounded by Secret Service agents who rushed him to his car. What appeared to be blood could be seen on the right side of Trump's head. One spectator from the rally is dead, and a second is in serious condition, according to the Butler County district attorney. The shooter is dead, NBC News confirms. Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump reacts as multiple shots rang out during a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S., July 13, 2024. Brendan Mcdermid | Reuters A doctor at the rally told NBC News that he was sitting in the bleachers when he witnessed one death in the crowd. He said he saw the man get shot from behind and fall down the bleachers, appearing to be instantly killed. He said he helped officials carry the man out of the rally. As Secret Service agents hurriedly ushered Trump off stage, the former president stood up and punched his fist in the air for several seconds. The shooting at the rally stage occurred outside of the Secret Service's security perimeter for the event, three senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC News. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images News | Getty Images The Secret Service later said Trump was safe, and Trump's campaign said he was at a "local medical facility." "The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe," Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a social media post. "This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available." Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign's communications director, said "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow." Later Saturday evening, the Trump campaign went into "a complete communications lockdown," according to a message to staff obtained by NBC News. "Everything is OK," wrote James Blair, Trump campaign and Republican National Committee political director. "Anyone who speaks with the press, even on background or off the record, will be found and terminated immediately." "Refrain from commenting, speculating, posting on social media, etc. Complete and total lockdown," Blair added. "Your personal safety is of the utmost importance. Please exercise extreme caution during this time." President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident and addressed it in remarks on camera Saturday evening. watch now The European Commission has released the preliminary findings from an investigation launched last year into X (formerly Twitter), and said it believes the company is in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which applies to marketplaces, social networks, content-sharing platforms, app stores, and online travel and accommodation platforms. Non-compliance in three areas In a statement, the Commission said X was found non-compliant in three areas: The verified account mechanism is designed and implemented in a way that deceives users and does not correspond to industry practice. Since anyone can subscribe to obtain such a verified status, it negatively affects users ability to make free and informed decisions about the authenticity of the accounts and the content they interact with, the Commission said, adding there is evidence of motivated malicious actors abusing the verified account to deceive users. X does not comply with requirements around transparency in advertising. In particular, the design does not allow for the required supervision and research into emerging risks brought about by the distribution of advertising online, the Commission argued. X does not provide access to its public data to researchers, as specified by conditions in the DSA. Its terms of service prohibit researchers from independently accessing public data, and its process for granting researchers access via its application programming interfaces (APIs) appears to dissuade researchers from carrying out their research projects or leave them with no other choice than to pay disproportionally high fees. X now has the right to examine the commissions documentation and prepare a defense. Microsoft released 132 updates in its July Patch Tuesday update while addressing four zero-days (CVE-2024-35264, CVE-2024-37985, CVE-2024-38080 and CVE-2024-38112) affecting Windows desktop, Microsoft .NET and Visual Studio. This is a very significant patch cycle for Microsoft SQL Server, but there are no updates for Microsoft browsers and a low profile set of patches for Microsoft Office. No major revisions require attention, with testing focused squarely on SQL dependent applications. The team at Readiness has provided a useful infographic detailing the risks with each of the updates this cycle. Known issues Each month, Microsoft publishes a list of known issues included in its latest release, including two reported minor issues: The day some landlubber drops their iPhone in the ocean for it to float down to Bikini Bottom will be a darker one than when the Hash-Slinging Slasher came to town. SpongeBob SquarePants turned 25 years old this past May. During his quarter-century at the forefront of Nickelodeon programming, Tom Kennys beloved, boxy and endlessly upbeat fry cook has remained largely unchanged, with the exception of a brief animation glow-up that left the redesigned hero looking a little too much like a SpongeBob plush doll than SpongeBob himself. Though most of the fans who fell in love with SpongeBob SquarePants during its first few seasons on television probably arent religiously keeping up with the show through the modern day much like how we dont eat Totinos Pizza Rolls as often or own as many Tech Deks as we did back then the OG fans will be relieved to hear that new SpongeBob SquarePants episodes arent desperately pandering to the current generation of children with hackneyed pop culture-inspired plot lines or entire episodes devoted to Skibidi Toilet. Don't Miss In a recent interview with Variety, SpongeBob co-showrunner and executive producer Marc Ceccarelli clarified that the reason there hasnt been a SpongeBob episode about TikTok or Taylor Swift is because series creator Stephen Hillenburg wanted Bikini Bottoms only interaction with our world to be through our ocean junk that floats down to the floor. Tell that to David Hasselhoff. As Ceccarelli explained, the philosophy in the SpongeBob writers room has always been to avoid episode ideas that would date the series, which is probably why their early work still holds up as absolute peak TV comedy, let alone peak kids humor. To that end, the canonical seclusion of Bikini Bottom is a foundational piece of lore. Advertisement Advertisement Everything since the dawn of Bikini Bottom is made of a bunch of old junk that just fell to the bottom of the ocean, Ceccarelli explained of SpongeBobs home town. Because of this, Bikini Bottom was supposed to be isolated, so we try to avoid surface-world pop-culture references because nobody down there would know, say, the popular musician of each successive generation. Weve been making the show for 25 years and thats several generations of kids, Ceccarelli continued. But past episodes are still just as funny, because theyre not weighted down by a bunch of secret knowledge that each generation has. Of course, that hasnt stopped the shows writers from sneaking in some sly allusions to their favorite books or movies here and there like the time SpongeBob took the entire plot of Tremors and turned it into the all-time classic Alaskan Bull Worm episode. I still cant believe Kevin Bacon didnt try pushing the town somewhere else. Advertisement Its nice to know that, thanks to the late, great Hillenburgs thoughtful conception of the cartoon world that shaped so many childhoods, the rules of the SpongeBob universe shield it from ever suffering some celebrity-worship slop episode or an entire storyline about Squidward becoming a Twitch streamer. Simpsons writers, take note if you ever decide to stop writing Lady Gaga cameos and jokes about Homers Twitter feed, just decide that Springfield isnt in Oregon or Maine, but at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Richard Pryor gave Eddie Murphy a hard time later in his career right? At least, thats the story The New York Times David Marchese tried to confirm with Murphy in a recent podcast interview. Murphy vehemently disagreed. No, he didnt, insisted the Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F star. Bill Cosby gave me a hard time. When Murphy was hitting it big on Saturday Night Live and the movies, Cosby was arguably still the bigger star. The Cosby Show was TVs biggest hit in the 1980s, said TV Guide, arguing that it also breathed new life into the dying sitcom format. Cosby should have been a comedy elder statesman, but from the sound of things, Americas Dad didnt appreciate the competition from the upstart Murphy. Ostensibly, clean comic Cosby disapproved of Murphys liberal use of profanity in his stand-up act, but it wasnt so much language as it was the times that we were in, Murphy said. This is back when it was one Black person at a time getting in the mix. So when I come on the scene, Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby are like, Oh, this is the new shit thats coming? If its some new thing coming on, thats a threat to whatever their thing is. Don't Miss Pryor, according to Murphy, appreciated the young comic trying to walk in his footsteps. But Cosby? He could come at me with, Oh, the language! but it was more Its one at a time, and Is this the new guy whos going to knock me out of the spot? Thats what was going on back then. For his part, Murphy saw both comics more as heroes than competition. I wasnt even thinking about them like that, he explained. I was puppy-dogging both of them when I met them. But that was no longer the case after Cosby picked his fight publicly. Murphy laid it all bare in Eddie Murphy: Raw: And he wasnt done with Cosby as recently as 2019 when he returned to Saturday Night Live with this joke: If you would have told me 30 years ago that I would be this boring, stay-at-home, father-of-10 house dad, and Bill Cosby would be in prison, I would have took that bet. As the audience broke into hysterics, Murphy trotted out his dead-on Cosby impression: Who is Americas Dad now? Advertisement Advertisement As for Pryor? It was all love, according to Murphy. All I wanted to do when I started doing comedy, he said, was meet Richard Pryor. Advertisement Advertisement When I was on a fucking plane coming from Georgia, Richard Pryor was on the plane. Thats when I first met him, Murphy remembered. I gave him my cassette of my first album, and I sat like two or three rows (behind him) on the other side. I was watching the back of his head, and he was laughing at my stuff. I could have died right there. You could have crashed the plane right there. To make Richard laugh for real? You dont see Richard laugh a lot. Which, to Murphy, only proves that any perceived rift between him and Pryor was just a myth. Ive heard people say before that Eddie and Richard Pryor didnt get along, Murphy said. Not at all. He didnt become a mentor, but he was my idol. I idolized him. The ceiling of the whole art form, you know, stand-up comedy thats Richard. Kenan Thompson has been on Saturday Night Live for a record-breaking 21 years, but the making of one sketch felt even longer than that. When Thompson first joined the cast of SNL back in Season 29, he made history for being the first ever cast member born after the shows premiere on October 11, 1975. Today, the career of the 30 Rock Iron Man is, itself, a record of the shows ups and downs in the new millennium. Throughout his tenure, SNLs writing staff has asked Thompson to take on immense challenges on a show known for being the most demanding workplace in comedy. But one of the largest obstacles that Thompson has ever faced on SNL wasnt just self-imposed, it was himself, the night before a big pre-tape. Don't Miss On last nights episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers, Thompson said that, the night before he, Amy Poehler and Will Forte had to film the sketch 1-800-555-PHUNK, wherein Thompson played will.i.am in a fake commercial featuring the fake Black Eyed Peas, the three SNL hall-of-famers stayed out all night drinking, which made the shoot more miserable than an actual Black Eyed Peas concert. Sadly, the sketch in question isnt available on any of the official (or unofficial) Saturday Night Live online platforms, but fans who watched the episode on October 8, 2005 will remember how it spoofed a real-life Best Buy commercial featuring the Black Eyed Peas that was only slightly less shameless than the SNL version. In 1-800-555-PHUNK, the much-maligned pop group, headed by Thompsons will.i.am., Finesse Mitchell as apl.de.ap, Napoleon Dynamite star Jon Heder as Taboo and, hilariously, Amy Poehler playing Fergie, danced around Wendys grand openings and Bar Mitzvahs offering their services as musics biggest sellouts. Advertisement We used to go after it, Thompson said of his partying habits back in his early SNL years when Meyers asked him about an infamous night when he, Poehler and Forte stayed out partying until 4:30 a.m. only to get picked up for the video shoot at 6 a.m. Maybe even 5:30, Thompson corrected. I was will.i.am., and I put on heavy dreadlocks. Heavy, hot dreadlocks. And we were all the Black Eyed Peas early in the morning, Thompson recalled. That was back when we used to shoot 90 miles upstate for some reason. We used to do all our pre-tapes up there. At this Upstate New York shoot, Thompson and his buddies had to come up with ways to distract themselves from their pounding heads weighed down by giant wigs and the intensity of the Woodstock sun. It was very painful, so we started coming up with bits like calling our former selves, Thompson said, explaining how he would pretend to be his drunk self calling his more responsible alter-ego. I called Shoulda Keenan. Like, Shoulda Keenan is at home in bed, and he gets a phone call from Crazy Kenan like, Hello? Hey man, you think you can come pick me up? Where are you? Im on the side of the highway. Advertisement Funny enough, the side of the highway would be a perfect place for a new Black Eyed Peas billboard they gotta book those birthday parties somehow. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. If Lucy Letby is guilty, then there is a strong case for executing her. Her supposed crimes are so cruel and so grievous, and there are so many of them. It is hard to see any argument against the death penalty if she is guilty. Death would be far more merciful than keeping her locked up until she dies. A serial child killer in prison, despised by all, endlessly at the mercy of other prisoners, never safe from sudden assault, must surely be among the most miserable people on earth. But that is if she is guilty. It is much, much worse than that if she is innocent. If she is not guilty, then she should be freed as soon as humanly possible. Every second she serves is an outrage. This is why I believe the Criminal Cases Review Commission should move to have the case reopened as soon as possible. While it does so, the prison authorities should be instructed to make strenuous efforts to keep her from harm. The courts, likewise, should start behaving as if it was possible for trials to go wrong. I am baffled by the Appeal Court's swift rejection of her request for leave to appeal. Are these eminent persons interested in justice, or in procedure? The record of our courts, in putting injustice right slow and reluctant is bad enough as it is. Listen to the #1 True Crime podcast, The Trial of Lucy Letby Former nurse Lucy Letby, 34, was convicted last year of murdering seven premature babies and trying to kill six others at the hospital where she worked So much depends on the rightness of this conviction that nobody with a conscience can live through a single day without worrying about it at least once. And there is now so much thoughtful, responsible criticism of the verdict that we all have a duty to consider it. An explosion of serious, well-researched journalism on both sides of the Atlantic, casting doubt on the verdict, has, in recent days, changed the weather. It is no longer possible to dismiss all doubters as conspiracy theorists. Even so, why listen to me, of all people? I am no expert on the complexities of air embolisms, insulin or statistics, all crucial in the case. Well, the jury and the judge were not experts either. Nor were the prosecuting lawyers. But nobody dismisses their actions or decisions on the basis that they were not experts. So it is at least possible that other non-experts can have valid views on the case. If you dispute what I say here, then consult the growing library of criticism of the verdict from experienced doctors and from skilled users of statistics. Perhaps above all, you may now read online the long dissection of the case by Rachel Aviv, in The New Yorker. This is based on multiple conversations with experts and an impressively thorough reading of trial transcripts. And do not accuse me of being a 'do-gooder' who thinks everyone is innocent. I am a hardline supporter of the due punishment of responsible persons. I reject sociological excuses for crime. I want our prisons to be tougher, not softer. And, if I had more trust in our justice system, I would be a supporter of the death penalty. But this case is one of the reasons I cannot be. Then there's the suggestion that people take Ms Letby's side because she is young and pretty and does not look guilty. This has been expressed by Dr Dewi Evans, the main expert witness for the prosecution, who recently complained: 'In this case, Letby is a young, white, English nurse from a reputable, normal background. So it's not surprising that some people respond to the fact that she has been found guilty of killing babies by saying it hasn't happened.' Well, no doubt her appearance does influence people. I expect it influenced me. But that does not mean the case against her is sound, or that I or others will only ever take up the causes of attractive people. I have been involved in two campaigns against injustice. One is for the lawlessly sanctioned pro-Russian blogger Graham Phillips, who is pretty unappealing. The other was to defend the reputation of Bishop George Bell (not Ball), who is very dead, and has indeed been dead since 1958. In neither instance was I influenced by their far from pretty faces. And when I first wrote in defence of Ms Letby, in September last year, public opinion was pretty heavily against her. What I didn't like about the case and still don't like was the vagueness of the evidence and the way she was never in fact presumed to be innocent in practice. Nobody ever saw Lucy Letby harm a baby. Nobody has ever come up with a reason why she should have done. Keeping case notes is not evidence of murder. Nor are Facebook searches. Supporters of Letby demonstrate outside the High Court in London during her appeal hearing Campaigners claim that Letby is in fact a victim of a miscarriage of justice Ms Letby liked doing Facebook searches, and had made more than 2,000 of them in the year of the deaths she is accused of causing. She searched for colleagues, dancers in her salsa classes, people she had randomly met. Claims that she was caught 'virtually red-handed' are worthless. She was not caught red-handed at all. My (Oxford) dictionary defines the word 'virtually' as 'to all intents and purposes; as good as; practically'. It defines 'red-handed' as 'in the very act of committing a crime'. That is exactly what never happened. The allegedly 'red-handed' event is only evidence of Lucy Letby's guilt if you have already decided she is guilty. What actually happened in the Countess of Chester Hospital in those distressing months? Most of the babies Lucy Letby is accused of murdering were examined after death by pathologists. They, unlike the prosecution's expert witnesses, actually saw those babies. Crucially, they either found natural causes or suggested the possibility of accidents. They did not find evidence of murder. The methods Lucy Letby is accused of using to kill the babies are extraordinarily complex, and strangely varied. Much of the evidence of air embolism (death from injection of air into the bloodstream) was based on skin discoloration. This has now been greatly undermined by the Canadian Dr Shoo Lee, one of the leading experts on the subject. As with so many other things in this trial, actual evidence is hard to find. And where it can be found, it is often puzzling and open to debate. Some doctors are baffled by the theories advanced by Dr Evans, the main prosecution expert witness, and have gone on record to say so since it became possible to discuss the case in public. How did he settle on air embolism as the main means of murder? He had not himself seen a death by air embolism in his long years of practice, which is not surprising, as they are very rare. Why then would a killer choose this as a means to kill? It would surely draw attention to the death. As for the insulin method, which Ms Letby is also supposed to have used, and which was crucial to her conviction, there are so many flaws in it that I must urge you to read Rachel Aviv's long dissection of it in The New Yorker, which has been sporadically available online in this country. This concludes: 'To connect Letby to the insulin, one would have to believe that she had managed to inject insulin into a bag that a different nurse had randomly chosen from the unit's refrigerator.' I also don't like the way British justice has in recent years become more emotional and less calm. In too many cases, prosecutors dwell on the horror of the crime, perhaps because they do not have all that much evidence that the accused person did it. And I don't like the way in which the vital presumption of innocence seems to have leaked away out of police procedure and out of the courtroom. Yes, it officially exists. Judges and barristers remind juries of it. But the Letby case looked to me like the whole power of police and courts settling on one explanation of some tragic events, and bulldozing aside any objections to it. I also don't like the way British justice has in recent years become more emotional and less calm, writes Peter Hitchens The power of group-think in our society is enormous. Once you have decided that Lucy Letby is guilty, then her strange, tortured note in which she appears to admit to the crimes looks like a confession. But if you have not decided she is guilty, it could equally well be the midnight scribbling of a distraught, frightened young woman finding herself caught amid terrible accusations, with no obvious way out. The true presumption of innocence does not allow you to conclude her guilt from those notes. For me, her readiness to undergo severe cross-examination for days on end (which guilty people very seldom do) points equally strongly in the other direction. Then there are the grieving parents of the babies who died, or nearly died. Who cannot sympathise with them? Any parent who has held a newborn baby in his or her arms, and especially those whose babies have been born ill or premature, must be outraged that anyone should seek to destroy such a child. It is even worse if the killer is posing as a friend and wearing the reassuring uniform of a nurse. But their grief and anger are not evidence that Lucy Letby did the things she is accused of. What is also clear from the accounts now emerging is that the Countess of Chester Hospital was not a happy, harmonious or very well-run place. The Letby affair began with a nasty confrontation between some of the doctors and Ms Letby, during which she was sidelined into a dead-end job. When she fought back and sought reinstatement, so that she could once again do the work she claimed to love, this bitter little dispute caught fire, and the police became involved. The hospital's problems were not confined to the neo-natal unit. It was, like much of the NHS, overworked, understaffed, not perhaps as clean or modern as it might have been. An outside investigation team found that nursing and medical staffing levels were inadequate. Rachel Aviv records: 'They also noted that the increased mortality rate in 2015 was not restricted to the neonatal unit. Stillbirths on the maternity ward were elevated, too'. The fact that deaths on the neonatal unit fell after Lucy Letby was removed often mentioned as damning by those who are sure of her guilt is easily explained. The unit had also stopped treating high-risk babies, so it is no surprise that the death rate dropped. And here is another point. The babies in the Chester unit were highly vulnerable in the first place. They were not there because they were perfectly healthy. No serial killer was needed to produce such a death rate. As The New Yorker stresses: 'In the past ten years, the UK has had four highly publicised maternity scandals, in which failures of care and supervision led to a large number of newborn deaths'. It cites a report on East Kent Hospitals which said: 'So much hangs on what happens in the minority of cases where things start to go wrong, because problems can very rapidly escalate to a devastatingly bad outcome.' Finally, there is the apparently damning evidence of Lucy Letby's shift pattern. This is supposed to show that she was unerringly present when all the deaths took place. But it turns out that the chart excludes deaths and collapses which happened at the unit either when Ms Letby was not there, or when there was little evidence to suggest she was responsible for them. David Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University, says: 'There were other incidents during that time period when Letby wasn't on duty, and in fact there were (at least) nine other neonatal deaths on the ward during that period'. If these events were included in the chart, it would look very different and far less conclusive. These problems had been foreseen. In September 2022, shortly before the Letby trial, the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) produced a paper, 'Healthcare Serial Killer or Coincidence?' In one key passage, it warned: 'While unexpected clusters of deaths, or other adverse outcomes, may raise legitimate suspicions and warrant further investigation, they generally should not be taken as definitive evidence of misconduct.' The RSS was alarmed by a very similar case in the Netherlands, in which a paediatric nurse, Lucia de Berk, was wrongly convicted of seven murders and three attempted murders in 2004. This was partly on the basis of statistical errors. But the advice they offered seems not to have been taken during the Lucy Letby trial. It would be easy to speculate on why so many decent people, all at once, agreed on the rightness of a case which now seems full of holes and riddled with misunderstanding. It would be easy to attack individuals. I am not interested in that. We all make mistakes, and always will. My only purpose is justice. And if we are to have a proper justice system in this country it can only survive if the innocent are safe from it, and the guilty are afraid of it. To ensure that, we must be sure beyond reasonable doubt, before we send anybody down the grim stairs which lead to prison. The Democratic Party strategy to re-elect Joe Biden as U.S. President was simple and stark: Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, so it is the constitutional duty of all patriotic Americans to stop him ever returning to the White House. Vote for Joe! Given Trump's behaviour on January 6, 2021, when he did nothing until it was almost too late to dissuade a vast mob of his supporters from storming Capitol Hill to overturn the 2020 presidential election, it was a legitimate strategy with traction among voters. The polls showed it. America's overwhelmingly pro-Democratic media pushed it. And it has been smashed to smithereens by the very people who devised it. We now know that those closest to President Biden in the White House and at the top of the Democratic National Committee (which is controlled by the White House) have been lying to the American people for months, nay years, about Biden's fitness to run for a second term. When those at the heart of government and in control of the governing party are prepared to lie, dissemble and obfuscate to hide the truth from the people and the plain, unexpurgated truth is that Biden is clearly in no condition to run for, never mind serve, a second term I think it's fair to conclude that those doing the lying are at least as big a threat to democracy as Trump. There are questions surrounding U.S. President Joe Biden's fitness to run for a second term Several reports have appeared suggesting former president Barack Obama has concluded privately that Biden cannot run for the White House again It is vital to America and its allies that whoever inhabits the Oval Office is in firm command of their faculties. In their own self-serving interest Team Biden insisted this was true of their man, even as evidence mounted that it was blatantly not the case. The untruths emanated from the very top. Briefed by Jeff Zients, Biden's chief of staff, and Karine Jean-Pierre, his hapless press secretary, as well as the many acolytes spinning furiously beneath them, a compliant, client media lapped it up. There are roughly ten Democrats for every Republican in mainstream American newsrooms. They faithfully reported what they were told: how sharp, savvy and coherent the President was in meetings with his staff and visitors. I remember, almost a year ago now, saying to one White House insider that I thought Biden looked increasingly doddery and incapable of running again. I was told in no uncertain terms that, unlike this insider, I had not seen Biden operate behind closed doors, where he was 'sharp as a tack'. I wasn't convinced. I was being asked to believe that someone who increasingly stumbled over his words and his feet in public was somehow magically transformed in private. I asked if any of these sessions illustrating his brilliance had been videoed. Our conversation came to an abrupt end. Anybody who dared question the prevailing narrative was denounced as a Trump lackey and a peddler of fake news. Some were even excluded from administration briefings on key policy matters. This was a cover-up to put Watergate in the shade. It was exposed as such in that fateful TV debate with Trump at the end of last month when Biden suffered a slow-motion car crash from which he has not recovered. Even then the White House lies did not stop. We were told it was just a bad night, that he had a cold, that he was suffering from jet lag. The excuses tumbled out from Team Biden, each one less credible than the last. But something significant had changed: even Jet-Lag Joe's media cheerleaders no longer believed what they were being told. Democrat donor George Clooney has issued a plea for Joe Biden to step down Asked to choose between White House spin and what they'd seen with their own eyes, even partisan journalists chose their eyes. So did the American people. A huge majority now believes Biden is unfit to run again. A clear majority of registered Democrats agrees. Now it is open season on Biden, from the Left and the Right. A steady drip-drip of prominent Democratic politicians, accompanied by the party's loyalists in the media and Hollywood, are calling on him to stand aside and let someone else have a go at beating Trump, since the polls increasingly show that he can't. But Biden is tenacious. He spent 50 years coveting the White House and is not about to give it up without a struggle, especially since his wife is not inclined to do the decent thing. Many senior Democrats had hoped Jill Biden would take her husband aside and gently tell him it was time to make way for a new generation. But she loves being First Lady and is even less inclined to quit than Joe. Meanwhile, Hunter Biden, given his many legal woes, has his own reasons for wanting his father to stay in power. But a growing number of Democrat members of the House of Representatives are openly turning against the President 17 at the time of writing and a couple of senators have said the same. However, this steady drip-drip is, as yet, nowhere near a tsunami strong enough to sweep him away. Even so, the ground does seem to be crumbling beneath his uncertain feet. Thursday night's press conference was not a disaster on quite the same scale as the debate. But it hardly helped Biden's case that he is compos mentis, never mind competent, when just before the conference he introduced Ukraine's President Zelensky as President Putin, or that he called Kamala Harris 'Vice President Trump'. 'He left us in purgatory,' said one veteran Democratic loyalist. Keep an eye on Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House and fellow gerontocrat. Obama remained loyal after the debate car crash 'bad debate nights happen' but he seems to be moving towards the 'Dump Biden' camp. Though he perhaps did not instigate George Clooney's plea for Biden to step down, those who know both are in no doubt the Hollywood star ran it past his close friend before publication in the New York Times. Obama made no effort to dissuade him. Indeed he might even have made a few suggestions to toughen up the text. Several reports have appeared suggesting Obama has concluded privately that Biden cannot run again. Biden cannot appeal to Obama's wife, Michelle, for support. She has been out of sorts with the Biden family since Hunter's divorce of her close friend, Kathleen Buhle. She thinks the Bidens have treated Buhle shabbily, showing no compassion or concern for the traumas Hunter put her through. For his part, Barack Obama has never rated Biden. He kept him sidelined as vice president for eight years and rarely listened to his advice (which included urging Obama not to kill Osama Bin Laden). He also pressed Biden not to run for president in 2016. If the Obama clan has turned against Biden, then it really is curtains for him. Then there is Pelosi, whose advice Biden is said to rate. She made an unhelpful intervention on TV this week, saying she'd back Biden whatever he decided but that he had to make up his mind... Which was strange since Biden had already said he had made up his mind he was running. The most ominous development for Biden as this weekend approached were reports that Obama and Pelosi were in private discussions over how to orchestrate his removal as his party's candidate. If that turns out to be the case, the dam would well and truly burst, leaving Biden no option but to step aside before the Democratic convention in Chicago next month. No amount of White House lying could cope with an Obama-Pelosi double act against the President. Chicago would turn into a bunfight involving those who think the crown should fall automatically to Vice President Kamala Harris and those who want an open contest between half a dozen hopefuls. As the White House moved to shore up Biden's position after the debate, it tried to turn the spotlight on the many lies Trump had told during it. Fair enough. Trump is often a stranger to the truth. But it somehow lacked force coming from folks who'd been rumbled for lying through their teeth themselves. Nor has it dawned on Biden that by putting himself before party and country, he is guilty of the very narcissism of which he's often (rightly) accused Trump. By clinging on when a graceful exit is required, Biden is not only increasing Trump's chances of winning in November but turning himself into a figure more Trump-like than he could ever have imagined. A former bride-to-be has revealed how she was dumped by her fiance just three weeks before their wedding after spending 30,000 on the big day. Jessica Buchanan, 33, a make-up artist and content creator from Toronto, Canada, met her partner in 2010 at a university party when they were both 19 years old. In March 2022, Ms Buchanan's boyfriend proposed to her in what she described as a 'huge proposal' which she likened to a movie scene. While Jessica threw herself into planning every single aspect of the wedding, picking the venue of converted greenhouse that required a 4k0 deposit, her husband-to-be did not appear to share her enthusiasm. A former bride-to-be has revealed how she was dumped by her fiance just three weeks before their wedding after spending 30,000 on the big day She began to notice that things were going awry once her and her partner began to argue as the wedding drew closer - something they had never done much before. After having her bridal shower on April 1 2023, she admitted 'a growing feeling of dread' as her wedding day drew closer. Speaking to The Sun, Jessica said: 'A couple of days later, I'd had a bad feeling all morning and was still trying to calm my nerves when Adam walked in. The second I saw his face, I just knew. 'But hearing him say that he couldn't get married, I lost it. A wave of anger and humiliation hit me. As I shouted, Adam stood there looking broken. 'He couldn't give any specific reasons he just kept saying how terrible he felt, how he hated doing this. We knew our relationship was over. 'He went to stay at his dad's, and I was left at home, surrounded by wedding stuff. I couldn't stop crying. We'd wasted around 16k, but my family were so supportive they only cared about my happiness.' Jessica added that, although she did not want to see her former partner but did acknowledge the need to tell guests that their wedding would not go ahead as, by this point, it was just three weeks away. Not being able to face spending her wedding day at home, Jessica made the impromptu decision to go to a Taylor Swift concert in Texas. Pictured: Taylor Swift performs onstage at NRG Stadium on April 21 2023 She said that they sent invitees a message which read: 'The wedding has been cancelled, please respect our privacy.' While many would have been shocked and saddened by such sudden news, others even thought the message was a late April Fool's joke. Not being able to face spending her wedding day at home, Jessica made the impromptu decision to go to a Taylor Swift concert in Texas - over 1,300 miles away and at the cost of 1,700 ($2,180) for a ticket. Instead of walking down the aisle with her husband as planned on April 21 2023, Jessica attended Swift's concert at NRG Stadium in Houston - while her wedding was nowhere in sight and tucked away in her wardrobe. Jessica said that partaking in such an experience has helped her to let go of her anger over the past 16 months. Now dating someone new, she added that her planned marriage 'would never have worked' but that the former bride and groom to be are civil to one another on the occasions they have met since their split. She added: 'I don't know if I'll ever get married. But I've learned how important it is to be honest with the person you love. No relationship can survive without it.' Shes had major roles in Doctor Who, Victoria and The Cry, so its no surprise that Jenna Coleman is regularly sent scripts for our most enduringly popular TV genre the police thriller. But shes always said no until now. Thats because her new series, The Jetty, offers something different although its not until the end of the first episode that you realise exactly what. In a drama with more than a touch of Mare Of Easttown or Broadchurch about it, Jenna stars as recently widowed detective Ember Manning. When an arsonist destroys a lakeside property where her late husband used to work, she finds herself pulled into a case that involves both the past and the present. As well as the arson, theres mystery surrounding the disappearance of a young woman more than a decade earlier, which a podcaster is investigating, and a pregnant teenager who tries to kill herself by jumping from a roof. Jenna Coleman stars as recently widowed detective Ember Manning in new cop thriller The Jetty She lands on Embers car but survives. The question for Ember is, are all these events connected? Embers a complex character who had a baby when she was little more than a child herself. As she begins to look into the possibility that paedophiles are stalking the scenic Lancashire town where she grew up, it becomes clear at the end of episode one that there may be more to her own past than shes ever admitted, and Ember soon finds she needs to investigate her own actions as well as those of the man she loved. It felt like a human and emotional story as much as a detective thriller. That's what completely hooked me. As much as I love detective thrillers, my reluctance in the past was because you just become a vehicle to turn the cogs of the story, says Jenna. Whereas with this I just felt, from the first page, that I knew who Ember was. It felt like a human and emotional story as much as a detective thriller the two things co-existed together. 'That was what completely hooked me, but also some of the themes; water, subconscious trauma, blurred boundaries, sexual politics, nostalgia memories it felt so dense and rich and layered. While some might see the series as a #MeToo-type tale, Jenna says the story is more complicated than that. It was important to me that its not a show in which the women are good and the men are bad, she explains. The characters are complex and flawed, making both good and bad choices and learning from them or not. Jenna Coleman is regularly sent scripts for our most enduringly popular TV genre the police thriller Its not a story with heroes and villains. I dont think there are any characters who arent redeemable in some way. But Embers flaws are the things I love most about her shes pig-headed and stubborn and impatient. Shes unable to do anything but charge forward, even if it means unravelling her past. Jenna, whos pregnant with her first child with director partner Jamie Childs, says it felt very natural to play a mother even if Embers daughter Hannah (Ruby Stokes) is a teenager who often has to look after her mother. Embers mother Sylvia (Amelia Bullmore) also has flaws. Her mother is like the teenager, and her daughter is the grandmother, says Jenna, who also co-produced the series. None of it goes down the obvious path. I have a friend who had a daughter when she was 18 and their dynamic is interesting because theyre friends but sometimes the mother has to draw a line. The four-parter is the brainchild of Cat Jones, and was loosely inspired by her own teen experience when two of her friends began relationships with older men. At the time we all thought it was very exciting that these older guys were interested in our younger friends but, of course, when you reflect upon that later you realise it was actually illegal and abusive, Cat says. Ive always been interested to know how those girls might feel about that situation in the future. Embers daughter Hannah (Ruby Stokes) is a teenager who often has to look after her mother. Pictured: Ember and Hannah The series was filmed around Yorkshire and Lancashire, although the town is fictional. I wanted this fairy-tale place, ominous but beautiful at the same time, says Chilean director Marialy Rivas. I started scouting for where to film and I found a beauty and a darkness in these places. I loved the black brick houses that can look like dungeons. We didnt want things to be normal; we wanted it to be like a book. It was Marialys first time filming in the UK and one of the toughest things for her was getting used to the weather. I used to spend all the time thinking, Oh my God, how can you just shoot in the rain? Just stand there and perform? Everyone was laughing at me and the outfits I was wearing to keep warm. Jenna was one. She was like a Russian doll, she chuckles. There were ten coats to start with and it felt like there were more and more every day. Ive never seen such a small head with so many clothes on. A frustrated housewife leaving her family to fulfil herself may not sound very original. Yet in Apple TV+s highly anticipated adaptation of Laura Lippmans 2019 novel Lady In The Lake, not only do the twists keep coming, but our housewife also uncovers secrets that she would rather had remained buried. The seven-part noir thriller stars Oscar-winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan) as Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife in 1960s Baltimore who leaves her husband of 20 years and her teenage son behind and helps the police investigate the brutal murder of an 11-year-old girl. From this, she lands a job on the local newspaper, a dream shes had since childhood. And there she becomes obsessed by the story of Cleo Johnson (The Queens Gambits Moses Ingram), a young black woman whose disappearance and drowning matter little to anyone at the paper but Maddie. Natalie Portman stars in her first TV drama Lady In The Lake on Apple TV+ As she sets out to discover the truth about Cleos life and death, the two womens worlds collide, and the foreboding voice of Cleo rings out in Maddies head from beyond the grave: Your writing dreams ruined your life. Now you wanted those same dreams to rewrite it. But why did you need to drag my dead body into it? Stunningly filmed by director Alma Harel, Lady In The Lake sees Natalie leading her first TV series as the driven and not altogether likeable Maddie. And for Israel-born Natalie, the story has a particular resonance. My own grandmother was from Baltimore and she was around the age of Maddie in the 60s, which is such an interesting time in American history, and in womens history, she says. The series acutely conveys the prejudices festering in the segregated city: the death of African-American Cleo, which raises barely a murmur, and the lengths to which Maddie goes to conceal her affair with a black police officer, Ferdie (Ylan Noel). Laura Lippman drew upon two real-life 60s Baltimore murders for her story Esther Lebowitz, an 11-year-old Jewish girl who was killed inside a tropical fish store by the owner, and black 35-year-old divorcee Shirley Parker, which remains unsolved. Lauras former husband, writer David Simon, created another brilliant crime drama set in Baltimore TV series The Wire. The twists keep coming and our housewife also uncovers secrets that she would rather had remained buried The series was filmed entirely in Baltimore, and Alma Harel spent six months researching its history, saying, I wanted to capture the details of everyday life that might have escaped bigger strokes in history books. To that end, it explores the underground lottery system that was rampant at the time, particularly among black people, which provides a key plot point later in the series. While fans of the novel will already know its shocking plot twist, Alma implores them to buckle up and go on the ride, promising yet further surprises. Vet reveals why ginger cats around world have such an adventurous nature Seasoned cat lovers will know that our furry friends harbour different personalities based on their breed - but it turns out the colour of their fur can also play role. Most notorious of all is the ginger feline, or as social media users across the world refer to them as, 'orange cats', who have made a name for themselves as being one of the cheekiest and a naughtiest variants. In fact, the 'orange cat behaviour' tag has 643.1 million views on TikTok and shows off an abundance of rambunctious pets. Dr Anna Foreman, in-house Vet at Everypaw Pet Insurance, told FEMAIL that though the science is vague, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence pointing to the conclusion that gingers are wilder than their counterparts. 'Studies on owner's perception of their cat's personality have shown that ginger cats are seen as more friendly, affectionate and playful,' she explained. One TikToker took to social media to share a video of her ginger feline greeting her very noisily. 'Orange cat behaviour' has amassed millions of views on TikTok, show the strange and wild actions of the auburn felines Ginger cats are not only known for their extroverted personalities, but have become notorious through their popularity in pop culture and media. Winston Churchill famously kept an orange cat called Tango, and celebrities including Elizabeth Moss and Ian Somerhalder have shared snaps of their copper-haired felines on social media too. Elsewhere the film Garfield, which features a friendly but exceptionally lazy, ginger cat, has also likely played a part in people's association with the spirited creatures. In videos posted on social media, ginger cats can also be seen acting with bountiful energy and bravery, with one clip showing a pet jump from the top of an electricity pole all the way to the floor, much to their owner's horror. In another video, one cat makes their way out of the bottom hole of an arcade machine, casually slipping out and proceeding to have a long stretch. A third from @phineasthecat shows one noisy ginger cat trying their hardest to produce the loudest meow, as he yowls at his shocked owner. Dr Anna suggested that the playful behaviour of orange cats 'may be to do with the gender split seen in ginger cats - around 70-80 per cent are male'. The reason for this is that the gene for having a ginger coat is much more readily passed down to male, rather than female kittens, she said. One orange feline slipped casually from outside of an arcade game, seemingly unfazed by their strange exit. Dr Anna suggested that the playful behaviour of orange cats: 'May be to do with the gender split seen in ginger cats - around 70-80% are male' One ginger cat pictured braving the icy cold snow, despite being notorious for their dislike of water. Male ginger tom cats tend to be much wider and taller than other colours of cat A brave ginger cat leapt into the cold snow. Dr Anna explained that male cats, which make up 70-80 per cent of orange felines, tend to be far more adventurous A ginger tabby pictured looking confused as they attempted to whack down their owners fingers. There is little evidence to definitively say if ginger cats are genetically more likely to wilder but anecdotal proof suggests they are Roger explained that science points towards there being differences in breed temperament but little to point directly to colour changing cat's behaviour, despite the claims made of orange cats. The vet explained: 'Male cats are generally more adventurous and friendly, being especially adventurous if they have not been neutered, which is why the population of mainly male ginger cats may be seen as such.' In fact, unneutered ginger cats - often referred to as tom cats - might get their sparky personalities from their 'Viking' roots, cat behaviour expert Roger Tabor told the BBC. He said: 'However, studies of owners' perceptions tell a different story, with calico and grey cats being "aloof" and the ginger cat being seen as 'friendlier and more affectionate'.' He also noted that male ginger toms are much more likely to be larger in dimensions that other moggies - excluding the notoriously enormous Maine Coon cats. Dr Anna said: 'There are many breeds of cat who can be ginger - it is breed that often dictates personality rather than coat colour. 'Abyssinians, Maine coons and British Short hairs all come in a ginger variant, with these breeds widely known as being friendly and outgoing.' Rob from Monies, a cafe in Putney, London, broke down the cost of a coffee A coffee shop owner has broken down the cost of making a coffee, revealing why prices can often exceed 3.50 these days. A content creator, who goes by @jazlifts_ on TikTok, 25, took to a coffee shop in London, to question its owner on the rising costs of hot beverages. Talking to Rob from a cafe called Monies in East Putney, Jaz learned that the average cost of making a coffee can be as little as 70p. However, Monies charges 3.50 for a regular coffee, meaning a discrepancy of 2.80. However, Rob explained that there is good reason for the higher price tag. Jaz said: 'It's easy to gasp at prices these days and assume the owners behind the business are making [money] on your coffee, but it isn't all as easy or profitable as it often looks from the outside, it's b***** hard work!' Coffee shop owner Rob (pictured) from Monies in East Putney broke down the cost of a coffee in conversation with London-based content creator and gym owner Jaz, 25 Taking to TikTok, Jaz said: 'Have you ever got your morning coffee and wondered: "Why in the h*** is this costing me 4?" 'Well, today I'm talking to Rob for Monies in Putney to find out how many coffees a shop like his needs to sell to stay open.' Rob said: 'It doesn't cost that much to make to a coffee, probably about 70p-80p by the time you've paid for the beans, milk, and the cups. But then, you've got the staff costs [and] the rent. 'So, when you're starting, you're not selling enough coffees, you're maybe not making any money for a while until you get to that level.' Talking to FEMAIL, Rob provided a detailed breakdown of costs. He explained that the coffee costs 40p to make, the cup and lid is 10p, and 20p is spent on milk. Monies charges 3.50 for a coffee; but 60p of that is VAT. This leaves them with 2.20, which also goes towards variable costs including electricity and rent. When Jaz asked how many coffees the cafe would be required to sell to break even, Rob said: If you we're just doing coffee, a small shop like this, you'd need to be doing at least 200-250.' Rob added: 'As soon as you can get to 300 plus, then you're starting to make a bit of money. Rob explained that the cost of a coffee can be as little as 70p, but there's good reason why a cappuccino or latte can cost 3.50 'Although you can go to a coffee shop and see people sat on every seat; it looks busy, but on the weekend it's 7 to 8 per transaction, in the week it's more like 6.' Rob added: 'So you've just got to be doing a massive volume of coffee.' Rob explained that while he's always loved coffee, he threw himself in 'the deep end' by opening up a coffee shop. He said: 'I've nearly been open for three years now. I did quite a bit myself in terms of the shop fit and stuff, but I would probably say [to open it cost] about 100,000. 'I had an ice cream brand down in Cornwall. I sold my share, so I had a bit of cash to put into another business. He said: 'I've nearly been open for three years now. I did quite a bit myself in terms of the shop fit and stuff, but I would probably say [to open it cost] about 100,000. 'I obviously love coffee, love going to coffee shops in London, [and I] threw myself in the deep end with it. Monies sells single origin beans from Cornish roasters Yallah and is described on its website as: 'Specialty coffee bar in the heart of East Putney with Cornish roots, a love of art and passion for buying local.' Breakdown of cost of making a coffee 10p - cup and lid 40p - coffee 20p - milk = 70p Sold for 3.50 at Monies in Putney. Of that sum 60p is VAT. Final amount is 2.20, which also goes towards variable costs of staff costs, electricity, and rent. Source - Monies Advertisement Jaz explained in the caption: 'The aim of this series is to shine a little light on exactly this and above all, give you more reasons to support these amazing small local businesses'. It comes after the news that a cost of hot drinks is set to surge, with coffee and tea prices spiralling on global markets. Wholesale coffee prices are up by more than 20 per cent since January after crops were hit by extreme weather in key producing countries, including Vietnam and Brazil. Tea costs have jumped by 34 per cent in the past month alone due to rising industry costs and the Red Sea crisis affecting container ship movements. UK coffee shops rely on robusta and arabica beans for the millions of americanos, lattes and cappuccinos they make. The price of robusta bean futures hit 3,211 per ton on the London markets in April , up 20 per cent on January's 2,674. And in New York, the price of arabica beans hit $5,105 (4,125) per ton, a rise of 23 per cent on $4,151 (3,354) over the same timeframe. A prolonged heatwave in Vietnam, one of the world's largest producers of robusta beans, has damaged crops. Andrew Moriarty, of analysts Mintec, said: 'Robusta prices have been increasing for some time on two successive lower harvests in Vietnam. 'Over the last few weeks, production estimates for the previous 23/24 crop have dropped, and now many market participants expect the last harvest was down by around 20 per cent year on year.' Research by The Grocer magazine found prices of Nescafe Gold Blend Instant Coffee are up by an average of 5.5 per cent since last week. A spokesman for the brand's owner Nestle said the company has seen 'significant increases in the cost of coffee, making it much more expensive to manufacture our products'. Gareth Redmond-King, at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: 'The cost of our morning coffee is soaring as climate change hits crops in Brazil and Vietnam. Worsening climate extremes are threatening food crops in the UK and overseas. 'We import half the food we consume damaged crops limit supplies and raise prices in our shops.' Recent data shows a 34.52 per cent increase in tea prices over the past month making them 50 per cent higher than a year ago. The main factor is said to be disruption to shipping from the world's biggest producers and exporters China, India, Kenya and Sri Lanka resulting from attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. With shortages looming, Marco Forgione, of the Institute of Export and International Trade, said: 'The tranquillity of our tea supply and demand has been disrupted by recent upheavals, which has resulted in a surge in prices. 'These disruptions have rippled throughout the global supply chain, adding to price pressures, shrinkflation and availability issues, all of which put further pressure on consumers' already stretched purses and complicating businesses' supply chains.' READ MORE: The six hidden ways an abusive partner manipulates you He started abusing and threatening her only months after they started dating Alexis had been dating Pawel for almost two years when he tried to kill her A woman who was kidnapped at knifepoint by her own boyfriend has shared the details of her horrific ordeal - revealing how she accepted she was going to die at the hands of her abuser. In October 2022, Alexis Ruhlen, 21, was violently forced into her car by Pawel Sliwinski, 24, and driven to a local mall, where he threatened to dismember her and sew her back together. Once parked, the college student, from New Jersey, quickly locked the doors after Pawel got out, speeding to the local police department and reporting her abuser. Pawel was sentenced to seven years in prison in April 2024 after he pleaded guilty to kidnapping Alexis. Now, almost two years after the horrific ordeal, the nursing student is reflecting on abuse she suffered, as well as the quick-thinking that saved her life. In October 2022, Alexis Ruhlen, 21, was violently forced into her car by Pawel Sliwinski, 24, and driven to a local mall, where he threatened to dismember her and sew her back together 'I accepted I was going to die that day,' the college student recalled. 'Saving myself was my most difficult accomplishment but it is one I am most proud of.' On the outside, Alexis Ruhlen and Pawel Sliwinski looked every bit like the perfect couple, falling into a whirlwind romance after they first matched on Tinder in December 2020. They officially started to date in January 2021 and it wasn't long until Pawel started to expose his cruel streak which would culminate in him snapping and threatening her life. 'I just thought he did it because he loved me,' Alexis admitted. 'But then he'd display grand gestures like taking me on weekends away to make up for making me sad,' the New Jersey native explained. However, just weeks after the couple began dating, Pawel began showing worrisome signs - becoming aggressively possessive, attempting to dictate what she was wearing and demanding to know her location at all hours. Eventually, he became physically abusive. 'He'd even say that he'd never hurt me again - but of course, that didn't last for long,' Alexis said. 'I lost count of the number of times he hit and screamed at me for what I was wearing or where I was going,' she added. Alexis, from New Jersey, first met Pawel in December 2020 when the two first matched on Tinder - but he later became abusive The pair quickly entered a whirlwind relationship and became 'inseparable,' with Alexis finally thinking she got her fairytale ending Four months into their relationship, the 24-year-old became increasingly more aggressive and got physically abusive before snapping in October 2022 when Alexis tried to break up with him Alexis, who has since opened up to her family about the abuse she suffered, noted that she went through a long healing journey to get to where she is today The final straw came in October 2022 when Pawel insisted she FaceTime him, but 'flipped out' when she bumped into a male stranger while walking around her college campus. 'Then and there I told him I was done for good,' she said. Fuming over the breakup, Pawel had sent the college student a whopping 43 emails threatening to harm her and her loved ones before descending on her campus in order to get revenge. The jealous ex hid in the boot of her car with knife, jumping out and punching Alexis in the face before forcing her to drive for 45 minutes to a mall. After Alexis made her quick escape to the police, Pawel was arrested with charges of aggravated assault, burglary, assault with a weapon, stalking and making terroristic threats against him. In April, Pawel appeared at Bergen County Courthouse and was sentenced to seven years in prison However, they were later dropped as part of a deal for pleading guilty to first-degree kidnapping. After reflecting on the ordeal, Alexis says she doesn't think of herself as a victim, but as a survivor. 'To see the person who made my life hell for a year-and-a-half face punishment is powerful,' she said. 'I refuse to live my life labelled as a victim because of him.' The soon-to-be nurse said she will continue to survive through the tough battles in life and strive to stand up for people in similar positions to that which she was in - noting she went through a long healing journey to get to where she is today. 'It took me a long time to be okay but I'm doing better now,' the brave woman admitted. 'I would've liked him to get longer but going to trial would've been tough.' She said her experience had made her stronger and more resilient, despite being hurt in 'unimaginable' ways. 'My family have been incredible and I have the kindest boyfriend,' she gushed. 'I am free, I can breathe and I am at peace - I am living my life on my own terms.' Pawel appeared at Bergen County Courthouse and was sentenced to seven years in prison in April 2024. A dancer who was diagnosed with cancer at age 21 has revealed how doctors dismissed her symptoms for months as she desperately searched for answers - and how she ultimately returned to the stage after bravely beating the disease. At the start of 2020, Amina Vargas, now 24, felt on top of the world: she was close to finishing her studies at her dream school and was excited to start her career as a professional dancer. But all of that changed when she suddenly developed a multitude of crippling symptoms that left her so weak she could barely climb a set of stairs without feeling like she might pass out. Despite her drastic decline, Amina struggled to see a doctor for months, and when she finally did, she says her symptoms were brushed off. For 10 months her health deteriorated, however she still had no idea what was wrong with her - until she eventually became so sick she had to be rushed to the hospital. A dancer who was diagnosed with cancer at age 21 has revealed how doctors dismissed her symptoms for months as she desperately searched for answers At the start of 2020, Amina Vargas (seen in 2019), now 24, felt on top of the world: she was close to finishing her studies at her dream school and was excited to start her career However, things only went from bad to worse when she got to the hospital, where doctors performed the wrong biopsy. It came back inconclusive, meaning she was back at square one. Finally, after nearly a year of wondering what was wrong with her, Amina was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma - and she felt like her life was over. But Amina has now beaten the disease and come back even stronger - and she shared her inspiring journey with DailyMail.com in the hopes of raising awareness about self-advocation when it comes to your body. While chatting with DailyMail.com recently, Amina explained that she was in her fourth year at the acclaimed Alvin Ailey School in the fall of 2020 when she suddenly 'started getting super fatigued out of nowhere.' She recalled feeling like she was going to 'pass out' just from taking the stairs to get to the train home from class. She also developed a 'lump' in her abdomen, so she decided to bring up her symptoms to her gynecologist, who told her it was most likely a cyst and to 'wait and see' if it will 'go away on its own.' But things only got worse after that. She soon started suffering from night sweats, fevers, bloating, and severe stomach pain, and it became 'painful to eat.' She also lost a severe amount of weight - 25 pounds in five months. But Amina told DailyMail.com recently that all of that changed when she suddenly developed a slew of crippling symptoms that left her so weak she could hardly climb set of stairs But Amina struggled to see a doctor for months, and when she finally did, her symptoms were brushed off - and it took nearly a year for her to be diagnosed. She's seen during her treatment 'It was awful. I'm someone who likes to be in control of my body. That's literally what I'm supposed to do [as a dancer],' she told DailyMail.com. 'And then here I am like, completely lost. I had no idea what was happening to me. I just know I felt super weak. Amina was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma in July 2021 - and she felt like her life was over. She's seen while cutting her hair off 'And it was my final year of school, like, this is the point where I'm supposed to be auditioning, looking for jobs, putting myself out there.' Since it was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amina said it was 'impossible to get a doctor's appointment,' despite her worsening symptoms. And when she finally got to see a medical professional, they quickly dismissed her. 'They were like, "You're super healthy, you have no prior conditions. You look like you're just a little dehydrated, you look a little anemic. We'll give you something for this,"' she recalled. But things came to a head in June 2021 when she was rushed to the emergency room after a performance in front of her entire school, when her fever reached 104 degrees. 'I pushed myself past my limit. Finally, my body just snapped,' she shared. 'They start doing all these tests and they realized, "Oh, wait. Something is actually wrong."' But despite doctors discovering that something may be seriously wrong with Amina, it would still take more than a month for her to get an official diagnosis. But Amina has now beaten the disease and come back even stronger - and she shared her inspiring journey with DailyMail.com in the hopes of raising awareness about self-advocation 'I think a lot of times I'm afraid of being annoying, but when it comes to your body I think you should be annoying. I think you should ask every question,' she said The then-21-year-old said she then endured a 'botched' biopsy where doctors used the wrong type of anesthetic, which meant she 'felt everything' during the procedure. 'I'm just like on the table, flinching and trying to be tough and hold back tears and not argue with the professional,' she said. 'But it was awful. It was so bad. When I left and met my dad outside, I just started crying.' In the end, she was told the biopsy was 'inconclusive' and she'd have to get another. 'What I wish I would have done differently is confirmed my appointment ahead of time and asked a whole bunch of questions,' she reflected. 'I think a lot of times I'm afraid of being annoying, but when it comes to your body I think you should be annoying. 'I think you should ask every question and try to ease your anxiety as much as possible, because getting to the table and bringing it up there was too late.' Amina was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, in late July, and she moved back home to Washington, D.C., to be with her family while she underwent treatment. While she was 'grateful' to be back with her loved ones, she recalled feeling discouraged since she assumed it was the end of her dance career. 'It felt like I was losing everything that I had worked for. I had just signed a lease on an apartment, and I was so excited,' she continued. She recalled feeling discouraged since she assumed it was the end of her dance career after she was diagnosed 'It felt like I was losing everything that I had worked for,' she told DailyMail.com. 'Right as I was getting to that finish line it just got ripped away from me. It was really hard' 'I was starting to build a life and build connections and trying to break through in my career. 'And then, right as I was getting to that finish line it just got ripped away from me. It was really hard.' Amina underwent chemo for six months, and was declared cancer free in February 2022 But her medical team kept her positive, and she gushed, 'They were very nurturing, very sweet and very encouraging.' She said her doctor told her that he was determined to 'get her dancing' again, and requested that when she does hit the stage again, she sends him a ticket to her show. 'I think having that in my mind, when earlier I felt like that was all lost, it really helped me mentally,' she added. Amina underwent chemo for six months, and was declared cancer free in February 2022. Three weeks after she finished treatment, a dancer who she looked up to, named Hope Boykin, reached out to her on social media and invited her to join a dance project she was working on as an assistant, and it was a perfect way for her to 'get back into movement.' 'I felt like I had a safe space to kind of fumble around a little bit ... I felt like a baby deer walking for the first time,' she joked. 'It was the perfect stepping stone.' In October 2022, she danced for the first time on stage again at the Kennedy Center in New York - and her doctor was front row. And since then she hasn't stopped dancing. In October 2022, she danced for the first time on stage again at the Kennedy Center in New York - and since then she hasn't stopped dancing. She's seen dancing in January She told DailyMail.com that she hopes being so outspoken about what she went through will show others who may be battling a similar condition that it doesn't mean their dreams are over 'In 2021 I was like, "My life is over. This is it." 'But I survived and I fought through that, and now I'm doing things I would have never even imagined before,' she concluded. She's seen recently She told DailyMail.com that she hopes being so outspoken about what she went through will inspire others to advocate for themselves. She also wants to show others who may be battling a similar condition that it doesn't mean their dreams have to be over. 'I hope that my experience can show that there are so many different paths to success. Everyone's journey is different,' she concluded. 'The possibilities for me have expanded, and I'm seeing the world of dance in a whole other way and connecting with artists who I may not have even connected with. 'This limit or this timeline that we've created for ourselves is really a figment of our imagination. '[Cancer] may not be where where your life ends. It could be where it begins. In 2021 I was like, "My life is over. This is it." 'But I survived and I fought through that, and now I'm doing things I would have never even imagined before.' The mother-of-one took to Instagram to share a selfie with the Barbie actress The mother of Princess Beatrice's stepson has revealed she helped design Margot Robbie's 'dream office' with furniture from her brand. Dara Huang, 41, who lives in London, took to Instagram to share a selection of snaps with the Barbie actress, 34, who she described as her 'girl crush'. The mother-of-one said Robbie, who recently announced she is expecting with husband Tom Ackerley, was the 'perfect client' and thanked her for supporting a 'female led business and supply chain'. The architect - who has previously designed for Four Seasons hotels - runs a luxury brand, Dara Maison, which Margot used to decorate her renovated home office in presumably her Los Angeles home. Taking to Instagram, Dara wrote: It's an honour helping @margotrobbieofficial team design her dream house or in this case, Barbie's dream office with our furniture from @dara maison. Dara Huang (pictured left) shared a selection of snaps with Margot Robbie (pictured right) on Instagram, revealing that she helped design the actresses home office 'Thank you for being a girl's girl and supporting female led businesses and supply chains. 'We couldn't have thought a more perfect client to represent our dreams of hard work, perseverance and now work-life, family balance. Go working mommies!' Dara shared a selection of snaps with the Wolf of Wall Street actress, including selfies and a monochrome image showing her engaged in a deep chat with Margot. The architect donned a 569 V-Neck printed chiffon plunge dress from London-based fashion label, Badley Store, for the occasion. It comes after the mother of Princess Beatrice's stepson shared a sweet post on social media of her enjoying a glamorous weekend away in Paris with her son. Dara Huang shares Christopher 'Wolfie' Mapelli Mozzi, eight, with her ex-fiance Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 40, who is now married to the King's niece. The American architect wrote in her post that it had always been Wolfie's dream to see the Eiffel tower. In the thread of pictures and videos, Dara shows Wolfie gazing up towards the Parisian architecture as his doting mother snaps a sweet picture from below. The mother of Princess Beatrice's stepson thanked the Barbie actress for being the 'perfect client' Dara and Margot, who recently announced she is expecting with her husband Tom Ackerly, engaged in a light-hearted chat at the event In another picture, Dara sits hugging her young son in a restaurant while he leans into her shoulder for an affectionate cuddle. Dara captioned the sweet Instagram post: 'We made it!!! Wolfies dream was to see the Eiffel Tower and we made his dreams come true this weekend. 'I had the most romantic weekend with my little man. Hard to believe Paris is only a two hour train journey from London.' The two didn't just tour the city for landmarks. Mother and son appeared to be staying at a luxurious country house, equipped with a swimming pool and a selection of large bedrooms. Dara shared several videos posing in the many mirrors at the French home as well as several of Wolfie exploring the vast new territory. In one clip, Wolfie is seen leaping into a large outdoor pool as Dara cheers him on from the sidelines, congratulating the bomb dive. Christopher 'Wolfie' Mapelli Mozzi was born on 28 March 2016. Dara and Edo chose to go their separate ways two years later, in 2018. Edo and Beatrice are parents to two-year-old Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi, and co-parent 'Wolfie' with Dara and her current partner. Wolfie made his first appearance at a royal engagement last December at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The mother-of-one looked elegant in a 569 dress from London-based luxury fashion label, Badley Dara was born and grew up in America, to where her maternal grandfather had emigrated from Taiwan. She was granted British citizenship last year. Speaking about the co-parenting dynamic between herself and her former fiance, Dura said she is glad her eight -year-old son has 'two sets of parents trying to help him on both sides'. Dara added: 'It's all about your point of view. I don't understand people who are divorced and then hold their children as collateral; that doesnt make any sense. 'It's about creating a happy home and lifestyle.' She told Harper's Bazaar: 'Wolfie has had two sets of parents trying to help him on both sides, and I just think, "The more, the merrier." 'I feel lucky to have such positive people around him, who really embrace him because it didnt have to be so easy.' Dara added: 'It's all about your point of view. I don't understand people who are divorced and then hold their children as collateral; that doesnt make any sense. 'It's about creating a happy home and lifestyle.' Dara, a Harvard-educated architect who grew up in Florida, has an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and transferred to the Ivy League school for her Masters in Architecture. She now lives in Chelsea, west London. But it's not just foreign investors or mum-and-dad landlords to blame First-home buyers are being priced out of the property market Young Australians who are losing hope of ever getting onto the property ladder say attending just a handful of auctions exposes exactly who is to blame for soaring prices. If you've been to a house or apartment auction recently, it's clear as day who is pushing up the bids far beyond what any millennial or Gen Z could possibly afford. And no, it's not new arrivals or cashed-up foreign investors. The worst offenders aren't even the so-called 'mum-and-dad landlords' who splash out their savings and superannuation on properties to rent out. Instead, it's the 'downsizers' who are aggressively over-bidding for the small houses and units once considered starter properties for young Australians. Often overlooked in discussions about the housing crisis, Aussie retirees with adult children who have flown the nest are selling their family homes and downsizing. My partner and I are looking to buy - and with every open home, my palms would be sweaty with excitement and my cheeks hot in anticipation. That is, until I took a look around and saw who my competition was, and these feelings were soon replaced with a cold sense of doom. Carina Stathis attended many auctions and noticed it was predominantly retired 'downsizers' snapping up the homes typically sought by first-time buyers, not foreign investors or landlords There was simply no way to outbid retirees whose pockets are bursting with funds from the sale of their former homes, acquired when prices were a small fraction of what they were able to sell for decades later. Realtor and self-made millionaire Adam Flynn said the situation is a nationwide issue and the government must create more incentives for first-time buyers only. The 43-year-old, from Melbourne, told FEMAIL younger generations stand little chance of outbidding their cashed-up elders - except those with financial help from their parents. 'My partner and I are looking to buy - and with every open home, my palms would be sweaty with excitement and my cheeks hot in anticipation... that is, until I looked around and saw who my competition was, and these feelings were soon replaced with a cold sense of doom' Self-made multimillionaire real estate agent Adam Flynn (pictured) said, 'For first-home buyers, it's really tough for them to compete with people that are looking to downsize' 'This situation isn't isolated to a particular geographical location - it's Australia-wide,' Mr Flynn said. 'When people grow older, their life is cemented in certain suburbs. Their doctors, supermarkets, dentists, family and friends are all in the one area. And so they aren't willing to move out of where they're familiar with.' Mr Flynn also pointed out how people are living for longer and want to remain independent rather than go into a retirement village. So downsizing is the perfect solution for them. 'What we're finding is the older generations are looking to sell their large four-bedroom home because the kids have moved out, the property is too big, and the maintenance is too much for them to handle,' he said. 'So they buy a smaller two-bedroom home but stay in the same suburbs. 'For first-home buyers, it's really tough for them to compete with people that are looking to downsize. For this reason, a lot of young people are going to inspections and auctions with their parents.' Mr Flynn warned that if millennials and Gen Z want to be competitive, they need to rely on the bank of mum and dad to provide support because otherwise they likely won't have the budget to work with. Adam warned that if millennials and Gen Z want to be competitive, they need to rely on the bank of mum and dad to provide support because otherwise they likely won't have the budget to work with (stock image) Commenters on a viral TikTok video about the issue shared their own experiences, with many saying they would have to wait for an inheritance to be able to buy a home. 'It sounds morbid and cruel but sort of looking forward to when both my parents kick the bucket. I'm gonna take their funds straight into buying the house I want,' one wrote, expressing a taboo a growing number of young Aussies quietly feel. Another agreed, saying: 'I feel the exact same way - only way I see myself having my own home is either my mum's current home, or selling that and using the money to buy one.' Others said they too have seen boomers snatch up properties, with no loan required. 'I feel you, we had the same a few years ago in Sydney - the boomers basically were putting in first bid and going $200,000 to $400,000 over [the] price guide, knocking us all out in one bid,' another said. 'We experienced the same purchasing in Brisbane. Hundreds of people at inspections (mostly boomers) and we had to compete with cash offers until we decided to look at double-story houses instead,' one more wrote. Commenters on a viral TikTok video about the issue shared their own experiences, with many saying they would have to wait for an inheritance to be able to buy a home (stock image) What's the solution? Mr Flynn suggested there should be government-led developments specifically for first-time buyers, with eligibility criteria attached to contracts. They would be an inverse of the retirement home - a complex restricted to younger first-time buyers. In the meantime, he shared his advice for young Aussies currently in the market to buy their first home. 'Be open to different types of properties and vendor circumstances, such as people looking to sell urgently from divorces or deaths,' he said. 'Make multiple offers on various properties, compromising on some features while maintaining core requirements.' Adam also suggests considering properties that need renovation or updating, as they may be less appealing to downsizing boomers who want move-in-ready homes. Focusing on metropolitan areas is better for long-term capital growth compared to regional locations, even if it means overextending slightly within limits. 'Also use a different investment strategy - for example, pay the minimum deposit possible, op for interest-only payments and use the money saved to invest in additional properties over time,' Adam said. Dr Philippa Kaye, GP with a particular interest in women's and sexual health 'Gaslighted, dismissed and fobbed off' that's the reality for many patients raising concerns about their NHS care, especially women. England's Patient Safety Commissioner Dr Henrietta Hughes recently told the British Medical Journal how women seeking help have, in some cases, been patronised and had their legitimate concerns ignored. Dr Hughes, once a GP like me, added that too often female patients who raised concerns were passed off as 'difficult women'. Her comments came after a seemingly never ending list of NHS care scandals, with multiple shocking inquiries into the state of maternity care. And they came as no surprise to me. I've lost count of the number of times women have sat in my clinic and revealed a long history of frankly appalling care. Take Annie not her real name who told me she had suffered from bloating, abdominal pain and embarrassing digestive problems for a decade. She had seen various GPs and even been referred to a colorectal surgeon and urologist and repeatedly told her problem was irritable bowel syndrome. Later, doctors suggested in fact her symptoms were being caused by anxiety. She was offered antidepressants and, as she put it: 'I felt like they were saying the problems were all in my head.' In turned out that her abdominal pain wasn't constant. It was bad around the time o her period, then went away. Endometriosis causes tissue, similar to the lining of the womb, to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation, heavy periods and pain I referred to a gynecologist for further investigations and, finally, she got a diagnosis: endometriosis. The condition, which 176million women suffer from worldwide, causes tissue, similar to the lining the womb, to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This causes inflammation, heavy periods and often debilitating pain. Women often struggle to work when symptoms are at their worst, and it can affect relationships and make childcare difficult. Is your doctor refusing to listen? Here's how to make sure your voice is heard... BE PREPARED... Make a list or write down your points before you go to your appointment. It can help use the time effectively and ensure that you dont leave the room to suddenly think of all the things you wanted to say! ... BE HONEST... Explain what is happening but also what you were hoping for out of the appointment. Consider taking someone else with you for support. ... AND ASK QUESTIONS Ask the doctor to explain why they are choosing to investigate, or not, or treat or not. If you dont understand the answer, ask again. If you are still unhappy you could consider asking to see another doctor in the GP surgery. Advertisement But many women struggle to get taken seriously indeed, the average time from first going to a doctor with symptoms and a diagnosis is a shocking eight years. And this is not the only area where women are not being listened to. As many as 40 per cent of women suffer pain during sex, for instance. If a patient mentions this it might well be during a consultation for some other reason, almost as an aside I will always ask when it started. More often than not, they will tell me: 'For as long as I can remember.' There seems to be an accepted idea that to be a woman is to live with pain and to simply accept it, whether that's period pain or sex or childbirth. Doctors are as guilty of perpetuating this as anyone. But pain isn't normal. It's a sign there's something wrong, and shouldn't ever be ignored. The Gender Pain Gap Index Report in 2023 asked the following question: 'Have you ever felt your pain was dismissed by others?' In total, 49 per cent of women agreed versus 38 per cent of men. The same question, asked a year prior in 2022, reported a seven per cent pain gap. So, it appears things are getting worse. The survey also found women are less likely to get a diagnosed cause for their pain than men 47 per cent compared with 66 per cent, respectively. Why? That's a whole essay of its own: society dictates than women should accept pain and there's also a perception that we are 'sensitive' or over-dramatic about it. Women's health is less studied than men's. Women are often not included in medical trials, for instance. But we have different anatomy, obviously, different hormones and brain structures, so may react different to treatments or experience pain in different ways to men. Pain, for women, can be common: up to 90 per cent of women suffer period pain to some degree, and at what point is this abnormal? To be honest, all this is academic. My approach is simple: if a symptom is bothering you, then you should bother me. The Gender Pain Gap Index Report in 2023 asked the following question: Have you ever felt your pain was dismissed by others? The responses differed, with 49 per cent of women agreeing versus 38 per cent of men, meaning that there is an 11 per cent gender pain gap If you arent managing with simple over the counter measures, discuss it with your doctor. If you don't think your doctor is listening, you are perfectly within your rights to ask to speak to another. Over a third of women and girls regularly miss school or work due to heavy or painful periods, according to research by the Wellbeing of Women, missing on average three days per term which adds up. If you take in other factors, for example being black as well as female, then the statistics are actually even worse. Dame Lesley Regan: 'We have to empower girls and women to talk about their period pain' Dame Lesley Regan, a gynaecologist and Chair of Wellbeing of Women 'If it is pain related to a menstrual period, then I think often it's expected that women will just put up with it,' says Professor Dame Lesley Regan, one the Britain's top consultant gynaecologists and UK Womens Health Ambassador at Wellbeing of Women. She added: 'People have been so embarrassed to talk about periods, which is extraordinary, because there isn't anything else that happens to humans more commonly than having 12 periods a year for 40 years of their lives. 'We have to empower girls and women to say, if my period stops me going out because it is too heavy, or painful to go to school or work, then it is not normal. 'We also have to train healthcare professionals to ask very simple questions, such as asking "how are your periods" and if they stop you getting on with your life.' She stresses that heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods is a symptom and not a diagnosis. 'There are lots of different diagnosis that could be underlying it and I think it's really important women do not suffer,' she said. Advertisement Black women are less likely to be given pain relief during labour and are also less likely to be diagnosed with painful conditions such as endometriosis which, on average, already has an eight year wait to be diagnosed. Everyone including doctors and scientists have biases, which can be conscious and something that you are aware of, or unconscious. But in order to make change we must first have these conversations and be aware of the problem that needs action. When I went to medical school more than 20 years ago, I was taught that the symptoms of a heart attack included central crushing chest pain which may radiate to the jaw or down the left arm. The image I was taught was of an overweight middle aged to elderly man, clutching his chest with one hand and a cigarette in the other. Yet, while women may present with similar symptoms, they may also present with symptoms such as feeling dizzy, back pain, pain in both arms, feeling lightheaded or short of breath. Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally in both men and women, yet symptoms may differ and if we as doctors arent looking for the condition it may not be found. I see women all the time, with pain, but who have been told they have anxiety, or depression. Who have pain but have been dismissed, who have pain which is actually a urinary tract infection or more. This matters because, not only are women in pain but they are being further harmed by a failure to deal with this pain. The vaginal mesh scandal is an example of this. For years pelvic mesh was used to treat bladder incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. It absolutely helped some women but, for others, the mesh caused significant problems, becoming hard and embedding itself and even cutting through tissue. The complications of vaginal mesh could be lifechanging, not just leading to constant and significant pain, but also to difficulties having sex or even with walking. Removing the mesh isnt easy, or always possible, and carries further risks. Yet women had to fight to be heard, despite over 125,000 mesh implants being used between 2008 and 2017 and a safety review in 2020 found that many women werent even fully consented for the procedure. Pain is subjective. Even when medical staff use pain rating scales such as a rating out of ten, or a sad to smiley face scale, the answer is still subjective. Patients tell me they have been refused pain relief because they didnt look like they were in pain, but a grimacing face is not an objective indication of pain. Without objective measures of pain, it is easy for biases, be they conscious or not, to creep in to treating health care staff. One 2008 study of 981 people found women who came to A&E with pain were less likely than men to receive any pain relief at all, and they had to wait 33 per cent longer than men to be treated. Even then, men were given stronger pain-relieving medication than men. As women we need to keep advocating for ourselves, and as doctors and healthcare professionals, for our patients, but above all, when someone says they are in pain, we must believe them. Age shaming is rife in this summer's series of Love Island, with viewers claiming Botox and filler has made the contestants look much older than their years. In comparison to previous series where cast members have been as young as 19, this year the youngest man is Ciaran Davies 21, and the youngest women are 24. But viewers have been quick to claim cast members look many years older than this blaming the cosmetic procedures they may have had before the show. 'I didn't realise how much Botox and filler can age you', viewer Meg Reilly said on TikTok. Another social media user, Jack Mac, said: 'What is going on, is this all Botox and filler.' Plastic surgeons and aesthetic practitioners have also warned unnecessary 'tweakments' in your early 20s can age the skin and cause you to lose 'volume'. Nicole Samuel, 24, an accounts manager from Aberdare is a contestant on Love Island 2024 Samantha Kenny, 26, from Liverpool, who was dumped in episode 16 of Love Island 2024 Jess White from Stockport, 25, who was dumped in episode 38 (left). Harriet Blackmore, 24, from Brighton , who was dumped in episode 26 (right) The female contestants who are come under the most scrutiny are Nicole Samuel, 24, Jess White, 25, Harriet Blackmore, 24, and Samantha Kenny, 26. Dr Daniel Barrett, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon was asked to guess if these Love Island contestants were 'natural' or not and predict their ages in a video on TikTok. He suggested that most of the islander's had Botox, which is a brand name for botulinum toxin, a cosmetic injection used to relax the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. The surgeon, who has 2.4million followers on the app, predicted Jess was 38 13 years older than she is and 'had work done' on her 'lips and nose'. He also suggested Harriet was 42 18 years older than she is and guessed she had work on her cheeks, lips and nose, as well as, having Botox, fake lashes and brows. The surgeon also thought Nicole was 35 11 years more than her actual age and that she had 'a little filler' and Botox. Dr Barrett also judged the age of Samantha as 32 ageing her by six years and suggested she has had filler in her lips and cheeks, dental veneers and a rhinoplasty (nose job). Dr Daniel Barrett, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon was asked to guess if they were 'natural' or not and predict their ages in a video posted to TikTok. He thought Nicole was 35 and that she had 'a little filler' and Botox The surgeon who has 2.4million followers on TikTok, predicted Jess was 38 and 'had work done' on her 'lips and nose'. But he was shocked when it was revealed she is 25 In another video, Meg Reilly, who has more than 38,000 followers on TikTok, confessed she was 'gobsmacked'. 'I am 26, I have not had any filler any Botox, nothing like that. Why are 90 per cent of the girls younger than me, but I genuinely thought they were older. 'This is no hate to the girls, but wow I didn't realise how much Botox and filler can age you.' Social media user Savanah Caswell, who has 11,057 followers on TikTok, posted a video showing her watching Love Island with the caption: 'Every year I question how I am the same age as Love Island contestants when I Look 12.' She added: 'Sorry but how are they in their twenties'. Meg Reilly, who has more than 38,000 followers on TikTok, confesses she is 'gobsmacked' and was surprised filler and Botox could age the skin Social media user Savanah Caswell, who has 11,057 followers on TikTok posted a video showing her watching Love Island with the caption: 'Every year I question how I am the same age as Love Island contestants when I Look 12' Experts said it is possible that badly done or inappropriately applied Botox and filler could be to blame for these signs of aging. Simon Thorpe, an advanced aesthetics practitioner at Thames Valley Aesthetics in Berkshire, says he usually discourages patients in their early 20s from getting Botox which can end up giving patients a 'frozen' look. He told MailOnline that too much filler can just result in it needing to be dissolved at a later date, which can cause signs of ageing. 'Over filled lips often need dissolving, which can also involve dissolving your native tissue in the process,' he warned. 'The same applies to dissolving cheek, chin, and jawline filler. This can result in losing volume and requiring repeated treatment.' Another fan, @_vidking21, who has 4,535 followers on TikTok, also posted a video showing the female cast members with the caption: 'How are these girls in their 20's they look older' Fans were savage as they took to Twitter to poke fun at the contestants ages He added: 'Over-treatment can result in creating unwanted additional signs of age, normally when it wears off. I have seen a lot of cases where people dont want to return to their original practitioner because things went so wrong. WHAT IS 'BOTOX'? 'Botox' injections relax the muscles in the face to smooth out lines and wrinkles. It's not permanent it usually lasts for around three months. In the UK, the cost of 'Botox' injections can vary from about 100 to 350 for each treatment, depending on the clinic and the area being treated. 'Botox' injections for cosmetic reasons are not available on the NHS. The procedure, which usually only lasts ten minutes, involves having botulinum toxin injected into the face muscles using a very fine needle. It then takes around two to three days to start working and up to three weeks to see the full effect. Side effects include, headaches, a frozen look, weakness in the face and bruising, swelling and redness where the needles went into the skin. However, 'Botox' can also be used to treat medical conditions. These include abnormal contractions of the eye, conditions that cause muscle pain and stiffness such as cerebral palsy and excessive sweating. Source: NHS Advertisement 'Generally, in the hands of an experienced medical injector this is not going likely to happen. I can only speak from my personal experiences, but over six years and thousands of patients I have only seen this happen due to poor practice.' If done by a skilled practitioner Botox and fillers do not age a younger face, in fact, they can prevent the early formation of fine lines and wrinkles, Shenaz Sharrif, the founder of the Face and Body Clinic London, claims. But when it is done 'improperly' it can lead to 'unnatural results or even accelerate the appearance of ageing,' she told this website. 'Its when you overuse these treatments such as filler and Botox that can potentially lead to an unnatural appearance and may require more maintenance over time. 'Since the skin in the early 20s is typically still very resilient and has the natural ability to recover and maintain its youthful look, only minor interventions are usually needed.' Instead she advises young people to just focus on a 'robust skincare routine' which includes using sun protection, staying hydrated and living a healthy lifestyle. 'I'd say it is extremely likely they have undergone numerous common cosmetic procedures pre-island life,' says plastic surgeon Dr Fadi Hamadari. 'For example, Harriet's face appears slimmer and more lifted and contoured, which could be due to weight loss, but it's also likely she's had aesthetic treatments.' He suggests Harriet might have had treatments that use radiofrequency and micro-needling to simulate collagen and improve skin texture. In addition, Dr Hamadari suggested she also may have had a rhinoplasty and non-surgical treatments such as Botox and dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles and enhance facial contours. He said: 'It's important to note that while cosmetic procedures can enhance certain features, they can also sometimes lead to an older appearance if not done judiciously.' Viewers have also shared their disbelief on Twitter at the contestants ages. In particular, Ciaran Davies from Pencoed in South Wales surprised fans when he revealed he was 21 Viewers thought Ronnie Vint looked older than his age after he claimed to be 27 It's not just the female Love Island contestants causing a stir with their perceived versus actual age. Viewers have also shared their disbelief about Ciaran Davies from Pencoed in South Wales who surprised Love Island fans when he revealed he was 21. One wrote: '21 and settle down? pls get this baby off my screen. 42 at 18?!'; '21?????''; '21!?!?! This guy looks 32'; 'That man is not 21?!' Another wrote: 'Oh no not another baby from wales'; 'Ciaran a baby so hes not my man but hes the cutest one'; '21?!? nah I need to see his birth certificate'. 'Sorry did he say 21??????? As in born in 2003??? so hes not 30????' Viewers also thought Ronnie Vint, who was dumped in episode 26, looked older than the 27 he claimed to be. Accusing him of being in his 30s or even 40s, they wrote: 'ronnie looks 40 years old'; 'Whats Ronnie doing there? Hes in his 40s surely?' '27 yea?'; 'Ronnie looks 30 yikes'; 'I reckon Ronnie is late 30's at best, early 40's at worst'. The Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress was my first designer purchase a decade ago. I remember my excitement visiting her vibey store in New Yorks Meat Packing district. The Duchess of Cambridge had just worn one in Australia. Likewise Michelle Obama, on an early White House Christmas card. Sarah Jessica Parker had also put the world to rights in one on Sex and the City and Jennifer Aniston had served coffee in a leopard wrap in Central Perk on Friends. Fast-forward to today and, at the start of Woman in Charge, the new Disney+ documentary on her life, Von Furstenberg, with just-out-of-bed-hair, climbs into her vast bathroom sink where she regularly sits to put on her make-up. Now 77, the fashion legend looks at her face closely in the mirror and asks, Why do so many people not embrace age?, adding that wrinkles are a map of life. True to her word, she is often seen wearing little make-up on her Instagram (@therealdvf). Top, Mint Velvet, Shorts and Hat, Cos Watching the film, its hard not to fall in love with this kickass boss lady, whose iconic dress was inspired by ballerinas wrap tops. After debuting her design in 1974, it appeared in Womens Wear Daily with her slogan Feel like a woman, wear a dress! Fifty years on, young women are scouring vintage shops for her original designs nothing stays out of fashion for too long. In the documentary, the Belgian-born designer speaks with candour about her sexual exploits and sexual fluidity she fell in love with a boy and then a girl in boarding school. She has some memorable Studio 54 anecdotes, too including turning down a threesome with David Bowie and Mick Jagger. Initially, I thought, Well thats something I could tell my grandchildren! she laughs. But then I decided that actually I couldnt. She also addresses her mothers time in Auschwitz and how her trauma shaped their entire lives. Theres mention, too, of the hedonistic marriage to her German prince, Egon von Furstenberg, the father of her two children the union was a chaotic rollercoaster of parties and noise, until she finally decided that she would be happier single. They divorced in 1983. Meanwhile, her business collapsed and she battled tongue cancer. Broken, she took a break from fashion and fled to Bali and Paris. When she returned to the US in 1992 she took the bold decision to defy the snobs and appear on the TV shopping channel QVC to sell her dresses. They were an instant hit and she built it all back up again wrap dress by wrap dress. @thestylistandthewardrobe @youmagazine Spotted Actress Katie Holmes (right) on the phone in New York City wearing Me + Ems cotton boucle maxi dress (250, meandem.com). Frock on Speaking of wrap dresses making a return, I adore this elegant blue and white number from Arket. Perfect for a holiday or city break. Style with a raffia basket, sandals and sunnies. Amazing grace Luxury brand Grace de Monacos Drama Collection features sunglasses not only expertly handcrafted in Italy but inspired by its muse Grace Kelly and her film roles. The Georgie style, right , is named after her character in The Country Girl. Natasha Pszenicki, getty images My favourite drink as a child was cola. Not the proper stuff, but a knock-off version made from my dad Malcolms soda machine. It would probably taste revolting to me now, but as a child of eight or nine growing up in the Scottish Highlands, it was the height of luxury. We werent allowed it most of the time it was a treat for Sundays with our roast dinner. The first alcohol I tasted was sherry. When I was a little bit older, say 12 or 13, my parents would sometimes let me have a thimble of sweet sherry. I remember the first time I went to the pub with my friends and one of the boys asked what I wanted to drink. They were all drinking cool young-people drinks, but the only alcohol Id ever tasted was sherry. I asked him for a sweet one, and he refused to order it. He got me a lager and lime instead and it was disgusting. I was the laughing stock for quite a while after that. I always start off my morning with a cup of tea. My husband Steve [Randall, who Kirkwood married last year] makes it for me when I get up for work at 2.45am. I call mine baby tea because I have it so weak with loads of milk. My favourite is Tetley, but if you make me a cup of any brand Im grateful. I met Steve at a work function about seven years ago. I was drinking an espresso martini, and Steve very sensibly wasnt drinking because hes a policeman and had work the next day. We went on our first lunch date shortly after and had sandwiches and tea. Its strange to think that neither of us had planned on going to the function but we changed our minds at the last minute, and if one of us hadnt, wed never have met. It was a real Sliding Doors moment. Carol was Starstruck at the Beverly Hills Hotel My most memorable drink ever was in the Polar Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel in 2014. It was so special because growing up I used to love Jackie Collins novels, and there was always some clandestine meeting between movie stars in the Polar Lounge. I was there with my friend Sue and we were drinking Sauvignon Blanc. I looked over to the table next to us and there was Lionel Richie! Sue and I were nudging each other and giggling; I was completely starstruck. The most famous person Ive had a drink with is the late Queen Elizabeth II. Carol met her husband over an espresso martini It was at an afternoon tea in 2012 at Sandringham, and I was giving a talk for some ladies from the Womens Institute. The Queen was lovely. At the beginning of the talk, I told everyone to raise their hand and interrupt me if they had any questions. The Queen asked me loads, including why cant you wear green when you present the weather. She was an amazing lady, and its true what they say: she had such a great sense of humour. After Ive had a few drinks, youll catch me singing along to Perfect by Ed Sheeran. Its mine and Steves song because it came out around the time we met. It was our first dance at our wedding, and it always reminds me of that special day. At my funeral, I want them to serve Winston Churchills favourite champagne, Pol Roger. Ive only had it once at Christmas when my friend pushed the boat out and bought a bottle. It can be around 200, so way out of my price range Im used to an 8 bottle of white wine but it is delicious. Its so robust and bubbly, but because its so expensive I havent had it since. Id want everyone to be able to try it at my send-off. Once Upon a Time in Venice by Carol Kirkwood will be published on Thursday 18 July (HarperCollins, 16.99). To order a copy for 14.44 until 28 July, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. Free UK delivery on orders over 25. Imagine a world without condiments: mealtimes wouldnt be half as enjoyable. Whether sauces, spice mixes or seasonings, condiments are there simply to improve the food on our plates, bringing flavour, colour and often texture. While ketchup and mayonnaise might first spring to mind, there are many other options begging to be tried. If you want to expand your condiment repertoire, Id suggest a brief tour of world cuisine. A lot of people go weak at the knees for Chinas crispy chilli oil (try the LGM brand on rice and noodles), while Ottolenghi has made Middle Eastern zaatar and sumac mainstream. I love vibrant Mexican salsas that are a masterclass in heat, colour and zing. And the crispy fried onions that are available in most major supermarkets are good sprinkled on pretty much anything. If youve not heard of it before, Id like to introduce you to gremolata, an elegant and relaxed Italian condiment of parsley, garlic and lemon zest that is scattered over dishes. Its a brilliant option in summer, because meat, fish and veg off the barbecue come alive with a generous sprinkling. If you find you have a taste for it then rest assured it works hard in winter too, bringing brightness and vibrancy to rich and meaty stews and ragus. Method 4 x 150g lamb leg steaks, 8.38; 2 unwaxed lemons, 95p 2 garlic cloves, 95p; 30g flat-leaf parsley, 52p Take the lamb steaks out of the fridge at least 20 minutes before you want to cook them. Season all over with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, to make the gremolata, take the parsley (leaves and stalks) and chop finely with a chefs knife. Keep going until it is all done. Put the parsley in a bowl with the zest of 2 unwaxed lemons and 2 finely grated garlic cloves (medium size; you dont want it to be too overpowering). Stir together with a pinch of sea salt until the lemon zest and garlic are evenly distributed. Preheat the grill or barbecue to high. Cook the lamb steaks for about 4 minutes on each side or until done to your liking. Serve showered with the gremolata and new potatoes on the side. Any leftover gremolata can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, ready to be used with vegetables, pasta, meat or fish. Do you have a great recipe for eating well and cutting food bills? Email editor@you.co.uk. If we print it here, well send you a bottle of champagne. *This cost assumes you already have some basic store-cupboard ingredients. prices taken from Aldi and correct at time of going to press. Illustrations: Ellie Allen-Eslor Empire line Once part of the ancient world (Knossos is often described as Europes oldest Bronze Age city), Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Med. It was successively part of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire, the Venetian Republic and the Ottoman Empire before becoming an autonomous state in 1898. Storyline Tourists have been flocking to Crete since the hippie era of the late 1960s and early 70s, when the likes of Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin and Cat Stevens turned the southern village of Matala into a peace and free-love community. The church and military eventually drove them out, but the attractions of the islands food and clear blue seas remain. Likewise the welcome the Cretans have hospitality in their DNA. Over seven nights, we indulged in the extravagance of a Collection Suite at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas (daioscovecrete.com, doubles from 525, half-board), followed by the budget charm of the Kitro Beach Hotel (kitrohotel.gr, doubles from 95, B&B) in nearby Agios Nikolaos. Pool cool: Daios Cove luxury resort & villas. below Horizon line First, Daios Cove, with its 290 rooms, suites and villas. The view from the beach (if you mentally lose the buoys) remains unchanged since this island was created 20 million years ago: dark sand, a translucent aqua shoreline leading into the blue-black of the Med, here a deep inlet, and sky as pale as a much-loved T-shirt. Days became a carousel of swim, sunlounger, read, eat, repeat. Tan line With on average 300 sunny days a year, Crete is ideal for teenagers with olive skin wanting a TikTok tan. Mothers with Irish complexions? Happily, parasols abound. Waistline Keep your distance from the ice cream and youre looking at just a few extra holiday pounds the six places to eat at Daios Cove have remarkably delicious fare. The Beach Houses sea bass with local greens and herb oil? Could eat it every day. And food is almost all local: honey and oranges from Chania, meat from Rethymno, olive oil, veg and avos from down the road in Agios Nikolaos, and fish from everywhere. A top Cretan lunch: grilled fish Green line The perfect sustainable addition to any hotel room? A tiny alcove with an inbuilt tap, to top up your in-suite glass water bottle. Whats more, the new accommodations at Daios have starry bathrooms: creamy marble, corrugated glass walls in Crittall frames and black metal fixtures. Hairdryers by Dyson, natch. Party line A rotation of hip DJs and bands can be found at the pool bar, up in the Crystal Box cocktail spot or down at the beach until 11pm. Expect laid back Ibiza vibes. IV line Need some high-tech healing? The spa, Kepos by Goco, has curios including a vitamin IV infusion room, a hyperbaric oxygen capsule for two, a cryotherapy chamber (which, at minus 85 degrees for two and a half minutes, I found very refreshing) plus an enormous indoor and outdoor gym and umpteen beauty treatment rooms. Breadline If you cant compete with the well-heeled of Europe, head ten minutes west to the aforementioned Agios Nikolaos, a tourist destination of small coves, sandy beaches and a town centre that boasts a lake harbouring wooden fishing boats and a constellation of waterside restaurants. Our favourite place to eat was Ofou To Lo, a few doors down from Kitro Beach Hotel, where we stayed. Expect delicious dolmades and greek salads for around 7 a plate. The local olive farm, a five-minute taxi ride away, is worth a visit (around 4 for a digital tour on a tablet; cretanoliveoilfarm.com). The beach, Kitroplatia, is like a 50s scene from the film The Talented Mr Ripley old-fashioned loungers (around 8 a day for two) and pale yellow umbrellas. Heavenly swimming in deep, plastic-free water, too. Buy line Head to Kera, a vintage shop by the harbour, packed with carpets, jewellery and icons. Its run by the very chatty Sonia. We stayed so long, and spent so much, she even showed us her sons wedding pictures, taken underwater in the pool at Daios Cove! Next week Topline travel: The secret beauty of Slovenia Nemesis consistently ranks as one of the most exciting rollercoasters in the world a highlight for anyone who enjoys hanging upside-down while hurtling through the air at 50 mph. Recently upgraded, Nemesis is a top attraction at Alton Towers, helping the theme park to attract more than two million visitors a year, about 7,000 a day in summer. Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, is the biggest theme park in Britain and its partner in thrills, Surreys Thorpe Park, comes a close second. Highlight: Shares in Alton Towers theme parks landlord LondonMetric are expected to rise Their landlord is LondonMetric, a property company which has delivered nine consecutive years of dividend growth and looks set to make that a decade by the end of this year. LondonMetric shares are 2.01 and should increase in price, as chief executive Andrew Jones is highly experienced, the business is deliberately focused on fast-growing sectors of the economy and it is in rude financial health. Fresh from a board position at industry giant British Land, Jones founded Metric Property Investments in 2010. He merged the business with a rival firm three years later and LondonMetric was born. There have been several deals since, most recently an all-share merger with LXi, another UK property group firmly focused on delivering income to shareholders. Today, the enlarged business owns 580 properties across the UK, from Inverness in Scotland to Truro in deepest Cornwall. While Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are big tenants, warehouses and other logistical hubs account for more than 40 per cent of the portfolio by value. Primarks flagship distribution centre was developed by LondonMetric, spanning almost 2 million square feet over four storeys and earning annual rent of more than 5 million. Other key tenants include Amazon, Royal Mail and DPD, while many smaller businesses rent distribution space too, ranging from microbreweries to coffee roasters to DIY merchants. Away from logistics, private hospitals and budget hotels form a large part of the rent roll, along with edge-of-town supermarkets and discount stores, from Waitrose and M&S to Aldi and B&M. The merger with LXi was a smart move, catapulting LondonMetric into the FTSE 100 index and making it more attractive to big institutional investors and better able to secure low-cost finance. However, the group should appeal to individual shareholders too. Many property firms do not just rent out sites, they also take responsibility for managing them, ensuring lifts are working, lights are replaced, car parks are clean and such like. Jones takes a different approach, known in property circles as triple net. He provides land and buildings but leaves tenants to manage them. That allows him to keep costs low so he can pay out plenty of cash in dividends and he does. There was a 7 per cent increase in the dividend to 10.2 p for the 12 months to March 2024 and analysts expect a 12p payout for the current year, putting LondonMetric on a yield of 6.25 per cent. The group pays dividends quarterly too, so investors receive a nice little fillip every three months. Generous dividends are backed by strong growth across the business. Rental income rose 20 per cent to 177million last year, with occupancy levels at more than 99 per cent and only a handful of smaller tenants needing extra time to pay. Rents are set to hit almost 400million this year, following the LXi merger. The deal will deliver material cost-savings too, enhancing income growth. LondonMetric has become a trusted landlord over the years and 20-year leases are common so businesses stick with the company for the long-term. Rents are reviewed on a regular basis and 80 per cent involve a contractual uplift so they increase either annually or every five years, providing a solid basis for dividend growth. MIDAS VERDICT: Property firms have had a rough time but the cycle seems to be turning and LondonMetric is well positioned to benefit. Leases are long, tenants operate in fast-growing sectors and many are blue-chip names. At 1.91, the shares are a buy and generous dividends add to their appeal. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. R.F. writes: I forwarded a certificate to Cauta Capital for redemption of a 20,000 bond which I bought in 2018. Interest was also due, but I have received nothing. Tony Hetherington replies: I have bad news and worse news, Im afraid. The bad news is that you are not alone, and claims against Cauta Capital Limited are mounting. The worse news is that although it has not yet informed you, I can tell you that the company collapsed into administration last Monday. In April, I warned that the business had gone badly wrong. Your money was supposed to be lent out to other firms as project finance, but only if those firms pledged their assets as security, and only if the value of the project was far greater than the amount of Cautas loan. All this seemed safe. When the bonds were offered, Cauta Capitals accounts valued the company at 69 million. Its more recent 2022 accounts showed it owed 11 million largely to bondholders like you but this was no problem as it still owned assets worth over 19 million. Then complaints emerged from investors whose bonds had matured, but who had not been paid. Weirdly, they were told Cauta had put their money into emeralds which had to be cut and polished before being sold. I questioned the companys sole director, William Abundes, an American who lives in Luxembourg where he is known for his political campaigns on behalf of Donald Trump. He said: The shift towards trading in precious stones, specifically emeralds, was a strategic decision made in response to unexpected losses the company incurred following an investment made in a European property development. Cauta Capitals sole director William Abundes Abundes failed to offer any details. And now his company has produced its 2023 accounts, and they border on the unbelievable. They are identical, down to the last penny, to the 2022 accounts. They take no account of the further years interest due to investors, and they value the companys assets including emeralds at exactly the same 19,412,876 as a year earlier. When Abundes was offering his IOUs for sale, he appointed accountant Graham Arnott as a UK-based independent trustee to hold a legal charge over his companys assets to safeguard investors. Arnott told me: We queried the copy and paste accounts and were told the value of the gemstones would not have changed very much, if at all, given they were in raw form, and interest accrued was not accounted for. Last Monday, Abundes put Cauta Capital into administration under the control of Adam Price and Lane Bednash, both of insolvency practitioners CMB Partners UK. This stops short of bankruptcy but bondholders are unlikely to learn more until the administrators complete enquiries and write to them, which will take about eight weeks. Adam Price told me: Based on the information presently available to the joint administrators, the companys sole asset appears to be an interest in an investment fund based in Luxembourg. Whether or not this fund holds the companys emeralds is unknown. Meanwhile, bondholders are in the dark. A retired couple who put a slice of their savings into Cauta Capital told me: We worked hard to put money aside during our working lives and are sad that we have lost some of it in this way but we are far more upset to have lost trust in the honesty and integrity of some human beings. Bonds are only lightly regulated in Britain. We need investor protection rules that will place them higher than their current status of being no better than an IOU from a mate in the pub. Battle with Churchill over a missing accident report I contacted Churchill about your accident and and three days later the insurer sent you a written apology P.F. writes: A year ago, we were at church in West Yorkshire when a stolen car hit our parked car, writing it off. The driver was arrested. I was delighted when our insurer Churchill quickly met the claim, minus our excess of 200. I was told the excess would be refunded once Churchill received a police report. But then an email from Churchill said: We are unable to request the third-party registration number from the police using their online form as under Merseyside Police it states, Sorry. We cant find the page you are looking for. Tony Hetherington replies: I am not surprised that Merseyside Police knew nothing about the crash as it took place in West Yorkshire. It seems Churchill confused a Wakefield postcode with both a Warrington postcode and a Worcester postcode. Worse still, what followed was the bombshell doubling of Churchills renewal premium. During months of contacts with Churchill, you visited the police and found the accident report was ready. Police told you that Churchill had been informed last year that enquiries were still being made and they should apply again soon, but police heard nothing more. I contacted Churchill and three days later the insurer sent you a written apology, blaming an outside firm it employed to liaise with police. Churchill sent you 750 to back up its apology but still failed to get its hands on the accident report. Next, Churchill wrote, saying: We received correspondence from third party that they cannot deal. We have now responded that as RTA insurers its their responsibility to pay innocent party claim. If no response or if they still refuse then we might have to litigate in the future. I have tidied up the spelling but still wondered whether this had been badly translated from a foreign language. Klingon perhaps? Sadly, it is a genuine letter from a major insurer. Finally, Churchill now has the police report. It has cut your premium and refunded 113 plus the 200 excess, and frozen this years premium. Churchill attributed your year-long struggle to unique circumstances. I hope the companys treatment of your claim is equally unique. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Shein may be heading for a London-listing Anyone wandering into the lobby of the Peninsula, one of Londons swankiest hotels, last week might have spotted a stylish 42-year-old in a blue designer boiler suit and flowery shirt tucking into a dish of Indonesian noodles. The unassuming figure, with the Silicon Valley-style chatter, is thought to be a huge fan of the UK capital. So much so that he favours the City over New York and over his companys headquarters in Singapore for the initial public offering of the immense global online fashion brand Shein. Donald Tang, Sheins charismatic executive chairman, took the precaution of winning buy-in for a flotation which could value his company at more than 50billion from Labours front bench when it was in opposition. It seems no accident that he was in London again last week, though members of the new Labour administration, busy enjoying the first flush of power, were otherwise engaged. Since it was first disclosed on these pages that the fashion group might be heading to London, in a public offering organised by Goldman Sachs, there has been intense scrutiny of its operations. The London Stock Exchange, and one suspects the new Labour Government, is desperate to show it is a friend of the Square Mile and the City can thrive under its stewardship. Thats why the Financial Conduct Authority finally issued its go-ahead for a Big Bank 2.0 this week, easing conditions for London listings, with the imprimatur of Chancellor Rachel Reeves. She views the easing of regulation and disclosure as a critical element of her growth agenda. Range: Shein sells everything from childrens apparel to pet ware and household items But the Government is the least of Sheins problems. After the initial excitement of the possibility of a blockbuster British float, the focus shifted to Sheins suppliers and frequent allegations that its low prices are only achieved by the use of Chinese manufacturers using child and slave labourers. Meanwhile, bricks and mortar retailers across Europe argue Shein is a tax dodger, like other overseas online companies, as the small parcels it sells direct to consumer largely fall below the 135 threshold at which VAT is paid. This mountain of publicity is thought to have had repercussions in Beijing some 90 per cent of production currently is in China which doesnt much appreciate focus on human rights failings. Shein is adamant that if bad players have infiltrated its supply chain and it works with thousands of factories it will cancel them. It axed 58 suppliers in 2022 and cut another 15 more recently. As part of the clean-up it is focusing on forced labour, child labour and suppliers who refuse to be audited or seek to bribe auditors. Tangs broader goal is to diversify its supply chain away from Peoples Republic so it is closer to its market. A third of sales are in the US, a third in Britain and the Continent, and a third in South America and the Middle East. The goal is to find suppliers in Mexico for the US market, Turkey probably for Europe, and so on. It doesnt make sense now to be wholly dependent on China. Shein sells everything from childrens apparel to pet ware and household items. It says it has no direct rivals on the High Street. Its model is embedded in sophisticated technology and AI. It views itself as a streaming service where buyers decide what they want and the suppliers are matched online. The model is that of Uber and Netflix rather than Primark or Walmart. Thus the valuation of the company is that of tech innovator. British and global funds and retail investors may soon have the chance to make up their own minds on that. The Government is in talks with unions over increasing investment in Tata Steels smaller Welsh factories as the future of its flagship plant in Port Talbot hangs in the balance. Labour is working to seal a deal potentially within weeks allowing Tata to stop traditional steelmaking while protecting as many jobs as possible. Tata, an Indian multinational group which bought Port Talbot in 2007, plans to shut its final furnace, which makes steel using coal and iron, in September. Talks: The Government is in talks with unions over increasing investment in Tata Steels smaller Welsh factories It will replace it with an electric furnace that uses recycled materials. The Tory government signed off on plans to give Tata 500million for the transition even though it puts 2,800 jobs at risk. Tata claims this is necessary because it is running Port Talbot at a loss of 1million a day. Critics have said switching off the blast furnace makes the UK the only major economy that cannot make steel from scratch and is a threat to national security. But Tata says its customers are crying out for green steel and that it is already dependent on importing raw materials. Labour has long criticised the plans but has to strike terms and take a pragmatic approach to retain Welsh steelmaking. Previously it was thought Labour might urge Tata to keep the furnace open but Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds last week said Tata was unmovable and acknowledged is unlikely to push back the closure. Talks with unions which will need to sign off on the plans are considering whether there are other parts of the business where further investment could help secure long-term jobs and get the deal over the line. It is not clear whether it is the Government or the company would commit funding. An industry source said investing in infrastructure at Tatas Llanwern plant in Newport, which supplies the car industry, could extend the factorys life. Other areas of potential investment include a site that makes food tins at Trostre, near Llanelli. A voluntary redundancy plan started last week. Unions said they welcomed that the Government has made securing the future of Port Talbot and the other businesses a priority. Labour has committed to spending 2.5billion to support the steel industrys transition to a greener model, on top of the already agreed 500million with Tata. Reynolds said: Steel is vital for a vibrant, secure economy. Our steel sector needs a government working in partnership with trade unions and business to secure a green steel transition thats both right for the workforce and delivers economic growth. China attains bumper summer grain harvest in 2024 Xinhua) 14:02, July 13, 2024 A staff checks newly harvested wheat at a storehouse of a grain and oil company in Qitai County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 9, 2024. In recent days, Qitai County, a major wheat production area in northwest China's Xinjiang, greets its harvest season. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China has seen another year with a bumper summer grain harvest in 2024, official data showed Friday. The country's summer grain output totaled 149.78 million tonnes this year, up 2.5 percent or nearly 3.63 million tonnes year on year, according to a survey made by the National Bureau of Statistics. China's summer grain sown area rose to 26.613 million hectares in 2024, 4,500 hectares more than last year, maintaining stability. Over 23 million hectares of wheat were sown, up 0.1 percent year on year. This year's summer grain output per hectare reached 5,628 kilograms, an increase of 2.5 percent or 135.4 kilograms from last year. China's central Henan Province achieved a summer grain output of nearly 37.86 million tonnes this year, the most at provincial levels. Wang Guirong, head of the rural surveys department of NBS, said that overall favorable weather conditions, improvement of production conditions and programs aimed at improving crop yield contributed to the increase in summer grain yields. Wang added that efforts had been made to promote the construction of high-standard farmlands in various localities while refined measures were taken to boost wheat yields and maintain stable wheat production. "The bumper summer grain harvest lays a solid foundation for China's stable grain production throughout the year, and also provides solid support for the country's economic recovery and high-quality development," Wang said. During a research trip to central China's Henan Province in May, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called for efforts to secure a bumper summer grain harvest and promote the innovative development of agriculture. While calling for efforts to enhance cross-regional mechanized harvesting, prevent and control disasters, and prepare for summer sowing, Li said minimum grain purchase prices should be utilized well to ensure that farmers are able to earn money. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Baby names aren't getting wackier, despite what you might think, experts insist. Hollywood icon Gwyneth Paltrow's naming of daughter Apple in 2004 inspired a massive surge in parents opting for unconventional names. Yet MailOnline analysis suggests the trend has since calmed. This is despite a catalogue of celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and Elon Musk resorting to unusual names in the past few years. Kim gave birth to North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm-West while with ex Kanye West, while Beyonce has Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir with fellow rapper Jay Z. Meanwhile, eccentric billionaire Musk had X A-Xii (pronounced X Ash A-12), Exa Dark Siderl and Techno Mechanicus with musician Grimes before they split. Your browser does not support iframes. Tesla founder and multi-billionaire Elon Musk and rapper Kanye West have given their children unconventional names For 2022, the most unusual registrations for boys include Swastik, Excel and Draco (all had three recordings each), while Monalisa, Kale and Monet all cropped up at least three times among girls. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows there were 13,544 names registered in England and Wales in 2022. Yet this only includes names used at least three times, meaning the true toll will be even higher. The overall figure is up 56 per cent on the 8,671 logged in 1996 when modern ONS records began. Over the same time, the number of babies born in England and Wales has plunged by 45,000 in what experts have been calling a population crisis. It means the number of babies split between each registered name now stands shy of 45, far below the 75 observed in the mid-90s. Yet the share of unique names classed by MailOnline as having no more than three recordings each year stayed flat for boys over the 27-year analysis. Around 23 per cent of boys' names logged are unique. For girls, however, the proportion has risen by around 10 percentage points. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Around 23.5 per cent of girls' names were unique in 1996, rising to 29.2 per cent in 2004 when Apple was born to Gwyneth and Coldplay star Chris Martin. 2007 saw the biggest jump in unique names, MailOnline found. Rates continued to rise until 2012, when they started to slowly fall out of favour. Dr Rebecca Gregory, assistant professor of historical linguistics and onomastics at the University of Nottingham, told MailOnline that unusual namings tend to boom and bust on an unpredictable cycle. 'It's really unclear to what extent the trend for unusual naming has ever been particularly strong because it's interesting when it happens so you hear a lot about it but could distort the name's actual popularity,' she said. Dr Gregory says that if unique becomes commonplace, there may be a corresponding shift back towards more conventional names. Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (left) and her daughter Apple Paltrow Dr Gregory points out that in the Coldplay frontman's case, his daughter's name is actually indicative of a much more common, embedded trope in English society. 'Particularly for girls, changing common nouns into names is far from unheard of,' she said. 'Just as the Victorians did with flowers or plants like Iris, Rose, Holly and Lavender; they were new at the time but now they are considered a standard set.' Dr Gregory added: 'Within the last five years, people are certainly hyphenating names so Ellie-May rather than Ellie as an example and that means ONS data doesn't recognise it as an Ellie or a May. 'We've been a lot more traditional taking names from an existing pool. 'But elsewhere it's much more common to create names out of nowhere, so it's not wacky at all depending on where you come from.' An American man living in London has revealed the five phrases that he cannot get his head around since moving to the British capital. TikTok user @Kjordy, who has over 175,000 followers on the social media platform, took to this account to share five popular British phrases that he had grown to dislike, prompting viewers to react in hilarious fashion. Revealing the first popular British phrase he disliked, he said 'bloody' - such as when it is as an exclamation rather than an adjective. The vlogger said that he disliked the use of this phrase simply because it reminded him of blood, as he remarked: 'I don't understand the need to say that'. Next up on his list was the word b****cks - which he incorrectly pronounced as bullocks - and admitted to not even knowing what the word meant. @kjordyyy As an American in London I cant STAND these words original sound - Kjordy An American man living in London has revealed the five phrases that he cannot get his head around since moving to the British capital TikTok user @Kjordy, who has over 175,000 followers on the social media platform, took to this account to share five popular British phrases that he had grown to dislike He added: 'All I know is when [British people] are p****d off, they shout oh b****cks'. Moving on to his third phrase of choice - and the one that he was most repulsed by overall - the content creator revealed that he was horrified by the word 'dribble'. K Jordy said the word sounded 'so gross' to him after he first heard it, that whenever he hears it now, 'it doesn't sit with [him] well'. His penultimate word was one dish that is popular with millions of Brits and a staple of the traditional fry-up. The American said he hated the sound of bubble and squeak, while confessing that he did not know what the dish consisted of. Revealing his final word popular with Brits that he had failed to get his head around, the TikTok star said it was 'k**b'. Taking to the comments to help him better understand some of the words he was confused by, other TikTok users said: 'Bubble and squeak is just left overs from a roast dinner or Christmas dinner type thing, fried and served for breakfast.' 'Bubble and squeak is normally roast potatoes and cabbage left over from Sunday dinner fried up the day after. The noise it makes is bubble and squeak'. 'Dribble also means when someone talks to much. ''Don't believe that man's dribble'' which makes it so good'. 'Bubble and squeak is the dog's b******s!' Financial expert Martin Lewis has shared how Netflix fans can save money on their advert-free subscription to the popular streaming service. Mr Lewis, 52, advised fans of the money-saving hack via his website, MoneySavingExpert.com. A Netflix subscription is available at three different price points - standard with adverts for 4.99, basic for 7.99 or premium for 17.99 per month. However, Netflix is in the process of Netflix removing its cheapest plan for anyone who is a current subscriber. This means you will be required to pay 3 extra per month to watch shows and TV films without adverts, which equates to an additional sum of 36 per year. Financial expert Martin Lewis has shared how Netflix fans can save money on their advert-free subscription to the popular streaming service Netflix began moving subscribers off its basic plan in April, but the migration process has not yet finished. MoneySavingExpert advised: 'If you're a Netflix subscriber on its 'Basic' plan, you'll have to pay 3 more a month (36 a year) to watch without adverts at the lowest price. 'The streaming giant dropped the plan for new users last year, but it's now being scrapped for existing subscribers too.' The changes will see any remaining customers on a basic plan automatically moved to the 'standard with adverts' plan. However, you can still watch Netflix without adverts if you live with two or three other people who previously had separate accounts. MSE said that they could be joined to form one premium account, which can be split between you. It added: 'If you live with two or three others who use Netflix, you can save even more by splitting the 'Premium' plan. This is 17.99 a month, so you'd pay 6 a month or 4.50 a month each. You'll be able to watch in ultra HD, too.' The latest money-saving hack comes after Netflix fans reacted furiously to the withdrawal of the basic subscription in the UK and Canada. Users were left noticeably disgruntled, with several threatening to end their subscriptions altogether. A Netflix subscription is available at three different price points - standard with adverts for 4.99, basic for 7.99 or premium for 17.99 per month 'Netflix you are p****** me off. Removing my basic plan and forcing me to either pay more or put up with s***** ads,' one said. 'There is more competition out there now so why treat long-term customers like this?' 'Netflix getting rid of their basic plan and only giving you the option of cheaper but with adverts or 10.99 a month without is honestly daylight robbery,' a second penned. A third added: 'Great, so we either have to sit through ads every so often, or pay twice as much to get the Standard/Basic experience that we already do now (albeit only for another few weeks)? Nah, I think I'll pass, Netflix. Cheers, though... 'Netflix forcing a new membership I liked my 7.99 with no adverts thanks,' another chimed in. Netflix users have been left disgruntled with some branding the new membership change as 'daylight robbery' One questioned: 'Hey @netflix how do you warrant a 40% increase in the standard membership?' 'So apparently is planning to kill off their lowest level, no-ad membership package,' a user furiously wrote. 'To be clear, should that happen, we will be killing off our subscription. This trend of sliding ads into our streaming services needs to stop and I will not be paying for ads.' 'Not paying 5 a month for Netflix just to be advertised to. Ill be cancelling my membership in June,' one member shared. The story of Ravensbruck, the only Nazi concentration camp exclusively for women, has long remained on the margins of Nazi history. 56 miles north of Berlin and surrounded by a pine forest and a glistening blue lake, Ravensbruck was concealed by 15 foot tall walls topped with barbed wire. For six years, the camp's inmates were subjected to some of the most sadistic human experiments one could imagine, and treated as human guinea pigs for some of history's most depraved war crimes. Today, the camp's rickety wooden barracks are long gone, and all that remains is a hauntingly empty field. But 80 years on, the horrific crimes and uncomfortable truths enacted there on an estimated 132,000 women largely go unspoken. A 1945 reproduction of a photograph showing female prisoners at the Ravensbruck concentration camp near Fuerstenberg Prisoners at Ravensbruck concentration camp in 1945 Concentration camp Ravensbruck. More than 130,000 women and children, but also 20,000 men were imprisoned here during World War II Worked to death, starved, beaten, hanged, shot, gassed and even poisoned is what the thousands of inmates that passed Ravensbruck's gates endured. More than 20 per cent of the total prison population were Jewish women, and the rest were 'inferior beings', classified by Hitler's Third Reich as degenerates - Gypsies, resistance fighters, Jehova's Witnesses, political enemies, prostitutes, the sick, disabled and 'mad' women. They came from more than 20 countries including Hungary, France, Holland, the Soviet Union and Britain. Inside the barrack blocks, which were ridden by disease, the women were tightly crammed together and made to rise as early as three in the morning, and forced to stand for hours in their thin striped uniforms during the icy German winter. Treated as if they were animals, many women were herded off to work as slaves, lugging heavy rocks, sewing military uniforms and making electrical equipment. Creamtorium furnace at Ravensbruck concentration camp in Ravensbruck, Germany in 1945 The former crematorium in which prisoners were burned as part of the memorial site of the former concentration camp Ravensbruck. During WWII, Ravensbrueck Concentration camp was the largest camp run for female prisoners in the German Reich The former crematorium as part of the memorial site of the former concentration camp A striped uniform worn by a concentration camp prisoners Ravensbruck, which opened in 1939, had been designed to kill its inhabitants. Those who were too ill or too exhausted to work were 'selected' for extermination. The sounds of gunshots from the woods that embattled the camp would mark a new sign of executions. In fact, just a few years ago, remains of Polish women killed in Ravensbruck were discovered at a nearby cemetery in northern Germany by a team from Poland's Institute of National Remembrance. Nine urns and two metal plaques were uncovered, believed to contain the remains of the women who had been killed at a site near the concentration camp. Also, Himmelfahrt, or 'heaven-bound' trucks would regularly arrive at the camp - collecting groups of women to take them to unknown destinations. These would later turn out to be the gas chambers of secret Nazi extermination centers in Germany and Austria. Behind the hell on earth that was Ravensbruck was Head of the SS Heinrich Himmler. The camp's conditions took a darker turn as he encouraged spine-chilling medical experiments. Overseeing these unspeakable studies was the camp's sadistic doctor, Walter Sonntag. He began testing ways of killing off prisoners - injecting petrol or phenol into their veins was his preferred method. He is also said to have enjoyed extracting healthy teeth of the female prisoners without anesthetic. Nazi concentration camps From 1933 to 1945, Nazi Germany operated more than a thousand concentration camps on its own territory and in German-occupied Europe. The camps became a major way in which Nazis imposed their control. Extermination camps were also introduced with the aim of murdering and annihilating races deemed 'degenerate', primarily Jews but also members of the Roma community. Some six million Jews were systematically murdered by Nazis - around two thirds of Europe's Jewish population. At least 250,000 Roma were killed. People considered social outcasts (prostitutes, disabled people, homosexuals, different religious groups) and political opponents were also sent to Nazi camps. Advertisement Instructed by Himmler himself, Sonntag looked for a way for soldiers to have sexual intercourse in brothels without contracting venereal diseases. The reason? Himmler believed that regular sex made for better soldiers. So, the doctor experimented on prostitutes in Ravensbruck in search of a cure for sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea. No records remain of how these warped human experiments were carried out, though everyone in the camp was aware they were happening. Those who survived, however, are proof of the atrocity. There is firm evidence of a series of the macabre medical trials that began in the summer of 1942. 86 women were selected for these experiments, which involved cutting into and infecting their leg bones and muscles with viruses, as well as cutting nerves and introducing pieces of wood or glass into tissues, and fracturing bones. 74 of the women used in these experiments were Polish. Another set of experiments studied the possibility of transplanting bones from one inmate too another. Called by the Nazis 'Kaninchen', or 'rabbits', five women died as a result of the medical trials. Six with unhealed wounds were executed, and the rest survived with permanent physical damage. Some 40,000 Polish women were imprisoned in Ravensbruck camp during the Second Wold War The remains of Polish women murdered by the Nazi's at the notorious Ravensbruck concentration camp for women were discovered by researchers in 2019 Between 120 and 140 Romani women were also sterilized in the camp. Survivors, Maria Broel-Plater, Wadysawa Karolewska, and Maria Kusmierczuk went on to testify against Nazi doctors at the Doctor's Trial in 1946, which aimed to bring leading German physicians who participated in Nazi war crimes to justice. Also, at the height of Hitler's Holocaust, as millions were being murdered in Nazi death camps, four daring young women risked their lives to expose the twisted experiments Nazi scientists were conducting on camp inmates. The sordid details of the experiments were broadcast to the world after the women sent coded letters to their families in which they described their horrific treatment in invisible ink concocted from their own urine. One of these Second World War heroines was a Polish woman called Krystyna Czyz whose hometown of Lublin was invaded by German troops in September 1939 when she was just 15 years old. Krystyna Czyz was one of the women imprisoned in Ravensbruck who filtered out details of the experiments in coded letters during the Second World War The daring young women sent letters from the camp written in 'invisible ink' concocted from their own urine Janina Iwaska (right) and her sister Krystyna (left) met Krystyna Czyz and Wanda Wijtasik at the camp and were among 74 women to be experimented on by Nazi doctors In one of her letters, Krystyna name-dropped a specific book which the siblings had read as children that plots the story of a boy who sends secret messages to tip off her brother to the hidden code In 1941, after torturous interrogation from Gestapo officers who suspected her family of disobedience, she was taken to the Ravensbruck. The following year and under the supervision of Karl Gebhardt, the personal doctor to SS leader Heinrich Himmler, Nazi doctors began dragging inmates into their laboratories to conduct sick medical tests. Among the 74 human subjects was Krystyna and three other women called Wanda Wijtasik, Janina Iwaska and her sister Krystyna Iwaska. All four of them suffered excruciating pain at the hands of the camp's physicians who punctured their flesh with shards of unwashed broken glass to deliberately cause them infection. Although their own personal trauma was unbearable, the women resolved to find a way to filter the sordid details of the camp's experiments out into the world. Germany's Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), stands beside Heinrich Himmler to observe a parade of Nazi Stormtroopers. Germany, 1940 Three SS officers socialize on the grounds of the SS retreat outside of Auschwitz, the most notorious Nazi-run concentration camp Cold water immersion during hypothermia experiments at Dachau concentration camp presided over by Professor Holzlohner (left) and Dr Rascher (right). Prisoners did not volunteer, they were forced to participate Yet they were only allowed to send one letter to their families each month and the content would be heavily censored so that only messages reporting a good camp life would be permitted to pass from the compound. But the women hatched an ingenious plan to write hidden messages into their letters which would not be spotted by the camp guards. They realised that if they dipped their scribing stick in urine, the words would quickly vanish from the page as the liquid loses its colour. However, when the urine is heated up it reappears and thus reveals the words on the page. Between 1943 and 1944, the women risked their lives to send 27 of these letters in the hope of highlighting the sick abuse of camp inmates to the world. But their plan relied on their families figuring out the dull letters contained a coded message and discovering how to decipher the true meaning. And by some miracle, they did. On May 1944, more than a year after the first coded letter was sent, the contents of the women's messages were broadcast to the world. An English radio bulletin said: 'In the concentration camp for women in Ravensbruck, the announcer said the Germans are committing new crimes. 'The women in this camp are being submitted to vivisection experiments and are being operated on like rabbits.' In 1945, when the camp's conditions could't possibly get any worse, Himmler decided that Ravensbruck should have its own gas chamber. Womens at Ravensbruck before Soviet 'liberation' from the camp in 1945 1945: Full-length image of children returned from the Ravensbruck concentration camp, Germany, after its liberation, World War II Ravensbruck inmates pictured after the liberation The camp had become overcrowded to breaking point and he needed space for more prisoners. A temporary chamber was built just outside the camp wall, where women - up to 150 at a time - were pushed inside, before a canister of gas would be sucked in. The gassing of inmates continued up until the end of the war. Over one weekend alone, 2,500 women were killed in the chambers. The aim was to destroy evidence of what occurred inside the hellish camp before the Allies arrived. Prisoner files were burned, along with their bodies. But there were still thousands of women left on site on April 30, 1945, when the surviving inmates woke up to the roar of Russian artillery. While SS guards fled, the Ravensbruck women faced a new horror - rape. A Polish witness is shown with a doctor which explains the nature of her wounds in 1946 as 23 Nazi doctors were tried for conducting, experiments on human 'guinea pigs' Irma Grese, born 1923, German camp guard, perhaps the most notorious female Nazi war criminal, who committed crimes at Ravensbruck, Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen concentration camps, She was hanged for war crimes in December 1945 After entering Germany territory, the Russian Red Army engaged in a sexual rampage, and this did not exclude the starved inmates - a final humiliation to the courageous women who had survived the Nazi death camp. After the war, Nazi war crime trials were held in 1946 against 16 Ravensbruck concentration camp staff and officials. All of them were found guilty. Some 3,5000 women guards had worked in Ravensbruck over six gruesome years. Inflexible harshness towards prisoners had been expected from the guards, who accepted without question the camp philosophy that the prisoners were a burden on the Fatherland. The crimes they were accused of were so gruesome that one of the prosecutors was physically sick when he first read through the evidence. Sonntag, who had carried out the horrifying experiments on the female inmates, was convicted of war crimes and executed in 1948. When two-year-old Oliver developed a 'little cough', his parents initially thought it was nothing serious. Doctors said it was likely all he needed was some rest and time out of daycare, but two weeks later the family were told he had a tumour in his chest, along with leukaemia. Oliver's dad, John Norris, 38, from Somerville, Melbourne, dismissed the cough as nothing more than a 'little cold' because his son didn't have a temperature. A GP visit on June 5 ruled out Covid and RSV, and the advice was for Oliver just to get some rest. A week later, with no sign of any improvement and with the boy struggling for breath, they returned to the GP. 'He was given antibiotics and we were told he had to rest up and not go to childcare,' Mr Norris said. But the father became concerned when the cough only worsened and his boy became ever more lethargic. Oliver Norris, 2, (pictured) had a cough in early June that persisted and within eleven days it was discovered he had a tumour across his lungs and heart, and was diagnosed with leukemia Oliver's dad, John Norris, said there had been no symptoms of cancer before his toddler had a cough and he had been 'healthy' (pictured Oliver Norris) 'He just didn't seem to be getting better. I had a feeling something wasn't right. I just wanted a second opinion,' he said. Following his instinct, John and his wife Melissa, 34, took Oliver to a different GP on June 14 who did say to take the child to hospital if his health deteriorated further. The following night Oliver 'was not looking great' and by 5am he was struggling to breathe. After rushing him to Frankston Hospital, an x-ray showed the toddler had a growth on his heart and lungs, and he was taken to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, for a more sophisticated scan and clearer diagnosis. 'We were then told he had a tumour on his heart and lungs. It's why he couldn't breathe,' Mr Norris said. He was also diagnosed with leukaemia. The father said the hardest thing was being delivered such bad news only within a space of a few hours. The two-year-old deteriorated a day after a second GP appointment, who had ruled out any viruses or bugs. Oliver (pictured) struggled to breathe and his parents rushed him to hospital The little 'cheeky' and 'bubbly' boy (pictured receiving treatment) now has to have steroids twice a day and chemotherapy twice a week, but the family have been told he will need chemo for the next two and a half years 'We were trying to not think of the worst,' he said. 'We didn't want to ask questions because we didn't want to know the answers. 'All of these terms, and all the different doctors - a different doctor visiting every half an hour - and your kid is struggling to breathe and was a bit out of it. 'It was just hard.' Mr Norris said Oliver, who is the little brother to Mia, 9, and Charlie, 4, is known for his big smile, is 'always laughing' and is 'bubbly'. 'He loves dinosaurs, playing with cars and he loves making animal noises - he's a bit cheeky,' he said. Mr Norris said there were no warning signs or symptoms before Oliver started coughing in early June. The toddler's dad said he is 'proud' of his son for sitting still during chemotherapy and wearing a backpack that feeds him antibiotics to fight a virus he has since contracted (pictured Oliver Norris) Oliver, (pictured) who loves dinosaurs and making animal noises, is also known for his big smile 'We was not lethargic before he had the cough - he was healthy,' he said. The father wanted to make it clear that he doesn't blame the GPs, because the condition is rare and 'they can't x-ray every child that comes in with a cough'. Oliver now has to have steroids twice a day as well as chemotherapy twice a week. The family has been told the two-year-old will need chemo for the next two and a half years. 'He just started losing his hair. My wife had a breakdown, she cried in front of the kids,' he said. 'When you start seeing the signs you know it's real. It's confronting. 'The steroids make him angry and he lashes out - but it is normal when taking steroids. 'But he's still got that smile. The hospital staff love him - they all say they love his smile. 'It is hard for a two-year-old to sit still for the chemo, but he's doing it.' The father said Oliver picked up an infection while in hospital, which his body is struggling to fight due to having leukaemia. 'He was hot and shaking. It's a virus that he can't fight on his own so he has to wear a back-pack giving him antibiotics 24/7 for 14 days,' he said. Oliver (pictured) has a long road of treatment ahead of him and his dad said doctors told him the first six months of treatment will be intense 'It's hard to tell a two-year-old to not take it off - but he is keeping it on, he is doing so well and I am really proud of him for that.' The couple were told by hospital staff that Oliver's treatment will be intense. 'They said the first six-months is full-on and one of us has to take time off work for six months - minimum,' Mr Norris said. 'It all depends if he is hitting goals.' His wife Melissa, who is a permanent part-time worker at a Coles Express service station has had to put her job on hold, as well her side business. A GoFundMe has been started for the family because Oliver's mother Melissa had to leave her job to look after her son, as well as be there for the family's two other children (pictured Oliver) 'Melissa is exhausted, she is running on fumes. She has been amazing but it has been hard, especially also having our other two kids to look after. 'Utility bills have gone up, food has gone up. You're home more, so you're using more,' he said. 'And we still have to pay for hospital parking and petrol on top of bills.' A GoFundMe has been started to help the family pay for lost wages, bills and transport costs. President Joe Biden's debate performance was shocking to many Americans because his inner circle have spent years making sure he doesn't act his age. For three and a half years, aides have concocted a careful plan to hide the 81-year-old's ailments , and are now the center of widespread allegations they have covered up his decline. The strategy includes carefully picking where walks, choosing shoes to stop falling, surrounding him with staff, shortening his schedule so he gets more sleep and giving him props. But that hasn't always worked as he has stumbled, mumbled, gotten confused, fallen on stage and down stairs In turn, the White House press shop has gotten creative with excuses to explain what was happening in plain sight. The aides have now been accused of being accomplishes in the plot to hide his deterioration before it become clear to the 50 million American viewers watching the CNN debate. DailyMail.com breaks down the White House cover-up, the strategies they have used to explain any missteps and how they are now undermining their arguments Biden is fit to serve a second term. President Joe Biden's debate performance has put his political future in danger - and has also increased scrutiny on the White House's years long effort to ensure he doesn't act his age The White House's war on the press and the imaginative ways to explain Biden's bizarre behavior Author Chris Whipple, who wrote a biography on Biden in 2022, called this White House the 'most scripted in history'. Biden has hosted an historically low number of press conferences and given very little interviews. When he speaks he relies heavily on a teleprompter and only rarely takes questions. His press aides are extremely defensive and attack reports questioning his health or showing the president 'freezing' or in an awkward encounter. In the last week, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been hammered by the media for ducking questions about a Parkinson's expert visiting the White House eight times in eight months. Jean-Pierre, known for her non-answers and reliance on her binder, has been creative with her excuses for Biden's conduct. In June, when several videos showed what appeared to be the president 'freezing,' Jean-Pierre dubbed them 'cheap fakes,' and pushed that they were deceptively edited. In one case it's clear that Biden is engaging with a paratrooper off-screen - in a viral video from the G7 in Italy - but in others, the president does appear to be spaced-out - first at a Juneteenth concert and then at a fundraiser where former President Barack Obama leads him offstage. But Jean-Pierre has also refused to answer direct questions when the president has been guilty of a gaffe. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confounded reporters during Monday's briefing when she couldn't give a simple explanation for why a Parkinson's expert had visited the White House eight times When Biden called Japan 'xenophobic' - lopping the top ally in with Russia and China - Jean-Pierre wouldn't say what exactly happened. She acted similarly when reporters tried to get to the bottom of why Biden in September 2022 asked 'where's Jackie?' at a nutrition event. He was looking around the room for Rep. Jackie Walorski, who had died in a car accident the month before. Jean-Pierre wouldn't say whether it was a malfunctioning teleprompter or if the president had forgotten the congresswoman in question was no longer alive. The press secretary insisted that Walorski was merely 'at top of mind.' The Tight Schedule - and how Biden is only 'sharp' before 8pm Since Biden's disastrous debate performance, more details have leaked about how White House aides schedule his day. Most of Biden's events are scheduled between 10 am and 4pm, because that is when Biden is 'dependably engaged,' Axios reported. His preparations for the debate were also held during the day so he had time for an afternoon nap, The New York Times reported. The president confirmed his scheduling limitations to Democratic governors last week when he said he needed more sleep and to stop holding events past 8pm. World leaders have even gone out of their way to adapt to his tighter schedule, but it still hasn't worked. At the G7 in Switzerland in June 2022, an early evening meeting was scheduled with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but Biden still skipped it and sent Secretary of State Antony Blinken instead, the Wall Street Journal reported. When Blinken arrived, he announced to attendees that Biden had gone to bed (a claim the State Department has denied.) The president has also skipped a number of formal dinners with world leaders while traveling abroad. He passed on attending the dinner at last year's NATO summit Vilnius, Lithuania in July. Two months before that, he left a G7 dinner early when world leaders were gathered at on Miyajima Island outside of Hiroshima, known for its iconic 'floating' torii gate and domesticated deer population. At the G20 in Bali in 2022, Biden also didn't attend the leaders dinner. He did, however, show up to dinner in September when the G20 was in India. For years, detailed notecards have guided President Joe Biden through events, but he's leaned on them so heavily it's was concerning Democratic donors - and that was before last month's debate The cheat sheets he has relied on before the debate For years, detailed notecards have guided Biden through events, but his reliance on them in recent months had Democratic donors tense - and that was even before the disastrous debate. The sheets give a play-by-play of what the president is supposed to do - directions as simple as 'YOU take YOUR seat.' They give Biden the run-of-show for events where television cameras are rolling. And he's shown that he's needed the instructions - memorably wandering off an MSNBC set in June 2023 after a sit-down with the network's Nicolle Wallace. Some donors voiced concerns to Axios in February when Biden would use the notecards during private meetings to answer pre-screened questions. The staged question and answer sessions left donors wondering if Biden could withstand the rigors of a campaign, as it looked like he wasn't able to provide off-the-cuff answers. The Journal similarly reported that the campaign had long asked donors to submit their questions in advance. At a fundraiser in New York on the sidelines of September's United Nations General Assembly, an aide whispered in Biden's ear when the president appeared at a loss when asked a question about the Middle East, the paper also said. There was a brief controversy over the notecards the president was using during press conferences when it appeared that Biden had received a question from a Los Angeles Times reporter in advance - something the newspaper denied. Instead the paper pushed that the reporter had asked the White House press shop questions on that topic, so what Biden had written on his notecard was an educated guess of what the journalist would ask. Former President Donald Trump has mocked Biden's use of notecards, especially during press conferences, when the Democrat has a list of names and sticks to it strictly. 'He's got a press conference that lasts for about two minutes and he goes like this, he's reading a card, 'umm NBC Jim, Jim,' and then they ask him a question and then he picks up the same paper and he reads the answer,' Trump said in June at a campaign stop in Arizona. And just this week, a Philadelphia radio interviewer parted ways with the station after she accepted questions from the Biden campaign when querying the president. It's common practice for White House press aides to ask reporters what they plan to ask at briefings or to the president. President Joe Biden (left) is photographed taking the shorter set of Air Force One stairs after a series of trips. He first fell up Air Force One's stairs in March 2021 (right), two months into his administration The short stairs to Air Force One... after he had some issues with the bigger one Last summer, Biden almost exclusively started taking the small stairs to board Air Force One. He originally tripped up the stairs of the presidential plane just two months into his administration heading to Atlanta in March 2021. He did so again when leaving Warsaw in February 2023 after his grueling secret trip to Ukraine. And he did so again in March 2023 as he headed to Selma, Alabama. But after he tripped over a sandbag at a Colorado commencement, aides acknowledged to Politico that Biden's use of the shorter Air Force One staircase was intentional to avoid future falls as it cuts down the number of steps from 26 to 14. In April President Joe Biden started walking to Marine One swarmed by his staff after some aides fretted that his solo walk across the South Lawn called too much attention to his stiff gait The Swarm of aides as he walks to catch a flight In April, Biden suddenly changed the protocol for how he walked to Marine One - the presidential helicopter that waits for him on the South Lawn. For three-plus years, unless Biden was with the first lady, he'd walk to the aircraft solo. Aides would wait until the president had boarded and then make their own way to the helicopter. But all of the sudden when Biden was walking to the helicopter, a swarm of aides joined him for the lawn-crossing, which is captured by the White House press. The swarm, according to Axios, was decided upon by the president after some aides fretted that his solo walks across the South Lawn called too much attention to his stiff gait. With the aides surrounding him, the visual is less stark. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates ridiculed Axios for calling attention to the new, obscured view of the president walking. 'He's fully visible except for a few seconds,' Bates said. 'Impeach.' President Joe Biden started sporting more sneakers after he fell over a sandbag at a commencement ceremony in Colorado last summer. He's photographed with first lady Jill Biden in September 2023 This spring Biden started wearing a $150 pair of wide sole trainers from the sportswear brand Hoka President Joe Biden was sporting a new pair of kicks to the debate in Atlanta last month. DailyMail.com identified them as Cole Haan's riginalGrand Energy Twin Oxfords, which retail for around $200 and give the wearer 'bouncy comfort' with 'all-day responsive cushioning' The Shoes which help prevent tripping For months, the White House has been on a do-not-let-the-president-trip mission, with Biden trying out several different kinds of footwear. The president suffers from sensory peripheral neuropathy, which can cause numbness in the feet and lead to tripping. In the months following last summer's sandbag incident, the president was sporting more sneakers - including Sketchers - when he walked around. And then in spring, Biden started wearing a $150 pair of wide sole trainers from the sportswear brand Hoka. On the night of the disastrous debate, Biden debuted another new sneaker-like dress shoe. He sported black Cole Haan 'riginalGrand Energy' oxfords - sold for around $200 - that give the wearer 'bouncy comfort' with 'all-day responsive cushioning.' Biden also stopped wearing toe-clips when taking bike rides during trips to his Rehoboth Beach home - after flopping sideways on his bike during a June 2022 ride. Indents on President Joe Biden's face when he left for a trip to Chicago in late June 2023 prompted the White House to tell journalists that he's started using a CPAC machine The CPAP Machine that has left marks on his face One time the White House was forthright with the press was after the White House physician assisted Biden in getting more sleep by starting him on a CPAP machine. In June 2023, eagle-eyed reporters noticed indents on Biden's face - with the White House quickly confirming that the president had started using a CPAP machine, used to treat sleep apnea, in recent weeks. Since 2008, Biden's sleep apnea was part of his public medical record. Those disclosures came from the Obama campaign after Biden was selected to be vice president. At the time, doctors believed Biden's irregular heartbeat, known as an atrial fibrillation, was likely linked ot his sleep apnea. But a 2019 medical report, put out by the Biden campaign, said that Biden's sleep apnea had improved after he had sinus and nasal passage surgeries. It's unclear, then, what prompted Biden to start using the machine four years later, with a White House source telling Bloomberg it wasn't related to a new medical condition or environmental conditions. The lines on Biden's face resulted in some news stories about his schedule. The New York Post asked in April: 'What time did he get up?' when the mask lines were still visible on the president's face shortly after noon. A crossbow bloodbath survivor has relived her own horror as she begged politicians to finally toughen up soft laws in the wake of the Bushey triple tragedy. Terrified Laura Sugden, 33, played dead after being shot by a lunatic neighbour who murdered her boyfriend in their own home in 2018. Anthony Lawrence, 55, pulled out bricks dividing their loft space before lying in wait in a child's bedroom armed with a deadly bow. After fatally wounding Shane Gilmer, 30, Lawrence fired at point blank range into Laura's skull - where a part of the bolt today still remains. She fled her home in Duffield, East Yorks, after pleading the crazed killer for the life of her unborn daughter. Crossbow killer Anthony Lawrence (right) broke into the home of Laura Sugden and her boyfriend Shane Gilmer (left) in Southburn, East Yorkshire, in January 2018 Laura told how nightmares of the brutal attack this week came flooding back after the horrific killings of BBC star John Hunt's family in Bushey, Hertfordshire. She said she was 'sick to the stomach' upon learning of the deaths of John's wife Carol, 61, and their two daughters Hannah and Louise, 25 and 28. Council worker Laura said: 'I was at home, working, and one of my friends sent me a message saying 'have you seen the news?'. 'I looked and I immediately just felt sick to my stomach. It brought it all back - I was just heartbroken. 'Like them, I was in my own home. A place of safety. So I know how frightened they must have been. 'Shane knew he was going to die - just like those poor women would have done. 'The thought that those three people had to endure something as barbaric as that - it's just unbelievable. 'It's indescribable. 'I've been really, really upset about it. It brought it all back for me and I just feel desperately sorry for the family.' In May 2021, after Laura had presented a 42,000-strong petition to Downing Street, the Home Office concluded: 'The Government has no plans to legislate further at this time.' Victim Louise Hunt was shot with a crossbow at her home in Bushey, Hertfordshire Hannah Hunt, sister of Louise and daughter of John, also died after being shot with a crossbow at the family's 800,000 home Carol Hunt, who was married to BBC horse racing commentator John Hunt (pictured together), was found fatally injured along with her two daughters at her home on Tuesday Oddball Lawrence crept across shared loft space between their homes in Driffield, East Yorks, in January 2018, intent on murder. The former Territorial Army squaddie blamed them for his eviction after he was caught growing cannabis. Lawrence, described as a loner and a recluse, had secretly listened in on the couple's conversations after planting a bug. Laura, who was pregnant, miraculously survived the attack after pulling the arrow from her head. But the bolt fired a Shane passed through his right arm, damaging his liver and kidney as it embedded in his spine. Lawrence evaded justice by fleeing, sparking a nationwide manhunt. He was found in a lay-by in the North Yorks Moors two days later having taken his life. Laura, who is to have an operation to remove the remaining piece of the bolt in the coming weeks, said of Shane's last moments: 'He told me, 'If you don't keep you and the baby safe, I'll never forgive you.' Against all odds, Laura gave birth to daughter Ella Faith, now six, in June 2018. She said: 'The pain of losing Shane never goes away. There's not a day in the past six years when I haven't thought about what happened. 'I try and just live for the day - some days are good, some are bad - it's just about getting through each one. The Driffield homes of Lawrence and Mr Gilmer at the time of the horror murder in 2018 'I genuinely believe that I'll never have a day where I don't think about it. I can't imagine waking up and it not being one of my first thoughts. 'There was a time when they thought Ella wouldn't make it. But she's a character and she's exactly like her dad, actually. 'She looks like him and she acts like him. 'So she's like a constant reminder of him and she gives me a new lease of life. 'Obviously there's a lot of sadness when there are milestones and Christmases but she's so precious to me. 'She keeps me going.' Since losing Shane, Laura has campaigned relentlessly for increased regulation of crossbows. Despite their fearsome ability to maim and kill, the vicious weapons are not illegal to own in the UK. Under 18s cannot own them and they cannot be wielded in public or used for hunting. But there are no licences or registrations needed to purchase the weapons, which are meant for use at archery target ranges. Laura said: 'They're as powerful as a shotgun but they can be fired from a lot further away. The impact of them can be catastrophic. Lethal: the crossbow used by Anthony Lawrence to carry out his fatal attack on Shane Gilmer 'I think what surprises people is they don't look like how you'd imagine - they're not like a traditional curved bow and arrow. 'They look terrifying - like a piece of machinery. Some are the size of a pistol. Since Shane's murder, crossbows have been linked to at least seven deaths, including the tragic family of horse racing commentator Mr Hunt. Despite promises to get tough by ministers, little has been done to change the law to prevent crossbows falling into the wrong hands. At Shane's inquest a coroner condemned the 'completely unregulated' market for the 'deadly and vicious weapon'. Laura said: 'Sometimes I felt like I've been banging my head against a brick wall. 'There have been a number of deaths since I started campaigning and that's really upsetting because you think that potentially there could have been different outcomes. 'Had the last government acted sooner and changed the law, then perhaps we could have avoided lives being lost to crossbows.' Ten months after Shane's murder in January 2018, another crossbow tragedy sent shockwaves through the country. Mr Gilmer (above, with Laura), 30, died after a crossbow bolt fired by Lawrence broke his arm and a rib, damaged his liver and kidney and became embedded in his spine Sana Muhammed, 35, who was eight months pregnant, died when her ex fired a crossbow bolt into her back at her home in Ilford, east London. Remorseless Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, 51, was jailed for 33 years. The tragedy led to then Prime Minister Theresa May vowing to review laws around crossbows. In May 2021, after Laura had presented a 42,000-strong petition to Downing Street, the Home Office concluded: 'The Government has no plans to legislate further at this time.' Later that year, supermarket worker Jaswant Chail was able to purchase a deadly bow and stormed Windsor Castle in a plot to kill the Queen. Chail, 22, who jailed jailed for nine years, was just 500 yards away from her chambers when he was intercepted on Christmas Day. The astonishing incident saw former home secretary Priti Patel launch a review into crossbow controls. But it was not until February this year that the Home Office opened a call for evidence on a possible tightening of rules around the weapons. The department said earlier this year that it was 'clear that when used as a weapon, crossbows do pose a risk'. Laura said: 'I'm hopeful that things will be moving quickly now. Before it happens to somebody else. Figures show Greater Manchester Police have recorded 200 crimes involving crossbows since 2012, including 56 in 2022 and 2023. Pictured: the scene of Shane Gilmer's murder and the home he shared with girlfriend Laura Sugden 'I have no problem with people using crossbows when they're using them in a safe and controlled environment. 'What I have problem with is anybody using them not in a safe controlled environment. 'So I would just want them to be brought in line with firearms - so that police checks are done, medical checks have to be done 'We need to obviously control people who want to just buy them to harm another person and make sure they cannot get their hands on them.' Figures show Greater Manchester Police have recorded 200 crimes involving crossbows since 2012, including 56 in 2022 and 2023. Even in rural Wiltshire, police recorded 73 offences linked crossbows in that time. Current legislation has not been amended since its introduction in 1987. Gemma Vine, of Ison Harrison solicitors, who is helping Laura's campaign to change the law, said: 'The law as it stands at the moment as long as you're 18 years old you can buy one and own one. 'I know crossbows have been reviewed a couple of times over the years and we've been pushing for it since [Shane's] inquest conclusion in 2021. 'The initial response we received from the Home Office was that the law had the right balance to protect public safety and we just feel that's not the case.' Labour security minister Dan Jarvis said talks were taking place on changing the laws on crossbows. He said: 'We will move at pace and we will take a view as quickly as possible as to whether the law needs to be amended.' A wife jailed over a petrol bomb plot against her mother-in-law went 'crazy' when her husband cheated on her, MailOnline can reveal. Mother-in-law Christina Place found her car ablaze after it was petrol-bombed outside her home in Wrexham, North Wales, in a revenge attack. Their feud had been ignited because daughter-in-law Alisha Anwar, 29, felt her mother-in-law thought she wasn't 'good enough' for her son. Ms Place told MailOnline that mother-of-two Anwar was 'obsessed' with her son, who does not want to be named, and they had a 'toxic' relationship. She said Anwar was a 'lunatic' who threatened to slash his clothes and trainers. The 54-year-old said Anwar accused him of 'cheating on her' and made a reference to another woman 'more than 20 times' in angry videos she sent to him. Daughter-in-law Alisha Anwar, 29, felt her mother-in-law thought she wasn't 'good enough' for her son - so plotted a petrol bomb attack Anwar was jailed for 16 months earlier this month and given a two-year restraining order to protect her mother-in-law over the June 2022 attack Anwar once banged on her door 'accusing him of cheating on her' but they had only been seeing each other for two weeks, her mother-in-law said. Ms Place said her son 'admitted to cheating on her on one occasion' but his wife got him arrested after she went to the police and 'made up a number of false allegations'. His mother said that Anwar 'wasn't going to be happy until she took his soul' and even 'pleaded with him to take her back' and said she only went to the police 'out of revenge'. Ms Place said her son, who is an accountancy student who hopes to work in Dubai, 'would never have gone off with someone else' if 'she had treated him better'. Anwar eventually hired Luke Williams, 25, for 150 to torch Ms Place's vehicle behind her house. She was jailed for 16 months earlier this month and given a two-year restraining order to protect her mother-in-law over the June 2022 attack. Anwar admitted conspiracy to commit arson and is now locked up in HMP Styal in Cheshire. A family relative said: 'He regrets the day he ever met her. 'The woman can't let go of him. Even last month before she was jailed over all this nightmare, she sent him a message saying she wanted to get back with him. 'She told him she loved him and wanted him back. 'It's real Fatal Attraction stuff.' Anwar admitted conspiracy to commit arson and is now locked up in HMP Styal in Cheshire Luke Williams, 25, (pictured) was also jailed after being caught up in the revenge plot after taking cash to 'blow up' the car Mother-in-law Christina Place found her car ablaze after it was petrol-bombed outside her home in Wrexham, North Wales, in a revenge attack Anwar hired Luke Williams, 25, for 150 to torch Ms Place's vehicle behind her house Mold Crown Court heard that Ms Place was in her living room at about 1am on the morning of the fire when her dogs started barking. She looked out and saw an 'orange glow' by a fence panel and soon realised her car was on fire. Ms Place emerged from her home to find her car ablaze. Flames spread to two other cars and a property which had to be evacuated. It took two fire crews 90 minutes to bring the inferno under control during the 'terrifying' incident. The judge said it 'almost beggared belief' that Williams bought petrol from a garage and filled a jerry can with it before targeting the parked vehicle. Williams, of Pentre Maelor, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson. He was jailed this week for 16 months with eight more months, activated from a suspended sentence, to run consecutively. A senior Texas Senator has demanded the Pentagon shut down a vast wind farm linked to a Chinese billionaire citing a major threat to national security, DailyMail.com can reveal. John Cornyn has said that former People's Liberation Army (PLA) captain Sun Guangxin 'likely plans' to use dozens of 700-foot high wind turbines to spy on a nearby Air Force base 'at the behest of the Chinese government'. In a letter written to Department of Defense (DoD) executive director Steve Sample on July 10, obtained by DailyMail.com, Senator Cornyn called for the project to be 'terminated' until the Senate can carry out a full investigation into the threat it poses to the U.S. military. Mr Sun sparked fury among ranchers and politicians alike after he splashed an estimated $110million on 130,000 acres of land in Val Verde County, Texas, between 2016 and 2018. Former People's Liberation Army captain Sun Guangxin had planned to build a 46-turbine wind farm in Val Verde County, Texas, before it was blocked on national security grounds Sun sold the rights to the wind farm and the underlying land to a Spanish firm last year, but there are fears he may have retained an interest in the property, with sources citing a deal he struck with a French firm that operates Rocksprings wind farm (pictured) on land he owns, from which he earns royalties Texas Senator John Cornyn warned in a letter to the Pentagon that Sun 'likely' still has 'influence and involvement in the project' and called for an urgent investigation This included a 15,000-acre ranch on which he planned to build 46 towering wind turbines, 30 miles from Laughlin Air Force Base. The project has long sparked fears of an espionage plot, with former intelligence officials highlighting Mr Sun's close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was blocked by the Texas electric grid in 2022 under a state law prohibiting companies controlled by hostile nations from gaining access to critical infrastructure. This ultimately forced Mr Sun, via his U.S. subsidiary GH America, to sell the rights to develop the Blue Hills Wind Farm to Spanish energy firm Greenalia for a reported $15million in June last year, allowing the project to proceed. But in his letter to the DoD, Senator Cornyn cites 'the belief that the Chinese are still involved' in the project. 'We believe Mr Sun has owner-financed the land purchase with Greenalia and likely has influence and involvement in the project,' he added. Allowing it to proceed 'without fully understanding any ongoing connection to the Chinese is unwise and short-sighted', he said. A privately-commissioned report written by former intelligence officials in 2019 suggested Mr Sun's links to the CCP could provide Beijing an opportunity to leverage his business interests for national security objectives. His close ties to the Chinese state are also documented in the book Eurasian Crossings: A History of Xinjiang, by Georgetown University professor James Millward. The book claims Sun opened a branch of the CCP within his own company during the 1990s and poached a party secretary away from a state-owned firm to lead it. His political connections helped him acquire state-owned enterprises, Millward wrote. DailyMail.com understands Mr Sun is now seeking to offload his entire Texan property empire following a backlash from locals. Sun was born into a working-class family in Xinjiang province but has amassed an estimated net worth of $2.9billion with the help of his close political and military connections Sun's unprecedented land grab means he owns 7 percent of all land in Val Verde County via his subsidiary companies Brazos Highland and Harvest Texas. The site of his proposed wind farm sits to the north east of the county, but he already earns royalties from wind turbines operated on his land by a French firm at Rocksprings Sun bought more than 130,000 acres of farmland in Texas between 2016 and 2018 for an estimated $110million. Pictured: The gates to his headquarters in the region, Morning Star Pictured: Sun's main living quarters in Val Verde County, Morning Star ranch Senator Cornyn's intervention comes after GH America sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas [ERCOT, the state grid] last month, alleging its use of state law to block the project was unconstitutional. In a 21-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the firm argued that the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act violated the U.S. constitution's supremacy clause. The filings claim that 'the power to deal with national security threats' and 'regulate foreign commerce, are the domain of the federal government'. GH America is seeking an as yet undetermined sum in damages and that the court declare ERCOT's decision to block it from connecting to the state grid as 'null and void'. A spokesman for the company told DailyMail.com that Greenalia had 'acquired the Blue Hills Project and the underlying land and is not subject to oversight or control by GHAE or its affiliates'. 'Regarding the purported 'threats to U.S. national security' referenced in Senator Cornyn's letter, the Blue Hills project was thoroughly vetted and finally approved by the federal Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. [CFIUS] in 2022,' the spokesman added. 'The Project was scrutinized and approved by the U.S. Air Force precisely because GH America agreed to mitigate national security concerns arising from the Project's proximity to Laughlin Air Force Base. 'There is no factual basis for any asserted national security threats for the Blue Hills Project or any project that GH America has sought to engage in, all of which are subject to the continual oversight of CFIUS, including the U.S. Department of Defense.' There are growing fears over Chinese businesses setting up shop close to U.S. military facilities. Last year, the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, vetoed a proposed $700 million corn mill development by Chinese-owned Fufeng Group, after the U.S. Air Force, which has a base 12 miles away, expressed its opposition to the project on national security grounds. An actor who is frequently cast as 'the rich white guy' has revealed how the role he plays could not be further from his reality. Doug Sharp, 59, spoken candidly with NBC this week about his struggles to make ends meet while living in Los Angeles. He explained how after getting a business degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst when he was in his 40s, he was unable to get a job. So for the last decade his main source of income has been driving for Uber and Lyft. But Sharp, who qualifies for food stamps and relies on Medicaid for health insurance, also has a surprising side gig starring as a paid extra in Hollywood. 'The older you get, the less parts there are,' he told NBC. 'However, the pool of older guys is smaller and shockingly I always play the rich white guy, because thats what I look like'. He added: 'But I didnt I know look like a rich white guy until I started playing one.' Doug Sharp, 59, routinely plays characters who have immense fortunes, but struggles to make ends meet in real life Although Sharp's daily pay rate has jumped from $200 to $1,200, the work is inconsistent Sharp revealed that he recently landed a small speaking role in a production that features two Hollywood A-listers. But while his daily pay rate jumped from $200 to $1,200, the work is inconsistent. 'What I can tell you is I barely work,' the actor said. He continued: 'In May I worked two days, in April I worked four days, in March I worked two days, in February I worked two days, in January I worked one day.' Sharp's irregular schedule means he does not qualify for full Screen Actors Guild benefits, instead getting his insurance through Medicaid. To make ends meet, Sharp previously worked as an Uber and Lyft driver, before the diminishing rates made driving for them no longer worth it. 'However, the pool of older guys is smaller and shockingly I always play the rich white guy, because thats what I look like,' Sharp said of casting opportunities Over the past few years, his limited income was supplemented by generous pandemic unemployment reimbursement. Now Sharp depends largely on his capricious acting career to foot the bills. 'The money for background is good, and there's always the possibility of being upgraded to principal,' he told NBC. 'That has happened to me- I have not found a replacement for it.' Sharp lives alone in a housing situation that he characterized as unstable. The actor said he occasionally rents from a friend, and that he also has an unauthorized arrangement, which he was unwilling to discuss. In addition to his housing woes, Sharp also struggles with affording essentials. In order to purchase some basic necessities, Sharp recently resorted to exchanging items found around his home for cash or credit at Home Depot and Walmart. In an effort to alleviate his financial situation, Sharp has begun completing delivery orders on UberEats, although he said the pay is hardly worth it Sharp still owns a car, a Fiat 500, which he is trying to swap for a newer one so that he can resume work as an Uber and Lyft driver, despite the reduced rates. But he has grave doubts as to whether his credit score will be good enough to enable him to obtain a new vehicle. The actor bewailed his wealthy appearance, saying that it sparks contempt in others when they learn that he's poor. 'The one thing people hate are educated white men who look rich but who are poor,' he told NBC. He continued: 'They think, "Oh, he must be lazy or on drugs. What is his problem?"' The actor said that this negative impression has alienated him from other people. 'I've watched my friend group move away,' Sharp said. He added: 'I am ashamed about where I am in my life as it relates to my finances and not knowing how to fix it.' For Sharp, finding full-time employment has been harder than he had anticipated. 'I'm willing to work- and bust my a**- why is it that I can't get a living wage?' He asked. In a TikTok video earlier this year, Sharp elaborated on his struggle to find employment. Addressing his followers, the actor said: 'It's hard in Los Angeles to find a job when you don't speak Spanish.' Sharp's statement prompted outcry from some users who left critical comments on his TikTok. In a separate video this month, he shared some of these replies with his followers. 'Get out of LA,' Sharp said one user commented. 'You live in a cesspool,' another person remarked. The actor then said that someone replied: 'If you're so smart, then why don't you just learn Spanish?' 'Another lady - one of my favorites - said that I should move to Oklahoma and become the manager of the Flying J Truck Stop,' Sharp continued. The actor bewailed his wealthy appearance, saying that it sparks contempt in others when they learn that he's poor 'Everybody collectively thought that I needed God,' he said, before grinning and adding: 'Thanks.' Meanwhile, Sharp told NBC that even fast-food jobs have proven difficult to obtain. This can perhaps be at least partly attributed to California's new $20 minimum wage, which has made these roles more lucrative. 'It's embarrassing because it seems like there's a piece of the puzzle that Im not telling,' he said. 'I'm doing everything I can.' At 600 metres high, it's easy to see why the jagged coastal cliffs of north-west Tenerife are known colloquially as 'the Wall of Hell'. These sheer basalt rock faces, which border the protected Rural de Teno park, are formidable. The water is 30 metres deep at their base, where waves have, over millennia, chipped away at the volcanic surface to create a profusion of hidden caverns, caves and overhangs. Could it be that almost four weeks ago, on June 17, the missing British teenager Jay Slater stood on top of these cliffs dehydrated to the point of delirium trapped between the near-impenetrable ravine of cacti he'd just walked through and a 600m drop into the Atlantic Ocean? Officially known as Los Gigantes (The Giants), these vast precipices are just a couple of kilometres from the spot where Jay Slater's mobile phone last transmitted its location. Indeed, in my interview with Chris Pennington on Monday, the former British military reservist who has joined in the search for Slater speculated that he left the main road in the direction of the cliffs, in the belief that it was a shortcut to the coast, where he had been staying. Jay Slater, a 19-year-old trainee bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, disappeared in Tenerife almost a month ago The jetty on Masca beach, near the Airbnb from which Jay set off early on the morning of June 17 A pamphlet published by the local tourism board warns: 'There are no safe paths on the cliffs.' And it's easy to see why. They are not only steep, but also rugged littered with protruding rocks, brambles and lethal, hidden drops. The only way to traverse them 'is with ropes, harness and a helmet', local guide Tami told the Mail. If Slater the 19-year-old trainee bricklayer from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire did indeed find his way here, disoriented after fighting through the thickets, a small stumble could have led to a bloody and sudden death. We must hope that he never ended up on these perilous cliffs. But if not the cliffs, where could he possibly have disappeared to? There is another theory to explain the mystery that has confounded all who have searched for him. Could it be that Jay Slater hurled his phone into the thicket to avoid detection, before taking an entirely different and safer route down to the shore? Could he then have boarded a boat and left the island? Those who support this explanation cite Slater's alleged theft of a Rolex watch from an Eastern European man on the night of his disappearance, and say that the young Briton then fled. And given that the huge drugs underworld on the island has been a line of inquiry, there is also speculation that he could have been taken against his will. Social media has even gone so far as to suggest that Jay has been human-trafficked to Morocco, though a photo supposed to advance this theory is far from convincing. But could Jay, for whatever reason, have left the island? Local guide Tami informed the Mail that there is a well-trodden path from Masca near the Airbnb Jay stayed in before setting off early in the morning to get back to the coast which takes you down to a secluded beach: the perfect spot from which to board a small vessel. This is a theory that has gained traction in recent days, following the news that a 14-metre yacht named Maruba was recorded sailing past Masca beach around the time of Slater's disappearance. Bizarrely, the boat mysteriously then vanished from electronic charts an unusual event that could be explained by the captain purposefully switching off his transponder to avoid detection, though the Mail is in no way suggesting that is what occurred in this case. Fred Kelly walks through the Masca mountains with former British army reservist Chris Pennington as they continue the search for Jay A search team gathers near Jay's last known location in the Masca mountains In order to test the feasibility of the new theory, I visited Masca beach earlier this week. From Los Gigantes Port, just south of the cliffs, I secured passage on a local boat captained by a rotund man in a white polo, who wished to avoid being publicly named but was keen to resolve the mystery. 'You're looking for the British teenager?' he rasped in Spanish. 'I want to help.' Travelling at 14 knots, the skipper rode the waves, his eyes fixed on the horizon, except for the occasional glance over at the cliffs on our right-hand side. It was midday and touching 30C a time for mad dogs and Englishmen. But with a brisk wind and a creeping sense of unease, it felt closer to single digits. After 15 minutes, we arrived at Masca beach. There, the Mail found a sturdy jetty made from concrete breeze blocks. There were two tourist boats moored nearby with 20 or so people on each, who were peering at a pod of dolphins. But in the early hours of a Monday morning, when Jay could have found himself down here, it would have been completely deserted. It is immediately clear that if someone wanted to put something, or a person, on to a boat without being seen, Masca beach would be the place to do it. The captain cut the engine and we bobbed along in silence. Drifting on the tide, we floated towards the pebbly beach. According to tracking data logged by the Marine Traffic website, the Maruba moored near the Barranco Seco beach, a couple of miles short of Masca beach, at 7.10am on the morning of Slater's disappearance. By 8.50am, when Jay's phone last 'pinged', the Maruba was recorded travelling past Masca beach. Could the vessel have stopped there to pick up the teenager? And if so, was Slater embarking of his own free-will? The Belgian-registered vessel then performed an unexplained 360-degree loop before mysteriously vanishing from the electronic charts at around 10am. Over the following nine days, the Maruba's movements remained unrecorded. And then suddenly, nine days later, the boat appeared again, for just two minutes, on the northern side of the tiny island of La Gomera, west of Tenerife and known for its wild, tropical rainforest. Chris speculates that Jay left the main road in the direction of the cliffs, in the belief that it was a shortcut to the coast, where he had been staying The Maruba then started to head back towards Tenerife recording its position again on June 28, a few kilometres off the Montana Roja nature reserve, near El Medano on the south coast. From its direction, it was most likely either heading towards Gran Canaria or beyond to the African continent and Laayoune, the largest city in Western Sahara or even Morocco, a five-hour sail away. While the Mail is in no way suggesting the Maruba or its crew had anything to do with the disappearance of Jay Slater, or that the transponder was intentionally turned off, the coincidence of the yacht's location and the practice of 'going dark' by turning off its transponder or automatic identification system (AIS) is certainly curious. AIS is mandated by the International Maritime Organisation and is designed to prevent all marine vessels from the risk of collision, particularly in poor weather or difficult sea conditions. Turning off AIS is illegal except in circumstances where safety is at stake in dangerous, pirate-ridden waters, for example. Such behaviour is more often associated with drug smugglers, human traffickers and in recent times sanctioned Russian oligarchs seeking to hide their super yachts from authorities. My captain pressed on the throttle once again and we continued up the coast to Juan Lopez bay. This is the spot where the ravine in which Slater's phone was last recorded comes to an end. There were no boats in sight. 'It is illegal, we cannot stop here,' the captain pronounced. Presumably, I thought, the police had closed the area off to resume their search for Slater, which officially ended almost two weeks ago on Sunday, June 30. Not a bit of it. 'From February to August,' he continued, 'no one can go within 250m of the coast, except at Masca beach. It's to protect the nesting sites of ospreys.' Known locally as 'guincho', the number of these majestic birds of prey has plummeted over the past 20 years. A surge in visitors to the island, mooring in the bays and trampling across the birds' nesting sites has led to the ospreys being registered as an endangered species on the island. A boat picking up a passenger such as Jay in these forbidden waters would have risked courting the attention of the authorities. It would have been far safer to pick up the teenager at Masca beach. At this time of year, that is the only spot along the coast where boats are permitted. But we cannot say definitively that Juan Lopez bay played no part in this story. Perhaps the absence of any other pleasure vessels in the area would have made this a more attractive spot to steal away a British teenager. 'All the beaches here are connected through a series of caves and tunnels,' Tami told the Mail. 'They are dark and difficult to pass, but you can walk from one to another if you know what you are doing.' Could one feasibly survive in these caves for a short while? 'I could survive there for maybe a few weeks,' Tami continued, proudly. 'But then I know these cliffs. There are insects to eat and there is fresh water, if you know where to find it.' Tami pointed towards a distant cliff, to show a water pipe that wraps around the rock. 'The pipe takes water from the town to the homesteads in the hills. You can get drinking water from there, if you're desperate. But if you don't know where the pipe is, you're unlikely to stumble across it.' Tami's words raise the tantalising possibility that Slater with local help could have spent a number of days or nights hiding out here, possibly waiting for a boat other than the Maruba to steal him away. Hiding down here, one would certainly not be chanced upon by the armies of amateur search groups that continue to scour the land up above without success. Back in Los Gigantes, locals are reluctant to speak out about Slater's disappearance. It's clear that there is a code of silence here, and the town has closed ranks around its secrets. 'We're a real community,' Nat, a tourist shop owner, warns me as she closes up at the end of the day. 'If my daughter kisses a boy on the beach, I'll have someone on the phone telling me about it within a minute.' She laughs, lightly and briefly. Then, with sudden solemnity and a look over her shoulder: 'It's probably time you headed home, don't you think?' My route out of Los Gigantes takes me past the Catholic church, Parroquia del Espiritu Santo. On the inside of the door, there's a missing person poster bearing Jay's name and likeness. Beneath it, a rack of electronic candles lit by the faithful for a 50 cent fee. As we approach one month since Jay went missing, it seems that whatever has happened to him, prayer might just be the only hope of bringing him home. Additional reporting: Simon Trump The progressive left is eating its own. The Democratic Socialists of America has yanked back its endorsement of Squad leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., due to differences on Israel. The group took particular issue with an event Ocasio-Cortez hosted recently with Jewish leaders that centered on combatting anti-Semitism, which they called a 'deep betrayal.' 'On this panel, anti-Zionism and antisemitism were conflated and boycotting Zionist institutions was condemned,' the DSA statement read. 'This sponsorship is a deep betrayal to all those who've risked their welfare to fight Israeli apartheid and genocide through political and direct action in recent months, and in decades past.' The Democratic Socialists of America has yanked back its endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y., due to differences on Israel In order to win their endorsement back, DSA said the congresswoman would need to publicly oppose all funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system and support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. In 2021, Ocasio-Cortez famously cried as she voted 'present' - or no position - on a bill to fund Israel's Iron Dome. The endorsement rescission is emblematic of a larger break between the progressive grassroots and the lawmakers who put them on the map. Progressive activists have been left scratching their heads as Squad House members support Biden - even at a time when it is relatively safe to come out against him after the June 27 debate. Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., have all stood firmly behind Joe Biden remaining at the top of their ticket as now close to 20 House Democrats have urged him to step down. In February, Omar leveled a damning accusation that Biden is 'greenlighting the massacre of Palestinians.' But since the debate, she's praised him as the 'best president' in her lifetime and said Democrats need 'to do everything that we can to make sure that we are pushing Biden across the finish line in November.' 'Joe Biden is our nominee. He is not leaving this race. He is in this race and I support him,' Ocasio-Cortez told reporters on Monday. But progressive activists have long ago tired of old, white male presidents and insist Biden is complicit in a 'genocide' in Gaza. 20 congressional Democrats have called on Biden to resign since the June 27 debate Reps. Cori Bush, D-Mo., and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., have made comments supporting the president. For Bush and Omar, the calculation could be political. Both are facing contentious primaries with more establishment Democrats. To progressives, Biden could be better than the alternative. Vice President Kamala Harris, for her part, made a career as a tough-on-crime prosecutor. 'The Biden administration has been probably more open than most administrations to engaging with progressives,' Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of key progressive group Our Revolution, told DailyMail.com. 'That, being said our members are pretty clear about they just don't see him inspiring confidence in terms of electability.' Polling done by Our Revolution, founded by Sen, Bernie Sanders, of some 16,000 of its progressive members found at a third of them were less likely to vote for Biden after the debate. Still, some suspect that progressive lawmakers are willing to anger their grassroots by backing Biden so they aren't seen as the problem members of the caucus - the ones that establishment Democrats can unite against. 'My suspicion would be the establishment Democratic Party would immediately blame progressives for [Biden's] electoral weaknesses. And I think in this case our progressive elected leaders did not want to be seen as the bloc of the party that was going to stand in the way.' Bowman has no personal political calculations to make - he already lost his primary and is on his way out in January. Asked if he still supported Biden at the top of the ticket, Bowman told DailyMail.com: 'I already made a couple comments. Yes, yes, yes.' Asked how he would square that with criticisms of Biden from the progressive base - particularly over Israel - the New York Democrat said: 'I mean, right now we're just in a position where we got to get it figured out and then organize and go win in November. I don't know what that looks like.' Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., above, and Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., have all stood firmly behind Joe Biden remaining at the top of their ticket Bowman has no personal political calculations to make - he already lost his primary and is on his way out in January He again made a call for a 'permanent ceasefire,' 'no more weapons' and 'holding Israel accountable.' Omar did not respond to questions from DailyMail.com. A smattering of X posts accused AOC of marketing herself as a revolutionary and then becoming 'establishment.' 'Remember when y'all told me AOC was going to change the establishment from the inside? yeah, me too,' read one post on X. Thee congresswoman 'long ago decided to rebrand herself & pivot to the establishment,' read another. Ocasio-Cortez, to be clear, has been a sharp critic of Israel in Congress. She led a push to halt aid to the country and accused Israel of a genocide in Gaza. But last month when she rallied in the Bronx with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Bowman, a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators showed up and chanted 'You're a fraud, AOC.' In a separate poll, Our Revolution surveyed 20,000 progressive voters after the debate and found that 67 percent of them want Biden to step aside. So far 19 congressional Democrats have demanded Biden step aside in public statements - others have expressed similar sentiments behind closed doors. Like the Democratic lawmakers who represent them, Michigan Democrats are split on what should happen with the top of the presidential ticket come November. But despite the party infighting over whether President Biden should step aside, suburban voters in the battleground state are united on one thing: they will vote against Donald Trump. Biden headed back to Michigan on Friday where he delivered a fiery speech in his first campaign stop back in the crucial state since his poor debate performance more than two weeks ago set off alarms. His performance over the past few weeks and the debate fallout has shaken Michigan Democrats, but they have mixed responses on how to proceed. 'I'm a lifelong Democrat who supports the Democratic agenda, and I have been a supporter of Joe Biden,' said Peter Dolan, 70, from Bloomfield Township. 'I think it's time for him to step out and for another person to run based upon the challenge that he set up for himself,' Dolan said referring to Biden's push for the debate and stumbling performance. President Biden vowed to stay in the race and win Michigan during a defiant campaign rally in Detroit where he shot back at critics accusing them of giving Donald Trump a pass Dolan praised Biden's first term as outstanding, but he is worried about the next four years. If Biden does not step aside though, he will vote for him. 'I think that Donald Trump is a menace and a complete threat to America. He plays to our worst instincts,' Dolan said. Al Dixon agrees. He was a lifelong Republican until Trump ran in 2016. 'I'd like to vote no,' Dixon said. 'I'm not happy with either candidate, but the only reason I'm not happy with Biden is he's too old. I'm 79. I know what I can't do now that I used to. He's older than I am.' Dixon said if Biden is the nominee he will vote for him, but he's not pleased. At the same time, he called Trump a 'cancer on the country.' Paul Jacques, 54, from Bloomfield Hills also said he's 'definitely voting non-Trump' but he isn't sure who he would like to see at the top of the Democratic ticket. 'I think it's time to look at somebody younger and fresh,' Jacques said, but if push comes to shove, Biden has his vote. 'The far right is just crazy, it's out of control. I think there's crazy on both sides right now, I think everything is a mess,' he said. 'But the ideologies of the far right are just not my beliefs.' President Biden walking into Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12 with pastor Cindy Rudolph. During his stop he laid out what he will do in the first 100 days of his second term Democrats in the suburbs of Detroit had mixed reaction over whether Biden should stay in the race but his supporters at the rally chanted 'don't quit' and 'four more years' throughout his remarks President Biden won Michigan in 2020 by just over 150,000 votes after Trump turned the state red in 2016. Biden flipped the state back with strong turnout in urban areas as Trump lost ground with seniors and white college educated voters. But it is unclear whether Biden will be able to hold the state, part of his blue wall, with dropping enthusiasm and strong criticism among some including young voters and members of Michigan's large Arab population over his handling of the war in Gaza. The average of the latest presidential polls out of Michigan has Trump up by less than one point. It is going to be a razor-thin race. 'I wish there were other choices for the Democrats that we could put in there,' said Sharon Jesse, 52, from Farmington Hills, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. She called Biden's debate performance 'sad' to watch. Jesse thinks Vice President Harris should now be at the top of the ticket, but she said if Biden stays in the race, she will vote for him. Vice President Kamala Harris during a visit to Detroit on May 6, 2024. Democratic Michigan voters both at Biden's campaign event on July 12 and in the nearby suburbs praised her being on the ticket noting 'she doesn't mince her words' and is 'very intelligent' Another name floated by Michigan voters is Pete Buttigieg, but they don't expect it to happen. Others also said they're frustrated with Biden at the top of the ticket but believe the time for talk has ended. 'I think Democrats are shooting themselves in the foot. I think there's too much conversation. I think they need to make a decision and stay with it,' said Bonnie, 74. She said Biden should not be the nominee but in November, she's with him '100 percent.' But it's hard to see the president dropping out of the race after his visit Friday night. He vowed to win Michigan again and took aim at critics as press, pundits and 'insiders.' His energized crowd in attendance chanted 'four more years' and 'don't you quit.' He avoided any catastrophic flubs and landed some zingers against Trump. The view from behind the press riser as Biden delivered remarks at his Detroit campaign event. A campaign official estimated there were 2,000 people in attendance Meet Mary Maurer from Dearborn, MI. She said if Biden stays in the race as he has said he is determined to do, she supports him 100% in November. For her, the debate was hard because of the visuals but she said he actually answered questions unlike Trump pic.twitter.com/KVU7Qu5VGl Sarah Ewall-Wice (@EwallWice) July 12, 2024 Biden's supporters at his event carrying signs including 'Motown is Joetown' and 'We love Joe' on July 12 While some in the Detroit suburbs not in attendance wished for the next generation, not everyone DailyMail.com spoke with yearned for another option. Biden still has some unwavering backers in Oakland county. 'I'm very positively with Biden,' said Evelyn Smith, 75, from Southfield, MI. Smith was not happy with Democratic lawmakers including one in Michigan calling for Biden to drop out of the race. 'I think it's kind of foolish right now because we're almost there,' Smith said. 'We've got to go forward and trust. If something happens, then we'll deal with it.' She said they need to 'give him a break' and argued he's doing a great job. Toni who declined to give her last name said she understands how some concerned Democrats are feeling but she too is confident in Biden. 'He's old, but I believe that with age comes wisdom. Even though his body is failing him, even though he mixes up names, which I do and I'm 65, I believe his experience and his integrity is the right combination for this time in history.' People gathered in Michigan to get a glimpse of President Biden during his visit to the state While some Michigan voters were all to happy to talk politics as their votes hold incredible weight in the looming election, the race has also been a source of anxiety and fear. Some Democratic voters DailyMail.com approached said they could not watch the news because it's 'stressful.' One woman said she's 'scared to death' of Trump. Another visibly shuddered at the mention of the upcoming election. An 88-year-old man said 2024 has given him depression. 'It's difficult to see the light at the end of tunnel,' he said. Watching the debate, he thought it had lost Biden the race. He has since regained some hope for his party. A group of legislators on Long Island are working to enact a new law that will ban face masks - and those who violate could face a hefty fine or potential jail time. Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip proposed the bill after a concerned citizen told Pilip she was attacked by a masked demonstrator during a recent Pro-Palestinian protest. The outspoken lawmaker said she wants to unmask those responsible for the violence. 'Attacking and vandalizing and really hiding behind the freedom of speech,' the Great Neck lawmaker told NBC 4 New York. 'Having them covering their faces, thinking they can do whatever they want. This is absolutely unacceptable.' She sponsored the legislation that would make it a crime to wear a mask that hides your identity in public, and the offense would be punishable of up to $1,000 and possible time behind bars. Those exempt are people who wear masks for health or religious reasons. The bill that was proposed by Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip (pictured) from Great Neck after a citizen told her how she was attacked at a recent protest. She wants to unmask those responsible for the violence UnMask Hate NY held a press conference outside Columbia University on June 28 against people using masks to conceal their identities to commit crime or hate speech Twelve Republican legislators in Nassau County supported the bill which can be voted into a law as soon as next month - which would make Nassau County the first municipality in the tri-state area to ban face masks. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic masks were mandatory, but the lawmaker told NBC 4 New York that criminals are now taking advantage. In March, three masked thugs attempted to steal a man's car in Cedarhurst. When the driver refused, he was hit multiple times but once he started yelling the two men and one women fled, ABC 7 News reported. Fortunately, the man was not seriously injured in the attack. New York Governor Kathy Hochul considered placing a mask ban for those taking New York City Transit to help riders feel safer. UnMask Hate NY held a press conference outside of Columbia University last month attended by lawmakers, civil rights and religious leaders demanding protestors from wearing masks. Columbia was a hotbed of Pro-Palestinian protests this spring, with masked rabble rousers causing havoc and intimidating Jewish students. The UnMask Hate campaign was launched as hate crimes escalated over the last few months and to help protect Jews and marginalized communities who are being terrorized. Three masked bandits are pictured attempting to stealing a man's car in Cedarhurst, Long Island before fleeing after the man yelled The legislation was sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip from Great Neck The proposed ban is also being discussed on the state level. Debra Mule, a Democratic legislator in Nassau County said she supports the proposal, but said she 'wants to make sure it doesn't target certain people.' The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) raised questions on how the bill would be enforced. 'This puts people of color and protestors that the government disagrees with in its crosshairs,' Susan Gottehrer, the Nassau County Regional Director of the NYCLU said in a statement. 'People are not health professionals and they should not be in charge of deciding who needs a mask and who doesn't.' Some Long Islanders were confused about the proposed mandate. One woman asked a local NBC reporter, 'How are they going to distinguish if someone wearing a mask has a cold or is going to rob a store? Another was perplexed and said, 'How could they enforce that? They can't.' Shocking prison emails sent to Madeline Soto's alleged killer reveal the suspect's family believe others are involved in the teenager's murder. Soto, 13, was reported missing on February 26 when she didn't turn up for school, two days before her stepfather Stephan Sterns, 38, was arrested in relation with her disappearance. The teen's decomposing body was found on March 1 in Kissimmee, Florida, and Sterns is facing a number of charges including first-degree murder, sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child sex abuse material. In newly released emails from Sterns' time behind bars, his mother alluded to a woman also being involved, saying she was 'disgusted that she is free and you are not when this is not all your fault!' It comes as detectives also revealed that Sterns' vehicle and a separate car were both seen driving to the area where Soto's body was found on the same day she vanished. It is unclear who was driving the second vehicle. Stephan Sterns, 38, was arrested and charged with the murder of his stepdaughter Madeline Soto days before her body was found in Kissimmee, Florida Authorities launched an urgent search after Madeline Soto, 13, didn't show up for school on February 26, and her body was tragically found a week later on March 1 The jailhouse emails were revealed in a 64-page filing by the State Attorney's Office, showing Sterns speaking with his family between his arrest and July 1. In emails from June 25 where the suspect's mother pointed to someone else also being responsible for Madeline's death, she urged her son to 'talk with your attorneys.' 'I keep thinking about how you would not ever rat out a friend,' she continued. 'It really made me mad and I felt like you valued them over us when you let them get away with stuff. Don't be doing that again. 'We all know [redacted] was heavily involved in this and I am disgusted that she is free and you are not when this is not all your fault!! 'You need to think about yourself more and her less. She sure isn't thinking of you and how she can help you right now. That whole family is willing to stay quiet and let you take the fall for everything.' The emails also showed Sterns speaking with his brother Chris, as the murder suspect detailed his ordeal in the Osceola County Jail. 'The mat is flat and has very little cushion left, the cell is small, filthy, and has some spots on the wall that appear to be bloody fingerprints,' Sterns wrote. Sterns was dating Madeline's mother Jennifer, and newly released court records showed his car drove from their apartment to near to where the teen's body was found on the day she vanished Officials have not ruled out bringing further charges in relation to Madeline's murder, and insist that the investigation remains open Sterns is facing a number of charges including first-degree murder, sexual battery, molestation, and possession of child sex abuse material It is unclear who Sterns' mother is referring to in the emails, and no one else has been charged with any crimes related to Madeline's death. Prosecutors insist that the investigation into Madeline's murder remains open, and have not ruled out bringing further charges. At a previous press conference in March, Kissimmee Police Chief Betty Holland said: 'Everyone that was close to Madeline is considered suspect until we have proven otherwise.' Following the week-long search for Madeline, it was revealed this week by Click Orlando that detectives were using surveillance camera technology, including license plate readers, to track vehicles around where her body was found. One of the vehicles, a silver Lincoln, was allegedly driven by Sterns from Madeline's apartment where she lived with her mother Jennifer on the day she disappeared. Sterns claimed he dropped the 13-year-old off at school, however court records cited by the outlet showed his car allegedly drove from the apartment building at 7:40am and returned around 10:14am. Sterns' vehicle then left the apartment complex again at 11:03am, and was gone for almost an hour before returning. The car then left again at 12:44pm, and drove to an area near to where Madeline's body was found days later. Sterns' emails to his family also included a description of his ordeal behind bars, where he said the 'mat is flat and has very little cushion left, the cell is small, filthy, and has some spots on the wall that appear to be bloody fingerprints' Prosecutors allege that Sterns killed his stepdaughter in the apartment before driving to a wooded area to dump her body. Hours after Sterns' vehicle made the trip, a white Nissan was also seen in surveillance footage making almost an identical trip from the apartment building to where Madeline's body was found. The Nissan drove to the area shortly after 3am, before returning to the apartment around 4:30am. It is unclear if prosecutors believe Sterns or another party were driving the Nissan. A waitress at a Tenerife nightclub has said she gave Jay Slater free water just hours before the 19-year-old went missing after 'seeing him looking unwell'. Jay was last seen on June 17 after leaving a nightclub in Playa de las Americas in the company of two British men and driven to a remote AirBnB an hour away in the village of Masca. A massive 13-day search involving dogs, drones and helicopters failed to find any trace and speculation is growing that he may not even be in the remote Teno National Park fuelling more heartache for his family. The teenager was previously seen in a video clip trying to get back to his feet after tripping over at Papagayo nightclub on the island. Now a hostess at the venue has given an insight into the final hours before Jay's disappearance and revealed that the apprentice bricklayer was not looking well while he was at the club. It is the latest development in the search for the missing teenager which come as: A waitress at a nightclub in Tenerife has said she gave Jay Slater (pictured) free water just hours before the 19-year-old went missing after 'seeing him looking unwell' The teenager pictured in a Tenerife club the night before his disappearance Jay pictured in a social media post from Tenerife at around 8.35pm just hours before his disappearance Jay Slater, 19, pictured with his mother Debbie Duncan, who flew out to Tenerife with other family members when he went missing The waitress told The Sun: 'I remembered Jay because he was unstable on his feet. 'I gave him some water for free as he didn't look well.' Visitors are normally charged 3 for water at the venue, which lies on the island's tourist-filled nightlife strip. The staff member, who is likely to have been one of the last people to see the missing teenager, added she was upset when she found out he had disappeared. 'I remembered him, my boyfriend called me in the morning and said he was missing.' She also said the incident was made worse by the fact they were similar ages and that she feels sorry for Jay's family. The latest revelation comes after former Met Police officer Mr Williams-Thomas claimed he had passed 'significant new information' on to British and Spanish police who have been left baffled by the apprentice bricklayer's vanishing act. In an update on his X profile Mr Williams-Thomas said the new intelligence 'strongly supports' that Jay 'is most likely to be in or around' the mountainous area 'some distance' away from his last known location. This graphic shows the last known movements of Jay Slater before he disappeared on June 17 Jay travelled to the Canary Islands for a musical festival with his friends Jay Slater posted this Snapchat of himself standing on the steps of the Airbnb villa before he went missing Private investigator Mark Williams-Thomas has given 'significant new information' to police investigating the mystery disappearance of raver Jay Slater in Tenerife Mr Williams-Thomas said: 'On the morning of the 17 June on arrival back to the rental Jay spoke to a number of different people on his phone and they would describe him as very much awake and still buzzing. 'As a result of information we have received we know now that Jay took certain actions whilst at the rental because he was clearly worried about his own safety and this was shortly before he decided to leave. 'In the last few days, I have received a significant new piece of information which I have shared with to the British and Spanish police, this provides some clarity as to why he may have left in a hurry and didn't want to return to the rental in a hurry even though his phone was about to go flat. 'I know the internet is wash with theories, some are massively wild speculation, others have elements of the truth but overwhelmingly many are just made up. 'We are uniquely placed having spoken to nearly all the key witnesses to cross check their accounts and evidence thus building the clearest picture. 'We now know that Jay was on his phone and alone at 8:50am walking on a track just off the main road, about 30 minutes walk from the apartment, it was a cold damp morning, only 18C with a high that day only reaching 20C. 'The evidence we have been able to collect including the significant new intelligence strongly supports that Jay is therefore most likely to be in or around the mountains, we suspect some distance from the last phone location drop. 'Even after extensive searching done by highly experienced personnel, the rugged and dangerous areas it's just not possible to rule out that he isn't still there. An external view of the two-bedroom holiday cottage where Jay Slater stayed before he went missing The property is listed as a holiday home or chalet and offers free WiFi and a fully equipped kitchen Jay's friend Lucy Law shared this Instagram post of Jay and a crying face and heart emoji 'We have still not found evidence of a third-party criminal involvement in Jay's disappearance although we have opened up links with dangerous criminal underworld of drugs and associated crime. 'We remain open minded with our investigation and would appeal like to for any parties involved in their own searches to share their data so we can compile an accurate map for those areas that still need searching.' MailOnline was the first media outlet to identify the man who rented the AirBnB as convicted drug dealer Qassim Ayun, 31, who when approached said Jay had 'arrived alive and left alive' but he has since refused to make further comment. Jay was last seen on June 17 by a local woman as he left the Casa Abuela Tina, 40 a night AirBnB heading the wrong way up the mountain instead of down towards Playa de las Americas an hour away by road. Mr Williams-Thomas joined the hunt for Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancs, after reaching out to Jay's mum Debbie Duncan, 55, offering his help free-of-charge, which she accepted. And he travelled to the island on June 24, where he was seen carrying out inquiries at the holiday rental, as well as at Papagayo nightclub, where Jay had been seen shortly before he vanished. The investigator has also been given access to Jay's family and friends, including close pals Brad Hargreaves, 19, and Lucy Mae Law, 18, who were both with Jay on the holiday. Mr Williams-Thomas said his 'thoughts remain with Jay's family and friends'. In his update he added that many had been in touch with tip offs they had read or seen on social media and Mr Williams-Thomas said these were being followed up and he had 'received valuable information.' Jay's father Warren and brother Zak pictured last week hiking through the mountain track where Jay's phone was last located. They have returned to a Tenerife gorge with a search team Ayub Qassim invited Jay, 19, back to his rented holiday cottage after a rave in Tenerife and says: 'He came to my Airbnb alive and he left my Airbnb alive' Slater's 'best friend' Brad Hargreaves, pictured, has insisted that they were 'not drug mules' He also asked again for people who had 'been in touch with or spoken to Jay in the 48 hours before he vanished' to get in touch and he also revealed how some of the accounts he believed were not credible. Mr Williams-Thomas said: 'We are aware that not everything they have told us will be the truth, there are a number of reasons for this including their own involvement in criminal activity. 'However, it must also be said that some of Jay's closest friends have fully engaged with us and discussed things that could cause them to be unfairly judged by the public.' Kirsty Wark broke down in tears tonight as she brought down the curtain on her thirty year career at Newsnight. The 69-year-old, who is the longest-serving presenter on the BBC Two current affairs programme after joining in 1993, was hailed by former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Lord David Cameron for 'terrifying them' with her interviews. Most of the programme was dedicated to Wark, who touched on the US presidential election at the start of the programme. She was joined in the studio by former BBC journalist Lewis Goodall, Scottish actor Alan Cumming, Newsnight political editor Nicholas Watt and outgoing Today programme presenter Martha Kearney for her last edition. Former prime ministers Sir Tony Blair and Lord David Cameron have hailed the Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark as she departed the programme after more than 30 years Most of the programme was dedicated to Wark's career, who touched on the US presidential election at the start of the programme Lord Cameron said: 'Kirsty, many congratulations on over three decades of presenting Newsnight. You have questioned us, quizzed us, held us to account and often terrified us There was also a round of video clips from former UK leaders, who Wark had grilled over the years. Including Sir Tony called her 'tough but fair and always exceptionally smart'. He added: 'I wish you the very best of luck and I'm sure you'll carry on doing great things.' Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton referenced his own career comeback as Foreign Secretary under Rishi Sunak during his message. He said: 'Kirsty, many congratulations on over three decades of presenting Newsnight. You have questioned us, quizzed us, held us to account and often terrified us. 'But a great record, many congratulations. Now you're retiring but you can always retire after a long career and then make a comeback, best wishes, well done with everything.' Most of the programme was dedicated to Wark, who touched on the US presidential election at the outset of the programme, while her team cheered her out at the end The 69-year-old, who is the longest-serving presenter on the BBC Two current affairs programme after joining in 1993, hosted her last show on Friday evening Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: 'To say you are a broadcasting titan, obviously across the UK, but particularly here in Scotland would be an understatement. It's hard to imagine that landscape without you' Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said: 'To say you are a broadcasting titan, obviously across the UK, but particularly here in Scotland would be an understatement. It's hard to imagine that landscape without you. 'I had a very, very first interview experience with you when I was just 17 or 18 years old. I was in awe of you then and it's fair to say that hasn't really changed.' Former prime minster Gordon Brown called her a 'path breaker in British journalism' and an 'interviewer who's always asked the searching questions', as well as calling attention to her documentary work, which has included looking at social media, the menopause and influential female Scottish figures. He added that she was 'always a broadcaster who enhanced her knowledge of current affairs' and thanked her. Former prime minster Gordon Brown called her a 'path breaker in British journalism' Clips were played of Wark interviewing former prime ministers including Baroness Margaret Thatcher, as well as ex-US president Bill Clinton Clips were played of Wark interviewing former prime ministers including Baroness Margaret Thatcher, as well as ex-US president Bill Clinton and musicians Sir Elton John and George Michael, along with her covering major events over more than three decades. Wark will go on to present editions of BBC Radio 4 show Front Row, beginning at the Edinburgh Festival in August. She had announced last year that she was stepping down following the General Election. Wark signed off Newsnight on Friday saying: 'Thank you very much. Well, I mean, that's all for me. It has been an honour and a blast. 'Thank you to all my wonderful colleagues, equally wonderful viewers. Keep on switching on, Victoria (Derbyshire) is back on Monday. Until then, good night, and good luck.' Colleagues gathered in the studio to clap her in the final moments while earlier Derbyshire, along with Wark's children, contributed to video clips to the programme. Two people have died in a house fire tragedy in Melbourne's east overnight. Emergency services were called to a home on Glenvale Road in Ringwood North at around 3.45am on Saturday to reports that the property was engulfed in flames. When firefighters and the police got to the scene the found the blaze was already well alight. The two people who were found dead inside the home have not yet been formally identified. At least 12 fire trucks reportedly attended the blaze, the cause of which is not yet known. 'Crews aggressively attacked the fire,' a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said. 'The home has been destroyed by fire and the roof has collapsed.' The fire was deemed under control just after 4.30am. Two people have died in a house fire tragedy in Melbourne 's east overnight. The scene is pictured At least 12 fire trucks (one is pictured) reportedly attended the blaze, the cause of which is not yet known As of Saturday morning, emergency services officers are still at the scene, trying to find out what happened and speaking with locals (pictured) 'Sadly, two bodies were found inside the property once the fire was extinguished,' a Victoria Police spokeswoman said. As of Saturday morning, emergency services officers are still at the scene, trying to find out what happened and speaking with locals. Detectives from the Arson and Explosives Squad and an arson chemist are also expected at the home. Roads in the area have been cordoned off. A Chilean national who moved to Australia four months ago says he will 'never be the same' after he was allegedly beaten by a group of teens on a train and had his face slashed. Felipe Munoz, 31, had just finished his shift at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne last Thursday and was making his way home on the train when he encountered the group. He said he had his headphones in when four teenagers aged between 15 and 17 walked into his carriage about 6.30pm as it neared Huntingdale Station in the city's south-east. The teenagers were 'yelling and bothering some people' but he 'didn't pay too much attention', Mr Munoz told 7News. However, the youngest-looking member of the gang then allegedly approached him and asked him what station he was getting off at. Mr Munoz, suspecting they might be considering robbing him, replied: 'Why should I tell you that?'. 'He just punched me in the face ... I stood up to fight against him and we both fell down. Then all the guys that were with him started to punch me in my face, my head, my chest.' Mr Munoz said that when the train reached Huntingdale Station all but one of the boys fled onto the platform but the remaining teenager allegedly pulled out a knife and slashed him from below his left ear to his mouth. Felipe Munoz moved to Australia four months ago and says he 'will never be the same' after he was allegedly randomly attacked by a group of teens on a Melbourne train The group fled at Huntingdale Station where a 17-year-old girl help attend to Felipe's wounds The wound, which was 6cm long and 6mm deep, required 30 stitches and will likely leave a large scar. 'I feel devastated. This kind of thing changes your life, and not in a good way,' Mr Munoz said. 'It almost took my nerves... I think that he just wanted to kill me. To cut my throat,' Mr Munoz alleged. He said he only realised he'd had been injured when he touched his cheek, felt a wound and then looked at his hand which was covered in blood. A 17-year-old girl who was at Huntingdale Station ran onto the train and assisted Mr Munoz. 'I saw a girl next to me who was helping to stop the bleeding,' he said. He said he was thinking of his wife and 'how to tell her that I was in that situation'. The partially healed cut on Mr Munoz's cheek which required 30 stitches Mr Munoz now fears catching the train and has not returned to his job at the Royal Children's Hospital. 'Just this morning, I went to buy some stuff from the market, and I can see people looking at me like ''wow what happened to him'',' he said. 'I'm never going to be the same person who came to Australia four months ago.' Four boys eventually turned themselves into police and were charged with intentionally causing injury and affray. A 16-year-old Malvern East boy, a 16-year-old Botanic Ridge boy and 17-year-old Malvern East boy have been granted bail. A 15-year-old Clayton boy who allegedly was the one who slashed Mr Munoz with the blade remains in custody The four boys will appear in children's court at a later date. A Utah man has landed in the hospital after he stopped at the road side to help a stranger who had two cows and a stray bull in his yard. The Good Samaritan, Mark Sargent, 44, from Newcastle, had been attempting to help the man herd the animals back into a pen until its owner could come by and collect them. Initially the pair were able to herd two cows off the property, but it was when Sargent used his truck in an attempt to push a bull towards the gate at the end of a driveway that trouble began. Sargent, who has a background in working with cattle and used to be a bull rider, left the protection of his truck and tried to herd the bull out of the front gate himself. Mark Sargent, from Newcastle, Utah, had been attempting to help another man herd two cows and a bull into a pen until its owner could come and collect it when it suddenly charged at him Sargent used his truck in an attempt to push a bull towards a gate at the end of the property. It was then that trouble began. Mark Sargent, seen right, with wife Hailey He managed to get the animal through the gate but was not prepared for what followed as the bull suddenly turned around and charged at him. The angry bull threw him about 15 feet into the air and then at least 25 feet down a hill, breaking his pelvis and hip in the process while also bruising several ribs. Sargent is now in hospital and will have to undergo a hip replacement after doctors became concerned that his broken bones might move and slice open a major artery. The family have set up a GoFundMe which has so far raised $5,000 which will go towards Sargent's mounting medical bills. 'I've been around cattle most of my life, so that's why I stopped off and I helped. I'm not a stranger around livestock,' Sargent said to KSL.com. 'It just happened so quick that I couldn't do anything about it other than protect my head. That's basically what was going through my mind is protect my head because if he had hit me directly on my head, he would've killed me. So I took most of the blow in my hip and my side area,' he explained. Sargent says that he is not sure how the cattle came to be on the property in the first place or why their owner wasn't helping to retrieve them. He felt that since he was passing, the family man who is a father to a teenage daughter, might as well help out. Sargent used to be a bull rider and felt that he could handle the situation Mark Sargent seen with wife Hailey Sargent and their daughter in one of their Facebook photos Sargent was keen to point out that he was not gored by the bull as the animal did not have any horns (file photo) 'I'm just irritated because, obviously, it's not a very nice animal and there's little kids running around there. If that would have happened to one of them kids, it would've killed them.' The bull's owner was eventually tracked down and the bull was removed from the area. The Iron County Sheriff confirmed that a one man had been 'gored by a bull' while two other men had also been involved in a fight, but there were scant details. While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, Sargent said he saw the property owner and the cattle owner get into a physical fight. He said that he was not what the fight was about or how it got resolved, as he was preoccupied with his 'very painful' injuries. 'I was trying to get up and get to the truck and make myself as comfortable as possible, which did not happen,' he said. But Sargent was keen to point out that he was not gored by the bull, as the animal did not have any horns. Rupert Murdoch has launched a campaign for Donald Trump to pick North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his running mate and is lobbying against Senator J.D. Vance. The retired media mogul is said to have called the former president regularly to personally urge him to choose Burgum and has sent surrogates and staff to Mar-a-Lago to help him make the case. The 93-year-old billionaire backed Ron DeSantis to be the next Republican in the White House, but his poor showing in the primaries meant he dropped out before Super Tuesday. When it became inevitable that Trump would be the nominee, Murdoch went behind the scenes to try and put his stamp on the GOP ticket. As the running mate race intensified, he used his U.S. publications to help further his campaign. Rupert Murdoch has launched a campaign for Donald Trump to pick North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his running mate and is lobbying against Senator J.D. Vance The Wall Street Journal endorsed Burgum and the New York Post have also written editorials boosting the governor, who had a relatively low profile before he ran for president. A source confirmed to DailyMail.com that Murdoch has been heavily invested in Trump's veepstakes. The Donald is expected to announce his pick at the Republican National Convention next week, and has continued to tease his shortlist of candidates. Burgum, Vance and Florida Senator Marco Rubio are the favorites, while South Carolina's Tim Scott is also believed to be under consideration. The Murdoch lobbying effort, first reported by NOTUS, has included multiple calls in a day. His plan is also likely to face significant roadblocks. Trump likely won't forget the glowing coverage Murdoch's news outlets gave DeSantis to boost him in the early stages of the race. The retired media mogul is said to have called the former president regularly to personally urge him to choose Burgum and has sent surrogates and staff to Mar-a-Lago to help him make the case Rupert Murdoch, 93, with his new wife Elena Zhukova, 67, a retired Russian biologist. The pair married in June It didn't work, as DeSantis was blown away by Trump's primary victories in the early states. A Fox News communications consultant told NOTUS: 'Rupert has always viewed Trump as subservient to him. 'And it bothers him. Hes not looking forward to another four years where hell have to kiss Trumps ass. They dont want Trump on Fox, so they get Burgum on there and groom him for the next four years and make him president. Rupert Murdoch attends the annual Allen and Co. Sun Valley Media and Technology Conference in Idaho, he is pictured on Tuesday 'Thats his way of ending Trumpism.' A Trump advisor said: 'Through his media outlets, theyre running the same exact playbook against J.D. and in support of Burgum as they did against DJT and in support of DeSantis during the primary'. When Trump first ran for president in the 2016 general election, he was a frequent guest on Fox News. Murdoch and his media empire were seen as driving forces that helped propel him to the nomination and his victory over Hillary Clinton. Since then their relationship has been anything but cordial, and has deteriorated since January 6 and the Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit that forced Murdoch to pay $787 million in damages. The 93-year-old billionaire backed Ron DeSantis to be the next Republican in the White House , but his poor showing in the primaries meant he dropped out before Super Tuesday J.D. Vance is one of the favorites in the race to be Trump's running mate, which he is set to announce next week During the case, internal communication from Fox executives including Murdoch showed they were skeptical of Trump's claim the election was stolen. When Murdoch retired as the head of Fox and News Corp in 2023, Trump said: 'Many people are saying that, You forced Rupert Murdoch into retirement!. 'I do not believe this is so, but while were at it, how about getting rid of Democrat Mitch McConnell, who gives the Radical Left Lunatics, together with his small band of automatic yes votes, EVERYTHING they want.' Trump also called him a 'globalist' who was committed to stopping him run for president. A New York Post front page in November 2022 had the headline 'Trumpty Dumpty', after Republicans underperformed in the midterms. DailyMail.com has reached out to News Corp for comment. Some 100,000 homes could be vacant in one of Australia's biggest cities, even as renters and home-hunters struggle to lock down secure housing as prices skyrocket on crippling supply shortages. Analysis of water meter data from tax reform advocacy group Prosper Australia suggests some 5.2 per cent of homes in Melbourne were vacant in 2023, with some 27,000 homes, or 1.5 per cent of stock, were left empty for the entire year. 'We found that over 27,000 homes, or 1.5 per cent of all dwellings, were left entirely empty for the entire year of 2023,' Prosper research and policy director Dr Tim Helm said. 'With the inclusion of underused homes recording less than a quarter of the average single-person consumption (of water) over the year, a total of almost 100,000 homes, or one in 20 dwellings across the city, were vacant.' 'That's equivalent to two and a half years of new construction, which is enough to house everyone on the Victorian public housing waitlist twice over. 'It is a shocking waste that so many homes are left empty during a rental crisis and it speaks to the state of inequality that these numbers keep rising.' The national rental vacancy rate, or the proportion of properties available for rent, sits at 1.42 per cent, according to data from REA's PropTrack. In Melbourne, the vacancy rate is 1.5 per cent. Analysis of water meter data from tax reform advocacy group Prosper Australia suggests some 5.2 per cent of homes in Melbourne were vacant in 2023, with some 27,000 homes, or 1.5 per cent of stock, were left empty for the entire year From March 2020, the national rate has slumped 43 per cent as surging demand for housing outstrips supply. The drastic imbalance has pushed average weekly rents higher, with the national average for apartments now sitting at $584, a 9.8 per cent increase in the past year. State and federal governments are now battling to correct the dramatic imbalance between housing supply and demand. In Victoria, the state government is ramping up its vacant residential land tax to crack down on properties sitting vacant for extended periods of time. From January 1 next year, VRLT will apply to homes across all of Victoria if they are vacant for more than six months in the preceding calendar year, the government announced in May. The tax currently only applies to Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs. An escalating rate of tax will also apply based on the number of consecutive years the land has been liable for VRLT. The government hopes the policy will free up more housing options by pushing landlords to rent out their properties. 'We know we need more homes for Victorians and by cracking down on vacant properties we are easing the housing pressures being felt across the state,' Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said. 'Expanding vacant residential land tax will free up empty houses for rent and sale, boosting supply and making homes more affordable.' Prosper researchers argue for tax reform to undermine the incentive to speculate on rising housing and land values. 'It's a mistake to treat empty homes as a minor issue for housing affordability,' Dr Helm said. 'Bringing just a fraction of Melbourne's vacant dwelling stock into use would improve access to housing.' There were 1,043,776 unoccupied dwellings nationwide at the 2021 census, the ABS reports. Think Forward CEO Thomas Walker says the proper exploitation of existing stock is a 'solution staring us right in the face'. Picture: Supplied Think Forward CEO Thomas Walker the better utilisation of existing stock was a 'solution staring us right in the face'. 'Young people are being left to ride out the housing crisis, with a fuzzy promise of more supply sometime in the future,' he said. 'But Prosper outlines how there is a solution staring us right in the face, the better utilisation of our existing stock. 'The sheer scale of vacancies supports growing calls to address how property is taxed. 'We can continue to enrich speculators in the hope that some supply trickles down to those who need it. 'Or we can rethink how property is taxed, shifting the rewards from speculation to actually providing homes for people.' The elderly father of Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has welcomed the sudden dismissal of Alec Baldwins manslaughter case and says his daughters conviction should now also be overturned. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, legendary Hollywood armorer Thell Reed, 81, said Hannah has been made a scapegoat over the tragic shooting death of producer Halyna Hutchins, 42, in October 2022. Reed said: Well, I think that's good [Baldwins dismissal]. I think Hannahs case should also be dismissed. Theres a lot of evidence that hasnt been heard at all. They suppressed all the important evidence and I guess [Baldwins] attorneys brought it out. Legendary Hollywood armorer Thell Reed, 81, said his daughter Hannah's case should be thrown out after Alec Baldwin's trial on the same charges was dismissed Hannah Gutierrez-Reed wipes her tears at her sentencing on April 15, 2024, where she was ordered to serve 18-months in prison The Rust armorer poses for mugshot after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter Hannah, 27, was slapped with an 18-month jail sentence in April after being convicted of a single charge of involuntary manslaughter. She is currently serving her sentence at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility and had been due to be called to the stand to testify in Baldwins case. Reed told DailyMail.com he hopes the tossing of Baldwins case will now give his daughter grounds to appeal her own conviction and said she has been made a scapegoat by prosecutors. He added: It should [be grounds for an appeal]. She didn't do anything wrong. Theyve absolutely made her a scapegoat. Baldwin, 66, had been facing the prospect of almost two years in jail had he been convicted of involuntary manslaughter over Hutchins death. The Ukrainian mom-of-one was shot in the chest during a rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch just outside of Santa Fe during the filming of Baldwins western movie Rust. Director Joel Souza, 51, was also injured in the incident but made a full recovery. Harrowing footage shown during Baldwins abruptly terminated trial shows the aftermath of the shooting, with Hutchins seen being tended to by medics on set. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died after being hit by a bullet from the prop gun that Baldwin was handling on the Rust film set in October 2021 Thell Reed said he thought it was 'good' that Alec Baldwin's case was thrown out (pictured reacting with his attorney on Friday), but added that his daughter's case 'should also be dismissed' Baldwin broke down in tears ang hugged his wife Hilaria as his involuntary manslaughter case was sensationally dismissed Moments before, Baldwin dressed in full western garb in his role as the eponymous Harland Rust had been filmed waving around his Pietta .45 Colt pistol. The replica gun should have contained only blanks but was later found to have had at least one live round inside. He later claimed that he did not touch the trigger and the gun could only have been fired by sabotage although an FBI investigation later revealed the pistol could not be fired half-cocked as Baldwin had claimed. Hannah, who was working on only her second movie as an armorer at the time, was the first to be charged and later accused of a cascade of safety violations by prosecutors in her case. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, the same justice who dramatically tossed Baldwins case, said at her sentencing that she had turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon by failing to keep live ammunition away from the set. She added: You were the armorer, the one that stood between a safe weapon and a weapon that could kill someone. You alone turned a safe weapon into a lethal weapon. But for you, Ms. Hutchins would be alive, a husband would have his partner and a little boy would have his mother. Photos taken by detectives with Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office show the aftermath of the incident in October 2021 The case was sensationally thrown out on Friday due to a disagreement over bullets admitted into evidence The actor, 66, grew emotional as he heard that the case against him was being thrown out on Friday Baldwin holds hands with his wife Hilaria as he exits the courthouse on Friday, moments after his manslaughter case was dismissed by a judge Halls, who had handed the gun to Baldwin and told him it was cold, took a plea deal and was slapped with a misdemeanor charge of negligent use of a deadly weapon. He had also been due to testify against Baldwin and has served six months of unsupervised probation, paid a $500 fine and completed 24 hours of community service. Baldwin was the final person to face court over Hutchins death and, like Hannah, was facing an involuntary manslaughter charge. He had pled not guilty to the charges in January and day one of the trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, began with prosecutors accusing him of a reckless disregard for Miss Hutchins' safety. But the trial dramatically collapsed today, with the defense successfully arguing for the case to be dismissed over the prosecutions failure to share all the evidence with them specifically bullets brought to them by retired cop Troy Teske who said they were the same type used in Baldwins gun. Baldwin, seen here outside the Santa Fe County Sheriff's offices on the day of the shooting, was had the charges against him brought twice Moments before the ruling from the judge, the court heard that one of the two special prosecutors, Erlina Johnson, had quit the case In her ruling Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said that dismissal with prejudice was a very extreme sanction, but the threshold had been met. She said that the suppressed evidence had impacted the fundamental fairness of the case, and that prosecutors were highly culpable for the errors and had unilaterally withheld the details about the ammunition. The judge said that the willful withholding of information was intentional and deliberate, which was so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice and there was no way for the court to right this wrong. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey countered that they had interviewed Teske last year and were skeptical of him because he is close friends with Reed. Morrissey said they concluded Teske was sending them on a wild goose chase to point the blame at somebody other than Hannah. She said: Its a man [Thell Reed] trying to protect his daughter and providing information that doesnt even match the evidence that was found at the scene. The SA Government has been forced to apologise to an Adelaide woman with a severely disabled son who faces homelessness, after she was offered bizarre new-age magic advice by a public servant. Katie Fattel's son Cassian, 4, has acquired cerebral palsy after surviving a near drowning in a backyard pool in 2021, which means he cannot support his legs or neck without aid. The family, which includes her husband and six other children, has until September to find a new home because of water damage in her current private rental. They have been told the private rental system cannot offer the home modifications needed for Cassian's condition, so they asked for the state's help. But a public servant advised Ms Fattel, 40, to use 'spells' to 'manifest' a home because of the shortage of public housing in South Australia. Ms Fattel told 7News the inappropriate advice ignored the fact that for her son, a home 'is a matter of life or death'. When she applied for public housing in January, her case was escalated to category one due to the family's needs. But when the mum-of-seven asked how long it would take before they would get a home, an SA Housing Trust employee emailed her links to a new-age 'manifestation spells' website to get a house. The SA Government has been forced to apologise to an Adelaide woman with a severely disabled son who faces homelessness. Katie Fattel and Cassian are pictured Ms Fattel was offered bizarre new-age magic advice (pictured) by a public servant Ms Fattel was also advised about places where she could buy a tent and sites where she could pitch one. The mum said her 'heart sank' and she was in disbelief when she got the emails. 'Without a house, Cassian won't survive,' she said. 'He relies on multiple life support devices, he has very expensive equipment. He requires 24/7 care.' Despite the very odd advice, Ms Fattel said her caseworker was a 'lovely person' who should not be fired and that it showed the desperate situation caused by the housing crisis. 'I think she just didn't know what to do... I think (she) was well-meaning,' Ms Fattel said. 'She saw Cassian and I in crisis, she knows our situation in a way that the people at the top don't. They're so far removed from the reality of the people in crisis.' SA's Minister for Human Services Nat Cook (pictured) said the manifestation advice given to Ms Fattel did 'not meet expectation' SA's Minister for Human Services Nat Cook and Housing Minister Tom Koutsantonis both apologised to Ms Fattel for the response she got. 'Everything possible is being done to ensure that Katie has a housing outcome,' Ms Cook said. The minister said the manifestation advice given to Ms Fattel did 'not meet expectation'. 'That is not the type of response I have seen ever before and I know the department will be providing the education and support needed for the worker and other workers delivering responses to people.' In a scene resembling a Hollywood coming-of-age film, a group of children in Florida made a horrifying discovery when they explored an abandoned house. The local kids, all boys, were exploring their surroundings on Thursday when they came upon the home on Memorial Drive in Avon Park. The boys decided to venture in for a short time and were stunned to discover skeletal remains. Witnesses near the house said the boys came out telling them what they saw, all while looking 'white as sheets'. Eventually police arrived on the scene to do an investigation into what was inside the house. In a scene resembling a Hollywood coming-of-age film, a group of children in Florida made a horrifying discovery when they explored an abandoned house The boys decided to venture in for a short time and were stunned to discover skeletal remains They told the Highlands News-Sun that they were able to find the remains of someone who'd died in the house. Officials believed that the person had died as long ago as 12 months before the boys found them. Local sheriff's deputies say that the bones were found surrounded by clothes that had only scattered a short distance away and collected dust. A sleeping bag was also found nearby, which means it was likely the person was possibly staying there illegally when they died. Local sheriff's deputies say that the bones were found surrounded by clothes that had only scattered a short distance away and collected dust Officials believed that the person had died as long ago as 12 months before the boys found them The house was abandoned and not ever discovered because it's covered by tall mimosa trees and other shrubbery. They say that because of this, people driving by often don't even realize the home is there. Police believe that the home has been left to rot for some time before the person's death. Not only was the shrubbery allowed to overgrow but they found it completely dilapidated. The house was abandoned and not ever discovered because it's covered by tall mimosa trees and other shrubbery, officials said They say that because of this, people driving by often don't even realize the home is there Officers even reported having heard a buzzing hive of bees inside the walls of the home. The remains have yet to be identified, pending an investigation from the local medical examiner. Public Information Officer Scott Dressel is using the incident to remind kids to stay away from homes like that. He adds that they were at risk of not just disturbing themselves but the hive of bees inside. The Highlands County Sheriff Office are asking anyone with information on the house or the person who died in it to reach out. The family of man who served in the military and who was murdered on the streets of Minneapolis following a night out with friends are begging for help in solving their loved one's murder. Gulf War Navy veteran James Quigley, 53, was brutally attacked after going to a concert back in May when he was out at Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Quigley's friends had returned to their hotel while he remained out for a drink at a local bar. It was as he was making his way home at around 1am when he was attacked, close to a bus shelter. During the attack, the former Navy vet hit the back of his head on the cement. When he was taken to hospital, he was intubated and later suffered a stroke. Family were ultimately forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to take him off life support. Gulf War Navy veteran James Quigley, 53, was brutally attacked after going to a concert back in May when he was attacked at Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis Quigley died from blunt force trauma to the head following an attack near this bus shelter Quigley died ten days following the attack with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirming the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head. The death has been ruled a homicide. Frustratingly, the Minneapolis Police Department have made no arrests since the May 4 killing. Police say there is some video of the incident but the footage has not yet been released by police to the public. The family have not yet viewed the clip but an officer explained what it depicted. 'As he walked by the bus shelter, there was some people in there. Jim kept walking but then turned around to say something or go back and then turned. It was when he turned that he was jumped,' Quigley's sister Michelle Swanson said to KARE. Quigley's sister Michelle Swanson, pictured, would like Minneapolis City Council to overturn their ban on facial recognition believing it might help catch the killer in her brother's case During the attack, the former Navy vet hit the back of his head on the cement. When he was taken to hospital, he was intubated and later suffered a stroke As a Navy veteran, Quigley received full honors at his Fort Snelling National Cemetery funeral held earlier this week 'There was just like a boot print on his face. His neck was, I don't know if he was strangled, if this person strangled him or what they did,' Swanson added in an interview with Fox 9. 'He deserves justice. All he was doing was a night out with friends to go listen to music downtown. He shouldn't have had his life beaten out of him,' she said. Swanson, who is one of Quigley's six siblings, said she would like Minneapolis City Council to overturn their ban on facial recognition believing it might help catch the killer in her brother's case. She believes detectives with the MPD are doing their best to find the person responsible. 'If this person had any identity, meaning social media, a driver's license, a state ID, a passport, they're gonna show up in these databases,' Swanson said. 'He deserves justice. All he was doing was a night out with friends to go listen to music downtown. He shouldn't have had his life beaten out of him. 'You felt so close to him. If you talked to his family or friends, he has a huge circle of friends. Everyone felt so close to him,' Swanson said. As a Navy veteran, Quigley received full honors at his Fort Snelling National Cemetery funeral held earlier this week. Alec Baldwin beamed with happiness as he stepped out to a New Mexico restaurant hours after his manslaughter trial was dismissed. The actor, 66, was joined by actor brother Stephen and sister Beth as he headed to the Casa Chimayo Restaurant to celebrate the moment. Baldwin's wife Hilaria arrived later to the party, after she was a mainstay by her husband's side throughout the trial. When the case was dismissed early Friday evening, she was seen embracing Baldwin for some time as he broke down in tears at the result. Alec Baldwin wore a large grin across his face as he stepped out to a New Mexico restaurant to celebrate his manslaughter trial being dismissed Baldwin, 66, was joined by his actor brother Stephen and several others at the post-trial party - although his wife Hilaria arrived later to the party Baldwin's case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot bring the same charges against him in the case and the trial is permanently dismissed. Although he has civil court cases pending, Baldwin appeared relieved as he celebrated having the criminal raps dropped over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. The 66-year-old stepped out onto the streets of Santa Fe, New Mexico hours after the decision was read, wearing a black t-shirt, blue blazer and blue slacks. Alec received cheers from fans as he and a group walked towards the restaurant, and he was seen flashing a thumbs up at his supporters. His actor brother Stephen, who appeared in hits including The Usual Suspects and Born on the Fourth of July, joined Alec at the restaurant, with a Lululemon bag in tow. Around an hour after Alec's case was dismissed, Stephen took to Instagram to share a cryptic religious message, showing a speaker talk of how 'the whole court system can condemn you for the rest of your life.' Stephen kept things casual in a blue t-shirt and grey pants, and the two were joined by three others inside the restaurant. Hilaria and Alec were seen walking out arm in arm from the Casa Chimayo Restaurant Alec received cheers from fans as he and a group walked towards the restaurant, and he was seen waving and flashing a thumbs up at his supporters Alec's brother Stephen kept things casual in a blue t-shirt and grey pants with a Lululemon bag in tow Baldwin appeared carefree as he strolled into a Mexican restaurant wearing a black t-shirt, blue blazer and blue slacks While Alec appeared carefree as he readied to dine out at the Mexican restaurant, the widow of the only person to be convicted in the Rust case spoke out about the sensational turnaround. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was convicted earlier this year of involuntary manslaughter and received an 18-month sentence, the same as what Alec was facing if he was found guilty. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, legendary Hollywood armorer Thell Reed, 81, said his daughter Hannah has been made a scapegoat over the tragic shooting. Legendary Hollywood armorer Thell Reed, 81, said his daughter Hannah's case should be thrown out after Alec Baldwin's trial on the same charges was dismissed Reed said: Well, I think that's good [Baldwins dismissal]. I think Hannahs case should also be dismissed. Theres a lot of evidence that hasnt been heard at all. They suppressed all the important evidence and I guess [Baldwins] attorneys brought it out. Hannah, 27, is currently serving her sentence at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility and had been due to be called to the stand to testify in Baldwins case. Reed told DailyMail.com he hopes the tossing of Baldwins case will now give his daughter grounds to appeal her own conviction and said she has been made a scapegoat by prosecutors. He added: It should [be grounds for an appeal]. She didn't do anything wrong. Theyve absolutely made her a scapegoat. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed wipes her tears at her sentencing on April 15, 2024, where she was ordered to serve 18-months in prison The Rust armorer poses for mugshot after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter Baldwin's case was sensationally dismissed after a judge ruled that the prosecution had withheld key evidence that 'impacted the fundamental fairness of the case.' The extraordinary decision came after a day-long hearing without the jury present over bullets that should have been in evidence, which Baldwin's lawyers claimed were 'concealed' from them and 'buried' in another case file. During the ill-tempered and chaotic hearing on Friday, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer asked for the bullets to be brought into court where - in unusual scenes - she put on gloves and inspected them herself. Baldwins lawyer Luke Nikas told the court that the bullets were brought to police in Santa Fe in March this year by former police officer Troy Teske, who claimed they were the same kind that were used to shoot Hutchins. Baldwin's attorney Nikas claimed that prosecutors buried the bullets as evidence by giving it a different case number to the main Rust investigation. As a result, when Baldwins lawyers went to the police to view all the Rust ammunition in April, they were not shown it, a breach of evidentiary rules. A Gold Coast man has narrowly escaped jail after he secretly filmed more than a hundred nude videos of his ex-partner's teenage kids and of guests at their home. The 41-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minors, filmed the videos over three years after he hid a camera in a shower vent and also filmed under the bathroom door gap and through a window. A court heard this week the man groped his ex's daughter when she was 17-years-old and went on to make dozens of videos of her by covertly filming her groin area when she sat at a table in a nightie and no underwear, reported The Gold Coast Bulletin. The man's offending was revealed when his ex-partner, the mother of his young child, found a hidden gallery on his phone and contacted police. Officers then searched the house and found the concealed camera and a cable running through the roof to his computer in the couple's bedroom. The man had nearly 70 videos of the 17-year-old girl in the shower, more than 30 of her in her nightie, one of his ex's 17-year-old son and his 16-year-old girlfriend in the shower, and another five of the girl on her own. In an emotional victim impact statement read to Southport Magistrates Court, the ex-partner said the 'sense of betrayal we feel is profound'. '(His) actions were not a mistake or a momentary lapse in judgment he was in complete control and had the ability to change his predatory behaviour at any point,' she said. A Gold Coast man has been sentenced in Southport Magistrates Court to nine months jail suspended after he covertly filmed his ex's teenage children in the shower The 41-year-old, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minors, filmed the videos over three years after he hid a camera in a shower vent and also filmed under the bathroom door gap and through a window The woman said the ex had 'manipulated and groomed' her and her children, and she felt shame for failing to protect them. 'We constantly feel as though we are being watched, which makes us feel unsafe and anxious in our own home,' she said. The man pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and five of observations or recordings in breach of privacy. The man's defence lawyer claimed his client had witnessed and been a victim of abuse as a child and that he was seeing a psychologist who said he had a 'positive prognosis' for rehabilitation. Magistrate Mark Whitbread said the man's offending was 'abhorrent' and that it was shameful his ex 'blames herself'. But he also said the steps the man had taken to rehabilitate since he was exposed should be considered. He sentenced the man to nine months jail suspended for four years and probation for three years. Police have also issued an AVO on behalf of the woman and her children. Bill Maher predicted the exact date that he believes Joe Biden will step aside in the presidential race as he issued an optimistic look at who could replace him. The comedian, 68, rattled through possible replacements including Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer, as he insisted that 'Biden is toast.' He joked that 'when' the 81-year-old bows out, he will pick August 9 as the date - the same day that Richard Nixon became the only president to resign in 1974. Maher scathed Biden for holding Democrats back ahead of the election as he listed a number of alternates who he felt could win in November, mainly because they 'are moderates, are under 100-years-old, and have a D next to their name.' Bill Maher argued that 'Biden is toast' as he predicted the exact date that he believes the 81-year-old will step aside in the presidential race Biden has consistently said he intends to stay in the race, although Maher felt that the 'issue isn't if, but who' will replace him The talk show host was joined by former congressman Bakari Sellers and conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, as he joked that Biden will be doomed by a 'mean girls' mindset from the American media. 'When they smell blood in the water, the lust to finish off a vulnerable person, they'll never be denied,' Maher said. Maher speculated that Biden would step aside on August 9, the same day Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 He argued that for Biden, the 'issue isn't if, but who' will replace him, as he satirically predicted that the president would want to step down on the same day as Nixon. 'Yes replacing a president as his party's candidate this late will seem like a big deal - for about three days,' he continued. 'And then we'll all be over it.' The comedian jokingly compared the move to when an office coworker 'gets her t*ts done', saying that while 'at first, it's oh my god - a week later, they're just her t*ts.' 'America is going to do this, we're going to get new t*ts,' he concluded. Maher then listed several possible replacements for Biden if he chose to step aside, offering an optimistic outlook for a number of them that he believed could defeat Donald Trump in November. Maher pointed to Vice-President Kamala Harris as the natural successor to Biden, but admitted that 'for whatever reason, she has never been popular' Maher began his list of pros and cons with Harris, who he noted would mark a number of firsts if she made it to the White House, including first female, first black woman, and first Asian to become president. '(She) will get all of Biden's campaign money, and on the issue of abortion she's a walking reminder to women that Republican's are coming for the abortion pill,' he said. 'She won't just protect Plan B, she is Plan B.' He also cited her history as a prosecutor in California, remarking that 'Kamala was putting criminals in jail before liberals decided that was a bad thing.' However, Maher noted that for 'whatever reason, Harris has never been popular', as he cited her poor performance in the 2020 presidential election primaries as evidence. 'You can count the number of delegates she won... on one hand, as long as that hand has no fingers.' California Governor Gavin Newsom has frequently been named as a possible contender, and Maher said that his biggest drawback is merely that he is 'too slick' Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's name has often been floated for a potential run for the White House, as Maher called her a 'very attractive choice' Maher then moved onto two other contenders who could leapfrog Harris at the top of the ticket, namely California Governor Gavin Newsom and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. For Newsom, Maher pointed to his perceived good looks as he said he was 'the only governor, with the possible exception of Kristi Noem, who looks like they could do porn.' 'And at 6'3 and 215lbs, he's actually the height and weight that Trump claims to be.' Maher said Newsom's biggest drawback appears to be that he is 'too slick', but felt this was not such a negative trait, because 'slick is something no one has been accusing Biden of lately.' The comedian also put a positive spin on Whitmer's hypothetical candidacy, saying she is a 'very attractive choice.' He pointed out that she is a popular governor in the must-win state of Michigan, and has a number of policy achievements to fall back on including raising wages, protecting abortion rights and legalizing marijuana. If not those leading three contenders, Maher argued that the Democratic Party is quietly filled with a number of viable candidates - if only Biden would step out of the way. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has already shown his presidential ambitions Maryland Governor Wes Moore was among the names that Maher pointed out as a quietly viable contender for the White House Among the candidates hiding in the Democratic Party's ranks that Maher felt could step up included Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro. 'No one knows who these people are, and that's good,' he continued. 'We need some new characters on this sitcom we call a country. Americans like new. These guys, all you need to know is they're moderates, they're under 100 years old, and they have a 'D' next to their names.' Maher concluded that with the looming possibility of a second Trump term in November, America is currently 'at the airport, and we just need to be sure we get last rental car.' 'Something reasonably safe, relatively clean and not Trump. If there isn't a dead Girl Scout in the trunk, we're good to go,' he concluded. Tributes are flowing for a man described as a loving father who perished in a tragic house fire alongside his son in Melbourne's east. Victoria Police are investigating the cause of the blaze at Craig Road, Donvale, however, a spokeswoman confirmed the fire has been deemed non-suspicious. Emergency services raced to the scene about 3.45am on Saturday and found the two-storey house well ablaze. After a 45-minute battle, the fire was deemed under control just after 4.30am and the bodies of father Calvin Reeder and his son Brendon were found inside. Mr Reeder's neighbour, Angelo von Moller, paid tribute, describing him as caring and generous. 'This is an incredibly tragic loss for our community,' Mr Moller told NewsWire. 'Calvin was always there for us and our neighbours, whether it was just to have a chat or to fix a part on a tractor, he was there for us. 'He was the epitome of a good neighbour. He was a loving father to his son Brendon'. Loving dad and 'good neighbour' Calvin Reeder died in a fire at a Donvale home on Saturday morning His son Brendon Reeder also died in the fire which has been deemed non-suspicious The home in Melbourne's east has been destroyed in the blaze (pictured) At least 12 fire trucks reportedly attended the blaze, the cause of which is not yet known. 'Crews aggressively attacked the fire,' a Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said. 'The home has been destroyed by fire and the roof has collapsed.' On Saturday afternoon police were working through the rubble and the front yard was taped off. Arson and Explosives Squad detectives, including an arson chemist, are investigating what sparked the fire. Police have urged witnesses or anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au. At least 12 fire trucks (one is pictured) reportedly attended the blaze, the cause of which is not yet known This is the shocking moment a police officer was stabbed in the neck during a completely unprovoked attack. PS Foster, PS Ansell, and PC Wolstencroft were responding to a traffic collision involving a suspected drug dealer on July 26, 2023 in Whalley Range, Manchester. But for no apparent reason, Jacob Brown, 27, attacked them from behind with a knife. On bodycam footage, Brown can be seen approaching the officers despite not having anything to do with the incident. Brown is seen dressed in black with a hood tightly fastened. At first, he walks down the street near his home, but for no apparent reason, he suddenly jumps into the road to attack the officers. Jacob Brown is seen carrying out his shocking knife attack as two officers look on in shock Brown was only brought to a halt after he was tasered by PC Wolsencroft. Brown would later attack other people while in prison PS Ansell is seen with an injury to his neck following the shocking incident in July last year PS Foster got struck to the head several times as Brown tried to hit his neck. Then PS Ansell jumped to the defence of his fellow sergeant and got stabbed in the neck, which narrowly missed his arteries. The video, shared by Greater Manchester Police, shows Brown finally stopping his rampage after being tasered by PC Wolsencroft. As PS Ansell walked back to the car, he noticed he was bleeding and had a serious stab wound to his neck. PS Foster placed his hand over the wound and paramedics were called. GMP said it was one of 75 incidents in the last tax year where its officers sustained physical injuries from assault while on duty. A spokesman said: 'The actions of all three officers ultimately saved each other and meant no members of the public suffered any injuries.' Brown can be seen furiously attacking the officers with a knife. He took them by surprise and came from behind PC Wolstencroft instinctively discharged his taser, allowing for Brown's arrest. The actions of all three officers ultimately saved each other All three officers won an award at this year's Police Federation National Bravery Awards for their actions last July. Superintendent Marcus Noden of GMP's Trafford district said: 'I sincerely hope that we never see a case like this again, but I praise our three officers who have demonstrated dedication, resilience, and courage in the face of danger.' Brown also stabbed a prison adviser with a pen during an induction at HMP Liverpool last August while in custody after his arrest. The victim was a male in his 50s, who suffered cuts to his ear and head. Then in September, he attacked a prison guard with a modified piece of cutlery in front of a shocked courtroom while appearing on video link. The 27-year-old was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in April after pleading guilty to one count of attempted murder and three counts of wounding with intent. He will only be released once he is deemed safe and stable. As PS Ansell walked back to the car, he noticed he was bleeding and had a serious stab wound to his neck PS Tim Ansell, PS Marc Foster and PC Marcus Wolstencroft have all been awarded for their bravery Detective Inspector Kelly of City of Manchester South's CID, said: 'Jacob Brown is considered to be a dangerous and violent man, as also marked by the Judge. 'There appeared to be no clear motive for these attacks officers were taken completely by surprise and only their quick reactions stopped the outcome from being fatal. 'The prospect of violence towards police officers is a daily threat and won't be tolerated. 'I am glad that our swift and thorough investigation has resulted in Brown being held to account for what he has done, and he is now away from the communities within Greater Manchester.' Brown was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in April 2024. He will only be released if he is deemed safe GMP said it was one of 75 incidents in the last tax year where its officers sustained physical injuries from assault while on duty PS Foster got struck to the head several times as Brown tried to hit his neck Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, District Commander for Trafford, where the officers involved are based, said: 'This display of violence against officers going about their duties is heinous and unspeakable. 'These officers went to work that day to help keep the public safe and were responding to a collision involving a suspected drug driver at the time they were attacked. 'No officer should expect to be assaulted at work, particularly not in such a brutal way, and it is very fortunate that PS Ansell's injuries were survivable in this case. 'Whilst physical injuries may heal, the mental impact of assaults of this nature on officers can be long-lasting. I hope this case shows the seriousness of which we take incidents like this affecting our officers. It won't be tolerated.' The officers have won several awards for their heroic actions. They won the Bravery Award at the Chief Constable's Annual Awards last October, the John Egerton Bravery Award in April and on Thursday they were given the North West Bravery Award. A man suspected of murdering three woman at their Hertfordshire home is believed to have stabbed himself in the chest, leaving himself in a serious condition. Kyle Clifford, 26, was arrested on suspicion of murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25 at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Mrs Hunt was the wife of BBC 5 Live racing commentator John Hunt. The three women were found at the house on Tuesday afternoon prompting a major manhunt. Police tracked down Clifford, a former soldier, near his home in Enfield, north London on Wednesday. He had stab wounds to the chest. Kyle Clifford, pictured, has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of three woman, Carol Hunt and her daughters Hannah and Louise at their home in Bushey in Hertfordshire Police believe the three women were bound and gagged at their home in the quiet estate before being shot with a crossbow Police launched a major manhunt for Clifford. He was found with serious injuries at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London. Pictured an armed police officer on patrol in the cemetery According to The Sun, police believe Clifford's injuries may have been 'self-inflicted'. Investigating officers believe the three women were tied up and gagged for several hours before they were shot with a crossbow. Clifford was rushed to hospital and underwent life-saving surgery. He remains in a serious condition and is under police guard. Officers will not be able to interview Clifford until doctors agree that he is medically fit to be questioned. It is understood that Clifford and Louise had recently been involved in a relationship having met on an online dating site. Detective Superintendent Rob Hall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: 'Our thoughts remain with the victims' family at this tragic time. 'The investigation is moving at pace and as a result, we have now arrested a man. Inquiries are continuing at this time.' Clifford, 26, was discovered by police near headstones in Enfield's Lavender Hill Cemetery Pictures of the victims were included amid floral tributes left at the scene of the killings Handwritten messages of sympathy were provided in cards placed by wellwishers Clifford was found with injuries in Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday afternoon after police appealed to find him. Friends of the Hunt family attended a vigil at St James' Church in Bushey on Thursday and paid tribute to the three women. Lea Holloway, 60, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a 'beautiful person'. She said: 'This is the stuff nightmares are made of. They were a lovely family and (the daughters) were lovely girls. 'They were making their way through life and their lives have been taken too soon. It's the thing of nightmares. 'I feel for their eldest daughter and John (Hunt). I can't imagine what it would be like.' After being joined by two other close friends, Dionne Smith, 58, and Abigail Phillips, 58, the trio told reporters: 'We were a four, and now there's only three. 'It doesn't seem real. We are together in grief.' In a post on Facebook, Hannah Hunt's colleagues at The Anti-Ageing Clinic in Radlett, Hertfordshire, said she was 'a fantastic therapist and clients loved her'. 'We send our condolences and prayers to her Dad, sister and family,' the post said. Loreto College in St Albans said it was 'mourning the loss of two of our ex-students, Hannah & Louise, along with their mother, Carol'. Friends and relatives left floral tributes near the point where the three women were killed Police sealed off the cemetery where Clifford was found for a forensic examination Carol Hunt, pictured right, was the wife of BBC Radio Five Live racing commentator John Hunt, pictured left A post on X, formerly Twitter, said: 'We extend our thoughts & prayers to the family during this most difficult time. As a Loreto Community, they will always hold a place in our heart. May they rest in peace.' Colleagues of Mr Hunt said they were 'heartbroken' for the commentator and a minute's silence was held for the family during the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk. Jockeys at the fixture sported black armbands. Commentator Richard Hoiles paid tribute to his colleague at the start of ITV's programming. Louise Hunt, pictured, was killed alongside her mother and sister, Hannah Hannah Hunt, pictured, was also killed at the family's home in Bushey, Hertfordshire Hoiles said his friend Mr Hunt would often talk about his wife and daughters, and recalled how, at an 'annual shindig at Christmas 20-odd years ago', he proudly showed pictures of his daughters to people in the pub. He added: 'Words just seem hollow and inadequate in such circumstances and all we can try and do is provide some crumb of comfort by trying to exhibit the warmth and respect in which John and his family is held, as will be shown by the many tributes that will be held up and down the country.' Flowers were also left at the scene in Ashlyn Close, with notes attached to some bouquets with messages such as 'rest in peace'. The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it received a mandatory referral from the Metropolitan Police after Clifford was found by officers with serious injuries in Enfield, but was satisfied no investigation was needed. The Labour party is considering banning puberty blockers permanently as the new Health Secretary is said to want to renew the Tory ban on the drug for under-18s. Laws to stop puberty blockers - which suppress the natural production of sex hormones to delay puberty - from being supplied to children by private or off-shore clinics were passed by Health Secretary Wes Streeting's predecessor Victoria Atkins in emergency legislation ahead of the general election. However, these are set to expire on September 3, but it emerged on Friday that the ban may be made permanent by new Labour ministers. Campaign groups TransActual and Good Law Project, and a young person who cannot be named, are making a bid to challenge the decision of now-shadow health secretary Atkins to impose the so-called 'banning order' on puberty blockers. At a hearing on Friday, lawyers for the groups and young person told the High Court in London that the secondary legislation made by the previous government on May 29, which prevented the prescription of the medication from European or private prescribers and restricted NHS provision to within clinical trials, was unlawful. Britain's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting walks outside Number 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, July 9, 2024 JK Rowling praised Health Secretary Wes Streeting for doing the 'right' thing as the Labour party considers making the puberty blocker ban permanent The Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland are defending the claim, and have said the case should be dismissed. The legislation came after the publication of the long-awaited Cass Review by Dr Hilary Cass into children's gender services in the NHS, which said children have been let down by a lack of research and evidence on the use of puberty blockers and hormones. In a statement after the hearing, Mr Streeting said: 'We will always put the safety of children first.' 'Our approach will continue to be informed by Dr Cass's review, which found there was insufficient evidence to show puberty blockers were safe for under 18s. 'This ban brings the private sector in line with the NHS. We are committed to providing young people with the evidence-led care that they deserve.' Jolyon Maugham on Friday said that continuing the ban on puberty blockers would 'kill trans children' JK Rowling was quick to back the move in a string of X, formerly Twitter posts on Friday and praised Mr Streeting for doing the 'right' thing. During the hearing, Judge Mrs Justice Lang was told that the emergency order, described by the campaign group's barrister as a 'criminal prohibition introduced with a few days' notice', could have a 'very real human cost' for more than 1,000 children and their families. Jason Coppel KC, for the group and young person, told the court that the order was made under an emergency process used to prohibit the sale and supply of medications 'with immediate effect to avoid serious danger to health'. Mr Coppel later said that Ms Atkins 'acted on the basis of her personal views about the conclusions of the Cass Review' and said the review did not identify puberty blockers as a danger to patient health but instead concluded there was a lack of evidence about their use. Also on Friday, barrister Jolyon Maugham hit out at the Health Secretary for wanting to make permanent the emergency restrictions introduced at the end of the Tory administation. He said it was time for families to travel to Europe or move abroad so young people can still get prescriptions for the drugs. The barrister, whose Good Law Project has raised almost 60,000 for a legal challenge to the temporary ban, wrote on social media as the case began in the High Court yesterday: 'My feelings about Wes Streeting are unprintable: These measures will kill trans children.' The decision to make the ban on puberty blockers is one of the first major steps made by the new Government in regard to trans issues. A man has been charged over a fatal stabbing at a Melbourne home as an urgent manhunt for his suspected accomplice continues. Police found an unconscious 36-year-old man with stab wounds at a home on Victoria Drive in Thomastown, in the city's north, at 8.40pm on Thursday. The Doreen man died at the property despite efforts to resuscitate him. A 45-year-old Glenroy man who was arrested at the scene has since been charged with aggravated burglary, theft and common law assault. Police found an unconscious 36-year-old man with stab wounds at a home on Victoria Drive in Thomastown, in the city's north, at 8.40pm on Thursday (police are pictured at the home) A forensic officer is seen at the home in Thomastown after the alleged incident on Thursday He was scheduled to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Saturday. Homicide Squad detectives are still searching for a second man involved in what they believe was a targeted attack. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Police are treating the blaze as suspicious Two teenagers have died after suffering horrific burns in a suspicious house fire in north Queensland - as police launch an investigation. Emergency services rushed to the two-storey home on Chandler Street in Garbutt, Townsville, after locals spotted smoke at about 3pm on Friday. Two 18-year-old men were rushed to Townsville University Hospital after being rescued from the home by neighbours. One of the teenagers died overnight while the second man was flown to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a critical condition. He passed away on Saturday morning. Queensland Police are treating the fire as suspicious. Stephen Hourn, station officer for South Townsville, said the flames did not spread to any other properties with firefighters fighting the blaze for about an hour. 'The house had sustained significant fire, smoke and water damage,' he said. Emergency services rushed to the two-storey home on Chandler Street in Garbutt, Townsville, after locals spotted smoke at about 3pm on Friday (the house fire is pictured) A neighbour said he heard 'three explosions' before the fire took hold. Another man said he had helped rescue the men from the house. 'It was full-on flames ... there were a bunch of people, fire trucks, police, everything, it was pretty hectic,' he told 7News. 'I saw the flames coming out of the kitchen area and after that I saw the smoke.' Anyone with CCTV or video from Chandler Street at about the time of the blaze has been urged by police to come forward. A teenage boy has been charged after a blade attack on worshippers at a Sikh temple in Gravesend, Kent. Police was called to the Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara at 8.10pm on Thursday 11 July 2024 after a reported disturbance and arrested a 17-year-old boy at the scene. Two women were left with cuts and bruises to their hands and arms but no one was seriously injured, the force confirmed. Police recovered a bladed weapon and secured the area. The 17-year-old boy has now been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, using or threatening unlawful violence, threats to kill, threatening a person with a bladed weapon and possessing a bladed article in a public place. The Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend, Kent where two women were injured after a knife attack on Thursday July 11, 2024 Two women were left with cuts and bruises to their hands and arms after a 17-year-old boy reportedly entered the temple with a blade Avtar Singh, 44, (pictured) tackled the attacker to the ground. He described him as wielding two swords and entering the holy space in an 'aggressive mood' The teenager has been remanded in custody and will appear before Maidstone Crown Court later today. On Thursday evening a teenager reportedly entered the peaceful place of worship with the deadly weapon. Avtar Singh, 44, tackled the boy who he described as wielding two swords. He said: 'We'd been told, suddenly, everyone just go out of the temple and I was just wondering what they were saying it like that. 'So I was sending my kids and missus downstairs and as soon as I heard they were calling me "Avtar, Avtar - come upstairs" so I just went upstairs, I didn't know what was going on. 'When I went into the hall, the guy was sitting there on the money pot - sitting there with the two swords in his hands, nothing on his head and in an aggressive mood. I can't see that - this is against our religion, I perceived that much. 'I just went straight to him, tried to tackle him - he put a sword onto me as well, then I fell on the floor, then we hit him with the thing to try to hold him, he fell on the floor as well.' He added: 'I was grabbing his legs and twisting his feet that way to try to control him, then police put the handcuffs on - otherwise you would not have even got handcuffs on them.' The 17-year-old boy being tackled to the ground and handcuffed by police after allegedly entering the temple with weapons Kent Police descended on the Gurdwara after reports of worshippers being attacked in their temple Mr Singh said two girls had been attacked, including one bitten on the shoulder and on the hand. He continued: 'The way he was running and with two swords in his hand, running along all through there with the public and hitting two public people already. 'It was really bad. 'Then he ran away around the other side, he ran around the other way, and we chased him all the way along to the Trinity School and then two Indian lads stopped him there, held him and by that time the police came.' The force confirmed they were treating it as an isolated incident. Ch Supt Angie Chapman said: 'We understand local peoples concerns about this incident, which we are treating as isolated. 'Our patrols will remain in the area for reassurance and we would like to thank the community for their continued support and assistance.' A video, which was taken as the teenager was being arrested by Kent police, shows officers shouting to 'roll over' while members of the congregation help to pin down the teenager's arms and legs. Among the crowds shown in the video are two young girls with injured, bloody hands and bruised arms. Gravesend Gurdwara spokesman Jagdev Singh Virdee, 68, said on Thursday: 'It's a shock to have this sort of incident and the attention that it is receiving for a gurdwara - which we consider to be a place of sanctity, security, peacefulness and so on. 'To have the sort of incident happening in a gurdwara is a shock to the whole community because we're welcoming of everybody and we like to remain in high spirits. 'We don't want to be seen as not welcoming people from any community - Gurdwaras are open to everyone and we want to keep it that way so we will be reviewing our security to see how we can improve it even more.' He said the incident happened after Sukhasan, a Sikh closing ritual that occurs as the sun goes down at the end of wroship, had taken place, and confirmed the holy book Guru Granth Sahib Ji was not present in the hall. New Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had visited the same Gurdwara two weeks ago Angela Rayner (left) and Dr Lauren Sullivan (right) visit the Gurdwara as part of the general election campaign two weeks before the attack The spokesman continued: 'The Gurdwara is cooperating fully with Kent Police who are treating the incident very seriously, with the District Commander on site to support whilst the investigation is ongoing. The person was spotted by the Gurdwara security team and police were called immediately. 'We will update the Sangat over the next few days as more information becomes available.' On Thursday evening, one resident told Kent Online: 'The police helicopter was circling over the town centre at around 8pm, shortly afterwards the air ambulance landed in the grounds of the Gurdwara. 'There were two ambulances and five police vehicles parked in Trinity Road which was taped off by Holy Trinity primary school. 'A neighbour said that she'd heard that two people had been stabbed inside the gurdwara with a large knife.' Angela Rayner, the new Deputy Prime Minister, visited the Gurdwara in Kent less than two weeks before the attack. As part of the general election campaign, she met with leaders of the Gurdwara alongside Labour's candidate Dr Lauren Sullivan - who later took the Gravesham seat from long-standing Conservative MP Adam Holloway. Detailing her visit in a post on X, Rayner said: 'It was an honour to visit Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend with Labour's candidate Lauren Sullivan. 'We met with leaders of the Gurdwara and discussed Labour's commitment to working in partnership with faith communities to deliver the change Britain needs.' Reacting to the news, Dr Sullivan, the newly elected MP for Gravesham, said: 'I am shocked and saddened by the incident at the Gurdwara in Gravesend this evening. My thoughts are with those hurt, their family, and the community. 'I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to this awful event. 'Full details are still emerging and there are many rumours running about so it is right that we let the emergency services deal with the situation and complete their investigation and release the information as they can.' Security minister Dan Jarvis also posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was being updated about the attack, adding: 'All communities must be safe in their places of worship.' This is a breaking story, more to follow Anthony Albanese has responded to the resignation of controversial union boss John Setka with a blunt and curt assessment of the news: 'Good'. The Prime Minister uttered the single, scathing word after Mr Setka announced late on Friday he would be stepping down as the Victorian state secretary of the powerful Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). The controversial union boss stood down ahead of an explosive report published by Nine Newspapers which detailed allegations criminal figures were given lucrative jobs within the CFMEU and used tax-payer funded cars in criminal activities. Mr Albanese didn't hold back as he gave his one-word assessment of Mr Setka's resignation at a press conference in Brisbane on Saturday. 'I expelled him from the Labor Party in my first few weeks as Labor leader. That was appropriate. John Setka has no legitimate place in the Labor movement,' he said. 'Trade Unions exist to look after workers, to look after their wages and conditions and health and safety. 'They don't exist to engage in the sort of conduct that John Setka has clearly been engaged with. 'It should be condemned. It should be isolated. It should be stamped out.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has delivered a blunt and curt response to the news that John Setka has quit as CFMEU Victorian secretary The Nine Newspaper report outlines links between the CFMEU and a number of senior bikies and also included communications between Mr Setka and underworld figure Mick Gatto. In a statement, Mr Setka claimed his decision to resign was a 'direct response' to what he called 'ongoing and relentless stories with multiple allegations' against the union. He had been the CFMEU Victorian secretary for more than a decade. In his own statement, Mr Setka said the 'false allegations' did nothing but 'harm the work this great union does for its members'. 'If my stepping down can stop these malicious attacks on our members and officials and allow this great union to continue to fight for our members, for their wages and conditions, so that they go home safely to their families each day, then I'm happy,' he continued. Sekta (pictured left) and wife Emma Walters outside Melbourne Magistrates Court in 2019 Mr Setka said the members of the CFMEU made him 'incredibly proud' during his four decades with the union. It is understood union members were notified of his resignation in a short text which read: 'Brothers and sisters, John Setka steps down as Secretary of the CFMEU Victorian Branch effective immediately,' the message read. Mr Setka was expelled from the Labor Party in 2019 over comments he allegedly made about domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty which he denies. He was also convicted for harassing his ex-wife. Mr Setka recently sparked controversy when he demanded the sacking of AFL head of umpiring Stephen McBurney, with the union boss stating he would impede AFL projects unless Mr McBurney was fired. German holidaymakers have developed an ingenious new hack to secure the best spots on the beach. For years sunseekers have been at loggerheads trying to secure the best beach spot by placing beach towels on deckchairs, a practice banned in many places such as Mallorca. But now German holidaymakers are beating their British counterparts to the punch by reserving parasols on the beaches of Mallorca and sidestepping the deckchair ban. A lifeguard said people arrive at dawn to hang their towels in the straw umbrellas in the first row, German newspaper BILD reported. Pictured, beach towels hanging from parasols on a beach in Mallorca. Many foreign holidaymakers are marking their territory in the early morning Tourists enjoy a sunny day at the Playa de Palma beach in Mallorca next to parasols (stock image) Dozens of parasols are being taken way before the crowds arrive, according to reports (stock image) Vanessa Vogt, 19, a saleswoman from Berlin, told BILD: 'The fact that holidaymakers reserve their beach spots here at Ballermann is definitely typically German. 'I can understand it for older people because I think they are used to it and it's a tradition.' Jenny S, 27, an industrial clerk from Augsburg, Bavaria, said: 'I find it a bit selfish that people are now leaving so early in the morning when there are no loungers set up yet and reserving beach spots using straw hats. 'Most of the time, people put their towels on the loungers, go out to eat and only come back after five hours.' Another called the sun bed wars a 'totally bad habit', adding: 'Securing sun loungers with a towel in the early morning is absolutely inconsiderate and absolutely not acceptable. 'If no one blocks sun loungers with towels in the morning, everyone can have one. After all, we all want the same thing: a relaxing holiday.' A German resident told Mallorca Magazine: 'You don't just see that at Ballermann, you can now find it all over the Playa.' People sunbathe on Playa de Palma beach in Mallorca, Spain. Reserving deckchairs with towels is banned on the island (stock image) Palma City Council provides a rental service for sun loungers and parasols on the beach through an external company between 10am and 7pm with a daily fee. Sunlounger wars are not uncommon in Spain, but they tend to take place on pool-sides rather than beaches. Just last month, a British tourist blasted two men for hogging five sunbeds between them at a Benidorm resort. Paul Hitchcock, who regularly holidays in Benidorm, shared a picture of two sunseekers at his hotel who had stacked up multiple deckchairs - seemingly preventing other holidaymakers from bagging a spot. 'Two people, five sunbeds, and they are not the only ones,' he told fellow tourists, who slammed what they called the men's 'selfish' sunbathing etiquette. This is the shocking moment five runners are injured on the seventh day of the running of the bulls festival in Pamplona, northern Spain. The festivities, which include the bull runs as well as concerts, religious processions and copious amounts of wine, were made famous by 1926 Ernest Hemingway novel 'The Sun Also Rises'. A 37-year-old man from Beriain near Pamplona suffered the only gore injury, said to have been to his palate. The other five casualties included a 54-year-old man from New York. All six runners who needed hospital treatment were males. In the video a herd of bulls runs through a wooden gate in a cloud of dust with bells jingling as they stampede round a bend and towards a start line where masses of runners wait, dressed in white shirts and trousers. Runners, dressed in the traditional all white outfits with a red neck scarf run through the cobbled streets of Pamplona, northern Spain as they are chased down by bulls Brave runners try to out-pace the six specially bred fighting bulls who rampage through the city's ancient streets Brave runners continue in front while others position themselves flat against the side of walls and doorways to avoid the dangerous horns and hooves which have trampled several runners in front Runners touch the side of the bulls and look behind them in shock as a competitor falls to the floor and is trampled under the hooves of the running bulls Three runners trip and fall as a bull nears them, in panic they reach out, grasping at runners in front as others desperately try to escape injury As the runners speed off, the bulls chase them down. The braver thrill seekers continue running while slower competitors brace themselves against a wall, avoiding the sharp horns and trampling hooves. As the bulls make their way into the crowd screams can be heard from those watching on and more runners jump out of the way of the speeding beasts. As they continue to run through the winding medieval streets, runners trip over themselves in a bid to escape injury, falling onto the cobbled streets and being stamped on by the charging bulls. Later on in the video one brave man attempts to run across the path and is immediately hit by a bull, he falls to the floor and is trodden on, leaving him cowering in the foetal position. As the bulls continue round the track, dedicated runners continue to try and and dodge being gored but are mowed down. Spectators scream and shout from their balconies and from the side of the road, safely watching on out of harm's way. The speeding bulls part the crowds, dressed in white shirts and trousers with red neck scarfs and belts, and continue to make their way through the winding cobbled passages while spectators leap out of the way or flatten themselves against doorways as the crowd moves along under an archway. Runners are thrown to the sides as the bulls enter the ring at the end of the course that winds through the ancient streets of the Spanish city Competitors who have kept up with the charging bulls tap the bulls backs as they run alongside them into the arena where waiting crowds are gathered Crowds of excited competitors wait in the sandy bull ring, goading the angry beasts who flail and ram them with their horns A competitor dressed in blue jeans and a red hoodie is trampled and headbutted by an enraged bull Another runner is trampled on by one of the six specially bred bulls and cowers in the foetal position to avoid injury During the week-long festivity, six purpose-bred fighting bulls, guided by six steers, chase runners from 8am through the narrow streets of Pamplona's old quarter over a stretch of 800 meters (0.5 miles). The festival attracts thousands of thrill-seekers from across Spain and around the world who take their life in their hands to run with the bulls. Spectators and revellers also descend on the ancient town or just attend to enjoy the festive atmosphere. Nobody has died in the race through the cobbled streets since 2009 when Spanish runner Daniel Jimeno was gored by a bull but the dangerous tradition often leads to injuries. Sixteen people have been killed at the annual festival since records began in 1910, most recently in 2009, while many more are injured as they try to outrun the wild beasts. Between 200 and 300 people are usually injured in the run each year at the festival during the bull runs, often including foreigners from Britain, the US and Australia. Animal rights activists campaign against the festival every year, saying it is cruel to animals who are goaded and then killed in front of baying crowds. A young council worker who plummeted seven metres after a cherry picker toppled over will have to learn to walk again after he broke several bones in the fall. Brodee Hinchley, 22, was trimming trees in Yokine in northeast Perth last month when the crane overbalanced and came crashing to the ground. Mr Hinchley has recounted the terrifying moment, which was captured on CCTV. In the video, the 22-year-old is seen landing on the opposite side of the road as the machinery narrowly avoided hitting a parked car. 'I remember holding on and just thinking brace, brace, brace,' he told 7News. As a result of the fall, Mr Hinchley suffered a fractured spine, a broken pelvis, arm, ribs, ankle and a collapsed lung. He revealed his terrified colleagues who ran to his aid 'thought they were going to watch me take my last breath'. Mr Hinchley was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital where he remained for two weeks, with one week spent recovering in the trauma unit. Brodee Hinchley, 22, broke multiple bones when he fell on a cherry picker last month Mr Hinchley had been trimming trees for the council when the horrifying accident occurred 'It was like a movie. . . you look up and there's all these doctors around you (but) they're just focused on keeping you alive,' Mr Hinchley said of his arrival in hospital. 'They had to operate so what they did was put some screws in (butt) they put a cage where my pubic bone is.' Miraculously, Mr Hinchley has managed to find a silver lining. 'Considering the injuries, I'm not paralysed, not dead,' he said. '(But) as a supervisor I'm just glad it was me and not them.' Orthopaedic surgeon Sam Young said Mr Hinchley was 'extremely lucky'. 'It could have very easily gone the other way (but) he could've very easily suffered life-threatening injuries,' Dr Young said. Among the injuries Mr Hinchley suffered from the fall were a broken pelvis and fractured spine Mr Hinchley said his shocked colleagues thought he might have breathed his last breath A City of Stirling spokesman confirmed after the accident Mr Hinchley had been contracted to work for the council. 'The City is aware of an incident involving a contractor earlier today,' he said. 'The City understands the person involved is receiving medical attention.' WorkSafe was notified and has been investigating the incident. A Polish border guard was killed last month by a group of spear-throwing migrants as they attempted to cross the border into Europe, as officials say a surge in arrivals through Belarus is Putin's latest war tactic against the West. 21-year-old Sgt Mateusz Sitek from the Polish village of Nowy Lubiel was killed after a group of migrants reportedly from Africa and the Middle East attempting to cross the Polish border hurled a volley of makeshift weapons at officers. Several more were injured during the clash. The improvised weapons appear to have been made out of tree branches and steel blades taped to the top. Waves of migrants arriving at the gates of the EU via Belarus and meeting border guards with aggression is becoming increasingly more common. Video shows moment migrants throw objects that appear to be spears as they clash with Polish border guards Polish guards shield themselves as migrants hurl objects and weapons at them at the Polish border Videos that recently surfaced on TikTok show groups of migrants throwing objects at Polish soldiers, who can be heard shouting at them and shielding themselves from the flying weapons. Another clip shows the moment smoke wafts across across a field as Polish soldiers return fire at the migrants, who all appear to be wearing face coverings. These clashes come just a month after the death of Sitek, who was stabbed in the chest by a migrant who reached through the bars of the border. Chilling footage showed the soldier lying motionless on the ground next to a border fence, as a colleague tended to him before emergency services arrived. The soldier had been hospitalised with serious injuries in the town of Hajnowka, but died later the same day. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to X, formerly Twitter, to offer his condolences to the fallen soldier's family. Polish EU border guard Sgt Mateusz Sitek was killed last month after being stabbed by a migrant trying to cross the Polish border with a makeshift spear Image captures moment emergency services tended to Sitek, who was stabbed by a migrant at the Polish border last month The Polish border agency has shared images of the makeshift weapons used by migrants to attack border guards. They appear to be made out of sticks and taped-on tape 'A young soldier, Mateusz, gave his life in the defense of Poland's border. 'The motherland and his compatriots will never forget about this sacrifice. I extend words of deepest sympathy to his family'. The situation at the European Unions eastern border is increasingly under pressure from thousands of people from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, trying to force their way through a metal barrier that Poland put up in 2022 to seal the frontier. The increasing waves of migrants arriving at the gates of the EU via Belarus are moving with the quiet helping hand of Russia, Polish officials believe, in President Vladimir Putin's latest war tactic against the West. Latest figures from the Polish Border Guard say there have been some 17,000 attempts at illegally crossing the border this year. The situation at the European Unions eastern border is increasingly under pressure from thousands of people from the Middle East, Asia and Africa, trying to force their way through a metal barrier that Poland put up in 2022 to seal the frontier This is not the first time Putin has used migrants as a weapons against the West. The Russian military is pushing the migrants towards the border as a cruel form of Hybrid warfare, the Telegraph reported. Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen even said that Russia is 'actively helping' migrants travel to the border. According to Polish officials, about 90% of the migrants at Poland's border have Russian visas. Joe Biden has the 'same chances of surviving on Mars' as he does winning the three key swing states of Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan, new polling reveals. A combination of polls by the non-partisan Cook Political Report found that the race was evenly matched until Biden's car crash performance during the June 27 debate. If the narrowed margins persist until election day, 'then Biden's chances of winning Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan would be about the same chances that a human could survive on Mars for 24 hours,' said David Wasserman, a Cook Political Report analyst told the Wall Street Journal. The showdown saw Donald Trump edge a 2.5-point lead to 47 percent of support among voters, compared to Biden's 44.45 percent. Meanwhile, consistent polls by the outlet have highlighted a dramatically slimmed down margin of support for Biden by black Americans compared to during his 2020 victory. Joe Biden has the 'same chances of surviving on Mars for 24 hours' as he does winning three key swing states , new polling reveals 'The lifeblood of the Democratic Party is winning enormous margins among black voters, and voters of color as a whole, in these battleground states,' Wasserman added. Scrutiny over 81-year-old Biden's age and ability to lead for another four years intensified in the wake of the debate, which saw him freeze up and falter. Several elected Democrats called for Biden to withdraw from the race, with many more expressing concern. A make-or-break interview on ABC days later also failed to move the needle for the beleaguered politician, with more Democrats joining the chorus calling for him to quit. But he remained defiant, telling interviewer George Stephanopoulos that only the 'Lord Almighty' could persuade him to drop out. His debate against Donald Trump saw the challenger edge a 2.5 point lead to 47 percent of support among voters, compared to Biden's 44.45 percent However, this week an embarrassing flub which saw him refer to Ukraine's President Zelensky as 'President Putin' reignited concerns. Biden's latest effort to soothe panicked House Democrats Friday fell flat after he showed up late to a zoom meeting where skeptics couldn't ask questions. Biden met with members of a progressive BOLD PAC associated with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, as he leads on key constituencies even as dozens of members of his own party call for him to go. The zoom session came hours after Biden's press conference where he calmed some Democrats by fielding questions at length with his future on the line, but also botched Kamala Harris' name by calling her 'Vice President Trump.' Despite this, several longtime allies have rallied around the president. Additional polls also suggest the various blunders have had little impact on voting intentions, with both Trump and Biden still fairly evenly tied. Polling by NPR found that Biden actually gained a point compared to the survey taken before the debate. Biden lead Trump 50 percent to 48 percent in a head-to-head face off, but loses support when third-party options are introduced. An embarrassing flub which saw Biden refer to Ukraine's President Zelenskyy as Putin reignited concerns he does not have the mental capacity to lead In this survey, Trump holds a slight advantage of 43 percent to 42 percent. 'Despite a series of cataclysmic political events, including Trump's felony convictions and Biden's abysmal debate performance, the race for the White House remains essentially unchanged,' says Lee M. Miringoff, Director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. 'But Biden needs to restore confidence among his party faithful that he can win. And Trump needs to tread very lightly during the Republican convention about Project 2025 and avoid positioning the GOP as too extreme.' The chaos has seen Democrat donations dry up, with the campaign dealt another blow after Elon Musk came out in support of Trump with a sizeable contribution to his campaign. A plane has been forced to make an emergency landing at Sydney Airport after a mayday report was made about a mid-flight fuel leak. The United Parcel Service (UPS) plane, which had three people onboard, was forced to return to the airport at about 9.30pm on Saturday. The fuel leak was reported less than two hours after UPS152 departed Sydney for Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport in China at 7.36pm. A UPS plane has been forced to make an emergency landing at Sydney Airport after a mayday report was made about a fuel leak mid-flight A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman told Newswire that fire trucks had been deployed to the runway along with the airport's own fire service. It appears the aircraft had just crossed the NSW border into Queensland when the mayday report was made and pilots turned around. Technicians were seen inspecting the plane after it landed safely in Sydney. A five-year-old boy died after allegedly being left in a hot car for seven hours by his foster parent, marking the tenth car-related tragedy this year. The victim, who has been identified as Dionicio Perez, was found unresponsive on Wednesday after his foster mother, Juanita Pinon, 40, allegedly left him in her SUV in a parking lot outside of a beauty salon in Omaha, Nebraska. While prosecutors claimed in Friday's hearing that Pinon went to check on the boy several times, surveillance footage showed the child was in fact left unsupervised for the entire time. Perez's body temperature reached 105 at the time of this death, and he was reportedly trapped in the car in 89-degree heat. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Pinon, who has a previous criminal history, faces up to 20 years in prison for child abuse by neglect, resulting in death. Omaha police said she has five other children in her care. The victim, who has been identified as Dionicio Perez, was found unresponsive on Wednesday after his foster mother, Juanita Pinon, 40, allegedly left him in her SUV in a parking lot outside of a beauty salon in Omaha, Nebraska Juanita Pinon, 40, reportedly left her five year old foster child in her SUV in a parking lot for seven hours in 89-degree heat The prosecution presented evidence in court that Pinon parked her car at 10:30 a.m. and then proceeded to work. Police spokesperson, Chris Gordon, told ABC News that Pinon did not confirm whether or not this was an accident or intentional. The foster mother was previously convicted in a theft by deception case in 2016 and in 2017. Court documents show that Pinon, bilingual, misused $12,000 from non-English speaking renters in 2016. She received probation and was ordered to repay the funds. Her bond was set at $2 million in court on Friday. She is expected in court on August 16. Friends and family of Perez came together on Friday evening to hold a vigil in his memory. Friends and family of Perez came together on Friday evening to hold a vigil in his memory Pinon's bond was set at $2 million in court on Friday. She is expected in court on August 16 Matthew Jesop, Perez's biological uncle, is devastated by this loss, and said he thinks Pinon deserves the harshest of punishments. 'Juanita needs to be locked up for the rest of her life; she took a little kid's life without giving the opportunity to have a life, so a life for a life,' Jessop told KETV. 'So many images come to my head like how many times have you done this before? How many times have you not met the needs of the kids that are in your care,' he continued. The bereft uncle said his sister - the boy's biological mother - and Pinon were friends previously, so she ignored the red flags. 'Even though Juanita had power of attorney, there should've been more of a vet of her background and the history of my sister's poor judgment,' Jessop said. Perez's biological father, Pablo Lopez, along with his stepmother, Jenny, said they pursued custody, but the state assured them Perez was in good hands. 'The social worker told me they were in good hands. They said they ran a concrete business, and the kids wouldn't suffer,' Jenny and Pablo Lopez said. 'Why until that moment did they look for me, until he was dead. They could've done when he was alive, and they didn't.' While prosecutors claim Pinon went to check on the boy several times in Friday's hearing, surveillance footage showed the child was in fact left unsupervised outside a strip mall Perez's body temperature reached 105 at the time of this death, and was reportedly trapped in the car in 89-degree heat. He was pronounced dead at the hospital Jenny said: "Please, I ask the system to look into the person. Investigate the person to the most thorough way possible before putting kids in the hands of people who don't want kids.' Pablo is currently working to get custody of Perez's twin sister. Unfortunately, this is not the first time a child has died as a result of being trapped in a hot car. At least 10 children have died from heatstroke in vehicles across the U.S. so far in 2024, according to KidsAndCars.org. A GoFundMe has been made by the family for funds to help them obtain a lawyer and seek justice for their son and bring his sister back home. A married politician in California has admitted to a year-long affair with a female student while she was a dean at Stanford University 13 years ago. Julie Lythcott-Haims, who serves on Palo Alto City Council, confessed to the relationship with Olivia Swanson Haas, which happened at a time when she was recognized for her contributions to undergraduate education. Her book 'How to Raise an Adult' became a New York Times bestseller in 2015, and she was praised for her 'deep compassion' towards young people. 'Being in a relationship with a student was inappropriate when it happened 13 years ago, and it would be inappropriate now,' the politician said in a statement on Friday. Haas first shared details about the affair on Thursday in a post on LGBT online magazine Autostraddle titled 'I Had an Affair With My College Dean,' but she did not name Lythcott-Haims. Julie Lythcott-Haims, a married politician in California, has admitted to a year-long affair with a female student while she was a dean at Stanford University 13 years ago The Palo Alto City Council member confessed to the relationship with Olivia Swanson Haas (pictured) which happened at a time when she was recognized for her contributions to undergraduate education Haas revealed she had an affair with a married dean at her university when she was 22. 'My first and only queer relationship was kept a secret, but not for the usual reasons,' she wrote. 'Rather, my first and only queer relationship was kept a secret because when I was 22 and a senior in college, I had an affair with a well-known dean at my university a married woman twice my age.' Haas described the dean as a 'school celebrity charismatic, adored' and said she 'craved attention from powerful people.' Discussing the 'tremendous amount of stress' she felt during the relationship, Haas said her 'massive' secret remained hidden from her friends and family. 'We werent breaking any rules she checked the universitys policies but it was clear that what we were doing put her job at risk, so I told no one,' she added. She claimed the dean's husband, whom Haas called 'pale, benevolent shadow' and 'a background character' in their affair, knew about the relationship but accepted it, and he joked: 'Just dont buy her a car.' 'Being in a relationship with a student was inappropriate when it happened 13 years ago, and it would be inappropriate now,' Lythcott-Haims said in a statement on Friday Haas first shared details about the affair on Thursday in a post on LGBT online magazine Autostraddle titled 'I Had an Affair With My College Dean' but she did not name Lythcott-Haims Haas described the dean as a 'school celebritycharismatic, adored' and said she 'craved attention from powerful people'. Pictured: Stanford University Campus 'At the time, I didnt understand how someone could be happy for their spouse to have other sexual partners, but I rarely interacted with him and found I could mostly put him out of my mind,' she added. The relationship between Lythcott-Haims and Haas ended when the student told her parents who were 'horrified.' 'Suddenly words like manipulated and abuse of power were being used and shame started to calcify in the parts of me that had desired her tremendous embarrassment as I began to see my great love story through a very different lens,' she wrote. Her mother told the school about the dean's behavior by making an anonymous tip and it led to her departure. Haas said Lythcott-Haims emailed her a few years ago to say she felt ashamed about what she had done. 'I apologized privately to Ms. Haas years ago,' the councilwoman said in a statement. 'Now I want to publicly apologize to her for my actions and their impact on her. Haas claimed the dean's husband Dan Lythcott-Haims (right) knew about the relationship but accepted it and he joked: 'Just dont buy her a car' The relationship between Lythcott-Haims and Haas ended when the student told her parents 'I also apologize to my former colleagues and students who had the right to expect better of me. And to members of my extended family for whom the public airing of this matter may be difficult.' Stanford officials did not change campus policy on staff and student relationships until 2013, which was a year after Lythcott-Haims left the university. The 'Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships in the Workplace and Educational Setting' policy was changed to ban staff members from having relationships with students because of their 'broad influence or authority over students and their experience'. But a university spokesman said relationships with undergraduates were always heavily discouraged before this. DailyMail.com has contacted Lythcott-Haims, Haas and Stanford for comment. A teenage girl allegedly fatally shot her mother and wounded her mother's boyfriend until she ran out of bullets and stabbed him. Julia Grace Egler, 16, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder after she admitted to killing the couple seconds after they arrived home, police said. The alleged confessed killer then called 911 and made up a story about hiding in her room while an intruder ransacked the home and killed the couple. Kelley McCollom, 41, and Matthew Szejnrok, 22, were found dead at the Palm Bay, Florida, home on July 6, and Julia's story quickly unraveled. Julia eventually told detectives she murdered them because she didn't like that her mother was dating a much younger man, and was 'not vey accepting of her gender transition,' according to the arrest affidavit. Police say Julia Grace Egler, 16, admitted to shooting dead her mother Kelley McCollom, 41, with her own gun at their home in Palm Bay, Florida Julia also allegedly killed her mother's boyfriend Matthew Szejnrok, 22, by shooting him and then stabbing him when she ran out of bullets. At his request, police said she then shot him in the head Authorities said she explained that she stole her mother's gun and waited in the kitchen with it and a knife hidden in her pockets for them to arrive home about 10:30 pm. 'Welcome home,' she told them, before she allegedly opened fire on her mother with the .38 caliber revolver, shooting her several times until she was dead. Police say Julia then turned the gun on Szejnrok as he fled to the bathroom and begged for his life, but she repeatedly shot him anyway. When the gun ran out of bullets, she allegedly took out the kitchen knife and began viciously stabbing him on the bathroom floor. Szejnrok, mortally wounded and in agony, 'essentially asked [Julia] to take him out of his misery', the affidavit read. Julia walked back to her mother's room, loaded another bullet into the revolver, and shot him in the head to finish him off, police said. She then allegedly staged the crime scene to look like a home invasion, and called 911 at 12:06 am hysterically crying that her mother had been murdered. 'Welcome home,' she told them, before she allegedly opened fire on her mother with the .38 caliber revolver, shooting her several times until she was dead Julia told police when they arrived that the intruder broke in through the back sliding glass door and she hid inside her room with her pet pit bull. Some time later, she heard McCollom and Szejnrok come home, followed by screaming and gunshots, she claimed. She claimed to have kept hiding in her room for another hour before venturing out and discovering the bodies. However, police quickly found that her story didn't add up. Firstly, there was broken glass on one of the victims and on top of the other's phone, which wouldn't happen if the intruder broke in first. Then, they found the gun just outside Julia's bedroom window, the bloodstained knife on the bathroom counter, and bloody footprints matching her shoes. None of the many cameras around the outside of the house found any trace of an intruder. Julia called 911 and allegedly made up a story about hiding in her room while an intruder ransacked the home and killed the couple Julia eventually broke down under interrogation, and confessed to the murder to detectives, the affidavit explained. Palm Bay Police Lieutenant Virginia Kilmer said mother and daughter had 'many disagreements in the previous weeks.' 'Egler cited long-standing conflicts with her mother, including disagreements related to her gender transition, as well as disapproval of her mother's relationship with Szejnrok, as motives for the crime,' he said. Julia transitioned from male to female many years earlier as a young child, appearing as a girl on McCollom's social media pages from at least 2015. Her posts appeared to be very supportive of her daughter's gender identity, always calling her 'my daughter' and sharing sweet photos of them together. Szejnrok was arrested by the West Melbourne Police Department on April 14 and charged with domestic battery. Police at the time said he and McCollom were arguing in public when he repeatedly grabbed her. None of the many cameras around the outside of the house found any trace of an intruder Szejnrok was arrested by the West Melbourne Police Department on April 14 and charged with domestic battery against McCollom, but the charges were dropped Prosecutors dismissed the charges, and he was allowed to return home to McCollom and Julia. His older brother Dustin Szejnrok announced his death in a Facebook post but did not explain that he was murdered. 'Hey everyone its hard to put into words but its easier to share with those who may not have been contacted,' he wrote. 'My youngest brother Matthew Szejnrok has passed away. If you have not been contacted please do not blow up our phones on what happened or how.' Julia is being held in juvenile detention, but police said she could be charged as an adult. The investigation is ongoing. Russia has warned that Europe's capital cities 'are the potential victims' if the US deploys long-range missiles on the continent, after the US and Germany announced at the NATO summit that they will begin distributing projectiles by 2026. In a video published by a Russian state television reporter on Saturday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia has the means to deter US deployments of long-range missiles in Europe. Asked by reporter Pavel Zarubin about the possibility of the United States deploying hypersonic missiles to Europe, Peskov said: 'We have enough potential to deter these missiles. But the capitals of these (European) states are potential victims.' This comes after Russia on Thursday said that it would act to counter the planned US deployment of long-range missiles in Germany, as it regarded the NATO military alliance's actions as a serious threat to Russia's national security. At a briefing with Russian news agencies about the outcome of the NATO summit which took place in Washington on Wednesday, Peskov said: 'The North Atlantic alliance has once again very clearly confirmed its essence. It is an alliance created in an era of confrontation with the aim of maintaining confrontation. Russian troops load an Iskander missile onto a mobile launcher during drills at an undisclosed location in Russia in February this year. Russia has warned that Europe's capital cities 'are the potential victims' if the US deploys long-range missiles on the continent Russia's warning comes after the US and Germany had announced at the NATO summit that they would begin deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany in 2026 to show their commitment to NATO and European defence as Russia wages its war against Ukraine 'Tensions on the European continent are escalating' as a result, he added, saying the Kremlin was watching as NATO's military infrastructure crept closer. The US and Germany had announced at the NATO summit that they would begin deploying long-range fire capabilities in Germany in 2026 to show their commitment to European defence as Russia continues to wage its war against Ukraine. They said the 'episodic deployments' were in preparation for longer-term stationing that would include SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons with a longer range than current capabilities in Europe. NATO also said on Wednesday that a new US air defence base in Poland, designed to detect and intercept missile attacks was mission-ready. Moscow also issued a warning to new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week as Peskov said there would be a response if the UK allowed Ukraine to strike Russiawith British weapons. The comments came after Sir Keir told reporters yesterday en route to Washington for NATO's 75th-anniversary summit that decisions on the use of UK-supplied long-range Storm Shadow missiles were for the Ukrainian armed forces to make. Storm Shadow missiles, accurate to beyond 150 miles, have already been used by Ukraine to hit targets in Russian-occupied territory to great effect. Four previously 'safe' blue states - Minnesota, New Mexico, Virginia and New Hampshire - could be transformed into battlegrounds amid Biden's ailing campaign, experts believe. The president has suffered a number of set backs in the last few weeks since his dismal showdown against Donald Trump in the presidential debate. Now Democrats warn that the historically blue states could be flipped in November. Biden comfortably won all four states in 2020, but recent modelling suggests support may be dwindling. One poll indicates an almost dead heat in Virginia, the New York Times reports. The state has not voted Republican since 2004. Four 'safe' blue states could be transformed into battlegrounds amid Biden's ailing campaign, experts believe Another shows Trump edging ahead in New Hampshire, which has been a Dem stronghold since 2000. Meanwhile the non-partisan Cook Political Report downgraded Minnesota and New Hampshire from 'likely' Biden wins to just leaning towards him. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan reportedly told sources that she fears for her seat. Her state has a high proportion of Hispanic men, a demographic that Biden is struggling to win over. Democrat Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota stated there is 'a lot of work to be done' to secure another win. His state historically has opted for third party candidates. Even in Democrat strongholds such as New York and Oregon there are fears that Biden's majority is slipping, sources told the NYT. Surveys found that Biden was up by just a single digit amount compared to Trump. Minnesota , New Mexico , Virginia and New Hampshire - could be transformed into purple battlegrounds Trump's team said it hopes to capitalize on the turmoil, with a June memo stating the Republican party hopes to open 11 campaign offices in Virginia and Minnesota Trump's team said it hopes to capitalize on the turmoil, with a June memo stating the Republican party hopes to open 11 campaign offices in Virginia and Minnesota. 'President Trump is appealing to voters across the political spectrum, including in so-called blue states like Virginia, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and New Jersey, with his agenda to lower costs, secure the border, and restore peace through strength,' said Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the R.N.C. told the NYT. The campaign has been given a cash boost by Elon Musk, who recently came out in support of Trump with a donation for an undisclosed amount. Trump has also previously bragged about challenging in true blue states like New Jersey. But this has been dismissed as 'bluster' by Biden's team. 'This election will be decided by a subset of voters in a narrow set of battlegrounds, but only the Biden-Harris campaign is investing to reach and persuade those voters, with more than 200 offices and 1,200 staffers,' Dan Kanninen, the Biden campaign's battleground state director, said in a statement. Biden's performance has been slipping since his poor performance against Donald Trump during the June 27 presidential debate 'We have multiple pathways to victory and won't take any voter for granted in our campaign to win.' It comes amid projections that Biden could also lose three key swing states amid the backlash to his repeated blunders. One expert stated the president has the 'same chances of surviving on Mars' as he does winning the three key swing states of Georgia, Pennsylvania and Michigan. A bipartisan poll in the swing state of Wisconsin placed Trump up five percentage points on Biden following the June 27 debate. Biden trailed by a similar margin once third party candidates were considered. However, he has remained resolute in his intention to keep running despite calls from 20 Democrats asking him to withdraw. Several polls have suggested that Biden's chances have not been too badly harmed by his recent flubs, which this week included referring to Ukraine's President Zelesnky as Putin. Surveys by NPR and Marist College place both Biden and Trump on an almost equally footing. A 'beloved' bear who was rescued from Ukraine and rehomed in a Scottish zoo has died after suffering with post traumatic stress disorder. Staff at Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder in West Lothian described the death of Yampil, an Asiatic black bear, as a 'truly sad day'. The animal had been rehomed there in January this year after being rescued from the village of Yampil in Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers had discovered an abandoned zoo in the village when they arrived there in July 2022, five months after the Russian invasion. Out of nearly 200 animals at the zoo, Yampil the bear was one of only a few who had survived after troops discovered Vladimir's forces had been eating them. Yampil, an Asiatic black bear that was rescued from Ukraine after being shelled during Vladimir Putin's invasion has died after health complications The 'beloved' bear had been relocated from the war-torn country to Scotland to recover but was suffering from PTSD Soldiers originally found the bear locked in a small enclosure in a private zoo, surrounded by debris Soldiers found the animal locked in a small enclosure in a private zoo, surrounded by debris from a nearby exploded shell. Romain Pizzi, a specialist vet at Five Sisters Zoo, said while Yampil had been 'comfortable and happy' at the West Lothian zoo, animals who have been rescued from such 'traumatic circumstances' could have 'complicated health problems such as dental problems or PTSD'. He said: 'Yampil was anaesthetised for further treatment for his health problems which were worrying the team. 'Sadly, anaesthetising animals always carries risks, and Yampil did not recover from the procedure.' Mr Pizzi stated: 'We are utterly devastated to confirm that Yampil, our 12-year-old Asiatic black bear, has passed away following an anaesthetic procedure. 'Yampil was one of seven surviving animals rescued from an abandoned zoo in Ukraine, a lesser-known tragedy of human conflict.' The vet added that staff at the zoo were all 'deeply affected by the loss of our beloved Yampil'. The maltreatment of Yampil comes after reports that Russian troops were forced to eat animals to avoid starvation He said: 'We appreciate this will be a truly sad day for all the incredible people who helped make his rescue possible. 'While the zoo will remain open as usual, we kindly request respect and privacy for our owners and staff during this difficult time.' Reports have shown Russian troops abusing animals in invaded areas of Ukraine. In 2022 MailOnline reported hundreds of dogs had also been found dead at an animal shelter in Ukraine after Russian occupiers left them to starve in their cages for weeks. In the village of Yampil, Ukrainian soldiers discovered a zoo littered with dead animals, bones and scraps of flesh that were believed to have belonged to a bison, a kangaroo, several donkeys, and ostriches which were devoured by starving troops. Almost 900 members of the UK armed forces were prescribed Viagra or similar drugs for erectile dysfunction treatment last year, new figures show. In figures held by the Ministry of Defence, the Army were prescribed the most pills, followed by the Royal Navy and then the Royal Air Force. Of those, 318 ranking soldiers were given the so-called Pfizer riser, compared with 99 officers. In the Royal Navy, of the 232 personnel to be prescribed the treatment, some 56 were officers, while the remaining 179 men were seamen and other ranks. Almost 900 UK service personnel were prescribed with Viagra and other medication designed to treat erectile dysfunction Of the three service branches, the Royal Air Force required the least number of prescriptions The RAF received the lowest number of prescriptions, with 78 officers and 151 men requiring the erectile dysfunction treatment. According to the MoD figures, which were released under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act, a further 7,189 received prescriptions for anti-depressants while 3,109 required sleeping tablets between January 1 and December 31, 2023. The MOD said: 'Viagra can be prescribed for erectile dysfunction, but other similar drugs can be prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia or for pulmonary hypertension by a specialist. The MoD said service personnel could receive one of 23 drug treatments to tackle erectile dysfunction. The document added: 'Please note, it is not possible to determine from the centrally held database whether the medicine was taken by the patient. A child has died and five people have been taken to hospital after a house fire in east London. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the blaze on Napier Road in East Ham at just before 8.30am on Saturday, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said. Half of the first floor and half of the ground floor of a terraced house were damaged by the fire, which was under control by 9.10am. The London Ambulance Service sent ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, members of its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and an air ambulance to the scene. It said the five injured people were taken to a major trauma centre. A child has been killed and five people taken to hospital following a blaze in a terraced house on Napier Road, East Ham Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were dispatched to the blaze at around 8.30am this morning LFB assistant commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: 'This is a terribly sad incident and the thoughts of all of us at London Fire Brigade are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time. 'Staff will be in the local community over the coming days to offer support and advice where needed. The welfare of our staff is very important and all those involved will be offered support from our counselling and trauma service.' The cause of the fire is under investigation. Enquiries are ongoing to trace the child's next of kin, with the cause of the inferno still under investigation Scotland Yard said enquiries are ongoing to trace the child's next of kin. A number of local road closures have been put in place while emergency services deal with the fire. London Ambulance Service later said: 'Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews and emergency service partners, one person died at the scene. Five people were conveyed to a major trauma centre as a priority.' Scotland Yard said officers from Newham were at the scene. In a notice on the microblogging site previously known as Twitter, a spokesperson wrote: 'We are currently working with @LFBNewham and @Ldn_Ambulance at Napier Road, E6. The incident is currently ongoing and updates will be posted when they are available. Napier Road is closed to access at the moment.' The cause of this morning's blaze is still under investigation. A commercial tanker collided with a pleasure boat, leaving one man dead, another missing, and at least two injured. The collision occurred in the ship channel at approximately 5:30 am on Saturday morning in the Lydia Ann Channel, near the ferry landing in Port Aransas, according to the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is searching for a missing 25-year-old man who is believed to be in the water. One of the injured individuals received treatment at the Coast Guard station in Port Aransas, while the other was transported to a hospital. At 7:30 am, emergency boats were spotted near the channel intersection close to San Jose Island arriving on the scene where the recreational boat was mostly submerged. A commercial tanker collided with a pleasure boat, leaving one man dead, another missing, and at least two injured. The collision occurred in the ship channel at approximately 5:30 am on Saturday morning in the Lydia Ann Channel, near the ferry landing in Port Aransas, according to the US Coast Guard. The channel remains closed until further notice Details of the incident are not being released at this time. A teacher is assaulted by a pupil every four minutes amid a rising tide of violence across Scotlands schools, shocking new figures have revealed. The number of assaults rose to more than 16,000 for the academic year just ended, a figure which has trebled in just three years. It includes attacks with weapons and repeated assaults involving staff being kicked and punched often with no action other than restorative chats taken against violent children. Experts said this has allowed the problem to increase, and now completely spiral out of control, with a small number of violent pupils wrecking the education of thousands of their peers. Tom Bennett, the UKs Governments top advisor on behaviour in schools, described SNP Government policy on school discipline, which includes a mantra of inclusion at all costs as nonsense which must immediately be consigned to the bin. Teachers have been victims of a growing number of assaults Pictures posed by models Some teachers dread going into their classrooms every day Writing today in this newspaper, Glasgow-born Mr Bennett, a former teacher in Inner London, said: We need to turn this around, and fast. We are creating a generation of children who are growing up to believe that they can do anything they want. These figures are shocking and depressing, but they resonate with all of the reports I hear from teachers inside schools, who have to endure often horrendous levels of abuse and violence. Figures obtained from Scotlands local authorities show there were at least 16,245 recorded assaults on teachers in 2023-24 which works out at approximately 85 per school day, or one every four minutes of class time. Three-quarters of the attacks, over 12,000, were in primary schools, with 3,400 in secondaries, and hundreds more in Additional Support Needs locations. Sources said recorded incidents were the tip of the iceberg. The problem is also on the rise, with the figure having trebled, from around 5,600 attacks, since 2021. One said: Things were bad, and getting worse, but the situation has reached crisis point following Lockdown. There is now a generation coming through whose education is being wrecked by violence in their classes, as well as the poor teachers who are taking the brunt of it, day in, day out. Recorded attacks included verbal onslaughts to physical attacks, including with fists, feet, and spitting, and attacks with weapons, actual or improvised. The attacks covered schools the length and breadth of the country, from thousands of incidents in inner cities, but also with hundreds more in small local authorities including island communities. Glasgow saw the most attacks, with more than 2,400 incidents in the academic year just ended, albeit the local authority is Scotlands largest, with 171 schools. The city council also said there had been an increase in the recording of incidents by staff and that their Violence Management Policy has been issued following a review. Other large authorities, including Dundee, Fife and Perth and Kinross, also each recorded more than 1,000 attacks last year while Orkney, with less than two dozen schools, recorded 97 attacks. A spokesman for the NASUWT teaching union said: These figures are shocking but not surprising. We have highlighted with the Cabinet Secretary for Education since the day she took office that there was a behavioural crisis in many of Scotlands schools, exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, which was leading to increased violence and abuse against teachers. It is imperative a National Action Plan is published as soon as possible, and includes nationally agreed strategies to address dangerous and disruptive behaviour, including a consistent set of consequences for pupils. An EIS spokesman said: Additional investment is needed as a matter of urgency, and we are calling on the Scottish Government to employ more teachers, reduce class sizes and increase funding for specialist additional support needs provision. Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liam Kerr MSP said: Successive SNP education secretaries have dithered as violence has soared in schools, rather than taking robust measures to protect yet more teachers and pupils from becoming the latest victims. These figures should be the cue for the SNP Government to stop dragging their heels. They must start listening to the solutions that we, the unions, teachers and so many others keep telling them, and deal with this as a matter of urgency. A Scottish Government spokesman said: Changes in behaviour in Scotlands schools since the pandemic are well understood and this is why the Cabinet Secretary committed to holding a series of summits focused on behaviour, convened the headteachers taskforce, and published the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research in November. Work is also well underway to bring forward a joint National Action Plan with COSLA to set out the actions needed at local and national level and this will be published as soon as feasible in the new school year. Police raided an Essex puppy farm in a suburban house where they seized 13 suspected XL-Bully dogs. Of the 13 dogs, eight were young puppies. The dogs have been taken away to specialist kennels ahead of tests to determine their exact breed. Since February, it has been an offence to sell, abandon, give away, or breed an XL Bully under new legislation. Owners were also ordered to have their pets neutered to prevent them breeding. Essex Police, following a tip off from the RSPCA, raided the property in Colchester at 10am on Friday. A 35-year-old man was arrested at the property in Mile End on suspicion of possession and breeding of a banned breed as well as animal cruelty offences. The man has been released under investigation while vets establish where the dogs breach the terms of the new legislation. Essex Police, following a tip off from the RSPCA, raided the property in Colchester at 10am on Friday. Pictured: General view of the scene Police raided an Essex puppy farm in a suburban house where they seized 13 suspected XL-Bully dogs (stock photo) Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Following the raid, Sergeant Rob Temme of Essex Police said: 'This warrant was a multi-agency response following intelligence around illegal dog breeding, the possession of unregistered XL Bully dogs and concerns around the conditions at the address. 'We have worked closely with the RSPCA to ensure the welfare of these animals but also protect those living at the address, including children. 'This warrant was a last resort following attempts from Essex Police and the RSPCA to engage with the owner and ensure their safety. 'The dogs have now been safely removed from the property and put into kennels until their breed can be determined.' Middle class parents are fuelling a stampede for property near Scotlands best state schools ahead of Labours tax raid on private schools. Properties in the catchment areas of top-performing educational establishments have always commanded a premium price. But one estate agent has admitted bids for homes in some select pockets have gone off the scale, creating a pretty mental property market this summer. They believe Labours promise to slap 20 per cent VAT on fees to private schools will only exacerbate the current property boom as families seek alternative places at the best state schools. East Renfrewshire has four schools in Scotlands top ten performing establishments and is where some of the huge price jumps are being seen. Looming VAT on school fees has driven house price hikes St Ninian's High School in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, is one of top state schools in Scotland This has resulted in the council area becoming one of the most expensive places in Scotland to buy property, with an average home cost of 339,059. Kay Blair, director of south Glasgow sales for estate agent Rettie, said: Offering 10 per cent over home report value is now a given in some areas. In the prime market, we are seeing 20 per cent above home report. The sale of larger family homes in these areas is almost always driven by the school catchment area. Its pretty mental at the moment. In the last few months, a four-bed bungalow in Giffnock which had been advertised at offers over 750,000 sold for 900,752 - or more than 150,000 above the asking price. The property falls within the catchment area of two schools in Scotlands Top Ten, the non-denominational Woodfarm High School and the Catholic secondary, St Ninians. Other homes for sale in recent weeks have drawn upwards of 60 viewers, with some properties attracting as many as 10 offers at a closing date. It is a similar picture in Edinburgh, which is home to Boroughmuir High School, ranked fifth in this years Times High School League Table. David Alexander, of property firm DJ Alexander, said: We are beginning to hear people talking about the impact of VAT on school fees. Imposing 20 per cent on top of existing fees will set parents back an extra 2,000 a term. But you need to earn around 4,000 extra to clear 2,000 and there are a lot of people now wondering if they would be better off investing in a home with access to good state schools. He said high prices are being achieved in the capitals Blackhall, which offers entry to the highly-ranked Royal High School, which is ranked 19th. Should significant numbers of pupils cross over to the state sector, the implications for education authorities could prove highly expensive. Edinburgh has almost 10,000 pupils at private schools and the city council is now scenario planning for an influx of pupils should the 20 per cent increase go ahead. A recent report to the local authority said: One issue currently being analysed is the potential for increases in school capacity which may be required in the future if VAT is added to school fees in the independent sector and this means additional pupils will require to be accommodated in the councils learning estate. In East Renfrewshire, one secondary school is being expanded to take account of more pupils than anticipated expected to attend. While this is not due to the imminent VAT imposition, extra classrooms are being built at Mearns Castle High School in Newton Mearns due to an anticipated increase in pupil numbers in August of next year. St Ninians High School in Giffnock will be within six pupils of its 2020 capacity when classes resume after the summer holiday next month. Labour say the funds raised for Scotland by the imposition of VAT could top 150million, which will be invested in the state school sector. New Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has hinted that the move could come as soon as the autumn statement. He added: I fully understand the concerns of parents who are right on the edge of that affordability, but this is a policy thats coming in. Its the right policy to have and if its invested in state education, which is what we want it to be, then it will improve our state education system. The issue about pressure on the state sector is actually the discussion about why we are doing this in the first place, because we need to raise the resources to lift the state sector. Lorraine Davidson, of the Scottish Council for Independent Schools, said: We are seeking early discussions with Labour about how to minimise the unintended consequences of the policy, and to discuss how we can build on the valuable partnerships between independent and state schools which benefit all pupils. Chris Packham has sensationally threatened to quit as President of the RSPCA in an animal welfare row - after salmon were filmed swimming around without tails and with chunks missing from their bodies. Stomach-churning footage - filmed covertly at a farm run by a major seafood company supplying UK supermarkets - shows animals with bare bones and pink flesh exposed. Others have lumps missing from around their heads and necks. Mr Packham, presenter of the BBCs much-loved Springwatch programme, described the video as abhorrent and said it was evidence of appalling levels of cruelty at Scotlands fish-farms. Earlier this year the farm where the footage was shot was certified by RSPCA Assured - a not-for-profit body, affiliated to the RSPCA, which aims to reassure consumers that animal welfare standards have been met. But in light of the new video footage, Mr Packham has condemned the RSPCA Assured scheme - and signalled that unless changes are made in the way welfare is enforced, he might quit as RSPCA President. Chris Packham is president of the RSPCA and presenter of TVs Springwatch One of the injured salmon captured in the grisly footage Fish farm cages in loch Mr Packham, 63, who took over the RSPCA role last year, said: Imagine we were looking at pictures of sheep or cows grazing in a field with these horrific wounds or huge lumps missing from their bodies. There would be a national outcry. But because theyre fish, its as if that somehow makes it all right. Well it isnt all right. Its abhorrent. Whats worse is that RSPCA Assured have justified what we see in this footage and given the farm a clean bill of health. Well, Im the President of the RSPCA and I cant tell you that its acceptable. I cant justify it. It absolutely horrific. Im asking the RSPCA to shut down and review the RSPCA Assured scheme. Its clearly not implementing a standard of welfare which is acceptable in the UK in the 21st century. Just look at the fish in this footage - theyre swimming around with massive chunks out of them. He said he was using his role as RSPCA President to try and make changes - but would consider standing down unless things improved. He said: Im working with the RSPCA and Im asking them to conduct these reviews and shut the scheme down. Whilst Im still the President, I have access that allows me to do that. Change is clearly needed. So at a certain point, if the methods that Im using to effect that change are not working, then I obviously wont bat on a losing wicket, I will have to do something else to try and drive that change. The gruesome footage of mutilated fish was filmed by Jamie Moyes, a former fish-farm worker turned anti salmon-farming activist, at the Soay fish farm in West Loch Tarbet in the Outer Hebrides on May 28th. The farm is run by Mowi, which produces around a fifth of the worlds farmed salmon and sells to Tesco, Sainsburys and ASDA. After approaching the fish farm on a dinghy, Mr Moyes used a camera attached to a 2.5m painters pole to shoot inside the floating fish-pen. He said: Fish swimming around with parts of their body missing doesnt meet any type of welfare standards. Its horrific to look at - and must be agonising for the fish themselves. RSPCA Assured have endorsed this farm and given it their seal of approval. But the public are being mislead: these fish are suffering. The 43-year-old from Kishorn in the north-west Highlands is founder of a group called Abolish Salmon Farming. He added: Mowi is a giant business making huge profits. Its the worst form of intensive farming. I hope consumers see this and realise they no longer want to fund this form of cruelty. It is unclear if the damage seen in the footage was caused by seals attacking the fish through protective netting which is supposed to keep them safe - or some other cause such as sea lice infestation which can lead to infection, lesions and rotting flesh. The RSPCA Assured scheme aims to ensure that salmon are protected from all forms of harm. Its website states: Amidst increasing evidence that fish are more intelligent than once thought, research continues to suggest they have the mental capacity to feel pain and suffer like any other animal. They, therefore, deserve to be looked after and shown the same respect and compassion as any other farmed animal. RSPCA Assured standards state precautions must be taken to protect salmon from other animals that could cause them harm and if the fish have been attacked, they must be checked for signs of any injury without delay from the time the attack became apparent. The standards also state any fish with severe physical damage caused by sea lice grazing must be removed and dispatched humanely without delay. Having been passed the footage, RSPCA Assured continued to insist that the Soay fish farm met welfare standards. A spokesperson said: Following a visit by a highly trained animal welfare assessor, we can confirm that the farm was found to have all the correct procedures in place and were doing everything they could to prevent sea lice and seal attacks, including providing correct treatment for bacterial infection and having pro seal nets installed, which are specially designed to prevent seals biting through them. Fish - whether farmed or wild - can suffer from sea lice and disease in the same way that domestic pets can suffer from parasites, such as mites and fleas, and need regular treatment. They can also fall victim to predation as part of the natural life cycle - particularly from seals as they are incredibly determined and very intelligent animals. We will continue to work with the farm to help mitigate any future challenges, but we are satisfied that they acted responsibly, in accordance with both legislation and the RSPCA welfare standards. Mowi, based in Norway, is the worlds largest supplier of farm-raised salmon, harvesting 475,000 tonnes in 2023, equivalent to a global market share of approximately 20%. The firm, which runs dozens of fish farms in Scotland, supplies salmon to British supermarkets. Tesco & Sainsburys both stock 230g packs of Mowi Superior Salmon Fillets and 100g packs of Mowi Superior Smoked Salmon. ASDA also stocks Mowi Bistro Scottish Salmon Fillets with Lemon & Herb Butter, Mowi Bistro Scottish Salmon Pastries and Mowi Ready-to-Eat BBQ Slow Roasted Scottish Salmon Fillets A spokesperson for Mowi said: As farmers, our priority is animal welfare and we employ all resources to achieve this which includes veterinary oversight, daily checks, highest standard of husbandry and care along with underwater video to monitor the stock, and intervention if needed. The fish population under our care at Soay is in great condition and we are obviously concerned that around half a dozen of the fish show signs of predator damage. We take action as soon as possible to remove individual fish doing poorly and humanely euthanise. Yesterday RSPCA Assured insisted that its scheme helped improve welfare standards. A spokesperson said: The RSPCA is proud to have Chris Packham, a passionate campaigner for animals, as their president and, while there isnt always agreement on everything, we all share his desire to create a better world for all animals. There is currently no specific legal protection for salmon, so without the RSPCA welfare standards, millions of fish would live worse lives. RSPCA Assured labelled salmon comes from farms that are inspected to over 700 standards aimed at improving their welfare. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I love life and I love animals, but this is completely unacceptable. Its absolutely horrific, writes Chris Packham, President of the RSPCA and presenter of BBCs Springwatch By Chris Packham, President of the RSPCA and presenter of TVs Springwatch. Chris Packham, whose life has been devoted to protecting animals Imagine we were looking at pictures of sheep or cows grazing in a field with these horrific wounds or huge lumps missing from their bodies. There would be a national outcry. It would quite rightly be front page news. But because theyre fish, its as if that somehow makes it all right. Well it isnt all right. Its abhorrent. Fish are a higher vertebrate: they learn, they feel pain, they go through their life cycle, they show attachment to other fish. Its unacceptable to try and make excuses for these farmed fish to suffer this amount of pain and mistreatment. It cant be a case of out of sight, out of mind. If I had my way, Id shut that fish farm down tomorrow, its that simple. Whats worse is that RSPCA Assured have justified what we see in this footage and given the farm a clean bill of health. Well, Im the President of the RSPCA and I cant tell you that its acceptable. I cant justify it. It absolutely horrific. I love life. I love animals. My whole life has been devoted to trying to protect them, to improving their environments and their habitats, to ensuring the the highest standards of animal welfare. Its why I get up every day. And its why Im asking the RSPCA to shut down and review the RSPCA Assured scheme. Its clearly not implementing a standard of welfare which is acceptable in the UK in the 21st century. How could anyone make the case that standards are being met? Just look at the fish in this footage - theyre swimming around with massive chunks out of them. RSPCA Assured have suggested these wounds could be the result of seal attacks - which, so they say, are difficult to prevent because seals are determined and intelligent. Well so are serial killers. But no-one would accept that serial killers should just be left to rampage round society killing people, as if was just a fact of life. Its utterly untenable. I understand that the RSPCA wants to work with the industry, so they can influence from the inside. It gives them access and the ability to monitor fish farms. Their argument is that working with the industry allows them to maintain standards that otherwise wouldnt be there: if no-one was policing it at all, then the salmon industry could do whatever it liked and there would be no-one holding companies to account in any way, shape, or form. But when we look at footage like this, we have to ask ourselves - is it working? Are the standards high enough? Is the policing done regularly enough? Are the punishments in place enough to improve this industry? The RSPCA does an enormous amount of good work, undeniably, for companion animals, for pet rescue, prosecuting people for cruelty. Its not that the RSPCA is bad - its just that the RSPCA Assured scheme is not working. Im asking the RSPCA to shut down the RSPCA Assured scheme, conduct a thorough review and see if it can actually be improved to achieve what it needs to achieve. Because at the moment we are seeing appalling levels of cruelty. From my perspective, it doesnt matter whether its pigs, poultry or fish, theyre all equally important. At the moment Im working with the RSPCA and Im asking them to conduct these reviews and shut these schemes down. Whilst Im still the President, I have access that allows me to do that. Its a bit like the argument the RSPCA puts forward for working with the salmon farming industry: I have dialogue with them; Im trying to influence change from the inside. And at this point in time, Im doing everything I can to exert pressure... But there is a fragility there, a process of on-going review. Change is clearly needed. So at a certain point, if the methods that Im using to effect that change are not working, then I obviously wont bat on a losing wicket, I will have to do something else to try and drive that change . Meanwhile theres a growing global movement of people opposed to salmon farming for ecological and environmental reasons. But from a welfare point of view, if fish farms cant produce salmon in a way that doesnt compromise their welfare - then it shouldnt be happening. Growing up, she would practise for hours on end in the single-minded pursuit of pastry precision. After much elbow grease and a ton of butter - Darcie Maher had perfected croissants that ballooned to the size of a boxers fist with fine lines of lamination running through them like the rings of an ancient oak. She opened her own shop where she displayed these bronzed and gleaming jewels in special glass-fronted cabinets like the ones in fancy haberdashers alongside other beautifully crafted delicacies, all identically sized and smartly arranged in neat rows. If she baked them, Ms Maher believed, they would come. And what is more, they would come pretty darn early in the morning. It is barely 7.30am on a breezy Thursday and I find myself in a rapidly-growing queue outside what has quickly become one of the hippest and most talked about bakeries in the land. Lannan, in the heart of Edinburghs modish Stockbridge area, will not open its doors for another half an hour and already more than 20 people are waiting in line to get their hands on its precious wares. Darcie Maher is living her dream as she creates delightful delicacies at her bakery Some of the tasty treats on offer at the Lannan Bakery in the heart of Edinburgh The shop has only been open a year, but it is already a viral sensation on TikTok while the @lannanbakery Instagram account boasts 59,000 followers and @darciebakes a further 38,000 with its droolworthy pictures of exquisitely designed and photographed food. Last month, Lannan (derived from the Gaelic for house) received La Listes prestigious Pastry Opening of the Year Award 2024. This global prize, bestowed on impressive newcomers to the pastry scene that deserve recognition, is only going to make those queues longer, although judging by the customers accents, Ms Maher still only 26 - is already an international star. The queue is peppered with Americans who have Lannan on their bucket list, while there is a light dusting of Japanese tourists among the locals. A friendly lady in front of me who lives nearby turns out to be from Holland originally. The heady scent of enriched dough wafts lazily down the street, by turns torturing and exciting the senses of the salivating queue. At its head is Michelle, a self-confessed foodie and teacher, from Massachusetts, who is super-happy just to be here: When I booked the trip it never occurred to me that Lannan was only open Thursday to Sunday and we would be in Edinburgh on exactly the days it was closed. I was crushed to the point of trying to convince my husband Ed we could stop off here and still make our flight, but he said no way. When we woke up at 5am this morning to find our flight was delayed by two hours, Ive never been happier. My first response was, I can go to Lannan! She added: From what Ive read, Lannan have really been playing around with different ingredients and ways to do it and its such a pleasure to see people giving their time to good food. One local couple join along with their pet dog, a tiny fluffy thing who seems to understand the command wait without being told twice. One young woman struggles to contain two giant birthday balloons as she looks anxiously at the time: Its my boyfriends birthday and I wanted to get him something for breakfast, but he may leave for work before I can get back, she said. Another American, Caroline, 28, has lived in Edinburgh for ten years where she works as a psychologist. She said the queue can often stretch back to the pedestrian lights a good 50 yards away along the citys Hamilton Place. Ive only been a couple of times. I ts a half-hour walk from where I live, she said. I am a bit of a foodie I guess, which is why I come to places like this. They do a really nice pain Suisse and a nice cardamom bun as well. I think the unusual flavour combinations attract people and the beautiful aesthetic - they look really nice on the inside as well. At 8am, we file in. Only six customers at a time, says a sign on the door, while a second one reminds us we can only buy two of each pastry. The limit was introduced after customers started to complain bitterly when they sold out of buns within two hours. Those still outside peer through the huge front windows gilded with the words Bakery and Viennoiserie and past the small army of staff in branded t-shirts to catch a glimpse of their food hero, who is too preoccupied with her Wonka-esque pursuit of pastry perfection and endless reinvention of flavour combinations to leave her kitchen. Raised in the Scottish Borders, from the age of nine Ms Maher knew she wanted to be a baker. Cooking had always been a part of her childhood, with any pocket money that came her way spent on miniature versions of her art teacher mothers cookware. She would spend afternoons baking with friends and turning to a well-thumbed childrens cookbook for some of her earliest bakes with some failures along the way. Like the time she left salt out of her bread rolls, thinking it would be healthier: Now, of course, I know that if you dont put salt in bread, its pretty inedible, she would recall. By the age of 12, she had the fundamentals and started baking for a cafe where her sister worked and remembers the excitement of being paid to bake. One of her early favourites was a Jamie Oliver chocolate sponge with flaked almonds running through it. It all focused her ambition and after leaving school, she spent 11 years in professional kitchens, including a stint at Edinburgh restaurant The Palmerston, before branching out on her own. Its just always what I wanted to do, she said in a recent interview. I think Ive stayed true to the things I like, in the sense of design and what we make. Weve worked by not expanding, doing things on quite a small scale and giving freedom to the staff to make things of their own. She can still do simple: her signature pink-glazed custard slices, yum yums and iced buns, but its always flawless and often with a zingy twist. The cinnamon buns, filled with brown sugar and cinnamon butter, have a baked creme fraiche and orange custard centre. Theyre glazed hot with rum syrup and topped with a little salty cinnamon sugar because, as Ms Maher explains on her Instagram page, pastry should be seasoned just as well as everything else! Ms Maher has quickly built a following for her creative bakes and innovative flavour pairings and her championing of local producers. Lannan is equally adept at savoury, which have included pastries filled with tomato, confit garlic and goats cheese, or fermented wild garlic, Tunworth & preserved lemon, or merguez sausage, braised fennel & monte enebro cheese. While some deliberate carefully over their choices, I find myself splurging on a blood plum and hazelnut danish, a pistachio and white chocolate pain Suisse, a chocolate and cherry bun, a cardamom bun, and a honey, oat and brown butter bun. There may have been other things thrown in I lost count. I blame the heady aroma of sugar. But the complex flavour pairing work beautifully the artfully arranged sweet-sharp plum against the lightly toasted hazelnut; a slight saltiness from the brown butter complementing the sticky honey. I also choose a potato, fontina and pickled chanterelle Danish a bit like a giant vol-au-vent - which has just the right amount of vinegary tang and cheesy comfort. Tearing greedily into one of the voluminous pains au chocolat, whose rich butteriness is lifted by their filling of single-source chocolate from the Glasgow-based artisan producer Bare Bones Chocolate, I feel an almost Proustian rush of childhood memories, where sun-dappled morning trips to rural French boulangeries are forever burned on my soul. Some in the queue emerge with similar armfuls while others clutch a more modest box of delights. Julia travelled up from Manchester with her brother Robbie, who is on holiday from Texas. She said: I bought a honey nduja bun, which has got a lovely spicy kick to it. I also bought two others to try a cardamom bun and something with pistachio - and a croissant for my husband when we get back to Manchester on the train later today. It seems rather ambitious to imagine anyone resisting the sweet aroma wafting from this golden-hued delicacy much beyond the Border, let alone all the way to the West Midlands. People wait outside for the chance to get their hands on sweet and savoury treats Robbie chose the classic pain au chocolat and here was our first note of controversy: Its very nice, but it could use more chocolate, he said after taking an almighty mouthful of crispy dough. But I can always do with more chocolate. Its very good though. The crust is probably the best part, but it was worth the wait I would say. American Michelle hurries out of the shop with her stash in a Lannan tote bag to where Ed is waiting in the hire car to whisk them to the airport. One more satisfied customer. By mid-morning, fresh fruit tarts emerge from the bustling kitchens huge slices of Amalfi lemon or Rainier, morello & petit noir cherry tart with pistachio custard have featured recently to replenish the stocks. The bakerys opening hours suggest it stays open until 4pm, but staff often bring the shutters down after 1pm as the last treats are bagged and boxed and paid for. As the doors close and customers munch greedily on their bakes, Darcie Maher may well feel that she, too, has got her just desserts. People often ask me why I got involved in politics. Its a good question. The main driver was my conservative convictions, although I usually kept my political views to myself. But there were other reasons. My past life as an investigative journalist, specialising in the toxic reach of organised crime into mainstream society, brought me to the unwelcome attention of some of the most dangerous criminals in Scotland. Ill not rehearse the full story - it can be found elsewhere for those interested - but my scrutiny of these venal thugs resulted in me being targeted on my own doorstep in a contract hit. Russell Findlay, MSP, Scottish Conservative Justice spokesman The highly dangerous individual who committed the attack was convicted, but the millionaire mastermind who ordered it never was. My consequent encounter with the criminal justice system as a victim wasnt all I had hoped for. And it got me thinking. If that was my experience, what of my fellow citizens? If my interaction with the court process as someone with a platform as a national newspaper journalist had been so poor, what of those less fortunate than myself? Fast forward a few years and Im sitting on the opposition benches of the Scottish Parliament. Ive got a growing inbox of constituent emails and a relentless flow of messages via social media. Every other day, the contents of these answer the question I asked myself in the aftermath of that traumatic event. One horror story after another. From my journalistic dealing with crime victims, I already knew about the delays, the secrecy, and the disrespect. The perverse way in which the rights of criminals take priority over their victims. Living it myself, really brought home that sobering reality. Far too often, peoples experience of that criminal justice system and other public services including healthcare and education are not up to scratch. Thats no criticism of hardworking police officers, nurses and teachers, but it is an indictment of a political culture that has developed over many years. One which which values the expenditure of wealth over its creation. And its symptomatic of a political climate which prioritises fashionable causes over doing whats right. It wasnt meant to be this way. At the devolution referendum in 1997 people voted for change; for a shake-up to the countrys governing structures that would put them and the needs of their communities first. The Scottish Parliament was to move politics closer to the people. It was rightly intended to be more responsive to the varied needs of different parts of our nation and in its early years it enjoyed a measure of success in achieving that. But, as time has gone on, it has become a prisoner of the sectional interests of MSPs and powerful lobbyists pushing their own agendas and peculiar priorities, at the expense of reflecting the needs of Scotland as a whole. An example of this trend has been the disastrous Hate Crime Act. Championed by all sides of the Scottish Parliament except the Scottish Conservatives but viewed with bewilderment and anger by many ordinary people outside the Parliaments debating chamber. Holyrood has become a bubble that fixates on the interests and culture of the MSPs who inhabit it and not the real concerns of ordinary people. Bridging the increasing disconnect between the governing class in Scotland and the people they govern needs to be our priority. So we must unlock the doors of the Scottish Parliament and once again usher inside the real concerns of people across Scotland, so the long forgotten voices are heard. I dont want to smash the system, Im a conservative after all, but I do want to give it a right good shake. I want to tilt it firmly back in favour of the quiet majority of Scots who simply wish to see the efficient management of good quality public services, respectful and prudent use of the public purse and a state which doesnt unduly meddle in their lives or reach too deeply into their pockets. To borrow the phrase of a past First Minister, we need a Scottish Parliament and government that does less, better. Lets dial down the loudly shrill voices with their fringe obsessions. So a true battle of ideas now needs to begin. That battle must have as its ultimate aim not the end of consensus politics in Scotland, but wholesale replacement of the existing trendy left consensus by one which actually reflects the aspirations and ambitions of ordinary Scots. Some faddish cause might get some establishment luvvies briefly excited, but doing the right thing will stand the test of time. We need to shake up Scottish politics and bring to an end that cosy left-wing consensus at Holyrood, which views seeking good value for taxpayers as somehow wrong. In its place, we need to build a new consensus in Scottish politics around common-sense conservative values. Theres no such thing as public money, just taxpayers money, and the government should take less of it. People know best how to spend their own hard-earned cash, not politicians. Self-reliance should always be preferred over reliance on the state. Public services should deliver not just better outcomes, but value for money as well. A belief in freedom, tolerance of others and respecting and upholding the rule of law. These are the principles that should underpin that new, common-sense conservative consensus we battle to build in the months and years ahead. And at the same time, we must spark an honest debate over the nature and affordability of existing government programmes in Scotland. We need to strike a new balance between what government provides and what people provide for themselves. We must call time on the SNPs handout culture and the gimmicks of recent years. How can self-styled progressive politicians keep a straight face while dishing out free stuff to even the wealthiest people in society? Spoiler alert none of its free, you and I are all paying for it. We are living in a time of great change. A UK government elected less than five years ago with a substantial majority has been swept aside in favour of one with an even bigger mandate. In Scotland, a tired and disunited SNP government teeters on the brink of its own electoral reckoning. So its a moment to be seized, and if we all resolve to play our part then that new, common-sense conservative consensus, rooted in our values of enterprise, self-reliance, fiscal responsibility and the rule of law, is waiting to be won. Mountain rescuers are desperate to find a British man in Spain, who has not been seen since a row with his wife on Thursday. Officials say they have 'maximum' concern for the 48-year-old man's welfare after he reportedly left his wife in a garage after arguing with her and dumped several personal belongings, before abandoning his car. A keen mountaineer himself, the missing man is said to have been spotted throwing away climbing equipment and documentation in Las Salas, a mountain village in Cremenes in the northern Spanish province of Leon. Mountain experts from the Civil Guard's Greim unit have been mobilised, alongside drones and a helicopter. The specialist rescuers are the same type of team that searched for missing British teenager Jay Slater for nearly two weeks near the Tenerife village of Masca after he disappeared on June 17. Mountain experts from the Civil Guard's Greim unit have been mobilised, alongside drones and a helicopter to find a British man, 48, who has not been seen since Thursday The man, said to be a keen mountaineer, was last seen in Las Salas, a mountain village in Cremenes in the northern Spanish province of Leon Drones, a helicopter and a specialist sniffer dog are also being used in the hunt for the British man. It is believed he and his wife, who also enjoys mountaineering, were practicing the sport during the couple's stay in Acebedo, in the north-east of the province of Leon. The banks of the Esla River, a tributary of the Duero River, along with mountain areas near it are the focus of the search. A police command post has been set up in Las Salas, where the man was spotted throwing away his belongings. It is unclear if the missing man's wife is also British, and whether they live in Spain or flew to the country from abroad. Sources close to the ongoing search said they are seriously concerned given his behaviour before he disappeared. A spokesman for a regional emergency coordination centre said earlier today: 'The Civil Protection and Emergencies Agency of the Junta de Castilla y Leon is continuing with the search operation for the 48-year-old British man who has been missing since Thursday in the area of Cremenes in Leon. 'The search today is focusing on the banks of the Esla River and the area around the village of Las Salas, where the missing man's vehicle was found parked on Thursday. 'In the village of Las Salas, the advanced command post of the Civil Protection and Emergencies Agency remains deployed, with technical staff from the emergency coordination centre, as well as the 'Fenix' drone unit and the Logistical Support and Emergencies Unit. 'Environmental agents from the Castilla y Leon Regional Government have also joined the operation. The banks of the Esla River, a tributary of the Duero River, along with mountain areas near it are the focus of the search for the missing British man 'The work is being carried out in coordination with the resources that the Guardia Civil is employing in the search, which include specialist mountain agents, drones and a helicopter. 'Emergency responders received a call on the morning of Thursday 11 July in which a family member reported the disappearance of this 48-year-old British man, after which the search was initiated.' The incident comes just weeks after a missing British hiker was found dead in the Spanish Pyrenees. Police and other emergency services had been searching for the 70-year-old Londoner after he disappeared on June 24. On June 27 it emerged he had been found dead close to the Aspe Peak, a mountain in the western Pyrenees of Huesca on the western side of the Aragon Valley. The 8,678ft peak towers over the Spanish ski resort of Candanchu and the Somport pass on the border with France. The three Greim officers who found the unnamed hiker's body informed a police helicopter which was in the area so he could be transferred to a nearby mountain refuge and handed over to funeral parlour workers. The dead man is understood to have been walking between the Lizara and Candanchu mountain refuges. The Civil Guard in Huesca had received a message from the UK's Interpol office in Manchester giving them the co-ordinates of an SOS wristband the hiker was wearing. Footage released by the Civil Guard at the time showed the operation to rescue the tragic Brit's body. Police in Tenerife say their investigation into the disappearance of apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, who vanished near the village of Masca, is continuing. The mountain search for him has already been called off. The son of an American mountaineer who disappeared in the Andes more than two decades ago has said the US embassy in Peru offered no help in recovering his father's body when it was found last month. Bill Stampfl was reported missing in June 2002, aged 59, when an avalanche buried his climbing party on Mount Huascaran in the Ancash region of Peru. But his son Joseph got a call from a stranger on June 29, almost exactly 22 years later, to say he had come across the climber's frozen body, as he made his own ascent up Huascaran. 'I think we were all in a little disbelief at first. It had been 22 years but on a daily basis we had not been waiting,' he told DailyMail.com He immediately sprang into action and began working on the logistics of bringing his father's body home. However, the US embassy in Peru, who were helpful in the initial search more than two decades ago, just offered a list of funeral homes. The son of an American mountaineer Bill Stampfl (right) who disappeared in the Andes more than two decades ago has said the US embassy in Peru offered no help in recovering his father's body when it was found last month. Pictured: Bill with his wife Janet and son Joseph Rescuers working to recover Bill's body from the mountain last week Bill died with friends Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine when they attempted to ascend the more than 22,000ft high mountain in 2002. Ryan Cooper, his brother and guide Daniel Milla Lliuya, part of Peru Mountains Climbing, found Bill in the Cordillera Blanca range during their descent of the mountain after his remains had been exposed by an ice melt. They discovered him on June 27 near a camp which was 17,060ft above sea level. Bill's body, as well as his clothes, harness and boots had been well-preserved by the ice and freezing temperatures. His ID was found among his possessions, allowing for Cooper to identify him and contact his loved ones. Joseph was shocked to hear his father's body had finally been found. 'To get that call first thing on a Saturday was pretty surreal. It took me a little while to process. At first I thought this was not real,' he said. 'When I called Ryan and spoke to him and he described the scenario, it became more real. 'I think throughout Saturday there were lots of emotional highs and lows. It was quite the rollercoaster. 'There was excitement that after all these years we could finally put my father to rest.' Bill's son Joseph got a call from a stranger on June 29, almost exactly 22 years later, to say he had come across the climber's frozen body, as he made his own ascent up Huascaran His body, as well as his clothes, harness and boots had been well-preserved by the ice and freezing temperatures. His ID was found among his possessions, allowing for the climbers to identify him Bill was reported missing in June 2002, aged 59, when an avalanche buried his climbing party on Mount Huascaran. His remains were found this month after an ice melt He immediately got in touch with his sister Jennifer before they all got on a call with his stepmother, uncle and Ryan. They all then worked on the logistics of recovering Bill's body from the mountain and bringing him back to the US. Joseph said he failed to get in touch with the US embassy over the weekend and the emergency phone number did not offer much assistance. He had to wait until Monday before he got through and was disappointed at the response. 'Well is a funeral home going to climb the mountain and recover my dad's body?,' he said. He gave up and began planning a way to bring his father home using a private search and rescue company called the Peruvian Mountain Rescue Association. The team began the mission on July 4 and Joseph said: 'They were amazing, every hour they were giving us updates with logistics.' He did not want to disclose the price his family paid to return his father's body but said: 'It was a significant amount, it was a little surprising. But we were going to pay for it for the most part.' Police in Peru said on Tuesday they had recovered Bill's body from the mountain where he was buried by the avalanche. A group of policemen and mountain guides put his body on a stretcher, covered it in an orange tarp, and slowly took it down the icy mountain. The body was found at an altitude of 17,060 feet, about a nine-hour hike from one of the camps where climbers stop when they tackle Huascaran's steep summit. A team of 13 mountaineers participated in the recovery operation - five officers from an elite police unit and eight mountain guides who work for Grupo Alpamayo, a local tour operator that takes climbers to Huascaran and other peaks in the Andes. Eric Raul Albino, director of Grupo Alpamayo, said he was hired by Bill's family to retrieve the body. The Stampfl family worked with local guides and authorities to recover his remains over the weekend. His body was then put in a morgue in the city of Huaraz. Pictured are rescuers during the recovery effort Peruvian mountain police and mountain rescue workers transport the remains of American climber Bill down the mountain Joseph was shocked to hear his father's body had finally been found in a phone call on June 29 Bill pictured his wife Janet Stampfl-Raymer Lenin Alvardo, one of the police officers who participated in the recovery operation, said his clothes were still mostly intact. The hip pouch with his driving license also contained a pair of sunglasses, a camera, a voice recorder and two decomposing $20 bills. A gold wedding ring was still on the left hand. 'I've never seen anything like that' Alvarado said. Bill's family organized a funeral home to bring him to Lima on Friday. They drove more than seven hours to Huaraz and worked with the US embassy to get all the paperwork signed. Bill will be cremated before his ashes are sent back on a plane to the US along with his personal items. 'We were warned it could take 20 days but they are way ahead of schedule. We anticipate we'll get him back some time next week- probably on Monday,' Joseph said. He added that the family do not have definitive plans for a funeral service yet but they are looking to spread some of his ashes on Mount Baldy, near his home in San Bernardino County, California. Joseph said his father would train here and used to climb the stairs in his home by carrying 30 kilograms of sand in his backpack. Erskine's body was found shortly after the avalanche, but Richardson's is still missing. Bill (left) died with friends Matthew Richardson and Steve Erskine (right) when they attempted to ascend the more than 22,000ft high mountain in 2002. The body of Erskine (left) was found shortly after the avalanche, but Richardson's is still missing Bill will be cremated before his ashes are sent back on a plane to the US along with his personal items The mountains of northeastern Peru, home to snowy peaks such as Huascaran and Cashan, are a favorite with mountaineers from around the world. Hundreds of climbers visit the mountain each year with local guides, and it takes them about a week to reach the summit. There has been an increase in the discoveries of remains of missing hikers, skiers and climbers as glaciers increasingly melt worldwide. The Andes are home to some of the fastest-disappearing glaciers and ice packs in the world, a study by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization revealed last year. Over the last 40 years, the region has reportedly lost between 30 and 50 percent of its ice cover, with some of the area's 'most valuable' glaciers having disappeared. At least 71 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 300 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a designated humanitarian zone on Saturday, the Gazan health ministry has said. The strike was targeting Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif who has been described as one of the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks. Israel, however, is unclear whether or not he was actually killed in the airstrike on the Al-Mawasi area today. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference: 'Israel attacked Gaza today in an attempt to eliminate Mohammed Deif and his deputy, Rafa Salama.' He added: 'There is no certainty that the two were eliminated.' Displaced people sheltering in the area said their tents were torn down by the force of the strike which is one of the deadliest in recent weeks. 'I couldn't even tell where I was or what was happening,' said Sheikh Youssef, a resident of Gaza City who is currently displaced in the Al-Mawasi area. 'I left the tent and looked around, all the tents were knocked down, body parts, bodies everywhere, elderly women thrown on the floor, young children in pieces,' he said. At least 71 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 300 injured in an Israeli airstrike on a designated humanitarian zone on Saturday, the Gazan health ministry has said The strike, which was the deadliest in recent weeks, was targeting Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, but it remains unclear if he was killed The strike, which was the deadliest in recent weeks, was targeting Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, but it remains unclear if he was killed The damage following an Israeli strike at a tent camp in the Al-Mawasi area of Gaza Hamas said in a statement that Israeli claims it had targeted leaders of the group were false and only aimed at justifying the attack. The Israeli military, on the other hand, said the strike not only targeted Deif but also targeted Rafa Salama, the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade. It described the two as the masterminds of the Oct 7 attack on southern Israel which triggered the nine-month war in Gaza. Deif has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021, and has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades. Al-Mawasi is a designated humanitarian area that the Israeli army has repeatedly urged Palestinians to head to after issuing evacuation orders from other areas. Footage from the aftermath of the airstrike showed ambulances racing towards the area amidst clouds of smoke and dust. Displaced people, including women and children, were fleeing in panic, some holding belongings in their hands. The Israeli military published an aerial photo of the site, which has not yet been verified, where it said 'terrorists hid among civilians'. 'The location of the strike was an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings, and sheds,' it said in a statement. The Israeli military official said the area was not a tent complex, but an operational compound run by Hamas and that several more militants were there, guarding Deif. Displaced people sheltering in the area said their tents were torn down by the force of the strike and have described horrifying scenes of bodies strewn on the ground Vehicles and buildings were destroyed in the strike on the Al-Mawasi area, located west of Khan Yunis, Gaza A child walks amid the damage following an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area View of the damage following an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area of Gaza Many of those wounded in the strike, including women and children, were taken to the nearby Nasser Hospital. Hospital officials have said they have been overwhelmed and are 'no longer able to function' due to the intensity of the Israeli offensive and an acute shortage of medical supplies. 'The hospital is full of patients, it's full of wounded, we can't find beds for people,' said Atef al-Hout, director of the hospital. It is currently unclear how the strike will affect ceasefire talks underway in Doha and Cairo. 'Maybe it's good, maybe it's not good. I don't know about Mohammed Deif, I know that keeping the war is bad for all of us,' said Ayala Metzger, the daughter-in-law of an Israeli hostage who was taking part in a hostage solidarity march just outside Jerusalem on Saturday. 'We need to bring the hostages back,' she said. 'If (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu killed Mohammed Deif then he has his picture of victory so bring them back now.' Separately on Saturday, at least 19 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli attack on a prayer hall at a Gaza camp for displaced people in west Gaza City, Palestinian health officials said. The Hamas-run media office said at least 100 people were killed and wounded in the Khan Younis attack, including members of the Civil Emergency Service. A senior Hamas official did not confirm whether Deif had been present and called the Israeli allegations 'nonsense'. Hamas said in a statement that Israeli claims it had targeted leaders of the group were false and only aimed at justifying the attack Many of those wounded in the strike, including women and children, were taken to the nearby Nasser Hospital A Palestinian woman looks at the damage following an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area 'All the martyrs are civilians and what happened was a grave escalation of the war of genocide, backed by the American support and world silence,' Sami Abu Zuhri said. Critics have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, which Israel denies. It characterises its actions as self-defense to prevent another attack like Oct 7 though the International Court of Justice ordered Israel in January to take action to prevent acts of genocide. Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in the cross-border raid into southern Israel on Oct 7, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated with its military action in Gaza that has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, medical authorities in Gaza say. Witnesses said the Khan Younis attack came as a surprise as the area had been calm, adding more than one missile had been fired. Some of the wounded who were being evacuated were rescue workers, they said. 'They're all gone, my whole family's gone... where are my brothers? They're all gone, they're all gone. There's no one left,' said one tearful woman, who did not give her name. Rising up the Hamas ranks over 30 years, Deif developed the group's network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise, Hamas sources say. In March, Israel said it killed Deif's deputy, Marwan Issa. Hamas has not confirmed or denied his death. Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey has hinted at a possible move away from acting and into the political sphere. The Oscar-winning actor, 54, made an appearance at the National Governor's Association summer meeting in Salt Lake City on Friday. He was on stage with Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Colorado Governor Jared Polis before he was asked about whether he was still thinking about a move into politics. 'Yes. I have thought about running for office, getting into this category,' McConaughey replied. The Texan is said to have thought about running to be governor of the Lone Star State and there are rumors he even considered a presidential bid. Hollywood star Matthew McConaughey has hinted at a possible move away from acting and into the political sphere New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy probed McConaughey about a potential move into politics before he admitted he has thought about it. 'I'm on a learning tour and have been for probably the last six years of understanding what this category means,' the actor said. 'Do I have instincts, intellect that it would be a good fit for me and I would be a good fit for it. 'That would be useful. I'm still on that learning tour, and, you know, days like this. I'm learning a lot. He then joked about Murphy enjoying his tequila brand and said: 'Last night, I learned a lot. I learned a lot from you last night. Through those tequila, through that tequila, sir.' Hawaii Governor Josh Green was quick to encourage McConaughey to run for office and not to fall to the pressure of choosing a certain party. 'Please don't fall into the trap to think that you have to be just one thing, because I think you're so, you know, warm and likable,' he said. The Oscar-winning actor, 54, made an appearance at the National Governor's Association summer meeting in Salt Lake City on Friday New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy probed McConaughey about a potential move into politics before he admitted he has thought about it The Texan is said to have thought about running to be governor of the Lone Star State and there are rumors he even considered a presidential bid. Pictured: Texas State Capitol building 'A lot of Republicans who want you to be Republican, a lot of Democrats who want you to be a Democrat, just be you, because that might be something special for all of us.' McConaughey said politicians are not taking part in 'real competition' with thoughtful debate and said they need to be 'better marketers.' 'If I invalidate your position off the bat, that's a lack of courage on my part. Right out of the gate, that's not real confrontation,' he said. 'I want to hear more vision from our leaders rather than just, "I want to do the opposite of what they want to do." 'Well, no. How do you see the way forward? Instead of just saying, "No, all I know is I don't want to do it that way or that's the wrong way." 'We see it right now It's with two presidential candidates. Fear. Let's admit fear's easier to sell than hope. It's more measurable.' Bernie Sanders has admitted Joe Biden is 'is old, prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Trump.' The Democrat Senator laid out his views in an essay for the New York Times, in which he accepted that the president is 'not the ideal candidate.' However, he warned his party's supporters that obsessing over Biden's blunders would only ensure that Donald Trump is elected. Sanders, 82, specifically took aim at a vocal set of elected Democrats, whom he labeled a 'firing squad,' who have been calling for the president to drop out since the presidential debate. 'Enough! Mr. Biden may not be the ideal candidate, but he will be the candidate and should be the candidate,' Sanders wrote. Bernie Sanders has admitted Joe Biden is 'is old, prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Trump' 'And with an effective campaign that speaks to the needs of working families, he will not only defeat Mr. Trump but beat him badly. Its time for Democrats to stop the bickering and nit-picking.' The Vermont rep admitted that he and the president do not see eye to eye on several issues including U.S. support for Israel's war on Gaza and the Affordable Care Act, which he views as inadequate. However, he defended the president's 'excellent' record in office, as well as his performance in the last few weeks. Biden has stated his commitment to running, but his detractors have used his recent bumbling as proof he does not have the mental capacity to lead. 'For over two weeks now, the corporate media has obsessively focused on the June presidential debate and the cognitive capabilities of a man who has, perhaps, the most difficult and stressful job in the world,' Sanders said. 'The media has frantically searched for every living human being who no longer supports the president or any neurologist who wants to appear on TV. Unfortunately, too many Democrats have joined that circular firing squad.' He stated that despite his own misgivings about Biden, he is still a superior choice to Trump, whom he reduced down to his litany of felony charges. 'Unlike the Republicans, they do not have to explain away a candidate who now has 34 felony convictions and faces charges that could lead to dozens of additional convictions. The Vermont Rep outlined his issues with Biden but condemned a vocal 'firing squad' who have become focused on the president's age Sanders warned his party's supporters that obsessing over Biden's blunders would only ensure that Donald Trump is elected 'Who has been hit with a $5 million judgment after he was found liable in a sexual abuse case, who has been involved in more than 4,000 lawsuits, who has repeatedly gone bankrupt and who has told thousands of documented lies and falsehoods,' Sanders wrote. He accused Trump of wanting to protect the billionaires at the expense of everyday Americans. 'If Mr. Biden and his supporters focus on these issues and refuse to be divided and distracted the president will rally working families to his side in the industrial Midwest swing states and elsewhere and win the November election,' Sanders said. 'And let me say this as emphatically as I can: For the sake of our kids and future generations, he must win.' The essay comes after weeks of embarrassing missteps by the president which have been spotlighted since the car crash presidential debate on June 27. Just this week, Biden reignited concerns when he accidentally referred to Ukraine's President Zelensky as Putin. A property in an isolated mountain town is on sale for almost $1.7 million despite being a completely empty lot. The 7,405sqft strip of grass at 55 West Karns Avenue in Jackson, Wyoming, is surrounded by big houses and backyards. Looking more like a grass alleyway than a sought-after development dream, the lot is attracting frantic interest, its realtors said. A vacant lot of the same size in Cheyenne, Wyoming, would cost less than $100,000 and a huge 40-acre property there with 'views for miles' is going for just $125,000. The 7,405sqft strip of grass at 55 West Karns Avenue in Jackson, Wyoming, is surrounded by big houses and backyards Looking more like a grass alleyway than a sought-after development dream, the lot is attracting frantic interest, its realtors said But vacant land is extremely rare in Jackson, where its picturesque mountain views, national parks, and low state taxes made it rich buyer's hotspot. With wealthy professionals increasingly able to work remotely, the area is getting an influx of moneyed new residents - along with billionaire retreats. An average new resident of the local Teton County earns $661,000 a year, compared to the $100,181 of people leaving, analysis by Jonathan Schechter found. All this drove the average price of a single-family home in Jackson to more than $7 million - making the lot's $1.675 million price a relative bargain. The property has other attributes working in its favor too, starting with its location just off Cache Avenue with easy access to both the Town Square and Snow King Mountain. Having access to both a street and an alley, a deep-pocketed owner could construct a three-storey building with an apartment on each floor and parking at the back With wealthy professionals increasingly able to work remotely, the area is getting an influx of moneyed new residents - along with billionaire retreats Jackson City also zoned it Neighborhood High Density 1, allowing for the most developer-friendly design. Having access to both a street and an alley, a deep-pocketed owner could construct a three-storey building with an apartment on each floor and parking at the back. A vacant lot with this zoning hasn't sold in Jackson for at least two years, and one with the next lower density level sold for $1.6 million last month. Once the building is up, the apartments would sell for millions and a three-bedroom home could be rented out for $5,000 a month. Police released body camera footage revealing a young boy discovered unharmed inside his mother's stolen SUV. The tragic incident unfolded moments after the Ohio mother Alexa Stakely, 29, a speech language pathologist, threw herself onto the hood of the vehicle as the thief sped away before falling off, leaving her with fatal head injuries. In doing so, she died trying to save her six-year-old son's life after the suspect tried to steal the vehicle the six-year-old was sleeping in. When police arrived, they found the parked vehicle with the child still sleeping and unharmed inside the vehicle. An officer's voice can be heard speaking gently to the child, who slept through the entire incident, asking if he was safe and whether or not he knew who took the car. When police arrived, they found the parked vehicle with the child still sleeping and unharmed inside the vehicle Police released body camera footage revealing a young boy discovered unharmed inside his mother's stolen SUV 'What's your name, buddy? the officers says. 'Do you know who took the car? Who was driving?' Police said the mother had loaded her sleeping boy into her Honda CR-V but ran back to the babysitter's apartment to pick something up. That's when the carjacker jumped into her car, which was turned on, and drove away, reports WSYX. The suspect fled on foot from the scene and has yet to be taken into custody. Columbus Division of Police officers responded to the White Oak Park Condominiums north of Canal Winchester in southeast Columbus at around 1:30 am on Thursday. When officers arrived, they found Stakely was critically injured. She transported her to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Canal Winchester Schools posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook to Stakely, a dedicated speech-language therapist who worked with the preschoolers at Winchester Trail Elementary. 'Ms. Alexa,' as she was called by her students, had been with the district for five years. 'Ms. Stakely's family shared that she died heroically while trying to save her 6-year-old son during a carjacking. Thankfully, her son was not injured and is now with family. Please keep Alexa's son, family, and friends in your prayers during this difficult time,' the district wrote in the Facebook post. An officer's voice can be heard speaking gently to the child, who slept through the entire incident, asking if he was safe and whether or not he knew who took the car. Alexa Stakely, 29, speech-language pathologist, was picking up her 6-year-old son from a babysitter's apartment after getting off shift for her second job 'Alexa was passionate about children and speech-language therapy,' the post read. 'She was smart and compassionate, and she cared so much about helping children develop their ability to communicate. 'She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated to her son. Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond.' An outpouring of emotion filled the comments section of the post, as parents recounted the ways Stakely had made a difference in their children's lives. 'She poured into all three of my younger boys and is a huge reason for my youngest two having such clear speech today. She will be deeply missed,' one mom wrote in a comment. 'This is absolutely devastating and heartbreaking,' one mom said. 'My son adored her the last 2 years, seeing her almost everyday at school. 'She was an amazing speech-pathologist and person and helped my son so much. Sending prayers upon prayers for her son and family.' Police urge anyone with information or surveillance footage to come forward as they continue to track down the suspect. A GoFundMe has been made Stakley's honor to support her family. Alec Baldwin was seen clutching champagne as he fled New Mexico following the shock dismissal of charges against him in his Rust shooting case. The actor, his wife and their children were seen bundling onto a private plane at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport. It came just hours after the collapse of his trial over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was killed when Baldwin unknowingly fired a live gun on the set of his movie Rust in October 2021. On Friday, a judge ruled that crucial evidence had been mishandled and charges were dropped. Just a day later, the actor, 66, was seen loading hand luggage including several bottles of liquor onto the chartered jet and was observed handing a bottle of champagne to his chauffeur, tipping his staff and giving cash to his baggage handlers. Alec Baldwin was seen clutching champagne as he fled New Mexico following the shock dismissal of charges against him in his Rust shooting case The actor, his wife and their children were seen bundling onto a private plane at Albuquerque International Sunport Airport Baldwin cut a more relaxed figure than has been seen in court, sporting an open collared shirt and jacket for the journey. His wife, Hilaria, opted for a pink two-piece outfit and was spotted carrying one of their seven children as she boarded the plane. Among the luggage was a shopping bag for Eternity, a men's and women's wear boutique in Santa Fe where the trial had been taking place. The couple had been seen out celebrating the dismissal of the charges last night. Baldwin beamed as he was joined by actor brother Stephen and sister Beth as he headed to the Casa Chimayo Restaurant. Baldwin, 66, helped to load hand luggage onto the waiting private jet His wife Hilaria cut a relaxed figure in a loose fitting pink loungewear outfit as she carried one of their seven children on board Baldwin was seen handing his chauffeur a bottle of champagne before boarding Hilaria, who has been a mainstay throughout the trial, arrived later to the party. When the case was dismissed early Friday evening, she was seen embracing Baldwin for some time as he broke down in tears at the result. The charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot bring the same charges against him in the case and the trial is permanently dismissed. He was greeted by cheers from fans as he arrived a the restaurant and flashed his supporters a thumbs up. However, Hutchins' widow and the father of her son Matthew Hutchins has since come out to state he hopes that Baldwin will still be held accountable. The movie's armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 26, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year. She was later jailed for 18 months, a sentence Baldwin had faced if found guilty. A shopping bag from Eternity, a clothing boutique in Santa Fe where the trial was being held, was among the luggage Alec Baldwin broke down in tears and hugged his wife Hilaria as his involuntary manslaughter case was sensationally dismissed Halyna Hutchins is survived by her widow Matthew and their young son Hilaria and Alec Baldwin were seen walking out arm in arm from the Casa Chimayo Restaurant hours after the charges were dismissed The extraordinary decision to quash Baldwin's trial came after a day-long hearing without the jury present, over bullets that should have been disclosed as evidence. Baldwin's lawyers claimed they were 'concealed' from them and 'buried' in another case fileThe issue had upended the trial for Baldwin who pleaded not guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter, as he was accused of negligence for accidentally firing a live round on the set. The married chaplain of a 17,000-a-year private school has been banned from teaching for life after he kissed and touched a 'very vulnerable pupil for his own sexual gratification'. Reverend Tom Carson taught RE at Exeter School but quit in September 2021 after what the school called a 'serious breach' of its safeguarding policy involving an 18-year-old pupil. Now a Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel has said Mr Carson carried out 'serious misconduct' by 'exploiting' the teenager. The panel said his conduct happened over an extended period of time and was not a momentary lapse of judgement but a 'sustained course of conduct'. He admitted engaging in an inappropriate relationship with Pupil A in 2021 away from school premises which led to hugging, holding hands, kissing and touching each other. Reverend Tom Carson taught RE at Exeter School but quit in September 2021 after what the school called a 'serious breach' of its safeguarding policy involving an 18-year-old pupil Now a Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel has said Mr Carson carried out 'serious misconduct' by 'exploiting' the Exeter School teenager The panel said his conduct was sexually motivated and he told Pupil A to delete text messages and emails between them and told Pupil A to give an edited version of their relationship when he resigned and an investigation would follow. He eventually reported his breach to the school's headteacher and Pupil A's mother but said his actions brought the teaching profession into disrepute. Reverend Tom, as he was called by the pupils, was appointed in 2015 and was the school's first full time chaplain. He taught religious studies to all age groups and had previously been Head of RS at Wallington High School for girls and joined from Mortlake and East Sheen in south west London. He is married to Marian and they have two children. A Teaching Regulation Agency misconduct panel said: 'Mr Carson was responsible for a series of failings in relation to his conduct with Pupil A. 'These included serious misconduct with a very vulnerable pupil, in which he exploited Pupil A for his own sexual gratification. 'Mr Carson's actions had a significant harmful impact on Pupil A's life and has continued for a number of years. Reverend Tom, as he was called by the pupils, was appointed in 2015 and was the Exeter School's (pictured) first full time chaplain 'Mr Carson's dishonest actions in attempting to conceal the true nature of the relationship went hand in hand with his other exploitative actions with Pupil A.' The Diocese of Exeter stated on its website that Reverend Carson has 'consented to a prohibition of four years from the office of Holy Orders for not observing appropriate professional boundaries through an inappropriate relationship with a young adult in his care. 'The prohibition began on December 9, 2021.' In September 2021 a letter was sent to the parents of the 900 pupils at the independent co-educational school when Carson quit. It stated: 'It is our current understanding that no criminal offence has been committed. 'The breach appears to have been isolated to a single pupil who left the school after completing their A level studies. We are continuing to support the former pupil; their wellbeing and that of their family is our greatest concern.' An independent third-party investigation commissioned by the school at the time did not find 'evidence of a wider-spread issue and we have no reason to believe that others have been affected'. The gender of the pupil has not been disclosed. Oakland is struggling to put a lid on its crime wave in part due to chronic police understaffing, a former chief claims. The city has for as long as anyone can remember been plagued by crime, but reports rose sharply since the pandemic and are only inching down. Among the incidents: a mass shooting at a Juneteenth celebration and an elderly Asian woman robbed outside her retirement village. 'Oakland has never been like this. It used to be that you could say something to some of these kids,' local reverend Raymond Lankford said last year. 'Our women are being shot in their homes... If it's not safe in our homes, where is it safe?' An elderly woman is brutally-attacked in unprovoked assault in Oakland Violent crime is falling since last year's spike, but property crimes like burglaries and car theft remain stubbornly high and brazen. Dozens of thieves looted a gas station after crashing a car through the glass doors, and ATM are routinely ripped out of walls and stolen. A survey by the Koreatown Northgate Community Benefit District found 94 per cent of businesses were robbed and 92 per cent didn't bother to report it. This, some prominent Oakland locals argued, is the central problem - the police can't keep up and both victims and criminals know it. After the mass looting of the gas station, where $22,000 worth of goods were stolen, took nine hours for police to show up. A Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice report in February found just 1.5 per cent of serious crimes were solved, including only 6.5 per cent of violent crimes. This was despite the rest of California spending record amounts of money on policing and justice, and sending more accused criminals to jail than almost ever before. A massive crowd robs Oakland gas station after a car crashed into the glass to break in By contrast, Oakland's budget only allows for 678 officers, including those off work for disability, the absolute bare minimum required by law. This is just two-thirds of the 2.4 cops per 1,000 residents national average, and puts only 35 officers on patrol at a time in a city of 435,000. Emergency response times are the lowest in California, again due to understaffing, leading to victims not bothering to call it at all. Police even struggle with understaffing in their records department, with obsolete software and a report management system not updated since 2006 leading to woefully inaccurate crime statistics. Former police chief LeRonne Armstrong, whom mayor Sheng Thao fired last year, blamed City Hall deliberately diverting money from police for the problem. Thao last year put a hiring freeze on police, despite how understaffed it was and still is, and critics like Armstrong claim the council deliberately wants to reduce the role of police without sufficient replacement. 'There's this sense of lawlessness. This sense of, we can do whatever, there really aren't any consequences - almost like a video game,' he told The Free Press. 'Our leaders are tone-deaf.' Armstrong claimed the problem was so obvious that lawbreakers were coming to the city for 'crime tourism'. 'Oakland's free-for-all is now attracting criminals from outside the city, Armstrong told me, because they know they can get away with it,' the outlet wrote. Tim Gardner of the Oakland Report had a similar view: 'You have a police force that's incapacitated and a criminal population that's smart enough to recognize it, test it, and realize they can do anything they want. 'It's 100 per cent self-inflicted.' A pilot has died after a small plane crashed at a former RAF airfield - as authorities begin an investigation into the tragedy. Officers from the East Midlands Ambulance Service and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service rushed to Spanhoe Airfield near Corby just before 1pm today after receiving calls about a light aircraft crash landing at the site. The pilot, a man in his 60s, was the only person in the aircraft, a police statement confirmed. Northamptonshire and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) will both remain at the scene while authorities probe the circumstances and cause of the shocking incident. In a statement Northamptonshire Police said: 'A pilot has sadly died after a light aircraft came down at Spanhoe airfield, near Laxton, Corby. Spanhoe airfield pictured from above. A pilot has died after a small plane crashed at the former RAF airfield The man in his 60s was confirmed to be the only person involved in the incident (Stock photo of aircraft at the airfield) Police have begun an investigation into the tragedy (pictured: an entrance to the airfield ) 'Police officers, alongside colleagues from East Midlands Ambulance Service and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, first responded to calls at about 12.50pm today, Saturday, July 13. 'The pilot, a man in his 60s, was the sole occupant of the aircraft. 'Northamptonshire Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have begun an investigation to establish the circumstances and cause of the incident. They will remain at the site while this takes place. 'Anyone who may have information that could help with the investigation is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. 'Please quote incident number 242 of 13/07/24 when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.' Spanhoe Airfield, also known as RAF Spanhoe, was opened in 1943 and used during World War Two by both the and United States Air Forces. Since 1947 the site, which lies around 80 miles north-northwest of London, has been deployed only very occasionally by the armed forces and is largely used for agriculture purposes although one runway remains. Beefed-up anti-terrorism laws will be used to try to tackle the small boats crisis, under plans to be unveiled by the Government in the King's Speech. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper intends to use Labour's thumping Commons majority to extend powers under the Terrorism Act to organised immigration crime, and she is now headhunting a former top spy such as Sir Alexander Younger, the ex-MI6 chief to fill the role of Border Security Commander. A total of 590 cross-Channel migrants arrived between last Tuesday and Friday. Ms Cooper is also planning to increase by 50 per cent the number of specialist officers from Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) stationed within Europol, the EU's crime-fighting agency, as part of the new drive. It came as a former border chief yesterday claimed Kurdish people-smuggling gangs are now calling Sir Keir Starmer the 'friendly one' after he scrapped former prime minister Rishi Sunak's plan to send migrants to Rwanda. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at a visit to Lewisham Police Station on July 8 A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel on July 13 Kevin Saunders, the ex-chief immigration officer at the UK Border Agency, said: 'The Kurds are calling the Prime Minister 'the friendly one' because they now think he is their big friend who's going to look after them all when they get to England. 'I think it [the Rwanda scheme] was a deterrent, and we saw that the people were concerned about what was going to happen, fleeing to the Republic of Ireland because they did not want to risk going to Rwanda.' Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Saunders added: 'The mayor of Boulogne summed it up the UK is paying France half a billion pounds to stop the boats leaving France, yet when they reach the UK, we roll out the red carpet and treat the refugees extremely well. He was saying we are almost too nice to these people, and we should offer more of a deterrent.' The issue of migrants arriving in the UK on small boats from France bedevilled the dying days of the last Conservative administration, and is high on Sir Keir's crisis-preparedness list for his first weeks in office. As sunny, calm conditions on the Channel tend to encourage the crossings a Border Force vessel had to rescue more migrants off the Kent coast yesterday the Prime Minister's aides have been 'praying for rain' to limit the chance of his honeymoon period in Downing Street being spoiled by a surge in numbers. Labour sources said the Home Secretary hoped the package of measures would succeed where the Tories failed because 'they were obsessed with Rwanda and didn't have the parliamentary bandwidth to pass the necessary laws'. Ms Cooper will speak to Catherine de Bolle, the executive director of Europol, in the coming days about co-operation with her new Border Security Command, which will combine the expertise of the NCA, intelligence agencies, police, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force to 'boost border security', under the direction of the new commander. Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper at a visit to Lewisham Police Station on July 8 A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel on July 13 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper intends to use Labour's thumping Commons majority to extend powers under the Terrorism Act to organised immigration crime After Neil Basu, the UK's former head of counter-terrorism, declined to apply for the role, Ms Cooper is understood to have drawn up a wish list of candidates which includes Sir Alexander, Tom Hurd, the former Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism, and Lindsey Chadwick, the Director of Intelligence at the Metropolitan Police. On taking office, Ms Cooper spoke to Graeme Biggar, the Director General of the NCA, to stress 'the need to break the business model of the criminal smuggling gangs', sources said. Legislation in Wednesday's King's Speech will place new restrictions on the internet access and banking of people smugglers. It will also extend powers in the Terrorism Act 2000 to conduct stop and search operations on the border, investigate money laundering activities and live-monitor bank accounts. The laws would also apply the powers used to thwart terror attacks by searching and seizing items from the premises of people traffickers. Ms Cooper said: 'Criminal gangs are undermining our border security and putting lives at risk, as we saw in the Channel again tragically this week. 'An entire criminal industry has been allowed to take hold both along our border and through sophisticated criminal networks across Europe and beyond.' She added: 'It is appalling that for so long they have just been able to get away with it. We are determined to launch major new operations to pursue the gangs, the boats and the money. 'Our new Border Security Command will coordinate efforts across our intelligence agencies, Immigration and Enforcement and Border Force, police and the NCA to boost our border security, with new powers in place. 'And we are immediately increasing our work with Europol to plan new operations across the continent. The Conservative government failed to ever have a comprehensive plan to go after the gangs and they've been getting away with it for too long. That changes now.' A Pakistani court has overturned the convictions and seven-year sentences of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife only for them to be immediately arrested again over rioting and corruption charges. The acquittal in a case relating to the legality of the couple's 2018 marriage seemed to have removed the last hurdle in the way of Khan's release, nearly a year after he was jailed, and his followers had started gathering near the prison where he was being held in the garrison city of Rawalpindi to greet him on his release. But shortly after the court's ruling, Khan was arrested yet again, in connection with riots last year, his party said. It added that it believed Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, was also being arrested again, in a lingering corruption case. A Pakistani court has overturned the convictions and seven-year sentences of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife only for them to be immediately arrested again over rioting and corruption charges The former Prime Minister of Pakistan and his wife Bushra Bibi (pictured together in 2023) were sentenced to seven years in prison after a court ruled that they violated the law that a woman must wait three months before marrying again The acquittal in a case relating to the legality of the couple's 2018 marriage seemed to have removed the last hurdle in the way of Khan's release, nearly a year after he was jailed, leading to his supporters to gather Authorities have registered multiple cases against Khan since 2022 when he was ousted from power through a vote of no-confidence in the parliament. Khan has been embroiled in more than 150 legal cases, including inciting violence, since his initial arrest in May 2023. Earlier this month, the United Nations human rights working group called for Khan's immediate release, saying he had been detained 'arbitrarily in violation of international laws'. Saturday's acquittal relates to Khan's marriage to Bibi, his third wife. She was previously married to a man who claimed that they divorced in November 2017, less than three months before she married Khan. Islamic law, as upheld by Pakistan, requires a three-month waiting period before a new marriage. Bibi had said they divorced in August 2017 and the couple insisted during the trial that they did not violate the waiting period. Supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan, founder of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, celebrate after a court verdict overturned Khan's illegal marriage conviction Earlier this month, the United Nations human rights working group called for Khan's immediate release, saying he had been detained 'arbitrarily in violation of international laws' Following Khan's arrest in May 2023, his supporters attacked military and government buildings in various parts of the country and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan Following Khan's arrest in May 2023, his supporters attacked military and government buildings in various parts of the country and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan. The violence subsided only when Khan was released by the supreme court. However, he was again arrested in early August 2023 after a court handed him a three-year jail sentence for corruption. In recent months, Khan has been acquitted in several cases relating to last year's violence, but his bail was cancelled this week in connection with one such case that was pending against him in the eastern city of Lahore. Khan's party said it plans to approach higher courts to get bail for him. Bibi was reportedly the first Pakistani First Lady to wear a Niqab Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan with his wife Bushra Bibi arrive to appear at a high court in Lahore on May 15, 2023. Since then Khan has been embroiled in more than 150 legal cases, including inciting violence The latest development came a day after Pakistan's Supreme Court ruled that Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party was improperly denied at least 20 seats in parliament, in a significant blow to the country's fragile governing coalition. Khan's Pakistan party was previously excluded from a system that gives parties extra seats reserved for women and minorities in the National Assembly, or lower house of the parliament. Though the verdict was a major political win for Khan, it would not put his party in a position to oust the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who came into power following a February 8 election that Khan's allies say was rigged. Church of England advice for teachers has been criticised for pushing the gender ideology that a person's sex is 'assigned' at birth rather than a biological fact. Guidance set to be issued to thousands of schools states that a transgender man is someone 'who was assigned female at birth but identifies and lives as a man', and a transgender woman 'was assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a woman'. The statements are in the document Flourishing For All, which is backed by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, and tells teachers to challenge 'outdated terms'. About a million children attend 4,630 Anglican schools. Last night, critics condemned the proposed guidance. The statements are in the document Flourishing For All, which is backed by Justin Welby , Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured), and tells teachers to challenge 'outdated terms' About a million children attend 4,630 Anglican schools (stock image) Guidance set to be issued to thousands of schools states that a transgender man is someone 'who was assigned female at birth but identifies and lives as a man', and a transgender woman 'was assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a woman' (stock image) Lucy Marsh, of the Family Education Trust, said: 'It is extremely concerning that the Church of England does not recognise that biological sex is immutable. Sex is not 'assigned at birth', it is determined at conception and recorded at birth. These are biological, unchangeable facts. 'Coercing staff and children to believe in contested gender ideology as fact is not only wrong, but extremely harmful.' Stephanie Davies-Arai, of Transgender Trend, which challenges trans ideology in schools, said: 'Biological reality is not 'outdated', and it is worrying that the C of E thinks it is. Knowing that sex can't be changed is not an old-fashioned idea, but basic reality.' C of E chief education officer Nigel Genders presented the draft anti-bullying document, which is out for public consultation, at the General Synod on Monday. He said it was in response to the Government's trans guidance for schools and a review of NHS children's gender services that found transgender treatments were based on 'weak evidence'. But Ms Marsh and Ms Davies-Arai said the guidelines actually conflicted with the Department for Education's draft transgender guidance, which says pupils must not be taught about the 'concept of gender identity'. Stephanie Davies-Arai (pictured), of Transgender Trend, which challenges trans ideology in schools, said: 'Biological reality is not outdated' Andrea Williams, of Christian Concern (pictured), said: 'How does this guidance support any genuine Christian who wants to speak of God's good pattern for our lives?' Andrea Williams, of Christian Concern, said: 'How does this guidance support any genuine Christian who wants to speak of God's good pattern for our lives? Any dissent from LGBTQ ideology will be branded as homophobic, biphobic or transphobic and silenced.' A spokesperson for the Church of England said: 'Our anti-bullying guidance is currently in draft form, and we welcome consultation responses from all stakeholders. 'A glossary of terms is important in helping people to prevent and tackle bullying in schools by providing clear and consistent definitions, fostering informed discussions. 'The glossary is informed by reputable existing sources, including Government Guidance, the Cass Review and the Church of England's theologically informed Living in Love and Faith process.' Liz Truss has blamed Rishi Sunak 'trashing my record' in office and failing to slash taxes for the Tory election wipeout. The former PM, who lasted just 49 days in office, argued that her successor brought about the calamity by abandoning Conservative principles. The intervention by Ms Truss - who suffered a 'Portillo moment' last week when she lost her ultra-safe South West Norfolk to Labour - comes as the Right and moderates squabble over how to respond to the rout by Labour and rise of Reform. Ms Truss's was among 251 seats stripped from the Tories as the party was reduced to a new historic low of 121 MPs. Ms Truss broken her silence after becoming the first former PM since Labour's Ramsay MacDonald in 1935 to be evicted from the Commons by the electorate. Liz truss pictured losing her Norfolk South West seat to Labour on election night last week. The former Prime Minister has slammed Rishi Sunak for 'trashing' her 'record' in office Mr Sunak pictured during his leaving speech at Downing Street on July 5. Ms Truss said her successor ditched the principles of the party She told The Telegraph Mr Sunak had claimed cutting taxes did not fuel growth in a short-term bid to secure votes at the 2022 Tory leadership campaign. She said: 'This abandonment of Conservative principles not only led to him getting no credit from the voters for cutting National Insurance, but also led to an even larger general election defeat as he continued to trash my record and promote Labour's false narrative that the global rise in mortgage rates was somehow my fault.' The ex-Prime Minister revealed she had not spoken out during the general election period in fear of hindering the party's campaign but that the time had now come to intervene. Ms Truss insisted she had attempted to take on the status quo - which she described as 'Blairite economic orthodoxy' - with her short-lived, tax-cutting agenda. She claimed that the gambling scandal which engulfed the Tories mid-campaign had contributed to a lack of enthusiasm on the doorstep, as had Mr Sunak 'repeating the mantra of stop the boats while presiding over record immigration'. The former Tory leader also said her Conservative predecessors as prime minister did not do enough to push back against a 'Leftist agenda', including on issues like net zero and gender self-identification. She was the only one, she claimed, who sought to act differently. The former Prime Minister added that Labour would not be re-elected in five years time as they had no plan to tackle Whitehall 'bureaucracy' or cut taxes. Ms Truss pictured leaving Balmoral after meeting Queen Elizabeth II upon becoming Prime Minister on September 6. She lasted just 49 days in the job Terry Jermy (pictured, on election night) overturned a 26,195 majority won by Ms Truss in 2019 after Reform and an independent campaign by the 'Turnip Taliban' It comes after Ms Truss led a parade of Tory big hitters who sensationally lost their seats in the Tory election bloodbath. Terry Jermy overturned a 26,195 majority won by Ms Truss in 2019 after Reform and an independent campaign by the 'Turnip Taliban' - a group of local disgruntled ex-Tories - whittled down her support. On a humiliating night for Rishi Sunak's party, some of the Conservatives' biggest names - including a record number of frontbenchers - lost their seats as Labour stormed to an historic landslide win. Jacob Rees-Mogg lost his Somerset North East & Hanham seat to Labour's Dan Norris by more than 5,000 votes. In a polite speech afterwards he congratulated Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on 'what seems to be a historic victory'. Meanwhile, a glum-looking Defence Secretary Grant Shapps suffered a 'Portillo Moment' as he was defeated by Labour in Welwyn Hatfield by around 3,000 votes. A 'Portillo' moment is a reference to Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo who lost what had been regarded as a safe Tory seat in Labour's 1997 landslide. And Penny Mordaunt lost her Commons seat despite having been tipped as a potential future Tory leader as the party tries to regroup from a long-expected electoral pummelling. A 13-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly attempted to kidnap two women in Vero Beach, southeast Florida, after his mother recognized the creepy photo released by police showing him hovering outside the homes of his alleged victims. The teen, whose name has not been revealed, has been charged with one count of attempted kidnapping after approaching the women on July 2 and 7. The alleged incidents occurred in the Pointe West neighborhood west of Vero Beach. Both women were able to get away from the teen by screaming, pushing or running. When the boy was questioned by police he told officers that he was in a 'dream-like' state. A 13-year-old boy has been arrested after he allegedly attempted to kidnap two women in Vero Beach, southeast Florida. He was seen lurking in the Pointe West neighborhood The boy was seen lurking outside of a home in the neighborhood when the women were attacked Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said following an interview with the teen, officers believe the boy has mental problems. 'We asked him, is it sexual, what is it? Why is it that you did this?' Sheriff Flowers explained to NBC6. 'His story was that he felt like he was in a dream-like state, that he was watching himself from above, that he didn't know if it was real or it was a dream We believe that his intent was definitely more.' During the second incident, the boy revealed that he had been carrying a knife at the time. The boy's mother recognized her son in some of the still images released by police and confronted him Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said following an interview with the teen, officers believe the boy has mental problems So far, the teen has only been charged with one count of attempted kidnapping although police know of a third incident in which the same boy followed her home while she had been walking her dog and then banged on her door. Surveillance images showing the teen stalking the neighborhood led investigators to him. The child's mother later confronted her son after she appeared to recognize him in the still images from the surveillance footage. 'There's no belief that he's on drugs, but I'll tell you, mom sat in our room today and talked about how he is a compulsive liar, that he believes his own lies, that he's been that way since he was 5 years old, that she can't trust anything that he has to say,' Sheriff Flowers said. 'We believe that he definitely has some issues, some mental health issues that will be something that the courts will be looking at.' The body of a man has been discovered in a stairwell in a home in Melbourne's east. Emergency services arrived at the apartment block on Young Street in Box Hill about 7.45pm on Saturday following reports of an assault. Upon entering the home, police found the man dead in a stairwell. He is yet to be formally identified. Victoria Police said a second man is assisting with police inquires. Homicide squad detectives have attended the scene and investigations into the death remain ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Donald Trump was left bleeding from his ear after being shot on stage at a rally in a horrific attack by a would-be assassin. A barrage of rifle rounds rained down shortly after the former president got up to speak on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump grabbed the side of his head and ducked as bullets whizzed by and screams from terrified onlookers rang out. Secret Service agents could be heard shouting 'the shooter is down' in the ensuing chaos and the gunman was later confirmed dead. Donald Trump raises his fist moments after being injured in a shooting at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening This is the moment the former president was injured as at least one stunned onlooker realized something had gone very wrong Trump is seen surrounded by Secret Service agents in the moments after the shooting. He raised his fist to indicate that he was okay in an image that has since swept the globe At least one Trump supporter was killed and two others were critically injured by stray bullets in the assassination attempt. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said he was told by detectives that the gunman, named as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was on the roof of a building adjacent to the event, and the shooting 'would have required a rifle' as it 'was several hundred yards' away. The identity of the dead bystander have not yet been confirmed. An AR-style rifle was recovered at the scene. In an image that has already gone around the world, Trump was pictured repeatedly pumping his fist with blood dripping from his face while being swarmed by Secret Service agents. Moments later, he was rushed away to safety. Trump's team said further updates on the former president's condition will follow soon. Donald Trump appeared to be shot in the ear as shots were fired at the former president at a rally in Pennsylvania Trump pumped a fist at the crowd and did not seem to severely injured as he walked on his own off the stage, surrounded by secret service Trump mouthed the word 'fight' at supporters as blood spattered across his face In a post to Truth Social, Trump said his thoughts are with the family of the rally attendee who was killed, as he said he was 'shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.' 'I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening,' he said. 'I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. 'Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. 'GOD BLESS AMERICA!' In a post to Truth Social, Trump said his thoughts are with the family of the rally attendee who was killed as he offered details of the shooting Trump grabbed at the side of his head as he appeared to be hit Secret Service raced to the stage to protect Trump after shots were fired Trump had blood streaming down his cheeks as Secret Service agents put him to the floor A witness told the BBC that agents 'blew the (shooter's) head off.' Within seconds of shots ringing out, Trump was put to the floor by several Secret Service agents to protect him. Onlookers said 'residual bangs' were heard after Trump hit the floor. Trump stood up shortly after and pumped his fist at the crowd, leading to chants of 'USA' and 'Make America Great Again.' He appeared to mouth the word 'fight' to supporters. The Secret Service said in a statement that the former president is 'safe', adding that the situation was being treated as 'an active Secret Service investigation.' The extent of Trump's injuries are not clear, although he appeared to want to show his supporters that he was okay moments after being shot. The extent of Trump's injuries are not clear, although he appeared to want to show his supporters that he was okay within seconds of being shot Trump's campaign said he was raced to hospital after the shooting, but is 'fine' As Trump pumped his fist to the crowd, some were heard cheering his name and chanting 'USA' and 'Make America Great Again' Trump appeared to mouth the word 'fight' as he was dragged away As he was rushed into SUVs, Trump again flashed a fist at his supporters The former president appeared to be shot in the ear Blood can be seen pouring from the side of the former president's head Trump supporters cowered for safety in the stands as chaos took hold President Biden said in a statement that American 'must unite as one nation' in response to the horrific scenes. 'I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trumps rally in Pennsylvania. Im grateful to hear that hes safe and doing well,' the White House said in a statement. 'Im praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.' In a press conference later in the evening, Biden described the incident as 'sick', and said there is 'no place in America for this kind of violence.' 'I hope I get to speak to him tonight,' Biden said of his 2024 opponent. Donald Trump Jr has since shared a post of his bloodied father with his fist clenched on X, captioned: 'He'll never stop fighting to save America.' A spokesman added that the GOP 2024 hopeful added that Trump 'thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.' President Biden said at a press conference that there is 'no place in America for this kind of violence' Trump reacted quickly as a number of shots flew at him at the Pennsylvania rally Witnesses hug after seeing the assassination attempt The Secret Service said in a statement it 'has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe' Trump's campaign said in a statement that he 'thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act' The extent of Trump's injuries are not clear, although he appeared to want to show his supporters that he was okay within seconds of being shot Trump's rallies are a heavily guarded event Attendees point to the crowd shortly after shots rang out A spokesperson for the ATF said agents from the bureau have been deployed to assist with the aftermath of the chaos. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., was standing front row at the rally along with Reps. Mike Kelly and GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick. Meuser said he heard between eight to 10 shots ring out as screams rippled through the crowd, according to Fox News. He added that it appeared there were multiple people in the crowd may have been impacted by the bullets and the local district attorney confirmed that at least one person is 'believed to be dead.' Moments before, Trump was using a graphic at the rally to speak about illegal immigration Although shots continued to be fired after Trump ducked, there are no early reports of any others injured at the rally An emergency room doctor at the Trump rally said he performed CPR on a member of the crowd after the shooting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the shocking scenes in his state. 'Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable,' Shapiro said on X. 'It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners.' An emergency room doctor at the Trump rally revealed how he performed CPR on a member of the crowd after the attempted assassination. 'I heard the shots. I thought it was firecrackers begin with. Somebody over there was screaming 'he's been shot he's been shot,'' said the man who had blood splattered all over his white USA shirt. 'So I made my way over. I said I'm an emergency department physician. Let me help you.' 'The guy had spun around was jammed between the benches and a head shot here. There's lots of blood and he had brain matter,' he told CBS News. Former President Donald Trump defiantly fist pumped to a crowd of his supporters as he was escorted off the stage after shots were fired at his rally in Pennsylvania. Inspired by the former president's gesture, the crowd broke out in a chant of 'USA! USA!' Although it's unclear if the former president was struck, Trump's ear appeared to be covered in blood as he was whisked off the stage. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said: 'I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear.' There also appeared to be streaks of blood smeared across his face. In an official statement, Trump's campaign told supporters that he is 'fine.' The former president is now being checked at a medical facility. Secret Security was quick to respond after the shots were fired and immediately surrounded the former president to insulate and shield him from more gunfire. Soldiers stalked across the stage with their guns drawn. The heroic agents ushered Trump off the stage and to his motorcade, maintaining a perimeter around the former president. The shooter and a rally attendee were both killed at the event, the Butler County District Attorney reported. Former President Donald Trump fist pumped to a crowd of his supporters as he was escorted off the stage after shots were fired at his rally Although it's unclear if the former president was struck, Trump's ear appeared to be covered in blood as he was whisked off the stage Although it's unclear if the former president was struck, Trump's ear appeared to be covered in blood as he was whisked off the stage Initially dazed, Trump told agents, 'let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes' as he got up from the ground. 'I got you, sir. I got you,' one agent said, helping the former president to his feet. With his arms around some agents, Trump walked toward the end of the stage. Before leaving the stage, Trump paused in front of the stairs and defiantly shook his fist before the crowd. The crowd, energized by Trump's fist pumping, broke out in a chant of 'USA! USA!' The former president also appeared to have shouted 'Fight! Fight! Fight!' to his supporters before he was ushered off the stage. As Trump was escorted toward a waiting black vehicle, the security personnel held their hands above his head to ensure he was safe. In the background, some of the crowd cheered on the president, while some wailed in horror. After the shots were fired in the apparent assassination attempt at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump and the whole crowd dropped to the ground. Before he dropped to the ground, Trump clapped his hand to his ear like he had been struck. After Trump dropped, the secret service agents piled on top of the former president to guard him from bullets. Trump's MAGA hat fell off as he ducked down behind the podium. A conscientious secret service agent made sure to pick the hat up and take it with him. Before he dropped to the ground, Trump clapped his hand to his ear like he had been struck After the apparent shots were fired to the left of the stage at the rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump and the whole crowd dropped to the ground Initially, screams of panic and horror swept across the crowd after there were at least five gun shots. The piercing shriek of a woman rang out as Trump dropped behind the podium. Then Trump stood up amid a press of secret service agents, who led him toward the staircase. But before descending from the stage, Trump looked to the crowd and pumped his fist vigorously. Although some cries of horror persisted, thousands of supporters broke out in a chant of 'USA! USA!' Then Trump was ushered toward his motorcade, but before he got into the vehicle, he turned and looked toward the crowd and shook his fist in the air. The crowd roared with enthusiasm. After Trump climbed into the vehicle, soldiers and security agents stood around the car with their guns drawn. Later, Trump thanked the Secret Service for their swift reaction. In a post on Truth Social, the former president wrote: 'I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place.' Trump also described the moment he was apparently struck with the bullet. Before descending from the stage, Trump looked to the crowd and pumped his fist vigorously 'I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.' He added: 'Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.' At the time the shots rang out, Trump was displaying a chart of border crossing numbers. The rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, is now officially a crime scene. The shooting is being investigated as an assassination attempt. In a press statement, Anthony Gugliemi, the Chief of Communications for the Secret Service, said that at approximately 6:15 pm, 'a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue.' Gugliemi continued: 'US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. US Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and the former president is safe and being evaluated.' The statement concluded by confirming that one spectator was killed and that two spectators were critically injured. Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said: Initially, screams of panic and horror swept across the crowd after there were at least five gun shots 'President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act.' He continued: 'He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.' President Biden, leaving a Mass in Rehoboth Beach, told reporters 'no,' when asked if he'd been briefed on the incident. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris's office said that she'd received an 'initial briefing' on the situation. Later, the White House said that President Biden had now received an 'initial briefing.' Beginning at 8:13pm, Biden held a press conference during which he said that everybody must 'condemn' this kind of violence The president called the shooting 'sick' and said we 'cannot condone this.' Biden also expressed his desire to speak with Biden directly. When asked if he thought the shooting was part of an assassination attempt, Biden said he had an 'opinion' but lacked any facts. Secret Security was quick to respond after shots were fired and immediately surrounded the president to insulate him and shield him from more potential gunfire Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate David McCormick, who was sitting in the front row at the rally, said that it seemed like someone behind him was shot. 'All of a sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot,' McCormick told Politico. As a former president, Trump enjoys Secret Service protection for life under federal law. Because of Trump's identity as the presumptive Republican nominee, he receives additional protective assets. There's already been an outpouring of support from Republican leaders. 'Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us,' Former Vice President Mike wrote on X.com. Speaker Mike Johnson also posted on the social media platform that he was praying for Trump. Trump's oldest child, Donald Trump Jr., took to X to praise his father: 'He'll never stop fighting to Save America.' Like her father, Ivanka Trump expressed her appreciation of the quick work of the secret service, tweeting that she was 'grateful to the Secret Service and all the other law enforcement officers for their quick and decisive actions.' At the end of her post, Trump's eldest daughter wrote: 'I love you Dad, today and always.' Before leaving the stage, Trump defiantly shook his fist before the crowd Former President Barack Obama released a statement condemning the act of violence. In a statement, he wrote: 'There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.' Obama continued: 'We should all be relieved that former President Trump wasnt seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics.' He added: 'Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.' Other former presidents made similar statements. Former President George W. Bush said: 'Laura and I are grateful that President Trump is safe following the cowardly attack on his life.' Bush concluded: 'We commend the men and women of the Secret Service for their speedy response.' Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the incident, saying: 'Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable.' New York Governor Kathy Hochul also condemned the act, writing on X.com: 'Any violence against a fellow American is disgusting and unacceptable. We must express political disagreements peacefully, civilly and respectfully.' She continued: 'I am praying for the safety and health of former President Trump and all who are attending this event in Pennsylvania.' Initially dazed, Trump said, 'let me get my shoes on,' before the security detail conducted him off the stage Speaker of the house Hakeem Jeffries also spoke out, writing in a statement: 'My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.' The violence comes just ahead of the Republican National Convention. Before the incident in Butler, Trump was expected to name his running mate in the coming days. Possible Trump VP nominees have already expressed their concern over Trump's well-being. North Dakota Senator Doug Burgum wrote: 'We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.' Florida Senator Marco Rubio responded to the horrific incident by tweeting a picture of Trump at the rally, blood on his face and his fist in the air. Behind Trump, the American Flag billows in the air. 'God protected President Trump,' Rubio wrote. South Carolina Senator Tim Scott similarly tweeted: Trump's MAGA hat appeared to fall off as he dropped down behind the podium. A conscientious secret service agent made sure to pick the hat up 'Praying for President Trump and everyone at the rally in Pennsylvania. May God watch over them all.' Elon Musk also gave a full-throated endorsement of Trump on X.com. 'I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.' Musk also wrote: 'Last time America had a candidate this tough was Theodore Roosevelt.' Prayers are coming in for former President Trump after he was shot at a Pennsylvania rally on Saturday as blood poured down on his face. Chaos broke out after Secret Service cleared the area and rushed the former president off stage. Trump later confirmed that a bullet grazed his right ear during the assassination attempt. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., was standing front row at the rally along with Reps. Mike Kelly and GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick. Meuser said he heard between eight to 10 shots ring out as screams rippled through the crowd, according to Fox News. He added that it appeared there were multiple people in the crowd may have been hit by the bullets and the local district attorney confirmed that at least one rally-goer is 'believed to be dead.' The former president's Secret Service protective detail issued a statement shortly after the incident declaring 'the former President is safe.' Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung thanked law enforcement and first responders 'for their quick action during this heinous act.' '[Trump] is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.' Reactions started flowing in from members of the left and the right and across the world sending well wishes to the former president and condemning any form of political violence. Prayers are coming in for former President Trump after he was seen with blood on his face following shots that rang out at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday afternoon The protective detail issued a statement shortly after the incident declaring 'the former President is safe' President Biden received an 'initial briefing on the incident at Former President Trumps rally,' according to a statement from the White House. House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X: 'Praying for President Trump.' 'Karen and I are praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us,' said Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she knows 'firsthand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former President Trump is safe.' 'As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray,' she added. Former President Barack Obama echoed her sentiment, saying there is 'absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy.' 'Although we dont yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasnt seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.: 'My thoughts and prayers are with former President Trump. I am thankful for the decisive law enforcement response. America is a democracy. Political violence of any kind is never acceptable.' Squad leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also put out words of support for Trump calling the incident 'horrific.' 'It is absolutely unacceptable and must be denounced in the strongest terms. My heart goes out to all the victims and I wish the former President a speedy recovery.' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.: 'Tonight, all Americans are grateful that President Trump appears to be fine after a despicable attack on a peaceful rally. Violence has no place in our politics. We appreciate the swift work of the Secret Service and other law enforcement.' Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: 'Sara and I were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump. We pray for his safety and speedy recovery.' New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was 'appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trumps rally.' 'Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,' he wrote on X. Trump's rumored vice presidential picks also poured in support. President Biden received an 'initial briefing on the incident at Former President Trumps rally,' according to a statement from the White House Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wrote on X that he thanked God for protecting the former president. 'Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today.' Another rumored VP candidate Sen. JD Vance of Ohio stated: 'Trump campaign saying the president is OK. Thank God. Hope everyone else is safe.' North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum wrote: 'Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today.' 'We all know President Trump is stronger than his enemies. Today he showed it.' 'Shots fired at Trump rally. Praying for President Trump, his family and our entire nation,' wrote Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody on X. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum wrote: 'Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today' Praying for President Trump. Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 13, 2024 The assassination attempt occurred just days before the Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Trump is expected to address his delegates assembled who will formally nominate him to become the GOP nominee for the presidency. His campaign said he will still attend the convention, which will go on as planned. 'As was communicated earlier this evening, President Trump is doing well and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their fast action.' 'President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our party's nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again.' Barclays has introduced low noise emission hand dryers and gender neutral toilets in a drive to be more 'inclusive' for neurodivergent workers. The measures at the bank's campus in Glasgow also include quiet rooms for those with 'sensory issues'. It is the latest example of companies making big changes in the office in a bid to stave off criticism from the woke brigade. Employers' groups say a spike in people being diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD, autism and anxiety is piling the pressure on firms to make more provisions for them. Tanya de Grunwald, of the Good and Fair Employers Club, said social media influencers 'push a strong message that young jobseekers should self-advocate for whatever they need to feel comfortable' during the recruitment process. Barclays has introduced low noise emission hand dryers and gender neutral toilets in a drive to be more 'inclusive' for neurodivergent workers (Stock image) The company has introduced the measures at it's campus in Glasgow (Stock image) It is the latest example of companies making big changes in the office in a bid to stave off criticism from the woke brigade (Stock image) She added: 'Employers like Barclays are under pressure to accommodate candidates' requests. They don't want to miss out on talent, but young people are quite forceful occasionally threatening.' Ms De Grunwald said firms are fearful of legal challenge, and of jobseekers being critical on review websites. 'The law says they must make reasonable adjustments, but it looks like Barclays have gone much further than they need to legally.' Motionspot, which describes itself as an 'inclusive design consultancy', was commissioned by Barclays to design the 'barrier-free' workspace. Sheila McGoldrick at Barclays said lighting, sound environment, colours and textures were all considered when designing the office in a way that is supportive to autistic and neurodiverse people. Law firm Hogan Lovells was criticised this month as Orwellian for introducing an anonymous reporting hotline for staff who were upset about the use of non-inclusive language. Insurance firm Zurich UK has created sensory maps at all of its sites to show staff the levels of temperature, noise, smells and foot traffic around the office. The shooter who fired at least eight shots at Donald Trump and injured him is dead, with a rallygoer also killed in Saturday's appalling bloodbath. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger confirmed the two deaths after the atrocity at a Trump rally at Butler Farm Show Grounds in Butler, Pennsylvania. Neither the identity of the shooter nor the bystander who also died has been released. The Secret Service's counter sniper team took out the shooter. They said the male shooter began firing from an elevated position outside the rally grounds before being killed. Two other people were critically-injured by the gunfire. Images on social media show the dead gunman laying on top of a beige building about 300 feet north of the stage where Trump was standing when he was shot. The gunman opened fire from AGR International, a plastic container manufacturing facility. Unverified video circulating on social media showed a body - that appeared to be clad in camo gear - lying on top of a beige-colored building outside the farm grounds. Trump was mid-sentence, saying 'Take a look at what happened' when the shots began to ring out shortly before 6pm ET, with terrified screams filling the air as he and onlookers dived to the ground. Law enforcement officials stand over a body on the roof of a building just outside the Butler Farm Grounds. This is believed to be the gunman who shot Donald Trump Donald Trump is seen with his fist in the air under a Stars and Stripes flag after Saturday's shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the president was injured, with the shooter and a bystander both killed Bystanders are seen in the aftermath of the shooting. The man in the blood-splattered white t-shirt is an ER physician who told CBS News that he tried to help a bystander killed in the shooting. The dead bystander was on the ground just behind the man in blood-stained white A bloodied Trump is surrounded by Secret Service personnel moments after being shot In the moments after the shooting, voices could be heard screaming 'The shooter is down' as Trump dived to the floor and frightened rallygoers screamed with fear. The 45th president was seen ducking down with blood coming from his ear. Trump has since issued a statement on TruthSocial detailing what happened to him. He wrote: 'I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!' It had previously been suggested that Trump was struck and injured by a piece of a shattered teleprompter. Seconds later, the blood-covered lawmaker pumped his fist in the air to indicate that he was fine, while surrounded by Secret Service agents, before being led away. An extraordinary photo shows Donald Trump on the ground at Butler Show Grounds in Pennsylvania Saturday after he was injured in a shooting that left two people dead Donald Trump pumps his fist moments after being shot at a re-election rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening This is the moment Trump was injured - reportedly by a piece of flying teleprompter shattered by the gunshots A wider shot shows Trump being surrounded by Secret Service agents on the stage while stunned supporters look on. Security officials could be heard screaming 'the shooter is down' in the moments after gunfire erupted The president is seen being pushed into a Secret Service SUV, his raised fist still in the air Trump could also be heard repeatedly asking: 'Let me get my shoes.' Realizing their hero was uninjured and that the immediate danger appeared to have passed, the crowd began chanting 'USA, USA' as he was rushed away and bundled into a Secret Service SUV. Team Trump says the former president is 'fine' and that further updates on his condition would follow soon. A medical helicopter was seen taking off from the rally site 19 minutes after the shooting and is believed to be headed for a hospital in nearby Pittsburgh, The New York Times reported. It is unclear if that was carrying the bystander who died, or Trump himself. A blood-covered ER doctor told CBS News that he had treated the dead bystander and that they had suffered severe injuries. The doctor, who did not give his name, said: 'I heard the shots. I thought it was firecrackers begin with. 'Somebody over there was screaming 'he's been shot he's been shot. 'So I made my way over. I said I'm an emergency department physician. Let me help you.' 'The guy had spun around was jammed between the benches and a head shot here. There's lots of blood and he had brain matter. 'So I got him together so I got people there really helpful. I did CPR chest compressions as well.' A medical helicopter could be heard coming in to land as the doctor spoke and he indicated that he believed the aircraft was there for the bystander he'd just treated. Donald Trump Jr has since said that his father is in 'good spirits' and shared a tweet of his bloodied father with his fist raised captioned: 'He will never stop fighting to Save America.' Dramatic footage that has swept the world showed popping sounds ring out as the 2024 presidential hopeful was on stage addressing a large crowd of supporters. Trump could be seen ducking as screams rang out and fans in MAGA t-shirts stood behind him threw themselves to the ground. It is unclear where the shooter fired the shots from, or what kind of weapon was used. Secret Service agents face urgent questions about how they were able to put a former president - who is current favorite to be 47th president - face mortal peril. Donald Trump is pictured with blood on his face moments after shots rang out at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday The site of the Trump rally in Butler County Show Grounds is pictured before Trump came on stage. The president spoke on the stage just below the hoisted American flag with a crowd standing behind him. President Biden is seen addressing reporters after Saturday's shooting - he branded the incident 'sick' and said he was 'grateful' to hear that the former president was 'safe and doing well' President Biden says he is 'grateful to hear that (Trump) is safe and doing well' and that he is 'praying' for the Trumps while awaiting further information. Biden added: 'Theres no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it.' The president has since appeared live on TV to further condemn the shooting, branding it 'sick'. Vice President Kamala Harris is being briefed on the shooting. Former President Barack Obama has also condemned the shooting, saying: 'There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. 'Although we dont yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasnt seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. 'Michelle and I are wishing him a quick recovery.' Alec Baldwin should have the 'human decency' to say 'I'm sorry' to the family of the woman he accidentally shot dead, their lawyer said last night. Gloria Allred, who represents victim Halyna Hutchins's parents Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych and sister Svetlana Zemko, spoke out after involuntary manslaughter charges against the actor were sensationally dropped on Friday. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the case 'with prejudice' meaning Baldwin, 66, can never be tried again on the same charges after it was revealed that prosecutors withheld vital evidence. Last night Ms Allred said: 'He should just have the human decency to say 'I'm sorry' in a phone call or FaceTime to the parents. 'This was somebody's daughter, somebody's sister. It's not all about Alec Baldwin. There are victims in this case. They are not celebrities, they matter. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins who was shot dead on the set of Rust Alec Baldwin and his wife leave court after the second day of testimony in the trial against him on July 11 'This dismissal of the criminal case against Alec Baldwin is in no way, shape or form an exoneration of him. It does not change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins.' Ms Hutchins was shot dead on the set of the movie Rust in October 2021 when a gun being held by Baldwin 'accidentally discharged' a live bullet. Ms Hutchins's family were unable to travel to the trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, because they live in war-torn Ukraine. Ms Allred described the decision to drop the case as 'shocking, devastating' and a 'punch in the gut', adding that it was 'such a disappointment for Halyna's family' and would 'add to their pain and suffering'. However, although Baldwin's criminal case is over his legal woes are not. He now faces a civil wrongful death suit brought by Ms Hutchins's parents and sister and a second civil case filed by her widower Matthew. A legal source said: 'He's already spent a fortune defending himself in the criminal case which was obviously money well spent and worth every penny. 'But he faces potentially millions more in legal fees and possible settlements in the civil cases.' Ms Hutchins was shot dead on the set of the movie Rust in October 2021 when a gun being held by Baldwin 'accidentally discharged' a live bullet Yesterday, the actor made his first public comment since the case was thrown out, writing on Instagram: 'There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family.' Hollywood insiders say he now stands to make millions in book, movie and interview deals. Oprah Winfrey and other celebrity interviewers have been 'knocking down his door' to get the first post-trial interview. A source said: 'Alec has hit the jackpot. He's worth way more now that he was before. 'When he was filming Rust he was a fading star who was losing his appeal. When he was charged, the offers dried up. 'Now he has been vindicated people will hire him for movies, they will pay for the big bucks interviews, he will get a book deal. America loves a comeback story.' Camilla's fashion evolution began long before she became Queen, but the Coronation was undoubtedly a pivotal moment. Her choice of a regal white Bruce Oldfield gown adorned with delicate embroidery set the tone for her new role. It was a statement of grace and majesty, reflecting her understanding of the significance of the occasion. For a woman who was once criticised for her conservative and sometimes frumpy choices, the Queen - who turns 77 on Wednesday - has had quite the turnaround in fashion terms. She now embodies elegance, confidence and a keen sense of what works for her. Working with dresser Jacqui Meakin, Camilla champions British designers such as Oldfield, Fiona Clare, Anna Valentine, and milliner Philip Treacy, and they all create bespoke designs to fit the varied events she attends. Fiona Clare told MailOnline said she aims to make her clients feel that their outfit will 'photograph to flatter'. For hers and King Charles' Coronation last year Queen Camilla wore a beautiful white gown designed by Bruce Oldfield, as well as well as the Crown of Queen Mary from 1911 and the same Garrard necklace that Queen Elizabeth II wore for her own big day in 1953 When Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited last month, Queen Camilla chose an Anna Valentine white midi dress with long sleeves and a V-neckline for the ceremonial welcome. The royal accessorised with an Anna Valentine and Charles Laurie bag Since the Coronation, Camilla has continued to refine her style, choosing colours and silhouettes that not only flatter her figure but also convey a sense of timeless elegance. One of her key strategies has been to embrace a more tailored look. Gone are the days of shapeless dresses and oversized coats. Instead, Camilla now opts for fitted blazers, structured skirts, and dresses that highlight her waist. This shift towards more tailored pieces has given her wardrobe a polished and sophisticated edge. Camilla has always played by the rules, usually wearing a coat dress and hat combination for daytime engagements and in this way her wardrobe is similar to the late Queen's, but with some subtle differences. Her coat dresses not only feature her signature mandarin collar but also some well-placed darts that give her the waist definition that the late Queen avoided. Fiona Clare said: 'I aim to create a piece that will be perfect for the occasion it is intended for, and for many more occasions afterwards. 'I take into consideration where it will be worn, accessories, jewellery and the time of year. 'Sometimes a dress or coat needs to be a beautifully cut piece using the finest silk crepe or wool with some embroidery in the same colour to be a "canvas" for the jewellery being worn. 'It is about the complete look having an impact and the wearer knowing she feels comfortable and that it will photograph to flatter. 'Obviously I want every client to feel completely amazing!' She added: 'I am always looking out for inspiration, I love Christian Dior's original designs - they were all so beautifully made. 'I don't think people appreciate the hours of work, so much of it by hand, that go into creating something that will actually last for years. 'I take inspiration from jewellery, tiaras and paintings - particularly Pre Raphaelite and Impressionists.' Working with dresser Jacqui Meakin (above), Camilla champions British designers such as Bruce Oldfield, Anna Valentine, Fiona Clare and milliner Philip Treacy, and they all create bespoke designs to fit the varied events she attends At Royal Ascot's Ladies Day in June, Camilla chose a white Dior dress with an oversized Philip Treacy floral hat. To add a pop of dynamic colour, she opted for an exquisite and rarely seen item from the royal collection, a striking carved emerald brooch which originally belonged to King Charles's great-grandmother, Queen Mary Queen Camilla showcased her signature elegance and sophistication for the fourth day of Ascot when she wore an Anna Valentine duck egg blue coat dress with a large feathered hat by renowned designer Philip Treacy. Camilla paired her outfit with Queen Elizabeth II's Jardine Star Brooch and a Kiki McDonough pendant necklace Queen Camilla made a nod to Kenya with her dress while on day two of the couple's four-day state visit to the country last November. The royal chose a cream-coloured dress by Anna boasting unique brown stitching in the shape of giraffes. She wore the outfit again at Wimbledon in 2024 For a visit to Mtongwe Naval Base in Kenya, Queen Camilla chose a floaty Anna Valentine pink chiffon tunic which flatteringly fell to below her knee. She twinned it with white palazzo trousers for a streamlined silhouette. Camilla clutched a Savannah Bay Mini Raffia tote bag in beige in November 2023 To finish off the royal tour of Kenya, Camilla chose a striking tropical printed Fiona Clare dress. The pattern showed Queen Camilla's fun side and she stylishly completed the outfit with a chic Burberry trench coat and classic nude pumps in November 2023 Colour choice has also played a crucial role in Camilla's fashion renaissance. She has mastered the art of monochromatic dressing and generally favours a subdued palette rather than following the bold colours of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen often steps out in outfits that feature different shades of the same colour, creating a cohesive and harmonious look. And whether it's a head-to-toe cream ensemble or a striking navy outfit, Camilla knows how to make a statement without overwhelming her frame. Celebrity hair colourist Jo Hansford has been looking after Camilla's buttery blonde hair across three decades. 'The Queen is definitely a style icon and a wonderful ambassador for modern British women,' she said. 'She knows what works for her and is confident and comfortable in her choices of her hair, make up and her wardrobe.' As Camilla's skin tone and hair texture has changed over the years her hairstyle has discreetly evolved too. Ms Hansford said the Queen is open to advice because it is always important to reassess your colour through life, to make gradual alterations where needed. 'I have been working on her colour over the last few years to create a warmer, softer highlighted look which suits her skin tone,' she said. For the funeral of Sir Chips Keswick in May, Queen Camilla paid her respects in a Fiona Clare dress. The pretty white detailing added a lightness to the sombre occasion. She paired the outfit with a Philip Treacy hat, Chanel bag and Eliot Zed shoes For last year's Braemar Gathering in Scotland, Camilla suitablby chose a tartan inspired outfit. The bespoke jacket and skirt was by Mr Roy and featured a check skirt and matching check lapels. The outfit was finished with aplomb with a Philip Treacy beret decorated with a pair of pheasant feathers Celebrity hair colourist Jo Hansford (above) has been looking after Camilla's buttery blonde across three decades At Epsom Downs last year, Queen Camilla oozed elegance in a pastel suit and feathered trilby which suited her shorter hair/ The blazer's scalloped hem on both the jacket's edge and sleeves gave the classic skirt suit a contemporary twist, with the collarless design feeling modern and fresh When she joined the King on a visit to University College Hospital last year, Camilla opted for a ruffled Fiona Clare animal print dress and a Moynat bag. She also wore a touching pendant featuring the five initials of her grandchildren During the royal visit to France last September, Queen Camilla attended a state dinner at the Palace of Versailles wearing an elegant Dior Haute Couture gown. The midnight-blue silk crepe design featured a billowing floor-length cape with a braided trim and was paired with Queen Elizabeth II's diamond and sapphire necklace Queen Camilla dazzled as she attended a dinner with King Charles at Mansion House in honour of their Coronation. The embellished dropped-waist black gown was a recycled piece by Bruce Oldfield and featured a scooped neckline. Camilla completed the show-stopping look with Queen Mary's Girls of Great Britain Northern Ireland tiara Camilla's choice of accessories has also evolved significantly. The Queen has become known for her exquisite collection of hats, which she wears with aplomb at various formal events. From wide-brimmed headpieces adorned with feathers to chic fascinators, Camilla's headwear is always on point, complementing her outfits perfectly. Her selection of jewellery is equally impressive, often featuring exquisite heirloom jewels and tiaras which have on many occasions given a nod to the late Queen Elizabeth. Footwear is another area where Camilla has made thoughtful choices. She favours classic, comfortable shoes - such as those from Sole Bliss - that are suitable for her busy schedule. Mid-heeled pumps in neutral shades are a staple in her wardrobe, providing both style and practicality. For more casual engagements, she opts for elegant flats or stylish boots, always ensuring that her footwear complements her outfit while providing the necessary comfort for long days on her feet. When she walked inside Number 10 Downing Street alongside her husband after his election victory this month, Lady Victoria Starmer was following a rapidly blossoming fashion trend. For she was wearing a stunning 275 red frock by ME+EM that quickly sold out. But as well as having attracted the eye of Sir Keir Starmer's wife, ME+M is fast becoming a secret style weapon of the royals. This was spectacularly highlighted when Queen Mary of Denmark and Zara Tindall were seen wearing the same dress just a day apart this month. This double royal endorsement is not an isolated incident, the Duchess of Edinburgh is another ardent admirer of ME+EM and boasts an impressive collection of 21 dresses from the brand. As we reveal below, other royals including Zara Tindall, the Princess of Wales and her mother Carole Middleton and Meghan Markle have also sported the firm's designs. When she walked inside Number 10 Downing Street alongside her husband after his election victory this month, Lady Victoria Starmer was following a rapidly blossoming fashion trend. For she was wearing a stunning 275 red frock by ME+EM that quickly sold out Clare Hornby, creative director and founder of ME+EM, which is proving popular with the royals Princess of Wales - Chelsea Flower Show , 2023 The Princess of Wales was pretty in a pink ME+EM shirt dress for her outing at the Chelsea Flower Show last year. Kate, who had previously worn the outfit two years earlier, paired the belted, button front frock with her much-loved Castaner espadrille wedges and Zoraida leaf earrings. ME+EM, which was founded by Clare Hornby in 2009, believes in 'intelligent style for intelligent women'. It's not hard to see why the label has positioned itself as a royal go-to. Its hard-working clothes side-step trends for pieces that will stand the test of time. Both fashionable and functional, with meticulous attention to detail, ME+EM flatters silhouettes with luxurious fabrics for a timeless appeal, whether it's a tailored dress for a formal event or a more relaxed piece for daytime outings. Kate donned this pink shirt dress for a second time when she visited Chelsea Flower Show in 2023 Carole Middleton - Royal Ascot, 2022 Stepping out at Royal Ascot in 2022,Carole opted for the same pink pleated ME+EM dress that Kate had worn the year before - prompting speculation she had borrowed it from her daughter. She paired it with a black clutch bag and fascinator for a contrasting combination. Carole Middleton wore the same shirt dress to Ascot with many commenting that she had borrowed it from her daughter for the occasion Queen Mary of Denmark - Grasten Castle, 2024 Nothing screams summer quite like a floaty floral dress, a sunhat and wedges. Queen Mary of Denmark's latest outfit combined all three for an effortless elegant look. Mary teamed her ME+EM floral dress with a panama hat by Canopy Bay and beige suede wedges from Tod's as she arrived at her summer residence Grasten Castle earlier this month. Queen Mary of Denmark work this floral ME+EM dress with a panama hat as she arrived at her summer residence Grasten Castle earlier this month Zara Tindall, Wimbledon 2024 The day after Queen Mary's outing, Zara Tindall chose the same dress for her outing at Wimbledon alongside her husband Mike. Zara however layered hers under a blazer from The Fold and accessorised with an Anya Hindmarch clutch and Saint Laurent espadrille wedges. Zara Tindall wore exactly the same ME+EM floral dress as Queen Mary the next day when she visited Wimbledon with husband Mike Tindall Carole Middleton - Wimbledon, 2024 Carole Middleton was blooming in a now sold-out floral ME+EM dress for her Wimbledon outing a few days ago. She layered a check blazer from the same brand over the top and added Emmy pumps, a straw tote and Zan Zan tortoiseshell sunglasses to complete the summery ensemble. On July 10, Carole Middleton made her second visit to Wimbledon with husband Michael and was wearing a now sold-out floral dress from the brand Harriet Sperling - Wimbledon, 2024 For her appearance alongside her new royal boyfriend Peter Phillips at Wimbledon, Harriet Sperling chose a delicate ME+EM floral frock. The paediatric specialist nurse accessorised the ruffled midi dress with block heels from Russell and Bromley and Finlay & Co sunglasses for a royally approved ensemble. For her appearance alongside her new royal boyfriend Peter Phillips at Wimbledon, Harriet Sperling chose a delicate ME+EM floral frock Duchess of Edinburgh - Royal Windsor Flower Show, 2024 The Duchess of Edinburgh is known for her fashionable wardrobe and she proved this again by choosing to wear a printed green ME+EM dress at the Royal Windsor Flower Show last month. The instant sell-out floral midi dress was covered in daisies, making it the perfect match to wear as she teamed up with Alan Titchmarsh and Dame Mary Berry for the event. The Duchess of Edinburgh is known for her fashionable wardrobe and she proved this again by choosing to wear a printed green ME+EM dress at the Royal Windsor Flower Show last month Princess Beatrice - St Tropez, 2023 Tanned Princess Beatrice glowed in a rose print ME+EM dress with a flirty 50s-style skirt while holidaying in St Tropez last July. The retro design boasted a cinched waist and puff sleeves and was teamed with her monogrammed Anya Hindmarch raffia clutch and Chanel ballet pumps. Princess Beatrice was spotted in St Tropez in 2023 wearing this 50s-style rose print dress alongside husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi Princess Beatrice - Soho Hotel, 2024 Attending a book launch in London in April, Princess Beatrice opted to recycle a ME+EM dress she wore last summer. The watercolour floral-print short swing dress was dressed up for the evening with a pair of burgundy Jimmy Choo velvet pumps giving it a glamorous edge. Princess Beatrice was in ME+EM again in April when she turned up to Gabriela Peacock's book launch at the Broadwick Soho Hotel in London in a floral-print short swing dress Pippa Middleton - Party at the Palace, 2022 Pippa Middleton went for a casual look at the Queen's Platinum Party at the Palace in 2022. She was dressed in an emerald ME+EM gown with delicate jewellery and minimal makeup. Kate's sister polished off the laid-back outfit with a head of highlighted beachy waves. Pippa was a vision in this emerald green gown by the brand at the Platinum Party at the Palace in June 2022 Duchess of Sussex - International Women's Day, 2020 For her final solo royal engagement in 2020, Meghan Markle chose a cream jacket by ME+EM as she visited a school in Essex ahead of International Women's Day. The boucle jacket added a softness to the business chic look of Alexander McQueen trousers and Jennifer Chamandi pumps. For her final solo royal engagement in 2020, Meghan Markle chose a cream jacket by ME+EM as she visited a school in Essex ahead of International Women's Day. Above: Meghan visiting the Robert Clack Upper School in Dagenham, March 6, 2020 Lady Frederick Windsor - Wimbledon, 2024 Sophie Winkleman stunned in white as she and her husband Lord Frederick Windsor arrived at Wimbledon this year. Sticking with the Wimbledon whites dress code, she opted for a white cheesecloth gathered maxi dress from ME+EM and paired her look with espadrille sandals from Stuart Weitzman. Sophie Winkleman wore a beautiful white ME+EM cheesecloth maxi dress with her husband Lord Frederick Windsor at Wimbledon this month Flora Vesterberg - Boston, 2023 Stylishly modern in monochrome, Flora Vesterberg proved that the key to chic dressing is keeping accessories simple when she stepped out in Boston last year. She teamed her ME+EM fit and flare two-tone frock with classic black pumps, sunglasses and a mini bag. Stylishly modern in monochrome, Flora Vesterberg proved that the key to chic dressing is keeping accessories simple when she stepped out in Boston last year r There is perhaps no taboo which evokes such a visceral reaction as that against incest. The recent Netflix documentary, 'The Man With 1,000 Kids', baffled viewers with the story of Jonathan Jacob Meijer, who admitted to fathering upwards of 500 children across the world. Mr Meijer's baffling obsession has now created a serious risk of accidental incest among his unknowing offspring. More worryingly, some psychologists warn that a phenomenon called 'genetic sexual attraction' can cause separated siblings to develop an 'obsessive' romantic attraction. Leslie Pate Mackinnon, a licenced clinical social worker who specialises in children of adoption and sperm donorship, told MailOnline: 'This is very real and I have seen families blow apart by it.' Netflix's shocking new documentary follows the story of multiple couples and single women who discovered that their children had been fathered by a single prolific donor. Mr Meijer donated to 11 sperm banks in his native Holland, made numerous private donations, and travelled across countries and continents to avoid donation limits. During a 2023 civil lawsuit brought by the Dutch Donorkind Foundation, Meijer became subject to a court order threatening him with a 100,000 fine for making any more donations. However, Meijer himself admits to having already fathered over 550 children, while some estimate that he may now have over 3,000 children. Beyond the legal ramifications, one of the biggest concerns is the risk of accidental inbreeding between Meijer's children. Under Dutch guidelines, donors can only father 25 children to reduce the risk of their children entering into intimate relations. Jonathan Jacob Meijer (pictured) admitted to having fathered at least 500 children through sperm donorship In the UK, the limit is set even lower, with donors capped at making donations to a maximum of 10 families. The most serious risk is consanguinity, in which related individuals have children of their own, leading to severe health issues and an increased risk of infant mortality. Some of the affected mothers also worry that this risk may be heightened by the phenomenon of genetic sexual attraction. One mother, Natalie, says in the documentary: 'Children who havent been brought up together are more likely to get attracted to each other because they see some familiarities in the face of the sibling.' According to Cumbria County Council's adoption support services, genetic sexual attraction is the 'intense physical and emotional feelings' children of adoption can feel when restored to their birth families. Cumbria County Council's advice on the topic further notes: 'The power of attraction can however be so strong that normal convention and taboos become difficult to adhere to even for hitherto conventional and lawabiding adults.' This theory is not universally accepted and some critics point to a lack of clinical trials on the topic, however, Mrs Mackinnon says that she has seen this happen first-hand in her patients. She explains that the phenomenon is likely caused by a recognition of similarity accompanied by the lack of incest taboos which normally develop between siblings. Mrs Mackinnon told MailOnline: 'The first time two siblings of a sperm donor meet each what they are likely to find out is that this person's a lot like me; they like the same books, they have the same sense of humour. 'People get misguided because there is this person who looks just like me and laughs just like me and it's recognising their DNA in someone else.' Mrs Mackinnon says she has worked with a number of adopted individuals who have experienced these feelings when meeting their biological families for the first time. There have also been a series of high-profile incidents in which children of adoption entered into romantic and even sexual relationships with their birth relatives. One 1975 psychiatry textbook put the rate of children born of incest at one in a million. Subsequent research in the UK found the rate is more like one in 7,000 The main piece of clinical evidence for this phenomenon comes from a 1992 study conducted by Dr Maurice Greenberg of University College London. In his study, Dr Greenberg interviewed eight male and female adoptees and analysed another 40 cases, including birth parents. However, since then the topic has been little investigated - an issue which Mrs Mackinnon attributes to the controversial nature of the topic and the social stigma against those suffering from the condition. Just like Dr Greenberg, Mrs Mackinnon also draws a distinction between coercive and abusive incestuous relationships and the feelings evoked by genetic sexual attraction. She says: 'Those people are having a very normal reaction to a very abnormal situation. 'It's a confusion they're trying to make sense of but there's nothing that makes sense about meeting your mother, your father, or your sister when you're 40 and you've never laid eyes on them.' The biggest risk highlighted in the documentary (pictured) is that Mr Meijer's children enter into sexual relationships later in life. A risk heightened by the phenomenon of genetic sexual attraction In the Netherlands, where Mr Meijer made the majority of his donations, the risk of consanguinity is even higher. With a population of just 17 million, the Netherlands is home to just over half as many people as Texas, making the risk of Meijer's children meeting extremely high. Ties Van Der Meer is chairman of the Donorkind Foundation, which filed a lawsuit against Mr Meijer in 2023, as well as a teacher of social work at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and an accredited sexual health consultant. Mr Van Der Meer told MailOnline: 'More children simply means more chance they will meet.' The risk is especially pronounced in cases such as Mr Meiijer who flaunted restrictions by travelling to different towns and countries. Combined with the sheer number of times Mr Meijer's made donations, this makes it extremely difficult for his children to know all of their relatives. This map, by Professor Alan Bittles, an Australian expert in genomics, shows rates of consanguineous marriage, that between cousins, around the world. Rates are relatively low in the UK and US but some experts say the true rate could be higher due to the stigma attached to consanguineous relations Mr Van Der Meer says: 'We know of many cases where several children [of Mr Meijer] are in the same primary school or live in the same street or village. 'Since they don't know each other dating with a half-sibling is bigger than is ideal.' While Mr Van Der Meer says there are no definitive answers about how genetic sexual attraction works, he also points out that there are other factors at play. He says: 'Although biology plays a role in sexual attraction of course it is not the whole picture. Not even close.' Socio-economic status, interests, talent, as well as character traits all play a role in the development of attraction. Some of those features might be inherited through the genes but others are due to upbringing. Mr Van Der Meer says: 'Since recipient parents share a lot of demographics this will also add to the possibility of falling in love. Since Mr Meijer (pictured) himself explains that he donated to several different sperm banks in the Netherlands it is extremely hard for all his children to check whether they are related These factors mean that for those who do find themselves meeting their estranged siblings, the effects can be extremely overwhelming. Mrs Mackinnon says: 'What happens is that this person who's experiencing this becomes obsessed with the person - this is like an obsession you've never seen. 'The people describe it to me as being magnetised or not being able to get them out of my mind.' In certain cases, Mrs Mackinnon says that the attraction can be so strong it can even override people's usual sexual preferences in men or women. Although she says that people are able to work through these feelings, it can take years to overcome the issues. Since these powerful emotions can arise between genetic siblings who do not know they are related, sudden and powerful emotional attachments to a new partner could be a potential warning sign. Throughout history marrying relatives has not been uncommon. Famously, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins, sharing a set of grandparents If you were conceived through sperm donation and suddenly begin to feel intense feelings of attraction towards another person, Mrs Mackinnon advises getting a DNA test as soon as possible. In fact, she advises that anyone who is adopted or conceived through donorship should consider a DNA test before entering into any intimate relationships. Likewise, Rachel Cutting, Director of Compliance and Information at the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) told MailOnline: 'As genetically related individuals can be sexually attracted to each other donor-conceived individuals from the age of 16 individuals can apply for information about the possibility of being related to the person they intend to enter into an intimate physical relationship with. Mrs Cutting adds: 'It is therefore important that parents talk to their child about their origins from an early age.' Ultimately, while the Man With 1,000 Kids remains an absolute outlier case, this highlights the potential risks of unchecked sperm donation. The affect of genetic sexual attraction can lead to a powerful 'obsessive' attraction between individuals (pictured The Man with 1,000 Kids) If we consider the lowest estimate of 500 children, Mr Meijer could have as many as 15,000 descendants in 100 year's time. Not just his direct children but their children as well will all face the risk of accidental consanguinity. Even beyond the potential psychological damage, the health risks to the children of genetic siblings or cousins remain high. This may lead to recessive genes not being overwritten and becoming dominant in a child, causing many types of congenital disabilities. In the UK rates of relations between close relations are already higher than you might expect. This graphic explains some of risks of having children with a close relative. Two parents with a recessive gene have an increased change of having a child with an inherited condition One academic study examining rates of 'extreme' inbreeding where parents of a child are considered to be first- or second-degree relatives found 125 Brits out of a sample of 450,000 were the result of such unions. Donor limits and caps exist precisely to help mitigate the risk of consanguineous relationships forming between unknowing siblings. However, in the Netherlands exceeding the child limit is not a criminal offence and in the UK many families travel overseas for fertility treatment. Without strict limits, future generations might face an ever higher risk of accidentally dating someone with whom they share a blood relation. Ms Mackinnon concludes: 'A lot of people want to put it down but this risk is very real....The Man with 1,000 kids is showing us what's just around the corner.' Forests and cities burning uncontrollably worldwide. Rivers and lakes frozen and poisoned by rotten corpses and radiation. The few humans who did survive revert back to hunter-gatherers as agriculture collapses, while blinded, sterile survivors fight for scraps in the ruins. These are the dystopian scenes laid out in a new book that takes a detailed look into how modern civilization would fall apart following a nuclear attack. Annie Jacobsen's Nuclear War: A Scenario, published in March, is based on exclusive interviews with world-leading scientists and nuclear winter experts. They describe how, in the days following the launch of multiple nuclear weapons around the globe, radioactive soot would fill the air for months, causing temperatures in the US to plunge around 40F, making farming impossible. By the time the smoke clears, the ozone layer would be so depleted that the sun's rays would cause deadly burns. A nuclear war would destroy cities and towns, crushing buildings and large structures and creating wildfires Experts predict a global nuclear war would see 360million people dead almost instantly after the bombs hit - but Jacobsens book makes it clear that these fatalities would be just the beginning. Her sources say 5billion would die in the first 72 minutes alone. She wrote: 'Most wont make it more than a few steps from where they happen to be standing when the bomb detonates. They become what civil defense experts referred to in the 1950s, when these gruesome calculations first came to be, as "Dead When Found."' For those who don't die instantly, survivors face a barren land, wildfires, frozen terrains, radiation exposure, no food, widespread ruin and disease. Minutes after nuclear bombs launch: The US is crippled In Jacobsen's book, she writes of a fictitious scenario that sees North Korea fire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at the United States. After detecting the launch, the US responds by initiating its own nuclear attack by sending missiles over Russia to North Korea. Russia then orders its own nuclear attack on the US and allied nations. Thousands of huge fireballs begin to hit American cities and towns, and in each location, buildings and monuments collapse and asphalt melts. Cities are obliterated. Power grids and nuclear plants melt down, cutting off electricity and energy and releasing radioactive materials into the air. Tens of millions of people die almost instantly. The United States is crippled. Hours after ICBMs make impact: Raging fires burn forests and towns Wildfires break out across the northern hemisphere and nearly everything burns in America, including cities, crops and forests. Rings of fire stretch from 100 to 200 miles from each nuclear ground zero. Buildings are set aflame, which releases airborne toxins from its materials. Burning insulation and fiberglass spew cyanides, vinyl chloride, dioxins and furans. These chemicals damage organs and the nervous system, leading to cancer, neurological symptoms and death. Forest fires rage in the Western states, with radioactive fallout killing conifers, and creating fuel for future fires. And with the water supply across the country compromised, there is nothing to fight the flames with, leaving them to burn freely across America. Days after the attacks: Radioactive mushroom clouds fill the air Radioactive dust will rain down over any survivors, sickening and killing them Radioactive products from mushroom clouds including Strontium-90, iodine-131, tritium, cesium-137, plutonium-239 poison the environment. These damage DNA and have been linked to cancers, retinal and skin chemical burns, bleeding, coma and death. Whoever has lived past the initial fallout begins to die from radiation sickness and poisoning, which cause nausea, vomiting, fever, dizziness, disorientation, bloody vomit and diarrhea, internal bleeding and infections. The high exposure to radiation in such a short period of time causes the insides of peoples bodies to liquefy as their blood vessel lining decays. The few who survive will suffer chromosomal damage, blindness and sterility. Weeks after nuclear war breaks out: Soot blankets the atmosphere In the weeks following the ICBM launches, supplies of natural gas, coal in the Earth's crust and peat bogs - dense wetlands of decayed vegetation - are still burning uncontrollably. As cities and forests are engulfed in flames around the world, approximately 330billion pounds of soot is released into the upper troposphere and stratosphere - the lowest and second-lowest layers of Earth's atmosphere, respectively. The heavy soot blocks the sun's rays and the planet's temperatures drastically fall, setting Earth up for a nuclear winter. Months after missiles hit: Nuclear winter descends on the planet Climatologist Alan Robock said: 'The density of soot would reduce global temperatures by roughly 27 degrees Fahrenheit. In America, it would be more like a drop of 40 degrees Fahrenheit, slightly less near the oceans.' The idea of nuclear winter first came to the worlds attention in an article by scientist Carl Sagan in 1983. The first scientific paper explaining the idea was dismissed by the Defense Department who called it Soviet disinformation - but newer information reveals many in the nuclear weapon complex knew it was a real risk. Scientists at the Defense Nuclear Agency wrote there would be atmospheric trauma and serious potential for severe consequences after a nuclear exchange. The suns warming rays are reduced by 70 percent and temperatures plunge, with the United States and Europe among the worst affected areas. In central American states, the temperature will not rise above freezing for years. The lack of sun kills much of the planet's vegetation and animal life. The idea of nuclear winter first came to the worlds attention in an article by scientist Carl Sagan in 1983 Decades after the fallout: Humans forced back to hunter-gatherers Prolonged freezing temperatures and lack of sunlight reduces rainfall by 50 percent, killing off crops worldwide. The surviving humans return to a hunter-gatherer state, with millions starving to death and survivors killing each other for the limited food supplies. Humans must scavenge for roots, insects and the few sources of uncontaminated water. Lakes are frozen under deep sheets of ice, and other water supplies are poisoned by chemicals from industrial facilities. Years into the fallout, as the world finally unfreezes, millions of thawing corpses poison the water supplies and survivors along coastlines find filter-feeding shellfish have been killed off by radiation or are now too radioactive to eat. After thousands of hydrogen bombs rain down on the US, the ozone layer will no longer be able to shield the Earth from the sun's powerful rays Several more years later, the soot has settled and the ozone layer has now lost 75 percent of its shielding power. This will allow the sun's strong rays to reach Earth without any filter, leading to deadly sunburns. A 2021 study on 'Extreme Ozone Loss Following Nuclear War' predicted that levels of UV-B would become hazardous to life.' Survivors would be forced into caves and hollows to shelter. Humans would also face plagues, with insects multiplying and thawing corpses forming a fertile breeding ground for disease. Insects are well-placed to survive nuclear war, studies have shown, and as the world warms, insect-borne illnesses will ravage a population of humans without antibiotics or medications. Future civilizations may never understand how ours met its end Thousands of years after nuclear bombings: All evidence of today's civilization is erased Albert Einstein famously said about nuclear war: 'I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.' Even as temperatures return to pre-war conditions, the humans of the future, still living a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, may never know anything about the people that came before them - the ones who met their demise at the hands of nuclear weapons. Jacobsen said they may never discover any trace of today's civilization, and all knowledge of the past will be gone. She wrote: 'With time, after a nuclear war, all present-day knowledge will be gone. Including the knowledge that the enemy was not North Korea, Russia, America, China, Iran, or anyone else vilified as a nation or a group. 'It was the nuclear weapons that were the enemy of us all. All along.' Now, 20 years on, he explains why the island will remain his home - forever Barbados is a paradise for holidaymakers and, it turns out, a paradise to live in, too. As British expat Julian Armfield discovered when he gave up his life in Berkshire after marrying a Bajan over 20 years ago and settling with her on the Caribbean island. He tells MailOnline Travel that the warmth of the people is 'simply wonderful', the weather is amazing apart from in hurricane season and that he feels safe 'at all times'. The story of how and why Julian moved to Barbados begins in 2003, when he worked for the BBC, reporting on horse racing. He explains: 'I was single at the time and happily travelling the world reporting on major horse racing events for BBC World Service Radio. Moving away from Berkshire was the last thing on my mind until I accepted an invitation from a Barbados-based friend to attend his birthday party.' Julian Armfield, pictured here at Bottom Bay, moved to Barbados in 2003 when he worked for BBC World Service Radio Julian met and married his Bajan wife, Susan, seen left on Worthing Beach and right at the Barbados Yacht Club, over 20 years ago and settled with her on the Caribbean island While Julian hadn't imagined he would move away from the 'charming town' of Newbury, fate had other plans. He recalls: 'Three nights after the party and on the eve of my flight home, I was introduced to Susan in a beach bar. Love was in the air soon afterwards and we needed to decide whether Susan moved to England or me to Barbados. 'We had a debate that lasted ten seconds and my flight was booked. Within a year, we were walking up the aisle in an enchanting church overlooking the Caribbean Sea. We made our home at "Mistletoe", Susan's lovely townhouse near Bridgetown.' While the decision to move countries was easy, the reality of expat life did come with some challenges that would change Julian's career and outlook on life. Julian loves the 'many paradise beaches to choose from for [his] morning walk and a dip', such as Shark Hole beach, seen above The author says: 'Researching every aspect of Barbados's culture, heritage and way of life would open my eyes to this new home country.' Left - Brighton beach. Right - Julian with locals Paul, Lot and Lydia The writer says: 'There were many [challenges], but having achieved a childhood dream of living in a tropical environment, I was not fazed by them. 'Bajans are very conservative by nature and I had to make an effort to be absorbed into Susan's extensive family and even more extensive circle of friends. Also, I needed to learn about the local customs and lifestyle. 'I continued to jet off to exotic destinations for the BBC for a spell, but that lifestyle was not compatible with being a newly-wed and so I had a meeting with myself. I had been a journalist with a British national daily newspaper before going into radio, so what was to stop me writing an eBook about my exciting change of lifestyle? 'Researching every aspect of Barbados's culture, heritage and way of life would open my eyes to this new home country in a way that could also prove to be lucrative.' 'I began to feel that I was getting closer to becoming a proud member of the Bajan community,' notes the author, seen here at Calma, a 'delightful' beachside bistro, in Holetown The author delineates: 'The weather is wonderful all year round.' Above - sunset on the south coast of the tropical island Julian published his book, 'Absolutely Barbados: One Man's mission to Discover the heart and Soul of a Caribbean Paradise', and it 'quickly became an Amazon Caribbean best-seller'. 'I began to feel that I was getting closer to becoming a proud member of the Bajan community,' notes the author. Having explored Barbados for his research, Julian shares that it wasn't just his new bride that he fell in love with. He comments: 'First and foremost, I love the people. Their warmth and hospitality is simply wonderful and there's an ease about the way of life that is unique to the island. 'For example, when I walk into my doctor's surgery, each and every patient in the waiting-room says "good morning". When I wait in my car to get out from a side road onto a main road, it's never long before someone stops to let me out. 'If Susan or I spot an elderly lady struggling to walk along a pavement, we will offer her a lift. Of course, as an expat, I enjoy knowing exactly what I am going to wear (smart shorts and a short-sleeve shirt) every morning, 365 days a year. 'It's also hard to believe that every possible service and activity is only a ten-minute drive from my front door: fine dining, a drive-in cinema, my doctor's office, a racecourse and on and on.' Julian also notes that the island usually feels very safe. He says: 'There is some petty crime, but I feel safe at all times. The main danger is getting "over-refreshed" at the local rum shop!' All British expats in Barbados have 'their favourite rum shops or bars', he adds. The small bars provide locals with a space to socialise and try the local tipple - very much the tropical alternative to a pub. Julian's wife Susan, seen here, has some fun outside the Carib Beach Bar in Christ Church All British expats in Barbados have 'their favourite rum shops or bars', Julian says, such as Tikkles Bar, seen left behind owner Winston. But he adds: 'The most important thing for me personally is the outdoor life.' Above right - magnificent bougainvillea and moringa, 'the tree of life', in St. Philip He notes: 'Brits feel very much at home here, what with the red mailboxes and the familiar place names like Kent, Yorkshire, Brighton and Hastings. And if you are old enough to remember Woolworths, well you can still pick and mix in their store in Bridgetown.' The Bajan weather is another plus that adds to Julian's happiness. The author delineates: 'The weather is wonderful all year round. It is at its best between December and May. June to November is hurricane season, although Barbados has fared better than some of its neighbours over the years with both hurricanes and storms. 'The UK weather is much more volatile. When it is good, it is wonderful; when it is bad, it is awful.' While the island suffered some damage during the recent Hurricane Beryl, the author comments: 'Our last major hurricane was Janet in 1955.' That's not to say that Barbados is perfect or that the UK is a disaster. Julian explains that there are upsides and downsides to both nations. Julian notes: 'Brits feel very much at home here, what with the red mailboxes and the familiar place names like Kent, Yorkshire, Brighton and Hastings.' Above - idyllic Worthing Beach Julian loves his life in Barbados and the surrounding nature. Pictured above - a breathtaking sunset over Carlisle Bay READ MORE FROM JULIAN Absolutely Barbados: One Man's Mission to discover the Heart and Soul of a Caribbean Paradise, by Julian Armfield, is available as an eBook on Amazon Kindle and other leading book sales platforms. The currently sold-out print edition is scheduled for a reprint very soon. You can express your interest in purchasing a copy on the Absolutely Barbados Facebook page, on which you can also request a link to Julian's UK/Barbados house swap community. Advertisement He says: 'There are many things that I miss about not living in the UK, the long summer evenings, the village pubs with their real ales, the wonderful cultural events, the stately homes and the ease of access to other European countries. 'It's very irritating how many Bajan drivers hog the fast lane and don't turn their lights on until it is pitch dark and the high cost of living [in Barbados] means less cash in my pocket.' The price of a life in the Caribbean may surprise some readers - Julian claims that rental homes' can range from $1,200 (948) to $6,000 (4,740) per month, whilst you can purchase a property for somewhere between $400,000 (316,024) and US$38,000,000 (30,022,280)'. He adds: 'The latter would get you a beachfront property on the West Platinum Coast. Barbados is booming and there could be no better time to invest in a property here.' Julian would know... his wife, Susan, is a sales and rental agent at Terra Caribbean. The author did reveal that there was one 'bad' aspect that he found shocking after his move to Barbados, and that was 'the lack of care for many fine old buildings, which are so well looked after in the UK'. The expat notes that little has changed in Barbados in the 20 years he has resided near Bridgetown and that, despite the island 'becoming overdeveloped in some places', he insists that it 'retains its charm'. Julian will never move back to Berkshire, he says, despite never originally planning to leave when he flew out to the Caribbean that fateful day in 2003. On that, he says: 'I am so happy here that it will always remain my home. We get to return regularly to the UK to spend time with my family there so we get the best of both worlds.' A Las Vegas chef who wound up homeless and now lives in the city's dirty labyrinth of flood tunnels features in a new documentary in which his heart-wrenching story is laid bare. The kitchen hand - who does not reveal his name - appears in a short film made by YouTube creator Drew Binksy, which looks at Sin City's so-called 'mole people.' The nomadic community of around 1,500 people reside in a network of concrete tunnels below the glitzy hotels and casinos, originally built in the aftermath of a catastrophic and costly flash flood in 1975. In one scene, after navigating a dark stretch of tunnel, Drew comes across the chef, and he stops for a while to learn more about his life. The former cook, from O'ahu, Hawaii, explains that he used to work at the prestigious Wynn Hotel and was earning $87,000 a year but things took a turn for the worse. A Las Vegas chef who wound up homeless and now lives in the city's dirty labyrinth of flood tunnels features in a new documentary in which his heart-wrenching story is laid bare The kitchen hand - who does not reveal his name - appears in a short film made by YouTube creator Drew Binksy, which looks at Sin City's so-called 'mole people' The former cook, from O'ahu, Hawaii, explains that he used to work at the prestigious Wynn Hotel and was on $87,000 a year but things took a turn for the worse He makes it clear that he did not like the workplace culture, telling Drew: 'Everybody's up their a**es and super pretentious. 'I wasn't like a regular [chef], I used to cook for Mr Wynn... he just likes mozzarella omelet with burnt onions.' Along with being a chef, the man says he also worked as an Uber driver which he describes as being 'fun.' When quizzed about how he ended up in the tunnels, the man merely explains that it was to 'be away from the cops' but he does not offer any further details. While the conditions in the tunnels are squalid, the man says he is fairly happy with his living situation and the only thing he 'really misses' is his car, his 'huge bathroom' and 'bada** kitchen.' In the film, Drew's camera pans around to show how the man has made a makeshift kitchen with a large pan propped up over a wood fire. Asked if he would ever consider returning to a steady job, the man makes it clear he has no desire to return to a commercial kitchen. Explaining his reasoning, he says: 'You end up working like 16 [to] 18 hours a day just to pay for [a home] that you're not using.' When quizzed about how he ended up in the tunnels, the man merely explains that it was to 'be away from the cops' but he does not offer any further details In the film, Drew's camera pans around to show how the man has made a makeshift kitchen with a large pan propped up over a wood fire The man, who has been living in the tunnels for more than a year, also reveals that he can do a similar amount to cheffing by treasure hunting above and below ground. In one scene, the chef shows Drew his haul of scavenged goods, with some of his prize finds including a case of Jordan sneakers and a $5,000 bike. He explains that he also had a backpack with close to 2lbs of silver in it and half a pound of gold that he was going to pawn, but the bag was recently stolen. Quizzed about his most valuable find, the chef says he once came across a Cartier Ballon Bleu watch worth in the region of $10,000. Sadly, this was another item which got stolen while he was looking for a pawn shop to take it to. In the Las Vegas tunnels, drug abuse is a major problem but Drew says while he is talking to the ex-chef that it doesn't seem like he is using any substances. However, the man sets him straight and says he uses drugs 'all the time,' with crystal meth being his favorite. The nomadic community reside in a network of concrete tunnels below the glitzy hotels and casinos, and they were originally built in the aftermath of a catastrophic flash flood in 1975 Drew was given safe access to the Las Vegas tunnels through a non-profit organization called Shine A Light. Pictured, Drew's guide Rob The documentary ends with Drew telling viewers to remember that 'the next time you're in Vegas, there's a whole world that exists right under your feet' After spending several hours in the Las Vegas tunnels and speaking to a number of other subterranean dwellers, Drew ends his film with a call to action. He concludes: 'After being in the tunnel for a few hours my feet are completely drenched, smell like crap and what am I complaining about? 'These people have nothing... [they are] addicted to drugs. It's really, really sad. They do need help. 'Beneath the glitz and glamour of Sin City there is a dark side that nobody is talking about and today I got to witness it firsthand. 'Homeless people across the US need our help and they need better resources to combat drug addiction and mental health issues. 'No one should have to live this way... confined to darkness and forced to scavenge for basic needs.' Drew was given safe access to the Las Vegas tunnels through a non-profit organization called Shine A Light. The homeless outreach and placement service, which started in 2009, provides hundreds of people with a range of much-needed supplies, including bottled water, food, socks, flashlights, headlamps and batteries. Drew's guide Rob previously lived in the tunnels but now he works for the non-profit helping others get back on their feet and kick drug addictions. The documentary closes with Drew applauding the non-profit's work and he tells viewers to remember that 'the next time you're in Vegas, there's a whole world that exists right under your feet.' UK cars have been covered in graffiti and disturbing warnings sprayed on walls Last weekend, angry Barcelona locals marched on the streets in a protest about over-tourism in the Spanish city. Holidaymakers dining al fresco were sprayed with water guns and told that 'balconing' - the sometimes fatal act of jumping from one balcony to another - 'is fun' on signs. Lots of Spanish locals are filled with anti-tourist sentiment and clearly want holidaymakers to stay away from their busiest cities and islands. But are they alone? Here, we reveal the European destinations that are hostile to tourists or that make visiting a hassle The European destinations that are hostile to tourists or that make visiting a hassle Majorca and Menorca In May, 10,000 people marched in Palma de Majorca against tourism, above. The sign reads 'Mallorca [Majorca] is not for sale' Residents blame foreigners for driving up property prices 250 per cent in a decade In the Balearic Islands, locals seem to have had enough tourists. In May, 10,000 people marched in Palma de Majorca against tourism. Residents blame foreigners for driving up property prices 250 per cent in a decade, while stagnant wages remain among the lowest in Spain. Protests have blocked off some of the most Instagrammable beaches in Majorca - Calo des Moro cove and St Rapita beach and one protest group suggested blockading Palma Airport this summer. A Menorcan resort, Binibeca Vell, known as 'Spain's Mykonos', has declared that it does not want visitors before 11am and after 8pm - and has even chained up its streets to prevent holidaymakers from entering or taking selfies. Hostility levels: 8/10 Athens Locals in Athens have been making their feelings about tourists known via chilling graffiti warnings Anti-tourism fury has erupted in Athens, with locals mounting fierce demonstrations against 'over-tourism' and the rise of Airbnbs. Residents, on one occasion, chanted: 'They are taking our houses while they live in the Maldives.' Anti-tourist sentiment has also been revealed by disturbing graffiti. One chilling message says 'burn Airbnb', while another, next to a picture of blazing towers, reads 'tourists enjoy your stay in the cemetery of Europe'. Other messages sprayed on walls include 'no tourists, no hipsters' and 'tourists go home'. There have also been instances of anti-tourist vandalism and arson. Dimitri, a property developer who converts former warehouses into Airbnbs, explained why an excessive number of rentals could harm the city's economy and erode the community's fabric. He said: 'Eighty per cent of this neighborhood are Airbnbs. Tourists who come here want to see the Greek culture, so if no more Greeks are living here, tourists won't want to come.' Hostility levels: 9/10 Barcelona Barcelona has seen a number of incidents directed at tourists within the past decade. Pictured - a woman gestures during a protest against mass tourism in the Catalan capital Tourists were sprayed with water guns on La Rambla (above) Tourists were sprayed with water guns on La Rambla and effectively sealed inside restaurants by furious anti-tourism protesters in Barcelona last weekend. Thousands of locals marched through the city centre telling visitors to 'go home'. Protestors' signs mocked holidaymakers who had died falling from balconies and locals chanted 'tourists out of our neighbourhood' at people as they stopped in front of the entrances to hotels. Barcelona has seen a number of incidents directed at tourists within the last decade. In 2017, for instance, protestors attacked a tour bus and slashed its tyres, leading to those inside fearing they were the victims of a terror attack. The city plans to ban Airbnbs from 2028. Hostility levels: 8.5/10 Amsterdam Amsterdam's 'Stay Away' campaign was aimed predominantly at British men aged 18 to 35. Above - the famous Red Light District Amsterdam has turned its back on the tourists it once beckoned with cannabis cafes, boozy bar crawls and a red-light district. Amsterdam's 2023 campaign - dubbed 'Stay Away' - involved people seeing special warnings when they search for terms such as 'stag party Amsterdam' to discourage them from visiting. It was aimed predominantly at British men aged 18 to 35. Other anti-tourist restrictions include a law that requires sex work businesses to close at 3am, time limits for when and where alcohol can be sold and 100 (84.55/$107) fines for public cannabis smoking. Hostility levels: 7/10 Venice Venice, seen above, now charges an entry fee of 5 (4.23/$5.43) for day-trippers during the busiest periods, but locals and officials have clashed, with residents claiming the fee is turning the city into a theme park In April, when the new fee launched, demonstrators armed with signs and banners lined the historic canals The sinking city is flailing under the fury of locals. Venice now charges an entry fee of 5 (4.23/$5.43) for day-trippers during the busiest periods. In April, when the new fee launched, demonstrators armed with signs and banners lined the historic canals of the Italian city to argue that the policy will be ineffective against overcrowding and simply turn the city into a 'theme park'. Hostility levels: 5/10 Split Authorities have put extra provisions in place to prevent anti-social behaviour in Split - seen here are tourists at the Peristyle of Diocletian's Palace Locals are less than pleased at a wave of rowdy behaviour that has come along with the growing touristic popularity of Split in Croatia. Authorities have put extra provisions in place to prevent anti-social behaviour - including 300 (253/$324) fines for urinating in public spaces, climbing on monuments, jumping in fountains or sleeping in public spots. Vomiting in public spaces could see you handed a 150 (126/$162) levy. Hostility levels: 2/10 The Canary Islands Thousands of people demonstrate against tourism policies on the island of Tenerife In April, around 50,000 people protested in Tenerife - 200,000 across all Canary Islands - calling on authorities to limit tourist numbers. Those who orchestrated mass anti-tourism protests issued a warning to British travellers as they vowed to target 'main holidaymaker areas' over the summer. The campaigners claim that the huge influx of tourists to the island is causing major environmental damage, driving down wages and that so much housing has been turned into holiday rental accommodation that some locals are forced to live in tents and cars. The seven islands have a record 220,000 short-let beds in March, a 40 per cent increase from 2022 and more than the combined resident population of Lanzarote, La Gomera and El Hierro. Tourists who fly out this summer risk being caught in the crossfire of more demonstrations. Hostility levels: 9/10 Santorini Santorini's population swells from 15,000 to two million during the summer, with swarms of tourists lining the island's narrow streets This Greek island is one of the most popular in the Aegean but, it's feeling the pressure as a population of just 15,000 grows to two million at the height of summer. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted that a cap on cruise ships would be put in place by 2025. Santorini appears otherwise fairly safe for tourists and travellers are unlikely to face hostilities. Hostility levels: 2/10 Capri To help with the excess of tourists, authorities have doubled the entry fee to Capri from 2.50 (2.11/$2.70) to 5 (4.23/$5.40). Above - the island's marina and ferry port As many as 16,000 tourists a day pour into the island of Capri in peak season, outnumbering the 12,900 residents. 'Capri is becoming a dormitory for tourists,' Teodorico Boniello, head of the local consumers' association, told Reuters. 'There are more people coming than we can cope with and families can't set down roots because they can't afford to stay.' To help tackle the excess of tourists, the authorities have doubled the entry fee to the island from 2.50 (2.11/$2.70) to 5 (4.23/$5.40). Hostility levels: 2/10 Corfu Corfu locals take issue with the effects of tourism on the island. Seen here, the Liston Spaniada promenade on Holy Saturday On the Greek island Corfu, most umbrage is taken with specific issues such as waste management and the Erimitis hotel development rather than tourists as a whole. Over 1.5million people fly into Corfu each year, but so far they remain unscathed by demonstrations. Hostility levels: 3/10 France Only 400 visitors will be allowed to enter the Sugiton coves in Marseille's Calanques National Park, seen here, each day France is the world's most visited country. In 2022, it saw almost 80million visitors - while estimates suggest that more than 100million visited in 2023. There is some bad feeling towards holidaymakers. In Nice, for example, a local artist installed giant rat traps - with ice cream as bait - 'to eradicate and eliminate the tourist pest'. French tourism minister Olivia Gregoire plans to manage tourist numbers by capping them in the most popular places. Only 400 visitors will be allowed to enter the Sugiton coves in Marseille's Calanques National Park each day and Brehat island, off the northern coast of Brittany, is limited to 4,700 visitors. Hostility levels: 2/10 The Algarve New fines aim to prevent tourists from disrupting or annoying fellow sunseekers in the Algarve, above Tourists in the popular southern Algarve risk fines ranging from 200 (168) to 36,000 (30,330) for anti-social behaviour, such as playing loud music or camping away from campsites. The levies aim to prevent tourists from disrupting or annoying fellow sunseekers - obey the rules and you should be fine. Hostility levels: 2/10 Marbella An anti-tourism campaign in Marbella targeted cars with UK number plates - as seen here An anti-tourism campaign in Marbella targeted cars with UK number plates by slashing their tyres and covering them in graffiti as fed-up locals told the British to 'go back to your country'. At least three vehicles were targeted on the resort's exclusive Golden Mile in 2023. The crimes are evidence of strong anti-tourist sentiment in the Spanish city. UK expats in Marbella describe growing anger over 'too many Brits in Spain' by once 'very friendly' locals. Hostility levels: 9/10 The actress, 58, was spotted checking out her products at the Beverly Hills store A new era has begun for actress Cheryl Hines but it's not one she is taking too seriously. The potential First Lady of the United States proved she's a hands-on entrepreneur when she stopped by iconic Beverly Hills boutique Kitson to check on her irreverent line of candles The Curb Your Enthusiasm star, 58, launched the new beauty line, Hines + Young.just a year ago in July 2023, when she and daughter Catherine Young, 20, unveiled their joint, eco-friendly cosmetics brand of skincare, body care, and candles. And during her visit to the store late last month, the beaming actress was pleased to see business has been booming ever since, DailyMail.com can reveal. 'We just placed another big re-order,' storeowner Fraser Ross told a happy Hines, referring to the candles. 'My customers love them.' The novelty candles, created exclusively for Kitson, come in white containers with wooden lids that are engraved with funny and sometimes downright rude messages, often with explicit and provocative language. Cheryl Hines surprised customers when she stopped by iconic Beverly Hills boutique Kitson last week to check on her candles from her beauty line, Hines + Young The Curb Your Enthusiasm star, 58, who launched her beauty brand last year, created a candle line exclusively for Kitson, renowned for its pop-culture themed items and unique novelty gifts But the comedian seemed to appreciate the crude humor as she browsed through the collection and posed for photos holding up some of the cheeky candles. Among those on display were, 'Rich As F**k', and 'Do I look like I fly economy?' Commenting on the edgy products, Hines told DailyMail.com: 'These specific candles are not on our Hines + Young website, and I think anyone who comes into Kitson knows exactly what they're getting into.' She then picked out a candle appropriate for her attorney husband of ten years that read: 'Trust me I'm a f***ing lawyer'. Hines's visit took place after the first presidential debate on CNN, in which her independent party candidate husband Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wasn't included. Instead, RFK Jr, 70, hosted his own debate event via a platform on 'X' as a way to participate in the discussion between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. When asked which message candle she thought would best represent what she witnessed between the two candidates that night, a cheeky Hines knew just the one. 'Well, I don't want to get political. But can I say this one?' she laughed, as she held up one that read: 'I'm exhausted from other people being f***ing stupid.' When a female fan approached her and said she had watched her husband's event on X during the debate she responded, 'Honestly, I couldn't wait until it was time for [Bobby] to talk.' Hines had some fun checking out the different message candles and other quirky items on display, and pointed out which ones she would make perfect gifts for her friends. The novelty candles come in white containers with wooden lids that are engraved with funny and irreverent messages, some with explicit and provocative language When asked which message candle she would best represent what she witnessed during the presidential debate last month, a cheeky Hines knew just the one The comedian seemed to appreciate the crude humor as she browsed through the collection and posed for photos holding up some of the cheeky candles When it came to her friend and husband's cousin, Maria Shriver, she selected a message candle engraved with: 'If you met my family, you'd understand'. For her former TV husband Larry David, 77, she picked, 'Hold on, let me overthink this'. Hines became particularly excited after coming across funny novelty books and greeting cards using friend and actress Jennifer Coolidge's image. 'I was in Groundlings [improv theater] with her, love her!' she told DailyMail.com. When asked to pick a candle from her collection to gift to Coolidge, 62, she held up one that read: 'I have three moods: 1. What the f**k 2. Are you f***ing kidding me. 3. f**k this'. The actress, who is best known for her comedy roles on television and movies, proved her irreverent and witty sense of humor is just as present off-screen, as she raved over some of the more offensive items. 'Oh this is so funny!' she told Ross, while holding up a 'See You Next Tuesday' needlepoint pillow. 'Believe it or not, some customers ask, 'why don't you have ones that say 'see you next Wednesday or some other day?' Ross replied, prompting Hines to let out a laugh. The blonde mom-of-one was dressed to the nines in a black 'Sold Out NYC' top, silver faux leather skirt by STAUD, Valentino sling back heels, and a handbag by 'Surly Girl' she says she's had for at least 20-years. She picked out a candle appropriate for Robert F. Kennedy Jr, 70, her attorney husband of ten years, that read: 'Trust me I'm a f***ing lawyer' At one point she became particularly excited after coming across funny novelty books and greeting cards using friend and actress Jennifer Coolidge's image. She then posed with the candle she felt would best suit Coolidge The actress leaned into her irreverent and witty sense of humor as she raved over some of the more offensive items, such as this 'See You Next Tuesday' needlepoint pillow Party Girl author Anna David, who had been shopping in the store at the time, recognized Hines and even got the her to sign a candle she was buying for a friend As shoppers began recognizing Hines, she was seen helping them pick out items. Party Girl author Anna David even got the actress to sign a 'It's really upsetting how many people aren't dogs' gift she was buying for a friend. 'Can you personalize it?' she asked, 'Oh my God he's gonna freak, he loves you!' said David. Afterwards Cheryl stayed on and signed more of the sustainable soy and cotton wick candles. 'These can be reused, it's not one and done. I know people put their jewelry in them, vitamins, you name it,' she advised. Sustainability means a lot to her as the brand has partnered with her environmental activist husband's Waterkeeper Alliance charity founded 25 years ago that works to ensure clean, healthy and abundant water for all people and the planet. Hines has been seen supporting her husband on the campaign trail in recent months after he launched his presidential campaign last year. She was previously married to film producer Paul Young, the father of their daughter Catherine, 20, from 2002 to 2010. After her divorce she went on to date RFK Jr in 2011, with the two marrying three years later on the Kennedy's Hyannis Port compound in Massachusetts on August 2, 2014. Hines had some fun at the store browsing products and signing more of the sustainable soy and cotton wick candles from her beauty line Just last month, Hines was seen promoting her Hines & Young skincare line at an outdoor market in Los Angeles Cheryl and daughter Catherine Young, 20, started the company with other family members after wanting to create a brand with an eye on luxury, no animal testing, and scents that evoke relaxation Hines has been seen supporting her husband on the campaign trail in recent months after he launched his presidential campaign last year Bobby Jr. was married twice before and has six grown children. Fans of the hit HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm know Cheryl as the long-suffering wife and later ex of show creator Larry David. The series ended it's 12th and final season this year after first airing in 2000. Before heading to California to pursue acting, Hines, a Florida native, got her cosmetology license along with a college degree in 1990 from the University of Central Florida in radio and television production. Cheryl, 58, and her daughter started the company with other family members after wanting to create a brand with an eye on luxury, no animal testing, and scents that evoke relaxation. The four fragrances that are created in Hines + Young factory in Florida include Hyannis Seagrass, Capri Honeymoon, Key West Sunset, and Pacific Isle. 'Honestly when I get home I light one of these candles and I get into a different mindset. It's a way to signal to my mind that it's time to relax and unwind.' So why collaborate with the iconic but edgy Kitson stores? 'I've been a Kitson customer for over twenty years. They know what is going on in pop culture and what people want to buy for themselves for gifts. 'It's the kind of place I would have loved to have worked at back in the day, but I probably would have ended up spending my whole paycheck here!' And, as First Lady, DailyMail.com asked the Hines + Young co-founder what American designers would she wear? 'Oh, I love Tom Ford, Kenneth Cole, Ralph Lauren and Veronica Beard. Veronica Beard stuff fits so well and you look so put together.' Paramount's new love-scam drama Fake has earned rave reviews for its gripping tale of a woman who is cruelly deceived by a man she met on a dating app. The drama-thriller follows writer Birdie Bell, played by Asher Keddie, as she becomes trapped in a volatile relationship with Joe Burt, portrayed by David Wenham. The eight-part series delves into the complex psychology of love scam victim Birdie after she realises the successful and wealthy grazier she met on a dating app is actually a homeless liar who is also trying to scam several other women. The Paramount+ series is inspired by writer Stephanie Wood's own experience with a love scam artist and serial deceiver, laid out in her 2019 memoir of the same name. With the main character heavily inspired by Wood, the series explores Birdie's psyche as she becomes trapped in Joe's gaslighting and manipulative behaviour. Birdie, an independent magazine features writer, decides to start dating again after being single for five years, before quickly becoming influenced by single father Joe's apparent intellectualism and charming personality. Despite an unconvincing first date, Birdie ignores her instincts and is quickly sucked into his world, with viewers being taken along as they learn exactly how she found herself falling victim to his emotional abuse. Birdie is eventually left questioning her own sense of reality as Joe's manipulation and gaslighting ramps up and their relationship becomes nothing like the fantasy she'd longed for. Although Joe narrates the thriller, the first five episodes focus on Birdie's perspective of her increasingly manipulative relationship, and it is not until episode six that viewers finally learn the truth of Joe's reality. Author Wood spoke exclusively to Daily Mail Australia about her chilling 14-month romance with her real-life 'Joe' in 2014, and how easy it can be for anyone fall for a scammer online. Paramount's Fake has sucked viewers in with its gripping tale about a woman called Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie) who is deceived by a man called Joe (David Wenham) who she meets on a dating app After breaking things off with Joe because of his frequent cancellations and bizarre excuses, Wood began investigating him and learnt he was not a farmer and property developer as he claimed, but was financially bankrupt and had a criminal record. Reflecting back on the troubling time, Wood admitted there were red flags from early on in their relationship, but described how skilled Joe was in concealing and justifying these factors. 'There were red flags frequently from very early on, but these guys are just masters at manipulation and they are masters at dissembling and making up stories and inventing the most complicated reasons that seem logical to hose down your concerns,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I would raise things with the real guy and he would always have such intensely good explanations for things. There were red flags, but he was very good at putting them down.' Wood detailed how Joe would often send her scenic pictures from his farm, with her finding no reason to doubt him, particularly as he didn't ask her for money, which would have raised an alarm bell. 'My guy built his stories around a lot of photographs he sent me of his farm, allegedly,' she said. 'This was back in 2014/15, it was pre Dirty John, pre the Tinder Swindler, there was nothing out there about romantic con men back then. 'I kept thinking to myself, he hasn't asked me for money, if he asks for money I'll know there's something really weird here, but he never did. 'So why would I question a photograph of his four-wheel drive bogged in mud saying this is my day down on the farm? You don't question that.' After their break-up, Wood, just like Birdie in the series, discovered through reverse image searches he had actually stolen the farm pictures from other people's accounts and had been lying all along. Viewers have been on the edge of their seats watching the eight-part series, being unable to look away whilst desperately wanting Birdie to free herself from Joe 'It's very obvious in hindsight, but when you're trusting and when a lot of his stories make sense and he convinces you of them, they're not things you automatically question,' she said. Wood eventually broke things off with Joe when she realised she had been 'falling apart' because of his contradicting stories and frequent no-shows in their relationship. 'I was just an anxious, anxious mess and I suffer with a little bit of anxiety in real life and I couldn't work out - even now I can't work out what was anxiety and what was my instinct telling me things were wrong,' she shared. 'But eventually I thought "I'm not going to survive this, I will be in a mental hospital if I don't leave this relationship now". 'Fortunately, in many relationships it's very dangerous to try and leave, and that wasn't the situation I was in. He wasn't a danger physically to me so it was very straightforward and easy to leave. 'We weren't living together or anything like that, nor did we have kids together. All those things that make complications to abusive relationships. So I walked away and that's when I started to investigate him.' During her investigation, Wood discovered she was not the only person who had dated Joe, with some dating him for just six weeks, while others were involved with him for several years. Wood, who is now 'happily single', admitted her trust has been 'damaged' by her relationship with Joe and said she has been apprehensive to use dating apps again. 'Very sadly my trust is probably damaged. I've had one brief foray into apps again and then I ran away with my tail in between my legs feeling too scared to continue,' she shared. Wood also shared how technology has made things easier for con artists, who can scour dating apps if they are rejected by one partner for another potential victim in a vicious cycle. 'If one person says "no, go away, I don't believe you, you're an idiot", you can try another 10 women lined up waiting,' she shared. 'In those situations when a woman leaves after six weeks, he just turns around and goes back on to the apps!' Fake is inspired by author and journalist Stephanie Wood's 2019 memoir of the same name, which details her real-life investigation after being in a relationship with a serial deceiver She added that technology has also made it easy for someone to be in bed with one person whilst simultaneously sending affectionate messages to others. Giving advice to others using dating apps, Wood urged people not to tolerate more than three cancellations or crazy stories from a suitor and not to let anyone treat them badly. 'Don't be like me, don't lose your trust, I don't think that's a good way to go. Be positive and optimistic. Never let anyone treat you poorly, never,' she said. 'If they cancel once, you can give them that, second time raise your eyebrows and third time, forget it, just get out of there. 'Or if they have a crazy story the first time, OK listen to it, but don't let it go beyond three really bad experiences with someone before you get out, I'd say. 'It's better to be on your own than to be in a relationship that's just appalling and when you're not treated with respect.' Wood first detailed her harrowing experience in Good Weekend Magazine before writing her 2019 memoir. Her story was then brought to screen by Paramount+ in Fake, which is currently one of the most streamed shows in Australia. The author described it as 'head-spinning' to see her story on screen, with Aussie icon Keddie playing the lead character inspired by her, while Wenham stars as Joe. She admitted she has found certain scenes difficult to watch, particularly when Joe tells Birdie he will emotionally support her as she pursues her dream of writing a book - an exchange Wood said is 'very much true' to her real-life story. 'That got me emotional because the real Joe in my life had told me he wanted to support me in my work,' she explained, admitting she became 'teary' watching the moment unfold on screen. 'I was in love with him, but this idea that I was going to get this man's support and he was going to back me to be my best was just wonderful. So when I saw that episode, I got a bit teary. Even more startling is the fact that Fake is inspired by the very true story laid out in author Stephanie Wood's 2019 memoir of the same name 'The love scenes get me a bit teary as well I guess, sort of what could have been. That now what I dreamt of is just playing out on screen and it's not real.' But Wood said there are some fictionalised moments in the series, such as when Birdie is warned by someone who knows Joe to 'run' away from him. 'That never happened to me in real-life. In real-life I never heard from anyone who knew him until after I dumped the true guy, so I didn't get any warning like that,' she shared. But the journalist said she has 'made peace' with the differences because she doesn't think anyone in an abusive relationship should be judged for how they act. 'The red flags were probably more than what I'd had. But then we should never judge any woman who's in any relationship - abusive relationship of any description whatsoever,' she explained. 'Everybody responds completely differently and these types of relationship are emotionally abusive and the people that are in them behave in all sorts of ways that unless you are in that situation, you don't know how you're going to behave. 'I've kind of made peace with those things that did bug me, because none of us should judge anyone - not even a fictional character on television.' Keddie, 49, who portrays Birdie, previously told how falling victim to a serial liar can happen to anyone, not just those who might be vulnerable as many might believe. 'It can happen to anybody though, no matter whether you're vulnerable or not,' she insisted while discussing the series on The Project alongside her co-star Wenham. Of why people might ignore red flags while dating, Wenham added: 'I think we want to see the best in people, we want to believe in the best in people, we want to trust.' While Keddie continued: 'Birdie really wants Joe to be The One, so she pushes her instinct down time after time after time, as you can see, and it's pretty brutal.' Keddie, 49, who portrays Birdie, told how falling victim to a serial liar can happen to anyone, not just those who might be vulnerable as many believe Fake has been compared to the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler, which detailed how a real-life dating app con artist stole huge sums of money from his string of romantic partners. But Wenham, 58, insisted the show is very different from the documentary because Joe's motivations are not financial, making his intentions much less clear-cut. 'Money's not a motivation for him, so why does he do it? And it's not just Birdie. There's obviously other women as well,' he told TV Tonight of his complex character. 'I suppose at a really basic level, it's probably the desire to be loved and just never being satiated, just wanting it more and more.' Wenham insisted Joe is the 'classic' example of a fantasist who cannot tell where his reality finishes and fantasy begins as he delved into the psychology behind his lies. 'I wanted to make sure every moment was completely real for both the character that I was working opposite, and also for the audience to distinguish exactly what was real and what was Fake,' he added. The series has left viewers wanting more, with questions already surfacing about whether Fake will be renewed for a second series, just days after its July 4 premiere. Wenham insisted a renewal hasn't been confirmed, but didn't completely dash fans' hopes as he teased that the show could be taken in any direction if it did get a second run. Ralf Little has confirmed his split from fiancee Lindsey Ferrentino by joining celebrity dating app Raya - and has already enjoyed a date with a British actress. MailOnline revealed there were cracks in the relationship in April after US playwright Lindsey had stopped wearing her wedding ring and the pair unfollowed each other on social media. But by joining Raya - an app where 'like-minded people' can connect - Ralf, 44, has cemented his single status and he has been seen getting close to actress Shelley Lankovits, who also worked on Death in Paradise as an assistant director. An audience member told MailOnline they spent a cosy evening at the Frog and Bucket comedy club in Manchester where they were spotted kissing and 'acting like a couple'. They said: 'They were quite tactile together, sharing the odd kiss - it looked like they were more than just mates. Ralf Little has confirmed his split from fiancee Lindsey Ferrentino (pictured) by joining celebrity dating app Raya after speculation mounted in April they'd ended their engagement 'They were clearly very into each other and didn't care that people had spotted them. It was all very cosy.' MailOnline has contacted Ralf's representatives for comment. Shelley, 32, has worked on Sky comedy Brassic and The Day of the Jackal, a TV series starring Eddie Redmayne. She also works as a model and is currently on the books of Leeds-based agency Face Model and Casting. The Royle Family star Ralf met Lindsey in 2015 when he appeared in her stage play Ugly Lies The Bone during its London run, which also starred his Death In Paradise predecessor Kris Marshall. They began dating shortly afterwards, Ralf relocating to New York where the Florida native resided in order to live closeby to Broadway, the city's theatre district, and he proposed in 2018 using her grandmother's ring. The couple spent large periods away from each other due to their individual work projects, which saw Ralf live six months of the year on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, where Death in Paradise is shot. At points, Lindsey stayed in the Caribbean with him, working on several of her plays, including her musical The Queen of Versailles. Since leaving Death in Paradise, Ralf has travelled to Thailand - without Lindsey - for a holiday, while she has visited Barcelona, St Martin and Barbados minus her fiance in recent months There was another post in September when Lindsey marked her 35th birthday by admitting she was further along than I thought Id be in some areas. Further beyond than others Indeed, Lindsey's career has rocketed during her relationship with Ralf, which he referenced in a 2020 interview with The Mirror in which he joked he was 'obscenely jealous'. He said: 'If we were ever going to be a power couple I'd have to up my game. 'Her career is exploding in a way that makes me both incredibly proud, and obscenely jealous.' Speaking in June last year during an Instagram Q&A, Ralf admitted spending time away from Lindsay - and their dogs - was hard. He said: 'I miss my dogs but the dogs are in America, so I miss the dogs and I miss my other half. 'But people come to visit for a start and secondly, I'm so busy and I've built a life here. 'I'm the kind of person that's very present wherever I am. So, I'm here, this is what I'm doing and I'm lucky enough to really enjoy what I do. So, yes and no.' But that same month their glut of loved-up social media posts suddenly stopped and they haven't referenced each other since. Tellingly, in one post Yale-educated playwright Lindsey told of 'a tough week, yet so much love' accompanied by a scattering of heart emojis, which prompted a family friend to reach out and reassure her that she was 'the full package'. There was another post three months later in September when Lindsey marked her 35th birthday by admitting she was 'further along than I thought I'd be in some areas. Further beyond than others,' hinting her burgeoning career was progressing at greater speed than that of her personal life. After wrapping up Death In Paradise after five series in December, Ralf appeared to holiday alone in Thailand, while Lindsey visited Barcelona, St Martin and Barbados minus her fiance. And when Lindsey was in the UK in April working on her new play in London, The Artist, which later ran at The Theatre Royal in Plymouth, again there was no mention of Ralf on any social media posts. The Brit actor was instead travelling around the UK with pal Will Mellor with their Two Pints podcast. Last week, Ralf and Will confirmed they would be making a new show together on the recently rebranded channel U and U&Dave later this year. The series is titled Will & Ralf Should Know Better which promises to pull back the curtain on 'a bickering bromance' that dates back more than two decades to when the pair starred in BBC sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. Speaking about the new project, Ralf said: This time we get to explore how we should be living in the modern world while educating ourselves and having a laugh at the same time. 'I can't wait to get going.' Will added: 'We're both in our 40s now and probably a bit set in our ways, so now is the perfect time to see how we could be doing life better. 'Hopefully, we'll come out of it better equipped for the modern world and, ideally, still in one piece.' Exactly this time last year, Strictly bosses pulled off one of their greatest coups signing the original high-kicking, splits-performing ballroom queen Angela Rippon. There were high-fives, not to mention high hopes, that it was one of their best signings to date, one that would delight the viewers. What a difference 12 months makes. This week, there were no champagne corks popping at BBC headquarters. Rather, there was yet another crisis meeting to discuss the ongoing scandal that has embroiled one of Strictly's most loved, and longest-serving, professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice. Following a complaint from his former partner Amanda Abbington, who claimed that he had bullied her in training, and accusing him of stamping on her foot during their practice sessions, the BBC launched an investigation. Much to the dismay of his fans, Giovanni quit, while Amanda appeared to do her very best to damage his reputation, say his friends. Giovanni Pernice and former partner Amanda Abbington on last year's Strictly Come Dancing One of Strictly's most loved, and longest-serving, professional dancers, Giovanni has been embroiled in scandal Now, as the show approaches its 20th anniversary, the Mail can reveal that bosses are worried about the future of the show as a whole, after a new complaint, unrelated to Giovanni, came to light. Sources tell me that so damaging is this complaint, that Strictly is in 'total chaos', as the launch of the next series looms. Today, it can be revealed that this latest meltdown came after another complaint was made relating to someone directly involved with Strictly. The exact nature of the complaint is shrouded in secrecy, only known in full by the upper echelons of BBC management, but I'm told, ominously, that 'it's not pretty'. So much so that the entire culture of Strictly is now under scrutiny, and behind the scenes there are fears for its long-term future. 'This is now about so much more than Giovanni, the reputation of the whole show is at stake,' one insider tells me. 'What was an investigation about Giovanni and Amanda's bruised toe [after the stamping accusation] is now a much wider inquiry. 'The standing of the whole show and its wonderful history could be affected by this. It's now about Strictly, not Gio. 'Something has been recently reported and there is a suggestion that it minimises the claims against Giovanni quite significantly. Amanda claimed that Giovanni had bullied her in training and accused him of stamping on her foot during their practice sessions, resulting in the BBC launching an investigation One Strictly insider said: 'Giovanni has lost his Strictly career because of Amanda' 'If this all plays out as the BBC fears, then Giovanni could be more collateral damage to a much wider situation. 'It is a nightmare for the BBC, but it is absolutely adamant it will deal with this properly and that every side of every story will be heard.' This, then, is the reason why Giovanni, who quit the show in May despite being handed a new contract, has been made to wait so long for the outcome of the BBC's investigation into him. It is, say friends of the Italian dancer, something he's finding 'extremely frustrating'. A hint of all this turmoil was made public on Monday when there was a surprise announcement that former fan favourite, square-jawed Slovenian Aljaz Skorjanec, who won with Abbey Clancy in 2013, would be returning after a two-year absence. While his many adoring fans were absolutely thrilled, they were baffled by the timing. After all, it comes a month after the full line-up of professional dancers for the next series was announced by the Corporation - and this initial line-up had already been delayed due to Giovanni's resignation. Some within the show also questioned why Aljaz was not unveiled alongside the other professionals. Insiders noted that the Press were not given a heads-up of his return; rather, the announcement was made on the BBC's own magazine programme, The One Show, on Monday evening. Nor was there an explanation as to the reason for his return - which only prompted further questions, because the line-up of professionals already featured a large enough number to pair with celebrities, as well as some extras to cover the group dances. 'Is he back to replace Giovanni or for another reason?' one BBC employee mused. 'It was all a rather convenient way to do it, sling him on The One Show where the questions are controlled by the BBC and nothing inconvenient would be asked.' What a terrible mess, then, for a show which has been going strong since 2004. This time last year, Strictly bosses pulled off one of their greatest coups - signing the original high-kicking, splits-performing ballroom queen Angela Rippon Of course, it hasn't been without its controversies - the 'Strictly curse' has been held responsible for the break-up of many marriages and relationships - but, to date, the BBC has always managed to get it through any crisis. But the latest complaint is 'something else entirely', says a source at the broadcaster. Even without this new twist, the BBC was fearful that the way Giovanni, 33, has been hauled through an arduous complaints process may affect how fans receive the forthcoming series, which is due to begin in September. Internally, it has discussed how many of its viewers, thanks to their older age group, take the view Amanda, 50, is merely complaining that Giovanni made her work hard and that Strictly has now 'gone soft'. Bosses are highly aware of how the scandal has become divisive, with most taking Giovanni's side over Amanda's. In short, BBC chiefs are painfully conscious that there is a lot of sympathy for Giovanni. While he expects to be exonerated, those close to him say the past eight months have been 'torrid.' 'He has had to see Amanda sling accusations at him and while he is strong and utterly believes he is innocent, there is only so much someone can take. Giovanni wants this finished so he can have his say.' And his say will have huge implications for Strictly's future, too. There is a feeling among bosses that Giovanni could himself accuse the BBC of failing in their duty of care to him by pairing him with Amanda without carrying out appropriate testing on her or, indeed, on any of their celebrity contestants to date. While other reality television programmes have strict procedures in place to make sure everybody who takes part is capable including Strictly's ITV opposition, Dancing On Ice the BBC has never done this. One Strictly insider said: 'Giovanni has a clear case against the BBC here too, and there are bosses who are very worried about it. 'Giovanni has lost his Strictly career because of Amanda, and the fact [is] that she wasn't tested in any way to see if she was up to doing [the show]. 'For 20 years they haven't done this. Therefore they have potentially put people at risk. 'In Gio's case, he was paired with a woman who, frankly, should not have been allowed to take part and look what has happened to him. It's unbelievable really. Things are going to have to change.' As for the Class of 2024, bosses are said to 'still be on the hunt' to complete what they hope will be a stellar line-up of contestants. They were 'bereft' at the tragic death of Mail columnist and health guru Dr Michael Mosley, whom they had hoped would star in the show this year. To add to their woes, there are now said to be 'struggles' to get the big names they want. While many celebrities have long turned down invitations to appear on the show, due to the 'Strictly curse' connotation, there are now fears that Amanda's claims and slurs against the show will put off any top talent being linked to Strictly while it remains under the microscope. 'They were further down the line than this last year, when it came to knowing who was taking part,' says one who works on the programme. Meanwhile, the BBC remains publicly silent on the issue. A state of affairs that surely cannot last for much longer - for the sake of the future of the much- loved glitterball. Paul Barresi says he is still haunted by the expression on Amber Heard's face as she gave her now infamous testimony to a U.S. courtroom in 2022 claiming that her former partner Johnny Depp sexually assaulted her with a bottle of bourbon. The jury was not convinced, returning their unanimous verdict in Depp's favour. Barresi? He can't make sense of it, and God knows he has tried more than most. 'The thing is, I'd seen that expression before, on my mother's face, when my father attacked her,' says the 75-year-old former wrestler. He rises to his feet and crosses his California kitchen. He starts to re-enact what he saw that day in his own childhood kitchen, leaping from the fridge to the hob, sliding down to the floor as his mother did, after his father had gone for her. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have been embroiled in a bitter feud Paul Barresi is the California-based private investigator who, in 2019, was hired by Amber Heard's legal team to find the dirt on Johnny Depp He mimes pots crashing, his father lashing out, his mother cowering, terrified for her life. 'My father had been drinking. She had poured his alcohol down the sink. I was standing at the entrance to the kitchen, frozen. The expression on my mother's face will never leave me and I saw it on Amber's face that day.' He shrugs. 'No one believed her. And she is an actor. I've wondered if she witnessed something else nothing to do with Depp that she could call on. Still, it troubles me.' Lest there be any doubt, he still feels the jury returned the correct verdict. 'I found no evidence that Depp was capable of that sort of violence.' This, in a nutshell, is why the Depp v Heard debacle continues to fascinate, even two years after that explosive trial. Everyone has an opinion. A docu-series about the trial is trending on social media and is currently top of the Netflix charts. Armchair detectives are still pulling the evidence to pieces. The whole world still seems to be gripped, and to be taking sides. But who is Paul Barresi and why should his take on it matter? Well, he has been right up to his neck in the evidence, he claims. A pile of it sits on the table in front of him. 'I spoke to hundreds of people, everything's here,' he says, tapping it. 'Every taped conversation, email conversation. I spent three months on it, left no stone unturned.' Barresi is the California-based private investigator who, in 2019, was hired by Amber Heard's legal team to find the dirt on Depp. Or as Barresi himself puts it, 'I was hired to find evidence to support the idea that Johnny was a mean-spirited, irascible human being with a proclivity for violence.' He set about establishing exactly that perhaps, he admits now, thinking, even subconsciously that in being able to 'help' Amber Heard, supposed victim of male oppression, he was remembering his own mother and what she suffered. 'I really wanted to find that,' he says, of his brief, which was to provide the ammunition that would destroy Johnny Depp. Barresi a colourful and controversial character describes himself as a Hollywood fixer. Certainly his previous client list reads like a Who's Who of Hollywood. He has worked for or on behalf of Tom Cruise, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sharon Stone, Eddie Murphy and Gerard Butler. Depp testifies during a hearing in the Fairfax County courtroom in 2022 as he sued his ex-wife Amber for libel Amber claimed that her former partner Depp sexually assaulted her with a bottle of bourbon 'I'm the last-resort man,' he tells me. 'When people have exhausted all the other options, they come to me. I'll climb every tree I have to.' Do you have to climb many trees as a Hollywood private investigator? 'I literally climbed one to serve papers on a particular producer that everyone thought was untouchable,' he chuckles. 'When I swung down, on his carport as he drove in, his son thought I was a superhero. He said, 'That man is no friend. Don't speak to him.' Maybe they should make a Netflix drama about Paul Barresi, because he is as interesting as any of his clients. He'd style himself as the hero, obviously, but there are those in Hollywood who would put him firmly in the villain camp. 'Sometimes I operate in the grey areas,' is how he puts it. His very entry into the Depp-Heard soap opera has just added more foam to the mix, though. There was a twist to his assignment worthy of any Hollywood blockbuster. Try as he might, he ultimately failed to uncover any real dirt on Depp, to the point where he switched allegiances. Barresi has now written (and self-published) a book about his experiences, which are so complimentary it could have the subtitle: Why Johnny Depp Is A Lovely Guy. After going public about his trawl through Depp's life, he received a thank you from Depp himself, via his lawyer, for speaking out. It was another extraordinary development in the Hollywood drama to end all dramas. Doesn't switching sides, or at least going public about how there was very little dirt to be found, break every rule about what a private investigator does? 'I never signed any non-disclosure agreement,' he says. So what did his three-month search turn up? What's striking is how fondly he speaks of Depp, whom he has never met. Poking around in the recesses of Depp's life 'doing the research was like going down into the catacombs' gave him quite the insight, though. No one is perfect, and he was a mumbling, fumbling, stumbling drunk,' he says, starting with the worst bits. 'He was obnoxious. He was ungentlemanly at times, but a lot of that can be attributed to the people with whom he associated. I think that they were the bane of his existence. 'For some reason, and I still don't understand why, he latched onto people that really were no good for him.' Are we talking about the same Johnny Depp who once threatened to set a journalist on fire? Barresi himself verified this as true in his investigations. 'That was a thing he said but I do think he meant it as a sort of joke.' Nice guy who got in with the wrong crowd, then? 'There were people who never had a bad word to say about him, but there were also those who wouldn't talk. So any good investigator will go back to the beginning, because that's always where you find the truth.' Convinced that if Depp was a misogynist it would have been apparent his whole life, Barresi banged on doors, sent emails, tracked down friends, former colleagues, old girlfriends. He says that, given the Heard legal team briefing, there would be dirt galore to find. And yet no. Depp was described as a 'gentleman's gentleman' and someone who 'doesn't have a mean bone in his body', despite the disturbing accusations that had been levelled against him. Friends of Depp also told Barresi that Depp had 'respect and adoration for women' in contrast to Heard's claims that he was physically and mentally abusive. Depp ultimately lost a 2020 libel case heard at the High Court in London against a UK newspaper that had branded him a 'wife-beater'. But in the U.S. in 2022, a second libel trial in Virginia against Heard ruled in Depp's favour, with a jury awarding him a total of $15million (11.5million). Barresi can't be sure about how much of his 'evidence' was used, but since very little of it was helpful to Heard's legal team, it's safe to assume not much. But was there a precise point at which he realised that, emotionally, he was switching sides? 'There was a point in the investigation where, yes, I thought I had been hired on a faulty assumption, to look for evidence to prove something that wasn't the case. But that didn't stop me from continuing to work for Amber. I really did want to do a belt-and-braces job on it. I really wanted to find that Johnny had this in him.' That he has called his book Johnny Depp's Accidental Fixer is curious, given who was payrolling him. He does seem to have come to idolise Depp. The more he dug, the more parallels he found with his own life. 'My upbringing was quite similar to Johnny Depp's, actually,' he admits. 'He had a violent father. He wanted to escape.' He talks of being moved when he discovered Johnny's mother had taken out a loan, which led to the seizing of the family's possessions when they couldn't pay. 'They took his little TV, the thing that had provided him with an escape. That touched me.' A documentary series about the high-profile trial between the former couple is trending on social media and is currently top of the Netflix charts Paul Barresi was born just outside Boston, like Depp to a civil servant father with a penchant for aggression and alcohol. Small in stature, Barresi began weightlifting to bulk up, and joined the U.S. military. He served in Vietnam before being discharged in 1971, when he became involved in the world of personal training. He worked as a bodyguard and personal trainer for movie movers-and-shakers, and through them, stars, too. Joan Rivers was an early client. He says she squeezed his pecs and joked that he could train her, too, so he did. 'She was a pure-hearted woman who put other people's needs before her own.' His introduction to Hollywood proper came by chance, when the crew of The Wild Party (1975) were filming near his gym. He lingered by the set and was spotted by the producer Ismail Merchant, of Merchant Ivory fame, who asked him if he wanted a job. 'He said he was looking for someone local to act as a production assistant, run errands. They had me running round, getting nail polish and artichokes.' Artichokes? 'Yes, they were for Raquel Welch. I didn't know who she was. I was just giving artichokes to a pretty girl in a robe.' Barresi says there was talk of him being in an orgy scene but the producer changed his mind. 'I would have loved to have been in an orgy scene with Raquel Welch. It would have made me a star!' He was cast instead as a bartender, and was there when there were discussions about a scene which involved Raquel having to stand up on the bar. How would she get up there? 'I offered to lift her but she said 'We have choreographers for that'. Later, she was a little more cordial.' According to Barresi, the pair 'had a kiss'. His easy charm and easy-on-the-eye looks won him many admirers, including a producer who happened to be casting for models to pose for Playgirl magazine. 'It was naked. I was determined to be a serious actor, but asked the wrong person for advice. I should never have done it, but that was how I got into taking my clothes off.' From here it was a hop and a skip into the adult movie industry, which resulted in his family pretty much disowning him. But how on earth do you get from the porn business into the private detective one? Very easily, he says. 'You have two major industries in Hollywood. You have the movie industry, then you have the sex industry, which follows the movie industry like the moon.' Put simply, he was a guy who knew people and gossip. One of his big breaks into private investigating came when an old girlfriend who happened to be Michael Jackson's maid appeared on his doorstep, with her new husband. They brought troubling claims that they had witnessed Jackson sexually abuse a young man and wanted him to broker a deal with the National Enquirer, lover of sex and sleaze exposes. 'They trusted me,' he says. He recorded their account. It was potentially explosive stuff, but then the couple engaged the services of a lawyer who, he says, tried to 'write him out of the deal'. And at that point Barresi spotted an opportunity for self-advancement, and sent his recording to an established celebrity investigator working for Michael Jackson's team, saying 'this information would be useful for him'. Much of his celebrity work over the years can't be reported, either because he has to stay quiet or because his claims are too toxic to print. He has been involved in very high-profile cases though, once confronting a stalker on Sharon Stone's behalf. During Tom Cruise's messy divorce battle with Nicole Kidman, Tom's legal team became aware of an individual who had claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Cruise. 'There was nothing in it,' Barresi says today. 'But my brief was 'Get this kid in. We need to interrogate him. That was the word interrogate, not question'.' After being interrogated, this man dropped the allegations. He remains sympathetic to a point to Amber, but blames the #MeToo movement for the fact that this whole case came close to ruining her. 'Amber was sailing high but when she lost, I think it took a little of the thunder out of the #MeToo debate.' He's still bothered about that look on her face, though. Which will hardly stop the speculation about this now long-running soap opera. Read Paul Barresi's book Johnny Depp's Accidental Fixer here It was the terrifying possibility that haunted Holly Willoughby every day for nine months: What if Gavin Plumb walks free? But yesterday the grotesquely obese former security guard was finally sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years, for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder the presenter and she will have been utterly relieved to hear the outcome. When the former This Morning star first learned of the terror Gavin Plumb had in store for her, she was understandably petrified, as were her nearest and dearest. And the idea of him being found not guilty and allowed to walk the streets again was her 'worst nightmare', with Holly, 43, fearing that she would never be able to live a normal life again. 'She can now rest a little easier at night,' said a friend of the TV star. 'While the ramifications of what happened will probably never leave her, the fact that Plumb cannot terrorise her, or anyone else for that matter, will be such a huge relief. This has totally changed Holly's life she couldn't leave the house for a very long time. Holly Willoughby, 43, rigorously avoided any publicity arising from her harrowing experience throughout the trial of Gavin Plumb Former security guard Plumb was finally sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years, for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Holly 'The sentence means that, in time, she can try to process what has happened and piece her life together, but most importantly, no longer live in total fear because Plumb is behind bars for the foreseeable long enough not to be scared. 'Very few people have any understanding of just what Holly has been through in the last nine months. It has been hell.' Throughout the trial, the former ITV presenter rigorously avoided any publicity arising from her harrowing experience, and her victim impact statement was not read out to the public yesterday. The judge praised Holly's 'considerable courage' in waiving her automatic right to anonymity 'so the case can be reported'. Mr Justice Murray also revealed that some details were so 'horrifying, shocking and graphic' that an informal agreement was reached between the prosecution and the media to avoid reporting on them. Meanwhile, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said: 'The impact has been life changing for the victim both in private and personal terms and, indeed, professional. 'The shock and fear caused has been impossible to convey. Indeed, being informed of the consequences, the intentions, and the detail of the evidence in this case, it is inevitable that has exacerbated the trauma of this victim.' Plumb, whose weight ballooned to 35st at one point, spent '99.9 per cent' of his free time online, where he used stomach-churning chat groups to talk about his perversions and encourage others to join him in his plot to kidnap Holly. He denied soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap, claiming it had all been 'just online chat'. But he was convicted unanimously by a jury of eight women and four men at Chelmsford Crown Court. Plumb, 37, who wore a grey sweatshirt, showed no emotion yesterday as he was sentenced to life, but muttered 'fifteen years to kill myself' as he was led out of the dock. The items discovered in the possession of Plumb as he plotted to murder Holly Delivering the sentence, Mr Justice Murray said: '[The plot] to murder Ms Willoughby was the endpoint of a plan to kidnap and falsely imprison her for the purpose of raping and otherwise sexually abusing her in ways that would have been particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading.' Holly quit her job on This Morning days after learning of the plot in October 2023, just before she was due to go on air, and was so terrified she stayed holed up in her home for weeks afterwards. But it wasn't just her own safety she was worried about. As Holly went through the legal process, she also wanted to ensure the safety of other women an issue she feels very passionate about. In a bid to make sure the Crown Prosecution Service had the best possible chance of getting a conviction, Holly fought hard to ensure Plumb's previous convictions were brought before the court. And at the 11th hour, the jury was allowed to hear about Plumb's two attempts to abduct air stewardesses from trains heading for Stansted airport and an attempt to kidnap two of his 16-year-old colleagues at a Woolworths branch. Just a month before his trial, the cases were deemed admissible. Holly was grateful to the women who were brave enough to speak out, including Emma Ashby, who told The Mail on Sunday how Plumb sellotaped her hands together and pulled out a kitchen knife in a warehouse at the shop where they worked 15 years ago. Ms Ashby said: 'His past convictions show he is a dangerous man who doesn't just fantasise, he acts on these fantasies.' Meanwhile, a friend of the presenter said: 'Holly fights for women's rights, it is something she feels strongly about. She believes no woman should have to live in fear, so the sentence is a real sign. 'She had this determination to ensure Plumb was found guilty, not just for her own benefit but for other females' safety, because too many women are unsafe.' Holly chose not to go to court for the trial, instead, she went away with those closest to her. This was not just to escape the trauma of hearing the vile details of Plumb's cruel and sordid plans being rehearsed in court but also to ensure that they received the coverage they deserved rather than being eclipsed by her presence. Plumb was arrested by police officers at his home in October last year Holly waived her automatic right to anonymity 'so the case could be reported on' It is understood Holly requested that her victim impact statement was not read out in public because she was keen to ensure that the younger members of her family are never privy to the full horrors she had to live through for so long. The nightmare saga began last October, when there was an unexpected knock on the front door of her home in south-west London. It was the police, who came to tell her that, just hours earlier, they had uncovered Plumb's plot. Using chloroform to subdue her and her husband, TV producer Dan Baldwin, 48, during a nighttime raid while their three children slept nearby, she would be driven to Plumb's ground-floor flat in Harlow, Essex. Plumb then intended to take Holly captive, hold her in an isolated 'dungeon' which he described as 'death row' and rape and torture her. He assembled a horrific 'restraint kit' for his plan, which included manacles, a ball gag and a cat o' nine tails whip. It was through his activity in an online forum called 'Abduct Lovers' his favourite haunt for encouraging other 'obsessives' to join his mission to kidnap Holly that his plans came to light. In conversations with one man, David Nelson, Plumb revealed how, when he was 'bored' of her, Ms Willoughby's throat would be slit and her body thrown in a lake, adding that he had been 'waiting for years' to enact his 'ultimate fantasy'. But Mr Nelson was actually an undercover US police officer, who had infiltrated the group. He was so concerned at the 'imminent threat' that he passed details on to the Metropolitan Police the next day, on October 4, and Plumb was arrested within hours. The plans, which Holly first learned of that fateful day in October, left her numb and terrified. As the police spoke to her, with her husband at her side, Holly all too understandably 'descended into an absolute state'. Just days later, she sensationally quit her role as a presenter on This Morning after 14 years, as she was simply too frightened to appear on live television. She didn't leave her home for weeks. Instead she was visited by close friends, including Christine Lampard, Emma Bunton and Nicole Appleton to name a few. For the time being, Holly is taking a break from filming to 'recuperate' with her family following the torment occasioned by the trial. 'It's been difficult for the family, you try to stay normal but it's impossible when something like this happens,' says one of Holly's colleagues. The presenter recently finished filming a Netflix show with Bear Grylls called Bear Hunt in Costa Rica. It is due to be released at the beginning of next year, when she will also return to ITV with skating show Dancing On Ice, which she hosts with Stephen Mulhern. 'Holly loves work and she will take things on as and when they feel right,' says a friend. 'For now she wants to be with her family.' Kate Hudson enjoyed a fun family lunch date at an Italian hotspot in New York City on Friday. The stunning daughter of Goldie Hawn, 45 who sent temperatures soaring at a recent album signing was spotted holding the hand of daughter Rani, five, alongside her fiance Danny Fujikawa as they arrived at Bar Pitti restaurant. Adorned in a chic white maxi dress accentuated by a wide black belt, the Glass Onion star exuded the elegance of a Hollywood movie star as she gracefully strolled along the sidewalks of the Big Apple. Hudson - who wore $1,295 Kemo Sabe 'Grit Bone Suede Lindsay' boots - complemented the stylish ensemble with a pair of dark aviators, while her trademark sandy blonde tresses were casually swept up in a loose ponytail. Kate kept close to her adorable mini-me Rani, who she welcomed with Danny in October 2018. Kate Hudson enjoyed a fun family lunch date with daughter Rani at an Italian hotspot in New York City on Friday The stunning daughter of Goldie Hawn was spotted holding the hand of Rani alongside her fiance Danny Fujikawa as they arrived at Bar Pitti restaurant The trio were enjoying their afternoon outing ahead of Kate's big concert at Webster Hall, where she will sing new music from her debut album Glorious. In early June, Hudson kicked off promotions for her upcoming show, using Instagram to announce the news to her fans. 'New York City, I'm thrilled to announce I will be performing songs from my debut album 'Glorious' at @websterhall on July 12. Tickets will be on sale this Friday, June 14! See you there,' she wrote. She also used the social media platform to share a video message promoting the gig. 'Good morning. Quickly I am so happy just singing,' she began. 'Quickly I'm playing Webster Hall on the 12th of July in New York City. I can't wait to see you there. And honestly I wanted to just share that singing and playing this album for you has been one of the great, absolute joys of my life,' she added. Kate added, 'I have so much gratitude for you guys showing up and just feeling the support and the love has just been the best.' This comes after the Oscar nominee revealed Rani and sons Bingham 'Bing', 13, and Ryder, 20, join in on the her workouts, as she believes a healthy lifestyle is 'not taught, it's caught,' per People. Hudson - who wore $1,295 Kemo Sabe 'Grit Bone Suede Lindsay' boots - complemented the stylish ensemble with a pair of dark aviators Adorned in a chic white maxi dress accentuated by a wide black belt, the Glass Onion star exuded the elegance of a Hollywood movie star as she gracefully strolled along the sidewalks of the Big Apple. 'Rani comes to my workouts all the time, and it's so amazing,' she said. 'But, I don't force it on my kids. They want to be a part of it. 'They see me and my trainer [Brian Nguyen] working hard and cussing each other out and sweating. It's fun.' The star - who shares Bing with ex-fiance Matt Bellamy and Ryder with ex-husband Chris Robinson - added that she makes sure to carve out time for her kids at the end of each day. 'I am busy, I am really busy, but my day is done at 5:00 p.m., and I am in that kitchen making them something. 'It's hard to get it together when you are a working mom, and it was especially hard when I was a single mom,' she admitted. Kate went on to say that she invites the kids into the kitchen to set them up for success with a healthy relationship with food. 'My kids' relationship to food is healthy because I get them in the kitchen,' she said. 'I get them chopping with me, we talk about what herbs are.' 'I think it's important to really get your kids involved in the things that you're doing," Hudson continued. 'There's no chef in my house.' The pair were joined by her fiance Danny Fujikawa Kate's trademark sandy blonde tresses were casually swept up in a loose ponytail Kate kept close to her adorable mini-me Rani, who she welcomed with Danny in October 2018 The pair were spotted ahead of Kate's big concert for her debut album Kate and Danny -- who welcomed their daughter Rani in 2018 -- got engaged in September 2021. The proposal was four years in the making, as they started their romantic relationship back in 2016. They originally met in 2002 when she was 23 years old - but began dating him at age 37 in December 2016. Kate also shares a son Bingham with her ex fiance Matt Bellamy, whom she dated from 2010 until 2014; and her eldest son Ryder, 19, with ex husband Chris Robinson, whom she divorced in 2006. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are still living separate lives, with JLo vacationing in the Hamptons while her husband hangs back in Los Angeles with his children. It appears the Get Right star tried to distract herself from their rumored marriage woes by enjoying a shopping trip with her child Emme, 16, and two friends on Friday. She was photographed flashing a rare smile as she kicked back in the passenger's seat of gold Jeep with her vacation crew. For their shopping spree, the ladies focused their efforts on a farmers market in Amagansett Square, before making their way to other shops in the Amagansett region of East Hampton in Long Island. Lopez and Affleck have been spending time apart since March amid an avalanche of speculation that the Hollywood couple is headed for divorce. Jennifer Lopez, 54, flashed a rare smile while out shopping with her child Emme, 16, and a few friends in the Hamptons on Friday, while her husband Ben Affleck hangs back in Los Angeles JLo and her vacation crew drove from her Hamptons home to a farmers market in Amagansett Square before moving on to some other shops in the area For their cruise around the Hamptons, Lopez kept it casual-cool in flared blue jeans and a white cropped T-shirt. In keeping with her relaxed of style, JLo strolled from store to store in a pair of flip flop sandals. She let her honey-toned hair flow out from under a stylish straw hat. Despite rumors that a divorce with Affleck is 'imminent,' Lopez still had her wedding ring on for Friday's outing in New York. Also on Friday, Affleck was seen flashing his wedding band as he ran errands in Los Angeles. But just three days earlier, the Argo star was photographed without it on. The estranged couple, who have not been pictured together in nearly a month, recently put their Beverly Hills marital home on the public market. They bought the property last year for $60.85 million following a two-year search for that perfect abode in some of the most expensive neighborhoods in Southern California. Amid speculation of a split, Jennifer and Ben attempted to quietly offload the 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom mansion for $65million in June. But as of Thursday, the 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom mansion is listed as 'for sale' on Zillow with a whopping $68 million price tag. For their cruise around the Hamptons, Lopez kept it casual-cool in flared blue jeans and a white cropped T-shirt For the day of shopping, which included getting ice coffee, Lopez kept it casual-cool in the fashion department in flared blue jeans, a white cropped t-shirt, and flip flops The estranged couple have been spending time apart since March amid an avalanche of reports that their marriage is in trouble; Affleck seen on June 7 The new listing, as per TMZ, claims that the 38,000-square-foot abode was renovated within the last four months - which may explain the $3million price hike. The renovations and improvements to the home were reportedly completed in the last four months. TMZ also noted that California's mansion tax - an extra transfer tax applied to home sales over $5million may also be a factor in price. For homes sold for $10million and above, an extra 5.5% charge is applied to the sale. Bennifer's listing is being held by Santiago Arana of The Agency - the real estate brokerage owned by reality TV star Mauricio Umansky. Celebrity realtor, Josh Flagg, recently told PEOPLE that the listing price for the mansion is 'relatively close to what they paid for it,' and added it 'means they really want to move the property.' 'With that said, I'm also going to take [a guess] that they're not going to walk out of this making money. They're going to either break even or take a small loss.' Flagg - who is known for starring on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles - continued, 'generally, people do not sell their primary residence a year after they buy it unless there is a divorce, a death, or some kind of desperation.' However, he explained that the attention the pair have been receiving over rumored marriage woes will not dissuade potential buyers. 'If a buyer wants to buy a house, they're going to buy a house. If anything, at least it is giving me some press to the house. It's good advertising for the property,' Josh expressed. Jennifer and Ben have reportedly been living apart for 'months' amid speculation that they're headed for divorce. Affleck has been residing in a $100,000-per-month rental home near his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 52, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The estranged couple, who have not been pictured together in nearly a month, recently put their Beverly Hills marital home on the public market for $68million After failing to sell it off-marktet, the couple have now listed the property publicly on the MLS system for a whopping $68million on Thursday afternoon, as reported by TMZ . A source previously told PEOPLE that neither Jen nor Ben wanted to keep their Beverly Hills dwelling for different reasons: she felt it was too big and he thought it was too far from his kids; seen in February He was reportedly seen moving his belongings out of the Beverly Hills house that he once shared with Lopez in late June, as per PEOPLE. 'Ben continues to live at the Brentwood rental. He's been there for about two months now,' a source told the outlet at the time. 'He seems okay. He's been at his office every day and seems focused on work. He's also spending time with his kids.' Neither Jen nor Ben wanted to keep their marital dwelling for different reasons: she felt it was too big and he thought it was too far from his kids. A source previously dished to PEOPLE: 'Ben never liked the house. It's too far away from his kids.' The Gone Girl star co-parents his three children Samuel, 12, Fin, 15 and Violet, 18, with his ex-wife Garner, who lives in the Pacific Palisades. Meanwhile, Lopez, who shares 16-year-old twins Emme and Max from prior marriage to Marc Anthony, feels the 12-bedroom house is simply 'way too big for her.' The federal agents investigating Matthew Perry's death are 'confident' they will be able to charge the suspects involved in his fatal drug overdose. On Friday, it was reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is planning to charge 'multiple people' with drug distribution resulting in death or great bodily injury. For the first-degree felony charge, they could be facing a sentence of 20 years minimum in prison. When the Friends star died at the age of 54 last year and the autopsy was later released, the LAPD began an investigation into the circumstances of his overdose. The agents are reportedly probing and looking to charge more people than just drug dealers. The federal agents investigating Matthew Perry's death are 'confident' they will be able to charge the suspects involved in his fatal drug overdose; seen in February 2016 According to TMZ, the authorities are reportedly investigating doctors if they wrote prescriptions 'deemed outside the scope of medical necessity' as well as Charlie Sheen's ex-wife Brooke Mueller. Last month, an investigative source from law enforcement told People that any future action will ultimately be determined by the U.S. Attorney's Office. TMZ also reported that the DEA agents tasked with investigating the 'resulting in death' charge are reportedly the same ones who apprehended the suspects and closed the case in Mac Miller's 2018 fatal drug overdose. A search warrant was executed on the actress with whom Perry was reportedly 'romantically involved' with nearly two decades ago after she was questioned 'multiple times' by the authorities over his fatal overdose, a source told the outlet. Mueller was never arrested or handcuffed regarding the inquiries, and sources told InTouch she has been cooperating with the criminal investigation. The outlet also reported that she was not at the sober living residence she was staying at when cops arrived with a search warrant in May but was 'completely cooperative' when she returned from being out exercising. As for the warrant, authorities reportedly seized an iPhone and a laptop from her. A source told the outlet that she remains 'adamant she had nothing to do with' Perry's death although the actor's ex-girlfriend, Kayti Edwards, said she believes Perry and Mueller may have 'reconnected' in his final years. When the Friends star died at the age of 54 last year and the autopsy was later released, the LAPD began an investigation into the circumstances of his overdose. The agents are reportedly probing and looking to charge more people than just drug dealers in his death; seen in November 2022 The actor died from an overdose on October 28, 2023 in his hot tub at his home, according to a previous report by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner Edwards, 48, claimed that Perry and Mueller started dating after meeting in Alcoholics Anonymous nearly two decades ago, around the same time she had been dating him too, according to The US Sun. 'They definitely did not first meet initially in rehab, we all met in AA in 2006,' said Edwards, who later worked as Perry's assistant in 2010 and 2011. 'She and I were seeing him at the same time, there was no girlfriend and boyfriend relationship we just dated.' His manner of death was ruled to be accidental, and the autopsy report released in May showed the actor died from acute effects of ketamine. Contributing factors were given as drowning, coronary artery disease and the effects of buprenorphine, a prescription drug often used to treat those with opioid addiction. It was later reported that at the time of his death, Perry was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy. In December last year, a medical expert speculated to Page Six the actor had 'likely' obtained ketamine illegally for 'recreational use,' however. Even though Perry was undergoing ketamine treatment for anxiety and depression at the time of his passing, his autopsy report noted 'the ketamine in his system at death could not be from that infusion therapy.' The actor died from an overdose on October 28, 2023 in his hot tub at his home, according to a previous report by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner. On Friday, it was reported that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is planning to charge 'multiple people' with drug distribution resulting in death or great bodily injury. For the first-degree felony charge, they could be facing a sentence of 20 years minimum in prison the authorities are reportedly investigating doctors if they wrote prescriptions 'deemed outside the scope of medical necessity' as well as Charlie Sheen's ex-wife Brooke Mueller A search warrant was executed on the actress with whom Perry was reportedly 'romantically involved' with nearly two decades ago and battled with addiction herself; seen in December 2023 In collaboration with the DEA and the U.S. Postal Inspector, LAPD then started investigating where the ketamine came from that 'ended up playing a part' in the actor's death. At the time, TMZ reported that an ongoing investigation was looking to deduce where the actor who spent years battling alcoholism and drug addiction got the ketamine. 'Law enforcement sources tell us there is an ongoing investigation into where Matthew got the ketamine that ended up playing a part in his death and the main questions are who provided the drug, and under the circumstances,' the outlet reported. It was also previously revealed that the authorities had already talked to 'some key people in Hollywood,' who are 'known to have a history of drug use or abuse,' as they 'could have information leading to the source,' per the report. Skye Wheatley has shocked her fans by getting into a screaming match with her partner Lachlan Waugh over home renovations at their in-progress Gold Coast mansion. The influencer, 30, shared a shocking video to Instagram on Friday which captured Lachlan taking Skye on a tour of the renovation work of their new home. The footage began with Lachlan showcasing the work, as he pointed out which rooms will have skylights in them to capture the beaming sun. 'I've just ordered the windows and designed the room myself!' a proud Lachlan told Skye, who initially agreed his plans were 'stunning'. However, Skye soon became upset with some of Lachlan's plans, and questioned why he had put skylights in some rooms but not others. 'A skylight is pointless in this room because of the beautiful window. We could have used that skylight in the [walk-in wardrobe],' a frustrated Skye began. 'Oh my God, why wouldn't you think of that? There's skylights where they don't need to be and none where they do need to be!' However, Lachlan was having none of it and became frustrated as he told his partner he chose the ideal locations for the skylights - and said none was needed for the wardrobe. Skye Wheatley (pictured) has shocked her fans by getting into a heated debate with her partner Lachlan Waugh over home renovations at their in-progress Gold Coast mansion 'It's a f**king room, how many rooms do you go in that are dark? It's fine, what are you actually worried about, that you won't be able to take a photo in there?' a furious Lachlan asked. Fans were divided over the heated argument and quickly took to the comment section to say whether they were on Team Skye or Lachlan. 'Skylights in there will fade your clothes faster. It is a mistake putting it in there, don't do it,' a Lachlan supporter wrote. The influencer, 30, shared a shocking video to Instagram on Friday which captured Lachlan taking Skye on a tour of the renovation work of their in-development mansion 'Give the woman her skylight,' a Skye fan added and a third person chipped in: 'She's correct.' Skye rose to fame back on Big Brother Australia in 2014 and is now a full-time influencer with 634,000 followers. In 2023, Wheatley put her $75,000 Mercedes on the market to help finance the renovation work on her luxurious Gold Coast mansion. The former Big Brother star-turned-influencer shared a snap of her white Mercedes to Instagram and asked interested buyers to message her. The pair got into a fiery debate after Skye claimed Lachlan had installed the skylights in the wrong room Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird said Mama June will 'lose another' child if she doesn't pay back daughter, Alana 'Honey Boo Boo', Thompson $35k on Mama June: Family Crisis. During Friday's episode - which was titled Moving Forward - the family continues to move on after Anna 'Chickadee's' death which occurred in December 2023 at the age of 29 after a battle with adrenal cancer. The issue surrounding Mama June owing Alana back a large sum was pushed to the side as Anna's loved ones mourned and grieved over the loss. However, at one point during the latest episode, Honey Boo Boo revealed to her sister, Lauryn, that she needed money to cover rent and college tuition for the upcoming school year. June has been embroiled in drama with her youngest daughter after spending $35,000 of her own money which was earned when Alana competed on Dancing With The Stars in 2018. Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird said Mama June will 'lose another' child if she doesn't pay back daughter, Alana ' Honey Boo Boo', Thompson $35k on Mama June: Family Crisis The issue surrounding Mama June owing Alana back a large sum was pushed to the side as Anna's loved ones mourned and grieved over the sad loss During a phone call between Lauryn and Alana, the 18-year-old told her older sibling, 'I don't really have the money for the rent and school in the fall.' 'And it's like, is it too soon to bring up to Mama, you know?' Honey Boo Boo continued. 'I think that it's been plenty of time,' Lauryn replied. 'I think that you have a right to ask for your money back. I think that you should tell her what you told me. You have to pay for college and stuff.' In a confessional, Lauryn expressed, 'When Anna was sick, we all agreed as a family, any drama that we had going on, we were gonna push all of that to the side. But now that Anna has passed, it's time for Alana to ask for her money back.' 'Honestly, if Mama doesn't give her the money back, she's going to be stupid. Because, you've already lost one kid. Why lose another?' The episode jumped back to Lauryn and Alana's phone call, with Pumpkin saying, 'Now, she has to face reality.' Honey Boo Boo replied with, 'It is something that needs to be talked about,' with Lauryn adding, 'Either she wants to give you your money back, or she doesn't. One of the two.' 'She knows she's got the money, like be for real,' Alana said. Lauryn added, 'That's where she's still a piece of s***.' June has been embroiled in drama with her youngest daughter after spending $35,000 of her own money which was earned when Alana competed on Dancing With The Stars in 2018 During a phone call between Lauryn and Alana, the 18-year-old told her older sibling, 'I don't really have the money for the rent and school in the fall' 'I think that it's been plenty of time,' Lauryn replied. 'I think that you have a right to ask for your money back. I think that you should tell her what you told me. You have to pay for college and stuff' In a confessional, Lauryn expressed, 'When Anna was sick, we all agreed as a family, any drama that we had going on, we were gonna push all of that to the side. But now that Anna has passed, it's time for Alana to ask for her money back' 'Honestly, if Mama doesn't give her the money back, she's going to be stupid. Because, you've already lost one kid. Why lose another?' she asked 'She knows she's got the money, like be for real,' Alana said. Lauryn added, 'That's where she's still a piece of s***' Shortly after Alana and Lauryn's conversation, Mama June could be seen at her house she shares with husband, Justin. She was planning a special trip to Panama City Beach, Florida for a 'surprise vow renewal' with Justin and to also spread some of Anna's ashes. Earlier in the episode, her ashes were delivered to the family in separate urns and crystals. While Lauryn and sister, Jessica, were enjoying lunch together, Mama June gave Pumpkin a call to reveal the surprise trip news. After June shared that she had planned a trip to Panama Beach for the following weekend, both Lauryn and Jessica a bit shocked at the last minute notice. In another confessional, Lauryn said, 'Mama these days is so out of touch with reality that it's insane.' 'She wants to fund this entire Florida trip for us to go down and spread Anna's ashes, which I'm okay with. But it's like, you must think that we forgot that you still owe Alana money.' Back in the restaurant, Lauryn told Jessica that she will 'probably go' on the last minute getaway. Jessica then asked, 'How are you going to get Alana to go?' 'I don't know. I mean, she does want to talk to Mama about the whole money situation, so it's like maybe that will be her chance. How long are we gonna drag it on?' Lauryn asked. Shortly after Alana and Lauryn's conversation, Mama June could be seen at her house she shares with husband, Justin She was planning a special trip to Panama City Beach, Florida for a 'surprise vow renewal' with Justin and to also spread some of Anna's ashes Earlier in the episode, her ashes were delivered to the family in separate urns and crystals While Lauryn and sister, Jessica, were enjoying lunch together, Mama June gave Pumpkin a call to reveal the surprise trip news In another confessional, Lauryn said, 'Mama these days is so out of touch with reality that it's insane' 'She wants to fund this entire Florida trip for us to go down and spread Anna's ashes, which I'm okay with. But it's like, you must think that we forgot that you still owe Alana money' Jessica said, 'Mama needs to get her head out of her a** and give her money,' with Lauryn adding, 'It's f***ing ridiculous.' In a previous episode that aired last month, Mama June took part in a heated argument due to refusing to pay back Alana the $35,000. June and her husband, Justin, could be seen arguing at Pumpkin's house over June not paying Alana back. While inside the kitchen, he demanded that she give Honey Boo Boo $30,000 - which prompted her to ask, 'And then what? And then what happens?' Justin yelled back, 'It doesn't matter!' and later added that she needs to 'make it right.' However, June - who also hasn't contributed to Alana's college tuition - stood her ground about not paying Alana back, causing her husband to storm away. One of the producers then asked her if the $30k is her daughter's and should be 'owed back' to her. June heatedly replied: 'I legally put the 20% in there. I don't give a f***. Take me to court,' and added that a portion of the $35k was spent on Alana. Justin later cut in and said, 'But as a parent, that's what you do, June. Whether it's successful or it's not, that's what you do as a parent. You invest in them to a certain extent.' Jessica said, 'Mama needs to get her head out of her a** and give her money,' with Lauryn adding, 'It's f***ing ridiculous' In a previous episode in June, Mama June took part in a heated argument due to refusing to pay back Alana the $35,000 June heatedly replied: 'I legally put the 20% in there. I don't give a f***. Take me to court,' and added that a portion of the $35k was spent on Alana' Also during Friday's latest episode, Mama June was notably served papers from Michael - Kaitlyn's father Also during Friday's latest episode, Mama June was notably served papers from Michael - Kaitlyn's father. June was granted temporary custody over Anna's daughter, Kaitlyn, 11, following her passing - but Michael served papers to June in order to try to gain 'custody' over Kaitlyn. Both Mama June and husband, Justin, also had small arguments throughout the episode, such as June closing up due to dealing with grief over Anna's death. At one point, she could be seen planning the Panama City Beach trip on her phone, and when Justin asked what she was doing, she refused to tell him. At one point, she could be seen planning the Panama City Beach trip on her phone, and when Justin asked what she was doing, she refused to tell him In a confessional, Justin said, 'Look, I know my wife is blind, but does she really think I'm blind, too, and I don't see what is going on? I don't want to think that she is being shady, but who the hell knows anymore?' And at the very end of the episode, she told Justin about the special trip that she had planned to Florida to spend time together as a family and spread some of Anna's ashes 'But if June's objective is to try to take me down there to make me forget about everything that I'm upset about, that's not gonna happen,' he said In a confessional, Justin said, 'Look, I know my wife is blind, but does she really think I'm blind, too, and I don't see what is going on? I don't want to think that she is being shady, but who the hell knows anymore?' And at the very end of the episode, she told Justin about the special trip that she had planned to Florida to spend time together as a family and spread some of Anna's ashes. 'If it's really for Anna, like, I loved Anna. You know, me and Anna got close so I'm all for it if it's for Anna,' Justin said in another confessional. 'But if June's objective is to try to take me down there to make me forget about everything that I'm upset about, that's not gonna happen.' Legendary Australian radio personality Ron E Sparks has died aged 73. Ron's former WSFM101.7 colleagues Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones announced the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Saturday. Alongside a photo of Ron hard at work in his radio booth, they wrote some tragic words: 'We are devastated to announce the heartbreaking news. 'The passing of former WSFM announcer Ron E Sparks. Vale.' No cause of death has been announced as of yet. Ron was born in 1951 and began his radio career in Sydney in the 1970s, as the voice over announcer for the popular AM radio station 2SM. His distinctive voice saw him move into television as the announcer of many popular game shows, including Wheel of Fortune and Hot Streak. He also was briefly an on-camera presenter for the legendary ABC music show Countdown, in the 1970s. Throughout his career he interviewed many world-famous celebrities, including legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Heartbroken fans quickly took to social media to express their sadness over Ron's passing. Legendary Australian radio personality Ron E Sparks (pictured) has died aged 73 'Absolutely stunned to hear of the death of Sparks. A legend of the airwaves. The man who took me 2SM to 2UW in 1979 where I remained for the following 21 years. Have a heavenly Maccas for me big fella,' wrote radio veteran Trevor Sinclair. 'Sad news. Vale Ron,' a second person added. Sparks famously ruffled the feathers of presenters Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson in 2001, when they were working at 2Day FM in Sydney. Ron's former WSFM101.7 colleagues Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones announced the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Saturday Alongside a photo of Ron hard at work in his radio booth, they wrote some heartbreaking words: 'We are devastated to announce the heartbreaking news Kyle revealed in his autobiography Scandilands that Sparks had furiously reprimanded him for smoking in the studio. 'Sparks was well within his rights He had complained, a million times to everyone at the station about the smoking situation. I was a disrespectful thirty year old brat who needed a good a**e-kicking,' Kyle wrote. He is survived by his wife and two sons. China's top legislator attends 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Xinhua) 14:09, July 13, 2024 Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, delivers a speech while attending the plenary session of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 11, 2024. This year's forum ran from Thursday to Friday in St. Petersburg. Zhao attended the forum here and delivered speeches at the event. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) ST. PETERSBURG, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji attended the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum here and delivered speeches at the event. Zhao, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said at the plenary session of the forum on Thursday that the legislative bodies of the BRICS countries have maintained long-term friendly cooperation and played an important role in deepening the BRICS strategic partnership. This year's forum, which ran from Thursday to Friday, is the first parliamentary forum held after the expansion of the BRICS membership, which reflects the strong momentum of seeking strength through unity among member of the Global South and their firm will to seek common development, he said. Zhao stressed that the legislative bodies of BRICS should, based on their functions, promote the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, consolidate BRICS unity, promote pragmatic cooperation, and promote the high-quality development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism. During his speech at the plenary session in the expanded format of the forum on Friday, Zhao said that Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, which have been widely praised and supported by the international community. "In the face of opportunities and challenges, we must uphold fairness and justice to safeguard world peace and security, uphold the sharing of results to promote common prosperity among countries, uphold openness and inclusiveness to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations," Zhao said. He added that China is willing to work with BRICS partners and other developing countries to carry forward the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, and shoulder the mission of the times in building a community with a shared future for mankind. The theme of this year's forum is "The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a keynote speech at the plenary session in the expanded format of the forum on Thursday. The forum approved the Protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding on the BRICS Parliamentary Forum and adopted a joint declaration. Zhao also met with Egyptian House of Representatives Speaker Hanafy Ali al-Gebaly, and Maulen Ashimbayev, Kazakhstan's Senate Chairperson respectively on the sideline of the forum. Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Egyptian House of Representatives Speaker Hanafy Ali al-Gebaly on the sideline of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 11, 2024. This year's forum ran from Thursday to Friday in St. Petersburg. Zhao attended the forum here and delivered speeches at the event. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, delivers a speech while attending the plenary session in the expanded format of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 12, 2024. This year's forum ran from Thursday to Friday in St. Petersburg. Zhao attended the forum here and delivered speeches at the event. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with Maulen Ashimbayev, Kazakhstan's Senate Chairperson, on the sideline of the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, July 12, 2024. This year's forum ran from Thursday to Friday in St. Petersburg. Zhao attended the forum here and delivered speeches at the event. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Sharyn Ghidella's on-air partner has paid a heartfelt tribute to her during a news broadcast following the Channel 7 star's axing after decades in the industry. Ghidella, 58, who was dropped after almost four decades working in the news industry, confirmed the news in a fiery Facebook post. She had been the face of Seven News in Queensland since 2007, and her now former co-host Max Futcher spoke emotionally and passionately about her on air. Hosting Friday's 6pm bulletin alone, Futcher immediately addressed why his partner was not there. 'First tonight, she didn't want a farewell, and she's too humble to want us to make a fuss. But we would like to thank Sharyn Ghidella for her 17 wonderful years behind the desk here at 7News Brisbane,' he said. 'A true professional, an accomplished journalist, and for all of us here a friend and mentor. And my good mate. 'We know Sharyn has also been a big part of your lives, and we know she sees that role as a great privilege. 'Sharyn leaves with our respect, our admiration, and wishes for an amazing future. Love you Shaz.' Sharyn Ghidella's on-air partner has paid a heartfelt tribute to her during a news broadcast after the Channel 7 star was axed after decades in the industry Hosting Friday's 6pm bulletin alone, Max Futcher (left) immediately addressed why his former on-air partner (right) was not there Ghidella garnered support from some major names in the industry after she was brutally axed from the network. 'We're devastated to hear that after all these years of loyal, professional service, you've been treated like this,' journalist Tracey Spicer wrote. 'It's awful to see what's happening at Channel 7. However, you're right: we don't need news with horoscopes. Thinking of you and the family with much love and support.' The horoscopes dig was a reference to Seven's plan to include a horoscope segment in its nightly news, which Ghidella said she opposed. Another journalist, Melissa Hoyer, also chimed in: 'When I met you many many years ago you have never, ever changed since then. As a journalist steadfast, credible and authentic. As a person compassionate, interested and interesting. 'It is a tragedy that so many people with strong experience, mentor and who stayed totally relevant are "moved on". Pointless. Good luck with the next chapter SG. Sending love,' she said. Queensland Deputy Premier Cameron Dick also commented, writing: 'You've been a familiar and comforting face for so many Queenslanders. Thank you Sharyn. Very sad to see you go'. Cartoonist Steve Panozzo wrote: 'Oh Sharyn - this is devastating news. Not only are you one of the more trustworthy and credible journalists this country has, you have demonstrated your genuine care for others in the mountain of charity work you have undertaken over many years. 'The accountants in charge of TV these days routinely show their ignorance of the assets they have and your dismissal is just another example of that tone deafness, inability to "read the room" and the complete failure to recognise the value of experience in delivering the news.' Ghidella's fiery Facebook post took aim at the network for gimmicks such as astrology readings over keeping veteran talent (pictured in 2006 while employed at Channel Nine) Ghidella said in her post that her 'tap on the shoulder' finally came while she was at the salon, admitting it was a 'relief' of sorts after several anxious weeks of media job cuts. 'When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren't expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder... After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,' Ghidella began. 'It wasn't quite how I expected it to end at Channel Seven. 'I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.' She said her recent time at the network had been 'miserable' and she was glad to be heading out the door. 'While somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief. As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair,' she wrote. 'A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the Band-Aid off slowly when it comes to removing what has been deemed excess stock. 'These people are some of the best content creators in the business. They are good people and it's been heartbreaking to watch.' Ghidella (centre) said her 'tap on the shoulder' finally came while she was at the salon getting ready for work, admitting it was a 'relief' of sorts after several anxious weeks of media job cuts Ghidella added she was not a fan of the network's rebranding of its news programming, which saw comedian Mark Humphries doing a comedy skit last night, and 'Astro Tash' starting an astrology report next week. 'I'm also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go,' Ghidella sniped. 'As I'm known to say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly plenty of talent left in the building and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.' She ended her take-no-prisoners post by thanking the many friends she had made throughout her long career with the network. Dream Team winners Liam and Rhys Almond have broken their silence over their competitors Taeler and Elle receiving a 'villain' edit. The Queensland tradie brothers said the sisters - who finished third on the show - were often incorrectly thought of as 'mean', due to their extremely competitive nature. 'Outside of the competition, Taeler and Ellie were great people. I just think they were very competitive,' Liam told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'Being so competitive I think they just went about things a little bit wrong, and it was shown on TV. I think a lot of Australia just noticed that that's not what this show is about.' Rhys added that appearing on the show had been a stressful experience for all the contestants and was firm that no grudges were held. 'There was a lot of work, a lot of stress, a lot of thinking about something day in, day out. It didn't feel like you got a break the whole time you're on, so to be finished has been awesome,' he said. 'All that hard work and to know that I got a Dream Home and we managed to get Rhys that $100k was amazing,' Liam added. On Tuesday, Liam and Rhys were announced as the winner's of the Channel Seven reality TV series after a gripping finale. Dream Team winners Liam and Rhys Almond have broken their silence about their competitors Taeler and Elle receiving a 'villain' edit. Both pictured Rhys and Liam Almond delivered a knockout tropical backyard renovation, walking away with the win. They scored 37.5 out of 40 to claim the title of 2024 Dream Home champions and $100,000 in prize money. As one of six teams in the Dream Home competition, Liam's dilapidated Deception Bay Queenslander received a stunning renovation, with the property now valued at $1.6 million. The Queensland tradie brothers said sisters Taeler and Ellle (pictured) - who finished third on the show - were often incorrectly thought of as 'mean', due to their extremely competitive nature Reflecting on their win and his new dream home, Liam described the competition as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his family that also helped him reconnect with his brother. 'Rhys and I are mates, but we got to be brothers again, living under the one roof,' he said. Dream Home judges Lana Taylor, Simon Cohen, and Rosie Morley unanimously praised the pair's backyard design and layout. Only half a point separated Rhys and Liam from the runners-up, Lara and Peter Bird, who scored 37 out of 40 for their Belrose backyard. Lucy Fallon looked incredible in a green mini dress as she reunited with her on-screen mum Tina O'Brien, for Coronation Street's annual summer party in Manchester on Friday. The Blackpool-born star, 28, showed off her toned legs in the vibrant number which featured quirky open-sleeves and a dazzling belt. The actress - who is well-known for her role as Bethany Platt on the ITV soap - added further glamour in a pair of matching green stiletto heels. Lucy beamed gracefully ahead of the bash which took place at Victoria Warehouse. She sported a series of gold jewellery items including a chunky bracelet and earrings. Lucy Fallon looked incredible in a green mini dress as she reunited with her on-screen mum Tina O'Brien at Coronation Street's summer party in Manchester on Friday The Blackpool-born star showed off her toned legs in the vibrant number which featured quirky open-sleeves and a dazzling belt Her on-screen mother Tina, who played the iconic Sarah Platt, nailed a chic ensemble as she opted for a dusty pink sleeveless vest. The Waterloo Road star donned a white mini skirt, enhancing her very toned frame, and added a few extra inches in a pair of silver strappy heels. Tina looked in high spirits making her way to the soap party, and carried the essentials in a silver sparkling bag as well as a white bag. Finishing off with bold letters-pendant earrings, she was in the sweet company of fellow Corrie star Julia Goulding, who looked jaw-dropping in a black leather maxi dress. The strapless number perfectly hugged her curves and slender figure, as she teamed it with chunky black heels. The Manchester-born actress, 39 - who played Shona Platt on the show - added a chic black shoulder bag as well as a gleaming silver necklace, and smiled graciously alongside Tina. Meanwhile Charlotte Jordan opted for a black skirt teamed with white top and a stylish bomber jacket. The beauty - who plays Daisy Midgeley in the soap - made a fashion statement sporting a black Dior saddle bag. Her on-screen mother Tina, who played the iconic Sarah Platt, nailed a chic ensemble as she opted for a dusty pink sleeveless vest She added a few extra inches in a pair of silver strappy heels Tina looked in high spirits making her way to the soap party, and carried the essentials in a silver sparkling bag as well as a white bag Finishing off with bold letters-pendant earrings, she was in the sweet company of fellow Corrie star Julia Goulding, who looked jaw-dropping in a black leather maxi dress As they arrived for the party, Tina posed for snaps with co-star Julia Goulding, who plays her on-screen sister-in-law Shona Platt Meanwhile Charlotte Jordan, who plays Daisy Midgeley, opted for a black skirt teamed with white top and a stylish bomber jacket Claire Sweeney looked typically glamorous in a shimmery silver one-shoulder jumpsuit Harriett Bibby looked stylish in a pink mini dress, matching her mini bag, teamed with a vibrant orange blazer as she showed off a huge smile Chanique Sterling-Brown caught the eye in a fuchsia chromed halter mini dress, teaming it with dazzling stiletto heels Callum Lill looked smart in a baby blue shirt and dove trousers, while Luca Toolan rocked a fashionable dark green leather jacket Jennie McAlphine looked elegant in a navy maxi dress and opted for gold shoulder bag matching her classy heels Meanwhile Georgia Taylor stunned blue maxi dress with long sleeves with black strappy heels, while carrying a denim jacket with her Tanisha Gorey flaunted her slender physique in a black multi-print dress Peter Ash exuded radiance as he arrived in a casual look Elsewhere Jodie Prenger and Tony Maudsley looked in jovial spirits as they stopped for a few shots together Luca Toolan rocked a fashionable dark green leather jacket Tina looked content as she and the rest of the cast left the star-studded event Heading home, Julia seemed chilly as she clutched her arms close to her chest Lucy looked in top spirits as she left venue with a big smile while holding her phone Lucy was spotted chatting to Charlotte, who was putting her jacket on Tony was also seen leaving with the crowds after the event Andy was spotted taking a little goody bag of sweets home Adam left the evening wearing a leather jacket which he layered over a black hoody Claire Sweeney looked typically glamorous in a shimmery silver one-shoulder jumpsuit. The Dancing On Ice favourite, 53, who has been growing stronger in her romance with Ricky Hatton, added a gold handbag to her stunning look. Chanique Sterling-Brown caught the eye in a fuchsia chromed halter mini dress, teaming it with dazzling stiletto heels. Meanwhile Georgia Taylor stunned blue maxi dress with long sleeves with black strappy heels, while carrying a denim jacket with her. Harriett Bibby looked stylish in a pink mini dress, matching her mini bag, teamed with a vibrant orange blazer as she showed off a huge smile. Callum Lill looked smart in a baby blue shirt and dove trousers, while Luca Toolan rocked a fashionable dark green leather jacket. Peter Ash exuded radiance as he arrived in a casual look, and Tanisha Gorey flaunted her slender physique in a black multi-print dress. Jennie McAlphine looked elegant in a navy maxi dress and opted for gold shoulder bag matching her classy heels. Elsewhere Jodie Prenger and Tony Maudsley looked in jovial spirits as they stopped for a few shots together. Meanwhile, new younger members of the cast were seen arriving at the summer party, including Liam McCheyne, Sydney Martin and Kate Fitton. They were joined by fellow co-stars as Ryan Prescott, Alan Halsall, Mikey North, Jack Carroll, Sam Aston, Paddy Beaver, and Sally Ann-Matthews. Ronnie Wood cosied up to his wife Sally on Friday as they attended the Modelo & Dos Hombres National Michelada Day Celebration at the Chateau Marmont. The Rolling Stones star, 76, and the theatre producer, 46, both dressed to the nines for the star-studded LA-based event. Adding a pop of colour, Ronnie stepped out in a two-toned blue butterfly shirt which he layered under a floral teal jacket and a white T-shirt. He paired his quirky top with some black jeans and some black and blue Nike Air Forces. Putting on a loved up display, his partner Sally looked sensational as she wore a Barbie pink long-sleeved mini dress. Ronnie Wood, 76, cosied up to his wife Sally, 46, on Friday as they attended the Modelo & Dos Hombres National Michelada Day Celebration at the Chateau Marmont The Rolling Stones star and the theatre producer both dressed to the nines for the star-studded LA-based event She paired her stunning ensemble with some gold chic chunky heels and a matching metallic bag. To accessorise, Sally looked fabulous in some tinted sunglasses and a gold necklace. Ronnie's appearance at the event comes after the Rolling Stones sent fans into frenzy after announcing a North America 2024 tour. The legendary rock band seem to be keeping their word after guitarist Keith Richards said they will keep making music 'until they drop.' The iconic tour will kick off on April 28 in Houston, Texas, at the NRG Stadium. It will mark the 60th anniversary of the Stones' first US tour in 1964. The tour will then wrap up on July 17 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California . The band will play across 16 cities across U.S. and Canada including Los Angeles , Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta, and more. Adding a pop of colour, Ronnie stepped out in a two-toned blue butterfly shirt which he layered under a floral teal jacket and a white T-shirt Putting on a loved up display, his partner Sally looked sensational as she wore a Barbie pink long-sleeved mini dress (pictured with Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston) To accessorise, Sally looked fabulous in some tinted sunglasses and a gold necklace (pictured with a guest, Robin Dearden, Bryan, Aaron, Lauren Parsekian) Actor Bryan, 68, put on a quirky display as he wore a funky retro beige shirt which he paired with some beige trousers and olive green shoes He appeared in top spirits for his event as he put on a little show dance for the cameras Bryan and Paul, who jointly own Dos Hombres, were keen to celebrate as they were spotted with a myriad of drinks Paul took the evening in his stride and also put on a dancing display for the cameras Ronnie's appearance at the event comes after the Rolling Stones sent fans into frenzy after announcing a North America 2024 tour (L-R Ronnie, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards) Due to the overwhelming demand, they announced additional dates in Los Angeles, Chicago, and East Rutherford - after they released the 24th studio album in October with a huge success. Hackney Diamonds went straight in at number one - the 11th time the band have achieved this feat. It was quickly classified as the fifth fastest-selling album of the year and the third most streamed album on Apple Music. Six tracks from the new record Angry, Sweet Sounds of Heaven, Get Close, Bite My Head Off, Depending on You and Mess it Up made this weeks top 100 singles midweek chart. Ella Rae Wise and Sophie Kasaei looked incredible during the last day of filming The Only Way Is Essex in Cyprus on Friday. The reality TV star, 24, showed off her incredible figure in a sexy green plunging maxi dress with cut-out details. She elevated her height in silver strappy heels and accessorised with dainty gold jewellery while posing for sizzling snaps on the beach. Meanwhile, Sophie, 34, flashed her toned abs in a yellow and blue bikini top, teamed with matching bottoms and a mesh skirt. She was later seen packing on the PDA with her boyfriend Jordan Brook before swimming in the sea. Ella Rae Wise and Sophie Kasaei looked incredible during the last day of filming The Only Way Is Essex in Cyprus on Friday The reality TV star, 24, showed off her incredible figure in a sexy green plunging maxi dress with cut-out details The TOWIE cast have been staying at the Exclusive Club at Cap St George Hotel in Cyrpus' coastal city Paphos. Filming for series 33 is well underway despite series 32 only having finished airing on ITVBe earlier in July. This series already promises to bring the drama Dan Edgar and Ella Rae Wise confirmed their on-off romance was very much back on during a steamy beach PDA session. In May, Ella had confirmed she and Dan had split after reports he cheated on her with his ex-girlfriend Hannah Rally. Ella and Dan were reportedly open to continuing their romance after Bali, where the cast filmed series 32, and had serious discussions about their future together. Their romance had followed Dan's messy and emotional split from Amber Turner, who joined the cast in Bali before quitting, and his subsequent relationship with Hannah. It comes after reports that filming for the TOWIE wrap party was thrown into chaos in April when a massive row erupted between two of the show's lead cast members. Insiders claimed Ella Rae Wise and Harry Derbidge, who is one of the last remaining original stars of the show which has been on-screen for 14 years, were at loggerheads in a huge argument in front of their staggered co-stars. She elevated her height in silver strappy heels and accessorised with dainty gold jewellery while posing for sizzling snaps on the beach This series already promises to bring the drama Dan Edgar and Ella Rae Wise confirmed their on-off romance was very much back on during a steamy beach PDA session Ella and Dan were reportedly open to continuing their romance after Bali, where the cast filmed series 32, and had serious discussions about their future together Danni Imbert put on a busty display in a blue bikini top Sophie, 34, flashed her toned abs in a yellow and blue bikini top, teamed with matching bottoms and a mesh skirt She was later seen packing on the PDA with her boyfriend Jordan Brook They later went for a swim in the sea Amy Childs and her partner Billy Delbosq looked in high spirits on the holiday They later shared a very steamy kiss Ella was at the forefront of the series' storyline thanks to her previous romance with Dan Edgar, after he split from Harry's pal Amber Turner. Sources claimed at the time the root of the issue stemmed from Harry's growing friendship with the 'Girl Band' - the self-Christened name for Amber and her long-time pals Chloe, Courtney Green and Elma Pazar. A source told The Sun: 'Ella and Harry's relationship has become strained ever since he grew friendly with girl band and she started dating Dan. The row had been building up for a while and after a discussion was brought up, it ended badly.' Ella's romance with Dan began in Bali after Amber accused the pair of sharing a flirtation in the late stages of her relationship with Dan, which ended last year . The pair protested claims of acrimony at the time, however, accusations of cheating plagued the duo and things remained tense. Ella's romance also impacted her friendship, as the insider went on: 'There were a lot of things said in the heat of the moment, with Ella questioning Harry's loyalty...' 'It even split up their friends who took sides in the clash. Now no one's sure if they'll be able to make up and go back to how they were before.' Chloe previously opened up to her Instagram followers about her skin pigmentation issue which started five years ago, leaving her 'self conscious' and worried about the marks being visible during filming of The Only Way Is Essex. Chloe Meadows showed off her figure in a semi-sheer white cover-up Courtney Green turned heads in a dazzling two-piece Jodie Wells showcased her inked skin in a colourful thigh-split dress Harry Derbidge and Joe Blackman shared a passionate kiss on the beach The TOWIE cast have been staying at the Exclusive Club at Cap St George Hotel in Cyrpus' coastal city Paphos Filming for series 33 is well underway despite series 32 only having finished airing on ITVBe earlier in July The blonde beauty has previously struggled with low self esteem and has admitted to considering surgery for other reasons. She wrote in an Instagram post: 'Ok so I get so many questions about my pigmentation on my face as I know I've mentioned it on here a few times... 'So I thought lets open a conversation and start talking about it because its something I've always felt self conscious about and as I've gotten older I've realised there isn't a reason to be. 'So if this helps us all talk about it a bit more then that's got to be a good thing right! I only started getting pigmentation maybe 5 years ago when these pictures were taken and it's something that really bothered me to start with! 'It used to look like I had a moustache if I'd been in the sun which obviously for any girl is horrible!' Shirtless Eric Clapton showcased his age-defying looks as he soaked up the sun during a family holiday in Corsica, France on Friday. The 450million megastar, 79, who is ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, was spotted taking a dip in the sea. Meanwhile, his stunning wife Melia, 47, sunbathed on the beach alongside their two youngest daughters. Eric has five children Ruth, 39, Julie Rose, 23, Ella May, 21, Sophie Belle, 19, and his late son Conor, who died in 1991. During their sunny break, Eric was spotted making the most of the sun as he sunbathed on the beach after he took a dip in the sea. Shirtless Eric Clapton showcased his age-defying looks as he soaked up the sun during a family holiday in Corsica, France on Friday Meanwhile, his stunning wife Melia, 47, sunbathed on the beach alongside their daughters Himself, his wife and three daughters flaunted their incredible figures in some skimpy swimwear as they enjoyed some important family time together. After enjoying a quick swim in the water, the famous family then headed out on a private boat. 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 his 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. The 450million megastar, 79, who is ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, was spotted taking a dip in the sea During their sunny break, Eric was spotted making the most of the sun as he sunbathed on the beach after he took a dip in the sea Eric has five children Ruth, 39, Julie Rose, 23, Ella May, 21, (left) Sophie Belle, 19, (right) and his late son Conor, who died in 1991 Himself, his wife and three daughters flaunted their incredible figures in some skimpy swimwear as they enjoyed some important family time together After enjoying a quick swim in the water, the famous family then headed out on a private boat For the fun boat trip, Eric made sure to stay safe in the sun as he wore a grey cap and grey T-shirt For the day-time excursion the family took in the local sights 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. Samara Weaving is frequently mistaken for fellow Australian actress Margot Robbie. And the 32-year-old says the two women are actually great friends and catch up in Los Angeles. Margot's husband, Tom Ackerley, and Samara's husband, Jimmy Warden, are great mates too. 'We met five or six years ago. She's great; our husbands are like best friends' the Scream 5 actress tells this week's issue of Stellar Magazine. 'I have a really good group of girlfriends in LA a lot of Aussies and we really try to make time for each other and hang out, go for dinners, and leave the husbands at home' she continued. 'It's so important to have that in LA because it can get really overwhelming' Barbie actress Margot, 34, is currently expecting her first child with her film producer husband Tom. Samara previously revealed that she is regularly approached by excited fans who believe they're meeting the Oscar-nominated actress. Samara Weaving (left) is frequently mistaken for fellow Australian actress Margot Robbie (right). The 32-year-old says the two women are actually great friends and catch up in LA 'I've tried saying, "No, it's not who you think it is," but because I also have an Australian accent, people still think I'm Margot and that she's being really rude. Now I just stand there like her, ' she told WHO Magazine. Samara also said she was once approached for a photo by a young Margot fan who thought she was finally meeting her idol. 'I didn't have the heart to tell her I wasn't her, so I just stood there and tried to copy her [Margot's] smile,' she recalled. When asked if she was annoyed at the constant comparisons to the blonde bombshell, Samara said: 'Are you kidding? No, it's flattering. I love Margs. She's the best!' Margot's husband, Tom Ackerley (right), and Samara's husband, Jimmy Warden, are great mates too 'We met five or six years ago. She's great; our husbands are like best friends' the Scream 5 actress tells this week's issue of Stellar Magazine. Samara pictured with husband Jimmy Despite her soaring public profile, Samara recently told The Daily Telegraph channelling her emotions into characters helps alleviate her anxiety disorder. 'Oh, I am still terribly awkward. I have general anxiety disorder, so that's never really going to go away,' she said. 'But I am very grateful that I have an outlet for that, which is my job, so I can use these emotions. Sometimes it's a way to escape that, and it's very helpful for me. 'So that nervous, shy child I think is always there, but I have developed tools and methods to cope with it.' Samara first gained public recognition for her role as Indi Walker on the Australian soap, Home and Away. Channel Seven newsreader Sharyn Ghidella was reportedly axed from the network because she was on a much higher salary than her co-host Max Futcher. Unnamed insiders told the Daily Telegraph's Scoop the decision to axe Ghidella, 58, was 'all about the money' with the beleaguered network deciding that Futcher was the cheaper option as part of a series of budget cuts. The same sources say Ghidella was getting ready to film a promotional video for the upcoming Brisbane EKKA show when she learnt she was being made redundant. As the solo host of Seven's flagship 6pm bulletin on Friday night, Futcher paid tribute to Ghidella who he called a 'good mate'. 'First tonight, she didn't want a farewell, and she's too humble to want us to make a fuss. But we would like to thank Sharyn Ghidella for her 17 wonderful years behind the desk here at Seven News Brisbane,' he said. 'A true professional, an accomplished journalist, and for all of us here a friend and mentor. And my good mate.' Ghidella, who was the face of Seven News in Queensland since 2007, confirmed the her sacking in a fiery Facebook post on Friday. She said her 'tap on the shoulder' finally came while she was at the salon, admitting it was a 'relief' of sorts after several anxious weeks of media job cuts. Insders say veteran Channel Seven presenter Sharyn Ghidella (pictured) was axed from the network because of her high salary as the network embarks on a cost-cutting mission But she was determined not to go quietly as she took aim at the failing network for prioritising gimmicks like astrology readings over keeping veteran talent. 'When you work in TV for as long as I have, not a day goes by when you aren't expecting the proverbial tap on the shoulder... After 38 years, my shoulder tap has finally come,' Ghidella began. 'It wasn't quite how I expected it to end at Channel Seven. 'I was actually sitting at the hairdressers for work, when I got the call informing me, that after 17 years with the network, my time was up.' Ghidella then said her recent time at the network had been 'miserable' and she was glad to be heading out the door. 'While somewhat saddened by this decision, there is also some sense of relief. As has been widely reported, the past couple of weeks in TV has, sadly, been a miserable affair,' she wrote. 'A long list of talented, loyal and dedicated employees have been shown the door, in what seems to have been an interminable process of pulling the Band-Aid off slowly when it comes to removing what has been deemed excess stock. Max Futcher, who is now hosing the Seven Queensland 6pm news bulletin solo, paid tribute to Ghidella on Friday calling her a 'good mate' 'These people are some of the best content creators in the business. They are good people and it's been heartbreaking to watch.' Ghidella added she was not a fan of the network's rebranding of its news programming, which will see comedian Mark Humphries doing a comedy skit at 6.57pm tonight, and 'Astro Tash' start an astrology report next week. 'I'm also not one to have my evening news served up with humour and horoscopes either, so, to be honest, it is time to go,' Ghidella sniped. 'As I'm known to say, the caravan moves on. There is certainly plenty of talent left in the building and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward.' She ended her take-no-prisoners post by thanking the many friends she had made throughout her long career with the network. Channel Seven has been shedding a number of big journalistic names from its news division 'A sincere thank you to everyone who has made this possible, so far, including past employers like the Stokes, Packer and Gleeson families and the news directors, executive producers and station managers who saw fit to give a kid from Babinda [in rural Queensland] a go. I owe you so much,' she said. 'Then there are the viewers... You will never know how much your kindness and support means. What a privilege it is to be welcomed into your homes to present you the news of the day.' Seven colleagues Katrina Blowers and Samantha Heathwood told the Daily Telegraph Ghidella's departure was a blow. 'I am so sad about Sharyn she was such an amazing colleague and friend. As a budding journalist, it was watching her on the Today Show and then Seven News that made me want to go into TV,' Heathwood said. 'Shazzy was unflappable in the most chaotic and challenging moments she was an icon in our newsroom, and loved by every single person. We are all in shock.' 'Sharyn has been a cherished colleague and friend for years, and I'm really sad to see her leave. Her impact on journalism and broadcasting is inspiring,' Blowers added. Ghidella (centre) said her 'tap on the shoulder' finally came while she was at the salon getting ready for work, admitting it was a 'relief' of sorts after several anxious weeks of media job cuts Daily Mail Australia has obtained a supportive email addressing Ghidella's axing by Seven Queensland's director of news Michael Coombes. 'For 17 years, Sharyn has been a welcome guest in loungerooms across Queensland always professional, always reliable, always warm,' Coombes wrote. 'But for all of us, she is so much more. A mentor, a colleague, a friend. 'I am sad that the team and our viewers won't have the opportunity to give her the send-off she deserves, but I absolutely respect and understand her wishes. 'I have nothing but admiration and gratitude for Sharyn. And I know you will all join me in wishing her the very best for the future.' Anthony De Ceglie - the controversial blow-in from Seven's WA newspaper business who now runs the television news division - added: 'Sharyn has made a significant contribution to Seven over the past 17 years. 'We are grateful for her hard work and are sorry to see her go. She leaves with sincere thanks from everyone at Seven and our very best wishes for the future.' Ghidella worked for Ten, Nine and Seven during her lengthy media career. The North Queensland native was a newsreader on the Today show at Nine before joining Channel Seven in 2007. Robert Ovadia (pictured) has announced he will take Seven to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal In January 2013, Ghidella began presenting Seven News Brisbane from Sunday to Thursday and was also appointed presenter of Today Tonight Queensland prior to the show's axing in February 2014. Her partner is freelance cameraman Paul Croll, and the couple share two sons. A cost-cutting bloodbath has commenced at Seven as the network's news division comes under new management. Three major names to go at the network recently include veterans Robert Ovadia, Andrew Frampton and seasoned Melbourne crime reporter Cameron Baud, who is known among friends as the 'Harvester of Sorrow' due to his grim news beat. On the Sydney front, Ovadia - perhaps the most high profile of all the figures axed up until Ghidella's - has announced he will take Seven to the Fair Work Commission for unfair dismissal. Daily Mail Australia revealed Ovadia allegedly sent a series of strange, doctored images to a young female reporter before he was dumped. Tammy Hembrow is busy planning her wedding - and her honeymoon. The fitness influencer, 30, and former Love Island star Matt Zukowski, 28, got engaged in December after just three months of dating and are set to tie the knot in Byron Bay in November. On Saturday, she shared a series of loved-up selfies with her beau to Instagram, revealing that the pair are already dreaming up a special wedding night. 'Just a tall guy and his short girl. We're in the midst of planning our honeymoon (and wedding) but any guesses where we're going?' Tammy wrote in her caption. In the images, the couple kidded and cuddled in front of a gorgeous sunset alongside a palm tree lined beach. The photos appeared to be a hint and looked to be taken on one of the couples recent vacations. The jet-setting pair were engaged in the Maldives late last year, before heading off to Greece and Bali for luxury holidays in recent months. Tammy recently addressed the online backlash she received after her wedding invitation was leaked by a handful of influencers. Tammy Hembrow is busy planning her wedding - and her honeymoon. The fitness influencer, 30, and former Love Island star Matt Zukowski, 28, got engaged in December after just three months of dating and are set to tie the knot in Byron Bay in November. Both pictured 'You guys might know that recently my wedding details were leaked online accidentally,' she said in a TikTok video. 'This has caused a few issues for me, I have had to change a lot of the details because we want it to be very private and its been a bit frustrating.' The Gold Coast-based blonde then clarified the interesting details on her wedding invitation which have been causing a stir on social media. Tammy and her fiance Matt have asked for a wishing well - donation box in which guests can deposit cash gifts instead of material items. The decision has raised eyebrows as Tammy's net worth is said to be a staggering $50million, according to AFR's Young Rich List. On Saturday, she shared a series of loved-up selfies with her beau to Instagram, revealing that the pair are already dreaming up a special wedding night 'Just a tall guy and his short girl. We're in the midst of planning our honeymoon (and wedding) but any guesses where we're going?' Tammy wrote in her caption 'Your presence on our day is the greatest gift of all. However, if you would like to gift us something a wishing well will be at our wedding for you contribution and well wishes,' the invitation reads. In her TikTok clip, Tammy clarified: 'I'm not asking for donations at my wedding. This is meant to be for my family and friends... We will have a wishing well. 'A wishing well is a pretty normal thing to have at a wedding.' The couple have also requested the ceremony and wedding reception to remain 'child free', despite the fact Tammy has three young kids - son Wolf, nine, and daughters Saskia, seven, and Posey, one. 'Whilst we love your babies our wedding will be child free,' the invite continues. 'Babysitting can be arranged upon request. Bubs are more than welcome to join us at the recovery party on Sunday.' Tammy explained that while there will be no kids on their special day, her three children are an exception. It should be a fun and exciting for time Strictly Come Dancing this year as it is set to celebrate its 20th anniversary on air since the rebooted version began in 2004. But after a plethora of scandals and shake ups, the long-running show has been plunged into chaos over recent months. Fans were left in shock on Saturday as the dance competition announced that professional Graziano Di Prim was stepping away from the BBC production amid reports of allegations about his conduct with past participants. Giovanni Pernice also confirmed he also wouldn't be returning under the glitterball amid an ongoing investigation into his behaviour, despite head judge Shirley Ballas publicly backing him. As BBC bosses deal with the fall out of the furore ahead of the special series, MailOnline takes a look back at how the drama has unfolded this year... Fans were left in shock on Saturday as the dance competition announced that professional Graziano Di Prim was stepping away from the BBC production amid reports of allegations about his conduct As BBC bosses take on the chaos ahead of their special series, MailOnline took a look back at all the scandals the show has been hit with in the last year Giovanni Pernice also confirmed he also wouldn't be returning under the glitterball amid an ongoing investigation into his behaviour, despite head judge Shirley Ballas publicly backing him Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington Giovanni Pernice quit Strictly Come Dancing and will not appear in the new series. The professional dancer, 33, called time on his eight-year stint and despite the BBC 'backing him all the way' after reports emerged of clashes with his past female contestants, it became 'all too much' for the under-fire star. Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda Abbington, who is was partnered with during the last series, dramatically quit the competition last year due to 'personal reasons'. The actress, 52, is said to have demanded footage of their rehearsals after struggling with Giovanni's 'militant approach to training'. She was later diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Amanda is then said to have then met with Laura Whitmore, 39, and Ranvir Singh, 46, for an 'emotional summit', with the trio apparently speaking about their 'difficult' experiences with him. Giovanni Pernice quit Strictly Come Dancing and will not appear in the new series. Giovanni faced a wave of scrutiny ever since his dance partner Amanda Abbington dramatically quit last year Despite the BBC 'backing him all the way' after reports emerged of clashes, it became 'all too much' for the under-fire star to continue (pictured with girlfriend Molly Brown in April) The Sun have revealed Strictly insiders wondered 'what he had to hide' after he is said to have blocked the release of training footage with Amanda A source told The Sun at the time: 'Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much and now is the time to make a fresh start. 'He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he's achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times. 'He remains adamant he's done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn't to everyone's liking - especially in this day and age.' The insider added Giovanni has lots of 'exciting projects' in the pipeline which is now his priority. Amanda is reportedly considering fresh legal action against Giovanni after the professional dancer reportedly refused to release their rehearsal videos. While the former Strictly star has denied the claims against him, Amanda's lawyers believe the tapes will support misconduct accusations against the dancer as the BBC continues to investigate. The Sun have revealed Strictly insiders wondered 'what he had to hide' after he is said to have blocked the release of training footage with Amanda. A source told the publication: 'Amanda and her legal team asked to have access to the tapes. The BBC contacted Giovanni and his legal team to get their consent but they refused. 'Amanda's legal team are now weighing up an appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office to get access to the evidence as they think it is vital in helping support her claims. 'He claims the allegations are false she insists they will validate every one of her grievances. To be clear, the BBC are reviewing the tapes and taking them very seriously. But there are data implications to them ever being leaked so they are in an unenviable position.' Shirley Ballas and 'peeved' Strictly bosses Dame Shirley Ballas was reportedly ordered by BBC bosse to 'rein in' her public support for Giovanni Pernice amid his misconduct claims. Shirley, 63, who serves as head judge on the show, has voiced support for the dancer, saying he is a 'good friend' to her and she will be 'by his side' forever. However, according to The Mirror, BBC bosses are not happy Shirley has been so vocal in her support for Giovanni because of the nature of the claims against him. A source told the publication: 'Shirley has been told she needs to rein it in and not talk about Giovanni in the context of the case. 'It's such a complex thing that we can't have people associated with the show speaking out about it.' Earlier this month, Shirley and fellow judge Anton Du Beke showed their support for Giovanni by teaching at his Ballando dance workshop. As Shirley she came onto the stage to teach a Jive, she told the dancers it was an 'honour and a privilege' to be at the workshop with Giovanni adding: 'I've known him for 10 years and we're good friends...' Offering a 'huge thank you' to the Italian professional for having her at his workshop, Shirley continued: 'I will be one person who will be by his side forever. What you see is what you get with him.' Shirley Ballas has reportedly been ordered by BBC bosse to 'rein in' her public support for Giovanni Pernice amid his misconduct claims on Strictly Come Dancing Shirley, 63, who serves as head judge on the show, has voiced support for the dancer, saying he is a 'good friend' to her and she will be 'by his side' forever Graziano Di Prima professional dancer was sacked by the following claims of gross misconduct towards his former partner . Advertisement Angelina Jolie enjoyed a sushi dinner with her rarely seen son, Pax, at at the celebrity hotspot, Sushi Park, in West Hollywood on Friday. For the occasion, the Oscar winner, 49, rocked a figure-hugging a black with a flirty slit, glasses and high heels. Her sleeveless frock allowed her to display the large tattoo she has on her upper left arm of all six of her children. The Maleficent star completed her effortlessly chic ensemble with a black leather purse and a grey jacket, which she carried in the crook of her arm. Meanwhile, Pax, who is the oldest child of Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt, sported a blue patterned jacket over a white t-shirt, khaki pants and white slides. Angelina Jolie enjoyed a sushi dinner with her rarely seen son, Pax at at the celebrity hotspot, Sushi Park, in West Hollywood on Friday For the occasion, the Oscar winner, 49, rocked a figure-hugging a black with a flirty slit, glasses and high heels Jolie and Pax appeared to enjoy their time at the $400-per-person strip mall sushi joint, which is often frequented by stars, including Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Beyonce, Emma Stone and more. Pax paid for the valet using an American Express Business card. Earlier this year, it was reported he has been working under the pseudonym, Embtto. According to Page Six, Paxis a young artist, whose pieces use a 'digital and mixed media process.' A spokesperson for Jolie, however, denied that he is 'working as an artist under a pseudonym.' Jolie's latest sighting comes amid reports that she and Pitt are still finalizing their divorce after eight years. The former couple, who were one of Hollywood's most iconic couples before calling it quits in September 2016, are reportedly 'slowly approaching a divorce settlement.' Still, a source told People that 'both sides are still talking' and their divorce negotiations are 'not done yet.' Jolie and Pax appeared to enjoy their time at the $400-per-person strip mall sushi joint, which is often frequented by stars, including Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Beyonce, Emma Stone and more Pax paid for the valet using his American Express Business card Earlier this year, it was reported he has been working under the pseudonym, Embtto According to Page Six, Paxis a young artist, whose pieces use a 'digital and mixed media process' The former Mr. and Mrs. Smith costars, who share six children, were declared legally single by a judge back in 2019 as they continue their legal battle over Chateau Miraval and custody of their kids, who are legally adults, except their twins Knox and Vivienne, who turned 16 on Friday. The exes are also parents to Maddox, 22, Zahara, 19, Pax, and Shiloh, 18. DailyMail.com has contacted both Pitt and Jolie's respective representatives for comment. Last week, a source also revealed to People that Pitt has 'virtually no contact' with his older children. 'He has virtually no contact with the adult kids. His engagement with the younger kids is more limited in recent months because of his filming schedule,' the insider shared. The mother-of-six showcased her flawless skin as she sported minimal makeup The actress, who is typically known for her trademark brunette locks, has been rocking lighter blonde locks for months Pax appeared happy as he chatted with his mom while walking back to their car The source noted that the couple's custody agreement allows for visitation rights with the two minor kids. '[Angelina] has the kids most of the time, but per their agreement, he has visitation with the younger kids,' the insider added. The actor is on location in Europe filming his new racing movie F1, while Jolie lives in Los Angeles with their younger children. In June it was reported that Pitt is 'upset and aware' that his daughter Shiloh filed to drop his last name from her own on her 18th birthday. A source close to the Oscar winner said his erasure from his daughter's life is just another indication that he has 'lost his children,' according to People. 'He's aware and upset that Shiloh dropped his last name,' the source claimed. 'Hes never felt more joy than when she was born. He always wanted a daughter.' Notably, Pitt was already in the process of legally adopting a daughter who had been a part of his life for months before he and his then-partner Angelina had announced she was pregnant with Shiloh in January 2006. Jolie had traveled to Ethiopia to adopt her first daughter Zahara in July 2005, and Pitt had come with her on the trip. Jolie adopted Pax in 2007 after he spent three years in the Tam Binh Orphanage Jolie's latest sighting comes amid reports that she and her ex-husband are still finalizing their divorce after eight years The former couple, who were one of Hollywood's most iconic couples before calling it quits in September 2016, are reportedly 'slowly approaching a divorce settlement' He was reported to be in the process of becoming Zahara's adopted father in December 2005, a month before he and Jolie announced her pregnancy. 'The reminders that hes lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad,' the source continued. 'He loves his children and misses them. Its very sad.' They added that the distance between Pitt and his six children 'pains him.' However, they noted that 'hes still happy with Ines [de Ramon],' his current girlfriend. Another source described as close to Pitt told the publication that the Tree Of Life star 'still loves all of his kids tremendously.' 'This whole process has been very hard for the whole family,' they added. If Shiloh's request is granted and there is no indication that it would not be she will subsequently go simply by 'Shiloh Jolie,' rather than her original full name, 'Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.' People previously reported that Pitt's youngest daughter Vivienne who served as her mother's assistant when she produced the Broadways musical adaptation of The Outsiders had listed her name as 'Vivienne Jolie' in the Playbill for the show. The former Mr. and Mrs. Smith costars, who share six children, were declared legally single by a judge back in 2019 as they continue their legal battle over Chateau Miraval and custody of their kids, who are legally adults, except their twins Knox and Vivienne, who turned 16 on Friday Last, a source also revealed to People that Pitt has 'virtually no contact' with his older children 'He has virtually no contact with the adult kids. His engagement with the younger kids is more limited in recent months because of his filming schedule,' the insider shared It is unclear if Vivienne has legally changed her name, but the minor would likely need either parental consent or extenuating circumstances to be allowed to do so before turning 18. Last month, Shiloh filed to drop Pitt from her last name. Meanwhile, their big sister, Zahara, previously introduced herself as 'Zahara Marley Jolie' when she joined the Mu Pi chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College late last year. Pitt and Jolie's oldest sons, Maddox and Pax, have reportedly not publicly used their father's last name in years, and both have been openly antagonistic toward him. Pitt and Jolie began dating publicly shortly after he and his then-wife Jennifer Aniston announced their divorce in 2005. The Mr. And Mrs. Smith costars remained unmarried for years despite having multiple adopted and biological children together, but they got engaged in 2012 and finally tied the knot in 2014. The source noted that the couple's custody agreement allows for visitation rights with the two minor kids; seen in 2009 Brad's ex, Angelina Jolie, 49, seen with their six children: twins Vivienne and Knox, 15, Pax, 20, Shiloh, 18, Zahara, 19, and Maddox, 22 However, it was only around two years later when the Maleficent actress filed for divorce in 2016. She and Pitt were declared legally single in 2019. The two A-listers have been embroiled in an ongoing divorce battle over assets and custody for years since. A central issue seems to be a notorious private jet confrontation in 2016. In June it was reported that Pitt is 'upset and aware' that his daughter Shiloh filed to drop his last name from her own on her 18th birthday; Angelina Jolie (Center) pictured with daughters Zahara (L) and Shiloh (R) in 2021 in Rome Pitt's youngest daughter Vivienne, also dropped the last name Pitt from her moniker in The Outsiders Playbill in May; Angelina and Vivienne pictured on April 11 An FBI report on the incident, which was published in 2022, saw Jolie accuse Pitt of physical assault while flying to California in 2016. She claimed that he was intoxicated and that he grabbed her by the head and shook her, and later pushed her down, as part of a confrontation allegedly related to their children. Jolie told the FBI that Pitt told the children that she was 'f***ing up this family,' and she said he punched the ceiling of the airplane four times. She claimed that at one point he poured beer on her and a blanket she was under with multiple children. Sources close to Pitt later claimed that he never hit any of the children, though they admitted that he had been drinking. Advertisement Matt Damon and his wife Luciana enjoyed some time at the beach in Greece. The Air star, 53, and his wife of 19 years took their family on their annual trip to the Greek island of Mykonos. The couple who recently made a red carpet appearance at the premiere of IF could be seen relaxing in side-by-side beach loungers, as well as frolicking in the sand and the Aegean Sea. Luciana, 47, looked like a goddess in a white bikini that showed off her trim frame. The Good Will Hunting star wore sunglasses, swim trunks and a matching button-up shirt, which he soon took off. Matt Damon and his wife Luciana enjoyed some time at the beach in Greece The long time couple enjoyed a fun day on vacation with their children In one photo, the father to four daughters was seen kissing one of them on the head while they were in the sea Matt and his wife were seen giving each other affection as they vacationed with their daughters. In one photo, the father to four daughters was seen kissing one of them on the head while they were in the sea. The couple vacationed with their four daughters, Alexia, 25, Isabella, 18, Gia, 15, and Stella, 13. Alexia was four when Matt met Luciana in a crowded nightclub in Miami, Florida in 2003 while he was in town shooting the movie Stuck On You. 'Matt's story is that he saw me across the room and there was a light on me. And I'm like: 'Yeah it was a nightclub there were lights everywhere!' she said in a rare interview with Vogue Australia in 2018. She said that Matt started to get recognized and hid behind the bar to hang out. 'He says, "Oh I saw you and I really wanted to talk to you." Even though she felt a spark with the Hollywood hunk, she was reticent to act on it because she had a young daughter. 'But I was like: 'I can't, I have a four-year-old daughter, I'm not going anywhere' and that was one of the things he loved, that I had a daughter,' she explained. 'He said: "I love that you're a mum and that's your priority." Some guys might have been different, they might think it's complicated, but for him it wasn't.' The couple could be seen relaxing in side-by=side beach loungers, as well as frolicking in the sand and the Aegean Sea The Good Will Hunting star wore sunglasses, swim trunks and a matching button-up shirt, which he soon took off Matt and his wife were seen giving each other affection as they vacationed with their daughters The couple vacationed with their four daughters, Alexia, 25, Isabella, 18, Gia, 14, and Stella, 13. The Air star, 53, and his wife of 19 years took their family on their annual trip to the Greek island of Mykonos Alexia was four when Matt met Luciana in a crowded nightclub in Miami, Florida in 2003 while he was in town shooting the movie Stuck On You 'Matt's story is that he saw me across the room and there was a light on me. And I'm like: 'Yeah it was a nightclub there were lights everywhere!' she said in a rare interview with Vogue Australia in 2018 Luciana, 47, looked like a goddess in a white bikini that showed off her trim frame She said that Matt started to get recognized and hid behind the bar to hang out. 'He says, "Oh I saw you and I really wanted to talk to you" Even though she felt a spark with the Hollywood hunk, she was reticent to act on it because she had a young daughter The couple got engaged in September 2005 and wed nearly three months later in a private civil ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau. When his first child, Isabella was born, he said it changed his life. 'I really used to have no life outside movies. I'd work all day, go to the gym and go to sleep,' he told UK's Sunday Express. 'Now I have a place to be so I come home after work.' Dakota Johnson showcased her summer style as she made time for some personal care in London Friday. The actress, 34, looked relaxed in a green kimono-inspired jacket and a pair of straight leg jeans as she was spotted leaving a salon in the British capital. The Madame Web star, who is the daughter of actors Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, stepped out in a pair of black ballet flats with a black strap. She was not wearing her emerald engagement ring, but the actress often leaves the expensive piece of jewelry at home. The Daddio actress' long, chestnut locks were styled straight with a bit of natural wave and she wore natural looking makeup. Dakota Johnson showcased her summer style as she stepped in London Friday wearing a green kimono-inspired jacket and a pair of straight leg jeans Johnson's fiance, Chris Martin, 47, is scheduled to tour Europe over the summer with Coldplay, and it appears the Persuasion actress may be using London as her home base. The Fifty Shades star recently took the opportunity to visit her former step-father, Antonio Banderas in Spain, where he is directing the musical They're Playing Our Song in his hometown. 'Happiness: Dakota in Malaga!' the actor and director wrote next to a photo of the two posted Wednesday on social media. The musical, with the script by Neil Simon and lyrics and music by Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager, opened June 6 and will run through July 21 at the Teatro del Soho Caixa Bank. For her night at the theater, Johnson kept her look simple, wearing a black satin slip dress with ballet flats as seen in a photo with the cast and crew on the stage. Johnson has had a close relationship with Banderas most of her life. The Mask of Zorro star married Johnson's mother when she was six and was her step-father until the couple divorced in 2015. Banderas and Griffith share daughter Stella, 27. The Madame Web star stepped out in a pair of black ballet flat with a black strap The Daddio actress' long, chestnut locks were styled straight with a bit of natural wave and she wore natural looking makeup Johnson visited her former step-father, Antonio Banderas in Spain, where he is directing the musical They're Playing Our Song. 'Happiness: Dakota in Malaga!' the actor and director wrote next to a photo of the two posted Wednesday on social media For her night at the theater, Johnson kept her look simple, wearing a black satin slip dress with ballet flats as seen in this photo with the cast and crew Both Griffith and Banderas were on hand to support Johnson when hosted Saturday Night Live earlier this year, and joined her at the cast afterparty in New York. When Banderas received the Hollywood Actor Award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2019, Johnson praised her 'Paponio' saying he 'taught me about true passion and discipline.' She also praised him for accepting her and older brother, Alexander, 38, whom Griffith shares with former husband Steven Bauer. 'My stepfather Antonio Banderas burst into our lives. He was so vibrant and so fun and so funny, and his English was abstract. We found it absolutely amazing. He loved my mother and my siblings and I so fiercely, and so big and so loud that it would change all of our lives forever,' she said. Scroll down for a searchable table with the addresses of all closures this year Affected by your local bank branch closing? Email us at money@dailymail.com Banks closed 539 local branches across the country in the first half of the year - leaving more and more Americans without access to basic financial services. If the rate continues for the rest of 2024, it will mean more than 1,000 branches wiped from malls, and town and city centers. Bank of America closed the most branches, a total of 90 in just six months. U.S. Bank also made substantial closures, shuttering 73 of their locations in the same period. Wells Fargo shut 62, Chase 53 and TD Bank 52. Scroll down for the full searchable list with addresses. The closures, which banks must report to federal regulator, represent a trend as major banks move away from expensive brick-and-mortar branches in favor of online services. US banks closed 539 branches in the first six months of the year 'The majority of Americans, from Gen Z to boomers, are in less need of a traditional bank, which may explain the rising number of physical branches that have been closing over the past year' Andrew Murray, lead data researcher at GOBankingRates told DailyMail.com. A recent survey by GOBankingRates found that even retirees prefer online banking to in-branch services. Overall 78 percent of Americans prefer using mobile and online banking and almost one in four did not visit their bank in the past year. 'Our survey of more than 1,000 adults clearly shows that demand for in-person banking is low across all generations, even boomers 65 and older,' Murray explained. 'It's likely that overhead costs (rent, maintenance, supplies and staff salaries) are a large factor especially given that our survey shows how infrequently people visit brick and mortar banks.' Indeed closures can lead to significant savings since the average freestanding bank branch costs around $2.6 million a year to run. Banks must report all planned closures and openings to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), a federal banking regulator. Each week, it publishes a summary of these. DailyMail.com analyzed these to compile the details of total closures so far this year. The worst hit state was California which saw 72 closures from national banks in the first half of the year. New York followed in second, seeing 51 closures, followed by Pennsylvania which had 40. 'Over the last several years, we have rightsized our branch network, and we may continue to combine two older existing branches into one better situated location' Wells Fargo told DailyMail.com in a statement. 'Doing so does not take away the importance of our customers and the communities we serve.' Bank of America also said they tend to consolidate two branches into one when there is a close. Bank of America closed the mot branches in the first half of 2024 'These shifts in our branch network reflect that, more and more, our clients are using digital banking for their everyday financial needs and coming into financial centers for more significant needs or to have conversations about their finances,' the corporation explained. US bank also highlighted clients' migration towards online banking and 'desire for greater simplicity' as reasons for their mass closures. 'As we evolve along with our clients, we are reevaluating our physical footprint, and in some instances, consolidating branch locations in select markets,' the bank said in a statement. A group of 70 Christian pilgrims embarked on a spiritual journey to Goa. Under the aegis of the Tourism Development Corporation Limited of the Jharkhand Government, the group, including attendants, set off amidst a ceremony marked by hope and blessings. Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar officiated the flag-off ceremony, expressing his heartfelt wishes for the pilgrims' pleasant and auspicious journey. In a symbolic gesture of support and goodwill, he flagged off two buses that would transport the pilgrims to Hatia Railway Station in Ranchi. The pilgrims, all residents of Jharkhand, were carefully selected based on specific criteria. The journey primarily includes individuals above 60 years of age, belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, and in good physical health. These meticulous selections ensure that the pilgrimage is both inclusive and meaningful, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who may not otherwise afford such a journey. The pilgrimage, spanning seven days from July 13 to July 19, 2024, has been organized with comprehensive arrangements by the Jharkhand Tourism Department Corporation and the district administration. Every aspect of the journey has been planned with great care to ensure the comfort and safety of the pilgrims. Manish Jonko has been designated as the nodal officer from the district administration, tasked with overseeing the pilgrimage and ensuring seamless coordination. Alongside him, Hemvati Pinguwa and Sushila Ba will serve as assistants, dedicated to the proper care and assistance of the pilgrims throughout the journey. Their presence will provide much-needed support and assurance to the elderly travelers, many of whom may be embarking on such a long journey for the first time. As the buses departed from the Collectorate, the air was filled with a mix of anticipation and spiritual fervor. For many of these pilgrims, this journey represents not just a physical journey but a profound spiritual experience. Goa, known for its serene beaches and historic churches, holds significant religious importance for Christians, making it an ideal destination for a pilgrimage. The initiative by the Jharkhand Government is commendable, reflecting a commitment to promoting religious tourism and providing meaningful experiences to its citizens. By facilitating such pilgrimages, the government is also fostering a sense of community and spiritual well-being among the people. As the group of 70 Christian pilgrims continues their journey to Goa, their hearts are filled with faith and hope. This pilgrimage is more than a mere travel; it is a journey of the soul, offering moments of reflection, prayer, and community. The meticulous planning and support by the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation and the district administration ensure that this pilgrimage will be a memorable and enriching experience for all participants. The return of the pilgrims on July 19 will undoubtedly be marked with stories of spiritual fulfillment and new friendships, highlighting the success of this noble initiative, said an official. A day before the crucial meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party state executive here on Sunday, the ruling party was left red faced after one of its legislators said that the BJP was not likely to return to power in Uttar Pradesh in the 2027 assembly elections. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP suffered a big setback as its tally was reduced to 33 seats out of the total 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. In a video statement, BJP MLA from Badlapur assembly seat in Jaunpur district, Ramesh Chandra Mishra, said that the party was in a very bad state' in UP and the central leadership of the party needs to immediately intervene else the situation would worsen further. Our party is in a very bad state in UP. If immediate remedial steps are not taken then we will not be able to return to power in the 2027 assembly elections,' Mishra is heard saying in the video, which has gone viral on social media. The Samajwadi Party has taken up the issues concerning the Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak (PDA). There is a lot of confusion in the electorate and as a result our position is not very strong,' the MLA added. The situation can still be salvaged if the central leadership intervenes and takes drastic remedial steps.... Every party worker and leader will have to give his best if we are to nurture any dream of coming back to power in the state in the next assembly polls," he said. Mishras video has surfaced a day before the proposed meeting of the BJP state executive here on Sunday to discuss the Lok Sabha poll results and organisational changes. The BJP, with its allies, could win only 36 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP and its allies had won 64 seats. The INDIA bloc comprising the SP and Congress won 43 seats in the recent Lok Sabha polls while one seat was won by an Independent candidate. Reacting to the video, a senior SP leader here said that the BJP leaders had seen the writing on the wall. BJP knows its game in UP is over and it is going to be routed in the next assembly polls," he added. The breach in one of the sub-branch of Munak Canal, which led to flooding in outer Delhi's Bawana area and impacted water supply in different parts of the city, has been fixed and the Dwarka water treatment plant is likely to be operational from 4 pm. Informing about the development, Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Saturday said that water supply in Dwarka will also resume from night. "The repair of the Munak Canal embankment was completed last (Friday) night. Haryana released water from the Kakroi head at 10.30 am. This water will reach Delhi by 1.30 to 2 pm. The Dwarka water treatment plant will start operating from 4 pm and water supply in Dwarka will resume from tonight," Atishi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). An official from the Haryana Irrigation Department (HID) which is in charge of maintenance of the entire canal including in Delhi territory, stated that the repair work, including reinforcement and concreting, was completed in all respects by Friday midnight. Since a minimum of eight hours was required for curing, the HID had conducted a fitness test at the site on Saturday morning after the curing period and thereafter HID released water from Kakroi regulator (40 Km above from Delhi border at 11 am in the CLC Canal). Water released in the canal has since reached Delhi, he stated. The official also added that the operation of Dwarka water treatment plant (which was earlier affected due to closure of CLC) will start functioning from evening. The scheduled Water supply in the command areas of Dwarka plant will commence from Sunday morning smoothly, he added The Delhi government, in a statement issued on Friday night, said that the Jamuna Canal breach was fixed. Jeetesh, an official from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) who was present in the affected area, said, "We (DJB) have been tasked with night duty for canal supervision. The repair work is being managed by the Haryana government but we are overseeing the entire process to provide updates on the progress". A junior engineer from the DJB said that the repair work was completed around 11 pm on Friday. "Concrete usually takes at least 11 to 12 hours to dry. The water will also take two to three hours to reach Delhi from Haryana," he said. On Friday, Atishi said that a team from the Haryana Irrigation Department, which had built the Munak Canal and maintains it, was present at the spot and was being assisted by a team of the DJB. Speaking about the affected area and the JJ colony, Atishi said the water has been cleared from the area, and a health camp set up for medical provisions as waterborne diseases can occur in such situations. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that investments are being made continuously in Madhya Pradesh. From the point of view of industry, trade, and business, a favorable environment has been created for investment in Madhya Pradesh. There is immense investment potential in all sectors like energy, tourism, health, mining, etc. The state government has also made adequate provisions in the budget to encourage industry and trade. Focusing on the conditions and characteristics of different areas of the state, it has also been decided to hold industrial summits in different areas. Madhya Pradesh government welcomes industrialists. With investment, Madhya Pradesh will become economically strong and people will also get employment in the areas where investment will be made. With this, we will move forward with our full potential to increase the GDP of the country. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing leading industrialists from various sectors in an interactive session at Hotel Taj Mahal in the countrys financial capital Mumbai to increase investment opportunities in the state. Leading industrialists were invited to the interactive session to make GIS-2025 a success. India is moving towards becoming the third economy in the world under Prime Minister Modie leadership Referring to Ranmukteshwar Mahadev and Samrat Vikramaditya, Chief Minister Yadav said that powerful governance has been envisaged in Indian culture. In our culture, it is believed that the spirit of governance should be noble. There must not be narrowness in the approach of governance. According to Indian culture, the government aims to make all the citizens prosperous and happy by establishing good governance. Madhya Pradesh government is continuously making efforts in this direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Modi has made the country the 5th largest economy in the world by improving all the systems in a short time. Now under his leadership, we are moving toward the goal of becoming the third economy of the world. Now our country is not dependent on others in any field. Prime Minister Modi has focused on empowering the country and its people. As a result, the dignity of Indians all over the world has been enhanced. The people of the country are feeling more secure, and the confidence of neighboring countries in India has also increased. Chief Minister Yadav has round table meeting and one-to-one discussion with industrialists. Chief Minister Yadav also held a round table meeting and one-to-one discussion with industrialists. At the beginning of the interactive session, information regarding the investment capabilities of Madhya Pradesh was given by Principal Secretary of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Raghavendra Singh. A film focusing on industrial investment opportunities and main tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh was screened. In the session, addresses from an industrial perspective were given by prominent industrialists, and group discussions were also held. Earlier, when we fell ill, we mostly relied on government hospitals and doctors, trusting that we would be cured and treated with humility and humanity. Although government hospitals had fewer doctors and limited resources, the belief and trust in the health system were very high. Doctors were seen as saviours and gods. After liberalization and mushrooming of the private hospitals and healthcare industry, people fear doctors, hospitals, the medical insurance industry, and their nexus designed to exploit and impoverish people. They entice us through medical advertorials, highlighting packages, facilities, and doctors qualifications. However, common people, particularly those belonging to the underprivileged and lower middle class, do not have medical insurance coverage are scared to go to them. It is not only the high cost and affordability but also the loss of faith and trust in the system. The increasing commercialization of healthcare has led to practices prioritizing financial gain over patient care. Private healthcare providers often engage in aggressive marketing tactics, promoting expensive treatments and procedures that may not be medically necessary. Doctors in private hospitals are given targets, forced to write unnecessary tests, hospitalize patients needlessly, prescribe costly medicines, and perform operations to extract more money. They have become part of this dirty business, forgetting their Hippocratic Oath. They do not understand the harm they are doing to their fraternity and this noble profession. The shift from a patient-centered approach to a profit-driven model has significantly eroded trust in doctors. In this profit and market-driven medicine, which forces medical overuse, doctors have become daily wage earners in India, paid based on the business they bring to a hospital. They are forced to become part of this malice, not following standard protocols for surgery adherence, and performing surgeries even when unnecessary. Discrepancies in opinions (between the patients doctor and the second opinion giver) and poor adherence to surgery guidelines across all specialties are serious concerns. Such malpractices and monetization of medical services have led to second-opinion services in many cities. People have lost their faith in doctors and are searching for Good Doctors who still have humanity, are knowledgeable, and trustworthy. This loss of faith has led people to seek multiple consultations compelling them to spend more. The definition of a Good Doctor has changed. Earlier, a doctor with good education and diagnostic skills was considered a good doctor in his field and among people. The criteria have shifted to owning a hospital, nursing home, clinic, and diagnostic center. The parameters are wealth, business, and turnover. In this race, medicos have forgotten who they are. This greed has taken over the profession forcing them to become salespeople for the medical industry by joining hands with pharma companies and diagnostic centers. In 1938, Bertolt Brecht (18981956), a German dramatist, poet, theatre director, and practitioner, beautifully reminded us with his poem "A Workers Speech to a Doctor," that every doctor should read: We know what makes us ill. When we are ill, we are told That it is you who will heal us. When we come to you Our rags are torn off us. And you listen all over our naked body. As to the cause of our illness One glance at our rags would Tell you more. It is the same cause that wears out Our bodies and our clothes. The silence over such malpractices by the Medical Council of India and Professional bodies such as the Indian Medical Association is a serious concern. They must come forward to address such malice. The unregulated loot and greed of the private healthcare industry are impoverishing people. Governments and regulatory bodies must enforce stricter regulations to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in private healthcare. This includes clear pricing policies, oversight of medical recommendations, and penalties for fraudulent practices. Only through these efforts can private healthcare regain its reputation as a trusted and essential component of the healthcare ecosystem. The state should address the above and regulate the private healthcare industry. Strengthening and creating state-of-the-art government hospitals that can compete with private healthcare is another solution to address this issue in the long run. Bridging the gap between private and public healthcare systems through collaboration and integration can help address inequalities. Many government hospitals face problems of adequate financing, health human resources, and supplies that need to be addressed. Ayushman Bharat is a good initiative to provide medical coverage to the poor and the marginalized. Nevertheless, the state should revisit Ayushman Bharat and reinvest its money to strengthen the government's healthcare system and infrastructure to provide quality healthcare services to all. The author is a Professor at Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi. The views expressed are personal. Views are personal Email: pandeyanant@hotmail.com The Government School Teachers' Association on Saturday held an appreciation ceremony at New Delhi Municipal Hall in honour of state BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and party MPs for halting the transfer orders of over 5,000 teachers. The event was organised by the association's General Secretary Arjun Veer Singh. He stated, Following the efforts of Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has halted the transfer orders of 5004 teachers. In gratitude, the Government School Teachers' Association has honoured Sachdeva, along with North West MP Yogendra Chandolia, West Delhi MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat, and New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj. On this occasion, the Delhi BJP chief stated, There is no one greater in this world than a teacher, and there is always something to learn from them. It is unacceptable that teachers should be transferred just because they have spent 10 years at a school. He accused the Kejriwal government of planning to exploit teachers during elections but failing in their attempt and emphasised that the BJP understands the pain of Delhi's citizens and has taken steps to address it. There should be no compromise on the dignity and respect of teachers. A conducive environment is necessary for teaching, but when the government turns teachers into event managers, the quality of education suffers, as seen in Delhi today. Delhi has changed and needs to be transformed back to its former state. Previously, people could bathe in the Yamuna, but now they can't even touch the water, Sachdeva said. Apno se mat lado balke apne haq wa adhikaron ke liye un logon se lado jo tumhare adhikaron par kabza kiye baithe hain- Birsa Munda Jairam Mahto's entry in Jharkhand politics has sparked a renewed debate on identity politics, governance, and leadership in the state. Jharkhand, the 28th state of India, was established 24 years ago after separating from Bihar with the aim of promoting regional development. It has a population of 3.9 crore, with 26.2% being tribal people who have diverse characteristics such as religion, language, dialects, and lifestyles. These tribes have a distinct regional culture that sets them apart from the rest of India. Despite being one of the wealthiest states with abundant mineral resources and a rich history of commercial and cultural prosperity during the earlier stages of industrialization after gaining independence, it still suffers from severe issues such as poverty, illiteracy, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to healthcare services. The prevalent politics consistently exploit the socio-economic division, which is deeply rooted in the popular narrative of Bahariya-Bhitriya (inside-outside). This story continues to resonate with the local population, as it fosters a strong sense of regional identity that sets them apart from others. However, the state administration after separation is predominantly led by local tribal leaders, regardless of political parties. However, neither was effective in delivering governance nor resolving the identified issue. A prevalent form of politics has created a conservative alliance based on clientelism, which undermines democratic principles. The Politics of Othering The term "othering" refers to the process of excluding and marginalising certain communities in Jharkhand. Although the state has made a commitment to improve the conditions of its tribal population, these groups frequently continue to be marginalised in terms of political, social, and economic progress. This marginalisation is the result of both historical neglect and ongoing political dynamics. "Othering" refers to the deliberate and systematic exclusion of certain groups based on their identities. This process has historically been associated with the diverse indigenous people of the state, who have experienced neglect and discrimination due to various political, social, and economic issues (Banerjee, 2011). Over time, this attitude has transformed into a sense of unity inside a certain region, which is strategically employed against migrants from outside the region. There are claims that the state's marginalisation and impoverishment are caused by the outsiders' act of taking over resources or privileges (Gupta,2014). An example of the politics of othering can be seen in the case of land rights in Jharkhand. Indigenous groups have always engaged in persistent efforts to safeguard their hereditary territories from industrial endeavours and mining activities. Although the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act provide legal protection by limiting the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals, these regulations are sometimes undercut by the influence of governmental and business entities (Singh, 2015). The 2016 proposed revisions to these acts triggered extensive demonstrations among tribal groups, who perceived them as efforts to expedite land acquisition by external entities and businesses, exacerbating the marginalisation of the native community (The Wire, 5 April 2017). Furthermore, there is clear evidence of the marginalisation of significant segments of the population, including as the Adivasi (26%), SCs (12%), and OBCs (46%) populations, both in terms of socio-economic status and political participation (Census 2011). However, their representation in state politics and administrative roles remains imbalanced. The absence of representation sustains emotions of estrangement and hinders the proper addressing of their problems at the policy level. The political manipulation of identity, in which tribal and non-tribal, insiders and outsiders (Bahariya-Bhitariya) identities are set in opposition to one another, worsens these problems. During elections, political parties frequently rally support by highlighting both tribe and local identity, and by fostering unity against perceived threats from non-tribal migrants in urban areas. They also exploit uneven development in order to attract people, thereby exacerbating societal divisions (Banerjee, 2011). Afterwards, a significant network of clientelism emerged in each region, characterised by party-based affirmation. Over the past twenty years, the politics of marginalisation in Jharkhand has been evident in recurrent conflicts related to land ownership, insufficient political representation, and the use of identity for political advantage. Contrary to expectations, several influential local leaders have amassed extensive land, properties, and fortune under the guise of development. Tiger Jairam Mahto has politically brought up these highly contradicting conditions (Indian Express, 17 June 2024). The ongoing dynamics perpetuate the marginalisation of impoverished local and tribal groups, it is failing imperative for inclusive and fair governance that could effectively caters to the needs of all its inhabitants. Questioning the Identity and Governance Jharkhandi identity is shaped by historical and socio-political forces that influence the daily realities of its diverse population. The state was founded with the commitment to meet the distinct needs of its indigenous inhabitants, but the actual practice of governing has repeatedly failed to meet expectations. Identity is intricately connected to rights over land, the preservation of culture, and representation in political matters (Mishra, 2017). Governance in Jharkhand necessitates the establishment of frameworks, procedures, and processes that facilitate the exercise of authority and decision-making (Singh, 2013). Government bodies and administrative organizations are included within this category, such as the Panchayati Raj system, the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, the Right to Information Act, and initiatives aimed at including tribal perspectives in governance. However, delayed implementation of infrastructure projects poses challenges to the effectiveness and efficiency of these endeavours. The principle of legal governance is crucial, as evidenced by continuous efforts to counter Naxalite insurgency and guarantee impartiality and protection for every individual in society. The promotion of ethical standards and integrity is achieved through the implementation of anti-corruption measures, such as the establishment of the Jharkhand Lokayukta. Preserving tribal rights and interests involves implementing initiatives like the Jharkhand Tribal Development Society, Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojana, the Jharkhand State Commission for Scheduled Tribes, improving political participation by guaranteeing tribal representation in local and state elections, and enhancing social cohesion by implementing cultural initiatives and policies that unite disparate communities. The political discourse and narratives exhibit fluidity, contingent upon regional variations and rural-urban disparities. The state politics is predominantly conducted in a conservative framework, characterized by a clientelist network of relationships between the state and society. However, there has been a significant increase in the crisis of governance, with the government failing to provide essential public services, employment opportunities, and social justice. The political environment in the state is characterised by intense struggle among different factions striving for control and access to resources, often leading to the exploitation of identity politics (OXFAM, 2018). The Way forward In order to tackle these problems, Jharkhand requires a comprehensive and multifaceted strategy. First and foremost, it is crucial to make a deliberate and coordinated attempt to encourage inclusive governance that actively engages all communities in the process of making decisions. This involves guaranteeing equitable representation of indigenous populations in political positions and governmental establishments. Additionally, it is crucial to prioritise the transparent and accountable execution of affirmative action programmes to guarantee that the advantages are received by the intended recipients. Furthermore, it is crucial to cultivate a culture characterised by mutual respect and comprehension among the various populations. Education programmes that emphasise the interconnected history and contributions of different groups might have a significant impact in this regard. It is imperative to involve civil society organisations and community leaders in conversations to overcome divisions and foster social unity. Finally, it is imperative for the state and central governments to cooperate in developing comprehensive plans that directly tackle the underlying factors contributing to marginalisation, including poverty, limited access to education, and insufficient healthcare. Customised economic development initiatives designed to address the specific requirements of tribal groups have the potential to offer long-lasting resolutions to their socio-economic difficulties. In a Nutshell, the politics of othering and identity governance in Jharkhand requires a compassionate solution. By promoting inclusive governance, promoting social cohesion, and addressing structural inequities, Jharkhand can establish a fair and peaceful society, benefiting its diverse population and serving as an example for other areas facing similar challenges. Recognizing this pressing issue is crucial for a promising future for all Jharkhand residents. The writer is a faculty in the department of Political Science, MANUU, Hyderabad. He has penned many articles in Journals, research papers in national/international seminars/conferences and regularly writes on socio-political subjects for various online/ print domains. Views are personal. Email: afrozjamia@gmail.com. State BJP President and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi today addressed the Vidhan Sabha level worker felicitation program and Vijay Sankalp Sabha in Jamtara. While felicitating the workers from booth to district level, he said that workers are our capital. Workers go from house to house with the policies and programs of the party. On the day of election, they work hard at the booths, sweat and then the party celebrates the victory. He said that BJP is the biggest political party in the world today due to the hard work of the workers. For the third time, the government is being formed in the country under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Therefore, it is our duty to increase the respect of the workers. He said that after fulfilling the resolution of Modi government for the third time, we all should not sit in peace until the corrupt, useless and corrupt government is uprooted from the state. He said that today the condition of the State is going from bad to worse. In Jharkhand, lakhs of unemployed youth of 24 years are forced to wander from door to door. The promise of 5 lakh jobs per year has failed completely; there is no trace of unemployment allowance. He said that the law and order of the state is in shambles. Criminals are out of control. Incidents of robbery, murder, dacoity have happened openly in the capital. Sisters and daughters are not safe even in their homes. In such a situation, instead of giving security to the public, the police is engaged in robbery and extortion. He said that mines, minerals and land are being looted. Now even jobs are being looted in the name of giving jobs. He said that the development that is visible in the state today is the gift of the BJP government. BJP is determined for the development of the state along with the formation of the state. Whenever BJP NDA governments have been formed, a long line of development has been drawn. Roads, bridges, culverts, hospitals, school buildings, AIIMS, airports in the state are all the gifts of BJP and the double engine government. He said that the public has expressed its intention in the Lok Sabha elections. The public has made up its mind to hand over the power of the state to BJP and NDA. The people of the state are fed up with loot and corruption, they want change. He said that the situation in Santhal Pargana is even more horrific. In the name of appeasement, this government is giving protection to Bangladeshi infiltrators. Today the demography of Santhal Pargana has changed. The existence of tribals is in danger. He said that for good governance and development in the state, take a pledge to form a strong BJP-led government, a double engine government in the assembly elections. Former Delhi BJP President and MLA Vijender Gupta stated that the water scarcity in Rohini continues due to the breakage of the canal in Bawana. Even three days after the canal break, the Delhi government has failed to restore the water supply. Gupta warned the Delhi government that if the water problem is not resolved by tonight, Rohini residents will be forced to take to the streets. He added that due to the Kejriwal government's negligence towards public issues, Delhiites are facing one problem after another. Four members, including a 17 year old CCL (Children in Conflict with the Law) of a gang, involved in a firing incident in an attempt for extortion of money from a gym owner in North Delhis Burari were arrested by the Delhi Police. According to the police on Saturday, the complainant namely Rohit, who was on the target of a jailed gangster for extortion bid, was hesitant to file a formal complaint against the accused out of fear but did so later on June 9. The accused worked on the orders of the gangsters who gave instruction to one of the accused from jail. The gangster had hired the members from Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to follow the complainant for one month and subsequently carry out the crime. From CCTV Footage, it was found that the accused followed a local road for entering Delhi from Haryana and avoided the main road. Accused were followed till Sonipat, Haryana and were located in Narela, Delhi. From Local input and body structure of the accused, one suspect namely Nikhil resident of Village Hiranki, Delhi was identified as one of the assailants, DCP North Manoj Kumar Meena said. He added that Nikhil was identified as a member of the criminal Gang as he was earlier arrested with Rohit Rana, alias Moi, another criminal Gang member in January 2022. It was also revealed that Nikhil was receiving directions from a jailed criminal on the phone. Further, the DCP stated that the gang used to hire minors for shooting and relevant sections of law have been invoked. A case under section 125, 351(3), 3(5) of the BNS & 27, 54, 59 of Arms Act was registered at Police Station Burari and further investigation has been taken up, he stated. As Muharram approaches, district authorities have issued a stern warning against spreading false information and rumours, particularly on social media. Citizens are urged to report any misleading information immediately to the nearest police station or administrative officials to prevent any disruption of social harmony. Special surveillance will be maintained at sensitive locations, with dedicated teams monitoring social media to thwart any attempts by mischievous elements to disturb the peace. In a crucial meeting held at the Ravindra Bhawan auditorium in Sakchi, District Magistrate cum Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal and Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal convened with Central Peace Committee members and licensees of various Muharram Committees. The session focused on strategies to maintain law and order during Muharram-2024. The officials emphasized that there will be no changes to the traditional procession routes. Muharram committees must adhere strictly to the approved paths, and any deviations will be closely monitored. Administration and police officials are tasked with verifying these routes in advance to ensure a smooth procession. Feedback from peace committee meetings in various police station areas was reviewed. Concerns regarding drinking water, electricity, and other basic facilities raised by the Muharram Committees were addressed with assurances of prompt action. To ensure peace during Muharram, an adequate number of magistrates, police officers, and police forces will be deployed. Strict measures were outlined against biker gangs and individuals causing disturbances under the influence of alcohol. The district administration stressed the importance of vigilance and preparedness to handle any potential incidents. Muharram committees were urged to foster peace and communal harmony during the observance. They were asked to provide a list of 20 volunteers to the concerned police station in-charge, with an active committee member assigned to monitor anti-social elements during the processions. The meeting concluded with a strong call for cooperation and unity during Muharram. The proactive measures taken by the administration, along with community involvement, aim to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of Muharram-2024. Senior officials present at the meeting included Deputy Development Commissioner Manish Kumar, City cum Rural SP Rishabh Garg, ADM (SOR) Mahendra Kumar, Director NEP Ajay Sao, SDM Ghatshila, and other district-level departmental officers. Their collective efforts, along with the community's support, are set to uphold the spirit of Muharram in a peaceful and harmonious manner. Two youths from Bhopal have been arrested by Uttarakhand police in Dehradun with a chemical device. Along with them, three youths from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have also been arrested. The Radiation Emergency Response Team was called from Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh) to check whether the chemical device contains radioactive substances or not. No radioactive substance was found in the investigation, but it was confirmed to be chemical. On Saturday, the device was sent to Bhabha Atomic Research Center in Mumbai for further investigation. The youth had come to Dehradun to sell the device. The deal was to be worth crores of rupees. The names of three other people have also come to light, for whose arrest raids are being conducted in Noida and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. These accused arrested were identified as Zaid Ali, Jahangirabad, Bhopal, Abhishek Jain, Kolar, Bhopal, Sumit Pathak, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Tabrez Alam, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh and Sarwar Hussain, New Delhi According to Uttarakhand Police, the accused have been arrested from the flat of former Income Tax Commissioner Shwetaabh Suman in Brook and Woods Society located in Jakhan. He had given his flat on rent. Police had received information on Thursday that some outsiders had brought radioactive devices. They are talking about buying and selling. SP Ajay Singh said, 'Police team from Rajpur police station reached the spot. A device was found. It was written Radiography Camera Manufactured by Radiation and Isotope Technology Board Government of India Department of Atomic Energy Bhabha Atomic Research Center Navi Mumbai. A black colored box was found. The people caught from the flat described it as a radioactive power article. They said that there is a danger of radiation on opening it. In such a situation, the room was sealed and SDRF team was called on the spot. Further investigation is being done. All the people caught were staying at the flat of former Income Tax Commissioner. SDRF also reached the flat and investigated. All the people caught were staying at the flat of the former Income Tax Commissioner. SDRF also reached the flat and investigated. Zaid left for Delhi on Tuesday from his house in Jahangirabad, Bhopal saying he was going to buy clothes. He runs a readymade clothes shop in New Market. Amid high humidity levels, Delhi and adjoining region of Noida on Saturday woke up to light to moderate rain lashed parts of the national Capital. However, the rain became deadly for some as a 34 year old homemaker, identified as Poonam, died due to electrocution. DCP North east Joy Tirkey stated, On Saturday at 7:39 am, the deceased was electrocuted near Moral Hospital in Bhajanpura. Due to rain, there was water logging in the area. A live wire from an electricity pole near the footpath caused her to get electrocuted and fall down in the water. He added that she was rushed to Moral Hospital, where the doctor declared her dead and a case of negligence has been registered. Safdarjung, the city's primary weather station, recorded high humidity levels at 92 per cent on 8:30 am and 94 per cent on 5:30 pm. The maximum temperature was recorded at 35.6 degrees Celsius, marking no deviation from the normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 25 degrees Celsius, two notches below the normal. Additionally, 3 mm of rainfall was recorded at Safdarjung, Lodhi Road recorded 3 mm, the Ridge observatory recorded 0.4 mm and Salwan Public School Mayur Vihar recorded 15.5 mm of rainfall between 5.30 to 8.30 am, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather department has predicted a generally cloudy sky with light rain throughout the day. This comes a day after the met department issued a rainfall advisory for Delhi NCR, predicting ongoing light to moderate rains in the national capital over the coming days. According to IMD's latest update, Delhi and Noida can expect light rainfall until July 17. At least 65 people, including seven Indian nationals, are believed to be missing after two buses were swept away by a landslide in Nepal and pushed into a swollen river on Friday, according to media reports. The two buses carrying 65 passengers went missing in the Trishuli River in the landslides at Simaltal area along the Narayanghat-Mugling road in Chitwan district, myRepublica news portal reported quoting officials. Chief District Officer of Chitwan, Indradev Yadav, confirmed the incident. According to Yadav, the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and Ganpati Deluxe, en route to Gaur from the Capital, met with the accident at around 3:30 am. Twenty-four people were onboard the bus travelling to Kathmandu and 41 on the bus travelling to Gaur, police said. Three of the passengers on the Ganpati Deluxe bus managed to escape after jumping out of the vehicle, The Kathmandu Post reported. Details have been received of 21 passengers travelling from Birgunj to Kathmandu on Angel Deluxe. According to the latest information, police have said that there were seven Indian nationals among the passengers on the bus, myRepublica reported. Yadav said that the rescue workers have started clearing the landslide debris. Expressing grief over the disappearance of the bus in the Trishuli River, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has issued directives for immediate search and rescue operations. I am deeply saddened by the loss of nearly five dozen passengers and the loss of property due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country when a bus was washed away by a landslide on the Narayangadh-Muglin road section. I direct all agencies of the government, including the home administration, to search and effectively rescue the passengers, Prachanda posted on X. The prime minister also expressed grief over the loss of life and property due to floods and landslides in different parts of the country. He urged citizens to take necessary precautions. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel are heading towards the incident sites for rescue operations, Superintendent of Police Bhawesh Rimal said. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Local Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has said the ban on XL Bully dogs will reduce the number of horrific attacks on the public. The Government on Friday announced a ban on XL Bully dogs to protect public safety following consultation with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control and retired Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey. From October 1st 2024, new regulations will prohibit the importing, breeding, selling and re-homing of XL Bullies. From February 1st 2025, it will be illegal to own an XL Bully without a Certificate of Exemption. The move comes following a number of horrible attacks by XL Bullies including the death of a young woman, Nicole Morey, in Limerick. Senator McGreehan said: The ban on XL Bully dogs is hugely welcome. The Government has priortised tighter dog control measures due to an increase in horrific attacks. Limerick woman Nicole Morey died after being attacked outside her home by an XL Bully dog. These dogs are a public safety issue. This ban should reduce the frequency of these terrible attacks as it will make it illegal to breed, sell, import, rehome, exchange, gift or abandon XL Bully dogs. Without these new measures I fear there could be further fatal attacks by these dogs. She added that these new rules will bring Ireland's dog control laws in line with Northern Ireland and the UK. Over the period 1st October 2024 to 1st February 2025 all existing XL Bully owners will have to apply for a Certificate of Exemption. Certificates of Exemption will be issued subject to strict criteria, including a requirement for licensing, microchipping and neutering. Other possible criteria will be discussed with the Stakeholder Group on Dog Control put in place to advise on these issues. After 1st February 2025, any owner not compliant with the new regulations will have their dog seized and euthanized. Above: Front to Back - L to R: Linda Kelliher; Niamh Dennehy; Cllr Kevin Callan; Minister Higgins; Colette Moss; Cllr Paula Butterly; David Kierans; Frank Clarke; Peter Farrelly; Emma Duffy; Cllr John Reilly; Gerry Scullion; Emma Gill; Chris Brennan; Fionnuala Rogers; Ciaran Murray; Pat McCormick; Deirdre Craven; Sarah Mallon; Hubert Tully; Cllr. Paddy Meade On Thursday 27 June, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Emer Higgins, made her first official visit to the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Louth. The visit highlighted the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and innovation flourishing within the county. Upon arrival, Minister Higgins was warmly greeted by Cathaoirleach Kevin Callan and Leas Cathaoirleach John Reilly, along with Acting Director of Services for Strategic Economic Development, Colette Moss, and LEO Business Advisor, Niamh Dennehy. The Minister also met with other council officials, local Chamber representatives and members of the LEO team, who provided insights into the local business landscape. During the visit, several LEO client companies had the opportunity to showcase their businesses and speak with the Minister about the LEO supports which they had availed of and how these supports had helped their businesses. Marketing for Me t/a ZOMA and Munchd ZOMA, a multi-award-winning marketing and creative agency founded by David Kierans and based in Dundalk town centre, specialises in elevating brands through cutting-edge web design, unique content creation, and digital marketing solutions. The agency, which has expanded to offer 3D and AR services, employs eight full-time staff. Recently, ZOMA launched Munchd, an innovative online food ordering system set to disrupt the hospitality industry. Ravallon Limited t/a My Forever Tooth Fairy My Forever Tooth Fairy, founded by Emma Duffy, introduces a unique range of Tooth Fairy toys, books, and memento products aimed at promoting emotional well-being. The brands initial offering includes a female doll accompanied by a book and reusable carry-case packaging, designed for the magical exchange of mail and teeth with the Tooth Fairy. The business has just launched its first product for pre-order online. Herbel Crest Limited t/a King of Kefir King of Kefir, a water kefir brewery founded by Gerry Scullion and based in Ardee Business Park, produces natural, full-flavored, non-alcoholic beverages rich in gut-friendly bacteria. The company, which began production in Dublin before relocating to Ardee to expand production capacity, supplies both canned and bottled products to both SuperValu and Dunnes Stores as well as a number of independent retailers around the country. Omuu Limited t/a Omuu Pet Founded by Frank Clarke, Omuu Limited has developed innovative insect-based veterinary dog food and treats designed to address various health issues such as allergies, dental disease, and arthritis. Committed to environmental sustainability, Omuu Pet uses insect protein, which requires less water and land, and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The business also utilizes 100% recyclable packaging and donates 1 from each purchase of its products to environmental charities. At the conclusion of her visit, Minister Higgins praised the LEO's efforts and the entrepreneurial talent in Louth, stating: The hard work of the LEO office here in Louth is evident in every business I have met today. It is fantastic to see that the strategy of my department and the LEO Network has helped create an environment in which these businesses can thrive. For more information on LEO Louth and its initiatives, visit www.localenterprise.ie/ Louth. Australian scholar sparks 'chemical reactions' with China People's Daily Online) 14:13, July 13, 2024 China, with its openness, welcomes talented individuals from all over the world. One such individual is Martin Banwell from Australia, who serves as the Director of the Institute for Advanced and Applied Chemical Synthesis at Jinan University in south China's Guangdong Province. He says he feels as though he is at the center of the chemistry world. Over the years, with strong support from the Chinese government, an increasing number of foreign scientists like Banwell have chosen to work and pursue their dreams in China. They adopt China as their second home, participating in and witnessing the changes and development of this land. They have played a crucial role in promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Wu Chaolan) The Congolese Community in Dundalk celebrated their independence anniversary recently The event was hosted by Congolese people living in Dundalk and Louth in collaboration with the Culture Connect organisation that is operating in the Louth region. The event took place at Geraldines Hall in Haggardstown on Saturday 29th June. Apo Ndendani aka Dan, the Chairman of the Congolese community, made a presentation on the Democratic Republic of Congo. The audience consisted of a mixture of members of different African countries, Irish citizens and other nationalities, including Eastern Europeans. The Chairman Apo Ndendani presented a short history of Congo from the Congo empire to the colonial past. The history of independence was especially marked, including the role of Patrice Emery Lumumba, who is considered by many in the Congo as the father of independence, who was later killed by Belgian colonialists with the support of some natives. The guests were captivated by his rise from a simple beginning to the first prime minister. It was a great eye opener for many that Congo has for centuries been a source of industrial development starting from rubber which was the major raw material for tyres in the 19th century, to the present day were a lot of modern development has profited from immense raw materials including cobalt for electric cars and coltan for mobile phone, at the cost of many Congolese lives. People also were surprised to learn that in 1945, the atomic weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were developed using uranium from a mine in the Congo. Those present also suggested that this information should not only be repeated but extended to a greater public. Some of them promised to contribute to the planning of a bigger event in order to have an in-depth knowledge of the matter discussed. The members of the Congolese community, as well as Africans and Irish people, recognised that Irish history has a connection to the Congo, where Irish lives were lost in the UN mission in Katanga in 1960. Brown water in Dundalk and the impact that it is having on the town was raised with An Taoiseach in Leinster House last week by Deputy Ruairi O Murchu who said it is not good enough for the people of Dundalk. The Sinn Fein TD said it was a yearly issue and it was not the first time he had brought it up with An Taoiseach, which arises when increased manganese is in the water supply reacting with chlorine. He said: It also means this impacts on any repairs that get fixed or any flushing teams operating in other areas. Following my own interaction with the Taoiseach, I had a decent enough interaction with Irish Water at a high enough level. I have been informed there is a pilot scheme currently going into place at Cavanhill treatment plant to remove the manganese. If this pilot scheme works - and we will know by the end of the summer if it does - all works can then be completed by 2026. If it does not work, there is definitely a workable solution but that will take until 2028 to be completed. I wish to make sure that the Government will provide the resources to ensure we get this done as quickly as possible. This has been an ongoing issue and it is not good enough for the people of Dundalk. While there may be other issues around water pressure and old infrastructure, this is a vital issue which needs to be dealt with. I welcome the works that have been done. We just need to make sure the resources are there to make sure it happens as quickly as possible. In response, Taoiseach Simon Harris said: As to the brown water issue in Dundalk, which Deputy O Murchu has raised with me on a number of occasions, I am pleased the meeting with Irish Water went well. I will certainly work with him as Head of Government to make sure any resources required are in place." Speaking afterwards, Deputy O Murchu said he welcomed the update from Irish Water last week about the works at Cavanhill Treatment Plant, but said that the problems in Dundalk need to be brought to an end and he will be maintaining pressure on Irish Water and the government to ensure that happens. Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently hosted a closing ceremony for all the students who took part in the Institutes first ever Chinese Summer Camp. This completely booked out camp was open to local secondary school students from the region and focused on introducing the students to the Chinese Mandarin language and Chinese culture. This summer camp was coordinated by Ping Cao a lecturer in DkIT who was supported by the facilitators Ms Vicky Shuai (UCD) and Ms Ling Hensey (Castleknock Chinese School, Dublin). At the closing Ceremony DkIT welcomed Ms Zhu who is the Secretary for Education in the Chinese Embassy, Ireland. Ms Zhu presented the certificates to the students and was also pleased to give them all a gift of a book which was donated by the Chinese Ambassador. Also, in attendance at the event was DkIT President Dr Diarmuid OCallaghan and the Institutes Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar Dr Sheila Flanagan. DkIT President Dr OCallaghan said: This Chinese Summer Camp was an extremely significant piece of work around introducing students to a new language, and the energy and interaction from the participants was really obvious this afternoon. Dr Sheila Flanagan added: The closing ceremony was a fantastic day and obviously this camp was a really rich cultural experience for potential students from our region who participated. I was so impressed with the standard achieved in such a short period of time and the obvious engagement of the learners in the process." This Chinese Summer Camp initiative for DkIT was part of the Institutes strategy to encourage more students to investigate learning another language. Ireland currently has very low rates of student participation in languages at third level and nationally we are behind other European counterparts. It was also an opportunity for post-primary students to explore the Chinese language, a less-taught language in school. The camp allowed participants to discover a new language and culture by inspiring students through a combination of fun, creativity, and learning. Ping Cao DkIT said: I've received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and students who thoroughly enjoyed the camp, and they are looking forward to next year. It's a wonderful opportunity for secondary school students to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture in a fun and creative manner, completely free of charge for two weeks. She added: this Chinese Summer Camp wouldnt have been possible without Patricia Moriarty, Brian Boyd and Shane Hills support and their encouragement. This camp was supported by Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) and Language Connect who offer funding for organising two-week activity-based language learning summer camps for post-primary level students. Funding is provided from the Department of Education under Irelands Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-26. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Irish premier Simon Harris at Shannon Airport on Saturday. It will be the first bilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky on Irish soil and will focus on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While discussing the future of the conflict, Mr Harris is expected to express his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He will also express Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, will offer further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He will confirm Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelensky is stopping at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington. Ireland has provided 250 million euro in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - At least 25 million people have been caught up in the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where a neglected health emergency continues to unfold at an alarming rate, the UN health agency said on Friday Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Taoiseach Simon Harris at Shannon Airport today. It will be the first bilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky on Irish soil and will focus on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While discussing the future of the conflict, Mr Harris is expected to express his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He will also express Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Taoiseach Simon Harris will meetUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky at Shannon Airport today, the first bilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky on Irish soil. Picture: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA Wire. Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, will offer further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He will confirm Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelensky is stopping at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington. Ireland has provided 250m in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. This summer will see the continuation of the Think Before You Flush campaign, a collaboration between Cork County Council and the Blue Flag programme, with the combined goal of educating beachgoers around what should and should not be flushed down public toilets. The campaign, operated by Clean Coasts in partnership with Uisce Eireann, emphasises the importance of appropriate flushing behaviour and disposal of items including wipes and other sanitary products even if they are labelled as flushable. The main message behind the campaign states that only the 3 Ps pee, poo, and paper should be flushed down the toilet, and everything else should go in the bin. When items such as wipes and sanitary products are flushed, they can result in serious blockages to waste water systems, causing sewage overflows that can pollute our rivers, lakes, beaches and coastlines. Under this collaborative effort, participating authorities will display Think Before You Flush signage on Blue Flag Beaches and marinas, offering clear instructions on appropriate flushing behaviour. Collaboration The coastal communities manager at Clean Coasts, Bronagh Moore, said: Its fantastic to see Cork County Council supporting the Think Before You Flush campaign. This collaboration between councils and environmental programmes is crucial in safeguarding our Blue Flag beaches and marinas. Their efforts and ongoing commitment to protecting our coastlines and freshwater bodies will help ensure vibrant ecosystems for future generations to enjoy. Mary Hussey, of Uisce Eireann, said: The success of this campaign hinges on the participation and support of Corks stakeholders including the public, beachgoers, residents, and tourists alike. The hard work and positivity of everyone involved is inspiring to see. Learn more about the Think Before You Flush campaign at https://thinkbeforeyouflush.org. Signed pleas of guilty were entered by a 26-year-old man on multiple charges arising out of an investigation into three garda cars being rammed at Thomas Davis Street in a Sunday afternoon incident in Cork earlier this year. The guilty pleas to multiple charges were signed by Stephen Coughlan, of 67 Maulbaun, Passage West. On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher at Cork District Court, Judge Mary Dorgan sent the case against Stephen Coughlan forward for sentencing at the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on October 29. A long list of charges was brought against Stephen Coughlan, who was represented by Eddie Burke solicitor, and now Detective Garda Michelle OLeary has brought an additional charge against him of arson of a car. Charges The defendant pleaded guilty to this and all the other indictable charges against him. The principle charges refer to March 3 at Thomas Davis Street, Blackpool, where he caused criminal damage to three garda cars and a parked car belonging to a motorist. He was charged with stealing a Toyota Hilux at Kilnaglory, Ballincollig, on that date and causing criminal damage by fire to it at Upper Fair Hill later on the same date. Other charges relate to March 1, 2024, at The Raj Indian restaurant car park at Kerrypike, the most serious of which was one of endangerment by causing a substantial risk of death or serious injury to another person. The charge states that he drove at and collided with a garda car as Garda Brian White was exiting the vehicle attempting to carry out his duty, causing him to take evasive action, and forcing the car sideways and driving over the front wing of it to escape. He faces a related charge of causing criminal damage to the front bumper, bonnet and wing panels of a garda car a 2018-registered Hyundai i40. He is charged with damaging the stolen car Toyota Landcruiser at The Raj Indian on March 1, dangerous driving there and having no insurance or licence. He faces multiple other charges from alleged incidents in February, including theft of a car at Scartglen, Castleisland, County Kerry; burglary at Mannings supermarket, Glanmire, County Cork; stealing cars at Maryborough Hill, Douglas; Coolroe Meadows, Ballincollig; Laurel Hill, Monkstown; The Finisk, Rivervalley, Mallow; The Funschion, Rivervalley, Mallow; Monee, Mourneabbey, Mallow; Castlewood, Little Island, and stealing a trailer/horsebox at Park Farm, Passage West. Co-accused Detective Sergeant Kieran OSullivan also charged a co-accused, 33-year-old Brian Keane, of no fixed address, with five burglaries at Aghadoe, Killarney, County Kerry, on February 4. And Brian Keane was charged with driving a stolen car at Sluggera Cross, Whitechurch, on March 3 and driving a stolen car at Thomas Davis Street, having stolen property at that location including 1,900 worth of cigarettes and tobacco, on March 3. Finally, he was charged with travelling as a passenger in a stolen car on March 1 at The Raj restaurant car park and allowing himself to be carried in a stolen car at Tower on March 1. Mr Burke, solicitor, also represented Mr Keane and said the defence would consider what position Brian Keane would be taking to his charges and Judge Dorgan adjourned his case until July 23. The Kinsale and District Lions Club have announced the appointment of Cormac Fitzgerald as its new president. With a strong commitment to community service and a passion for making a positive impact, Forensic Certified Public Accountant (FCPA) and businessman, Mr Fitzgerald, will lead the club in its mission to serve Kinsale and its surrounding areas. As a longstanding member of the Lions Club, Mr Fitzgerald brings a wealth of leadership experience to this role, having previously served as president of CPA Ireland, and Managing Partner of Fitzgerald & Partners Accounting firm. In accepting his position, Mr Fitzgerald thanked the outgoing president, Alice De La Cour, and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this new role. He emphasised his commitment to upholding the clubs values of compassion, integrity, and service, and his dedication to continuing the clubs tradition of making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. Irish MEPs such as Cork's Billy Kelleher have been urged to keep pledges made before the recent European Parliament elections not to vote for the re-election of Ursula Von der Leyen as EU Commission president by the co-chair of the Cork branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Arthur Leahy made his comments in a statement to The Echo following Saturdays march through the streets of Cork by pro Palestine campaigners who are protesting against attacks by Israeli forces against Gaza which have been ongoing since the October 7 offensive. Mr Leahys comments come in advance of next weeks vote in the European Parliament for the position of EU Commission president and amid mounting pressure from Fine Gael, who support Ms Von der Leyens re-election bid, calling on Fianna Fail MEPs to support the German politician. The vote will be by secret ballot and Ms Von der Leyens nomination already has the backing of EU leaders, including the support of the Irish Government. Irish MEPs such as Billy Kelleher must hold firm and keep their pre-election pledges where they promised not to vote for Ursula von der Leyen due to the appalling support she has given to Israel as it carries out a genocidal campaign in Palestine, said Mr Leahy. Disappointed Were deeply disappointed to hear Sean Kelly urging Fianna Fail MEPs to vote for von der Leyen - supporting her now would be to endorse someone who is widely seen as being complicit in the genocide that Israel is committing. Both Mr Kelleher and Barry Andrews, the FF MEP re-elected in Dublin on June 7, have said they would not support the re-election of Ms Von der Leyen due to her support for Israel expressed in the wake of the October 7 attacks. Today's march through the streets of Cork was attended by approximately 750 people and marchers were expressing concern and condemnation over what some claimed is the support of the Irish Government for the trade of military and dual use exports between Ireland and Israel, as well as showing solidarity with Palestine. Dual-use items are products and components, including software and technology, which can be used for both civil and military purposes. Addressed The rally following the march was also addressed by Summayyah Popoola from the Cork branch of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign who said that technology companies needed to prioritise human rights and ensure their innovations do not perpetuate conflict and suffering. "Dual-use weaponry basically encompasses items that can serve both civilian and military purposes," she said. "These technologies, originally designed for beneficial purposes, are increasingly being repurposed for destructive ends. This issue is not just a matter of policy or economics; it is a matter of life and death for countless innocent people around the world." TENS of thousands of us have strolled from the city down Centre Park Road in recent weeks, on the way to gigs at the Pairc and the Marquee. In many ways, the tree-lined street provides a walk down Corks industrial memory lane. Today, you pass by the wonderful Marina Market with its teeming stalls selling fancy foods and coffees, head past the National Kart Centre, and then the Rebel City Distillery - which became the first distillery to open in almost 50 years in Cork in 2020. There are a couple of fitness clubs before you reach the Marquee tents and the site of Funderland. All these thriving locations are symbols of what Corkonians now do in their leisure time, and with their spare cash - even the distillery holds walking tours of its premises for the public. We are a consumer society now, but rewind a generation ago, and Centre Park Road was an entirely different vista. Along this stretch were the two powerhouses of Corks industrial manufacturing landscape for the large part of the 20th century - Dunlop and Ford. The closure of both within the space of nine months in the 1980s were devastating low points in the citys industrial history. First to go was the tyre company in 1983. And it was 40 years ago today - yes, on Friday the 13th of July, 1984 - that Ford joined it, severing a link granted by the founder Henry Ford - who had ancestral connections to both city and county - that stretched all the way back to 1917. One of the reasons that Rebel City Distillery has walking tours is because of the history of the site - for it was in that very spot that Ford built cars and tractors for almost 70 years. ****** It is hard to grasp now the despair and devastation of that dark day 40 years ago, when 800 workers left the Ford Marina production plant for the last time. It wasnt a shock - the closure had been announced in January that year, and there had been rumours of its impending demise for years. The company had lost 8 million in Ireland in 1983, and was expecting similar bad news in 1984. But in those dark, recessionary times, many of the workers felt they had been consigned to the scrapheap and a cloud hung over the city that would remain for years after. Ford had been seen as a good employer, providing decent wages, and generations of families had obtained work there. A job at Ford was a job for life. Money, friendship, self-respect - the plant had provided them all. Now it was gone. This was an era when manufacturing was dying, not just in Ireland, but elsewhere in Europe; because other parts of the world were doing it cheaper, and technology was replacing humans. New regulations from Ireland joining the European Economic Community (EEC) had also put factories like Ford under pressure. At the time, the unemployment rate in Ireland was 16%, compared to 4% today, jobs were very scarce, and emigration was seen as the only solution for many workers and families. Cruelly, the workers redundancy packages were savagely curbed by a high rate of tax on the pay-offs. The Ford closure left a scar on that 1980s generation in Cork. The Lord Mayor in 1984, John Dennehy, whose father and brother worked at Ford, later said, in an interview in 2005: I dont think people of that generation after took anything for granted ever again. We realised in the most difficult way possible that nothing lasts forever. The tremors from the closure reached out beyond the Ford factory It was estimated that 37 other companies also went out of business in the ripple effect. The sole bright spot was that Ford would continue to be based in Cork, and would at least maintain a 200-strong workforce. A few years later, it re-located to premises at Boreenmanna Road The then Cork Examiner on that black Friday, July 13, 1984, tried desperately to lift the mood, splashing on a story about the hope of a new project for Verolme Shipyard that would create 1,000 jobs. It wasnt to be, and Verolme itself also closed that year. The Echo spoke to some of the workers as they arrived at Ford for their last day at 7.30am. One 30-year-old summed up the misery that was unfolding: There is nothing in Cork for me now. The only option is to get out. Cork is quickly going down the swanee. Another, older man said: If I was a young man, I would emigrate, probably to Australia. However, there was defiance too, and some glimmers of hope. One 53-year-old worker vowed he would start his own business with his redundancy package - a craft enterprise. What we need here in Ireland is to develop the attitude of self-reliance, he declared. We must realise that we have to depend on our own resources and that nobody is going to do things for us. Cork must learn this lesson. That man, who had been born in the early 1930s, lest we forget, was showing the spirit and enterprise that would become a hallmark of Corks commercial landscape in the years ahead. It was not clearly identifiable at the time, but the Irish economy was in a state of transition, moving away from heavy industry towards a situation where computer and pharmaceutical companies, for example, would become major job providers. Gradually, if painfully, Cork, and Ireland, would find a way out of the depressing days of the 1980s. ****** That modern-day walk down Centre Park Road doesnt contain the ghosts of Cork industry past these days - instead, it offers a snapshot of the progress that has ensured Cork has first survived, then thrived, after the darkest day in its history. That day in July, 1984, Cork turned for reassurance to a source who had offered it on many occasions in previous years. Former Taoiseach Jack Lynch, who was born in 1917, the year Ford opened in the city, provided an upbeat vision of the future which ran contrary to the pessimism of the day and was proven prophetic by subsequent events. Cork has a reputation for acumen and resilience in the commercial and industrial world. I believe this will be the most important factor in the economic resurgence of the area, he predicted. Forty years later, I think the wise old owl had a point, you know. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $1.7 billion in grants to be awarded to automakers in eight states to assist with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. The grants will help convert 11 at risk plants so that they can produce one million EVs each year and aid with the retention of 15,000 jobs while creating 3,000 new ones, reported Reuters. The DOE plans to award Chrysler-parent Stellantis and General Motors (GM) almost $1.1 billion to convert existing plants for the production of EVs and components, the Biden administration said on Thursday. This announcement is a hallmark of the Biden administrations industrial strategy, which is a strategy to bring manufacturing jobs back to America after years of offshoring, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said to reporters, as CNN reported. President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at an event announcing grants for domestic battery manufacturers, at the White House on Oct. 19, 2022. White House photo by Adam Schultz Earlier this year, President Joe Biden quadrupled tariffs on Chinese EVs in an attempt to keep U.S. manufacturers competitive, but sales on new EVs have still slowed. Building a clean energy economy can and should be a win-win for union autoworkers and automakers. This investment will create thousands of good-paying, union manufacturing jobs and retain even more from Lansing, Michigan to Fort Valley, Georgia by helping auto companies retool, reboot, and rehire in the same factories and communities, Biden said in a statement released by the White House. These grants will help ensure the future of the auto industry is made in America by American union workers. Five hundred million in grant funds will be awarded to GM for conversion of its Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant to EVs, reported Reuters. Granholm said more than a decade ago it had become clear that automakers needed a federal partner especially to compete with other countries who were subsidizing their auto industries and thats what this massive investment is all about. Stellantis will be awarded $334.8 million by the DOE to convert its closed Belvidere Assembly plant to manufacture EVs, as well as $250 million for the conversion of its Kokomo, Indiana Transmission Plant for the production of EV components. Stellantis said the grant awards were an important step in continuing to expand our electrified vehicle offerings, as Reuters reported. Hyundai Mobis will be given $32 million for the production of components and battery packs for plug-in hybrids. Harley-Davidson will be awarded $89 million for the expansion of its plant in York, Pennsylvania for the manufacturing of EV motorcycles, Blue Bird will be given $80 million to convert a plant in Georgia to produce electric school buses and the Cummins engine company will receive $75 million for the conversion of part of an Indiana plant for electric powertrain systems and zero-emission components. The Volvo Group will be granted $208 million to upgrade plants in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania to ramp up EV production capacity, and the DOE will give ZF North America $157 million for the conversion of part of its Michigan plant for the production of EV components. Before the grants are finalized, the DOE must complete negotiations with the companies, as well as environmental reviews. This delivers on my commitment to never give up on the manufacturing communities and workers that were left behind by my predecessor, Biden said in the statement. 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Blog Archive: Oct 2024 (50) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (156) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) NASA and its partners, the European and Canadian space agencies, are celebrating the second year since the James Webb Telescope started sending back photos of the universe by releasing an image of the Penguin and the Egg galaxies. These are interacting galaxies collectively known as Arp 142 located 326 million light-years from Earth, captured by the James Webb in interactive light. The galaxies first interacted between 25 and 75 million years ago, causing new star formation. Based on previous research, 100 to 200 stars have formed per year in the Penguin yes, that is the galaxy at the center of the image that looks like a bird's head whereas the Milky Way only produces between six and seven new stars per year. In this image taken by the James Webb, the interaction between the two galaxies is marked by a faintly glowing upside-down U. Take note that while the Penguin appears bigger than the Egg galaxy at its left, they have approximately the same mass. If either galaxy were smaller, they would've already merged. In addition to the galaxies prominently featured in the image, you'll also see more distant galaxies in the background. The space agencies said it's a "testament to the sensitivity and resolution of Webb's infrared cameras." NASA and its partners launched the James Webb Telescope in late 2021 after more than a decade of delays caused by spiraling costs and construction woes. The agencies released the first image it ever captured, the deepest image of the distant universe, in July 2022. Last year, they also commemorated its first anniversary with an image of a nearby stellar nursery. The social media giant says it decided to lift the guardrails so both presidential candidates could speak equally on its platforms. Meta, the parent company of social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, has decided to remove restrictions placed on former President Donald Trumps accounts. Meta updated its original statement announcing the end of Trumps suspension on Facebook and Instagram in January of 2023 to reflect the Republican presumptive presidential nominees new online status. Axios first reported on the news. Meta removed Trump from all of its platforms following the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 amid extreme and highly unusual circumstances, according to Metas original statement. Seven people were killed as a result of violence on or collateral damage as a result of the attack on the Capitol building. The following May, the Oversight Board ruled that Facebook failed to apply an appropriate penalty with its indefinite suspension of Trumps accounts for severely violating Facebook and Instagrams community guidelines and standards. Trump said in a video statement released less than three hours after the violence began We love you. Youre very special and called the insurrectionists great patriots. Those and other statements made in the wake of the US Capitol attack convinced the board that Trump violated its standard against praising or supporting people engaging in violence on its platforms. Two years later, Meta restored Trumps accounts following a time-bound suspension with stricter penalties for violating its terms of service, a standard that was higher than any other user on Facebook and Instagram. Meta noted in its latest update that the ex-president will be subject to the same standard as everyone else. With the party conventions taking place shortly, including the Republican convention next week, the candidates for President of the United States will soon be formally nominated, according to Metas statement. In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis. Twitter, now X, also took action against President Trump in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol for three tweets he posted that were labeled for inciting violence. It started with a 12-hour suspension on Jan. 6, 2021. Two days later, Twitter banned him completely after determining that subsequent posts also violated its community standards. The following year, Twitters new owner Elon Musk conducted an informal poll on his account asking if he should remove President Trumps ban and reinstated his account a few days later. The case against Alec Baldwin has officially been dismissed in his involuntary manslaughter trial. The actor reportedly broke down in tears on Friday (July 12) when Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer agreed with his defense team that prosecutors in the case improperly handled evidence and dismissed the charges against him and thus, the judge had to grant their motion for mistrial. Baldwin faced charges of involuntary manslaughter over the accidental shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. However, his attorneys argued that the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office improperly declined to enter the live rounds of ammunition they obtained into evidence or inform the defense that they had such evidence. There is no way for the court to right this wrong, the judge said, per NBC News. The sanction of dismissal is the only remedy. The case was issued with prejudice, which means the prosecutors may not charge Baldwin for the same crime again. Baldwin was reportedly seen crying and hugging his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, once the decision was made. He faced up to 18 months in prison upon conviction. Baldwin was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 after prosecutors argued that he acted in a negligent manner, contending that the Colt .45 he used was not properly inspected when he pointed it directly at Hutchins and that the actor didnt complete safety training that was required of him. His trial in the 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, began on July 9. Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. More Headlines: Alec Baldwins Rust trial has been dropped with the actor bursting into tears at the shock news. Alec Baldwins Rust trial has been dropped with the actor bursting into tears at the shock news The Married to the Mob actor, 66, wept on Friday (12.07.24) at the decision to throw out the involuntary manslaughter charge against him, which came hours after the judge overseeing it dramatically halted proceedings after she heard an argument from his legal team the prosecutors had buried evidence. Alec was facing his third day of proceedings in front of a jury in New Mexico on Friday when the surprise development came. He stood accused of involuntary manslaughter after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, 42, was killed on the set of neo-Western movie Rust in New Mexico in 2021, and was facing 18 months in jail if convicted. Before the jury was brought in to the courtroom on Friday Alecs attorney Luke Nikas had asked for the case against his client to be dropped, claiming that prosecutors sat on evidence that would have helped show how live ammunition was brought on to the set of neo-Western movie Rust. Alecs wife Hilaria, 40, had tears in her eyes when the attorneys asked the judge to drop the case. The actor was rehearsing a scene on the set of Rust when the gun he was holding discharged, killing Halyna Hutchins and injuring its 51-year-old director Joel Souza. Alec had insisted in interviews he did not pull the trigger of the gun or know why it contained live ammunition. His lawyers claimed a man named Troy Teske a friend of Thell Reed, the father of convicted Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, 27, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for loading a live round into Alecs gun turned over ammunition to authorities he thought was connected to the case. But Mr Nikas said: Were talking about a prosecution that didnt preserve those bullets, that didnt collect them at all. That didnt turn them over. This is critical evidence in the case that was never disclosed to us we were entitled to it. This case should be dismissed, Your Honor. After a recess, judge Mary Marlowe Sommer heard testimony from witnesses including Seth Kenney the Rust props firearms supplier as well as Corporal Alexandria Hancock from the Santa Fe Sheriffs Office. During one tense exchange, Alecs attorney Alex Spiro asked Cpl Hancock if she was hiding any more evidence but she replied: I dont think Ive hidden anything. She admitted ammunition Mr Teske had handed over was filed separately from the other Rust evidence and said prosecutor Kari T Morrissey had been involved in talks to file them separately. Earlier on Friday during the recess in the case, Alec and Hilaria hugged and smiled in apparent relief. Lindsay Ellingson is pregnant with her third child. Lindsay Ellingson pregnant with third child [Instagram] The former Victoria's Secret Angel shared the news in a sweet Instagram video as she celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary with husband Sean Clayton on Friday (12.07.24). Lindsay posted a video showing her bump and wrote: "Cant think of a better way to celebrate 10 years with you." The couple announced their engagement in December 2013 and tied the knot the following year. They welcomed sons Carter John Clayton, in May 2020 and Roen Allen Clayton in 2021. Lindsay previously spoke about her devastating heartbreak after suffering a late-term baby loss in 2019. Speaking in May 2020, she explained: "I had a late-term loss last year, which was devastating, and I just felt like my body needed to finish what it started. "I started doing guided meditations as a way to work towards healing and manifesting this dream. Within a few months, I had a feeling that I was pregnant again." And, following the birth of Carter, she opened up about the delivery, calling it "really smooth and safe". She said: "Overall, it was a really smooth and safe delivery. "When the anaesthesiologist said an epidural wasn't possible because of my spinal fusion, it was like this moment of empowerment. I was so nervous, but my fear quickly turned into determination for my baby. My husband Sean was with me every step of the way and encouraging me through the whole process." Matthew Perrys ketamine suppliers are reportedly close to being snared by police probing the Friends actors death. Matthew Perrys ketamine suppliers are reportedly close to being snared by police probing the Friends actors death The troubled star, who spent years battling drink and drug addictions, was found dead aged 54 in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home in October 2023, with an autopsy revealing he had been killed by acute effects of ketamine and last week cop sources said several people should be charged in connection with the actors passing. TMZ is now reporting federal authorities probing Matthews death are confident they have the goods to take down the people who helped him obtain the ketamine that contributed to his death. It added: Drug Enforcement Administration agents launched their Perry death investigation after the LA County Medical Examiner determined the Friends star died from drowning in his hot tub after taking ketamine, a dissociative anaesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Our sources tell us the feds are aiming to charge the suspects with drug distribution resulting in death or great bodily injury, which carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison. The outlet added DEA agents are not just probing dealers and could also go after doctors if they wrote prescriptions deemed outside the scope of medical necessity. And it said: The investigation has dug deep into the Hollywood drug scene. It was reported on 7 July Matthews drugs death is soon set to be addressed in a police press conference where charges including involuntary manslaughter may be announced. Page Six has also reported the actors death is poised to expose a seedy underbelly of Hollywood drug dealing. The outlet said the Los Angeles Police Department which is overseeing the criminal investigation into Matthews death alongside the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Postal Inspection Service is preparing for a press conference to announce possible charges, which could even include involuntary manslaughter. Page Six added it has learned the identity of an actress who has become embroiled in the investigation. They said the as yet unnamed woman is a B-list star who was very close to Perry for many years. Former CIA and FBI special agent Tracy Walder told Page Six multiple people could be charged, saying there has been a huge explosion in drug rings using mail fraud, sending prescription medication by post a federal offence. Rebel Wilson is being sued for defamation. Rebel Wilson sued for defamation The 44-year-old actress was hit with the lawsuit after accusing the producers of her upcoming movie 'The Deb' of stopping it from premiering at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival in September. Earlier this week, Rebel made an Instagram video in which she hit out at producers Amanda Ghost and Gregor Cameron, and executive producer Vince Holden, accusing them of "bad behaviour" on set. She also accused them of embezzling funds from the film and called them "vile and disgusting", claiming she had encountered "absolute viciousness and retaliatory behaviour" after reporting their actions. However, the trio have denied all accusations and have hit back in a new lawsuit, filed at the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE: "She flatly refused to collaborate with Plaintiffs, absconded from the Film for months at a time, behaved unprofessionally with employees of the Film, and repeatedly made unauthorized and improper disclosures about the Film. "Rebels goal in these several disputes was to get credit for work she did not do, and to overshadow young, upcoming artists who truly deserved the credit. "[We] had to consider carefully whether to proceed with marketing the Film while it was embroiled in numerous credit and licensing disputes instigated by Rebel. [We]continuously attempted to resolve the disputes in good faith but Rebel had other ideas. "Even though the plan was always to show the Film at TIFF, Rebel attempted to force the issue and bully them into capitulating to her other unreasonable demands by leveraging her popularity on social media to spread these malicious and baseless lies about [the producers] to her 11 million Instagram followers. This was a vindictive attempt to destroy [the producers] reputations with what she knew were demonstrably false statements." Wilson responded to the lawsuit on Instagram by posting: "Its not defamation if its the TRUTH (those producers who I mentioned in my last post have just filed a defamation suit against me and sent to the press)! Let our cool movie play at Toronto and stop messing about with a rubbish defamation suit against me!" Pioneering sex therapist Dr Ruth Westheimer has died aged 96. Pioneering sex therapist Dr Ruth Westheimer has died aged 96 The 4ft 7in tall straight-talker, best known as Dr Ruth and who is globally renowned for revolutionising the way the world talked about sex and sexuality while driving the sexpert industry despite saying she was a square died peacefully at home in Manhattan, New York City, while clutching her familys hands, her publicist said on Saturday. (13.07.24) Dr Ruths representative Pierre Lehu added in a statement to Page Six: She died peacefully, at home, holding the hands of her son and daughter. In a separate comment to People, Pierre added: It was as peacefully as she could possibly go. She was 96. Its amazing, there was stuff still going on in her life and someone wants to make a biopic about her. No cause of death has yet been announced. German-American Ruth who married three times and had two children was born Karola Ruth Seigel on 4 June, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany. Aged 10 she was sent to Switzerland to escape World War Two and was the sole survivor of her family, who were all wiped out in the Holocaust. As a teen, she moved to Palestine and joined the Israeli army where she was trained as a sniper though never shot anyone. Her first husband was an Israeli solder and she moved to Paris with him in 1950, where she studied psychology at the Sorbonne. The couple split five years after the move and she set up home in the US with her second husband, with whom she had daughter Miriam. They also split and she married for the third and final time to Manfred Westheimer. The pair had son Joel and stayed together for 36 years until Manfred was killed by heart failure in 1997. Ruth obtained her doctorate from Columbia University and taugh sex education at Lehman College in the Bronx, New York, and to women at Planned Parenthood. While supporting safe sex, Ruths mission was to get people to openly discuss sex and sexuality. She said in 2022 about how it was at odds with her character: I still hold old-fashioned values and Im a bit of a square. Sex is a private art and a private matter. But still, it is a subject we must talk about. Ruths media career exploded in 1980 when she started hosting the call-in radio show Sexually Speaking, and by 1983 it was one of the US top-rated programmes on the airwaves. By 1984 she had her own TV program the world renowned Dr Ruth Show, which featured the hosts blunt and witty advice on sex. She went on to rack up appearances on the US most popular shows including The Howard Stern Radio Show, The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Dr Oz Show. Her estimated net worth of at least $3 million was boosted by her string of best-selling books including Sex for Dummies, All in a Lifetime and Musically Speaking: A Life through Song. Ruth told Page Six on her 94th birthday she was on a mission to help lonely people through the Covid pandemic, declaring: I would like to be the ambassador for the state of New York combating loneliness I want to give good advice to people who are lonely. Apparel exports from Cambodia surged by 18.50 per cent to $4,330.373 million in the first half of 2024, accounting for 35.21 per cent of the country's total foreign income, which amounted to $12,296.123 million for the period, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The trade figures for June 2024 indicate that textile exports experienced positive growth, albeit minimal. During the period under review, Cambodia's exports of apparel and clothing accessories (knitted) (Chapter 61) amounted to $2,799.837 million, representing an increase of 13.0 per cent compared to $2,477.936 million in the corresponding period of 2023. Similarly, exports of apparel and clothing accessories (not knitted) (Chapter 62) rose by 30.1 per cent to $1,530.536 million, up from $1,176.475 million in January-June 2023. Cambodia's apparel exports surged by 18.50 per cent to $4.33 billion in the first half of 2024, making up 35.21 per cent of the country's total foreign income. Exports of knitted apparel increased by 13.0 per cent, while non-knitted apparel rose by 30.1 per cent. Imports of knitted fabrics, man-made fibre, and cotton also saw significant increases. In June 2024, Cambodia's apparel exports increased by 4.88 per cent to $902.179 million, compared to $860.338 million in the same month of 2023. The shipment of apparel and clothing accessories (knitted) decreased by 1.7 per cent to $612.090 million, down from $622.428 million during the corresponding month of the previous year. Meanwhile, exports of apparel and clothing accessories (not knitted) improved by 21.9 per cent to $290.089 million in June 2024. In terms of imports, the value of Cambodia's knitted or crocheted fabric (Chapter 60) imports from January to June 2024 was $1,554.063 million, marking a rise of 16.9 per cent compared to $1,329.329 million in the same period of 2023. Imports of man-made fibre (Chapter 55) gained 21.7 per cent to $671.776 million, compared to $551.783 million in the corresponding period of the previous year. Meanwhile, cotton and cotton yarn (Chapter 52) imports increased by 36.4 per cent, reaching $378.985 million during the period under review, up from $277.828 million in the same period of 2023. The impressive growth in the foreign trade of textiles and garments from Cambodia was attributed to higher global demand and a low base. The continued high shipment from the nation is a significant development amid global economic challenges. In 2023, the country's apparel exports declined by 12.91 per cent to $7,868.779 million. In contrast, the country's apparel exports had increased by 12.69 per cent, reaching $9.035 billion in 2022. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Businesses in Vietnam were recently cautioned by the Vietnam trade office in Indonesia that as the latters textile industry is facing difficulties with falling export orders and factory closures, it may impose trade sanctions on some Vietnamese products, especially textiles and garments. A large number of workers in Indonesias textile industry have also been fired. Businesses in Vietnam have been cautioned by the Vietnam trade office in Indonesia that as the latter's textile industry is facing difficulties with falling export orders and factory closures, it may impose sanctions on some Vietnamese goods, especially textiles and garments. Businesses and export associations were urged to be prepared for any such action. Textiles, footwear and electronic goods are key exports of Vietnam to Indonesia, with an export turnover of $1.5 billion, accounting for 30 per cent of the total export turnover to Indonesia last year. Therefore, the trade office believes Indonesia potentially plans to apply trade defence measures on products from China and other nations like Vietnam, according to a Vietnamese media outlet. The office recommended Vietnamese businesses and export associations in relevant product groups to closely monitor the market and consult with relevant units of the ministry of industry and trade to be prepared for any such action. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Kingdom (UK) are keen to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) this year, GCC secretary general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi recently said in London. He said this after meeting UK secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the UK are keen to sign an FTA this year, GCC secretary general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi recently said in London after meeting UK secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds. Albudaiwi said he sensed a strong interest from the new UK government and a sincere desire to complete the negotiation rounds. Albudaiwi said he sensed a strong interest from the new British government and a sincere desire to complete the negotiation rounds for the proposed FTA, a Saudi news agency reported. Reynolds expressed the desire to have the agreement signed before the year end. Albudaiwi and Reynolds discussed ways to enhance economic and trade relations. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Submissions are supported by the Phase 3 SELECT-GCA study demonstrating upadacitinib 15 mg with a 26-week steroid taper regimen achieved the primary endpoint of sustained remission from week 12 through week 52 1 The safety profile of upadacitinib in patients with GCA was generally consistent with that in approved indications1 NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced that it has submitted applications for a new indication to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) for upadacitinib (RINVOQ; 15 mg, once daily) for the treatment of adult patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA). GCA is an autoimmune disease of medium and large arteries and can cause headache, jaw pain, and changes in vision, including sudden and permanent loss of vision.3,4 "Currently, there are few approved treatment options for patients with GCA. Most patients are managed with glucocorticoids, and many are unable to discontinue them without the recurrence of GCA symptoms," stated Roopal Thakkar, M.D., executive vice president, research and development, and chief scientific officer, AbbVie. "We recognize the importance of maintaining remission and limiting the use of glucocorticoids in GCA." The regulatory submissions to the FDA and EMA are supported by previously announced results from the SELECT-GCA Phase 3 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in patients with GCA. About SELECT-GCA SELECT-GCA (M16-852) is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of upadacitinib in 428 patients with GCA. The study consists of two periods. The first period evaluated the efficacy of upadacitinib in combination with a 26-week corticosteroid taper regimen compared to placebo in combination with a 52-week corticosteroid taper regimen. In addition, the first period assessed the safety and tolerability of upadacitinib in these patients. The second period is ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuing versus withdrawing upadacitinib in maintaining remission in participants who achieved sustained remission in the first period.1 For more information regarding this study, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03725202). About Giant Cell Arteritis Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also known as temporal arteritis, is an autoimmune disease of medium and large arteries, characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the three-layered vessel wall, which affects temporal and other cranial arteries as well as the aorta and other large arteries.2,4 GCA can cause headache, jaw pain, and changes in or loss of vision, including sudden and permanent loss of vision. Caucasian women over the age of 50 - most commonly between the ages of 70 and 80 years - have the highest risk of developing giant cell arteritis. Although women are more likely than men to develop GCA, research suggests that men are more likely to have ocular manifestations with their disease.5 About Upadacitinib (RINVOQ) Discovered and developed by AbbVie scientists, RINVOQ is a JAK inhibitor that is being studied in several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.6,7 Based on enzymatic and cellular assays, RINVOQ demonstrated greater inhibitory potency for JAK-1 vs JAK-2, JAK-3, and TYK-2.6 The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic effectiveness and safety is not currently known. Upadacitinib (RINVOQ) is being studied in Phase 3 clinical trials for alopecia areata, giant cell arteritis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Takayasu arteritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vitiligo.8-12 The use of upadacitinib in giant cell arteritis is not approved and its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by regulatory authorities. RINVOQ (upadacitinib) U.S. Uses and Important Safety Information RINVOQ is a prescription medicine used to treat: Adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. when 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. Adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. Adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. Adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) with objective signs of inflammation when a TNF blocker medicine has been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. with objective signs of inflammation when a TNF blocker medicine has been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. Adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. Adults with moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children with ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease. Adults and children 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe eczema (atopic dermatitis [AD]) that did not respond to previous treatment and their eczema is not well controlled with other pills or injections, including biologic medicines, or the use of other pills or injections is not recommended. It is not known if RINVOQ is safe and effective in children under 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis. It is not known if RINVOQ LQ is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis. RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ is a prescription medicine used to treat: Children 2 years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. Children 2 to less than 18 years of age with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) when 1 or more medicines called TNF blockers have been used, and did not work well or could not be tolerated. It is not known if RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis or psoriatic arthritis. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION What is the most important information I should know about RINVOQ? RINVOQ may cause serious side effects, including: Serious infections. RINVOQ can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious infections have happened while taking RINVOQ, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider (HCP) should test you for TB before starting RINVOQ and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with RINVOQ. You should not start taking RINVOQ if you have any kind of infection unless your HCP tells you it is okay. If you get a serious infection, your HCP may stop your treatment until your infection is controlled. You may be at higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster). RINVOQ can lower your ability to fight infections. Serious infections have happened while taking RINVOQ, including tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider (HCP) should test you for TB before starting RINVOQ and check you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with RINVOQ. You should not start taking RINVOQ if you have any kind of infection unless your HCP tells you it is okay. If you get a serious infection, your HCP may stop your treatment until your infection is controlled. You may be at higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster). Increased risk of death in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor. Cancer and immune system problems. RINVOQ may increase your risk of certain cancers. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Current or past smokers are at higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Follow your HCP's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer during treatment with RINVOQ. Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use sunscreen. RINVOQ may increase your risk of certain cancers. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Current or past smokers are at higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Follow your HCP's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer during treatment with RINVOQ. Limit the amount of time you spend in sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use sunscreen. Increased risk of major cardiovascular (CV) events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in people 50 years and older who have at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Blood clots. Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs and arteries can happen with RINVOQ. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of the legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years and older and with at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor. Blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs and arteries can happen with RINVOQ. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of the legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years and older and with at least 1 heart disease (CV) risk factor. Allergic reactions. Symptoms such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, that may mean you are having an allergic reaction have been seen in people taking RINVOQ. Some of these reactions were serious. If any of these symptoms occur during treatment with RINVOQ, stop taking RINVOQ and get emergency medical help right away. Symptoms such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, that may mean you are having an allergic reaction have been seen in people taking RINVOQ. Some of these reactions were serious. If any of these symptoms occur during treatment with RINVOQ, stop taking RINVOQ and get emergency medical help right away. Tears in the stomach or intestines . This happens most often in people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. Get medical help right away if you get stomach-area pain, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. . This happens most often in people who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids. Get medical help right away if you get stomach-area pain, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. Changes in certain laboratory tests. Your HCP should do blood tests before you start taking RINVOQ and while you take it. Your HCP may stop your RINVOQ treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results. Do not take RINVOQ if you are allergic to upadacitinib or any of the ingredients in RINVOQ. See the Medication Guide or Consumer Brief Summary for a complete list of ingredients. What should I tell my HCP BEFORE starting RINVOQ? Tell your HCP if you: Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won't go away or keeps coming back, or have symptoms of an infection, such as: ? Fever, sweating, or chills ? Shortness of breath ? Warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body ? Muscle aches ? Feeling tired ? Blood in phlegm ? Diarrhea or stomach pain ? Cough ? Weight loss ? Burning when urinating or urinating more often than normal Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB. Are a current or past smoker. Have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or stroke. Have or have had any type of cancer, hepatitis B or C, shingles (herpes zoster), blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine), or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Have other medical conditions, including liver problems, low blood cell counts, diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system. Live, have lived, or have traveled to parts of the country, such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest, that increase your risk of getting certain kinds of fungal infections. If you are unsure if you've been to these types of areas, ask your HCP. Have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take RINVOQ should not receive live vaccines. Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Based on animal studies, RINVOQ may harm your unborn baby. Your HCP will check whether or not you are pregnant before you start RINVOQ. You should use effective birth control (contraception) to avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with RINVOQ and for 4 weeks after your last dose. There is a pregnancy surveillance program for RINVOQ. The purpose of the program is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become pregnant while taking RINVOQ, you are encouraged to report the pregnancy by calling 1-800-633-9110. Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. RINVOQ may pass into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with RINVOQ and for 6 days after your last dose. Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects. Especially tell your HCP if you take: Medicines for fungal or bacterial infections Rifampicin or phenytoin Medicines that affect your immune system If you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your HCP or pharmacist. What should I avoid while taking RINVOQ? Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with RINVOQ as it may increase the risk of side effects. What should I do or tell my HCP AFTER starting RINVOQ? Tell your HCP right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. RINVOQ can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections you have worse. Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking RINVOQ, including: Discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back Severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw Pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort Breaking out in a cold sweat Nausea or vomiting Feeling lightheaded Weakness in one part or on one side of your body Slurred speech Tell your HCP right away if you have any signs or symptoms of blood clots during treatment with RINVOQ, including: ? Swelling ? Pain or tenderness in one or both legs ? Sudden unexplained chest or upper back pain ? Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Tell your HCP right away if you have a fever or stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits. What are other possible side effects of RINVOQ? Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), shingles (herpes zoster), herpes simplex virus infections (including cold sores), bronchitis, nausea, cough, fever, acne, headache, increased blood levels of creatine phosphokinase, allergic reactions, inflammation of hair follicles, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, increased weight, flu, tiredness, lower number of certain types of white blood cells (neutropenia, lymphopenia, leukopenia), muscle pain, flu-like illness, rash, increased blood cholesterol levels, increased liver enzyme levels, pneumonia, low number of red blood cells (anemia), and infection of the stomach and intestine (gastroenteritis). A separation or tear to the lining of the back part of the eye (retinal detachment) has happened in people with atopic dermatitis treated with RINVOQ. Call your HCP right away if you have any sudden changes in your vision during treatment with RINVOQ. Some people taking RINVOQ may see medicine residue (a whole tablet or tablet pieces) in their stool. If this happens, call your HCP. These are not all the possible side effects of RINVOQ. How should I take RINVOQ/RINVOQ LQ? RINVOQ is taken once a day with or without food. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet. Take RINVOQ exactly as your HCP tells you to use it. RINVOQ is available in 15 mg, 30 mg, and 45 mg extended-release tablets. RINVOQ LQ is taken twice a day with or without food. RINVOQ LQ is available in a 1 mg/mL oral solution. RINVOQ LQ is not the same as RINVOQ tablets. Do not switch between RINVOQ LQ and RINVOQ tablets unless the change has been made by your HCP. Unless otherwise stated, "RINVOQ" in the IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION refers to RINVOQ and RINVOQ LQ. This is the most important information to know about RINVOQ. For more information, talk to your HCP. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. If you are having difficulty paying for your medicine, AbbVie may be able to help. Visit AbbVie.com/PatientAccessSupport to learn more. Please click here for the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information. About AbbVie in Rheumatology For more than 20 years, AbbVie has been dedicated to improving care for people living with rheumatic diseases. Anchored by a longstanding commitment to discovering and delivering transformative therapies, we pursue cutting-edge science that improves our understanding of promising new pathways and targets, ultimately helping more people living with rheumatic diseases reach their treatment goals. For more information, visit AbbVie in rheumatology. About AbbVie AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas - immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Forward-Looking Statements Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions and uses of future or conditional verbs, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, challenges to intellectual property, competition from other products, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, and changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation, and specifically declines, to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law. REFERENCES AbbVie. Data on file ABVRRTI78418. Ameer MA, Peterfy RJ, Khazaeni B. Giant cell arteritis. Updated August 8, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459376/ Weyand CM, Goronzy JJ. Immunology of Giant Cell Arteritis. Circ Res. 2023;132(2):238-250. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.322128 Giant Cell Arteritis. Arthritis Foundation. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/giant-cell-arteritis. Accessed April 11, 2024. RINVOQ [Package Insert]. North Chicago, IL: AbbVie Inc.; 2024. Pipeline - Our Science | AbbVie. 2023. Available at: https://www.abbvie.com/our-science/pipeline.html. Accessed April 17, 2024. A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Upadacitinib in Participants with Giant Cell Arteritis (SELECT-GCA). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03725202. Accessed April 9, 2024 A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Participants with Takaysu Arteritis (TAK) (SELECT-TAK). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04161898. Accessed April 9, 2024. Program to Assess Adverse Events and Change in Disease Activity of Oral Upadacitinib in Adult Participants With Moderate to Severe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SELECT-SLE). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05843643. Accessed April 9, 2024. A Study to Assess Change in Disease Activity and Adverse Events of Oral Upadacitinib in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Moderate to Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa Who Have Failed Anti-TNF Therapy (Step-Up HS). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05889182. Accessed April 9, 2024. A Study To Assess Adverse Events and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib Oral Tablets in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Vitiligo (Viti-Up). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06118411. Accessed April 9, 2024. A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib Tablets in Adult and Adolescent Participants With Severe Alopecia Areata (Up-AA). ClinicalTrials.gov. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06012240. Accessed April 9, 2024. SOURCE AbbVie Frustration peaks as Top Atlanta Construction Companies and Executives face extreme difficulty recruiting for key roles, causing project delays. They are turning to new, innovative headhunting solutions for help. ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / Atlanta's construction industry is currently facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting for critical roles. The difficulty in finding qualified candidates has reached a peak, causing significant frustration among top executives. These challenges are not only impacting the companies but also causing delays in major construction projects across the city. As the demand for skilled labor continues to rise, the pool of available talent is shrinking, exacerbating the problem. This situation has prompted many executives to seek out new and innovative solutions to address their hiring woes and keep their projects on track. Atlanta's construction leaders, overwhelmed by recruitment challenges and project delays, are now embracing innovative headhunting solutions to find essential talent. Image Credit: Olegblag / 123RF. "Atlanta's leading construction companies are struggling to recruit for critical roles, leading to delays in projects and mounting frustration. As a result, executives from some of the Top ENR rated companies have been reaching out to us to seek out cutting-edge headhunting solutions to find and secure the right talent to keep their projects moving forward," said Josh Rae, CEO of JPI Executive Search , one of the most highly-sought after Atlanta Construction Recruiters in Georgia and the Southeast Region, for commercial construction recruiting and talent acquisition. The Impact of Recruitment Challenges in The Construction Industry The inability to recruit effectively for key roles has serious implications for the construction industry. Project delays are becoming more common, leading to increased costs and missed deadlines. These delays can have a domino effect, impacting subsequent projects and causing widespread disruption. For many construction companies, the struggle to fill critical positions means that they are operating with a reduced workforce, which can compromise the quality and safety of their work. The frustration among executives is understandable, as the ongoing recruitment challenges threaten their ability to meet client expectations and maintain their competitive edge. Turning to Innovative Headhunting Solutions For Construction Companies In response to these challenges, JPI Executive Search (JPI) has been leveraging innovative headhunting techniques to identify and attract top talent. Their approach includes using advanced technology, data analytics, and a deep understanding of the industry to connect with candidates who might not be actively looking for new opportunities but possess the skills and experience needed. The Role of JPI Executive Search in the Construction Industry JPI Executive Search has established itself as a leader in the construction recruitment field by adopting a proactive and innovative approach to headhunting. Their team of experts uses a combination of traditional recruitment methods and modern technologies to identify potential candidates. This includes leveraging social media platforms, industry networks, and sophisticated data analysis tools to uncover hidden talent. By understanding the unique needs of their clients and the specific challenges they face, JPI Executive Search can provide tailored recruiting solutions that meet the demands of the current job market. This approach not only helps fill critical roles but also ensures that the candidates selected are a good fit for the company culture and long-term goals. The Future of Construction Recruitment As the construction industry continues to evolve, the methods used to recruit top talent must also adapt. The challenges faced by Atlanta's construction companies highlight the need for more innovative and effective recruitment strategies. Headhunting firms like JPI Executive Search are at the forefront of this evolution, developing new techniques and tools to meet the demands of the industry. The future of construction recruitment will likely see an increased reliance on technology, data-driven decision-making, and personalized approaches to candidate engagement. Companies that embrace these changes will be better positioned to attract and retain the talent needed to drive their success. Construction Recruitment Challenges and the Need for Innovative Solutions The frustration among Atlanta's construction executives over recruitment challenges is a clear indication of the critical need for innovative solutions in the industry. JPI Executive Search's cutting-edge headhunting techniques offer a promising avenue for companies struggling to fill key roles. By combining traditional methods with modern technology, they are able to identify and secure top talent, ensuring that projects move forward smoothly and efficiently. As the industry continues to face recruitment hurdles, the importance of proactive and innovative approaches to hiring will only grow. For more information on JPI Executive Search and their recruitment services, visit their website or contact them directly. For more information on JPI Executive Search and their Atlanta area commercial and industrial construction recruiting services, visit their website or contact them directly. Construction Headhunter and Recruiter Josh Rae's firm gets called on by construction companies building projects in Atlanta, GA and other Southeastern states. Image Credit: Vitold3212 / 123RF. Photo Illustration by: JPIExecutiveSearch.com About Atlanta, Georgia Construction Recruiters and Headhunters at JPI Executive Search JPI Executive Search prides itself on being one of the most highly sought-after construction recruiters in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Southeast Region. Led by 25-year industry veteran Josh Rae , CEO, the firm is committed to excellence, demonstrated through a selective approach to candidate placement that prioritizes long-term stability and commitment. Understanding that client companies value consistent employment histories, the JPI Executive Search Team strives to match them with candidates who share this dedication. Specializing in identifying and pursuing the most elusive and highly skilled construction professionals in Atlanta , JPI Executive Search takes on the challenge of attracting candidates who are often content in their current roles. This relentless pursuit of top talent ensures that clients have access to the best individuals capable of driving their construction projects forward. As frustration mounts among Atlanta's leading construction companies due to recruitment challenges, many are turning to JPI Executive Search for innovative headhunting solutions. The firm is dedicated to addressing these critical needs by leveraging cutting-edge strategies to secure the right talent, ensuring that clients' Atlanta building projects remain on schedule and within budget. JPI Executive Search's proven "old school" headhunting and recruiting approach has been instrumental in staying ahead of construction trends and in helping Atlanta's top construction firms overcome significant recruitment hurdles. Despite having their own in-house recruiting teams, many companies, including Top ENR Contractors , discreetly rely on JPI's expertise to fill key roles quickly and effectively. This strategic partnership has been vital in maintaining project timelines and productivity. In a bold move to support Atlanta's Construction Industry , JPI Executive Search has introduced an unprecedented offer to work for free upfront for select client companies facing significant hiring challenges. This initiative underscores the firm's commitment to building long-term partnerships and demonstrating the ability to deliver top-tier talent essential for project success and company growth. JPI Executive Search is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the Atlanta construction industry , one successful placement at a time. Schedule Your Strategy Call To Find Exceptional Construction Talent to Drive Your Projects Forward. CONTACT: JPI Executive Search Josh Rae CEO 404-220-7705 josh@jpiexecutivesearch.com Atlanta, Georgia (GA) SOURCE: JPI Executive Search - Atlanta Construction Recruiters View the original press release on accesswire.com In an unprecedented move shaking up the Construction Industry, a leading Commercial Construction Recruiter and Headhunter in Atlanta, GA has announced an extraordinary offer: to work for free for select client companies. ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / In a bold and unprecedented move, JPI Executive Search (JPI), a leading commercial construction recruiter and headhunter in Atlanta, GA, has announced an extraordinary offer: to provide their services for free to select client companies. This offer aims to address the significant hiring challenges faced by the construction industry in Atlanta and the Southeast region. By offering their expertise at no upfront cost, JPI Executive Search hopes to build long-term partnerships and showcase their ability to deliver top-tier talent. This initiative is expected to attract a lot of attention and could potentially redefine the standard practices within the recruitment industry . By removing the financial barriers, JPI Executive Search is making top-tier recruitment services accessible to more companies. In a game-changing decision, a top Commercial Construction Recruiter in Atlanta , GA pledges to provide complimentary services for select clients, revolutionizing industry standards. Image Credit: Borevina / 123RF. "In a bold move to support Atlanta's Construction Industry, we're offering our strategic recruiting and headhunting services for free upfront, to select commercial or industrial construction companies facing significant hiring challenges. This initiative is about building long-term partnerships and demonstrating our ability to deliver top-tier talent, essential for building project success and company growth," said Josh Rae, CEO of JPI Executive Search , one of the most highly-sought after Atlanta Construction Recruiters in Georgia and the Southeast Region, for commercial construction recruiting and talent acquisition. Addressing Construction Hiring Challenges The construction industry in Atlanta has been grappling with severe hiring challenges . The demand for skilled labor has outpaced supply, leading to project delays and increased costs. By offering their services for free, JPI Executive Search aims to alleviate some of these pressures and help construction companies secure the talent they need to keep their projects on track. This initiative highlights the company's commitment to supporting the industry's growth and success. The chronic shortage of skilled workers has been a significant impediment to the industry, and JPI's offer could be a vital lifeline for many companies struggling to fill critical roles. This move is expected to help bridge the talent gap and ensure smoother project executions. Building Long-Term Partnerships With Construction Clients This offer is designed to forge strong, lasting relationships with client companies by proving their value upfront. By eliminating initial costs, JPI aims to show potential clients that their focus is on long-term success rather than short-term gains. This strategic move could revolutionize how recruitment partnerships are formed in the industry. Demonstrating Value Through Action By offering their services for free upfront, JPI Executive Search is putting their reputation and expertise on the line. This move is not just about attracting new clients; it's about proving their capability to deliver results. The company's confidence in their ability to find and place the best candidates is evident in this offer. They believe that once companies experience the quality of their service, they will continue to rely on JPI Executive Search for their future hiring needs . This approach also underscores the company's commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. By taking this bold step, JPI is demonstrating their dedication to solving the industry's most pressing issues and helping their clients succeed. The Strategic Approach of JPI Executive Search JPI Executive Search employs a strategic and personalized approach to recruitment . Their extensive network of industry contacts and in-depth knowledge of the construction sector enable them to identify and attract top-tier talent. By understanding the specific needs and challenges of their clients, they can provide tailored solutions that address immediate hiring needs and contribute to long-term success. This strategic recruiting approach is a key factor in their decision to offer free services, as they are confident in their ability to deliver value and build lasting relationships. Their methodology involves rigorous screening processes and a deep understanding of client requirements, ensuring that the candidates they present are a perfect fit for the roles. The Impact on the Construction Industry This unprecedented offer by JPI Executive Search has the potential to significantly impact the construction industry in Atlanta. By removing the financial barrier to accessing top-tier recruitment services , more companies can benefit from their expertise. This could lead to a more robust and efficient hiring process, reducing project delays and improving overall productivity. The ripple effect of this initiative could be felt throughout the industry, as other recruitment firms may follow suit, leading to a more competitive and dynamic market. Additionally, this move may encourage more professionals to enter the construction industry, knowing that there are dedicated efforts to place them in the right roles. A Commitment to Excellence Josh Rae and his team at JPI Executive Search are committed to excellence in everything they do. Their decision to offer free services is a testament to their dedication to the construction industry and their belief in the importance of quality recruitment . This initiative reflects their core values of integrity, innovation, and partnership. By investing in the success of their clients, they are also investing in the future of the construction industry in Atlanta and the Southeast region. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their meticulous approach to recruitment and their unwavering focus on client satisfaction. Future Prospects in the Construction Industry As the construction industry continues to evolve, the demand for skilled labor will remain a critical issue. Innovative approaches to recruitment, like the one introduced by JPI Executive Search, will be essential in addressing these challenges. This offer not only positions JPI as a leader in the industry but also sets a new standard for recruitment services. Companies that take advantage of this opportunity will likely see significant benefits, both in terms of immediate hires and long-term growth. The future of construction recruitment may see more firms adopting similar strategies, leading to a more collaborative and effective industry landscape. Game-Changer Offer For Construction Companies The bold move by JPI Executive Search to offer their services for free to select construction companies is a game-changer for the industry. By addressing the critical hiring challenges head-on, they are setting a new benchmark for recruitment services. This initiative highlights their commitment to excellence and their confidence in delivering top-tier talent. As the construction industry in Atlanta navigates these challenges, JPI Executive Search's innovative approach will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its future success. For more information on JPI Executive Search and their recruitment services, visit their website or contact them directly. For more information on JPI Executive Search and their Atlanta area commercial and industrial construction recruiting services, visit their website or contact them directly. Construction Headhunter and Recruiter Josh Rae's firm gets called on by construction companies building projects in Atlanta, GA and other Southeastern states. Image Credit: Vitold3212 / 123RF. Photo Illustration by: JPIExecutiveSearch.com About Atlanta, Georgia Construction Recruiters and Headhunters at JPI Executive Search JPI Executive Search prides itself on being one of the most highly sought-after construction recruiters in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Southeast Region. Led by 25-year industry veteran Josh Rae , CEO, the firm is committed to excellence, demonstrated through a selective approach to candidate placement that prioritizes long-term stability and commitment. Understanding that client companies value consistent employment histories, the JPI Executive Search Team strives to match them with candidates who share this dedication. Specializing in identifying and pursuing the most elusive and highly skilled construction professionals in Atlanta , JPI Executive Search takes on the challenge of attracting candidates who are often content in their current roles. This relentless pursuit of top talent ensures that clients have access to the best individuals capable of driving their construction projects forward. As frustration mounts among Atlanta's leading construction companies due to recruitment challenges, many are turning to JPI Executive Search for innovative headhunting solutions. The firm is dedicated to addressing these critical needs by leveraging cutting-edge strategies to secure the right talent, ensuring that clients' Atlanta building projects remain on schedule and within budget. JPI Executive Search's proven "old school" headhunting and recruiting approach has been instrumental in staying ahead of construction trends and in helping Atlanta's top construction firms overcome significant recruitment hurdles. Despite having their own in-house recruiting teams, many companies, including Top ENR Contractors , discreetly rely on JPI's expertise to fill key roles quickly and effectively. This strategic partnership has been vital in maintaining project timelines and productivity. In a bold move to support Atlanta's Construction Industry , JPI Executive Search has introduced an unprecedented offer to work for free upfront for select client companies facing significant hiring challenges. This initiative underscores the firm's commitment to building long-term partnerships and demonstrating the ability to deliver top-tier talent essential for project success and company growth. JPI Executive Search is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the Atlanta construction industry , one successful placement at a time. Schedule Your Strategy Call To Find Exceptional Construction Talent to Drive Your Projects Forward. CONTACT: JPI Executive Search Josh Rae CEO 404-220-7705 josh@jpiexecutivesearch.com Atlanta, Georgia (GA) SOURCE: JPI Executive Search - Atlanta Construction Recruiters View the original press release on accesswire.com The Washington DC Plastic Surgeons Research Report examined over 3,000 Google reviews by patients across 109 practices, identifying the most highly rated plastic surgery practices in the District of Columbia. WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / Washington DC has some of the most skilled plastic surgeons in the nation's capital. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 109 medical practices and 3,472 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 1,979 Google Reviews and 56.99% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Washington DC plastic surgeons. With an average of over 197.9 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Washington DC residents ( Washingtonian ) have shared their positive med spa and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed in the District of Columbia. There were seventeen plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Washington DC for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: Velesstudio / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD. "Our firm has compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 109 plastic surgery practices in Washington, DC. The leading surgical clinics and plastic surgeons in Washington are made up of 17 doctors that received a combined 1,979 patient reviews. These DC area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," said Marty Stewart, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, a digital marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI). Washington DC (District of Columbia) Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data Methodology For the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, Google Reviews for doctors data was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Washington DC. Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI): 110 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Washington DC were identified via Google My Business (GMB) profiles and Google Map listings for Washington DC. 109 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed) 3,472 total online Google Reviews for all Washington DC plastic surgeons as of 01/05/24. 71 practices (64.54%) had at least 1 online review. 39 practices (35.45%) had 0 online reviews. Average rating across all practices was 4.55 stars. 48.9 was the average number of reviews per practice. Quick Stats of the Leading Washington DC Practices: 1,979 total reviews for the top 10 combined. This was 56.99% of all reviews combined. 197.9 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10. Star Ratings ranged from 4.5 to 4.9 stars, with the average being 4.75 stars The Washington DC Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and Feedback Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Kelly Bolden, has received 456 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is known for its comprehensive dermatology and plastic surgery services. Dr. Bolden is highly regarded for her expertise and patient care. The clinic has built a strong reputation in the community for delivering consistent and satisfactory results. District Plastic Surgery features Dr. Praful Ramineni and Dr. Cassie Nghiem, accumulating 439 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is celebrated for its high level of care in plastic surgery. Both doctors are recognized for their skill and dedication to patient satisfaction. The clinic is highly esteemed in the area for its professional service and successful procedures. West End Plastic Surgery includes Dr. Paul Ruff IV, Dr. Catherine Hannan, Dr. Lauren Patrick, and Dr. Lexie Wang, with 279 Google reviews and a 4.8-star rating. The practice offers a wide array of plastic surgery services. The team's combined expertise ensures a high standard of patient care. The clinic is praised for its comprehensive approach and personalized treatments. Patients frequently highlight the professionalism and skill of the medical staff. Medical Cosmetic Enhancements, led by Dr. Drew Varano, has received 189 Google reviews with a 4.5-star rating. The practice is noted for its cosmetic enhancement services. Dr. Varano's approach focuses on patient-specific treatments and care. The clinic is recognized for its attention to detail and patient satisfaction, maintaining a strong presence in the community. DAVinci Plastic Surgery, featuring Dr. Steven Davison and Dr. Ximena Pinell, has 186 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its wide range of plastic surgery procedures. Both doctors are commended for their thorough consultations and expertise. The clinic's high rating reflects its commitment to quality care and patient satisfaction. Somenek + Pittman MD: Advanced Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Michael Somenek and Dr. Troy Pittman, has accumulated 104 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice specializes in advanced plastic surgery techniques. The team is known for their innovative approaches and patient-focused care. The clinic is respected for its professional environment and high level of patient satisfaction. Potomac Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Houtan Chaboki, has received 95 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is recognized for its expertise in plastic surgery. Dr. Chaboki is praised for his meticulous approach and patient care. The clinic has established a strong reputation in the community for its excellent service and results. Sherber+Rad, featuring Dr. Ariel Rad, has 87 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-known for its comprehensive plastic surgery services. Dr. Rad's expertise and patient-focused approach are frequently highlighted by patients. The clinic is highly regarded for its professionalism and high standard of care. The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, led by Dr. Steven Hopping, has received 84 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice offers a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Hopping is known for his thorough consultations and personalized treatment plans. The clinic's reputation is built on consistent patient satisfaction and high-quality care. D.C. Surgical Arts, led by Dr. Niven Tien, has 60 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice specializes in surgical arts and procedures. Dr. Tien is praised for his precision and patient care. The clinic is respected for its professional service and commitment to patient satisfaction. Summary Recap of the Washington DC Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Practices That Accumulated the Most Google Reviews Cultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery: 456 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Kelly Bolden District Plastic Surgery: 439 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Praful Ramineni - Dr. Cassie Nghiem West End Plastic Surgery: 279 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Paul Ruff IV - Dr. Catherine Hannan - Dr. Lauren Patrick - Dr. Lexie Wang Medical Cosmetic Enhancements: 189 Reviews / 4.5 Rating - Dr. Drew Varano DAVinci Plastic Surgery: 186 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Steven Davison - Dr. Ximena Pinell Somenek + Pittman MD: Advanced Plastic Surgery: 104 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Michael Somenek - Dr. Troy Pittman Potomac Plastic Surgery: 95 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Houtan Chaboki Sherber+Rad: 87 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Ariel Rad The Center for Cosmetic Surgery: 84 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Steven Hopping D.C. Surgical Arts: 60 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Niven Tien About The Review Growth Index (RGI) The Review Growth Index ( RGI ) by Doctor Marketing, MD is an innovative metric designed specifically for the healthcare and medical industries, with current focus on the plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures sectors. It works by aggregating public data from major review platforms like Google Reviews to develop a comprehensive assessment of a doctor or surgeon's online reputation and performance. RGI analyzes the volume of patient reviews a surgeon receives, the star ratings given, and best expressions of patient satisfaction. This provides prospective patients a reliable benchmark for choosing skilled, well-regarded doctors or surgeons with confidence. It also serves plastic surgeons by analyzing patient feedback patterns, enabling refinements to medical services and clinical approaches. Overall, RGI functions as an industry-specific gauge of excellence based on actual patient outcomes and experiences. Its insights help match discerning clients with surgeons delivering exceptional care and results. Additional Plastic Surgeon Research Report analysis was done on other major cities including: Houston, TX , New York, NY , Chicago, IL , Phoenix, AZ , San Antonio, TX , Dallas, TX , Jacksonville, FL , Fort Worth, TX , Charlotte, NC , Columbus, OH , Indianapolis, IN , Seattle, WA , Denver, CO . About Doctor Marketing, MD Doctor Marketing, MD is a premier healthcare marketing agency , specializing in medical content creation, content distribution, search engine optimization , and strategy. The firm works with top Doctors and Surgeons, Healthcare Companies, Medical Professionals, Private Practices, Medical Groups and Clinics, Hospitals, Executives, and Leaders in the Healthcare Industry and specialty Medical sectors . Doctor Marketing, MD has built a world-class content writing team of award-winning writers, SEOs, copywriters, wordsmiths, and ghostwriters. They've perfected a proprietary content assembly line process, and further specialize in large-scale content production through well-crafted blog posts, articles, and medical content pieces that attract new patients. Doctor Marketing, MD Helps Medical Professionals and Healthcare Providers Attract New Patients and Increase Patient Acquisition: Better, Faster and with Less Effort. Need Strategic Marketing Guidance For Your Doctor's Office, Healthcare, Medical, Clinic, Medspa, Plastic or Cosmetic Surgical Practice? CONTACT: Doctor Marketing, MD Anna Goldstein Director of Media Relations 877-463-9777 ext. 3 anna.goldstein@doctormarketingmd.com https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/ Schedule a Deep-Dive Marketing Analysis for Your Medical Practice, Visit: https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/contact/ Connect with Doctor Marketing, MD on Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube SOURCE: Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD) View the original press release on accesswire.com MARINA DEL REY, Calif. and CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canna-Global Acquisition Corp. ("Canna-Global") (OTC PINK: CNGL) announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent (LOI) for a proposed business combination agreement (the "Transaction") that will result in Canna-Global acquiring 100% of the outstanding equity of Invest Inc, a Wyoming corporation (the "Company"). This Transaction values the Company at an initial enterprise value of $250 million and will enable the Company to become a publicly traded company in the United States. The Company is a fintech innovator offering a unique machine-learning investment platform that revolutionizes investment decisions on its platform that leverages advanced proprietary algorithms and data analytics to provide investors with insights and strategies that optimize returns and manage risks effectively. J. Gerald Combs, CEO of Canna-Global commented, "The fintech industry is experiencing rapid growth and we are excited to facilitate Invest Inc.'s transition to the public markets. This business combination aligns with our mission to identify and support a target company with high-growth potential. We believe that Invest Inc.'s disruptive fintech and strategic vision will create significant value for our shareholders." Mr. Combs remarked further, "This marks a significant milestone for Canna-Global as it initiates the de-SPAC process, transitioning from a blank check shell company to an operating business." David Kugelman, newly appointed CEO of Invest Inc, highlighted its long running goal of becoming a publicly traded company and the enhanced market presence this transaction will bring. "Joining forces with Canna Global represents a significant opportunity for Invest Inc. to accelerate our growth and enhance our market presence. We look forward to leveraging the benefits of being a publicly traded company to continue delivering exceptional value to our customers and stakeholders," said Kugelman. Invest Inc. recently launched a first-of-its-kind machine-learning investment platform, positioning itself as a leader in the integration of advanced technology in financial markets. The LOI has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both Canna-Global and Invest Inc, and the parties expect to proceed swiftly to negotiate and finalize the definitive agreements. The completion of the Transaction is contingent upon several factors, including the completion of due diligence, the negotiation of a definitive agreement, the satisfaction of the conditions negotiated therein, and approval of the transaction by the stockholders of both companies. Upon reaching a definitive agreement, the parties shall disclose additional details regarding the proposed transaction. Subject to the absence of unforeseen circumstances, the transaction is anticipated to be finalized expeditiously. The audit of Invest Inc. is also in process. Subject to previously disclosed limitations, Canna-Global's stockholders will have the right to redeem their shares if they disapprove of the Transaction, allowing them to exit the investment in exchange for their pro rata distribution of funds held by the trust. About Canna-Global Acquisition Corp. Canna-Global Acquisition Corp is a Delaware corporation formed as a special purpose acquisition company to effect mergers, stock exchanges, asset acquisitions, stock purchases, reorganizations, or similar business combinations with one or more businesses. About Invest Inc. Invest Inc is at the forefront of financial technology innovation, offering a unique machine-learning investment platform that revolutionizes how investment decisions are made. The platform leverages advanced algorithms and data analytics to provide investors with insights and strategies that optimize returns and manage risks effectively. With a commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology in the financial sector, Invest Inc. is dedicated to transforming the investment landscape and delivering exceptional value to its clients. Invest Inc. has reserved a two letter ticker symbol ("II") with the NYSE that it intends to use as part of an uplisting. Safe Harbor Statement This release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements also may be included in other publicly available documents issued by CNGL and in oral statements made by our officers and representatives from time to time. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for our future operating and financial performance, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. They can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "would," "could," and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause CNGL's actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others such as, but are not limited to economic conditions, changes in the laws or regulations, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or represented in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking information provided in this release should be considered with these factors in mind. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Canna-Global Contact: J. Gerald Combs Chief Executive Officer gerry.combs@cashiamg.com Source: Canna-Global Acquisition Corp. Analyzing patient feedback from 162 practices, the Boston, MA Plastic Surgeons Research Report highlighted practices with the highest ratings from over 2,000 Google reviews. BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Boston has some of the most skilled plastic surgeons in the New England and Eastern states. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 162 medical practices and 2,165 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 1,107 Google Reviews and 51.13% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Boston plastic surgeons. With an average of over 110.7 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Boston metropolitan area, Boston residents ( Bostonian ) have shared their positive medical spa (medspa) and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed. There were fourteen plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Boston for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: Puhhha / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD. "We compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 162 plastic surgery practices in Boston, MA. The leading surgical clinics and plastic surgeons in Boston are made up of 14 doctors that received a combined 1,107 patient reviews. These Boston area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," said Marty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, a physician marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI). Boston, Massachusetts Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data Methodology For the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, Google Reviews for doctors data was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Boston, Massachusetts (MA). Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI): 171 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Boston, Massachusetts were identified via Google My Business (GMB) profiles and Google Map listings for Boston. 162 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed) 2,165 total online Google Reviews for all Boston plastic surgeons as of 01/05/24 . 93 practices (54.38%) had at least 1 online review. 78 practices (45.61%) had 0 online reviews. Average rating across all practices was 4.4 stars. 23.27 was the average number of reviews per practice.. Quick Stats of the Leading Boston, MA Practices: 1,107 total reviews for the top 10 combined. This was 51.13% of all reviews combined. 110.7 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10. Star Ratings ranged from 3.8 to 5 stars, with the average being 4.71 stars. The Boston Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and Feedback Boston Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Samuel Lin, has received 213 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its range of plastic surgery services. Dr. Lin's expertise and patient-centric approach have earned high praise. The clinic is recognized for its professionalism and dedication to patient care, making it a notable choice in Boston. Sean Doherty, MD, has accumulated 206 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating. Dr. Sean Doherty is highly regarded for his precision and patient satisfaction. His practice is known for delivering consistent and excellent results. The clinic has built a strong reputation for its thorough consultations and high-quality care. Plastic Surgery of Boston, led by Dr. Mark Markarian, has garnered 136 Google reviews with a 4.6-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Markarian is recognized for his detailed approach and commitment to patient care. Despite a slightly lower rating, the clinic remains a respected option in the community. DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, led by Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, has received 113 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is noted for its combination of plastic surgery and med spa services. Dr. DeRosa's expertise and patient-focused approach are frequently highlighted. The clinic is well-regarded for its comprehensive care and professionalism. The Boston Center for Facial Plastics, featuring Dr. Waleed Ezzat, has accumulated 87 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice specializes in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Ezzat's skill and attention to detail are often praised by patients. The clinic is known for its high standard of care and patient satisfaction. Clareo Plastic Surgery, with Dr. Michael Tantillo and Dr. Christopher Lee, has received 86 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice offers a wide range of plastic surgery procedures. The combined expertise of both doctors contributes to the clinic's strong reputation. Patients appreciate personalized care and successful outcomes. JL Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Jeffrey Lee, has garnered 71 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is recognized for its high level of patient care and expertise. Dr. Lee's meticulous approach and patient communication are frequently mentioned. The clinic is well-regarded for its professional service and excellent results. Boston Center for Plastic Surgery includes Dr. Leonard Miller, Dr. Sean Doherty, Dr. Akshay Sanan, and Dr. Vickram Tandon. The practice has accumulated 69 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The team's combined expertise ensures comprehensive care and successful procedures. The clinic is noted for its high standard of care and patient satisfaction. Back Bay Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Daniel Del Vecchio, has received 66 Google reviews with a 3.8-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic surgery services. Despite a lower rating, Dr. Del Vecchio is recognized for his experience and dedication. The clinic remains a viable option for patients seeking plastic surgery in Boston. Boston Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Fouad Samaha, has garnered 60 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is known for its range of cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Samaha's expertise and patient care are frequently praised. The clinic has established a strong reputation for its professional service and patient satisfaction. Summary Recap of the Boston Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Practices That Accumulated the Most Google Reviews Boston Plastic Surgery: 213 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Samuel Lin Sean Doherty, MD: 206 Reviews / 5 Rating - Dr. Sean Doherty Plastic Surgery of Boston: 136 Reviews / 4.6 Rating - Dr. Mark Markarian DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery and Med Spa: 113 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Jaimie DeRosa The Boston Center for Facial Plastics: 87 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Waleed Ezzat Clareo Plastic Surgery: 86 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Michael Tantillo - Dr. Christopher Lee JL Plastic Surgery: 71 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Jeffrey Lee Boston Center for Plastic Surgery: 69 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Leonard Miller - Dr. Sean Doherty - Dr. Akshay Sanan - Dr. Vickram Tandon Back Bay Plastic Surgery: 66 Reviews / 3.8 Rating - Dr. Daniel Del Vecchio Boston Plastic Surgery Fouad Samaha, MD: 60 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Fouad Samaha About The Review Growth Index (RGI) The Review Growth Index ( RGI ) by Doctor Marketing, MD is an innovative metric designed specifically for the healthcare and medical industries, with current focus on the plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures sectors. It works by aggregating public data from major review platforms like Google Reviews to develop a comprehensive assessment of a doctor or surgeon's online reputation and performance. RGI analyzes the volume of patient reviews a surgeon receives, the star ratings given, and best expressions of patient satisfaction. This provides prospective patients a reliable benchmark for choosing skilled, well-regarded doctors or surgeons with confidence. It also serves plastic surgeons by analyzing patient feedback patterns, enabling refinements to medical services and clinical approaches. Overall, RGI functions as an industry-specific gauge of excellence based on actual patient outcomes and experiences. Its insights help match discerning clients with surgeons delivering exceptional care and results. Additional Plastic Surgeon Research Report analysis was done on other major cities including: Houston, TX , New York, NY , Chicago, IL , Phoenix, AZ , San Antonio, TX , Dallas, TX , Jacksonville, FL , Fort Worth, TX , Charlotte, NC , Columbus, OH , Indianapolis, IN , Seattle, WA , Denver, CO , Washington DC . About Doctor Marketing, MD Doctor Marketing, MD is a premier healthcare marketing agency , specializing in medical content creation, content distribution, SEO , and strategy. The firm works with top Doctors and Surgeons, Healthcare Companies, Medical Professionals, Private Practices, Medical Groups and Clinics, Hospitals, Executives, and Leaders in the Healthcare Industry and specialty Medical sectors. Doctor Marketing, MD has built a world-class content writing team of award-winning writers, SEOs, copywriters, wordsmiths, and ghostwriters. They've perfected a proprietary content assembly line process, and further specialize in large-scale content production through well-crafted blog posts, articles, and medical content pieces that attract new patients. Doctor Marketing, MD Helps Medical Professionals and Healthcare Providers Attract New Patients and Increase Patient Acquisition: Better, Faster and with Less Effort. Need Strategic Marketing Guidance For Your Doctor's Office, Healthcare, Medical, Clinic, Medspa, Plastic or Cosmetic Surgical Practice? CONTACT: Doctor Marketing, MD Anna Goldstein Director of Media Relations 877-463-9777 ext. 3 anna.goldstein@doctormarketingmd.com https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/ Schedule a Deep-Dive Marketing Analysis for Your Medical Practice, Visit: https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/contact/ Connect with Doctor Marketing, MD on Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube SOURCE: Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD) View the original press release on accesswire.com Rahul Gandhi and Kamala Harris United States Vice President Kamala Harris and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had a telephonic conversation on Thursday evening, some reports said while social media saw strong buzz over Rahuls interaction with the US V-P of Indian descent, widely seen as a possible candidate in the upcoming Presidential elections if Biden pulls out. Though US President Joe Biden has put his foot down and vowed to defeat the Republican challenger in ensuing polls, there is clamour within the Democrats for a change of guard owing to the formers age. As reports of a telephonic conversation surfaced between Rahul Gandhi and Kamala Harris, a couple of Congress supporters and loyalists expressed joy over the party MPs growing international stature while some others claimed that it was a courtesy call from the US Vice-President on Rahul becoming Leader of Opposition (LoP). However, the fake claim stands debunked now. The office of US V-P has denied any such phone conversation and termed the news as inaccurate, confirmed a senior US-based scribe. This news is inaccurate as per the office of the US Vice President. Kamala Harris has not spoken with Rahul Gandhi, he said in a tweet. Though social media was abuzz about Rahul-Kamala's telephonic conversation, Congress handles didnt either confirm or deny the news. However, the deliberate projection of Rahuls significance in US presidential polls by certain social media accounts, with a noted affinity for the party, raises questions about the spread of fake news and also calls for a mechanism to contain it. According to a New York Times report, Indian-origin Kamala Harris is actively considering the prospects of running for the top position and is also discussing the possible names of those who can be her running mate. With insights from over 4,000 Google reviews, the Nashville, TN Plastic Surgeons Research Report analyzed feedback left by patients that had cosmetic procedures at 117 different surgical practices to identify the standouts. NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Nashville is home to some of the most talented plastic surgeons in the Southeastern states. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 117 medical practices and 4,639 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 2,157 Google Reviews and 46.49% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Nashville plastic surgeons. With an average of over 215.7 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Nashville metropolitan area, Nashville residents ( Nashvillian ) have shared their positive medical spa (medspa) and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed. There were eleven plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Nashville for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: Puhhha / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD. "We compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 117 plastic surgery practices in Nashville, TN. The leading surgical clinics and plastic surgeons in Nashville are made up of 11 doctors that received a combined 2,157 patient reviews. These Nashville area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," said Marty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, a doctor marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI). Nashville, Tennessee Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data Methodology For the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, Google Reviews for doctors data was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Nashville, Tennessee (TN). Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI): 123 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Nashville, Tennessee were identified via Google My Business (GMB) profiles and Google Map listings for Nashville. 117 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed) 4,639 total online Google Reviews for all Nashville plastic surgeons as of 01/05/24 . 72 practices 58.53%) had at least 1 online review. 51 practices (41.46%) had 0 online reviews. Average rating across all practices was 4.69 stars. 64.43 was the average number of reviews per practice. Quick Stats of the Leading Nashville, MA Practices: 2,157 total reviews for the top 10 combined. This was 46.49% of all reviews combined. 215.7 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10. Star Ratings ranged from 4.6 to 5 stars, with the average being 4.86 stars. The Nashville Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and Feedback Marvel Cosmetic Surgery, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Marvel and Dr. Noah Ehinger, has accumulated 320 Google reviews with a 4.6-star rating. The practice offers a range of cosmetic surgery services and is known for its dedicated patient care. Both doctors are recognized for their expertise and professional approach. Patients often commend the clinic for its thorough consultations and attentive service. Dr. MaDan Plastic Surgery Affiliates, led by Dr. Olivia MaDan, has received 310 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is noted for its high standards in plastic surgery. Dr. MaDan is frequently praised for her skill and patient-centric approach. The clinic is well-regarded for its professional environment and comprehensive care. Dr. J. J. Wendel Plastic Surgery, under the leadership of Dr. Jason Wendel, has garnered 302 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice specializes in a variety of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Wendel is recognized for his meticulous approach and patient communication. The clinic maintains a strong reputation for its quality care and professional service. Robbins Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Chad Robbins, has received 247 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its extensive plastic surgery services. Dr. Robbins is noted for his expertise and patient-focused care. The clinic is praised for its thorough consultations and high level of professionalism. Hatef Aesthetics, under the direction of Dr. Dan Hatef, has accumulated 223 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice offers a range of aesthetic procedures and is known for its attentive patient care. Dr. Hatef's skill and dedication are frequently highlighted by patients. The clinic is respected for its professional environment and comprehensive services. Tierney Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Brian Tierney, has garnered 204 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is recognized for its variety of plastic surgery options. Dr. Tierney is praised for his detailed approach and patient interaction. The clinic is well-regarded for its commitment to patient care and professional service. Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute, featuring Dr. Jacob Unger, has received 162 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is noted for its comprehensive plastic surgery services. Dr. Unger is recognized for his expertise and patient care. The clinic is frequently commended for its thorough consultations and professional environment. Amaka Aesthetics, led by Dr. Amaka Nwubah, has accumulated 144 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating. The practice is known for its range of aesthetic services and high standards of patient care. Dr. Nwubah's skill and dedication are often praised. The clinic maintains a strong reputation for its professional service and personalized care. DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center, under the direction of Dr. Joseph DeLozier, has received 124 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice offers a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. DeLozier is recognized for his expertise and patient-focused care. The clinic is well-regarded for its professional approach and attentive service. Gilpin Facial Plastics, led by Dr. David Gilpin, has garnered 121 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating. The practice specializes in facial plastic surgery and is known for its high standards of care. Dr. Gilpin's skill and patient communication are frequently highlighted. The clinic is respected for its professional environment and comprehensive care. Summary Recap of the Nashville Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Practices That Accumulated the Most Google Reviews Marvel Cosmetic Surgery: 320 Reviews / 4.6 Rating - Dr. Jeffrey Marvel - Dr. Noah Ehinger Dr. MaDan Plastic Surgery Affiliates: 310 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Olivia MaDan Dr. J. J. Wendel Plastic Surgery: 302 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Jason Wendel Robbins Plastic Surgery: 247 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Chad Robbins Hatef Aesthetics: 223 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Dan Hatef Tierney Plastic Surgery: 204 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Brian Tierney Nashville Plastic Surgery Institute: 162 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Jacob Unger Amaka Aesthetics: 144 Reviews / 5 Rating - Dr. Amaka Nwubah DeLozier Cosmetic Surgery Center: 124 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Joseph DeLozier Gilpin Facial Plastics: 121 Reviews / 5 Rating - Dr. David Gilpin About The Review Growth Index (RGI) The Review Growth Index ( RGI ) by Doctor Marketing, MD is an innovative metric designed specifically for the healthcare and medical industries, with current focus on the plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures sectors. It works by aggregating public data from major review platforms like Google Reviews to develop a comprehensive assessment of a doctor or surgeon's online reputation and performance. RGI analyzes the volume of patient reviews a surgeon receives, the star ratings given, and best expressions of patient satisfaction. This provides prospective patients a reliable benchmark for choosing skilled, well-regarded doctors or surgeons with confidence. It also serves plastic surgeons by analyzing patient feedback patterns, enabling refinements to medical services and clinical approaches. Overall, RGI functions as an industry-specific gauge of excellence based on actual patient outcomes and experiences. Its insights help match discerning clients with surgeons delivering exceptional care and results. Additional Plastic Surgeon Research Report analysis was done on other major cities including: Houston, TX , New York, NY , Chicago, IL , Phoenix, AZ , San Antonio, TX , Dallas, TX , Jacksonville, FL , Fort Worth, TX , Charlotte, NC , Columbus, OH , Indianapolis, IN , Seattle, WA , Denver, CO , Washington DC , Boston, MA . About Doctor Marketing, MD Doctor Marketing, MD is a premier medical marketing agency , specializing in medical content creation, content distribution, SEO , and strategy. The firm works with top Doctors and Surgeons, Healthcare Companies, Medical Professionals, Private Practices, Medical Groups and Clinics, Hospitals, Executives, and Leaders in the Healthcare Industry and specialty Medical sectors. Doctor Marketing, MD has built a world-class content writing team of award-winning writers, SEOs, copywriters, wordsmiths, and ghostwriters. They've perfected a proprietary content assembly line process, and further specialize in large-scale content production through well-crafted blog posts, articles, and medical content pieces that attract new patients. Doctor Marketing, MD Helps Medical Professionals and Healthcare Providers Attract New Patients and Increase Patient Acquisition: Better, Faster and with Less Effort. Need Strategic Marketing Guidance For Your Doctor's Office, Healthcare, Medical, Clinic, Medspa, Plastic or Cosmetic Surgical Practice? CONTACT: Doctor Marketing, MD Anna Goldstein Director of Media Relations 877-463-9777 ext. 3 anna.goldstein@doctormarketingmd.com https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/ Schedule a Deep-Dive Marketing Analysis for Your Medical Practice, Visit: https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/contact/ Connect with Doctor Marketing, MD on Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube SOURCE: Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD) View the original press release on accesswire.com Analyzing more than 2,000 online patient reviews from 67 practices, the Tucson, AZ Plastic Surgeons Research Report spotlighted the leading plastic surgery practices. TUCSON, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Tucson stands out for its exceptionally talented plastic surgeons in the Southwestern states. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 67 medical practices and 2,230 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 1,422 Google Reviews and 63.76% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Tucson plastic surgeons. With an average of over 142.2 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Tucson metropolitan area, Tucson residents ( Tucsonian ) have shared their positive medical spa (medspa) and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed. There were eleven plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Tucson for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: VelesStudio / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD. "We compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 67 plastic surgery practices in Tucson, AZ. The leading surgical clinics and plastic surgeons in Tucson are made up of 11 doctors that received a combined 1,422 patient reviews. These Tucson area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," said Marty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, a surgeon marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI). Tucson, Arizona Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data Methodology For the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, Google Reviews for physicians data was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Tucson, Arizona (AZ). Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI): 69 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Tucson, Arizona were identified via Google My Business (GMB) profiles and Google Map listings for Tucson. 67 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed) 2,230 total online Google Reviews for all Tucson plastic surgeons as of 01/05/24 . 42 practices (60.86%) had at least 1 online review. 27 practices (39.13%) had 0 online reviews. Average rating across all practices was 4.39 stars. 53.09 was the average number of reviews per practice. Quick Stats of the Leading Tucson, AZ Practices: 1,422 total reviews for the top 10 combined. This was 63.76% of all reviews combined. 142.2 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10. Star Ratings ranged from 4.6 to 5 stars, with the average being 4.83 stars. The Tucson Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and Feedback Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona, led by Dr. Jamie Moenster, has accumulated 407 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its comprehensive dermatology and plastic surgery services. Dr. Moenster is frequently praised for her expertise and patient-centered care. The clinic is noted for its high standards and professional environment. Foothills Facial Plastic Surgery, featuring Dr. Jerold Olson, has garnered 177 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice specializes in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Olson is recognized for his meticulous approach and dedication to patient satisfaction. The clinic maintains a strong reputation for its quality care and thorough consultations. Larson Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Ethan Larson, has received 156 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Larson is noted for his expertise and patient-focused care. The clinic is respected for its professional service and commitment to patient satisfaction. Maloney Plastic Surgery, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Maloney, has accumulated 124 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is known for its wide range of plastic surgery services. Dr. Maloney is frequently highlighted for his skill and dedication. The clinic is well-regarded for its thorough consultations and patient care. Rao Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Arun Rao, has garnered 120 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice offers comprehensive plastic surgery services. Dr. Rao is recognized for his detailed approach and commitment to patient care. The clinic maintains a strong presence in the community for its professional service. Tucson Plastic Surgery, featuring Dr. Raman Mahabir and Dr. Silvia Kurtovic, has received 114 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating. The practice is noted for its high standards in plastic surgery. Both doctors are frequently praised for their expertise and patient communication. The clinic is respected for its professional environment and comprehensive care. ZL Medspa by Larson Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Ethan Larson, has accumulated 101 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is recognized for its medspa services in conjunction with plastic surgery. Dr. Larson's skill and patient-centric approach are often highlighted. The clinic is well-regarded for its high standard of care and professional service. About Faces Cosmetic Surgery and Med Spa, under the direction of Dr. Mikel Lo, has garnered 91 Google reviews with a 4.6-star rating. The practice offers a variety of cosmetic surgery and med spa services. Dr. Lo is recognized for his expertise and patient care. The clinic is known for its comprehensive consultations and professional approach. Hurst Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Craig Hurst, has accumulated 68 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its range of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Hurst is frequently praised for his detailed approach and patient communication. The clinic maintains a strong reputation for its quality care and professional service. Perfection Plastic Surgery and Skin Care, under the leadership of Dr. Peter Kay, has received 64 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is known for its comprehensive plastic surgery and skin care services. Dr. Kay is recognized for his expertise and patient-focused care. The clinic is respected for its high standards and professional environment. Summary Recap of the Tucson Plastic Surgeons and Cosmetic Practices That Accumulated the Most Google Reviews Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona: 407 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Jamie Moenster Foothills Facial Plastic Surgery: 177 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Jerold Olson Larson Plastic Surgery: 156 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Ethan Larson Maloney Plastic Surgery: 124 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Christopher Maloney Rao Plastic Surgery: 120 Reviews / 4.7 Rating - Dr. Arun Rao Tucson Plastic Surgery: 114 Reviews / 5 Rating - Dr. Raman Mahabir - Dr. Silvia Kurtovic ZL Medspa by Larson Plastic Surgery: 101 Reviews / 4.9 Rating - Dr. Ethan Larson About Faces Cosmetic Surgery and Med Spa: 91 Reviews / 4.6 Rating - Dr. Mikel Lo Hurst Plastic Surgery: 68 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Craig Hurst Perfection Plastic Surgery and Skin Care: 64 Reviews / 4.8 Rating - Dr. Peter Kay About The Review Growth Index (RGI) The Review Growth Index ( RGI ) by Doctor Marketing, MD is an innovative metric designed specifically for the healthcare and medical industries, with current focus on the plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures sectors. It works by aggregating public data from major review platforms like Google Reviews to develop a comprehensive assessment of a doctor or surgeon's online reputation and performance. RGI analyzes the volume of patient reviews a surgeon receives, the star ratings given, and best expressions of patient satisfaction. This provides prospective patients a reliable benchmark for choosing skilled, well-regarded doctors or surgeons with confidence. It also serves plastic surgeons by analyzing patient feedback patterns, enabling refinements to medical services and clinical approaches. Overall, RGI functions as an industry-specific gauge of excellence based on actual patient outcomes and experiences. Its insights help match discerning clients with surgeons delivering exceptional care and results. Additional Plastic Surgeon Research Report analysis was done on other major cities including: Houston, TX , New York, NY , Chicago, IL , Phoenix, AZ , San Antonio, TX , Dallas, TX , Jacksonville, FL , Fort Worth, TX , Charlotte, NC , Columbus, OH , Indianapolis, IN , Seattle, WA , Denver, CO , Washington DC , Boston, MA , Nashville, TN . About Doctor Marketing, MD Doctor Marketing, MD is a premier healthcare marketing firm , specializing in medical content creation, content distribution, Google SEO , and strategy. The firm works with top Doctors and Surgeons, Healthcare Companies, Medical Professionals, Private Practices, Medical Groups and Clinics, Hospitals, Executives, and Leaders in the Healthcare Industry and specialty Medical sectors. Doctor Marketing, MD has built a world-class content writing team of award-winning writers, SEOs, copywriters, wordsmiths, and ghostwriters. They've perfected a proprietary content assembly line process, and further specialize in large-scale content production through well-crafted blog posts, articles, and medical content pieces that attract new patients. Doctor Marketing, MD Helps Medical Professionals and Healthcare Providers Attract New Patients and Increase Patient Acquisition: Better, Faster and with Less Effort. Need Strategic Marketing Guidance For Your Doctor's Office, Healthcare, Medical, Clinic, Medspa, Plastic or Cosmetic Surgical Practice? CONTACT: Doctor Marketing, MD Anna Goldstein Director of Media Relations 877-463-9777 ext. 3 anna.goldstein@doctormarketingmd.com https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/ Schedule a Deep-Dive Marketing Analysis for Your Medical Practice, Visit: https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/contact/ Connect with Doctor Marketing, MD on Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube SOURCE: Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD) View the original press release on accesswire.com A Plastic Surgeon's Cosmetic Practice and Medspa achieved a 5680% sustained increase in natural Google Organic Search Traffic, thanks to the strategic guidance of Doctor Marketing, MD. With zero investment in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) and no ad spend, this detailed Video Case Study shows the remarkable before and after results, highlighting the significant impact of a consistently strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plan for any Healthcare business wanting to drive new patient inquiries and engagement. HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD), led by Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Marty Stewart, recently showcased a groundbreaking video case study demonstrating the power of organic SEO and strategic content creation. Their efforts resulted in an astounding 5680% growth for a previously struggling plastic surgery practice, achieved without any ad spend or pay-per-click costs. This success story highlights the effectiveness of high-quality content creation, content marketing, public relations with press releases, PR media news stories, and search engine marketing, in achieving page-one Google search rankings that drove tons of organic traffic and visitors to the plastic surgery clinic website. Content Marketing VIdeo Case Study showing 56.8x rise in rankings and patient traffic. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MD "This case study highlights a plastic surgeon's practice achieving a 5680% increase in organic traffic through strategic SEO, with no investment in PPC ads. The remarkable growth demonstrates the power of a consistent SEO plan in driving sustained visibility and patient engagement. It's a clear example of how healthcare businesses can thrive online without relying on paid advertising," said Marty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, one of the best digital marketing firms for plastic surgery marketing and plastic surgeon content marketing . Plastic Surgeon website traffic was "dead" for years, prior to strategic guidance and implementation by DRMMD. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MD The Initial Challenge: A Lifeless Website The client's website was essentially lifeless, failing to register any significant traffic until early 2022. Despite working with a competent web design company, their SEO efforts were ineffective, leaving the website's potential untapped. The site's performance was dire, with only 3,500 clicks from Google in nearly a year, a dismal average position on page four or five of search results, and a mere 785 indexed keywords. The lack of visibility meant fewer potential patients learning about the practice, directly impacting patient acquisition and revenue. BEFORE: The medical practice website was not effective at attracting new patients because it was not ranking well in Google. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MD Doctor Marketing, MD's Strategic Intervention Doctor Marketing, MD did not take over the website but instead focused on publishing high-quality content daily . This strategic intervention began on September 5, 2023. The team meticulously crafted content that was not only relevant and engaging but also optimized for SEO. By reverse-engineering what potential patients might be searching for, they were able to create content that resonated with the target audience and addressed their needs and queries. AFTER: Google Analytics shows meteoric increase in online visibility for the surgeon's medical practice website. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MD Key Metrics and Achievements: A Detailed Analysis The transformation was nothing short of spectacular. Here's a detailed look at the key metrics before and after Doctor Marketing, MD's involvement: Before Doctor Marketing, MD's Involvement: Clicks: 3,500 over 11 months Average Position: Page 4 or 5 on Google Indexed Keywords: 785 Average Clicks per Day: 10 Average Impressions per Month: 300 After 5 Months with Doctor Marketing, MD: Clicks: 88,400 in 5 months Impressions: Nearly 5 million Click-Through Rate (CTR): Tripled Average Position Improvement: Tripled Indexed Keywords: 17.6 times more relevant keywords Average Clicks per Day: 508 Before and After (B&A) side-by-side statistics showing dramatic improvement in only five months. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MD A Meteoric Rise in Performance The impact of consistent, high-quality content publishing is evident in the dramatic rise in clicks and impressions. From September 5, 2023, to February 4, 2024, the website experienced an unprecedented surge in traffic. The data shows a meteoric rise in performance metrics, including a significant increase in top three search rankings and featured snippets. The Google Search Console data provides a visual testament to this success. Before the intervention, the site was virtually invisible, struggling to gain any traction. Post-intervention, the site saw an explosive increase in daily clicks and impressions, demonstrating the effectiveness of the strategic content approach . Organic Google Search Traffic vs. Pay Per Click (PPC) Advertising One of the most striking aspects of Doctor MarketingMD's success with this plastic surgery practice is the stark contrast between the results achieved through organic Google search traffic and the typical outcomes associated with Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising. PPC advertising is often touted as a quick way to generate traffic, but it comes with significant drawbacks. Problem with PPC #1: High Costs, Low Results PPC campaigns require a substantial financial investment. Each click on an ad incurs a cost, which can quickly add up, especially in competitive industries like plastic surgery. Despite these high costs, the results are often underwhelming. Many businesses find that their PPC campaigns do not generate the expected return on investment (ROI), leading to wasted resources and disappointing outcomes. Problem with PPC #2: Lazy Campaign Management A significant issue with PPC advertising is the quality of campaign management . Many companies managing PPC campaigns lack the dedication and expertise needed to optimize performance. They often rely on automated settings and generic strategies that do not cater to the unique needs of individual businesses. This lack of personalized attention results in suboptimal ad placements, irrelevant clicks, and ultimately, poor ROI. Problem with PPC #3: Negative ROI The combination of high costs and ineffective campaign management often leads to a negative ROI for PPC advertising. Businesses end up spending more on ads than they earn from the traffic generated, making PPC an unsustainable long-term strategy. This contrasts sharply with the cost-effectiveness of organic SEO, which focuses on attracting high-quality traffic through valuable content and strategic optimization. Solution: Superior ROI with Organic SEO In comparison, Doctor MarketingMD's approach to organic SEO has proven to be far more effective and sustainable. By focusing on high-quality content and strategic SEO practices , the practice achieved a staggering 5680% growth in organic traffic without any ad spend. This success highlights the superior ROI of organic search traffic, which continues to deliver value over time without the ongoing costs associated with PPC. The Value of Organic Traffic: Cost Savings and ROI One of the most impressive aspects of this success story is the estimated value of the organic traffic. If the traffic generated by Doctor Marketing, MD had been acquired through pay-per-click, the cost would have been staggering, peaking at $76,900 in a single day. This underscores the tremendous value of organic SEO in driving cost-effective, high-quality traffic. By leveraging organic search traffic, the practice not only saved significant advertising dollars but also achieved a higher return on investment. A Comprehensive Strategy: Beyond Content Creation The success achieved by Doctor Marketing, MD was not just about content creation. It involved a comprehensive strategy that included: Keyword Research: Identifying and targeting high-value keywords that potential patients were searching for. On-Page SEO: Optimizing each piece of content with the right keywords, meta tags, and internal linking structure. Technical SEO: Ensuring the website was technically sound, with fast load times, mobile optimization, and proper indexing by search engines. User Engagement : Creating content that was not only SEO-friendly but also engaging and informative, encouraging users to spend more time on the site and interact with the content. Conclusion: A New Era for the Plastic Surgery Practice Doctor Marketing, MD's expertise in organic SEO and content strategy has proven to be a game-changer for this plastic surgery practice. The results speak for themselves: a 5680% growth in organic traffic, improved search rankings, and a significant increase in patient acquisition. This case study is a testament to the power of strategic content marketing and organic SEO in transforming a website's performance. Looking Ahead The journey doesn't end here. Doctor Marketing, MD continues to work closely with the plastic surgery practice, refining and enhancing their strategy to ensure sustained growth and success. The ongoing focus on high-quality content, coupled with strategic SEO practices, promises even greater achievements in the future. This success story serves as an inspiration for other medical practices looking to harness the power of organic SEO to drive growth and attract new patients. Through meticulous planning, expert execution, and unwavering dedication, Doctor Marketing, MD has set a new standard for SEO success in the medical industry. Their proven approach demonstrates that with the right strategy, even the most underperforming websites can be transformed into powerful tools for growth and patient acquisition. Pictured above is Marty Stewart, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). Image Credit: Doctor Marketing, MD About Doctor Marketing, MD Doctor Marketing, MD is one of the best medical marketing firms , specializing in SEO digital marketing for doctors , content creation, content distribution, and strategy. The firm works with Top Doctors and Surgeons, Healthcare Companies, Medical Professionals, Private Practices, Medical Groups and Clinics, Hospitals, Executives, and Leaders in the Healthcare Industry and specialty Medical sectors. Doctor Marketing, MD has built a world-class content writing team of award-winning writers, SEOs, copywriters, wordsmiths, and ghostwriters. They've perfected a proprietary content assembly line process, and further specialize in large-scale content production through well-crafted blog posts, articles, and medical content pieces that attract new patients. Doctor Marketing, MD Helps Medical Professionals and Healthcare Providers Attract New Patients and Increase Patient Acquisition: Better, Faster and with Less Effort. Need to Hire a Search Engine Optimization Manager For Strategic Marketing Guidance For Your Doctor's Office, Healthcare, Medical, Clinic, Medspa, Plastic or Cosmetic Surgical Practice? CONTACT: Doctor Marketing, MD Anna Goldstein Director of Media Relations 877-463-9777 ext. 3 anna.goldstein@doctormarketingmd.com https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/ Connect with Doctor Marketing, MD on Social Media: Linkedin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube Schedule a Deep-Dive Marketing Analysis for Your Medical Practice, Visit: https://DoctorMarketingMD.com/contact/ SOURCE: Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD) View the original press release on accesswire.com Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina cut short her visit to China by a few hours and returned home on Wednesday (July 10) night. The reason given was that she had to attend to her ailing daughter, but theres more to it than meets the eye read more Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, second from right, and her delegation attend a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 10, 2024. Reuters Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina returned home from China earlier this week, cutting her trip short. Hasina, who was reportedly supposed to leave Beijing on Thursday (July 11) morning, departed on Wednesday night. This was Hasinas fifth visit to China as Bangladeshs PM and the first in five years. However, her early return from Beijing signals she did not get what she wanted from the trip. Lets take a closer look. What happened during Hasinas trip? Advertisement Bangladesh PM Hasina met Chinas president Xi Jinping and her Chinese counterpart Li Qiang in Beijing on Wednesday (July 10). The two countries signed 21 agreements, including three renewed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). The visit also saw Beijing and Dhaka elevating their strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, according to Bangladeshs state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). Dhaka and Beijing also announced seven more projects. The agreements were signed in the presence of Hasina and Li after the delegation-level talks between the two countries, as per BSS. The Bangladesh PM and her Chinese counterparts bilateral talks were dominated by the Rohingya issue, business, trade and commerce, investments and the countries ties. The two also discussed regional and international matters. Chinese President Xi Jinping, second from left, and his delegation attend a meeting with Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, fourth from right, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. AP The bilateral pacts mostly covered trade and investment. They also included the construction of 6th and 9th Bangladesh-China friendship bridges, export of agricultural products from Bangladesh, infrastructure development, and people-to-people connectivity, noted PTI. China will give economic grants to Bangladesh, along with interest-free loans, concessional loans and commercial loans, BSS reported citing the Chinese president. Bangladesh foreign minister Hasan Mahmud described Hasinas meeting with Xi as a very successful discussion held in a very cordial environment. According to Chinas official Xinhua News Agency, Wang Huning, a member of Chinas Politburo Standing Committee who met with Hasina, said, China and Bangladesh have respected and treated each other with equality, setting a good example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries. Advertisement Why did Hasina return early? Hasinas early return from China citing her daughters health has more to it than meets the eye. According to Bangladeshs foreign ministry, China will provide economic assistance of 1 billion yuan ($137 million or Rs 11,52 crore) to Dhaka. The announcement was made by Li as he met Hasina. However, Dhaka was hoping for more. As per an Economic Times (ET) report, Hasina may have been upset over the less-than-promised financial assistance and the lack of appropriate protocol extended to her. Ahead of the Bangladeshi PMs visit, China had promised $5 billion loan assistance to Dhaka but announced a package of just $100 million during Hasinas trip. Advertisement Bangladeshs PM had expected to hold lengthy talks with Xi but only got a brief interaction. It was Li who was her principal interlocutor, people aware of the matter told ET. Moreover, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi did not even call on Hasina during her Beijing trip. State-run Chinese media that gives ample coverage to any visiting leader did not accord the same courtesy to Bangladeshs PM. These developments may have cast a shadow over the visit, influencing Hasinas decision to return home ahead of schedule in pretext of attending to her daughters health, people told ET. Bangladesh-China ties Dhakas relations with Beijing have been friendly. Driven mostly by defence and economic cooperation, Chinas presence has significantly grown in Bangladesh in recent years. Advertisement China has been Bangladeshs largest trading partner for 13 years. Chinese investments in Bangladesh touched $3.2 billion last year, making Beijing the second-largest source of foreign investment. The United States remains Dhakas largest source of foreign direct investment. Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina shakes hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping as she arrives for a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, July 5, 2019. The two countries have had friendly ties. File Photo/Reuters As per the Indian Express report, China has contributed to notable infrastructure development in Bangladesh, including seven railway projects, 12 highways, 21 bridges, and 31 power stations. Bangladesh joined Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2016. Defence ties between the two countries have also expanded. China provided military fighter jets, tanks and submarines to Bangladesh in recent years. In fact, China accounted for 74 per cent of Bangladeshs arms imports in the 2015-2019 period. Advertisement When the US and European countries pressured Hasinas government to hold free and fair elections in January, China openly took Hasinas side. Dhaka and Beijing will celebrate the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations next year. Bangladesh treads a tightrope Bangladesh has historical and cultural ties to India, the rising power in Asia which has a longstanding border conflict with China. Dhaka has tried to maintain a balanced approach towards India and China. Hasina has shown a notable tilt towards India with two visits to New Delhi in rapid succession, Syed Munir Khasru, chairman of the international think tank The Institute for Policy, Advocacy, and Governance (IPAG), India, wrote for Indian Express. Hasina attended PM Modis third swearing-in ceremony on June 9 in Delhi. She returned to India in less than two weeks for a two-day state visit. Her trip to China this week indicates Hasina wants a partnership with both New Delhi and Beijing. However, amid growing geopolitical tensions and as economic interests intertwine with domestic politics, Bangladeshs balancing act may become increasingly difficult, as per the Indian Express article. While economic cooperation with China has brought development dividends, it has also raised concerns about debt dependency and strategic vulnerability. The evolving geopolitical landscape in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region has made Bangladeshs neutral stance increasingly difficult to maintain. The country finds itself navigating complex issues like regional security, water rights, and economic integration, with potential to strain its relationships with the two giants, Khasru wrote in his piece for the newspaper. With inputs from agencies Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli is making a comeback as Nepals prime minister after the Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda-led government lost the vote of confidence. The 72-year-old Communist politician has served as the premier twice in the past decade. In fact, he will form the 14th government in the Himalayan nation since 2008 read more Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has served as Nepal's PM twice in the past decade. File Photo/Reuters Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli is set to return as Nepals prime minister after Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda lost the vote of confidence in Parliament on Friday (July 12). The Himalayan nation has seen 13 governments since centuries-old monarchy was abolished in 2008. Backed by the Nepali Congress (NC), the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) chairman Oli has staked a claim to form the new government in the country. He will return as the premier for a third time. Advertisement Who is KP Sharma Oli and can he bring political stability to Nepal? Meet KP Sharma Oli KP Sharma Oli, 72, is a Communist politician who ruled Nepal twice from 2015-2016 and 2018-2021. Born in 1952 in eastern Nepal, Oli was viewed as a pro-China leader and for his hardened stance towards India during his prime ministerial stints. Olis foray into politics began at the young age of 12. Inspired by Karl Marx and Lenin, Oli entered Communist politics in 1966, reported Indian Express. Four years later, he joined the Communist Party. Oli has been behind bars multiple times. He was jailed for the first time in 1970 by the Panchayat government, according to a PTI report. A school dropout, Oli was imprisoned in his early 20s for the murder of Dharma Prasad Dhakal, a farmer in eastern Nepal, reported Indian Express. He was arrested again for involvement in Nepals democracy movement, spending 14 years in prison from 1973 to 1987, as per PTI. Oli got out of jail after receiving a royal pardon. He took leadership of the Jhapa rebellion in 1971, which marked a shift in the Communist movement in the country to armed revolt, according to the Indian Express report. Advertisement Oli shot to fame for his role in the democratic movement in the 1990s that brought down the Panchayat regime. He was first elected to the House of Representatives from Jhapa district in 1991. Over the years, Oli emerged as a key player in Nepals politics. The Communist leader served as deputy PM in the interim government led by Girija Prasad Koirala in 2006. In 2008, Nepal abolished its 239-year-old monarchy and became a Republic. Oli became prime minister for the first time in 2015 after securing 338 out of 597 votes. However, he was forced to resign in July 2016 after his ally Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre) withdrew support, leading to Oli losing a no-confidence motion in Parliament. Advertisement Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) Khadga Prashad Oli, also known as KP Oli, arrives for prime ministerial election at the parliament in Kathmandu, Nepal, October 11, 2015. File Photo/Reuters When Oli was PM, tensions gripped India and Nepal, especially during the 134-day-long economic blockade in 2015. Kathmandu refused to defer the promulgation of the Constitution without taking into consideration the concerns of people in the Terai region, as per the Indian Express report. Oli also grew close to China and further strained ties with New Delhi by updating Nepals map to include disputed territories with India. Oli cultivated the image of a nationalist, becoming the face of Nepali nationalism. He capitalised on Indias concerns about the Constitution and fought the 2017 general elections on a nationalism plank, reported The Hindu. His second tenure as Nepals PM came in 2018 when his Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) and its ally the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Centre) under Pushpa Kamal Dahal secured a two-thirds majority in the elections. Advertisement The two parties eventually merged into the Nepal Communist Party, with Oli and Dahal agreeing to co-chair the party organisation. The two leaders also decided to share the prime ministerial term. The government failed to bring economic prosperity or political stability to Nepal despite the historic mandate. Oli also brought all investigating agencies under the Prime Ministers Office, triggering fears among his political opponents. When the time came to pass the baton to Dahal, Oli took a U-turn. The then Nepal PMs favourable treatment of loyalists created internal party rifts, leading to Dahals withdrawal of support and the split in the alliance. Oli dissolved Parliament twice in 2020 and 2021 which cost him his job in July 2022. At the time, the Supreme Court not only set aside the dissolution of the House of Representatives but also ordered the appointment of NCs Sher Bahadur Deuba as the prime minister, humiliating Oli. Advertisement Will Nepal finally get political stability? Oli is again returning as Nepals PM. This time, he has struck a power-sharing deal with the NC chairman and his old rival Deuba. Under the agreement inked earlier this month, Oli will reportedly make way for Deuba to take over as the head of the coalition government after 22 months. No government in Nepal has completed a full five-year term since democracy was restored in 1990. Dahal was the 13th PM to come to power in the past 16 years. Nepal PM With the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML the two largest parties in Parliament with 88 and 78 seats, respectively forging an alliance, there are hopes of some political stability. Speaking to Associated Press (AP), Dhruba Adhikary, an independent analyst, said, This change could be good for the country now that the two largest parties will be running the government as it could bring the much-needed political stability. Given Nepals political history, it is hard to gauge how long this alliance between Oli and Deuba will last. However, going by our history, we just cant be sure if they can keep up their partnership for long which could again bring further confusion and chaos, the analyst told AP. There are also worries about how Oli will govern. Chandrakishore, a political commentator, told The Hindu, Government change has been the only constant in Nepal, whats missing is governance. The new government inspires little hope when it comes to basic governance issues. Under Oli, or the UML-NC government for that matter, stability and issues of social justice, service delivery, development or peoples concerns are unlikely to be the priority, he said. Rather, the danger is that the NC and the UML might take some regressive steps in the name of constitutional amendments. KP Oli has defended his partys alliance with NC, saying it was needed for maintaining political stability and development of the country. However, Jhalak Subedi, a left-leaning commentator, doubts this, calling it a ruse for the two parties to assume power, The Hindu reported. Did not Oli have a majority a few years ago? Why wasnt there stability then?, he asked. With inputs from agencies The Ratna Bhandar or treasure trove of the 12th Century Jagannath temple in Odishas Puri is set to be opened. It is divided into two chambers, Bahar Bhandar (outer treasury) and the inner treasury or Bhitar Bhandar, which was last opened about four decades ago read more The Ratna Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath temple will be opened after four decades. File Photo/PTI The Ratna Bhandar (treasure trove) of Puris famed Jagannath temple will be opened on Sunday (July 14) for the first time in nearly 40 years. This comes after a high-level committee formed by the Odisha government recently gave its nod following the Orissa High Court order. The Ratna Bhandar was last opened in 1985, while the jewelleries and other valuables were inventoried in 1978. Since then, a stock of the inventory has not been carried out. Advertisement What is Ratna Bhandar? When was it last opened? Whats the controversy over missing keys? Lets understand. Jagannath Temples Ratna Bhandar Located next to Jagamohan (prayer hall) at the north side of the Jagannath temple, the Ratna Bhandar consists of gold and jewels offered by devotees and erstwhile kings over centuries to the sibling deities Hindu gods Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. The precious ornaments in the Ratna Bhandar are divided into three categories: the ones in Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) that are never used, those kept in Bahar Bhandar (outer chamber) and used daily, and the ones for major festivals and special occasions like the Rath Yatra, as per ThePrint report. The Bahar Bhandar stores 87 pieces of gold ornaments, some with precious stones, and 62 silver items, The Hindu reported citing the 1978 inventory. This photo taken on June 25, 2017 shows Hindu devotees by huge chariots representing Lord Jagannath, Brother Balabhadra and Devi Subhadras in front of the Jagannath temple to celebrate the Rath Yatra festival in Puri. File Photo/AFP The temples managing committee, which is led by titular King of Puri Dibyasingha Deb, the Chief Administrator (an IAS-level officer) and other members selected by the Odisha government is responsible for the safety of the Ratna Bhandar. The precious items in Bhitar Bhandar are protected by a double lock, sealed by the managing committee. The temple administration usually deposits the keys in the government treasury, as per The Hindu. As per the rules, the locks can be opened only if the state government permits. When has Ratna Bhandar been opened? Advertisement The Ratna Bhandar of the 12th Century shrine was first opened in 1905 by the British administration for inspection. It was inventoried in 1926, reported ThePrint. The last inventory was done in 1978 under the oversight of a panel headed by the then Odisha governor Bhagabat Dayal Sharma. A detailed list of gold ornaments and other valuables in the Ratna Bhandar was prepared. The entire exercise was carried out in about 70 days at the time. As per the inventory, the Bhitar Bhandar stores gold items weighing 4364 bhari (50 kilograms) and 14,878 bhari (173 kilograms) of silver, The Hindu reported. It contains 367 gold items such as ornaments studded with precious stones and plates of gold, pearls, diamonds, corals and other valuable stones and 231 silver articles, according to the newspaper report. Advertisement Puris famed Jagannath temple is a 12th-century shrine. Wikimedia Commons The Bhitar Bhandar was once again opened in 1985 for gold-repair work. However, no inventory of the articles was made this time. Former temple administrator Rabindra Narayan Mishra, who was part of the group that ventured into the inner treasury, told OTV in 2022 that he saw at least 15 wooden chests containing articles of gold, silver, diamonds, sapphires, pearls, rubies, and other rare gemstones. It also has crowns of the kings who surrendered to Puris monarch and valuable spoils of war, as per the India Today report. Misra also rejected the claims of serpents guarding the inner chamber, saying when he entered the Bhitara Bhandar in 1985 he did not find any snakes, reptiles or cobwebs, the report added. Advertisement Since the 1980s, the temple administration has tried to open the inner chamber twice but failed. The last such attempt was made in April 2018 when a 16-member team, including three members of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), could not go into the inner treasury as the keys to the room could not be found. They then had to resort to inspecting the Bhitara Bhandar from the outside through an iron grill using searchlights. The row over missing keys The Puri district collector, who was in charge of the keys to the inner chamber, told the temple managing committee in June 2018 that there was no information about the availability of keys. Advertisement The Opposition BJP and Congress attacked the Naveen Patnaik government over the issue. The then Odisha CM ordered a judicial inquiry and the committee led by retired High Court judge Justice Raghubir Das submitted its 324-page report to the state government in November that year. The findings of the report are yet to be revealed to the public. During the election campaigning for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raked the issue of the missing keys. Targeting the Patnaik government, he said at a public meeting in Cuttack, Even Jagannath Mandir is not safe under BJD rule. For the past six years, the keys of Shri Jagannaths Ratna Bhandar have been missing. Leaders of BJD are involved in this conspiracy. The BJP made opening the Ratna Bhandar a poll issue, and the saffron party will fulfil its promise when the inner treasury is opened on Sunday. The temples managing committee has been asked to provide the keys to the high-level panel on July 14. Even if the keys work or not, Justice (retired) Biswanath Rath, who chairs the supervisory committee set up by Odishas BJP government, has declared the Ratna Bhandar will be opened. With inputs from agencies Images of Smriti Singh, the widow of martyred Indian Army soldier Capt Anshuman Singh, went viral after she received the Kriti Chakra last week. The young woman was at the receiving end of lewd remarks and now her in-laws have asked for a revision to the Armed Forces next of kin policy. In our weekly round, we talk about Singh, IAS trainee officer Pooja Khedkar, and the Mumbai hit-and-run read more General Upendra Dwivedi interacts with Smriti Singh (left), wife of Capt Anshuman Singh who was awarded Kirti Chakra (posthumous) during the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2024, in New Delhi, on July 6. PTI Its been yet another week of controversies in India. A hit-and-run case in Mumbai involving a Shiv Sena leaders son continues to unravel. Another shocker came from neighbouring Pune, where a trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkhar is under the scanner for misuse of power. In a big verdict, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of divorced Muslim women. The top court also granted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal interim bail in the excise policy case but he continues to be in jail. Advertisement In a heartbreaking story, the widow of a martyred soldier was a target of lewd comments. After the heroics of Captain Anshuman Singh and his love story with Smriti Singh grabbed headlines, now there also appears to be a family row brewing. All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers. 1. In what gave Muslim women a reason to celebrate, the Supreme Court pronounced a verdict in their favour. It ruled that all married and divorced women, including those who are illegally divorced by the pronouncement of triple talaq, are entitled to claim maintenance from their husbands under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, irrespective of her personal law. A look at the SC order, what it means for Muslim women and what the earlier laws say. A divorced Muslim woman can seek alimony from her husband under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the law related to maintenance for wives, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday (10 July). Representational image/Reuters 2. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the state excise policy case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. The top court also referred an important question of law regarding the AAP leaders arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to a larger bench. What does this mean for the ED? Will it affect the bodys ability to make future arrests? We explain. Delhi CM and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal being produced before a court by CBI officials in connection with a money laundering case related to the Delhi liquor policy, in New on 29 June. File photo/PTI 3. Yet another high-profile hit-and-run case is in the spotlight. In an incident, which in many ways is similar to the Pune Porsche mishap, the son of a Shiv Sena leader from Mumbai was driving a BMW in an inebriated state when he knocked down a woman, killing her. Mihir Shah, 24, was on the run soon after the accident. His father did everything he could to cover up the case. The accused tried to evade arrest. But after 72 hours the cops nabbed him. Heres how. Advertisement Mihir Shah has reportedly admitted to driving the BMW when it rammed a two-wheeler in Mumbais Worli last Sunday (6 July), killing a woman. 4. The other big controversy comes from Maharashtras Pune. Trainee IAS office Pooja Khedkar is under the scanner. The 32-year-old grabbed headlines after her alleged demands for a separate office and official car and the unauthorised use of a beacon on her private car, an Audi. But thats now all. She also faked her disability and her declaration of OBC non-creamy layer in the UPSC candidature is also being questioned. This story tells you all about Khedkar and her many controversies. The Centre has launched a probe against trainee IAS officer Pooja Khedkar. Image courtesy: dr_pujamdk_ias/Instagram 5. Last week, the tale of Captain Anshuman Singh won many a heart. The soldier, who died in a fire incident in Siachen in July last year, was recently awarded the Kriti Chakra, Indias second-highest gallantry award. Singhs wife Smriti and mother received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan and the image went viral. Advertisement But Smriti found herself at the received end of lewd comments. We explain . President Droupadi Murmu conferred Kirti Chakra upon Captain Anshuman Singh, The Army Medical Corps, 26th Battalion The Punjab Regiment, posthumously. Disregarding his own safety, he exhibited exceptional bravery and resolve to rescue many people in a major fire incident. pic.twitter.com/o8bVuM3ZOo President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 5, 2024 6. Another row has erupted involving Smriti Singh. The soldiers parents are now demanding that the next of kin rules of the Armed Forces be revised. According to them, Smriti does not live with them and she gets a majority of the entitlement reserved for an army persons closest relatives if something happens to them in service. What are these rules and what is the row? 7. With monsoon come viral infections. In a recent post, actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu advocated an alternate method for treating infections: nebulising a blend of hydrogen peroxide and distilled water instead of traditional medications. However, she received flak from it from a medical expert. Heres why. Advertisement Thats our reading list for the weekend. And if you want to know more about the big stories from the week, you can find them here. Of the 241 Democrats in House and Senate, only 19 have called for Biden to step away from the upcoming presidential elections. Why do so many Democrats continue to back Joe Biden despite recent gaffes and questions around his age? We explain the factors behind their steadfast support, from Bidens political achievements to the risks of a late-stage candidate replacement read more In the days following Joe Bidens fumbling during the presidential debate, headlines have been dominated by mentions of donors, influential lawmakers, and celebrities pressuring him to step back from the electoral race. Biden, clearly noting this rise, has called out elites in the party and big names who have asked him to give up his bid for re-election, insisting that the average voter still wants him. Hes not entirely wrong. And that is reflected in how most Democrats are still backing him. Advertisement Although the number of Democrats pressurising Biden to step down is growing, including bigwig Nancy Pelosi, the absolute numbers paint a different picture. Nancy Pelosi has also pressured Biden into giving up his re-election bid. Reuters According to the Financial Times, out of the 241 Democrats in the US House and Senate, only 19 have called for Biden to step down (as of July 11). According to a report by BBC, at least 80 Democratic politicians have publicly backed the 81-year-old, and more are joining them as he insists he is going nowhere. Recently, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, considered a potential replacement for Biden, has said he is backing Joe Biden for re-election. Governors including Californias Gavin Newsom have expressed strong support for Bidens re-election. But why? For many Democrats, his political record and his principles, as well as his 2020 victory over Donald Trump, matters a lot. For them, it holds a lot more meaning than the damage of a rambling performance in any debate or public appearance, or even health fears. Then there is also the gamble of putting in a new candidate so close to the November election. Some are supporting Biden because it will be too chaotic to replace his name off the top of the ticket. Kamala Harris is being seen as a potential Democratic presidential nominee if Joe Biden steps aside. However, this would be a very big last-minute gamble. AP The president has made it clear he wants to continue to run, and I think people are being very respectful of that, the BBC quoted Simon Rosenberg, a Democratic strategist as saying. And its also true that in our system, replacing a candidate for president this late is hard and is unprecedented, and so theres enormous reticence about making a big change. Advertisement The support from several groupings is also based on their unique interests, beliefs, and calculations. A range of groups have said that the candidate should be Biden, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, which has about 40 members, and the 60-member Congressional Black Caucus, which Biden met earlier this week. Black lawmakers in Congress have largely stood behind Biden. So far, not one has called on him to step down, and several influential members, including Representatives Bobby Scott and Maxine Waters have expressed support for Biden. Steven Horsford chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, on Monday said, President Joe Biden is the nominee and has been selected by millions of voters across this country. Voters, Horsford said, know President Biden and Vice President Harris are fighting for them. Advertisement Still, according to NBC News, five members of the Caucus said they want to see a change in campaign strategy and staffing to better position Democrats to win in November. Instead of asking for Biden to step down, they want him to step up so the doubts can be quelled. Members of the informal grouping, the Squad, have backed President Joe Biden in his bid for re-election. AP Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most prominent progressives in the Democratic caucus, said late Monday that she stood behind President Joe Biden. AOC is one of the nine Democrats that are part of the Squad, a clique of left-wing representatives that has entered Congress in recent years. Other members of this informal grouping Ilhan Omar and Cori Bush have also supported Biden. Advertisement According to a report by the Financial Times, the progressives thinking might be that even if the president did step aside, it wouldnt pave the way for the baton to be passed to some progressive candidate. Presently, the top choice appears to be Vice President Kamala Harris. While she may have some shared sympathies with the Squad, she is quite far from their ideological position. Another reason is that Biden has exceeded left-leaning Democrats expectations with his support of labor unions, his climate policies, his antitrust enforcement against big business, and his $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. Some of the Democrats also fear that wealthy donors will influence the outcome of a proposed mini primary of alternative candidates to make sure their business interests are protected. That would, arguably, be more damaging. Advertisement For the party, replacing Biden now would not just be a challenge but an unprecedented upheaval. The stakes are high, and the risks of destabilising the campaign and alienating a swath of the electorate are too great. As the Democratic establishment rallies behind Biden, their message is clear: stability and continuity are paramount, even in the face of internal discord and public missteps. The MHA notified the amended rules on July 12 under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act and introduced new sections to boost the roles of the LG read more The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 and expanded the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. The move comes amid election buzz in the region, the first since Article 370 was abrogated in 2019. The MHA notified the amended rules on July 12 under Section 55 of the J&K Reorganisation Act and introduced new sections to boost the roles of the LG. LG Manoj Sinha has been holding the office since August 2020. Advertisement The President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019, namely: These rules may be called the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024; they shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, the notification stated. Here are all the powers that the LG will now have: At 5:30 pm the prime minister will attend a function at the NESCO Exhibition Centre to inaugurate developmental projects linked to transportation and connectivity in the financial capital read more Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday will visit Mumbai to inaugurate developmental projects worth Rs 29,400 crore. He will attend the foundation stone laying ceremony at Goregaons NESCO Exhibition Centre, government officials said. The prime minister will also attend other programs in the city. Meanwhile, the BJP-led Mahayuti swept the Legislative Council polls on Friday by winning nine out of 10 seats. This is the first noteworthy victory won by the alliance after a poor show in the Lok Sabha elections. Advertisement PM Modis schedule in Mumbai At 5:30 pm the prime minister will attend a function at the NESCO Exhibition Centre to inaugurate developmental projects linked to transportation and connectivity in the financial capital PM Modi will also launch the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana in Mumbai Following the function at NESCO, PM Modi will pay a visit to the Indian News Service (INS) Secretariat at 7 pm in Bandra Kurla Complex The PM will lay the foundation stones of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authoritys (MMRDA) Thane-Borivali and the BMCs Goregaon Mulund Link Road projects, both with twin tunnels. He will lay the foundation stone for Central Railways Kalyan yard remodelling and the Gati Shakti MultiModal Cargo Terminal at Turbhe in Navi Mumbai. He will dedicate to the nation new platforms at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and extension of platforms 10 and 11 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus An MMRDA spokesperson said the Thane- Borivali Tunnel Project is being built at Rs 16,600 crore, adding the twin tube tunnels passing under Sanjay Gandhi National Park will create a direct connection between Western Express Highway at Borivali and Ghodbunder Road in Thane. The 11.8-kilometer-long Borivali Thane Link Road will reduce the journey from Thane to Borivali by 12 kilometres and save one hour in travel time, he added. The twin tunnels of the Rs 6,300 crore Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project will connect the Western Express Highway at Goregaon to the Eastern Express Highway at Mulund. The project will bring down the travel time to 25 minutes from the current 75 minutes, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said. With inputs from PTI Ellie Lorenzo was last seen around 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Casa Arroyo Apartments in Fremont. Courtesy Fremont Police Department Ellie Lorenzo was last seen around 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Casa Arroyo Apartments in Fremont. Courtesy of Fremont Police Department A 3-year-old toddler in Fremont whose father died on Friday is missing, police said. Ellie Lorenzo was last seen around 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Casa Arroyo Apartments in Fremont, near the Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area. She was under the care of her father, who passed away in San Francisco on Friday, according to Fremont police. Ellies mother was expecting her daughter to be returned Friday night under a custody agreement, but was informed of the fathers passing. Unable to locate Ellie, she filed a missing persons report in the early afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police are seeking the publics help in finding Ellie. She is described as African American, 3 feet tall and 60 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. New Delhi needs a time-tested friend who can speak for them without judging them, and India needs to live in a multipolar world order where different countries offer different things for the requirement of national growth read more The hug of the Indian prime minister should be seen as a gesture of friendship rather than Indias endorsement of Putins actions. Image: AP Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia from July 89, 2024, to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. During this visit, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. This visit aimed to review the comprehensive bilateral relations between India and Russia and discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest. Following his visit to Russia, Modi travelled to Austria on July 910, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years. Advertisement The much-intrigued West and other like-minded powers have been watching this visit with utmost jealousy as their effort to isolate Russia due to its posturing and ongoing war/conflict with Ukraine has become futile. On the other hand, there are reports that say that Zelenskky expressed his disappointment and said, It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the worlds largest democracy hug the worlds most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day. Many of these nations, including the United States, have forgotten the dictum given by a celebrated realist, Morgenthau, who said, Forget the sentimental notion that foreign policy is a struggle between virtue and vice, with virtue bound to win, regarding the supremacy of national interest. Sincerely, India is following the realist path by listening to what Morgenthau has said regarding the conduct of foreign policy. And above all, remember always that it is not only a political necessity but also a moral duty for a nation to always follow in its dealings with other nations, but one guiding star, one standard for thought, one rule for action: the national interest." Indias national interest is in securing energy resources, which are much needed for its growth and domestic stability. India needs a time-tested friend who can speak for them without judging them, and India needs to live in a multipolar world order where different countries offer different things for the requirement of national growth. This is a blatantly lackadaisical response of the Western media every time to bring India-China relations to every visit to Russia. Time magazine said, The Indian leaders engagement appears to be in part an attempt to stem the Kremlins dependence on regional rival China while he continues to walk a tightrope between the East and the West. The simplest and easiest way to write off the geopolitical significance deeply rooted in Indias national interest in issues that are long-term irritants only shows the discontentment of the West. The hug of the Indian prime minister should be seen as a gesture of friendship rather than Indias endorsement of Putins actions, which are termed immoral in the region. Secondly, some scholars have argued that one of Indias biggest challenges when it comes to relations with Russia is, and will continue to be, to get Moscow to publicly acknowledge Chinese aggression against India, let alone support India. Advertisement The questions posed to these scholars would be, What if Russia does the same to India and asks India to condemn Ukraine as an aggressor against Russia by using NATO and other powers? The prime minister was well guided to visit Russia around the time when the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit happened. This year, Modi gave a miss to the SCO for a reason, and this point has been entirely missed by all those liberals and realists who have written about the recent visit of Modi to Russia. The message was clear when Modi didnt attend the SCO summit but made sure he was visiting a powerful leader who has singlehandedly defied the West. Had he visited any other country, he would have been criticised for working as a distractor. Advertisement What did his visit then achieve? First, the whole of the West and the Western media wrote about the visit with an amount of jealousy for sure for such a bold step. Second, India signalled to the West by behaving like a realist that morality has to be practiced evenly, not just when it is convenient to them. Third, Indias domestic requirements, from energy to weapon systems, can be boosted by Russia. Though India wants to expand its weapon basket by approaching many other powers, Russia has utility for India. Fourth, signalling is an important tool in international relations, and what Modi proved to Putin is evident from that. Advertisement The way Indian authors are expecting dramatic outcomes from the visit in the form of Russia advising or condemning China might not happen. But one has to remember that foreign policy is a process, and things happen with an incremental approach. There are no perfect recipes in international relations, but leaders innovate one and keep repeating it until they find utility in it. PM Modi was criticised as a visiting prime minister when he went on an extensive tour across the world, meeting leaders. The same India down the lane after a decade has become a significant leader in world affairs. Foreign policy is not a supermarket where, upon visit and payment, you get what you want. It is a place of bargaining and negotiations; leaders use different permutations and combinations. Advertisement Fifth, why do none of the scholars seem to be writing or thinking about what must be going on in Xi Jinpings mind? What does the Chinese media think about and write about? The Chinese media takes a dig at everything India does in foreign policy but why are they silent or not critical of the visit? Lastly, there are tangible and intangible outcomes in foreign policy. Discounting people with experience of being in the field and policy for more than 35 years will only show how much we regard experience. Lets call Modi a person with only a decade of experience in foreign policy but using the same tool on someone like Jaishankar will only expose our hollowness to acknowledge competency, experience and acumen. This visit of PM Modis to Russia aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Russia, focusing on key areas such as defense, energy, and trade. Both countries emphasised their long-standing defense cooperation. Discussions included the potential procurement of additional Russian military equipment by India, joint defense production, and technological collaboration. Enhancing cybersecurity and counter-terrorism cooperation were also on the agenda. Energy remained a pivotal aspect of the discussions. With Russia redirecting its oil exports towards India amid Western sanctions, both nations explored ways to deepen their energy partnership, including long-term oil and gas supply agreements and joint ventures in energy projects. Modi and Putin discussed strategies to boost bilateral trade, aiming to diversify beyond traditional sectors. They explored opportunities in areas such as pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture, and infrastructure. Both leaders expressed their intent to reach a trade target of $30 billion by 2025. The visit also provided a platform for both leaders to discuss regional and global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While India maintained its stance of neutrality, Modi reiterated the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts. Strengthening cultural ties and increasing people-to-people contact were also highlighted. This included agreements on educational exchanges and collaborative cultural programs to enhance mutual understanding and goodwill between the citizens of both nations. Those of them who think that Modi did not say anything should also remember that he said, I believe there is no peace on the battlefield and solutions to the war can only be found through dialogue, clearly referring to violence. The visit underscored the strategic importance of the India-Russia partnership, reflecting a commitment to deepening collaboration across various sectors while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape. The visit is a pragmatic step in Modis third term and has greater significance in Indias ambition for a global leadership role. The confident and resurgent India will continue to pursue its enlightened national interest irrespective of the opposition from outside and within the country. The author is Associate Professor, Department of Politics and International Studies, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry, India. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Indias society and politics are complex and cannot be satisfactorily explained using predominantly non-native perspectives and frameworks. They require a much more nuanced understanding and exposition read more One needs to analyse the coverage of the recently concluded Indian elections in the US media with caution. Image: PIB/AFP In one of his op-ed pieces, The Delicate US Task of Courting India, Wall Street Journal columnist and Hudson Institute fellow Walter Russell Mead lamented that one of the reasons there are several wrenches in the US-India relationships, at least from the US perspective, is the scarcity of real Indian expertise in America. To the uninitiated, the scarcity Mead was writing about may sound absurd given the number of Indians or Americans working at the ubiquitous South Asia centres of US universities and think tanks. However, these scholars often get exposed as their expertise is, at best, disconnected and disjointed from the complex Indian reality. Advertisement It was the intelligence wing of the US government that initially set up and ran most centres for South Asian Studies at American universities. Consequently, many South Asian scholars were spies of the US government. Their investment in this enterprise was for US national security. These centres also had a missionary connection as they trained ordinary folks about to go off to do church work in India. Once Indian-origin scholars and academicians joined those exclusive South Asia departments, they knew that pursuing a pro-India stance would get them nowhere. They were too happy to maintain their status quo. Even today, as the AEI scholar and WSJ columnist Sadanand Dhume , these scholars understandably believe that parroting left-wing talking points[not real scholarship] is required to succeed in their fields. In this background, one needs to analyse the coverage of the recently concluded Indian elections in the US media. Scholars and expertsfor most, a PhD, even in an obscure South Asian studies programme, gives them above-par agency in matters relating to India compared to the nativeshave published numerous articles and op-eds. One that stands out is the Sadanand Dhume op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal: Modis BJP Has a Diversity Problem. Dhumes opinion piece has two aspects. First, Dhume argues that Muslims are underrepresented in Indias electoral politics, more specifically in the Lok Sabha (LS), the lower house of the Indian Parliament. This lack of representation, Dhume claims, is due to PM Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) failure to give Muslims representation. Advertisement Secondly, Dhume also claims that Muslims in India do not support the BJP. He blames the BJPs Hindutva and Hindu nationalism agenda for the lack of support the BJP has among Muslims. There are several reasons for the lack of support for Modis BJP among Muslims, none of which is due to the lack of efforts on the part of the BJP. Neither is it due to discrimination in the delivery of governance. But let us first tackle the question of the shrinking Muslim representation in the LS. Recognising that Muslim representation in the LS has stayed within 6 per cent is crucial. Despite seeing a consistent rise in populationfrom 9.8 per cent in 1951 to 14 per cent in 2024 of the total populationthe Muslim representation in the LS has constantly declined since the first general elections of post-colonial India were held in 1952. It is also a fact that the so-called non-BJP secularist partiesthe INC, the communists, the Yadavite parties, the Dravidians, etchave been, for the most part, at the helm of electoral politics and government in post-colonial India. Advertisement According to Ibn Khaldun Bharati, an Indian Islamic scholar, the number of Muslim Members of Parliament (MPs) in the current LS has decreased from 26 in the 17th LS to 24 in the 18th, despite a significant increase in LS seats won by non-BJP opposition parties. The opposition Indian National Congress fielded only 19 Muslim candidates this time around, despite their pro-Muslim rhetoric, compared to 34 in the 2019 general elections. One of the reasons Muslims do not support the BJP is Islamic supremacism. Many Muslims, including subcontinental Muslims, do not view Hindus as equals, and a political party championing Hindu causes is seen as worth defeating at all costs. According to Bharati, Islam became politicised at the outset and set out to conquer all that it could and develop concepts and categories that would further its supremacist and imperial agenda. Kafir is one such concept. Advertisement Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a proponent of the Two Nation Theory that led to the partition of India, once declared (Speech of Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan at Meerut, 1888, Columbia University website) that Muslims and Hindus couldnt sit on the same throne and remain equal in power. Is it possible that under these circumstances, two nationsthe Mahomedans and the Hinduscould sit on the same throne and remain equal in power? Most certainly not, said Khan to the crowd. This theory ultimately led to the creation of a Muslim-majority state following the partition of India. Muslim supporters and leaders of the BJP, as well as those Muslims who reject secular patronage in India, are often vilified among Muslims. For example, the BJPs Muslim candidate from the Bhagalpur LS constituency and former Union minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, failed to retain his seat in the 2014 general elections despite a Modi wave. Advertisement Similarly, Islamic scholar and politician Arif Mohammad Khan lost his LS election as a BJP candidate in 2004. Khan was an INC MP but quit the party due to his opposition to the passage of the Muslim Personal Law pushed by then PM Rajiv Gandhi that enabled Muslim men to avoid alimony to their divorced wives. Notably, Bharati must also write under a pseudonym to protect his identity. The assertion that only a Muslim MP can effectively represent Muslim constituents also raises the logical question of whether Muslims can effectively represent non-Muslim constituents. The power-sharing agenda of the Muslims in undivided India at the expense of participatory democracy ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947. The partition was primarily an Islamic project, as the Muslim League leader and Founding Father of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, opposed any constitution that would result in a Hindu-majority government. Paradoxical to Dhumes claim, religion does not figure in Vinayak Savarkars Hindutva, which means Hindu-ness in Sanskrit. Savarkar was a rationalist atheist who wanted his body cremated after his death without any religious ceremonies. Savarkar defines a Hindu as one who: Regards the entire subcontinent as his (or her) motherland. Is a descendant of Hindu parents. Considers Indias land holy. Derived from this notion of a Hindu, Hinduness is then presented in terms of a common nation (Rashtra), a common race, and a common civilisation (Sanskriti). Savarkar distinguishes between Indian religions and religions practised in India. The former represents Hindu nationality, while the latter is Indian nationality. Indias society and politics are complex and cannot be satisfactorily explained using predominantly non-native perspectives and frameworks. They require a much more nuanced understanding and exposition. The author is a Chicago-based award-winning columnist. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Yes, the symbolism of PM Modis Moscow visit at the time of the NATO summit in Washington cannot be missed, but the fact is that India has, from Day 1, made it clear that Ukraine isnt its war read more Theres something disconcerting about democracy: It often works at cross-purposes, acting as much to strengthen democratic forces as to empower their existential adversaries. One saw them with the Americans, who, for decades, worked in close coordination with the dictators of West Asia while at the same time colluding with their detractors in the name of democracy. So much so that Hosni Mubarak, who ruled Egypt with an iron fist for three decades until 2011, when he was dethroned by the Arab Spring, a result of the grand American wet dream to turn West Asia into a paradise for democracy, once rebuked a top American diplomat, saying if he followed what he exhorted, Cairo would be ruled by Islamists. Advertisement Sadly, the Arab Spring saw a series of West Asian countries overtaken by Islamists through electoral processes! This propensity to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds makes the democratic West, especially America, a difficult, if not dangerous, friend to have. As a popular saying in the diplomatic parlour goes, its perilous to be Americas enemy, but its even more perilous to be its ally or friend. India, publicly termed a natural ally by several top American leaders of both Republican and Democratic credentials, has been particularly targeted in recent years, whether on the issue of Khalistan or the facade of sliding democratic, secular values in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Moscow visit has further upped the tempo of American scrutiny vis-a-vis India. The US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, has gone to the extent of saying that strategic autonomy cannot apply in times of conflict and that India and the US should uphold principles when other countries go against the rules-based order or violate sovereign borders. I know and I respect that India likes its strategic autonomy. But in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy. We will, in crisis moments, need to know each other. I dont care what title we put to it, but we will need to know that we are trusted friends, brothers and sisters, colleagues, Garcetti was reported as saying at an event organised by a defence think tank in New Delhi. For those unversed with the complications of Indo-American power dynamics, Garcettis undiplomatic comment may seem reasonable. For, trusted friends, brothers and sisters, colleagues, as he describes the India-US relationship to be, need to stand up for each other. But, then, has the US really stood up for India, especially in recent years? Has it curbed the thriving anti-India ecosystem in American colleges, academia, media, think tanks, and, of course, in a section of the administration, especially the state department? And, most importantly, has it done anything to counter the growing sentiment in the Indian corridors of power about the invisible Western hand working overtime before and during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to subvert the electoral outcome against the current dispensation? Advertisement Garcetti should realise that the American stand vis-a-vis India, especially since Narendra Modi came to power, has been dubious, to say the least. It seems to be engaging with India as well as pushing it into the corner almost simultaneously. It would shake hands with the Prime Minister of India and also collude, indirectly, of course, with the forces looking for ways, democratic or otherwise, to dislodge him. It would seek India to be a partner in an anti-China alliance but would continue to dodge the Indian demand for the transfer of critical technologies. It would want Delhi to disengage with Moscow and Tehran, but would continue to indulge Pakistani generals. Advertisement The US needs to know that it has crossed the Lakshman rekha several times in recent years. It has allowed a Khalistani terrorist on its soil who, on a regular basis, threatens to bomb Indias Parliament. It corners New Delhi on not-so credible reports accusing India of extraterritorial killings on Western soil. It gleefully brandishes the so-called democracy, religious freedom, and human rights reports of American institutions, whose anti-India biases are hardly difficult to discern. And, above all, it has been seen to be acting as a facilitator of forces working overtime to enforce a regime change in India. Now, thats not the way a friend, far less an ally, should work. But then, as the saying goes, its more dangerous to be an American friend than to be an American adversary! Advertisement It is against this backdrop that Prime Minister Modis Moscow visit should be looked at and analysed. It just cannot be accidental that the Indian Prime Minister was in Moscow just when a significant NATO summit was taking place in Washington. In fact, as reported by the Washington Post, the Moscow meeting came despite concerns conveyed to New Delhi by several senior administration officials earlier this month that the timing would complicate the optics for Washington. The US-based newspaper explained how Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, among others, even spoke with Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra in early July in hopes that the Modi-Putin encounter might be rescheduled to avoid coinciding with this weeks summit. This years NATO summit, after all, was commemorating the 75th anniversary of the military alliances founding, and its members were seeking, as the Washington Post reported, to signal strong support for Ukraine in the face of Russias aggression. Advertisement Prime Minister Modis visit has given Putin a new lease of life globally. After all, this wasnt the visit of a dictator from a pariah state like North Korea or a strongman from a democracy-deficit nation like China. India is a democratic powerhouse, with or without Western legitimacy. India is an economic giant, currently placed in the fifth spot in the global ranking and slated to take third place in 34 years. The Modi visit also signifies the fast crumbling of the anti-Russia alliance led by the US, more so at a time when Moscow is seen to be making a great economic turnaround despite Western sanctions and wars. This, however, doesnt mean that Prime Minister Modi visited Russia just to put the US in its place. Yes, the symbolism of the Moscow visit at the time of the NATO summit in Washington cannot be missed, but the fact is that India has, from Day 1, made it clear that Ukraine isnt its war. Its a war that the US-led NATO has imposed on the world with its anti-Russia obsession, even when there were enough indications suggesting that Vladimir Putin, to begin with, was willing to be a part of the US-led Western order. Two, geostrategically and militarily, Moscow remains a non-negotiable partner for New Delhi, given its geographical location next to China, an adversary without a doubt, and also Indias continued dependence on Russian arms. There is no way India could have acted in any other way on Ukraine. But yes, had the Americans shown diplomatic heft and caution, maybe the timing of the Modi visit would have been more favourable to the West. But then, for that, the US administration has to realign its notion of diplomacy with what author-entrepreneur Bo Bennett once said: Diplomacy is more than saying or doing the right things at the right time, it is avoiding saying or doing the wrong things at any time. Now thats a big task for a nation that prides itself on being a democracy, works overtime to export the idea of a free world to other countries, and yet doesnt mind winning and dining with the worst of dictators, besides indulging in occasional regime change attempts across the world. Uncle Sam, you cannot have the cake and eat it too all the time. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. More than 100 villagers were digging for grains of gold on Sunday in the remote and hilly village of Bone Bolango in Gorontalo province when tons of mud plunged down the surrounding hills and buried their makeshift camps. read more In this photo released by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS), rescuers search for victims at the site of a landslide in Suwawa on Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, Wednesday, July 10, 2024.- Image AP Search operations for 30 people presumed trapped under a landslide that struck an illegal gold mine on Indonesias Sulawesi island over the weekend were suspended on Wednesday due to incessant rainfall. Indonesian rescuers said Saturday they had ended the search for more than a dozen missing people after a landslide near an illegal gold mine killed at least 27, news agency AFP reported. On Sunday, a massive mudslide swept through the remote village of Bone Bolango in Gorontalo province, burying the makeshift camps of over 100 villagers prospecting for gold in the hilly area. The villagers had been digging for gold nuggets when the disaster struck, sending tons of mud tumbling down the surrounding hillsides." Advertisement The search was suspended Wednesday afternoon due to heavy rains, said Heriyanto, head of the provincial Search and Rescue Office. Rescuers have not yet been able to locate the missing people, he said. The National Search and Rescue Agency said Wednesday that 92 villagers managed to escape from the landslide. Several of them were pulled out by rescuers, including 18 with injuries. It said 23 bodies were recovered, including that of a 4-year-old boy, while 30 people were missing. More than 1,000 personnel, including army troops, have now been deployed in the search, said Edy Prakoso, the agencys operation director. He said the Indonesian air force would send a helicopter to speed up the rescue operation, which has been hampered by heavy rains, unstable soil and rugged terrain. Photos released by the agency showed an excavator removing tons of mud and rocks that blocked access to the site. Informal mining operations are common in Indonesia, providing a tenuous livelihood for thousands laboring in conditions that pose a high risk of serious injury or death. Landslides, flooding and collapses of tunnels are just some of the hazards facing miners. Much of gold ore processing involves highly toxic mercury and cyanide with workers frequently using little or no protection. Advertisement The countrys last major mining-related accident occurred in April 2022, when a landslide crashed onto an illegal gold mine in North Sumatras Mandailing Natal district, killing 12 women who were looking for gold. Environmental activists have campaigned for years to shut down such operations across the country, especially on Sulawesi, where the practice has grown. Sundays landslide reignited their calls. The local government which has allowed illegal gold mining activities in this area to continue has contributed to the deadly disaster, said Muhammad Jamil, who heads the legal division of the Mining Advocacy Network, an environment watchdog. He said many people share the blame for illegal gold mining, from those working on the ground up to officials in the local council and the police. Advertisement This mafia network appears to have helped shield the miners from law enforcement, even as they tear up protected forests, Jamil said. When natural resources such as rivers, forests, land and the sea are damaged, it will be a complete loss to the countrys economy. Ferdy Hasiman, a mining and energy researcher at Alpha Research and Datacenter, said the proliferation of pit mines has long been blamed for environmental damage in upstream areas that has in turn exacerbated flooding and landslides downstream. Flash floods and landslides would persist if illegal mining and the deforestation in the practice continue, Hasiman said. We call on the local and central government to expand their efforts to shut down illegal gold mining across the country. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The government faces domestic pressure to protect local jobs and wages in the auto industry, while also promising subsidies to attract global automakers to set up electric-vehicle battery production in Ontario. read more Canadian Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will meet with business and labour groups next week to discuss potential trade barriers against Chinese-made vehicles and to explore broader trade practices beyond the automotive industry. This move follows the governments recent public consultation on responding to unfair Chinese trade practices in the electric vehicle sector. Canada is closely watching the US and EUs moves to impose tariffs on Chinese goods. Freeland emphasised the need for secure supply chains and a different approach to Chinese overcapacity. Advertisement Canada has no choice but to view its trading relationships through a national security lens, said Freeland, whos also the deputy prime minister. Geopolitics and geoeconomics is back. That means that Western countries and very much the US is putting a premium on secure supply chains and is taking a different attitude towards Chinese overcapacity, she said. And that means that Canada plays an even more important role for the United States. The Canadian auto industry supports over 125,000 well-paying jobs and boasts the worlds top-ranked electric vehicle (EV) supply chain potential. To capitalise on this growth opportunity, the federal government is taking steps to ensure the long-term success of Canadian auto workers, according to reports. However, the industry faces unfair competition from Chinas deliberate overproduction and lack of robust labour and environmental standards. This has resulted in a global oversupply of electric vehicles, threatening the profitability of EV producers worldwide, including those in Canada. In response, the government has launched a 30-day consultation from July 2 to August 1, 2024, to explore policy measures that protect Canadas auto workers and EV industry from Chinas unfair trade practices and prevent trade diversion following recent actions by Canadas trading partners. The government faces domestic pressure to protect local jobs and wages in the auto industry, while also promising subsidies to attract global automakers to set up electric-vehicle battery production in Ontario. Freeland criticised Chinas economic policies, suggesting a prevailing view that Chinas entry into the WTO was a mistake, and emphasised the need for Western countries to be clear-eyed about Chinas intentions. Nepals President Ramchandra Paudel invited the House of Representatives to form a new government under Article 76 (2) of the Consitution of Nepal read more Immediately after Nepals Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal lost his fifth vote of confidence, former PM KP Sharma Oli staked his claim to the prime ministerial post. After Dahal failed in the floor test which was conducted on Friday, Nepals President Ramchandra Paudel invited the House of Representatives to form a new government under Article 76 (2) of the Consitution of Nepal. The Article in question empowers the President to appoint a prime minister from the elected members of the House of Representatives. However, that candidate has to secure a majority with the support of two or more political parties. Shortly after the invitation from the president was issued, the CPN-UML chief presented signatures from 165 lawmakers on Friday night, The Kathmandu Post reported. Advertisement Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba came to an agreement and submitted the application asking the president to appoint Oli as the new prime minister. They cited the majority support Oli is receiving in the House of Representatives. The Presidents Office has received signatures from the two major parties commanding the majority in the House, said Kiran Pokhrel, press adviser to the Paudel. The President will study the documents submitted by the parties," he added. Appointment to be made soon Both the Congress and UML chief visited the presidents house along with a few other party leaders to submit the letter. During the conversation with Deuba and Oli, the Nepalese president made it clear that he would appoint the UML chief as the countrys Prime Minister after the deadline for Dahal ends. With the country grappling with floods and landslides and unprecedented human casualties, there is an urgency, a UML leader told The Kathmandu Post. So the appointment will be made on Sunday morning and the swearing-in could take place on the same afternoon, he added. We submitted the signatures of Congress and UML lawmakers to the Presidents Office, Ramesh Lekhak, chief whip of the Nepali Congress, said. It is now up to the President to decide when to appoint the new prime minister. With the support of the Nepali Congress, which has 88 lawmakers in the lower house, we submitted signatures of 165 lawmakers, the Nepali politician furthered. It is pertinent to note that UML is the second largest party in the parliament and has 77 lawmakers, excluding the speaker of the House and suspended lawmaker Top Bahadur Rayamanjhi, who is currently in Jail. Advertisement To stake a claim to form a new government, a minimum of 138 signatures are required in the 275-seat House of Representatives. Until the new government is formed, the president has asked Dahal to continue as a caretaker PM. After Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal failed to secure a vote of confidence under Article 100 (3), as informed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a member of Parliament commanding majority support from two or more political parties is invited to submit a claim for the post of prime minister by Sunday 5:00 pm, as per Article 76 (2)," a statement from the Presidents office read after Dahal failed the floor test. The far-right party France Unbowed (LFI) and the Socialist Party are engaged in a deadlock over the prime ministerial candidate read more France's leftist coalition New Popular Front (NPF) has emerged as the largest bloc in French elections but has not been able to finalise its prime ministerial candidate (Photo: Reuters) Nearly a week after the left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NPF) came first in the French parliamentary elections, the country continues to wait for a new prime minister as infighting has gripped the leftist parties. The leftist parties comprising the NPF have not been able to build consensus on the blocs candidate for prime ministership. The infighting is primarily between the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) and the Socialist Party. The LFI won the most seats, 78, and the Socialists came second with 65 seats. Advertisement The LFI has proposed the name of Huguette Bello, a veteran politician from the French overseas territory of Reunion, for the post of prime minister, but the Socialists have pushed back and have proposed the name of party leader Olivier Faure. Besides the LFI, Bello has support from NPFs Communist Party and the Green Party as well, as per Le Monde newspaper. Far-left vs Socialists drives Frances wait for new PM Even though the far-left LFI has emerged as the single-largest party in French elections, partys leader Jean-Luc Melenchon is a highly controversial figure and is detested by many within his party and the bloc. Even though there were indications that he could project himself as the prime ministerial candidate, the strong pushback from within his own party and the NPF led to the party proposing the name of Bello. Melenchon has hailed Bello as the solution to Frances political deadlock and has stressed that she does not carry his baggage. Melenchon has long been accused of being a rabid antisemite and he is also seen as being soft on Russia. As per France 24, he has pitched Bello as an anti-racist feminist. On the other hand, the Socialists have pushed the name of party leader Faure. The party has stressed that Faure is the only leader within the coalition that French President Emmanuel Macron could not refuse, according to Le Monde newspaper. In the French political system, the president appoints the prime minister who is then approved by the parliament. This means that the premier will be from the party or bloc having the parliamentary control but the president may still influence who among the party or blocs leaders may get the eventual appointment. As of now, outgoing PM Gabriel Attal from Macrons centrist bloc is governing as the caretaker prime minister. Advertisement What makes the selection even more complicated is that there is a camp within LFI that is still pushing from Melenchons candidacy, as per the newspaper. PM names list keeps getting longer Instead of getting shorter, the list of hopeful prime ministers appears to be getting longer. By Thursday, the question of the candidacy appeared to be down to Faure or Bello, but things changed soon, reported Le Monde. The newspaper reported that Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel put forward her name as well for the premiership and, once the Green Party and the Communist Party got tired of the squabbling, they proposed two new names. Advertisement The Greens proposed former party leader and ex-housing minister Cecile Duflot and the Communists floated the name of Christophe Robert, the head of the Fondation Abbe Pierre, a charity, according to the newspaper. Earlier this week, the NPF had said that the bloc would name their prime ministerial candidate this week, but signs so far suggest the window may pass as consensus eludes the leftists. The couple was convicted in the case on February 3, just five days before Pakistan conducted 2024 General Elections read more Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his wife Bushra Bibi have been acquitted in the Iddat case. The decision is considered a major win for Imran since this is the last existing case that was keeping the PTI founder in jail. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced a short order reserved on Saturday, accepting the couples plea seeking annulment of their conviction in the Iddat case also known as the un-Islamic nikah case. Advertisement The couple was convicted in the case on February 3, just five days before Pakistan conducted General Elections. Interestingly, the complaint against Imran and Bushra was filed by the latters ex-husband, Khawar Fareed Manek. In the complaint, it was alleged that the Pakistani couple contracted marriage during Bushras Iddat period. The PTI founder and Bushra were sentenced to seven years in prison and awarded a fine of PKR 500,000 each. After giving out a ruling on the matter, the court also said that both Khan and his wife should be immediately released if they are not wanted in any other case. Both the petitions seeking the formation of a medical board and consultations with the religious scholars are hereby rejected, the verdict stated, immediately issuing a release order for the incarcerated couple after the hearing. What was the case about? The Iddat issue first came to light when a petitioner, Muhammad Hanif, claimed that Bushra Bibi was divorced by her former husband in November 2017 and married Khan on January 1, 2018, despite the fact that she was still undergoing her iddat period. The period deals with the time when a woman goes into isolation after her husband dies or divorces her. Re-marrying before the period ends is against the Sharia and Muslim norms. Advertisement At that time, a district and sessions court in Islamabad rejected the plea and termed it as inadmissible. Later, Bushras ex-husband Maneka filed a complaint against the un-Islamic marriage of Khan and Bushra. The case was filed on November 25, 2023, under Sections 34, 496, and 496-B of the Pakistan Penal Code. On January 16, 2024, the couple were indicted in the case and after a 14-hour hearing in the Adiala jail, the trial court reserved its verdict and the couple were awarded seven years of imprisonment each. The couple went on to file multiple pleas against their sentence and conviction. What makes the ruling important? Advertisement The verdict holds significance for Khan since this was the only existing case that kept the former Pakistani prime minister behind bars. Earlier this year, he secured relief in other cases including 190 million reference and the Toshakhana case. Earlier this month, he was also acquitted in the Cipher Case. Khan has been also granted bail in several May 9 cases registered in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. Hence, the ex-premier isnt under arrest in any other case and it would be intriguing to see whether the verdict will see Khan coming out of prison or not. PTI celebrates the move Immediately after the verdict, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan told the media that the purpose of the conviction was to force Imran to compromise but Imran has stood steady as a rock. Advertisement I met Imran Khan and Bibi today as well in Adiala, and he was very happy about yesterdays verdict, Gohar said referring to the Supreme Courts decision to rule the PTI eligible for reserved seats. The win today is the countrys win and is a win for the independent judiciary. The world has now seen that this was merely a case made for political victimisation," he added. Announcing the decision, Mileis office cited the militant Palestinian groups cross-border attack on Israel last Oct. 7 that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage, in the deadliest assault in Israels 76-year history read more Argentina designated Hamas a terrorist organization Friday and ordered a freeze on the financial assets of the Palestinian group, a largely symbolic move as President Javier Milei seeks to align Argentina strongly with the U.S. and Israel. Announcing the decision, Mileis office cited the militant Palestinian groups cross-border attack on Israel last Oct. 7 that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage, in the deadliest assault in Israels 76-year history. Advertisement The statement also mentioned Hamas close ties to Iran, which Argentina blames for two deadly militant attacks on Jewish sites in the country. The move comes just days before the 30th anniversary of one of those attacks, the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. It killed 85 people and wounded hundreds more in the worst such attack in Argentinas modern history. The other attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, in 1992, killed more than 20 people. Argentinas judiciary has accused members of Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group of carrying out the two attacks. Fridays announcement professed Mileis unwavering commitment to recognizing terrorists for what they are, adding that its the first time that there is a political will to do so. The U.S., European Union and several other countries long put a terrorist designation on Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip before its current war with Israel. Previous left-leaning Peronist governments in Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, have maintained friendly ties with Israel but also voiced support for Palestinian statehood. Since coming into office in December, Milei has set himself apart from even Israels closest allies in his vocal support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A huge swell in global pressure has left Israel deeply isolated over its military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, displaced over 80% of the territorys people and triggered a humanitarian disaster. Advertisement Argentina must once again align itself with Western civilization," Mileis office said Friday. For his first state visit as president earlier this year, Milei flew to Jerusalem in a show of support for the Israeli government and promised to move his nations embassy to the contested capital drawing praise from Netanyahu and ire from Hamas. Although raised a Roman Catholic, Milei says he has a deep spiritual connection with Judaism. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of a paradox in which Europe is a target for our missiles, our country is a target for US missiles in Europe. We have enough capacity to contain these missiles but the potential victims are the capitals of these countries, he said, speaking to Russian state television channel Russia 1. Peskov also hinted that such a confrontation could undermine Europe as a whole read more The Kremlin on Saturday warned the deployment of US missiles in Germany could make European capitals targets for Russian missiles in a repeat of Cold War-style confrontation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of a paradox in which Europe is a target for our missiles, our country is a target for US missiles in Europe. We have enough capacity to contain these missiles but the potential victims are the capitals of these countries, he said, speaking to Russian state television channel Russia 1. Advertisement Peskov also hinted that such a confrontation could undermine Europe as a whole. Europe is not living its best moment. In a different configuration, a repeat of history is inevitable, he said when the channels anchor Pavel Zarubin pointed out that the Cold War had ended with the Soviet Unions collapse. The White House announced on Wednesday during a NATO summit that it would periodically station long-range weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026 as a deterrent. Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence, the White House said. The Kremlin criticised the move, accusing Washington of taking a step towards a new Cold War and of directly participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Russias defence ministry said on Friday that Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held a telephone call with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin where they discussed lowering the risk of possible escalation. NATO countries spearheaded by the United States have bolstered their defences in Europe following the start of Russias military campaign in Ukraine in 2022. Julie Lythcott-Haims, Palo Alto City Council member and author of the bestselling How to Raise an Adult, admitted having a sexual relationship with a student in 2011 when she was a dean at Stanford. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle A Palo Alto politician and bestselling author who tells parents how to raise emotionally healthy children is admitting to a yearlong sexual affair with a student while she was a dean at Stanford University 13 years ago. Julie Lythcott-Haims, who serves on the Palo Alto City Council, on Friday confirmed the relationship, which was happening as Stanford honored her in 2010 with an award for contributions to undergraduate education. Five years later, her book How to Raise an Adult became a New York Times bestseller, drawing praise for the authors deep compassion for young people. Being in a relationship with a student was inappropriate when it happened 13 years ago, and it would be inappropriate now, Lythcott-Haims said in a statement noting that her intimate liaison with the student lasted a year and that she resigned from her Stanford job as a result. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lythcott-Haims had been dean of freshmen and undergraduate advising, as well as associate vice provost for undergraduate education. She left in 2012 after 14 years with the university. Stanford officials, who knew the true reason for her departure, allowed her to say she was pursuing a masters degree in fine arts. This year, Lythcott-Haims ran for the House seat being vacated by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, but was knocked out in the March primary. Her relationship came to light Thursday, when the former student, Olivia Swanson Haas, posted a steamy tell-all titled I Had an Affair With My College Dean on the LGBT online magazine Autostraddle. Her lengthy confession began: My first and only queer relationship was kept a secret, but not for the usual reasons. Rather, my first and only queer relationship was kept a secret because when I was 22 and a senior in college, I had an affair with a well-known dean at my university a married woman twice my age. All that was missing was the name of the dean. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A reporter with Palo Alto Online quickly deduced that it was Lythcott-Haims. Haas, whose online profile indicates that she dabbles in all things artistic, said the deans husband knew of the affair and appeared to accept it. Just dont buy her a car, Haas said the husband told Lythcott-Haims. The essay takes the patient reader through the tipsy giggles of the student and the dean, their showers together and beyond. Bras and panties are mentioned. It also reveals Haas discomfort as she led a double life at Stanford and distanced herself from her friends. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was a lot for a young person, Haas wrote. Especially in this particular collegiate environment going through the pomp and circumstance of senior year, meanwhile secretly sleeping with one of the most public figures on campus. She called Lythcott-Haims a school celebrity charismatic, adored. Haas said the dean checked the universitys policies and believed they werent breaking any rules. But, she wrote, It was clear that what we were doing put her job at risk, so I told no one. Being in a relationship with a student was inappropriate when it happened 13 years ago, and it would be inappropriate now, Julie Lythcott-Haims said Friday. I apologized privately to Ms. Haas years ago. Courtesy of Julie Lythcott-Haims campaign It wasnt until 2013, a year after Lythcott-Haims left Stanford, that university officials changed campus policy on Consensual Sexual or Romantic Relationships in the Workplace and Educational Setting to prohibit staff members including deans from having such relationships with students, because of their broad influence or authority over students and their experience. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Although a prohibition doesnt appear to have been on the books before then, university policy has long discouraged relationships with undergraduates, including prior to the 2013 policy, said Luisa Rapport, a Stanford spokesperson. It would be several years before the hashtag #MeToo caught fire in 2017. But as the dean cultivated the relationship with the student, a movement against campus sexual harassment was beginning to strengthen across the country. The relationship between Lythcott-Haims and Haas ended when Haas told her parents what happened. They were horrified, she wrote. Suddenly words like manipulated and abuse of power were being used and shame started to calcify in the parts of me that had desired her tremendous embarrassment as I began to see my great love story through a very different lens. Haas mother anonymously informed the school about the deans actions, resulting in her departure. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Today, Haas wrote, her life has been meaningful, even creatively rewarding. But there remains a specter of self-loathing, as well as bitterness in watching Lythcott-Haims public successes. A few years ago, Haas said, Lythcott-Haims emailed her and said she felt ashamed of what she had done. I apologized privately to Ms. Haas years ago, the council member wrote in her public statement. Now I want to publicly apologize to her for my actions and their impact on her. The move is touted as a major gambit by one of the richest men in the world as he tries to make his imprint in the American political landscape read more As the race to the White House intensifies, billionaire Elon Musk has donated to a Super Political Action Committee (Super-PAC) working towards getting former President Donald Trump elected in the 2024 US Presidential elections. The move is touted as a major gambit by one of the richest men in the world as he tries to make his imprint in the American political landscape. People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that Musk contributed to a low-profile group called America PAC. However, it is still unclear exactly how much he donated to the group but sources called it a sizable amount. Interestingly, the figure will be known soon, since the PAC is next to disclose its list of donors on July 15. Advertisement Musks latest contribution marks a significant shift from his previous stance of being politically independent. In the past, the Tesla CEO has been accused of espousing right-leaning views and assailing Democrats. While Musk has yet to publically endorse any presidential candidate, Chris Gober, America PACs treasurer has declined to comment as well. Super PAC: The pro-Trump group Musk donated to The group named America PAC is working mostly behind the scenes to boost the Trump campaign. Their get out and vote efforts are reportedly being conducted most intensively in key battleground states that will determine the outcome of the elections. However, Federal Election Commission disclosures didnt detail where work is actually being conducted. The group majorly focus on door-to-door persuasion as a recent ruling by the FEC allowed super PACs to coordinate with campaigns on voter outreach. In light of this, America PAC hired In Field Strategies, a national grassroots firm that has also worked for the Republican National Committee. Musks decision to donate to a pro-Trump group is being touted as a major blow to US President Joe Bidens bid for the White House. It is pertinent to note that Bidens campaign is already marred with concerns about his age and his mental acuity. Whats at stake for Musk Musk derives his wealth primarily from his holdings in electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc., SpaceX and X. His companies have undertaken sizable government contracts and have often clashed with federal agencies over regulations. Advertisement However, some of Trumps proposed policies, such as dismantling Bidens measures to transition the US to electric vehicles can have a direct impact on Teslas standing. In the past, the two business moguls have clashed over the matter. However, over the years, the two have grown closer with the billionaire advising the former president on electric vehicles and crypto policy. He [Trump] does call me out of the blue for no reason, Musk said at Teslas annual meeting last month. With inputs from agencies. According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, 90 people were killed and 300 wounded in the strike on Al-Mawasi, near the southern city of Khan Yunis. Israel had designated the area a safe zone and told civilians in other areas in Gaza to go there for safety read more Bird-eye view of destruction in one of Gazan street. Reuters Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday his government had no certainty that Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif was killed in a strike that officials in Hamas-run Gaza said killed dozens. Israel attacked Gaza today in an attempt to eliminate Mohammed Deif and his deputy, Rafa Salama, Netanyahu told a press conference hours after the attack on Al-Mawasi, a designated safe zone in Gazas south sheltering displaced Palestinians. There is no certainty that the two were eliminated, he added. Advertisement According to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, 90 people were killed and 300 wounded in the strike on Al-Mawasi, near the southern city of Khan Yunis. Israel had designated the area a safe zone and told civilians in other areas in Gaza to go there for safety. Netanyahu described Deif, head of the Hamas military wing, as the planner and leader of the October 7 attack that set off the Gaza war. Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring back all hostages from Gaza. The elimination of the heads of Hamas advances the achievement of all our objectives, said the right-wing premier who faces mounting opposition to the conduct of the war. In recent weeks, we have identified clear cracks within Hamas, he added. Todays operation also contributes to this, regardless of what its outcomes will be. The deaths in Al-Mawasi, an Israeli-designated safe zone where aid groups said hundreds of thousands of people were sheltering, drew condemnation from regional governments including Jordan, Iran and Egypt. Advertisement Cairos foreign ministry said such crimes cannot be accepted under any justification whatsoever. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi were set for release after the court ordered their release in the case of illegal marriage read more Hours after a court ordered their immediate release, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi were arrested by the countrys premier anti-corruption agency in a separate case. This means the two would continue to be in jail. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday evening arrested Imran and Bushra in a separate matter related to alleged corruption in the long-running Toshakhana Case against them. The Express Tribune reported that a NAB team arrived at the Adiala Jail and arrested the two before they were released in the marriage case. The paper further reported that it was also expected that investigators could arrest Imran in another case related to nationwide violence by his supporters in May last year. Advertisement Earlier in the day, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court had ordered their immediate release after they had challenged their sentencing in the case of having an illegal marriage. In February, the two were convicted and sentenced to seven-year in prison each. In all, Imran, the chief of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf party (PTI), has more than 100 cases against him and has been in jail for more than a year. The Toshakhana Case in which he has been arrested now refers to the alleged corruption in his dealings with toshakhana, the government repository where gifts received by government leaders and officials in their official capacity are deposited. It is alleged that he and Bushra bought back these gifts at low prices and sold them at much higher prices to make huge personal profits at the cost of exchequer. Imran has alleged that he is the victim of a conspiracy of Pakistans military and intelligence apparatus which is in league with the countrys political powers opposed to him. He also named the United States as being part of the conspiracy to oust him from power. In 2022, Imran was unceremoniously ousted as the Pakistani premier in a trust vote. He blamed it on the then-Opposition, the military-intelligence establishment, and the United States, and he and his supporters have continued the tirade since then. The tensions, which have especially pitted mainly Western countries against conservative, largely Muslim states, were on full display during the latest session of the UN Human Rights Council, which concluded Friday. As always with the June-July session of the council, women, gender and sexuality issues were heavily in focus in a large number of the resolutions debated read more The UN rights council adopted several resolutions this week dealing with women and gender rights, despite a mounting bid by Russia and others to remove controversial concepts around things like reproductive rights. Diplomats and others have been warning of growing efforts to remove references to womens rights or to sexual orientation and gender identity that had long gone uncontested in texts across the United Nations system. The tensions, which have especially pitted mainly Western countries against conservative, largely Muslim states, were on full display during the latest session of the UN Human Rights Council, which concluded Friday. Advertisement As always with the June-July session of the council, women, gender and sexuality issues were heavily in focus in a large number of the resolutions debated. The resolutions discussed included one on eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls, and one on human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS. They were finally adopted, but only after numerous attempts to change controversial wording in the texts failed to garner enough support. - Controversial - The council had to first debate and vote on a total of 15 proposed amendments, put forward mainly by Russia, before adopting those two resolutions. Russian representative Ilia Barmin lamented to the council that the resolutions were promoting controversial concepts. Among the proposed changes: delete gender, delete sexuality, delete the reference to womens and girls right to bodily autonomy. One proposed amendment also questioned the long-established focus for HIV and AIDS prevention on key populations, including men who have sex with men and gender diverse people. Each country should define the specific populations that are key to their epidemic and response, it said. Such efforts drew harsh rebukes from representatives of mainly Western countries. Advertisement We believe that efforts to change this definition (of key populations), are driven not by sound epidemiological evidence, but in fact by prejudices, US ambassador Michele Taylor told the council. German ambassador Katharina Stasch meanwhile slammed the proposal to remove references to womens bodily autonomy, insisting this should not be something we have to debate about in this council. Free and informed decisions over ones own body is about protecting the very foundation of human rights. - Undermining progress - The proposed amendments were all rejected, with most garnering support from fewer than a dozen of the councils 47 members. The proposed amendment with the most traction came from Kuwait, asking to remove references to universal access to evidence-based comprehensive sexuality education a controversial and non-consensual concept, according to Kuwaiti ambassador Naser Abdullah Al Hayen. Advertisement It should be replaced with universal access to scientifically accurate and age-appropriate education that is relevant to cultural contexts, the amendment said. Sex education must be culturally sensitive, Ghanas ambassador Emmanuel Kwame Asiedu Antwi told the council. French ambassador Jerome Bonnafont slammed attempts to undermine progress obtained by the international community in guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights. The rights council is not the only UN forum where words are being hotly debated. The World Health Organizations decision-making assembly last month was for instance forced for the first time to take a resolution to a vote instead of adopting it by consensus due to opposition over gender-related terminology. Advertisement A conservative alliance of countries, including Egypt, Russia and Saudi Arabia, balked at the term gender-responsive in the text, although they ultimately failed in their bid to change it. Vox made the move days after having an argument with PP over its decision to support the central governments plans to bring about 400 unaccompanied minors from the Canary Islands and redistribute them around the mainland read more Spains socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that it is a great day for the country as the far-right Vox Party relinquished its grip on power by abandoning five key regions across the country after having disagreements with the conservative Peoples Party over migration policy. Voxs leader Santiago Abascal announced that they are withdrawing from the coalition with Conservatives. Vox made the move days after having an argument with PP over its decision to support the central governments plans to bring about 400 unaccompanied minors from the Canary Islands and redistribute them around the mainland. Advertisement In the first six months of the year 2024, over 19,000 migrants and refugees reacted to the archipelago by sea using the deadly Atlantic route. This marked an increase of 167 per cent if compared to the data in the same period in the year 2023. The surge in numbers has sparked demonstrations across the country. The new cracks between the Spanish right In his announcement, Absacal said that Voxs attachment to our principles rather than our seats had led the party to end its coalitions in Valencia, Aragon, Murcia, Extremadura and Castilla y Leon. He stated that PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo had impeded and then torpedoed all of its regional deals with Vox. No one voted for Vox, and I dare say no one voted for the PP so that the invasion of illegal immigration and unaccompanied foreign minors could continue, he added. However, not all of Voxs regional MPs endorsed the move. On Friday, a handful of them resigned, insisting that they would remain in their respective posts, The Guardian reported. Spanish PM celebrated the move Meanwhile, the Spanish Prime Minister, who secured another term in office with the help of coalition partners, celebrated the move. I think this is a great day for Spain, he said. I think Spain is a better country today. And I cant hide my joy and happiness about that. Theres going to be a lot of political manoeuvring and the analysts are going to ask: Who will this benefit? Who will it hurt? I dont know who it will hurt and who it will benefit in political terms, but the net beneficiaries of the departure of the far right from regional governments are the majority of Spaniards," the Spanish premier furthered. Advertisement Feijoo on the other hand said that Voxs decision would not alter the PPs focus on governing the five regions by even a millimetre. With inputs from agencies. Turkey has launched successive offensives across the border in Syria to expel Kurdish forces from border areas in northern Syria, with pro-Turkish forces controlling two vast border areas of northern Syria. Erdogan supported early rebel efforts to topple Assad at the start of the war in 2011, but reversed course in recent years, with top officials from both countries meeting in Russian-mediated talks read more Syrias foreign ministry said Saturday a normalisation of ties with neighbouring Turkey depended on Ankara withdrawing troops from its territory. The statement came days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he might invite Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad to Turkey to try and reconcile ties between the two countries that went sour after war broke out in Syria in 2011. And earlier on Saturday Erdogan went further when he announced the imminent end to the Turkish forces operation against Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq and Syria. Advertisement Turkey has launched successive offensives across the border in Syria to expel Kurdish forces from border areas in northern Syria, with pro-Turkish forces controlling two vast border areas of northern Syria. Erdogan supported early rebel efforts to topple Assad at the start of the war in 2011, but reversed course in recent years, with top officials from both countries meeting in Russian-mediated talks. Earlier this month Erdogan pointed to a possible meeting with Assad in Turkey at any moment. Now we have come to such a point that as soon as Bashar al-Assad takes a step towards improving relations with Turkey, we will show him the same approach, Erdogan said Sunday. The foreign ministry in Damascus, in its statement of Saturday, said that any bid to restore ties between Syria and Turkey must be built on clear foundations that ensure the desired results foremost of which is the withdrawal of illegally present forces from the Syrian territory, and the fight against terrorist groups that threaten not only Syrias security, but also the security of Turkey. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were severed at the start of the war in Syria, which erupted after a brutal crackdown on anti-government protests. It has spiralled into a devastating war involving foreign armies and jihadists, and killed more than half a million people. The ministry said that from 4 am it had detected multiple waves of test launches by Chinas Rocket Force in Inner Mongolia, which lies some 2,000 km from Taiwan read more Taiwans defence ministry said on Saturday it was monitoring waves of missile tests taking place in Chinas far northern region of Inner Mongolia and that its air defence forces were on alert. Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, keeps a close watch on all Chinese military activities given Beijings regular activities around the island, but only rarely releases details of what it sees taking place inside China. The ministry said that from 4 a.m. (2000 GMT on Friday) it had detected multiple waves of test launches by Chinas Rocket Force in Inner Mongolia, which lies some 2,000 km (1,200 miles from Taiwan. Advertisement Taiwans forces are continuously monitoring developments and the air defence forces are on alert, the ministry said, without giving details. Chinas defence ministry did not answer calls seeking comment outside of office hours. The Rocket Force is in charge of Chinas conventional and nuclear missile arsenal. In August 2022, China fired missiles into the waters around Taiwan during war games to express anger at a visit to Taipei by then-Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Taiwan operates powerful radar stations on some of the peaks of its central mountain range that can look far into China, according to security sources. China detests Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who took office in May, calling him a separatist, and has increased its military pressure including war games since his inauguration. When asked who she would vote for, the longtime moderate conservative from Maine told reporters that she intended to write in former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haleys name on the ballot in November read more While several Democratic lawmakers are calling for Biden to drop out of the race, US Republican Senator Susan Collins said that she wont vote for former US President Donald Trump in the 2024 US Presidential Elections. Collins has been an ardent critic of Trump and did not vote for him in the 2016 or 2020 elections. When asked who she would vote for, the longtime moderate conservative from Maine told reporters on Friday that she intended to write in former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haleys name on the ballot in November. Interestingly, during the 2016 elections, Collins voted for then-US Speaker of the House Paul Ryan instead of Trump. Advertisement Collins is the only Republican holding statewide office in the state of Maine, where Trump has won electoral vote twice. I publicly endorsed Nikki Haley, and I wanted her to win. Shes still my favourite candidate, and I think she could do a great job. Shes my choice, and thats how Im going to express it, Collins averred, WMTW-TV reported. The Republican lawmaker made the remarks at an event in Limerick, about 34 miles west of Portland, where she was speaking at a ribbon-cutting for a new fire and emergency medical services station. After the event, Collins spokesperson Annie Clark reminded that the Senator has mentioned this before, including during a June television appearance. Why Collins is not voting for Trump During an appearance on Spectrum News in June, Collins said that she does not support the Democratic nominee either and supports some of Trumps policies. However, she mentioned that Trumps style is divisive at a time when our country is already so polarized. It is pertinent to note that Collins was also one of the seven Republicans who voted at the impeachment trial to convict Trump for allegedly inciting an insurrection after his supporters attacked the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. The Conservative politician was elected as the Senator back in 1996. She is the longest-serving Republican woman in the Senate. Collins herself is not on the ballot in 2024 and in 2020 she was re-elected when she defeated Democratic challenger Sara Gideon. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, is considered to be among the main planners of the October 7 terrorist attack along with Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in the Gaza Strip read more Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, has only three own phogoraph. This is one of them. (Photo: AP) An Israeli airstrike on Saturday targeted Mohammed Deif, the shadowy military chief of Hamas who has been among the most wanted terrorists for years. Deif is considered to be among the principal planners behind the October 7 attack on Israel along with Yahya Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza. Over the past two decades, Israel has carried out multiple assassination attempts but Deif has always managed to escape. The Israeli military on Saturday said it struck a residential compound in the city of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Sharing the aerial photograph of the area struck, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was an intelligence-driven precise strike that targeted two top Hamas figures. It further said the terrorists were hiding amid civilians in the post in Hebrew. Advertisement In addition to Deif, the other terrorist leader targeted was Rafaa Salameh, the commander of the Khan Younis Brigade of Hamas. , , , . , pic.twitter.com/sRjOxl8GPJ (@idfonline) July 13, 2024 The Hamas-controlled Gazan authorities have said that dozens of civilians were killed in the Israeli strike. While it has been confirmed that Deif was the target, it is not known if he was killed or whether he managed to survive yet again. Who is Mohammed Deif, one of Israels most-wanted men? Mohammed Deif is the chief of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of terrorist group of Hamas. But that may not be his real name. Deif is so shadowy that no one knows his real name for sure. Deif in Arabic means guest and he is called Mohammed Deif for his yearslong practice of staying as a guest at a select group of trusted lieutenants homes and not at a central location to avoid detection often in civilian neighbourhoods. Some media reports have said his real name is Mohammad Masri, but is has never been confirmed. Deif was born in 1965 in Khan Younis in Gaza. He joined Hamas sometime in 1990. Deif is an expert bombmaker and learnt the craft from Yshya Ayyash, the renowned bombmaker known as The Engineer. He is accused of masterminding a slew of suicide bombing from 1995 that killed dozens of Israelis, according to Sky News. Advertisement The report also said that Deif has also been central to the development of the tunnel network underneath Gaza, which has been central to the survival of Hamas over the years. Even as Israel controls large swathes of Gazan territory, Hamas is understood to have large parts of the tunnels network intact. Some reports have said the tunnels network run for 560-720 kms. For comparison, the entire length of Delhi Metro rail network is around 392 kms. In 2002, Deif became the head of the Hamas military. In his more than three decades of career in terrorism, he has been so shadowy that there are only three known photographs of him in the public domain, according to Reuters. One of the photos is from his 20s, another has him masked, and yet another photo of him was released by IDF in January which it found on Hamas files discovered during the war in Gaza. Advertisement Deif is one of the most wanted men in Israel and the United States has declared him as a special designated global terrorist. Old man in a world where men die young In a profession where men die young, Deif has lived and survived Israeli assassination attempts for too long. Militancy against Israel is a field with low life expectancy. Its quite remarkable that he has been able to survive so long. He is a long-lasting stain on Israels reputation of taking down designated targets, says Jacob Eriksson, a specialist in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the University of York, to France 24. Even though Deif has survived attempts on his life, he has not escaped unscathed. He lost an eye and suffered injuries in leg in attacks on him, according to Reuters. In 2014, an airstrike is also reported to have killed his wife and two children even as he escaped. Advertisement A source close to Hamas told the agency that Deif does not use digital technology or smartphones. Deifs continued survival despite repeated attempted on his life have given him a status of a folk hero among the Palestinians, according to the agency. Omri Brinner, an Israel and Middle East analyst at the International Team for the Study of Security Verona (ITSS), told France 24 that Deif is the ultimate survivor of Palestinian resistance in the eyes of Palestinians and his his ability to evade Israeli intelligence services has earned him the nickname the man with nine lives. Brain behind October 7 attack Deif is considered to be one of the two main brains behind the October 7 attack. The other one is Sinwar, the chief of Hamas in Gaza. Advertisement It has been reported that Deif planned the attack for more than two years. Within hours of the Hamas invasion of Israel, as terrorists massacred people across the southern Israel, Deif appeared in a recorded message to announce that Hamas was carrying out Operation Al Aqsa Flood. Today the rage of Al Aqsa, the rage of our people and nation is exploding. Our mujahedeen (fighters), today is your day to make this criminal understand that his time has ended, said Deif in the recording. For six to seven years before the October 7 attack, Deif had not made a public statement. Brinner told France 24 that Deifs position of never accepting a political solution with Israel makes him hugely popular among the Palestinians. The last years attack in which terrorists killed more than 1,400, injured more than 2,400, indulged in rampant sexual abuse, and took more than 251 hostages is further expected to have increased his appeal among the Palestinians. Eriksson, the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts expert at the University of York, said that Deif is also appealing to the people as he is the only top leader of Hamas who has educated his children in Gaza as opposed to the practice of sending children abroad. He further said that Deif is also immune to the criticism of the war leading to humanitarian crises in Gaza as his role is military and not political or governmental. Interview: UK should embrace changes in China, increase engagements: UK China expert Xinhua) 14:26, July 13, 2024 LONDON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Highlighting China has been part of British lives for a very long time, Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College, London, has urged Britain not to fear changes in China. During an interview with Xinhua this week, he also said "It's not in our interest to be defensive and stop working with China in areas like the environment. I hope we can collaborate with China on more fronts." With decades of experience as a diplomat, historian, and professor, Brown now leads one of the most influential China study centers in Europe, which serves as "a bridge for people in both countries to understand each other." Brown told Xinhua that even after the pandemic, few British government officials visited China, and he emphasized that there needs to be more high-level contact between the two countries, in addition to fostering more people-to-people interactions among businesspeople and students. Brown released a new book on Tuesday at Asia House, an independent think tank in London, to explore the history of interaction and power shifts between the United Kingdom (UK) and China after he observed a significant deterioration in bilateral relations following the COVID-19 pandemic. Dismissing the idea of questioning the value of a good relationship with China and highlighting the importance of pragmatic engagement, he said "Surprisingly, China has become a sensitive topic nowadays" and "It's ridiculous to question whether we should maintain a good relationship with China and have fewer anxieties." When asked about the future UK government's stance on China, Brown said that besides considering developments in United States politics, the UK should also focus on domestic development to meet economic and decarbonization targets. "We should have a clear and pragmatic relationship with China," he added. Addressing concerns about China's overcapacity and product dumping in clean energy, Brown noted that many people in the UK are concerned about climate change and that the UK needs to leverage China's technological advancements in clean energy. "I think the big issue for many in the UK is that they don't realize China has become a technological superpower," said Brown. As a historian of Chinese history, Brown remarked that China has always been changing, and Britain has been adapting to these changes for decades. "I think we should not be scared of changes in China," he noted. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Over the first six months of 2024, there were only 33 eviction filings related to breaches of lease agreements, resulting in a nearly 90% decline from the 286 filings in the first half of 2019. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle San Francisco landlords appear to have filed fewer eviction notices so far this year than any other year since at least 2010. San Franciscos Rent Board received 390 eviction notices from January to June this year, down from 471 during the same period in 2023 and less than half of the 810 noted in 2019. The decline in eviction filings comes during a period of softened demand for San Francisco rentals, with prices still far below their pre-pandemic heights. The numbers are likely a partial undercount, since landlords arent required to send the Rent Board copies of eviction notices related to the nonpayment of rent, which Executive Director Christina Varner said has probably become more common since San Franciscos eviction moratorium ended in August. Varner also cautioned that some property owners might not file notices as required, contributing to the undercount. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Filing an eviction notice doesnt necessarily mean a tenant immediately gets forced out. Landlords first have to go through a court process, during which the parties can strike a deal. But many renters simply leave after receiving an eviction notice. Still, tenant advocates have previously told the Chronicle that the trends in eviction notices generally mirror what they see on the ground. Eviction notices jumped in 2022, though not quite to pre-pandemic levels, after two years of pandemic-era lows. But the Rent Board received just 784 notices in 2023, less than half of the sum seen in 2019. Theres not as much demand for San Francisco rentals as there was before the pandemic, said Janan New, the executive director of the San Francisco Apartment Association. And with it being harder for landlords to fill vacancies, some are hesitant to go through the eviction process, she added, which often involves struggling to get a hearing scheduled and enduring lengthy delays. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The court systems are screwed up since the pandemic and a lot of people really consider closely whether they want to do that or not, New said. The decline in eviction filings seems associated with a drop in a few types of evictions. Over the first six months of this year, there were only 33 eviction filings related to breaches of lease agreements, a nearly 90% decline from the 286 filings in the first half of 2019. Filings can cite multiple reasons for an eviction. Many landlords arent filing breach of contract evictions anymore because of the amount of time and effort they take to process, except for egregious cases such as drug dealing, New said. She attributed the increased difficulty to large backlogs and low staffing at courts after the pandemic. Evictions related to the property owner or a relative moving into a renters unit fell from 140 in the first half of 2019 to 48 in the first half of 2024. There are several restrictions on this type of eviction, and the landlord must offer the tenant another unit. The Board of Supervisors passed additional tenant protections in 2018 to guard against landlords who evicted their tenants but never moved in. After that ordinance passed, owner move-ins plummeted. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In some cases, a landlord might try to take their rental property off the market entirely, a mechanism known as an Ellis Act eviction, often to convert a building into a condominium. These types of filings, which precede the eviction of all tenants in the building, became fairly rare after the pandemic. There were just 14 such filings in the first half of 2024, less than a quarter of the 64 filings over the same period in 2019. Other filing types have remained about as common as they were before the pandemic. Nuisance-related evictions, for example, increased in 2021 and 2022 but started to drop in 2023. Still, they remain the most frequently given reason for an eviction filing, a place once held by lease breach-related evictions. 2017-2019 Super Duty FORScan Spreadsheet NOTICE: Most of the links below are to online resources outside of the servers and control of Ford Trucks Enthusiasts (FTE). Examples of outside resources include Google Docs and FORscan.org. Please understand that neither FTE nor Internet Brands is responsible for the content contained in outside resources. While the list of links below is provided for the convenience of FTE readers, the provision of these links does not constitute an endorsement, nor any guarantee that the content contained in outside resources is suitable and/or absent of malware. FORScan SPREADSHEETS Dynamically maintained and hosted by the Authors listed Links to FORScan SPREADSHEETS on Google Docs: FORScan DISCUSSION THREADS Search for answers and ask your questions here Links to FORScan DISCUSSION THREADS on Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums: FORScan TUTORIALS Read FAQ's and Tutorials FIRST before asking questions. Links to FORScan TUTORIALS on various sites: NEW! FORScan HELPING HANDS A Directory of FTE Members Experienced with FORScan who may be willing to help you! Links to a spreadsheet of FORScan Helping Hands on Google Docs: What is FORScan? General description of SOFTWARE that bidirectionally reads codes, modules, and As Built Data of Fords FORScan is software synthesized from proprietary code for bi-directional communication with electronic modules in Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and a limited number of Mazda vehicles. with electronic modules in Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and a limited number of Mazda vehicles. As the name implies, FORScan only works on Ford's family of vehicle lines. At the basic level, FORScan can read and clear legislated Diagnostic Trouble Codes of emissions related components that illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp. and legislated of emissions related components that illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp. FORScan can also read and clear DTCs stored in memory for non emissions related Ford proprietary chassis modules that are not legislated and that basic OBDII readers cannot detect. Beyond DTCs, FORScan can also monitor Parameter IDs (PIDS) in real time as the vehicle is operating, providing diagnostic information similar to an OEM scan tool . in real time as the vehicle is operating, providing diagnostic information . More versatile than pro scan tools, FORScan works with Windows laptops, iOS devices, Android devices, and Android stereo head units for portability and even full time vehicle integration In concert with a tablet or aftermarket head unit, FORScan can facilitate another "gauge panel" displaying PIDS and vehicle data not available to be seen in the instrument panel. The monitored data captured by FORScan can be downloaded onto a spreadsheet or graph, synchronized in time to create data recordings of notable performance changes during driving events. However, the ULTIMATE in utilizing FORScan in 2011 and newer Ford trucks is vehicle personalization, enabling and customizing factory features hidden in trucks network of modules. Why is FORScan such a BIG DEAL? What are people doing with FORScan on their brand new warrantied vehicles? In a nutshell, new vehicle features and functions can be customized using FORScan. using FORScan. People have capitalized on FORScan's ability to read, write, and change As Built data in vehicle system modules. in vehicle system modules. For manufacturing efficiencies, the same component module might be installed in multiple vehicles and trim levels, yet function differently based solely on software settings, per the options ordered. Many "options/features" are ENABLED on higher trim levels, but are DISABLED or not available on lower trim levels. By changing the data in the As Built area of the modules, these "options/features" can become available and activated on vehicles not originally equipped with the option. What kinds of COOL CHANGES can be made with FORScan? A list of some, but not all, of the features and personalizations folks have tweaked in their trucks: Exterior Light Control Bambi Mode (High Beams with Fogs On) Remember Fog Lights on Start Up Daytime Running Lights with Headlights Daytime Running LIghts with Turn Signal (Switchback) Parking Lams on with Low Beams for DRL Halogen to LED Turn Signal Conversion Outer Halo C Clamp Lights as DRLs Turn Signal Flash Count Bed Lamp Install Interior Light Control Courtesy Lamp Fade In / Fade Out Ambient LED Lighting on Entry Ambient LED Lighting when Door Ajar Ambient Light Sensor Speed Puddle Lamp Illumination Time Dark Mode - Disable Illuminated Entry / Exit Horn Control Double Horn on Lock with truck running and without key FOB Double Honk without KEY Disable Panic Alarm Horn Determine # of Fob Button Presses to Engage Panic Alarm Horn Chime Control Disable Door Ajar Chimes Disable Key in Ignition Chime Disable Triple Ding at Start Up Disable Driver's Seat Belt Chime Disable All Seat Belt Chimes Instrument Panel Control Numerical Temperature values on Gauges DPF % Remaining on Screen Fuel Tank Size Boot Screen Animation - Change to different theme, or eliminate for faster boot up Sync 3 Theme Bluetooth Name Heated / Vented Seats Icons on Home Screen Add Average Speed to Trip / Fuel Menu Add Climate Screen to XL / XLT Radio / Navigation Head Unit Control Navigation in Motion View Text Messages in Motion Turn by Turn Navigation Remove XM / Sirius Radio from Source Remove CD Option from Sync Bluetooth Pairing Name Extend Radio On Time after Engine Off Tire / Wheel / Traction Control Hill Descent Traction Control TPMS Axle Ratio Tire Size / Speedometer recalibration Glass Control Global Window Close / Open Auto Fold / Unfold Outside Rearview Mirrors with Lock / Unlock on key fob Auto Fold / Unfold Outside Rearview Mirrors Lincoln Style Engine Control Remote Start Enable / Disable Secure Engine Idle ( Police Mode ) Auto Engine Shutdown Disable Enable Auto Regen Checkbox Electrical Control Battery Monitoring System (BMS) Disable Power Point Time Out Disable Power Point Time Out 4 Hours Comfort Control Timeouts for Heated Steering Wheel Switch Steering Wheel Button Functions Massage Seats How do I find my vehicle's As Built data? DOWNLOAD your vehicle's original As Built data from Ford. Here's how: Go to https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt (You may or may not need to enter your country first) See sequence of Motorcraft Service screenshots Enter your full 17 character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Press Submit. Do so only once, as doing so again will cancel the first request, increasing wait times. [During peak usage hours, wait times can take up to 5 minutes. Download your AsBuilt (.ab) file and store in a safe place. What Platforms / Operating Systems does FORScan support? Compare FORScan apps and OS/device dependent functionality at FORScan apps and OS/device dependent functionality at https://forscan.org/comparsion.html Windows - 10 /8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/2000 (ELM327 / ELS27 / STNxxxx adapters with COM, USB, Bluetooth & WiFi interfaces) - /8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/2000 NOTE: Only x86 hardware architecture supported. ARM architecture is not supported. Windows is the only platform that supports ALL features and functions of FORScan is the only platform that supports ALL features and functions of FORScan (Including module configuration and programming, and SAE J2534 Pass Thru Interface communication adapters) Apple Mac OS - Use a Windows Emulator/Shell - (such as Boot Camp, then use FORScan for Windows) - Use a Windows Emulator/Shell - Apple iOS - v7.0 & higher (using OBDLink MX+, ELM327 Bluetooth and WiFi adapters) & higher Android - v4.0 & higher (using ELM327 Bluetooth and WiFi adapters) How do I OBTAIN FORScan? The FORScan application can be downloaded from https://forscan.org/download.html Windows - Standard License (Free, includes all diagnostic functionality, but NO module programming abilities) License Windows - Extended License ( REQUIRED for module configuration and programming , and servicing PATS) License Windows - Wine Build (See FORScan Forums and FORScan Home Page with site index for details.) Apple MacOS - Use Windows Emulator/Shell - (Then download Windows licensing version of choice) Apple iOS - FORScan Viewer for iOS (Free, use first to check for app compatibility with iOS device) for Apple iOS - FORScan LITE for iOS (Limited functionality, see Comparison Chart for details) for Android - FORScan Demo for Android (Free, use first to check for compatibility with Android device) for Android - FORScan LITE for Android (Limited functionality, see Comparison Chart for details) Is an Extended License REQUIRED in order to use FORScan? Detailed licensing levels and requirements can be reviewed at https://forscan.org/faq.html#licensing No license needed with Windows FORScan for diagnostics (retrieving & clearing DTCs, monitoring PIDS) (retrieving & clearing DTCs, monitoring PIDS) License always required for ANY function with FORScan LITE for mobile Android / iOS platforms with FORScan for mobile platforms If you wish to donate to FORScan development, then obtain an Extended License for Windows to FORScan development, then obtain an Extended License for Windows Available Extended License Periods include 2 month (free), 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, and Lifetime If you want to perform the following functions with Windows FORScan, then an Extended License is required: Module Configuration Module Configuration (AS BUILT Data) Central Configuration[ Module Reset/Configuration PATS Programming[ What is DIFFERENCE between Free versus Paid Extended Licenses? Paid Extended Licenses last longer, and are much easier to set up with Activation Code ` FORScan instructions use words "Activation Code" and "License Key" interchangeably However, a difference exists between what Activation Code vs License Key really mean This difference is an important factor that distinguishes a paid license from a free license All Extended Licenses require a key for each hardware device FORScan is enabled on Free License Keys must be manually prepared, generated, downloaded, and installed Activation Codes automate and simplify the manual process of setting up license key Activation Codes are only issued for Paid licenses, and are valid for license duration Free licenses require manual generation and installation of License Key (No Activation Code) Free licenses must be renewed every 2 months, and require FORScan Forum membership There are no other functional differences between free versus paid Extended Licenses. How do I ACQUIRE an Extended License for FORScan? LITE users see App / Play store. Windows users read Standard and Extended Licenses for Windows ` To acquire a Free 2 Months Trial Extended License for Windows: One must first Register to become member of FORSCan.org forum to log in to Extend License After registering, open FORScan and select the Steering Wheel Icon in bottom left corner of screen The FORScan About page will show the Standard License Hardware ID. Click Copy To Clipboard. IMPORTANT NOTE: Look up Hardware ID on the computer used to directly connect with vehicle. If FORScan is loaded on both a desktop (to review logs) as well as a laptop (to connect to vehicle), then it is essential to use the Hardware ID from the laptop to register for any type of Extended License, because the laptop is the computer used to connect to vehicle. However, the laptop does not have to be actually connected to the vehicle in order to get the Hardware ID. Generate Trial Extended License using this link on FORScan's website: Generate Trial License (FORScan requests First & Last Name, Contact Phone Number, and Hardware ID as derived above) After license key is successfully generated, click on the Download link in the Action row of the table presented and download the license key to any file on computer that you can locate later for install. It is not necessary to immediately "install" the license directly from the link where license key was obtained. ` To acquire a Paid 1yr, 3yr, 5yr or Lifelong Extended License for Windows: Visit FORScan.org Downloads. Buy Extended License (Click length of term desired) Transaction executes through "ShareIt/MyCommerce" (linked via terms clicked above) Once payment is processed, an Order Confirmation page presents an Activation Code Confirmation Email also contains Activation Code, along with Installation Instructions The email may contain an attachment to download. Note where you download this file! How do I INSTALL / ACTIVATE the Extended License Key? ` General Notes on installing Extended License Key / Activation Code An internet connection is required on device to be licensed at the moment of activation Once activated, FORScan no longer requires any internet connection on device to use the software The Activation Code / License Key file should be kept safe, in the event FORScan needs re-activating again One License Key per single PC. Another way in which "License Key" and "Activation Code" terms are distinguished: Multiple License Keys can be ordered at once for each PC, to be conveniently linked by using the same Activation Code. Choose any one of the Four Methods described below to Install License. Only one method need be used, not all Four, but if one method doesn't work, try another. ` Method 1 to Install Paid License: (This method works for Paid licenses) Double click directly on the file downloaded from the MyCommerce email (paid license), as described in section above. Confirm / authorize the file to make changes to the Windows registry After the foregoing is complete, Restart FORScan application Must be online, and firewall must not have FORScan outgoing connections blocked After restart, the Extended License is installed and application is ready to use ` Method 2 to Install Paid License: (Copy & Paste Activation Code provided for Paid license) Start FORScan & click Steering Wheel "?" Icon (About Section) at bottom left of screen Click "Load License Key" (in some versions called "Enter Activation Code") button Dialog box will open, where Activation Code from email can be copied & pasted into Wait for Activation result (can be very short), then agree to restart application Must be online, and firewall must not have FORScan outgoing connections blocked After restart, the Extended License is installed and application is ready to use ` Method 3 to Install Free License: (Navigate to Download from within FORScan application dialog directory) Start FORScan & click Steering Wheel "?" Icon (About section) at bottom left of screen Click "Load License Key" (in some versions called "Enter Activation Code") button Dialog box will open, displaying FORScan directory which may not be where License is Using mouse, navigate to the directory where file downloaded from either the FORScan forum link (free), or the MyCommerce email (paid) was stored, as made note of earlier. Once FORScan Key file is located, select it and press OK in dialog box. Affirm prompt requesting to restart FORScan by clicking OK. After restart, the Extended License is installed and application is ready to use ` Method 4 to Install Free License: (Especially helpful for Windows 10 users, as suggested by F-Wolf) When downloading Extended License, make a new folder and name it FORScan License If Windows asks what type of file the Download is, select the .key file extension Find the FORScan Program folder. (example C:/ Program Files (x86) / FORScan) Copy & paste the "FORScan License" folder created in the first step above (which has the .key file download) into the FORScan Program folder found in the Program Files on the C drive Start FORScan and click Steering Wheel "?" Icon (About Section) at bottom left of screen Click "Load License Key" button (in earlier versions called "Enter Activation Code") Dialog box opens, displaying FORScan directory where the "FORScan License" file In example directory below, FORScan Forum member F-Wolf named his file "Licence" Once FORScan License Key file is located, select it and press OK in dialog box. Affirm prompt requesting to restart FORScan by clicking OK. After restart, the Extended License is installed and application is ready to use ` Image Credits: F-Wolf of FORScan.org for images illustrating Method 4. KELLSDAD22 at FORScan.org for images illustrating Method 3. YOUR PROGRAM FILE LISTS WILL LIKELY DIFFER FROM THOSE ILLUSTRATED. All About ADAPTERS. Which one to choose? ` Known Good and Recommended Adapters Tested by FORScan developers and super users: Windows for programming, complex module configuration, changing settings, all diagnostics OBDLink EX USB (verified for all programming functions except pass through) Viaken STN1170 USB (No longer recommended for new designs) ELS27 v3 (Russian) OBDLink SX (if modified for MS-CAN Support) OBDLink LX (if MS-CAN Support not required) OBDLink MX+ (no programming, no complex configuration, no calibration updates) Android w/ FORScan LITE Diagnostics only, read/clear DTC, monitor PID, some service OBDLink MX+ OBDLink LX (if MS-CAN Support not required) ELS27 v3 (Russian) OBDLink MX BT (Discontinued by OBDLink) Apple iOS w/ FORScan LITE Diagnostics only, read/clear DTC, monitor PID, some service OBDLink MX+ ` OBDLink ELM327 Compatible OBD to UART Interpreter Integrated Circuit Device IDs: STN1110 - STN1110 - Not recommended for newer designs, active but outdated STN1130 - OBDLink SX USB - Low Cost - Can be hacked with manual switch STN1151 - OBDLink MX BT v2 - Even Version 2 is discontinued. Use MX+ or LX STN1152 - OBDLink MX WiFi - Native iOS Support, but discontinued. Now use MX+ STN1155 - OBDLink LX BT - Supercedes MX BT, but does not support Apple iOS STN1170 - STN1170 - Not recommended for newer designs. Consider STN2120 STN2100 - STN2100 - Not recommended for Fords newer than 2003. See STN2120 STN2120 - STN2120 - Supports Ford MS CAN and GM SW CAN STN2230 - OBDLink EX USB - Low Cost - Auto switching - Supports Ford MS CAN STN2255 - OBDLink MX+ BT - Supports iOS, Ford MS CAN, SW CAN, Auto switch ` Cheap Chinese Clone ELM327 Compatible Adapters : Use at own risk; then report what happened... or didn't. ` Common Connection Interface Options for adapter to computer / hand held device connection: USB - Most stable & reliable connection, & the fastest. Required for programming BlueTooth (BT) - Most common connection, used on Android devices running FORScan LITE WiFi - Not recommended by FORScan. Used on Apple iOS 8+ devices running FORScan LITE ` OBDII and Vehicle Module Network Communication Bus Protocols : MS-CAN Medium Speed CAN (Proprietary Ford body, chassis, & interior modules) HS-CAN High Speed CAN (Emissions regulated Ford engine & drivetrain modules) ISO 9141-2 (older Ford secondary network, up to 2009. Primary on Mazda to 2003) ISO 11898 CAN (Raw CAN standard set, encompassing physical layers) ISO 14230-4 (also known as KeyWord Protocol 2000, aka KWP, aka KWP2K) ISO 15765-4 CAN (Worldwide harmonized and regulated transportation CAN standard) SAE J1850 PWM (older Ford Standard Corporate Protocol, up to 2003 and up to 2009) SAE J1850 VPW (older GM Class 2 vehicles) SAE J1939 CAN (Medium and Heavy Duty Truck adaptation of ISO 15765 CAN) SAE J2411 SW-CAN (Single Wire CAN, GMLAN, GMW3089) SAE J2534 Pass-Thru (Calibration ReFlash through OEM supplied server connection) SAE J2818 (also known as KeyWord Protocol 1281, aka KWP1281) UBP - (Universal Bus Protocol, an older UART based protocol used prior to Ford SCP) Having now selected a device platform, downloaded FORScan, acquired a license, activated the license, and chosen an adapter... The Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori flies over the city as seen from Crissy Field in San Francisco on Friday. The exhibition was largely obscured by fog. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle Attendees wait for the Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori to fly over Crissy Field in San Francisco on Friday. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle Sandy Baumgarten, auxiliary president and board member at Italian Community Services, holds an Italian flag while waiting for the Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori to fly over Crissy Field in San Francisco on Friday. Italian Consul General Sergio Strozzi invited the local Italian community to enjoy the aerial display. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle Italian pride took to the skies Friday over San Francisco, as the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Forces answer to the Blue Angels, painted the fog-flecked blue with red, white and green smoke over Crissy Field. That is, for those onlookers willing to wait a while. The flyovers were scheduled to start around 2 p.m. but took place closer after 3 p.m. Onlookers Italian, Italian American and everyone else seemed unbothered. Many chatted and waited, with bottles of Peroni, glasses of prosecco and Aperol Spritzes in hand at Tunnel Tops Park on a windy, and more than a little clouded over, Friday afternoon. That included Sergio Strozzi, the consul general of Italy in San Francisco, who arrived smilingly toting a case of prosecco along with a bevy of besuited staff waving small Italian flags. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Italian Consul General Sergio Strozzi speaks with attendees while waiting for the Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori to fly over Crissy Field in San Francisco on Friday. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle Its been over 30 years since the Frecce were in the U.S., Strozzi said, calling the flyover a demonstration of friendship between Italy and the U.S. and of Italian technology in a world tech capital. Italy, well known for its gastronomy, wine and fine clothes, is less known but no less proud of its technical accomplishments, said Strozzi. That included high-tech diagnostic trains to catch track problems in the BART system built by a company in Puglia, as well as fine autos and more. Some spectators arrived for what turned out to be hours early to nab a good viewing spot despite the channel fog. That included San Francisco natives Jack Lee and daughter Kristy Lee, who with at least one Peroni in hand said they came out of Italian pride and just to enjoy the show. Retired San Francisco police officer and proud Italian American Lorraine Lombardo showed up sporting a Roma hat and said shed seen the Frecce in the Eternal City the year prior during a flyover. Asked how they stacked up against the Blue Angels, she was torn. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Attendees wait through a delay for the Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori to fly over Crissy Field in San Francisco on Friday. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle Speaking as an American she said she preferred the Blue Angels. The Italian side of her was of course partial to the Frecce, meaning arrows in Italian. Italian civic organizations, as well as the countrys government, were well represented, with women from the Le Donne dItalia womens group and representatives from the nearby Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Fort Mason. The crowd, maybe 200 people, laughed and drank with bits of Italian Piacere! Ciao! peppered through. It felt more like a family picnic than an air show, and not a single person could be heard complaining about the slight tardiness of the pride of the Italian Air Force. Quite the opposite. Stacey Shaffer, another Italian American, said events like this were important to us, its our culture. She said much of the local Italian community in San Francisco has disappeared, and we hold onto anything we can. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Attendee Susan OLeary holds her dog, Dante, and an Italian flag while waiting for the Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori to fly over Crissy Field in San Francisco on Friday. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle The anticipated flyovers drew plenty of Italians, too, including Martina Clini, who said she crossed the bay from Alameda where she lives and stood with friends chatting in her mother tongue. Many spectators were unclear on when the planes would show up, but also on the reason for the flyover. The Frecce are on a U.S. tour, but unlike in 1992 when they came to mark the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus arrival in the Americas, this time was if anything an excuse to come together the Italian way. A little after 3 p.m., with the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge still obscured by fog, a low roar rumbled across the bay, around 10 jets streaked out of the clouds and fog, shooting across the bay and disappearing on the backside of Angel Island as the crowd whooped and cheered. Then silence as a puzzlement descended and no one seemed clear on whether they would come back. After a few minutes the Italian tricolor, painted in smoky trails just north across the bridge, could be seen right below the fog line. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Attendees watch from Crissy Field as the Italian Air Force acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori flies over San Francisco on Friday. Loren Elliott/Special to The Chronicle Was that it? The Frecce were waiting for the big finale. Another guttural roar and the planes trailed their tricolored smoke to louder cheers still across the citys skyline, framing the Transamerica Pyramid, the Salesforce Tower and beyond. Lorenza Graziosi, a Rome native but longtime San Franciscan draped in a tricolor necklace, laughed a bit when asked just before the finale whether she had enjoyed the show. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ellie Lorenzo, a 3-year-old who was reported missing, has been found dead. Courtesy Fremont Police Department The body of 3-year-old Ellie Lorenzo was found in San Jose. Courtesy of Fremont Police Department A 3-year-old Fremont girl who had been reported missing on Friday has been confirmed dead. A homicide investigation is forthcoming. Ellie Lorenzo had been reported missing by her mother, who said the girls father was supposed to return the child that night under a custody agreement, according to Fremont police. The father died in San Francisco on Friday, police said, and Ellie had last been seen at about 6 p.m. Thursday in Fremont. At about 12 p.m. Saturday, Fremont police said on social media that the body of a girl resembling Ellie had been found in a San Jose recycling facility. Ellies mother, Dr. Chrystal Obi, confirmed the girls death in a statement to KGO TV. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are heartbroken at the loss of our dear sweet Ellie, Obi told the station. She was the most charming, funny, smart, friendly little girl. Ellie loved dancing and meeting new people. She so easily made friends and spread so much joy everywhere she went. She will be remembered for her smart and curious mind, her big smile, and her warm loving heart. Ellies life was full of so many people who loved her so much and will miss her beyond words can explain. We wanted to extend our thanks to the community at large in their support through the search for Ellie. Officers found Ellies body at about 4:40 a.m. Saturday, San Jose police said in a statement. Per Santa Clara County policy, every child death is investigated as a homicide. San Jose police are leading the investigation, according to the Fremont Police Department. Our department is saddened to learn Ellie has not survived, Fremont Police Chief Sean Washington said in a statement. Our hearts are heavy for Ellies family, and we will continue to support them during this difficult time. I want to thank all the members of our department and allied agencies who worked tirelessly throughout the night to try to bring Ellie home safely. On behalf of our department and community, please keep everyone impacted by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. A view of downtown Truckee in the winter. The median cost of a home in the city is $1.2 million. Deb Wandell / The Chronicle Truckee property owners who rent homes to local workers for at least three years will be eligible to receive up to $26,000 in public subsidies, the latest in a series of initiatives that the Lake Tahoe-area town is undertaking in order to house a local workforce that is often priced out of the resort community. The program, dubbed Rooted Renters, is an effort to more efficiently use Truckees housing stock, much of which sits vacant for portions of the year, while those who staff the towns restaurants, schools and health clinic often are forced to commute from as far away as Reno or Carson City, Nev. The $1.25 million program, which starts Monday, will lock in rents for three years while the landlords receive between $9,000 and $26,000, depending on the size of the home. In order to qualify for the program landlords must rent to households earning less than 150% of area median income, which is $135,000 for a two-person household or $168,000 for a four-person household. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rooted Renters is a follow up to Lease to Locals, which targets homeowners who have not previously rented out their units. That program offers up to $10,000 for property owners willing to lease out their homes to qualified local workers. We recognize that we cannot simply build our way out of the housing crisis, and unlocking existing housing stock for the local workforce is essential, said Truckee Mayor David Polivy. Both programs were started by Placemate, a company that has helped tourism centers across the country find a way to unlock little-used vacation homes. Its really a reaction to the fact that Lease to Locals is rewarding new landlords and existing landlords were putting up their hands saying, What about us? said Placemate Founder and CEO Colin Frolich. Some of those folks have been landlords for five or 10 or 20 years. Truckee Housing Manager Lynn Baumgartner said Lease To Local applications have been coming in pretty fast. The program, funded by taxes generated by the towns tax on short-term rentals, is closing in on its 200th lease. So far, Truckee has spent $1.5 million on Lease to Locals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We see ads on Craigslist or Facebook requesting local workers because they want to do Lease to Locals, she said. We are a fairly small town so 200 workforce households makes a big difference. The programs have a $3,500 cap on rents, although most of the rents are lower than that. Truckees housing stock tends to be large homes three-bedrooms or more. Requiring three years is a way to increase stability for our local workforce renters, said Baumgartner. She said the program is popular among property owners. While 70% of the property owners who have signed on to Lease to Locals have continued to rent out their homes after the first year, others have not. We hear lots of stories about people who find a great rental and then the house gets sold or converted to a short-term rental, she said. While Truckee and other Tahoe communities are pushing to build more affordable housing, the Lease to Locals and Rooted Renters programs target middle-income workers who might have jobs with hospitals, schools, fire departments, utility companies and other essential services. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A program like this needed to exist because those folks are going to bail on Truckee if they cant stay rooted, said Frolich. That is the idea. Its geared at the moderate-income household, folks making $60,000 or $70,000 or more. Folks who are making decent salaries but they cant afford the median house in Truckee, which is $1.2 million. Placemate, which started in Truckee in 2020 when pandemic refugees were driving up housing prices in resort communities around the country, is now operating in multiple ski towns in Colorado and Idaho, as well as in three New England summer resorts: Provincetown, Mass.; Nantucket, Mass.; and Woodstock, Vt. Frolich said resort communities share a lot of similarities: limited land on which to build, a short building season, labor shortage and high-wage earners from metropolitan areas driving up housing prices Its been cool to see the idea flourish out of Truckee, said Frolich. Tourism towns look different when there isnt snow, but a Nantucket isnt too different than a Truckee, although its like Truckee on steroids. On Nantucket the median home price is $3.5 million and its literally an island. Like Truckee, many of the towns using Placemate to deal with the lack of workforce housing use taxes levied on Airbnbs and other short-term rents, Frolich said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statement on arrest of an Australian Defence Force member Issued by Defence Media 12 July 2024 Defence is aware an Australian Defence Force (ADF) member has been arrested and charged with an espionage-related offence. Defence takes all breaches of security seriously. In response to serious allegations, it is general practice to suspend an ADF member from service, including immediately cancelling the member's access to Defence bases and ICT systems. Defence continues to work with the Counter Foreign Interference Task-Force. As this matter is before the courts and due to personal privacy obligations, Defence will not make further comment. Further enquiries should be directed to the Australian Federal Police. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia accuses Russian-born couple of espionage By Phil Mercer July 12, 2024 Two Russian-born Australian citizens have been accused of spying for Russia. Australian federal police arrested the married couple at their home in Brisbane on Thursday, accusing them of accessing documents related to national defense. Kira Korolev, a 40-year-old private in the Australian army, and her 62-year-old husband, Igor Korolev, appeared in court Friday. They have both been charged with one count of preparing for an espionage offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment. It is the first time this type of charge has been brought since foreign interference laws were enacted in Australia in 2018. Investigators allege that Kira, an army information systems technician, traveled to Russia and that while there, she instructed her husband how to access material from her official work account with the intention of providing it to Russian intelligence officials. Mike Burgess, the head of ASIO, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, the national security agency told reporters in Canberra Friday that spying is a serious crime. "Espionage was not some quaint Cold War notion," he said. "Espionage damages our economy and degrades our strategic advantage. It has catastrophic real-world consequences. Foreign intelligence services are capable, determined and patient. They play the long game. The problem for them is ASIO does, too." It is unclear whether the two defendants passed on any documents to Russian intelligence or anyone else, or the nature of the information they are accused of trying to pass on. Australia police said that "no significant compromise" of military secrets had been identified. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters in Canberra Friday that spies will be tracked down. "Australia's security agencies are doing their job and they are doing it well. People will be held to account who interfere with our national interests and that is precisely what these arrests represent." Authorities say Kira Korolev was employed by the army for several years and held a security clearance within the military. She became an Australian citizen in 2016. She and her husband did not apply for bail and have been remanded into custody. A magistrate in Queensland state has adjourned the case until September 20. The Australian Federal Police, which is leading the investigation, said Australia's Five Eyes security alliance partners, the United States, Britain, New Zealand and Canada, could be confident that Australia would "continue to identify and disrupt espionage and foreign interference activity." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Botswana pledges continued support for Mozambique after regional troops leave By Charles Mangwiro July 11, 2024 Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi has promised to continue supporting Mozambique in its fight against violent extremism in the oil-and-gas rich province of Cabo Delgado, even after the imminent departure of southern African troops from the troubled region. Addressing a media conference upon his arrival in the Mozambican capital Maputo late Wednesday, Masisi said the withdrawal of troops from Cabo Delgado does not mark the end of his country's support in combating violent extremism. Masisi said Botswana remains ready to assist Mozambique. "In the military and security space, we are going to share our know-how and expertise because we are to you what you are to us," said Masisi. "And just to make it clear, we will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Mozambique in the quest for peace, so any instability such as we witnessed, we will be ready to intervene." Botswana is the second country, following Tanzania to pledge continued support for Mozambique after the departure of troops from SADC, the Southern African Development Community. The SADC troops are due to leave Mozambique on July 15 due to financial issues. After holding official talks with Masisi at his seaside palace in Maputo late Wednesday, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi thanked his visitor for Botswana's role in the fight against terrorism in Cabo Delgado. "Together, we work to combat these attacks and this help does not end," said Nyusi. "There are many ways Masisi is supporting Mozambique and that will continue. We are training our officers, our military personnel in Botswana. And the flow will continue because these are the ones who must ensure the continuation of the fight." The SADC mission consisted of troops from Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia, working in collaboration with the Mozambican defense forces and Rwandan troops to combat acts of terrorism and violent extremism. The mission, known as SAMIM, has been in Mozambique since July of 2021 and was able to destroy the terrorist bases, reduce the number of attacks, and restore normal functioning to public and private institutions. However, Webster Zambara, a senior project leader of peace-building initiatives at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in South Africa, predicted a long road ahead before terrorism is vanquished in northern Mozambique. Zambara spoke with VOA Thursday from his base in Cape Town over WhatsApp. "If you look at Boko Haram in West Africa, it has been there for 15 years now. If you look at al-Shabab in East Africa, it has been there for more than 10 years," said Zambara. "So, anyone who thought that rising extremism in northern Mozambique is going to be a short war would not have looked at how terrorists have operated, not only in Africa, but even globally. " The insurgency in northern Mozambique began in 2017 and already has caused close to 6,000 deaths, leading to the displacement of more than 1 million people. Multinational oil and gas firms operating in the region, such as Exxon Mobil and Total, were forced to suspend operations over security concerns. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marking the 8th Anniversary of the South China Sea Arbitral Award Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 12 July 2024 Category: International relations Eight years ago today, an Arbitral Tribunal, constituted under the UN Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), made a unanimous, clear, and binding ruling in the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China. It found China's claims to historic rights in maritime areas within its dashed line had no legal basis. It also found China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights under UNCLOS and that its vessels had unlawfully created risks of collision and danger. By ratifying UNCLOS, States consent to, and must comply with, its compulsory dispute settlement procedures in full, not selectively. This includes arbitration. States cannot simply choose not to participate in proceedings commenced against them. The Arbitral Tribunal's 12 July 2016 findings are final and binding on the Philippines and China. Australia has consistently called for compliance with this decision. We will continue to do so. A stable and peaceful maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific is vital. It is at the heart of our shared interests and our shared prosperity. UNCLOS' critical freedoms, rights, and obligations serve as a cornerstone of regional peace, stability, and prosperity. By ratifying UNCLOS all States, regardless of size, commit to observe and to protect its essential rules. Conduct inconsistent with UNCLOS is of common concern. On occasion, disputes over interpretation of UNCLOS arise. Australia is no stranger to these. The UN Charter and UNCLOS require that such disputes be settled peacefully. Where disputes have been subject to ruling by a dispute settlement body, these rulings must be complied with. This year's anniversary occurs against the backdrop of increasing instability and destabilising conduct in the South China Sea. Australia welcomes discussion between the Philippines and China and encourages ongoing steps to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes peacefully, consistent with international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 12, 2024 Transcript Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH: Hi. Good afternoon. Happy Friday. Thanks for being here today. I know we don't usually do briefings on a Friday, so appreciate you adjusting your schedules. So first, starting off, I'd like to acknowledge the end of a successful week of the NATO summit. As you know, Secretary Austin had engagements throughout the week with his counterparts, including bilateral engagements and hosting a dinner for defense ministers on Wednesday evening. This week, we celebrated NATO's historic achievements during the 75 years since its establishment and further deepened our bonds with our NATO allies and other partners. We also reaffirmed our commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for freedom from Russian aggression. In support of that commitment, the department announced yesterday the 61st presidential drawdown authority package, which has an estimated value of $225 million. This package will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs and includes one Patriot battery, munitions for rocket systems and artillery and anti-tank weapons. For a complete listing of the PDA's contents, I would direct you to defense.gov. Separately this morning, Secretary Austin also spoke by phone with Russian Minister of Defense, Andrey Belousov. During the call, the Secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. The last time Secretary Austin spoke with his Russian counterpart was on June 25, 2024, and later today, a brief readout of the call will be posted to defense.gov. And finally, I'd like to provide an update on the temporary pier or the Joint Logistics Over The Shore capability that has been used to surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza. On Wednesday, U.S. Central Command personnel attempted to re-anchor the temporary pier to the beach in Gaza to resume humanitarian operations. However, due to technical and weather related issues, CENTCOM personnel were unable to re-anchor the pier to the shore. The pier support vessels and equipment returned to Ashdod and will remain there for now. A re-anchoring date has not yet been set at this time. To date, more than 8,000 metric tons, or nearly 20 million pounds of humanitarian aid have been delivered from the pier to the marshaling area where it can be collected by humanitarian organizations for onward delivery and distribution. As we said when we first announced this, the pier is part of a comprehensive response to the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In addition to enabling the delivery of life saving aid, implementation of JLOTS has enabled the development of Cyprus as a port for inspections and deliveries directly into Gaza. Aid can now be inspected in Cyprus and delivered directly into Gaza through Israel's Ashdod port and crossings in the north. The deployment of this pier has also helped secure Israeli commitment to opening additional crossings into northern Gaza. Since the opening of these crossings, we've seen more trucks moving from Jordan directly into northern Gaza to help alleviate the dire humanitarian conditions. As we announced yesterday, the pier will soon cease operations with more details on that process and timing available in the coming days. We're very proud of our service members and all those supporting this effort and who have enabled vital humanitarian assistance to get into to those in Gaza who need it most. Without a doubt, lives have been saved because of their work and commitment under very challenging conditions. And as hundreds of thousands of people continue to face emergency levels of food insecurity across Gaza, the United States will continue to take all possible action to ensure increased aid flows are sustained at the scale needed to meet the needs on the ground. As we've said from the beginning, DOD will continue to work closely with USAID and others in the Middle East region to support these important efforts. And with that, I'd be happy to take your questions. I believe we have AP joining us on the phone today. So I'll turn it over to Tara Copp. Q: Hi, Sabrina. Thanks for doing this. Um, so just on the pier, you said no decision has been made on it, but it sounds like it might just be too much between the sea states and the small amount of aid left to make it uh, make sense to reattach. Is that kind of the deliberations that you guys are going through right now? MS. SINGH: Thanks, Tara, for the question. So certainly um, sea states environmental factors are going to be taken into consideration when it comes to their re-anchoring. I again, as I said at the top, a re-anchoring date has not been set at this time. When and if that does happen, we'd be of course certainly to keep you updated on that front. And did you have another one? Q: I do, a couple. Um, so but is one of the options you're thinking is just at this point because the weather is going to get worse and you'd never really been intending to have it last later in the summer anyway that this might be the end of the pier MS. SINGH: Yeah, so yeah, appreciate the question. Again, can't predict the weather. It's something that we are assessing day by day. We know for the next few days there are going to be higher sea states that would not allow a re-anchoring to be possible. Again, at this time, I just don't have more information to provide on when and if a re-anchoring date has been or will be possible. If a re-anchoring does happen, of course, as we always do, we would read that out to you. And anything additional and then I'll come in the room. Q: Just one last, um, does the Pentagon have any uh of its own intelligence corroborating that Russia tried to um assassinate arms makers, Western arms makers who are assisting with the effort in Ukraine? And was this brought up in Austin's call with his counterpart? MS SINGH: Thanks, Tara for the question. In terms of any further details on the call, I'm just not going to be able to provide that at this time. I've seen some of those reports. Of course, we always with any of our allies and partners, always share intelligence and information, but I just don't have more to add at this time as well. I'll come in the room. Oren. Q: One pier question and then one question on the call with the Russian counterpart. Um, whose decision was it to to end or not extend the pier operation? Is that a General Kurilla decision? Is that is that SECDEF or is that the president? And when was that decision made to? MS. SINGH: So as we always said, the pier is temporary. A decision it's not just one person. It is a collective decision that is made. And of course, a recommendation comes up from the commander all the way up to the secretary. We always said that this pier was temporary. And given the sea states, the weather conditions that we know we're always going to get worse throughout the summer, the mission of the pier will be concluding at some time soon, but I just don't have an exact date for you. Q: And then on the call with the Russian counterpart with Minister Belousov, um, this is now two calls in two and a half weeks. Was this was this one also initiated by Secretary Austin? And and it certainly seems like these are more common than they've been over the course of two and a half years of the last two and a half years. Is is this to be expected to continue? Will there be a more regular pace of of discussions here between the two? MS. SINGH: This call was initiated by the Russian minister of Defense. In terms of future calls, of course, nothing to announce, but as the secretary has said and what I also mentioned at the top is that maintaining lines of communication is incredibly important right now. If there are future calls, we'd read those out as well. Q: Was there any specific reason given about MS. SINGH: Yeah, I just don't have any more to provide at this time. Liz? Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Uh, President Zelenskyy has insisted that lifting all restrictions, so Ukraine can strike military targets within Russia would be a quote "game changer" and that Ukraine needs to hit those targets enabled to win. What's the Pentagon's assessment of that? MS. SINGH: I think the president spoke to this very directly yesterday at his press conference. Our policy hasn't changed. We do allow those cross border strikes when Russia is attacking from the other side of the border. And as the war has changed, we have changed. Our policies have adapted. And you've seen that play out in Kharkiv and it could expand into other areas. But right now we have not authorized the use of ATACMS for deep strike capabilities within Russia. I have to remind you, they have other long-range capabilities that are not provided by the United States, but in terms of our policy that has not changed. Q: So so what's this coming from then? Because throughout the week at the NATO summit, Zelenskyy was pretty adamant that this is a game changer, uh, so so is that just not true? MS. SINGH: Look, of course, you're going to advocate on behalf of your country. You know, we don't take any issue with that. Our policy still remains the same. We believe that Ukraine continues to be successful in the battlefield. With our policy in place, we've been able to see them hold and strengthen their lines around Kharkiv. Could our policy could they be allowed to use it into other areas? We're always adapting. And as the war has changed, our policy has changed. But of course, we are always mindful of escalation and that's something, that is the reason why we have the policy the way it is. Constantine? Q: Thanks, Sabrina. Um, you mentioned you sort of said that if the piers re-anchored twice. Is there a world where the re-anchoring attempts are scrubbed and this is the, you know, the pier has done the last work it will do? MS. SINGH: It really depends on the sea states and the environment. And right now, obviously I can't predict that. What we are committed to is making sure that every single piece of aid, metric ton of aid that is in Cyprus is moved into Gaza. Whether that be through the port of Ashdod or through the temporary pier, no matter what the aid that was assembled will get to the people who need it most. Q: And can you just speak a little bit more into the about the decision making process in to cease operations? Was that because of these challenges with the sea state and the environmental factors? Or was it because aid in in Cyprus is dwindling and nearing, you know, sort of the end of that? MS. SINGH: Well, I think it's important to remember that we always said this was a temporary operation. It was always going to have an end date. That exact end date, I don't have for you right now, but we'll keep you updated on that. I think it's also really important to remember that during the course of the time that JLS has been operating, we acknowledge that there have been bumps in the road. We have had to take it offline. There have been repairs that needed to be made. But you cannot discount the fact that we were able to get nearly 20 million pounds of aid into Gaza and for onward distribution. We got it in, of course, to the marshaling area. That aid is going to save lives. So I think it's important to remember that in the context of the temporary pier, one, it was always going to have an end date. Two, we're working on other avenues in ways with USAID to get aid into Gaza. And then three, of course, this was always going to be a temporary method. I will go back to the phones and then happy to come back into the room here. Idris, Reuters. Q: Yeah, two quick questions. Um, the White House uh earlier this week announced some long-range fires being moved to Germany, um, sort of, you know, on and off and then eventually being placed there in 2026. Um, what's the message the US is is trying to send with those long range fires in Germany? And secondly, the announcement was made by the White House, unless I've missed something, the Pentagon has not put anything out on that. Is there a new policy that the White House is going to announce force posture movements, not the Pentagon? If you could give any more details on that? MS. SINGH: Thanks, Idris. Well, you know, the president was leading the NATO summit this week. He announced it. We, of course, when rotations happen, we do announce that either in a statement or reading it out from the podium. But again, as you mentioned, this is not something that's happening until 2026, so give us a little time here. As you also mentioned, these are episodic deployments and will help inform planning for ensuring future stationing. Im terms of the message that it sends, we are working in close collaboration with the German government and the Army to continue to finalize these details. But it is about shoring up support within Europe. And that's something that not only you saw with this announcement but with what the president and the secretary in their engagements with NATO with their counterparts at the NATO summit all this week. I'll take another one from the phone here. Jeff Schogol, Task and Purpose. Q: Thank you very much and I stand with all the Military Times reporters and Sightline union reporters laid off today. I understand if you have to take this question. When the president said that U.S. and Chinese military leaders now have direct access, did he mean there's now a hotline between us and Chinese leaders or that mil to mil communications have reset to a time before Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan? Thank you. MS. SINGH: Thanks, Jeff, for the question. I don't have to take that question. I would refer you to the White House to speak more to the president's comments. Last question, Jeff Seldin, VOA. Q: Sabrina, thanks. The UN this week issued a report on Afghanistan, and it indicated al-Qaida is sending more operatives there and opening new training camps. It also said that ISIS-K has managed to infiltrate some of the Taliban ministries and also push into Central Asia and is even running a special ops force in Iran. How concerned is the Pentagon about al-Qaida and ISIS-K operations out of Afghanistan? And what if anything at this point is the Pentagon doing to push back? As a second unrelated question, has the Pentagon been impacted at all by the AT&T breach that was disclosed? If so, what is the Pentagon doing to mitigate? MS. SINGH: Thanks, Jeff, for the question. On the AT&T breach, I'm not aware of an impact to the department, but of course this is developing in real time. So if there is an impact, we can let you know on that. When it comes to ISIS-K, and just the proliferation of ISIS not just in Afghanistan, but you're seeing also throughout Africa, it is something, of course, that remains top of mind for the United States, which is why you have our mission in Iraq and Syria to continue that fight against ISIS. It's something that we continue to monitor. And whether it be from AFRICOM or CENTCOM, it's something that we take very seriously. So of course, we're concerned with any proliferation of any plots or plans against U.S. service members or our partners and allies around the world and it's something that we're going to continue to watch. All right. I'll come back in the room here. Yes, and then I'll come over to you. Yeah. Q: You said that the surge of aid had saved lives. It's estimated that the amount that was unloaded into the marshaling area was the equivalent of one day of pre-war aid delivery into Gaza. Off that, then do you know how much actually reached the people of Gaza? Whose lives were saved? How many? MS. SINGH: For in terms of maybe I can explain to you our role in distributing aid and then what USAID's role and WFP and the UN is. So what we have done is facilitating the aid, getting into the marshaling area in Gaza. Once it gets to the marshaling area, it gets distributed out by WFP or contracted drivers that U.S. aid has been in close coordination with. It goes into distribution centers within Gaza and then gets further distributed out. I don't have a count for you of how many lives have been saved, but what I can tell you is that people are hungry. There are people in need of that food, and we delivered nearly 20 million pounds of food to the people in Gaza. So we are saving lives. I think it's important to remember that and what you saw with our forces is running towards the problem. We created a solution. We believe it was a success. Q: Just one other follow up. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: Did anyone at the Pentagon research summer Mediterranean Sea conditions before embarking on this project? There's a sense that you were taken completely by surprise and in fact, the JLOTS is completely unsuitable for the conditions off the coast of Gaza. MS. SINGH: We are a planning organization. We have folks all around the world that operate within the Eastern Med at any given time. Of course, we are aware of the sea conditions within the Eastern Mediterranean. We are not shying away from the fact that there have been higher sea states that have at times disrupted delivery of aid and have made it harder to get aid in. But again, I would say to you and on some of these questions, to do nothing would have been a failure. To be part of a solution, that's success and that's what you saw with our personnel delivering that aid into Gaza. Q: Will there be an inquiry now as to where this $230 million of taxpayer money actually went and whether it was worth it and the decision-making process behind? MS. SINGH: I think it was worth feeding people who needed it most. Yeah. All right. Yeah, Erin, and then I'll come over here. Q: Just kind of a follow up. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: How many days has the pier been functioning, like getting aid off the pier onto land? MS. SINGH: I believe it's a total of 20 days since it was anchored in mid-May. Q: That it's taken food off of the pier and delivered it onto shore, 20 days total? MS. SINGH: Mm-hmm. Well, two separate things. So the functionality of the pier, it's been operable for about 20 days. You have to remember that aid started to move when we moved the pier back a few weeks ago, back to Ashford. There were those contracted drivers that started moving aid out of the marshaling area into distribution centers because the marshaling area was essentially at capacity. So that was happening while aid was not moving off the pier because there was essentiallyit was pretty full, but there wasn't a need to necessarily move aid in at a rapid pace. Great. Yes. Q: Thank you. How does the Department of Defense of the United States see the current security situation in Western Balkan primarily, and Kosovo and Metohija? In the sense, how the Washington see military cooperation and communication with Serbian authorities about the preserve stability and security partnership and the prospect for improving cooperation? MS. SINGH: First, I should have said, welcome. I believe we have some folks joining us from abroad and I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. Q: Mark [Inaudible], Serbia. MS. SINGH: OK. Thank you and thank you for joining us today. We acknowledge that our two countries, there's been increased mil-to-mil cooperation and are on track for over 100 military to military events in 2024. That's a nearly 25 percent increase from last year and that includes bilateral training, multilateral exercises like Platinum Wolf, that I think you've covered, and high-level visits between both nations. Serbia's active cooperation with NATO is also a cornerstone of our defense relationship, enabling the Serbian Armed Forces valuable contributions to global security through participation in numerous EU and UN peacekeeping missions. So we're going to continue to further deepen our cooperation and through mutually beneficial, bilateral, multilateral exercises. Q: The current situation in Western Balkan primarily comes from Metohija. MS. SINGH: So we acknowledge that there are, certainly are tensions within the Western Balkan region and certainly over the past two years. This heightened concern certainly underscores our ongoing cooperation and partnership in ensuring regional stability, so we're going to continue to monitor that. Rio, and then I'll happily come to you. Q: Thank you, Sabrina. My question is about Japan. So there are some media reports that the U.S. Navy's Ospreys will be deployed at the U.S. base in Iwakuni, Japan for the first time. So could you please confirm the report? And also, this month's DOD has announced its modernization plan to upgrade U.S. tactical airplanes in Japan, so is the potential deployment of Navy's Ospreys in Japan related to DOD's aircraft modernization plan? MS. SINGH: I'm so sorry, Rio. I'm just not going to have a ton for you right now. I haven't seen that report that you referenced, so I just really can't comment on that. We're always looking to looking for ways to modernize our forces, but I just don't have anything more to add to what you had asked. I'm so sorry. We're happy to get back to you on that. Yes. Q: [Inaudible] telegraph. I am from Serbia, so my question will be about Serbia. Can we expect some hardware procurements from USA and what can be done in that direction between two countries? MS. SINGH: So as Serbia continues to modernize its military, we believe that the preferred option for procurement would be NATO interoperable equipment and systems. This aligns with Serbia's goals, and presents significant advantages and you're seeing that also, as we're continuing to arm Ukraine, it's about you know NATO interoperability which is incredibly important. And so while US and European equipment may require a higher initial investment, it ensures, right now, the long-term benefits through streamlined training, maintenance and interoperability. Great. Yes. Q: Hi. Please, could you explain, is something about the Western Balkans too because I am from Serbia too, journalist for the [Inaudible]. Is Bosnia and Herzegovina or Kosovo and Metohija greater security risk in the Western Balkans? MS. SINGH: So as I mentioned before, we're certainly aware of the heightened tensions within the Western Balkans and we believe that stability and security is vital. Both Kosovo, Bosnia, Herzegovina, they each face distinct challenges and so our role is that we are committed to supporting their paths to greater cooperation and prosperity and we're going to continue to work closely on that. OK. Yes, and then I'll come to Louie. Q: Thank you. Japan's Defense Ministry announced today, actually, yesterday in Japan, must discipline, including the personnel who treated classified information improperly. Is there serious concern in the Pentagon, especially when U.S. and Japan have been trying to construct a robust system of information sharing? MS. SINGH: Look, I'd refer you to Japan to speak more to the security measures that they are taking. I saw that report as well. We have confidence in our relationship with the Japanese government and our militaries. I'd refer you to them to speak more to how they are enhancing their security measures. But as you saw, we have had and continue to have great engagements. I'll just leave it at that. Yeah, yeah. Louis, and then I'll come in the back. Q: Thank you. I have two questions. One, I want to follow up on Constantine's question. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: Um, so you're saying that as of right now you're looking to see whether the JLOTS pier could be operational yet again. Um, our alternate methods being looked at for potentially delivering some of that aid from Cyprus that you mentioned, should that not be the case? And I'm kind of framing it as a hypothetical, but you know, I'm sure since you said this is a planning organization, yeah. MS. SINGH: Yeah. No, I don't know if you heard me at the top, but I had mentioned that one of the ways we are looking to get aid into Gaza is through the port of Ashdod. It's sort of a in its proof-of-concept stages right now. We are looking , what I can tell you is every metric ton that is on Cyprus or on one of our ships will be delivered in some way into Gaza. But we are looking for those alternative methods. And once we have better fidelity, I will, you know, of course, keep you updated on that. Q: That leads me to my next question. MS. SINGH: Sure. Q: So you established those cells under General Frank at um, at the airbase there in Israel. Is that functionality end with does that mission end if the JLOTS pier end when the JLOTS pier ends on July 31? Or does it continue in a different frame kind of what you're talking about through Ashdod? MS. SINGH: Again, speculative, and not exactly there yet. The short answer is I think there will be continued cooperation and coordination with the Israeli government to making sure that humanitarian aid is getting in. What that looks like without the pier being, when it eventually ends, and that will be soon, but I again, don't have an exact date. I don't know how, you know, coordination will shift in those cells, but again, we are still going to continue to talk and work with the Israelis on making sure that aid is getting in. And if aid is getting in through our ships through Ashdod, of course, that cell coordination link is going to have to exist in some way. And so it very might well be through that cell. Q: So does that mean that um, American vessels may be transporting this, you know, these shipments from Cyprus in the future beyond the JLS's mission? MS. SINGH: That's exactly what we're working through right now. This is again a proof of concept to try and get aid in through Ashdod and then move it down into Gaza. We're working that through with the Israeli government. When we have more, we'll certainly share whether that involves U.S. ships or commercial ships. I'll keep you updated. Yes, in the back? Q: [Inaudible] TV which is a CNN affiliate in the Western Balkans, um MS. SINGH: Welcome. Q: Yeah, you just mentioned that Serbia is sending arms to Ukraine. Do you know what type of ammunition? MS. SINGH: I no. I didn't mention that I was talking about NATO interoperability, so I don't have anything for you on that. I'd let Serbia speak to their assistance. Q: And there was an article in Financial Times that Serbia is sending arms to Ukraine, which Serbian government denies. And also saying that it's forbidden to transport arms through the third third countries. But it's obvious that Serbia is producing calibers which are very similar to Russians which can be used in old the Ukrainian military equipment. So how do you assess that? Do you have any assessment on that? MS. SINGH: So appreciate the question, but that's really something that the Serbian government would have to speak to. As you are here in the briefing room, I am the spokesperson for the Department of Defense today up here answering your questions. I would just have to refer you to the Serbian government for more on that. Did I see one more? Yes? Q: Thank you. Uh, U.S. Secretary Blinken announced at NATO summit two days ago that the first F-16 are enroute to Ukraine. Can you confirm that? And how many planes we're talking about? MS. SINGH: I mean, I certainly can. The Secretary of State confirmed that, I'm just not going to get into specific numbers. I would certainly let the Ukrainians speak to that. When they are in country that's always something that we've traditionally done with any presidential drawdown package. We announced some of the equipment, the systems, the capabilities that we are sending, but we do let the Ukrainians speak to when they are in country as that is an operational security consideration that they have to take into account. I'd refer you to the Ukrainians to speak to that. OK, all right. Thank you everyone, and thank you for joining us for those that are coming from abroad. https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3837480/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 12, 2024 By Jim Garamone, DOD News Defense Official Says U.S.-Philippines Alliance Is Making Remarkable Progress The U.S.-Philippines alliance is a key to stability and progress in the Indo-Pacific, and it's on track to build on the progress made over the past three years, said Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, yesterday. Ratner told the Center for Strategic and International Studies' South China Sea Conference that the progress in the alliance has been historic, and he sees it as "truly transformative and decisive, as emblematic of broader strategic changes across the Indo-Pacific." He credited the presidents of the U.S. and the Philippines for the advances in the closeness of the alliance and discussed what this cooperation will look like in the future. It hasn't been easy, Ratner said. One of the first trips Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III made when he took over his position in 2021 was to the Philippines. He met with then-President Rodrigo Duterte in the nation's capital, Manila. The alliance was on shaky ground at the time, Ratner said. "I'll never forget that engagement, which marked a key turning point at a critical time in the alliance," the assistant secretary said. "In the wake of that meeting, we saw a renewed commitment to the alliance on both sides." Since then, the alliance has gotten closer, and it has picked up considerable momentum under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. President Joe Biden has met with Marcos on several occasions, just as Austin has met with his defense counterparts on numerous occasions. Key to the engagement is the fact, as Austin said to Marcos during their last Pentagon meeting, "that our two countries are more than allies. We're family." "We have elevated the U.S.-Philippines alliance to stand among our most vital defense partnerships in the world," Ratner said. "We have raised the profile of alliance engagements. We have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Manila in the midst of a changing security environment." Part of this is the agreement for U.S. rotational presence in the Philippines, Ratner said. The two nations have also taken major steps to increase interoperability, and the U.S. military is working closely with the Philippines' armed forces on force modernization. "And we have pursued new opportunities together with the Philippines to cooperate multilaterally with like-minded partners across the Indo-Pacific in support of a shared vision for a free and open region," he said. Part of this vision is the United States standing with the Philippines as the nation defends its lawful rights in the South China Sea, Ratner said. China is challenging the Philippines' lawful right to the Second Thomas Shoal, a "low-tide elevation beyond any lawful territorial sea, on the Philippines' continental shelf, and well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone," Ratner said. China's claim on the Shoal "has no more credibility today than it did when the arbitral tribunal issued its unanimous ruling in 2016," he said. "And the kind of revisionism and coercion we've seen there from [China] is both destabilizing and dangerous." This aggressive Chinese behavior stands in sharp contrast to the remarkable leadership by President Marcos to protect and defend the rights of the Philippines under international law, Ratner said. "All the while, the United States has acted in support of the Philippines and made clear that our alliance commitments are ironclad and that all nations should be able to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows," Ratner said. The assistant secretary said last year was transformative for U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, with U.S. force posture being "more mobile, distributed, resilient and lethal." The U.S.-Philippines agreement to expand U.S. rotational access to four new strategic sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement was a highlight of the year. "We're committed to continuing to invest in infrastructure improvements at all nine EDCA sites to strengthen combined training, exercises and interoperability between our forces, as well as to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts," he said. This has laid the groundwork for more. "The United States and the Philippines are discussing the conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement ... that will strengthen and expand our information sharing," Ratner said. "We are also working together on a security sector assistance roadmap to help prioritize shared investments in the modernization of Philippine forces." The Philippines is also taking an active role in a growing community of "minilateral" cooperation across the region. "This is not a single coalition or institution, and it's certainly not like any other arrangement in any other region," he said. "Instead, it's unique to the opportunities and challenges of the Indo-Pacific - comprised of like-minded countries who share a vision for what the region can and should look like." The Philippines is working alongside Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and other nations of the region in these exercises. These like-minded nations are moving toward greater interoperability and cooperation, Ratner said. They are granting reciprocal access. They are also engaging in more complicated and complex regional exercises. "The new convergence in the Indo-Pacific won't always start with or include the United States, nor should it," Ratner said. The U.S-Philippines alliance is healthy and poised for more achievements to come, Ratner said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna: NATO will reinforce its cooperation with partners to counter the axis of evil Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 12.07.2024 Yesterday 11 July, as part of NATO's Washington summit, Allies held a joint session with partners in the Indo-Pacific region and the European Union, and a session of the NATO-Ukraine Council with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attending. Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said closer cooperation with both like-minded countries as well as a deeper partnership between NATO and the European Union was of key importance as authoritarian states and non-state actors undermine international law and security architecture. "Iran and North Korea are providing weapons to Russia, China is helping Russia circumvent sanctions and gain access to the hi-tech it urgently needs to wage war," Tsahkna noted. "In light of this, I am glad that a decision was made at the NATO summit to reinforce security cooperation with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region and give an impetus for a quicker growth of Europe's defence industry capabilities in order to be more prepared to face the hostile actions of authoritarian countries." The minister welcomed the fact that Allies who are also members of the European Union are assuming more responsibility for the continent's security. In order to enhance practical cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners (Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand), projects in four areas were approved at the summit, relating to supporting Ukraine, cyber and hybrid domains and new technologies. "Reinforced cooperation allows NATO Allies and our partners in the Indo-Pacific region to give a more effective response to security challenges that are often shared or closely related," Tsahkna said. At the session of the NATO-Ukraine Council, Allies reaffirmed their unwavering support to Ukraine as the country is bravely fighting Russia's brutal aggression. "The pledge of NATO Allies to provide Ukraine with military assistance worth at least 40 billion next year allows Kyiv to plan its actions in repelling Russia's aggression," Tsahkna said. The NATO summit that concluded yesterday also approved actions and recommendations for meeting the security challenges in NATO's southern neighbourhood. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USEUCOM senior leader visits Finland During the trip's stopover at the nation's Air Force Academy, located in Jyvaskyla, Finland -- central Finland's regional capital city - discussions covered the effects of the new F-35 fifth-generation fighter pilot training. By Finnish Defense Forces Jul 12, 2024 (Editor's Note: This article was translated from its original Finnish.) U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. James R. Kriesel, U.S. European Command's (USEUCOM) director of exercises and assessments, conducted an official visit to Finland July 9-11, 2024, to learn more about the Finnish military conscription system along with the exercise and training programs of the Finnish Army and Air Forces. The bilateral military visit was hosted by Finnish Army Brig. Gen. Manu Tuominen, Finnish Defense Forces' assistant chief of staff for training. The USEUCOM and Finnish Defense Command senior military officials also discussed development of bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Finland, practical implementation of the Defense cooperation Agreement and the role of NATO as a part of Finland's national defense. During the trip's stopover at the nation's Air Force Academy, located in Jyvaskyla, Finland - central Finland's regional capital city - discussions covered the effects of the new F-35 fifth-generation fighter pilot training. Kriesel, who also serves as USEUCOM's reserve component advisor, expressed how impressed he was by the skills and determination of the Finnish soldiers to defend their country as he observed a training session of the Karelia Brigade's high-level readiness unit and Reserve Officer School students' live-fire training in Pahkajarvi training area. Kriesel was also briefed about the education and training in the Utti Jaeger Regiment as well as in the Air Force Academy. When speaking with military conscripts conducting volunteer military service, Kriesel expressed his sincerest thanks for their efforts to enhance Finland's security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden has taken part in NATO Summit for the first time as full member Government Offices of Sweden 12 July 2024 On 9-11 July, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took part in the NATO Summit in Washington DC together with Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billstrom and Minister for Defence Pal Jonson. The member states agreed on new support to Ukraine and measures to strengthen NATO's capability for deterrence and defence. NATO also celebrated its 75th anniversary during the summit. "After 200 years of military non-alignment, Sweden has now come home to like-minded countries in NATO. This shift means that we are defending ourselves together with others. The meeting in Washington DC sent a strong message of unity and determination. The transatlantic link has maintained peace in the NATO countries for 75 years, and will continue to do so," says Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The summit in Washington DC brought together heads of state and government from all 32 NATO member states and specially invited leaders: the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, the President of the European Council and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The meeting focused on three main themes: deterrence and defence, long-term support to Ukraine, and cooperation with the EU and NATO's global partners. Deterrence and defence Since 2014, NATO's allies have carried out the largest reinforcement of collective defence in an entire generation - with more forces, more capabilities and greater investments. With Sweden and Finland as new members, the Alliance's deterrence and defence capabilities have been strengthened even further. At the summit in Washington DC, the NATO countries endorsed the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge, which aims to scale up defence industrial production and send a clear signal to industry about the long-term need. Long-term support to Ukraine Support to Ukraine is a crucial issue for security. At the summit, the NATO-allied countries agreed to launch a new initiative for the coordination of military support and training of Ukrainian soldiers. The Allies also agreed on a financial pledge to Ukraine of EUR 40 billion for the next year and in the long term. All Allies also agree that Ukraine's future NATO membership is not a matter of if, but of when. Cooperation with the EU and NATO's global partners The war in Ukraine has shown that security is not only built regionally, but globally. The growing cooperation between Russia and China makes it even more important that NATO countries cooperate with like-minded friends in Asia. Cooperation with the EU is also central to meeting common challenges in a declining international security policy situation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden enters into partnership with the state of New York Government Offices of Sweden 12 July 2024 On 12 July, Minister for Defence Pal Jonson signed a Letter of Intent concerning security cooperation between Sweden and the U.S. state of New York. The cooperation will be mainly between the Swedish Armed Forces and the New York National Guard as part of the United States' State Partnership Program (SPP). "The agreement with the state of New York further strengthens cooperation between Sweden and the United States in the defence area. It will mean more interaction between the Swedish Armed Forces and the New York National Guard, increasing the partners' defence capabilities," says Minister for Defence Pal Jonson. In April 2023, the Swedish Government applied for nomination to the SPP, and in June 2024, the U.S. Defence Minister decided that Sweden should be offered a partnership with New York. On 12 July, a Letter of Intent on the partnership was signed by Marcos Soler, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety in the state of New York, with Major General Raymond F. Shields, Jr, and Sweden's Minister for Defence Pal Jonson with Major General Johan Pekkari. The signing took place at the One World Trade Center in New York. In concrete terms, the partnership is put into practice in a detailed plan of joint activities between the New York National Guard and the Swedish Armed Forces. Other actors may also be involved. These activities are to be based on the different needs of the two partners, and the aim is to increase military capabilities. The joint activities may include sharing concepts, ideas and lessons learned; conducting joint military exercises; or participating in each other's exercises. The New York National Guard will post a liaison officer at the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm to support the partnership. The State Partnership Program was established in 1993 and includes all 54 U.S. states and territories, which currently have partnership agreements with more than 100 countries around the world. Norway has a partnership with Minnesota and Finland with Virginia, for example. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amy Meyer at her kitchen table where the GGNRA was born. Carl Nolte/The Chronicle Amy Meyer in her San Francisco home. Carl Nolte/The Chronicle When Amy Meyer was a young woman just out of college living in Brooklyn and thinking of the next chapter in her life, she went to her father for advice. He was a lawyer, wise in the ways of the world. I was thinking of going into law, or art or medicine, she remembers. Instead, he said, You should become a secretary or a nurse. It was not that long ago: mid-50s, in New York. Women were expected to get married, stay home and raise children, Meyer said. Oh, no, I said. I need to get away. And she did. She and her new husband, George Meyer, a psychiatrist, moved to San Francisco and changed this part of the world. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Amy Meyer was a key figure in the creation of a huge national park centered around San Franciscos Golden Gate a park that includes everything from Alcatraz Island, a redwood forest, a dozen beaches spread along a dramatic coastline, 140 miles of trails, 758 historic buildings covering more than 128 square miles, an area more than 2 times the size of San Francisco. Last year it attracted 14.9 million visitors. No other city in America or perhaps the world has anything to compare to this, the Sierra Club said. The National Park Service calls Amy Meyer the Mother of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. I caught up with Meyer a couple of days ago in her comfortable house in San Franciscos Richmond District. Its where the huge park began. Meyer first saw the Bay Area in 1955 and was taken with its beauty. It was nothing like New York. She had come at a time when the region was changing people were beginning to worry about threats to the environment that had come with explosive growth. There was a lot of citizen activism and many of these activist groups were led by women. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It started in 1947 when Friedel Klussmann Mrs. Hans Klussmann, as she was referred to in those formal days organized a movement to save the cable cars. In 1961, three Berkeley women Sylvia McLaughlin, Catherine Kerr and Esther Gulick organized the Save the Bay Association. In 1965, three neighborhood housewives in San Franciscos Glen Park Zoeanne Nordstrom, Joan Seiwald and Geri Arkush, organized to stop a freeway that would have destroyed the pretty little Glen Canyon. They rallied the neighbors and eventually the city. The citys chief engineer called them The Gum Tree Girls. It wasnt a compliment, Seiwald said later. The City Hall men hated us. We were resisting them. So when Amy Meyer began her own activist career she realized she had come to the right city. If I had been in the east I could not have done any of this, she said the other day. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area began for Meyer in 1970, 15 years after she had arrived in San Francisco. She was living the comfortable life as a doctors wife. They had two daughters. Still, something was missing. I wanted to do something, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One night she and her husband walked over to the nearby home of Dr. Edgar Wayburn, another physician and a friend of the family and the president of the Sierra Club. The talk naturally turned to parks and Wayburn told them the National Park Service was thinking about the idea of turning old military land, seven obsolete forts in Marin and San Francisco, into parkland. It was just a planning exercise, the park service said. It was a secret, Meyer says now. But it was just the thing she had been looking for. By law, the park service could operate national parks and recreation areas, but could not advocate politically. So they let Meyer and Wayburn know if they wanted a national park they would have to work for it. It didnt take long for Wayburn and Meyer to team up. Wayburn had helped enlarge Mount Tamalpais State Park and had a role in the creation of the Point Reyes National Seashore. He knew his way around Sacramento and Washington. Amy Meyer was an organizer and master at getting things done. She had drive and unlimited energy. She and Wayburn became co-chairs of an organization called People for a Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Its world headquarters was on a big table in Meyers house, just off the kitchen. Here dozens of volunteers spread out maps, dreamed of parks, and conducted a campaign for public support, mostly by U.S. mail. The table is still there, covered with a blue cloth, a vase of flowers and a bit of clutter. Youve heard of national parks and monuments. I call this the National Mailing Table, Meyer said. Here Wayburn and Meyer plotted strategy, unrolled maps of the region, and planned a campaign. One of their key allies was John Jacobs, executive director of SPUR, a San Francisco urban think tank that shared their vision. Jacobs helped persuade the city of San Francisco to hand over Ocean Beach, Aquatic Park and other properties to the GGNRA. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Political help was invaluable: They had the backing of two congressmen: William Maillard, a Marin Republican, and Phillip Burton, a San Francisco Democrat. Others came later, including Sala Burton, Phillips widow who also served in Congress, and Nancy Pelosi, who succeeded Sala Burton. Its a long story and complicated. The original park plan grew from a few thousand acres to 34,000 in two years. More pieces came together: Now it is 82,000 acres. We had a lot of help, Meyers said. The timing was right, too. The stars came together. That and the work of a small determined woman who helped plan a park on her kitchen table. Statement on the 8th Anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs 12 July 2024 MANILA 12 July 2024 -- The Department of Foreign Affairs joins the nation and the international community in commemorating the eighth year of the promulgation of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. The Award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Over the years, the Philippines has continued to demonstrate this commitment to peace even in the face of the unlawful actions which have caused serious incidents in the South China Sea, without ever diminishing our resolve to protect and promote our people's interest and the full and responsible enjoyment of our legally settled maritime entitlements and its accompanying rights and jurisdictions. This determination has only been strengthened by the broadening affirmation of the legal value of the Award as a positive and legitimate source of international law. We are encouraged by the expressions of support made by other States that confirm the final and binding status of the Award, including the G7's consistent reaffirmation that it is a significant milestone and a useful basis for the peaceful management and resolution of differences at sea. Further, the Philippines welcomed the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change, which cited the Award as authoritative in key parts of the ruling, with multiple States or groups of States referencing the Award as legal authority in their respective oral and written statements, underscoring its unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law. The Award is a reaffirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and protects our rights as a coastal state and a seafaring people. Every effort to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain is a testament to the determination and courage of the Filipino people, while showcasing the Philippines' vision of peace and stability that inspires and resonates beyond the waters of the South China Sea. With our national interest and sovereign rights in mind, the Philippines will move forward to chart a course anchored on peace, security and prosperity in our region. END . NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz: Poland is mentioned in several places in the decisions of the Summit and this is proof how important a partner we are today. Poland - Ministry of National Defence 12.07.2024 The operational capability of the base in Redzikowo has been confirmed. It becomes not only an American system, but also a NATO one, and the declaration made today and yesterday at the NATO summit reaffirm it. This is one of Poland's successes with regards to this declaration and to the decisions of the Summit. Additionally, there were some very important items concerning Polish border. We promised that we would talk about the internationalization of the Polish border with Belarus as the eastern border of NATO, the European Union, and we did. The strategic documents adopted by the NATO summit include provisions on individual and joint border protection, said Deputy Prime Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz after the end of the NATO Summit in Washington. During the anniversary NATO Summit, held on the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the strengthening NATO's capabilities in the area of deterrence and defense against potential adversaries. The topics also included the development of allied air and anti-missile defense and the need for member states to increase their defense spending. During the Summit, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was also held. Deputy Prime Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz informed about the most important provisions of the declaration of the North Atlantic Alliance Summit, adopted in Washington. The document includes many points important for the security of Poland and the region, including the commitment to further develop high-readiness forces to fulfill the new NATO defense plans, the launch of the anti-missile defense base in Redzikowo and its inclusion in the NATO Defense system, and the indication that hybrid attacks by Russia and its allies and provocations on NATO's borders are a threat to the entire Alliance. Progress in creating JATEC in Bydgoszcz was also highlighted. Speaking about the provisions contained in the declaration and supporting Ukraine, the head of the Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the NATO-Ukraine Training, Analysis and Training Center is being established in Bydgoszcz. "Poland is mentioned in several places in the decisions of the Summit and this is proof of how important a partner we are today. (...) Poland has trained over 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its territory. We are the leader in Europe. We also expect greater support from the European Union" - noted the deputy prime minister. As part of strengthening defense capabilities, on July 11 in Washington, the defense ministers of Poland, France, Germany and Italy signed a letter of intent on the development of long-range precision strike capabilities. The aim of the agreement is to establish cooperation that will enable the implementation of joint projects in this area in the future and allow for their quicker implementation. "Another important document at the NATO summit was the letter of intent on the development of long-range precision strike capabilities. It was also signed by France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy. We will develop our key deep strike capability, and there will be further joint projects in the future, which will help fill gaps, reduce costs and shorten operational times. We are becoming stronger and stronger together in NATO" - informed the head of the Ministry of National Defense. On Thursday, bilateral talks were also held between Deputy Prime Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and the defense ministers of Denmark, the Netherlands, Latvia and the United Kingdom. "A moment ago, Minister Zalewski and I concluded subsequent bilateral meetings with our partners from the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Great Britain. In every conversation we raise the issue of the border, we appeal and ask for support for our efforts in air defense and the protection of the Polish border" - said the head of the Ministry of National Defense after the talks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PCG joins task force to boost West Mindanao maritime security Philippine News Agency By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz July 12, 2024, 5:08 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has joined the Joint Task Force (JTF) Poseidon to boost maritime security in the southwestern Philippines, particularly Western Mindanao, following the deactivation of JTF Tawi-Tawi. In a statement on Friday, the PCG said the initiative seeks to fortify defense capabilities within the Western Mindanao Command's (Westmincom) Joint Area of Operations (JAO). It will primarily focus on territorial defense operations, internal security operations, and supporting other law enforcement agencies. Rear Adm. Francisco Tagamolila, chief of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM), has been selected as the commander of JTF-Poseidon. The new JTF was created following the deactivation of JTF Tawi-Tawi after it achieved its mission of bringing peace to the area, a previous hotbed of insurgent and terrorist activities, particularly kidnapping. Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command (MARSLEC) commander, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert Patrimonio, commended Westmincom's continued efforts in the region and promised full support to the JTF Poseidon's mission to enforce maritime laws, combat illicit activities, ensure maritime stability, and protect the country's maritime domain. On Tuesday, Westmincom activated JTF-Poseidon and will operate throughout the command's area, including the southern maritime borders of the Philippines with Malaysia and Indonesia. In May, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the JTF Tawi-Tawi headquarters in Bongao town and lauded how the region, previously a war zone, now has resorts and other ongoing developments due to the peace achieved by the soldiers of the task force. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NSA: PH firm on protecting sovereignty vs. encroachment, coercion Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno July 12, 2024, 1:27 pm Updated on July 12, 2024, 5:58 pm MANILA -- The Philippines will remain steadfast in standing against any territorial encroachments that undermine its sovereignty. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano made this assurance as Manila marks the 8th anniversary of the historic Arbitral Award on the South China Sea on Friday. "For the Philippines notwithstanding the challenges we face we will continue to stand our ground and push back against coercion, interference, malign influence and other tactics that seek to jeopardize our security and stability," Ano said in his speech at the Stratbase ADR Institute's forum titled "The 8th Year of the Arbitral Victory: A Collective Pursuit of Maritime Security in the West Philippine Sea" at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. "We will do all of these not merely for the country's interests, but more importantly, for our common interests in the Indo-Pacific Region and beyond," he added. Ano also stressed that respect and adherence to international law should neither be optional nor should be based on a state's own liking, benefit, or convenience, stressing this is crucial in ensuring world order. "We must then work arm-in-arm to vigorously pursue this collective vision showing to the world that it is workable and possible to give rise to a free, peaceful, and secured world if, and only if, we act sincerely and responsibly under international laws that govern, unite, and bind us together," Ano said. He added that Manila would continuously engage, build partnerships, and seek wider international support to "defend and protect what is rightfully ours". "As a peaceful nation, our doors are always open to open and frank discussions based on mutual respect and sincerity. If you call, we will answer," Ano said. He added that the Philippines would continue to rally its partners and allies, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, to make a united stance against those that seek to undermine the arbitral ruling and to express the important role international law plays in maintaining peace and stability in the maritime commons. He also emphasized that the Arbitral Award was a test case for all countries as the extent to which the international community supports it and seeks to enforce the ruling would have serious consequences for the utility of international law. DND: Arbitral Award beefs up PH rights to EEZ, resources In a separate statement, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the Arbitral Award further beefed up the Philippines' rights to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and resources found there. The defense sector is "taking this award to heart" in defending the country's interest, especially troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre which serves Manila's outpost at the Ayungin Shoal, Teodoro said. "Kaya po, ito po ay hindi biro-biro, hindi po ito salita lamang. Ginagawa po namin araw-araw - pinagsisikapan po namin na mapangalagaan ang teritoryo at sovereign rights ng ating bansa upang makinabang ang Republika ng Pilipinas, at hindi ano mang bansa, sa likas na yaman na (itinakda) ng International Law sa ilalim ng recognized na batas na kinikilala ng maraming bansa, hindi po tulad ng naratibo ng ibang mga bansa na sila lang po ang naniniwala. (That is why this is not a joke, these are not words only. We do it everyday - doing our best to protect the territory and sovereign rights so that the Republic of the Philippines and no other country would benefit from the natural resources as stipulated by international law, a law which is recognized by many countries, unlike the narrative of other nations which is only believed by them)," the DND chief said. He also called on Filipinos to stand united in defending the country's rights and sovereignty supported by the Arbitral Award. On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention dismissed China's expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash-line as illegal. Beijing, however, continues to reject the ruling. DOTr: 'Law always prevails' The Department of Transportation (DOTr) also joined the commemoration of the landmark award, saying this "reinforces our rights as owners of these waters." "The PCA's (Permanent Court of Arbitration) ruling manifests that the rule of law must always prevail," it said. Eight years after the decision, the agency said the country's role has evolved into preserving peace in the region. "Let us build on this role as the best foundation to maintain regional stability," it said. It also called on the public to remain committed to protecting the country's territory. "It is critical for the next generation of Filipinos to recognize our maritime rights and come to its defense whenever challenged," it said. (with report from Raymond Carl dela Cruz/PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH vows to pursue peace in SCS as Arbitral Award marks 8 years Philippine News Agency By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora July 12, 2024, 10:48 am MANILA -- The Philippines will pursue a "course anchored on peace" as it secures its rights over the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday as the country marks the 8th anniversary of the Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. In a statement, the DFA reiterated its commitment to upholding the landmark ruling, saying it is a testament to Manila's "unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the peaceful settlement of disputes." "The Award is a reaffirmation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and protects our rights as a coastal state and a seafaring people. Every effort to secure our legitimate interests in our maritime domain is a testament to the determination and courage of the Filipino people while showcasing the Philippines' vision of peace and stability that inspires and resonates beyond the waters of the South China Sea," it said. "With our national interest and sovereign rights in mind, the Philippines will move forward to chart a course anchored on peace, security, and prosperity in our region." The department said this commitment to peace is demonstrated even in the face of "unlawful actions" that have caused serious incidents in the South China Sea, an apparent reference to the numerous incidents of Chinese Coast Guard harassing Filipino resupply missions while en route to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. Amid these actions, the DFA said, Manila's resolve to protect its interest and the "full and responsible enjoyment of our legally settled maritime entitlements and its accompanying rights and jurisdictions" in the area were never diminished. "This determination has only been strengthened by the broadening affirmation of the legal value of the Award as a positive and legitimate source of international law," it said. Several states have openly expressed support for the ruling, confirming the "final and binding status of the Award." The Group of Seven (G7) has also consistently reaffirmed it as a significant milestone and a useful basis for the peaceful management and resolution of differences at sea. Further, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change has recently cited the award as authoritative in key parts of the ruling, with multiple states or groups of states referencing the ruling as legal authority in their respective oral and written statements. For the DFA, this underscored the ruling's "unassailable status as part of the corpus of international law." On July 12, 2016, the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention dismissed China's expansive claims under its so-called nine-dash-line as illegal. To this day, Beijing continues to reject the ruling. US: Arbitral award 'binding' In a separate statement, State Secretary Antony Blinken said the United States recognizes the award as "final and legally binding." "Over the past year, the PRC's (People's Republic of China) use of water cannons, dangerous maneuvers, and destructive tactics - including ramming, forcible towing, and boarding that has resulted in damage to Philippine vessels and injury to Philippine service members - has routinely interfered with the lawful exercise of high seas freedoms in areas where the Arbitral Tribunal determined the PRC has no lawful territorial or maritime claims," he said. "The PRC's actions reflect a blatant disregard for international law, as well as the safety and livelihoods of Filipinos." The US, he said, is "deeply concerned" about China's assertion of "territorial sovereignty" over areas that are within the maritime jurisdiction of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, and where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply under international law. "Upholding the international law of the sea, as reflected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, is in the interest of the entire international community and remains vital to the peace, security, and prosperity of all nations," Blinken said. "We continue to call on the PRC to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling, to cease its dangerous and destabilizing conduct, and to comport its conduct, as well as its territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea to the international law of the sea as reflected in the Convention." At a forum commemorating the 8th anniversary of the award in Makati City, Stratbase ADR Institute president Victor Andres Manhit praised the government's pronouncements to boost external defense capabilities while citing the support of like-minded states on the country's position in the West Philippine Sea. "We are one with the rest of the world in ensuring that the rule of law prevails. Every nation, regardless of size, or military power, must respect the rights of others and adhere to international law," he said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Circles of hell': UN chief warns time to end Israel 'terrible' war on Gaza Iran Press TV Friday, 12 July 2024 6:19 PM The United Nations secretary-general has appealed once again for immediate termination of the Israeli regime's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip that has left an unspeakable trail of death and destruction. Antonio Guterres made the remarks on Friday at the opening of the pledging conference of UNRWA, the world body's agency for Palestinian refugees. "And now is the time to bring an end to this terrible war, starting with an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza," he said. Guterres described the situation in the coastal sliver as "a total breakdown in law and order." "Just when we thought it couldn't get any worse in Gaza -- somehow, appallingly, civilians are being pushed into ever deeper circles of hell," he said. The brutal military onslaught began on October 7 following a retaliatory operation staged by Gaza's resistance groups, during which hundreds were taken captive. The war has so far claimed the lives of nearly 38,350 Palestinians, mostly women and children, besides turning almost the entirety of Palestinian territory into a scene of utter devastation. Concomitantly with the war, the regime has been enforcing a near-total siege on the coastal sliver, which has reduced the flow of foodstuffs, medicine, electricity, and water into the Palestinian territory into a trickle. 'Collective punishment of Gazans unjustifiable' Guterres asserted that "nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people." The Gazans, he said, have been subjected to an "extreme level of fighting and devastation" that was "incomprehensible and inexcusable." He bemoaned that the Palestinians there kept being forcibly displaced "like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death," while noting, "Nowhere is safe. Everywhere is a potential killing zone." 'UNRWA's plight' The UN chief decried the Israeli regime's egregious mistreatment of UNRWA's employees. Earlier this year, the regime claimed that 12 employees of the agency were involved in the Hamas-led retaliatory attack. Ever since, UNRWA staff have been the subject of increasingly violent protests and virulent misinformation and disinformation campaigns, Guterres said. "Some have been detained by Israeli security forces, and subsequently reported mistreatment and even torture." The war has also claimed the lives of as many as 194 UNRWA staff members, the UN chief, meanwhile, reminded, describing the sheer extent of the fatalities as "the highest staff death toll in UN history." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Coast Guard says Chinese warships spotted off Alaska Iran Press TV Friday, 12 July 2024 8:12 AM The American Coast Guard says it has spotted multiple Chinese military warships in the US exclusive economic zone off the coast of Alaska, in what is viewed as a prelude to subsequent rows between Washington and Beijing. In a statement released on Wednesday, the US Coast Guard said it had detected three ships about 124 miles (200km) north of the Amchitka Pass, a strait in the Aleutian Islands, a remote archipelago that stretches 1,200 miles from the Alaska Peninsula. The Coast Guard said it had spotted another vessel approximately 84 miles (135km) north of the Amukta Pass, a strait between the Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. The statement said all four Chinese vessels were "transiting in international waters but still inside the US exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the US shoreline." The Coast Guard said that both it and the US Northern Command were "fully aware" of the Chinese ships' progress. "The Chinese naval presence operated in accordance with international rules and norms. We met presence with presence to ensure there were no disruptions to US interests in the maritime environment around Alaska," said Rear Admiral Megan Dean, 17th Coast Guard District commander. "Coast guard cutter Kimball continued to monitor all ships until they transited south of the Aleutian Islands into the north Pacific Ocean. The Kimball continues to monitor activities in the US exclusive economic zone to ensure the safety of US vessels and international commerce in the area," he added. The US Coast Guard stopped short of specifying how long the Chinese ships had been in the economic zone but said the Chinese vessels underlined in radio communication that their purpose was "freedom of navigation operations." The Coast Guard stated that foreign nations don't need to notify a country before entering its Exclusive Economic Zone, noting that, in this instance, the Chinese vessels responded when contacted via radio. China has yet to comment publicly on the US Coast Guard's statement. The sighting of the ships came a week after the Chinese navy began its annual joint patrol with the Russian navy in the Pacific Ocean. The US Naval Institute said the patrol was scaled down from previous years, including last August when more than 10 ships from China and Russia formed a flotilla off Alaska. In defiance of maritime laws and disregard for China's concerns, the US Navy has in the past held numerous joint drills with Beijing's rival claimants in the South China Sea, including the Philippines and Vietnam. Washington has also held joint war games with Taipei, which China considers as one of its mainland provinces with no right to establish diplomatic relations with other states. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 11: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation Iran Press TV Friday, 12 July 2024 7:36 AM By Press TV Website Staff Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed at least 38,345 Palestinians so far, including around 17,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers. The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Thursday, July 11, are as follows: Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on July 11: Targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles on Tal Zorob, west of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, with a barrage of mortar shells. Targeted two Israeli Merkava tanks with tandem shells near the Al-Zahar Junction in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on July 11: Targeted an Israeli military force barricaded inside a house with an anti-personnel shell in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of Gaza City. In a joint operation with Al-Quds Brigades, bombed a group of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the vicinity of the industrial area, southwest of Gaza City, with multiple mortar shells. Targeted a convoy of Israeli army vehicles with mortar shells along the axis of advance, east of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Al-Quds Brigades' operations on July 11: Targeted positions of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles at the "Fajjah" military site and along the supply line of the "Netzarim" axis with 107mm rockets. Targeted a position of Israeli soldiers along the supply line in the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City. Targeted "Ashdod," "Ashkelon," "Sderot," and the Gaza Strip envelope with a rocket barrage. In a joint operation with Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, targeted Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles in the vicinity of the industrial area, southwest of Gaza City, with multiple mortar shells. Mujahideen Brigades' operations on July 11: Targeted positions of Israeli soldiers along the "Netzarim" axis with several Haseb-111 rockets. Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on July 11: Targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles with heavy-caliber mortar shells in the Al-Katiba area in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of Gaza City. Sniped an Israeli soldier in the Abd Jabr area, west of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Al-Asifah Forces' operations on July 11: Targeted gatherings of Israeli forces along the axis of advance in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood, southwest of Gaza City, with mortar shells. Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on July 11: In a joint operation with Martyr Abdulqader Al-Husseini Brigades, bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles at the "Zikim" military site with 107-type rockets. Hezbollah's operations on July 11: Targeted the new headquarters of the artillery battalion of the 146th Division, south of Capri, with drones. Targeted surveillance equipment at the Al-Malikiyah site with appropriate weapons. Targeted Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Hanita site with missiles. Targeted surveillance equipment at the Hadab Yarin site with appropriate weapons. Targeted two military buildings in the Shtola settlement with guided missiles. Targeted Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of Zarit Barracks with a Burkan missile. Targeted two military buildings in the Miskvam settlement with appropriate weapons. Targeted the Ramtha site in Lebanon's Kfar Shuba with missiles. Targeted the Zibdin site in Lebanon's Shebaa with missiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New UK government raises question of change in South China Sea policy London needs a clear, consistent policy towards China and related issues like the South China Sea - analysts. By RFA Staff 2024.07.12 -- Britain's new ruling party has pledged a thorough audit of U.K.-China relations to establish a clearer long-term China policy, including its dealings with Beijing over the South China Sea and Taiwan, but analysts say little change is likely in the near future. Keir Starmer's Labour party won a landslide victory in last week's general election, ending 14 years of Conservative government. U.K. policy has been that it "takes no sides in the sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, but we oppose any activity that undermines or threatens U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) authority - including attempts to legitimise incompatible maritime claims," in the words of Anne-Marie Trevelyan, minister of state for Indo-Pacific under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Trevelyan reiterated that London's commitment to the UNCLOS was "unwavering" as it played a leading role in setting the legal framework for the U.K.'s maritime activities. "It's a standard position on upholding international law, freedom of navigation and the rules-based order," said Ian Storey, fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, "This is not going to change." However, with China's increased assertiveness and growing military might, upholding those principles in distant waters will be a challenge. Furthermore, there are Britain's own interests in economics, security and geopolitics to be considered. In 2021, the British government announced an overhaul in its foreign policy - Global Britain in a Competitive Age - which emphasized a "tilt to the Indo-Pacific" that, following in the footsteps of the U.S., promised a bolder strategic presence in the region where China is looming large. In 2022, Britain released a new National Strategy for Maritime Security, with one of the main focuses being the South China Sea. Yet there has not been any major British deployment in the region since 2021, and the Royal Navy did not send a warship to take part in the ongoing U.S.-led RIMPAC - the world's largest international maritime exercise. It remains unclear how Britain will pursue its maritime ambitions in the Asia-Pacific, especially when overall policy towards China has been deemed inconsistent. 'Clear steer' in dealing with China Labour's promise to conduct both a defense review and an audit of China policy "leaves many questions unanswered," said Gray Sergeant, research fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, a British think tank. "Initially, Labour was skeptical about the 'tilt to the Indo-Pacific', however, they have supported measures which have stepped up Britain's defense role in the region," Sergeant told RFA. "It is very unlikely such advances will be reversed, the question is whether a Labour government will be inclined to build on these steps if, as it seems, attention is focused on enhancing the U.K.'s role in European security," the analyst said. Another China expert, veteran diplomat Charles Parton, said that in the past Labour "has not said things which indicate that its China policy will be different from that of the Conservatives." "But the latter's strategy was never articulated, for which they came in for justified criticism," said Parton, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute. "The pressure now is on Labour to give a clear steer and to ensure consistent implementation across the various government departments whose interests involve dealing with China." The Conservative government recognized China as a "systemic challenge"' that it sought to counter with a three-stranded strategy of "'protect, align, engage." Labour's new foreign secretary, David Lammy, proposed a similar "three Cs" (compete, challenge, cooperate) in dealing with China. "That signals continuity," said Gray Sergeant. "The question is which of these three strands will take precedence?" The analyst noted that Lammy put particular emphasis on cooperation and engagement, and seemed keen on more ministers visiting China, which was Britain's fifth-largest trading partner in 2023, according to the U.K. Department for Business and Trade. Some activists, like Luke de Pulford from the U.K. Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, said that the new British government was likely to champion trade over thorny issues that would cause discord. "Labour needs to deliver on the economy and is scared that upsetting Beijing would jeopardize that goal," de Pulford wrote in a recent opinion piece. "Ministerial ambition, parliamentary trench warfare, media outrage or unavoidable circumstantial change can all shift policy, but outside of a serious escalation in the South China Sea, I don't see it happening," the human rights activist wrote. But another activist said that Labour's manifesto made clear "their intention to bring a long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China." "This could lead to a more robust stance on human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and increased support for Taiwan's autonomy," said Simon Cheng, a Hong Kong democracy activist in London. "However, we must watch closely how these words translate into actions," Cheng warned. What does China say? China has been closely following developments in U.K. politics, with Premier Li Qiang sending a congratulatory message to Starmer almost immediately after he became Britain's prime minister on July 5. Li said that China and Britain were both permanent members of the U.N. Security Council and cooperation between them "not only serves the interests of the two countries, but also is conducive to the unity of the international community in addressing global challenges." Starmer, as a member of parliament and shadow Brexit secretary, visited Taiwan in 2016 and 2018 to lobby against the death penalty. Observers say it's very rare that any top British leader has had an experience of Taiwan, which Beijing considers a Chinese province that must be reunited with the mainland. While the issue of Taiwan has not emerged in bilateral interactions, British politicians in the past have angered China over their statements about Hong Kong and the South China Sea. A Foreign Office spokesperson's statement criticizing the "unsafe and escalatory tactics deployed by Chinese vessels" against the Philippines in the South China Sea earned a rebuke from Chinese diplomats in London, who said they "firmly oppose and strongly condemn the groundless accusation made by the U.K., and have lodged stern representations with the U.K. side on this." China maintains that almost all of the disputed South China Sea and its islands belong to it. China refused to accept a 2016 arbitral ruling that rejected all its claims in the South China Sea but it recognized that Britain's stance of not taking sides in the South China Sea issue had changed. Before 2016, the U.K. did not have a clear-cut South China Sea policy, wrote Chinese analyst Liu Jin in the China International Studies magazine. Liu argued that Britain's change in policy, as well as its stance in the South China Sea, were largely influenced by the United States. "However, due to the security situation in its home waters, inadequacy of main surface combatants, and pressure of the defense budget, the U.K. will find it hard to expand the scale of Asia-Pacific navigation," he said, adding that London also lacks the willingness to step up provocation against China. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Washington Summit And Its Real Legacy By Rikard Jozwiak July 12, 2024 Ukraine may have inched closer to NATO at the military alliance's summit in Washington this week, but it's hard to escape the feeling that despite all the headline-grabbing pledges and promises, things aren't actually as rosy as they are being made out to be, especially from Kyiv's point of view. In reality, the military alliance continues to keep Ukraine at arm's length and consequential U.S. elections are just around the corner. Ukraine was never going to get an invitation to join NATO at this summit. That won't happen as long as the war is raging, and afterwards, the 32 allies will need to reach unanimous agreement to send out such an invitation -- a consensus that simply doesn't exist today. Instead, NATO diplomats were once again busy crafting a summit communique that was meant to sound more encouraging for Kyiv than the previous one. And the Washington text is a bit better for Ukraine than the Vilnius one agreed at the previous summit in Lithuania last summer. Like in 2023, it is stated that Ukraine's future is in NATO, that NATO foreign ministers will continue to assess reform efforts, and that "we will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the alliance when allies agree, and conditions are met." What was new this year were the words "bridge" and "irreversible." It was noted that "the summit decisions by NATO and the NATO-Ukraine Council, combined with allies' ongoing work, constitute a bridge to Ukraine's membership in NATO." Both in the run-up and during the meeting, officials were musing what this "bridge," in fact, entails and metaphorically wondering whether it's a long or short one and how solid it in fact is. The more crucial sentence was that "as Ukraine continues this vital work, we will continue to support it on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership." The question remains whether this irreversibility is just a word on a paper, as Ukraine's NATO fate will ultimately be decided as much on the battlefield as at the negotiating table. And with Ukraine still not getting any green light to strike deeper into Russian territory during the Washington meeting, the scope of the West's support -- and Ukraine's chances of victory in the war -- remain limited. Of concrete deliverables, the American hosts noted with some triumph that F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands are on their way to Ukraine and that they will fly over Ukrainian skies this summer. A boost, sure, but then again, the hope was that they would have arrived already in the spring after Kyiv had pleaded for them for nearly two years. It's also clear that by 2027, the war-torn country will only get about half of the 128 jets it has requested. In a similar vein, it was announced that Ukraine would get five new air-defense systems, even though it was already known before that four of those were forthcoming. With searing images being shown of a Russian strike on Kyiv's main children's hospital in the lead-up to the summit, the feeling very much was one of too little, too late. Within the NATO framework, the NATO training mission for Ukrainian troops on allied territory was rubber-stamped, which according to the military organization will increase the country's interoperability with it even further, even though it was quick to emphasize that creation of the scheme won't make NATO "a party to the conflict." Then there was the pledge to deliver 40 billion euros' worth of varied military assistance to Ukraine in the next year, based on the 32 NATO members' share of alliance GDP. It was emphasized that this was a minimum baseline, especially since there had been loftier figures considered beforehand. Considering the rather generous interpretation of what counts as aid, it's hard to see this target being missed. Countries can, for example, include costs related to maintenance and transport of equipment for Ukraine, training of its soldiers, investment into Ukraine's defense industry, and cash to NATO's trust funds for the country, which include nonlethal aid. Yet, there were no complaints from Kyiv this time around, with the organizers keen to avoid the scenes from Vilnius during which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy openly questioned the level of ambition on display. This time, he didn't miss an opportunity to express his "gratitude," completely aware and fully briefed not to ask for too much. Beyond Ukraine, it was rather remarkable that Georgia, which has been an aspirant for NATO membership since 2008, wasn't mentioned at all in the final declaration, apart from Russia's occupation of part of the South Caucasus republic. With even Moldova, which is constitutionally neutral, getting more of a mention and positive wording than Georgia, it was a stark reflection of Tbilisi's increasing distance from Western institutions. As the summit took place in the United States, the wording on China was even sharper than usual. Beijing was mentioned for the first time in a NATO declaration in 2019, and ever since then, Washington has pushed for a hardened stance. This time, the alliance noted that "the PRC (People's Republic of China) has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine through its so-called 'no limits' partnership and its large-scale support for Russia's defense industrial base" and added that Beijing "cannot enable the largest war in Europe in recent history without this negatively impacting its interests and reputation." Yet, when pressed what consequences China would face if it continues on this way, outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg elegantly skirted the question. This was never going to be a historic summit of great deliverables. It was a celebration of NATO's 75th anniversary, coming just four months ahead of a crucial American presidential election. In that sense, President Joe Biden's much-criticized performance in a recent debate against the Republican candidate and NATO-skeptic Donald Trump overshadowed the entire meeting. While Biden generally performed well in his public duties at the summit, he wasn't gaffe free. He first introduced Zelenskiy as "President Putin" before correcting himself, and the Ukrainian leader quickly saved the situation by joking that he was much better than Putin. At a drawn-out final press conference, he then mixed up the names of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and his main rival Trump. Most questions at that presser were about the election and his presidential suitability. And it very much appears that it was those questions, and the growing calls from more of his party colleagues to step aside, that will be the enduring legacy of this summit. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/nato-summit-legacy-analysis- ukraine-russia-china/33033659.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In this photo taken in 2012, Max Wade appears in court in San Rafael. He was convicted of stealing a car and shooting at a former classmate. Frankie Frost/Associated Press Guy Fieri walks with his legal team after giving testimony in the trial of Max Wade in San Rafael on Oct. 28, 2013. Brant Ward/The Chronicle The Marin County teen who stole celebrity chef Guy Fieris Lamborghini from San Francisco and shot at former classmates in a high-profile crime spree more than a decade ago was granted parole on Thursday. Now 29 years old, Max Wade infamously rappelled from the roof of the British Motors dealership in San Francisco in 2011, then drove away with Fieris yellow Lamborghini convertible. The $200,000 car sat in a Richmond storage locker with guns, contraband and other evidence, until Wade was arrested for an attempted murder months later. In April 2012, he shot at a car in Mill Valley containing a 17-year-old girl he liked and her boyfriend in a motorcycle drive-by. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the hours around his 18th birthday, at least two people tried to break Wade out of Marin County Juvenile Hall using bolt cutters and by striking Wades isolation cell with a sledgehammer. That same year, he also became the subject of a rap song. Wade was found guilty of attempted murder and shooting into a vehicle containing the teenage couple, in addition to auto theft and possession of a stolen vehicle. He was sentenced to 21 years to life in 2014, but had his sentence reduced in 2021 due to a state law that allows judges to strike added penalties for gun offenses. The state Parole Board preliminarily granted Wade parole, which is subject to review. At Thursdays hearing, Wade said he attempted to kill the teenage boy over an online spat, not out of romantic jealousy as had been widely reported at the time. He added that he no longer has the desire to maintain the narrative of an outlaw and would be fine with any job, including as a CalTrans cleanup worker, the Standard reported. However, the Marin County Deputy District Attorney Cassandra Edwards objected to the parole, calling Wade a wolf in sheeps clothing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Former Georgian Officials Rue Near-Exclusion From NATO Declaration By RFE/RL's Georgian Service July 12, 2024 A former Georgian defense minister and Tbilisi's former ambassador to the United States have lamented the reduced language devoted to Georgia in the declaration that emerged from this week's NATO summit in Washington. Pursuit of EU and NATO membership remains embedded in the post-Soviet Caucasus nation's constitution, but the current Georgian government's passage of a perceived Russian-style law to curb media and NGOs has dealt a blow to both efforts. Whereas former declarations have mentioned Georgian cooperation with the transatlantic defense alliance, NATO members this week limited the text to a single reference urging Russia to completely withdraw its troops from Moldova and Georgia. NATO allies controversially pledged in the 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration that Georgia would eventually become a member, providing it fulfilled requirements. That decision was reconfirmed in the wake of Russia's five-day war with Georgia in August 2008 and Russia's ongoing occupation of Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. Tina Khidasheli, Georgia's defense minister in 2015-16 and a critic of the current Georgian Dream government, told RFE/RL that she was shocked at the exclusion and hoped "that it is only temporary." "I didn't have high expectations, but I didn't expect anything like that, that they would neither repeat the record of the Bucharest summit, nor talk about the NATO-Georgia program, nor mention the essential package of the Wales summit," she said. A 2022 NATO summit in Madrid approved specific "support measures" for Georgia as a partner seemingly at risk from Russia after President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade Ukraine months earlier. But EU officials have checked the momentum of Georgia's candidacy, and the United States has undertaken a "comprehensive review" of relations with Tbilisi since the so-called "foreign agent" law was passed in May over pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili's veto. Prime Minister and Georgian Dream leader Irakli Kobakhidze, who in May accused a former U.S. ambassador of supporting two attempted revolutions in Georgia, responded to Washington's review by calling for a review of relations with the United States. "The main issue regarding Georgia is that Georgia is no longer on the Euro-Atlantic agenda and that there has been a democratic backsliding in Georgia, which may bring irreparable consequences," Batu Kutelia, a former Georgian ambassador to the United States, told RFE/RL regarding the perceived NATO snub. In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives is considering legislation calling for increased scrutiny of the Georgian government's actions and its ties to Russia and other authoritarian regimes like China. The so-called Megobari Act passed the House Foreign Affairs Committee on July 11, a spokesman for Representative Joe Wilson (Republican-South Carolina) said on July 12. The act, which takes its name from the word that means friend in Georgian, mandates several reports, including an assessment of Russian intelligence's penetration of Georgia and Tbilisi's cooperation with China. Wilson, co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was grateful for the passage of the measure, which makes it "very clear that we support the people of the nation of Georgia" and adding that the Georgian people "have made it clear they want to live in a free and democratic Georgia." The bill is expected to come to a vote in the full House before Congress adjourns for summer break in August. Wilson has said he wants the bill to become law ahead of Georgian elections in October. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-nato-declaration-summit- exclusion/33033782.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Montenegrin High Court Acquits Alleged 2016 Coup Plotters By RFE/RL's Balkan Service July 12, 2024 The 13 Montenegrin, Russian, and Serbian individuals accused of plotting an election-day coup in Montenegro in 2016 were acquitted of all charges by that Balkan country's High Court on July 12, marking the latest twist in a seven-year prosecutorial saga since authorities claimed to have thwarted a last-ditch conspiracy to derail Montenegro's NATO accession. Prosecutors had alleged that the Russian-organized plot included plans to attack parliament and assassinate longtime leader and then-Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic. But at the end of a retrial ordered in 2021, the three-judge panel decided "there was no evidence that the defendants were guilty of the crimes they were charged with, so they are acquitted," according to Judge Zoran Radovic. The Special Prosecutor's Office is expected to appeal the acquittals. The defendants include the current speaker of the Montenegrin parliament, Andrija Mandic, along with two other senior members of the pro-Russian, right-wing populist Democratic Front party. Two Russians tried in absentia were accused of organizing and financing the purported coup attempt, along with a retired Serbian police commander and seven other Serbian nationals who were arrested on election day more than seven years ago. An initial court decision in May 2019 over terrorism charges resulted in guilty verdicts and a combined 70 years in prison for the defendants before that ruling was overturned in 2021. Russia has resisted calls for the handover of alleged plotters Eduard Sismakov and Vladimir Popov. On July 11, Judge Radovic said that, in order for someone to be declared guilty, there must be certainty in the facts, "and there is none." He said the weapons alleged to have been organized for the coup attempt "never entered Montenegro, the equipment that was supposed to be used for the forced entry into the Assembly was not brought into Montenegro, and the claim that the special units were supposed to shoot at the Montenegrin police has not been proven." Neither the special prosecutors nor the accused were present at the announcement of the acquittal. Mandic and the other Montenegrin suspects accused Djukanovic of political retaliation against the then-opposition through the Special Prosecutor's Office. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/montenegro-coup-trial-russia- nato/33033657.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Orban Takes Solo 'Peace Mission' To Mar-A-Lago, Says Trump Is 'Going To Solve It' By RFE/RL July 12, 2024 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban met with former U.S. President and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in Florida on July 11 after the Central European leader's attendance at NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington concluded earlier the same day. Orban asserted that the visit was part of a self-styled "peace mission" that he has been conducting despite objections from Brussels since Hungary took over the six-month rotating EU Council presidency this month, taking him to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing en route to the NATO event. "We discussed ways to make #peace," Orban tweeted after the meeting with Trump, adding, "The good news of the day: he's going to solve it!" EU leaders have repeatedly distanced themselves from Orban's "peace mission," and Orban has acknowledged that he has no authority to act on other EU members' behalf stemming from the council presidency. Orban has publicly endorsed Trump's candidacy and raised eyebrows by planning the visit to the billionaire U.S. politicians' Mar-a-Lago resort after holding no such bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit. Critics accuse Orban of adopting Kremlin talking points since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, and Budapest has undermined Western sanctions and refused to join fellow EU and NATO allies in helping arm Kyiv to beat back the invasion. Trump has suggested that if elected in November he will resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict even before he takes office, without elaborating. Last month during a podcast interview, Trump blamed the war on Ukraine's possible NATO membership, raising concerns that he may block the country from joining the alliance as part of any potential peace deal. Hungary has raised doubts about Ukraine's membership in the alliance, saying it risks open conflict with Russia. "Ukraine's admission wouldn't strengthen but weaken the alliance's unity, as there are completely different viewpoints on their membership," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on July 11. The United States and NATO allies criticized Orban's uncoordinated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month. It was seen as a rogue move by the leader of a NATO country. Orban's opposition to Ukraine's NATO bid has been watched closely during the summit, but allies said on July 11 that they did not see it denting Kyiv's eventual alliance membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed Orban in Kyiv but said he had not in any way endorsed the Hungarian prime minister's mediation efforts in Moscow or beyond. "The U.S. position, the Biden administration position is: Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. So whatever adventurism is being undertaken without Ukrainians' consent or support is not something that's consistent with our policy or the policy of the United States," Biden's national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told reporters July 11 on the sidelines of the summit. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters at the NATO summit on July 11 that the Hungarian leader does not represent the opinion of the European Union or NATO. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olah Scholz also expressed frustration with Orban. Macron said it was legitimate for Orban to travel to Russia as the Hungarian prime minister, but not on behalf of the European Union. On July 10, Orban said he would not sign on to the so-called Ukraine Compact, a shared pledge among more than 20 NATO to support Ukraine both now and for the long term. In a video statement posted to his X account, the Hungarian prime minister said that NATO was "behaving more and more like a war organization," citing the alliance's military support for Ukraine. In a communique issued during the summit, NATO members said that Ukraine's path into NATO was "irreversible." When asked about the potential Orban-Trump meeting, outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said it "doesn't undermine or reduce the importance of what we have agreed" at the summit. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/orban-trump-meeting-ukraine- war-nato-peace-russia/33033498.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldova Encouraged By NATO's Call For Withdrawal Of Russian Troops From Transdniester By Margret Johnston July 12, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Moldovan Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi said it is encouraging to Moldova that a declaration issued at the NATO summit in Washington calls on Russia to withdraw all its forces from Moldova and also welcomes Moldova's reform efforts. "We are happy to see Moldova mentioned and also the acknowledgement of the...positive efforts that we are [making] to reform the Republic of Moldova, but also the call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Republic of Moldova, which is a very important message," Popsoi, who is also a deputy prime minister, told RFE/RL on July 11 on the sidelines of the summit. Moldovan President Maia Sandu has repeatedly demanded an end to the presence in Moldova's breakaway Transdniester region of hundreds of Russian troops at a Soviet-era weapons depot. The declaration agreed upon by the leaders of the 32 NATO countries on July 10 has one sentence about the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Moldova. It also has one sentence on Moldova's efforts to continue democratic reforms. Popsoi said at a panel discussion at the summit that, while there is always room for improvement, Moldova has been on the agenda of its friends and partners in NATO and the European Union and has "received remarkable support in the last few years." This was especially true during the energy crisis that rocked Moldova as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he said, adding that the crisis has eased recently thanks to the resilience of the Moldovan people and "the generous support of the international community that has come to the rescue of not just Ukraine, but also the Republic of Moldova." Popsoi said Moldova and the Moldovan people have also made achievements on their own, citing energy independence from Gazprom after 30 years of being tied to the Russian energy giant. "Russian gas contracts come with significant political strings attached and we suffered more than our fair share through this political blackmail," he said. He also touted the 30 years that Moldova has been in NATO's Partnership for Peace program and its contributions to peacekeeping missions in Kosovo, Lebanon, Somalia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, saying that Moldova is "firmly committed to be not just a security consumer given our challenges, given the Russia-backed separatists region." Popsoi told RFE/RL that Moldova now has a chance to make further progress through accession talks with the European Union that began on June 25. "We count on the accession process helping us advance when it comes to our economic circumstances, but also democratic institutions," he said, calling the accession negotiations "a key priority for us" and a chance to fulfill the "sincere craving of our citizens to return to the European family of nations." Whether Moldovans are hungry enough to become part of the EU will be tested on October 20 when a referendum on joining the 27-nation bloc takes place alongside the country's presidential election. Popsoi said Sandu's government is counting on the citizens of Moldova to back the referendum. "There's a lot of attempts to divide us domestically, to paint a negative picture of what we want to achieve. And this referendum is another democratic exercise for the Moldovan people to speak out," he said. "And we are confident that they will support a prosperous, a peaceful future for their children in the European family of nations." On joining NATO, he said the question is being debated in Moldova, where "you don't need to look far" to see the risks of the region, he said. He said many Moldovans believe that neutrality ensures security but "that is, of course, a questionable proposition in light of historic experience," adding, "But nonetheless, in a democratic society, we need to abide by the will of the majority, and for now, there is not a majority in Moldova that would support NATO membership." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/moldova-popsoi-nato-russia-troops- reforms/33033417.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Biden Positions Himself As Defender Of NATO And Ukraine Following 'Putin' Gaffe At Summit By RFE/RL July 12, 2024 WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in a highly anticipated news conference following the conclusion of the NATO summit in Washington on July 11, stressed his efforts building partnerships to oppose Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and said he would "keep NATO strong." "For those who thought NATO's time had passed, they got a rude awakening when [Russian President Vladimir] Putin invaded Ukraine," Biden said. In an eight-minute opening address that often took on the appearance of a campaign speech at a time when his pursuit of a second presidential term is being openly questioned, Biden lauded his early action in alerting the world that Russia was about to invade its neighbor and in building a coalition of partners to oppose it. Biden said that Putin thought that Ukraine would fall "in less than a week," but that the country "still stands." He also said that he would do everything to "end the war now." The press appearance was seen as a pivotal moment in Biden's attempts to overcome his disastrous performance during his debate two weeks ago against Donald Trump, his presumptive Republican opponent in the November presidential election. The 81-year-old Biden's tired appearance and verbal missteps during the June 27 debate fueled doubts about his ability to beat Trump or to serve a full second term should he win. Calls have grown among Democratic supporters and elected officials for Biden to end his campaign, although high-ranking party figures have continued to support his bid to win a second term in office. Going into what some described as a make-or-break press appearance following the NATO summit, Biden was already facing criticism for mistakenly referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as "President Putin." Early on in the press conference, Biden made another gaffe when he mistakenly referred to Trump as his "vice president." When pressed by reporters during a 50-minute question-and-answer session about his fitness for another term, Biden made his case for continuing his campaign, saying neurological exams showed that he was "in good shape" and insisting that he was the "best qualified to govern" the United States. In the aftermath of a NATO summit in which the alliance boosted its support for Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against Russia and referred to China as a "decisive enabler" of Moscow's war effort, Biden said that in the event of future negotiations with Russian President Putin or Chinese President Xi Jinping, he was "ready to deal with them now, and in three years." However, he added, that he was not ready to talk to Putin "unless Putin is ready to change his behavior." "The idea that we're going to be able to fundamentally change Russia in the near term is not likely," Biden said. "But one thing is for certain, if we allow Russia to succeed in Ukraine, they're not stopping at Ukraine." Biden said, however, that the United States would take a cautious approach on the issue of allowing Ukraine to launch deep strikes into Russian territory. "We're making on a day-to-day basis on what they should and shouldn't do, how far they should go in," Biden said. "That's a logical thing to do." The comments came after Ukrainian President Zelenskiy pressed NATO leaders to lift all restrictions against Kyiv using their donated weaponry to launch long-range strikes onto Russian territory if they want to see Ukraine defeat Russia's invading forces. "If he [Zelenskiy] had the capacity to strike Moscow, strike the Kremlin, would that make sense? It wouldn't," Biden said. The United States in early May gave Kyiv the green light to use U.S. weapons to strike just over the border on Russian territory to help Ukraine beat back a major Russian offensive near Kharkiv. Biden, in a meeting with Zelenskiy earlier in the day, said he was pleased to announce the allocation of new aid to Ukraine to help it defeat Russia. "We will stay with you, period," Biden said ahead of bilateral talks. The United States later announced it would be sending $225 million worth of military equipment to Ukraine, the eight tranche since the passage of a $61 billion aid package in April. The latest tranche includes a Patriot missile battery, anti-aircraft systems and munitions, as well as artillery ammunition and rockets. During his press appearance following the end of the NATO summit, Biden positioned himself as a protector of the alliance, while casting Trump as a danger. Biden accused Trump, who during his presidency from 2017 to 2021 often criticized NATO members and suggested he might pull the United States out of the alliance, as having "no commitment to NATO." "He's made it clear that he would feel no obligation to honor Article 5," Biden said of Trump, referring to the NATO defense pact that requires the alliance to respond in the event any individual member state is attacked. Biden also claimed that during the NATO summit, other leaders had told him that another Trump presidency would be a "disaster." "I've not had any of my European allies come up here and say 'Joe, don't run,'" Biden told reporters. "What I hear them say is 'You've gotta win. You can't let this guy [Trump] come forward, he'd be a disaster.'" After Biden's gaffe in which he introduced Ukrainian President Zelenskiy as "President Putin" before quickly correcting himself, some NATO leaders came to his defense. French President Emmanuel Macron said that Biden was "in charge" during the two-day summit, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that "slips of tongue happen." During the question-and-answer session, however, at least one reporter suggested that NATO officials had said off the record that Biden's "decline had become noticeable." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/biden-campaign-russia-nato- ukraine/33033299.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Slovenian and French ministries of defence sign a letter of intent on the procurement of Caesar and Mistral systems Republic of Slovenia - Ministry of Defence 12. 7. 2024 The State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Dr Damir Crncec, and the National Armaments Director at the Ministry of Defence of the French Republic, General Gael Diaz de Tuesta, have signed a Letter of Intent on the European joint procurement of Caesar artillery and Mistral air defence systems (hereinafter referred to as the "Letter of Intent"). The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the French Republic on defence cooperation also provides for cooperation in the field of design, implementation and procurement of armaments. In the light of the encouragement of EU Member States to cooperate in defence procurement and the need to strengthen the technological and industrial base of European defence, the signing of the Letter of Intent will facilitate further discussions on the potential procurement of Caesar artillery weapons systems and Mistral air defence systems from French manufacturers. The possible acquisition of these weapon systems will be carried out under the same conditions as for all the other countries that have already or will join this initiative, with the signature of the Letter of Intent. The signing of the Letter of Intent will initiate all the necessary procedures at the Ministry of Defence for the eventual procurement and introduction of entirely new weapon systems into the Slovenian Armed Forces. At the same time, this will fulfil the condition for submitting an application for European funding for the construction of joint military capabilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "Global peace and stability cannot be addressed without a lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine issue" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 12.07.2024 Holding a press conference following the NATO Summit, President Erdogan said: "During all my talks, I drew attention to the ongoing massacre in the occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza in particular. I stressed that global peace and stability cannot be addressed unless a lasting solution is found to the Israel-Palestine issue." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a press conference following the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Washington, D.C.. President Erdogan said: "As the Allies, we have been displaying a steadfast stance in favor of the international law in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has been raging nearly for two and a half years. We have reviewed the decisions taken in the previous summits and agreed on further concrete steps. We have approved 'NATO's Security Assistance and Training Support for Ukraine' initiative and, in addition, decided to provide Ukraine with a multi-year financial support and appoint a senior NATO representative to Kyiv. Turkiye has been working intensively since day one for the termination of this war, which jeopardizes our common security and has destructive impacts that are felt by us all. It is our sincerest desire that the contacts, which we initiated with the Istanbul Process and crowned with the Black Sea Initiative, may be resumed and diplomacy may be given a chance. We believe that there will be losers in a just peace. I once again shared my assessments with our Allies throughout the Summit." "WE ARE ONE OF TOP ALLIES IN TERMS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MISSIONS OF THE ALLIANCE" Noting that they discussed in detail the issues concerning the defense of the Alliance in the first session of the Summit, President Erdogan added: "I emphasized that Turkiye, as always, remains committed to defending his Allies in the current international environment of deepening crises and increased tensions, and that it fulfills its responsibilities. We have already surpassed the 2 percent threshold goal in defense expenditures. We continue to be one of top Allies in terms of contributions to the operations and missions of the Alliance. Of course, it is essential that the spirit of unity and alliance be sincerely embraced by all the 32 Allies. Given the 75-year-old Washington Treaty and the decisions taken during the previous summits, there can be no logical or reasonable explanation for the ongoing presence of barriers or restrictions in the defense trade among the Allies." Drawing attention to the importance of implementing the decisions adopted in Vilnius in terms of the unity, integrity and deterrence of the Alliance, President Erdogan went on to say: "It is critical to step up the joint efforts in the fight against terrorism. Accordingly, we had the opportunity to follow up the decisions taken during the Madrid and Vilnius Summits. As you know, we updated NATO's Policy Guidelines on Counter-Terrorism last year. In line with the decisions taken in Vilnius, Mr. Secretary General appointed for the first time at NATO a Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism. We think that here is a need to strengthen the cooperation among the Allies in the fight against terrorism." "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ACCEPT THE CROOKED LINKS SOME OF OUR ALLIES HAVE FORGED PARTICULARLY WITH THE PYD/YPG" Underscoring that Turkiye, as a country that knows well the bloody face of terror, fights against terror by paying high prices, President Erdogan continued as follows: "We expect our Allies to display solidarity in the fight against terrorism, one of the two primary threats identified by NATO. This is also a requirement of the law of Alliance. The decisions we have taken and the permanent consultation mechanisms we have established during Finland and Sweden's accession process to NATO have led to a better understanding of the dimensions of the terrorism threat, particularly the PKK. However, it is impossible for us to accept the crooked links some of our Allies have forged particularly with the PYD/YPG, the PKK's extension in Syria. I am hereby reiterating my call for the abandonment of these wrongful policies that undermine the unity and integrity of the Alliance. Pointing to the necessity for NATO to increase its engagement with its southern partners, President Erdogan said: "In this scope, we signed in the Summit's first session important decisions that outline NATO's new approach to the South." "THE CURRENT ISRAELI ADMINISTRATION CANNOT CONTINUE ITS PARTNERSHIP RELATION WITH NATO" Stressing that a horrible massacre has been taking place in Gaza since October 7, President Erdogan noted that nearly 40 thousand innocent people, most of them women and children, have lost their lives in the Israeli attacks, and added: "Nearly 90 thousand people have been injured. During all my talks, I drew attention to the ongoing massacre in the occupied Palestinian territories, Gaza in particular. I stressed that global peace and stability cannot be addressed unless a lasting solution is found to the Israel-Palestine issue. Israel is persistently not implementing the injunction of the International Court of Justice, where it is being tried with genocide accusation, and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. We now see a clearer picture. We are unfortunately faced with a wild-eyed structure that recognizes no law, including the law of war, regulation, value or boundary. Maintaining military support to Israel is unacceptable amid the current situation, whereby global conscience flocks to streets in order for the attacks that target Palestinian civilians to be stopped. I drew special attention to this issue during my address at the session. It is impossible for the current Israeli administration, which violates the fundamental values of the Alliance, to continue its partnership relation with NATO. Turkiye will not approve of the initiatives aimed at cooperating with Israel within NATO unless a comprehensive and sustainable peace is established in the Palestinian territories." "WE STAND READY TO ASSUME ANY KIND OF INITIATIVE, INCLUDING GUARANTORSHIP" Underscoring that it is impossible to establish a lasting peace unless the Palestinians, who have been suffering for decades on their own lands under occupation and oppression, are given the right to have their own independent and sovereign state, President Erdogan said: "It is important for all the conscientious members of the international community to join forces for the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders. In the meantime, we are extremely pleased by the increasing number of the countries that recognize Palestine despite all pressures and attempts for intimidation. Let me hereby state once again that we as Turkiye stand ready to assume any kind of initiative, including guarantorship, first for the declaration of a ceasefire and then the establishment of a lasting peace. I hereby call on all our allies to increase their pressure on the Netanyahu administration in order for a ceasefire to be declared and for humanitarian aid to be uninterruptedly delivered to the Gazan people, who have been tested with hunger for nine months." "WE WILL DETERMINEDLY MAINTAIN OUR BALANCED AND JUST STANCE" Stating that the leaders of the European Union and NATO's partners in the Indo-Pacific region Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and New Zealand participated in the second session of the Summit, President Erdogan noted that the last session of the Summit has been held in the NATO-Ukraine Council format, and added: "During the session, I have stressed that Turkiye completely and firmly support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. I have also pointed out that diplomacy should not be excluded, and that negotiating does not mean surrendering. I have also open-heartedly voiced my belief that no one should ever let NATO become a party to the war in Ukraine. We will determinedly maintain our balanced, calm and just stance we have been displaying on the conflicts between our two neighbors from now on as well." Also drawing attention to his bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Summit, President Erdogan went on to say: "During our talks, we have addressed our cooperation within NATO and how we can improve our bilateral relations. As is known, the former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Rutte, has been appointed as the next NATO Secretary General with the approval of all the allies. I trust Mr. Rutte to attach importance to allies' interests and sensitivities during his term. I also believe that he will pursue an approach that prioritizes the solidarity of the Alliance and the central role of NATO in Europe-Atlantic's security." ISRAEL'S ATTACKS ON GAZA Responding to the question, "What concrete steps will Turkiye take in the field to stop Israel's military destruction and prevent the killing of people, including children?" President Erdogan thanked the reporter for showing sensitivity on the Palestinian issue, and stressed that Turkiye has been taking all the necessary steps since day one regarding the Israel-Palestine war. Underlining that nearly 40 thousand people have been killed and over 100 thousand wounded in the region, President Erdogan stated that Turkiye has sent about 40 thousand truckloads of foodstuff to the region and that a large number of Palestinians have been transferred to the hospitals in Turkiye for treatment. Pointing out that Turkiye has also joined the case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, President Erdogan called on other countries to do the same. NATO'S ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE In answer to the question, "NATO is providing assistance to Ukraine even though it is not a NATO ally. Yet, NATO does not have any such efforts towards Palestine. Have you made any recommendations to NATO in this regard? If so, what feedbacks have you received?" President Erdogan stressed that these two issues should not be mixed up. Noting that Turkiye and the Gulf states, in particular, have been doing their best regarding the Israel-Palestine war, President Erdogan voiced his expectation that all the conscientious countries should do whatever they can concerning the issue. F-16 PROCUREMENT Asked about the ongoing process of Turkiye's F-16 procurement from the U.S., President Erdogan stated: "I talked to Mr. Biden, he said, 'I will solve this problem in 3-4 weeks.' The issue regarding parts is something we always discuss." In answer to a question about his remarks that he would meet with the Syrian President, President Erdogan drew attention to the call he made two weeks ago either for Mr. Assad to come to Turkiye or for the two leaders to hold a meeting in a third country. Noting that he authorized the Turkish Foreign Minister to hold talks with his counterparts on the issue, President Erdogan voiced his desire to overcome the resentments and launch a new process with Syria. SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION Asked whether a peace agreement would be signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan by the end of the year, President Erdogan said that this is a decision for Mr. Aliyev to make. Drawing attention to the favorable steps taken on the issue, President Erdogan stressed that both the world and the region desire the establishment of peace in the region as soon as possible. In answer to a question about Turkiye's accession process to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, President Erdogan said: "Our goal is to become a permanent member there, not an observer member. Turkiye should now join the Shanghai Five as a permanent member. I discussed this issue separately with Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi Jinping. I also talked to the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. I requested support on this issue from all the permanent members." PROCUREMENT OF EUROFIGHTERS Asked whether he discussed with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Turkiye's procurement of Eurofighters during their bilateral meeting, whose sales are blocked by Germany to Turkiye, President Erdogan said: "We discussed the issue of Eurofighters. Mr. Scholz did not display a negative approach on this issue. We see that there is as positive course as possible in the continuation of our meetings and after the talk between the Ministry of National Defense and his counterpart. There are such positive developments regarding both Germany and the U.K.. We will all together follow the issue." 2026 NATO SUMMIT IN TURKIYE In response to a question as to in which city the 2026 NATO Summit will take place in Turkiye, President Erdogan reminded that a similar summit was held previously in Istanbul, and added that it will most probably be held in Istanbul. Asked about the views of the allied countries on the support to be given Ukraine, President Erdogan stated that all the allies favor peace, and went on to say: "I think peace will eventually prevail there. Most particularly, the one that will take place in Turkiye will be a summit where peace will be crowned. Most of the things will obviously change until then." Answering a question about the Black Sea Grain Initiative, President Erdogan said he discussed the issue with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and that they will be following the process. "OUR MOST IMPORTANT STEP IS AKKUYU" Asked whether there is a development regarding Turkiye's cooperation with EU countries in military industry, President Erdogan noted that unfortunately there is no development on this issue with EU countries, and added: "Our most important step is Akkuyu and one of the most important units of Akkuyu is our relations with Siemens. There are these turbines that Siemens should send us. These turbines are now waiting at the German customs." Stating that he raised this issue during their talks, President Erdogan voiced his belief that they will overcome these setbacks. Reminded of his statement that the NATO's second man would be from Turkiye, President Erdogan, in response to a follow-up question as to whether any name is mentioned in this sense, said that they made their proposal, but that the decision is Mr. Rutte's to make. "IT WILL BE INACCURATE TO INTERRUPT OR CAST A SHADOW OVER PEACE" Asked about France's policies of active armament and revanchism in Armenia, President Erdogan drew attention to his bilateral talk with President Emmanuel Macron of France, and said: "It will be inaccurate to interrupt or cast a shadow over peace there. If necessary, we can discuss these issues with Mr. Macron later on. We will meet again soon. And should there be any unwelcome developments in the region, we will share them with him." In response to a question regarding his assessment on EU common defense, President Erdogan stressed that it is early for him to answer such a question since Turkiye is not a member of the EU. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK recognises the importance of UNRWA's mandate: UK statement at the UNRWA Pledging Conference Statement by UK Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UNRWA Pledging Conference 2024. 12 July 2024 The devastating violence in Gaza has gone on for far too long. And I pay tribute to the work of UNRWA in unprecedentedly challenging circumstances and to the leadership of Commissioner General Lazzarini. In one of his first acts as UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer set out the clear and urgent need for an immediate ceasefire that leads to a sustainable peace with security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are calling for the release of all the hostages, the upholding of international humanitarian law, and a rapid increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza. President, Palestinians in Gaza are facing a humanitarian catastrophe and the very real risk of famine. For months they have suffered unbearable hardship without the food and protection from harm that they need. Too many Palestinian civilians are being killed, and much of civilian infrastructure essential to life has been destroyed. The UK is committed to working with our international partners to alleviate this suffering and get more aid to the civilians who need it most. We welcome the UN's leadership role in coordinating and delivering the humanitarian response. We recognise that UNRWA is absolutely central to these efforts. It is playing a critically important role in getting aid to those who need it in Gaza and providing essential services, including healthcare and education, to Palestinian refugees across the region. So I want to take the opportunity again today to pay tribute to those brave and selfless UNRWA staff who face danger every day as they work to get aid to those in desperate need. Today the UK stands with 117 Member States, led by Jordan, Slovenia and Kuwait, in making clear our shared commitment to UNWRA and to make clear our support for the vital role it plays in saving lives and promoting regional stability - a fundamental building block for lasting peace. President, we were appalled by the allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attacks against Israel. The Secretary-General and the Commissioner General of UNRWA took these allegations seriously and acted decisively. And we are confident that UNRWA is taking robust action in response Catherine Colonna's independent review, to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality, transparency and accountability. The UK recognises the importance of UNRWA's mandate and the need for UNRWA to operate on a sustainable financial footing. Following last week's elections in the United Kingdom, the new Foreign Secretary is closely considering resuming UK funding to UNRWA. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The threat of terrorism is growing in the Sahel: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Counsellor, at the Security Council meeting on West Africa and the Sahel. 12 July 2024 I would like to start by welcoming the agreement of this Council of a Presidential Statement on UNOWAS. During what is a challenging period for the region, that was an important signal of the Council's full support for the region's peace and security. We commend the penholders Sierra Leone and Switzerland for their excellent work to get it agreed. We wish to make four points today. First, the UK congratulates Mauritania and Senegal for their peaceful transfers of power. But democracy and civic space are under pressure in the region. We note that timelines for restoration of constitutional governments in Mali and Burkina Faso have been extended, and we reiterate the Council's call, in its recent Presidential Statement, for the restoration of constitutional order. Guinea's transition timeline has also slipped, but we welcome ECOWAS' assessment that some progress has been achieved in Guinea, including a planned referendum on the constitution in 2024. Second, security across the Sahel is deteriorating. The threat of terrorism is growing, and requires a serious cross-regional response. Foreign mercenaries and proxies are not the answer. They have a track record in the region of worsening existing conflicts and undermining long-term development, and the way they operate often poses grave threats to the protection of civilians, as we saw at Moura in Mali. The UK remains concerned about the security situation in Mali, especially after the withdrawal of MINUSMA. We encourage UNOWAS to help bring all parties back to the negotiating table. We also note the recent ECOWAS and Alliance of Sahel States summits. We urge all states in the region to seek collective solutions to the growing shared security challenge. As we heard in the Arria meeting called by Sierra Leone on 19 June, effective counter-terror efforts require regional collaboration. Third, the humanitarian situation in the region continues to get worse. Food insecurity, fueled by violence and displacement, is reaching record levels in the Central Sahel and Nigeria. Climate change is compounding these problems. Since 2019, UK aid has supported over 15 million people in the Sahel with life-saving assistance, and 3 million in Nigeria since 2017. But access is increasingly restricted, and needs are still going unmet. We call on all actors to ensure safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance. Fourth, we welcome the IMF's improved economic forecast, which demonstrates the enormous opportunity for growth across the region despite today's many challenges. The UK looks forward to deepening our partnerships in the region, working collaboratively to ensure that we drive forward both growth and security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza: There is no alternative to UNRWA, Guterres declares 12 July 2024 - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, standing alongside top officials in New York on Friday, underscored the essential need to bolster the UN agency assisting Palestine refugees (UNRWA) across the Middle East amid continued attacks on its mandate, staff, premises and operations. Speaking at a pledging conference for the agency, the UN chief outlined the countless challenges facing Palestinian civilians in Gaza who are "forced to move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death". "Hopelessness is the greatest ally of instability," he warned, stressing that through its work, "UNRWA is one of the greatest factors providing hope and stability across a troubled region." The agency has been supporting critical services including education, health and social services to some 5.9 million Palestine refugees, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. It also administers 58 refugee camps, addressing the dire humanitarian needs of over 1.6 million people across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The annual pledging conference, held under the auspices of the General Assembly, serves as a vital platform to raise funds for these operations. This year is different This year, however, the conference is being held under vastly different circumstances. Gaza has become a place of immense suffering amidst daily military barrages in a conflict that was precipitated by the 7 October terror attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in southern Israel. Over 1,200 Israelis were killed and over 200 were taken hostage. Dozens among them still remain in captivity, presumed to be in Gaza. In the Gaza Strip, more than 38,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed, a further 88,000 injured and about 90 per cent of population displaced - many several times. Tensions are also boiling over in the West Bank, and there are mounting fears of a spillover of the war into Lebanon as Israeli forces exchange daily fire with Hezbollah militants. With humanitarian needs across the enclave sharply skyrocketing, UNRWA also faces a severe funding crisis, with many donors suspending their funding after allegations made by Israel that some agency personnel were involved in the 7 October attacks. Lacking clear evidence, many donor countries have resumed contributions following UN actions in response. Of the 12 people implicated, the agency terminated the contracts of 10, another two are confirmed dead. An investigation by UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) was also immediately launched and is ongoing. Separately and prior to the allegations, the Secretary-General commissioned former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to lead an independent review to assess UNRWA's commitment to the humanitarian principle of neutrality. She submitted her final report in April with key recommendations, which are being implemented. UNRWA nevertheless faces massive gaps in matching resources with the needs and requires $1.2 billion to cover critical humanitarian needs until the end of the year. There is no alternative The UN chief warned that without more support and financing for UNRWA, Palestine refugees "will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future." "My appeal to everyone is this: Protect UNRWA, protect UNRWA staff, and protect UNRWA's mandate - including through funding. Let me be clear: there is no alternative to UNRWA," he stressed. Mr. Guterres once again underscored the need to end the ongoing war, starting with an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and an immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. "Ultimately, only a political solution can bring an end to this conflict - one that realizes a vision of two States - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States," he said. "I urge you to act now: act to instil hope in a place where it is in short supply; act to uphold the mandate of this General Assembly to sustain UNRWA; act in solidarity with Palestine Refugees and all the Palestinian people," the UN chief concluded. Question of survival General Assembly President Dennis Francis echoed the Secretary-General's call for support, urging donors to "transform rhetoric into reality" by ensuring that agency is sufficiently funded. He urged all stakeholders - UN Member States as well philanthropic organizations, the private sector and individuals to contribute to the agency. "This is not merely about funding, nor about the survival of an agency. It is about people and the survival of Palestine refugees - especially the children - across the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem," he said. Suffering everywhere UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized the immense suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis. He once again condemned the October 7 attack and called for the immediate release of all hostages. Gaza has been "decimated", he said, with over two million people living in dire conditions. Children and women are particularly affected, with many children killed or severely injured. He highlighted a similar tragedy unfolding in the West Bank, with hundreds of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers. Targeted because UNRWA protects Mr. Lazzarini also stressed that despite decades of providing stability and essential services, UNRWA is struggling under relentless attacks, with significant loss of life and damage to its facilities. He also decried the mistreatment of UNRWA personnel and the use of its premises for military purposes by both Palestinian armed groups and Israeli forces, and criticized efforts to dismantle UNRWA, including social media attacks and legislative moves to label it a terrorist organization. "UNRWA is targeted," he stressed, "because of its role in safeguarding the rights of Palestine refugees, and because it embodies an international commitment to a political solution." He warned that a failure to push back will leave other UN entities and international organizations exposed to similar attacks. UNRWA is the backbone The UNRWA Commissioner-General reiterated that the agency "is the backbone" of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and that it will remain critical for the transition from ceasefire to "day after", providing essential services. "If we maintain the status quo, the agency will crumble and millions of children, women and men will pay a heavy price", he concluded. Strong message of solidarity At a press conference later in the day ( video), Mr. Lazzarini highlighted the "strong message of solidarity and support" the agency had received at the pledging conference. "The day started with the commitment [expressed] by 118 Member States, it was re-echoed at the conference," he said, adding that pledges announced by Member States would sustain UNRWA's core budget until end September. "The agency now has enough resources to function until the end of September...basically this means in the coming couple of months, I will focus to make sure we are bridging the financial gap between September and the end of December." He added that his concern remains that UNRWA's $1.2 billion emergency appeal for the ongoing crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the separate $416 million appeal for the regional crisis, "remain severely underfunded." UNRWA's core programme budget goes directly towards serving more than 5.6 million Palestine refugees it is mandated to protect and assist. Under this mandate, it delivers essential services in the areas of education, health, protection, relief and social services, microfinance and camp improvement. The emergency appeals focus on responding to the crisis with critical humanitarian and lifesaving interventions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Elon Musk, CEO of X, has donated money to a group that's committed to help Donald Trump get elected to president this November. Jordan Strauss/Associated Press Former President Donald Trump is getting a boost from tech billionaires ahead of the presidential election in November. Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported Friday that Elon Musk, the CEO of X, formerly Twitter, who has been increasingly criticizing President Joe Biden and the Democratic party, donated a sizable amount, to a political group called America PAC, which supports Trump. The PAC was created just two months ago, the New York Times reported, but has already spent more than $6 million on behalf of the former president. The group has been encouraging likely Trump voters to register to vote early or by mail, according to the Times. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerbergs Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said Friday that it would remove restrictions on Trumps social media accounts in the lead-up to the election. In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis, the company said in a press release. As a result, former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties. In the aftermath of Jan. 6, 2021, Trumps accounts, after being suspended for two years, were subject to heightened penalties for violating Facebook and Instagrams Community Standards. The standards restrict several kinds of content, including that which coordinates harm or incites violence or violates privacy by posting peoples addresses or phone numbers online. Trumps accounts will still be subject to the Community Standards, the company said, but will not face harsher restrictions than anyone else who violates them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Top aid officials call for greater solidarity and support for Haiti 12 July 2024 - Three senior humanitarians appealed on Friday for more support for Haiti, where ongoing gang violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is affecting the entire population. Although the crisis has sparked immense needs, a nearly $680 million humanitarian plan launched in February is less than a quarter funded. "It is very clear for many people of Haiti that they are paying the heavy price of the violence, again, that has ravaged the country," said Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations and Advocacy at UN emergency relief agency OCHA, briefing journalists in New York. Lives upended by violence She was speaking from the Haitian capital alongside Lucia Elmi, Director of Emergency Programmes at the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Andrea Koulaimah of the European Commission's Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, known as ECHO. The top officials concluded a four-day visit to the Caribbean country, where 11 million people - the entire population - "have in one way or another had their lives shaken by the violence," according to Ms. Elmi. The situation has forced nearly 600,000 Haitians to flee their homes, and displacement has risen by 60 per cent since March. Roughly five million people are facing acute hunger, with almost 1.6 million at risk of starvation. 'Window of opportunity' Haiti's health and education systems have also been heavily impacted. Only two out of five hospitals are functioning, and more than 900 schools have closed, depriving some 200,000 children of an education. "We have only eight weeks before the start of the new school year, so there is a window of opportunity that we really need to seize to get those schools not only open again but functioning," she said. Sexual violence cases rising Ms. Elmi noted that women and children have been disproportionately affected by the crisis and the level of brutality and violence they have suffered "has been really very, very painful". Sexual violence has increased 400 times with respect to last year, when some 100,000 cases were reported, she said. She recalled a visit to a centre in Port-au-Prince that supports survivors, including a 14-year-old girl whose family had been kidnapped, and some members killed. Even though the teenager was raped and beaten for days, she remains determined to finish her studies and become a social worker. Government commitment assured The humanitarians travelled to other parts of Haiti, including Gonaives in the north and Les Cayes, located in the south, and spoke to a wide cross section of people, including farmers, children out of school, mothers and "fierce" women entrepreneurs. They also held talks with the authorities, notably new Prime Minister Garry Connille. Ms. Koulaimah said that although the crisis requires a stronger and better-funded response, it will not be solved by humanitarian aid alone. "It has to be solved by the Haitians themselves, and the Government has assured us of the commitment to do everything in their hands in order to transition out of the current crisis, and they need our support," she said. Stressing the need for more funding, she insisted that humanitarian aid is being delivered and "reaching its objective", despite access difficulties. Stand with Haiti Ms. Wosornu added that "Haiti needs real lasting solutions to enhance development", which includes restoring schools, health centres and other basic services. Throughout the visit, Haitians repeatedly called for three simple things: peace, an end to the violence, and to reclaim their lives, she said. "We wrap up our visit by reiterating our call to the international community to stand with the people of Haiti," she said. "We owe it to the women, we owe it to the children, and we owe it to the old men and women and all the people of Haiti that we've met across the country." UN mission extended Earlier on Friday, the UN Security Council in New York unanimously adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN political mission in Haiti, BINUH, until 15 July 2025. The 15 ambassadors condemned in the strongest terms the increasing violence, criminal activities, mass displacement, and human rights abuses and violations which undermine the peace, stability and security of the country and the region. Council members welcomed the establishment of the transitional governance arrangement as well as the subsequent creation of the Presidential Transitional Council and the inauguration of the interim Prime Minister and his Cabinet. They reaffirmed the need for all Haitian stakeholders "to continue to advance a Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political process towards the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections". In this regard, they highlighted the need for the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of women and the engagement of youth, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders. They also called on all Haitian stakeholders "to urgently establish a Provisional Electoral Council, and reach an agreement on a sustainable, time-bound and commonly accepted roadmap for elections". BINUH is the French acronym for the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, which was established by the Security Council in June 2019. The mission has a presence in Port-au-Prince only, and works primarily with State institutions to strengthen political stability and good governance, advance a peaceful and stable environment, and to protect and promote human rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top official warns of weakened regional security following withdrawal from West African economic bloc by Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger 12 July 2024 - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's decision to pull out of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) "even as terrorism and transnational organized crime remain a pervasive threat", will be damaging to regional relations all round, said the UN's top official in the region on Friday. Leonardo Santos Simao, who heads the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), told the Security Council that by "renouncing ECOWAS", the three military-led governments would be "relinquishing key benefits" including regional integration, freedom of movement, security cooperation and an integrated regional economy, hurting both themselves and remaining ECOWAS members. The three transitional governments severed ties with ECOWAS after senior officers staged military takeovers in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Military leaders have consequently "postponed the return to constitutional rule and sparked fear of prolonged uncertainty", as civic space "continues to shrink" said the UN Special Representative. Instability in the Sahel The transitional regimes have added to instability in the already precarious and vast Sahel region, marked by increasing insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises, and slow economic growth exasperated by political vulnerability, he said. Approximately seven million people are displaced within the countries of West Africa or have fled across borders, and these numbers are only continuing to rise. Citizens are also dealing with a widespread lack of electricity, closure of health centres, and a shutdown of over 8,000 schools, depriving hundreds of thousands of children access to education and undermining the foundation of regional development. Mr. Simao remarked in his address that it remains "very concerning" that the humanitarian response plan launched by the UN is funded at only about 15 per cent. Emerging democratic practices On a more optimistic note amid profound challenges, Mr. Simao emphasized the remarkable strides towards robust democratic frameworks made by some West African States. He praised Mauritania, Senegal, Ghana, and Liberia for their recent successful presidential elections, specifically applauding the women who stood as presidential candidates in Senegal amid the otherwise low representation of female leadership in West Africa. Mr. Simao also highlighted the persistence of justice and accountability at the heart of many regional conflicts. The ongoing trial in Guinea on the brutal military repression 15 years ago, for example, "exposes the deep societal rifts and the desire for justice and reconciliation." Meanwhile, in Liberia, the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court more than 20 years after the end of the civil war there, acts as "a vehicle for national healing and reweaving the fabric of society." The decision by Cameroon and Nigeria last month to pursue a plan to settle border disputes within the framework of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, chaired by Mr. Simao himself, instead of referring back to the International Court of Justice, was also commended. 'Staying the course' Ultimately, against a backdrop of instability, the Special Representative affirmed that UNOWAS will "stay the course." "I shall continue advocating for democratic principles and practices, building consensus, promoting good governance, and insisting on the observance of human rights and humanitarian principles," he said. Moreover, he committed UNOWAS to continue resilience-building against increasingly volatile climate conditions which damage food security and inter-communal conflicts, as well as to harnessing the power of women in public life and youth empowerment. "I can assure you that the United Nations continues to be looked up as a vital rescuer in these challenging times, as the peoples in the region expect us to embody the values of humanity, neutrality and impartiality" Mr. Simao concluded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: UN-hosted talks on aid relief and civilian protection to continue in Geneva 12 July 2024 - UN-led talks between Sudan's warring parties were set to continue in Geneva on Friday to advance discussions on humanitarian aid and civilian protection, with "possible local ceasefires" being a means to that end. Heavy conflict erupted last April between rival militaries over a proposed transition to civilian rule, following a military coup in 2021 and the 2019 ousting of long-time President Omar Al-Bashir. UN Geneva spokesperson Alessandra Vellucci confirmed that only one of the delegations attended the initial discussions after senior representatives from the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces accepted invitations to meet the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra. 'Proximity' talks to continue Despite Thursday's setback, Mr. Lamamra and his team invited both parties to continue discussions with him separately on Friday in the Swiss city, in a process known as proximity talks. "The engagements continue today", said Ms. Vellucci, Director of the UN Information Service at UN Geneva. "We urge them to participate...The humanitarian situation in Sudan is deteriorating by the day. So, we really need to look at the devastating impact that this has on the civilian population. And we urge the delegations to rise up to this challenge and engage in constructive discussions." Humanitarian emergency The development comes amid increasing international pressure for an end to the fighting, which has uprooted millions and sparked growing fears of imminent famine. The humanitarian community has also warned about the widespread upheaval caused by the conflict which spread quickly from the capital, Khartoum, to other regions including Darfur, leaving nearly 25 million people - half of Sudan's population - requiring aid. More than 14,000 people are believed to have been killed and 33,000 injured amid ongoing heavy fighting, which has also created the world's largest displacement crisis. Over 11 million people have been forced to flee their homes and international experts recently warned that 755,000 people face famine in the coming months. 'Unprecedented' rights abuses Radhouane Nouicer, the Designated Expert on Sudan of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, also sounded the alarm on Friday, warning that the scale of human rights violations and abuses in Sudan was unprecedented". After visiting Port Sudan, Mr. Nouicer called on the Sudanese authorities to protect civilians, allow unhindered humanitarian access, stop arbitrary arrests and ensure accountability for human rights violations. He stressed the need for a comprehensive peace process and international implementation of an arms embargo on Sudan, imposed by the Security Council in 2005. Sudan: WFP responds to new displacement crisis Meanwhile, as fighting continues further into Sudan's east, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it was scaling up assistance to displaced people in Sennar state. Clashes around Sinja town - reportedly seized by the RSF on 29 June - have forced tens of thousands to flee, worsening Sudan's hunger crisis, WFP warned. Many people have been displaced for the second or third time since the conflict started as Sennar state is home to families who earlier fled from Khartoum or Al Jazirah. WFP has prepositioned more than 2,200 metric tons of food for newly displaced families and is helping 40,000 in Blue Nile and 3,000 in Gedaref. But the violence in eastern Sudan is threatening to cut off key humanitarian routes from Port Sudan and complicate aid delivery, UN aid teams have warned. South Sudan lifeline Thousands more people from Sudan are also expected to flee to South Sudan where resources are already scarce. WFP reported that 1,000 people per day are still entering the border town of Renk; to help, the UN agency has scaled up assistance and now supports 1.4 million people with food and cash assistance, with 91 new points of aid distribution opened in Sudan. WFP has continued to transfer food from Kosti to other locations in preparation for more access constraints due to the fighting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the Opening of the UNRWA Pledging Conference (12 July 2024, New York) UNRWA 12 Jul 2024 Mr. President, Excellencies, I would like to thank the President of the General Assembly for convening this conference. I am also grateful to the Secretary-General for his presence and strong support to UNRWA at an exceptionally challenging time. When we met for the pledging conference last June, no one could have foreseen the tragedy that would engulf Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Palestinians and Israelis have experienced terrible losses and immense suffering. Israel experienced on October 7 the most abhorrent attack in its modern history. I echo the call of the Secretary-General for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Gaza is decimated. More than two million people are trapped in a living hell. They have been displaced repeatedly across a ravaged and increasingly lawless territory. Children and women are bearing the brunt of this brutal war. Acute food insecurity is claiming the lives of children and severely affecting women who often eat last and least. Thousands of children have been killed. Thousands more are struggling with new disabilities. Many have lost their limbs to amputation, their hearing to blasts, and their speech to shock and trauma. In the shadow of Gaza, another tragedy is unfolding in the West Bank. More than 500 Palestinians have been killed since October, including at least 130 children. Attacks by Israeli settlers, military incursions, and the destruction of homes and critical infrastructure, are part of a system of oppression. The Israel-Lebanon border is simmering, threatening full-blown war. Millions of Palestine Refugees across the region are anxious and afraid. Most have lived in camps for generations, awaiting a political solution to their plight. Palestinians are witnessing today their greatest tragedy since 1948. And, as they have done for 75 years, they are looking to UNRWA for help. Mr. President, For decades, the Agency has been a force for stability across the region. It is a driver of human development for Palestine Refugees, providing public-like services such as education and healthcare. Today, however, UNRWA is staggering under the weight of relentless attacks. In Gaza, the Agency has paid a terrible price. 195 of our colleagues have been killed. Nearly 190 installations have been damaged or destroyed, killing more than 500 people seeking United Nations protection. UNRWA personnel detained by the Israeli Forces have reported mistreatment and torture. Our premises have been used for military purposes by Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas, and the Israeli Forces. Our convoys have come under attack despite coordinating movement. In the West Bank, UNRWA's operational space is shrinking. Arbitrary measures imposed by Israel severely restrict the presence and movement of our staff. Violent protests outside our premises in East Jerusalem culminated in arson attacks. In more than 30 years of humanitarian work, I have never encountered such blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations under international law. Turning a blind eye to these attacks sets a dangerous precedent, undermining respect for the rules-based international order in other conflicts. Excellencies, Efforts are underway to dismantle UNRWA and change the established political parameters for peace in the occupied Palestinian territory. This includes fierce attacks on social media, and legislative proposals to evict the Agency from its premises in East Jerusalem and to label it a terrorist organization. UNRWA is targeted because of its role in safeguarding the rights of Palestine Refugees, and because it embodies an international commitment to a political solution. Failing to push back will leave other UN entities and international organizations exposed to similar attacks. Mr. President, Amid these extraordinary challenges, I received serious allegations that UNRWA personnel in Gaza were involved in the horrific attacks of October 7. If proved true, this would constitute an appalling betrayal of Palestine Refugees and UNRWA. The UN took firm and immediate action. I terminated the appointments of the accused individuals. The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) opened an investigation, and the Secretary-General launched an independent review of how UNRWA upholds neutrality in its work. The OIOS investigation into allegations against individuals is ongoing. The independent review concluded that UNRWA has policies, mechanisms, and procedures to ensure compliance with the principle of neutrality. The review confirmed that the Agency has a more developed approach to neutrality than similar UN or other entities, including in addressing breaches through disciplinary sanctions. The review, however, makes recommendations to reinforce neutrality in a complex and polarized political environment. UNRWA is committed to implementing these recommendations with the support of donors and host countries. Excellencies, I have warned repeatedly that UNRWA's funding model is incompatible with its mandate to provide public-like services. More than a decade of chronic underfunding and severe austerity measures have eroded the quality of our services. Weakened by snowballing financial deficits, the Agency nearly imploded earlier this year. Following the allegations against individual personnel, 16 Member States suspended funding to the Agency. We have worked tirelessly with partners to restore confidence in the Agency. As of today, almost all have resumed funding. I am immensely grateful for your trust and support. However, the fundamental fiscal challenge remains - UNRWA lacks the resources to deliver its mandate. The Agency's ability to operate beyond August depends on Member States disbursing planned funding and making new contributions to the core budget. For the occupied Palestinian territory emergency appeal - driven primarily by the war in Gaza - we are appealing for $1.2 billion to cover critical humanitarian needs until the end of the year. This appeal, and the emergency appeal for Syria, Lebanon and Jordan are less than 20 percent funded. Mr. President, UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza. The Agency will remain critical for the transition from ceasefire to "day after", providing essential services, notably, primary healthcare and education. Before the war, UNRWA met 70-80% of primary healthcare needs in Gaza. Our extensive network and relationship of trust with the community allow us to rapidly introduce and scale-up critical services such as mental health and trauma care. Education is also a priority in Gaza, where every second person is a child. Palestinians value education highly - it has been the only investment from which they could not be dispossessed. More than 625,000 deeply traumatized children are out of school. Half went to UNRWA schools before the war. Today, they spend their days scavenging in the rubble and waiting to collect water in blistering heat. They are at risk of violence and exploitation, including recruitment by armed groups. If we fail to bring them back to learning, we will lose an entire generation and sow the seeds of hatred, resentment, and future conflict. UNRWA can provide education for all children in Gaza, when the security situation allows. Together with partners, we are already rolling out a plan to resume learning. It starts with providing mental health and psychosocial support; transitions to teaching reading, writing and math in informal settings; and culminates in a return to formal education in schools. Excellencies, UNRWA was created 75 years ago as a temporary agency, pending a political answer to the question of Palestine. The Agency exists today because a political solution does not. It exists in lieu of a state that can deliver critical public services. If the international community commits to a political solution, UNRWA can resume its intended role supporting a time-bound transition, delivering education, primary healthcare, and social support. Let me conclude with three requests: First, I urge you to safeguard UNRWA now and within the framework of a transition. And here, I would like to thank the 118 Member States that have signed the shared commitment to support the Agency. The notion that the Agency can be dismantled without triggering the collapse of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and causing chaos in other areas of operation is naive at best. UNRWA must continue providing services until a political solution is at hand. Second, we must scale up and enhance service delivery to Palestine Refugees. In Gaza, we need an immediate ceasefire and safe, unfettered access to deliver aid at scale. We also need strong partnerships that complement and preserve UNRWA's mandate. The mandate must be matched by adequate, predictable and flexible funding from Member States. Finally, I seek your support to implement the recommendations of the independent review on neutrality. Upholding neutrality is a shared responsibility. To succeed, we need financial and in-kind support from Member States. In closing, I must reiterate that the world has changed drastically since we last met. UNRWA is under greater pressure than ever before. If we maintain the status quo, the Agency will crumble and millions of children, women and men will pay a heavy price. Thank you, Mr. President. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lack of Coordinated Regional Responses in West Africa 'Increases Risk of Further Terrorist Expansion in Central Sahel Region', Delegate Tells Security Council Meetings Coverage Security Council 9685th Meeting (AM) SC/15764 12 July 2024 Measures to address insecurity, humanitarian crises, shrinking civic spaces and other threats must place people at the forefront and will be more effective if done collectively, the head of UN efforts in West Africa and the Sahel told the Security Council today, as he reported on the state of a region that while notching certain successes is grappling with profound challenges. "A worrying picture is emerging," said Leonardo Santos Simao, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), spotlighting growing insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises and insufficient cooperation among States to address these issues. Additionally, transitional regimes have postponed the return to constitutional rule causing fears of prolonged uncertainty and new legislation has limited civil liberties in countries undergoing transition. He also noted that "the Governments of the three Central Sahel States continue to argue that ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] no longer serves their interests". Consequently, they have reduced their participation in regional security cooperation mechanisms "even as terrorism and transnational organized crime remain a pervasive threat", he noted. Stressing that renouncing ECOWAS implies renouncing key benefits such as regional integration, freedom of movement, security cooperation and an integrated regional economy, he added: "This would be hurtful to both sides." Nevertheless, he welcomed "remarkable" democratic successes, including presidential elections in Mauritania, a resolved political crisis in Senegal, ongoing electoral preparations in Ghana, a smooth transition in Liberia and transitional-justice efforts in the Gambia. Detailing UNOWAS' work in these and other contexts including to ensure that the UN is granted humanitarian access to communities in need in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso he said: "Against the multiple challenges, UNOWAS will stay the course." In the following discussion, many Council members welcomed positive political, legal and transitional-justice developments in West African States, including Cote d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritania, Senegal and Togo. However, they also pointed to areas of concern. While some voiced alarm over delays in returning to democratic rule in some countries or over tensions involving ECOWAS, most spotlighted terrorism as the primary challenge. "Central Sahel is now the epicentre of terrorism," emphasized Japan's representative, stating that while force is needed when security forces do not respect the rule of law, human rights or international law, people cannot trust State institutions and terrorists can exploit societal fragility. Also recognizing that "terrorists take advantage of regional divisions", she encouraged dialogue between ECOWAS and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to "safeguard the gains of regional integration". Other Council members also expressed concern over regional fragmentation, including Slovenia's representative, who stressed that this can only weaken collective responses and exacerbate divisions. "The lack of coordinated regional responses against the backdrop of the dissolution of the G5 Sahel and the withdraw of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS increases the risk of further terrorist expansion in the Central Sahel region," said the representative of the Republic of Korea. "This also raises concerns about spillover into coastal States," he added. Taking a different view, the representative of the Russian Federation Council President for July spoke in her national capacity to state that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are conducting an "uncompromising and coordinated" fight against terrorists and "achieving success in stabilizing their territories". Their withdrawal from ECOWAS was "a reaction to pressure or, even, threats of force", she said, adding that these three nations have "become the avant-garde of the countries willing to combat trans-African terrorism" and therefore deserve international support. Similarly, China's representative said that countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso stand at the forefront of counter-terrorism and called on the international community to provide them with more constructive support in terms of funding, equipment and logistical supplies. Further, the international community should uphold the principle of African solutions to African problems and, noting the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel, he called on developed countries to maintain their aid levels and implement their commitments in this regard. "This is not an African problem with an African solution terrorism is a global problem that requires a global solution in support of African leadership," stressed the representative of the United States. While noting that her country is the largest single humanitarian donor in Africa providing more than $1.9 billion since the start of 2024 she said, nevertheless, this is "still not enough". The international community and countries in the region must do more. Meanwhile, the representative of Sierra Leone also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Mozambique called on the Council to address the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region by cutting off extremist groups' financing and arms supply. Further, Governments and regional bodies must be supported to operationalize existing initiatives that prevent radicalization and, emphasizing the need for political solutions, he called on stakeholders to transcend polarization and on countries undergoing political transition to adhere to electoral timelines and ensure democratic consolidation, respect for human rights and gender equality. Despite challenges, "West African communities are rooted in strong traditions of self-reliance and innovation", he underscored, stating that these can be used to advance their human, socioeconomic and civil rights. PEACE CONSOLIDATION IN WEST AFRICA Briefing LEONARDO SANTOS SIMAO, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), observed that as the UN prepares for the Summit of the Future to build a more-resilient global community West Africa is undergoing profound challenges. "A worrying picture is emerging," he said, spotlighting growing insecurity, worsening humanitarian crises and insufficient cooperation among States to address these issues particularly on the security front. Further, about 7 million people are displaced due to political insecurity and in addition to the interruption of basic services for many over 8,000 schools are closed, "eroding the very basis for future development of these countries", he emphasized. However, despite this difficult context, he welcomed "remarkable" democratic successes, including presidential elections in Mauritania, a resolved political crisis in Senegal, ongoing electoral preparations in Ghana and a smooth transition in Liberia. Nevertheless, he urged countries of the region to ensure that more women can attain leadership positions. He went on to report that "the political and civic space continues to shrink, especially in transition countries". Transitional regimes have postponed the return to constitutional rule causing fears of prolonged uncertainty and new legislation has limited civil liberties in transition countries. "We must be mindful that questions of justice and accountability lie at the heart of many conflicts across the region," he observed, welcoming transitional-justice efforts in the Gambia and Liberia as well as judicial reform in Senegal. For its part, UNOWAS continues to support the West African Bar Association as a forum that promotes the rule of law, respect for human rights and adherence to international human-rights instruments. The Office is also closely following efforts in the Gambia to adopt a new constitution and is working with partners to assist Sierra Leone in overcoming grievances linked to the contested June 2023 electoral process. Turning to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he noted that "the Governments of the three Central Sahel States continue to argue that ECOWAS no longer serves their interests". Consequently, these three transitional Governments have reduced their participation in regional security cooperation mechanisms "even as terrorism and transnational organized crime remain a pervasive threat", he noted. Stressing that renouncing ECOWAS implies renouncing key benefits such as regional integration, freedom of movement, security cooperation and an integrated regional economy, he added: "This would be hurtful to both sides." Against that backdrop, he reported that UNOWAS has organized exchanges in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso to ensure that the UN is granted access to local communities in need of humanitarian assistance. "We must put the people at the forefront of all our efforts," he urged, calling for efforts to make essential natural resources "particularly water" readily available to all communities in need to support sustainable development and significantly mitigate a source of often deadly competition. "Against the multiple challenges, UNOWAS will stay the course," he said, underlining his commitment to continue advocating for democratic principles and practices, building consensus, promoting good governance and insisting on the observance of human rights and humanitarian principles. For example, he reported that "we are contributing to building resilience as increasingly volatile climate conditions aggravate food security and intercommunal conflicts". Underscoring that the UN continues to be regarded as a "vital rescuer in these challenging times" and noting that the Summit of the Future seeks to demonstrate the efficacy of collective action he thanked the Security Council for its support in the execution of UNOWAS' mandate. Statements The representative of Sierra Leone , speaking also on behalf of Algeria , Guyana and Mozambique , recalled that the unanimous adoption of the presidential statement on UNOWAS in May brought together all 15 members of the Council "not only to adopt a product" but to support solution-seeking. Highlighting the Gambia's implementation of the recommendations of its Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission as well as Liberia's issuance of an executive order for the establishment of an Office of War and Economic Crimes Court, he pointed to other encouraging developments, including successful elections in Senegal, Togo and Mauritania. Calling again for the Council's attention on the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the region, he said it is crucial to tackle the strong operational capabilities of extremist groups, by cutting off their financing and arms supply. Governments and regional bodies must be supported to operationalize existing initiatives that prevent radicalization, he said, stressing the need for a joint security mechanism to address organized crime. Also noting the urgent need to address the dire humanitarian crisis in the region and respond to the growing food insecurity, malnutrition, school closures and health concerns, he drew attention to the increase in internally displaced persons, refugees and asylum-seekers in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. People in these situations, especially youth, engage in higher risk migration which comes with its own challenges, he noted, expressing concern that of the $3.2 billion needed for the humanitarian response plans, only 13 per cent had been received as of 23 May. Emphasizing the need for political solutions, he called on stakeholders to transcend polarization and Governments to approach good governance practices holistically. Countries undergoing political transition must adhere to their electoral timelines and ensure democratic consolidation, respect for human rights and gender equality. Despite challenges, "West African communities are rooted in strong traditions of self-reliance and innovation," which can be utilized to advance their human and social economic and civil rights, he underscored. The representative of Switzerland highlighted the enormous potential of West Africa and the Sahel as "one of the youngest regions in the world". The majority of the Sahel's population is under 25. "We must therefore strive to meet the needs and potential of these young people," she said, adding: "Investments in health, education and vocational training could yield enormous gains from demographic development." However, if this potential is not strengthened and sustained, there may be significant risks and challenges beyond the subregion, she warned. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to atrocities and forced recruitment. Her country is working in Mali to provide educational opportunities in conflict-affected areas. Switzerland will remain committed to the region's efforts on sustainable peace, development and mitigation of climate change-linked security risks. The representative of Japan welcomed recent, positive developments in Senegal, Liberia, the Gambia and Mauritania in the areas of democracy, the rule of law and judicial reform. However, she expressed concern over rising insecurity, political instability, humanitarian crises, climate change and stagnant socioeconomic development in the Sahel region. "Central Sahel is now the epicentre of terrorism," she emphasized, "and, yes, force or physical intervention is needed to counter terrorism". However, when security forces do not respect the rule of law, human rights or international law, people and communities cannot trust State institutions and terrorists can exploit societal fragility. Thus, she stressed that "people must have a sense of ownership in the building of a resilient society" and, for that, democratic representation, civic space and inclusivity are essential. Also recognizing that "terrorists take advantage of regional divisions", she encouraged dialogue between ECOWAS and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to "safeguard the gains of regional integration". The representative of China , stressing the need for constructive support from the international community and the Security Council, noted successful general elections in Senegal and Mauritania, as well as preparations for elections in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, among other positive developments. These political transitions are of great significance to the consolidation of regional peace and stability, he said, adding that the international community should uphold the principle of African solutions to African problems, avoid heavy-handed pressures and support regional countries in finding development pathways that suit their national conditions. Expressing support for efforts to combat terrorism, he welcomed the establishment of a regional counter-terrorism centre in Nigeria. Countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso stand at the forefront of counter-terrorism and the international community should provide them more constructive support, in terms of funding, equipment and logistical supplies. Also noting the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel, he called on developed countries to maintain their aid levels and implement their commitments. The representative of Ecuador highlighted the importance of holding elections for democratic transitions of Governments in the region. He said that some countries, including Liberia and Senegal, have taken important steps forward to strengthen their democratic processes and their institutions by holding peaceful elections in recent months. Progress has also been seen in electoral processes in Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Mauritania, and constitutional reforms in the Gambia. "The electoral processes planned for returning to democratic life must be according to agreed schedules," he stressed, expressing concern over the announcements of Mali and Burkina Faso to postpone the timelines to 2027 and 2029, respectively, and the announcement by Guinea on the possibility of not meeting the agreed deadlines for holding elections. Citing a reduction in civic space in these countries of transition, he underscored that including all sectors of the population in political life would promote social cohesion. The representative of the United States noted the drawdown of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the ending of the Mali sanctions regime and the dissolution of the G5 Sahel. UNOWAS' mandate and reporting are therefore "now more important than ever", she stressed, spotlighting displacements in Benin and Togo, deteriorating security in the Lake Chad Basin and increased abductions in north-east Nigeria. However, there have been some "glimmers of hope", she added, including democratic transfers of power in Liberia and Senegal and judicial reform in the Gambia. Noting that the United States is the largest single humanitarian donor in Africa providing more than $1.9 billion since the start of 2024 she said, nevertheless, this is "still not enough". The international community and countries in the region must do more. "This is not an African problem with an African solution terrorism is a global problem that requires a global solution in support of African leadership," she stressed. The representative of Slovenia noted that over 8,200 schools remain closed in Central Sahel, affecting nearly 1.62 million children. "In conflict-affected situations, education is a lifeline for children amidst upheaval and instability," she said, noting its pivotal role in fostering resilience and preventing recruitment of children by armed groups. Also expressing concern about the lack of progress on women's representation in decision-making bodies, she said this means newly democratically appointed Governments and transitional structures will not benefit from their skills and experience. The grim picture of persistent inequality and human rights violations further contributes to an environment in which terrorism thrives and expands. Terrorist attacks on health centres, food reserves, water services, schools and places of worship are leading to a devastating protection crisis. While history shows the resilience of West Africa and the Sahel to overcome challenges, "including democratic backsliding", regional fragmentation can only weaken collective responses and exacerbate divisions, she cautioned. The representative of the Republic of Korea expressed concern over the fragmentation of regional counter-terrorism efforts due to recent regional realignments and tensions. Lack of coordinated regional responses against the backdrop of the dissolution of the G5 Sahel and the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from ECOWAS increases the risk of further terrorist expansion in the Central Sahel region, which has already become the epicentre of terrorism according to the Global Terrorism Index Report. "This also raises concerns about spillover into coastal States, particularly northern Benin and Togo," he said. In that context, he called on all concerned countries to collaborate with ECOWAS, the African Union, the United Nations and other international bodies with a view to countering regional terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime more effectively. He expressed hope that recent ECOWAS initiatives will bear fruit, including the designation of the President of Senegal as facilitator in ECOWAS's engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States, the decision to convene a special summit on the future of regional integration in West Africa and discussions on the ECOWAS standby force. The representative of France expressed concern over terrorist attacks affecting not only the Sahel States, but also countries in the Gulf of Guinea and the Lake Chad Basin. This has disastrous humanitarian consequences particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, where more than 33 million face food insecurity and all is made worse by climate change, which makes accessing resources difficult. Against that backdrop, France will continue to encourage the countries concerned to continue their transition towards a return to constitutional order, she said "so that populations can choose freely who their leaders are". On that, she welcomed the recent democratic transition in Senegal and, noting that other countries will hold elections in the coming months, welcomed UNOWAS' essential assistance in this regard. She added that France "will continue to cooperate with partners in the region who wish to work with us", as well as advocating for the Council's continued attention to this matter. The representative of Malta , welcoming the strengthening of democratic governance in Senegal, Ghana, Togo and Cote d'Ivoire, expressed concern about the lack of progress in ensuring women's full and meaningful representation in elected and appointed positions in Guinea, Senegal, Benin and across Central Sahel. Also acknowledging the improved forecast of economic performance in the region, she welcomed ECOWAS' commitment to good governance and constitutional order. Terrorism, violent extremism and unconstitutional changes of Government continue to undermine regional stability. Highlighting the staggering number of children recruited and abducted, she stressed: "We must do better." Stressing the importance of coordination among regional and subregional organizations to curb the worrying spread of terrorism to coastal States, she expressed concern about grave threats to the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, namely in Ghana. Further, a multidisciplinary approach is required to tackle the adverse implications of climate change on the security of West Africa and the Sahel, she added. The representative of the United Kingdom warned against the deteriorating security across the Sahel. The growing threat of terrorism requires a serious cross-regional response. "Mercenaries, including Russia's Africa Corps, are not the answer", as they have a track record of worsening existing conflicts and undermining long-term development, he said, adding: "The way they operate poses grave threats to the protection of civilians, as we saw at Moura in Mali." Expressing concern about the security situation in Mali after MINUSMA's withdrawal, he encouraged UNOWAS to help bring all parties back to the negotiating table. In this vein, he noted the recent ECOWAS and Alliance of Sahel States summit and urged all States in the region to seek collective solutions to the growing shared security challenge. The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) improved economic forecast demonstrates the enormous opportunity for growth across the region. His country looks forward to deepening regional partnerships to maximize that opportunity, he added. The representative of the Russian Federation , Council President for July, spoke in her national capacity to state that Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are conducting an "uncompromising and coordinated" fight against terrorists and are "achieving success in stabilizing their territories". However, she said that most Western donors have reduced their support to these countries for political reasons. "Efforts to improve the socioeconomic situation have to go hand-in-hand with security measures," she went on to stress, as youth must see the possibility for a normal, stable and safe life in their countries. Detailing ongoing integration between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, she said that this is a reaction to "attempts to continue imposing neo-colonial models on African States" and emphasized that these three nations have "become the avant-garde of the countries willing to combat trans-African terrorism" and therefore deserve international support. She added that their withdrawal from ECOWAS was "a reaction to pressure or, even, threats of force". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Multinational Undersea Warfare Experts Gather for RIMPAC 2024 Integration US Navy 12 July 2024 From Chief Petty Officer B Biller HAWAII -- Planners and Liaison Officers (LNOs) from multiple partner nations met at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to stand up a Commander, Task Force (CTF) 174 theater undersea warfare integrated watch team, marking the beginning of the at-sea phase of exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024, July 8. Representatives from France, Japan, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, India, Israel, Peru, Republic of Korea, and the United States are participating on the watch team, underscoring the multinational partnership aspect of the large-scale maritime exercise. CTF 174 is responsible for all theater anti-submarine warfare, water space management, and prevention of mutual interference for RIMPAC 2024. Rear Adm. Richard Seif, commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), welcomed the partners and highlighted the importance of cohesion among international naval forces and enhancing maritime interoperability and readiness. "RIMPAC is a cornerstone exercise where we get to grow our combined undersea warfare proficiency and refine the amplified strength of many partners as one cohesive unit. I'm excited to work together with old and new friends and can't wait to see what we can share, learn, and accomplish together," said Seif. Royal Canadian Navy Lt. Cmdr. Marc Perron, COMSUBPAC exercise design team lead for RIMPAC, provided an extensive overview covering exercise operations, future plans, and the roles of participating nations. "I think that this CTF 174 multinational team will have a large positive impact on RIMPAC 2024," said Perron. "Having our partners man the watch floor gives all of us a chance to come together, share experiences, and learn from each other." Twenty-nine nations , 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Logistics Workshop Held During RIMPAC 2024 US Navy 12 July 2024 From Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Previc FORD ISLAND, Hawaii -- Supply officers and logistic specialists from 29 countries came together at the Ford Island Conference Center, Hawaii, during Exercise Rim of Pacific to coordinate the different phases of RIMPAC, June 29, 2024. "Nothing is going to happen in this exercise without the people in this room," said U.S. Navy Capt. Crockett Pavlik, logistics director for the combined coalition task force (CCTF C4) to kick off the workshop. Multiple agencies presented at the workshop, including logistics representatives from Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Pearl Harbor, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Distribution Pearl Harbor, Hickam Airfield, and the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander (CFMCC). Topics ranged from the replenishment-at-sea (RAS) plan for the exercise, to how to prepare documents for service agreements between navies in an emergent logistical need, to how to properly bag refuse in accordance with Hawaiian government regulations. Many presenters shared one common bullet point: coordinate first with the RIMPAC multinational logistics support element (MLSE). "We are here to support real world logistics above and beyond existing support structures, including a ship's husbanding agency," said Royal New Zealand Navy Lt. Cmdr. Fletcher Dunning, officer-in-charge of the MLSE, a rotating team of supporting sailors from the different partner nations. "Making sure everyone was aware of what we can do and how we can help was very important for this meeting. We are sending out representatives to coordinate regularly with the 43 different ships participating in the exercise." "It is a real team effort," said Indonesian navy Ensign Salma Zakaria, supply officer for the Martadinata-class guided-missile frigate KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata (331). "This is my second RIMPAC, and just like last time, all the nations and participants have been great to work with." The meeting was organized by U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nick Deschamps, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet (C3F) RIMPAC logistics working group lead. "After 18 months of planning, it was great to meet everyone face-to-face," said Deschamps. "Getting logistics-minded individuals into a room that spans across the RIMPAC enterprise, including service providers, operational units, and RIMPAC component staffs make it much easier to be able to connect people when time comes to problem solve - which is what logistics is all about." Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO summit concludes with security guarantees for Ukraine By Jeff Custer July 12, 2024 NATO leaders headed home Friday after a three-day summit in which they celebrated the alliance's 75th anniversary and made long-term commitments of military support for Ukraine, promising its future is in NATO. The leaders also called out China, Iran and North Korea for enabling Russia in its war against Ukraine. In their final summit statement, the allies said Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago had "shattered peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and gravely undermined global security." Declaring that Russia "remains the most significant and direct threat to Allies' security," NATO allies took steps to ensure Ukraine prevails against the invader. The alliance agreed to a pledge of long-term security assistance for Ukraine and established a new military command known as NATO Security Assistance and Training Ukraine, or NSATU, to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine. At a news conference Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance will coordinate contributions of training, equipment and other support for Ukraine's war effort using a command center in Wiesbaden, Germany, and logistic hubs in the eastern part of the alliance. Stoltenberg said NATO allies agreed to an annual baseline pledge of about $43 billion for Ukraine. He made further announcements during the summit of immediate military aid to Ukraine, including critical air defense weapons. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told VOA's Georgian Service that the message sent by the summit to Russia was "despite all the attempts by Russia to break our unity, we are united." "Defense spending [by NATO members] is increasing as we speak. Military industry is going to get a boost. Countries that are bordering Russia will get additional troops from other NATO allies, and countries will get also necessary assets for air defense and for their protection," he said. In an interview with VOA's Korean Service, former NATO Deputy Secretary-General Rose Gottemoeller said the firm support extended to Ukraine sends a strong message to those in the world concerned about Russian aggression. She said it shows NATO is committed to "ensuring that this does not turn into an example for autocrats in other parts of the world." Stoltenberg noted the participation of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in the discussions demonstrated how interlinked European security is with the Indo-Pacific. "We all know that Russia's illegal war against Ukraine is supported by China, by Iran but not least by North Korea," Stoltenberg said. In the final summit statement, the NATO allies pointed out that North Korea and Iran are fueling Russia's war effort by supplying direct military support in the form of ammunition and drones. The allies also called out China as "a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine" through its large-scale support of Russia' defense industrial base. While not sending Russia direct military aid, China enables Russia by supplying Russia with dual-use materials, such as weapons components, equipment and raw materials that serve as inputs for Russia's defense sector. Through its statement, the NATO allies called on Beijing to end its support for Russia, saying China "cannot enable the largest war in Europe in recent history without this negatively impacting its interests and reputation." A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, said at a daily briefing Thursday that "NATO hyping up China's responsibility on the Ukraine issue is unreasonable and has sinister motives." He said China's trade with Russia is legitimate and based on World Trade Organization rules. Eka Maghaldadze of VOA's Georgian Service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Time may be running out on US temporary pier to Gaza By Jeff Seldin July 12, 2024 The temporary pier set up to deliver needed humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza may have already made its last delivery. U.S. defense officials Friday said that no date has been set to re-anchor the pier after an attempt to connect it to the Gaza shore on Wednesday failed due to a combination of technical issues and bad weather. "It's something that we are assessing day by day," Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters. "We know for the next few days there are going to be higher sea states that would not allow a re-anchoring to be possible," she said. "I just don't have more information to provide on when and if a re-anchoring date has been or will be possible, if a re-anchoring does happen." The temporary pier, also known as Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, has been sitting at the Israeli port of Ashdod since late last month due to bad weather and rough seas. Despite weather and technical issues, the Pentagon credits the temporary pier with helping to deliver more than 8,000 metric tons of aid from the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus to Gaza since operations began in mid-May. "We're very proud of our service members and all those supporting this effort and who have enabled vital humanitarian assistance to get into those in Gaza who need it most," Singh said. "Without a doubt, lives have been saved because of their work and commitment under very challenging conditions." Still, the effort to get aid into Gaza using the temporary pier has generated some criticism, with delivery of the aid to civilians hampered by fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror group. The United Nations suspended delivery of aid coming over the pier on June 9, following an Israeli hostage rescue operation that killed more than 270 Palestinians, pointing to a danger to its staff. Israel and the United States denied allegations that the pier was used during the rescue operation, but U.N. officials voiced concerns that even the perception that the pier was involved could endanger their humanitarian mission. As a result, much of the aid was stuck at a staging area on the beach, failing to get to hundreds of thousands of Gazans facing what humanitarian groups have described as a food emergency. There are also questions about what will happen to additional aid still sitting in Cyprus or on U.S. ships waiting to be taken into Gaza. The Pentagon said Friday if the pier does not resume operations, it will find other ways to get aid into Gaza. "What we are committed to is making sure that every single piece of aid, metric ton of aid, that is in Cyprus is moved into Gaza," Singh said. One option, according to the Pentagon, would be to get use the port of Ashdod, a delivery method Singh said is in a "proof-of-concept stage right now." Singh also said there would be ongoing coordination with the Israeli government on other ways to expand aid delivery. Pentagon officials have repeatedly portrayed the effort to deliver aid via the pier as a temporary solution to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and have characterized the mission as a success even though it has been in operation for a total of only about 20 days due to weather and technical issues. "[The pier] has enabled the development of Cyprus as a port for inspections and deliveries directly into Gaza," Singh said. "The deployment of this pier has also helped secure Israeli commitment to opening additional crossings into northern Gaza," she said. "Since the opening of these crossings, we've seen more trucks moving from Jordan directly into northern Gaza to help alleviate the dire humanitarian conditions." The pier was first shut down in late May due to storms, just days after it began operation. Deliveries resumed on June 8. But U.S. Central Command again detached the pier in late June to prevent expected rough seas from causing fresh damage. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan's warring parties in 2nd day of UN-mediated cease-fire talks By Lisa Schlein July 12, 2024 The United Nations on Friday said delegations from both of Sudan's warring parties turned up for a second day of cease-fire talks in Geneva aimed at protecting civilians and providing humanitarian aid to millions of people devastated by the conflict. The talks got off to a rocky start Thursday when one of the delegations failed to show up. Without revealing which party didn't appear, U.N. spokesperson in Geneva Alessandra Vellucci told journalists that the talks now are underway. "I can confirm that some of the discussions are taking place," she said. "I cannot give you the details on which warring party has showed up or not. What I can tell you is that the engagements continue today. So, we will see how it goes." The U.N. spokesperson noted that the Sudanese delegations are not meeting face-to-face but are engaging in so-called "proximity talks," with Ramtane Lamamra, the personal envoy of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, shuttling between the two delegations. Vellucci said that even though one delegation did not arrive on the first day, the U.N. mediator still was able to hold talks with representatives of the party that did appear. After 15 months of brutal warfare, Vellucci suggested that a day's delay in the negotiations was less important than the fact that senior representatives from both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have accepted Lamamra's invitation to get on with discussions. "We urged them to participate because, as you all know, we have also spoken about this here on this podium," she said. "The humanitarian situation in Sudan is deteriorating by the day. So, we really need to look at the devastating impact that this has on the civilian population. And we urge the delegations to rise up to this challenge and engage in constructive discussions." Since rival generals triggered the conflict in mid-April 2023, the United Nations reports nearly 19,000 people have been killed and 33,000 injured. The war has also created the world's worst displacement crisis. Latest reports find it has displaced 12.7 million people 10.5 million still living inside Sudan and 2.2 million who have become refugees in five neighboring countries. The World Food Program warns that some 18 million people are suffering from acute hunger, with 755,000 people on the brink of famine. The World Health Organization reports nearly 15 million people need urgent health assistance, with many suffering from deadly infectious diseases and others from chronic ailments including cancer and diabetes. On-again, off-again cease-fire talks between the SAF and RSF in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah broke down at the end of last year, making these latest efforts to halt the catastrophic escalation of this brutal war more crucial than ever. In a Thursday briefing to journalists at United Nations headquarters in New York, spokesperson for the secretary-general, Stephane Dujarric, warned against raising expectations about the talks. "We and others have been trying to move this process forward," he said. "We need to give it a little bit of breathing room and that's why we're not trumpeting all of this." The format of the talks is based on two Security Council resolutions that express concerns over the spreading violence in Sudan. Resolution 2724 calls for Personal Envoy Lamamra "to use his good offices with the parties" to coordinate regional peace efforts, while Security Council Resolution 2736 urges the parties to de-escalate in El Fasher and "allow and facilitate unfettered humanitarian access across the country and ensure the protection of civilians." El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State and last SAF stronghold in the region, is the scene of a fierce battle being waged for its control by RSF fighters. The Security Council resolutions call on the parties to the conflict to seek "an immediate cessation of hostilities, leading to a sustainable resolution of the conflict, through dialogue." Vellucci told journalists the focus of the talks is "to ensure the distribution of humanitarian assistance to all the Sudanese population in need and to ensure the protection of civilians across Sudan." "The two delegations are comprised of senior representatives who have been delegated by the leaders of the warring parties to participate in the talks. And the delegations are composed of humanitarian, security and military experts," she said. "So, that is what I can tell you about the delegation and the delegation level." The U.N. spokesperson added that it was not clear how long the talks would last. "For the moment, the talks are continuing, and we will see how long they will continue," she said. What is important, she added, is that "the warring parties identify and agree on ways to protect and assist the civilian population, possibly by agreeing on local cease-fires." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address An inheritance battle over this home at 30 North View Court in San Franciscos Russian Hill neighborhood was exposed after the home was put on the market for $488,000 and the listing went viral. Thomas Sawano/The Chronicle Its not surprising that in an expensive place like the Bay Area, some parents want to make sure that after they die, their children will have a place to live. The solution is simple if they have one house and one child leave it to the child in a will or trust. But it gets more complicated when there are multiple children but only one wants or needs to live in the house. Problems like this landed a house on San Franciscos Russian Hill in the national news. The previous owner had left it in a trust to his stepdaughter, her daughter and his stepson. But he also gave the stepdaughter and her daughter, who were living there, a nearly 35-year lease that limited rent to $417 a month, according to Todd Lee, who is the previous owners successor trustee. The tenants are Lees mother and sister. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lee said he put the home up for sale in June because there wasnt enough money in the trust to pay expenses. It was priced at just $488,000, which was far below market value because of the lease. A lease is one way to ensure a loved one has a place to live for a number of years, but widespread publicity over the long lease, low rent and bargain price exposed a family feud. A sale is now pending, and Lee said the buyer is his sister, who is living in the house. There are other ways to address this situation, which often arises when one child has greater financial need or when one has been living in the house with Mom or Dad and taking care of them for years. In such cases, parents must decide between dividing their estate equitably, meaning to each according to their needs, or equally, meaning everyone gets an equal share. Arguments over inherited homes are not unusual because unlike financial assets, they are illiquid meaning hard to sell and might hold emotional baggage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fights are especially common in blended families, where a husband, for example, wants his second wife to live in the family home until she dies, and then go to children from his first marriage. Estate attorneys say parents should hold a family meeting to discuss their intentions. In the end, its their decision who gets what, but if the kids know your wishes, even if they dont like it, they are a lot more likely to follow your wishes than if they are caught off guard, said Ellen Cookman, a Palo Alto estate planning attorney. Its essential to document everything in writing and make sure its consistent with your will or trust, said Tereina Stidd, director of education with the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. There is no right answer for every family, but here are ways some have dealt with this issue. For simplicity, we will use an example of a father with two adult children: a son who wants or needs the house and a daughter who doesnt. The dad would like his assets to be divided as equally as possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some options have capital gains or property tax repercussions, so parents should consult a qualified estate-planning attorney and possibly a real estate attorney and/or tax adviser. The simplest solution Leave the house to the son and other assets worth roughly the same amount to the daughter, and divide any additional assets equally. This is not always feasible in the Bay Area, where a home could make up the bulk of a persons estate. And parents should have a written plan for what happens if the house appreciates faster than the other assets, or vice versa, Stidd said. Direct a sale The father could say in a will or trust that upon his death, the house will be sold and the proceeds split so the son can buy a smaller home. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Life insurance The father could leave the house to the son and buy a life insurance policy with a death benefit roughly equal to the homes value. Name the daughter as beneficiary and she will get the proceeds when the father dies. This works best with permanent life insurance, such as whole life, but these policies often have hidden fees and are more complex than term life, which expires at the end of each year unless renewed. Life estate A life estate is a type of ownership that gives one person, known as a life tenant, the right to use a property until death. At that point, ownership immediately passes to someone else known as the remainderman without going through probate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A life tenant cannot sell or transfer the entire property outright, but could sell the life estate to someone else, who could use the property until the original life tenant dies, at which point it would go to the remainderman. A life estate can be established by deed, will or trust, but a will or trust lets the original owners put restrictions or conditions on the gift, Stidd said. In our example, the father could set up a trust that says upon his death, his son gets a life estate in the home, and when the son dies, it goes to his daughter. When people set up trusts, they name someone usually themselves as the trustee and someone else as successor trustee, who takes over when they die or become incapacitated. The trust can spell out who is responsible the trustee or life tenant for paying property taxes, insurance, upkeep and any remaining mortgage. Normally this is the life tenant, but some parents put other assets into a subtrust to cover these expenses. The trust can say what will happen if that money runs out or if the life tenant responsible for expenses doesnt pay them. It can also say whether the life tenant can sublease the place and whether the terms of the trust can be changed by mutual agreement, Cookman said. If the life tenant and remainderman agree, the property can be sold and the profits will be divided based on the tenants age and life expectancy, said Dennis Sandoval, an estate planning attorney in Riverside. The Internal Revenue Service has tables for allocating the proceeds. Right of occupancy Alternatively, the father could give the son the right of occupancy for either a specific period or the sons lifetime. After that, full ownership goes to the daughter. This is similar to a life estate, with a few differences. One is that the son cannot sell or transfer this right. If he moved out, the daughter could sell it and keep all the proceeds, Sandoval said. Another difference is property tax. Property tax considerations In California, when the ownership of real property is transferred by any means including sale, gift, inheritance, trust, and the addition or deletion of an owner the portion transferred will be reassessed at the current fair market value, unless an exclusion applies. Reassessment often causes a large property tax increase on homes that havent changed hands in many years. Transfers between spouses or registered domestic partners are typically excluded from reassessment. And under Proposition 19, a parent can transfer a primary home to a child or children, and if at least one of those children establishes it as their primary residence and meets other requirements, up to $1 million in reassessed value can be excluded. California tax code says that if someone inherits a home with a life estate or a right of occupancy lasting 35 or more years it generally will be subject to reassessment at the time of transfer, unless an exclusion applies, said Nora Galvez, a division chief with the Santa Clara County Assessors Office. The transfer of a home with a right of occupancy of less than 35 years generally would not trigger a reassessment, Galvez said. A right of occupancy for life is the same as a life estate for tax purposes, Cookman said. Leases A father could sign a lease with his son while leaving it to his daughter or both children. Its typically used to solve a shorter-term housing need, not 30-plus years. Ive done a 10-year lease, but most are annual renewal leases, said Chelsea Suttmann, a Burlingame estate-planning lawyer. An annual lease lets the parent update the terms, depending on whats happening in the rental market and the family. The lease can say whether it will extend beyond the lessors death. Sandoval said most of his clients prefer a right of occupancy over a life estate or lease because its the most restrictive. A right of occupancy generally limits who, if anyone, can move into the house other than the named occupant and generally does not allow subleasing. A tenant, however, usually can sublet a house unless the lease prohibits it. Sale or gift The father could sell or give the home to his son. Gifting the asset and maintaining equality between children is hard if the gift occurs many years before the parents die. Some parents, if they have the means, make equalizing gifts at the same time, Suttmann said. Parents should discuss the capital gains implications of selling or gifting a home before death with a tax adviser. Avoiding litigation Sometimes, even the best-laid estate plans cannot prevent litigation among heirs. Parents want to believe that their kids would never take each other to court, and our probate courts are full of siblings dueling about inheritance, said John OGrady, a San Francisco estate planning lawyer. Some parents put a no-contest clause in a will or trust that says beneficiaries who unsuccessfully challenge the terms of that document will forfeit their inheritance. These clauses are not always enforceable in California and should be professionally drafted. Choosing a trustee The choice of trustee is the most neglected question in all of estate planning, OGrady said. Trustees have an arduous job and often end up in the middle of family conflicts. OGrady suggests naming one of the parents siblings as a trustee, and naming a successor trustee who would take over if the sibling dies or is unable to serve. Another option is to hire a professional trustee through a bank or the Professional Fiduciary Association of California. Rwandan President Kagame seems to be coasting toward fourth term By Mariama Diallo July 12, 2024 Three candidates are vying for the presidency in Rwanda, where incumbent President Paul Kagame has won every election since 2000 and is widely expected to win again Monday. At a recent campaign rally, Kagame told supporters much has been done but more is possible if he is reelected. "There are roads, electricity and many other infrastructures that we have achieved," Kagame said in Kinyarwanda, "but we still want to achieve more. We will do that with your help, starting with the elections we have on July 15." The 66-year-old Rwanda Patriotic Front leader is expected to cruise to an easy victory. One reason, according to critics, is that he has ruled with a firm hand and stifled dissent. But another, say analysts, is the way he's been able to guide the East African country toward internal peace since the 1994 genocide, when an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists. Eric Ndushabandi, a political science and international relations professor at the University of Rwanda and an associate researcher at the Louvain University in Brussels, said Kagame's support has been buoyed by his efforts to address Rwandans' need for security and stability after the genocide. "The language, practice and success around stabilization and security, mainly in internal politics, it is joining the expectations and aspirations of many Rwandans after this tragic and historical background," Ndushabandi said. He also said there is a big gap between the presidential candidates in terms of popularity, ideology, means and capacity. The challengers Democratic Green Party candidate Frank Habineza said he is in the race again this year because the incumbent president has been in office too long. Habineza last ran against Kagame in 2017. He told VOA that he's campaigned in 24 of the country's 30 districts so far and that voters have been more enthusiastic this time around. "I am giving them hope that after 30 years, we really need to see a different way of living, different political programs, different thinking and a different vision," he said. "We are not going to destroy the good things that have been done before, but we want to give them better hope and a better future." Independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, a journalist turned politician, also said he respects how far the country has come but wants to be seen as someone who can move it forward even more. This is also his second bid for the top job. He says the innovative ideas and initiatives in his campaign manifesto have received coverage in 50 articles. Other candidates were barred from the race by the National Electoral Commission for various reasons. One was a fierce Kagame critic, Diane Rwigara, who the commission said did not provide a criminal record statement and did not collect the minimum number of supporters' signatures. Rwigara expressed her disappointment on the X social media platform, where she told Kagame, "This is the second time you cheat me out of my right to campaign, why won't you let me run." Critics and rights groups have long accused Kagame of silencing opposition voices and creating a climate of fear that discourages dissent in general. Issues, economy While support for Kagame remains generally strong on the streets of Kigali, some Rwandans say they'd like to see issues such as joblessness addressed. "You see the progress this country has achieved by the leader who's in charge. We wish that whoever is elected should not destroy what has been achieved but to continue it," Theoneste Gatari, a Kigali resident, told VOA in Kinyarwanda. Azabe Belton, another Kigali resident, said, "The youth make up most Rwandans. We want the person who'll be elected to set up projects that help the youth get jobs because most of them are completely unemployed." According to the World Bank, the unemployment rate in Rwanda was 14.9% in 2023. While the bank lauded the resiliency of the country's economy, which boasted a 7.6% growth rate in the first three quarters of 2023, it also said that public debt had increased significantly in recent years. Teddy Kaberuka, an economic analyst, said Rwanda is a growing economy trying to attract industries and factories that can produce and provide jobs. But the challenge, he said, is that "we are still having huge portions of the population [that] may be educated but not qualified [for manufacturing jobs]. Those are long-term investments that any government needs to address because it's not in one year that you can create a pool of skilled people." Kaberuka said Rwanda is a country under construction that has gone through three economic phases since the genocide. The first 10 years, he said, were about laying a foundation for development by building security and institutions, providing basic needs for the population and allowing people to heal. The second phase was about investing in development. The third phase was about weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, which wreaked havoc around the globe. All that took place under the leadership of Kagame. Now, Kaberuka said, Rwanda is entering a new phase, one in which voters will decide who they trust to move the country forward. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Malawi former vice president's party pulls out of governing Tonse Alliance By Lameck Masina July 12, 2024 A political party led by Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash last month, is withdrawing from the governing Tonse Alliance led by President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party. Leaders of the United Transformation Movement made the announcement Friday at a news conference at the party's headquarters in the capital, Lilongwe. United Transformation Movement spokesperson Felix Njawala said the party believes leaving Malawi's governing Tonse Alliance is what the party's president, the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, would have done if he were alive. Njawala said although Chilima partnered with the Malawi Congress Party, he faced a lot of problems with the alliance, including being arrested, rebuked and sometimes ignored. Njawala said they have agreed today that they should pull out from the alliance. Njawala said the party would now shift its focus to the 2025 elections. He asked everyone who is wishing for the good of the country, including young people, to help the party fulfill the agenda of Chilima, who he said was making Malawi a better and prosperous nation. "Our friends in Kenya are calling themselves Gen Z," said Njawala. "These are people who were born from 1995 and you also should not fear and get tired, but you should take part to support the UTM party, which has carried the vision of Saulos Chilima." Chilima and President Lazarus Chakwera signed the Tonse Alliance in 2020 to unseat then-President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party after the Malawi court nullified the 2019 elections that Mutharika had won. The UTM party has become the third partner to pull out from the governing alliance, which at one time included nine political parties. Political analyst George Phiri is a former lecturer of political science at the University of Livingstonia in northern Malawi. "Looking at how this alliance has been managed or governed, one would likely think that the move that UTM has made now has been made late," said Phiri. "They would have moved out from the alliance already while the late Dr. Saulos Chilima was still the vice president of his country." Phiri said members of the alliance have long cried foul over the failure of the leadership to call meetings involving partners. "Because they were expecting to be meeting regularly in order to monitor how the alliance government was moving," said Phiri. "But seemingly it shows that the Malawi Congress Party stole the show for the alliance and didn't want these other parties to participate in decision making for the alliance government." Phiri said the withdrawal of UTM technically means the end of the Tonse Alliance because the agreement for the alliance was signed by leaders of two parties; UTM and MCP. VOA sought a comment from the MCP but has yet to receive a response. UTM's Secretary General Patricia Kaliati said the members of the party's executive committee are expected to endorse the decision at a meeting on July 19. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Readout of Assistant Attorney General for National Security Matthew G. Olsen's Trip to The Hague Friday, July 12, 2024 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division traveled to The Hague, Netherlands, this week to address the Counterterrorism Law Enforcement Forum (CTLEF) and to convene a high-level meeting with European partners on stopping the illicit flow of sensitive technology to foreign adversaries. The CTLEF was held on July 10-11 at the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol). Assistant Attorney General Olsen delivered opening remarks, along with U.S. Deputy Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ian Moss. In his remarks, Assistant Attorney General Olsen discussed the Justice Department's ongoing efforts to combat heightened threats from domestic violent extremists in the United States, including those engaged in racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE) and individuals who cite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as inspiration in targeting Jewish and Muslim Americans. He also highlighted the importance of international law enforcement cooperation to confront transnational connections among REMVE actors who spread violent ideologies across borders, including through social media and online gaming platforms. On July 12, Assistant Attorney General Olsen cohosted a meeting at the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) aimed at enhancing transatlantic cooperation in the fight to keep sensitive western technology out of the hands of Russia and other foreign state adversaries. In addition to the Assistant Attorney General, keynote remarks were delivered by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, European Commissioner Didier Reynders (by video), and Eurojust President Ladislav Hamran. Representatives from more than 30 countries as well as several EU institutions participated in the meeting. In his remarks, Assistant Attorney General Olsen described the threats posed by adversaries seeking sophisticated American technologies like semiconductors, quantum, hypersonics and artificial intelligence. Adversary regimes can exploit these tools to increase their military capabilities, engage in mass surveillance, and commit human rights abuses. He highlighted the success of the Department's Disruptive Technology Strike Force - an interagency enforcement effort co-led with the Commerce Department to prevent critical technological assets from being unlawfully acquired and used by foreign adversaries. Citing recent criminal prosecutions, Assistant Attorney General Olsen emphasized the concrete impacts of criminal enforcement of U.S. sanctions and export control laws and the force-multiplier effect of international partners' complementary efforts to deny malign actors these technologies. "The countries represented here have a shared commitment to the common goal of combating the national security threat posed by the misuse of critical technology," said Assistant Attorney General Olsen. "International partnerships are critical to our work. Our adversaries' efforts to obtain sensitive technology reach across the globe, and it demands an international response." Valuable insights were also shared by senior officials from the European Commission, Eurojust, Europol, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines lands a first at Pitch Black By Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny 12 July 2024 The arrival of Philippine Air Force aircraft to Exercise Pitch Black marks the first time the Philippines has deployed air assets to an international exercise outside of their own country. Touching down into RAAF Base Darwin on July 10, four FA-50PH Fighting Eagle aircraft joined the remainder of the contingent preparing for the exercise. Philippine Air Force Detachment Commander Colonel Randy Pascua was on the tarmac to greet the fighter jets' arrival, marking an important milestone for one of Australia's key Indo-Pacific partners. "We have highly skilled fighter pilots and we want to enhance our operational procedures and also validate those procedures with our counterparts to enhance our operational readiness," Colonel Pascua said. "We have our own expertise and aircraft with different capabilities and, training alongside the collective capabilities on Exercise Pitch Black, we can enhance our own operations and those of our counterparts." Pitch Black Officer Commanding Exercise Air Commodore Peter Robinson said the exercise was important for building professional working relationships with regional and global partnerships, contributing to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. "As we go through the exercise, it's an opportunity for us to learn from each other and leave the exercise stronger than when we started," Air Commodore Robinson said. "The big thing that we'll take away is a strong friendship with the Philippines and exercises like this will continue to strengthen that. We'll walk away with a stronger partnership together." The Philippines will join 19 other nations in the exercise, which aims to strengthening relationships and enhance interoperability with overseas partners. Pitch Black 2024 is the largest in the exercise's 43-year history, bringing together over 140 aircraft and approximately 4400 personnel from around the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brunei forces learn from ADF special ops By Major Sandra Seman-Bourke 12 July 2024 Members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Special Forces Regiment attended a human performance optimisation (HPO) exponents course at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney in late June. Developed and delivered by the Australian Defence Force School of Special Operations in collaboration with industry experts, the course is designed to equip personnel with knowledge across the three pillars of human performance - mind, body and team. It provides skills, knowledge and awareness in the fundamentals of human performance, such as sleep management, nutrition, strength and conditioning, team dynamics, communication and culture. The course was an evidenced-based program, according to Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) human performance manager, Warrant Officer Class 1 M. "It aims to provide participants with the skills and knowledge required to lead HPO initiatives," Warrant Officer Class 1 M said. He said the Brunei contingent fully embraced the course and the learning opportunity. "It was great to have the [Brunei special forces] members in attendance; they engaged enthusiastically and I am confident that they can positively shape their own human performance program in Brunei," WO1 M said. Commanding Officer 1st Commando Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel M, said SOCOMD had a long and storied bilateral relationship with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Special Forces Regiment. "Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the defence relationship between Australia and Brunei - Special Operations Command's longest enduring international engagement," he said. "The bilateral relationship exposes both militaries to different training environments, which now includes the knowledge and skills of the HPO course." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fast jets fill the northern skies By Flight Lieutenant Imogen Lunny 12 July 2024 Air power has been on display in North Queensland, with additional flying activity taking place through the region, including on the recent Exercise Crimson Dawn in Cairns and Townsville. 1 Squadron used Australia's northern airbases and airspace to qualify the next generation of fast-jet pilots and weapon systems operators on the F/A-18F Super Hornet during the exercise. The Director of Regional Airbase Development Team East, Group Captain Stewart Dowrie, said northern Australia provided world-class air bases, training ranges and airspace. "For exercises such as Crimson Dawn, this provides our future fighter aircrew with a realistic and dynamic operating environment," Group Captain Dowrie said. "By training away from their home location of RAAF Base Amberley, aircrew were able to develop their skills and experience, exercising on complex training missions so that they can be ready to deploy anywhere across our north and into the region." In line with the National Defence Strategy's prioritisation of operations from Australia's northern bases, the ADF and integrated partners will continue to use the North Queensland region as a base, and, as a Cairns local, Group Captain Dowrie is proud to support this. "Cairns has been a really important place to the Air Force for a very long time - from World War 2 when, it was one of our primary flying boat bases, right through to the modern day," Group Captain Dowrie said. "With its long runway - the second-largest in northern Australia - the city of Cairns will continue to be an important operating location in the move to enhance our preparedness and ability to respond quickly to crisis in the region." In appreciation of their ongoing support for Exercise Crimson Dawn, the locals were treated to a low-level flypast over the Cairns Esplanade. 1 Squadron conducted a training sortie over the area, impressing onlookers with the capabilities of the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The community also had the chance to see a low pass of a United States Air Force (USAF) KC-135 Stratotanker, from the 97th Air Refuelling Squadron, on its transit home to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. While stationed out of Cairns for three weeks, the USAF contingent completed refuelling operations for Australian aircraft on another exercise in the Northern Territory. This USAF rotation supported enhanced air cooperation demonstrating Australia's interoperability with the US. Enhanced air cooperation aims to deepen advanced air to air integration between the ADF and the US air elements to better enable the countries to operate together seamlessly, and has been successfully operating for several years as one of the United States force posture initiatives. "The flypasts from both our Super Hornet and the KC-135 underscore the importance of our north and how we are networked in very tightly with our American counterparts," Group Captain Dowrie said. "The USAF commander conveyed to me that he was grateful to the local community for their support and the wing wave from his aircraft was his way of saying thank you to the people of Cairns." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK and others invoke Vienna Mechanism on political prisoners in Belarus: Joint Statement to the OSCE UK and 37 other countries invoke the OSCE Vienna Mechanism in respect of serious human rights concerns in Belarus, including torture, physical or sexual violence, lack of basic medical care and privacy, lack of a fair trial, psychological pressure and discrimination. 12 July 2024 I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and my own country, Slovenia. The following participating States are also joining this statement: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Moldova, North Macedonia, Switzerland and Ukraine. In the 1991 Moscow Document, OSCE participating States declared that commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned. In keeping with this commitment, we wish to express our deep concern regarding the severe human rights violations and abuses occurring in Belarus. These were documented by rapporteur Professor HervA Ascensio after 38 participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism on 23 March 2023. His report, introduced to the Permanent Council on 11 May 2023, described repression designed to hinder any form of opposition, which led to waves of arrests on political grounds, targeting demonstrators, journalists, other media workers, human rights defenders, representatives of trade unions, lawyers, political opponents, and those expressing their opposition to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, among others. The report recommended the release of all political prisoners and the reform of existing laws in Belarus to bring national criminal legislation and the code of administrative offences in full compliance with international norms and standards. Regrettably, Belarus has followed neither these recommendations nor a similar call for the release of all the political prisoners issued by 17 UN experts. Other reports from various UN bodies and NGOs have confirmed that the human rights situation in Belarus, in particular the situation of political prisoners, has continued to deteriorate. To date, six of these individuals have died in detention: Vitold Ashurak, MikhaAl Klimovich, Ales Pushkin, Vadzim Khrasko, Ihar Lednik and Aliaksandr Kulinich. Many others are being held incommunicado. Experts have documented that the estimated 1400 political prisoners currently in detention in Belarus experience torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, acts of physical or sexual violence, lack of basic medical care and privacy, lack of a fair trial, psychological pressure and discrimination, with their cells and clothing marked with yellow tags. While we take note of the recent release of several political prisoners, we consider unsatisfactory the Belarusian authorities' response to the Moscow Mechanism report of 11 May 2023 and, given our ongoing concerns about developments over the past 12 months, our countries are now invoking the Vienna Mechanism, along with the requirements of Belarus under that Mechanism. The full text of the letter of invocation, including the names of several persons whose situation is particularly critical, will be circulated to all participating States. But I would like to read the questions it contains. Since the release of the Moscow Mechanism report on Belarus, on 11 May 2023: What steps have Belarusian authorities taken to ensure that persons deprived of liberty on politically motivated grounds are treated with humanity and respect for their inherent dignity? What steps have Belarusian authorities taken to release political prisoners on humanitarian grounds, including those with serious health issues or chronic conditions, people with disabilities, minors, older persons, people with children or single parents? What update can be provided on the prisoners mentioned in the letter? What steps have Belarusian authorities taken to ensure that specific needs of female detainees, including psychological and medical needs, are taken into account? What steps have been taken to ensure that all detainees have access to necessary and appropriate medication and medical care? What steps have been taken to ensure decent conditions of detention for all prisoners? Do authorities in charge of detention facilities provide all prisoners, without exception, with blankets, mattresses, and sanitary articles? Which measures have been taken against overcrowding? In the light of documented cases of ill-treatment which may in some instances amount to torture, including sleep deprivation, what steps have Belarusian authorities taken to investigate all allegations and to prevent such treatment in the future? What criteria govern the use of solitary confinement, punishment cells and cell-like premises? As these have been identified as potentially inhumane conditions of detention, what steps have been taken to reduce their use? What steps have been taken to ensure that every prisoner has access to legal counsel of their own choosing, to effective remedies and a fair trial? What steps have been taken to ensure that prisoners are able to maintain contact with family members? Will Belarusian authorities refrain from implementing the procedure of deprivation of citizenship of Belarusian nationals living abroad as a sanction for so called "participation in extremist activity or infliction of grievous harm to the interests of the Republic of Belarus"? Will Belarus end repressive measures taken against family members in order to exert pressure on defendants and political prisoners? As a measure of transparency, would Belarus allow visits to detention facilities by representatives of international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, and foreign States in detention facilities? We expect to receive information in response to these serious concerns in writing within ten days, in accordance with the Vienna Mechanism. I request this statement and the corresponding invocation letter be attached to the journal of the day. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Minister Blair concludes productive visit to Washington, D.C. for NATO Summit National Defence News release July 12, 2024 - Washington, D.C. - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Yesterday, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence concluded a productive visit to Washington, D.C., where he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Affairs Minister MAlanie Joly, and Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre attended the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders' Summit - including meetings of the North Atlantic Council and NATO-Ukraine Council. At the Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Blair announced that Canada expects to reach NATO's target of spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2032. In a statement, Minister Blair noted that that this represents a credible, responsible, and achievable target date, which will allow Canada to ramp up its spending and procurement capacity on a realistic timeline. Minister Blair provided further details on Canada's plans, noting that Our North, Strong and Free identified ten capabilities for which Canada will explore options. To reach the 2% target by 2032, Canada will invest in the right mix of these additional capabilities on the right timeline, implementing the vision outlined in this policy. As part of Canada's pledge to substantially increase its defence spending, Minister Blair also announced earlier this week that Canada is launching the process to procure up to 12 conventionally-powered, under-ice-capable submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. Minister Blair also welcomed the joint statement from the leaders of Canada, Finland and the United States on July 11, 2024 announcing an enhanced trilateral partnership called the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact. In Washington, Minister Blair reiterated Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine until its victory. Canada announced additional military assistance to Ukraine this week, including: Committing an additional $500 million in military assistance to Ukraine, as part of NATO's pledge of long-term security assistance for Ukraine. This includes almost $444 million to the Department of National Defence to fund military equipment, assistance, and training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), as well as over $56 million for the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund for Ukraine to help rebuild the Ukrainian security and defence sector and advance Ukraine's transition toward full interoperability with NATO. Canadian funding through the CAP also provides equipment for women in the AFU. These additional funds complement Canada's existing military assistance to Ukraine, for a total of $1.1 billion this year. Supporting the launch of NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) in Wiesbaden, Germany, where NSATU will co-ordinate the provision of military training, equipment, and logistical support. Allocating up to $389 million to enhance F-16 pilot training through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Air Force Capability Coalition. Sourced through previously announced military funding, this commitment will support training for AFU pilots, and provide equipment to support Ukraine's safe operation of F-16s. Canada is also committed to supporting Ukraine's drone capabilities. On behalf of Minister Blair, General Eyre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with fellow members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Drone Capability Coalition, co-led by Latvia and the United Kingdom. This MOU reiterates our collective commitment to supporting the development of Ukraine's drone capabilities. Canada also signed the Ukraine Compact, a joint statement with G7 countries and partners, which reconfirms enduring support for Ukraine's self-defence and deterrence capabilities. While in Washington, Minister Blair met with Germany's Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, and Norway's Defence Minister, BjArn Arild Gram. The ministers signed a trilateral Letter of Intent on establishing a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation in the North Atlantic. Minister Blair participated in several side events to highlight Canada's defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free. On July 8, Minister Blair spoke at the Foreign Policy Security Forum - highlighting Canada's investments in Arctic and Northern Security. On July 9, he joined Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Joly, and representatives from NATO Allies to mark the official accreditation of the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE), located in Montreal. On July 10, he spoke on a panel on Nordic Security as part of the NATO Public Forum, alongside the Defence Ministers of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and the Foreign Minister of Iceland. The Minister highlighted Canada's work to establish greater presence, reach, mobility and responsiveness in the Arctic and North. Minister Blair also attended a working dinner hosted by the Warsaw Security Forum on Programming for the Upcoming Challenges: Vision for NATO and Transatlantic Security. As a founding member of NATO, Canada's commitment to the Alliance is steadfast, including its principles of collective defence and burden-sharing. NATO ensures the security of more than one billion people, including Canadians, by providing a security guarantee that an attack on one Ally is an attack on all. Canada is committed to meeting its pledge, and to doing its part. Quotes "Canada's commitment to NATO remains steadfast. Since 1949, we have proudly contributed to almost every NATO operation, and we continue to strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defence posture. Together with our Allies, we will stand together against actors that threaten our individual and collective security to protect Canadians and defend the rules-based international order." The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence Quick facts The North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C., on April 4, 1949, establishing the NATO Alliance, of which Canada is a founding member. At the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius, Allies agreed to invest at least 2% of their GDP annually on defence, consistent with the obligation of all Allies to ensure their resilience and preparedness under Article 3 of the Washington Treaty. Canada expects to invest 2% of its GDP in defence by 2032. Current Canadian contributions to NATO include: Supporting NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe through Operation REASSURANCE. With approximately 1,500 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members currently deployed, it is Canada's largest international military operation. Canada has been leading the NATO multinational Battlegroup, soon to be Brigade, in Latvia since 2017. In July 2023, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the renewal and expansion of Operation REASSURANCE, committing $2.6 billion to a three-year mandate, with up to 2,200 CAF troops continuously deployed. Deploying His Majesty's Canadian Ship Charlottetown to join and assume flagship duties of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) as part of Operation REASSURANCE in the Mediterranean Sea. Canada currently leads SNMG2 - one of NATO's two multinational Standing Maritime Groups. Hosting the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence, in MontrAal, Quebec, and NATO's North American Regional Office of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Continuing to support training and capacity-building efforts in the Middle East under Operation IMPACT, including through NATO Mission Iraq, which was set up under Canadian command, and contributing to lasting security and stability in the country. Providing CAF personnel support to the NATO-led international peace support operation in Kosovo through Operation KOBOLD. In Budget 2024 and Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence, the Government of Canada announced $8.1 billion over five years and $73 billion over 20 years in new defence spending. This builds on historic investments the federal government has made to date to support members of the CAF, strengthen Canada's defence capabilities, and respond to global challenges. Since 2022, Canada has committed over $19.5 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine. This includes $4.5 billion in military aid and equipment donations, such as Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, and other arms and equipment. Other assistance includes $12.4 billion in financial assistance, $352.5 million in humanitarian assistance, $442 million in development assistance, and over $210 million in security and stabilization programming. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on July 12, 2024 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China 2024-07-12 21:35 CCTV: In the statements released on July 11, the US and the EU announced their support for the so-called arbitral award on the South China Sea and attacked China's positions and propositions. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: China noted the statements by the US and the EU. Let me make the following points: First, the US selfishly refuses to accede to UNCLOS, and yet often lectures other countries on their implementation of UNCLOS. This is hypocrisy, double standard and selective application of international law. Second, the US and the EU disregard the history and facts on the South China Sea issue, act against the UN Charter, and misinterpret UNCLOS and other international law. Their position and proposition do not hold water. Third, the US has gone back on its public commitments of not taking a position on sovereignty issues in the South China Sea. It encouraged the Philippines to launch the arbitration on the South China Sea, and blatantly released a statement to endorse the award. This is political manipulation aimed at using allies to destabilize the South China Sea and the region and advance the nefarious agenda of going after China. Let me stress that with the concerted efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the South China Sea has been generally stable. China will work with ASEAN countries to keep the South China Sea peaceful and stable, and contribute to regional prosperity and development. We urge countries outside the region led by the US to earnestly respect these efforts, refrain from statements and actions that disrupt regional peace and stability, and stop being a trouble maker in the South China Sea. China-Arab TV: Israel's military operation in Gaza over the last 24 hours killed 50 and injured 54 people. Over the past nine months, due to Israel's continuous bombing, there is no safe place in Gaza and more than 38,000 people were killed. What's your comment?a Lin Jian: China opposes and condemns all acts that harm civilians and violate international law. The current situation in the Gaza Strip is unsustainable and the most urgent priority is to fully and effectively implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, ensure access to humanitarian assistance and realize the early release of all those held captive. We urge Israel to heed the call of the international community, stop its military actions as soon as possible, and do everything possible to avoid innocent civilian casualties. Xinhua News Agency: On July 11, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized again at the closing press conference of the NATO Summit that China has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine. He said that China's joint military exercise with Belarus fits into the pattern of working together in supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. He added that China is taking more assertive behaviors in Hong Kong and the South China Sea and, threatening Taiwan and threatening neighbors. China is conducting a huge military build-up with no transparency and investing heavily in new modern missiles and nuclear weapons. How does China respond to these remarks? Lin Jian: China strongly condemns the irresponsible and provocative remarks made by the NATO Secretary General against China, which are steeped in Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and consist of baseless accusations. In his remarks, the NATO Secretary General attacked China's system, blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs, and distorted China's domestic and diplomatic policies. He sought to shift blames and mislead the international community on Ukraine and pointed fingers at China's normal military development and relations with relevant countries. We strongly deplore and firmly oppose it.a a China has already made its position clear on the Ukraine issue and the NATO Summit. I would like to emphasize that, for a long time, the NATO Secretary General, in disregard of the facts and China's protests, repeatedly smeared and hurled attacks at China. He has been playing up the "China threat" narrative and inciting suspicion about China and anti-China sentiments in an apparent attempt to cooperate with certain parties to suppress and contain China. These clumsy stunts have sounded the alarm for many in the world and remind people what risks and challenges NATO, as a vestige of the Cold War and a product of bloc confrontation and bloc politics, will bring to world peace and stability.a China urges certain Western politician, whose political life is approaching an end, not to fan the flames, make provocations, and shift blames for the sake of trying to leave behind some kind of legacy. China will stick to the path of peaceful development and inject more stability and positive energy into world peace and stability through its own development and international cooperation. China will also firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. To see China as NATO's imaginary enemy will only backfire on NATO itself. China News Service: In a recent speech at the Hudson Institute, US House Speaker Mike Johnson said "Beijing is our number-one foreign threat" and Congress will counter China "with every tool at its disposal" before House members stand for re-election. House of Representatives will have the package of China-related legislation signed into law by the end of this year, including those to sanction Chinese military firms that provide material support to Russia and Iran and to restrict US investments in China and China-US trade. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: These comments are a deliberate mischaracterization of facts, a repetition of the false narrative of "China threat" and filled with Cold War thinking and ideological bias. They are meant to find ways to divert attention from domestic issues and further aim at and contain China. China firmly opposes it. China has the right to normal trade and economic cooperation with other countries, and opposes unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that lack basis in international law and UN Security Council mandate. We ask the US to get rid of the zero-sum approach, and refrain from remarks and moves that harm China's interests. China will take resolute measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. China Review News: It's reported that the Defense of Japan 2024 white paper adopted at Japan's Cabinet meeting today stressed that Japan finds itself in the most severe security environment of the post-war era. According to the white paper, China has been intensifying its militaryaactivities, North Korea has been advancing its nuclear and missile development, and Russia has been observed engaging in joint patrols with Chinaathose are Japan's great concerns in its defense policy, and Japan must enhance its defense capability against ballistic missiles and other standoff weapons. The white paper also mentions the possibility of an escalation of tensions in the Taiwan Strait. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: The Defense of Japan 2024 white paper gravely interferes in China's internal affairs, again seeks to play up the "China threat" narrative, and hypes up regional tensions. We deplore and reject this. China is committed to the path of peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's defense development and military activities are legitimate and justified. Our joint patrols with other countries are consistent with international law and customary international practice. Taiwan is an alienable part of China's territory. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair that brooks no external interference. In recent years, the root cause of the cross-Strait tensions has been "Taiwan independence" separatists' reckless activities emboldened and supported by external forces. Japan invaded and exercised colonial rule over Taiwan and bears serious historical responsibilities for the suffering it imposed on the Chinese people. Japan is in no position to point its fingers on the Taiwan question. Given Japan's history of militarist aggression during the last century, Japan's military and security moves have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting defense policy, increasing defense spending annually, easing restrictions of weapon exports, and seeking military breakthrough. It has triggered strong concerns from the world. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its history of aggression, champion peaceful development, stop finding pretexts for its own military buildup, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the wider international community through concrete actions. Shenzhen TV: On July 12, the Philippines released the Statement on the Eighth Anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. What's your comment?a Lin Jian: The arbitration case was initiated by the Philippines unilaterally in breach of the Philippines' own commitment to China. The matters raised in the case were beyond the scope of jurisdiction of the arbitralatribunal set up temporarily at the unilateral request of the Philippines. The tribunal, however, took the case anyway and delivered a ruling which is illegal, null and void. The Philippines breached the common understandings it had reached with China on resolving the disputes in the South China Sea through bilateral consultation and negotiation. The Philippines violated the article of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) which states that the disputes should be resolved by peaceful means through consultations and negotiations by sovereign States directly concerned. The Philippines abused the UNCLOS dispute settlement mechanism, ignored China's declaration which, according to UNCLOS, excludes maritime delimitation from compulsory dispute settlement procedures, and insisted on initiating the arbitration. China has never accepted or taken part in the case. The arbitral tribunal violated the principle of state consent, and acted against UNCLOS and general international law. The award it rendered is illegal, null and void, and non-binding. China does not accept or recognize it, and will never accept any claim or action based on the award. China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the South China Sea are under no circumstances affected by the award. The South China Sea arbitration is essentially political circus dressed up as legal action. The Philippines let itself fall into the trap set by the US and some Western countries, be fettered, and become certain countries' tool to gang up on Chinaaall at the cost of the Philippines' relations with China. The Philippines views the arbitral award and UNCLOS as the two cornerstones of its policy and action in the South China Sea. Yet the award is very much a deviation from UNCLOS, which means the Philippines has adopted a self-contradictory position. To cling to this position and the arbitral award will only get the Philippines farther and farther away from the right path.a For a long period of time, in the interest of our overall bilateral ties with the Philippines and the peace and stability of the region, China has been committed to resolving relevant disputes with the Philippines through direct negotiation and friendly consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law. We hope the Philippine side will honor its commitments, stop citing and hyping up the illegal award and get back onto the right track of bilateral negotiation for the disputes at an early date. Beijing Daily: The Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development was held in Beijing on July 12. Could you share more about this? Lin Jian: This morning, the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development hosted by China International Development Cooperation Agency was held in Beijing. The theme of this year's forum is "Promoting Sustainable Development: Continuous Actions for a Better Future." The forum aims at further forging global consensus on development, promoting joint global action and joining hands to create a better future. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended the forum and gave a keynote speech. The forum attracted representatives from more than 110 countries and over 30 international organizations. Director Wang Yi pointed out that over the past three years since President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiativea(GDI), cooperation under the initiative has continued to deepen, with improving cooperation mechanisms and increasingly fruitful cooperation results. More than 80 countries have now joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. The China-Africa-United Nations Tripartite Cooperation Demonstration Center was established. There are more than 1,000 projects in Global Development Project Pool, with more than 500 projects completed or under construction. Special funds for global development have continued to expand, and the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has been upgraded. The Chinese government has also trained more than 40,000 people for developing countries in various fields. Director Wang Yi stressed that, in this world of turbulence and transformation,aa lot can be achieved by implementing the GDI. China will focus on the long-term goal of global development, bear in mind the real needs of the people of all countries and share the experience of Chinese modernization for realizing the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and pooling development consensus. China will deepen GlobalaSouth cooperation, promote North-South dialogue, prioritize development, form synergy among development strategies of all parties, and foster new development drivers, so as to improve the forum and promote the building of a global community of development. In 2022, President Xi Jinping announced 32 major initiatives to implement the GDI. Organizing the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development is one of them. Last year, the first high-level meeting of the forum was successfully held, and the Beijing Statement was issued to set up the Global Development Project Pool and Global Development Capital Pool, and mobilize US$12 billion in special funds from Chinese and foreign financial institutions for the implementation of the GDI. This year's meeting will bring more fruits, deeper cooperation and benefits for all peoples. China will leverage the GDI, GSI and GCI to work with all parties for a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress. TASS: Russia's President Putin yesterday put forward the idea of a BRICS parliamentary organization. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?aa Lin Jian: I do not have information on that. CCTV: On July 10, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at the 2024 NATO Public Forum that "we are making the investments in ourselves at home to make sure that we're approaching China from a position of domestic strength." As the US re-energizes its alliances and partnerships with NATO, the EU and major European countries, it is abundantly clear that they have more convergence now when it comes to how to approach China. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: The US has vowed time and again to deal with China from the so-called "position of strength." The phrase reflects how arrogant and domineering the US is. In our world, no country is superior to another, and no one has the right to bully others. Any country who thinks they can bully others by strengthening their "position of strength" will be acting against the trend of the times. And they will certainly not be supported by the international community.a Exchange and cooperation between countries should contribute to the mutual understanding and trust between other countries, and should not be about forming exclusive clubs that target or harm third party's interests. The US made a commitment of not asking other countries to pick sidesait should act accordingly instead of ganging up and hurting other countries' interests. China views and handles its relations with the US based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. We hope the US will work with China in the same direction, form the right perception of China, stop zero-sum game and major-country competition, and contribute to the stable, sound and sustainable growth of bilateral relations, instead of doing the opposite. RIA Novosti: The Telegraph newspaper reported yesterday that China is constructing a secret military base in Tajikistan not far from the border of Afghanistan. Could you please comment on this report? Lin Jian: I am not aware of what you mentioned, but I can tell you with full confidence that China is committed to an independent foreign policy of peace and has no military base in Central Asia. Beijing Youth Daily: According to reports, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 10. Both sides hope that Japan and the ROK can maintain close cooperation with NATO member states and allies, and sent signals that North Atlantic security cannot be separated with Northeast Asian security. Prime Minister Kishida said the Washington Summit will deepen the cooperation between NATO and the IP4. We also noted that US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the US hopes to institutionalize cooperation between NATO and the IP4, namely Japan, the ROK, Australia and New Zealand. What's China's comment? Lin Jian: The US-led NATO, as a Cold War vestige and the world's largest military bloc, claims to be a regional defensive alliance but keeps hyping up regional tensions, inciting bloc confrontation, and creating pretexts to engage Asia-Pacific countries. This has sounded the alarm for regional countries. Northeast Asia was once ravaged by war, and suffered from military and bloc confrontation. It cherishes peaceful coexistence, solidarity, and mutually beneficial cooperation. The peace, cooperation, stability and prosperity we see today in the Asia-Pacific, including Northeast Asia, is a result of the joint efforts of regional countries. The Asia-Pacific does not need military blocs, still less major-country confrontation or clubs of countries pushing for a new Cold War. We hope regional countries will stay committed to the path of Asia-Pacific cooperation, and play a constructive role in upholding and promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and around the globe, rather than spearheading NATO's extension into the Asia-Pacific. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Russia announce joint naval exercises By VOA News July 12, 2024 China and Russia announced Friday that they are conducting joint naval exercises in the waters and airspace near Zhanjiang city in the south of China. The exercises, titled Joint Sea-2024, began in early July and will last until the middle of the month, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry. Guided missile destroyers, guided missile frigates and suppliers have assembled on China's Southern coast to participate in the exercise, according to Chinese state-run media CGTN. "The ongoing exercise is to demonstrate the resolve and capabilities of the two sides in jointly addressing maritime security threats and preserving global and regional peace and stability," said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry. Joint Sea-2024 is part of the regular defense collaboration agreed upon between the two nations, according to the ministry. This new round of naval exercises "will further deepen China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era," Zhang said. Zhanjiang city, located in China's southern Guangdong province, faces the South China Sea, a contentious waterway where China holds multiple territorial disputes with neighboring countries, including the Philippines. The naval exercises were announced following the NATO summit in Washington, where countries cited the deepening strategic relationship between China and Russia and the two states' attempts to "undercut and reshape the rules-based international order" as "a cause for profound concern." China said NATO's statement was "filled with Cold War mentality and belligerent rhetoric." A spokesperson for China's mission to the European Union said in a statement Thursday that the NATO statement was "provocative" and filled with "obvious lies and smears." China is also hosting bilateral military exercises with Russian-ally Belarus on the border with Poland, which will last until July 19. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US lawmakers rally for Lai's release amid Hong Kong repression By Yihua Lee July 12, 2024 A top U.S. House member has pledged to work with a coalition of rights groups to be a special advocate for Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong Next Media, and is urging the Hong Kong government to release Lai from prison as soon as possible. Lai and his newspaper, Apple Daily, which has been out of operation for three years, supported Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy movement that was later crushed by China's national security law (NSL) in Hong Kong. Lai, a British citizen, was arrested on fraud charges in August 2020. He has been in prison and denied bail since December 2020. He also faces charges under Hong Kong's national security law of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "conspiracy to publish incitement." Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, will advocate for Lai through the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project, he announced in a statement first reported by VOA's Mandarin Service. "The Chinese Communist Party a like other authoritarian regimes a abuses government power by suppressing and persecuting dissent," Raskin said in a statement to VOA. "Jimmy Lai's detention underscores how the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] silences critics to exert power over Hong Kong. I'm proud to sponsor Mr. Lai and demand that the CCP immediately release him and stop attacking pro-democracy advocates." No immunity In a statement in February, the Hong Kong government responded to critics of the Lai case. "The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law," the statement read, according to the Hong Kong Free Press. The Lantos commission launched the Defending Freedoms Project (DFP) in December 2012, collaborating with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Amnesty International USA. It has since expanded to include Reporters Without Borders, Freedom House, Freedom Now, Scholars at Risk, PEN America and the Senate Human Rights Caucus. According to DFP, members of Congress sponsoring a prisoner receive a detailed toolkit for advocacy, which includes writing letters to prisoners and their families, giving speeches and publishing op-eds. They can also initiate legislative actions, hold discussions or hearings, and petition executive departments like the State Department and the White House for support. By taking on a case, lawmakers can help secure releases, reduce sentences, improve prison conditions and raise awareness of unjust laws. According to Raskin, Lai was arrested for his criticism of the Chinese Communist Party through his work as a publisher and pro-democracy advocate. "At 76 years of age, Lai has been held in prolonged solitary confinement since December 2020, for entirely peaceful conduct, in exercise of his fundamental freedoms. His age and diabetes diagnosis raise serious concerns about his physical well-being. He faces a potential life sentence under the NSL, depending upon the outcome of his current trial," Raskin said in the statement. Freedom House applauded the representative for advocating on behalf of Lai and commended his efforts. "We thank Congressman Raskin for serving as Mr. Lai's advocate, and we will continue to call for the immediate release of Mr. Lai and all Hong Kong's political prisoners," Annie Boyajian, vice president of policy and advocacy at Freedom House, said in a written statement to VOA. 'Beijing fears truth tellers' According to Boyajian, Freedom House is proud to serve as an official partner of the Defending Freedoms Project and to advocate for the release of political prisoners around the world, including Lai. "Mr. Lai is guilty of nothing more than attempting to exercise and protect fundamental rights in Hong Kong. His imprisonment and the trumped-up charges against him are evidence of just how much Beijing fears truth tellers," Boyajian said. According to Raskin, Lai is being prosecuted under the controversial NSL for his journalism and his pro-democracy activities, in clear violation of his rights to freedom of expression and to a fair trial. Since Beijing implemented Hong Kong's NSL in 2020, U.S. lawmakers from both parties have increasingly voiced concerns about Hong Kong's diminishing autonomy and are seeking additional measures to pressure its government. In March, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the "Maintenance of National Security Ordinance," derived from Article 23 of the basic law, targeting treason, sedition, espionage and foreign interference. Violators face life imprisonment. These legislative actions have also raised concerns within the U.S. executive branch and Congress about the further erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. The White House informed Congress on July 10 that the national emergency regarding Hong Kong would remain in effect after July 14 this year. The Trump administration declared the situation in Hong Kong a national emergency by executive order on July 14, 2020, and the Biden administration has upheld this order since taking office. As a result, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to require that all goods originating in Hong Kong be marked with "China" as the country of origin. Hong Kong fires back The Hong Kong special administrative region government immediately responded Thursday, condemning and opposing the U.S. decision. They accused the U.S. government of using the national emergency to politicize human rights issues, disregard the rule of law and slander Hong Kong's implementation of the national security law. Other U.S. House members expressed support for Lai through introduction of a bill in April to rename a section of the street in front of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in downtown Washington as "Jimmy Lai Way." There has been no progress since the bill was introduced in April by New Jersey Representative Chris Smith, chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and Representative Tom Suozzi from New York. Additionally, in January, Smith and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, respectively the chair and co-chair of the CECC, announced the nominations of Lai, Xu Zhiyong, Ding Jiaxi and Ilham Tohti for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The letter sent to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee highlighted that all four individuals were being arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities and sentenced to life or long prison terms for exercising their rights guaranteed by international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Interview: White House 'extremely concerned' about closer Russia-North Korea ties Presidential adviser Mira Rapp-Hooper explains how NATO and key Indo-Pacific countries can cooperate on issues. By Lee Sangmin for RFA Korean 2024.07.12 -- Mira Rapp-Hooper is the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House National Security Council, or NSC. During this week's NATO Summit in Washington, she spoke with RFA Korean's Lee Sangmin, touching on points related to increased cooperation between Russia and North Korea, following Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea last month. The summit included representatives from the Indo-Pacific Four, or IP4, an informal grouping of South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, and Rapp-Hooper said that it was important to include those countries in discussions with NATO, especially considering that the partnership between North Korea and Russia concerns security in both the North Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. RFA: So how much are you concerned about the recent deepening relationship between Russia and North Korea? Rapp-Hooper: We are extremely concerned about the relationship between Russia and North Korea. Of course, we have been for about a year as that relationship has grown closer and closer, and it has become clear that both Russia and North Korea are exchanging extremely worrisome forms of support with one another. On the one hand, of course, we know that the (Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK) has been providing Russia with millions of rounds of ammunition, as well as missiles that have been used on the battlefield in Ukraine to devastating effect fueling Russia's war machine, and taking the lives of innocent civilians, all over the conflict. And that's deeply disturbing. But one of the things that is also very troubling about this relationship is the fact that we know that Russia is probably providing the DPRK with technical assistance, sophisticated forms of support for some of its military programs. But those forms of cooperation are much harder to track. So while we know what the DPRK is giving to Russia, we know less than we would like to about what Russia is giving to the DPRK. And that is something that should concern not only the countries of the Indo-Pacific who care about peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and beyond. But countries in Europe are increasingly understanding that this relationship affects them, too. Now, of course, this has all become more prominent recently because of Vladimir Putin's visit to Pyongyang, when the two countries released a declaration that looks very much like an alliance treaty. But really, what this does is capture something that we knew the whole time, which is the fact that this is not just a marriage of convenience where these two powers are cooperating so that Russia can get help in its war against Ukraine. There is political buy-in at the highest levels, from both of these governments. The piece of optimism that I would offer today, however, is that it is not just the ROK, the United States and Japan who are worried about this problem. We have very good trilateral cooperation amongst the three of us to share intelligence and to coordinate our policy actions. But part of what you're seeing here at NATO today is that all of our NATO allies also care about this problem, because Russia has brought DPRK technology to Europe in the form of ballistic missiles being used on the battlefield in Ukraine. So we've never seen our European allies more engaged in DPRK issues, more wanting to cooperate, to address, and limit, this relationship. And we are hopeful that that cooperation will have a stabilizing effect in the face of all of this destabilizing behavior. RFA: In what ways can NATO and its allies counter cooperation between North Korea and Russia? Rapp-Hooper: Well, there are, you know, certain areas where cooperation, unfortunately, is quite difficult to affect. We know that many of the shipments that take place between DPRK and Russia take place within their territorial seas or over rail lines. So there's very few options for the international community there. But there are other areas, where we do cooperate, and we will continue to do so. And that relates to things like financial sanctions that may run at the heart of their cooperation, and other measures that we can take, such as intelligence sharing, information sharing that might allow one country to be more empowered to limit this cooperation wherever they can. There is also, of course, the role that we all play diplomatically, not just in putting pressure on both Pyongyang and Russia, but on additional countries, who might be able to take action to try to limit this relationship. The world is, of course, watching (the People's Republic of China, or PRC) and the question looms large, what Beijing will do about this relationship, given that it is so destabilizing and not in China's interests either. But we've yet to see a clear answer to that question. RFA: What kind of a role can China play in dealing with North Korea issues? Rapp-Hooper: That's really up to China. In the past, the PRC has long played a role on the Korean Peninsula. Obviously, it is a key continued trading partner of Pyongyang and a longtime political partner. There is obviously a very close political relationship as well, between Beijing and Moscow - which is its own cause for concern. But there's no doubt that if Beijing was interested in doing so, it could play a stabilizing and responsible role, to encourage in particular, the worst (aspects of the) DPRK-Russia cooperation to come to an end. But again, all eyes are on Beijing to see if it will make that choice. RFA: Why is it significant that the IP4 are participating in the NATO Summit? Rapp-Hooper: Our IP4 partners in the (Republic of Korea, or ROK), Japan, Australia and New Zealand have been at the last three NATO summits. And from our perspective, it really symbolizes the fact that the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific are increasingly connected. Security problems that matter for Europe matter for the Indo-Pacific. And likewise, Asia matters greatly to our European partners. And when the Biden administration took office, we were very keen to help support the IP4 and build it out into something that is a more institutionalized meeting because we think it is strictly advantageous for our Indo-Pacific allies to be working with our European allies and vice versa. But of course, the way that the IP4 really got increased, was after the tragic and aggressive invasion of Ukraine by Russia, in which so many of our Indo-Pacific allies stepped up to demonstrate that they stand with Ukraine and would provide assistance. And that, I think, really drove home to our European allies in NATO, the fundamental value of working with partners in the Indo-Pacific. So today, again, they're here for their third summit. They have had the opportunity to participate in a plenary session, with significant substantive focus on the Indo-Pacific and the links between the two theaters. When we talk about those links, clearly DPRK-Russia cooperation is very squarely on the agenda. It has been a focus of their discussions. They participated in the leaders dinner last night. They had their own meeting with President Zelensky of Ukraine, which is an important demonstration of the fact that they are fiercely dedicated partners to Ukraine. And you saw that with two new announcements from New Zealand and Australia announcing new aid packages to Ukraine concomitant with the NATO summit. And then, of course, the IP4 partners, had some time with the president, and Secretary General Stoltenberg, to affirm the importance of their participation here at NATO. RFA: What role do you expect that South Korea can play in partnership with NATO? Rapp-Hooper: We expect South Korea to play whatever role is most advantageous for South Korea. I think if you ask our South Korean friends, what they will say is they are extremely worried about DPRK-Russia cooperation, and they want to work with NATO partners to do the most that they can to limit that cooperation. But really what they want to do is use these interconnections between the region to help keep the Indo-Pacific and the Korean Peninsula safer and more stable, and we're fully supportive of that goal. RFA: After the summit between North Korea and Russia,there has been growing sentiment in South Korea that it needs its own nuclear weapon. What kind of response would you have to that sentiment? Rapp-Hooper: Well, what I would actually point to is the fact that President Biden and (South Korean) President Yoon spent some time together today. And after they did so, we released an important joint statement, signed off by each of them. And what that statement does is remind the world that it's been a year since the Nuclear Consultative Group (or NCG) met for the first time in Seoul. It was inaugurated following President Yoon's state visit to Washington back in April of 2023. And over the course of that year, that nuclear consultative group has made remarkable progress, towards standing itself up as an institution, and doing the work that we will need to do together, as allies, to strengthen our extended return to the ROK. Edited by Eugene Whong. Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea doubles down on English education amid growing tensions with US By By Young Gyo Kim Kim Hyungjin July 12, 2024 In contrast to the open hostility toward the United States, North Korea has been doubling down on English education in its public schools under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, according to North Korea internal documents, textbooks and other educational materials reviewed by VOA's Korean Service. North Korea is typically wary of American influence flowing into the country, warning its citizens against "a rotten Yankee culture." The isolated country's state-run media, however, is touting the value of English language education. North Korea's Korean Central Broadcasting Television last month aired clips of interviews with North Korean teachers, stressing the importance of English education. "Respected Comrade Kim Jong Un has told us in particular about strengthening education in computer technology and foreign language," Ahn Sung Ae, principal of Pyongyang's Sangshin Middle School, said in one of the clips. "In the education contents, including the foreign language, we are encouraged to teach the students in a more practical manner." The state-run television network also ran footage of a new "English learning room" for students at public schools. Under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, North Korea has increased its hostility toward the United States and escalated tensions with a series of weapons tests, violating multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. In June, North Korea tested a multiple-warhead missile, which is intended to strike multiple targets in the United States. Kim, who came to power in late 2011, overhauled the country's education system by increasing the duration of compulsory schooling from 11 years to 12 years, starting in 2013. North Korea's four-year elementary school system converted to a five-year system, allowing children to begin learning English at an earlier age. "I began to learn English when I was in the middle school. Later, there was some debate over the effectiveness of the early learning in English," Ye Eun Lee, who defected from North Korea in 2019 when she was 19, told VOA's Korean Service. "And they changed the policy and started to teach English in elementary schools." The 12-year Compulsory Education Code, reviewed by VOA's Korean Service, stated that English language education should be strengthened "in order to widely adopt the advanced global technologies, and develop international exchanges and cooperation in the field of science and culture." The code, published in 2013 by North Korea's Education Commission, underscored that the purpose of learning English is to actually use the language in real life, requiring students to put more effort in practice. North Korean defector Lee Chul, a graduate of Kim Il Sung University in Pyongyang and now a Peace Foundation fellow in South Korea, told VOA's Korean Service that students tend to practice speaking and listening among themselves. "There's no other way, since it is difficult to find native English speakers in North Korea," he said. In the Kim Jong Un era, English has become an essential means to benefit from developments in global business and technology. Lee Hyun Seung, a North Korean escapee and former chair of the Kim Il Sung Socialist Youth League branch in Dalian, China, told VOA's Korean Service that one of the reasons behind Kim Jong Un's push for the English use was linked to the advancement of technology. "You need to know English to learn about information technology," said Hyung Seung, who now lives in the United States. Accordingly, North Korea's English language education has increasingly focused on enhancing pragmatic skills. A comparative analysis by VOA's Korean Service of North Korean English textbooks and other educational materials produced before and after the 2013 education reform confirms this trend. A newer textbook, published in July 2015 for 12th graders enrolled in specialized high schools for advanced students, prioritizes listening and speaking, rather than perfecting grammar. The foreword of the 2015 book makes clear it was developed in accordance with Kim Jong Un's directives to emphasize the acquisition of practical English. The book was "designed to enable students to learn four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English at a higher level and to focus on issues related to daily life and science and technology," according to its foreword. Meanwhile, English-education materials for the third and fourth grade students were designed to accommodate younger learners, with texts accompanied by many illustrations. According to the materials, the elementary students were also taught how to type alphabets on the keyboards, suggesting there are needs for the young students to write in English on the computer. These materials reviewed by VOA's Korean Service were saved on a tablet computer, branded as Ryonghung. The product was first released in 2013 and advertised as based on North Korea's homegrown technologies, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. Lee Chul said that proficiency in English helps North Korean people get better jobs, especially giving them opportunities to work overseas. "In South Korea, anyone can go abroad. North Korean people can go abroad only when they work for diplomatic missions overseas. So, English is important for the students who want to earn more money," he said. Lee Hyun Seung agreed, saying being fluent in English helps job seekers land on managerial roles. "There are two engineers. And if one of them speaks English, he will be put in a higher position," he said. He added that those who could understand English were considered "cultured" among North Korean people, especially when unprecedented summits were taking place between the North Korean leader and former U.S. President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commander hails Air Defense Force's rapid development of indigenous weapons, equipment Iran Press TV Friday, 12 July 2024 3:49 PM The chief commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force says the development of locally-made weapons and military equipment is one of the top priorities of the Air Defense Force, hailing the rapid progress made. "Today, by utilizing the serious experience of affiliated [retired] members, specialized manpower and research-based training, we are witnessing a developed form of defense that promises a bright future," Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard said. He noted that the utilization of the veterans' experience and the talent of the young generation of researchers have contributed to "the advancement of the army's Air Defense Force." "Every day, new experience and progress are made in the Defense Force...which is a commendable issue," Sabahifard said. "The Defense Force is pursuing its path of progress, with Jihadi (diligent) work and efforts, the employment of young and skilled manpower, and the utilization of point of views and experience of affiliated members." In recent years, Iranian military experts and engineers made remarkable breakthroughs in manufacturing a broad range of indigenous equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient. Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran's defense capabilities will never be subject to negotiations. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran's defense capabilities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address United States Imposes Sanctions Targeting Iran's Chemical Weapons Research and Development US Department of State Press Statement Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson July 12, 2024 The Department of State is today imposing sanctions on Hakiman Shargh Research Company for its involvement in Iran's chemical weapons research and development. These sanctions are being imposed pursuant to Executive Order 13382, which targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their supporters. The United States is designating the company for engaging or attempting to engage in activities or transactions that materially contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by Iran. This sanctions action follows the United States' repeated calls for Iran to remedy its noncompliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including at this week's meeting of the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Since 2018, the United States has assessed Iran as being in noncompliance with the CWC for its failure to fully declare its chemical weapons-related activities and facilities, and in 2024, the United States further assessed that Iran has violated the CWC due to its development of pharmaceutical-based agents as part of a chemical weapons program. The United States will continue to counter any efforts by the Iranian regime to develop chemical weapons, including those that may be used by its proxies and partners to support Iran's destabilizing agenda of inciting and prolonging conflict around the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Congress moves to create special US rep for Rohingyas A new bill would give the envoy a $10 million annual budget to investigate atrocities against the ethnic minority. By Alex Willemyns for RFA 2024.07.12 -- Two senior U.S. lawmakers are pushing legislation that would create a special envoy in the State Department dedicated to the displaced Rohingya population in Myanmar and Bangladesh and provide an annual budget of $10 million for "atrocity crime investigations." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in March 2021 said Myanmar's military "committed genocide" against the Muslim minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2017, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee across the border into refugee camps in Bangladesh. Some 1.2 million Rohingya now live in the Cox's Bazaar refugee camps, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development, which says their current $10 daily food ration is insufficient. The Rohingya Genocide Accountability and Protection Act - stylized as the Rohingya GAP Act - would create a "Special Coordinator for Rohingya Atrocities Prevention and Response" at the State Department and provide an annual budget of $10 million for five years. The envoy would be tasked with supporting "atrocity crime investigations, documentation, and casework, transitional justice and accountability mechanisms, witness protection measures, and technical support related to Rohingya," a press release says. A "Conflict Observatory for Burma" would also be created and tasked with monitoring and reporting on political violence in Myanmar, according to the bill, while college scholarships for Rohingya refugees living in the United States would also be authorized. The legislation is co-sponsored by both Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas and the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York and his party's ranking member on the Foreign Affairs Committee. It was approved by the committee with bipartisan support on Thursday and now heads to the full House of Representatives for a vote. If successful, it will then need to be approved by the U.S. Senate. Speaking during the committee mark-up session, McCaul said that swift passage of the legislation was a moral imperative. "This resolution continues our bipartisan support in addressing the crisis in Burma and the Rohingya genocide," he said. "I urge my colleagues to support this important measure and show the world the United States Congress will not let genocide go unanswered." After the bill's approval in the committee, Meeks said in a statement he believed it would ultimately be passed quickly by the House. "The State Department's determination two years ago that the Burmese military committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Rohingya was not only a critical recognition of the atrocities they have suffered, but also a call to action," Meeks said. "The Rohingya GAP Act is a key step towards protecting and supporting Rohingya and ensuring history does not repeat itself. I look forward to this legislation's swift passage on the House Floor." Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ethnic rebels close in on 2 towns in Myanmar's Rakhine state Thousands of civilians and about 100 junta troops have fled from the fighting into Bangladesh. By RFA Burmese 2024.07.12 -- Ethnic minority rebels fighting to take over western Myanmar's Rakhine state reported on Friday advances in two areas where its forces have been making significant gains against the military junta that seized power in a 2021 coup. The Arakan Army, or AA, fighting for self-determination of the state's predominantly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine population, said its fighters captured the last junta base on the outskirts of Thandwe town, the headquarters of the Infantry Battalion 55 base, on Tuesday, although junta troops still occupied the town center. Thandwe is about 250 km (155 miles) northwest of Myanmar's biggest city of Yangon, and near one of Myanmar's main beach resorts. The AA has captured 10 townships in Rakhine state and neighboring Chin state, since late last year, part of a series of setbacks for the embattled junta. In the north of Rakhine state near the border with Bangladesh, about 350 km (217 miles) northwest of Thandwe, the AA announced that its forces had seized the Ma Gyi Chaung Border Guard Camp on Thursday and was pressing junta forces at Border Guard Post No. 5 and and in nearby Maungdaw town. The insurgents said this week its forces had killed more than 750 junta soldiers in those two main battle zones. Radio Free Asia was not able to independently verify the toll but residents of both regions have been reporting heavy fighting for weeks. RFA tried to contact the junta's main spokesman, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, for information but he did not respond. Since the AA warned residents to leave Maungdaw on June 16, more than 5,000 people have fled to Bangladesh, which is across a border estuary, said one town resident who declined to be identified for security reasons. "There are at least 80 to 100 Rohingya people fleeing to Bangladesh [every day]," he said. "Boats from Bangladesh come to pick them up." Despite fighting in Maungdaw town, Bangladesh authorities have forced at least 12 refugees back into Myanmar, residents said. The Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon did not respond to RFA's request for comment. More than 700,000 members of the mainly Muslim Rohingya minority fled to Bangladesh in 2017 after the Myanmar military launched a crackdown against Muslim insurgents. Junta troops cross into Bangladesh Two residents of Maungdaw town were killed in the latest heavy weapons fire and 13 were wounded, residents said. "There is no medical doctor here or no access to medical treatment," a Rohingya resident in Maungdaw, who identified himself as Zu Bai, told RFA. "When an opportunity came up, the injured were taken to Bangladesh." RFA contacted the junta's spokesman for Rakhine state, Hla Thein, to ask about the fighting in Maungdaw, but he didn't reply. The AA did not give any update on casualties, either among junta forces or its own, but said 30 junta soldiers and border guards fled into Bangladesh during fighting on Thursday. The Dhaka Tribune reported that more than 100 junta border police officers and soldiers crossed the border on Thursday to seek refuge in Cox's Bazar. Bangladeshi Border Guard and Coast Guard forces detained the officers and soldiers, who entered the country at three different border points, the newspaper said. RFA sent a second message to Bangladesh's embassy in Yangon on Friday to ask about the junta soldiers and border guards, but no reply was immediately received. Several hundred junta troops also fled to Bangladesh in February following an attack by the Arakan Army. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn. This story has been updated to add details on junta troops fleeing into Bangladesh. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thailand considers action to stop Myanmar acquiring weapons UN rapporteur cites Singapore's unambiguous position on transfers to junta By Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA 2024.07.12 -- Thailand's commercial banks, regulators and the anti-money laundering office are considering measures to stop Myanmar acquiring weapons via Thailand's banking system, a Thai lawmaker said at a meeting with a U.N. special rapporteur. Tom Andrews, special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, said in a report last month that Thailand had become Myanmar's main supplier of military equipment through the international banking system, and he called on financial institutions to do more to stop Myanmar's junta acquiring weapons. Andrews, in Bangkok to address a parliamentary committee on security this week, called for action to cut off supplies of weapons to Myanmar's junta in line with a plan promoted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that sets out an end to violence as a first step towards peace. "I urge this committee and the government of Thailand to take a clear and strong position opposing the transfer of weapons and dual use technologies into Myanmar," Andrews told a committee hearing. Andrews, in his report "The Billion Dollar Death Trade", noted that Singapore had implemented a clear policy opposing the transfer of weapons to Myanmar. As a result, exports of weapons and related materials from Singapore-registered entities using the formal banking system dropped from almost US$120 million in FY2022 to just over US$10 million in FY2023. But Thailand, with no explicit public policy position opposing weapons transfer to Myanmar, saw exports from Thai-registered entities more than double over the same period, from just over US$60 million to nearly US$130 million, he said. He called on Thailand to conduct as thorough an investigation into transfers as Singapore had done into its companies' dealings. "Singapore has unambiguously taken this position ... that reflects the U.N. General Assembly resolution in July 2021 that called on all U.N. member states to prevent the flow of weapons into Myanmar," he said. Rangsiman Rome, head of the lower house security committee, said legislators agreed with the report and would consider action. "We have no argument against the report. Next, we will have to have measures, an action plan," Rome said, adding that the relevant organizations would report back to the committee in 30 days. Looking to Singapore Andrews said five Thai banks and Thailand-based companies were facilitating the acquisition by Myanmar's junta of weapons, dual-technology items and jet fuel, enabling its armed forces to conduct atrocities against the people. But said he had found no evidence that the Thai government was involved in or aware of the transactions or that Thai banks were aware of the nature of the specific transactions they facilitated. "While Thai banks may well have been unaware of the nature of these transactions, they are now, and the issue now is what can be done and what will be done," he said. Representatives from Thailand's central bank, anti-money laundering office and the commercial banks named in the report were present at the three-hour session at parliament in Bangkok. The Bank of Thailand said it was working with banks and the anti-money laundering office to make sure that enhanced due diligence was properly practiced. "We will take a look at what Singapore used for how we can strengthen our criteria, measures and procedures," a central bank representative said. The Thai Bankers Association said it did not have the means to investigate and monitor such irregularities beyond Thailand's borders. "If government security agencies tell us, we will stop transactions," Pongsit Chaichatpornsuk, representative of the Thai Bankers Association, said. "We don't support arms procurement by Myanmar or any military government to violate human rights." Thailand, which shares a long border with Myanmar and hosts many thousands of refugees fleeing conflict there, has tried to promote dialogue between Myanmar's military rulers and opposition forces but no progress has been made. Edited by Mike Firn. Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar resistance captures strategic town near Mandalay By Ingyin Naing July 12, 2024 Anti-junta forces captured a vital town near Myanmar's heartland this week, bolstering their position against the military junta. The offensive, in northern Shan state, involved a coordinated effort by various resistance groups, including the People's Defense Forces (Mandalay) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance. The PDF (Mandalay) is made up largely of young, educated professionals and is one of several armed groups formed by Myanmar's shadow government, the National Unity Government (NUG), which hopes to restore democratic rule in the country. During a weekslong battle that culminated Wednesday with the seizure of Nawnghkio Township, the resistance forces seized a large cache of weapons and ammunition from several government army bases surrounding the town. These included a multi-rocket launcher system, providing a significant boost to anti-junta military capabilities. In an interview with VOA on Thursday, PDF (Mandalay) spokesperson Aw Sa Mon emphasized the importance of capturing Nawnghkio, highlighting its strategic military value and the potential to shift the balance of power in the region. "Nawnghkio town borders the Mandalay region and Mount Shan. Therefore, we were able to seize a geographically important place," he said. "The operation started on June 25, coinciding with the second part of the 1027 operation, and the town was completely captured on July 10, two weeks later." Operation 1027 refers to a highly successful rebel offensive begun on October 27, 2023. The PDF (Mandalay) was joined in the assault by elements of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLF), an ethnic force based in northern Shan state. The PDF (Mandalay) confirmed Thursday in a separate statement that the combined forces had captured the junta's last remaining military base in Nawnghkio Township. "All the weapons and ammunition we have seized will be used to eradicate the military dictatorship," said the PDF (Mandalay) spokesperson, who added that the resistance fighters had captured more than 100 prisoners. "Among the prisoners taken by us, some willingly surrendered and some were captured during battle," said the spokesperson. "We also arrested Lieutenant Colonel Than Tun Aung, as he was attempting to escape from his base camp" near Mandalay. "We pursued him and were finally able to catch him and put him under arrest." Key town at crossroads In a phone interview with VOA, former army Major Naung Yoe explained the strategic significance of the region. Naung Yoe, along with other former soldiers from the Myanmar military, fled the country after the 2021 coup and joined a civil disobedience group known as Peoples Goal, based in the Thai-Myanmar border region. "By capturing Nawnghkio, the resistance forces can now control the Mandalay-Lashio road," Naung Yoe said. The army still controls the supply route from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin, another strategically important town near Mandalay and home to one of the military's primary training academies. But the military has "now lost the Mandalay-Lashio route, showing that junta forces can't completely secure their ground supply routes to this and other areas in upper Shan state." Naung Yoe also said the road running through Nawnghkio was the starting point for the military junta to send support overland to its troops in northern Shan state. "Now the junta can no longer use these crucial routes." Trade route with China Nawnghkio is also located on Myanmar's most important trade route between Mandalay and China. "This route is now controlled by revolutionary forces, delivering a major trade blow to the junta," Naung Yoe said. "China will need to reach an agreement to reopen the route, since it has a such significant impact on trade." The former army major also pointed to the significance of weapons captured by the resistance forces, many of which the rebels could not buy. "The seized arsenal includes advanced weaponry such as howitzers, missile battalions, 84 mm Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft guns and infantry-support machine guns. These tactical military weapons will aid in offensives in heartland areas," he said. "The anti-aircraft weapons obtained from the PDF (Mandalay) can now threaten the junta's aircraft, providing a significant strategic advantage," Naung Yoe added. "In terms of military strategy, these captured weapons make the resistance forces more capable and enhance their long-term prospects." Junta response As of Friday, the Myanmar junta had not officially addressed its losses in Nawnghkio. On Tuesday, however, it released a video about recent battles for the nearby town of Lashio, headquarters of the junta's northeastern command. Attacks on the town, led by the PDF (Mandalay), TNLF and another ethnic armed group known as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, were briefly successful in capturing a military base but were largely thwarted by junta airstrikes. In the video, junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun blames civilian deaths on rebel forces. "The combined armed group started attacks against Lashio on July 3, firing short-range rockets and launching drone attacks randomly against the town daily from afar," Min Tun asserted. "As a result, 18 innocent civilians were killed and another 24 were wounded." The junta spokesperson went on to describe what he called an alliance between the MNDAA and the National Unity Government, which has yet to acknowledge any such alliance. TNLA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo told VOA by phone that the deaths of civilians in Lashio were the result of the military's shelling, not attacks by the resistance groups. Operation 1027, Phase II "In the 16 days of the second phase of the 1027 Operation [started June 25], more than 40 military bases in northern Shan state have been captured by the TNLA and the combined resistance armed groups," Yay Oo said. "Since the first phase of the operation, our joint forces have more experience, so this time around it is easier to face the military, because we know what to expect," she said. "Also, some of soldiers from the junta military have deserted and have joined our side." Yay Oo said the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which comprises her TNLA and two other ethnic armies, has joined forces for the second phase with other rebel forces including the PDF (Mandalay) and other PDF groups. "That is the way this revolution will be won, by fighting together to abolish and end the military dictatorship in the country," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan's top court rules former PM Khan's party eligible for reserved seats By Sarah Zaman July 12, 2024 In a much-awaited decision Friday, Pakistan's top court declared former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party was entitled to its share of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies, handing the incarcerated leader's supporters a major legal victory. The 8-5 decision, broadcast live, overturned an earlier verdict of the Election Commission of Pakistan, and backed by a provisional court, that deprived Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, of close to 80 reserved seats in the national and provincial legislatures. The decision that will see more than 20 seats in the National Assembly go to PTI deprives Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's ruling coalition of a two-thirds majority. However, with more than 200 seats in hand it will retain a majority required to rule in the body of 336. PTI leaders hailed the victory, calling it a golden day in Pakistan's history. "It is a day of joy for supporters in and outside Pakistan. We finally got our right," PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan told media outside the court. The court's short order affecting the makeup of national and provincial assemblies comes five months after Pakistan went to the polls on February 8. The election that saw PTI-backed candidates win the largest number of seats in the National Assembly, the lower house of the country's bicameral parliament, faced widespread allegations of pre-poll rigging and result manipulation. The election commission and Sharif's ruling coalition have rejected foreign calls to investigate alleged electoral discrepancies. Addressing a press conference soon after the verdict came, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told media the decision was painful. "It's painful that apparently the articles of the constitution were not interpreted but rewritten," Tarar said. He said repealing the verdict would be the Cabinet's decision. Background According to Pakistan's elections laws, seats reserved for women and non-Muslims are allotted to parties in proportion to the number of seats they win in the general elections. PTI was forced to run candidates as independents in the February 8 polls after the country's top court upheld the election commission's decision to strip it of a unified electoral symbol. The election commission took away the party's symbol after it declared PTI's intraparty elections invalid. PTI candidates still won 93 seats in the National Assembly, leaving behind Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party of the Bhutto dynasty. To maintain a unified presence in the legislature, PTI-backed candidates joined the Sunni Ittehad Council, or SIC, making the right-wing religious party the parliamentary face of PTI. However, the election commission rejected SIC's claim to reserved seats in March, citing technicalities, including that it did not submit a list of names for reserved seats before the election. The ECP then doled out reserved seats to other parties boosting PTI's opponents' position across national and provincial legislatures. Later the same month, the Peshawar High Court upheld the election commission's decision. In May, however, the Supreme Court suspended those verdicts, putting the ruling alliance's two-thirds majority on hold and the status of several lawmakers occupying reserved seats in limbo. Overturning the election commission and provincial court's decisions on Friday, the top court's majority declared PTI did not lose its status as a political party in the assemblies despite losing its electoral symbol prior to polls and running candidates as independents. The court asked PTI-backed lawmakers to declare their party affiliation with the commission. It ordered the commission to allot the party its share of reserved seats across all legislatures. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea looks to NATO in face of North Korea-Russia military threat By Christy Lee July 12, 2024 At the NATO summit this week, South Korea found narrow options to deal with security threats it faces from Russia-North Korea military cooperation, but concrete actions to boost Pacific security are likely to follow, analysts said. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with NATO allies and partners at the summit in Washington where discussions involved their support for Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic cooperation with the Indo-Pacific. At a meeting between NATO allies and the IP4 partnering Indo-Pacific countries of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on Thursday, Yoon underlined threats that deepening Moscow-Pyongyang ties pose to Seoul. "Military and economic support that Russia can provide North Korea will increase threats posed to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific," Yoon said, calling for cooperation between the two countries to be "thoroughly blocked." Following their meeting, IP4 countries issued a joint statement condemning "the illicit military cooperation" between Russia and North Korea. Washington and Seoul have estimated that North Korea has sent about 10,000 containers of munitions to Russia. Moscow and Pyongyang denied any arms transactions. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said at a forum Tuesday that the U.S. is "watching carefully to see what Russia provides" to Pyongyang in return and "what impact that has on the security of the Indo-Pacific." A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told VOA's Korean Service on Friday that "efforts by Russia to bolster [North Korea] militarily will only lead to a strengthening of our security partnership with allies across the Indo-Pacific and Europe." Analysts said NATO's response to Russia-North Korea military cooperation in East Asia is limited for now to include joint drills and naval patrols, but closer cooperation among IP4 countries is expected. Evans Revere, who served as the acting assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs during the George W. Bush administration, said, "The emerging partnership between NATO and IP4 is a work in progress, and the coming months will see new cooperative efforts between and among the partners." He said that could include a U.S. effort to institutionalize IP4 by adding "substance and action-oriented specifics to this group." Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said in an interview with South Korean news agency Yonhap on Wednesday that the U.S. wants to "institutionalize" IP4, which would involve Seoul playing a "global role going forward." Joint drills NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a public forum Wednesday that NATO allies are actively looking into how they can have naval exercises with Asia-Pacific partners in addition to air drills. Japan is scheduled to hold a series of joint air drills with Germany, Spain and France a all NATO members a in July. Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, said, "Selective NATO member states capable of exercising with South Korea and Japan and other Indo-Pacific partners underscores international support for Seoul's national interest in maintaining peace in its region." Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation chair at the Brookings Institution, said, "I wouldn't be surprised if there are more, more coordinated types of exercise so that if there were conflict that would erupt, there would be ways of different militaries to cooperate." Maritime patrols At a NATO public forum Thursday, Yoon underlined significant contribution to the region provided by joint maritime patrols that some NATO members conduct to enforce sanctions on North Korea. Canada and the United Kingdom as well as IP4 members Australia, Japan and New Zealand have been participating in maritime patrols to enforce those sanctions. However, there are limits to what these patrols can do, according to Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow on Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation. Klingner said, "The lack of authority to intercept violating ships limits the missions to monitoring violations." He continued, "Maritime shipments cannot be intercepted since U.N. resolutions against North Korea were implemented with Chapter 7, Article 41 authority, which does not allow for interceptions on the high seas. Any international response will be in term[s] of [a] punitive economic response or providing additional military assistance to Ukraine or Indo-Pacific nations threatened by North Korea." US nuclear deterrence Yoon and President Joe Biden met on the sidelines of the NATO summit Thursday and later issued a joint statement on guidelines for nuclear deterrence and operations on the Korean Peninsula. The guidelines, signed by defense officials, provide ways to integrate Seoul's conventional weapons and Washington's nuclear weapons in various contingencies. The U.S. and South Korea will conduct joint exercises to implement the deterrence guidelines, Kim Tae-hyo, South Korea deputy national security director, told a news conference Thursday in Washington. "At the end of the day, the security architecture in Asia depends fundamentally on the U.S. relationship with the ROK, Japan, Australia and New Zealand," said Gary Samore, former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. "Even though the U.S. would like to see something like NATO in Asia, we haven't reached that point yet, though there are small steps in that direction, like joint exercises," he continued. UN Command At a meeting with Yoon on Wednesday, Germany expressed its willingness to join the U.N. Command (UNC), a multinational military body created at the beginning of the Korean War of 1950-53 to defend against North Korean aggression. "NATO has no direct role" on the Korean Peninsula, said Robert Rapson, who served as charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. But he said several key NATO members "have a security-related presence" in the UNC and could "contribute towards maintaining security and stability" there. Pyongyang on Monday said it would regard a U.S. attempt to revive the U.N. Command as "the second version" of NATO. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia warns Israel of 'dramatic consequences' over its strikes on Syria Iran Press TV Friday, 12 July 2024 6:04 PM Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warns that the Israeli regime's strikes against Syria will escalate tensions in the region and push it to a "dangerous abyss." Speaking to reporters during a briefing on Friday, Zakharova said Russia condemns the recent Israeli aggression against the Mediterranean coastal city of Baniyas in the northwestern province of Tartous. She added that the Israeli aviation carried out the strikes late on Monday "under the pretext of arms depots located there." "We categorically condemn such irresponsible actions. They increase the probability of the spread of the Middle Eastern conflict, and push the region to a dangerous abyss," the Russian spokesperson said. Zakharova emphasized that Russia once again urged the Tel Aviv regime to refrain from resorting to violent actions against Syria and disregarding international law, which may cause "dramatic consequences". Syria's official SANA news agency quoted a military source as saying that the Israeli enemy carried out an "aerial aggression from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea west of Baniyas, targeting one of the points" in the vicinity of the city. According to the source, the aggression caused material losses. The Israeli airstrike against the crisis-hit Arab nation comes amid the regime's bloody onslaught against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip, which has so far killed at least 38,345 Palestinians, most of them women and children, while another 88,295 individuals have sustained injuries. Israel frequently targets military positions inside Syria, especially those of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah which has played a key role in helping the Syrian army in its fight against foreign-backed terrorists. The Tel Aviv regime has been the principal supporter of terrorist groups opposing the democratically-elected government of President Bashar al-Assad. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2024/07/12 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1. Dateis 6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8)Thursday to Friday, Jul. 11-12 2.PLA activitiesis 18 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 14 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO agrees to provide extensive support to Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 12/07/2024 The NATO countries have agreed to increase military support to Ukraine significantly. Measures approved by the Allies at the Washington Summit include EUR 40 billion in support within the next year, a greater coordinating role for NATO in training and weapons support, and the appointment of a NATO Senior Representative to head the NATO Representation to Ukraine. 'NATO stands firmly unified in its support to Ukraine's fight to defend itself. I am pleased the NATO countries have agreed on important, concrete measures at this summit. It is crucial not just for Ukraine, but for the security and safety of all of Europe that Russia does not achieve its aims. Ukraine's safety and security are inextricably linked to our own,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr StAre. In a joint declaration issued Thursday at the Washington Summit, the NATO members affirmed, among other things: Continued provision of EUR 40 billion in military assistance within the next year. The defence Alliance will take on a larger role in the coordination of training and weapons support for Ukraine. It was emphasised, however, that NATO's coordinating role does not mean that NATO is becoming a party to the conflict. 'NATO's stronger role in Ukraine does not make the Alliance a party to the conflict. But there is a deeper acknowledgement among the leaders of the Alliance that the situation is grave for Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security alike. The fact that we have reached this agreement for Ukraine is important in and of itself,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. NATO has decided to establish NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), which will coordinate the provision of training and donations to Ukraine. Hundreds of people will be working with this. Among other things, the aim is to enhance interaction with Ukraine, support burden-sharing among the Allies and ensure transparency with regard to the contributions. The NATO countries also agreed to strengthen civilian staffing at the NATO Representation to Ukraine in Kyiv and to appoint a Senior Representative as a focal point to ensure adequate coordination between Ukrainian needs, Allied support and the multi-pronged efforts of NATO. NATO will not have a military presence in Ukraine. 'The summit shows that Ukraine is not alone, but has the strong support of the Alliance. The decisions taken in Washington demonstrate clearly that our support for Ukraine's battle to defend itself remains steadfast for the long-term. Putin is wrong to believe time is on his side,' said Mr Eide. The pledges of military support are the most important part of the new declaration. 'The declaration establishes a commitment to draw up concrete plans as well as to accelerate and intensify our efforts to strengthen Ukraine's own defence capability,' said Minister of Defence BjArn Arild Gram. Norway is already taking active part in various aspects of the effort to assist Ukraine, including in the training and instruction of Ukrainian soldiers. Other key components of Norwegian support include weapons support and air defence. This week Norway announced important new measures, such as the donation of six fighter jets, an agreement for more than NOK 1 billion in funding that will make it possible to increase Norwegian production of artillery ammunition and missiles, and additional support to provide assistance to Ukraine in the course of 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky. July 12, 2024 15:30 Novo-Ogaryovo, Moscow Region The Governor briefed the President on the development of social services, in particular, the opening of a branch of the Artek International Children's Centre, the establishment of the Mayak (Beacon) Federal Youth Centre, the launch of an oncology clinic, the construction of a regional children's hospital, and the renovation of a university. He noted that the Russian Federation fulfils all its obligations to citizens set out in the Constitution. According to opinion surveys, over 80 percent of people support the Government, the President and the United Russia party, which is the driver of change in the region. Yevgeny Balitsky asked the President to support the upcoming 200th anniversary of Berdyansk, a popular resort city on the Sea of Azov. * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Balitsky, let us look at the documents you have prepared for this meeting. I would like to note that the key issue is ensuring the security of the region and the safety of its people. We will do it without fail. We will achieve this goal, there can be no doubt about it. I also take note of the issues that must not be left unattended. They concern security, in particular, the security of the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant. The enemy is now directly targeting the plant, which means that we must give more attention to it. Regrettably, the people and forces that are supporting the Kiev regime take no notice of that. They are making a big mistake, and we will remember this and will talk about it many times. Despite all the difficulties, we can clearly see the recovery of agriculture, industry, and the construction sector. This trend should certainly be supported. Of course, the key priority is the renovation of the housing and utilities sector, infrastructure and residential buildings. It is this goal that I want the Government to focus on. And now, we will talk about all the issues you have prepared for discussion at our meeting. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Landsbergis in Washington, D.C.: "Only our brave steps to accelerate Ukraine's NATO membership will protect Ukrainian children from deadly missiles" Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2024-07-12 The NATO-Ukraine Council, established during the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, met in Washington, D.C., for the second time at the leadership level, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participating. "Only our brave steps to accelerate Ukraine's NATO membership will protect Ukrainian children from deadly missiles, provide Ukraine with real security guarantees and create lasting peace for Europe and the Alliance," the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis, who represented Lithuania at the meeting, said. The head of Lithuania's diplomacy also drew attention to the fact that Putin was behaving increasingly brutally, not because of the international community's actions but because its response was not strong enough. "Ukraine's victory must become a strategic goal for the whole Alliance. If we lack determination, the war against Ukraine will last a long time - Russia's aggression could come close to NATO's door. Thus, Russia must be defeated in Ukraine," Landsbergis said. On the last day of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., Landsbergis also attended a solemn ceremony, during which the leaders of the signatory states finalizing their respective security agreements and arrangements with Ukraine welcomed the announcement of the Ukraine Compact. "Today, together with our allies and partners, we have consolidated the promise made to Ukraine in Vilnius that our support will be continuous and long-lasting," Landsbergis, who represented Lithuania at the ceremony, noted after the ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Ukraine Compact is a non-binding declaration of long-term support for Ukraine. It aims to accelerate collective efforts to build Ukraine's future forces, continue the supply of military equipment, and support Ukraine's defence industry. The 25 Compact signatories include the United States of America, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskiy Hails Ukraine Compact As 'Important Achievement' For Kyiv, Others By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and, RFE/RL July 12, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed a new agreement on long-term support for Ukraine finalized at this week's NATO summit in Washington as an "important achievement" and praised the U.S. leadership for its "decisive action" to ensure Ukrainian security. The conclusion of the so-called "Ukraine Compact" committing the United States and more than 20 countries plus the European Union to help protect Ukraine was announced by U.S. President Joe Biden at a joint press conference alongside other NATO leaders and Zelenskiy at the close of the summit on July 11. "This Ukrainian agreement, which we are concluding, takes our relations to a new level," Zelenskiy said. "It is an important achievement for Ukraine and all of us." "I thank President Biden for his leadership and efforts to ensure that our security cooperation is full of decisive action," Zelenskiy said. "There are 23 strong agreements, and there will be agreements with other countries. And we have a historically important security agreement with the United States." He said the agreement had helped Kyiv acquire crucially important air-defense systems to help fight off Russia's ongoing, 28-month-old full-scale invasion. Twenty-four NATO leaders and Ukraine approved the compact as part of boosted defense and other commitments to Ukraine. The signatories also pledged to meet "rapidly and collectively" at the highest level in the event of a future attack by Russia on Ukraine after the cessation of the current conflict. Biden has called the compact a "central part" of the "bridge" on Ukraine's path toward NATO. "[H]ere today, with all these important people behind me, we take another important step in our collective support for Ukraine," Biden told the press conference. "Last year, the G7 nations...signed on to a declaration to protect Ukraine long term, not just for the duration of this war but beyond, after they win. Twenty-five additional countries quickly joined them and pledged to negotiate and sign a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine." Biden said "more countries are finalizing theirs as we speak." NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at the summit that the alliance was "putting in place the foundations for Ukraine to prevail" in its effort to defend itself against Russia and said the alliance "cannot and will not allow this to happen again." "Violence and intimidation do not pay," Stoltenberg said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-ukraine-compact-biden- defense/33033555.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On The Battlefield, Russia Leans Into A Window Of Opportunity That Ukraine's Trying To Shut By Mike Eckel July 12, 2024 It's the dog days of a brutal summer on Ukraine's battlefields, where Russian advances have been slow but relentless and Ukrainian forces are stretched thin by a lack of soldiers, strained by the exhausted frontline units unable to rotate out for rest. After several months of uncertainty -- when Western weapons supplies slowed to a trickle and Ukraine struggled to replenish its troop numbers -- the situation has more or less stabilized for Kyiv. "Things are better [than in the spring], despite the huge number of clashes," said Serhiy Hrabskiy, a retired Ukrainian Army colonel. But at 28 months and counting since Russia's all-out invasion, there's no end in sight to Europe's largest land war since World War II. The human toll continues to mount. Total casualties -- dead and wounded -- now exceed 500,000, according to Western estimates, but are likely far higher. Britain's top military officer said Russia alone had suffered that many casualties as of last month, and Russian news organizations, using probate data, have estimated as many as 140,000 Russian soldiers have died since February 2022. Ukraine has not disclosed its casualty figures, although President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in February that 31,000 soldiers had been killed in the previous two years -- a figure seen as a gross undercount. "Ukraine is in a difficult position now, manpower-wise, and they are going to struggle until mobilization starts delivering significant new manpower to the front," said Konrad Muzyka, a Polish military analyst who recently returned from a trip to some of the frontline positions. "The biggest question is when these mobilized guys start entering the front line." Here's a look at where things stand on the battlefield, along the nearly 1,200-kilometer front line that stretches from the mouth of the Dnieper River in Ukraine's south up to the Russian border north of Kharkiv in the east. No, The Kharkiv Offensive Has Not Failed (But It's Definitely Not Over, Either) In early May, Russia opened a localized offensive along parts of the border near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Thousands of troops, mainly infantry, with some armored units, crossed into Ukraine, with the main thrust pushing into Vovchansk, a town of 17,000 people before the invasion, located less than 10 kilometers from the border. Ukraine quickly redeployed more experienced units from elsewhere, and Russian advances into Vovchansk morphed into slow, incremental street fighting, which continues today. The village was roughly 50 percent occupied by Russia as of July 12, and Russia is unlikely to advance farther. It's also unclear how Russian units would have fared if they had succeeded in moving south out of Vovchansk, where Ukrainian defenses are more formidable. "Ukrainian forces stabilized the line of contact, then pushed back Russian forces," Hrabskiy said. "I assume now that Russian forces will try to desperately keep their positions." Some Russian officials -- President Vladimir Putin among them -- said that the effort was aimed at creating a buffer zone -- to stop Ukrainian forces from launching cross-border attacks on cities like Belgorod. Or the goal may have been to put Kharkiv within artillery range, to threaten the city's civilian population. However, experts said the grouping and the number of forces utilized meant that Russian commanders had a different goal. "The Kharkiv offensive wasn't the offensive. It was just supposed to spread Ukrainian forces thin and force [the] Ukrainians to deploy reserves, to weaken lines somewhere else in the Donetsk Oblast," Muzyka said. "To a limited extent, it worked." A U.S. decision allowing Ukraine to use U.S. weaponry to hit Russian targets across the border from the Kharkiv region also helped the effort, forcing Russia to relocate some of its missile batteries and forward-operating aircraft. The Coming Fall Of Chasiv Yar? Located on a height of land about 15 kilometers west of the obliterated city of Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar had been the goal of Russian forces for at least a month before the Kharkiv offensive. The town's heights make it ideal for targeting artillery and reconnaissance, and capturing it would allow Russian troops to threaten a key railway junction at Kostyantynivka, used by Ukraine to supply frontline units. Ukrainian defenses have relied in part on the Siverskiy Donets-Donbas Canal, a waterway running north to south and separating the town's main center from an outlying eastern district known as Kanal. Ukrainian forces withdrew from Kanal on July 4. "It became impractical to hold the Kanal neighborhood after the enemy entered it because it threatened the lives and health of our servicemen, and the positions of our defenders were destroyed," Nazar Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Khortytsia grouping of forces, said in televised comments. In Chasiv Yar, as in other places along the front line, Ukrainian positions have also been ravaged by Russian glide bombs -- high-explosive bombs that are retrofitted with smart guidance systems then delivered to targets by fighter jets. Ukraine has no great way to defend against them. The bombs are near impossible to intercept and Ukrainian air-defense systems are at a premium, particularly ones like the U.S.-built Patriot systems, which would be targeted themselves if they were deployed close to the front line. "They can destroy the entire tree line with a few [glide bombs] and make it indefensible," Muzyka said. How long can Ukraine hold out in Chasiv Yar? The Center for Defense Strategies, a Kyiv-based think tank headed by a former defense minister, predicted it could fall to the Russians before the end of the summer, though that would come with substantial losses. Frontelligence Insight, an open-source organization run by a Ukrainian reserve officer, also predicted the town would eventually fall to the Russians. Toretsk Torrents About 25 kilometers south of Chasiv Yar, the former mining city of Toretsk had suffered relatively little compared with other Donetsk settlements close to the front lines. Last month, however, Russian forces began making tangible advances toward the city, claiming the village of Shumy, about 10 kilometers to the east. Ukraine's top military officer, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said on July 2 that fighting had intensified around Toretsk. Russian units also punched through Ukrainian lines south of Toretsk, creating a bulge, or salient, near Nyu-York, a village widely known as New York. It's unclear exactly why Russian forces were able to move forward so quickly, though open-source intelligence reports point to a Ukrainian troop rotation that may have been botched. "The Russians very effectively use the lack of communications between troops, problems of coordination between units," he said. "I'm disappointed about it...but this is war. You're a soldier in war. You use whatever advantage you can get. The Russians took advantage." Aerial video released on July 11 by the 32nd Separate Mechanized Brigade -- one of Ukraine's more battle-hardened units -- showed the city largely reduced to rubble. Toretsk is likely the primary objective for Russian commanders right now, Hrabskiy said, because capturing it would give Russia control over a wider urban area stretching along the western edges of the Donetsk region. "For the Russians, it is critically important for them to capture this location," he said. "Attacking Toretsk head-on; they're in a hurry. The window of opportunity is starting to close, because the current flow of men and weapons is turning to Ukrainian advantage." To the southwest of Toretsk, Russian forces have also pushed north and northwest out of the town of Ocheretyne, creeping toward the N32 highway, which runs from Pokrovsk to the northeast to Kostyantynivka. Capturing the highway would cut off a major supply line for Ukrainian forces in the area. Of Men and Planes In addition to exhausted troops and problems with unit coordination, analysts also have reported seeing problems with poorly trained soldiers and soldiers whose age -- over 40 -- makes them less effective. In his July 2 statement, Syrskiy himself alluded to the personnel problems: for Ukrainian commanders, the biggest issue is "manning units with motivated, well-trained military troops." Still, Ukraine's system for mobilizing, training, and deploying more men is gradually gearing up. That, plus the renewed flow of U.S. and Western weaponry, should give Ukraine the ability to definitively stabilize its lines, possibly within the next six to eight weeks. "Mobilization is delivering good numbers," Muzyka said. "To what extent they can sustain that is unclear." For that reason, Russia is pushing hard toward Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, and digging in outside of Vovchansk, trying to secure tangible successes soon. "We've probably passed, or about to pass, the greatest period of vulnerability. Things were looking pretty bad [for Ukraine] in April; I would say pretty grim," Michael Kofman, a defense analyst at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in a podcast last month. "If you look at shipments of ammunition; if you look at the front steadily stabilizing, at least in most places, even though the Ukrainian forces are stretched in some; if you look at Ukraine's recent efforts to significantly increase mobilization, then we're likely passing out this period [of vulnerability] once we get to July, August, thereabouts," said Kofman, who also just returned from Ukraine. But even with a new influx of soldiers, Ukraine's wider disadvantages are clear: Russia has a far larger population to draw from to replenish its losses -- and has used extraordinarily lucrative wage offers and survivor and death benefits to attract volunteer soldiers. For Russia, "there's steady flow of men to do head-on infantry assaults. That allows Russia to maintain pressure on Ukrainians across the wider front," Muzyka said. Still, evidence that Russia is having to stretch its own units and capabilities are showing up on the battlefield. Hrabskiy said Russian units were increasingly using vehicles to transport infantry that are not intended for that purpose: things like MT-LBs, which are lightly armored amphibious vehicles usually used for towing artillery or other equipment. Russian troops have also been seen using motorcycles and ATVs to conduct small-scale assaults. 'More Attacks Will Be Coming' Ukraine's biggest worry would be its electricity grid, which has been pummeled by Russian missiles and drones for months now. Even as Ukrainian air defenses have improved, Ukrainian engineers have struggled to replace generating capacity, and repair damaged lines, transformers, substations, and other power infrastructure. "I'm very certain they are not going to get necessary additional power connected" before the winter, Muzyka said. "More attacks will be coming, maybe in the autumn, because the grid is very, very vulnerable now, on the brink of collapse. "In general, the Ukrainians are expecting that major cities will have massive blackouts this winter; maybe three hours of electricity during the day, three hours at night," he said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-battlefield-war- offensive/33033990.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Week In Russia: MH17 And The Children's Hospital By Steve Gutterman July 12, 2024 A decade after a Russian missile shot down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over the war zone in Ukraine, Russia strikes a children's hospital in Kyiv. NATO vows staunch support for Kyiv, but Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban undermines the message. And the Kremlin's clampdown on dissent continues. Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward. 10 Years After A decade ago, the war in the Donbas was three months old when something horrible happened: A passenger jet flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over the battle zone in eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. It was high summer, July 17, and many of the passengers were headed for vacation or to see relatives halfway around the world. There were 80 children among the dead. In its immediate aftermath, the MH17 tragedy drew global attention to the conflict in the Donbas, where Russia had fomented unrest and was fully supporting anti-Kyiv forces, at times sending in troops to fight alongside them. It generated expressions of outrage in the West and a hail of disinformation from Russia as President Vladimir Putin's government sought to deflect blame for the downing of a civilian airliner in a war it falsely claimed to have little or no part in. In February 2022, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine turned that still-simmering war into the biggest armed conflict on the European continent since 1945. Every day, Ukrainian children are among its victims. That has been underscored repeatedly: When Russia bombed a theater in Mariupol where the word "children" was painted on the pavement outside to indicate that there were many children among those sheltering inside, for example. When a 4-year-old girl was killed in a cruise missile strike on the west-central city of Vinnytsya, or when the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for "the war crime" of illegally transferring children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. In 2016, an international investigation concluded that MH17 was shot down by a missile fired from a Russian Buk launcher that was brought into territory held by the anti-Kyiv forces and spirited back across the border into Russia shortly afterward. Almost 10 years after the downing of MH17, a projectile that military analysts, open-source researchers, and Ukrainian authorities said was a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile struck the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv on July 8. Shifting Blame It killed two adults and wounded more than 50 people, including children, city and hospital officials said, and it disrupted vital surgery and other treatments and displaced patients, parents, and staff. Some of the children affected were being treated for wounds they suffered in previous Russian attacks. As with MH17, a brief silence gave way to a host of false narratives, unsupported claims, and outright lies about what occurred. The missile strike on the hospital came on the eve of a three-day NATO summit in Washington at which support for Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion was a central issue. The attack was widely condemned by Western leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden, who called it a "horrific reminder of Russia's brutality." "While the useful idiots are rambling about peace with Putin, he is sending missiles to a children's hospital," said Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, who summoned the Russian ambassador on July 9 to deliver a message to Moscow: "Murderers who attack children in hospitals are the dregs of humanity." A stark exception to the chorus of condemnation, and a possible target of the first part of the Czech diplomat's comment, was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. He was on what he called a "peace mission" that included meetings with Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Chinese President Xi Jinping and -- late on July 11, after the NATO summit, with former U.S. President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee in the November 5 election. Orban, like Trump, has not detailed a proposal for peace, but his comments have suggested that, like a blueprint outlined by advisers to Trump and like others calling for talks, he believes that ending the war any time soon would require Ukraine to leave a substantial portion of its territory under Russian control. If Orban's actions and words pointed to rifts in the West over Russia's war against Ukraine, a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored ambivalence further afield. Modi, whose country relies heavily on Russia for arms and oil, met with Putin on the day of the children's hospital strike and waxed enthusiastic about ties in comments on social media. Still in Moscow a day later, he said that "when innocent children are murdered, one sees them die, the heart pains and that pain is unbearable," but he did not mention the hospital strike or directly blame Putin or Russia for the war. "It is a huge disappointment and a devastating blow to peace efforts to see the leader of the world's largest democracy hug the world's most bloody criminal in Moscow on such a day," Zelenskiy wrote in a July 9 post on X that included photos of the aftermath of the strike on the hospital. Modi also indicated he told Putin that "for the brighter future of our next generation, peace is of utmost importance." 'Irreversible Path' Such remarks, by Modi and others calling for a negotiated solution, may seem straightforward, but they fall far short of assigning responsibility for the continuing bloodshed to Russia. Putin, after all, has repeatedly said he's open to peace talks -- it's just that he has set preconditions that include, among other things, requiring Ukraine to cede five of its regions in their entirety and to stay out of NATO forever. At the NATO summit in Washington, leaders backed what the main statement from the gathering called Ukraine's "irreversible path" to membership, saying that Kyiv has a right to choose its own security arrangements and that its "future is in NATO." Ever since he launched the unprovoked invasion in 2022, a substantial part of Putin's propaganda push involves portraying Kyiv and the West as the warmongers, even amid attacks like the strike on the children's hospital. Case in point: A July 11 report by the state news agency TASS that read, "NATO summit's documents show that West stands against supporting peace - Kremlin." Some in the West, meanwhile, say the United States and Europe are doing too little to support Ukraine's defense. The Russian strike on the children's hospital "provides yet another layer of evidence about the mindset of Putin and his determination to erase the culture, and indeed the very existence, of Ukraine," Mick Ryan, a military analyst and retired Australian Army major general, wrote on Substack. "And it should provide further impetus for rethinking Western strategy about the war and a rapid elevation in the level of Western support to help Ukraine defeat Russia." The Clampdown Amid the constant carnage of Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as high-profile events such as the NATO summit, developments inside Russia may draw less attention than they otherwise would -- which may be how the Kremlin likes it. But the unrelenting clampdown on dissent and anything that the state chooses to see as dissent has continued alongside the invasion. Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2023 on a treason conviction stemming in part from comments in which he accused the "dictatorial regime in the Kremlin" of committing war crimes in Ukraine, was kept from seeing lawyers for a week this month, raising fears for his life. Kara-Murza's health is fragile following two severe bouts of illness that he suffered in Russia. He believes he was poisoned by the Russian security services over his opposition to Putin, and the FBI has investigated the matter "as a case of intentional poisoning." This week, Russian authorities put Yulia Navalnaya on a wanted list and on a registry of "terrorists and extremists" shortly after she was elected to head the New York-based Human Rights Federation. Navalnaya has accused the Kremlin of murdering her husband, Aleksei Navalny, the opposition politician who was barred from challenging Putin in a 2018 presidential election and who died in unexplained circumstances in February at the Arctic prison where he was serving a 19-year sentence on an extremism conviction that he and his supporters say was politically motivated revenge for his activism. On July 8, a Moscow court convicted theater director Yevgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriichuk of "justifying terrorism" and sentenced each to six years in prison over a play that opened last year about Russian women who married Muslim men and moved to Syria. Supporters of Berkovich and Petriichuk say the charge is absurd and suspect they were targeted over criticism of the war in Ukraine. On July 9, Nikolai Kolin, a shoemaker in Moscow was found guilty of financing terrorism and sentenced to 14 years in prison after allegedly sending sending 5,000 rubles ($57) to the Russian Volunteer Corps, which has fought alongside Ukrainian troops battling against the invasion. Kolin's prison term is twice as long as the sentence handed down to a former Wagner Group mercenary who was convicted of murdering a 32-year-old mother of three after returning home to the Far East region of Primorye from the war in Ukraine. The former mercenary, whose name was not released to the public, had reportedly been recruited by Wagner from prison. A rash of violent crimes committed by former inmates sprung from prison to fight in Ukraine has left civilians fearful of returnees from the war. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/mh17-children-hospital- ukraine-war-week-russia-gutterman/33032829.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Diplomat Says Kyiv's Drive Toward Western Norms Will Thwart Moscow's Aggression By Zoriana Stepanenko July 12, 2024 WASHINGTON -- Ukraine's position in its battle to repel invading Russian troops has improved recently and Kyiv's drive to integrate with Western democratic structures will ultimately triumph over Moscow's aggression, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien told RFE/RL in an interview. Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. on July 11, O'Brien said the fastest way to peace is for Ukraine to be strong enough to win the war, which is why the military alliance, and the United States in particular, are stepping up supplies and aid to Kyiv to help drive out Russia while at the same time preserving a functioning economy. NATO this week announced a major aid package to support Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion, including the delivery of long-awaited U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets and the provision of $43 billion in military assistance within the next year. "I think the quickest path to peace is that Ukraine be strong enough to win the war and between what we are doing here this week and what has been done in recent months, we feel very confident that Ukraine will be able to say to Russia we can continue fighting and defeating you through 2025," O'Brien said. U.S. officials earlier in the week said that despite an intensification of air strikes and moves on the battlefield by Russia's army, Ukraine's position has improved since a $61 billion aid package was passed by Congress in April. O'Brien said that by the end of the year, Kyiv will be able to say it has pushed back Russia, showing its resolve, and that of its allies. "It's clear that Ukraine will thrive, it will integrate in the West, it will be able to join the EU, as it was just invited to do, as it reforms, and in all of that, I don't think Russia will be able to maintain a conflict. The key to Russia's frozen conflicts is that it tries to keep those societies from joining the West and the rule of law. And that's not going to be allowed as part of the solution to this conflict," O'Brien said. In order to reclaim ground and weaken Russia's war machine, Kyiv has been pushing Washington and other key allies to remove restrictions on the use of weapons they give Ukraine's army. The issue of how Ukraine uses their donated weaponry is up to individual NATO members to decide. Some have said Kyiv can use them to strike Russian territory, while others have said their donated weapons can only be used within Ukraine. Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskiy's administration, told a NATO forum this week that lifting restrictions on how Ukraine uses donated weapons would be a "game-changer." O'Brien said discussions about how U.S. weaponry is to be used are ongoing to ensure their usage "is the most effective in military terms" and that Ukraine is still able to use "its own weapons" as it deems suitable. "The president [Joe Biden] has said that we provide the weapons Ukraine's able to use in an effective way at a time it's able to use them...Any chances that limitations will be lifted? I think we always have discussions with Ukraine about what's most militarily effective," he added. The NATO summit ended with a communique stating Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" to membership in the alliance. O'Brien said NATO is giving Ukraine "the tools it needs" to go through the reform process necessary to become a member, including for the first time placing a senior civilian representative in a candidate country to help it navigate the process. "As Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken has said, there will be a bridge to NATO, it will be short, unimpeded, well-lit, assisted to help Ukraine join. And that's why we say it's irreversible. Do the work, come in. And that's what's necessary and always has been." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/obrien-kyiv-drive-western- norms-thwart-moscow-aggression/33033953.html Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Commentary: Civilization dialogue increases mutual understanding, bridges cultural gap Xinhua) 14:30, July 13, 2024 JINAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- In a world aggravated by weak and unbalanced economic growth and geopolitical tensions, the pursuit of a sustainable way for different countries and civilizations to coexist has emerged as an important and imperative issue. Against this background, it makes sense to draw wisdom from Confucianism. Heavyweight scholars and participants of the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations noted that the world should move toward the Confucian ideal of "harmony in diversity." As the host city of the forum, Qufu, east China's Shandong Province, is the birthplace of ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. With such a cultural pedigree, it is no wonder that Qufu has become a hotspot for international cultural exchanges. Chinese civilization has cherished peace and inclusiveness over its millennia-old history. Ancient Chinese thinkers emphasized the importance of rituals and peace in daily life, as illustrated by the age-old adage: "In practicing the rules of propriety, it is harmony that is prized." Today, peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation are the shared aspirations of people worldwide. The values of "peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom" put forward by China echo humanity's common values and aspirations. China has built a range of channels to promote dialogue between different civilizations, such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations. The Global Civilization Initiative, a public good offered by China to the world, calls for opening up a new prospect of enhanced exchanges and understanding among different peoples and better interactions and integration of diversified cultures. Today, traditional Chinese culture is better perceived by the world. A batch of books about Chinese philosophical wisdom have been translated into different languages and warmly received by the global book market. The Chinese classic "Dao De Jing," or "The Classic of the Way and Virtue," has been translated into nearly 100 languages and is one of the world's best-selling cultural masterpieces. Ancient Chinese concepts of greatness in simplicity and harmony with nature have won the hearts and minds of readers worldwide. As the world's second-largest economy, China is integrated with the world in an increasingly profound way. Therefore, mutual understanding between China and the West carries special significance. "The Analects of Confucius" stated: "It is such a delight to have friends coming from afar." China is committed to promoting mutual understanding and making friends through open and communicative means. The recent "China travel" boom exemplifies the vibrant people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world, and helps foreign visitors understand Chinese culture and society more. The progression of economic globalization means that the future of all countries is closely connected. Humanity's modernization requires tolerance, coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations. Given the unprecedented challenges facing humanity, it is even more necessary than ever for all countries to respect diversity and deepen exchanges and mutual learning for a shared future. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) July 12, 2024: In Ukraine the Russians use a large number of S-400 SAM (Surface to Air Missile) systems to protect their forces and the bases located on the Russian side of the Ukrainian border. In theory, S-400 should be able to protect itself from any aerial threat, including high-speed ballistic missiles. Ukrainian tactics against S-400s involve use of the ATACMS missiles they received from the United States. Most ATACMS have a range of 300 kilometers while some have a range of 165 kilometers. Ukrainians are using the 300 kilometer version which is capable of changing its trajectory after launch, and deploys hundreds of bomblets over the target. The ATACMS long-range versions mid-flight change of trajectory breaks any target lock Russian SAM radars, including the S-400, have on them so those have too little time to reacquire the ATACMS warhead and lock on to it. Plus the S-400 radar does not notice the bomblets because they are too small for the radar to bother with. The bomblets land in a large area and manage to destroy the S-400 radar, the fire control operators truck as well as several missile launchers, each containing four missiles, The ATACMS also manages to avoid getting shot down by an S-400 missile by at least a dozen drones being sent in first and, as the S-400 was shooting down drones, at least five ATACMS were launched to release 300 or 800 bomblets over the target area, where the S-400 battery was deployed. These tactics managed to destroy an S-400 system that was situated too close to the Ukrainian border. Normally S-400 batteries are based further to the rear but the Russians wanted to take out aerial targets farther inside Ukraine and positioned this S-400 battery too close to the front line to protect itself from Ukrainian tactics. Russia began the war with fifty S-400 batteries. By mid-2024 about a quarter of those batteries were destroyed or severely damaged. Russia has had to remove S-400 batteries protecting areas deeper inside Russia and move them in closer to prevent Ukrainian warplanes, especially the new American F-16s, from being a problem, and to shoot down the growing number of missiles being fired at Russian targets. This led the Ukrainians to develop tactics that would reduce the number of operational S-400 batteries making Ukrainian air space dangerous for Ukrainian aircraft or Ukrainian missiles fired at Russian targets. Ukrainians were not the first to discover how to deceive and destroy S-400 air defense batteries. In 2018 Russia announced that the last component of the S-400 SAM system, the 40N6 long 400 kilometer range missile, had been accepted into service and that there were plans to build a thousand of them. Russia currently has 41 battalions/batteries, both terms are used, with at least 330 operational truck-mounted launchers. What makes a group of launchers, usually 4-8, a battery is the search radar and command center. After twenty years of development, all the initially specified components of the S-400 system are in service. The S-400 is advertised as the most modern and cost-effective SAM system available. An S-400 battery sells for about half what a comparable American Patriot battery does. The major difference between Patriot and S-400 is not cheaper price or much more impressive specifications but combat experience. The S-400 has none and the Patriot has lots and is gaining more every month in Saudi Arabia and Israel. The S-400 is attractive to buyers because it looks good and costs a lot less than combat-proven systems. Another major factor is the quality of the crews and the training they receive as well as the capabilities of air defense commanders who decide how the SAM systems are used, and the ability of the commanders and their crews to quickly adapt to enemy capabilities and tactics. Patriot export customers get experienced and demanding instructors. If their students do not try or are not trainable for one reason or another, the Americans will make an issue of it because the performance of the Patriot depends on crew effectiveness. Russia is more understanding of such problems. Russia can provide skilled and exacting instructors but will back off if the customer is not interested in paying for that degree of instruction. If crews end up poorly prepared to handle S-400 in action, Russia will also quietly provide Russian crews who will be called something else like maintenance advisors but stand ready to take charge if the S-400 has to perform well. Russia is also accommodating when it comes to paying large sales commissions as bribes to get the sale and handle follow-up training and maintenance support. So for many reasons, few of which a buyer would want to be publicized, the S-400 is a more attractive purchase than Patriot. These sales tactics are nothing new for Russia and were common during the Cold War, especially when Russia was offering high tech weapons to corrupt dictatorships who appreciated a supplier who understood their needs. Historically the ineptest users of Russian SAMs have been, and apparently still are, the Syrians while the most effective users of similar Western systems are the Israelis and Americans. The Saudis are building quite a record with their use of Patriot systems against Iranian supplied ballistic missiles fired by Yemen Shia rebels. The Saudi Patriots have shot down nearly all the 100 or so Iranian, and some older Russian ballistic missiles, fired at Saudi Arabia. The only success the Syrians have had using the older S-200 system is to shoot down a slow, four-engine Russian maritime reconnaissance aircraft off the coast. The S-200 entered service in the 1960s and has been updated since. The S-300 entered service in 1978 and has had no combat kills. The S-400 entered service in 2007 and is also without any combat experience. The Syrians didnt mean to shoot down the Russian aircraft. They were aiming at Israeli aircraft which were already back in Israel. Russia, to demonstrate how attentive it is to customer needs, agreed with the Syrians and blamed Israel even though the Russians knew exactly what happened. Syria also holds the dubious distinction of having their Russian air defense system wiped out in 1982 by the Israelis, who suffered no losses while doing so. Those Russian air defense weapons are not really that ineffective. In 1999 Serbian crews, using some of the same systems the Syrians had, managed to avoid destruction and even shoot down an F-117 stealth aircraft by being adaptive and more imaginative than the Syrians in 1982. Two other factors are important. After the Cold War ended in 1991 the United States was able to purchase some S-300 systems, tear down some of them and get others operational and actually use them in realistic testing. This data was shared with the Israelis. This showed that the S-300 was a potentially effective system, but a lot depended on the crews and their commanders. The Russians have also learned from experience and because of that the S-400 and later post-Cold War S-300 systems use a lot more automation for the operators, making the systems less dependent on crew skill. But there is still the question of commander quality and the ability of the commanders to adapt to combat conditions. Finally, there is the fact, it is no secret, that post-Cold War Russian weapons suffer from serious quality control problems during manufacturing and several of the new Russian missile and electronic systems have suffered embarrassing failures when put to use. No wonder the S-400s are so cheap. They are priced to sell, not actually work in combat. But in the hands of competent and adaptive users, the S-400 and other Russian systems can be a lot more effective than those operated by poorly trained and led operators. An S-400 battalion/battery has eight launchers, each with two or four missiles, plus a control center and radar and 16 missiles available as reloads. All equipment is mobile. S-400 was originally known as the S-300PMU3, SA-21, and was renamed S-400 because it turned out to be far more than just another upgrade of the S-300 and was considered sufficiently different to warrant a name upgrade. The S-400 entered service in 2007 when the first units were deployed around Moscow. Russia claimed the S-400 could detect stealth aircraft, implying that the hypothetical enemy was the United States. Russia also claims the S-400 can knock down short-range ballistic missiles, those with a reentry speed of up to 5,000 meters a second, in the same way the similar U.S. Patriot system does. Russia immediately offered the S-400 for export, an effort that is hampered by a lack of combat experience for the system. Patriot has knocked down aircraft and ballistic missiles, S-400 has not. Moreover, Russia anti-aircraft missile systems have a spotty history, especially when confronted by Western electronic countermeasures. The first S-400s were based around Moscow as part of a project to rebuild the Soviet-era air defense system, which has fallen apart since the early 1990s. During the first six years of use, between 2006 and 2012, Russia put 12 S-400 battalions into service. Before the crash in oil prices and sanctions over attacking Ukraine hit in 2014, Russia was planning to have 56 S-400 battalions in service by 2020. That was not hurt much by budget cuts as there were about 40 battalions in service by mid-2017. Even before then, the Defense Ministry ordered more of the older S-300V system in 2012. This seems to indicate that the S-400 was having problems; it has certainly encountered many delays but these were apparently cleared up. The S-400 appears to have not only matured technically but has undergone frequent upgrades and modifications. Nevertheless, the S-400 had not yet experienced any actual combat although it has performed well in tests. The S-400 claims to be superior to the U.S. Patriot and is expensive by Russian standards. By 2012 Russia was pushing the S-400 as an export item, despite all the advanced technology in it. Most S-400 missiles weigh 1.8 tons each, are 8.4 meters long, and about 50cm in diameter. There are actually four different missiles, each with a different range; 9M96E is 40 kilometers, the 9M96E2 is 120 kilometers, 48N6 is 250 kilometers and 40N6 is 400 kilometers. All missiles can reach targets as high as 30 kilometers. The missile has a 145.5 kg warhead. The target acquisition radar has a range of 700 kilometers. S-400 missiles can hit short range ballistic missiles up to 60 kilometers away. Belarus and Algeria already had some S-400 equipment delivered and active. China ordered six battalions, India five and Turkey four. Several other countries were negotiating purchase deals. The S-400 has more range than the 160 kilometers of the American Patriot, weighs twice as much, and claims far more capabilities. The S-400 anti-missile capability is limited to shorter range, under 3,500 kilometers an hour incoming speed, ballistic missiles. That would mean a warhead coming in at about 5,000 meters a second. The longer the range of a ballistic missile, the higher its re-entry speed. The S-400 system actually has two types of missiles, one of them being smaller with a shorter range of 40 and 120 kilometers and two larger missiles with much more range of 250 and 400 kilometers. The 40/120 kilometers range missiles are deployed four to a launcher, like S-300 systems. The S-400 has no experience against Western countermeasures but U.S. intelligence believes that tests these systems have undergone indicate it is a capable air defense weapon. Just how capable won't be known until it actually gets used in combat. None of the S-300 series systems have any combat experience either but some models have performed well in tests. The S-400 is to be complemented and eventually replaced by the S-500. This system was perpetually stuck in development, and also had several embarrassing delays announced. In 2009 S-500 was declared on track to enter service in 2012. That deadline was missed and the service date was moved to 2014, then 2015 and currently 2020 or the early 2020s. The original S-300 was known to NATO, during the Cold War, as the SA-10. This system entered service in the late 1970s and was subsequently upgraded several times. One major upgrade came to be called the SA-12 and it entered service in the late 1980s. Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin's interview with Rossiya Segodnya, July 12, 2024 12 July 2024 10:07 1320-12-07-2024 Question: What does Russia think about the idea of a new summit on Ukraine scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia? Has Moscow received an invitation to it? Will Russia attend the next summit on Ukraine if it receives an invitation? Mikhail Galuzin: We are aware of the Kiev regime and its Western patrons' plans to make up for the failure of the "peace summit" held at Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland in mid-June by holding a similar event. They are even thinking of inviting Russia to it. The place for it has not been chosen so far, but geography does not matter. What matters is the essence, which is absolutely clear. They are using the same rhetoric over and over again in the hope of selling the idea of the misguided "Zelensky's formula," which has been worded as an ultimatum. We see open disregard for other initiatives on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and double-dealing. We do not accept such ultimatums, and we are not going to attend such "peace summits." Question: The Russian authorities have said more than once that we are ready for talks on Ukraine, but Kiev has prohibited itself from holding them. Could this situation change after the US presidential election? Mikhail Galuzin: You have put the finger on the point regarding Ukraine's real master who is steering the illegitimate regime, which has usurped power in the country and is obediently fulfilling its orders. That master is the United States. Washington is the main designer and beneficiary of this conflict. It was with Washington that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson coordinated his manoeuvre when he forbade Kiev to hold negotiations with Russia in April 2022 and called for the war to continue until the final victory, thereby preventing the possibility of signing a peace treaty on terms acceptable to both Ukraine and Russia. Actually, Americans make no secret of their mercenary aspirations, which the current and former secretaries of state confirmed the other day. Antony Blinken said openly that nearly all of the new military aid package for Ukraine would be invested in the US defence industry. His predecessor, Hillary Clinton, told our pranksters Vovan and Lexus, who phoned her on behalf of Petr Poroshenko, that Biden's re-election depended on Ukraine's offensive and demanded that Kiev must start this suicidal counteroffensive and keep fighting. It does not look like anything much will change on the Ukrainian track after the US presidential election. In this context, Ukraine is unlikely to be ready for talks. Question: Earlier, you said that Switzerland has lost its neutral status, which means that the Geneva discussions on the South Caucasus should be moved to another platform, which would be more acceptable to all parties. Which countries are ready to host regular meetings in this format? When can that happen? Mikhail Galuzin: I would like to clarify at the outset that the Russian side does not question the relevance of the negotiation format itself, while at the same time being in favour of using a different host country. These are two separate issues for us. On the one hand, this negotiating platform has been useful and effective for years. It has been largely instrumental in maintaining relative calm in the Georgian-Abkhazian and Georgian-South Ossetian border areas, curtailing the risks of escalation of tensions on the ground. On the other hand, the need to move these discussions from Geneva is dictated by objective reasons caused by Switzerland's final loss of neutrality in the context of the Ukraine conflict. There are numerous examples of Bern's involvement in the aggressive policies pursued by the collective West, such as joining the EU anti-Russia sanctions and acting in solidarity with the Kiev regime. These circumstances are in fact forcing us to raise the question of transferring the talks to another host country, one where the government would, firstly, refrain from any steps that could harm the interests of any of the parties to these talks, and secondly, would have sufficient experience in hosting international dialogue formats. We consider it premature to name any specific capitals or possible dates for the move yet, since the parties are still working to achieve the consensus necessary to resolve this issue. Our allies in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are in full solidarity with Russia's approach. Question: Along with hosting discussions on the South Caucasus, Switzerland also represents Russia's interests in Georgia. Considering Bern's recent steps, will the Swiss side continue to be involved in representing Russia's interests? Mikhail Galuzin: Bern's unfriendly policy towards Moscow cannot fail to affect the Swiss Confederation's mutual representation of the respective interests of Russia and Georgia. But, as you understand, in such cases, the decision on mediation is taken with both sides' consent. Question: Would Moscow reinforce its border with Abkhazia following the shootout at the Psou checkpoint near the Russian-Abkhazian border? Mikhail Galuzin: As the Foreign Ministry sees it, there is no need for additionally strengthening the state border with Abkhazia. The incident you have mentioned took place at the entrance to the Psou checkpoint in the territory of Abkhazia on June 23, which the local law enforcement authorities quickly dealt with. As far as I know, the current situation on the Russian-Abkhazian border is stable. We believe that Abkhazia has the greatest interest in preventing such incidents because they can damage the tourist appeal for Russian holidaymakers. I would also like to note that a large-scale renovation project is underway at the Adler international automobile checkpoint. When it is finished in late 2026, its throughput capacity will increase to 14,500 vehicles and 80,500 people a day, which will greatly simplify border crossing for our countries' citizens and other visitors to "the land of the soul." Question: Has Russia defined the red lines the crossing of which would amount to Armenia's movement closer towards NATO and US umbrella? What would Moscow do in this case? Mikhail Galuzin: We have notified our Armenian partners of our views on this matter and openly stated them. Regarding security, I would like to emphasise that Armenia remains a CSTO member and is a party to numerous bilateral military and military-technical agreements. Unfortunately, instead of constructively discussing its concerns, Yerevan has opted for a different approach. Armenia has decided to build up cooperation with NATO or individual members of the alliance, especially when it comes to adopting NATO standards, arms purchase or holding joint exercises, not to mention participation in the bloc's summit currently underway in Washington. All this is extremely regrettable. By rapidly developing cooperation with those whose goal is to inflict "strategic defeat" on Russia, Yerevan could seriously destabilise the situation in the South Caucasus, including to the detriment of its own security. I believe that experienced specialists and politicians in Armenia are aware of the potential consequences of such imprudent actions. In my opinion, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk spoke in no uncertain terms about the impossibility of keeping a foot in both camps at the Primakov Readings held in Moscow in late June, even though he referred to Yerevan's economic aspirations in the EU in the context of its EAEU obligations. Question: An EU mission has been working on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan for 18 months. What does Moscow think about the EU's involvement in Armenian-Azerbaijani affairs? Has it produced any practical results? Mikhail Galuzin: We have a negative attitude to the activities of the EU mission in Armenia, as we have pointed out more than once. The EU's apparent goal is to gain a foothold in the region to the detriment of the interests of these South Caucasus countries' traditional partners and neighbours, such as Russia, Iran and TArkiye. We have not seen any practical results of the EU observers' operation. Their presence has not prevented the periodic clashes on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. They send their reports directly to Brussels and do not even share them with Armenia. There are grounds to believe that they are collecting intelligence about Russian facilities and all Armenia's neighbours. We are also concerned that the EU mission is not only increasing, with Yerevan's approval, but could eventually become a permanent body. Moreover, Canadian representatives joined the mission in April 2024, which amounts to NATO's creeping movement into the South Caucasus. We always raise the issue of the EU mission in our contacts with Yerevan and other regional partners. We reaffirm our belief that sustainable peace in the South Caucasus can only be established through the comprehensive implementation of the package of trilateral agreements which the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia reached in 2020-2022. Question: Would Russia participate in settling the conflict between Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, which flared up after Yerevan threw accusations at Minsk and put forth its terms for resuming operations within the CSTO? Mikhail Galuzin: Regrettably, we have no explanation for Yerevan's harsh stand regarding our Belarusian partners. Alexander Lukashenko always highlighted his interest in stability and security in the South Caucasus. The Belarusian leader's initiatives were aimed at reconciling the conflicting parties even in the most difficult periods. Minsk and Yerevan are our allies, and we are developing multifaceted cooperation with them. Armenia and Belarus are members of the CIS, the CSTO and the EAEU. Moscow would like the current period of complications between our friends to end as soon as possible. Anyway, we hope that temporary differences will not affect the development of our cooperation within our common integration associations. We urge both capitals to look beyond the horizon, to see the importance of the time when a new world order is evolving, and to understand that we would like not only Minsk but also Yerevan to take part in this process. Question: What is the progress status on the aircraft construction projects with Minsk? Mikhail Galuzin: Russian industrialists are interested in greater involvement of our Belarusian allies in existing Russian aircraft construction projects as well as in joint development of aircraft. This prospect fully aligns with our goals of strengthening technological sovereignty and deepening industrial cooperation within the Union State. Belarus has the required industrial base and personnel for this. The Russian side has already established effective cooperation with Minsk Civil Aviation Plant No 407, a supplier of components for the Russian medium-haul MS-21 aircraft. Plans are in place to increase the volume of orders and expand the range of products for the MS-21 manufactured by Belarusian suppliers. Russia and Belarus are working on a joint project to manufacture light aircraft, which are in high demand in view of an extensive network of region-to-region air routes being created to meet current market needs. Following the Moscow meeting between the prime ministers of Russia and Belarus on April 15, an intergovernmental agreement was signed on the development and joint production of the 19-seat Osvey aircraft in Belarus. In fact, Belarusian specialists have been involved in research and development on this project from day one. The plan is to roll out about 90 aircraft by 2030. The possibility of joint production and maintenance of Baikal nine-seaters is also being considered. There is no doubt that cooperation with our Belarusian allies in aircraft manufacturing will help us achieve the import substitution objectives, replace products from unfriendly states and ultimately create safe and internationally competitive aviation equipment. Question: Are there any news on the project to develop a Belarusian port in the Murmansk Region to tranship Belarusian goods? Mikhail Galuzin: Thanks to the joint decisions made, we have significantly increased the volume of transit of Belarusian goods to third countries. Last year, 15.5 million tonnes of Belarusian petroleum products and potash fertilisers alone were shipped to foreign buyers across Russia's territory. The total volume of Belarusian goods traffic via Russia exceeded 20 million tonnes. In this situation, Belarus's proposal to build its own multipurpose terminal in the port of Lavna in the Murmansk Region was met with support by the Russian leadership. Our Belarusian friends are contemplating considerable investment in this high-potential project, which is going to give them access to the transhipment of containers, mineral fertilisers and oil products using the Northern Sea Route. It is obvious that our Belarusian partners' interest in having their own port facilities in the Murmansk Region stems from a prior successful initiative in this area, the acquisition of Port Bronka, a deep-water sea terminal within the Big Port of St Petersburg. In 2023 alone, the volume of transhipment of Belarusian goods there reached 4.3 million tonnes, and this year's plan is to tranship 6 million tonnes. Without a doubt, the development of transport and logistics infrastructure in Russia meets our common interests. Question: President of Russia Vladimir Putin has announced Moscow and Minsk's plan to abolish mobile roaming across the Union State territory. When can this happen? Can we expect it this year? Mikhail Galuzin: Indeed, we believe it is important to expedite the cancellation of roaming charges in the Union State. We are confident that this decision will spur on tourism and people-to-people contacts. We have achieved a great deal on this track to date. In November 2020, roaming charges were significantly reduced. That increased subscriptions to Russian telecom operators in Belarus, accordingly augmenting incoming voice traffic, text messaging and data traffic. From April 1, 2022, operators cancelled incoming call charges across the Union State. Now we are working together with our Belarusian friends on a comprehensive decision to abolish roaming across the Union State territory. At the preparatory stage, we agreed to develop a financial and economic model based on the averaged data on the use of mobile plans that do not exceed 300 minutes of outgoing calls and 20-25 GB of data traffic per month. Such parameters are in line with the best international practice. In general, our experts believe that Russian subscribers in Belarus and Belarusian subscribers in Russia will be able to take advantage of "home" paying plans for telecom services from April 2025. We will make every effort to complete the work by that time. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the UN General Assembly adopting Ukrainian draft resolution "Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant" 12 July 2024 18:00 1323-12-07-2024 On July 11, the UN General Assembly reviewed Ukraine's draft resolution "Safety and security of nuclear facilities of Ukraine, including the Zaporozhskaya Nuclear Power Plant." Ninety-nine countries, mostly members of the collective West which strictly adhere to the bloc discipline, as well as their closest associates, supported the adoption of the text. Western delegations were conspicuously reluctant to take the floor in order to discuss the motives for voting. This outcome was among the worst for the Kiev regime and its sponsors from the UN General Assembly since the beginning of the special military operation. Importantly, the document was drafted in a non-transparent, hasty and erratic manner. They flatly refused to consider the proposals put forward by a large number of delegations seeking to make comprehensive adjustments to the draft resolution in order to depoliticise it. Many of our colleagues complained that they had been informed about the voting on short notice and did not have a chance to exchange insights with their respective capitals, blaming the draft compilers for using unscrupulous practices. The true purpose of this move, which is to "bless" and legitimise the outcomes of the recently held pseudo-peaceful and pseudo-global get-together in BArgenstock, Switzerland, where the Kiev regime failed to cobble up a broad-based international coalition, can be clearly seen behind the plausible front of ensuring nuclear security and the physical safety of nuclear facilities. Sensitive issues like that ought to be discussed at specialised venues that possess the necessary expertise. In this particular case, we are talking about the IAEA with its sector-specific discussions currently underway. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi formulated five points to ensure the Zaporozhskaya NPP safety. Kiev persistently violates the most important point which talks about the unacceptability of attacking the plant. The Russian side regularly sends the relevant evidence to the UN Security Council, the IAEA Secretariat, and other international entities. Rafael Grossi himself constantly turns the spotlight on threats to the ZNPP during his briefings at the UN Security Council. Clearly, the lack of understanding and support on the part of the IAEA prompted the Ukrainians and their like-minded associates to submit a patently biased document to the UN General Assembly. The resolution includes a set of impractical political demands on Russia, which migrate between UNGA documents. A right-minded person knows that if the Kiev regime was genuinely interested in keeping the nuclear facilities safe, it would have stopped the irresponsible shelling of ZNPP and the adjacent town of Energodar which is home to the plant's employees and their families. In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Russia stands ready to continue to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of nuclear sites, including the ZNPP and other plants located within our borders. We call on the Zelensky regime and its Western mentors to come to their senses and to stop acting irresponsibly pushing humanity towards a disaster of planetary proportions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The situation in Ukraine and technical co-operation: UK national statement to IAEA Extraordinary Board, July 2024 UK Ambassador to the IAEA Corinne Kitsell's statement to the International Atomic Energy Agency Extraordinary Board of Governors meeting on Ukraine 12 July 2024 Thank you, Chair. On 8 July, Russia launched another prolonged and deadly missile attack against cities across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih. At least 41 people lost their lives, with over 170 injured. These attacks hit critical national infrastructure and civilian buildings, including - most egregiously - medical facilities. Chair, As we know, in Kyiv, the Okhmadyt children's hospital - Ukraine's primary provider of specialist paediatric and oncology care - was struck. We are relieved that Director-General Grossi confirmed there are no nuclear safety or security risks at the hospital. However, this incident is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat to radioactive sources and nuclear materials in Ukraine - a threat that would not exist were it not for Russia's ongoing invasion. Chair, The Russian delegate seems to have suggested that the radiology department of the hospital was not seriously impacted because it is in the hospital basement. It is shocking that Russia, a Rays of Hope partner, seeks to downplay the significance of its attack. Chair, Russia claims that "everybody" knows that this heinous attack was not conducted by Russia. That claim is utterly false, and we find Russia's egregious propaganda campaign against Ukraine deeply shocking. Throughout Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, Russia has attacked Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian buildings, as a deliberate tactic of war. Perhaps Russia has been surprised by the levels of revulsion at this latest attack; it seems cowardly that Russia insults us with fake news rather than owning its actions. Unfortunately, this is the same absurdity we see when Russia speaks proudly about its efforts on Nuclear Safety after having taken a Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant by force. Chair, Somehow Russia, having illegally invaded another country, is trying to portray itself as a victim here. This is farcical. Chair, We must join together here today to condemn Russia's actions against Ukraine and against the Agency's Technical Co-operation work as we have done across the other interests of this Agency. We must all support this resolution tabled by Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy Discussed Regional Cooperation with the Governor of Utah President of Ukraine 12 July 2024 - 23:37 During their working visit to the United States, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska met with Governor and First Lady of Utah Spencer and Abby Cox. The Head of State thanked for the humanitarian assistance provided by Utah organizations and noted that it is important for him to personally express gratitude to all Americans, Governors and Senators for their support. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke in detail about his visit to the United States, in particular about his meetings in Congress, at the White House, and participation in the events of the NATO Anniversary Summit. "It was a very successful Summit. It was not only about weapons, air defense, and Ukrainian children, but also about reconstruction and housing. And we are grateful to you for your humanitarian support, especially with housing. We had a good delegation from Utah in Ukraine, and we invite you to visit us again," the President said. The Head of State spoke about successful examples of partner states' patronage of Ukrainian regions and suggested establishing regional ties between Ukrainian regions and the US states. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the challenges Ukraine faces in preparing for the school year and expressed the need for bomb shelters in educational institutions and hospitals. Olena Zelenska added that the fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen would be held in Kyiv in autumn and invited the First Lady of Utah to attend. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address I Invite You to Build People-to-People Connections That Will Last Forever - Speech by the President of Ukraine at the Meeting of the US National Governors Association President of Ukraine 12 July 2024 - 23:26 Governor Cox, Esteemed Governors and all present here, First of all thank you very much for the invitation and thank you to all who really cares about protecting life. These days, I have been in Washington. I visited the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. I was in the United States Congress - speaking with representatives of both parties, in both chambers. I was at the White House and the NATO Summit - meeting with President Biden. At each of these meetings, I thanked America, all our friends in America, and all Americans who support Ukraine, our people, our freedom, our independence in this terrible war started by Russia. Thank you so much for your support! Thank you! Unfortunately, there are different wars in the world, but this is a war where it is absolutely clear what is good and what boundaries evil crosses. This is one of the most transparent battles between good and evil of our time. It is clear that Ukraine has done nothing wrong before God and people, and all the pain our country suffers - is only the result of Russia's criminal actions and sick desires, only its unprovoked and unjust aggression. So, it is so valuable that so many people and countries have united to help us - to save our freedom and, thus, the common human understanding that evil must always lose. What else would our world rely on if evil did not lose and if good people did not unite in battles against what threatens any life and any values? Of course, everyone does what they must. I have said many times that we do not ask the United States and other partners to fight for us. We do not ask for your boots on the ground. The only thing we ask for is sufficient support - air defense systems for our cities, weapons for our men and women on the front line, support in protecting normal life and rebuilding. This is all we need to withstand and drive Russia from our land and to send a strong signal to all other potential aggressors which are watching. And we truly receive such support. I am grateful for this. Thank you again. We receive it from American friends, from dozens of countries - and America's leadership is indeed felt. We receive it from many ordinary people, communities, and companies from different parts of the world - and everyone who does not remain indifferent truly protects life. As it has been said, "The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to their labor." Today, I especially want to personally thank you for your support - the state of Utah, other states, many American hearts, and many American communities - all those who do not want and will not allow evil to prevail. Dear friends, Many of you have probably heard or seen in the media about the recent Russian missile strike on a children's hospital. Several days ago. A direct hit on one of the hospital buildings - and this could not have been just a coincidence. Children who, with the help of doctors, are trying to overcome terrible diseases such as cancer and heart diseases - found themselves on the street, amidst ruins, and some were trapped under the debris. The hospital "Okhmatdyt," one of the best children's hospitals not only in Ukraine but in all of Europe, was significantly damaged. We are now working to quickly restore its operations and ensure that children can be treated in other hospitals - cancer does not wait for the Russians to stop bombing our cities, and children need treatment now. Children also need to go to school. Their parents need to feel at least basic safety - to be able to live, work, and provide for their families. Just think about the numbers - Russia destroyed nearly one hundred and sixty thousands of civilian objects, just one hundred and thirty thousand homes, three thousand schools, seven hundred medical, and one hundred and seventy churches. Who are they? All of this presents us with a huge range of tasks, and many of them will be resolved within communities, very close to the ground. And that is why we so deeply appreciate when our friends from around the world come to Ukraine to see everything for themselves, speak the truth about what they have witnessed, help rebuild all that is necessary for a normal life, and personally tell everyone who has not seen such a war that good must always triumph in war. To make this happen - to ensure the true victory of good - your voice, each governor, each community leader, all pure hearts, is crucial. I invite all of you to visit Ukraine - to see our people, our struggle. I am proud of our people and what Ukrainians are achieving now. Believe me, together we can achieve much more for all of us - for our countries, for our communities, for our people. I invite you to build people-to-people connections that will last forever. We already see Utah's contribution to rebuilding our country - you have helped thousands of people. And such help can be help for millions of people, and for the cause of good in general, which rewards everyone - regardless of where they live. Because we all share the same values and we do not want war to disrupt life anywhere. Thank you for your support! I wish you fruitful work, productive discussions at these meetings, and I hope that together - Ukrainians and Americans - we will prevail. God bless America and Americans. NNN! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cooperation at the Level of Defense Companies and Assistance in Reconstruction: the President Met with American Governors President of Ukraine 12 July 2024 - 22:47 In Salt Lake City, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the annual meeting of the National Governors Association and met with the leaders of the American states. The Head of State praised the support of the Congress, both parties and chambers, the US Presidential Administration, and all the American people to Ukraine. He thanked the regional authorities for hosting Ukrainian refugees. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the situation on the battlefield, Russia's daily terror against Ukrainian civilian objects, critical and energy infrastructure, including the missile attack on the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital. "You should know that Russia attacks our schools, universities, and hospitals every day. And that is why the NATO Summit was so important to strengthen our air defense. We are grateful to America and other partners. And the decision to transfer several additional defense systems is very important for us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The President emphasized our need for bomb shelters in educational institutions, as well as air defense, and electricity generation and called on U.S. Governors to develop regional cooperation with Ukrainian communities. "We are grateful for the humanitarian aid and the housing, especially for the people who lost it because of the shelling. They lost their homes, and so they really needed to renovate or rebuild them from scratch, to restore their lives. So, we are grateful to your business," the President said. During the meeting, the President of Ukraine and the American Governors also discussed cooperation at the level of defense companies and the reconstruction of Ukrainian schools and hospitals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On the Sidelines of the NATO Summit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Met with Giorgia Meloni President of Ukraine 12 July 2024 - 09:54 In Washington, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, Giorgia Meloni. The Head of State expressed gratitude for making Ukraine's defense capabilities and reconstruction priority issues during Italy's G7 presidency this year. Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared information about the situation on the frontlines and the Russian aerial terror against Ukrainian cities, including the attack on the leading children's hospital "Okhmatdyt" in Kyiv. The leaders discussed Ukraine's primary needs, especially regarding air defense, the results of the first Peace Summit, as well as preparations for the second Summit and the next Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will take place in Italy in 2025. During the meeting, special attention was paid to the outcomes of the NATO Summit in Washington, which marked another significant step towards Ukraine's future membership in the Alliance. Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented Giorgia Meloni with the Order of Freedom for her significant personal contribution to strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and Italy, and supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin calls talk of long-range missiles in Ukraine 'dangerous escalation' By VOA News July 12, 2024 Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Friday statements by NATO members this week regarding the possible use of long-range weapons systems in Ukraine represent a "dangerous escalation." During a joint news conference Thursday with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the United States to lift its restrictions on the use of U.S.-supplied weapons so Ukraine can fire on targets deep within Russia. Currently, the U.S. limits Ukraine to only returning fire on targets just inside the Russian border wherever it is coming under attack. At the news conference, Zelenskyy said, "If we want to win, if we want to prevail, if we want to save our country and to defend it, we need to lift all the limitations." Zelenskyy's top aide Andriy Yermak made the same request earlier in the day. Speaking with reporters in a telephone briefing Friday, Peskov said Russia watched the NATO summit in Washington carefully, and he called the issue "highly provocative." "We see statements by representatives of some capitals, London and so on, who do not see any restrictions in this regard," Peskov said. "And we see countries that are trying to keep some kind of the balance and say that they are against such easing of the terms for the use of long-range missiles." Peskov claimed long-range missiles already were being used to target areas such as Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia a parts of eastern Ukraine that he claimed are Russian territories. "As for increasing this firing range," he said, "this is pure provocation, a new, very dangerous escalation of tension." Comments about Biden On the subject of U.S. President Joe Biden and the attention being paid to his age and verbal slips, Peskov said that was an internal U.S. political issue and the concern of the U.S. voter, not Russia. But the Kremlin spokesman did say Russia considered comments made by Biden about Russian President Vladimir Putin to be "absolutely unacceptable." He said it was "impermissible for a head of state to speak so disrespectfully of another head of state." Peskov did not specify which statements he found so objectionable, although Biden did refer to Putin as "a murderous madman." UN resolution Meanwhile, the U.N. General Assembly late Thursday adopted a resolution demanding Russia "urgently withdraw" its military and other unauthorized personnel from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and "immediately return" the plant to full Ukrainian control a to ensure its safety and security." The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution with 99 votes in favor, nine against and 60 abstentions. The Zaporizhzhia plant, the largest in Europe, was captured by Russia shortly after it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The plant is shut down but needs external power to keep its nuclear material cool and prevent a meltdown. New military aid Also Thursday, Biden announced significant new military aid at the NATO summit. The president made the announcement about the $225 million package during a meeting with Zelenskyy. Among the items included are a Patriot missile battery; munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS; Stinger anti-aircraft missiles; ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS; and 155-millimeter and 105-millimeter artillery rounds. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pune, July 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Medical Clothing Market Size Analysis: According to SNS Insider Research, The Medical Clothing Market was valued at US$ 85.95 billion in 2023 and anticipated to reach US$ 163.84 billion by 2032 with compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.45% over the forecast period 2024-2032. Growing Demand for Medical Clothing Market A number of converging forces have driven unparalleled expansion within the medical clothing market. The increased sensibility for infection prevention and some exiting fabric technology advancements has resulted in a high demand for new, improved protective garments. It highlighted the importance of medical clothing in protecting both healthcare worker and patient; an issue that COVID-19 only served to make more urgent. The industry places an emphasis on innovation in antimicrobial fabrics, added comfort and functional design elements such as integrated instrument pockets. The creation of copper ion-textiles and wearable sensor technology serve as examples for some fascinating opportunities in medical clothing but it said that dealing with intellectual property and the regulatory environment remains incredibly complex. The market is complex, but it also has opportunities to grow and make an impact. This USD 5M donation from Careismatic Brands demonstrates their expanding role in global healthcare access. The medical clothing market can be expected to continue its innovation, with increased emphasis on sustainability and even more focus at the patient-level for enhanced care provider safety. Get a Sample Report of Medical Clothing Market@ https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3061 Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are: Barco Uniforms Molnlycke Health Care AB O&M Halyard Inc. ANSELL LTD. 3M Company Medline Industries Semperit AG Holding Cardinal Health, Inc. Superior Uniform Groups Narang Medical Limited Other Players Market Drivers: Recent outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and influenza pandemics worldwide have raised the national concern about medical apparel playing a role in containing transmission. The fact that RNA viruses can mutate and jump across species means we have to start giving PPE kits like a second skin for our healthcare warriors. Medical Clothing Market Report Scope: Report Attributes Details Market Size in 2023 US$ 85.95 Bn Market Size by 2032 US$ 163.84 Bn CAGR CAGR of 7.45% From 2024 to 2032 Base Year 2023 Forecast Period 2024-2032 Historical Data 2020-2022 Key Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific), Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East], Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa]), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Key Growth Factors The prevalence of chronic diseases is increasing day by day. The resident old age people are growing giving growth to the market In addition, the growing field of infectious disease research requires medical grade clothing solutions to protect scientists when working with extremely contagious pathogens. Meanwhile, growing public health awareness and rising technologies in medicine are all driving innovation within the medical clothing sector. Aging population in the world with a higher burden of surgical intervention requiring age-related diseases is another major driver. This has consequently increased the number of surgical procedures which in turn is driving demand for medical clothing garments such as gowns and drapes, thereby stimulating sales. Furthermore, the occupational risks of healthcare workers like needlesticks for infectious diseases has also warranted an increase in use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Such regulatory requirements, coupled with well-established disease prevention trends attributed to PPE in professional environments drive the medical clothing market forward. Do you have any specific queries or need any customization research on Medical Clothing Market, Make an Enquiry Now@ https://www.snsinsider.com/enquiry/3061 Segmentation Dynamics Surgical drapes, scrubs and gowns segment is a dominated with 43% market share of medical clothing market in 2023. The increased awareness of infection control and the growing adoption reusable, sustainable options drive growth for this segment. The disposable segment accounted for a majority share of 72% in the medical clothing market in 2023 due to increased convenience levels offered by these apparels along with cost-effective alternatives and minimal threat associated with infection. The US market is an especially good reflection of this, as nearly 90% of all procedures performed in the country will do so with disposable gowns and drapes. By End-User, hospitals are the biggest end-users, constituted 64% of medical clothing market in 2023. The growth is fueled by the increasing volume of surgical procedures, expanding patient population and greater healthcare infrastructure spending in key emerging markets. Medical Clothing Market Key Segmentation: By Product Surgical Drapes, Scrubs & Gowns Gloves Facial Protection Sterilization Wraps Protective Apparel Others By Type Disposable Reusable By End-user Hospitals Outpatient Facilities Physicians Offices Others Regional Analysis North America is dominated region of medical clothing market in 2023 held share above 43% collectively. The greater demand in the developed nations for pharmaceutical packaging is driven by extensive health care infrastructure, rising prevalence of chronic diseases and established industry players. An increased focus on product distribution channels, evidenced in the retail push of Figs Inc., also continues to expansion into retail. Regional Coverage North America (US, Canada, Mexico) Europe (Eastern Europe [Poland, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Rest of Eastern Europe] Western Europe] Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Rest of Western Europe]) Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Rest of Asia Pacific) Middle East & Africa (Middle East [UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Rest of Middle East], Africa [Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa]) Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia Rest of Latin America) Buy an Enterprise-User PDF of Medical Clothing Market Analysis & Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/checkout/3061 Key Takeaways Of The Medical Clothing Market Understanding the market forces enabling or constraining future growth & opportunities. Comprehensive information on product categories, purchasing behavior and pricing factors that are likely to influence the market growth. Information about the financial solutions market, portfolios of major competitors as well as various service offerings & offered by key vendors. Stay updated with new regulations and industry standards in order to comply, and also be proactive against future changes. Table of Contents Major Key Points 1. Introduction 2. Industry Flowchart 3. Research Methodology 4. Market Dynamics 5. Porters 5 Forces Model 6. Pest Analysis 7. Medical Clothing Market Segmentation, By Product 8. Medical Clothing Market Segmentation, By Type 9. Medical Clothing Market Segmentation, By End-user 10. Regional Analysis 11. Company Profiles 12. Competitive Landscape 12.1 Competitive Benchmarking 12.2 Market Share Analysis 12.3 Recent Developments 12.3.1 Industry News 12.3.2 Company News 12.3.3 Mergers & Acquisitions 13. Use Case and Best Practices 14. Conclusion Access Complete Report Details of Medical Clothing Market Outlook 2024-2032@ https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/medical-clothing-market-3061 [For more information or need any customization research mail us at info@snsinsider.com] About Us: SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world. July 12, 2024: Poland is the largest and most militarily powerful NATO country in Eastern Europe. It achieved this status by spending many billions of dollars on new weapons for its ground, naval and air forces. Polands efforts have encouraged neighbors like Finland to do the same. For Poland the buildup has been going for five years. In 2019 Poland began negotiating with the United States to obtain 32 F-35 fighters and in 2020 the deal was made. This cost Poland $4.6 billion and the first aircraft are arriving by the end of 2024. Finland ordered 64 F-35s and expects the first of them to arrive by 2026. Missiles and bombs that the F-35 is equipped to carry include air-to-air missiles like the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-132 ASRAAM, AIM-260 JATM, and MBDA Meteor. Air-to-surface missiles include AGM-88G AARGM-ER, AGM-158 JASSM, AGM-179 JAGM, SPEAR 3, and the hypervelocity Stand-In Attack Weapon. Anti-ship missiles include the AGM-158C LRASM and Joint Strike Missile. Bombs include the Joint Direct Attack Munition, Paveway precision-guided glide bomb, AGM-154 JSOW, GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, GBU-53/B Stormbreaker and the B61 mod 12 nuclear bomb. Pilots benefit from several features that make their job easier and much more effective. The cockpit where the pilot sits features a bubble canopy providing excellent views of what is outside the aircraft. Cockpit controls have been reduced and made easier to see and use. This is done by using a 50 by 20 cm (20 by 8 inch) touch display that shows flight instruments, stores management, CNI information, and integrated caution and warnings. Pilots can customize the arrangement of the information. Below the main display is a smaller stand-by display. Pilots also have a helmet-mounted visor, a display that enables the pilot to look at an enemy aircraft and fire a missile at it. This point and shoot capability is an enormous advantage in air-to-air combat. The F-35 electronics also provide a better view of ground targets and the ability to quickly select the most suitable ground attack weapon carried and use it. Poland has been worried about Russian aggression since 2014 and sped up its long-range 2013-2022 military modernization plan. This cost $43 billion so accelerating some of the purchases required borrowing money or making cuts in the non-defense parts of the budget. Given the popular fear of Russian aggression, the money was found and a decade later the Russian threat had gotten worse. In 2014 the military wanted to get some weapons quickly. These included several versions of the JASSM smart bombs with ranges varying from 400 kilometers to 1,900 kilometers. Poland already has the locally developed WR300 rocket system, which is similar to the U.S. MLRS, but includes a 300 kilometer long range version. Poland is purchasing large Predator class type UAVs and a second coast defense battalion armed with Norwegian NSM anti-ship missiles as well as new attack helicopters. Poland found the Americans eager to cooperate on upgrading Polands arsenal of advanced weapons. The most recent order for JASSM missiles included over 800 missiles of various JASSM models. Given Polands long history of oppression by Russia, including invasions, occupations and double-dealing of all sorts, the U.S. found Poland eager to confront any Russian moves to the west. Poland has often been left high and dry by the West in the past when it came to Russian aggression. In 1939 there were only promises of aid from a few West European nations. Poland remembered 1939 and, by 2014, when the Russian threat returned, Poland was more closely connected to the rest of Europe and North America because Poland was now a member of NATO. This was not the case in 1939 and a decade later, after World War II, NATO was founded. In 1939 Poland was conquered by Germany and Russia and was not completely free of Russian interference until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Poland joined NATO in 1999, having shed nearly all its Soviet era weapons and replaced the old weapons with new western models. The buildup of military weapons continues. Once free of Russian control, Poland established a free market economy and prospered. Poland can now afford the most modern weapons. They built and purchased lots of them to demonstrate their ability to successfully resist future Russian threats. The Russians have noticed and their only response is complaints in the Russian mass media that Poland is now a threat to Russia. Thats the kind of reaction Poland likes to hear. Constantly purchasing more new weapons, Poland seeks to keep the Russians on the defensive for a change. Poland is supported by other East European nations that used to be threatened by Russia before NATO membership became an option. The collapse of the Soviet Union was prompted by growing unrest over Russian domination by East European countries during the 1980s and then their de facto rebellions against it. This triggered the collapse of the Soviet Union, which was under great strain because of ongoing economic collapse due to the wonders of communism and a brilliant economic warfare campaign by the Reagan administration. The Soviet Union then unraveled into fourteen new countries, including the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Russias 2014 and 2o22 invasions Ukraine in 2014 reminded all other former Soviet subjects that Russias centuries-old attitudes about neighbors are still at work. Poland, the United States and about half of all the NATO countries have become major supporters of Ukraine in its fight to oust the Russian invaders. The Americans do it because they have the largest economy in the world and have long been the largest member of NATO. Poland has bitter memories of past Russian aggression and learned from bitter 20th century experience that the best place to fight a war is someplace else. Ukraine is a great place for Poland to fight the Russians. A Russian attack on Poland would trigger the mutual defense clause of the NATO agreement. Russia would then be at war with 32 other nations, including the United States and most of Europe. One reason Russia gave for invading Ukraine was the Ukrainian efforts to join NATO. That was interrupted by the Russian invasion and Ukraine and NATO agree that once the Russian invasion is defeated, Ukraine will become the 33rd member of NATO. Russia insists that will never happen, but its enormous losses in Ukraine say otherwise. Russia cannot keep this up and is trying to negotiate a peace deal that will leave them in possession of Crimea and two nearby provinces they conquered in 2014. Ukrainian forces are on the offensive, have retaken some Russian-occupied territory and insist their offensive will not end until all of 1991 Ukraine is free of any Russian occupation. Vancouver, July 12, 2024 - Rome Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RMR) (FSE: 33R) ("Rome" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, at its special meeting (the "Meeting") of the holders (the "Rome Shareholders") of common shares ("Rome Shares") held earlier today, Rome Shareholders approved a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") authorizing and approving the previously announced arrangement (the "Arrangement") under section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) among Rome, Pathfinder Minerals Plc ("Pathfinder") and 1475033 B.C. Ltd., pursuant to which, among other things, Pathfinder will, subject to satisfaction of the conditions set out in the arrangement agreement dated May 7, 2024, as amended, relating to the Arrangement, acquire all of the issued and outstanding Rome Shares for consideration consisting of 19.54 Pathfinder ordinary shares in exchange for each Rome Share held. The Arrangement Resolution required approval from at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Rome Shareholders present at the Meeting or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting. The Arrangement also required a simple majority of the votes cast by Rome Shareholders, excluding the votes cast by certain persons as required by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Rome Shareholders also approved the Mont Agoma Term Sheet Resolution, the MRDC Term Sheet Resolution and the Exercise of Rights Under Palm Option Resolution each of which required disinterested shareholder approval; i.e. approval from a simple majority (i.e., more than half) of the votes cast on each of the Mont Agoma Term Sheet Resolution, the MRDC Term Sheet Resolution and the Exercise of Rights Under Palm Option Resolution, respectively, by Rome Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, excluding for this purpose the votes attached to those Rome Shares that are held or controlled by those Rome Shareholders who, with respect to each such resolution, are related parties of Rome. Voting Results Arrangement Resolution Of the votes cast at the Meeting with respect to the Arrangement, an aggregate 71,226,000 Rome Shares were voted in favour of the Arrangement Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. Of the votes cast excluding certain persons as required by MI 61-101, an aggregate 22,053,720 Rome Shares were voted in favour of the Arrangement Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. Mont Agoma Term Sheet Resolution Of the votes cast at the Meeting with respect to the Mont Agoma Term Sheet, an aggregate 71,226,000 Rome Shares were voted in favour of the Mont Agoma Term Sheet Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. Disinterested Rome Shareholders voted an aggregate 47,476,000 Rome Shares in favour of the Mont Agoma Term Sheet Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. MRDC Term Sheet Resolution Of the votes cast at the Meeting with respect to the MRDC Term Sheet, an aggregate 71,226,000 Rome Shares were voted in favour of the MRDC Term Sheet Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. Disinterested Rome Shareholders voted an aggregate 47,476,000 Rome Shares in favour of the MRDC Term Sheet Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. Exercise of Rights Under Palm Option Resolution Of the votes cast at the Meeting with respect to the exercise of rights under the Palm Term Sheet and the assignment of such rights to Pathfinder under the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, an aggregate 71,226,000 Rome Shares were voted in favour of the Exercise of Rights Under Palm Option Resolution, representing 100.0% of the votes cast. All votes cast with respect to the Exercise of Rights Under Palm Option Resolution were held by disinterested Rome Shareholders. Final Order Rome intends to seek a final order of the Supreme Court of British Columbia to approve the Arrangement at a hearing expected to be held on or about July 17, 2024. Assuming the timely receipt of all necessary court, third-party approvals and the satisfaction of all other conditions, closing of the Arrangement is expected to occur on or about July 26, 2024. Further information about the Arrangement is available in Rome's management information circular dated May 27, 2024 (the "Rome Information Circular") and related continuous disclosure documents, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under Rome's profile. Capitalised terms used in this news release have the meanings defined in the Rome Information Circular, unless otherwise defined herein. About Rome Resources Rome Resources Ltd. is a mineral exploration company that has entered into two option agreements and a binding term sheet where it has acquired 51% indirect interests in two contiguous properties situated in the Walikale District of the North Kivu Province in eastern DRC, which are collectively referred to as the "Bisie North Tin Project". Rome has completed an initial phase of drilling on the project where it is responsible to fund exploration up to the completion of a definitive feasibility study. Contacts Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release may include certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although Rome Resources Ltd believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, Rome Resources Ltd disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. 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. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/216412 Vancouver - Majestic Gold Corp. ("Majestic" or the "Company") (TSX.V: MJS, FSE: A0BK1D) is pleased to announce that the management nominees listed in the Information Circular for the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "AGM") held on July 11, 2024, were elected as Directors of the Company. The shareholders re-elected Stephen Kenwood, Chengliang Jiang, Charles Uy and John Campbell for the upcoming year. Other resolutions submitted by management to shareholders for consideration were approved as presented, including the approval of the Company's Stock Option Plan as summarized in the Information Circular (99.72% For; 0.28% Against). Approval of the re-appointment of Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors for the ensuing year, and authorized the Directors to fix their remuneration (99.74% For; 0.26% Abstain). Following the AGM, the Board of Directors re-appointed Stephen Kenwood as President & Chief Executive Office, and James Mackie as Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary. About Majestic Gold Corp. Majestic Gold Corp. is a British Columbia based company engaged in mineral resource exploration, development and extraction. Additional information on the Company and its projects is available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.majesticgold.com. For further information, please contact: James Mackie, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary Telephone: (604) 560-9060 Email: info@majesticgold.com www.majesticgold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Vancouver, July 12, 2024 - Further to the Corporation's previous Financing announcement released on July 3, 2024, Element79 Gold Corp. (the "Company") (CSE: ELEM) (OTC: ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS0) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its first tranche of its placement for $288,815 of funding through its Non-Brokered Private placement. This tranche of closing will see the Company issue a total of 1,255,717 Units for this tranche. The Placement consists of Units of the Company (each a "Unit") at a purchase price of $0.23 per Unit. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for one Common Share at a price of $0.35 per Common Share for four (4) years from the date of issuance. All securities issued for the placement will be subject to a four month and one day hold from the date of issue, keeping with CSE regulations. The warrants are subject to an acceleration clause whereby should the shares of the Company trade at or above $0.40 per share on the North American stock exchange on which it is then listed for ten consecutive trading days (after the date that is four months and one day from the closing of the Offering) the warrants may be accelerated. Element79 shall continue to seek funds, anticipating closing its final tranche of up to an aggerate of $450,000 within the following two weeks. About Element79 Gold Corp Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold and silver committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's focus is on developing its past-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to restart production beginning in 2024. The Company also holds a portfolio of 5 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, with the Clover and West Whistler projects believed to have significant potential for near-term resource development. Three properties in the Battle Mountain Portfolio are under contract for sale to Valdo Minerals Ltd., with an anticipated closing date in 2024. The Company, through its subsidiary, Synergy Metals Corp., holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, and is advancing through the Plan of Arrangement spin-out process. For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold Contact Information For corporate matters, please contact: James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer E-mail: jt@element79.gold For investor relations inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations Department Phone: +1.403.850.8050 E-mail: investors@element79.gold Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press contains "forward?looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward?looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made considering management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's business strategy; future planning processes; exploration activities; the timing and result of exploration activities; capital projects and exploration activities and the possible results thereof; acquisition opportunities; and the impact of acquisitions, if any, on the Company. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward?looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward?looking statements". Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. MONTREAL, July 13, 2024 /CNW/ - (Sydney, July 14, 2024) - Champion Iron Ltd. (TSX: CIA) (ASX: CIA) (OTCQX: CIAFF) ("Champion" or the "Company") is temporarily shutting down operational activities at its Bloom Lake mine in response to forest fires north of its operations. In the evening of July 12, 2024 (Montreal time), the community of Labrador City, located approximately 20 kilometres from Bloom Lake, was ordered to evacuate. With the forest fires now only a few kilometres from Bloom Lake and to prioritize the safety of its employees, the Company initiated its emergency response protocol and is gradually evacuating its workforce. Champion is collaborating with local and regional authorities and mobilized teams, including its fire brigade, to mitigate the impact of the forest fires on its infrastructure and initiated preventive measures to protect higher risk facilities. The Company expects to provide additional information as the situation evolves. About Champion Iron Limited Champion, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Quebec Iron Ore Inc., owns and operates the Bloom Lake Mining Complex, located on the south end of the Labrador Trough, approximately 13 km north of Fermont, Quebec. Bloom Lake is an open-pit operation with two concentrators that primarily source energy from renewable hydroelectric power. The two concentrators have a combined nameplate capacity of 15 Mtpa and produce low contaminant high-grade 66.2% Fe iron ore concentrate with a proven ability to produce a 67.5% Fe direct reduction quality iron ore concentrate. Benefiting from one of the highest purity resources globally, the Company is investing to upgrade half of the Bloom Lake mine capacity to a direct reduction quality pellet feed iron ore with up to 69% Fe. Bloom Lake's high-grade and low contaminant iron ore products have attracted a premium to the Platts IODEX 62% Fe iron ore benchmark. The Company ships iron ore concentrate from Bloom Lake by rail, to a ship loading port in Sept-Iles, Quebec, and has delivered its iron ore concentrate globally, including in China, Japan, the Middle East, Europe, South Korea, India and Canada. In addition to Bloom Lake, Champion owns a portfolio of exploration and development projects in the Labrador Trough, including the Kamistiatusset Project, located a few kilometres south-east of Bloom Lake, and the Cluster II portfolio of properties, located within 60 km south of Bloom Lake. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain information and statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates", "aims", "targets" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Inherent in forward-looking statements are risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control. Specific Forward-Looking Statements All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release that address future events, developments or performance that Champion expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, Management's expectations regarding the forest fires, their evaluation, their magnitude and potential impact on the communities and Champion's workforce, infrastructure and operations and mitigation thereof, the response measures and their effectiveness, the related collaboration with the government and communities, and the development of the forest fires generally. Risks Although Champion believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, most of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report, Annual Information Form and MD&A for the financial year ended March 31, 2024, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, the ASX at www.asx.com.au and the Company's website at www.championiron.com. 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 forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Additional Updates All of Champion's forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof or such other date or dates specified in the forward-looking statements and is based upon the opinions and estimates of Champion's management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Champion disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Champion cautions that the foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Readers should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risks they entail. For additional information on Champion Iron Limited, please visit our website at: www.championiron.com. This press release has been authorized for release to the market by the CEO of Champion Iron Limited, David Cataford. SOURCE Champion Iron Limited July 13, 2024: For a decade now, the Philippines has depended on neighboring nations like Japan and Australia, in addition to the United States, for assistance in building a naval force large enough to deal with increasing Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. China claims ownership of the entire South China Sea and has been sending more warships and coast guard vessels to impose control. China is increasing its pressure on the Philippines to remove small detachments of sailors and marines stationed on nine islets and reefs in the Spratly Islands. In particular, the Chinese want the detachment stationed on a World War II era landing ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, removed. The Filipino navy deliberately grounded the LST on Second Thomas Reef in 1999 to provide a residence for an observation team. Chinese patrol ships have recently attempted to physically block Filipino efforts to resupply the marines on the LST. The Philippines consists of over 7,000 islands, most of them tiny. These include the Spratly Islands, which are an important part of the South China Sea areas that China considers its territorial waters. The South China Sea is a vast area that occupies 3.5 million square kilometers of the Western Pacific Ocean. Whoever controls the South China Sea can interfere with the commercial shipping traffic that passes through these waters. That traffic consists of about twenty percent of world commercial shipping traffic. China is more dependent on access to this area and considers the Philippines South China Sea claims as a threat to the Chinese economy. The Philippines has a mutual defense treaty with the United States which the Americans are now actively honoring to deal with the Chinese threat. The Philippines has military detachments on nine of the disputed islands or reefs. These are part of an effort to oppose the illegal Chinese claims. In response China has put garrisons on eight islands, some of them created by dredging up sand at a reef and creating an artificial island. These eight islands, in contrast to those occupied by Filipinos, are covered with new construction, including radars, missiles (anti-air and anti-ship) as well as some cannons. There are airstrips and hangars. The Philippines warned China that it would resist any attempts to use force against the grounded LST on Second Thomas Reef. Initially China responded by building more buildings on nearby Mischief Reef, which is only 126 kilometers from the Philippines Palawan Island. Second Thomas Reef and nearby Reed Bank are 148 kilometers west of the Philippines Palawan Island and well within the Philippiness EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). Although the EEZ is recognized by international law, and a treaty that China signed and uses to defend waters off its own coast, China says that does not apply here because all the islets in the South China Sea belong to China and there is no room for negotiation on that point. Most countries in the region note that this was how Japan behaved before World War II. Official U.S. policy is to try and get everyone to calm down and be less provocative. Meanwhile American P-3C maritime patrol aircraft regularly fly over the Spratly Islands and photograph Chinese installations and naval activities. This data is shared with the Philippines and perhaps others. China is the biggest offender in the Spratly Island disputes and shows no sign of slowing, or backing, down. Currently Filipino and Chinese warships are engaged in non-lethal combat. The ships are not using their weapons but instead using physical blockades and the physical presence of Chinese warships to block movements by the Filipino resupply ships and warships. The Chinese also use high pressure water cannons to injure Filipino sailors and damage their ships. Japanese involvement is a key factor because Japan has donated patrol boats to the Philippines and is building five new ones that the Philippines will receive beginning in 2027. Australia and the United States have also contributed patrol boats and larger warships or coast guard vessels which the Philippines have integrated into their naval and coast guard forces. China has a much larger navy than the Philippines but does not want to trigger an active intervention by the United States navy. China does not want to give anyone an excuse to open fire on Chinese warships and trigger a naval war that would do enormous damage to the Chinese economy. China is also annoyed at Japan for becoming a major supplier of navy and coast guard ships to the Philippines. The combined naval forces of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the Americans Pacific Fleet are sufficient to block any Chinese naval aggression. China does not like being boxed in like this, but their aggression against the Philippines demonstrated that the Chinese naval threat is real and the Chinese are not afraid to use it as they now are against the Philippines. Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and many other nations in the region consider themselves potential victims of Chinese naval aggression. July 13, 2024: Islamic terrorist group Al Shabab continues to be a major problem. This was seen in March when Al Shabab gunmen conducted an overnight siege of a hotel near the Presidential Palace. There has been sufficient peace and prosperity for Somalia to conduct national elections. Previously, Somali factions relied on a system that involved clan elders meeting and working out agreements. For a long tine Somalia was considered a failed state. Yet over a decade of peacekeeping, massive foreign aid produced visible progress against the corruption and tribalism that long prevented economic progress. Al Shabaab, a local Islamic radical group, was defeated and driven from cities and towns in 2011 but was still around. So was the traditional clan violence, organized crime, and banditry. All these are ancient Somali traditions. Al Shabaab survives by reverting to that and becoming the major criminal organization in some parts of the country. Extortion, smuggling, and kidnapping for ransom have sustained the Islamic terror group. As government forces brought order to more of the country, Al Shabab has less income to spend on sustaining its forces. One of the most lucrative sources of plunder was the elected Somali government, propped up by foreign aid, that showed up after 2012. Much of the foreign aid was stolen but enough went to where it was needed to make a difference. Despite all that Somalia is still a failed state that defies every attempt at nation building. The situation is worse than it appears because Somalia was never a country, but a collection of clans and tribes that fight each other constantly over economic issues (land and water). The country remains an economic and political mess, a black hole on the map. Not much hope in sight. There is not a lot of enthusiasm among local leaders for a national government, but all that foreign aid is welcome because it can be taken without risking another clan feud. Somali smolders as it always has and despite that, there is progress. Somalia still has problems with poverty and establishing law and order throughout the country. Many parts of the country have weak economies, a lot of poverty and the resulting hunger among people who cannot buy enough to eat. The persistent unrest, civil war and lawlessness since the 1990s has reduced local food production by about half. This meant that millions of Somalis survive only because of food aid donated by western nations, particularly the United States. Donor nations try to monitor distribution of donated food and are discouraged from continuing aid if they see too much of the aid diverted by Al Shabab, bandits and corrupt government officials. Somalia became independent in 1991 but the new government did not survive and by the late 90s the country was increasingly chaotic. The Somali government is trying to slow down the withdrawal of AU (African Union) peacekeepers. Since 2022 the AU has been reducing the number of peacekeepers in Somalia. Originally it was nearly 18,000 soldiers, including some police and administrative personnel. Currently, only about a third of the peacekeepers are left and Somalia does not want to lose all of them because the peacekeepers are more effective at maintaining order than the local forces. The Somali army is supposed to have 32,000 trained and disciplined troops. That objective has never been met, despite over $100 million a year in foreign aid administered by donor nations to train and equip Somali troops. The key problem has been establishing a force of trained and responsible officers to run the army. Currently, too many officers can be bribed or threatened to ignore their duties so that rebels or bandits can continue operating. Meanwhile there were disputes with neighboring Ethiopia over accusations that Ethiopia was attempting to annex Somali territory. Ethiopia was a larger nation with an effective military. Ethiopia also had its own internal problems and was still subject to occasional internal disputes. That did not stop the Ethiopian government from punishing Somalia for real or imagined transgressions. One item that angered land-locked Ethiopia was the return of Somali piracy. From 2006 to 2012 Somali pirates were seizing passing merchant ships and holding them for ransom. Pirates became a major problem after 2006 and, as piracy increased, the major trading nations launched a counter-piracy effort which by 2012 reduced pirate success considerably. In fact, no large ships have been captured since early 2012 even though some of the pirate gangs are still operating up there. There were not many pirate groups left because of the lack of multi-million dollar ransoms. That changed in 2024 when Iran-backed Yemen rebels opened fire on ships headed north to the Suez Canal. Somalis on the other side of the Red Sea saw an opportunity and joined in the attacks. The Somalis did not want to damage or sink ships, they wanted to get on board and force the crew to move to a Somali port, prop anchor and await the payment of ransom. As was the Somali custom, most of the crew was taken ashore and held under guard. Any attempt to retake the ship by force meant the crew ashore would be killed and Somalis on the ship would set fires or even use explosives to disable or sink the merchant ship. Trading nations sent warships to deal with the Yemen rebels as well as the Somali pirates. This was to prevent the Red Sea from becoming a no-go zone for merchant shipping. That would mean ships could not use the Suez canal and would instead take the long way around Africa. This takes weeks longer and cost a million dollars or more per ship in fuel and crew salaries. Sen. Thomas Fisher seeks more details about senators off island trips, including whom they visit, per diem amount, the total cost and whether they brought their staff with them, in a bid to significantly improve transparency and accountability within the Legislature. Fishers office also released what it said was a breakdown of legislative travel since the current term began in January 2023, with Sen. Telo Taitague topping the most traveled lawmaker, followed by Vice Speaker Tina Muna Barnes. The list shows senators and staff members have taken a total of 26 off-island trips. In his Bill 323-37 introduced on Thursday, the senator cited a particular senator who made six trips in 18 months spending taxpayer dollars in the amount of $16,550 and another senator who spent nearly $10,000 on travel costs to Hawaii and took office staff with him. Clearly, the people of Guam are entitled to know which senators are responsible stewards of the public purse and which senators are not, Fisher said in his measure, the Transparency in Legislative Travel Act of 2024. The senator with the most trips that Fisher referenced in his bill is Taitague, who has taken at least six trips. Sen. Chris Barnett and staffer Dave Delgado are the other legislator and staff member, respectively, that Fisher mentioned. They attended the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture in Hawaii on June 13 to 18, 2024 at a cost of $4,483 and $4,819, respectively. Taitagues trips included one on March 22 to March 28, 2023 to the CHamoru festival in San Diego for a resolution presentation at a cost of $3,539. She also traveled to Yap on Feb. 24 to March 3, 2024, for an Association of Pacific Island Legislatures Board of Directors meeting at a cost of $2,506 in airfare and per diem. She also attended FestPac in Hawaii at a cost of $5,242. Taitague said Friday that her trips are absolutely justified, and that she travels alone without staff. Obviously (Sen. Fisher) is not my biggest fan. He has every right to introduce that bill. I hope whatever hes trying to prove, its in the best interest of Guam, she said. Taitague added, I truly believe in transparency and have been practicing this since 2019, the year she was re-elected to the Legislature. She said she posts her agenda to her Facebook page every week, including my attendance off-island, even when Im sick. The senatorial office of Muna Barnes recorded the second highest travel expense so far this term, according to the chart provided by Fishers office. Barnes has taken four trips, totaling $5,274, including to Kosrae on April 3 to 8, 2023, for an Association of Pacific Island Legislature board meeting at a cost of $1,891, and to Yap on Feb. 24 to March 3, 2024, for another APIL board meeting at a cost of $1,423, according to the Fisher chart. Barnes staffer Chirag Bhojwani has taken four trips that totaled $11,070, including a $2,549 trip to Manila and Taiwan on Sept. 1 to 10, 2023 to staff a legislative visit to Taiwan, and a $4,039 trip to Puerto Rico on Oct. 16 to 21, 2023 to staff a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory committee hearing, according to the Fisher chart. Barnes said Friday that as the chairperson of the Committee on Federal and Regional Affairs, its her duty to represent Guam in various forums off-island. She said travel is essential to advocate for such issues as better veteran care, enhancing regional teamwork, and bringing back best practices to benefit Guam. And she said Bhojwani, for instance, played a pivotal role in securing a $350,000 grant during one of these trips to fund a critical study on transshipment, to help launch the local transshipment industry. Members of the Guam Legislature have the discretion to use their budgets in ways that best serve the people of Guam. I have chosen to invest in these trips to ensure they yield productive outcomes, Barnes said. The current lack of transparency regarding senators travel activities has spurred a demand for greater accountability, Fishers office said. It added that the bill would address this imperative by requiring the compulsory posting of detailed information regarding the purpose and expenses of official travel. The bill mandates the Office of the Guam Legislature to post all travel authorizations on the official Guam Legislature website within five business days of approval. Each travel authorization posted will include the following details: Purpose of travel Dates away Total cost Per diem amount Number of days per diem paid Airfare cost Destination Name of senator traveling Whether a staff member accompanied the senator The people of Guam deserve to know how their elected officials are spending public funds, Fisher said in a statement. This legislation ensures that all travel authorizations are accessible to the public, fostering greater transparency and accountability within our government. A man was charged in connection with a string of burglaries at Finegayan Elementary School in Dededo, with thousands of dollars worth of stolen equipment including laptops, soundbars and other expensive items. Freddy Cuevas Susuico, 47, was charged with three counts of complicity to commit burglary as a second-degree felony with notice of commission of a felony while on felony release and three counts of theft of receiving as a second-degree felony, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam. According to the complaint, an employee at Finegayan Elementary reported burglaries to the police on three different dates. On June 24, the employee went to work and found several classrooms in disarray and a broken doorknob to the front main entry to the school. Police conducted an inventory of stolen items and damages, which revealed nine metal door knobs had been damaged and at least $5,850 worth of equipment had been stolen. The stolen items were laptops, monitors, computer accessories, a projector, TV and soundbar, and a canopy tarp. On June 26, the same employee called police about another burglary. She told police the chain to secure the cafeteria door was cut and the fence was cut in two places. An inventory of the school revealed around $9,900 in damage. A public address system was missing and estimated to cost $4,000, court documents stated. On July 7, the employee called police after the groundskeeper informed her that he noticed cut fencing and a suspicious male in the parking lot. The man had gone by the time police arrived, but an inventory of the school revealed eight classrooms had been broken into and doorknobs and locks were damaged. Stolen items included a Lenovo sound bar, a rolling cart with a Finegayan logo, and two canopy tarps with the schools name. On July 11, police executed a search warrant at the residence of Susuico, who was one of three principal suspects in the burglaries based on information received by an informant, the complaint states. Two men were seen with electronics believed to be from Finegayan and the two men and Susuico talked about selling the items, documents stated. Someone in the house told police he saw one of the men bring three black laptops labeled GDOE and observed people come to the house to meet Susuico and then leave with similar laptops and other electronics. Another person told police she had seen a dolly covered by a tarp labeled Finegayan and several items were underneath the tarp, including three black soundbars, the complaint stated. Another witness told police all the good items such as laptops and projectors were sorted in Susuicos room and he assumed they were stolen because Susuico and the two men were secretive when sorting the items. Haiti - FLASH : Sunrise Airways announces the postponement of the resumption of its flights to Cuba Sunrise Airways which announced at the beginning of the month the resumption of its flights to Cuba from July 16 https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-42683-icihaiti-flash-les-cayes-cancellation-of-flights-and-resumption-of-flights-to-cuba.html , regrets to inform you that flights to Cuba have been temporarily postponed due to pending government approval. The necessary permissions from the Cuban Government are still under review. We will resume our services to Cuba with renewed enthusiasm as soon as we receive the required authorization. For the latest updates, please visit our website sunriseairways.net For information visit our website www.sunriseairways.net When service resumes : Port-au-Prince/Santiago de Cuba/Port-au-Prince (PAP/SCU/PAP) flights will operate every Monday. Port-au-Prince/Camaguey/Port-au-Prince (PAP/CMW/PAP) flights every Tuesday. Port-au-Prince/Holguin/Port-au-Prince (PAP/HOG/PAP) flights every Wednesday. The flights will be operated on a 50-seat Embraer 145 aircraft. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-42683-icihaiti-flash-les-cayes-cancellation-of-flights-and-resumption-of-flights-to-cuba.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - FLASH : The USA disappointed by the inability of the Security Council to sanction a senior Haitian political official On Friday, July 12, 2024, United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield accused her fellow Security Council members of blocking American efforts demanding the rapid lifting of the hold on the former Senator and President of the Senate Youri Latortue, for inclusion on the UN sanctions list, accused of collusion with armed gangs. Latortue "exerts considerable control over political and economic life in the Artibonite department including through the use of violent gangs, which he has been financing and arming," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, citing a report from a Committee of Haitian experts, established by the UN in October 2022. The work of this committee is to make recommendations, based on its investigations, on people who should be sanctioned because they pose a threat to Haitis peace and stability. U.N. sanctions are among the most stringent of punishments, and would freeze a persons assets while barring them from traveling to most countries around the world. So far, the UN has only imposed sanctions on 5 gang leaders, [Jimmy Cherizier aka "Barbecue" leader of the "G9" coalition; Johnson Andre alias alias "Izo" Leader of the "5 Segond" Gang; Renel Destina alias "Ti Lapli" Leader of the "Grand Ravine" Gang; Vitelhomme Innocent alias "Vitelom" leader of the "Kraze Barye" gang and Wilson Joseph alias "Lanmo San Jou" leader of "400 Mawozo" ] which sparked criticism about the effectiveness of the measure, because the gang leaders do not generally do not keep their money in the bank and do not have visas to travel to other countries. The United States and France have pushed for the inclusion of politicians on the UN sanctions list, which the Haitian expert group is proposing. "We were deeply disappointed by the unexplained hold placed on Youri Latortue," said Thomas-Greenfield, whose remarks are likely to reverberate in Haiti, where observers wonder whether the United States and other countries are still determined to apply sanctions after an initial aggressive campaign targeting designated members of the political and economic elite. A longtime politician who served as an advisor to former President Michel Martelly, Latortue was one of the country's most powerful politicians when he was in power. Today, he is one of a handful of Haitian politicians who have been blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38056-haiti-flash-j-lambert-and-y-latortue-sanctioned-by-the-usa-all-the-details.html and the Canadian Government https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38176-haiti-flash-canada-imposes-sanctions-on-3-other-haitian-politicians.html . He has denied all allegations against him and has hired a lawyer to fight the designation, which freezes all of his assets in the United States and Canada. Thomas-Greenfield's comments are the first public acknowledgment of an effort by the United States and other Security Council members to impose UN sanctions against Latortue and other men powerful politicians in Haiti, and are a window into divisions within the Council over who should be sanctioned. Although no one has publicly admitted to blocking sanctions against Latortue, Dmitri Polyanskiy, representative of the Russian Federation, who chairs the council this month, said that when it comes to sanctions, he hopes that "the interests of individual members of the council will not be placed higher than the task of supporting an inclusive political dialogue. Russia indicated last week that it had no problem sanctioning individuals other than gang leaders in Haiti, as long as the evidence supports the claim, blaming the United States and the Canada to use sanctions to clean up the political field in Haiti. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41475-haiti-eu-sanctions-vitelom-leader-of-the-kraze-barye-gang-and-reasons-for-the-sanctions-4-4.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41467-haiti-eu-sanctions-lanmo-san-jou-leader-of-the-400-mawozo-gang-and-reasons-for-the-sanctions-3-4.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41462-haiti-eu-sanctions-ti-lapli-leader-of-the-grand-ravin-gang-and-reasons-for-the-sanctions-2-4.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41453-haiti-eu-sanctions-izo-leader-of-the-5-segond-gang-and-reasons-for-the-sanctions-1-4.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38176-haiti-flash-canada-imposes-sanctions-on-3-other-haitian-politicians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38176-haiti-flash-canada-imposes-sanctions-on-3-other-haitian-politicians.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38056-haiti-flash-j-lambert-and-y-latortue-sanctioned-by-the-usa-all-the-details.html HL/ HaitiLibre Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is personally committed to a cloud project from SAP and Microsoft. At a conference with the minister presidents of the federal states on June 20, Scholz "informed" them about the cloud offer, which is intended to provide federal and state authorities with a particularly high level of data protection for Microsoft services. This is according to documents from a meeting of the IT Planning Council, which are available to c't. Anzeige A government spokesperson did not want to explain to c't exactly what the Chancellor said at the conference. According to a report in Handelsblatt, Scholz appealed to the heads of the federal states to make a commitment to using the cloud. They could not do without such a sovereign cloud, he said. He is reported to have said that it was a "very decisive moment for Germany" and that he would "sign a contract immediately". According to the newspaper, Scholz had an appointment with SAP CEO Christian Klein shortly before the conference. At the Minister Presidents' Conference on June 20, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the Delos Cloud from SAP and Microsoft. (Image: Bundesregierung/Guido Bergmann) Countries should recognize "potential added value" According to the IT Planning Council documents, Scholz and the minister presidents agreed that the federal and state governments would "meet again in a suitable format in the near future". The Federal Ministry of the Interior then convened a special meeting of the IT Planning Council at short notice and formulated a proposed resolution. According to this, the committee should "welcome the interest of the federal states and local authorities" in the SAP-Microsoft cloud and recognize "the potential added value of this joint use". However, the federal government's proposed resolution was rejected by the federal states: No resolution was reached at the meeting. According to statements from participants, the representatives of several federal states felt that the federal government had run over them. Contra from Kiel and Erfurt Anzeige Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia had already tabled an amendment that implicitly criticized the Microsoft SAP project. "For the sovereignty of a state, the ability to influence the operating processes of the IT solutions used and to be in control of state data flows is indispensable," it says a side blow against the proprietary Microsoft software that forms the core of the cloud. Schleswig-Holstein relies on open source software for its authorities and is currently switching to Libre Office. Scholz has probably been aware of the Microsoft SAP project for some time: Back in 2021, the US company made the German government an offer to set up a special government cloud together with a German operating company. On the federal side, the Ministry of Finance led the negotiations with Microsoft and Scholz was still Minister of Finance at the time. In 2022, SAP and Arvato Systems announced that they wanted to take over the operation of the cloud. Nervousness at SAP? This model is intended to legally protect the data from access by US authorities. Microsoft will only supply the software, while the SAP subsidiary Delos will own and market the cloud and Arvato Systems will operate the data centers. Extensive technical security measures are also planned: According to Delos, Microsoft will provide the authorities with the source code of all updates, for example. The parties involved are therefore talking about a "sovereign" cloud. Its construction is already underway: according to information from c't, Microsoft is currently equipping data centers with the necessary technology. However, SAP now seems to be nervous about the prospects of success. One sign of this is the surprising departure of Delos boss Georges Welz, who was recently replaced by Oliver Grothe-Kersten. It is not known whether SAP CEO Christian Klein mentioned the Delos project during his meeting with Chancellor Scholz. The company says: "As a leading DAX company and employer in Germany, we are in constant communication with the government. However, we do not comment on the content of our discussions." According to reports, SAP would like to see more expressions of interest from politicians. Audits will continue until 2026 The company is faced with the dilemma of having to invest billions upfront, while the federal government is still reviewing whether the cloud complies with government requirements, for example in terms of information security and confidentiality, until the end of 2026 according to its plans. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), which has formulated "red lines" for cloud services, is also involved in the tests. Authorities can only book cloud services if the result is positive. Another problem for SAP is that the IT strategies of the federal states and local authorities differ. Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia rely comparatively heavily on open source. Other federal states, on the other hand, want to procure Microsoft services from the public cloud, at least for the time being and in certain, less sensitive areas i.e. directly from Microsoft instead of Delos and therefore probably more cheaply. Lower Saxony, for example , negotiatedspecial data protection regulations for the use of Teamswith Microsoft in April , thereby convincing the state data protection commissioner. He considers the result to be in need of improvement, but "acceptable". Hamburg is already working on the introduction of Microsoft 365 in the state administration. (cwo) The law, which introduces temporary measures for one year, was passed with 167 votes in favour, the exact number needed in the 200-seat Eduskunta, or Parliament. The bill faced opposition from the Left Alliance and the Green League, with 31 members voting against it. Finnish lawmakers narrowly approved a controversial bill on Friday that permits border guards to turn away third-country migrants attempting to enter from Russia and reject their asylum applications. This measure, according to Helsinki, is a response to what it calls "hybrid warfare" by Moscow, accusing Russia of deliberately directing undocumented migrants to their shared border. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's center-right government emphasised the law's necessity for national security, claiming that Russia's actions aim to destabilise Finland by pushing migrants to the heavily guarded Russia-Finland border, which also serves as the EU's northern external border. Critics, including academics, legal experts, and human rights organisations, argue that the law violates the Finnish Constitution and international commitments to the United Nations and the EU. Michael OFlaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has expressed concerns that this legislation could set a troubling precedent globally. Finland closed its 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) land border with Russia last year after an unusual influx of over 1,300 undocumented migrants within three months, following Finlands accession to NATO. The majority of these migrants came from the Middle East and Africa, including countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. Under the new law, pending approval from President Alexander Stubb, Finnish border guards can, under specific conditions, refuse migrant asylum applications at crossing points. However, they are required to admit children, disabled people, and any migrants considered to be in particularly vulnerable positions. Finance Minister Riikka Purra, chair of the nationalist far-right Finns Party, stated that national security must be the top priority, saying, "We cannot allow Russia to exploit weaknesses in our legislation and international agreements. Despite the controversy, similar measures have been adopted by EU members Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania to manage migrant flows from Belarus. New Law Explained: 1. Temporary Measure: The law will be in effect for one year. 2. Border Control: Allows border guards to turn away third-country migrants and reject asylum applications at the Russia-Finland border. 3. Exceptions: Children, disabled individuals, and particularly vulnerable migrants will still be accepted. 4. National Security: The law is aimed at countering perceived hybrid warfare tactics by Russia. 5. Training for Border Guards: Guards will receive training to handle new responsibilities, including assessing migrants' age, health, and vulnerability. 6. Pushbacks: The law permits the rejection of asylum applications at the border, a practice criticised by international and EU laws. 7. Response to Mass Migration: Plans include managing large groups of migrants without the use of violence, with preparations for various scenarios. 8. Humanitarian Concerns: The law includes provisions for emergency humanitarian aid if migrants cannot return to Russia and are stranded in the border area. Michael OFlaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, had earlier expressed concern about the draft law and urged against its adoption. The Commissioner emphasises that the relationship between national security and human rights is not a zero-sum game, a Council of Europe statement said in June. The Commissioner also raises concerns that the (Finnish) draft law, if adopted, would set a worrying precedent for other countries and for the global asylum system. Finland closed the 1,340-kilometer (830-mile) land border with Russia last year after more than 1,300 migrants without proper documentation or visas an unusually high number entered the country in three months, just months after the nation became a member of NATO. Most of the migrants that arrived in 2023 and early this year hail from the Middle East and Africa, including from Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. Under the new law, pending approval from President Alexander Stubb, Finnish border guards can under certain circumstances reject migrant asylum applications at the crossing points. They will not, however, refuse entry to children, disabled people and any migrants deemed by border guards to be in a particularly vulnerable position. Finance Minister Riikka Purra, chair of the nationalist far-right Finns Party that forms the Cabinets core together with Orpos conservative National Coalition Party, said that nothing can take precedence over maintaining national security. We cannot allow Russia to exploit weaknesses in our legislation and international agreements, Purra said. Pushbacks the forcible return of people across an international border without an assessment of their rights to apply for asylum or other protection violate both international and EU law. However, EU members Poland, Latvia and Lithuania have previously resorted to the controversial measure when dealing with migrants attempting to enter from Belarus. Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have all introduced laws similar to the one proposed in Finland. HT LIVING in the Polish mountains clearly suits virtuoso musician Nigel Kennedy. The 67-year-old, who will headline on the final night of the Henley Festival on Sunday, spends most of his time in the mountains in Malopolska, south-east of Krakow, with his wife, Agnieszka, a lawyer. Its all good over here in Poland, he says. Its nice because weve still got the old agricultural land and it has not all been touristed out of existence. We just had all our fields cut because its time to do that and they take bales of hay and have it for the long winter. We let this guy bring his sheep on here. Ive always been surrounded by hills. I was in Malvern before and now were here in a mountain area. We dont really have a flooding problem, unlike Henley, because were so high up. We just watch the water go down the hill and see what happens down there. Kennedy, who is the bestselling classical violinist of all time thanks to his 1989 recording of Vivaldis The Four Seasons, is looking forward to being on the floating stage on Sunday night his second time at the festival. Henley, thats going to be the scene of the crime, if were lucky, he laughs. One time when we were there, it was a proper summers day and my driver dived into the river. Then he realised he had got all his clothes on and he had nothing to change into. He was like a born-again Jacques Cousteau. The violinist is the son of John Kennedy, who was principal cellist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Scylla Stoner, a pianist. At age seven, he became a pupil of Yehudi Menuhin at his school of music in Surrey. When he was 13, Menuhin invited French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli to the school to play and Nigel ended up in an impromptu jamming session with him and they became lifelong friends. Nigel says: It was a fantastic experience meeting Yehudi, who was so open-minded. Probably the most I learnt from him was outside of music in many ways because with music, youve got to make up your own mind about what you want to do and you put your style and interpretation on songwriting or whatever. You cant really learn it off other people, you kind of know what you want to say and then you say it. In those days, in the early Seventies, it was a real mixed culture school that I went to and he was very open to other forms of music than just classical. So I learnt that from him that people are what theyre worth, theyre not what the outside of the person looks like, you know? From Yehudi I definitely learnt tolerance. If somebodys an expletive then theyre an expletive but its nothing to do with who their parents were or what part of the world they come from, you know. With Stephane, I learnt to love the moment and that was also something which is not just musical. You know, were lucky to be alive every day and to carry on having a chance at doing something we love doing. I had beautiful messages from each of them and I was very lucky to have been in the right place and the right time to meet them cats. Kennedy plays jazz and klezmer as well as classical music and has a passion for rock, especially his hero Jimi Hendrix. I never met him but he opened my mind in so many ways, he says. I mean, you know, a song like Little Wing, I can hear it as a Celtic melody because of my Irish background. His music is so open that theres many different ways of doing it and he was a guy with bigger ears than an elephant. He kind of invented a lot of aspects of rock n roll and blues and fused it all together just by being himself and it just opens doors. Some music is very specific and its exactly what it is, whereas with Hendrix there are no real barriers or boundaries to the music. The violinist is known for his unconventional dress on stage and, unlike the men in the audience on Sunday night, wont be obeying the rules of black tie. I actually dont have a tie, you know, so Im hoping that I can be filtering through the dress code in my normal manner, he says. I have been turned away from one or two music halls in the past because they thought I was some kind of vagrant trying to nick something from backstage. Yehudi was a little bit upset when I stopped wearing the classical get-up. Stephane was always very elegant but more with paisley shirts and stuff. They were both very elegant people but I think they loved music more than they loved clothes. I was never going to look good, even if I wore a suit, so like they forgave me on that score and we just made music together. So what about his set? Ill include a good mix, you know, so there will definitely be some Jimi. There will be a composer I love a lot called Ryuichi Sakamoto from Yellow Magic Orchestra. Ill probably drop a bit of Bach and its quite likely a bit of Vivaldi might come up. Ill probably play Summer because Im hoping for a summers day, you know, so maybe its good voodoo. I will include some of my own melodies because I write very melodic shit and quite a lot of it is kind of inspired by pastoral, open views of nature, so a bit of that might come out. Its going to be a beautiful, relaxed day and everybody will be out there having a great time. Nature plays an important part in his life in Poland. He says: Ive just been inspecting the tractor doing all the harvesting of the grass and making sure he doesnt cut down things that are valuable to us, like our house. Its beautiful up here you can walk out the back of the land that weve got and then youre just in wilderness. There are wolves up there, theres bears, wild boar and deer, you know, weve got all of these species and were pretty keen that they can carry on living in this environment, so were keeping the land fit for purpose. I feed the birds a lot and its so beautiful when you can hear them. I practise outdoors like most of the time for many reasons. I dont like claustrophobia much and theres no acoustic outdoors unless youre playing in a valley or something, so you can actually hear what youre doing and then you can be more objectively critical of what type of sound youre making. When Im sitting out there, playing my fiddle, the birds do tend to come along and theres a bit of call and answer sometimes, which is really nice. The violin pitch is much closer to birdsong. For the cello, the birds must think of it as something like a dodo or an albatross or something and the clarinet is great because in klezmer, for instance, it really mimics a lot of the sounds that one would hear from nature. Its really cool. Nigel Kennedy: Musical Adventure is at the Henley Festival on Sunday at 7pm. For more information and to buy tickets, visit henley-festival.co.uk The Sinodun Players present Measure for Measure Corn Exchange, Wallingford Tuesday, July 9 THOUGH classed as a comedy, Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeares dark plays. Director Simon Tavener has darkened the mood still further by transposing the action to 1938 Vienna under Nazi rule. The play foregrounds the importance of understanding whats right and whats wrong, especially within a framework of inflexible rules and practices. I didnt expect music in this production but the 1938 setting provides the perfect context for cabaret-style song. Mistress Overdone (an elegant Jay Aggett) presides over the Lavender Club. The live band plays on (under the direction of David Guthrie), the dancing belies the trouble to come and we can sit back and enjoy the songs. Aggett opens with the productions theme tune, The Lavender Song, an anthem celebrating the right to be different. Graham Watt as the flamboyant Lucio launches into Just a Gigolo, establishing himself as a key figure among the group of mischievous libertines who frequent the club. The set (Simon Tavener and Bruce J Williams) supports the complex action by providing a range of flexible platforms and spaces but in a muted palette dominated by grey. Marilyn Johnstones costumes stick mainly to the same colour choices grey, black, white and red. Sarah Enticknap, for example, forthright as the Provost, spends her whole time on stage in sombre uniform. Alistair Harveys lighting, in cool tones, adds to the overall stark look of a production set in a repressive society. Duke Vincentio, mindful of the moral fabric of Vienna, hands control over to his deputy Angelo, while disguising himself as Father Lodowick in order to keep a discreet eye on what is going on. Oliver Godfrey is dignified and authoritative as the Duke but retains a twinkle in his eye when playing up to the audience in his dual role. Keith Heddle excels as the uptight Angelo, smartly dressed and all heel-clicking obsequiousness. The Duke has confidence in his deputys probity, backed up by the opinion of state official Escalus (a steadfast Sue Brown). In contrast, who can have confidence in the comically incompetent Constable Elbow (Chris Harris)? Under the rule of the intransigent Angelo, it doesnt take long for things to go wrong. Daniel Taylor is the open-hearted Claudio, arrested and due to be hanged for immorality because his betrothed, Juliet (Amber Dawn), is pregnant. Alex Reid is earnest as novice nun Isabella, Claudios sister, clad all in white, tasked with interceding on his behalf. Angelo shows his true colours by making an indecent proposal to Isabella in exchange, supposedly, for Claudios life. Heddle and Reid are compelling as they energetically debate moral choices and how far principles can be compromised. Angelo makes arguments that suit his cause but we dont believe him. The same could be said of Nazi dogma since we didnt believe that either. Angelos trump card is his superior power; he is a bully suave and sophisticated but still a bully. The disguised Duke makes some wily moves, facilitating the reconciliation of Angelo and his ex-love Mariana (Ania-Marie Ward) and involving unrepentant prisoner Barnardine (Andrew Harrison) in a complex ruse to spare Claudio from execution. Barbara Wood as Abhorson the executioner, assisted by Rebecca Cleverley as Pompey, provide some gallows humour. The director has gathered together a superb team of actors and creatives to stage this stimulating drama that pitches rule-makers against rule-breakers, acknowledging there are no easy answers when it comes to moral conduct. I was often troubled and amused but, most of all, deeply impressed by this outstanding production. Susan Creed Tripura is grappling with the problem of infiltration by illegal immigrants because of its proximity to Bangladesh. The state shares a total 856 km long international border with the neighbouring country, parts of which are yet to be fenced. In recent weeks, a large number of foreign nationals including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas have been arrested from the Agartala railway station and different parts of the state while they were trying to move out of the state either via buses or trains. Over 30 Bangladeshi nationals have been arrested from the Agartala Railway Station in the past few days. In most cases, they were trying to move to cities like Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai in search of work. Government BSF discussion about infiltration Expressing concern over the recent spurt in infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals, Tripura chief minister, Manik Saha, asked Border Security Force (BSF) officers during a recent meeting to take action against those involved in facilitating infiltration and providing refuge to the foreign nationals. As part of its follow-up action, BSF deputy inspector general SK Sinha said that they were installing surveillance equipment at vulnerable patches along the border with Bangladesh. The border security agency assured Saha that the force would identify and take action against touts involved in facilitating infiltration by illegal immigrants. Initiatives taken by BSF to reduce infiltration In recent months, the BSF has strengthened its operation against trans-border criminals and has cracked down on the networks of touts and smuggling of contraband items. Highlighting the measures, BSF IG Patel Piyush Purushottam Das said field commanders have been asked to launch human intelligence-based operations to nab touts. Apart from the deployment of additional teams in-depth areas, physical domination has been increased with the help of surveillance cameras and facial recognition tools. During a recently concluded fourday meeting between BSF and the regional commander of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) from July 1 in Shillong in Meghalaya, the BGB assured its Indian counterpart that it would take action after they were handed over a list of Bangladeshi touts and criminals. Both forces also decided to enhance coordinated patrol after identifying vulnerable patches. Statistics of infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals in Tripura According to a report compiled by the BSF, as many as 1018 persons including 498 Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in Tripura while trying to cross the Indo-Bangla international border from January last year until April 15 this year; of them, 426 were attempting to go out while 592 were coming. The number of detained illegal immigrants increased last year across Tripura as they were using the northeastern state as a corridor to move to different parts of India. A network of touts in Tripura is involved in facilitating the infiltration, illegal border crossing and providing shelters and fake identity documents to the infiltrators to move to different destinations. What police say According to police records, as many as 177 persons including 146 Bangladeshis, three Rohingyas and 28 Indian touts have been arrested until the beginning of July. In 2023, out of a total of 345 arrested persons, 218 were Bangladeshis, 51 were Indian touts and 76 were Rohingyas. We are investigating these cases to find out the routes through which they are entering the state. So far, 29 cases have been registered in this regard this year. They were mostly charged with the Passport Act, 1920, Foreigner Act, 1946 and in some cases human trafficking cases were also included, said a police officer who asked not to be named. We are also looking at whether these Bangladeshi nationals are involved in human trafficking racket. All these cases are under investigation, said the officer. The Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in the Indian equity market increased by 7,390 crores during the second week of July, according to investment data from the National Securities Depository Limited. The net investment by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in July has increased to 15,352 crores (Photo: Bajaj Finserv) The data also pointed out that the net investment by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in July has increased to 15,352 crores. Before that during the first week of July, FPIs infused 7,962 crores into the Indian equity market. Also Read: Companies like Nestle and Unilever modify plastic recycling goals due to implementation difficulties: Report Foreign Institutional Investors were sellers in January, April, and May, cumulatively selling equities worth around 60,000 crores. However, they were buyers in February, March, and June, with cumulative purchases amounting to 63,200 crores. How does India's foreign investments compare with domestic investments? "The most significant feature of institutional equity flows into the Indian market is the erratic nature of FII flows and the steady growth nature of DII flows. DIIs have been sustained buyers in all months of calendar year 24 so far whereas FIIs alternated between buying and selling" said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. Last month in June, the FPIs turned net buyers in Indian markets after two months of selling. In June, FPIs injected a net investment of 26,565 crore into Indian equities, following initial selling earlier in the month after the announcement of election results. Also Read: Adani to build a port in Vietnam to increase international presence Before that in May, the FPIs withdrew 25,586 crore from the equity market, while in April, they were net sellers with a withdrawal of 8,671 crore. "Inflows into DIIs like mutual funds are now on an upward trajectory and this will keep the markets resilient. FII flows will continue to be erratic influenced by global factors. Better-than-expected results from IT majors who have come out with results so far indicate the potential for FII buying in these stocks where valuations are not excessive" said Vijaykumar. This trend of outflows created selling pressure in the Indian equity market. But now, the surge in FPI investments points to the renewed confidence by investors in India's market potential and economic outlook. Now the investors will monitor the upcoming budget by the central government and the markets will react accordingly. Also Read: Pakistan to receive yet another loan from the IMF, $7 billion this time {Himachal assembly} Himachal PWD minister Vikamaditya Singh, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress state unit chief Pratibha Singh celebrating the partys bypolls win in Shimla. (HT) The Congress strengthened its position in the state assembly, winning two of three seats where bypolls were held on July 10. Party candidates Kamlesh Thakur and Hardeep Singh Bawa registered thumping wins in Dehra and Nalagarh respectively, while Bharatiya Janata Partys Ashish Sharma eked out a win in Hamirpur. The result has brought the Congress presence in the 68-member assembly back up to 40, the exact same number that it had prior to the February rebellion that had led to the political upheaval in the state. BJP now has 28 MLAs in the House, up from 25, while the independents numbers have come down from three to zero. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, meanwhile, has emerged as the big victor in the four-month saga which witnessed two rounds of bypolls in the state. Despite intense politicking and efforts to overthrow his government, Sukhu has been able to hold firm and solidify his position within the party as well as in state politics. While addressing the media, Sukhu said the Congress will again have 40 legislators in the assembly, adding, This is the answer to those who conspired to topple the elected government in the state. We thank the people of the state who have rejected the politics of horse-trading. Prestige battle won The second round of bypolls, which followed a government-saving 4-2 win for the Congress, saw Sukhus wife Kamlesh Thakur contest from the Dehra seat. The stakes were high as Sukhu led from the front, holding multiple rallies and meetings every day in the lead-up to polling day. His efforts bore fruit as Kamlesh Thakur registered a thumping win over BJPs Hoshyar Singh, winning by a margin of 9,399 votes. In her electoral debut, Thakur secured 32,737 votes against Singhs 23,338 votes. The latter led briefly in the early trends, but Thakur bounced back and extended her lead after the fifth round. This is Congress first win in Dehra since the seat was carved out in 2010. Hoshyar Singh, the two-time former independent legislator, had won the seat in the last two assembly elections, defeating candidates from both the Congress and the BJP. Kamlesh thanked the public in Dehra for her victory, saying, People wanted the Congress party to win from Dehra this time. They have supported the candidate and the party. I will work for the development of Dehra. Bawa wrests Nalagarh In Nalagarh, Congress Hardeep Singh Bawa defeated BJPs KL Thakur by 8,990 votes. Bawa, a five-time president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress Himachal Pradesh unit, polled 34,608 votes. KL Thakur had emerged victorious twice in the last three polls from Nalagarh as a BJP candidate in 2012 and an independent in 2022. The Congress had won the seat in the 2017 assembly elections. BJP extends Hamirpur reign The Congress, however, fell just short in Hamirpur where former independent legislator and now BJP candidate Ashish Sharma secured victory with a slender margin of 1,571 votes. He polled 27,041 votes compared to Congress candidate Pushpinder Vermas 25,470 votes. While Hamirpur is the home district for Sukhu, who represents Nadaun in the assembly, it is also the home turf of former Union minister Anurag Thakur, who represents the Hamirpur seat in the Lok Sabha. Thakur had aggressively campaigned for the party candidate. The BJP has dominated the seat, having secured three consecutive terms between 2007 to 2017. Since 1998, the Congress has managed to win the seat only once in 2003 when party candidate Anita Thakur secured the victory. The seat was also represented by BJP stalwart and former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal, who secured victory in the 2012 assembly elections. The seats fell vacant after the three Independent legislators Hoshiyar Singh (Dehra), Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur) and KL Thakur (Nalagarh) who had voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections on February 27, resigned from the House on March 22. A message against horse trading Professor Ashutosh Kumar of the political science department at Panjab University, Chandigarh, says the incumbent party has a definite advantage over the opposition party in bypolls, but added, The results show that Himachal, known for its clean politics, has sent a message by the voters to the political leaders not to indulge in horse trading. A message to the Congress faction leaders as well. For CM Sukhu, Kumar, who is also the first visiting professor to the TN Seshan Chair at India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi said, He has to be vigilant and learn to live with the party MLAs in true Congress tradition and do not depend on weakened high command. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Saturday released pictorial brochure and teaser of upcoming documentary film Sangla Valley - The Switzerland of India highlighting the pristine beauty and unexplored tourism locations of Sangla Valley in the Kinnaur district. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released pictorial brochure and teaser of upcoming Documentary film Sangla Valley - The Switzerland of India compiled by Harpreet Sandhu The documentary film has been compiled by Ludhiana-based author, heritage promoter, nature artist and Harpreet Sandhu. It will showcase the serene landscapes, lush green valleys, and majestic mountains that make Sangla Valley. Sukhu said that he is delighted to release this pictorial brochure and teaser of the upcoming documentary film which beautifully portrays the enchanting landscapes of Sangla Valley. Harpreet Sandhu, through his exceptional photography and artistry, has vividly captured the essence of this picturesque Sangla valley, portraying its potential as a premier destination for nature lovers and tourists alike. In his remarks, the CM commended Sandhus dedication and artistic vision in bringing the natural splendour of Sangla Valley to the forefront. The chief minister further added that Himachal Pradesh is blessed with numerous scenic locations, and this significant initiative by Harpreet Sandhu will certainly play a crucial role in unveiling the hidden treasures of our state and boost tourism prospects of the State. The documentary film Sangla Valley - The Switzerland of India will inspire more people to explore and appreciate the mesmerizing natural locations of Sangla Valley. Three gangsters, including two shooters allegedly behind last months murder at a Burger King outlet in Delhi, were shot dead near Channauli road in Sonepats Kharkhauda in a special joint operation by the Delhi Police and the Haryana Polices special task force on Friday. Footage of the incident shows the shooters seated behind the victim, who is sitting across the woman, at a long table. (HT) The gangsters were also involved in a firing incident at a Mahindra showroom in Hisar last month and at Matura Ram eatery in January this year. The deceased gangsters have been identified as Vicky of Ridhana village in Sonepat, Ashish alias Lalu and Sunny Gujjar, both residents of Hisar district. These gangsters were carrying bounties of 2 lakh each. The joint force recovered five pistols from the encounter site. Sonepat STF in-charge Yogender Dahiya said that they got tip-off about the presence of three gangsters associated with the Himanshu Bahu gang, who were involved in the firing outside Matu Ram eatery in Gohana, firing outside Mahindra showroom in Hisar and demanding a ransom of 5 crore from its owner Ram Bhagat Gupta and killing in Sonepats Murthal. Also Read | Burger King shooting: Chilling VIDEO of murder in Delhi as customers run to save lives We received information that the gangsters were coming to Channauli road. We spotted a white car and signalled it to stop. However, the occupants of the car started firing at us and in the exchange of fire, the trio sustained injuries. We rushed them to civil hospital, Kharkhauda, where doctors declared them dead, Dahiya said. These gangsters also demanded a ransom of 2 crore each from two other businessmen in Hisar last month. The traders had protested twice demanding arrest of the assailants. On June 24, three masked men fired shots outside the Mahindra showroom in Hisar and demanded a ransom of 5 crore from the owner Ram Bhagat, who is also national vice-president of the INLD. Also Read | Burger King murder: Hitmen walked in as customers, fired around 30 gunshots As per police sources, two of them were involved in the Delhi Burger King shooting. In the shooting a woman was also involved. She allegedly honey-trapped a 26-year-old man, Aman Joon, before he was shot dead. Anu, also known as lady don, was part of the trap to lure Aman Joon to the Burger King outlet in Delhi. These gangsters were sharp shooters of Himanshu Bahu gang, who is associated with Neeraj Bawana gang. These gangsters were running an extortion racket in Haryana and were targeting businessmen, traders, industrialists and builders. Police on Friday claimed to have busted a human trafficking racket in Ushkara Baramulla and arrested two accused and rescued four minor females including three from Rohingya Burma. Jammu and Kashmir Police said they were acting on a tip from a reliable source. (File) Police said that acting on a tip from a reliable source, the police busted a human trafficking module operating in Ushkura, Baramulla. An official spokesperson said The investigation revealed that Shakeel Ahmad Bhat of Ushkura, was involved in the trafficking and exploitation of minor girls from outside the union territory. A case FIR No. 173/2024 under relevant sections of law was registered in police station Baramulla, and a police team raided the accuseds residential house, recovering three minor victim girls who are from Rohingya Burma. The search was conducted in the presence of magistrate and lady police officials. During interrogation, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat confessed to selling one girl to Mehraj Ahmad Tantray, a resident of Kanlibagh. A subsequent raid at Tantrays house led to the recovery of another victim minor girl from Burma Rohingya and Tantrays arrest. The police have arrested both Shakeel Ahmad Bhat and Mehraj-u-Din Tantray and are investigating further to apprehend other suspects involved in the racket. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh on Saturday said Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has lost 8.5 kg weight since his incarceration began on March 21 and has reported significant dip in his blood sugar levels, saying it is a sign of serious illness, and expressed concern over it. New Delhi: AAP leader Sanjay Singh addresses a press conference, in New Delhi, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (PTI Photo)(PTI07_13_2024_000058B) (PTI) When Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on March 21, his weight was 70 kg and today his weight has dropped by 8.5 kg to 61.5 kg. The reason for this is not known, no serious investigation is being done to find out how he lost so much weight. Losing 8.5 kg weight and not knowing the reason for it are symptoms of many serious diseases, you can ask any doctor. If the weight continuously decreases and the reason for it is not known, it is a sign of a serious illness. So, this is a matter of serious concern for all of us, for Arvind Kejriwal ji, for his family, for his loved ones, whether from Delhi or the country, Sanjay Singh said at a press conference at party headquarters. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kejriwal on March 21 in a money laundering case related to the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. The Supreme Court granted interim bail to him on May 10 to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. The trial court granted Kejriwal bail on June 20 before the high court stayed it. CBI arrested Kejriwal on June 26 at the Rouse Avenue court complex. The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to him in the EDs case against him in the excise policy matter, saying he has suffered incarceration for over 90 days and that the issue involves the right to life and liberty of an individual. But despite the bail, Kejriwal will remain in jail in the separate Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case in the excise policy matter. Under PMLA, someone can get bail only when the court is completely convinced that the person is completely innocent. The ED court also granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal considering him innocent. The court accepted that the ED officials are making a case against Kejriwal with malice. It is also clearly written in the Supreme Courts decision that came on Friday that investigation does not mean that you arrest someone. The court has raised many serious questions on the ED investigation. The decision will come from the upper bench, and we hope that the upper bench of the Supreme Court will put a stop to the way central investigation agencies like ED and CBI are being used only to harass opponents, said Singh. The BJP and PM Narendra Modi are conspiring to keep Arvind Kejriwal in jail as well as to play with his health. They are harassing Arvind Kejriwal. Therefore, the court should also take cognizance of this, he said. On five separate occasions since he was arrested, Kejriwals blood sugar level suddenly fell below 50 at night, said Singh. If Arvind Kejriwal is not brought out soon and given proper treatment, then any serious incident can happen to him in jail. If his sugar level is falling like this while sleeping, then anything can happen to him, and he can also go into coma. I am hopeful that he will get relief soon in the CBI case as well. Arvind Kejriwal will come out. Whatever BJP and Prime Minister Modi are doing to us, we will answer it together, said Singh. We have been saying from day one that on one hand, BJPs aim is to harass Arvind Kejriwal, to keep him in jail. On the other hand, the aim of the BJP and the Modi government is to play with Arvind Kejriwals life. A conspiracy is being hatched by the BJP and its central government to make him suffer from the most serious disease, for an incident to take place with him in jail, to have some serious health problem, he said. We all know that the increase in sugar level can be controlled for once but if a persons sugar level suddenly falls while sleeping, he can go into coma. We saw the same situation during Atishis water satyagraha, when her sugar level reached 41, then the doctors advised that she could go into coma, get her admitted immediately. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals sugar level went below 50 on five occasions. Which doctor is present inside the jail at night? I have spent 6 months in jail, if you have any problem at night, you keep ringing the bell, with great difficulty you are taken to OPD. Why is all this being done? he added. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s is awaited. Delhi BJP response awaited.... A dispute between two factions of the Karni Sena turned violent in Jaipur's Chitrakoot area last night, leaving Shri Rajput Karni Sena leader Mahipal Singh Makrana injured, police said. Shree Rajput Karni Sena National President Mahipal Singh Makrana. (ANI Photo/File) According to officials, Makrana was allegedly attacked with the butt of a gun by the gunman of Shiv Singh Shekhawat, national president of the Rashtriya Karni Sena. Also Read: NIA files chargesheet against Goldy Brar in Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Gogamedi killing After receiving information about the incident, we arrived at the scene. Makrana was injured and is currently being treated. Both leaders have gunners, who are being questioned as well. We received information about the firing, but the injury was not due to the firing. The injury was due to physical assault, Amit Kumar, DCP, Jaipur (West) informed reporters. Meanwhile, members of the Makrana-led faction of the right-wing group claimed that he was lured by Shekhawat to come for a meting at the latter's office, and assaulted in attempt to take over Karni Sena. Also Read: Shri Rajput Karni Sena president shot at by former district chief in Udaipur Mahipal Singh Makrana has been a founding member of the Rajput Karni Sena since 2006. He has served as the national president for the past seven years, Recently, there were efforts to disrupt Rajput unity. A conspiracy was hatched against him and he was trapped at their (Shekhawat's) office and is now in the ICU. This is an attack on the Rajput community, Vijendra Singh of the Mahipal faction stated. Shekhawat, meanwhile, accused Makrana of threatening to harm him. The former also claimed to have received a threat call from Pakistan. We were sitting in my office. Four men barged in, saying that they want to meet me. They began abusing me and suddenly fired a shot. My gunman also retaliated by firing a shot, the Rashtriya Karni Sena chief told NDTV. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter further. (With ANI inputs) Law students from the batches of 2016 to 2024 of Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University returned to the campus from different parts of the country, to attend their convocation ceremony on Saturday. Gold, silver, and bronze medallists and awardees from every batch were felicitated at the event, with the gold medal winners being presented their achievements by the chief justice of India, DY Chandrachud. Gulafsha receiving her medal and degree from CJI Chandrachud (HT Photo) In all, 113 awards were given at the third convocation ceremony of RMLNLU, with four other categories for special awards in Law of Taxation, Criminal Law, Best Mooter of the Year and Student of the Year. Since several of the students from the past nine years are now placed across the country, and some even abroad, a few unfortunately could not make it to the ceremony to receive the awards themselves, and were presented the awards in absentia. Gulafsha, from Saharanpur, was one among the LLM gold medallists. A graduate of the 2020 batch, she is currently posted as the additional civil judge at Junior Division Farrukhabad. She was emotional as she received her medal from the CJI. Having lost both her parents in 2022, she wished that they had been by her side on this day. It was my parents dream to see me as a judge. But unfortunately, I lost them both in 2022, only a month before the notification for the exam was released. And in 2023 I cleared the exam, she recalled. They were supposed to be here with me today, and I am missing them so much, she said. Saurabh Tiwari, from Prayagraj, of the 2022 LLM batch, who also received a gold medal, is currently serving as an assistant legal advisor at ONGC Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. He said that he was thrilled to hear that the convocation was being held after a long gap of nine years. He said, When I started studying law after school, all I knew was that I did not want to take up science. But through the years of study, we realised that it involves a lot of critical thinking, helps us understand the problems of people as well as find solutions for them. The national and international moot courts also helped. Tiwari is also preparing for civil services, and hopes to see himself as an IAS officer in the future. Shivesh Raj Jaiswal of the 2023 batch, received a gold for LLM Honours and a silver medal for his BA LLB Honours. Hailing from Chandauli, he is now an additional civil judge in Sonbhadra. Gathering with so many batchmates, seniors and juniors for any reason is a really enriching experience, even aside from the medals and awards, he said. The diversity and exposure we got here is the best thing about this institution, said Jaiswal. When students from different backgrounds come together it always makes for a better experience. He said that as a civil judge now, his focus has turned from research, to analysing how to use the law to help poor litigants. It is up to us as lawyers to hold the system tight and not let people fall to the pitfalls of prejudice, he said. On the other hand, 31-year-old Mandavi Mehrotra, a second generation lawyer, now running her own practice, said, Coming back here amongst friends is like coming back to family. Born and brought up in Lucknow, she graduated with the batch of 2017, and came back to campus to receive her gold medal. As a full-fledged lawyer, she now deals with medico-legal cases, and insurance matters. She won the Virendra Bhatia Gold Medal Student of the Year award. A much younger graduate from 2023 is 24-year-old Vatsal Raj from Shimla. With a shining resume and a silver medal from the university to boot, Raj recently got his offer letter to pursue Masters in Law at Oxford University. Pursuing law has been a long-term dream of mine, and it is very satisfying to see it come together this way, he said. He said that while earlier he saw law as a means to pursue the UPSC exams, during the course of his studies, he realised that he truly enjoyed studying law itself. Raj also said that he utilised the Covid period of distance learning to pursue more internships and extracurricular studies that helped him in his pursuit. VARANASI: A PAC constable in an inebriated condition opened fire at a marriage event, injuring six people in Alam Patti under the Sadar Kotwali police station area of Ghazipur district during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, police said. For representation only (Sourced) According to police, the injured have been admitted to the hospital and a case has been registered against three people in this connection. The injured include Dharmendra Kushwaha, Anil Singh Kushwaha, Bikendra Kushwaha, Ankit Kushwaha, and Pankaj, all residents of different areas of Ghazipur, and Nikhil Tiwari of Kanpur Nagar. As per reports, the marriage of Anil Kushwaha was taking place in a marriage hall in Alam Patti on Friday night. The brides father, PAC constable Gulab Singh, posted in Sonbhadra, had invited his friend Ravindra Nath Singh Yadav, also a PAC constable, posted in Bhulanpur. Police said that according to the brides side, Ravindra Nath Singh Yadav allegedly started creating a ruckus in an inebriated condition. The brides relatives pacified him and asked him to sit in a room. Enraged over being made to sit in a room, Ravindra, along with his three friends, went to the mandap area and opened fire, causing chaos and injuring six people. After the incident, Yadav fled the scene with his aides, they said. Circle officer, Sadar, Sudhakar Pandey, said that a case had been registered and the matter was being investigated. LUCKNOW Traffic on the Lucknow-Delhi National Highway slowed down on Friday due to inundation of NH-24 via Bareilly, along with several urban areas in Shahjahanpur, in wake of the rising level of Garra river, confirmed UP relief commissioners office. Delhi highway flooded in Shahjahapur. (Source) The river rose due to water released from Nepal, which entered Shahjahanpur after Pilibhit, explained relief commissioner GS Naveen Kumar. He said the water level was currently receding, so the situation will normalize soon. He, however, added that the teams of State Disaster Response Force and National Disaster Response Force, PAC and district administration were working to rescue people trapped in submerged areas. Water entered the Shahjahanpur medical college, after which hundreds of patients were shifted to another hospital. The water also entered least 15-20 residential colonies of the city and many government offices were submerged in water, stated officials. Garra originates from the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, and is a tributary of the Ganga, which flows through major industrial areas of Shahjahanpur. An adjoining district of Shahjahanpur, Pilibhit is located about 48km northeast of Bareilly, on a tributary of the Ramganga River, which is also a tributary of the Ganga. SP (Shahjahanpur) AK Meena said traffic was moving continuously at a slow pace after the highway was flooded on Friday morning. Adequate police personnel were deployed to divert traffic and help people, he added. A commuter, Madhav Srivastava, who was travelling through the same highway, said the entire route in Shahjahanpur was flooded with around 3 feet water. He said it took a long time to move out of the highway and reach his destination in Bareilly. Rising rivers in many districts of UP, including Kushinagar, Bijnor, Budaun and Pilibhit, made life difficult for people as villages and localities on the riverbanks remained inundated. He said Nepal was witnessing heavy rains for the last few days, following which all the rivers flowing into India from Nepal were swollen. Nepal releases water when the water level in the dams of the Himalayan Kingdom starts rising, which results in inundation of UP and Bihar villages, he added. MUMBAI: The Mumbai crime branch on Friday filed a 3299-page charge-sheet against four accused arrested in connection with the Ghatkopar hoarding collapse of May 13, in which 17 people lost their lives and 74 were injured. Cops have recorded statements of 102 witnesses in the case till now. In the chargesheet filed before the Esplanade metropolitan magistrate court, the witnesses cited include two officials of the BMC, six from GRP and five witness statements of the masons and RMC suppliers Last month, the state government had suspended additional director general of police Quaiser Khalid, during whose tenure as commissioner, Government Railway Police (GRP), the permission was given to erect the 140X120-feet billboard in 2022, breaching the permissible limit of 40x40 feet, stipulated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Police have recorded statements of Khalid as well as current GRP commissioner Ravindra Shishve during the probe. Khalid had given the permission to erect a billboard to the Ego Media Pvt Ltd without issuing tenders, a couple of hours before handing over the charge to Shishve. Also Read | Maharashtra govt to unveil new policy for Mumbai hoardings after Ghatkopar incident Although the hoarding was erected after Shishve took charge, both the BMC and GRP did not take any legal action against Ego Media nor did they order its demolition, said a police official. The Mumbai crime branchs SIT, which probed the case, said the investigation is still going on against the people involved in the case. In the chargesheet filed before the Esplanade metropolitan magistrate court, the witnesses cited include two officials of the BMC, six from GRP and five witness statements of the masons and RMC suppliers. Apart from that the police have recorded the statement of 90 people who were injured and relatives of the deceased. Some of the forensic evidences are still pending in the case, said a police officer. Also Read | 2016 government circular prohibiting hoardings on highways ignored by BMC The accused named in the charge-sheet include Bhavesh Bhinde, who owns Ego Media and Manoj Ramkrishna Sanghu, a BMC-approved civil engineer, who had issued a stability certificate for the hoarding knowing full well that it had exceeded permissible limits. The other two accused are former director of Ego Media Jahanvi Marathe and Sagar Kumbhar, the contractor who had erected the hoarding. The investigation revealed that Marathe did not draft any agreement while awarding the contract to Kumbhare to erect the hoarding, but her company paid him 1 crore for constructing the foundation and piling work for all the four hoardings erected by Ego Media at Ghatkopar. Ego Media had applied for permission to erect three more hoardings on the same plot in Ghatkopar in 2020. The permission was granted by the GRP, which owns the land, with the size of the hoardings stipulated at 40x40 feet. In July 2022, Bhinde allegedly approached GRP commissioner Quaiser Khalid to increase the size of the hoardings to 80x80 feet and the length of the tenure from 10 to 30 years. Bhinde also sought permission for a fourth hoarding for which a tender was not issued. Khalid allegedly approved the application in December 2022 before handing over the charge to his successor, Ravindra Shisve. The fourth hoardings initial size was 120x70 feet which was subsequently increased to 140x120 feet, said another officer. According to the police, Ego Media paid 13 lakh rent per month for the three hoardings (measuring 80x80 feet each) and 11 lakh per month for the fourth hoarding, which collapsed on May 13. The disputed plot The Ghatkopar plot where the hoarding stood was originally owned by MHADA but given to GRP to construct residential quarters. Some of the buildings along the highway had become dilapidated and were pulled down, and the land was transferred for police welfare activity. Instead, a petrol pump operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited came up on the plot as did the four hoardings by Ego Media. Money trail Business partner of Quaisar Khalids wife Summana received at least 55 lakh from Ego Media Private Limited which erected the hoarding in violation of the BMC norms. Accounts of 12 people were used to deposit the 55 lakh, which were later withdrawn. Statements were recorded of Govandi resident Mohd Arshad Khan, who is Summanas business partner in a company called Mahpara Garments, which specialises in chikankari work. Khans name came up during the questioning of Ego Medias former director Jahanvi Marathe who revealed in her statement that the company had issued several blank cheques to Khan in 2021 and 2022 when Quaisar Khalid gave them the approval to install the hoardings along the EEH, Ghatkopar, without calling for tenders. Khan, who has no ostensible connection with Ego Media or the hoarding business, convinced 12 people in Govandi to allow him to use their bank accounts to deposit cheques which amounted to a total of 55 lakh and which he subsequently withdrew over time. More money exchanged hands later, and investigators are yet to establish the chain of transactions. Khalids suspension Khalids suspension follows two adverse reports by DGP Rashmi Shukla and DG, GRP, Dr Pradnya Sarvade. The reports blamed him for sanctioning the hoardings and petrol pump despite objections from Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation. The suspension order said that the state has decided to suspend Quaisar Khalid for administrative lapses and irregularities in sanctioning the hoarding without approval of the DGP office, and by deviating from the approved size norms. Maharashtra's cyber police filed a case against popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee after a parody account supposedly posted a fake message on X about Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birlas daughter, a senior official said on Saturday. YouTuber Dhruv Rathee. (File) The state cyber department reported that the account @dhruvrahtee falsely claimed that Birlas daughter had passed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam without taking it. The parody account's bio on X reads, This is the fan and parody account and not affiliated with the original account of @dhruv_rathee. Not impersonating anyone. This account is Parody. Based on a complaint from a relative of Birla, the police charged the YouTuber under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for defamation, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, and making a statement leading to mischief, along with charges under the IT Act, the official said. When it was noted that the alleged fake message was posted by a parody account and not Rathee's own, the official said, "We are investigating the matter." The parody account posted on X on Saturday, As directed by @MahaCyber1, I have deleted all my posts and comments on Anjali Birla, I will like to apologize as I was unaware about the facts and copied someone else' tweets and shared it. Earlier this year, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal claimed that she received rape and death threats following Rathee's video about the alleged assault on her by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's aide, Bibhav Kumar. Taking to X, Rathee wrote that several attempts had been made to defame him and that "perpetrators are pretending to be victims," without naming anyone. He said, Fake allegations against me, daily death threats, dehumanizing insults, coordinated campaigns to defame me Im used to it by now. The Congress and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Saturday demanded the arrest of Odisha governor Raghubar Das son Lalit Kumar for allegedly assaulting an employee of the Governors House at the Raj Bhavan in Puri. Odisha governor Raghubar Das. (File) Baikunthanath Pradhan, an assistant section officer (ASO) working at the Governors House in Bhubaneswar for the last three years, alleged that he was assaulted by Kumar at the Puri Raj Bhawan on July 7 during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu. President Murmu was at Puri Raj Bhawan from July 7 afternoon toduly 8 morning for the Rath Yatra festival. Being the in-charge of Raj Bhavan, Puri, Pradhan had been there since July 5 to supervise the preparedness of Raj Bhavan for the visit of President Murmu. In his complaint to the secretary to the governor, Pradhan alleged that Kumar attacked him on July 7 night while he was on duty. On 7th July night at around 11.45 P.M while I was sitting in the office room, personal cook of Odisha Governor Aakash Singh came to my office and told me that Lalit Kumar wanted to meet him at Suite No-4. When I went there, Lalit Kumar started slapping me and used abusive language. Feeling helpless, I started running out of the room and hid behind the Annexe building. However, the two PSOs (personal security officers) of Lalit Kumar found me and dragged me to Room No. 4 through the lift. Security Personnel and others present there have witnessed this incident. They again started slapping, blowing punches on my face, kicking every part of my body and twisted my left ankle, said Pradhan in his complaint. Pradhan alleged that Kumar threatened to murder him if he revealed the incident to anyone. Pradhans wife Sayoji alleged that the governors son was upset with her husband as he did not send a luxury car to pick him up. He even forced my husband to lick his shoes and spit, and even threatened to kill, she said. She alleged that though he has lodged a complaint with Puri Sea Beach Police Station and wrote a letter to the secretary to governor, no action has been taken so far. She said she met Governor Das on Saturday and he has assured her of justice. BJD MLA Pratap Deb questioned the governments silence even as six days have passed since the incident took place. Everyone is waiting for justice from the chief minister. Being in the Opposition party, we demand justice for the state government employee. It is very unfortunate and highly condemnable. Police are yet to register a case and take action even as the incident happened on July 7. I urge the CM to act on it immediately, he said. Congress workers on Saturday took to the street and staged protests in front of the Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar demanding strict action against the culprits. Senior Congress leader Niranjan Patnaik also expressed concerns over the incident and urged the CM to investigate the matter. I am deeply concerned about the recent incident involving Lalit Kumar, the son of Honble @GovernorOdisha Raghubar Das. It has been reported that on the night of July 7th, he allegedly assaulted Baikuntha Pradhan, an Assistant Section Officer and the Raj Bhawan in charge at Puri. Despite a formal complaint being filed, no action has been taken yet. I urge the Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, to order a thorough investigation and ensure that justice is served for the victim, Patnaik wrote on X. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said a case has been registered with police in Puri and an investigation is underway. HT tried to reach out to the son of the Governor, but there was no response. The East Singhbhum district administration has instructed officials to keep a close eye on people coming to Jamshedpur from Bengaluru after the number of confirmed cases of dengue in the district rose to eight, people familiar with the development said on Saturday. Eight confirmed dengue cases were found after testing 21 samples at MGMMCH till July 2 (HT Photo) The move comes after a dengue outbreak in Bengaluru and a subsequent alert by the Jharkhand state health department. We are vigil closely on people coming to the city and the district from Bengaluru, where a dengue outbreak has been reported. The district surveillance wing has been instructed to check, test, and focus on contact tracing of persons coming from Bengaluru following a telephonic discussion with the state malaria officer. There is no general advisory on dengue from the state health department. As of now, eight confirmed cases have been reported in Jamshedpur, Dr Jujhar Majhi, East Singhbhum district civil surgeon, told HT on Saturday. As per the district surveillance wing report, eight confirmed dengue cases were found after testing 21 samples at MGMMCH till July 2. Meanwhile, 32 dengue patients have been found in Khunti district. A 25-member surveillance team has been formed in the East Singhbhum district. All private and government hospitals, health centres, and pathology labs have been instructed to immediately report confirmed dengue cases to the surveillance officer Dr Asad and his team. Meanwhile, Mango Municipal Corporation (MMC) has collected a 2,500 fine after dengue larvae were found in their houses. The three urban bodies and Tata Steel Utility and Infrastructure Services Ltd (TSUISL) have surveyed 60,000 houses in the city and examined over 40,000 containers therein, finding dengue larvae in 360 containers till Thursday. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a prominent Kuki organisation in Manipur, on Saturday wrote an open letter to Union home minister Amit Shah urging the Centre to expedite creating a Union territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo community under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution. The Kuki body alleged that the sate police and central security forces have become mere spectators as these militants travel freely in vehicles, brandishing guns. (Representational image) It condemned the arrest of two village volunteers, including one juvenile, from Phaitol village in Manipurs Jiribam district, and the alleged beating of seven Kuki women by central security forces. Three village volunteers were arrested after an arson attack on the house of L. Hengjol villages chief, and five Kuki women beaten up by security forces had to be rushed to Noney Hospital for treatment. Additionally, security forces set fire to the home of the general secretary of Kuki Inpi (Jiribam, Noney, and Tamenglong), it said. Following the two incidents, Manipur police said in its statement that the two individuals from Phaitol village were apprehended during a combined search operation following an attack on Manipur police and Manipur Fire Service while trying to extinguish a fire in the village. Regarding the three individuals arrested in L. Hengjol village, police said they belonged to a militant outfit and were handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The Kuki body in its open letter alleged that the majority community is controlling the states resources and is continuing its ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zos. The NIA is also arresting people on terror charges for simply trying to protect their community. The NIA should not be used as a tool for suppression. Genuine cases can be taken up after a political solution is in place, it added. The recent instances of security forces arresting tribal volunteers and confiscating their weapons are not only blatantly unfair but also increase the vulnerability of Kuki-Zo villages along the foothills. While combing operations are in full swing in Kuki-Zo areas, Meitei militias with automatic weapons are freely operating in the state capital and surrounding valley, it said. The ITLF said, State police and central security forces have become mere spectators as these militants travel freely in vehicles, brandishing guns and openly calling for the genocide of the Kuki-Zo tribes. It said no sincere efforts have been made to retrieve the stolen arms and ammunition looted from the states armouries, and the commander-in-chief of Arambai Tengol, Korounganba Khuman, has not been arrested. We will not cooperate with the security forces if they continue to act in a biased manner. Action cannot be one-sided, it added. On March 13, the NIA arrested three members of the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF) from Imphal West district, including a self-styled army chief of the proscribed outfit, Thokchom Thoiba alias Shidabamapu, lieutenant colonel of the same outfit, Laimayum Ingba, who is also head of the intelligence department of UNLF(P), and another cadre. On Wednesday, the Manipur Police arrested two individuals belonging to Arambai Tengol, along with one INSAS rifle and a magazine loaded with 16 live rounds; one .38 pistol and a magazine loaded with 3 live rounds from Nambul Mapal, Paona Bazar, Imphal, Manipur. The ITLF further demanded the introduction of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) immediately in Imphal Valley and other valley areas if the central government is sincere about disarming everyone in the interest of peace and retrieving all stolen weapons. To address the bogey of illegal immigration, the government should document all the people who have fled to Manipur due to the crisis in Myanmar, issue ID cards, and house the refugees in designated camps. We are tired of being repeatedly referred to as illegal in our own land to justify the agenda of a majoritarian government and the actions of militant Meitei groups. The ITLF acknowledged that some Kuki-Zo people may have engaged in poppy cultivation; however, this does not mean the whole community is involved in or supports the practice. It said ITLF consistently backed the governments effort to combat the states drug problem. Instead of labelling the Kuki-Zo people as narco-terrorists, it should be noted that other tribes in Manipur are also engaged in poppy farming. ITLF leaders and other tribal CSOs (civil society organisations) are not aware of the peace talks mentioned by chief minister N. Biren Singh. The CM should stop spreading rumours to gain public support. If some people have taken part in any meeting, they are doing so in their personal capacity, it added. The open letter further said, There are reports that a military camp is being constructed along the Churachandpur-Bishnupur (Torbung Bangla) border. We request authorities to relocate the camp somewhere in the middle of Bishnupur and away from Churachandpur so that no unnecessary tension is created. Military operations will not bring peace to Manipur. The nature of the conflictthe death, destruction, and radicalisation of the Meitei communitymeans that the Kuki-Zo community will not be able to live a safe and dignified life in Manipur, even if some semblance of peace is enforced by the military, it added. Mobile internet services have been suspended in Dhalai district of Tripura for 24 hours to stop rumour mongering after tension sparked between different communities over the death of a tribal youth at Gandatwisa, nearly 112 kilometres from the capital city on Friday. Security personnel stand guard after shops and houses were set on fire following the death of a tribal youth in Dhalai district in Tripura on Friday night. (PTI) In a notification, Tripura home secretary PK Chakraborty said, .....it has been reported by the District Magistrate & Collector, Dhalai District that on 12th July, 2024 a kind of serious mob violence took place in Gandacharra Sub Division where burning of shops were reported and till today the situation is yet to return to normal and whereas, messaging system like SMS and whatsApp and social media platform like Facebook, Twitter and You tube are likely to be used for the transmission of fake information like picture, images, videos and text that have the potential to incite violence in that case at a larger rate..... Chakraborty, in the notification, said, The state promulgated the notification under the provision of Section 52 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to prohibit SMS messages of all mobile service providers, mobile internet or data service of all mobile service providers from midnight of 12/07/2024 to till the next day of 13/07/2024 of 12.00 PM (midnight) throughout the Dhalai District. The deceased, identified as Parameshwar Reang, was injured after a clash occurred at a local fair in Gandatwisa five days ago. He succumbed to his injuries while he was undergoing treatment at Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) hospital on Friday. A huge contingent of police was deployed in the area to bring the situation under control after three-four shops were gutted and a few houses were damaged. According to people familiar with the matter, some locals pelted stones at the police when the latter went there. There was some tension in some areas ( andatwisa) after the body of the youth reached his residence, said one senior police official on the condition of anonymity. Speaking on the issue, Dhalai district magistrate Saju Waheed said that an altercation broke out between two local youths five days ago in which one of them got injured and he succumbed to his injuries on Friday. There was tension in the area after that (death of the youth). The situation is under control. We imposed Section 144 for 2-3 days from yesterday. Peace meetings were held in the localities, said the official. Later, the Dhalai police appealed to people to refrain from posting, sharing and expressing any communal sentiments regarding the incident. An untoward incident has occurred which resulted into death of one person, the incident is being used by some anti-social elements to stoke hatred and commit offences such as arson and looting, it is to inform all citizens of Tripura that all senior officers along with sufficient security forces are camping and patrolling in Ganda Twisa and situation is under control. In this regard prohibitory orders U/S -163 BNSS has been issued by SDM Ganda twisa, prohibiting assembly of more than five people in and around the Gonda twisa sub division. Kindly refrain from posting, sharing, expressing any communal sentiments as it will amount to an offence under BNS and IT Act, any deviation will be strictly dealt with, Dhalai police wrote on X. Appealing everyone to maintain peace, Tripuras ruling BJPs alliance partner TIPRA Motha party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said that the government would take strict action on Reangs death. I condemn the murder of Parmeshwar Reang in Gandatwisa. I have personally spoken to the Highest Police authority and demanded that the culprits be charged under relevant IPC. Also appeal for peace and restraint, will personally go and meet the family. We demand Justice! Pradyot wrote on his Facebook account. Government of Karnataka will close the KARTET 2024 Answer Key objection window on July 13, 2024. Candidates who have appeared for the examination can check the answer key and raise objection. The objection window will close at sts.karnataka.gov.in. KARTET 2024 Answer Key: Objection window closes today, direct link here The answer key for Paper I and Paper II was released and July 8, 2024. The last date to raise objections is till today. Candidates need to enter their application/registration number and date of birth and after entering to the registered mobile number to open the objection related webpage. To raise objections, candidates can follow the steps given below. KARTET 2024 Answer Key: How to raise objections Visit the official website of STS, Karnataka at sts.karnataka.gov.in. Click on KARTET 2024 Answer Key objection window link available on the home page. A new page will open where candidates will have to login to the account. Click on the question you want to raise objection for and upload the necessary documents. Make the payment of processing fee and click on submit. Once done, download the confirmation page. Keep a hard copy of the same for further need. Objections to answer-keys should be submitted online only. Objections submitted through any mode other than online will not be entertained. The Karnataka Teachers Eligibility Test was conducted on June 30, 2024, in pen-and-paper mode across the state. There was two papers Paper 1 was held in the first shift from 9:30 am to 12 pm and Paper 2 was conducted from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. The questions were of an objective type. For more related details candidates can check the official website of STS, Karnataka. The University of Rajasthan released the provisional answer key for the Rajasthan ULET 2024. Candidates who took the examination can check and download the answer key from the official website at ulet.univraj.org. ULET 2024 Answer Key released at ulet.univraj.org. Download via direct link. The ULET 2024 was conducted by the Rajasthan University on July 12, 2024. The examination was conducted from 8:30 AM to 10 AM. Also read: Delhi HC restores names of students removed from private school over fee hike dispute, details here The University informed that candidates can submit objections, if any, from July 15 to July 16, 2024, between 11 AM and 4 PM. The notice read, Examinees are directed to submit the representation in writing regarding objection in Answer Key, if any, to the Convener, ULET-2024, University Law College Centre-Il, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur on 15-07-2024 and 16-07-2024 between office hours i.e. I l:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. No objection shall be entertained after the prescribed time limit. Also read: UPSC CMS Examination 2024: Here are the important exam-day guidelines all candidates must remember As per the schedule, the revised answer key is expected to be out on July 18, 2024, and the ULET 2024 declaration will tentatively be out on July 20, 2024. Furthermore, the ULET 2024 counselling dates will be notified separately. Also read: CAT 2024 notification awaited: Know where, how to apply for IIM CAT ULET 2024 Answer Key: Steps to download Visit the official website of ULET at ulet.univraj.org. On the home page, click on the link titled ULET-2024 Answer Key The ULET 2024 Answer Key PDF will open in a new window. Download the PDF and keep a printout for future reference. For more information, candidates are advised to visit the official website. The Delhi High Court has restored on the rolls of a private school the names of certain students that were struck off after the parents refused to pay the hiked fees. The Delhi High Court has restored the name of students removed from a private school over non-payment of hiked fee. (HT Photo) Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in an order passed on July 9, asked the parents to deposit 50 per cent of the hiked school fee for the ongoing academic year. The court's order came on a petition by the parents who argued that Delhi Public School in Dwarka removed the names of their wards from its rolls on account of non-payment of the hiked fee. Also read: UPSC CMS Examination 2024: Here are the important exam-day guidelines all candidates must remember The parents claimed that the fee was hiked without the approval of the Directorate of Education (DoE). The court issued a notice to the DoE as well as the school on the petition and asked them to file their response within two weeks. "In the interregnum, it is directed that without prejudice to the rights and contentions of the respective parties and subject to the petitioners depositing 50 per cent of the hiked school fee only for the academic year 2024-25, the names of the wards of the petitioners be restored on the rolls of the school in their respective classes, subject to the final outcome of the present writ petition. Also read: AP EAMCET Counselling 2024: Last day to modify options, direct link and other important details here "The present order is being passed keeping in view the future and saving the academic year of the petitioners herein," the court said. The petitioner-parents have claimed that the school administration recently expelled more than 20 students for not paying the hiked fees, which, according to them, was unapproved. Also read: CUET UG 2024: Delay in result may push first semester classes to August 16, says DU Vice Chancellor In the petition, the petitioners not only sought directions to immediately reinstate their children but also to direct the school to only charge the "approved" fee for the academic year. The plea said the school administration should "strictly comply" with a high court decision that held that no unapproved fee can be charged from the parents unless the same is approved by the DoE. The Gujarat government has announced a rollback of its recent decision to significantly increase fees for MBBS courses in medical colleges run by the Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS). This move comes in response to widespread protests across the state against the steep fee hike. Gujarat government has announced rollback of its decision to hike medical college fee. A new circular with revised fees for the 13 GMERS medical colleges will be issued soon. (Representative image) State government spokesperson and minister of health Rushikesh Patel made the announcement, assuring that a new circular with revised fees for the 13 GMERS medical colleges will be issued soon. Speaking to media persons in Gandhinagar Patel emphasized that the government is committed to making decisions in the best interests of students and urged families to remain calm as they work on providing fee benefits through various schemes. Also read: ULET 2024 Answer Key released at ulet.univraj.org, direct link to download and other important details here The rollback decision follows intense pressure from multiple quarters, including students, parents' associations, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and political opposition. The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) had taken a strong stance against the fee hike, with state Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil threatening protests at all levels if the increase was not reversed. The original fee hike, announced on June 28, had raised annual fees for state and all-India quota seats by 66% from 3.3 lakh to 5.5 lakh. Management quota fees saw an even steeper increase of 87%, from 9.07 lakh to 17 lakh, while NRI quota fees were bumped up by 13% from $22,000 to $25,000 per annum. Also read: Delhi HC restores names of students removed from private school over fee hike dispute, details here Critics argued that such substantial increases contradicted GMERS's original mission of providing affordable medical education and strengthening Gujarat's healthcare sector. The IMA's Gujarat chapter had written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, expressing concern that the fee hike would make medical education nearly impossible for poor and middle-class students. Also read: UPSC CMS Examination 2024: Here are the important exam-day guidelines all candidates must remember GMERS, established 14 years ago, operates 13 medical colleges across the state with a total of 2,100 seats. Of these, 75% are reserved for the state quota, 10% for the management quota, and 15% for the NRI quota, with 75 seats allocated to the all-India quota. This is not the first time GMERS has faced backlash over fee increases. In 2023, a similar hike was retracted following protests. N.Korean defence ministry condemns S.Korea-US joint statement on containing Pyongyang Seoul, July 13 (UNI) The North Korean Defence Ministry strongly condemned the recent statements by the leaders of the United States and South Korea made at the NATO summit in Washington, as well as the new Seoul-Washington document on the guidelines on nuclear deterrence on the Korean peninsula. On Thursday, South Korea and the US signed the guidelines, which regulate the interaction between the two countries on the issue, including the work of the Seoul-Washington Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). US President Joe Biden also told his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol at the summit that the US would deter possible North Korean attacks with a "full range of capabilities," the White House said. Inside moment Several moments from the wedding have surfaced on the internet, including photos of a mystery man holding Ananya close. In the pics that are all over the internet now, the mysterious foreigner was spotted holding the actor close during Anant Ambani's wedding procession. Ananya was smiling in the photo. There are even more pics of this man on stage with Ananya, dancing to popular songs at the wedding. The viral pic. Frenzy among fans The images surfaced on Reddit and quickly got everyones attention. Some social media users are wondering if the man in question is Walker Blanco, an employee at Vantara. The speculation comes after a Redditor posted a screenshot of Ananya following Walker on Instagram, writing, It seems to be this guy who I guess works for Vantara! Ananya follows his sister too. However, it is unclear who the man in the photo really is. I want someone to hold me like that goddamit, wrote another, with one writing, Hes very handsome. Oh my god, is she dating him, exclaimed one user. Another pic. The breakup report Earlier this month, a report by ETimes stated that Aditya and Ananya Panday parted ways in March this year. A source close to the estranged couple shared that the actors are trying to move on while remaining cordial with one another. They broke up almost a month ago. They were going quite well, and the breakup came as a shock to all of us. They are cordial with each other. Ananya is trying to move on; of course, theres hurt. She is spending time with her new furry friend. Aditya is also trying to deal with the situation maturely, the report quoted the source as saying. The rumours of Ananya and Aditya being in a relationship first surfaced in 2022. It was when they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali party. Later, filmmaker Karan Johar dropped several hints about Ananya and Aditya relationship in episodes of his talk show, Koffee With Karan. Following that, they were spotted together at airports and on vacations abroad. Ananya at Ambani wedding Ananya mixed comfort and style at Anant and Radhika's wedding today in a bright yellow lehenga set featuring a bralette and skirt decked in shimmering gold sequins. While the blouse has spaghetti straps, a deep V neckline, a cropped hem, and a fitted bust, the lehenga has maximum flare and a high-rise waist. She styled the ensemble with white sneakers, a centre-parted bun, dainty earrings, kohl-lined eyes, and blush-pink lips. Anant got married to Radhika Merchant in Mumbai on Friday. The celebrations will continue on Saturday, July 13, with Shubh Aashirwad. The final event, Mangal Utsav or the wedding reception, is scheduled for Sunday, July 14. Actor Ranbir Kapoor was among the many celebrities who attended the wedding ceremony of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Now, a video has emerged of the actor receiving a business card from a guest at the event. (Also Read | From Chaiyya Chaiyya to Tauba Tauba: Shah Rukh Khan, Vicky Kaushal, Ranbir Kapoor shake a leg at Ambani wedding. Watch) Ranbir Kapoor interacted with a person at the Ambani wedding. Person gives Ranbir business card In the clip, the guest approached Ranbir and shook his hands. He then whispered something in his ears. The actor then nodded his head, smiled, and mouthed, "thank you." After that, the person gave Ranbir a card, which he politely accepted. The video ended with the person talking to Ranbir for some more time. The actor was seen patiently listening to him. Internet reacts to video The video was shared on X (previously Twiter) with the caption, "Somebody gave their business card to Ranbir." Reacting to the video, a fan said, "Very common at big events. Lots of people there are far more wealthier than most of the movie stars." A person wrote, "Come for the ad shoot." A comment read, "Halwaii hoga. Janmdin, anniversary, mundan, sab occasions ke liye mithai banate hain. Ye mera card (He must have a sweet shop. Birthday, tonsure, we make sweets for every occasion. This is my card)." An X user tweeted, "There is no somebody in that party. Everyone is very good in their own field that's why invited there." "Koi investment advisor hoga (Must be some investment advisor)," read a tweet. "If people think these events are for celebration, then they are fools. These events are to make connections and increase their income. It's all about business at the end of the day," said another person. A fan joked, "Cut to 2025 when Ranbir Kapoor will feature in Vimal pan masala ad." Ranbir and Alia at wedding Ranbir attended the wedding with his wife-actor Alia Bhatt. Alia opted for a pink saree. She completed her look with maang tika, jhumka and a stunning neckpiece. Ranbir chose to wear a sherwani for the occasion. About Ambani event The wedding celebration of Radhika with Anant Ambani took place at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Their Shubh Vivaah will be followed by Shubh Aashirwad on July 13 and Mangal Utsav (wedding reception) on July 14. The wedding ceremony also saw the presence of Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Rajinikanth, Mahesh Babu, Yash, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Smriti Irani, Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday among others. By Andrew Hay Alec Baldwin's trial ends as judge dismisses Rust charges against him SANTA FE, New Mexico -A New Mexico judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin on Friday, agreeing with his lawyers that prosecutors and police withheld evidence on the source of the live round that killed "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. Three days after Baldwin's trial began in New Mexico, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled after hearing evidence on the defense request made earlier on Friday. Baldwin hugged his wife Hilaria Baldwin, who had been in court throughout this week's hearings, and his sister Elizabeth Keuchler was in tears after the judge's ruling. Baldwin then left the courthouse without speaking to reporters. The actor's legal team said the Santa Fe sheriff's office took possession of live rounds as evidence in the case but failed to list them in the "Rust" investigation file or disclose their existence to defense lawyers. They also alleged the rounds were evidence that the bullet that killed Hutchins came from Seth Kenney, the movie's prop supplier. Kenney has denied supplying live ammunition to the production and has not been charged in the case. "The state's withholding of the evidence was wilful and deliberate," Sommer said in delivering her decision. "Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice." Erlinda Johnson, one of the state prosecutors, resigned from the case earlier on Friday. "I did not intend to mislead the court," lead state prosecutor Kari Morrissey told the court after calling herself to the stand. "My understanding of what was dropped off at the sheriff's office is on this computer screen and it looks absolutely nothing like the live rounds from the set of Rust." The Colt .45 rounds at the center of the dismissal were handed into the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office on March 6 by Troy Teske, a friend of Thell Reed, the stepfather of "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez, on the same day Gutierrez was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Hutchins' death. A Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office technician, Marissa Poppel, testified before the judge on Friday that the rounds were not hidden from Baldwin and she was told to file them and details on how they were obtained under a different case number to the "Rust" case. She disputed defense lawyer Alex Spiro's assertion the Colt .45 ammunition matched the round that killed Hutchins. Spiro questioned Morrissey about her attitude toward his client, saying witnesses had reported she had characterized him with expletives said she would teach him a lesson. "I never said to witnesses that I would teach him a lesson," she said. Prosecutors accused Gutierrez of bringing the live rounds onto the set, an allegation she denied. Prosecutors allege Baldwin played a role in the death of Hutchins because he handled the gun irresponsibly. His lawyers say Baldwin was failed by Gutierrez and others responsible for safety on the set, and that law enforcement agents were more interested in prosecuting their client than finding the source of a live round that killed Hutchins. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. By Andrew Hay Events leading to Alec Baldwin 'Rust' shooting trial -On Oct. 21, 2021, a reproduction Single Action Army revolver actor Alec Baldwin was using to set up a camera shot on the movie "Rust" fired a live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounded director Joel Souza. The following is a chronology that includes Baldwin's comments in relation to the shooting on a New Mexico film set and events surrounding Hollywood's first on-set fatal shooting in nearly 30 years. 2021 DECEMBER - In an ABC News interview with George Stephanopoulos, Baldwin denies responsibility for the shooting. He says the revolver "went off" on its own, and he did not pull the trigger. 2022 JULY - An FBI test of Baldwin's gun finds it "functioned normally." The revolver would not fire from the full cock position without the trigger pulled. 2023 JANUARY - New Mexico state prosecutors charge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter and a firearm enhancement that carries a potential five-year prison sentence. FEBRUARY - Prosecutors drop the firearm enhancement after his lawyers argue the law was not in force when the shooting occurred. Baldwin still faces an involuntary manslaughter charge with up to 18 months prison. MARCH - "Rust" first assistant director Dave Halls accepts blame for not checking the rounds in Baldwin's gun and enters a plea deal with prosecutors. Halls is convicted on a misdemeanor charge and given a six-month suspended sentence. He is the only member of the "Rust" cast or crew to enter a plea deal. - New Mexico state prosecutor Andrea Reeb resigns after Baldwin's lawyers say it is illegal for her to hold two posts in state government. Reeb is also a Republican state representative. - Two weeks later, Santa Fe county District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies says she is resigning as a prosecutor. She appoints veteran Albuquerque criminal defense attorneys Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis as new special prosecutors. RIL - Weeks before a preliminary hearing, Morrissey and Lewis drop charges against Baldwin. A person familiar with the case says Baldwin's legal team presented evidence the revolver was modified, allowing it to fire without the trigger pulled. - Morrissey says she will refile charges if an independent test of the gun confirms it was in normal working condition. AUGUST - Independent firearms expert Lucien Haag finds the gun will not fire at the full cock position without the trigger being pulled. Haag says damage to the trigger sear and rounding off of the full-cock notch on the gun appears to have been caused by FBI testing rather than modification. OCTOBER - Prosecutors say they will recharge Baldwin based on Haag's testing. - Prosecutors offer Baldwin the same plea deal given to Halls then withdraw it alleging the actor's efforts to protect his "public image," including pressuring case witnesses into interviews for a documentary on Hutchins, would continue to harm victims and their families. 2024 JANUARY - Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter a second time as a Santa Fe grand jury indicts him. MARCH - "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by a Santa Fe, New Mexico jury for mistakenly loading a live round into Baldwin's gun. RIL - New Mexico district court judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sentences Gutierrez to the maximum 18 months in state prison, telling her she has shown no contrition. MAY - Sommer denies motions by Baldwin's legal team to dismiss charges after they argue prosecutors rigged the grand jury against the actor. - Baldwin's legal team learns Haag's August 2023 study included a supplemental "third report" they were never shown that said the gun had unexplained toolmarks on the trigger that did not appear to be from the original manufacturer, regular use, or FBI testing. JUNE - Baldwin's legal team says Haag's third report contradicts his original findings and bolsters their argument the gun was modified. They accuse prosecutors of withholding exculpatory evidence from the grand jury and defense lawyers. -Baldwin's team publishes emails showing state prosecutors were told in April 2023 by their movie set firearms safety expert Bryan Carpenter that the full-cock notch was filed down. - Marlowe Sommer rejects additional Baldwin motions to dismiss the charge based on factors such as destruction of the gun during FBI testing. - Haag says in a court hearing he now believes the unexplained tool marks referenced in his third report were the result of FBI testing of the gun. JULY 10 - Opening statements in Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter trial. JULY 12 - Judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin after his lawyers alleged police hid evidence. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Saturday must have been a heavy day to deal with for Sean Diddy Combs. Not only did Eminem rip the disgraced hip-gop moguls name thrice in his latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace), on July 12, the Bad Boy for Life again made it to the headlines for allegedly viciously threatening the former Vibe Magazine editor-in-chief. (FILES) Sean Combs 'P. Diddy' is the target of several civil lawsuits that characterize him as a violent sexual predator who used alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims, and his homes were raided this year by federal agents. (AFP/ ANGELA WEISS) Danyel Smith penned a personal essay for the New York Times on Saturday, claiming the producer, whos already embroiled in several contentious legal battles, once purportedly threatened to see her dead in the trunk of a car. According to Smiths recollection of the incident, she and the Bad Boy Records founder got entangled in a disagreement over his December 1997/January 1998 double-issue cover. Smiths NYT story, I Knew Diddy for Years. What I Now Remember Haunts Me, primarily looks back on her own life as a woman in the music industry and drags Diddy and others for perpetrating inescapable sexism. Presumably, Smith mustered up the courage to put her side of the story into words after witnessing several other parties attempting to hold him accountable for his alleged distasteful misconducts, including possible grooming, sexual assault, sex trafficking and much more. The veteran magazine editor also shared her personal piece of writing on social media. Took me near 30 years to write this essay for @nytmag im sad. and im mad. and grateful for support from the brilliant and generous @emilwilbekin @ava_chin @jessewashington19 as well as my patient and genius editor @nielaorr thank you @macdowell1907 thank you @elliottwilson, she wrote on Instagram. Also read | Kanye West allegedly sent inappropriate messages to 22-year-old model Mikaela Lafuente However, unlike the major accusations of a sexual disposition in the grand scheme of Diddys fall from grace, Smiths exchange with Diddy in July 1997 was something that transpired on the professional platform. Describing the incident as insidious, something that broke her brain, considering how it demonstrated the way dynamic and domineering moved in our heyday. What happened between the veteran journalist and Diddy, recalled by Danyel Smith According to the timeline purported by Smith, the incident came at the heels of hip-hop icons Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G.s murders when the American journalist was named the editor-in-chief of the music magazine Vibe. Combs was the cover star of the then-magazine double issue. The photoshoot was inspired by the 1978 Warren Beauty movie Heaven Can Wait poster, which depicted Diddy in white angel wings. However, akin to the unsettling revelations ahead, the split cover was to feature antithetical motifsone with heavenly signifiers and another with hellish ones. Once the shoot successfully wrapped up, Diddy requested access to the covers before they went to press. It wasnt our policy to show covers before publication, Smith remarked. As a result, denied him permission to see the covers, but soon, she heard that the rapper would be coming back to their office, leaving them with no choice but to show him their final picks for the cover possibly even make [them] choose something else if he didnt like what he saw. Also read | Whats next for Alec Baldwin after involuntary manslaughter case dismissal Shortly after, Combs rang up the journalists office. It was then that Combs told me, as Ive retold hundreds of times over the years, that he would see me dead in the trunk of a car. Smith told him to take that threat back. However, he reportedly replied, Take what back? following up with a vile laugh and [Expletive] you. According to Smith, he further threatened her, saying, I know where you are right now. Right on Lexington. Eventually, she threatened legal action, but her words didnt have any effect on the rapper. Within two hours of her reaching out to her attorney, Combs faxed her an apology. Soon after those threatening encounters with Diddy, Smith walked into her office one day only to find out that a couple of their servers had been stolen from the office. It turned out, that the magazine issue with Diddy as its focus was also saved on one of these servers, causing suspicion that Diddys agency was possibly responsible for what had happened. Ultimately, Vibes art director came to the rescue, having saved the issue on a disk. Smiths report came to light over a week after model Adria English filed a lawsuit against Diddy on July 3, stating that after being employed by the producer in 2004, she was groomed into sex trafficking over time. The critics finally gave Anna Sawai her due at the 40th Television Critics Association Awards on Friday, where she clinched the unforgettable victory for individual achievement in drama for her role as noblewoman Toda Mariko in FXs hit series Shogun. The New Zealand-born Japanese actress defeated her co-star and several highly acclaimed stars to snag the win. Anna Sawai as Lady Mariko in Shogun.(Instagram) Set in feudal Japan, the drama series led by Hiroyuki Sanada ruled at the award ceremony with the highest number of honours, vanquishing numerous TV greats, including The Bear, Baby Reindeer, Fargo, Ripley and others. Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks's ensemble-led historical drama also succeeded with flying colours, taking home some of the most celebrated titles of the night - outstanding achievement in drama and outstanding new program. These wins rounded out the shows victories to a big four ahead of the soon-to-be-announced Emmy Awards nominations for the year, where the series is again expected to shine bright. Also read | Kris Jenner finally getting married to longtime boyfriend after decade-long relationship? Who will be her bridesmaids Late Emmy-winning actor Andre Braughers (Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bojack Horseman, Thief) memory was posthumously eulogised at the event where he was proclaimed the Career Achievement honouree. Meanwhile, a significantly influential TV series that originally kicked off its broadcast in the 90s claimed the Heritage Award for its impactful relevance. Here's your hint: the Kyle MacLachlan-led mystery series was created by David Lynch and Mark Frost and ran for two seasons. Other notable winners of the night included Netflixs Baby Reindeer, Disney Plus Doctor Who, and the beloved children's program Bluey. Also read | Never-ending Diddy story: Sean Combs allegedly threatened veteran journalist would be dead in the trunk of a car 2024 TCA Awards Winners List Individual achievement in drama: Anna Sawai for Shogun (FX) Nominations included Jodie Foster for True Detective: Night Country, Hiroyuki Sanada for Shogun, Andrew Scott for Ripley, Juno Temple for Fargo, and Richard Gadd for Baby Reindeer. Individual achievement in comedy: Jean Smart for Hacks (Max) Nominations included Ayo Edebiri for The Bear, Devery Jacobs for Reservation Dogs, Jeremy Allen White for The Bear, Quinta Brunson for Abbott Elementary and Renee Elise Goldsberry for Girls5Eva. Outstanding new program: Shogun Nominations included X-Men '97, Baby Reindeer, Fallout, Mr & Mrs Smith and Ripley. Outstanding achievement in miniseries, movies or specials: Baby Reindeer (Netflix) Nominations included Fargo, Ripley, The Sympathizer, The Fall of the House of Usher and Fellow Travellers. Program of the year: Shogun Nominations included The Bear, Hacks, Reservation Dogs, Ripley and Baby Reindeer. Outstanding achievement in variety, talk or sketch: John Mulaney Presents: Everybodys in LA (Netflix) Nominations included Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Daily Show and Saturday Night Live. Outstanding achievement in family programming: Doctor Who (Disney Plus) Nominations included Heartstopper, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, X-Men '97, My Adventures with Superman and Renegade Nell. Outstanding achievement in childrens programming: Bluey (Disney Plus) Nominations included Frog & Toad, Pokemon Concierge, Sesame Street, Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home Franklin and Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood. Outstanding achievement in reality programming: The Traitors (Peacock) Nominations included Conan O'Brien Must Go, Top Chef, Welcome to Wrexham, We're Here, Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show and The Amazing Race. Outstanding achievement in new and information: Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (ID) Nominations included The Jinx: Part Two, Queens, Telemarketers, Frontline and America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston. Bigg Boss OTT 3 witnesses a new clash and rivalry among housemates in every episode. The celebrity reality show stays true to its theme focusing on friendships, conspiracies, allegations and heartbreaks. In a recent episode, Kritika Malik and Sana Makbul got into heated war of words after the former questioned her personality. (Also read: Bigg Boss OTT 3: Shilpa Shinde takes jibe at Anil Kapoor over replacing Salman Khan) San Makbul and Kritika Malik got into war of words in the latest episode of Bigg Boss OTT 3. Sana Makbul calls Kritika Malik paltu In a video from the episode, Sana and Shivani Kumari are seen speaking to each other. As Shivani is called Chota Akhbaar (small newspaper) for relaying messages among housemates and sharing the daily gossip, she also spoke Kritika. The latter said, When I sleep at night, I remember everything that happened during the day. So, yesterday, Sana Makbul said to me, Tell me, how do I look?' You don't even understand what you are doing yourself and you are coming to tell me. I forgot to mention this point. Shivani tells her that she will communicate her message to Sana. After listening to Shivani, Sana said, She is questioning my personality? She is showing her true personality. Tell her that Sana Makbul called Kritika a paltu (flipper). I will only explain to those who matter. Talk to my hand or talk to my shoes. My shoes are very expensive. She concluded by lifting her leg while pointing at her footwear and said, Sorry, are you talking to me? Please talk to it. Armaan Malik slap incident Kritika is the second wife of Armaan Malik. Recently, a huge controversy erupted after Armaan slapped Vishal Pandey for his alleged inappropriate remarks about his wife. While Urfi Javed and a section of fans backed Armaan. Gauhar Khan, Bebika Dhurve, Rakhi Sawant and Vishal's sister Neha Pandey demanded Armaan's eviction. Vishal's parents also requested Bigg Boss in a video message to remove Armaan for his actions. Bigg Boss OTT 3 is available for streaming on JioCinemas. In October 2021, Alec Baldwin's world turned upside down. Rehearsals for a scene in the now-erstwhile Western flick Rust, turned bloody when what was supposed to be an unloaded gun ended up firing a shot which took cinematographer Hayla Hutchins life and injured director Joel Souza. What ensued was a continuous shifting of blame between Alec and Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the latter being the armorer on the sets of the film, also entrusted with overseeing the firearms on set. Alec Baldwin, Robert Downey Jr, Johnny Depp: Actors who have had serious run-ins with the law(X) Both were charged with involuntary manslaughter in January 2023 with Hannah also being convicted of the charge in March 2024. However, she was acquitted soon enough on a charge of tampering with evidence. Alec was slapped with a new involuntary manslaughter charge in January 2024 and went to trial in July. The case however, stood officially dismissed by New Mexico judge Mary Marlowe Sommer a mere few days in. This was motivated by the defense's argument that the prosecutors hid evidence from them about ammunition on the sets, evidence which could very well be related to the shooting. With Alec presumably free to walk, let's take a look at other Hollywood actors who have had rather serious brushes with law. Robert Downey Jr Being in front of the camera wasn't all that new to a young Robert Downey Jr, considering he had made his acting debut way back when he was all of 5 years old. However, his early year's in the industry stood significantly marred with drug abuse and erratic behaviour. In June 1996, the Iron Man-to-be was arrested for the possession of heroin, cocaine, crack, and an unloaded handgun, while he was speeding down Sunset Boulevard. After multiple such run-ins coupled with his unwillingness to comply with the law, he was sentenced in 1999 to 3 years in prison. He was subsequently let out in August 2000 following which he suffered another relapse with cocaine. RDJ eventually decided to get his life back together, checking into rehab. What commenced was one of the strongest real-life redemption arcs of a public figure. The actor makes for a shining example of what second (and third) chances can do for one, given they are committed enough. The actor won his first Academy Award this year for Oppenheimer, celebrating one of his most keynote roles across his acting career. Ezra Miller Ezra Miller was on the cusp of establishing quite the exciting Hollywood career, what with his titular work as Flash coupled with other projects like the Fantastic Beasts franchise. All of this stood marred by repeated resurgences of his violent side in the public eye. As if choking a woman in a bar (2020) or his Hawaii arrests (2022) were already not enough, the fact that he purposefully evaded the police endlessly as they attempted to serve him a notice, was the final blow. Ezra at the time, was being accused of grooming an 18-year old activist, Tokata Iron Eyes. The two has reportedly met back in 2016 when Ezra was 23 and Tokata was all of 12. Legal documents further allege, "Ezra uses violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions, and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata". The actor's antics were further described as "cult-like and psychologically manipulative, controlling behavior". Though Ezra was not dropped from the Flash movie, his career appears to be almost entirely halted. In August 2022, Ezra revealed that they were seeking mental health treatment. Mark Wahlberg After RDJ, Mark Wahlberg makes for a shining example of heartening redemption arcs. The year was 1988 and Mark was 16 years of age. He was arrested for assaulting a man by the name of Johnny Trinh. He was charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance. He served half of his sentence and came out a reformed man. As a matter of fact, Trinh has even publicly forgiven the actor for the incident. Mark went on to debut in films in 1993 and hasn't looked back since then. Mark Wahlberg Special mention: Johnny Depp Johnny Depp met co-star and future wife Amber Heard in 2009. The much-in-love couple tied the knot in February 2015. The marriage was short-lived but that wasn't the biggest crater in Johnny and Amber's catatonic relationship. Though she had accused him of physical abuse while filing for divorce in 2016, The Washington Post op-ed, dated 2018, in which she labelled him as a "wife beater" sparked arguably one of the most filthy public trials of recent times. While the initial bout of defamation and libel rounds in the UK saw Johnny on a serious backfooting, the 2022 trial entirely flipped the table on Amber. Johnny Depp While Amber's side of the story was known, Johnny's accounts of violence he sustained at the hands of his ex-wife, arguably became the most fed-on social media fodder for the year. Though the 'crimes' involved in the nail-biting Depp-Heard trial make up an entirely different profile than the aforementioned instances, it still counts as one of the most ruthless trials by (social) media, a rather common occurrence when it comes to cases involving celebrities. Circling back to Alec Baldwin, news of his case being dismissed saw the actor break down into tears as he hugged his attorneys. He went on to hold his wife Hilaria Baldwin in a long embrace before exiting the Santa Fe court. He is yet to verbally address the development. Actor-couple Divyanka Tripathi Dahiya and Vivek Dahiya met with an unfortunate incident in Florence, Italy and were robbed of money and their passports. After the couple asked for help on social media, several reports emerged stating that they do not have money to even return home. However, Divyanka, talking to us exclusively, informs that it is not true and they had booked return tickets while planning their holiday. Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya had gone for a European vacation to celebrate wedding anniversary. I just thought people should know that a friend had helped us with his credit card. So, we connected it to our Apple Pay, so now we are able to do online transactions, she tells us, adding, "Also, some reports said that we dont have money to come back home. Obviously that is not the case, when you go abroad, you need a return ticket too. Divyanka and Vivek have been robbed of their belongings like wallets, cash, passports and other valuable items and have now applied for emergency certificate. Divyanka spoke to us as they were on their way to Rome for the certificate and clarifies that fans back in India need not worry. Also Read: Divyanka Tripathi robbed in Florence: How to keep valuables safe when travelling The actor further states that whenever travelling, their return ticket is always sorted. Its just that if we get emergency certificate, then we will be able to catch the flight on time. Otherwise we can always postpone it but we have amendable tickets. There is no need to panic and our fans also shouldnt worry, she adds. Divyanka and Vivek are also sharing their updates on social media to ensure that the right help comes their way. Just like wearing white to a Christian wedding is considered to be an absolute disservice to the bride on her big day, the same sentiment has been honoured for generations when it comes to red and Indian weddings with the colour quintessentially being seen as a bridal hue. However, with brides-to-be increasingly moving away from the typical and instead opting for colours that speak to their personal aesthetic, red appears to have taken a back seat in the contemporary wedding landscape of the country. That being said, a thorough comeback appears to be on the cards for red, albeit with a significant twist. While it was an absolute non-no to wear red to weddings, the colour reigned big on the sartorial mood boards of some of the most keynote attendees marking their presence for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's nuptials. As a matter of fact, sister of the bride, Anjali Merchant Majithia, who previously made waves with her haldi look, too turned out in a maroon and gold Jigyam lehenga. Let's round up the faces for this seemingly new trend on the block. Kim Kardashian, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone in red for the Ambani wedding(X, Instagram) Kim Kardashian Back in 2018, Kim Kardashian had donned a slew of ethnic looks for her cover story with Vogue, one of which included a shimmering red Sabyasachi saree. 6 years later, the Skims mogul picked up right where she left things off. Kim arrived for the Ambani wedding in a svelte red lehenga set, with a midriff-baring bustier blouse adorned with statement tassels around the hem. Long waves and subtle diamond jewellery completed the look. Not long after the wedding Kim posted a picture of Princess Jasmine, dressed in red instead of the typical blue, presumably the inspiration for her look. Deepika Padukone A heavily pregnant Deepika Padukone arrived at the Ambani wedding with mother Ujjala Padukone. The expecting mum looked extravagant in a gold-laced red Torani pant and kurta set. The ensemble stood completed with a gota-lined dupatta. The real cincher of Deepika's look for the evening was her statement choker from Chand Begum Jewels. Flaunting a 150-carat ruby surrounded by white sapphires, the choker has ties to Sikh artistry and the family of Sikh Empire emperor, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Truly royal. Katrina Kaif After a significant period of staying out of the limelight, Katrina made it to the Ambani wedding with husband Vicky Kaushal in tow. Katrina painted a conservative yet chic picture in a red Sabyasachi saree lined with minimal gold work. The full-sleeved blouse, also in red, added a mature touch to the look. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Gold and red made up Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's choice of colours for the night as she turned out in an elaborate floor-length Anarkali, her go-to silhouette for all ethnic affairs. She was accompanied by daughter Aaradhya Bachchan, also dressed in a somewhat similar fit, albeit in light blue and green. Aishwarya's layered emerald choker with her matching maang tika wrapped up the look. Kriti Sanon Kriti Sanon's look for the evening somewhat stood out from other guests wrapped in red, as the actor opted for an amalgamation of softer hues of the colour. The custom Arpita Mehta lehenga carried extensive embroidery adding texture to the red base. A detail definitely worth mentioning from this look is her waist-length braid, adorned with hair jewellery. Smriti Irani BJP leader Smriti Irani was among the eminent list of attendees from the world of politics, marking their presence at the Ambani wedding. She opted for a silk saree in an orange-tinted red, with statement gold motifs. She was accompanied by her husband Zubin Irani. Rekha Rekha and gold are a match made in heaven. That being said, the veteran actor slightly switched things up in a gold-washed red silk saree. The velveteen blouse in maroon elevated her look. Vidya Balan Vidya Balan chose to keep things impeccably classic, also turning out in a gold-washed red silk saree. What stood out about the drape was the swirls of onion pink on its body. A neatly parted bun adorned with a gajra, stack of gold bangles and subtle jhumkas wrapped up Vidya's look. Patralekhaa Patralekhaa kept things fairly simple for the evening, opting for a red-on-red embroidered lehenga set, with a fuss-free silhouette. She tied things up with some statement jade jewellery. Cherie Blair Former UK prime minister Tony Blair too was among the list of attendees from the world of politics for the Ambani wedding. He was accompanied by his wife Cherie Blair. Cherie turned out in a simple, sophisticated red anarkali with subtle gold work lining the borders. A gold neckpiece completed the look. Would you consider wearing red to an Indian wedding? China ready to boost global shared development: top diplomat Xinhua) 14:34, July 13, 2024 Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China will leverage its experience of modernization and promote the building of a global community with shared development, China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Friday. Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development in Beijing. Since the Global Development Initiative (GDI) was proposed nearly three years ago, its cooperation mechanism has been continuously strengthened with fruitful results, garnering widespread acclaim and active participation from the international community, said Wang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of CPC Central Committee. China is willing to continue to enrich financing channels, innovate cooperation models, strengthen capacity building, expand partnership networks, coordinate actions with all parties, and make persistent efforts to generate vigorous momentum for sustainable development, Wang added. Noting that vigorously promoting the implementation of the GDI comes at the right time with a promising prospect, Wang said China will anchor the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focus on the actual needs of the people of all countries, deepen Global South cooperation, and strengthen the alignment of development strategies among all parties. The conference, themed "Promoting Sustainable Development: Continuous Action for a Better Future," was hosted by the National Development and International Cooperation Agency. Representatives from more than 160 countries, international organizations and other institutions participated in the conference online and offline. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, poses for a group photo with guests attending the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. Wang delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the conference on Friday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) On July 12, Reliance heir Anant Ambani and Encore Healthcare heiress Radhika Merchant officially tied the knot amid a sea of eminent faces at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre. Also in attendance, was reality television star and Skims mogul Kim Kardashian in tow with her sister, Khloe Kardashian. Kim donned a svelte skin-tight shimmering lehenga, fashioned as a saree. The fitted bustier with tassels lining the midriff and back made for quite the statement ensemble. Khloe too opted for a similar silhouette, albeit in ash white and gold, with heavier accents. Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, Gigi Hadid: International celebrities who have embraced the saree Kim's look for the evening in a way, was a dead ringer for her Vogue cover story looks from March 2018 in which a keynote look featured her in a shimmering red Sabyasachi saree. For todays Shubh Aashirwad ceremony, Kim and Khloe have already given a glimpse of their looks. Switching up the white and red for beige and pink, the Kardashian sisters look tremendously committed to deliver on the traditional ethnic aesthetic. Whats more Kim can be seen donning quite the statement nath, a definite first! With Kim and Khloe's elaborate looks at the forefront of our minds, lets take a look at some other leading international faces who have embraced the elegance of the 9-yards in the past. Zendaya Zendaya graced the one-of-a-kind NMACC red carpet event back in April 2023. She turned out in a bold Rahul Mishra saree with shimmering navy blue as the base. The sheer trailing pallu and metallic blouse with gold accents, completed the sophisticated look. Gigi Hadid Also a NMACC moment, model Gigi Hadid entirely went the traditional route in gold and white. The custom Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla number carried shimmering chikankari work, bordered by gold on the saree. The thoroughly beaded blouse, matching her stack of broad-hefty gold bangles, was the statement piece of the whole look, very befitting given the scale of the event. Lady Gaga For her maiden performance in Delhi back in 2011, Lady Gaga opted for a bespoke Tarun Tahiliani number in cream hues. Her F1 after-party performance saw her don an elegantly draped saree lined with Swarovski crystals. While the saree was plain, the embellished, beaded blouse added some oomph to the look in tow with the waist drape details. Naomi Campbell For her 16th Met Gala appearance last year, supermodel Naomi Campbell opted for a luscious saree-style ensemble in salmon pink from Chanels illustrious spring/summer 2010 couture collection. While the sleek folds of the 'saree' stood minimally adorned by silver motifs, the blouse, carrying 3D embellishments in silver, did most of the heavy-lifting when it came to creating the kind of impact expected for the Met Gala red carpet. Diamond arm cuffs and a statement diamond brooch by the shoulder completed her look. Selena Gomez In 2014, for her visit to Nepal on account of her being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Selena Gomez donned a straightforward and fuss-free maroon saree with a gold border. Special mention: Anne Hathaway Though not for a special appearance or a public event, The Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway too has donned a saree in the past. 2008 film Rachel Getting Married featured a scene in which the actor sported a simplistic grey saree with a golden border. Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married Which of these looks is your favourite? Belagavi: Early on Friday morning at the Hatti gold mines (HGM) in the Lungasur taluk of the Raichur district, a mud and boulder slide resulted in the death of one labourer and the injuries of four more, police said. 1 dead, 5 injured due to boulder slide at Hatti gold mines in Raichur The slide happened around 3am during the night shift at unit 3, known as Mallappa shaft, a deep underground unit where workers operate about 2000 feet below the surface, The Raichur superintendent of police, Uttam Mahadevaiah informed the press. The deceased, identified as 38-year-old Mounesh Amarappa, along with the injuredShivaraj Veerappanna, Parushram Hanasanna, Budeppa Hanumant, Rangaswamy Venkatesh, and Hanumantraya Medinapurwere all field laborers. The injured have been taken to various hospitals: Gold mines hospital at Hatti, Kaveri hospital in Bengaluru, and KLES Hospital in Belagavi, he said. In response, labourers boycotted work and protested under the banner of the labour union CITU and SC-ST factions, demanding strict action against the officials responsible for the negligence of safety norms. Protesters claimed that despite numerous memorandums and verbal warnings about the potential for such disasters, authorities failed to take preventive measures. Hundreds of labourers work around the clock in multiple tunnels, with land explosives being a routine part of their process to reach deeper levels. The regular blasts loosen boulders, posing a constant threat to workers, Mahantesh Kallur, a Raichur district CITU office bearer, said recognising the lack of adequate protective gear. He further said that laborers are only provided with lightweight helmets. Kallur also highlighted the poor living conditions of HGM labourers, who reside in a company-established colony lacking basic amenities. The high-security nature of HGM restricts workers from interacting with outsiders, effectively isolating their concerns from wider society. The security in HGM is akin to that of currency printing locations, which prevents the voices of innocent labourers from reaching society at large, Kallur added. The protest by the labour union and SC-ST associations included a demand for financial compensation of 50 l lakh for the deceaseds family and 10 lakh for each injured worker. The protest was called off after district administration officials assured them of the highest possible relief for the victims. Trusting the district administration, the labourers called off the stir, and we will try our best to provide the highest relief to the victims, SP Uttam Mahadevaiah stated. Inspector Honakerappa, head of the Hatti gold mines police station, confirmed that the post-mortem and last rites of Mounesh Amarappa were conducted under high security and that the labor organization CITU was expelled from the HGM zone during this process. . At least two people were killed and 25 injured after a bus skidded off road and plunged into a 200-feet-deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Saturday. At least two people were killed and 25 injured after a bus plunged into a 200-feet-deep gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Saturday(X/ANI) Two people were killed in the accident. 4 were critically injured and 5 others were referred to the hospital. We have referred a total of 9 people to the GMC (Government Medical College) Doda, Doda deputy commissioner Harvinder Singh told ANI. The reason for the accident seems to be a malfunction in the bus... The driver tried his best to avoid the accident. We appreciate his efforts. However, we lost 2 lives in the accident. A total of 26 people were injured, including 2 children... We have referred serious patients to GMC Doda, he added. The nine other injured persons, whose condition was stated to be serious, are being treated at the Government Medical College in Doda, the officials told PTI. The incident comes day after a vehicle skidded off road and rolled down into a deep gorge in Poonch district of J&K, killing a mother-son duo. ALSO READ: 21 killed, 40 injured as bus falls into gorge in Jammu As per a PTI report, the Bolero car with eight passengers on board was on its way from Surankote to Srinagar. The vehicle skidded off the road at Pannar and rolled down into deep gorge. On July 9, three people died and three critically injured when a car they were travelling in skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Kishtwar district. As per a PTI report, the accident took place near Sounder in the remote Dachhan area around 5.45 pm, the officials said. They said bodies of three persons were retrieved by the rescuers from the scene. Three other passengers were evacuated and rushed to hospital in a critical condition. ALSO READ: 1 dead, 14 injured as vehicle falls into gorge in J&Ks Udhampur On June 30, a man and his son were killed and his wife was seriously injured when their car fell into a gorge in the Rajouri district. Shakeel Ahmad, a resident of Krag Mohra village, was travelling along with his wife Shamim Akhter and son Mohd Mukhtar from Kotranka towards Shahpur, PTI quoted officials as saying. The amendments by MHA to the rules under the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, have not only delineated but also enhanced the powers of the LG of J&K. This move is particularly noteworthy when compared to the ongoing battles over the powers of the LG in Delhi and comes at a crucial time, nearing the Supreme Courts September 30, 2024, deadline to hold elections in J&K. J&K lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha. (File) While the Delhi LG often finds their authority challenged by the elected government, the MHAs clear delineation of the LGs powers in J&K stands in stark contrast, showcasing a deliberate effort to centralise authority and streamline decision-making in the UT. The MHAs amendments have vested the LG of J&K with extensive powers over key administrative and legal matters. These include decisions on police, all-India services officers such as the IAS and IPS, and the granting of prosecution sanctions. To be sure, clause 43 of the Transaction of Business of Govt of Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir Rules, 2019, stated that LG shall in respect of matters connected with public order, police, all India services and anti-corruption bureau exercise his executive functions in his discretion under the Act. Also Read | People deserve better than a powerless CM: Omar Abdullah reacts to amendments in J&K Reorganisation Act The amendments to the 2019 rules now include a new provision making it clear that the chief secretary of the UT shall be obligated to place all such matters before LG for a final decision. No proposal which requires previous concurrence of the Finance Department with regard to Police, Public Order, All India Service and Anti Corruption Bureau to exercise the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor under the Act shall be concurred or rejected unless it has been placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary, stated the new amendment to the rule. Under the amendments, LG is the authority to decide on the appointment of the advocate-general and other law officers, besides grant or refusal of prosecution sanction or filing of appeal. Section 79 of the 2019 Act mentioned that LG shall appoint a person who is qualified to be appointed a judge of the high court, to be advocate-general for the UT of J&K. Also Read | Congress terms Modi govt's J&K move betrayal: Has only two meanings In line with the substantive provision, the amendment to Rule 42 states: In the principal rules, after rule 42, the following rules shall be inserted, namely: 42A. Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs shall submit the proposal for appointment of Advocate-General and other Law Officers to assist the Advocate-General in the court proceedings, for approval of the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister. The 2019 Act or the rules, however, did not mention anything on LG having the authority on taking a call whether to file an appeal in a case even as the latest amendment empowers LG to do so. Clause 42 under the 2019 rules authorised the department of law, justice and parliamentary affairs to decide on all legal matters, including proposals for legislation and withdrawal or institution of prosecution. Rule 42B has been inserted to state that any proposal regarding grant or refusal of prosecution sanction or filing of appeal shall be placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. A new proviso to Rule 43 added that LG shall also be the authority in respect of matters connected with Prisons, Directorate of Prosecution and Forensic Science Laboratory a provision which was absent in the 2019 rules. These changes ensure that LG holds substantial control over law enforcement and administrative appointments. The amendments requiring that any proposals regarding prosecution sanctions or appeals be placed before LG by the UT further consolidates LGs role as the primary decision-maker in these domains. Most of these issues have been a persistent bone of contention in Delhi. The tug of war between LG and the elected government in Delhi involves the issues relating to control over bureaucrats as well as appointing lawyers to represent the UT before the courts in the Capital. The Supreme Court has repeatedly intervened to delineate the boundaries of LGs authority, emphasising the importance of the elected governments role in decision-making. Despite these rulings, conflicts over the LGs powers in matters of administration, policing and appointments continue to surface, reflecting a more contested and negotiated balance of power. At the behest of the Delhi government, the Supreme Court is currently seized of issues relating to the control of bureaucrats and appointing lawyers and special public prosecutors by LG to represent the national capital. Even as a 2019 judgment by the Supreme Court decided the issue pertaining to the anti-corruption bureaus control, vesting LG and the Centre with such authority, the power struggles in Delhi over a raft of other administrative issues continue, inviting the orders of the constitutional courts to balance the scale of power between LG and the elected government. By empowering the LG of J&K with more definitive and expansive powers, the Centre has apparently promoted a centralised approach to decision-making in J&K, particularly in matters concerning the police, public order and all-India services. In Delhi, however, LGs decisions are frequently subject to the concurrence and cooperation of the elected government, creating a more collaborative but often contentious governance model. The Centre, in J&K, has however clearly outlined LGs authority, seeking to establish a more centralised and controlled governance framework, likely in response to the unique administrative and security needs of the UT. Itanagar, The Arunachal Pradesh government has re-constituted six regional committees to examine and exercise the present status of border dispute with Assam. Arunachal re-constitutes six regional committees to examine status of border dispute with Assam A notification issued by the Home and inter-state border affairs department on Thursday said that the Terms of Reference for the regional committees, as established, will continue to be governed by the provisions set forth in the original notification issued on June 1, 2022. The remaining six districts of the state where border dispute with Assam still persists as people from both states have not agreed to demarcation of villages along the inter-state border includes, Pakke Kessang, Papum Pare, Kamle, Lower Siang, Lower Dibang Valley and Longding district respectively. The state government has appointed Health and Family Welfare Minister Biyuram Wahge as the chairman of the committee for Pakke Kessang district with the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police as members. For Papum Pare district, Land Management Minister Balo Raja has been appointed as the chairman with Rajya Sabha MP Nabam Rebia, Doimukh MLA Nabam Vivek, Papum Pare DC and SP as members. While Law, Legislative and Justice Minister Kento Jini has been appointed as the chairman for Lower Siang district, Commerce and Industries minister Nyato Dukam is the chairman of the Kamle district regional committee. Rural Development minister Ojing Tasing and Agriculture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu have been appointed as chairman for Lower Dibang Valley and Longding district respectively, the notification said. On July 15, 2022, the chief ministers of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam signed an agreement to end the decades-old border issue and decided to "restrict" the number of disputed villages to 86 instead of 123. It was called 'Namsai Declaration' after the name of the place where their meeting was held. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km-long border. Arunachal Pradesh, which was made a union territory in 1972, has been maintaining that several forested tracts in the plains traditionally belonged to hill tribal chiefs and communities and these were "unilaterally" transferred to Assam earlier. After Arunachal Pradesh achieved statehood in 1987, a tripartite committee was appointed, which recommended that certain territories be transferred from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. Assam contested this and the matter was in the Supreme Court for a long time. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. With seven more deaths, the total death toll in flood in Assam has mounted to 90 so far, said Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). 18 districts of Assam are facing a severe flood situation due to overflowing of major rivers (File Photo) According to the flood reports of ASDMA, 7 more people died in the state on Friday. Also Read:Assam floods: Governor says more casualties, more areas affected this year "Five people died in a boat capsize incident in Goalpara district while one the people drowned in flood waters in Nagaon and Jorhat district. With this total death toll has increased to 90 so far," said the flood report of ASDMA. Also Read: Assam Govt to revisit change in ADR exam pattern: Himanta The flood situation in the state has been improving marginally, but over 12.33 lakh people in 24 districts are still affected by the deluge. Also Read: Assam declares special leaves for govt employees to spend time with parents, in-laws 2406 villages under 75 revenue villages and 32924.32 hectares of crop area are still under water. The affected districts are Cachar, Dhubri, Nagaon, Kamrup, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Nalbari, Barpeta, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Goalpara, Jorhat, Morigaon, Lakhimpur, Karimganj, Darrang, Majuli, Biswanath, Hailakandi, Bongaigaon, South Salmara, Chirang, Tinsukia, Kamrup (M). 3,18,326 people are affected in Dhubri district followed by 1,48,609 people in Cachar, 95,277 people in Golaghat, 88,120 people in Nagaon, 83125 people in Goalpara, 82,494 in Majuli, 73,662 people in Dhemaji, 63,400 people in South Salmara district. The water levels of many rivers in the state are now receding, but the water level of Brahmaputra River is still flowing above the danger level mark at Neamatighat, Tezpur, Dhubri, Burhidihing River at Chenimari (Khowang), Disang River at Nanglamuraghat and Kushiyara River at Karimganj. Over 2.95 lakh people are taking shelter in 316 relief camps and distribution centres in flood-affected districts. The ASDMA flood report also stated that 6,67,175 animals were also affected by the deluge. Meanwhile, 180 wild animals including 10 rhinos have died in the flood in Kaziranga National Park so far. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park said that 10 rhinos, 150 Hog Deer, 2 each Swamp Deer, and Sambar drowned in flood waters while 2 Hog Deer died in a vehicle hit, 13 other animals died under care and one Otter (Pup) died in other reason. During the floods, park authorities and the forest department rescued 135 animals including two rhino calves and two elephant calves. 35 forest camps of the national park are still under water. India has made significant progress in eliminating poverty, especially over the past nine years, according to Niti Aayogs SDG India Index 2023-24, which also predicted that the country will meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of halving multidimensional poverty well before the 2030 deadline. NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer BVR Subrahmanyam addresses a Press conference during the release of the SDG India Index 2023-24, in New Delhi on Friday. (PIB) Released on Friday, the report stated the country has made notable advancements in providing decent work, economic growth, climate action and life on land. This report is saying that basic survival is no longer an issue in India. Multidimensional poverty has reduced significantly. Nearly 25 crore people have come out of poverty in the last ten years. Without any doubt, India is on track to achieve global SDG goals, said BVR Subramaniyam, CEO of Niti Aayog, the governments policy think-tank. Multidimensional poverty nearly halved from 24.8% to 14.96% between 2015-16 and 2019-21. Multidimensional poverty for 2022-23 further likely dropped to 11.28%, with 24.8 crore (248 million) people moving out of multidimensional poverty between 2013-14 and 2022-23. Also Read | PM Modi holds key meet with top economists ahead of Budget 2024 The findings are likely to be controversial for the methodology. Multidimensional poverty indicator, by its definition does not count the number of people who might be earning below a particular threshold, which is the conventional approach to measuring poverty. The overall SDG score for India improved to 71 for 2023-24, a significant increase from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018, the report said. Goal 13 (Climate Action) recorded the highest increase in score, from 54 in 2020-21 to 67 in 2023-24, followed by Goal 1 (No Poverty), which rose from 60 to 72. However, the report highlights that Zero Hunger (Goal 2) remains far from being achieved. Large parts of central India, areas of northeast India, all of Gujarat and parts of west India are performing poorly on hunger and nutrition. On gender equality (Goal 5), India overall remained in the aspirant category with a score of only 49. The sex ratio at birth stands at 929 females per 1,000 males. Also Read | Union Budget 2024: Will Nirmala Sitharaman bring income tax relief for middle class? The report indicates that 32 states and union territories are now in the front-runner category, with 10 new entrants. Kerala and Uttarakhand are the top-performing states, while Chandigarh is the best-performing union territory. Other key achievements on poverty according to Subramaniyam is 140 million workers provided livelihood security under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme; 40 million urban and rural houses under PM Awas Yojana; 520 million bank accounts under Jan Dhan yojana, 60 million enrolments under Atal Pension. Pronab Sen, former chief statistician of India, cautioned about the interpretation of the data, saying, Multidimensional poverty will reduce over time; its important to understand the pace at which it is going down. Its also important to see what data is being used to arrive at these conclusions. The survey data and administrative data may show very different results. West Bengal bypoll results 2024: The Trinamool Congress of chief minister Mamata Banerjee won Raiganj, Bagda and Ranaghat Dakshin assembly seats and secured an unassailable lead in Maniktala constituency in West Bengal bypolls on Saturday, July 13, the Election Commission data showed. The bypolls for Maniktala, Bagdah, Ranaghat Dakshin, and Raiganj assembly seats were held on July 10. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee with Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP from the Diamond Harbour constituency Abhishek Banerjee. (ANI FILE) Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates Krishna Kalyani, Madhuparna Thakur and Mukut Mani Adhikari won Raiganj, Bagda and Ranaghat Dakshin, while Supti Pandey was leading in Maniktala. In Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district, Kalyani won by a margin of 50,077 votes over his nearest Bharatiya Janata Party rival Manas Kumar Ghosh. Kalyani got 86,479 votes, while Ghosh bagged 36,402. TMC's Madhuparna Thakur, daughter of TMC Rajya Sabha MP and Matua leader Mamatabala Thakur, won by a margin of 33,455 votes over her rival Binay Kumar Biswas of the BJP in the Bagda assembly seat in North 24 Parganas district. Madhuparna Thakur got 1,07,706 while Biswas secured 74,251. With this victory, the ruling party in West Bengal won Bagda after a gap of eight years. Mukut Mani Adhikari of the TMC defeated BJP nominee Manoj Kumar Biswas by 39,048 votes in Ranaghat Dakshin in North 24 Parganas. TMC's nominee Supti Pandey was leading by 31,441 votes in Maniktala in Kolkata over her nearest rival Kalyan Chaubey of the BJP. The BJP secured Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda, and Raiganj segments in the 2021 assembly elections. Despite the BJP winning the other three seats in 2021, the MLAs later switched to the TMC. The three seats fell vacant after MLAs Kalyani, Adhikari, and Biswajit Das of Bagda resigned from their posts to contest Lok Sabha polls on a TMC ticket. Kalyani, who lost to BJP's Kartik Chandra Paul in the Lok Sabha polls, was re-nominated from Raiganj in the bypolls. Adhikari, who was defeated by BJP's Jagannath Sarkar from the Ranaghat Lok Sabha seat, was in the fray again from the Ranaghat Dakshin assembly segment. The Maniktala seat was won by the TMC in 2021 but became vacant after former state minister Sadhan Pandey died in February 2022. Reacting to the party's performance in the bypolls, a state BJP leader said they would introspect. "We will introspect the party's performance. But the TMC did not allow free and fair elections and there were a lot of irregularities. The ruling party had unleashed a reign of terror," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said. The TMC was quick to counter, dubbing the allegation as baseless. "The people have rejected the BJP in the last Lok Sabha polls in Bengal and the same thing has happened in the bypolls. The allegation that by-polls were not free and fair are just excuses to hide their own failures," TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said. The bypoll results are a shot in the arm for the TMC just a month after the party's performance in Lok Sabha polls when it had bagged 29 parliamentary seats, up from 22 in 2019. The results are a fresh disappointment for the BJP after its dismal performance in the parliamentary elections when its tally came down to 12 from 18 in 2019. Byelection results highlights: According to the results declared by the Election Commission on Saturday for bypolls held in 13 assembly seats across seven states, the INDIA bloc won 10 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in two constituencies and an Independent candidate clinched one seat. The first victory was recorded in Punjab's Jalandhar West Assembly seat, where Aam Aadmi Party's Mohinder Bhagat won with a margin of over 37,000 votes....Read More Counting of votes finished for the 13 Assembly seats in seven states where by-elections were conducted on Wednesday. Voter turnout ranged from moderate to high across these constituencies, with sporadic incidents of violence reported in Uttarakhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. Voting took place from 7 am to 6 pm on Wednesday. According to the Election Commission's Voter Turnout app, Tamil Nadu's Vikravandi assembly seat recorded the highest polling percentage among the 13 constituencies, while Uttarakhand's Badrinath seat saw the lowest turnout. West Bengal The bypolls to four assembly constituencies in West Bengal saw a voter turnout of 62.71 per cent by 5 pm on Wednesday, as reported by an Election Commission official. Raiganj had the highest turnout at 67.12 per cent, followed by Ranaghat Dakshin at 65.37 per cent, Bagdah at 65.15 per cent, and Maniktala at 51.39 per cent. There are approximately 10 lakh voters in these four constituencies. The BJP won the Ranaghat Dakshin and Bagdah seats in the 2021 assembly elections. Uttarakhand The Manglaur assembly by-poll in Uttarakhand experienced an incident of violence that left four people injured, although the constituency recorded a voter turnout of 67.28 per cent. Polling in the Badrinath assembly seat remained peaceful with a voter turnout of 47.68 percent, according to officials. Himachal Pradesh According to the state election department, voter turnout in the by-polls in three assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh was about 71 per cent on Wednesday. Election officials reported peaceful polling in the Nalagarh constituency, which had the highest turnout at 78.1 per cent, followed by Hamirpur at 67.1 per cent and Dehra at 65.2 per cent. Punjab The Jalandhar West assembly by-poll in Punjab recorded a voter turnout of 51.30 per cent on Wednesday, a significant drop from the 67 per cent turnout in the 2022 state election. Polling concluded at 6 pm, but the Election Commission may update the turnout figure later. The Jalandhar West constituency saw a multi-cornered contest involving major political parties like the AAP, Congress, and BJP. Congress leaders on Saturday hailed the resounding victory of INDIA bloc parties in the assembly by-elections, attributing the BJP's dismal performance to its arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the bypoll results were also strong evidence of the falling political credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi during a press conference, in New Delhi.(File) INDIA bloc parties won 10 assembly seats, while the BJP clinched two and an Independent one, as votes were counted on Saturday for the by-elections held earlier this week on 13 seats in seven states. We bow before the public for the positive result of the assembly by-election. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to them for wherever they voted for the Congress Party candidates, Kharge posted on X. We salute all Congress workers for their hard work and efforts in adverse circumstances. This victory shows that the people have now completely rejected the arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics of the BJP. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said the by-election results in seven states have made it clear that the web of 'fear and confusion' woven by the BJP has been broken. Every class including farmers, youth, labourers, businessmen and employed people want to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice. The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and protection of the Constitution, Gandhi said on X in Hindi. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister P. Chidambaram cautioned against over-interpreting the results but stressed that there are lessons that the BJP cannot brush aside. The BJP has incurred the displeasure of the people because of unemployment and price rise, and because of spreading hate, he said. Read: Congress turncoat Kamlesh Shah who joined BJP wins Amarwara bypolls Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra congratulated the winning candidates of Congress and the broader INDIA bloc parties. The people want positive politics that improves the present and prepares a clear blueprint for a bright future. We are committed to the needs and aspirations of young India, she said. The bypolls were held on Wednesday in four seats in West Bengal, three in Himachal Pradesh, two in Uttarakhand, and one each in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. The Centre has decided to observe June 25 as Samvidhan Hatya Divas (Constitution Murder Day) every year in remembrance of the Emergency imposed by the Congress in 1975, Union home minister Amit Shah announced on Friday, triggering a sharp reaction from the Congress, which called the move yet another headline grabbing exercise in hypocrisy. Gandhinagar, July 06 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses during the 'Prosperity through Cooperation' programme on the 102nd International Cooperative Day, in Gandhinagar on Saturday. (ANI Photo) (Amit Shah X) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the day will serve as a reminder of the conditions the country had to go through after the Constitution was crushed, even as other members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) of opposition parties rallied behind the Congress and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of murdering the Constitution everyday. In the run-up to the elections, the Congress and other opposition parties accused the BJP of setting a target to win 400 out of 543 seats to change the Constitution and do away with caste-based quotas a claim which was dismissed by Modi and the ruling party. Also Read | 'Congress unleashed dark phase': PM Modi on Samvidhan Hatya Diwas In a post on X, Shah said Samvidhan Hatya Divas will commemorate the massive contributions of those who endured inhuman pains of the Emergency, which marked its 49th anniversary this year. It will also prevent dictatorial forces like the Congress from repeating those horrors, he said. On June 25, 1975, the then PM Indira Gandhi, in a brazen display of a dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of our democracy by imposing the Emergency on the nation. Lakhs of people were thrown behind bars for no fault of their own, and the voice of the media was silenced, he wrote on the micro-blogging site. The Government of India has decided to celebrate 25 June every year as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. This day will remind us of the immense contribution of all those people who suffered the inhuman pain of the Emergency of 1975, he added. In another post, he said the decision taken under Modis leadership seeks to honour the spirit of millions who struggled to revive democracy despite facing inexplicable persecution at the hands of an oppressive government. Also Read | Congress's first reaction to Centre's Emergency move: 'June 4 Modi-Mukti Diwas' A gazette notification issued by the home ministry said the imposition of the Emergency led to gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities. The people of India have abiding faith in the Constitution and the power of its resilient democracy, the notification said. Therefore, Government of India declares 25th June as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to pay tribute to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency and to recommit the people of India to not support in any manner such gross abuse of power, in future, it said. During the recently-concluded special session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu, Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birlas references to Emergency in both Houses had sparked massive protests from the Opposition. The Lok Sabha adopted a resolution condemning the Emergency, even as the Opposition stressed on the need to address burning issues such as irregularities in premier examinations, persistent unemployment and violence in Manipur, and said continuous references to the period were unnecessary. Welcoming the announcement, Modi wrote on X: #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas will remind the countrymen of the conditions the country had to go through after the Constitution was crushed... The country will always remember this oppressive step of the Congress as a black chapter in Indian history. Union minister Pralhad Joshi said the people cannot forget what former prime minister Indira Gandhi did in 1975 after imposing the Emergency in the country. I want to clear up one thing to the democratic loving people through the media that whatever Indira ji did was the Samvidhan ka Hatya. People cant forget this, he said. The Congress, however, slammed the Centre over its announcement with party general secretary (in-charge, communications) Jairam Ramesh taking to X to claim that Modi imposed an undeclared Emergency for 10 long years before the people of India handed him a decisive personal, political, and moral defeat on June 4, 2024 which will go down in history as Modi Mukti Diwas. His reference was to the BJPs inability to surpass the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha during the recent elections. To be sure, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enjoys a comfortable majority with 293 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Congresss ally in the INDIA bloc, alleged the BJP has been murdering the Constitution every day for the last 10 years. Congress leader KC Venugopal on Saturday said that he had received a threat notification from Apple informing him that he was being targeted using a mercenary spyware that was attempting to compromise the iPhone associated with his Apple ID. Significantly, the threat notification sent to him notes that he was also notified on October 30, 2023, and this was another attack against his device. KC Venugopal. (File) Apple previously sent you a notification on October 30, 2023. This is not a repeat notice --- it is to inform you that we detected another attack against your device, said a screenshot of the notification tweeted by Venugopal. HT has reached out to Apple for more details about this difference in the format of the threat notification. Venugopal, Congress general secretary (organisation) and member of Parliament (MP) from Keralas Alappuzha, is at least the third person to receive this quarterly notification from Apple this quarter after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Muftis daughter Iltija Mufti and founder of Samrudh Bharat Foundation Pushparaj Deshpande, who wrote a book on Rahul Gandhis Bharat Jodo Yatra. Confirming the receipt of the email to HT, Venugopal said that he had received the notification on July 9 and had also received it in October 2023. To be sure, Venugopal had not gone public about the receipt of the threat notification in October. It is quite clear what happened here. We know that the Pegasus operation can only be done through a government organisation. Private individuals cannot get it. ... Entire privacy has been taken away by this government, he said. As to his next steps, he said that the party will take a call on how to proceed, especially as the Parliament session will begin on July 22. In his tweet, he said, Thank you PM Modi ji for sending your favaourite malicious spyware on my phone also! Apple has been kind enough to intimate me about this special present of yours! Lets be clear, the Modi government is acting in a criminal and unconstitutional manner, going after political opponents and invading their privacy in this manner. The message of the Lok Sabha elections was that the people reject any attack on the Constitution and the BJPs fascist agenda. We will oppose this blatantly unconstitutional act and breach on our privacy tooth and nail. In October 2023, the notifications were sent to multiple members of Opposition including Congress Shashi Tharoor, Pawan Khera and Supriya Shrinate, Shiv Senas Priyanka Chaturvedi, Trinamool Congress (TMC)s Mahua Moitra, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)s Raghav Chadha, and Sitaram Yechury from the Communist Party of India (Marxist). All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)s Asaduddin Owaisi was also notified last year. This system was launched after Apple had sued the NSO Group, the Israeli maker of Pegasus, in the same month in the wake of the second bout of Pegasus-related exposures in July 2021. These threat notifications are sent by Apple to potentially affected users quarterly. Since the system was launched in November 2021, Apple has sent threat notifications to users in 152 countries. On July 9, the notifications were sent to users in 98 countries, including India. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday hit out at the Narendra Modi-led NDA government over its move to vest more powers in the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for taking decisions on matters related to police and all-India service officers. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with party president Mallikarjun Kharge. (AICC) Kharge alleged that the Modi government wants to delay the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and, even if the statehood is restored, wants to keep the newly elected state government at the mercy of the L-G. Read: Restore statehood, hold assembly elections at the earliest: Sajjad Lone The Union home ministry amended the rules under the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was enacted for the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh while abrogating Article 370. The move gives more powers to the Jammu and Kashmir L-G for taking decisions on police, officers of all-India services such as the IAS and the IPS, and granting sanctions for prosecution in various cases. Modi Govts betrayal of Jammu and Kashmir continues unabated! the Congress president posted on X. Kharge said the insertion of new sections giving more powers to the L-G has only two meanings. Modi Govt wants to delay the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, even though the Supreme Court has mandated Assembly Elections by Sept 30th, 2024, the veteran Congress leader wrote. Even if full statehood is restored, it wants to keep the newly elected State Govt at the mercy of the LG, by clamping its executive power, he added. Another example of Samvidhan Hatya Diwas continuing daily under Modi Govt. Read: Will not accept Delhi-like statehood for J&K: Altaf Bukhari Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday voiced their strong opposition to the Centre's move, with main regional outfits -- the National Conference (NC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) -- saying the decision would "disempower" the people of Jammu and Kashmir. NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve better than a "powerless, rubber stamp" chief minister who will have to beg the Lieutenant Governor to get a peon appointed. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti's daughter and her media advisor, Iltija Mufti, said the order seeks to disempower the powers of an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir. The residents of Delhi and NCR regions experience further respite from the heat in mid-July as light to moderate rain lashed parts of the national capital and neighboring Noida in the early hours of Saturday. Visuals from Delhi's Janpath showed moderate rainfall in the national capital at around 5 am on July 13. Rain lashes parts of Delhi and Noida on Saturday (PTI photo) In addition to isolated rainfall throughout the day, Delhi and Noida are expected to witness cloudy skies and light thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday, predicted local weather agencies. This comes a day after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a rainfall alert in Delhi NCR, saying that light to moderate rains will continue to lash the national capital for the next few days. IMD said in its most recent forecast that light rain will continue in Delhi and Noida till July 17. The rainfall warning prompted the Noida authorities to issue an alert for residents living in low-lying area, warning them to relocate to higher ground for a few days as the water levels of Yamuna river are expected to rise due to the downpour. Villages situated along the banks of the Yamuna river have been alerted regarding the likely rise of water levels this week. The same areas experience inconvenience when heavy rains lashed Delhi NCR last year, causing heavy flooding in parts of the national capital due to dangerously high water levels of Yamuna. While IMD issued a rain forecast for Delhi NCR over the weekend, no colour-coded warning has been issued for the city for Saturday on Sunday. The rain is expected to by light and patchy throughout the weekend, said IMD. The maximum temperature in Delhi on Friday was 34.3 degrees Celsius, a notch below normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 29.6 degrees on Friday, which is two notches above normal. For Saturday, the maximum is temperature is expected to remain around 34 degrees Celsius while the minimum temperature is likely to be around 26 degrees Celsius, predicted IMD. Delhi's air quality is expected to remain in the moderate category over the weekend. Congress leaders on Saturday hailed the resounding victory of INDIA bloc parties in the assembly by-elections, attributing the BJP's dismal performance to its arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the bypoll results were also strong evidence of the falling political credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. As per the Election Commission of India, INDIA bloc parties won 10 assembly seats, while the BJP clinched two and an Independent one, as votes were counted on Saturday for the by-elections held earlier this week on 13 seats in seven states. Dig Deeper Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi (File photo) A SpiceJet staff member, who was arrested for slapping an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the Jaipur Airport on Thursday, alleged that she was sexually harassed, which forced her to slap him. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the SpiceJet staff said, I report for duty at the same time. Like every day, at 4:30am on 11th July, I was doing my work when ASI Giriraj Prasad came and said, Give us a chance to take care of you (Humey bhi apna seva-paani ka mauka do). Then, when I asked him to call a lady constable for frisking. He again said, 'How much money will you charge for a night (Ek raat rukne ka kya logi)'. Dig Deeper Latest News Congress KC Venugopal gets Apple threat notification, says got it in Oct23 too Bypoll results: INDIA bloc secures landslide win with 10 of 13 seats, BJP bags 2; independent 1 India News Shah reviews progress of Vibrant Village Programme along China border Victory of people: Mamata Banerjee on TMC sweeping Bengal assembly bypolls Global Matters Man arrested for allegedly groping dozen, including minors, at water park in Canada Kensington Palace confirms Kate Middleton's Wimbledon final appearance amid cancer treatment Entertainment Focus Amitabh Bachchan is on a roll after the groundbreaking success of his latest film, Nag Ashwin's Telugu dystopian sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD. He recently celebrated the film beating the box office collections of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan, which released last year. Dig Deeper Lifestyle and Health Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant tied the knot on July 12 in a grand ceremony brimming with sartorial glamour and international stars. From Kim Kardashian and Boris Johnson to Bollywood's leading ladies, the event was a treasure trove of fashion inspiration that has everyone swooning. True to the Ambani tradition, the ceremony was adorned with rare gemstones, emeralds, and diamonds. While exquisite outfits and glamorous beauty looks were on display, it was the jewellery that truly stole the show. Dig Deeper Trending Nita Ambani wore a jaw-dropping 100-carat yellow diamond necklace for her youngest sons wedding last night. The diamond formed the centrepiece and the highlight of her five-strand necklace crafted out of brilliant solitaires. Dig Deeper Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said the Bharatiya Janata Party has been a party with a difference and that is why it has repeatedly won the trust of voters. He, however, cautioned against the BJP repeating mistakes committed by the Congress in the past which saw its exit from power. Union minister Nitin Gadkari being felicitated by Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant and Union minister of state Shripad Y. Naik during the BJP Goa state executive meeting, in Taleigao on Friday. (ANI) "If we continue doing what the Congress used to do, then there is no use of their exit and our entry," news agency PTI quoted Nitin Gadkari as saying on Friday, more than a month after the the saffron party failed to achieve a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a Goa BJP executive meeting near Panaji that was attended by party's state unit president Sadanand Tanavade and chief minister Pramod Sawant, among other leaders, Nitin Gadkari in his 40-minute-long speech recalled his mentor and former deputy prime minister Lal Krishna Advani's statement that the BJP is a party with a difference, PTI reported. "Advaniji used to say that we are a party with a difference. We have to understand how different we are from other parties," the Union minister and the former BJP president said at the event. The BJP Nagpur MP said people have elected the party because of the Congress's mistakes and cautioned against his party committing the same errors. "If we commit the same mistakes, then there is no use in their exit and our entry," said Gadkari adding that that is why, in the days to come, party cadres should know that politics is an instrument of bringing social and economic reforms. Gadkari also stressed, We (BJP) have to create a corruption-free country and for that we should have a plan in place. Avoid playing politics on caste lines: Gadkari Referring to Maharashtra, the senior BJP leader said in the state there is a trend of playing politics on caste lines (jativadi rajkaran). "I have decided not to follow this trend. I have told people that I will not indulge in caste-based politics (jaat-paat). Jo karega jaat ki baat, usko padegi kaske laath (the one who will speak about caste will get a strong kick)," Gadkari warned. Gadkari said a person is known by values he possesses and not his caste. Mahayuti's big win in Maharashtra MLC polls Gadkari's statement comes on the day the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtracomprising chief minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, the NCP of deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, and the BJPrecovered from a disappointing general election by securing a significant victory in the MLC polls. The BJP fielded five candidates, including Pankaja Munde, daughter of the late senior leader Gopinath Munde, and all five won. The Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP each nominated two candidates, and all four were victorious. In a message directed at Goa BJP cadres, Gadkari urged them to visit every constituency and strengthen the organisation so that the party is able to retain power after the 2027 assembly elections. The Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance government in Andhra Pradesh, headed by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, which completed one month in office on Friday, has made an effort to strike a balance between welfare and development. The chief minister began his rule by signing files on five crucial decisions to fulfil poll promises (PTI) The chief minister began his rule by signing files on five crucial decisions filling up 16,347 teacher posts through a mega recruitment drive, repealing of the Land Titling Act, revision of pension to 4,000 from 3,000, revival of Anna Canteens and conducting a skill census to identify the talent of the educated youth to ascertain their employability. All these decisions were approved during the first meeting of the state cabinet on June 24. The disbursal of enhanced pension from 3,000 to 4,000 for old-aged people and to 6,000 for the physically challenged was implemented on July 1 at a cost of 4,408 crore. Steps have been taken to relaunch 183 Anna Canteens across the state and some of them have already been started. Similarly, the process for the withdrawal of the Land Titling Act and the mega recruitment drive of teachers has also commenced. So is the case with the conduct of skill census. Another major step taken by Naidu was to declare Amaravati as the only capital of the state and begin the works in the right earnest. He made a quick tour of the capital city area and presented a road map in resurrecting the project. The CM also held discussions with various institutions and central government organisations to resume their operations in Amaravati. He also held a preliminary round of talks with the World Bank officials to revive the lending proposal for developing the capital city. He also turned his attention on restarting the activity on the Polavaram irrigation project. Last month, he visited the project site to understand the ground reality. By June end, the Centre roped in four experts from the US and Canada to inspect the damages caused to the project and suggest remedial measures. At the same time, the chief minister has shared the status of various sectors by releasing a series of white papers. So far, he has released white papers on Polavaram, Amaravati and the states power crisis. He will soon be releasing the next white paper on state finances. The last month also saw Naidu going to Delhi and holding discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other ministers at the Centre. He discussed various projects related to the state, besides seeking immediate financial assistance to bail out the state from the crisis. Similarly, he also held a series of meetings with various industrialists and big central government undertakings like the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and its plans to set up a petrol refinery unit with an investment of 60,000 crore. Discussions were also held with the automobile company VinFast and efforts are on to invite more investments. Naidu also took the first step towards resolving the pending issues between the two Telugu states after bifurcation by holding a meeting with his Telangana counterpart A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad. Another important decision taken by Naidu was the revival of the free sand policy to fillip the construction sector. He also went to Visakhapatnam a couple of days ago to inspect the Bhogapuram International Airport works. He also attended a conference of Confederation of Indian Industry and requested the industrial groups to start their ventures in Amaravati. All his cabinet colleagues, particularly deputy chief minister and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan, have quickly got into their jobs and are reviewing their respective departments. On the other hand, Naidu has also been facing the criticism of resorting to revenge politics. Right from day one, his government has begun initiating probes against the YSR Congress Party leaders and officials of the previous government in the alleged acts of omission and commission. There have been allegations that the TDP leaders and cadre are behaving in a high-handed manner, attacking the YSRCP leaders at several places and destroying the statues of former chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy. Senior YSRCP leader and former minister Perni Venkatramaiah alias Nani said Naidus actions were always deceitful and his 30-day rule was no different. Naidu has been avoiding questions about election promises, bragging about creating wealth while continuously taking more loans, making the state the most indebted. His 30 days of governance were spent on releasing white papers with false figures, blaming the previous government, he said. Nani further said Naidu has not yet started implementing his promises like Talliki Vandanam and free bus ride for women. The TDP manifestos released in 2014 and 2024 were full of deceit and fraud. Naidu had made over 600 promises in the past, none of which were fulfilled, he criticised. Political analyst Mallu Rajesh said it is too early to judge the performance of a government within the first 30 days of its formation. But it appears Naidu and his team mean business and are going in the right direction. It remains to be seen how long this impression would sustain, he added. The Supreme Court on Friday severely criticised Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena for granting permission to fell trees in the Capitals ridge area despite a prohibition by the top court, and lamented that a relentless cover-up and blame game was going on over the illegal removal of trees. The Supreme Court on Friday severely criticised Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena for granting permission to fell trees in the Capitals ridge area. (HT Photo) A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed its strong disapproval of the LGs role, highlighting a complete non-application of mind in the way Saxena purportedly directed the removal of 422 trees following his visit of the area on February 3. First date, we should have been told that LG had given directions. But the cover-up went for three subsequent hearings... It is very clear now. The affidavit shows that DDA sought permission of LG. There is complete non-application of mind by LG as well. He presumed that Delhi government has the power of tree officer, it remarked. The court questioned if LG Saxena perceived himself as a judicial authority when he directed for clubbing of all cases relating to tree-cutting in Delhi and went ahead to order for the felling in the ridge area. LG thinks he is court... Its a very sorry state of affairs. Why was it not brought to our notice that LG visited the area? He was worried about the delay in the project and he expedited the work for the construction of a road for an officers colony, it remarked. The court further observed: LG knows what is the position...Delhi government and DDA know it as well. This cover-up should not have been done and on the first day only, this should have been told. It questioned DDA if the LG was informed about the requirement of the Supreme Courts permission before pruning any tree in the ridge area, and sought a categorical affidavit from the landowning agency whether the trees were felled on Saxenas direction, or DDA decided to do it on its own. As senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani appeared on behalf of LG, the court remarked it was contemplating issuance of a notice to Saxena as well. Jethmalani responded that issuance of contempt notice without hearing a party, particularly a constitutional authority, may not be proper but the bench said there is no such legal provision to its knowledge that a prior hearing is to be given before the issuance of a contempt notice. Which law says that a contemnor has to be heard before issuance of a contempt notice? We are not aware of any such law. Now that you are appearing for LG, we will seek answers from you if we decide to issue a notice, it told Jethmalani. Simultaneously, the court pulled up the Delhi government for exercising a non-existent power to permit tree-felling. The bench demanded data from the last five years on such permissions, emphasising the necessity for accountability and transparency. Pointing out the illegal nature of the Delhi governments actions, the bench stated: The Delhi government must also take the blame of illegally granting permission to cut 422 trees... We will take the Delhi government to task as well. How did you grant permit permission for the transplantation of 422 trees to the user agency. What business did you have to say this? Which law or regulations empower you? it asked. While the Delhi governments lawyer said that its letter to DDA was not construed by the agency as an approval to fell trees, the bench retorted: Nobody is bothered about trees. This is not a fight between DDA and Delhi government. We dont want a blame game in this court. We are only concerned about illegal felling of the trees...What troubles is everyone has committed mistakes and they have only been covering up. They should have come to this court and said on the first day that a mistake was committed. It was such a simple matter but it has gone on and on. Everyone has committed mistakes, including the honourable LG. The case concerns the illegal felling of 422 trees by DDA in direct violation of the Supreme Courts previous orders which required prior permission before any tree could be cut. In May, the court initiated a contempt of court case against DDA vice-chairman Subhasish Panda for proceeding with the tree felling without the courts authorisation. DDA had previously filed an application seeking permission to cut the trees but went ahead with the felling without obtaining the necessary court order. The court had issued notice to the vice-chairman on a contempt petition filed by Delhi resident Bindu Kapurea, who moved the court through advocate Manan Verma, against felling the trees. According to the petitioner, more than 1,000 trees were cut as against 633 mentioned in DDAs records. The Supreme benchs current inquiry into the matter included questioning whether LG was aware that the Supreme Courts permission was mandatory. The court also issued notice to the contractor responsible for the tree-felling to clarify on whose instructions the work was carried out. Furthermore, the bench highlighted that the tree officer had never granted permission for cutting the 422 trees, highlighting the illegal nature of the actions taken. During the hearing, the bench noted the involvement of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who had approved the tree-felling proposal, apparently without being informed that court permission was required. Stressing the importance of transparent communication and adherence to legal protocols, the bench rued: Nobody is ready to save the environment. All are here against this. Senior advocate Aditya Sondhi, representing the Delhi government, was questioned about the governments willingness to withdraw the tree felling permission. After some back-and-forth, Sondhi confirmed that the government would withdraw the February 14 notification permitting the felling of 422 trees, and proposed planting 100 saplings for every tree that was cut as compensation. The bench, however, demanded a more comprehensive compensation scheme for the environmental damage caused. You have caused damage to the environment and you will have to pay. The Delhi government must come out with a scheme now to prevent damage to environment... The Delhi government should also do something on its own. You cannot do charity using someone elses money. That 2.4 crore given to you towards plantation is DDAs money in lieu of cutting 422 tress, it remarked. The court asked the Delhi government to provide a detailed scheme for compensating the environment and to present data regarding the species of trees that were felled in the ridge area. We will also see whether LG takes proactive action. More than 1,000 trees have been cut and we realise this is only the tip of the iceberg...All of you will have to come together to create a machinery to ensure authorities are alerted as soon as a tree is cut in the ridge area. And then we will consider how to enhance the green cover, said the bench, fixing the next hearing on July 31. An 11-year-old girl from Tumkur was allegedly sold to settle a 35,000 loan by her aunt but has been successfully rescued by the Tumakuru city police in Hindupur, Andhra Pradesh, and brought back to her hometown, police said. An 11-year-old girl from Tumkur was rescued after being allegedly sold to settle a 35,000 loan by her aunt (File photo) Also Read: Human trafficking racket busted in Baramulla, four minors rescued, two arrested The minor girl was sent to Hindupur to her aunts house in April for vacation as she was studying in the fourth standard. The aunt promised her sister that she would take care of the girl but allegedly sold her, Tumkur district labor officer, K. Tejawati said. The aunt sold her niece to landlord Sriramulu for 35,000 to settle a loan. Also Read: Ludhiana: UP resident locks minor in hotel room after failed rape bid, flees Sriramulu held the girl as a hostage and forced her to graze ducks. When Chaudamma visited Hindupur in the last week of June, she discovered her daughter working with the landlord. Also Read: Man, 2 minors drown in separate incidents in Alipur She immediately pleaded for her daughters release. Despite her desperate appeals, Sriramulu refused, insisting that he had bought the girl and demanded repayment of the loan for her release. Chaudamma complained to me on July 3. I penned a letter to the SP, who ordered the town police to act, and they rescued the girl, K. Tejawati told HT. The district superintendent assigned the city police the task of rescuing the young girl. The police located the girl and safely brought her back to Tumakuru on Wednesday. Following the mothers complaint, we went to Hindupur and rescued the girl, Tumakur town police inspector V Manjula told HT. We have booked Sujatha (30), her husband Shankar (35), and landlord Sriramulu (40) under IPC Sections 137 (kidnapping) and 140 (wrongful confinement) and rescued the child from Sriramulus house. We launched an investigation and will take appropriate action soon, Tejawati added. She expressed relief and satisfaction over the successful rescue operation and the girl has been placed in a safe environment, and further steps are being taken to ensure her well-being and to address the legal aspects of the case. Bhopal: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kamlesh Shah, a former Congress loyalist who defected from the party, won the by-election from Amarwara constituency of Chhindwara district with a close margin of 3,252 votes. Kamlesh Shah had resigned from the membership of the assembly and joined BJP in March this year (Twitter Photo) Kamlesh was up against Congress Dhiren Shah. While he was trailing in from the fourth to seventeenth round, Kamlesh took a lead in the eighteenth round of the twenty-round counting, registering a win. Meanwhile, Congress alleged irregularities in the counting of the last two rounds. Congress supporters also allegedly created a ruckus and demanded recounting. This win of BJP has nothing to do with democracy. BJP won with a narrow margin due to cheating and misuse of power, Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said. The by-election held on July 10 was necessitated after Kamlesh, a former Congress MLA and party loyalist, resigned from the assembly membership and joined the BJP in March this year. A three-time MLA, Kamlesh had won the election against BJP candidate Monika Batti by over 25,000 votes in the December 2023 assembly election. In this by-election, Congress had given a ticket to Dhiren, son of a religious guru of Aanchalkund Dham in Chhindwara. Dhiren, who joined politics after leaving a job as a salesman, gave a tough fight to Kamlesh. I am happy that the residents of Amarwara gave me a fourth chance to serve them. I will change the face of my area with development, Kamlesh Shah after securing his win. Since Independence, the BJP has won only twice from this seat. It was stated to be a strong bastion of Congress. In Chhindwara, where BJP had lost all seven seats in the assembly election 2023, BJP had finally opened its account by winning this seat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Mumbai and Thane districts, predicting heavy rainfall in isolated areas on Saturday, July 13. The IMD has issued a warning for high tide in the sea in Mumbai that is likely to go up to 3.69 metres, advising people avoid going out unless necessary. Mumbai rains: The IMD has forecast light to moderate rains as well as intense spells of rain in isolated areas of Mumbai and Thane, An orange alert has been issued for both cities, as well as Ratnagiri and Raigad(Satish Bate/Hindustan Times) Also Read: IndiGo issues travel advisory for Mumbai as flights impacted due to heavy rain An orange alert has also been issued for Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra's Konkan region. Rain lashed parts of Mumbai this morning, causing waterlogging and traffic snarls in several areas of the city. Mumbai has been experiencing heavy rains for the last couple of days. Mumbai and Thane experienced intense showers on Friday, with the IMD stating that heavy rain would continue till Saturday, and light to moderate rain could be expected till July 15. Also Read: Mumbai Rains highlights: Orange alert for rain in city Heavy rain led to severe waterlogging in low lying areas of the city, causing immense traffic and delaying public transport services. IndiGo airlines had also issued a traffic advisory on Friday, due to air traffic congestion in Mumbai. Also Read: Mumbai Rain highlights: Heavy rainfall hits 28 revenue circles in Marathwada A cyclonic circulation developing over Mumbai has caused the intense rainfall and strong winds according to the IMD. The weather department has also issued an orange alert for the Konkan, Madhya Maharashtra and Goa region. On Friday, Colaba recorded 86 mm of rain and Santa Cruz recorded 115 mm of rain in 3 hours. IMD predicts more than 15 mm of rain per hour in Mumbai and Thane on Saturday. According to popular weather forecaster on X, @Mumbai Rains, heavy downpours will peak in the city today, affecting South Mumbai, Dadar, Worli, Bandra, Powai, Ghatkopar and Chembur especially. An orange alert has also been issued in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra. Palghar has come down from an orange alert to a yellow alert, expecting around 5 mm of rain per hour. The IMD expects heavy rains in Mumbai's suburbs to continue for the next 48 hours. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be 29 degrees celsius and 24 degrees celsius. New Delhi: National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his United States counterpart Jake Sullivan held a wide-ranging conversation on issues of bilateral, regional and international concern on Friday amid frustration in Washington over the Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Russia. NSA Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan (File Photo) The external affairs ministry (MEA) said in a readout that Doval and Sullivan discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international concern and forthcoming high-level engagements under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad framework to be held in July 2024. Also Read: Why was PM Modis visit to Russia strategically important? The readout did not give details but the US state department and the Pentagon have expressed concerns about the Indian premiers visit to Russia this week. During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that solutions cannot be found on the battlefield. The NSAs agreed to work closely to further advance India-US relations, which are built on shared values and common strategic and security interests, the readout said. They reiterated the need to work collectively to address global challenges to peace and security and further expand the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, it added. The foreign ministers of the Quad grouping are expected to meet in Tokyo on July 28, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity. The US side has conveyed its frustration over the Indian premiers visit to Russia both in New Delhi and Washington. Addressing a conclave focused on the India-US defence partnership on Thursday, US ambassador Eric Garcetti said strategic autonomy cannot apply in times of conflict and India and the US must uphold principles when other countries go against the rules-based order or violate sovereign borders. Also Read: More Biden gaffes add to clamour for change Garcettis comments were perceived as veiled criticism of the Indian premiers visit to Russia. Washington was particularly miffed that the visit coincided with the NATO Summit in Washington. A state government employee working on deputation in Odisha Raj Bhavan has accused the son of governor Raghubar Das of assaulting him during President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Puri last week. Odisha Governor Rahubar Das (File Photo/HT) Baikunthanath Pradhan, an assistant section officer of state parliamentary affairs department deputed to the Raj Bhavan, in his complaint to secretary to the governor Saswat Mishra alleged that Lalit Das, the son of Governor Das assaulted, him in Puri Raj Bhavan on the night of July 7 in association with five others, including his personal security officers. President Droupadi Murmu was in Puri Raj Bhavan between July 7 afternoon to July 8 morning for the Rath Yatra festival. Being the in-Charge of Raj Bhavan, Puri, Pradhan there since July 5 to supervise the preparedness of Raj Bhavan for the visit of President Murmu. In his complaint to the secretary to the governor, Pradhan alleged that Lalit Kumar attacked him on July 7 night while he was on duty. "On 7th July night at around 11.45 P.M while I was sitting in the office room, personal cook of Odisha Governor Aakash Singh came to my office and told me that Lalit Kumar wanted to meet him at Suite No-4. When I went there, Lalit Kumar started slapping me and used absusive language. Feeling helpless, I started running out of the room and hid behind the Annexe building. However, the two PSOs of Lalit Kumar found me and dragged me to Room No. 4 through the lift. Security Personnel and others present there have witnessed this incident. They again started slapping, blowing punches on his face, kicking every part of his body and twisted my left ankle, said Pradhan in his complaint. Pradhan alleged that Lalit Kumar threatened him of murder if he revealed the incident before anyone. HT has seen a copy of the complaint. However, Pradhan did not speak to HT on his complaint. Secretary to the the governor Saswat Mishra did not respond to messages seeking his comment on the matter. Though Lalit Das could not be reached, an aide of the governor described the whole event as a conspiracy. The matter is between the cook of Raj Bhavan and the complainant. There have been several issues in the past regarding him. However, the governor's son is no way involved, said the aide. Jammu and Kashmir deserves better than a powerless chief minister, ex-CM Omar Abullah said on Saturday, after the central government amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, giving more powers to the Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory (UT) through the amendments. NC vice-president and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah (File) The Union home ministry's move to amend the Transaction of Business (ToB) rules is yet another indication that assembly elections in the erstwhile state, which became a UT in October 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370 in August that year, are around the corner," the National Conference (NC) vice-president remarked. Another indication that elections are around the corner in J&K. This is why a firm commitment laying out the timeline of restoration of full, undiluted statehood for J&K is a prerequisite for these elections. The people deserve better than a powerless, rubber stamp CM who will have to beg the LG for to get his/her peon appointed, Abdullah posted on X (formerly Twitter). In December last year, the Supreme Court upheld abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to the region. The apex court also directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct assembly polls in the UT by September 30, 2024. The previous assembly elections in J&K were held nearly a decade ago, in December 2014, and the former state has been without a government or chief minister since June 2018, when the coalition government run by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), collapsed. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti was the CM in the alliance government. What amendment has been made to the J&K Reorganisation Act? A sub-rule has been inserted in rule 5, and follows sub-rule (2). The sub-rule (2A) states that: No proposal which requires previous concurrence of the Finance Department with regard to Police, Public Order, All India Service and Anti Corruption Bureau to exercise the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor under the Act shall be concurred or rejected unless it has been placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary. Similarly, rules 42A and B have been inserted in principal rules, which follow rule 42. While 42A says that appointments of law officers, including Advocate General, shall be made only after the LG's approval, 42A notes that proposals regarding grant or refusal of persecution sanctions shall be brought before the LG by Chief Secretary via the Law Department. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a veiled jibe at the opposition, saying those spreading fake narratives are enemies of development, investment and employment. Recently, the RBI has released a report regarding jobs. According to the report, in the last 3-4 years, around 8 crore new jobs have been created in the country. These figures have silenced those who spread false narratives. These individuals oppose investment, infrastructure, and the country's development and are now being exposed. The citizens of the country are rejecting their conspiracies, the prime minister said at an event in Mumbai, wherein he laid thefoundation stone of development projects worth more than 29,400 crore. Continuing his attack on the opposition, the prime minister recalled Congress's allegations of the Atal Setu bridge developing cracks. Our motive is to make the quality of life best in Mumbai; therefore, connectivity around Mumbai is being improved. In Mumbai, the coastal road and Atal Setu have been completed, and you may remember that misinformation was spread about the Atal Setu. Every effort was made to stall it, but everyone is benefitting from it, the prime minister said at the event also attended by Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde along with deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. I have been told around 20,000 vehicles are using it every day. Besides, it's saving around 20,000-25000 lakh worth of fuel is being saved per day, he added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi being felicitated by Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde along with deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai. (Satish Bate/HT Photo) Want to make Mumbai global fintech capital': PM Prime Minister Modi shared his vision for Mumbai, saying he wants to make the city a global fintech capital. Maharashtra is a state that will play crucial role in making India 'viksit' (self-reliant). Maharashtra has the power of industry, agriculture and finance sector, and this has helped Mumbai become the financial hub (of India). Now, my aim is to make Maharashtra world's big financial powerhouse, he said. People know that it is the NDA government that can give stability and durability. After taking oath for the third time, I had said that the NDA government will work at thrice the speed, Modi said, recalling his address to the Indian diaspora in Moscow during his visit to Russia last week. (With PTI, ANI inputs) Shiv Sena (UBT) on Saturday ridiculed the Centre's decision to observe June 25, the day the Emergency was declared in 1975, as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no work left and only wants to mislead people as it doesn't have a (parliamentary) majority. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut at the Parliament House complex during the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, in New Delhi, Wednesday, June 26, 2024.(PTI) Speaking to news agency ANI, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut asserted that Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had supported the Emergency. Raut said that the Emergency was imposed because some people wanted to spread anarchy and were making bombs in the country. They (BJP) have no work left. It has been 50 years, and people have forgotten the Emergency, Raut told ANI. Why was an Emergency imposed in this country? Some people wanted to spread anarchy in the country. An open announcement was made from Ramlila Maidan, Our jawans and army were asked not to follow the orders of the government, the Sena (UBT) leader said. So in such a situation, if Atal Bihari Vajpayee had been the prime minister, he would have also imposed it. It was a matter of national security, some people were making bombs in the country and were exploding bombs at various places. Balasaheb Thackeray had openly supported the Emergency at that time. RSS had also supported it, he added. BJP leader Ajay Alok said Sanjay Raut's remarks on 'Emergency'are "meaningless and pointless." He has forgotten Balasaheb Thackeray, how will he remember 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas'? This day is important because our current and future generations should know how on June 25, 1975, the constitutional rights of 140 crore Indians were taken away, Ajay Alok told PTI. To be sure, India's population in 1975 was less than 63 crore. A gazette notification issued on Friday by the Union home ministry notes that Emergency was declared on June 25, 1975, following which there was "gross abuse of power by the government of the day and people of India were subjected to excesses and atrocities". The people of India have abiding faith in the Constitution and the power of its resilient democracy, it said. "Therefore, Government of India declares 25th June as 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to pay tribute to all those who suffered and fought against the gross abuse of power during the period of Emergency and to recommit the people of India to not support in any manner such gross abuse of power, in future," says the notification. The announcement triggered a political slugfest, with Congress terming it yet another "headline-grabbing exercise in hypocrisy" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The practice of casually staying bail orders is wrong, the Supreme Court emphasised on Friday, adding the top court will put an end to such a practice because of its disastrous implications for human liberty. The Supreme Court of India. (PTI) It would be disastrous if we start staying bail orders like this. What will be the fate of Article 21 (right to life and liberty) then, commented a bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan. The court was hearing a case in which a bail order of an accused in a money laundering case was stayed by the Delhi high court without rendering any reasons. The bail order remained stayed for a year before a vacation bench in the Supreme Court stepped in on June 7 to direct that the accused will be released forthwith. After the Enforcement Directorate (ED) contended on Friday that it was an established practice among several courts since power to cancel bail would include power to stay such orders, the top court asserted its authority to end such practices. Also Read | What does SCs red line for arrests by ED mean? How can you say theres anything in law or theres some practice. If its a practice, its a wrong practice. Just because some orders are passed, it does not become justified. It cant be a practice in matters involving the liberty of individuals. Orders granting bail contain reasons. How can it be stayed casually? the court asked advocate Zoheb Hossain, who appeared for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the matter. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who happened to be online during the virtual hearing, stepped in to point out that there could be some exceptional circumstances requiring the higher court to suspend the order of bail immediately. He cited instances where accused have flown out overnight after getting bail orders and landed in countries with whom India does not even have extradition agreements. If the court is mulling guidelines on the issue, it will have huge ramifications. However, if the courts order is confined to this case, we may have nothing to say. We are not defending this impugned order of the high court which has not given any reasons, Mehta added. Also Read | Kejriwal still a criminal, must resign as CM, demands BJP after interim bail To this, the court court reiterated that bail orders should be stayed only in exceptional cases. It must happen in very rare cases. If theres a terrorist involved in serious activities, then there could be something. But it cannot happen casually, said the bench. The court also indicated it would lay down specific guidelines on when a bail order could be stayed. What we are going to say is that orders granting bail can be stayed only when theres perversity and where special conditions are required or a person is a terrorist, it stated while reserving the judgment in the matter. In the present case, Parvinder Singh Khurana was granted bail by a Delhi court on June 17, 2023, in connection with a money laundering case. After ED filed an appeal, the Delhi high court on June 23 stayed the bail order but did not give any reason. Khurana then moved the Supreme Court against the stay order, prompting a vacation bench to direct his release on June 7. On Thursday, the Supreme Court had condemned the practice of higher courts casually staying bail orders granted by trial courts, particularly when the accused is neither a terrorist nor considered a threat to society. What is this happening? A person is granted bail, you (Enforcement Directorate) approached the high court and merely on your asking, the order granting the bail remains stayed for one year. This is shocking, it observed. The bench underscored that such stays should not be granted merely at the behest of investigating agencies, especially when detailed reasons for granting bail have been provided by the trial courts. It expressed its discontent with the casual way a detailed bail order was stayed by a one-line order from the high court. The court on the day indicated its intention to deliver a comprehensive judgment that would establish clear guidelines and deterrents against the casual staying of bail orders. Lets say something about the casual manner in which an order granting bail was stayed. We will have to say something on this practice by courts. It cannot be like this... What signals we are sending. We are not only blaming you (ED), but we are blaming us as well. The top courts stance comes against the backdrop of a recent controversy involving Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is in judicial custody in connection with alleged illegalities in the framing of the 2011-22 excise policy. On June 21, the Delhi high court stayed the bail granted to Kejriwal by a trial court in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy case. The trial court cited a lack of direct evidence against Kejriwal and suggested potential bias in the EDs approach. Following EDs appeal, the stay came in less than 24 hours after the order of bail by the trial court, but the High Courts initial stay order by a vacation bench did not provide any reasons, raising significant legal and ethical questions. New Delhi The Supreme Court on Friday emphasised its duty to intervene whenever the State attempts to suppress the free dissemination of news and information, as it stayed an order that had stopped Kannada news channel Power TV from broadcasting. The Supreme Court of India (PTI) A bench, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, remarked that the attempt to silence the channel seemed to be a sheer political vendetta because the channel wanted details of a sex tape (ostensibly within broadcasting guidelines for such material). Notably, the channel and its additional director Rakesh Shetty have been at the forefront of campaigns against Janata Dal (Secular) leaders, including former parliamentarian Prajwal Revanna who has been accused of sexually assaulting several women. The more you people argue in this case, the more we are sure its nothing but political vendetta and that we must step in to protect his right to free speech, remarked the bench, also comprising justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, as it stayed the order until July 15 when the court said it might pass a detailed order. He (channel) wanted to broadcast a sex scandal and the idea was to stop him from doing so. The idea is to completely blank out his voice. This is a sheer political vendetta and nothing else. And this court will be failing in its duty if it doesnt allow him to exercise his rights, observed the bench, in a powerful affirmation of the right to freedom of expression. The Supreme Courts intervention followed an earlier restraint by a single-judge bench of the Karnataka high court, which had halted Power TVs broadcasts in June, citing the channels lack of a requisite license from the ministry of information & broadcasting. This order stemmed from petitions filed by JD(S) leader Ramesh Gowda and IPS officer BR Ravikanthe Gowda, leading to an interim directive to cease the channels operations. On July 3, a division bench of the high court deferred the final decision to the Centre while keeping the interim order in place. The channel was represented in the top court through senior advocates Ranjit Kumar and Sunil Fernandes, assisted by advocate Mithu Jain. During the hearing of the channels appeal against the high court order, the bench on Friday also criticised the Union government for supporting the high courts restraint without sufficient independent evaluation. It pointedly asked: Where was the independent application of mind? Why should the Centre restrain the channel based on a high court order when there is an independent adjudication ongoing? The court noted that the high court restraint was premised on a show-cause notice issued on February 9 against Mitcon Infraprojects, the channels licence holder, for continuing to broadcast Power TV despite the lapse of the licence awarded to the firm. So, the high court issued the order based on your notice and then you issue a restraining order based on the high court order. How can that be? it asked solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre. Mehta responded that there were serious allegations against the channel, including subletting its uplink and downlinking license. To this, the bench said that the issue would require independent adjudication and that the high courts order cannot become the basis for the Centre to stop the channel from broadcasting. Passing a brief order of stay, the bench said that the matter will be taken up again on July 15. A single judge bench of the Karnataka high court on June 25 directed the channel to stop broadcasting, noting that Power TV does not have the requisite licence from the central ministry. After the channel assailed this order before a division bench, the high court affirmed the temporary prohibition on broadcasting, highlighting that the channels permission to uplink and downlink news expired on October 12, 2021, and the renewal application was still pending. The division bench set a six-week timeline for the Centre to decide the show-cause notice and the license renewal plea of the channel. In the Supreme Court, channels additional director Rakesh Shetty filed a personal affidavit, stating that the channel was being constantly pressured to stop its expose on the alleged sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna and that the actions against the channel was being targeted for its broadcast. Revanna, who had fled to Munich, Germany, was arrested on May 31 after returning to India. He faces three separate cases of sexual abuse, including allegations from a former house help, a former member of the Hassan zilla panchayat and a woman in her 60s. Explicit videos allegedly involving Prajwal surfaced in Hassan ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, leading to his suspension from the JD(S) party. The 33-year-old grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda had failed in his bid to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency in the recent polls. Prajwals father HD Revanna, who is a legislator in the Karnataka state assembly, is also accused in the police complaint lodged by a former employee of the family. He has denied the allegations, calling them a political conspiracy. The Supreme Court on Friday granted interim bail to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise policy case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), acknowledging that he has already spent over 90 days in incarceration and that the issue at hand concerns the fundamental rights to life and liberty of an individual. The Supreme Court granted interim bail to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi excise case. (PTI) Despite this relief, Kejriwal, who was arrested by ED on March 21 and has been detained ever since except for a 21-day interim bail granted in May to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, will continue to remain in custody due to his arrest in a separate case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) related to the same matter. A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta felt the need to grant interim bail Kejriwal as it referred one of the critical issues involved in the case to a larger bench the legal scope of integrating the necessity to arrest and the doctrine of proportionality into cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The larger bench will determine whether the discretionary power given to ED officers for arrests, under Section 19 of PMLA, should be subjected to a more stringent judicial scrutiny. Also Read | Kejriwal still a criminal, must resign as CM, demands BJP after interim bail Given the fact that right to life and liberty is sacrosanct, and Arvind Kejriwal has suffered incarceration of over 90 days, and that the questions referred to above require in-depth consideration by a larger bench, we direct that Arvind Kejriwal may be released on interim bail, ordered the court. The verdict marks a crucial legal victory for Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), providing a much-needed boost to the political narrative of the party, which has been mired in controversies and legal battles over the Delhi excise policy case. The order of interim bail is expected to invigorate the AAPs political campaign, allowing the party to rally around the narrative of judicial vindication, providing the party with an opportunity to highlight perceived overreach by investigative agencies and political witch-hunt. The AAP termed the Supreme Court order a victory of truth, and a defeat of the BJPs (Bharatiya Janata Party) conspiracy. While the interim bail is a step forward, it is not the end of Kejriwals legal troubles as the AAP chief continues in custody due to a separate case being investigated by CBI in the excise policy matter. When the challenge to his ED arrest was pending before the Supreme Court, Kejriwal was arrested by CBI on June 26 on charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy in the excise policy case. On Friday, a Delhi trial court extended Kejriwals judicial custody till July 25 in the CBI case. Also Read | AAP hails SCs Kejriwal bail order as victory of truth Kejriwals interim bail order came with the same set of conditions that were imposed on him at the time of granting bail to him for canvassing in the general elections. The stipulations included refraining from official duties as CM and signing any file unless necessary for obtaining approval of the lieutenant governor of Delhi. Pertinently, the questions of law referred to a larger bench focussed on the need and necessity to arrest under Section 19(1) of PMLA -- which is presently not a formal ground to challenge an ED arrest. The issues being considered include whether the need and necessity to arrest can be an additional ground to challenge an arrest by ED, and whether this factor can vary from person to person due to subjective reasons. If the larger bench affirms that the need and necessity to arrest can be a separate ground, the court said, it should lay down parameters to guide courts. The courts reference stemmed from its concerns over an apparent lack of uniformity in arrests and other coercive actions by ED. Citing statistics available on the EDs website, the bench pointed out that while 5,906 ECIRs were recorded as on January 31, 2023, searches were conducted only in 531 cases. The total number of ECIRs recorded against ex-MPs, MLAs and MLCs was 176. The number of persons arrested was 513. Whereas the number of prosecution complaints filed was 1,142. The data raises a number of questions, including the question whether the DoE (directorate of enforcement) has formulated a policy, when they should arrest a person involved in offences committed under the PML Act, the court wondered. According to the bench, the doctrine of need and necessity to arrest possibly can provide some guidance in the ED cases, especially because Section 45 of PMLA gives primacy to the opinion of DoE when it comes to grant of bail. DoE should act uniformly, consistent in conduct, confirming one rule for all, it asserted. Kejriwal had contended in his petition that there was no necessity to arrest him in March because the materials cited by ED to justify the action against him were in the agencys possession for long and that he could not be arrested for the purposes of further investigation because PMLA required the arresting officer to record reasons to believe that the accused is guilty of the alleged offences. The judgment, authored by justice Khanna, refrained from issuing any direction regarding Kejriwals position as the CM, leaving it to his discretion to decide whether to continue in office. We are conscious that Arvind Kejriwal is an elected leader and the Chief Minister of, Delhi, a post holding importance and influence. We have also referred to the allegations. While we do not give any direction, since we are doubtful whether the court can direct an elected leader to step down or not function as the Chief Minister or as a Minister, we leave it to Arvind Kejriwal to take a call, stated the 64-page judgment. The court underlined that it could not conduct a merits review of the factual assertions in the case when ED has complied with the procedural formality of recording the reasons to believe that Kejriwal is guilty of the alleged offences at the time of making arrest. Given the limited power of judicial review, the bench said, it cannot set aside and quash the reasons to believe at this juncture but Kejriwal can raise all factual arguments at the time of arguing his bail to discredit the agencys case. The top court had on May 17 reserved its judgment on Kejriwals petition that sought invalidation of his arrest by ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe pertaining to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22. The bench, during the previous hearings, delved into the sufficiency of evidence in Kejriwals case, besides raising key questions about the fairness of the investigative process and the weight accorded to exculpatory materials that the CM claimed the agency purposely hid from the court to target him. . New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a meeting with officials from the ministry of home affairs (MHA), including the Union home secretary, secretary for border management, and director general of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), to expedite and assess the development initiatives under the Vibrant Villages Program for border villages. (Twitter/@AmitShah) The Centre launched the Vibrant Village Programme on February 17, 2023, aiming for the comprehensive development of select villages along the countrys northern border with China, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the programme in the Union budget 2022-23 and sanctioned Rs.4,800 crore for development in 2,963 villages. MHA officials present in the meeting said that under the programme, over 136 villages have all-weather roads, while all 2,963 border villages are set to receive 4G connectivity and banking services by the end of 2024. According to the MHA, 6,000 events, including 4,000 service delivery awareness camps, have been organised in these border villages. The Government of India has sanctioned over 600 projects to generate employment in these areas. MHA officials also stressed the importance of timely reviews to address pending issues. ...With a budget of Rs.2,420 crore, 136 border villages have been connected with all-weather roads. By December 2024, all villages are expected to have 4G network services, an official present in the meeting said, adding that India Post Payments Bank is also established to provide banking services at the doorstep, a facility previously limited to urban areas. The program also focuses on promoting tourism by enhancing infrastructure and building capacity to attract tourists to these remote areas, said the official. The Union home minister has directed officials to continue efforts to better understand and address the issues faced by border villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme, he added. In the meeting, Shah emphasised the regular availability of healthcare facilities from the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for border village residents. He also stressed the importance of promoting solar energy and other renewable sources like windmills in these villages. The Government of India is determined to ensure the all-round development of the border villages, Shah posted on X, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also mentioned that the CAPFs and the Indian Army are advised to purchase agricultural products and handicrafts to support the local industry of these villages. Out of the allocation of Rs.4,800 crore, Rs.2,500 crore will be spent on creating road infrastructure in the border areas on priority. The programme also serves as a counter-response to Chinas double use border village program, which can house troops as well as the local population. Indian intelligence agencies report that 628 such dual-use villages have emerged along the 3,448-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) since 2017 in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Union territory of Ladakh. A SpiceJet staff member, who was arrested for slapping an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at the Jaipur Airport on Thursday, alleged that she was sexually harassed, which forced her to slap him. A grab from a CCTV footage shows a SpiceJet staff member slapping a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan during an argument. (PTI) Speaking to ANI on Saturday, the SpiceJet staff said, I report for duty at the same time. Like every day, at 4:30am on 11th July, I was doing my work when ASI Giriraj Prasad came and said, Give us a chance to take care of you (Humey bhi apna seva-paani ka mauka do). Then, when I asked him to call a lady constable for frisking. He again said, 'How much money will you charge for a night (Ek raat rukne ka kya logi)'. The staff member added, He said, Listen to me, you'll feel better. Your work will get done quickly. I told him that I would file a police complaint against you to which he said You cant do anything to me. I have seen a lot of women like you, I'll get you fired. (Tumhare jaisi bazaaru aurat maine bohot dekhi hai, tumhey naukri se nikalwa dunga.)' A viral video showed the female SpiceJet employee slapping CISF ASI Giriraj Prasad after a heated argument between them. After ASI Prasad filed a complaint, stating that she slapped him during an argument about security screening at the airport, the police arrested the SpiceJet employee. Speaking about ASI's complaint, she said, He filed a complaint against me before I did. I have not complained anywhere else except to the police. After the incident occurred, SpiceJet issued a statement saying, Today, an unfortunate incident occurred at Jaipur Airport involving a SpiceJet female security staff member and a male CISF personnel. While escorting a catering vehicle at the steel gate, our female security staff member, who had a valid airport entry pass issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Indias civil aviation security regulator, was subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable language by the CISF personnel, including asking her to come and meet him after his duty hours at his home. SpiceJet is taking immediate legal action in this serious case of sexual harassment against its female employee and has approached the local police. We stand firmly by our employee and are committed to providing her with full support. Also read | Kangana slapped: Farmer unions to hold march in Mohali in support of CISF constable The woman said that she had been working with SpiceJet for five years. She added that she had worked in the security department of the airline and knew all the rules and regulations. As per the complaint filed by ASI Prasad, the SpiceJet crew member arrived at the airport at 4am while he was on duty. He said that she attempted to enter without a security check and when stopped and asked for screening, she refused, citing the absence of female staff. He alleged that he then contacted the airport control to request female staff via wireless message. He stated that the crew member became angry, argued, and slapped him before a female staff member arrived. The SpiceJet employee added, Their [ASI Prasad's] statement that I was forcing to go inside and that I did not have a valid card is wrong. We meet CISF staff every day but usually, we coordinate with the female staff. We do not even talk to the male staff on a daily basis...There is a female staff member there in the morning every day, but there are no female staff members at night. It happens every day that we take the catering van, give them the slip and we go towards the departure hall. There is never any female staff there. Earlier on Saturday, Advocate Deepak Chouhan, who is representing the SpiceJet employee, said to ANI, The SpiceJet employee has been arrested. She was sexually harassed by the CISF ASI at Jaipur Airport. Abusive words were used against her, which caused her to lose her cool and slap the CISF officer. This was her natural response to the incident. In court FIR, we have mentioned that the woman had not displayed such behaviour in the past. Had this been her usual behaviour, such incidents would have come to light earlier. However, this is a matter of investigation. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has affirmed that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to seek maintenance from her former husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). This ruling, issued on June 10, has been lauded by prominent activist Zakia Soman, founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a non-governmental women's rights organisation. Zakia Soman, founder of the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, a non-governmental women's rights organisation.(PTI file) I welcome the apex court ruling. It is long overdue, but finally it has come and is a significant incremental step in the right direction, Soman said in an interview. The Supreme has reiterated that Muslim women are protected like women of other religions, and that Parliaments 1986 law that attempted to overturn the Shah Bano judgment did not remove the protection available to them under Section 125 CrPC. "Under Section 125 CrPC, all women are entitled to alimony, so why leave out Muslim women? Hindu and Christian women, whos laws are codified, can seek help, but not Muslims, which is unfortunate, she said. According to Zakia, any discrimination against Muslim women in matters of alimony under the secular laws of the country would be regressive and against the principles of gender justice and equality. The apex court ruled that all married and divorced women, including Muslim women illegally divorced by pronouncement of `triple talaq, are entitled to claim maintenance from their husbands under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, irrespective of her personal law. In separate but concurring judgments, a Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih held that the right of Muslim women to seek recourse to Section 125 will not be eclipsed by the provisions of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, enacted by the then Rajiv Gandhi government after the landmark and controversial Shah Bano judgement of 1985. The Shah Bano case was a maintenance lawsuit, in which the Supreme Court delivered a judgment favouring maintenance given to an aggrieved divorced Muslim woman. Asked how she saw the SC ruling vis a vis triple talaq, Zakia said that this was an issue that precedes the BJP government coming to power. The fact remains that marginalization of women has been a reality, and this SC ruling calls the bluff of the Muslim clergy and Hindutva activists. It is truly an appropriate judgment, and such protection offered by no less than the Supreme Court is a big shot in the arm, she pointed out. The apex court said that the right to seek maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC, 1973, is invokable even during the sustenance of marriage and thereby is not contingent upon divorce. Zakia Soman, a university professor from Gujarat, has been a strong advocate for the rights of Muslim women. She has worked and written extensively on issues of peace and justice, minority and human rights. Hailing the emerging consciousness among Muslim women, she said it is not just the individual alone but their family and the ecosystem that has become conducive to change. "Afterall, no one woman can fight the system alone. She must have the support of her family and close ones, without which any litigation or public action is simply not possible, Zakia said. The SC ruling came on an appeal filed by Mohammad Abdul Samad, who had been ordered to pay 20,000 as monthly maintenance to his ex-wife by a family court in Telangana. The woman had moved the family court under Section 125 of CrPC stating that Samad had given her triple talaq. The HC, on December 13, 2023, said that several questions are raised which need to be adjudicated but directed the petitioner to pay 10,000 as interim maintenance. Challenging this, Samad told the apex court that the HC had failed to appreciate that the provisions of 1986 Act, which is a Special Act, would prevail over the provisions of Section 125 CrPC, which is a general Act. "As you can see, a lone woman from remote Telangana has moved the courts and won justice. This should never be underestimated, Zakia said. Kolkata: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal won all four assembly seats that went to by-polls on July 10. (Representative Photo) The by-polls were held in four assembly constituencies, including Maniktala in Kolkata, Bagdah in North 24 Parganas, Ranaghat Dakshin in Nadia and Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021 had won three assembly seats except for Maniktala in north Kolkata, which the TMC had won. North Kolkata has been a TMC stronghold for a long time. I really feel disheartened for the BJP. They lose every time from Maniktala. I am telling this from the core of my heart, Supti Pandey, TMC candidate from Maniktala who won by 62,312 votes, told media persons. The TMC fielded Supti, wife of former state minister Sadhan Pandey from the seat which had fallen vacant following the demise of Sadhan in February 2022. Sadhan had won the seat by 20,238 votes. Kalyan Chaubey, the BJP candidate for the seat, claimed that only seven to eight per cent of people could vote in the by-polls, alleging that the rest were fake votes. The TMC also swept the Matua belt winning both Ranaghat Dakshin and Bagda. TMC candidate Madhuparna Thakur, daughter of TMC Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur, won the seat by 33,455 votes, defeating BJPs Binay Kumar Biswas. It is the blessings of the people of Bagda. The citizens had decided beforehand that they would send the TMC candidate to the assembly, Bala Thakur said. The saffron camp, which enjoys the support of a large section of the Matua community, had won Bagdah, Raiganj and Ranaghat South in 2021 but the winners later joined TMC. The turncoat legislators, Krishna Kalyani from Raiganj, Mukut Mani Adhikari from Ranaghat South and Biswajit Das from Bagdah, resigned from the legislative assembly ahead of the recent Lok Sabha elections to contest the Raiganj, Ranaghat and Bongaon seats, respectively, but were defeated by BJP. The TMC did not field Biswajit Das but Krishna Kalyani and Mukutmani Adhikari were nominated again from Raiganj and Ranaghat South respectively. BJP has used the Matuas. They were promised citizenship but CAA was brought in to snatch away their rights. Now the Matuas have turned their face off. They are no longer with the BJP, Adhikari, who won by 39048 votes, said while speaking to reporters. The TMC also wrested the Raiganj assembly seat for the first time. Kalyani won by 55,077 votes, defeating BJP candidate Manas Kumar Das. Usually, the ruling party in West Bengal wins the by-elections. This is the tradition of the state. The BJP had to face guns and bombs and could not resist the attack on its vote bank. Despite repeatedly telling the ECI (Election Commission of India) about political violence, we saw how the central forces were not utilised. We have seen much worse. We will fight back, Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson, told media persons. Even though the BJP had set a target to win more than 200 seats in the 2021 assembly elections, it could only bag 77 seats. The TMC returned to power for the third time in a row with 213 seats. While, in the recently held Lok Sabha polls, the BJPs seats dropped to 12 from 18 in 2019. Five months after Uttarakhand became the first state in India to enact a Uniform Civil Code, it released the findings of a five member draft committee that had deliberated for close to two years before the law was cleared by cabinet and the assembly, which said that the code is a step towards realising the lofty constitutional goals of creating an egalitarian society and inculcating a sense of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, as well as a sense of unity, integrity and nationhood among the citizens. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami speaks during discussions on the Uniform Civil Code Uttarakhand 2024 Bill in the state Assembly on Wednesday. (ANI) The law was passed in the Uttarakhand assembly in February, months before the Lok Sabha elections, with the process of the framing of rules underway, likely to be formalised by the end of 2024, officials said. The Uniform Civil Codewhich essentially refers to a common set of laws that that everyone, regardless of religion, must adhere to in personal matters like marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and successionhas long been an ideological fault-line in Indian politics; a key election promise in BJP manifestos, but with critics pointing out that its premise is at odds with pluralism. Also Read | Amit Shah promises nationwide Uniform Civil Code roll-out in next term In Uttarakhand too, the UCC has several provisions that have caused intense debatefrom compulsory registration of live-in relationships, declaring second marriages to be void, essentially ending polygamy regardless of religion, and allowing the dissolution of marriage only through a court order among others. While several BJP governments have now promised to legislate a UCC, the Uttarakhand government was first off the blocks in May 2022, when it formed a five member expert draft committee headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. A little less than two years later, on February 2, the panel submitted its draft to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and it was passed by the state assembly five days later, after which it received assent from President Droupadi Murmu in March. Shatrughan Singh, a member of the UCC draft committee, said that they would try to meet a government target to complete the process by October. We are committed to fulfilling the goal, he said. Singh said that the Rajnana Desai led expert committee had drafted the Uttarakhand UCC citing inspiration from various sources. These included feedback during field visits, existing national and international legislations, reports of the law commission, reports of parliamentary committees, constituent assembly debates. Also Read | Congress opposes UCC, supports Sharia under guise of Muslim Personal Law: PM Modi The 169-page report that the UCC seeks to move towards constitutional goals of creating an egalitarian society by bringing the personal laws of the different communities under one umbrella and in line with contemporary realities without unnecessarily infringing on the varied religious rites, rituals and ceremonies. Customs and usages that are not against morality and public order are also sought to be protected, the report said. It said that the law attempts to get rid of age-old stereotypes on remarriage, establish a comprehensive framework for registration of marriages and divorces, bring uniformity and simplicity in succession and inheritance. The Code attempts to remove inherently biased provisions and lay down a law, which is free from any pre-conceived notions of traditional gender roles. For example, as per Section 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a marriage is voidable on the ground that the respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by some person other than the petitioner. However, a marriage wherein the husband had impregnated someone else at the time of the marriage is not voidable, nor is this a ground for divorce. The Code seeks to address such inequalities, thereport said. Registration of marriages is not compulsory under some personal laws that are presently applicable in our country. The significance of compulsory registration of marriages has been recognised globally... It provides legal recognition to marriages and protects the civil rights that flow out of marriage. It keeps a check on social vices like polygamy and child marriage, and provides the security of extending certain legal safeguards to women. In furtherance of these objectives, the Code has introduced a comprehensive procedure for registration of marriages in the State of Uttarakhand. It places a burden on all residents of the State, whose marriages will be solemnized or contracted after the commencement of the Code to mandatorily obtain registration of their marriages, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Code, the committee said in the report. On succession and inheritance, the panel in report said, The Code envisages a uniform scheme of inheritance for all residents of Uttarakhand, irrespective of their religion, custom, caste, sex, race or ethnicity. Taking a cue from section 27 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, no preferential right has been given to heirs related by full blood over those related by half blood. The distinction between consanguine and uterine relations is also not recognised. The Code marks a significant departure from the scheme of inheritance laid down in earlier personal laws, in as much as it does not differentiate between the inheritance rights of legitimate and illegitimate children. Further, the Code provides equal rights in inheritance to both the parents, that is, the mother and the father. It applies equally to all kinds of properties, whether movable or immovable, self-acquired, joint or ancestral, tangible or intangible, agricultural or non-agricultural, and residential or commercial, the report said. Justifying its stance on the required registration of live-in relationships, the report said, Since there is no legal recognition accorded to their union, the partners in a live-in relationship go unnoticed even when they violate the law. With the rising incidences of crime emanating from live-in relationships, as has been highlighted by the media, it has been found necessary to keep a record of the individuals involved in live-in relationships. On its directions on live-in relationships, which as part of the registration process necessitates that parents be notified, Singh said that this was debated by the committee. If you have voting rights above 18, then how are you informing the parents of the children who want to get into a live in relationship. The second aspect of the debate is that between 18 and 21 years, a person may not be mature enough and needs additional protection. It is better that parents are kept in loop. Crimes have come to light against young girls. The committee considered all these factors and expressed its view. If it is challenged in the court of law, the court will see. The committee is of the view that this should come, Singh said. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, The people of the state had elected us for this work. After the implementation of UCC here, many complexities in the laws will be simplified, people will get justice easily, and a uniform system will be implemented for all. Reacting to the report, Uttarakhand Congress chief spokesperson Garima Mehra Dasauni said: First of all it should have been implemented in the country. UCC itself suggests that there should be uniformity. Uttarakhand is left isolated... in Uttarakhand too, the government didnt cover the complete population, and left tribals. The BJP is confused about what they are bringing... The people of the state arent excited about the UCC. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of electoral fraud after the ruling party in West Bengal won all four assembly seats that went to bypolls on July 10. Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar and Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.(file) The way the results have come, BJP has got three votes in some booths, and four votes in some booths, this is fraud in the name of votesWe have complained to the Election Commission earlier also but there was no hearing, Union minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar told ANI. West Bengal BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya too echoed the sentiments of the state party unit chief. "We will review our performance. But the TMC did not allow free and fair elections and there were a lot of irregularities. The ruling party had unleashed a reign of terror," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya was quoted by ANI as saying. ALSO READ: Mahua Moitra's losing streak jab at BJP after TMC sweeps Bengal assembly bypolls The Trinamool Congress swept the assembly bypolls, wresting three seats from the BJP- Raiganj, Bagda, and Ranaghat Dakshin. The Mamata Banerjee-led party won Maniktala constituency by a huge margin of over 62,000 votes. The BJP secured the second position in all four seats, while the Left-Congress alliance finished a distant third and lost deposits in two assembly segments. The bypolls were a litmus test for the BJP, whose seat tally in the Lok Sabha elections dropped from 18 in 2019 to 12 this time. The saffron camp has 71 seats in the 294-member West Bengal assembly, down from 77 in the 2021 elections. The Trinamool Congress tally stands at 215 in the 294-member assembly. It also enjoys the support of three BJP MLAs, who switched over to the ruling party but are yet to resign from the House. The trend is very clear, even earlier mandate (of Lok Sabha elections) was not in favour of NDA, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was quoted by PTI as saying after the bypoll results. (With PTI, ANI inputs) New Delhi Marked by a series of dramatic twists and turns, the legal journey of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case witnessed the Supreme Court laying down a raft of significant legal standards on Friday to prevent arbitrary and unjust arrests by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), thereby balancing effective law enforcement with the protection of individual rights. The Supreme Court of India building in New Delhi.(File) Addressing the broader implications of arresting powers under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), a bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta strived to ensure that such powers are exercised judiciously and in line with constitutional safeguards. Arrest, after all, cannot be made arbitrarily and on the whims and fancies of the authorities. It is to be made on the basis of the valid reasons to believe, meeting the parameters prescribed by the law. In fact, not to undertake judicial scrutiny when justified and necessary, would be an abdication and failure of constitutional and statutory duty placed on the court to ensure that the fundamental right to life and liberty is not violated, underscored the bench. Also Read | Kejriwal still a criminal, must resign as CM, demands BJP after interim bail To be sure, the bench referred one of the critical issues involved in the case the legal scope of integrating the necessity to arrest and the doctrine of proportionality into cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to a larger bench Right to challenge arrest and judicial review The bench relied on a series of judgments, including those in Pankaj Bansal Vs Union of India and others (2023), V Senthil Balaji Vs State and others (2024) and Prabir Purkayastha Vs State (2024), to underline the Supreme Courts commitment to protecting personal liberty and ensuring that law enforcement agencies adhere to due process and fairness in line with Article 22(1) of the Constitution, which protects peoples right to know why they are being detained. These judgments obligated ED to provide written grounds of arrest to the accused, besides mandating courts to immediately release an arrested person if there are procedural or substantive violations. Emphasising the stringent safeguards prescribed by the legislature to prevent abuse and unauthorised use of the power to arrest, the court highlighted the importance of judicial scrutiny in ensuring that the conditions for arrest under Section 19(1) of PMLA are satisfied. Also Read | AAP hails SCs Kejriwal bail order as victory of truth Power to arrest a person without a warrant from the court and without instituting a criminal case is a drastic and extreme power. Therefore, the legislature has prescribed safeguards in the form of exacting conditions as to how and when the power is exercisable. The conditions are salutary and serve as a check against the exercise of an otherwise harsh and pernicious power, the court stated. It further emphasised that the power to arrest under Section 19(1) is not for the purpose of investigation. Arrest can and should wait, and the power in terms of Section 19(1) of the PMLA can be exercised only when the material with the designated officer enables them to form an opinion, by recording reasons in writing that the arrestee is guilty, it noted. The bench underscored that the conditions imposed by the legislature under PMLA must be subjected to judicial scrutiny if the arrestee challenges their arrest. Rejecting EDs argument that the power to arrest is neither an administrative nor a quasi-judicial power and that judicial scrutiny would interfere with the investigation, it noted: We hold that the power of judicial review shall prevail, and the court is required to examine that the exercise of the power to arrest meets the statutory conditions. Provision of reasons to believe to the arrestee Section 19(1) of PMLA empowers ED to arrest a person provided that the arresting officer can form and record in writing, reasons to believe that the accused is guilty of a PMLA offence. ED argued that while grounds of arrest has to be supplied to accused, there is no need to furnish reasons to believe because it is an internal and confidential document. Rejecting this contention, the bench held that the court must give meaningful and full play to the legislative intent given that the power of arrest is drastic and violates Article 21. Providing the written grounds of arrest does not in itself satisfy the constitutional requirement. The authorised officers genuine belief and reasoning based on the evidence that establishes the arrestees guilt is also the legal necessity, it said. Existence and validity of the reasons to believe goes to the root of the power to arrest, said the bench, adding it would be incongruous to hold that the accused can be denied a copy of the reasons to believe after ruling that he is entitled to challenge his arrest. We are concerned with violation of personal liberty, and the exercise of the power to arrest in accordance with law. Scrutiny of the action to arrest, whether in accordance with law, is amenable to judicial review. It follows that the reasons to believe should be furnished to the arrestee to enable him to exercise his right to challenge the validity of arrest, ordered the bench. Grave suspicion cannot be the sole reason to arrest ED argued in the matter that when grave suspicion is sufficient to frame a charge and put the accused to trial, it can lead to an arrest too. The court, however, shot down this argument. This contention should not be accepted since we are not dealing with the trial, framing of charge or recording the evidence...The PMLA provision on arrest is clear and should not be disregarded to defeat the legislative intent to provide stringent safeguards against pre-trial arrest during pending investigations. Framing of the charge and putting the accused on trial cannot be equated with the power to arrest, it said. Highlighting the distinction between reason to believe from grave suspicion, the bench held that the former refers to the reasons for the formation of the belief which must have a rational connection with or an element bearing on the formation of belief. ED cant cite only incriminating materials The Delhi CM had argued that the EDs reasons to believe selectively referred only to the incriminating material, ignoring the material to support his claim of innocence. Dealing with this contention, the court held that although the legality of the reasons to believe has to be examined based on what has been recorded by ED, the arresting officer cannot ignore the material which exonerates the arrestee. Any such non-consideration would lead to difficult and unacceptable results. First, it would negate the legislative intent which imposes stringent conditions. As a general rule of interpretation, penal provisions must be interpreted strictly. Secondly, any undue indulgence and latitude to ED will be deleterious to the constitutional values of rule of law and life and liberty of persons, said the bench. An ED officer, the court said, cannot be allowed to selectively pick and choose material implicating the person to be arrested. They have to equally apply their mind to other material which absolves and exculpates the arrestee. The power to arrest under Section 19(1) of the PML Act cannot be exercised as per the whims and fancies of the officer, it added. The subjectivity of the ED officers opinion is not a carte blanche to ignore relevant absolving material without an explanation, said the court, adding such a situation would amount to legal malice. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will be conducting a demolition drive in the Majnu Ka Tila locality on July 13 and 14 against the encroachment on the Yamuna flood plain near the South of Gurdwara. The residents of the area received a notice regarding the demolition on Thursday, and have expressed concern over the last-minute eviction. Residents of the area protest the DDA demolition drive at Majnu Ka Tila in north Delhi. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) The local police has been requested to provide security to maintain law and order during the drive. The encroachment drive is being carried out to remove the temporary shelters near the Majnu Ka Tila Gurdwara in north Delhi, according to the notice. The locality has been the residence of Pakistani Hindus, who are seeking refuge in India, for decades. However, Delhi Police confirmed this week that the requisition from DDA has been received for carrying demolition action against the jhuggi cluster". Why is DDA demolishing jhuggis in Majnu Ka Tila? The notice issued by DDA said that it will be carrying out a demolition drive on encroachments near the Gurdwara, which are constructed on DDA land. The authority will demolish all temporary structures except the structure belonging to the petitioner who approached the Delhi high court. The DDA said in its notice that the demolition drive is being carried out in Yamuna Flood Plain zone, where Pakistani Hindu refugees have set up their temporary shelters. The notice referred to the National Green Tribunal's April 3 order and the Delhi high court's March 12 order behind the move. The demolition notice was issued following the court's direction to remove all encroachments and illegal constructions earlier this year. The counsel for DDA submitted that an order dated January 29 was passed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), in an Execution Application in an application of 2019, wherein, it was directed that all the encroachment on the Yamuna River Belt in Majnu Ka Tila be removed. According to the authority, the construction of the temporary structures was done illegally on the Yamuna Flood Plain zone, which is a sensitive area in case water levels from the river rise. However, the Pakistani Hindu refugees said that they were not given enough time to vacate the premises. Earlier, the refugees told the court that they have been living at Majnu Ka Tilla for many years, with basic facilities being provided by the authorities; their children are studying in the nearby government schools, and their examinations are in progress at present. (With inputs from PTI, ANI) Pritesh Rangole likes to arrive at a wedding hall at least two hours before the bride and groom. He sets up his easel, canvas and colours, studies the light. Plans the dimensions of his painting, and decides which elements of the decor he will incorporate. Once the couple arrives, there is no time to do anything but sketch (really fast) and take the odd photograph as a visual aid. Rangole, 27, draws quick outlines of the newlyweds, taking special care to represent their outfits, jewellery and make-up. He adds more details as the ceremony gets underway, and as the family and group photoshoots begin. Then he steps away, finds a quiet corner, finishes his painting with great care, and hands it over to the couple before they leave. Its hard work completing a canvas in real time. Particularly with the loud music, the crowds, and subjects who are never still, he says, laughing. It is often so busy what with requests from relatives, and children wanting to see whats going on that there is no time for food or even toilet breaks. The appointed hour can be an added adjustment: painting at ceremonies conducted at 3 am, in biting winter, hands cramping as the artists clutch their brushes. But the money is good and the demand for such work is growing. Rangole says he has worked at 40 weddings since he started in August, for rates that start at 35,000 per event. As artists offer such services across major cities, the throwback to the pre-camera era is complete. Wedding portraits were a popular method of recording significant events from about the Renaissance era in the 16th century to the dawn of the camera age about 300 years later. In the current era, the trend of bringing artists back to weddings emerged in the US about a decade ago. In India, it is a throwback to something far older too. For thousands of years, traditional folk-art forms such as Warli, Pattachitra and Madhubani recorded celebrations in art works. Rajasthani and Mughal miniatures would later do the same, representing in intricate details festivals, hunts, coronations and (usually royal) weddings. Labour of love Keerthana Adepu at work in Hyderabad. Today, most couples and their families get quite involved in the conceptualising of the wedding art, says Delhi lawyer-turned-artist Noor, 25 (who goes by only one name). Some want deceased relatives to be represented. Others want pets woven in. Some submit reference works collected off the internet. Even if a couple just wants us to surprise them, it helps to have a discussion with them beforehand, to explore exactly what they mean, says Keerthana Adepu, 23, from Hyderabad. The more lavish the wedding, the more complicated things can become. Arriving for a ceremony being held in Abu Dhabi, Chetan Advirkar, 30, from Mumbai discovered that the airline had lost his luggage. I had no time to buy new art supplies. I was panicking, he says. After much wheedling, several calls and some pulling of strings, the airline compensated by acquiring a set of art supplies for him. Most artists comment on the cold. Wedding season stretches through the winter and my hands become so rigid, its hard to hold the brush, Advirkar says. The pranks can be painful too. Noor and Rangole have both left canvases unattended for a few minutes to take some photographs, and returned to find doodles and scribbles on a half-finished work. The damage was fixable, but at first I thought I had lost two hours of frantic sketching and painting, Noor says. Guests unfamiliar with the concept of live painting think its a canvas for everyone to draw on, or that its a game or an engagement activity, adds Adepu. Quick on the draw The live commentary can be even more disturbing than the doodles. Before the painting is done, relatives will tell you that the portrait doesnt resemble the couple, at all, Rangole says, laughing. Some will sympathetically ask what went wrong, or smile and say there is still time to fix it. The worst moments are when you know theyre right, says Adepu. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, either the painting isnt finished on time, or the clients are not happy with it. In such cases, I take their suggestions, go home, make the changes and finish it to their liking. After all, it is their big day and you want to do your best to make them happy. In most cases, though, the response is pure joy. The paintings are greeted with gasps and laughter, affectionate jibes at those in the frame, and sometimes emotional tears. The reactions are the most satisfying part of the job, Advirkar says. These are such happy events filled with love and hope, Noor adds. It feels good to be part of a persons best day rather than, as a lawyer, being part of some of their worst. After embracing Gujarati traditions for her wedding in a sober red and white lehenga custom designed by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla and inspired by the Gujarati Panetar, Radhika Merchant changed into a sindoori red lehenga for her vidai ceremony. Radhika married Anant Ambani last night in a lavish ceremony attended by global leaders and celebrities. Read on to see what she wore for her vidai. (Also Read | Radhika Merchant's surprisingly sober bridal look revealed as she gets ready to marry Anant Ambani) Radhika Merchant wears a custom red Manish Malhotra lehenga for her vidai ceremony. (Instagram ) What Radhika Merchant wore for her vidai ceremony Rhea Kapoor styled Radhika Merchant for her vidai ceremony and shared the pictures on Instagram. Rhea dressed Radhika in a Manish Malhotra couture lehenga. The custom ensemble features a blouse, a brocade lehenga skirt, a silk dupatta, and a veil. Saree draping expert Dolly Jain collaborated with Rhea to create the exquisite look, and Hiral Bhatia and Loveleen Ramchandani did Radhika's hair and makeup. Let's decode the vidai ceremony look. Decoding Radhika Merchant's vidai look Radhika's custom Manish Malhotra lehenga features an exquisite backless blouse adorned with real gold Karchobi work inspired by the traditional abho and the rich textile heritage of Kutch, Gujarat. It echoes the artistry of the late 19th century. Meanwhile, the brocade silk lehenga is a tribute to India's timeless elegance and has multiple panels decked with Banarasi brocade print in sunset hues. Radhika completed the ensemble with a Banarasi silk dupatta and a veil with a lattice design. The dupatta is decked in real gold embroidery and Resham work, which Radhika draped on her shoulder and arms. Lastly, she completed the vidai look with the veil featuring a massive train. She draped it over her head. Radhika's jewellery is a Merchant family legacy Radhika paired the Manish Malhotra lehenga with jewels she wore for her wedding with Anant. The newlywed wore a gold, diamond and emerald adorned choker, a luxurious necklace, polki earrings, baaju bandh, kadhas, bangles, haath phool, rings, and mang tika. The jewellery has been passed down in Radhika's family for generations, and her sister Anjali Merchant wore them on her wedding day. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant tied the knot on July 12 in a grand ceremony brimming with sartorial glamour and international stars. From Kim Kardashian and Boris Johnson to Bollywood's leading ladies, the event was a treasure trove of fashion inspiration that has everyone swooning. True to the Ambani tradition, the ceremony was adorned with rare gemstones, emeralds, and diamonds. While exquisite outfits and glamorous beauty looks were on display, it was the jewellery that truly stole the show. Julia Hackman Chafe shared her excitement about the stunning jewelry at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants wedding on Instagram. Popular influencer Julia Hackman Chafe, who was recently invited to the Ambani wedding, took to Instagram to share her amazement at the stunning jewels worn by the celebrities. Check out her video for a closer look at these fabulous accessories. (Also read: Anant Ambani gives competition to mom Nita Ambani with his massive physics-defying' emerald brooch ) From luxurious choker necklaces and huge diamond rings to statement-making earrings, here are all the accessories that were simply too glamorous to ignore. Priyanka Chopra's Bvlgari jewels Priyanka accessorized her look with two bracelets, estimated at 16 lakh and 12 lakh each. She topped it off with rings worth 20 lakh, but the highlight was her choker adorned with diamonds and blue sapphires. The piece also featured an eye-catching ruby pendant that matched Nick's brooch. Nick complemented his sequin outfit with a gold brooch featuring ruby detailing, perfectly coordinating with Priyanka's stunning jewellery. Deepika Padukone's Antique Choker Deepika looks regal in red ensemble and stunning choker necklace.(Instagram/@deepikapadukone) Deepika Padukone's jewellery included a choker necklace embellished with white sapphires and a ruby. This choker was originally a bazuband from the Sikh Empire, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship of the Sikh artisans. The centerpiece of this bazuband closely resembled the Timur Ruby, which was once adorned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Today, this exquisite piece is part of the Chand Begum jewels collection. Alia Bhatt's diamond necklace Alia Bhatt adorned herself with a stunning necklace set featuring a central lotus flower motif, crafted using the Champleve enameling technique and painted Gulabi meenakari. The set is handcrafted from 22 karat gold, showcasing radiant uncut diamonds, the finest quality emeralds, and South Sea pearls. Janhvi Kapoor's temple jewellery Janhvi Kapoor donned a custom-made lehenga crafted by renowned designer Falguni Shane Peacock. The embellished masterpiece was paired with a unique bralette, meticulously constructed using real gold temple jewelry. A sheer gold dupatta completed the regal ensemble. She accessorized with a statement choker, dazzling chaandbalis, and a maang teeka, adding to the royal look. Delicate bangles and rings provided the finishing touches. Radhika Merchant's heirloom jewellery Radhika Merchant wore her sister Anjali Merchant's wedding jewellery to marry Anant Ambani. (Instagram) Radhika Merchant paired her red and white bridal lehenga with heirloom jewels from the Merchant family. These jewels, previously worn by her sister Anjali in 2020, as well as their mother and grandmother, included a choker passed down to Radhika. She also wore Anjali's polki earrings, maang tika, and haath phool. In addition to these, Radhika adorned herself with a stunning diamond and emerald necklace, kadhas, bangles, and Kaleeras. Pune-based fractional ownership platform (FoP) RealX on July 13 announced that it had assisted investors close a 3,500 sq yard land deal in Ayodhya for 10.40 crore. Pune-based fractional ownership platform (FoP) RealX on July 13 announced that it had assisted investors close a 3,500 sq yard land deal in Ayodhya. (Representational photo)(PTI ) RealX said it had closed its Ayodhya commercial land parcel of 31,646 sq ft (3516.22 sq yards) at a value of 10.40 crore. The company said it saw participation from 57 investors who invested between 50,000 to 25 lakh to acquire proportionate ownership rights in the property. This deal signifies a step forward in making high-value real estate accessible to a broader audience through fractional ownership and property tokenization. Fundbezzie assisted RealX as a strategic partner in the deal, the company said in a statement. "Ayodhya is one of the top appreciating property markets today. With support from central and state governments, the town is poised for rapid growth. Securing a prime property was challenging due to the sellers market, but it was a perfect case for fractional ownership, said Manish Kumar, Cofounder and CEO of RealX. We accepted the challenge and completed the transaction within the expected timeline, even subscribing to a portion ourselves to meet the commitment. Now, post-registration, our contribution is also available for sale on the platform, boosting overall confidence in the system, Kumar added. The company said that the fractional ownership market of real estate in India is evolving rapidly, with the market expected to touch 4,500 billion by 2026. Also Read: Ram Mandir: Is it the right time to invest in real estate in Ayodhya? Ayodhya and fractional ownership model Fractional ownership is the shared owning of an asset among a group of people. Each owner holds a part of the asset and typically shares the benefits and responsibilities that come with it. This includes any increases in the value of an asset. Prudhvi Reddy, founder and chief executive officer, Assetmonk, had earlier told HT Digital that as tourism increases in Ayodhya, demand for fractional ownership will also increase. The model will be to do with a property being owned by six to eight co-owners who may appoint a manager to run the rental facility with the rental income being divided equally among them, Reddy had said. Also Read: Small and medium REITs: Fractional ownership platforms start the process of registering under Sebi's new SM REIT rules Several fractional ownership platforms have started the process of registering under SM REIT regulations within months of SEBI notifying the rules to govern small and medium real estate investment trusts (SM REITs) of income-generating and completed properties including commercial assets and rental housing. Also Read: 520 lakh sq ft SM REIT-ready office space provides monetization opportunity of 67,000 to 71,000 crore: ICRA SEBI had announced earlier that it will regulate fractional ownership platforms (FOPs) offering real estate assets through small and medium REITs (SM REIT). Registration of existing FOPs and new ones is mandatory under SEBI. FOPs allow investors to participate in real estate ownership with fractional shares and minimum investment ranging from Rs. 10-25 lakh. Around 520 lakh square feet of office space is eligible for small and medium REITs (SM-REIT) listing, creating a monetization opportunity of 67,000 to 71,000 crore. Of this 3% is that of Grade A supply and 20% of grade B supply, indicating a healthy potential for SM REIT listings in the commercial office space, an analysis by ICRA had said. Also Read: Fractional ownership market in India predicted to grow over 10x to surpass $5 billion by 2030: JLL-PropShare analysis The Indian fractional ownership market is currently estimated at around $500 million and is expected to grow 10 times in the next five years to surpass $5 billion of Asset Under Management (AUM) by 2030, according to an analysis by JLL and Propshare. Instagram influencer Anna Redman faced a massive backlash on social media after sharing the outfits she will wear on each day of her trip. What left people in disbelief and led them to accuse her of being tone deaf was her Auschwitz outfit inspiration post. Now deleted, the share reportedly showed her explaining what she was going to wear while visiting Auschwitz, where over 11 million people were murdered during the holocaust. The image shows Anna Redman, an influencer who shared an outfit inspiration post before visiting Auschwitz. (Instagram/@anna_redman) In the post, she shared the dresses she chose for her trip, with a text insert that reads, the best packing hack. Is somebody going to match my freak? reported the Independent. It didnt take long for people to notice that her list also includes Auschwitz. Against the memorial's name, she shared a picture showing the outfit she planned to wear. The image shows the influencer's outfit inspiration post before visiting Auschwitz. (Instagram/@anna_redman) How did social media react? Some people will just never learn, wrote an individual. A second added, Posting outfit plans / inspo for Auschwitz, and even if its about your packing skills, adding text to the story saying is somebody going to match my freak is abhorrent. Maybe Im old, but also, do people not dress respectfully at memorials? I get that its summer, but her planned outfit was a black mini dress? As expected, instead of apologising, she just deleted the stories and is also deleting all the comments calling her out. I know some people dont like to click on DM articles, so heres the story screenshot. While a social media user posted, She knew exactly what she was doing. She knew it would get her attention, a fourth wrote, This is just disgusting and disrespectful. How did Anna Redman react to the backlash? Since the outrage, she deleted the concerned post and issued a statement. She started by saying that she was sorry for the pain she caused and that she understood the heaviness of visiting Auschwitz. The image shows the influencer's post after receiving backlash on her outfit inspiration post before visiting Auschwitz. (Instagram/@anna_redman) Redman, a former contestant on the show Bachelor, manages an Instagram page where she regularly posts about fashion and beauty tips and documents her travel diaries. With over 1,500 posts, she enjoys a following of over 1.1 lakh. Karnataka Police came up with a creative punishment for tourists who defied a ban on bathing in a waterfall during the monsoon season. When some tourists ignored warning signs and entered the overflowing Charmadi Falls in Mudigere for a bath, cops responded by walking away with their clothes. Tourists ignored safety warnings to enter a waterfall in Karnataka (Representative image) The group reportedly ignored signs around the waterfall asking tourists not to enter the water during the rainy season. They took off their clothes, left them at the bank and entered the waterfall. The men climbed rocks at the waterfall, which is a restricted area. When cops of Chikmagalur division noticed the men trying to climb rocks, they simply picked up their discarded garments and walked away. A video shows the men pleading with the cops to return their clothes. Take a look at the video below: According to News18, the Karnataka Police personnel returned the clothes after warning the tourists. The group was even given safety instructions and let off with a warning. Meanwhile, footage of policemen walking away with the clothes has garnered a ton of amused responses. While some social media users applauded the cops for their unique solution, others said the idea should be implemented everywhere. This is called doing nothing but done enough, wrote one X user. Excellent decision! another praised the police team. A third said this superb solution should be implemented throughout the country. X user Ashish Jain said: Although it might not be legal, but what can police do if ppl dont understand and police cant watch each corner, its too big a country. Police have a great sense of humour! Love it! a commenter said on the social media platform X. Parts of Karnataka had banned entry of tourists into waterfalls on July 1, citing increased risk due to the rainy season. A top neurologist slammed Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwals call for a 70-hour work week, pointing out the many health risks associated with working long hours. Dr Sudhir Kumar said that working long hours has been linked to higher chances of stroke, depression symptoms, risk of being overweight and prediabetic and even premature death. Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal speaks at the 12th edition of INSIGHT: The DNA of Success, held at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore.(X/Sadhguru Academy) What Bhavish Aggarwal said Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal backed Infosys founder Narayana Murthys 70-hour work week advice in a recent podcast. He said he is not a supporter of the concept of work-life balance. When Mr Murthy said that (70-hour work week), I was publicly in support of that and I got trolled on social media for that. But, I dont care because I have a strong belief that one generation will have to do tapasya so that we can build the number 1 country in the world, the largest economy, said the 38-year-old CEO of Ola Cabs. I dont agree with the work-life balance concept because if you are enjoying your work, you will find happiness in life also and work also, and both of them will be in harmony, he added. An experts take Senior neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar took a not-so-veiled dig at Aggarwals advice, noting that employees working long hours only benefits the CEO. Dr Kumar condensed several scientific studies into four points that reveal the many health risks of working more than 55 hours a week. In his post shared on the social media platform X, he urged people to choose companies that care for their employees. He said that more than 800,000 people die every year due to working for more than 55 hours a week. Long working hours are associated with a higher risk of being overweight, prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, higher risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease, moderate to severe depressive symptoms and even premature death. So, it is clear that working long hours is associated with increased risk of multiple serious diseases and even premature death, wrote Dr Kumar. CEOs are inclined to recommend long working hours for their employees to improve their company's profits and their own net worth. If employees fall sick, they can be easily substituted, he added. the Hyderabad-based doctor concluded his post by saying it is in the best interest of employees to choose organisations that put their well being above their own profit. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant tied the knot in a star-studded wedding in Mumbai last night. The billionaire Ambani scion married his longtime girlfriend in the presence of friends, family and many international VIPs. First pic of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at their wedding which took place on July 12. The lavish wedding blended Gujarati wedding rituals with western traditions. While the couple exchanged varmalas and took pheras around the sacred fire, they also read wedding vows to each other. A video going viral online shows Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant discussing their dream home in their wedding vows. Holding a microphone in hand, the choti Ambani bahu said their home will be a place of love and togetherness. Itll be where we are wherever we go, it will be where we are together, she said. Anant Ambani responded to her with his own vows, written in Hindi. Radhika, with Shree Krishnas blessings, main pratigya karta hun hi hum mil kar apne sapno ka khoobsurat ghar banayenge (I pledge that we will build our beautiful dream home together), promised the Ambani heir. Our home will not be a place. It will be a feeling of love and togetherness, no matter where we are, continued Anant Ambani in Hindi. He ended his wedding vows with Jai Shree Krishna. Take a look at the video below: Anant Ambani is the younger son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his wife, Nita Ambani. He married Radhika Merchant in a lavish ceremony at Mumbais Jio World Convention Centre on July 12. Large swathes of the Bandra Kurla Complex were shut off to the general public to facilitate entry of VIP guests to what is being called the wedding of the century. The wedding was attended by over 600 guests, including Khloe and Kim Kardashian, Lalu Prasad Yadav, industrialist Gautam Adani, former UK PM Boris Johnson, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra and many more. SYDNEY, - Russia accused Australia of inciting "anti-Russian paranoia" for charging a Russian-born couple with espionage, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday to tell Moscow to "back off". Australia PM tells Russia to 'back off' after claims over espionage arrests The married couple, who hold Australian citizenship, were arrested on charges of working to access material related to Australia's national security, though no significant compromise was identified, the Australian Federal Police said on Friday. "There is widespread information about the arrest in Brisbane of the spouses Kira and Igor Korolev, who have Russian and Australian citizenship, on charges of attempting to spy for Russia," the Russian embassy in the capital Canberra said in a statement to Russia's RIA state news agency on Friday. "The purpose of this campaign is obvious - to raise a new wave of anti-Russian paranoia here, distract Australians from the numerous failures of the policies of the ruling Labor Party," the embassy said. Albanese, speaking to reporters on Saturday, said Russia needed to "stop interfering in domestic affairs of other sovereign nations". "Russia can get the message, back off. Russia engages in espionage here and around the world," Albanese said in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland state, according to a transcript. Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion, announced a A$250 million military aid package for Kyiv on Thursday at a NATO summit in Washington. The embassy requested written information from the Australian authorities on the couple's situation and was considering "appropriate measures of consular assistance", the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported on Saturday. The embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. The Korolevs appeared in Brisbane magistrate's court on Friday, court filings show, charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offence, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. The charges are the first under laws introduced in 2018. They did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody until Sept. 20 when they are next due to appear, media reported. The wife, 40, an information systems technician in the Australian Army, travelled to Russia and instructed her husband in Australia to log into her official account to access defence materials, police said. Canberra has been supplying defence equipment to Kyiv, banned exports of aluminium ores to Russia and sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Canada has done a detailed mapping of what it says are covert Chinese police operations within its borders and wants to explore a response with Group of Seven allies to a challenge faced by several nations. Canada has done a detailed mapping of what it says are covert Chinese police operations within its borders and wants to explore a response with Group of Seven allies to a challenge faced by several nations.(Reuters) The issue of Beijing allegedly setting up unofficial police stations in Western democracies to monitor and intimidate members of the Chinese diaspora has become a growing concern. Canada, the US, Italy, Germany and the UK have all grappled with the problem. Ottawa is expected to share its findings with the G-7 in the coming weeks and wants to explore a coordinated response, two people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss matters not yet public. ALSO READ| Man arrested for allegedly groping dozen, including minors, at water park in Canada A spokesperson for Chinas embassy in Ottawa said in a statement that there are no so-called overseas police stations. The UK is eager to coordinate along with Canada and other G-7 members, one of the officials said. But harmonizing a response could be complicated since many nations have confronted the issue at a law-enforcement level, and countries within the bloc have different legal systems, another official noted. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has said its investigating allegations of clandestine Chinese police operations, including credible information in the second-largest province of Quebec. The Madrid-based human-rights group Safeguard Defenders said in a 2022 report that China operates at least 54 such stations across five continents. Foreign interference of any kind is plainly unacceptable, Jean-Sebastien Comeau, a spokesperson for Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, said in a statement. As there are ongoing investigations related to foreign interference in Canada, we will not provide further comment. China has said the centers run by local volunteers, not police officers help Chinese citizens renew documents and offer other services. China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries internal affairs, the Ottawa embassy spokesperson said. China strictly abides by international law and respects all countries judicial sovereignty. The UK government reacted with alarm last year to reports of alleged Chinese police stations in the country, calling it egregious. In June 2023, it said China had closed the centers, and that an investigation hadnt revealed illegal activity by the Chinese state at the sites citing the suppressive impact of police and public scrutiny. US authorities charged two people in New York last year on allegations of operating an illegal police operation in lower Manhattan for a branch of Chinas Ministry of Public Security, with the goal to monitor and intimidate dissidents and those critical of the government in Beijing. Italy began probing Chinas alleged operations after Safeguard Defenders reported it was home to the largest number of the so-called stations. Germanys government has said there are two such sites in the country. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced accusations of not responding swiftly enough to foreign interference, prompting his government to call an independent inquiry into overseas meddling in its recent federal elections. In an interim report in March, the inquiry concluded China attempted to interfere in the elections but didnt affect the overall result. The "arc of conflict and instability" threatening Europe's borders will be the focus of the upcoming European Political Community meeting near London, the UK's new government said on Saturday. European leaders to discuss 'arc of conflict' at summit: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose Labour Party won a thumping majority in the UK's July 4 general election, will welcome more than 45 European leaders to Blenheim Palace, west of London, on Thursday. He will also meet with Irish leader Simon Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron outside of the summit, as his new government "looks to rebuild relationships with key European partners". The summit will address "some of the most pressing generational issues" facing the continent, Starmer's government said in a press release. NATO, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe will be in attendance for the first time at an EPC meeting, "demonstrating the importance of unity in response to the arc of conflict and instability inside and near Europe's borders," Labour added. Starmer warned that "Europe is at the forefront of some of the greatest challenges of our time", highlighting "Russia's barbaric war" that "continues to reverberate across our continent". The leaders will also discuss illegal migration and energy when they meet at the country house the birthplace of Winston Churchill. "We cannot be spectators in this chapter of history. We must do more and go further, not just for the courageous Ukrainians on the frontlines, or those being trafficked from country-to-country, but so our future generations look back with pride at what our continent achieved together," Starmer said ahead of the summit. The prime minister, who strongly supported the UK remaining in the EU, has promised to "change the way the UK engages with our European partners, working collaboratively to drive forward progress on these generational challenges". In his first week in charge, Starmer reiterated the UK's "ironclad" support for Ukraine and is expected to use the meeting to push for continued international military and financial support ahead of what is expected to be a "difficult winter". It will be the fourth EPC meeting since the grouping was founded in October 2022. jwp/bc GROUPE EPC This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. * Gambia's bid to unban FGM divides families and parliament Many in Gambia still practice FGM despite ban * A final vote on whether to reverse ban due July 24 * Some Gambians see FGM ban as attack on African culture * Others worry about ripple effects of reversing ban By Sofia Christensen BANJUL, - For Mariama Jarjou, taking her two daughters to a traditional circumciser when they were 5 and 4 was an act of love - a painful but important ritual that would give them status in their village and make them eligible for marriage. An uncut woman is a "solima" in the local Mandinka language in Gambia. People will tell her she smells bad, said Jarjou, who is now in her 50s. No one will eat the food she cooks, be her friend or want her as a wife. Few dared question Gambia's former dictator, Yahya Jammeh, when he outlawed female genital mutilation over a decade later, in 2015, saying it was not required by Islam, the country's majority religion. But today, Jarjou strongly supports an attempt in parliament to repeal the ban. If it succeeds, Gambia, a small West African nation of fewer than 3 million people, would be the first country in the world to make FGM legal again after outlawing it. A final vote is expected on July 24. "If we stop , women will suffer ... and our children will not know our culture," Jarjou said. Banned in over 70 countries worldwide, FGM remains widespread in some African nations and diaspora communities. An estimated 144 million women and girls on the continent have been subjected to the practice, which usually involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia. The consequences are lifelong and can include chronic pain; recurring infections; problems with urination, menstruation and childbirth; pain during sexual intercourse and trauma. The World Health Organization says FGM brings no health benefits, only harm. In Gambia, many people continue to take girls to be cut despite the ban, which authorities have not enforced seriously, anti-FGM campaigners say. Almost three-quarters of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone the practice, 65% of them when they were younger than 5, according to the latest government health survey in 2019-2020. The figure drops to around 46% for girls under 15, the survey found. The first FGM convictions came eight years after the ban was introduced, in 2023, when three women were found guilty of cutting eight infant girls. This sparked a public debate about the practice for the first time in Gambia, one that has divided villages and families, and now parliament. "People are pushing and pulling. Some say it's good; some say it's not," said one of Jarjou's daughters, Jainaba Ndure. "I think it's not good," Ndure added out of her mother's earshot, saying she feared having children would be painful. Now 28, Ndure learnt through NGO-led advocacy about the harmful consequences of FGM on women's health. She noted that elders like Jarjou can feel offended by such campaigns. "They say they are showing us bad pictures," she said, referring to diagrams of women's reproductive organs. CAREER BOOST The move to repeal the FGM ban is being spearheaded by two powerful men: Abdoulie Fatty, an influential Muslim cleric, and Almaneh Gibba, an independent lawmaker representing a rural constituency where the practice is widespread. Fatty publicly defended the three convicted women and paid their fines, urging the government to reconsider the ban in televised speeches and sermons. Gibba, a vocal government critic, introduced the repeal bill in parliament seven months later. "Enough is enough," Gibba told Reuters. "We will only be free if we repeal it." The bill's supporters in Gambia have framed their campaign as a backlash against what they describe as Western values being imposed by international donors or former colonial powers, a theme that resonates with many Africans. They also argue that the practice is rooted in Islam, the religion of around 96% of Gambians, though many imams and Islamic scholars dispute this. For Fatty, a former state imam under Jammeh with no role in the current government, and Gibba, who was previously little known outside his constituency, the debate has been a career boost. "They can just jump on a very controversial issue, and they will be well-known," said Satang Nabaneh, a Gambian legal scholar. Both men rejected suggestions their campaign was opportunistic. Fatty said he had no interest in politics, while Gibba said he was upholding religion, culture and tradition. Rights advocates fear the bill's potential to ignite a wider effort to dismantle protections for women and girls. "If they succeed today, the next day the bill will be on child marriage, then the next on gender-based violence," said Nafisa Binte Shafique, the UNICEF representative in Gambia. Rights advocates also worry Gambia's bill could inspire similar legislation in other African countries with FGM bans. Kenya's high court rejected a petition to reverse its ban in 2021. Gambia's President Adama Barrow, whose election in 2016 ended more than two decades of oppressive rule under Jammeh, said his government would continue enforcing the ban while the bill works its way through parliament. The government does not support FGM but will allow democracy to run its course, Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay told Reuters. The bill passed its second reading in March with only five out of 53 lawmakers voting against it and one abstaining. Out of five female lawmakers, four voted in favour and one against. None agreed to be interviewed. But after holding weeks of public hearings, parliament's health and gender affairs committees presented a joint report on July 8 recommending that Gambia maintain the ban. The report described FGM as a "form of torture" and "discrimination against women", drawing an angry response from Gibba, who said the findings betrayed the trust of Muslims and traditional leaders. After heated debate, lawmakers adopted the report by a vote of 35 to 17 with two abstentions. Political analysts said some lawmakers may have been swayed by testimonies from doctors and FGM survivors about the harmful consequences, but it was too soon to tell what the final vote would be. Gibba remains confident the bill will pass, telling Reuters, We are asking for freedom of choice. Lawmaker Gibbi Mballow opposed the bill from the onset. He said this was in part because his four young daughters underwent FGM without his knowledge while visiting his mother. He only found out when the youngest suffered such severe bleeding she had to be taken to hospital. Mballow said in his 15 years in parliament he had never seen a debate get as fierce as this one, adding he received anonymous death threats for voting "no". "My political career is at risk," said Mballow. "Some of my colleagues are terrified." 'PAIN IS OK' In the village of Sintet, around 86 km east of the capital, Banjul, women of all ages and a handful of men gathered in a circle one June morning under a tall mango tree. Fatou Baldeh, an anti-FGM activist, stood in the middle, cradling a woman's baby as she mediated a discussion about the practice in her native village. There were men and women on both sides of the debate, sharing personal stories and arguments. One young man said he wished he could make sex painless for his wife. Baldeh, who was subjected to FGM when she was 8, described the mental associations a young girl can make when people she loves and trusts take her to an exciting event that turns into a nightmare. "You are teaching me as a young girl that pain is OK," she said, adding that girls are also told to keep quiet about their trauma, laying the foundations for a culture of silence. Baldeh told Reuters that learning about FGM as it is described by some aid groups felt insulting at first. Other women said they did not like the language used to describe their bodies and experiences. The term FGM covers a range of procedures. In Gambia, 73% of women who have experienced it had their clitoris removed along with other flesh, according to government figures, while 17% underwent a practice known as infibulation, which involves narrowing the vaginal opening by creating a covering seal. For Hawa Jallow, who spent years cutting young girls around the rural town of Bansang, her role upholding the tradition was a source of pride. "If you don't have a certain type of intelligence, you cannot do it," said Jallow, 45, who learnt the practice from her late mother. After FGM was banned, an NGO hired her to manage the community's HIV drugs, which she keeps in a dusty steel cabinet in her office. But she said she supports the move to make the practice legal again, arguing it only causes problems when people do it incorrectly, "just for money". Women like Jallow are highly respected in their communities. They remain close to the families of the girls they cut, who consult them for health, spiritual and marital advice, anti-FGM campaigners say. Many Gambians were shaken when three such women were arrested and fined, decisions that ignited protests both for and against repealing the ban. Campaigners say those convictions were outliers. Fatou Sakho, a 34-year-old librarian, was horrified when she learnt last October that her ex-husband's family had taken their daughter to be cut without her consent. She has been trying to take the people responsible to court, spending months gathering evidence and pressing police to take action. But despite her efforts, no one has been charged. The attempt to reverse the ban compounds her despair. "I can't find the right words for my anger and frustration towards that bill," she said. "I will never understand why grown men find it so important to discuss and fight over ... how to cut off female genitalia." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. SEATTLE A Washington state judge said Friday that Attorney General Bob Ferguson is not entitled to enforce a subpoena seeking decades of records from the Seattle Archdiocese, despite his assertion that the records are needed to learn whether the Catholic church used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests. Judge rejects effort by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson to get records from Catholic church Judge Michael Scott sided with the archdiocese, which argued that under the state's law governing charitable trusts, Ferguson did not have authority to enforce the subpoena. The law contains an exemption designed to ensure the state does not meddle in religious practices. Nevertheless, Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said in a written statement after Friday's decision that the church is willing to provide the state with relevant records and collaborate with Ferguson on the investigation in a lawful manner. Sexual abuse in the Church is a heart-wrenching part of our history, and I am deeply sorry for the pain caused to victim survivors, their families and all Catholics, Etienne said. We remain focused on the need for healing and proper governance in these matters. ... Because we are committed to preventing abuse, promoting transparency and continuously improving our processes, my offer to collaborate with the attorney general still stands. Ferguson, himself a Catholic, said his office would appeal. The state argued that the exemption in the law does protect religious practices but that using charitable trust money to conceal or facilitate sex abuse was not a religious practice. Our fight for survivors of clergy abuse is not over, Ferguson said in a news release. Washingtonians deserve a full public accounting of the Churchs involvement in and responsibility for the child sexual abuse crisis." Ferguson filed the case in May, saying the church was stonewalling its investigation by refusing to comply with the subpoena. At the time, the archdiocese called his allegations a surprise, saying it welcomed the investigation and shares the states goals preventing abuse and helping victim survivors on their path to healing and peace." Church officials said the records sought by the state were excessive and irrelevant including every receipt going back to 1940, in an archdiocese with more than 170 pastoral locations and 72 schools. Some 23 states have conducted investigations of the Catholic church, and so far at least nine have issued reports detailing their findings. In some cases, those findings have gone far beyond what church officials had voluntarily disclosed. For example, the six Catholic dioceses in Illinois had reported publicly that there had been 103 clerics and religious brothers credibly accused of child sex abuse. But in a scathing report last year, the Illinois attorney generals office said it had uncovered detailed information on 451 who had sexually abused at least 1,997 children. Similarly, Maryland last year reported staggering evidence of just how widespread the abuse was: More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability. In 2018, a Pennsylvania grand jury found that more than 300 Catholic clerics had abused more than 1,000 children in that state over the prior 70 years. The Seattle Archdiocese has published a list of 83 clerics it says were credibly accused, and it says that beginning in the 1980s it was one of the first in the nation to begin adopting policies to address and prevent sexual abuse by priests. Sexual abuse by church personnel peaked in 1975, and there have been no reports since 2007, the archdiocese said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. TORONTO: After an Indo-Canadian was charged last week in connection with a groping spree, two others have been alleged to be involved in cases related to sexual assault of a minor and voyeurism. Brampton resident Ajastar Singh, who faces multiple charges including that of voyeurism. (Peel Regional Police) Last Sunday, a 25-year-old was arrested, though later released from custody, in connection with allegations that he groped a dozen persons, including minors, at a water park in Moncton in the province of New Brunswick. Now, cases of other Indo-Canadians behaving badly have also come to the fore. On Friday, the Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP said that 59-year-old Ajastar Singh has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference with a person under the page of 16. He was charged in relation with an investigation which began in May last year. On May 4, 2023, Surrey RCMP responded to a report that a 15-year-old female youth had been sexually assaulted at or in the area of the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran, which is Surrey, British Columbia. The suspect was an employee at the gurdwara. On July 4, Ajastar Singh was arrested for the two offences and appeared in court. He was released pending a future court date with multiple conditions, including no contact with children under the age of 16; not being at public areas where children under the age of 16 would likely be present; and not engaging in employment or volunteer work that involves working with children under the age of 16. Meanwhile, Peel Regional Police announced it had arrested 40-year-old Jagdev Kooner, a resident of Brampton in the Greater Toronto Area, and charged him with voyeurism, criminal harassment, and trespass at night. He was held for a bail hearing and appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. Police said the investigation commenced in April into allegations that a Brampton resident was secretly filming unsuspecting victims in their residence during nighttime hours. In the groping case, the alleged perpetrator was identified as a 25-year-old man originally from India, but residing in Halifax, in the province of Nova Scotia. He was arrested following the sexual assault incidents in Moncton. He was later released from custody, and is scheduled to appear in Moncton Provincial Court on October 24. Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli is set to become Nepal's new prime minister once again following incumbent Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' failing to secure a trust vote in Parliament on Friday. Prachanda had previously survived four trust votes amidst frequent political turmoil in the country. KP Sharma Oli (Twitter/KP Sharma Oli) On Friday, KP Oli, the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), staked a claim to form a new majority government. He presented his case to President Ramchandra Paudel, backed by 165 lawmakers, including 77 from his own party and 88 from the Nepali Congress. Prachanda, 69, lost his position more than 18 months after his appointment, failing to secure a vote of confidence during a floor test in the House of Representatives. Who is KP Sharma Oli? - Born in 1952, KP Sharma Oli began his political career in 1966 and joined the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) in 1970. He was first arrested under the Public Offense Act due to his involvement in the democracy movement and the push for a republican state. - In 1973, he was arrested on various charges, including involvement in subversive activities, and imprisoned for 14 years, with 4 years in solitary confinement. - In 1976, during his imprisonment, the Communist Party of Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) or CPN (ML) was formed, and his comrades regarded him as a founding leader. - He was released from prison in 1987 and assigned responsibilities as a Central Committee member of the then CPN (M-L). He served as in-charge of Lumbini Zone until 1990. - In 1990, he became the founding president of the Democratic National Youth Federation, Nepal (DNYF), a youth wing of the party. - On January 6, 1991, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN (UML) was founded by merging the CPN (ML) and CPN (M), and he became a founding central leader of the UML. - He was elected as a member of the House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament, from Jhapa-6 in 1991. - He served as deputy prime minister and minister for foreign affairs in the interim government led by prime minister GP Koirala from April 2006 to March 2007. - He lost in the Election of Constituent Assembly in April 2008 but served as Chief of the Central Department of Party School from 2008 to 2009. - In February 2009, his proposal for multiple positions in the central committee was accepted at the party's 8th National Congress. He contested for the chairman position but lost to JN Khanal. He was elected as a Standing Committee Member and reassigned as chief of the central department of international affairs. - In 2018, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari administered his oath of office and secrecy as the 41st Prime Minister of Nepal. - According to a report by The Indian Express, KP Oli's tenure was marked by ambitious promises like "Samriddha Nepal, Sukhi Nepali," but faced criticism for unmet expectations and the centralisation of power, including bringing investigative agencies under the Prime Ministers Office. - After the 2022 elections, the NC emerged as the largest party, followed by the CPN-UML, with the Maoist Centre in third. The CPN-Maoist Center's Chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal claimed the prime ministerial post, but the NC, holding the majority, refused. Dahal then sought support from the CPN-UML and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) to strengthen his candidacy and was appointed Prime Minister, relegating him to the role of kingmaker. - The coalition eventually dissolved, positioning him to take over from Prachanda. This marks a new chapter in the politically unstable Himalayan nation, which has seen 13 different governments since abolishing the monarchy and becoming a republic in 2008. MANILA, - The Philippine Senate has ordered the arrest of a small-town mayor after she refused to appear at hearings investigating her alleged ties with Chinese criminal syndicates, a case that has captivated the nation amid tensions between Manila and Beijing. Philippine Senate orders arrest of mayor probed for alleged Chinese crime ties The arrest order, signed by the Senate president on Friday and to be carried out by the Senate's sergeant-at-arms, came after the mayor, Alice Guo, failed to appear for a second consecutive hearing on Wednesday, citing stress. The Senate investigation began in May after authorities raided a casino in Guo's sleepy farming town of Bamban in March, uncovering what the authorities said were scams being perpetrated from a facility built on land partially owned by the mayor. Guo's lawyer, Stephen David, said on Saturday the mayor was incapable of attending the hearings because of her "physical and mental health condition" owing to "massive cyber bullying and humiliation". "Hopefully, when her condition will improve, we will see her again during hearings," David said. Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is leading the investigation, said on Saturday the arrest order against Guo is the first step in making her "accountable to our laws". The Senate has also ordered the arrest of some members of Guo's family for failing to appear at the hearings. Guo's case, which has shed light on criminal activity in the mostly Chinese-backed online casino industry in the Philippines, gained national attention after a senator questioned whether she was born in the Philippines, suggesting she could even be a Chinese "asset", an accusation she denied. The Chinese embassy in Manila did not respond to a request for comment on questions about Guo's identity. Guo has denied links to criminals and said she is a natural-born Philippine citizen. She has written to the Senate that she was the subject of "malicious accusations". Her legal team on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to nullify the summons requesting her to appear at the hearings. In May, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr told reporters, "No one knows her. We wonder where she came from. That's why we are investigating this, together with the Bureau of Immigration, because of the questions about her citizenship." Guo's case comes at a time of growing Philippine suspicion about China's activities following an increasingly tense dispute over reefs and shoals in the busy waterway of the South China Sea, where both nations have claims. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. European countries would be putting themselves at risk if they accept deployments of long-range U.S. missiles, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a video published on Saturday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (AP) Asked by Russian state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin about the possibility of the United States deploying hypersonic missiles to Europe, Peskov said: "We have enough potential to deter these missiles. But the capitals of these (European) states are potential victims." ALSO READ| Australia PM tells Russia to 'back off' after claims over espionage arrests Peskov noted that throughout the Cold War, American missiles based in Europe were aimed at Russia, with Russian missiles aimed at Europe in return, making the continent's countries the chief victim of any potential conflict. He said: "Europe is now coming apart at the seams. This is not the best time for Europe. Therefore, in one way or another, history will repeat itself" UNITED NATIONS The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution condemning in the strongest terms the increasing gang violence and criminal activity in Haiti that is undermining peace, stability and security in the country and the region. The UN condemns increasing gang violence and criminal activity in Haiti that is undermining peace Friday's resolution expresses grave concern at illegal arms and ammunition flowing into Haiti and their link to the expanding territorial control by gangs and the extreme levels of armed violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, that lead to deteriorating security in the country. The council extended the U.N. political mission in Haiti known as BINUH until July 15, 2025, with a mandate to support the advancement of a Haitian-led, Haitian-owned political process towards the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections. The resolution, sponsored by the United States and Ecuador, reiterates the councils support for a Kenyan-led multinational security force to help the Haitian National Police re-establish security. The initial contingent of 200 Kenyan police arrived in the capital Port-au-Prince on June 25. Haiti asked for an international force to combat gangs in 2022, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed for months for a country to lead the force before the Kenyans came forward. The gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Jovenel Moise and are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital. The surge in killings, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups. The Security Council also welcomed the establishment of a transitional government led by Prime Minister Garry Conille, a former U.N. development specialist, who arrived in the country in early June. Last week, he told the council that the Kenyan police will be crucial to helping control the countrys gangs and moving toward democratic elections. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the resolution's adoption that BINUH plays a key role in supporting a democratic transition in Haiti. She said there is reason to be hopeful about the Kenyan-led police mission and Haitis political outlook more broadly but so much more needs to be done. Kenya has pledged 1,000 police and Thomas-Greenfield said they are working on deploying more of them. She said Benin participated in a meeting with Conille last week and announced they are preparing about 2,000 police to participate in the force. Ecuadors U.N. Ambassador Jose de la Gasca stressed the importance of regional solidarity in helping Haiti, Latin America and the Caribbeans poorest country, overcome its many challenges. He said the unanimous adoption of the resolution plays a crucial role in supporting Haitis democratic transition and restoring security in the country. Haitis U.N. Ambassador Antonio Rodrigue told the council the resolution represents robust support on the part of the international community to the efforts deployed to help Haiti restore democratic institutions and to make progress in the political transition with the participation of all sectors of society. The extension of BINUHs mandate is a step in the right direction, he said, but a lot still remains to be done. Rodrigue said the arrival of the initial Kenyan contingents has given great hope to Haitians that they will see an end to their suffering and the violence that they are facing. He reiterated appeals to the international community to support the Haitian National Police and the international police mission. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Amid growing concerns about U.S. President Joe Biden's health and fitness for a second term, world leaders who met him at the NATO summit weighed in with their perspectives. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) listens as US President Joe Biden (C) speaks during the closing ceremony at the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC on July 11, 2024.(AFP) Also Read: Biden calls Ukraine president Zelensky Vladimir Putin Keir Starmer's reaction to Biden'a age Keir Starmer, Britain's newest leader, addressed the issue indirectly while discussing age limits for lawmakers. In an exclusive interview with CNN's Jake Tapper at the NATO summit in Washington Starmer was asked whether his stance on old age extends to Biden. Obviously in America, its for the American people to decide who they want to be their president, Starmer responded. He noted that despite questions about Bidens mental acuity, the 81-year-old president had been in good form during their talks. However, Starmer added that he would express concerns if he had any. Justin Trudeau's reaction to Biden'a age Other world leaders also offered their support for Biden. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when asked about Bidens capability to lead on the world stage, praised the U.S. president. "It has been, as always, a privilege and a pleasure to work alongside [Biden] on big issues," Trudeau said. "[Biden's] depth of experience, his thoughtfulness, his steadfastness on the greatest issues and challenges of our time is a credit to the work that we're all doing together." Emmanuel Macron's reaction to Biden'a age French President Emmanuel Macron defended Biden following a verbal slip where Biden mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin before correcting himself. Macron, speaking to reporters, assured that Biden is in charge and clear on important issues. I was able to talk with President Biden at length yesterday at dinner, Macron said. I saw as always a president who is in charge, clear on the issues he knows well. Macron emphasized that everyone makes mistakes and urged for indulgence, saying, We all slip up sometimes. Its happened to me and it could happen again tomorrow. Olaf Scholz's reaction to Biden'a age German Chancellor Olaf Scholz echoed this sentiment, defending Biden and downplaying the significance of occasional verbal slips. Slips of tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them, Scholz told reporters. Bill Maher brutally slammed Joe Biden during Friday's episode of his HBO talk show. The 68-year-old affirmed that the Democrats will replace Biden in the 2024 presidential race. The issue with President Biden isnt if, its who, Maher said on Real Time with Bill Maher. He further went on to predict the date the 81-year-old would announce his decision to step aside. Bill Maher brutally roasts Joe Biden, predicts the date President will quit the 2024 race HBO's Bill Maher affirms Biden will quit the presidential race Who will replace him? Because he is not going to be the Democrats candidate for president in 2024, all due respect, Maher said on Friday. The talk show host expressed his confidence in Biden losing his candidacy, saying that American politics is run by mean girls who relentlessly pick on a vulnerable person. Maher added that the commander-in-chief would make the historic decision on August 9. Biden is toast. The walls will keep crumbling, and my pick in the office pool for when he gives it up is August 9, Maher said. The date marks the 50th anniversary of Richard Nixon's historic resignation as the US President. Yes, replacing a president as his partys candidate this late will seem like a big deal, the television personality continued, adding, For about three days, and then well all be over it Maher also took a dig at Kamala Harris, who ran a failed presidential campaign four years ago. Kamala Harris, Vice President, will get all of Bidens campaign money, and on the Democrats best issue, abortion, shes a walking reminder to women that Republicans are coming for the abortion pill. She wont just protect Plan B. She is Plan B, Maher said. He went on to say, Sure, it would be fun and probably a winner if Michelle Obama ran, but shes off living her best life. Were not going to get a superstar. Were not going to get a superstar in this draft. Were at the airport, and at this point, we just need to be sure we get the last rental car. Something reasonably safe, relatively clean and not Trump. If there isnt a dead Girl Scout in the trunk, were good to go, Maher concluded. A Florida woman was arrested on Thursday for inciting a 500-person riot at a skating rink in May. Stephanie Pedroso, 36, called on her daughter's friend to tear this b***h up at Astro Skate in Brandon after the child's birthday party was cancelled. The rink snubbed the after hours birthday party over a breach of contract, the authorities said. Stephanie Pedroso, 36, was arrested for inciting a 500-person riot at a Florida rink after her daughter's birthday party was cancelled(Instagram) Florida mom incites 500-person riot at skating rink Pedroso booked the rink on May 14 for her daughter's birthday celebration on May 17. However, her reservation was cancelled after she failed to secure off-duty deputies for the party as mentioned in the contract, according to a press release by the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. ALSO READ: Prosecutor who quit Rust trial calls out Alec Baldwin's horseplay and reckless behaviour on set Although the rink had issued a refund for Pedroso, she urged her daughter's friends to show up at the event anyway via an expletive-filled social media post. She even offered them money to tear the place down. For yall, if yall still go up there, tear the f**k out of them. Ive got some money for yall, and Ill pay yall a*s, she said in the video. The authorities responded to calls of a mob of 500 that stormed the rink at around 9:20 PM on May 18. The police said that despite their orders to vacate the place, the crowd continued to fight and damage nearby businesses. A person at a barbershop close to the rink had to be transported to a hospital after being beaten and thrown through a glass window. ALSO READ: Bill Maher says Biden will drop out of 2024 presidential race on this date After six hours of efforts, the authorities were able to contain the mob, arresting 23 minors and three adults. Meanwhile, Pedroso was held and charged with one count each of inciting a riot, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and driving with a license suspended, cancelled, or revoked, per NY Post. She was later released from detention after posting a bond of $2,500, according to jail records. The late Queen Elizabeth II had stepped in and overturned one of King George Vs historic rules for her grandson Prince Louis, changing Prince Louis title. In fact, this decision led to changing all her grandchildrens titles forever. Prince Louis currently enjoys the title of His Royal Highness Prince Louis of Cambridge which would have been title of Master, had Queen Elizabeth not decided to amend King Georges rule. Queen Elizabeth II overturned a rule by King George V for Prince William and Kate Middleton. (AP Photo) Also Read: Prince Harry's ESPY speech cut short, but why is Joe Biden to blame? Prince Louis or Master of Windsor? Prince William and Kate Middletons three children, George, Louis and Princess Charlotte enjoy the title of Prince and Princess of the royal family. However, these titles for the children goes against one of King Georges rules. The rule made in 1917, as reported by The Mirror, stated that only those close to the top for succession shall be granted the royal titles. The rule dictated that only the current sovereigns children and grandchildren of the male heir would bear the titles of Prince and Princess. This rule did not apply to the great-grandchildren of the sovereign. However, the late Queen Elizabeth overturned this rule during her reign and extended the titles to her grandchildren as well. The same has been extended to all children of Prince of Whales. Otherwise, Prince Louis would have been Master Louis of Windsor or Master Louis of Cambridge. Also Read: Mysterious Los Angeles banner urges Prince Harry to investigate Queen's title extension only for Prince Williams children The title of Prince and Princess was extended by the late queen only for Prince William and Kate Middletons children. The same title was not held by Prince Harry and Meghan Markles two children, now referred as, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibeth. The royal couple opened up about their childrens titles in their famous interview with Oprah Winfrey. The Duchess of Sussex then said, They were saying they didn't want him to be a Prince or Princess, which would be different from protocol, and that he wasn't going to receive security. This went on for the last few months of our pregnancy where I was going, hold on for a second. They said [he's not going to get security] because he's not going to be a Prince. Also Read: Royal family advised to cut all ties with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle after William' William's ban call: Experts "Okay, well, he needs to be safe so we're not saying don't make him a Prince or Princess, but if you're saying the title is what's going to affect that protection, we haven't created this monster machine around us in terms of clickbait and tabloid fodder you've allowed that to happen which means our son needs to be safe." However, these claims by Meghan were denied by the experts. The King Charles extended the titles to Prince Harrys children after his coronation in September 2022. The royal family has been advised to "sever all ties" with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to prevent more scandals. Since leaving the royal life in 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been all but cut off from the company. Thereafter, they have used rich, well-known ventures to launch many attacks on Harry's estranged family. This comes shortly after reports which claim that Prince William has enforced a ban on his estranged brother, Prince Harry, from returning to the Royal fold. Expert urged the royal family to 'sever ties' with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.(Right Image: REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs/File Photo) Also Read: Prince Harry's ESPY speech cut short, but why is Joe Biden to blame? Prince William is the tough guy The royal commentator Dee Dee Dunleavy remarked that the royal family should stay away from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to avoid any chance of reconciliation and to strip the couple of all of their royal titles. Dunleavy said, Theres talk that William is the enforcer, the tough guy of the royal family. King Charles is a pushover, I think hed take Harry back in a heartbeat. She noticed that Prince William has taken over the role earlier played by Prince Phillip and he is the tough guy. The royal commentator further added, I can see Williams point of view as well, hes more protective of the upset that Harry caused while the Queen was in her dying weeks. Thats probably why William has such a strong feeling toward Harry, but I just cant see [Prince Harry rejoining the family] happening. She also stated that contact with the Sussexes devalues their currency. According to Dunleavy, if Prince Harry and Meghan are not previous royals and cannot keep bringing up that fact then all of Meghan's little money-making scheme is obviously worthless. Also Read: Mysterious Los Angeles banner urges Prince Harry to investigate Prince Charles misses his darling boy Royal expert Hilary Fordwich earlier claimed that Prince William has enforced an absolute ban on the return of Prince Harry to the royal family in any shape or form. She also informed that ever since Prince Harrys book, Spare, was published, the Prince of Wales has been unwilling to talk to his brother. However, she believes that one member of the royal family who will ease up would be King Charles and Prince William will not be in a position to challenge the crown. She said that King Charles misses his darling boy and would love to see more of Prince Harry. She further explained the stern attitude that Prince William has exhibited regarding Prince Harry, However, to this day, after the release of Spare and the Netflix serial, as well as with everything else Harry has said, done, and not done, its Prince William who adamantly refuses to even speak to his brother. A single mother from Ohio died in an attempt to save her 6-year-old son Deluca from carjacking. When Alexa Stakely saw a stranger inside her car with her son asleep in the passenger seat, she jumped on the vehicle's hood. However, the carjacker immediately hit the gas pedal, throwing the 29-year-old onto the pavement. Stakely, who was a preschool teacher, suffered a fatal head injury in the tragic incident. Alexa Stakely, a 29-year-old preschool teacher, died in a frantic attempt to save her 6-year-old son from carjackers(Columbus Division of Police) Ohio mom dies in an attempt to save son from carjacker On Thursday, Stakely put Deluca in a car seat after picking him up from his babysitter's condo at 6300 Blue Knoll Drive in Canal Winchester. Around 1:30 am, she went back inside to grab some of her personal belongings. When she stepped outside again, she saw a carjacker in the driver's seat of her 2022 Honda SUV, per Fox News. ALSO READ: Kanye West allegedly sent inappropriate messages to 22-year-old model Mikaela Lafuente In a frantic attempt to save her son, Stakely jumped on the hood of the car but was thrown off as the thief tried to escape. She succumbed to her injuries at Mount Carmel East Hospital, where she was admitted after the incident. The child, however, was found unharmed in the abandoned vehicle. The carjackers left the SUV in a nearby complex's parking lot, per NY Post. The authorities launched a manhunt for two male suspects in connection with the case. Though two people matching the accused persons' description were caught on CCTV, the suspects still remain at large. The police said that the carjackers were part of a larger group of people who were seen on surveillance cameras the same night. ALSO READ: George Clooney calls for Biden to drop out of 2024 race in bombshell op-ed: Battle he cannot win Stakelys younger stepbrother Hayden Swartz told the outlet, Shes always been a very special person to me and was always extremely wise and a very bright kid. She didnt grow up under the best circumstances family-wise, but always made the most of every situation and had a very glass-half-full view of everything. She crushed every goal she made for herself. The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER) to attract foreign entrepreneurs to the country. This rule allows noncitizen entrepreneurs to stay in the country if their business ventures provide a significant public benefit. US immigration has launched a news International Entrepreneur Rule for business owners across the world International Entrepreneur Rule explained: Key features Eligibility: The new rule will be eligible to entrepreneurs who are living abroad or already in the U.S. Start-Up Requirements: The start-up must have been formed within the past five years in the U.S. and demonstrate substantial potential for rapid growth and job creation in the past five years. Funding Criteria: Start-ups must show at least $264,147 in qualified investments from U.S. investors, $105,659 in government grants, or provide alternative evidence of growth potential. Parole Duration: Entrepreneurs can receive an initial parole period of up to 2.5 years, extendable for another 2.5 years based on further benchmarks, totaling a maximum of five years. Employment Authorization: Entrepreneurs are authorized to work only for their start-up. Whereas, spouses of entrepreneurs can apply for employment authorization, but children cannot. Application Process: Entrepreneurs must file Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole, with a $1,200 fee and supporting documents. Entrepreneurs outside the U.S. would need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate for parole processing. Those within the U.S. will receive travel documentation by mail or at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Approved applicants are authorized to work for their start-up without needing additional forms. They will receive travel documentation instructions based on their selected location for receiving documents. Ownership and Role Requirements: Entrepreneurs must own at least 10% of the start-up at the time of the initial application and must have a central and active role in the start-ups operations. Start-Up Funding Requirements: Qualified Investment: At least $264,147 from U.S. investors. Government Grants: At least $105,659 in U.S. government awards. Alternative Evidence: Additional reliable evidence if funding levels are partially met. The entrepreneur, their relatives, or organizations with direct or indirect ownership by the entrepreneur or their relatives cannot be considered qualified investors. Access full details here US President Joe Bidens press conference aimed at addressing questions about his age, mental acuity and future as the Democratic candidate drew an audience of at least 25.1 million viewers, according to Bloomberg. President Joe Biden's news conference addressing doubts about his candidacy garnered 25.1 million viewers in the lead up to the US presidential election nominations (AP) Also Read: Biden too old, unfit to serve? Trudeau, Macron and Starmer respond to US president's fitness and age concerns Data from Nielsen shows that it attracted 24.2 million viewers on eight cable and broadcast networks. When smaller news stations such as NewsNation and Newsmax are added, the number is estimated to be even higher. Also Read: Democratic donors freeze $90 million cash, demanding Joe Biden to step down from the race The conference was a crucial moment for Biden to restore faith in party members, donors and voters after questions arose about his ability to run for President after his performance in a debate with Donald Trump on June 27. Also Read: More Biden gaffes add to clamour for change Though he continues to face pressure within his party to withdraw, he is remained insistent on contesting as the Democratic nominee. During the conference he also addressed his recent gaffes at a NATO summit where he referred to Ukrainian president Zelensky as Putin. He also mixed up Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican party candidate Trump. The debate and the NATO summit one after the other have created concerns that the 81 year old President is no longer to fit to run for the post. The otherwise normal event, drew in almost as many viewers as Biden's two previous State of the Union addresses, which had pulled in 27 million viewers. The debate between Donald Trump and Biden had garnered over 51 million views as well. According to Fox News, it led the coverage with an audience of 5.67 million, followed by ABC at 4.97 million and CBS at 3.6 million. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday brushed off US President Joe Biden's gaffe in which he mistakenly introduced him as Russian foe Vladimir Putin, saying "we can forget some mistakes." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky(AP) As he began a visit to Ireland, Zelensky told reporters at Shannon Airport that "it's a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so." Zelensky will meet Irish leader Simon Harris at the airport later Saturday, their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil. ALSO READ| Joe Biden mistakenly addresses Zelensky as President Putin, Ukraine leaders reaction goes viral Asked for his message to Ireland, Zelensky said: "First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion." Harris is expected to express Ireland's support for Ukraine's bid towards EU membership during the talks. Zelensky is making the visit on his way back from Washington, where he attended a summit marking NATO's 75th anniversary. It was at the summit that the 81-year-old Biden made the gaffe, before quickly correcting himself. "And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin," Biden said as he announced a NATO-Ukraine compact. Biden turned away from the lectern before coming back and exclaiming: "President Putin! He's going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky -- I'm so focused on beating Putin we gotta worry about it. Anyway, Mr President." Zelensky immediately quipped that he was "better" than Putin, but the incident intensified concerns about Biden's age and mental acuity. Biden has insisted he is committed to running for another term in November. A 4-year-old girl was snatched from a California fast food restaurant while waiting to have lunch with her grandmother prompting an all-hands search that found the child and her alleged kidnapper in a nearby hotel, authorities reported. A homeless woman arrested on the scene was charged in the grl's disappearance, police said. The child was waiting for her grandmother to pay for their meal at a Panda Express restaurant in downtown Santa Monica when she was lured away shortly after noon on Friday. The unidentified grandmother frantically called 911 when she returned to their table and discovered the girl was missing. Cops rushed to the scene and obtained surveillance images of the preschooler and her alleged kidnapper, police said in a prepared statement. "All available field resources, including more than 30 sworn and civilian personnel, flooded the area, searching for the subject, described as a heavyset white female in her 30s," police said. About 30 minutes later, officers found the girl with suspect Breanna Shields, 31, in a room at the Holiday Motel, according to police. They believed Shields has been staying at the motel for an extended period. "Thankfully, the child was unharmed and the suspect was taken into custody," the police statement said. "Our heartfelt best wishes go out to the child and her family as they deal with the shock of this ordeal." Shields, described in news reports as homeless, was charged with kidnapping and faces an enhanced sentence of up to 11 years in prison because the victim was under 14. The alleged kidnapping was among a series of recent incidents involving homeless people in Santa Monica, a coastal city west of Los Angeles, according to local TV station KTTV. They include the attempted drowning of a woman near the Santa Monica Pier last month and an attack on a 73-year-old woman who was pushed to the ground while on her daily morning walk in May. Now that a judge has dismissed the bankruptcy case and protections of a defiant Rudy Giuliani, the former attorney for Donald Trump faces the possible loss of his two pricey homes and other assets. Giuliani's condos in New York City and Florida are together estimated to be worth some $9 million, according to court records. A lawyer for two Georgia election workers who won a $148 million defamation suit against Giuliani told the New York Times they will move quickly to have liens placed on both of the homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach. Federal Judge Sean Lane of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on Friday dismissed Giuliani's bankruptcy case, citing his refusal to provide details about his financial situation after declaring bankruptcy last year. In one case, the former New York City mayor was accused by creditors last month of attempting to divert income from his new coffee company to a corporate account linked to him. Filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 code protected Giuliani from a wholesale raid of his assets by creditors, but it also required financial transparency. He owes $153 million to 20 people. "Mr. Giuliani has failed to provide an accurate and complete picture of his financial affairs in the six months that this case has been pending," Lane wrote in his 22-page ruling, calling "transparency into Mr. Giuliani's finances an elusive goal." Lane added: "Forcing creditors to wait years while they are prevented from pursuing their rights for, at best, a modest distribution seems inequitable and unwise. The interests of creditors and the estate are better served by dismissal." Trump's long-time ally declared bankruptcy in December after he was ordered to pay $148 million in defamation damages to mother-daughter election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman after he lied repeatedly that they had been involved in a massive voting fraud operation against Trump. Giuliani also owes over $400,000 in reported legal fees, and is facing several pending lawsuits, including a $10 million sexual harassment suit from a former employee and a $1.3 billion defamation suit from Dominion Voting Systems. His attorney has called the defamation judgement against Giuliani "grossly unfair," and characterizes it as some kind of political punishment. Creditors have accused Giuliani of grossly inflating his hardships if forced to pay his debts. "There is a vast gulf of housing options available between residing in an approximately $3.5 million Palm Beach condominium and homelessness," they argued in court papers. Giuliani, who frequently speaks up to defend and hail Trump, has appealed to the former president for a $2 million payment "any number of times" for services rendered, he said in a bankruptcy case deposition in February, Newsweek reported last week. Giuliani spent time in Ukraine during the Trump administration doing background work for Trump when the then-president pressured Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a transcribed phone call to launch a baseless investigation of expected rival Joe Biden, or face a holdup of an arms delivery passed by the U.S. Congress. The arm-twisting triggered the first of two impeachments of Trump in office. Fairview Hospital Will Honor Gov. Healey at Gala GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Fairview Hospital announced the Fairview Hospital's 2024 "Looking to the Future" Garden Gala will take place on Wednesday, July 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Gedney Farm in New Marlborough. The event is a major fundraiser for Fairview Hospital, Berkshire Health Systems' 25-bed critical access hospital in Great Barrington. Funds raised will support priority equipment needs at Fairview Hospital. This year, the event will be held in honor of Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, who will be in attendance and is being recognized for her work supporting access to healthcare in rural communities. Representative Smitty Pignatelli of the Third Berkshire District will introduce the Governor. The evening, which is organized by a 35-member community committee representing the different towns in Fairview Hospital's service area, will include a reception featuring hors d'oeuvres and cocktails and live music by The Wanda Houston Band. Page Content The 12th annual Meeting of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACC) Directors General of Civil Aviation (NACC/DCA/12) has concluded in Placencia, Belize, today marking a significant step towards enhancing regional cooperation and advancing strategic priorities for aviation in the NACC region. Attended by the Prime Minister of Belize, the Honorable John Briceno, the three-day meeting brought together over a hundred representatives from NACC States, Territories, and industry partners, focusing on strengthening liaisons and improving implementation support activities. ICAO's 2026-2050 Strategic Plan: A Vision for the Future A central focus of the meeting was the presentation and discussion of ICAO's proposed long-term strategic plan for 2026-2050. The plan, which aims to position ICAO effectively in the rapidly evolving aerospace landscape, received strong support from the Directors General of Civil Aviation. ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar emphasized the transformative potential of this plan: "I am confident that this plan will bring the transformation that ICAO needs to meet the challenges and opportunities foreseen and unforeseen in the aerospace system over the next quarter century. The overwhelmingly positive feedback and support we've received from the Directors General during this meeting are invaluable as we shape ICAO's future to better serve the global aviation community." The plan aims to position ICAO effectively in the rapidly evolving aerospace landscape, ensuring the organization remains fit for purpose in supporting safe, secure, and sustainable air transport growth globally. Key Priorities and Outcomes The meeting covered a wide range of critical topics, including: 1. Aviation Security and Facilitation: Discussions centered on improving the implementation of standards and enhancing passenger flow through greater digitalization of travel documents. 2. Gender Equality: A gender panel highlighted key issues, prompting the development of concrete actions for all States and organizations to promote women's participation in aviation. 3. Implementation Challenges: States shared their experiences in implementing ICAO standards and recommended practices, with common themes emerging such as the need for greater political and financial autonomy for aviation regulators. 4. Regional Cooperation: Strong support was expressed for Regional Safety Oversight Organizations, the ACSA and CASSOS, and for enhanced regional cooperation in accident investigation. 5. Connectivity: A panel discussion highlighted the unique challenges faced by small island developing States in the NACC Region, such as limited space for the expansion of infrastructure and the need for national policies that reflect a greater awareness of the indirect socioeconomic benefits of aviation, leading to agreed actions to address these issues. 6. Environmental Sustainability: The region's progress toward the Long-Term Global Aspirational Goal for CO 2 emissions reductions was commended, with particular recognition of the regions interest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel production and high levels of participation in ACT-SAF and CORSIA initiatives. Collaboration and Implementation Support ICAO Capacity Building and Implementation Director Jorge Vargas underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving the regions goals: "We heard a consistent message from States, industry, and the Secretariat about the need for greater partnership to improve implementation of ICAO standards. By working together, we can achieve more than we could individually." Building on these remarks, ICAO NACC Regional Director Christopher Barks also welcomed the meetings recognition of the crucial role of the ICAO NACC Strategic Systemic Assistance Programme. He highlighted the programmes importance in delivering support to States and coordinating regional initiatives. Barks also noted the widespread backing of the programme, saying, We received common expressions of support from partner States, other organizations, and industry. Bilateral and multilateral progress on priorities The Secretary General also explored avenues for ramping up progress in these areas at a series of bilateral meetings and multilateral meetings. These included discussions with Prime Minister Briceno, who is also the Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, along with Mrs. Narda Garcia, CEO of the Office of the Prime Minister, Investment and Civil Aviation; and Mr. Nigel Carter, Director of Civil Aviation of Belize. In addition to those high-level discussions with the host State, talks also took place with Representatives from Aruba, Barbados, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States. Discussions with multilateral organizations encompassed talks with representatives from the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS); the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA); the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); and the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). Looking Ahead The NACC/DCA/12 meeting concluded with a shared commitment among all participants to work together towards ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for aviation in the NACC region and around the world. Mr. Salazar expressed his gratitude to the participants, sponsors, and the host country, Belize, for their contributions to the success of the event. He emphasized that the discussions and commitments made during the meeting have positioned the region well to address future challenges and opportunities in global aviation. . The family was shocked by the state of their car when returning from a trip. An expert has revealed what Aussies can do if met with the same thing. An Aussie family was shocked by the state of their car when they got home from an overseas holiday. Source: Facebook An Aussie family has returned home from an overseas holiday to a shocking discovery in their garage. They found their car riddled with mould with the bacteria spreading across the interior, covering the seats, steering wheel, middle console, floors and doors. The Sunshine Coast mum said "it's so bad" alongside photos of the horror find when asking for advice on how to fix it online. Many Aussies shared similar experiences, including some who said they werent sure the car could be saved. Thats a huge write-off, one person wrote, while another added: Even if you managed to get that clean, I still dont think I would be able to trust that it is safe. Others advised they had had a similar thing happen to them, and their insurance had written off their car. Can the car be saved? Mould removal expert of eight years Anthony Johnson from Green Mould Solutions told Yahoo News Australia that a closed-in car could be the perfect breeding ground for mould to spread rapidly, and its definitely not uncommon. This happens a lot to people, and they get a huge shock when they see it, he said. A car may have a small opening, like a slightly opened window, which lets a tiny amount of water into the interior. The temperature inside can create humidity, the perfect environment for mould to grow and spread quickly. A mould expert said this amount of mould can appear if a bit of water gets into a car while it is closed off for a long time. Source: Facebook This moisture-rich environment lets mould thrive on organic materials, including fabric and leather car interiors, and once it starts to spread, it can be hard to get back under control. Johnson said it only takes about 48 hours for a car interior to be completely taken over by mould. But there is hope in removing it if the correct cleaning products and equipment are used. Removing it is possible, but its not something that can be done properly yourself. A professional must be called in to use the correct cleaning solution across the different car surfaces, which will kill the mould entirely, he says. How can mould be removed safely? While it can be a lengthy process that includes a specialised surface solution and the use of the Ozone Machine to remove mould spores in the air, Johnson said it can be done. The key is to kill the mould from the surface. You can use a machine to clear the mould in the air, but the key is treating the mould on the surface. Otherwise, it can easily grow back and begin to spread again, he said. Before and after: Johnson was able to remove the mould in this home. Source: Supplied You have a lot of materials on the interior, including plastic, metal, and leather fabric, and each has to be treated properly to stop the mould spreading. Johnson, who books most of his work through Airtasker, said mould is a common problem people are dealing with across their homes, cars, and workplaces and that mould spores should be treated carefully to ensure they are removed safely. Its very important to get someone who is professional in the field who knows how to deal with this because it is peoples health that can be at risk, he said. A lot of the time, people cant see mould spores with the naked eye. You need specialised equipment to be able to see the build-up. Thats why its important to have a professional come in. When it comes to actively preventing mould, Johnson said it was all about maintaining the environment and keeping it dry, clean and well-ventilated. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. GCash marks Savings Consciousness Week by promoting a culture of saving among unbanked and under-banked Filipinos, giving them access to easy, convenient, safe, and high-earning savings. Leading finance app celebrates Savings Consciousness Week with relevant solutions for unbanked and under-banked Filipinos Today, 1 out of 4 bank account holders in the Philippines have an account under GSave, the innovative, in-app savings marketplace feature of GCash powered by Bank of the Philippine Islands and Maybank, and popular digital banks UNO Bank and CIMB Bank. GSave offers higher interest of up to 4%-6% per annum, helping users earn up to 10 times more than a traditional savings account. Through this feature, GCash ensures users get the most out of those deposits with higher returns and can help them save up for an emergency fund, education fund, health and medical expenses, retirement fund, business capital, and more. With GSave, no maintaining balance is needed and anyone can open a GSave savings account via the GCash app. Transfer of money from GCash to GSave is free of charge also, allowing one to deposit or withdraw anytime and anywhere. Using only their mobile phones, Filipinos have the power to achieve their financial goals and dreams and provide better financial security for themselves and their loved ones, said GCash market education head Mark Ilao. As 7 out of 10 Filipino households still do not have a savings account according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Consumer Expectation Survey 2023, making sure all Filipinos have access to financial services remains an important goal for GCash and its partners. On top of providing access to essential financial services, GCash is also helping improve financial literacy among Filipinos through its Learning Hub which gives users learning materials on how they can better manage their finances. To start saving via GSave, users simply need to tap its icon on the GCash dashboard and tap their preferred bank. Then, click "Open a Savings Account." On the Save Money Registration page, tick the box under Bank Policies to agree to the Terms and Conditions and tap Open a Savings Account. Lastly, tap "OK" after the confirmation message has been displayed. In 1994, the BSP declared June 30 to July 6 as Savings Consciousness Week in the Philippines. This years initiative, with the theme A Saving Culture Leads to a Successful Future has grown into a symbolic national event that will once again call on banks and financial institutions to come together and raise awareness of the importance of saving and the role it plays in shaping the countrys economy. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy For famous people, unusual names can be both a blessing and a curse. If your name is too nondescript, then it can be hard to stick in peoples minds. But if its too unusual, then people might have difficulty saying it at all. Its not uncommon for celebrities to change their names, either to make their sobriquet more exciting think John Legend for instance, who was born the rather more prosaic John Roger Stephens or to avoid confusion with a pre-existing public figure, such as Albert Brooks, born Albert Einstein. But for those who opt to stick with their birth moniker, getting people to say it right can still be an uphill battle. Actors such as Joaquin Phoenix, Soairse Ronan and Ralph Fiennes seem to have won this battle, with large swathes of the public now pronouncing their names properly. Others, however, havent been so lucky. Heres a rundown of 13 celebrities whose names are often mispronounced. Denzel Washington Say the name Denzel, and everyone will immediately know who youre talking about such is the massive magnitude of Washingtons stardom. But, as the Training Day star revealed on The Graham Norton Show a while back, that famous first-name has been near-ubiquitously mispronounced this entire time. According to the actor, the stress ought to come on the first syllable (DEN-zul, rather than the widely used Den-ZEL). open image in gallery Denzel Washington ( AP ) Zoe Saldana Guardians of the Galaxy star Zoe Saldana gets her family name from her Puerto Rican parents, including the Spanish ene (the accented final n). While most people simply opt to pronounce her name as if this were a regular n as in Sal-dana, the correct pronunciation is actually Sal-dan-ya. Timothee Chalamet Dune star Timothee Chalamet was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February when host Jimmy Kimmel asked about the accent in his first name. Honestly, its [pronounced] Tim-oh-teh, Chalamet replied. But I would not oblige you to say it like that and it can be Timothy or Timmy or Doug or Allen. But Tim-oh-teh is, he says, what it was supposed to be my parents cursed me with that, he joked. open image in gallery Timothee Chalamet in Dune ( Warner Bros ) Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal During an appearance on Conan OBrians talk show, Zodiac star Gyllenhaal spoke about the proper way of saying his family name. If youve been saying Jill-en-hall, thats not quite right the correct reading is Yeel-en-hyal. The actor joked that the only places where his name is consistently pronounced correctly are Sweden and Ikea. Ariana Grande The pop star and lead of the forthcoming Wicked movie has admitted that the ubiquitous pronunciation of her name Gran-day, like a latte order is not how it was originally supposed to be said. Speaking on Beats One, she revealed that her grandfather had pronounced their name Gran-dee, but her brother Frankie changed the pronunciation. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free open image in gallery Ariana Grande pictured at the Met ( Getty Images for The Met Museum ) Amanda Seyfried In 2023, Mean Girls star Amanda Seyfried casually announced to the world that we had been getting her name wrong for years. In one of a series of TikTok videos for Architectural Digest, Seyfried pronounced her name as Sigh-fred not, as is often said, Say-freed. Martin Scorsese The exalted filmmaker may be one of the most visible directors in world cinema, but people still often have trouble with his name whether thats spelling it correctly, or saying it. While most people mispronounce the Goodfellas masterminds name as Score-say-zee, the correct pronunciation is Score-sez-ee. Martin Scorsese stars alongside dog in TikTok video Emily Ratajkowski Responding to a question from Vogue contributor Liana Satenstein during New York Fashion Week, supermodel Emily Ratajkowski last year revealed the correct way of saying her last name the Polish way. Per Ratajkowskis explanation, the popular Americanised way of saying her name (Rat-ah-cow-ski) is actually inaccurate; Rat-ah-cof-skah is the right pronunciation. (Rat-ah-cof-ski is also acceptable, but if its feminine, its Rat-ah-cof-skah, she said.) Raven-Symone The star of The Cosby Show and Thats So Raven opened up in a TikTok video about the real pronunciation of her name. Rather than being said as Si-mone, the second half of her name is actually pronounced as a trisyllabic See-mon-ye. Those who know, know, she said. At a very young age I was told to tell everyone that my name was Raven-Symone and it just never left my body, except when I go to French-speaking countries and Im like, Yeah, it is spelled that way and thats how it should be pronounced. Gal Gadot Gal Gadot, star of Wonder Woman and the infamous celebrity Imagine video, has long baffled many viewers with the pronunciation of her name. While some people opt to leave out the final T, saying it as Ga-doh, Gadot has explained that it should really be pronounced Ga-doht, with a soft but distinct final consonant. I appreciate that everyone is trying their best, she said. open image in gallery Gal Gadot in 'Wonder Woman 1984' ( Warner Bros ) Chrissy Teigen Celebrity influencer Chrissy Teigens last name is commonly pronounced Tee-gen. However, during a 2018 appearance on the talk show Live With Kelly and Ryan, Teigen insisted to viewers that it was in fact pronounced Tie-gen. Its been 25 years, Im tired of correcting people, she said. Lindsay Lohan Irish Wish star Lindsay Lohan had, for a few years, a name that seemed to be on the lips of every tabloid journalist the world over. But was it ever really the right name? In recent years, Lohan has been seen pronouncing her name Lowen to rhyme with Bowen, rather than the traditionally ubiquitous Low-han. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Eminem has courted further controversy on his new album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace) with a blunt reference to Alec Baldwin and the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. The record arrives while Baldwins trial for involuntary manslaughter remains ongoing. On a song titled Fuel, Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, raps: F*** around and get popped like Halyna Hutchins / Like Im Alec Baldwin, what I mean is buckin you down, coup de grace then / Right between the f***in / I shoot em all in if you think youre f***in with me. Baldwin has insisted that he didnt pull the trigger on the firearm and didnt know it contained a live round before the fatal shooting. He has claimed the gun fired accidentally. He is charged with a single felony count of involuntary manslaughter and faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted. Elsewhere on his new record, Eminem makes repeated reference to embattled music mogul Sean Diddy Combs, including an extended reference to footage of Combss shocking hotel corridor attack on his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. open image in gallery Marshall Eminem Mathers and Alec Baldwin ( Getty ) Combs has been the subject of 10 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and sex trafficking since last November. In March, homes belonging to Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from US Homeland Security in connection to a federal sex trafficking investigation. Combs, who has repeatedly denied the allegations, has not been formally charged or accused by federal prosecutors of any crime. On Eminems new track Antichrist, he makes reference to the video of Venturas assault by rapping: Next idiot ask me is gettin his ass beat worse than Diddy did / But on the real, though / She prolly ran out the room with his f***in dildo / He tried to field goal punt her, she said to chill / Now put it back in my ass and get the steel toe. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members) Sign up In a two-star review of The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grace), The Independents Stevie Chick wrote: In the past decade or so, critics have suggested Eminem has been outpaced by new young rap talent. But the only emcee Marshall Mathers has really been competing against is his younger self. The Slim Shady alter-ego behind his 1999 breakthrough LP and the many hits that followed most notably the brattish, bombastic Im Back was Mathers id, minus the ego. A malevolent clown persona through which the Detroit rapper felt free to indulge every forbidden thought that crossed his transom, every misogynistic fantasy, homophobic zinger, and drug-addled boast. The sort of thing, were told, you couldnt get away with today. Though not for lack of him trying. Follow live updates from Alec Baldwins Rust trial here. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy ITV newsreader Sascha Williams has quit the channel after 21 years. Williams announced the news on her social media pages, sharing a photo collage of herself from over her two decades on ITV News. After 21 years (and by the look of it, about as many hairstyles) its time to bid farewell to ITV, she wrote. Its been one heck of a ride, working some of the absolute best in the business. Will miss them lots, she said, adding in reference to her 6.25am news bulletins: Though probably not the 4am alarm. Williamss colleagues have paid tribute to the newsreader following her announcement. Jonathan Wills, a former ITV News colleague, hailed Williams as a star, writing: Such a pleasure to share the @itvanglia sofa with you Sascha enjoy the deserved break from the alarm and huge best wishes coming to you from the islands! ITV Newss managing editor, Matt Brindley, wrote: Best of luck @Sascha_Williams total pro and great colleague. Meanwhile, her fellow presenter David Whiteley called her one of the very best in the business. open image in gallery ITV News presenter Sascha Williams ( ITV ) Williams started working for the channel in 2003, when she became a production journalist for ITV Anglia. She rose through the ranks and, in 2013, became an ITV News presenter. Before then, she appeared on Good Morning Britain and ITV News London. open image in gallery Sascha Williams shared photos of herself on ITV from over the years ( X/Twitter ) Earlier this year, ITV News made the headlines after presenter Rageh Omaar fell ill during a live broadcast of News at Ten. Omaar, 56, was presenting the ITV1 news programme in April 2024 when he appeared to have difficulty reading the autocue. Following the broadcast, ITV confirmed that the newscaster was receiving medical care. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free The following day, a spokesperson for the network shared an update expressing that Omaar is now recovering at home following hospital treatment. We appreciate viewers of last nights News At Ten were concerned about Rageh Omaars wellbeing, the statement read. Following medical treatment at hospital, he is now recovering at home with his family. We are wishing Rageh a speedy recovery and look forward to him being back on screen when he feels ready. Omar thanked all who supported him during the difficult ordeal in his own statement, which read: I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes, especially all the medical staff, all my wonderful colleagues at ITV News, and our viewers who expressed concern. At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support Ive been given. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kirsty Wark is being celebrated after presenting BBCs Newsnight for the last time after 30 years on the show. Wark announced the decision to leave in October last year, as she promised to quit after the next election, which has just passed. The 69-year-old wiped away tears as she signed off for a final time on Friday (12 July). She is the longest-serving presenter of the BBC Two current affairs programme. Newsnight created a special compilation of the presenters journey since she joined in 1993, including clips of her interviewing world leaders interspersed with more light-hearted moments from her career. The video was rounded off with tributes from Tony Blair, Nicola Sturgeon, Gordon Brown and Lord David Cameron. Her BBC colleagues Emily Matilis and Victoria Derbyshire also joined in the send-off, along with touching messages from her children. TV chef Nigella Lawson joined the praise online as she wrote, What a career! A really touching tribute here on X/Twitter. Former prime minister Tony Blair called Wark, tough but fair and always exceptionally smart as he wished her luck and added, Im sure youll carry on doing great things. Meanwhile, Lord Cameron made a joke at his own expense, as he referred to his comeback as foreign secretary following his resignation as prime minister. open image in gallery Wark leaves Newsnight after 30 years ( BBC/Newsnight ) Kirsty, many congratulations on over three decades of presenting Newsnight. You have questioned us, quizzed us, held us to account and often terrified us, he said. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free But a great record, many congratulations. Now youre retiring but you can always retire after a long career and then make a comeback, best wishes, well done with everything. open image in gallery Emily Maitlis called Wark the Queen of Newsnight ( BBC/Newsnight ) Former SNP leader Sturgeon added, To say you are a broadcasting titan, obviously across the UK, but particularly here in Scotland would be an understatement. Its hard to imagine that landscape without you. The Queen of Newsnight Kirsty Wark presents her final #Newsnight show after 30 years. Journey back through three decades of her journalism at the heart of the biggest stories. Watch @BBCTwo | @BBCNews | @BBCiPlayer - 10.30 Producer @Ellieljacobs Pic Editor @Domlutier pic.twitter.com/obZjWQKp0J BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) July 12, 2024 I had a very, very first interview experience with you when I was just 17 or 18 years old. I was in awe of you then and its fair to say that hasnt really changed. Emily Maitlis joined in the tributes as she called Wark, the Queen of Newsnight, adding, We love you and we wish you well. open image in gallery Wark was left in tears as she signed off ( Newsnight, BBC ) The BBC Radio 4 presenter Kavita Puri added to the praise online as she called her colleague a broadcasting legend and a much beloved colleague and friend to so many of us at Newsnight. Wark will continue to present BBC shows including The Reunion, Start the Week on Radio 4, as well as documentaries. A video online has poked fun at Americans over these misunderstandings about Australia. Aussies have spoken out against a common misconception potential tourists have about visiting our shores. Source: Instagram/Getty/TikTok An Aussie woman's online video examining why American tourists often say they are too scared to visit the land down under due to the "spiders, snakes and bugs" has amused locals. It comes as a travel expert tells Yahoo News Australia that Aussies are often to blame for fuelling the common misconception. TikToker Courtney recently poked fun at Americans who often "slander" Australia online by saying, "Oh, I could never live in Australia, with all the spiders and the snakes and the bugs", but then went on to say this simply isn't the case. As an Australian, we never deal with this stuff, she explained. And youre smart about it, you know. Youre not stupid. Im not rolling around in the dirt or trying to look for huntsmen." She then made the point that it's actually much safer in Australia than the US: I could never live in America, she said. Guns, bears, f***ing bobcats. F*** no. Aussies to blame for 'scaring off visitors' Dana Brown, personal travel manager at Travel Managers said Aussies often fuel these rumours in jest, and while the misconception adds to Australia's "adventurous allure" it does seem to scare off some visitors. "I think the intimidating reputation stems from our unique wildlife and social media sensationalism," she said. Brown said she would argue that "between the iconic landscapes, world-class culinary experiences, and friendly locals, weve got way better things to focus on". She said Aussies should try to "balance the narrative by sharing authentic stories that highlight the safety in everyday experiences". Are Aussie creatures really that deadly? While Australia is reputed to be chock-full of venomous critters, Professor Mike Lee, a scientist at Flinders University, said there is plenty of space to avoid them. For instance, the most venomous snake in the world (the inland taipan) lives in the sparsely populated outback, he told Yahoo. If you look at mortality statistics, Australia is one of the countries where you are least likely to die from a venomous animal bite. We have around 0.05 deaths per 100,000 people, similar to England which no one considers to be packed with killer creepy crawlies. While in the USA, statistics are double this rate, with around 0.1 deaths per 100,000 people. The inland taipan may be the deadliest snake in the world, but most Aussies have never seen one in the wild. Source: The Australian Museum Dr Bruno Buzatto, a lecturer in terrestrial ecology at Flinders University, says Aussie spiders are not at all especially dangerous to humans. We do in fact have highly toxic funnel web spiders, but their reputation far exceeds their potential harm, he told Yahoo. The last death attributed to a funnel web spider dates from the early 80s, before the anti-venom was developed. Buzatto also pointed out Australias infamous redbacks also belong to a genus that is all over the world, causing similar or worse problems in other countries. And as for our terrifyingly large huntsman spiders? They are completely harmless. Dana Brown, who is a lifelong traveller, says she thinks Aussies often fuel the misconception about our dangerous creatures. Source: Instagram Aussies set the story straight: 'I've never seen a snake' Many Aussies agreed with the TikToker's take that the stereotype about creepy crawlies in Australia wasn't true. [Ive] been here since 1988, one person wrote. [I] saw a snake once. We looked at each other then it continued on its way. Ive never seen a snake in the wild, another said. The last time I saw a spider in my house was maybe 10 years ago. Others pointed out that exaggerating how dangerous Aussie creatures are is a "traditional national sport going back decades". While someone else pointed out you can run away from snakes and spiders [but] you cant run away from a bear, mountain lion or a moose, saying they felt relatively safe in Australia. Most of us have only seen a snake in the zoo, another said. At least we dont have to worry about our kids getting shot at school. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from Strictly Come Dancing over events he deeply regrets. In what has become yet another disaster for the series after a controversy surrounding Giovanni Pernice, it was reported on Saturday (13 July) that Di Prima had been axed from the series over claims of gross misconduct. Di Prima then told his social media followers he would no longer be a part of the forthcoming series, which is set to begin in September despite being confirmed to return last month. He wrote on Instagram: I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge its only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasnt allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation. He went on: Theres more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future. Its been claimed Di Primas departure followed unspecified allegations made by those working on the show who had observed Di Primas rehearsals with TV star Zara McDermott, whom he was partnered with on last years series. Members of the production team are believed to have spoken out after an investigation into the series was launched over a scandal involving Pernice, who left the show last month. McDermott did not make the allegation, but was reportedly invited by the BBC to discuss her experience. It was claimed by a source speaking to The Sun that footage showing Di Primas alleged treatment of McDermott reduced those who have seen it to tears. open image in gallery Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from Strictly Come Dancing ( BBC ) The former Love Island star had a tumultuous time on the series, regularly ending up in the dreaded dance-off until her elimination in week six of the competition. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free After one particularly stressful day of rehearsals, McDermott hit back at Di Prima when the latter shared a video of her napping, telling her followers she had done double the workload of her partner. Graz just had the audacity to call me and tell me his legs hurt after rehearsals yesterday when he spent 50 per cent of the day sitting down and analysing me doing the routine on my own, McDermott wrote to her followers. The BBC said it would take any issues that were raised seriously and promised swift action would be carried out if neccessary. We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, a spokesperson said. open image in gallery Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima on Strictly in 2023 ( BBC ) While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate. In a photo caption that has now been deleted, Di Prima wrote: "I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share the story of [my] journey. The Italian dancer joined Strictly in 2018 and was partnered with DJ Vick Hope. In 2021, he performed with comedian and Loose Women star Judi Love and, the following year, reached the quarter-finals with actor Kym Marsh. open image in gallery Graziano Di Prima confirmed Strictly exit in now-deleted Instagram post ( Instagram ) Pernice was dropped from the series earlier this year months after actor Amanda Abbington left the show weeks into the latest series without thanking him in her goodbye message. Shortly after, Abbington requested what was described by a source as tense footage of her rehearsals with Pernice for a supposed investigation. In a recent interview, the star launched a fresh attack on the Italian dancing pro, claiming he was awful towards a group of former contestants. On Sunday (14 July), in a new interview, the Sherlock actor shed light on her horrible Strictly experience. The next series of the show will start in September and the latest contestant rumour is one that might leave long-time fans of the show feeling rather annoyed. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Boys star Erin Moriarty has responded to internet trolls after receiving a flurry of nasty comments. Moriarty, who plays Starlight on the Prime Video series, was previously forced to take an extensive if not permanent break from social media after being harassed over reductive assumptions about her appearance. The actor called out American journalist Megyn Kelly for questioning whether shed had plastic surgery, dubbing her comments counterproductive to the degree of being ironically misogynistic. Ever since, Moriarty, who thanked her fans for their support, has found herself the source of particular attention from online trolls flooding her posts with remarks about her appearance. Days before episode seven of The Boyss fourth season, which recently aired one of the most obscene episodes in TV history, Moriarty took matters into her own hands when sharing her latest Instagram post. It showed off a double-page spread from a new interview with Moriarty by Genlux magazine. Haters will say {literally everything and anything that pops into their head}. So post it & ghost it. (And sleep tight), Moriarty captioned the photo, before turning off comments. In an episode of her podcast on 17 January, Kelly accused Moriarty of being an example of an addiction to appearance-enhancing surgeries, calling them a social illness. open image in gallery Erin Moriarty silences trolls on Instagram ( Instagram ) Moriarty, whose other credits include The Kings of Summer and Captain Fantastic, said she was horrified after hearing the comments, writing: Were all subject to levels of bullying throughout our lives but I am horrified, and I felt that I deserved to take a second to address these things. To receive a message about a disgustingly false, counterproductive to the degree of being ironically misogynistic video of Megyn Kelly commenting on the manner to learn the widespread nature of this has left me horrified. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Moriartys co-stars in The Boys supported the actor, with Jack Quaid, who plays Hughie, writing: Love you, Erin. F*** the haters. open image in gallery The Boys star Erin Moriarty, who plays Starlight, hits back at trolls ( Prime Video ) Meanwhile, former Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford, who stars as superhero The Deep, posted a red heart in response. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been acquitted of unlawful marriage charges by a court in Pakistan. Mr Khan, 71, and his wife were sentenced to seven years, days before Pakistans election in February. The court ordered their immediate release from jail pending any outstanding charges. Additional district and sessions judge in Islamabad, Afzal Majoka, announced his judgement at 3pm on Saturday, saying: If they are not wanted in any other case, then PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released [from jail] immediately. The couple was convicted on 3 February after a complaint from Bibis former husband, who claimed that her marriage to Mr Khan violated Muslim family law. According to Islamic law, a Muslim widow or a divorcee has to abide by the iddah a waiting period before they can lawfully enter into a new marriage. The judge in the case fined Mr Khan and Ms Bibi PKR500,000 (1,420) and sentenced both to seven years in jail. However, on Saturday, Mr Khans PTI party claimed that soon after the court verdict, Mr Khan was arrested in three other cases. The PTI claimed that this was yet another gimmick to keep the former prime minister in prison. His wife, though, will walk free soon, according to the PTI, as she has no other cases against her. Mr Khan has been acquitted or granted bail on many of the most serious charges, all of which he claims are politically motivated. More recently, he was cleared of exposing state secrets for disclosing a diplomatic cable at a 2022 political rally. This ruling left his imprisonment contingent solely on a February conviction that his 2018 marriage to Bibi, 49, was un-Islamic and illegal. This conviction was overturned on Saturday. Syed Zulfikar Bukhari, a close aide of Khan and one of PTIs most senior officials said: The case has not only been thrown out, but the judge has also ordered for immediate release of Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. He added: Had this case not been thrown out, this was a very dangerous case for all women of the country moving forward because a very dangerous precedent would have been set that any husband can get up at any time and call their marriage of their ex-wife illegal and there would be nothing to prove it otherwise. In the Quran, specific waiting periods are prescribed for women before they can remarry. A menstruating woman must observe three monthly cycles, whereas a non-menstruating woman is required to wait for three lunar months. Widows have a mandated waiting period of four months and ten days. These rules are intended to ensure clarity regarding paternity in case a woman becomes pregnant shortly before her separation from her spouse or his death. Mr Khan, ousted as prime minister in 2022, has been held in prison since August 2023 when he was sentenced to three years in jail for allegedly hiding assets after selling state gifts. It led to a ban on Mr Khan from seeking political office and contesting the 8 February election, which his party says was rigged. Mr Khan was acquitted in a case that accused him of leaking state secrets as well as a graft case, and remained behind bars only due to his conviction in the iddah case. After Mr Khan was ousted from power through a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022, he claimed a secret diplomatic cable proved that there was a US-led conspiracy with Pakistans military and opposition to remove him. State authorities accused Mr Khan of using the document for political purposes and not returning it, leading to a special court sentencing him to ten years in prison. He was also sentenced to 14 years in jail in a case linked to the illegal selling of state gifts. Mr Khan and his wife denied the allegations and called them politically motivated. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher married in a private wedding ceremony in the Caribbean. According to People, the 63-year-old Oscar nominee and the Australian model, 44, finally tied the knot on 9 July after getting engaged in September 2018. The couple share two children: a daughter Izzy Oona, 8, and a son Max Charles, 5. The ceremony marks Murphys second marriage and Butchers first. The small wedding ceremony was held on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, with family and close friends in attendance. The SNL alum wore a white Brioni suit, while Butcher donned a Mira Zwillinger lace gown. Their wedding comes on the heels of the couple last making an appearance together at the Netflix premiere of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F in Los Angeles on June 20. Murphys daughters, Bria, 34, Shayne Audra, 29, and Bella Zahra, 22 all of whom he shares with ex-wife Nicole, 56 - joined them on the red carpet. Hes crazy about his kids and his family, Murphys Beverly Hills Cop costar, Judge Reinhold, told People. Hes a family guy at heart. Truly is. He really is. Murphy has fathered 10 children in total, including Eric, 34, Christian, 33, Myles Mitchell, 31, Zola Ivy, 24, and Angel Iris, 17. Butcher and Murphy began dating in 2012 and years later in May 2016, the pair welcomed their first child, Izzy. Two years afterward, they welcomed their second child Max in November 2018. The pair welcomed their first child together, Izzy, on May 3, 2016. Two months after they got engaged in September 2018, the couple welcomed their second child, Max. Although Butcher is rarely in the public eye, she spoke about how romantic Murphy was as they were interviewed while walking the red carpet at the 2020 Golden Globes. After an interviewer for Extra asked the actor what hed whispered in his then-fiances ear, he replied, I told her how wonderful she looks. He actually says that kind of stuff all the time, Butcher promptly piped in, sharing that there was more to the Oscar nominee than what meets the eye. Hes very, very sweet and romantic. When Murphy was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award three years later at the 2023 Academy Awards, he gave Butcher and his children a sweet shoutout, expressing gratitude for their endless love and support of him and his passion projects. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A nearly three-year legal saga for Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer ended Friday without a verdict but with tears of relief for the actor and a small coterie of family who had settled into a somber daily routine on wooden benches inside a windowless New Mexico courtroom at trial. In the morning, 16 jurors had filed into the courtroom for a third day of scrawling notes and listening with steepled hands to testimony in the involuntary manslaughter trial against Baldwin in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, only to be released for the day as the trail took an unscheduled detour. Have a great weekend, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said. Outside the jury's view, the criminal case against Baldwin was teetering as defense attorney's for Baldwin accused local investigators and prosecutors of concealing evidence that might shed light on the unconfirmed origin of live ammunition on the set of Rust. It was Baldwin's fifth day in court. He arriving each morning in a black SUV with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, to a phalanx of outdoor media cameras. Inside the courtroom Monday, at the start, an energetic Baldwin whispered to an attorney, scrawled on a legal pad and passed post-it notes to his legal team. The defense won an early victory as the judge ruled Baldwin could not be held criminally liable for his role as co-producer on Rust." The case would focus on Baldwin's handling of a gun as lead actor. Come Tuesday, the defendant's younger brother, Stephen Baldwin, arrived in the back of the courtroom for jury selections. He would return each day, all day. Among a pool of 70 potential jurors, all but three were familiar with the Rust shooting case. By day's end, a jury of five men and 11 woman were seated for trial. For opening statements Wednesday, the courtroom was packed to capacity, with half of the gallery reserved for news media, from local network TV to the Times of London, and a few designated photographers. Attorneys and the public filled the other half, some friends and relatives of Baldwin along with local curiosity seekers and traveling amateur trial afficionados. Seated in court, Baldwin trained his eyes downward on a notepad, away from the jury as prosecutors gave opening statements and overhead video monitors show the aftermath of the fatal shooting at a movie set ranch. Prosecutors said Baldwin violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety in pointing a real gun toward Hutchins while playing make believe. Defense attorneys argued Baldwin was just doing his job as an actor, reasonably relying on other professional to ensure gun safety, though with tragic consequences. Baldwins older sister, Elizabeth Keuchler, shed tears in court as the statements unfolded. She greeted her brother with an embrace across a courtroom banister and would sit close behind him thereafter. A prominent critic of Baldwin also took her seat in the front of the court gallery: victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing the sister and parents of Hutchins in a civil trial seeking damages. Baldwin's every expression at trial registered on a video feed of the trial transmitted by CourtTV and The Associated Press. There was a restrained and attentive gaze during a first full day of witness testimony Wednesday from the A-list actor with a decades-long career in films and television, from The Hunt for Red October to 30 Rock and as a fixture on Saturday Night Live. Baldwin darted from the courtroom once, but otherwise paced slowly and deliberately through the courtroom and the courthouse, where impromptu interviews and photographs were prohibited. On Friday afternoon, Baldwins outward demeanor changed little, but tension was building in the courtroom, where Marlowe Sommer weighed a motion to dismiss the case and probed revelations that investigators failed to disclose the receipt of ammunition in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins' death. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwins lawyers alleged they buried it. During an afternoon break, Baldwin took deep, measured breaths as he walked painstakingly from the courtroom. The air whistled slightly as he breathed out with lips pursed. Hilaria Baldwin took his arm and rubbed his back as they paced the hallway. Back inside, the audience chuckled as defense attorney Alex Spiro sparred with the ammunition supplier for Rust," Seth Kenney, who had forged a cooperative relationship with investigators in the aftermath of the shooting. But the courtroom fell silent amid the clatter of laptop keyboards as the judge questioned a sheriffs detective about the decision to place the ammunition in an evidence file, separate from the Rust shooting case, and whether lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey knew about that. When you say that there were discussions and the decision was made by all of you to put that ammo in a separate file, was Ms. Morrissey part of that discussion? Marlowe Sommer said. Yes, the detective responded. The case was collapsing. The courtroom gasped as Morrissey acknowledge her co-prosecutor had just resigned. Tears welled in Baldwin's eyes, followed by sobbing, as the judge outlined her decision: The sanction of dismissal is warranted in this case." As the nation adjusts to its new Labour government, my phone has been pinging all week with non-stop messages. The subject my friends want to discuss? The educational background of those who make up Keir Starmers new cabinet and the glorious fact that its the same as ours. For the first time ever, the experience of those who are running the country reflects that of most people who live here. Let me recap. Twenty-three ministers 92 per cent of the cabinet went to comprehensive schools. In fact, Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury, south Manchester, boasts two alumnae in the new cabinet two more than Eton. Only one cabinet member went to a private school, while Starmer himself went to a grammar school; by contrast, two-thirds of Rishi Sunaks cabinet went to private school. Since 2010, that figure has stood at an average of around 60 per cent, despite only 7 per cent of the country being educated privately. Watching Rachel Reeves, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner et al get off to an impressive start has put an undeniable spring in the step of people like me, who spent seven years at the local comp. The more I see of them, the more hopeful I feel, read one WhatsApp from a usually cynical member of my circle. Weve been so used to being governed by former private-school pupils that the joy of seeing people like us take over has caught us off guard. But that joy is real, because where the leaders of the country went to school matters in a very real way. The hope is that this cabinet will have a deeper understanding of the issues facing the people they represent, and, more importantly, amid all the hand-wringing about Labours imposition of VAT on private schools, serve as a reminder that a state education is not something to be feared. State schools can produce smart and capable leaders who can succeed in the world of politics, business and beyond. You can be a world-renowned author (Zadie Smith) or a famous news presenter (Robert Peston). With so much damning rhetoric surrounding our state system, it is easy to forget that so few of the countrys children are educated privately. While they have dominated positions of power so far, people like Streeting, who grew up in an East End council flat and whose comprehensive education got him into Cambridge University and ultimately the role of secretary of state, can become an inspiration for kids who might assume that such a career is not for people like us. Ive heard people say that their parents had to send them to private school because education was so important to them, as if other childrens families just werent that bothered. Others say their parents kept them out of the state system because they were gifted (honestly, someone once told me this); as if only an eye-wateringly expensive education could provide the level of cosseting required by such a rare, special orchid. Keir Starmer hosts his first cabinet meeting last Saturday attended by 23 state-educated ministers ( The Sun/PA ) In fact, a landmark 2014 report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England found that state-school pupils were more likely to gain a 2:1 or first-class degree than those who achieved the same A-level results at an independent school. This suggests that the state system provides a more than solid academic foundation; perhaps because, with so many pupils spanning different abilities, theres no time for spoon-feeding. To excel at a comprehensive, you have to learn to think for yourself. Thats not to say that there arent a host of advantages to private schools, among them being smaller class sizes, access to 10 times more green space than state pupils, and an automatic entree into a certain social stratum where the right connections can help. Three times more money is spent on a child attending a fee-paying school than one educated by the state. You dont have to be chippy to recognise that this isnt fair; the head start is exactly what parents pay for. A study by the Sutton Trust and the Social Mobility Commission in 2019 found that a tiny elite of privately educated people dominate the most powerful positions in our society. Those holding the top jobs in politics, the judiciary, media and business are five times more likely to have been to private school than the general population. The hope is that, by recognising the comp in competence, as a country, we can start to champion our state education system and not fear it However, these people dont necessarily occupy those positions because they are brighter or better. According to Robert Verkaik in his book Posh Boys: How English Public Schools Ruin Britain: The subtle networks of the privately schooled help to create a system of self-perpetuating advantage and social immobility. He argues that these networks can bristle with unconscious prejudice, something Ive experienced countless times. When I first arrived at Oxford, I assumed that, because I had grown up in a nice house in a middle-class part of North Yorkshire, I would fit in an illusion that was quickly shattered when someone drew attention to my accent and joked that, as Id gone to a comp, Id probably been given a place to fulfil a quota. One friend who went to boarding school recently showed me a letter given to his younger brother, who is still there. It warned A-level pupils to raise their game because a public school education no longer guarantees entitlement to a place at Oxbridge. Which would have been fine, except for its claim that they would now be battling against people from unglamorous backgrounds, a phrase that, once seen in black and white, cant ever be unseen. People like health secretary Wes Streeting, who grew up in Londons East End, can be an inspiration for kids who might assume that such a career is not for people like us ( Reuters ) This sense of us and them can also show its face as we navigate the world of work. In one of my first jobs, I encountered a man named Sebastian, who clocked my flattened As and said: I know how this sounds, but youre lucky they gave you a job. I didnt know whether to try to impress him with my Oxford degree or blow his tiny mind with the revelation that my uncle was a coal miner. Similarly, I have a friend who was once introduced to her big media boss who, after realising she wasnt the product of a private education, peered over his nose and asked if she had even been to university, before asking if she was happy that she wasnt an air hostess. It feels astonishing that someone who went to a comprehensive school can still encounter prejudice from the people around them who cant see past such lazy assumptions. This mentality doesnt just create barriers to entry into various professions for those from less privileged backgrounds; it can also result in a financial penalty that can span the length of a persons career. While David Cameron vowed in 2016 to make the Conservatives the party of the equal shot during his second term as prime minister, in 2024, social mobility is at its worst in more than 50 years, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). In the UK, it takes five generations to move from a low-income background to the medium-income bracket, compared with Denmark, where it takes just two. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson, one of 23 ministers who went to a non-private school ( AFP/Getty ) While a lot of work has been done to widen recruitment for entry-level jobs, a truer indication of how egalitarian a workplace is can be found in how people move up the ranks once they are employed there. A landmark 2022 report by KPMG found that someones socio-economic background had the strongest effect on how quickly they progressed within a company, with individuals from a low-income demographic taking an average of 19 per cent longer to progress to the next level. How can it be right that the greatest predictor of someones success can be the profession of their highest-earning parent when that person was just a child? Currently, the UKs 2,600 private schools are all exempt from VAT. Additionally, the 1,300 schools with charitable status which Labour has no plans to remove pay no corporation tax, capital gains tax or stamp duty. They also benefit from inheritance tax relief and gift aid on donations. Labours plan to remove the VAT exemption and business rate relief, likely to come into effect in January 2025, is based on its belief that these tax privileges are currently awarded to a sector already significantly better funded than state schools, and that they are unfair. The policy could raise 2.6bn, according to the IFS, which could allow a 2 per cent increase in state-school spending in England. The plan is to spend the money on recruiting 6,500 more teachers. There have been dire warnings that the policy will spark a mass exodus from the private sector, swamping overstretched state schools even further, with predictions ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 extra pupils needing to be accommodated. Labours policy to remove the VAT exemption and business rate relief is due to come into effect in 2025 ( Getty ) The government doesnt expect this to happen, but even if it does, figures from the Department for Education show that 85 per cent of local authorities have more unfilled places in state primary and secondary schools than they have privately educated pupils. Research by the Sutton Trust shows that although state schools across the socio-economic spectrum are facing major budgetary challenges, those with more affluent parents are able to draw on those financial resources as a buffer. Highly motivated middle-class parents can help turn schools fortunes around with their contributions, including via fundraising events. Its not just cash that these parents bring. Parent-school interactions play an important role in raising overall standards and attainment; you only have to look at areas that have been gentrified to see how quickly a sink school can turn into a star school as its cohort becomes more mixed. So, perhaps an influx of pupils who might otherwise have gone to private school could help to raise standards for everyone something that Fiona Millar, a former adviser to Cherie Blair and an educational campaigner, has long argued. Few would deny that equality of opportunity is a good guiding principle for a healthy and functioning society. The hope is that by recognising the comp in competence, as a country, we can start to champion our state education system and not fear it. This doesnt have to be seen as a race to the bottom driven by the politics of envy. Instead, we can start to break down some of those centuries-old prejudices that still define us, and begin to create a truly meritocratic society that even Conservative prime ministers have claimed to desire. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A dangerously hot summer is shaping up in the U.S. West, with heat suspected in dozens of recent deaths, including retirees in Oregon, a motorcyclist in Death Valley, California and a 10-year-old boy who collapsed while hiking with his family on a Phoenix trail. Heat is the top cause of weather-related fatalities nationwide. But because investigations of suspected heat deaths can take months, and a mishmash of methods is used by counties to count them, it is unknown exactly how many people died in the recent heat wave beginning July 1. There are indications it was an especially deadly two weeks. This is just a harbinger of things to come, Joellen Russell, a climate scientist at the University of Arizona in Tucson, said Friday. The floods, droughts, wildfires, heat waves, hurricanes, thunderstorms: We have activated all this extreme weather with the extra carbon dioxide we put into the atmosphere. Here are some things to know: Where most deaths occurred Nineteen deaths are being investigated for possible heat-related causes in Northern California's Santa Clara County, where a heat wave this month pushed temperatures into the low triple digits. The medical examiner's office reported that four people who died were homeless and nine were older than 65. At least 16 people are suspected to have died from record high temperatures in Oregon, mostly in the metro Portland area. There have been nine confirmed heat-related deaths this year in Clark County, Nevada, which encompasses Las Vegas, the county coroners office said. Several recent deaths being investigated in Arizona involved small children, including a 2-year-old girl who was left alone in a hot vehicle outside Tucson and a 4-month-old who died after falling ill while on a boat on Lake Havasu. How hot it has been Records for high temperatures have been shattered around the western states this month, with Palm Springs, California, hitting its all-time high of 124 Fahrenheit (51.1 Celsius) on July 5 and Las Vegas registering its all time high of 120 F (48.8 C) on July 7. Las Vegas baked in a record seven consecutive days of 115 F (46.1 C) or greater during the recent heat wave, nearly doubling the old mark of four consecutive days set in July 2005, the National Weather Service said. The city has seen at least 18 heat records since June 1. Californias Death Valley saw a high of 129 F (53.8 C) on July 7, tying the daily record set in 2007, according to the National Weather Service. The high in Phoenix hit 115 F (46.1 C) on Wednesday, tying the daily record set in 1958 and 1934. Portland, Oreg set new daily high records five days in a row through Tuesday, when it hit 104 F (40 C). Why the death toll is uncertain The toll from the blistering heat is unknown because of varying ways jurisdictions use to calculate such deaths. But some counties in the U.S. Southwest do a better job than most parts of the county. Pima County, Arizonas second most populous county and home to Tucson, last year started including heat-related deaths in a new online dashboard. Maricopa County, home to Phoenix, Americas hottest big city, for years has tracked heat-related deaths. Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas, now also identifies deaths in which heat was a contributing factor. But counting heat-related deaths across most jurisdictions is inconsistent. Death investigations in some places are done by a medical examiner, typically a physician trained in forensic pathology. In other locales, the coroner could be an elected sheriff, such as in Orange County, California. In some small counties in Texas, a justice of the peace might determine cause of death. Even the numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are often several years behind in reporting and offer an incomplete picture because they depend on information from death certificate information, drawn from local, state, tribal and territorial databases. An Associated Press analysis of CDC data this year found the death certificates of more than 2,300 people who died in the U.S. last summer mention the effects of excessive heat, the highest number in 45 years of records. Doctors, public health experts and meteorologists say that's just a fraction of the real toll. Why confirmation lags It can take pathologists months in some cases to determine if a death was heat-related. Unlike a suicide by hanging or a homicide caused by a bullet in the head, a heat-related death is not always easy to ascertain. It can take weeks, or even months, of toxicological tests to determine if heat was a factor. There is much ambiguity for investigators to wade through when a body is found in a hot apartment days after a death. Although it may have been very hot when the person was found, it's impossible to know how hot it was inside a dwelling when the death occurred. Toxicological tests also can take a long time to determine substance use, such as alcohol or street drugs. Because of that lag, it wasn't until this spring that Maricopa County's Public Health Department was able to issue its final count of 645 heat-related deaths for 2023. The deaths included those in which heat was a secondary factor, such as a heart attack provoked by high temperatures. The forecast The temperatures in Portland, Oregon, have cooled, but were expected to heat up slightly over the weekend with highs in the low 90s, extending south into Salem and Eugene. The National Weather Service in Phoenix said an excessive heat warning was forecast to continue through Saturday, with highs to hit 111 F (43.8 C) before falling below 110 F (43.3 C) on Sunday and into next week. After 10 days under an excessive heat warning, Las Vegas was expected to see slightly cooler weather through the weekend. Still, next week's highs are forecast to remain higher than normal, ranging from 110 to 112 F (43.3 to 44.4 C), the National Weather Service said. And summer isn't over yet. ___ Associated Press writers Rio Yamat in Las Vegas and Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teenager has been charged with threats to kill over a disturbance at a Sikh temple. The 17-year-old was charged over the incident at the Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara temple in Gravesend on Thursday evening. Kent Police had been called to a report of a disturbance inside the temple and two women were assaulted outside at 8.10pm. Officers attended the scene where a local teenage boy was arrested, Kent Police said in a statement on Saturday morning. Nobody was seriously injured during the incident and the constables recovered a bladed weapon. They added that a 17-year-old boy had since been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, using or threatening unlawful violence, threats to kill, threatening a person with a bladed weapon and possessing a bladed article in a public place. Chief Superintendent Angie Chapman said the incident was being treated as isolated but that police patrols will remain in the area for reassurance. Lauren Sullivan, the MP for Gravesham, said at the time that she was shocked and saddened by the incident. My thoughts are with those hurt, their family, and their community, she said. I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to this awful event. Full details are still emerging and there are many rumours running about, so it is right that we let the emergency services deal with the situation and complete their investigation and release the information as they can. Security minister Dan Jarvis also posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was being updated about the attack, adding: All communities must be safe in their places of worship. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A child has been killed in a fire at terraced home in east London which has left five other people in hospital. Thick plumes of smoke poured out of a home in Napier Road in East Ham at 8.30am on Saturday morning. Neighbours said three children were trapped in the family home with some being given CPR in the street outside. London Fire Brigade said one child was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne has offered his condolences after the tragic death. He said: This is a terribly sad incident and the thoughts of all of us at London Fire Brigade are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time. Staff will be in the local community over the coming days to offer support and advice where needed. The welfare of our staff is very important and all those involved will be offered support from our counselling and trauma service. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire at the house. Half of the first floor and half of the ground floor of a terraced house were damaged. The Met Police says it is investigating the cause of the fire after the child was found deceased inside the property with enquiries ongoing to trace their next of kin. Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said on X: Our thanks to our @LondonFire team in @NewhamLondon for their rapid response to this serious fire incident in East Ham. Praying for the safety of residents impacted. Council officers are on the scene supporting fire brigade officers; and well be here to support all efforts. A telling phrase rang out from the latest trial of Lucy Letby. The prosecutor claimed that she had been caught virtually red-handed attempting to murder Baby K, by her colleague Dr Ravi Jayaram. Jayaram had come upon Letby standing over and watching the baby, it was said, as the baby desaturated, losing oxygen. As the babys breathing tube had reportedly been dislodged and the alarm had apparently not sounded, the inference was that Letby had removed the tube herself and paused the alarm, intending the baby would die (as Baby K eventually did three days later). But this inference depended, almost entirely, on the reliability of Dr Jayarams version of events, about which he was challenged in cross-examination. Letby denied doing any harm. Having heard their opposing accounts, a unanimous jury took just over three hours to find Letby guilty of the attempted murder of Baby K. The red-handed incident was no longer an inference; it was a fact. One that the judge could and did assert in his sentencing remarks, before condemning Letby to a 15th whole life order for her crimes. Letby had refused to appear for sentencing at her earlier trial, but for the retrial of this charge, the 34-year-old stood in the dock of Manchester Crown Court. As she left to resume her jail term, she paused to say quietly, back into the court: Im innocent. A statement that must have added to the distress of the family of Baby K, who described having to endure a long, torturous (sic) and emotional journey twice. During my time in office as a commissioner at the Criminal Cases Review Commission the body responsible for investigating alleged wrongful convictions and referring cases for a new appeal where there is a real possibility of success I encountered many safe verdicts that had been built on circumstantial evidence. We cannot know whether Letby is innocent. Only Letby herself knows that. But we can say that she was never caught red-handed; she was not seen committing those acts and there is still no definitive forensic evidence linking her to them. I am not a lawyer, but every criminal practitioner knows that indirect evidence, especially where it exists in multiple strands, can be powerful and compelling evidence of guilt, underscored by the unlikelihood of coincidence. In another contested case from 20 years ago, a male nurse, Benjamin Geen was convicted of killing two patients and harming others by injecting them with overdoses of drugs. He was not caught in the act, but on his arrest, as he arrived at the hospital for work, he was found with a syringe in his fleece pocket which contained one of the drugs (and traces of others) that he was alleged to have used. Although he and his supporters continue to claim he is innocent, that syringe is a significant obstacle to his chances of a successful new appeal. However, circumstantial evidence also has the capacity to mislead juries into reaching the wrong conclusion, perhaps never more so than when it appears plentiful, and in almost complete absence of direct evidence. One of the scrawled notes used as evidence in the case ( Reuters ) At first glance, the case against Letby seems overwhelming. She pleaded not guilty to 22 charges of murder and attempted murder, arising from the deaths and collapses of an abnormally high number of newborn babies in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital. The incidents in question occurred between June 2015 and June 2016, while Letby, then in her mid-20s, was working there as a neonatal nurse. According to an analysis of the staff shift patterns, she was the one person present at every event. Letby was first arrested in 2018 and the trial took a painstaking 10 months, from October 2022 until August last year. She was alleged to have injected the babies in her care with air, or forced air into them through tubes leading to fatal air embolism, and also caused them internal bleeding and trauma. She is also alleged to have poisoned two with insulin and overfed two others with milk. The trial heard from her colleagues and from medical experts, led by Dr Dewi Evans, who attested to Letbys methods. There was evidence too of her morbid fascination with her crimes, searching families on Facebook, hoarding confidential documents about the cases at home and revealing her own thoughts in scrawled notes which include the now notorious admission, I am evil, I did this. The jury returned seven guilty verdicts on murder and seven guilty verdicts on attempted murder. They acquitted her on two counts of attempted murder and were unable to agree verdicts on six further counts of attempted murder, including the case of Baby K. Footage from Cheshire Constabulary taken during Letbys arrest in 2018 ( PA ) For her crimes, Letby was sentenced to 14 whole life orders. The trial judge, Mr Justice Goss, told her she had acted in a way that was completely contrary to the normal human instincts of nurturing and caring for babies and in gross breach of the trust that all citizens place in those who work in the medical and caring professions. Letby, Goss said, claimed that she never did anything that was meant to hurt a baby and only ever did her best to care for them. That was but one of the many lies you were found to have told in this case she was told. Doctors had to think the unthinkable when they became suspicious of her. The verdict was met with an avalanche of publicity; Cheshire Police released their own in-house documentary revealing how they had successfully investigated Britains worst serial killer of babies. And with the reporting came many reminders of the double tragedy faced by families whose babies had died or suffered serious harm only to later be told that one of the people caring for them had been responsible. I was not alone, however, in finding the case perplexing. While the Crown did not have to explain why Letby had committed the crimes, there was no indication whatsoever as to motive, nothing to suggest any profound psychological flaw that such crimes might require. As painful as it may be for the families of the babies who died or suffered harm, the ball is in Letbys court to decide to make the next move There was testimony, in fact, that Letby was a diligent, compassionate and hard-working nurse. Her parents supported her. So did many of her friends. Much was made of her apparent confession, I am evil, I did this scrawled on scraps of paper. On first look, it certainly looked like evidence of a troubled mind, but on closer inspection others have since suggested, this could easily be an expression of a deterioration of mental health and self-loathing at the association with the deaths of the babies and the increasing suspicions of doctors who worked with her. A growing body of people statisticians, scientists and doctors among them were starting to openly question the evidence on social media and elsewhere. They were not associated with or encouraged by Lucy Letby or her lawyers. In fact, many were blatantly critical of Letbys defence team, which had been led by Ben Myers KC with a local solicitor from Chester, Richard Thomas. As the Crown Prosecution Service promptly announced its intention to put Letby through a retrial for the attempted murder count of Baby K and with proceedings now active, reporting restrictions were swiftly put in place. No mainstream broadcast or print media in the UK would, rightly, have dared to breach the restrictions and interrogate the concerns around her conviction. To do so would mean they would face proceedings for contempt of court. A 2023 court drawing of Letby listening to the verdicts being read at Manchester Crown Court ( PA ) However, in one podcast serial, We Need To Talk About Lucy Letby, a statistician Peter Elston and Michael McConville, a retired paediatrician, tore into the case, with detailed arguments about the inadequacies of the medical evidence and concerns about the administration of the hospital and its neonatal unit, especially the inadequate levels of staff and training. Questions were raised about the key statistical element of the case: the graph that showed Letbys presence at all the events. Dr Dewi Evans was not just the Crowns trial expert, he was also an adviser in the police investigation and reviewed 60 cases of baby deaths and collapses (nearly three times the number charged) for assessments of foul play. It was suggested that the Crown had repeatedly, misleadingly referred to the babies as stable when in fact, by definition, they were anything but, because they were in the special care unit in the first place. Very sadly, some premature babies do die or suffer collapses quite naturally, or sometimes because of sub-optimal care. A previous review into the unit had found it was short of nursing staff and consultants were spread thinly between the paediatric ward and the neonatal unit. Junior staff reported feeling like they couldnt call on them and, consequently, the unit was often left in the care of less experienced doctors working in a very stressful environment. The details around Lucy Letbys case have received global attention ( PA Media ) How would the graph look if it showed the shift patterns of all the cases and not just those that had been cherry-picked by the prosecution? Clearly, Letby was not on shift for them all, so the graph, it is claimed by campaigners, was misleading. There were many other incidents in the neonatal ward for which she was not present, and so could not apparently be blamed. Much was made of the fact that the number of deaths fell once Letby was removed from neonatal duty, but around this time hospital management had also downgraded the unit, so that it stopped taking the most premature babies with the highest risk of mortality. Then there was the question of the causes of death and collapse, attributed to Letby, which appeared at times to be speculative, and had passed unnoticed in the initial post-mortems and reviews that followed the incidents. An enduring puzzle of the main trial was why the defence had not called any expert evidence itself, to rebut the claims of the prosecution and offer alternate explanations for the deaths. We learned from the recent failed appeal in the case, that the defence had instructed experts but never called them. Ben Myers, on Letbys behalf, had gone in hard on Evans during cross-examination and there had been some spiky exchanges as Evans was accused of being inconsistent and going for whatever mechanism might fit his explanation for Letbys involvement in the incidents. A diary and handwritten notes used as evidence in Letbys trial ( Reuters ) He claimed, for example, that various descriptions of different types of skin discolouration were consistent with air embolism. Ruling out other causes of death, he seemed to say, left air embolism as the only answer. But was it? Testimonies from another expert who wasnt called when they could have been claimed not. Letby and her lawyers have not engaged so far with the media. They have, to the best of my knowledge, declined all offers of help from the various circling experts. In May, a whopping 13,000-word New Yorker article was published while the reporting restrictions were still in place in the UK which raised further questions about the varieties of circumstantial evidence in the prosecution case. Now, with the retrial over and the restrictions no longer in place, a chorus of concern is growing louder. More publications are reporting the detailed worries of medical professionals and statisticians. Although it is not yet a concerted campaign, there is said to be a body of senior politicians who are concerned about the safety of Letbys convictions and about the way that medical and statistical evidence has been presented in this case and others. So where does this leave us? It had been suggested to me by a reliable source that Letby would be charged with further counts of murder but since that has yet to happen, either I was misinformed or the CPS has changed its mind or is still considering its position as to whether a further trial would serve the interests of justice. ( Chester Standard/SWNS ) Letby can seek leave to appeal the latest attempted murder conviction we wont know unless or until the case is listed for hearing. But a fresh appeal on the other 14 convictions lies solely with the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The CCRC is currently under scrutiny because of its role in the prolonged injustice faced by Andrew Malkinson (who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he did not commit). Two reviews of the CCRC's role in the Malkinson case are imminent. Those circumstances may focus their mind on doing their best work, and the Commission has dealt with complex medical cases in the past. It can instruct experts, review evidence, and, perhaps importantly, invite trial counsel to explain their tactics and decision-making a necessity for any future chance of appeal. No one should be under any illusion that this is a quick process it could take a year, or years. As the Commission can only accept applications from the applicant or their instructed lawyers, despite a number of experts who now feel the case is flawed and are frustrated at her lawyers refusal to involve them, the CCRC cannot accept applications from outsiders. It is now up to Letby to choose her representation, and all the signs are that she is content with her current legal team. As painful as it may be for the families of the babies who died or suffered harm, the ball is in Letbys court to decide to make the next move, which would mean the case is revisited with a rigorous inquiry and expertise. But, whatever they decide and however difficult it is for the grieving families, it is evident the voices asking them to do so shows no sign of quieting down anytime soon. Tibetan antelopes migrate to NW China's Hoh Xil to give birth Xinhua) 14:43, July 13, 2024 Tibetan antelopes are seen near Zonag Lake in Hol Xil Nature Reserve, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 9, 2024. Every year, tens of thousands of pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Hoh Xil between May and July to give birth, while they will leave the area together with their offspring in August. Zonag Lake at the heart of Hoh Xil is known as the "delivery room" of this species. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) Tibetan antelopes are seen near Zonag Lake in Hol Xil Nature Reserve, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 8, 2024. Every year, tens of thousands of pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Hoh Xil between May and July to give birth, while they will leave the area together with their offspring in August. Zonag Lake at the heart of Hoh Xil is known as the "delivery room" of this species. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) A Tibetan antelope is seen near Zonag Lake in Hol Xil Nature Reserve, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 9, 2024. Every year, tens of thousands of pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Hoh Xil between May and July to give birth, while they will leave the area together with their offspring in August. Zonag Lake at the heart of Hoh Xil is known as the "delivery room" of this species. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) Tibetan antelopes are seen near Zonag Lake in Hol Xil Nature Reserve, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 8, 2024. Every year, tens of thousands of pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Hoh Xil between May and July to give birth, while they will leave the area together with their offspring in August. Zonag Lake at the heart of Hoh Xil is known as the "delivery room" of this species. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) Brown bears prepare to hunt Tibetan antelopes near Zonag Lake in Hol Xil Nature Reserve, northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 8, 2024. Every year, tens of thousands of pregnant Tibetan antelopes migrate to Hoh Xil between May and July to give birth, while they will leave the area together with their offspring in August. Zonag Lake at the heart of Hoh Xil is known as the "delivery room" of this species. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) A seemingly innocent photo showing kids riding bikes at an outdoor track divided locals, all because of a sign attached to a fence at the site. A group of kids riding bikes were spotted riding on a bike track that currently remains closed. Source: Facebook An Aussie community has erupted into a fiery debate after a photo was taken of a group of kids riding bikes on a newly built BMX track. The problem is a metal fence remains upright surrounding the perimeter with a 'danger' sign warning people to keep out as the site remains under construction. The pump track at Kanangra Park, in a suburb of Joondalup in WA, is yet to be officially open after it was closed for repairs, despite a photo showing the youths taking the bikes to the track a move that's divided locals. One woman called out the kids on social media highlighting the track remains closed. She pointed out that while it may look complete, "fences are put in place for a reason" suggesting it's likely to do with safety. While some agreed kids should be taught "not to break the rules", others considered it a bit of "harmless" fun". "Id rather see kids outside and riding bikes" than stuck inside, one person hit back. "Little legends out enjoying fresh air and making memories," another agreed. Others agreed it's just "kids being kids" and encouraged more outdoor activity. "They're wearing helmets and enjoying the facilities, not wrecking it or spraying it up," another added. A 'construction site' sign was placed on the fence surrounding the park indicating it is closed. Source: Facebook 'Confirmed damage' on new pump track prompts warning However, in a second post the following day, a concerned local man claimed site workers inspected the site and "have confirmed damage to the new pump track". Yahoo News Australia has contacted City of Joondalup council for comment. "They said repairs will put the opening out at least a week. They mentioned broken reticulation, damage to fresh rendering and spray coating," he claimed. "At least 17 people were present this morning as the workers were leaving and the workers spoke to them," the man continued. There is no suggestion the kids in the photo were responsible. Many agreed it was a "very disappointing outcome" and encouraged families to "follow the rules" to avoid locals from missing out on using facilities in the area. "Worked hard to convince City staff to upgrade this pump and jump. Kids need to give workers time to complete this work," one said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Sir Keir Starmer said that Joe Biden deserves credit for the success of the Nato summit and that the president was on good form during their recent in-person conversation. The prime minister was asked about Bidens mental capability in a new interview with CNN, in which he also discussed the possibility of working with Donald Trump and his weekly meetings with King Charles III. Starmer recently attended the Nato summit in Washington DC alongside other world leaders including Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky his first major outing on the world diplomacy stage. In an interview with CNN on Friday, he was asked about the continuing concern over Bidens mental acuity, following a string of serious gaffes and his disastrous debate performance last month. I yesterday spent 45 minutes with the President, he told the news networks Jake Tapper. Wed spoken on the phone, as you can imagine, but this was an opportunity to discuss a number of issues. The prime minister sat down with CNNs Jake Tapper, for an interview that aired on Friday ( CNN ) We probably went on for the best part of an hour, covered a lot of ground, and he was in good form. It was also a really good opportunity for me, as a new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, just literally in week one, to speak to the President about the special relationship, which matters to him, matters to me. Starmer also reiterated that he and the UK had unshakeable support for Nato and praised the success of the summit. Weve had two days of the council now with actually a very successful outcome president Zelensky [said] this is a success, he said And so I do think [Biden] deserves credit for that. On Thursday evening Biden gave a high-stakes press conference at the Nato summit, shortly after introducing Zelensky as president Putin. Despite getting through his scripted remarks, during questions from reporters he referred to his running mate Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump, a slip-up that was pounced on by members of the Trump campaign. Starmer was also asked about the possibility that come November, he could be made to work with Trump, should he return to the White House. In particular, Tapper highlighted previous comments by foreign secretary David Lammy. Starmer was also asked about the possibility of working with Donald Trump, should the former president return to the White House in November ( CNN ) In 2018, Lammy called then-President Trump a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath and a profound threat to the international order. Starmer has also reportedly said that another Trump presidency would not be his desired outcome. Were sister parties with the Democrats, Starmer said. But Ive also been really clear that I will work with whoever the American people decide to elect as their president. Thats what you would expect, and it is for the American people to decide. Theyll decide later this year, and we will approach it on that basis. Starmer once talked about abolishing the British monarchy, however, he told CNN that he now looks forward to his weekly audience with the King. It is always valuable to listen to what he has to say. Hes incredibly interested in politics, in the affairs across the United Kingdom, and global affairs, he said. Theyre a really good frank exchange of views and long may they continue. He added: Hes incredible as well, you know, hes had a really difficult time with his health this year but he is out there doing his public duty. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The speaker of the House of Commons has warned that the safety of MPs keeps him awake at night, more than two years after an MP was murdered. Sir Lindsay Hoyle said threats and intimidation towards parliamentarians were currently at such a level that he had never seen anything as bad. The security of MPs was tightened after Sir David Amess was stabbed more than 20 times during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex on 15 October 2021. Ali Harbi Ali was later convicted of his murder but at his trial it emerged that he had also planned attacks on other MPs, including cabinet minister Michael Gove, who he believed was "a harm to Muslims". Sir Davids murder was the second in five years, after Jo Cox was killed in her constituency in 2016. Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Archive ) Sir Lindsay came under fire in February for appearing to favour Labour during a debate about a ceasefire in Gaza. He later apologised and said he had made a mistake but that he had been acting with good intentions after threats were made against MPs. In his first interview after he was re-elected speaker this week, Sir Lindsay said: Ive got to be honest, the amount of intimidation and threats and the way its carried out, is much greater than anybody can imagine. We had MPs threatened, intimidated Ive never seen anything as bad. People must be allowed to vote without intimidation. Democracy matters to me. That is a constant worry. If theres something that keeps me awake at night, it is the safety of MPs. In the wide-raging interview he also said security was his biggest issue, including preventing cyber-attacks by foreign actors trying to disrupt Parliament. He also warned Keir Starmer to make major announcements to the Commons before the media otherwise well have a fall-out ( REUTERS ) And he warned Keir Starmer to make major announcements to the Commons before the media, otherwise well have a fall-out. He also vowed to protect smaller parties making sure they all have a voice. He added: But also there is a question for the House, and thats why I say I want a nicer Parliament. Show tolerance, show respect to somebody elses view, because how we treat each other is usually reflected by the public out there. So it is about the public respecting MPs who put themselves forward, but we have to respect each other as well. On other security concerns, he described cyber attacks from foreign actors as continuous, adding security is the biggest issue Ive got to try to deliver on. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A two-story school collapsed during morning classes Friday in north-central Nigeria, trapping about 120 students and teachers, and setting off a frantic search for those in the rubble. A local television station reported 12 deaths. Authorities are yet to confirm the number of students and teachers killed in Saints Academy college in Plateau states Busa Buji community. But Channels Television said 26 people were being treated along with the deaths, citing a witness account at a nearby hospital. Nigerias National Emergency Management Agency said rescue and health workers as well as security forces have been deployed at the scene. It said that several students had been killed. Approximately 120 people were trapped, with many evacuated, Plateau Commissioner for Information Musa Ashoms said in a statement. To ensure prompt medical attention, the government has instructed hospitals to prioritize treatment without documentation or payment. The state government blamed the tragedy on the schools weak structure and location near a riverbank." It urged schools facing similar issues to close down. Dozens of villagers gathered near the school, some weeping and others offering to help, as excavators combed through the debris. One woman was seen wailing and attempting to go closer to the rubble as others held her back. Building collapses are becoming common in Nigeria, Africas most populous country with more than a dozen such incidents recorded in the last two years. Authorities often blame such disasters on a failure to enforce building safety regulations and on poor maintenance. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A cyber attack on telecommunications giant AT&T obtained data on nearly all of its more than 100m cellphone subscribers. We have taken steps to close off the illegal access point, the company said in a statement on Friday. We are working with law enforcement in its efforts to arrest those involved in the incident. We understand that at least one person has been apprehended. The breach compromised files containing records of calls and texts, mostly between May and October of 2022, identifying telephone numbers customers interacted with, without capturing the content of those interactions or sensitive identification information like Social Security numbers or passwords, according to the company. The company became aware of the attack in April and reported it to federal officials shortly after, according to the Department of Justice, which said the hack wasnt initially publicly disclosed to protect the ongoing investigation. The most likely beneficiary of this specific data are foreign nation states or foreign actors, Chris Pierson, chief executive of the cybersecurity company BlackCloak, told The New York Times, describing how the phone data could be used to ascertain the communications network of high-value individuals like national security personnel. The compromised data was stored by cloud computing company Snowflake, according to The Wall Street Journal, and AT&T has described the hack as information being illegally downloaded from our workspace on a third-party cloud platform. We have not identified evidence suggesting this activity was caused by a vulnerability, misconfiguration, or breach of Snowflakes platform, Snowflakes chief information security officer told Fast Company. In March, AT&T disclosed that it found a dataset on the dark web that contained identifying information like Social Security numbers for about 7.6 million current customers and 65.4 million former ones. The company will notify those impacted by the recent breach, and customers can request the company send them phone numbers that were accessed using their records. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Alec Baldwin wept in court after his high-profile criminal trial, in which he faced involuntary manslaughter charges over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, was thrown out by a New Mexico judge. The case was dismissed on Friday after it was found that the state had withheld evidence that could have shed light on how live rounds got onto the set of the Rust movie, where the young cinematographer was fatally shot. There is no way for the court to right this wrong, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said in court adding that dismissal of the case was needed to ensure the integrity of the judicial system. The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings, Marlowe Sommer said. If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching. Baldwin, 66, became visibly emotional, holding his head in his hands and embracing his lawyer. He then turned around and embraced his wife, Hilaria Baldwin. Baldwin climbed into an SUV outside the Santa Fe courthouse and left without speaking to the media. Hollywood star Alec Baldwin broke down in court after charges of involuntary manslaughter against him were dismissed ( Court TV ) The decision was announced during a hearing after the jury had been dismissed for the weekend. Sommer paused the trial earlier on Friday while she considered the defense motion to dismiss the case over the evidence. The prosecution said that the ammunition was not connected to the case and was not hidden. The issue emerged on Thursday on the second day of the actors trial during defense questioning of the sheriffs crime scene technician Marissa Poppell. Baldwin lawyer Alex Spiro asked whether a good Samaritan had come into the sheriffs office with the ammunition earlier this year at the end of the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, for her role in Hutchins death. Members of Baldwins family, including his wife Hilaria Baldwin (pictured) accompanied him to court throughout proceedings ( AP ) The evidence was not put into the same file as the rest of the Rust case and was not presented to Baldwins defense team when they examined the ballistics evidence in April. The man who supplied ammunition was a close friend of Gutierrez-Reeds father, movie armorer Thell Reed. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey argued that the move from the men was part of an attempt by Reed to shift blame away from his daughter. This is a wild goose chase that has no evidentiary value whatsoever, Morrissey told the judge on Friday. This is just a man trying to protect his daughter. Judge Marlowe disagreed. As well as his wife, members of Baldwins family, including his younger brother Stephen Baldwin and older sister Elizabeth Keuchler have been present in the courtroom to support him throughout proceedings, and also became emotional after the case was dismissed. Nearly three years have passed since a prop gun Baldwin was holding went off during a rehearsal of the films shooting scene in 2021, striking and killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Judge Mary Marlowe Somner dismissed the case after finding that the state had withheld evidence that could have shed light on how live rounds got onto the set of the Rust movie ( AP ) The star and co-producer of the Western was pointing a revolver at Hutchins during a rehearsal in a small church on the movie set at Bonanza Creek Ranch when the incident occurred. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer but not the trigger and the gun fired. He was charged with a single felony count of involuntary manslaughter and faced 18 months in prison, an idea that sent shockwaves through the show business industry. The career of the Hunt for Red October and 30 Rock star and frequent Saturday Night Live host who has been a household name for more than three decades was briefly cast into doubt. Baldwin has continuously maintained his innocence and said in a previous interview with ABC News, and implied in interviews with authorities, that he never pulled the revolver's trigger. He and other producers still face civil lawsuits from Hutchins parents and sister. Speaking outside the courthouse doors, Morrissey said she respected the judges decision but that there was no reason to believe the undisclosed evidence in question was related to the set of Rust. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer had been expected to testify Friday ( Santa Fe New Mexican ) The importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys, she said. We did everything humanly possible to bring justice to Halyna and to her family and were proud of the work we did." Gutierrez-Reed herself had been expected to testify Friday, but her testimony was delayed. She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 months in prison earlier this year, though is appealing the verdict. After news of the Baldwin trial collapse on Friday, lawyers for the armorer said they would also be seeking to have charges against her dismissed. The judge found intentional misconduct and we also have had the same failures in Hannahs case, by the State. We will be moving for dismissal of Hannahs case, said Jason Bowles, the attorney for Gutierrez-Reed. The family of Halyna Hutchins also issued a statement through their lawyer. We respect the courts decision. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins, it read. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police are searching for suspects in connection with the death of an Ohio mother who tried to stop thieves from carjacking her SUV while her child was inside. Alexa Stakely, 29, had picked her 6-year-old son up from an apartment complex on the Southeast Side of Columbus around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. She put her son, Deluca, in her Honda SUV and realized shed forgotten something from the babysitter. She went back to the babysitters home and left the car running. When the woman went back to her SUV, she noticed it backing out of the driveway. She ran after the car, while yelling for her son before she was hit by the vehicle, according to The Columbus Dispatch. An officer with the Columbus Police Department found the SUV with the womans son asleep in the backseat nearby. The boy said he didnt see who was driving because he was asleep. Police are now on the hunt for the suspects who killed the mom and teacher ( CANAL WINCHESTER SCHOOLS/FACEBOO ) Investigators said witnesses noticed two men running from the area where the woman had been hit. They then jumped a fence and ran into a neighboring apartment complex as the woman was on the ground. Police are not certain of the number of men involved in the incident. Based on surveillance footage obtained by police, a group of men were looking into apartments a block away from where the incident happened. The description of the men looking into apartments matched that of the suspects who ran from the car after the woman was hit. Police have not been able to identify any suspects involved in the incident and are asking for the publics help in tracking down the thieves. Please take a look at your home video footage if you live in the area, Sergeant James Fuqua said in a plea to residents, the Dispatch reported. Police are combing through the crime scene to find evidence that might help locate the men and have taken DNA evidence from Stakelys car. Stakely worked as a speech pathologist for Canal Winchester Local Schools and as a waitress to support her son. A GoFundMe has been created to help support the womans son. It has surpassed its $15,000 goal and has raised $43,000 as of Saturday. The womans son is being taken care of by family members, police said. The friend who created the post described her as a coffee addict who loved anything with salt on it and had a soft spot for trash TV. She was incredibly smart and sassy in the best way. She will be incredibly missed by the peoples lives she touched, the page read. Police are urging the suspects to turn themselves in and have said that doing so could result in lighter charges if they cooperate. They know what they did, Fuqua said, adding he doesnt believe the men intended to kill the woman. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Serial killer Edmund Kemper, who was nicknamed the co-ed butcher for his brutal murders of eight women in the 1970s, has been denied parole once again. The depraved 75-year-old was convicted in 1973 following a spate of horrific killings, which included female high school and college students aged between 15 and 23, his own mother and grandparents. Kemper was known to decapitate and dismember his victims, as well as engage in necrophilia with the bodies. He was denied parole on Tuesday by a California state panel during a hearing that he did not attend. Santa Cruz County District Attorney Jeff Rosell urged the parole panel to keep Kemper inside the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. We made the argument that he is essentially untreated for all these years, Rosell said, per the East Bay Times. That in terms of serial killers, he is one of the most depraved in the country. Pointing to Kempers absence from the hearing, he added: He is essentially blowing this off because he doesnt care. He doesnt respect it. Kemper will next be eligible for parole in 2031 at the age of 82. Capital punishment was suspended in California at the time of his sentencing, and he is currently serving eight concurrent life sentences. Serial killer Edmund Kemper was known to decapitate and dismember his victims, as well as engaging in necrophilia with the bodies ( KSBW8 ) His last unsuccessful bid for parole before the Board of Parole Hearings took place on February 21 2017. Kemper has been similarly denied during at least eight past parole hearings, as listed on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website. Years before his conviction in 1973, Kemper who is 6ft 9 murdered his paternal grandparents at the age of 15. He shot his grandmother during a heated argument inside her kitchen and his grandfather when he later returned home. According to Crime and Investigation Network, when asked about why he had committed the crimes, he replied I just wondered how it would feel to shoot Grandma. Kemper served a stint in a mental hospital as a result of those slayings, according to The East Bay Times. He buried his victims all over Santa Cruz County, including near Summit Road in the Santa Cruz mountains and his Aptos homes backyard. Kemper reportedly called the Santa Cruz Police Department from Colorado to confess and beg them to stop him. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An 83-year-old man faces a murder charge for shooting dead his wife who had been verbally abusing him for years, according to reports. Leslie David Brewer Sr., 83, was arrested by police in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on a first-degree murder warrant. Officers responded to a home in the 600 block of Pleasant Loop around 10 a.m. Thursday for a reported shooting, according to police. When officers arrived, they found Betsy Craven Brewer, 83, dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators said the Brewers got into a dispute at the home, according to ABC 11 . The two had spent years fighting and Leslie Brewer accused his wife of verbally abusing him and said she had been considering killing him for months, according to the report. After the dispute, Leslie Brewer left the home, but later returned and called the police. Leslie David Brewer Sr., 83, is accused of shooting his wife dead during a dispute. He had alleged that she ahd been verbally abusing him for years ( Fayetteville police ) During a Friday court appearance, Brewer appeared lucid. However, a prosecutor said while he was cooperative with law enforcement, there was concern about his mental fitness. He is now being held in jail on $500,000 bond. Neighbors near the shooting told ABC 11 they were shocked to learn of the incident. "I was confused and surprised because Ive never really thought anything like that would happen in our neighborhood. Its always been quiet. No one really makes any noise, everyones nice to each other. That was the last thing I expected, honestly," Edwin Cruz said. "They just kept to themselves and they didnt really talk to anybody." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A trip to Panda Express turned to horror for one California family when their 4-year-old was kidnapped , police said. The child was found safe about 30 minutes later at a nearby motel, and police have arrested a suspect in the case. The little girl and her grandmother were visiting a Panda Express in Santa Monica, California, around noon on Friday. Witnesses said the grandmother had gone up to a counter to pay for their meal when a suspect lured the girl outside, according to ABC 7 . The 4-year-old and the suspect started to walk down the street before the grandmother realized what happened. She then called police , who responded in under a minute for the initial report. Officers found Sheilds at the motel along with the girl, 4 ( Santa Monica police ) Video from the store showed the suspected kidnapper was a woman in her 30s. "There were at least 30 of our department personnel out searching for her," Santa Monica police Lt. Erika Aklufi said, according to ABC 7. "That includes our officers, civilian personnel, our public services officers. We had a drone. We had a K9 out. Literally any available person was out looking for her." About 30 minutes after the ordeal started, police found the woman at a nearby motel, according to the report. Motel staff recognized the woman in photographs shown by police and said she lived at the facility. Officers found the girl unharmed and returned her to her family. The suspect was identified as Breanna Taylor Shields, 31. She was charged with kidnapping, with a possible sentencing enhancement due to the childs age. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Lawyers for convicted Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed say they will move to have her case dismissed following the collapse of the prosecution of Alec Baldwin. The Hollywood stars involuntary manslaughter case over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was thrown out by a New Mexico judge on Friday afternoon. The judge found intentional misconduct and we also have had the same failures in Hannahs case, by the State. We will be moving for dismissal of Hannahs case, said Jason Bowles, attorney for Gutierrez-Reed, following the shock collapse of Baldwins case. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed pictured in court in March 2024. Lawyers for the convicted armorer say they will move to have her case dismissed following the collapse of the prosecution of Alec Baldwin ( Santa Fe New Mexican ) Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in March for Halnya Hutchins death and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Hutchins died on the set of the Western movie when a prop gun Baldwin was holding went off during a rehearsal of the films shooting scene in 2021, striking and killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwin was charged with a single felony count of involuntary manslaughter and also faced 18 months in prison if convicted. His case was dismissed on Friday after it was found that the state had withheld evidence that could have shed light on how live rounds got onto the set. Actor Alec Baldwin, right, hugs his defense attorney Alex Spiro after the judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins ( AP ) There is no way for the court to right this wrong, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said in court adding that dismissal of the case was needed to ensure the integrity of the judicial system. As the case was dismissed with prejudice Baldwin cannot be re-tried. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey said she was disappointed at the decision to dismiss the case, but when asked if she had let down the family of Hutchins, insisted, No, we didnt. We did everything humanly possible to bring justice to Halyna and to her family and were proud of the work we did, Morrissey said. A longtime wildlife vet told Yahoo the grim encounter is a sign that Australia has gone too far. A woman on a walk in West Gippsland, Victoria, stumbled across a dead boobook owl at the bottom of a tree. It's the result of Australia 'pushing the ecosystem to its limits', an expert warns. Source: Facebook A womans walk early one frosty morning a couple of weeks ago took a sad turn when she stumbled upon a still bird lying on the grass under a tree. Tragically, the boobook owl was already dead. Puzzled by the raptors lack of injuries, the West Gippsland, Victoria, resident took several photos of her holding the animal and asked experts online for help. While some suggested the cold weather or starvation could be to blame, many immediately pointed to the likely culprit rat poison. The grim discovery is just one of many that occur across the country every week, prompting an ominous warning to Aussies that we have pushed our ecosystem to its limits. I think were forgetting that theres a balance that were destroying, and these are the consequences that were seeing of that, unfortunately, WIRES Wildlife Vet Dr Tania Bishop told Yahoo News. Wildlife carers have long been pleading for the ban of harmful second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS), which persist in animal tissue after being ingested and therefore pose the risk of poisoning native mammals and owls. However, the problem only appears to be getting worse. Alarming research revealed earlier this year that 92 per cent of nocturnal animals tested including owls had rat bait poison in their system. Source: Supplied Last week, a delegation of environmental scientists specialising in the study of SGARS went to Parliament House to demand restrictions on the sale of the toxins, which are still sold at retailers like Bunnings. The regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has previously resisted all calls to regulate these products in Australia and yet, the dead owls are piling up in my lab freezer literally 20 in the past two weeks, Dr Robert Davis told WA Today at the time. Why are there so many dead owls? In 2023, WIRES rescuers had over 1,700 rescue and/or advice calls for raptors across NSW. Over the past five years, they have received the most calls for barn owls, followed by boobooks, wedge-tailed eagles and nankeen kestrels. Dr Bishop, who has been a wildlife vet for about 25 years, told Yahoo the issue has been gradually creeping up. I think the rodenticides have got a lot to answer for, she said, noting the detrimental effects they have had on not only owls but carpet pythons and possums. However, Aussies are also certainly constantly ruining the balance of nature leading to further biodiversity loss. You can see it in a lot of things, the vet said, pointing to a gradual decrease of the insect population, and therefore birds like willy wagtails. So even some of our owl species that go for insects, there are less of them and when they go to swoop, you know, towards cars and things like that, sometimes they get collected, and then also get trapped in barbed wire. In May, Darling Range Wildlife Shelter WA urged people to stop using rat baits after a male owl died in their care during a drastic increase in similar incidents. Source: Darling Range Wildlife Shelter WA Aussies now noticing 'things are disappearing' The loss of insects can be attributed to a mixture of poisoning and climate change, Dr Bishop continued, warning theres only so much that we can keep destroying the environment at the rate that we are. With insecticide use, people having absolutely pristine, perfect lawns and theyve gotten rid of every sort of bug in them. I think were forgetting that theres a balance that were destroying, and these are the consequences that were seeing of that, she added, urging people to look for more natural deterrents. With people actually starting to notice that things are disappearing, the vet said its time to very seriously think about what our priorities are. Do we want koalas around? We want greater gliders? Do we want owls? You know, how much do we value those things? Because if we do, weve got to really start to let the people in power know. How to safely remove rodents without harming wildlife Poisons should always be a last resort for rodent control, BirdLife Australia says, and instead suggests using a non-toxic trap or lure or rodent-proofing materials like wire mesh. If a resident decides to use baits, they should avoid SGARs by ensuring active poison ingredients are sodium chloride, warfarin, coumatetatryl, or diphacinone. Products that have a low predator poisoning risk, according to BirdLife Australia: Non-Anticoagulant Rodenticides Active Ingredient: Sodium Chloride Ratsak Naturals (a human and pet-safe bait option) First-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides Active Ingredient: Warfarin, Coumatetralyl, Diphacinone Bayer Racumin Rat and Mouse Blocks JT Eaton Apple Bait Block Rodenticide Parafarm Ratex Mouse and Rat Bait PCT Holdings Surefire Couma All Weather Blocks Rodenticide Ruth Consolidated Industries (RCI) Ratblitz bait Yates RATSAK Double Strength Bait Station Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A mile from the Michigan synagogue Samantha Woll had run for the past year, a trail of blood led police to the horrific scene where her lifeless body was found outside her home. The stabbing of the beloved president of Isaac Agree Downtown synagogue on October 21, 2023, shocked the local community and city officials who remembered her as a beacon of light in the community seeking to build bridges between Jews and Muslims. Wolls murder immediately raised speculation about whether it was some type of antisemitic retaliation amid the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, though police quickly knocked down that theory. A month later, Wolls former boyfriend was taken into custody, but then released three days later without charge. The man, who was not named by police, had made a hysterical call to 911 and allegedly admitted to police that he believed he might have killed Woll but couldnt remember it. I had motive and opportunity and I dont know what the third one is but I probably had that, too, he sobbed to officers in a video shown to jurors in July. The man, who was being treated for depression, was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony at a trial six months later, where he testified that he had no role in Wolls death and that he made the call while experiencing delusions and a panic attack. I believe now it was an adverse reaction to a medication, he said. Samantha Woll was found stabbed to death outside her Detroit home on October 21, 2023 ( AP ) Wolls sister, Monica Rosen, said she told police soon after the slaying that another man had been stalking Woll. But she later testified that she was in shock at the time and had no basis to use those words. My sister was the epitome of good. She had no enemies to my knowledge, Rosen said. A major breakthrough came on December 10 after a different man, identified as Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos was arrested. He was accused of stabbing Woll at least eight times as he carried out car robberies in her neighborhood. But at his trial six months later, Jackson-Bolanos, 29, told the court that he was tugging on car doors at 4 a.m. to try to find unlocked vehicles when he saw Wolls body. I didnt shake the body, he said. I just checked the neck no air, no breath or nothing. Once I realized I just touched a dead person I just grabbed the bag and I left. Jackson-Bolanos, who has past criminal convictions, said he feared calling police because he didnt want to explain what he was doing in the middle of the night. When I realized she was dead I wanted nothing to do with the entire situation, he told the jury. Im a Black guy in the middle of the night breaking into cars and I found myself standing in front of a dead white woman. That doesnt look good at all. Michael Manuel Jackson-Bolanos testified in court that he feared calling police after finding Wolls body because he didnt want to explain what he was doing in the middle of the night His testimony was a dramatic moment in a trial that had mostly centered on circumstantial evidence. Police said Jackson-Bolanos jacket had spots of Wolls blood. While there is video of him walking in the area, theres no evidence of him being inside her home. Now a jury is deciding: is Jackson-Bolanos a killer? On Friday, after three days of deliberations, jurors were deadlocked. The judge told jurors to return on Monday, July 15, to resume deliberations. Night of the murder Woll was president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, which she had led since 2022. Besides her work for the synagogue, Woll had worked for Democratic U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin and on the political campaign of state Attorney General Dana Nessel. Woll was last seen attending a wedding on the evening of October 20, 2023. She left shortly after midnight. Just hours later, around 6:30 a.m., police responded to a report of a person lying on the ground unresponsive outside Wolls home. She had been stabbed multiple times inside her home but investigators believe she then stumbled outside the house and eventually collapsed on the sidewalk. Investigators found that the door to the home was ajar and unlocked, and a significant amount of blood was inside. In the hours after Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue president, Samantha Woll, was found dead in Detroit, on October 21, 2023, police tape blocks off the area ( AFP via Getty Images ) Detroit Police Chief James White told reporters in December that investigators became aware of Jackson-Bolanos in the few weeks before and were able to link him to a number of larcenies. They reviewed countless hours of video and other evidence before arresting Jackson-Bolanos on December 10. Jackson-Bolanos was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, home invasion and lying to a police officer. He later testified at his trial that he had nothing to do with Wolls murder, but admitted he had lied to police during initial questioning. Jackson-Bolanos previously spent two years on probation after being convicted of receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle in 2019, and four years in prison for a similar offense in 2013, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. The Trial Theres only two people who can tell you exactly what happened inside her home, Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Ryan Elsey said during closing arguments during Jackson-Bolanos month-long trial in July. One of the voices is the defendant. He is a liar. He has absolutely no credibility and his lies tell you that hes guilty, Elsey said. The other voice is Samantha. Elsey implored jurors to reject Jackson-Bolanoss testimony. Jackson-Bolanos has repeatedly denied any role in her slaying and told jurors earlier in the trial that police had the wrong man. He said he checked for a pulse, but did not kill her. Dont believe him, Elsey told the jurors. Elsey said Jackson-Bolanos changed his story multiple times, lied to police about seeing her body and touching her body, and fled the scene because he didnt want to get caught. This individual never wanted to be found, he said, adding that all the evidence points to Jackson-Bolanos, including Wolls blood on his jacket and a pocket knife found in the jacket. Imagine the horror of Samanthas last moments, Elsey said. He decided to subdue her and got the heck out of there. 7 witnesses testify in Samantha Woll murder While the prosecution maintained Jackson-Bolanos murdered Woll during a home invasion, then fled because he didnt want to get caught, Jackson-Bolanos defense attorney Brian Brown argued this was not the case as he showed the jury a photo of evidence found at the scene including Wolls purse, laptop, keys and cash. If this was a robbery, this would not have been in this picture. It would have been taken, Brown said. You dont take someones purse? Money? Credit cards? Brown argued during closing arguments that police arrested the wrong man in Wolls killing, which he claimed was personal as he acted out the brutal scene in the courtroom, pretending to be the killer repeatedly stabbing Woll in the back of the head. This is a crime of passion, Brown said. Were not saying hes an angel. But hes not a murderer. Brown told the court that he was aware of his clients criminal history regarding robbery but that this was a very different type of crime. We know he was hitting cars. We know he has a history. If he wanted to steal her car, the key is right there. Laptops. Credit cards. Money. Nothing is taken, he said. This is not a robbery, Brown added. They did not come to rob her. They came to kill her. Jackson-Bolanos was arrested in December and charged with Wolls murder ( Michigan DOC ) Brown asked the jury to consider Wolls ex-boyfriend and argued that the man was not thoroughly investigated by police. It was not a thorough investigation, Brown said. Stones were left unturned. I think they deep-down have reservations about (the ex-boyfriend) recanting. Michael Jackson-Bolanos had absolutely nothing to do with this murder nor did he ever go inside of Samantha Wolls house, he said, adding that there is not a shred of evidence. As for the blood on his clients jacket, Brown said its from when Brown checked for her pulse on her neck. After two hours, Brown implored the jury to find Jackson-Bolanos not guilty. I have a good idea who did it, he added, but refused to say who, only stating that it wasnt his client. Hes innocent, Brown said. The loss of Sam More than 1,000 people attended Wolls funeral, the Detroit Free Press reported, and was remembered by loved ones as a leader who worked to unite people through her interfaith work. Sam did more for our community, our state, our world, our lives in her short time here on Earth than most will ever accomplish in 1,000 lifetimes, AG Nessel said in her eulogy, according to The New York Times. Samantha Woll was president of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, which she had led since 2022 ( Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue ) You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know youre thinking of them because you cared, her sister Woll Rosen said at the funeral, revealing that a friend of her late sister had received flowers from her on the day of her death, according to The New York Post. That was you, Sam, Woll Rosen added. You didnt even ask. You just sent flowers and signed 10 other peoples names because you knew it would make the receiver happy and the others would have wanted to say happy birthday if they knew it was your birthday. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Delta has decided that only US flags will be allowed on uniforms after it faced backlash for saying they would be terrified as well when an X user pointed out two employees wearing Palestine flag pins. The airline confirmed the change in an email to The Independent. The new policy will go into effect on July 15. The decision followed an X exchange between the airlines account and the complaining user this week. Photos had emerged of flight attendants wearing the Palestinian flag on their uniforms. open image in gallery Delta is facing outrage for its response to a post about employees wearing Palestine flag pins ( Getty Images ) Since 2001, we take off our shoes in every airport because a terrorist attack in US soil, the X user named i like teslas wrote, reacting to the picture. Now, imagine getting into a Delta flight and seeing workers with Hamas badges in the air. What do you do? Deltas official X account responded to the tweet on July 10, writing: I hear you as Id be terrified as well, personally. Our employees reflect our culture and we do not take it lightly when our policy is not being followed. The tweet generated a wave of backlash on social media, prompting the company to remove the employee responsible for writing the message and issue an apology. On Wednesday, we removed a reply that was not in line with our values. We strive for an environment of inclusivity & respect for all, in our communities & our planes. The employee responsible no longer supports Deltas social channels. We apologize for this hurtful post, the company said on Thursday. open image in gallery Delta found itself facing outrage after its response on X to a poster raising concerns about two flight attendants wearing Palestine flag pins ( X screengrab ) In its statement, Delta confirmed that the employees were following airline policy while wearing the pins and is offering them support. Neither of the employees have been fired. However, the ordeal has changed the airlines policy on what pins could be allowed on uniforms. Previously, Delta allowed flight attendants to wear pins representing other countries or nationalities. We are proud of our diverse base of employees and customers and the foundation of our brand, which is to connect the world and provide a premium experience, the company wrote in a statement. We are taking this step to help ensure a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for all. open image in gallery Delta is now changing its policy after comments one of its social media employees made regarding a Palestinian pin worn by two of the airlines flight attendants ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Wear The Peace, a clothing company that donates an article of clothing for each purchase, expressed its outrage over Deltas decision to ban the pins. Hi Delta, We know how Palestinian pins make you tremble with fear so we made sure to make more, the company said on X. This pin has now donated over 1000 meals to Gaza. The company made the pins worn by the flight attendants. Each purchase donates one meal to people in need in the area through Pious Projects of America, a non profit. The Israel-Hamas War, which began on October 7 has left more than and 1,139 Israelis dead, according to the Israeli government. Government officials in Gaza say more than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed in the military response from Israel. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dr Ruth Westheimer, a celebrity sex guru who changed the way Americans speak about intimacy, died at her Manhattan home Friday at age 96. Her death was announced on her Twitter account Saturday morning with a short message: The beloved Dr Ruth has passed away. Westheimers cause of death was not immediately known. Her sex guru career began in her 50s when she began taking questions from readers on New York radio station WYNY. The stations community affairs manager, Betty Elam, heard her speak to a group of broadcasters about sexual literacy and pitched a program starring Westheimer in 1980. Westheimer had a 15-minute segment that played after midnight on Sundays. The show, called Sexually Speaking made Westheimer a celebrity. Westheimer was at the height of her fame in the 1980s. She appeared on late night talk shows and even had her own show that ran from 1984 to 1991 called The Dr Ruth Show. Jerry Seinfeld and Cyndi Lauper made appearances on the program. She was also routinely asked to speak on university campuses to students. Dr Ruth Westheimer, a celebrity sex guru who changed the way Americans speak about intimacy, died at her Manhattan home on Friday ( AP ) She authored over 30 books to educate the general public about sex. Titles included Sex for Dummies, The Art of Arousal and Heavenly Sex, among others. Her latest work, The Joy of Connections, cowritten with Allison Gilbert, is scheduled to come out this fall. I am heartbroken. Recently, on June 4, her closest friends and family gathered to celebrate her 96th birthday, Gilbert wrote on X. It was a joyous occasion. I will keep the memory of that wonderful evening close to my heart. Already missing my friend so much. Westheimer, who was born in Germany in 1928, lived in Frankfurt until her father was dragged off to a concentration camp the day after Kristallnacht. Her mother then sent her away to Switzerland. She never saw either of her parents again and believed they died in the Holocaust. I dont think of myself as a survivor, she said in a Hulu documentary about her life. I think of myself as an orphan of the Holocaust. Before going into the sex industry, Westheimer attended the Sorbonne in Paris and New School for Social Research in 1959, where she obtained her Masters degree. She was later hired as a research assistant at Columbia Universitys School of Public Health. In 1967, she became project director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Harlem. She obtained her doctorate from Columbia in 1970. Westheimer was married three times. While her first two marriages were brief, her third marriage to fellow Holocaust survivor Manfred Fred Westheimer lasted 36 years until his death in 1997. She is survived by two children daughter Miriam Yael Westheimer and son Joel Westheimer as well as four grandchildren. Westheimer never stopped working. Recently, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed her as the Ambassador to Loneliness in New York State. Dr Ruth Westheimer led an extraordinary life, Hochul said in an emailed statement. She was brave, funny, candid and brilliant. As New Yorks first-ever Ambassador to Loneliness, we worked together to spotlight a mental health crisis impacting our seniors. We will miss her greatly. May her memory be a blessing. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former Trump administration official is warning Americans that some of the most dramatic changes in the right-wing policy plan, titled Project 2025, are ready to go, and has claimed that she saw an executive order firsthand. Project 2025 is a presidential transition project spearheaded by the right-wing think tank, The Heritage Foundation, and involving former Trump administration officials. On Thursday, Alyssa Farah Griffin, former Trump White House communications director, told CNN that there is a real possibility the former president would replace civil servants with political loyalists should he be re-elected in November. The proposal is a key element of Project 2025. I saw the actual executive order, at the end of the last administration, ready to go that would re-make every civil servant into a political appointee and a loyalist to Trump, Griffin said on Thursday. So its a very, very scary thing thats actionable and ready to go by Donald Trump, she added. One of the key elements of Project 2025 is prioritizing putting loyalists into powerful government positions over those best suited for the roles. Its one part of the projects overall goal to expand executive authority, and weaken the checks and balances of the federal government. Removing civil servants and replacing them with loyalists would make it easier for a president to consolidate power, allowing him to make changes without challenges. The Dr Faucis of the world would be replaced with whatever loyalist he puts into those positions, Griffin explained. Some of the other policies proposed in Project 2025 include abolishing the Department of Education; drastically cutting funding to renewable energy projects; withdrawing the abortion pill from the market; ending diversity and inclusion programs in schools; and imposing harsh immigration laws. Kevin Roberts, the president of The Heritage Foundation, said the implementation of the plan was the process of the second American Revolution earlier this month. Which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be, he added, cryptically. Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025, amid growing negative attention on the controversial proposals. He and his campaign have maintained that Agenda 47 is his plan and platform. The former president wrote on Truth Social last week that he knows nothing about Project 2025 and has no idea who is behind it. However, many former Trump administration officials are closely tied to the project. This includes former aide John McEntee; former chief of staff for the Office of Personnel Management Paul Dans; and former director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought. Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor, has also appeared in an advertisement for Project 2025. People deeply connected to Donald Trump were part of this, Griffin said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Vice President Kamala Harris began her speech by making clear that she backed President Joe Biden in the face of mounting speculation that she will be moved to the top of the ticket. Harris, the first Asian American vice president in US history, took the stage at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, denouncing Donald Trump and boosting Biden. The November election is the most existential, consequential and important election of our lifetime, she warned the crowd. We always knew this election would be tough and the past few days have been a reminder that running for president is tough. And it should be, Harris continued. Biden is a fighter, his vice president said. We will continue to fight. In November, we will win, she added. Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she attends an Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote presidential town hall in Philadelphia ( REUTERS ) At one point, the crowd began to chant: Four more years! The vice presidents clear support for the 81-year-old president comes at a crucial time for the Biden-Harris campaign as a growing list of celebrities, donors, and lawmakers have called for Biden to step aside mere weeks before the Democratic National Convention. While the vice president has strongly supported the president, even after his disastrous debate performance, Harris is believed to be one of the top candidates to replace Biden. On Friday, Biden reiterated his unmoving position, telling the Detroit crowd that he wasnt going to quit the race: I am running, and were going to win. The Trump campaign reportedly fears that the former president-slash-convicted felon will face a younger candidate in the fall. Republicans seem to fear that Harris in particular will make the ticket, as their targeted attacks against her have increased after the first debate. Harris told the crowd on Saturday: President Biden and I fight for the American people. Donald Trump does not. Harris defends Biden at an Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote presidential town hall in Philadelphia ( REUTERS ) Trump incites hate, uses vile language toward immigrants, Harris said. She added that he bragged about seating three Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v Wade. Restoring reproductive rights across the country has been a fixture of the Biden-Harris re-election campaign, as nearly half of the states have abortion bans in effect since the fall of Roe. One does not have to abandon their faith to agree that the government should not be telling her what to do with her body, the vice president passionately told the crowd. She warned that if he were to return to the White House, he would sign a federal abortion ban. There is so much at stake at this moment, the vice president said. Last week we were again reminded of that fact, referring to the Supreme Courts immunity decision. If the Supreme Court says the laws do not apply to Donald Trump...If people like Mike Pence are not around to stand up to him, our last line of defense is the ballot box, Harris said. The Republican National Convention begins on Monday in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to announce his running mate. Harris remarks came hours before Trumps rally in the western part of the state. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} This story was published before the attempted assassination on Trump on July 13. On Sunday, Melania Trump released a statement about the incident, where she described her husband as a generous and caring man who I have been with through the best of times and the worst of times and spoke about how horrifying the moment was for her family. Read it here. There is nothing more vicious than a man or woman going through a divorce. It is pure hell, like nothing else I have ever seen, Donald Trump wrote in his 2007 book Think Big and Kick Ass. With two divorces in his past, the former president has had some practice and speculation regarding whether the former president and his wife of 19 years, Melania Trump, may be headed for Splitsville, particularly if he wins in November, has been ongoing. Melania was a reluctant First Lady focused primarily on their young son Barron Trump. But this week Barron, now 18, made his first appearance at a Trump rally. He was greeted by cheers as he sat in the front row at the campaign event at Trumps Doral resort in Miami his mother nowhere to be found. Where is Melania? Melania has been seen less and less at Trumps public appearances since he left the White House. She wasnt present when the verdict was handed down in his hush money trial in New York (which, to be fair, did involve paying off a woman so she couldnt tell the story of having sex with Trump while Melania was pregnant) and Melania was missing in action during the fateful debate with Joe Biden in Atlanta on 27 June. As Trump travels across the country holding rallies, the furthest Melania has ventured is to fundraisers hosted at her own homes one at Mar-a-Lago and another at Trump Tower. When questioned about Melanias absence on Meet The Press last fall, Trump said: At the appropriate time, shell be out there. Barron Trump raised a fist to the cheering Florida audience in his first rally appearance ( AP ) But Barron is there. The former president introduced his youngest son, and only child with Melania, to the crowd on Tuesday, saying Thats the first time hes done it, as Barron pumped his fists and waved to the audience. He might be more popular than Don and Eric, Trump said. Welcome to the scene, Barron, I dont know. He had such a nice, easy life. Now its a little bit changed. Special guy, right? Barron graduated high school in May and has until now mostly remained out of sight. Trump said he got into every college he wanted to and he made his choice. And hes a very good guy. The New York Posts Page Six reported earlier this month that Melania has struck a deal with the former president and 2024 candidate that she would not have to be a full-time first lady were he to win a second term. She thinks she can be a hands-on mother and first lady at the same time, a source told the outlet although her son will presumably be at college by then. Prenup is a hard, painful, ugly tool Trumps marriage to Melania is his longest. Ivana, the mother of his three oldest children, lasted as his wife for around 15 years, while his marriage to Marla Maples was over within five. In 2006, the year after his marriage to Melania, Trump told New York magazine that his prenuptial agreement had made his third marriage stronger. Trump claimed at the time that his two previous wives contested their agreements and lost. Its a hard, painful, ugly tool, the then-future president said. Believe me, theres nothing fun about it. But there comes a time when you have to say, Darling, I think youre magnificent, and I care for you deeply, but if things dont work out, this is what youre going to get. Donald Trump and then-girlfriend Melania Knauss attend the wedding of Rudolph Giuliani and Judith Nathan (now divorced) at Gracie Mansion May 24, 2003 ( Getty Images ) He added at the time that the prenup process can act as a way to foresee if the marriage will last if the couple can make it through, the marriage may have a chance. Ivana Trump is reported to have got $14m, an apartment in New York, a mansion in Connecticut, and access to Mar-a-Lago once a year, in addition to $650,000 a year in alimony and child support in their divorce, according to Town & Country magazine. Marla Maples reportedly got $2m. In 2018, in the middle of Trumps first term, Washington divorce lawyer Sandy Ain told the Washingtonian that he suspected that if they got divorced, he would pay her a lot of money, and it would be done in an appropriately dignified way. You dont say youre fired to your wife. You say heres a really nice severance packageand its gonna be more than $130,000, he added in reference to the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Fellow divorce attorney Cheryl New told the outlet that Trump would not be able to do this in a way that would be quiet. I dont think hes constitutionally capable of that. Hes so cocksure that he would put this out there for everybody to see. She added: I think he underestimates Melania totally. She is a chess player. He is a checkers player. Ain said that he thought that what Melania is entitled to in a divorce would be spelled out pretty carefully. Would he be prudent to pay her more than that, for her silence and for the sake of dignity? Very likely. Attorney Jacqueline Newman told Town & Country magazine in 2018 that I can pretty much guarantee hes not giving his New York apartment to Melania. In situations where Ive dealt with very high-income, high-asset cases, the moneyed spouse will purchase an apartment for the non-moneyed spouse and the children to live in. Any judge would probably seal any court filings to protect their privacy. The Trump family attended the funeral of Melanias mother in January ( AFP via Getty Images ) Cutting a deal for a second term At the end of September last year, Page Six reported a source as saying that Over the last year, Melania and her team have been quietly negotiating a new postnup agreement ... this is at least the third time Melania has renegotiated the terms of her marital agreement. But the source added that the former first lady has no plans to end the marriage. Melania is most concerned about maintaining and increasing a substantial trust for their son, the source told Page Six, adding that the updated agreement centers on money and property. The new agreement was prompted by Trumps run for re-election and his current legal troubles. Melania has seen Trump be convicted on 34 felony counts in relation to the hush money payment to adult actor Stormy Daniels towards the end of the 2016 campaign. Daniels alleged that the two had an affair in 2006, something Trump denies. It was just a year into the Trumps marriage and Melania was reportedly pregnant with Barron at the time. Trump remains very rich, the source said, but added that the former president has mounting legal bills and judgments. The new prenup would provide a more solid future for Melania and Barron following a possible divorce, they said. Another source told Page Six that she wanted it to provide her with more money, and ... theres a specific amount at minimum that Barron is supposed to obtain. What happens to spousal privilege? Any divorce could also jeopardize Trumps criminal proceedings. Trumps sentencing for his 34 felony convictions in New York has been delayed until at least September, and he faces criminal proceedings in Washington, DC, and Georgia for his attempt to overturn the 2020 election and in Florida for his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The spousal privilege protects communications made in confidence in the course of a valid marriage and removes the possibility that a spouse would have to testify against the other in criminal or other proceedings. Both spouses have the right to invoke the privilege to avoid having the testimony go ahead. But that privilege ends with a divorce. While the communications privilege in general will survive a divorce, any communications after the end of a marriage will not be shielded. The spousal privilege also doesnt apply if the spouses are suing each other in civil proceedings or if one starts a criminal case against the other. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk on the south lawn of the White House on December 23, 2020 in Washington, DC ( Getty Images ) Who would serve as First Lady? If a divorce were to take place before or during a second Trump term, he could assign a non-romantic partner to the role previous presidents who were single or lost their wives have assigned nieces and daughters to the position. Apart from Trump, Ronald Reagan is the only president ever to have gone through a divorce, but he was so far along in his second, and long-lasting, marriage to Nancy Reagan that by the time he ran for president, the previous split never became an issue. There have also been two widower presidents, John Tyler, and Woodrow Wilson, who moved on to second wives during their time in the White House. One president, James Buchanan, didnt get married at all. But Trump could pay a political price for a possible divorce. President Bill Clintons presidency may not have survived had his marriage not lasted past his affair with Monica Lewinsky. On Monday, at the Trump Tower fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans, Melania gave a beautiful speech about the importance of unity, a guest told the New York Post. Time will tell if that includes her marriage. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump was bundled off stage by Secret Service at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday after being shot in an assassination attempt. The former president raised his fist as he was hoisted from the stage in Butler by his security detail, and piled into a waiting motorcade. The former president, 78, survived the assassination attempt and was treated for his injuries at a hospital. He later thanked God for preventing the unthinkable from happening. Follow our live blog for updates on the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump The spectator killed was named on Sunday as former fire chief of Buffalo Township, Corey Comperatore, according to local media reports. Friends and family members, including his sister, posted tributes on social media. Two other people in the crowd were critically wounded during the shooting and are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Law enforcement officials said that a Secret Service sniper killed the shooter, who was on a roof outside the security perimeter. The gunman was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The shooting is being considered an assassination attempt, law enforcement said. The FBI has launched an investigation along with other law enforcement agencies. Photos show the scene before and after as the chaos unfolded: Donald Trumps supporters gathered for a campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 13, 2024 ( REUTERS ) Trump took the stage at 6.03pm local time on Saturday, emerging to the familiar sound of country singer Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA. He complimented the size of the crowd and spoke for a few more minutes before shots rang out ( REUTERS ) Popping sounds came from the left of where Trump was speaking at a lectern, minutes before he took to the stage ( REUTERS ) Trump turned in the direction of the sounds, grabbed his ear and blood was seen on his face as he ducked for cover and screams came from the crowd. More shots were heard after Trump dropped behind the lectern ( REUTERS ) Secret Service agents piled out top of the former president, and hustled him off the stage as spectators also ducked for cover ( AP ) Trump is pictured on the ground with his security detail on top of him after shots were heard ( Getty Images ) Secret Service agents rushed the stage and formed a barrier around Trump as they moved him to a waiting motorcade ( AP ) Snipers and other security agents on high-alert after shots were fired at the Pennsylvania farm grounds ( AP ) The former president seen being escorted off the stage by his security detail. Multiple law enforcement investigations are underway including by the FBI and Secret Service ( AP ) Trump raised his fist and shouted fight, fight, fight after he was shot on Saturday. He was later treated at a local hospital in Butler, then flew to New Jersey ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Snipers oversaw the scene as Trump spoke. They returned fire after gunshots rang out and killed the shooter who was positioned on a roof around 500ft from where Trump was speaking ( AP ) Blood was seen on Trumps face and on the bleachers after the crowd began clearing out. One person was killed in the crowd during the shooting ( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images ) Trump gestured to the crowd before leaving the stage. The gunman was identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old resident of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania ( AFP via Getty Images ) The former president was helped off the stage. A Trump campaign spokesperson said after that the ex-commander in chief is fine. Trump later thanked God for preventing the unthinkable from happening ( Getty Images ) Trump was rushed to his motorcade which promptly left the scene with lights and sirens blaring ( Getty Images ) Audience members hugged and consoled each other after the shooting. People had yelled at others to get down as the shots were heard ( AP ) Law enforcement officials gathered in the stands after the crowd filed out to start their investigation ( AP ) Police cordoned off a section of the bleachers after the attendees slowly dispersed. The area has been labeled a crime scene ( AP ) Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A bloodied Donald Trump was rushed from a campaign rally stage to a hospital after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Several gunshots could be heard minutes after Trump began speaking to supporters late on Saturday afternoon at the Butler Farm showground. The former president grabbed his right ear, then ducked to the ground behind a lectern as his Secret Service detail swarmed him and lifted him from the ground before guiding him off the stage. Screams filled the crowd and blood could be seen running down the right side of Trumps face and ear as he raised his fist to supporters. The site was evacuated and declared a crime scene. Trump later called on America to stand united, thanked God for preventing the unthinkable from happening and said he would remain defiant in the face of wickedness. Secret Service agents killed the suspected shooter, who was outside the security perimeter according to law enforcement officials. A spectator was killed, and two others were critically injured. The FBI has identified the gunman as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, from Pennsylvania. He appeared to have been perched on a rooftop with an AR-style rifle, according to law enforcement. In a statement on Truth Social several hours later, Trump said that he was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. He added: I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Secret Service agents rush to cover Donald Trump ( AP ) A Trump campaign spokesperson said that the former president was fine and had been treated at a nearby medical facility. President Joe Biden, speaking to the public from Delaware, said that theres no place in America for this kind of violence. We cannot allow for this to be happening, he added. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this. The president later spoke with Trump by phone, according to the White House. Trump has now returned to his home in New Jersey. Mr Biden and vice-president Kamala Harris received a briefing from administration officials and federal law enforcement before returning to Washington DC late on Saturday. Secret Service agents lift Donald Trump and carry him away ( AP ) One rally attendee, who identified himself as an ER physician and appeared to have blood smeared across his T-shirt, told CBS News that he heard people shouting that someone had been shot. He said he tried to save someone who was jammed between the benches. Another Trump supporter, Erin Autenreith, told CBS that she was in the front row and heard four boom, boom, booms and immediately thought fireworks. She said Secret Service swarmed the stage and the guys with the guns said Lift him. So they lifted him clear up, and Trump said, I got to get my shoes on. He looked OK to me but I saw a little bit of blood right here, she added, pointing to the side of her face. Eduardo Vargas said he had been sitting about 15ft behind Trump when he heard the first shot. I saw half the people around me start crying, he told The New York Times. And I started crying. I couldnt stop crying... I thought I just saw the president get killed in front of my face. Another man told BBC News that he tried to alert Secret Service agents to a rifle-wielding man he spotted bear-crawling on the roof of a nearby building before gunshots rang through the crowd. Im standing there pointing at him for two to three minutes, he said. Secret Service is looking at us from the top of the barn, Im pointing at the roof... and next thing you know, five shots rang out. Secret Service rush to get Donald Trump off stage ( AP ) Current and former Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush, joined a chorus of officials condemning political violence and sending well-wishes to the former president and his family. Several officials who survived recent shootings, including House majority leader Steve Scalise who was shot in 2017 during a congressional baseball game, and former congresswoman Gabby Giffords who experienced a severe brain injury when she survived an assassination attempt in 2011, joined calls urging Americans to denounce acts of political violence. Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband survived a blow to the head from a conspiracy theorist who broke into the familys home in 2022, said that as one whose family has been the victim of political violence, I know first hand that political violence of any kind has no place in our society. I thank God that former president Trump is safe. As we learn more details about this horrifying incident, let us pray that all those in attendance at the former presidents rally today are unharmed, she said. Donald Trump raises his fist to a campaign rally crowd after he appeared to be struck by gunfire ( Reuters ) UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was appalled by the shocking scenes at President Trumps rally, adding: We send him and his family our best wishes. The attack in the city of Butler, home to about 13,000 people and roughly an hour northeast of Pittsburgh occurred just two days before the start of the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin, where Trump is expected to receive the partys nomination for president. His nomination marks the third consecutive time that he will lead the Republican Party against a Democratic candidate for the presidency. The convention will proceed as scheduled, according to campaign officials. The last attempt on an American presidents life was in 1981, when John Hinckley Jr fired six gunshots at Ronald Reagan, striking him and three others in an attack that sent Reagan to the emergency room with internal bleeding, a punctured lung and a broken rib. White House press secretary James Brady and two other law enforcement agents were wounded. Brady suffered brain damage and was permanently disabled. His death in 2014 was ultimately ruled as a homicide. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Elon Musk, the worlds second-richest person, contributed a sizeable amount to a pro-Trump super PAC, according to a report. The size of Musks donation is unknown, but Bloomberg, which first reported the donation to America PAC, called it sizable. There is no upper limit on the amount individual contributors can give to super PACs. The donation from Musk, whose net worth is estimated to be $249.8 billion, according to Forbes, diverts from a 2021 proclamation by the SpaceX founder: I prefer to stay out of politics. But in recent months, Musks X posts have championed far-right ideas as he reposted memes and quotes that back Trump. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are pictured in the White House at an event in 2017 along with Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist. Musk in 2024 has reportedly made a sizeable donation to a Trump PAC ( AFP via Getty Images ) The Tesla CEO had previously criticized both major party candidates. In June 2017, Musk stepped down from his roles on Trumps presidential advisory councils after the US withdrew from the Paris climate accord. He has questioned Bidens immigration policy, called for the prosecution of his chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci and decried wokeness as a mind virus. Although he has not endorsed either candidate for 2024, Musk has made a clear shift away from Biden as of late. He has also joined in the chorus of claims that suggest that Trump is being prosecuted for political reasons. The billionaire wondered on X: Do they prosecute anyone besides Trump in NY? NY also prosecutes people that support Trump, an X user replied, to which he said: Good point. Bidens campaign blasted the donation. Arrogant billionaires only out for themselves are not what America wants or what America needs, a Biden campaign spokesperson told Bloomberg. Elon knows Trump is a sucker who will sell America out, cutting his taxes while raising taxes on the middle class by $2,500. The contribution also arrives after the X owner disclosed in January that he had voted for Biden in 2020, but he cannot see myself voting for Biden this time. The Tesla CEO met with Trump in March in Palm Beach, Florida. Around the same time, Musk announced that he didnt plan on donating to campaigns for either Biden or Trump. Musk has previously said that he prefers to stay out of politics, but has posted about numerous right-wing stances ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Musk is not alone in his apparent support for the former president he joins a growing number of Silicon Valley bigwigs have been leaning toward Trump this election. The contribution comes after Musk reportedly co-hosted a so-called anti-Biden Silicon Valley dinner party in April with entrepreneur and investor David Sacks. On the heels of Trumps historic conviction in the hush money trial, Sacks hosted another dinner with Facebook senior executive Chamath Palihapitiya that was said to be attended by other uber wealthy figures such as Peter Thiel and Rupert Murdoch. Its safe to say that theres a wellspring of support in Silicon Valley, Sacks told the New York Times, especially given the backlash to the political prosecution of Trump. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A federal judge has dismissed Rudy Giulianis Chapter 11 bankruptcy after an eight-month court battle trying to get to the bottom of his financial state. The disgraced former New York City mayor filed for bankruptcy protection after a jury ordered him to pay two Georgia election workers nearly $150m for defaming them in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. Those women are not alone. Giuliani has also been sued by voting machine companies and a former aide who accused him of sexual misconduct, among others. The end of his bankruptcy case does not let him off the hook for his mountain of debts. In all, he stands to owe more than $153m. His creditors will now be able to rely on the courts to collect what theyre owed, including pressing for court orders to seize his properties and other assets. Judge Sean Lanes 22-page on July 12 order also restricts Giuliani from seeking bankruptcy protection for one year. The order will allow election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss to continue to try to collect on their defamation verdict, which has effectively been frozen during bankruptcy proceedings. Giulianis attorneys believe ending his bankruptcy case will give him the best shot at appealing. But under the order from the judge overseeing the defamation case, Giuliani will have to post a $148m bond to begin the process of an appeal that would block efforts from Freeman and Moss to start collecting on that judgment. It is unclear whether Giuliani has the cash or the means to do that. Rudy Giuliani speaks at a press conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in 2020. His false claims about election workers that year are central to a blockbuster defamation verdict against him. He declared bankruptcy in 2023 shortly after he was ordered to pay $148 million. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Giuliani listed nearly $153m in existing or potential debts and assets north of $11m at the time of his bankruptcy filing, though his actual net worth is unclear. His properties include a Manhattan apartment that was on the market for $6m and a Florida condo valued at roughly $3.5m. His spending habits are also unclear. He was initially expected to adhere to a monthly austerity budget, with monthly expenses totaling $43,000, though he appeared to blow past that amount he spent nearly $120,000 in January, according to court documents. His legal expenses also were to be drawn from fundraising accounts that he couldnt touch otherwise. Mayor Rudy Giuliani was denied the ability to appeal the grossly unfair $148m judgment in Washington, DC during this proceeding, according to a statement from his spokesperson Ted Goodman. This whole bankruptcy case was burdened with many of the same voluminous and overly broad discovery requests and other actions including regular leaks of information intended to harm the mayor and destroy his businesses, he added. Goodman said that he is confident that in the long run our system of justice will be restored and the mayor will be totally vindicated. The end of the bankruptcy case also opens the door for his other creditors to pursue legal remedies to collect what they say they are owed. Other lawsuits against Giuliani from the group of so-called unsecured creditors whose cases have not concluded have been on pause during his bankruptcy proceedings. Those stays will now be lifted, allowing election companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic to continue their cases against him. A long-running case from former Giuliani associate Noelle Dunpy alleging sexual harassment and wage theft will also be allowed to continue. The cases add to the growing legal fallout facing Giuliani in the aftermath of the 2020 election, Giulianis incoming financial battles join a growing number of cases against him, including criminal charges in Georgia and Arizona for his efforts to reverse Donald Trumps election loss in those states. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. He also is an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal criminal case surrounding Trumps attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, and he was recently abruptly fired from the radio station that hosts his broadcasts and then disbarred in the state of New York. Former Georgia election workers Shaye Moss and Ruby Freeman sued Rudy Giuliani for defamation and were awarded a $148m verdict. Giuliani later filed for bankruptcy protection to navigate his debts, a case that was dismissed on July 12. The women can now try to collect from him directly while he tries to appeal. ( AP ) Giulianis creditors have accused the former mayor of using the byzantine court proceedings to hide details about his assets and avoid paying his debts. In his order on July 12, Judge Lane cited Giulianis continued failure to meet his reporting obligations and provide the financial transparency required of a debtor in possession and called his behavior troubling. Attorneys for the creditors sought a trustee to oversee his finances, arguing it was the only way to get an accurate picture of his assets after months of failed and incomplete attempts. Judge Lane rejected that proposal, stating that there is little reason to conclude that Mr Giulianis uncooperative conduct will change even with a court-ordered trustee he would have to report to. Mr Giuliani has failed to provide an accurate and complete picture of his financial affairs in the six months that this case has been pending, the judge wrote. Transparency into Mr. Giulianis finances has proven to be an elusive goal. Cahills Crossing in the Northern Territory is one of Australia's most dangerous attractions with locals and visitors warned to avoid risky behaviour. Two local men were seen wading through crocodile-infested waters at Cahills Crossing in the Top end, seemingly ignoring warning signs. A stunned tourist was shocked to witness a 'crazy' stunt at one of Australia's most iconic and dangerous spots. Cahills Crossing in the Top End is known for its thriving crocodile population with visitors warned to take caution. Despite ample signage warning locals and visitors to avoid risking their lives by crossing through the flowing river, two local men were spotted wading in known crocodile waters seemingly unalarmed. Video shared on social media shows the men chatting as they navigated through waist-high water at high tide a move authorities continually advise against. Within the Kakadu National Park, where Cahills Crossing is located, there are roughly 10,000 known crocodiles. Around Cahill's Crossing, it's said there are about five to nine crocs per kilometre. Crocodiles can stay underwater for over an hour and can be completely concealed, even in knee-deep water. While tourists are often blamed for flouting rules at local hotspots, Gary Lindner, the park's crocodile management supervisor said it's often locals who take the biggest risks. "They think their headlamp and their superior knowledge of crocodiles is going to save them every time," Lindner previously told ABC. "But one day, unfortunately, someone's going to get grabbed." "People are putting themselves at risk they could be attacked, seriously injured or killed," he added. The footage shocked those who saw it on TikTok this week. "Walking through Cahills crossing is just crazy," one said. While another noted, "that's insane". NT has largest population of crocs The NT is home to the world's largest wild crocodile population, with more than 100,000 of the predators in the wild. An estimated 10 per cent of these can be found at Cahills Crossing in Kakadu. Local man Rodney Fischer said it appears croc numbers "are increasing" throughout the Northern Territory. "I think they're just starting to get back to a healthy population. Like they would have been before they were hunted,' he previously told Yahoo News Australia. Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River is popular with locals, tourists, and fishermen. Source: Getty Images Warnings have been issued previously to tourists visiting the popular Cahills Crossing, famous for its abundance of crocodiles. A photo of a group of tourists casually standing on the crossing previously prompted widespread condemnation. Meanwhile, a photo of one woman sitting in the croc-infested water in 2019 went viral. She later told Yahoo the dangers were not apparent to her at the time, despite the signs. Kakadu National Parks website warns visitors to the area that encounters with crocodiles in the area can prove fatal. "Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous. They have attacked and killed people," it reads with a number of guidelines they advise visitors to adhere to. Crocodile deaths in Australia Previously, a nine-year-old boy was attacked by a croc while visiting the Kakadu National Park.In 2017, a 47-year-old man was killed at the crossing by a crocodile. The most notorious death at the site was in 1987, when a fisherman was attacked and decapitated by a croc while wading in the water. Just this month a 12-year-old girl was killed by a crocodile in a remote town 350km southwest of Darwin. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Late night host Bill Maher predicted that President Joe Biden is not long for the 2024 race and will step aside on a historic date despite the Democrats defiance of the mounting calls to leave the race. New rule: Stop f***ing around! Maher brutally announced on Fridays episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. The issue with President Biden isnt if, its who, Maher continued. Who will replace him? Because he is not going to be the Democrats candidate for president in 2024, all due respect. Biden is toast. The walls will keep crumbling and my pick in the office pool for when he gives it up is August 9, he said. On the same date 50 years ago, then-president Richard Nixon signed his letter of resignation following the Watergate scandal. So Biden's leaving on the same day would have historical significance as it's the only day a US president has voluntarily left office early. Yes, replacing a president as his partys candidate this late will seem like a big deal, Maher said. For about three days, and then well all be over it. As Biden faces increased calls for him to step aside, comedian Maher gave his prediction when the president will step aside. Maher also said America will move quickly past the historic decision ( Getty Images ) Maher predicted Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as the likely to replace the president on the ticket. Regarding Harris, Maher remarked that she has never been popular. The comedian recalled her failed 2020 presidential bid: You can count the number of delegates she won in the 2020 primaries on one hand, as long as that hand has no fingers. Despite Mahers prediction, as well as lawmakers, actors and prominent donors calls for him to step aside, Biden told a crowd in Detroit, Michigan on Friday that he wasnt budging: Im not going anywhere. Im going to beat him again, Biden said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} As the future of Joe Bidens candidacy remains uncertain, Republicans have their sights set on another target - Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the presidents own party donors, lawmakers and politically active celebrities have joined in a chorus of calls for Biden to step aside. While the president himself has remained defiant, telling Michigan supporters on Friday: I am running, and were going to win. Trumps campaign reportedly does not want to face a candidate other than Biden. Still, Republicans seem to be preparing for Harris to rise to the top of the ticket. Post-debate, she has become the bullseye for Republicans sexist, racist attacks. In 2020, Harris made history multiple times over. When sworn in, she became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected vice president of the US. Republicans homed in on these facts in recent days completely ignoring her years-long experience on the political scene. That includes a few Republicans have suggested that she was a DEI hire, which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans as the Biden campaign battles worsening concerns about the presidents age. Republicans have increased their attacks on her in recent days ( Getty Images ) Democrats have got to choose between a mentally incompetent president and a DEI vice president, Texas Republican Rep Chip Roy recently told Fox Business. Shockingly, he wasnt the only one to make the offensive remark. Former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka managed to relay the same sentiment in a more offensive way, saying on Newsmax this week: Shes a DEI hire, right? Shes a woman. Shes colored, therefore shes got to be good. The New York Post also added to the racist chatter, with a columnist writing a July 6 story headlined: America may soon be subjected to the countrys first DEI president: Kamala Harris. Some have attacked the intelligence of the former prosecutor and California attorney general. Texas Rep Ronny Jackson, who also served as Trumps White House physician, blasted Harris: She has got to be the lowest IQ vice president that this country has ever had. Failed GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also claimed Harris had a low IQ. Harris speaks to members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on July 10, 2024 in Dallas, Texas ( Getty Images ) Despite serving as vice president for more than three years, others have attacked her competence and qualifications. Earlier this week, Trump himself derided Harris: If Joe had picked someone even halfway competent, they would have bounced him from office years ago. But they cant, because shes got to be their second choice. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro claimed the vice president cant put a sentence together, before suggesting that she is often under the influence: I think she likes to have a good time. Some strategists have said they arent surprised by Republicans recent flood of attacks against Harris or how they are framing them. Republicans are attacking Harris with these tired racist tropes because they truly have no idea how to take on a woman who is smarter and tougher than their wannabe strongman Trump, Jess McIntosh, a Democratic strategist and former communications adviser to Hillary Clinton, told the Wall Street Journal. Its things like attacking her intelligence, attacking the tone of her voice, her laugh, the othering language, Karen Finney, Democratic strategist and former Clinton 2016 spokesperson, told The Guardian. Those are pretty common tropes that we see used against women. Speaking on Pod Save America on Wednesday, former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki chalked up Harris lack of popularity to the fact that we live in a country that is sexist and racist. Biden andHarris raise their hands as they stand on a White House balcony on July 4th ( REUTERS ) In the face of discriminatory comments, Harris has been climbing the polls, indicating she has a better chance than Biden of defeating Trump in a hypothetical matchup. One poll, conducted by the Democratic firm Bendixen & Amandi, showed Biden slightly behind Trump, 42 to 43 percent, while Harris surpassed Trump, 42 to 41 percent. In a ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, respondents also preferred Harris to Biden in a hypothetical head-to-head against Trump. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they would support Harris compared to 46 percent who would support Trump. But if Biden and Trump faced off, the president only garnered support from 46 percent of respondents, while Trump inched ahead with support from 47 percent of respondents. Harris is scheduled to speak at a rally on Saturday in Pennsylvania, just one day after Biden once again vowed to remain in the race. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina who held up an American flag during a Gaza solidarity demonstration in the spring will speak at the RNC, according to Donald Trumps campaign. A group of students and fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill patriotically protected an American flag that had been disturbed by demonstrators during an anti-Israel protest on their campus, the Trump campaign said on July 12. The students gained national attention as videos of the protest showed them standing strong to protect the American flag, even as protestors antagonized them, according the campaign continued. The campaign did not name specific fraternities or their members. The fraternity members are among a group of everyday Americans who were given a speaking role at the convention, which starts Monday in Milwaukee. Frat brothers who held up the flag at UNC Chapel Hill amid Gaza solidarity protests are going to speak at the RNC ( CBS 17/screengrab ) The four-day RNC gathering will include two dozen everyday American speakers. The campaign said the RNC will provide a platform and voice for the workers, veterans, and families left behind in Joe Bidens America. The fraternity brothers made national headlines on April 30 for holding up the American flag on a flagpole after protesters tried to remove it. Demonstrators had already taken down the flag once and successfully replaced it with a Palestinian flag, photos and videos of the event reveal. Chants of USA! then overwhelmed the crowd. The interim chancellor announced that the American flag will stand here as long as Im chancellor. Police arrested more than 30 protesters at UNC-Chapel Hill that day. The school was one of dozens of colleges across the country that held student-led demonstrations over the ongoing war in the Middle East. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese told Russia to back off and rejected claims that the arrest of a Brisbane-based couple accused of spying for Moscow was fuelling anti-Russian paranoia. Mr Albanese said Russia engaged in espionage here and around the world and had no credibility. Russia can get the message: back off, he said at an event in Brisbane on Saturday. How about you get out of Ukraine and stop the illegal and immoral war that youre engaged in and how about you try to stop interfering in domestic affairs of other sovereign nations. This is a country that has no respect for international law, and they should be regarded with contempt, which is what I have for them. The prime ministers response came after the Russian embassy reacted to the arrest of a 40-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband for an espionage offence. In a post on X, the Russian embassy in Canberra accused Australias police of fuelling anti-Russian propaganda. The post said: The press conference of AFP and ASIO chiefs on 12 July was clearly intended to launch another wave of anti-Russian paranoia in Australia. Theatrical tricks were used like talking to imaginary Russian spies presumed to be all around. The embassy added that they had sent a written request on the status of the arrested couple. The duo, Igor and Kira Korolev, are reportedly Russian-born but now hold Australian citizenship, and were arrested in their home in Brisbane on Thursday. They are accused of accessing national security-related information from the Australian military. The woman, 40, was a private in the Australian Army and worked as an information systems technician, police said. She allegedly travelled to Russia without declaring it during a long-term leave from the military. She reportedly told her husband, a self-employed labourer, to log into her official account at home in Australia to access defence materials. The police have said her husband accessed the material and sent it to her in Russia. The couple appeared in Brisbanes magistrates court on Friday and will be held in custody until their next hearing on 20 September. They are the first Australians to be charged under the countrys sweeping espionage laws enacted in 2018. They face a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison if convicted. Mike Burgess, director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, said the couple were held after a "lengthy and complex investigation". If sufficient evidence is found that they indeed shared the classified information with Russia, the charges could be upgraded, local media reported. In that case, the potential maximum prison sentence upon conviction would be 25 years or life. Mr Albanese has said he has faith in Australias national security agencies. The threats to us are nimble, he said. Theyre constantly trying to find ways to engage and to damage our national interest, and thats why our agencies ensure that they are constantly monitoring their performance. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Terrorism and organized crime by violent extremist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State are a pervasive threat in Africa's volatile Sahel region and are spilling over to West Africa's coastal countries, the top U.N. envoy for the area warned Friday. Leonardo Simao, the U.N. special representative for the Sahel and West Africa, said the focus on combating terrorism has had limited effect in stopping rampant illegal trafficking in the Sahel and the effort needs more police. Its drugs, its weapons, its human beings, its mineral resources, and even food, Simao said after briefing the U.N. Security Council. According to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' new report on the Sahel and West Africa, hundreds of people have been killed in the first half of 2024 alone in terrorist attacks, many of them civilians.. The vast majority of deaths occurred in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, whose ruling military juntas in March announced a joint security force to fight terrorism, though the force has yet to begin operations. The three countries are increasingly cutting ties with the U.S. military and allying with Russia on its security challenges. Last week, the three juntas doubled down on their decision to leave the Economic Community of West African States, the nearly 50-year-old regional bloc known as ECOWAS, following the creation of their own security partnership, the Alliance of Sahel States, in September. Simao did not comment on the countries international alliances, but said their withdrawals from ECOWAS will be harmful to both sides. He lauded ECOWAS for taking a vigorous approach to engaging with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and urged the countries to maintain regional unity. He called for the U.N.s continued support of the Accra Initiative, a military platform involving Burkina Faso and nearby coastal countries to contain the spread of extremism in the Sahel. He also said the Security Council should pursue financing regionally led police operations. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed support for ECOWAS and U.N. efforts in West Africa and the Sahel and said the Security Council must also step up. Thomas-Greenfield urged increased funding and the appointment of a U.N. resident coordinator in the region, saying a U.N. presence is critical to support U.N. development efforts "as well as ensuring the delivery of much needed humanitarian assistance. Russia's deputy ambassador, Anna Evstigneeva, countered that international security efforts amount to an attempt to continue imposing new colonial models on Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. She accused Western donors of limiting assistance for political reasons. Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are conducting an uncompromising and coordinated fight against terrorist groups and they are achieving success and stabilizing their territories, Evstigneeva said. The regions deadliest terrorist attacks this year took place in Burkina Faso, where the militant jihadist groups Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which has ties to al-Qaida, and the Islamic State claim extensive swaths of territory, Guterres said in the report. In February alone, major terrorist attacks killed 301 people, including a single assault that claimed 170 lives. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, there were 361 conflict-related deaths in Niger during the first three months of 2024, a significant increase from 250 over the same period last year. Guterres encouraged the accelerated implementation of remaining security agreements, including recent plans for a counterterrorism center in Nigeria and the deployment of an ECOWAS standby force to help eradicate terrorism. The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have ended long-standing foreign military partnerships in recent years. In 2022, France withdrew its troops from Mali over tensions with the junta, followed by a military withdrawal from Niger at the governments request.. The U.N. ended its 10-year peacekeeping mission in Mali in December 2023 at the junta's insistence. It had been the deadliest U.N. peacekeeping mission, with more than 300 personnel killed. The U.S. military is set to conclude its withdrawal from Niger, also at the junta's request, by Sept. 15. Guterres said regional insecurity continues to impact negatively on the humanitarian and human rights situation. The report said 25.8 million people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria need humanitarian assistance this year. Those four countries had more than 6.2 million people internally displaced and 630,000 refugees in April. In addition, 32.9 million people faced food insecurity. Guterres said humanitarian agencies lack adequate funding, having received only 13% of the $3.2 billion needed for 2024. Without additional funding, millions of vulnerable people will be left without vital support, he said in the report. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The United Nations chief appealed for funding Friday for the beleaguered U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East, accusing Israel of issuing evacuation orders that force Palestinians to move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a donors conference that the agency, known as UNRWA, faces a profound funding gap. UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said at the start of the conference that the agency only had funds to operate through August. At the end, he told reporters that, while the total amount in pledges wont be known until next week, he is confident there will be enough new money in its $850 million annual budget to keep the agency running until the end of September. UNRWAs 30,000 staff provide education, primary health care and other development activities to about 6 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. In the coming months, Lazzarini said UNRWA will be seeking funds to keep its operations going through December and for emergency appeals for $1.2 billion for the Gaza war and $460 million for the Syria crisis, both of which are only 20% funded. Without financial support to UNRWA, secretary-general Guterres said Palestinian refugees will lose a critical lifeline and the last ray of hope for a better future. The U.N. chief reserved his harshest words for Israels ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has affected its entire Palestinian refugee population. The extreme level of fighting and devastation is incomprehensible and inexcusable and the level of chaos is affecting every Palestinian in Gaza and all those desperately trying to get aid to them. Just when we thought it couldnt get any worse in Gaza somehow, appallingly, civilians are being pushed into ever deeper circles of hell, the secretary-general said. Guterres said Israels latest evacuation orders in Gaza City have come with more civilian suffering and bloodshed. Nothing justifies Hamas Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel, he said, and nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people. The Hamas attack killed some 1,200 people mostly civilians and led to the abduction of about 250 people. Since then, Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 38,300 people in Gaza, according to the territorys Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Guterres said UNRWA hasnt been spared: 195 UNRWA staff members have been killed, the highest staff death toll in U.N. history. For years, UNRWA has been underfunded, but this year was dire following Israeli allegations that 12 of the agencys 13,000 workers in Gaza participated in Hamas Oct. 7 surprise attack that sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. UNRWA immediately suspended them. As a result of the allegations, 16 countries halted funding for UNRWA, amounting to about $450 million. Lazzarini told reporters that 14 donors have officially resumed funding and he believes very soon a 15th country the United Kingdom will come back. The 16th country is the United States, which had been the biggest donor to UNRWA. The U.S. Congress has prohibited any payments to the agency until March 25, 2025. Just before the conference opened, Slovenia Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon announced that 118 countries had signed a declaration of strong support for UNRWA, which Lazzarini welcomed. He said the United States was among the signatories, though it didnt attend the conference. But it was a very good sign which indicates that they are also providing the necessary political support to the agency, Lazzarini said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least 71 people have been killed in a massive strike on a designated humanitarian zone in the southern Gaza Strip, Hamas-run health officials have said, as Israel suggested the missile was aimed at the militant groups elusive chief. Witnesses said the strike landed inside Mawasi, the Israeli-designated safe zone that stretches from northern Rafah to Khan Younis, the two main cities in the southern half of the enclave. The Mawasi coastal strip is where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled to in search of safety, sheltering mostly in makeshift tents, as Israeli forces make their way through the enclave for a second time since the start of the war last October. The Gaza health ministry said at least 289 others were injured in the attack and that many of the injured and dead were taken to nearby Nasser Hospital. Footage of the aftermath showed charred tents, burnt-out cars and household belongings scattered across the blackened earth as emergency workers and Palestinians displaced by the nine-month war searched for survivors. The Gaza health ministry said at least 289 others were injured in the attack ( Getty ) Israel has claimed that the strikes were targeting Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif and a second Hamas commander, Rafa Salama. An official added that there were only Hamas terrorists and no civilians. Israels prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold security talks throughout the day, his office said according to Reuters. Deif is believed by many to be the chief architect of the 7 October attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the ensuing war in Gaza. More than 38,000 Palestinians have been killed during the subsequent months of Israels aerial bombardment of and ground offensives in the Gaza Strip. Deif has topped Israels most-wanted list for years and is believed to have escaped multiple Israeli assassination attempts in the past. His potential killing threatens to derail ceasefire talks and would be seen as a major Israeli victory in the nine-month campaign. But Hamas rejected the claim made by Israel. This is not the first time that the occupation has claimed to target Palestinian leaders, and their lies were later proven to be false, the group said in a post on X/Twitter. Jihad Taha, a Hamas spokesperson in Beirut, added that the claim that Deif was the target of the strike is a baseless statement and comes in the context of justifying and covering up the crimes and massacres. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Venices experiment with payment systems for tourists only had a small impact on reducing crowds, a politician has said, meaning prices will almost certainly be hiked next year. Around 30 million tourists visit Venice in a typical year with about seven out of 10 (or 21 million) staying only for the day. Just before the Covid pandemic, Unesco warned the citys status as a World Heritage property is in jeopardy. In a world first, the Italian destination introduced a 5-euro ($5.44) charge in April for daytrippers arriving on particularly congested days, hoping the levy would deter some people from visiting. The pilot scheme, which has been watched closely by other European tourist hotspots, covered just 29 days and will end on Sunday, opening the way for a period of consultation to decide how to proceed with the project in future. open image in gallery The visible effects of overtourism as cruise ship passengers crowd the walkway at the Doge's Palace in Piazza San Marco on a busy day in Venice, Italy ( Getty Images ) Simone Venturini, the city councillor responsible for tourism and social cohesion, said the initial assessment was positive and confirmed the system would be renewed in 2025, but acknowledged that there were still large crowds. On some weekends there were less people than the same time last year ... but no one expected that all the day trippers would miraculously disappear, he told Reuters, speaking by telephone from Venice. It will be more effective in the coming years when we increase the number of days and lift the price, he added, without saying how much visitors might have to pay in 2025. Current system How does the current system work? Any visitor who wishes to be in the historic heart of Venice anywhere in the city apart from the Piazzale Roma transport access area and the offshore islands between 8.30am and 4pm on the prescribed dates must register online, in advance, at cda.ve.it/en. You will need a QR code on your smartphone or printed out to be allowed inside the ancient city. If you simply want to pay the fee, clicking on Pay the access fee will take you through a fairly straightforward process. One tricky aspect is that you have to pretend you have read the privacy policy (all in Italian) by clicking on it before you can enable a checkbox. The city council is looking to discourage daytrippers, especially during weekends and holidays when visitors can top 100,000 - double the number of local residents. People with hotel reservations have not had to pay the levy. Not everyone in Venice, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, thinks the scheme should continue. It has been a total failure. The city is still packed with tourists, said opposition councillor Giovanni Andrea Martini, adding that the number of people paying the charge had fallen as word spread that the threatened fines were not materialising. Venturini acknowledged there had been very few, or probably no fines, but said it had been a deliberately soft start. In this experimental phase, rather than fining people, we have focused on informing them, he said. Martini advocated instead a free booking system for visitor slots to prevent lower-income families from being priced out, but that was able to track prospective tourist arrivals. We need to be able to warn people that if they come on certain days they are not going to have a good time, he said, adding that the long-term goal should be to draw back full-term residents who have drained away from the city in recent years as short-term lets increasingly dominate the housing market. Sir Keir Starmer defended Joe Biden's mental capability after a string of gaffes and a disastrous debate performance from the US president. In an interview with CNN, the new British prime minister addressed concerns over the president's acuity after Mr Biden introduced Volodymyr Zelensky as "president Putin" and referred to his running mate Kamala Harris as vice president Trump." Sir Keir said Mr Biden was "in good form" when the pair spoke on the phone recently. Praising the Nato summit, he added: "President Zelensky [said] this is a success. And so I do think [Mr Biden] deserves credit for that. While it may seem appealing now, there's one problem with the free charging offered at car parks and shopping centres, writes Adam Lucius. Free charging may be appealing now, but it won't last forever, writes Adam Lucius. Source: Supplied/Facebook Listen up all you non-electric car drivers out there. Blowing up about allowing battery-powered cars free charging at city parking stations is not the hill you want to die on. To quote Montgomery Burns from The Simpsons, let the fools have their tartar sauce. It will soon all end in tears. It's a fool's paradise. This is the biggest con since Sea-Monkeys. And it's certainly not a good enough reason to turn in your BP Rewards card. This latest petrol v plug-in debate started from an electric car driver praising a Brisbane parking station for offering free charging on top of his parking fee. It seemed reasonable enough until conventional car owners developed FOMO and wanted to know why "no business offers free petrol". Probably for the same reason they don't hand out free drinks to non-gamblers at casinos. I guess those complaining about "EV privilege" haven't heard some shopping centres and local councils have been offering free charging for years. Should I tell them or you? Hidden costs are on their way for EV drivers I've written here before I remain sceptical, but open-minded, about the benefits of EVs. I'm not convinced they are reliable or cost-effective enough for me to go cold turkey on the petrol pump just yet. But the EV army is growing and will only become stronger. Lots of places are offering free charging... for now, but just wait until the hidden costs start to mount, warns Adam Lucius. Source: Getty You can mount a stiff argument against them on many fronts, but bickering about free battery power at parking stations is petty. Just like streaming services offering "first month free" before attacking your credit card like Siamese Fighting Fish once the promotion is over, EV owners will soon be paying for the privilege of charging their cars at stations currently offering free power. There is no such thing as a free lunchor power socket. Its like expecting Happy Hour to run from midday to midnight. And when the inevitable price crunch arrives, it wont be overly cheap. Appealing charging incentive can't last forever While the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia estimates public fast chargers are around 20 per cent cheaper than using petrol, it still means sizeable bills for parking station operators. And while some may be happy to wear the cost for now, it wont last forever. As Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, renewable energy professor from Swinburne University of Technology, told Yahoo News: "In my opinion, it's going to be temporary. It's an incentive to motivate people to embrace and accept electric vehicles." Spot on. Once that cost is passed on, it will mean an additional $20-30 for EV owners on top of the standard parking fee. They will be more out of pocket for parking (and charging) than drivers of conventional cars. EV incentives are nothing new and not worth getting all "jelly" over. Especially when the power socket hits you in the pocket. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. John McDonnell understands politics in a way that his comrade Jeremy Corbyn never did. While Corbyn was mithering on about winning the argument after the 2019 election defeat, McDonnell had already seen a few moves ahead. He urged his colleagues in the Socialist Campaign Group to stay in Labour and fight for their policies, but to be careful and not to give their opponents excuses to kick them out. His warning fell on deaf ears, as one Corbynite after another, including Corbyn himself, resigned from the front bench, or left the Labour Party or gave Keir Starmer an excuse to kick them out. Thus, the Campaign Group has been marginalised, reduced from 32 members in the last parliament to 25 now a decline from 16 per cent of Labour MPs to 6 per cent of a much larger number. So it is significant that McDonnell was out and about fomenting rebellion in the new Parliamentary Labour Party less than a week after the formation of a Labour government. The former shadow chancellor has said that he may seek to amend the Kings Speech if scrapping the two-child benefit cap on state benefits, imposed by George Osborne, is not in it. It is significant for two reasons. One is that McDonnell thinks that the two-child limit is the first issue that is going to cause internal problems for the new government. The other is that he thinks it is safe to go public to say so. This is because Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, and Suella Braverman, Labours hate figure on the Conservative right, have all called for the limit to be lifted. McDonnell is a good judge of how to use an elite consensus to make transitional demands. Who can be against the relief of child poverty? If The Independent and Nigel Farage are for it, how can the Labour government resist? The inconvenient fact that public opinion supports the two-child limit can be overlooked. The consensus is that ending it would be a good idea; the only question is when the country can afford it. Thus, McDonnell thinks that he is, in Sarwars words, pushing at an open door. Alan Campbell, the government chief whip, has already lost half the argument with idealistic new MPs who want to be loyal, even if only for the sake of advancement because it cannot be disloyal to call for something advocated by Gordon Brown. Indeed, it is not against Labour policy to call for the two-child limit to be lifted when resources allow. The party line is that it is something it would like to do, but that there is no money and so not doing it is one of the tough choices that the disastrous Tories have forced the incoming government to make. McDonnells skill in turning the ratchet is to sound entirely reasonable in calling for action against child poverty, but then to suggest that he will table an amendment to the Kings Speech. That puts pressure on the speaker to allow a vote in parliament the week after next, which would force Labour MPs to choose. Tony Blair suffered a big rebellion against a cut to lone parent benefit six months after coming to power in 1997. But it would be unprecedented for a new government to face a significant rebellion so soon after being elected, and on something as symbolic as the vote on the partys legislative programme. What is worse for Starmer is that child poverty is only one of a wave of possible rebellions from his MPs over the summer. He faces tough decisions over which he may be challenged from the right, such as on releasing prisoners early and refusing to put a date on the ambition to raise defence spending. But the really hard choices are those over which he will be challenged from the left, including on public-sector pay, as our political editor reports today. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, and the junior doctors leaders sound optimistic about a deal, but behind them is a queue of other public servants wanting to catch up. The good news for the prime minister is that he has enjoyed an election bounce in public support. In a rare post-election opinion poll, Ipsos found that his net favourability is now plus seven points, compared with minus 13 before the election campaign. When people were asked how they felt about the election result, the most common responses were hopeful (36 per cent) and relieved (24 per cent); more people said the result of the election made them feel more positive (39 per cent) about the next five years than negative (31 per cent). So Starmer has some capital hoarded for the attrition of decisions in government that will offend one group or another. His honeymoon is not over yet, and he has an advantage that Blair never had of expectations being low. But John McDonnell can sense trouble ahead, and he is relishing it. Company says it turned profitable in final quarter of last year and is now trading well The ESB acquired a majority 76pc stake in So Energy in 2021. Photo: Frank McGrath The ESB-owned So Energy utility in the UK continued to post huge losses in 2022, but has seen its financial performance improve as markets stabilised. Newly-filed accounts for So Energy show the business made a 78.6m (93.5m) operating loss in the nine months from April 2022 to the end of December that year. The accounts reflect a time when wholesale energy prices remained significantly elevated around the world. At the end of 2022, the company had a retained loss of 222.5m. The loss in the 2022 period compared with a 151.4m operating loss So Energy made in the 12 months to the end of March 2022. The accounts show that the gross loss margin narrowed to 5.6pc in the nine-month period in 2022, from 29.3pc in the previous full year. ESB chief financial officer Paul Stapleton told the Irish Independent earlier this year that he expects So Energy to be profitable this year. In 2023, ESBs customer solutions business posted a 12m loss for the year, which compared with a 109m loss in 2022. Those lower losses were due to a better performance by So Energy during 2023. The UK business returned to profitability in the final quarter of last year and continued to be profitable in the first quarter of 2024. So Energys directors said in its newly-filed accounts it will require materially lower funding in 2024 than during 2023. So Energy had a total of 375m in funding spread across five facilities at the end of 2022. They included a 150m standby collateral facility due to expire at the end of 2024 and a 225m facility that matures in 2031. The directors said the maturity of the 150m standby facility would have to be extended, and that this extension is expected to be finalised this summer. They said that while as of May this year, the fact the facility expires at the end of 2024 casts doubt on So Energys ability to continue in business beyond then, there is a strong expectation that an agreement to extend the funding will be confirmed. The So Energy accounts signed off in May this year note that if the market trajectory it saw in 2023 continues this year, customers will have more favourable tariff options during 2024. The accounts note that the number of customers So Energy had at the end of 2022 was 316,000. That was down marginally on the 320,000 it had at the end of March that year. So Energy said it engaged in no customer acquisition campaigns during the year due to the volatility of the wholesale energy markets. Throughout 2022, the unprecedented volatility in the global energy markets resulted in record wholesale energy prices, the accounts note. They add: Wholesale energy prices were significantly impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with forward gas prices peaking at over 800 pence per therm in August 2022. Despite operating a hedging strategy in line with the companys hedging policy, the volatile wholesale energy market resulted in difficult trading conditions. A deal is said to be attractive to Bombardier because of its relationship with and knowledge of the workforce. Photo:Bloomberg Bombardier is eyeing a deal to buy back most of its old operations in Belfast which were sold to Spirit AeroSystems in 2020 Canadian aircraft giant Bombardier is eyeing a move to buy back almost all its former operations in Northern Ireland. In a move affecting about 2,500 jobs, the company would purchase most of what it sold to US firm Spirit AeroSystems in 2020, people with knowledge of the matter said. Bombardier owned the aerospace factory between 1989 and 2020. Under the new plan Bombardier would buy back the main factory at Queens Island in Belfast, as well as a factory in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, a site in Newtownards, Co Down, and a chemical treatment factory known as Centre 04. Parts of the site still carry out work for Bombardier, including the manufacturers business jets. While no guarantees are being given about the future of jobs, its understood a deal is attractive to Bombardier because of its relationship with and knowledge of the workforce. The size of the workforce makes Spirit AeroSystems the biggest heavy-manufacturing employer in Northern Ireland. With Bombardiers eye on the entirety of the site minus a factory that makes wings for the Airbus A220 its understood the workforce is regarded as an intrinsic part. The sale of the operations in Northern Ireland has been forced after Boeing announced a $4bn (3.7bn) takeover of Spirit AeroSystems as part of an effort to sort outs its own high-profile safety issues affecting production of its 737 Max jet. Under the transaction terms, Airbus would acquire the part of the Spirit AeroSystems operation which makes wings and the mid-fuselage for the Airbus A220. A source said: Bombardier is strongly interested in purchasing the remaining part of Spirit AeroSystems in Belfast, excluding the wing production of the A220 units. Sources said Bombardiers involvement is at the interest phase, rather than in active negotiations. Any discussions will be with Spirit, in a side deal, before Spirit is sold to Boeing. Any deal between Spirit and Bombardier is expected to be complex, and no values are yet attached A deal is said to be attractive to Bombardier because of its relationship with and knowledge of the workforce. Photo:Bloomberg A spokesperson for Spirit AeroSystems in Belfast said: Spirit and Airbus continue to negotiate in good faith for Airbus to acquire our A220 programmes in Belfast. We are evaluating options for our other Belfast operations. Meanwhile, we continue to operate business as usual across our sites and remain focused on providing the best-quality products to all our customers. Asked for comment, Bombardier said M&A conversations were covered by strict non-disclosure agreements, whether the conversations are actively happening or not. Stephen Kelly of industry body Manufacturing NI said: The Spirit business would be an incredible asset for any aerospace primary or top-tier supplier. It has a unique engineering capability, an expertise in lightweight structures and a fully tooled manufacturing footprint which would be hard, and costly, to try to replicate anywhere else. The deal would solve a headache for Airbus, which would not wish to be operating in Belfast in a larger site owned by arch-rival Boeing. In April, Spirit UK chairman Michael Ryan wrote to unions and political leaders saying a break-up of the site would be extremely detrimental to Northern Irelands economy. Fiction From the unmarried mothers who fled to London in the 1960s because staying in Ireland meant a lifetime of shame and hiding to the working mothers of today who juggle kids, careers and a thousand invisible expectations, Irish women have been fighting a system designed to confine them. Director Eanna Mac Cana on surviving a rare form of the disease and telling the story of the Fermanagh medic who traced its origins in the African tropics Above the streets of Belfast, Eanna Mac Cana was alone with a diagnosis and a disease. He would watch his mother Sharon pedalling away from Belfast City Hospital during the summer of 2017. He was on the 10th floor and as she cycled below him, his mother would wave in the direction of his ward. Mac Cana was 19, a student studying film-making in Manchester. He had just returned to Belfast for the summer when a symptom he had ignored became unignorable. He was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma and would endure four months of chemotherapy. He was unlucky; the chances of developing the disease were about one in half a million. But the factors that led to the identification of Burkitt lymphoma, as Mac Cana discovered, involved an even greater series of coincidences, an odyssey and a mapping of a disease across Africa that owed much to the study of birds in the Fermanagh countryside. Today's News in 90 seconds - Saturday, July 13 It was a journey that ultimately helped lead to the first discovery of a virus causing cancer in humans. Mac Cana tells the story in a stunning film that will be shown at the Galway Film Fleadh tomorrow. Burkitt is the story of Denis Burkitt, a surgeon from Fermanagh who gave his name to the cancer Eanna Mac Cana had. The film-makers own experiences are weaved into the film in a subtle, unsentimental and fascinating way which never comes close to self-pity. Mac Cana could have felt sorry for himself but never did. In a hotel near Dublin Airport this week, he says that when he was diagnosed, he felt isolated and transformed, especially after the first four months of chemotherapy. During his time in hospital, he didnt probe too much into aspects of his disease. My fear was not wanting to know how serious it was, he says. The hospital had been a place of tragedy for his family. His mother came to visit him every day; to a place where she had lost three babies. So there is a haunting aspect to the wave that her son filmed as she used to cycle away. His aunt had died from cancer earlier in the year he was diagnosed, and he had lost other family members to the disease. Cancer, to him, equalled death. People dont want to talk about the potential of what cancer can do. Theres always a talking around it, he says. One of the nice things about making this film is untangling the thing that cancer means youre going to die, breaking down that word. It is really treatable. Theres a life beyond it. But life in hospital at times could feel different. Death was real on the ward. There were people who were dying. I knew someone who was my age, who had been treated on floor 10, who had passed away, he says. I tried not to think of it but I knew it was there. It raised the stakes, is how Mac Cana reflects on his diagnosis. For a long time, he found it impossible to do anything that he didnt feel had meaning. In a way, getting out of hospital made everything seem more real and it hit me a lot more. In hospital, I was an in-patient and I was up there above the city and it was summery and sunny. Lots of other people, their experiences are drawn out, theyre in and out of hospital. In the grand scheme of things, mine was quite quick and intensive. But there was a clock ticking inside him. After his treatment, he was told there would be five years of check-ups before he could be formally discharged. Those five years would be an intense experience. He had the feeling that you had to live every moment. You couldnt relax, he adds. There were times in those five years I lived emotionally and on the edge. That takes its toll on you. Not feeling you can actually breathe or take things slow. You always feel like theres some kind of weight or pressure on you. That impacts people around you too. I was in a relationship with someone at the time. The whole cancer experience really impacted that. That person wanted things from me and wanted things from the future me but because there was always an uncertainty about the future, I felt I couldnt reach them. Then you start doing things that mess up the present version of you. Link between virus and cancer: Denis Burkitt at work in Uganda Mac Canas interest in Burkitt came four years after he left hospital, when he saw a book titled Irish Masters of Medicine and read a chapter on the doctor. Your name, my cancer, Mac Cana says in the film. It is in the frames of your life that I have found meaning. Burkitt had spent a summer in a Belfast hospital after a stone was thrown into his eye. He eventually lost the eye and received a Kodak camera as a gift. Burkitt took photographs wherever he went, most significantly in Uganda and across Africa. Burkitt was working for the British Medical Service in Uganda when he was asked to see a child with swelling on both sides of his jaw and loose teeth. He had never seen a case like this, a curiosity. A couple of weeks later, he saw a mother with a child outside the hospital and something compelled him to approach them. He left his ward round to examine the child, where he saw exactly the same tumour in the jaw. If you see something twice, its not a curiosity. We must get hold of it, he said. Burkitt was a surgeon, not a cancer specialist, but his work led to a phenomenal breakthrough in cancer research. He did it through methods he was familiar with in Fermanagh. Burkitts father was the county surveyor, but he was also a keen amateur ornithologist and one of the first to use ringing to identify birds in the field. He was the first person to study the distribution territories of robins, Burkitt would recall of his father. James Parsons Burkitt was named as one of the seven people who had done most to develop ornithology in the islands. As Mac Cana researched Denis Burkitt, he said it began to feel like a whodunnit as the connection became stronger. When Burkitt began to study these symptoms that appeared across a certain belt of Africa, he found that his mapping was similar to how his father would study birds. He was observing, says Mac Cana. The prognosis for the children with jaw tumours was bleak. They would usually die within weeks. With the help of a pathologist, Burkitt went through old hospital records. They discovered that the tumours were unknown before the age of two and rarely appeared in children above the age of 12. They also appeared most in the north and east of Uganda, rather than in the more populous areas. Burkitt used his photographs to make leaflets identifying the tumours as a malignant lymphoma. [Burkitt] became human as I listened to him, I got a sense of his little mannerisms. He wasnt a saint. It helped not to idolise him, just to be truthful When they mapped where the tumours had been recorded, they appeared in tropical Africa but not in the north or in the south. As his work became known, cancer specialists made contact and the film notes the extraordinary time when Burkitt, administered chemotherapy to a child in his kitchen. He was a surgeon, he wasnt a chemotherapist, Mac Cana says. He got a bit of pushback because its quite a demarcation in medicine. Burkitt was determined to find out what was causing this cancer. Britain was preparing to leave Uganda so time was running out. He then embarked on the most incredible aspect of his story, setting out in October 1961 on a 10,000-mile safari across Africa to map the disease more precisely. In a Ford estate, Burkitt and two doctor friends embarked on a defining chapter in cancer research. As they drove across the continent, they discovered that the tumours were dependent on altitude as well, but an entomologist noticed something else about Burkitts map: it almost exactly replicated the distribution of malaria across Africa, implying that the cancer, too, could be insect-borne. A few months before the safari, Burkitt had given a lecture at a London medical school which he illustrated with the photographs he had taken. In the lecture theatre was a young virologist, Anthony Epstein. Epstein believed that if cancers in birds could be caused by viruses, there was no reason the same wouldnt be true in humans. We are all considered to be crazy, Epstein told Burkitt in a conversation between the two that is a compelling moment in the film. I could barely sit still, Epstein says of the lecture as Burkitt laid out the conditions where the cancer was found. He approached Burkitt and they agreed that Burkitt would send samples of the tumours to his lab. Epstein, alongside a researcher from Carlow, a virologist called Yvonne Barr, would ultimately discover the Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and establish the link between that virus and cancer; 20pc of cancers can now be linked to viral infection. I didnt really get into the EBV in the film, Mac Cana says, but the chances of him looking into a microscope and seeing the virus was tiny. Burkitt was central to the discoveries about this disease and the development of treatment and it came from the same power of observation. His father, Burkitt recalled, once stood so still while studying the birds in Fermanagh that an owl mistook him for a post and landed on his head. My fathers maps of birds are not unlike how I mapped cancer half a century later, he said. Mac Cana got to know the Burkitt family during the making of the film and their own story is explored, including his wife Olives struggles with depression brought on by her experiences as a nurse in the war. His absences as he mapped the disease appeared to exacerbate her illness. Mac Cana made contact with the Burkitt family through the Wellcome Collection in London, which houses all his material. Im very close to the family now, he says. He became human as I listened to him, I got a sense of his little mannerisms. He wasnt a saint. It helped not to idolise him, just to be truthful. Theyre a special kind of family, you can feel it in their presence although maybe thats because he cured the cancer I had. One day during post-production for the film, Mac Cana received a call. He was being formally discharged. He was free of cancer. Mac Cana looks back on the time and is ready to move on. This urge I had to make time matter. Everything I did had to mean something. Its only in the past year I felt I could take days off. Life doesnt have to be this relentless emotional experience. Burkitt is being shown tomorrow as part of Galway Film Fleadh. For details, go to galwayfilmfleadh.com/project/burkitt Farmer opens fire at getaway van after third burglary gang raid in a year Victim who is in his 60s and lives alone told local enough is enough The grey van that was fired on, with bullet holes visible Ken Foy and Eavan Murray Sat 13 Jul 2024 at 03:30 A 62-year-old farmer who fired two shots at a van that was involved in an attempted burglary at his property had said enough is enough after criminals targeted his home three times in the space of a year. A group representing Irish thalidomide survivors has said those impacted are devastated, hurt and shocked by the expression of sympathy they received in a letter from the government this week. In a letter sent on Tuesday, the government apologised to thalidomide survivors for the hardship they have endured and offered its sympathy to those survivors. The letter to survivors also said that mothers who had taken the drug had done nothing wrong. However, Finola Cassidy, spokesperson for the Irish Thalidomide Association, has said the response from survivors to the letter has been one of hurt and shock. "I was five hours on calls yesterday, lengthy, lengthy calls with the majority of our members. I don't know how to say it any other way, but we are devastated. We are so hurt, and we are so shocked, because everything about the recent past, the new politics in Ireland, some interactions with the Taoiseach and everything, we really thought we were on a step forward, actually a step to conclusion, a step to sorting this, Ms Cassidy said on RTEs Brendan OConnor Show. Ms Cassidy said one member told her they believed they deserved so much more. As somebody put it to me last night, I thought it was a bit much, and it's too harsh for me to say it, but I'm going to quote it; Is the new politics, all smoke and mirrors, because we deserved so much more, Ms Cassidy said. Ms Cassidy also criticised the wording of the letter, which she described as extraordinary. The manner in which it's been delivered, was just extraordinary. It says an expression of sympathy for failing to protect the children of the state. That's not an apology. They didn't protect. That's what is said. It's an expression of sympathy, but that's what they did, they failed to protect the children of the state, Ms Cassidy said. Thalidomide was prescribed to expectant mothers to alleviate the symptoms of morning sickness in the 1950s but was withdrawn from the market in November 1961. However, it was several months before authorities here in Ireland acted and the drug was still available a year after the international withdrawal. An expression of regret blaming the regulatory standards of the time, not coming to the table and owning their hand act or part in choosing deliberately not to withdraw the drug, Ms Cassidy said. Ms Cassidy said the groups members now want to see the government to own what happened. She also said that during a mediation process between survivors and the government that they believed a state apology like that for the Stardust victims was going to be given to them. Genuinely, that's what we were led to believe, that we were heading in that direction. Certainly, that's what we thought, that there was going to be fresh engagement and a fresh delivery on this, Ms Cassidy said. Tuesdays letter also outlined an enhanced package of health care and support for survivors which includes support housing and car adaptations and free travel passes. However, Ms Cassidy said the inclusion of free travel passes was so ill advised. I think that was probably the sentence that put me on my knees. I just couldn't believe that they were dealing with an attempt at regret and sympathy, knowing that mothers and whole families and their lifetime of history was going to be in that, and let's stick in a sentence about well give you a free bus pass. I can't even begin to tell you how ill advised it was, she said. Ms Cassidy said she could not confirm if she planned to meet with government leaders as she was yet to speak with all members of the group. The meetings were very lengthy yesterday, and I can't begin to explain the palpable hurt and upset. So we have a few days. Let's see how this plays out and I think the ball is in their court, Ms Cassidy said. Ms Cassidy also asked how the government could get the letter so wrong. Now, either come to the table again, or reach out to us, and maybe even off air and privately, that we actually figure out why they got this so wrong. I don't know if it was very stupid. I don't know if it was very deliberate, but we aren't going anywhere. Sadly, we've nowhere to go. We have to keep on the fight, Ms Cassidy said. This was very shocking for the family and local residents in what has been a quiet area A man has been badly injured in what has been described as a petrol bomb attack on a house in Drimnagh, in the south of Dublin city last night. The man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, according to gardai, who said his condition has been described as stable. It follows what one local councillor said was a shocking incident in the deliberate targeting of the house that has left a family homeless. Today's News in 90 seconds - Saturday, July 13 Cllr Daithi Doolan of Sinn Fein, who is himself a local resident, said the family had fled in fear after the frightening attack on their home overnight. "This attack is unacceptable and should never have taken place, Cllr Doolan said. The family had to flee in the middle of the night and find shelter elsewhere. It was a terrible incident and has left local people in fear. This was very shocking for the family and local residents in what has been a quiet area. People are quite terrified this morning. Obviously fires can be uncontrollable and can spread to neighbouring houses. So, people are very nervous. Cllr Doolan pointed out last nights attack was just the latest in a number of very violent incidents in the area in recent months. Weve had a fatal shooting, weve had a gun attack and now a firebomb attack that has effectively left a family homeless. This latest attack is an attack on the whole community in Drimnagh, he added. And those behind it, those who organised and carried it out need to face the full rigours of the law. They will not succeed in intimidating us. This is a strong community and we won't be easily scared. "But our community deserves better than this. We urgently need more gardai. "I would strongly urge anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel it is, to please contact the gardai. It is essential those who organised this attack are arrested and face justice." Gardai said they were investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a house in Drimnagh, Dublin 12 in the early hours of Saturday morning. One male was taken to hospital with serious injuries; his condition is described as stable, gardai said. Gardai in Sundrive Road are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them. Any person who was in the vicinity of Dromard Road in Drimnagh in the early hours of Saturday morning between 3am and 3.45am and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sundrive Road garda station 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. Gardai added that investigations are ongoing. Members of the public watch a bonfire in Larne, Co Antrim. Photo: PA Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said he had a very good and positive first meeting with the UKs new Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn on Thursday evening. He also stressed the Government has not imposed any timeframe on talks with the new British administration to resolve the issue over legacy cases from the Troubles. Mr Martin said the new Northern Ireland secretary had his own thoughts on how to resolve the issue, and the Government remains determined to give time and space to allow for an acceptable resolution to the impasse with the new Labour government. The former Conservative governments hardline stance on legacy issues proved a major difficulty not just with Dublin but with both nationalists and unionists in Northern Ireland, who felt victims and their families were not being treated properly. First of all, it was a very good meeting. It was a very positive meeting and the tone was good, Mr Martin said yesterday. We had a lengthy meeting, we explored many of the issues including the legacy problem, and he has clear issues around legacy. The precise mechanisms by which they will bring about change have yet to be determined. It was agreed that both sets of officials, both governments, would engage on the matter and I did point out that within the inter-state case are facilities for the friendly resolution of these issues between the two governments. Suffice to say, I think the British governments position on the immunity questions are now clear. And there are other issues that he is looking at in terms of inquests and civil cases. But I think I would allow the secretary some time and space to come forward with these precise proposals. I think it is very clear that we will be well briefed on them, and we will engage and perform our ideas and our views in respect of what happened in previous agreements. We did both accept that the critical issue was restoring trust among victims and the families of victims in respect of whatever legacy process is ultimately determined upon. That is key really, irrespective of the mechanisms that will be developed. In the interim and pending a resolution, Ireland will proceed with its case to Europe over the matter. The case continues, obviously. There are going to be discussions between multiple officials. That is what we agreed last night, the Tanaiste said yesterday. And as I said, you know, were hopeful and were confident that real progress can be made on this issue. Mr Martin insisted that no timeframe would be imposed on the talks aimed at agreeing a settlement to the thorny issue. There is not a specific timeframe but obviously, I think hes very well briefed. Mr Benn (70) ranks as one of Labours most experienced politicians and has served as both shadow foreign secretary and shadow Northern Ireland secretary. He also served in various ministerial roles under both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He was an active opposition shadow spokesperson on Northern Ireland, Mr Martin said. I would have met him on a number of occasions prior to that, prior to becoming secretary of state, so I think, you know, he hit the ground running. Putin Bombs Cancer Kids. The headline in the Daily Mirror is as powerful as it is succinct, and shows how, even in a vicious conflict such as Ukraine, where the rules of war are routinely ignored, some actions can still cut through. Usually, Vladimir Putins crimes against humanity, at least after the initial shock of the invasion, became mere background noise to those in the West. The targeting of the largest paediatric unit in the country was indeed a heinous act, and a cynical one that was ordered by Putin, the latest in his pitiless war of aggression in Ukraine. Sometimes you wonder whether the Kremlin is playing some dark satirical game when it tries to pass off a childrens hospital in Kyiv as a Ukrainian air base. Altogether 41 people died in the series of bombings across the country, including one doctor in the hospital where some of the terrified, traumatised children were injured. It was an act of audacious cruelty that has brought the war in Ukraine back to the attention of the world. It is knowingly, obviously, sadistically, aimed at the most defenceless people of all. This was, in a sense, Putins aim. He wanted to demoralise the Ukrainian people, but he also wanted to show the Western leaders making their way to the Nato summit in Washington just how determined and ruthless he still is. He always seems particularly incensed when Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukraine president, turns up at these gatherings. The Russian president wants to show his displeasure and, being a bully, he picks on the most vulnerable. He conflates and confuses power with barbarity. In terms of media coverage, something of the same may be true of specific incidents in the war in Gaza. The atrocities perpetrated by Hamas on October 7 the murder, rape and kidnapping of civilians at a music festival also grabbed the attention of the world, as well as the ire of Israel. It attracted huge public sympathy for the Israeli people in a way that a missile attack on an army base, say, would certainly not have done. As with the war in Ukraine, the Israeli invasion and its aftermath after a time stopped making the headlines every day; but some incidents did press on the worlds conscience. When seven international aid workers from the World Central Kitchen were killed when the Israeli military attacked their convoy in April, the death toll was not particularly large by comparison with what had been going on around it, actions that collectively led to accusations of genocide being levelled at the International Court of Justice. There was a global outcry and Joe Biden declared himself outraged and heartbroken, which he did not make public every time there was loss of life. The uncomfortable fact is that because the dead included three Britons, a Pole, an Australian and one dual US-Canadian citizen, the story suddenly seized the worlds imagination, standing out from the rubble and the starvation. The assaults by the IDF on hospitals and schools in Gaza have also tended to attract more attention, but they have to be more demonstrably callous every time to make the Western public take notice. The lesson seems to be that no matter how fatigued Western governments and their respective publics grow at these intractable conflicts, there will always be some atrocity that can jolt our consciences back to life. Long conflicts always have moments when governments are forced to take action. Even in the successive destructions of Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq there would be massacres or the demolition of ancient cultural monuments that would prompt fresh questions. The same was the case in Americas decade-long conflict in Vietnam, and the 30 years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. We still recall the incidents in Vietnam, My Lai and the famous image of the napalm girl; in Ireland, Bloody Sunday and the Omagh bombing. No wars are really forgotten, and all have the potential to cause death, destruction and misery that makes people far away call on their governments to act. Every so often they pay a call on us and impinge on our consciences. In the case of the sick children in Kyiv, the bombing should make Nato leaders send the weapons and ammunition Ukraine needs to defend itself; and make European governments find the money to re-arm and to expand Nato in order to deter Russia and prevent the war in Ukraine from spreading. It is why British prime minister Keir Starmer is right to want to put Ukraine on an irreversible path to Nato membership, and why Nigel Farage is wrong to say this war was provoked by the West. The plain fact is that if Ukraine had been a full member of Nato, then Putin would never have invaded and those kids in Kyiv would not have been bombed. Every atrocity carries a lesson. ( The Independent) For the last five years, Ursula von der Leyen has lived above the shop with a small, purposely adapted flat close to her offices on the 13th floor of the iconic Commission HQ inside the Berlaymont building in Brussels scruffy EU quarter. President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Washington. Photo: AP Lyndon B Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson and their dog Yuki at their ranch in 1972. Photo: Getty In March 1968, US president Lyndon B Johnson was nearly 40 minutes into a speech on the Vietnam War when he closed with a stunning announcement: he would not seek another term. From the Oval Office, Johnson said he would not devote an hour or a day of my time to any duties beyond his current presidency or accept the Democratic Partys nomination again. His decision, known only to immediate family and a few close advisers beforehand, shocked Americans who heard his speech that night. Now experts say some of the forces at play during that race Johnsons concerns about his own health, discontent over his handling of the war and competition from fellow Democrats mirror pressures surrounding Joe Biden as a growing number of allies publicly question his fitness to serve another term. After sailing to victory in 1964 to win his first full term, Johnson realised he would probably experience a difficult primary four years later, said Kent Germany, a history professor at the University of South Carolina. He faced formidable challengers from within his own party, and a significant portion of the public disapproved of his policies in Vietnam. The immediate message that he was receiving was that theres not going to be a coronation once again, Germany said. He was also, I think, concerned that men in the Johnson family didnt live very long Johnson, who had a heart attack in 1955, had considered dropping out of a presidential race at least once before. During the 1964 Democratic National Convention, at which he would receive his partys nomination, Johnson told one of his aides he wanted to withdraw. In a reference to former president Woodrow Wilsons 1919 stroke, Johnson said he did not want to be in this place like Wilson, according to a recording from the LBJ Presidential Library. Now, there are younger men and better-prepared men and better-trained men and Harvard-educated men and I know my own limitations, Johnson told his aide. I just dont believe that I have the physical and mental strength to carry them. Johnsons doubts appear to have been short-lived. Two days after the conversation with his aide, he accepted the Democratic nomination. He went on to defeat Republican Barry Goldwater in a landslide victory. But his concerns became more pronounced in 1968 as he considered a second full term. For years, Johnson had been discussing the prospect of not running again with his wife, Lady Bird Johnson. As the election drew closer, he considered his health and the contenders he would face for the Democratic nomination including Eugene McCarthy, who had received 42pc of the vote to Johnsons 50pc in New Hampshires Democratic primary. His health also weighed on him. He was also, I think, concerned that men in the Johnson family didnt live very long, said Fredrik Logevall, a history professor at Harvard University. In the years leading up to the next election cycle, Johnsons approval rating drastically declined. Historians say Americans dissatisfaction with Johnsons handling of the Vietnam War was the driving factor behind his decision to leave the race. He had committed to this policy of escalation in Vietnam several years before and had literally put the blood of Americans into the soil of south-east Asia, Germany said. President Joe Biden speaks during a meeting with Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Washington. Photo: AP Ahead of his March 31, 1968, address about de-escalating the conflict, Johnson had written two versions of his speech one that included his exit announcement and one that didnt. In the end, he told Americans he had decided he should not permit the presidency to become involved in the partisan divisions that are developing in this political year. He went on: With Americas sons in the fields far away, with Americas future under challenge right here at home, with our hopes and the worlds hopes for peace in the balance every day, I do not believe that I should devote an hour or a day of my time to any personal partisan causes or to any duties other than the awesome duties of this office the presidency of your country. Until that moment, many Americans expected Johnson to continue seeking a second term. After he withdrew, his vice-president, Hubert Humphrey, announced his candidacy and won the support of enough delegates to become the Democratic nominee at that years convention. Republican Richard Nixon ultimately defeated Humphrey and George Wallace, a former Alabama governor who ran as an independent, to capture the presidency. The discussions around Bidens fitness to serve a second term have been far more public than the conversations about Johnson, Logevall said. He cant do anything to make himself more popular by being younger, right? He said that after Johnsons speech, I think people said to each other in their living rooms, Did he just say what I think he just said? I think there was a degree of shock that, of course, is very different from today. The primary concerns are also different for Biden than they were for Johnson. As he debated former president Donald Trump on June 27, Biden at times struggled to complete sentences, spoke haltingly and appeared confused. Democrats responded with alarm about the 81-year-olds mental acuity and ability to serve a second term. He cant do anything to make himself more popular by being younger, right? Germany said. Johnson could have changed policies in Vietnam to make himself more popular, but instead he made the decision to withdraw from the race. Still, Johnsons exit appears to have been a game-time decision, an indicator of his ambivalence towards re-election, Logevall said. Earlier on the day of his address, a former aide recalled in a memoir, Johnson still wasnt sure what he would do. I wont know whether Im going to do this until I get to the last line of my speech, the president said, according to the book. Residents in Ballincollig have been urged to rally once again and say no to a proposal to develop a large casino in the village. Sinn Fein councillor Joe Lynch who represents Cork City South West reiterated his impassioned plea after an appeal was lodged by Coalquay Leisure Ltd to An Bord Pleanala to overturn a planning refusal issued by City Hall. The original planning application was rejected by Cork City Council following massive community opposition. Cllr Lynch said plans for a large casino offer no benefits to the community in Ballincollig. Since the plan to develop a large casino in Ballincollig first emerged, I have been clear in my view that there are no benefits for our community from this proposal - only negatives - and that the people behind this proposal should be sent packing. Cllr Lynch continued: Cork City Council, to their credit, agreed with the community in respect of the original planning application, however the applicants have now appealed their rejection to An Bord Pleanala. "I set out my position in a lengthy objection submitted to the Council in May, as did many others. It is clear that the community in Ballincollig must rally once more to record our opposition to this proposal to develop a large casino in our village, which we do not want, he added. Gra Chocolates has launched a Kickstarter campaign to build their new and permanent home, Galways very first chocolate factory. Kilchreest native Grainne Mullins founded Gra Chocolates in 2020 from her parents home, and she told the Irish Independent many things have changed since then as it has been a crazy journey. She said: The business has grown, its no longer just me anymore, we have an amazing team of 18 people, its developed, people know about us, people love the product, and we have such incredible loyal customers. When I first set up I didnt even know if anyone would buy the chocolates. Her chocolates, crafted over three days using the finest ingredients, were immediately a success and as her business kept growing, so did her ambitions. Now, Grainne thinks it is the right moment to take another leap forward. The Galway woman added: Our prices are going up, our rent is going up, and I kind of want to take back control of that, in any ways I can. I have dreamt of having my own chocolate factory since I first set up Gra Chocolates so I really was trying to think outside the box of what to do and I thought maybe theres no better time than now. So this July, Gra Chocolates officially launched a Kickstarter campaign to build Galways first chocolate factory. Grainne explained: I think the first step was seeing how I could possibly fund it, so it was a lot of research, asking people how they have funded different projects in the past. And I ended up researching Kickstarter and thought this could be a fantastic way to back my dreams. She explained the project is currently on its first phase, finding a site where to build or a suitable building to refurbish. The project is expected to take two years and, once completed, it will include a State-of-the-Art Chocolate Factory, an Interactive Visitor Centre, Retail Shop, Innovator Hub, and Content Studio. Supporter rewards include everything from having your name on a chocolate fountain, a year's supply of Gra Chocolates, to truly exclusive experiences like having your very own pop-up Gra Chocolates shop or an exclusive dinner party cooked for you in your own home by Grainne Mullins herself. The project has already received great support from the community as Grainne highlighted how the project would not be possible without the love and support of her loyal customers. The 30-year-old said: The support that we have seen over the last few weeks and since we told people its just growing and growing. The amount of people who have reached out and want to help us, we have builders reaching out saying they will help us building it, we have architects reaching out saying they will give us advice, we have so many people giving their help and their advice. Its so appreciated that people are going out of their way to help my dream a reality. Grainne added she is extremely excited to start this new project and is not afraid of the challenged ahead: Theres lots of it [concerns] because Ive never done anything like this before, but at the same time Im very excited. Any challenge that has come up on me over the past four years Ive always just embraced it, and if theres a problem you always find a solution. I think when you really action on thing you can make anything happen. I hope that people see how well the Kickstarter model can work for certain businesses. And if your community is there, it will all work out. Few that return to their ancestral home are as emotionally invested as Fred Lynch from Rhode Island is. The New Englanders heart is very much in old Ireland where he sketches landscapes associated with his ancestors deep in the Iveragh Peninsula. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the chirpy, diminutive therapist who became a pop culture figure as she encouraged Americans to have sex safely, frequently and creatively, has died at the age of 96, the Washington Post reported. Westheimer died on Friday at her home in Manhattan, the newspaper reported citing her publicist. Westheimer, who fled Nazi Germany as a child, said she first learned about sex when she was 10 years old and took her parents' "marriage manual" out of a locked cabinet. What she saw on those pages would lead to a career that included international fame, books, instructional videos, lectures, teaching jobs, a radio show, countless television appearances, a syndicated column and even a "Good Sex" board game. Today's News in 90 seconds - Saturday, July 13 Known universally as "Dr. Ruth," the 4-ft-7 inch (140-cm) tall lady with a distinctive German accent and perpetual cheerfulness preached the joys of good sex, great sex and, especially, safe sex. The woman who would become one of the world's best known sex gurus lost her virginity at 17 on a starry night in a hayloft on a kibbutz. "We spent many nights in that barn ... but I remember that first time most vividly of all because it shows that when two people are in love, the first experience can be very enjoyable," she wrote in her 2001 autobiography, "All in a Lifetime." Westheimer, a great proponent of contraception, chided herself in the book for not being concerned with birth control in those first encounters. She also declined to say who her partner was because she remained friends with the man, as well as his wife. Westheimer herself was the product of an unplanned, out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Her mother was working as a housekeeper for the family of Westheimer's father in Frankfurt, Germany, when she became pregnant. The young couple eventually married and Karola Ruth Siegel was born on June 4, 1928. ORPHANED BY HOLOCAUST Westheimer was 10 when the Nazis came to her Frankfurt home and took away her father. Six weeks later her mother sent her to an orphanage in Switzerland. In 1941, Westheimer stopped receiving letters from her parents and she later learned they had been murdered in the Holocaust. At 16 she emigrated to what was then Palestine and joined Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization. "I learned to assemble a rifle in the dark and was trained as a sniper so that I could hit the centre of the target time after time," she wrote in a 2010 New York Times opinion article that called for women to be allowed to serve in combat in the U.S. military. Westheimer never tested her sniping skills against an enemy but was injured in a bombing in Jerusalem. She married an Israeli soldier and they moved to Paris and went to college. They later divorced, and she headed to New York with a boyfriend, married him, had a daughter and continued her education. After another divorce, she wed Manfred Westheimer, an engineer she met in 1961. That marriage produced a son and lasted until Manfred's death in 1997. After earning a doctorate in education, Westheimer went to work for Planned Parenthood and caught the attention of a New York radio station executive when she lectured broadcast officials on contraception. That led to a weekly 15-minute midnight radio program in 1980 called "Sexually Speaking." It was an advice show that took questions from listeners about orgasms, condoms and sexual dysfunction - very sensitive subject matter for the time - and quickly won Westheimer a following. She said it was a combination of her experience, training, and her quirky voice and accent that gave her credibility with listeners. They also liked the way she would cheerily wish them "good sex!" Westheimer became a popular guest on TV talk shows, which ultimately led to her own show. "I'm like a Jewish mother," she was quoted as saying in People magazine. "A Jewish mother who talks explicitly." Westheimer believed in people doing whatever they were comfortable with in bed - or elsewhere - and that sex was better when accompanied by intimacy and communication. If it was between consenting adults and done with proper consideration of contraception, it was OK with Dr. Ruth. But personally, she was no libertine. "I am very old fashioned ... and a square," Westheimer said in a National Geographic interview in 2003. "I believe in love. I believe in relationships. I believe in people staying together for a lifetime or as long as possible." In addition to her autobiography, Westheimer wrote nearly 40 books, including "Sex for Dummies," "Dr. Ruth's Sex After 50," "Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition," "Dr. Ruth's Encyclopedia of Sex" and "Dr. Ruth's Top Ten Secrets for Great Sex." Errollyn Wallen with the classical muic award at the 2013 Ivor Novello awards held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London (Ian West/PA) British composer Errollyn Wallen has said she received hundreds of very abusive messages after creating a new version of Jerusalem for the Proms but feels it was important to reflect the Commonwealth connection to the song. Three weeks before the Last Night Of The Proms in 2020, the Belize-born musician was commissioned to create a new arrangement of the classic hymn to accommodate the slimmed down orchestra due to pandemic restrictions. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Wallen revealed she wanted to delve into the meaning of the words written by William Blake, and added a line in her version to show the connection of British hymns to Commonwealth people. Errollyn Wallen with her honour (Yui Mok/PA) She said: The work is dedicated to the Windrush generation and also the fact that its little understood that in the colonies, de facto, we live with the music of England. And so in Belize, all these hymns are our hymns, and so Ive also put a little, added an extra sentence, mentioned that we Commonwealth people, we sing with you. There was nothing controversial, I didnt think, about what I was doing but certainly it seemed to cause a bit of fury. Wallen said she was really shocked at the backlash it received, recalling: I spent the next day, Sunday, just going through deleting, deleting, deleting, hundreds and hundreds of messages, very abusive, thinking well, actually, when was the last time somebody really talked about a new piece of music in the national press, so yeah, Ill take it. Im proud of that piece of music. All I did was put a introduction that was very delicate and then we move by the end into the rousing, recognisable thing of Jerusalem. And the other thing is that Jerusalem has had so many reimaginings, hundreds of them. She revealed that some of the messages were racially charged, with one person writing on social media, whats the black woman know about Jerusalem?. Wallen added: Thats when I thought, They dont realise the song belongs to us. It belongs to all the Commonwealth because thats what weve grown up singing it, its everybodys. So I hadnt realised there was a problem, that theres certain sacred things that no black person must touch. I, as a composer, I feel like music belongs to everyone, it always has done. During her career, Wallen has created other politically inspired pieces including Our English Heart about the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, which referenced colonialism and Empire. Wallen said: I feel I should be telling the stories of our time, not to say that I dont feel very connected to centuries past. Im very connected to the tradition of classical music and I revere Vivaldi, Bach and Beethoven, Mozart, but I live here now in my environment, and music is this incredible force of energy and love and I feel as a composer I have a responsibility to other people. The multi-award winning composer and performer has 22 operas to her name and a large catalogue of orchestral, chamber and vocal works which are performed and broadcast throughout the world. She was the first black woman to have a work featured in the Proms and the first woman to win the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music, as well as composing for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games 2012, and for the Cop26 conference in Glasgow. Wallen shared her frustration that classical music is seen as a genre for the wealthy and privately educated as she praised her school which offered free music lessons as the reason she has got to where she has. She said: We grew up with music, it was part of the fabric of school life. And youd play in your local orchestra, terribly of course, but everybody would play. There wasnt this hierarchy. My absolute abject despair is that soon it will only be people with money who will be playing classical music. Now, this music was never created by super wealthy people. It was made by people who were part of a trade, thats who composers were, and people who had something to say and had a great talent to share. I dont know how we got to this point where its perceived as this elite thing just for some people because all the musicians Ive worked with, they are so dedicated and just in love with the passion that music gives us all. She said a culture needs to be created that is not suspicious of things that are really good for us to help open up classical music spaces to a wider spectrum of society. The full Desert Island Discs episode of Errollyn Wallen is available on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday from 10am and BBC Sounds. EastEnders was the major winner at new soap awards hosted by Radio Times, taking home seven gongs. The flagship BBC series picked up a host of prizes at the inaugural RadioTimes.com Soap Awards on Saturday including best soap and best actor for Angela Wynter, who plays Yolande Trueman. The awards were unveiled at a star-studded ceremony, hosted by former EastEnders actor Brian Conley, at The Midland Hotel in Manchester. Angela Wynter (Jane Mingay/PA) Among its other wins on the night, EastEnders secured the most inspiring storyline of the year prize for its portrayal of Suki Panesar, played by Balvinder Sopal, coming out to her family and friends. Sukis former controlling husband Nish Panesar, played by Navin Chowdhry, who joined Albert Square after being released from prison following 20 years behind bars, landed best villain for his nefarious behaviour. The storyline which teased that one of the shows six leading female characters was responsible for a murder at the Queen Vic, dubbed Sixmas, took home best soap moment of the year. It was revealed on Christmas Day that it was Linda Carter who committed the crime after she faced scrutiny alongside Denise Fox, Kathy Cotton, Sharon Watts, Suki and Stacey Slater. EastEnders George Knight, played by Colin Salmon, confronting his father Eddie was voted by a panel of soap experts as the best episode, while the best exit prize went to Keanu Taylor, played by Danny Walters. Chris Chittell plays Eric Pollard in the soap Emmerdale (Anna Gowthorpe/PA) It was previously announced that Emmerdales longest-serving cast member Chris Chittell, who has played Eric Pollard in the soap since 1986, was awarded the special recognition prize. Coronation Street picked up best storyline for its telling of Paul Foremans motor neurone disease diagnosis, portrayed by actor Peter Ash. Young star Charlie Wrenshall, who plays Liam Connor in Corrie, took home the best young performer prize, actress Iz Hesketh won the best newcomer gong for her role as Kitty Draper in Hollyoaks and actress Lisa Riley secured the best comedy performance for her role as Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale. The best twist award went to the moment it was revealed on Hollyoaks that the twins of Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe, have different fathers. Morgan Jeffery, digital editor at Radio Times, said: Congratulations to all the soaps on their award wins and especially to EastEnders for an amazing night. Im thrilled for all our nominees and of course our winners these accolades reflect what has been a terrific year for British soap, delivering all the twists, turns and unbeatable drama that have kept UK audiences hooked for over six decades. Helen Daly, associate editor at Radio Times, also congratulated the winners, saying: All soaps have excelled over the past 12 months and its an honour to be able to award them for their efforts. You could listen to Rob Delaney talk all day. On Lauren Lavernes Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4, we get an hour with Bostons gentlest funnyman. It flies. A warm interviewer, Laverne welcomes the 47-year-old actor, comedian and activist to the Desert Island Discs family with a classic Delaney quote: Optimism is good, I suffer from it congenitally. But lets not be ridiculous the world is still just a horrible toilet. Ukraine claims 1,000 Russian troops killed in 24 hour fight President Zelensky calls for game changing lift of restrictions on long-range weapons against targets within Russia Police officers extinguish a fire after Russian airstrike on a residential neighbourhood in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Photo: AP Photo/Andrii Marienko Marietta De Blanc Sat 13 Jul 2024 at 03:30 Russian forces have lost 1,030 soldiers killed and wounded in the past 24 hours on the war frontline in Ukraine, the Ukrainian military has said. The losses for Vladimir Putins troops include 48 artillery systems and 23 armoured combat vehicles. Displaced Palestinians, who fled north Gaza after they were ordered by Israeli army to move southward, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, arrive in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, July 11, 2024. Photo: Reuters Israeli and Egyptian ceasefire negotiators are in talks about an electronic surveillance system along the border between Gaza and Egypt that could allow Israel to pull back its troops from the area if a ceasefire is agreed, according to two Egyptian sources and a third source familiar with the matter. Photo Courtesy: @ASSOCHAM4India X page National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and his United States counterpart Jake Sullivan on Friday held discussions on wide-ranging issues of bilateral, regional and international concern, officials said. "National Security Adviser Shri Ajit Doval, KC had a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Mr. Jake Sullivan on 12 July 2024. They discussed a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international concern and forthcoming high-level engagements under the Quad framework to be held in July 2024 and later in the year," read the statement issued by the Ministry pf External Affairs. "The NSAs agreed to work closely to further advance India-US relations, which are built on shared values and common strategic and security interests. They reiterated the need to work collectively to address global challenges to peace and security and further expand the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," he said. The meeting took place at a time when the United States has raised "concerns" over its "strategic partner" India's ties with Russia after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Also read: US flags 'concerns' over India's ties with Russia after Modi-Putin meet in Moscow Speaking to the reporters, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We did just see Modi, like (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor) Orban, meet with (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. We thought that was an important step to take. "And we would urge India, as we do any country when it engages with Russia, to make clear that any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine needs to be one that respects the UN charter, that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity, Ukraine's sovereignty." "India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in a full and frank dialogue. And that includes our concerns about their relationship with Russia," Miller said. Image Credit: x.com/sudarsansand Puri: Rumours of serpent guards protecting the Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath Temple , which stores the valuables of Lord Jagannath and other deities, are once again circulating as the temple committee prepares to open the inner chamber of the Bhitara Bhandar on July 14. The legends of poisonous sentries defending temple treasuries, especially the ones dedicated to the service of the chief deity of that temple, from intruders is not new. Whether it's the tales of snakes at the world's wealthiest Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram or the stories of dancing Burmese pythons guarding the relics of Gautam Buddha beneath the Mandalay temple's foundations, snakes have long been considered guardians of treasures. Six years ago, in 2018, following an Orissa High Court order, a joint team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and officials from Puri's Jagannath Temple examined the structural condition of the Ratna Bhandar. Outside, amid a crowd of devotees and rescue personnel, two expert snake catchers from Bhubaneswar stood ready to assist if needed. On the eve of the 2018 search, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik, now a temple committee member, featured a snake in his artwork on Puri beach, highlighting the Ratna Bhandar's cause, media reported. Now, as the temple committee prepares to open the inner chamber of the Bhitara Bhandar on July 14, The Times of India reports the committee is seeking a skilled snake charmer due to fears of reptiles of all sizes. The snake charmer will be present when the Bhitara Bhandar is opened for the first time since 1985 on Sunday, July 14. A medical team will also be on standby with a kit prepared for any emergencies. "Though we are curious about the ancient valuables in Ratna Bhandar, we are equally scared of the possible presence of snakes," said a committee servitor who proposed opening the Ratna Bhandar to the BJP government, reported The Times of India on July 11. Another servitor, Harekrushna Mahapatra, mentioned the possibility of snakes entering the Ratna Bhandar through holes and cracks, citing sightings during the recent Jagannath Heritage Corridor Project work. The cautious stance of the Jagannath Temple Committee, along with claims of hissing sounds and rumours of snakes in the Bhitara Bhandar, raises questions about these claims. Former temple administrator and senior Jagannath scholar Bhaskar Mishra dismissed them, saying these are just rumours and there is nothing like this in the Ratna Bhandar. Rabindra Narayan Mishra, who ventured into the secret inner chamber in 1985, expressed the same opinion in a 2018 YouTube video, revealing that he saw no snakes, reptiles, or cobwebs in the dark chambers. The Bahar Bhandar (outer chamber), which houses precious items used occasionally during various rituals and festivals like the annual Rath Yatra, also reportedly had no snakes or reptiles. However, Bhaskar Mishra acknowledged the presence of small holes and cracks in the 12th-century temple, suggesting a possibility of snakes entering the Ratna Bhandar through these openings. Therefore, this needs adequate precautions during the opening of the Ratna Bhandar, noting that the 25 x 40 foot Bhitara Bhandar had previously been flagged by the ASI for developing seepages, raising concerns about reptiles, he stressed. Years ago, when the ASI repaired the Jaganmohan (prayer hall), the adjoining Ratna Bhandar was left unrepaired, explaining the temple committee's cautious stance as they prepare to open the Bhitara Bhandar on July 14. Regardless of whether snakes are found, the primary goal is to inventory the priceless valuables of the Mahaprabhu stored inside. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/ ATTRIBUTION 2.0 GENERIC Hollywood actors Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher have tied the nuptial knots, media reports said. The Oscar nominee, 63, and the Australian model, 44, tied the knot after first getting engaged in September 2018, People magazine reported. The two Hollywood actors got married in Anguilla during a small private ceremony in front of family and close friends on July 9. Butcher wore a corseted gown adorned with lace designed by Mira Zwillinger, while the groom wore a white Brioni suit, People reported. This is Murphy's second marriage while Paige Butcher got hitched for the first time. The news of their nuptials comes less than a month after Murphy and Butcher stepped out together during the Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F premiere in Los Angeles on June 20. At the Netflix event, the two were joined on the red carpet by his daughters, Bria, 34, Shayne Audra, 29, and Bella Zahra, 22 whom he shares with ex-wife Nicole, 56, the magazine reported. Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop costar, Judge Reinhold, recently told People, "He's crazy about his kids and his family. He's a family guy at heart. Truly is. He really is." According to reports, Murphy and Butcher started dating each other in 2012. They welcomed their first child Izzy in 2016. They welcomed their second child Max in 2018. The couple welcomed their second child just two months after they got engaged. Photo Caption: Families in Gaza continue to be forced to find safer places to shelter.Photo Courtesy: UNRWA The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said at least 71 Palestinians died during an Israeli air strike in the strip on Saturday, media reports said. More than 289 people were injured, according to the health ministry's statement as quoted by BBC. Hamas says the strike hit the al-Mawasi area near Khan Younis, which the Israeli military has designated as a humanitarian zone, urging Palestinians to seek shelter there, the British media reported. An Israeli official told BBC the strike targeted the head of Hamas's military wing Mohammed Deif. An eyewitness in al-Mawasi told the BBC that the site of the strike looked like an "earthquake" had hit, and videos from the area show smouldering wreckage and bloodied casualties being loaded onto stretchers. According to reports, Mohammed Deif is believed to be one of the masterminds behind the October 7 Hamas attack which left at least 1200 people, including Israelis and foreigners, dead. Hamas members took away 251 people back to Gaza as hostages. Humanitarians from the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) witnessed severe civilian displacement, a lack of fuel and dire humanitarian needs in three areas in Gaza City while on a mission trip on Friday, according to Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric. He said the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and other partners were present on the trip. The team said those displaced urgently need food, water, healthcare and protection, Mr. Dujarric said during his daily briefing from New York. They also witnessed how the lack of fuel is undermining the aid organizations efforts to provide critical services to displaced families." Dujarric noted that humanitarians continue to struggle with providing aid due to access restrictions and lack of public order. He also said hospitals, water plants and other facilities are functioning with generators since Gaza has been without power since October. Image Credit: x.com/ZelenskyyUa Shannon (Ireland): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that US President Joe Biden's accidental reference to him as Russian President Vladimir Putin was an error that could be forgotten, especially because the US has provided extensive support to Ukraine, Reuters reported. Biden made the slip during a NATO summit in Washington on Thursday but corrected himself within two seconds. "It's a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support to Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," Zelensky told reporters on Saturday at Ireland's Shannon airport where he was meeting Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris. Photo Courtesy: Confederation of Indian Industry Twitter page Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives, leading to his government's fall in the Himalayan nation. In the HoR meeting, 63 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion, 194 voted against it, and 1 remained neutral, resulting in PM Dahal's loss, reported The Himalayan Times. In the House of Representatives, 138 votes are needed for a majority. The House has 275 members in total. Prachanda survived four trust votes since assuming his post on December 25, 2022. The Prachanda-led government received a shock recently when ex-prime minister K P Sharma Oli-led CPN-UML withdrew support and inked a power-sharing deal with the Nepali Congress. China-Nepal-BRI Before facing the trust vote, Prachanda approved an agreement to connect Nepal and China by rail under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Cabinet meeting held on Thursday decided to approve the Strengthening the Development Cooperation in Building the Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network agreement between Nepal and China, Communication Minister Rekha Sharma, who is also the governments spokesperson, told My Republica news portal. What is BRI? The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by China is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations. It is considered a centrepiece of the Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash More than 12 people, including six police, were injured when clashes broke out between cops and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) during a rally organised to demand the release of missing students in Quetta. According to reports, 27 people, including five women, were arrested during the incident. Over a dozen police vehicles were damaged as police lobbed tear gas and batton-charged BYC supporters, reported Dawn News. A firing incident took place during the clashes. The clashes began when police tried to push BYC supporters from the Red Zone area where the protesters wanted to stage a sit-in, Dawn News reported. Supporters of BYC had been protesting by staging a sit-in camp for over a week in Sariab area over the disappearance of Zaheer Baloch and other Baloch missing persons. The clashes began after the demonstrators moved to the Red Zone to stage their sit-in. At a late-night press conference, Home Minister Ziaullah Langove was quoted as saying by Dawn News that Zaheer Zeb Baloch, who disappeared a few days ago, is the brother of banned BLA commander Bashir Zeb Baloch, who was involved in Mach, Gwadar attacks and kidnapping of picnickers from Shaban area. He said Zaheer Zeb Baloch is currently not in the custody of any of the forces. Participants visit the exhibition area of the 2024 China Internet Conference in Beijing, capital of China, July 9, 2024. The conference kicked off here on Tuesday and will last till July 11. [Photo/Xinhua] Global Times-In recent days, two significant events have taken place in the global communication technology field. First, China has built the world's first field test network for 6G communication and intelligent integration, significantly enhancing the performance of the communication system. Second, Germany plans to remove Huawei, ZTE and other Chinese communication companies' technology and components from its 5G wireless networks by 2029, citing concerns about "espionage" and viewing this as a step in "de-risking." These two events form a stark contrast: while globally leading China continues to push forward with 6G technology research and development, some countries are still entangled in deciding which company's products to use for 5G technology. Germany's previous willingness to use China's 5G products was straightforward: Chinese communication equipment offers better quality, higher stability and more reasonable prices, which are the natural outcomes of market competition. Despite continuous pressure from the US, Germany had maintained a rational and pragmatic stance, making choices that aligned with its own interests over the past few years. The latest decision, rather than being the result of careful scrutiny, appears to be a product of multifaceted pressure and domestic political maneuvering. Security agencies have been hyping the so-called Chinese espionage issue, and some parties within the "traffic light coalition" government are eager to pursue "de-risking" from China. 5G, which should have been handled with caution, has been hastily pushed toward the so-called politically correct choice of a "ban." In the field of communication technology, whether it is cutting-edge technology development or commercial deployment, China undoubtedly leads the world. This has caused significant anxiety for the US, which has focused on the as yet undecided international standards for 6G, hoping to form a "small circle" to develop its own "international standards" and undermine China's achievements. In February, the US gathered nine countries, including Canada, the Czech Republic and Finland, to form a "6G alliance." However, progress in global 6G development is bound to be difficult without China's participation. As an extension and upgrade of 5G technology, 6G needs to rely on 5G's technological accumulation and large-scale industrial base to explore innovative paths, making China indispensable at this level. Regarding the so-called network security risks of China's 5G, most discerning people worldwide have realized that this is merely a tool used by the US to suppress Chinese companies. To date, no country has proven that Chinese enterprises' equipment poses any security threats. On the contrary, countries that followed Washington's lead have suffered losses in 5G application. The UK, one of the most active countries in responding to Washington's call to exclude Huawei from its 5G construction, showed poor performance in 5G when compared to its European counterparts, according to a 5G benchmark test conducted by the Spanish company Medux in February this year. British operators lagged behind other European operators, with London ranking bottom among major cities while Berlin ranked first. The UK's ban on Huawei's 5G equipment is a primary reason for its poor performance. Germany's 5G progress and overall digitalization have performed well in Europe, thanks in part to the significant contributions of Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE, with Huawei equipment accounting for over 50 percent of Germany's 5G radio access networks. Now, following the UK's already proven wrong policy, Germany plans to exclude Chinese equipment and components based on unfounded fears, thereby weakening its own advantages and capabilities under the guise of "de-risking." A previously disclosed internal document from Deutsche Telekom revealed that replacing the components would take five years and cost a total of 3 billion euros (approximately 23.7 billion RMB). As China has always emphasized, non-cooperation is the greatest risk, and lack of development is the greatest insecurity. China has made significant achievements in the communication field and is willing to work together with countries worldwide. Excluding China from this field is unrealistic. Chinese communication companies have operated in Europe for many years, building high-quality communication infrastructure and generating numerous jobs and large tax revenues. China has always kept its 5G construction open to European companies like Nokia and Ericsson, never viewing them as "security threats." China and Europe should not create artificial political conflicts but should instead expand the vast space for economic and trade cooperation. Win-win cooperation helps both sides' companies enhance their competitiveness and make technological achievements more accessible to the public. This is the best way to "de-risk." Photo Courtesy: Unsplash A roadside blast in Quetta city of Pakistan on Saturday left at least one Frontier Corps driver killed Akhtarabad area of Pakistan 's Quetta city, media reports said. Edhi Foundation in-charge Muhammad Zeeshan told Dawn News that an FC vehicle was out for routine patrolling when the blast took place, leaving the driver critically wounded. He was immediately rushed to Bolan Medical Complex Hospital. Zeeshan, citing the Quetta police, told the newspaper that four kilograms of explosives were used in the explosion. Following the blast, police, bomb disposal squad and FC reached the site and the region was cordoned off for investigation. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash At least five people, including three security personnel, died in different incidents which occurred in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday and Friday, media reports said. In Janikhel town of Bannu district late on Thursday night, two Frontier Constabulary men were martyred in a targeted attack, reports Dawn News. A police official who confirmed the incident and told the Pakistani newspaper that the armed assailants opened fire on soldiers who had come to their native area on leave. It is an incident of target killing, he said. Police later launched a search operation to arrest those behind the attack. The deceased were identified as Akhtar Ali, 32, and Sulaiman, 33. In another attacker, Constable Israr Ahmad died after unknown gunmen opened fire at him near Khan Kalim Stop in Bar Qambarkhel area of tehsil Bara. The constable was on his way to his home to spend holidays. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash At least three tribesmen died during an armed clash between two groups in Dera Murad Jamali area of Nasirabad district of Pakistan on Friday. According to police, the cause of the armed clash between two groups of the Rad tribe was an honour issue, Dawn News reported. Police told the Pakistani newspaper that some armed men of one group opened fire on a their rival groups member, identified as Dur Muhammad, near Pat Feeder Canal area. He jumped into the canal to save himself but drowned. After receiving information about the attack, armed men of his group attacked the house of their opponents in Manjodhori area, triggering a heavy exchange of fire which continued for half an hour, Dawn News reported. The firing incident left two people dead. The deceased included one person from each side. The cause of armed attack was honour killing issue which sparked the armed clash, a senior police officer told Dawn. He said police are trying to arrest those involved in the incident. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant and finally married! The two tied the knot in an extravagant ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre last night after two grand pre-wedding celebrations and back-to-back wedding festivities leading up to D-day. For her wedding, Radhika arrived in a stunning lehenga inspired by the Gujarati 'Panetar' tradition for her 'lagna vidhi' and later went on to change into another look for her 'vidaai'. As we take a look at the bride's gorgeous ensembles, we can't help but wonder, is changing outfits in the middle of the ceremony the newest trend to hit the Indian wedding scene? rheakapoor/Instagram Not an entirely new concept, brides often change into a simpler and more manageable outfit for their 'vidaai' or 'phere'. But let us not forget that we are talking about the most expensive Indian wedding ever! So, simple is not on the itinerary! Radhika channels her maximalist dreams in all the outfits of her wedding as she dons an equally stunning lehenga for her 'vidaai'. Also Read: Radhika Merchant's wedding looks: 9 best outfits of the Ambani bahu including her bridal lehenga Radhika Merchant's look for her 'vidaai rheakapoor/Instagram For her 'vidaai', Radhika wore a regal red and yellow lehenga designed by Manish Malhotra. Keeping her family close with her family's versatile jewels, Radhika paired them with her stunning lehenga. Keeping her makeup minimal, as is the norm with her, she went with a neat bun adorned with fresh flowers. Sharing the bride's first pictures, celebrity fashion stylist Rhea Kapoor captioned the post, "This exquisite blouse features real gold karchobi work, inspired by the traditional abho and the rich textile heritage of Kutch, Gujarat, echoing the artistry of the late 19th century. Paired with a multi-panelled Banarasi brocade lehenga in sunset hues, this ensemble is a tribute to Indias timeless elegance. A veil with a lattice design on a beautiful red complements the attire. The dupatta is a Banarasi woven masterpiece." Also Read: Isha Ambani's 8 stunning looks at Anant's wedding that prove she has arrived as a fashion icon Radhika Merchant's look for the 'lagna vidhi' rheakapoor/Instagram For her 'lagna vidhi' the bride made a dreamy entrance in the ceremony looking every bit the quintessential Gujarat bride in red and white. In another, Rhea Kapoor-styled look, Radhika opted for an intricate Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla lehenga and paired it with her family jewels that her nani, mom and sister wore to their weddings. Rhea released the bride's first set of pictures and mentioned the outfit's details in the caption saying. "The ivory Zardozi cut-work ensemble consists of a trailing ghagra layered with a second detachable trail, a 5 meter head veil and a tissue shoulder dupatta. The ghagra glitters with three borders of red, Its workmanship is the finest amalgamation of Naqshi, Saadi and Zardozi symmetrically hand-embroidered in intricate floral booties that are lavishly decorated with stones, sequins, tamba tikkis and a touch of red Resham. The head veil has impossibly delicate jaali and cut-work while the detachable trail is a Zardozi marvel of 80 inches. The outfit is complete with a fully embroidered red shoulder dupatta that uplifts the silhouette with its maximal drama." Radhika Merchant's 3rd look from her wedding In a viral video from her wedding, Radhika can be seen dancing her heart out with Anant Ambani after she was accompanied by Mukesh Ambani as she made her way to the dance floor. In the video, Radhika appeared to be wearing what looked like a much simpler but no less beautiful bright pink lehenga that she paired with bespoke emerald jewellery. Even though the main wedding ceremony is over, the celebrations are not! As a 'Shubh Aashirwad' ceremony is scheduled for Saturday which will be followed by a 'Mangal Utsav' wedding reception on Sunday. So stay tuned and watch this space for many more amazing looks from the lavish affair. Also Read: Anant Ambani-Radhikas wedding festivities: From Janhvi to Isha, 7 best looks from the event For more on fashion, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Amid the continued debate over the 70-hour work week, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a leading neurologist, has hit out at such demands by CEOs and urged people to choose organizations that care for employees and have reasonable working hours to ensure a better work-life balance. Unsplash Working long hours and risk of serious diseases Reacting to Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, who said he supported Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthys call for the 70-hour work week, Dr. Kumar pointed out that working long hours is associated with an increased risk of multiple serious diseases and even premature death. "Working 55 or more hours per week is associated with a 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, compared to working 35-40 hours a week. More than 800,000 people die every year due to working for more than 55 hours a week. Long working hours are associated with a higher risk of being overweight, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. People working 69 or more hours a week are more likely to have moderate to severe depressive symptoms than those working 40 hours a week," Dr. Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad, said. Also read: 70-Hour Work Week: This Is How To Maintain work-Life Balance Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal backs Narayana Murthy's 70-hour work week advice: Do you agree? What do the scientific studies show? Working 55 or more hours per week is associated with a 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease, compared pic.twitter.com/Lb18PP6RAZ Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (@hyderabaddoctor) July 11, 2024 CEOs want to make money He further said that CEOs are inclined to recommend long working hours for their employees to improve their company's profits and their own net worth. "If employees fall sick, they can be 'easily substituted,'" he said. Also read: Here is why Chinese youths are selling their bosses and colleagues on e-commerce platforms FACEBOOK Any addiction is bad for health When someone pointed out that he had grown a company from 2 to 1000 people by working 14 hours per day and that satisfaction is an addiction, Dr. Kumar responded by saying, "Any addictiongood or badis ultimately bad for health." When another user argued that personal growth can only be achieved by putting in extra effort, Dr. Kumar said, "You are correct; however, is the career growth justified at the cost of one's own health?" For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and studies have shown that it has several positive health effects, such as lowering blood pressure, epinephrine, and glucose levels, increasing glucose tolerance, and more. But in today's fast-paced world, amid the rat race, not many people get the time to unwind and have a good laugh. Pexels New laugh law in Japan This will no longer be the case for the residents of Japan's Yamagata Prefecture, where a law has just been passed directing citizens to laugh at least once a day. The local government in the northern Yamagata Prefecture passed an ordinance last week to encourage residents to snigger, chortle, or guffaw daily and asks business operators to develop a workplace environment that is filled with laughter. Also read: World Laughter Day: Try Laughter Yoga For These 5 Health Benefits Unsplash What is behind the law According to Japanese media reports, making people laugh at least once a day is aimed at improving the health of people there. The ordinance was passed last week based on research from Yamagata Universitys Faculty of Medicine, which found that laughter can reduce the risk of heart disease. The study also pointed to other research that has established a link between laughter and life enjoyment, positive psychological attitudes, and elevated levels of competence, trust, openness, and conscientiousness. Unsplash Laugh day every month Further, the local government has also designated the eighth day of every month as a day to promote health through laughter. Though the law undoubtedly has good intentions, it has not been welcomed by everyone, especially those in the opposition. Some have argued that to laugh or not to laugh is a fundamental right of the individual and that it should not be enforced. While it is now mandatory in Yamagata Prefecture to laugh at least once a day, the authorities have clarified that there will be no penalties for those failing to do so. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. I am baffled by some celebrations in Greece over the supposed victory of the Left in the French elections. The French, who are undoubtedly more familiar with their political landscape, recognize that the only real victory in these snap elections was Emmanuel Macron's triumph over the far-right. No party or coalition won an outright majority in the French National Assembly. Therefore, the Left did not make a triumphant return to history , nor did Macron secure a decisive victory. As Gerard Grunberg, a political scientist and research director at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Paris, explained, the result was a temporary alliance between the Left and Macron against Le Pen, leading to "an ungovernable country for a while." Macron's tactical maneuver against Le Pen was celebrated across Europe. Even Politico questioned if this marked the end of her: "Having rejected the anti-European, pro-Russian Le Pen three times (or four, counting her weak performance in 2012), are French voters ever likely to elect her? Probably not," the article noted. The current problem, in the absence of a clear majorityor even a dominant minorityfor the first time in the 60 years of the Fifth Republic, is how long France will remain ungovernable. Jean-Luc Melenchon's demand to "be called to govern," despite the New People's Ecological and Social Union (NUPES) coalition being over 100 seats short of a majority, has stalled political developments and the formation of a government. In this atmosphere of uncertainty and tension, Emmanuel Macron, in a letter, urged political parties to "rise to the occasion and cooperate" to form a coalition government. However, he set clear boundaries, inviting only political forces "aligned with democratic institutions, the rule of law, parliamentarism, a pro-European stance, and French independence" to engage in sincere and honest dialogue to build a stable, necessarily pluralistic, government majority. This excluded the far-right Le Pen, Eurosceptic and linked to Putin's Russia, and the far-left Melenchon, accused of "anti-parliamentarism" and "anti-Semitism." Currently, Melenchon is at the center of discussions about France's uncertain political future. Will his far-left agenda prevail, or that of the more moderate leftists within NUPES? Even within the left-wing coalition, many see him as unfit for the prime minister's role and urge him to set aside personal ambitions for the common good. "If he truly wants to help NUPES, he needs to step aside," said Francois Hollande, former president with the Socialist Party and current coalition MP. "He just needs to shut up." But this is unlikely. Melenchon is charismatic and populist, with a high opinion of himself. Sorbonne professor Arnaud Benedetti suggested that Melenchon aims to dismantle the center so he can stand alone against Le Pen in the 2027 presidential elections. After the elections, he declared that "we won't change a single word in our political program," which is based on fierce hostility towards Israel, suspicion of Europe, anti-Americanism, and a pro-immigration stance. At his post-election rally in Place de la Republique in Paris, there were more Palestinian than French flags, and the majority of protesters were of Arab and African descent. His economic proposals form a welfare-based, egalitarian manifesto, a vision hostile to capitalism that few are willing to support. No one believes Macron will appoint him as prime minister. Many officials from all parties threaten a veto or a no-confidence motion if Melenchon heads a coalition or minority government. In his recent letter, the French president, with careful wording, excluded both Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN) and Jean-Luc Melenchons La France Insoumise from the future government. He successfully neutralised the former. The question now is whether he has enough allies to disarm the latter. Translated by ANTHEE CARASSAVA iefimerida.gr The Plateau State Government has confirmed 22 deaths and 132 injured persons, from the Jos collapsed school building. INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that the school building collapsed around 8.30 am on Friday when the students and teachers were in their classes. Mr Musa Ashoms, the commissioner for Information, in a statement released to journalists, said that six of the injured were in critical condition. Advertisement Ashoms said that those injured were receiving treatment in various tertiary health facilities in the state, while the bodies of the deceased had been deposited in the mortuaries. He said: As of 6:00 pm, 154 people have been rescued from the debris. Sadly, 22 individuals have been confirmed deceased. Injured students and staff are receiving medical treatment at various hospitals across Jos. To ensure prompt medical attention, the government has directed all major hospitals in Jos to prioritize treatment of the victims, regardless of documentation or payment. READ MORE: Scores Of Students Trapped As Two-Storey Building Collapses In Jos Governor Barrister Mutfwang has specifically instructed these hospitals to accommodate all those affected by the collapse. Speaking further, Ashom lamented that the collapsed structure did not meet the standards for buildings and warned schools that have similar structures to shut down. You can see that it is by the river bank and, from your eye evaluation, you know that it is not a very strong structure, he said. We are calling on other schools that didnt follow plans that have similar issues to close down in the interest of our state in the interest of our people, because we have established a committee to go around, The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Friday, granted an approval for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to secure a one Trillion naira soft loan to tackle projects in the region. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made public the approval at the ongoing Niger Delta Summit in Port Harcourt. Advertisement Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said the step was to empower the board deliver on the presidential priority of ensuring a turnaround development for the Niger Delta region. He however acknowledged efforts by the present board and management of NDDC to reposition the commission and pledged his administrations commitment to work with the commission in tackling challenges bedeviling the region. While looking forward to a robust conversations from the summit that would change the narrative in the region, President Tinubu also tasked the Commission to diversify into areas such as agriculture, technology and other sustainable areas of development. READ ALSO: Tinubu Pledges Support As Gov Makinde Presents Staff Of Office To New Olubadan The Federal Government has approved that NDDC can go ahead to secure a 1trillion loan to tackle projects. The board is expected to work towards delivery of the presidential priorities. We need to change the narratives. We must be committed on how the zone can be transformed. This conference is packed with the who is who in the Niger Delta, the outcome should be unusual, he said. In his capacity as President of the 10th Senate and former Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Akpabio pledged commitment to completion of the East West Road. He also assured that work on the Lagos- Calabar coastal highway will be tackled simultaneously. The President is committed to ensuring the development of Niger Delta Region.. East West road will be tackled, the National Assembly will ensure that the coastal road commences simultaneously. The story of the NDDC is changing, you have renewed the hope of the people and the president is very happy with you. The Niger Delta region has been a major contributor to the development of the whole country and it is time for the country to bless us, he said. President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the Plateau State Government and people over the loss of lives in a school building on Friday. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the unfortunate incident happened at the Saint Academy located at the Busa Buji community in Jos North LGA of the state. No fewer than 132 persons were injured and 22 others confirmed dead following the building collapse. Advertisement In a statement made by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Friday night, Tinubu expressed his sadness and sympathy over the incident. READ MORE: Scores Of Students Trapped As Two-Storey Building Collapses In Jos The President described the accident as a huge loss to the nation. The statement reads: President Bola Tinubu received the news of the tragic collapse of a school building, which resulted in multiple deaths and many surviving victims in Jos, Plateau State, with profound grief. President Tinubu describes the unfortunate incident as a huge loss to the nation, as well as a devastating development, too excruciating to imagine. The President condoles with the bereaved families, families of all the victims, and the people and Government of Plateau State. President Tinubu commends emergency responders, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), security agencies, and all citizens involved in the search, rescue, and resuscitation efforts. The President assures the people of Plateau State of his fervent support at this difficult time. The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and the Governor of Kwara State Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, has said that the Supreme Court verdict on local government financial autonomy is relieving to governors. AbdulRazaq led this out at the State House in Abuja on Friday in the company of his Bauchi and Imo State counterparts Bala Mohammed and Hope Uzodimma respectively. He added that contrary to speculations, governors have never tampered with local government funds. Advertisement The Governor said: We welcome the ruling of the Supreme Court. Compliance is a given and our attorney generals have applied for the enrollment order which well study carefully. But by and large, governors are happy with the devolution of power with respect to local government autonomy. READ MORE: LG Autonomy Will Solve Insecurity COAS, Lagbaja It relieves the burden on governors. Our people really dont know how much states expend in bailing out local governments, and thats the issue there. What the local governments have to do is to manage themselves, especially with the incoming minimum wage, to manage their affairs and make sure salaries are paid, traditional rulers get their five per cent and those are the main issues. Its not going to affect the state weve never tampered with local government funds. So its going to continue. What the local governments have to do is to manage themselves, especially with the oncoming minimum wage, to manage their affairs and make sure salaries are paid, traditional rulers get their 5% and those are the main issues. Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested three suspected cult members in Benin City, the states capital. It was gathered that the suspects were said to be associates of the Maphite confraternity. Advertisement In a statement released by the media aide to the governor, Crusoe Osagie, on Friday, the police commissioner, Funsho Adegboye, paraded the culprits, identified as Eyefia Godbless (30), Imuetiyan Ewemade (30), and Emeka Okpaja (22). READ MOR: Security Agencies In Edo On High Alert As Cult Groups Plan Anniversary Celebrations The trio were reportedly apprehended at Ubiaza Community, Off Sapele Road in Benin City, where they were allegedly planning to avenge the killing of a fellow member. We have the full backing of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on the fight against cultism and we are not joking with it. This is an automatic pump action gun which is as deadly as AK 47 which has a bullet that can kill several people, unlike AK-47 which can kill just one person. According to the suspects, the gun was purchased for about N700,000. The Plateau State Police Command has neutralised a suspected bandit and recovered 100 stolen cows in the Bukier community of the states Bokkos Local Government Area. The commands Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, stated this on Friday in Jos, adding that the command also retrieved several rifles and ammunition during the incident. Yesterday at about 1.00 pm, the command received an intelligence report from Bukier Village in Bokkos that some cattle rearers were returning to their tents with their cattle when a number of unidentified hoodlums attacked them and carted away their 100 cattle. Advertisement Our gallant operatives from Bokkos Division led by the Divisional Police Officer, swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel. In the process, one of the hoodlums was neutralized, while others escaped with severe bullet wounds. The cattle were successfully recovered and the corpse was deposited at Luna Hospital morgue, he said. Alabo also revealed that the command apprehended another suspected bandit in the states Bassa local government area and seized some rifles and ammunition. READ MORE: Skit Maker Zfancy Regains Freedom After Arrest For Misleading Prank Videos He claimed that the command received information that a suspected bandit with bullet wounds was observed receiving care in a Bassa neighbourhood. The DPO of Bassa division and his team immediately mobilized to the scene, identified the house and carried out a raid. During the operation, one Ismail Isa, 36, from Kissayhip B Methodists, was arrested and one AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was recovered, he said. Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power, was on Friday granted a N10 billion bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja over his N33 billion money laundering trial. Mamman, who served in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was arrested in 2021, about four months after he was removed from office. Advertisement The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), among other things, alleged that he conspired with staff members of the ministry to divert about N22bn that was meant for the Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro Electric Power projects. The anti-graft agency said its investigations revealed that the suspects used the funds to acquire choice assets, both within and outside the country. In a ruling delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the Court held that the former Minister must provide two sureties in the like sum, who must have landed properties within the Federal Capital Territory with a minimum valuation of N750 million. The court said the sureties must submit their three-year tax clearance certificate and depose to an affidavit of means. Omotosho further ruled that both the defendant and the sureties must submit certified copies of their bank statements with their recent passport photographs. In the alternative, the court said the sureties could submit a bank guarantee or bond in the sum of N10bn. READ ALSO: N33bn Fraud: Moments After Collapsing, Buharis Minister Sent To Jail The Court further ordered the defendant to surrender his international passport to the Registrar of the court who will verify all the documents before he is released from custody. He also ordered that the defendant should remain in prison custody, pending the perfection of all the bail conditions. The Court adjourned the matter till September 25 for hearing. Recall that on Thursday after Mamman had taken his plea, his counsel, Femi Ate (SAN), informed the court that a bail application had been filed but Justice Omotosho said the case wasnt yet in the court file and proceeded to remand the former minister in prison custody during the Friday hearing. Meanwhile, Mamman pleaded not guilty to the entire 12-count charge preferred against him by the EFCC, after it was read to him. Mammans bail application, dated July 11, was hinged on the provisions of Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015. The defendant told the court that he was on administrative bail for over two years, saying he never violated any of the conditions the anti-graft agency handed to him. He prayed the court to exercise its discretion in his favour, promising to always be available for his trial. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said its Adamawa and Taraba Area Commands intercepted smuggled Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) worth N36.9 million Duty Paid Value (DPV) between Nigeria and Cameroon border borders in six weeks. Garba Bashir, the Commands Comptroller, announced this on Friday at a news conference in Yola about anti-smuggling activities. He ascribed the recorded results to the consistent support and encouragement of NCS Management, led by Bashir Adeniyi. Advertisement The seized goods include 43,935 Litres of PMS packed in 1,07125 L jerry cans and 85 x 200L drums. Others are one used Tricycle, one used Motorcycle and two used vehicles with one having a hidden compartment, the means of conveyance of some of the seized PMS. he said. He stated that, despite the removal of PMS subsidies, smuggling from Nigeria into neighbouring countries continues to thrive due to high fuel demand. He further stated that the demand created a profitable market for selfish Nigerians to illegally export this goods to these nations in order to cover supply shortfalls for personal gain. READ MORE: Skit Maker Zfancy Regains Freedom After Arrest For Misleading Prank Videos These economic saboteurs are prepared to do whatever it takes to maintain their hold. Meanwhile, the NCS, most especially the Adamawa/Taraba area Command has been diligently reviewing and strengthening its robust measures to combat this illicit trade. We want to make it clear to the smugglers that we will counter every move they make and we will not relent in this anti-smuggling crusade until we bring smuggling activities to ground zero in Adamawa and Taraba states, he said. Bashir, who stated that the fight against smuggling was for the benefit of everybody, urged the public to help their efforts by reporting any suspicious activity. Together, we can combat smuggling and promote economic growth, he said. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Omolola Bridget Oloworaran as the new Director-General (DG) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom). Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed the appointment in a Saturday statement. Advertisement According to him, Oloworaran is a finance and banking expert with many years of experience. READ ALSO: Tinubu Appoints Dantsoho MD Of Nigerian Ports Authority He noted that the appointment is subject to the confirmation of the Nigerian Senate. The President anticipates a goal-oriented leadership to drive efficiency and superlative performance in the National Pension Commission as the prime regulator of the Nigerian Pension Industry, the statement added. Tinubu also appointed Oluwaseun Faleye as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF). In another statement announcing the appointment of Faleye, the spokesperson said he is a legal and corporate finance specialist. Ngelale said Tinubu also appointed Mojisolaoluwa Alli-Macaulay as the Executive Director (operations) of the NSITF. Mrs. Alli-Macaulay is a former lawmaker and former Chairperson of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Job Creation, the spokesperson said. Ngelale the president anticipates a comprehensive re-positioning of the NSITF for enhanced social protection and qualitative service delivery to Nigerians. Bayley Shanley kisses her new husband, at left, as captured by her wedding content creator Taylor Moy. On right, other local creators, Isabella Gagliardi (who took the top photo) and Marjorie Raimo (who snapped the bottom one) share shots from recent Philadelphia-area weddings they've worked. Read more In the car on the way home from her wedding, Bayley Shanleys phone pinged with a notification from one of her vendors. As her new husband drove, Shanley flipped through more than 500 candid photos and videos. Advertisement She watched her bridesmaids walk down the aisle, a moment she had missed, and relived the speeches. She sent her flower girls mother photos of the child helping the bride put on her shoes. The images had been captured by Taylor Moy, a South Philadelphia-based wedding content creator, who was hired to document behind-the-scenes moments of the couples June wedding at the Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington. Unlike professional wedding photography and videography, which is higher quality and requires weeks of editing, wedding content creators often can turn their work around in 24 hours or less. It felt so good to have it right away, said Shanley, a 27-year-old accountant from Bethesda, Md. I didnt have to ask anyone for a photo. If anything, I was sending her Dropbox [virtual folder of photos and videos] to everybody, including friends who couldnt make the wedding. And relative to other wedding costs, it was a bargain: The couple paid about $700 to have Moy document their wedding day and rehearsal dinner, compared with the $5,000 they paid for professional photography and the $2,500 to $8,000 theyd been quoted for professional videography. You just couldnt beat the value, Shanley said. Wedding content creation is a relatively new facet of the wedding industry, having gained nationwide popularity over the past two years and expanded into the Philadelphia market more recently. San Le, 30, of Old City, recalled that she couldnt find a local wedding content creator when she was planning her March 2023 wedding; the closest ones were in New York. Since then, Le, a data analyst by day, and a handful of others have taken on the gig in the Philadelphia region, making a full- or part-time business out of snapping hundreds of photos and videos, usually on their iPhone, at weddings and other events. Most wedding content creators also offer short, edited videos that are ready for clients to post on Instagram or TikTok within days. The vibe that I always try to bring to the function is your uncle in the 90s with a camcorder, but modern, said New Jersey-based wedding content creator Isabella Gagliardi. The 27-year-old explains her job to older generations as not much different from their homemade wedding video. Im not necessarily capturing the 1, 2, 3 smile clips, said Marjorie Raimo, a 29-year-old Wallingford resident and owner of Behind the Scenes Bridal. The majority of it is unposed. The Inquirer spoke with five local content creators, who between them have shot more than 100 weddings in the past year. For their wedding-day services, they charge between $500 and $2,000, depending on how many hours of coverage, photos, and edited videos clients want. Demand is increasing, the creators say, with dozens of couples having already booked for 2025. Content creators stress that they arent replacements for professional photographers and videographers. So far, all of their couples have also hired a photographer, they said, and about half of them also have had a videographer. I actually will not work a wedding where a professional photographer is not present, Gagliardi said. They are exponentially more expensive than me and probably more important in the grand scheme of things. READ MORE: Parents are spending thousands on family photo shoots, but theyre not just doing it for the gram Letting guests live in the moment and post in the morning While wedding content creation was borne out of Gen Zers and millennials obsession with social media, creators said their clients dont only care about how many likes and views their wedding content gets on Instagram or TikTok. Some wedding content creators do cater to couples who want their big day to go viral sometimes even posting from clients accounts in real time. But Philadelphia-area vendors said few of their couples opt for that. Thats just not something that Ive done. Id be open to doing that, said Raimo, a full-time wedding content creator who has shot 23 weddings so far this year. But I think theres a specialness in the moment, of just keeping it to yourself for a little bit. She said she and most of her clients are of the mindset: Can we just live this for now and post in the morning? Le, who owns Vivid Moments with San, said her clients arent usually interested in recreating trendy wedding TikToks and dont care how many people beyond their close friends and family see the content. Most people just want those moments for themselves to relive the very next day, she said. The local wedding content creators said the biggest draw for clients seems to be the quick turnaround time as well as the pressure they take off guests to capture every moment. Everyone wants to share everything, but were also putting a big emphasis on living in the moment, said Claire Vance, owner of Scorpio Media. A wedding content creator allows everyone to enjoy the reception, said Gagliardi, a full-time creator with the Wandering Stardust Collective. You dont have to worry about leaving your phone at the table. I got it. For the couple the next day, she added, it does eliminate all of that Who has this video? Does anybody have this? And while a content creators iPhone images are lower quality than the professional photos, theyre often better than the crowdsourced shots that couples usually look through the day after. Do you really want your great aunts blurry photo with her thumb in it? said Vance, 25, of Limerick. Probably not. Wedding content creation is not just for the day-of events, either: Philadelphia creators say they have shot engagements, showers, rehearsal dinners, even bachelorette parties. Vance spent the Fourth of July weekend in Avalon documenting her first bachelorette party, a celebration for 26-year-old Gabrielle Vagnozzi. It was Vances first time doing content creation for a bachelorette, and she charged around $900, a tab picked up by Vagnozzis maid of honor. On other bachelorettes Vagnozzi has attended, everybody takes photos, and then everybody wants to look at the photos, and we don't have somebody to take the photos of all of us. Its a pain, said Vagnozzi, a Collegeville native now living in Virginia Beach. It takes away from the moment. Vagnozzi knew she wanted a content creator at her own bachelorette so she and her friends could be more present, without the stress of making sure every moment was well-documented. This generation and Im so guilty of it we just always care about photos, said Vagnozzi, a sales rep. I didnt want to worry about that. I just wanted to be with my 13 girlfriends who I was lucky enough to all have in one room. James Pitts was no stranger to the witness stand during his two decades as a Philadelphia police detective, most recently an investigator assigned to the homicide unit. But on Friday afternoon, Pitts testified in a new capacity: As a criminal defendant. Advertisement The 53-year-old made a surprise decision to take the stand at the close of his trial on charges of perjury and obstruction. Prosecutors have accused him of beating a false confession out of a murder suspect in 2010, then lying about it in court to bolster the case and secure a conviction. Pitts, however, said that wasnt true. During more than an hour on the stand, the former detective repeatedly denied roughing up Obina Onyiah, and said his testimony as Onyiahs case wound through the courts was accurate. I knew at that time that I never touched Mr. Onyiah, and I testified accordingly, said Pitts, who often spoke quietly, and who has slimmed down considerably from the imposing figure he cut while on the force. At times, Pitts grew frustrated with questions from Assistant District Attorney Michael Garmisa. He pushed back on some assertions Garmisa made, threw his own questions back at Garmisa, and sometimes took issue with the prosecutors tone. Im asking why youre yelling at me about other things, Pitts said at one point. His testimony came on the fourth day of testimony at his trial. And it could prove to be a critical moment in the case, which is already unique as one of the few instances in which a police detective has been put on trial over allegations of official misconduct. Pitts had for years been the subject of lawsuits, complaints, and allegations of abuse. And at least 10 convictions tied to Pitts work as a detective have been overturned, dismissed, or dropped, and a number of petitions are still outstanding. His testimony came about 24 hours after his accuser, Onyiah, took the stand and described his encounter with Pitts in terms that varied dramatically from those offered by the former detective. On Thursday, over the course of several tense hours, Onyiah said that as Pitts was questioning him over a fatal robbery at the Glatz jewelry store in Lawndale, the detective yelled at him, threatened him, struck his chest, and later shoved his head down between his legs all while forcing him to agree to a statement that implicated him in a crime in which he said he had no part. Onyiah was convicted at his trial in 2013, but prosecutors helped overturn that conviction and secure his release three years ago, after experts they commissioned reviewed surveillance footage of the crime and said the perpetrator was several inches shorter than Onyiah. Still, Onyiah was clearly upset while testifying this week, staring at Pitts nearly the entire time and frequently pausing for extended periods of time before answering lawyers questions. Pitts took 11 years of my life away from me for something I didnt do, he said at one point. Onyiah also said he hoped Pitts got convicted a remark that Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony Kyriakakis told jurors to disregard. And when Onyiah finished testifying, he could be heard yelling in the hallway outside the courtroom in what sounded like something of an emotional release. Pitts attorney, William McLaughlin, argued the outburst made while the jury was still in the courtroom and within earshot was prejudicial to Pitts and should be grounds for a mistrial. Kyriakakis denied that motion. The question of who is telling the truth will soon be put to a jury. Deliberations are expected to begin as soon as Monday. The city of Philadelphia has revealed that more than 35,000 people were affected by a data breach in its email system last year, but investigators have found no evidence that anyone was victimized by identity theft or fraud. The breach was first publicly reported by the city in October, several months after it occurred. The new information with the total number of people affected was contained in a notification the city made to the office of Maines attorney general, which then made the notification public. Advertisement Individuals who were affected have received mailed letters from the citys Law Department. The letters restate what was reported by the city in October, that on May 24, 2023, the city became aware of suspicious activity in its email environment. An investigation assisted by third-party cybersecurity experts determined that between May 26 and July 28, an unauthorized actor gained access to certain city email accounts. The investigation did not determine conclusively that any information was actually accessed or acquired as a result of the event, but a review was launched nonetheless to determine what information was potentially accessible and to whom such information relates. The city said it recently completed that review and began issuing notifications. The letters state that, although no identity theft or fraud has been reported, the city is offering free credit monitoring, fraud consultation, and identity theft restoration services through a third-party provider. The city has yet to offer an explanation for how the data breach occurred. The notification to Maine, which was first reported by the Bleeping Computer, a technology news website, said the breach affected 35,881 people, including 15 Maine residents. Danna Hayes, special assistant to Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, said in an email that Maines law requires notification whenever any Maine residents information is exposed. Andrew Richman, chair of compliance and legislation in the citys Law Department, confirmed in an email that notifications were made and directed a reporter to an updated city notification posted in June. People seeking information about the breach can call 1-866-898-0867, Richman said. Richman said the city provided notification to Maine because of requirements under state laws. We take this event and information security very seriously, the updated notification states. Upon learning of this event, we immediately took steps [to] further secure our systems and email environment. As part of our ongoing commitment to information security, we are also reviewing our existing policies and procedures, implementing additional administrative and technical safeguards to further secure information in our care, and providing additional training on how to safeguard information in our email environment. We are also reporting this event to government regulators, as necessary. The types of potentially impacted information exposed by the breach vary by individual and could include names, addresses, dates of birth, drivers license information, Social Security numbers, financial account information, medical information, health insurance information, medical billing and claims information, and occupational health-related information. The updated notification also states: While our review was ongoing, the Citys Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) mailed written notice to individuals whose protected health information was potentially impacted. A separate notification regarding exposed health information was posted by the city in May. The city last reported a significant email breach in 2020, which came following a successful phishing attack on an employee email account. That breach impacted individuals being serviced by DBHIDS, as well as a nonprofit known as Community Behavioral Health. During next week's heat health emergency, Philadelphia officials recommend residents who need to cool off visit one of more than 150 cooling sites, including spraygrounds such as the one at Carmella Playground. Read more READ MORE: Philly could see its first 100-degree day in over a decade Tuesday as the city declares a heat emergency The Philadelphia region is headed into yet another heat wave, and on Saturday, the city declared a heat health emergency that is to start Monday. Advertisement High temperatures Monday through Wednesday are forecast to reach the mid- and high-90s, and the feels-like temperature is likely to top 100 degrees. Heat waves are defined as three consecutive days of temperatures in the 90s. The citys heat health emergency officially starts at 8 a.m. Monday and is scheduled to end at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. READ MORE: Philadelphia heat wave guide: How to stay cool, safety, pools, and more Philadelphias Health Department declares these types of emergencies when temperatures threaten the lives of vulnerable populations, such as older adults, children, people with chronic medical conditions, people without air-conditioning, and those who work outside. The citys declaration activates cooling centers, additional outreach to people experiencing homelessness, and the Philadelphia Corporation for Agings heatline. Philadelphia Water Department shutoffs are suspended. If youve felt as if the Philly region has been having more sweltering days lately than in the past, youd be right. Philadelphia has already seen more 90-degree or above days this year than in some entire years. And its only mid-July. Philadelphia declared its first heat health emergency of 2024 in June. That month was the fourth warmest dating to 1872. READ MORE: Philly could see its first 100-degree day in over a decade Tuesday as the city declares a heat emergency City officials on Saturday urged residents to seek out places next week where they can cool off, including libraries, pools, spraygrounds, senior sites, and recreation centers. Residents can call 311 or look at the citys map to find nearby sites. Well have over 150 cooling centers open for our residents who need them, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement. Please call 311 to find a cooling center near you. Check on your older neighbors. Make sure theyre safe. If we care for one another, well get through this heat wave together. Some early warning signs of heat distress include decreased energy, loss of appetite, lightheadedness, and nausea. More serious signs include rapid heartbeat, headache, confusion, muscle cramps, dry skin, vomiting, and difficulty walking or breathing. Anyone concerned about someone in the heat can call the Office of Homeless Services outreach team at 215-232-1984, the Philadelphia Corporation for Agings heatline at 215-765-9040, or 911 for emergencies. Former labor leader John Dougherty leaves the federal courthouse in Reading on Thursday after he was sentenced to six years in prison. Read more It was a moment more than a decade in the making. And when it finally came, few could have predicted how it ultimately unfolded. John Dougherty once the states most powerful labor leader, now a two-time felon stood before a federal judge this week to answer for his crimes for the first time. Advertisement And what he said left many in the courtroom stunned. I am guilty. I take full responsibility, the 64-year-old told U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl. Im responsible. Im the boss. READ MORE: John Dougherty, a towering figure in Philly politics and organized labor, sentenced to six years in federal prison That full-throated admission of guilt following Doughertys convictions in a 2021 bribery trial alongside former Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon and an embezzlement case last year involving more than $600,000 stolen from his union came after countless protestations of innocence, years of bemoaning what hed described as an FBI witch hunt against him, and repeated unfulfilled intimations that he might explain himself on the witness stand during three felony trials. It may have influenced the six-year sentence Dougherty eventually received less than half the up to 14 years prosecutors sought. But beyond that, the 10-minute mea culpa Dougherty delivered in plainspoken, unequivocal terms offered new insight into the actions of a man whose behavior had been, up to that point, explained in court only through the words of others. READ MORE: John Dougherty is headed to prison. But what happens next? While his attorneys had said he should not be convicted for thousands in personal expenses including pricey meals and grocery bills hed charged to his union lapses theyd chalked up to honest mistakes Dougherty acknowledged that he got sloppy. He knew better. I let the lines get blurred, he said. I got over my head. My intention wasnt to figure out how I could get a crab cake and not pay for it. Witnesses had couched the influence hed exerted on Henon, after plying him with regular bribes in the form of a union salary, as an extension of Doughertys zeal for fighting for Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Dougherty described it Thursday as something that got out of control. Hed spent decades turning what he described as a mom-and-pop shop into the most powerful and financially secure union in the state, and at some point hed conflated himself with the powerhouse organization hed helped to build. John Dougherty and the business manager became the same person, he said. Even to the point where it violated the law. That Dougherty could bring himself to be so bluntly forthright about his lapses in a courtroom packed with supporters was far from assured. In fact, all signs leading up to his sentencing Thursday suggested he might take an opposite approach. In 2016, when agents first descended upon his home, Local 98s headquarters and more than a dozen other locations in a series of coordinated raids, Dougherty stood outside his house dressed in a now iconic 76ers hat, shorts and a white Oxford shirt and proclaimed to reporters: This is nothing. Ive had many, many subpoenas and many, many visits from federal investigators over the years, he insisted. Im not making rookie mistakes. As he strode into the federal courthouse in Center City five years later at the start of his bribery trial, he confidently predicted to awaiting reporters that hed be convicted of zero crimes. And two guilty verdicts later, hes continued to insist he will eventually be vindicated on appeal. But as Dougherty spoke in court Thursday, his words hinted at an explanation for his apparent and sudden about-face. Im 64, he told the judge. Im tired. Im at your mercy. Many other Philadelphia notables who have found themselves in the same unenviable position havent mustered the candor Dougherty displayed at his sentencing. Brian Burrows Doughertys second-in-command at Local 98 and his codefendant at his embezzlement trial last year acknowledged no responsibility for his involvement in the theft of more than $600,000 in union assets at his sentencing last month. Instead, he insisted that hed put far more money back into the pockets of Local 98s members in the form of increased salary and pension and health-care benefits than any amount hed been convicted of stealing. Prosecutors predicted theyd hear more of the same when Dougherty had his chance to address the judge. My daily job, said Burrows, wasnt to see what was on John Doughertys expense reports. Henon apologized for letting his constituents down at his sentencing last year. But he insisted: I tried my best to help every Philadelphian. Please know, I never took a day off. Former U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, convicted in a 2016 corruption case, sidestepped his crimes while addressing the court at his sentencing hearing. He touted his record instead and, shortly after, a judge gave him one of the longest prison terms ever imposed on a sitting member of Congress. And when former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams faced judgment following his conviction in a 2017 bribery case, he could not bring himself to directly address the court at all. He had his attorney read a statement in which the former prosecutor bemoaned the impact the case had had on his life. I lost my job, reputation, pension, house, law license, and liberty, it read. In Doughertys case, prosecutors said they were satisfied with the ultimate outcome. Theyd set out to expose the labor leaders crimes and hold him accountable. The proceedings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Costello maintained, had done exactly that. Dougherty, meanwhile, left the courthouse with his signature impish smile on his face. He stopped to hug family members, flashed supporters a thumbs up, and gave every appearance of a man now unburdened after finally taking the opportunity to say his piece. As for what hed told the court moments earlier, Dougherty explained to the crush of awaiting reporters: Im very comfortable with how I live my life. Steve Woodson speaks during a medal ceremony in June for his father, Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second-highest honor. Read more On the morning of Aug. 24, 1944, The Inquirer ran an article about a hometown hero. The dateline was vague Somewhere in France but the story was detailed. Advertisement Army medic Waverly B. Woodson Jr., a 20-year-old Philadelphia native and Lincoln University premed student, had landed in D-Days first wave. Severely wounded by German shelling, he helped bandage and administer plasma and sulfa throughout the day and night, helped evacuate the wounded when the tide came in and continued first aid operations until 4:30 the second afternoon. The Army would credit him with treating 200 casualties on the deadliest stretch of the invasion beach before nearly collapsing from fatigue and blood loss. A Pittsburgh Courier story about the Overbrook High School graduate ran days later. The headline: Hero No. 1 of Invasion. Woodson, one of the few Black soldiers in D-Days first wave, may have been a household name in Pennsylvania for a brief time in 1944, but he and his heroism were largely forgotten in the ensuing decades. That changes this week when the city of Philadelphia renames the street where Woodson was born and raised North 58th Street Waverly Woodson Way. Woodsons story has touched me personally. I, too, am a Philadelphia native, and I currently serve in First Army, the historic Army unit that led all ground and airborne forces on D-Day. On June 6, 1944, then-Cpl. Woodsons shoulder bore the same block-A patch I wear on my uniform today. For years, First Army has advocated for proper recognition of Woodsons remarkable acts. It was announced last month, just a few days before the 80th anniversary of D-Day, that he would be posthumously upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the militarys second-highest medal for bravery. Some of our troops who were in France for commemoration events took the medal that will be presented to his wife, Joann, to Omaha Beach, and laid it on the sands where Woodson saved so many. The valor upgrade will come in Washington later this summer; the street renaming in Philadelphia will occur Friday afternoon. Ive thought a lot about what I want to say to my fellow citizens of Philadelphia as we honor Woodson. I want to acknowledge that it is long overdue for the Army to award Woodsons gallantry. In 1944, that didnt happen due to a perfect storm of realities: an Army segregated by race and riven by racism, the fog of war, lost records, and infighting among his leaders. But I also want to point out that every time we tell Woodsons story every time we honor his service and sacrifice we do our part to correct the injustices he endured on behalf of our great, but sometimes imperfect, nation. Those of us who have had the responsibility of leading Americas sons and daughters in combat know one thing: We who wear the cloth of this nation are just ordinary citizens who love our country enough to do extraordinary things when that country calls. Woodson was an ordinary young man, from an ordinary Philadelphia street, who became extraordinary on a bitter, windswept morning that changed the course of human history. Woodson was undoubtedly shaped by the city in which he was raised the heart of colonial America where the Founding Fathers penned our most famous declarations to freedom and liberty as well as a family with a true heart for military service. Even as Waverly fought his way onto Omaha Beach, his younger brother, Eugene, was an officer with the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed all-Black unit of military fighter pilots. Merion Station resident Paul Newman and Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. undertook the effort to rename North 58th Street with one simple goal: to inspire a new generation of Americans by drawing attention to the actions of a member of the Greatest Generation. It is my hope that the young men and women who today walk the sidewalks of Waverly Woodson Way will know that they, too, can achieve extraordinary things. In the Army, we often say we stand on the shoulders of giants. Woodson is one of our giants. He died in 2005 and was a First Army soldier eight decades ago, but we still consider him and his family, many of whom still call Philadelphia home our responsibility. It is our duty to ensure he is remembered. Our thanks go to the city and people of Philadelphia for helping First Army do just that and, even more, for raising the ordinary, extraordinary citizens who have fought for this nation from our earliest days, and who fight for us still. Maj. Gen. Timothy Brennan is First Armys deputy commanding general for support. Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver a speech in Philadelphia Saturday amid growing calls for President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. Its Harris fourth trip to Philadelphia region in just the last couple of months. On May 8, she joined Abbott Elementary star Sheryl Lee Ralph in Montgomery County to highlight reproductive rights, and on May 21 she delivered the keynote address at the 2024 Service Employees International Unions international convention. On May 29, Harris joined Biden during a rally at Girard College, the historic boarding school in Fairmount, aimed at shoring up support with Black voters. Advertisement Saturdays visit has taken on added significance following Bidens disastrous performance during a debate against former President Donald Trump last month. Since then, there have been increased calls from Democrats for Biden to end his campaign, potentially paving the way for Harris to take on Trump in the fall. Bidens campaign is quietly testing the strength of Harris against Trump in a head-to-head survey of voters, the New York Times reported. During a news conference Thursday night, Biden vowed to remain in the race, but said he would consider dropping out if his staff had data that showed he couldnt defeat Trump. Where in Philadelphia is Kamala Harris speaking? Harris is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall at the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown on 17th Street. She is slated to speak at 3:45 p.m, and will not take questions from reporters during the event. Her speech is being hosted by the nonprofit group Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, whose goal is to increase voter turnout among the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Harris, whose mother was born in India, is the countrys first Asian American vice president. It will be her sixth visit to Pennsylvania this year and 16th since taking office, according to the campaign. Will there be any road closures on I-95 or elsewhere? There will likely be rolling closures on both I-95 and I-676 as the vice president makes her way to and from the airport to Center City. Delays and closures are expected in the immediate vicinity surrounding the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Saturday, but no specific road closures have been announced by police. Will there be a livestream of Kamala Harris Philly speech? Yes, you can stream the vice presidents speech at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall here: Donald Trump and Jill Biden will also be in Pennsylvania Saturday Donald Trump will be holding a rally in Western Pennsylvania Saturday. The event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. at the Butler Farm Show. It is Trumps fifth visit to Pennsylvania this year, and it will be his last event before the Republican National Convention begins in Milwaukee, leading to speculation he could announce his vice presidential pick. Former Vice President Mike Pence, Trumps running mate during the 2016 and 2020 elections, isnt supporting the former president and refused to go along with a plan to overturn the 2020 election results. At the same time, first lady Jill Biden will also be in Western Pennsylvania, where she is scheduled to attend an Italian Sons and Daughters of America dinner in Pittsburgh. The first lady is facing renewed scrutiny as she defends her husband amid worries about age and his impact on the 2024 election. She was featured on the cover of Vogue following last months debate, where she said the campaign will not let those 90 minutes define the four years hes been president. In this 2022 file photo, a Mastbaum High School student holds a Yondr pouch, a phone storage system that creates phone-free spaces. Schools can receive state grant funding to purchase lockable cell phone pouches under the budget passed by Pa. lawmakers this week. Read more Pennsylvania schools will be able to purchase lockable cell phone pouches under a state grant program aimed at improving mental health and school safety. The commonwealth dedicated more than $120 million toward the grant program over the next fiscal year in the state budget signed Thursday. Advertisement Kids spend so much time on social media and using their smartphones that its taking a toll on them mentally, emotionally, and academically, State Sen. Ryan Aument (R., Lancaster) said in a news release. Aument authored a school cell phone ban that passed the Senate overwhelmingly earlier this month and awaits consideration in the Pennsylvania House. Schools that receive funding for the lockable pouches must implement a cell phone ban during the school day. Other uses for the funding include diversion programs, student risk-assessment training, and counseling services. Each school that applies for a grant will receive at least $100,000. The mental health investment is the latest into what began as a school security grant program in the wake of the massacre at Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. Mental health has taken an outsized role in the debate over preventing violence in schools, and Pennsylvanias allotments to the grant program in recent years have accordingly focused on mental health. In addition to lockable cell phone pouches, police training for security guards is among the new uses for the grants, which accompanied a larger $1 billion education package fast-tracked through the legislature Thursday. Im proud of this investment in education, but it is just the start, not the end, of our commitment to equitably funding our schools, House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia) said in a statement. A wave of states is trying to stem cell phone use in classrooms. Neighboring Ohio in May required all school districts in the state to create cell phone use policies, while Indiana and Florida have banned classroom cell phone usage outright. Trebor Maitin is an intern with the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association. He can be reached at trebormmaitin@gmail.com. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has cited the need to bolster the Center City economy as a reason she is asking city employees to return to fulltime in-person work. Read more For the first time since March 2020, all city workers will be required to work in-person on a full-time basis starting Monday after a Philadelphia judge on Friday sided with Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration and rejected an emergency lawsuit challenging the policy. The ruling by Common Pleas Court Judge Sierra L. Thomas-Street is a high-profile win for Parker, who has said she wants all workers back in the office to bolster the Center City economy and as a matter of fairness for the city employees who cannot telecommute, such as police officers and trash collectors. Advertisement Mayor Parker promised the city that they would have a government that they could see, touch, and feel. She promised measurable results, said Chief Administrative Officer Camille Duchaussee, a top administration official. Todays decision is a giant step toward realizing those promises. We have the talent in the city. The suit was brought by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District Council 47, which represents white-collar city workers such as engineers and midlevel supervisors and has about 3,700 members. The union argued that it was illegal for the city to impose the policy on unionized employees without going through collective bargaining. Were very disappointed with the judges decision, union president April Gigetts said. Were disappointed that she did not see the harm this is going to cause our members. The ruling may not be the final word on the issue. The union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint over the policy, and has requested the city participate in arbitration proceedings over it. But Gigetts said D.C. 47 members will respect the ruling and report for work Monday even though she also expects many to begin looking for other jobs. In her brief remarks about her decision, Thomas-Street said she ruled against the union in part because it had failed to show that its members would suffer irrevocable harm due to the policy, a necessary condition for her to issue an emergency injunction. The policy will set Philadelphia apart as the only large Northeast city that has required all employees to return to in-person work five days a week. READ MORE: Other Northeast U.S. cities have brought municipal workers back to the office. Just not every day like Philly. Thomas-Street announced the ruling from the bench after two days of testimony and argument in a City Hall courtroom, with each side presenting several witnesses. Duchaussee testified Friday that the administration believes it will be better able to achieve Parkers policy goals by bringing workers back to the office. Its extremely important that there is a culture of collaboration, a culture of innovation, a culture of communication, she said. You optimize that and you create that culture more so through in-person work ... than you do in the virtual space. D.C. 47 leaders have said it will exacerbate the citys staffing crisis by making city jobs less attractive compared to private sector opportunities that offer more flexible schedules. As of the end of March, 17% of full-time city jobs were unfilled. We know that its coming. To what extent, we dont know, Gigetts said, adding that her union will attempt to track how many of its members leave the city due to the policy. Much of the case centered on whether the administration had the right to move forward without bargaining with the union. Lawyers for both sides went through minute details of the process for issuing the current work-from-home policies, which were established after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic under former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration. Kenney empowered department heads to handle their staffs telecommuting arrangements, and many city employees are now permitted to work from home two to three days per week. READ MORE: Mayor Cherelle Parker defends her strict return-to-office policy for city workers a day before the dispute heads to court Kenneys team met with union officials while crafting its policies, and D.C. 47 lawyers argued those meetings constituted bargaining sessions and that the city must come back to the bargaining table to undo the current policies. Parker administration lawyers, meanwhile, said the meetings were merely consultations with union leaders about the changes, noting that the stated purpose was to produce recommendations, not a binding agreement. The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted Friday to create a historic district in West Philadelphia's Spruce Hill neighborhood, one of the most intact Victorian neighborhoods in the country. Read more The Spruce Hill neighborhood is one of the most intact Victorian neighborhoods in the country. And now, almost four decades after residents and preservationists first nominated the West Philadelphia neighborhood for historic designation, the area has its first historic district. The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted unanimously Friday to create the Southeast Spruce Hill Historic District, a collection of 572 mostly residential and commercial properties. The district roughly is bounded by Spruce Street to the north, 39th Street to the east, Baltimore and Woodland Avenues to the south, and 43rd Street to the west. Advertisement About a third of the properties 193 already are designated as historic by the city. And properties within the district also are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a designation that does not come with demolition protections. Owners of properties that are included in Philadelphia historic districts need the Historical Commissions approval to make changes to the outside of buildings, and properties are shielded from demolition. Student housing companies that own many of the areas architecturally notable townhouses have derailed past efforts to designate the neighborhood as historic and opposed the districts creation. Community efforts to historically designate the Spruce Hill neighborhood date back to 1987. A few years ago, a local civic organization renewed the stalled preservation campaign in an effort to protect the neighborhoods Victorian homes from demolition. READ MORE: Spruce Hill Historic District is facing opposition from student housing companies Our research and collective knowledge indicates that this is the very best of West Philadelphia, said Sharon Fleming, a historic preservation consultant and coauthor of the historic district nomination on behalf of the Spruce Hill Community Association. The nomination said the district exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social, or historical heritage of the community, as an exemplary representation of West Philadelphias development as a streetcar suburb. Theres an extraordinary degree of integrity to this district, Fleming said at Fridays Historical Commission meeting. She pointed out that 94% of the properties in the district are considered significant or contributing. The rest are considered noncontributing and subject to less review by the commission. I believe theres no question that this is a historic district worth designating, Fleming said. Mark Brack, a professor emeritus at Drexel University who taught architectural history for decades, said the district is remarkably intact. Im so glad that its moving forward, because theres been a tendency in Philadelphia to concentrate so much upon our Colonial and early heritage once we achieved independence, he said. But lets remember, we were the workshop of the world. And these buildings reflect that incredible history as well. Mary McGettigan has been a homeowner in the Spruce Hill neighborhood for 40 years and lives outside of the new districts boundaries. Before the Historical Commissions vote, she said she urged commissioners to approve this worthy nomination and end our 37-year wait in this neighborhood. She said the victory is somewhat bittersweet, because during the last four decades, historically significant buildings have been demolished, and the neighborhood has suffered an irreversible harm. I eagerly await your future designation of my portion of the wonderful Spruce Hill section of Philadelphia, she said. The Spruce Hill Community Association had asked the Historical Commission to designate the southeast quadrant of an area that it wants to become a larger Spruce Hill Historic District. It plans to submit several nominations for different areas of the neighborhood that together would form the larger district. Owners of student housing in the area David Adelmans Campus Apartments LLC and Michael Karps University City Housing own more than 50 properties within the newly created district and objected to the civic organizations piecemeal designation approach. At Fridays Historical Commission meeting, Michael V. Phillips, a zoning and land use attorney who is representing the property owners, argued that the Historical Commission should consider the entire neighborhood district at the same time. The community association said it was dividing the neighborhood for the approval process to ease the burden on the Historical Commission. Almost 2,000 properties would be included in the larger district. READ MORE: Inga Saffron: Yes, Philly needs more affordable housing. Historic districts arent the problem. On Friday, the commission changed the name of the proposed district from Spruce Hill Historic District, Southeast Quadrant to the Southeast Spruce Hill Historic District because of objections from the student housing owners. Phillips argued that the nomination and originally proposed name suggested that if the commission historically designated this first area, it would be more likely to designate additional sections proposed later, because they would be part of the same district. Commission members pushed back on that argument, saying proposals are considered based on their individual merits. Commissioners said the nomination for what is now the Southeast Spruce Hill Historic District stood on its own and was ready for review. But they decided to change language in the nomination to clarify. Phillips said his clients opposed creation of the district on procedural grounds, because going into the meeting, they did not know whether debate would be focused on review of the proposed district on its own or evaluations of the merits of a larger district of which this district was one part. Campus Apartments and University City Housing did not take a position on the merits and did not analyze the merits of the district, because they needed that clarity, which they got once commissioners decided to change language in the nomination, Phillips said. He said his clients wanted a chance to examine their properties in the context of that decision. Phillips earlier had asked the Historical Commission to delay consideration of the district for 90 days while it hired an expert to look at individual properties to assess whether they should be considered contributing or noncontributing and whether the districts boundaries are appropriate. The commission denied that request Friday and decided to move ahead with its vote. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code This photo taken on May 22, 2024 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States.(Xinhua/Liu Jie) The "American democracy" system was not designed to foster consensus but to ensure the power and interests of monopolistic capitalists. 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. File photo taken on Jan. 6, 2021 shows supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump gathering in front of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) 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. The White House is seen during a snowfall in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 15, 2023. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) 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." This photo taken on Jan. 20, 2023 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) "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." A business representative body has urged the Government to prioritise long-term targets and infrastructure investment amid a looming general election. In its pre-budget submission, Chambers Ireland recommended the focus should be placed on improving Irish competitiveness through the deployment of the national training fund, removing the 10m cap on family business transfers, and speeding up the delivery of keystone urban infrastructure transport programmes such as Metrolink, the Cork Suburban Rail project, and the Dart extension projects. At this important juncture in Irish politics, the Government have an opportunity to make a strong economic statement by committing crucial investment to our essential infrastructure and making long-term commitments that will serve our future competitiveness, said Chambers Ireland chief executive Ian Talbot. Budget 2025 is set to take place on October 1 and many analysts have predicted that a general election will occur shortly after. Yet, the recent summer economic statement suggested that the upcoming budget will be expansionary. The overall bumper budget package of 8.3bn will contain 6.9bn in additional public spending and a tax package of 1.4bn. Overall public spending will increase by 6.9% which once again exceeds the Governments spending rule of not increasing expenditure by more than 5% annually. Meanwhile, Mr Talbot also said the last year has been tumultuous for SMEs, despite the wind-up of pandemic restrictions which impacted many businesses in hospitality and retail. He said many small firms have struggled to keep pace with a myriad of financial, administrative, and regulatory requirements infringing on business margins and constraining capacity. In addition, he said capacity constraints continue to weigh on businesses. The risk of overheating the economy must be balanced carefully with the social and economic impact arising from not building capacity for the growth we are experiencing and expect to continue, he said. I can see clearly now my cataracts have gone. All obstacles are no longer in my way. There is nothing like stepping outside and knowing where you are going. Last Saturday, I took a few cattle to Macroom Mart, and for the first time in years, I could see what I was doing. Auld Lehane was back in business. I could see the seller's board bright and clear; I could see the weight of my stock. For many years now, I have been suffering from deteriorating eyesight. First came a retinal detachment, and then along galloped cataracts, like the bad guys in a John Wayne movie. But luck was on my side, for we live in an age populated with very bright people. The ophthalmology brigade arrived and rescued me. In the olden days, I would have gone blind for sure, as there was neither a remedy nor cure to successfully deal with the impending darkness caused by the likes of cataracts. But thankfully, now, in today's modern world, with technology that can set a man onto the surface of the moon and place a fresh crop of hair on your balding head, such obstacles can be overcome. Surgery was the answer to both the retinal detachment and the cataracts. The cataracts, I believe, were blown away with a class of a laser, and then, like the way a mechanic might remove an old oil filter, my lens was whipped out and an artificial lens inserted in its place. I now see through artificial technology. Both eyes have been done. I'm like a class of a robot, I suppose, with my new eyes, only without the propensity for violence and attempts to blow up the world. The upshot of the whole thing is that my sight has been restored to a miraculous degree. And I will be forever grateful to those gifted people who have helped me see the light once again. All jokes aside, but going blind was no joke. On the farm, I could not see tag numbers; I couldn't see bolts that needed tightening. I couldn't see forms that needed filling. I really couldn't see the wood for the trees. It was dangerous and it was debilitating. And now I hear that our government is thinking about reducing a payment that assists those who head up North for such treatment. Heading up North for treatment because they cannot get it down here in the South due to a waiting list the length of your arm. Here in West Cork, the now famous 'Belfast or Blind' bus been giving countless numbers of people access to vital cataract surgery for years. Those behind the venture are nothing short of heroes in my book. And anyone attempting to curb such a vital service is no friend of West Cork. Now that I can see clearly, the wool cannot be pulled over my eyes. Good sight should be a fundamental right for everyone. Anyhow as I mentioned earlier, on Saturday last, I headed to Macroom Mart, where my raggle-taggle bunch of cattle damn nearly made me a millionaire. They were a bunch really that no one could rightly define or categorise, no matter how good your sight was. They had cost me very little to begin with, so I was ahead no matter what they made. I presented for sale bullocks that had many rubbing their eyes in disbelief, good eyes as well as bad ones. They may not have been the best-bred cattle in the country, but they were mine, and I was proud of that. "What breed are your cattle?" this smart fellow asked me early on in the day. "Are you blind, man?" I quipped back with confidence. "They are West Cork's finest." Sir Thomas Lighton, 1st baronet, was here first, building his house on fashionable St Stephens Green in c.1790. Hed been a soldier for the British East India Company and received a reward of 20,000 for smuggling back a vast quantity of pilfered Asian loot to England for his commanding officer. Floritz is there now, in the space that was once the Cliff Townhouse and before that Richard Corrigans short-lived seafood restaurant. Downstairs is Cellar 22 wine bar (reviewed here in February) but Floritz is quite different, bold and bright, lavishly decorated with Asian botanical scenes and warm striking colours. The Asian theme is continued in the menu, a mixum-gatherum of cuisines with Japan, Indonesia and various regions of China all featured. Chef Matt Fuller has been in lots of good restaurants over the years, most recently in Suesey Street, but Ill always remember him best for the much-missed Boqueria tapas restaurant in Stoneybatter (reviewed here in 2016). As I was thanking my guest for a favour, I suggested she begin with a glass of Gremillet grower Champagne, decently priced and decently tasty at 18. I took advantage of the excellent sherry selection with a gorgeous glass of Williams Fino 2015 (10), its nine years ageing having softened its yeasty tang and added delicious earthy-lemon notes as far from parent company Williams & Humberts A Winters Tale as St Stephens Green is from Tokyo. With over 60 items on the menu, we took a scattergun approach and ordered sushi, yakitori skewers, tempura and bao buns, deciding to skip the good value noodle bowls and the less good value Irish wagyu steak (50 per 100g). The first dish to arrive was four plump fingers of crisp turbot tempura (28) topped with pink ume roasted sesame seeds with a punchy basil, coriander and jalapeno dipping sauce no bargain but fish this tasty deserved its price (just about). Similarly, two little-finger-sized Dublin Bay Prawns on a yakitori skewer topped with majada almond crumbs cost 13.50 including a tangy whey dipping sauce. Had they not tasted so good, we might have remembered they cost 6.75 each. Both sauces were so good, we kept them for the rest of the meal. Two pieces of tuna nigiri (18) made with o-toro tuna belly are perfection succulent, luscious and intense freshly grated Singing Frog wasabi root from West Cork adding extra deliciousness. After the high of the nigiri, the six hosomaki tuna sushi (22) rolls seem a little bland. Next time Ill ask for more wasabi. SIMILARLY, our duo of confit lamb bao is tasty enough but could have done with an extra kick of heat or sauce to fit in with the rich flavours in the other courses. Miso roast black cod puts us back on track and is on special that evening, reduced from 45 to 25. At 45, this would have been outrageously priced but, at 25, it felt like a bargain, flaking nicely into translucent nubs with the best part the intensely flavoured sweet-savoury skin. Rice crisps at 6.50 are the bargain of the night make sure to order double portions of these cubes of crisp-fried rice coated in dragon sauce, a sticky rich, spicy umami-bomb of flavours with chilli, soy, ginger and garlic notes. The Floritz wine list has been thoughtfully chosen and is fairly priced 9 for a glass of albarino, 35 for a bottle of tasty Bardolino Chiaretto rose and a mere 34 for a Languedoc Pinot Noir. There are also cocktails, sake and a good selection of dessert and fortified wines. Our bottle of Lapilli Greco di Tufo is well worth its 50 floral, peachy and crisp with enough heft to cope with all the intense flavours. For dessert, a delicately scented jasmine tea panna cotta works well as does the brightly creamy goats milk ice cream (12.50) accompanying it. A properly nutty hazelnut mousse and brioche sandwich with pistachio ice cream is also satisfying. All the servers in Floritz were stars and managed to make sure we were minded but also left to enjoy our meal. We talked Asian sauces and K-Pop with our delightful Korean server Si-Hyun, and the Amalfi coast, Italian lemons and the grape varieties of Campania with our knowledgeable Italian wine waiter we were completely charmed. So Floritz can be expensive if you order the high-end dishes but doesnt have to be. Im not sure what the 1st baronet would have thought but I really dont care we loved it. THE VERDICT: Food: 8/10 Drink: 9/10 Service: 9.5/10 Ambience: 9.5/10 Value: 7/10 Tinned fish is trending: TikTok videos, Instagram accounts, monthly subscriptions, tasting clubs and Vogue articles all been devoted to fish in a can. Since the global pandemic, consumption of conservas has risen year on year. The popularity is justified when you recognise just how charming the colourful packaging is, the fact that theres not a hint of plastic in sight and the contents are utterly delicious. Im a self-confessed tinned fish enthusiast. Procuring fresh fish can be a challenging no matter your location or your schedule. There are plenty of perks to tinned fish; no refrigeration required, a use by date very far in the future and most often well labelled. Labelling is an area within the seafood industry that requires massive improvement and legislative reform. Fishing methods and locations displayed clearly on the tin is a huge plus. When you consider that globally over 27% of fish that are caught are wasted every year, equating to millions of tons of an already limited resource, canning seafood sounds like an intelligent way to go. Tinned fish is processed within hours of landing at the peak of its freshness with little waste. Fish is an extremely perishable product; a huge factor that contributes to this mass wastage. Canning preserves shoals of fish for many years to come. A well-stocked larder and a fridge full of flavourful condiments is key to being able to produce tasty meals in a pinch. Whether its a stack of tinned sardines, mackerel or anchovies, a Kilner of kraut, a bottle of my favourite hot sauce or a jar of pickles these are the ingredients I rely on most at home. This weekend I have included two of my favourite ways to utilise the convenience and the flavour of these products. With the first of the Irish tomatoes coming soon; a tinned sardine panzanella salad that delivers big on flavour with very little labour. You could swap the sardines for some tinned mackerel or some Cantabrian anchovies. And a spicy tuna bowl with sushi rice with a handy pickled beetroot recipe which works great as a packed lunch or served over warm rice for dinner. Spicy tuna rice bowl with pickled beetroot recipe by:Aishling Moore A spicy tuna bowl with sushi rice with a handy pickled beetroot recipe which works great as a packed lunch or served over warm rice for dinner. Servings 4 Preparation Time 40 mins Cooking Time 25 mins Total Time 1 hours 5 mins Course Main Ingredients For the spicy tuna: 400g tuna 3 tbsp mayonnaise 2 tbsp creme fraiche 1 tbsp hot sauce Juice 1 lemon 2 tsp sesame oil Sesame seeds 2 scallions, finely sliced For the pickled beetroot: 500g fresh beetroot 250ml apple cider vinegar 100g caster sugar 150ml water tsp coriander seeds tsp black pepper 1 bay leaf For the rice: 375g sushi rice 450ml cold water, plus more for washing 1.5 tsp fine salt 1 tbsp caster sugar 40ml rice wine vinegar 1 small piece of kombu Method For the fish: Combine the mayonnaise, creme fraiche, hot sauce, lemon juice and sesame oil in a medium sized mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the drained tuna to the bowl and fold through the mixture. Add the finely sliced whites of the scallion to the mix. Reserve the greens of the onion to garnish the rice bowls. Taste and season with sea salt. Set Aside. In a small dry pan toast the sesame seeds. Set aside to cool. For the pickled beetroot: Top, tail and peel the outer skin from the beetroot. (Wear gloves to avoid staining your fingers) Finely slice the beetroot into discs, use a mandolin. You can also use a box grater or a food processor. In a medium sized pot add the coriander seeds and black pepper and toast on a medium high heat for one minute until fragrant. Add the apple cider vinegar and water to the pan followed by the caster sugar and mix well to dissolve. Add the beetroot and bring to the boil before reducing the heat and simmer until the beetroot is cooked for approximately 5 minutes. Allow to cool before placing in a sterile jar. These pickled beetroots will keep for weeks in the fridge. For the rice: Place the sushi rice in a bowl and cover with cold water. Stir the rice using clean hands. This process of washing the rice is to remove the excess starch. Drain the rice in a sieve or colander and repeat this process five times until the water runs clear and is no longer white and starchy. Place in a clean bowl and cover with cold water allow to sit for 30 minutes to soak. Drain the rice and add to a heavy based medium sized pot and add 450ml water and kombu. Place a tight-fitting lid on the pot and bring to the boil for 3 minutes before reducing the heat to the lowest setting you have for 20 minutes. Whilst the rice is cooking in a small pot add the salt, caster sugar and rice vinegar. On a low heat stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. When the rice is cooked transfer to a large bowl and add the rice vinegar and mix well. I use a flexible spatula to avoid breaking up the grains of rice. Serve hot or cold with some of the spicy tuna and pickled beets and a scattering of toasted sesame seeds and the greens of the scallions. Tinned Sardine Panzanella recipe by:Aishling Moore A tinned sardine panzanella salad that delivers big on flavour with very little labour - you could swap the sardines for some tinned mackerel or some Cantabrian anchovies. Servings 4 Preparation Time 1 hours 30 mins Cooking Time 8 mins Total Time 1 hours 38 mins Course Main Ingredients 600g beef tomatoes 230g cherry tomatoes 1 small red onion 1 tbsp green pitted olives 230g a day-old baguette or crusty bread 1 clove of garlic 100ml olive oil 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 120g drained tinned sardines in olive oil (oil reserved) 1 bunch basil, leaves removed Sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper Method Cut the beef tomatoes into 2inch uniform chunks. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half. Finely slice the red onion and green olives and combine all in a large mixing bowl. Tear the bread into 2inch pieces and place on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 180C or 6- 8 minutes until golden brown with toasted edges. To make the dressing, finely grate the garlic and place in a small bowl. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar and 50ml of the olive oil reserved from the sardines. Season with coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Remove the bread from the oven and allow to cool for 3 minutes before adding to the large mixing bowl. Add the dressing and mix well. Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for at least an hour before eating. Toss the salad during this time to make sure all the components are mingling and well coated in the dressing. Just before serving add the drained sardines and basil leaves. Fish know-how Store tinned fish in a cool dry place. Once opened, in the unlikely event you have any leftovers transfer to bowl or dish, cover and refrigerate. Use within 3 days. Choose tinned fish in oil vs brine for superior texture and flavour. If storing tinned fish for long periods turn the tins upside-down every couple of months to keep the prized ingredients covered in the oil. Look for line caught and pole caught on the back of the tin. These fishing methods eliminate wasteful bycatch For the panzanella salad tearing the bread rather than cutting with a knife gives variants of texture which is important in salads. Never throw away the olive oil from tinned fish, transfer to a small glass jar and keep refrigerated. Use to dress grilled or roasted vegetables or fish, in pasta sauces or salad dressings. Kombu is an edible seaweed popular in Japanese cooking. It can be found in Asian food stores. People always say that your second baby is the one that causes trouble, but this hasnt been the case so far for Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian. The pair welcomed daughter Blu Amar Rose on June 23 and have been finding their feet as dads of two. Luckily for them however, it hasnt been too different to their first Blake who was born in September 2022. Her and Blake have two things in common: They like to sleep and they like food, Dowling says. When she was born, she looked the image of Blake, we couldnt believe it. Blu has been sleeping well four or five hours a night and they say theyve gotten another quiet, relaxed, super chill baby. Upon the first meeting, Blake wasnt too sure about this new baby in their house. She wasnt having it, Gourounlian says. I think she was very confused, [as if] to say, Who are you? Why are you here?. But now, honestly, even after the next day, shes so gentle. [Shes] caressing her head, trying to touch her very gently. I think she understands this little person here is staying, going nowhere, so [shes] got no choice. Brian Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian. Picture: Emily Quinn When it came to choosing a name, Dowling says: I always liked Blu for a boy or a girl. It was between Blu and Bailey, and then I remember thinking I knew a lot of people that had dogs called Bailey... Amar is an Armenian word that translates to summer, which was the perfect fit for their June baby. Both sisters also have Rose as a middle name, as an ode to Dowlings mother Rosie, who passed away in 2018. Even though their new arrival is not even one month old yet, the pair are saying never say never to another baby in the future. Blu and Blake were born through surrogacy, with Dowlings sister Aoife carrying them. Since the birth, she is recovering well and told the couple she felt great because she wasnt the one looking after the baby. Gourounlian says Aoife is their hero: Its been, again, so amazing. What shes done for us, its incredible. And, you know, just going through everything that a woman goes through having a baby. And for her to do that, especially not [for] her kids, its been just beautiful. 'ADAMANT TO ARRIVE INTO THE WORLD' When the conversation about having another baby arose, Aoife said she wanted to have a C-section, as she had done with Blake. As is often the case, this didnt go to plan. While Blu was due on the fourth of July, Aoife went into labour after having her breakfast on June 23 and her waters broke at the hospital. It all happened really quickly. Blu was adamant to arrive into the world earlier than planned, Dowling says. If they do go again, they will be exploring other avenues rather than asking Aoife as they say its time for her to concentrate on her own life. In a recent Instagram post, her brother even wrote that it was now time to get her onto the dating site Tinder. Arthur Gourounlian: "No matter what you go through in life, days are coming and going. Theres always going to be morning and theres always going to be evening. Theyre not waiting for you" Picture: Emily Quinn Dowling finished up his work commitments just two days before Blus arrival, while Gourounlian is keeping some freelance projects on the go. Though having more time to settle into being parents to a newborn again, the couple know just how fickle their industry can be, which means keeping their work options open is a must. You dont get any younger in our business. You never know how long its going to last, Gourounlian says. One minute, youre hot. One minute, thats it. Thank you so much. Goodbye. You really have to take everything that comes to you and enjoy the ride. Being married, having two children and living together doesnt put them off working together either. In the past, they have produced a documentary and book about their modern family. In the future, they wouldnt rule out presenting together. People always say, oh my god, you could be the gay Ant and Dec, Dowling says. We want to be the gay Richard and Judy. Gourounlian is hopeful hell make a return to RTEs Dancing With The Stars in the New Year for his fourth run on the show as a judge alongside Brian Redmond and Loraine Barry. Im crossing every finger I have on my body. Im so privileged, Ive done three seasons. Never in a million years would I have thought Id be doing three seasons. And when Im not saying if when, hopefully, I get that phone call [that] they want me back, hallelujah. Ill be delighted. Dowling says: How could they not ask you to do it? Brian Dowling: People always say, oh my god, you could be the gay Ant and Dec, Dowling says. We want to be the gay Richard and Judy. Picture: Emily Quinn STRIKING A SOCIAL-MEDIA BALANCE The pair have a big following on social media, almost half a million combined followers on Instagram, but they dont let that phase them. For Gourounlian, he says he loves having fun with social media: I remember before social media, I used to have a camera stuck to my hands when I was touring. I always loved momentum, creativity, and with social media, because it comes naturally to me. I know it sounds very arrogant but I know what I want to post. I love social media. And Im not going to sit here and lie to you. I do love it and you know, I enjoy doing it. Arthur Gourounlian: "Dont play it safe. I am not a safe person." Picture: Emily Quinn Dowling says he never feels pressured to post anything online, but if he does post, its always something fun. I believe social media is the best bits of your 24 hours, so I feel it should be fun, it should be positive. It allows you to be vulnerable and to be honest. It also gives them a very special platform, as two gay men with children, and allows them to show the public just how normal their lives are. That being said, there will always be some negativity. Under a recent photo of Aoife, an Instagram user asked how dare Dowling share it, as his sister was in her underwear. Prior to posting any photo, he will always get permission from those involved. Thats where social media is 90% great. There is that 10% where youre a bit like, people need to calm down. This positive outlook on life is something Dowling says he has had to work on as he was always a realist, given the nature of show business. Following the loss of his mother however, his mindset has shifted. Brian Dowling: I believe social media is the best bits of your 24 hours, so I feel it should be fun, it should be positive. It allows you to be vulnerable and to be honest. Picture: Emily Quinn SEIZE THE DAY Gourounlian, who Dowling says has always had a way more uplifting and more positive outlook, says he likes to get out of bed as soon as he wakes up to seize the day. No matter what you go through in life, days are coming and going. Theres always going to be morning and theres always going to be evening. Theyre not waiting for you, he says. Both men have been named VIPs Most Stylish Man in recent years so it seems only fitting for them to judge the 2024 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Style Award. The event, which takes place at the Curragh this weekend, is the only job Dowling has on for the summer but he says: Listen, is it work? Not really. We get our hair and makeup done, well, I get the makeup done. I get to wear a gorgeous outfit. I go to the races. Gourounlian adds: And youre staring at fabulous people who are dressed head-to-toe in fashion galore. I love it. This is the second year in-a-row the couple have judged the award, and one aspect they loved from last year was sustainability, with some attendees wearing pre-loved and re-worn outfits or hand-me-downs from their parents. So, what will they be looking for in a winner? Arthur Gourounlian: "Fashion, its a personality. You describe who you are and if you [are] actually wearing just a blah aspect, its not going to sell it." Picture: Emily Quinn For Gourounlian, its someone stepping out of their comfort zone and embracing it: I always say this, I know it sounds very cliche, but really reaching outside the box. Dont play it safe. I am not a safe person. Because fashion, its a personality. You describe who you are and if you [are] actually wearing just a blah aspect, its not going to sell it. Dowling agrees: You kind of have to step into it and own it. Creativity is also a massive part of a successful outfit, as he explains: Anyone thats there and that gets a wristband to the top 10, there is always a story behind the outfit. And I always think the story behind your look is as important as the look itself. And if youre feeling nervous, Dowling jokes, Just neck a glass of champagne! The Dowling-Gourounlians are looking forward to the rest of the summer to spend time with their children, as well as Gourounlians mother, who came over this week to see the new arrival. Almost as if they knew their dads would be free to play with them again, Blu and Blake wake up from their naps just as our conversation ends. Its a controversial opinion, but Romes major sites are overrated. Crowded, costly, and utterly devoid of charm, the citys most visited landmarks have been cheapened in the age of mass tourism into little more than a box-ticking or selfie-taking exercise. Which isnt to say you shouldnt go. Everyone should be accosted by a middle-aged Italian man in a plastic centurions costume or shouted at by a Vatican security guard at least once in their life. But theres a lot more to the Eternal City than its ancient ruins and Renaissance sculptures. The best way to enjoy Romes centro storico is on a night-time stroll. The buildings and fountains will be beautifully lit, youll often have the views all to yourself, and it frees up time during the day to explore the citys exciting, contemporary side. First stop is a monumental beaux-arts structure on the north-western side of the Villa Borghese park. Its a gallery that, in any other city, would be towards the top of everyones to-do list, but Rome being Rome, the Galleria Nazionale dArte Moderna e Contemporanea doesnt draw huge crowds, despite having a breathtaking array of works. The collection features most of modern arts famous names, important works from Italian masters, and a fine selection of pieces from living artists. Whats most enjoyable about it, though, is not the quality of the art, but the way its displayed, because the gallery has been dramatically transformed in recent years under the stewardship of outgoing director Cristiana Collu. The result is a space that makes you reconsider a lot of preconceptions about modern art movements. The diverse collection is exhibited with lots of energy and a thematic, rather than chronological, layout that brings a freshness and vitality that large national collections too often lack. Maxxi National Museum, the national museum of contemporary art designed by British architect Zaha Hadid in 2010. A mile and a half north-west, slightly further if you take the scenic route along the river, is a gallery as monumental as anything in the centro storico. But Zaha Hadids boldly designed Maxxi National Museum of 21st-Century Art is worth a visit for more than the architecture. As an example of the variety on show, recent exhibitions include retrospectives of Greek arte povera painter and sculptor Jannis Kounellis , Neapolitan designer Riccardo Dalisi, and comic-book artist Benito Jacovitti. There are several large installations and a contemporary design collection, as well as an extensive permanent collection of drawings, models, photographs, and recordings from Italys best-known modern architects. The museum runs talks, performances, exhibitions, and workshops throughout the year. Entrance of the MACRO museum, Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome, built inside an old slaughterhouse. Off the beaten tourist track, east of the Villa Borghese in residential Salario, Macro, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome, was once Peronis main brewery in the city. It has been transformed into a sleek, postindustrial space that is a popular haunt among Romes art fans in the city, but is difficult to define. The museums own website calls it both a container that becomes content and a polyphonic cultural centre. Whatever you call it, its well worth a visit and admission is free. The Palazzo della Civilta Italiana, also known as the Palazzo della Civilta del Lavoro or the Colosseo Quadrato. Across town to the south, in Romes EUR district, Palazzo della Civilta Italiana is another worthwhile stop for anyone who wants to see the more modern side of Rome. Now the global headquarters of Fendi, the square colosseum is a striking example of the neoclassical Italian Rationalist style from the fascist period. The area around it offers an interesting glimpse of what Mussolinis Italy might have looked like. The buildings unique aesthetic and complicated history make it worth a visit, but dont miss out on its gallery. It recently featured a gorgeous site-specific exhibition of works by contemporary sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, including an extensive assortment of documents and drawings from his archive. More of Romes modern art spots Fondazione Pastificio Cerere This great gallery known for its educational projects and for promoting young artists is in a former pasta factory in the San Lorenzo neighbourhood, not far from Termini station. Materia Five minutes walk away, near Porta San Lorenzo, is another little gem of a gallery, known for its promotion of young talent and experimental shows across different mediums. Centrale Montemartini Originally Romes first public power plant, this gallery has an extensive collection of ancient sculpture surrounded by diesel engines and enormous alternators. This sense of contrast brings the incredible age of the collection into sharper focus. Escape notes Ryanair flies direct to Rome from Cork and Dublin. ryanair.com Aer Lingus operates daily flights from Dublin to Rome. aerlingus.com The Guardian Chinese vice premier stresses global cooperation to address development challenges Xinhua) 14:45, July 13, 2024 Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with foreign guests attending the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Friday expressed China's readiness to work with other countries to jointly address development challenges. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with foreign guests who are here for the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development. Ding said the Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by China has received extensive support and active response from the international community. Through concerted efforts of all parties, GDI cooperation has achieved important results. China is ready to work with other countries to address development challenges, foster new growth impetus, promote open development, and achieve common development and prosperity in the process of building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said. The foreign representatives spoke highly of China's leading role in global development cooperation. They expressed readiness to work together to deepen GDI cooperation, promote the initiative to achieve concrete results, and accelerate the implementation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) The pierogi caught Cathy Olszewskis eye. As she walked into the 41st Taste of Buffalo festival, which kicked off Saturday morning, the Greek chicken pierogi from Babcias Pierogi immediately grabbed her attention. She and her friend, Dawn McCarthy, are Buffalo residents and attend every year. Its a chance to try foods, like this pierogi dish, and enjoy the food scene. We take pictures of all the food, we take pictures of us, Olszewski said. Its like a nice memory. Taste of Buffalo, which continues Sunday, celebrates the Buffalo Niagara culinary scene. Attendees stop by tents and food trucks sprawled along Delaware Avenue and around Niagara Square, sampling the menus of local restaurants in what is the biggest two-day food event in the U.S., according to organizers. This years festival features 43 restaurants. Ten of those are new additions, including Lime House Sushi & Ramen, Sto Lat Bar and Carrubbas Chicken Pit. For vendors, participating in the festival can be a way to get new customers. The more that we get our name out, the more that we are hoping that it brings into our brick-and-mortar, Angela Stark, who works front-of-house at Carrubbas said. Anchi A La Carte, a Vietnamese restaurant in Amherst, experienced that impact when it participated in the festival last year. After that, we had some customers that saw us (at) Taste of Buffalo, and they came to our restaurant, too, owner Anh Pham said. 13 new foods to try at the Taste of Buffalo The 41st annual Taste of Buffalo returns Saturday and Sunday along Delaware Avenue from Chippewa Street and into Niagara Square. There will be 43 restaurants and 14 pop-up chefs selling a combination of their most popular foods and creative entries to the festivals thousands of visitors. The festival also allows people to enjoy the different cuisines that make up Buffalos culinary community. Tom Mahoney, Taste of Buffalo chair, says the diversity of the food makes people want to return year after year. The food scene here is amazing. Were able to accommodate so many restaurants with so much variety, he said. While many of the restaurants have been part of the festival before, this years edition has encouraged them to collectively offer a slate of new food items, showcased through a competition. Twenty-four returning restaurants are adding a fresh item on their menus to compete for a new dish award. Attendees can vote by scanning QR codes located at the booths. The festival also has three Rockstar Kitchen Pop-Ups in which renowned local chefs spend two hours each providing small portions of their culinary creations. These booths are a way to highlight the latest chefs in the area (with) tremendous culinary skill, Mahoney said. As the festival goes on, the vendors work hard to meet the high demand. Downtown streets closing Friday for this weekend's Taste of Buffalo City officials are reminding motorists that downtown streets will begin closing Friday for this weekend's Taste of Buffalo food festival. We ran out (last year), but we were able to replenish, Intisar Mohamed, owner of Golden Hour Treats & Things, a dessert restaurant offering treats like banana pudding and crepes, said. This year, our goal is not to run out and to have everything consistently flowing. The busy atmosphere can be a testament to peoples excitement to load up on mouth-watering dishes. You give people food, theyre happy, Matt Brooder, a festival attendee, said. The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday around Delaware Avenue, from Niagara Square to Chippewa Street. Admission is free, but attendees must purchase food with tickets, which are available at ticket tents. For a map of the festival and other information, visit tasteofbuffalo.com. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he can forget mistakes after US president Joe Biden referred to him as President Putin at a Nato summit. Mr Zelenskyy acknowledged the infamous gaffe of the highly-scrutinised American leader while conducting a stopover in Ireland on his return to Ukraine. On Thursday, Mr Biden introduced Mr Zelenskyy as President Putin at a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC. He immediately corrected himself, saying: President Putin? Hes going to beat President Putin. President Zelenskyy. Asked by journalists about the mix-up on Saturday, Mr Zelenskyy said: Its a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. The Ukrainian president held a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris at Shannon Airport in Co Clare on Saturday. After Mr Zelenskyy landed at noon, they held their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil at the airport. The leaders hugged and shook hands after the Ukrainian leader descended the steps from his state aircraft. Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko was also present. The two world leaders embraced at Shannon Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) The bilateral meeting focused on the conflict in Ukraine and co-operation between the two countries. Prior to the meeting, Mr Zelenskyy also gave a message to the people of Ireland: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. Mr Harris said he has accepted an invitation to visit Kyiv in the coming weeks. The Taoiseach also invited Mr Zelenskyy to conduct an official visit to Ireland and added that the Ukrainian president was very eager to address the Irish parliament. Speaking at a press conference following their engagement, Mr Harris said the two leaders discussed a potential bilateral agreement on demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security. He also expressed Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Ive just had a very good meeting with President Zelenskyy. Im very pleased to welcome him to Ireland. He added: It gave me an opportunity to express condolences in person on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Ukraine, to the president of Ukraine, for all the loss of civilian life throughout this brutal, illegal war and Russian aggression. Taoiseach Simon Harris watching Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing a book ahead of their bilateral meeting at Shannon Airport, Co Clare. Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire Speaking about Mr Zelenskyy generally, he said: It never fails to amaze and inspire me as to how committed he is to the cause of Ukrainian freedom. And I know what he wants, above and beyond everything else, is to have a situation where his citizens men, women and children can live safely in Ukraine again. As I said to him today: We will keep your people safe and we will mind them for as long as it takes, here in Ireland, theyre welcome. But I know you ultimately want them back home and they ultimately want to be back home. And thats the common aim that everyones working towards. The Taoiseach confirmed Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, offered further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of their bilateral meeting at Shannon Airport, Co Clare. Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire He said he was absolutely horrified about reports of 20,000 abducted children from Ukraine. Russia is actively stealing children from Ukraine. It is taking young babies and children from the clutches of their parents and it is bringing them to either temporarily-occupied territories or to Russia. He added: Whilst we need the war to stop and we need peace in Ukraine, we need these children back home with their parents, today, where they belong. Mr Harris also said Ireland would be making a contribution of seven million euros to the European Investment Banks EU for Ukraine fund, which addresses food and energy security needs, as well as support for refugees. Asked about his view on the US presidents performance at Nato and his continued run for re-election, Mr Harris said he had recent detailed conversations with Mr Biden, adding: I found President Biden to be as engaging and as informed and as passionate about Ireland I must say as Ive ever found him to be. Its absolutely not my place to give a view in terms of who should be the next president of the United States or anything to do with the election. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a bilateral meeting at Shannon Airport, Co Clare. Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire Mr Zelenskyy and Mr Harris last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Ireland has provided 250 million euros in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed more than 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. Holding her new prosthetic eye in the palm of her hand, Alanna Quinn Idris smiled and said: Its lovely, isnt it? The tiny white implant, which she received from the Suil Nua Optical Clinic in Dublin, was cast for her after she lost her right eye in an unprovoked assault nearly three years ago. It was New Years Eve 2021, and Alanna who was just 17-years-old was attacked by four young men while walking home with a male friend. She was beaten so badly with a saddle of a bicycle over her head and face that she ended up losing an eye. It was an attack that sparked fury across the country and led to many protests, including one in her hometown of Ballyfermot. It was like something out of a horror movie, she told the Irish Examiner. My friend was covered in blood when I woke up and I had no idea what had happened, I was in and out of consciousness. Loads of people were around me, and I remember I couldnt feel the right side of my face or my eye. Last year, two men of the men were convicted of the assault. Darragh Lyons, aged 19, of Chapelizod, Dublin, was jailed for four-and-a-half years. Josh Cummins, aged 19, of Raheen Drive in Ballyfermot, was sentenced to three years in jail. Both had part of their sentence suspended. Another man has been charged and is awaiting trial. A fourth man was never caught. Despite the trauma of that night, Ms Quinn Idris was delighted to reveal her beautiful new eye this week. Do you want to hold it? she asked, before describing how the cast was made in Dublin before being sent to France to be hand-painted. It took five surgeries to get here, and they were all under general anesthetic, she said. There was emergency surgery on the night it [the attack] happened, then they did a bone graft to rebuild the socket. Alanna received her prosthetic eye in March of this year. Picture: Moya Nolan The surgeries arent finished yet. I have another surgery in September to lift my bottom lower lid, to make it more equal with the other one, so that will be nice, she added. The young woman is open and frank about what happened to her, and said speaking and laughing at times about the assault helps with her healing. Ive never gone to counselling over it, she said. I may do in the future, but I dont really bottle things up. Dont get me wrong, of course I have had my moments, I grieve the past and what might have been, but Ive accepted whats happened. I cant change it. Her medical team were clear from the start that she was likely to lose her eye which, she says, helped as she didnt have any false hope. I just accepted it, my eye is gone, but I still have the same face and I think Im beautiful. Im a pretty girl, so I just get on with it and talk about it, Alanna says. Turning to her prosthetic eye sitting on the table, she laughed and said: Do you want to hold it? As we examined the tiny delicate piece, Alanna explained she has to wash it with soap before putting it back in, and it has to be polished every three years. Holding a 3D scan of the damage done to her skull during the assault, Alanna said: My bones were crushed in the socket, so they had to make a base for the shell to replace that. The white you see now where my right eye was, that is fat, and the fake eye just sits on it. It is the closest thing Ive seen so far that looks like a real eye After washing the prosthetic, Alanna put her new eye back in and it was hard to tell the difference. Only the left one moves more, and theyre not always in sync, she said. The young woman is naturally beautiful, and lights up a room when she is speaking. She was positively radiant throughout our three-hour conversation, and does not see herself as a victim. God no, she said. I just accepted it. My little brothers and sisters are no different, because they know Im ok, and my two youngest brothers werent born when it happened they have never seen me any other way. I try not to let it affect my life as much as it could. Alanna and her male friend were getting off a bus in Ballyfermot when the assault unfolded. Doctors tried to save Alannas eye, but it became apparent quickly that this was not possible. Picture: Moya Nolan There were words said between this man and my friend, but we went our separate ways and I thought that was it, she said. Then we were sitting outside another friends house. We saw two lads coming from different directions towards us. Darragh Lyons was the first one that came over. He was coming straight for my friend, and I panicked and got between them. Darragh punched me in the face. Then I saw them hitting my friend with hurleys and saddles. I dont remember much, but I woke up on the ground, people had got out of cars to stop it. I remember people trying to keep me awake, and I couldnt feel my face and I knew it wasnt right. It was like being in a dream, you know when youre trying to do something, but your body wont let you. It was like that. People were trying to get me to unlock my phone to ring my mam, but I couldnt. I saw my friend sitting on the footpath, drenched in blood, and I was freaking out. Doctors tried to save Alannas eye, but it became apparent quickly that this was not possible. Everyone was clear with me. But when I saw my face for the first time, I remember absolutely losing it For months afterward, Alanna struggled to get out of bed. She lost weight and could not eat properly due to the pain in her face. She had fractured bones in her face, a broken tooth, and crushed bones in her eye socket. I couldnt open my mouth all the way. It was too painful. I was eating baby food through a straw, she explains. The injuries were my eye, concussion, and a broken tooth, as well as fractures in her face and sinus. There is also learning to live with the different feelings around my face. It is a weird sensation even now three years on. I cant smell out of my nose on the right side as well as the other side. Im living with it, you just have to, I cant choose not to. I cant be upside down either, so I cant bend down to tie my laces, I feel pressure. Its a horrible feeling. Despite her shocking ordeal and the support she has received from her family, friends, and community, she admitted that some people taunted her online at the time and continue to do so. She says she often receives comments or criticism on her TikTok videos or Instagram posts. I just dont let them exist in my world, theyre in jail that is their life, and this is mine. As she scrolled through photos on her phone she said: I also wanted to document my journey from the assault to now. Trial and error Choosing a new eye took time and much trial and error, she said. Peter OGorman was the ocularist, specialising in the fabrication and fitting of ocular prostheses for people who have lost an eye or eyes due to trauma or illness. I didnt want it to be the exact same as I was before, she explained. My other eye is dark brown, I said Id go for hazel. But honestly, Peter OGorman, he is so amazing. He can do unicorns and love hearts, he can pretty much do whatever you want. Its unreal, isnt it? However, she said she is still getting used to the new eye. Im so used to having one, she said. My mam and nanny are always saying: Why dont you wear it? Sometimes I want to wear it and other times I dont. Im so used to not having an eye. I am a bit lazy too, if Im honest. I dont always put it in. I shouldnt treat it like an accessory, but sometimes I do. It takes a bit of getting used to because I do walk into people, I walk into walls and stuff. I can only see out of one eye. I have to watch myself on stairs and I have to grip a banister. Balance and coordination are a bit learning curve. Alanna Quinn Idris lost the sight in her right eye in December 2021, following a serious assault on Ballyfermot Rd. Picture: Moya Nolan Alannas honesty is deeply refreshing, and the bravery and acceptance she displays is inspiring. When asked how she feels about what was done to her, she said: Well I was permanently disfigured, and thats really what I want to tell people. They left me permanently disfigured. One guy was never caught, there was not enough evidence, but he is the guy that took my eye away from me. Thats hard to take sometimes, but I am disfigured forever. The oldest of six, Alanna is close to her mother Jamie, a midwife from Dublin, and her Nigerian father, Ahmed, a DJ with Spin radio. My dad found what happened to me very hard to accept, she said. My mother became so protective afterward, but now everyone can see Im getting on with it. Born in 2004, Alanna went to her local all-girls secondary school, Caritas College, where she sat her Leaving Certificate after the assault. I was in sixth year when the attack happened, she said, adding that she insisted on doing her exams afterwards. There are still challenges in adapting. I dont see myself as someone with limited vision "I was going to school with sunglasses on as the lights were hard to deal with, Alanna says. I was sensitive, but I dont need extra care, I did adapt. If the light changes, like at a concert, it takes about 30 seconds to adjust. There was a lot to adapt to, but honestly, I will never be silent about it, and I have to stand up to people who still call me a pure victim. While those lads will be out soon, I will still be like this. At the end of the day, Ill always get to be myself, and they will always have to live with what they did. I walk around Ballyfermot with confidence. Im not afraid of them and theyre not taking over my life. I also want to thank everyone who messages me or stops me on the street. I am very grateful for their support, and Im sometimes just a bit awkward and dont know how to respond, but I am really thankful to everyone who has supported me. Two things are becoming clear from recent protests against tourism. Firstly, of the issues raised, some are related to tourism, but others clearly not. Secondly, these protests are not going to go away anytime soon and will increase in frequency, and perhaps intensity, in the near future. In some cases residents are just fed up of dealing with the crowds, the noise, the litter, and the traffic. In other cases, it is ideological opposition to the damage recreational travel is doing to the environment. Thousands of people took part in last Saturdays protest in Barcelona against mass tourism with a small minority of the participants using water pistols to spray tourists sitting in a restaurant. Picture: Adria Puig/Anadolu/Getty Many of this years protests have been triggered by other factors which have nothing to do with tourism at all. They stress the inability of the local politicians to manage shortages and the pressure that tourists put on infrastructure, particularly housing, roads, water, and other services. So far, these protests have created more noise than annoyance. Tourists are not changing their booking patterns as yet. Irelands Department of Foreign Affairs is monitoring the situation and has not issued any advice to be vigilant. But one incident could change that. Signs have been erected in resorts telling tourists they were not welcome. Facilities have been vandalised. Yachts and aircraft have been spattered with paint. Last Saturday, protesters squirted water at tourists in Barcelona. If the water guns of Las Ramblas boulevard are replaced by paint guns, the tour operators and tourists themselves will rethink. For tourism departments, who have spent decades and millions of euro trying to attract visitors, having a movement aimed at convincing tourists to stay away is very bad news indeed. The term overtourism is less than 10 years old but the problem is an old one. Cities are not museums. Most of them were built for defence, to keep armies out, hostile or not. Not all of them enjoy the prospect of fame or of being too crowded. There have long been complaints from residents of towns where large crowds congregated, whether for pilgrimages, old-fashioned taking the water spa treatments, or the agricultural fairs which left streets and neighbourhoods spattered in animal excrement. The best-known phrase in the tourism industry, Venezia non e Disneyland, has been adopted by protesters everywhere. Venice led the way in 2018 by putting pedestrian gates on its busiest streets. In 2021, it banned cruise ships. This year, Venice tested a day trip charge for admission to the city. None of these measures have curtailed the number of visitors. Two other picture postcard cities quickly joined the movement. Barcelona and Dubrovnik also have a rich maritime history, a heritage that spawned their tourism industry in the first place. Amsterdam shared their fate as a cruise ship destination. All of them have moved to curtail cruise ship visitors. In theory, mass tourism can be moved to places that need it more to Istria rather than Dubrovnik (above) in Croatia for instance. Something entirely different has happened in the Canary Islands and the Balearics. When the phrase overtourism first appeared, it referred to destinations that were not necessarily designed for tourism and could not cope with the numbers of visitors they received. This summer saw the opposite cosmopolitan tourist towns protesting against the industry on which their economy depended. The concerns of a tourist travelling abroad, are much the same as those at home: Safety and security. They fear the pickpockets of Las Ramblas rather than water pistols. Irish visits to Spain are on course to come close to 3m in 2024, having passed 2.5m last year. Onshore, those tasked with the management of fragile environments or infrastructure were among the first to face the problem. Interaction with human hands and breath has destroyed or damaged some of the great artefacts of civilisation. Climbing on monuments is now banned by most countries. Flash cameras are banned. Places designed for defence or for burial are not conducive to crowds. The Great Pyramid of Giza has two separate entrance tickets, one to climb to the entrance and another, limited in number, to crawl through the tiny shaft to the inner chamber. In Ireland in 1995, a cap of 650 visitors a day was put on the real Newgrange and a replica constructed on the other side of the Boyne. Newgrange will never again be subjected to the 1,700 visitors it endured one day in 1985. Similarly, a replica cave has been constructed in Lascaux in France and dozens of other places that became overloaded, victims of their own fame and the curiosity that lures us all to travel. Local residents in Venice protesting at the introduction of a new scheme to charge day-trippers for entering the city. Picture: Marco Bertorello/AFP/Getty Time slot systems are now common for major attractions, such as the Acropolis in Athens. In Asia, Thailand and the Philippines both introduced six-month bans on their most overrun beaches and entire islands. Replicas work well. Tourists are not great at telling a modern fake from the real thing. Iconic Instagram stars of tourism are fabricated or rebuilt, often controversially in the pre-tourism age by well-meaning academics the library at Ephesus, the original Newgrange itself, and parts of the Great Wall of China, all reconstructed. The emergence of an internet market for short-term tourist rentals led by but not confined to Airbnb and Vrbo has fired up a new debate. It is easy to go online and count the quantity, quality, and affordability of short-term rental accommodation (tens of thousands) and make a comparison with long-term accommodation (about one tenth the number, on average). Those protesting against tourism in Barcelona were directing their message at the local politicians who have left them in need of short-term rental accommodation, rather than the tourists who filled their streets. Solving a housing crisis takes years of navigating complicated planning, construction, and financial hurdles. Shutting down tourism rentals is being touted as an overnight solution, and proving too attractive an option for politicians to resists, in Barcelona and now all of Spain. The 92,000-tonne MSC Orchestra cruise ship attracted protests during its visit to Venice in 2021. Venice has since banned the enormous cruise ships from the fragile lagoon. Picture: Antonio Calanni/AP It is too early to tell whether the elimination of tourism rentals will lead to an increased supply of living accommodation. Elsewhere, including Ireland, the business of managing short-term accommodation has been taken over by housing rather than tourism regulators. Irish tourism Our holiday home market is in danger of being shut down by misguided notional political quick fixes. In the hotel sector, planning files are being filled by a growing number of objectors who think tourism is not necessarily a good thing. This is a big change. In poorer economic times, tourism brought vital income to the towns and villages and especially the farmers wives who invented the B&B movement of rural Ireland. Killarney was ridiculed and envied with equal passion because of its success and international reputation. Irish tourism is lopsided. Five counties get 70% of our inbound tourism: Dublin, Galway, Cork, Kerry, and Antrim. Of those who visit the highly successful Wild Atlantic Way, 80% tour the section that extends south of Galway city to West Cork, while just 20% head north towards Sligo and Donegal. In recent times, as visitor numbers to the Cliffs of Moher outpaced the ability of the facilities there to cope, some of the surrounding attractions bemoaned the arrival of day trippers from Dublin via the new motorways of the noughties, and asked for the bus companies to spread the love. Narrow roads such as that around the Ring of Kerry are barely able to handle the summer traffic. Farmers struggled to bring their silage home past cavalcades of day trippers. West Clare opted out of a mention in the Tourism Ireland promotion inspired by the Star Wars films so as to avoid the tourist rush to Skellig Michael and Malin Head. The slogan No Es Ven Catalan for not for sale is seen on banners at protest marches and on T-shirts all around Catalonia and on the Balearic Islands. Picture: Josep Lago /AFP/Getty What to do? Tourist boards have responded to the problem in the two ways they best know how, by suggesting dispersal and seasonality. For much of northern Europe, the tourist season is over after 10 weeks. Hotels are empty or indeed closed for the rest of the year. Try finding an open restaurant along the famed Wild Atlantic Way in February. Dispersal is more complicated, because Granard is never really going to be Galway. In theory, mass tourism can be moved to places that need it more to Tarragona rather than Barcelona, to Puglia rather than Rome, to Istria rather than Dubrovnik, and to anywhere along the Adriatic coast instead of Venice. Many have taken to this idea with enthusiasm. A so-called trend for 2024 is the emergence of duplicates, or dupes, the alternative which is cheaper and less invasive. But the trend is more prominent in internet lists than in the marketplace. Nobody wants to see your Instagram photographs of the village next door. Tourism protests, as far as we can tell, are largely directed at the pressure on infrastructure like rental accommodation, transport, and public utilities that tourists bring when they unpack their baggage. Longer term, the ideological argument is most interesting and engaging. The economic muscle given to communities by inbound tourism helps build the considerable resources needed to address climate change. Sustainability means different things in Africa than it does in Europe or North America. The World Travel and Tourism Council figures show that tourism accounts for nearly 3% of the worlds GDP and that one in five new jobs are generated by tourism. Even in the global north, tourism matters when it comes to dispensing wealth. Carcassonne and Lourdes would be dirt poor villages without tourism. Cutting off this income could make tackling the crisis of climate change more difficult, not less. Eoghan Corry is a travel writer David Bowie once said: Ageing is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been. What is it to become older, and when does being older dawn on us? I cant recall the morning I woke up and realised there were more years behind me than what lay ahead. It finally dawned on me that I will never upstage time. My sense of awareness of growing older is a strange feeling, sometimes exhilerating, sometimes stoic. Thankfully were living in a time where the boundaries of middle age have expanded, no doubt as a result of a greater awareness of how good health plays a major part in slowing the ageing process. Middle age extends now to age 65, which gives me two more years. Then I have later-middle age to look forward to. Back when I was a teenager, I used to think that 30 was old, while 50 was bordering on prehistoric. When I was 30, 60 in lived years was an age I couldnt comprehend. Now Im 63, and I cant get my head around what it must be like to be a teenager. I feel my age most when Im on the bus especially when a pregnant 30-year-old stands up and offers me her seat. Maybe its the beard, I tell myself. Time warp Without external reminders, its impossible to think or see ourselves as older. Perhaps its the minds way of distracting us from the unforgiving pace of time. These days I find myself willing time to slow down. I wish the week wouldnt go by so fast. Each year accelerates faster in its passing, overtaking the speed of the previous one, and the one before. I remember writing a cheque at the end of the millennium, thinking none of us would ever get used to writing the year 2000. Thats almost quarter of a century ago. I look at people I know who are in their late forties now and think to myself, theyre getting older; whereas I look at lifelong friends of mine in their late seventies and think, theyre great for their age and far from older. There are no genes in the human body that promote ageing, even though there are genes that prevent it; but once reproduction ends, these genes have no further purpose. Its as though once were done with procreating, its downhill. Just when you think you might finally get to tick off your bucket list, you start to get a lot older. Research shows that the least happy years of our lives are between 40 and 59. Then theres a lightening of moods and a greater sense of why worry. Or is there? Worrying is a fact of life. The only people who dont worry are dead. At least in late middle age, worrying becomes selective, rather than an all-consuming occupation. I still worry, but I know from the years behind me that certain things that worry me wont last, as I used to believe they would. Ive learned to say no more often, whereas before it felt rude to walk away, then finding myself unwantingly committed. Saying no occasionally is good for your inner self. Im no longer for taking advantage of. You can say no and still be a nice person. 'Worrying is a fact of life. The only people who dont worry are dead.' Picture: Thinkstockphotos/PA Another lesson Ive learned is that I no longer tend to catastrophise about what might happen. Que sera sera. If only we could banish the word might from our vocabulary, the world would be such a more grounded and calmer place. I no longer beat myself up over pie-in-the-sky ambitions. Ive reached the point where I accept that I cant change the world like I once imagined I could. So Ive gone back to brushing up on my gaeilge, playing the piano (badly) that I gave up when I was nine, and listening attentively to my two dogs. They have a lot to teach me. I am no longer too concerned about dying, perhaps as a result of surviving a horrific car crash last year. My life hung in the balance for almost 72 hours as a result of my injuries. Im lucky to be alive today, which goes for every morning I wake. If I can feel a pulse, its going to be a good day. I take solace from my older heroes who make it look so easy despite the advancing years, namely Barbra Streisand, 82, and the Canadian-Hungarian physicist and writer Gabor Mate, 80. Only last week, Paul McCartney, also 82, wished Ringo Starr a fabulous 84th birthday. Two years ago, three of the biggest headliners at Glastonbury were in their 70s. One of the dangers of growing older, as the philosopher Bertrand Russell described it, is undue absorption in the past. With more years behind than lie ahead, its easy to get caught up in a desire to be young again, to dwell in a twilight of nostalgia and regrets. Its one of the pitfalls of ageing thats best sampled in small doses. As the years pass, I maintain an outlook that the best is yet to come. Some sage advice I sometimes wonder what makes me and my childhood self the same person, despite a lifetime of growth and challenges; until I look in the mirror. The face that looks back at me, despite its features having changed, still has the same eyes and the same soul as the boy of 14. Its in-between has made me what I am. If it hadnt been for all those years, none of it could have evolved. When I accept that Im not guaranteed a lifespan beyond anyone elses, then I find it more spirited to take each day as it comes, and to see that day as possibly the last. Who is to say it might not be, for any of us? Nothing any of us does will guarantee us a longer lifetime, despite what self-help books might tell us. Some of the most extraordinarily kind people I have known died young. It felt unfair, but thats how life gives up and entrusts to death. If I could offer advice to the 14-year-old me, it would be this: Avoid people who normalise their lives by the lies they tell others. Make your bed every morning. Youll be glad you did when you see it later that night. Dont pretend to be an expert in anything, no matter how qualified you are. Youre not. Dont believe people who tell you they know more about your body than you do. They dont. Dont place too much emphasis on formal education. You have the rest of your life to educate yourself in whatever you decide to put your hand to. Listen more to your heart than to your mind. Coronary heart disease wouldnt be the worlds number one killer if each of us treated our heart with respect, and listened more to what its trying to tell us. Everything passes, no exception. Tell yourself often how amazing you are. If just one other person tells you this, then keep them close. Theyre rare. Walk away from people who tell you youre not good enough, then show them you are. When I was 19, I was told I didnt have a suitable voice for radio. Almost half a century later Im still proving that man wrong. To quote Polish poet Stanislaw Jerzy Lec: Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. In a world in which states can find justification in bombing sick children in their hospital beds, media freedom has never been more critical and yet so under threat. A journalist writing about the plight of colleagues may seem like a self-obsessed naval-gazing exercise. But suppression of the media, in all its forms, represents a further attack on the tens of thousands of innocent people under bombardment in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions. It also allows regimes to deny citizens their human rights, weakens democracy, allows political elites to manipulate reality and underhandly influences voters. This week, the Foreign Press Association (FPA) reiterated a plea to allow journalists into Gaza to bear witness to what is happening in the Palestinian enclave. In a statement, the association expressed shock and profound disappointment that, nine months into a devastating war, Israel continues to deny independent access for the international media to Palestinian enclave. In a statement, the board of the FPA said: Never before has Israel enforced such a long and strict information blackout. "It has repeatedly rejected our appeals for access, fought us in court to uphold this draconian ban and offered just a handful of highly controlled embed opportunities for a small numbers of our members. At the same time Palestinian journalists inside Gaza continue to face unprecedented threats and restrictions on movement as they courageously try to cover this story. It raises questions about what Israel doesnt want international journalists to see. In any conflict, accurately reporting on the horrors of war and relaying the truth of the crimes being inflicted against humanity is critical. And yet, the work of journalists has become increasingly more difficult and deadly. Already this year, 41 journalists and media workers have been killed across the world. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which keeps a running total, files the deaths under categories such as murder, dangerous assignment, or crossfire. A journalists job is to report on what is happening on the ground, not to become the story. Reporters go into dangerous situations to educate and inform. There is always a little bit of ambition or even ego involved in getting the story ahead of our competitors, but no one goes into the profession to be detained, assaulted, or murdered. No one wants to join the list. Among the names added since the list began in 1992 are some of our own: Veronica Guerin, Lyra McKee, Martin OHagan, Simon Cumbers, and Pierre Zakrzewski. In Gaza, with international media access blocked, local reporters and cameramen risk their lives to get the story out every day. Three quarters of those who appeared on the 2023 list died in Israels war on Gaza. In October, images of grief-stricken Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh were beamed across the world as he mourned the loss of his wife, son, daughter, and grandson who were all killed in an Israeli strike. Like thousands of others, they had moved to a house in the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza in search of some safety following Israels warning to evacuate the area they were in. Reporting back to work just days later, al-Dahdouh said: I felt that it was my duty, despite the pain and the open wound, to get back in front of the camera, and to communicate with you on social media as soon as possible. As you can see, the firing is ongoing everywhere. There are airstrikes and artillery shelling, and things continue to develop. In December, the veteran correspondent was himself wounded on assignment in southern Gaza when an Israeli drone strike hit and claimed the life of Al Jazeera Arabics cameraman Samer Abudaqa. In January, his son and fellow journalist Hamza al-Dahdouh, was killed by another Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, and two of his nephews lost their lives the following day. Dahdouh has become a story he never wished he would have to report on. In the last week, five journalists have died in attacks by Israeli forces in over 24 hours in Gaza as bombings and air strikes across the besieged enclave intensified. The toll included journalist couple Wafa Abu Dabaan and Amjad Jahjouh, who died alongside their children when a strike hit the Nuseirat camp. Multiple threats But, outside of warzones, journalists and journalism faces multiple threats. The unlawful deployment of spyware against journalists, the use of abusive lawsuits against the media to hamper their investigative work, and the precarious situation of many journalists in exile, notably from Russia and Belarus, are among the main concerns raised in 2024 annual report of the Council of Europes platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. This years World Press Freedom Index report has also warned that a growing number of governments and political authorities are not fulfilling their role as guarantors of the best possible environment for journalism and for the publics right to reliable, independent, and diverse news and information. A worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors has also been witnessed across the world. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has warned that self-proclaimed predators of press freedom have come to political prominence, citing Javier Milei in Argentina who shut down the countrys biggest news agency in a worrisome symbolic act. Journalists have been subjected to violence in what can be fraught election campaigns as was seen last year in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A total of 779 journalists were jailed at some point in 2023 with sentences ranging from one week to 20 years. Journalists who say what they think on social media in Vietnam are almost systematically locked up and in China, where more journalists are detained than any other country in the world, censorship and surveillance seriously impedes any possibility of a free media. RSF has also raised the use of generative AI and deepfakes which are now used as part of the arsenal of disinformation for political purposes. It is heartening that EU leaders attending the first European Council meeting after Junes elections included press freedom and the fight against in their priorities for the next five years. In an era where mainstream media is a slur to be thrown about online, press freedom must be protected and the need to bear witness promoted. When Alec Baldwin set out to make the western Rust in 2021, it was a passion project for the veteran actor. He co-created the story, served as a producer, and starred as the films lead Harland Rust, an outlaw with a bounty on his head. Nearly three years on, the 66-year-old had assumed the role of criminal defendant, standing trial in New Mexico for involuntary manslaughter in the death of the cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during a rehearsal on the films set. As Baldwin entered a Santa Fe courtroom on Wednesday, the day the trial began, he was staring down the prospect of 18 months in prison. By the weeks end, in a dramatic twist fit for a Hollywood drama, he was walking out a free man after a judge found the prosecution and law enforcement had intentionally withheld evidence in the case that could have been favourable to the actor. The prosecutions case fell apart in a matter of hours on Friday. A witness testified that Kari Morrissey, a special prosecutor leading the states case against Baldwin, was directly involved in a decision to keep potential crucial evidence separate from the Rust case. Another special prosecutor suddenly resigned in the middle of the day, and Morrissey called herself to the stand as a witness. The court was facing a potentially compelling day as prosecutors were expected to call Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year, to the stand. Information withheld By the days end, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer had found the state withheld information in a manner that was intentional and deliberate. Baldwin wept. Hilaria Baldwin, his wife, covered her face and then hugged his attorneys. It was a shocking end to a high-stakes case that has been closely watched by the film industry and documented by dozens of journalists from outlets around the world. The swift unravelling surprised even seasoned legal observers. Fridays remarkable turn of events capped a trial that had all the makings of a film script a star accused of acting recklessly with a firearm on set and causing the death of a crew member, a famous audience in the form of Baldwins actor brother and influencer wife, near-constant battles between the prosecution and defence and grueling cross-examinations. Over the last week, a bespectacled and stooped Baldwin shuffled into a Santa Fe courthouse each day with his wife and sat alongside his high-profile legal team for proceedings that were livestreamed and viewed across the world. A picture of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins at a vigil in her honor in Albuquerque following her shooting. The potential repercussions for Baldwin had been very real being found criminally liable for causing the death of 42-year-old Hutchins and up to 18 months in prison and a guilty verdict would have had a lasting effect on the film industry. The prosecution and defence offered very different versions of the events that unfolded on October 21, 2021. The Rust crew was rehearsing at the Bonanza Creek Ranch, a popular movie set about 30 minutes from Santa Fe, when a gun Baldwin was holding fired a single round of live ammunition, striking Hutchins and the director, Joel Souza. The bullet entered underneath Hutchins right underarm and perforated her right lung before traveling through the spine and lacerating her spinal cord, the prosecution told the jury in opening statements. Hutchins, who was a rising star in the industry, was transported via helicopter to a nearby hospital, where she died. In the view of the prosecution, Baldwin was a reckless and arrogant actor who flagrantly and repeatedly mishandled firearms on set. He broke the cardinal rules of firearm safety by leaving his finger on the hammer and trigger, and pointing it at people on set while filming. The defence countered by portraying Baldwin as an actor who was focused on doing his job and arguing that he was failed by the crew members who were responsible for overseeing weapons and safety on set. The attorney Alex Spiro emphasized that Baldwin had been told the gun was safe moments before it was handed to him. It all appeared to be setting up days of tense exchanges over whether Baldwin was at fault, with the actor himself expected to possibly take the stand. But ultimately, the jury was unable to render a verdict on the question after things swiftly deteriorated on Friday, when previously unseen evidence was presented. The defence alleged the state had withheld evidence and asked the judge to dismiss the case. Shortly after, Sommer dismissed the jury setting off a day of gripping testimony and astonishing courtroom exchanges. Issues first emerged on Thursday, when Baldwins defence said that the state had received evidence related to how live rounds of ammunition ended up on the set of Rust. Prosecutors have long said that Gutierrez-Reed was the source of the live round, but the new evidence reportedly called that into question. A screengrab provided by the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, of movie set armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, right, as she spoke with a sheriffs deputy as other colleagues stood with her on the set of the western movie 'Rust', shortly after the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. A good samaritan, Troy Teske, had come forward to police this year with a box of munitions that he claimed came from the prop supplier, Seth Kenney, and matched the ammunition that killed Hutchins, Spiro told the court. The state did not include the report of an interview with Teske with the other Rust evidence. Nor did they share it with Gutierrez-Reeds lawyer, Spiro said. Morrissey had said that the ammunition brought forward did not match the ones on the Rust set: This has no evidentiary value whatsoever. The judge asked to see the report and the evidence, a box of ammunition. Moments later, Sommer, who was wearing gloves, stepped down from the bench to examine evidence directly and found that some of the bullets did in fact resemble those from Rust. At one point while questioning a witness, Morrissey grabbed a bullet and handled it herself without gloves, drawing an objection from the defence. Alexandria Hancock, with the Santa Fe county sheriffs office, testified on Friday that she and other officials made the decision to file it separately from the other Rust evidence in an entirely different case file because they had not yet established it was connected to the case. Courtroom gasps Morrissey said several times that Troy Teske, the man who came forward with the ammunition, was a friend of Gutierrez-Reeds father. She said she had never seen the report until Friday morning. But as the judge questioned Hancock, she said that Morrissey was directly involved in the decision to keep the evidence separate from the Rust case. The audience in the courtroom audibly gasped. Morrissey appeared determined to defend her name and by the end of the day, in what looked like a Hail Mary, she called herself to the stand, despite the judge telling her that was unnecessary. You dont have to say anything under oath if you dont want to, Sommer said. Morrissey testified that she was not aware that the evidence brought forward would not be linked to the Rust case number. She countered Spiros suggestion that she didnt like Baldwin. I actually really appreciate Mr Baldwins movies, she said. I really appreciated the acting he did on Saturday Night Live. Spiro wasnt done. In the final moments Morrissey was on the stand, he asked if she had ever referred to the actor as an arrogant prick and cocksucker in a conversation with a witness. She said she did not recall doing so. Baldwin, who had appeared tense during the week, looked increasingly heartened as the day went on. When the judge threw out the case, he wept and covered his face. The judge dismissed the case with prejudice, putting a sudden end to the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin. The decision means that prosecutors cannot bring the same case against him again and, in all likelihood, Baldwin is off the hook for good. A Pakistani court has overturned the conviction and seven-year prison sentence of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife in the case of the couples alleged 2018 unlawful marriage case. The decision removes the last known hurdle in the way of Khans release nearly a year after he was jailed, lawyers said. Naeem Panjutha, one of Khans lawyers, said the court announced the verdict in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where the former premier is being held. The acquittal comes two weeks after another appeals court upheld the February 5 conviction and sentence of Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The court in its brief order said if the couple is not wanted in any other case, they should be released. Bibi is Khans third wife and a spiritual healer. She was previously married to a man who claimed that they divorced in November 2017, less than three months before she married Khan. Islamic law, as upheld by Pakistan, requires a three-month waiting period before a new marriage. Bibi has said they divorced in August 2017 and the couple insisted during the trial that they did not violate the waiting period. It was unclear how the government would respond to the court order. Authorities have registered multiple cases against Khan since 2022 when he was ousted from power through a vote of no-confidence in the parliament. The latest development came a day after Pakistans supreme court ruled that the party of Khan was improperly denied at least 20 seats in parliament, in a significant blow to the countrys fragile governing coalition. Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was previously excluded from a system that gives parties extra seats reserved for women and minorities in the National Assembly, or lower house of the parliament. Though the verdict was a major political win for Khan, it would not put his party in a position to oust the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who came into power following a February 8 election that Khan allies say was rigged. Khan has been embroiled in more than 150 legal cases, including inciting violence, since his arrest in May 2023. During nationwide riots that followed that, Khans supporters attacked the military and government buildings in various parts of the country and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan in the north-west. The violence subsided only when Khan was released by the supreme court. Khan was again arrested in early August 2023 after a court handed him a three-year jail sentence for corruption. Since then, Khan has been given bail by different courts in all the cases in which he has been convicted. Cheektowaga woman indicted for causing death in Transit Road vehicle crash A Cheektowaga woman was arraigned Friday after being indicted in connection with a two-vehicle collision in Cheektowaga earlier this year that killed the driver and injured the passenger of the other vehicle. Alondra L. Ramirez-Santiago is accused of recklessly driving a vehicle, without the headlights illuminated, and speeding while under the influence of alcohol. Police said Ramirez-Santiago was driving southbound on Transit Road, between Cloverleaf Drive and Rehm Road, on the night of Feb. 26 when she caused the crash that killed Jennifer Hylkema, 51, of Lockport. She has been charged with one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, a violent felony, and one count of felony second-degree vehicular manslaughter. She faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. She and her son, who was a passenger in her vehicle, were taken by ambulance to ECMC. Hylkema died at the hospital and Ramirez-Santiagos son was treated and released. Ramirez-Santiago was also taken by ambulance to ECMC where she was treated for injuries. Ramirez-Santiago is scheduled to return to court on July 24. She remains released on bail set at $75,000 cash or $100,000 bond. The investigation was led by the Cheektowaga Police Department Accident Investigation Unit and the Lancaster Police Department. - Mike Petro This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More By Serag El Hegazi, University of Bradford | (The Conversation) Israel has reportedly approved its largest seizure of land in the occupied West Bank in over three decades, according to a report released on July 3 by Israeli anti-settlement watchdog, Peace Now. The seizure involves more than 12 sq km of land in a key corridor bordering Jordan. Land that is privately owned by Palestinians in the West Bank can be declared as state land by Israel and subsequently seized. One of the primary outcomes is the establishment or expansion of Israeli settlements on the land, which are widely considered illegal under international law. According to the Israeli authorities, the recent land seizure is necessary for security and development. However, a spokesperson for the UN, Stephane Dujarric, called it a step in the wrong direction, adding that the direction we want to be heading is to find a negotiated two-state solution. The move follows a series of similar land grabs so far this year. Israel seized 2.6 sq km of land in the West Bank in February, and a further 8 sq km in March. These actions are part of a strategy to expand Israeli control of the West Bank and undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state. There has been a massive expansion in the number of settlements over the past three decades. In 1987, there were 60,000 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem). This had grown to 247,300 by 2005 and 465,400 by 2021. These numbers look set to accelerate further. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is heavily backed by a coalition of rightwing, ultranationalist parties. And many of its ministers have made the establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank a priority. On June 28, far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich was quoted saying: I will bring 1 million settlers. One settlement for every country that recognised Palestine as a state in the last month. This is their punishment. Smotrich, who is himself a settler, has previously said his lifes mission is to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state. TRT World Video: Nearly 10,000 Palestinians arrested by Israeli forces since Oct 7 Many Israelis do not class these settlements as illegal. They view them as integral parts of ancient Israelite kingdoms and as a significant part of Jewish history and identity. However, the seizure of Palestinian land on such a large scale has historically always led to violence. The second intifada, for example, was a major uprising by Palestinians that occurred between 2000 and 2005. It took place against the backdrop of the refusal of successive Israeli governments to abide by the Oslo accords and end the occupation. But the groundwork was laid years before by the fast expansion of Israeli settlements. The number of Israeli settlers increased by at least 117% percent in Gaza and 46% in the West Bank in the period between 1993 and 1998. The second intifada saw a significant escalation in hostilities between Palestinians and Israeli settlers. This included a wave of deadly suicide bombings and armed confrontations, which prompted the Israeli military to respond with force. Over the course of the second intifada, violence led to the deaths of an estimated 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, with thousands more injured. Rising settler violence Since the start of the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestinians in the West Bank have increasingly become the target of violence by Israeli settlers. The UN reported that attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank surged in the weeks following the October 7 attacks. At least 115 people were killed, more than 2,000 were injured, and nearly 1,000 others were forced from their homes, citing violence and intimidation by Israeli forces and settlers. The new moves by the Israeli government to expand its control of the West Bank have only inflamed tensions further. Amid rising violence, outgoing Israeli major general Yehuda Fuks condemned what he called nationalist crime that was undermining Israels reputation internationally and sowing fear among Palestinians who did not pose any threat. By condemning the land seizures and settlement expansions, global bodies such as the UN and the EU could increase diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to change tack. But, for now, it looks to be stepping up its efforts to claim more of the West Bank. In February, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert wrote that the Netanyahu governments supreme aim is not the occupation of the Gaza Strip. In Olmerts view, Gaza is just the introductory chapter, the platform this gang [the Israeli government] wants to build as the foundation upon which the real fight they are eyeing will be conducted: the battle for the West Bank and the Temple Mount. The expansion of settlements is part of this. Serag El Hegazi, Lecturer in the Department of Peace Studies and International Development., University of Bradford This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The international community made a mistake in allowing the Taliban to exclude the voices of women and civil society in a recent meeting in Doha. By Tarique Niazi | ( Foreign Policy in Focus ) The United Nations recently hosted a third round of talks on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, to weigh the prospects for the countrys return to the international system. The talks were attended by special envoys on Afghanistan from 30 world nations, including the United States. That the worlds 30 leading nations have appointed special envoys on Afghanistan shows how concerning Afghanistan is to the globe. The UN sponsored the earlier two rounds in May 2023 and February 2024. Doha I and Doha II were, however, focused on the international obligations of Afghanistans de facto rulers, i.e., the Taliban regime. The Taliban boycotted Doha I and Doha II, dismissing the international obligations as interference in Afghanistans internal affairs. Also, they refused to attend Doha III until the UN dropped human and women rights from its agenda, and barred Afghan women and civil society organization leaders from attending the talks. This capitulation is a step toward accepting the Taliban as the sole and legitimate representative of Afghanistan that they are not. The Taliban further snubbed the UN and participating countries by sending a delegation led by a low-level official, a government spokesperson, instead of their minister for foreign affairs. To be fair, cutting and pruning the agenda around the Talibans demands was not an easy decision for the UN or special envoys to swallow. There is every indication that the decision irked UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who earlier attended Doha I and Doha II, enough to abstain from Doha III. Many others were dismayed by the decision. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was deeply concerned about the exclusion that it said will only further silence Afghan women and girls. Human Rights Watch found the decision shocking. The Afghan Representative at the United Nations, who does not represent the de facto Taliban regime in Kabul and is a holdover from the pre-Taliban Afghan government, was disappointed at the decision. He urged the world to hold the Taliban to their international obligation of forming an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan, engage with all Afghan stakeholders, not just the Taliban, and not look away from human rights violations in Afghanistan. The U.S. Special Envoy on Afghanistan, speaking at the UN Security Council, lamented that the harm caused by the Talibans restrictions on women and girls cannot be overstated, noting that it has now been over 1,000 days since it banned girls from secondary schools. Yet he seemed more concerned with Afghanistans reintegration into an international system, and having the UN appoint a focal point to begin producing a road map to this effect. The world, nonetheless, stays united refusing to recognize the Taliban government in the face of their misanthropic and misogynistic policies, which ban girls from seeking an education beyond sixth grade and women from employment even in women-only establishments and organizations. Even diverse nations such as China, India, Iran, Russia, and the United States speak with one voice. More importantly, the UN has refused to accept the Taliban regime as a de jure government that has been constituted and propped up against the will of the Afghans, and with the muscular power of a militia force, i.e., the Taliban. DW News Video: Outrage over womens exclusion from UN-led talks with Taliban | DW News The global call on the Taliban to end their misogyny has not gone unheeded, though. There is now a growing chorus of voices, both loud and quiet, within the Taliban regime that wants the ban on female education lifted. One such voice is that of the Talibans Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Stanikzai, who initially was tipped to be the countrys prime minister but got pushed aside because of his outspokenness. He has long been challenging his governments ban on female education, arguing that Islam makes it obligatory for both men and women to get an education. He calls the ban on women and girls education oppressive and unjust. Quieter voices also oppose the ban, prominent among them the ministers for defense and the interior, who see the ban as inconsistent with international norms. Defense Minister Yaqoob Mujahids dissent carries greater weight because of his heritage. He is a son of the founder of the Taliban Movement, Mullah Omar, and is widely respected by the rank and file of the movement. So is Sirajuddin Haqqani, the minister for the interior, whose father Jalaluddin Haqqani is credited with crafting military strategies that, years later, paved the way for the Talibans return to power. Who is, then, opposed to women and girls right to education and work? It is the Talibans Supreme Leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, who is a recluse, hermit, blinkered, bigoted and inveterate misogynist with zero formal education, except for a few years of undistinguished religious instruction. Unlike many world scholars of Islam, Akhundzada has never traveled outside of his birth country of Afghanistan and the remote village in neighboring Pakistan where he was in exile. This insularity has turned him into a literalist reader of religious texts. His medieval interpretations of Islam are rejected by every single Muslim religious scholar, including the worlds largest Islamic movement of Nahdatul Ulema in Indonesia, which boasts 100 million members. Similarly, religious scholars in Cairo, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia rebuffed Akhundzadas orthodox reading of Islam. This universal repudiation has further turned him inward. He now refuses to meet with any visiting Islamic scholars. In parallel, he claims it is Pashtun culture, not necessarily religion, that doesnt permit women to learn or work outside the home. This citation of Pashtun culture did appeal to some. In 2021, Pakistans then Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose ancestors hail from Ghazni and Kandahar in Afghanistan, echoed Akhundzadas position and urged the world to be understanding of Pashtun culture that discourages womens education. His ambassador at the UN defended this stance saying that the Talibans ban on womens education is part of Pashtun culture, which created a huge backlash. Afghanistans former President Hamid Karzai admonished Imran Kahn for peddling ignorance about Afghan culture. Afghan women, however, fared best under the Afghan communist regime (1979-1989), when 60% of university students in the country were women. The second best era for them was in 2001-2021, when 25% of university students were women. If Pashtun culture were to blame for opposing womens education, then Pashtun women in Pakistan would not be studying in co-ed schools, colleges, and universities. The Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, who risked her life for education, is a Pashtun. The 50 million Pashtuns in Pakistan outnumber the entire population of Afghanistan. Pakistani Pashtuns should be the true north of Pashtun culture, not Mullah Akhundzada. Tragically, Afghanistan has fallen into the hands of those who are impervious to rational thought. Millions of Afghans have been fleeing their irrationality. Since 2021, 700,000 Afghans have sought refuge in neighboring Pakistan alone. How to stop Afghanistan from bleeding its best and brightest? All overseas Afghan assets, including the $7 billion that the United States has frozen since 2021, should be released only to Afghan women for their education. Any Afghan woman living inside or outside the country seeking higher education should be entitled to these funds. There are around 12,000 universities in India, Indonesia and the United States alone. If each of these universities offers one spot for them, 12,000 Afghan women can graduate every year. With an investment of just $7 billion, a million Afghan women can receive university education. This should be a realistic way to counter Taliban misogyny. Unfortunately, the international community has provided the Taliban regime with $10 billion in international aid and civilian support since 2021, with zero accountability or transparency. The UN must engage with the Taliban to have them be accountable, transparent, meet their international obligations, and most importantly further womens interests, i.e., their right to education, work, and public life. If the Taliban are responsive, they should be welcomed into the world community; if not, they should be shunned until they renounce their antiquated ideas. The Doha III meeting that shut out civil society and womens voices was a nod to Taliban misogyny. This mistake needs to be undone, and soon. Via Foreign Policy in Focus K-Drama World introduces this new generation of promising actors who are currently captivating fans with their visuals and acting chops. From Kim Hyun Jin, Lee Chae Min to Kim Jae Won these are the heartthrobs that are making their names in the industry. With Byeon Woo Seok from "Lovely Runner," Moon Sang Min in "Wedding Impossible," and Na In Woo in "Marry My Husband," established as representatives of handsome and talented stars, we looked forward to rising actors who will follow in their footsteps. Lee Chae Min In the Netflix series "Hierarchy," Lee Chae Min played the role of Kang Ha, a transfer student at Jushin High School who harbors a secret. He debuted in the 2021 series "High Class" and showed passionate acting by taking on various characters without a break in "Love All Play," "Crash Course in Romance," and "See You in My 19th Life." Thanks to his consistent project appearance, Lee Chae Min is receiving recognition from the viewers, and is drawn to his screen presence. With his overwhelming proportions and fresh acting, he immediately caught everyone's attention. His first lead role in "Hierarchy" allowed him to not just display his charms but also his impressive acting performance and chemistry with the cast. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Who Is Lee Chae Min? 4 Things You Must Know About 'See You In My 19th Life' Mystery Guy With his diverse charms, Lee Chae Min is receiving anticipation about whether he'll be able to overcome the pressure in his lead projects and be named one of the rising stars of his generation. Kim Jae Won He became known for his role as the younger version of Cha Seung Won in tvN's "Our Blues" and in JTBC's "King the Land," Kim Jae Won shows a new side of him in Netflix's "Hierarchy" by taking on the role of Kim Ri An, the top student in Jushin High School and the successor to the Jushin Group. His participation in the said series intrigued many about his new appearance as he faced off against Kang Ha and showed overflowing charisma. In one of his interviews, Jae Won said that he wanted to be an actor who does a lot of good works and variety show appearances. "I want to be an actor that people trust and watch, regardless of genre." Kim Hyun Jin This young actor is amassing recognition, thanks to his back-to-back works, Kim Hyun Jin is having a blast showcasing his versatile acting chops. Known for his appearance in SBS' "Cheer Up" in 2022, Hyun Jin made his small screen return this 2024 through TVING's "I Am Dreaming of A Freaking Fairytale" and the ongoing JTBC series "My Sweet Mobster." He plays Joo Il Young, a perfect manhwa-like guy with idol looks and is an intelligent right-hand man of Seo Ji Hwan (Uhm Tae Goo). In an interview, he expressed his ambition by saying, "It's really good to hear compliments from my colleagues, and now my attention is focused on doing more good work in the future." ALSO READ: THIS Second Lead Couple Is Stealing the Show With Their Slow-Burn Romance in 'My Sweet Mobster' 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. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form York Regional Police say they are seeking public assistance to identify the suspects in an alleged kidnapping. A York Regional Police patch is shown in Aurora, Ont. on Dec. 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey Friday, July 12, 2024 - Sharon Stone, 66, is still giving younger women a run for their money. The actress took to Instagram to share a photo of herself in red lingerie and blue stilettos. "Basically... yours," she captioned the photo. Earlier, she wore just her blue underwear to paint. Both photos were shared after she opened up about the debilitating stroke she suffered and the harrowing aftermath that led to people taking "advantage" of her and leaving her with "zero money." In 2001, the then-43-year-old Basic Instinct star was rushed to the hospital after suffering a brain hemorrhage that lasted for nine days. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview, Stone detailed how the stroke changed everything. "A Buddhist monk told me that I had been reincarnated into my same body," she recalled. "I had a death experience and then they brought me back. I bled into my brain for nine days, so my brain was shoved to the front of my face. It wasnt positioned in my head where it was before," she said. "And while that was happening, everything changed," she explained. "My sense of smell, my sight, my touch. I couldnt read for a couple of years. Things were stretched and I was seeing color patterns. A lot of people thought I was going to die." It took Stone seven years to fully recover from the medical incident, and in that time, she said: "People took advantage of me." "I had $18m saved because of all my success, but when I got back into my bank account, it was all gone. My refrigerator, my phone everything was in other peoples names," Stone shared. "I had zero money." Saturday, July 13,2024 - Daadab Member of Parliament Farah Maalim has been kicked out of Sarova Whitesands Hotel after stating he would have killed over 5000 Gen Z demonstrators if he were President William Ruto. Sarova Hotels and Resorts Kenya Managing Director Jimi Kariuki made the announcement after X users called out the resort for hosting Maalim. Kariuki categorically stated that the resort does not, in any way, condone Maalim's controversial remarks. In the undated video, Maalim, while speaking in the Somali dialect, said that if he were the President of Kenya, he would have slaughtered 5,000 young protesters daily. A verified video translation revealed that the legislator was censuring Kenyan Gen Zs for their attempt to march to the State House during the anti-finance Bill 2024 protests. "This was an attempted coup, a clear attempted coup. Children of wealthy business owners, wealthy parents, and kids raised on ill-gotten wealth, 80% from one tribe were dropped off in downtown and told to riot and take over State House and Parliament buildings," he said. "God forbid if I was president I would have slaughtered them, 5,000 of them daily. Serious, there is no two ways about it," he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 13, 2024 Embattled Dadaab MP Farah Maalim may regret wishing to kill thousands of Gen Zs over their recent revolution against President William Ruto and his government. This is after he was thrown out of a Mombasa hotel over his comments against Gen Zs. The management of a renowned luxury hotel in Mombasa asked Maalim who had checked in to have a good time to leave the establishment following an uproar on social media. According to the Managing Director, the MP was no longer staying at the hotel as of Friday evening July 12. The MD added that the hotel did not condone the remarks made by the MP who is facing investigations for hate speech. In response to questions raised by Kenyans over hosting the MP, the hotel added that they could not associate with an individual who makes inflammatory comments. "He is no longer a guest at our hotel. We asked him to leave the hotel earlier in the day. "We do not in any way condone his inflammatory and threatening statements against Kenyans and will not associate our brand with such a person," read the statement in part. Consequently, after the MD made the statements on X (formerly Twitter), the hotel also reposted the statements on their official X handle. Maalim is currently under investigation by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) following a video that emerged on social media after the Gen Z protests. However, the MP has distanced himself from the video claiming that it was edited. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, July 12, 2024 - Soudi Al Nadak, originally from Sussex and now residing in Dubai, has opened up about her opulent life as a rich housewife, sharing details of her extravagant marriage. Soudi, who recently turned 27, revealed that her 33-year-old husband, Jamal, has spent over 440,000 on her birthday and summer holidays =alone. Her birthday celebrations included a lavish shopping spree at luxury brands Miu Miu and Hermes, where the couple splurged 38,000 on clothes and accessories. The day continued with a luxurious dinner costing 1,000 and a visit to a beauty clinic for 16,000 worth of facial fillers. In addition to a nearly 900 spa trip, Jamal is set to whisk Soudi away on a European tour costing around 420,000. "We are going to spend six weeks in Europe, traveling to Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, and Austria," Soudi said, estimating the trip's cost to be around $500,000 (420,000), depending on their shopping. Soudi and Jamal, who met eight years ago while studying in Dubai, have been married for four years. Before their marriage, Soudi signed an extensive prenuptial agreement guaranteeing certain rights, including a clause that grants her 100% of Jamal's wealth if he cheats. Additionally, she had a $10 million (7.7 million) dowry. Soudi documents their extravagant lifestyle on TikTok through her "day in the life as a millionaires wife" series. In a recent video, she shared, "Being a millionaires wife in Dubai is actually a hard job, which is why my husband gives me a monthly allowance of $100,000 (77,080) just to be his wife, because lets be honest, I deserve it, and I am not doing it for free." Despite receiving criticism for being a "gold-digger," Soudi maintains that her husband loves her for her high-maintenance attitude and that they are deeply in love. She believes she shouldn't have to work full-time and admits she never had a clear career aspiration. "Did you ever feel like you just werent meant to have a job?" she pondered in another TikTok video. "Teachers would ask me, Soudi, what do you want to do in the future, youre getting A*s? And I would be like, I dont know." Soudi remains unapologetic about her lifestyle, stating, "I feel very blessed every day. I expect nothing less." Saturday, July 13, 2024 - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has apologized to Kenyans for the anti-government protests that led to the government dropping the contentious Finance Bill 2024. The IMF was supporting the Finance Bill 2024 which was to choke Kenyans with taxes if approved by Parliament and signed into law by President William Ruto. In a press briefing, IMF spokesperson Julie Kozack expressed "deepest sympathy" to the youth who either lost their loved ones or incurred injuries during the protests. She also defended the IMFs position after facing backlash from Kenyans who accused the Fund of imposing tough conditions for Kenya to acquire funding. Let me start by expressing our deepest sympathy to the people affected by tragic events in Kenya. "Our hearts go out to those who have lost their lives, lost loved ones or suffered injuries. "With respect to Kenyas broader situation, its important to say that the situation reflects broader challenges facing many of our low-income members, she said. Many of these countries are experiencing a funding squeeze including on account of tighter global financial conditions and reduced availability of concessional financing. "Policymakers in these countries including Kenya face a complex balancing act; they have pressing spending needs in priority areas such as social programs, health and education. "They are managing rising public debt and debt service. They also have the challenge of boosting domestic revenue. Kozack revealed that the IMFs goal is to help Kenya build sustainable growth, generate jobs for the young population, and promote programs to assist the less fortunate in society. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 13, 2024 - Professor Jonah Kindiki has lauded President William Ruto for his bold move in dismissing the Cabinet and sacking all Cabinet Secretaries, including his own brother Kithure Kindiki, due to incompetence and corruption. Speaking during an interview, Kindikis brother asserted that the move demonstrated that Ruto was paying attention to the concerns raised by Kenyans. Nonetheless, he opined that Ruto may reconsider some of the members of his past Cabinet during the reconstitution. "Looking at our political space, some of the people who were in the Cabinet and were ineffective will have no room to survive. "If one of them is to be reconsidered in the next cabinet, the merit will count," he added. At the same time, he revealed the conversation he had with his brother moments after Ruto sacked him. Although he did not want to give intricate exchanges made during the conversation, he noted that he consoled his brother. "Yes, those are family matters. We need to distinguish between a brother and a Cabinet Secretary. I told him pole," he stated. Unlike his former colleagues, Kindiki is yet to issue a statement over the dismissal from Cabinet. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, July 12, 2024 - Kim Kardashian has shared the latest anti-ageing treatment she's tried out. On the latest episode of "The Kardashians," which was released on Hulu on July 11, the Skims founder, 43, opened up about getting an unusual facial in hopes of achieving a more youthful appearance. "I got a salmon sp3rm facial with salmon sp3rm injected into my face," she revealed to her mother, Kris Jenner, who appeared stunned. Salmon sp3rm facials have been popular in Korea for years and promise to boost collagen, increase cell turnover, and help with pigmentation issues. Jennifer Aniston, 55, has also experimented with the treatment and spoke about her facial experience in a 2023 interview with the Wall Street Journal. Friday, July 12, 2024 - Kyle Clifford, 26, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25, in a horrific crossbow attack. The incident occurred in Bushey, Hertfordshire, with police describing it as a targeted attack. Clifford was apprehended at Lavender Hill Cemetery in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday afternoon. He was found with serious injuries and has remained hospitalized since his arrest. John Hunt, the husband and father of the victims and a BBC racing commentator, reportedly discovered the gruesome scene at their home on Ashlyn Close upon returning from work on Tuesday evening. Detective Superintendent Rob Hall of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit stated, "Our thoughts remain with the victims family at this tragic time. The investigation is moving at pace, and we have now arrested a man. Enquiries are continuing at this time." Following a police appeal to locate Clifford, he was found in Enfield with injuries. The Independent Office for Police Conduct reviewed the circumstances of his injuries and decided no further investigation was necessary. The local community has been deeply affected by the tragedy. Friends and family attended a vigil at St James Church in Bushey on Thursday to pay tribute to the victims. Lea Holloway, a childhood friend of Carol Hunt, described her as a "beautiful person" and expressed shock and sorrow over the loss. Colleagues of John Hunt expressed their heartbreak and held a minute's silence for the family during the July Festival at Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk. Flowers and heartfelt messages were left at the scene on Ashlyn Close, with notes such as "rest in peace" attached to some bouquets. The investigation into the murders is ongoing, and the police continue to gather evidence and conduct inquiries. Friday, July 12, 2024 - A video vixen and a ride-hailing app driver clashed over payment after the driver took her to her destination. In a video making the rounds on social media, the video vixen had arrived at her destination but was unable to pay for her trip. According to her, her boyfriend who was supposed to pay for the trip was not picking up his calls. The driver found her reasons unacceptable and they got into an argument as he prevented her from coming down from his car until he got his payment. Watch the video below Friday, July 12, 2024 - A woman, who transitioned into a man when she was still a teenager, has shared her regrets while detailing its effects on her body as she transitions back to her original gender and welcomes a child. On June 3, 2024, Prisha Mosley, 26 gave birth to a healthy baby boy via C-section. What is remarkable is that until about two years ago, Mosley identified as a man. In her attempt to change genders, she pumped her body full of testosterone. At 18, Mosley, who was born female, had her healthy breasts removed and was left with a mangled and scarred chest. Sadly, the procedure has messed up her hormones, making her suffer greatly. When Mosely, who has detransitioned, saw a doctor because she missed her period, she laughed when he asked if she could be carrying a child. Though, she was in a relationship with her boyfriend, she assumed she was infertile due to the procedures she subjected her body to when transitioning to a man. I still cant believe I got pregnant, she told writer Kirsten Fleming. And I still cant believe hes healthy. Sadly, motherhood came with a myriad of complications and medical issues. Mosley is in unchartered waters, being the first of a small group of detransitioning women who become mothers. Medical interventions such as cross sex hormones can affect fertility, and Mosley started using testosterone when she was still developing. Every single thing that happens with the female body, especially when they are carrying and birthing a baby, has a purpose, said Mosley, adding that her bodys mechanisms were greatly affected by testosterone. As a young teen, Prisha Mosley was sexually assaulted. She was anorexic and suffering from mental health distress, but she was convinced by trans activists and therapists that she was transgender so she decided to transition. After being experimented on by doctors under the guise of gender-affirming care, shes now sharing raw, intimate details about her unexpected but very fraught path to motherhood. I could go on and on how tremendous that weight is, Mosely, who is now an Independent Womens Forum Ambassador, said of speaking out. But whats worse is that it can happen to other people. The pain of imagining that someone else could feel or experience what I am experiencing makes the pain of being a public case study numb. It doesnt compare. No one came and saved me when I was little. No one told me the truth. Mosely said she now knows the truth and it hurts. Her body has been ravaged. She says her liver is big, her insulin is high. Her uterus, bladder and vagina atrophied. Her hormone imbalance caused the baby to be big, and her hips were too small to deliver vaginally. She explained: My muscles were used to carry a baby in ways that my hips couldnt accommodate. I am in so much pain. She notes that there is no standard of care for detransitioners. In a short Kelsey Bolar documentary, Prisha Mosley: A Detransitioners Pregnancy Journey, Mosley said doctors simply dont know how to treat her. Its not good news, but its honest news, Mosley said, adding her previous doctors and therapists who treated her for gender dysphoria were so sure [in removing her breasts and pumping her with testosterone]. It was promise. I fully believed it because I needed to. I didnt transition because I was having a good time. There was no neuroscience to change my brain, so I had to edit my body. Mosleys gender confusion started at a young age when she discovered gender ideology online. She was suffering from severe anorexia, anxiety and borderline personality disorder and reeling from a sexual assault at 15, which resulted in pregnancy and a miscarriage. Her eating disorder affected her emotional maturation and physical growth, specifically in her hip area. At 15, she socially transitioned to male and at 17 she started testosterone injections. A year later she had a double mastectomy, performed by a plastic surgeon in North Carolina. After living as a man in the trans community for a few years, she realized, in therapy, that gender was not her issue. She detransitioned and is now suing eight of her medical practitioners, alleging they misled her into pursuing medical procedures and interventions that have turned her into a patient for life. Mosley is particularly haunted by removing her breasts. She now has painful rocks that have formed under her chest, or what her doctor says are milk masses stuck under scar tissue with no outlet because her nipples were reattached and are merely, decorative. Mosley (right) as a teen My doctor said some breast tissue was not removed and I have milk coming in as a response to prolactin. Instead of a soft pillow for her baby, her chest is hard. It makes me feel like a monster. I put him on my chest and I dont feel him. Mosley relies on donor breast milk, which she says has been integral to her sons development. He spent the first few days of his life searching for things on my chest that dont exist. All he did was throw up. The only thing that stopped it was the donor breast milk, she said. Mosely, who is also helping to raise her boyfriends daughter, said she would love to have more kids. But its also reasonable to think I cant survive another pregnancy, she added. She describes motherhood as physical agony but emotionally fulfilling, adding that it has brought unexpected healing. I had to become a home for someone else to let my body become a home for me, said. Saturday, July 13, 2024- Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has issued a statement following the discovery of several bodies at the Kware dumpsite in Mukuru kwa Njenga slums on Friday. The unsettling discovery of the bodies, all female and in various stages of decomposition, has ignited widespread concern among Kenyans, largely because the dumpsite is situated alarmingly close to Kware Police Station. Protests erupted at the police station following the discovery of the bodies, forcing police to fire into the air to disperse angry Mukuru residents. "Its a sad and dark moment for Kenya, what we have witnessed in Mukuru Kwa Njenga, pains me deeply," said Raila in an X statement. Raila Odinga also offered his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims discovered at the dumpsite, even as police work to establish their identities. "To the families who have lost loved ones, accept my deepest condolences," he said. The Azimio frontman likewise called for swift investigations into the unsettling discovery, urging police to bring the perpetrators to book. "The perpetrators of these and other heinous acts must face the full force of the law immediately. The people of Kenya demand accountability," he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 13, 2024 - Daabab Member of Parliament, Farah Maalim, has been kicked out of the prestigious Sarova Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa after renowned activist Boniface Mwangi revealed that he has been hiding there. Jimi Kariuki, a senior manager at the lavish hotel, took to his X account and announced that they had kicked him out after a social media uproar. Good evening. He is no longer a guest at our hotel. We asked him to leave the hotel earlier in the day. "We do not in any way condone his inflammatory and threatening statements against Kenyans and will not associate our brand with such a person, he tweeted. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had summoned the controversial MP to appear before the Commission to shed light on his controversial comments regarding the recent protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024. NCIC said it is investigating utterances made by the MP in Somali language, where he said he would 'slaughter 5000 Gen Z protesters' if he were president of Kenya. "The utterances are likely to incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination, and affect harmonious coexistence between groups of different political affiliations in Kenya, contrary to Section 13 (1) (a) of the NCI Act," NCIC said. However, he failed to appear before the commission and went to hide at the Mombasa hotel, fearing arrest. The Kenyan DAIILY POST. Saturday, July 13, 2024 - The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has warned President William Ruto to dismiss all Principal Secretaries and revoke the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary if he wants peace with the Gen Zs. This is after he fired his entire Cabinet due to pressure from Gen Zs. In a statement, the Commission claimed the entire state and public service system required a thorough purge. The commission recommended an audit of capacity and integrity across the public service and a mandatory wealth declaration process. At the same time, the Commission termed Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadis office as unconstitutional, stating the CS occupied an illegal position. According to the lobby group, Mudavadi had reached the age of 60 and that he was supposed to resign in line with Ruto's directive that anyone attaining the age of 60 and above must step down. Ruto was also urged to take action on the recent ongoing atrocities, including lodging prosecution against some of the outgoing ministers and current security chiefs. Those still serving must be ousted. Efforts must be made to blacklist and lustrate those responsible for violations and abuses, the Commission stated. The Commission also called on the Head of State to expedite the recalling of all Members of Parliament who voted in favour of the Finance Bill 2024 and dissolve the current legislature. Ruto was also urged to cap his new cabinet as per the Constitution and to observe the two-thirds gender rule. "It must also include a fair number of youth and persons with disabilities, with genuine representation of Kenya's ethnic diversity," KHRC told Ruto. "Every nominee for the new cabinet must be of impeccable integrity, as required by Article 73 of the Kenyan constitution. The vetting process must be rigorous and transparent," stated KHRC. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 13, 2024 - Fresh details have emerged about how Mt Kenya Members of Parliament met with President William Ruto and gave him the nod to work with opposition leader Raila Odinga to unite the country sharply divided by Gen Z protests. Ruto and 60 MPs from Mt Kenya met in Runda at one of the MPs' homes and gave him the go-ahead to work with Raila Odinga. MPs who attended the meeting said that Ruto claimed his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, had deserted him. He said he needed help balancing being in the State House and communicating the government agenda. He expressed his frustration at the conduct of his deputy and informed us of his intention to bring Raila into government. "He said his deputy does not communicate government agenda and programmes to the people and that when he speaks, he only opposes the government he is serving, an MP who attended the meeting said. Another MP mentioned that the president was concerned that without bringing Raila on board, his administration would fail to deliver on its promises to Kenyans. He explained that the situation was different with his case and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. "He said that even with their tiff (with Uhuru), he could still go to the electorate and enumerate government programmes, he said The Kenyan DAILY POST. Saturday, July 13, 2024 Hours after sending his entire Cabinet packing and subsequent sacking of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, President William Ruto is not done yet, at least not according to Raila Odingas ODM. Addressing the press yesterday, Raila, through ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, called on Ruto to sack the Nairobi Region Police Commander Adamson Bungei with immediate effect for killing innocent Gen Zs during peaceful protests. Sifuna also urged the Head of State to take action against police officers who were allegedly involved in harming protesters. The party further called on the government to compensate all the victims of the recent protests, including those who were killed and maimed. According to ODM, the decision to fire nearly all cabinet secretaries was a good start but the feeling across the country is that there still exists an atmosphere of fear. "Ruto must immediately fire the Nairobi Police commander and apprehend all Police Officers implicated in the murders of over 200 innocents," ODM stated. "Kenyans in peaceful protests since last year. We call for a national amnesty for all persons arrested or charged in connection with protests and compensation for all victims of police brutality." The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, July 13, 2024 - The National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro, has accused President William Ruto of letting them down by giving in to Gen Zs' demands. Speaking during an interview with Al Jazeera yesterday, Osoro criticized Ruto for withdrawing the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which proposed increased taxes on commodities, due to the Gen Z revolution. He argued that Ruto was a coward to be threatened by the Gen Zs who could not overthrow him unless through the ballot. The South Mugirango MP argued vehemently against those who opposed the bill, asserting that it would have broadened the tax base and reduced the need for both local and foreign borrowing. "Ruto made a mistake in dropping the Finance Bill 2024. I maintain that I would vote in favour if the bill returns. "Kenyans should understand that hashtags and protests won't remove Ruto; the only effective way is through the ballot," Osoro affirmed. He also rebuked the Kenyan populace for previously approving reforms that expanded the number of positions, leading to increased expenditure on salaries. Osoro expressed regret over President Ruto's initiation of new reforms, including ongoing restructuring within the government. "Ruto's decision was fundamentally wrong. Not only did I vote yes, but I also rallied my colleagues as the Chief Whip of the National Assembly Majority to support it," he added. The Kenyan DAILY POST An excerpt from Judas Dentistry: How Dentists Scorn Science, Break the Hippocratic Oath, and Wreck Their Patients Minds and Bodies. Our kindly dentist almost killed my wife, Judy. During her late teens, she had a single front tooth destroyed in an auto accident. So this dentist carved the teeth on either side to support a bridge. When these died, he drilled and mummified them into root canals. As the years passed, he murdered tooth after tooth, leaving their corpses in her mouth to rot and ultimately support three more bridges. But she always looked great. I, too, became a patient of this dentist after I married Judy 35 years ago. I already had seventeen mercury fillings when I met him, so he must have thought I had little left to work on. He mostly left me alone. Four years ago, Judy became progressively sicker over about a year. We consulted more than 20 Kaiser doctors. They were all clueless, and none of them looked in Judys mouth or even asked about it. So I began to study and consult outside physicians. Following their advice, I wrote to the Kaiser docs and directed them to run various tests. Since my letters became part of Judys chart, the doctors did what I asked. It was soon obvious that Judy had AL amyloidosis. Until recently, this was rapidly fatal, but new medications prolong survival. I asked about using daratumumab, the drug that later stabilized Judys disease. But the Kaiser oncologist categorically refused to consider it and chided me for my suggestion. He said it was not the standard of care and it was only used by cowboys. So I took her to Stanford. This cost more than $30,000 for two chemo sessions and two doctor visits, one of which was virtual. It saved Judys life, but she became a dependent, miserable cash cow of for-profit medicine. Throughout her illness, we were forced to hire doctors from outside Kaiser to direct Judys care. Among other problems, Judy salivated heavily. All night, every hour, I listened to her nearly choke to death in bed beside me. Since I was formerly a board-certified emergency physician, I understood compromised airways and always feared the worst. But she was always optimistic and did not think it was dangerous. Judy and I are (reasonably!) open with each other, and I thought I knew (nearly!) everything about her. She was always unwilling to share much about her teeth, and I respected her privacy for decades. But as I learned more about dentistry, I had to find out what was in her mouth. Her illness was a detective story. The break in the case was when we were in Tijuana having my mercury fillings removed. I was sneakyI asked her to let Dr. Lagos have a quick look and grab an X-ray to be sure everything was OK. When they exited the exam room, Judy was beaming. She told me, No worries. Everything is fine. I may have been married last week, but it was not yesterday. I grabbed Lagos by the elbow, pulled him into another room, and closed the door. He knew that I knew the jig was up and admitted that Judy had four (4) root canals. He did not like them any better than I did, but he knew better than to argue with a 69-year-old woman. Since I had been studying full-time while everyone else was playing, I saw the whole thing immediately. Judys amyloidosis was caused by abscessed root canals spreading infection and inflammation throughout her body. Dr. Gammal told many stories about breast cancer and other serious diseases going away when root-canalled teeth were taken out. So I knew removing them would create better than even odds of curing her. Judy is profoundly skeptical, which has served her well. She initially refused to consider that, just this once, I might be right. After all, her mouth did not hurt, and her teeth looked great. I would have to persuade her to cooperate to save her life. I love Judy dearly and did not want to lose her. Her refusal to believe me made me feel for a month like my head was being held underwater. I coaxed her into reading much of Gammals book and had her watch the Root Cause video. I initially thought I would have to tie her to the couch in front of the TV. While Judy was balking, I was researching. Becky Dutton told me to see a particular European dentist. When Judy finally allowed that she might consider doing something, I put Becky on the phone to work her over. Next was the flight overseas and six hours of surgery under general anesthesia. The surgeon removed all but one of Judys teeth, including the infected root canals. The operating room filled with a foul stench because my wifes teeth and gums were abscessed. He said later that her condition would have been fatal soon. The surgeon cleaned the area, bone-grafted it, and inserted fifteen zirconia ceramic posts to support the new teeth and bridges: These are biologically inert, and their placement requires specialized skills. Titanium is commonly used, but this causes chronic infections and sheds toxic metals. Nonfunctional cosmetic teeth were placed in Judys mouth until the new teeth were inserted three months later. We stayed a month for the follow-up visits. Judy was instructed to chop up and swallow her food without chewing. She did not like it but adapted and did not lose weight. Three months after the original surgery, Judy felt fantastic. She had more energy than in years and was starting new projects, which was the best evidence of better health. She also started lifting weights for the first time in four years. Judy was able to discontinue some of her blood pressure drugs because the infection stress was gone. Her skin was clear of the blemishes that her chronic infection likely caused. The salivation from her inflamed mouth decreased as well. As I write this, she is getting fitted with her permanent teeth. They are beautiful and stronger than the originals. The process costs half of what it would have in the U.S., but we nearly had to sell real estate to pay for it. This is not easy for retirees on fixed incomes, but for recalling Judy to life, it is a small price to pay. Judys new teeth, February 29, 2024 Robert Yoho is a cosmetic surgeon and author of Butchered by Healthcare: What to Do About Doctors, Big Pharma, and Corrupt Government Ruining Your Health and Medical Care. News / National by Staff reporter Nelson Chamisa's ally Advocate Thabani Mpofu, has written to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, highlighting remarks made by Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe. Mpofu asserts that Sanyatwe's statements on "command voting" and the perpetual rule of Zanu PF are unconstitutional and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.In his letter, Mpofu states, "I am writing to bring to your attention concerning remarks made by General Sanyatwe, the Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army about elections in Zimbabwe."I have in my possession videographic evidence of him uttering words to the following effect: '. . . Zanu (PF) shall rule until donkeys grow horns, whatever your stated and expressed wishes. I am now speaking as the Commander of the Army. We shall use what is called Command Voting... Do we understand each other?'"In these remarks, General Sanyatwe not only wades into issues beyond his constitutional remit but also asserts, his as well as the army's preparedness to undermine the vote and not respect its sanctity. Your Commission's ability to deliver a credible election has been put in issue by remarks that suggest its complicity in undermining the popular will."I wonder whether there is any truth to the sting of General Sanyatwe's assertion. If you consider this assertion false, I kindly request that you publicly refute it with a firm assurance that your commission is not on the army's back and call. If you choose reticence, I kindly request that you account for it, the statement considered."General Sanyatwe's statement undermines the trust and confidence of the electorate in the electoral process. This as you are aware, has been no small issue. A clear and prompt refutation of this assertion will help to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and re-assure the public that the Electoral Commission is committed to upholding the sanctity of the vote."Your attention is drawn to sections 155(1), 156(c)(i), 233 and 239 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 and to the obligations that have been triggered by this tainted tale. 'The failure to call out this constitutional delinquency most indubitably has consequences."I would appreciate your attention to this grave matter within 7 days."Mpofu's letter emphasizes the potential threat posed by Sanyatwe's statements to electoral integrity and calls upon Chigumba to take decisive action to uphold constitutional principles and reassure the public about the fairness of future elections. An excerpt from Just One Heart: A Cardiologists Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller In my journey of the heart, two atlases, seemingly worlds apart, converged to illuminate the interconnected dimensions of the heart. They helped me realize that the heart is not a singular entity but a multifaceted gem, each facet revealing a unique aspect of our human experience. In 1994, during my first year of medical school, I was introduced to an atlas that would lay the foundation for my understanding of the heart. It was Frank H. Netters Atlas of Human Anatomy. With its detailed pages and meticulous illustrations, this atlas unveiled the physical dimension of the heart, the biological marvel that sustains life itself. I marveled at the intricate network of arteries and veins, the synchronized dance of atria and ventricles, and the sheer elegance of its design. With its clinical precision, this atlas spoke to the scientist in me, and I eagerly absorbed its teachings. But as my journey continued, I realized that healing and caring for the heart extended beyond physicality. It encompassed the emotional, social, and spiritual realms, dimensions that couldnt be dissected in a lab but were equally vital. My academic studies left me wanting more, and I yearned for a deeper understanding. Years later, another atlas captured my attentionfocused not on the physical heart but on the myriad emotions that influence our lives. It was Brene Browns Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience. This atlas served as a kind of bookend to my medical training. It revealed the emotional heart, a terrain as complex and diverse as the physical organ it beats within. Her exploration and the wisdom of other teachers and scholars solidified my desire to be no longer a doctor of heart mechanics but a more well-rounded healer of hearts. These combined insights shaped my patient interactions and generated genuine, heart-to-heart dialogues. Consultations became joint opportunities for discovery marked by shared resilience, hope, and humanity. Collaborations with colleagues and team members flourished similarly, infused with a renewed, shared mission. One heart, four dimensions, in crisis Our capacity for healing, health, and happiness is intricately tied to the well-being of the four dimensions of our heart, each symbolizing an essential aspect of our human existence. Understanding and nurturing these four dimensions is more critical than ever in todays fast-paced and increasingly complex world. The first, the physical heart, is the biological organ that sustains life the dimension modern Western Medicine focuses on most. The second, the emotional heart, mirrors our emotional health and feelings. The third dimension, the social heart, represents our social relationships and interactions. Lastly, the spiritual heart embodies our values, purpose, and connection with the universe. Each of these four heart dimensions faces significant challenges; we are witnessing a crisis in each. This book offers an integrated approach. This four dimensions of the heart perspective synthesizes my experiences as a medical practitioner and my exploration beyond traditional allopathic cardiology. Its a unique approach to the conventional practice of cardiology, and resonates with emerging holistic health models. Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, shared his thoughts on our current approach to health care. He expressed his concerns about our current health care models segmented approach. Weve long focused on treating diseases instead of preventing them; even more critically, weve failed to see the person as a whole. We tend to treat symptoms in isolation. Dr. Carmona emphasized the mind-heart connection, echoing ancient traditions that have always seen these two as intrinsically linked. Our emotional, social, and spiritual well-being directly influences physical health. The heart and the mind are interconnected in ways that modern medicine is only beginning to understand. He added, We must educate the public and health care providers about the importance of seeing health from a broader perspective. To truly heal, we must address all facets of our being. The modern Western approach to health views the heart primarily as a mechanical organ, a pump responsible for circulating blood throughout our body. When problems arise, it proposes solutions typically involving medication or procedures to manage issues like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or structural abnormalities. This singular focus often overlooks the interconnectedness of our physical health with our emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. As we confront an array of global health challenges, it becomes clear that this narrow view needs to be revised. This is particularly pressing given the current global health landscape, where we see a rise in diseases influenced not just by physical factors but by lifestyle, mental health, and social dynamics. While the expansion of the hearts concept to include emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions aligns with current trends in holistic health, such as those recognized by the McKinsey Health Institute, its a unique application outside the realm of the traditional practice of cardiology (Brassey et al. 2023). While resonating with emerging holistic health models and many pioneers in mind-body referenced in this book, this integrated one heart perspective synthesizes my experiences as a medical practitioner and my exploration beyond traditional allopathic cardiology. Today, these four dimensions of the heart confront substantial challenges primarily driven by contemporary lifestyle habits, societal norms, and cultural shifts. The urgency of addressing these challenges is underscored by the alarming rise in lifestyle-related diseases affecting the physical heart and the escalating mental health crises impacting our emotional well-being. Jonathan Fisher is a cardiologist and author of Just One Heart: A Cardiologists Guide to Healing, Health, and Happiness. 1 of 1 13 : 4,TMC 4,BJP 2,AAP DMK 1 khaskhabar.com : , 13 2024 5:25 PM 1 of 1 What are the Prerequisites to Open a Demat A/C? khaskhabar.com : , 13 2024 5:19 PM News / National by Staff reporter A CCC activist from Guvamatanga Village, Ward 35 in Gutu Central has appeared in court facing allegations of assaulting a village head who had refused him food aid from the Social Welfare Department.Wilson Guvamatanga spent Wednesday night in cells at Gutu Police Station and was released yesterday by a local magistrate.He allegedly assaulted Takakurumbira Guvamatanga who is also his uncle.Allegations are also that Ward 35 councillor Benson kurauone Dandira is going around forcing village heads to refuse opposition members food and at one time, former acting Chief Gutu, AmonMasanganise had to put his foot down and say enough is enough.Masanganise ensured that everyone present got his share of the social welfare food aid.Guvamatanga is refuting the assault allegations.Sources said that the old village head fell after he tried to assault Guvamatanga and got some injuries on his mouth. The food distribution was taking place at Chimunzwa Shops near Chamisa Primary School.Guvamatanga is being represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) lawyer Martin Mureri.Guvamatanga asked the village head why he was refusing him food and the latter got angry and tried to assault him. This year the Kilkenny Arts Festival sees a return of focus on the work of Philip Glass, as we take a dive into some of the composer's catalogue with some of the festival's favourite artists. Philip Glass music appears throughout, featuring in programmes from the Carducci String Quartet, alongside popular quartets from Mozart, Shostakovich, Fanny Mendelssohn and Beethoven and in a very special late night at the Set Theatre alongside Steve Reichs groundbreaking work from 1988, Different Trains. Rising star Irish pianist Maire Carroll also performs a performance of ten of Glass trance-like Etudes for solo piano and Dutch/Korean harpist Lavinia Meijer is also a glass specialist and interprets a range of Glass works alongside some of her own compositions; while the mighty Crash Ensemble treat audiences to a stonking performance of Glassworks. Carducci String Quartet The first programme in the Carducci's two lunchtime concerts in St. John's Priory spans two centuries of chamber music, from Beethovens dynamic String Quartet No. 11 to Philip Glasss urgent Company, inspired by Samuel Becketts novella. The concert takes place at St John's Priory on August 9. On Sunday at Set Theatre the acclaimed quartet brings its residency at this years festival to a close with a programme featuring works by Philip Glass and Osvaldo Golijov, along with an iconic work by Steve Reich. Harpist Lavinia Meijer is a groundbreaking artist. Constantly looking to expand the possibilities of her instrument, she has performed a dizzying array of musical genres from classical to rock and jazz at concert halls all over the world. Meanwhile Lavinia Meijer will perform The Glass Effect at St John's Priory on August 12 at 1pm. Her pioneering interpretations of Philip Glasss music have earned her universal acclaim and a platinum-selling CD, and for this concert the first in a series celebrating the music of the modern American master Meijer performs her own beautiful arrangements, lending Glasss work new expressiveness and depth. Crash Ensemble will continue the mini-adventure through the iconic composers work with this enticing concert in the Parade Tower on August 14 at 7pm. Written in 1981, Glassworks was Philip Glasss wildly innovative attempt to merge minimalism and pop, creating classical pieces with infectious pop hooks. It soon became one of the composers most popular works, and who better to perform it in the intimate surroundings of the Parade Tower than Crash Ensemble, Irelands leading new music ensemble. For more kilkennyarts.ie Grass growth has been reduced and fodder stores are about 10% where they should be following first cuts, - with significant deficits on some farms - the Teagasc June Fodder Survey has revealed. The results and key advisory messages arising from the Teagasc June Fodder survey were presented to the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC) on Monday. The committee met to discuss the current situation and outlook for tillage crops and grassland and to hear the latest estimate of fodder reserves across Ireland ahead of the coming winter period. The meeting also heard from Teagasc specialists and from farmer and industry representatives on the outlook for tillage crops, straw availability, grass growth and actions being taken by farmers. Tillage Crop Update Shay Phelan, Teagasc Crops Specialist, provided an update on the tillage crop situation. Despite the challenging weather conditions this year to date, winter barley harvest is set to begin within the next week. Winter barley and wheat crops are showing significant variability making yield predictions difficult at this point. Spring crops are expected to perform better than last year. However, the potential risks and challenges of a late harvesting season following the late spring sowing remain in place that could affect the yield and quality of both grain and straw. The overall outlook for straw availability is positive compared to 2023. Straw yields are expected to be better in 2024. However, given the challenges seen last year and the very low level of straw stocks carried over, livestock farmers are advised to book straw supplies early with tillage farmers to secure supply in good time. Grassland and Fodder Survey Results Michael ODonovan, from the Teagasc Grassland Research Department presented grass growth data based on PastureBase Ireland grass growth and utilisation data. Grass growth has reduced by approximately 10% so far in 2024 due to suboptimal weather conditions. However, this situation has improved in recent weeks. Slurry and chemical nitrogen applications are getting back up to date having been behind normal levels earlier in the year. However, there is a need to optimise fertiliser use, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), lime and organic fertilisers, for the remainder of the year to ensure grass production. Farmers are urged to contact their Teagasc or private advisor to complete a nutrient management plan. This will ensure that they have correctly assessed fertiliser N and P allowances to facilitate appropriate fertiliser applications. Now is the time to take advantage of grass growth opportunities. Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer at Teagasc, presented the results of the Teagasc June 2024 Fodder Survey, which included valid responses from 498 farms across the country. The survey revealed that fodder stocks after the first cut stand at 60% of requirements for dairy farms and 64% for drystock farms, against target levels of 70% and 77%, respectively for this stage of the year. Approximately 25-30% of farms in both sectors report significant deficits exceeding 10%. The data indicates an emerging winter feed deficit that necessitates immediate action on affected farms, said Mr Patton. Farmers need to plan for third cuts and secure additional feed based on their own fodder budgets. Key Recommendations and Advisory Messages Mike Magan, Chairman of the NFFSC in summing up the meeting highlighted that Proper planning and early action are vital to mitigate risks and secure fodder supplies. He particularly highlighted the key advisory messages for all farmers - Assess winter feed requirements and stocks: Calculate livestock numbers and demand versus current fodder stocks to create an accurate fodder budget. Optimise fertiliser use: Review year-to-date fertilizer usage and plan applications of organic and chemical fertilizers, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), and lime, for the remainder of the year. Plan for securing additional fodder: Maximize fodder production through second and third cuts, and source additional fodder through renting grassland and/or sourcing forage crops. Book straw supplies early: Due to potential late harvesting issues, early booking of straw supplies is recommended to ensure availability. Comments from the NFFSC members also emphasised the importance of farmers engaging with advisors and financial institutions to prepare comprehensive cash flow budgets to identify potential financial shortfalls and take pre-emptive measures to address them. The NFFSC meeting concluded with a call to action for the industry and for farmers to stay vigilant and proactive in managing fodder stocks and planning for the winter ahead. For further information, farmers are encouraged to contact their local Teagasc advisor or visit the Teagasc website for detailed guidance and support. The presentations, including the fodder survey results are available to download at: www.teagasc.ie/nffsc A large section of Sinn Fein supporters feel party leadership has failed to have their backs, Mary Lou McDonald has admitted. Ms McDonald made the remarks following a comprehensive and honest review of Sinn Feins recent electoral performance by the partys national leadership. She said the party had failed to reflect most peoples views on immigration, while also acknowledging Sinn Fein got it wrong by backing the Irish Governments referenda in March. More recently, Sinn Fein celebrated successes in the UK general election last week when it became Northern Irelands largest party at Westminster level in terms of both seats and vote share. However, that came on the back of a disappointing outing in the European and local council elections in the Republic of Ireland in June, where the party performed well below expectations despite modest gains. The Sinn Fein leader said the party would take decisive steps to prepare for the next general election in the Republic of Ireland. Speaking to the media after a party meeting in Dublin on Saturday, Ms McDonald said: Sinn Fein had a disappointing outcome in the recent local and European elections. Despite making slight gains, we fell significantly short of our own expectations. She added: We and I, as leader of this party, must acknowledge that for a sizable section of our supporters, there is a belief that we have failed to have their backs and that we didnt listen to their concerns. Its evident that in the local and European election campaigns, we lost trust and we lost support. So I have listened and we are going to listen every single day to what those who rely on Sinn Fein are telling us. That has always been our core strength. The most recent elections in the North illustrate what we can do when we are at our very best. In the local and European elections, we fell short of that standard. We must do better and we will. On immigration, Ms McDonald said the party failed to reflect where most people are at. The Sinn Fein leader said the Governments immigration policy did not make sense, was not transparent, and was unfair. She said: Sinn Fein stands firmly against racism. So, too, do the Irish people. We are a modern European economy and a strong one. We depend on migrant workers in so many areas of our society, not least our health service. Everyone must be treated with dignity with respect and in accordance with human rights standards. That is not in dispute. However, the State must also have an immigration policy that makes sense to people, thats transparent, thats fair and that works. And at present, that is not the case. We need a system that ensures applications are processed with clear criteria for determining who can come, whether they can work and what support they may receive. Ms McDonald said the party must bring clarity to what it is offering voters. She said: That means offering a crystal clear choice at the next general election between more of the same Fine Gael and Fianna Fail or a new government led by Sinn Fein and by listening to the concerns of those that we are so proud to represent. Ms McDonald said the party got it wrong by supporting yes votes in the Governments Family and Care referenda, adding: We must be big enough to admit that. The proposed constitutional amendments that would have extended the meaning of family beyond those defined by marriage and changed an acknowledgement of womens duties in the home to one about family carers, were overwhelmingly defeated. She said: We did what we should never do: We settled for second best. Many in our party and many of those who support our party rightly called us out on this. Ms McDonald said the party must be an unwavering voice for fairness, for decency, and for whats right. Members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society will join locals and others on Sunday, July 14, for the annual climb of Tory Hill on Fraochan Sunday. This ancient tradition pre-dates Christianity and is associated with the ancient Festival of Lughanasa. John Dwyer, who has written extensively on Pilgrim Paths of Ireland, will give a talk, on the summit of the hill, on the traditions associated with Fraochan Sunday and mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Ossory Dr Niall Coll at 3.30pm. Due to the limited availability of parking and to assist those not familiar with the area, a meeting point has been arranged for 1.30pm at Mullinavat Church carpark, where it is suggested people would car-pool if possible. READ MORE SOUTH KILKENNY NEWS For generations, Fraochan Sunday has been observed on Tory Hill. This ancient tradition, which takes place on the second Sunday in July, involves climbing the local landmark and picking berries known as fraochans or whorts. It would appear that while large numbers took part in years gone, falling numbers have been commented on since the 1930s at least. In July 1932, it was reported that while the event transformed the usually quiet and placid atmosphere of the historic hill into a lively and animated spectacle, the event like many more of our grand old Irish customs, is fastly losing its one-time happy glories, which are sadly being laid bare by the incursions of modernistic tendencies. The society acknowledges and thanks Kilkenny County Council for financial support, under the Creative Ireland Grant Scheme. News / National by Staff reporter A new report by Zimbabwe's acting Auditor-General, Rhea Kujinga, highlights significant financial mismanagement and non-compliance within various government ministries. Seven ministries failed to respond to audit findings, and the Treasury made direct payments to suppliers, bypassing the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). This violated section 13(1) of the Public Finance Management (Treasury Instructions), 2019.The 2023 audit report presented before Parliament revealed that 27 ministries and commissions had arrear payments totaling ZWL$2.9 trillion, US$557 million, and other foreign currencies. Additionally, unsupported expenditure by 13 ministries amounted to ZWL$967 billion and US$10 million.The audit also flagged issues such as weak procurement systems, with missing tender documents and non-delivery of assets worth millions of dollars. The report noted that advance payments were made for goods that were never delivered, resulting in improper charges against public funds.Other critical issues included the lack of accountability for fuel, with 173,070 liters of diesel and 2,015 liters of petrol not recorded, and 3,620 liters of diesel unaccounted for. The report underscores the need for better expenditure control and adherence to budgets to prevent the erosion of future budgets and to maintain effective government service delivery. Introduction During the dead zone of the Christmas and summer holidays in NZ, I thought Id report on what actual evidence there is of election fraud in the US Presidential election. This will be a 4 part series and will focus only on aspects of fraud that can be proven and that are consequential, by that I mean, on a scale sufficient to tip enough votes back to Trump to overcome a result in particular states. In my first post on this subject, it was a scattergun of all known and reported types of fraud and I did this only 7 days after the election when less was known and unearthed than is known now. Let me preface this by casting Kiwiblog readers minds back to the 2008 Presidential election and the time when Republican nominee John McCain announced that Sarah Palin, the former mayor of Visalia, Alaska would be his running mate. It was a shock announcement designed to provide some kind of youthful foil to the aged McCain struggling to compete against the charismatic young Barack Obama. The mainstream media were intent on assisting Obamas election and so took the Palin threat seriously and many large media organisations spent large sums on a cadre of investigative reporters who travelled to Alaska and literally dumpster dived for dirt on Palin and came up with a torrent of negative family and personal issues that were given front page prominence. We can see the same tenacity employed by the Washington Post alone in the initial months of the Watergate scandal in 1974, efforts that eventually led to President Richard Nixons resignation prior to likely impeachment from office. These stories illustrate that when the media want to get to the bottom of something, they leave no stone unturned to get to the truth. When it comes to ensuring the election of Joe Biden, the mainstream media have excelled in running cover for Biden and excoriating Trump and so when allegations of voter fraud began to emerge on and after 3 November 2020, not only were they incurious, they soon joined forces to demand proof and then were disinterested in investigating or reporting on the proof except to report on all the failed law suits, to urge Trump to concede and to label his supporters as unpatriotic deniers of the reality of Bidens election. Establishment Republicans soon joined the never-Trumpers as did establishment right leaning media (Fox News, National Review, and a number of centre right media people, even many who supported Trump), all adopting a view that even if there was fraud, it was hard to prove sufficient to overturn the election result and that Trump and his followers should move on to fight another day. Thus, it has been left to a group of lesser known conservative writers, bloggers, former politicians and media personalities and a bunch of forensic accountants, auditors, cyber security experts, statisticians, constitutional lawyers, and data analysts to crunch the numbers, look at the patterns and examine and report on the evidence, reporting that has gone almost completely unnoticed even ignored by the mainstream media. The mainstream media narrative on election fraud, despite the near blackout of reporting on evidence of the fraud (despite the constant hue and cry to produce evidence), has slowly evolved from: there was no fraud at all to, there was a little bit of fraud but theres always been fraud so whats the big to deal to, well perhaps there was more fraud this time than in previous election to, there maybe was more widespread fraud but not enough to overturn individual states results to, whatever fraud there was its too late now to do anything as all the officials and courts have ruled that the results should stand. I am going to focus on 4 specific examples of proven fraud in each part of the series and will do so in detail and to look at the some of the attempts to rebut these specific claims. 1 Retail fraud 2 Mass Chain of Custody Infractions 3 Forensic audit of voting machines in Michigan 4 Video and statistical evidence in Georgia These four examples are by no means the full and complete list of voter fraud as the list is long and growing. In the last part I will examine some of the court actions and resulting rulings. Proving fraud to the level of proof required in a criminal case (beyond reasonable doubt) is not easy because those committing fraud go to extraordinary lengths to cover their tracks. Often the case has to be built incrementally with fragments of proof from different sources. Usually this means some documentary evidence like bank statements, invoices, and other paper trails, often there are unusual patterns of flow of funds and of behaviour of the accused, some of this can be proven by historical comparison and others by use of affidavits from persons associated with the fraudsters who report unusual behaviour. Then there are background interviews with persons acquainted with the personal circumstances of the accused to build up provable motives. Large fraud trials such as the Bernie Madoff giant Ponzi scheme took years to bring to trial and consumed huge resources of large Federal agencies such as the SEC and FBI. In the case of proving election fraud to a level that courts or legislatures will take the extreme step of ruling an election invalid and awarding a states electors to the opponent alleging the fraud, those are history making decisions that require more than just circumstantial evidence and the proving of it must be done in days and weeks because the Constitution requires that a new President be inaugurated on January 20th after the election. It is a tall order no matter how widespread fraud might appear to be. Retail Fraud Retail fraud is defined as the counting of illegal votes cast by voters ineligible to vote or cast in an illegal manner as opposed to institutional fraud where portions of a states election procedures are unconstitutional resulting in whole categories of votes being counted when state electoral law says otherwise or industrial fraud involving possible manipulation of voting machines that count ballots. Retail fraud occurs in various ways. I am going to concentrate on provable instances on a scale that exceeds that of the narrow Biden current margins in the 4 of the 6 key battleground states (in bold) where widespread fraud is alleged (Arizona AZ, Georgia GA, Michigan MI, Nevada NV, Pennsylvania PA and Wisconsin WI). Note the current Electoral College Vote split is Biden 306 Trump 232 1 Ineligible voters in Wisconsin (margin for Biden 20,682 10 ECV) Dane County, WI Circuit Court Judge Troupis testified under oath to the US Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on 2020 Election Irregularities on December 16th and identified the following categories of illegally cast votes in WI: * Absentee voters who escaped signature scrutiny by falsely claiming to be indefinitely confined 28,395 illegal voters are identified as falsely using this status (Wisconsin has enacted some of the strictest voter verification procedures in the country that were flagrantly breached in the 2020 election. If you want to vote via absentee ballot in WI, you have to apply to have a ballot sent so as to have your signature on file and you have to have furnished additional evidence of your mailing address and ID (such as a utility bill and drivers license). You must also have a witness verify your application and the witness signature must also be verified. County Clerks in Democrat heavy Milwaukee and Dane counties (covering the largest city Milwaukee and the liberal WI capital and college town of Madison) made public suggestions on social media that voters could circumvent these strict procedures by registering as Indefinitely Confined (IC). Voters so designated are exempted from the witness and signature verification process due to their physical infirmity. Being confined by Covid was not deemed by the legislature as qualifying to be Indefinitely Confined. For the last 5 elections, the numbers of WI voters who registered as IC remained stable and low at around 70,000. The WI Supreme Court ordered the County Clerks to cease to promote such activity as being in contravention of WI electoral law. That however did not stop a surge in 2020 registrations for IC to over 200,000 voters. Furthermore, the Voter Integrity Project investigated the social media pages of 84 random recent IC registrations and found photo and video evidence of people biking, attending weddings, swimming, hiking, attending protests, some were registered poll workers and even one of Bidens WI electors claimed this status! Of the 84 surveyed, 45% were shown to have fraudulently used the IC process to circumvent the signature matching process of absentee ballots). * Absentee ballots with improperly completed envelope certificates that were counted 3,000 + (these were actual real votes checked during the recount. WI law is extremely strict, if the outside of the absentee ballot is not properly completed or was altered in any way, the vote must be discarded). * Absentee ballots with no County Clerk check initials but still counted 2,000 + (absentee ballots must be checked on arrival at the Clerks office as being compliant with the law and the Clerk initials each ballot this amount was just in Milwaukee and Dane Counties). * Absentee ballots illegally cast in advance at non-authorized locations 23,293 (in just the City of Madison, this number of absentee ballots were put into 200 illegal voting boxes scattered at locations all over the city whereas WI election law states explicitly that absentee ballots can only be dropped off at an official polling location on election day or before election day, they can only be dropped off at County Clerks designated offices). * People who cast absentee ballots who did not go through the statutory ballot application procedure 170,000 (Democrat County election officials arbitrarily deemed the signature on the outside of the envelopes of these ballots as an application circumventing state election law that voters were required to submit an application for absentee ballots before the issuing of ballots specifically to enable the state to have a signature on file to compare the signature on the returned ballot with to ensure the absentee vote was legally cast). Total illegal ballots cast in Wisconsin 226,688. Despite submitting this voluminous evidence to election officials and to courts in litigation, Democrat officials and judges have just ignored the evidence and continued to maintain that the certifications of votes were accurate. Since Bidens current margin of victory is only 9.1% of these illegal ballots, the Biden/Trump split on these illegal ballots only has to be 55/45 for Biden to lose. We already know that Biden won Milwaukee Countys absentee ballots by 79/20 so it would be safe to assume that had all the illegal ballots been disallowed, that Trump wouldve easily won Wisconsin. 2 Ineligible votes in Georgia (margin for Biden 11,779 16 ECV) The Trump campaign in Georgia investigated the states own official 2020 voter records and matched them to publicly available databases and unearthed the following list of voters who cast votes illegally. Please note this is an especially important point hence the bolding. These are actual lists of real 2020 election voters with names, addresses and sometimes dates of birth and matched against lists of convicted felons, PO Boxes and commercial mail locations, National Change of Address forms issued by the Post Office and death registers. In each category people have cast thousands of votes when they were not eligible under GA election law to do so and yet these illegal votes were counted: * Felons who voted 2,560 (it is illegal under GA law for felons to vote) * Underage voters 66,247 (people who turned 18 more than 6 months after November 3rd and so ineligible to vote on 3/11/20) * Unregistered voters 2,423 (under GA law you must be first registered to vote before you can vote just like in New Zealand) * Voting in two states 395 (people who moved from GA and voted in their new state AND GA) * Voters voting from other states 15,700 (people who filled out Change of Address forms with the USPS to locations out of state and yet still voted in GA. Once you leave GA, you cannot legally vote there anymore) * Voters using PO Box addresses 1,043 (GA law says you must register at a physical house address not a PO Box or a commercial mail clearance facility note a GA Democrat legislator checked 2 of the people on the list and found the box was in an apartment building) * Deceased voters 8,718 (people proven to have died before 3/11/20 and yet votes were recorded in their name) The total of PROVABLE illegally counted votes in Georgia was 97,086. The Trump campaign have furnished the state with the lists of the voters concerned and the Secretary of States office could match the names to ballots cast and disallow all illegally cast ballots. The SOS has refused to do so because he maintains the fiction that the election was clean and fair and does not want to admit that fraud occurred under his watch and he hides behind the already granted certifications to not check these votes. If all these illegally cast ballots were an in fact an even Trump/Biden split then Bidens lead would hold even with the discarded votes so officials would have nothing to lose if they support discarding the illegal votes. We can only conclude that the illegal votes that should be disallowed are overwhelmingly for Biden and so officials who have certified the vote for Biden would have to reverse their decision. 3 Ineligible voters in Nevada (Biden margin 33,596 6 ECV) Trump campaign attorney Jesse Binnell testified under oath to the US Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on 2020 Election Irregularities on December 16th and detailed the following illegal votes counted: On August 3rd, 2020, the Nevada Legislature passed AB 4 into law allowing universal mail in voting. That meant that ALL voters on the electoral rolls (that were known to be inaccurate, poorly maintained and rarely updated) were sent mail in ballots whether they requested them or not (as is required in many of the other swing states like FL, OH, AZ, WI, and PA). Thus, mail in ballots increased ten fold from 60,000 in 2016 to 690,000 in 2020 (out of just over 2 million registered voters in NV). By checking public voting records, they were able to determine that there were: * People voting twice 42,000 (found by actual checking of names, addresses and DOBs of voters and checking for things like use of name variants such as Bill then William or using married then maiden names) * Dead voters 1,500 (found from comparing lists of mail-in voters with Social Security death records) * Former NV residents voting from other states 19,000 + (this list excluded military voters and students and was found from the USPS Change of Address database) * Voting by people with ballots sent to undeliverable addresses 8,000 + (found by matching voter addresses with a coding accuracy support system that threw up undeliverable addresses US houses are not always numbered in sequential order like in NZ with the numbering often done to fit the number of houses into street blocks and keep house numbers in line with main streets that have numbers for names like 45th street. Thus 5 houses on one side of a street might be number 2345, 2351, 2357, 2363 and 2369. An undeliverable address would be 2365 for example). * Votes cast from commercial or vacant addresses 15,000 + (found from USPS official records under NV law you can only legally register from an occupied home address) * Votes cast by non US citizens 4,000 + (found from comparing Dept of Motor Vehicle records of non-citizens with voter records) This is a total of 130,000 illegally cast ballots and the determination does not come from estimations or random samples, they come from lists of ACTUAL voters comparisons with public records most of which are publicly available or can be purchased from list brokers. These comprehensive lists of fraudulent voters were furnished to Clark County election officials (covering the Las Vegas metro area) and to the NV Secretary of States Office and they have never been refuted, only ignored by the elected Democrats who hold those offices. Clark County election worker whistleblowers also alleged voting counting machine irregularities, but these could never be verified because the election officials would never allow any Trump campaign people access to any voting machines for the campaign to forensically examine them. 4 Voting irregularities in Arizona (margin for Biden 10,457 11 ECV) Matt Braynard of the Voter Integrity Fund and former data strategist for the Trump campaign testified before a hearing sponsored by Arizona State Legislators on December 7th in Phoenix and revealed the following about either ineligible voters: * Nonresidents of AZ casting illegal ballots in AZ 9,500 (Analysis of National Change of Address data from the USPS showed 5,700 out of state voters cast votes in Maricopa County alone. Given MC has only 60% of all voters in AZ, the figure is reached by extrapolating the percentage of out of state ballots cast for the whole state). * People sent mail-in ballots whose votes were counted but they said they never returned a ballot 19,154 (The Voter Integrity Project randomly sampled 2,237 people who the Maricopa County elections database counted as a received and recorded absentee ballot vote and yet 1% of the contacted people said they never voted. In other words, somebody fraudulently voted and sent in an absentee ballot on their behalf). Please note that Matt Braynards work has been challenged by experts brought in by Democrat Party defendants in lawsuits where Braynards statistical analysis has been submitted as part of the evidence. However, he has had other statistical experts go over his data and verify both the methods and findings here and here. * Corrected Trump ballots miscounted for Biden 3090 (If a voters ballot was run through a vote tabulation machine and the machine could not read the ballot perhaps due to marks on the page or paper damage, election workers created a duplicate ballot to run that through. The Republican Party of Arizona suspected that some of these duplicate ballots were not properly transposed thus decreasing Trumps vote tally. AZ GOP Chairwoman Dr Kelli Ward was told by Scott Jarrett, Director of the Maricopa County Elections Department on November 18th at the Logic and Accuracy Test inside the Tabulation Center that 103,000 duplicate ballots went to digital adjudication. The AZ GOP sued in Maricopa County Superior Court and the judge ordered a sample of 100 duplicate ballots be audited and of the 100 duplicate ballots examined, 1 vote that was cast for Trump was given to Biden and 1 that was cast for Trump was discarded which means a net 3 votes for Trump out of a small sample of 100 so 3%. A larger sample of 2,500 was allowed by the Maricopa Superior Court Judge Warner but the Maricopa County Attorney ordered the analysis stopped part way through to prevent the GOP from looking at the election day duplicates which came later in this sample and is where the problems in the first sample were found. The MC attorneys continued to stall until the judges 8 December deadline passed and his court order expired. This saga is detailed in a series of posts on the AZ GOP You Tube channel). Given these anomalies, and various others identified in the AZ Legislators hearing, the AZ Senate issued a subpoena for Dominion voting machines, digital images of scanned ballots and stored ballots so that a professional external 3rd party forensic audit of the vote in Maricopa County where the majority of Bidens narrow lead comes from could be performed. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors voted 4 1 to ignore the subpoena and so the State Senate has gone to court to get the subpoena enforced, The same Superior Court judge who ruled on the original limited audit has ruled that the subpoena is enforceable and just yesterday, the Arizona Attorney General has filed an amicus brief supporting the State Senate and given a legal opinion supporting the legality of the subpoena. The next course of action will be to call in State Troopers to enforce the subpoena and to seize the subpoenaed equipment to enable the ordered forensic audit to proceed. This is a total of 31,744 potentially illegally cast votes for Biden or three times his narrow margin. Flushing out these fraudulent ballots requires the cooperation of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors who govern the election process in the county that has substantially contributed to Bidens victory. His 45,000 vote lead in MC overcomes the strong Trump leads in the rural counties. These fraudulent votes are mostly in Maricopa County and Democrat stronghold Tucson in Pima County, that has not featured in the AZ GOP lawsuits, where likely the same level of fraud occurred, there were 526,000 votes cast. If the vote management and count was clean, then surely officials would welcome audits not fight them. Conclusion 4 states with 43 combined Electoral College votes have proven retail fraud of a scale in each state, if properly investigated and the illegal votes were disallowed, would result in an ECV split of Trump 275 Biden 263. This does not include Pennsylvania (20 ECV) where institutional fraud against the State Constitution took place that can only be reversed by the US Supreme Court (unlike the Texas case that they voted 7-2 to refused to hear, they have docketed to hear this case. but on January 22nd) and Michigan (16 ECV) where industrial level fraud took place that can only be reversed by statewide forensic audits of the voting machines (unlikely to happen). Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr First off, this will not be a post about lawyer Sidney Powell and her fellow attorney Lin Woods allegations about Dominion Voting Systems (DVS). Whilst the allegations they make are interesting and could end up being correct, it is not possible to prove such grand and sweeping statements with anything remotely close to what a court needs to overturn an election result. Their various lawsuits have been chock full of foreign interference allegations and her various proof documents require a computer science degree to decipher. In the tight timeframes and high burden of proof that is required to prove election fraud in 2020, they are both indulging in wishful thinking however well intentioned. Lin Wood has complicated matters with his recent inflammatory and bordering on crazy tweets. That said, there are clearly issues with the Dominion voting machines but filing affidavits with a 12 year old story from a former Venezuelan army intelligence officer is not ever going to persuade a court to overturn election results or even get an order to examine machines. A good number of the thrown out lawsuits on election fraud have sourced from Powell and Wood and it doesnt take a law degree to figure out why. There is a reason why the Trump campaigns lawyers (Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis) early on in the litigation process made a public statement distancing themselves them Powell and Wood and one only has to read the court filings from the different camps and compare their quality to see why. There is no denying that a series of unusual statistical anomalies occurred with the vote counts mostly of absentee ballots early in the morning of November 4th in the 6 key states where Trump either led substantially after the polls closed (PA, MI, WI and GA), was expected to lead based on historical vote counting patterns (AZ) and was in with a chance to overcome a Biden lead (NV). The same could be said for Minnesota, Virginia and New Mexico. This is a short summary of three of these anomalies that have no precedent either in prior elections or can be found in other battleground states such as Florida, Ohio, Iowa and North Carolina (all states that Obama won easily, Trump won in 2016 and easily won re-election in 2020): 1 Virginia: when you view the raw data feed (graph 2/3rds down the article) sent to the pool media outlets from the county recorders offices via Edison Research (the nominated aggregator of real time election counting data), a series of 37 consecutive absentee ballot counting dumps from 8.02 am EST on 4/11/20 to 9.30pm EST on 6/11/20, all reported an almost identical winning margin for Biden (54/45). It is hard to draw any other conclusion than there was some kind of electronic manipulation of the data. 2 Pennsylvania: The absentee ballot vote counts reported through the night of 3 November and into the following days, when you examine the Biden/Trump split of absentee ballots by county (see graph 2/3rds through the article), Biden leads Trump by 40% evenly in every county in PA regardless of where and yet the split on election day was more pro Biden in the big cities and more pro Trump in the smaller towns and rural counties, a pattern that is the norm. The same regional variation in party strength was evident in the absentee ballot count in PA in 2016 and in other states in 2020 that were not part of the disputed 6. Such a bizarre statistical anomaly again can only be explained by something preprogrammed into the machine doing the counting of the absentee ballots. 3 Georgia: I will cover what happened in GA in a separate post tomorrow. 4 Michigan: Analysis of precinct by precinct candidate vote splits (begins at 34 37) in Macomb County revealed similar odd results that defy statistical and historical norms. In the historically strongest Democrat precincts in the county, the Biden/Trump split appears to be normal but if you plot each precinct by its historical party voting strength in a continuum with strongest Democrat on the left to strongest Republican on the right and plot them in descending order of GOP strength from left to right, in the traditional GOP precincts, the stronger the traditional GOP vote, the wider the margin of victory for Biden! This trend continues in a clean direct linear line and against all the norms of voting behaviour (i.e., the stronger the precinct has been for the Republican party, the bigger the margin of Trumps victory a trend that is obvious in other states not in the fraud firing line). The only logical explanation is the possibility of a vote switching algorithm designed to skim Trump votes to Biden in even but small incremental steps based on the core Trump vote. It is one thing to report these anomalies and to hypothesise on their electronic origin, it is something else to prove that the voting machines caused them. The raw results are suspect, unusual, statistically next to impossible to happen randomly and have never before been seen but proving how they occurred is not easy if you cant forensically examine the voting machines and getting that done has not been easy as Democrat controlled county election officials and courts have been unanimous and swift in rejecting requests to perform audits or for courts to order them. One exception occurred in Antrim County in rural northern Michigan with a population of only 24,000 residents and with small towns and villages of between 1,000 and 2,500 being the norm. Trump won Antrim County 62/33 or 8,469 to 4,448 in 2016. On election night 2020, Biden appeared to have pulled off a landslide in this conservative rural community 7,769 to Trump 4,509 or almost a complete reversal of the 2016 result. 3 days later the vote was changed to Trump 9,783 to Biden 7,289 and then again on 16/11 it was changed to Trump 9,748 to Biden 5,760 or back to the same split he got v Clinton in 2016. This reversal and mistake was described by the Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as a clerical error more on that later. Suspicions in Antrim County over the accuracy of the Dominion machines were heightened when a bizarre result of a school board election in the Ellsworth School District on election night showed 653 people had voted when in fact only 3 people were eligible to vote. Similar anomalies occurred in Central Lake School District where election night vote totals were out by 800 votes out of a total of 1,800. Likewise, a ballot initiative in Central Lake as to whether a marijuana shop could open showed the initiative winning on the night but tying after a revision. On top of the huge swings in the Presidential race, a local lawyer Matthew dePerno began to demand answers and sued to have a forensic analysis done on five Dominion machines in Antrim County. On 27/11 and 6/12 Allied Securities Operations Group, a Texas based expert computer cyber security analysis firm, visited three townships in the county to examine voting tabulation machines and finally the Antrim County election office to do what is called a forensic duplication of their servers, flashcards, and memory sticks of both the central computer and site Poll Books (what wed call the electoral roll in NZ). What was the upshot of the forensic analysis? Please note, it took a court order to get the report released. The MI Democrat Secretary of State fought to keep it from being released. Before going over the findings, it is important to summarise how DVS works. Essentially there are two types of ballots stored in the system after tabulation (either by scanning manual ballots or done at voter touch screen terminals depending on the state or county procedure): normal ballots and adjudicated ballots. Normal ballots are counted immediately whilst adjudicated ballots are sent to a separate computer folder where an election official looks at the ballot and decides as to which candidate received this voters vote. The official (or anyone with sign in credentials in the DVS machines) can arbitrarily decide which candidate got that vote. Federal regulations govern the adjudication rate that voting machines can be set to which is only 1 vote in every 250,000 can be sent to adjudication or 0.008%. This reflects the historical trend in the percentage of ballots that cannot be clearly read by the machines. What Allied Securities Operations Group found with the Antrim county machines they examined is that they were set to a default adjudication rate of a whopping 68%, that means 2 out of every 3 ballots that the machines in Antrim county were tabulating votes for were being sent to an adjudication folder in the computer and anyone with access to the system could enter in and assign each and every one of those votes to whoever they decided. It explains why so many vote tallies were messed up but more worrying, it demonstrated that Dominions voting machines were hard wired to make fraud easy to perform as there is no recourse to reverse an adjudicated ballot except by those operating the machines. Once it is formally counted after adjudication the original scanned ballot is deleted and only the adjudicated ballot remains in the system so this fraud could never be detected in a recount. The MI Secretary of State then claimed that the Antrim County glitch occurred because of a post-election software update but the Allied Securities forensic audit found that the software update occurred before 3 November and a second one occurred well after the furor over the glitch. The cyber security analysts concluded that the Antrim county voting machines loaded with such a massive error rate so blatantly out of sync with federal adjudication guidelines meant that it was not safe to certify the results in Antrim County as tabulated by DVS machines. This audit made no difference to the Michigan result and indeed I have left Michigan out of my analysis because the 150,000 vote margin for Biden, whilst I believe is fraudulent, would require a court to rule a large category of ballots ineligible such as all ballots counted in the TCF Center on the evening of 3 November due to the expulsion of all GOP vote count observers in contravention of Michigan election law. No judge is going to do that without an examination of all the voting machines used in Wayne County. Whilst some commenters on this blog have crowed about all the failed lawsuits, they forget that not all have failed and the one that lead to this forensic audit was a success. The concern arising from the Antrim County audit has emboldened state legislators to demand forensic audits in other contested counties. I already mentioned that the AZ Senate has subpoenaed the voting machines used in Maricopa County suspecting the same adjudication and other issues. Just on Thursday the Georgia House Justice Committee unanimously voted for a forensic examination of Fulton County voting machines. More on Fulton County, GA tomorrow. The Antrim County forensic audit did not move the needle in Michigan, but it provided proof of built in software mechanism that are ripe for fraud to occur. Watch for growing pressure from state legislators to subpoena and examine more voting machines in contested counties. If all the election officials in the six contested states believe the 3 November vote was fair and there was no fraud (as they and the media allege) then surely allowing forensic examination of voting machines should be welcomed to prove there was no fraud. Instead, all we see is obfuscation, dissembling, delaying tactics and maneuvers in court to block the Republicans and others from examining the machines. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr This is part 4 of 4 (cue a sigh of relief from the Trump skeptics). Georgia has become ground zero for 2020 Presidential election voter fraud allegations because in that state, the three types of voter fraud (retail, constitutional and industrial) are all present. Georgia adds an additional layer of fascination because the Governor (Brain Kemp) and the Secretary of State (Brad Raffensperger) are Republicans and tension over voter fraud allegations have sparked intra party tension inside the GA GOP and around the country. The Georgia State Legislature also has the distinction of holding the most hearings on voter fraud and those hearings have been official in that authorized State Senate Committee chairs have convened them under normal committee meeting rules on the premises of the State Legislature. Also, in the GA hearings, Democrat legislators have been present and have cross examined witnesses. In AZ, the hearings were not formal, were attended only by Republican legislators and were held at a hotel in Phoenix. Pennsylvania Legislature hearings had only Republican legislators present. I covered the retail fraud evidence in Georgia in part 1. Changes to the manner in which the election was held in GA were likely unconstitutional in similar manner to the changes in Pennsylvania and those changes (particularly the watering down of the signature verification process as a consequence of a Consent Decree between the GA Secretary of States office and the GA Democratic Party) have been front and centre in the constitutional challenges about the GA elections. Much is made of all the lawsuits on election fraud that have failed. Analyzing all the cases would be a separate lengthy post in itself that I wont attempt, suffice it to say that the mainstream media narrative is to lump all suits together as one mass of failure with little to no analysis as to why specific suits did not succeed. Standing matters, quality of evidence matters, matching the remedy to the alleged fraud matters and yes, the politics of the judges matters hugely as does a natural human reluctance to not be the one person to overturn a Presidential election. Time also matters large fraud takes time to prove, even for law enforcement agencies who have the resources of a state or federal government to back them up. Much of the work of unearthing the fraud has been done by a small number of experts who lack resources and lawsuits have been brought in a scattergun throw-it-all-up-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks approach. If you want Federal judges to take your case seriously then you have to do better than that. The Trump campaign itself has filed relatively few suits and it has one already accepted by SCOTUS to be heard (the PA case on 22/1/21). In the case of Georgia, several of the failed suits were filed by Sidney Powell and Atlanta based defamation attorney Lin Wood. Powells suits invoke her Kraken which comprises allegations of the vast global network of foreign interference and control of the Dominion machines. Proving allegations like this are best left to the heads of agencies like the CIA or DNI (Director of National Intelligence) and pulling together proof of anything this grand, assuming the institutional stomach exists to even do it, would take years of costly intelligence work. It is little wonder that Powells suits are summarily dismissed. Wood likewise lays out the GA fraud but lards his suits with the same Kraken stuff and then accompanies his efforts with endless and quite nasty personal attacks on judges and the very GA Republican politicians he is attempting to get courts to rule against. This is tactical stupidity and so some of the legitimate and legally correct arguments he might make in the GA situation are lost in the hot mess of the grand conspiracy stuff he traffics in. This almost begs a court to dismiss. Still other suits are brought by well meaning individuals and organisations who avoid these excesses but nonetheless dont have sufficient standing to warrant the extreme remedy being sought. In the midst of this thicket of messy and ineffectual suits are a handful that are targeted, factual and backed by evidence brought by plaintiffs with clear standing and they are the few that are working their way through the layers of courts. Time will tell how many SCOTUS will hear. When it comes to the allegations of industrial fraud, that of manipulation of vote totals by tabulation machines and of the introduction of fraudulent ballots on a large scale to provide the paper ballot backup to the machine manipulation, I covered in Part 3 some of the difficulties in proving this. Perhaps the most public and significant of these allegations revolve around the footage of election workers in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Fulton County, GA filmed on security camera on the day and evening of November 3rd as presented by the Trump campaign to members of the Georgia Legislature at the first set of GA hearings held on December 3rd. The GA Secretary of States office and a number of liberal fact check sites were quick out of the blocks with denials and explanations and if you are a Trump supporter or someone inclined to believe there was election fraud, the video was a slam dunk and if you are not a Trump fan and think that the election fraud claims are either false or overblown then the fact checks will mean you will say or write that this footage has been debunked. I am going to devote only this paragraph on this incident but claim, counter claim and counter-counter claims are well summarised in this then this excellent article. In reality, unless a court has time to subpoena and hear witness testimony under oath from all participants in this event with election and forensic experts pouring over the video footage, the effect of this incident will be more to provide a sense of disquiet about what actually happened that adds to other evidence that continues to come forth sufficient for the GA Legislature to order forensic examinations of the machines and for some to urge a rethink its certification of the 16 Biden electors for Georgia. On Wednesday last week (30/12/20), at the 2nd GA State Legislature hearing, more of that evidence was forthcoming and it was more definitively compelling and sparked a response that somewhat reinforces the allegations of fraud. Perhaps the most compelling 20 minutes of testimony came from three members of the Data Integrity Group (DIG). Their testimony is found from 4:2416 to 4:460, the bulk of which was done by Justin Mealey, a former electronic warfare technician with the US Navy for 9 years, a CIA contract data analyst and programmer for the National Counterintelligence Centre and currently working for one of the big 4 accounting firms as a programmer. and David Lobue, a machine learning expert and data scientist. They began by saying that they are data analysts, and that data are numbers and data are nonpartisan. The DIG believe they have proven fraud in GA with data by analysing 3 data sources: 1 The New York Times/Edison Research data feed which are time series publications of votes added at different intervals county by county. 2 Scytl data source which bifurcates the same data to Edison and the GA Secretary of State and his offices certification of GA was off that data source. 3 GA Secretary of States own data as a third check. On this data they applied vigorous and thoroughly tested standard fraud detection processes and machine learning algorithms used to routinely detect fraud in many real world fraud settings. The data sources are freely available to the public and the DIG processes, codes and research is public so it can be replicated. Their research in GA alone unearthed 40 negative vote instances (by that they mean that incremental time sequential vote totals for Trump went backwards) and vote switching events totaling 200,000 votes. In Fulton County (incorporating metropolitan Atlanta), they found that Biden garnered the following statistically impossible vote percentages in the following precincts: 90 to 93% in 28 precincts 94% in 51 precincts 95% in 36 precincts 96 to 100% in 36 precincts So, in 150 + in Fulton County precincts, Biden won over 90% of the vote and got a total of 152,000 votes. In Dekalb County, Biden got 90% or more of the vote in a staggering 94 precincts. Both counties voting patterns are, to experienced data analysts, major markers for fraud. Note that Bidens current margin in GA is only 11,779 votes. They discovered vote count switching in 3 counties: Dodge, Putnam and Dougherty. Please note that with ongoing reporting of vote counts, incremental vote totals can only be additive. From these 3 counties alone, over the time period investigated, 30,000 Trump votes disappear. Why would cumulative vote totals go backwards? Because votes were being switched and removed from Trumps total. The updates occurred from other counties simultaneously that were not switched thus hiding the effect statewide. In one single instance, that occurred in the few minutes time lag between the state aggregation of county results, this switch in Bibb County went undetected in state reporting especially as it occurred between the state refresh and update: 9:11pm Trump 29,391 Biden 17,218 9:13pm Trump 17,218 Biden 29,391 A direct switch of 23,173 votes in the space of a couple of minutes. The DIG explained the only way that this could occur by going through, with the use of graphics, the GA voting process which is as follows: The voter is checked at a Poll pad (a tablet at the first desk you come to at a polling station) The voter casts their vote at a precinct terminal in a polling booth and the image is saved on the voting machine When the polls close, the SD cards from each machine containing all ballot images are removed from the terminal and transported by car (in Fulton county to one of 4 drop off locations) The SD cards are taken in police cars to a warehouse in downtown Atlanta Inside this location, the raw votes are run through tabulation software called Democracy Suites which counts the ballots and exports the totals to a Dominion server Dominion inserts these totals into a sequel server database Those results are directly transmitted to the Scytl reporting server The Scytl sever reports to the SOS website and Edison then Edison to CNN, ABC, NYT, CBS, AP and Fox and then on to wider media outlets reporting results. DIG focused on the 4 options that can occur at the tabulation machine (step 5). 1 create new batches, 2 reject batches (delete manually or manually enter vote numbers), 3 validate batches and 4 validate and publish. Anyone with access to the election software has the ability to manipulate large batches of votes all BEFORE data are uploaded to the server. Apart from step 5, the whole process is machine to machine using humans only as a medium of transfer there is no human entry of any data into a spreadsheet, this removes the human error or glitch argument as there is no human data entry as part of the process. The vulnerability in the system is the vote tabulation machine where everything either side is essentially tamper proof. There should never be any subtraction of votes in the incremental process of adding new votes as time goes by and more votes are counted. So how was the fraud achieved? I take you back to the forensic analysis of the Antrim County Dominion machines. Remember the built in error rate 1000 times larger than the federally mandated limit that sent two thirds of the votes to adjudication. Watch this 20 second TV announcement on election day with a Fulton County Elections spokesman (4:3241 in the YT link above). Here an actual election official admits that, of 113,130 votes counted for Fulton County, they adjudicated 106,000 or 93%! Think about that for a minute. That meant that all but 7% of these ballots in Fulton County were sent to an adjudication folder and an election official panel decided who got what vote! Not only does this explain the massive statistical anomalies detailed earlier, it also explains why none of this fraud was unearthed in the two recounts that were held. When ballots are adjudicated, the new ballot after adjudication is the only one that is left in the audit trail. Once it is adjudicated, the original ballot in question is deleted and so will NOT show up in a recount. The GA recounts simply recounted the adjudicated ballots, and the original voter intent cannot be rechecked as it has been destroyed with no audit trail of this happening. No explanation has been given as to why vote tallies went backwards, why votes were switched and why Biden won in excess of 90% of the vote in so many precincts when there is no historical precedent of even Obama wining those precincts by anywhere near those lopsided totals. What was the effect of this and other testimony? The GA Senate Committee issued a unanimous bipartisan recommendation of a full audit of the election in Fulton County. One expert witness testimony (see the linked YT clip from 1:0332 to 2:2816), tech wizard and inventor Javon Pulitzer, one of the pioneers of QR code scanning technology, apart from live hacking into a Voter Pad currently in use for the GA Senate runoff elections to once again demonstrate the lie of Dominions CEO that none of their hardware is connected to the internet, offered his forensic document examination skills to determine if an absentee ballot was real or a fake on the premise that real absentee ballots will have fold marks and the ballot oval will be filled in with a pen. There are several affidavits from GOP observers from Fulton County stating that some of the absentee ballots they observed being counted were flat, pristine, unfolded and had the voter intention oval filled in as if by a machine printer. Furthermore, Pulitzer alleged that Fulton County bar coded Republican absentee ballots but not Democrat ballots (see 1:1437 in the 2nd GA Senate Meeting You Tube linked earlier) so that the GOP coded ballots were designed to cause an error message and be automatically sent to adjudication. No sooner had the GA Senate Committee passed its audit resolution then the order went out for the stored paper ballots that the committee want to subject to audit to be destroyed. Overstock founder and Trump supporter Patrick Byrne had an operative who infiltrated the warehouse where some of the fraudulent ballots were stored and took a series of photos that he posted to Twitter and observed rental trucks pulling up to take ballots away for military grade shredding. If there was nothing to hide from an audit, why would this be ordered? So many questions with no plausible explanations. End game What will happen this week? David did a summary yesterday. On Wednesday January 6th, the Electoral College votes will be opened in a joint session of Congress presided over by Vice President Mike Pence. The Electoral Count Act of 1887 states that if a single member of the House AND the Senate object to any of the Electoral College votes that a debate of at least 2 hours must take place. To date 12 senators have said they will object, and it is said over 100 Members of the House will object. Yesterday VP Pence acknowledged the growing evidence of fraud and indicated his willingness to use the certification process to get to the bottom of the allegations. President Trump has vowed to present a large amount of evidence of electoral fraud to the joint session of Congress although it is unknown if this includes anything new that has not already been presented at the various state legislature hearings. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has proposed the 1877 solution that was used when there were challenges to the ECV arising from the 1876 election where an Electoral Commission comprising of 5 Senators, 5 Congressmen and 5 Justices of the Supreme Court who were empowered to investigate election irregularities and rule which they did 8-7 in favour of Rutherford B Hayes. Cruz is suggesting 10 days to present all the evidence of fraud to allow for the January 20th inauguration. The law gives the Vice President plenary power in this session which essentially means he can go in a number of different directions at his sole discretion and in the 3 prior instances of contested or dueling electors, Vice Presidents have done different things. In 1801 VP Thomas Jefferson accepted the competing electors to ensure his own election to President, in 1961 VP Richard Nixon accepted the original Democrat electors from Hawaii ignoring the competing electors from his own party that, had he accepted them, wouldve ensured his victory over John F Kennedy or Pence could follow the 1877 precedent of an Electoral Commission. He could just order a straight vote on the ECVs by chamber which would result in acceptance of the Biden electors as the Democrats control the House and, whilst Republicans lead the Senate 50 48 right now (due to the two current vacant seats in GA subject to the 5/1/21 runoff elections), the GOP likely would face defections from Trump hostile or skeptic Senators like Mitt Romney (Utah), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine). Pence could decide to accept neither set of electors due to the controversy and taint of fraud and, since no candidate gets to 270 as required by the Constitution to be elected then, under Article 12, the election is thrown to the House who vote in this instance by delegation with one vote per state and the vote going to the party that controls the majority of House seats in that state. Since the members of the 118th Congress will be seated and sworn in tomorrow 4/1/21, the partisan delegation split is 26 Republican 22 Democrat with two states locked in a tie. If the vote gets to a 12th Amendment contingent election vote in the House then Trump wins. Pence could also defer to a new Electoral Commission but empower them only to present evidence and then after the production of the evidence, pass the impasse back to the State Legislatures and to ask them to decide on one of the duelling slate of electors. If the evidence of fraud is compelling, some or all of the Republican controlled legislatures in PA, MI, WI, GA and AZ may overturn their original certifications, if not compelling enough then the original electors would stand. Personally, I think that is the best option to put the allegations to bed one way or another. We are in for an exciting week! Thank you all for taking the time to read even if you dislike Trump and thought I was wasting my time. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Disaggregated population data vital to understanding Chinese family aspirations: experts Xinhua) 14:47, July 13, 2024 XIONG'AN, Hebei Province, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Global experts on Friday noted the importance of collecting further disaggregated and new population data in China to better understand the aspirations of individuals regarding reproduction and care for children and the elderly. They made the remarks at a seminar held in north China marking the World Population Day, observed annually on July 11, during which the United Nations Population Division anticipated continuing low fertility and ageing in China in its latest projections of global population trends. "China is experiencing one of the most rapid demographic transitions in the world. There is a greater need to produce further data to understand individual's aspirations for reproduction and access to social, health and education services," Ira Ovesen, officer-in-charge of the United Nations Population Fund in China, said in the Xiong'an New Area of Hebei Province. She said China has all the requisite conditions -- commitment, human and financial resources, as well as technical and technological factors -- in place to innovate on a new data chain that "better reflects the evolving population dynamics and supports tailored policy making." With a global theme on inclusive data, the World Population Day this year highlights the significance of population data for sustainable development. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action, central to which is the recognition that women's sexual and reproductive health and rights are cornerstones of sustainable development. Yang Jinrui, deputy director of the department of population surveillance and family development at the National Health Commission of China, said China is strengthening population surveillance and projections and improving data collection and analysis in response to evolving demographic transitions resulting from socio-economic development. "China will focus on high-quality development of the population, regularly release population data and project reproduction trends and population changes," Yang said. Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University and vice president of the China Population Association, said population data are a new and important type of resources that can help us understand the general situation, plan family life and seek socio-economic development. "I hope population data can serve as strong support for our pursuit of a resilient and fair future," Yuan said. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) News / National by Staff reporter The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has initiated repairs on malfunctioning boreholes using emergency funds provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Mayor David Coltart announced that these NGOs have mobilized resources to address the city's water crisis. While the Zimbabwe National Water Authority has been requested to handle boreholes outside of Bulawayo, the city focuses on those within its jurisdiction.Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu reported that Bulawayo has 412 community boreholes, of which 43 are non-functional. In June, UNICEF, with Africa Ahead as the implementing partner, rehabilitated 12 boreholes. An additional 35 boreholes are under assessment for rehabilitation under an emergency water response program supported by SIDA-ACF, again with Africa Ahead as the partner.Despite these efforts, 76 boreholes around the city remain broken, causing residents to struggle for water. The city's water and sanitation department indicated that repairs have been delayed due to a shortage of spare parts. Earlier this year, the BCC proposed fixing all malfunctioning boreholes to alleviate the water shortage, a plan discussed at a meeting organized by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association. Ward 3 Councillor Mxolisi Mahlangu confirmed that the engineering department is actively working on this issue. UNION - Hundreds of people gathered in the gymnasium of East Central College in Union for the funeral of fallen Assistant Boone County Fire Chief Matthew Tobben. Dozens of law-enforcement vehicles from agencies across the state escorted his casket from the Oltmann Funeral Home off the Union town square to the university campus Saturday morning. A central theme from the first responders at the funeral that they all gathered from Tobben was his commitment to family. "His heart and drive was simple," a guest speaker said during the Catholic service. "To provide for his family, and help others." Tobben, 42, died Monday during a swift-water rescue in northern Columbia. Tobben was driving a boat rescuing two civilians in floodwaters. Tobben, another firefighter and two civilians were thrown out of the boat after it capsized in the water, according to past KOMU 8 reporting. The other firefighter and the civilians made it to safety. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. "He defined the word hero. He was the best of us," a fellow firefighter and speaker said during the service. Firefighters carry fallen Boone County Fire Protection District Asst. Chief Matthew Tobbens casket to his funeral. The ceremony will begin in 10 minutes. Stream it live on https://t.co/gmPEbcVJVY and follow along for complete coverage on @KOMUnews pic.twitter.com/IH03maXSfG John Murphy (@johnmurphynews) July 13, 2024 Tobben served at the Union Fire Protection District for 19 years before coming to the Boone County Fire Protection District in 2024 after he was appointed as assistant fire chief, according to his obituary. Tobben leaves behind his wife and two children. Another speaker at the funeral made them a promise. "Matt's life is an inspiration, that we should all strive to be half the man that he was. To (his family), just know that his fire family will be here for each and every one of you," he said. Gov. Parson ordered flags across Missouri to be flown at half mast on Saturday in Tobben's honor. News / National by Staff reporter Opposition Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator Takudzwa Ngadziore has filed a lawsuit at the High Court, demanding US$150,000 from state security agents who allegedly abducted and tortured him last year.Ngadziore identified the operatives, Nicholas Kajese and Abraham Pasi, through social media after the incident was livestreamed. He is suing these operatives along with Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director-General Isaac Moyo, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga, and Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe.Ngadziore claims he was abducted outside his residence in Harare on November 1, 2023, while on his way to a parliamentary session. He was reportedly blindfolded, stripped naked, and tortured by gun-brandishing men who injected him with an unknown substance before dumping him in Christon Bank.During the ordeal, he was questioned about his political activities and plans for the CCC. A passer-by found Ngadziore and took him to a medical facility for treatment.Represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Ngadziore argues that his abduction and torture were unlawful and violated his constitutional rights to personal security, freedom from torture, and human dignity. He is seeking US$50,000 each for pain and suffering, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and humiliation and embarrassment. The case is yet to be scheduled for hearing. Experts fear Seouls participation can further strain relations with Beijing By Kwak Yeon-soo There is an ongoing discussion as to whether South Korea will join the AUKUS Pillar 2 in the face of deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The AUKUS an acronym for Australia, the U.K. and the U.S. is a trilateral security partnership formed among the three countries in 2021 to counter Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Pillar 2 of the AUKUS aims to share advanced military technology in areas such as hypersonic missiles, artificial intelligence and cyber technology, whereas Pillar 1 involves delivering nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. In May, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said the possibility of joining the AUKUS Pillar 2 was discussed during a 2 Plus 2 meeting among foreign and defense ministers in Melbourne, Australia. We do welcome that AUKUS members are considering South Korea as an AUKUS Pillar 2 partner. Korea's defense science and technology capabilities will contribute to the peace and stability of the development of the AUKUS Pillar 2 and regional peace, Shin said during a press conference following the meeting. Last months summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un strengthened military alliance between the two countries, putting South Koreas security at risk. The two signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement, which involves providing mutual defense assistance in case either side faces an armed attack. The government is now facing growing calls to engage in discussions with AUKUS members to weigh up the economic and security benefits and costs about whether joining Pillar 2 is in the national interest. The presidential office said it is in the early stages of discussion and it would require a considerable amount of time for review. Although nothing has been decided yet, experts see Seouls participation as an opportunity to boost deterrence against North Korea and other security threats. South Korea has much to gain from joining AUKUS Pillar 2, especially around this time when North Korea and Russia are strengthening military ties, Ban Kil-joo, a research professor at Korea University, said. The AUKUS Pillar 2 isnt just a security partnership. Its more like a new Cold War-era military alliance. Thus, it will contribute to peace and stability in the region. Doo Jin-ho, a research fellow at the Center for Security and Strategy in the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said joining AUKUS Pillar 2 would mean falling under U.S.-led lattice-like architecture. This strategic framework refers to several small cooperation groups, including South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation, the AUKUS and the Quad. If South Korea joins the AUKUS Pillar 2, it will be able to deter, defend and respond to threats from North Korea, among other regional threats. The U.S., U.K. and Australia will provide security assurance and South Korea will be able to learn about emerging military technologies, Doo said. However, experts pointed out that joining the AUKUS Pillar 2 would also come with risks. Seouls participation would likely deteriorate its already-tense relationship with Beijing, since the pact is widely seen as part of U.S.-led efforts to counter Chinas assertiveness in the region. The Chinese Embassy in Washington objected to the arrangement, saying AUKUS is essentially about fueling military confrontation through military collaboration. "It (AUKUS) creates additional nuclear proliferation risks, exacerbates the arms race in the Asia-Pacific and hurts regional peace and stability. China is deeply concerned and firmly opposed to it," Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA on May 6. Ban said, China will probably be upset if South Korea participates in AUKUS Pillar 2, but I think we should manage the risk by assuring China that Pillar 2 is a platform for technology collaboration. Doo feared that the governments efforts to stabilize ties with China might come to nothing. South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers resumed talks and Seoul hosted a long-suspended South Korea-Japan-China trilateral summit in May. Seoul will likely face a strong opposition from Beijing. China may retaliate by joining forces with North Korea and Russia, heightening tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Doo said. Pundits suggested South Korea should adopt strategic ambiguity until the U.S. election. There is no need to make a hasty decision. We can use it as a leverage tool to engage with like-minded countries and deter North Korean aggression, Doo said. Meanwhile, Japan, New Zealand and Canada are reportedly under consideration for AUKUS Pillar 2 partners. North Korea on Saturday vehemently objected to the declaration adopted by the leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) last week, labeling it an "illegal document." The declaration "violates the legitimate rights of independent sovereign states and a confrontational program that incites new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale," according to a statement released by North Korea's foreign ministry through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). On Wednesday, NATO adopted a joint statement expressing concerns about the growing partnership and illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. North Korea alleged Washington has "persistently tried" to incorporate pro-U.S. Asian countries into NATO over the past decade. It warned that "the U.S.'s strategy of NATO 'globalization' could certainly bring the danger of a worldwide war." This statement is seen as a warning against the expanded cooperation pursued at the NATO Summit, which included four Indo-Pacific regional partners: South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. "We will never overlook or avoid the looming grave threat but thoroughly deter the aggression and war threat with stronger level of strategic counteraction and defend peace and security in the region and the rest of the world," the statement said. (Yonhap) In a show, NMIXX Haewon mentioned 2 female idols that she thought were the prettiest in the K-pop scene. On July 11, 4th-gen representatives Haewon and (G)I-DLE Shuhua appeared on the YouTube channel, "Workman" and worked as part-timers for a roasted chicken restaurant. During the show, the two stars showed funny chemistry and witty antics while doing their job, Shuhua then opened an interview session among them while putting fillings in the chickens. Haewon started: "Which hoobae (junior) caught your eyes lately?" In response, Shuhua, Haewon's senior of four years sweetly answered: "NMIXX Haewon. Lately, I'm only seeing her, really. I'm serious." Expectant, Shuhua then asked the NMIXX member who's the prettiest celebrity for her, adding: "Someone so beautiful, you were surprised." ALSO READ: NMIXX Haewon Earns Mixed Reactions for Making 'Dirty Joke' to Sullyoon Did She Cross the Line? Thinking for a bit, Haewon replied: "For me, it's Girls' Generation YoonA sunbaenim." The (G)I-DLE member agreed but as if wanting to hear another answer, she continued to ask: "Of course, she's pretty. Think one more time that is more recent, the current...right now." Haewon, as if teasing her senior replied: "For now, it's IVE An Yujin sunbaenim." In the end, (G)I-DLE Shuhua smiled in disbelief, drawing laughter from the set. Meanwhile, the program, "Workman" is released every Thursday at 7 PM KST and features cast members experiencing various part-time jobs. The first part-timer was Shuhua, and the second part-timer, Haewon, is currently appearing. In the same broadcast, Shuhua talked about her feelings about returning to physical work, saying: "(Of the things I did at work today) putting chickens in (the tube) was hard, chopping firewood was hard, and even though I had experience, it was hard." However, she briefly talked about the hardest part-time job she did so far, adding: "Out of all the part-time jobs Ive done so far, special cleaning was the hardest. I wondered if it was okay to film like this. Haewon then showed high satisfaction with her part-time job, saying: "I think it was healing, except for the construction site in the first episode. On the other hand, Shuhua aside from her part-time jobs is also focused on her main job as an idol. On July 8, (G)I-DLE made their first release in 6 months with its 7th mini-album, "I Sway." The album is comprised of four tracks including "Klaxon," a summer song that depicts the message of blowing the horn with excitement. Following their comeback, (G)I-DLE's (Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua) will then start its third world tour "2024 (G)I-DLE WORLD TOUR [i-DOL]) in August. As of writing, they sold out all tickets in one go, from their two-day Korean concerts, their three-day Hong Kong concert to their two-day Japan concert. READ MORE: (G)I-DLE Shuhua's Remark About 'Other Idols' Gets Criticized Nevies Defend Star For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dela Cruz Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced removing previous restrictions on Donald Trump's social media accounts as the 2024 election approaches. Trump, banned following the January 6 insurrection, was reinstated with "guardrails" in 2023, which have now been lifted. In a recent blog post, Meta highlighted its decision to treat all presidential candidates equally regarding social media access, citing the upcoming Republican National Convention, where Trump is set to be formally nominated. This change means Trump's accounts will no longer face heightened penalties for policy violations, according to The Guardian. Despite the lifting of restrictions, Meta reaffirmed that all candidates, including Trump, must adhere to community standards to prevent hate speech and incitement of violence. Critics remain wary, citing concerns over potential misinformation and incitement issues like those seen during the Capitol riot. In addition to Meta, other major platforms like Twitter (now X), Snapchat, and YouTube had previously banned Trump for his role in the events surrounding January 6. While reinstated on X and YouTube, Trump remains banned from Snapchat and has since launched his platform, Truth Social. READ NEXT: Trump Hints at Running Mate, GOP Convention Announcement Impact on the 2024 Presidential Race Following Meta's latest move, violations by Donald Trump could now lead to shorter suspensions rather than prolonged account restrictions under previous policies. This change comes amid Trump's active social media campaign focusing on criticizing his Democratic opponents and sharing campaign updates, CNBC reports. Trump's return to Facebook and Instagram has stirred public debate, especially considering his recent debate performances, which some polls suggest he won convincingly over President Joe Biden. This has prompted discussions within Democratic circles about Biden's candidacy moving forward. Speculation on Trump's Running Mate Ohio Senator J.D. Vance is currently the favorite to be Donald Trump's running mate, according to UK-based bookmakers. He has overtaken North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, who was the leading candidate after a rally with Trump in May, Newsweek noted. "Over the past 24 hours, we've seen J.D. Vance become the betting favorite on Oddschecker in the race to become Donald Trump's vice president," Oddschecker spokesperson Leon Blackman told Newsweek. Ohio Senator J.D. Vance has surged ahead of Doug Burgum in the race to be Donald Trump's running mate, with his odds improving significantly. He now leads as the top choice on Oddschecker, attracting 18% of all bets for Trump's VP pick. Florida Senator Marco Rubio is third in line as a potential candidate. There's speculation that Rubio could be announced during a recent rally near his hometown in Doral. The news of Vance's rising popularity coincided with reports that Donald Trump Jr. will speak before the VP announcement at the Republican National Convention on July 17 in Milwaukee. Donald Trump Jr. strongly backs J.D. Vance, hinting that Trump may be leaning towards Vance as his next running mate. However, Trump campaign senior adviser Brian Hughes has tempered expectations, emphasizing that Vance's inclusion on the 2024 Republican ticket is not certain. Hughes noted that Donald Trump values selecting a vice president based on strong leadership qualities that could translate to effective presidential leadership. He added that any claims about knowing Trump's VP choice are unreliable unless stated by Trump himself. Vance, known for "Hillbilly Elegy," became an Ohio senator with Trump's 2022 endorsement. Initially critical of Trump, he now strongly supports his America First policies. Vance admitted it would be disappointing if he wasn't chosen as Trump's running mate. Donald Trump needs a new running mate after falling out with former Vice President Mike Pence following the January 6 Capitol attack. READ MORE: Biden's Advisers Consider Urging Him to Exit Presidential Race This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Meta to reinstate Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts - From CBS News An Ohio community is reeling from the tragic loss of Alexa Stakely, a dedicated single mother and speech pathologist, who tragically lost her life while trying to protect her 6-year-old son during a daring carjacking attempt in the early hours of July 11. Ohio mom Alexa Stakely, 29, had just finished her late-night shift as a waitress before picking up her son from a babysitter's home in Columbus, according to People. After securing her son in the car, she quickly ran back into the babysitter's house to retrieve something she had forgotten. Moments later, she saw her SUV starting to move backward. Realizing that someone was trying to steal her vehicle with her son inside, Stakely sprinted after it. Tragically, in her desperate attempt to stop the car, she was struck and thrown from the moving vehicle, sustaining severe injuries that would later prove fatal. READ NEXT: Arrest Made in Ohio After Fatal Stabbing of 3-Year-Old Boy in Grocery Store Community Shock and Mourning Known affectionately as "Ms. Alexa," an Ohio mom to her students at the Canal Winchester School District, Stakely was deeply admired for her passion for speech-language therapy and her unwavering dedication to her students, the New York Post reports. The school district, in a heartfelt tribute on social media, described her as smart, compassionate, and deeply committed to helping children develop their communication skills. Law enforcement officials are actively pursuing two male suspects believed to be involved in the carjacking incident. Surveillance footage captured the perpetrators fleeing the scene after abandoning Stakely's vehicle at a neighboring apartment complex. Fortunately, Stakely's son, who was found unharmed inside the abandoned SUV, was quickly reunited with family members. Advocacy for Safety Measures The tragic incident has drawn attention to a troubling national trend highlighted by Kids and Car Safety, which reports 56 similar incidents in 2024 where children were left unattended in stolen vehicles. Amber Rollins, the organization's director, emphasized the critical importance of never leaving children alone in vehicles, even for short periods, and urged parents to always lock their vehicles and take the keys with them, Fox News noted. Stakely, a graduate of Ohio State University with a master's degree in speech-language pathology, was known not only for her professional accomplishments but also for her determination to provide a better life for her son. Her family and friends fondly remember her as someone who approached every challenge with optimism and a contagious enthusiasm for life. The local community has rallied around Stakely's family, offering support and condolences during this difficult time. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to assist with funeral expenses and support Stakely's young son as he copes with the loss of his devoted mother. As the investigation into Ohio's mom's tragic death continues, the community remains united in mourning and in seeking justice for Alexa Stakely. Her legacy of love, dedication, and bravery will continue to inspire those who knew her. READ MORE: Tragic Death of Nebraska Boy Left Alone in Hot SUV Leads to Foster Mom's Arrest This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Woman dead after trying to stop carjacking, save son - From NBC4 Columbus In a significant verdict, an Ecuador court has handed down prison sentences ranging from 12 to 34 years to five individuals convicted of the murder of journalist and former legislator Fernando Villavicencio. Villavicencio was tragically shot dead while leaving a campaign rally in August 2023, a crime that shook Ecuador amid rising violence, according to Reuters. The ruling, pronounced by Judge Milton Maroto, allows for appeals from both the prosecution and defense. The trial, commencing in late June, concluded with Carlos Edwin Angulo Lara, known as 'El Invisible,' and Laura Dayanara Castillo receiving the highest penalties of 34 years and eight months each. They were implicated in orchestrating and managing the logistics of the assassination from within the Los Lobos crime gang. Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores, and Alexandra Chimbo, accomplices in tracking Villavicencio's movements, were sentenced to 12 years each for their roles in aiding the hit squad. READ NEXT: Ecuador: Los Lobos Gang Planned Fernando Villavicencio's Assassination from Prison Background and Investigations Fernando Villavicencio, known for his investigative journalism exposing corruption and criminal ties in Ecuador, had been a vocal critic of organized crime's influence on politics. He had received numerous threats prior to his assassination, underscoring the dangers faced by whistleblowers in the region. On August 9, assailants ambushed Villavicencio outside a school in Quito, where he was campaigning, despite receiving death threats and security warnings, BBC reports. Prosecutors detailed during the trial that one of the attackers died in a police confrontation at the scene. Following the murder, six Colombian nationals connected to the crime were arrested but later found murdered in prison under pre-trial detention, adding complexity to the investigation. Ongoing Investigations and Community Response Despite the convictions, authorities continue to investigate who contracted Los Lobos to carry out the hit, aiming to unravel the full scope of the conspiracy. Villavicencio's widow, Veronica Sarauz, while welcoming the court's decision, emphasized the ongoing quest for justice and closure, RTE noted. Ecuador, traditionally stable in Latin America, has seen a surge in crime attributed in part to the infiltration of Colombian and Mexican drug cartels into local gangs. Los Lobos, associated with the powerful Jalisco New Generation cartel, exemplifies these criminal ties, highlighting broader regional challenges in combating organized crime. Ecuadorian authorities have investigated the high-profile assassination and have arrested several suspects. Some have been killed, leaving five to face trial. Investigators found messages sent to one gunman from an inmate at Latacunga jail, facilitated by a woman providing logistical support. This led to the Los Lobos gang, known for conflicts with the victim, Villavicencio. The remaining suspects are believed to be their associates. Los Lobos, with 8,000 members, is a major Ecuador gang linked to Mexico's powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Shortly after Fernando Villavicencio's assassination and before the suspects were arrested and killed, the US aided the Ecuadorian government in its efforts to apprehend those responsible. READ MORE: Caribbean Leaders Appeal for Financial Aid Following Hurricane Beryl's Devastation This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Ross Key WATCH: Killing of Ecuador presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio investigated by FBI - From BBC News Thank you for reading! To read this article and more, subscribe now for as little as $1.99. A local labourer has been hit with a suspended jail sentence and is off the road for six years after being caught behind the wheel in Portlaoise while banned from driving. Joseph Conroy, aged 43, of 5 Roundwood, Mountrath, appeared in Portlaoise District Court after being stopped on May 7 on Grattan St in Portlaoise on May 7 this year. He had no insurance or driving licence on that date. The case had been held over from a previous hearing to clarify previous convictions but the accuseds solicitor said his client accepts the records are correct. Garda Sgt JJ Kirby outlined some of these. He said that on September 29, 2021, Mr Conroy was banned from driving for four years for driving without insurance. He was fined on the same date at Portlaoise District Court for having no licence. He was also before the courts for no insurance in February 2018 and for drink driving in 2007. In defence, Mr Philip Meagher said he client was not aware that he was disqualified though the solicitor admitted to the judge it doesnt make any sense. Mr Meagher said his client normally travels in a van to work but on that morning could not get to work and decided to drive. He said the accused, who is a separated father with five children, understood what he has done had put him in severe jeopardy. He said his client lives in a rural area six miles from Mountrath. The Judge was told Mr Conroy apologised for his actions and said it would not happen again. However, the judge said it was Mr Conroys third disqualification and so convicted him of driving with no insurance, Judge Cody imposed a three-month jail sentence suspended for three years. He banned him from driving for six years. He also imposed a 750 fine. He was also banned for six years and fined 250 for driving without a licence. Ugly scenes broke out at the end of the Louth Derby on Friday night as Dundalk and Drogheda United fans clashed at Oriel Park. After the final whistle sounded on a 4-2 victory for Dundalk over their local rivals, a large group of fans entered the pitch and became engaged in a brawl. Drogheda United issued a statement condemning the post match events. "All involved in Drogheda United sincerely apologises, especially to the families, but to all who witnessed the post-match altercations in Dundalk last night. "The events that occurred after the match were unacceptable, and as a club we condemn this unsavoury and violent behaviour. "We are working closely with the security staff, photographers and tv crews to identify the individuals involved and will determine appropriate sanctions once we have reviewed all the footage and have the appropriate facts," Drogheda United said. Hugely disappointing scenes at the end here as a number of away fans cross the pitch to fight with home supporters pic.twitter.com/Hgs7aSAMBd James Rogers (@jamesrogersie) July 12, 2024 A minute's silence was held before the match to mark the tragic passing of Zara Murphy. The 14-year-old died on Thursday evening after collapsing while playing for her team Termonfeckin Celtic in the Louth School Girls League. Dundalk FC won the local derby 4-2, which was a significant result as both sides are in a relegation battle. Mary Lou McDonald has revealed that senior figures in Sinn Fein were disappointed with her engagement with the partys base. Ms McDonald made the admission following a meeting of the partys ard chomhairle which discussed Sinn Feins recent electoral performance. Asked what the partys review into its worse-than-expected results in the Republic of Ireland had found about her leadership, Ms McDonald said: They have told me that they want me to be more firm. They have told me that they want me to be my absolute and authentic self. They have told me that they expect me to bring clarity in terms of our policy offerings and they have told me that they expect better engagement with the grassroots. And some, even within the kind of the various leadership levels of the party, have said that they also want more access to me, they want me to be more available. And I have made the commitments to make all of that happen. Ms McDonald said she still enjoys the full confidence and support of the party, north and south. She also said she would lead the party into the next general election in the Republic of Ireland. Ms McDonald said she was never precious about criticism, and added: Their main ask of me was to listen, to listen, to listen. And if there was a criticism of me, it was this: that I didnt pay enough attention to what was being said from the base up. And they were disappointed in me with that because Im an activist, Im a grassroots person. So Ive heard that and Im going to respond to it. Ms McDonald said she accepted those comments as fair. 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 and Rahan, Co. Offaly. He came to Ireland in 1884 to teach classics in University College Dublin. His associations with Ireland, Dublin and County Kildare are well identified by Hopkinss 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. Since 1987, Irish poet Desmond Egan and a team of dedicated professionals have been hosting The Gerard Manley Hopkins 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 are on our Facebook page: Gerard Manley Hopkins International Literary Festival, said a committee spokesperson. This year international participants will travel from USA; Canada, Japan; South Korea, Germany; France; Belgium; Wales, Poland; Sweden, Netherlands; Finland; Cyprus, the UK and Ireland. Writers, artists, academics, musicians, and translators, travel to 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,. He 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. A classical concert will be performed on Saturday, July 19 at 8pm by distinguished Swedish pianist Hans Palsson who will include Mozart, Schubert and Beethoven. The full programme is available on our website www.gerardmanleyhopkins.org 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 and further details are available on our website www.gerardmanleyhopkins.org. So do take time out and join us in Newbridge College Theatre for: The best literary festival in Ireland (Ed. Oxford Companion to Irish Literature) July 19 to 25. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The 2024 U.S.-Canada Cross Border Crime Forum (CBCF) Canadian and U.S. officials deepen strong and collaborative partnership on issues of mutual concern, including law enforcement information sharing, malign foreign interference, combating gun and drug trafficking, and online and hate crimes WASHINGTON, July 12, 2024 /CNW/ - The United States (U.S.) and Canada have a longstanding and enduring security, law enforcement, and intelligence partnership that is centered on protecting public safety, consistent with rights protected by law. Today, to advance our shared goals, U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas hosted Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Arif Virani, and Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, in Washington, DC for the U.S.?Canada Cross Border Crime Forum (CBCF). This meeting is the third CBCF since it was reestablished by President Biden's and Prime Minister Trudeau's 2021 Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership. Building on the success of previous CBCF meetings, including the Statement of Partnership to Prevent, Investigate, Prosecute, and Disrupt Cross-Border Crime, which was signed at last year's meeting, the four U.S. and Canadian Officials (hereinafter "the Ministers") discussed ways to enhance collaboration in the following areas: Foreign Interference/National Security The Ministers acknowledged the threat from hostile foreign actors, including in the context of electoral interference. Malign actors may seek to influence outcomes and undermine public confidence in elections in many ways. They may deploy efforts to subvert democratic processes, such as engaging in cyber-attacks and other interference activities against election campaigns and election infrastructure to disrupt election processes. They may seek to influence elections, including by covertly exploiting and fueling divisions within society; and this, in turn, may also help fuel coercive activity and harassment, and threats of violence toward voters, candidates, and election personnel. Both Canada and the U.S. agreed that fair and secure elections are cornerstones of democracy and emphasized the need to work together to combat any threats that seek to undermine it. Malign foreign actors also have demonstrated an intent and willingness to use insiders, computer intrusion, or other means to steal trade secrets and sensitive technologies. This global problem requires a global response and Canada and the U.S. will continue to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute espionage that threatens our economies and export control violations. In this vein, the Ministers agreed on the need to preserve the cross-border flow of data between allies and partners that is critical to our economic well-being, while maintaining the security of sensitive personal data. The Ministers similarly reaffirmed their united front in protecting our democracies and the democratic process. A key tool in combatting the threat of transnational repression, as well as malign foreign influence and interference generally, is transparency through foreign agent registries; the U.S. discussed the use of its Foreign Agents Registration Act and related statutes, while Canada highlighted its newly passed legislation in this area, Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference, which will establish a Foreign Influence Transparency Registry and update criminal law tools to better safeguard democracy. These efforts, along with investigations and prosecutions of transnational repression-related cases, will further enhance the ability of the U.S. and Canada to protect those living within our borders. Law Enforcement Cooperation and Information Sharing Canada and the U.S. continue to combat the devastation caused by fentanyl and synthetic opioids, by working together at disrupting the illicit supply chain, to include production and distribution and the importation of illicit precursor chemicals from China and elsewhere. Similarly, the violence wrought by firearms smuggled across the U.S.-Canada border requires continued efforts to target those responsible, including shippers and receivers, by seizing illicit firearms and tracing their origins. Key in all these counter opioid and firearm efforts is enhanced information sharing between Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies, which has already led to successful operations. The Ministers applauded the advances in cooperation between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement since the last CBCF and underscored the need to build on and further operationalize prior Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to provide clear policy direction and training to ensure that institutional policies and practices maximize information sharing within the context of each other's laws and regulations, and in accordance with recent MOUs. They plan to continue to work together to improve the operationalization and systemization of intelligence and law enforcement sharing at the border, with the goals of supporting interdictions and investigations, countering transnational organized crime, continuing to build the global coalition against synthetic drug threats, and disrupting the synthetic opioid and firearm supply chains. In the context of enhancing information sharing, the Ministers also discussed the challenges associated with cross-border human smuggling that is occurring in both directions, and challenges in related investigations. Accordingly, the Ministers called on their officials to continue strengthening ways to gather and share information for the detection and investigation of organized crime groups and networks that target vulnerable people and engage in human smuggling. They also tasked officials to review information sharing case studies of border incidents and identify opportunities to further improve intelligence sharing, detection, and interdiction, in order to disrupt cross-border smuggling and investigate and hold accountable those involved. With respect to law enforcement cooperation and information sharing at the border, the Ministers also considered their respective country's approach to providing advance notification of sex offender travel, which remains a key tool in making informed admission decisions. Both countries will seek to maximize the sharing of sex offender travel notifications, in the interest of ensuring public safety. Online Crime and Hate Crimes The Ministers began their discussion of online crime by acknowledging the need to maintain tightly-controlled lawful access to communications content that is vital to the investigation and prosecution of serious crimes, including terrorism and online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The Ministers then turned to collective efforts to address the increasing prevalence of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The Ministers noted the increase in both countries of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated CSAM and the need for international engagement to combat this threat, to include law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, the technology industry, and others. With respect to AI more generally, the Ministers acknowledged the benefits and risks posed by AI technology. Moreover, the Ministers recognized that AI crosses over multiple government equities, including criminal law, civil rights, and antitrust law, and recommended that this continue to be a focus of study by the CBCF. The need for strategic and coordinated engagement between and among international partners was also discussed in the context of elder fraud and romance scams. The Ministers discussed avenues available to collectively identify and disrupt such schemes to prevent further victimization. Canada and the U.S. also acknowledged the ways in which hate crimes erode communities. The Ministers noted with concern the increased number of attacks motivated by anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias on both sides of the border and pledged to work together to address this issue. The Ministers also welcomed the outcomes of the strengthened collaboration between their respective Access to Justice Offices over the past year, including on strategies to overcome systemic inequality and discrimination, as part of efforts to increase access to ? and strengthen confidence in ? the justice system. Conclusion The Ministers plan to continue their close contact on all these critical issues, both in the context of the CBCF, and in other bilateral exchanges. They reiterated the strength, success, and depth of the security and law enforcement relationships along the Canada-U.S. border and the need to remain aligned. SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada 12 july 2024 at 16:59 News published onand distributed by: Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani departs the US District Courthouse after he was ordered to pay $148 million in his defamation case in Washington, December 15, 2023. BONNIE CASH / REUTERS A judge threw out Rudy Giuliani s bankruptcy case on Friday, July 12, slamming the former New York City mayor as a "recalcitrant debtor" who thumbed his nose at the process while seeking to shield himself from a $148 million defamation judgment and other debts. US Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane criticized Giuliani for repeated "uncooperative conduct," self-dealing, and a lack of transparency. The judge cited failures to comply with court orders, failure to disclose sources of income, and his apparent unwillingness to hire an accountant to go over his books. "Such a failure is a clear red flag," Lane wrote. Dismissing the case ends his pursuit of bankruptcy protection, but it doesnt absolve him of his debts. His creditors can now pursue other legal remedies to recoup at least some of the money theyre owed, such as getting a court order to seize his apartments and other assets. Giuliani is now free to also pursue an appeal of the defamation verdict, which arose from his efforts to overturn Republican Donald Trumps 2020 presidential election loss. Lane indicated at a hearing Wednesday that he would probably dismiss the case. Giuliani's lawyer had floated other options to keep the case alive, but agreed ultimately that dismissing it was the best way forward. The dismissal includes a 12-month ban on Giuliani filing again for bankruptcy protection. "Transparency into Mr. Giulianis finances has proven to be an elusive goal," Lane wrote, and he "sees no evidence that this will change." Among his concerns, the judge said, were that Giuliani funneled his income including at least $15,000 a month from his now-canceled talk radio show into companies he owned; never reported any income from those entities; failed to disclose that he had started promoting his own "Rudy Coffee" brand; and was late to disclose a contract he has to write a book. Giuliani's spokesperson Ted Goodman drawing a parallel to what he deemed the "grossly unfair" defamation case said Friday that the bankruptcy matter had been "burdened with many of the same voluminous and overly broad discovery requests and other actions." Among them, he claimed, were leaks "intended to harm the mayor and destroy his businesses." Read more Arizona indicts 18 people who falsely declared Trump won the state in 2020 Goodman ascribed political motives to Giuliani's legal troubles, stating without evidence that they were meant to punish him for investigating President Joe Biden's son, Hunter, and "to deter anyone else from asking questions or getting to the truth." Nevertheless, he said, they're confident "our system of justice with be restored and the mayor will be totally vindicated." 'Bad-faith litigation tactic' Giuliani, a longtime Trump ally, filed for bankruptcy last December just days after the eye-popping damages award to former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea "Shaye" Moss. The bankruptcy filing froze collection of the debt. A lawyer for Freeman and Moss accused Giuliani at Wednesday's hearing of using bankruptcy as a "bad-faith litigation tactic" and a "pause button on his woes," and urged Lane to dismiss it so they could pursue the damages they were awarded. "Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss have already waited too long for justice," the women's lawyer, Rachel Strickland, said Friday. "We are pleased the court saw through Mr. Giulianis games and put a stop to his abuse of the bankruptcy process. We will begin enforcing our judgment against him ASAP." The other people and entities to whom Giuliani owes money wanted to keep the bankruptcy case going with a court-appointed trustee taking control of Giulianis assets. Earlier this month, Giuliani requested the case be converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation in which an appointed trustee would sell off assets to help pay creditors. Giuliani's lawyer Gary Fischoff reconsidered that idea at Wednesday's hearing and pushed to dismiss the case instead, noting that administrative fees related to liquidation would "consume if not 100%, a substantial portion of the assets." Freeman and Moss can now bring their effort to collect on the award back to the court in Washington, D.C., where they won their lawsuit. The women said Giulianis targeting of them after Trump narrowly lost Georgia to Biden led to death threats that made them fear for their lives. Slew of legal troubles The bankruptcy is one of a host of legal woes consuming the 80-year-old Giuliani, the ex-federal prosecutor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate who was once heralded as "Americas Mayor" for his calm and steady leadership after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Last week, he was disbarred as an attorney in New York after a court found he repeatedly made false statements about Trumps 2020 election loss. He is also facing the possibility of losing his law license in Washington after a board in May recommended that he be disbarred . In Georgia and Arizona , Giuliani is facing criminal charges over his role in the effort to overturn the 2020 election. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Read more Rudy Giuliani files for bankruptcy a day after judge orders him to pay $148 million in defamation case When he filed for bankruptcy, Giuliani listed nearly $153 million in existing or potential debts, including almost $1 million in state and federal tax liabilities, money he owes lawyers, and many millions of dollars in potential judgments in lawsuits against him. He estimated he had assets worth $1 million to $10 million. In his most recent financial filings in the bankruptcy case, he said he had about $94,000 cash in hand at the end of May while his company, Giuliani Communications, had about $237,000 in the bank. A main source of income for Giuliani over the past two years has been a retirement account with a balance of just over $1 million in May, down from nearly $2.5 million in 2022 after his withdrawals, the filings say. In May, he spent nearly $33,000 including nearly $28,000 for condo and co-op costs for his Florida and New York City homes. He also spent about $850 on food, $390 on cleaning services, $230 on medicine, $200 on laundry and $190 on vehicles. France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal in Paris on July 7, 2024. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal was elected leader of his party's group in the Assemblee Nationale on Saturday, July 13, as politicians from all sides jockeyed for position to form the next government. Attal was the only candidate in the vote by the Renaissance parliamentary group, which he plans to use as the base from which to rebuild the political force that got roundly beaten in a snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron. Of the 98 Renaissance MPs registered to vote, 84 backed Attal, who will start in his role next week. As Attal and other ministers eye a future outside government, whose resignation Macron is expected to accept next week, deep cracks have appeared between the 35-year-old premier and the president. Read more Subscribers only Macron's decision to maintain Attal government is contested on both left and right Macron did not get any mention in Attal's message to Renaissance MPs outlining his leadership bid, with observers saying that the prime minister blames the president for calling the vote, which he said took the party to the brink of "extinction." The elections left the Assemblee Nationale without any overall majority, but a broad alliance called Nouveau Front Populaire (NFP) of Socialists, Communists, Greens and the hard-left La France Insoumise (LFI) won the most seats, with 193 in the 577-seat chamber. Macron's allies came second with 164 seats and the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) third at 143. Macron, who still has nearly three years in office, lashed out at Attal and others in a closed-door meeting Friday, saying his political friends had made a "disastrous spectacle" of themselves since the snap election. Participants at the meeting attended notably by Attal, his rival Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and former prime minister Elisabeth Borne told AFP and Le Monde that Macron had urged his allies to give priority "to the nation rather than to premature ambition." Read more Subscribers only French elections: Macron's Renaissance group in the Assemblee is on the brink of splintering Former Communist MP as prime minister? According to the Constitution, Macron will appoint the next prime minister, who must be able to survive a confidence motion in parliament. This appointment could come as early as next week when the new session opens, but Macron could ask Attal to stay on while Paris hosts the Olympic Games starting July 26. Such a decision would also give the NFP bloc more time to hammer out agreement on a consensus candidate to pitch to Macron. The alliance's members have been at loggerheads about a suitable frontrunner. LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon is one of a handful of names debated within the bloc. But the latest speculation is centered on Huguette Bello, 73, a former communist MP and currently the president of the regional council in France's overseas territory La Reunion, as a possible consensus candidate. She has the backing of LFI, the communists and the Greens, while Socialists back their party boss Olivier Faure, a moderate. Read more Subscribers only As French left looks for a prime minister, an unexpected name emerges Macron has ruled out a government role for either LFI the largest player in the New Popular Front (NFP) left alliance or the far-right RN in any new coalition. Attal echoed that stance Friday, saying that he would seek "to guard against any government" that included RN or LFI ministers. He himself would "contribute to the emergence of a majority concerning projects and ideas," Attal said. Mr. Ernest Freeman, CEO of BNS Technology (Left), and Mr. Ambrose Sartee, Co-partner, cut the ribbon to the facility When Shamans refer to soul, they mean the eternal experiential self that each of us truly is. Shamans say that with our soul, we live all sorts of lives: a variety of human lives and a whole array of life experiences as other creatures, the memories of which are nearly inaccessible to our human minds. Many of us have had dreams or visions that seem so real that they surely seem to belong to another lifetime, and yet they are so closely personal that it is hard to deny the reality of our own experiences. Usually we dismiss these experiences and do our best to suppress their memory, until one fine day, for seemingly no reason, they pop up in our memories. People will tell us those are meaningless images that occur as the brain recharges itself, or some other such rationalization. When we consider the Shamans proposition that we are all continuous beings existing through a vast variety of forms through infinite time in infinite space, the nature of these dreams and visions can become part of the tapestry of our personal experiential history. Shamans are not saying that you (or we) have lived everything and so know everything; rather, the Shamans say that amid the incomprehensible vastness of potentiality, this is the particular pattern that is playing out here and now: unrepeatable, unique, authentic, self-existing and transient. It is ironic and actually quite underhanded to have people presume to confer on a person an eternal soul, or to deny that one has such, much less to try to take it away, which is not to say that some people dont indeed experience soul loss. Some, for sure, do. Perhaps many do; how about you, dear reader? Do you have some degree of soul loss? Not knowing you have a soul and are a continuous being is a prime symptom of soul loss. Being unable to recall past lives or being unable to fully experience our dreams leaves us without context for our lives, and therefore subject to the wildness of this world or whatever world we find ourselves in. Not to be judgmental. Perhaps this is the way we prefer to live in this world at this time. Yet perhaps this sense of loss causes us great suffering. Perhaps this lack of really remembering who we have been through time and space is why we become so fraught with loneliness and isolation, even in the midst of our crowded lives. We could really use a helper familiar with the soul side of existence. And this is why some Shamans specialize in soul retrieval. Soul retrieval may sound a lot like certain therapeutic techniques, and yet it is the Shaman who knows how helpful retrievals can be and just how to help in recollecting someones soul-purpose energy. Such practices are adjusted to a persons particular situation, and its not a one-size-fits-all solution. Frankly, we have been taught through our culture to be resistant to knowing our soul self. Not so with my Native American friends. Children with special talents and skills in visioning are welcomed and encouraged to have and share their visions and past life experiences. The value of knowing who you have been and your purpose in being here in this lifetime increases your resiliency and adaptability in times of difficulty. Returning your soul to its fully functioning self is among the most rewarding experiences in Shamanism. Shamans journey into imaginary realms and retrieve lost pieces of themselves, to their astonishment and wonder; who are we, where are we going and how does it feel? You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close A BRAZILIAN delivery driver, who studied law and has a business degree, was caught by gardai selling drugs in Limerick city and then led them to where he had 6,000 worth of cannabis Limerick Circuit Court heard the accused is a hard worker with previous employment in hotels like Adare Manor, fast food restaurants like Chicken Hut and companies like Amazon and Viagogo. Victor Nascinento Paciullo, aged 32, of Victoria Terrace, South Circular Road, Limerick city pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply, possession of cannabis, money laundering and two charges of having paraphernalia in relation to drug dealing - a weigh scales and mobile phone. Prosecuting barrister John OSullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Eoin Sheahan. Mr OSullivan said gardai from the Divisional Drugs Unit were on patrol in Limerick city on August 26, 2022. They observed a man, in a Honda Civic, acting in a suspicious manner in the Johnsgate area. It is no criticism of residents but it could be said drug dealing transactions have been observed in the area. "Gardai spoke to the man and there was evidence of drug dealing on his phone. There were messages about selling weed. He accompanied gardai to his apartment where there was cannabis in four glass jars with a street value of 6,190, said Mr OSullivan. Gardai also seized three deals of cannabis, weighing scales and 5,500 in cash which was clearly the proceeds of crime. Mr OSullivan said Mr Paciullo came to Ireland on his own in 2018. He worked in Adare Manor, Chicken Hut and at the time of arrest was doing delivery work. He studied law in Brazil and has a business degree, said Mr OSullivan. Liam Carroll, barrister for Mr Paciullo, said his client took gardai to the drugs after they spoke to him when he was in his car. He explained to them he had been a recreational user and got into buying in bulk to distribute to his friends. He was on a meagre income as a delivery driver. It was a means of bolstering his income. During Covid-19 it was difficult for people to travel to get small amounts. He would acquire drugs, distribute them and make a profit. He made admissions to gardai, said Mr Carroll. Garda Sheahan confirmed Mr Paciullo was very co-operative. Mr Carroll said the accused has a serious work ethic, has a business degree, worked in Chicken Hut, Amazon, Viagogo and is now self-employed as a personal trainer. The barrister handed in wage slips to the judge. Judge Dermot Sheehan asked Garda Sheahan if Mr Paciullo used his delivery driver job to assist in selling drugs. No. It was just friends, said Garda Sheahan. Continuing his mitigation, Mr Carroll said it was cannabis and not a more addictive or damaging substance. He has pleaded guilty, brought gardai to his house and showed them where the drugs were, and has no previous convictions. A probation report said he is at a low risk of offending, said Mr Carroll, who asked Judge Sheehan to give Mr Paciullo a chance and let him continue to be of benefit to society. READ MORE: Garda vehicle rammed in Limerick town by driver of stolen Mercedes Judge Sheehan said the accused is a worker, referred to the Probation Services opinion that he is at a low risk of offending and his co-operation with gardai from the start. It does appear he has learned his lesson, said Judge Sheehan. The judge imposed a fully suspended two year sentence for the sale or supply of cannabis; concurrent two year suspended sentence for money laundering; concurrent one year suspended for possession of cannabis; concurrent two year suspended sentence for having paraphernalia in relation to drug dealing, namely a mobile phone. The paraphernalia charge in relation to a weighing scales was taken into consideration. Judge Sheehan ordered that the money be forfeited to the State and drugs and paraphernalia be destroyed. HCL Technologies Ltd expects muted growth in the year ahead after starting the first quarter on the backfoot, in sharp contrast to IT services leader Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) that beat Street expectations a day earlier. At Indias third-largest IT services company, June quarter revenue fell 1.9% sequentially to $3.36 billion, in line with expectations of analysts polled by Bloomberg. The Noida-headquartered company attributed the muted performance to weakness in its automotive business. The decline in ER&D (engineering, research and development) is due to an unexpected softness in automotive clients, which comes against the projections," said C. Vijayakumar, chief executive and managing director. "We expect to recover here in the next quarter. On overall terms, while we did see some signs of the slowdown bottoming out, that has not panned out. As a result, we dont expect to see any significant recovery, which is why were retaining the revenue and margin guidances for this fiscal." The weak projection At the end of FY24 itself, HCL Tech had projected weak growth for the coming year, citing a weak macroeconomic environment. On Friday, its executives maintained their view of annual constant currency revenue growth of 3-5% for FY25. Constant currency does not take currency fluctuations into account. Also read | IT: Margin recovery hopes need a reset too as revenue revival gets delayed For comparison, TCS's revenue grew 1.9% sequentially to $7.5 billion, with chief executive K. Krithivasan suggesting its FY25 growth could be better than the last fiscal. Shares of TCS jumped 6.68% on Friday, while the BSE IT index rose 4.32% to 39828.91 points. Shares of HCL Tech closed 3.2% higher, before the earnings were announced. Operating margin fell by 50 basis points (bps) to 17.1%, missing the companys guidance of 18-19% for the year. One basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage. The mega deal For HCL Technologies, a one-off mega deal contributed significantly to its revenue from telecommunications, the only vertical that offered meaningful growth. In August, HCL had signed a $2.1-billion managed network services deal with Verizon Business. Thanks to this deal, revenue from the telecom vertical rose to $410 million, adding $167 million in incremental revenue from last year. In a near parallel, TCS too received a big boost from a $1.83-billion network project that it is executing for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). A senior equity analyst at a Mumbai-based brokerage firm said the companys performance was better than expectations." There is a clear environment of weakness in the industry, and recovery has not panned out as yet. On overall terms, HCLs business has strong foundations, and we saw its resilience clearly in the last fiscal. We believe that the company should be able to meet the upper end of its annual revenue growth guidance this fiscal," the analyst said. Sanjeev Hota, head of research at brokerage firm Sharekhan by BNP Paribas, said the firm will maintain its buy rating on the HCL Technologies stock, assessing the quarterly performance as decent". Cutting staff strength Overall, HCL Tech reduced staff by 8,080, attributing it largely to the sale of a joint venture with US-based financial services firm State Street. Ramachandran Sundararajan, chief people officer of HCL Technologies, said the company still expects to meet its target of hiring 10,000 freshers, a guidance given out last quarter. HCL Technologies reported $496 million net profit in the June quarter, up 3.3% sequentially, higher than $461 million projected in a Bloomberg poll. While the software products business is historically its primary margin booster, operating margin for this vertical declined 40 bps sequentially to end at 20.5% for the June quarter. Mint reported last month that barring FY23, profitability of the software products unit, rebranded HCLSoftware in June 2022, has been falling each year since the IBM transaction. Its target operating margin of 30% has been met only once, in FY20. A weak start to the financial year, thus, puts a question mark on growth for the remainder of the year for the company, which outgrew its top four Indian IT services peers in revenue last year. Silence on generative AI HCL also did not spell out a generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) pipeline, unlike peer TCS, which announced $1.5 billion as AI/Gen AI pipeline as of June 2024. Vijayakumar said the company was working on more than 200 proofs of concept, and would disclose the project pipeline and prospective revenues from the business at a later date. For HCL, IT and Business Services remains the cash cow, fetching $2.51 billion or about three-fourths of its $3.43 billion revenue in the June quarter. In terms of geographies, it earned 66% of its revenue from the Americas, with business growing for the second consecutive quarter from a region that has been marred by uncertain client spending for IT services companies. Also read | Accenture secures GenAI orders worth $2 billion in first nine months of FY24 In terms of verticals, business from its top three revenue drivers, including financial services, manufacturing, and Life Sciences & Healthcare declined on a sequential basis. For financial services, which brought 21% or $706 million of revenue this quarter, the management expects no growth in the coming quarter either. However, Vijayakumar sounded optimistic about the telecom sector. This is really a unique situation where we had signed a very large deal, and it is safe to say that a significant part of our growth in the telecom vertical came from it. However, we dont expect it to be a trend, even though we see opportunities there," said Vijayakumar. HCLs telecom business grew 69% on constant currency terms on a yearly basis, generating $410 million on a yearly basis even though this growth was not pronounced in sequential terms. Billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate plans to build a port in Vietnam as a part of their expansion plans to develop infrastructure overseas and increase trade opportunities reported Bloomberg on Saturday, July 13. Adani Group's port company, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. has acquired an in-principle approval from the Vietnamese government for a new greenfield development in the country, reported Bloomberg quoting Karan Adani from an interview. The project is at an early stage of planning and the total investment required has not been finalized but the development will have container terminals and multipurpose berths to handle different types of cargo coming into the port, he said. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone shares closed 0.12 per cent higher at 1486.40 after Friday's trading session, as compared to 1484.55 on the previous day. Adani Enterprises shares closed 0.45 per cent lower at 3063.95, as compared to 3077.95 on the previous day. Adani Group's ports infrastructure expansion: Adani Group owns a total of three international port infrastructures. This development comes after the Haifa port in Israel, making it the fourth international port in Adani's arsenal. The other ports owned by Adani are Colombo Port in Sri Lanka and Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Also Read | Adani to build ships at Mundra port in Gujarat, says report Adani's new mega-domestic Vizhinjam Port in Kerela saw the arrival of the San Fernando cargo mothership. The company seeks to increase the pace of expansion of its port facilities to take control of a bigger share in international maritime trade, currently market dominated by China. We are targeting countries that are high on manufacturing or high on population, which will lead to high consumption. We are focusing on export volumes in these countries," said Karan Adani, chief executive officer of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, reported Bloomberg. The idea is to make India a maritime hub, he said. Also Read | India plans shipbuilding JV between state-run refiners and Shipping Corp Adani in the ports business has taken over to become the largest operator of ports in India. Karan Adani said that the company seeks to increase its international operations which currently stand at 5 per cent from international, and they are working towards increasing it to the ratio of 10 per cent by 2030. He also said that the ports giant is also exploring opportunities in the Middle East, South East Asia, East Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam and Cambodia from where the trade business opportunities come to India, as per the report. There are few tales of fraud in the annals of corporate India that are as brazen and overlooked as that of Vinay Rai and his Ispat group. Rai's sprawling conglomerate of steel and power, all of which came to naught eventually, stands as a stark tale of unchecked ambition, regulatory laxity and financial chicanery on a breathtaking scale. Rai, an MIT engineering graduate and scion of the Usha groupwhich was led by his father Kulwant Rai, a modest industrialist from Uttar Pradeshsurfed the wave of economic reforms of the nineties. But while his vision was grand, his capabilities and intent were somewhat suspect. The Ispat group's initial rise was meteoric. From a modest steel trading operation, it bloomed into a pan-Indian manufacturing, power generation and infrastructure behemoth that boasted of annual revenues exceeding $1.5 billion by the early 2000. Soon enough, Rai scrambled onto magazine covers and began rubbing shoulders with politicians of every hue. His flagship Ispat Industries became one of India's largest integrated steel producers. The conglomerate's power arm won lucrative contracts in multiple states. Meteoric rise In 2000, Rai also put in an appearance as one of the 11 Indians featured in the Forbes list of 300 richest people with a personal net worth of 5,338 crore. But what did Forbes know? That same year, his group companies Malvika Steels and Usha Ispat defaulted on loans worth close to 2,400 crore! Beneath the glittering facade of a sprawling conglomerate, a black fungus of financial manipulation had started to take root that would soon bring the entire edifice crashing. Rais close ties to politicians created a protective shield that delayed investigation. But the inevitable couldnt be avoided forever. At the heart of the Ispat frauds was a complex system of inflated valuations for public issues, round-tripping of funds and misuse of bank loans. Forensic investigations would later reveal a staggering array of irregularities, including a merry-go-round of inter-corporate deposits (ICDs) and loans, which created an illusion of robust transactions. Further, a vast network of over 200 shell companies was being used to route funds, obscure ownership and create fake suppliers and customers. Several phantom power projects existed only on paper, with funds allocated for these projects quietly diverted elsewhere. Ispat also claimed substantial fake export income, much of which was found grossly inflated or simply non-existent. Estimates say more than $3 billion was syphoned off over a decade. Digging a deeper hole Then there was corruption laced with nepotism. In August 2000, when Kulwant Rai was on the board of Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI), another group company, Koshika Telecom, was sanctioned a loan even as three of its four licences had been cancelled by the government for non-payment of licence fees. The wobbling empire finally crumbled when its paper-thin, filigreed margins were exposed during the global financial meltdown of 2008 and the steel industry collapsed. As banks tightened lending rules, the group could no longer roll over its loans. Suppliers went unpaid, projects stalled, and accusations of financial impropriety grew louder. Rai transmogrified from a failed mega magnate to philanthropist, educator, and ardent Sathya Sai Baba acolyte. In 2011, a consortium of bankers declared Ispat Industries a non-performing asset and a forensic combing through its books was initiated. They found auditor complicity and bank negligence in lending norms despite red flags. Rais close ties to politicians across party lines created a protective shield around him that delayed investigation and enforcement actions. But the inevitable couldnt be avoided forever. As its much-vaunted plants shuttered, banks were left holding the bag, with millions in bad loans during India's NPA crisis. Rai himself managed to flee India, reportedly to the UK in 2012, leaving behind a trail of unpaid debts and shattered dreams. No redemption In 2016, a report by news portal Newslaundry.com put Usha Ispat and Malvika Steel among the top defaulters in the Reserve Bank of Indias list of defaulters, with unpaid dues of 16,911 crore. By then, despite a decade of investigations, FIRs, and raids by the CBI and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, Rai had transmogrified from a failed mega magnate to philanthropist, educator, and ardent Sathya Sai Baba acolyte. In 2009, his steel plant Malvika Steel was conveniently taken over by the state-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd. Rai's website bears balmy words in the style of a new-age guru on the light of kindness. Only the saffron robes are missing! Even his carefully planned redemption stank. The education visionary was alleged to be peddling fake degrees and the Enforcement Directorate attached properties worth 500 crore belonging to a grandly named Rai Foundation that was running colleges across India. Rai is now part of a new entity set up by his second wife Harbeen Arora Rai called G100 Denim Club in London, according to his Linkedin profile. Not to mention, the authorship of Think India, a book encapsulating his sterling management principles. Plus, balmy words in the style of a new-age guru on his website about the light of kindness. Only the saffron robes are missing! WASHINGTONPresident Biden has long held a Harry Houdini-like ability to escape political jeopardy. But even as he clings to his re-election bid, the president is now a severely wounded candidate leading a divided party. Biden ended the most politically challenging two weeks of his presidency with a Friday rally in Detroit, where he heard chants of Dont you quit" and he later reassured the crowd, Im not going anywhere." It was the latest sign that the embattled president has fended offfor nowpublic pleas from fellow Democrats to end his re-election campaign in the aftermath of a disastrous debate. His performance in a high-profile news conference Thursday helped him calm some jittery Democrats. But nearly 20 Democrats in the House and Senate have gone public with their concerns that the 81-year-old Biden cant defeat Donald Trump and have urged him to stand down, taking a toll on the incumbents public image as he seeks re-election. That has also fueled concerns that his place at the top of the ticket will depress voter enthusiasm and hurt House and Senate candidates down-ballot. Polls show Biden facing glaring weaknesses among Black, Latino and young voters and that his path to victory has narrowed. Some previous swing states look out of reach, and more states are coming onto the battleground map, giving Trump an opening in once reliably blue states such as Virginia, Minnesota, New Hampshire and New Mexico. The Biden campaign argues that the fundamentals of the race havent changed and briefed senators Thursday on their pathway to victory, most likely through the blue wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. An aggregate of polls by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report finds that a largely static racewith the candidates essentially tied at 46% each in national surveysshifted after the June 27 debate to give Trump a 2.5-point lead, about 47% to 44.5%. Among Black voters, a crucial Democratic constituency, three straight Wall Street Journal polls this year have found Biden with 68% support to about 20% for Trumpa 48-point advantage that is far slimmer than the 83-point margin he won in 2020. If those narrowed margins held through Election Day, then Bidens chances of winning Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan would be about the same chances that a human could survive on Mars for 24 hours," said David Wasserman, a Cook Political Report analyst. The lifeblood of the Democratic Party is winning enormous margins among Black voters, and voters of color as a whole, in these battleground states." Biden is the survivor of multiple near-political deaths. His first presidential campaign was derailed in 1987 by accusations of plagiarism, but he rebounded to become a leading voice in the Senate and eventually President Barack Obamas vice president. In 2020, he survived poor showings in Iowa and New Hampshire to seize the Democratic nomination, and he has relished overcoming the doubters with a series of legislative comebacks. At every campaign appearance since the debate, Biden has been adamant that he is determined to run for re-electionat one point telling ABC News that only the Lord almighty" could tell him to drop out of the race. But during Thursdays news conference, he appeared to open the door slightly, telling a questioner that he would only reconsider if his staff told him there is no way you can win," adding, No ones saying that. No poll says that." Bidens campaign has tried to tamp down dissent. On Monday Biden used the element of surprise, releasing a letter to congressional Democrats urging them to move on and calling into MSNBCs Morning Joe" to make his case for a second term. On Thursday, the president dispatched senior aides to brief skeptical Senate Democrats on the campaigns pathway to victory. But many of the lawmakers made clear all of this remains a work in progress. I think hell make the right decision, the right decision that is right for him," Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia told reporters after the meeting, even though Biden has already made his decision. I think everyone will be talking over Friday, Saturday and by Sunday we should have some idea on whats going on." Sen. Chris Murphy (D., Conn.) said Biden can win, but hes got to be able to go out and answer voters concerns, hes got to be able to talk to voters directly over the next few days. I dont think hes done enough but I think he can." Biden officials believe if they maintain support among constituency groups such as the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and labor unions, he can survive. The president held calls with several Democratic coalition groups in the Congress during the week and appeared at an AFL-CIO event with labor leaders on Wednesday to drive home a message of resilience. On Friday, longtime ally Rep. James Clyburn (D., S.C.) said in an interview with NBCs Today" that he was riding with Biden no matter which direction he goes, no matter what method he takes." But he also raised the possibility that Biden could change his mind before the Aug. 19 start of the Democratic National Convention. A major task for the Biden campaign will be shifting the focus back to Trumpand making the election a choice rather than a referendum on Bidens age. Campaign officials believe Trumps selection of a running mate, which could come as soon as this weekend, and next weeks Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, will galvanize the Democratic base and help rally the party behind the president. But getting to that point has been difficultwith each passing day producing more Democratic defections. Sen. Michael Bennet (D., Colo.), for example, warned that Trump could potentially beat Biden by a landslide and take with him the Senate and the House," while Rep. Adam Smith (D., Wash.) said if Biden continued his campaign, it would be a mistake"the kinds of comments that would easily fit into the script of Republican advertising. The president has also faced generational pressure from younger members who would like to see Biden exit the stage and force Trump, who is 78, to own the albatross of age. On Friday, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D., Colo.), a 42-year-old freshman from Denvers suburbs, noted that her work on the 2008 Obama/Biden campaign inspired her to pursue public service. She expressed her deep appreciation and love" for Biden, but urged him to pass the torch" to give Democrats their best chance of beating Trump. Bidens struggles have taken their toll on fundraising, the lifeblood of American politics. While Bidens campaign saw an influx in grassroots donations in the days after the debate, the flow of money has slowed since then, according to people familiar with the fundraising efforts, and the hope is that the Republican convention will jump-start fundraising next week. The donors are literally in open revolt," said James Carville, a longtime Democratic strategist who has urged Biden to step aside. The congressional leadership, everyone is trying to land the plane." Biden has only a handful of fundraising events in the coming weeks. The campaign will hold one in Austin, Texas, on Monday during a visit that will include a speech at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and an interview with NBC anchor Lester Holt. In late July, Biden is expected to travel to Northern and Southern California for fundraisers, along with an event in Denver. Some recent polling has found that Biden remains competitive among voters nationwide, including an NPR/PBS News/Marist survey released Friday that shows Biden with 50% support and Trump at 48% among registered voters. But historically, a Democrat has had to lead by 3 points or 4 points in national surveys to win in the Electoral College, as big Democratic margins in California and other populous states throw the national vote and the count in battleground states out of alignment. In 2020, Biden won the national vote by about 4.5 percentage points but won the six main battleground states by only 1.6 points. Many Democrats also worry that polling doesnt yet reflect what could happen if Biden remains on the ticket: That Democratic voters, taking cues from party leaders who say Biden cant win, become dispirited and decide it isnt worthwhile to vote. Theres a real risk that a fatalism sets in on the part of base Democrats, that Democrats stay home," Wasserman said. And that sinks all boats." Write to Ken Thomas at ken.thomas@wsj.com and Aaron Zitner at aaron.zitner@wsj.com THE UKRAINE war has become almost static. Both sides have dug in; the front lines barely shifted in 2023. As The Economist recently reported , Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, is still publicly claiming that Ukraine will recover all the territory the Russians conquered, even if he privately knows that this will not happen soon, if at all. His frustration with the lack of progress prompted him to reshuffle the leadership of the armed forces earlier in February. Our charts and maps below show where things stand two years into Russias full-scale invasion. View Full Image (Image: The Economist) Roughly a month into the war, Russia controlled more than 22% of Ukrainian territory (including the land it occupied in 2014). Ukraine, helped by supplies of advanced weapons from the West, hit back with two stunning counter-offensives. By late January 2023 it had liberated more than half of the territory that Russia had seized since February 2022. But progress on the territorial front has since stalled. A counter-offensive last summer did not amount to much. In fact, our analysis shows that Russia has gained ground in the past 12 months, albeit a tiny amount. Including both gains and losses, Russia has increased its holdings of Ukrainian territory by 0.2 percentage points (see chart 1). The stalemate has caused consternation among Ukraines allies. Data published on February 16th by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German think-tank, show that total aid allocated for near-term delivery from Europe is outpacing that sent by America, though it lags behind in sending military equipment (see charts 2 and 3). Josep Borrell, the EUs foreign-policy chief, admitted that the bloc would only deliver around half of the 1m artillery shells it had promised to send to Ukraine by March. Russia is now producing more shells than Western countries are. It is also getting ammunition from North Korea. View Full Image (Image: The Economist) Russias growing advantage in artillery fire is taking a toll on Ukraines forces. The Economists war tracker showed heavy fighting along the eastern and southern fronts in the 30 days to February 20th (see map 1). Russia captured Avdiivka, a small town in the eastern region of Donetsk, on February 17th, marking Ukraines worst defeat since the fall of Bakhmut last May. A major in Ukraines armed forces told The Economist that if they had had more equipment and ammunition, the battle for Avdiivka would have ended entirely differently". Towns in eastern parts of the country now fear they will be Russias next target. View Full Image (Image: The Economist) Ukraine is having more success at sea. Even without much of a conventional navy, Ukraine is inflicting serious damage on Russia in the Black Sea. Missile and drone attacks have bombarded Russias fleet: 25 surface ships and one submarine have been destroyed; 15 are under repair. On February 14th Ukrainian officials said they sank another valuable ship, a claim supported by video footage. Russias remaining vessels have been forced to operate at much greater distances from Ukraines coast.This has established a strategic corridor for grain and other exports, despite Russias withdrawal from a UN agreement (see map 2). That is helping the economy in important ways: total exports of grain, oilseeds and vegetable oils in January were higher than they were at the start of 2019 and 2020. Such successes have shown that Ukraine is still in the fight, and that its economy can develop even in wartime. But its allies will need to step up if they want Ukraine to hold Russia back on land for another year. 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Concerns have once again resumed on U.S President Joe Bidens capacity to continue for another term, while global leaders at NATO summit gave their perspective. The presidents health and fitness continue to remain in question. From Keir Starmer, Justin Trudeau to Emmanuel Macaronheres what the leaders said: Keir Starmer's on Biden's age:'For America to decide' Keir Starmer, Britain's newly elected prime minister, addressed the issue indirectly while discussing age limits for lawmakers. He held the view that it is up to the Americans to decide their president. Starmer further mentioned that the incumbent 81-year old was in good form when met him.Obviously in America, its for the American people to decide who they want to be their president, Starmer told Jake Tapper in an exclusive interview with CNN. Starmer further added that he would express concerns if he had any. Justin Trudeau's on Biden's age: has depth of experience Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, also expressed his support for Biden. He noted that it has always been a privilege for him to work with Biden on key issues."Biden's depth of experience, his thoughtfulness, his steadfastness on the greatest issues and challenges of our time is a credit to the work that we're all doing together," said Trudeau, reported Hindustan Times. Also Read | US Presidential Polls: Calls for Joe Biden to exit race mount after NATO address Emmanuel Macron's on Biden's age : president in charge French President Emmanuel Macron defended Biden for the verbal slip that the world has been talking about. Biden had mistakenly referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin, till he corrected himself. Macron was of the view that Biden is in charge, with a clear stance on important issues. I saw as always a president who is in charge, clear on the issues he knows well. We all slip up sometimes. Its happened to me and it could happen again tomorrow, said Macron. Bank Holiday on July 13: All nationalised and private banks in India, including the State Bank of India (SBI), will remain shut today, July 13, becasue it is the second Saturday of this month. Banks will also be closed on July 27 for the fourth Saturday off; and July 14, 21 and 28 for Sunday weekend leaves. Overall, July 2024 has at least 12 listed non-working days for banks on account of weekend leaves, religious celebrations and regional holidays. Besides this, each month has second and fourth Saturday and every Sunday off. Check Bank Holidays in July 2024 Holidays that have passed: July 3 (Meghalaya), July 6 (Mizoram), July 8 (Manipur), July 9 (Sikkim). July 3 (Meghalaya), July 6 (Mizoram), July 8 (Manipur), July 9 (Sikkim). July 16, 2024: Banks will be closed in Uttarakhand on account of Harela a festival celebrated in Uttarakhand to mark the monsoon arrival and start of the new agricultural season. Also Read | Are SBI branches near you open today? Read here July 17, 2024: Banks will be closed across India on account of Muharram / Ashura to mark the beginning of the Muslim's sacred month; and U Tirot Sing Day (celebrated in Meghalaya) to recognise the courage of freedom fighter U Tirot Sing, who resisted British colonial rule in the region. Banks will be closed across India on account of Muharram / Ashura to mark the beginning of the Muslim's sacred month; and U Tirot Sing Day (celebrated in Meghalaya) to recognise the courage of freedom fighter U Tirot Sing, who resisted British colonial rule in the region. Weekend Offs: Sunday leaves on July 7, 14, 21, and 28. And the second and fourth Saturday offs on July 13 and 27. These holidays have been declared by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which deals with the issuance of cheques and promissory notes. Transactions involving these instruments will thus not be available during the holidays. Is Online Banking Affected? The central bank, along with state governments issues the scheduled annual bank holidays list considering various factors such as national and state holidays, cultural or religious observances, operational needs, government announcements, and coordination with other banks. The RBI communicates this via official website and notifications to banks and other financial institutions. Customers must note that non-working days for banks differ across states due to the regional requirements. Thus to stay informed, you should confirm the full list of holidays with their nearest bank branch to plan better and avoid last-minute confusion and emergencies. Top executives at drugmakers must file legal undertakings detailing their products and manufacturing as well as promise their readiness for government inspections, in case they wish to ship their products overseas. On 3 July, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) wrote to drugmakers that henceforth, it will issue no-objection certificates (NOC) for exports only once the document is received. In the legal undertaking, the chief executive or executive director must describe the name of the formulation, quantity being manufactured and exported, place of manufacturing, manufacturing licence and overseas customers, among others. Also read | Amid global concerns over India-made drugs, Govt plans an exports revamp Though exporters always had to submit detailed affidavits, this is the first time the regulator has directed top executives to file legal undertakings on stamp paper. The tightening of regulations comes two months after DCGI divested state licensing authorities of the powers to issue these NOCs. That decision was taken after the deaths of 84 children in Gambia and Uzbekistan were linked to poor-quality cough syrups from India. Queries sent to a health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered. Under quality control The DCGI also directed that exporters must conduct quality checks as specified by the importing country. The batch to be exported shall be under quality control testing as per the specifications of the importing country and will comply with all the requirements of the importing country including quality standards, said a DCGI guidance note seen by Mint. Besides, medicines meant for exports cannot be diverted for sale in India. In case an export order is cancelled, the drug maker must destroy the entire stock in the presence of state licensing authority. The manufacturer must also maintain records of the transactions of the drugs. Also read | Who is responsible at drugmakers? Regulator wants to find out Besides this, company bosses will also allow the inspection of all the books and records as well as actual usage of drug by the inspector appointed under the Drugs and Cosmetic Act whenever required. Submitting a legal undertaking will not help increase exports; rather, it will burden the industry and go against the ease of doing business, said Uday Bhaskar, former director-general of drug exporters body Pharmexcil. Concerns over destroying drugs Bhaskar also expressed concerns about having to destroy drugs that cannot be exported. "Sometimes, these are high-value material. Instead of destroying the remaining stock, industry may be allowed to divert the stock to some other country and party. Destroying the product is a huge financial loss to the companies, Bhaskar, who is also an honorary director general of All India Drugs Control Officers Confederation (AIDCOC). As per Pharmexcil data, Indias pharmaceutical exports in FY24 were valued $27.85 billion, up 9.66% from $25.4 billion in FY23. While formulations and biologicals hold the major share, accounting for 73.75% during this period with a value of $20.54 billion, exports in this category have expanded by 11.33%. Also read | Habit-forming drugs to be bar-coded The second major category by value is bulk drugs and drug intermediates. In FY24, this segment grew marginally by 1.60%. The value of exports in this category was $ 4755.22 million. Indias top 3 countries for pharma exports during FY23-24 were the US, UK and South Africa. Exports to US, which account for 31.35% of Indias exports in pharma products, have expanded by 15.66%. In 1561, Ramaraya of Vijayanagara defeated the sultan of Ahmednagar after a long, bloody conflict. Husain Nizam Shah, as the latter was known, now sued for peace. His proposal was accepted, subject, however, to certain conditions. Some of these were predictable: the forfeiture of territory, the liquidation of an irritating commander, and so on. But loss of land and human resources was still tolerable; what the sultan found grating was the final clause. For Ramaraya demanded that Husain come to his camp and accept pan (betel nut) from his hand"a quite literal enactment of eating humble pie. The sultan was prepared to swallow this too but things got worse. On the appointed day, Ramaraya received him seated, refusing to rise even as Husain kissed his hand. The man could take it no more. Deciding to pay his host in the same coin, the Nizam Shah called for a basin of water and washed his hands. Humiliated in his own housewhich was not part of the planan infuriated Ramaraya muttered: Were he not my guest, I would have cut off his hands and hung them round his neck." To insult people is a very naughty thing, but throughout history it has served as a key instrument of politicsa means to cut rivals down to size. Some preferred to do this in person, possibly to enjoy the sheer brazenness of the act. Ramaraya apparently belonged to this category. Before the episode with Husain, he welcomed another sultans envoy, arranging for an acrobatic performance in the mans honour. Only that when it was over, he rewarded the troupe with pigs, right before the offended Muslim diplomat. In 18th century Delhi, to cite another example, Shah Alam, the emasculated Mughal emperor, faced a home invasion by a Rohilla chieftainone towards whom, in the latters boyhood, the padshah is believed to have directed unpleasant sexual attention. The emperor received him in state, only for the Rohilla to plop casually on the throne, blow hookah-smoke on to Shah Alams face, and make Mughal princes dress up like women and dance. By the end imperial prestige lay in pieces. Others, though, insulted in absentia, using art and propaganda, somewhat like todays memes. For instance, following the Second Anglo-Mysore War (which the British lost), their rivals, the French, distributed a poster. It showed a uniformed English soldier receive a spanking from Hyder Ali. Aiding the process was a Frenchman, who offered the sultan more sticks for the Englishmans inflamed bottom. Of course, in this instance the taunt aged poorly, for the British prevailed in India, smashing French ambitions. In 17th century Maharashtra, similarly, the Mughals faced stubborn opposition from the African-origin general Malik Ambar. Emperor Jahangir famously commissioned a painting in which he shoots an arrow at Ambars impaled heada fantasy, because in reality Ambar died an (undefeated) old man in his home. Sometime later, Mughal ire was transferred to Shivaji. The Maratha chhatrapati is in imperial narratives branded a mountain rat" and infidel"; they referred to him as a mere Shiva", refusing him the dignity of a ji". And we know how all that ended. Then there were caste-based slurs. Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara triumphed over his rival, the Gajapati of Odisha, from whom he seized a daughter. The woman in question was clearly not pleased at being bartered away in a political transaction. For her new husband, meanwhile, victory and honour in the battlefield did not translate to corresponding feelings in the marital chamber. His new queen is supposed to have tried to murder him, which effort being thwarted, she was exiled to a backwater. But the lady, a Kshatriya, did land a punch when she punctured the kings pride by referring to him, of less exalted origins, as a dasi-putra (son of a maid). Even the British did not hesitate to use caste to tarnish native" powers. Noting how a large number of Indian princes had peasant origins, they pooh-poohed their claims to high status. Dismissing them as the offspring of needy adventurers, lucky farmers, (and) successful freebooters" also conveniently meant, of course, that toppling them from power would look less unjust. But too much of an insult could also backfire, and things would have to be rolled back to avert crises. In 1674, the Dutch defeated the Madurai rulers armies at Nagapattinam. Except that even as they retreated in shame, the Indian side managed to carry with them the head of the Dutch commander. The Europeans had won the battle, that is, but lost the best portion of their leaders person. It was an unsatisfying, imperfect sort of victory. But Maduraiwhich having been routed had no desire to gloatmoved to prevent the Dutch further embarrassment. They had the dead mans head embalmed, perfumed, wrapped in silks, and returned it, as historian Lennart Bes writes, with great reverence, accompanied by drummers and horn-blowers." By global standards this is charming: many monarchs preferred to convert their fallen enemies skulls into drinking cups. But then again, if Madurai had done anything even vaguely similar with the Dutchmans cranium, the conflict would likely have grown worse, not abated. In other instances, loss of honour could be worse than death. Permanent humiliation was indeed deployed against those who could not be easily killed. In Kerala, an 18th century monarch gained power after a sustained fight with established factions. While the nobility saw its men executed, Martanda Varma was hesitant to kill his Brahmin enemies. So instead, he had them banishedbut after branding their foreheads with the image of a dog. It left them forever tainted, and unable to claim the privileges of their caste; they were left alive, but with no chance of a real life again. Elsewhere too, fear of besmirched honour could be used to shore up allegiances. In Golconda, thus, after a messy succession, a sultan demanded loyalty from his vassals. One memorable inscription has his lords pledge fidelity with the declaration that if any (among us)violates (this promise), his moustache is as good as the hair on the private parts of public women". For men reared in a hypermasculine martial culture, this rather ripe comparison would have triggered some shudders. The use of insultand an assault on honourhas a long history, then. And just as these things mattered to human beings in the past, they continue to be relevant today. One need only look at our recent national election campaign for a sample of creative insults and counter-insults issued with 24/7 regularity by politicians. The question, though, is whether persons prepared to emit verbal attacks can endure it when the compliment is returned. History suggests that not all have thick skins. In the 17th century, a nobleman complained against a satirist to Emperor Aurangzeb. The padshah read his memorandum, and then went on to observe that as much as one might yearn to chop off heads, it was betteras historian Abhishek Kaicker recordsto burn and accept". Move on, he seemed to be saying; the rest of the world sure does. Manu S. Pillai is a historian and author, most recently, of False Allies: Indias Maharajahs in the Age of Ravi Varma. ITR filing: The income tax department wants certain taxpayers to report various assets and liabilities to detect cases of disproportionate assets owned by a taxpayer compared to his known sources of income. The report can be divided into two parts: first, those taxpayers with incomes over 50 lakh rupees, and second, foreign assets owned by resident taxpayers. Let us discuss the first requirement in detail. It applies to all individuals and HUFs, whether residents or non-residents. a) To whom this requirement is applicable: It is not that every taxpayer has to report details of his assets and liabilities. Reporting the assets and liabilities is only relevant if your taxable income exceeds 50 lakh for the year. So, the eligible people to file the ITR 1 (Sahaj) or ITR 4 (Sugam) do not have to provide these details. Moreover, if you are engaged in a business and thus furnishing your business balance sheet in the ITR, you must furnish only the details of the assets that have not already been disclosed in the balance sheet. b) Are the requirements the same for all the forms? The format of disclosure of assets and liabilities is the same for all the ITRs except that from ITR 3, you must submit the details of interest in the firm or any Association of Persons (AOP) where you are a partner or a member. You must furnish details of specified movable and immovable assets and liabilities as of 31st March 2024 under the AL schedule, wherever situated. So, any asset disposed of during the year will not form part of the schedule. c) Disclosure for immovable properties: You must disclose details of immovable properties, i.e. land and buildings you own in scheduled AL. While submitting the details of immovable properties, you have to provide a description, cost, and address of the property. Please note that it is not that you have to disclose only the assets purchased by you, but you also have to disclose the details of any immovable asset received as a gift or inherited by you. So, if you own a house in your ancestral village that you inherited, you have to furnish the details here. You must provide such information even if you are a joint property owner. Disclosing the cost in such cases may pose some problems as you may not have the details of the cost for which the person from whom you had inherited or received the same as a gift had purchased it. In such a case, to comply with the requirement and as a safe measure, you can indicate the market value as of 1st April 2001, as this is acceptable as the cost of acquisition for the capital gains calculation purposes in case the assets were acquired by you before that date. If any money is borrowed for the immovable property or is borrowed on the security of the asset, the same also needs to be disclosed in the schedule. d) Disclosure of movable assets: Under the movable properties, the assets to be disclosed include financial assets like cash in hand, bank balances, shares and securities, insurance policies, loans and advances, and other movable asset like jewellery, bullion, vehicles, yachts, boats and aircraft, work of art etc. as on 31 st March 2024. Under the category of jewellery it is not only jewellery but also the bullion held in raw form that you are required to disclose. So, if you own any gold bars or coins, their cost must be disclosed in the schedule. The same principle discussed above would apply to inherited assets. While revealing details of bank balances, you have to provide not only details of all savings accounts but also the details of all current accounts, recurring and fixed deposits, and details of your loan account in case the same has a positive balance. In case of shares and securities received as gifts or inheritances and where you do not know the cost, the market price as of 1st April 2001 may be furnished as a safeguard. Traditional Insurance policies may be treated as investments. Still, term insurance plans cannot be treated as investments, as you do not get any money back if you survive the policy term. However, since no distinction is made here between traditional policies and term plans, I would advise you to include the premiums paid to date on term plans as well under the head insurance policies. You are also required to disclose details of vehicles, yachts, boats, aircraft, etc., owned by you, so the vehicles that are not used but have not been discarded yet or are being maintained as antique pieces also need to be disclosed. The second requirement applicable to respect foreign assets owned by resident taxpayers is to check hawala transactions and money laundering; this requirement has been brought into the statute book. As discussed earlier, this requirement applies only to resident taxpayers and concerns assets owned outside India. This will apply to all your investments and bank accounts maintained outside India. If you have invested in foreign stocks or mutual funds directly, you need to disclose the particulars. However, if you are exposed to foreign stocks through Indian mutual funds, you are not covered here. Failure to disclose the details properly of foreign assets mandatorily attracts a penalty of 10 lakh for every year of default under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015; the only exception is for a foreign bank account whose balance was less than equivalent of 5 lakh during the year.So please be very careful while filing your ITR in case you own any foreign asset, whether you bought it or inherited it. When its dark and cloudy outside, what better way to clutch your umbrellas than by watching the fabulous actor play a serial killer in a film that will make you squirm long after the lights are turned on in the theatre? Longlegs is not your everyday ordinary horror film with blood and gore you see on shows on OTT platforms. Its a slow walk (one jump scare, that is super effective) through a gloomy, lonely Pacific NorthWest (Oregon, USA) where behind the door of cookie-cutter homes lurks a serial killer. If that doesnt send a shiver down your spine, then you will be stunned by the relentless threats this unknown killer has been issuing. The FBI with all its firepower is helpless: letters with strange occult like symbols and birthday greetings, death that give them no clues except that family members are killing one another gruesomely. FBI rookie agent Lee Harker (played by Maika Monroe) is a little oddly psychic person, decoding the letters by staring at them long enough to make sense, living alone and is haunted by the serial killer who calls himself Longlegs. Her boss Agent Carter - played with understated dignity by Blair Underwood - is frustrated at why and how Lee Harker manages to unravel the mystery of Longlegs. Also Read | From Bullets to Balance Sheets: What Mirzapur Season 3 teaches investors If you have seen Nicolas Cage only in Face/Off or National Treasure, then do yourself a favour. Subscribe to MUBi and watch Pig, or watch Mandy on Amazon Prime to understand what a range of emotions the actor can play with. No one else could have put a scare inside of you just by saying, Happy Birthday! in that frail yet menacing trill as Longlegs does. And that voice is enough to haunt you in the film. Hes barely there on the screen, but when he does, his insanity explodes to make you worry about opening the door to your own home. So what money lessons can you learn from a horror movie like Longlegs? Fear is Real The letters that the FBI collects have a promise. All those satanic symbols promise gruesome birthday deaths to families. And Longlegs doesnt tell you why hes killing families and how he manages to escape unnoticed. Agent Harker knows he has an accomplice Longlegs is so brazen, he even shows up at Agent Harkers home in the dead of the night and leaves a letter for her, and she only knows hes watching her, that hes a step ahead of the FBI. Dear investor, look back at the very first step you took when you invested your hard earned money in stocks. You buried your head in information, hoping to make the best use of the money. Lots of advice came at you, asked and unasked for, confusing you even further. There were more naysayers than youd imagined. Whether it is the fear of volatile markets, or the fear of losing your nest egg to a wrong investment, the fears are real. As Warren Buffet has said, If you cannot control your emotions, you cannot control your money. When everyone shifts to safer stocks in times of trouble e.g. investing in gold or silver, then smart investors look for wonderful companies to buy into rather than fear trades. Sometimes fear itself drives the market down. If you persevere, then your knowledge will help you figure out investment opportunities of stocks of good companies at great prices. Gifts on Birthdays Longlegs targets little girls and their families We are never told why, and the frustrated FBI only figures out the connections because Agent Lee Harker has an intuitive hunch. Is she the accomplice of Longlegs? The film takes you by the hand and leads you into this rabbit hole of murders and symbols that begin imprinting themselves into your own mind. If you have received property or stocks and bonds as birthday gifts, they can be as scary as the film to deal with. There are taxes to be paid on everything. And yes, if you wish to give your money as a gift to those you love, or buy a property in their name, then be kind to them. Dont let your gift be their tax burden. Ask or find out what gifting can cost them, and how much money, stocks you can give away. Beware the Affinity Scams Without giving the clues of the most insidious murders in Longlegs, let me steer you attention to how the families open their doors to the killer. The FBI has figured out that Longlegs must have had at least one accomplice who does his bidding. Who is that accomplice? In real life Bernie Madoff targeted rich jewish families. If one invested, then others followed. Affinity scams usually target groups that belong to the same ethnic community, religious group and even profession. Dont be fooled by highly persuasive sales people who try to invest your hard earned money in that scam and use your influencer group of friends and family to part with your money. Be alert and educate yourself. Director Oz Perkins (Osgood Perkins) is the son of actor Anthony Perkins - the man who put the fear of stepping into showers into every generation that watched Psycho. Even though this film has many things common with the Mexican Film Dolly Dearest, you will not come away unaffected. Also Read | Kota Factory Season 3: Valuable money lessons to learn from the series In a landslide victory in the Assembly by-polls, the INDIA block on Saturday bagged 10 out of 13 seats that went to polling across seven states, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced a major setback and managed to win only two seats. It is important to note that the majority of the Assembly by-polls were held in opposition-ruled states like West Bengal (4), Himachal Pradesh (3), Punjab (1), and Tamil Nadu (1), besides NDA-governed Uttarakhand (2), Madhya Pradesh (1), and Bihar (1). The INDIA bloc not only clinched the seats in West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil, and Punjab, where they are in power but also defeated the BJP candidates in Uttarakhand, where the saffron party is ruling. However, Ashish Sharma of the BJP managed to win the Hamirpur seat in Himachal Pradesh. Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), former Congress president and Rae Bareli MP Rahul Gandhi posted in Hindi, "The results of the by-elections in 7 states have made it clear that the web of 'fear and confusion' woven by the BJP has been broken." "Every class including farmers, youth, labourers, businessmen and employed people want to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice. The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and protection of the Constitution. Jai Hindustan, Jai Samvidhaan (Constitution)," he added. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the BJP will continue to lose in all the upcoming elections. "This is a trendwhich began with the Lok Sabha elections and is moving forward. BJP will continue losing all the upcoming elections," news agency ANI quoted Khera as saying. BJP alleges rigging in Bengal Meanwhile, the BJP has alleged that the Assembly by-polls in West Bengal were completely rigged. Taking to X, Amit MalviyaBJP media in chargealleged that the Assembly bypolls in West Bengal were completely rigged. He posted, Bengal (4) - The elections were completely rigged. There was no semblance of a free and fair poll. In some seats, Congress contested against the TMC. Does it look like I.N.D.I Alliance's win or TMC intimidating voters and abusing the state machinery? The TMC, short of decent candidates, had to field former BJP MLAs on two of the four seats. The BJP media in-charge further said that in Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress is in power, the by-elections were held on three seats. But the BJP won Hamirpur. The grand old party should be disappointed that it couldn't win all three despite being in power. In Uttarakhands Badrinath, the Congress has retained the seat. The election was necessitated because the Congress MLA defected. What is there to celebrate in this? He added that the Congress candidate Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin won the Manglaur seat due to demographic change. In Tamil Nadu and Punjab, the ruling party clinched the seats. Did DMK expect to lose? He asked. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was admitted to AIIMS Delhi following a complaint of back pain, has been discharged from the hospital, the hospital said on Saturday. Singh was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday morning after he complained of back pain. Singh turned 73 on Wednesday. A Member of Parliament from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Rajnath Singh is heading the Ministry of Defence for the second time in a row. He also served as Union Home Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term in 2014. He served as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1977-1980 and 2001-2003. He was Minister of Education in the government of Uttar Pradesh from 1991 to 1992, while also serving as Minister of Surface Transport in the Union Cabinet from 1999 to 2000. Later, he was Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2000-2002. In 2003, he served as Minister of Agriculture in the Union Cabinet. In a fresh trouble for Puja Khedkar, a controversial trainee IAS officer, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials put up a notice of illegal encroachment at her residence. The development comes amid a probe against her over allegations of misuse of power and scrutiny for allegedly manipulating benefits under the physical disabilities category and OBC quota. Khedkar may be terminated, if Reports said that Probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar may be terminated from service if found guilty. All documents presented by her to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and then for selection in the service will be re-examined by a single-member committee constituted by the Centre on Thursday, reported PTI quoting sources. "The officer may be terminated from service if found guilty. She may face criminal charges also in case she is found to have misrepresented a fact or done any sort of manipulation in documents relied upon for her selection," a source said. Also Read | IAS Puja Khedkar breaks silence after Centre forms probe panel amid controversy What is the controversy? Puja Khedkar, a 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, is in the eye of a storm for placing a red beacon atop a private Audi (a luxury sedan) car used by her that also had 'Maharashtra Government' written on it. She is also accused of allegedly misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure a position in the IAS. Single member panel to probe The single-member probe committee of Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Additional Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, has been asked to submit its report within two weeks. Khedkar transferred Puja Khedkar was transferred to Washim District Collectorate in the Vidarbha region from Pune on Thursday, after Pune district collector Suhas Diwase wrote to state additional chief secretary Nitin Gadre requesting him to consider giving a posting to Khedkar in another district to avoid "administrative complications". Also Read | IAS officer Puja Khedkars WhatsApp chat goes viral RTO Notice The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has issued a notice to a private company there, which is the registered owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar. The car also has 21 pending challans and fine of 26,000. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has significantly increased funding for railway, highway, and airport projects, as well as schemes in the social and rural sectors in Tamil Nadu over the last ten years, according to a government official. The central government has accelerated the development of railways in Tamil Nadu at an unprecedented pace over the past decade, the official, who requested anonymity, stated. This comment follows Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin's remarks about allegedly not receiving funding for some of the states projects, with media reports highlighting Stalin's criticism of the BJP and his complaints about not getting funds for key projects like the Chennai Metro. Between 2009 and 2014, the budget allocated to Tamil Nadu for railway development averaged around 879 crore per year. However, the Centre has now allotted a record budget of 6,331 crore for railways in the state for 2024-25, a sevenfold increase, the official noted. As a result of this record budget, the work of construction of new railway lines, electrification, operation of new trains, development of stations and increase in passenger facilities is being done at a record level in Tamil Nadu, the official added. Stalins statements about the state's neglect in project sanctions by the central government are far from the truth. The present NDA government has significantly increased funding for projects in railways, highways, airports, and various social and rural schemes in Tamil Nadu over the last decade, the official reiterated. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in Mumbai today. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued high tide warning and warned city residents against venturing outdoor unless necessary. High tide of 3.69 meters is expected at 4:39 pm today. Heavy rains lashed Mumbai city today morning causing waterlogging in several areas of the city including Andheri subway, prompting authorities to undertake water pumping operation and restrict traffic movement. Mumbai traffic Police in a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), stated, Andheri subway is closed temporarily due to water logging. Traffic is diverted to S.V road. Commuters are requested to take note. Also Read | Mumbai rains LIVE Updates: Andheri subway shut amid waterlogging The maximum and minimum temperature in the city will likely settle around 29 and 24 degrees Celsius on Saturday amid 89 percent humidity. The city's temperature, over the coming six days, will hover in the range 23 to 29 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department forecasted, Generally cloudy sky with heavy rain, until July 16. Imd in a post on X, said, Isolated extremely heavy rainfall very likely over ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra during 13th-16th. Visuals from Mumbai Airport shows heavy downpour affecting traffic movement. Amid inclement weather conditions and waterlogging issue, Central Railway rescheduled LTT - KCVL S/F EXPRESS with Train No 22113. The train will be running late by 7 hours. It was scheduled to depart from Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 4:45 pm but will now depart at 11:45 pm. IMD in a post on X stated, Moderate to heavy rain in city and suburbs. Possibility of very heavy rainfall at isolated places. The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri Mumbai and Sindhudurg districts in Maharashtra's Konkan region. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and youngest son of King Charles III, is set for an interview in the coming weeks focusing on the issue of phone hacking, Us Weekly reported. This development comes after the Duke, fifth in the line of succession to the British throne, made big revelations that were published in the British press. ITV News' royal editor, Chris Ship, in a social media post on platform X (formerly Twitter), revealed that the interview will be featured in ITV's upcoming documentary, "Tabloids on Trial," which also includes appearances from Hugh Grant, Charlotte Church, and Paul Gascoigne. Chris Ship wrote, He tells our reporter Becca Barry why he is fighting to expose what he says are the illegal activities of Britains tabloid newspapers. The UK network's health correspondent, Rebecca Barry, in a post on X, stated, Excited for you all to see this ITV documentary about phone hacking that we've been busy working onI interview Prince Harry - plus others who found themselves catapulted onto the tabloid front pages. She further revealed that the documentary, Tabloids On Trial, will be aired on ITV1 and ITVX at 9:00 PM on July 25. Also Read | Prince Harry to collect military award as more than 75,000 register protest This documentary hears about his mission to continue his fight to expose the illegal tactics of Britain's tabloid press and explores what those in charge at Fleet Street really knew as this scandal unfolded, reported Newsweek citing an ITV press release. Since the conclusion of Prince Harry's court case with Mirror Group Newspapers, this marks his first major interview, ITV stated in its press release. In the past, several interviews of Prince Harry including a 2023 memoir Spare, a tell-all Netflix documentary series and Harry & Meghan, surfaced that have kept the the royal rumours abuzz. The couple stepped down from their royal duties, left UK in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California. Also Read | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle accused of treating life like prom event Israel targeted Mohammed Deif and Rafa Salama, two alleged masterminds behind the Oct. 7 attacks, though it was unclear whether either was killed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. At least 90 people died and more than 300 were injured in an air strike in the Khan Younis area of the central Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Witnesses said Hamas had brought in at least one bulldozer to search through the wreckage in an area that the Israeli military had designated as a safe zone for Palestinian refugees. Military chief Deif ranks second only to Yahya Sinwar, Hamas top leader in Gaza; Salama is the commander of Hamas Khan Younis Brigade. In a news conference Saturday evening, Netanyahu suggested that he didnt believe the strike would be a setback for the long-running talks on a cease-fire. Earlier this week, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said negotiators have made progress on a deal but tamped down hopes of an agreement soon. The prime minister said he stands by the outlines of the cease-fire backed by the US. But he contended Hamas has requested more changes, and that Israel remains committed to several goals, including the right to meet its war aims and the release of as many live hostages in the first phase of a three-stage deal. On its X account, the Israel Defense Forces said immediately after the strike that two senior Hamas terrorists and additional terrorists had hidden among civilians in the area. The IDF didnt initially identify the Hamas operatives. Witnesses said the air strikes targeted a building in the Mawasi area and surrounding tent camps west of Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza strip, where displaced Palestinians have taken shelter following IDF operations in Rafah and other parts of the strip. Israel is preparing for possible retaliation, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant instructed security forces to be fully prepared on all combat fronts. An Israeli official said that the IDF struck a fenced, open area that was a Hamas-run compound, in which Deif and Salama were believed to be located. The strike carried out based on high-quality intelligence gathered by the IDF and ISA that aimed to target militants alone, said the official, who wasnt authorized to speak publicly. Hamas which is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the EU questioned Israels claims that its targets were group leaders. The group called the strike an unprecedented and dangerous escalation. Israel launched a punishing war against Hamas in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel in which almost 1,200 people killed and 250 abducted 120 of whom are still being held in Gaza. Hamas, which does not differentiate between civilians and militants, says that more than 38,000 people were killed in the war. Hamas is a designated terror group by the US and the EU. With assistance from Fadwa Hodali. RAMALLAH, - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel and the United States were responsible for an attack that killed dozens in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, but the Western-backed leader also blamed Hamas for the continuing war in Gaza. His comments signal rising tension between Abbas's Fatah faction and the Islamist Hamas group, which accused the Palestinian president of taking Israel's side. Israel said the attack was aimed at killing the Hamas military chief Mohammad Deif and his aide. It remained unclear whether Deif or his deputy were killed in the strike that left at least 90 Palestinians dead and 300 wounded, according to Gaza health ministry. "The Palestinian presidency condemns the slaughter and holds the Israeli government fully responsible, also the U.S. administration that provides all kinds of support to the occupation and its crimes," said Abbas in a statement published by his office. But Abbas, whose authority maintains a limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, assigned some blame to Hamas, whose Oct 7 attack inside Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were abducted, kicked off the nine-month war in Gaza. "The presidency sees that by escaping national unity, and providing free pretexts to the occupation state, the Hamas movement is a partner in bearing legal, moral and political responsibility for the continuation of the Israeli war of genocide in Gaza Strip," the statement said. Hamas has run Gaza since its 2007 takeover of the coastal territory from Abbas loyalists. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters Abbas's statement meant the Palestinian Authority "has chosen to be in the same trench with the occupation". "Such an attitude will not succeed in blackmailing the resistance or pressuring it," said Abu Zuhri. Efforts by Arab mediators, led by Egypt, have so far failed to reconcile power struggles between the two sides. Another Hamas leader, Basem Naim, who took part in previous reconciliation talks with Abbas's Fatah faction, said Abbas was to blame for the failure to reach a unity deal. Naim said Abbas's comments made him and his authority "partner to the Zioinist enemy and its crimes not only in Gaza but also in all of the Palestinian land." July 13 - Russian forces launched a "double tap" missile attack on Saturday on a small town near Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, killing two people, an emergency services official and a police officer, officials said. Officials also reported four dead in a series of attacks in Donetsk region to the southeast. Prosecutors said the mid-afternoon missile attack targeted the railway station in Budy, southwest of Kharkiv. After rescue teams arrived, a second missile hit the area. They said 23 people were injured in the incidents. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the head of the Kharkiv district emergency services was killed, along with a police officer from a rapid reaction unit. Among the injured were three emergency workers, a policeman and about 20 civilians. Reuters could not verify independently the accounts and Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. But Russian forces have used the "double tap" tactic to devastating effect. Kharkiv remained out of Russian hands in the initial advance of the Kremlin's forces after the February 2022 invasion. The city and surrounding area have since come under constant attack, though Ukrainian officials say the frequency has diminished since U.S. supplies of weaponry to Ukraine resumed after a break of several months. Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin said an attack by multiple rocket launchers hit a multi-storey apartment building killed one person in Chasiv Yar a town targeted by Russian forces as a staging point in advancing through Ukraine's east. A guided bomb, increasingly used in Russian attacks, killed one person near the town of Kurakhove, where some of the heaviest fighting is taking place along the 1,000-km front. Two bombs dropped on a village further west near the town of Komar killed two people. Ten buildings and a shop were damaged. US Elections 2024: Elon Musk, billionaire and a South African immigrant to the US, has donated to a super political action committee (Super PAC) working to elect vocally anti-immigrant Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump to the White House, Bloomberg reported, citing sources. While the amount donated is unknown, the sources said it was "sizable". The report called Musk's contribution to the America PAC a "major gambit" into the US political space by the worlds richest person, worth $263.6 billion as per the Bloomberg Billionaire Index (BBI). The PAC will disclose its list of donors on July 15, it added. Bloomberg added that Musk did not respond to queries., while the Trump campaign and America PAC treasurer Chris Gober declined to comment. Musk did not respond to Reuters queries either. Current US President and Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden's campaign spokesman James Singer told Reuters, "Musk knows Trump is a sucker who will sell America out, cutting his taxes while raising taxes on the middle class by $2,500. Joe Biden has been standing up to people like Elon and fighting for the middle class his entire career and its why hell win in November." Musk to be a juggernaut for Republicans? Notably, Trump has already overtaken Biden in terms of fundraising from "deep-pocketed Wall Street and corporate donors", the Bloomberg report added. Biden's campaign took a hit after a disastrous debate outing that caught him slurring speech and seemingly unable to speak with clarity, while Trump went bombastic with his lies. And while Musk has been critical of Biden on his social media site X (formerly known as Twitter), he has yet to publically declare his support for any presidential candidate in the upcoming US elections in November 2024. He has previously said he "prefers to stay out of politics" but has been engaging with and blasting right-leaning views on X. In March too, Musk and Trump met at a gathering with business heads, after which the Tesla CEO in a post on X claimed he is "not donating money to either candidate". In May, he again denied conversations about an advisory role in Trump's presidency. In the past, Musk and Trump have clashed on electric vehicles and cryptocurrency, but during Tesla's annual meet in June, the tech mogul discussed his relationship with Trump, saying: He does call me out of the blue for no reason. Musk also said they had "some conversations" and Trump is a huge fan of the Cybertrucks. Trump meanwhile has pledged to reverse Biden's EV push, but added: "I'm a big fan of electric cars. I'm a fan of Elon. He does an incredible job with Tesla." The decision to bat for Trump's campaign may be seen now as a sign that Musk's deep pockets give the Republicans a "financial juggernaut", the report added. Also Read | Mumbai rains LIVE Updates: IMD issues orange alert across MMR today The America PAC Boost America PAC is the biggest spender on direct voter contacts for Trump among outside organisations and focuses on door-to-door efforts. It has spent $15.8 million so far, with $13.1 million of that going for field operations, as per federal records Bloomberg reported. It has also paid for digital media, texting and phone calls to reach voters. Amidst mounting pressure for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 US Presidential race due to concerns over his mental sharpness and ability to defeat former President Donald Trump, there is a perception within Bidens campaign that former President Obama is playing a role in the growing calls for Biden's withdrawal, according to MSNBC host Joe Scarborough. As reported by The Hill, citing Scarborough, One thing that we do have to underline here just so viewers can follow whats going on behind the scenes is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this, Scarborough said on Morning Joe. Mika Brzezinski, Scarboroughs co-host and wife, added, I think Barack Obama has a lot of influence, and theres a lot there. Former advisers to Obama have been some of Bidens strongest critics since the debate. Despite this, Biden has expressed his commitment to remaining in the race, and Joe Scarborough has defended him against calls to withdraw. Actor George Clooney, a notable supporter of both Biden and Obama, authored an op-ed in The New York Times urging Biden to consider stepping down. According to CNN, Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have privately conveyed 'concerns' about Joe Biden's 2024 campaign, emphasizing the growing 'challenges' they perceive in his ability to compete against Donald Trump. Despite their reservations, both Obama and Pelosi are undecided on the appropriate course of action going forward. There is a pressing sense of urgency within the Democratic Party to halt ongoing internal conflicts and redirect efforts towards defeating former President Trump. Obama has maintained a notable silence in public discourse for the past two weeks, a departure from his usual non-dramatic approach. This absence has left many prominent Democrats feeling neglected, as they typically rely on his leadership and influence during critical moments. After the debate, he posted on X, Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know, a sentiment he echoed at a New York fundraiser for House Democrats. In Washington, it's widely known that Obama harbors increasing doubts about Biden's chances for reelection, a sentiment that is becoming more apparent. As historians reflect on this significant two-week period in American politics, the roles of Obama and Pelosi are expected to be more pronounced. They are seen as pivotal figures guiding a Democratic party facing considerable challenges and internal turmoil. "They are watching and waiting for President Biden to reach a decision on his own," said a longtime Democrat close to both Obama and Pelosi, speaking anonymously to avoid showing disrespect to Biden. The Biden campaign has declined to comment on this matter, CNN reported. Obama has demonstrated his support for Biden by attending two fundraising events this year, including one in Los Angeles last month. At this event, George Clooney later voiced concerns about Biden's condition, having observed Biden's overnight flight across five time zones after attending G-7 meetings. Obama himself reportedly questioned the wisdom of such a demanding schedule even before their arrival at the event. The INDIA bloc secured 10 out of 13 seats as bypoll votes were counted in seven states on Saturday. The BJP-led ruling coalition won two seats while an Independent candidate won the Rapauli seat in Bihar. We bow before the public for the positive result of the assembly by-election. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to them for wherever they voted for the Congress Party candidates. We salute all Congress workers for their hard work and efforts in adverse circumstances. This victory shows that the people have now completely rejected the arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics of the BJP. This is also a strong evidence of the falling political credibility of Modi and Shah, the senior politician tweeted in Hindi. The Congress won two seats each in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand while AAP candidate Mohinder Bhagat secured the lone Punjab seat in the fray. Meanwhile the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress swept the West Bengal bypolls. Elections were held on Wednesday for four seats in West Bengal, three in Himachal Pradesh, two in Uttarakhand, and one each in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. The Conrgess had seen its numbers dip sharply in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly after six of its members joined the BJP in March. The party has now regained its original strength of 40 MLAs after winning four bypoll seats including two seats that went to polls alongside the Lok Sabha elections in June. These by-elections which were held on 13 seats are very important. For the second time in one and a half months, the people of the country gave a strong message to the BJP. The message was very clear in the Lok Sabha elections... In Uttarakhand, we won both our seats, Badrinath and Manglaur. In Himachal Pradesh, Congress won two out of three seats...And if you assess all 13 seats in total, BJP got only two, reminded fellow party leader Pawan Khera. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hailed his wife Kamlesh Thakur's historic victory in key by-polls on Saturday. He said the Congress was not able to win the elections in Dehra assembly constituency for 25 years. Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the CM said, The people of Himachal have defeated money power by supporting people power and have given a befitting reply to the political conspiracy of BJP. Sukhu also hit out at three independent MLAs who had resigned a few months back that led to the bye-elections. "Three independent MLAs had no reason to resign. They could have simply allied with the BJP, but even they learnt their lesson. This is people's victory," Sukhu said. He said people have given a befitting reply for the kind of poaching that happened in state politics in the past. "This also gave a message that the people of the state are aware and awake, and such poaching will not work...," the Himachal Chief Minister said. Himachal Pradesh bypolls Bypolls to three assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh Dehra, Hamirpur and Nalagarh took place on July10 and results were announced on Saturday. "All the three seats are a stronghold of the BJP and we have won two of them, this is a big deal...," Sukhu said. The bypoll in Himachal Pradesh was necessitated after the three Independents who had voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls on February 27 resigned on March 22. They had joined the BJP the next day but their resignations were accepted by the Speaker on June 3. The BJP had fielded the Independents from their respective seats as party candidates. Himachal CM's wife wins Sukhu's statement came as his wife and Congress candidate Kamlesh Thakur won the Dehra Assembly seat for the first time on Saturday. Thakur, in her poll debut, defeated BJP candidate Hoshiyar Singh by a margin of 9,399 votes. Thakur polled 32,737 votes in the bypoll against 23,338 votes polled by Singh. The three Independent candidates in this seat could not get even 200 votes each. Of the 86,520 voters in this assembly segment, 65.42 per cent exercised their franchise on July 10. On Saturday, Sukhu told why the Congress fielded his wife from the Dehra seat. The reason for fielding my wife from Dehra was to make the Congress enter Kangra and increase the MLAs of the valley from 9 to 10... Congratulating Kamlesh Thakur for winning the seat, Sukhu said, "Hearty congratulations to Congress candidate Kamlesh Thakur ji from Dehra assembly constituency for registering a historic victory in the assembly by-election and heartfelt gratitude to the respected voters." "This election has given a clear message that the people of Himachal will not tolerate the actions of harming democracy and attacking the mandate of the state on the strength of the power of the Center," Sukhu posted on X. Kishori Lal Sharma, Congress leader and a Member of Parliament (MP) from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi, on Saturday, backed party MP Rahul Gandhi's remarks on former Amethi MP and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Smriti Irani, in which he targeted the trollers using derogatory languages against her. Sharma backed Gandhi's remarks and said that it is not their value to use such language against someone. Rahul Gandhi is right. I relate to his statement. Politics mein koi haarta hai koi jeeta hai.. (Victories and losses are a part of life). It is not in our values to use such language against someone, the Amethi MP told ANI. Earlier on Friday, Gandhi came in defence of Irani, saying that humiliating and insulting people is a sign of weakness, not strength. In a post on X, the Congress MP wrote, Winning and losing happen in life. I urge everyone to refrain from using derogatory language and being nasty towards Smt. Smriti Irani or any other leader for that matter. Humiliating and insulting people is a sign of weakness, not strength. The BJP leader has been at the receiving end of trolls since her defeat in the Lok Sabha Polls. Recently trolls targeted the former Minister after she vacated her official bungalow in Delhi. Irani was defeated by Congress leader and Gandhi family loyalist, Kishori Lal Sharma, with a margin of 1,67,196 votes from Uttar Pradesh's Amethi in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. Sharma secured 5,39,228 votes while Irani garnered 3,72,032 votes. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Irani defeated Congress candidate Rahul Gandhi from Amethi- which had been a Congress bastion for several years. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi contested from Rae Bareli and Wayanad and won from both constituencies. Later, he gave up the Wayanad constituency. Priyanka Gandhi will make her electoral debut from the Wayanad. After losing the poll, the BJP leader later said at a press conference, "I express my gratitude to all the BJP party workers and supporters, those who have worked in the service of the constituency and the party with dedication and loyalty. Today, I am grateful to PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath that their governments have completed the pending works of 30 years in just 5 years. I congratulate those who win. I will continue to be in the service of the people of Amethi". Congress leaders have vowed to take punitive action after several party lawmakers cross-voted during the recent Maharashtra Legislative Council elections. The ruling Mahayuti alliance won nine out of 11 seats with results indicating that at least seven Congress MLAs defied the party directive. The state unit has information about who cross-voted. We set a trap during the biennial council election and those cross-voted were today trapped. The party will take action against those who have committed anti-party work and betrayed the party. They will be shown the doors, said Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole. The visibly angry politician insisted during an address on Friday that the Congress would take stern action against such treacherous individuals. As per the results at least seven out of 37 Congress MLAs in the state cross-voted on Friday. The party had reportedly fixed a quota of 30 first preference votes for its candidate Pradyna Satav with the remaining seven votes set to go towards Shiv Sena (UBT) nominee Milind Narvekar. The final results however indicated that Satav had received 25 first preference votes while Narvekar secured 22 first preference votes. Peasants and Workers' Party candidate Jayant Patil (who was backed by the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction) lost due to the cross-voting. Meanwhile Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut dubbed the polls 'a contest between money and people's power'. He alleged that the "rate" of the MLAs of smaller parties and independents was soaring like a stock market. He also suggested that some legislators were given two acres of land. "The council poll was a contest between money power and people's power. MLAs who think they are secular, who believe in the socialist ideology, there are many like that (who did not vote for the MVA candidate). The rate for MLAs ranged from 20 crore to 25 crore. The MVA will not play such a game," he said, alluding that these parties did not vote for the MVA. We had 42 votes and our candidates got 47. We got an additional five votes. Five MLAs supported us, I thank them. When there are elections, allegations are made but I do not think about it...Mahayuti should get such success in the Vidhan Sabha as well exulted Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The government is working on a strategic plan to boost skill development, as India aims to become a developed nation (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, when the world's fifth-largest economy celebrates 100 years of independence, Atul Kumar Tiwari, secretary, Union skill development and entrepreneurship ministry, said. The plan involves creating quality skilling infrastructure, integration of skilling courses with general education, and creating a workforce ready for the international job market. With the rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, Tiwari highlighted the need to tailor skilling efforts to meet industry demands and make skilling more personalized. AI influences skilling in two waysthe delivery of AI as a skill, and changes in the delivery of skilling itself. Our approach includes specialized AI programming for engineers, AI courses for ITIs (industrial training institutes) and schools, and basics of AI for everyone through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), he told Mint in an interview. Also Read: India needs a data-driven strategy to plug skill development plans The approach to AI skilling is divided into three categories: AI for Few, which focuses on specialized AI programming for proficient computer engineers; AI for Many, which offers courses on AI applications in machine learning, data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, automation, and cybersecurity for ITIs and schools; and AI for All, which provides an understanding of AI fundamentals, common applications, usage of AI tools, and AI ethics for everyone via SIDH portal, he said. Current skill gaps in the Indian workforce In response to a question about the biggest skill gaps currently observed in the Indian workforce and how the government is planning to address them, the skill development secretary said, India faces diverse skill gaps across sectors. To address this, we conduct periodic skill gap studies through Sector Skill Councils and develop District Skill Development Plans. We are also collaborating with various ministries to collect granular skilling information and update demand periodically based on studies by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The government is also collaborating with industries to ensure that the skills being imparted are relevant to the current job market. Industry-led Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) develop in-demand skill qualifications, he said. The government has flexible training programmes under industrial training institutes. Discussions are ongoing for easier industry adoption of ITIs and demand-side financing of skilling through skill vouchers and revised skill loan schemes, he added. Also Read: Looking for a foreign job? Govt may help you upgrade your skills The government is taking several key initiatives to enhance skill development in rural areas and ensure inclusive growth as skilling is now more integrated with sector-specific needs. Programmes like PM-Vishwakarma, Green Hydrogen, and PM-Surya Ghar Yojana focus on upskilling and recognition of prior skills, Tiwari emphasized. The Centre has undertaken several inclusive measures, such as board and lodging support under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, special incentives for micro, small and medium enterprises, women apprentices, and people from the northeastern region under the revised National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, he said. Regarding funding and resources allocated for skill development programmes, he said, Funding comes from various ministries and states, with efforts converging on the SIDH. We aim to maximize returns on public expenditure through data integration with employment, counselling, and credit systems. Enter the lantern slide, an invention of the mid-19th century that revolutionized the way pictures or illustrations could be shared in group settings. Relying on the quickly evolving technology of photography, lantern slide makers found that negatives could be exposed directly onto plates of glass. Those plates were then placed in front of a lanterns light to cast a projection of the image onto a wall or screen at a scale large enough to serve groups of a few dozen or a few hundred. By the turn of the 20th century, the utility and engaging nature of lantern slides made them a popular classroom tool. One University of Idaho professor who we know used lantern slides in his classes was Dr. Charles H. Shattuck. Shattuck joined the university in 1909 as the first head of the Department of Forestry. While there were plenty of forests in the region where Shattuck could conduct his own research or create hands-on lessons for his students, he knew that his fledgling department needed a laboratory on campus. Although he spent less than 10 years at U of I, during his tenure he established one of the finest university arboretums west of the Mississippi River. The original arboretum, named posthumously for him in the 1930s, contained more than 150 species of trees, numbering at least 12,000 individual plantings. The Shattuck Lantern Slide collection is now housed in the University of Idaho Librarys Special Collections and Archives. Its path to archival preservation, however, was not always so clear. In the late 1970s, boxes of the slides were found sitting next to a dumpster in Moscow. Thankfully the abandoned materials were picked up by Keith Petersen, a historian and champion of Idaho history, who entrusted them to the Latah County Historical Society for safe keeping. In 2009, the slides were returned to their home on the universitys campus. To view digital copies of the slides, visit lib.uidaho.edu/digital/shattuck, and to see these historical treasures in person, make an appointment by emailing libspec@uidaho.edu. Kersting-Lark is the head of special collections and archives at the University of Idaho libraries. U.S. military says destroyed 5 Houthi boats, 3 drones Xinhua) 16:57, July 12, 2024 SANAA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. forces destroyed five Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea late Thursday. According to U.S. Central Command, the forces also destroyed two Houthi uncrewed aerial systems over the Red Sea and one system in a Houthi-controlled area of Yemen. "It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters more safe and secure," it said in a statement. Early on Thursday, the Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, said the U.S.-British coalition launched five airstrikes targeting the area of Rad Issa, northwest of the Houthi-held Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported. Since last November and in a display of solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Houthi group began to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said are Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea. In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets to deter the group, leading to the expansion of Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British commercial vessels and naval ships. Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said in a televised speech on Thursday that his group had targeted "a total of 166 ships linked to Israel, the U.S., and Britain" since November. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Roadshow for 1st China Commodity Fair Australia held in Sydney Xinhua) 15:16, July 13, 2024 Damian Meduri, associate director of Priority Markets (Greater China) with the New South Wales (NSW) Government's international trade and investment group, delivers a speech at a roadshow for the first China Commodity Fair Australia (CCF Australia) in Sydney, Australia, July 12, 2024. The roadshow was held in Sydney on Friday, attracting around 100 representatives from the Chinese and Australian governments, business sectors as well as media. (Xinhua/Ma Ping) SYDNEY, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A roadshow for the first China Commodity Fair Australia (CCF Australia) was held in Sydney on Friday, attracting around 100 representatives from the Chinese and Australian governments, business sectors as well as media. The roadshow aimed to fully present the CCF Australia, which will be held for the first time at the International Convention Center Sydney on Sept. 26-28, 2024. With highlights and preparation progress introduced during the roadshow, it sought to deepen the exchange and trade cooperation between China and Australia in the industry of consumer goods. "Through this fair, Australian consumers will have the opportunity to access more high-quality Chinese products and have more choices in their lives," Liu Dianxun, director general of the Trade Development Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, told the roadshow. At the same time, Chinese companies can have a deep understanding of the needs of the Australian market and find more business opportunities, he said. "I believe that with the joint efforts of all parties, the cooperation between China and Australia in the field of consumer goods will be taken to a new level and bring more tangible benefits to the people in our two countries," Liu said. Ye Wei, economic and commercial counselor of the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney, said China has built a consumer goods industrial system with wide coverage and a relatively complete structure, providing consumers around the world, including in Australia, with a rich variety of cost-effective goods. He believed that this exhibition will become an important stage for the full display of Chinese consumer goods in Australia, and also provide an important platform for more Australian consumers to understand and love Chinese consumer goods at home. "I'm looking forward to seeing more than 400 Chinese companies exhibit their goods at the International Convention Center in September," said Damian Meduri, associate director of Priority Markets (Greater China) with the New South Wales (NSW) Government's international trade and investment group. "Having access to a wide range of affordable goods and services imported from China has benefited both NSW consumers and businesses by improving living standards and business efficiency," he said. CCF Australia is organized by the Trade Development Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, together with Zhejiang Broad International Convention & Exhibition Co., Ltd, Jiangsu Trade Promotion International Conference & Exhibition Co., Ltd, Shanghai International Exhibition (Group) Co., Ltd and Shandong Better Exhibition Engineering Co., Ltd. It is also strategically supported by Messe Frankfurt, one of the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizers. CCF Australia is expected to gather nearly 400 Chinese companies and cover an exhibition area of over 10,000 square meters, making it the largest specialized consumer goods exhibition in Australia with the most Chinese participants. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Lewiston could set a new triple digit temperature streak next week. Friday registered a high of 100 degrees at the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport, marking the sixth straight day the temperature has hit at least the century mark. The city is forecast to be 100 degrees or hotter every day through Friday. If that happens, Lewiston will break its long-standing record of 11 straight days of triple digit temperatures Thursday and pad the record Friday. The high mark was first set in 1897 but has been matched three times in 1938, 1967 and most recently in 2021. It could be touch and go. While the forecast calls for a robust 105 degrees today and 104 on Sunday, Mondays forecast calls for 101 degrees, leaving just a two-degree margin. It is forecast be 102 on Tuesday, 106 Wednesday, 105 Thursday and 104 on Friday. Meteorologist Daniel Butler said in addition to hot weather, Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and surrounding area will be dry. There is no precipitation in the seven day forecast. Lewiston hasnt seen rain since June 17 when .021 inches was recorded. For the year, Lewiston has received 6.91 inches, a little more than 1 inch behind the average 8.09 inches. Pullman is about 1.5 inches below its year-to-day precipitation. Embrace FARM held its 11th Annual Ecumenical Remembrance Service on Sunday, June 30 in the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Abbeyleix, where farm families, including the Brennan family from Lanesboro, gathered to remember loved ones lost within their community. Over the past decade, this service has become an important event, honouring those who have died suddenly and providing comfort for their families. As with other years, the Embrace FARM team called on farm families to submit names of their loved ones who have died so that they can be remembered in the service. This year almost 350 peoples names were featured in the roll call. PICTURES | Longford's Camlin Keys Festival hits the high notes in memorable style Over the past ten years, the service has become a pinnacle event in the farming community. It acknowledges the suffering of those who have survived farm accidents and provides a place for farm families to remember loved ones who have died suddenly. PICTURES | Great turnout as Colmcille vintage run raises funds for Longford Hospice Embrace FARM (Farming Accidents Remembered & Missed) was established by husband and wife, Brian and Norma Rohan in 2014, following the tragic loss of Brians father Liam in a farming accident. Norma Rohan, Co-Founder of Embrace FARM, commented on the importance of the service. Our community has faced unimaginable loss, and our Remembrance Service offers a shared space for people who have had a similar experience to gather together to remember and heal. Each name read aloud represents a cherished life and a family forever changed. Our commitment is to ensure that no one walks this path alone. Since our first Remembrance Service in 2014, our services also now include support groups, events, and our Encircle Programme. If you or anyone you know needs support, please contact on 057-8510555 or 085-7709966 or email info@embracefarm.com Also read: Response of local community and emergency services praised at Clonmel accident inquest In a surprising turn of events, a New Mexico judge dismissed Alec Baldwin's manslaughter case on Friday, the third day of his trial. The judge ruled in favor of the defense's motion, which argued that critical live ammunition evidence was concealed from them during the investigation into the fatal on-set shooting. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer cited the state's discovery violation regarding the late disclosure of a supplemental report on the ammunition evidence, calling it "highly prejudicial" to the defendant and indicative of "bad faith." "There is no way for the court to right this wrong," Sommer declared, granting the motion to dismiss with prejudice. This ruling prevents Baldwin from being retried on the manslaughter charge. An emotional Baldwin was seen hugging his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, in the courtroom following the judge's decision. Had he been convicted, Baldwin faced up to 18 months in prison. The ruling came after a day-long motion hearing amid Baldwin's trial for the death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Hutchins was fatally shot by Baldwin on the Santa Fe set in October 2021 when his revolver discharged a live round. During the hearing, the court addressed the defense's motion without the jury present. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey testified, revealing that co-prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson had resigned, disagreeing with the decision to hold a public hearing. The issue was initially raised on Thursday when defense attorney Alex Spiro questioned Marissa Poppell, a crime scene technician with the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Office, about ammunition handed over to the sheriff's office in March. This occurred during "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez's trial. Gutierrez was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Hutchins' death, as prosecutors argued she failed to follow safety protocols, resulting in the fatal shooting. Poppell testified that she documented the ammunition in a report filed under a different case number. Spiro accused her of burying the evidence, to which Poppell responded that the report was submitted into evidence. Judge Sommer emphasized that a dismissal with prejudice is an "extreme sanction" but justified due to the state's intentional withholding of potentially exculpatory evidence. The nondisclosure undermined Baldwin's trial preparation, leading Sommer to describe the state's conduct as near bad faith, causing "scorching prejudice" to the defendant. This ruling marks a significant conclusion to Baldwin's legal battle over the tragic incident on the "Rust" set, ensuring he will not face further prosecution for the manslaughter charge. Nature & Weather, Local News By Long Island Published: July 13 2024 The 1977 New York City blackout extended to parts of Long Island, causing significant disruptions, economic impact, and highlighting the region's resilience and community spirit. July 13, 1977, is a date that will forever be etched into the memories of many New Yorkers, especially those on Long Island. The massive blackout that struck New York City didn't just plunge the metropolis into darkness; it extended its reach to parts of Long Island, bringing with it a wave of chaos and upheaval that has become a significant chapter in the region's history. This article revisits that fateful night, focusing on its impact on Long Island, the community's response, and the lasting effects on the area. The Night the Lights Went Out On that hot summer night in 1977, a series of lightning strikes hit power lines, causing a cascade of failures in the Con Edison power system. At approximately 9:34 PM, the entire city of New York and parts of Long Island were thrust into complete darkness. The sudden loss of electricity halted trains, darkened streets, and left millions of residents scrambling for candles and flashlights. For Long Island residents, the blackout was both an inconvenience and a stark reminder of their interconnectedness with the city. Though not all areas of Long Island were affected, those that were faced significant challenges. Businesses shuttered early, traffic lights ceased to function, and a sense of uncertainty spread quickly. Immediate Impact on Long Island The blackout's immediate impact on Long Island was multifaceted. Communities faced disruptions in daily life, with power outages affecting homes, businesses, and public services. The lack of air conditioning on an already sweltering evening exacerbated the discomfort, especially for the elderly and those with health conditions. Public Safety Concerns: Emergency services were stretched thin as they responded to a surge in calls. Hospitals had to rely on backup generators, and police were dispatched to manage traffic and maintain order. In some areas, the darkness provided cover for opportunistic criminal activities, though the scale was far less than what was seen in New York City. Businesses and Economic Impact: The blackout had an immediate economic impact on Long Island. Businesses, particularly those in hospitality and retail, suffered losses due to early closures and spoiled inventory. Restaurants and grocery stores, lacking refrigeration, saw perishable goods go to waste. The financial repercussions were felt by small business owners and employees alike. The Human Element: Stories from the Community Behind the broad strokes of the blackout's impact lie countless personal stories from Long Islanders who lived through that night. These stories provide a rich tapestry of resilience, community spirit, and, in some cases, profound fear. Neighborhood Solidarity: In many communities, neighbors came together to help one another. Families shared resources, and block parties sprang up as people sought to make the best of a bad situation. For some, it was a rare opportunity to connect with neighbors, turning the blackout into an impromptu social event. Challenges for Vulnerable Populations: For others, particularly the elderly and those with medical needs, the blackout was a perilous time. Stories of neighbors checking on one another, sharing food and water, and helping to keep each other cool highlight the strong sense of community that helped many get through the night. Crime and Safety: While Long Island did not experience the widespread looting and vandalism that plagued New York City, there were isolated incidents of crime. These acts, though limited, created a sense of unease. Law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly to maintain order, and their efforts were largely successful in preventing widespread chaos. Long Island's Response and Recovery As the blackout continued through the night and into the next day, efforts to restore power were underway. Utility workers from across the region were mobilized, working around the clock to repair the damaged infrastructure. Their tireless efforts meant that power was gradually restored to most of Long Island within 24 hours. Community Organizations: Local organizations and community groups played a crucial role in the immediate aftermath of the blackout. They provided support to those in need, offering food, water, and temporary shelter. These efforts underscored the strength and resilience of Long Island's communities. Lessons Learned: The blackout of 1977 served as a wake-up call for many. It highlighted vulnerabilities in the power grid and underscored the need for better emergency preparedness. In the years that followed, Long Island invested in infrastructure improvements and developed more robust emergency response plans. The Legacy of the 1977 Blackout The 1977 blackout left an indelible mark on Long Island. It served as a stark reminder of the region's reliance on critical infrastructure and the importance of community resilience in times of crisis. The lessons learned from that night have informed policies and practices that continue to benefit Long Islanders today. Infrastructure Improvements: In the wake of the blackout, significant investments were made to improve the reliability of the power grid. These improvements have helped to prevent similar large-scale outages and have made Long Island's power infrastructure more resilient. Emergency Preparedness: The blackout also spurred improvements in emergency preparedness. Long Island's municipalities developed more comprehensive emergency plans, ensuring that communities are better equipped to handle future crises. Community Strength: Perhaps the most lasting legacy of the blackout is the sense of community it reinforced. The stories of neighbors helping neighbors, of communities coming together in the face of adversity, continue to resonate. They serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that define Long Island. The 1977 blackout was a defining moment for Long Island. It challenged the region's infrastructure, tested its communities, and left a lasting legacy of resilience and preparedness. As we look back on that fateful night, it is clear that Long Island emerged stronger and more united, with lessons learned that continue to shape its future. Hamas military leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, aka Muhammed Deif (left), and Khan Yunis Brigade commander Rafaa Salameh (IDF photo) An Israeli airstrike on July 13 targeted Hamas military leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, aka Muhammed Deif, and Khan Yunis Brigade commander Rafaa Salameh. The pair were targeted above ground in an area between al-Massawi and Khan Younis in southern Gaza. In a joint IDF and ISA activity based on precise intelligence, the IDFs Southern Command and the IAF carried out a strike in an area where two senior Hamas terrorists and additional terrorists hid among civilians. The location of the strike was an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings, and sheds, stated the IDF. According to Israeli media, overnight, the IDF identified that Deif was at a site belonging to Salameh in the al-Massawi area. Following efforts to ensure that no hostages were present, the Israeli military carried out the operation. The current IDF assessment is that Salameh was killed in the attack. For its part, Hamas has denied that Deif and Salameh were targeted in the strike and accused Israel of killing and wounding civilians in the attack. The Israeli allegations are nonsense, and they aim to justify the horrifying massacre. All the martyrs are civilians, and what happened was a grave escalation of the war of genocide, backed by the American support and world silence, said Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. Israel has accused Deif of being the mastermind behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed over a thousand people, resulted in the kidnapping of more than two hundred people, ravaged Israeli border communities, and kickstarted the war. Moreover, as Hamas military leader, Deif has masterminded attacks against Israelis for decades and has escaped multiple assassination attempts. Since the start of the war, Hamas has primarily employed a strategy of not acknowledging the deaths of fighters and commanders in Gaza. However, at the beginning of the war, there were a handful of occasions when they did. If Deif and Salameh have been eliminated, Hamas will likely continue to employ this strategy until after the war has ended. Hamas is fighting for its survival, and the killing of commanders, especially someone like Deif, would be a significant blow to the group. Deif has been a successful commander and a substantial part of the groups image over the decades. Furthermore, Hamas is unlikely to concede a significant victory to Israel by confirming the death of Deif. For example, Hamas has yet to acknowledge the killing of Deifs deputy, Marwan Issa, who was reportedly killed in an airstrike in March by the US and Israel. Its also unlikely that Israel would have launched a strike on Deif without credible intelligence on his whereabouts. The Israeli military has been actively operating in critical areas of Gaza over the past few months, including operations in Rafah and Gaza City. Its possible that these recent military operations led to intelligence that pinpointed Deifs location. Nevertheless, this is a familiar situation for Israel and Hamas. It will take time and evidence to see if Israel has finally caught up to the elusive Muhammed Deif. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. Mogadishus Central Prison. (Image via Garowe Online) Over the last few days, jihadis have mounted two attacks inside prisons in Somalia and Niger. While the mutiny inside the Nigerien prison was successful, the Somali prison assault appears to have been thwarted. Nonetheless, both incidents highlight the lingering threat of jihadi prison breaks on the continent and the importance jihadist groups put on such operations. Earlier today, suspected imprisoned members of Shabaab, al Qaedas branch for East Africa, attempted to stage a revolt inside Mogadishus Central Prison. Though it remains unclear how the prisoners obtained weapons and explosives, they mounted a surprise attack on the prison guards, prompting a fierce firefight involving small arms and grenades. Somali authorities have since stated the attempted mutiny was thwarted, with five attackers killed. At least three prison guards were also killed in the assault. Mogadishus Central Prison, which houses many inmates from Shabaab and the Islamic State in Somalia, was the site of a previous prison break attempt in 2020 that played out eerily similar to todays attempt. And in 2017, Shabaab targeted the prison with a suicide bombing in an apparent effort to create an opening for prisoners to escape. Meanwhile, on Friday, July 12, suspected jihadist prisoners inside the Koutoukale prison just outside of Nigers capital of Niamey staged a mutiny, obtained weapons from the guards, and broke out of the prison facility. Nigerien officials have not stated exactly how many inmates escaped, though it is generally believed dozens got out, including many jihadis from the Islamic State and al Qaeda. The Koutoukale prison was previously the target of a jihadist jailbreak attempt in 2016. The Islamic State also attempted a prison break there in 2019, in which dozens of fighters assaulted the prison from the outside. This operation was later depicted in an Islamic State videothough that attack was repelled. Importance of jihadi prison breaks Jailbreaks can often be a boon for jihadist groups. In addition to the significant propaganda value of such operations, these incidents can swell ranks, reinforce capabilities by freeing more highly trained individuals, and provide groups with a new sense of direction after springing leaders and key personnel. It is for these reasons that jailbreaks are specifically a major part of the Islamic States overall global strategy and are often called for by the groups central leadership as part of its long-term Breaking the Walls policy that originated during the Iraq War. In recent years, the group has also mounted significant prison breaks in northeastern Syria, eastern Afghanistan, just outside of Nigerias capital city of Abuja, across Central Asia, and twice in eastern Congo in the cities of Beni and Butembo. Several of these incidents came after Islamic State leaders publicly called for such operations. On the other side of the global jihadi coin, Al Qaeda has also placed increased emphasis on its cadres launching prison breaks, particularly in Africa. For example, between 2018 and 2020, Al Qaedas Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), its official branch in West Africa, launched several prison breaks in Mali and Burkina Faso. These operations garnered explicit praise from al Qaedas General Command (its overall global leadership), who also told JNIM to continue such attempts. And in Somalia, Shabaab mounted a successful prison break in the northern city of Bosaso in 2021. That assault came shortly after the groups emir, Abu Ubaidah Ahmed Omar, made this announcement in a video: The liberation of prisoners is a primary goal of [Shabaab]we say to Muslim prisoners everywhere: we feel what you feelbe patient and endure, freeing you from captivity is a debt in the necks of your mujahideen brothers. And I say to the mujahideen, let the liberation of Muslim prisoners be at the top of your priorities. The two recent jihadi prison assaults on separate ends of the African continent highlight the continued ideological and strategic importance that jihadis place on such operations. As jihadi leaders from both the Islamic State and al Qaeda continue to call for such operations, prison assaults and mutinies will likely continue. 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. Idaho dairy producers are navigating one of the worst outbreaks of an avian flu strain in the U.S., and from an animal health and public health standpoint, the situation is largely self-monitored. Threat to human health at this point is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But that could change at any moment with each new mutation of the virus. I dont know if this will turn out to be a pandemic, but were watching all the ingredients, and were watching that sequence, said Dr. David Pate, retired president and CEO of St. Lukes Health System. Certainly, if you were planning out how we think a pandemic would occur, this is what you would be planning out. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pate and another Idaho doctor, Dr. Ted Epperly, wrote the book Preparing for the Next Global Outbreak and Pate has been watching the avian flu outbreak closely. He argues that more should be done to prepare in case the situation becomes more dangerous for human health. Idaho officials and dairy producers are monitoring animal health, regulating quarantine of infected animals, providing workers with personal protective equipment and offering testing of farm workers who have been exposed. Dairy operators, dairy workers always operate in a world where they have to take care of themselves for infectious conditions, said Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist and state Division of Health medical director. Cows have other germs they can spread so they already have protocols in place. She said the state health department is providing information and support for those regarding protecting workers. But the decisions on how and what to implement are up to the operators. AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IN IDAHO As of July 3, which was the most recent data available, there have been 27 cattle herds in Idaho affected by the virus, according to data from the USDA. Nationwide, there have been nearly 140 herds infected since the illness was first detected in U.S. dairy cattle in March, marking the first time the strain H5N1, known as highly pathogenic avian influenza, had been found in cows. This is a big hit to Idaho, which has more than 400 dairy operations and ranks third in U.S. for milk production, according to the Idaho Dairymens Association. So far no human cases have been detected in Idaho, and a total of four reports of confirmed human cases due to contact with dairy cattle have come out of Texas, Michigan and Colorado. All but one of the cases has presented through mild eye symptoms, according to information from the CDC, and one was a mild respiratory illness. Studies by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration have found that the pasteurization process of heating milk effectively deactivates the virus, meaning consuming commercial milk is safe as long as its pasteurized, officials said. The outbreak was first reported in Texas, and soon after appeared in an Idaho dairy that had just received cattle from Texas, said Idaho Department of Agriculture state veterinarian Dr. Scott Leibsle. As of July 12, there are 18 facilities in nine Idaho counties under quarantine, including two in Canyon County. The last reported detection in Idaho was on June 20, and producers feel that the state may have reached its peak and is showing signs of decline in the spread of the virus, said Idaho Dairymens Association CEO Rick Naerebout. However, this may change when migratory birds start returning to the state for the winter, he said. Theres been testing of wild birds near impacted dairies and positive cases of the virus found in those birds, Leibsle said. Its unclear which species is infecting the other one, he said. NOT A PANDEMIC NOW, BUT WHATS THE THREAT? The H5N1 virus in its current form is not very effective at infecting humans, Pate said. And when a human does contract the virus, it has occurred from prolonged contact with infected animals and it doesnt seem to spread human to human. The concern is that the virus could be deadly when it is contracted. The virus has rarely impacted the U.S., but around 890 people have reported being infected worldwide since 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Of those, more than 50% died. Most of the cases were in Egypt, Indonesia, and Vietnam. For comparison, COVID-19 had about a 1.7% case fatality rate, Pate said. This is about 52%, so you can see were talking about a whole different level of severity, he said. The other difference was many of the reported cases and deaths were younger, healthier people, Pate said. Without mass testing however, its difficult to determine if the high reported fatality rate is because only severe cases were tested for. Pate highlighted an effort by the state of Michigan, which has had two human cases, to test for antibodies in farm workers to determine if they had a prior infection but did not show symptoms. Over the years, the virus has been found in sea lions and sea elephants in South America, foxes in Canada and France and other mammals around the world. In the last couple of years, the virus has popped up in new animals, Pate said. It was disturbing because the more animal species that get infected, the more the virus can mutate, Pate said. The situation is not worth panicking over, he said, but it may present an opportunity to prepare. We almost never see any of the steps that lead up to a pandemic, Pate said. We know the kinds of viruses are likely to cause pandemics or are higher up on our list but we rarely see any of the steps until it starts in humans. He said he cant know if the virus will develop into a pandemic, but the risks are increasing all the time. Pate contends that not enough is being done to monitor the situation. He said that more antibody testing, such as whats being done in Michigan, should take place and family members and household pets of exposed farm workers should be tested to determine if and how its being spread. He is also calling for better transparency with the data. Because different agencies are handling different aspects of the situation, he said, it can be difficult to collect all the relevant data. And some of the information isnt available. The USDA counts herds that have been infected, but doesnt provide information on how many cows in the herd or the percentage of positive cases within those herds. From a testing perspective, he thinks the government should be encouraging labs and medical centers to develop tests that are more readily available to the public to test for H5N1. There are tests available for influenza, but not this particular strain. When flu season arrives in the fall and winter, it may make monitoring the situation more difficult, he said. Pate is also an advocate for putting resources toward vaccines. In late May, U.S. health officials announced they were taking steps to acquire or manufacture H5N1 vaccines for farm workers, veterinarians, and government officials who may be most at risk, Reuters reported. As the virus continues to spread to different animals, it changes through a process known as reassortment. But its kind of like, if you have enough quarters and enough time, you sit at the slot machine, youre eventually going to hit the jackpot, Pate said. It may be the case that the virus never develops in a way that presents a major risk to humans, but Pate argues there should still be a significant response. We should be taking advantage of this, because this is our opportunity to learn and develop our preparedness, he said. Three men have been indicted in connection with the February armed robbery of a cash courier in Swansea, according to the office of acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy. Steven Madison, 38, of Bridgewater, Christopher White, 37, of Raynham and Quentin McDonald, 25, of Brockton, were each indicted on one count of robbery interfering with interstate commerce, also known as a Hobbs Act robbery, one count of conspiracy to commit a Hobbs Act robbery, one count of arson of property used in or affecting interstate commerce and one count of conspiracy, the attorneys office said. Madison and White were also indicted on charges of brandishing a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The defendants were arrested and charged by criminal complaint in May. In the early morning hours of Feb. 19, two men were seen on video stealing a U-Haul van in Abington. Later, an armed courier working for a company transporting cash for cannabis companies arrived at a Swansea bank with more than $436,000 in cash to deposit. Prosecutors say the stolen U-Haul pulled up next to the courier and a man wearing a mask and a camouflage vest exited the van and pointed a gun at the courier before zip-tying his hands behind his back. Another masked man then got out of the van and loaded the cash into the U-Haul, according to prosecutors. The pair tried to disarm the courier and forced him to the back seat of his own car, pepper-sprayed him and shut the door. Surveillance footage shows the courier was able to free one hand from the zip tie and fired his gun four times in the direction of the U-Haul as it drove off before calling 911, the attorneys office said. After leaving the bank, the suspects are accused of driving the U-Haul to another location in Swansea where they met up with another man driving an SUV. Prosecutors say the men moved the stolen cash into the SUV, set the U-Haul on fire and fled the area. A trio of men are accused of burning a U-Haul they stole after an armed robbery, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy.U.S. Attorney's office Investigators say they identified Madison, White and McDonald as the men involved in the robbery and arson. In a search of Madisons Bridgewater residence in May, investigators say they found $5,000 or more in cash in various amounts throughout the house, a Rolex watch worth nearly $50,000, a gun, ammunition and a sweatshirt similar to one worn by one of the men during the robbery, Levy said. Investigators also searched Whites home in Raynham, where prosecutors say they found zip ties, a gun, ammunition and a black mask similar to the one worn during the robbery. Prosecutors say Madison and McDonald have previously been convicted of masked armed robbery, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and unlawfully possessing a firearm. White has prior convictions for larceny and receiving stolen property, according to Levys office. The charge of Hobbs Act robbery carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the Department of Justice. The charge of arson of property used in or affecting interstate commerce carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up with 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years and a $1 million fine. The charge of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years, to be served consecutively to any sentence on the underlying offense. A Massachusetts man drowned while swimming at a lake in Manchester, New Hampshire Friday evening, according to a press release from the New Hampshire State Police. Amin Taheri, 33, from Cambridge, was swimming in Crystal Lake when a person noticed he had disappeared at 6:57 p.m., the release said. When people went into the water, they found Taheris body submerged. A Georgia woman was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Boston for her involvement in a trafficking cocaine and cocaine base as part of a larger drug trafficking conspiracy, according to a press release from acting U.S. attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy. Tatianna Morrissey, 39, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to nine months in prison and three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns, the release said. On Feb. 12, Morrissey pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. She was charged along with 23 others in June 2020 as part of Operation Snowfall, a multi-year investigation into drug trafficking activities, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. For 65 years, the Brimfield Flea Market has provided New Englanders and collectors from all over the country a place to gather and shop antiques, artisan crafts and collectors goods. While waves of new shoppers and dealers come and go, there are some faithful participants who make it a point to attend the market year after year, and show after show. These staple personalities have become part of the fabric of what makes the Brimfield Flea Market the Brimfield Flea Market; with a majority of people returning going out of their way to visit their favorite dealers at every show, according to the Brimfield Flea Markets website. This is certainly true for multi-decade dealers like Dorris Dixon, a German native who, for 26 years, has traveled from Lansdale, Pennsylvania three times a year to host a booth at the market. This is my favorite show, people in general are really nice here, Dixon said. I love being up here. Dixon moved to the U.S from Germany in 1981, later marrying and welcoming one daughter. When it was time to return back to work after having her child, Dixon decided she didnt want to go back to working in an office and started an antique business in Pennsylvania in 1994. Always enjoying auctions and having a good eye for good things, the transition was natural. She first set up at the Brimfield show in 1998 her fourth year in the antique business. At the start of her business, she focused on buying and refurbishing antique furniture like tables and benches, but has shifted her products according to what her interests and buyers interests are. 5 1 / 5 Brimfield Flea Market vendor She heard about the Brimfield Flea Market at a show she was dealing at in Lambertville, New Jersey. A friend from Massachusetts said you gotta do Brimfield, she said. It wasnt long before she set her sights on selling in the Bay State and made her way to Hampden County. For her first Brimfield show, Dixon sold out of Mays Field, where everything that came out of her storage truck was bought before being rained out after just a few hours. The following show, Dixon planted herself in the back corner of Sheltons Field, wheres she been ever since. Its the best in the back, she said. You can move around and people are walking here. Dixon said she likes dealing in Sheltons Field because of the friendly faces and familial atmosphere. Over the years, she and the returning vendors have developed a sense of community that only grows with time. People buy from each other and build a (sense of) family, she said. You see them three times a year for a week at a time. Lola was one of the dogs we spotted strolling around the Brimfield Flea Market. Lola is a rescue who a vendor, Dorris Dixon of Pennsylvania, found astray in Laredo,Texas.Dallas Gagnon The community at Sheltons Field is so tight-knit, that even the dealers dogs are bonded. Dixon travels with her four furry-friends, Lola, a matriarch and a rescue from Laredo, Texas, her two daughters, Mariposa and Blackie, and another rescue, Futzie. Lola she was pregnant when Dixon rescued her six years ago. Just weeks after she had her puppies, Dixon took the pack with her to the Brimfield Flea Market where another dealer had said they wanted a pup after the death of a pet earlier that year. Wanting them to go to good homes, Dixon gave three of the puppies to other dealers in the field. Now Dixon and Lola are reunited with those littermates at every show. Read more: Dogs join in on the treasure hunt at the Brimfield Flea Market After 30 years in the business, Dixon has been to many shows across the country. Throughout the years, I went from a number of smaller shows, to bigger shows, she said. Today she focuses on one big show: Brimfield. While she just stopped attending the Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas earlier this year, she said its only for now. Outside of show season, Dixon keeps busy selling goods at The Peoples Store antiques center and co-op in Lambertville, New Jersey. The key to running a successful booth is keeping your offerings diverse, Dixon said. Dorris Dixon, a Pennsylvania resident, has been dealing at the Brimfield Flea Market since 1998. She transitioned from selling German imports and refurbished antique furniture in 2008 to Mexican metals.Dallas Gagnon Keep it fresh change your style but maintain your core, Dixon said. Thats what she did in 2008 after attending the Round Top show and transitioned from her classic antiques and German imports into Mexican metal sculptures. You always have to produce something new, she said. Be flexible. Dixon saw the metals at a show, bought some, and it all sold, she said. Now she gets the colorful, unique metal sculptures imported directly from Mexico and they are still a hit. 94 1 / 94 The Brimfield Flea Market July 2024 For all MassLives Brimfield Flea Market coverage, click here. A Revere man was sentenced in federal court in Boston Friday for cocaine-related offenses, according to a press release from acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levy. Francisco Restrepo Mesa, 55, was sentenced to 5 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper on July 10. In April, Mesa pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams (just over a pound) or more of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute five kilograms (11 pounds) or more of cocaine and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, the U.S. attorney said. Sept. 2, 1937 July 7, 2024 86 Years Donald B. Reed died peacefully on Sunday, July 7, 2024. He is survived by his longtime partner, Horst Mieth, son Nathan Speakman Reed and his children Eva and Isabel, and son Hansen Peter Reed and his wife Amy and their children Emily and Mason. Donalds wife, Helen Speakman Reed, predeceased him in 2011. Donald, known by family and friends as Don, was born in Los Angeles. His parents, Howard Lyman Reed and Philomene Chandler Reed, relocated with Dons siblings, Philomene Ruppe (Reed) Smith, Jason Chandler Reed, and Christine Grace (Reed) Franco from Los Angeles to Monterey in 1952 when Don was 15. Don attended Monterey Union High School, then and now, home of the Toreadors, where he lettered in swimming and played flute alongside Helen in the band. Don graduated from high school in 1955. Following a year at Monterey Peninsula College, Don attended and graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles. He returned to the Monterey Peninsula and taught chemistry at Pacific Grove High School for more than a decade and was the 1968 senior class adviser. In the early 1970s Don and Helen moved to Riverside, Calif., where Don pursued a doctorate in education. In 1977 the family relocated to Pullman, where he took a tenured teaching position that led to a long career at Washington State University. At WSU, Don was passionate about teaching his students and followed their successes. He was a well-liked and well-regarded colleague. Don was, for many years, the master set builder and lighting maestro for all of Helens many Pullman High School Drama Class productions. His sets were detailed, complex and innovative; they rivaled professional theater sets. John Pogorek, the commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard, was killed in a hit-and-run crash near his Rochester home Monday afternoon, police said. Pororek, who graduated from Ware High School in Massachusetts in 1985, was 57. Police responded to an area near 10 Crown Point Road at 5:22 p.m. after they received a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian, the Rochester police department said. Pogorek was driving a 2014 Toyota Tundra pulling a trailer when he stopped on the side of the road to step outside his vehicle and resecure a load on the trailer, a preliminary investigation revealed, according to police. Then, a red Toyota Rav 4 driving west on Crown Point Road, struck Pogorek while he was outside his vehicle and continued to drive without stopping, the police said. Pogorek suffered life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The police said they found a red 2012 Rav 4 suspected of being involved in the crash and later determined it was driven by Paul Clement, 81, of Rochester. Police did not say if Clement has been charged. A teenage passenger who was in the Toyota Tundra when the crash occurred was not injured, police said. Pogorek is survived by his wife, Whitney and their five children, according to the New Hampshire National Gaurd. As the assistant adjutant general for the New Hampshire National Guard, Pogorek oversaw more than 1,300 officers, airmen and civilians at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington, according to the New Hampshire National Guard. He accrued 6,675 flying hours during his 31-year career with the U.S. Air Force and National Guard. New Hampshire Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities called Pororek an exemplary wingman, mentor and friend to many in a statement, according to the New Hampshire National Guard. He served his state and nation with the utmost professionalism and dedication, Mikolaities said in a statement. He will be deeply missed. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu also expressed his sincere condolences to the Pogorek family in a statement. Gen. Pogorek served his state, country, and community with honor, Sununu said in the statement. His commitment and contributions to the Granite State will never be forgotten. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) reminds T users that Red Line service between the Alewife and JFK/UMass stations will be suspended for two weekends this month. The Red Line service outage is scheduled for this weekend (July 13 and 14) and the weekend of July 27 and 28. During this time, shuttle buses between Alewife and Kendall/MIT will be offered and will make stops at all stations between Alewife and Park Street, the MBTA said. Additional local shuttle bus service will make stops at all closed stations between Park Street and JFK/UMass. Riders who travel beyond Park Street in either direction must transfer between these shuttle services at Park Street, the MBTA said. Shuttle service has been designed in this way to keep shuttle buses moving through traffic efficiently, utilize existing shuttle plans from previous service suspensions and best manage the length of the service shutdown, the website states. The goal of the service outage is to allow workers to install three and a half miles of new rail so seven-speed restrictions can be lifted along this heavily traveled corridor, the MBTA announced on its website. Five miles of scrap rail will be removed during the outage. This decision comes after a thorough review of the work required and logistical challenges following recent overnight work to prepare for the work taking place during the service outage, according to the website. Those who wish to travel by Commuter Rail wont have to worry about paying a fare between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass and South Station. Regular fares will continue to be charged beyond Braintree. The MBTA also encourages riders to use the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line for fare-free service between Porter Station and North Station. Regular fares must be purchased beyond Porter. Bus Route 77 will be fare-free within Cambridge. A man from Queens, New York, was arrested Friday in connection with a scheme to steal over $3 million in COVID relief tax credits using the stolen identity of a New Jersey corporate executive, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office. Linval Jackson, 32, faces bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft charges, according to a press release from Levys office. After an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, Jackson was detained pending a hearing scheduled for Monday. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date. Jacksons suspected co-conspirator, Isaiah Aaron Tenryk, 28, was arrested and charged in May by a separate criminal complaint, the release said. He was then released on conditions after an appearance in Boston federal court. BOSTON Injured Red Sox second baseman Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain) will return home for the All-Star break, then might begin a rehab assignment soon after. After that (the break), hell go to Worcester to work out with them, manager Alex Cora said Saturday at Fenway Park. And then probably he starts a rehab assignment close to that. Around that time. Worcester begins its second half in Lehigh Valley on July 19. And so Grissoms rehab assignment could begin close to that, Cora said. Grissom has had a difficult first season with Boston. He spent the first 32 games on the IL with a left hamstring strain. He then went just 12-for-81 (.148) with one extra-base hit in 23 games before again landing on the IL with a right hamstring strain. He has missed 34 games and counting on his current IL stint. In an interview with MassLive, Grissom discussed his difficult first season with the Red Sox. Boston acquired him in December from the Braves for Chris Sale. Grissom acknowledged he felt tightness this past offseason during his time in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He played 13 games down there. HOLYOKE Saturday morning broke hot and muggy, not unlike the day 78 years ago when 25 men climbed about a converted B-17 bomber to fly from Greenland to New York after the end of World War II. But the plane never made it. Fast forward 78 years and nearly 100 people, including family members who never met those killed, sat at a memorial on that side of Mount Tom, the exact place where that plane crashed, just to remember. SPRINGFIELD Days before Christmas, a nurse with the Caring Health Center in the midst of a mental health crisis was let go after she sent what she considered a playfully disgruntled text to a coworker, punctuated by a bomb emoji. The coworker shared the text with leadership there, believing it was a credible threat. The Main Street building and other facilities were evacuated Dec. 23 over the matter, with police noting in the report that President and CEO Tania M. Barber and her staff were nervous over the situation. Irish holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer have been hit with a warning over balconies in resorts. The advice has been issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs with holiday season in full flow for Irish tourists with many heading away during the school holidays. The Department warned of the dangers and possible fines over the use of balconies in some Spanish hotspots. "There have been a number of serious accidents in recent years involving falls from balconies," they said. READ NEXT: Warning to Irish tourists heading to Spain amid 'high' terrorist threat "Several of these have resulted in the death or serious injury of an Irish citizen. It is important to exercise caution when using hotel and apartment balconies, particularly if you have consumed alcohol or drugs, and to avoid taking unnecessary risks. "If you suffer a balcony fall while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your insurance company may refuse to cover any resultant costs. "You should also be aware that the Spanish authorities may impose fines on those engaged in risky behaviour on balconies, including climbing over them or jumping from them," they concluded. A Donegal man who told gardai that he was an ecclesiastical person 'just passing through life' after being caught with no insurance has been banned from driving. Charles Paul O'Neill was given a two-year driving disqualification after being convicted of driving without insurance. The case of O'Neill, a 58-year-old of Rooskey, Quigleys Point, was before Buncrana District Court. Garda Thomas Duggan told the court that he was on mobile patrol when the ANPR (automatic number-plate recognition) alerted. The vehicle being driven by O'Neill had pulled in, but Garda Duggan returned to speak to him. The court heard that O'Neill told Garda Duggan that it wasn't a Garda matter and he didn't have to provide him with his name. Garda Duggan told how O'Neill was pulled in at a water well and he continued filling water as the garda attempted to obtain his details. The court was informed that O'Neill told Garda Duggan that he was ecclesiastical and just passing through life and don't need insurance and produced an ecclesiastical certificate. O'Neill then told Garda Duggan that his name was Paul before giving his proper details around 20 minutes later. Sergeant Sean McDaid told the court that O'Neill has no previous convictions. O'Neill faced a number of charges, including driving without insurance, driving without a licence, failing to produce a licence, failing to produce insurance and two counts of failing to give details to the garda. For driving without insurance, Judge Eiteain Cunningham disqualified O'Neill from driving for a period of two years. He was also fined 250 and given five months to pay. For driving without a licence, O'Neill was fined 150 and for failing to furnish the garda with his name he was fined 150. He was given five months to pay the fine. The other charges were marked as taken into consideration. Recognisance, in the event of an appeal, was fixed at 250. A Twitter user has shared a nightmare travel situation with Ryanair as passenger taking a flight from Dublin Airport to London have gotten on the plane twice and still haven't made headway to their destination. Ryanair customers on the flight FR126 had 1 inflight return and 1 gate return on the night they were due to take off. The Tweet that has caused a stir on social media and the Tweet details the situation that the passengers had to endure: "FR126 is Delayed AGAIN this morning following 1 inflight return and 1 gate return last night. Here is a current rundown of what's happened: - Flight delayed 3 hours, before any flight took off. -When flight takes off, it returns to Dublin with a technical issue. - Aircraft arrives and passengers are let into terminal while another aircraft is sorted. - Second aircraft is sorted after another delay. - Second aircraft pushes back at 01:00 and begins taxiing. - Second aircraft returns to stand due to another technical issue. - Flight rescheduled to 11:40 today - 11:40 flight now delayed until 12:54 Thats currently a 17+ hour delay!!! A night to be forgotten by Ryanair." At least (according to the Tweet) any passengers that were on the flight are entitled to 250 compensation for the event! Social media comments under the post with one user writing: "Standing at the queue between 2am and 5am with only one person working on the desk." Another writes: "Still no movement from plane. On runway with no updates . Awful !l now an 18 hour delay." You can view the full Tweet for yourself by following the link HERE. On Saturday, June 15, 2024, Julanne Boekelheide Leff, surrounded by her loving family, left this life and headed toward something new. Julanne was born on June 25, 1934, in Milbank, S.D. She was the daughter of George and Ferne Boekelheide and the responsible, older sister to her squirrelly brother, Jim, just two years her junior. Theirs was a close-knit, civic-minded household filled with laughter, love, music and intense family card games. In the summer after Julannes junior year in high school, the Boekelheide family was blessed with (and surprised by) the birth of a third child, Jeanne. For Julanne, who adored babies, Jeanne was a delightful gift, and while her mother recovered from post-partum complications, Julanne willingly stepped into the role of second mom to her infant sister. By nature, Julanne was not one to seek the spotlight; she was comfortable behind the scenes, happy to let others take center stage. But in school, as in life, Julannes talents, kindness and intellect could not go unnoticed and the spotlight followed her anyway. Just thumb through the 1952 Milbank High School yearbook and youll find a long list of accomplishments next to her glowing senior photo: ASB President, Homecoming Queen, Yearbook Editor, Class Play Director, National Honors Society, Merry Stenos, and nearly a dozen different choirs and band clubs. Julanne attended Yankton College where she acquired a triple major in English, French and German, as well as the avid attention of a starry-eyed, big-hearted pre-med major named Wenzel Leff. The two small-town kids married in 1954 and set off together with dreams of building a family and a medical practice together. First stop on their journey was medical school at Washington University in St. Louis. While Wenzel attended classes to earn his MD, Julanne worked to keep them afloat: as a secretary at the med school by day, as a hotel desk clerk by night, and as a source of love and support for her frazzled husband round the clock. During this busy time, Julanne and Wenzel welcomed their first two daughters, Lori and Lissa, into the world just 20 months apart. After graduation, the young family moved to Detroit, where Wenzel completed his residency and their third daughter, Julie, was born. Once his residency was complete, the crew made their way to Mt. Pleasant, Mich, and Wenzel officially began practicing medicine. It was in Mt. Pleasant that following the deaths of her dear parents, Ferne and George Julannes now-13-year-old sister Jeanne came to live with them. SCOTUS crowns Trump On July 2, 2024, the Supreme Court handed down its much anticipated decision in the case of Trump v. United States Trumps attempt to be granted absolute immunity for his crimes while president. The majority decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, came as a visceral shock to the legal community and to citizens who recognized its existential decree. If litigated,Trump would be granted absolute immunity for all official actions taken as president. This decision strips the Constitution of its core intent that no one, not even the president, is above the law. Thankfully, nefarious unofficial actions can be prosecuted. But what is an unofficial action and what is official? SCOTUS conveniently left those decisions to a lower court. But all is well! A president can still be indicted for official actions with questionable motives such as a phone call from the president asking the vice president to accept fake electors. Right? Wrong. Roberts decision clearly states: Courts may not inquire into the Presidents motives. (The Atlantic, Opinion, Akhil Reed Amar) Trump has hailed Roberts opinion a win for democracy. Instead it is a gift of autocracy to a con who would be king. This is what a rigged system looks like. This is what the swamp feels like. SCOTUS sits in Trumps lap with three Trump-installed conservative justices, and two MAGAs who refuse to recuse themselves. They choose fealty to Trump over loyalty to the Constitution. Claiming to be originalists, these justices have stripped the Constitution of its original intent, that no one, not even a president, is above the law. To protect our nation from authoritarian rule, we must be allowed to question the presidents motives. The standard of any official or unofficial act must be supported by loyalty to the Constitution. That is the bottom line. Lisa Kliger Moscow SCOTUS is correct The Democrats keep complaining about all the proven criminality, graft and corruption of Trump and his cabal. What to do? The high court just decided to let President Biden be immune from all laws for any reason. This would allow him to go arrest Trump his thugs and Supreme Court justices of his choosing. Or just flat take them out. You ask any Trump supporter if it would be all right for him to go after Biden and any one he wants as president. Really, go ask one. Absolutely and completely of course. Right now, Biden is president and could do this today. He wont since Democrats always bring flowers to a knife fight, which is what Trump has turned our country into. One big going war. This election is Trumps big show, the cage fight, throwdown finale of his takeover. Make no mistake, violence is coming sooner or later regardless of the election outcome. Trump said so if he thinks its warranted. And since he wont accept a loss, Jan. 6 will be nothing in comparison to the violence he will incite if he loses again. If Trump wins, the story is over. And whatever whiny Democrats are left when the smoke clears will still have a Supreme Court to remind them, We gave you the shot and you had months. R. Strongoni Moscow by Tanya Gazdik , July 11, 2024 If the next time you order a hot beverage in a public place and it is served lukewarm, you can thank the litigious consumers who came before you. The latest is Tahjana Lewis, a Connecticut woman, who is suing JetBlue for $1.5 million, alleging she was left with "disfiguring burns" after hot tea water spilled on her during in-flight beverage service amid turbulence. "The passenger claims crew members served water at an unreasonably hot temperature during a time when ongoing turbulence made it unsafe to perform beverage service, according to USA Today. The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, alleges JetBlue was careless and failed to provide her with reasonably safe traveling conditions. advertisement advertisement The fight from Orlando to Hartford hit a patch of rough air that led pilots to flash the seatbelt sign but the cabin crew kept on serving beverages, according to Business Insider. The flight staff also failed to properly administer first aid to Lewis after the incident happened, according to the lawsuit, according to CBS MoneyWatch. Lewis claims she suffered severe burns on her upper chest, legs, buttocks and right arm as a result of the spill, and that some of burns will be permanently disabling and involve a great deal of pain and medical expenses. Climate change is responsible for more turbulence, Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University told Business Insider. As turbulence-related injuries go, its hardly the worst. The lawsuit comes during a spate of high-profile incidents in which airline passengers have gotten hurt during intense turbulence, according to the New York Post. Those include a 73-year-old Singapore Airlines flyer who died when the plane on which he rode plunged 6,000 feet, tossing passengers around the cabin like clothes in a washing machine. Its also not the first time a consumer has sued a major company for burns from a hot beverage. McDonald's has faced faced several similar lawsuits. One of the first, brought by Stella Liebeck in 1994, became the poster child for critics of frivolous lawsuits, according to NPR. She filed suit after the restaurant offered her a mere $800 in compensation for her injuries. Ultimately the jury awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages, which was reduced to $160,000 because she was found to be partially responsible for the spill, per NPR. They also suggested that McDonald's pay $2.7 million in punitive damages, a sum that was based on the revenue from two days of coffee sales. The trial judge reduced the punitive damages to $480,000, and Liebeck and McDonald's ultimately reached an undisclosed settlement. Indoor Vaping Exposes Children to Significantly Less Nicotine Than Smoking by Dr. Preethi Balasubramanian on Jul 13 2024 9:27 AM Listen to this article 0:00 / 0:00 Trusted Source Abortion - World Health Organization (WHO) Go to source Trusted Source In ancient Egypt and Greece, methods like herbal concoctions and abdominal pressure were used to induce #abortions, with mixed safety and effectiveness. #terminatepregnancy The Complexities of Abortion Abortion in Ireland: Legal Timeline - (https://www.ifpa.ie/advocacy/abortion-in-ireland-legal-timeline/) Last year, Ireland saw a record number of abortions, () with 10,033 procedures reported by the Department of Health, marking a 23% increase from the previous year.The vast majority (98%) occurred before twelve weeks, while 129 were due to fetal abnormalities. Only 28 abortions were performed to prevent serious harm to the mother.Since the repeal of pro-life laws in 2018, abortions have risen by 250%. Politicians like Carol Nolan TD and Sandra Parda from the Life Institute have urged the government to address what they describe as a "health policy emergency" due to the escalating abortion rates.Abortion remains a contentious issue worldwide, touching on ethical, legal, and medical dimensions. It involves the termination of a pregnancy , typically performed during the early stages when the embryo or fetus is not viable outside the womb. Reasons for seeking abortions vary widely, including health risks to the mother, fetal abnormalities, socio-economic factors, and personal choice.Advocates argue for reproductive rights, emphasizing a woman's autonomy over her body and access to safe medical procedures. Conversely, opponents often cite moral or religious beliefs, advocating for the protection of unborn life. Debates over abortion laws and access are ongoing in many countries, shaping public policy and sparking social and political discourse.Despite opposition, President Michael D Higgins signed the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 into law earlier this year, banning pro-life activities within 100 meters of abortion facilities.Source-Medindia How is Trump the one? Larry (Kirkland), you say you want what is best for our country, but you never explain how Trump is the one. Is Trump really the best for the country? He stated from day one he will be a dictator only for the day. Ya, right. Those tax breaks he gave you last time he was in office? They will expire within the next year. He has proposed additional tax breaks for the super wealthy (he is included) and increased tariffs for all imported goods. Guess who pays those tariffs, Larry. Hint: It will not be the exporting countries. You provided a litany of Biden wrongs. I can do the same with Trump. Top of them all was his mishandling of the pandemic. But, of course, you fail to accept that it was real. How many riots happened during the Trump administration? There were over 60,000 protests involving 31 million people during his time. Our national debt jumped from $14 trillion to nearly $22 trillion thats over a 57% increase. Yes, under Biden, the national debt has increased to $28 trillion, but that is only 33% more than when Trump left office. While Hunter was convicted of one firearm crime, how many times has Trump been convicted? How many charges are still pending? In truth, I think both men are not what is best for the country. To me, both are too old. Biden had a disastrous time at the debate, but Trump was not better. Trump has a problem with spewing forth what amounts as word salads hinting at cognitive decline too. What is needed is younger leaders on both sides of the aisle. Larry, I know you claim to be Christian, but you really cannot praise Trump and God at the same time. Wayne Beebe Pullman Passing the buck? I read with great anticipation our BoCCs June 11, 2024, Review of Public Comments on Commercial Wind Power Ordinance. I had hoped to learn that our board had taken a bold and proactive position in support of those concerns expressed by our residents. I was sadly disappointed. Those resident concerns numbered no fewer than 15, and the review cited BoCC reactions to, and planning staff recommendations for, each. Item by item, setbacks, tax revenues, bird impact, noise, property values, etc., were all chronicled. My analysis of the review suggested that the BoCC had done little but pass the buck for addressing these concerns to others, including their planning staff, our current code, CUP, SEPA, Hearing Examiner, LUPA, EFSEC and the governor. Least one gets lost in this alphabet soup of entities, one is left to wonder exactly how, or if, our own BoCC will do anything? The irony of all this is that our current code, as previously devised by our Planning Commission (of which I was a past member) and approved by our BoCC, was so ill-defined as to encourage the wind turbine issue to arise for potential exploitation and defamation of Kamiak Butte, as well as give rise to a listing of 14 other concerns. David Porter on military historys doomed inventions In the 1950s, the Cold War was at its height. To many, it seemed to be a question of when, rather than if, Soviet forces would exploit their overwhelming numerical superiority with a steamroller offensive against Western Europe. Initially, the only effective counter to this threat was the equally overwhelming US superiority in strategic atomic weapons, but their use would almost certainly have triggered a devastating nuclear exchange, which soon became known as MAD Mutually Assured Destruction. A Davy Crockett battlefield nuke on its launcher. Tactical nuclear weapons seemed to offer a less risky way of halting a Russian attack, and US planners gave high priority to developing small atomic warheads suitable for battlefield use. (At this period, the US Army calculated that it would need 106,000 such warheads for tactical battlefield use, which might well be fired at a rate of up to 423 per day!) By 1958, the Mark 54 was ready for production. It was a very small sub-kiloton fission device, weighing about 23kg (51lb), The Davy Crockett Tactical Nuke with a yield equivalent to between 10 and 20 tons of TNT, which was close to the minimum practical size for a fission warhead. This, in turn, allowed the total projectile weight to be no more than 34.5kg (76lb). It was an amazing achievement to a generation used to thinking of nuclear weapons as massive devices, only capable of delivery by heavy bombers or the early (and notoriously unreliable) ballistic missiles. It formed the basis of the M-388 atomic round of the Davy Crockett Weapon System, which entered service in 1961. Mini nuke However, the novelty and ingenuity of the design blinded the US Army to its inherent faults. The warhead could not withstand the shock and high acceleration of being fired from conventional artillery, and this limited it to being launched by rocket or a recoilless gun. The decision was made to use specially designed recoilless guns, which limited the maximum range to 4km (2.5 miles). The poor aerodynamic shape of the bomb, often described as resembling a finned watermelon, contributed to its terrible inaccuracy which meant that in practical terms it was restricted to creating heavily irradiated no-go areas that might have slowed a Soviet offensive. The weapons short range posed a real threat to its three-man crews. If the wind veered and they found themselves downwind of the target area, they were at risk of receiving a lethal dose of radiation. Only one live Davy Crockett round was fired, as part of the Little Feller nuclear tests in Nevada in July 1962, but data from testfiring inert rounds was shocking, and led to the weapon being condemned as too inaccurate to deliver even low-yield nuclear fires. Despite all these flaws, a total of 2,100 were produced. But growing realisation of the impracticality of the weapon led to it being phased out of service with US forces in Europe from 1967. The last examples were retired in 1971. Through interparty exchanges with the CPC, foreign political leaders have gained insights into the ruling party's governance approach, its commitment to a people-centered philosophy at home and its devotion to human well-being across the board. Over the past century, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has guided China through profound transformations, achieving remarkable success. It will continue to advance the country's reform and development. Through interparty exchanges with the CPC, foreign political leaders have gained insights into the ruling party's governance approach, its commitment to a people-centered philosophy at home and its devotion to human well-being across the board. Leaders say they look forward to enhancing cooperation with the CPC to bolster the modernization drive in their own country and contribute to global prosperity. PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST In 2018, Bounnhang Vorachith, then general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos, visited Shibadong, a village home to the Miao ethnic group in central China's Hunan Province that was once a poor mountain-locked village. Bounnhang wrote to the villagers in 2019, acknowledging the village's success and highlighting its potential as an inspiration for his country's poverty reduction strategies. The village, where Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, first proposed "targeted poverty alleviation" in 2013, has become a model of success in poverty reduction. Having developed industries like tourism, bottled mineral water and Miao embroidery, residents' per capita income has surged from 1,688 yuan (232 U.S. dollars) in 2013 to 23,505 yuan (3,235 dollars) in 2022, and the collective economy has grown from zero to 3.8 million yuan (523,012 dollars). Like Bounnhang, many from countries such as Spain, Namibia, Nepal and Singapore, who stepped foot in rural China, have witnessed firsthand the CPC's efforts to improve the well-being of people and their increasing recognition and trust in the ruling party, which they believe offers valuable insights for political parties in other countries. "There is general satisfaction and comprehensive acceptance of the policies pursued by the Chinese state ... tangible results that are reflected in the reality of the lives of hundreds of millions of Chinese people," Ahmed Bahaa El-Din Shaaban, secretary-general of the Egyptian Socialist Party, told Xinhua, noting the leadership role of the CPC "appears to be a matter subject to historical consensus." Shaaban participated in dozens of meetings with Chinese officials and visited multiple locations in the country. Shaaban said he was "amazed that social transformation was not limited to improving housing or education conditions or improving the economic conditions of these areas, but rather the success was completed by training farmers on how to sell their produce in a bid to further improve their economic standing. Under the CPC's leadership, China has within a decade successfully helped around 100 million people leave absolute poverty behind, winning the battle against destitution in a country of 1.4 billion people. It also established the world's largest education, social security and healthcare systems. The fundamental purpose of the century-old CPC has always been to be a political party of, by, and for the people. The CPC has consistently adhered to the governance principle of "putting people first," serving as a valuable example for political parties worldwide, Sykhoun Bounvilay, a retired senior diplomat of Laos, told Xinhua. Jose Luis Centella, president of the Communist Party of Spain, said the CPC has maintained close ties with the Chinese people, placing them at the center and treating their everyday concerns as a major priority. Under the leadership of the CPC, China has demonstrated to the world that a socialist system can create wealth, achieve social equity and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, enabling them to enjoy a moderately prosperous life. A PARTY OF REFORMERS "The people's aspiration for a better life is what we have been striving for, and promoting reform and boosting development boils down to that ultimate goal as well," Xi said while presiding over a symposium attended by representatives from businesses and academia in May. Throughout its 103-year history, the CPC has consistently demonstrated the courage and wisdom necessary for reform, say observers. During crucial moments in the country's development and pursuit of national rejuvenation, the party has demonstrated sharp insight and decisive action. This has led the people to confront challenges and overcome difficulties, constantly advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. "The CPC has always tried to resist dogmatism by going back to Marxism, rereading the classics constantly, creatively, dynamically, and rethinking the connections between theory and practice, adapting Marxism to concrete local conditions, said Vinnie Molina, president of the Communist Party of Australia (CPA), recognizing that this is one of the important experiences from the CPC in leading China to make continuous progress. Since 1978, when China embarked on reform and opening up, there have been profound changes in the lives of ordinary people. In 2012, when Xi was elected general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, China had become the world's second-largest economy, with a per-capita GDP of over 6,000 dollars. Instead of resting on past laurels, the CPC, under Xi's leadership, remains committed to continuing reforms. "The easy part of the job has been done to the satisfaction of all. What is left are tough bones that are hard to chew," Xi said in 2012. At the third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, held in 2013, Xi listed a series of challenges facing China's development, including corruption, unsustainable development and environmental issues. During this session, a decision on "major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reforms" was also approved. In the ten years since then, the CPC has put forward more than 2,000 reform measures, enabling the country to address challenges like poverty alleviation, pollution control and anti-corruption with realistic and problem-oriented approaches. The CPC's measures to strengthen discipline and combat corruption are areas of significant interest for many foreign political parties and experts seeking valuable practices to adopt. Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, told Xinhua that what is most admirable about the CPC is its spirit of self-reform as a ruling party. This is a significant distinction between the CPC and many other political parties worldwide and is one of the key reasons for its long-term governance, Munyrith said. He said China's remarkable developmental achievements are closely linked to the CPC's commitment to improving Party conduct, building integrity, and combating corruption. The CPC continuously works to enhance its systems for exercising thorough and effective self-governance within the Party. Such practices provide valuable lessons for others, Munyrith added. On July 15, the CPC will convene the third plenary session of its 20th Central Committee in Beijing. At this session, a series of reforms are expected to be discussed to chart the course for the world's second-largest economy. The CPC has the ability "to keep moving, never losing the principles of dialectical materialism, always correcting errors and fronting up to new challenges," said Molina, noting that his party maintains regular communications with the CPC and that a report from a CPA delegation who visited China recently was "very positive." COMMITMENT TO HUMAN PROGRESS Led by the CPC, China is widely praised not only for its own development but also for leading the international community, especially developing countries, forward, said Jacques Cheminade, chairman of the French party Solidarity and Progress, noting that in the current global landscape, the CPC is a beacon of mutual learning and exchanges. In March 2023, Xi put forward the Global Civilization Initiative at a dialogue between the CPC and other global political parties held via video link. It is a clear demonstration of the CPC's sincere willingness to work with political parties from different countries to advance modernization with distinct national characteristics, promote global civilization exchanges and mutual learning, and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind. The CPC prizes interparty exchanges. These interactions have increased cooperation and provided numerous opportunities to learn from China's poverty alleviation measures. Munyrith, who has participated in bilateral poverty alleviation projects, told Xinhua that these measures are now bearing fruit in Cambodia. Take the Cambodia-China Friendship Village for Poverty Alleviation Project. Under the project, concrete roads, clean drinking water system, solar power, drainage system in flood prevention, and other essential public facilities have been developed in the far-flung Tanorn village in Cambodia, bringing remarkable transformations to this small rural town. Inter-party exchanges are vital for developing national relations. They provide opportunities for political parties from various countries to share experiences in governance and collaborate to find effective solutions to common problems and challenges. In recent years, the CPC has actively promoted interparty exchanges and shared its wisdom at numerous high-level political dialogue platforms. Many officials and experts say they appreciate the CPC's dedication to advancing human progress and promoting harmony worldwide. "Through these interactions, we can work closely together and contribute to solving global issues such as climate change, poverty reduction and public health issues," said Mohammed Ali Mohamed, chairperson of Tanzania's Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Youth League. Mohamed added that enhanced exchanges among political parties can also promote cultural understanding and build trust, which is essential to maintaining global peace and stability. A Dearborn man is facing charges following the death of a Brazilian tourist in rural Washtenaw County. Fareed George Hajjar, 57, was arraigned in a Chelsea courtroom on Friday on charges of disinterment and mutilation of a dead body and concealing the death of an individual. As of early Friday evening, he was being held at the Washtenaw County Jail on a $2 million bond. Hajjars charges stem from the death of 42-year-old Suzan Christian Barbosa Ferreira, who was found by passersby on Sunday, June 30 in the 7700 block of Earhart Road in Northfield Township. Northfield Police said Ferreiras last known location was tracked to a house in Dearborn. Dearborn Police Commander Timothy McHale said in a press release that the investigation is ongoing and very active. According to her sister, Ferreira had been traveling in the United States for roughly a month before her death. The family had raised nearly 4,500 as of Friday afternoon to repatriate her body and hold a funeral service. Police are investigating a death in Three Rivers after a body was found behind a house early Friday morning. Three Rivers Police were called to the 200 block of Middle St. at 6:12 a.m. to investigate a report of a deceased person. The body was transported to WMed for identification, which has yet to be released. BURTON, MI Flint, Burton and Genesee County have ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to remember former State Representative Tim Sneller, whose death was announced today. Burton Mayor Duane Haskins requested that all city flags are flown at half-staff until after the funeral of Sneller, who represented Burton and surrounding areas in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2017-2022. His passing is going to leave a large void in our community and to every person that he has touched. Tim Sneller stood up for everyone and fought hard to protect every resident even if they didnt live in Burton, Haskins said. Sneller, 68, was the lone Democratic candidate challenging incumbent state Rep. David Martin, a Davison Republican. He was running to represent a district made up of Burton, Davison, Atlas Township, Goodrich, Grand Blanc and portions of Grand Blanc and Genesee Townships. Flags will remain at half-staff at Flint City Hall and Genesee County municipal buildings until Tuesday, July 16. Tim Sneller was a well-loved unifier who brought people together from all walks of life, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said. He was a former schoolteacher, and he had a gift for teaching people through his governmental work as well. Tim was my close colleague in the state legislature, and I will miss both his friendship and advocacy for our community. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also made a statement remembering Sneller, who was one of the first openly gay representatives in the state legislature. We will remember Rep. Sneller not only for his strong, bipartisan legislative record but also his character, Whitmer said. A proud champion for labor, he loved his district and went out of his way to remain accessible to the people he represented. I am grateful I had the chance to work with him to get things done, and I was looking forward to partnering with him again as he was running for a seat in the House. Genesee County Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons is meeting with the Secretary of States Bureau of Elections to determine how this affects the August ballot. Funeral arrangements for Sneller have not yet been made public. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. KENT COUNTY, MI - Several Kent County Sheriffs Office deputies will be in the Rockford area Saturday, July 13 to continue the search for a teenager who has been missing for over a month. Penelope Penny Wise went missing May 31 after voluntarily leaving her Cedar Springs home on foot. She was last seen on camera walking by herself near Rockfords corner bar around midnight on Saturday, June 1. Wise, 17, has not been seen since. Related: Missing teen was last seen month ago near Rockfords Corner Bar Rockford residents will see an increased police presence Saturday but the sheriffs office said this is not a development of new information rather a continuation of the ongoing investigation. Wise is described as being is 5-foot, 120 pounds with blonde hair and braces. She was last seen wearing a pink tank top and shorts. Silent Observer is offering a reward up to $1,000 for tips that help deputies find Wise. Anyone with information about Wises disappearance is asked to contact the Kent County Sheriffs Department at 616-632-6125 or upload any tips, pictures, or videos here. Tips may be also submitted through Silent Observer, safely and anonymously, at 616-774-2345 or at silentobserver.org. Michigans beaches arent only great for suntanning and swimming. Theyre also a popular place for rockhounding. The shoreline is filled with colorful rocks and crystals of various varieties. The types of rocks vary by lake. SAGINAW, MI The Saginaw YMCA and Saginaw County Veterans Service Office are hosting a free event for homeless and at-risk veterans this month. The 20th Stand Down Event is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Saginaw YMCA, 1915 Fordney St. Veterans in attendance can: Meet with vendors such as Michigan Veterans Trust Fund, Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center and Saginaw County Health Department Request copies of their DD214 records Visit the Great Lakes Bay Health Centers mobile clinic Learn about the U of M Chronic Pain Center Receive massage therapy Learn about Guitars for Vets Participate in a clothing distribution and giveaways Meet local politicians The event will also feature area food trucks. The Y is passionate about supporting our Veterans needs, YMCA veterans lead Artemis Carter said in a statement. Other services the YMCA provides to veterans include Military Thursdays, which include veteran-centric programming and complimentary access to the YMCA facility, a veterans food pantry, a veterans health expo and heroes breakfast in November, monthly educational series, game nights and transportation services, according to a Saginaw YMCA news release. All of the services we provide are aided in helping our heroes live their best lives while assuring they receive the benefits they have earned, Carters statement continued. We encourage every veteran to schedule an appointment with their county Veteran Service Officer annually. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. DETROIT, MI President Joe Bidens campaign returned to Michigan this week, at a time when the Democrats viability as a candidate has fallen under intense debate. During a 35-minute campaign speech Friday, July 12, Biden spoke to more than 2,000 supporters inside Detroits Renaissance High School. Here are five key takeaways from that visit: The spotlight is hot, Jack Bidens public speeches and physical presence are falling under increased public focus following a debate performance last month that left many top Democrats calling on the president to step down as a 2024 candidate. Biden, though, remains defiant he wont exit the race. As a result, the public has watched his follow-up appearances more closely than usual, searching for more signs that could indicate Bidens debate performance was no fluke. At a nationally-televised news conference the day before the Detroit rally, the president made headlines when he mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump. About 75 members of the media from across the world covered his Detroit rally. But Bidens performance there failed to produce any gaffes of significant note. Albeit with the aid of a teleprompter, the 81-year-old president appeared to deliver his Friday address with a volume and confidence that did not match the tone of that scrutinized debate appearance last month. Biden insists hes not going anywhere Biden on Friday addressed the growing calls by Democratic allies for him to step aside as a candidate. I am running, and were going to win, Biden told the crowd at Renaissance High. Im the nominee of this party because of you, the voters. No one else. And Im not going anywhere. I learned a long time ago, when you get knocked down, you get back up. The crowds chants of dont you quit and four more years seemed to express his supporters favor for his decision. The issues Bidens remarks outlined some of his top campaign promises and messaging. The president championed abortion rights, touted promising economic numbers, promised to reinforce and strengthen civil rights, expressed support for labor unions, stated his plans to ban assault weapons, and raised fears about Project 2025. The nearly 1,000-page handbook in part authored by former Trump White House officials has generated scrutiny in recent weeks from Democrats who claim the document, if applied during a second Donald Trump presidency, would radically reshape civic infrastructure in part by cutting thousands of federal jobs. Much of Bidens remarks, though, focused on his Republican opponent. Trump is even more dangerous now, Biden said of his White House predecessor. Hes unhinged. He says, if he loses, there will be a bloodbath. Trump says, if he wins, hell be a dictator on day one. Were not going to let that happen. Over my dead body. Biden also referenced Trumps legal woes and his debated role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack where hundreds of Trump supporters broke into the U.S. Capitol in part to keep the Republican in power. Were going to stand up for America and save our democracy, Biden said, warning another Trump presidency would damage the American electoral system. Biden likes Detroit Friday marked the third time in six months Biden appeared in Detroit, the largest city in one of the nations key battleground states. Bidens last visit there was in late May, when he served as the keynote speaker at the Detroit branch of the NAACPs 69th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner. The president first rallied Motown voters three weeks before he won the states February presidential primary election for Democrats. His only other Michigan stop this year: Saginaw County, where he spoke to campaign supporters in March. And Detroit likes Biden (mostly) The day before the Democrats scheduled trip to Detroit, 14 members of the Michigan legislatures Detroit Caucus including state House of Representatives Speaker Joe Tate signed a letter expressing unwavering support of the presidents reelection bid. Their constituents historically have shown favor for Biden too. In 2020, 94% of Detroit voters cast ballots for Biden, helping him end Trumps tenure as president. By comparison, 50.6% of Michigan residents voted for the Democrat that year. On Friday, Renaissance Highs gymnasium was not large enough to house the volume of attendees who showed up to see the president. Campaign planners said organizers established another space on the campus where the overflow crowd watched Bidens address on video. While the crowd appeared overwhelmingly pro-Biden, one attendee seemed to express opposition to the presidents policy relating to the violent conflict between Israel and its Middle East neighbor. Free Palestine, a woman shouted while Biden was addressing the crowd. The protestor was escorted from the gym. Biden did not address the matter. A series of storm systems are going to move from southern Canada into the Dakotas and then head toward Michigan and the Great Lakes. The severe storm forecast branch of NOAA already is painting Michigan with severe weather chances. There are no immediate worries on severe thunderstorms for us here in Michigan. Sunday morning in southwest Lower Michigan would be the first shot at severe thunderstorms with this next series of three disturbances. With this type of upper-air flow and numerous embedded disturbances, we could see timing and location change somewhat. So this is just an early heads up that we will likely go into another stormy period this Sunday through Tuesday. Here are the Storm Prediction Centers severe weather forecasts for basically Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. In looking at the forecast models Michigan has the highest chance of severe storms with the final disturbance either late Monday or Tuesday. Notice the severe weather forecasts for each day have the same general shape and are aiming in the same direction, southeast. This signifies what we call ridge-runner severe storms which come over the top of the intense hot dome out west and head southeast into the Great Lakes region. This can produce our classic significant severe weather in the Great Lakes region. The forecast below for Saturday into early Sunday indicates a dying but still potentially severe storm complex heading toward southwest Lower Michigan early Sunday morning. Severe storm forecast from 8 a.m. Saturday, July 13 to 8 a.m. Sunday, July 14.NOAA The severe storm forecast for Sunday into early Monday says Michigans southwest and west-central Lower areas could have marginally severe storms. Severe storm forecast from 8 a.m. Sunday, July 14 to 8 a.m. Monday, July 15.NOAA I feel, as well as the Storm Prediction Center (SPC), that Monday into Tuesday has the greatest chance of organized severe storms. Its fairly rare for SPC to go out on a limb three days out to forecast a severe weather area. Severe storm chance already placed at 15 percent for 8 a.m. Monday, July 15 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 16.NOAA Again this is just a heads up that any outdoor project late this weekend and early next week could be tormented by severe thunderstorms. Of course we will keep you updated if needed this weekend here. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (left) welcomes Vietnamese President To Lam at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh on July 12. (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese leader is paying a state visit to Cambodia on July 12 and 13 at the invitation of the King. Following the welcome ceremony, President To Lam had a meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni. On the basis of the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the two countries, President To Lams state visit to Cambodia, part of his first overseas tour as the State leader of Vietnam, is critically important to continuing to reinforce the political trust and promote all-round cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, thereby affirming Vietnams consistent policy of attaching importance to, further intensifying its relations with Cambodia, as well as strengthening the trust and close-knit ties between high-ranking leaders of the two countries. The bilateral relations have been maintained firmly, with Party-to-Party cooperation holding the core role in setting up orientations for the two countries ties. Defence - security cooperation remains a pillar while economic, trade, and investment partnerships are currently a bright spot, especially the vigorous growth of bilateral trade. Vietnam is currently the third largest trading partner of Cambodia in the world and the biggest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The bilateral trade rose from 5.32 billion USD in 2020 to 10.57 billion USD in 2022. Last year, despite negative impacts from the global economic recession, the two-way trade was still maintained at a high level, reaching 8.57 billion USD. In the first five months of 2024, the Vietnam-Cambodia trade hit 4.6 billion USD and is expected to reach the 10-billion-USD mark again for the whole year. Vietnam now has 205 valid projects with combined registered capital of 2.94 billion USD, ranking first among ASEAN nations and in the top five countries with the highest amounts of direct investment in Cambodia. Meanwhile, Cambodia has 35 valid projects worth 76 million USD in Vietnam. Vietnam and Cambodia have also been stepping up collaboration in the fields of education, transport, culture - social affairs, tourism, and science-technology. They have recorded new progress in the settlement of legal papers for Vietnamese-origin people. Exchanges and cooperation between peoples organisations of the countries have also been maintained and reformed. Besides, the two nations have kept cooperation, coordination, and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, ASEAN, and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms./. The meeting between Vietnamese President To Lam and Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Phnom Penh on July 12. (Photo: VNA) Welcoming President To Lam on his state visit that is part of his first overseas tour as the State leader of Vietnam, King Norodom Sihamoni said this reflects the importance that the Vietnamese Party and State, as well as the President, attach to the close-knit and trustworthy relations between the two countries. He expressed his belief that the visit will mark a new milestone helping to further intensify the Cambodia - Vietnam good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability. The King also took this occasion to express his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese State and people for assisting the Cambodian people to escape from the genocidal regime in the past and develop the country at present. He affirmed that he will continue supporting the good traditional friendship between the two countries as his father, late King Norodom Sihanouk, used to do. For his part, President To Lam emphasised that Vietnam always treasures and gives the top priority to the enhancement and development of its ties with Cambodia. Generations of Vietnamese leaders and people always appreciate the good sentiments along with precious support and assistance from late King Norodom Sihanouk and generations of Cambodian leaders and people for Vietnam during the struggle for national independence in the past and the current cause of national construction and development, he remarked. At the meeting, King Norodom Sihamoni and President Lam noted with satisfaction that the Vietnam - Cambodia relations have continued growing stably, the mutual trust and cohesion between the two countries leaders and people been increasingly reinforced, while bilateral trade is now a bright spot with impressive growth. Both expressed their hope that in the coming time, the two sides will increase all-level delegation exchanges and meetings; foster cooperation in economy - trade - investment, culture, science - technology, and people-to-people ties; and properly settle outstanding problems in the spirit of friendly neighbourliness, solidarity, and cohesion. The two leaders affirmed that their countries traditional friendship, solidarity, and mutual assistance, nurtured with enormous efforts and even sacrifice by former generations, are a priceless asset that needs to be maintained for future generations. They also pledged to continue nurturing that sound relationship, and further step up communications to educate young people on the solidarity between the two countries and their people and to keep promoting the Vietnam - Cambodia friendship. President To Lam invited King Norodom Sihamoni to pay a visit to Vietnam in 2024. The King appreciated the invitation, noting that he will visit Vietnam in the near future. Following the meeting, President To Lam paid a courtesy call on Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and invited her to visit Vietnam soon. Later on the same day, King Norodom Sihamoni hosted a banquet in honour of the State leader and high-ranking delegation of Vietnam./. Major Lao newspapers publish news and articles on the Laos-Vietnam relationship, highlighting its importance and the continued efforts to strengthen and deepen these ties. (Photo: VOV) Print newspapers, online news outlets, radio, and television channels in Laos featured numerous articles about President To Lam's state visit to Laos, emphasizing its significance as his first foreign visit as President. The visit was seen as highly important in strengthening the cooperative relationship between the two countries, contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States, and peoples of Laos and Vietnam. Before the visit, major Lao newspapers such as Pasaxon (The People's Newspaper), the official organ of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, and PathetLao of the Lao News Agency (KPL), published articles praising the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam. These articles focused on themes such as Continuing to strengthen and foster the special solidarity between Laos and Vietnam, Vietnam and Laos, The Laos-Vietnam relationship is unique in the world, and Promoting the special Laos-Vietnam, Vietnam-Laos relationship. The writings highlighted that in the history of international relations, the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam are unprecedented. This relationship has brought numerous benefits to the people of both countries, not only in the struggle for national liberation but also in the current efforts to build and develop their nations. President To Lam's visit to Laos takes place amidst the flourishing, increasingly deep and effective great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam. Laos is the first country President To Lam has visited in his new role, underscoring the attention of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to the special relationship./. You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Govt mulls handing over MTNL operations to BSNL; merger unlikely OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Quant Mutual Fund confirms search-and-seizure ops, says Sebi's data collection "not part of regular process" J. Kumar J.Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in Mumbai Follow us on: Centre gives more power to Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor; opposition slams move Follow us on: Eight crore jobs created in last 3-4 years; it has silenced those spreading fake narratives: PM Modi Follow us on: 'Global AI Summit' to be held in Hyderabad for two days from September 5 Follow us on: 'Is asking for a space to sit wrong?': IAS officer Puja Khedkar's father defends her amid mounting controversy OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All Leader of Opposition not just a post: Rahul Gandhi Follow us on: Navi Mumbai airport to be operational in March 2025, says MoS Mohol OTHERS OTHERS Follow us on: My Account or or Hello, Login All SC adjourns hearing on former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji's bail plea to July 22 Follow us on: Australia PM tells Russia to 'back off' after claims over espionage arrests Follow us on: Chances of finding survivors slim after Nepal landslide, official says Follow us on: EU to push at COP29 for followup on deal to curb fossil fuels Follow us on: Taiwan on alert over 'waves' of missile tests in north China Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic on the occasion of Montenegro's national holiday, Trend reports. "Dear Mr. President, On the occasion of your national holiday, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and the entire people of your country on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Montenegro enjoy good traditions of friendship and cooperation. We are pleased with the dynamic development of our interstate relations and the expansion of our cooperation in various fields. I am confident that we will continue to make joint efforts to strengthen the relations between our countries and to fully utilize the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally. On this festive day, I wish you robust health and success in your endeavors, and I wish the friendly people of Montenegro continued peace and prosperity," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov met today with OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports. According to the information, the meeting discussed the prospects of the Azerbaijan-OSCE cooperation agenda, as well as issues of regional and international security, and opportunities for regional cooperation. In the context of the current situation on regional and international security, the importance of effective use of available opportunities to solve regional issues within the OSCE based on international law was emphasized. The importance of building by the organization of its activity following the realities of today in this direction was noted. It was emphasized that Azerbaijan is one of the most active members of the OSCE in several directions. Furthermore, it was noted that Azerbaijan's chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) can contribute to strengthening the direction of climate activities in the current cooperation agenda. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke in detail about the regional situation in the post-conflict period, our country's recovery, reconstruction, and peacemaking agenda, and current threats and challenges. It was noted that the mine danger from Armenia continues to threaten the return of our citizens to the liberated territories, as well as the ongoing large-scale reconstruction and construction works. The recent situation regarding the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the progress in the peace process was noted. It was emphasized that territorial claims to our country are unacceptable under the constitution of Armenia. It was noted that the steps threatening the advancement of the peace agenda, particularly the growing militarization of Armenia, remain a source of anxiety. During the meeting, 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 Yves here. The caliber of American nursing home cares is yet another American disgrace. Admittedly a big part of the problem is the number of elderly people who need care and cant get it at home or in the home of a relative. This is turn due, at least in part, to neoliberalism. Some home-bound elderly who can no longer care for themselves well (like prepare meals) could have been handled in an extended family setting, where the burden of caring for them could be spread among several relatives. Neoliberalism promoted the nuclear family so as to foster labor mobility. Another issue is the lack of serious thought and social support to keep as many of the elderly in their homes as possible. One reader described how in Japan, social workers will visit home-bound old people, even bringing a portable bathtub, and with bathe them and provide other support. Once a week might not be enough for many old people, but for some, 2-4 times a week visits might suffice. And keeping them in their homes helps their sense of well-being and cuts out the overhead costs of a nursing home. But a big reason the US wont go this way is that it would undermine the (generally lousy) home health care industry. Regarding the lack of enforcement of staffing levels, even lowly Alabama would inspect nursing homes at least every 18 months or so, would publish staffing levels by type of carer (such as RNs and occupational therapist) and would give full details of deficiencies, like vermin in kitchens (!!!!) and overall scores. I have not checked to see if Rhode Island posts this sort of information, but that sort of negative rating does have an impact and generally leads to an effort to correct the problems. In other words, while there are no simple answers, I suspect there is a lot the US could do to reduce the extent and severity of the nursing home care gap. But there does not seem to be much interest in doing so. By Jordan Rau, KFF Health News senior correspondent, whose stories have been published by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, and dozens of other media outlets. Previously, he worked at daily newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, Newsday, and the Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor. Originally published at KFF Health News For hours, John Pernorio repeatedly mashed the call button at his bedside in the Heritage Hills nursing home in Rhode Island. A retired truck driver, he had injured his spine in a fall on the job decades earlier and could no longer walk. The antibiotics he was taking made him need to go to the bathroom frequently. But he could get there only if someone helped him into his wheelchair. By the time an aide finally responded, hed been lying in soiled briefs for hours, he said. It happened time and again. It was degrading, said Pernorio, 79. I spent 21 hours a day in bed. Payroll records show that during his stay at Heritage Hills, daily aide staffing levels were 25% below the minimums under state law. The nursing home said it provided high-quality care to all residents. Regardless, it wasnt in trouble with the state, because Rhode Island does not enforce its staffing rule. An acute shortage of nurses and aides in the nations nearly 15,000 nursing homes is at the root of many of the most disturbing shortfalls in care for the 1.2 million Americans who live in them, including many of the nations frailest old people. They get festering bedsores because they arent turned. They lie in feces because no one comes to attend to them. They have devastating falls because no one helps them get around. They are subjected to chemical and physical restraints to sedate and pacify them. California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have sought to improve nursing home quality by mandating the highest minimum hours of care per resident among states. But an examination of records in those states revealed that putting a law on the books was no guarantee of better staffing. Instead, many nursing homes operated with fewer workers than required, often with the permission of regulators or with no consequences at all. Just setting a number doesnt mean anything if youre not going to enforce it, said Mark Miller, former president of the national organization of long-term care ombudsmen, advocates in each state who help residents resolve problems in their nursing homes. Whats the point? Now the Biden administration is trying to guarantee adequate staffing the same way states have, unsuccessfully, for years: with tougher standards. Federal rules issued in April are expected to require 4 out of 5 homes to boost staffing. The administrations plan also has some of the same weaknesses that have hampered states. It relies on underfunded health inspectors for enforcement, lacks explicit penalties for violations, and offers broad exemptions for nursing homes in areas with labor shortages. And the administration isnt providing more money for homes that cant afford additional employees. Serious health violations have become more widespread since covid-19 swept through nursing homes, killing more than 170,000 residents and driving employees out the door. Pay remains so low nursing assistants earn $19 an hour on average that homes frequently lose workers to retail stores and fast-food restaurants that pay as well or better and offer jobs that are far less grueling. Average turnover in nursing homes is extraordinarily high: Federal records show half of employees leave their jobs each year. Even the most passionate nurses and aides are burning out in short-staffed homes because they are stretched too thin to provide the quality care they believe residents deserve. It was impossible, said Shirley Lomba, a medication aide from Providence, Rhode Island. She left her job at a nursing home that paid $18.50 an hour for one at an assisted living facility that paid $4 more per hour and involved residents with fewer needs. The mostly for-profit nursing home industry argues that staffing problems stem from low rates of reimbursement by Medicaid, the program funded by states and the federal government that covers most people in nursing homes. Yet a growing body of research and court evidence shows that owners and investors often extract hefty profits that could be used for care. Nursing home trade groups have complained about the tougher state standards and have sued to block the new federal standards, which they say are unworkable given how much trouble nursing homes already have filling jobs. Its a really tough business right now, said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of one trade group, the American Health Care Association. And federal enforcement of those rules is still years off. Nursing homes have as long as five years to comply with the new regulations; for some, that means enforcement would fully kick in only at the tail end of a second Biden administration, if the president wins reelection. Former President Donald Trumps campaign declined to comment on what Trump would do if elected. Persistent Shortages Nursing home payroll records submitted to the federal government for the most recent quarter available, October to December 2023, and state regulatory records show that homes in states with tougher standards frequently did not meet them. In more than two-thirds of nursing homes in New York and more than half of those in Massachusetts, staffing was below the states required minimums. Even California, which passed the nations first minimum staffing law two decades ago, has not achieved universal compliance with its requirements: at least 3 hours of care for the average resident each day, including two hours and 24 minutes of care from nursing assistants, who help residents eat and get to the bathroom. During inspections since 2021, state regulators cited a third of California homes more than 400 of them for inadequate staffing. Regulators also granted waivers to 236 homes that said workforce shortages prevented them from recruiting enough nurse aides to meet the state minimum, exempting them from fines as high as $50,000. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an acute labor shortage, which allows homes to petition for reduced or waived fines. The state health department said it had cited more than 400 of the states 600-odd homes for understaffing but declined to say how many of them had appealed for leniency. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in 2022 to loosen the staffing rules for all homes. The law allows homes to count almost any employee who engages with residents, instead of just nurses and aides, toward their overall staffing. Florida also reduced the daily minimum of nurse aide time for each resident by 30 minutes, to two hours. Now only 1 in 20 Florida nursing homes are staffed below the minimum but if the former, more rigorous rules were still in place, 4 in 5 homes would not meet them, an analysis of payroll records shows. Staffing is the most important part of providing high-quality nursing home care, said David Stevenson, chair of the health policy department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. It comes down to political will to enforce staffing. The Human Toll There is a yawning gap between law and practice in Rhode Island. In the last three months of 2023, only 12 of 74 homes met the states minimum of three hours and 49 minutes of care per resident, including at least two hours and 36 minutes of care from certified nursing assistants, payroll records show. One of the homes below the minimum was Heritage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Smithfield, where Pernorio, president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, went last October after a stint in a hospital. From the minute the ambulance took me in there, it was downhill, he said in an interview. Sometimes, after waiting an hour, he would telephone the homes main office for help. A nurse would come, turn off his call light, and walk right back out, and he would push the button again, Pernorio reported in his weekly e-newsletter. While he praised some workers dedication, he said others frequently did not show up for their shifts. He said staff members told him they could earn more flipping hamburgers at McDonalds than they could cleaning soiled patients in a nursing home. In a written statement, Heritage Hills did not dispute that its staffing, while higher than that of many homes, was below the minimum under state law. Heritage Hills said that after Pernorio complained, state inspectors visited the home and did not cite it for violations. We take every resident concern seriously, it said in the statement. Pernorio said inspectors never interviewed him after he called in his complaint. In interviews, residents of other nursing homes in the state and their relatives reported neglect by overwhelmed nurses and aides. Jason Travers said his 87-year-old father, George, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button. I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed, Travers said. His father died in April 2023, four months after he entered the home. Relatives of Mary DiBiasio, 92, who had a hip fracture, said they once found her sitting on the toilet unattended, hanging on to the grab bar with both hands. I dont need to be a medical professional to know you dont leave somebody hanging off the toilet with a hip fracture, said her granddaughter Keri Rossi-Dentremont. When DiBiasio died in January 2022, Rhode Island was preparing to enact a law with nurse and aide staffing requirements higher than anywhere else in the country except Washington, D.C. But Gov. Daniel McKee suspended enforcement, saying the industry was in poor financial shape and nursing homes couldnt even fill existing jobs. The governors executive order noted that several homes had closed because of problems finding workers. Yet Rhode Island inspectors continue to find serious problems with care. Since January 2023, regulators have found deficiencies of the highest severity, known as immediate jeopardy, at 23 of the states 74 nursing homes. Homes have been cited for failing to get a dialysis patient to treatment and for giving one resident a roommates methadone, causing an overdose. They have also been cited for violent behavior by unsupervised residents, including one who shoved pillow stuffing into a residents mouth and another who turned a roommates oxygen off because it was too noisy. Both the resident who was attacked and the one who lost oxygen died. Bottom Lines Even some of the nonprofit nursing homes, which dont have to pay investors, are having trouble meeting the state minimums or simply staying open. Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit Aldersbridge Communities, which owns Linn Health & Rehabilitation in East Providence, said Rhode Islands Medicaid program paid too little for the home to keep operating about $292 per bed, when the daily cost was $411. Aldersbridge closed Linn this summer and converted it into an assisted living facility. Were seeing the collapse of post-acute care in America, Gamache said. Many nursing homes are owned by for-profit chains, and some researchers, lawyers, and state authorities argue that they could reinvest more of the money they make into their facilities. Bannister Center, a Providence nursing home that payroll records show is staffed 10% below the state minimum, is part of Centers Health Care, a New York-based private chain that owns or operates 31 skilled nursing homes, according to Medicare records. Bannister lost $430,524 in 2021, according to a financial statement it filed with Rhode Island regulators. Last year, the New York attorney general sued the chains owners and investors and their relatives, accusing them of improperly siphoning $83 million in Medicaid funds out of their New York nursing homes by paying salaries for no-show jobs, profits above what state law allowed, and inflated rents and fees to other companies they owned. For instance, one of those companies, which purported to provide staff to the homes, paid $5 million to the wife of Kenny Rozenberg, the chains chief executive, from 2019 to 2021, the lawsuit said. The defendants argued in court papers that the payments to investors and owners were legal and that the state could not prove they were Medicaid funds. They have asked for much of the lawsuit to be dismissed. Jeff Jacomowitz, a Centers Health Care spokesperson, declined to answer questions about Bannister, Centers operations, or the chains owners. Miller, the District of Columbias long-term care ombudsman, said many nursing home owners could pay better wages if they didnt demand such high profits. In D.C., 7 in 10 nursing homes meet minimum standards, payroll records show. Theres no staffing shortage theres a shortage of good-paying jobs, he said. Ive been doing this since 1984 and theyve been going broke all the time. If it really is that bad of an investment, there wouldnt be any nursing homes left. The new federal rules call for a minimum of three hours and 29 minutes of care each day per resident, including two hours and 27 minutes from nurse aides and 33 minutes from registered nurses, and an RN on-site at all times. Homes in areas with worker shortages can apply to be exempted from the rules. Dora Hughes, acting chief medical officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a statement that those waivers would be time-limited and that having a clear national staffing minimum will facilitate strengthened oversight and enforcement. David Grabowski, a health policy professor at Harvard Medical School, said federal health authorities have a terrible track record of policing nursing homes. If they dont enforce this, he said, I dont imagine its going to really move the needle a lot. Methodology for Analysis of Nursing Home Staffing The KFF Health News data analysis focused on five states with the most rigorous staffing requirements: California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. To determine staffing levels, the analysis used the daily payroll journals that each nursing home is required to submit to the federal government. These publicly available records include the number of hours each category of nursing home employee, including registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, worked each day and the number of residents in each home. We used the most recent data, which included a combined 1.3 million records covering the final three months of 2023. We calculated staffing levels by following each states rules, which specify which occupations are counted and what minimums homes must meet. The analysis differed for each state. Massachusetts, for instance, has a separate requirement for the minimum number of hours of care registered nurses must provide each day. In California, we used state enforcement action records to identify homes that had been fined for not meeting its law. We also tallied how many California homes had been granted waivers from the law because they couldnt find enough workers to hire. For each state and Washington, D.C., we calculated what proportion of homes complied with state or district law. We shared our conclusions with each states nursing home regulatory agency and gave them an opportunity to respond. This analysis was performed by senior correspondent Jordan Rau and data editor Holly K. Hacker. GRID DOWN: California utility provider cuts power off to thousands amid wildfire threat One of California's biggest utilities made good on threats to cut off power in some parts of the state on Tuesday morning in an attempt to address wildfire risks. After warning on Monday that there could be deliberate outages in parts of Northern California and the San Francisco Bay area, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) cut power to roughly 2,000 customers across eight counties as well as one tribal community. The outages, which are known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) started at around 12:30 AM on Tuesday. Although the company originally believed that around 12,000 homes and businesses could be affected by deliberate outages, they ultimately only needed to shut off power to 2,000 customers. However, thousands of outages that were not related to the intentional shutoffs were reported on Tuesday morning in some parts of the state. Much of California is experiencing high temperatures and dry, gusty conditions that are conducive to wildfires, with temperatures hitting the triple digits in some places. For example, wind gusts exceeded 63 miles per hour in Sonoma County and registered around 49 miles per hour in Butte County, while temperatures hit 109 degrees in Sacramento and 111 degrees in Redding. PG&E was worried that the temperatures could overheat their power infrastructure at a time when it is already under significant strain thanks to a greater demand for air conditioning and other methods of staying cool that require energy. When combined with the windy and dry weather the state is experiencing, these conditions create a significant wildfire risk. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. The company said that restoring power to all of the customers who are affected could take up to 12 daylight hours after weather conditions improve, leaving people without power and uncertain about when exactly it could return. They cautioned that power restoration could be delayed for customers in areas where individual power lines have sustained significant damage from wind-blown branches or debris that need to be repaired. They also reserved the right to implement additional power cuts for these and other customers depending on the weather conditions and wildfire threats. We continue to monitor the situation to determine if a shutoff is necessary for safety, said PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno. We are sending all of these customers regular updates so they can prepare accordingly. In the meantime, the utility has opened a few community resource centers in the blackout areas where people can go to cool off in air conditioning, use Wi-Fi, charge their phones and other devices, and obtain free bottled water. Ahead of the planned outages, they encouraged customers to charge their devices, freeze large containers of water, and check on loved ones to ensure their safety during the heat. PG&E was responsible for dozens of damaging wildfires There is already a major wildfire burning in Fresno in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the company is taking the wildfire threat seriously after being held accountable for previous wildfires sparked by their equipment. PG&E's equipment has been blamed for starting some of the worst fires in the history of the state, including the 2018 Camp Fire. More than 30 wildfires have been attributed to the utility since 2017, and the blazes were connected to the destruction of more than 23,000 homes and businesses as well as the deaths of more than 100 individuals. In 2019, they ended up filing for bankruptcy after they were fined and sued for their role in starting wildfires. Weather conditions and downed utility lines were also behind the horrific Maui fires seen last August that killed more than 100 people. Sources for this article include: WattsUpWithThat.com EnergyCentral.com In brutal CNN interview, Dem senator says Trump could beat Biden in landslide; Stephanopoulos doubts another term Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO) on Tuesday became the first Democratic senator to (Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com) "Donald Trump is on track, I think, to win this election, and maybe win it by a landslide, and take with him the Senate and the House," Bennett told CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday - after telling colleagues the same in private. "So for me, this isnt a question about polling. Its not a question about politics. Its a moral question about the future of our country." "The White House, in the time since that disastrous debate, I think, has done nothing to really demonstrate that they have a plan to win this election," he continued. Watch: Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) got outed by the media for saying privately that Biden is on track to lose badly to Donald Trump. He went on CNN to own his comments publicly. Respect. This is an absolutely brutal clip if you're inside the Biden White House right now. pic.twitter.com/oS7BWdkHJF Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 10, 2024 Bennet's comments echo those of a growing number of congressional Democrats who say Biden's reelection bid could hurt the entire party in down-ballot races this fall. As CNN reports, "Democrats, including those inside the administration, view this week as critical to Bidens political survival, and lawmakers on Capitol Hill gathered privately for their weekly meetings on Tuesday." "The stakes could not be higher," said Bennett, who says his voters have "deep concerns" over whether Biden can win. Punchbowl News had a sobering take on the state of affairs for Democrats in their Wednesday AM newsletter, saying Biden has "made a mess of the Democratic party." Senate Democrats were far from united about whether Biden is the best person to defeat Trump. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told us that Biden needs to continue to aggressively make his case to his fellow Democratic senators in order to earn full support. New Jersey Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill issued a statement Tuesday afternoon calling on Biden to step aside in favor of another Democratic candidate. [B]ecause I know President Biden cares deeply about the future of our country, I am asking that he declare that he wont run for reelection and will help lead us through a process toward a new nominee. Fellow New Jersey Democratic Rep. Andy Kim whos running for Senate walked right up the line of whether Biden should get out. "What steps can we actually take right now [to replace Biden.] Thats where some of the confusion is. Especially with all the talk of what are the actual deadlines. Its hard to kind of make a decision without fully understanding that. We need to get a better grasp on it," said Kim. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders met privately on Tuesday morning with some of their most vulnerable members, for a conversation that was "honest, brutal and intense," and left some members crying, according to sources with knowledge of the meeting. Stephanopoulos Opines ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, meanwhile, told TMZ that he doesn't think Biden can serve another four years. The 63-year-old Stephanopoulos sat down for a closely-watched interview with Biden last week following the president's disastrous debate performance last month against Donald Trump. "Do you think Biden should step down?" the TMZ journalist asked the "Good Morning America" co-host and moderator of "This Week." "I dont think he can serve four more years," replied Stephanopoulos after a pause. #GeorgeStephanopoulos just made a STUNNING comment: he told someone on the streets of #NewYork that he doesn't think President #JoeBiden can serve another term! https://t.co/cFMK2Uxx4zpic.twitter.com/pxKkolFcGt TMZ (@TMZ) July 9, 2024 Stephanopoulos walked back his comment hours later, telling Puck News "Earlier today I responded to a question from a passerby. I shouldnt have." ABC News told the outlet: "George expressed his own point of view and not the position of ABC News." During the interview between Stephanopoulos and Biden, the president failed to tamp down concerns over his cognitive fitness to continue as president - claiming that he was "exhausted" and "sick" with a "bad cold" heading into the June 27 debate against Trump in Atlanta. At another point in the interview, Biden rejected calls to exit the race, saying "If the Lord Almighty came down and said, Joe, get out of the race, Id get out of the race, but the Lord Almightys not coming down." Read more at: ZeroHedge.com Federal judge upholds Ohio law requiring photo ID at polling booths A federal judge has upheld Ohio's strict voter ID law , including its photo ID requirement, deeming it constitutional and rejecting a challenge brought by a Democratic law firm. Senior District Judge Donald Nugent of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, appointed in 1995 by former President Bill Clinton, ruled that photo ID requirement "imposes no more than a minimal burden, if any, for the vast majority of voters." The complaint, filed by the Elias Law Group on behalf of groups representing military veterans, teachers, retirees and the homeless, argued that the law imposed needless and discriminatory burdens on voting rights. (Related: Biden administration opposes bill that would require PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP for voting in federal elections.) However, Nugent dismissed these claims, including those against the law's restrictions on drop boxes and tightened deadlines for absentee and provisional ballots. Nugent asserted that voters do not have a constitutional right to access mail-in or early voting options. He highlighted that Ohio's schedule for obtaining and submitting absentee ballots remains more accommodating than those in 30 other states. Additionally, he refuted the argument that limiting ballot drop boxes to one location negatively impacts voters, noting that this provision, implemented by the GOP-controlled legislature after extensive debate, was first used in 2023. Before the 2020 election, Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose's order establishing the single-box restriction faced criticism from three different courts as unreasonable and arbitrary. 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. Democrats and voting rights organizations had advocated for multiple drop boxes, especially in densely populated counties, to facilitate voting during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A 2020 lawsuit led to a state appellate court ruling that LaRose could increase the number of drop boxes without legislative approval, though he was not required to do so. The 2023 law formalized the single-box restriction, and Nugent stated that opponents failed to make a persuasive case against it. Ohio Republicans working to require more Ohioans to provide photo ID to vote Republicans in the state's House of Representatives are looking to build on this election integrity victory with House Bill 472, which will require Ohioans who register to vote, request mail-in ballots and show up to the polls to provide valid government-issued IDs. Currently, state regulations only require Ohioans to provide valid government IDs when showing up at the polls. H.B. 472 would extend that and would also require a photocopy of IDs with completed ballots. "And so we're trying to figure out how to correct the process early-on so that we're actually verifying that someone is an eligible elector before we're putting that into the large database," said State Rep. Bernie Willis (R-Springfield). Among other proposals, Willis and state Republicans are also demanding new laws and amendments to existing electoral laws to include provisions allowing hand-counted ballots and new voting machine requirements that would force counties to replace outdated and potentially insecure voting machines. H.B. 472 would also require cybersecurity reviews of new voting machines and prohibit voting machines from being connected to wider telecommunications networks, making them nearly invulnerable to hacking. "Technology is rapidly evolving, which means that our systems must be constantly updated to prevent bad actors from threatening our elections," said bill co-sponsor State Rep. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green). Watch this video discussing how more and more states are requiring photo ID to vote. This video is from the Red Voice Media channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Tennessee state secretary asks thousands of voters for proof of citizenship ahead of November elections. 49 U.S. states now supplying ILLEGALS with voter registration forms. Indiana and Mississippi SUED over online age verification laws. Minnesota passes law allowing all voters to join permanent ABSENTEE VOTING list. Millions of people in 3 crucial swing states have registered to vote without photo ID this year, warn observers. Sources include: ConservativeBrief.com SpectrumNews1.com OhioCapitalJournal.com Brighteon.com Sen. Marco Rubio: Government provides more welfare to new migrants than to Social Security recipients Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) has denounced the fact that recent immigrants often receive more federal payouts than Social Security recipients In an address on the floor of the United States Senate, Rubio pointed out the stark differences in benefits received by Cuban refugees who arrived in the U.S. decades ago and have since earned Social Security benefits through years of labor and the financial support provided to recent immigrants, including those classified as refugees. Rubio expressed his frustration over the situation where recent immigrants, who have not contributed to the Social Security system, receive more substantial benefits than Cuban refugees who have been contributing members of American society for decades. (Related: Sector of northern border sees record-breaking wave of illegal immigrants apprehended.) "One of the things I see a lot in South Florida are people that have been in this country they may have come from Cuba 45 years ago. They've worked here their entire lives. They retire. They get $800, $900, $1,000 a month from Social Security," Rubio said. "And they run into somebody who just got here from Cuba three months ago, 29 years old, doesn't work, and he's given $1,500 a month in benefits by our government 'cause they're 'refugees.'" Rubio even recounted instances of new arrivals receiving generous benefits, only to frequently return to their home countries. "That 'refugee,' a year later, is traveling back to Cuba 15 times. So, you're a refugee fleeing oppression from a place that you now go back and visit 15 times the following year," Rubio continued. 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. "And in the meantime, we're giving you Medicaid, food stamps, health care for your children, cash payments from the refugee fund. So, imagine if youve been working here for 40 years and your Social Security check is smaller than the benefits going to a 28-year-old, able-bodied person who just got here. That's real. That happens. That's happening every day. That makes no sense." Data proves illegal immigrant households receive higher benefits than others A newly released analysis of data from the 2020 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) supports the claims of Rubio. According to the SIPP data, immigrant households are more likely to receive benefits from means-tested anti-poverty government programs than U.S.-born residents. The SIPP data reveals that 54 percent of households headed by immigrants including naturalized citizens, legal residents and illegal immigrants used one or more major welfare programs in 2022 compared to only 39 percent for U.S.-born households. The study also reveals that the welfare usage rate rises to 59 percent for non-citizen households, compared to 52 percent of households led by legal migrants. Immigrant-headed households show especially high usage of food programs (36 percent vs. 25 percent for U.S.-born households), Medicaid (37 percent vs. 25 percent) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (16 percent vs. 12 percent). An estimated 59 percent of households headed by illegal immigrants use at least one major welfare program. This high usage rate is not attributed to fraud but to their ability to receive benefits on behalf of U.S.-born children and, in some states, access to programs like Medicaid and SNAP. The analysis further details that no single program accounts for the higher overall welfare use among immigrants. Even when excluding programs like school lunch and breakfast and the WIC nutrition program, 46 percent of all immigrant households and 33 percent of U.S.-born households still utilize at least one major welfare program. This data dispels the notion that the presence of extended family or unrelated individuals contributes to higher welfare use among immigrants. The majority of immigrant households are nuclear families, with 49 percent of these nuclear family households using welfare compared to 35 percent of similar U.S.-born households. Visit OpenBorders.news for more stories about the border crisis. Illegal migrants get anything free while Americans get hell. Watch this video. This video is from the Vampire Slayer channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Study finds immigration to the American South is far outpacing migrant movement into other U.S. regions. Latest polls show majority of Americans now approve of MASS DEPORTATIONS for illegal immigrants. NYC hotel rates reach record highs as city fills available rooms with illegal immigrants. Arizona Senate pushes for ballot measure allowing local law enforcement to arrest illegal immigrants. Senator Cornyn raises alarm regarding terror threat on U.S. soil as ISIS-linked network helps more illegal immigrants cross border. Sources include: Breitbart.com CIS.org Brighteon.com IDF demands evacuation that will displace tens of thousands of people in Gaza The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has imposed evacuation orders for hundreds of thousands of people in Khan Younis in the south, Shujaya in central Gaza and several neighborhoods of Gaza City in the north of the Strip. The total number of displaced people in Gaza has already increased from 1.7 million in May to an estimated 1.9 million now, according to the United Nations, which means that approximately nine out of 10 people in Gaza are now considered internally displaced, many of them multiple times. "Mass displacement has been predominantly driven by evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military, extensive destruction of both private and public infrastructure, restricted access to essential services and the persistent fear of ongoing hostilities," the most recent assessment by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated. According to the IDF, evacuation orders are necessary so that civilians don't get caught up in its renewed operations in areas where Hamas is seeking to reestablish a presence. The IDF insists it goes to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the militant group Hamas has said the evacuations threaten to return negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage deal to "point zero." On July 2, a convoy maneuvered inside the Gaza Strip as seen from Israel. But it was unclear how many people followed the latest evacuation order as many civilians are already wary of leaving whatever shelter they have for an uncertain journey to an even more uncertain fate living on the streets or in the overcrowded, unsanitary tent villages that pop up with each evacuation order. 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. Khader Al Za'anoun, a journalist with Wafa, the official Palestinian news agency, told CNN that people in the Tuffah, Old City and Daraj neighborhoods had been instructed to move to "known shelters in the west of Gaza City." But he said the large-scale evacuation came amid drone- and air strikes. "It was terrifying, people were running, some were in wheelchairs, everyone in panic not knowing where to go. The heavy bombardments were close, and the smoke was filling the skies," Al Za'anoun said after reaching the port area. "I decided to wait until the morning and not move due to the dangerous situation." But at dawn, airstrikes targeted a high-rise building close to where he and his family and many other displaced people were taking shelter. "At that moment, to protect the lives of my family, I decided to leave the place and evacuate to the port area in the west of the city on a journey full of danger," he said. OCHA estimates that about 80,000 people were living in the Shujaya area when the order to evacuate came on June 27. A further 250,000 people living in eastern Khan Younis and Rafah were placed under an evacuation order by the Israeli authorities on July 1. On that day, the IDF said that people in 71 residential blocs in eastern Khan Younis and Rafah must immediately move westwards to what it defines as a "humanitarian zone" in Al Mawasi. (Related: Israeli invasion of Rafah under way following evacuation order on 100,000 residents.) OCHA said the area included medical points, primary health centers and 14 field kitchens, as well as a sewage treatment center. It said the internally displaced "moved toward western Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, which are already overcrowded and lack basic services, critical infrastructure, shelter materials and spaces to accommodate the new influx of internally displaced persons." Evacuation orders wipe out UN's attempts to improve humanitarian aid deliveries A senior UN aid official said one of the recent military evacuation orders has "wiped out" the UN's attempts to deliver humanitarian aid via the Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel's military announced this month a daily daytime pause in attacks to facilitate the collection of aid from Kerem Shalom, but the UN said the lawlessness means it is still too dangerous. OCHA head Andrea De Domenico said there had been a lot of discussions with Israel on how to improve the situation. "We have been engineering a lot of solutions and trying and testing, improving and failing, at times, and now with this evacuation order all this has been, again, wiped out," he told reporters recently. De Domenico said alternative plans were now blocked by the evacuation order, but he hoped a protection agreement could be reached with the Israeli military for some areas. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric and an Israeli defense official, speaking separately on condition of anonymity, said discussions are underway on various communications options that could be used for humanitarian operations within Gaza. "As far as the technology itself, I can't say that it'll be Starlink or something else. I don't know yet but we have to find something that we're comfortable with and that will also help them," said the Israeli defense official. "There are some security concerns in terms of what Hamas can do with communications equipment." On the other hand, Dujarric said the UN just wants communication tools that don't rely on cell phone towers because "they are not reliable." Check out IsraelCollapse.com for updates on Israel's genocidal war against Palestine. Watch the video below that talks about a Gazan-displaced family's current living situation. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Report: Israeli military has "weaponized" humanitarian initiatives in Gaza to accelerate the displacement and killing of Palestinians. Displaced women in Gaza struggle for menstrual hygiene products; endure C-sections without anesthesia. U.S. attempts to justify deadly attack by Israel on displaced Palestinians in Rafah. Sources include: CNN.com News.AntiWar.com Brighteon.com Illegal immigrants rejoice following leftist victory in British election Illegal immigrants in northern France have celebrated the left-wing Labour Party's landslide victory in the United Kingdom's recent general election, with many saying they will use this opportunity to cross the English Channel and enter Britain the "first chance" they get. This came after newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised to be more lenient regarding migration, including scrapping the former Rwanda asylum plan and migrant deportation flights. (Related: Leftist Keir Starmer becomes new British prime minister, pledges to put "country first, party second.") Most immigrants in the Grand-Synthe camp, near Dunkirk, were unaware of the results, but were very happy when told that Rishi Sunak will no longer be the prime minister. According to 23-year-old Amir, a bean-seller from Kurdistan, migrants had given Starmer a nickname that practically translates as a man who works for refugees or workers. "We are calling him 'Party Krekaran' because we have heard that this guy is really helpful to the refugees," Amir said. "It's really good for us. We were really nervous in our countries to travel all the way here and get sent back. We no longer live in fear of them sending us to Rwanda. I've seen a couple of documentaries, and Rwanda is not the best place." Asked whether the result would make it more likely for them to make the crossing, Amir said: "Yes of course. I want to cross the U.K. as soon as possible. I was really sure that Rishi Sunak was going to lose." A 31-year-old immigrant from Iraq named Halmat Ali paid 3,900 British pounds ($5,000) to a smuggler to assist the crossing to Britain. "I like Labour Government. I will cross at [the] first chance. They give me hope," Ali said. 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. Starmer government establishes Border Security Command to clamp down on human smuggling Crossings have reportedly resumed as early as Monday, July 8, when comparatively calm conditions at the English Channel allowed groups of people packed tightly in boats and wearing life jackets to be escorted into the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, newly appointed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper launched a Border Security Command designed to clamp down on human smuggling gangs. A spokesman for Starmer told reporters: "We're getting to work straight away because we know that this summer will be challenging." The government is "now focused on the work needed to secure our borders and smash the gangs," Starmer's spokesman added. So far this year, 13,574 immigrants have arrived in the U.K. after crossing the English Channel, based on the latest available Home Office figures. This is a record for the first six months of a calendar year. It is also 12 percent higher than the number recorded by this time last year (12,119) and up three percent in the same period in 2022 (13,149). Cooper said establishing the unit was Labour's priority on immigration as she fielded questions on the future of the Bibby Stockholm barge, which is being used to house asylum seekers in Portland, Dorset. "We need to clear the Conservatives' asylum backlog, but the first priority has to be to get the stronger border security in place, and that is why our first step is setting up the new Border Security Command," Cooper said. She also ordered an investigation into the recent routes, methods and tactics employed by human smugglers across Europe. Follow Migrants.news for more stories about the invasion of illegal immigrants into Britain and Europe. Watch the video below about pro-immigrant leftist coalitions coming out with shocking victories in the U.K. and France elections. This video is from the Paul Davis UnCancelled channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: UK government now wants Britons to house non-Ukrainian refugees. Survey: Majority of French citizens believe rise in IMMIGRATION and decline in public safety are connected. Sweden on the "brink of civil war" amid rampant MIGRANT VIOLENCE, warns expert. Sources include: InfoWars.com Telegraph.co.uk Independent.co.uk Brighteon.com BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The growing militarization of Armenia remains a source of anxiety, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said during a meeting with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, who is on a visit to the country, Trend reports. The meeting highlighted the latest situation regarding the process of normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as progress in the peace process. Furthermore, it was emphasized that territorial claims to Azerbaijan are unacceptable under the Armenian constitution. It was noted that the steps threatening the advancement of the peace agenda, in particular the growing militarization of Armenia, remain a source of anxiety. Le Pen slams witch-hunt after investigation launched into 2022 presidential campaign funding An investigation has been launched in France into the suspected illegal financing of Marine Le Pens 2022 presidential election campaign, the Paris prosecutors office confirmed on Tuesday. (Article by Denes Albert republished from RMX.news) According to BFMTV, preliminary proceedings were opened on July 2 into investigating a loan from a legal entity, the prosecution said. However, no further details related to the investigation were provided. Since 1990, the financing of French election campaigns has been managed and controlled by an independent body, the National Commission for Campaign Accounts (CNCCFP), which approves the reimbursement of part of campaign expenses to candidates by the state. It is this authority that reported the suspicion of irregularities in the financing of the campaign of the presidential candidate of the National Constituency to the Paris prosecutors office in 2023. The investigation is being conducted by the financial department of the Paris criminal police under the direction of an independent investigating judge, the prosecutors office said. My client has never been heard in any capacity on any of the facts of this general accusation, Marine Le Pens lawyer Rodolphe Bosselut said in a statement. She is now facing a media campaign to which she cannot yet respond or defend herself, as she is not aware of any specific complaints that could be the subject of a detailed response, the lawyer added, indicating that it was in vain that he had asked the prosecutors office for further details. The proceedings are a vague accusation that cannot be challenged or questioned, and so to pillory my client in the media is dishonest, Marine Le Pens legal representative stressed. The AFP news agency quoted an unnamed source within the National Rally (RN) who recalled that Marine Le Pens presidential campaign account was approved by the competent authority in December 2022 and the state reimbursed part of the costs in February 2023. Read more at: RMX.news Maria Zeee: Govt and MSM still COVERING UP COVID-19 pandemic crimes Australian independent journalist Maria Zeee has remarked that both the government and the mainstream media (MSM) are still covering up their crimes in connection with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. She made the remark in response to the June 30 "After COVID" segment aired on the "7News Spotlight" program of the Australian channel Seven Network. The segment moderated by "7News Spotlight" host Michael Usher sought to provide "an unflinching look" at the Land Down Under's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But according to Zeee, the program only served to justify the lies and deceit by Canberra about COVID-19. "This entire broadcast that they did in my opinion was scrambling, because they've lost control of the narrative. Scrambling to try and soften the blow on the people that the government tried to murder them," she said. "We must never forget what the government and the [MSM] did to innocent people who simply did not want to be a lethal medical experiment and we will hold them accountable in this entire exercise." Zeee also mentioned that she didn't expect the June 30 segment to go in favor of the people, as the MSM "never seems to report in a way that benefits the people." She added: "[The MSM is] always really siding with the official narrative, with the government. [It's] only platforming people that agree with the government, and certainly painting any types of dissidents in a very negative light." According to the independent journalist, people worldwide have been subjected to the greatest psychological terror in history. The MSM in every country around the world facilitated this terror, making it guilty of crimes against humanity in the same way as the government who pushed the COVID-19 injection. (Related: Mainstream media covering up vaccine deaths of Black people while paying Black celebrities to keep pushing genocidal jabs.) 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. "None of their journalists have taken it upon themselves to a degree that is satisfactory to challenge what the government did during COVID-19," Zeee lamented. According to her, only a few of the "real journalists" working with the MSM have exposed or questioned what really was going on during the COVID-19 pandemic. World governments committed the biggest holocaust The founder of Zeee Media also stressed that the COVID-19 injections are biological weapons of mass destruction world governments deployed on the human population. "[These are] the biggest crimes of humanity that we have seen in the history of the world, [and] the biggest holocaust committed by governments around the world," she said. The independent journalist also took aim at some of the panel members on the "After COVID" segment. In particular, she targeted former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and two infectious disease specialists, professor Robert Booy and Dr. Sanjaya Senanayake. According to Zeee, Booy has a conflict of interest for receiving Big Pharma funding. Senanayake, meanwhile, has been in the media telling Australians that the COVID-19 injections are "safe and effective." Zeee pointed out that this was a blatant lie, with Pfizer itself even admitting in documents that the injections would cause death and varying disabilities. "The magnitude of these crimes really cannot be understated, and many Australians feel absolutely insulted and shortchanged by what they saw, and I don't blame them. I'm one of them." She also said Palaszczuk is someone who needs to be held to account for threatening people on live television. During the pandemic, the former premier of Queensland state threatened to imprison the unvaccinated an issue Zeee never forgot. "This particular issue was not brought up. This, for me, is a particular point that I have not given up on. Because I think that threatening to put unvaccinated people into what I call concentration camps was probably one of the most egregious things that she did during her time as premier. And to make those sorts of threats, I don't take those lightly." Follow Lies.news for more stories about the lies related to the COVID-19 vaccines. Watch the video below to learn more about Maria Zeee's commentary on the COVID-19 pandemic deception. This video is from the What is happening channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Australian drug regulator knew since 2021 that mRNA in COVID-19 injections could spread to vital organs. Censored Lancet paper republished finally peer-reviewed, showing that 74% of deaths after COVID-19 vaccination were caused by injections. CDC evidence shows covid vaccines CAUSE death so where is the CDCs apology for falsely claiming they were safe? Sources include: Brighteon.com TVTonight.com.au Op-ed: Only 7 EV charging stations out of 500,000 nationwide target built under Biden admins $7.5B plan According to an op-ed, only seven electric vehicle (EV) charging stations out of a 500,000 nationwide target has been built under the administration of President Joe Biden's $7.5 billion plan to combat "climate change." The July 3 op-ed by Geoffrey Pohanka, chairman of the Maryland-based car dealership Pohanka Automotive Group, expounded on this "charade" by the federal government. He recalled that his plan was part of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package President Biden signed into law in June. The package authorized the earmarking of $5 billion for state transportation departments to support the expansion. It also set aside an additional $2.5 billion for grant opportunities to help connect rural and marginalized communities to EVs. (Related: IMPRISONED: Climate police want EV batteries to have less capacity so electric car owners can't travel very far.) This investment, according to Pohanka, seeks to install half a million EV chargers along America's highways by 2030. He added: "A reliable and convenient public EV charging infrastructure is critical to achieving the president's goal of meeting the recent [Environmental Protection Agency carbon dioxide] emission regulation that requires nearly 72 percent of U.S. new light vehicle sales to be fully electric or plug-in hybrid by 2032." "Without diving deeper into the announcement, one would likely assume that $7.5 billion is sufficient to construct the 500,000 charging stations, one every 50 miles along the nation's highways. To identify the charade, one must first look at the math: 500,000 charging stations, each with a minimum of four chargers, accomplished with an investment of $7.5 [billion]." 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. Pohanka pointed out that with that amount of money, it would appear that every EV charging station installed would cost only $15,000. But in reality, a single high-capacity charger can cost $100,000 or more and most stations have multiple chargers. "We are now in the second year of the program, and only seven stations have been opened so far. At this rate, it will require thousands of years to build all 500,000 charging stations, assuming there are sufficient funds to do so." $7.5 billion a MEASLY AMOUNT for half a million EV chargers According to Pohanka, the U.S. will need 28 million charging ports by 2030 per an estimate by the global consulting firm McKinsey and Company. As of writing, there are just two million charging ports. To reach this ambitious goal, about 12,000 new charging ports both public and private need to be added every day. He also noted that many EV charging stations are now being opened, albeit costing far more than the $15,000 estimate. "It is true that significantly more government-funded charging stations are in the works and will be opened. The stations completed so far cost significantly more than what has been promised. With retailers contributing land to the projects opened so far, the cost of each station has averaged $1 million, with the government participation of 80 percent of the cost." Pohanka continued that $800,000 for each station "is significantly more than the $15,000 committed by the administration" for this endeavor. "At this rate, the 500,000 charging stations will cost the government $400 billion, not the $7.5 billion the president has promised." "If the administration is so wrong with this program, one must consider how many government programs designed to bring EVs to the masses are similarly defective." Check out GreenDeal.news for similar stories. Watch this clip about EV owners switching back to gasoline-powered cars after having difficulty finding EV charging stations. This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Electric vehicles in Florida CATCH FIRE after coming into contact with saltwater from Hurricane Idalia. Electric vehicles performed WORSE in EPA estimates than gas-powered cars: The EV push is a RIGGED SCAM. Electric vehicles are a SCAM heres why. Electric vehicles are unreliable and not cost-efficient especially in cold weather. Electric vehicles have more quality issues than combustion engine cars, new study finds. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com RealClearEnergy.org Brighteon.com Over 15,000 Canadians volunteered to be EUTHANIZED in 2023 An investigation by Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the London, Ontario-based Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC), found that over 15,000 Canadians chose to be euthanized in 2023 Schadenberg and the EPC's researchers used information from the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec regarding how many individuals in those provinces chose to take up services from the federal government's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) assisted suicide program. (Related: Anti-euthanasia group vows to keep fighting Trudeau government's plan to include mentally ill people in ASSISTED SUICIDE program.) Schadenberg and the EPC noted that their data is limited because they were unable to access MAID records from the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan and the Canadian Territories of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and Yukon, indicating a high likelihood that more Canadians could have chosen medically assisted suicide in 2023. Here is what the investigation found: Combining these provincial datasets for 2023 adds up to a total of 14,413 assisted deaths, an increase of 15 percent from the 12,490 assisted deaths in 2022 in those provinces. Given that, in 2022, the total number of reported assisted suicides is 13,241 or around six percent more Schadenberg and the EPC came up with an estimated number of 15,280 assisted deaths nationwide in 2023. Canadians are 15 times more likely than Californians to choose assisted suicide Recent reports suggest that Canada's MAID cases could rise dramatically possibly reaching one in 10 deaths by the end of the decade. This prediction stems from a study published in Mortality examining why Canada sees significantly more MAID cases than similar assisted suicide cases in California, despite both regions legalizing the practice in 2016. Despite similar population sizes and demographics, as well as comparable leading causes of death and overall mortality rates, the contrast in MAID uptake is stark. In 2022, 853 Californians opted for MAID, whereas 13,241 Canadians chose the same path according to official documentation. MAID accounted for 4.1 percent of all deaths in Canada in 2022, but only 0.27 percent in California. The study suggests that Canada's upper limit on MAID deaths might reach 10.5 percent of all annual deaths if current trends continue. Researchers explored 10 hypotheses to explain this 15-fold difference between Canada and California, focusing on factors influencing Canadians' higher MAID uptake. Key findings include greater awareness of MAID among Canadians compared to Californians, with 67 percent versus 25 percent knowing about the option for terminal illness. Canada also boasts six times more health care practitioners assigned to MAID services per capita, and federal and provincial health authorities provide assisted suicide services with better institutional support, facilitating easier access to euthanasia. While moral acceptance and the mode of death self-ingestion in California versus injection in Canada showed no significant differences, Canada's recent expansion of MAID to include conditions not resulting in imminent death did not fully account for the disparity. Critics cite potential oversight issues in Canada contributing to higher MAID rates, though Canada has stricter penalties for non-compliance. In conclusion, the study calls for a deeper examination of how Canada's health care system integrates MAID, cautioning against its normalization as a form of therapy. Critics argue that Canada risks failing to protect vulnerable populations if MAID becomes more commonplace. Watch this video about Canada's euthanasia program. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Disabled Canadian man reveals he's been offered EUTHANASIA multiple times by hospital staff. Op-ed: EUTHANASIA of young, healthy women in the Netherlands a warning to Canada. Canada now allows people to request medical suicide for AUTISM. Child murder: Canada mulls rolling out EUTHANASIA for 12-year-old kids. Canada postpones expansion of euthanasia program to mentally ill people, but the Trudeau government promises to kill them eventually. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com ICI.Radio-Canada.ca Drive.Google.com [PDF] AlbertaHealthServices.Ca NSHealth.Ca GlobalNews.ca Gov.BC.Ca [PDF] NationalPost.com TAndFOnline.com Brighteon.com Putin says Moscow now ready to manufacture previously banned missile systems after NATO countries abandon agreements Russia is about to begin to manufacture missile systems that were previously banned under the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) now that the United States is no longer abiding by the Cold War-era rule. At a press conference following the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, Vladimir Putin explained that once the U.S. withdrew from the INF in 2019, Russia was no longer bound by the restrictions either. "As I've said, in connection with the U.S. withdrawal from this treaty and the announcement that they are starting production, we also consider ourselves entitled to start research, development, and in the future, production," Putin said. "We are conducting this R&D and we are ready to start production. We have already, in principle, given the relevant instructions to our industry." Citing the "hostile actions" of the U.S. regime, Putin said much the same at a recent meeting of the National Security Council in Moscow. "We now know that the U.S. is not only producing these missile systems, but has also brought them to Europe, Denmark, to use in exercises. Not long ago, it was reported that they were in the Philippines." All of this is escalating because of Western aggression, Putin emphasized. Moscow has no choice, he says, but to revive its short- and intermediate-range missile programs, which will be deployed "based on the actual situation, if necessary." (Related: Did you catch our report about what NATO and the West are planning to ignite WWIII?) 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. U.S. was violating INF treaty for many years The INF treaty began in 1987 when both the U.S. and the then-Soviet Union agreed to ban production and use of ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as their respective launchers. Such missiles have a range of between 310 and 3,420 miles. Air- and sea-based systems with the same range were not included in the ban only ground-based missiles were prohibited. This arrangement helped to lower tensions concerning the deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe. Russia, which succeeded the Soviet Union, agreed to adhere to the treaty in the years that followed, even though the U.S. continued to build installations across Eastern Europe in direct violation of it. Then in 2019, the U.S. officially pulled out of the treaty, which it was not following anyway. According to U.S. officials, the decision to withdraw from the INF treaty in 2019 was based on Moscow's alleged violations of it, though there has not been any evidence provided by the U.S. to back that claim. In the comments, someone noted that it was Donald Trump who abrogated the INF treaty during his term, hence why the U.S. withdrew from it in 2019. "This was Trump's biggest mistake," this person wrote. "This is a crime. Some believe he paid for it by getting kicked out from the White House in 2020. Others believe he should be jailed for that alone, not for 'horse face stuff.'" "Lots of Americans and Russians worked hard to achieve this treaty. We were eventually heading for a world free from nuclear weapons but Trump killed it." Another wrote that what Russia is doing right now will eventually lead to the bankrupting of America, though Russia is not necessarily to blame for that bankrupting the Federal Reserve and others who run the money system are responsible for what is coming. "During the Cold War, a lot of hard work was expended so as to reduce the dangers of it turning hot," wrote another about the threat of nuclear war. "Bit by bit, the fruits of that work are being destroyed as a result of the U.S. government's greedy persistence in trying to force Russia into its hegemon. Very high time it gave up the hopeless task." The latest news about all this can be found at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: RT.com NaturalNews.com Ukraine so desperate for new troops that Zelensky is now drafting PRISONERS to fight his war Both Russia and Ukraine are said to be running out of bodies to feed into the meat grinder of war. As such, they are now both drafting convicted criminals out of prison to fight on the front lines. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers with nobody to replace them. The Ukrainian army is now so depleted from these losses that the Volodymyr Zelensky regime is grasping to stuff anything with a pulse into uniform so the human sacrifices can continue. Prisoners are reportedly "volunteering" to fight for Zelensky in exchange for their release. Since May, some 2,800 Ukrainian prisoners have been sent to the front lines with as many as 20,000 more soon to join them, according to Ukrainian Justice Minister Denis Malyuska. "You can put an end to this and start a new life," is what one recruiter is telling convicts in an effort to lure them onto the battlefield for Zelensky. A new law adopted by the Ukrainian parliament that same month allows the prison population the option to fight for Zelensky in exchange for early release. A contract is forged to force the deal, which covers convicted drug traffickers and perpetrators of certain violent crimes, including homicide. (Related: Speaking of war, bombed-out Gaza is seeing a worsening hunger crisis as Israel starves out the embattled Palestinians.) Eventually, no more Ukrainian or Russian young people will be alive to fight One of the prisons involved in the scheme is Prison No. 14 in Odessa, located in southern Ukraine. The Ukrainian army has really been targeting Prison No. 14 for new recruits with volunteers being promised training and a monthly salary of around 100,000 hryvnias, or just under 2,500 (around $2,700). 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. "This is about the same as the standard military salary in Ukraine," reported Remix News. "Those who are deployed in assault brigades at the front earn the equivalent of 2,750 a month." Since the summer of 2022, Russia has been doing the very same thing by replenishing its ranks with prisoners. In 2023, thousands of convicts were seriously wounded or killed fighting for Vladimir Putin just in the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut. Nearby Germany is making bank from all this as Rheinmetall, the country's largest arms manufacturer, just scored a massive 8.5 billion order for artillery shells, most of which will be sent to Ukraine. "The new order alone is more than the company's total 2023 sales of 7.17 billion," Remix News revealed. "Rheinmetall is Germany's largest arms manufacturer, producing not only ammunition but also tanks, military trucks and weapons." Finland is also "reaping dividends" from the war by using it as a testing ground for new weaponry, according to a senior defense official. The New York Times also reported that Russia is releasing female prison inmates to join the war in Ukraine, this after releasing tens of thousands of male convicts. Russia, meanwhile, claims to have taken control of two villages in eastern Ukraine: the settlement of Stepova Novoselivka in the Kharkiv region and Novopokrovske in the Donetsk region. For the first time, Hungarian President Viktor Orban will visit Zelensky. Orban is one of the most pro-Russian leaders in Europe, having vetoed a scheme to siphon $1.4 billion from frozen Russian assets to procure and supply fresh arms and other aid to Ukraine. "They were making fun of Russia two years ago for doing this," one commenter wrote about Ukraine's hypocritical decision to start creating new troops out of imprisoned criminals. These never-ending wars are terrible for everyone except the private central bankers who are raking in the dough. Find out more at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: RMX.news NaturalNews.com NYTimes.com TheGuardian.com Violent crime increases in remote parts of Arizona as illegal fighting-age males continue to enter undetected Violence and crime have increased in the remote parts of Santa Cruz and Pima Counties in southwestern Arizona as illegal "fighting-age males" dressed in camouflage uniforms continue to enter the United States undetected According to detailed accounts of residents in the region, young men, allegedly organized by Mexican cartels, have been pouring into the unmanned Border Patrol checkpoint east of Arivaca. They are usually dressed in camouflaged military uniforms, carry camouflaged backpacks and wear carpet booties to hide footprint tracks. Meaning, these men have a well-funded supply network. (Related: INVASION USA: Swarm of military-aged immigrants arriving in Texas, citizen journalist warns.) "They are unemployed, the majority are fighting-age males and there is a strong possibility some have undergone some level of insurgency training," an anonymous law enforcement said. This alarming security lapse has led to increased violence and crime, terrorizing residents in a once harmonious Arizona town just miles from Mexico. "Violent activity has drastically increased over the past three years since the border is now perceived to be wide open," said a veteran law enforcement official. For instance, fourth and fifth-generation cattle farmers in Amado and Arivaca often find dead bodies and drug paraphernalia on their properties. The escalating violence has caused the population of Arivaca to dwindle from 1,200 residents a few years ago to approximately 600 after most residents relocated to Green Valley or Tucson. The area has become so dangerous that the U.S. Forest Service no longer monitors enclosure areas for endangered species. 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. Amado is nestled in the Santa Cruz River Valley about 29 miles from the Mexican border, while Arivaca is 11 miles from Nogales, Mexico. The continuous stream of trash and human waste left behind by migrants and smugglers has devastated the local environment and livestock. Ranchers report that cattle fall ill or die after ingesting plastic waste or traces of drugs found in wrappings left by smugglers. Additionally, Mexican cattle frequently cross into the U.S., posing a risk of introducing illnesses to American cattle. "We removed 120 Mexican cattle over the past six months," a veteran rancher said, explaining the extra work to prevent unsafe beef from entering the U.S. food industry. Residents and local enforcement officials blame the lax border policies of the Biden administration Local, federal and state law enforcement sources blame the administration of President Joe Biden and its open border policies for the surge in problems over the past few years. Since Biden became president, one longtime area rancher has recorded over 3,560 illegal immigrants on security cameras on his property, a tenfold increase from the previous administration. "They have recommended we not travel to certain areas of our ranch, and we never go out there at night," said the rancher, who wished to remain anonymous for safety reasons. These residents of Amado and Arivaca, small cattle ranching towns near the Mexican border, feel significantly less safe than during the Trump administration. But despite all this, law enforcement officials reveal that the Department of Homeland Security has no plans to deploy agents. Visit InvasionUSA.news for more stories about the border crisis. Watch this episode of "The Breanna Morello Show" as Breanna Morello interviews Dan Lyman about men of military age illegally entering the United States. This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Illegal immigrants are throwing away their military IDs before entering America, says Border Hawks Dan Lyman. MOBS of Chinese illegal immigrants SWARM California border. More refugees are choosing to remain in Mexico with its booming economy rather than try to enter the U.S. Venezuelan illegal immigrant paroled by Biden ARRESTED by ICE in Chicago for allegedly FUNDING TERRORISM. TX AG Paxtons first task is to destroy illegal immigrant colonies after his historic impeachment acquittal. Sources include: YourNews.com JudicialWatch.org Brighteon.com Gaffe machine strikes again: Biden introduces Zelensky as President Putin at NATO event U.S. President Joe Biden, who has branded himself as a "gaffe machine," once again commits a humiliating verbal slip-up by introducing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin" at a NATO summit in Washington DC on Thursday, July 11. The president had nearly made it through his entire talk without any major gaffes, relying on teleprompters throughout. However, toward the end of the speech, the 81-year-old POTUS confused Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin who has been at war with Ukraine for the past two and a half years. "And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination," Biden said. "Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin." It was followed by a short silence then an awkward round of applause as world leaders onstage appeared unsure of whether to clap or wait until Biden corrected himself. ? JUST IN: BIDEN INTRODUCES ZELENSKY AS PRESIDENT PUTIN And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President PUTIN ?????pic.twitter.com/QKiA3QXDhZ Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 11, 2024 One audience member shouted "Zelensky!" to correct Biden. Appearing to have finally realized his mistake, he faced back the podium and apologized for the embarrassing blunder. "President Putin? We're going to beat President Putin President Zelensky. I'm so focused on beating Putin, we got to worry about it," Biden said as his alibi. The Ukrainian leader, 46, scowled and shook his head before joking, "I'm better." "You are a hell of a lot better," Biden responded. Zelensky then shrugged off the gaffe, coming to the rostrum to laud NATO for creating a compact, which serves as little more than a consolation prize after Ukraine did not receive a formal invitation to join the 32-country alliance at the three-day summit. Human knowledge is under attack! Governments and powerful corporations are using censorship to wipe out humanity's knowledge base about nutrition, herbs, self-reliance, natural immunity, food production, preparedness and much more. We are preserving human knowledge using AI technology while building the infrastructure of human freedom. Speak freely without censorship at the new decentralized, blockchain-power Brighteon.io. Explore our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Support our efforts to build the infrastructure of human freedom by shopping at HealthRangerStore.com, featuring lab-tested, certified organic, non-GMO foods and nutritional solutions. The "faux pas" happened when leaders of NATO nations gathered to announce the signing of the Ukraine Compact, a new security agreement between Kyiv and the U.S. and allies including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, a mere hour after the major error, Biden committed another blunder when he referred to his Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump" during a crucial press conference to defend his campaign for a second term in office. A Reuters reporter asked him whether he felt confident that Harris could take on former President Donald Trump if she were asked to step up to the top of the ticket and replace him as the nominee for the presidency. "Look, I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if I didn't think she was not qualified to be president," he said. "The fact is that the consideration is that I think I'm the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I'll beat him again," he continued. Never realizing that he had just done another slip-up, he continued blaming his stumbling and at points seemingly delirious debate performance on a big international trip he had embarked on the week before while seeming to blame his aides for over-scheduling. He said: "I just have to pace myself a little more. For the next debate I won't be traveling through 15 timezones the week before, that's what it was about." "I love my staff but they add things all the time, I'm catching hell from my wife, but anyway, um, I'm sorry," he said. Biden stands firm on continuing his re-election bid despite calls for him to withdraw from the race At the highly anticipated news conference, Biden also addressed concerns about his "worsening" campaign. He promised that he was fighting not for his legacy, but to "finish the job he started" when he took office in 2021. "If I slow down and can't get the job done, that's a sign I shouldn't be doing it," he claimed. "But there's no indication of that yet." Biden seemed the happy warrior. He laughed and smiled as he was peppered with questions and said he could keep up with Putin and China counterpart Xi Jinping, even if the hoarseness and cough that had been on display during his debate two weeks ago still appeared to linger. He also insisted he didn't need cognitive tests, telling reporters that if he ever saw "two doctors or seven," his critics wouldn't be satisfied. The election campaign, he said, had barely started, and he again repeated that he was confident he could beat Trump in November's election. He said he would consider stepping aside if his staff gave him data that he couldn't win, but that polls still show the race a dead heat. The Democratic delegates who will back him officially as the party's nominee at next month's convention were free to change their minds as they pleased, he said, before mock whispering: "It's not going to happen." Minutes after the news conference finished, several Democratic members of Congress still publicly called on Biden to step down, joining at least a dozen other lawmakers. They expressed concern about the gaffe-after-gaffe instances that their party flag bearer has been recently committing. (Related: Say what? Biden identifies as the "first Black woman VP" to serve with a Black president.) JoeBiden.news has more stories related to the president's recent gaffes and blunders that are raising concerns about his cognitive health. Sources for this article include: NYPost.com Mirror.co.uk BBC.com Russian political scientist warns: The world is on the edge of an abyss A top Russian political scientist has warned that the West could be on the brink of acting recklessly as it sees its influence dwindle in the wake of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Speaking at a roundtable discussion this week, Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of World Economy and International Relations Director Aleksandr Dynkin cautioned that the world is on the edge of an abyss amid a significant shift of power. While the seat of the global world order used to be in Europe, it has been in the U.S. for quite some time. However, Dynkin believes this is all about to change as Russia, India and China enjoy growing influence that will be further bolstered by the conflict in Ukraine and its fallout. He said that the political East is poised to become an equal partner to the political West. India and China have resisted calls to condemn Russia over its behavior in Ukraine, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi even paid Moscow a visit this week and sat down with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Wests declining global influence and the mental struggles of U.S. President Joe Biden could spur desperation and inspire the West to make reckless decisions, according to Dynkin. He said the last time the world was this close to a full-fledged disaster was during the Cuban missile crisis six decades ago. Russia is proactively pursuing the formation of a new world order Russian President Vladimir Putin has been embarking on a diplomatic offensive with developing countries in Africa and Asia, appealing to their frustrations with the West by providing them with an alternative. 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 a summit held last week, he proposed setting up a new Eurasian architecture of cooperation, indivisible security and development." He explained: "This new framework should replace the obsolete Europe-centric and Euro-Atlantic models that granted unilateral advantages to certain states." Putin is well aware that the global South is an important part of achieving his goal, and he has been working with China to shift the global balance of power in their favor. This October, Russia is hosting a summit for the BRICS block of nations, which added four new countries to its membership earlier this year. More than 30 are still waiting for their applications to be approved, including Thailand and Malaysia. It is important to note that BRICS differs from the EU and NATO in the sense that it has a loose framework and its requirements for entry are considered far less strict. Emerging countries can benefit economically by joining, they maintain, without the need to become a democracy or align their economy with Western standards. In addition to courting widespread support for a multipolar world order via BRICS, Putin is also looking to extend an anti-America coalition that will also include the Middle East and North Korea. To that end, he recently visited North Korea and met with dictator Kim Jong Un. The two leaders announced a new pact that will provide mutual military assistance between the two countries should one of them be attacked. He also announced that Russia could provide weapons to North Korea, which could have a destabilizing effect on the Korean Peninsula and U.S. ally South Korea. Meanwhile, political uncertainty in the U.S. ahead of the presidential election and divisions between Western nations over the war and genocide in Gaza have led to some cracks in Western alliances. Although some emerging countries may not necessarily side with Putin on all the issues, many are willing to put those reservations aside in hopes of strengthening their economies and taking on a more prominent role on the world stage. Sources for this article include: RT.com Asia.Nikkei.com APNews.com Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement," Trend reports. Will be updated DoT acts against cybercrime, suspends over 24,000 mobile connections I n a significant clampdown on cybercrime and fraudulent acts in the digital world, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Friday suspended as many as 24,228 mobile connections, with immediate effect. These 24,228 mobile connections were found to be linked with 42 unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) and suspected of repeated fraudulent activity. These 42 IMEI numbers were linked with three mobile numbers. The DoT said that telecom service providers have been directed to block the IMEI numbers on a pan-India basis. The DoT crackdown came after complaints by 'good Samaritans' who lodged complaints of cyber fraud on the government portal - Chaksu. The cyber fraudsters were reportedly misusing these mobile numbers for cybercrime and other fraudulent activities. Notably, Chakshu is an online service by the DoT, which facilitates citizens to report suspected fraud communications. Users can register their complaints on the sancharsaathi.gov.in portal about impersonation or any misuse of services through phone call, SMS or WhatsApp. Launched in March, the service triggers the re-verification of suspected fraudulent numbers. If the numbers fail re-verification, it gets disconnected. The IMEI number is a unique 15-digit serial number for identification of particular mobile handsets. Every phone has a unique IMEI number. Lately, the linkage of IMEI with hundreds of numbers has emerged as a worrying trend. DoT acts against cybercrime, suspends over 24,000 mobile connections Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on approval of the "Memorandum of Understanding between the State Agency for Citizens' Services and Social Innovation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Civil Service Commission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia," Trend reports. Will be updated "We've got a lot of loyal customers that vie to be the first one through the door when we open." Although he was assassinated 59 years ago, the relevance of Malcolm Xs ideas, hunger for knowledge, militancy, and unrelenting dedication to the liberation of African Americans, Afro-descendant peoples, and the oppressed darker peoples still resonates. The study by researchers from the French national public health institute aimed to identify priority pathogens that could be suitable for wastewater surveillance (WWS) during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place from 26 July to 11 August and 28 August to 8 September, respectively. The pathogens were evaluated using a Delphi method which integrated evidence from peer-reviewed publications and expert opinion. WWS has become more prominent due to its role during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a non-intrusive, cost-effective surveillance tool, WWS offers many advantages for the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 over clinical surveillance data, as data on virus circulation can be obtained regardless of an infected person's symptomatic status and testing/test-seeking behavior. The tool can also act as an early warning system. The six priority pathogens selected in the study were poliovirus, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, mpox virus, SARS-CoV-2 and measles virus. They were chosen based on three inclusion criteria: analytical feasibility, relevance with regards to the 2024 Paris Games and pathogen characteristics, and their value for informing public health policies. The study A list of 60 pathogens of interest for surveillance in the 2024 Paris Games was initially compiled. Their analytical feasibility was then assessed by reviewing evidence from peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the detectability of pathogens in sewage, refining the list to 25 pathogens. The relevance and added value to inform decision making criteria were assessed by a panel of 32 experts, who also proposed five additional pathogens. A total of 30 pathogens were evaluated by the panel, and consensus was deemed to have been reached if there was 70% agreement among experts. While measles had not originally reached the consensus threshold, it was included due to its resurgence worldwide, and increased risk of importation and transmission during the Paris games. Public health relevance While not a new concept, wastewater-based surveillance has gained considerable momentum since its use during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform public health actions, and it is being discussed whether its use could be extended to other pathogens and contexts, such as mass gatherings. The study constitutes a starting point to develop and execute a WWS strategy for the Paris 2024 Games. It offers a model framework for identifying context-specific WWS targets in mass gatherings and if successful, it could encourage the adoption of similar WWS strategies for similar events in the future. Additional planning and refinement More work is needed before implementing the strategy during the 2024 Paris games, and the authors recommend leveraging the existing network of 54 sites for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 circulation in wastewater treatment plants across France. After a wastewater sampling strategy proposal is approved, operators in charge of sampling and partner laboratories will be selected. Laboratory methods will need to be optimized for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. In case of technical constraints, the sampling strategy could be adapted and pathogen targets and/or WWS objectives further refined. A WWS plan for the Paris 2024 Games would serve as an exploratory tool, providing a pilot to continue monitoring measles virus, influenza A and influenza B viruses in Paris wastewater. Have you ever noticed how you can suddenly hear your refrigerator humming in the background when you focus on it? Or how the sound of your name instantly catches your attention even in a noisy crowd? The human brain is remarkably adept at adjusting what we hear based on contexts, like our current environment or priorities, but it's still unknown how exactly the brain helps us detect, filter and react to sounds. Now, biologists at the University of Maryland are a step closer to solving that mystery. Using an animal model, the researchers found that the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a brain region associated with decision-making but not typically linked to hearing, plays a central role in helping the auditory cortex (a primary hearing center of the brain) adapt to changing contexts or situations. The team's findings were published in the journal Current Biology on July 11, 2024. Our hearing doesn't just depend on the sounds around us. It also relies heavily on what we're doing and what's important to us at that moment. Understanding the neural mechanisms responsible for these adjustments can also lead to a better understanding of and potential treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, dyslexia or schizophrenia-;conditions where sensory regulation goes awry." Melissa Caras, the paper's senior author, UMD Biology Assistant Professor To closely examine the brain circuitry involved in the hearing process, the researchers turned to gerbils, small mammals whose basic hearing system is similar to that of humans. The animals were exposed to sound patterns in two different contexts. In one context, the animals listened to sounds passively without needing to do anything. In the other, the animals had to perform a specific action in response to the sounds they heard. By recording and manipulating the brain activity of the animals, the team discovered that the OFC helped the animals switch between passive and active listening. "In short, the OFC sends signals to the auditory cortex when it's time to pay closer attention to sounds," Caras said. "It's not certain whether the signals are sent directly or indirectly via an intermediary brain region, but we do know that activity in the OFC is essential to how the gerbils behaved in our experiments." When the OFC was silenced, the animals' auditory cortex did not switch between passive and active listening, impairing their ability to pay attention to and react to a behaviorally relevant sound. "In terms of a more human-oriented analogy, it would be as if I told you to suddenly pay attention to your refrigerator humming in the background," Caras explained. "If your OFC was silenced and unable to send a signal to your auditory cortex, you might have difficulty doing so because the ability to rapidly alter your sound perception would be impaired." While this study was conducted in animals, Caras says the findings may have notable implications for human health and well-being. The ability to quickly shift attention to important sounds is essential for many day-to-day activities including communicating with others and navigating busy or dangerous environments. "We're just beginning to understand how the brain fine tunes hearing sensitivity in response to sudden shifts in behavioral contexts. We plan to explore exactly how the OFC communicates with the auditory cortex and see whether it's possible to strengthen the connection and improve hearing ability," Caras said. "This work is paving the way for researchers and health care professionals to develop better strategies for improving hearing in both healthy individuals and those with sensory impairments." This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (Award Nos. R00DC016046 and R01DC020742). The paper, "Orbitofrontal Cortex Modulates Auditory Cortical Sensitivity and Sound Perception in Mongolian Gerbils," was published in Current Biology on July 11, 2024. Other co-authors of the paper from UMD's Department of Biology include current postdoctoral associate Matheus Macedo-Lima and former postdoctoral associate Lashaka Hamlette. Using technology to deliver therapy for children and young people is as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy, according to new research. The University of East Anglia-led study highlights the potential for using technology to expand access to mental health treatment, particularly following an increase in need due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and effective treatment for a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety and depression in children and young people. Over the past two decades, several innovative approaches have emerged to deliver CBT through technology. This includes apps, online software, and video games which deliver CBT directly through technology, as well as approaches which retain a human therapist via phone calls or video conferencing. While these technology-assisted versions have shown promise, there has been limited research directly comparing their effectiveness to traditional face-to-face CBT. Our findings suggest that technology-assisted CBT can be a viable alternative to traditional face-to-face CBT for some children and young people. This is especially relevant given the increasing demand for mental health services following the Covid-19 pandemic." Dr. Leonardo Bevilacqua, lead author, UEA's Norwich Medical School The research looked at multiple studies which examined various forms of technology-assisted CBT, such as video conferencing and online platforms. Of these, seven studies focused on anxiety in children and young people, and another seven on depression. The results revealed that technology-assisted CBT is just as effective as face-to-face CBT for treating anxiety and depression in this age group. Co-author Dr Peter Beazley, of Norwich Medical School, said: "The study highlights the potential of technology-assisted CBT to expand access to effective mental health treatment for children and young people. "Future research should focus on identifying the most cost-effective delivery methods to ensure the best outcomes for patients." The research was led by the University of East Anglia with support from researchers at University College London (UCL). Future studies should look closer at if technology-assisted CBT is as effective for children as it is for adolescents, and if there is any difference in effectiveness for males or for females. 'Effectiveness of technology-assisted vs face-to-face cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression in children and young people: A systematic review and meta-analysis' is published in the journal Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry (CCPP). Almirall S.A., a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to medical dermatology, announced today that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) for use in moderate to severe Atopic Dermatitis in the NHS England. Image Credit: Almirall Lebrikizumab is indicated for the treatment of adult and adolescent patients (12 years and older with a body weight of at least 40 kg) with moderate-to-severe Atopic Dermatitis (AD), who are candidates for systemic therapy. The treatment was approved by the European Commission and the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in December 2023. In the United Kingdom, approximately 5.2 million adults (7.7%, 18-74 years) and 2.5 million children (18%, 0-17 years) have moderate or severe atopic dermatitis, also commonly referred to as atopic eczema. Most people have heard of atopic eczema, but dont realize how it can dominate the lives of patients and their families. As well as the physical symptoms of itchy, sore, cracked, bleeding skin, eczema can affect so many decisions a patient makes every day; from what to wear, activities they can and cannot participate in, to managing time-consuming, messy skincare regimens, explains Andrew Proctor, National Eczema Society Chief Executive. The National Eczema Society welcomes the NICE recommendation for lebrikizumab as an additional treatment for eligible people with moderate to severe atopic eczema. Its important we have a range of treatment options, so patients have the chance to access a treatment that works well for them. The NICE recommendation for lebrikizumab for eligible people 12 years and over suffering with moderate-to-severe AD in England is testament to the benefits this treatment can bring to patients due to its demonstrated efficacy, with 4-weekly maintenance dosing and an acceptable safety profile. This is well aligned with our company purpose to transform the patient's world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life." Jorgen Damsbo, General Manager at Almirall, UK Atopic dermatitis often has a greatly underestimated psychosocial burden for the patients and their families. Both adults and children frequently face stigmatization, loss of confidence and bullying, sleep deprivation and overwhelming itch, which may impact their performance at school and work. In severe atopic dermatitis, patients often suffer from depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation. The addition of this targeted biological therapy is an important step forward and most welcomed for patients and clinicians alike. said Prof Tony Bewley, Consultant Dermatologist, Barts Health NHS Trust, and Honorary Professor of Dermatology at QMUL. Atopic Dermatitis is a chronic, life-long condition, with no cure. It is very encouraging to witness the increase in drug development in Atopic Dermatitis, especially with biological treatments, which can have a very beneficial effect on the condition. That lebrikizumab is now reimbursed by NICE is great news for patients as it adds another much-needed targeted biologic to the treatment options already available for Atopic Dermatitis. said Prof Richard Weller, Professor of Medical Dermatology at the University of Edinburgh, and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist. About lebrikizumab Lebrikizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds the cytokine IL-13 with high affinity to specifically prevent the formation of the IL-13R1/IL-4R heterodimer complex and subsequent signalling, thus inhibiting the biological effects of IL-13. Therefore, inhibition of the IL-13 signalling is expected to be of benefit in diseases in which IL-13 is a key contributor to the disease pathogenesis. IL-13 is key in atopic dermatitis, driving the type-2 inflammatory loop in the skin, leading to skin barrier dysfunction, itch, skin thickening and infection. Lebrikizumab represents a step forward in patients with moderate-to-severe AD not controlled with topical therapy due to its selective mechanism of action, proven efficacy, acceptable safety profile, and a 4-weekly maintenance dosing for all patients. Lebrikizumab demonstrated clinical efficacy in both, monotherapy and in combination with topical corticosteroids with 4-weekly maintenance dosing for all patients, and has been approved by the EMA in October 2023. Clinical data up to one year after first dosing have been published, as well as interim clinical data up to two years after first dosing. About atopic dermatitis AD, also referred to as atopic eczema, is a non-contagious chronic, inflammatory disease of the skin characterized by recurrent inflammation of the skin associated with intense pruritus or itching. Beyond the evident physical manifestations such as dryness, itchiness, redness, and inflammation, this condition can exert profound emotional effects that can significantly disrupt the academic, social, and professional lives of those affected. With an estimated prevalence of up to 4.4% among adults in the EU, the incidence of AD appears to have increased in recent decades, with approximately 20-30% of patients having moderate-to-severe disease. A new editorial paper was published in Oncoscience (Volume 11) on May 20, 2024, entitled, "Entering the golden age for antibody-drug conjugates in gynecologic cancer." In this new editorial, researchers Michelle Greenman, Blair McNamara, Levent Mutlu, and Alessandro D. Santin from Yale University School of Medicine discuss gynecologic cancers. Biologically aggressive tumors such as uterine serous carcinoma (USC) and carcinosarcoma (CS) are aggressive subtypes of endometrial cancer with a poor prognosis and a disproportionately high mortality rate. "Cytoreductive surgery along with chemotherapy is critical in treatment." However, recurrence is common, requiring multiple lines and combinations of chemotherapy. Use of immunotherapy in combination with gold standard chemotherapy regimens and targeted drugs represent novel modalities in treatment endowed with a remarkable potential in endometrial cancer patients. In a recent publication, entitled "In Vivo and In Vitro Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Uterine Serous Carcinoma" the researchers evaluated trastuzumab-deruxtecan (T-DXd), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) against biologically aggressive uterine tumors. "We demonstrated for the first time the remarkable preclinical activity of T-DXd against primary USC cells lines as well as USC xenografts overexpressing HER2/neu." Colossal, the de-extinction company, announces that the mRNA vaccine it helped to provide research support and acceleration funding for has been administered to the first elephant in captivity. Dr. Paul Ling. Image Credit: Colossal Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) is the number one killer of Asian elephant calves living under managed care in North America and Europe and significantly impacts free-ranging populations of Asian elephants as well. Recent EEHV related deaths in several African elephants in the US have now raised concerns about EEHV in this elephant species, as well. The ground-breaking work will help with efforts to generate EEHV vaccines for both species of elephants. The pioneering work of Dr. Paul Ling at the Baylor College of Medicine began in 2009 with a partnership with Houston Zoo where they developed better tools to detect and manage the elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) associated disease. In the past few years, progress on the development of the vaccine accelerated, in part due to the involvement of Colossal. Colossal supported our efforts to work on an mRNA solution approach. It quickly became evident that the mRNA solution was going to be feasible, so we prioritized implementation of that approach. We are much further along today than we would have been without Colossals scientific support, research teams and funding. Dr. Paul Ling, Professor at the Department of Microbiology and Virology at Baylor College of Medicine EEHV can cause lethal hemorrhagic disease and is often associated with massive levels of virus in multiple organs. The EEHV mRNA vaccine is designed to expose elephants to viral proteins critical for attachment and entry of the virus into host cells, thereby enabling induction of an immune response to block these processes, and help elephants control viral growth and prevent lethal disease. The initial EEHV vaccine is specific for the EEHV1A strain of the virus, which causes the majority of lethal infections in Asian elephants. It is envisioned that the mRNA vaccine platform can be easily modified to express similar viral proteins for other EEHV strains, including those that circulate in African elephants, in the future. Extensive preclinical trials of the mRNA vaccine have been conducted and the results show that it can induce antibodies against the virus without adverse impacts. The vaccine was recently approved by multiple entities involved in overseeing use of experimental products to be applied to elephants. The Houston Zoo approved the vaccine for their managed community, and they have inoculated 40 year old Asian elephant, Tess. Over the next few weeks, animal care experts and veterinary staff will closely monitor Tess to learn how effective this vaccine is for elephants. Upon the successful outcome from this first vaccination, the zoo plans to vaccinate additional animals under its care. Following encouraging results from the initial vaccine trials, the vaccine will begin to be offered to more facilitiesespecially those with vulnerable young elephants. In the next three to five years, Dr. Ling hopes that this vaccine will be applied to the broad population of elephants under human care, worldwide. Following that, the team would look to applications with animals in the wild. This represents a massive step forward for the protection of elephants globally, and a huge step forward for science. Im glad we could help accelerate and shorten this multi-decade journey with EEHV. We felt that there was not enough advanced technology or funding going into this work. And, yet the science necessary to stop animals on the brink of extinction from dying must be our priority, said CEO and co-founder of Colossal Ben Lamm. Elephants are incredibly intelligent keystone species that are critical to their ecosystems and worth saving. What Dr. Ling and our team have done in the past few years is incredible and we are thrilled that our partnership was essential to making this happen. Colossals advanced technology tools, research support, and funding help to accelerate the vaccine development and deployment, in part because of Colossals early role using its proprietary AI computational technologies to sequence the Asian elephant genome, which provided additional important information to evaluate responses to the vaccine. In my 15 years caring for elephants, I have witnessed elephants battle EEHV time and time again. I even lost a juvenile elephant under my care. It was among the most excruciating moments of my career said Colossals Chief Animal Officer Matt James. To be able to get a vaccine into the world that can stop that sort of senseless loss means everything to me. This is why I joined Colossal. I know we can work faster, and smarter, to save species on the brink of extinction: this is proof. Colossal believes that everyone must work together, quickly and efficiently, to stop the coming extinction crisis. Conservation of the past has helped, but without the integration of advanced scientific developments and faster timelines to completion, we will fail to save important species. Today, we are one step closer with elephants; there are so many more species to go. The development of a new artificial intelligence-based tool that supports health professionals caring for people with diabetes has led to national recognition for a Northumbria University researcher and her team. Assistant Professor Charlotte Gordon at the Diabetes Nursing Awards with certificate of achievement. Image Credit: Northumbria University Assistant Professor Charlotte Gordon and Ralph Holland, an Academic Technology Services (ATS) Analyst at Northumbria University, were finalists in the Diabetes Nursing Awards following the launch of a new e-learning package which focuses on diabetes care and patient case management. Ms Gordon and her team produced the specialist module which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support training on how to carry out patient consultations, covering topics including medications, glucose monitoring and patient education. The diabetes module forms part of Northumbria Universitys Health and Social Practice Framework which is designed to support those already working in health and social care with their continued professional development throughout their careers. It was created to help non-specialist practitioners to enhance their abilities to care for patients with diabetes. Students are taught by diabetes specialists and benefit from simulated sessions that focus on behavioral changes and medication escalation scenarios. The in-depth AI consultation was produced to better reflect the situations that can occur in real clinical practice as patient care requirements change over time. Using a specially developed script, it gives students the chance to safely observe and interact with patients in a simulated setting, allowing them to reflect on how they would best manage a consultation and how different factors can impact on the care plans patients require. The success of the module and the introduction of the AI consultation led to Ms Gordon and Mr Holland being shortlisted for the title of Diabetes Educator of the Year in the Diabetes Nursing Awards, which honor those making a profound impact to the lives of individuals living with diabetes across the UK. Ms Gordon said: There are a significant number of people who are risk of, or who are already living with, diabetes. This means that understanding the disease and the best treatment plans is essential not only across primary care but also district nursing practice and in acute care environments. The new AI consultation was developed to allow us to employ a more engaging approach to support professionals in their ongoing training that was reflective of what could happen in clinical practice. She added: We developed the script, which is underpinned by behavioral change theory and the use of Language Matters and NICE guidelines, to enable the student to safely observe, interact and reflect on how they would manage a consultation depending on the patients needs at different stages. We are confident that it will result in high levels of knowledge and insight in relation to diabetes care and patient case management and we are delighted to have achieved recognition from our peers at the Diabetes Nursing Awards. The e-learning package developed by Charlotte Gordon and her team really reflects Northumbrias dedication to continuing to innovate how we teach and how we can make training more accessible to the highly skilled professionals working in the sector. The addition of the AI patient consultation will help to further learning and ensure our nursing and our other healthcare colleagues leave our diabetes module with the ability to deliver the highest quality research informed care for people living with or who are at risk of diabetes. Professor Alison Machin, Head of Nursing, Midwifery and Health at Northumbria University The Health and Social Practice Framework was developed alongside stakeholders in the NHS Trusts, primary care provisions and students. It offers flexibility and aims to meet learners professional and personal needs. Northumbria University was recently awarded 9 million by UK Research and Innovation to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in the field of Citizen-Centred AI. The center, which will be known as CCAI, will focus on the inclusion of citizens in the design and evaluation of AI helping to make the rapidly advancing technology work for ordinary people, including how AI can be applied to the health and wellbeing of our populations. The University is dedicated to reducing health and social inequalities, contributing to the regional and national workforce and improving social, economic and health outcomes for the most marginalized in society. Through its new Centre for Health and Social Equity, Northumbria researchers will be delivering world-leading health and social equity research and creating innovative, evidence-based policies and data-driven solutions to bring impactful change across the region, the UK and globally. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. President Ilham Aliyev has amended the decree on ensuring the activity of the State Agency for Citizens' Services and Social Innovation ("ASAN Xidmet"), Trend reports. The head of state signed a new decree in this regard. The establishment of the "ASAN Xidmet" center was decreed by President Azerbaijan No. 685 on July 13, 2012, and is a part of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations. The purpose of the "ASAN Xidmet" centers is to facilitate the coordinated and uniform delivery of services by various governmental institutions. Tom Green County District Court Judge Barbara L. Walther ruled Thursday, July 11, 2024, that Angelo State University must release public records relating to an experiment conducted on dozens of mice that resulted in the animals' unnecessary suffering and death, reportedly to study the impact of the foster care system on human children. The ruling overturns Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's Nov. 17, 2022 decision to side with the university in denying the records. On July 13, 2023, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington, D.C. based health advocacy group of more than 17,000 doctor members that encourages higher standards in research, filed a lawsuit seeking information on the "foster care study." In the "foster care study," experimenters used mice in an attempt to mimic the effects of multiple foster placements on children within the foster care system. Baby mice were removed from their biological mothers at different intervals. Researchers tested the mice for "anxiety-like" behavior, killed them, and weighed their brains. Researchers concluded that mice who lived in one foster home, as opposed to two, were more "resilient." Stephen Farghali, a research advocacy coordinator with the Physicians Committee, wrote in a Nov. 3, 2022, complaint to the chancellor of the Texas Tech University System, "Is killing 81 animals necessary to 'prove' that human children are better off not bouncing between multiple foster homes? Killing animals doesn't make it science. We think the public deserves to know how little these researchers value the lives of their animal research subjects." The Physicians Committee filed a Texas Public Information Act request on Sept. 14, 2022, for Angelo State's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols and annual reports related to the "foster care study" to learn how the animals were used and treated. The university denied the Physicians Committee's records request claiming that IACUCs are medical committees and their records are therefore exempt from disclosure under public records law. In her ruling, Judge Walther wrote Angelo State's IACUC does not meet the legal definition of a medical committee, which is a committee of a medical school or health science center. "[T]he information requested by Petitioner should be released and is not protected information," she wrote. Three hundred Black and Latinx teens in Chicago will be recruited to participate in the first clinical trial to measure the potential health benefits of youth-driven racial justice activism. The five-year study, funded by a $3.8 million grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, will assess whether activism can lower depression symptoms in minoritized teens, as well as alter physiological factors known to be increased with exposure to racism, such as blood pressure and markers of stress and inflammation in the blood. Led by Nia Heard-Garris, MD, MBA, MSc, from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Elan Hope, PhD, from Policy Research Associates, the study will randomly assign half of the participants to the intervention group and the other half to the control group. Teens in the intervention group will receive summer-long training on the skills needed to conduct impactful advocacy campaigns, while the control group will learn what Dr. Heard-Garris calls "adulting 101" or life skills ranging from typical adult tasks, like banking to succeeding in college. Data on psychological and physiological measures will be collected from both groups at baseline and then at six-month intervals for two years after the intervention. "This clinical trial is innovative in that it addresses activism as health promotion," said Dr. Heard-Garris, researcher and pediatrician at Lurie Children's and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. "It is well-documented that structural racism and discrimination lead to chronic stress and health deterioration, including metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes. Activism may be an untapped tool that could be utilized to improve the long-term wellbeing of Black and Latinx youth." The current clinical trial builds on the promising outcomes from the pilot study conducted by Dr. Heard-Garris with funding from Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Lurie Children's. Dr. Heard-Garris leads the ARISE (Adversity, Racism, Inequities, Structures and Empowerment) Health Laboratory at Manne Research Institute. The activism intervention we piloted resulted in clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms and we observed an upward trend in measures of resilience. We learned that teens loved having a safe space and learning how to help their community. We also were excited to see that these teens continued to engage with advocacy long after the end of the pilot study." Dr. Heard-Garris, Researcher and Pediatrician, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Another unique feature of the current study is the formation of the 1012-member Youth Advisory Board that will guide the content creation for the intervention and control groups, help with participant recruitment and retention, as well as provide key insights into what is important to teens. "The Youth Advisory Board will allow our research team to foster an invaluable partnership with teens," said Dr. Heard-Garris. "Their lived experiences and perspectives are essential to the success of this project. We also plan to collaborate with community partners in our efforts to recruit study participants. We are very excited to launch this important study." Research at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is conducted through Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children's is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is ranked as one of the nation's top children's hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Lurie Children's is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Petrol, Diesel Prices Today On July 13, 2024: Oil marketing companies (OMCs) announce gasoline and diesel prices, maintaining consistency despite the inherent volatility of these commodities at 6 am every day. The OMCs adjust prices in response to global crude oil prices and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, ensuring consumers are always informed about the latest fuel costs. 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. Petrol Diesel Price Today In India (Check city-wise rate table below) Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on July 13: 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. Weeks after Sebis search-and-seizure at Quant Mutual Funds offices, the company has confirmed the raids and said it was not part of any regular process. The mutual fund house is under Sebis investigation for a probable front-running case. In June, Sebi conducted search-and-seizure operations in the Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad offices of Quant MF, reportedly linked to alleged profits estimated at Rs 20 crore. Sebi did not release any official information on the action. But, it was reported in the media. Now, in an email to investors on July 13, Quant Mutual Fund said, We would like to clarify that the data collected by the regulator was not part of any regular process but was part of a court-approved search and seizure operation with respect to any ongoing investigation initiated by Sebi. In the FAQs Corrigendum on July 13, one of the questions was Has anyone been convicted?. Responding to this, Quant MF said, No. It is the regulators job to collect and analyse data on an ongoing basis. We have not received any communication after initial enquiries. Earlier, Quant Mutual Fund had said in an email FAQ that the SEBI investigation was a regular ongoing process by the regulator to collect data and analyse it. Front-running refers to an illegal practice in the stock market where an entity trades based on advanced information from a broker or analyst before the information has been made available to its clients. Quant Mutual Fund on Friday said its Chief Financial Officer Harshal Patel has resigned, and Shashi Kataria has been appointed to replace him with effect from July 1, 2024. It, however, said that the rejig was done on February 19, way before the Sebi action in June, and the last day of Patel was May 19. Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya have shared an update following their recent robbery incident in Italy. In an Instagram post, Divyanka thanked all her fans and followers for their unconditional support and love during this tough time. The couple revealed that their money situation has been resolved with help from a friend. Not only this, they are now in the process of obtaining an emergency certificate, which will enable them to travel back to India. In her social media post, Divyanka wrote, Dear all, thank you for your immense love and support. It truly means a lot! After losing so much, thankfully, the much-needed love is not lost! Giving our loved ones and the concerned people an update as we are unable to reply to everyone personally. She continued, Currently, our money situation is kind of sorted as we have got some help from a good friend. We have replaced the rented car, as it was insured. We will be heading towards the embassy in another city today to get the emergency certificate sorted. Also, we have not lost everything as reported. We have a few things left that were in the boot of the car. Also, left with our spirits intact! No one can snatch that away. Earlier, Divyanka informed her fans that she had reached out to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and requested her to improve the safety of tourists. In her Instagram post, Divyanka expressed her concern after experiencing a robbery while touring Italy. She further mentioned that she reported the incident to the local police but was disappointed with their casual approach. She also emphasised the need for Italy to take responsibility for tourist safety, highlighting that it affects not just them but all tourists who invest their money to visit the country. Our embassy is helping us, but how about Italy taking up responsibility of safety for the tourists.It's not only about us, but cumulatively all those who save up & spend a fortune to be here.@Italia @DSantanche @ItalyMFA_int @Antonio_Tajani @edmondocirielli @vivekdahiya08 https://t.co/puczGlvnfU Divyanka T Dahiya (@Divyanka_T) July 11, 2024 Divyanka Tripathi and Vivek Dahiya were robbed in Florence, Italy on July 11. The couple had their vehicle broken into at a resorts secure parking lot. They have lost their passports, cash, cards and other valuable items in the robbery. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was among the guests who attended the grand wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on Friday. He was accompanied by close aide Acharya Balkrishna. In a video posted to social media by paparazzo Viral Bhayani, Baba Ramdev can be seen dancing with the groom surrounded by other baratis. Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani, married his childhood sweetheart on Friday in a grand event attended by global celebrities, business tycoons and politicians. The wedding rituals, including exchanging garlands by the couple and walking around the sacred fire, began on Friday and were completed past midnight. The celebrations took place at the Ambani-owned Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai and the family home. The marriage culminated months of wedding events that featured performances by pop stars, including Rihanna and Justin Bieber. The four-day wedding celebrations began on Friday with the traditional Hindu wedding ceremony and will be followed by a grand reception to run through the weekend. The guest list includes former British prime ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson; Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser; and Adele, Lana Del Rey, Drake and David Beckham, according to local media. International guests wore traditional dresses by major Indian fashion designers. Anant Ambani, 29, oversees the conglomerates renewable and green energy expansion. He also runs a 3,000-acre animal rescue center named Vantara in Gujarats Jamnagar, the family hometown. The bride, Radhika Merchant, also 29, is the daughter of pharmaceutical tycoon Viren Merchant and is the marketing director for his company, Encore Healthcare. Delhi Police has recovered a damaged car with a human skeleton in it after the water decreased from the Munak Canal on Friday, officials said on Saturday. The matter came to the fore when a sub-branch of Munak Canal, which supplies water from Haryana to Delhi, breached and the water level decreased, they said. The officials said that a damaged car could be visible on Thursday and Friday midnight. The car was recovered on a stretch of the canal falling under the jurisdiction of Samai Pur Badali area, a police officer said. The skeleton is suspected to belong to a man identified as Vinod, who has been missing from Budh Vihar in Vijay Vihar since September 2020. Vinod was a taxi driver by profession and the Swift Dzire car in which the skeleton was recovered was registered under his name, police said. Vinods son Ravi, who was called for the identification, identified the car and suspected that the body was of his father. Ravi told PTI that he last conversed with his father on the night of September 30, 2020. In the call, he told us that he was going to drop a passenger in Dwarka and after that he would return home. But later his mobile phone went unreachable, he said. Ravi said that they approached the local police station in Vijay Vihar and lodged a missing complaint but the police could not trace him. He said that he received a call on Friday morning following which the police took them to the spot. The car belongs to us which my father bought in 2019 but I still cant believe that it was my fathers body, Ravi said. He said the police has given the skeleton to them after conducting the post-mortem examination and added they will conduct the DNA test to ascertain it was my father. We have conducted the last rites after the post-mortem examination today. But I still hope that my father is still alive, he said. He said that it may be some one elses body, though they conducted its last rites. When contacted, a senior police officer said on the basis of circumstantial evidences it is suspected to be the body of Vinod. But we are not ruling out any kind of possibility in the matter. Further investigations are underway, the officer said. The police said that they have preserved a sample from the body for the DNA test. Six people were killed on average every hour in India in hit-and-run incidents reported from 2018 to 2022 at just 18 convictions on average per day, shows official data analysed by News18. The numbers issued by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its annual report Crime In India show that a total of 2.45 lakh deaths were reported in the country between 2018 and 2022 in hit-and-run cases, while just 33,212 cases reached convictions during the same period. Hit-and-run is defined as the criminal act of hitting a person or vehicle due to negligence and not stopping afterwards. As per the Cambridge Dictionary, the term means a road accident in which the driver who caused the accident drives away without helping the other people involved and without telling the police. In 2022, as per the latest NCRB report, almost 140 people were killed per day on average in hit-and-run cases across the country, and the numbers have been consistently on rise since 2020. The year saw just 20 convictions daily on average. Another report, titled Road Accidents in India, from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), said that in 2022, a total of 30,486 people were killed in hit-and-run cases. It is also important to note that the numbers issued by the NCRB, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, differ from MoRTHs annual report every year. Both reports list the road accidents and various parameters related to it during a calendar year. While the analysis of the NCRB numbers shows that the average daily hit-and-run deaths in India stood at 135, MoRTHs numbers show 75 people were killed daily in these cases. Interestingly, the NCRB reports suggested that 2.45 lakh people were killed in hit-and-run cases between 2018 and 2022. The Road Accidents in India report, analysed by News18, showed that the same number of people died in hit-and-run cases between 2013 and 2022. Between 2018 and 2022, 1.37 people were killed on Indian roads in hit-and-run cases as per the MoRTHs report. Both these reports claimed that they collect the data from police departments of states and Union Territories on a calendar-year basis. The NCRB says that it only compiled and collated the data and presented it in the form of a report while MoRTH says that its data is collected in standardised formats as provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Database project. UP, Maharashtra Lead in Hit-and-Run Deaths As per the report Road Accidents in India, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have been on the top positions each year in hit-and-run deaths between 2013 and 2022. Out of the total 2.45 lakh deaths reported between the 10-year period, 60,662 were from the two states alone. So, out of every four hit-and-run deaths reported in India, one was from Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra. But as per the NCRB report, these numbers were higher. In the five-year period between 2018 and 2022, 2.45 lakh people were killed in India and 96,744 were from these two states making up for almost one hit-and-run death from these states in three casualties across India. Over the last few weeks, Maharashtra has reported two high-profile hit-and-run cases. On July 7, Mihir Shah, the 24-year-old son of Rajesh Shah, a member of Chief Minister Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena faction, allegedly rammed a two-wheeler in Worli. The incident resulted in the death of a 45-year-old woman who was riding pillion. Before that, on May 13, a Porsche car driven by the 17-year-old son of Vishal Agarwal, a prominent real estate developer, hit a bike, killing two IT professionals. Low Conviction Rate, High Pendency Despite a consistent rise in the hit-and-run cases across the country, the conviction rate remains low. Even as it has improved in the last few years. Back in 2018, the conviction rate in these cases was just 28% that improved to 47.9% in 2022. Conviction rate is the proportion of cases resulting in a legal declaration of guilt for an offense, against the total number of trials completed. So that means, out of every 100 cases for trial, only 28 saw convictions in 2018. The number improved to 48 in 2022. As of the latest numbers from 2022, more than 2 lakh hit-and-run cases are pending across the country. The newly imposed Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, that replaced the Indian Penal Code, had dropped the section on hit-and-run cases after the government faced nationwide protest against it. As per the draft of the law, whoever causes the death of any person by rash and negligent driving of vehicle not amounting to culpable homicide, and escapes without reporting it to a police officer or a magistrate soon after the incident, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description of a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine. When the BNS came into force on July 1, this Section 106(2) was deleted. In 2022, the MoRTH enhanced compensation for victims of hit-and-run motor accidents from Rs 12,500 to Rs 50,000 for grievous hurt and from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh for death. In November 2023, News18 had reported that 205 compensation claims were filed in 2022-23 for cases related to hit-and-run incidents and only 95 not even 50% were settled. The New Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy will deepen ties between the people of India and Australia, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told CNN-News18. The Albanese governments new Indo-Pacific Broadcasting Strategy will increase access to trusted and reliable news, deliver quality content and foster engagement across the region. The strategy, a commitment made in the run-up to the elections, provides a framework to help foster a vibrant and independent media sector, counter misinformation, present modern multicultural Australia, and support deeper people-to-people engagement. We are both democracies. One of the important pillars of democracy is credible information from journalists and from a variety of media outlets. This strategy enables us to work together to increase both capabilities and capacity. Given the friendship between the two nations, I am really excited about the opportunity. This strategy looks to deepen our people-to-people ties, making sure we speak to each other about all the things we share, all the things we do together and what more we can do together in the future, said Wong. The Indian government is establishing the Indo-Pacific Media Fund. The strategy is underpinned by the governments investment of $40.5 million over five years from 2022-23 to create new content, improve digital media engagement, increase ongoing support for media partners in Pacific, South East Asia and South Asia. This strategy is accompanied by the Australian-Pacific Media and Broadcasting Partnership, Australia South East Asia media and Broadcasting initiative and Australia-South Asia Media and Broadcasting initiative. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has developed a "Guide booklet for members of expert groups" as part of an educational program for individuals with various legal statuses related to the next election to the Azerbaijani Parliament on September 1, 2024, Trend reports. The project's implementation and the creation of the guide booklet aim to analyze appeals related to electoral law and offer methodological support to expert groups within district electoral commissions. This is done to enhance the effective protection of citizens' constitutional rights. The guide booklet, based on the Electoral Code and instructions, clarifications, rules, and other normative documents approved by the Central Election Commission, clearly and in detail reflects the procedures for considering appeals related to electoral law, as well as for drawing up relevant conclusions and draft decisions. "Guide booklet for members of expert groups" has been handed over to the district election commissions and also posted on the official website of the Central Election Commission (www.msk.gov.az). On June 28, President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree dissolving the sixth convocation of the Azerbaijani Parliament and calling for an extraordinary election. The snap parliamentary election in Azerbaijan is scheduled for September 1, 2024. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Pune Civic Body on Saturday issued a notice to Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, directing the removal of unauthorised structures adjacent to the boundary wall of their bungalow in seven days. On Saturday evening, Pune Municipal Corporation officials tried to hand over the notice to Manorama Khedkar at Om Deep bungalow, located on Baner Road in the city, but didnt get any response after ringing the doorbell. Subsequently, officials stuck the notice on the main door of the bungalow. #WATCH | Maharashtra: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials put up a notice of illegal encroachment at the residence of Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. pic.twitter.com/JdTGfg04A5 ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2024 The 34-year-old probationary officer has landed into controversy for allegedly misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure a position in the IAS. Police have also registered an FIR against the IAS probationers parents Manorama and Dilip Khedkar beside five others, days after a video showing Manorama allegedly threatening some persons with a gun over a land dispute emerged. We have received a complaint about the structures installed outside your bungalow causing obstacles to the people. Kindly remove the unauthorised structures adjacent to the boundary wall of the bungalow in the next seven days, the notice stated. Pune Rural Police have booked Manorama Khedkar and Dilip Khedkar and five others under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including section 323 (Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property), at Paud police station, an official said. The two-minute video shows Manorama Khedkar, accompanied by her security guards, engaged in a heated argument with some people with a pistol in her hand in Dhadwali village in Punes Mulshi tehsil. An official said the incident was about a land parcel bought by Dilip Khedkar, a retired Maharashtra government officer. Locals had claimed the Khedkars had encroached on the land of neighbouring farmers. In another blow to Puja Khedkar, Pune City traffic police issued a notice to a private company on Thursday over the unauthorised use of a beacon light on a private car with the Maharashtra Government sign the IAS probationer was found using. The luxurious car belongs to a private company. An order was issued against Thermo Verita Engineering Pvt Ltd to produce the car at the nearest police station for further inquiry. In case of default, legal action will be initiated by Pune Police, a senior officer said on Saturday. The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) had issued a notice to a private company, which is the registered owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar. Notably, the Centre on Thursday constituted a single-member committee for re-examining documents submitted by Puja Khedkar to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and then for selection in service. A 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Puja Khedkar is under probation and currently posted in her home cadre Maharashtra. (With agency inputs) The Union law ministry is learnt to have started processing the names of Justices N Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan for their elevation to the Supreme Court, and their appointments are likely to take place next week. Sources in the know said the paperwork is likely to be completed soon. Once they take the oath of office after appointment, the apex court will regain its sanctioned strength of 34, which includes the chief justice. Justice N Kotiswar Singh, who heads the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, will become the first judge from Manipur to be appointed to the top court. Justice R Mahadevan is the acting chief justice of the Madras High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended their names on July 11. The Mumbai Police on Saturday wrote to the Regional Transport Office (RTO) requesting the cancellation of Mihir Shahs license, the prime accused in the Worli hit-and-run case and son of Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah. Authorities have recorded statements from 13 individuals, including Mihirs friends, Juhu bar staff, and an alcohol store owner in Malad. The forensic team has also collected his blood sample for analysis. Mihir was arrested on Tuesday in Thane district, two days after allegedly ramming his BMW into a two-wheeler, killing Kaveri Nakhwa (45) and injuring her husband Pradeep in the early hours July 7. Mihir father, Rajesh Shah, is also an accused in the case and currently out on bail. According to the police, Mihir was heavily intoxicated, having consumed 12 pegs of whiskey at the time of the accident. He was reportedly well aware of something trapped beneath his car. Kaveri Nakhwas husband Pradeep Nakhwa had accused Mihir of intentionally dragging her body and not stopping the car despite repeatedly shouting at him to do so. After crashing into the couples scooter, Mihir was very much aware that the woman was stuck in one of the tyres of the luxury car, but still he drove recklessly and did not stop though motorists passing by frantically signalled and shouted, asking him to halt, an official said. (With inputs from PTI) A glittering array of Bollywood stars, worldwide celebrities, and politicians attended the extravagant wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant on July 12 in Mumbai. When Orhan Awatramani, frequently known as Orry, decided to play a trendy game on social media, the extravagant celebration got even more interesting. In an entertaining fashion rivalry, Orry challenged his fans to select the nights best-dressed celebrity. Orry posted a fun video collage on Instagram with the caption Outfits of Last Night, featuring some of the most stunning wedding fashion moments. The video, which was set to the upbeat song Diamond Ni, had glimpses of Orry having a good time with well-known attendees including Kim Kardashian, Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Panday, and AP Dhillon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Orhan Awatramani (@orry) Orrys caption for the post, Pick a winner , sparked a lively discussion among his followers. Kim Kardashian grabbed attention in a shimmering red saree, and Deepika Padukone looked lovely in a red salwar suit. In a golden lehenga, Janhvi Kapoor enthralled everyone. Thoughts were flying around the comments area. While several users commended Deepika for her classic elegance, Deepikas glowing appearance received the most votes. Deepika looked gorgeous, said one fan, and It has to be Deepika, of course! screamed another. Safer to say, Deepika slayed and how. Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Vicky Kaushal, John Cena, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and many more celebrities attended the glamorous wedding. To further enhance the star power of the event were South Indian film icons Rajinikanth, Mahesh Babu, and Venkatesh Daggubati. ALSO READ: Mom-To-Be Deepika Padukone Glows in Timeless Red Torani Suit at Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant Wedding Orrys lighthearted interactions with his fans showcased the amazing outfit selections of the evening and offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the lavish wedding. It was a celebration of style as much as it was about the wedding, and Orry made sure that everyone could witness the stylish extravaganza up close. The Bollywood blockbuster 3 Idiots, starring Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, and R Madhavan, has become a cult classic over the years, garnering widespread acclaim and adoration from audiences and critics alike, cementing its place as a beloved and iconic film. Now, they have given fans a yet another reason to celebrate as The Academys official Instagram handle shared a video from the film on its page. The video featured one of the most iconic scenes from the film. Sharing the video, The Academy wrote, Ranchos presence of mind was at 100% here. Film: 3 IDIOTS, Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, Written by Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijat Joshi (Based on the novel Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat) Starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, Omi Vaidya and Boman Irani. Released in December 2009, 3 Idiots was directed by Rajkumari Hirani. The film starred Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Boman Irani and Mona Singh among others in key roles. The film was widely loved by all and earned Rs 400 crore worldwide. Earlier this year, R Madhavan remembered a funny incident while filming a scene for the movie 3 Idiots. He revealed that he was actually drunk on set for a particular scene, on the advice of Aamir Khan, the movies star. Madhavan mentioned in an interview that Aamir suggested its easier to act sober when drunk than the other way around. Madhavan confirmed during a podcast that all three main actors were drunk while filming the scene. He explained that Aamirs idea for drunk scenes was not to act drunk but to drink and act normal. They planned to start drinking by 8 for a 9 oclock shoot, aiming to have a few drinks by 8:30-8:45. He said, So, Aamirs idea was that in drunk scenes, you should never act like youre drunk. You should drink and act like youre normal. Basically, we wanted to shoot at 9, so Aamir made a plan. By 8 wed start drinking; by 8:30-8:45 wed have had our three-four pegs. But what happened is that the lighting conked off, so at 8:30 they said another two hours left. So, we wanted to maintain the same level of alcohol in our blood, except we didnt realise that the cold Bangalore air would have a complete different impact on our intoxication. By the time the shot came, we thought we were completely normal, except we didnt realise we were taking hours to deliver the lines. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, one of Bollywoods most beloved couples, surprised everyone by arriving separately at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants Shubh Aashirwaad ceremony. The event, held on July 13, saw the couples solo entrances creating quite a buzz among their fans and the media. Alia Bhatt looked stunning in an intricate, off-white lehenga with detailed embroidery and a matching dupatta. She completed her look with a statement choker and sleek, tied-back hair. Meanwhile, Ranbir Kapoor opted for a classic black ensemble, exuding elegance and charm. Their separate arrivals left fans wondering about the reason behind it. One fan commented under Alias video on a paparazzi account, Wheres RK? while another asked, Why didnt Alia and Ranbir come together? Ranbir was seen posing and sharing a warm moment with Sanjay Dutt on the red carpet. The two actors hugged, laughed, and posed for the cameras, showcasing their camaraderie. Their bond dates back to when Ranbir portrayed Sanjay Dutt in the biographical film Sanju. On the contrary, Alia and Ranbirs earlier appearances at Anant and Radhikas wedding festivities were marked by their joint presence. They walked hand-in-hand at previous functions and were seen posing together at the wedding last night. The couple also posed with Shaheen Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur at the sangeet. However, when the paparazzi requested a couple pose at one point, Ranbir shyly walked away, leaving Alia to handle the cameras alone. The wedding of the year brought together a dazzling array of stars from Bollywood, Hollywood, and the South film industry. Illustrious personalities like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Ranveer Singh joyously joined Mukesh and Nita Ambani in Anants vibrant baraat procession. The star-studded guest list didnt stop there; renowned international names like Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and John Cena made their presence felt at Anant and Radhikas grand union. Ananya Panday has been busy serving looks at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants wedding festivities. Inside photos and videos of the actress enjoying herself to the fullest, dancing her heart out and having a fun time with her best friends have gone viral across social media. Amid this, new photos feature a mystery man holding Ananya close. In the now-viral photos, the mystery foreigner could be seen holding the actress close during Anant Ambanis baraat. Ananya was seemingly smiling in the photo. More photos feature the man on the podium with Ananya, dancing to chartbusters at the wedding. These images surfaced on Reddit and went viral quickly. Some netizens speculate that the man in question is Walker Blanco, an employee at Vantara. This speculation comes after a Redditor posted a screenshot of Ananya following Walker on Instagram and wrote, It seems to be this guy who I guess works for Vantara! Ananya follows his sister too. However, it is unclear whether the man in the photo really is Walker. This comes amid fans speculating that Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur have called it quits. Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapurs breakup rumours made headlines in April after the actress shared a cryptic note on her Instagram stories which read, If it is truly meant for you, it will come back to you. It will leave only for the sake of teaching you the lessons you could only learn on your own. If it is truly meant for you, it will return even if youve pushed it away, even if youre in denial, even if you assume something so beautiful could never be truly yours because if its truly meant for you, it is never not a piece of you. It is never not intricately tied into the depths of your soul. Later, a close friend of the two actors told the Bombay Times, They broke up almost a month ago. They were going quite well, and the breakup came as a shock to all of us. They are cordial with each other. Ananya is trying to move on; of course, theres hurt. She is spending time with her new furry friend. Aditya is also trying to deal with the situation maturely. However, it should also be noted that Ananya and Aditya have not reacted to their breakup rumours. They also never explicitly spoke about their relationship either. Ananya Panday recently attended Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants wedding in Mumbai. The actress now took to her Instagram handle to share a photo from their big day and wrote, In the middle of everything going on, theres always a moment in which Radhu and Anant look at each other and that look is always filled with love, peace, joy, friendship and understanding. I wish you two a lifetime of that and so much more, I couldnt imagine love looking any othe way. Have a look at the story: Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchants wedding began yesterday, July 12. The family hosted the auspicious Shubh Vivah or wedding function. The dress code was Indian traditional. The upcoming Shubh Aashirwad ceremony on July 13 will require Indian formal wear, leading up to the grand finale on July 14 with the Mangal Utsav wedding reception, where guests are expected to adorn Indian chic outfits. These jubilant events are all set to unfold at the prestigious Jio World Centre in BKC. At the wedding of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, amidst a guest list full of stars, a video has gone viral showcasing AP Dhillon and Ananya Panday. The clip captures APs electrifying performance with a bunch of dancers m, while Ananya Panday is also spotted savoring the moment. Viewers are captivated by APs dynamic singing, further enhancing the thrill of this memorable wedding festivity. The viral clip which was shared by Instant Bollywood on their Instagram handle, captured AP Dhillon crooning one of his most popular songs Insane, alongside Ananya Panday, who can be seen dancing right next to the International pop sensation. At one point, AP Dhillon also puts his hands on Ananyas shoulders. The video is now doing the rounds of social media. The glitz and glamour of Bollywood and Hollywood combined on the vibrant red carpet as they gathered to celebrate the grand family wedding. Among the star-studded baraat were renowned figures like the Kardashian sisters, the legendary Rajnikanth, emerging talents like Khushi Kapoor and Ananya Panday, and the ever-energetic Ranveer Singh, who set the stage on fire with his infectious dance moves. Eminems latest album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace), dropped on Friday and is packed with songs criticising recent events in pop culture. The album arrived on the same day actor Alec Baldwins criminal prosecution for the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was dismissed by a US Court. The ninth song on the album, Fuel, features rap regarding the shocking Rust shooting. The songs also make references to Sean Diddy Combs, Kanye West and Megan Thee Stallion. Fk around and get popped like Halyna Hutchins. Like Im Alec Baldwin, what I mean is buckin you down, coup de grace then, Eminem raps. On October 21, 2021, Hutchins, 42, was fatally shot in New Mexico while working on the set of the Western movie Rust, starring Baldwin. Hutchins died after a gun, Baldwin was holding during rehearsals of the shoot, went off. Joel Souza, the director, was also shot but escaped with minor injuries. The armourer in charge of prop weaponry on Rust, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March this year. Baldwin had pled not guilty, claiming that he did not pull the trigger of the gun he was using as a prop, which was not meant to carry live ammunition. Meanwhile, Eminem earlier stated in an Instagram post that The Death of Slim Shady is a conceptual album, meaning that tracks may not make sense if they are listened to out of order. Eminems song Fuel mentioned not just Baldwin but also Sean Diddy Combs, another well-known personality. Eminem raps, Leave out a P, did he? (Yep) in the songs second verse. The line P, did he? sounds a lot like P. Diddy when rapped. Combs has faced nine lawsuits alleging sexual assault, all of which he denies. The 15-time Grammy winner also bids farewell to Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. before linking Combs to Tupacs death. The passage alludes to allegations that Combs paid $1 million to suspected killer Duane Keith Keffe D Davis to assassinate both Tupac and his assistant, Suge Knight. Emraan Hashmi stirred up controversy during a quick-paced segment on Karan Johars talk show Koffee with Karan by referring to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as plastic. This remark, made back in 2014, generated significant attention and criticism. Emraan has addressed the backlash and repercussions he encountered as a result of his statement. In a recent conversation with The Lallantop, Emraan revisited the controversial comment he made. During the interview, Emraan was questioned about his feelings regarding labeling Aishwarya as plastic, to which he responded, I regret it. I keep saying that I have utmost respect for everyone I spoke about. I regret it because it was distasteful. Lately, people have become very sensitive. People get mad at everything on social media. In terms of the show, we were playing a game, it was all in jest. It was supposed to be taken sportingly. There are many such games in the show. Earlier, people werent this sensitive. I would love to apologise if she felt offended. During the fast-paced segment on Koffee with Karan season four, Emraan spontaneously associated the word plastic with Aishwarya Rai when prompted to name an actor. Although Aishwarya never directly addressed his comment, she disclosed in a 2019 Filmfare interview that the harshest criticism against her was being called fake and plastic. In a separate conversation with Hindustan Times, Emraan recounted the aftermath of his response during the rapid-fire round. He shared that Karan hesitated, considering the appropriateness of including Emraans answer. The atmosphere on set grew tense, with crew members unsure of whether to retain his statement. Following Emraans previous comment, rumors emerged two years later suggesting that Aishwarya declined a movie offer alongside Emraan. Reports indicated that Aishwarya was approached for a Milan Luthria film but turned it down upon learning about potential scenes with Emraan. Responding to the speculation, Emraan dismissed the hearsay, mentioning that he is aware of the rumors but doubts their accuracy. He believes that the situation was blown out of proportion by individuals seeking to sensationalize the matter. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Snam has announced that construction on Ravenna's offshore regasifier is progressing on schedule, with the facility expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2025, Trend reports. According to the company, the regasifier, located 8.5 km from Punta Marina, is on track to be completed by the end of this year. Land-based work is 90% complete, with 450,000 hours worked, while sea-based work is over 50% complete, totaling 800,000 hours. The floating LNG terminal is currently in Dubai for necessary adjustments before its final installation off the coast of Marina di Ravenna. Since February 2024, the dismantling of the Petra platform has been ongoing, followed by the installation of a new mooring platform in mid-May. This structure, approximately 440 meters long and weighing over 14,000 tonnes, is a significant part of the project. Additionally, work on a 900-meter breakwater, currently in the tendering phase, is set to begin in August 2024 and be completed by October 2026. This will ensure the facility's safe and continuous operation under adverse weather and sea conditions. These updates were shared at a press conference in Ravenna, featuring the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, the Mayor of Ravenna, Michele de Pascale, and Snam CEO, Stefano Venier. They discussed the roadmap for the arrival of the BW Singapore, a floating LNG terminal with an annual regasification capacity of 5 billion cubic meters. Purchased by Snam in July 2022, this terminal will significantly enhance Italy's regasification capacity, which will reach 28 billion cubic meters per year, equating to about 45% of the country's gas demand in 2023. The increased capacity will match the volume of gas imported from Russia in 2021, thereby strengthening Italy's energy security. The project has also had a positive economic impact on the local area, with over 240 suppliers involved, more than 80 of which are based in Ravenna Province or Emilia-Romagna. Contracts awarded to local companies exceed 300 million euros, about 30% of the total investment. Snam's annual operational costs for maritime services, maintenance, weather services, and monitoring will amount to EUR 30 million, benefiting the local economy. The project has created employment for 800 people, with more than 1,200 workers expected at peak activity. Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant wedding celebration was a star-studded gathering in Mumbai last night and it could be dubbed as the wedding of the year. With guests from all across the globe, including the biggest Bollywood and Hollywood stars, several pictures and videos have surfaced from the high-profile event. Among the viral clips that capture the celebrations, an unusual interaction between Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and a guest is gaining traction on the internet. In the video, Ranbir can be seen talking to a man, who ends up handing over his business card to the actor. Seemingly captured at the time of the baraats entry, the guests can be seen dancing and enjoying the moment when one of them approaches Ranbir and shakes his hand. As the Animal actor nodded his head politely and smiled, the man whispered something to his ears before giving him a card. While the context of their conversation is not clear, the actor patiently waited and listened to him for some time. One can also spot Alia Bhatt right by his side, rerouting herself toward the procession. Somebody gave their business card to Ranbir #RanbirKapoor pic.twitter.com/hOTjUnselF Spirit crown (@Crown_Kapoor) July 12, 2024 The video has sparked hilarious reactions on the internet. While some share that such gatherings help to develop business relationships, others couldnt stop laughing over the instance. Fans even applauded Ranbir Kapoor for his manners as he smoothly dealt with the awkward situation. A user wrote, Hahaha, the man is a true legend of salesABC (Always Be Closing) Hahaha the man is a true legend of salesABC (Always Be Closing) Mandar Natekar (@mandar2404) July 13, 2024 Another user commented, Very common at big events. Lots of people there are far wealthier than most of the movie stars. Very common at big events Lots of people there are far more wealthier than most of the movie stars Villa (@Villa927383041) July 12, 2024 A user drew similarity with a Delhi-based doctor and said, Thats Dr. Vivek Gupta, Cardiologist at Apollo Delhi. He gives out his business card all the time. Nice guy, TBH. That's Dr. Vivek Gupta, Cardiologist @ Apollo Delhi. He gives out his business card all the time. Nice guy TBH. Sagar Verma (@ver_sag) July 13, 2024 Notably, Ranbir and his wife, Alia Bhatt, joined the wedding celebrations on Friday night. The actor chose a sherwani, while Alia was dressed in a beautiful silk saree with a stunning neckpiece. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) The event was held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, graced by the presence of celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rajinikanth, Mahesh Babu, Amitabh Bachchan, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Yash, Ajay Devgn and many others. Tom Cruise has a small group of close friends and Glen Powell is definitely in that circle. Their friendship grew stronger while filming Top Gun: Maverick. Recently, Tom Cruise showed his support for Powell by attending the London premiere of his new film, Twisters, a sequel to the 1996 hit. And reportedly, the Hollywood hunk had a fantastic time. Well, the action stars excitement didnt go unnoticed. According to actor Anthony Ramos, Tom Cruise was losing his mind at the screening. Ramos mentioned that Cruise didnt shy away from expressing how much he enjoyed the movie to the cast, including Powell, Ramos and Daisy Edgar-Jones. As per Ramos, Tom was laughing and kicking seats in excitement throughout the movie. Speaking with People, Ramos said, Glen was sitting behind me, my brother was next to me and Tom was behind my brother. Tom just kept hitting me the whole entire movie. After the third time I turned back around, like, Yo, Tom Cruise is bugging out right now. He keeps hitting me. He keeps hitting me because hes excited about different moments and hes laughing. Hes just laughing out loud the whole entire film. He wasnt afraid to express himself. I was super grateful about that. After the film ended, Anthony Ramos shared that Tom Cruise gave him a warm hug. The Twisters star recounted, We hugged it out. Hes like, Yo, bro, good man, good stuff. So shout out to Tom Cruise, man. It was really cool. Not just Anthony Ramos, even Glenn Powell witnessed Tom Cruises excitement during the screening. While appearing on BBCs The One Show, the Anyone but You star shared, It was a pretty wild night. I mean the fun part was that Tom was next to me, Daisy was right behind me, Tony was right in front of me and for every second of this movie, Tom was just so excited for all of us. Hes turning around to Daisy being like that was great. It is such a cool quality, he is such a rare individual who just really roots for everybody. Glenn Powell shared that Twisters is a big summer movie and really lives up to expectations. He described the excitement of watching it with an audience, especially with Tom Cruise. The star was not only getting the crowd excited but he was laughing loudly and cheering. A New Mexico court dismissed the involuntary manslaughter case against actor Alec Baldwin in connection to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a movie set in 2021. Agreeing with the defence argument, the court ruled the state had wrongly concealed information about how live rounds of ammunition ended up on the Rust movie set where the unfortunate incident occurred, reported The Guardian. Hutchins died after a gun, Baldwin was holding during rehearsals of the shoot, fired. The verdict comes just days after the trial began in the case earlier this week. A witness in the case had confirmed in the court that the prosecutor, Kari Morrissey, had involvement in the decision to file the evidence in an entirely different case file separate from the other Rust materials. The states willful withholding of information was intentional and deliberate, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled in favour of Alec Baldwin. Baldwin was seen weeping and hugging his wife as the judge gave the verdict. He left the court premises without making any media statement. The actors solicitors had appealed to the court to dismiss the case on the grounds that the prosecution was unable to provide them with the batch of ammunition for review. Luke Nikas, the attorney for the Rust trials, had said, This is over and over and over again; this is not the first time. This is not the second time. Its not the third time. Its time for this case to be dismissed, as quoted by Rolling Stone. The attorney claimed in the late-night move to dismiss that the prosecution was attempting to withhold information that may have strengthened Baldwins case. Baldwin filed a not-guilty plea, claiming he never pulled the trigger. The actor added he was not in charge of gun safety on the set and that he had no reason to believe his fake pistol would have included live ammunition. It is a sign of the Lefts stranglehold over the mainstream discourse that the reportage and debate around a very significant judgement by the Allahabad High Court has been muted. The high court was hearing a case brought against an individual who was intent on converting masses of Hindus to Christianity. The accused is from Andhra Pradesh but propagated his faith in Uttar Pradesh. In Maharajganj, UP, he convinced Hindus that converting to Christianity would aid progress. Although no money purportedly changed hands and there was no obvious sign of coercion, the HC ruled that his actions fell foul of the states anti-conversion law. Heres the HC in its own words The Constitution confers on everyone the fundamental right to profess, practice and propagate their religion. However, the individual right to freedom of conscience and religion cannot be extended to construe a collective right to proselytise; the right to religious freedom belongs equally to the person converting and the individual sought to be converted. This verdict comes amid rising fears among some Hindus that their faith is losing ground to organised religions like Islam and Christianity. This anxiety is not without basis. India is seeing unchecked cross-border migration that has led to a massive influx of unaccounted non-Hindus. There is now district-level data available that underscores how, in many border and coastal areas, Hindus are no longer in the majority. It is expected that the decennial population census (long-delayed) will confirm this demographic distortion. There are, of course, some who believe that in the longer term, Hinduism will be locked in an existential battle with Abrahamic faiths in India. The playing field, they insist, isnt level. As is well known, barring the odd sect, the adherents of the Hindu faith essentially do not proselytise or convert. There is just no concept of kafir or infidel in Hindu dharmic tradition. Just as there wasnt in unorganised belief systems and pagan traditions in pre-Christian and pre-Islamic Europe, South and Latin America or even West Asia. But each of these unorganised indigenous traditions collapsed under the weight of organised proselytisation undertaken by book-based monotheistic faiths. Leaving these Abrahamic organised traditions, as the Indian Constitution does, to propagate their message is an invitation to conversion. Especially when the adherents of Abrahamic faiths are ordained by religious injunction to add to the flock. Thus, in India, the letter of Article 25 of the Constitution has been creatively interpreted by non-Hindu religious leaders and adherents to not just spread the word but also add to the flock. Article 25 says, All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality and health. Somewhere along the way, non-Hindu religious plenipotentiaries have blurred the thin line between the freedom to propagate ones faith and the right to proselytise. These are not one and the same things. The right to propagate is restricted to sharing beliefs, ideas, and core values with others, without coercing or inducing them to convert. The right to proselytise is to actively seek to convert others to ones own religion, often with persuasion, inducement, or coercion. While on paper, it is easy to distinguish between the two, in practical terms, it is almost impossible to tell the difference. How for example, can an officer of the law know when sharing a belief isnt bleeding into persuasion? How much sharing is persuasion? After all, telling someone that accepting Christianity is beneficial because this would aid progress could sound like persuasion (even inducement) but could just as easily pass off as propagation. This practical inability to distinguish between persuasion and propagation renders superfluous even the Supreme Courts attempt to draw a distinction. In the Rev Stanislaus V State of Madhya Pradesh (1977) matter, the top court ruled, the right to propagate ones religion is a fundamental right under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. However, this right does not include the right to convert others by force, fraud, or allurement. The SC ruling, as is clear from the Maharajganj case cited above, has had no impact on dissuading proselytisers from undermining the top court. Some anxious Hindus have been urging a re-look at Article 25 with a view to closing the loophole in the Constitution by entirely scrapping the right to propagate. Many legal experts are of the view that this would fall foul of the Basic Structure doctrine. But till the idea is not seriously debated, we will never really know. If Hindus have an obligation to address non-Hindu anxieties about majoritarian imposition, non-Hindus are equally obligated to appreciate Hindu anxieties about conversion, whether forced, or through mass conversion ceremonies, or even induced through marriage. Perhaps forging an inter-faith consensus is the best way forward. If adherents of all non-Hindu faiths claim to be committed to living in harmony with pluralistic Hinduism, shouldnt they walk the talk by unilaterally renouncing their right to propagate? Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Prime Minister Narendra Modi evoked the memories from the early days of Indo-Russian friendship recently in Moscow. He referred to sar pe lal topi Rusi, a line from the song Mera Joota Hai Japani penned by Shailendra and sung by Mukesh, from the film Shri 420 (1955) featuring thespian Raj Kapoor in the lead role. The line, to him, encapsulated Indo-Russian friendship, for which he partly credited Raj Kapoor. However, Prime Minister Modi was addressing the Indians residing in Russia. There was hardly any Russian present there. The NRI/Indian expatriate community has been adding ballast to almost all bilateral foreign visits that Prime Minister Modi has undertaken. However, the mark of real friendship is when the natives of that country, not just expatriate Indians, line up the streets to greet an Indian prime minister. When Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev, the Premier of the erstwhile USSR and First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party respectively, visited India in November 1955, it was the common Indians who greeted them with boundless enthusiasm. A reel shot by the British Pathe bears testimony to this fact. Another video clip hosted by the Russian Embassy on its YouTube handle captures the resounding welcome the Soviet duo received from the ordinary people of Kolkata (then Calcutta). Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to go to space, visited India for eight days in November 1961. Crowd followed him everywhere he went, and Mumbais (then Bombay) Shivaji Park was jam-packed when he addressed the gathering in Russian, which was simultaneously translated in English. When Jawaharlal Nehru and Gagarin together visited Lucknow University, the spontaneous welcome to the cosmonaut even put the prime minister into shade. This enthusiasm was not one-way, but reciprocal. In fact, Nehrus visit to the USSR had preceded the visit of Bulganin and Khrushchev to India by around four months. When Nehru arrived in Moscow on June 7, 1955, for a two-week-long visit, he was welcomed at the airport by all nine leading members of the Soviet government and the central committee of the Communist Party at the Moscow airport. As Nehru was being driven in an open saloon through the streets of Moscow alongside Bulganin, waving crowds of Russians lined up for more than four miles. They clapped their hands above their heads and threw bunches of lilacs and other blossoms. O.P. Ralhan (not to be confused with his namesake film producer) informs that it was the first time since Victory Day in 1945 that the Moscow crowd had put up such a demonstration of enthusiasm (Jawaharlal Nehru Abroad: A Chronological Study, P.139). Popular fervour touched a new high surrounding Nehrus visit. Wherever Nehru appeared in public, people gathered in thousands to cheer for him. For instance, thousands of Russians waited for hours to catch his glimpse, when they came to know that Nehru was inside the Indian Embassy for dinner. Popular demonstrations of affection became inconvenient at times. In trying to catch the huge floral bouquets thrown at Nehru, while he was passing in an open car, he sometimes got his fingers hurt by the rose thorns. In Yalta, he joked, Look, I have shed my blood for Russia (P.151). II If Nehru basked in the glory of Indo-Soviet friendship, one must not forget he was its maker. It might be remembered that Stalin had a very low opinion of India, and the USSRs outlook on the newly independent nation was discouraging. Stalin had accused India of being a lackey of the Capitalist bloc. Nehru also held the External Affairs portfolio throughout his years as prime minister. He appointed his sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit as the first Ambassador of India to the Soviet Union. Apart from bringing the ignominy of nepotism on Nehru, the experiment failed. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandits inability to improve the Soviet outlook on India led her to relinquish the charge in March 1949. Nehru then appointed Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the distinguished scholar of Indian philosophy, as Indias ambassador to the USSR. This was a game changer, according to Subimal Dutt, Indias Foreign Secretary (1955-61), and later himself Ambassador to the USSR. Dutt says that Radhakrishnan was held in high esteem in Moscows diplomatic circle and inspired respect in the Soviet Foreign Office. Radhakrishnan achieved the distinction, somewhat rare in those days for foreign ambassadors in Moscow, of having been received by Stalin (With Nehru in the Foreign Office, P.191). Nehrus Russian gamble paid off after Stalin passed away in 1953. The Indo-Soviet relationship blossomed in the Khrushchev era. Nehru thus laid the foundation for an all-weather friendship between India and the USSR, which survived the disintegration of the USSR itself. India, though it claimed to be non-aligned, betrayed a bias towards the USSR. Thus, in 1956, whereas India unambiguously condemned the Anglo-French invasion of Egypt over the Suez crisis, its stand against the USSRs armed intervention in Hungary at around the same time appeared only feeble. On November 4, 1956, India along with the USSR, and other Communist countries, voted against the resolution for investigation into the invasion of Hungary by the UN Secretary-General. In recent times, Indias dilemma towards taking a definite stand on the Russian invasion of Ukraine is reminiscent of its predicament in 1956. India is wary of offending its all-weather friend, though it remains opposed to war as an instrument of politics. III As it would be unfair to deny Nehru the credit for forging Indo-Russian political and diplomatic ties, it would be unethical to omit the name of Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (1914-1987) from any discussion on Indo-Russian cultural ties. Prime Minister Modi is correct about Raj Kapoor being a cultural icon in Russia. However, it was K.A. Abbas who introduced Raj Kapoor in Russia in 1955. Raj Kapoors fame in the USSR antedated the film Shri 420 in 1957. It was primarily based on the film Awara (1951), which became a rage throughout the Soviet Union in 1954. K.A. Abbas in his memoirs I am not an Island (1977) likens the runaway success of Brodagya, as the Russian-dubbed version of Awara was called, as a minor revolution in the USSR. From Moscow to Vladivostok, and Arctic Circle to Bokhara, the film captured the Soviet imagination like a prairie fire. Russian and Ukrainian and Georgian teenagers were singing Awara songs in chorus, and one met young people who boasted they had seen the film twenty or thirty times (I am not an Island, P.372). Whereas Awara was produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, under his banner R.K. Films, the screenplay and dialogue were written by K.A. Abbas, who co-wrote the film with V.P. Sathe. However, his real contribution was in introducing Raj Kapoor to the Soviet Union, as the leader of the first Indian film delegation to the USSR in 1954. The delegation besides Abbas comprised Bimal Roy, Raj Kapoor, Chetan Anand, Vijay Bhatt, Nargis, Dev Anand, Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy, Anil Biswas, Salil Chaudhury, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Radhu Karmakar etc. Abbas position as an intellectual, and proximity to Nehru since the 1930s, stood him in good stead with the Indian as well as the Russian diplomatic fraternity. Abbas has given a convincing reason why Awara became a rage in the USSR as no film in Soviet history, despite the presence of numerous masterpieces of Russian cinema. The Russians were weary of the war (1939-45) and tired of revisiting the same in books and films in the 1950s. Instead of war, they wanted to see love on screen; they wanted carefree happiness, and someone to make them laugh. Which is why they went crazy over Awara (I am not an Island, P.380). Later, Abbas co-directed the film Pardesi (1957), an Indo-Soviet joint production, with V.M. Pronin and co-wrote the script with Maria Smirnova. It was based on the film of Afanasy Nikitin, the 15th-century Russian merchant who visited the Vijayanagara Empire and Bahmani Sultanate and left a memoir of his travels. The subject matter of the film is a testimony of the antiquity of Indo-Russian ties going back to the medieval ages. A few care to remember that it was a Russian who was responsible for starting modern Indian drama. Gerasim Stepanovich Lebedev (1749-1795), translator and musician, established a theatre at Domtala (Ezra Street) in Kolkata, where two plays translated from Russian were performed in Bengali in 1795. The experiment was so promising that it roused the envy of Englishmen, and two of them burnt down the theatre of Lebedev. The British administration, on the whole, was unsympathetic towards him, and he was later expelled from India in 1797. Lebedev later published two books on India viz. A Grammar of Pure and Mixed East Indian Dialects in 1801, and An Impartial Survey of the Systems of Brahminical East India in 1805. He, as D.P. Singhal (1969) informs, cast the first Devanagari type on the command of Tsar Alexander I (India and World Civilization Vol-II, P. 224). The euphoria in the Indo-Russian relationship witnessed during the 1950s was a product of peculiar circumstances. The bonhomie between the post-Stalin USSR and the young Indian Republic is reminiscent of times when idealism still mattered. They are unlikely to be replicated now. Today, when pragmatism has replaced idealism, passion has gone out of collective life. Thus, we could never recreate the popular warmth of Indo-Russian ties of the 1950s in the 2020s despite Prime Minister Modi meeting Vladimir Putin 17 times in the last 10 years. Nehru is often dismissed as a vacuous idealist in international relations, whose decisions, especially on China, cost India dearly. No doubt Nehrus Chinese gamble went awfully wrong, but it went quite right in the case of the USSR. It led to the creation of an all-weather friendship with Russia. Though political and ideological prejudices might come in the way of acknowledging the role of Nehru and K.A. Abbas in strengthening Indo-Russian ties, they are an undeniable matter of history. The writer is author of the book The Microphone Men: How Orators Created a Modern India (2019) and an independent researcher based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. On Friday, 12 July, the Government of India issued a Gazette notification declaring 25 June as Samvidhaan Hatya Divas, a loose translation of which would be Murder of Constitution Day. A year short of the 50th anniversary of the imposition of Emergency shortly before midnight on 25 June 1975, by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the theft of constitutionalism under the cover of darkness now has an annual Remembrance Day. This follows the declaration of 14 August as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. It is important that Indians, especially future generations, should remember the Emergency blot on our post-Independence history, just as it is important to remember the unimaginable horrors suffered by Hindus before, during and after Partition. Forgetting the Emergency and the terror regime it spawned would mean running the risk of another dynast with an overwhelming sense of entitlement and privilege inflicting another wound on our Constitution. More importantly, it would amount to glossing over history and airbrushing those chapters that make us feel queasy, only to pave the path for history to repeat itself. For, the urge that drove Indira Gandhi to impose Emergency remains encrypted in her descendants. Waving a pocket edition of the Constitution does not mean that that urge no longer exists; Indira Gandhis declared loyalty to the Constitution was no less, perhaps more, loud and raucous than Rahul Gandhis who keeps flashing a little red book. Yet Indira Gandhi had sought to fatally wound the Constitution by invoking a constitutional provision (Article 352) meant for use in an extreme and extraordinary situation confronting the nation, not an individual, and making its invocation immune from judicial review through the 38th Amendment, thus disfiguring the Constitution even further. The 44th Amendment brought by the Janata Party Government to prevent future misuse of Article 352 can be easily undone through another illicit amendment: If a Supreme Court judgement can be controverted, so can a mere amendment to the Constitution. The Emergency also demonstrated the ease with which the Nehru Dynasty could fuse the nation and the individual into one grotesque entity which then transmogrifies into a ruthless dictator with neither regret nor remorse. Recall Dev Kant Barooahs fawning sycophancy reflected in all its lurid hues in his infamous slogan that Indira is India and India is Indira. Recall also the Emergency Regimes assertion, said to have been inspired by North Korean propaganda, that The Leader is right, the nations future is bright. Never mind Indira Gandhis official excuse as cited in her haughty address to the nation after getting an unquestioningly obliging President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to sign on the Emergency Declaration of which the Cabinet and senior leaders of the Congress knew nothing that India was facing an internal threat from forces of disintegration for stealing the freedom and constitutional rights of 62 crore Indians, trampling upon every aspect of democracy, defanging the Judiciary by stuffing the courts with handpicked grovelling judges more than eager to do her bidding, and cleansing the Legislature of all opposition, including those in the Congress known as the Young Turks for not kowtowing to her. The Emergency was all about Indira Gandhi circumventing the punitive provisions of the historic Allahabad High Court judgement by Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha that had unseated and disqualified her for electoral malpractices, by snuffing out the lamp of liberty and brutally strangulating the constitutional rule of law, and turning India into a single-party dictatorship (propped up by bottom-feeding Communists and Lutyens pink champagne socialists). In the weeks following the shackling of freedom by an unscrupulous and power-hungry Prime Minister with contempt for the Constitution and disdain towards constitutionalism, a strange fear descended upon the people of this country the fear of being punished and persecuted by the Emergency regime through its many agents and agencies. The Youth Congress morphed into Indira Gandhis Sturmabteilung, the police became the Gestapo, the jails were like concentration camps with their own chambers of horror, overflowing with prisoners of conscience and those who were picked up simply because the police, like the Gestapo, had to show they were active. The dreaded midnight knock became the metaphor of those terrible, dark days when friends stopped trusting friends, relatives shunned relatives, teachers squealed on students and vice versa, and censors, deceptively called Press Advisors, decided what was fit to print. Press censorship was premised on the rule of thumb that where news is plainly dangerous, newspapers will assist the Chief Press Advisor by suppressing it themselves; where doubts exist, reference May and should be made to the nearest press advisor. Barring the honourable exceptions of Ramnath Goenka, CR Irani and a few others, all owners and more shamefully, Editors, complied with press censorship. Journalists like Kuldip Nayar and KR Malkani who dared to protest were packed off to the nearest prison. While Emergency era data is not entirely reliable, as per a Home Ministry estimate of those days, nearly 7,000 journalists and media persons were arrested. Editors were appointed on the recommendation of Indira Gandhi and her cronies; editors were sacked on their advice. For all the false bravado we see today and the ad hominem abuse heaped on godi media, it would be instructive to recall and remember LK Advanis gentle admonishment: You (the Press) were asked to bend, you chose to crawl. Not everybody, though, was appalled by Indira Gandhis tanashahi enforced by hoodlums who wore white kurtas with Chinese collars. There were middle-class collaborators who praised the Emergency because the trains ran on time. Vinoba Bhave endorsed Indira Gandhis assault on the Constitution and its consequent impact on lives and limbs, calling the Emergency Anushasan Parv. The Intelligence Bureau and the Central Bureau of Investigation were used for intimidating and harassing both rich and poor on mere suspicion of anti-Emergency activism. The Income Tax Department was instructed to let loose a reign of terror on trade union leaders. People were arrested under draconian laws like MISA and DoIA; many of them were brutally tortured to extract a confession that would serve the Emergency regimes political interests for instance, that he/she was a CIA agent. Being a KGB agent was not deemed an offence. How else would the Communists who supported the Emergency have ensured food on the table for their families? The Constitution was brutalised through the 42nd Amendment to declare India a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic, that is, a democracy restricted by deadwood Socialism and mangled Secularism, whose burden India is still forced to carry. To inspire confidence in the Supreme Leader, a massive Soviet-style propaganda offensive was launched. People were told to Work more, Talk less and warned that Rumour-mongers are enemies of the nation. It was all very darkly reminiscent of the Third Reich. Indira Gandhi packed the Supreme Court with handpicked committed judges whose job it was to overturn the Allahabad High Courts judgement of June 15, declaring her 1971 election as void and disqualifying her from contesting elections for the next six years. To demonstrate their commitment to her, the judges also suspended the provision for habeas corpus thus turning India into a terrifying police state. Forty-nine years later, the excesses of the Emergency era may appear too distant in the past to be worthy of recall, remembrance and resolve. But to believe that would be indulging in self-deception. There has been no change in the attitude of the Congress and the partys first family makes no effort to hide its unshakeable belief that it has the divine right to rule India, either directly or indirectly, and not be held accountable for the many sins of omission and commission of which the Nehru Dynasty is guilty. Indeed, to forget the Emergency would be a grave injustice to those who suffered horribly so that liberty and rights would be ours. The decision to declare 25 June as Samvidhaan Hatya Divas should be seen in this context. Remembrance leads to resolve: Never Again. The writer is a veteran journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. One of the main reasons for the BJP not winning a landslide in the 2024 general elections, despite breaking into new territory like Odisha and Telangana, is that it did not fare well in the three biggest states: Uttar Pradesh (80 seats), Maharashtra (48 seats) and West Bengal (42 seats). Thats underperforming in nearly a third of Lok Sabha seats straightaway. In UP and Maharashtra, the BJP has repeatedly been the single largest party and it will find it easier to recover. But in West Bengal, it has been a rising force against nightmarish odds. Slipping back every inch there is going to cost the party ten times the effort to regain it in the future. In West Bengal, the BJP is up against a mass leader with extraordinary electoral instincts, a culture of wanton political violence, an economy riddled with debt and corruption, and a border state with the bloodiest Partition in Bharats history, where the demography is getting skewed every passing day. But in spite of all this, West Bengal is one place where the majority Hindu voter is ready to pour all it has on the BJPs plate, but the leadership is not yet ready to accept it. Hindu consolidation behind the party in the 2019 general elections was more than 60 per cent. The factors for the BJPs underwhelming results in West Bengal are numerous, but there are five broad things that the party needs to consider if it is serious about fixing things in the state. First, dispel the whispers about a Didi-Modi secret pact, whether imaginary or real. This whisper campaign, which swept almost every believing or disbelieving household in Bengal, was perhaps the single largest factor in spoiling the BJPs chances. From Rose Valley to SSC, Saradha to Narada, coal robbery to cow smuggling, and Covid relief material to PDS, perhaps no other state in Independent India has had so many scams in such a short time. Still, none of the topmost leaders have been arrested by the central agencies, while Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren, K Kavitha, or Manish Sisodia have been in jail justifiably so for misappropriations seemingly of lesser scale. Saradha and Rose Valley scams alone robbed investors of Rs 30,000 crore by conservative estimates, the Bengal coal scam is tipped at Rs 1,900 crore, while the chief secretarys report in 2022 placed the loss to the exchequer in the Delhi liquor scam at Rs 580 crore. Second, the BJP needs to demonstrate strength and ruthlessness. West Bengal rewards the winner, not the whiner. People are programmed to respect the revolutionary capture of rights or power over the optics of victimhood. The BJP will start gaining ground again the moment it begins to exercise power and crack down on corrupt and murderous opponents. Also, in a polity as violent and intimidatory as West Bengals, many wont risk their life or limb if they believe that the BJP is not strong enough to stand by them and give it back in equal measure and put their tormentors behind bars. Ruthless action will also dispel the conspiracy theory of a Didi-Modi secret pact. Third, the BJP has to stop getting sewer water from Trinamool in its pond. Except for Suvendu Adhikari, every single TMC leader that the BJP imported has variously proved to be worthless, damaging for its image and organisational morale, or a downright Trojan Horse. When candidates who seem winnable while in the TMC cross over to the BJP, they are seldom accepted by the saffron voter base. The cultural misfits hurt the party. The sudden elevation and entitlement demoralise party workers. And some of the TMC imports had earlier unleashed local BJP-RSS workers, who felt betrayed by the party. Fourth, the party must unite local leadership and empower the cadre. West Bengal is the most dangerous place for any state Opposition party worker, whether it is the BJP, Congress or the Left. They need to be constantly supported with resources. Top state leaders need to unite and consolidate the cadre behind the party instead of working like crabs trying to pull one another down. A number of karyakartas privately say they were not even pressed into service during the elections, and sometimes discouraged when they showed initiative. Also, the tiniest details matter. For instance, BJP workers were apparently served substandard meals or no meals at all by some local candidates or their campaign managers. Most of these workers come from very humble, needy backgrounds. For them, that egg curry rice matters. It shows them that their leaders care. Even the CPI(M), a spent force in the state, still organises generous meals for ground workers. Fifth, the BJP must make communication a lot more Bengali-led. There needs to be a lot more robust local language IT cell, a wider scope of Bengali content for YouTube and social media, and Bengali-led communication with the exception of top central leaders speeches. West Bengal is fed up with corruption and violence. It is the BJPs for the taking. The party will just have to keep its ear to the ground and hands ready for tough action. Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Amid much speculation over holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the ministry of home affairs amended the J&K Reorganization Act, 2019, giving more powers to the lieutenant governor on matters of transfers and postings of all-India service officers, police, as well as appointment of judicial officers. A notification amending the Transaction of Business Rules under the Act was issued by the central government on Friday. The President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019, namely: These rules may be called the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024; they shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, the notification stated. The amendment will give more power to the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir on matters of transfers and postings of all-India service officers like the IAS and IPS, police, law and order as well as the appointment of judicial officers. In the Transaction of Business Rules, sub-rule 2A has been inserted after sub-rule (2) in rule 5. (2A) No proposal which requires previous concurrence of the Finance Department with regard to Police, Public Order, All India Service and Anti Corruption Bureau to exercise the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor under the Act shall be concurred or rejected unless it has been placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary. In the principal rules, after rule 42, 42A has been inserted giving the L-G power to appoint the advocate general and law officers for the state-turned-union territory. 42A. Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs shall submit the proposal for appointment of Advocate-General and other Law Officers to assist the Advocate-General in the court proceedings, for approval of the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister. 42B also makes it clear that proposals regarding grant or refusal of prosecution sanction or filing of appeal shall also be bestowed by the LG, who will be the final authority on issues of prisons, directorate of prosecution and forensic science laboratory as well. Among the first to react against the amendment, former chief minister Omar Abdullah said the people of J&K deserve better than powerless, rubber stamp CM. He said the amendment is an indicator that elections are around the corner. Another indicator that elections are around the corner in J&K. This is why a firm commitment laying out the timeline for restoration of full, undiluted statehood for J&K is a prerequisite for these elections. The people of J&K deserve better than powerless, rubber stamp CM who will have to beg the LG to get his/her peon appointed, Abdullah wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The Supreme Court has set a deadline of September 30 for assembly elections to be held in J&K. The opposition BJD and Congress in Odisha demanded action against Governor Raghubar Dass son Lalit Kumar over allegations that he along with five others assaulted a government officer at the Raj Bhavan in Puri. Baikuntha Pradhan, an assistant section officer at the Raj Bhavan, on Friday alleged that he was assaulted by Kumar and his associates on July 7 while supervising President Droupadi Murmus visit. Amid outrage over the incident, Pradhans wife Sayoj said she met the governor who promised her justice. Protesting over the incident, the Youth Congress and NSUI demanded that an FIR be filed against Kumar. The governors son, accompanied by his friends and personal security, assaulted an officer. Even after six days, no FIR has been registered, NSUI state president Yashir Nawaz said. Senior Congress MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati demanded immediate action, denouncing what he perceived as political interference hindering Kumars arrest. State Congress in-charge Ajoy Kumar claimed that Kumar was a serial offender. In 2017, he had beaten his bodyguard inside his house. He had also beaten up a woman of his family, but he was successful in hiding those incidents. Now, Lalit Kumar has beat up an official at the Raj Bhavan. He has defamed Odisha, Kumar said in Jamshedpur. BJDs Pratap Keshari Deb urged Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to ensure justice. Pradhan may be a lower-rank employee, but this incident was far from minor. The behaviour of the governors son towards a government official is condemnable and unfortunate, he said. The CM, who also the portfolios of Home and General Administration, has consistently emphasised justice for the poor and common people. However, questions are now being raised about the governments ability to deliver justice in this case, as no action has been taken, he added. The officers wife Sayoj alleged on Friday that Kumar targeted her husband as he was not happy with transportation arrangements. On the night of July 7, when Pradhan was in his office, Kumar and his associates forcibly took him to their room and assaulted him, she said. The governors son was upset because my husband did not arrange a luxury vehicle to pick him up, she added. In his complaint to the governors principal secretary, Pradhan detailed the physical assaults. They slapped me, blew punches on my face, kicked every part of my body and twisted my left ankle. Kumar kept on saying that if they murder me, nobody can save me, he alleged. The Odisha Secretariat Service Association also appealed to the CM for intervention. Neither Kumar nor the governors office has made any statement regarding the allegations. Sayoj, however, on Saturday evening said the governor assured her of justice. We will wait for justice. His personal cook has been fired and action has been taken against him. Though his son has left, the governor told us that he will call him back and take appropriate action, she said. The BJP in Karnataka has upped the ante with its protests against alleged corruption by the ruling Congress government in the state. The opposition party claims the Congress has no moral right to continue in power after a series of corruption scandals, including the alleged Valmiki money transfer scam. Now, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is under scrutiny for land allocation to his wife from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Ironically, the BJP had lost power in Karnataka in 2023 over a series of corruption charges against its government and then chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. Later, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Karnataka BJP launched a campaign against the Congress, claiming that freebies were ruining the states economy, but the pitch did not resonate with voters. The Congress has been running a corrupt government, and it is there for all to see. Scams after scams are unravelling. Scam worth more than Rs 4,000 crore took place when Siddaramaiah was chief minister in the previous tenure. Now these are being added to their kitty. Neither the people nor the BJP will be mute spectators to this. We will expose them at every point. In the MUDA case, we want the CBI to investigate as we dont expect a fair investigation by the SIT the CM may constitute, Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra told News18. The BJP has been conducting protests across the state on various issues, hoping to put the Congress under pressure. These include allegations of embezzlement by a government official working with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, as well as controversies surrounding hikes in rates of fuel, electricity, and excise. Former minister B Nagendra was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Friday during a probe into Rs 88.62 crore allegedly being illicitly credited to accounts associated with IT companies and a Hyderabad-based cooperative bank. The ED has been conducting raids across Bengaluru, Raichur, and Ballari as part of its investigation into how unauthorised transfers worth Rs 187 crore were made from the bank accounts of the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also come under fire after his wife Parvathi, who owned 3 acres of land in Kesare village of Mysuru, a gift from her brother Mallikarjun, allegedly had her land taken away by MUDA. In 2021, under the BJP rule in Karnataka, she was compensated with plots totalling 38,283 sq ft in the Vijayanagar area, a prime locality in Mysuru. The BJP claims this to be a scam, alleging that the market value of the plot of land was much higher than her original land value in Kesare. Siddaramaiah countered, saying that his wife was entitled to compensation. The BJP disagrees. It is a scam of over Rs 5,000 crore where the wife of the chief minister of the state has benefitted. The CM cannot escape from his responsibility and is answerable to the people of the state. Let him share the documents and bring out the truth. They claim it was during the BJP rule that the allocation took place. Why are they not coming clean? Obviously, there is something fishy, BY Vijayendra said. Siddaramaiah dismissed the BJP allegations and denied that there was any scam under his rule. He called the protests by the BJP politically motivated to mislead the people of the state. Was it not the BJP who did it? questioned the CM on the MUDA land allocation. A complaint was filed against Siddaramaiah and nine others on Wednesday for allegedly forging documents to claim compensation from the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The Congress, which came to power building its election campaign on corruption charges against the then ruling BJP, now finds itself in a fix, having to fight corruption charges itself. Only an agency like the CBI can probe the issue impartially. There is clear evidence that the CM is involved in the MUDA land allocation, and he must resign immediately. The state governments SIT will not be able to investigate fairly. Our effort will continue to protest every single day until we see justice being delivered. Be it the multi-crore MUDA case or the Valmiki funds scam, even their leaders themselves saying there is rampant corruption, what does this show? said Vijayendra. The Congress has hit back at the BJP, saying the saffron party must first look within. The BJP is just politicising it. If there are corruption charges, let them be proved first, be it the Valmiki case or MUDA. In the MUDA case, it is the BJP that needs to justify why they gave the land to us, we dont need to justify why we bought the land, said Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad. The question of corruption does not arise with the Congress because the land was given during the BJP government, Lad explained. BY Vijayendra countered by saying that the tenure under which the MUDA allocation took place is not what is in question, but the eligibility of the CMs wife to the compensation. He said that the CMs wife was not eligible for 14 sites and that the sale deed showed she was eligible for only two sites. Land that should have been given to the poor is being given to the CMs family and industrial people, he alleged. Siddaramaiah was former CM and the Leader of the Opposition then, and his son was an MLA and MUDA chairman as well. Was that allocation done under pressure to allot her more than her share? Was the CM not aware of how much land his wife owns? He cannot escape responsibility by saying it was the BJP government then. That is our claim, Vijayendra said. Reacting to Nagendra being arrested, minister Lad said that the leader, on moral grounds, has resigned. Three agencies are probing the Valmiki scam the SIT formed by the state government, the Central Bureau of Investigation, and the Enforcement Directorate. To date, 11 people have been arrested, and the SIT has recovered Rs 14.5 crore of the diverted money. First the Prime Minister should resign on the issue of electoral bonds, which is one of the biggest frauds in the history of the country. Nagendra resigned, the SIT is investigating, the CBI and ED are also investigating, What else does the BJP want? he further questioned. Lad challenged the BJP to speak about the coal scam, electoral bonds, the NEET exam scam, the railway accidents, terror attacks, and the collapse of infrastructure, including airports and roads. These are issues they do not want to talk about, he said. Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge pointed out that when such allegations are floated, they sow seeds of doubt among the people. The Congress plans to take on the BJP in the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly. When will the BJP speak about the pending disproportionate assets case pending in the SC against them? Be it the electoral bonds or even the POCSO case against their leader. They should be embarrassed. They should clean their house first, Kharge told News18. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The regular meeting of the working group on economic issues under the Interdepartmental Center of the Coordination Headquarters established for centralized solution of issues in the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation was held in the city of Khankendi, Trend reports, referring to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Following the directives of the head of state, Elnur Aliyev, the first deputy minister of economy and head of the working group, provided information on the execution of intricate plans, extensive reconstruction, and building endeavors, including infrastructure projects for the development of the liberated territories. Moreover, it was observed that the work done in the occupied territories has made it easier to attract investors and speed up economic recovery. This is due to a number of factors, such as tax and customs privileges, easier access to capital for entrepreneurs, reduced social insurance premiums, and other advantages. These factors will all work together to promote private initiatives, foster public-private partnerships, and boost investment in the region. Incentives will help make the most of society's economic and social potential, which includes things like creating jobs, boosting productivity and competitiveness in the workplace, enhancing the caliber of human capital, and fostering the growth of sectors that rely heavily on scientific knowledge. The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Khankendi City, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts Elchin Yusubov informed about the restoration and reconstruction of infrastructure in residential areas, the return of population, and the employment process. Moreover, it was noted that the region has favorable opportunities for entrepreneurial activity in various directions, and businessmen can take full advantage of them. It was emphasized that in the city of Khankendi and adjacent districts, various projects are implemented by businessmen, and these projects mainly employ the returning population. At the event, the other members of the working group showcased the efforts of the organizations they represent in facilitating the economic reintegration of the freed lands. During the meeting, important directives were provided to accelerate the economic revival of the occupied territories, make the region more appealing to investors, and ensure sustainable employment. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The crucial election of the legislative council, which happened on July 12 for 11 seats in Maharashtra, saw Mahayuti (Shiv Sena + BJP + NCP) managing to secure all their nine candidates with the required quota of 23 votes. However, Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), which had put forth three candidates, managed to secure only two seats. Jayant Patil, a senior leader of the Peasants and Workers Party in Maharashtra, who had the support of Sharad Pawar and the NCP (SP), lost this election as he couldnt secure the 23 votes required to win the seat as per the quota. Ajit Pawar-led NCP, though had two candidates in the fray, fell short by almost 8 votes. Everyone had thought that one of Ajit Pawar-led NCPs candidates would lose and the MVA would have all their three candidates. As per reports, eight MLAs of the Congress cross-voted in the MLC election, and helped Ajit Pawar-led NCP secure a win for both its candidates. Congress State chief Nana Patole has stated, The party will take strict disciplinary action against those who have cross-voted. This election was seen as a semi-final before the upcoming state assembly polls. Both factions kept their MLAs in different hotels in Mumbai so that they wouldnt be influenced by the opposition camp. The election takes place through secret ballot voting, and two years ago, the BJP alone had defeated the then-ruling MVA alliance as many MVA leaders had done cross-voting. In this election, the ruling Mahayuti had put forth nine candidates. The BJP had five candidates, having the strength of 103 MLAs. This guaranteed four seats and left it 12 short for its fifth. The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, which had fielded two candidates, has 37 MLAs, making them short of nine votes. Ajit Pawars NCP had 39 MLAs and was short of seven votes. The Mahayuti, therefore, was short by a total of 28 votes to win the nine seats it contested. Across the aisle, the Congress has 37 MLAs but named only one candidate, giving it 14 surplus votes meant to be distributed amongst its MVA partners. The NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar was supporting Jayant Patil of the Peasants and Workers Party, but NCP had 13 MLAs, so he needed 10 more votes. But the final result didnt come in favour of the MVA as they lost one seat to Mahayuti. The ruling Mahayuti leaders have credited this win to Devendra Fadnavis, as his magic with numbers has worked thrice in a row for them: twice in 2022 during the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council elections, and now again in 2024 during the 11 seats contest of the State Legislative Council. According to official data, BJPs Pankaja Munde got 26 votes, Parinay Phuke got 26 votes, Yogesh Tilekar got 26 votes, and Amit Gorkhe also got 26 votes. The fifth BJP candidate, Sadabhau Khot, won with second preference votes, receiving 23 votes. Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidate Bhavana Gawali got 24 votes, and Krupal Tumane got 25 first preference votes. The NCP faction of Ajit Pawar also managed to get both its candidates, Shivajirao Garje (won with 24 votes) and Rajesh Vitekar (won with 23 votes). On the other hand, Congress candidate Pradnya Satav got 25 votes, and Shiv Sena UBT candidate Milind Narvekar won with second preference votes, securing 22 votes. Jayant Patil, senior leader of the Peasants and Workers Party backed by Sharad Pawar, got only 12 votes. Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of misuse of power, as he hit out at the latter for playing the caste card, following allegations against him in connection with alleged fraudulent allotment of sites to land losers by MUDA, which involves plots given to his wife Parvathi. Pointing out that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam case directly involves the CMs family, he requested any respected lawyer in the state to take this case before the Governor and seek prosecution sanction, and to take it before the court. Several scams of this state government, one after the other, have become a topic of discussion across the country.there is negative feeling about this administration in Karnataka outside the state, after Congress came to power in the state, and it is painful, the JD(S) leader said. Hitting out at Siddaramaiah for playing the backward class community card, he asked, what have you done for the backward classes to take protection in the name of the community? People have given you power, dont take a bad name and go at the last stage (of your political career), give a respectable administration. You are trying to take protection in the name of backward classes, but you are running an administration that would bring a bad name for the backward classes communities, he told Siddaramaiah. Denying the allegations against him in connection with the MUDA scam, Siddaramaiah on Thursday had claimed that a conspiracy is being hatched against him out of heartburn as he belongs to the backward class community and has become the chief minister for a second time. It is alleged that compensatory sites were allotted to Siddaramaiahs wife in an upmarket area in Mysuru, which had higher property value as compared to the location of her land which had been acquired by the MUDA. The MUDA had allotted plots to Parvathi under a 50:50 ratio scheme in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land, where MUDA developed a residential layout. The controversial scheme envisages allotting 50 per cent of developed land to the land loser in lieu of undeveloped land acquired for forming layouts. Pointing out that following the allegations, the CM is now saying his family doesnt want alternative sites given to his wife in lieu of 3.16 acres of her land acquired by MUDA, and that they be paid Rs 62 crore as compensation as per rules, Kumaraswamy asked whose land is it? Is it the ancestral property by CM or his brother-in-law? It doesnt actually belong to them, it is MUDA property, as Rs 3,24,000 was paid to the original owner and land was acquired by MUDA during final notification in 1997. In 2004, Mallikarjuna Swamy (Siddaramaiahs brother-in-law) had reportedly purchased the 3.16 acres of land, and later did a gift deed of it to his sister Parvathi. Further pointing out that Siddaramaiah did not mention this land in the 2013 assembly election affidavit, Kumaraswamy said, in 2014, the CMs family wrote to MUDA stating that their land has been acquired by it for making a layout, and sought alternative sites in lieu of 3.16 acre they have lost. Noting that according to rules, if the land that has been acquired is between three to four acres, only two sites should be given in lieu of the land acquired, and that it has to be given in the same locality and not elsewhere, Kumaraswamy said, in violation of rules in 2022 Siddaramaiahs wife was given 14 alternative sites by MUDA in Mysurus Vijayanagar area. Regarding illegal money transfer scam involving Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited, Kumaraswamy asked Siddaramaiah, whether the corporation officer Chandrasekharans death (by suicide which brought out the scam) would be considered suicide or was it a murder by your governments system? If you had a strong grip on administration, he wouldnt have committed suicide? June has been the month when the word Samvidhan (Constitution) has been repeatedly used, from the streets to Parliament. Dressed in a crisp white t-shirt, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi carried a small version of it while he went to take oath as Rae Bareli MP, ending his speech with Jai Samvidhan (Hail Constitution). Many Opposition MPs followed him. WHY IT WAS BOUND TO COME It wasnt a surprise when the government brought a resolution on emergency to discuss its excesses to counter Congress overdo. However, what was surprising when the Narendra Modi government brought a gazette notification to declare 25 June as Samvidhan Hatya Divas and its decision to observe it as so every year. In 1975, on this day, Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in the country. In his own words, @narendramodi has described the Emergency as an unexpected opportunity (Aapda Mein Avsar) that allowed him to work with leaders and organizations across the political spectrum, exposing him to diverse ideologies and viewpoints.The story of the Emergency, pic.twitter.com/dQrCiW7Fvn Modi Archive (@modiarchive) June 25, 2024 No doubt, its the government resorting to its tried and tested method offense is the best defense ahead of the budget session that begins on July 22. Union Home Minister Amit Shahs post on X called out Indira Gandhi grandmother of Rahul Gandhi, who has been championing the cause of Saving Constitution for having a dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of Indian democracy. Fridays surprise that the Modi government has sprung on the Congress needs to be seen in continuity. Last month, addressing a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu invoked the Emergency of 1975, calling it the biggest and darkest chapter of direct attack on the Constitution. The resolution apart, soon after taking charge as the Lok Sabha speaker, Om Birla in a statement said, This House condemns the decision to impose the Emergency in 1975. He called the decision to impose Emergency dictatorship. WHY THE OFFENSIVE? The decision to go on an offensive was bound by two reasons. Firstly, the Congress apparent success in managing to portray the BJP as a party that is against the Constitution that electorally cost them a state like Uttar Pradesh. They have been successful in creating a fear psychosis among people taking the refuge in Constitution while the Congress has nothing to do with the Constitution. When Ambedkar lost by 15,000 votes, there were 74,333 ballot papers that were rejected because Congress told everyone they have to vote twice to make Ambedkar win. They have not changed their tactics of fooling even now, said a top BJP source. Bringing a gazette notification that will remind the entire nation of the Congress legacy that has been a taboo for them to even discuss will help BJP put them on the backfoot. Secondly, many parties like the Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal either had or still have leadership who went to jail during Emergency. It will put them in a spot to object to BJPs initiative, leaving the Congress alone on this issue. Lalu Ji went to jail during Emergency. After few months, Misa Bharti was born. He named her after the draconian Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA). How will he object Samvidhan Hatya Divas? asked a top BJP source on conditions of anonymity. Even while the NDA government brought a resolution on Emergency in Parliament this time, parties like Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party supported the government. The BJP wants to exploit these faultlines every year, putting the Congress and a Constitution wielding Rahul Gandhi in discomfiture. However, there seems to be a third reason as well why the government has brought such a notification now. It has come to realise that the millennials and Gen Z are out of sync with the atrocities perpetrated during the Emergency. They dont know about Sanjay Gandhis time, mass campaign for vasectomy or incidents like arresting the entire opposition. By observing Samvidhan Hatya Divas every year, the BJP hopes to bring this to the public discourse and educate a whole new generation some of whom may be Congress supporters who is oblivious to this dark phase of India. The question on everyones mind right now is if the Narendra Modi government will follow the Maharashtra budget model at the Centre. Ditching terms like fiscal prudence, this year Maharashtra went for an all-out populist budget, wooing women, youth, farmers, marginalised communities, and the economically disadvantaged. Not to forget, this comes after NDAs disappointing performance of securing 17 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats. The BJPs national tally too dropped from 303 to 233, prompting people to ask if Nirmala Sitharamans budget will be more flexible this time and appease two primary concerns of PM Narendra Modi the middle class, which isnt as infatuated with the BJP as it was in 2014, and the two key allies who can smell an opportunity for their home states. KEEPING THE MIDDLE CLASS HAPPY Its expected that Sitharamans iPad will have the figures and statistics to woo this segment of society which often complains of being ignored. According to the middle class, apart from the 2019 Union Budget, there hasnt been any major outreach. So, what can the finance minister bring? The first big expectation is a change in tax brackets and relief to the salaried class. A higher standard deduction and a possible rejig in tax slabs are two things that will directly benefit the middle class a segment that has been the core vote bank of the BJP but has slowly started showing the effects of fatigue. A guaranteed pension under the NPS regime and possible incentives in the much-promoted new tax regime to make it more attractive cant be ruled out. The boost in housing is also likely to be another measure that Sitharaman may take. In the Maharashtra budget, the government will provide three free gas cylinders annually to 52.4 lakh households under the newly announced CM Anna Suraksha Yojna. The government also introduced a fee waiver for girls from OBC and EWS families pursuing higher education, which is expected to benefit two lakh girls and has an annual budget of Rs 2,000 crore. The state government announced a housing scheme named after the late Shiv Sena leader Anand Dighe to provide affordable housing to people. It has also decided to increase the health coverage under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Women have been targeted, much like former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did in his state. CM Ladki Bahin Yojana, a special scheme for women that will provide Rs 1,500 per month and Rs 46 crore annually, started in July this year. These schemes are particularly meant to woo the middle-class voters of Maharashtra who dealt a heavy blow to the NDA in the recent Lok Sabha election. If Sitharaman has to take a cue from the populist measures of the government in Maharashtra, she will have the scope to lower the age bracket for the scheme of health benefits for those above 70 years. Soon after coming to power for the third term, the Cabinet decided to further expand the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and construct three crore additional rural and urban houses. Sitharaman will also have the scope of addressing a major area of grouse of the middle class stopping the 50 per cent concession to female and 40 per cent to male and transgender senior citizen passengers on train fares. It was discontinued during the Covid-19 lockdown but hasnt been reintroduced ever since. But all these would mean more expenditure. The GST collection of Rs 2.1 lakh crore in April 2024 may have eased the burden on government coffers, but the regime will have to tread a slippery slope where it keeps the fiscal deficit target reasonable yet makes the middle class happy. KEEPING THE TDP, JDU HAPPY Its not just the middle class that is the governments concern; they also have the compulsion to keep two of their core allies TDP and JDU happy. The Andhra allys 16 MPs and Bihar allys 12 MPs who help keep the BJP-led NDA government stable at the Centre have their own wish lists. Just before the Union budget, PM Modi granted TDP chief Chandrababu Naidus two major wishes petrochem hub and an oil refinery. Naidu has secured approval for a Rs 60,000 crore refinery in Andhra Pradesh. After his meeting with the prime minister, he met top officials of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. During feasibility talks, three places came up for the refinery Srikakulam, Machilipatnam and Ramayapatnam. While the location is yet to be finalised and will take more time, the decision is likely to be announced on July 23 during Sitharamans Union Budget speech. That is not all. Another dream project of Naidu has been developing Amaravati city. He has sought central assistance for Amaravati as well as Polavaram from the Union Budget to which there is no confirmation of fulfilment from the government side yet. Naidu wants to build key infrastructure for Amaravati and incremental annual grants to complete the Polavaram project. During the pre-budget consultation, Andhra finance minister Payyavula Keshav sought Rs 15,000 crore for Amaravati alone. Funds sought for Polavaram are over and above that. While it hasnt been pressed with urgency, Naidu would also need central assistance for welfare measures on whose promise the NDA government came to power in Andhra Pradesh uprooting Jahan Mohan Reddy. Naidu would also need funds for the Ramayapatnam port, the integrated steel plant in Kadapa, industrial parks, and a new railway zone to name a few. It is still unclear if, and how much, the Modi government would be able to promise in this financial years budget. Another key ally, Nitish Kumar, too is learnt to have made demands of Rs 30,000 crore from this years budget for Bihar. This demand was made during pre-budget consultations to Sitharaman in June. Meanwhile, reiterating its old demand, the Janata Dal United (JDU) recently concluded its national executive meeting with a resolution demanding a special status for Bihar. Mounting political pressure on Kumar, Congress asked the state cabinet to also pass such a resolution and walk the talk. This invariably puts pressure on the Centre. While the Modi government had cited the 14th Finance Commissions report to rule out special category status for any more states, Kumar is ready with substitute demands. He is seeking funds for nine brand-new airports, seven medical colleges, two power projects, and two river water programs. Now, just the way Nirmala Sitharaman has to tread cautiously between making the middle class happy and respecting fiscal prudence, she will also have to balance the demands of these two key allies and maintain or further go for a bold fiscal deficit target. In what may make the middle-class hopeful, industry body CII too has favoured a tax relief for income up to Rs 20 lakh in the upcoming budget, expecting it to boost fledgling demand. Whats sure is that this budget wont be a typical BJP budget. Whats unsure, however, is how far it will stray towards populism. The Indian government has issued a new security warning for millions of Android users with its latest bulletin courtesy, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) this week. The team highlights that these exploits can be used by the attackers to gain sensitive information and execute arbitrary code on your phone. Android Security Warning From CERT-In The security bulletin from CERT-In highlights that multiple vulnerabilities exist within the framework, system, Google Play system updates, ARM components, MediaTek components, Imagination components, Qualcomm components, and Qualcomm close-sourced components. The new vulnerabilities affect Android versions 12, 12L, 13, and 14 as well. The number of phones running these versions in India should easily be over 10 million, which means the high severity ranked alert is worth heeding for one and all. Having these many chip makers on the affected list means, brands like Samsung, Realme, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Vivo have to be concerned about the issue, and make sure they release security patches for these vulnerabilities right away. Android Security Update How To Check For New Version The good news is that, most of the phone brands have been notified about these issues, and the latest security patch has already been released, with all of them expected to get it done in the next few weeks. You can check for the latest update by heading over to Settings System update Software and see if the new version is available for your device. In the meanwhile, we highly advise you to avoid accessing vulnerable websites or open any link or attachment coming from an unknown sender. Imagine stepping in to calm a heated dispute between two strangers, only to find yourself at the receiving end of unexpected consequences. This scenario played out recently at a Delhi Metro station, where an elderly bystander intervened in a brawl between two men at a ticket counter. Instead of diffusing the tension, he became the unintended target of one mans aggression, leading to an unexpected twist that has since become a source of amusement on the internet. The video, posted on X by the account Ghar Ke Kalesh, starts with a tense scene at a Delhi Metro station. Two men are embroiled in a heated fistfight near the ticket counter, amidst a flurry of slaps, shoves, and punches. Amidst the chaos, a bystander from another queue attempts to intervene and calm the situation. However, one of the fighters pulls him into the altercation, delivering an unexpected slap from behind. Also Read: Delhi Virus Reached Bengaluru?: Video of Men Exchanging Blows in Namma Metro Goes Viral While the exact cause of the altercation remains unclear, the video quickly gained viral traction, amassing over a million views and numerous comments. Social media users were quick to weigh in, with many sympathizing with the uncle and calling for justice, while others injected humor into the situation. Some humorously referenced the iconic Mujhe Kyu Toda scene from the movie Welcome, drawing parallels to the hapless uncles intervention. Take a Look: Kalesh b/w two uncles inside Delhi metro over buying coinspic.twitter.com/0Zcy8dvrDs Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) July 10, 2024 3rd person be like pic.twitter.com/uqiPyhRS5I Karma (@karmaisthelaw) July 10, 2024 Blue shirt uncle is the reason why people dont intervene in fights to calm them down. Uncle proved it in just one video why we shouldnt intervene, quipped one commenter, punctuating their observation with a laughing emoji. Another wondered aloud, The fight was taking place only between two uncles. Why was the poor third uncle beaten? The third one said, Delhi metro never disappoints, The fourth added, Yeh blue shirt bale uncle ko 4 jhapar vapas dena chahiye tha, amid such humorous remarks that continued to flood in. As the discussion continued, the video sparked broader reflections on human behaviour and intervention in public conflicts. Just recently, another video surfaced showing an elderly man taking justice into his own hands on the metro and confronting a thief caught red-handed trying to snatch a purse. With bystanders filming the unfolding drama, the elderly man administered a swift and resounding punishment, slapping, hitting, and even kicking the thief. Also Read: Badtameez: Women in War of Words Over Seat Issue in Delhi Metro, Internet Says Kalesh Express Despite the thiefs tearful apologies and desperate pleas, the determined passenger remained unmoved, delivering justice with unrelenting fervour. In a poignant moment, the thief grasped the elderly mans feet, pledging, Uncle, I will die. I wont repeat this again. But the elderly man remained steadfast, his actions sparking a storm of reactions across social media. Most of us cant even walk a few steps on a slackline without losing balance. However, for people like Jaan Roose, its no more than a cakewalk. Recently, the three-time world slacklining champion achieved another feat, covering 3.6 kilometres on a slackline. To make matters even more phenomenal, his slackline was hooked from Italy to Sicily. Jaan Roose collaborated with Red Bull and built a slackline over the Strait of Messina, a narrow strait that passes between Southern Italy and Eastern Sicily. The slackline was strung across two old power line pylons. An eight-person team, including Roose, set it up securely. He then crossed over two countries against a cinematic backdrop. In 2 hours and 57 minutes, he completed the walk by taking a total of 15,660 steps to carefully cover the distance. With this, he became the first person to successfully walk across Italys Strait of Messina by starting in Santa Trada in Calabria and ending in Torre Faro, Sicily. A video of his epic slackline walk was shared by Red Bull on Instagram. It has already gathered over 12 lakh likes since it was shared on June 10. Commenting on it, an Instagram user wrote, Imagine the stories he will tell his grandkids like how ours told us they walked uphill both ways. Another person wrote, I said it once and Ill say it again. Whatever youve done, Red Bull has done it 20 times better. The most popular comment on the video reads, The route our parents took to reach school. Someone else remarked, Just when I think Red Bull has done it all they do something even crazier. Even though Jaan Roose managed to complete his walk, one mistake prevented him from breaking the previous world record for the longest slackline walk. Just 80 meters before he reached the end, the 32-year-old slipped for a second. As per the Guinness World Record rules, the record breaker must complete the slackline walk without any fall. After the walk, Jaan Roose told Red Bull, I made history. I walked 3.6 km across the Strait of Messina! It was a long walk, full of surprises from start to finish. I had some difficulties, but the weather was good, I expected more wind. Cleanliness is considered one of the best qualities a person could possess. Making sure that their personal spaces as well as their surroundings remain tidy is a talent not many can boast of. For this couple from the UK, keeping their areas clean became a source of unwanted trouble. As per reports, the couple Veronika Mike and Zoltan Pinter were fined 1,200 pounds or Rs 1.3 lakh for tidying their surroundings. The residents of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (England), told the media they just wanted to clean their street. According to them, the area right outside their property had been marred with garbage, due to people leaving the waste outside of the bins installed. Because of its accumulation, it attracted rodents and cats. So, when Veronika and Zoltan decided to clean the rubbish and collect it in a cardboard box, instead of getting a thanks, they received a fixed penalty notice from the authorities, and each had to pay a fine. The box only carried Zoltans name, so it was more than a shock for the couple to find Veronikas name as the other offender, more reports stated. A letter was sent to the council from the couple, which was signed by the neighbours, asking the authorities to reconsider their decision. It stated that Zoltan, a mechanic and freelance videographer, and Veronika, are not to be blamed. But the amount was never rescinded and the couple is paying the money through instalments each month. The two have set up a GoFundMe account to recover some of the finances they lost. The couple has now decided that they will never think of tidying up the street again, even if the rats come. Veronika stated, We just wanted to clean our street and thats the thanks we get from the council. At first I was very angry and I cried. The councillor Amjid Wazir OBE said that the matter is resolved. This serves as a reminder that fly-tipping (illegally dumping waste) is an offence. A Connecticut woman got the shock of her life when she found out she had accidentally slept with her half-brother. Her mothers fertility doctor had used his sperm to conceive babies with his patients, and she didnt know it. Victoria Hill, who is 39, said it was very upsetting when she learned she had slept with her half-brother from high school. At least 23 people say they were born because Dr. Burton Caldwell used his sperm without telling their parents. Victorias mother, Maralee, was deceived by Caldwell, who said he would use the sperm of an unknown medical student. Victoria told CNN that she found out the man she thought was her father wasnt her biological father after taking a DNA test with 23andMe. She told about it at a high school reunion 20 years later, and her old boyfriend saw that something similar had happened to him. He took the same DNA test and couldnt believe what he found. Victoria got a text from her ex-boyfriend that said, Youre my sister. She told the News, I look at my entire high school experience in a completely different light now. It puts a damper on the whole thing, adding, Ill just say it this way: I was intimate with my half-brother. She also said she went to elementary school with another of her siblings and often stopped by a deli run by twins who turned out to be her family. That traumatised me, she admitted. Now I look at pictures of people and think: If he could be my sibling, anyone could be my sibling. Victoria considered taking the doctor to court but was told she didnt have a good case due to the unclear laws on fertility fraud. There are no national laws on the subject, and only 13 states offer protection. Nonetheless, social worker Janine Pierson, one of Hills half-sisters took action against the retired doctor. Janine thought she was an only child until she took a 23andMe test in 2022. It was like my whole life just came to a halt, she told CNN, revealing that she had to break the news to her mother as well. We both cried for a few minutes because it felt like a violation, she explained. Janine even unknowingly crossed her path with a sibling at a summer camp, as seen in a photo. We were just feet away from each other and had no idea, she said. It shouldnt be like the Wild West where these doctors can just do whatever they want, she added. A Pakistan court has acquitted ex-prime minister Imran Khans conviction for illegal marriage on Saturday, Pakistani news media outlets said. He will, however, remain jailed over allegations that he incited riots. An Islamabad District and Sessions Court dismissed charges against Khan in the Iddat case where a petitioner had challenged the legality of his marriage. The acquittal overturns the seven-year jail term Khan was handed just days before the elections held in February. Khan, 71, and his wife, Bushra Khan, also known as Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to seven years in February when a court found them guilty of breaking Islamic law by failing to observe the required interval between Bibis divorce from a previous marriage and her marriage to Khan. But Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Court judge Afzal Majoka announced in court that the appeals of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accepted. Khan was slapped with a trio of convictions in the days before February elections cases he says were orchestrated to prevent his return to power. Those cases have now all been at least partially rolled back on appeal, with a treason conviction carrying a decade jail term overturned in April, and a 14-year graft sentence suspended in June, though the conviction still stands. (with inputs from agencies) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG is conducting a public consultation on proposed revisions to the TAP Network Code from 12 July till 12 August 2024, Trend reports via the TAP AG consortium. Stakeholders that wish to participate in the public consultation are invited to submit their comments by sending the Response Template to TAP by 12 August 2024 23:59 CET at the latest, at the email address [email protected]. Marija Savova, TAP Head of Commercial, said that with this revision of the TAP Network Code, the consortium would like to introduce a Within-Day product. This will increase the options and provide flexibility to our shippers for booking capacity in TAP, as well as for marketing the gas in the EU and the Energy Community, she added. TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 877 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy. TAP facilitates gas supplies to Southeastern European countries through existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connected to Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started its commercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas to Bulgaria, thereby enhancing the security of energy supplies in one more European country. TAPs exit points in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets. As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europes energy security, supply diversification, as well as its decarbonisation objectives. Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn The US state department confirmed this week that the Taliban is currently holding three US citizens in their custody. The Taliban, according to the US state department, which was answering a query by Washington Examiner, are currently holding George Glezmann, Mahmood Habibi and Ryan Corbett in their custody. It is worth mentioning that Afghanistans acting president-in-exile Amrullah Saleh told News18 in an exclusive interview last year that the US came to know that Ayman al-Zawahiri was living in Kabul in an area which was home to foreign embassies and diplomats under the previous administration through Habibi. Who Betrayed Ayman al-Zawahiri? Afghanistans Acting Prez-in-Exile Amrullah Saleh Has A Theory | Exclusive Saleh told News18 that Habibi is a US passport holder of Afghan origin and owned a Kabul-based telecommunication company. The companys office, according to Saleh, was in al-Zawahiris neighbourhood. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in a drone operation in 2022 killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief who took over the lead role following the killing of the former chief of the terrorist group Osama Bin Laden. The Taliban have refused to acknowledge that they are holding Habibi captive. He was detained on August 10 along with 29 other employees of ARX Communications. They believe that Habibis company was involved in the targeting of former al Qaeda senior leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Zawahiri, according to security experts, along with Osama played an operational role in the September 11, 2001 attacks which led to the deaths of at least 2,977 people. 19 al-Qaeda terrorists also died in the attack. Who betrayed Al-Zawahiri ?The intelligence unit of @AGTAfghanistan had some of the details of the multi-dimenssional story of Al-Zawahiri and his killing by US hellfire strike. I had disclosed the stroy and the identity of Mahbob Habibi almost a year ago as we knew it right Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) July 13, 2024 The US went around the Taliban and found his location through Habibi, a US passport holder of Afghan origin, who owned a Kabul-based telecommunication company in al-Zawahiris neighbourhood, Saleh had said last year while speaking to News18. The Taliban officials have repeatedly claimed that they have only detained two Americans in their custody. They said earlier this month that two American prisoners were being held in custody in Afghanistan when they discussed an exchange for Afghans held in Guantanamo Bay with the United States. Zabihullah Mujahid did not name the US prisoners but said discussions over a prisoner exchange were held with US representatives during United Nations-led talks in Qatar. We should be able to free our citizens in (an) exchange, as American citizens are important for them (the United States), just as Afghans are important for us, Mujahid told a press conference in Kabul. Alec Baldwins trial for involuntary manslaughter collapsed in spectacular fashion Friday as a judge found key evidence over a fatal shooting on the set of Rust had been withheld from the defense, and dismissed the case. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, presiding over the trial in Santa Fe, New Mexico, said bullets potentially linked to the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins that could have been favorable to Baldwins case had not been shared with his lawyers by police and prosecutors. The Hollywood A-lister immediately burst into tears, as the case which could have seen him sentenced to 18 months in prison if found guilty was abruptly tossed out in sensational scenes. The states willful withholding of this information was intentional and deliberate. If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice, said Marlowe Sommer. The court concludes that this conduct is highly prejudicial to the defendant. Baldwin was holding a gun in the direction of Hutchins during a rehearsal in October 2021 when the weapon fired, killing Hutchins and wounding the films director. The movies armorer Hannah Gutierrez, who loaded the fatal weapon, is already serving 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Baldwin was facing the same charge. Prosecutors claim he ignored basic gun safety laws and acted recklessly on set. Baldwins celebrity lawyer Alex Spiro argued the actor had no responsibility for checking the weapons deadly contents and did not know it contained live rounds. But the defenses case also rested heavily on discrediting the police investigation. And Spiro on Thursday introduced evidence that live bullets potentially linked to the shooting had been handed to police, but not disclosed to Baldwins lawyers. Buried The bullets were handed into police by a Good Samaritan earlier this year, more than two years after the Rust tragedy. The Good Samaritan was a former police officer and a family friend of Gutierrez, the armorer. He told police the bullets matched the rounds that killed Hutchins. Spiro accused police of having buried evidence by not filing it under the Rust case, depriving the defense of a chance to see it. Which was a perfect plan, he told the court. Crime scene technician Marissa Poppell, under questioning from Spiro, said she had catalogued the bullets, but had been told not to file them under the Rust case. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey scrambled to respond, telling the court she had never seen or heard of the bullets before this week. But when it emerged that Morrissey had been present for discussions in which it was decided not to submit the bullets into the Rust case file, Morrissey voluntarily called herself as a witness in a last-ditch attempt to salvage the states case. She claimed the allegedly buried bullets did not match the live rounds on the set of Rust, and had been stored in a different state, Arizona, up to the day of the tragic shooting. Marlowe Sommer was not convinced and dismissed the case, prompting the emotional scenes among Baldwin and his family. Dumbfounded Baldwin is highly unlikely to see the inside of a criminal court again over the shooting, legal experts said, though he could still face civil suits. As far as the criminal proceedings, its over. They cant refile, said Los Angeles lawyer Tre Lovell. Its been dismissed with prejudice. To try to do it again would be double jeopardy. You cant do that. University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias agreed that on the criminal side, I think its done. The prosecutors could try to somehow mount an extraordinary appeal. But I dont think any appellate court is going to agree with the prosecutor, he said. The withheld evidence could benefit Gutierrez, the films armorer who has already launched an appeal, and David Halls, the movies first assistant director who took a plea deal and admitted negligence. Christopher Melcher, a Los Angeles-based attorney, told AFP he was dumbfounded by the cases sudden collapse. The case unfolded as quickly as Ive ever seen a case It was just absolutely amazing to watch. Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, a former Maldives climate change minister, who was detained last month on allegations she performed black magic on the countrys president, Mohamed Muizzu, was released on Saturday. Maldivian police officials said they have released Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem who was accused of performing black magic on President Mohamed Muizzu to win favour from his new administration, according to Maldivian news media outlets. She was arrested along with her sister and another person last month in the capital Male. She stood down from her post shortly afterwards. Police had asked for an extension of her detention twice, but on Saturday they had no reason to hold her any longer although the case was still ongoing. The investigation is still pending, a police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP in Male. Police and authorities have not confirmed or denied the nature of the allegations against Shamnaz, and a criminal court has heard the case behind closed doors. Her position was an important job in a nation on the frontlines of the climate crisis, with UN environment experts warning rising seas could make it virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century. Sorcery is not a criminal offence under the Maldivian penal code, but it does carry a six-month jail sentence under Islamic law. People across the archipelago widely practise traditional ceremonies, believing they can win favours and curse opponents. A 62-year-old woman was stabbed to death by three neighbours on Manadhoo last year after she was accused of conducting black magic ceremonies after a lengthy police investigation. In 2012, police cracked down on an opposition political rally after accusing organisers of throwing a cursed rooster at officers raiding their offices. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday brushed off US President Joe Bidens gaffe in which he mistakenly introduced him as Russian foe Vladimir Putin, saying we can forget some mistakes. As he began a visit to Ireland, Zelensky told reporters at Shannon Airport that its a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support to Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. A close up of Zelensky reacting to when Biden called him President Putin." pic.twitter.com/2W5yKndV5Z Russian Market (@runews) July 12, 2024 Zelensky will meet Irish leader Simon Harris at the airport later Saturday, their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil. Asked for his message to Ireland, Zelensky said: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. Harris is expected to express Irelands support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership during the talks. Zelensky is making the visit on his way back from Washington, where he attended a summit marking NATOs 75th anniversary. It was at the summit that the 81-year-old Biden made the gaffe, before quickly correcting himself. And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination, ladies and gentlemen, President Putin, Biden said as he announced a NATO-Ukraine compact. Biden turned away from the lectern before coming back and exclaiming: President Putin! Hes going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky Im so focused on beating Putin we gotta worry about it. Anyway, Mr President. Zelensky immediately quipped that he was better than Putin, but the incident intensified concerns about Bidens age and mental acuity. Biden has insisted he is committed to running for another term in November. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The Russian company Tatneft will join the project on rehabilitation of one of the oldest oilfields in Azerbaijan - Bibi-Heybat, where it will work together with SOCAR on the introduction of new technologies, the head of Tatneft Nail Maganov said, Trend reports. He made the announcement during the meeting "Dialogue of Equals" of oil companies with the participants of the V International Oil and Gas Youth Forum in Almetyevsk (RF). "We have very close cooperation with SOCAR. We are now joining the Bibi-Heybat field, where we, together with our colleagues from SOCAR, will implement those technologies available to us," he said, noting that Bibi-Heybat is one of the oldest fields in Azerbaijan. Maganov added that Tatneft is also working together with SOCAR in Turkiye on a project in the field of petrochemical development and reconstruction of oil refineries. "We are working on these issues with our colleagues with pleasure," the head of Tatneft emphasized. To note, the Bibi-Heybat field has been under development onshore in Azerbaijan for more than 100 years, and modern technologies are required to extract its residual oil reserves. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Once upon a time, long before the days of smart phones, pay phones were the most convenient way to reach someone when you were on the go. Jake Rossen delves into a true crime story for Mental Floss centered on these relics from the past, and an anti-hero of sorts who figured out how to rob them of their loot, all while eluding law enforcement and the FBI for years. Pay phones have lockboxes to store the coins deposited in them that are "virtually impregnable," Rossen writes. But they only store about $150 in change, making them less attractive for criminals to spend considerable energy breaking into. "If a would-be thief wanted to even have a shot at getting into the box, they'd have to try smashing it open with a sledge hammer or knock it out of the ground with a tractor." But mechanist James Clark of Akron, Ohio, had a new approach in mind in the early '80s. After spending some time in jail for a fraud scheme, he came out with fresh ideas. He obtained a set of locks used to open pay phone coin boxes, and created custom locksmith tools that would help him puzzle out the mechanisms to unlock different types of coin boxes. Ransacked phones began drawing the attention of local police, but Clark was methodical in when and where he struck, making him impossible to track down. He also liked to troll his marks, sometimes registering under the name of phone bigwig James Bell when staying at hotels near his targets. In all, he may have taken up to $1 million in coins from phone booths, though the total is unknown. He was dubbed the "Telephone Bandit," and appeared on America's Most Wanted twice, UPI reported in 1988, noting that a $25,000 bounty put up by Ohio Bell Telephone was offered for his arrest. A series of tips finally led the FBI to Clark's doorstep in Buena Park, California, where he was arrested in 1988. 'He may not be Jack the Ripper, but he is a one-of-a-kind thief whose total take exceeds $500,000," said special agent Lawrence Lawler at the time. "We're glad to have him corralled." (More in weird crime.) It remains unclear whether President Biden can convince enough Democratic power-brokers and big donors to stay in the race. But on Friday night, at least, he had a good night. At a campaign rally in the swing state of Michigan, supporters chanted "Don't you quit!" and "Four more years!" as Biden made a forceful case for himself, reports USA Today and Politico. "You've probably noticed a lot of speculation lately," Biden told the crowd at Renaissance High School in Detroit. "What's Joe Biden going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? Here's my answer. I am running, and we're going to win." Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy have married in a private Caribbean ceremony, People reports. The comedian, 63, and the Australian model and actress, 44, had been engaged since September 2018. The couple, who have an 8-year-old daughter a 5-year-old son, had a small wedding before friends and family on the island of Anguilla. It's Butcher's first marriage and the second for Murphy, who has eight other children, per the Hollywood Reporter. "He's crazy about his kids and his family," Judge Reinhold, his Beverly Hills Cop costar, recently told People, which has a wedding photo here. "He's a family guy at heart." (More Eddie Murphy stories.) TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) - Medical University of Bahrain announced and celebrated the 2024 recipients of the annual Intern Award Dr Heba AlKoheji, intern at Royal Medical Services - Bahrain Defence Force and Dr Ammar Alalawi, intern at Salmaniya Medical Complex (both Class of 2023), who demonstrated excellent professionalism and competence as well as dedication to patient-centred care to their mentors and colleagues. In attendance at the celebration were Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain; Dr Nichola McLarnon, Head of Quality and Academic Development; Fadi Ghosn, Head of Recognition, Careers and Alumni; Loreen Bahour, Alumni Relations Specialist; and Fatema Frutan, HR Partner for Learning and Development. Reflecting on their internship year, Dr Alkoheji shared, My internship at Royal Medical Services - Bahrain Defence Force has been the most informative and encouraging experience, which has brought me closer to my goals, thanks to the empathy and support of my mentors. While Dr Alalawi shared, My internship experience at Salmaniya Medical Complex was truly transformative and allowed me to immerse myself in the dynamic world of medicine, where every day presented new challenges and opportunities for growth. During the celebration, Professor Otoom congratulated the winners and commented, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain is proud to congratulate Dr Heba AlKoheji and Dr Ammar Alalawi for receiving this years Intern Award. Their seniors and colleagues at Royal Medical Services - Bahrain Defence Force and Salmaniya Medical Complex have praised them highly for their exceptional work and dedication during their internship. We wish Dr AlKoheji and Dr Alalawi continued success in their career progression, and we look forward to witnessing their valuable contributions to healthcare and patient care. The selection of the RCSI Medical University of Bahrain Intern Award winner is based on information received by consultants, residents and colleagues through a Multi- Source Feedback (MSF) evaluation, which is analysed by the Universitys Quality Enhancement Office. With an Alumni network consisting of more than 3,300 graduates, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain equips its graduates with the knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in healthcare in Bahrain and beyond. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com Zain Bahrain, as part of its corporate sustainability strategy focused on advancing youth empowerment, is proud to announce its partnership with Manama Hub's & Khibra & Initiative for their first Meet the Leaders Mentorship Event. This speed mentoring event provided the youth with opportunities for one-to-one discussions with industry leaders and gain insights from a career planning session delivered by Zain. Khibra is an overarching mentorship initiative, encompassing events and programs covering diverse sectors. The initiative aims to provide young individuals with the necessary guidance and support to excel in their careers. As a key partner, Zain Bahrain has played a pivotal role in supporting Manama Hub to host its inaugural event - a speed mentorship event in Zain Bahrain Tower. This innovative formatallowed mentees to engage with multiple mentors, offering a unique opportunity to gain personalized insights from a diverse range of experts. The event featured mentors from 10 industries, including IT, banking, marketing, semi-government, and fintech, with 30 mentors in total, 7 of whom are from Zain. Fatema Haider, Zain Bahrain Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Culture commented, At Zain Bahrain, we are committed to empowering the next generation of leaders. This collaboration provides innovative opportunities for our employees and young Bahrainis to receive invaluable guidance and support, helping them navigate their careers and achieve their full potential. Yara Abdulhameed Shaper from Manama Hub commented, Believing in the transformational power of mentorship, Manama Hub launched Khibra. The initiative aims to connect youth with experienced professionals, to empower them to advance their career. The positive feedback from the participating youth emphasized the need for such programs and we look forward to continuing expanding Khibras impact. The 'Khibra' initiative is a testament to Zain Bahrain's unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders. Zain Bahrain is deeply committed to equipping and supporting the youth with the skills and knowledge of the future. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. Kazakhstan plays a vital role in the development of the Trans-Caspian transport network, the European Commissions spokesperson Adalbert Jahnz said in an exclusive interview with Trend. "Transport cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan has grown in recent years. October 2022 saw Horizontal Aviation Agreement negotiations resume. The EU-funded study on sustainable transport linkages between Europe and Central Asia has also opened up new cooperation options between the EU and all five Central Asian nations, including Kazakhstan, which is crucial to regional transport connectivity," he said. According to Jahnz, the study identified 33 hard infrastructure investment needs across the region (for example modernization of existing railways and roads, additional links, fleet expansion, port capacity expansion, rolling stock, logistics centers, warehousing) and seven soft connectivity actions (for example trade facilitation, tariff harmonization, customs procedures, border controls, interoperability, market liberalization). "These are all specific, concrete, implementable and realistic actions that can contribute to the competitiveness, economic attractiveness and operational efficiency of the Trans-Caspian Transport network and offer opportunities for all the five Central Asian countries to maximize their sustainable economic development by being better connecter with each other and with Europe," Jahnz said. He stated that the ballpark figure of investment needed to get the corridor up and running is approximately 18.5 billion euros for the nitty-gritty connectivity issues alone. "Therefore, as Team Europe, the EU involves the European financial institutions, but also other international financing institutions, the private sector and like-minded countries in coordination efforts among various potential investors. In January 2024, at the Global Gateway Investors Forum for EU-Central Asia Transport Connectivity, the Commission announced the commitment of 10 billion euros in support and investments towards sustainable transport connectivity in Central Asia. A dedicated Coordination Platform for the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor was also recently launched in Astana, chaired by the European Commission and hosted by the government of Kazakhstan," the spokesperson said. According to him, cargo traffic along the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor has already tripled since it started operations in 2017 and further doubled following the war in Ukraine. "If key issues, bottlenecks, capacity shortages, and other connectivity issues (including soft connectivity like customs, border crossings, and documentation) are addressed in coordination with all key partners, it can handle more land-based trade between Europe and Asia. Based on the EU-funded study on sustainable transport connections between Europe and Central Asia from June 2023, the European Commission is focusing on improving operational efficiency and economic attractiveness of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor under the Global Gateway Strategy. This work continues in close consultation with all five Central Asian countries and other relevant stakeholders, including in the South Caucasus and Turkiye, guided by the EU's inclusive approach to regional connectivity to support sustainable economic development in all countries," he added. To note, from early 2025, the EU will finance a Central Asia Transport Program, currently under preparation, to advance regulatory and legislative reforms, assist with improving soft connectivity aspects in the Corridor, and support acceleration of investments in transport infrastructure. This will be complemented by a Central Asia Prosperity Program (beginning operations in the second half of 2024), which, among other elements, will strengthen trade facilitation and digitalization along the Corridor. Kazakhstan will be among the beneficiaries of both programs. Photo: Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 13. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has updated Kazakhstan on the implementation of projects in the first half of the year, Trend reports. Information about the projects was presented to the Minister of Finance, Madi Takiyev, by Managing Director for Central Asia at the EBRD Huseyin Ozhan. During the meeting, the parties also discussed the implementation of promising projects and addressed issues related to providing technical assistance for these projects. Following the meeting, Takiyev thanked the entire EBRD team for their willingness to support the sustainable development of Kazakhstan's economy. As of February 29, 2024, the EBRD's current project portfolio in Kazakhstan amounts to 2.8 billion euros, encompassing 119 active projects. Overall, the bank has invested approximately 10 billion euros across 317 projects in Kazakhstan, making it the EBRD's largest and longest-standing banking engagement in Central Asia. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 13. Kazakhstan and Georgia have discussed issues of increasing cargo transportation along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), Trend reports. Discussions on this topic took place between the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Georgia Malik Murzalin and the First Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia Levan Davitashvili. In this regard, the importance of the positive involvement of the Georgian side in all processes in various negotiation formats related to the development of this route was noted. Murzalin informed Davitashvili about the ongoing socio-economic reforms in Kazakhstan, government programs for the development of the transport and tourism sectors. Georgian companies were invited to take a more active role in the Kazakh market by investing and creating joint ventures in promising areas. In turn, Davitashvili noted that Kazakhstan is a friendly and reliable partner of Georgia. According to Georgian statistics, trade turnover between the two countries increased 2.7 times last year, exceeding $735 million. Thus, Kazakhstan today is Georgias 8th largest trading partner. To note, tourism is a priority area of bilateral cooperation. Kazakhstan ranks 6th in terms of the number of tourists coming to Georgia. In 2023, this figure increased by 40 percent and reached 167,000 people. The dynamic growth of the tourist flow between the two countries is facilitated by 36 direct weekly flights from five cities in Kazakhstan to three large cities in Georgia. The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes. The man accused in a shooting Tuesday night in a busy downtown section of Wildwood that critically injured a bystander has been taken into custody and a second man has been charged with hindering apprehension, local officials said Friday. William C. Hoyle, 40, of Wildwood, turned himself in to authorities in Camden County on Thursday. He is charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault and weapons offenses, the Cape May County Prosecutors Office announced Friday. The shooting on the 3800 block of Pacific Avenue at 10:26 p.m. critically injured a 20-year-old woman from Lithuania. She suffered a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said. Officials from Moreys Piers in Wildwood said she is an employee of the boardwalk amusement parks company. The woman was taken to Atlantic City Medical Center. Wildwood police did not have an update on her condition Friday afternoon. Moreys Piers in Wildwood told NBC10 Philadelphia that Gruzdgyte was an international student and employee of the company earlier this week. Investigators obtained a search warrant for a residence on the 4700 block of Pacific Avenue on Wednesday where they found clothing that matched the description of the gunman and a 9mm handgun, authorities said. As a result of the search warrant, a 45-year-old man was charged with third-degree hindering apprehension. He was issued a summons and released, according to prosecutors. Hoyle was transferred into the custody of Wildwood police and the Cape May County Prosecutors Office and is being held in the Cape May County jail awaiting a court appearance, officials said in a news release Friday. An attorney for Hoyle was not immediately listed Friday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A man wanted for robbing a bishop in New York City was gunned down by eight U.S. Marshals in the parking lot of a South Brunswick motel earlier this year, officials said. The New Jersey Attorney Generals Office released video footage of the shooting on Friday but provided few other details about the incident. A Morris County man who admitted killing his wife in 2020 at the home they shared for 20 years was sentenced Friday to 15 years in state prison, officials said. Alexander Jacobs, 79, of East Hanover, pleaded guilty on May 31 to first-degree aggravated manslaughter for the death of his wife, 71-year-old Lilia Jacobs on March 26, 2020, according to a release from the Morris County Prosecutors Office. That day, officers from the East Hanover Township Police Department were called the Jacobs home on Selmar Terrace for a 911 call shortly after 2 p.m., the office said. Jacobs asked his daughter, Lilia Jacobs step-daughter, to call the police after he pulled the trigger, Jacobs lawyer Vincent Nuzzi said during initial court proceedings. Police found Jacobs daughter outside the home, with Jacobs pacing back and forth near the door with his gun at his side, Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn said at the time. Jacobs dropped the gun when ordered to by East Hanover police. I know I killed my wife, Jacobs said in front of an officer, an affidavit of probable cause said. Officers found Lilia Jacobs lying in the living room with a head wound, the affidavit said. A shell casing was near her body. The investigation revealed that Jacobs shot his wife in the head resulting in her death after he discharged a loaded .380 Beretta, the office said. Nuzzi did not deny in court that Jacobs shot his wife, but said the shooting was an accident. Jacobs has been in custody throughout the duration of this case. He did not have a prior history criminal history, and worked as a physicist in the department of radiation and oncology at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, Nuzzi said. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. By David Sypher Donald Trumps recent felony conviction has made me reflect deeply on the dismal direction of my party. Im a lifelong Republican, ran for office as a Republican, and yes, I voted for Trump before. His conviction is not just a legal issue; it is a microcosm of a larger problem within the Republican Party and highlights how far weve fallen as a nation. Trumps modus operandi revolves around the politics of divisiveness, much like authoritarian rulers throughout history. He doesnt just target his violent rhetoric at his political opponents -- he also targets minority groups, the disabled, and anyone he thinks his fans will like to hear him demean and insult. As a black Republican, its extremely disappointing to see, but this is the direction Trumps leadership has taken the party of Lincoln. The GOP once stood up for civil liberties, freedom, and equality for all. It was the party that abolished slavery. And now, with the Republican National Convention days away, it is best known for having a leader who regularly engages in stereotyping, dog-whistling, and outright racism. So I knew I had to take action. I made a testimonial video for Republican Voters Against Trump, a group of Republicans mobilizing former Trump voting voices like mine. If enough of my fellow Republicans join this movement, we will be able to restore the party to what it used to be, one that champions freedom, justice, and integrity. I was brought up in the Reagan Era of the Republican Party. Reagan understood Americas role on the global stage. He knew we had to stand up to Russia and the dictators of the world. He knew our role was to spread democracy and freedom and confront authoritarianism. Trump, however, admires those same autocrats and praises them, openly and proudly. This shift has fostered a growing wing of isolationist Republicans, a direct consequence of Trumps leadership. He has openly talked about not defending Taiwan, not honoring NATO obligations, and cutting off support for Ukraine, giving a huge win to Vladimir Putin. If Trump wins this November, Russia will have free reign to march through Europe. China will attack Taiwan. And NATO allies will be hung out to dry when they need our help. Trumps isolationist desires signify our lack of accountability, a characteristic Trump embodies: Hes a convicted felon, yet he has still not faced any repercussions for stealing classified documents or for inciting a riot at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Along the way, he has argued that he should be immune from any prosecution for actions taken while in office. I cant imagine what Republicans would say if a Democrat president said they could commit crimes with impunity. The hypocrisy is staggering. Our country stands at a crossroads. We must decide if we will continue down the path of division, authoritarianism, and isolationism, or if we will return to the values that made America a beacon of hope and freedom. As much as it pains me to say it, our party has lost its way under Trump. This election is about more than policy differences; its about the very soul of our nation. Thats why i will be voting to protect democracy in this election. If Joe Biden is the nominee, I will vote for him -- not because I love his policies, but because our countrys democratic future will be safe in his hands. Liz Cheney said it best: The nation can survive bad policy. We cant survive a president who goes to war with the Constitution. Its time for all of us who believe in the principles of our nations founding -- freedom, equality, and justice for all -- and to take a stand against the danger that Trump represents. Our partys future and the future of our democracy depend on it. Voting for Biden, while not an easy decision, is a necessary step to protect and restore the core values of our country. David Sypher, a lifelong Republican from Rahway, is a member of Republican Voters Against Trump. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. To shop from the baby registry, go rogue with a gift off-registry or just give money? Thats always the question when the baby shower invitations start piling up. Choosing a gift off the baby registry, provided your family member has one, is a fantastic way to ensure youre giving something the expectant parents truly need and want. It takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect present and allows you to contribute to their journey into parenthood in a meaningful way and one that keeps your budget in check. However, giving a monetary gift offers a different kind of flexibility and convenience. It allows the soon-to-be parents to use the funds on items they might not have thought to put on their registry or ones they may have wanted but didnt receive. Beyond that, financial gifts go a long way in addressing unexpected needs that come up as they prepare for the arrival of their little one and, even more importantly, when the baby is finally here. The amount you choose will largely depend on your relationship with the expectant parent. Here are some helpful guidelines based on your level of closeness: Distant relatives or acquaintances (perhaps youre a great aunt or uncle, distant cousin): $25 to $75. Maybe youre a cousin once removed, or perhaps youve only met the mama-to-be a couple of times at family gatherings. A gift in this range shows your enthusiasm and support without breaking the bank. Whether its in cash, a check or even a gift card to Amazon, Target, Pottery Barn Kids, etc. this amount is truly versatile and can be used towards anything from onesies and diaper creams to toys, teethers, rattles and more. Extended family (you may be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, cousin, close family friend): $75 to $150. If youve grown up alongside the mom or dad to-be and celebrated plenty of life milestones together or watched, with pride, as theyve stepped into new chapters of their life, then you might consider stretching your budget a bit. A gift in this range can help cover a stroller, car seat, baby monitor or help with the practical expenses that usually come with having a newborn, such as diapers, wipes or baby clothes. Immediate family (youre the closest ones to the guests of honor, parents, siblings, godparents): $150+ Theres a good chance youve been awaiting the arrival of your new niece or nephew or feeling absolutely overjoyed at the thought of your own child stepping into the role of a parent and raising up a new generation. A gift in this range symbolizes just how much you care about their growing family, and that you will always be there to lift them up and cheer them on through each new milestone #ittakesavillage. This sum can help offset substantial expenses like high-end nursery furniture, birth or new family photo sessions, personalized or heirloom keepsakes or wardrobe must-haves. It runs in the family Pooling your resources together and contributing money towards a more extravagant gift one that the couple may have thought was too pie in the sky is also a great idea. For new grandparents, consider a college fund, such as a 529 plan, which could give your new grandchild the gift of higher education. For siblings or cousins, if you know your family member will be having much less me time in a matter of months, then you can gift the new parents a deluxe spa day package to use at a time of their choosing one that might include massages, facials or other indulgences that give them a well-deserved break and a chance to unwind amidst the hectic newborn stage. And dont underestimate the power of sanity-savers, too: things like a house cleaning service, a meal-delivery service or a heartfelt offer to come over and watch the baby for a few hours while the new parents take a nap. Whatever the gift, know that its a token of your unwavering love and support for the new family and the legacy theyre building together. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. The 79-year-old man in Clark who was pulled from a home by a county SWAT team on July 3 had fired at least 20 bullets into a neighbors home using a long gun, police said in an affidavit of probable cause obtained by NJ Advance Media. Police said Kenneth Kutyla rode up his driveway in a motorized wheelchair around 12:26 a.m. and started firing shots from a .45 caliber rifle into a neighbors home while at least four people were inside. The shooting was unprovoked, authorities said in the document. Several of the bullets passed within a short distance of one of the people inside the house, officials said in charging documents. An attorney for Kutyla did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Clark police responded to the neighbors residence on Stanton Street for reports of gunfire entering the house and large explosions, police said in the document. Bullet holes were scattered along the side of the house, including near basement windows, the kitchen window and walls, and living room windows and wall, authorities said. Inside, police reported finding glass and debris from the gunfire. The neighbor told authorities she was inside the house at the time of the shooting with her three kids and had video of the shooting captured on surveillance cameras. Police said the surveillance camera caught a suspect, whom the neighbor later identified as Kutyla, ride up his driveway adjacent to the neighbors house and stop behind a car. In the driveway, from about 10 feet away, police said Kutyla raised the rifle and began shooting toward the basement and kitchen windows, where lights were still on. Witnesses told police during the initial investigation that the gunfire came in volleys, and police said surveillance video captured muzzle fire from the rifle and audio of the gun firing. Authorities made their way into Kutylas home where they found him with the rifle and an assortment of ammunition, according to the document. He was charged with four counts of first-degree attempted murder, as well as other assault and weapons charges, police said. A total of 23 shell casings were recovered from the scene and 20 projectiles were found inside the home, police said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A state appeals court has overturned the murder conviction of a man who was accused of a convenience store parking lot killing when he was 18-years-old. Darwens Cadet, of Roselle, was convicted at trial in February 2020 of shooting 27-year-old Brian Pierre at a 7-Eleven in Linden in April 2018. Cadet, who is now 24, had been serving a 40-year prison term. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 13. Kyrgyzstan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed two agreements totaling $106 million, Trend reports. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Finance, Minister Almaz Baketayev signed the documents representing Kyrgyzstan, while ADB's Country Director Zheng Wu signed on behalf of the bank's resident mission in the country. The agreements encompass the Sustainable Fiscal Management and Governance Improvement Program, valued at $50 million, and the Issyk-Kul Environmental Management and Sustainable Tourism Development Project, amounting to $56 million. In addition to these commitments, discussions addressed joint plans for enhancing the State Development Bank of Kyrgyzstan. Minister Baketayev also proposed the establishment of a Central Asian Guarantee Fund with an operational base in Kyrgyzstan. For reference, the $50 million allocated for the Sustainable Fiscal Management and Governance Improvement Program, includes a $43 million policy-based concessional loan and a $7 million grant from the Asian Development Fund (ADF). This initiative aims to bolster public financial management, enhance corporate governance and procurement practices of state-owned enterprises, refine tax policies and administration, and elevate transparency and accountability within public administration. These reforms are anticipated to foster resilient and inclusive economic growth. Regarding the Issyk-Kul Environmental Management and Sustainable Tourism Development Project, ADB's funding includes a $25 million concessional loan and a $31 million grant from the ADF. These funds will be utilized to construct climate-resilient infrastructure, such as a wastewater treatment plant, pumping stations, and upgraded sewer systems in key areas like Cholpon-Ata, the primary resort town in the Issyk-Kul region. These developments are critical for supporting resorts, guesthouses, residential, and business districts, aiming to safeguard the pristine environment of Issyk-Kul Lake. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. "As a captain supervising the department that investigates misconduct by members of NOPD, (Sabrina) Richardson should be held to a higher standard," Fourth Circuit judges wrote in their decision. "We believe that it is fair to expect such a high-ranking member of NOPD to report a pattern of abuse, not profit from it." ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 13. Turkmenistan and State of Qatar discussed the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Trend reports. According to the official source, this topic was discussed during the meeting of the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Qatar, Myratgeldi Seyitmammedov, with the Acting Director General of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ali Saeed Bu Sharbak Al Mansori. During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for the development of bilateral trade and economic cooperation, noting the importance of establishing partnerships in such areas as the food industry, agriculture and construction. The Ambassador noted that the establishment of direct contacts between entrepreneurs of the two countries, as well as the holding of the first meeting of the Joint Business Council, will give a powerful impetus to the expansion of partnership in this direction. In conclusion, the diplomat expressed gratitude for the meeting and assured that the relevant departments of the country will work to continue cooperation in the above-mentioned areas. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Qatar are developing close cooperation in various fields, including energy, infrastructure, and culture, striving for a sustainable partnership that contributes to the economic and social progress of both countries and the region as a whole. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 13. Acting Special Coordinator for the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) Helaina Matza will travel to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on July 14-19, Trend reports. According to the US Department of State, the purpose of the visit is to advance the ongoing US-led efforts to facilitate strategic infrastructure investments in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor, or the so-called Middle Corridor. During the visit to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, she will meet with government officials and private sector partners to discuss potential infrastructure projects and financing opportunities. The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum's 16th annual Old Car Show is ready to roll. The vintage car show returns to the three-story history museum at 2405 Indiana Ave., Suite. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 20. It costs $20 to register a vehicle, which must be at least $30 years old. The public can check out the cars for $3 while it's free for Historical Society members and children under the age of 18 years old. "Admission into the Museum is included with car show tickets. Food trucks and vendors will be on-site," Assistant Director Savannah Jackson said. "We look forward to seeing you all at this fantastic event." People also can check out the Trail Creek History Pop-Up exhibit that highlights influential residents, local businesses and the Battle of Trail Creek. The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum has a number of exhibits, including period rooms that show what daily life was like in different eras and a recreation of serial killer Belle Gunness's farm that's complete with a human skull of one of her victims. Museum displays include vintage cars such as a DeLorean of "Back to the Future" fame, an antique weapons collection, fossils and the mechanical Otto Giese miniature church that was crafted by a soldier during World War II who promised while praying that hed make something special for the community if he survived the Battle of the Bulge, crafting a scale-model New England Gothic-style church with doll congregants that's often visited as a holiday ritual during the Christmas season. For more information, visit laportecountyhistory.org or call 219-324-6767. CROWN POINT A man who forced his ex-girlfriend's friend to come to his house with him shot his ex-girlfriend when she showed up to his Gary home to protest, newly filed court documents show. Ta'Tre Glover, 23, of Gary, was charged Tuesday with felony attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, unlawful carrying of a handgun, pointing a firearm and a misdemeanor count of unlawful carrying of a handgun. He also faces a firearm enhancement, which adds between five and 20 years onto a prison sentence if a person is convicted. The woman and her friend, a juvenile, were sitting outside her home July 5 when Glover pulled up to the address unannounced, according to a probable cause affidavit. Glover told the juvenile to come with him and got out of his car. Glover supposedly dragged the juvenile to his car amid protest from the woman. Glover then pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her, but did not shoot. When the juvenile was at Glover's residence on the 2100 block of Georgia Street, they heard a knock at the door, the affidavit. Glover looked out the peep hole, "got mad," opened the door and pushed the woman. He then shot her in the head, chest and knee, according to the affidavit, and fled the scene. Police have not been able to speak to her due to her medical status, the document said. She was transferred from Methodist Northlake Campus to a Chicago-area hospital for more advanced treatment. Glover was arrested Thursday, online court records show. He is being held without bail. His formal court appearance is scheduled for July 18. Dollar General, which has locations in nearly every major Northwest Indiana city and town, reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor this week that will require the company to make safety investments in its stores across the country. Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspections found a number of safety issues, including blocked emergency exits, blocked electrical panels, blocked fire extinguishers and unsafe storage in Dollar General discount stores. The Tennessee-based chain agreed to pay a fine of $12 million and adopt company-wide safety standards for its 19,000 locations nationwide. It will hire more safety managers, reduce inventory to prevent blocked exits, stock its inventory more efficiently to prevent unsafe material storage, provide more health and safety training, develop a health and safety committee and encourage employees to participate in health safety initiatives. This agreement commits Dollar General to making worker safety a priority by implementing significant and systematic changes in its operations to improve accountability and compliance, and it gives Dollar General employees essential input on ensuring their own health and safety, said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas Parker in the department's announcement of the settlement. These changes help give peace of mind to thousands of workers, knowing that they are not risking their safety in their workplaces and that they will come home healthy at the end of each day. Dollar General has stores in Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Merrillville, Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Dyer, Highland, Schererville, Portage, Valparaiso, LaPorte and Michigan City. The retailer brought in consultants to identify hazards and auditors to do unannounced audits. It created a Safety Operations Center to detect store hazards and set up an anonymous hotline so employees can report concerns. The company is required by the agreement to correct hazards related to blocked exits, electrical panels, access to fire extinguishers and unsafe storage within 48 hours. If it fails to do so, it could pay a fine of $100,000 a day. A new bill aims to "level the playing field" for American steel companies by limiting Chinese steel imports. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, and U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, co-sponsored the bipartisan Leveling the Playing Field Act 2.0 that was introduced by U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell, D-Ala. U.S. Sens. Todd Young, R-Ind., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, are sponsoring the legislation in the Senate. The bill aims to toughen U.S. trade remedy laws in order to combat Chinese trade practices and protect American jobs. Thank you to Rep. Sewell for your steadfast leadership to update U.S. trade remedy laws and combat unfair trade practices, Mrvan said. Every effort must be taken to ensure that American workers can compete on a level playing field and thrive in our global economy. I look forward to continuing to work with all of my colleagues to advance this critical legislation to support the ability of all American workers to grow our economy and provide for our national security. Mrvan said it's a critical issue that affects the economy, workers' livelihood and national security. He said the federal government needed to ensure "the protection of the steel industry from unfair trade practices, particularly those emanating from bad actors like China." "For decades, the American steel industry has been the backbone of our nation's infrastructure from skyscrapers that define the cities to bridges that connect our communities to our national security," he said. "However, in recent years, the steel industry has faced unprecedented challenges due to the flood of unfairly traded steel imports. Predatory pricing, state subsidies and other unfair trade practices have distorted global markets, allowing China to dump cheap steel and undermining the very existence of our steel industry. In Northwest Indiana, my grandfather came over from Czechoslovakia to work in the steel industry. He worked there for 53 years. Thousands upon thousands of workers are dependent on the U.S. steel industry. My job as a U.S. Congressman is to leverage that office to protect those jobs and industries. What's on the end of these trade policies is people's livelihoods." The bill cracks down on "country hopping" to escape antidumping and countervailing tariffs, makes it easier to bring new cases against repeat offenders, speeds up successive investigations, factors in government subsidies through China's Belt and Road initiative, establishes new statutory requirements for anti-circumvention and sets deadlines for final determinations. In addition to United Steelworkers union support, the bill has the backing of steelmakers. By strengthening the effectiveness of the U.S. trade laws, this bill will help give the American public confidence that their government has every tool available to fight for a level playing field for the American steel industry and our workers, said Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute. We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Johnson and Sewell in once again spearheading the fight to crack down on unfair trade and help preserve American jobs, competitiveness and cleaner American steel. Vera Bradley, one of Indiana's best known and most iconic brands, is undergoing a major transformation. The Fort Wayne-based bag and luggage designer and retailer rolled out a new logo, website, store renovations and product line. It's refreshing its look with more modern silhouettes and upgraded fabrics like cotton gabardine, oxford canvas and full-grain leather. Vera Bradley hired the quirky "manic pixie dream girl" actress Zooey Deschanel of "(500) Days of Summer" and "Elf" fame as its new spokeswoman. She will be featured in billboards, print and digital ads touting products like the Astoria Shoulder Bag and Springbrook Sling Crossbody. I love what the Vera Bradley brand stands for uplifting women and helping them express themselves. Plus, all of the patterns and colors make the brand fun to wear, Deschanel said in a news release. When it comes to bags, I choose options that reflect my own style but are also functional for everything I need to do in a day. This new collection has a bag to match every mood, activity, and outfit. The new products sell for between $15 and $295. They include redesigned duffels, backpacks and handbags. After months of analyzing our business, our competition, our customers, and industry trends, we made the strategic decision to pivot priorities and consciously invest in elevating and reinvigorating Vera Bradley in order to restore our brand relevance. This next chapter focuses on meeting the needs of todays dynamic woman, while honoring and celebrating the DNA of our brand that generations of women have loved for more than 40 years, Vera Bradley President and CEO Jacqueline Ardrey said. Vera Bradley has revamped all its stores and plans to add three more this year. It operates an outlet store in the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet in Michigan City. Every element of this transformation was thoughtfully debated, discussed, and decided on by our team, said Chief Marketing Officer Alison Hiatt. We are strategically marketing our distinctive and unique position as a beloved brand that connects with our core customer on a deep, emotional level. At one point in her life, she had a Vera Bradley bag maybe its saved in her closet, or maybe shes passed it down to the next generation but were ready to be part of her life again, and meet her where she is today. We hope this fresh take on Vera Bradley not only fits into her life seamlessly, but also delights her as she cultivates the unique sense of style that makes her so damned interesting, as we like to say. Hoosier military veterans facing financial hardship can receive $500 for each child or college student living in their household to purchase school supplies or other education essentials. The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs is making money available through the state's Military Family Relief Fund for a third consecutive year to help the children of eligible veterans start their school year on the right foot. "The financial challenges of preparing for a new school year can be overwhelming, especially for veteran families trying to make ends meet on an everyday basis," said Dennis Wimer, director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. "Operation Back to School is our way of offering tangible assistance through the Military Family Relief Fund to ensure children have the tools they need to succeed, and veterans receive the support they deserve." To qualify, a veteran must have served in any branch of the U.S. military or National Guard and possess appropriate discharge paperwork. The applicant must also provide documentation confirming the number of school-age children living in his or her household, the veteran's limited financial resources, residency in Indiana, and the ability to receive direct deposit of the money in a checking or savings account. Funding requests can be submitted starting Monday. The deadline to apply for Operation Back to School funds is Aug. 30. More information about the program, and the application, are available online by clicking the Military Family Relief Fund link at in.gov/dva. Gallery: Get to know the state symbols of Indiana State Aircraft: Republic Aviation P-47 Thunderbolt State Bird: Cardinal State Flag State Flower: Peony State Fossil: Mastodon State Gun: Grouseland Rifle State Insect: Say's Firefly State Language: English Defining 'Da Region' is up for debate: 'Don't be delusional' State Nickname: The Hoosier State State Pie: Sugar Cream Pie (unofficial) State Poem: "Indiana" State River: Wabash State Seal State Snack: Indiana-Grown Popcorn State Song: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" State Stone: Limestone State Tree: Tulip tree President Biden on Friday strove to turn the nations attention back to former President Donald J. Trump, delivering a fiery and energetic speech in battleground Michigan that painted his Republican rival as a convict, a rapist and a cheater while simultaneously attacking the news media for an insufficient focus on such misdeeds. Even as Mr. Biden faces mounting pressure from congressional Democrats and major donors, he largely ignored the brewing Democratic revolt over his refusal to drop out of the race, beyond an emphatic statement that I am running, and were going to win. The presidents defiance, and the crowds enthusiastic response, helped give the Biden event at a Detroit high school gym the flavor of a Trump rally at times. When Mr. Biden referred to his political opponent, there were chants of Lock him up which the president did not discourage. When he criticized news media coverage, big cheers followed, with his supporters turning to boo and point fingers at reporters. Mr. Biden thundered that his rival was a convicted criminal and a business fraud, and said that he had raped the writer E. Jean Carroll, whom Mr. Trump was found liable of sexually abusing by a civil court. President Biden on Friday told a Democratic lawmaker who called for him to step aside that voters should touch me, poke me, ask me questions if they have doubts about his ability to serve in the Oval Office or defeat former President Donald J. Trump in November. Mr. Biden made the remarks during a virtual meeting with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, according to a partial transcript of the exchange obtained by The New York Times. He was responding to Representative Mike Levin of California, who told Mr. Biden during the meeting that he believed the president should not continue his bid for another term, according to two people familiar with the call. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it. Mr. Levin is the 19th member of Congress to call for him to step aside in the two weeks since Mr. Bidens disastrous debate performance, but he is the first one known to have done so directly to the president even virtually. Thats why Im going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions, Mr. Biden told Mr. Levin. I think I know what Im doing, because the truth of the matter is Im going to say something outrageous no president in three years has done what we have in three years other than Franklin Roosevelt. Meta on Friday said it was rolling back some restrictions to former President Donald J. Trumps Facebook and Instagram accounts so people on its services could hear from those running for the presidency on the same basis. Under the restrictions on Mr. Trumps accounts, he could have been suspended from Metas services which also include Threads and WhatsApp if he had posted content that sought to delegitimize this Novembers election, among other things. But Meta said it was now relaxing those restrictions, reducing the potential for a suspension if Mr. Trump violated the companys terms of service. The move further returns Mr. Trumps social media accounts to what they had been before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. At the time, Mr. Trumps Facebook and Instagram accounts were indefinitely suspended on the grounds that his posts ran the risk of inciting more violence. Last year, Meta reinstated Mr. Trumps accounts, but with the restrictions. As of Friday, those penalties are no longer applicable. We believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis, Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs, said in a statement. He said the penalties placed on Mr. Trumps accounts had been a response to extreme and extraordinary circumstances after Jan. 6, and were no longer needed. In February 2022, new to New York and seeking bleeding-edge culture, I found myself at a poetry reading at KGB, an Eastern Bloc-themed bar in the East Village. The nights second reader took the stage, a solid black crucifix tattooed on her sternum, and read the King James Version of Lamentations, flawlessly and intensely, from start to finish. And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace, she intoned. I forgat prosperity. I had spent my adult life distancing myself from a Protestant upbringing. The last avant-garde idea I expected to find in New York City was Christianity. Yet Christian symbolism was everywhere, in good faith and bad. So-called Trad-Cath influencers swooned for Jesus on social media, a trend that may have peaked in August 2022 when an essay published in the opinion section of The New York Times wondered if Catholicisms coolness could revitalize the church. In the art galleries, the crucifixes and reliquaries, the angels and demons, felt less like fast fashion. Young artists like Chris Lloyd, Brian Oakes, Rachel Rossin and Harris Rosenblum are among those taking spiritual matters seriously. They mingle not at church but at downtown New York galleries and project spaces, especially Blade Study, Saras and Dunkunsthalle. And theyre tech savvy, freely mixing 3-D printing, electronics, digital animation and A.I. But what unites them more than any particular medium is a return to big questions: Why are we here? Who should we serve? In response, theyre building iconography from pieces of other belief systems: some role-playing games and anime, some major religions. The composer Arnold Schonberg revolutionized the course of Western classical music. By dismantling the tonal system of major and minor keys as he self-consciously placed himself in the German tradition, he is also one of the 20th centurys most polarizing figures. The 150th anniversary of his birth is being celebrated this year with exhibits, concerts and workshops. The official birthday concert is scheduled for Sept. 13 at the Musikverein in Vienna, with the monumental Gurre-Lieder (Songs of Gurre) performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and conducted by its music director, Petr Popelka. Also in September, the Austrian Cultural Forum in New York will unveil an exhibit to commemorate the anniversary. And from July 27 to Aug. 24, the Salzburg Festival will present the concert series Time With Schonberg, juxtaposing the composer with everyone from his contemporary Maurice Ravel to his disciple Alban Berg. Schonbergs theories emerged from a forward-looking intellectual climate in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century that included Sigmund Freud and painters such as Oskar Kokoschka and Gustav Klimt. The composer would write some of his most important works in Berlin, however, which he also established as a home base starting in 1912. After Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933, Schonberg emigrated to Los Angeles, where he spent the last two decades of his life. Staging The Oresteia, Aeschyluss epic Greek tragedy, is a daunting task for any theater company, especially if you add a dash of Sophocles and Euripides when portraying one of historys most dysfunctional families. The Thalia Theater in Hamburg, Germany, will premiere its nearly four-hour production Die Orestie at the Salzburg Festival for eight performances Aug. 3-15 (and in Hamburg starting Oct. 30). It is adapted and directed by Nicolas Stemann, who has staged two plays at the festival: a nine-hour adaptation of Goethes Faust in 2011 and Die Rauber (The Robbers) by Friedrich Schiller in 2008. This production, which takes its name from the Aeschylus three-part epic and is to be performed in German with English supertitles, combines three playwrights versions of the tragedies that befall the fabled house of Atreus. In the Aeschylus play, first staged in 458 B.C., Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, returns from the Trojan War but is killed by his wife, Clytemnestra, to avenge the sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia in an effort to win the war. Their son, Orestes, urged by the god Apollo, kills Clytemnestra, only to be pursued by the Furies, the goddesses of vengeance. Only when the goddess Athena intervenes is he granted justice and allowed to live. The Sophocles play Electra (its exact date is unknown, but most scholars put it around 420 to 414 or 416 B.C.) explores his sisters revenge against their mother. And the Euripides play Orestes, first staged in 408 B.C., gives a more cynical take on his fate: Only after a bloody rampage and an intervention by Apollo are the condemned siblings allowed to live. The novelist Dinaw Mengestu thinks deeply about how stories are told, especially migrant tales. His earlier books The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears, How to Read the Air and All Our Names explored the psychic tolls on Ethiopian immigrants of being adrift in an alien American landscape. With Someone Like Us, out this month from Knopf, Mengestu approaches this essential material from a variety of angles. The main character, Mamush, who was born in the United States but lives in France, is a disillusioned journalist. He returns to visit his mother outside Washington, D.C., and finds that Samuel, an enigmatic father figure and member of the local Ethiopian community, has mysteriously died. Mamush embarks on a quest to unravel the secrets of Samuels life and death, searching his own foggy memories as well as a paper trail that includes court documents and parking tickets to flesh out Samuels precarious, itinerant existence as a cabdriver in America. If looked at closely, Mamush says, these records say something about a larger story still being written about America and why people came to it and what they found when they did. In the late 1960s, Ethel Lawrence and her husband lived with their children in a two-story house on an acre of land in Mount Laurel, N.J. Her family had lived in the township for generations, and she wanted her children to be able to live there, too. But the area was changing, fast. The township, near Philadelphia, had been home to Black families like the Lawrences since before the Civil War, when it was a stop on the underground railroad. Then, in the decades after World War II, the federal government financed the construction of highways and tracts of single-family homes. White families fleeing cities like Camden, N.J., and Philadelphia tripled Mount Laurels population between 1950 and 1970. When the township sought to condemn an area of dilapidated homes, where some of the towns Black residents lived, Ms. Lawrence jumped into action. She and her husband owned their home, but Ms. Lawrence was concerned that other Black or Latino residents would be forced out. With a local minister and a community group, she came up with a plan to build 36 new affordable units, even securing $35,000 in state grants to study it. But there was a big hurdle: Mount Laurels planning board said the project wasnt allowed under its zoning code. Two adults living at a New York City migrant shelter were diagnosed with measles, a preventable but highly contagious respiratory illness, city health officials said on Friday. The citys Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is coordinating with the local hospital system to ensure that anyone whos been exposed gets the support and resources they need, according to a news release from the department. As of Friday, the circle of people who might have been infected was limited to those residing on one floor of the shelter, health officials said. The shelter, on Hall Street, is in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. The close quarters of shelters can often exacerbate the spread of respiratory illnesses. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the coronavirus spread rapidly through crowded homeless shelters in the city. Measles can cause high fever, coughing and rashes, among other symptoms. It can also lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis, especially among children under the age of 5. Symptoms can appear one to two weeks after contact with the virus that causes measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A person with the illness can infect nine out of 10 people nearby if they are not vaccinated against it, according to the agency. Five months after the longtime face of the gun rights movement, Wayne LaPierre, was found liable for misspending $5.4 million of the National Rifle Associations money, the gun groups leadership will return next week to a Manhattan courtroom. For the N.R.A. itself, the stakes this time will be far higher. Mr. LaPierre stepped down as the groups chief executive in January, on the eve of the first phase of the trial, which featured testimony about years of lavish spending and executive perks, including Zegna suits, superyacht junkets, charter flights and vacations in the Bahamas. The jurys verdict was a victory for New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, who brought the corruption case. But the NRAs leadership, not the group itself, was most at risk heading into the earlier phase of the trial. In the second phase, scheduled to begin on Monday in State Supreme Court, a judge will decide whether the group needs outside monitoring, a step that would curb its independence, at least temporarily, and that it stridently opposes. For decades, the N.R.A. was at the forefront of a movement that repeatedly beat back gun control legislation while vastly expanding the scope of the right to bear arms. But this new challenge comes as the groups influence within the gun rights movement has waned, along with its standing as a power player in Republican politics. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The US should acknowledge the reality that Iran has consistently shown resistance to pressure tactics, newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said, addressing the world community, Trend reports. According to Pezeshkian, in 2015, Iran joined the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, demonstrating goodwill by fully implementing all its commitments. "However, the United States withdrew from the deal unlawfully and imposed unilateral sanctions, inflicting hundreds of billions of dollars in damage to Iran's economy. It's important to emphasize that Iran's defense doctrine does not include the production of nuclear weapons. I urge the United States to adopt a new policy in accordance with these facts," the Iranian president said. In January 2016, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program was finalized between Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, Britain, France, and Germany). However, in May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the plan and subsequently imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. In response, Iran declared in 2020 its intention to cease compliance with certain provisions of the nuclear deal. By the end of 2020, citing the impact of sanctions, Iran's parliament decided to initiate a Nuclear Strategic Plan aimed at lifting these sanctions. Following a parliamentary decision on February 23 of that year, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and the Additional Protocol as outlined in the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the verification mechanisms by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were reduced by approximately 2030 percent. Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Three decades later, the intense weekslong controversy has largely faded from memory. A New York rabbi had asked permission for her congregation to march in the citys annual Salute to Israel Parade up Fifth Avenue. But the rabbi was Sharon Kleinbaum, the new leader of a predominantly gay synagogue. Officials from various Orthodox Jewish organizations were threatening to boycott the event, and the rabbi was getting hate mail. The rabbi brokered a deal with parade organizers, but it fell apart. So she came up with a Plan B. The congregation was not allowed to participate in the 1993 parade, but it did hold a separate tribute to Israel, which drew grateful members of the citys political class who had sought to somehow accommodate all sides in the controversy. It was not until 2012 that the congregation was allowed to march. I never let it upset me, Rabbi Kleinbaum said. I didnt need them to tell me that I, or our community, are worthwhile. My job, I felt, was to listen and help people see that their words and actions were coming from a place of fear and anxiety and that hate wasnt the only response to have. Update: This guest essay was published before the assassination attempt on former President Trump and has been updated by the author to reflect the shooting. This weekend, we witnessed a horrifying assassination attempt on the life of former President Trump. There is absolutely no place for political violence in our country, and we must all condemn it at every turn. In the coming weeks, as the nation recovers from this shocking and tragic event, we must not lose sight of the incredibly high stakes of the November election, and the millions of working Americans whose access to affordable health care, decent wages, and a habitable planet is on the line. I will do all that I can to see that President Biden is re-elected. Why? Despite my disagreements with him on particular issues, he has been the most effective president in the modern history of our country and is the strongest candidate to defeat Mr. Trump a demagogue and pathological liar. Its time to learn a lesson from the progressive and centrist forces in France who, despite profound political differences, came together this week to soundly defeat right-wing extremism. The mother-of-pearl tusk that runs through Quannah ChasingHorses septum is not a fashion statement. Neither is her chin tattoo. Both serve as direct ties to her Han Gwichin tribe in Eagle Village, Alaska rites of passage that symbolize her official role within her community as a hunter and warrior. They also serve as inspiration to the younger members of Ms. ChasingHorses Indigenous communities, which includes the Sicangu and Oglala Lakota nations of the Great Plains and Black Hills. Bad River, a documentary narrated by Ms. ChasingHorse currently streaming on Xfinity, is about the native Wisconsin Bad River Bands battle to save Lake Superior. In it, a girl tells Ms. ChasingHorse that seeing how shes reclaimed this practice has had a positive influence on her own relationship with the traditional tattoo custom. In an interview, which has been edited and condensed, the environmental activist and fashion model talked about how the jewelry she wears has culturally significant meaning. How old were you when you got your septum pierced? I got my septum when I was, I think, 15 or 16, shortly after I got my first tattoo on my chin. My mom really educated me on our people and our practices and a lot of our ceremonies and traditions. And I remember learning that in our tribe, warriors would get these really big septum piercings of a bone through their nose. And then I learned that women would also get these septum piercings. A man who killed two Alaska Native women and recorded the torture of one of them was sentenced to 226 years in prison on Friday. The man, Brian Smith, 53, was found guilty in February on 14 charges that included two counts of first-degree murder, sexual assault, tampering with evidence and misconduct involving a corpse, according to court documents. Mr. Smith beat and strangled Kathleen Jo Henry, 30, inside a hotel room in Anchorage in September 2019. He was arrested on Oct. 8 of that year after a woman in possession of Mr. Smiths phone gave the police the images and a video of him torturing Ms. Henry. During questioning by the police in Anchorage, Mr. Smith confessed to having killed another woman, Veronica Abouchuk, 52, who was experiencing homelessness at the time of her death. She was reported missing after her family had not seen her in several months, according to a news conference held by the Anchorage Police Department in 2019. Rudolph W. Giuliani is free from the demands and protections of bankruptcy court. A federal judge dismissed his case on Friday, citing the former New York mayors failure to comply with almost any of the courts requirements. Mr. Giuliani, the onetime personal lawyer to former President Donald J. Trump, filed for bankruptcy protection in December after a federal jury in Washington decided he should pay $148 million to two Georgia election workers he defamed after the 2020 election. In total, he owes about $153 million to 20 people and businesses. Filing for bankruptcy under the Chapter 11 code protected Mr. Giuliani from having his creditors coming after his assets and pursuing lawsuits. But bankruptcy also required that he disclose his assets and details about his businesses. The record in this case reflects Mr. Giulianis continued failure to meet his reporting obligations and provide the financial transparency required of a debtor in possession, Sean H. Lane, the bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of New York who oversaw the case, said in his dismissal order. When he was a child, Representative Gabriel Vasquez never heard his parents discuss politics, much less abortion, a topic that was off limits in many Mexican Catholic households like his. So he can see why some might think he is taking a risk by focusing on abortion rights in campaigning to Latino men. For decades, Democrats saw the issue as a losing one with Latinos, who tended to be more religious and to say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. Some strategists still consider it a risky subject among Hispanic men, who have typically expressed more concern about the economy. But Mr. Vasquez, who represents a border district in New Mexico, and several other Hispanic male Democratic candidates said there was no avoiding the abortion debate this year. They point to polling and Democratic electoral victories in the two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned that capture how Latinos views on the issue have reversed. The right to abortion has taken on new urgency especially for Latinas, who have been stirred by accounts of pregnant women facing life-threatening situations and having to travel thousands of miles for reproductive care. As tens of thousands of Republicans arrive in Milwaukee on Monday for their partys convention, another large gathering is expected just outside the official meeting site: Thousands of left-leaning protesters, some of whom have spent the last two years preparing for this moment, will march in opposition to the Republicans platform and their nominee, Donald J. Trump. More than 120 groups have joined a Coalition to March on the R.N.C. 2024, and organizers say they expect as many as 5,000 people to take to the streets of downtown Milwaukee for a march and rally on Monday. Organizers said they have seen a surge of interest and intensity in the protests outside the Republican National Convention as questions mounted in recent weeks over President Bidens age and acuity. With all the developments with Biden, that makes Trump a much more imminent threat, and thats going to increase our numbers, said Omar Flores, a protest coalition leader. People see the urgency in taking this on. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan and his wife were acquitted on Saturday in a case that accused them of unlawful marriage, the latest in a string of legal victories for the embattled leader ousted from power two years ago. However, he is unlikely to be immediately released from prison, where he has been held for nearly a year, as the authorities have recently suggested that he will face new charges. Earlier in the week, his prospects for bail dimmed in a case over accusations that he had incited violent riots and that his supporters had ransacked several military installations last May. Just days before the Feb. 8 parliamentary elections, Mr. Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted in back-to-back cases. In the one known locally as the illegal marriage case, Mr. Khan and Ms. Bibi each received a sentence of seven years in prison. A court found them guilty of having violated Islamic law by not adhering to the required waiting period between Ms. Bibis divorce and her marriage to Mr. Khan. The conviction drew widespread criticism from human rights and womens groups, who argued that it represented a setback for womens rights and would perpetuate male dominance over marital relationships in Pakistan. Muhammad Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamass military wing, is believed to be an architect of the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and ignited the nine-month-old war in Gaza. A mysterious figure who has repeatedly escaped Israeli assassination attempts, Mr. Deif has been one of Israels most wanted men for decades. Image An undated handout photograph said to be of Muhammad Deif, a Hamas military leader. Credit... Agence France-Presse Getty Images He is revered within some Palestinian circles for overseeing the development of Hamass military capabilities and has been a symbol of the groups resilience, finding ways to survive despite being a top target of one of the most powerful militaries in the Middle East. On Oct. 7, as Hamas launched its attack on Israeli towns and military installations, Mr. Deif released a recorded speech declaring that the group had launched its operation so the enemy will understand that the time of their rampaging without accountability has ended. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees appears to have weathered a crisis stemming from Israeli accusations that it employed people affiliated with Hamas: On Friday, 118 United Nations member states publicly declared support for the beleaguered agency. The U.N. secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said the agency, known as UNRWA, had provided indispensable aid to people in Gaza, which has been devastated by more than nine months of war. There is no alternative to UNRWA, he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. The strategic partnership relations between Azerbaijan and Pakistan are based on a solid foundation, political scientist Azer Garayev told Trend. "The growth of Azerbaijan's authority in the international arena in recent years also affects relations with various states, raising ties to the level of strategic partnership. The Azerbaijani head of state's invitation to various international events confirms Azerbaijan's growing role. Azerbaijan's bilateral ties with various countries in Europe and Asia turn it into an intercontinental hub. Pakistan is one of the countries with which our country has established close friendly and brotherly ties, interaction within which has risen to the level of strategic partnership," he said. Garayev noted that Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence. "Diplomatic ties between the two countries were established in 1992 and since then, the relations have been continuously developing. Pakistan has consistently supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity at the international level and did not establish diplomatic relations with Armenia due to its military aggression against Azerbaijani territories. Political relations between the two countries entered a new stage of development after National Leader Heydar Aliyev met with then-Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1994. President Ilham Aliyev attaches special importance to the development of relations with Pakistan. Official and working visits to Pakistan have opened new pages in bilateral relations. Visits of Pakistan's leaders to Azerbaijan have also made an important contribution to the development of cooperation," he said. According to the political scientist, significant steps have also been taken in the field of economic cooperation between the two countries. A joint government-level commission has been established and several important documents have been signed. "The volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is growing, and Pakistan is interested in the investments of Azerbaijani companies in the country. More than 3,600 Pakistani companies are registered in Azerbaijan and are actively working in various spheres. Cooperation is also expanding in the humanitarian sphere. The Heydar Aliyev Foundation has implemented many socially oriented projects in Pakistan. Schools, medical institutions, and water supply systems have been built in Pakistan on the Foundation's initiative. Cooperation in the humanitarian sphere continued in the following years, and there is also successful cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science and education," he said. Garayev noted that Azerbaijani-Pakistani relations are experiencing a period of their highest development due to the efforts of the heads of both countries. He added that the new realities created by Azerbaijan in the region open new prospects for deepening bilateral ties. President Ilham Aliyev's state visit to Pakistan has brought new content and quality to the bilateral relations of the countries and ensured wider coverage of cooperation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Tributes have flooded in for a man in his seventies following his death in a road traffic collision on the Ring of Kerry on Thursday night. Traolach Sweeney was named locally today, and was said to be a beloved member in his adopted community in Caherdaniel where he had lived for many years. Traolach tragically lost his life in a collision on the Ring of Kerry at Coad near Caherdaniel shortly after 6pm on Thursday. Gardai said he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. He is survived by his wife Ina, as well as his two children Aisling and Peter. Sweeney was an established member of the Defence Forces, having worked his way up the ranks from Captain to Commandant. He was a member of the 45th battalion and served for a time as a Commanding officer in Ballymullen in Tralee. In his military career he was an Army Ranger and a French Interpreter. He was also a distinguished mountaineer have braved some of the toughest climbs around the world. He spent much of his life in Kildare but growing up had spent time in Kerry too. His late father was a Colonel in the Army and the family holidayed in The Glen. Traolach was also a skilled abseiler and scuba diver, both skills which served him well in the Defence Forces, as well as a talented violin player. Diarmuid O'Briain, a former defence forces member, described Traolach as a "visionary pioneer in local broadband", as he was well-known locally in Kerry as a founder of SCC broadband (Sneem Castlecove Caherdaniel), providing broadband to the rural area many years before multi-nationals were doing so. Describing Traolach's hard work and dedication to his community, O'Briain described how the former army commandant took on the task of addressing the problem, "suffering the frustration of no broadband on the Iveragh Peninsula and having little to no knowledge of broadband or telecoms". "He was determined to learn and this determination and quick learning enabled him to build a local network. He built a remarkable wind and solar-powered radio gateway on a Kerry mountain as a backhaul to another provider on the Beara Peninsula. This groundbreaking project brought broadband to the previously unconnected peninsula. His military background proved invaluable as he "pushed the boundaries of what was achievable", meticulously carried every component up the mountain over several weeks. Traolach was remembered fondly by those who knew him as a "gentleman with a big heart". A Belgian woman who worked with Traolach in a team of election observers in Chad recalled that the pair work in "very difficult conditions", but said Traolach "was so kind and helpful to me". Many others remembered the "great times" spent with the character, who was said to be "a truly heartwarming person". Diarmuid O'Briain said his contributions to the community "will be deeply missed", as will "his camaraderie with former military colleagues". "His duty, both to the Defence Forces and to the community on the Iveragh Peninsula is done. Rest easy soldier." Funeral details are yet to be announced. Ireland could be hit with an unseasonable summer storm next week, according to one weather forecaster. The system is a long way off and is not guaranteed to result in a storm but it is being monitored by meteorologist Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel. He made the prediction while also saying Ireland will enjoy a few more settled and sunny days over the weekend. He said: "Settled weather is expected this weekend across the country with a weak area of high pressure keeping Atlantic rain bearing systems away from Ireland. "There will however be some showers during the afternoons, especially so on Sunday with some sharp showers possible. Temperatures will be around average at best for the time of year." Looking ahead to next week, he said things will turn more unsettled "with the best weather likely initially across the south and east of the country, but generally its an unsettled picture with a mixture of wet days interspersed by showery conditions." READ NEXT: Warning to Irish tourists heading to Spain amid 'high' terrorist threat He added: "Our winds will be more from the southwest next week with temperatures rising as a result, and feeling pleasant in any drier periods in between the various unsettled spells. "Its interesting to take note of the strength of the jet stream pushing across the Atlantic next week, with the GFS weather model indicating the risk of some potentially unseasonably windy, even stormy conditions close to Ireland. "Before the headlines begin to write themselves this is just one model around a week away indicating that theres favourable conditions for the deepening of areas of low pressure, however that is no guarantee and were not predicting an Atlantic storm. "But the possibility isnt negligible and well remain vigilant." Met Eireann is so far not predicting stormy conditions but agree that the picture for next week is very "unsettled." Their outlook for the coming days says: "Generally cloudy conditions with showers or outbreaks of light rain at times over the coming days in mainly light winds." For next week, they add: "Cloudy on Monday with showery outbreaks of rain spreading across the country from the south, possibly turning heavy and thundery at times. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in light easterly veering westerly or variable breezes. "Rain and cloud will continue to push northwards with clear spells and drier conditions following the clearance over much of the southern half of the country early on [Monday night]. Showers will move into Atlantic coastal counties later in the night. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in a light westerly breeze. "Tuesday is likely to see scattered showers moving in from the west and spreading across the country. After a mostly cloudy start some sunny spells will develop through the day. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in a light to moderate west to southwest wind." They conclude: "Current indications suggest that it will be largely unsettled next week with further showers and rain." BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 13. 108 illegal migrants and three suspected people smugglers detained on the coast of Mugla province in Turkiye, Trend reports. 82 of these individuals were detained in the Milas district and 26 in the Fethiye district of Mugla province. Eight of these individuals, who tried to illegally cross from Turkiye to another country on rubber boats and sailboats, are minors. During the operation to detain the migrants, three suspects were detained who were allegedly helping them. This group of 108 foreigners was handed over to the Turkish Migration Directorate. A new Israeli massacre of 71 civilians and injuring 289 others in Al-Mawasi tent city near Khan Younis. This is a place Israel asked residents to move to as a "safe place". The victims include civil defense personnel, ambulance drivers, aid workers, women, children, worshippers in a prayer tent (mosques were already bombed), and journalists (now 150 journalists were murdered in Gaza). The scenes are too horrific. The only nearby hospital is essentially able to offer only first aid as no medical or surgical equipment are allowed to enter. The world still watches massacre after massacre daily. Also watching mass starvation. 21000 Palestinians are also being tortured literally to death in Israeli gulags worse than any of the medieval age. This is taking place now on the West Bank. Bulldozers at work. First you take away the infrastructure to make life impossible. And, then? Israel deliberately destroyed all of Gaza's hospitals with US approval and support: There's not a single functional medical facility left in the enclave, while the direct and indirect death toll could be approaching 200,000 "I'm bored, so I shoot": The Israeli army's approval of free-for-all violence in Gaza. Israeli soldiers describe the near-total absence of firing regulations in the Gaza war, with troops shooting as they please, setting homes ablaze, and leaving corpses on the streets -- all with their commanders' permission. From The Nation: These are the true 'winners' of the war on Gaza. The fascist regime marches on. No other system in the world today exists with this much social pathology and spiteful anger. It is lashing out without much logic. But while they try to fragment our society and finish us off, we still persist. Thus, I am convinced more than ever that the end of Israeli apartheid is close. The predictable outcome of the enterprise in the same way that Apartheid in South Africa had a predictable outcome. Unfortunately, those lessons in history tell us that the meanness will get worse as the regime feels cornered and will not face the reality of its own racism but starts to lash-out at anything and everything. That is the last stage of dismantlement of racism. Revolutionary Optimism and Student Protests: from Vietnam to Palestine! Me on Iran's Press TV Stay Human and keep Palestine alive A bedouin in cyberspace, a villager at home Professor, Founder, and (volunteer) Director Palestine Museum of Natural History Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability Bethlehem University Occupied Palestine facebook pages Personal Institute As Republicans smirk, Democrats are circling the wagons-- and, as they face one another, loading their rifles. Enough liberal pundits, celebrity plutocrats, self-satisfied reporters, and panicked politicians called upon President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. The cry was first raised by the party professionals and insiders in the aftermath of his June 27th 2024 debate with the insufferable, megalomaniacal, probably senile, and obviously psychotic ex-President Donald Trump. And they are doing it once again, following Biden's much-hyped press conference of July 11th. With the certainty of Cassandra, the "insiders" warn: Biden will lose! But why an anointed substitute like Vice-President Kamala Harris, or some product of a bitterly brokered August 2024 Democratic Convention, is more likely to win the presidential race remains somewhat sketchy. For all the bluster, there are few specifics about choosing a substitute in the space of a month. How should the substitution occur? Who might best unify the party? Who would prove the most appealing standard-bearer? Who offers the Democratic Party the best chance to win? Letters to the New York Times identified Vice-President Kamala Harris, Governor J.B. Pritzker (Illinois), Senator Chuck Schumer (NY), ex-Senator Joe Manchin (WV), Senator Governor Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan), Governor Gavin Newsome (CA), and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. The former first lady, Michelle Obama, is apparently the only candidate who can beat Trump in a hypothetical matchup (50% to 39%). Up to now, however, she doesn't seem interested though, should Ms. Obama change her mind, all bets are off. As for the rest: Schumer or Manchin would undoubtedly drive left-wing Democrats into a frenzy; no one has ever heard of Pritzker, Buttigieg has no constituency, and Newsom faced a recall, handled COVID poorly, and has personal baggage. Biden is currently garnering support from 45% of likely voters as against Trump's 48%. Harris is 1-2% higher in the popular vote, but her chance of winning the Electoral College is 31-100 whereas Biden has a 48-100 chance. The rest of the pack has support from 44-43% of voters. [1] It also remains unclear from whom Robert Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornel West will take the most votes, which is important in what will probably prove a very tight election. Of course, Democratic Party insiders are quick to say that Biden was a fine, perhaps even an excellent, president -after all, they supported him as the mainstream candidate in 2020 when he was about 78 years old. They admit that the president knows how to delegate authority, lead a remarkably scandal-free administration, push through controversial legislation, and retain the respect of foreign leaders. Interestingly none of the critics actually dealt with any of Biden's past policies or future proposals. Objective points of support or legitimate criticism about the man's politics vanished in favor of subjective opinions about the optics! Biden is portrayed as a "good man" and a "decent man," but they say he is old, frail, forgetful, and often inarticulate. Many claim that he is suffering from dementia without having medical evidence to prove it. But, no matter: we can safely trust the expert hearsay of television pundits, celebrity donors like George Clooney, and (very!) highly principled politicians concerned with the country's fate. That this chorus of self-described insiders actually create the optics, set expectations, and provide ammunition for those Democrats circling the wagons, is seemingly irrelevant. Their fangs were already out when Biden misspoke by referring to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy when he meant President Putin and then later Vice-President Trump rather than Vice-President Harris -before quickly catching himself. Never mind that President Biden answered complex questions about NATO, Chinese trade policies, the Middle East, and geo-political alliances between authoritarian regimes in his July 11th press conference. Trump might suffer a nervous breakdown if forced to answer them -but then, of course, he would undoubtedly change the subject and enter into one of his infuriating digressions. Letter writers to "The Daily New," recalled that Trump confused Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi, called Hungarian President Viktor Orba'n the leader of Turkey, spoke of "nuking" the eye of a hurricane, suggested injecting bleach to cure covid, hurled countless racist epithets, molested women, and insisted that the Continental Army "took over the airports" during the Revolutionary War. The optics might change were there more specific emphasis placed on the blatantly fascist elements of the MAGA "Project 2025" presidential transition manifesto, Trump's pathological lying, the unprecedented corruption tainting his administration, and his own behavior at the debate. No one knows which candidate will run the best campaign; we are gambling without knowing the actual odds. Some alternative candidate to Biden might come out of nowhere and turn into the frontrunner. Under those circumstances, reasonable anti-fascists will need to shift their allegiance to Biden's replacement. But that does not appear to be the case. Time is growing short, any substitute candidate will need to organize an entirely new campaign infrastructure in a heartbeat, and rancor will fester among his or her rivals. The Democrats cannot afford a convention floor fight and -- most importantly - whoever runs will do so on Biden's record not his or her own. There are reasons why no candidate coming out of a brokered convention, other than FDR, has won a presidential election in over a century. Maybe it's time that we learned something from the Republicans and FOX News about unifying behind their candidate. Liberal creators of media "optics" should also show some responsibility by enumerating and explaining Biden's policies. They also might focus more on the "leadership" -using the term loosely -Trump exhibited during his time in office by interviewing some former officials in his administration who broke with it. There is still time to take control of the narrative and shift the optics-- but that is only possible by disarming those circling the wagons. *Stephen Eric Bronner is Co-Director of The International Council for Diplomacy and Dialogue and Board of Governors Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Rutgers University. Among his many works is The Bitter Taste of Hope: Ideas, Ideologies, and Interests in the Age of Obama. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). "With fear for our democracy, I dissent." -- Justice Sonia Sotomayor A grand experiment in democracy began when the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from England on July 2, 1776. The thirteen colonies would no longer be ruled by a King who derived his power from a line of succession. Instead, leaders would rise from the populace. Their power would not be absolute but would be restrained by the rule of law. With a nation weary of war and the growing pains of building a new country, George Washington could have turned his win as the first President of the United States into a lifetime appointment. Instead, he voluntarily stepped down after two terms. With the help of Alexander Hamilton's words, he set the example for a peaceful transfer of power that would set a precedent for almost 225 years. And then Donald Trump came along. Riding a wave of racist discontent after the election of the first black President, Trump beat the overwhelming odds against him and won the 2016 election. As with five of the six previous Republican candidates, Trump lost the popular vote. However, he was able to secure enough swing states to win the Electoral College. Following in George W. Bush's 2000 footsteps, now a second time in a generation, a president took office without the majority's support. A real leader would have put his ego aside and looked for ways to build bridges, using common ground to bring the country together. Instead, Trump threw kerosene on the fires of division and the slide toward the Divided States of America accelerated. Instead of loyalty to the country, patriotism transitioned to fealty to a man. Debates were no longer about ideals and the direction of the country, but WWE-like events where the goal was to humiliate your opponents. Compromise became a sign of disloyalty punishable by excommunication from the party. With Washington D.C. remade in his own image, Trump faced a once-in-a-lifetime crisis as COVID spread across the globe. Having dismantled the National Security Council's directorate for Global Health and Security and Bio-Defense, the administration was ill-prepared to deal with the effects. As the number of cases climbed and the death toll increased, the economy collapsed. The record streak of monthly job creation that started during the Obama administration ended and unemployment skyrocketed. Americans waited in line for necessities like toilet paper. Are you better off than you were four years ago? The meat counter on March 15, 2020. (Image by Carl J. Petersen) Details DMCA Unwilling to hold Trump accountable for his part in the crisis, his followers clung to mind-numbing conspiracy theories. The political divide grew as the Blue States followed science to navigate their way through uncharted waters while leaders in the Red States stoked their base by rallying against masking, isolation, and vaccines. With Trump unable to become the leader the country needed, the death toll quickly rose. The introduction of vaccines brought a visible light at the end of the tunnel, but the damage had already been done. With his poor management of the crisis fresh in their minds, the electorate voted for the Democratic candidate for the seventh time in eight elections. Even the Electoral College could not save him. Trump's loss should not have been a surprise. He had done nothing to expand his base, demonizing those who had voted against him instead of trying to reach out to them. The polls showed Biden held a "stable lead in the national polls" and the challenger held a wide lead in the expected Electoral College vote count. Yet, instead of acknowledging defeat, Trump led a deadly attack on the Capitol in an attempt to seize power and overthrow the will of the voters. When prosecutors charged Trump with crimes related to the criminality of his administration, the defeated President tried to claim that he had absolute presidential immunity. The pundit class laughed at the suggestion that Presidents were above the law and the trial judge agreed. Then the appellate court ruled that the idea was preposterous. That left the Supreme Court as Trump's only hope. While luck (along with cheating and hypocrisy by Mitch McConnell) had given Trump the ability to appoint three judges to the Supreme Court, these judges had planted their flags on the concept of originalism. If the experience of the Founding Fathers were considered above all else when deciding constitutional issues, giving a President the powers of a monarch was certainly out of the question. Patriots had risked their lives to declare independence from that type of power. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Duluth, Minnesota (OpEdNews) July 13, 2024: I am sorry to say this, but it now appears likely that former President Donald Trump (born in 1946; elected president in 2016) will be elected to a second term as the president of the United States in the November 2024 presidential election. For a perceptive and penetrating psychological profile of Trump, see the American psychiatrist Justin A. Frank's 2018 book Trump on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President (Avery/ Penguin Random House). I reviewed Dr. Frank's 2018 book in my OEN article "His Majesty, Baby Donald!" (dated October 1, 2018): Click Here My allusion in the title to Freud's observation about his majesty, the baby still expresses my sense of Trump's psychological condition. In my estimate, Dr. Frank's perceptive and penetrating profile of Trump in his 2018 book is still worth reading. Now, Freud used the expression working through to capture his sense of how psychotherapy works - when it does work. (Concerning the process of working through in the context of psychoanalysis, see Frank, 2018, p. xvii). When psychotherapy does work, it works by virtue of the analysand working through, with the crucial assistance of the psychotherapist, certain specific traumatic events from the analysand's early childhood. Please note that the word "events" is plural. The process of working through is not usually a matter of one and done. Now, in James Davison Hunter's new 2024 book Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis (Yale University Press), he uses the expression working through analogously to character the psychodynamics involved in our heated political/ cultural debates (for specific page references, see the entry working through in the "Index" [p. 483]). I reviewed Hunter's new 2024 book in my OEN article "James Davison Hunter on the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis" (dated July 4, 2024): Click Here Subsequently, the self-styled conservative columnist David Brooks reviewed Hunter's new 2024 book Democracy and Solidarity in his column titled "The Deep Source of Trump's Appeal" (dated July 11, 2024): Click Here In, it, among other things, Brooks says, "Hunter, a scholar at the University of Virginia, is (in my opinion) the national leading cultural historian." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Authorities on Friday identified the man accused of ramming patrol cars inside a hospital parking garage two weeks ago and the Clackamas County sheriffs deputy who shot him. Joseph D. Brasuell, 25, remains in the hospital with serious injuries, the Clackamas County District Attorneys Office said in a statement. One person is dead after a shooting in Southeast Portland late Friday night. Police responded to a report of a shooting in Sellwood Riverfront Park at about 11:15 p.m. and found the victim deceased when they arrived. The victim is male, but police told The Oregonian/OregonLive they were unable to specify if he was an adult or a minor until his identity was confirmed. Homicide detectives are investigating and believe that several people were in the area when the shooting happened but left without talking to police. They ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Mike Schmerber (Michael.Schmerber@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0991) or Detective Shaye Samora (Shaye.Samora@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-0768) and reference case number 24-174011. The Oregonian/OregonLive SAN DIEGO A shark that bit a swimmer in Del Mar last month, leaving the man hospitalized with significant wounds, was a juvenile white shark, likely around 9 feet long and 6 to 8 years old. That determination came from analyzing DNA left on a wetsuit worn by the swimmer on June 2, and bite marks on the fabric, said Chris Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach. It is unknown why the shark bit 46-year-old Caleb Adams as he was swimming with a group about 100 yards offshore near Del Mars main lifeguard tower. Adams suffered wounds on his torso, left arm and hand during the Sunday morning swim on an overcast day when the water was murky. Fellow swimmers heard Adams screaming and used a surfboard to help him onto the beach, where lifeguards and others provided first aid, applying a tourniquet to stanch his bleeding before loading him into an ambulance. Adams told CBS 8 he was surprised how big the shark was and said he felt lucky to have survived. At one point, he punched the shark as it was biting him, causing injuries to his hand. I think my wounds reflect that it was only a portion of what the shark could have done, so I can consider myself really lucky, Adams told the station. Adams has resumed swimming, but only in a swimming pool at this point, he told CBS 8. Lowe said it could not be determined if the shark in the Del Mar incident was male or female. Fully grown white sharks can be up to 23 feet in length and live 45 to 70 years. It is unclear why sharks sometimes bite swimmers. Lowe said they could be in feeding mode and mistake a human for food, or could bite as a defensive measure. The water between Del Mar/Solana Beach and Torrey Pines is a known white shark nursery where many juveniles congregate. Researchers have tagged about 40 sharks in the area, where some stay for weeks or months at a time. Lowe said his group is trying to determine why sharks hang around certain beaches but said it could be that they like the water temperature, find plentiful stingrays and fish to eat, and can avoid predators by staying in shallow water. Drone flights above such areas show sharks are often very close to swimmers, surfers and others in the water. Basically the advice is no different than the day after (June 2), Lowe said. People should be aware it is an aggregation site and there are sharks out there. Water samples taken after the June 2 incident may eventually be analyzed for DNA to try to determine more about individual sharks in the area. We have to sequence all the DNA and then try to reassemble it to see if we can identify (the shark) as an individual, Lowe said. It is a new technique, it has never been done before, and I dont have the money to do it. So I will try to find the money to do that part. Researchers could use the DNA data to try to build shark family trees. We can start to build these libraries and ask, who is related to who, he said. Such information could help scientists determine how many sharks are in the area and how they might be related. Before that work can be done, however, Lowe said he needs funding to keep the California Shark Beach Safety program running. State lawmakers allocated the program $3.75 million in 2018. It was supposed to last five years, but Lowe has stretched it to six. Even so, that money will run out Sept. 1, and no new state funds have been allocated. The program covers 600 miles of coastline from Morro Bay to San Diego using tracking buoys, tagged sharks, drones and acoustic equipment to monitor shark movement and behavior. A team of 15 work on the project, including students. The program was designed to improve the publics understanding of sharks and reduce safety risks. Part of the effort educates lifeguards about sharks and keeps them informed about shark activity at their beaches. The technology is expensive, but it gives us data you couldnt get any other way, said Lowe, who has taught marine biology at Cal State Long Beach for 25 years. Lowe said he hopes to find private donors, or possibly city and county government funding, to keep the program afloat. Were getting a little desperate, he said. ------- 2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. BUTLER, Pa. (AP) On the heels of an apparent attempt to kill him, former President Donald Trump called Sunday for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him injured but fine and the gunman and a rally-goer dead. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said the upper part of his right ear was pierced in the shooting. His aides said he was in great spirits and doing well. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin, he wrote on his social media site. Much bleeding took place. In a subsequent post Sunday, Trump said it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win, his post said. The FBI early Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as it pressed its investigation. Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks. The gunman attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, the agency said. One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. All were identified as men. Investigators believe the weapon had been purchased by Crooks father at least six months ago, two law enforcement officials said. Federal agents were still working to understand when and how his son obtained the gun and gather additional information about Crooks as they worked to try to identify a motive, the officials said. The officials were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity The attack was the most serious attempt to kill a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It drew new attention to concerns about political violence in a deeply polarized U.S. less than four months before the presidential election. And it could alter the tenor and security posture at the Republican National Convention, which will begin Monday in Milwaukee. Organizers said the convention would proceed as planned. Trump flew to New Jersey after visiting a local Pennsylvania hospital, landing shortly after midnight at Newark Liberty International Airport. Video posted by an aide showed the former president leaving his private jet flanked by U.S. Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agencys counter assault team, an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail. President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, was briefed on the attack and spoke to Trump several hours after the shooting, the White House said. Theres no place in America for this type of violence, the president said. Its sick. Its sick. Biden planned to return to Washington early, cutting short a weekend at his beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Many Republicans quickly blamed the violence on Biden and his allies, arguing that sustained attacks on Trump as a threat to democracy have created a toxic environment. They pointed in particular to a comment Biden made to donors on July 8, saying its time to put Trump in the bullseye. Officials said members of the Secret Service counterassault team killed the shooter. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection. An AP analysis of more than a dozen videos and photos from the scene of the Trump rally, as well as satellite imagery of the site, shows the shooter was able to get astonishingly close to the stage where the former president was speaking. A video posted to social media and geolocated by the AP shows the body of a person wearing gray camouflage lying motionless on the roof of a building at AGR International, a manufacturing plant just north of the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trumps rally was held. The roof where the person lay was less than 150 meters (164 yards) from where Trump was speaking, a distance from which a decent marksman could reasonably hit a human-sized target. For reference, 150 meters is a distance at which U.S. Army recruits must hit a scaled human-sized silhouette to qualify with the M-16 rifle. The AR-15, like the shooter at the Trump rally had, is the semi-automatic civilian version of the military M-16. Asked at the press conference whether law enforcement did not know the shooter was on the roof until he began firing, Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Pittsburgh Field Office, responded that that is our assessment at this time. It is surprising that the gunman was able to open fire on the stage before the Secret Service killed him, he added. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department oversees the Secret Service, said officials were engaged with the Biden and Trump campaigns and taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security. CNN Live feed on what appears to be shots fired at Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/qW5UauKviZ Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) July 13, 2024 A rally disrupted by gunfire Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when the gunfire began after 6:10 p.m. As the first pop rang out, Trump said, Oh, and raised his hand to his right ear and looked at it, before quickly crouching to the ground behind his lectern. The people in the stands behind him also crouched as screams rang through the crowd. Someone could be heard near the microphone saying, Get down, get down, get down, get down! as agents rushed to the stage. They piled atop the former president to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat. Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. A woman screamed louder than the rest. Afterward, voices were heard saying shooters down several times, before someone asked are we good to move? and are we clear? Then, someone ordered, Lets move. Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes, with another voice heard saying, Ive got you, sir. Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face, which was smeared with blood. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word Fight twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of USA. USA. USA. His motorcade left the venue moments later. Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he was put into a vehicle. Witnesses heard multiple gunshots and ducked for cover Everybody went to their knees or their prone position, because we all knew, everyone becoming aware of the fact this was gunfire, said Dave McCormick, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, who was sitting to Trumps right on stage. As he saw Trump raise his fist, McCormick said, he looked over his shoulder and noticed someone had been hit while sitting in the bleachers behind the stage. Eventually, first responders were able to carry the injured person out of a large crowd so he could get medical care, McCormick said. Reporters covering the rally heard five or six shots ring out and many ducked for cover, hiding under tables. After the first two or three bangs, people in the crowd looked startled, but not panicked. An AP reporter at the scene reported the noise sounded like firecrackers at first or perhaps a car backfiring. When it was clear the situation had been contained and Trump would not return to speak, attendees started filing out of the venue. One man in an electric wheelchair got stuck on the field when his chairs battery died. Others tried to help him move. Police soon told the people remaining to leave the venue and Secret Service agents told reporters to get out now. This is a live crime scene. Two firefighters from nearby Steubenville, Ohio, who were at the rally told the AP that they helped people who appeared injured and heard bullets hitting broadcast speakers. The bullets rattled around the grandstand, one hit the speaker tower and then chaos broke, Chris Takach said. We hit the ground and then the police converged into the grandstands. ,The first thing I heard is a couple of cracks, Dave Sullivan said. Sullivan said he saw one of the speakers get hit and bullets rattling and, we hit the deck. He said once Secret Service and other authorities converged on Trump, he and Takach helped two people who may have been shot in the grandstand and cleared a path to get them out of the way. Just a sad day for America, said Sullivan, who recalled that fluid sprayed from a mechanical line on the stage before a speaker tower started to fall. Then we heard another shot that, you could hear, you knew something was it was bullets. It wasnt firecrackers. Political violence again shakes America The perils of campaigning took on a new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously hurt George Wallace, who was running as an independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trumps. That led to increased protection of candidates, even as the threats persisted, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008. Presidents, particularly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even greater layers of security, and Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, three men on Trumps shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words God protected President Trump. Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 13, 2024 ___ By Julie Carr Smyth, Jill Colvin, Colleen Long, Michael Balsamo, Eric Tucker and Michelle L. Price, Associated Press. Michael Biesecker, Alanna Durkin Richer, Marc Levy and Will Weissert contributed. Just after Thanksgiving 2021, Dr. Anthony Fauci visited a high school in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C. His goal was to promote the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in a primarily Black community, where vaccine rates were lower than in the rest of the capital. Fauci was joined by Barack Obama the fifth of the seven presidents he would serve during his more than half-century career as a public health official. Together they made the rounds of vaccination booths in the school gym, posing for photos. As they were getting into their cars after the visit, Obama turned to him with a word of encouragement. What is appropriate protest in a democratic society? There are many forms of dissent, including civil disobedience in which minor laws are broken, that Americans have come to accept over the decades as within the bounds of acceptable political expression. A masked mob gathering outside an individuals home in the dead of night, beating drums, blowing horns and shouting hateful slogans isnt one of them. Yet thats what U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, the Democrat who represents much of Chicagos northern suburbs, and his Highland Park neighbors endured from dozens who descended on their neighborhood at around 3 a.m. on June 29 to protest Israels war in Gaza. Highland Park police understandably werent staffed up at that hour to round up and arrest 40 demonstrators, even though they were unquestionably breaking laws. We spoke with Schneider, who was home at the time, and what he described sounded harrowing indeed. Imagine being jolted awake at 3 a.m. to the sights and sounds of a masked and angry mob right outside your doors. It wasnt just Schneider who ended up targets of this mob. The neighborhood is predominantly Jewish, and once the rabble saw a sign in a neighbors yard that read, We Stand with Israel, they began yelling, Zionists, go to hell, the congressman told us. Living close by is a 98-year-old woman, as well as a family with a baby, he said. So in many respects this wasnt just an attack on a member of Congress for his policy positions. This was an attack on a neighborhood made up mainly of Jewish residents. That was grotesque and antisemitic. These people are calling for Israel to surrender and be eliminated is, I guess, the nicest way I can say it, Schneider told us. They came to terrorize my neighbors to try to change my position. They know neither my neighbors nor me. In fact, nearly 100 residents gathered the next afternoon, June 30, on Schneiders patio, along with representatives of the Highland Park Police Department, to discuss what had happened and what to do if theres a recurrence. The discussion was positive, Schneider said, and he was touched by the support he and his family received. His neighbors told him not to change a thing in terms of his Israel-Hamas positions. A few days later, on July 4, Schneiders office in Washington was targeted. Pictures on the walls outside the office of hostages still held by Hamas were ripped up and torn down. Schneider isnt the only member of Congress with photographs of hostages up outside his office. But, as far as he knows, his was the only one targeted in this fashion. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has said strikingly little about Israel and Gaza and has next to nothing to do with U.S. foreign policy, also had his home in Chicago visited by demonstrators, many of whom were holding banners identical to the ones outside Schneiders home. Pritzkers apparently was targeted primarily because hes Jewish. Of course, there are plenty of other politicians, including in Illinois, who have voted exactly as Schneider has on the Israel-Gaza issue, but their homes havent been the sites of predawn protests. We must conclude that the targeting of Schneider and Pritzker is due to their Jewish identities. Needless to say, this form of protest wont change any minds. Its hateful harassment, pure and simple. Everyone I know wants this war to come to an end, said Schneider, who has supported Palestinian statehood for years and is an ardent First Amendment advocate. The Oregonian/OregonLive publishes a selection of the views of editorial boards across the country, as provided through wire services. Separately, The Oregonian/OregonLives editorials can be found here. 2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A federal jury Thursday sided with the city of Grants Pass in finding that police havent used Oregons disorderly conduct statute to quash the free speech rights of street preachers protesting abortion. Abolish Abortion Oregon in 2020 sued Grants Pass, alleging the city had harassed its members for years with threats of arrest to chill their freedom of speech and religion. The Cow Valley fire in eastern Oregons Malheur County continued its advance south Friday night, growing to an estimated 81,000 acres while sending up flames visible from homes in Vale. As of Saturday morning, the fire was eight to 10 miles north of the city, burning in rangeland. The fire had reached the Turner Creek area, about five miles south of the fires edge on Friday morning at Gum Creek. Fire crews trying to check the spread of the fire, which has quadrupled in size from the 20,000 acres that were burning early Friday morning, face another challenging day as temperatures are again forecast to hit 100 or higher and lightning from dry thunderstorms is anticipated by Saturday afternoon. A new incident command center is being established at Vale Elementary School. A federal team trained in handling major fires is scheduled on Sunday, July 14, to take over management of the fire, bringing in specialists in everything from air support to fire behavior. The Northwest Management Team will be joined by Red Incident Management Team from the state fire marshals office. According to the federal incident web page for the fire, the fire teams will be working on identifying contingency lines. Continue to scout ahead of fire to look for opportunities for burn operations and to build containment lines. Continue to make improvements on the heel of the fire. The fast-spreading fire started Thursday morning along Indian Gulch Road in Cow Valley in an area of open range northeast of Ironside. Officials say the fire was human caused but have released no other details on what started the conflagration. Erratic winds and high temperatures have resulted in severe fire behavior, authorities said. The attack on the fire has largely been done from the air because of the rugged terrain and the extensive fire front. Up to 16 aircraft at a time have been pressed into duty, with tankers ranging from single-engine aircraft based in Ontario to the lumbering larger jets, have been painting the range for days with retardant. Fire crews worked through the night Thursday night to spare the rural community of Brogan. Dozers cut a safety line entirely around the community as the fire bypassed Brogan and burned south to the Cottonwood Mountain area, which is west of Jamieson. In a Friday night update, the Bureau of Land Management reported 120 people assigned to the fire with nine engines, two water tenders, five dozers and one hand crew. They got help from teams of firefighters brought in from across Oregon, tasked with protecting 45 homes and buildings in the Brogan area from the fires. The task forces were dispatched to the Cow Valley fire by Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. Gov. Tina Kotek declared the fire a conflagration, clearing the way for the state to send more help. Officials on Friday afternoon opened U.S. Highway 26, which had been shut down from Brogan to Ironside because of fire burning on both sides of the highway. Motorists were urged to use caution traveling through the area because of the fire equipment traffic. In Vale, the elementary school at 403 E Street W. was being transformed into a fire camp. Alisha McBride, Vale School District superintendent, alerted the community to the development in a statement Friday night. For the safety and efficiency of our emergency responders and their operations, we kindly request that community members refrain from visiting the Vale Elementary School and Vale Middle School campuses, parking lots, and grounds, she said. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified Gov. Tina Kotek. During a court hearing in New Mexico, USA, actor and producer Alec Baldwin was finally cleared of all charges in the murder of Ukrainian cameraman Halyna Hutchins. The star, who was facing 18 months in prison, burst into tears in court. ADVERTISIMENT According to CNN, the judge dismissed the charges against Baldwin because prosecutors did not hand over the evidence - a box of bullets - to the defense, as required by law. The actor's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case because state investigators did not inform them of the existence of the evidence, which did not allow the defense to prepare properly. The judge sent the jury home for the day and listened to the witnesses' testimony herself, after which she dismissed the charges against Baldwin. Moreover, the court ruled that the case cannot be reopened. ADVERTISIMENT "The state's violation of the disclosure procedure resulted in an unnecessary, irreparable delay in the jury's consideration of the case. Dismissal with prejudice is justified to ensure the integrity of the judicial system," the judge said. Hearing this, Alec Baldwin took off his glasses and began to wipe away tears of joy, then hugged his wife and lawyers. What is known about the case Cameraman Halyna Hutchins was shot dead on the set of the movie Rust on October 21, 2021. Baldwin was preparing for a scene in which he was supposed to point his revolver at the camera and fire, but the weapon turned out to be loaded, and the bullet hit the Ukrainian woman. Hutchins died after receiving a gunshot wound to the chest. The bullet also hit the director Joel Souza, who was standing behind her. The man was wounded but survived. ADVERTISIMENT In April 2023, Alec Baldwin was acquitted of manslaughter charges in the death of Halyna Hutchins. However, it was reported at the time that they could be brought back if the investigation provided the necessary evidence. The prosecutor's office found it. On March 6, 2024, a New Mexico jury found gunman Hannah Gutierrez Reed guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of the Ukrainian cameraman. She was responsible for Alec Baldwin's gun. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and the actor faced the same sentence. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A mother of a six-month-old was detained overnight after doctors misinterpreted her son's birthmarks as bruises, leading police to suspect her of abuse. Mother Criminalized for 6-Month-Old Son's Birthmarks Laxmi Thapa felt treated like a criminal when her son was taken from her, and she spent 20 hours in custody on neglect allegations. After her release, she faced another three days apart from her child, who appeared distressed upon their reunion. The 29-year-old has filed a formal complaint against Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, alleging discrimination, as these blue spots are common among mixed-ethnicity and Black or Asian children. Thapa, a Nepalese national living in Basingstoke, spent 20 hours in a police cell, feeling unjustly treated without medical evidence. During her detention, her baby was cared for by the hospital, and she was allowed to express milk for him. Thapa expressed her diminished trust in hospitals, fearing further assumptions. She initially learned about her son's blue spot at birth, which later darkened and spread, prompting her to seek medical advice. When she visited the emergency department, she was asked to sign documents she couldn't read and was subsequently arrested without a thorough examination. Thapa described the helplessness of being separated from her baby and being denied the chance to breastfeed. She felt that her race and language contributed to their assumptions and said she was treated unfairly. After her arrest, she was questioned for hours and was only released on bail. It took three days for the hospital to confirm that the marks were indeed blue spots and not bruises. The doctor who returned her son apologized, but Thapa is questioning why the staff failed to recognize the markings despite them being noted in her baby's medical records. Mother Reluctant to Return to Hospital After False Detention After the incident, she is apprehensive about returning to the hospital due to the emotional stress she experienced. The founder of the Blue Spot Campaign, Faye Wheeler, is assisting Thapa with her complaint, highlighting a broader issue of discrimination faced by mothers of children with similar birthmarks. The Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust stated that their safeguarding procedures aim to protect children, and while they cannot discuss specific cases, they emphasize the complexity of distinguishing between bruises and Mongolian blue spots. Hampshire Constabulary acknowledged the emotional distress such investigations can cause and reiterated their commitment to thorough inquiries. After reviewing medical reports, they confirmed that no assault had occurred, and Thapa was released without charges. Campaigners are calling for greater awareness of Mongolian blue spots, emphasizing the emotional toll misdiagnosis can take on families. Wheeler noted that such misdiagnoses lead to mistrust in healthcare professionals. Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Anacora emphasized that police involvement is standard in suspected child safeguarding cases, although she acknowledged the distress such situations can cause. Thapa received a verbal apology from a doctor at the hospital and is now working with Basingstoke Unites Against Racism on a formal complaint, expressing her desire to prevent similar experiences for others. A Nebraska foster mom is now detained for child abuse from neglect after her 5-year-old foster son was left unattended for approximately seven hours and later died. The foster mom left the young boy inside her vehicle in a parking lot near the salon she's working at. There continues to be no confirmation whether the woman left the child inside intentionally or unknowingly. She might possibly face more charges in relation to the death of the child in another hot car incident. Nebraska Foster Mom's Alleged Negligence The suspect, named as Juanita Pinon, is the Nebraska foster mom who has now been arrested following the death of a five-year-old child that was in her care, whom she left unattended in an SUV vehicle for an extended period of time. The Omaha Police Officers responded to a call for help at 3025 N 93rd road at roughly 5:11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, after a report of an unresponsive child inside an auto. When police officers arrived, the child was discovered inside the vehicle and rushed to the hospital. The child succumbed to the inflexibility of his condition and was later pronounced dead. Pinon, 40, is now facing charges of child abuse by neglect resulting in death. Omaha police spokesperson Chris Gordon stated that the suspect did not give any statement to clarify whether the incident was accidental or purposeful. Authorities are continuing their inquisition to determine the exact circumstances that led to this woeful event. Rising Temperatures and Hot-Car Death Statistics The temperature in Omaha reached a peak of 86 degrees on the day of the incident, a dangerous degree for any child left in a vehicle. This incident marks the tenth hot-car death in the U.S. this time, according to data from Kids and Auto Safety. The association highlights the troubles of leaving children unattended in vehicles, especially during the hot summer months when temperatures can fleetly rise to fatal degrees inside vehicles. Since 1990, at least 1,094 children have died in hot automobiles across the United States, illustrating the inflexibility of this issue. Advocacy groups continue to push for increased awareness and preventative measures to avoid analogous preventable tragedies. Advocacy groups continue to push for increased mindfulness and precautionary measures to avoid similar preventable tragedies. Countrywide Concern and Recent Similar Cases This heartbreaking incident in Omaha follows nearly on the heels of another woeful case in Marana, Arizona, just outside of Tucson. On the day prior, a two-year-old girl died after being left alone in a vehicle. According to the Marana Police Department, the father had left the vehicle running with the air conditioning on while the child slept within. Still, the vehicle ultimately shut off, leaving the child exposed to the scorching heat. The high temperature in Marana that day was 111 degrees. These back-to-back incidents emphasize the ongoing threat and the significance of alert among caregivers. In response to these tragedies, numerous initiatives have been proposed to increase mindfulness and avert future hot-car deaths. Public movements aim to educate caregivers on the hazards and remind them to "look before you lock." Also, technology similar as rear-seat reminder systems in newer vehicles can serve as critical tools in averting these incidents. Public nonprofit associations like KidsAndCars.org continue to raise mindfulness about the troubles of hot cars, championing for safety measures and reminders to help similar tragedies from reoccurring. As the disquisition into the Omaha case continues, community members and advocacy groups are calling for increased mindfulness and stronger preventative measures to safeguard vulnerable children from the deadly consequences of being left in hot vehicles. An Ohio mother dies after defending herself and her 6-year-old son from an attempted car theft. The mother, a 29-year-old speech therapist named Alexa Stakely, died fatally in an apartment complex in Columbus, Ohio. When the single mother saw her vehicle with an unknown man inside attempting to steal it, Stakely launched herself immediately to halt the theft. Rescuers and police authorities immediately responded to the reported incident to quickly rescue the mother and child. However, Stakely succumbed to the complications of her injuries and later died. Ohio Mother Dies From a Fatal Carjacking According to police, the 29-year-old mother arrived at an apartment complex on Blue Knoll Drive at White Oak Park Condominiums at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday to retrieve her son from a babysitter. Police stated that she carried the sleeping boy to her Honda-CRV, which she had left running, as she met the babysitter at the entrance to collect the boy's belongings. Upon Stakely's return to her car, she noticed someone inside starting to reverse onto the road. Stakely rushed towards the Honda, shouting for her child and urging the driver to halt. Upon returning outside, Stakely noticed someone driving her car in reverse onto the road, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. She chased the driver and shouted for her child, demanding the driver to halt. According to reports, she climbed onto the car's hood before being hit by the driver and landing on the ground. It is said that she sustained a deadly injury to her head. The Honda CRV was eventually deserted, and two individuals were witnessed fleeing from it. Authorities are currently searching for them. 6-Year-Old Son Survives Columbus authorities are searching for two men believed to be involved in the killing of a woman who attempted to prevent them from taking her vehicle with her young son. The car was left not far from there. According to police, witnesses observed two men running north, passing by where Stakely was on the ground, leaping over a fence, and fleeing into a nearby apartment complex. Earlier that morning, authorities reported that security footage captured a group of men peering into residences in the Castenea Way neighborhood, just one block from Blue Knoll where the altercation involving Stakely took place. According to police, two males in the group fit the description of the individuals seen running past Stakely after she was hit. Stakely was transported in critical condition by medics to Mount Carmel East Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries at 8:43 a.m. Stakely worked as a speech-language pathologist at Winchester Trail Elementary School within the Canal Winchester Local Schools district. A news release stated that Ms. Alexa, known to students as such, had been working for the district for five years. Stakely, a single mother, also held a second job as a server to provide for her 6-year-old son. Alexa had a deep love for children and speech-language therapy. The district stated that she was intelligent and empathetic, showing great concern for assisting children in enhancing their communication skills. The Ohio mother, who resides in Pickerington, earned a master's degree in speech-language pathology from Ohio State University, as indicated on her LinkedIn profile. Officials are urging individuals to contact the Columbus police homicide detectives or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers with any information, such as doorbell camera footage, that may help in the investigation. Every report made to Crime Stoppers remains confidential. A thoroughly vicious and rage-fueled new article has appeared in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship: Who Holds the Keys? written by Daniel C. Peterson Abstract: While, for understandable reasons, Protestant Christendom tends to downplay the question, the more ancient Christian churches have historically placed considerable weight on what is often termed apostolic succession. The Catholic church, for instance, strongly affirms the primacy of Peter and the status of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as ancient Peters lineal successor. Curiously, perhaps, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although it was founded on the American frontier in the early nineteenth century, takes a view of the matter that crucially resembles the Catholic viewpoint more than it does a western Protestant one. But the Latter-day Saint view differs dramatically on the history of the apostolic succession and, accordingly, on the identity of the modern successors to the ancient apostles. I return again, briefly, to Sebastian Jungers new book In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife, sharing some passages that I have extracted for my ongoing research and writing: Doctors approach near-death experiences very much like my father approached physics, and they have come up with prosaic explanations for just about everything. Tunnels, bright lights, life reviews, Godheads, out-of-body experiences, feelings of peace and unity, cosmic insight, and a disinterest in the corporeal world can all be induced in people fairly easilyand happen all the time. You dont need to believe in an afterlife to explain the visions of a hypoxic brain or the out-of-body illusions of someone suffering a seizure. With one central exception: the dead. (115) A parenthetical observation: Mr. Junger is overstating the situation considerably here. Some doctors are, yes, materialistic reductionists and, thus, skeptics about near-death experiences if not altogether dogmatically opposed to taking them seriously. Ive spoken with several of them on the topic, and Ive read others. But physicians are also among the most best-known advocates of NDEs as indicators of a distinction between mind and body and of a life beyond death. But his point is a good one: Why do the dyingand only the dyingkeep seeing the dead in their last days and hours? If there is any true mystery to all this, its that in mud huts and in hospital rooms, in car accidents and on battlefields, in darkened bedrooms and in screaming ambulances, deathly ill people are startled to see a loved one hovering over them. There are neurochemical explanations for why people hallucinate, but not for why they keep hallucinating the same thing. Some attempts have been made, though: the visions are said to be unconscious projections ginned up by terrified patients, or evolutionary adaptations that aid survival, or simply cultural expectations that are expressed in imaginary form. Those proposals fall well short of explaining the broad and powerful sweep of this phenomenon across the world. One of the most notable aspects of these visions is how startled the dying seem to be. I was deeply shocked to see my father and in no way comforted by him; in fact, I was mortified. Hours before dying, my mother squinted at a corner of the bedroom and said, Whats he doing here? I guessed it was her estranged brother, George, long dead of throat cancer. Thats George, I said. Hes come a long way to see you, and you have to be nice to him. Well see about that, she said. (115) Here are a couple of additional examples: After Tyler Carroll left the military, he took a job as a paramedic for a fire department. One day he picked up a seventy-year-old woman who was having trouble breathing. He put a twelve-lead on her and determined that she was having a heart attack, so he loaded her into the ambulance for a trip to the hospital. Five minutes later she sat bolt upright, as if shed seen something, and said in amazement, Im about to die. Then she lay back and died. One wonders what she saw. Because of the prevalence of sedation, the dying are not always clear-minded, but occasionally someone makes it to their last breath without morphine. One nurse told me that she took care of a man who was pain-free until the very end and entirely lucid. Hours before he died, she heard him say the name Barbara over and over, as if she were present in the room. The nurse went into the kitchen to tell the mans wife. Barbara was the love of his life, the woman said, crying. She was our nineteen-year-old. (116) Junger draws on stories compiled in Deathbed Visions, the posthumously-published 1926 classic written by the British physicist Sir William F. Barrett (1844-1925), who, despite his parapsychological interests, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society: Over and over, the people described in Barretts book were startled to see deceased relatives in the room and usually felt calmed by them, even delighted. Marion, my daughter! one man shouted shortly before he died. Some encounters even felt like a family reunion: Look, there they all are, William and Elizabeth and Emma and Anneand Priscilla too! one woman exclaimed after waking from a coma. (William was a son who had died many years earlier in infancy; Priscilla was a family friend who had passed away two days prior.) In an era of slow communication, it was entirely possible to not know that a close friend or even family member had died, and Barrett considered visits by the recently dead to be exceptionally strong evidence of an afterlife. A Frenchman named Paul Durocq died of yellow fever while traveling with his family in Venezuela, in 1894. In his last hours, he seemed to be visited by the spirit of a close friend who had died while the Durocqs were awayalthough they didnt know that. The Durocqs found his funeral announcement in the mail when they got home. Barrett also considered the death visions of children to be particularly persuasive. On Nov 2nd and 3rd, 1870, I lost my two eldest boys, David and Harry, to scarlet fever, they being three and four years old, respectively, one man told Barrett. Harry died at Abbotts Langley on November 2nd, fourteen miles from my vicarage at Aspley; David the following day at Aspley. About an hour before the death of this latter child, he sat up in bed, and pointing to the bottom of the bed said distinctly, There is little Harry calling me. (117) As is my frequent custom, though, I close with a disgusting and offensive story that should help to stoke your righteous indignation and to keep it gratifyingly inflamed. Ive drawn it from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File: Church Responds to Japan Earthquake With Donations and Service: Reconstruction begins of shrines and temples in disaster-stricken Nanao City, Ishikawa Absa Bank Ghana, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, on Thursday launched the second phase of the Absa Fintech & Agritech Support Programme, a component of the Absa Young Africa Works project. This programme is set to deliver critical financial grants and capacity-building opportunities. For this phase, 10 businesses, specifically in the fintech and agritech sectors, will benefit from a total grant fund of GH 1 million. This phase builds on the successes of the first phase, which saw 10 exceptional businesses awarded a total grant of GH2 million. Notably, half of these grants went to women-led businesses, and all recipients were youth-owned enterprises. In addition to financial support, an extensive training and development programme will be rolled out to empower 120 additional businesses. This initiative is designed to enhance their operational efficiency and market competitiveness, helping these startups and SMEs to scale their operations effectively. At the launch, Audrey Abakah, Head of SME, Agency Banking and Partnerships at Absa Bank, remarked on the cumulative impact under the Absa Young Africa Works project: "Absa Ghana, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, remains steadfast in its commitment to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, noting the considerable challenges they face in establishing and growing their businesses. This is evidenced by our investment of over GH1.1 billion, which has benefited over 5,900 businesses including smallholder farmers, out of which 65% are women. We have also provided business capability-building opportunities to about 7,000 MSMEs and smallholder farmers." The second phase of this support programme places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, encouraging more women owners of fintech and agritech businesses as well as persons with disabilities to participate. "Inclusivity is at the heart of our initiative," Audrey Abakah added. Elseland Ewudzie-Sampson, Founder of Big Samps Market and a beneficiary of the programme, praised the initiative during her speech to the media. "The programme will be very helpful in creating employment and expanding our reach with farmers and food processors in Ghana. While you need passion to work, passion alone doesn't push your business. You need finance, skills to push your business further. So, I urge businesses to take advantage of this to become better entrepreneurs," she said. Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Daria Donets, a fashion designer from Donetsk, introduced Elon Musk's mother, May Musk, to Ukrainian fashion, and she now wears the Ukrainian's clothes. It happened very unexpectedly for her. ADVERTISIMENT At first, Daria thought this opportunity was just a joke, but the American woman appreciated the designer's talent and ordered more than one item from her. The founder of the Darja Donezz brand told OBOZ.UA about it. It all started with a question about whom the Ukrainian woman would like to dress the most. At the time, Daria Donets thought of the mother of a famous engineer and billionaire. "Once my team asked me who I would like to dress, I joked that I would like to dress Elon Musk's mom. And they took it seriously and sent my collection to May Musk's stylists! One day I was driving home tired and upset. I see that my PR person is calling and informs me that the stylist of Elon Musk's mother has ordered two pieces from us!" the Donetsk native recalled. ADVERTISIMENT She became the first Ukrainian designer chosen by May Musk. This news brought the Ukrainian woman to tears and immediately lifted her spirits. The second time the American remembered the Ukrainian designer was a month after the full-scale Russian invasion. "At that time, I was in western Ukraine, and I had to figure out how to get my collection out of my studio in Kyiv. After all, everyone was sitting in basements, and not much was working. And then I found an unknown courier on an app, and a week after the delivery, my PR person called to say that May Musk was interested in my products again," the fashion expert said. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Organsied Labour has re-echoed that, the sale of the SSNIT hotels is not in the best interest of the Ghanaian workers, therefore, every move targeted at selling the shares of the hotels should be squashed. They have asked all workers in Ghana to from Monday, 15th July, 2024 desist from going to work. "From Monday, 15th July, 2024 all workers in Ghana must not go to work until SSNIT publicly announces the termination of theprocess for the sale of its shares in the hotels," the statement stated. In a joint press statement dated 12th July, 2024, the Labour Unions stated that, the management of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) must terminate all processes with immediate effect. The call comes in the wake of the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, stated on the floor of Parliament that the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) have given approval for the sale of SSNIT hotels to Rock City, a hotel belonging to Member of Parliament for Abetifi constituency and the Minister in charge of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong. Organised labour would like to reiterate its well-known position that the proposed sale of SSNITs shares in the four hotels is not in the best interest of Ghanaian workers. We, therefore, demand that SSNIT terminates the process immediately. Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Accra High Court of Justice has issued a warrant for the arrest of Job Kwesi Mensah, who is currently on the run for charges of stealing, issuing false cheques, and money laundering Job Kwesi Mensah is described as slim and dark in complexion. He is believed to be hiding in either Accra, Kumasi, or Obuasi. In a statement, the High Court has appealed to the public for any assistance that could lead to the arrest of Job Kwesi Mensah. Anyone with relevant information concerning Job Kwesi Mensah is urged to report to the nearest police station or the following contacts 0243 443451 or 0244887887 and the Police Crime Fighters at 18555 on MTN or Vodafone to aid in the investigation. Efforts leading to his arrest will be duly rewarded. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Director for Associates for Change and the Olinga Foundation for Human Development, Dr. Leslie Casely-Hayford has been crowned Ghana's Most Outstanding Female in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the just-ended 10th Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards 2024 held at the Accra Marriot, a hotel in Airport City in Ghana's capital, on 5th July. The prestigious award signifies her stunning leadership qualities and exceptional dedication to providing quality education research and social development services. She is a highly respected personality advocating for best business practices in the sector. The Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards organised by The Business Executive Magazine Limited seeks to publicly recognize women in Ghana who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in various forms of endeavor across both the public and private sectors, such as entrepreneurs, professionals, corporate executives, public institutional managers, diplomats, sportswomen, traditional rulers, and others. The award automatically elevates her to the status of a "SHE ACHIEVER " which is the topmost connective female network platform in Ghana. The initiative is an executive association which embodies top female CEO's and past Feminine Ghana Achievement Awards winners and creates a platform on which members can more easily reach out for assistance in a required field without incurring cost. It also stands for Women Empowerment and projects the voices of women on important social matters. Speaking to the media after receiving the all-important honor, Dr. Leslie Casely-Hayford expressed her profound gratitude to God for all His guidance, her staff at both Associates for Change and the Olinga Foundation for Human Development, as well as her family and the Baha'i Community of Ghana for their unwavering support. According to her, the award reflects her commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality social development and sets a benchmark for other organisations to follow. "I really appreciate this recognition. I will continue to work hard to support our communities, children, institutions and marginalised populations in the best possible ways to achieve higher degrees of social development and prosperity", she said. Associates for Change is positioning itself as a leader in the education and international development sector with credibility and reputation for high standards of research and development across Africa. PROFILE OF DR. LESLIE CASELY-HAYFORD Associates for Change (AfC) is a Ghanaian registered research and consulting firm specializing in conducting quantitative and qualitative research in Ghana and other African countries for governments, development partners and civil society. AfC offers services to a wide range of national and international partners with tremendous experience in evaluation and socio-economic analysis on poverty, education, gender equality, child rights/ protection, health, governance and agriculture. Our vision is to "generate policy-relevant research and high quality consulting services in order to influence social change, equity and policy reform in Africa". See more on: http://www.associatesforchange.org and AFCs LinkedIn page: AFC LinkedIn The Olinga Foundation for Human Development https://www.olingafoundation.org has been developing a scalable model of literacy, teacher training support/intervention at primary school level in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) to ensure foundation learning is achieved in Ghana. They work in over 200 schools in 8 districts in three regions (Western, Eastern and Greater Accra) across the country delivering teacher training and book supplies to schools and reading clubs: Source: Peacefmonline Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Association of Professional Development Communicators-Ghana (APDC-Ghana) was officially launched on Friday, July 5, with a mission to ensure sustainable development across key sectors of the country. Speaking as a special guest of honour, Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana H.E Maher Kheir commended the timely initiative. He noted that like many nations, Ghana faces a wide range of problems where communicators can contribute to societal growth. Indeed the initiative is very timely for the progress of Ghanaian society. Like many countries around the world, Ghana has its share of a wide range of problems. I believe that communicators contribute to societal growth, he said. In her speech at the GNAT Hall, APDC-Ghana President Ruth Abanga laid out a vision for a sustainably developed Ghana, with universal access to basic amenities like healthcare, clean water and roads, as well as greater peace, security, inclusiveness and equality. "We aim to strategically communicate while inspiring a holistic global community and shared values for inclusive and resilient societies," Mrs Abanga said. Rebecca Ekpe, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Journalist Association, urged the new group to make capacity building a priority and remain vigilant against disinformation and propaganda. "Make sure you do not become a tool for propaganda," Ekpe advised. APDC-Ghana will focus on development sectors including health, education, agriculture and the environment. Its objectives incorporate researching effective communication techniques, building skills, advocating for marginalized voices and promoting behaviour change through cross-cultural outreach. The Association hopes to utilize diverse communication methods and forge partnerships to address Ghana's development challenges. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video EchoHouse Africa, a 360 marketing agency has entered into a multi-year partnership with a data intelligence company, Insightis Africa, to provide marketing data intelligence that drives strategic marketing solutions to its brands. This partnership lays the foundation for an optimized data-backed approach to all of EchoHouse Africas disruptive marketing campaigns and providing a more refined return on investment assessment of its campaigns. The EchoHouse Africa and Insightis Africa partnership demonstrates the marketing agency's commitment to ensuring that its marketing campaigns are fine-tuned and provide the best value-for-money that clients can get for their marketing solutions. EchoHouses clients are both local and multinational companies operating in various sectors from textiles, banking, and finance, technology, media, food, telecommunication, alcohol, and beverages among others. In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer of EchoHouse Africa, Beryl Agekum Ayaaba indicated that for over 16 years of operations in Ghana and other West African countries, EchoHouse Africa had relied heavily on information from certain key groups to gain consumer insights for its impactful and award-winning campaigns. However, she stated, This partnership with Insightis Africa gives us a rare opportunity to widen our scope to include more perspectives to inform our marketing solutions for clients. The result will be a bold, evidence-driven, continent-wide platform that will onboard people with diverse interests and backgrounds and give them the opportunity to provide consumer-specific feedback to industries, thereby enabling successful marketing actions for brands. This platform will provide brands with access to niche as well as general consumers, who will be readily available to share feedback and updates on their changing tastes and preferences. What this data does is to provide the Marketing and Brand Managers with essential information to help them keep up with their consumers, and remain relevant to them at all times, Beryl concluded. On his part, Dr. Seyram Kekessie, the Chief Executive Officer of Insightis Africa, noted the difficulty that brands operating in Africa go through, when trying to obtain current consumer data to shape their marketing strategies and plans, and how this limits precise forecasting and assessment of marketing campaigns. What our partnership with EchoHouse Africa does, is to remove those bottlenecks to data gathering and processing, and ensure that C-Suite Executives, Marketing, and Brand Managers receive up-to-date and actionable data intelligence to inform high-level strategic decision making. This timely partnership between the marketing agency and the data intelligence company comes at a time when there is increased need for effective marketing efforts led by tailored targeting and data-backed marketing decisions and strategies shifting heavily away from personal perspective-based decision-making. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Mion-Gbonlana, Regent of the Mion Traditional Area, has stated that the stature of and work done by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as Vice President are peerless in the history of Vice Presidents of the Republic. He opined that in the history of Ghana's democratic governance, the qualities and achievements of Dr. Bawumia are unmatched. He pointed out how the Vice President has played a pivotal role in bringing development to the Mion Traditional Area in particular and the Eastern part of the Northern Region(Dagbon) as a whole "Your Excellency, having watched your performance as Vice President of our Republic, I have seen a lot of good potentials which can not be swept under the carpet. Your sterling qualities and most effective leadership are undoubtedly unparalleled by any vice president in the history of our democratic governance. You have played key roles in major projects in Eastern Dagbon, which the Mion traditional area is part of," the Mion-Gbonlana said when Dr Bawumia paid a courtesy call on him today, July 11, 2024 as part of his campaign tour. The Regent recounted how Dr. Bawumia responded with alacrity to his appeal for a police vehicle to beef up security patrols in the Mion area. He cited several other development projects Dr Bawumia has been instrumental in bringing to the people of Mion. "I remember the speed with which you attended to our appeal for a Police vehicle to beef up security patrol along the Sang-Sambu stretch of the Yendi-Tamale Road. Mention can also be made of the Tamale-Yendi-Tatale Road project as well as the Agenda-111 project in Mion, which has achieved a speedy progress compared with similar ones in other areas. These, and many schools, health facilities, and rural electrification projects are contributing to ameliorating the suffering of the teaming masses of rural folks in communities dotted all over the Mion traditional enclave. I wish to thank you profusely for these timely interventions,"Mion-Gbonlana said. He stressed that Ghanaians have faith in his leadership and will vote for him come December 7, 2024. "Your Excellency, Ghanaians have high hopes in seeing you behind the steer of the vehicle of governance. It is only through a peaceful electioneering process that we can have you lead Ghana as the first gentleman of the country and the first northerner to be president of an NPP government. I wish you and your running mate a successful campaign to break the 8," he stated. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Atik Mohammed has slammed the handlers of Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh who, to him, allowed their Vice Presidential Candidate to commit such embarrassing faux pas during his outdooring on Tuesday, July 9. Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, widely known as NAPO, delivering his acceptance speech as NPP Vice Presidential Candidate in a colorful event in Kumasi took an awkward swipe at Ghanas first President and the heroic character behind the nations independence, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Comparing track records of previous government with the Akufo-Addo administration, NAPO said; Since independence from 1957 till today, weve not had any president that has helped Ghana like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I say from 1957 till today, you can bring your Kwame Nkrumahno President has protected Ghana and moved the country forward like Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. These statements have been met with aggression from many Ghanaians, most especially the Nkrumahist party who demands an apology from NAPO and his subsequent removal as NPP Running Mate. the party calls on His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to withdraw the Hon. Minister from his position as Minister of Energy, and also calls on His Excellency Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to withdraw him as his Vice Presidential candidate, for the sake of the countrys image, and its long term political and economic fortunes. Ghanaians and Nkrumaists worldwide, will have no choice but to hit the streets to register their displeasure if the above, or similar measures, are not immediately enforced within 24 hours, the Convention Peoples Party demanded in a press statement. Reacting to the public gaffe by the immediate past Energy Minister who is now Running Mate to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP presidential candidate, Atik opined that Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempehs handlers did a terrible job. To him, they shouldnt have allowed NAPO to speak without a script. He ought to have been scripted but you allowed him to extemporize; extempore presentations are not easy. You can be good in many things but when it comes to public speaking, that is also an art, he said during Peace FMs Kokrokoo show. Atik Mohammed, a former PNC General Secretary, argued that NAPOs new position is a unique distinction conferred on him which demands a unique different way of handling him. He therefore cautioned NAPO to rethink those handling him, saying all eyes are now watching him in his sleep, when hes eating, in fact everything he does now is being monitored. He added; Youre now under a microscope. Hes a scientist, I believe he understands; look, the minutest detail of what you do or dont do is being monitored by people and there are people whose prayers are that you will slip for them to find fault with you. 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. Featured Video UPDATE: Trump hurt in shooting at Pa. rally; 2 dead, including shooter, official says By JILL COLVIN and JULIE CARR SMYTH, Associated Press BUTLER, Pa. (AP) Donald Trumps campaign said in a statement that he was fine after being whisked off the stage at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act, spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow. The Secret Service said in a statement that the former President is safe. MORE: Donald Trump has blood on his face after incident at Pa. rally: photos The former president and presumptive Republican nominee was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when bangs started ringing through the crowd. Trump could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his neck. There appeared to be blood on his face. He quickly ducked behind the riser as agents from his protective detail rushed the stage and screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. The bangs continued as agents tended to him on stage. The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist. CNN Live feed on what appears to be shots fired at Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/qW5UauKviZ Blue Georgia (@BlueATLGeorgia) July 13, 2024 His motorcade has since left the venue. His condition was not immediately known. Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage in what local officers described as a crime scene. President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident, the White House said. He received an updated briefing from Kimberly Cheatle, the director of the United States Secretary Service, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were on hand at the rally site. Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States, he said. Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 13, 2024 Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., posted a photo on X of Trump, his fist raised and his face bloody in front of an American flag, with the words: Hell never stop fighting to Save America. House Speaker Mike Johnson posted on X that he was praying for Trump. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trumps shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words God protected President Trump. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. By Evan Rosen, New York Daily News (TNS) Federal investigators looking into the death of actor Matthew Perry are expecting to make multiple arrests of those who supplied him with ketamine, and perhaps sooner rather than later. Authorities are confident they have enough evidence to conclude the investigation, sources told TMZ on Friday. While they didnt identify any suspects, the sources confirmed a search warrant had been executed on Brooke Mueller, Charlie Sheens ex-wife. Mueller, who has a long history of rehabilitation for substance abuse, similar to the former Friends star, has reportedly been questioned multiple times by police in connection to the case. Mueller and Perry are said to have met during one of their stints in rehab, where they formed an unexpected friendship. FILE - Matthew Perry poses for a portrait on Feb. 17, 2015, in New York. Authorities are investigating the death of Perry and how the beloved actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death. (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP, File)Brian Ach/Invision/AP Perry, who was 54 at the time of his death, was discovered unresponsive in his hot tub on Oct. 28. The L.A. County medical examiner later confirmed he died accidentally from the acute effects of ketamine, with contributing factors including coronary artery disease and drowning. Perry had reportedly been taking ketamine as part of an infusion therapy used to treat depression and anxiety. However, the medical examiner concluded the amount in Perrys system could not have been from his treatment his last-known session was nearly two weeks before his death leading authorities to question where the ketamine came from. The Drug Enforcement Administration later launched an investigation into Perrys death, with the aim of charging those who supplied him with the drugs. The probe reportedly extends beyond drug dealers and could involve others such as doctors who prescribed ketamine outside the scope of medical necessity. The DEA team working on Perrys case is reportedly the same group that helped convict those responsible for rapper Mac Millers fatal overdose. A series of photos from Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13 showed Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump being tackled by the Secret Service as noise that sounded like shots sent everyone ducking during a rally. The photos show Trump with blood on his face, but theres no word yet on whether he was injured as he was taken down or if shots were actually fired. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)AP Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)AP Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)AP The Associated Press reports that Trumps motorcade has left the venue. His condition was not immediately known. Police began vacating the fairgrounds shortly after Trump left the stage. Video from the scene: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with American actor Matthew McConaughey, his wife Camila Alves, and Utah First Lady Abby Cox in the United States. They discussed the war in Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT The politician invited the world-famous star to support the UNITED24 fundraising platform. This was reported on the website of the President of Ukraine. "Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining attention to Ukraine and thanked the American stars for their efforts and support. The President spoke about the situation on the battlefield and in our communities, in particular in Kharkiv, which is under constant Russian shelling," the report says. The Ukrainian leader also emphasized that a just peace can only be achieved by following the Ukrainian vision, which is based on the Peace Formula. It is worth noting that until now, the actor has not outlined his political position or covered the topic of war on social media. ADVERTISIMENT It is not yet known what decision McConaughey made to support Ukraine in the public sphere, namely regarding the cooperation with UNITED24. The meeting is not mentioned in his blog either. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! As President Joe Biden grapples with issues surrounding his fitness for office, his surrogates are hitting the swing states on some of the key issues most resonant with voters. In Pennsylvania this week it was reproductive rights. Amanda Zurawski, a Texas woman who nearly twice died from complications of a miscarriage and went on the challenge that states ban on abortion, stood alongside reproductive rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers in Harrisburg to underscore the critical role reproductive freedoms will play in November at the ballot box. NEW YORK A judge pulled the plug on Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy case Friday, partly because the former mayor and Trump adviser was not forthcoming about his finances. The decision clears the way for Giulianis biggest creditors Ruby Freeman and Wandrea Shaye Moss, the Georgia election workers he owes $148 million for blowing up their lives with baseless accusations of ballot fraud to immediately enforce that eye-popping judgment in federal court in Washington, D.C. That may include going after his up-for-sale E. 66th St. apartment and his Palm Beach, Florida, condo. Fridays move also unfreezes more than a half dozen other lawsuits pending against Giuliani, which collectively demand more than $150 million in addition to the cash owed the election workers. White Plains federal bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane said Giuliani had failed to provide an accurate and complete picture of his financial affairs since seeking bankruptcy protection. The information he did disclose, the judge wrote in his opinion, showed that Giuliani was using personal funds to pay off expenses associated with his businesses without the courts approval. He said Giuliani had completely failed to provide anything showing his limited liability companies were operating above board. In his paperwork, Giuliani purported to receive no income other than his Social Security benefits which was belied by the $15,000 a month he raked in from his since-scrapped WABC radio show and between $100,000 and $150,000 from his podcast, Americas Mayor Live, Lane wrote. The judge stated that when most debtors are confronted with complaints about failing to adhere to the bankruptcy codes obligations, they respond by trying to rectify some, if not all, of them. By contrast, Mr. Giuliani has done nothing, Lane wrote. The lack of financial transparency is particularly troubling given concerns that Mr. Giuliani has engaged in self-dealing and that he has potential conflicts of interest that would hamper the administration of his bankruptcy case, the judge later added. Mr. Giulianis counsel also stated that Mr. Giuliani has not been able to retain any bookkeeper or accountant to work on his behalf In the courts experience, such a fact is highly unusual and troubling given that the bankruptcy case has been pending for more than six months. When reached for comment, a lawyer for Giuliani said he would proceed by appealing the massive judgment awarded to Freeman and Moss, her daughter, in December. He said he agreed with Lanes decision but not the way he reached it. We believe that the court incorrectly adapted the creditors views of the facts of the case but reached the correct result by dismissing the case, Heath Berger said, referring to the allegation that Giulianis hiding millions of dollars. At a hearing earlier this week, an attorney for Freeman and Moss accused the man once known as Americas Mayor of attempting to push pause on his money troubles without taking action to address them, prompting an outburst from Giuliani that saw Lane threaten to mute him. Freeman and Moss, who could not immediately be reached for comment, are the only people on Giulianis long list of creditors whose case against him has been resolved with a judgment. Multiple other lawsuits were automatically put on ice after Giuliani filed for bankruptcy protection, including cases brought by Hunter Biden, a fired Staten Island supermarket worker, two voting machine companies, and Giulianis former assistant, Noelle Dunphy, who has accused him of sexual assault and harassment. Giuliani also owes money to several law firms, the IRS and New York tax authorities, according to court papers. Ms. Dunphy intends to pursue her case aggressively, and we look forward to the day when we can present this case to a jury, Dunphys lawyer, Justin Kelton, said in a statement to The New York Daily News. Lawyer Ron Kuby, who represents former ShopRite worker Daniel Gill in his lawsuit against Giuliani alleging Giuliani framed Gill for assault, said he would fight to the bitter end. Well ultimately proceed to trial and hopefully judgment against Giuliani. We do recognize that there wont be much, if anything, left by the time we get there, but thats OK. I like coffee, Kuby said in a quip alluding to Giulianis coffee brand, Rudy Coffee. The cash-strapped former mayor, who lost his law license last week, may ultimately end up submerged in half a billion dollars in debt, according to the estimate he provided when he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December. He listed between $1 million and $10 million in assets, mostly tied up in his two properties. The laundry list of lawsuits will play out alongside Giulianis criminal case in Georgia, where hes facing racketeering charges like those he helped pioneer in the 1980s alongside Donald Trump and 17 others for allegedly plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. He also faces charges in Arizona alleging he worked to reverse the results of the 2020 election in that state. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty in both cases. He could not be reached for comment. If Pennsylvania educators want to make their schools cell-phone free zones during class time, state government has just given them some financial encouragement. The just-passed state budget package contains language that adds the purchase of lockable, cellphone storage bags to the list of eligible uses for state grant money going to all 500 school districts for school safety and/or student mental health uses. The bags, in use by a growing number of districts already, are a way to safely and securely hold a students phone when they arrive at the start of the day, to be picked up after the closing bell rings. A growing number of parents, educators and politicians say they believe there are real benefits to making sure theres an extended period during the day where students are present in the real world, both for academic and social interactions. Even the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has raised a red flag about the impact social media is having on teens and has urged lawmakers to consider school-day bans. The new language, first proposed by Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County, doesnt mandate a ban in Pennsylvania. But it does provide ample funding to help a district get started should its leaders wish to go down that road. The $100 million School Safety and Security Fund provides a baseline $100,000 to all districts, with the remainder divvied up proportionately based on the size of the districts student body. Districts can use this money for a variety of other purposes, ranging from hardening building entrances to hiring mental health counselors or school safety officers. But getting phones out of the hands of students in schools has become trendy in light of growing research that too much social media exposure too soon is not healthy for many kids. There is also a growing belief that the proliferation of cell phones in schools has not helped student achievement. Across the United States, 72% of high school teachers said cell phone distraction is a major problem in the classroom, according to a 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center. Last year, Florida became the first state to crack down on phones in school. A law that took effect in July 2023 requires all Florida public schools to ban student cellphone use during class time and block access to social media on district Wi-Fi. Indiana passed a similar measure that will take effect this coming school year, and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order this month directing that states Education Department to draft regulations establishing cellphone-free education in its schools by Jan. 1, 2025. The nations second-largest school district, in Los Angeles, has also imposed cellphone bans. Aument said parental response to his proposal, initially offered as a pilot program for certain districts with studies to follow, was overwhelmingly positive. Thats what prompted him to ask Senate leaders if there was a way it could be fast-tracked into this years budget language. Making the cellphone bags an eligible expenditure for all districts was the agreed-to result. Many school districts already have cellphone policies on the books, but officials say they are hard to enforce, in part because teachers dont want the liability of handling kids phones. The bag concept puts students in charge of giving up their phones - or AirPods, Apple watches or other regulated devices - with more centralized control at the school. Districts who use grant funds to buy the bags would be required to develop policies with cellphone restrictions. Nothing about these policies, however, would block use of school-issued technology for instructional purposes. Aument, himself a father of two tweens with iPads but no phones yet, said the grants are a good way for districts to try out certain policies. Once more information becomes available about whats worked best, if anything, he said he might consider something stronger like a statewide ban. But for now, he said, I think this is a phenomenal first step. You think of six-and-a-half hours with kids being free completely from a device, I just think there are so many advantages to this, from academic focus to breaking the cycle of addiction (to screens) to just improving the culture of the school by giving kids more time to learn to navigate the real world. I think we have to try something or I fear were not going to really move the needle in terms of academic performance or student mental health. WILLIAMSPORT A multi-state scheme in which building materials were bought with the use of fraudulent credit cards, then sold and the proceeds sent to the Dominican Republic was revealed in a federal indictment. Modesto Araujo Jimenez, 32, of Bronx, New York, was indicted Thursday in U.S. Middle District Court on a charge of conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce. The indictment indicates the scheme was carried out in Pennsylvania and other states and that more individuals have been indicted but the documents are under seal. The scheme, according to the court document, included this activity: Items were purchased last Oct. 2 at Philipsburg Electric & Supply in Centre County using a fraudulent credit card and taken to Philadelphia where they were sold for cash. The following day the proceeds were wired from the Bronx to a location in the Dominican Republic. A similar purchase was made Oct. 9 at a Mayer Electric store in Centre County and again the items were transported to Philadelphia and sold. Materials not sold in Philadelphia later were found in a storage unit in the Bronx. Mayer Electric was hit again on Oct. 10 with the proceeds wired to the Dominican Republic as they had been the day before. No value is given for the materials obtained by fraud other than it exceeds $5,000. The indictment also includes similar activity at Lowes stores in Johnstown and New Jersey. The materials from the Johnstown Lowes were transported to State College in a vehicle registered in New Jersey, the document states. Since the fall of Roe two years ago, people across the country are sharing stories of what is at stake when we lose access to reproductive care. Here is mine. I had an abortion after my husband and I got devastating news at our 20 week checkup. It was our first, much-wanted pregnancy. Afterwards, as I lay adrift in bed, what anchored me was that I was treated with compassion, that I had access to competent medical care during an unimaginable time, and that while I grieved my circumstances. I never grieved my choice. After the Dobbs decision, we have heard horrific stories that have resulted from abortion bans. And it is clear that there are repercussions in all areas of reproductive healthcare - from emergency care in pregnancy, to birth control, to IVF. Yet politicians continue to push more extreme anti-abortion bills and rhetoric, without an understanding of medicine, ethics, or human suffering. I n Pennsylvania, the Republican Senate candidate, David McCormick, celebrated the Dobbs decision as a great step forward and a huge victory. He promises to vote for a national abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest, if elected to the Senate. It is estimated that one in four women in the US have had an abortion, and mine is just one story is in this tapestry. Each of our stories is singularly diverse and unique in its circumstance and serves as proof that we cannot legislate them with cruel abortion bans. Access to reproductive care is on the ballot this November. In Pennsylvania, we must continue to defend and expand the rights we had under Roe by voting against David McCormicks dangerous anti-choice agenda. Dr. Anusha Viswanathan, Bucks County, Pa. DETROIT, MI President Joe Bidens campaign returned to Michigan this week, at a time when the Democrats viability as a candidate has fallen under intense debate. During a 35-minute campaign speech July 12, Biden spoke to more than 2,000 supporters inside Detroits Renaissance High School. His wife is campaigning in western Pennsylvania Saturday, as is former President Donald Trump. Here are five key takeaways from that visit: The spotlight is hot, Jack Bidens public speeches and physical presence are falling under increased public focus following a debate performance last month that left many top Democrats calling on the president to step down as a 2024 candidate. Biden, though, remains defiant he wont exit the race. As a result, the public has watched his follow-up appearances more closely than usual, searching for more signs that could indicate Bidens debate performance was no fluke. At a nationally-televised news conference the day before the Detroit rally, the president made headlines when he mistakenly referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump. About 75 members of the media from across the world covered his Detroit rally. But Bidens performance there failed to produce any gaffes of significant note. Albeit with the aid of a teleprompter, the 81-year-old president appeared to deliver his Friday address with a volume and confidence that did not match the tone of that scrutinized debate appearance last month. Biden insists hes not going anywhere Biden on Friday addressed the growing calls by Democratic allies for him to step aside as a candidate. I am running, and were going to win, Biden told the crowd at Renaissance High. Im the nominee of this party because of you, the voters. No one else. And Im not going anywhere. I learned a long time ago, when you get knocked down, you get back up. The crowds chants of dont you quit and four more years seemed to express his supporters favor for his decision. The issues Bidens remarks outlined some of his top campaign promises and messaging. The president championed abortion rights, touted promising economic numbers, promised to reinforce and strengthen civil rights, expressed support for labor unions, stated his plans to ban assault weapons, and raised fears about Project 2025. The nearly 1,000-page handbook in part authored by former Trump White House officials has generated scrutiny in recent weeks from Democrats who claim the document, if applied during a second Donald Trump presidency, would radically reshape civic infrastructure in part by cutting thousands of federal jobs. Much of Bidens remarks, though, focused on his Republican opponent. Trump is even more dangerous now, Biden said of his White House predecessor. Hes unhinged. He says, if he loses, there will be a bloodbath. Trump says, if he wins, hell be a dictator on day one. Were not going to let that happen. Over my dead body. Biden also referenced Trumps legal woes and his debated role in inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack where hundreds of Trump supporters broke into the U.S. Capitol in part to keep the Republican in power. Were going to stand up for America and save our democracy, Biden said, warning another Trump presidency would damage the American electoral system. Biden likes Detroit Friday marked the third time in six months Biden appeared in Detroit, the largest city in one of the nations key battleground states. Bidens last visit there was in late May, when he served as the keynote speaker at the Detroit branch of the NAACPs 69th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner. The president first rallied Motown voters three weeks before he won the states February presidential primary election for Democrats. His only other Michigan stop this year: Saginaw County, where he spoke to campaign supporters in March. And Detroit likes Biden (mostly) The day before the Democrats scheduled trip to Detroit, 14 members of the Michigan legislatures Detroit Caucus including state House of Representatives Speaker Joe Tate signed a letter expressing unwavering support of the presidents reelection bid. Their constituents historically have shown favor for Biden too. In 2020, 94% of Detroit voters cast ballots for Biden, helping him end Trumps tenure as president. By comparison, 50.6% of Michigan residents voted for the Democrat that year. On Friday, Renaissance Highs gymnasium was not large enough to house the volume of attendees who showed up to see the president. Campaign planners said organizers established another space on the campus where the overflow crowd watched Bidens address on video. While the crowd appeared overwhelmingly pro-Biden, one attendee seemed to express opposition to the presidents policy relating to the violent conflict between Israel and its Middle East neighbor. Free Palestine, a woman shouted while Biden was addressing the crowd. The protestor was escorted from the gym. Biden did not address the matter. The National Weather Service issued an updated heat advisory at 12:34 p.m. on Saturday valid from Sunday noon until Monday noon for Franklin, Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York and Lancaster counties. The weather service states, "Heat index values up to 104 degrees expected." "Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events," says the weather service. Beating the heat: Weather service Heat safety guidelines Stay hydrated: Keep yourself well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Find cool shelter: Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room to keep cool. Avoid sun exposure: Avoid direct sun exposure, protect yourself and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors. Child and pet safety: Do not leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Caution outdoors: If you work or spend time outside, be sure to take additional safety measures. Time your activities wisely: Whenever possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours when temperatures are more manageable. Recognize heat-related issues: Recognize the warning signs and familiarize yourself with symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dress comfortably: Select lightweight and loose-fitting outfits for enhanced comfort. Additional tips for outdoor workers: For outdoor workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. If someone is overwhelmed by the heat, swiftly relocate them to a cool, shaded location. In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance. These NWS heat safety directives are essential for safeguarding your well-being when facing high temperatures. Stay well-informed and take the necessary precautions to shield yourself and others from the potential hazards of extreme heat. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. In several European countries, including Ukraine, meteorologists are now recording an extreme heat wave. Rapid warming increases the negative impact of heat on humans, and this trend is only growing. ADVERTISIMENT In this heat, the human body cannot cool down properly, which can lead to sunstroke. Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Bogomolets National Medical University, Doctor of Medicine, Professor Olha Holubovska, spoke about how to recognize the symptoms of sunstroke. The development of heat-related diseases can be caused by high humidity, obesity, fever, dehydration, use of certain prescription drugs, heart disease, poor blood circulation, mental disorders, sunburn, and alcohol consumption. Sunstroke can occur a few hours after exposure to direct sunlight, and a person may not immediately associate their condition with overheating. At first, a headache appears, the body temperature may rise to 40 degrees or more, nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils, and later cramps appear. These symptoms are caused by cerebral edema, which is potentially life-threatening. If someone has these symptoms, they should immediately contact emergency medical services! ADVERTISIMENT While medics are on their way, the victim should be given first aid: Place the patient in a position with the head and legs slightly elevated. Remove outer clothing. Give the victim plenty of water. Moisten the skin with water. Apply a cold compress to the forehead and neck. Wrap the victim in a wet sheet. In case of vomiting, turn him on his side. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! It was a moving day in the record-breaking 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event. Only 160 players out of the 10,112 entry strong field returned to their seats inside of the Horseshoe Event Center at noon and the number of hopefuls was cut by more than half throughout the five 120-minute levels of Day 6. Some big names came up short, while others lived another day to stay in contention and potentially become the new world champion in Las Vegas. While the biggest slice of the $94,041,600 prize pool is still up for grabs in the coming days, one major milestone was reached today as the six-figure prizes were finally unlocked. The top 125 finishers all notched up at least $100,000 for their efforts and the 59 hopefuls still in contention have already secured a payday of $160,000. That figure will rise to a cool million in the following days with significant pay jumps on the near horizon. Top Ten Chip Counts After Day 6 Rank Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Kevin Davis United States 26,250,000 105 2 Shundan Xiao United States 23,925,000 96 3 Malo Latinois France 22,375,000 90 4 Guillermo Sanchez Otero Spain 21,975,000 88 5 Yake Wu China 20,875,000 84 6 Yegor Moroz United States 20,575,000 82 7 Daniel Zadok Israel 20,325,000 81 8 Orson Young United States 18,350,000 73 9 Jason Sagle Canada 17,350,000 69 10 Adrian Lopez United States 17,025,000 68 The only player to advance with more than 100 big blinds for Day 7 was Kevin Davis, who bagged up 26,250,000. Several other hopefuls closely bunched together include Shundan Xiao (23,925,000), Malo Latinois (22,375,000), Guillermo Sanchez Otero (21,975,000), and Yake Wu (20,875,000). Xiao is one of two female players still in contention and sits second in chips. Born in China and residing in California, the biggest live cash Xiao had prior to this tournament was a mere $9,500 but that score will be topped by a landslide. Furthermore, all eyes were set on four-time WSOP bracelet winner Kristen Foxen, who also advanced with a healthy stack of 14,500,000. Foxen was under the spotlight of the Thunderdome for the entirety of Day 6 and endured a rollercoaster throughout the day, which she capped off with the elimination of Tyler Montoya via coin flip at the very end. With more than $7 million in career earnings, she is one of the most successful female poker players in history and a deep run in the biggest live event of the year comes as no surprise. Kristen Foxen "I've definitely dreamed about being the woman who takes down the Main Event," she said. "So I'm starting to live my dream. There's still a long way to go, so I'm trying to stay calm," Foxen told PokerNews in an interview during the day. "This is the stage in the tournament where you can't go wrong in being a little conservative in decisions when they come up. There is that element of high ICM in play that I don't think many people understand. So I feel like I can't go wrong and I know what to do." Reaching the final table would be a gargantuan feat for both players, even more so as this is the biggest WSOP Main Event to date. Another big name still in contention is none other than six-time WSOP bracelet winner Brian Rast, who sits right in the middle of the pack with a stack of 12,675,000 and continues to cement his legacy in the world of poker. "I mean, every year I'm sitting probably on the other side of the Rio playing a poker tournament or at least the last couple of years, previous years, in cash games, you know, a couple times a day, checking the updates going, 'man.'" This time, he has been part of the updates for six days already and will head into Day 7 "to try to make it through playing one hand of poker at a time, right?" Brian Rast As advice for all aspiring poker players who find themselves in such a unique position deep in the Main Event, the WSOP Poker Hall of Famer had the following to share: "So it's more about maximizing your performance and doing that by getting sleep tonight. You know, you show up, be present, watch every hand, try to get reads. Don't spend a lot of time super analyzing every hand you play, at least in the Main, you know, you should spend more time thinking strategically about how you're going to adapt and exploit the people at the poker table, especially in the Main. Because there are all kinds of different poker players here who have all kinds of different skill levels." With the ups and downs of tournament poker, the rail of two particular contenders made their voices heard in the entire room: Yegor Moroz and Jesse Capps. Moroz started Day 6 among the bigger stacks and quickly continued to grow the tower in front of him much to the delight of his boisterous friends only a few meters away. After some key hands and successful all-in showdowns, Moroz leaped over to high-five and celebrate wildly. These are all like a mix of Florida friends and Vegas friends. Ive known most of these people for ten-plus years. Ive lived with a bunch of them. This is a close-knit group. It really takes the edge off. Although I am actually now in a place where Im comfortable with chips, its still kind of stressful. Were deep in the Main. It kind of helps ease the tension. It is not the first rodeo for Moroz in the Main Event but it will be the first time to head to the payout desk to collect a cash prize in the days to come. He finished Day 6 with 20,575,000 in chips after scoring an elimination on the final hand, which puts him in sixth place on the overnight leaderboard. I cant even begin to go into it. This is my tenth Main Event, my first cash. Ive been playing poker forever and Ive gone through the ups and downs. Ive gone broke before. Its interesting that now after kind of pulling back from tournaments I barely played any poker this summer, and then to come into this and to have a run like this is just surreal. Yegor Moroz and his rail Capps used the power of his ducks to make it all the way to bagging and tagging for the night and loud duck noises could be heard from his rail. During the final level of the night, he won a flip in dramatic fashion to leap back into contention and then jump in the air in celebration. Ultimately, he advanced with 5,925,000 and that is good enough for just shy of 24 big blinds for Day 7. Further notables to continue the hunt for the Main Event title include Tag Team bracelet winner Jason James (15,825,000), online legend Niklas "Lena900" Astedt (15,800,000), Joe Serock (13,175,000), Pot-Limit Omaha specialist Arthur Morris (5,925,000), Alex Keating (5,250,000) and Stephen Song (2,175,000), among others. Several other big names were sent to the payout desk throughout the day. Three-time WSOP bracelet winner Tony Dunst was among the first to fall and collected $70,000 for his efforts. High-stakes regular Aleksejs Ponakovs made the pay jump to six-figures and earned a buy-in and reentry for the ongoing $50,000 High Roller, Danielle Andersen and former WSOP Europe Main Event finalist Alexander Tkatschew also cashed for $100,000. Sami Bechahed recorded yet another deep run at the WSOP and bowed out in 74th place for $120,000. His fate was all but sealed in a cooler against Luis Vazquez when his full house was beaten by a straight flush and the Frenchman was knocked out shortly thereafter. Francisco Sanchez fell victim to the "wrecking ball" Davis when his nut flush draw improved, yet ended up drawing dead to a full house. WSOP bracelet winner and recent $50,000 Pot-Limit Omaha runner-up Danny Tang was among the final casualties of the night and finished in 62nd place after a clash with Xiao. The Plan for Day 7 Day 7 of the 2024 WSOP Main Event will commence at noon local time on Saturday, July 13. The action picks up on Level 31, where the blinds will be 125,000/250,000/250,000 and closes after the completion of Level 35. There will be 20-minute breaks after each level, with the 75-minute dinner break scheduled after Level 33 at approximately 6:40 p.m. Level Duration (mins) Small Blind Big Blind Big Blind Ante 31 120 125,000 250,000 250,000 20-minute break 32 120 150,000 300,000 300,000 20-minute break 33 120 200,000 400,000 400,000 75-minute dinner break 34 120 250,000 500,000 500,000 20-minute break 35 120 300,000 600,000 600,000 The remaining players have all locked up $160,000 and the next significant pay jump to $200,000 awaits when the final six tables have been reached. Remaining Payouts Place Prize Place Prize 1 $10,000,000 10-11 $800,000 2 $6,000,000 12-13 $600,000 3 $4,000,000 14-17 $450,400 4 $3,000,000 18-26 $350,000 5 $2,500,000 27-35 $300,000 6 $2,000,000 36-44 $250,000 7 $1,500,000 45-53 $200,000 8 $1,250,000 54-59 $160,000 9 $1,000,000 The exciting Main Event action is being streamed on delay on the PokerGO platform and all of the exciting ups and downs of the 2024 WSOP Main Event and all the other bracelet events taking place at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas can be found right here on PokerNews. When the final ten players bagged up last night at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas for an unscheduled extra day in Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha, Sascha Wilhelm went to sleep on the chip lead in the biggest spot of his poker career. The extra Day 3 would bring added pressure, as Wilhelm searched for a breakthrough at the 2024 World Series of Poker. Wilhelm sat slightly ahead of multiple bracelet winner Bryce Yockey, while eight others set their sights on chasing down the German chip leader. It was a slow start to the day for the eventual champion, who watched others build up their stacks and challenge for the win. How did it go? Wilhelm commented to PokerNews shortly after his victory, Pretty slow. I didn't catch many hands, one big pot, Wilhelm continued. From then, I had to chip up like all the time and got lucky in the end. The end was a heads-up battle against James Cavanaugh, who battled hard all day long before seeing the final river card seal his fate. $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Sascha Wilhelm Germany $282,290 2 James Cavanaugh United States $188,190 3 Daisuke Ogita Japan $138,670 4 Amit Ben Yacov Israel $103,050 5 Juan Lapido Spain $77,240 6 Adam Adams United States $58,390 7 Bryce Yockey United States $44,530 8 Brandon Caputo United States $34,250 9 Oshri Lahmani Israel $26,584 Massive Inaugural Event Field Originally scheduled to be completed a day earlier, a total of 4,280 entrants took part in this inaugural version of this event, creating a massive prize pool of $3,616,800. That number included the mystery bounty component, which saw all of the largest bounty prizes claimed on Day 2. The largest bounty remaining on Day 3 was $5,000, which was collected right at the start of the day. Despite starting the final day as the short stack with just three big blinds, that prize unexpectedly went to Juan Lapido. The Spaniard not only managed to ladder up from the $20,820 that each of the final ten were guaranteed, but he scored the first knockout of the day when Robert Cowen was eliminated in tenth. Bryce Yockey Final Table Action From there, the remaining nine players formed the final table where the top prize of $282,290 and the WSOP bracelet were on the line. Wilhelm began his climb back to the top when he sent Brandon Caputo to the rail in eighth. One notable question entering the day was if Yockey could navigate his way to a second gold bracelet of the series. Despite entering the day in second place and doubling up with aces at the final table, Yockey was knocked out in seventh while providing a boost to Cavanaughs stack. Everyone was looking up to Daisuke Ogita, who scored several eliminations at the final table before doubling up Wilhelm. That led to Ogitas ousting shorly after at the hands of Wilhelm, setting up a lopsided heads-up battle. Cavanaugh was at a significant disadvantage and could never close the gap, as Wilhelm applied pressure and collected most of the chips in play. The final hand saw Cavanaugh get it in with a straight, only for Wilhelm to connect with the river for a full house and the title. Wilhelm celebrated with friends on the rail, adding the biggest portion of the prize pool to his bounty haul. I had like 13 or 14 bounties, and ended up winning like $18,000 or $19,000 from it. Nothing bigger than $2,000. No big bounty prizes for the newest WSOP champion, but that total was enough to push his winnings over $300,000 and a first gold bracelet. Sascha Wilhelm That concludes our coverage of Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha, but stay tuned as PokerNews continues to provide full coverage of the WSOP Main Event and all other bracelet events in the final week of the 2024 World Series of Poker. Event #91: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. at the 2024 World Series of Poker saw a total of 357 players enter to create a prize pool of $953,190 and a first place prize of $206,321. At the start of Day 2, 141 players still had their hopes and dreams of conquering this bracelet alive, but only 17 made it to the end of the day today with their chances still alive. End of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts Place Player Country Chip Count Big Bets 1 Wooram Cho South Korea 1,875,000 23 2 John Racener United States 1,765,000 22 3 Gary Bolden United States 1,650,000 20 4 David "ODB" Baker United States 1,130,000 14 5 David Tarbet United Kingdom 940,000 11 6 Jeremy Ausmus United States 930,000 11 7 Xiaochuan Zhang China 880,000 11 8 Paul Campbell United States 640,000 8 9 Travis Trail United States 610,000 7 10 Luis Velador Mexico 585,000 7 A very decorated field is being led by a relative newcomer Wooram Cho who ended his day with 1,875,000. This is only Chos third WSOP cash in Las Vegas and his lifetime earnings only date back to 2020. However, he is not lacking for experience on the poker felt as he has several overseas cashes from the WSOP Europe as well as many tournament wins and cashes in Korea, with the biggest cash clocking in at $158,401. With his sizable chip stack, he looks to add a WSOP bracelet to his list of titles. John Racener hunts for his third WSOP bracelet, sitting in second place. Sitting behind him is two-time WSOP bracelet winner John Racener, who ended his day with 1,765,000. Racener spent much of the tournament yesterday playing two tables, but before the day started he finished 85th in the $1,500 PLO 6-Max for $3,376, so his focus was solely on this tournament. It paid off in spades as he steadily climbed up the tournament leaderboard to the second-biggest stack in the room. With this being his 18th cash of the WSOP, he looks to make his fourth final table of the summer and collect his second bracelet, with hopes to overtake the lead in the WSOP POY race. Gary Bolden (1,650,000) rounds out the podium as the long-time tournament grinder looks to collect his first WSOP bracelet. David ODB Baker (1,130,000) leads a contingent of WSOP bracelet winners that include Luis Velador (585,000), Arash Ghaneian (465,000) and Ismael Bojang (305,000). Each one of them is looking to secure another bracelet to add to their resumes. Looking to overtake Scott Seiver in the POY race, Jeremy Ausmus sits in the top ten chip counts. As the WSOP POY race winds to a close, many eyes are on six-time WSOP bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus (930,000), who sits within striking distance of current POY leader, the seven-time bracelet winner Scott Seiver. Although he is yet to claim a bracelet this summer, Ausmus has seen plenty of successes on the felt with 18 cashes and 6 final tables. A deep run and another top-three finish in this event would make things quite close between him and Seiver, adding some last-minute spice to what has already been an incredibly exciting WSOP. Players will return Saturday at 1 p.m. at Level 23 in the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Blinds will bet 20,000-40,000 with 40,000-80,000 limits and a 10,000 ante and bring in. Play will continue until a winner is crowned. Action of The Day Many players fell quickly throughout the early part of the day. Brian Hastings, Matt Glantz, Todd Brunson, David Williams, and Phil Ivey all found themselves falling short of the money. The bubble actually burst without hand-for-hand play as Ryan Hughes sent a short stack out on the bubble in a round of Omaha hi-lo. After that, the remaining 54 players all secured themselves at least a min-cash of $6,051. After the bubble broke, the eliminations flowed fast and furious as many players like Jonathan Breneman ($6,051), Phil Laak ($6,353), Renan Bruschi ($7,040), and Sean Troha ($8,042) fell. Their quest to add more titles to their resumes will have to wait for another tournament. Three-time WSOP bracelet winner Barry Greenstein became the final elimination of the night. The final elimination of the night came as three-time WSOP bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Famer Barry Greenstein fell in eighteenth place. He got his remaining chips into the center during a hand of stud with his split kings up against John Raceners split kings. Racener ended up making kings and eights on the river and he scooped Greenstein, leaving him to take home $8,042 for his deep run. Stay tuned to PokerNews for updates on the eventual winner and all winners in the 2024 WSOP. Day 1 of Event #92: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em has concluded here at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas after 12 levels of play. Of the 150 runners who started the day, only 53 players will return for Day 2. With late registration still available through the first level of play (Level 13) on Day 2, it is yet to be determined if the event will break last year's record of 176 entrants. The overwhelming chip leader heading into Day 2 is Joseph Cheong (3,350,000), who is on the hunt for his second World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet. Cheong had built a healthy stack throughout the day, but amassed a huge chunk of his chips in a shocking hand against David Coleman, where Cheong slow-rolled him on the river. In what turned out to be the biggest pot of the tournament, Coleman was not happy at first, but laughed it off afterwards. Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts Place Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Joseph Cheong United States 3,350,000 168 2 Erik Seidel United States 1,930,000 97 3 David Peters United States 1,760,000 88 4 Brek Schutten United States 1,660,000 83 5 Michael Moncek United States 1,575,000 79 6 Lander Lijo Spain 1,445,000 72 7 Dominik Nitsche Germany 1,385,000 69 8 Paulius Plausinaitis Lithuania 1,365,000 68 9 Michael Rocco United States 1,325,000 66 10 Seth Davies United States 1,275,000 64 Hall of Famer Erik Seidel will enter Day 2 second in chips with 1,930,000. Seidel won his tenth bracelet less than a year ago at the 2023 World Series of Poker Paradise in Event #7: Super High Roller No-Limit Hold'em. He will be looking to follow up that performance with another win in a star-studded field. Erik Seidel Not far behind is David Peters in third with 1,760,000. He eliminated Anthony Zinno at the end of the night when he was all in preflop with pocket queens against Zinno's pocket aces. Peters spiked a queen on the flop to send Zinno to the rail. Rounding out the top five are Brek Schutten (1,660,000) and Michael Moncek (1,575,000). Schutten won his first bracelet this summer in Event #21: $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em (6-Handed), and looks to add another. Moncek climbed to the top of the chip counts in a big hand against Fahredin Mustafov when his full house was paid off on the river. Notable Eliminations Alex Foxen's ace-ten fell to the pocket queens of John Pannucci. Robert Mizrachi couldn't win a flip against Philip Wiszowaty. Jonathan Jaffe was short-stacked and all in with king-jack against Coleman's pocket jacks, but couldn't find a king. Justin Saliba was knocked out when his pocket nines were bested by Cheong's pocket queens. Chris Hunichen, who captured his first bracelet this summer in Event #47: $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em, ran into Dominik Nitsche's quads. Scott Seiver, who currently sits atop the 2024 WSOP POY Leaderboard, exited on Day 1 when he got it all in with top pair versus Wing Po Liu's flush draw. UFC Octagon Announcer Bruce Buffer, who finsished 8th in Event #39: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em, was eliminated towards the end of the day. The event allows one reentry, so it is possible some players who exited on Day 1 may return for Day 2 to fire another bullet. Bruce Buffer Action will begin on Day 2 at 1 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 13, at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, where the event will play down to the final five players. The prize pool and payouts will be announced after late registration has ended. The tournament will resume at Level 13, with blinds at 10,000/20,000 with a 20,000 big blind ante. Levels will be 40 minutes in length, with 15-minute breaks every three levels. A one-hour dinner break will take place after Level 21 at approximately 7:30 p.m. local time. Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout this event, as well as future coverage throughout the summer. In a week that has been an epic political comeback Joe Biden got even stronger while chopping down Donald Trump and laying out his second term agenda in Detroit. The tone was set by Rev. Cindy Rudolph who introduced Biden and told the President that there were more people with the President than against him: Rev. Cindy Rudolph introducing Biden in Detroit, "Allow me to paraphrase the biblical prophet Elijah president Biden, there are far more with you than against you!" pic.twitter.com/OrGAS0Rira Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2024 Biden addressed the media speculation about him potentially dropping out, Theres been a lot of speculation lately, what is Joe Biden going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? I am running and we are going to win! Video: Biden slays the idea that he will drop out, "There's been a lot of speculation lately, what is Joe Biden going to do? Is he going to stay in the race? Is he going to drop out? I am running and we are going to win!" pic.twitter.com/3xpF5qQ20z Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2024 Biden even brought the jokes: Biden is smashing Trump with humor in Detroit, "y. He would rather be electrocuted than eaten by a shark. That whole thing, remember that? Poor Donald, he can't even watch TV this week because it's shark week." pic.twitter.com/KWL4Xs1Ukn Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2024 Most importantly, Democratic elites and pundits have been criticizing Biden his second term agenda, so he got into it: Biden says the first bill of his second term will be to make Roe v. Wade the law of the land. The President goes on to lay out the first 100 days of his second term. pic.twitter.com/C8xB6sMaji Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2024 Biden also tore into Project 2025: Biden unloads on Project 2025, "Project 2025 is run and paid for by Trump people. His top policy people. His campaign press secretary, his personal bag man in the White House. The biggest funders and more. It was a project built for Trump." pic.twitter.com/FjzeekmBxt Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) July 12, 2024 The campaign speech was Bidens third speaking of the day in Michigan. The President was speaking without a teleprompter, and there were no name mix ups or gaffes. Looking at Bidens performance of this week, it is embarrassing that the mainstream press was trying to force him out of the presidential race. The group of Democratic members of Congress and pundits that called for Biden to drop out should be ashamed of themselves. This Joe Biden is motivated, focused, and looks like a president that can beat Donald Trump in November. Bidens revival might have saved more than the Democratic Party. President Biden might have also saved America. Before Donald Trump arrived to be worshiped by some of the rural poor that will fill the Butler County, PA fairgrounds, steelworkers in Pittsburgh rallied for President Joe Biden. WTAE in Pittsburgh reported: In Pennsylvania alone, Donald Trump and his administration cost us over 275,000 jobs. Meanwhile, Joe Biden and his administration have created over a half a million jobs in just under four years in office, Bernie Hall, District 10 director of the United Steelworkers, told the crowd. In the rally at Steelworkers headquarters, Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council President Darrin Kelly and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey both voiced full-throated support for Biden. Kelly praised Biden for the dedication of a human being that has been a civil servant for this country for five decades. You stand by that person. And we are very confident in him, his administration, the policy he has in this election in this state. Meanwhile, Trump is heading back to Butler County, which some unfamiliar with the area may refer to as Pittsburgh, but that would be wildly inaccurate. Butler County is 35 miles from Pittsburgh, and specifically where Trump is rallying is one of the most economically depressed regions in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Butler Countys economy is carried by the booming Cranberry Township area. The rest of the country much like its rural neighbors is controlled by Republicans, rural, and poor. Butler County hasnt voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since LBJ in 1968. As someone who grew up minutes where Trump is holding his event today, I can say from first hand experience that the point of this rally is to squeeze out every rural red Republican vote that he can get out of that region. The contrast that played out between the Pittsburgh steelworkers and Trumps rally is the real race to determine which candidate will win Pennsylvania. Biden won Pennsylvania in 2020 by driving up turnout of Democrats in rural red counties. If Biden can do the same thing in 2024, he will be in a good position to carry his birth state for second time. While some Democrats grew a pair of weak knees after the first debate, the steelworkers are standing strong with Joe Biden. Residents of the Russian city of Makhachkala have taken to the streets to protest another power outage. They complained about the quality of life in the city, as they are not even able to take a shower at home after a day of work and traveling by public transport. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Russian Telegram channels. It is noted that this is not the first time that Russians have come to the rally the previous one took place on July 10. In protest, people walked continuously on the pedestrian crossing until the lights were turned on. At the same time, social media reacted ironically to the news that the Russian government had ranked Makhachkala among the top 5 best cities for quality of life. As a reminder, the Rostov region of the Russian Federation suddenly experienced a "power shortage" after the latest drone attacks. As a result, on July 6, the region announced the introduction of a schedule of temporary power outages for household consumers. According to local media, it provides for power outages of up to 2-3 hours. But in reality, Russians are complaining that they have been without power for 6-9-12 hours. ADVERTISIMENT It is noteworthy that the "inconvenience" has affected not only household users: in Rostov-on-Don, locals report that traffic lights have not been working for two days, and employees and visitors have been evacuated from shopping centers after the power outage. As OBOZ.UA previously reported, on July 3, the Oskol Ugarov Electrometallurgical Plant (OEMK), the only full-cycle metallurgical enterprise in Russia, stopped working in Stary Oskol, Belgorod region, Russia. The plant has been completely de-energized, and equipment may need to be repaired or even replaced. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Aiken Standard Reporter Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County. Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers The two teams suing NASCAR have asked for a court order to compete under the 2025 charter agreement as their antitrust case moves through federal court. 23XI Racing is owned by Michael Jordan, veteran driver Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk. Front Row Motorsports is owned by Bob Jenkins. The teams sued NASCAR and chairman Jim France last week, accusing NASCAR of being monopolistic bullies in the new charter system that they refused to sign. Read more2 teams suing NASCAR ask court to recognize them as chartered while antitrust case proceeds The military is reaching out to the private sector for ideas on how to better protect the dozens of supersized C-17 cargo jets stationed at Joint Base Charleston and other large aircraft from the rise in drone warfare. The Air Force recently issued a request for information seeking "concepts and technologies" for on-board defense systems that could distinguish between friendly and enemy drones and defend the big, slow-moving aircraft from attacks while in flight and during ground operations, such as taxiing, or while parked. The defense systems would be used on what the military terms mobility aircraft, such as tankers and transport planes, that are vulnerable to enemy fire. Joint Base Charleston maintains one of the largest fleets of such aircraft, with 40 C-17 Globemasters or nearly one-fifth of the military's entire fleet of 223. Boeing South Carolina, which builds the 787 Dreamliner at its neighboring campus that shares runways with the Air Force, supports the local military airlift planes with engineering, maintenance and other services. The Pentagon's Air Mobility Command said it's seeking technologies that have already been proven effective "with the potential for future integration" and additional development on its cargo, tanker and other mobility aircraft. The request states the purpose of a new defense system would be "to enhance aircrew situational awareness" of drones operating near the planes "and improve safety of flight" in response to drone threats. The technology should also be able to detect, track, and identify whether a drone is friend or foe so it would not destroy, for example, those that might be lending assistance in humanitarian missions. The new system would complement existing defense capabilities the big planes are equipped with. "Mobility aircraft already carry defensive systems, such as flares and laser jammers, to defeat threats like missiles," according to a report by the breakingdefense.com website. "But the proliferation of drone warfare and increasing civilian use of unmanned systems appears to be motivating the Air Force to field new defenses against unmanned aircraft systems threats, particularly as officials warn that adversaries like China could exploit vulnerabilities in logistics operations." Around 04:00 on July 13, an oil depot in the Tsimlyansky District of the Rostov region of Russia was attacked by drones. As a result of the hits, a fire broke out, which was assigned rank 3, and black smoke rose into the sky. ADVERTISIMENT It was reported by the governor of the Rostov region, Vasily Golubev, on Telegram. He assured that there were no deaths or injuries. The Russians engaged 49 people and 14 pieces of equipment to fight the fire. According to Russian media, the wreckage of the drone shot down by air defense fell on the territory of the enterprise, which stores AI-92, AI-95 and diesel fuel. According to eyewitnesses, there was one explosion around 4 a.m., after which they noticed a column of smoke coming from the tank farm. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 20:01:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 938 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Over 11,000 Google reviews from 163 practices were analyzed in the Atlanta, GA Plastic Surgeons Research Report, highlighting the highest-rated surgical practices by patients.ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Atlanta's reputation for exceptional plastic surgeons is well-known in the Southeastern states. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 163 medical practices and 11,109 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 5,009 Google Reviews and 45.08% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Atlanta plastic surgeons. With an average of over 500.9 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Atlanta metropolitan area,Atlantaresidents ( Atlantans ) have shared their positive medical spa (medspa) and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed.There were sixteen plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Atlanta for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: VelesStudio / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD."We compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 163 plastic surgery practices in Atlanta, GA. The leading surgical clinics andplastic surgeons in Atlantaare made up of 16 doctors that received a combined 5,009 patient reviews. These Atlanta area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," saidMarty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, aphysician marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI).Atlanta, Georgia Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data MethodologyFor the first quarter (Q1) of 2024,Google Reviews for plastic surgeonsdata was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Atlanta, Georgia (GA). Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI):176 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Atlanta, Georgia were identified viadoctor Google My Business (GMB) profilesand Google Map listings for Atlanta.163 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed)11,109 total online Google Reviews for allAtlanta plastic surgeonsas of 01/05/24.122 practices (69.31%) had at least 1 online review.54 practices (30.68%) had 0 online reviews.Average rating across all practices was 4.58 stars.91.05 was the average number of reviews per practice.Quick Stats of the Leading Atlanta, GA Practices:5,009 total reviews for the top 10 combined.This was 45.08% of all reviews combined.500.9 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10.Star Ratings ranged from 3.9 to 5 stars, with the average being 4.8 stars.The Atlanta Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and FeedbackMetroDerm & Center for Plastic Surgery, featuring Dr. Milorad Marjanovic, Dr. Farzad Nahai, and Dr. Foad Nahai, has accumulated 2,450 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is highly regarded for its comprehensive dermatology and plastic surgery services. The combined expertise of the doctors contributes to its strong reputation. Patients frequently commend the clinic for its professional environment and high standards of care.Lexington Plastic Surgeons, led by Dr. Michael Jones, has garnered 532 Google reviews with a 3.9-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic surgery services. Dr. Jones is recognized for his experience and dedication to patient care. Despite a lower rating, the clinic remains a viable option for plastic surgery in the community.Muse Plastic Surgery, featuring Dr. Wright Jones, Dr. Sabine Lovell, and Dr. Frank Yuan, has received 325 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is noted for its range of plastic surgery procedures. The team's collective expertise ensures high-quality care. Patients often highlight the personalized attention and professional service provided.Dr. Lissa Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Lissa Bootstaylor, has accumulated 321 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its various plastic surgery services. Dr. Bootstaylor is frequently praised for her meticulous approach and patient communication. The clinic is known for its commitment to patient satisfaction and professional care.Breast Body Beauty Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, featuring Dr. Aisha Baron and Dr. Olatomide Familusi, has garnered 299 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating. The practice offers a wide range of reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. Both doctors are recognized for their skill and patient-centric care. The clinic maintains a strong reputation for its high standards and professional environment.Radiance Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, led by Dr. Carson Huynh, has accumulated 264 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is known for its aesthetic and reconstructive surgery services. Dr. Huynh is praised for his expertise and patient-focused approach. The clinic is well-regarded for its thorough consultations and quality care.Georgia Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, featuring Dr. Stanley Okoro, has received 232 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic and reconstructive surgery services. Dr. Okoro is recognized for his detailed approach and patient care. The clinic is noted for its professional service and high standards.Astra Plastic Surgery, with Dr. Christopher Killingsworth and Dr. Stephanie Farber, has garnered 200 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its comprehensive plastic surgery services. The team's combined expertise ensures personalized care. Patients frequently commend the clinic for its professionalism and dedication.Arslanian Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Brian Arslanian, has accumulated 195 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice offers a range of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Arslanian is praised for his meticulous approach and patient communication. The clinic is known for its commitment to patient care and professional environment.Randy Rudderman MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, featuring Dr. Randy Rudderman, has received 191 Google reviews with a perfect 5- PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 02:46:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 321 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Government, Industry and Chinese Cultural Leaders to Attend Palo Alto VIP Event, Saturday, July 13PALO ALTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / Ms. Crystal Huang, the writer, director and star of the acclaimed new movie,DARK FEATHERS: Dance of the Geisha,will be conducting a VIP screening of her film Saturday in Palo Alto. This acclaimed movie will be released to theatres in major cities across the United States in August, following this V.I.P. special event screening. Other stars from the movie will be in attendance at the event on Saturday, along with may local dignitaries, including:Fiona Ma: California State TreasureCommander Courtney Ellington: San Francisco Veteran Affairs CommissionerCEO of one Vet one VoiceJoel Wong: National Asian United PresidentZhao Yan: Saratoga MayorSherry Hu: Dublin Vice MayerCecilia Tayor: Melnor Park MayorJames Carter: Grand MasterTeresa Lai Chinese American Cultural Exchange Council (ACICEC)Aiwa Zelinsky: Chair, director of department of public Administration and EMPA--Golden Gate UniversityGeorge Lai: President of Chinese American Citizen Alliance, SF lodgeAlex Secord: Farmer veteran coalition Area DirectorThe location of the event is: 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303, from 6-pm until 9:30-pm.DARK FEATHERS is an acclaimed film that has won over 20-festival awards, and is getting GREAT reviews from major media (See Link below for FILM THREAT review of yesterday). https://filmthreat.com/reviews/dark-feathers-dance-of-the-geisha/ About Unchaseable, LLCUnchaseable, LLC is a California-registered feature film development, production and distribution company established in 2019 by Ms. Crystal Huang. Ms. Huang is an acclaimed actress and ballroom dancer. She is a former resident of Shanghai, China, who now a resides in Dublin, California. The company's first feature film production is DARK FEATHERS: Dance of the Geisha, which open in theaters across the USA in August 2024.MEDIA MEMBERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEOGRAPHERS are invited to attend this event. www.DarkFeathers.com For More Information Contact: CRYSTAL HUANG, Huang.Crystal@gmail.com // 925-997-9486SOURCE: Unchaseable, LLC Ukrainian troops have driven Russian occupation units out of the village of Sotnytsia Kozachok in the north of Kharkiv region. About a week ago, an enemy sabotage group entered the village. ADVERTISIMENT The map update was reported on the Telegram channel of Deep State's in-depth analytics. It shows that the settlement, which was marked in red as controlled by the occupiers on July 11, turned blue on July 12. A Russian subversive group entered Sotnytsia Kozachok about a week ago. The defense forces took measures to identify the remnants of this group of enemy saboteurs and eliminate them. At the same time, analysts reported bad news. In the Donetsk region, the enemy advanced near Vozdvyzhenka, Yuriyivka, in Rozdolivka, and Novoselivka Persha. Fighting continues in Urozhayne and Krasnohorivka. ADVERTISIMENT To recap, the enemy has tried to occupy Sotnytsia Kozachok several times. In particular, the Border Guard Service soldiers have already repelled an attack by a Russian subversive group there on June 26. A small arms battle took place between the defenders and the invaders. As reported by OBOZ.UA: On July 12, the commander of the Achilles attack drone battalion of the 92nd separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuriy Fedorenko, said that intense fighting with Russian occupation forces continues in the Kharkiv sector. However, the Defense Forces are seizing the tactical initiative step by step. The situation on this section of the front line is close to stabilization. ADVERTISIMENT NATO believes that Ukraine can launch offensive operations in the war against the occupiers as early as this year. But for this to happen, the appropriate conditions must be created. First and foremost, military assistance to Ukraine should not only be maintained but also increased. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 12:12:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 972 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Analyzing patient feedback from 162 practices, the Boston, MA Plastic Surgeons Research Report highlighted practices with the highest ratings from over 2,000 Google reviews.BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Boston has some of the most skilled plastic surgeons in the New England and Eastern states. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 162 medical practices and 2,165 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 1,107 Google Reviews and 51.13% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Boston plastic surgeons. With an average of over 110.7 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Boston metropolitan area,Bostonresidents ( Bostonian ) have shared their positive medical spa (medspa) and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed.There were fourteen plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Boston for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: Puhhha / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD."We compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 162 plastic surgery practices in Boston, MA. The leading surgical clinics andplastic surgeons in Bostonare made up of 14 doctors that received a combined 1,107 patient reviews. These Boston area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," saidMarty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, aphysician marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI).Boston, Massachusetts Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data MethodologyFor the first quarter (Q1) of 2024,Google Reviews for doctorsdata was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Boston, Massachusetts (MA). Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI):171 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Boston, Massachusetts were identified viaGoogle My Business (GMB) profilesand Google Map listings for Boston.162 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed)2,165 total online Google Reviews for allBoston plastic surgeonsas of 01/05/24.93 practices (54.38%) had at least 1 online review.78 practices (45.61%) had 0 online reviews.Average rating across all practices was 4.4 stars.23.27 was the average number of reviews per practice..Quick Stats of the Leading Boston, MA Practices:1,107 total reviews for the top 10 combined.This was 51.13% of all reviews combined.110.7 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10.Star Ratings ranged from 3.8 to 5 stars, with the average being 4.71 stars.The Boston Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and FeedbackBoston Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Samuel Lin, has received 213 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its range of plastic surgery services. Dr. Lin's expertise and patient-centric approach have earned high praise. The clinic is recognized for its professionalism and dedication to patient care, making it a notable choice in Boston.Sean Doherty, MD, has accumulated 206 Google reviews with a perfect 5-star rating. Dr. Sean Doherty is highly regarded for his precision and patient satisfaction. His practice is known for delivering consistent and excellent results. The clinic has built a strong reputation for its thorough consultations and high-quality care.Plastic Surgery of Boston, led by Dr. Mark Markarian, has garnered 136 Google reviews with a 4.6-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic surgery procedures. Dr. Markarian is recognized for his detailed approach and commitment to patient care. Despite a slightly lower rating, the clinic remains a respected option in the community.DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery and Med Spa, led by Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, has received 113 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is noted for its combination of plastic surgery and med spa services. Dr. DeRosa's expertise and patient-focused approach are frequently highlighted. The clinic is well-regarded for its comprehensive care and professionalism.The Boston Center for Facial Plastics, featuring Dr. Waleed Ezzat, has accumulated 87 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice specializes in facial plastic surgery. Dr. Ezzat's skill and attention to detail are often praised by patients. The clinic is known for its high standard of care and patient satisfaction.Clareo Plastic Surgery, with Dr. Michael Tantillo and Dr. Christopher Lee, has received 86 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice offers a wide range of plastic surgery procedures. The combined expertise of both doctors contributes to the clinic's strong reputation. Patients appreciate personalized care and successful outcomes.JL Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Jeffrey Lee, has garnered 71 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is recognized for its high level of patient care and expertise. Dr. Lee's meticulous approach and patient communication are frequently mentioned. The clinic is well-regarded for its professional service and excellent results.Boston Center for Plastic Surgery includes Dr. Leonard Miller, Dr. Sean Doherty, Dr. Akshay Sanan, and Dr. Vickram Tandon. The practice has accumulated 69 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The team's combined expertise ensures comprehensive care and successful procedures. The clinic is noted for its high standard of care and patient satisfaction.Back Bay Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Daniel Del Vecchio, has received 66 Google reviews with a 3.8-star rating. The practice offers a variety of plastic surgery services. Despite a lower rating, Dr. Del Vecchio is recognized for his experience and dedication. The clinic remains a viable option for patients seeking plastic surgery in Boston.Boston Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Fouad Samaha, has garnered 60 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is known for its range of cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Samaha's expertise and patient care are frequently praised. The clinic has established a strong reputation for its professional service and patient satisfaction.Summary Recap of t PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 20:00:58 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 338 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Chef Bernard James, Owner of Taste of the Caribbean LA and Miss Caribbean Los Angeles beauty pageant has announced that the 2nd annual beauty pageant will be expanding to New York for 2025. The pageant will partner with nonprofit organization, Corlette Malcolm James Charities in honor of his late wife Corlette Malcolm James who passed away in 2009 from Lymphoma Cancer."We had a great amount of success in Los Angeles with the first pageant and have been getting an outpour of support from businesses and sponsors in New York so it was only right that we expanded," said Chef Bernard James.In addition to New York, James plans on expanding to Miami and Atlanta in the near future. It is his goal to tap into markets with large Caribbean communities and spread awareness across the nation."My children and I suffered a tragic loss and for years we have supported the research of the disease so it was important for me to do something where I could uplift women, shine light on the Caribbean heritage and pay homage to Corlette," said James.His goal is to provide light to families experiencing darkness after losing loved ones to lymphoma and any form of cancer. Proceeds from the pageant will go towards cancer research.The 1st Inaugural Miss Caribbean Los Angeles Pageant was held June 1st in downtown Los Angeles. It consisted of food sponsors, vendors and a 3-part pageant that consisted of contestants answering questions and a talent performance. At the end of the night, Jahmea Bent was crowned Miss Caribbean Los Angeles, Bent was representing Belize.Submission entries for Miss Caribbean LA and Miss Caribbean New York will open in September of this year. For more information on Miss Caribbean Los Angeles and New York, make sure to visit their website misscaribbeanla.com and their Instagram page @misscaribbeanla.Media Details Company Name: Ayers PublicityMail: info@ ayerspublicity.com Website: www.ayerspublicity.com City & Country: Los Angeles, United StatesSOURCE: Ayers Publicity PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 22:01:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 932 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 A Plastic Surgeon's Cosmetic Practice and Medspa achieved a 5680% sustained increase in natural Google Organic Search Traffic, thanks to the strategic guidance of Doctor Marketing, MD. With zero investment in Pay-Per-Click (PPC) and no ad spend, this detailed Video Case Study shows the remarkable before and after results, highlighting the significant impact of a consistently strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) plan for any Healthcare business wanting to drive new patient inquiries and engagement.HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 13, 2024 / Doctor Marketing, MD (DRMMD), led by Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Marty Stewart, recently showcased a groundbreakingvideo case studydemonstrating the power of organic SEO and strategic content creation. Their efforts resulted in an astounding 5680% growth for a previously struggling plastic surgery practice, achieved without any ad spend or pay-per-click costs. This success story highlights the effectiveness of high-quality content creation, content marketing, public relations with press releases, PR media news stories, and search engine marketing, in achieving page-one Google search rankings that drove tons of organic traffic and visitors to the plastic surgery clinic website.Content Marketing VIdeo Case Study showing 56.8x rise in rankings and patient traffic. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MD"This case study highlights a plastic surgeon's practice achieving a 5680% increase in organic traffic through strategic SEO, with no investment in PPC ads. The remarkable growth demonstrates the power of a consistent SEO plan in driving sustained visibility and patient engagement. It's a clear example of how healthcare businesses can thrive online without relying on paid advertising," saidMarty Stewart , Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, one of thebest digital marketing firmsforplastic surgery marketingandplastic surgeon content marketing.Plastic Surgeon website traffic was "dead" for years, prior to strategic guidance and implementation by DRMMD. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MDThe Initial Challenge: A Lifeless WebsiteThe client's website was essentially lifeless, failing to register any significant traffic until early 2022. Despite working with a competent web design company, their SEO efforts were ineffective, leaving the website's potential untapped. The site's performance was dire, with only 3,500 clicks from Google in nearly a year, a dismal average position on page four or five of search results, and a mere 785 indexed keywords. The lack of visibility meant fewer potential patients learning about the practice, directly impacting patient acquisition and revenue.BEFORE: The medical practice website was not effective at attracting new patients because it was not ranking well in Google. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MDDoctor Marketing, MD's Strategic InterventionDoctor Marketing, MD did not take over the website but instead focused on publishinghigh-quality content daily . This strategic intervention began on September 5, 2023. The team meticulously crafted content that was not only relevant and engaging but also optimized for SEO. By reverse-engineering what potential patients might be searching for, they were able to create content that resonated with the target audience and addressed their needs and queries.AFTER: Google Analytics shows meteoric increase in online visibility for the surgeon's medical practice website. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MDKey Metrics and Achievements: A Detailed AnalysisThe transformation was nothing short of spectacular. Here's a detailed look at the key metrics before and after Doctor Marketing, MD's involvement:Before Doctor Marketing, MD's Involvement:Clicks: 3,500 over 11 monthsAverage Position: Page 4 or 5 on GoogleIndexed Keywords: 785Average Clicks per Day: 10Average Impressions per Month: 300After 5 Months with Doctor Marketing, MD:Clicks: 88,400 in 5 monthsImpressions: Nearly 5 millionClick-Through Rate (CTR): TripledAverage Position Improvement: TripledIndexed Keywords: 17.6 times more relevant keywordsAverage Clicks per Day: 508Before and After (B&A) side-by-side statistics showing dramatic improvement in only five months. Image Credit: Marty Stewart, Doctor Marketing, MDA Meteoric Rise in PerformanceThe impact of consistent,high-quality contentpublishing is evident in the dramatic rise in clicks and impressions. From September 5, 2023, to February 4, 2024, the website experienced an unprecedented surge in traffic. The data shows a meteoric rise in performance metrics, including a significant increase in top three search rankings and featured snippets.The Google Search Console data provides a visual testament to this success. Before the intervention, the site was virtually invisible, struggling to gain any traction. Post-intervention, the site saw an explosive increase in daily clicks and impressions, demonstrating the effectiveness of thestrategic content approach .Organic Google Search Traffic vs. Pay Per Click (PPC) AdvertisingOne of the most striking aspects of Doctor MarketingMD's success with this plastic surgery practice is the stark contrast between the results achieved through organic Google search traffic and the typical outcomes associated withPay Per Click(PPC) advertising. PPC advertising is often touted as a quick way to generate traffic, but it comes with significant drawbacks.Problem with PPC #1: High Costs, Low ResultsPPC campaignsrequire a substantial financial investment. Each click on an ad incurs a cost, which can quickly add up, especially in competitive industries like plastic surgery. Despite these high costs, the results are often underwhelming. Many businesses find that theirPPC campaignsdo not generate the expected return on investment (ROI), leading to wasted resources and disappointing outcomes.Problem with PPC #2: Lazy Campaign ManagementA significant issue withPPC advertisingis the quality ofcampaign management . Manycompanies managing PPCcampaigns lack the dedication and expertise needed to optimize performance. They often rely on automated settings and generic strategies that do not cater to the unique needs of individual businesses. This lack of personalized attention results in suboptimal ad placements, irrelevant clicks, and ultimately, poor ROI.Problem with PPC #3: Negative ROIThe combination of high costs and ineffectivecampaign managementoften leads to a negative ROI for PPC advertising. Businesses end up spending more on ads than they earn from the traffic generat PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 01:01:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1057 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Not for distribution to United States news wire services or for dissemination in the United States.VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / Metavista3D Inc. (formerly 1344340 B.C. Ltd.) ("Metavista3D" or the "Company") announces that it has agreed to complete a series of transactions with psHolix AG ("PsHolix"), the shareholders of PsHolix (the "PsHolix Shareholders"), and 1448125 B.C. Ltd. ("Finco") that will see Metavista3D acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of PsHolix and Finco (the "Transaction") together with a concurrent application to list the resulting issuer shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), as more particularly described in this news release. The proposed Transaction will be effected through a share exchange agreement (the "SEA") among the Company, PsHolix, and the PsHolix Shareholders and a business combination agreement (the "BCA") among the Company and Finco. The Transaction is conditional on PsHolix and the Company completing the Private Placements (as defined below) and the Exchange approving the listing of the common shares of the Company following the Transaction ("Resulting Issuer Shares") and other customary conditions.About PsHolixPsHolix is a research and development company in the pseudo-holographic display technologies sector focused on developing AI-based displays for spatial reality without requiring the viewer to use 3D glasses. PsHolix's technology is protected by 23 patents in various jurisdictions, which are the basis for its "naked eye 3D" system based on Super-Multiview technology. PsHolix's "stereo base extension" technology provides greater depth into the image and resolves the vergence/accommodation conflict which can cause headaches due to eye strain if one looks at 3D displays for a longer period of time. These patents are the foundational technology and processes applied in its 3D (pseudoholographic) displays, hardware & software, which can be applied in various direct to consumer technologies as well as cross-industry applications such as metaverse, gaming, video conferencing, automotive (digital mirrors), and medical applications.Transaction DetailsThe Company shall acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of PsHolix from the PsHolix Shareholders in exchange for 42,000,000 post-Consolidation (as defined below) common shares of the Company (the "Metavista3D Shares"). In connection with the Transaction, PsHolix shall settle CHF 2,852,786 of debt outstanding on the books of PsHolix by the issuance of PsHolix Shares which shall be exchanged on closing of the Transaction for an additional 40,582,584 Resulting Issuer Shares (the "PsHolix Debt Settlement"). The Transaction will result in the existing holders of PsHolix shares (including the holders of PsHolix Shares resulting from the PsHolix Debt Settlement) becoming holders of Resulting Issuer Shares. PsHolix will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metavista3D post-Transaction and the resulting entity from the Transaction (the "Resulting Issuer") will continue the business of PsHolix as a company.Additionally, the PsHolix Shareholders shall be granted certain minority protection rights pursuant to a shareholders rights agreement whereby the PsHolix Shareholders shall be granted the rights to: (i) exclusively nominate two directors of the Company for a period of 3 years, (ii) require express approval for any transactions outside of the normal course of business, including the disposition of PsHolix's patents, and (iii) the grant of pre-emptive rights for the sale of any additional PsHolix Shares.Certain Resulting Issuer Shares to be issued pursuant to the Transaction are expected to be subject to restrictions on resale or escrow under the policies of the Exchange, including the securities to be issued to "Principals" and certain non-principal holders of Resulting Issuer Shares subject to "Seed Share Restrictions" (as defined under the policies of the Exchange), which will be subject to the escrow requirements of the Exchange.The Transaction is intended to be completed immediately prior to the listing of the Resulting Issuer Shares on the Exchange and will result in the business combination of Metavista3D, Finco, and PsHolix. On completion of the Transaction, Metavista3D is expected to qualify as a Tier 2 technology issuer on the Exchange.ConsolidationPursuant to the SEA and BCA, the Company has agreed to consolidate the Metavista3D Shares on the basis of 1 post-Consolidation Metavista3D Share for each 3.33 pre-Consolidation Metavista3D Shares (the "Consolidation"). The Company currently has 58,000,000 Metavista3D Shares issued and outstanding, such that immediately following the Consolidation and prior to completion of the Transaction, 17,417,416 Metavista3D Shares will be issued and outstanding.Financing MattersPsHolix intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of common shares (the "Financing Shares") at an issuance price of $1.89 per PsHolix Share for aggregate gross proceeds of at least CAD$5,000,000 (the "PsHolix Financing"). On closing of the Transaction, the Financing Shares shall be exchanged for Resulting Issuer Shares on the basis of 4.2 Resulting Issuer Shares for each Financing Share held. The net proceeds of the PsHolix Financing will be placed in escrow and released to PsHolix subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions including the completion of the Transaction.Additionally, the Company shall enter into a business combination agreement with 1448125 B.C. Ltd. ("Finco"), a special purpose company incorporated solely for the purposes of the Finco Financing (as defined below), whereby Finco and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company shall be amalgamated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) pursuant to which all Finco shareholders will exchange their Finco Shares held for Resulting Issuer Shares, on a one-for-one basis. Finco will be wound up into the Company and the assets of Finco (which consist of the funds received by Finco pursuant to the Finco Financing, net of expenses) will be transferred to the Company by operation of law. Finco shall, prior to closing of the Transaction, complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 1,333,333 common shares in the capital of Finco (the "Finco Shares") at a price of $0.45 per Finco Share for aggregate gross proceeds to Finco of up to CAD$600,000 (the "Finco Financing", each of the PsHolix Financing and Finco Financing, collectively the "Private Placements").The securities to be offered in the Private Placements have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. st PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 02:32:49 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 984 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 In an unprecedented move shaking up the Construction Industry, a leading Commercial Construction Recruiter and Headhunter in Atlanta, GA has announced an extraordinary offer: to work for free for select client companies.ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / In a bold and unprecedented move, JPI Executive Search (JPI), a leading commercial construction recruiter and headhunter in Atlanta, GA, has announced an extraordinary offer: to provide their services for free to select client companies. This offer aims to address the significant hiring challenges faced by the construction industry in Atlanta and the Southeast region. By offering their expertise at no upfront cost, JPI Executive Search hopes to build long-term partnerships and showcase their ability to deliver top-tier talent. This initiative is expected to attract a lot of attention and could potentially redefine the standard practices within therecruitment industry . By removing the financial barriers, JPI Executive Search is making top-tier recruitment services accessible to more companies.In a game-changing decision, a top CommercialConstruction Recruiter in Atlanta , GA pledges to provide complimentary services for select clients, revolutionizing industry standards. Image Credit: Borevina / 123RF."In a bold move to support Atlanta's Construction Industry, we're offering our strategic recruiting and headhunting services for free upfront, to select commercial or industrial construction companies facing significant hiring challenges. This initiative is about building long-term partnerships and demonstrating our ability to deliver top-tier talent, essential for building project success and company growth," said Josh Rae, CEO ofJPI Executive Search , one of the most highly-sought afterAtlanta Construction Recruitersin Georgia and the Southeast Region, for commercial construction recruiting and talent acquisition.Addressing Construction Hiring ChallengesThe construction industry in Atlanta has been grappling with severehiring challenges . The demand for skilled labor has outpaced supply, leading to project delays and increased costs. By offering their services for free, JPI Executive Search aims to alleviate some of these pressures and help construction companies secure the talent they need to keep their projects on track. This initiative highlights the company's commitment to supporting the industry's growth and success. The chronic shortage of skilled workers has been a significant impediment to the industry, and JPI's offer could be a vital lifeline for many companies struggling to fill critical roles. This move is expected to help bridge the talent gap and ensure smoother project executions.Building Long-Term Partnerships With Construction ClientsThis offer is designed to forge strong, lasting relationships with client companies by proving their value upfront. By eliminating initial costs, JPI aims to show potential clients that their focus is on long-term success rather than short-term gains. This strategic move could revolutionize howrecruitment partnershipsare formed in the industry.Demonstrating Value Through ActionBy offering their services for free upfront, JPI Executive Search is putting their reputation and expertise on the line. This move is not just about attracting new clients; it's about proving their capability to deliver results. The company's confidence in their ability to find and place the best candidates is evident in this offer. They believe that once companies experience the quality of their service, they will continue to rely on JPI Executive Search for theirfuture hiring needs . This approach also underscores the company's commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. By taking this bold step, JPI is demonstrating their dedication to solving the industry's most pressing issues and helping their clients succeed.The Strategic Approach of JPI Executive SearchJPI Executive Search employs a strategic and personalizedapproach to recruitment . Their extensive network of industry contacts and in-depth knowledge of the construction sector enable them to identify and attract top-tier talent. By understanding the specific needs and challenges of their clients, they can provide tailored solutions that address immediate hiring needs and contribute to long-term success. Thisstrategic recruiting approachis a key factor in their decision to offer free services, as they are confident in their ability to deliver value and build lasting relationships. Their methodology involves rigorous screening processes and a deep understanding of client requirements, ensuring that the candidates they present are a perfect fit for the roles.The Impact on the Construction IndustryThis unprecedented offer by JPI Executive Search has the potential to significantly impact the construction industry in Atlanta. By removing the financial barrier to accessing top-tierrecruitment services , more companies can benefit from their expertise. This could lead to a more robust and efficient hiring process, reducing project delays and improving overall productivity. The ripple effect of this initiative could be felt throughout the industry, as other recruitment firms may follow suit, leading to a more competitive and dynamic market. Additionally, this move may encourage more professionals to enter the construction industry, knowing that there are dedicated efforts to place them in the right roles.A Commitment to ExcellenceJosh Rae and his team at JPI Executive Search are committed to excellence in everything they do. Their decision to offer free services is a testament to their dedication to the construction industry and their belief in theimportance of quality recruitment . This initiative reflects their core values of integrity, innovation, and partnership. By investing in the success of their clients, they are also investing in the future of the construction industry in Atlanta and the Southeast region. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their meticulous approach to recruitment and their unwavering focus on client satisfaction.Future Prospects in the Construction IndustryAs the construction industry continues to evolve, the demand for skilled labor will remain a critical issue. Innovative approaches to recruitment, like the one introduced by JPI Executive Search, will be essential in addressing these challenges. This offer not only positions JPI as a leader in the industry but also sets a new standard for recruitment services. Companies that take advantage of this opportunity will likely see significant benefits, both in terms of immediate hires and long-term growth. The future ofconstruction recruitmentmay see more firms adopting similar strategies, leading to a more collaborative and effective industry landscape.Game-Changer Offer For C PR-Inside.com: 2024-07-13 05:46:59 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 969 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 The Washington DC Plastic Surgeons Research Report examined over 3,000 Google reviews by patients across 109 practices, identifying the most highly rated plastic surgery practices in the District of Columbia.WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2024 / Washington DC has some of the most skilled plastic surgeons in the nation's capital. Doctor Marketing, MD has analyzed data from over 109 medical practices and 3,472 online Google Reviews. According to their research report, the top clinics account for 1,979 Google Reviews and 56.99% percent of all plastic surgery reviews online for Washington DC plastic surgeons. With an average of over 197.9 patient reviews per practice, these surgeons display surgical excellence that sets them apart from the rest. In the Washington D.C. metropolitan area,Washington DCresidents ( Washingtonian ) have shared their positive med spa and cosmetic surgery procedure experiences, from the thousands of reviews analyzed in the District of Columbia.There were seventeen plastic surgeons analyzed from the leading Plastic Surgery Practices in Washington DC for Q1 of 2024. Data was compiled by the Review Growth Index (RGI) and is based on the number of Google Reviews received as of 01/05/24. Image Credit: Velesstudio / 123RF. Illustration by: Doctor Marketing, MD."Our firm has compiled comprehensive Google Review data from 109 plastic surgery practices in Washington, DC. The leading surgical clinics andplastic surgeons in Washingtonare made up of 17 doctors that received a combined 1,979 patient reviews. These DC area medical practices and doctors have generated the highest number of patient reviews," said Marty Stewart,Chief Marketing Officer(CMO) of Doctor Marketing, MD, adigital marketing agency , and the Review Growth Index (RGI).Washington DC (District of Columbia) Plastic Surgeons Research Report for Q1 of 2024 Data MethodologyFor the first quarter (Q1) of 2024,Google Reviews for doctorsdata was compiled through January 5th, 2024 to determine the top best rankings and most reviewed by patients for Washington DC. Here is the in-depth data snapshot compiled by the Doctor Marketing, MD Review Growth Index (RGI):110 total plastic surgeons and cosmetic practices in Washington DC were identified viaGoogle My Business (GMB) profilesand Google Map listings for Washington DC.109 plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery practices / clinics remained after removing duplicates. (Note: Some doctors have both a private practice under their own name, and are part of a larger medical group under a practice name, and were listed twice, thus removed)3,472 total online Google Reviews for allWashington DC plastic surgeonsas of 01/05/24.71 practices (64.54%) had at least 1 online review.39 practices (35.45%) had 0 online reviews.Average rating across all practices was 4.55 stars.48.9 was the average number of reviews per practice.Quick Stats of the Leading Washington DC Practices:1,979 total reviews for the top 10 combined.This was 56.99% of all reviews combined.197.9 was the average # of Google Reviews per practice in the top 10.Star Ratings ranged from 4.5 to 4.9 stars, with the average being 4.75 starsThe Washington DC Plastic Surgery Clinics and Cosmetic Surgeons That Received the Largest Number of Patient Reviews, Satisfaction, and FeedbackCultura Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Kelly Bolden, has received 456 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is known for its comprehensive dermatology and plastic surgery services. Dr. Bolden is highly regarded for her expertise and patient care. The clinic has built a strong reputation in the community for delivering consistent and satisfactory results.District Plastic Surgery features Dr. Praful Ramineni and Dr. Cassie Nghiem, accumulating 439 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is celebrated for its high level of care in plastic surgery. Both doctors are recognized for their skill and dedication to patient satisfaction. The clinic is highly esteemed in the area for its professional service and successful procedures.West End Plastic Surgery includes Dr. Paul Ruff IV, Dr. Catherine Hannan, Dr. Lauren Patrick, and Dr. Lexie Wang, with 279 Google reviews and a 4.8-star rating. The practice offers a wide array of plastic surgery services. The team's combined expertise ensures a high standard of patient care. The clinic is praised for its comprehensive approach and personalized treatments. Patients frequently highlight the professionalism and skill of the medical staff.Medical Cosmetic Enhancements, led by Dr. Drew Varano, has received 189 Google reviews with a 4.5-star rating. The practice is noted for its cosmetic enhancement services. Dr. Varano's approach focuses on patient-specific treatments and care. The clinic is recognized for its attention to detail and patient satisfaction, maintaining a strong presence in the community.DAVinci Plastic Surgery, featuring Dr. Steven Davison and Dr. Ximena Pinell, has 186 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice is well-regarded for its wide range of plastic surgery procedures. Both doctors are commended for their thorough consultations and expertise. The clinic's high rating reflects its commitment to quality care and patient satisfaction.Somenek + Pittman MD: Advanced Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Michael Somenek and Dr. Troy Pittman, has accumulated 104 Google reviews with a 4.7-star rating. The practice specializes in advanced plastic surgery techniques. The team is known for their innovative approaches and patient-focused care. The clinic is respected for its professional environment and high level of patient satisfaction.Potomac Plastic Surgery, led by Dr. Houtan Chaboki, has received 95 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice is recognized for its expertise in plastic surgery. Dr. Chaboki is praised for his meticulous approach and patient care. The clinic has established a strong reputation in the community for its excellent service and results.Sherber+Rad, featuring Dr. Ariel Rad, has 87 Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. The practice is well-known for its comprehensive plastic surgery services. Dr. Rad's expertise and patient-focused approach are frequently highlighted by patients. The clinic is highly regarded for its professionalism and high standard of care.The Center for Cosmetic Surgery, led by Dr. Steven Hopping, has received 84 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating. The practice offers a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures. Dr. Hopping is known for his thorough consultations and personalized treatment plans. The clinic's reputation is built on consistent patient satisfaction an The Nigerian government has approved the sum of $21 million for the metering of 187 oil flow stations across the Niger Delta region to help promote effective monitoring of the countrys crude oil production and distribution. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (oil), disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday. Mr Lokpobiri explained that the metering project is in line with the government agenda to curb the issues of oil theft bedeviling the countrys oil and gas sector. One of the key decisions of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday has to do with the awarding of the contract for metering of our 187 flow stations across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, (NUPRC). As part of our steps to ensure that we have proper accountability, FEC approves the metering of all our production. We have 187 flow stations in the country to be metered across the Niger Delta area, and there was a contract awarded for us to meter all the flow stations so that we will be able to properly account for what we produce and what we export. The cost of the contract for the metering project is about $21 million. That is the cost of the contract as approved by the Federal Executive Council, chaired by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr Lokpobiri said. He said this is a major development that has never happened in the country. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later And this project is meant to be completed within six months, within 180 days. And its important that Nigerians know some of the key steps that this government is taking to ensure that we maximise opportunities that other countries are getting by the availability of oil and gas in Nigeria. Mr Lokpobiri also revealed that the FEC also approved the contract for the advanced cargo, which is due for completion within 180 days to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector. The second key issue is what we call advanced cargo. And one of the step towards ensuring that we account for what we produced and then Nigerians get the maximum value for what we produce, the second memo that was approved by the council has to do with what we call advanced cargo, which means we are awarding a contract to a company that will provide the technology within 180 days, to enable us to know from the point of loading of every cargo of crude oil thats loaded in Nigeria up to the point of destination. Thats why I call it advanced cargo, he added. He said most of the time, the government talks about the issue of oil theft but major steps have not been taken. This is the time to take very major steps, so that we know from the beginning what we produce to the point of loading from our terminals up to the point of destination. This is also to ensure that the database and control centre are dedicated to tracking our crude oil export from the point of loading to the final point of sales in any part of the world where our crude oil may be sold, he said. Crude theft and pipeline vandalism are major problems plaguing Nigerias oil sector despite repeated efforts to curb the menace by past administrations. In November 2023, The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) said oil thieves had vandalised over 5,000 kilometres of oil pipelines connecting different parts of the country. READ ALSO: NNPC declares state of emergency on crude oil production The NNPC Ltd group chief executive officer, Mele Kyari, who disclosed this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) on 21 November said the continuous vandalisation of the pipelines was causing a huge loss to the NNPC Ltd while describing the situation as a national calamity. Last December, NNPC Ltd said illegal oil refiners connected 4,800 pipelines on its over 5,000 kilometres of oil pipeline across the country. Mr Kyari who disclosed this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Appropriations lamented the increase in illegal connection of oil pipelines in the Niger Delta region and other parts of the country. As it is today, about 4,800 illegal connections are made on the over 5,000 oil pipelines across the country. The illegal connections on oil pipelines in the Niger Delta is so rampant that within 100 kilometres of the affected pipelines, 300 insertions are made on them, which eventually made the pipe to be weak to the point of not being able to hold the pressure of oil pumped, let alone, delivering it to targeted destination, Mr Kyari said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Movie Title: Alaye Running Time: 1 hour 33 minutes Producer: Ruth Kadiri Streaming platform: Prime Video Cast: Ruth Kadiri, Samuel Broda Shaggi Perry, Rosemary Afuwape, Monica Friday, Aloma Isaac (Zicsallona), Eddie Watson, Ataene Spurgeon Hope, Atewe Raephael, Ekele Angela, Opera Gloria Chinasa, Nonso Benjamin and Chris Esmochi. Ruth Kadiri, famous for her YouTube films, is one of the pioneers of this format in Nollywood. Many Nollywood actors have turned to YouTube to bypass piracy and maximise earnings, shifting away from the cinema. Kadiri, known for films such as Forever Yours, Boys Are Bad, and I Was Silly, expanded her reach to Amazon Prime with the release of Alaye on 5 July. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In Alaye, the adage dont judge a book by its cover has often proven true, yet many people still judge based on first impressions. This tendency can result in missed opportunities, as individuals who believe that first impressions are lasting may overlook deeper qualities and potential. Alaye aligns with the importance of looking beyond the surface and understanding that initial perceptions are not always accurate. In Alaye, Catherine, a young woman burdened by debt from her deceased fathers illness, endures the presence of a rough and unrefined lodger named Funmi. Initially, she judges Funmi based on her first impressionhowever, her perspective shifts dramatically when Funmi saves her and pays off her debt, proving her first impression wrong. Plot The movie opens with Catherine cooking when she gets a call from Gabby, to whom she owes money. Reluctantly, she goes to Gabbys club, where he threatens her to repay within two days. Disturbed, Catherine confides in her friend Eve, who suggests asking her boyfriend, Ben, for help despite his financial unreliability. Eve criticises Ben for his consistent failure to support Catherine. Facing financial strain, Catherine considers selling her car but refuses to sell her late fathers house. Eve proposes to rent out a room, and Catherine reluctantly agrees. Eve mentions her cousin, Funmi, who needs a temporary place to stay before his Visa gets ready for Catherine. Expecting a female lodger, Catherine is surprised to meet a male Funmi at her doorstep. Funmis unruly behaviour immediately causes friction. After a turbulent first day, Catherine wakes to find Funmi playing loud music. Their conflict escalates when Catherine confronts Funmi, who insists on his right to stay since hes paid rent. The following day, Funmi helps a lost stranger who cant contact her boyfriend to pay for the Uber he asked her to book. Out of kindness, Funmi gives her money to return home. Returning inside, Funmi finds food Catherine prepared and starts eating, assuming its an apology for their misunderstanding. Catherine only went inside to receive a call from Gabby, who threatened her to pay up. Tired and disturbed, she finds the food gone and angrily confronts Funmi, who is live on Instagram, talking about her gesture. She almost hits Funmi with a stick, but he dodges. She curses his mother and calls him names, but he doesnt retaliate. Funmi continues his ways. One day, after a workout, he unknowingly crosses paths with Catherine, causing another misunderstanding. Catherine leaves, and Funmi calls his girlfriend Tega over. Happy to see Funmi in a big house, Tega takes over. They eat Catherines food and mess up her kitchen. Catherine returns and sees the mess but ignores it. Frustrated at Funmis unceasing behaviour, she reports him to Eve, who cautions Funmi. One evening, Catherine leaves the house and tells Funmi she will not return home that night; on her way out, she sees her boyfriends car and decides to call him. He then lies that he is in a meeting. Surprised by his lies, she trails him to a lounge, and as she enters, she sees Ben, her boyfriend, proposing to another lady. Heartbroken, she faints and is left alone in the lounge till late at night. She heads back home only to find Tega and Funmi on her bed. Frustrated, she pours water on them. Tega gets angry and wants to retaliate, but Funmi stops her. Funmi overhears Catherines conversation with Eve as she cries over her heartbreak. Noticing her unhappiness, Funmi decides to cheer her up the next day. He makes her breakfast, cleans the house, and heads to assault Ben at his apartment. Still in shock that Funmi can do all that, Catherine sees a more loving side of him when Gabby and his men come to harass her in her house. This leads to a turning point in Catherines life as she finds love in the most unexpected place. Character Analysis The movie features a stellar cast, including Ruth Kadiri, Samuel Broda Shaggi Perry, Rosemary Afuwape, Monica Friday, Aloma Isaac (Zicsalloma), and Eddie Watson. Each actor perfects their role, delivering performances that captivate viewers and breathe life into the story. Ruth Kadiris portrayal of Catherine presents her as the protagonist, deeply traumatised by debt and desperate to do everything possible to relieve herself. Catherine, a young woman whose life shatters after the loss of her father to a kidney transplant, makes the film emotional. Catherine, who finds love in an unexpected place after breaking up with Ben, elevates the movies outcome and drives home more emotion with her facial expressions. Kadiris portrayal of Catherine is perfect; another actress could have played the role, but not as well as she does. Samuel Broda Shaggi Perry portrays Funmi, a Nigerian who dreams of leaving the country for greener pastures abroad. His coarse demeanour aligns with his true nature, often portrayed in his skits, bringing depth to the character and elevating the movie. One of the films standout moments is when Funmi rescues Catherine from Gabby and clears her debt. Funmis blend of pidgin and English adds another layer of richness to the movie. Broda Shaggis portrayal of Funmi fits him perfectly, and no one could have portrayed the role better. His performance is outstanding. Aloma Isaacs portrayal of Gabby, a money lender, embodies the relentless nature of those in his profession, ensuring that debtors repay their debts regardless of their circumstances. However, Isaac seems to need to be more accurate in the role, especially in scenes where Funmi confronts him with a bottle and knifeGabbys acting as a rootless money lender needed to be more convincing. In this film, Monica Fridays portrayal of Tega displays the same characteristics as Funmi, her boyfriend. One will naturally think theyll end up together until a twist occurs, and Funmi ends up with Catherine, the complete opposite of him. Eddie Watson embodies Ben, a Nigerian man in the film who takes women who love him without financial pressure for granted but gains insight after she moves on from a heartbroken state. He adeptly portrays Bens evolution yet falls short when failing to roll down his car window for a stranger. Rosemary Afuwape portrays Eve, Catherines friend and Funmis cousin. She embodies the character of a loyal friend who relentlessly pursues what she believes is best for her closest companion. Movie Analysis This fantastic piece showcases Kadiris filmmaking skills, ensuring her audience remains glued to the screen. The movie evokes strong emotions with a happy ending that could have been more fully explored. The cinematography deserves commendation for its camera angles, movements, and lighting. The storyline portrays love as unexpectedly emerging, even between those harbouring animosity. The film explores various themes, including domestic violence, love, and generosity, exemplified by Funmis kindness towards a stranded woman and Catherine. The film reminds us that help can come from the most unexpected sources. Catherine never expected Funmi to become her saviour during difficult times. Flops However, noticeable flaws in the film surface when Catherine returns from an outing, visibly troubled by her messed-up kitchen. Yet the next scene shows her preparing for her boyfriends birthday without explanation. This gap raises questions about Catherines sudden mood changes and the films continuity. Additionally, viewers are left without a clear explanation of how Ben knows Funmi is Catherines flatmate when he assaults him, as theres no prior scene showing Catherine introducing them or their meeting. Moreover, the film misses opportunities to use flashbacks to delve into Catherines fathers identity and other background details, leaving some aspects of the storyline underexplored. Although it is a low-budget film, Kadiri employs few characters and fewer locations to achieve a story that would be better off on YouTube. The film is not spectacular or anything different from her usual YouTube movies. However, it could have been better if she had employed a more complex theme and in-depth story. In a nutshell, the film exudes a YouTube-like feel or vibe without proper planning and execution. Verdict 5/10 Alaye is now streaming on Prime Video More Pictures: Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In the bid to strengthen public confidence in the news media, the Nigerian press, in April 2023, inaugurated a nine-member board of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), otherwise known as the National Ombudsman. The Ombudsman was a major step by the industry to strengthen public confidence in the media through a prompt resolution of issues bordering on ethical and professional breaches in media content. The commission serves as an independent forum for resolving complaints about the press quickly, fairly, and free of charge, maintaining high standards of Nigerian journalism and journalistic ethics, and defending the freedom of the press and the rights of the people to know. On Wednesday, the Ombudsman got its most challenging job yet when the Nigerian government formally wrote to the commission to complain about a Daily Trust report on the Samoa Agreement. We have made a complaint to the Ombudsman to look at the report and we have sighted examples of where Daily Trust have got it wrong, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said, adding that the government wants Daily Trust to come clean and also mention or apologise to the nation and the government. There is no harm in saying you are wrong in this one, we apologise and well get it right, but we dont expect that we will just sit down and keep quiet when the government feels that what a particular newspaper has written is not in the best interest of the country and it is not correct, it is misinformation and therefore action needs to be taken, and the action we have taken is that as we speak now complained with the Ombudsman, Mr Idris said. The government said it expects the industrys Ombudsman to look at the complaint dispassionately. 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 How does the Ombudsman work The media ombudsman was established to handle ethical complaints against Nigerian journalists and media organisations. It involves receiving complaints of an alleged ethical breach from any member of the public, serving such notice to the media where there is merit in it, and inviting a response, said Lanre Idowu, a member of the Ombudsman. After a thorough and fair review of a complaint, the Ombudsman will arrive at a decision that media outlets are expected to respect. Mr Idowu, who spoke at a convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, said if the Ombudsman upholds the complaint, the publication concerned will be obliged to publish the decision in full and with reasonable prominence within seven days of the ruling being delivered to it. All Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) members are obliged to publish an abstract of the ruling produced by the Ombudsman no later than 14 days after the ruling is delivered to the publication. Mr Idowu explained that where the Ombudsman determines that a particular ruling affects the fundamental rights of the parties involved or is of grave importance to journalism practice and/or the publishing industry, then the ruling shall be published by the publication involved and all members of NPAN within seven days of the ruling. This provision is necessary to ensure that only very important cases are published in full. Members of the Ombudsman Members of the commission are drawn from the media, the bar, the academia, and civil society organisations. The nine-member committee is chaired by Emeka Izeze, former Managing Director of the Guardian Newspapers. Others include A. B Mahmoud, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association; Chinyere Okunna, professor and deputy vice-chancellor (academics), Paul University, Awka, Anambra State; Hussain Abdu, a Development Specialist and Country Director, Care International (Nigeria); Lanre Idowu, editor-in-chief, Diamond Publications Ltd. and Founder, Diamond Awards For Media Excellence (DAME); Edetaen Ojo, executive director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA); Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo, journalist, lawyer and arbitrator; and Eugenia Abu, broadcaster, author, and columnist. The commission was set up by the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO), an organisation that comprises the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), and the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), along with other strategic media players and the civil society, in particular the MacArthur Foundation. Before the 22 February 2023 announcement of the commissions composition, each media house had been directed to institute the local Ombudsman at the newspaper level. The National Ombudsman will serve as an appellate body for the local Ombudsman as well as a court of first instance. Experts commend governments action Media advocates in Nigeria have commended the federal governments decision to file a complaint to the Ombudsman. Lanre Arogundade, the executive director of the International Press Centre (IPC), said he expects the Ombudsman to examine the issues dispassionately and make recommendations that the concerned media should follow if they think they erred. It is a welcome development in any case, Mr Arogundade told PREMIUM TIMES. These measures are far better than arbitrary arrest. Public officials and state institutions should not be seen taking laws into their own hands when media organisations erred. I will expect that the Ombudsman could prevail on any erring media organisation and decisions of the Ombudsman should be respected because the commission is an initiative of the umbrella of media organisations, the National Press Organisation (NPO), Mr Arogundade said. The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) also commended the federal governments decision. The decision of the federal government signifies a step in entrenching the vision of the coalition of a freer and safer environment for journalists to operate, the coalition of 28 organisations said. It urged the private and public sector leaders to take advantage of the NMCC to report grievances against journalists and media organisations rather than resorting to using security agencies to attack the press. We equally urge the NMCC to adhere to its mandate of conducting thorough investigations into all complaints received and ensuring appropriate disciplinary measures for any journalist or media organisation that errs, the statement read. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print An English Court of Appeal has rejected a move by Process and Industrial Development (P&ID), a company owned by two Cayman Island-based entities, to set aside a previous judgement reversing the companys $11 billion damages claim against Nigeria. Lord Justice Snowden, a justice of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales and the lead judge in the suit, noted that the decision of a British high court on the matter last December stands. The verdict was delivered unanimously with other judges such as Lord Justice Snowden and Sir Julian Flaux. P&ID was also challenging the decision of Robin Knowles, the judge who dismissed the damages claim, to deny it permission to appeal the previous judgement. In one voice, the three judges granted P&IDs prayer for permission to appeal and promptly dismissed it, according to a copy of the Friday ruling, seen by PREMIUM TIMES. I would therefore grant P&ID permission to appeal, but would dismiss the appeal, Mr Snowden said while reading the decision he reached with his two other colleagues. Succinctly put, the appeal dismissed by the court was P&IDs bid to reject the ruling freeing Nigeria from paying the company the damages. 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 court also rejected the prayer of the company, requesting it to set aside a ruling by the lower court regarding the currency in which the payment of the legal costs Nigeria incurred in the case. P&IDs contention was whether Robin Knowles, the judge who asked the company to pay Nigeria 43 million as legal fees and disbursements when the decision was made seven months ago, was in order in declaring that the payment be made in pounds sterling. Background Late last year, Nigeria got a breakthrough after more than ten years of a breach of contract dispute with P&ID, originally set up by two Irish citizens and registered in the British Virgin Islands, over a failed deal to construct a gas plant in the country. The London Court of International Arbitration awarded $6.6 billion to the PI&D in 2017, saying Nigeria did not fulfil its contractual obligations. The sum rocketed to $11 billion over six years after interest was factored in, putting Nigeria at risk of setting aside one-third of its external foreign exchange reserves to settle the debt if the verdict reached last December had gone against the country. Nigeria won the bid to upturn the arbitration award after its lawyers established that the process by which P&ID got the contract had been tainted by bribery, arguing that the company intended to use litigation to make money out of the situation. Nigerias legal team affirmed that the contract to PI&D was a product of graft and claimed that the company greased the palm of the officials of the countrys petroleum ministry to win the construction contract in 2010. They went ahead to assert that P&ID bribed the countrys lawyers in the course of proceedings to obtain documents that were deemed confidential. P&ID, founded by Irishmen Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill, had been pursuing the claim since 2012. Robin Knowles, the judge who delivered the ruling overturning the award to P&ID, noted that P&ID and its lawyers were driven by greed and prepared to use corruption; giving no thought to what their enrichment would mean in terms of harm for others. Legal costs payment gimmick P&ID claimed that even though the 43 million payment by Nigeria to its lawyers was made in pounds, the source of such settlements is usually the countrys consolidated revenue fund, which is denominated in naira. For that reason, P&ID said it ought to reimburse the country for the legal costs it incurred in the naira equivalent of 43 million. As indicated by Males LJ in NIOC at [60], one of the intentions behind the limitation in section 67(4) and equivalent provisions of the Arbitration Act, and the general policy of non-intervention of the courts in the arbitral process (see section 1(c) of the Arbitration Act), is that appeals in arbitration cases should generally be limited to some important point of principle, Mr Snowden said. To the extent that this represents an additional factor in the decision whether to grant permission to appeal, I also consider that the point on the currency of the Costs Order is of sufficient general importance to meet that requirement, he added. The court based its decision on the analysis of Justice Kimbell QC in a case titled Cathay Pacific in permitting P&ID to appeal. In Cathay Pacific, the solicitors for the successful defendant had accounted for their time and had invoiced their client (a German company), in euros. The deputy judge was asked to assess those costs summarily and to make an order for payment of the resultant amount in euros. The paying party objected that the court could only make an order for payment of costs in sterling, he said. P&ID asserts that payment of such fees and disbursements at the relevant times would have cost Nigeria a total of about 23 billion naira; but if P&ID is required to pay 43 million in costs now, that could be exchanged by Nigeria at the current rate to about 76 billion naira, the document stated. On account of exchange rate volatility, the sum surged by more than three times between December and now when converted into naira. Allowing P&ID to refund the money in naira would have made the payment essentially lower than 43 million. In my judgment, therefore, the Judge was right to accept Nigerias straightforward submission that because Nigeria had been invoiced and had incurred its liability to its solicitors in sterling, and had paid those bills in sterling, the court ought to make its Costs Order in sterling, Mr Snowden said. READ THE FULL JUDGMENT BELOW Neutral Citation Number: [2024] EWCA Civ 790 Case No: CA-2023-002515 IN THE COURT OF APPEAL (CIVIL DIVISION) ON APPEAL FROM THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE BUSINESS AND PROPERTY COURTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES COMMERCIAL COURT Mr. Justice Robin Knowles CBE Judgment given on 8 December 2023 Royal Courts of Justice Strand, London, WC2A 2LL 12 July 2024 B e f o r e : SIR JULIAN FLAUX, CHANCELLOR OF THE HIGH COURT LORD JUSTICE SNOWDEN and LORD JUSTICE FRASER ____________________ Between: PROCESS & INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED (a BVI corporation) Defendant/Appellant and THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA Claimant/ Respondent ____________________ Alexander Milner KC and Henry Hoskins (instructed by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan UK LLP) for the Appellant Mark Howard KC and Tom Ford (instructed by Mishcon de Reya LLP) for the Respondent Hearing date : 30 April 2024 ____________________ HTML VERSION OF APPROVED JUDGMENT ____________________ Crown Copyright This judgment was handed down remotely at 10.30am on 12 July 2024 by circulation to the parties or their representatives by e-mail and by release to the National Archives. .. Lord Justice Snowden : This is a rolled-up application for permission to appeal, with appeal to follow if permission is granted, against the decision of Mr. Justice Robin Knowles CBE (the Judge), in relation to the currency in which an order for costs (the Costs Order) was made, against which the Judge refused permission to appeal. The Costs Order and refusal of permission to appeal were made at the conclusion of a successful application by the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Nigeria) under section 68 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (section 68 and the Arbitration Act) to set aside two arbitration awards (the Awards) in favour of Process & Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID). There are two issues before this Court. The first issue is whether section 68(4) of the Arbitration Act deprives this Court of jurisdiction to hear P&IDs appeal. Section 68(4) provides, The leave of the court is required for any appeal from a decision of the court under this section. The second issue (which is only reached if this Court has jurisdiction and grants permission to appeal) is whether the Judge was right to order P&ID to pay Nigerias costs in sterling. Although Nigeria was billed by its English lawyers in sterling, and paid them in sterling, P&ID contends that Nigeria funded such payments by exchanging naira from its consolidated revenue fund, so that the Costs Order should have been in naira. The issue is of some financial consequence, because the naira depreciated significantly against sterling in the period between Nigerias payments to its lawyers and the making of the Costs Order. Nigerias legal fees and disbursements are said to have amounted to around 43 million. P&ID asserts that payment of such fees and disbursements at the relevant times would have cost Nigeria a total of about 23 billion naira; but if P&ID is required to pay 43 million in costs now, that could be exchanged by Nigeria at the current rate to about 76 billion naira. The background The Judges Costs Order was made during a hearing on 8 December 2023 dealing with a number of consequential matters following his earlier substantive judgment on Nigerias application pursuant to section 68: see [2023] EWHC 2638 (Comm) (the section 68 Judgment). In the section 68 Judgment, the Judge decided to set aside the two Awards that had been made in favour of P&ID in 2016 and 2017 by an arbitral tribunal comprising Lord Hoffmann, Sir Anthony Evans and Chief Bayo Ojo SAN. The Awards were for damages for repudiatory breach of a contract for the construction of a gas processing facility in Nigeria, and were for a total of US$6.6 billion. The Judge found that the Awards had been obtained by fraud or procured in a way that was contrary to public policy within the meaning of section 68(2)(g). The specific findings by the Judge were that there had been bribery of a legal adviser at the Nigerian ministry that had awarded the contract to P&ID; that there was a failure to disclose the bribery in the arbitration that amounted to perjury; and that P&ID had been provided with a significant number of Nigerias confidential internal and privileged documents during the arbitration. At the consequentials hearing, the Judge gave a ruling ordering P&ID to pay Nigerias costs of and occasioned by the proceedings under section 68 to be assessed on the standard basis if not agreed. The Judge then heard argument on the currency in which such costs should be paid. Nigerias argument was simple. It contended that it had instructed English solicitors in relation to litigation in England, had been invoiced by them in sterling, and had paid the bills in sterling. It therefore contended that in accordance with the indemnity principle, the order for payment of its costs should be in sterling. In opposition, P&ID contended that the purpose of an award of costs was to compensate Nigeria for its losses sustained by reason of paying the costs of the proceedings under section 68. It relied upon the analysis of John Kimbell QC (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge) in Cathay Pacific Airlines v Lufthansa [2019] EWHC 715 (Ch) (Cathay Pacific) and contended that Nigeria had in reality suffered such losses in naira because it could be presumed to have taken naira from its central government funds and converted the naira into sterling to fund the payment of its lawyers bills. In that regard, P&ID relied upon a letter dated 23 November 2023 from Nigerias solicitors that stated, Our client has paid invoices relating to its costs in these proceedings on a regular basis since the outset of the proceedings. As the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is self-evident that our client primarily transacts in Naira (and, indeed, we understand it has regularly exchanged Naira for Sterling on the foreign exchange market to discharge costs liabilities in relation to these proceedings) In addition, P&IDs skeleton argument before the Judge asserted that, Nigerias National Assembly approves its budget and appropriates funds in Naira, and Article 80 of Nigerias Constitution requires that all revenues or other moneys raised or received by the Federation shall be paid into and form one Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. It should be inferred that it is from this Consolidated Revenue Fund, denominated in Naira, that Nigeria must have paid its costs, and that any costs award it receives will likewise be paid back into this same fund. Nigerias counsel did not contest those assertions. In his ruling on the currency point, the Judge referred briefly to the courts general discretion in relation to costs under CPR 44.2 and then stated, 4. I have had the advantage of argument from Mr. Milner KC for P&ID, which presses for an approach that would treat costs in the same way as damages might be treated or an indemnity granted by a contract. On one view of the case of Cathay Pacific, the learned deputy judge found a point of comparison between the costs jurisdiction and discretion, and the approach where there is an indemnity in a contract. I am not able to accept that that parallel is sound for present purposes. The word indemnity features in the phrase indemnity principle when one is dealing with costs, but its purpose there is to describe the objective of preventing a successful party recovering a sum in excess of their liability to their own solicitor. 5. In the present case, if costs had been incurred in naira, then this court in the exercise of its discretion might have found more that favoured the argument addressed by P&ID. But in the exercise of this courts discretion, the short and neatly expressed proposition from Mr. Ford for Nigeria prevails. The Judge also gave further rulings on the applicable rates of interest and the amount of an interim payment on account of costs (20 million). The Judge then heard argument on the question of permission to appeal against the order setting aside the Awards under section 68. He reserved judgment, reflecting the fact that it was common ground that if he refused permission, section 68(4) would prevent any appeal being heard. In a subsequent written ruling given on 21 December 2023, the Judge refused permission to appeal. At the hearing on 8 December 2023, Mr. Milner KC then applied for permission to appeal against the Judges order that the costs ordered should be paid in sterling, submitting that this was a discrete point of law. The Judge stated, Attractively put, if I may say, and thank you for the concision. I am going to decide now to refuse you permission to appeal on that point. So you have that outcome. In response, Mr. Milner indicated that he anticipated being instructed to seek permission to appeal to this Court, and asked for a stay of the order for an interim payment on account. The Judge refused that application for a stay and then added, I dont know if there is something to think about, whether section 68(4) affects the costs point for appeal purposes, but you can think about that and take the course you are minded to take. P&ID subsequently sought permission to appeal from this Court against the currency of the Costs Order. In its statement of objection to the grant of permission under paragraph 19 of CPR Practice Direction 52C, Nigeria contended that section 68(4) deprived this Court of any jurisdiction to hear such an appeal. Accordingly, Males LJ directed that the application for permission to appeal should be heard on a rolled-up basis with the appeal to follow if permission was granted. Males LJ also granted a limited stay of the order for an interim payment on terms. Section 68 The Arbitration Act provides three grounds upon which an arbitral award may be challenged. They are section 67 (substantive jurisdiction), section 68 (serious irregularity) and section 69 (appeal on point of law). Section 68 provides in material part, (1) A party to arbitral proceedings may (upon notice to the other parties and to the tribunal) apply to the court challenging an award in the proceedings on the ground of serious irregularity affecting the tribunal, the proceedings or the award. A party may lose the right to object (see section 73) and the right to apply is subject to the restrictions in section 70(2) and (3). (2) Serious irregularity means an irregularity of one or more of the following kinds which the court considers has caused or will cause substantial injustice to the applicant (g) the award being obtained by fraud or the award or the way in which it was procured being contrary to public policy; (3) If there is shown to be serious irregularity affecting the tribunal, the proceedings or the award, the court may (a) remit the award to the tribunal, in whole or in part, for reconsideration, (b) set the award aside in whole or in part, or (c) declare the award to be of no effect, in whole or in part. The court shall not exercise its power to set aside or to declare an award to be of no effect, in whole or in part, unless it is satisfied that it would be inappropriate to remit the matters in question to the tribunal for reconsideration. (4) The leave of the court is required for any appeal from a decision of the court under this section. It is common ground that the court in section 68(4) means the first instance court hearing the application challenging the arbitral award and not an appellate court. The first issue for determination in the instant case is therefore whether the Judges decision to make the Costs Order in sterling rather than naira was a decision of the court under this section for the purposes of section 68(4). Recent Authorities The meaning of section 68(4) and the identically worded section 67(4) has been explored in three relatively recent decisions of this Court. Those cases are Manchester City FC v Football Association Premier League [2021] EWCA Civ 1110 (Manchester City); National Iranian Oil Company v Crescent Petroleum Company International [2023] EWCA Civ 826 (NIOC); and Czech Republic v Diag Human [2023] EWCA Civ 1518 (Diag Human). In Manchester City, the FA Premier League had commenced arbitration proceedings against the well-known professional football club to obtain certain information and documents said to be relevant to an investigation into the clubs compliance with UEFAs financial fair play regulations. The tribunal held that it had substantive jurisdiction to hear the proceedings and a challenge to that decision by the club under sections 67 and 68 of the Arbitration Act was dismissed by the Commercial Court following a hearing in private. The Commercial Court judge then gave a subsequent judgment in which she decided to publish her judgment dismissing the clubs challenge under sections 67 and 68. She refused permission to appeal that publication decision. The Court of Appeal (Sir Geoffrey Vos MR, Sir Julian Flaux C and Males LJ) held the judges publication decision did not fall within sections 67(4) or 68(4) so that her refusal to give permission to appeal did not prevent an appeal being heard by the Court of Appeal. In explaining that decision, Sir Julian Flaux C (with whom the other members of the Court agreed) stated, at [39]-[40], 39. Citation of [certain] cases provoked a debate between counsel and the court as to where the line was to be drawn between decisions which would be caught by the limitation on the right of appeal in the relevant section of the 1996 Act and decisions which would not. Males LJ posited the example of a case management decision about how a section 68 application should be dealt with. As I said at the time, that would seem to be an example of something which is part of the process of reaching a decision under section 68, so would be caught by the limitation on the right of appeal. Sir Geoffrey Vos MR suggested to Lord Pannick [counsel for the club] that a consequential decision on a section 68 application, for example as to costs, would also be caught by the limitation. 40. Lord Pannick made it clear that he was not inviting this court to lay down any general principles applicable in every case, but only to determine that this court had jurisdiction to hear the appeal from the publication judgment. I agree that it is not necessary for present purposes to determine the more difficult question whether case management decisions either side of the substantive decision under, say, section 67 or 68, for example as to how a hearing is to be conducted or as to costs, would be caught by the limitation in subsection (4) of each section. Whilst such case management decisions may be said to be part of the process of reaching the substantive decision, the question whether the substantive decision should be published is a distinct question separate from the decision itself. In the present case, the judges decision that the merits judgment and the publication judgment should be published was an application of common law principles as set out in the decision of this court in Department of Economic Policy and Development of the City of Moscow v Bankers Trust Co [2005] QB 207. It was not a decision of the court under sections 24, 67 or 68 and was, therefore, not caught by the limitation on the right of appeal. In those circumstances, I am satisfied that this court has jurisdiction to hear this appeal NIOC concerned a decision by the Commercial Court that a party had not, by reason of section 73 of the Arbitration Act, lost the right to object under section 67 that an arbitral tribunal had exceeded its substantive jurisdiction. The Commercial Court refused permission to appeal that decision. The Court of Appeal (Males LJ, Nugee LJ and Falk LJ) held that the decision that the right to object under section 67 had not been lost was a decision of the court under [section 67] for the purposes of section 67(4) and hence could not be appealed without the permission of the Commercial Court. At [60]-[63], Males LJ (with whom the other members of the Court agreed) stated a number of principles which he derived from earlier authorities, including Manchester City, 60. First, the policy underlying section 67(4) and other equivalent provisions has consistently been stated as being to avoid delay and expense. Obviously this is not achieved by excluding appeals altogether, but by making the first instance court the sole gatekeeper to control whether permission to appeal should be given. Paragraph 74(iii) of the DAC Report, commenting on the equivalent provision in what became section 12(6) of the Act, demonstrates that it was intended that appeals should generally be limited to some important question of principle: Thirdly, we have made any appeal from a decision of the court under this Clause subject to the leave of that court. It seems to us that there should be this limitation, and that in the absence of some important question of principle, leave should not generally be granted. We take the same view in respect of the other cases in the Bill where we propose that an appeal requires leave of the court. 61. It is worth noting that the policy set out in section 1 of the Act also includes, in addition to the avoidance of unnecessary delay and expense, a policy of non-intervention by the court in the arbitral process except as expressly provided in Part I of the Act. 62. Second, there are statements which suggest that a decision which is part of the process of reaching a final decision on a challenge to an award is a decision under section 67 or 68, as the case may be. More specifically, it was at least assumed in Sumukan that a decision under section 73 was within the compass of section 67 or section 68, and that the restrictions on appeal contained in section 67(4) and section 68(4) would therefore apply. 63. Third, there is no support in these cases for the view that only a decision finally disposing of a challenge to an award is capable of being a decision under section 67 or section 68. Nor is any distinction drawn between a decision that a party has lost the right to object and a decision that it has not done so. Males LJ then concluded, at [64]-[66], 64. Whether a decision that a party has not lost the right to challenge an award under section 73 is a decision under section 67 or section 68 for the purpose of section 67(4) and section 68(4) is a question of statutory interpretation. It must therefore be approached having regard to the object of the 1996 Act. The principles by which the Act must be interpreted are set out in section 1. They include the avoidance of unnecessary delay and expense and the limitation of court intervention in the arbitral process except where expressly provided. 65. In my judgment it is clear that section 73 is entirely ancillary to sections 67 and 68. It has no relevance or application independent of a challenge to an award under one or both of those sections. A decision whether a party has lost the right to challenge an award is undoubtedly part of the process for determining a challenge under section 67 or section 68 and is within the compass of those sections. It is a preliminary question, but not a question going to the courts jurisdiction, the answer to which determines whether the court needs to consider the merits of the section 67 or section 68 challenge. Decision is a broad term and the determination of a section 73 issue is naturally to be regarded as a decision under section 67 or section 68 as a matter of language, whichever way it goes. There is no justification for saying that it is a decision under section 67 or section 68 if the section 73 issue is decided in favour of the award creditor (ASM Shipping), but not if it goes against the award creditor. 66. Moreover, it is in accordance with the policy of the Act, as consistently described in the case law, to interpret section 67(4) and section 68(4) as encompassing such a decision. It would be paradoxical to interpret those provisions to mean that only the first instance court can grant permission on the final decision to uphold or dismiss the challenge to an award, but that the Court of Appeal can give permission on preliminary or case management decisions when the first instance court has refused such permission. Although it may be said that the Court of Appeal could be trusted not to give permission in unmeritorious cases, and would be unlikely to do so on case management decisions, even the process of applying for such permission would cause delay and expense, while leaving the status of the award in limbo until the application had been determined. The fact that there are other provisions of the Act, such as section 9 and sections 66 and 103, which may raise broadly similar issues as to the scope of an arbitration clause as arise under section 67, but which contain no equivalent restriction on the grant of permission to appeal, is nothing to the point. Diag Human concerned an attempt to appeal a decision of the Commercial Court dismissing an application for an order pursuant to section 70(7) of the Arbitration Act that money payable under an arbitration award should be brought into court pending determination of a challenge to the award under sections 67 and 68. The Commercial Court refused permission to appeal its decision. The Court of Appeal (Males LJ, myself and Falk LJ) held that the dismissal of the application for an order under section 70(7) was a decision of the court under [sections 67 and 68] for the purposes of sections 67(4) and 68(4) and hence could not be appealed if the Commercial Court had refused permission. The lead judgment was given by Males LJ (with whom I and Falk LJ agreed). At [32]-[33], Males LJ referred to the relevant passages in his earlier judgment in NIOC, and concluded, at [36]-[41], 36. In my judgment only the first instance court can give leave to appeal from a decision either to order or not to order security under section 70(7) 37. I accept that the starting point, as a matter of statutory interpretation, is that in the absence of clear words or necessary implication there should be no restriction on whatever right of appeal a party has under the general law (see Inco Europe Ltd v First Choice Distribution [2000] 1 WLR 586, 590E-F, although the issue in that case was whether a right of appeal had been excluded altogether; that is different from the present issue, as there is no doubt that the first instance court has jurisdiction to grant leave to appeal to this court). However, in my view the position is clear. 38. I consider that the reasoning in NIOC applies here. Section 70 is ancillary or supplementary to an application under sections 67, 68 or 69, and has no application independent of those sections. That is spelled out by subsection (1), which states that the provisions of the section apply to an application or appeal under section 67, 68 or 69. It is also made clear by the heading of the section (Challenge or appeal: supplementary provisions). The terms of the section fully justify that heading. 39. Deciding whether to order security is part of the process of determining a challenge under section 67, 68 or 69. Such a decision only needs to be made if the award creditor makes an application for security, but it is equally true that a decision under section 73 whether a right of challenge to an award has been lost will only need to be made if the award creditor argues that it has been. 40. Indeed, the terms of section 70(7) provide expressly that one outcome of an application for security is an order that if security is not provided, the challenge under section 67 or section 68, or the appeal under section 69, will be dismissed. That will be the typical sanction when security is ordered. It is the order which the applicant sought in this case. A decision dismissing the challenge to the award, albeit contingent on security not being provided as ordered, is a paradigm case of a decision under section 67, 68 or 69. 41. This view is confirmed by the structure of the Act, with section 70 located in the group of sections which deal with the powers of the court in relation to an award, and by the policy considerations which I described in NIOC. Does this Court have jurisdiction to hear an appeal? Applying the approach set out by Males LJ in NIOC and repeated in Diag Human, I accept that the starting point is that absent clear words, or necessary implication, there should be no restriction on any right of appeal that a party has under the general law. I also accept that the question of whether an appeal against the Judges decision on the currency of the Costs Order falls within section 68(4) is a matter of statutory interpretation. This requires the court to identify the meaning of the words used in section 68(4) in context, having regard to the purpose and scheme of the Arbitration Act: see e.g. R (PACCAR Inc) v Competition Appeal Tribunal [2023] UKSC 28 (PACCAR) at [40] et seq. Applying that approach, there are a number of factors that point to a conclusion that the restriction in section 68(4) is not meant to apply to the Judges decision to make the Costs Order in sterling. First, as explained in NIOC at [60], the policy underlying section 67(4) and section 68(4) is to limit the potential for appeals to cause delay and expense in the resolution of disputes that have been referred to arbitration. The policy of avoiding unnecessary delay and expense in arbitrations is clearly stated in section 1 of the Arbitration Act, which provides, The provisions of this Part are founded on the following principles, and shall be construed accordingly (a) the object of arbitration is to obtain the fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay or expense The application of that policy to appeals was confirmed by Waller LJ in Sumukan v Commonwealth Secretariat [2007] EWCA Civ 243, [2007] 3 All ER 342 at [15], 15. It was the intention of those drafting the 1996 Act to limit appeals to the Court of Appeal to avoid the delay and expense that such appeals can cause. Indeed the wording of the original Bill was altered to make the position absolutely clear (see the Departmental Advisory Committee Supplementary Report on the Arbitration Act 1996 (January 1997), p. 10 (para 27)). Furthermore the philosophy is reflected in section 1(a) of the 1996 Act which provides that the object of arbitration is to obtain the fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without unnecessary delay and expense In the specific context of challenges to an arbitral award, it is relatively easy to see how permitting an appeal to be heard against the substantive decision on a challenge under section 67 or section 68 might cause undue delay or expense in the ultimate resolution of the underlying dispute between the parties. Permitting an appeal against a dismissal of such a challenge would leave open the possibility that the appeal might succeed and the court might make orders setting aside an award and/or remitting the underlying dispute to the tribunal for reconsideration in whole or in part. Alternatively, if the appeal was against a successful challenge, until the appeal was determined the parties would be unable to take steps to remedy the deficiencies identified by the first instance judge and would be unable to progress the existing arbitration or, if appropriate, commence a new arbitration to resolve the underlying dispute. It is much more difficult to see how an appeal against one aspect of a final costs order following a challenge under section 67 or section 68 could have a similar disruptive effect upon the resolution of a dispute that has been referred to arbitration. It is true that permitting a costs appeal will inevitably require the expenditure of further resources, and the outcome will have financial consequences for the parties, but it is difficult to see how the decision on such a limited matter could cause any uncertainty in the arbitral process itself. That is readily apparent in the instant case. In his section 68 Judgment, the Judge had determined to set aside the Awards. He had also refused permission to appeal. It is thus clear that the Awards have ceased to have any effect, and nothing in an appeal against the currency in which the Costs Order was made could have any impact upon the status of the Awards. Nor could an appeal against the currency of the Costs Order have any legal bearing upon the steps that the parties might now consider taking to resolve any outstanding disputes between them (whether subject to an arbitration agreement or otherwise). The only impact that an appeal on costs could have upon the parties is a purely financial one. Second, and focussing on the normal meaning of the words under this section, unlike the decision in NIOC (which was whether a right of challenge under section 67 had been lost by reason of section 73) or the decision in Diag Human (which was whether to order security under section 70(7) for a challenge under sections 67 and 68), the decision that the Costs Order should be made in sterling was not a decision made under or even by reference to any provisions of the Arbitration Act at all. The Judges decision on the currency of the Costs Order was expressly made under and by reference to the entirely separate and free-standing regime created by section 51 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (section 51 SCA) and CPR Part 44.2(1). Section 51 SCA provides, in material part, (1) Subject to the provisions of this or any other enactment and to rules of court, the costs of and incidental to all proceedings in (b) the High Court shall be in the discretion of the court. (3) The court shall have full power to determine by whom and to what extent the costs are to be paid. Similarly, CPR Part 44.2(1) provides, The court has discretion as to (a) whether costs are payable by one party to another; (b) the amount of those costs; and (c) when they are to be paid. It is not a great linguistic stretch to hold (as the Courts did in NIOC and Diag Human) that a decision made by reference to a specific provision of the Arbitration Act, which only has effect for the purposes of sections 67 and 68, should be regarded as a decision under those sections for the purposes of sections 67(4) and 68(4). It is, however, not a normal use of language to describe a decision made under an entirely separate and free-standing jurisdictional regime as being a decision made under sections 67 or 68. That was the straightforward basis upon which the Court in Manchester City held that a decision made by reference to common law principles on the publication of judgments was not taken under sections 67 or 68 for the purposes of sections 67(4) or 68(4). Third, and also in contrast to the situations in NIOC or Diag Human, it is not easy to see how a decision on a final costs order following determination of a challenge under section 68 could be regarded as being part of the process of reaching a decision on a section 68 application or as being within the compass of a challenge under section 68. In NIOC, the determination under section 73 of whether the applicant had lost its right to bring its challenge under section 67 was clearly a necessary first step in the process for determining the challenge under section 67. A decision that the right had been lost would have resulted in the section 67 application being dismissed. A decision that the test set out in section 73 was not satisfied meant that the court had to proceed to consider the substance of the section 67 application. Likewise, in Diag Human, the putative appellant sought an order that the respondents application under sections 67 and 68 should be dismissed unless the money payable under the arbitral award was paid into court. Once such an application had been made, the question of whether security should be provided had to be resolved before the court could proceed to determine the substantive application under sections 67 and 68. In contrast, the Judges decision to make the final Costs Order in sterling had no effect whatever on the question of whether he needed to go on to consider the section 68 challenge. Neither was the application for costs made as a precondition to the hearing of the section 68 challenge. As I have indicated, by the time the Judge came to make the Costs Order, he had already determined the section 68 application by handing down his section 68 Judgment, and he had decided to set aside the Awards. The decision to make the Costs Order, and to do so in sterling, was entirely consequential upon that prior determination under section 68. It was also a decision made exercising the courts powers under section 51 SCA as I have explained at [39] above. Fourth, I would reject the submission by Nigeria that it would be absurd or illogical if the decision on the currency of the Costs Order did not fall within section 68(4), given that it is common ground that the substantive decision on the section 68 challenge was caught by section 68(4). I accept that the courts will not interpret a statute so as to produce an absurd result unless clearly constrained to do so by the words used (PACCAR at [43]). However, the submission that it is absurd for there to be a restriction on appeals against the substantive decision but not on appeals against a consequential costs order views the matter through the prism of conventional civil litigation, rather than through the relevant lens of the policy of the Arbitration Act to which I have referred above. The submission also fails to distinguish that the courts power to make orders in respect of costs is derived from section 51 SCA. Once it is appreciated that the purpose of the restriction on appeals in section 68(4) is to prevent delay and expense in the resolution of the underlying dispute by arbitration, it can be seen that it is not illogical, still less absurd, to conclude that there should be a restriction on substantive appeals that have the capacity to disrupt that arbitral process, but no restriction on costs appeals that do not. That conclusion is reinforced by the consideration that a right of appeal given by the general law should not be removed except by clear words or necessary implication. I would also reject Nigerias arguments based upon the suggestions made by Males LJ and Sir Geoffrey Vos MR in argument in the Manchester City case, to which reference was made by Sir Julian Flaux C in his judgment in that case at [39] (see above). I preface my consideration of those suggestions by noting that Sir Julian Flaux C made it crystal clear in his judgment at [40] that it was not necessary to determine whether those suggestions were correct, and hence they did not form any part of the decision or reasoning in the case. As reported, Males LJ posited in argument that a case management decision as to how a section 68 challenge should be dealt with might be caught by section 68(4). I can well see that permitting an appeal against a decision, for example, as to the level of disclosure required, or the evidence which should be given at the hearing of a challenge under section 67 or section 68, could easily have the capacity to cause delay and expense in the determination of that substantive challenge, and hence to the resolution of the underlying arbitral process itself. That would not be in accord with the policy of the Arbitration Act, and so it is understandable why such a decision might be regarded as part of the process under section 67 or 68, notwithstanding that the strict jurisdictional basis for such a decision would be the courts case management powers under the Civil Procedure Rules (as authorised by section 1 of the Civil Procedure Act 1997). In Manchester City, Sir Geoffrey Vos MR was also reported as having suggested in argument that a consequential decision on a section 68 application, for example as to costs, would also be caught by the limitation in section 68(4). For the reasons I have set out, if that comment was directed at a consequential costs order made after the determination of the substantive challenge under section 68, I would respectfully disagree. I would also think it most unlikely that a costs order made in the normal course of events at an interlocutory stage in an application under section 68 would be caught by section 68(4). It would be unusual for such an order to have any impact upon the progress of the substantive application, not least because the court could use its discretion in setting the terms of such an order (for example by not ordering immediate detailed assessment) to ensure that there was no such disruption. In any event, as in Manchester City, it is not necessary to reach a concluded view on all such possibilities in order to determine whether this Court has jurisdiction to hear an appeal against the Costs Order in the instant case. In my view, and for the reasons that I have given, I consider that there is such jurisdiction notwithstanding the terms of section 68(4). Giving reasons for the refusal of permission to appeal Before turning to consider whether to grant permission to appeal and, if so, to the merits of the appeal, I would observe that in the same way as the Judge was quite right to reserve his judgment on the question of permission to appeal his substantive decision under section 68 because of the effect of section 68(4), it would have been desirable if the parties had alerted him to the possibility that section 68(4) might also have applied to his decision on the currency of the Costs Order before he gave his decision refusing permission to appeal that decision. That is because if a decision to refuse permission to appeal will be the last word and there is no possibility of a further application for permission to appeal, it is desirable that a judge should give sufficient reasons so that it can be seen that he has properly considered all of the arguments and so that the parties know why no further appeal is possible: see (albeit in the context of a final refusal of permission to appeal by the Court of Appeal) Municipio de Mariana v BHP Group plc [2021] EWCA Civ 1156 at [55]-[56] and the authorities referred to therein. If such a process is adopted in future cases, there will be no justification for a disappointed party following the alternative course taken by P&ID in this case of mounting a collateral challenge to the Judges refusal of permission to appeal on the basis that he did not give adequate (or indeed any) reasons. As it is, however, because I consider that section 68(4) does not apply in the instant case, it is unnecessary to go on to consider that alternative contention further. Permission to appeal I consider that an appeal against the currency of the Costs Order based upon the analysis of John Kimbell QC in Cathay Pacific has a sufficiently realistic prospect of success to warrant the grant of permission to appeal. Further, as indicated by Males LJ in NIOC at [60], one of the intentions behind the limitation in section 67(4) and equivalent provisions of the Arbitration Act, and the general policy of non-intervention of the courts in the arbitral process (see section 1(c) of the Arbitration Act), is that appeals in arbitration cases should generally be limited to some important point of principle. To the extent that this represents an additional factor in the decision whether to grant permission to appeal, I also consider that the point on the currency of the Costs Order is of sufficient general importance to meet that requirement. The substance of the appeal In Cathay Pacific, the solicitors for the successful defendant had accounted for their time and had invoiced their client (a German company), in euros. The deputy judge was asked to assess those costs summarily and to make an order for payment of the resultant amount in euros. The paying party objected that the court could only make an order for payment of costs in sterling. The issue that arises in the instant case was not therefore, the central issue in Cathay Pacific. However, following his conclusion that he did have jurisdiction to award costs in a foreign currency, John Kimbell QC considered whether it was appropriate in his discretion to do so. On that question he referred at [46]-[50] to the indemnity principle in the following terms, 46. It has been recognised since at least 1860 that costs awarded by the courts are awards of a statutory indemnity: Costs as between party and party are given by the law as an indemnity to the person entitled to them; they are not imposed as a punishment on the party who pays them, nor given as a bonus to the party who receives them. Therefore, if the extent of the damnification can be found out, the extent to which costs ought to be allowed is also ascertained: per Bramwell B in Harold v Smith (1860) 5 H & N 381, 385. 47. This basic principle of indemnity has remained intact. In Brawley v Marczynski (No 2) [2003] 1 WLR 813, para 12, Longmore LJ said: All cost awards are intended to be compensatory in the sense that the litigant is compensated for the liability he has incurred to his own lawyers. 48. Given that cost award is intended to be compensatory and in the form of a statutory indemnity, there ought to be no difficulty in principle in the court applying Services Europe Atlantique Sud v Stockholm Rederiaktiebolag (The Folias) [1979] AC 685 in this context. The question is: in which currency is it most appropriate to compensate the receiving party for its expenditure on the litigation. 49. This approach has already been adopted in the context of contractual indemnities. In Food Corpn of India v Carras (Hellas) Ltd (The Dione) [1980] 2 Lloyds Rep 577, a shipowner paid overtime to the stevedores in Buenos Aires. Under the terms of the charterparty, the owner was entitled to a 50% contribution from the charterers. Owners paid 100% of the costs in Argentinian pesos using US dollars to acquire the pesos to do so. Owners subsequently claimed half of the cost in US dollars (at the rate of conversion prevailing at the time the sum required to buy the pesos to pay the stevedores was remitted to the local agents). The claim in US dollars was upheld. Lloyd J held that for claims for an indemnity (arising under a contract) the principle of The Folias ought to apply. The court should identify the currency in which the loss is actually felt or borne. The claimants loss was suffered in US dollars and therefore the arbitrators were right to issue an award in that currency. 50. In my judgment, there is no reason why the same approach as was taken in The Dione should not be taken in the context of a statutory indemnity for the award of costs. The fact that the source of the right to the indemnity in the one case is a contract and in the other statute makes no difference. In both cases, it is appropriate to inquire as to the currency which most truly reflects the loss which the claimant has suffered. On the facts of Cathay Pacific, since it was clear that Lufthansa had been invoiced and had paid its solicitors costs in euros, John Kimbell QC held that the euro was the currency which most accurately expresses [its] loss and the currency in which it ought to be compensated. I consider that the Judge was correct to decline to follow this approach in the instant case. I agree with John Kimbell QC that, as explained by Bramwell B in Harold v Smith, an award of costs is a form of statutory indemnity. However, where I part company with his analysis is that I do not consider that an award of costs should be viewed as an indemnity which is designed to compensate a receiving party against loss. Rather, an award of costs is a statutory indemnity against the liability that the receiving party has incurred to his own lawyers. That distinction is clearly illustrated by the many cases in which costs have been awarded to a successful party to litigation even though it is also apparent that they have personally suffered no loss because the fees of the lawyers acting for them have been paid by a third party such as a union, an insurer or a litigation funder. Attempts by paying parties to avoid an adverse costs order in these circumstances, on the basis that the receiving party has not actually paid any part of their legal costs, have been consistently rejected. The position was well summarised by Vos J (as he then was) in Popat v Edwin Coe LLP [2013] EWHC 4524 (Ch) at [35] where, after a review of the authorities, he concluded, 35. The question that the court has to answer in deciding in any particular case, where there is a party claiming to be indemnified with respect of costs is whether that person has paid or become liable to pay the costs. The question of who actually discharges the costs is not the relevant question, as the cases show. In every case that I have cited the costs were actually discharged by some third party, by the insurer, by the Automobile Association, by the union or by someone else. It matters not that the third party has paid. What matters is whether, as Lord Phillips said [in Thornley v Lang [2004] 1 WLR 378], the party claiming indemnity has become liable to pay those costs. Moreover, when the remarks of Longmore LJ in Brawley v Marczynski (No 2) [2003] 1 WLR 813 (Brawley) are considered in their full context, it is apparent that they do not support John Kimbell QCs thesis that orders for costs are intended to provide compensation for loss in the same way as awards of damages in tort or for breach of contract. In Brawley, the paying party objected that he should not have been ordered to pay costs to be assessed on the indemnity basis to a legally-aided receiving party. Although the paying party accepted that because of the wording of the legal aid regulations, the indemnity principle did not strictly apply, he nonetheless contended that the trial judge should not have ordered costs to be assessed on the indemnity basis. His argument was that the main reason for an award of indemnity costs was to avoid unfairness, because an order for assessment on the standard basis would almost invariably result in the receiving party being out of pocket. He contended that this could not occur with a legally-aided party who would not have to pay anything himself towards his costs, or might only have to make a limited contribution based on his means. It was in that context that Longmore LJ observed, at [12], [12] In fact the rationale for an award of indemnity costs is rather different. Since the introduction of the CPR, indemnity costs have been described as both compensatory and penal; but these concepts are not antitheses. All costs awards are intended to be compensatory in the sense that the litigant is compensated for the liability he has incurred to his own lawyers. The indemnity principle ensures that an award of costs (whether on a standard or an indemnity basis) does not enable the litigant to profit from any costs order. But an order for indemnity costs is often intended to operate penally on the losing party in the sense that the court disapproves of that partys conduct in relation to the litigation. In context, it is clear that Longmore LJs reference to an award of costs being compensatory was to distinguish it from an award of costs which was designed to operate penally in the sense of expressing the courts disapproval of the losing partys conduct. Longmore LJ was not addressing the question of whether the purpose of an award of costs was to provide compensation for loss, and indeed he made it clear that his reference to an award of costs being compensatory was in the sense that the litigant is compensated for the liability he has incurred to his own lawyers (my emphasis). I therefore do not consider that the remarks of Longmore LJ provide any foundation for the conclusion that when making an award of costs, the court has to conduct an inquiry into the currency which most truly reflects any underlying loss which the receiving party has suffered, as suggested in contract or tort cases such as The Folias and The Dione. I would also observe that in contrast to cases in contract or tort, in which the court hearing the claim will necessarily be aware of the manner in which the claimant claims to have suffered the losses for which it seeks damages, a court deciding whether to award costs will usually have no idea of the arrangements which the receiving party has used to obtain the funds to pay its lawyers. It would also often be entirely inappropriate and disproportionate for the court to embark upon such an inquiry into the business and affairs of the receiving party at the behest of the paying party. In my judgment, therefore, the Judge was right to accept Nigerias straightforward submission that because Nigeria had been invoiced and had incurred its liability to its solicitors in sterling, and had paid those bills in sterling, the court ought to make its Costs Order in sterling. Disposal I would therefore grant P&ID permission to appeal, but would dismiss the appeal. Lord Justice Fraser: I agree. Sir Julian Flaux, Chancellor of the High Court: I also agree. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On the night of July 13, Russia again attacked Ukraine with kamikaze drones. One of these UAVs allegedly entered Belarusian airspace at around 3 a.m. across the Belarusian-Ukrainian border in the Gomel region. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the monitoring group Belaruski Gayun. The drone circled over the country for almost three hours and apparently flew as far as Vitebsk and disappeared. The "Shahed" type kamikaze drone flew through Gomel and Zhlobin, then entered the Mogilev region and then the Minsk region, approaching Minsk (Zhodzina and Borisov). After that, it entered the Vitebsk region of Belarus and probably reached the city of Vitebsk. In total, the drone flew over the territory of Belarus at night and on the morning of July 13 for more than 350 km. At 5 a.m., the Belarusian Air Force and Air Defense Forces were again alerted for interception. A Mi-24 helicopter and a Su-30 fighter unsuccessfully patrolled the southeast of Vitebsk Oblast for an hour and a half. ADVERTISIMENT The fate of the Shahed in Belarus is unknown. There is no information about its downing or crash. Belarusian aviation returned to its permanent deployment. Earlier it was reported that on the night of July 13, the Russian terrorist army once again attacked Ukraine with kamikaze drones. In total, the enemy launched 5 UAVs over the territory of our country. Mobile fire groups destroyed 4 drones. Another drone left Ukrainian airspace in the direction of the Gomel region of Belarus. On the evening of July 11, during another Russian drone strike on Ukraine, one of the enemy's Shahed-136s flew over the territory of Belarus. The Belarusian army knew about it, as its Mi-24 helicopter and fighter jet were "monitoring" the Russian attack on Ukraine. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Two factions have emerged in the Ondo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) following an election, which was held on Thursday. Two persons, namely, Victor Amoko and Olapade Ademola, respectively, are laying claims to the office of Chairman of the Council. Mr Ademola was elected on Thursday at a special meeting of the Ondo NLC State Executive Council (SEC) attended by 22 affiliate unions and presided over by the NLC Vice Chairperson, Busola Adewumi. According to the affiliate unions, the election became necessary because Mr Amoko had retired from service. But Mr Amoko said he remained the Ondo NLC chairman because he was still in active service. He explained that the state government approved extension of service for teachers in the state but some leaders said he could not remain the NLC chairman while in extended service. I am not retired. In Ondo, the governor granted an elongation of service and I am a beneficiary. They said they will not allow me to use the elongation as NLC chairman. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later I still pay my dues and it is payment of dues that makes me an NLC member. They wrote to the NLC national body on my issue but got no reply. I am still the chairman. I have not received a letter to tell me that I have been replaced. I know the government still recognises me as NLC chairman, Mr Amoko said. Meanwhile, other affiliate unions such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), which boycotted the meeting where Mr Ademola was elected, have declared the election as null and void. The unions said Mr Amoko remained the Ondo NLC chairman as spelt out in the bodys constitution. Ondo NULGE president, Federick Akinrinola, who spoke on behalf of the unions, said the election of Mr Ademola was an aberration and a violation of the NLC constitution. He said the 300 affiliate unions would not recognise Mr Ademola as its chairman. Our stand is that the kangaroo election is illegal. We are totally against illegality. It is an aberration, Mr Akinrinola said. It is not a matter of bye-election but a constitution. Who can hold forth in the absence of the chairman? It is the vice chairman. The election is illegal and we will not recognise the new chairman. Other affiliates will not recognise him. The national body of NLC was not present at their kangaroo election, Mr Akinrinola said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Two Nigerian journalists who were kidnapped last week, alongside some members of their family, have been freed. PREMIUM TIMES reported the kidnap of AbdulGafar Alabelewe, chairperson of the Correspondents Chapel Kaduna, and three members of his family. Abduraheem Aodu of Blue Print Newspaper and his wife were also kidnapped in a separate incident but from the same part of Kaduna last Saturday. Members of the two families were kidnapped at their separate homes at Danhono 2, Millennium City, in the state. The council chairperson of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kaduna, Asmau Halilu, confirmed the release of the journalists and their family members on Saturday. To the glory of God Almighty, our colleagues, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Abduraheem Aodu and their families have been released. The Council extends her profound gratitude to the office of the CP, Kaduna State Command, office of the NSA, the DG, DSS, the Inspector General of Police, Kaduna State government, the NUJ President and all well meaning Nigerians that prayed along with us during the trying time. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We will soon announce when they will join us in Kaduna so that we could visit, rejoice and glorify God with them, the official wrote. Ms Halilu did not indicate if ransom was paid before the journalists were freed. Kidnap for ransom is common in some parts of Kaduna and other states such as Zamfara and Niger. The kidnappings are carried out by various armed groups. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has expressed its sorrow over the tragic collapse of a school building in which 22 students died and many others were injured in Plateau State. The incident occurred on Friday in Jos, the capital of the state, while the students were writing their third-term examinations. In a statement he issued on Saturday, the chairperson of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, sent the condolences of the governors to the families affected by the tragedy. The Nigeria Governors Forum stands in solidarity with the people of Plateau and the affected families during this difficult time. We commend the swift response of the rescue teams and the efforts of the state government in managing this crisis. ALSO READ: Tinubu sympathises with victims of building collapse in Plateau As the State Government continues to provide support and comfort to the affected families, the NGF is ready to support efforts to help mitigate the impact of this tragedy and prevent future occurrences. Safety in our schools is paramount, and we must take immediate steps to address any lapses. We are committed to supporting Plateau State in providing necessary assistance to the affected families. 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 May the Almighty grant the families the strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with Governor Mutfwang, the Busa Buji community, and the entire Plateau State during this difficult time, the statement read. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officer has died after a suspected smuggler he was trying to stop hit him with his vehicle. Hamzat Abdullahi-Elenwo was an inspector serving at the NCS Federal Operations Unit, Zone B when the incident occurred on Friday during a stop-and-search operation at Achilafia, along the Daura-Kano road in Jigawa. The NCS spokesperson in the zone, Isah Sulaiman, disclosed the incident in a statement on Saturday. He said the suspect has been taken into custody . The incident happened when a vehicle, suspected of being smuggled into the country, struck the operative while attempting to evade arrest, Mr Sulaiman said. The late officer was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty. The deceased, an indigene of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was born on April 15, 1985. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He joined the Nigeria Customs Service as Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on October 17, 2013, and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in 2022. He is survived by his wife and two children and his remains had been laid to rest in Katsina according to Islamic rites. Shuaibu, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the unit, extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceaseds family and prayed for his eternal rest. Shuaibu noted that the incident highlights the level of desperation among smugglers who operate with disregard for human life, Sulaiman added. He added that this was one of many instances where smugglers killed and maimed personnel of the service in attempts to evade arrest. The spokesperson quoted Mr Shuaibu as vowing to ensure that justice was served, adding, one suspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa. The units operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As progress on the use and acceptance of family planning continues to lag, health experts and advocates are demanding that state and local authorities take responsibility for ensuring accessibility of family planning commodities and engagement on the importance of child spacing and population in the country. The experts who gathered at the World Population Day Symposium held on Friday in Abuja, expressed concern over the lack of progress in funding that has been consistently allocated to the procurement of family planning commodities over the years. The symposium was organised by the Population Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to commemorate the 2024 World Population Day (WPD). The event was themed: Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All, focusing on the necessity of family planning in addressing demographic challenges and opportunities in Nigeria. Participants at the event emphasised that sub-national governments must work with the national government to prevent unchecked population growth that would affect the countrys ability to profit from quality healthcare. According to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Health, Salma Ibrahim, family planning is one of the most effective methods of addressing the incessant population growth and simultaneously for maternal mortality. Mrs Salma said overpopulation in developing economies presents its own set of challenges, saying it impedes efforts to eradicate poverty and inequality; combat hunger and malnutrition; expand educational enrolment, and improve the performance of health systems to achieve universal health coverage. 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 Together, these challenges are crucial to the attainment of the sustainable development agenda, and an understanding of our population dynamics as it grows is crucial to our ability to address these development challenges more effectively, she said. Maternal mortality Also speaking, the President, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Nigeria, Okechukwu Ikpeze, said uncontrolled childbirth contributes significantly to the high maternal mortality rate in the country. He said family planning not only helps with population control but also drastically reduces the cases of maternal mortality. Mr Ikpeze also indicated that theres a need to reorientate the citizens on birth control and push for behavioural change and increased advocacy among citizens. He said: Family planning is important. In the past, a lot of children died because women wanted a certain number just so if some died, they would still have some number of children there. But we are moved past that now. Also, the resources to care for the children are not there. There are some countries with limitations on the number of offspring allowed and they are doing better than us. But here, we think numerous children are an asset and we need to address this. Similarly, the District Head of Gagi community in Sokoto State, Umar Jabi, said the high rate of maternal mortality necessitates the need to improve the availability of family planning for every member of the population. Mr Jabi said: The federal government is doing a lot but subnational governments must also take responsibility, especially with the procurement of family planning. Family planning commodities should be available for every citizen. It is an important healthcare service for every woman and man in the country, he noted. Cost of contraceptives preventing access In his contribution, Ejike Oji, the chairman of the management committee of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) and the focal person for Nigeria Health Watch, presented the findings of a recent market survey by dRPC on the accessibility of contraceptives. He said the report showed a financial barrier based on the cost of consumables preventing access to contraceptives and other family planning consumables. We saw behavioural trade-offs and availability and accessibility, Mr Oji said, citing findings from the research. Mr Oji said providers lamented how a lot of people have very little knowledge of family planning and the use of contraceptives. The researcher said: We saw a mixed behavioural tradeoff on the issue of investment of time and money in this survey. Further findings show that clients now prioritise spending on contraceptives over other expenses like hair and makeup. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Nigeria Initiative has launched a privatesector strategy to end TB in Nigeria, calling on private-sector leaders to join in the fight against the disease. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, made this known on his X handle on Friday. The minister stated that Nigeria leads TB case detection and called on the private sector to join the fight. He said We know the statistics, we are leading in case identification, and the government and its development partners are doing their part. Now, its time for the private sector to join in the fight against tuberculosis in Nigeria. Call for partnership Mr Pate said TB continues to pose a significant threat in our country, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable and marginalised populations, including the poorest and socially excluded individuals. He said although there has been progress, there are still obstacles, adding that the resources required to maintain and scale up efforts are vast and the burden in healthcare systems is significant. This isnt just a health concern, but a social and economic issue that concerns everyone, either directly or indirectly, the minister said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The minister explained that by engaging the private sector in the fight against TB, the government aims to collaborate with dynamic partners who can enhance and scale impact, amplifying collective efforts to combat this disease. He believes that combining private sector funds with the government will amplify impact and save lives. Mr Pate said: We have the tools and knowledge to combat TB effectively, but we need your support. Imagine the impact of a strategic partnership where the Nigerian private sector leaders raise $25 million for TB initiatives, and the government and development partners match it. Together, we can ensure that our resources are used efficiently, effectively, and transparently, with a plan to monitor our progress over time. Advocacy According to Mr Pate, the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, and the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, with other first ladies advocated for the fight against TB. He said their leadership and advocacy have raised awareness about the importance of addressing TB, motivating people from all walks of life to take action. The minister expressed gratitude to the development partners for their vital support in the fight against TB. He said: We also owe a great deal to our development partners, such as USAIDGH and the Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Agbami Parties, GlobalFund, UNOPS, USAIDGH, KncvNigeria, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, and other partners whose unwavering support, resources, and expertise have significantly advanced our efforts. Also, a global health icon, Peter Piot, has greatly influenced our TB strategies with his pioneering work, dedication, and guidance. His leadership and commitment continue to inspire us, Mr Pate said. Global Plan to End TB The Global Plan to End TB, (2023-2030 ) is a plan for ending TB as a public health challenge by 2030. Developed by the Stop TB Partnership, this plan provides a roadmap of priority actions and estimates the financial resources required to achieve this goal. Building on the previous plan it aligns with global commitments made at the 2018 United Nations high-level meeting on TB. The plan includes funding needs for TB care, prevention, and research into new tools. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print You people enjoy seeing casualties, taking them (patients) to the mortuary. My family and I cant go to the mortuary. If you like it or not, if its your plan, it wont work, lamented Abiola Bolaji, a mother whose sick daughter, dependent on an oxygen machine, is suffering due to the lack of electricity at Sokenu State Hospital in Ijaiye, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Theres no electricity, no fan. Im talking particularly about the Emergency Treatment Room (ETR). You cant imagine my daughter, who was on an oxygen machine, had to suffer after I paid over 200,000, Ms Bolaji said. Visiting the state hospital to get her daughter admitted for treatment, she said she felt disappointed after spending nearly a week in the facility with her child. Everywhere was smelling; the rate at which the odour came out was not good. I brought my daughter last Tuesday, and up till now, we dont have water, we dont have light, she said angrily. According to her, although small-capacity generators were used to power the facilities in the hospital, they werent enough to power the oxygen machines and fans and provide water. We didnt have light, and because it was a small generator, there was no fan to use, she added. Facing these problems in just a week of admitting her daughter to the state hospital, she said she tried to complain to the facilitys authority. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later I called the head of this hospital, but he refused to pick up my call. I wonder why hes the head. I also called the health clerical staff, and they refused to pick up my call until one Mr Idris pleaded and said they would look for a way out. She said the state hospital should be closed to avoid jeopardizing patients lives. The lack of reliable electricity is one of the problems faced by patients and staff at Sokenu State Hospital in Abeokuta. In Nigeria, electricity is a significant problem that has yet to be solved by state and federal governments. In 2024 alone, the national grid experienced six collapses, resulting in significant drops in electricity generation and nationwide blackouts, exacerbating problems in the health sector. The grid failed on 4 February, 15 February, 4 April, and 15 April, resulting in significant drops in electricity generation. This is despite the federal governments massive funding in the power sector, leaving the countrys hopes of getting stable electricity in disarray. Hospital However, in 2021, UDEME learnt that the state government under Dapo Abiodun allocated 31.8 million to procure one 250KVA generator and two Fireman ECO12990E generators to power Sokenu Hospital. An additional 32.1 million was budgeted in 2022, totalling 63.9 million for the completion of the project. A sum of 12 million was also budgeted to maintain the power generation sets in 2021. UDEME discovered that these generators have been abandoned and are broken down with no maintenance, leaving the hospital to use small generators to power extensive facilities. About eight small generators were put on in various hospital departments during the reporters visit. Patients lament To confirm if these generators were used to power top facilities like oxygen machines, as claimed by Ms Bolaji, this reporter visited the ETR and found no alteration of truth in her claim. Patients were seen crammed from the entrance to the inner parts of the ETR. Some were using oxygen, while others struggled to breathe. An elderly man on a bed was seen struggling to breathe, producing a loud sound with each breath. Comfort Adebayo narrates a harrowing experience. Ms Adebayo said her sons emergency treatment was delayed due to a blackout, leaving her terrified and wondering how a hospital could operate without reliable electricity. She said the light went out just after her son was taken into the lab. I could hear them scrambling for torches. I was terrified. How can a hospital not have reliable electricity? My son was in critical condition. The delay caused by the blackout could have cost him his life. We were lucky this time, but what about next time? How many more families must endure this nightmare? she stressed. My father has been here for days, and its been tough. The small generators cant power the machines properly. Sometimes, we have to fan him manually because theres no electricity. Its heartbreaking, said another patients relative who wished to be identified simply as Johnson. The generators are not in good state Officer The hospitals top officers declined comments when approached by the reporter. But an officer in the hospitals maintenance department who did not want his name in print confirmed that the project had been executed and the generators delivered. However, according to the officer, the generators are not in good condition as they are not being maintained. The Fireman generators are still manageable. However, the 250KVA generator has spoiled and is not in use. The officer added, The fireman generators get issues almost every time but are still manageable. Similarly, the officer said proper maintenance had yet to be done on the generators, leaving room for frequent breakdowns. Calls for government action Meanwhile, residents around the hospital have called on the government to address the power issues plaguing the hospital. Tunde Adedayo, a resident, stressed how unacceptable the issue is, adding that it has the potential risk of jeopardising patients lives. Its unacceptable that despite the huge sums allocated for generators, patients still suffer. He said, The government needs to look into this issue and ensure that funds are properly utilised and that there is regular maintenance of these generators. We need accountability and transparency in this process. Another resident, Bola Ajayi, stressed how important health is to human beings. She added, We cannot afford to lose more lives due to negligence. The health of our community should be a priority. Some respondents advised the government to use solar energy to power the powerful machines, adding that once done, it would reduce the cost of fuel and maintenance. They urged the government to take immediate action to resolve the electricity problems at Sokenu State Hospital and other healthcare facilities in the state. We are not aware of crisis Ogun Commissioner for Health UDEME reached out to the state commissioner for health, Tomi Coker. She revealed that the state needed to be made aware of the crisis faced by the hospital and had not been informed as of the time of filing this report. I am not aware of this, and the supply of electricity is the responsibility of the Bureau of Energy. I cannot comment on this as I have no information, Mrs Coker said. She, however, said the state hospitals Managing Director would be summoned by the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Hospital Management Board (HMB) to give his report before further action is taken to solve the problems. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has called on the Nigerian government to increase budgetary allocations for people with disabilities (PWDs) in the 2024 supplementary and 2025 budgets. The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, made the call in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced disability inclusion and empowerment amid PWDs mounting concerns. He said the current financial support is grossly inadequate to meet the needs of over 30 million Nigerians with disabilities. He stressed the importance of a significant increase in budgetary allocations to foster disability inclusion and enable PWDs to contribute more effectively to Nigerias development. While we commend the federal government and National Assembly efforts in addressing PWDs challenges, much more must be done to adequately meet their daily needs. Given current economic realities, prioritising an increase in budgetary allocations for PWDs is imperative. Despite passing the 2024 appropriation bill, we urge the government to augment the PWDs budget using contingency funds allocated for unforeseen circumstances, Mr Rafsanjani stated. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 aims to protect PWDs rights and integrate them into society. However, Mr Rafsanjani noted that implementation of the law has been significantly hindered by insufficient funding. 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 Current budget allocations fall short of meeting the needs of over 30 million Nigerians with disabilities, depriving many of essential services such as education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and accessible infrastructure, he stated. PWDs concerns mount The publicity secretary of a community of PWDs in Karimajiji, along the Umar Yaradua Expressway, Abuja, Ibrahim Sagir, expressed frustrations over the neglect and discrimination they face and called for government intervention. We have communities of PWDs in the six local government areas of Abuja. We are suffering because the government and the commission have abandoned us. The skill acquisition centre over there was built and equipped by an NGO. We dont have enough light to power the skill acquisition centre for our people to learn. We dont want our people to be begging on the street, but we dont have steady power to ensure they learn skills. Also, we have a bad road leading to our community, he said. Without the governments deliberate efforts to equip people with disabilities with skills and educate them, many of them cannot meet their basic needs and contribute meaningfully to the development of society. A member of the Karimajiji community with a mobility disability, Saadatu Bashir, 37, told PREMIUM TIMES, seated in a wheelchair at her residence in Karimajiji, that she needed money for her medical expenses, childrens education and to meet her basic needs. Also, Hadiza Abdullahi, 42, another resident and wheelchair user in the community, expressed frustrations trying to pay her childrens school fees. We do pay (childrens school fees) because failure means expulsion, she stated. She also lamented how the government had made many promises to them in Karimajiji but kept none. What the two women referred to as the primary school in their community that their children attend has only two government teachers. The community pays the other four teachers working in the school. We pay the teachers through the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA). We collect money to pay them since the government could not send teachers down to teach our children, Ms Bashir said. A spokesperson for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities told PREMIUM TIMES that his organisation was tackling various challenges facing PWDs through advocacy and setting up small businesses. For instance, he said, the commission has set up Point of Sale (POS) businesses and provided financial aid for some of them. However, the experiences of people with disabilities in the country remain unsalutary even after the enactment of the disabilities law in 2018. The President of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Abdullahi Usman, told PREMIUM TIMES that despite 14 states signing and domesticating their versions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018, implementation remains poor. For effective domestication, states must establish commissions where at least 70 per cent of staff members are people with disability, he noted. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 established the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to cater for the needs and problems of PWDs across the country. A spokesperson for the NCPWD confirmed to our reporter that challenges facing PWDs have persisted, particularly in societal attitudes, including stigmatising and stereotyping them. However, the commission said it remained optimistic about improvements under the current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Recommendations Mr Rafsanjani of CISLAC said the government must allocate more funds for the welfare of PWDs to demonstrate genuine commitment towards enhancing their rights and well-being. He also called for investment in special education programmes, vocational training, schools, and skills acquisition workshops to equip PWDs with the necessary skills for gainful employment and economic empowerment. He further called for allocating more funds to improve healthcare access for PWDs, including providing specialised medical care and establishing accessible healthcare facilities for them. He also said there should be rehabilitation centres and assistive devices for the PWDs. Regarding employment, he called for implementing legislation and policies to foster employment opportunities for PWDs, support entrepreneurship initiatives, and enforce anti-discrimination laws in workplaces. Additionally, Mr Rafsanjani urged the federal government to allocate more funds towards building accessible infrastructures for the PWDs. He stressed the importance of developing public infrastructureincluding government buildings, transport systems, and information technologiesthat cater to the needs of all individuals, irrespective of their abilities. He urged the government, the private sector, civil society organisations, the media, youth and women groups to collaborate in fostering an inclusive society where every Nigerian can thrive and contribute to national development. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has described former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, as a notable Nigerian who is always concerned about the oneness of Nigeria and her development. President Tinubu said this on Saturday at the public launch of a book, My Life in the Public Eye, to mark Mr Osobas 85th birthday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The President, who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, highlighted the leading roles Mr Osoba played as a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in ensuring that the country returned to democratic rule. Mr Tinubu recalled the celebrants efforts in co-forming the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the foremost journalist is always interested in discussing issues with positive impact for Nigeria and Nigerians. While noting that Mr Osobas life would serve as a source of inspiration to the young ones, the President called on other Nigerians with a wealth of experience to pen them down for posterity. He acknowledged the current economic situation in the country, but emphasised that his administration was working to address food shortages, just as he called on Nigerians to grow what they eat. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, appreciated the author for putting the book together for the benefit of the next generation, adding that Mr Osoba is a great nationalist whose contribution to national development is unparalleled. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In his address, Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, while recalling the exploit of Mr Osoba in journalism, said as a young reporter covering the civil war, he discovered the bodies of the late Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa and Finance Minister, Festus Okotie-Eboh. He said during his tenure as Governor of the Gateway State, Mr Osoba exemplified unwavering dedication, integrity, and a profound commitment to public service, adding that he contributed to the development, stability and progress of Nigeria and Ogun State. Throughout his leadership, Chief Olusegun Osoba navigated challenges with foresight and determination, laying the foundation for the socio-economic growth we enjoy today. His visionary policies in education, healthcare, rural electrification, infrastructure, and agriculture have left an indelible mark on our states landscape. Chief Osobas exceptional drive and penchant for rural development are unprecedented in the history of our state, as he changed the narrative of rural-urban migration during his tenure as Governor by taking development to these communities, Mr Abiodun added. The occasion, the governor noted, represented the ideals that the celebrant personifies, which include good governance that guarantees freedom, fairness, inclusiveness, equity, and justice, making life more abundant and prosperous for the people of Ogun State. Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, praised Mr Osoba as a cerebral and highly intelligent man, noting that his views on national and political issues are always cogent. He appreciated him for putting his experience in the public service into writing. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, noted that Mr Osoba was a prolific writer who is passionate about the development of the country. He called on upcoming journalists not to de-market the nation but write and comment on issues that would be of benefit to the people. In his goodwill message, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, described Mr Osoba as a distinguished Nigerian who helped in shaping the Daily Times of Nigeria into one of the best newspapers in the country. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former president of the Nigerian Senate, Pius Anyim, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Anyim formally joined the APC on Saturday at Pa Oruta Ngele Township Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, during the final campaign rally ahead of local government elections in the state. The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, posted a video of the rally on his X page on Saturday. Live at Abakaliki Stadium at APC Rally in Ebonyi State to receive Sen Pius Anyim, former President of the Senate and other high calibre politicians of the South-East to the APC and for the Local Govt election, Mr Basiru said of the video. Our commitment to a virile national Party is unwavering! he added. Mr Anyim was received into the APC by the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje. Other dignitaries at the rally were Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Ebonyi, Edwin Nkwegu, and a former PDP senator, Joseph Ogba, were among the politicians who defected to the APC with Mr Anyim. Mr Anyim had supported the APC against his party, the PDP, during the 2023 governorship election in Ebonyi. Works minister, Mr Umahi, while welcoming the former Senate president to the APC, called on the people of Ebonyi and the South-east to support President Bola Tinubus administration. He said Mr Tinubu means well for the South-east. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Friday, July 12, 136 combat engagements between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Russian occupation forces took place in all sectors of the frontline. The situation in the Pokrovsk sector remained the most tense, with the enemy also active in the Kurakhove and Toretsk sectors. ADVERTISIMENT This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 22:00. It was noted that during the day, the enemy carried out 45 air strikes on the territory of Ukraine using 58 combat aircraft, and also used 429 kamikaze drones to defeat them. In total, the enemy fired 3,408 times at the positions of our troops and populated areas using various types of weapons. In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attacked 11 times near Hlyboke, Vovchansk, Starytsia, and Lyptsi. All enemy attempts were unsuccessful. According to preliminary estimates, the aggressor lost 27 servicemen killed and 52 wounded over the last day, and our troops managed to destroy three artillery systems, a Pantsyr-S1 air defense system, 38 UAVs, five vehicles, and three special equipment units, as well as damage two tanks, five artillery systems, and a vehicle. ADVERTISIMENT In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy tried to advance to our positions near Synkivka 6 times during the day. Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane and Berestove. 3 enemy attacks have already been successfully repelled by the Defense Forces, and fighting continues. In the Lyman sector, the enemy was quite active they attacked 16 times in the areas of Nevske, Serebrianskyi forest, Makiivka, Terny, and Torske. There are still 4 firefights in progress, all the others have been stopped by our troops. The losses of the Russian occupants are being clarified. ADVERTISIMENT In the Siverskyi sector, the enemy tried to break through our defenses four times during the day in the areas of Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, and Vyimka. The fighting is still ongoing, but the situation is under control. In the Kramatorsk sector, enemy activity resulted in 11 combat engagements. 9 attacks in the areas of Ivanivske, Andriivka, and Chasovyi Yar were stifled. The invaders are suffering losses. The situation is tense, fighting continues in two locations near Chasovyi Yar. ADVERTISIMENT In the Toretsk sector, our troops repelled 19 enemy attacks near Toretsk, Pivnichne, Zalizne, and New York. 14 attacks were repelled, the enemy was unsuccessful, and fighting continues. The enemy was most active in the Pokrovsk direction. In total, since the beginning of the day, the occupants have tried to break into our defense 40 times in the areas of Oleksandropil, Novoselivka Persha, Novooleksandrivka, Progress, Lozuvatske, Sokil, Yasnobrodivka, Vozdvyzhenka, and Karlivka. As of today, 33 enemy attacks have been repelled, and 7 combat engagements are ongoing. ADVERTISIMENT Our defenders are taking measures to stabilize the situation and prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory. The enemy is suffering significant losses according to preliminary information, our soldiers neutralized 166 occupants in the area over the past day, 69 of them were killed irretrievably. An infantry fighting vehicle, an enemy vehicle, and three cannons were destroyed. Another three occupants' guns were significantly damaged. In the Kurakhiv direction, the enemy attacked our positions 17 times. They were most active in the area of Paraskoviivka and Kostiantynivka. They were not successful. ADVERTISIMENT In the Vremivsk sector, our troops repelled 5 enemy attacks near Vodiane and Urozhayne, 2 firefights are still ongoing. In the Orikhivskyi sector, the occupants unsuccessfully stormed our positions in the area of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne 3 times. There were no significant changes in the situation in other sectors, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. ADVERTISIMENT "Today, the soldiers of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade named after the Black Cossacks should be noted for their effective combat work, as they inflict significant losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy," the statement said. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Soyinka is perhaps unique in his combination of a long, distinguished literary career with an equally tumultuous one as a political activist. His literature and his political dissidence cannot, in fact, be separated. The former was his prime vehicle for the latter. The idea that justice is the ultimate value in human existence lies at Soyinkas core. Wole Soyinka would like to have lunch with you, the book publisher Bankole Olayebi, CEO of Bookcraft Africa Ltd, told me one bright day in Lagos sometime in 2018. I was startled. Really, why? I asked. He read your book, BIG, Bankole replied. He liked it, and I think he would like to discuss the ideas you expressed in it and get to know you more. BIG, for the uninitiated, is the acronym for Build, Innovate and Grow, my fourth book that was published in February 2018 and in which I set out a bold vision for Nigeria and how to actualise it. I had offered that vision to my compatriots as I launched an intrepid, Third Force bid for the Office of the President of Nigeria ahead of the 2019 general elections. That seems like such a distant memory now! I certainly was honoured to receive an open invitation from a literary giant whose work I had first encountered in the poem Telephone Conversation as a teenager in secondary school. The Recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize for Literature and the first African to win the prize, Wole Soyinka (CFR) is both a prodigy and an enigma. I remembered how the world watched millions of us in Nigeria glued to the screens of good old Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) the grand ceremony in far away Oslo, Norway, as Soyinka received the prize, with our country represented by a high-level delegation from the very military government with which he was so frequently at odds. Primarily a playwright and dramatist, WS is the versatile author of more than 60 books of prose (the novel), drama, poetry, essays, satire, and memoir. From The Swamp Dwellers to The Trials of Brother Jero; from Madmen and Specialists and Kongis Harvest to Mandelas Earth and Other Poems; from Ake: The Years of Childhood to his latest major work, Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, the great writer has impacted generations of readers around the world across multiple literary genres. While his works have addressed various subjects, geographies and cultures, his plays, in particular, have often been an exploration of his native Yoruba culture and mythology, in the same way his great contemporary, Chinua Achebe, depicted the Igbo culture to the world via the novel, most notably in his trilogy Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God, and No Longer at Ease. The memoir, Ibadan: The Penkelemes Years, set between 1946-1965, is my all-time favourite among Soyinkas literary works, and he was pleasantly surprised when I told him so. In the foreword, WS describes the book as faction, that much abused genre which attempts to fictionalize facts and events, the proportion of fact to fiction being totally at the discretion of the author. Soyinka is perhaps unique in his combination of a long, distinguished literary career with an equally tumultuous one as a political activist. His literature and his political dissidence cannot, in fact, be separated. The former was his prime vehicle for the latter. The idea that justice is the ultimate value in human existence lies at Soyinkas core. Soyinka cares deeply about Nigeria. He has done some very controversial things in his political-activist career, and paid the price of imprisonment, near-death in the hands of military dictators, and exile. In the 1960s, as the Nigerian political crisis degenerated, he condemned the military coups of 1966, the killings of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and the Northern Region Premier, Ahmadu Bello, and the pogrom of tens of thousands of Igbos in Northern Nigeria. Back to that lunch the first of many other lunches and dinners to come. We met at one of his favourite Chinese restaurants in Lagos. I was accompanied by a couple of associates. He, by Bankole. It was a pleasant and not particularly political affair. We discussed Nigeria broadly, but more pointedly the specific solutions I had proffered in BIG to our national problems the economy, nationhood, security, foreign policy, the brain drain, etc. He was especially impressed, he said, with my proposals for how a constitutional redesign of Nigeria, popularly termed restructuring in our polity, could improve Nigerias frayed nationhood, stability, and inclusive prosperity. As the electoral cycle progressed, we met another couple of times, I think, and more frequently after the election, and grew to be friends. He would arrive at our lunch and dinner meetings with his own preferred bottle of wine, which would promptly be buried in an ice bucket for him by attentive, awe-struck restaurant waiters. He would then instruct them: get some water or tea for this boring fellow, pointing to teetotalling me with mock disgust on his face! 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 Soyinka cares deeply about Nigeria. He has done some very controversial things in his political-activist career, and paid the price of imprisonment, near-death in the hands of military dictators, and exile. In the 1960s, as the Nigerian political crisis degenerated, he condemned the military coups of 1966, the killings of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and the Northern Region Premier, Ahmadu Bello, and the pogrom of tens of thousands of Igbos in Northern Nigeria. After Colonel Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, then military governor of the Eastern Region, announced the regions secession as the Republic of Biafra, Soyinka visited the region in an effort to broker peace. For his pains, and for speaking up against the plight of the Igbo, the Nigerian authorities imprisoned Soyinka without charges in solitary confinement for two years. His famous memoir, The Man Died, was written during his time in jail. A couple of weeks to the 2019 elections, WS and the Citizens Forum, a civic group he convened, announced their formal endorsement of my presidential candidacy in a well reasoned public statement. Soyinkas endorsement created a loud buzz at home and around the world, and surprised many observers. Soyinka Stuns Bookmakers, Endorses YPP Candidate, Moghalu, for President, ThisDays front-page banner headline screamed. Wole Soyinka Endorses Moghalu for President, reported The Guardian in its headline. The endorsement was not necessarily going to decide the election, given the uniqueness of Nigerias political terrain. But, coming from him, it was historically and symbolically powerful, supporting as it did a candidate outside of the two main political parties. One has since turned ones back on partisan politics and electoral ambitions, whether of the local government councilman or presidential variety not just because I did not win in what was essentially at the time a trial balloon, but rather because my brief foray into Nigerian politics opened my eyes to just how soullessly rigged our system is, especially with an umpire institution that has made a mockery of the word democracy and turned vote and count into an oppositional relationship. But I will always consider the Nobel Laureates endorsement, coveted by many without success, a big win. In politics, there are many kinds of victories even beyond the polls. Changing the political narrative in our country was, for me, a source of satisfaction. Wole Soyinka is an inspirational global icon who brought great pride to our country with his contributions to literature and the arts in the world. I am proud to call him, with humility, my friend. And so, to WS, occupied in recent years as the Arts Professor of Theatre at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), 90 cheers on his 90th birthday. With my glass of water, or fruit juice. Boring! I can also say on the record that, although my candidacy was nationalistic and not anchored on ethnic identity which meant, in the Nigerian context, that I really wasnt a politician in the first place, because understanding the root causes of national problems and how to fix them isnt exactly the whole point Soyinka believed that Nigeria needed to have a President of Igbo extraction, with a nation-binding vision, if our country was to truly heal from the wounds of the civil war. But he was clear that such a candidate, for him, had to have other transformational attributes other than simply a particular ethnic identity. To that extent, he was disappointed, but understood my reasons, when I withdrew from the 2023 presidential election and later announced my complete departure from the political terrain and a return to a full-time professional life. He had planned to renew his endorsement of my candidacy had I been on the ballot in the 2023 election. Soyinka has, unfortunately in my view, been the subject of sustained attacks from some quarters recently over some of his comments about the 2023 election. WS has taken responsibility for his comments and needs no help in standing up for or reconsidering them. My only angle of interest in the controversies is that, from what I know, emotional, knee-jerk charges of Igbophobia or clannishness attributed to WS by some netizens on social media (which he does not use) are thoroughly misplaced. Now, you dont have to like the man. His greatness notwithstanding, he is a mere mortal, and not above criticism which he himself can dish out generously and articulately when he is moved to. Nevertheless, such disagreement and criticism should be civil and not uncivil. Any charge of ethnic prejudice, in particular of an anti-Igbo hew, must necessarily collapse in the face of objective facts. First, and an obvious point he so dislikes the part of the country that he spent two years of his life in prison standing up for their rights? Thats a non-sequitur! Second, WS cut his teeth in political activism as a student at the University of Ibadan in the early 1950s through his support for the Dynamic Party leader Chike Obi, the renowned Professor of Mathematics and one of the towering political figures of the time. Chike Obi hailed from Onitsha in todays Anambra State. Four decades later, as military dictatorship wound down in 1998 and a return to democracy loomed, WS led a group that, unsolicited (remember the surprising lunch invite?), quietly and discreetly attempted to broker an elite consensus that would see Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the secretary-general of the Commonwealth of Nations at the time, adopted as a broad-based consensus candidate for president of Nigeria in the 1999 transition to civilian rule. A nationalist, internationalist, and revered elder statesman, Anyaoku is a proud Igbo red-cap chief, the Ichie Adazie of Obosi Kingdom in Anambra State. The military generals, however, settled on ex-General and former military Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo in order to assuage Yoruba resentment against the cancellation of the 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola, who died in detention in 1998. At the ripe old age of 90 years in a life of renown and colossal distinction, now is not the time to nail WS to the stake. We must be a bit more forgiving of each other as Nigerians, even when we disagree. Wole Soyinka is an inspirational global icon who brought great pride to our country with his contributions to literature and the arts in the world. I am proud to call him, with humility, my friend. And so, to WS, occupied in recent years as the Arts Professor of Theatre at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), 90 cheers on his 90th birthday. With my glass of water, or fruit juice. Boring! Kingsley Moghalu is the president of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print It is not a hyperbole to call Soyinka the Pride of Africa, as he has been leading from the front against the abuse of power, military dictatorships and sit tightism of African rulers, alongside human rights abuses, and the struggle against racial discriminations in some African countries. This service to humanity has led to generations of the old and young, who look up to him as their role model. No doubt, Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka is a big elephant in a forest of hope to generations of men and women across the globe. The part of the elephant you touch depends on what he stands for and against in a social political setting. To the pre-colonial generation, Soyinka was anti-elitism and anti-colonial mentality, with a deliberate message against a cultural reorientation and indoctrination that lazy minds largely tag as cultism. To the post-colonial generation, Soyinka was a torn in the flesh of pseudo-democratic rulers, military dictators and their civilian collaborators. To the generation of the apartheid regimes, Soyinka deployed all his God-given gifts against these regimes that socialised and related to others on the basis of skin colour. The whole essence of Soyinka, right from the Ake era till date is justice and humanity. In celebrating Soyinka at 90, it will not serve any useful purpose to regurgitate Soyinkas odyssey, which has been over-flogged in books, seminars, plays, music, lectures, symposia and literary criticism by cultural activists, policy makers, scholars and students alike. The Mystery Gunman, through his roles in history, particularly in the political turmoil of the defunct Western Region of Nigeria, in the First Republic, which resulted in Operation Wetie that enveloped the West, displayed an uncommon courage against the fascistic tendency of the political class. The singular act of demystification of the instrument of state, created young agitators against the election riggings and riggers, political violence and repression. It is historically correct to state that Soyinka is a man of conscience who sees humanity as one without a toga of ethnic colouration. This position was noticeable during the Nigerian Civil War. While some revered scholars became megaphones of the war, Soyinka took to the path of humanity and decency by rigorously campaigning against the war mongers on both sides, which led to his incarceration by the military junta. Of course, the unusual life threatening but noble venture encouraged his followers of the possibility of another force/movement which mobilised against the war. It is not a hyperbole to call Soyinka the Pride of Africa, as he has been leading from the front against the abuse of power, military dictatorships and sit tightism of African rulers, alongside human rights abuses, and the struggle against racial discriminations in some African countries. This service to humanity has led to generations of the old and young, who look up to him as their role model. It is important to state that Soyinka was the arrowhead of the struggle against the liquidation of the military dictatorship in Nigeria. He took the de-annulment of the 12 June 1993 election to the global limelight, with all the risks involved. No wonder that Henry Louis Gates, jnr. says that, If the spirit of African democracy has a voice and a face, they belong to Wole Soyinka. I couldnt agree more. His scholarly exploits in literature was crowned in 1986 when he became the first African Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The significance of this award was an upsurge of youths and young persons in Nigeria who developed the love for literature, human rights activism and the campaign for an open society. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The institutionalisation of the essence of Wole Soyinka is the best way to appreciate his sacrifice for a just cause on earth. It is highly commendable to note that the promoters of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, among other public-spirited organisations taking on the identity of the man of all seasons, are paying the debt on our behalf. At 90, the son of Wild Christian stands tall, fit as a fiddle, and lives the life of a colossal crusader against oppression in any part of the world. Lekan Alabi is a legal practitioner and consultant. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kongi spoke out at Dads funeral; he spoke truth to power in his funeral oration, as he alluded to the fact that the killers are among us! No one could stop him. When the killers and powers-that-were wanted to turn the facts and truth upside down, he warned them vehemently to stop dancing on Bola Iges grave. I feel so proud and protected to have Kongi in our corner. I have known the Nobel Laureate, Professor Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, who we fondly call Uncle Wole, Kongi, Prof and WS, for almost as long as I have known myself. He and my dad, Bola Ige, were very close friends. They must have met at University College Ibadan (UCI), now the University of Ibadan. They acted plays together in UCI and later Orisun Theatre, with Uncle Femi Johnson and others. Uncle Wole has documented some of their dangerous political escapades in his memoir, Ibadan: the Penkelemes Years. I remember in 1967, when my youngest brother, Muyiwa was born, my dad insisted that Uncle Wole would be his godfather. My dad gave him the book of Common Prayer, so he could acquaint himself with the baptismal vows that he would take on Muyiwas behalf till his Confirmation. I remember during the after baptism party, Uncle Wole, the godfather, thought it only fit and proper to introduce his godson, to his first communion, not the holy type, but through the finer taste of life wine! He dropped a little drop of wine on his little lips! The humorous Uncle Wole! I remember distinctly also when he was released from detention. He was given a heroic welcome in a mini-open-sided Jeep/Landrover style vehicle, with members of the Pyrates Confraternity in their redhead/neck scarves singing Captain Blood is back, is back forever. Many kegs of palm wine were consumed that day. I remember that day clearly, in his house on Ebrohime Road in UI. Aunty Laide, his children and friends were there. My parents took me along. I also remember the Summer of 1972, when I was on holiday with my parents and we stayed in a serviced flat in Kilburn. Uncle Wole and my Dad had arranged to meet in London. I remember he took me and my late brother, Tunde, to the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and explained to me the origin of the Greenwich Mean Time, which I had learnt by rote during Geography lessons at St. Annes School. He took us to see the Cutty Sark also in Greenwich. Such memorable moments! We took photos and I wish I could find them to show my haters as documentary evidence that I knew the Nobel Laureate from childhood! He even took us for a light lunch before dropping us off with our parents! In 1986, when Prof was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in Sweden, my dad, late Uncle Femi Johnson, Chief Joop Berkhout and many other friends were there. Whilst the non-Nobel laureates were dressed in dinner jackets, the Man of Letters and main celebrity was in his characteristic outfit a short aso oke dashiki on trousers; no frills, no bells! When he visited my parents at home, though not adept wine connoisseurs, they kept the best red wine, Chateau Neuf, and the best cognac, XO Courvoisier, for him. He was happy when he learnt I studied French and Spanish for my first degree and he often spoke French to me in the best Parisian accent! My dad asked him if I spoke French well and he assured him that his investment in my education wasnt wasted. With a first degree in Modern Languages followed by Law I was following in his and my dads polymath footsteps! He was proud that I knew the right glassware for his favourite drinks and served them with his preferred accompaniments. Gbenro, his former student, and I got married in Esa-Oke in August 1988. For reasons of prior commitment, he was unable to be at my wedding but he did not omit to send presents to both of us accompanied by a personal note of apology. 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 While in school, in Nigeria and England, I got close to his children, especially Olaokun, when he was in Medical School in the UK, and Moremi in Queens School, Ibadan, when my brother, Tunde, was at Government College. I knew the others, Yetade, Peyibomi and Makin. Coincidentally, Yetades son, Adeoto, is an alumnus of The Vale College. Makin has become my son, Kayodes big brother in Lagos. Some of Dads political, fair weather friends soon after became turncoats and dined with the enemy. But Kongi was the one true friend who kept Bola Iges murder on the front burner, even when others thought it politically expedient to sweep the matter under the carpet. Kongi defined for me what true friendship is and should be. I am glad that he and my dad chose each other. I learn from you day by day. Thank you, Uncle. This means so much to me. As we grew older, we the children got closer, especially when Olaokun and Lola lived in Ibadan, as well as the time Moremi lived in Lagos. It is amazing how our fathers friendship has spiralled to the second and third generations! It is a true testament and evidence of the special value and strength of their unconditional bond and authentic friendship. When my dad was assassinated that dark Sunday on the night of the 23rd of December 2001, Uncle Wole stood solidly by my mums side. My daughter, Ayotunde, cuddled up to him, calling him Grandpa Prof! From the private lying-in-state to the funeral service at the Liberty Stadium, right to the evening interment in our Esa-Oke home, Kongi stood firmly by my mum, like the Rock of Gibraltar it was in his arms that my mum finally broke down in tears at the final rites of dust-to-dust and ashes to ashes. He stood by his friend and his family, right till the very end and even more so, after the dastardly act and after our mum passed on 16 months later, in April 2003. Kongi spoke out at Dads funeral; he spoke truth to power in his funeral oration, as he alluded to the fact that the killers are among us! No one could stop him. When the killers and powers-that-were wanted to turn the facts and truth upside down, he warned them vehemently to stop dancing on Bola Iges grave. I feel so proud and protected to have Kongi in our corner. Some of Dads political, fair weather friends soon after became turncoats and dined with the enemy. But Kongi was the one true friend who kept Bola Iges murder on the front burner, even when others thought it politically expedient to sweep the matter under the carpet. Kongi defined for me what true friendship is and should be. I am glad that he and my dad chose each other. I learn from you day by day. Thank you, Uncle. This means so much to me. My darling Uncle Wole, Happy 90th birthday! I am so happy that you made it to the nonagenarian level, and still have your wits around you. You are still as fit as a fiddle and your mind is so sharp, despite the hardships you have been through as a literary and human rights activist in Nigeria. I am glad that you are alive to see the results of your good works you are being celebrated in all the continents of the world! You deserve this and more, our wordsmith, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, from Ake to Ibadan and Ife on to the global stage!!! I wish you many more happy years in excellent health. I thank Folake for looking after you and keeping up with your breathtaking itineraries. May your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren surround your table like olive branches, and great will be your peace forever, in Jesus name. Amen. I know deep down, you dont like to be the centre of attention, but indulge us all your family, friends, fans and loved ones, this time. We love you very much and appreciate who you are to us, your children, especially your friends children. God bless and continue to keep you for us, in Jesus name. Amen. With lots of love and gratitude, Funso Adegbola is the founder of The Vale College, Ibadan. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print But why the brouhaha over the Samoa Agreement? Most Nigerians are sceptical about the government, which they perceive as janus-faced; having two faces, two mouths, and two tongues. Also, they accuse it of placing Western interests over and above Nigerian interests. Its uncritical implementation of neoliberalism; approval of GMO crops; aborted mobilisation of West African militaries to invade Niger Republic on behalf of Western powers So why should it be trusted on the Samoa Agreement? A Nigerian newspaper, on 4 July, reported that the Nigerian governments signing of the European Union-African, Caribbean and Pacific ((EU-ACP) Samoa Agreement, endorses and promotes Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) rights in the country. The government reacted by insisting that the $150 billion Samoa Agreement did not contravene the Nigerian Constitution and other laws of the country, including that against same-sex marriage. Rather, it stated that the Agreement is a framework for the all-round development of Nigeria and, therefore, is not detrimental to the interest of citizens. Besides, LGBTQ+ or same-sex marriage was not even mentioned in it. Nevertheless, the House of Representative resolved that the implementation of the Agreement by the executive should be suspended, pending the clarification of its controversial clauses. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) reinforced the position of the Tinubu administration, stating that no article in the Agreement requires Nigeria to accept or in any way recognise LGBTQ or gay rights, either as a pre-condition for a loan of $150 billion Nor does the Agreement seek in any way to compromise our existing legislations or undermine the sovereignty of Nigeria. But many Nigerians disagree. They posit that while the Agreement does not explicitly state or recognise LGBTQ+, it will pave the way for its future legalisation. Critical opponents of the Agreement assert that Article 97 in it makes it superior to any other treaty, convention or arrangement. This, they submit, would violate the sovereignty of ACP countries, make them accountable to the EU, and empower the European Union to make binding legal decisions on these countries. They also questioned why the Agreement has no Interpretation Section. The opponents also argue that the Samoa Agreement, in Articles 2(5), 29(5), 36(2), 88, 97, talks of gender perspective, gender equality, universal access to sexual and reproductive health, which are euphemisms for, among other things, LGBTQ+ and sexuality education. These articles, they added, contravene Section 42(1) of the Nigerian constitution, which stipulates sex to mean either male or female, and not gender, which is a social construct that homosexuals, transgender and their champions can pin on. there is the general belief that Western powers have been desperately trying to impose LGBTQ+ acceptability on African countries, particularly Nigeria. More so, the unwarranted pressures by the West on President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration in relation to the recognition of homosexuality, are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. They also point out that the Agreement mentions human rights a hundred times, without defining it. In contrast, Section 42(1) of Nigerian Constitution pays attention to the rights and equality of citizens males and females by outlawing discrimination on the basis of sex, religion, ethnicity, place of origin, or political opinion. Further, they claim that the Agreement violates the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition Act of 2014), and Articles 2, 8, 17, 18, 28, and 29 of the African Charter of Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification Enforcement) Act CAP 10, which are integral to Nigerian law. 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 But why the brouhaha over the Samoa Agreement? Most Nigerians are sceptical about the government, which they perceive as janus-faced; having two faces, two mouths, and two tongues. Also, they accuse it of placing Western interests over and above Nigerian interests. Its uncritical implementation of neoliberalism; approval of GMO crops; aborted mobilisation of West African militaries to invade Niger Republic on behalf of Western powers and; its rumoured plan to grant military bases to France and US, reinforce this distrust of the government. So why should it be trusted on the Samoa Agreement? In addition, there is the general belief that Western powers have been desperately trying to impose LGBTQ+ acceptability on African countries, particularly Nigeria. More so, the unwarranted pressures by the West on President Goodluck Jonathan and his administration in relation to the recognition of homosexuality, are still fresh in the minds of Nigerians. David Cameron, as prime minister of Britain, boasted that he would export gay marriage to Africa. When Jonathan refused to be intimidated and even went on to sign the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, Cameron nursed deep grudges against him, and even launched an almost unbearable pressure on the latter. Innocent Nigerians suffered in the process. The fact, however, is that the vast majority of Nigerians are opposed to LGBTQ+ acceptability for various reasons, including religious and cultural ones. Any mention of LGBTQ+ recognition, especially coming from EU and US, is enough to cause rage and uproar in the country. There were no known words denoting homosexuality in Nigeria, prior to the Arab and European invasion. The various religions frown at LGBTQ+, notwithstanding the powers and isms that rationalise and support it. The notion of LGBTQ+ is seen as constituting unrighteous, evil, shameful, detestable, dishonourable,, unrighteous, lustful, sinful, repulsive, unnatural, satanic, and ungodly acts/things. The Bible and the Quran recommend capital punishment for homosexuality. The National Assembly should not concur to the Agreement. For humanity comes first, before any government or ism. There must be human beings for any rights to exist. Governments dont make people. People make government. Therefore, government should be accountable and answerable to the people. The Bible, in Roman, 1:29-30, states that the lives of homosexuals are full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarrelling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know Gods justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. The Quran, in 7:80-81, regards homosexuals as people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins). In different Hadiths, it was reported that Prophet Muhammad, SAW, said: cursed is the one who does the action of the people of Lut. That the wrath/rage of ALLAH is on: Men who imitate women and women who imitate men and he who goes unto animals and he who goes unto men; and that Allah Almighty does not look (mercifully) at the person who commits anal intercourse with a man or woman. Also, LGBTQ+ are seen as the new population control pills of Western powers to exterminate Africans, having successfully failed to depopulate the continent through the instigation of civil wars, genocide, promotion of family planning/control, abortion, and the manufacture and spread of HIV/AIDS, ebola and coronavirus. Furthermore, Africa had earlier undergone serious depopulation by Arab slave traders, who exported between ten and fifteen million Africans out of the continent. The Europeans and their cousins in the Americas exported above twelve million, five hundred thousand Africans during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The colonial era equally saw the systematic depopulation of Africa. The Germans exterminated over two-thirds of the Herero and Nama people of Namibia. The Belgians annihilated at least thirteen million Congolese. The British wiped out Satiru Town in Sokoto, Nigeria, while settler colonies, including Apartheid South Africa, systematically exterminated Africans. The National Assembly should not concur to the Samoa Agreement. For humanity comes first, before any government or ism. There must be human beings for any rights to exist. Governments dont make people. People make government. Therefore, government should be accountable and answerable to the people. Which is why Chapter Two of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, states that: the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. May GOD protect Nigeria, Africa and humanity. Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu Yusuf worked as deputy director, Cabinet Affairs Office, The Presidency, and retired as General Manager (Administration), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet). Email: aaramatuyusuf@yahoo.com Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print He has been a voice against inhumanity, insisting that Justice is the first condition of humanity, prompting Henry Louis Gates Jr. to say that: If the spirit of African democracy has a voice and a face, they belong to Soyinka. I join the rest of the world to celebrate a persona who by every stretch of measurement has enriched our civilisation, even beyond words. As the Nobel Academy noted in 1986, Soyinka, in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence. Early in July 2005, just a week before Professor Wole Soyinka turned 71, my boss and mentor, Dapo Olorunyomi, recalled me to Lagos from Port Harcourt, where I was serving as the Regional Media Researcher for Freedom House. Freedom House was founded in 1941 by Eleanor Roosevelt and some other persons. It is Americas oldest non-profit NGO established to promote and defend democracy and freedom all over the world through the instrumentalities of advocacy, monitoring, and research. Dapo was the director of Freedom House Nigeria Project, the only one of such in sub-Saharan Africa. So, I arrived in Lagos and moved straight into a meeting, where I was informed about an ongoing project The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. The first award ceremony in the print and broadcast categories was already slated. So, I asked in ignorance: How is Soyinka connected to journalism? Dapo laughed and told me to be prepared to read about that overnight, because the day after I would feature in his stead, alongside my friend and brother, Steve Aborisade, on a television programme, and Steve and I would talk about Soyinka. In addition, Dapo also hinted that I would be writing the citation for all the award recipients at the inaugural edition of the Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting. I recall Emmanuel Mayah and Deji Badmus names were on that list. Anyway, Funmi Iyanda was the anchor of the TV programme and I had a few hours to get ready. Dapo insisted that I would be speaking about Soyinkas foray into journalism, while Steve would speak about other issues. That was the closest I got to Soyinka. I met him possibly thrice in programmes connected to Freedom House and elsewhere. Otherwise, I had known him remotely and through his books, my favourite being, Death and the Kings Horseman, his tenth play. Born on 13 July 1934, in Ake, Abeokuta, Soyinkas parents, who himself and his siblings nicknamed, Essay and Wild Christian, were headmaster and shop owner respectively. His mother was from the family of the Ransome-Kutis, making Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and his junior brother, Dr Bekolari Ransome-Kuti and others not particularly noted for similar predilections, his cousins. In a kaleidoscopic anthology published in Soyinkas honour in 2014 when he turned 80, Ogochukwu Promise recalls that Soyinka first acted in a small play in school when he was 10. Playwright, poet, novelist, dramatist, public intellectual, human rights activist, scholar-activist, artistic director, producer, and journalist, Soyinka is a professor of Comparative Literature. In 1986, he won the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature, the very first African to achieve that feat. Responding to the prize at a programme organised in December 1986, by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to celebrate Soyinka, Chinua Achebe declared: One of us has proved that we can beat the white man at his own game. Professor Oluwole Akinwande Babatunde Soyinka studied at Abeokuta Grammar School, where he won many prizes in literary studies and was equally at Government College Ibadan, from where he got admitted into the University of Ibadan. He completed his degree at the University of Leeds, but before he was done at Leeds, he was already directing and writing plays for the BBC. Playwright, poet, novelist, dramatist, public intellectual, human rights activist, scholar-activist, artistic director, producer, and journalist, Soyinka is a professor of Comparative Literature. In 1986, he won the prestigious Nobel Prize for Literature, the very first African to achieve that feat. Responding to the prize at a programme organised in December 1986, by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) to celebrate Soyinka, Chinua Achebe declared: One of us has proved that we can beat the white man at his own game. 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 According to Ogochukwu Promise, by middle of the year 2000, Soyinka had authored more than 30 books in all aspects of literature. These include, The Swamp Dwellers published in 1958, the year Achebe published Things Fall Apart. In 1959, Soyinka published the Lion and the Jewel. His trilogy memoirs, Ake: The Years of Childhood; Ibadan: The Penkelemes Years; and The Man Died: Prison Notes of Wole Soyinka, speak to major events and circumstances that defined the Soyinka persona. He was incarcerated by the Nigerian government just before the outbreak of the Civil War, for challenging political leadership and sometimes as mediator of dissension. Ngugi wa Thiongo, the Kenyan pan-African literatus, reasoned that as a writer and public intellectual, Soyinka has become the moral and democratic conscience of Africa. Toni Morrison, that iconic American novelist, also a recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, said: I am permanently grateful for his gifts. Wole Soyinka made the world intelligible. Even Ali Mazrui, with whom Soyinka serially disagreed, had very kind words for him. And to Henry Louis Gates Jr., Soyinka compares favourably to his direct antecedents, Euripides and Shakespeare, Yeats and Synge, Brecht and Lorca. Nadine Gordimer, South African writer and another recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature, noted that: As for serving the need for justice, Wole Soyinka went further than words. Soyinka went beyond words. Over and above his remarkable intellection in texts, creativity and other artistic expressions, for decades, he has been consistent in his critique and concrete social action directed at the state and its allies, as a consequence of oppressive policies and actions. He also founded the African Democratic League (ADL) as a non-profit organisation devoted to the promotion of democracy, justice and to roll back unfreedoms. Indeed, Soyinka went beyond words. Over and above his remarkable intellection in texts, creativity and other artistic expressions, for decades, he has been consistent in his critique and concrete social action directed at the state and its allies, as a consequence of oppressive policies and actions. He also founded the African Democratic League (ADL) as a non-profit organisation devoted to the promotion of democracy, justice and to roll back unfreedoms. That was before many NGOs sprouted in that sphere. His journalism career began at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana in Legon in 1971, where he had travelled after his release from detention. There, he edited the Transition magazine. Besides my favourite of his plays, and the two I had earlier cited, Soyinka wrote at least 14 other plays, six collection of poems, some 20 works of non-fictions, while his novels include The Interpreters and Season of Anomy. His third novel and most recent work, Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, is a satire, and story of political corruption. He has been a voice against inhumanity, insisting that Justice is the first condition of humanity, prompting Henry Louis Gates Jr. to say that: If the spirit of African democracy has a voice and a face, they belong to Soyinka. I join the rest of the world to celebrate a persona who by every stretch of measurement has enriched our civilisation, even beyond words. As the Nobel Academy noted in 1986, Soyinka, in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones fashions the drama of existence. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Prof! I wish you many happy returns. Omoniyi Ibietan is the head of Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print My editors and superiors in the news room then, such as Mr Jahman Anikulapo, Ambassador Debo Adesina and our overall boss, Mr Emeka Izeze, who then often thought of me as an asset to the newspaper (which is very humbling), will tell me that my closeness to Soyinka is a confirmation of what they had always known. So you see why I am grateful to WS. Among those who insist that truth-telling is an indispensable form of nation building, Professor Wole Soyinka is the greatest. And I dont mean this merely when he is often telling those in government the truth or only when it is done in public. I mean for all times, seasons and for all purposes. Here is the story of what Soyinka (who is not only to be referred to as Alagba, but also as Baba, not just by his biological children but so many of us), means to me. In 1992 as a Correspondent of The Guardian newspapers in Ibadan, I had gone to the BCOS to cover a live radio interview with Wole Soyinka on the then widely famous and reputable Radio O-Y-O. It was an exclusive interview with the Nobel Laureate that afternoon. Governor Kolapo Ishola was in the saddle in Oyo State at the time, while Chief Lamidi Adedibu was the political godfather. The radio station was owned by the State Government but its operators were professional, top notch and knew how to do their jobs. As the interview went on, WS started waxing in his flamboyant expressions, doling out the truth while unbothered that this was a radio station owned by government. And then suddenly, I noticed right inside the hall where the live interview was going on that Soyinka had actually been unceremoniously cut off the air for some comments he made about Adedibu, which someone felt was uncomplimentary! But this was unknown to Kongi himself. And he kept speaking. I couldnt take it, so I got up from my seat among the audience and wrote a note addressed to him that he had been cut off air, and no one knew how to tell him or perhaps just didnt care to. I got close enough, as many of the organisers knew me as a journalist in the State, and wasnt blocked from reaching him. I passed the note to Soyinka. He read it and within minutes got up abruptly and walked out of the make-do studio, after confirming that indeed he had been cut off air! 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 That was my very first meeting with him and we have remained close since that day. At my latest meeting with him in Lagos, after serving eight straight years as a presidential spokesperson for the Buhari/Osinbajo administration, we both recalled the incident. And, he told me the other part of the story, which I hadnt fully figured out before. It was Adedibu who ordered the station to cut him off the air, then later sent him word about it. Soyinka regaled me about how the strongman of Ibadan politics (Adedibu) told him he was following his footsteps from his younger days, when he (Soyinka) had stood up the entire Western radio station, in the same Ibadan city, in protest against the shenanigans of the politicians of the day! According to Soyinka, he had then sent word back to Adedibu in a humorous mien: that is fair enough! We even got closer in exile in the United States. Anytime he was in New York, where I lived up till 2015, Soyinka would alert me and we would meet up to have a drink and chat. We also interacted much more regularly via the telephone and email. On a couple of occasions, I had received him at the airport, and once couldnt quickly figure him out due to his decoy appearance! I still remember a good friend of mine, a New York based Nigerian lawyer, Remi Oshinkanlu, who we both became RCCG pastors later, and who had eagerly requested that I took him along one of those days to meet WS. Professor Soyinka agreed to the request. Such was his generosity of spirit. But there was one condition that there wont be pictures because he would be arriving somewhat incognito! It was a deal for Remi and he got his wishes to meet the first black African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. When Abacha died and then Abiola too, like on several such developments, we would have long discussions on the phone and at times some of it would end up as a news story, with his permission, of course. At other times, he would send me statements that would become exclusive stories. Once Abdusalami Abubakar took over power and immediately started releasing political prisoners, Soyinka did a statement announcing the relocation of Radio Kudirat back to Nigeria. As we all know, Soyinka was the major force behind the radio, initially at home and later in exile. We then had an interview during which he told me that he hoped Radio Kudirat would become a public trust in Nigeria, like the National Public Radio in the US, which is maintained through public subscriptions. According to him, I have always admired that particular kind of system in which a voice accessible to all the people and emphasising the more refined aspect of cultural life, not publishing junk and filling space simply for the sake of filling broadcasting hours, which is what you are getting now in many stations in the country, which for me does not deserve to be called radio stations. In that chat, Soyinka documented how the station started first as Radio Freedom right there in Lagos. Let me reproduce a portion of that Q & A: (Now Soyinka had just told me that Radio Freedom started in Lagos right under the nose of the military dictators of the day. The operators even used local transmitters at some point.) Me: this was certainly in Lagos. Soyinka: In Lagos, o yes! And it moved outside of Lagos to broadcast in Abuja a couple times Me: In Abuja too? Soyinka: Oh yes! Me: How did you manage to beat all the security network in Abuja? Soyinka: You have to talk about this band of committed operators, they were the ones who were in charge. By that time, you remember that I had left Nigeria. And I was then convinced that we needed a short wave radio which will cover the whole country and that was what I devoted my energies to. Me: Would there be a time that you will let us into some of the people who worked with you on this thing? Soyinka: No doubt at all. I think we are getting very close to disclosing the names including the names of the country if they agree..it would be a great pleasure for me personally to thank them openly. Such was Soyinkas commitment, public spirit and personal sacrifice! I must acknowledge that Soyinka, as a news source, was partly responsible for the successes, which by the grace of God, dot my career as a journalist. My editors and superiors in the news room then, such as Mr Jahman Anikulapo, Ambassador Debo Adesina and our overall boss, Mr Emeka Izeze, who then often thought of me as an asset to the newspaper (which is very humbling), will tell me that my closeness to Soyinka is a confirmation of what they had always known. So you see why I am grateful to WS. I remember when I landed what was a dream job in New York Newsday in 2000 as a copy editor. It was such a dream world, as the company sent a limousine to receive me at the airport and put me up in the best hotel in Long Island. They needed a letter of recommendation as part of the employment process. I decided to bring out the big guns and show those oyinbos! I asked Soyinka to please do the honours and he did it so lavishly that I became the envy of many in the newsroom with a Nobel laureate-penned letter of recommendation! There is still a lot more to tell about this our Baba and time is approaching when we shall do that by Gods grace. He remains a compelling conscience of the nation, a pride of black people and a global icon whose humanity continues to shape the perspectives of and inspire millions of people everywhere! When he was doing his memoir, You Must Set Forth At Dawn, WS gave me the rare opportunity to be one of his research assistants and I was honoured that he actually put my name in the Acknowledgement page of the book, in appreciation of the assignment delivered. Such is the generosity of spirit of WS. And by the way, Baba Soyinka is not infallible and he has no need to apologise for that, for all of us are like that, after all. I mean that we are all fallible, being human beings. If many of Soyinkas critics today can come close to just a marginal measure of what he has sacrificed, especially for this nation at several stages of Nigerias history, then they can begin to understand that khaki no be leather! Happy birthday to Baba, Alagba Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka who turns 90 today 13 July! As your days so shall your strength, wisdom and favour be with God and people! Many happy returns of the day! Laolu Akande was a senior special assistant to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Introduction In recent years, Kenya has emerged as a focal point for global attention, not only for its economic potential but also for the dynamic interplay between its government policies and public sentiment. The saga surrounding the Finance Bill 2024 serves as a vivid example of how fiscal decisions can ignite widespread civic unrest and reshape national discourse. Introduced as a measure to address Kenyas burgeoning debt and fiscal deficits, the bill proposed significant tax hikes on essential goods and services, triggering vehement opposition from citizens already grappling with economic hardships. The ensuing protests, marked by widespread mobilisation facilitated by both traditional and digital platforms, showcased the power of collective action in holding governments accountable. Kenyan youths, disillusioned by what they perceived as a disregard for their socio-economic welfare, took to the streets in unprecedented numbers. Their demands for equitable taxation policies and transparent governance resonated across the nation, culminating in the governments decision to withdraw the controversial bill. This episode not only underscored the significance of public engagement in shaping policy outcomes but also highlighted broader systemic challenges facing African nations. Issues of corruption, economic inequality, and governance deficits continue to undermine development efforts across the continent, often exacerbating social tensions and eroding public trust in institutions. Kenyas experience thus offers pertinent lessons for other African countries navigating similar fiscal landscapes, emphasizing the importance of inclusive governance, transparent policymaking, and responsive leadership. As Nigeria and other African nations confront their own economic and governance challenges, the lessons from Kenyas Finance Bill 2024 saga are timely and instructive. They underscore the imperative of balancing revenue generation with socio-economic equity, fostering transparent dialogue between governments and citizens, and ensuring that fiscal policies promote inclusive growth and sustainable development. By learning from Kenyas experience, African nations can forge a path toward resilient economies and inclusive societies, where fiscal decisions align with the aspirations and well-being of all citizens. The Situational Quadruple Nexus (SQN) Framework can be used to understand the threats to National Security and Public Order in Kenya Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later A holistic understanding of national security, economic development, hence the domain of economic and development policy formulation must capture the full spectrum of human security, and the nexus between human security and development. The question of economic development and public order in Kenya, cannot be addressed outside the realities of the prevailing governance. Governance in this respect focuses on leadership deficit and unconscionable corruption in the main. To better appreciate the issues affecting economic development, public order and national security in Kenya, and how to address them, the SQN Analysis or Framework, that looks at the inter-linkages between the critical pillars of Peace/Security, Human rights, humanitarianism, and Development, as operating under the overarching foundations of governance/leadership, institutions, resources and external dynamics, is very key[1]. These four critical pillars are hinged on the foundations of governance (leadership plus corruption), the crucial role of external dynamics, institutions, as well as human/material resources. The realization of utmost freedom, which is the freedom from fear and poverty and the realization of basic human needs, and widespread improved quality of life[2], cannot be achieved by the Tax them to Death approach that many African leaders led by external pressures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), are doing. At least we can clearly see this in the ongoing experience of President Ruto with Kenyans. The place of governance in this framework, points us to issues of leadership deficit and corruption. Leadership deficit addresses the paucity of visionary leaders at many of societal points for organizing efficient coordination of interests in a polity. The inability to curb the problem of corruption is symptomatic of the failure of visionary leadership with appropriate measures for the solution of this major governance problem. Tackling corruption is to solve the problem of rule of law. Corruption has an inverse relationship with the rule of law. Corruption within government institutions and inefficiencies in the criminal justice system undermine efforts in governance including the formation of development policies. African bad leaders see their personal interests as identical to those of the strong world leaders bent on having Africa, (in spite of its resources), at the bottom of global affairs. Having stolen so much money kept in secret safe havens and with such secrets in the hands of the intelligence networks of powerful countries, they are unable to stand up for Africa. External dynamics speaks to the totality of influences positive and negative that affect policy choices, especially from the point of the relationships between Kenya and other international interests that could potentially be beneficial and/or destructive. Institutions are very critical in holding the fabric of any state. Institutions handle the aggregation and articulation of interests in society. Institutions go beyond pressure groups and parties in the political arena and include others like civil society organisations (CSOs), religious/faith-based entities, traditional and primordial institutions, the media, etc. Good governance is not enough to sustain political institutions, and this explains the need to continue to crave for credible political institutions. Undoubtedly, experiences across the globe have shown that strong political institutions help in recruiting and shaping leadership. Resources are always crucial. Availability of human and material resources is important for any effort aimed at promoting national security and public order. Good governance can bring some progress, but success is easier if the human and material resources are available for the necessary leadership efforts to have a coherent and coordinated quadruple nexus response. It is abundantly clear that the push on quadruple nexus will not succeed without factoring in and ameliorating the situational foundation on which the quadruple nexus rests. Framework of the SQN Source: Badejo, B. (2022, December 22). Approach to Sustainable Development: Understanding the Quadruple Nexus. Retrieved from Kujenga Amani: https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2022/12/22/an-approach-to-sustainable-development-understanding-the-quadruple-nexus/ Some Backdrop of History on Protests in Kenya Since June 18, 2024, Kenyans, majorly the youths, Gen-Zs inclusive embarked on mass protests in all major cities in Kenya. Rallies were held in: Kisumu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, (Rutos home base), Kilifi, Mombasa. The protesting youths occupied the hallowed grounds of the Kenyan Parliament and drove Parliamentarians into the bushes as the youths enjoyed the sumptuous meals prepared for the Parliamentarians. Public order was practically suspended as Kenyans in their numbers held down the country. This continued until weeks later, specifically after the July 5, 2024 Presidential Statement that took on board some of the demands of the protesters. Mass protests are generally not new to Kenya. The pre-independence period and after the Second World War witnessed a number of movements seeking an end to British colonization especially with its effect on land. Popular in this respect was the Mau Mau revolt which arguably midwifed the Republic of Kenya.[3] To grasp the causative dimension of the protests that shook Kenya to its very roots in the middle of year 2024, it is critical to understand the import of leadership deficit and corruption in the inability to realise good governance in Kenya, nay, much of Africa.[4] Public governance is a key factor that influences the development path of countries the world all over. Historically, the negative impact of corruption on governance is so profound. Expectedly, most conversations around governance, especially good governance, are almost always inextricably linked to the fight against corruption. Thus, the term good governance is often intertwined with the anti-corruption agenda, and bad governance is commonly associated with corruption[5] Tackling corruption is to address another important factor: the enthronement of the rule of law which itself is inversely related to corruption. The more of one, the less of the other.[6] Strident struggles for change did not end in Kenya after independence. Kenyans have a history of civil unrest, driven by political, social, and economic factors. It is appearing there is a pattern of watering the soil of democracy with the blood of the people of Kenya. Badejo, (2006), provides a good account on the heroes of the movements for what is normally termed as Kenyas Second Liberation or multi-party change, including the coup attempt of 1982 and its aftermath till the reinstitution of multi-party politics in the early 1990s[7]. Election outcomes tend to be accompanied by the expressions of voter dissatisfaction, subsequent to the announcement of election results. The unparalleled example of this was the general elections of 2007. The then incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was sworn into office in the middle of the night in order to present a fait accompli as the opposition, led by Raila Odinga claimed the Orange Democratic Movement, had been cheated of its victory at the polls.[8] Widespread violence erupted, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and the displacement of around 600,000 people. Ethnic tensions, particularly between the Kikuyu (supporters of Kibaki), including Uhuru Kenyatta, the Luo (supporters of Odinga), and the Kalenjin (supporters of former President Moi whose mantle had started falling on Young Turk William Ruto), were exacerbated. A power-sharing agreement was brokered in February 2008 by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, leading to the formation of a coalition government with Kibaki as president and Odinga as prime minister.[9] William Ruto became the Minister of Agriculture, an office in which he was popularly accused of corruption over the sales of maize. He was suspended by Raila Odinga, but immediately reinstated by Kibaki. Subsequent to that, he was again suspended as per the constitution as three constitutional court judges concluded he must stand trial on the allegation that he defrauded a state corporation of $1.2m over the sale of forest land[10]. Ruto won the cases but the developments marked the beginning of the clear schism between Odinga and Ruto. Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto, and others were subsequently indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on account of having incited ethnic violence etc. They were tried and acquitted but not discharged as witnesses had either died or changed their stories leading Ms. Fatou Bensouda, the Prosecutor at the ICC to agree to not proceeding with the cases.[11] The 2017 presidential election saw incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the winner over Raila Odinga. Odingas supporters claimed the election was rigged. Protests and violence erupted, particularly in opposition strongholds. The Supreme Court annulled the election results, citing irregularities, and ordered a re-run. Kenyatta, with Ruto as his Deputy, won the re-run in October 2017, which poll Odinga boycotted, stating that the necessary changes required from the Supreme Courts annulment had not been carried out. Further tensions continued. However, in March 2018, Kenyatta and Odinga publicly reconciled in an event known as the Handshake. Kenya as a Democracy Unlike many an African country, Kenya, beyond the 1982 coup attempt, has never had military rule. This reality make Kenyan leaders claim the status of being a democracy with the modifications of the inherited British parliamentary system overtime. The competitive party system yielded to a de facto one-party state under President Jomo Kenyatta, and subsequently a de jure one for about a decade under President Moi[12]. However, it is important to emphasise that elections and civil rule are not tantamount to a polity being democratic.[13] In this respect, a democracy is a political space organized in such a way that the drive towards the realisation of utmost freedom is uppermost. A government of the people, by the people, and for the people is the hallmark of a democratic state. This means those who are governing the people are coming out of the people, (in this instance ruling out external and oligarchic control in the production of leaders), by the people, (implying that the people themselves are able to express their respective desires by way of participation with elections being just an aspect), and for the people, having to do with policies being driven in the best interests of the majority of the people Performance by those in office in enriching the lives of the large majority of the people being the purpose of democracy.[14] This conception of democracy while accepting the importance of elections for leadership recruitment avoids being fixated on this fraction of a third of what should be the focus in assessing democracy. As Badejo (2022) argues: The conception of democracy herein, is superior to the current fixations on democracy as periodic elections irrespective of performance failures on accountabilities on many other freedoms that are crucial for the good life. The performance of elected office-holders on all crucial freedoms is very important. Whether elected leaders fail on other important freedoms beyond the freedom to vote should be of concern. Democracy could be a preferred structural arrangement for striving towards utmost freedom.[15] Rutos Political Strategy to Office The 2022 General Elections that saw William Ruto clinch victory was not without controversy, including allegations of external interference and technological manipulations. Kenyas August 2022 elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in 15 years. While the 2017 general election recorded a voter turnout of 79.51 per cent, only 65.4 per cent of the 22.12 million registered voters cast their ballots. 39.84 per cent (8.8 million) of the total registered voters were youth, a decline of 5.17 per cent from the 2017 figures. This low voter turnout strongly indicated voter apathy, particularly among youth.[16] The 2022 election, like others before, was vulnerable to the weaponisation of social media and the internet by the political class and their supporters. While the internets wide reach and the ubiquity of social media provided unparalleled opportunities to engage with and empower voters, they also facilitated the spread of dis- and misinformation, hate speech (specially targeted at female political aspirants), undermined trust in democratic institutions, and sowed societal distrust. Prof. Maka Makau considered formal equality and abstract autonomy as the two tenets of democratic experiment. For him, it is important for institutions of governance to empower people to create substance. He was worried about the authoritarian tendencies of leadership in Africa. Makaus analysis was not without sufficient reference to the 9 August, 2022, presidential elections in Kenya, which he adjudged to have been marred by electoral malpractices and rigging ultimately culminating in the theft of the peoples real mandate and choice. While calling on Nigeria to learn from the example of Kenya, he also reiterated the need to be very careful and weary of the interference of external interests and actors in the electoral process in Africa.[17] Deputy President William Rutos victorious presidential campaign in Kenyas 2022 elections saw him champion the plight of the hustlers, young informal economy workers on low, piecemeal incomes.[18] Reconfiguring political identities around notions of economic hardship and struggle, Rutos campaign appeared emblematic of what scholars have recently identified as a turn towards populism in Africa, transmuting ethno-nationalist identities into class-based ones.[19] However, whilst Rutos campaign capitalized on rising prices to devastating political effect, he also channeled discontent with the Jubilee government and its unmet promises of shared prosperity. Drawing on ethnographic data collected in central Kenyas Kiambu region since 2017. Thus, an explanation of Rutos victory is a combination of hustler populism and an anti-Jubilee backlash. Rutos campaign took advantage of Uhuru Kenyattas personal unpopularity as voters increasingly questioned the nature of dynastic authority and state capture, seeking to punish Uhuru personally for his failures to create prosperity in the region whilst enriching himself at their expense.[20] Violent protests were minimal with respect to the 2022 elections. Though a lot of trust was lost by about a half of the population, the Azimio opposition led by Raila Odinga had no other choice than to accept the Supreme Court of Kenyas unanimous decision that declared William Ruto as the winner of the presidential election.[21] The opposition, nonetheless, continued to hold rallies of displeasure with government policies and actions until Ruto succeeded in sending Raila Odinga on leave from politics in Kenya by backing him for the chairmanship of the African Union contest. Contests for such posts, definitely require the necessary heavy state support from the government of each candidate. Ruto in the Presidential Seat Ruto earned for himself the campaign reputation of moniker hustler for leading a narrative of a bottom-up economic model which he went to great lengths to explain, was about putting more cash into the pockets of the poor. But barely two months after he was sworn in, Ruto seems to be doing the exact opposite of what he pledged, emptying the already shallow pockets of poor Kenyans.[22] As soon as he got into office Ruto embarked on external ventures aimed at positioning himself as the premier African leader. Within the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ruto positioned himself as the one in position to resolve the war in Sudan. But the reality Kenyans are dealing with, is that most of the welcoming policies of President Ruto, turns out to be more hurtful to the people. Rutos State Visit to the US President William Ruto arrived in Washington, DC, United States of America, on May 23,, 2024, on a state visit on the invitation of President Joe Biden who had only hosted five state visits prior to that of Ruto during his four year stay in the White House. A state visit is a big deal in American diplomacy. It depicts warm relations and another way of seeking the fulfilment of American goals when force is not being used. Earlier at a mega crusade by American televangelist Benny Hinn in Nairobi on February 24-25, 2024, Ruto had boasted about his special invitation to the White House by an African leader in 16 years.[23] Kenya has clearly emerged as Americas leading strategic partner if not in Africa as a whole, then at least in sub-Saharan Africa. At a time when Africa and other parts of the world are polarising, with Russia-leaning juntas evicting Western militaries from Sahel states and South Africa and others tilting towards Russia and China, Kenya is becoming increasingly significant. In geopolitical terms, the most important outcome of the visit was that Biden designated Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally the only one in sub-Saharan Africa. This status doesnt include the mutual defence obligations of NATO membership but provides countries with preferential access to US military training, surplus equipment, joint research, etc. The designation confirmed Kenya as one of the US most important strategic military partners. For Ruto, the US visit was also critical, probably more economically than geopolitically. Kenya is struggling with debt and balance of payments problems, and needs US help with debt relief. Rutos Washington excursion was not unanimously popular back home, perhaps not surprisingly, since hes a politically divisive figure in Kenya, as one anonymous observer says. His supporters are delighted at the prestige his visit brought Kenya, and the promise of greater US investment and debt relief. His critics argue that hes overpromising again, and while preaching about austerity, he hired an expensive private jet from Dubai to take him to the US, this observer says.[24] According to Institute for Security Studies Senior Researcher in Nairobi, Willis Okumu, The visit could be seen as a win for Ruto, but is it for Kenyans? Okumu suggests the likelihood that Ruto is being used to spearhead a neo-colonialist agenda, given the recent changes in Africa where heads of state including Museveni have rebuffed Western-backed policies. Expatiating further, Okumu argued that: Ruto is desperate for the Western embrace, for political and economic reasons, while America, is after geopolitical influence given the economic inroads of to China on the continent as well as Russian geopolitical build up in Africa. Where does this leave the people of Kenya in the equation? It is important to point out that foreign relations are not necessarily a zero-sum game. But, as Okumu cautions, the evolving relationship should be closely monitored to clearly distinguish between Rutos and Kenyas interests.[25] African Leaders need to be truly committed to managing the realities of external dynamics beyond mere rhetoric President Ruto, even before his Washington, DC, state visit had been strongly rallying other African leaders on measures that could benefit people. He has had a number of appearances that could be considered as anti-Bretton Woods Institutions, impacts on the lives of Africans. In fact, the Kenyan President William Ruto matched his position with a deliberate, observed wardrobe change at some point. He adopted the late Kaunda suit, which was in vogue in the 1960s and 70s. His admirers loved it. By adopting this colonial vintage Safari suit as an ideological statement, Dr. Ruto was sending a message: He wanted to appear different on the local and global stage. This period saw some Pan-Africa, fire-brand radicalism on the global stage, to the surprise of those who associated him with conservative politics. He wants the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank reformed, and, in their place, there should be a body that treats all nations as equals. This position runs counter to the Primus Inter-Pares status of the United States of America (USA) in these organisations wherein the country in practical terms has a veto power. William Ruto has also been lobbying for the expansion of the UN Security Council with two Permanent Seats with Veto Powers to the African continent a position of African Governments known as the Ezulwini Consensus[26]. Many have also expressed their interest in seeing Ruto lead African trade and payment systems, with Kenya indicating interests in scrapping visa fees for African traders. He has been mimicking the likes of Kwame Nkrumah, Nyerere, Thomas Sankara, Muammar Gaddafi, and Robert Mugabe, whose fiery speeches on the global stage earned them mileage and criticism from some capitalist quarters. But how can Ruto be an Nyerere or a Nkrumah when his top ranks stink to the high heavens with corruption case after another? asks former MP Kabando wa Kabando. Kabando touched on the issue of corruption, a very big challenge that somehow we undermine in Africa as our leaders in pretense ignore the weight of corruption perpetuated by themselves and their class on their respective economies. In a similar manner, Senator Richard Onyonka, the former Kitutu Chache MP (2008 2022), provided a strident assessment of the tinder box that Kenya was sitting on when he lamented in a viral TikTok rendition, the stealing of state resources by political leaders. He noted how the Gen-Z have become so fed up, both online and offline, and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The Senator showed the nature of interconnection, and the nature of corruption across the arms of governments, calling on the leaders at the helm of affairs in the three arms of governments to uphold a higher standard. The continued, ruthless, heartless stealing of state resources with such brazenness, recklessness he asserted was at a record high.[27] The Finance Bill 2024 In what can be described as the last straw that broke the Camels back, the Finance Bill 2024, was the last harsh gift that triggered the mid-year Kenyan protests. This was further accentuated by the heightened levels of distrust in government and the intentions behind whatever policies it rolls out. The protests, this time around, were reactions to an unprecedented profligacy in governance accompanied by a government decision to raise taxes. The subsequently withdrawn Finance Bill, 2024, offer significant insights into the complex interplay between economic policies, public sentiments, and governance. As Nigeria continues to navigate its own economic challenges and policy reforms, understanding the causes, dynamics, and implications of these protests in Kenya could provide valuable lessons for Nigeria and the rest of Africa. In June 2024, the Kenyan government announced a new tax law proposed in the Finance Bill 2024. An outburst that started as a social media campaign grew into violent protests over weeks leading to fatalities, the destruction of government buildings and private properties. The protesters claimed that the tax hikes will harm the Kenyan economy and raise the cost of living for ordinary Kenyans, who already had trouble making ends meet. The Bill included several controversial tax hikes, such as increased excise duties on financial transactions, internet services, and certain goods like alcohol and tobacco. Additionally, it introduced new taxes on vegetable oils and environmental levies on imported goods, sparking significant public outcry due to the anticipated rise in the cost of living. The government had explained that the increases were crucial to service the countrys massive debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equal to roughly 70 per cent of Kenyas GDP. The finance bill aimed to raise an additional $US2.7 billion in taxes as part of an effort to lighten the heavy debt load, with interest payments alone consuming 37 per cent of annual revenue. It is interesting to note that as the tax burden was being increased for the people in general, President Ruto sought from parliament, a 17.3 per cent increase in the budget for his wife, also known as the unelected First Lady. A slight reduction in the budget of the office of the wife of the Deputy President was proposed and explained as arising from the higher increase to that office in a supplementary budget of October 2023.[28] Some of the highlights of the Bill, included: 16 percent sales tax on bread and a 25 percent duty on cooking oil. Planned increase in the tax on financial transactions as well as a new annual tax on vehicle ownership amounting to 2.5 percent of the value of the vehicle. A charge on products dubbed the eco levy. The tax targets most manufactured goods, including sanitary towels and diapers that contribute to waste and harm the environment. The eco levy was also aimed at digital products, including mobile phones, cameras, and recording equipment. This was also met with stiff resistance as citizens pointed out their reliance on these products for their livelihoods. The finance bill introduced a 16 percent tax on goods and services for direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialised hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. The bill also proposes an increase in import taxes from 2.5 per cent to 3 percent of the value of the item, to be paid by the importer. The rise comes just a year after the rate was reduced from 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent. The justification of the Finance Bill 2024 by the government, brings to mind a story Kofi Annan once told, of a Hen and a Pig.[29] The Hen went to the Pig and suggested they help human beings to avoid famine, which would result in starvation and deaths. The pig was excited to help but asked how to help. The Hen suggested that it would contribute eggs while the Pig provided bacon. The Pig shook its and retorted: on this strategy, for me, it is total sacrifice, while for you, its partial sacrifice. This is a true reflection of what plays out when African leaders ask their nationals to pay a sacrifice for their crumbling economies. The government in the usual approach popular amongst African leaders, paid less attention to the need for inclusivity, dialogue and public perception in its policy making processes. This is added atop a major trust deficit that many Kenyans, in fact African people have developed towards their leaders. Protests and Citizens Actions have always been part of human experience All over the world, there are many examples of collective resistance. In the United States, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s saw African Americans and allies engage in marches, sit-ins, and boycotts to fight against racial segregation and discrimination. In South Africa, a global movement of resistance, including protests, boycotts, and political pressure, helped bring an end to the system of racial segregation known as apartheid. The #OccupyWallStreet movement began in 2011 as a protest against economic inequality, corporate influence, and the power of the financial sector, using tactics like occupying public spaces and organizing general assemblies. Similarly, #OccupyNigeria and #EndSARS demonstrated the power of collective resistance by the people against injustice and oppression. In all these citizen actions, technology continues to play a significant role in facilitating collective resistance. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and other digital tools help organizers coordinate actions, spread information quickly, and connect with a broader audience. This has been evident in movements such as the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter, and the global climate strikes. The Ruto Climb Down On 26 June 2004, the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, which rather than douse tension saw the crowd of youths shift focus to cries of Ruto Must Go. An estimated 41 youths had been killed but the high-handedness did not stop the surging crowds. In a quick reaction, Kenyan President William Ruto, on Friday, 5 July, proposed spending cuts and reduced the level of additional borrowing as part of a rolled out set of austerity measures in furtherance of commitment to implement, and align government expenditures with the budgetary implications of the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, and the abrogated planned tax hikes in the face of nationwide protests. There was also the appointment of an independent taskforce to carry out a comprehensive forensic audit of Kenyas public debt and report within three months. Seeking a middle ground as he asserted, President Ruto promised to get the parliament to facilitate a budget cut of Ksh 177 billion ($1.39 billion) and borrow the deficit, which will result to an additional borrowing increase of the countrys fiscal deficit from 3.3 per cent to 4.6 per cent [30] This will help the government in pushing progress in the following critical areas of government infrastructure; Hiring of Junior Secondary School teachers and medical interns Funding the milk stabilization program for dairy farmers III. Reviving our stalled roads programme Retaining the fertilizer subsidy programme Settling the debts owed to farmers in the coffee subsector Capitalizing the Coffee Cherry Fund and VII. Enabling public sector-owned sugar mills to pay outstanding debts to sugarcane farmers for their deliveries. VIII. Additional funding for the higher education new funding model Settling arrears owed to counties. Settling arrears for the NG-CDF. Settling arrears for pensions. Amongst the austerity measures announced by the President that will definitely appeal to the needs and yearnings of the public are: President Ruto used the realities of the situation to announce the dissolution of 47 state corporations some of which had been in place since the late President Mois era and currently of no use other than providing opportunities for loyalists. He also stated a 50 per cent reduction in the number of government advisers and the suspension of non-essential travel by public office bearers. Curbing the personalised looting of government resources by unelected wives, Ruto removed the family gravy flow being enjoyed by himself, his Deputy and another, he declared the removal of budget lines for the spouses of the President, Deputy President, and Prime Cabinet Secretary. Ruto expressed his determination to carry out these and other changes to improve the quality, efficiency, and transparency in serving the people of Kenya and ensure that citizens receive maximum value for their resources from a public sector that prioritises their welfare. Ruto suggested that these changes will set Kenya on a trajectory towards economic take-off, enabling them to achieve the strategic objectives of the bottom-up economic transformation agenda and deliver the commitments to radically enhance opportunities for Kenyans and transform the country. President Ruto, recognized how difficult the last two weeks had been for the entire country. Whilst fully expressing his sympathy and sadness over the lost lives and destruction caused by the protests, he noted how the entire development had forced the country to begin to move in the right direction of the right conversations needed to move the country forward. I extend my deepest condolences to those who unfortunately lost their lives. One life lost is a life too many. To the mothers, fathers, siblings, relatives, and friends of those who died, my deepest sympathies and condolences. Equally, to the many others who are injured and recuperating, we wish them a quick recovery. The government of Kenya will support all those affected. [31] Despite all this, as a nation, we are finally having the right conversation, not about our tribes, or personalities, or political formations, but rather issues that affect each and every one of us: issues such as taxation, debt, the budget, corruption, the cost of living, unemployment, and opportunities for our young people. [32] President Ruto had a media chat with Kenyans hosted by Osama Otero, a popular social media influencer after Rutos own Space failed to launch properly. Ruto started off by apologising and condoled with the families of Kenyans who lost their lives during the anti-Finance Bill, 2024, protests. The President addressed various issues ranging from the Finance Bill, alleged abductions during protests and health matters. Some X users voiced their opinions and shot questions at the President which he promptly answered. My administration has always believed in listening and engaging and that is why I go around the country to engage people. I rarely sit in the office. I go to different places to engage with Kenyans, he said. I have gone home with I need to listen more, I need more empathy. My administration needs more empathy and I have heard you say more action, he said. I want to thank you very much for the feedback that I have got from you and for the engagement we have had this afternoon, it was a great moment of Kenyans engaging openly, robustly and in a no-hold-back engagement, he said. The President commended the X users saying he received rich feedback from the young generation. I want to thank you very much for the feedback that I have got from you and for the engagement we have had this afternoon, it was a great moment of Kenyans engaging openly, robustly and in a no-hold-back engagement, he said. The President added that he looks forward to more engagements on X with Kenyans in the future and promised to take more time and engage with them. The President signed off by saying a prayer thanking God for the successful engagement. He prayed for empathy for those who were hurt and lost their loved ones during the protests. The President also asked God to grant Kenya unity, peace and prosperity. Leadership Deficit in Nigeria There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria faces leadership deficit. According to Chinua Achebe, Nigerias problem is fairly and squarely failure of leadership. Nigerias leadership failure continues to spiral down. Nigerias leadership in ECOWAS and AU, continues to fail to reflect or make sense when compared with her domestic leadership deficit back home. Despite her place as one of the leading producers of oil in the world, Nigeria continues to exhibit the worst income disparities in the region, with only 1 per cent of the elites controlling 80 percent of accrued oil wealth, almost 70 per cent of which is held in foreign banks, while close to 80 percent of the population live below the UN designated poverty threshold of $1 per day[33] Visionary leadership is crucial on overall management of purposeful efforts towards utmost freedom. Leadership failure/deficit results in the opposite.[34] These are governance (with major attention on leadership deficit and corruption), external dynamics (which is crucial for weak nations but normally wished away by aid workers), institutions and resources. It is impossible to engage on the realisation of improvements on the interconnectedness of the four pillars when there are fundamental problems with the situational foundation on which the pillars rest. Expectedly, these pillars will not implement themselves in a situation of deficits in governance and when the external dynamics is weighing down on the organized political society. Getting governance right could go some way in reducing the dangers at the level of external dynamics as well as ensure that the process of building institutions commence with available resources, however limited.[35] The 2023 General Election in Nigeria marked a crucial milestone in the nations leadership recruitment exercise.[36] However, concerns about voter suppression and electoral integrity cast a shadow over the democratic process. Despite expectations for greater electoral integrity, instances of voter suppression persisted during the 2023 General Elections. Not so surprising the country experienced the highest numbers of post-election court cases since the return to democracy in 1999.[37] Hence, in quite a number of constituencies, Nigeria had government of the people, by the Courts, for the people. William Ruto and Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Leadership Tourists In January 2024,, as President Tinubu made yet another trip to France, presumed for medical tourism, Nigerias opposition leader Atiku Abubakar wrote on his X social media space that Nigeria does not need a tourist-in-chief. He criticised the presidents private visit while Nigeria is drowning in the ocean of insecurity.[38] This in some ways can be seen as a cheap shot, easily levelled by any critic. Presidents need to attend heads-of-state meetings and nurture foreign relations. This is important not only for diplomatic reasons, but also economic ones, as lucrative investment deals can be negotiated. Mr Ruto and Mr Tinubu and their spokespeople defend their trips as being vital to help address the very problems they are accused of ignoring. In the eight months since his inauguration, Mr Tinubu has made 14 trips an average of just under two a month but this is dwarfed by Mr Ruto, who has made about 50 journeys abroad since he became president in 2022 averaging more than three a month. Mr Tinubu is said to have spent at least 3.4bn naira ($2.2 million; 1.8 million) on domestic and foreign travel in the first six months of his presidency 36 per cent more than the budgeted amount for 2023, the Nigerian newspaper Punch reported, citing GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks government spending.[39] In Nigeria for instance about the time the Subsidy is Gone declaration was made, Femi Falana (SAN) provided a long list of low hanging fruits of stolen national patrimony that should be repossessed to refloat the economy. There was total silence about it nationally. Instead, the profligacy continued on constituency projects, and the President will soon get his additional latest toy for his and his family profligate travels with loads of state capture officials. We all agreed to 21 Billion naira being used to complete the residence of our sudden Homeless Vice Presidents It is not enough to celebrate road infrastructures, which appears to be the new channel for corruption. Like the Lagos-Calabar one, there is the need to look into the manner of awards of contracts, who are the personalities and names involved? What are the interests involved? Like Ruto, PBAT, in 2012 went waxing lyrical on being pro-people. In fact, he described the subsidy removal by the PDP-led government as Jonathan tax. He further accused the Jonathan presidency of betraying its social contract with the people by suddenly removing fuel subsidy. He, however, provided a window out of the crisis: if subsidy must be removed at all, it must never be at one fell swoop. Rather it must be on calibrated phrases, on which the promised gains are measured and confirmed before moving to the next phase of removal. Government must modify the sudden and complete removal of the subsidy. Either we restore the subsidy or use the funds for other social purposes, Asiwaju Tinubu counselled in a special release he captioned, Removal of oil subsidy President Jonathan breaks social contract with the people and which he personally signed. If we are to use the funds for other programmes, these programmes shall be placed on parallel track with the subsidy. As more of these programmes are ready to go on line, then the subsidy can be lifted in phases he continued. In this way, the public is assured government will not lower its total expenditure on their behalf, thus maintaining the spirit central to the social contract. But the former governor cautioned the federal government against economic policies that tend to balance the books at the detriment of the peoples welfare. As there is progressive politics, there is progressive economics. As there is elitist politics, there is elitist economics, Asiwaju Tinubu explained. It all depends on what and who in society government would rather favour. The Jonathan tax, he declared, represents a new standard in elitism. Because he is slave to wrong-headed economics, Asiwaju Tinubu said of President Goodluck Jonathan, the people will become enslaved to greater misery. This crisis will bear his name and will be his legacy. The people now pay a steep tax for voting him into office. The removal of the subsidy is the Jonathan tax, he insisted. The situation shows that ideas count more than personalities. People may occupy office but how that person performs depends on the ideas that occupy his mind.[40] Insisting that the subsidy removal was ill-timed, he said there must be some conditions precedent before such a step could be taken. First government needs to clean up and throw away the salad of corruption in the NNPC [Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation]. Then, proceed to lay the foundation for a mass transit system in the railways and road network with long term bonds and, he added, fully develop the energy sector towards revitalising Nigerias economy and easing the burden any subsidy removal may have on the people.[41] Nigeria and Corruption Over the last couple of years, Nigeria, Africas largest nation, gained unprecedented global attention on account of its unenviable record in corruption.[42] Nigerias inability to achieve enduring political stability is also not unconnected to the damaging effects of corruption, which continues to undermine the legitimacy of political leaders and public institutions, and thus the capacity of the state to implement development programmes[43] That corruption is endemic in Nigeria is not in doubt. One can hardly open any newspaper in Nigeria without encountering vivid reports of sordid and sensational corruption cases. That Nigerians are lacking in many basic necessities of life, such as healthcare, food and shelter, as well as basic infrastructure including electricity, roads, etc., is also not in doubt. That an elite few are able to obtain their every desire for themselves and those closest to them is equally a truism that manifests in the coexistence of opulence and abject poverty.[44] That most of the few living in opulence dip their respective hands in the common purse to sustain their lifestyles by abusing their positions of authority (whether in the public or private sector) is also common knowledge.[45] Aside from failure of leadership, which manifests itself in many essential aspects of society in Nigeria, corruption remains the main challenge faced by the country. The problem is that all, including the rapacious few in positions of authority, have not agreed that the situation before Nigeria is unsustainable. Corruption hampers growth and development, yet it persists and has, in fact, reached endemic proportions in spite of declared persistent attempts by Nigerian leaders to curb the menace. The general public has become part of the problem, through a complacency that accepts clear cases of mega-corruption with a palpable silence and inaction. The feeling of so many Nigerians is that corruption, even on a massive scale, with all its negative effects on the general good of the country, has become too frequent; these days, it barely raises an eyebrow.[46] The socio-economic hardships suffered by the majority of the population, are all linked to corruption, nepotism, inequalities and unconstitutional behaviours of political leaders, who engage in or support election rigging, violation of human rights and non-respect of the rule of law, intolerance of alternative views and the stifling of public opinion. Until these causative factors are treated, the ailments will persist or worsen.[47] The insensitivity of political leaders blinds and numbs them to the pains of the masses. Officials of three arms of government the executive, legislature and the judiciary which are supposed to guarantee safety and security and advance the wellbeing of citizens, have instead, conspired and weaponised the system for the oppression and suppression of the people.[48] Other reasons behind unending instability and political turmoil in the region are the inconsistency, lack of political will for a tough and principled stance; the violation of rules without consequences, or the observance in breach, of instruments and protocols designed to promote regional integration.[49] Lessons The Kenyan youth used their numbers to mobilize participants, spread awareness, and garner support using traditional methods like flyers and meetings, as well as modern technology and social media to resist the new tax regime poised to further impoverish the people and push government debt on citizens who are already crumbling under the weight of poor economic decisions. Lessons for Nigeria and African Nations Kenyas experience with the Finance Bill 2024 offers profound lessons for Nigeria and other African nations navigating similar fiscal landscapes. Central to these lessons is the imperative of balancing revenue generation with socio-economic equity and public trust. Tax policies must prioritize fairness and inclusivity to avoid exacerbating income disparities and social unrest. Consultation and stakeholder engagement are critical in shaping effective tax reforms. Kenyas protests highlighted the importance of engaging civil society, businesses, and citizens early in the policymaking process to mitigate backlash and ensure policy acceptance. Nigeria can enhance its policy formulation by fostering transparent dialogue and incorporating diverse perspectives into tax reform initiatives. Moreover, tax reforms should be mindful of their economic impact across different sectors and demographic groups. Kenyas proposed VAT adjustments on essential goods underscored the delicate balance between revenue generation and consumer affordability. Nigerian policymakers must conduct thorough impact assessments to mitigate adverse effects on vulnerable populations and ensure sustainable economic growth. Supporting the digital economy while taxing multinational corporations responsibly is another key takeaway from Kenyas experience. As Africa embraces digital transformation, policies should incentivize local innovation and entrepreneurship while ensuring multinational corporations contribute equitably to national revenues. Nigeria can leverage Kenyas approach to digital services taxation to foster a competitive digital ecosystem that drives economic diversification and job creation. Moving Forward: Dialogue and Reform President Rutos pledge to initiate a dialogue with Kenyan youth reflects a recognition of the need for inclusive governance and responsive leadership. However, sustaining momentum for meaningful reform beyond the Finance Bills withdrawal remains crucial. Addressing systemic issues of governance, corruption, and economic transparency will be paramount in rebuilding public trust and fostering a conducive environment for sustainable development. The path forward for Kenya and other African nations entails navigating complex economic realities while upholding principles of accountability and social justice. Learning from Kenyas recent protests, policymakers in Nigeria and across the continent must prioritize comprehensive reform agendas that address systemic inequalities, promote fairness and inclusive growth, while also ensuring long-term economic stability for all. Reflections and Imperatives Kenyas Finance Bill 2024 saga serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate interplay between fiscal policy, public sentiment, and economic stability. While the bills withdrawal marked a victory for protesters, it also underscored deeper challenges in governance and economic management. Nigeria, with its own fiscal imperatives and socio-economic complexities, can draw invaluable insights from Kenyas experience to shape more resilient and equitable tax policies. By prioritizing equity, consultation, and economic prudence, Nigeria and other African nations can chart a path toward sustainable development and shared prosperity. The lessons learned from Kenyas fiscal turbulence underscore the importance of adaptive policymaking, stakeholder engagement, and transparent governance in fostering resilient economies and inclusive societies across the continent. As Africa navigates a dynamic global landscape, leveraging these lessons will be instrumental in forging a future where fiscal policies drive equitable development and empower communities to thrive. Kenyas journey with the Finance Bill 2024 not only highlights the need for responsive governance but also underscores the imperative of fostering a robust dialogue between governments and their citizens. Beyond withdrawing contentious tax proposals, sustained efforts to address systemic issues such as corruption, economic inequality, and youth empowerment are essential. These efforts are pivotal in rebuilding trust in institutions and cultivating an environment conducive to sustainable economic growth and social cohesion. The path forward demands bold leadership, informed decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to inclusive development. African nations must harness the momentum generated by Kenyas protests to enact meaningful reforms that uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability. By embracing these principles, Nigeria and its regional counterparts can pave the way for a future where fiscal policies not only raise revenue but also promote social justice and economic resilience for all citizens.[50] The Kenyan tax protests demonstrate the importance of inclusive policymaking, effective communication, responsive governance, and respect for human rights. These lessons are crucial for any government looking to implement significant economic reforms without provoking widespread unrest. Hopefully, the Nigerian government is learning that under the right circumstances, collective resistance by citizens can shift policy. Conclusion There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigeria, like Kenya, faces leadership deficit. If there is only one problem to be fixed in Nigeria, nay Africa, it is leadership deficit. With visionary leadership, other problems like corruption/rule of law; deftly handling external dynamics; building of institutions; and multiplying human capacity and material resources could be addressed more easily. Addressing these foundational problems lead to solving human insecurity, development, respect for human rights as well as enhancing resilience in handling man-made and natural humanitarian issues. The methods of electing leader in Nigeria are mostly flawed by corruption and politics of ethnicity. It easily explains why corruption, mismanagement and embezzlement, maladministration, impunity, political arrogance and rascality becomes the order of the day. Instability, lack of accountability and intimidations, greed, deceit, sycophancy, empty and purposeless and highly anti-people policies results in popular disillusionment. Disillusionment, especially of youths, resulted in rowdy protests, loss of lives and properties in the Nigerian #EndSARS movement as well as the Gen-Zs occupying Kenya. The state, either in Kenya, and more so in Nigeria must re-strategise by pushing greed aside. Kenyas experience with the Finance Bill 2024 offers valuable insights for African nations grappling with similar fiscal challenges. The protests and subsequent withdrawal of the bill underscored the imperative of inclusive governance, transparent policymaking, and responsive leadership. It demonstrated that public engagement and dialogue are essential in shaping effective fiscal policies that prioritise socio-economic equity and public trust. The lessons from Kenya resonate particularly with Nigeria, where issues of corruption, economic inequality, and governance deficits persistently undermine development efforts. By prioritising transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement, Nigerian policymakers can navigate complex economic landscapes and foster sustainable growth that benefits all segments of society. Moreover, Kenyas journey highlights the resilience of civic activism in holding governments accountable and driving policy change. As African nations forge ahead, it is imperative to heed these lessons, ensuring that fiscal reforms are not only revenue-driven but also contribute to inclusive development, poverty alleviation, and enhanced public welfare. Ultimately, the Finance Bill 2024 saga underscores the interconnectedness of fiscal policies, public sentiment, and governance effectiveness. By embracing these insights, African nations can chart a path toward resilient economies and inclusive societies, where fiscal decisions reflect the aspirations and needs of all citizens. Notes [1] Badejo, B. (2022, December 22). Approach to Sustainable Development: Understanding the Quadruple Nexus. Retrieved from Kujenga Amani: https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2022/12/22/an-approach-to-sustainable-development-understanding-the-quadruple-nexus/ See also, Badejo, B. (2022) Nigerians on National Turmoil: A Situational Quadruple Analysis, (Lagos: Yintab Books). [2] Badejo, Babafemi Adesina. Draft Report Study on the Interlinkages between the Development, Peace and Security, Human Rights and Humanitarian. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, December 14, 2020, https://www.uneca.org/sites/default/files/uploaded-documents/Subregional-studies/ECA%20Four-Pillar%20Interlinkages%20first%20draft20201215.pdf [3] See, Sorobea N. Bogonko, KENYA 1945-1963: A Study in African National Movements, (Nairobi: Kenya Literature Bureau, 1980). See also, Babafemi A. Badejo, Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan Politics, (Lagos & Nairobi: Yintab Books, 2006). [4] Badejo, B. (2022, December 22). Approach to Sustainable Development: Understanding the Quadruple Nexus. Retrieved from Kujenga Amani: https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2022/12/22/an-approach-to-sustainable-development-understanding-the-quadruple-nexus/ and Badejo, B. (2022) Nigerians Views on National Turmoil: A Situational Quadruple Analysis. Lagos: Yintab Books. [5] United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific What is Good Governance? https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/good-governance.pdf [6] Badejo, B, (2022), op. cit. [7] Badejo, B, (2006), op.cit. [8] For details, see, Babafemi A. Badejo, Politicization of Ethnicity, Inequities and Electoral Violence in Kenya, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization, Occasional Monograph, No. 9, 2008. [9] Ibid [10] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-11579285 retrieved on July 7, 2024. [11] See, https://www.icc-cpi.int/kenya/kenyatta, and https://www.icc-cpi.int/kenya/rutosang, both retrieved on July 6, 2024. [12] For details, see, Badejo, (2006), op. cit. [13] See, Babafemi A. Badejo, Situating Democracy as a Vehicle for Realisation of Utmost Freedom: An Intellectual Toast to Professor Liasu Adele JInadu, in Alli, W. O. and Odukoya, A. O. (2023), Federalism, Elections and Challenges of Democratic Governance Essays in Honour of Professor Liasu Adele Jinadu. Lagos: Academic Publishing Centre. Pp.295 307. [14] Babafemi A. Badejo, Situating Democracy as a Vehicle for the Realisation of Utmost Freedom: An Intellectual Toast to Jinadu Babafemi A. Badejo, Elections as Democracy: A Thriving Deception. [15] Babafemi A. Badejo, Nigerians Views on National Turmoil: A Situational Quadruple Nexus Analysis, (Lagos: Yintab Books, 2022). [16] ROUNDTABLE | Kenya Post-Election 2022 Review. https://www.kofiannanfoundation.org/news/kenya-post-election-roundtable-2022/ [17] Babafemi Badejo, Technology Makes Rigging of Elections Even Easier: Key Take-away From The 14th LEADERSHIP Conference and Awards. https://leadership.ng/technology-makes-rigging-of-elections-even-easier-key-take-away-from-the-14th-leadership-conference-and-awards/ [18] Peter Lockwood, Hustler Populism, Anti-Jubilee Backlash And Economic Injustice In Kenyas 2022 Elections, African Affairs, Volume 122, Issue 487, April 2023, Pages 205224, https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adad011 [19] Peter Lockwood, Hustler Populism, Anti-Jubilee Backlash And Economic Injustice In Kenyas 2022 Elections, African Affairs, Volume 122, Issue 487, April 2023, Pages 205224, https://doi.org/10.1093/afraf/adad011 [20] Ibid. [21] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenyas-top-court-rule-disputed-presidential-election-2022-09-04/#:~:text=NAIROBI [22]Faustine Ngila, Kenyas hustler president is emptying the pockets of the poor. November 1, 2022. https://qz.com/ruto-is-emptying-the-pockets-of-poor-kenyans-1849726707 [23] https://www.thecable.ng/fact-check-is-kenyas-ruto-first-african-leader-in-20-years-to-be-invited-for-state-visit-in-us/ [24] Peter Fabricius, William Ruto wins in Washington but does Kenya? 31 May, 2024. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/william-ruto-wins-in-washington-but-does-kenya [25] Peter Fabricius, William Ruto wins in Washington but does Kenya? 31 May, 2024. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/william-ruto-wins-in-washington-but-does-kenya [26] See, The Common African Position on the Proposed Reform of the United Nations: Ezulwini Consensus, African Union, Executive Council, 7th Extraordinary Session, 7-8 March, 2005, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Ext/EX.CL/2(VII). [27] Viral TikTok rendition, Senator Richard Onyonka of the former Kitutu Chache MP (2008 2022). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNLcQ0wg7-w [28] https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/first-lady-budget-increased-17-percent-to-sh696-million4611150 [29] This was at a meeting in Mogadishu, Somalia and the author of this study was one of the attendees at the meeting. [30] STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM RUTO, C.G.H.; PhD; PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE KENYA DEFENSE FORCES, WHILE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF FURTHER AUSTERITY MEASURES. JULY 5, 2024 [31] Ibid [32] Ibid. [33] See Jerome Afeikhena, Managing Oil Rent for Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction in Africa, paper presented at the UNU-WIDER Jubilee Conference, Thinking Ahead: The Future of Development Economics, Helsinki, June 17-18, 2005, available at http://website1.wider.unu.edu/conference/conference-2005-3/conference-2005-3-papers/Jerome.pdf. [34] Babafemi A. Badejo, Nigerians Views on National Turmoil: A Situational Quadruple Nexus Analysis, (Lagos: Yintab Books, 2022). [35] Ibid. [36] Sahara Reporters, Nigerian Election 2023: What Did We Learn From It, March 29, 2023, Opinion in https://saharareporters.com/2023/03/29/nigerian-election-2023-what-did-we-learn-it-matthew-ma [37] Chijioke Iremeka, Electoral fraud, technology and future of Nigerias democracy The Guardian, 08 April 2023, in https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/electoral-fraud-technology-and-future-of-nigerias-democracy/ See also, Voter Suppression and Electoral Integrity Crisis in Nigerias 2023 General Elections by Saheed Olasunkanmi OduolaJuly 20, 2023. https://kujenga-amani.ssrc.org/2023/07/20/voter-suppression-and-electoral-integrity-crisis-in-nigerias-2023-general-elections/ [38] https://guardian.ng/nigeria-does-not-need-tourist-in-chief-atiku-tells-tinubu/#google_vignette [39] By Basillioh Rukanga. William Ruto and Bola Tinubu: Africas flying presidents under fire. 19 February 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68201964 [40] https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/01/11/tinubu-jonathan-has-betrayed-the-people/ [41] https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/01/11/tinubu-jonathan-has-betrayed-the-people/ [42] In 1999, Nigeria was ranked the second most corrupt country in the world, by the Transparency International. (Available at http://www.gwdg.de/~uwvw/ .) In 2000, it emerged the most corrupt country. (See http://www.gwdg.de/~uwvw/ .) By 2001, it fell to the second position (http://www.transparency.org/cpi/2001/cpi2001.html ). In 2002 and 2003 ranking, it maintained the same position. (Available at http://www.transparency.org ) [43] David Uchenna Enweremadu, The struggle against Corruption in Nigeria: the Role of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (ICPC) under the Fourth Republic. p. 41-66. https://books.openedition.org/ifra/916#ftn1 [44] Babafemi A. Badejo, Third Policy and Governance Discussion Forum (PGDF) Roundtable FOSTERING GOOD GOVERNANCE THROUGH STRENGTHNING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION March 23, 2024. file:///C:/Users/pc/Downloads/Final%20PGDP%20Q1%202024.pdf [45] Babafemi A. Badejo, Persistence of Corruption in Nigeria: Towards a Holistic Focus, in Sunday Bobai Agang et. al., (eds.), A Multidimensional Perspective on Corruption in Africa: Wealth, Power, Religion and Democracy, (Newcastle upon Tynes: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019), Chapter 7. [46] Ibid. [47] Paul Ejime ECOWAS and the Fear of Regional Disintegration [48] Paul Ejime ECOWAS and the Fear of Regional Disintegration [49] Ibid. [50] Kenyas Finance Bill 2024 Lessons For Nigeria and Beyond https://leadership.ng/kenyas-finance-bill-2024-lessons-for-nigeria-and-beyond/ Babafemi A. Badejo, a former deputy special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia , is currently a legal practitioner and professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chrisland University, Abeokuta. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As this reporter ventured into the premises of Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, Minna, Niger State, students were seen sitting on the windowsills, their faces reflecting boredom with their classroom inconveniences, while loud noises of others echoed from various areas of the school. Established in 1958, the school, one of the first missionary schools taken over by the Niger State government, was renowned for its high-quality learning and facilities for students, including boarding houses. However, all its glories have long been lost due to neglect. It is now in a state of disrepair leaving students to learn in an inconducive environment. Usman Adam, a father-of-two, said he considered enrolling his two elder children in the school when he was transferred to the city for his teaching job in 2020. The news about the schools standards convinced him of his initial decision, but he was disappointed by his first visit to the school, as he observed collapsing buildings and inadequate classrooms. At first, I was motivated by the schools offering of both Western and Islamic education, so I intended to enroll my children in the boarding section. To my surprise, when I visited the school, I found classrooms without windows or ceilings. In some classes, I saw students crowded onto benches, with four or five of them sharing one seat, Mr Adam said. When I realised that the poor condition of their facilities could affect my children, I decided to find another school for them, he added. Not only Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, but also many of the earliest schools in the state have suffered neglect, with collapsing structures that have not been renovated for 40 years, resulting in severe states of deterioration. 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 sorry state of deteriorated infrastructure in Niger State schools is linked to underfunding in the education sector. The state, since 2017 has experienced declining funding for the sector. Funds released to the section often fall short against the yearly allocation. To facelift the long standing dire infrastructure across some schools in the state, a Whole School Development Approach was launched. Whole School Development Approach is an initiative of the immediate past governor, Abubakar Bello, led-government to improve the infrastructure of public schools in the state, providing conducive learning and teaching environments for students and teachers. The initiatives scope aims to comprehensively renovate and refurbish the benefiting schools. In 2021, Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, along with five other schools, was captured for total renovation under the second phase of the initiative, following the completion of nine schools in the first phase which gulped N3 billion. For Ahmadu Bahago Secondary School, the Niger State Ministry of Education in 2021 awarded the remodeling of the school to BD+arch at N427 million under the supervision of the states Ministry of Works & Infrastructure Development. It is going to be the whole school, because we are rebuilding it completely, and hopefully it would provide for a conducive environment for the students and teachers, Mr Bello said while addressing the press during the inspection of the project in 2022. On UDEMEs visit to the school in June, it was observed that the project was poorly executed and did not meet the expected quality and scope of work. Little of what UDEME found could justify the amount expended on the project. The contractors shoddy work left a few of the classroom blocks with only their exteriors plastered, while their interiors remained bare bricks, while also neglected to install ceilings, making the students endure intense heat under the scorching sun. A student told UDEME that they were moved to the classroom after it became apparent that the work had stopped on the project. He added that they are facing challenges in comfortably staying in their classrooms. Since the rainy season has started, well stop our classes when rain starts and try to find a better corridor to hide [in] because they didnt put in windows, and water often enters (blows in) and wets our bags, he said. The student said they most times struggle to regain their stability to continue their classes after the rain had stopped. Till we close for the day, our bodies wont catch up with the learning mood. A teacher from the school, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media about the schools affairs, expressed resentment over the poor work done by the contractor. He revealed that the project was not completed before the contractor vacated the site. They may not want to tell you the real truth, but at least you can see it for yourself. There is no need to explain that the work was poor. The former governor came to inspect the project while it was ongoing, now see how the project ended. If youve gone around, you will see that they didnt provide any windows or materials to aid in a conducive learning environment. Our toilets and other facilities were not touched either. Some of the classrooms you saw that they painted have windows and a few pieces of furniture in them and are even better than those classrooms that were left without much work, the teacher said. Maryam Suleiman, whose daughter attends the school, revealed to UDEME that the lack of appropriate supervision may have hindered the projects quality completion. She said that the government should have ensured the contractor completes the work before leaving. This school is one of the big old schools in the state. The government doesnt pay attention to renovating it in the past. But with this particular one that you mentioned they invested money, they should hold the contractor accountable to complete the job properly, so that the students and teachers can enjoy a conducive environment, she said. Tesleem Hamzah, a community elder, also expressed concerns over the uncompleted work on the project and said the execution didnt involve community supervision. He added that leaving some of the classrooms unfinished affects the quality of learning in the school. Sometimes, you will find their students leaving the school before closing time, that may be because they dont find the environment enjoyable, meanwhile the project meant to improve their infrastructure was poorly executed. They just re-roofed and replastered a few buildings, Mr Hamzah said. The project is over three years now, it may not be easy to question the contractor for the poor work but if the government can do it, they need to ask him to come to do the work properly. We have limitationsSchool head The principal of the school, Abdul Aliyu, failed to attend to UDEMEs inquiries. He said he needed permission from the state ministry of education before responding. I didnt want a situation where if we let you enter the hostel, dining, classes, or any information, the ministry would ask me, who authorised you? So for me to allow you to go on without any directive, it is not proper because we have limitations. He told the reporter to write to the Niger State Ministry of Education for permission before he could address his questions. However, an FOI addressed and delivered to the Permanent Secretary of the Niger State Ministry of Education on 6 June, inquiring detailed information, was not responded to. Also, during a follow-up visit to the ministry on 3rd July, his secretary told the reporter that his principal was not available. Efforts to reach the contractor were futile as the companys contact was inaccessible, and a request sent to its email asking about the project was not responded to as of the time of filing this report. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative has unveiled conversion centres in Abuja to help convert petroland diesel-powered vehicles to CNG. Omolara Obileye, coordinator of Business Development and Strategy of the initiative, who spoke during the exercise on Friday, said the initiative would reduce the dependence on petrol. According to her, conversion has started for commercial vehicles. We are starting with Abuja and Lagos and we will keep rolling out; the announcements will be made regularly as we go to each of the states. Private cars are supposed to pay a fraction of the cost of the conversion while the transport associations have 100 per cent conversion free. However, the cost depends on the vehicle size because there are different types of vehicles; and there is need to understand what exactly we need to configure in the system. We have over 12 conversion centres in the FCT; we will continue to increase the number and update the public, she said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Conversion Centres visited in Abuja include NIPCO Oil and Gas station at Airport Road, Kia Motors at Utako, Mijo Gas Auto in Jahi and ABG CNG, Kubwa. At Mijo Gas Auto, the head of the centre, Gaurav Goyal, described CNG as very safe and clean. So, what we want from every Nigerian is to go green; it will be a very good initiative for bringing down the price of items including the cost of PMS. CNG is not only pocket-friendly, it will reduce food prices because transportation will also be cost-effective, he said. One of the CNG Engineers, Joseph Smith, said the price of a litre of CNG was N230 at NIPCO Oil and Gas station, adding that a driver could use CNG of N3000 to travel to Kaduna from Abuja. Mr Smith explained that there was an automatic switch button that could alternate between CNG and petrol in the car without causing an issue or challenge. NAN reports that car owners were seen at the centres trying to convert their petrol-powered cars to CNG while others who had already converted theirs, were buying CNG at N230 per litre. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police in Anambra State have arrested 200 suspected criminals and made some recoveries in the last two months. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, Nnaghe Itam, disclosed this during his maiden media briefing in Awka on Friday. Mr Itam stated that police operatives recovered about 1,644 pieces of ammunition in the state within the period. Among those arrested were suspected kidnappers, cultists, car snatchers and petty thieves. I am putting in place operational strategies to ensure that within 10 minutes after a crime is reported, a response team will storm the scene, he said. Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been supportive; sister security agencies, including the State Security Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have also supported us. The local vigilante groups have also been supportive. We are all working together, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The police commissioner urged Anambra residents to offer useful information to security agencies to aid the fight against crime. He added that he had been engaging with the states traditional rulers, religious bodies, community leaders, and others. I have asked traditional rulers to redefine any of their cultural practices that encroach on fundamental human rights to avoid social clashes, he said. He warned that land grabbing, voodoo practices, cultism, violence or abuse of other peoples freedom would not be allowed in the state. He advised people threatening the states peace to rethink because the police would resist their illegitimate actions. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among those paraded was 60-year-old Dominic Iyetu, from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra, along with his son, Chinedu, 25. The duo are accused of stealing a Lexus 300 Jeep the father claimed was a gift from his son, Chinedu. Mr Iyetu told NAN that he and his son were bicycle repairers and sellers. He further said that he thought the son made money from his other business outside the bicycle business. When he gifted me the jeep, I thought he probably had made the money from other sources like Bet9ja (a betting shop), he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The threat of Russian troops attacking Ukraine from the north exists, and it is absolutely real. The tendency is to escalate, so the problem cannot be ignored. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated in an interview with NV by the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov. Moreover, he noted that the offensive from the north is already underway, but did not specify whether it was in Sumy or Chernihiv region, so as not to "provoke panic." "You see, this is a bit of an anecdotal situation for me. For two years, when they were shouting that there would be an attack from the north, we said that it would not happen. Nothing happened. The moment we said that there would be an attack from the north, everyone immediately wondered if it would happen," the head of the DIU said. Budanov added that there are problems, and they are getting worse. The intelligence chief is convinced that there will be no catastrophe, but they cannot be ignored. "I have already told someone from the Western press that I will not have much good news this year, unfortunately," Budanov said. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ihor Romanenko, said that the Russian occupation army is planning a significant increase in numbers. These forces will not be enough to attack Kyiv or open a new front, but the enemy may try to expand its existing positions. "The Russians are probably forming an army or even two of 14 divisions, 16 brigades. They are preparing personnel, this year they plan to recruit 300-400 thousand, from April 1, up to 150 thousand will be called up for military service," he said. As reported by OBOZ.UA: In June, commenting on the situation at the front, Budanov said that the situation was difficult. However, no global negative consequences are expected. According to him, the situation for the Defense Forces on the battlefield will remain so for at least a month. ADVERTISIMENT The Armed Forces of Ukraine said that the occupants continue to accumulate forces in the Kharkiv sector and use a lot of infantry. The enemy is trying to find weaknesses in the Ukrainian defense to break through the front line. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes! The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State chapter, has called for the immediate resignation of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo, Kayode Ajulo, for violating his oath of office. The call is the sequel to a statement by Mr Ajulo that the appointment of Transition Committees for the 18 Local Governments and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) was the constitutional right of the State Governor. The PDP argued that Mr Ajulos claim was not backed by any portion of the Constitution referred to in the statement. If a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is expected to know the laws of our land is the person urging Lucky Aiyedatiwa on to trample on our Constitution and Supreme Court pronouncement, then, he no longer deserves to serve as the Chief Law Officer of the state, Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kennedy Peretei, said in a statement on Friday. In a landmark judgment on Thursday, 11 July, a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria declared that democratically elected Local Government leadership was sacrosanct and non-negotiable. Justice Emmanuel Agim who delivered the judgment, said state governments are perpetuating a dangerous trend by refusing to allow democratically-elected Local Government Councils to function, instead appointing their loyalists who can only be removed by them, the PDP statement said. The PDP stressed that it was very unfortunate that Ajulo tried in vain to legitimise the illegality of the state governor on the same day the Supreme Court made the declaration. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It sought to know which Constitution Mr Ajulo referred to as authority for appointing the Transition Committees, adding that no one could put something on nothing and expect it to stand. Our party wishes to advise those appointed into these offices not to allow themselves to be used. Every kobo they spend in these phantom offices will be legally recovered from them. Since Kayode Ajulo is incapable of advising the governor according to law, he is advised to resign immediately, the PDP statement added. Mr Ajulo had, in defence of the action of the state government in the appointment of transition committees, said the governor acted within his powers. Appointment of Transition Committees is a lawful exercise of the Governors constitutional powers, Mr Ajulo said in a statement on Thursday. The Committees are intended to ensure seamless transition and continuity of government business in the affected areas, he added. He also said that the state government has appealed the judgment of a high court nullifying the creation of the newly created 33 LCDAs, legitimising the appointment of caretaker committees for them. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Over the years, many traders in Gbugbu town in Kwara State have engaged in trading activities under the scorching sun, using small canopies to protect themselves from the suns rays. Musa Aisha, a woman in her late thirties who sells food in the market, still remembers an unfortunate incident when a canopy fell on her mother and killed her. This heartbreaking event caused unforgettable pain, and the fear of becoming another victim prompted her to leave her mothers shop to sell under the scorching sun. Her mother, Musa Fatima, was aged 70 when the incident occurred. The incident was still like a miracle to me when I was told that who sent me on an errand died before I came back from where I was sent, she said. This shocking incident was the reason I left my mothers shop after her burial and chose to be selling outside the market despite the suns effect on the body, she added. The Gbugbu International Market: Governments intervention Gbugbu, a popular town in Edu, which the local government of Kwara State governs, is a historic trading centre, bringing together people from across the country. The Gbugbu market has been known for trading since its inception. It is one of the biggest markets in Edu Local Government, where people come from different areas and beyond every Wednesday to trade. 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 According to Hassan Musa, a community resident, the market has existed for years. Its popularity has no bounds because people everywhere know this market, even if they come from outside the state to trade. Project In the approved Kwara State 2022, 2023 and 2024 budgets, funds were approved for the construction of Gbugbu International Market. The project, aimed at enhancing businesses and boosting the states economy, has yet to be accessed by traders. In 2022, the Kwara State government approved and released N350 million to construct the Gbugbu International Market, named the First phase. The Kwara State Government reported that the projects first phase comprised 22 lock-up shops, ten blocks of 200 open shops, public toilets at different parts of the market, and a security post, among other facilities that have been put in place. The Guardian Nigeria reported in February 2023 that the Kwara State Government had officially commissioned the projects first phase. When UDEME visited in May, the reporter noticed different shops had been erected but was not allowed to enter the fenced market. N200 million was approved in 2023 for the projects second phase. In 2024, N50 million was also allocated for the same project. The total sum allocated so far stands at N600 million. The Kwara State Government reported that the subsequent two phases will include an abattoir, police station, fire station, car park, and administrative office, among others. Traders react Some traders have lamented how the market has remained inaccessible despite its completion. Gafaru Azeezat, a mother of four children who sells raw food, lamented: Had it be I have another means of making money to take care of my family, I wouldve opted out from coming to the market because staying under the sun for a whole day is not easy which has affected my health. Half the money I make every Wednesday is used to buy medicine. Even people under their canopy still complain about the hurting heat, Mrs Azeezat told UDEME. Salman Kehinde, another trader in the market, said that the contractor has since finished the work, but we still need to find out why it is still yet to be opened for use after its commission despite peoples complaining and suffering. He added, Our main concern is whether the modalities the state government will adopt as well the money to be paid for securing each shop will favour we petty traders or not. Abdullah Yaman explained that the state government sent a team from Ilorin a few days ago to hold a meeting about the market opening. However, their meeting ended very soon, with them saying we are coming to officially open it for use, which is what they used to say even before now. Abdullahi Kareem, a motorcyclist in the market, lamented that our wives are suffering, selling in uncovered places and that it has not been easy for me as her husband packing all shes selling from home to market and vice versa due to the unavailability of a secured place. He further said his hope for the newly constructed market is very high, but I cannot say this is precisely why it has not been opened for use; the work has since stopped in the market. Other reactions Saka Salimat, one of the traders who always goes to Gbugbu market every Wednesday from Ilorin expressed her dissatisfaction over the bad road from Ilorin to Gbugbu, saying, The journey of 2 hours turned to 4 hours with a lot of stress. Most of our customers do not have a comfy place to sit or rest even when tired, she adds. Another trader, Tosho Adama, explained how she is usually drenched by rain while in the market due to the unavailability of a secure place to stay. She lamented that the market after the rain was very bad, making people slip and sustain different injuries as well as destroyed peoples market. Adio Silifat, a woman who has been going to Gbugbu Market for over ten years said whenever it rains, I and my colleagues will rush to the seller of dry fish to put our heads because they have a bigger locally made canopy, despite that we will still be beaten by rain and before we get home all the sacks contained what we bought would be stained by mud. READ ALSO: Kwara State University expels 175 students I sell dry fish, soya beans, maize, beans and others. She added that I always pray may it not rain during the market day because if it is sun, we endure it and take medicine when we get home. There is no Wednesday that I will not take medicine when I return home from the market. It is our usual act, she said. The supervising ministry failed to respond to the requested information on why the market has not been opened. Secretary to the Kwara State Commissioner of Local Government Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Audu Aminat, told UDEME when contacted that I dont think your Freedom of Information (FOI) would be attended to due to your request. I will make sure I try my best for the letter to be submitted to the Commissioner, just remain for him to respond to the questions, she assured UDEME. However, the commissioner is yet to respond to enquiries by UDEME as of the time of filing the report. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print IntraCare's increasing prominence in Arizona's healthcare landscape predicts a promising outlook on the quality of value-based care being provided to Arizona's senior adult population. CARROLLTON, Texas, July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IntraCare, a prominent Texas-based Management Services Organization (MSO), is continuing to steadily gain ground in the Arizona healthcare market with its growing collective of care practitioners and the widening range of healthcare services they offer. As a result, IntraCare is poised to become a front-running MSO for the state's healthcare providers. IntraCare serves more than 40,000 patients across Arizona, emphasizing the delivery of coordinated and high-quality value-based care that helps senior patients lead healthier, more fulfilled lives. The aim is to educate and empower senior patients with a good understanding of preventative healthcare and enable them to manage chronic diseases and comorbidities more self-sufficiently and with greater independence. As an MSO, IntraCare also takes on the responsibility of detecting, monitoring, assessing, mitigating, and preventing risks to patients in the clinical environment. Keeping in view the very specific requirements of senior adults, and for their convenience and ease, several IntraCare Health Centers in Arizona offer same-day appointments, and all are welcoming of new patients. Heading IntraCare Health Center Lillo Family Medicine that serves the city of Scottsdale, Dr. Joseph Lillo is an expert in lipidology and cardiovascular health. He runs a twice-weekly clinical research site and is a prolific contributor to research publications on cardiovascular research and therapy. Patients seen at IntraCare Health Center East Valley Family Physicians in Chandler receive unparalleled quality of care from the clinic's 4 doctors Conrad Lawrence, MD; David Gannon, MD; Larry Tamburro, MD; and Ronald Sell, MD who specialize in geriatric care. Multiple-award winning physician Dr. Robert Tully has served the senior community of Mesa at the same clinic since the 1980s. Dr. Gamal Aboul-Nasr joined Dr. Tully at the IntraCare Health Center Broadway East Internists in the early '90s, and has since been a mainstay in ensuring continuity in the care of patients, some of whom have been seeing Drs. Tully and Nasr for decades. IntraCare Health Center Sun Lakes Family Physicians is located in an age-restricted residential community where its co-founders, Dr. Jennifer MacDonald and Dr. Kenneth Paige, put their collective experience of more than half a century in senior healthcare toward the community's residents. Another larger practice under the IntraCare MSO aegis is IntraCare Health Center Family Practice Specialists, where Drs. David Francyk, Timothy Gloyd, and Mark Wyse are ably supported by a team of 4 Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to fulfill the healthcare needs of senior patients in Phoenix. At IntraCare Health Center Atembis, Dr. Andrew Carroll is a well-known public figure, appearing frequently on television to educate people on healthcare issues. Recently Dr. Carroll has been appointed to the critical role of Senior Medical Director at IntraCare. The latest member of the IntraCare family is Cornerstone Family Medicine, established in 2001 by Rustin Crawford, DO, and Jeffrey Willden, DO, who continue to lead a team of highly skilled and experienced Advanced Practice Providers. The practice operates out of three clinics to deliver outstanding care to senior residents of Mesa, Gilbert, San Tan Valley, and Queen Creek in comfortable, safe, and technologically advanced environments. About IntraCare MSO IntraCare's partnership track began its journey as an MSO at the end of 2022 with just two healthcare providers and achieved rapid growth and success within a remarkably short period of time. Today, IntraCare MSO works with 91 partnered and 425 affiliated Primary Care Providers. The company provides its partners with a suite of clinical and billing services, population health program solutions, and risk contracts. IntraCare MSO is headquartered in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and is currently operational in two states, with plans to expand further. To know more, visit https://theintracare.com SOURCE IntraCare NEW ORLEANS, La., July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until August 12, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LW), if they purchased the Company's shares between July 25, 2023 and April 3, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. Get Help Lamb Weston investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-lw/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Lamb Weston and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On April 4, 2024, the Company disclosed that it had experienced significant problems with its transition to a new Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") software system, which caused the Company to lose $135 million in sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and necessitated a $330 million reduction to its sales guidance for the full fiscal year. On this news, the price of Lamb Weston's shares fell by $19.59 per share, or over 19%. The case is Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund v. Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc., No. 24-cv-282. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler NEW ORLEANS, July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until August 5, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), if they purchased the Company's shares between November 3, 2021 and August 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Get Help Scotts investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-smg/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Scotts and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On August 2, 2023, the Company disclosed disappointing financial results including a decline in quarterly sales for fiscal third quarter of 6%, a decline in gross margin by 420 basis points, as well as a cut to fiscal year EBITDA guidance by a staggering 25% and a $20 million write down of "pandemic driven excess inventories." On this news, the price of Scotts' shares fell by $13.58 per share, or 19%, from a closing price of $71.44 per share on August 1, 2023, to a closing price of $57.86 per share on August 2, 2023. The case is City of Hialeah Employees' Retirement System v. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, No. 24-cv-03132. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler Workers Tell DHL to Rescind Elimination of Full-Time Positions, Improve Working Conditions HEBRON, Ky., July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sort workers at DHL's global hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) are calling for the company to recognize their right to collectively bargain a union contract. A majority of the over 1,300 sort workers at DHL-CVG support joining the Teamsters. "Today my co-workers and I, with majority support, demanded recognition from DHL to become Teamsters," said Liam Burke, a member of the CVG Sort Workers Organizing Committee. "A Teamsters contract means respect and the right to bargain on the many issues that affect us at our workplace, including favoritism, guaranteed hours, and the better pay we deserve. We are not numbers we are human beings." Sort workers are demanding the immediate right to negotiate a Teamsters contract after DHL left over 150 full-time workers with just 24 hours' notice to accept part-time positions or resign, despite the company continuing to bring on new hires. Workers are also calling for the provision of water and working fans to mitigate high temperatures in the workplace and the reinstatement of their wrongfully terminated co-workers. "DHL's decision to give over 150 full-time workers just 24 hours to accept part-time positions or resign is not just unfair it's inhumane," said Cathy Davis, a member of the CVG Sort Workers Organizing Committee. "We are demanding our right to a Teamsters contract to ensure fair treatment, safe working conditions, and job security. It's time for DHL to recognize us as Teamsters. Stop the unjust firing." In January, DHL ramp and tug workers at CVG ratified their first collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters following a 12-day strike. The historic contract provided significantly higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions at the facility. Sort workers at CVG are organizing to secure the same benefits and job security that are guaranteed by a Teamsters contract. "It is unacceptable that workers who have dedicated years to this company are being given only 24 hours' notice to either accept part-time positions or resign," said Bill Hamilton, Director of the Teamsters Express Division and Teamsters Eastern Region International Vice President. "One way or another, these workers will be at the bargaining table with DHL to address their issues. The company can choose to take the easy path or the hard one. We urge the company to acknowledge these workers' rights to collective bargaining immediately." Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters NEW ORLEANS, July 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until August 13, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Teradata Corporation (the "Company") (NYSE: TDC), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between February 13, 2023 and February 12, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. Get Help Teradata investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-tdc/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options. About the Lawsuit Teradata and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: i) under its expanded business model, which involved engagement with additional customer business units and decisionmakers, transactions with the Company's customers took longer to finalize; (ii) the Company thus overstated its ability to close customer transactions within their intended timeframes under its expanded business model; (iii) the Company failed to timely close several customer transactions that it had factored into its outlook for 2023 annual recurring revenue ("ARR") growth; (iv) as a result, the Company was unlikely to meet its full year 2023 Total and Public Cloud ARR expectations; and (v) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. The case is Ostrander v. Teradata Corporation, et al., No. 24-cv-01034. About ClaimsFiler ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations. To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com. SOURCE ClaimsFiler North Korea called the NATO Summit Declaration condemning the DPRK's arms transfer to Russia an illegal document. The DPRK also threatened that it is ready to strengthen its resolute strategic opposition to the United States and NATO. ADVERTISIMENT This statement by the DPRK Foreign Ministry spokesman was published by the North Korean state news agency KCNA. In particular, North Korea states that "the United States and NATO pose the most serious threat to global peace and security." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK noted that it "strongly condemns and rejects the declaration", calling it "an illegal document that violates the legitimate rights of independent sovereign states and incites a new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale". Pyongyang has traditionally accused the United States and NATO of conspiring to destroy North Korea, and repeated the Russian propaganda thesis that the Alliance has destroyed the security environment in Europe with its policy of eastward expansion. "We warn that NATO's globalization strategy pursued by the United States could create the danger of a world war... The DPRK will not miss such a serious threat and will carefully deter aggression and war with a stronger level of strategic counteraction and protect peace and security in the region and the rest of the world," the North Korean Foreign Ministry said. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Sanaa, July 13 : Yemen's Houthi group has warned Saudi Arabia of potential attacks if the Saudi-backed Yemeni government proceeds with suspending banks in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Friday that the group is prepared for a "legitimate response" to what it described as Saudi "hostile activities," according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. The warning came after Sanaa-based banks disregarded the government-imposed deadline for them to relocate to Aden, a port city under the government's control, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier this week, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi said Saudi Arabia is pushing the Yemeni government to move against the banks in Sanaa, accusing the US and Israel of standing behind the Saudi attempts. The Houthi leader threatened to target banks in Riyadh if "banks in Sanaa are targeted". However, neither the US nor Saudi Arabia have made comments on the Houthi allegations. Rasheed al-Haddad, a member of the Houthi higher economic council, told Xinhua exclusively that banks in Sanaa are currently operating but face an imminent shutdown of both international and internal bank wire services. On Wednesday, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg sent a letter to the Yemeni government, urging it to delay measures against those banks until August to facilitate peace talks. On April 2, the government-run Central Bank of Yemen ordered all banks in Sanaa to move their headquarters to Aden within 60 days, threatening legal action against non-compliant firms. Aden was declared the temporary capital of Yemen by former President Abdrabbuh Hadi in 2015 after the government was forced out of Sanaa by the Houthis during the civil war. The relocation order is part of the government's escalating financial measures aimed at undermining the Houthis' control over state institutions and the economy. On Friday, Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council issued a warning to the Houthi group against resuming military hostilities and undermining peace efforts. In a stance against potential Houthi escalation, the council cautioned the group against reverting to military action, saying it would "double the suffering and destroy the remaining components of life and scarce sources of livelihood for the Yemeni people". The council urged the Houthis not to use military threats to deflect from internal pressures and economic priorities. Meanwhile, it also expressed its support for ongoing peace initiatives led by Saudi Arabia and Oman, while simultaneously affirming "the readiness of Yemen's armed forces to counter any hostile Houthi actions". Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since late 2014, when the Houthi group seized control of much of northern Yemen, forcing the government out of the capital Sanaa. The war has killed tens of thousands of Yemenis, displaced four million, and pushed the country to the brink of famine. The Hague : , July 13 (IANS) The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has said that it will deliver an advisory opinion on July 19 regarding the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. A public session will be held on July 19 at the Peace Palace, the seat of the ICJ in The Hague, where Judge Nawaf Salam, president of the court, will present the advisory opinion, said the court in a press statement on Friday. During the public hearings at the ICJ in February, Palestine, 49 UN member states, and three international organisations presented oral statements, Xinhua news agency reported. At the hearings, Palestine's UN envoy Riyad Mansour urged the ICJ to declare Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, emphasising that such a ruling would pave the way for an immediate end to the occupation and the establishment of a "just and lasting peace". Without participating in the hearings, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement rejecting the legitimacy of the hearings, accusing them of attempting to further undermine Israel's right to survival and self-defence. Gaza, July 13 : A senior Hamas commander involved in masterminding the October 7 attack against Israel was killed in a recent Israeli airstrike on Gaza City, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The IDF said on Friday in a statement that the slain, named Ayman Showadeh, was a deputy commander of Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion in the current conflict and formerly a key operative in Hamas' operations headquarters. Showadeh had directed numerous attacks against IDF troops, according to the statement. The IDF claimed that this man was among more than 150 "terrorists" eliminated in recent IDF operations in the Shejaiya neighbourhood of the city, Xinhua news agency reported. The Israeli military has targeted Shejaiya for about two weeks in the name of eliminating active "terrorists" and their infrastructure. On Wednesday, the military announced that it had completed the mission in Shejaiya. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas attack through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. Matt Dillon in a Prada denim jacket and a vintage t-shirt. Ward Ivan Rafik Dont go there, warns Matt Dillon, when we ask about his age. Hes only joking, because, over the course of more than an hour-long conversation with EL PAIS on a May day in the bar of a Paris hotel at least two things will become clear. The first is that Dillon who was a teen idol in the 1980s and an attractive grunge figure in the 1990s has embraced his 60 years without hangups. Some doors close because you get older, but others open, he shrugs. One of the things that Ive discovered, as we get older, is that we can handle complexity more and how to read situations, complex situations. Because weve lived! You cant replicate life experience. The second thing thats clear is that his quota for vanity (something not in short supply in Hollywood) was more than filled back in 1983. That year, when he was a teenager, he was in two now-classic films by Francis Ford Coppola: The Outsiders and Rumble Fish. Because of those performances, he was pigeonholed as a certain type of actor, a kind of James Dean of the 1980s, who was handsome, tough and explosive, but with a vulnerable side. It hasnt been easy for him to escape that image. Today, however with many successes and failures under his belt theres no need to deceive himself. Hes a Hollywood veteran who has never won an Oscar, although, in 2005, he was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for Crash, directed by Paul Haggis. He can say, with a half-smile, that nobody really knows who I am. The fear of all actors, he confesses, is that well be typecast. Nobody wants to be typecast. But inevitably, everyones typecast. Question. This is what has happened to you, isnt it? You became known as the tough guy A. They tried. But then, I worked outside of that. Of course, even a great actor like Robert De Niro or Al Pacino or Gene Hackman gets typecast. Q. Or Humphrey Bogart. A. Humphrey Bogart, yes! We all want to be told that were versatile but not even Marlon Brando could escape being Marlon Brando. Whats disconcerting about Matt Dillon is that, in person, he has the same mannerisms for which hes known for. He also has the same deep, monotone, raspy voice that can be heard in his movies. To paraphrase him: not even Matt Dillon can escape being Matt Dillon. Tough, soft and much more than that: Matt Dillon, in an exclusive photoshoot for EL PAIS. Ward Ivan Rafik Precisely, the actor has just premiered in Being Maria directed by Jessica Palud where he plays none other than Marlon Brando. Its about the filming of Last Tango in Paris (1972), when Bernardo Bertolucci directed Brando and Maria Schneider. And, in Haunted Heart directed by Spanish filmmaker Fernando Trueba he plays, yet again, a turbulent man with a mysterious past. So, is Matt Dillon a typecast actor? EL PAIS asked Trueba this question over the phone. I think the great actors are always themselves, the Spaniard responds. You love them for their personality, for what they radiate. That an actor has to dress up as 17 [different personas] seems like nonsense to me. What happens is that there are people who say that, just as there are actors who believe that they have to change themselves completely. Everyone has their own beliefs but Matt Dillon has done pretty different things. His role in Drugstore Cowboy [1989] has nothing to do with what he did with [director] Lars von Trier [The House That Jack Built, 2018], or with me, or in Rumble Fish. In Paris, during his interview with EL PAIS, the actor orders a double espresso and a juice. He says that he needs to take care of his cold. Hes just arrived from Cannes: perhaps he got sick there, he muses. Maybe on a boat ride, or because he was in contact with so many people at the film festival. In a few days, hell go to Rome to see some friends. He has one foot in New York and one in Europe, living between the two continents and working on both. His voice sounds deeper than usual. At the end of the interview, a hotel manager will accompany him to the pharmacy. And, at that moment in the heart of Paris perhaps its true that, as he says, no one knows who he is. He seems to go unnoticed in the streets near the Opera and Place Vendome. Of course, its also true that Parisians arent given to staring at celebrities. Or, at least, they dont do so in such an obvious manner Haunted Heart is a Patricia Highsmith-style thriller, set in a remote corner of Greece. Dillon explains that he connected with Trueba years ago, thanks to their shared love of jazz and Cuban music. They met by chance in a restaurant in Los Angeles, about 20 years ago. Trueba had just had dinner with Santiago Segura, Penelope Cruz and Tom Cruise. As Cruz and Cruise were leaving, Dillon came in with a friend. After a while, the director and actor started up a conversation. One day, Dillon recalls, the idea of making a movie came up: We said, We should do something together. And he answered me: I have something. And he sent me this magnificent script, which is both romantic and dark. El actor luce chaqueta de cuero Loewe, vaqueros Dries van noten y jersey azul J.L.-A.L. Ward Ivan Rafik El actor ajusta la gorra para las lentes de Ward Ivan Rafik Ward Ivan Rafik Dillon who directed a documentary dedicated to the Cuban musician Francisco Fellove is a scholar of Cuban music, Trueba gushes. You cannot imagine to what extent. I talk to him and tell him: I dont know who youre talking about. He knows the guy who played the tres [a three-course chordophone] with such-and-such [musician] in 1944. You go to his house in New York and he has a room dedicated to his Cuban music collection. Its a museum. And he plays the congas. Dillon is also a painter. During the filming of Haunted Heart, he demonstrated this: one of his paintings is seen at one point in the film. And the Spanish director adds that while hes speaking with EL PAIS over the phone he has before him a drawing of the philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre done by Dillon. In Haunted Heart, theres a man, a woman and a huis-clos (a Sartrean term, describing a closed space shrouded in mystery). Its a story that could seem like a romantic comedy with good food and good music in the first hour, before taking a Highsmithian or Hitchcockian turn. It was like filming a classic movie. But thats what Fernandos all about. In addition to being a great filmmaker, hes a great storyteller and, on top of that, a film historian, so its amazing to talk to him. He had professional relationships with some of the great filmmakers, especially a lot of the older American guys, people like Sam Peckinpaw, the actor details. The other protagonist of the film is Spanish actress Aida Folch, the woman who arrives on the Greek island to work in the restaurant managed by Dillons character. There are people who have a kind of power. Aida Folch is one of them. She has this intensity in front of the camera, says Dillon. I wanted an actor who was attractive, who was one of those guys who had that romantic heartthrob thing, but with a disturbing side, someone who could even be scary, Trueba explains. And, suddenly, I said to myself, No one does this for me better than Matt Dillon. He clearly had both elements. And then, he had his sense of humor, something I saw in Theres Something About Mary [1998]. He was capable of being funny. I called him and, since we already knew each other, it was easier. Matt Dillon, smiling in Paris while wearing a Giorgio Armani coat, a Champion sweatshirt, Levi's jeans and Persol sunglasses. Ward Ivan Rafik Giorgio Armani coat, Champion sweatshirt, Levi's jeans, Church's shoes and Persol glasses. Ward Ivan Rafik Matt Dillon in a Saint Laurent jacket. Ward Ivan Rafik In Paris, EL PAIS asked Dillon if, like the protagonist of Haunted Heart, he also has a place at the end of the world, somewhere that hed like to escape to and leave everything behind. I think its human nature to build these castles in our mind, he reflects. Some utopian kind of place. He then explains how, after directing City of Ghosts (2002) in Cambodia, he fantasized about going to live in Laos, in a colonial-era mountain town. In the end, he didnt. You cant run away from who you are, he shrugs. Dillon is someone whos been in the spotlight since he was a teenager. He eventually developed a career as an adult with ups and downs, never reaching the status of other colleagues from his legendary generation, such as Tom Cruise. Its been difficult for him to escape from his image. Im not someone who has gone looking for the spotlight, he says. Its true, Im here now, doing an interview with you. I promote myself when necessary its part of the profession but still, Ive led a simple life. I dont hide from anything. I go out, I see people, I dont isolate myself. Truth be told: I didnt become an actor out of narcissism or extroversion. Many people become actors because they want to perform, but for me, the important thing about being an actor was to transmit something, to reflect something about human nature to the audience. I was more curious about human nature and the world than about acting. I like to perform, of course but my thing really grows out of a curiosity. For me, it wasnt about fame. The actor, pictured in an Emporio Armani coat and a vintage T-shirt. Ward Ivan Rafik The actor in an Emporio Armani coat. Ward Ivan Rafik Today, Dillon watches those early films and they give him a strange feeling: Its like looking at photos of yourself when you were younger. I love it, making them was important in my career and working with Francis [Ford Coppola] was a big deal. He treated me so well and gave me a kind of confidence. Since Matt Dillon considers his friend to be a historian of cinema, EL PAIS asks Fernando Trueba to place the actor in the timeline of Hollywood. Being a performer from the generation that began with The Outsiders, I think hes something of a classic actor, in the vein of [Robert] Mitchum. Someone who fits into a more classic type of cinema. I like that, Trueba opines. He wasnt a modern [performer] at the time he debuted. He could have easily been a Western actor. Hes deeply American in the way he speaks, in the way he moves. Nowadays, the Western genre practically no longer exists, except in isolated cases. But he would have been a perfect actor in that genre. Hes also, of course, [part of] film noir, hes done that quite a bit. I always want to work with great filmmakers and I dont always have the opportunity, Dillon notes. He talks positively about The House That Jack Built (2018), a film by Lars Von Trier that seemed tailor-made for his success. In the movie, he played a man who was more than unstable: he was demonic. I wanted to work with Von Trier not because I was interested in serial killers, but because I really wanted to work with him. I had a feeling I would learn something with him and that I would be able to do things in a very free way. It was a leap of faith. [And the film] was a real meditation on evil. I was intrigued by how Trier worked. Dillon adds. In the film, we never rehearsed. Not one time. There was a freedom similar to what you have in the theater: the scene belongs to the actor. You would think that, after so many years in the profession, he would have lost his enthusiasm. When asked about this, he responds: as a professional, my job is to deliver a performance. He remembers a piece of advice that veteran actor Bruce Dern gave him, when he worked with him in the 1980s: Go to the set and work without preparing. And something magical will happen. But he also said that he always liked to prepare! I always come prepared, he clarifies. I remember those words. They were part of my training. Working with older actors was vital for me, Dillon reflects. It wasnt always the best movie, but the actors I learned from like Gene Hackman or Bruce Dern gave me great advice. I started acting at a very young age, which makes me understand what Maria Schneider went through. I know that feeling of not being respected at all, he tells EL PAIS, pointing out that she debuted when she was only 15-years-old. But I cant talk about her experience which was very extreme because she was betrayed by the people she worked with. Maria Schneiders experiences are portrayed in the film Being Maria (2024), including the traps that Bernardo Bertolucci and Marlon Brando set for the young 19-year-old actress during the filming of Last Tango in Paris. There was an infamous scene in the movie, in which Brandos character sodomized Schneider. The director and lead actor hid from her the details of what she was going to shoot. The abuse resulted in trauma. Dillons history with Brando goes back a long way. When he shot his first film in 1979 Over the Edge the director, Jonathan Kaplan, jokingly called him Marlon. The reason was that I wanted everything to look real. If a window had to be broken, I really wanted to break it. Marlon! is what the director called me. [At the time], I didnt know who Brando was. All I knew was that [he starred in] The Godfather, but that was it. Of course, later, when I decided to continue being an actor, Brando was a big part of my education. With Fernando Trueba, he has often spoken and disagreed about Marlon Brando, who died in 2004. According to the filmmaker, Brando is an actor whose work you always see: you see the elaboration, you see the process and you say: How tiring! There are people who insult me for saying these things... but the more the years go by, the less I like [his acting style]. And what does Dillon say when he hears Truebas opinions? He laughs at my nonsense, the filmmaker chuckles. When Matt Dillon was offered to play Brando in Being Maria, he couldnt resist. I like challenges. [And] Brando wasnt a sadist, he claims. He was looking for authenticity wherever he could and, unfortunately, they [Brando and Bertolucci] miscalculated, because it was a mistake not to inform [Schneider] of what they wanted to do. I speak of miscalculation not to diminish the importance of what happened, but because we actors and filmmakers sometimes dont want to know what the other person is going to do, in order to obtain an authentic reaction. But it was a mistake to do it with a scene of such a sensitive nature. Dillon remembers when he studied at Lee Strasbergs acting school. At the time, his role models were Montgomery Clift, James Dean and Brando himself. It was the latter who had the most impact on him: He changed the way we looked at the American man. He more than the others had a heartbreaking strength a mixture of strength and vulnerability. And what about him? What kind of masculinity would Matt Dillon represent? I dont know, I dont think about it much, he replies. We live in strange times. Something I dont like about these times is that we dont stop labeling. Theres so much attention paid to identity politics... its so tedious. It seems as if, not that long ago, we were against labeling people. [We were] all about accepting everyone. And now, its all about labeling. This [person] is that, youre toxic, these men are toxic. Everything focused on identity. I dont know if youve ever heard what Kierkegard said: Once you label me, you negate me. We return to the question of age: of the youthful actor who stopped being one a long time ago. Would I have made Haunted Heart 20 years ago? he asks aloud. His answer is immediate: No. I would have been too young to play the character. Theres a time and place for everything. But I dont want to limit myself to an age, he quickly clarifies. I want a little wiggle room. I can play someone younger. Older. And thats why we actors are always obsessed with losing or gaining weight [for a role]. We all get obsessed. The best actors are always saying, Wow, I have to lose weight. For the film in which he plays Marlon Brando (a Brando who was on the heavier side), Dillon had to gain a little weight. He did this by eating whenever he felt like it. Exclusively for EL PAIS, Dillon performs a scene that was ultimately cut from Being Maria. While playing Brando, he says: Vous trouvez quil me va comment, ce manteau? Parce que jai pris sept kilos et jai demande la couturiere de le coudre, histoire de ne pas rassembler un roast-beef dans sa ficelle. He utters this in a labored French, with a heavily-American accent. But if we close our eyes, it really seems as if were listening to Marlon Brando. The line translates as: How does this coat look on me? Ive gained seven kilos [15.5 pounds] and I asked the seamstress to fix it, so I dont look like a roast beef on a string. After reciting it, he exclaims: I love that line, it took me forever to learn it! He hasnt lost his touch. Matt Dillon, first and foremost, is an actor. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Vilnius, July 13 : Gitanas Nauseda was inaugurated as President of Lithuania for a second term, according to a statement from Lithuania's Presidential Palace. The inaugural ceremony started at noon on Friday with a ceremonial event in the Lithuanian Parliament, the Seimas, where Nauseda took the presidential oath with his hand on the Constitution, Xinhua news agency reported. At the inauguration, Nauseda said that Lithuania's defence budget should reach four per cent of GDP, which would allow Lithuania to develop long-range air defence, a missile shield to protect the Baltic Sea coast, and fortifications to protect land borders. On domestic policy, Nauseda promised to further reduce social exclusion, create a more family- and senior-friendly environment, as well as focus on regions, culture, and education. After the oath-taking ceremony at the Seimas, the President attended a Holy Mass at Vilnius Cathedral and saluted a formation of colour guards, squads, and commanders in Cathedral Square. The Lithuanian government has returned its powers to the President, who will instruct the Cabinet to continue its work as a caretaker government until the Seimas votes again on Ingrida Simonyte's nomination to continue as Prime Minister. Nauseda, a 60-year-old economist, was re-elected president in May after defeating his rival Simonyte in the second round of presidential elections. Johannesberg, July 13 : The provincial government of South Africa's Western Cape has said that a total of 100,000 people have so far been affected and 33,000 buildings have been damaged in the city of Cape Town by heavy rains that hit the province recently. "Authorities remain on high alert as cold and wet weather persists. Two further cold fronts are expected to make landfall between Saturday and Sunday," said Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs, and Development Planning, at the Joint Operations Centre's meeting on Friday. "We have a huge humanitarian situation to deal with, and all authorities are working together to address it. Our focus will remain on keeping people safe until the severe weather has passed," said Bredell. "We have approached the National Disaster Management Center for a provincial disaster classification, and expect an announcement soon." Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the province desperately needs additional resources to sustain its disaster management operations, Xinhua news agency reported. The Western Cape Education Department said on Thursday that more than 200 schools across the province have reported some sort of damage or disruption. The South African Weather Service warned on Friday that they expect 60 to 100 mm of rainfall in the mountainous areas of the province between Saturday and Sunday. "Our dams and rivers are full, and our catchments are saturated, so any additional rainfall could lead to flooding, mudslides, and rock falls. We repeat our call to the public to stay safe, avoid unnecessary travel and keep informed through reputable news outlets," the weather service said. Ramallah, July 13 : A young Palestinian man was killed by Israeli army during a raid in the village of Abwein near the West Bank city of Ramallah, said official and local Palestinian sources. "Our crews transported a 26-year-old man injured in the head in serious condition from the village," the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said on Friday in a brief statement, without specifying the identity of the victim. The statement added that the young man died later in the hospital as a result of his injury, Xinhua news agency reported. Local sources reported that Israeli forces stormed the village, firing live bullets and tear gas bombs, which led to the youth being injured. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on this incident. More than 550 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since the outbreak of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in early October 2023, according to UN statistics. Warsaw, July 13 : A pilot was killed as a Polish military aircraft crashed in an airshow rehearsal in Gdynia, northern Poland, the media reported. The crashed plane, the M-346 Master, known as Bielik in the Polish military, is an Italian, two-seat, twin-engine aircraft designed for advanced flight training, Xinhua news agency reported on Friday. On board the plane was one of the two most experienced pilots of this kind of plane in Poland, according to reports. Jerusalem, July 13 : With 12 new fatalities confirmed, Israel has recorded 31 deaths from West Nile fever since an outbreak in the country in early May, health authorities said. The Health Ministry on Friday, in a statement, reported 49 new infection cases, bringing the country's total to 405, close to the annual record high of 425 cases in the year 2000, Xinhua news agency reported. The Ministry attributed the high morbidity to warmer and more humid weather in the region, which is favourable to mosquitoes, a host that transmits the virus from birds through bites to humans. The Israeli news website Ynet reported that most of the infected are elderly, aged 70 years and above, while children were also diagnosed with the virus. Most human infections show no to mild cold symptoms, but occasionally, some people develop severe illnesses affecting the central nervous system. Earlier this week, Israel's chief veterinary officer, Tamir Goshen, told the news website that 159 birds were found infected with the virus in the last two months, compared to only three infections among birds in 2023. Kolkata, July 13 : Counting has begun for the bypolls for four Assembly constituencies in West Bengal under a tight security cover. The four Assembly constituencies for which counting is in process are Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, Bagda in North 24 Parganas district, Ranaghat-Dakshin in Nadia district and Maniktala in Kolkata. As per the records in the 2021 Assembly polls as well as the Assembly-wise results in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, BJP is comfortably ahead in Raiganj, Bagda and Ranaghat-Dakshin, while Trinamool Congress is marginally leading in Maniktala. While at Raiganj, Ranaghat-Dakshin and Maniktala, there is a three-cornered contest between Trinamool Congress, BJP and Congress-Left Front alliance, in case of Bagda, there is a four-cornered contest with both Congress and All India Forward Bloc having fielded candidates there. Till the time the report was filed, the counting for the postal ballots started. The counting centres have been wrapped under a three-tier security cover with the innermost tier consisting only of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel. There will be 11 rounds of counting at Ranaghat-Dakshin, 20 rounds for Maniktala, 10 rounds for Raiganj and 13 rounds for Bagda. Dharamsala, July 13 : In a message for Beijing to peacefully resolve through negotiation, not repression, an agreement on Tibet that will support Tibet's peaceful struggle for human rights and democratic freedom, US President Joe Biden on Friday signed the Resolve Tibet Act. The law states that it is American policy that the Tibet issue must be resolved in accordance with international law by peaceful means, through dialogue without preconditions. The Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, popularly known as Resolve Tibet Act, also takes aim at China's lies about Tibet, calling on China to stop propagating disinformation about Tibet's history and giving the State Department a new mandate to directly counter these false claims. Responding to the signing of the Act, International Campaign for Tibet President Tencho Gyatso said: "The Resolve Tibet Act cuts to the heart of China's brutal treatment of the Tibetan people." "To Tibetans, it is a statement of hope. To other countries, it is a clarion call to support Tibet's peaceful struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms. And to Beijing, it is a declaration that American support for Tibet does not come with an expiration date; China must resume dialogue and find a solution that supports the fundamental rights of the Tibetan people." One key feature of the Act is defining the Tibetan people as a people with their own distinct religious, cultural, linguistic, and historical identity. It then states that Chinese policies are systematically suppressing the ability of the Tibetan people to preserve their way of life. The Dalai Lama has repeatedly called for China to grant genuine autonomy to the Tibetan people, and it is clear under international law that people are entitled to self-determination. When House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) spoke before it passed Congress, he expressed his hopes that the new law will help "put the people of Tibet in charge of their own future." Secretary of State Antony Blinken frequently refers to support for self-determination as a core principle of American foreign policy. President Biden previously pledged to push Beijing to "return to direct dialogue with the representatives of the Tibetan people to achieve meaningful autonomy, respect for human rights, and the preservation of Tibet's environment as well as its unique cultural, linguistic and religious traditions." Now that the Resolve Tibet Act is law, the onus is on the State Department and the White House to vigorously champion genuine negotiation and overcome Beijing's stalling tactics. "President Biden promised his administration would stand up for the people of Tibet," said ICT President Tencho Gyatso. "There is not a moment to lose. Experienced State Department officials like Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues Uzra Zeya now have a valuable tool to elevate their calls for negotiations and fulfill the core objective of the Special Coordinator's office: promoting substantive dialogue, without preconditions, between China and the Dalai Lama, his representatives, or democratically elected Tibetan leaders in support of a negotiated agreement on Tibet." The Resolve Tibet Act became law after three years of effort by a select group of members of Congress backed by a broad range of Tibet supporters and Tibetan Americans. Senior leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration and the ICT board and staff met with Congressional leaders to brief them on the situation in Tibet and discuss how new initiatives could help. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) took the lead in the House, while Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the bill in the Senate. All four leads and their staff worked tirelessly to put this law in place. Advocates for Tibet helped at every step along the way. These efforts included testimony from international law scholars, grassroots advocacy by Tibetan Associations, waves of petitions from ICT members, record-breaking turnout at Tibet Lobby Day, and coordination between the Office of Tibet, the International Campaign for Tibet, Students for a Free Tibet, and other prominent Tibet groups. "It was inspiring to witness such a positive response to the Resolve Tibet Act from across the country and around the world," said ICT President Gyatso. "It is clear how much can be accomplished when citizens, organisations, and dedicated decision-makers unite. Moving forward, I know we can build on today's extraordinary accomplishment." "As His Holiness the Dalai Lama says, change only takes place through action," she added. Rep. Jim McGovern said: "I am thrilled. The United States once again affirms our strong support for the rights of the Tibetan people under international law, including their right to self-determination." "With its bipartisan passage, we hope to restart dialogue between Tibet and China to resolve the decades-long dispute over Tibet's autonomy and governance in keeping with US policy. The Tibetans are willing; the People's Republic of China should come to the table." Rep Michael McCaul, who led a high-level US congressional delegation and visited Dharamsala last month to apprise the Dalai Lama that how the Resolve Tibet Bill had been advancing closer to becoming law, said: "This bill makes it clear the United States believes Tibet has its own unique language, religion and culture, and has a right to self-determination. The bill also requires the State Department to aggressively challenge CCP propaganda about Tibet." Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration to North America Namgyal Choedup said: "The bipartisan and bicameral passage of the Tibet bill and the signing of the bill into law by President Biden is a huge moral boost to the Tibetan people, who continues to suffer PRC's systematic repression. This is a clear indication of the unwavering support of the US government and its people towards the just cause of the Tibetan people. This is a call to Beijing that the only solution to Tibet China dispute is through dialogue and negotiation in good faith." The 14th Dalai Lama, an icon of ahimsa (non-violence) and karuna (compassion), who turned 89 on July 6, is presently in the US recovering from a knee surgery he underwent last month. United Nations, July 13 : India has pledged to continue supporting the embattled UN agency helping Palestinians which is facing a financial crisis even as its needs have risen because of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. R. Ravindra, the charge d'affaires of India's UN mission, said that the nation will continue its annual contributions of $5 million to the agency and will release half the amount in the coming days. He was speaking at a pledging conference to help the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) which provides humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and is facing a shortfall in budget after its biggest contributor, the United States, and some other countries suspended payments amid allegations of that its staff were involved in terrorism. Washington contributes about $340 million to UNRWA's $1.6 billion budget but the US Congress has passed a legislative measure to stop aid to the agency till at least next year. General Assembly President, Dennis Francis said, "Considering the essential services delivered by the agency and its staff, it should deeply alarm us all that UNRWA is currently standing on the precipice of financial collapse." In his pitch for donations to make up for the shortfall, he referred to Commissioner-General Lazzarini's warning that the budget deficit could force it to end operations this year. UNRWA, the largest UN agency with 30,000 employees, provides a range of services, from food delivery and housing to healthcare and education. Ravindra said that UNRWA's "role to assuage the difficult humanitarian situation remains critical, particularly its humanitarian and social services to the Palestinian refugee community living in Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon." Beyond UNRWA, he said, India has been a "trusted development partner" for the people of Palestine. "Our developmental assistance to Palestine in various forms over the years amounts to close to $120 million, including $35 million as contribution to UNRWA", he said. In addition, New Delhi is giving scholarships to 50 Palestinian students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in India and is donating medicines requested by UNRWA. "There is also a request from Palestinian Authority for life-saving medicines, which we are actively considering", he added. Ravindra prefaced the aid commitment to UNRWA with a strong condemnation of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel which is at the root of the UNRWA crisis and the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. "The barbaric terrorist attack on 7th October last year deserves our unequivocal condemnation and we demand unconditional release of all hostages", he said referring to the hostages taken by Hamas and other groups during the attack which killed about 1,200 people in Israel. At the same time, he said, "India has taken a principled position on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and strongly condemned the death of civilians, especially women and children." In the Israeli retribution, about 30,000 people, most of them women and children, have been killed in the ground and air attack on Gaza. "We have also been emphasising respect for international law and international humanitarian law under all circumstances", he said. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the agency "the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza" and "there is no alternative to UNRWA." He said that 195 staffers have been killed in the current crisis "the highest staff death toll in UN history" and UNRWA is being targeted in many other ways. "Staff have been the subject of increasingly violent protests and virulent misinformation and disinformation campaigns", he said, and "some have been detained by Israeli security forces, and subsequently reported mistreatment and even torture". "Can you imagine how our colleagues wake up day after day in a living nightmare and still deliver for Palestinians in desperate need? Because I cannot", he said. Regarding the criticism of UNRWA, he referred to a report by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna on the controversies surrounding the agency "We are working on all fronts to implement the recommendations of the Catherine Colonna Report, by strengthening UNRWA's work and risk management mechanisms", he said. Her report found that investigations into allegations against UNRWA and its staff had been inadequate. It said that the agency's facilities had at times been used for "political or military purposes", some UNRWA staff had failed to remain neutral and expressed controversial political views, and some school texbooks had "problematic content." The decisions by the US and other countries to stop funding UNRWA was prompted by Israel's allegations that 12 UNRWA employees had participated in the October 7 terrorist attack. The UN promptly fired the employees and launched an investigation that is still in progress. Meanwhile, a Bill to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organisation is wending its way through Knesset, the Israeli parliament, and got through a preliminary vote. (Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis) Kolkata, July 13 : After the first round of counting for the bypolls for four Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, the Trinamool candidates are leading from all the four Assembly constituencies of Raiganj in North Dinajpur district, Ranaghat-Dakshin in Nadia, Bagda in North 24 Parganas and Maniktala in Kolkata. However, political observers feel that since in the first round the counting was done for the postal ballots, the trend might change in due course as the counting for votes polled through EVMs will start. There will be 11 rounds of counting at Ranaghat-Dakshin, 20 rounds for Maniktala, 10 rounds for Raiganj and 13 rounds for Bagda. The BJP candidate from the Maniktala said that on the counting day of July 10, there had been massive rigging and election malpractices by the ruling party. Trinamool Congress candidate Supti Pande said that she is confident of the victory by a huge margin at the end of the day. A group of girls playing in the yard of their house with friends and neighbors in the town of Brufut. By age, they are part of the generation that has grown up with the ban on female genital mutilation. Nine years ago, Serreh lost her mother and inherited a mission. It was the same mission her grandmother had, and it was what she became known for in her small Gambian village, surrounded by mango and cashew trees. Families from her village and beyond came to her home with a specific request. A day was agreed upon and she prepared what was necessary: a concoction that has a calming effect for a few minutes, the red clothes that she wore for the occasion and single-use blades. One for each girl, she says. Many passed through her hands in the two years she practiced. Most of the girls were under seven years old, sometimes they were babies still being breastfed, and everything happened very quickly, says Serreh, 36. While other women held the girls hands and legs, she cut off their clitoris or part of it. Mutilating the genitals of little girls was Serrehs role in the community. Tall, dressed in bright orange and with a serious expression, she says that she took on this role in 2015, the year it was banned in Gambia, a small state of 2.7 million inhabitants in West Africa embedded in Senegal. She stopped two years later, in 2017, when she learned how dangerous it was thanks to radio programs that reached rural areas like her village. She also knew, because other women had shown her, explaining that what she did caused complications, especially when giving birth. Her grandmother supported her: You are the new generation. If they say its bad, you have to stop, she remembers her saying. By then, four of her five daughters had already been cut. Serreh, 36, inherited the role of circumciser in her community from her mother and grandmother, but soon abandoned the practice when she learned it was harmful. MARTA MOREIRAS Serreh feels guilty, especially for the eldest, who has just gotten married. Shes had a lot of problems, she says, head down, looking at her hands. Her husband cant penetrate her, [her vagina] is sealed. We had to go to the hospital to open it again, she explains. In a country where three out of four women are mutilated, where the majority of adolescents and young women do not know what intact female genitalia look like, hope lies in girls like Serrehs last daughter. Im happy for her, shes six years old, says Serreh, who has broken the cycle by joining those who save girls from the pain, trauma and lifelong physical consequences of female genital mutilation (FGM). But the slow process of transformation that thousands of women have been forging, especially in the last decade which began to reduce FGM among girls under 15 years of age is now in danger. Gambias Parliament is set to vote on decriminalizing FGM in response to a campaign based on Islam the majority religion , rejection of the West, medical fake news and pure misinformation. If the ban is overturned, Gambia will become the first country in the world to roll back protections against the human rights violation that affects 234 million women and is on the rise, according to UNICEF. Amid the offensive against womens rights around the world the crusade against abortion in the West, the impunity for sexual and gender violence the battle taking place in Gambia may set a precedent for countries where FGM is deeply rooted, such is the case in dozens of countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. But it is also symbolic because of the risk it poses to other womens rights: If the ban is lifted, the message is that it does not matter what happens to women, because there is no aggression more harmful than taking a little girl and cutting off the most intimate part of her body. The message is that you are not going to protect the most vulnerable, says Fatou Baldeh, an influential Gambian feminist known around the world for her fight against FGM, of which she is a survivor. If they manage to repeal the law, they will go after child marriage. They will start marrying girls. In fact, they have already begun to threaten to lower the age of marriage to 13 [from the current 18]. All laws that protect women will be taken away. Activists want the law not only to stay, but to be enforced. In the past nine years, no one had been convicted or fined for mutilating the girls, but that changed last August. That month, three women were arrested for performing excisions on eight babies and had to pay 15,000 dalasis, about $203 a lot of money in Gambia but below the minimum outlined by the law. That incident sparked a surge of support for FGM which has continued to be practiced in secret (albeit to a lesser extent) and is at the heart of the campaign to end the ban. Within hours, a well-known imam, Abdoulie Fatty, raised the bail money and the women were released. Imam Abdoulie Fatty, one of the main drivers of the campaign to decriminalize genital mutilation in Gambia. MARTA MOREIRAS A little piece of clitoris The school that Fatty runs has a huge central courtyard that connects the blue- and indigo- painted buildings, where boys and girls learn the Koran. Some of the girls wear in addition to the uniform that covers their heads and down to their feet a black niqab that leaves only their eyes uncovered. It is 9 a.m. and it is already very hot. The imam enters the small, carpeted, half-darkened room with three cell phones in his hand, which he stares at for a long time before deciding to speak. The first thing he says is that he is totally against FGM. Womens genitals should not be mutilated, there is nothing to discuss, is that clear? What he advocates, he says, is female circumcision which, he says, Islam recommends. Experts deny this, arguing it pre-dates Islam, and FGM has been successfully banned in other Muslim countries, such as neighboring Senegal. But it continues to have a strong ethnic and traditional component. Fatty proposes cutting a little piece of the clitoris. People do not distinguish between FGM and circumcision, that is the problem, he says, falsely differentiating between the two, since everything is mutilation in the eyes of the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO, FMG negatively impacts womens health in many ways: pain, bleeding, infections, inability to have sex, trauma and death. Fatty has his own ideas on the matter: I do not deny that [circumcision] is an operation, albeit a minor one, and therefore carries a risk. People can die because their foot is cut off, or their hand is cut off, or a tooth is removed, yes. But there is no law to prohibit it. If you go to the doctor and he cuts open your belly and you die, nothing happens [there are no legal consequences]. Three teenagers attend class at the Koranic school run by Imam Abdoulie Fatty in the municipality of Kanifing, in Gambia. MARTA MOREIRAS Meanwhile, fake news disguised as religion is triumphing on social media. The goal of the campaign is to present circumcision as a harmless, religiously based procedure that has nothing to do with FGM, and to open a legal avenue for it to be carried out. Fatty argues that the fact that women [in Gambia] have 10, 11, 12 children, many more than in Europe is proof that the procedure is safe, and claims that he has not instigated any campaign to support the ban being overturned. According to Fatty, the only campaign being waged is the one against Gambias traditions that has been imported from the West. Just like homosexuality, he says, which in Gambia can be punished with prison sentences. Maybe transgender people will come to us as well, he laughs in indignation. Fattys most shocking argument, however, is the claim that womens sexual pleasure will not be affected by circumcision. He says that he sees no problem with it, since the whole clitoris is not removed, and, desire is not in that part alone. MP Gibbi Mballow (left) voted against the bill to eliminate the ban on female genital mutilation. In the picture, he is in his office in Parliament in Banjul. MARTA MOREIRAS From the outside, Gambias National Assembly building in the capital Banjul looks like a stadium. At the entrance, two smiling lions flank a shield above the words progress, peace, prosperity. Inspiring ideals for a democracy that was born seven years ago, after two decades of Yahya Jammehs dictatorship, a bloody period marked by massacres, sexual violence and hundreds of disappearances. The people who will decide whether or not to modify the law that bans the mutilation of girls bodies are nearly all men: there are only five female deputies in the Parliament of 58 representatives. Only four deputies voted to keep the ban. One of them is Gibbi Mballow. Dressed in a checked jacket, he is meeting in his office with five other parliamentarians from the same political group: the National Peoples Party, the ruling group. No one supported his stance against FGM on the day of the first vote. It is a harmful practice, even though some say it can be medicalized, it has no health benefits, he says in his deep voice. He also argues that Gambia cannot be an island: Senegal has banned it, Guinea neighboring countries have done so. If we repeal the ban, we are encouraging those communities to come and establish a base for the practice here, which is unacceptable. Mballow also has personal reasons for being against FGM. One day he was working, and the hospital called him. Do you know what has happened to your daughter? he remembers the doctors asking him. They told him: According to your wife, your mother has taken the girl to a traditional [rite] and she is bleeding. We are trying to stop the bleeding. We need blood. Thats how he learned that his daughter, then a seven-month-old baby, had been mutilated. And the three oldest ones too. I cant go to the police and report my mother, he says about the complexity of eradicating the deeply rooted practice. I called her and my wife. We sit down. I told her: You are my mother, but you are not these girls mother. Stay away from this practice, never again. She was very sad and confused when the little girl had the hemorrhage, she regretted having done it. The March 18 vote when the bill that triggered the process to decriminalize cutting was given the green light shook the country. It also attracted the attention of Western embassies, international agencies, NGOs and donors unwilling to sponsor human rights rollbacks in a country in need of funding and support, where some 40% of the population is poor, according to the U.N. Development Program. On the left in white, Fatou Baldeh, feminist and activist against FGM. MARTA MOREIRAS That day, inside the House, Fatou Baldeh and other activists went to protest. I saw solidarity, I saw power, I saw sisterhood, women supporting women. We went in there to look those men in the face, she explains. I remember one got up and said that some of them were crying and that it was uncomfortable. But thats what we wanted: for them to know that we are there, that we are watching them, that what they are doing is wrong and that they should feel uncomfortable about it, says Baldeh, who recently went to the White House and to the U.N. headquarters in Geneva to be recognized for her fight against FGM. Doing whatever it takes for religion Among the protesters who demonstrated in March were three students from a university that receives funds from Saudi Arabia. But they were there to show their support for decriminalizing FGM. Two are studying to be teachers and another is studying Sharia, Islamic law. They are in the library under many layers of clothing. Aisha, 19, is completely covered: only her eyes and hands can be seen. She says that in Gambia, there is no genital mutilation, it is circumcision a distinction that the imam has popularized. She is vehement: Even if the law prohibits it, we will do it because our religion allows us to, and if we are fined, we will pay. We will do whatever it takes for our religion. Mballows daughter has recovered, and he has embarked on a campaign to convince the rest of the deputies to vote to maintain and strengthen the law criminalizing FGM. He says that he has received threats and pressure for his position, as has his family. His stance has made him a target for those who want to decriminalize it or make it an option for families, as if one could choose to legalize violence against women. And this backlash has had an effect on his voter base, in his province, Lower Fulladu West, south of Gambia River that divides the country in two. Its as if I were against my people, against those I represent, he explains. In the four months before the final vote, the two parliamentary committees will listen to doctors, experts, international organizations, survivors and activists. Tradition is being confused with religion: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabiaexcision is not practiced there. Are they less Muslims because of this? asks Adriana Kaplan, an anthropologist, who spoke in Parliament about how FGM affects womens health throughout their lives, particularly during pregnancy, based on two studies carried out in the country. The organization she heads, Wassu Kafo Gambia, designed the manual that trains doctors on types of FGM, how to prevent it, the risks involved and how to treat complications. Although they were confronted with the consequences, [the health workers] did not relate the harmful effects to the practice, she explains at the organizations headquarters. There is also debate on the streets and on social media, where the conversation has sparked a kind of #MeToo movement for survivors of FGM. And its not just a handful of women who have come out to share their story. Its the first time its happened in such a general way, says Jaha Dukureh, one of the best-known activists against FGM. Dukureh lives in the United States, where she was sent at the age of 15 to marry a much older man. There she discovered that they had performed infibulation, which consists of cutting the clitoris and the labia majora and minora and suturing the vulva and vagina, leaving two openings, one for menstrual blood and the other for urine. It is an extreme type of mutilation, but not unusual. For Dukureh, after her struggle to get out of that marriage, to understand what had been done to her, to study a degree and return to Gambia to promote a ban in 2015 which ended up being applied by the homophobic and bloodthirsty dictator Jammeh , the campaign to decriminalize FGM is very personal. Jaha Dukureh, renowned activist against genital mutilation, in an apartment near Banjul where she has moved to in order to help the campaign to stop FGM from being decriminalized. MARTA MOREIRAS That is why she has returned to Gambia: she wants to help the campaign to stop the bill decriminalizing FGM from being passed. In recent months, she has endured all kinds of attacks: They threaten my children, they insult me daily, they want me to be raped, they say I am a spy, a foreign agent, she says. In the end, that gets to me, it affects me. Despite everything, she points out that, also for the first time, civil society has come together to work for a common good. It is a powerful gesture. Breaking the cycle The Women in Liberation and Leadership (WILL) foundation, created by Fatou Baldeh, is a beautiful oasis with a courtyard in the middle of a street without sidewalks. Inside, the walls have beautiful murals with drawings of baobabs: each one tells the story from the roots to the branches of a victim of the Jammeh dictatorship. This is also how, through drawings, they talk about what a vulva is, about sexual consent, about how a pregnancy happens, about the fake news surrounding mutilation and why it continues to be done. We create safe spaces for teenagers, says Baldeh. Thousands have come here to talk, to share doubts, to learn about other peoples experiences. To break the silence and release the trauma. One of my classmates, says Baldeh, found out that she had been mutilated when she became a mother. Nobody tells you. Here we talk to you about your body: mutilation is so frequent that even those who suffer complications do not associate it with being cut, they think it is part of being a woman. Aissatou, 25, lived through that transformation process at WILL, and is now part of the team. She is in college, and explains that before taking the course, she was convinced that most of the beliefs and fallacies about mutilation were true. My family made me believe that it is a good thing, that if you dont have it you are dirty, you are not pure, you will have a hard time giving birth [it is exactly the opposite]. In her town, of the Mandinka ethnic group, which is one of the groups where FGM is most widespread, they call you an insult, something like not-cut, they isolate you, says Aissatou, although she says this is happening less and less. At WILL, Aissatou spends her time talking to teenagers about FGM, but always from experience: if you havent been mutilated, they dont believe you, she says. Aissatou was cut when she was seven years old and remembers every detail of it, it was very traumatic. When she goes to the villages to give the courses, she always starts by talking about other types of sexist violence, such as sexual violence and abuse from husbands, and little by little, she tells them that their body is their own, explains why they do not feel sexual pleasure, and discusses infections. No one tells them anything, they only talk to them about religion, she says. It is not easy to change beliefs that have been so widespread for generations. Fatou faces this task every day as a trainer at the NGO Wassu Kafo. She is a big, smiling, soft-spoken woman. She uses two tools in her campaign to end FGM: respect, she says, and her own body, her experience as a mutilated woman. You cant show up in a village and tell them not to do it or that they are ignorant, because youre met with this is my culture and my religion and they get angry with you, she explains on the couch of her home, where he lives with his three daughters and her husband. It takes time. They are ashamed to talk about it, and it is very difficult for them to believe that the symptoms they have, their difficulties in giving birth, the pain they experience when having sex have anything to do with mutilation. Fatous two oldest daughters were cut before she knew what she knows today. And she had to turn to the law to defend her 10-years-old girl from suffering the same fate: My husband is Mandinka. I warned my sisters-in-law that if they touched the girl, they would go to jail. She is worried about the ban being lifted because it has a deterrent effect that helps her in her work. But a change is already happening. Her little girl, like Serrehs daughter, are growing up free of mutilation. She is now unknowingly part of a small generation of girls, protected by mutilated mothers, sisters and grandmothers, who have broken the cycle of violence. Los Angeles, July 13 : Hollywood star Alec Baldwin can breathe a sigh of relief as the manslaughter case against him over the involuntary fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been dismissed. The judge criticised prosecutors for failing to turn over a batch of bullets to the defence, reports 'Variety'. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the case, ruling that no other sanction was sufficient. "The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide discovery to the defendant," Marlowe Sommer said. "Dismissal with prejudice is warranted." According to 'Variety', Marlowe Sommer ruled that under the principle of double jeopardy, Baldwin cannot be retried. She made it clear that she was appalled at the prosecution's failures. "If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so close to bad faith as to show signs of scorching prejudice," the judge said. Gasps were heard in the courtroom as Baldwin received hugs and congratulations from his family and supporters. He and his wife, Hilaria, were in tears. They exited the courthouse and entered a black Chevy Suburban without addressing the throngs of media outside. "This was a disaster for the New Mexico judicial system," said John Day, a lawyer and local legal commentator. "They got a huge allocation of public funds to prosecute this case. And this is what happened with that. This was an absolute catastrophe." The judge reprimanded lead state prosecutor Kari Morrissey and her team, stating, "they have continued to fail to disclose critical evidence to the defendant." The defence argued that prosecutors deliberately hid bullets that were turned over to investigators in March, which were relevant to the case. Erlinda Johnson, one of two special prosecutors, resigned from the case on Friday amid turmoil over the evidence. Chandigarh, July 13 : AAP candidate from Punjab's Jalandhar (West) reserved seat, Mohinder Bhagat, has been leading over Congress' Surinder Kaur with 27,168 votes, a handsome margin, as per early trends. BJP's Sheetal Angural, whose defection from AAP necessitated the bypoll, is currently third. Congress candidate Surinder Kaur, the former senior Deputy Mayor and five-time councillor of Jalandhar got 9,204 votes. In comparison, Angural got 6,557 votes, as per the Election Commission of India's sixth round of counting on Saturday. Bhagat, who left BJP and joined the AAP in April 2023, is the son of a three-time MLA from this Assembly constituency of BJP and served as Cabinet Minister from 2007-2017. The vote count for Punjab's lone Assembly constituency began with 15 candidates. Polling was held on Wednesday and saw 54.98 per cent turnout. The Jalandhar West (reserved) Assembly constituency, a hub of Dalits in the Doaba region, witnessed a multi-cornered contest among major political parties like the AAP, Congress, and BJP. Los Angeles, July 13 : Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy is now married to actress Paige Butcher. The Oscar nominee, 63, and the Australian actress, 44, tied the knot after getting engaged in September 2018. The couple shares an 8-year-old daughter, Izzy Oona, and a 5-year-old son, Max Charles, reports 'People' magazine. Murphy and Butcher got married in Anguilla during a small private ceremony in front of family and close friends. Butcher wore a corseted gown adorned with lace designed by Mira Zwillinger, while the groom wore a white Brioni suit. According to 'People', this marks the second marriage for Murphy and the first for Butcher. The news of their nuptials comes less than a month after Murphy and Butcher appeared together at the 'Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F' premiere in Los Angeles on June 20. At the Netflix event, they were joined on the red carpet by his daughters, Bria, 34, Shayne Audra, 29, and Bella Zahra, 22, whom he shares with his ex-wife Nicole, 56. Murphy's 'Beverly Hills Cop' co-star, Judge Reinhold, recently told 'People', "He's crazy about his kids and his family. He's a family guy at heart. Truly is. He really is." Murphy and Butcher began dating in 2012. They welcomed their first child together, Izzy, on May 3, 2016. The couple then welcomed their second child, Max, on November 30, 2018, two months after getting engaged. While Butcher doesn't often do interviews, she spoke about her then-fiance on the red carpet at the 2020 Golden Globes. When asked what he whispered to her on the red carpet, Murphy told Extra, "I told her how wonderful she looks." Butcher then added, "He actually says that kind of stuff all the time. He's very, very sweet and romantic." New Delhi, July 13 : Scientists at the Cambridge University in the UK have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that can help detect patients with early dementia whether they will remain stable or develop Alzheimer's. Dementia is a global healthcare challenge, affecting over 55 million people at an estimated annual cost of $820 billion. The cases are expected to almost triple over the next 50 years. To develop the new AI model, the researchers used routinely gathered, non-invasive and low-cost patient data - cognitive tests and structural MRI scans revealing grey matter shrinkage - from over 400 participants in a research cohort in the US. They next evaluated the model with real-world patient data from an additional 600 participants in the US cohort, as well as longitudinal data from 900 persons in memory clinics in the United Kingdom and Singapore. The algorithm was able to identify between persons with stable mild cognitive impairment and those who developed Alzheimer's disease within three years, according to the story published in the journal EClinicalMedicine. It successfully identified those who developed Alzheimer's in 82 per cent of cases and those who did not in 81 per cent of cases using only cognitive tests and an MRI scan which provides hope that this model may well be accurate. Professor Zoe Kourtzi from the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge said this tool would be good at predicting whether or not someone will progress to Alzheimeras, and that since it has been tested in real life too, generalisations can be made. Ben Underwood from the University of Cambridge said this would help alleviate many existing concerns for the patients and their families. New Delhi, July 13 : Sridhar Vembu, CEO and Co-founder of Cloud software major Zoho, on Saturday said the company has opened its first dedicated factory to assemble the Karuvi line of power tools. The company, situated in Tenkasi district in Tamil Nadu, last month announced to invest an undisclosed amount in manufacturing startup Karuvi, which would create jobs in smaller towns and villages. "The factory is in a small village called Mathapuram in Tenkasi district, close to the Zoho office in Mathalamparai village," informed Vembu on X social media platform. "We have trained a group of about 15 talented young people drawn from surrounding villages to work in the factory," he said, adding that this is a small beginning for a big dream in rural manufacturing. Zoho has also invested in an aerospace startup called Yali Aerospace. The investments are part of its ongoing efforts to build deep-tech know-how and manufacturing capabilities in India. According to Vembu, Karuvi and Yali are startups that are not only innovating in their respective fields but are also creating jobs and bringing technical skill-sets to smaller towns and villages. Karuvi is a mechatronics startup that has launched 10 tools ranging from drills and power saws to angle grinders. The Karuvi products are manufactured with around 95 per cent locally sourced components. According to MSD Prasad, CEO of Karuvi, they will add more tools to the portfolio and plan to have at least 30 products by the end of 2025. Paris, July 13 : Human-centric mobile artificial intelligent is (AI) is the future and open collaboration among the industry and a distinct approach to hybrid AI is the only way to achieve the best possible mobile AI experience for users, experts said here on Saturday. It's not enough just to innovate for good but it is equally essential to do so responsibly, they added during an AI session. "Within months, we have democratised Galaxy AI, extending access to more models and form factors. It's a feat only possible through close collaboration with our industry partners and our distinct approach to hybrid AI to bring our users the most practical, reliable and versatile mobile AI experience possible," said Won-Joon Choi, EVP and Head of Mobile R&D Office, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung. According to Dr Chris Brauer, Goldsmiths, University of London, it is the first stage of exploring and understanding the relationship between AI and indicators we know correlate to a person's life quality. "The key indicators we looked at were creativity, productivity, physical health and social relationships. What we discovered gives a very clear indication of the immense potential that lies ahead for AI users," said Brauer at the session. Jenny Blackburn, VP of User Experience for Gemini Experiences and Google Assistant, Google, said that without cutting-edge mobile devices from partners like Samsung, "capabilities of our world-class platforms would be underutilised". The industry experts also deliberated upon to create responsible AI experiences. "AI Policy Observatory will ensure informed decisions and help policymakers to keep up with developments. We work directly with leaders in government and major tech companies alike," said Lucia Russo, economist and policy analyst in AI unit, OECD Digital Economy Policy Division. The majority of people are enthusiastic about mobile AI's potential, with many reporting that they will embrace mobile AI even more as the technology advances in the future. "As the era of AI rapidly evolves, a group of frequent mobile AI users is emerging, and there's indication of a relationship between frequent AI use and quality of life," according to a recent survey. Frequent mobile AI users are about 1.4 times more likely to rate their quality of life as good to very good compared to rare AI users. Mumbai, July 13 : Senior actress Pravina Deshpande believes that social media has become an important part of our lives today, considering it a valuable platform to reach people and showcase talent. However, she likes to keep it private and stay true to her real self. Pravina, who is known for her roles in films like 'Ready', 'Jalebi', and 'Ek Villain', said: "Social media plays a vital role these days. People have made big fortunes out of it. For actors, it's a boon, for sure. I personally use digital media for my own growth as an actor and as a human being." "I can see others' work, appreciate and learn what to do and what not to do, what's trending, what's coming up, and also reach casting team members. I am a little private, and my posts are generally work-related. I remain true to myself on social media," she shared. Pravina doesn't feel overwhelmed to see others around her gain more popularity. She sees herself as her own competition and believes there's opportunity for everyone. "It's interesting to see how a few have the talent to showcase themselves and their work and become popular. That surely takes a lot of effort, I feel. Since I have always been my own competitor and selective about what I accept, I know such things take time. I am pretty cool about others doing well, and hope to get what I desire and deserve. There is a lot of work and something good for everyone," she said. Pravina also credited social media for helping her land interesting roles, such as playing Prabhavati Bose (Netaji's mother) in 'Bose: Dead/Alive', an unreleased Marathi film. "So it surely works," she added. On the work front, Pravina has been featured in projects like 'Monsoon Out', 'Khamosh Adalat Jari Hai', 'Avrodh', and 'Rocket Boys'. New Delhi, July 13 : United States Vice President Kamala Harris and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had a telephonic conversation on Thursday evening, some reports said while social media saw strong buzz over Rahul's interaction with the US V-P of Indian descent, widely seen as a possible candidate in the upcoming Presidential elections if Biden pulls out. Though US President Joe Biden has put his foot down and vowed to defeat the Republican challenger in ensuing polls, there is clamour within the Democrats for a 'change of guard' owing to the former's age. As reports of a telephonic conversation surfaced between Rahul Gandhi and Kamala Harris, a couple of Congress supporters and loyalists expressed joy over the party MP's growing international stature while some others claimed that it was a courtesy call from the US Vice-President on Rahul becoming Leader of Opposition (LoP). However, the fake claim stands debunked now. The office of US V-P has denied any such phone conversation and termed the news as 'inaccurate', confirmed a senior US-based scribe. "This news is inaccurate as per the office of the US Vice President. Kamala Harris has not spoken with Rahul Gandhi," he said in a tweet. Though social media was abuzz about Rahul-Kamala's telephonic conversation, Congress handles didn't either confirm or deny the news. However, the deliberate projection of Rahul's 'significance' in US presidential polls by certain social media accounts, with a noted affinity for the party, raises questions about the spread of fake news and also calls for a mechanism to contain it. According to a New York Times report, Indian-origin Kamala Harris is actively considering the prospects of running for the top position and is also discussing the possible names of those who can be her running mate. New Delhi, July 13, : The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways will convene the State Maritime & Waterways Transport Committees' meeting on Tuesday to hold discussions for the comprehensive development of maritime and waterways transport across India and expanding its reach to include the remaining states. The meeting to be held via video conferencing will be chaired by T. K. Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, according to an official statement issued on Saturday. "The meeting will focus on the preparation of state-specific Maritime and Waterways Transport Master Plans, formulation of Maritime Sector Policies, Green Initiatives, Waterways Development, Cruise Tourism, Urban Water Transportation, and the Development of Lighthouses," the statement added. Recognising the need for a unified approach to manage and integrate the waterways transportation sector, the Ministry has established State Maritime & Waterways Transport Committees (SMWTCs) to coordinate various initiatives and schemes within each state. These committees will be pivotal in consolidating efforts and providing focused leadership in the maritime and waterways sector. Each state committee is headed by the Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary and includes representatives from major ports, maritime boards, state PWD, Inland Waterways, Department of Tourism, Department of Fisheries, Railways, NHAI and Customs. Currently, SMWTCs have been constituted in 13 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep, with plans to establish them in all 30 coastal and waterways states and UTs of India. The agenda for the meeting includes reviewing the progress made by already constituted SMWTCs, discussing the issues faced by different states along with discussion on implementation of Sagarmala Programme, development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, opportunities in Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax/Ferry/Urban Water Transportation, Sagarmala Shipbuilding Clusters, Harit Nauka (Green Transition) Scheme for Inland Waterways, Cargo Promotion Scheme, MoUs with States for Coastal and River Cruise Tourism and support for State Inland Waterway Transport. Chief Secretaries and Additional Chief Secretaries, as Chairpersons of SMWTCs, will present progress in their states, SMWTC initiatives, state-specific issues, and required support from the Ministry, aiming to review progress, address issues, and foster collaborative solutions to enhance maritime and waterways transport in India. Lilongwe, July 13 : The World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated assorted medical supplies, including drugs worth $9 million , to the government of Malawi to support the country's public hospitals. When presenting the donation on Friday in Lilongwe, Neema Kimambo, the WHO country representative, expressed her organisation's desire to see public hospitals in Malawi well-stocked and people have better access to healthcare services, reported Xinhua news agency. Kimambo added that the WHO will continue to support the Malawian government by providing various resources to meet the needs of Malawi's health system. Malawian Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda hailed the donation, saying that the supplies will help address the shortage of medical supplies in the country's public hospitals. The WHO has been providing vital medicine and medical supplies to the Malawian government since 2022 through the country's COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project. Between 2018 and 2024, Larry Amaury Alvarez Nunez, aka Larry Changa, could be found in three countries: Venezuela, where he was born; Chile, where he is suspected of having lived until 2022, and in Colombia, where he was arrested on July 1 and is currently awaiting extradition. Alvarez is the co-founder of the mega-cartel Tren de Aragua, which got its start in the Venezuelan prison of Tocoron. There was an international warrant issued for his arrest in September 23 by a court in Pozo Almonte, a municipality in Chiles far north, and requested by the Prosecutors Office in Tarapaca. Changas name appeared on a wanted list from the same Prosecutors Office in Chile, along with Hector Guerrero Flores, aka El Nino Guerrero, leader and co-founder of the Tren de Aragua and whose whereabouts are still unknown. Alvarezs high rank within the criminal organization, which has spread across several Latin American countries, is reflected by the fact that his arrest, which took place in the Colombian city of Armenia, was announced by the countrys president Gustavo Petro via a post on his X account, in which Petro highlighted the fact that Guerrero had been wanted in 196 countries. The 47-year-old Changa entered Chile in January 2018 through Santiago airport. He established himself as Guerreros right-hand man and led an important Tren de Aragua cell known as La Compania. He set up seemingly legal businesses, like a fast food restaurant and a bakery in the Chilean capital, but he is also charged with drug trafficking during the same time period. In April, two months before his capture in Colombia, Changa was informed in absentia by the Tarapaca prosecutors office about a series of charges against him, the most serious of which is being the head of a criminal organization. He was also charged with drug trafficking. Larry, Estrella and Satanas The first clues as to the presence of the Venezuelan transnational cartel in Chile were investigated by the Tarapaca prosecutors office in 2022, led by prosecutor Raul Arancibia and now headed by attorney Trinidad Steinert. That same year, in a mega-operation that took place throughout three regions of the country, more than 20 members of the criminal organization were arrested and charged with kidnapping, extortion, homicide, as well as arms and drug trafficking and migrant smuggling. Also in 2022, in the town of Quilpue, Valparaiso, located 68 miles from Santiago, the head of Tren de Aragua in Chile, Carlos Gonzalez Vaca aka Estrella, was captured. Hernan David Landaeta Garlotti, also known as Satanas and identified by the police as a hitman within the group, was arrested as well. Last June, Satanas played a central role in violent incidents that took place in Chiles largest high-security prison, which is located in Santiago. Along with 17 other prisoners, he destroyed several cells and threatened guards. After Estrellas arrest, Changa fled Chile. Prosecutors believe that his departure was motivated by thoughts that he could be the next to be detained. His successor, who Changa supervised from afar, was his lieutenant Eduard Nava Navarro, who is now being held alongside Satanas in the high-security Santiago prison. To date, more than 20 members of La Compania are in pretrial detention in Chile, and will see their cases go to court over the next few months. Escape from Venezuelan prison Journalist Ronna Risquez, author of the book El Tren de Aragua: la banda que revoluciono el crimen organizado en America Latina (Tren de Aragua: the gang that revolutionized organized crime in Latin America) says that two of Alvarezs brothers also entered into Venezuelas criminal world. The eldest died in a face-off with the police; and the youngest, nicknamed El Yormancito, was arrested on drug trafficking charges in July 2008. When he was released in 2015, he became involved in a homicide in Aragua, then fled to Bolivar state (which borders Brazil) and then abroad, according to Rizquez. The first time that Changa was imprisoned was in August 2002, according to records from Venezuelas Supreme Court (TSJ). He was 27 years old and had been an accomplice in car theft, for which he was sentenced, in 2003, to four years and eight months in a Carabobo state prison. After being released in January 2006, Alvarez murdered a man who refused to sell him spare parts in the town of Turmero, Aragua. According to TSJ documents, the Venezuelan justice system sentenced him to 17 years and six months in prison for the crime of aggravated intentional homicide during an aggravated robbery. When Changa entered the Aragua Penitentiary Center, better known as Tocoron prison, he associated with three other incarcerated individuals: Guerrero; Yohan Jose Romero, aka Johan Petrica and Jose Gabriel Alvarez Rojas, el Chino Pradera. Together, they founded the Tren de Aragua. Changa was only in prison until 2015, at which point he managed to escape and meet up with his brother El Yormancito, who was also on the lam, in Bolivar state. From there, according to Rizquez, they each took different paths. Luis Izquiel, a criminal lawyer and professor of criminology at the Central University of Venezuela, says that after Changas escape from Tocoron, he should have been flagged by the Venezuelan justice system. It is completely strange that Larry Changa entered Chile through an airport in 2018, he says. Risquez points out that there are certain aspects in Changas biography that call attention to the management of the judicial and penitentiary systems in Venezuela. One of them is that Larry Changa was registered from 1991 to 2015 in the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security, where he was listed as making his social security payments. His name can also be found on the website of the General Directorate of Environmental Health, which is operated by the Ministry of Health. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Seoul, July 13 : North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), "most strongly denounces and rejects" the Washington summit declaration issued by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) earlier this week, state media said Saturday. The declaration is proof that the United States and the transatlantic bloc pose "the most serious threat to the global peace and security," the official Korean Central News Agency said, citing a press statement released by a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry on Friday, reported Xinhua news agency. It is "an illegal document that violates the legitimate rights of independent sovereign states and a confrontational programme that incites new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale," the statement added. The US moves to expand military blocs seriously threaten regional peace, extremely exacerbate the international security environment, and spark a worldwide arms race, it said. The DPRK warned that NATO's "globalisation" strategy pursued by the United States brings "the danger of a worldwide war." The DPRK also lambasted Washington for "seriously infringing upon the sovereignty and security interests of other countries and constantly destroying the strategic stability of the world while wantonly violating the recognised principles of international law including respect for sovereignty, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit," the report said. New Delhi, July 13 : Unlike a lot of celebrity chefs, Jacob Jan Boerma enjoyed the rare privilege of being able to visit Michelin-starred restaurants when he was a child. His parents could afford the rather expensive privilege because they were in the shoe business and had fine tastes. They also unknowingly nurtured in their son the ambition to become a chef and open one such celebrated establishment when he would grow up. His parents, of course, laughed away the idea, saying he was "stupid" and wouldn't ever earn any decent money. Boerma, however, pursued his dream, starting, like so many great chefs, as a dishwasher when he was 16, and schooling his taste buds by dipping his finger into the leftover sauces and licking them off. That was his first introduction to the fine art of creating taste. Boerma, a Dutchman who was born in Austria, went on to preside over his own Michelin three-star restaurant, De Leest in Vaassen, The Netherlands, on the fringes of a nature reserve. The jolly chef wears the three stars lightly, but it's an honour only some really talented members of his tribe around the world have earned in their lifetime. And he had Mumbai and Delhi's jet-set literally eating out of his hand when he was in India to headline a fine-dining programme named 'Rendezvous by The Chambers: The Culinary Chronicles' at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai and Taj Mahal in New Delhi. The two cities got to savour his lip-smackingly delicious culinary philosophy of blending global influences with locally sourced ingredients, emphasising flavours that are both innovative and respectful of tradition. Talking about local flavours, he's still to recover from the umami bomb contained in the bheja fry he dug into when he was in Mumbai. It is very tough to earn three Michelin stars, but Boerma not only got them, but also kept them for 18 years till 2020, when he shut down his restaurant to pursue his grand global ambition of collaborating with rising young stars around the world to set up Michelin-star restaurants, which he has already done with The White Room in Amsterdam, Fine Fleur in Antwerp, and SMAAK in Yokohama, Japan. Boerma said he's now in the business of creating "concept restaurants," and by the end of next year, he would have seven of them running. "It is my mission now to create concept restaurants with young chefs," the maestro said. "I put them on the podium. I looks at my restaurants now as a collaboration between two chefs, one experienced and one young." Talking about his journey, the Dutchman described it as getting to live his dream by following his passion. Running a Michelin three-star restaurant can be like living in a pressure cooker, for the stars come up for review each year, and as Boerma puts it, just any guest could be a Michelin Guide inspector on an anonymous mission to check out your food. "It is more difficult than winning an Olympic medal, but I need this pressure," Boerma said. His typical five-day working week stretches from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and his weekends also see him plotting out the week ahead. "I need this pressure," Boerma said. "My kitchen has been my home, but the pressure makes me feel good. You cannot reach the top without pressure." What he has learnt, though, is to focus on each guest. "The personal touch makes the real difference," Boerma added. Coming to India was a novel experience for Boerma, who has been used to such luxuries as getting his supplies of fish and crustaceans off the North Sea, but here, as he discovered, "even the garlic looks and tastes different". And then he had also to work around the fact that Indian food laws do not allow the import of Parmigiano Reggiano (the original Italian Parmesan cheese), but it's par for the course for Boerma, who has made it his business of work with local ingredients and flavours. "I always source my ingredients from the area around the restaurant," Boerma said. Coming to India, his first visit, therefore, was a revelation for Boerma because it introduced him to a new world of ingredients and flavours. Boerma may have earned three Michelin stars, and his new restaurants may have already won their first stars within months of opening, but he's a untiring taste traveller. And his journey in search of flavours unfamiliar to him and newer ways of expressing them is not likely to stop soon. Patna July 13 : Two persons were gunned down in a marriage hall in Patna's Khagaul locality in the wee hours of Saturday. The police said that the victims were part of a marriage procession of Amit Kumar Singh alias Roshan, which had come from Jamui. The deceased are identified as Golden Singh and Sarvan Singh. The shooting occurred at around 3 a.m. on Saturday. Both deceased individuals were relatives and residents of Malaypur village in Jamui district. The wedding ceremony was held in Rudra Marriage Hall, Danapur, under Khagaul police station in Patna district. The police said that Sharwan Singh was shot in the head while Golden Singh sustained a gunshot injury on his chest. They both died on the spot. "We have received information about the double murder in a marriage hall under Khagaul police station in the district. We have recovered the dead bodies. The FSL team was called to collect the evidence. The investigation is underway and the raids are on to nab the accused," said an official spokesperson of Patna police. Bengaluru, July 13 : Commenting on the arrest of former minister B Nagendra by the ED, Karnataka Home Minister, G Parameshwara said on Saturday that there was no issue with the ED investigating him, but the central agency's action should not be politically-motivated. The ED had arrested Nagendra on Friday in connection with irregularities in the tribal welfare Board. Speaking to reporters at his residence on Saturday in Bengaluru, HM Parameshwara stated, "The ED is investigating him, and they have arrested him based on the information they have gathered. This is a legal procedure." "We have been saying for a long time that this should not be political. The ED and CBI should not become political weapons for the central government," the HM added. When asked whether the ED's actions were politically-motivated, HM Parameshwara stated, "We don't have any issues with the ED investigating Nagendra. We have also formed an SIT, and our sleuths have summoned former minister Nagendra and Board Chairman Basanagouda Daddal and recorded their statements. Meanwhile, the CBI has started conducting an investigation following the complaint by the bank. The ED has made a sudden entry into the scene." "The ED might have information; I won't dispute it. Our party leaders are stating that the ED and CBI should not be used to pursue a political agenda," he underlined. When asked about Daddal allegedly trying to take shelter with the SIT to escape arrest by the ED, HM Parameshwara stated that he did not have any information in this regard. "The SIT sleuths had asked Nagendra and Daddal to appear before them. Their statements have been recorded, and they will be summoned if necessary," he said. Regarding Daddal being missing, Parameshwara stated that he was with his family when he enquired on Friday. "When Nagendra was arrested, I asked about Daddal, and I was told that he is with his family," Parameshwara stated. When asked about the ED looking into the tribal welfare Board money being used for the election, he stated, "The ED has not provided any information to our police. It won't be correct to make comments based on imagination." Asked about the arrest of former BJP MLC, DS Veeraiah, he said, "It's regarding a scam amounting to Rs 45 crore. Veeraiah was arrested during the investigation of the corruption case while he was the President of Devaraj Urs Truck Terminal Limited, which is a state government entity." Answering a question on BJP objecting to the detention of party workers, HM Parameshwara stated, "We don't have any objections to them staging protests. But, if they decide to protest at their will and trouble the public, the Supreme Court has given a verdict on this. They can't be bigger than the Supreme Court." The Assembly session will begin on Monday; they can discuss the matter there, he added. Gurugram, July 13 : Notorious gangster Kala Khairampuria, who was wanted by Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi Police, was arrested by the Gurugram team of Special Task Force (STF), officials said. Kala was involved in 20 cases of murder and attempted murder registered against him. Kala had a rivalry with gangster Swatantra. STF was looking for him in many cases. On Saturday, the STF will provide more information about the gangster by holding a Press conference. According to the STF officials, Kala is a resident of Khairampur in Hisar. The STF team has brought the gangster to India from Thailand. He was arrested at the airport late on Friday night. Kala was absconding after he came out of jail on parole in 2020. While being out of jail, he committed five murders. He was running Bhau the Gang from Thailand. Colombo, July 13 : Sri Lanka's State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya, who represented the island nation in the two-day 2nd BIMSTEC Ministerial Retreat hosted by India, has emphasised the need to have a mechanism to map mineral resources found in abundance within the countries of the Bay of Bengal region. The Retreat, which ended on Friday and was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) grouping nations, provided an informal platform to discuss ways and means of cooperating and accelerating action in security, connectivity, trade and investment within the Bay of Bengal. "He (Balasuriya) further emphasised the importance of developing opportunities for the vertical integration of stages of production within specific sectors in the economies of the countries, enabling countries to diversify their production structure," the Lankan Foreign Ministry said in a statement. He also referred to the initiative of Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry at the First BIMSTEC Retreat for the creation of an expert group on fiscal and monetary policy, and observed it would create a platform for the sharing of best practices within the region. Along with India, Sri Lanka is a founding member of the seven-member BIMSTEC grouping which was established in June 1997. The proposals put forward in the New Delhi meeting are expected to be submitted for consideration to the Heads of State at the upcoming 6th BIMSTEC Summit scheduled to be hosted by Thailand, the current chair of BIMSTEC, on September 4, later this year. During his visit, Balasuriya also held a meeting with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and paid a joint courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Islamabad, July 13 : Two Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists have been arrested in an operation in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of police said. They were wanted by police for their involvement in funding terrorist activities, the CTD said in a statement. The terrorists arrested on Friday were in contact with the TTP leadership and were operating through social media to collect funds for the terror outfit, Xinhua news agency reported. The terrorists had recently come back to Karachi after funding a terrorist incident and collecting funds for their next mission. Police also recovered funds and arms from the terrorists. Mumbai, July 13 : Actress Apoorva Arora, who was recently seen in the streaming series 'Family Aaj Kal', has voiced her concerns about the need for proper healthcare for women. The actress, who has battled PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)-related symptoms, said that despite significant advances in medical science and healthcare, there remains a notable lack of research focused on the female body. PCOD is a hormonal imbalance condition that disrupts the normal fertility cycle in women. Raising an important question, Apoorva told IANS: "This gap in understanding hinders progress in improving women's health and well-being. Women make up half of the world's population, and if they are not receiving optimal healthcare, it calls into question our progress as a society." The actress further said: "Historically, women have been underrepresented in positions of authority and have often not received recognition for their scientific achievements. Addressing these issues, though seemingly small steps, is crucial for achieving gender equality in healthcare and ensuring that the needs of all are met." Apoorva, who has worked in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Kannada films, also shared insights on how yoga has helped her relieve PCOD-related symptoms. The actress said that yoga has been crucial in her fitness journey. She tried multiple forms of exercise, but it turns out that yoga has been the most sustainable for her. "It helped me relieve PCOD-related symptoms over the years and also helped heal old injuries," she added. Hubballi, July 13 : Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Pralhad Joshi on Saturday accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of being "directly involved" in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land scam. Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Union Minister Joshi stated, "CM Siddaramaiah has been using SC/ST funds for guarantee schemes under the pretext of "Ahinda" (an acronym referring to minorities, backward classes, and Dalits). "In one-and-a-half years, the Siddaramaiah government has engaged in rampant corruption. Rahul Gandhi and other leaders have initiated this massive corruption," Union Minister Joshi stated. "I had stated earlier that Congress has collected crores of rupees. Funds from the Valmiki Development Corporation have been transferred to hundreds of people. On Friday, I met some officials in Bengaluru. All the money has gone to companies in Hyderabad. Everything had taken place with the consent of CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM D. K. Shivakumar," he charged. "Without any evidence, they (Congress) accused the BJP of taking a 40 per cent commission. Siddaramaiah government is 100 per cent corrupt," the Union Minister said. The Union Minister said, "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has not spoken about these scandals until today. Both Rahul Gandhi and CM Siddaramaiah are responsible for this." Bengaluru, July 13 : In a major development, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, HD Kumaraswamy has made an appeal to the legal fraternity to seek consent for the prosecution of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah from Governor TC Gehlot in connection with the alleged irregularities in Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the tribal welfare Board. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on Saturday, HD Kumaraswamy stated, "I appeal to the honourable advocates of the state to take the matter before the Governor and submit a plea to sanction prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah. Afterwards, approach the court and take the issue to its logical end." The statement assumes importance as the advocates had sought consent from the Governor for legal action against then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in the denotification case. BS Yediyurappa was asked to resign and was jailed in 2011. HD Kumaraswamy said that Rs 94 crore from the Board had been transferred to fake accounts in March when the Model Code of Conduct was in effect in the country. "What would the Congress government have done about this scam if the officer had not committed suicide and there was no death note?" he asked. "Mr. CM Siddaramaiah, will you treat the suicide of the tribal welfare Board officer Chandrasekaran as just a case of suicide? Is it not a murder that took place in the backdrop of the government's thirst for money? If the governance were efficient, would this incident have taken place?" Kumaraswamy questioned. "Officer Chandrasekaran ended his life due to the illegalities and looting by the government. Even after 40 days of the suicide, the SIT formed to look into the matter did not bother to touch the minister and MLA concerned. The ED had to enter the scene to make arrests in the case," Kumaraswamy pointed out. Commenting on the MUDA case, Kumaraswamy angrily questioned why the government should provide Rs 62 crore in compensation as CM Siddaramaiah is demanding. "Is this his father's property? Did CM Siddaramaiah inherit it? Whose land was it? Does it really belong to CM Siddaramaiah's brother-in-law?" Kumaraswamy questioned. "Before CM Siddaramaiah could claim ownership of the land, that property was already purchased by the MUDA. The MUDA land scam is one subject. The question is about the misuse of power and the involvement of the CM's family in the scam," Kumaraswamy alleged. Cyber operations are changing global geopolitics, or at least, thats how European cybersecurity experts see it. The governments of Russia, China, Iran and North Korea have been linked to such campaigns, as well as the United States and United Kingdom government and companies like Microsoft. Theyre being carried out by hacker organizations who have kicked off hundreds of espionage, sabotage and misinformation initiatives in recent years. Amid this panorama, a NATO spokesperson told EL PAIS that cyberdefense has become one of the coalitions main priorities, proof of the growing importance of such operations on the global chess board. NATO allies have made it clear that China and Russia represent the biggest state-sponsored cyber threats, and have linked a series of cyber incidents to groups that are associated with the two countries. The Kremlin is also participating in a coordinated campaign of hostile acts against countries from the Alliance, including sabotage, cyberattacks and misinformation, says the NATO spokesperson. The Chinese and Russian governments have repeatedly and emphatically denied any connection with cybercriminal groups. The NATO spokesperson says that cyberattacks often seek to degrade our critical infrastructure, interfere with our government services, extract intelligence, steal intellectual property and impede our military activities. Additionally, NATO has recognized cyberspace as a domain of operations and has acknowledged that malicious cybernetic campaigns could lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, its collective defense clause. The spiderweb of advanced persistent threats (APTs) is wide-reaching and poorly understood. Experts agree that definitively establishing a link between governments and such organizations is nearly impossible, since these groups regularly cover their tracks with false evidence. Still, consensus exists among Western governments and other entities that there is enough evidence to be able to assume certain ties. Research center Cyberpeace Institute says that, among the most relevant and dangerous organizations are the Sandworm, Fighting Ursa (APT 28) and Cloaked Ursa (APT 29), which have been linked to Russian intelligence agencies via different institutions; and Comment Panda (APT 1), Double Dragon (APT 41) and Bronze Vinewood (APT 31), which have been associated with the Chinese state apparatus. At the same time, another fistful of organizations has been linked to Iran and North Korea. Worldwide, there are thought to be at least 150 organizations of this kind. Their prevalence led the European Union to impose economic and mobility sanctions on six new cybercriminals on June 24. The EU applied such measures to 12 entities and 14 individuals linked to digital operations carried out against European infrastructure and institutions, as confirmed by European Commission sources to EL PAIS. For their part, the United States and the United Kingdom issued sanctions in March against Chinese individuals who were linked to APT 31 and have accused Beijing of sponsoring cyber espionage, though Xi Jinpings government has emphatically denied any involvement. Modus operandi Hackers take advantage of software error and human vulnerabilities to infiltrate their adversaries networks. Richard De la Torre, technical product marketing manager at Bitdefender, explains that these groups often initiate operations through infected email addresses directed towards high-level targets. Once a person opens them and their network has been compromised, cybercriminals carry out their malicious programs, or can initiate informational attacks to block defense mechanisms. For example, the Sandworm group sent infected Microsoft Office documents to specific employees with high-level access who worked for the Ukrainian electrical system. Once they are set up within the organization, they spread laterally to infect critical systems. They set up control connections that facilitate reconnaissance and data leakage, says the expert. One example of this is a campaign that was uncovered last year by cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks. The company says that at least 30 military, diplomatic, governmental and private entities in 14 NATO countries were the target of Fighting Ursas malicious email campaigns between 2022 and 2023. Twenty-six of these targets were European, among them embassies and ministries of defense, foreign relations, interior and the economy, as well as at least one NATO rapid deployment force. Recently, Palo Alto Networks also released a memo announcing that Chinese hacker organizations carried out cyberespionage operations against other Asian countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Japan and Singapore. The company announced in November that, according to its research, an unidentified Chinese group had been carrying out a campaign targeting Middle Eastern, African and Asian political entities since at least the end of 2022. An analysis of this threat actors activity reveals long-term espionage operations against at least seven governmental entities. The threat actor performed intelligence collection efforts at a large scale, leveraging rare email exfiltration techniques against compromised servers, stated the companys report. Analysts at Mandiant, a Google subsidiary that focuses on digital security, explain that Chinese cyber groups are known for their stealth. Cyber espionage coming out of China has significantly evolved in recent years, distancing itself from loud, easy-to-identify operations in order to focus more on stealth. Investments in technology have funded successful campaigns against governmental, military and economic targets in the NATO member states and have increased the challenges for those defending these systems, says John Hultquist, chief analyst at Mandiant Intelligence, in a recent report. When it comes to Iran, Bitdefender finds that cybercriminal groups ShroudedSnooper and Cobalt Sapling have been linked to the countrys Ministry of Intelligence and Ministry of Security and have been involved in multiple attacks directed towards telecommunications and governmental entities in the Middle East, particularly in Israel. Elsewhere, North Korean group Lazarus stands out based on the virulence of its ransomware attacks, and its attack on the Sony company in 2014. The targets of campaigns carried out by these groups can vary. According to the experts consulted for this article, it depends on the interests of the origin country and intelligence agencies with which they are linked. Normally, they are operations related to the recovery of information that can give a geostrategic advantage to the country with which these groups are linked. Still, we also find economic motivations, like those of some of the campaigns carried out by groups associated with the North Korean government geared towards obtaining financing with which to overcome the economic blockade, says Josep Albors, director of research and awareness at ESET Espana, a cybersecurity software company. Cybersecurity experts also emphasize that there is a way to differentiate groups that are sponsored by a government from the cybercriminal organizations when it comes to carrying out appraisals to identify their objectives. The biggest motivation of criminal groups is making money as quickly and easily as possible. In contrast, what the organizations sponsored by states are looking for is to infiltrate the enemys infrastructure for as long as possible. They look to collect information or find out how their targets are going to confront certain geopolitical situations, explains Jens Monrad, Mandiants director of threat intelligence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The representative of the Google subsidiary says that, in the case of information activist groups, their actions are similar to that of an angry mob, which serves to tell them apart from state-sponsored groups. Digital battlefield Experts agree that state-sponsored operations in the digital field are growing exponentially, thanks to current geopolitical instability. Hacker groups are playing an increasingly prominent role in current conflicts and areas of heightened tension. For example, we have seen the creation of new malware specifically created for the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Another example is the formation of a group of volunteers known as the Ukrainian IT army, which has carried out various cyberattacks on behalf of Ukraine during the ongoing war, says Ari Novik, malware analyst at Cybeark Labs. CyberPeace Institute experts estimate that a total of 3,255 cyberattacks have been executed by at least 126 Russian actors against Ukraine since 2022. From a financial point of view, its easier to carry out this kind of operation than send a person to another country as a spy. Those agents can be captured and represent a risk for the country that sends them out. In the digital world, you can achieve similar objectives while running much less risk, says Monrad. Bitdefenders De la Torre agrees that the current situation supplies abundant fuel for state-sponsored cybercriminals. In fact, the expert says that the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report for 2023 shows that 20% of attacks and infiltrations were carried out by state-sponsored hacker organizations. He anticipates that in the next globally relevant elections and Olympic Games, we could see different campaigns carried out by these state-sponsored cybercriminal groups. The expert adds that a recent example of how this type of operations is changing the nature of global conflicts took place in December 2023, when Ukraines biggest telecommunications provider, Kyivstar, was paralyzed by a cyberattack attributed to Russian cybercriminals. In retaliation, Ukrainian hackers attacked Russias largest water utility plant, encrypting data and successfully disrupting operations, Bitdefender reports. Western response Experts say that Western governments are cooperating to develop their cybernetic resilience, specifically through organizations like the European Union and NATO. The latter alliance presented its cybersecurity strategy at the end of 2020 and has continuously been adding new laws, like the cybersolidarity act that was proposed in April 2023. At the same time, after the invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission put in march its EU cyberdefense policy to help improve its cybernetic capacities. On top of these initiatives are NATOs coordination, exercises and training activities, through which experts from its member states are learning to respond to these kinds of situations. Nonetheless, experts think there is still much to be done. In the Western world, we are still evaluating how to respond to these threats. Something that continues to be debated, for example, is proportionate response to these attacks. NATO already recognizes the digital space as a domain of operations and is considering how to react. Still, it has yet to be determined how to do this without escalating the situation. The method has not yet been found, or at least, has not been openly communicated, says Monrad. Nonetheless, European organizations are improving the way they respond and perhaps, this is something governments should focus on, he adds. Monrad has not ruled out the idea that the West should have similar organizations sponsored by its own governments. All developed countries recognize that these technologies have become tools for disruptive activities, which means that its highly probable that they are already using them. What must be underlined is that in Europe there is much more transparency when it comes to knowing how budgets are being used, and that allows us to see if they are financing this kind of attacks, he concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, July 13 : Days after the Unnao bus tragedy that claimed 18 lives, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Transport Department officials to ensure strict compliance with road safety regulations. The Chief Minister, in a warning of sorts, said that going forward, if any unauthorised buses are found on roads in the future, it will incur strict action on the responsible officials. In a high-level meeting held at his official residence, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of thorough checks on permits, fitness, insurance, and drivers of all passenger and school buses operating in the state. Following CM Adityanath's directives, the Transport Department has announced a month-long intensive campaign to crack down on unauthorised vehicles. The Chief Minister has also ordered an uncompromising campaign against such buses and called for necessary actions against their owners. He emphasised that senior Transport Department officials will be held responsible wherever such buses are found operating. He also instructed that the fitness, permits, insurance, and drivers of all registered passenger and school buses in the state must be thoroughly inspected. Following the CM's instructions, the state transport commissioner initiated a comprehensive month-long road campaign targeting unauthorised vehicles across the state. The campaign will include rigorous checks on both passenger buses and school vehicles. The Transport Commissioner has instructed all Deputy Transport Commissioners (Zones), Regional Transport Officers (Administration/Enforcement), and Assistant Regional Transport Officers (Administration/Enforcement) to conduct these inspections continuously for the entire month. Along with this, instructions have been given that on prescribed dates, each Divisional Transport Officer (Enforcement) will personally appear at the respective toll plaza and take enforcement action along with all the Enforcement Officers of the region. One interceptor will be deployed at each identified place. Information and photos of the action taken will be sent to the WhatsApp group of the department. New Delhi : Delhi LG VK Saxena during the foundation laying ceremony of the Conservation and Restoration of Main Gole Market. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, July 13 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, has sanctioned the appointment of 165 Junior Scientific Assistants (JSAs) on contract basis to meet the immediate requirements arising out of the implementation of the three new criminal laws. As the three newly-enacted criminal laws will largely focus on technology and forensics during the investigation, the role of JSAs will become very important, as they are the ones who will collect forensic evidence from the crime scene. The Delhi LG recently reviewed the preparedness and rollout of these criminal laws and laid stress on the strengthening of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the city. The LG has directed the FSL to pursue full-time recruitment of contractual staff and also maintain total transparency in the recruitment process. He also asked the FSL to come out with details of recruitments that have to be done and fix a deadline for purchasing and installing required equipment. The role of FSL has become all the more crucial with scientific probe and analysis of evidence becoming even more critical after the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. The LG has further approved creation of 421 new posts in the FSL, which is in addition to the existing 346 posts, under various verticals. Shimla, July 13 : In a high-stake bypolls for three Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday not only ensured a win on two of three seats, including his greenhorn politician wife Kamlesh Thakur's Dehra constituency that saw neck-and-neck contest but also strengthened his government by securing an absolute majority in the Assembly. The main rival BJP won one seat -- Hamirpur. The second seat that the Congress won was Nalagarh. With these wins, the Congress got an absolute majority of 40 seats -- six over than the halfway mark of 34 in the 68-member House. The BJP has increased its tally to 28. In December 2022, the Congress won 40 seats, while then outgoing BJP was reduced to 25. This has been the second Assembly by-election since 2022. Previously, the bypoll was held for four Assembly seats. 'The BJP had conspired to oust us from the state. People have now answered," Sukhu told the media on the party's win from Dehra and Nalagarh, adding, "Now we again got an absolute majority mark that we had secured in (December) 2022." The Congress won the Dehra seat for the first time with its candidate Kamlesh Thakur defeating BJP candidate Hoshiyar Singh by a margin of 9,399 votes. The latter won the seat as an Independent candidate in 2022 for the second consecutive time. "People of Himachal Pradesh have rejected the 'Dal-Badal' (turncoat) politics. People have given direction to the future of politics and have strengthened democracy," an elated Sukhu added. Political observers believe the stature of first-time Chief Minister Sukhu within the party has risen by ensuring a win on two seats. Earlier, the Congress won four out of six bypolls on June 4. Congress greenhorn candidate Harpreet Singh Bawa won from Nalagarh by a margin of over 6,000 and Ashish Sharma of the BJP from Hamirpur by 1,571 votes. The Chief Minister had campaigned aggressively in Dehra, compared to two other seats, to ensure victory for Kamlesh Thakur. To woo the electorates, Sukhu during the campaigning had said, "Dehra will technically get a CM (Chief Minister) if they elect his wife." Sukhu is a four-time sitting MLA from Nadaun in the adjacent Hamirpur district, while his wife hails from Chamnal village that falls under Dehra. The BJP, which won all four seats in the just concluded parliamentary elections, had fielded K.L. Thakur from Nalagarh and Ashish Sharma from Hamirpur, where they took on Congress' Hardeep Bawa and Pushpendra Verma, respectively. Both K.L. Thakur and Ashish Sharma won the seats as Independent candidates in 2022, before joining the BJP earlier this year. The duo, along with Hoshiyar Singh, resigned from the Assembly in March and joined the BJP. The bypolls were necessitated after the Speaker accepted their resignations on June 4. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at gulatiians@gmail.com) Bengaluru, July 13 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy lashed out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday over his remarks about being targeted because he belongs to a backward class. "What have you done for the backward classes to seek protection in their name?" Kumaraswamy asked him. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Kumaraswamy stated that CM Siddaramaiah is claiming others are burning with envy and demanding his resignation because he became CM twice despite hailing from a backward class. He said if Siddaramaiah had honestly worked for the backward classes, he would have supported him. "In 2017, when you were CM, an honest officer Dy SP Kallappa Handibagh, who belonged to the Kuruba community, the same as yours, committed suicide due to torture by senior officers. I raised my voice over the issue. If not for my voice, how would you have dealt with Kallappa's family?" Kumaraswamy asked. "You (CM Siddaramaiah) are at the fag end of your political career. Don't be ashamed by people at this stage. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda faced CID and Lokayukta inquiries. Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa faced a trial. Did he claim that the Lingayat community was targeted? I have faced denotification cases. I had to go to court, stand in the witness box, and obtain bail. Did I say the Vokkaliga community was targeted? When your party leader Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar faced trial, did he bring up caste?" Kumaraswamy said. "This is not about whether the accused is a Dalit or belongs to the general community. It is about the misuse of power. Should there be transparency in politics or not?" Kumaraswamy stated. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that he was being targeted because he belongs to a backward class and yet became the CM a second time. He said this to the media in Mysuru while reacting to his alleged involvement in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority land scam. "Everyone is upset because, despite being from a backward class, I became Chief Minister for the second term...they are burning and hatching a conspiracy," said Siddaramaiah, who described the allegations against him as political. Shimla, July 13 : With the victory of the Congress candidates in two out of three Assembly constituencies in the by-poll on Saturday, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu said voters have shown the door to those who betrayed the faith of the people. "It is a victory by defeating those who believe in luring people with money power. It was a victory over 'Dhan Bal' (money power)," he told the media here. The Congress has won two seats -- Dehra and Nalagarh, while the BJP won the Hamirpur seat. The Chief Minister said the voters have delivered a strong rebuke to the politics of horse trading and have voted to maintain political integrity in the state. "It had been long 25 years since Congress candidate won Dehra," the Chief Minister said. In Nalagarh too the Congress candidate secured a significant victory. "The election outcome has sent a clear message to the entire country and in future no candidate of any party in Himachal Pradesh will dare to engage him or her in horse-trading for the next 50 years," said the Chief Minister. He said attempts to destabilise the government since February 28 have been successfully thwarted and the conspiracies aimed at toppling the democratically elected government failed. With this victory, the number of Congress MLAs in the assembly has risen to 40 again. Sukhu criticised Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur for his repeated claims of forming the BJP government in the state. He said despite the clear mandate of the public, Thakur continued misleading the people by making false and exaggerated claims. The Chief Minister also condemned the deeds of three Independent MLAs and said these three have imposed the bye-election on the people by conspiring to overthrow the government. "Rather than supporting the Opposition in the Assembly, these MLAs left the state for a month and staged a protest to have their resignations accepted outside the Vidhan Sabha. The public has given a befitting reply to their obstinacy through the election results, also a good lesson for all those who were trying to destabilise the Congress government in the state," he added. Jaipur, July 13 : The state working committee meeting of the BJP will be held on Saturday in Jaipur where the leaders will discuss bypolls to be held on five seats in Rajasthan. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has reached Jaipur for the meeting in which a proposal for the party's upcoming agenda will be passed. Party officials said that besides strategising for victory in the upcoming assembly by-elections, the meeting will also review BJP's performance in the Lok Sabha elections. Rajasthan BJP President CP Joshi said, "About 8000 BJP leaders and officials will participate in this meeting to be held at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) in Sitapura." Former minister and party vice-president Prabhu Lal Saini said, "Today's meeting will be historic. For the first time, this meeting is being organised at such a large level." "Strategy will be decided in the meeting regarding the assembly by-elections. Political proposals will also be passed and different tasks will be given to the workers. The party's upcoming action plan will also be decided," he added. Two separate sessions will be held throughout the day in the state working committee meeting in which the upcoming action plans of the organisation will be discussed and proposals will be passed. As Chief Guest, Shivraj Singh Chauhan will get the political proposal passed in the meeting. A proposal will also be passed in the working committee regarding the achievements of the state and central governments. The party's upcoming campaigns and programmes will also be discussed in detail in the meeting. In the meeting, four Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Bhupendra Yadav and Bhagirath Chaudhary from Rajasthan will be felicitated. BJP's newly elected MPs will also be present on the occasion. All ministers including the Chief Minister, MLAs, District Presidents, public representatives associated with urban bodies, Panchayati Raj and cooperative institutions and divisional-level officials will attend the meeting. Aizawl, July 13 : In one of the biggest hauls this year, Mizoram Police arrested two drug peddlers including a woman and seized drugs worth over Rs 32.53 crore, police said on Saturday. A senior Police official said that acting on a tip-off, the police personnel intercepted a Bolero car moving from bordering Champhai district to Aizawl and recovered highly addictive 10,70,600 Methamphetamine tablets worth over Rs 32.11 crore. The 115.55 kg Methamphetamine tablets (also called Yaba tablet or party tablet), were contained in 106 packets. Drug peddler Lalrintluanga (50), who was the owner of the vehicle, was driving the vehicle. He confessed to the police that he with the help of the Myanmar smugglers imported the drugs from across the border. The Methamphetamine tablets contain a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and are largely misused as high-dosage drugs in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries, besides India. In another incident, police recovered 1429 grams heroin, valued over Rs 42.87 lakh from one vehicle and arrested Lalduhawmi (27) near Zokhawthar Play Ground in the same Champhai district. Police registered separate cases under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985. Out of 11 districts in Mizoram, most of the smuggling of drugs, explosives and other contraband from Myanmar takes place through the Champhai District. Mizoram shares a 510 km India-Myanmar unfenced border. Patna, July 13 : Unidentified gunmen on Saturday shot dead two persons in Bihar's Munger district on Saturday. An official said that the incident took place at an eatery on the approach road to Sri Krishna Setu. He identified the deceased as Manjit Mandal and Chandan Kumar, both residents of Shastri Nagar under Kasim Bazar police station. Shankar Shah, the owner of the eatery, said that the victims came to his shop and gave him Rs 500 to buy some snacks. "After I served them the snacks in their car and returned to the shop, two bike-borne assailants arrived and opened fire on them indiscriminately. They then fled towards Sri Krishna Setu," Shankar Shah said. Rajesh Kumar SDPO of Sadar range Munger said that both the dead bodies have been sent for postmortem. "We have called the FSL team to collect the evidence. The police team has recovered over one dozen dead cartridges from the scene. Manjit Mandal, one of the victims, was a property dealer and had a criminal history," said SDPO Rajesh Kumar. He said that the police are currently investigating the incident to uncover more details. "The motive behind the double murder is not ascertained yet," he said. Mumbai, July 13 : Actor Ashok Pathak, who essays the role of Binod in the fan-favourite streaming series 'Panchayat', has shared his opinion on the biggest problem plaguing the state of Bihar. Ashok, who is originally from Darweshpure, Siwan in Bihar, migrated to Hissar in Haryana for work along with his family. The actor said that this phenomenon of migration is the biggest problem that Bihar faces. The actor told 'Digital Commentary', "Bihar's biggest problem has always been migration. Who would want to leave their home and go to a different place with a culture different from theirs! Nobody wants to live away from their parents and come back home once every 6 months or 1 year." He further mentioned: "Can you imagine the kind of pain and heartbreak that such people undergo? Living all alone away from the people who they love the most. I feel that a person should never be judged for where they come from and which state they belong to." Meanwhile, Ashok's film 'Sister Midnight', which also stars Radhika Apte, was screened under Directors Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival. After the screening, the film received a 10-minute standing ovation. Mumbai, July 13 : The humiliating defeat of Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) leader Jayant Patil in the biennial election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council held on Friday has exposed the rift in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) indicating that all is not well in the Opposition alliance. It is not just Jayant Patil who has expressed displeasure but another partner of the MVA, Samajwadi Ganrajya Paksha (SGP) founder and former legislator Kapil Patil has also blamed Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT for PWP leader's defeat. The blame game will cost the MVA, which was charged up after winning 30 seats against the MahaYuti's 17 in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, heavily in the run-up to the Assembly elections. PWP leader Jayant Patil on Saturday threw a bombshell today when he claimed that he had entered the electoral fray with the support of 12 NCP-SP legislators but after yesterdayas (Friday's) voting it was revealed that one of them split and voted against him. "I did not get 12 votes of NCP-SP legislators," he said, but clarified that despite his defeat he would remain with the MVA and the NCP-SP in the upcoming Assembly elections. The PWP leader also met NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar and discussed with him the outcome of the Council elections. The Shiv Sena-UBT's decision to field the party chief Thackeray's close confidant Milind Narvekar, who won by securing 24 votes, has now been questioned by the SGP. The PWP leader has also expressed anger over Thackerayas decision when the election was announced for 11 seats of the Council. SGP founder Kapil Patil targeted Shiv Sena-UBT and warned "Don't let the Lok Sabha election result go to your head, there are many issues in the state, pay attention to it. I have no discussion with Uddhav Thackeray or any leader. But, I have expressed regret, now let's see what they decide." However, he clarified that he will not go against "secular people" indicating that he will remain with the MVA in the Assembly elections. "Uddhav Thackeray said that the Mumbai Teachers' Constituency is yours, then why did he field his candidate," asked Kapil Patil who had represented the same constituency until recently as Shikshak Bharati leader. "The defeat of PWP leader Jayant Patil is shocking. Thackeray-led Shiv Sena's move to field its candidate in Hatkanangale led to the defeat of former MP Raju Shetti in the Lok Sabha elections. On the one hand, Shiv Sena-UBT says that the BJP is targeting smaller parties, then why are you doing the same," he asked. The SGP leader asked whether the MVA wants to bring the Left and disadvantaged parties closer or wants them to move away. He further said the MVA should decide whether or not to keep such parties together. He claimed that PWP leader Jayant Patil would have been easily elected but held the Thackeray-led party responsible for his defeat. Meanwhile, the BJP and Shiv Sena have also blamed Shiv Sena-UBT for the defeat of the PWP leader. Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said, "Shiv Sena-UBT did not help Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader Raju Shetti in the Lok Sabha elections. Shiv Sena-UBT defeated the candidate of Shikshak Bharati leader and former legislator Kapil Patil, an ally of the MVA. Ironically, Kapil Patil's SGP was founded in the presence of Uddhav Thackeray." "Now in the state Council election, the PWP leader Jayant Patil was defeated by a decisive margin. Who is working to eliminate the small parties? Maharashtra is watching," said Shelar. Shelar claimed that the smaller parties are now caught in the Shiv Sena-UBT's trap. "Little birds, you have found yourself in the pit of the python," he said. Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant also held Shiv Sena-UBT responsible for the PWP leader's defeat. "Not only the Congress but Shiv Sena-UBT's votes were also split in yesterday's Council election. Who was the invisible hand behind Milind Narvekar? The defeat of Shikshak Bharati nominee in the Mumbai Teachers' Constituency and PWP leader Jayant Patil are examples of how Congress and Shiv Sena-UBT destroy smaller parties," he said. However, Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut alleged the use of money to lure the legislators and engineer a split in the parties during the Council election. Kolkata, July 13 : : *The landslide victory of the Trinamool Congress in the bypolls for four Assembly constituencies in West Bengal left a lot of room for introspection for the BJP on the party's future strategy in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Kolkata, July 13 (IANS): *The landslide victory of the Trinamool Congress in the bypolls for four Assembly constituencies in West Bengal left a lot of room for introspection for the BJP on the partyas future strategy in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. In terms of the 2021 Assembly elections as well as the Assembly-wise results for the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP was comfortably ahead in three of the four Assembly constituencies namely Bagda in North 24 Parganas, Raiganj in North Dinajpur and Ranaghat-Dakshin in Nadia. The Trinamool Congress was marginally ahead in Maniktala in Kolkata. Now, in the bypolls, the Trinamool has not only been able to record a landslide victory margin at Maniktala but has also been able to clinch victories after overcoming the deficits in the past two elections at Bagda, Raiganj and Ranaghat-Dakshin. In the 2021 Assembly polls, the now deceased Trinamool Congress candidate from Maniktala Sadhan Pandey won by a margin of just 20,238 votes securing 57,577 votes which was 50.82 per cent of the total votes polled, leaving the BJPas Kalyan Chaube in the second position with 47.339 or 35.60 per cent of the total votes polled. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls the Trinamool Congressas lead margin in Maniktala came down to just 3,575. However, in the bypolls, Trinamool Congress candidate and Sadhan Pandeyas widow, Supti Pandey won by a massive margin of 62,312 votes securing 83,110 votes which is 71.65 per cent of the total votes polled. The BJPas Kalyan Chaube came a distant second bagging just 20,798 votes or 17.93 per cent of the total votes polled. At Bagda, the BJP candidate Biswajit Das was elected in 2021 by a margin of 9,792 votes which was 49.41 per cent of the total votes polled, leaving the Trinamoolas Paritosh Kumar Saha in the second position with 98,319 or 44.94 per cent of the total votes polled. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJPas lead margin from Bagda increased to 20,614 votes. However, the trend has completely reversed within a month in the bypolls, where Trinamool candidate Madhuparna Thakur got elected by a margin of 33,455 votes bagging 107,706 votes or 55.04 per cent of the total votes polled. The BJP candidate Binay Kumar Biswas ended second getting just 74,251 or just 37.95 per cent of the total votes polled. At Raiganj, BJP candidate Krishna Kalyani was elected in 2021 by a margin of 20,748 votes bagging 79,775 votes which was 49.44 per cent of the total votes polled, leaving the Trinamoolas Kanhaiya Lal Agarwal in the second position with 59,027 or 36.58 per cent of the votes polled. Kalyani had to resign as the legislator before the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls since he was contesting as a Trinamool candidate from the Raiganj Lok Sabha seat. However, he trailed from the Raiganj Assembly seat by a margin of 46,739 votes then. However, Kalyani was able to reverse the trend in the bypolls as a Trinamool candidate again by clinching victory by a massive margin of 50,007 votes bagging 86,479 votes. The BJPas Manas Kumar Ghosh came second getting just 36,402 votes. The trend was not different in Ranaghat Dakshin. In 2021, the BJPas Dr Mukut Mani Adhikari got elected from there by a margin of 16,515 votes, bagging 119,260 of the total votes polled. The Trinamoolas Barnali Dey Roy then finished in the second position with 1,02,745 or 42.51 per cent of the total votes polled. Adhikari had to resign as the legislator before the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls since he was contesting as a Trinamool candidate from the Ranaghat Lok Sabha constituency. However, he trailed in Ranaghat-Dakshin by a margin of 35,936 votes then. In the bypoll Adhikari was able to reverse the trend by clinching victory from Ranaghat- Dakshin by a margin of 39,048 votes bagging 113533 or 55.08 per cent of the total votes polled. The BJPas Manoj Kumar Biswas finished second with 74,485 or 36.13 per cent of the total votes polled. Political observers feel that the results of the bypolls at Bagda and Ranaghat-Dakshin, both dominated by voters from the Matua community, are a concern for the BJP since it had been enjoying the support of the Matua voters since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls which continued in 2024 as well. Moscow, July 13 : Days after the EU's top diplomat Josep Borell admitted there is a high level of support for Russia and its President Vladimir Putin among African nations and people, Egyptian activist and African Legacy Forum founding member Gamal Abdel Nasser contended that the European powers fail to acknowledge their colonial legacy in present dealings with various nations of the continent. Nasser, who is named after his illustrious grandfather and Egyptian President, who overthrew the country's monarchy and faced off with then-colonial powers, recalled how the USSR had helped liberation movements in various African nations. "We have a good working past with Russia. Of course, it had its ups and downs, but we have a much worse past with the colonising nations of Europe," Nasser said in an interview to RT. Noting European countries had long been carrying out political and military interference in Africa, he said that Africans do not have a "memory loss", and are aware of what happened in the past centuries. "If they want to work with us - OK, but we need them not to forget this past," Nasser added. "We work with the countries that are willing to work with us on a fair basis and we do not want to be dictated on how we should govern ourselves, what our fiscal policy should be, or who we should talk to, and who we should support and who we should not support. This is still the mentality of the past. Itas the neo-colonisation. If they are thinking itas either Russia or the West, then they are still thinking with this mentality," he told RT. His reaction came as EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, speaking at the NATO Public Forum in Washington as part of NATO's 75th anniversary summit, on Thursday expressed surprise about the level of support African people are showing towards Russia, and called for a new approach focused on information warfare to influence perceptions. His remarks came amid closer ties between Russia and various African nations in several fields, including security. Some West African nations have ended their counter-terrorism agreements with Western nations and turned to Russia for assistance. In 2023, delegations from 48 African countries took part in the Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg. At the event, the Kremlin declared that almost all had been subjected to "unprecedented" pressure from the West, which tried to prevent their participation. Mumbai, July 13 : The Pune police has registered a case against at least seven persons, including controversial probationary IAS officer Puja D. Khedkar's mother Manorama D. Khedkar, who had allegedly threatened a farmer with a pistol, officials said on Saturday. The complaint was lodged at Paud Police Station in Pune late on Friday by farmer, Pandharinath K. Pasalkar against Manorama Khedkar, her husband Dilip Khedkar, relative Ambadas Khedkar, two unidentified men and two women, said Paud Police Station IO S.S. Devkate. "The incident happened on June 5, last year at Dhavali village on the lands owned by Pasalkar when his caretaker Maruti Maragale and his family were abused, and threatened at gun-point by the Khedkars and others," Devkate told IANS. Earlier, Pasalkar had claimed that despite repeated attempts, the police failed to take cognisance of the matter for a year, but it was only after a video of the incident went viral in the past couple of days that the Paud police registered the complaint, and have initiated a probe. Simultaneously, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has served a notice to Manorama Khedkar asking her to remove certain illegal constructions within and outside her bungalow in the posh Baner Road in the city. In a related development, in the state-level probe, it has emerged that Puja Khedkar had secured her visual impairment (2018) and mental illness (2020) certificates from the Ahmednagar Civil Hospital, and later a combined certificate was issued in 2021 for her UPSC exams, said the District Health Officer Dr. Sanjay Ghogare. The fast-paced developments came a day after the Centre appointed a one-man committee of a senior IAS officer Manoj Dwivedi, the Additional Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training, to probe all allegations against Khedkar and submit the enquiry report within a fortnight. The Pune policeas Chaturshringi Traffic Department has earlier slapped a notice to Khedkar, currently posted as Assistant Collector in Washim, to submit the relevant documents of her Audi-A4 white on which several irregularities like affixing aMaharashtra Governmenta stickers, a beacon light, and several unpaid past traffic achallansa were detected. Meanwhile, Dilip K. Khedkar, a retired senior state government officer and a losing candidate of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, has stoutly denied all the allegations against his daughter, attributing them to vested interests. Mumbai, July 13 : Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) founder Prakash Ambedkar on Saturday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha's Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi to set ablaze copies of the Manusmriti if they actually love the Constitution. "If both BJP and Congress actually love the Constitution, I demand Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi to burn copies of Manusmriti," said the VBA chief, who is the grandson of B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He claimed that both the BJP and the Congress have attacked the Constitution and repeatedly exploited the marginalised and deprived castes and communities. "They have corrupted the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar and the values enshrined in the Constitution," the VBA chief said. He also accused the Congress of being the 'A-team' of the BJP, claiming that it first encouraged the RSS from which the BJP was born, and now it (Congress) is promoting the BJP. New Delhi, July 13 : Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Diya Kumari on Saturday said that her government is determined to provide four lakh jobs, in the government sector, in the next five years. She said that the government has also proposed to establish a Data Center Policy which will be a asunrisea sector. She added that the Rajasthan Petro Zone announced in the Budget aims to provide integrated development of allied industries. aOur new Industrial Policy 2024 will focus on aEase of Doing Businessa and asustainabilitya,a the Deputy Chief Minister said. She said that tourism, arts and culture promotion is part of the state governmentas ten resolutions with the aim of aViksit Rajasthan 2047a, adding, that developing Rajasthan as a wedding destination and developing lesser-known areas for tourists will be the governmentas main focus. Interview Excerpts: IANS: Your governmentas Budget has set a target of aDeveloped Rajasthan 2047a. However, the state stands second on the unemployment index. How would you address the unemployment issue? Diya Kumari: We are determined to provide the youth with employment according to their capabilities and build their capacity. We have promised four lakh jobs in the government sector for the next five years. For the current year, we have raised one lakh jobs. Through skill development, we aim to provide another six lakh jobs. We have also provisioned AI-based counselling services, apprenticeship-internship programs and exposure visits for the youth to other states and abroad in this Budget. We are bringing the aState Skill Policya in order to update the curriculum in the various streams in the state. Under the aAtal Entrepreneurship Programa, CEOs of various national and international companies will act as mentors for the youth. We have announced a Rs 100 crore fund for providing financial support to start-ups through equity funding. We have also announced AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effect, Gaming, Comics a" Extended Reality) Policy, which aims to provide 50,000 jobs in the next five years for the youth. For skill development, we have started the Learn, Earn, and Program (LEAP) program. We are pushing job-centric policies with an eye towards emerging sectors where youth may upgrade their skills and make their career in both government and private sector and even become job-provider instead of job-seekers. IANS: Your government has announced nine green expressways and roads for 53,000 km. Is there any deadline being set to ensure timely completion of work? Diya Kumari: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a policy that whichever project he lays the foundation is inaugurated by him only. We will also follow PM Modias footsteps and complete all projects in a time-bound manner. We will give our cent per cent efforts to realise that all these projects get completed on time. We have set aside a Budget of Rs 9,000 crore for the development, upgradation and repair work of bypass roads, elevated roads, flyovers, ROBs, RUBs, and high-level bridges. Our 9 Greenfield Expressway, measuring 2750 kms, will prove to be a paradigm shift in the road infrastructure and connectivity in the state. We have set aside Rs 30 crore for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of these projects. IANS: What is Rajasthan Petro Zone in Balotra? Diya Kumari: Rajasthan Petro Zone announced in the Budget aims to provide integrated development of allied industries which focus on the downstream products from the oil exploration in the area. This planned development will also attract investment, and create business opportunities and jobs for the local youth. It will also generate a revenue stream which will be used for the welfare of the downtrodden. IANS: Your government has announced specific policies for every sector. Has the government planned how to implement these policies on the ground? Diya Kumari: Our new Industrial Policy 2024 will focus on aEase of Doing Businessa and asustainabilitya. The policy will include the development of atheme-baseda industrial parks with a focus on Research and Development (R&D) and the promotion of Green Technology. We are also coming up with the MSME policy, Export Promotion Policy, Garment and Apparel Policy, Rajasthan Warehouse and Logistic Policy, and most importantly Data Center Policy a" which is a asunrisea sector. We have also announced to set up Indiaas first Data Exchange a" Raj D.Ex. The new policies provide the hassle-free layout of the sectoral development and are up-to-date in the changing ecosystem of the business environment. Thus, it ensures that there are no policy pitfalls for investors and businesses. Ease of Doing Business and sustainability remain the keywords for us to focus on. IANS: Huge funds were sanctioned for the tourism sector under the previous government which were left unused. Your government has also sanctioned huge funds for the sector. Are there any proper plans to ensure that these funds donat lapse again? Diya Kumari: The contribution of tourism to our GSDP is 5.6 per cent and around 20 lakh families are directly or indirectly dependent on the sector. It was a mistake on the part of the previous government not to utilise the funds. Tourism, arts and culture promotion is part of our ten resolutions with the aim of aViksit Rajasthan 2047a. So, tourism is our focus area for the next five years. We have set aside Rs 5,000 crore to develop heritage, religious, rural, adventure and eco-tourism. I have also announced a new Rajasthan Tourism Development Board which will use these funds through the Rajasthan Tourism Infrastructure and Capacity Building Fund (RTICF). We have also created the Rajasthan Heritage Conservation and Development Authority and have set aside Rs 100 crore for the Jaipur Walled City Heritage Development Plan for the UNESCO World Heritage City. Developing Rajasthan as a wedding destination and developing lesser-known sites for tourists will be our focus. IANS: Your government has announced the 'Green Budget' from the next year. Diya Kumari: The Central government is pursuing the policy of aGreen Growtha. We are also promoting the theme through the use of EV buses, non-use of plastic, and the promotion of solar energy, etc. Green technology and sustainability are the keywords of our Budget. We are introducing policies which focus on increasing the use of aGreen and Sustainablea technology. We are also establishing a Forest Carbon Credit Certification Mechanism. It will provide the policy framework and encourage businesses and people to invest in green technology. This will lay the foundation for the Green Budget next year, which will be to promote sustainable technologies in various sectors. IANS: The amnesty scheme in different areas has been announced. What does it aim for? Diya Kumari: Amnesty schemes are an effort to encourage defaulters to clear their dues. Various amenity schemes have been announced with the view of increasing the revenue which was not recoverable, so far. IANS: Rajasthan is under huge debt. What are the revenue streams set in the Budget which can help the state to come out of the debt? Diya Kumari: Yes, there are legacy issues. However, our government will find a way to overcome these. The stateas revenue deficit this year would be 1.45 per cent of the GSDP and the fiscal deficit is expected to be 3.93 per cent which would be under the prescribed FRBM limits. We would be saving Rs 150 crore through better management of the resources in this Budget. We are focusing on the operational efficiency as well. We are also focusing on efficient resource mobilisation through alternative or innovative financing. In the health sector, RajMES, RMSCL, etc. are leveraging their resources. In the water sector, ERCP Corp and RWSSCas operation and maintenance (O&M) will be shifted to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in a time-bound manner. We are determined to work with a futuristic approach focusing on alternative funding mechanisms in order to deliver effective and efficient delivery of public services. Srinagar, July 13 : J&K Police on Saturday took action against two clerics in Anantnag district for using "derogatory language" against a particular community. Srinagar, July 13 (IANS) J&K Police on Saturday took action against two clerics in Anantnag district for using "derogatory language" against a particular community. "We have taken decisive action against two religious clerics, Mushtaq Ahmad Veeri and Abdul Rashid Dawoodi, for using inflammatory language targeting a specific community," police in a statement said. "The derogatory remarks made by the clerics were brought to the attention of the Anantnag Police, who promptly initiated proceedings under the relevant provisions of the law. The clerics have been bound down to prevent further inflammatory speech," police said. J&K Police said that they have adopted zero tolerance towards those preachers and clerics who indulge in reckless, inflammatory speeches stoking tension between the communities. --IANS sq/dan Beijing, July 13 : China's meteorological and water resources authorities on Saturday evening issued a warning of impending mountain torrents in some regions. According to an orange alert issued by the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration, mountain torrents are expected to occur in parts of Sichuan and Yunnan between 8 pm Saturday to 8 pm Sunday. The two departments also issued a yellow alert for mountain torrents in parts of Xinjiang, reports Xinhua news agency. Localities have been advised to strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warnings, prepare for possible evacuations, and implement other risk-mitigation measures. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. New Delhi, July 13 : A month after making a clean sweep in Uttarakhand in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a major jolt in the hilly state as it lost both seats - Badrinath and Manglaur - in the Assembly bypolls. Congress candidates Lakhpat Singh Butola and Qazi Nizamuddin won the Badrinath and Manglaur assembly seats, marking a strong comeback for the party. Congress' performance was hailed by party veterans like Harish Rawati who called it a "warning for the BJP" and also said that this was an indication of what to expect in the 2027 Assembly elections. BJP's poor show in the by-polls raises questions on the party's poll prospects in Assembly polls, slated for 2027. Following the by-poll debacle, the party's state unit Chief Mahendra Bhatt has vowed to undertake a thorough review of performance and also the reasons behind loss. He told media persons that the party had lost the Badrinath seat earlier as well and hence today's results are no surprise. He however said that the party will go deeper to analyse the reasons behind drubbing because large-scale development in the state under BJP government was expected to reflect in votes. According to data from Election Commission, Congress fetched 28,161 votes in Badrinath and secured 31, 727 votes in Manglaur. Congress nominee Lakhpat Singh Butola defeated BJP's Rajendra Bhandari by about 5,000 votes. As per electoral figures, the Badrinath seat hasn't been a preserve of any particular party. In the past few decades, it has alternated between Congress and BJP. In 2002 and 2012, Congress won this seat while in 2007 and 2017, BJP bagged this Assembly constituency. In 2022, the BJP lost this seat despite Mahendra Bhatt contesting the poll battle against Rajendra Bhandari. The seat was vacated after Bhandari resigned from the grand old party and switched over to BJP, just ahead of the 2024 elections this year. BJP reposed faith in Bhandari's 'winnability' and fielded him from the same seat on its ticket but he failed to deliver the results and succumbed before the Congress challenge. Notably, caste dynamics play a critical role in the Manglaur seat but Badrinath, part of the Pauri Garhwal Lok Sabha constituency holds both spiritual and strategic significance. BJP has never won Manglaur, with the seat primarily a fight between Congress and BSP, the loss in Badrinath does send alarm bells ringing for the BJP, in the wake of several development projects underway for improving the Chardham Yatra. Seoul, July 13 : South Korea's National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin said Saturday the South Korea-US alliance will remain sturdy regardless of whether former American President Donald Trump regains the presidency. "Regarding the South Korea-US alliance, (we) have a solid support base across both the ruling and opposition sides in the United States," Chang said during his appearance on Yonhap News TV. "Those from the Trump camp also tell us not to worry too much about the South Korea-U.S. alliance, and they even say that they will strengthen it further," the National Security Advisor noted. The government is preparing for various variables that may arise on different issues in the event Trump regains the presidency, he said. Chang also stressed that the future of the South Korea-Russia relationship depends on Russia's behavior, reports Yonhap news agency. Following the military agreement between Russia and North Korea, South Korea has announced "stern" response measures and relayed "messages" to Russia, while Russia has begun dialogue and reopened "diplomatic spaces" with Seoul following President Vladimir Putin's visit to the North, according to him. "How Russia manages the relationship with South Korea and what actions will be taken between Russia and North Korea ... will inevitably become important factors in shaping our policies and future relationship with Russia," Chang noted. He added that depending on Russia's behavior in its relationship with the North, South Korea may also decide to adjust its assistance to Ukraine, which has focused on humanitarian aid and non-lethal weapons. "We will definitely reconsider (the extend of our aid to Ukraine) if Russia and North Korea engage in, for example, weapons exchanges or the transfer of military technology or strategic resources beyond a certain level," he said. Patna, July 13 : One person died after a fire broke out at a multi-storey building in Patna's Nehru Nagar locality on Saturday. Patna, July 13 (IANS) One person died after a fire broke out at a multi-storey building in Patna's Nehru Nagar locality on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Anil Kumar Singh, a builder having his residence in the building. The SHO at the Patliputra police station confirmed Singh's death, saying that the exact cause of his death will be determined after the postmortem report. The fire started around 3 p.m. at Super City Enclave in Nehru Nagar. Residents immediately informed the local police and fire services about the incident. By the time help arrived, the fire had engulfed a large portion of the building. Four people were trapped on the top floor and, unable to descend due to the intense flames, sought refuge on the rooftop. They were eventually rescued by firefighters. Fire Department officer Rakesh Kumar said: "As soon as we received information about the fire, firefighters rushed to the location. We used 13 fire tenders to extinguish the flames. As the building was located on a narrow path, we utilised long pipes to reach the fire." The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. By Takuya Karube, KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2024 - 10:31 | All, World NATO's push in recent years for practical cooperation with its Indo-Pacific partners -- Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea -- was on full display at an annual summit marking the alliance's 75th anniversary. But such efforts could peak and ultimately lose momentum, depending on the results of the U.S. presidential election in November. The three-day summit through Thursday in Washington was expected to be the most important diplomatic event that U.S. President Joe Biden would host in 2024, with his administration officials preparing for months to place his leadership in rebuilding multilateralism on center stage. Yet as the 81-year-old leader faces increasing headwinds in his bid for a second term, the prospect of NATO skeptic Donald Trump returning to the White House ended up stealing the focus. Biden's shaky performance in a television debate late last month with Trump, his predecessor and Republican rival in the election, ignited a fresh round of concerns over the incumbent's age and doubts about whether he can serve four more years in office. As a consequence, his every movement and utterance during the summit came under intense scrutiny. There are few pundits and foreign officials who expect the efforts of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other multilateral mechanisms to continue on their current track if Trump regains the presidency. "If Trump were to suddenly withdraw from NATO or quickly reduce the U.S. military presence in Europe, I would expect European allies to be very preoccupied trying to fill these capability shortfalls," said Kelly Grieco, a senior fellow in the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program at the Stimson Center. "Deepening cooperation with the IP4 would fall way down the list of priorities," she said, using a common shortened term for the four Indo-Pacific partners. In the run-up to the November election, the U.S. capital, where the transatlantic alliance was formed by 12 initial members in 1949, was considered the perfect setting to highlight some of Biden's international accomplishments since taking office three and a half years ago. Along with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden has asserted since the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that security challenges in Europe and Asia are inextricably linked. NATO's engagement with the Indo-Pacific partners was elevated when their leaders participated for the first time in the alliance's annual summit in 2022, which took place in Madrid. It was the year the invasion began and also when NATO for the first time labeled China as an actor posing "systemic challenges" to Euro-Atlantic security. For the third consecutive year, NATO leaders held a meeting with their counterparts from the Indo-Pacific partners, reaffirming that they share many common concerns and strategic interests. These range from China's growing military capabilities and its deepening relations with Russia to cyber defense and disinformation. At a press conference to cap off the summit, Biden stressed his administration has "strengthened the Asian-Pacific area more than anyone else has" and slowed down China's attempts to expand its presence by working more closely with Washington's allies and like-minded partners. His national security adviser Jake Sullivan also told reporters when NATO's meeting with the four partners was taking place on Thursday, "As we speak right now, we've got Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand sitting in that room, confirming that we will coordinate closely with our closest democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific." "There is a network, a latticework of allies, globally, standing up for democracy and standing against the kind of aggression we've seen from (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and the support for that aggression from some of these other dictators," he said. At the meeting, NATO and the four countries agreed to launch joint initiatives in areas including cybersecurity and countering disinformation. Japan also agreed to improve its coordination with NATO to share confidential information, based on their bilateral partnership agreement. Mirna Galic, a senior policy analyst for China and East Asia at the United States Institute of Peace, said that "the heavy lifting on these relationships" including in terms of promoting their importance and institutionalizing the IP4 countries into NATO structures and forums, has been done effectively. "This kind of work will continue without the need for any further encouragement by the next U.S. administration," she said. "These relationships are now well on their way." Grieco of the Washington-based think tank, however, believes the 32 NATO members will differ as to their degree of interest in extending the alliance's reach to Indo-Pacific issues, regardless of who wins the U.S. presidential election. "Many European allies, especially those in the east, want the alliance to prioritize the Russian threat and continental defense, particularly with the war in Ukraine, and worry NATO's Indo-Pacific tilt is a distraction," Grieco said. As the U.S. role has been vital in managing the Ukraine crisis, she suggested other NATO members, including France and Germany, have been willing to defer to the Biden administration's strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific. But, she said, they are wary of being drawn into the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry in light of their economic ties with the Asian power. "At the end of the day, Europeans view Russia as posing a greater military threat closer to home than any security threat from China," she said. "For Europe, China is mainly a political and economic competitor, not a military one." Related coverage: NATO, Indo-Pacific leaders agree to cooperate more on mutual concerns U.S. envoy hails tighter NATO, Indo-Pacific ties amid China rise Japan, South Korea leaders agree North Korea-Russia ties as serious threat Mumbai, July 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon newspapers to enhance their presence worldwide as a country's "global image directly affects its economy". Reiterating India's march to become the third largest economy in the near future, the Prime Minister said that it is the responsibility of the media to take India's success to every corner of the globe. The Prime Minister was speaking after the inauguration of INS (Indian Newspaper Society) Towers in Mumbai. He also mentioned the growing importance of the Indian diaspora with the rise in the stature of India and its growing ability to contribute to global progress. Prime Minister Modi wished for the expansion of Indian publication in all UN languages. Websites, microsites or social media accounts of these publications can be in those languages, he suggested adding the ease provided by AI in such endeavours. The Prime Minister said that the media is not a mute spectator of the conditions of the nations but plays a major role in changing them. He underlined the role of newspapers and magazines in the next 25-year journey to 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India). He also highlighted the media's role in creating awareness about the rights and potential of the citizenry. He cited the success of digital transactions in India as an example of how confident citizens achieve great success. He said that major nations are interested in India's digital public infrastructure. He acknowledged the partnership of the media in these successes. Prime Minister Modi mentioned the natural role of the media in creating discourse by discussing serious issues. He also emphasised the impact of government policies on the functioning of the media. He took up the example of financial inclusion and opening of bank accounts through the movement of 'Jan Dhan Yojna' and the integration of about 50 crore people with the banking system. "This project was the biggest help in Digital India and initiatives to curb corruption," he said. Similarly, the Prime Minister said, initiatives like 'Swachh Bharat' and Startup India were not impacted by vote bank politics. He lauded the media for making these movements a part of national discourse. The Prime Minister pointed out that any event kicked off by the government may not necessarily be a government event and any idea emphasised may not only belong to the government. He gave examples of campaigns like 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' and 'Har Ghar Tiranga' that were initiated by the government but were taken forward by the entire nation. Similarly, the Prime Minister highlighted the government's emphasis on environmental protection which is a humanitarian issue rather than a political one and mentioned the recently launched 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign which is being discussed around the world. World leaders also showed a keen interest in the programme during the G7 Summit attended by the Prime Minister. He urged all media houses to join the trend for a better future for the younger generations. "I urge media houses to take forward such initiatives as an effort towards the nation," he added. Noting the 75th-year celebrations of the Constitution of India, the Prime Minister underlined the important role of media in heightening the sense of duty and awareness of the citizens towards the Constitution The Prime Minister said that tourism too needs collective branding and marketing by everyone. He suggested that newspapers can choose a month to promote tourism of a particular state. "This will increase mutual interest among the states," he said. Bengaluru, July 13 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that the land belonging to the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah "originally" belonged to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the family has been "compensated" as well. Bengaluru, July 13 (IANS) Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that the land belonging to the wife of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah "originally" belonged to the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and the family has been "compensated" as well. "The land near Kesare in Mysuru, purchased by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife, was acquired by MUDA. The family has also taken the compensation for it. The land rightfully belongs to MUDA. However, the de-notification and subsequent purchase of this land is illegal," Kumaraswamy said during a press conference at the party's state office in JP Bhavan. He claimed that the original owner of the land was Linga alias Jawara. "In 1992, MUDA had issued a notification to acquire this land. The final acquisition notification came in 1995. MUDA had already paid for 3 acres and 16 guntas of this land to the court in 1992," he said. He said that despite the completion of these processes, Linga's name appeared again in 1998, leading to de-notification. He also questioned the legitimacy of showing the land as agricultural when it was donated to Siddaramaiah's wife, despite the land having been converted. Kumaraswamy also questioned why no one had verified the background of the land at the time and asked what the District Commissioner doing during the land conversion process. He also pointed out that the de-notification was done under Linga alias Jawara's name in 1988. "In 2004, Mallikarjunaswamy, brother-in-law of Siddaramaiah purchased the land and applied for land conversion in 2005, when Siddaramaiah was the Deputy Chief Minister," he said. During the press conference, he also displayed some documents related to the case. "I have all the documents. This is not a hit-and-run case as often criticised by Siddaramaiah. I am providing information along with the documents," he claimed. "Special Representative at New Delhi from Karnataka, senior Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra submitted the NICE scam report. What have you done about it? Your party members threatened to kill Jayachandra for submitting the report," he said. Imphal, July 13 : The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF), the apex body of the Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur, in an open letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, accused central probe agencies and security forces of taking action against "innocent tribals, who are facing the brunt of the violence in the ongoing ethnic conflict". ITLF Chairman Pagin Haokip and General Secretary Muan Tombing, in their jointly signed letter, also urged the Union Home Minister to expedite their demand for a political solution to the ethnic crisis and formation of a Union Territory with a legislature for the Kuki-Zo community under Article 239A of the Constitution. Haokip and Tombing alleged that recently 12 Kuki women were beaten, leading to five of them being hospitalised, while five Kuki village volunteers were arrested by central security forces. They accused the "majority community, which controls all the state's resources" of carrying out its "ethnic cleansing" campaign, while "central agencies are also arresting people on terror charges for simply trying to protect their community" and said genuine cases can be taken up after a political solution is in place. It claimed that the militias with automatic weapons are freely operating in the state capital and surrounding valley and the state police and central security forces have become "mere spectators as these militants travel freely in vehicles, brandishing guns and openly calling for the genocide of the Kuki-Zo tribes". It also questioned the lack of "sincere efforts" to recover "around 6,000 weapons and lakhs of (rounds of) ammunition looted from state armouries" or arrest militant leaders, including radical Meitei group "Arambai Tenggol" chief Kourunganba Khuman. "We will not cooperate with the security forces if they continue to act in a biased manner. Acton cannot be one-sided," the ITLF stated. Demanding promulgation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Imphal and other valley areas to recover the looted arms and ammunition, the tribal body said that to address the bogey of "illegal immigration," the government should document all the people who have fled to Manipur due to the crisis in Myanmar, issue ID cards, and house the refugees in designated camps. "Regarding Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's recent remarks in which he said peace talks have started, ITLF's leadership and leaders of other tribal Civil Society Organisations are not aware of any talks. The CM should stop spreading rumours to gain public support. If some people have taken part in any meeting, they are doing so in their personal capacity," the ITLF said in the open letter. Bengaluru, July 13 : Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said that the Karnataka DGP is "acting" like a police constable who is trying desperately to "frame" his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy. "A discussion took place in the DGP office until 11 p.m. about filing a case against Nikhil Kumaraswamy (my son) regarding the protest held in Ramanagar recently. You have finished off everyone in former PM H.D. Deve Gowda's family. Only Nikhil is left. Are you now trying to make him the primary accused?" Kumaraswamy said. He added, "What is the DGP attempting to do based on what the ministers say? The DGP is working like a constable." He said that the multi-crore tribal welfare scam came out only because of Chandrasekaran's suicide. "In such cases, the DGP office has been turned into a constable's office. Are you doing the work of a DGP or a constable?" he said. On the sex video case, Kumaraswamy said that the victims were called to the DGP's office, their signatures were taken on the printed complaint copies and the women were sent to a television channel to give interviews. "Is this the job of the DGP?" Kumaraswamy questioned. New Delhi, July 13 : Underscoring the importance of data protection awareness even in the remotest corner of the country, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday emphasised the need of providing legal aid to cybercrime victims, especially in rural areas. Taking cognisance of increasing cyber crime incidents with increasing digital penetration in the country, he said this was a new area of concern for agencies, investigators, regulators and the legal fraternity, and called for developing technical and human expertise to tackle it. Addressing the valedictory session of the third cyber security conference organised by the Global Counter Terrorism Council (GCTC) at Vigyan Bhavan here, the Vice President said innocent people are being duped by fraudulent elements. India now has over 820 million active internet users and has achieved banking inclusion for over 500 million individuals. Dhankhar said a secure digital environment fosters innovation, attracts investment, and facilitates seamless economic activities. Highlighting the changing nature of contemporary warfare, the Vice President emphasised that war has transcended conventional boundaries, extending beyond land, space, and sea into new technological realms. "A nation's preparedness in terms of advanced technologies will be crucial in defining its global promise and strategic strength," he noted. The implementation of key initiatives, including the National Cyber Security Policy, the establishment of the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, and updates to the Information Technology Act 2000, signify a significant advancement in safeguarding the countryas digital infrastructure, the Vice President noted. Jaipur, July 13 : Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday said that foreign powers did their best to "stop" Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming to power for a third time. "Foreign powers interfered in Lok Sabha elections. These powers tried all ways and means to ensure that the BJP government doesn't get elected at the Centre for the third time," Chouhan said while addressing the BJP's State Working Committee meeting in Jaipur. BJP's election-in-charge and National Vice President Vinay Sahastrabuddhe also supported the Union Minister's remarks, saying that the BJP got fewer seats due to interference of foreign powers who played a "role" in the elections. "Foreign powers and the opposition's fake narrative on the reservation issue were two things due to which we got fewer seats. We got around 60 to 65 seats less, which is painful," he said. In Rajasthan, the BJP lost 11 seats out of 25 seats in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma told party workers to work hard as their work is being monitored. "You all are also being monitored by the organisation. Your work is also being monitored. I was also one amongst you till recently," the Chief Minister said. Agartala, July 13 : Tripura's opposition CPI-M-led Left Front called a 12-hour statewide shutdown on Sunday to protest against the murder of a CPI-M candidate for the South Tripura Zilla Parishad in the August 8 three-tier Gram Panchayats elections. The Congress has expressed its support. Tripura Left Front convener Narayan Kar alleged that Badal Shil was critically injured in a deadly attack by ruling BJP-backed assailants on Friday at Rajnagar in South Tripura district. The CPI-M leader, after preliminary treatment in the local hospital, was shifted to the government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday afternoon, Kar told the media on Saturday night. More than a dozen Left party leaders and members were injured across the state in the BJP attacks after the panchayat election schedule was announced on July 10. CPI-M Tripura state Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury said that the Left parties would not organise any picketing on Sunday in support of the state-wide shutdown and appealed to the people to spontaneously observe the dawn-to-dusk strike. Congress Working Committee member and former Minister Sudip Roy Barman said that his party would support the Left Front-sponsored shutdown on Sunday. However, BJP spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee said that his party would strongly oppose the shutdown as it would disturb the normal situation of the state ahead of the panchayat elections. Elections to the three-tier Gram Panchayats in Tripura will be held on August 8 and the votes will be counted on August 12. Amidst sporadic incidents of political violence, candidates of various political parties are submitting their nominations in 370 seats in 606 Gram Panchayats, 423 seats in 35 Panchayat Samitis, and 116 seats in eight Zilla Parishads. Nairobi, July 14 : Kenyan President William Ruto has directed security agencies to speed up investigations into the mysterious killings in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, after nine mutilated bodies were retrieved from a dumpsite in a slum. Ruto, who spoke in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, northwest Kenya, on Saturday, assured citizens that those behind the killings will be held to account, saying no stone will be left unturned, Xinhua news agency reported. "Nine bodies have been retrieved from Kware dumpsite in Mukuru kwa Njenga (slum), the majority being bodies of women and girls," he said and appealed to every Kenyan to uphold peace and conduct their business without breaking the law. The President has been under intense pressure to take firm action on security officers who have been abducting young Kenyans who have been holding anti-government and anti-tax hike demonstrations across the country. The bodies were well-wrapped in sacks and black polythene bags and later tied with ropes, while some had burns and were decomposing. The state-funded Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said at least nine deceased people were dumped less than 100 metre from the Kware police station. New Delhi, July 14 : Parents of at least 20 students of Delhi Public School (DPS) Dwarka have accused the institution of not allowing their children inside classrooms and publishing their wards' names on its official website over their outstanding fee dues. According to some parents, the action followed their refusal to pay the revised fee, which, they claim, was increased "without following Directorate of Education (DoE) norms". They said that the public display of their children's names breached their ward's Fundamental right to personal space and privacy. "The school maligned the reputation of children calling them defaulters though the parents have paid the complete fee and that too in advance," a parent said. Parents accused the school of harassing their children by demanding "unapproved" revised fees. "We have submitted numerous complaints since 2021 but got no relief," another said. They also accused the school management of hiring bouncers in 2022 to stop children (who have outstanding fees) from entering the school. "They (school management) sent bouncers in school buses so that children cannot board the bus. Teenage girls felt so uncomfortable travelling with bouncers who are more of a threat than a safety," a parent told IANS. "The DoE has not taken any concrete action so far... and has continuously failed to get its order implemented. The DoE nominees are not even allowed to enter the school and they just remain mute spectators," another parent said. "We are left with no choice but to accept the school atrocities as the matter relates to our children's future," said the father of a student, whose name was published on the school's website. "We moved the court against the DoE and the school... and the court ordered that parents will have to pay 50 per cent of the revised fee and names which had been struck off from the rolls should be immediately restored immediately but the school has no respect for the court order either," another parent said. "It seems that the Chairman and Vice Chairman (of the school) are so powerful that even no court or no department can touch them and they can do whatever they want," he claimed. Mumbai, July 14 : Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, recently seen in the streaming movie 'Blind', attended the Wimbledon Women's Final in London. Making a fashion statement, the actress exuded elegance and style. She donned an outfit designed by Bottega Veneta. For the occasion, she chose a sophisticated striking long yellow, blue, and black dress layered with the Optical Crinkle Cotton Check ensemble from the Pre-Fall 24 collection. The outfit featured a long-sleeved white, blue, and black shirt and a matching long skirt. She accessorised her look with a pair of sleek Tex Mule shoes in black, also from the Pre-Fall 24 collection. Adding a touch of exclusivity, Sonam carried the Liberta bag in black from the Winter 24 special preview, making a chic and timeless fashion statement at the prestigious event. Sonam, who is known as a fashion icon in the Hindi film industry, has long been celebrated for her impeccable fashion sense. Her consistently brilliant sartorial choices have made her a favourite among top fashion brands worldwide. As she gears up for her comeback after her pregnancy, Sonam has two major projects lined up, including 'Battle for Bittora', with details of the second tentpole project being kept under wraps. The actress and her husband Anand Ahuja welcomed their son, Vayu Kapoor Ahuja, in August 2022. KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2024 - 08:21 | All, World, Japan NATO wants to increase and expand its joint exercises with Japan in areas ranging from maritime to cyberspace, in order to deal with the more and more intertwined security challenges of Europe and Asia, the transatlantic alliance's chief said Friday. "The partnership with Japan has become even more important," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Kyodo News, especially as such interconnectivity has been laid bare by the Ukraine crisis, "where China, North Korea (and) Iran are enabling Russia's brutal war of aggression." Speaking in Washington a day after concluding a three-day summit marking NATO's 75th anniversary, Stoltenberg said the participation of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the alliance's highest-level annual discussions for the third straight year reflects the deepening cooperation between both sides. Quoting Kishida's oft-used phrase that "what happens in Ukraine today can happen in Asia tomorrow," he said, "It is in the interest of all of us to prevent President (Vladimir) Putin from winning in Ukraine." "We have some minor exercises, but we would like to expand and do more together with Japan" such as in the domains of sea and air, said Stoltenberg, who has been leading the world's largest military alliance, officially named the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, since 2014. During a one-on-one meeting on Thursday, Kishida and Stoltenberg agreed that Japan and NATO will conduct a joint drill in waters in the Euro-Atlantic region by the end of this year, in addition to boosting coordination on sharing confidential information between them, according to a Japanese official. Stoltenberg's remarks came as some NATO members, including Britain and Germany, have become active in holding joint defense exercises with Japan as they strengthen engagement with the Indo-Pacific region. Besides the United States, a number of European countries also recognize the marked shift of the world's economic and geopolitical power to the region, where China's growing military capabilities are most felt. With Japan and its three other Indo-Pacific partners -- Australia, New Zealand and South Korea -- NATO has agreed to launch what they call "flagship" initiatives in areas including artificial intelligence and countering disinformation. Stoltenberg welcomed Japan's plan to invite NATO members and like-minded partners for a meeting on measures against disinformation by next spring, saying the issue has been a "big challenge" posed by China and Russia. The NATO chief, who formerly served as Norway's prime minister, said he is also keen to work more closely with Japan because of its technological edge. Considering that "there's less and less distinction between civilian and military technologies," he said it would be mutually beneficial for NATO and Japan to advance defense industrial collaboration. Asked about North Korea's role in the war in Ukraine, Stoltenberg said "there's no doubt" the Asian country is providing "significant military support" to Russia. While declining to disclose sensitive intelligence, he said it was "absolutely clear" that the 32-member alliance is "deeply concerned" about the possibility of Russia supporting North Korea's missile and nuclear programs in return for receiving ammunition and other weapons from Pyongyang. On the idea of opening a NATO liaison office in Tokyo, a move once sought by some members of the alliance as part of efforts to promote its Indo-Pacific engagement, he said, "I continue to believe that this will be a good thing." But the 65-year-old chief, whose term ends in October, added it is an issue that should be addressed in the future. Related coverage: NATO, Indo-Pacific leaders agree to cooperate more on mutual concerns U.S. envoy hails tighter NATO, Indo-Pacific ties amid China rise Japan, South Korea leaders agree North Korea-Russia ties as serious threat Mogadishu, July 14 : Five inmates and three soldiers were killed, and 18 other prisoners were wounded after heavy gunfire broke out between security forces and prisoners who had attempted to escape in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The spokesperson for Custodial Corps Command Abdiqani Mohamed Khalaf said on Saturday that three soldiers were also injured during the operation, Xinhua news agency reported. The inmates, members of the al-Shabab militant group that had acquired some weapons and hand grenades, launched a bid to escape from Hamar Central Prison, prompting a shootout between the prison officers and the inmates. The prison authorities said they are investigating how the inmates acquired weapons and hand grenades to launch such daring escapes. "The security forces completed operations against al-Shabab members, the situation is calm at the moment and the forces eliminated all five prisoners. We have started investigations into the incident," he said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. Al-Shabab militants did not comment on the latest attack on the Hamar Central Prison. This is the second such deadly attack on the prison in Mogadishu by the group's inmates. The attack comes after nearly three months of relative peace in Mogadishu. Johannesburg, July 14 : Seven people were killed this past week and 196 homes have been completely destroyed as a result of raging wildfires in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, the provincial government said. The wildfires that started a week ago have affected a total of 751 people, and have damaged farms and homes in districts, including King Cetshwayo, Ilembe, uThukela and Zululand, the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said on Saturday in a statement. More than 14,000 hectares of grazing land have been destroyed by the fires with 1,600 animals lost, the department added as reported by Xinhua news agency. The number of houses destroyed is increasing as the wildfires are going on, according to Siboniso Duma, an official from the Provincial Council of Transport and Human Settlements, who added that they are still working to profile affected families. Manega Airport, Manega, Gabon [ MGO / ] If you are planning to travel to Manega or any other city in Gabon, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Manega Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Manega Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Gabon. Manega Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided. Manega Airport Info: Manega Airport IATA Code: MGO Manega Airport ICAO Code: Latitude : -1.73333 Longitude : 10.2167 City : Manega Country : Gabon World Area Code : 526 Airport Type : Small Timezone : Africa/Libreville Manega Airport Timezone : GMT +01:00 hours Current time and date at Manega Airport is 11:43:00 AM (WAT) on Thursday, Oct 10, 2024 Looking for information on Manega Airport, Manega, Gabon? Know about Manega Airport in detail. Find out the location of Manega Airport on Gabon map and also find out airports near to Manega. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Manega Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Manega Airport, airlines operating to Manega Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Gabon. Scroll down to know more about Manega Airport or Manega Airport, Gabon. Manega Airport Map - Location of Manega Airport Load Map Gabon - General Information Country Formal Name Gabonese Republic Country Code GA Capital Libreville Currency Franc (XAF) 1 XAF = 0.002 USD 1 USD = 588.883 XAF 1 XAF = 0.002 EUR 1 EUR = 655.957 XAF More XAF convertion rates Tel Code +241 Top Level Domain .ga This page provides all the information you need to know about Manega Airport, Gabon. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Gabon or traveling to Manega Airport. Details about Manega Airport given here include Manega Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes) Coordinates of Manega Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Manega Airport Location of Manega Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc... Manega Airport Time Zone and Current time at Manega Airport Address and contact details of Manega Airport along with website address of the airport Clickable Location Map of Manega Airport on Google Map. General information about Gabon where Manega Airport is located in the city of Manega. General information include capital of Gabon, currency and conversion rate of Gabon currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc... MGO - Manega Airport IATA Code Painter Heffernans graphic memoir debut, Babe in the Woods (Algonquin, Sept.), follows her winding path through fear and memory after taking the wrong turn on a hike with her infant son. Nature plays so many different roles in the bookterrifying, healing, disorienting. How did you go about conveying parallels between nature and new motherhood? It occurred to me after about a year of pounding out stories and drawings that the woods had to get darker as she goes deeper in and realizes that shes screwed things up. So, that idea of leaning into my surroundings, to play that beautiful background music I love so much in film and literature. It was kind of made to order: the gnarly trees and her gnarly confusions, and the branches that come and scratch at you the way memories do. How did you explore the blurry border between creativity and madnesslike in the images of heiress Sarah Winchesters house? I visited Winchester Mystery House as a child, right when my family moved to California from Peoria. It was clearly formative in a way that you cant articulate when youre six or eight or however old I was. And then I heard a podcast about how mediums who held seances at the house were mostly women. It gave them a mechanism for speaking truth in a context where otherwise theyd be silenced. The idea that Sarah Winchester took her guidance from other women in this wayI just love that. Thats kind of what painting has been. You cant be a liar. Its a separate entity, and your job is to just listen. What was so fun about the editing process of the book is that I got to get into the same mode, listening to that truthful voice. You describe how as an artist you fully visualize a painting in advance. What about a graphic novel? Painting never allows for a statement of This is bad. Painting just is. So the graphic novel allowed me to say, This is screwed up. I realized the things I needed to say to my family. Im the youngest in my family, so theres always that sense of being the underling. My dad did icky things when he was drinking, but he was basically a loving father. I think the love overwhelmed the messiness. Which is why this isnt a screed. How did the experience of taking this walk through the woods with a baby change you as a mother and as an artist? There are ways to be in the world with your kids, which our great-great ancestors knew. My son only melted down once we were safe. Now hes a biologist who wants to have adventures in the world. I took away this idea of just bringing your kid into your environment, writ large. In the backpack that I carried my children in, their heads would be a little higher than mine, so theyd be in the world even sooner than I could. Superior to their mother. Putting kids at a level slightly above you is powerful. Whether youre a parent or not, can you imagine a more agonizing situation? Its 2006, youre living in Ukraines Donetsk Region, and you have a baby boy. (Youll see in a moment why were talking about a boy and that this isnt a gender-neutral story.) Well call him Maksym, and the little guy is everything to you. During his childhood, you read stories to him, you rejoiced when he took his first steps, and you remember fondly how you carefully helped him put his first lost tooth under his pillow, so the tooth mouse would bring him a little gift. Then in 2014, when little Maksym was eight years old, what was almost the worst thing in the world happened to you. The Russian invaders kidnapped your little boy, and forcibly transferred him to Russia. You arent the only parent this happened to. Between 2014 and 2022, Russia forcibly took 200,000 to 300,000 children from Ukraine and transferred them to Russia, according to Jane Alieva, from mamajane.com.ua. Typically the Russians destroyed the childrens documents, changed the childrens names and birthdates, and made it close to impossible for the parents ever to find their children and get them back. Having this happen to your child would seem like the worst possible thing that could happen to a parent. However, thats not actually the worst thing that can happen. Many of the Ukrainian boys who were kidnapped and brought to Russia in 2014 were sent to military camps where they were brainwashed, according to Alieva. They were taught to admire Russia and to hate their homeland. The brainwashing was effective, Alieva points out. The kids heard no outside information. For years, their Russian captors told them that Ukraine was really part of Russia and the Ukrainian government was run by fascists who were oppressing their people and collaborating with Western powers to harm Mother Russia. Today, Maksym and kids like him are now military age and theyre showing up in Ukraine as part of the Russian military. The invaders took the young men who should have grown up to protect us and now our children are coming back to Ukraine to kill us, Alieva explains. Although there are hundreds of thousands of kidnapped children, only a little more than 300 have been rescued. Theyre in deep need of psychological counseling in order to return to life as Ukrainians. MamaJane has retreats where the children and their families can reunite and resume their lives, with the help of mental health professionals. Alieva hopes to get as many children back as possible because in addition to what this means for their parents, the children are part of a massive case in the European Court for Human Rights. Each child is a potential witness. Russian President Vladimir Putins regime seeks to stop any rescue efforts, in part because every child who crosses the border back into Ukraine is a potential witness against the Putin Regime. Kidnapping children is a war crime, and the more witnesses, the better for Ukraine. The tragic story of kidnapped Ukrainian children not only highlights the personal agony of countless Ukrainian families but also exposes the profound evil of Russia's actions in turning kidnapped children into soldiers against their own homeland. The story is a stark reminder of Putins inhumanity and the urgent need for global awareness and intervention. Mitzi Perdue is a businesswoman, author, anti-human trafficking advocate, and journalist reporting from and about Ukraine. She has visited multiple times, has many local contacts, and has published more than 100 articles. She holds a bachelor of arts degree, with honors, from Harvard University and a masters degree from George Washington University. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 KYODO NEWS - Jul 13, 2024 - 11:07 | All, World, Japan Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed Friday to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has been ramping up its military presence. During their talks in Berlin, Kishida and Scholz also confirmed that their countries will create an economic security framework amid what they view as Chinese overproduction of electric vehicles and other key products using massive subsidies. "It is important that allies and like-minded countries take a united response to the challenges in economic security," Kishida told a joint press conference with his German counterpart. Scholz also called for working together to reduce supply dependence on certain countries and regions. As part of efforts to accelerate bilateral cooperation, the two leaders agreed to hold high-level intergovernmental talks in Germany, possibly next year, to grapple with a wide range of global and regional issues. Japan and Germany held their first high-level intergovernmental dialogue involving several Cabinet members in March 2023, when Scholz, who took office two months after Kishida became prime minister in October 2021, visited Tokyo. Kishida traveled to Germany after attending a NATO summit in Washington. In a speech during the meeting, he expressed "grave concern" about North Korea's deepening military cooperation with Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Japan, meanwhile, believes escalating China-Taiwan tensions are among the most serious security challenges, with Beijing viewing the self-ruled democratic island as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Kishida and Scholz met as their countries' acquisition and cross-servicing agreement, or ACSA, which simplifies the process of sharing food, fuel and ammunition between Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the German military, took effect Friday. A German frigate is scheduled to make a port call in Japan this summer, while a Maritime Self-Defense Force training squadron is planning to stop in the European nation's northern city of Hamburg, Japanese officials said. Kishida and Scholz reaffirmed that the defense and foreign ministers of the two countries will hold "two-plus-two" security talks in Japan at an early date. The first such meeting took place in 2021 in a virtual format. On economic security, the Japanese and German leaders agreed that their bilateral cooperation is important to maintain and expand a free and fair global trade order, given their "commonalities in industrial structure and advanced technologies," according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry's press release. Kishida welcomed progress seen in the countries' private sectors in working on strategically important fields such as semiconductors, critical mineral resources and hydrogen, and called for stronger cooperation in the development of next-generation communications technology and the creation of international rules for artificial intelligence, it said. Related coverage: Japan, South Korea leaders agree North Korea-Russia ties as serious threat Japan PM, Britain's new leader agree to deepen bilateral relations Japan, Italy eye action plan to forge ties in diplomacy, defense Property details: Hey everyone - I've got something special to share with you. It's a .47-acre piece of land on Arbon Ct in Gatlinburg, TN and it's up for grabs at an amazing starting bid of just $30,000. Owner financing is also available with no credit checks - inquire with seller for more details. Imagine owning this pristine piece of land right here in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. 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Nearby Florida 'Whether somebody else can take up (Narendra Modi's position) the answer to it is yes but for that (to happen) some kind of crisis must come and in that crisis Modi must lose the (trust) vote.' 'Only then another candidate from the BJP can come and most likely it could be Nitin Gadkari because he enjoys the confidence (of the RSS as well as that of BJP MPs).' IMAGE: Nitin Gadkari meets Narendra D Modi after taking oath as a Union minister during the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, June 9, 2024. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo In the concluding part of this interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com, veteran political analyst and former Congress Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Ketkar gazes at the crystal ball to answer whether, and under what circumstances, can there be a change of guard in the BJP. Part 1 of the Interview: 'Modi Is Not Yet a Legitimate PM' The BJP had won 303 MPs in 2019 and now it has 240 MPs. Do you believe a challenger could emerge within the BJP against Narendra Modi give the BJP tally is 32 seats less than the 272 required for a simple majority in the Lok Sabha? That is a possibility if Narendra Modi loses the confidence motion. If that happens then naturally a demand for another candidate (to represent the BJP in the Lok Sabha) could emerge and that could be naturally Nitin Gadkari. In fact, as a journalist I can tell you there were moves already made by the RSS and some members of the BJP to keep Nitin Gadkari as a man waiting in the wings, with pads on (to replace Modi). That was already, sort of, in the offing; I cannot say it was decided but it was definitely in the offing. So your question whether somebody else can take up (Modi's position) the answer to it is yes but for that (to happen) some kind of crisis must come and in that crisis Modi must lose the (trust) vote. Only then another candidate from the BJP can come and most likely it could be Nitin Gadkari because he enjoys the confidence of (the RSS as well as that of BJP MPs). But in the absence of that crisis no challenger would dare to cross swords with Modi? I don't think there will be any banner of revolt. The BJP and RSS do not believe in such kind of rogue rebellions; they only talk in private, in hush-hush language about how they are unhappy with Modi. I was a member of the Rajya Sabha and I have seen how BJP MPs privately complained against Modi and were unhappy with his leadership but they would not go public about it. IMAGE: Modi in conversation with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat during the pran pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya, January 22, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo But RSS Sarsanghachalak Mohan Bhagwat has publicly taken the BJP and Modi to task by indicating that ahankar (hubris) was responsible for the BJP's poor showing in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. He (the RSS chief) has not named Modi; he has not named the party (BJP). He has broadly painted a canvas that it was the arrogance which made them (the BJP) lose the election (deprive them from winning 272 seats). If you were to read Modi's mind now what could he be thinking as he looks forward to running a coalition government with allies like N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar? Frankly, I do not think Chandrababu and Nitish Kumar are millstones around Modi's neck. I don't think he (Modi) is actually worried about them (Naidu and Nitish Kumar). Actually, Naidu and Nitish Kumar are dependent more on Modi than Modi is dependent on them. For instance, if Chandrababu leaves tomorrow, he becomes a state leader. Even then Modi can survive. If Nitesh Kumar goes alone, still Modi can survive. But if Nitesh Kumar and Naidu together plot something in association with the INDIA bloc then only Modi will be in trouble. Modi knows that that is unlikely to happen altogether because Chandrababu and Nitish Kumar both have nothing to gain by joining the INDIA bloc. Therefore, I think Modi will survive. Modi will be able to bulldoze a little. Modi will not be fundamentally affected negatively by Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu and certainly not from his members in the BJP. I will not say that Modi is extremely weak. Modi is weak because the BJP is not having a full majority. I will not be surprised by the same strategy of breaking other parties, splitting parties, driving and blackmailing individuals, he will be able to get the additional 33 seats to make his own majority of 273. He will be able to take other parties (into the BJP's fold), by splitting them, by breaking them, by driving them or alluring them. The Congress on Saturday hailed the assembly bypoll results in which the INDIA bloc parties won 10 out of 13 seats, with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asserting it has become clear that the web of "fear and illusion" woven by the BJP has been broken. IMAGE: Congress workers celebrate the victory of party candidate Lakhapat Singh Butola in the Badrinath assembly by-poll election, in Chamoli. Photograph: ANI Photo Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lauded the party workers and said the victory shows that the people have completely rejected the "arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics of the BJP". The INDIA bloc parties won 10 assembly seats, while the BJP clinched two and an Independent one, as the votes were counted on Saturday for the by-elections held earlier this week on 13 seats in seven states. The bypolls were held on Wednesday in four seats in West Bengal, three in Himachal Pradesh, two in Uttarakhand, and one each in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu. The Congress, TMC, AAP and DMK are among the INDIA bloc parties that fielded candidates in the bypolls. The Congress said the results "reflect the changing political climate in the country". Reacting to the results, Kharge said the party bows before the people for the positive result of the assembly by-elections. "We thank and express our gratitude to them from the bottom of our hearts for voting for the Congress party candidates. We salute all the Congress workers for their hard work and efforts in adverse circumstances," he said. "This victory shows that the people have completely rejected the arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics of the BJP," Kharge said. "This is also a strong proof of the falling political credibility of Modi-Shah ji," he added. In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, "The results of the by-elections held in 7 states have made it clear that the web of 'fear and illusion' woven by the BJP has been broken. Every class, including farmers, youth, labourers, businessmen and employees wants to completely destroy the dictatorship and establish the rule of justice." The public is now completely standing with the INDIA bloc for the betterment of their lives and to protect the Constitution, he said. Reacting to the results, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that in the by-elections held on 13 seats in seven states, the people of the country have given their support to the INDIA bloc. "The people of Devbhumi Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have expressed their trust in Congress. Many congratulations to all the winning candidates of Congress and INDIA," she said. "The people of the country have understood that the politics of misleading people 100 years back and 100 years ahead will not benefit the country. The people want positive politics that improves their present and prepares a clear blueprint for a bright future," Priyanka Gandhi said. "We are committed to the needs and aspirations of young India," she said. The Congress won both the assembly bypolls in Uttarakhand and in Himachal Pradesh, it secured two out of the three seats where the bye-elections were held. In a statement, Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said today's by-poll results stand as a resounding victory for democracy and a strong rebuke to the BJP's "divisive politics". Out of the 13 seats, the INDIA bloc has secured an impressive 10 seats demonstrating the rejection of the "BJP's anti-people, anti-youth policies, and divisive politics". "In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress Party has won two out of the three seats in Dehra and Nalagarh, reclaiming our position with a total of 40 seats. This triumph is a testament to the unwavering faith of the people of Himachal who have rejected the BJP's politics of horse trading and defections," he said. Even amidst their attempts to undermine our democracy, the truth and the will of the people have prevailed, Venugopal asserted. "Today's results are a tight slap on the BJP's face, showcasing the public's strong disapproval of their pro-rich, dictatorial politics. The defeat of those who abandoned our cause for the BJP in Himachal and Uttarakhand underscores the rejection of opportunism over principled governance," he said. "Not only that, they used all their dirty tricks departments, be it ED or CBI, to intimidate our leaders. The people, however, rejected this dangerous politics, resoundingly," Venugopal said. Similarly, in Uttarakhand, the Indian National Congress has emerged victorious in both Badrinath and Mangalur, he said. This significant win sends a clear message that the misuse of religion for political gains, as seen in Ayodhya and now in Badrinath, will not be endorsed by the electorate, Venugopal said. "Today's results are not just a political victory; they are a triumph for democracy and constitutional values. They reaffirm the people's commitment to governance that prioritizes welfare and inclusivity over divisive tactics and power grabs," he said. "As we move forward, the Congress Party reaffirms its commitment to a pro-people agenda and upholding democratic values. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by the electorate and pledge to continue serving with renewed vigour for the remainder of our term and in all future elections," Venugopal said. "This would not have been possible without the guidance of INC President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge ji, CPP Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, LOP Shri Rahul Gandhi ji and Smt. Priyanka Gandhi ji, as well as the hard work of the respective PCC leaders and candidates who dedicatedly worked for this victory," he said. On the party's victories in Uttarakhand, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X, "Manglaur was wrested from the BSP and in the face of dirty tactics by the BJP. In Badrinath, the sitting MLA was a Congressman who had switched to the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls. He has been rightly punished by the people and the Congress has held on to the seat." "Both ways the results reflect the changing political climate in the country," he said. On the Himachal Pradesh bypoll results, Ramesh said that "all machinations of the BJP have failed miserably". "The Congress has won two of the assembly seats held by Independents who had been lured away as part of Operation Lotus. This is reflective of the significant recovery of the Congress and public disgust with the BJP," he said. Addressing a press conference, Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said the public message was very clear in the Lok Sabha elections, but people saw that the government still had the same arrogance and, therefore, they have given a message to the BJP for the second time in a month. Raising questions over the result in Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh, Khera said this may be the first time in history that officials take lunch break after stopping the counting. BJP's Kamlesh Shah won the bypoll to Amarwara (ST) assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh by a margin of 3,027 votes, defeating his nearest Congress rival Dheeran Shah Invati in a close contest after 21 rounds of counting. "The entire administration got together to defeat the Congress. We thank the voters wholeheartedly because they taught a lesson to those who were talking about changing the Constitution. The public has given a befitting reply to those who destabilize the elected governments," Khera said. "People are rejecting the BJP's politics because...there is no place for accountability in the BJP's politics, there is no respect for democratic processes, PM Modi does not consider it necessary to answer people's questions. The public sees arrogance in the BJP's politics," he said. He claimed that Muslim voters were prevented from voting in Manglaur on the day of voting. "Today the BJP supporters were seen saying that Manglaur is a Muslim dominated area, Congress has to win there. I want to ask them that if it is so then how did Congress win Badrinath and Ayodhya. The BJP is only doing politics by making people fight among themselves, hence the public is giving them a befitting reply," he said. Pune civic body on Saturday issued a notice to Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, directing the removal of "unauthorised structures" adjacent to the boundary wall of their bungalow in seven days, officials said. IMAGE: In an old video clip, Manorama Khedkar, mother of controversial probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, is seen brandishing the gun at farmers. Photograph: Screen grab/X Police have also registered an FIR against the IAS probationer's parents Manorama and Dilip Khedkar beside five others, days after a video showing Manorama allegedly threatening some persons with a gun over a land dispute emerged. The 34-year-old officer is in the eye of a storm for allegedly misusing the disability and Other Backward Class (OBC) quota to secure a position in the IAS. On Saturday evening, Pune Municipal Corporation officials tried to hand over the notice to Manorama Khedkar at 'Om Deep' bungalow, located on Baner Road in the city, but didn't get any response after ringing the doorbell. Subsequently, officials stuck the notice on the main door of the bungalow. "We have received a complaint about the structures installed outside your bungalow causing obstacles to the people. Kindly remove the unauthorised structures adjacent to the boundary wall of the bungalow in the next seven days," the notice stated. Pune Rural Police have booked Manorama Khedkar and Dilip Khedkar and five others under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), including section 323 (Dishonest or fraudulent removal or concealment of property), at Paud police station, an official said. The two-minute video shows Manorama Khedkar, accompanied by her security guards, engaged in a heated argument with some people with a pistol in her hand in Dhadwali village in Pune's Mulshi tehsil. An official said the incident was about a land parcel bought by Dilip Khedkar, a retired Maharashtra government officer. Locals had claimed the Khedkars had encroached on the land of neighbouring farmers. In another blow to Puja Khedkar, Pune City traffic police issued a notice to a private company on Thursday over the unauthorised use of a beacon light on a private car with the "Maharashtra Government" sign the IAS probationer was found using. "The luxurious car belongs to a private company. An order was issued against Thermo Verita Engineering Pvt Ltd to produce the car at the nearest police station for further inquiry. In case of default, legal action will be initiated by Pune Police," a senior officer said on Saturday. The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) had issued a notice to a private company, which is the registered owner of the Audi car used by Khedkar. Notably, the Centre on Thursday constituted a single-member committee for re-examining documents submitted by Puja Khedkar to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and then for selection in service. A 2023 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Puja Khedkar is under probation and currently posted in her home cadre Maharashtra. HAL's sustained, long-term income will come from the design, development, manufacture, overhaul, and upgrade of a family of helicopters designed for deployment on India's 21,000-foot-high Himalayan frontier with Pakistan and China. IMAGE: The indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv Photograph: Kind courtesy Hindustan Aeronatics Limited Despite the unsettled global geopolitical climate, Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) grew by 11 per cent during the year ending March 31, 2024, recording its highest-ever turnover of Rs 29,810 crore (Rs 298.10 billion). "As of March 31, 2024, the company's order book stands over Rs 94,000 crore (Rs 940 billion), with additional major orders expected during 2024-2025," said HAL Chairman and Managing Director C B Ananthakrishnan, speaking exclusively to Business Standard in Bengaluru. In addition to a giant Rs 48,000 crore (Rs 480 billion) ministry of defence order for 83 Tejas Mark 1A fighters, HAL's production lines will soon be humming with another MoD order for 97 Tejas Mark 1A fighters, worth an estimated Rs 65,000 crore (Rs 650 billion). HAL's Nashik facility also expects lucrative work from the Indian Air Force, whose fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters is due to undergo mid-life upgrades. With 272 Sukhoi-30s scheduled to receive a Rs 130 crores to Rs 140 crore (Rs 1.3 billion to Rs 1.4 billion) avionics, radar, and mission computer upgrade, HAL calculates this translates into business worth Rs 38,000 crore (Rs 380 billion). While the IAF's fighter fleet generates lucrative orders, HAL's sustained, long-term income will come from the design, development, manufacture, overhaul, and upgrade of a family of helicopters designed for deployment on India's 21,000 foot high Himalayan frontier with Pakistan and China. "HAL has very specific strengths and capabilities, developed over the years," Ananthakrishnan explained. "Our unique strength is being present there from end to end, from the design and development stages through the entire life cycle of the aircraft." "We are involved in design and development, through limited series production, series production of the aircraft, and the complete repair, upgrade, and overhaul of the aircraft. This is what HAL is offering today," said the HAL chief. Central to HAL's business generation plans are nine research and development (R&D) centres, which report to the design complex. The first is the Aircraft R&D Centre, which works on start-up engines for fixed-wing aircraft such as the Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Next, the design complex oversees the Rotary Wing R&D Centre and the Aero Engine R&D Centre, both located in Bengaluru, which handle R&D into aero engines. "We have handled many small engines such as the start-up engine for the Tejas LCA. This is a separate R&D centre with its general manager." A fourth R&D centre is the Mission and Combat Systems R&D Centre (MCSR&DC) in Bengaluru. IMAGE: The Light Combat Tejas aircraft. Photograph: Kind courtesy Hindustan Aeronatics Limited The MCSR&DC spearheaded the Darin-II upgrade for the IAF's Jaguar deep penetration strike fighter. They have also completed the Mirage 2000 upgrade, which will be followed by the 'glass cockpit' of the Light Combat Helicopter and the Dornier 228's mission management system, which has been operationally deployed by the Coast Guard. Fifth, the design complex oversees the Strategic Electronics R&D Centre in Hyderabad, which researches software-defined radios, mission computers, and electronic warfare systems. A sixth R&D centre, based in Lucknow, is the Aircraft Systems R&D Centre, which researches hydraulics, electrical systems, brakes and pads, lights, and fuel systems. A seventh R&D centre in Korwa, near Amethi, manufactures avionics such as flight data recorders and crash data recorders. Ananthakrishnan says that HAL was able to retrieve the data from the recent Tejas aircraft crash mainly due to this centre's work. "We also have an (eighth) R&D centre at Nashik called the Aircraft Upgrade R&D Centre. Much of what we received from the Russians 25 years ago is outdated. Life cycle support is a big issue with Russian aircraft. "So we are undertaking a major Sukhoi-30 upgrade programme, in which we will completely replace the fighter's mission computers, radar, avionics, etc," says Ananthakrishnan. This R&D centre has deep expertise in the MiG-29 and Sukhoi-30 systems. It also integrates new weapons on the Sukhoi-30, such as the Astra air-to-air missile and the BrahMos cruise missile. Each of HAL's multiple R&D centres specialises in its domain but operates under the control of the design complex. The post of HAL's R&D chief -- officially designated director (engineering and R&D) -- is one of the most respected and influential in India's aerospace ecosystem. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'There is a sense of achievement but it has come at a great cost.' IMAGE: Indian soldiers show the victory sign in Drass after India captured Tiger Hill on July 4, 1999. Photograph: Kamal Kishore/Reuters Barely four months into his service, a young Lieutenant Balwan Singh led the Indian Army's Ghatak Platoon in a strategic assault on Pakistani intruders during the Kargil war and was among the brave soldiers who captured the Tiger Hill on July 4, 1999. "There was no looking back from there. It was victory after the capture of the Tiger Hill," recalls Singh, now a colonel with the famed 18 Grenadiers, who was injured while fighting the enemy but continued to fight. He was honoured with Maha Vir Chakra for his valour. Raised in 1976, the 18 Grenadiers played a pivotal role in the war. The battalion was conferred with 52 honours, including a Param Vir Chakra, two Maha Vir Chakra, six Vir Chakra, several Sena Medal and Commendation Card of the Chief of the Army Staff. Colonel Singh and many other Kargil heroes from the battalion recalled the heroics of its bravehearts in Operation Vijay. The war was declared over on July 26, 1999 after the Indian forces successfully pushed back the Pakistani forces which had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh. On the night of July 3, 1999, soldiers of 18 Grenadiers, also called the Pole Star Battalion, embarked on their mission to capture the Tiger Hill and had accomplished the task by the next morning, said Brigadier (retd) Khushal Thakur, who commanded the battalion during the crucial battles of Tololing and Tiger Hill. "On June 12-13, 1999, we won Tololing and it was a big turning point in this war. It boosted the morale of our armed forces and the countrymen and dipped the morale of the Pakistani side. One by one, we kept capturing the peaks in Mushkow or Batalik sector and the next task was Tiger Hill," Brigadier Thakur, who was a colonel during the war, told PTI. "For the Tiger Hill, I had adequate time for reconnaissance. I had artillery guns, multi-barrel rocket launchers and high-altitude warfare equipment... Despite all the losses suffered, the morale of the men of 18 Grenadiers was sky high and our brave men captured the Tiger Hill, planting the Indian flag on top," he said. There weren't many television channels back then but the defining images of Indian soldiers celebrating the conquest of the Tiger Hill became a symbol of their bravery. Colonel Singh said the battles of Tololing and Tiger Hill were decisive battles. "Initially, we captured Tololing. Tololing is very near to NH-1 Alpha (National Highway-1A). It is just 3 km of NH-1 Alpha. The same is the case with Tiger Hill, 8-10 km stretch of NH-1 Alpha is visible from top of the Tiger Hill. You can't do any movement on this road," he said. "They (infiltrators) were having all kinds of weapons, automatics, anti-aircraft guns and other missiles on Tololing and Tiger Hill and both the features were very, very important to capture," Colonel Singh added. Photograph: Divya Nair for Rediff.com IMAGE: The Kargil War Memorial at the foothill of Tololing hill, where Indian troops fought one of the toughest battles of the Kargil War. The memorial has the tombstones of the martyrs and a museum. The Indian Army will mark 25 years of the Kargil victory on July 26. Many programmes have been held in the run-up to the main commemorative event in Kargil later this month. Colonel Sachin Annarao Nimbalkar, who was about 23 years old and serving with the 18 Grenadiers as a captain during the conflict, was among the soldiers honoured with a Sena Medal for their bravery during the war. "We were fighting with our backs to the wall and every inch that we had to capture was a big fight. The victory in the Kargil War was attained with great sacrifices made by various units. "If I talk about my unit, 18 Grenadiers, we are bravehearts, two officers, two JCOs, and 30 other ranks sacrificed their lives and many others were injured and some disabled for life," Colonel Nimbalkar told PTI after paying homage to fallen heroes at the National War Memorial. "So, this tells the cost of capturing the features of Tololing and Tiger Hill as far as my battalion was concerned," he said. The army officer, who hails from Maharashtra, proudly shows the regimental insignia bearing the motto Sarvada Shaktishali emblazoned on his military cap and explains its origin. "We are now celebrating the 25th year of Kargil Vijay Diwas... I remember when we were successful, I remember when we were facing casualties, I remember Lieutenant Colonel Viswanathan, who sacrificed his life during the battle of Tololing," he said. IMAGE: A soldier walks past the Bofors 155mm howitzers gun that played a remarkable role in the Kargil War. Photograph: Fayaz Kabli/Reuters Colonel Nimbalkar paid homage to his Indian Military Academy coursemate Capt Manoj Pandey and hero of the Tiger Hill battle on his death anniversary at the memorial. "There are mixed emotions. There is a sense of achievement but it has come at a great cost," Colonel Nimbalkar said. "Today is the day for all of us to collectively acknowledge the efforts of our heroes and sacrifices (they) made for the nation." Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Chinese doctor Zhang Hua (C) attends to a patient at the Sino-Guinea-Bissau Friendship Hospital in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on July 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu) by Xinhua writers Wang Zizheng, Lyu Chengcheng, Zhou Chuyun BISSAU, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Bissau's Main Military Hospital, one of the capital city's most important healthcare facilities, is known as the Sino-Guinea-Bissau Friendship Hospital. The emblem of the hospital proudly displays the word "Friendship." In May 2023, Guinea-Bissau awarded the "National Medal of Honor for Cooperation and Development" to China's 19th medical team in the country, recognizing their impactful service. At the Friendship Hospital where they worked, the Chinese doctors often hear words expressing gratitude to them. "The trust and admiration for Chinese doctors are palpable here, and we've learned greatly from them," said Bioussum, a doctor at the hospital. Silva, a 29-year-old farmer whose chronic back pain has been relieved by acupuncture treatments he received at the Friendship Hospital, emotionally thanked his Chinese doctors. Director of the hospital Ramalho Cunda said he was impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the Chinese doctors, whose efforts have brought blessings to the hospital and its patients. The Chinese medical team has introduced advanced medical technologies, shared practical experiences and actively assisted local healthcare professionals in improving their skills, he said. "We thank China, we thank the friendship between the two countries." In May, Guinea-Bissau welcomed its 20th Chinese medical team, comprised of 16 members. Team leader Pang Yong told Xinhua that their mission is to improve local medical conditions, care for patients and safeguard the health of the people of Guinea-Bissau. In Guinea-Bissau, there is also a school known as the China-Guinea-Bissau Friendship School. According to Bubacar Dabo, the school's director, it is rare to find a school like this in the country. Since its establishment over a decade ago, the school has consistently received donations of backpacks, school supplies, desks and chairs from the Chinese embassy and Chinese companies. "The school is not just a platform for educational cooperation between the two countries, but also a link that perpetuates and strengthens the friendship between the people of both countries," said Dabo. "In Guinea-Bissau, cooperation with China is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. China is our good brother and partner," said Tete Sambu, an agricultural policy expert. He said his father's generation experienced the historic friendship during the independence war, and he himself has participated in multiple agricultural training sessions in China. The special bonds have fostered cooperation projects and strengthened the enduring friendship and collaboration between China and Guinea-Bissau, he said. This photo taken on July 6, 2024 shows the entrance to the China-Guinea-Bissau Friendship School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Chinese doctor Sun Qingquan (L) reviews X-rays with a local doctor at the Sino-Guinea-Bissau Friendship Hospital in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on July 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu) This photo taken on July 6, 2024 shows an interior view of the China-Guinea-Bissau Friendship School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Chinese doctors Peng Haojiao (C) and Xu Jian (R) check a patient at the Sino-Guinea-Bissau Friendship Hospital in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, on July 8, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands here on Friday. Noting that China regards the Solomon Islands as a good friend, good partner and good brother, Xi said China supports the Solomon Islands in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions and in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Xi said China is ready to enhance strategic communication with the Solomon Islands to firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests and addressing major concerns, enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road cooperation and the development strategy of the Solomon Islands, deepen cooperation in areas such as rural development, medical services, infrastructure, sustainable development and climate change response, and work together to build a community with a shared future between the two countries in the new era, thereby bringing greater benefits to the two peoples. China has always been committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, and advocates that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, are equals, Xi noted. China's friendly cooperation with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries is a sincere effort to assist these island nations in achieving development, falls within the framework of South-South cooperation, and is part of the common development of the Global South, without targeting any third party or seeking any selfish gain, he said. China is willing to continue providing assistance within its capacity to help the Solomon Islands achieve development, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum, and promote the common interests of developing countries, Xi added. Manele said his visit to China began in Fujian Province, where he witnessed China's remarkable development achievements and felt the immense potential and broad prospects of cooperation between the Solomon Islands and China. Noting that China has set an example for developing countries, Manele said China advocates the common values of humanity, upholds multilateralism, avoids forming exclusive cliques or playing geopolitical games, does not require other countries to take sides, and calls on the international community to strengthen unity and cooperation. According to Manele, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi are conducive to promoting world peace, stability and common development, which are of great significance for small countries like the Solomon Islands. Thanks to the participation in Belt and Road cooperation, the Solomon Islands has made significant progress in areas including infrastructure construction, he said. Manele said the Solomon Islands firmly adheres to the one-China principle, resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," and firmly supports the Chinese government's efforts to achieve national reunification. He added that the Solomon Islands is ready to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and build a community with a shared future between the two sides. Both sides issued a joint statement, agreeing to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Solomon Islands in the new era based on mutual respect and common development, and to build a community with a shared future between China and the Solomon Islands in the new era. Full Text: Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and Solomon Islands Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Short-term visits and long-term residence permits have fallen sharply despite the ending of pandemic restrictions. Heather Kaye, 48, and her daughters Charlotte, 14, and Matilda, 12, wave goodbye to their friends before leaving for the U.S., at Pudong International Airport, Shanghai, China, June 27, 2022. Still a great place to visit, but no longer a land of opportunity for aspiring expatriates -- that seems to be the international verdict on China these days. Since the lifting of stringent COVID-19 restrictions in late 2022, the Chinese government has stepped up efforts to attract more foreign nationals back to China to work and study, offering a slew of visa-free entry schemes, cheaper visas and tax incentives in recent months. Premier Li Qiang has pledged to rebuild the country's brand as an investment destination, even as his boss Xi Jinping continues to emphasize a domestic economy that is no longer reliant on exports. But growing political tensions with Washington and its allies, a faltering economy and a national obsession with foreign "spies" has hampered Beijing's charm offensive. China issued just 711,000 residence permits to foreigners last year, a fall of 15% from 2019, according to figures from the National Immigration Administration cited in the Wall Street Journal on March 18. Permits issued to foreigners living in cosmopolitan Shanghai fell from around 70,000 in 2020 to 50,000 in 2022. A group of foreign tourists visit the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, July 31, 2013. (Andy Wong/AP) The number of short-term visitors has plummeted by around two-thirds over the same period, the report said. Meanwhile, the number of U.S. students in China has dwindled to just 700 down from 15,000 six or seven years ago, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns told a seminar at the Brookings Institution in December 2023. Some universities have been upgrading their facilities in a bid to attract more foreign students, prompting an angry online backlash for the Nanchang Hangkong University earlier this year after the school allocated 140 million yuan for a dormitory upgrade that wasn't extended to domestic students. RELATED STORIES 4 in 5 Americans have a negative view of China: survey Global survey: China viewed in more negative light China targets younger Taiwanese with junkets for islands celebrities China's ill-defined spy law dampens foreign investor confidence United Front mindset An alumnus of Qingdao University in Shandong who gave only the pseudonym John for fear of reprisals told RFA Mandarin that the special treatment offered to foreign students is part of the ruling Chinese Communist Party's outreach and influence operations, known as the United Front. "Every university has a program for foreign students because of the United Front mindset," John said. "While foreign students get high subsidies and scholarships, Chinese students by contrast have to take out loans to go to school, and many can't go to university because they can't afford the tuition." While some foreigners are clearly traveling to China following the end of pandemic restrictions, many are unwilling to stay there long term, interviewees told RFA Mandarin. Part of the problem is widespread government censorship and a lack of access to overseas websites including Google, Instagram and X without the use of banned circumvention software. Another barrier is an atmosphere of mistrust that has seen market research and other industry consultancy work criminalized as a threat to "national security," dampening investor confidence and leading to fewer opportunities with foreign companies. A foreigner walks out of an exit at the arrival hall of the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, March 14, 2023. (Ng Han Guan/AP) "Short term, I felt very comfortable ... I didn't feel like my rights were necessarily infringed upon, but I was also very cognizant of the fact that I was coming back to the U.S.," U.S. national Chloe Ross Bohn, 23, who recently completed a year-long exchange program at Nanjing University, told RFA Mandarin in a recent interview. "If I was living there long term, the I guess sudden changes and the lack of transparency from the government would make me nervous," said Ross Bohn, who said she fully enjoyed her time in China as "a guest," however. "I think it's easy to be a guest in another country and follow rules regardless of my opinions about those rules for one year," she said. "For five plus years, I think that would be a very difficult situation for me." Ross Bohn may not be the only one who feels that way. Souring business sentiment The American Chamber of Commerce in China found in a recent business report that "business sentiment has continued to deteriorate," and that just 33% of companies said staff would be willing to relocate to China. Just 52% of companies said they are optimistic about doing business in China over the next five years, the lowest level of optimism reported since the AmCham Shanghai Annual China Business Report was first introduced in 1999. Meanwhile, concern over future Chinese commercial policies" was a factor for 48% of the 325 companies who responded to the survey, the report said. Italian national and Shanghai resident Susan Rui, who gave only a pseudonym for fear of reprisals, said that while there has been a visible increase in foreign tourists in the city in recent months, many shops and restaurants have closed in the city's Jing'an district, once home to large numbers of expatriates. The apartment she currently rents came with much of the furniture and fittings intact, because its previous occupant, a German national, left China in a hurry to escape the restrictions of the zero-COVID policy. It's not just Americans who remain unimpressed by attempts to get them to live and work in China long term. A foreigner waits on his bicycle as people on bicycles are ordered to stop for identification check at a checkpoint along a street near Tiananmen Square in Beijing, June 4, 2023. (Andy Wong/AP) Uzbekistan national Rakhmonberdi Khajiev is currently studying computer science at Beijing Institute of Technology. He arrived in 2019, only to be plunged into the lockdowns, travel bans and compulsory daily testing and quarantine of the zero-COVID policy. While Khajiev maintains a positive view of China, and plans to take a master's degree there too, he has no plans to stay beyond his studies. "My parents [run] a local shop ... and they sell clothing stuff for women," he said. "Most of the things that they sell actually are imported from China." "I always wanted to study abroad, and they were like, if you go to China, maybe you could also like, learn the language and help us out with our business," he said. Future fears But he is pessimistic about any employment prospects after graduation. "It's kind of hard to break into tech [here]," he said. "There's ... a lot of competition going on, even among the Chinese citizens. As a foreigner, it's kind of hard to get a job because you have to compete with them as well." Then there's the language barrier. "I might be good at conversations but still when it comes to terminologies and tech stuff, I'm not that still good," Khajiev said, adding that it's not always easy to get sponsorship for a work visa either. Russian and Chinese national flags flutter in the wind at Tiananmen Gate, in Beijing, May 16, 2024. (Andy Wong/AP) A 26-year-old Russian woman who gave only the single name Olya said she enjoyed her recent trip to China in May, but wouldn't want to live there due to the threat of military conflict in the Taiwan Strait. "I went to China to have some new experiences, and I got it," she said. The food is great, and there are many cultural and historical attractions to visit." She would like to go back and see some more, but said it was hard to see herself living there. "Everyone in the world knows that China and Taiwan have quite tense relations," Olya said. "When you are from one country that has quite aggressive relationships with their neighbors, you don't want to go to another country where there is a possibility of anything going on in the nearest future." "You want to go to some very, very safe place," she said. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Additional reporting by Li Yaqian. According to satellite photos taken by Planet Labs on June 27 and July 5, North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns private luxury cruise ship operates near the Kalma Villa in Wonsan, Kangwon province. Is North Korean leader Kim Jong Un taking a family vacation? Satellite imagery shows that the Kim familys 80-meter (262-foot) cruise ship complete with a waterslide and an Olympic-sized swimming pool is out at sea. Some experts say Kim's recent public appearance on land makes it very unlikely that he was on board but others said he may have been. According to satellite photos taken June 27 and July 5 by Planet Labs, an American commercial satellite imaging company, the luxury cruise ship was identified as sailing off North Koreas east coast near Wonsan, Kangwon province. Kim is known to use this ship for recreational activities with his family or to entertain foreign VIPs. A luxury cruise ship reserved exclusively for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was recently identified as sailing between the ship repair dock at Wonsan Port and the exclusive Kalma Villa. The distance between the marina and Kalma Villa is about 4.5km (2.8 miles). Wonsan Villa can be seen across from Kalma Villa. (Google Earth, image production Bruce Songhak Chung) Bruce Songhak Chung, a researcher at the South Korea-based Korean Institute for Security and Strategy who analyzed the satellite photos, told RFA Korean that it is likely that either Kim himself, or his family, took the cruise ship to the family villa on the Kalma peninsula. Only North Korean leaders and their families exclusively use luxury cruise ships, he said. As the summer vacation season approaches, it is presumed that General Secretary Kim may have visited a private villa in Wonsan to spend the summer with his wife Ri Sol Ju and daughter Kim Ju Ae. Chung noted that there was no way to tell whether Kim was on board, but that he might have been, considering that he had just finished leading an important meeting of the ruling Korean Workers Partys Central Committee. The plenary meeting lasted from June 28 to July 1, and on July 2, Kim visited factories and other government institutions with government officials. This makes it less likely that he was on board on June 27. Related stories Trappings of North Korean leaders lavish lifestyle visible by satellite North Korean leader Kim Jong Un builds luxury villas over grandfathers old home N Korean leader receives a luxurious car gift from Putin: state media The cruise ship may have been on a test voyage in the earlier image, ahead of Kims vacation, said Cho Han-Bum, a researcher at the South Korea-based Korea Institute for National Unification. He also noted that Kim was not with his wife Ri Sol Ju or daughter Kim Ju Ae during his public appearances. It is possible that Kim Ju Ae, Ri Sol Ju and other families have already gone on summer vacation, said Cho. Therefore, there is a possibility that Chairman Kim Jong Un, who finished the plenary meeting, completed local guidance and joined his family. Getting around sanctions Currently, North Korea has a total of four luxury cruise ships with lengths of 50, 55, 60, and 80 meters (164-262 feet) for Kims exclusive use. These cruise ships were obtained in the 1990s, during the rule of his father and predecessor, Kim Jong Il, before sanctions were imposed. The sanctions, enacted after North Koreas first nuclear test in 2006, are meant to deprive Pyongyang of cash and resources that could be funneled into its nuclear and missile programs. They are also intended to prevent the Kim family and other North Korean elites from getting their hands on luxury goods. But they still trickle in. Recently, Kim Jong Un imported luxury cars, including a Russian-made Aurus Senat and a German-made Mercedes-Benz Maybach. A large 80-meter-long luxury cruise ship equipped with a water slide and an international-standard swimming pool, and a 60-meter-long cruise ship are moored at the ship dock in Wonsan, Kangwon province. Normally, private cruise ships are managed at this marina. (Google Earth, image production Bruce Songhak Chung) The recent surge in the value of the U.S. dollar against the won has made food prices in North Korea rise and has negatively affected the economy in general, but the Kim family continues to live the high life, said Cho. The problem with international sanctions against North Korea is that they have an effect on the entire national economy, but do not affect the upper class, he said. They import as many luxury goods as they want using various agents or aliases. He said sanctions are unable to target only the countrys leadership. As public sentiment deteriorates, it may lead to a weakening of Chairman Kim Jong Uns support base, but the current sanctions against North Korea are not enough to prevent the Kim family from living a luxurious life. Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong. Tibetans protest in front of the White House ahead of a visit by then-Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in 2012. President Joe Biden on Friday signed into law a bill that urges China to resume talks with the Dalai Lama or his representatives to arrive at a negotiated agreement on Tibet as he reiterated that the measure did not represent a change in U.S. policy. I share the Congresss bipartisan commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct linguistic, cultural and religious heritage, Biden said in a July 12 statement. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives on June 12, states that Tibetans share a distinct religious, cultural, linguistic and historical identity and encourages the State Department to fight Chinas disinformation about Tibets history and institutions. SEE RELATED STORIES Returning Tibetans see a changing homeland China closes 2 Tibetan monastery schools China clamps down on social media ahead of Dalai Lamas birthday In his statement, Biden said that the Resolve Tibet Act does not change U.S. policy recognizing the Tibet Autonomous Region, or TAR, and Chinese provinces with large Tibetan populations as part of the Peoples Republic of China. But supporters said it is still an important measure because it adds pressure on Chinese leaders to grant greater autonomy to these areas. All people should have the right to live in peace and decide their own future. But the people of Tibet have not had those freedoms for more than 70 years. We just took an important step toward changing that, Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon and a co-sponsor of the bill, said. In 2002, Chinese and Tibetan representatives held talks over a governance framework in the TAR. The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader for most Tibetan Buddhists, has called for genuine autonomy for Tibet, an approach that accepts the regions status as a part of China but urges greater cultural and religious freedoms and strengthened language rights, which are already supposed to be protected under Chinas constitution. But the talks ground to a halt in 2010. Since then, there has been no formal dialogue between the two sides. Critics say in the interim China has increased its efforts to force Tibetans to assimilate into the majority Han culture through the use of boarding schools that promote the use of Mandarin and by prohibiting the worship of the Dalai Lama. Senate Bill 138 passes in the U.S. House of Representatives 391-26 on June 12, 2024, in Washington. (C-SPAN) The president signed the Tibet bill into law just days after Tibetans and well-wishers worldwide celebrated the Dalai Lama's 89th birthday on July 6. The Dalai Lama underwent successful knee surgery on June 28 in New York. He remains in the United States as he recovers. Just prior to the Dalai Lamas arrival, he received a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation led by Rep. Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican and chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, at his home in Dharamsala, India. McCaul in June presented the Dalai Lama with a framed copy of the Resolve Tibet Act. He thanked the members of the delegation and called the bill very important. China on Saturday expressed opposition to the measure. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said it violates the U.S. governments long-held position and commitments and the basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in Chinas domestic affairs, undermines Chinas interest, and sends a severely wrong signal to the Tibet independence forces. U.S. support for Tibet U.S. lawmakers and Tibetan leaders, including Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the democratically elected head of the Central Tibetan Administration, a Tibetan government in exile, welcomed the move. Penpa Tsering said on Saturday that the news fills me with renewed hope. He said the Resolve Tibet Act into law solidifies the U.S.s commitment to a negotiated solution to the Tibet-China conflict. Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet, called the measure a clarion call to support Tibets peaceful struggle for human rights and democratic freedoms. In addition to promoting talks between Chinese and Tibetan leaders, the Resolve Tibet Act directs State Department officials to work to counter Chinese government disinformation about Tibet. It also affirms the State Department's role to encourage China to address the Tibetan people's aspirations regarding their distinct identity. In June, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told RFA that Tibet remains a purely internal matter of China and that no "external forces" had the right to interfere. "We urge the U.S. side to cease using Tibet-related issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs and to avoid actions that could harm Tibets development and stability," Liu Pengyu said. "The U.S. should not provide a platform for Tibetan independence forces to engage in anti-China separatist activities. China will take all necessary measures to defend its interests, he said. Chinese forces invaded Tibet in 1950 and have controlled the territory ever since. The Dalai Lama fled into exile in India amid a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule. Since then, Beijing has sought to legitimize Chinese rule through the suppression of dissent and policies undermining Tibetan culture and language. "The Tibetans are willing; the Peoples Republic of China should come to the table, Rep. Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts Democrat and a key supporter of the bill, said after Biden signed the legislation. Additional reporting by Tenzin Dickyi, Dorjee Damdul and Dickey Kundol. Edited by Kalden Lodoe and Jim Snyder. The Israeli military on October 10 said 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 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. 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. Biden spoke with Netanyahu earlier about Israel's plans to retaliate against Iran for a missile attack last week, according to statements from both the White House and the Israeli prime minister's office on October 9. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu "agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days both directly and through their national security teams." The call comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel's expected response to Iran's largely ineffective missile attack, which Tehran carried out in retaliation for Israel's escalation in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Biden last week said he would not support Israel striking Iranian nuclear sites as part of its retaliation. He also said that, if he were in Israel's shoes, he would think about alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields. Israel has faced calls by the United States and other allies to accept a cease-fire deal in Gaza and Lebanon but has said it will continue its military operations until Israelis are safe. U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the need for a diplomatic arrangement for the return of both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border in a call on October 9 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said. Biden also condemned Irans ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1, a White House statement said. Biden "affirmed Israels 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. Biden spoke with Netanyahu earlier about Israel's plans to retaliate against Iran for a missile attack last week, according to statements from both the White House and the Israeli prime minister's office on October 9. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu "agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days both directly and through their national security teams." The call comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, an armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon. The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel's expected response to Iran's largely ineffective missile attack, which Tehran carried out in retaliation for Israel's escalation in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a video published on Israeli media that Israel's response "will be deadly, precise, and above all surprising." Biden last week said he would not support Israel striking Iranian nuclear sites as part of its retaliation. He also said that, if he were in Israel's shoes, he would think about alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields. Israel has faced calls by the United States and other allies to accept a cease-fire deal in Gaza and Lebanon but has said it will continue its military operations until Israelis are safe. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller warned on October 9 that Israel must avoid conducting military operations in Lebanon like those it has conducted in Gaza. "I'm making very clear that there should be no kind of military action in Lebanon that looks anything like Gaza and leaves a result anything like Gaza," Miller told journalists. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu discussed the urgent need to renew diplomacy to release the hostages held by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU. Biden also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the White House said. Israels bombardment of central and northern Gaza in recent days has killed dozens of people and trapped thousands in their homes, Palestinian officials said. Hezbollah, a 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 call between Biden and Netanyahu took place as Israeli forces stepped up their ground offensive against Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon. On October 9, Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters had used artillery and rockets against Israeli troops near the Lebanese border village of Labbouneh. In a separate statement, the group said it engaged in combat with Israeli forces as they "attempted to infiltrate the border town of Blida" in southeast Lebanon. The Israeli Army said early on October 9 that it had intercepted two projectiles fired from Lebanon as air-raid alarms sounded in and around Caesarea, a coastal city south of Haifa. The latest fighting comes as fears grow of a larger conflict in the region after Israel also claimed that the successor to Nasrallah has likely been "eliminated." Gallant said on October 8 that Hezbollah was an "organization without a head" and there's no one left to make decisions. Netanyahu later echoed those comments, saying, "We've degraded Hezbollah's capabilities." "We took out thousands of terrorists, including Nasrallah himself and Nasrallah's replacement, and the replacement of the replacement," Netanyahu said. Hashem Safieddine, a top Hezbollah official and a cousin of Nasrallah, was widely expected to be named to the group's top position, but his whereabouts and condition remain unknown since an October 2 Israeli strike on a suspected Hezbollah leadership meeting. Hezbollah has not commented on Safieddine's fate, although unidentified members have told various media that the group had lost contact with him since the attack. Safieddine has been declared a global terrorist by the United States. DUSHANBE -- Qadam Ismatov has no country to call home. The 60-year-old ethnic Tajik, who was once known for criticizing the Tajik government, has been left stateless and stranded in Tajikistan after Moscow revoked his Russian citizenship and extradited him to Dushanbe last year. Ismatov was wanted by Tajikistan on suspicion of having links to Group 24, an opposition movement that Dushanbe banned and branded a "terrorist and extremist organization" in 2014. A criminal case against Ismatov has since been dropped by Tajik prosecutors, but his appeals to the Russian authorities to reinstate his citizenship remain unanswered. Ismatov, who was born in Soviet Tajikistan, has lived in Russia since the early 1990s and obtained a Russian passport in 2005. Ismatov says he built a home, family, and life in the southwestern Russian city of Saratov, where he worked as a driver. Ismatov also became active on social media, often criticizing both the Tajik government and its political opponents. The social media posts put the ordinary driver living thousands of kilometers from Dushanbe on the radar of Tajik officials, who do not tolerate dissent and hunt down their critics at home and abroad. Ismatov recalls his world turning upside down when a Russian court unexpectedly looked into his citizenship case in 2021 and revoked his passport, accusing him of giving false information on his application. Ismatov denies the allegation as "baseless, blatant slander." He believes the Russian court ruling was connected to a Tajik plan to bring him to Dushanbe to face criminal charges for his criticism of the government. "[The prosecutors] were not able to provide any evidence to back their charge that I had allegedly lied on my citizenship application. I demanded proof but they couldn't provide any," Ismatov told RFE/RL. "But the court ruled to strip me of my citizenship anyway." Ismatov's appeals were denied. In August 2023, Russia extradited Ismatov to Dushanbe, where he was detained on a charge of "membership in an extremist group." But Tajik prosecutors later dropped the case against Ismatov under an amnesty. Prosecutors said Ismatov had abandoned his "criminal activities" in 2017 and had "ceased contacts with terrorist and extremist organizations," namely the European-based National Alliance of Tajikistan that brings together several opposition parties, including Group 24 and the Islamic Renaissance Party. Left In Limbo Ismatov was released in December 2023 and has since been appealing to the Russian and Tajik authorities -- including the Russian Embassy in Dushanbe -- to help reinstate his Russian citizenship. Ismatov says he has received no response. RFE/RL has contacted the embassy for comment. "I have a home in Russia, my wife is there, I have a job and property there," Ismatov said. "I have lived more than half of my life in Russia and I want to return to my home, to my family." Ismatov is stranded in Tajikistan with no home and income, staying with relatives in Dushanbe and the Rasht Valley. Asked about Ismatov's options to restore his Russian citizenship, prominent Tajik lawyer Shokirjon Hakimov suggested that "he also has the right to appeal to the Russian human rights ombudsman and the representatives of the UN in Tajikistan." "If Ismatov successfully proves his case, he also will ultimately be eligible for compensation for the moral and financial damages he has suffered," Hakimov added. Russia, a major ally and strategic partner of Tajikistan, has extradited numerous ethnic Tajiks -- including many political activists -- to Dushanbe regardless of their citizenship status. Among the most prominent cases, Russia deported two Tajik migrant leaders -- Karomat Sharifov and Izzat Amon -- in 2017 and 2021, respectively. Sharifov and Amon, both outspoken critics of the Tajik government, were also stripped of their Russian citizenship on disputed charges of violating immigration laws. Several Tajik activists, including influential community leaders from Tajikistan's restive Gorno-Badakhshan region, have disappeared in Russia in recent years and later reappeared in police custody in Dushanbe. Written by Farangis Najibullah in Prague based on reporting by Irshod Sulaimoni and Barot Yusufi of RFE/RL's Tajik Service in Dushanbe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris to discuss Russias invasion as at least 11 civilians were killed in attacks in the east and south of the country. Zelenskiy stopped off in Ireland on July 13 on his way back to Ukraine from the July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington, where alliance members announced they would continue to back the embattled country with military aid. Though Ireland joined the alliances Partnership for Peace program in 1999 to increase interoperability with other Western militaries, it is a neutral country and does not support parties involved in conflict with military aid. In a post on X, Zelenskiy said he and Harris discussed demining, cybersecurity, and the fate of Ukrainian children taken to Russia against their will. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, it has taken thousands of children from the occupied territories to Russia. Zelenskiy will travel next week to the United Kingdom for a meeting of the European Political Community, a collective launched following Russia's invasion. Nearly 50 European leaders will attend the event hosted by new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, including Harris. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. The NATO summit and European Political Community meeting come as Russia doubles down on its invasion of Ukraine with the help of China, North Korea, and Iran. Russia has been slowly grinding forward in Ukraine's Donetsk region, though at a significant cost in human life and equipment. More than 10,000 Russian soldiers have been confirmed killed this year, according to an investigation published on July 13, though the actual number is most likely much higher. Six people were killed and 22 injured overnight in the Donbas region, Ukrainian officials said on July 13. Meanwhile, two people were killed and two injured in a Russian strike on Priozernye village in the Ukrainian-controlled Kherson region, Aleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson military administration, said on his Telegram channel. In the Dnipro region, three people were injured in a Russian strike, the local administration said, while in the Kharkiv region, three were killed and dozens injured in attacks. Russia has stepped up air strikes against Ukraine's armed forces and infrastructure this year amid Kyiv's deficit of air defenses. Russia has damaged half of Ukraines power capacity, causing outages across the country. Amid a jump in demand triggered by a heat wave, Ukraine's state power operater said on July 13 that outages had increased. NATO allies announced this week plans to donate five air-defense systems and hundreds of missiles and also reiterated the first deliveries of F-16s this summer. SEOUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has condemned the "Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula" that the United States and South Korea signed earlier this week, the DPRK's state media said Saturday. In a press statement published by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the DPRK said the country's military forces "will guarantee the national security in every way with its powerful nuclear war deterrent readiness." The DPRK lashed out at the nuclear guidelines intended for "stepping up preparations for a nuclear war against the DPRK" by an integration of the nuclear forces of the United States and the conventional forces of South Korea, saying it will "push the regional military tensions to extremes." The nuclear threat posed by the enemy forces and the ensuing dangerous regional security environment "urgently requires the DPRK to further improve its nuclear deterrent readiness and add important elements to the composition of the deterrent," the KCNA said. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden warned in a joint statement on Thursday that any DPRK nuclear attack against South Korea will be met with a "swift, overwhelming and decisive" response, after Seoul's Defense Ministry and the Pentagon inked the nuclear guidelines document in Washington on the same day, according to Yonhap reports. By Cillian Sherlock, PA A large section of Sinn Fein supporters feel party leadership has failed to have their backs, Mary Lou McDonald has admitted. Ms McDonald made the remarks following a comprehensive and honest review of Sinn Feins recent electoral performance by the partys national leadership. She said the party had failed to reflect most peoples views on immigration, while also acknowledging Sinn Fein got it wrong by backing the Governments referenda in March. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald (Damien Storan/PA) More recently, Sinn Fein celebrated successes in the UK general election last week when it became Northern Irelands largest party at Westminster level in terms of both seats and vote share. However, that came on the back of a disappointing outing in the European and local council elections in the Republic of Ireland in June, where the party performed well below expectations despite modest gains. The Sinn Fein leader said the party would take decisive steps to prepare for the next general election in the Republic of Ireland. Speaking to the media after a party meeting in Dublin on Saturday, Ms McDonald said: Sinn Fein had a disappointing outcome in the recent local and European elections. Despite making slight gains, we fell significantly short of our own expectations. She added: We and I, as leader of this party, must acknowledge that for a sizable section of our supporters, there is a belief that we have failed to have their backs and that we didnt listen to their concerns. Its evident that in the local and European election campaigns, we lost trust and we lost support. So I have listened and we are going to listen every single day to what those who rely on Sinn Fein are telling us. That has always been our core strength. The most recent elections in the North illustrate what we can do when we are at our very best. In the local and European elections, we fell short of that standard. We must do better and we will. On immigration, Ms McDonald said the party failed to reflect where most people are at. The Sinn Fein leader said the Governments immigration policy did not make sense, was not transparent, and was unfair. She said: Sinn Fein stands firmly against racism. So, too, do the Irish people. We are a modern European economy and a strong one. We depend on migrant workers in so many areas of our society, not least our health service. Everyone must be treated with dignity with respect and in accordance with human rights standards. That is not in dispute. However, the State must also have an immigration policy that makes sense to people, thats transparent, thats fair and that works. And at present, that is not the case. We need a system that ensures applications are processed with clear criteria for determining who can come, whether they can work and what support they may receive. Ms McDonald said the party must bring clarity to what it is offering voters. She said: That means offering a crystal clear choice at the next general election between more of the same Fine Gael and Fianna Fail or a new government led by Sinn Fein and by listening to the concerns of those that we are so proud to represent. Ms McDonald said the party got it wrong by supporting yes votes in the Governments Family and Care referenda, adding: We must be big enough to admit that. The proposed constitutional amendments that would have extended the meaning of family beyond those defined by marriage and changed an acknowledgement of womens duties in the home to one about family carers, were overwhelmingly defeated. She said: We did what we should never do: We settled for second best. Many in our party and many of those who support our party rightly called us out on this. Ms McDonald said the party must be an unwavering voice for fairness, for decency, and for whats right. Union Minister Scindia Launches NERACE App to Boost North East Farmers The NERACE app aims to position the Northeast as a hub of high-value horticultural products in the international market. What is nerace poral app for farmers ? Union Minister for the Development of the North East Region Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday launched the North East Region Agri Commodity E-Connect (NERACE), designed to benefit the regions farmers and position it as a hub of high-value horticultural products in the international market. The NERACE app supports agricultural and horticultural products such as spices, fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals, and minor forest products. It aims to promote the Northeast as a reliable partner in the international agricultural value chain. In a social media post on X, Scindia wrote, "Digital India for North-East farmers! Delighted to launch the NE-RACE Appan online global platform for North East farmers, which will play a pivotal role in positioning the Northeast as a hub of high-value horticultural products. It will make the farmers of the region not just producers but also reliable partners in the international agri value chain." Advertisement Scindia also met with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to discuss future plans for the states growth, focusing on creating a "Viksit Purvottar" (developed Northeast) under PM Modi's "Vikshit Bharat" resolution. In another post on X, Scindia wrote, "Today with CM Shri @SangmaConrad Ji, held a productive meeting with officials of the Meghalaya govt, @NEC_GoI, and @MDoNER. Together, we strategized on key areas of work and future plans. With a focus on 'Technology, Environment, and Tourism,' we strive to strengthen regional connectivity, build robust infrastructure, maximize Meghalaya's competitive and comparative advantages, and drive Meghalaya to a more prosperous era of growth. #ViksitPurvottar." Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister Scindia held a review meeting to discuss the 100-day action plan of the Department of Posts, aiming to transform service delivery and enhance efficiency. (For more news apart from Union Minister Scindia Launches NERACE App to Boost North East Farmers, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) INDIA Bloc Leads in By-Elections, BJP Secures One Seat INDIA bloc parties make significant gains in byelections, while BJP and Independent show strong performances. According to trends on the Election Commission's website, INDIA bloc parties won four assembly seats and were leading on six, while the BJP secured one seat and was ahead on one more, along with an Independent candidate also leading on one seat. These results emerged as votes were counted on Saturday for the by-elections held earlier this week. The INDIA bloc's strong performance reflects significant support, while the BJP and an Independent candidate managed to hold their ground in a few constituencies. The final results are yet to be declared, with counting still in progress. The bypolls for 13 assembly seats were held on Wednesday in Punjab (1), Himachal Pradesh (3), Uttarakhand (2), West Bengal (4), Madhya Pradesh (1), Bihar (1), and Tamil Nadu (1). Advertisement The Congress, TMC, AAP, and DMK, all part of the INDIA bloc, fielded candidates in these by-elections, showing a strong performance. The BJP's gains were limited, reflecting the competitive nature of the current political landscape. The results highlight the dynamic political scenario as parties prepare for future electoral challenges. (For more news apart from INDIA Bloc Leads in By-Elections, BJP Secures One Seat, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran "looks forward to more extensive" cooperation with China, said President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian in an article published on Saturday. Pezeshkian said China, along with Russia, had consistently stood by Iran during challenging times, adding, "We deeply value this friendship." The article titled "My Message to the New World" is published in Iran's English language daily Tehran Times. Pointing to a long-term comprehensive cooperation agreement signed between Iran and China in March 2021, Pezeshkian noted, "Our 25-year roadmap with China represents a significant milestone towards establishing a mutually beneficial comprehensive strategic partnership, and we look forward to collaborating more extensively with Beijing as we advance towards a new global order." He hailed China for its "constructive vision and forward-thinking approach to international affairs," stressing that in 2023, China played a "pivotal role" in facilitating the normalization of relations between Tehran and Riyadh after a seven-year diplomatic freeze. In the article, Pezeshkian vowed that his administration would pursue an "opportunity-driven policy" by creating balance in relations with all states, consistent with the country's national interests, economic development, and requirements of regional and global peace and security. "We will prioritize strengthening relations with our neighbors," he said, adding that his administration's other foreign policy priorities would include fostering mutually beneficial relations with emerging international players in the Global South, especially African nations, as well as Latin American states. Pezeshkian was announced as Iran's next president on July 6 following his victory in a runoff against Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator. July 13, 2024 A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 13.07.2024, 14:00 HEAT WAVE Territories in the center, north and southeast are under a code orange alert against extreme heat, while the capital city and the remaining counties are under a code red alert, both in place until Sunday. A new code red alert is expected to take effect on Monday, targeting the entire country with the exception of nine counties in the north, where a code orange alert will be in place. Highs during the interval are expected to reach or exceed 42 degrees, with heat persisting throughout the night and the THI exceeding the critical level of 80, thus creating severe thermal discomfort. Central and local authorities are making efforts to cope with the effects of the heat wave. First aid and water supply tents have been set up in several towns and villages. Traffic restrictions for vehicles with a mass exceeding 7 tons are in place over the weekend on motorways, express roads and certain national road segments. DRUG TESTING The Government has amended the Emergency Decree on drug testing of drivers, after civil society harshly criticized the document. In the event lab tests of biological samples are not ready within 72 hours, drivers can have their licenses back. Authorities said all drivers will be submitted to a drug test if road traffic agents find illegal substances in their vehicle or in their possession. Should final lab tests turn positive, drivers will lose their licenses again and will bear the full consequences of the law. NATIONAL DAY OF FRANCE Romanias Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Friday thanked France for assuming command of the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Romania and for its sizable contingent deployed to Romania, arguing that NATOs advanced presence on the Eastern Flank is a major component of the Alliances deterrence and defense posture. The Romanian official attended a reception celebrating the National Day of France. Marcel Ciolacu referred to the Strategic Partnership between the two states, which next year will celebrate 145 years of diplomatic ties, during which time we have become a family, the Romanian official said. France is one of Romanias top investors, the Prime Minister added, also thanking France for its unwavering support for Romanias efforts to join Schengen and the OECD. BACCALAUREATE The admission rate of the Baccalaureate exam went up by 1.8%, reaching 78.2% after all re-examination requests have been solved, the Education Ministry reports. Most participants in the Romanian Baccalaureate (18.852) obtained average scores ranging between 9 and 9.49, while 59 pupils grabbed a perfect score 10. The second session of the Romanian Baccalaureate is scheduled for August 8-30, with the registration stage set for July 15-22. CULTMUSE The National History Museum of Romania will be hosting the Cultures and Heritage through Museum Education (CultMuse) project for the next month. Saturdays agenda included a treasure-hunting activity. 14 volunteers from Romania, France, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Latvia will take part in various activities designed to encourage the public to discover the world of museums, broken down into three categories: implementation, logistics and advertising. The team of volunteers will try to offer guests an appealing experience at the museum, also highlighting the museums role as an informal source of education. CultMuse seeks to encourage the organization of educational activities within museums, improve understanding of these cultural institutions and provide the public with an opportunity of taking part in cross-disciplinary activities organized by EU volunteers with different intellectual and professional backgrounds. The project is funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps programme. INVESTIGATION The former leftist Prime Minister of Romania in the 1990s, Petre Roman, on Friday appeared before prosecutors for a deposition in the so-called 1990 Miners Raid investigation, where he stands accused of crimes against humanity. The former president Ion Iliescu, deputy Prime Minister Gelu-Voican Voiculescu and former Romanian intelligence chief Virgil Magureanu are also prosecuted in the investigation. ASSISTANCE A second brigade of 40 firefighters from Romania left for France on Saturday to replace the first brigade, which for the past couple of weeks has been assisting French counterparts by monitoring the risk of forest wildfires in at-risk areas. Over July 1-31, the Department for Emergency Situations with the Interior Ministry is taking part in a pre-positioning program organized by the Directorate General for European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), aimed at consolidating the resilience of French authorities in managing wildfires. Therefore, a specialized brigade consisting of 40 firefighters and 8 special fire-fighting vehicles (3 3,000-liter trucks, 1 30,000-liter water tanker, 1 10,000-liter truck, 1 first-response and command vehicle and 1 bus) reached France on June 30. VOTE MEPs next week are voting on Ursula von der Leyens candidacy for a second term at the helm of the European Commission. A debate will also be held ahead of the vote. To get re-elected, the 65-year-old German president of the European Commission needs at least 361 of the total number of 720 eligible votes. This week, two new far-right parties were set up in the European Parliament, one of them totaling enough members to become the third political force of the current legislature. The EPP, S&D, RENEW and the Greens together hold 454 seats and are planning to isolate the two extremist groups The Patriots for Europe and the Europe of Sovereign Nations. Both oppose support for Ukraine, are viewed as friendly towards Moscow and accused of comprising authoritarian parties. Also next week, MEPs will also cast their votes to elect the new president of the European Parliament, as well as 14 vice-presidents and quaestors. Born in 1979, Roberta Metsola of Malta is favorite to secure a new term in office. (VP) July 13, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Romania International, 13.07.2024, 20:00 HEAT WAVE Territories in the center, north and southeast are under a code orange alert against extreme heat, while the capital city and the remaining counties are under a code red alert, both in place until Sunday. A new code red alert is expected to take effect on Monday, targeting the entire country with the exception of nine counties in the north, where a code orange alert will be in place. Highs during the interval are expected to reach or exceed 42 degrees, with heat persisting throughout the night and the THI exceeding the critical level of 80, thus creating severe thermal discomfort. Central and local authorities are making efforts to cope with the effects of the heat wave. First aid and water supply tents have been set up in several towns and villages. Traffic restrictions for vehicles with a mass exceeding 7 tons are in place over the weekend on motorways, express roads and certain national road segments. DRUG TESTING The Government has amended the Emergency Decree on drug testing of drivers, after civil society harshly criticized the document. In the event lab tests of biological samples are not ready within 72 hours, drivers can have their licenses back. Authorities said all drivers will be submitted to a drug test if road traffic agents find illegal substances in their vehicle or in their possession. Should final lab tests turn positive, drivers will lose their licenses again and will bear the full consequences of the law. NATIONAL DAY OF FRANCE Romanias Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Friday thanked France for assuming command of the NATO Multinational Battle Group in Romania and for its sizable contingent deployed to Romania, arguing that NATOs advanced presence on the Eastern Flank is a major component of the Alliances deterrence and defense posture. The Romanian official attended a reception celebrating the National Day of France. Marcel Ciolacu referred to the Strategic Partnership between the two states, which next year will celebrate 145 years of diplomatic ties, during which time we have become a family, the Romanian official said. France is one of Romanias top investors, the Prime Minister added, also thanking France for its unwavering support for Romanias efforts to join Schengen and the OECD. ASSISTANCE A second brigade of 40 firefighters from Romania left for France on Saturday to replace the first brigade, which for the past couple of weeks has been assisting French counterparts by monitoring the risk of forest wildfires in at-risk areas. Over July 1-31, the Department for Emergency Situations with the Interior Ministry is taking part in a pre-positioning program organized by the Directorate General for European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), aimed at consolidating the resilience of French authorities in managing wildfires. Therefore, a specialized brigade consisting of 40 firefighters and 8 special fire-fighting vehicles (3 3,000-liter trucks, 1 30,000-liter water tanker, 1 10,000-liter truck, 1 first-response and command vehicle and 1 bus) reached France on June 30. VOTE MEPs next week are voting on Ursula von der Leyens candidacy for a second term at the helm of the European Commission. A debate will also be held ahead of the vote. To get re-elected, the 65-year-old German president of the European Commission needs at least 361 of the total number of 720 eligible votes. This week, two new far-right parties were set up in the European Parliament, one of them totaling enough members to become the third political force of the current legislature. The EPP, S&D, RENEW and the Greens together hold 454 seats and are planning to isolate the two extremist groups The Patriots for Europe and the Europe of Sovereign Nations. Both oppose support for Ukraine, are viewed as friendly towards Moscow and accused of comprising authoritarian parties. Also next week, MEPs will also cast their votes to elect the new president of the European Parliament, as well as 14 vice-presidents and quaestors. Born in 1979, Roberta Metsola of Malta is favorite to secure a new term in office. CULTMUSE The National History Museum of Romania will be hosting the Cultures and Heritage through Museum Education (CultMuse) project for the next month. Saturdays agenda included a treasure-hunting activity. 14 volunteers from Romania, France, Sweden, Estonia, Finland and Latvia will take part in various activities designed to encourage the public to discover the world of museums, broken down into three categories: implementation, logistics and advertising. The team of volunteers will try to offer guests an appealing experience at the museum, also highlighting the museums role as an informal source of education. CultMuse seeks to encourage the organization of educational activities within museums, improve understanding of these cultural institutions and provide the public with an opportunity of taking part in cross-disciplinary activities organized by EU volunteers with different intellectual and professional backgrounds. The project is funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps programme. (VP) Sedan sales continue to decline in June 2024 YoY sedan sales are down by 16% while MoM sales are down by 15% After taking a look at the SUV sales performance, let us now take a look at how the sedans performed last month. June 2024 was a challenging month for the sedan segment in India, with shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics impacting sales across various models. Overall, the sedan segment in June 2024 reported sales of 26,770 units, marking a 16.41% decline year-over-year. Sedan Sales June 2024 YoY Comparison Leading the segment was the Maruti Dzire, which sold 13,421 units, marking a significant 43.97% increase compared to June 2023, securing a dominant 50.13% market share. Hyundai Aura followed with 4,299 units sold in June 2024, experiencing a decline of 12.39% year-over-year. Honda Amaze reported 1,794 units sold in June 2024, showing a sharp decline of 50.19% compared to the same month last year. Volkswagen Virtus sold 1,656 units in June 2024, down by 8.61% from June 2023, while Hyundai Verna faced a substantial downturn with 1,424 units sold in June 2024, a decrease of 64.41% year-over-year. Tata Tigor and its electric variant contributed 1,371 units to the sedan segment in June 2024, marking a 58.89% decline from June 2023. Skoda Slavia recorded 1,230 units sold in June 2024, down by 24.95% compared to the same month last year, while Honda City and Maruti Ciaz faced declines of 41.88% and 67.20%, respectively, with 859 and 572 units sold in June 2024. Toyota Camry sold 143 units in June 2024, down by 22.28% compared to June 2023, while Skoda Superb entered the market with 1 unit sold in June 2024. Sedan Sales June 2024 MoM Comparison Sedan sales declined month on month as well. June 2024 sedan sales were at 26,770 units, marking a 14.33% decline compared to May 2024. Maruti Dzire maintained its lead with 13,421 units sold, though experiencing a 16.44% decline from May 2024. Hyundai Aura followed with 4,299 units, down by 3.02% month-over-month, while Honda Amaze reported 1,794 units, showing a decline of 19.01%. Volkswagen Virtus sold 1,656 units, marking a slight increase of 2.86% from May. Hyundai Verna also showed growth, selling 1,424 units, up by 3.11%. Tata Tigor and its electric variant contributed 1,371 units, experiencing a significant 34.65% decline from the previous month. Skoda Slavia recorded 1,230 units, down by 20.03%, while Honda City and Maruti Ciaz faced declines of 18.50% and 21.64%, respectively, with 859 and 572 units sold in June 2024. Toyota Camry sold 143 units, showing a growth of 17.21% month-over-month, while Skoda Superb entered the market with 1 unit sold. LHASA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference issued a statement Saturday, expressing strong indignation at and firm opposition to the United States signing a bill on Xizang. The so-called "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act" grossly interferes in China's internal affairs, arbitrarily smears and attacks China's Xizang policies and sends a gravely erroneous signal to "Tibet independence" separatist forces, noted the statement. China is a unified multi-ethnic country, and Xizang has been an integral part of China since ancient times. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Xizang has eradicated absolute poverty for the first time in history, and seen political and social stability, economic development, ethnic unity and religious harmony, the statement said. People's happiness is the greatest human right, and it is the people of Xizang who have the most say in this regard, noted the statement. The statement stressed that Xizang affairs are purely China's internal affairs and no external interference will be tolerated. The statement said the fact that Xizang has been an inalienable part of China since ancient times will never change no matter how the United States confuses right and wrong, and distorts the facts. "We solemnly demand that the United States abides by its commitment to acknowledging that Xizang is part of China and not supporting 'Tibet independence.'" Marcelo Vergaray uses a pH meter to test the pH value of the nutrient solution for blueberries at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. Marcelo Vergaray is a 31-year-old fourth-generation Chinese-Peruvian immigrant from Peru. Driven by his agricultural passion, he came to Mengzi, a city in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, taking up the role of production manager at Hortifrut and Joyvio, a joint venture agricultural technology company. Here, he collaborates with a professional team to manage blueberry plantations. The unique natural conditions in Mengzi make it suitable for blueberry cultivation, distinguished by a long picking season that starts in November and lasts until June the following year. This harvest period strategically fills a gap in domestic and international blueberry markets. With his expertise, Vergaray has introduced new technologies and blueberry varieties to Mengzi, enhancing production efficiency and reducing costs. Additionally, he focuses on improving fruit quality to cater to market demands in China. "I compare blueberries to my daughters. They are beautiful and precious," Vergaray says. Vergaray's deep-rooted affection for the Chinese culture began in his childhood. He actively participated in activities such as dragon and lion dances in Peru. After moving to China in 2017, he immersed himself in learning Mandarin and engaging with colleagues and friends to deepen his understanding of the Chinese culture. Since then, he has actively participated in numerous cultural activities. And now he has a family with a Chinese wife and a nine-month-old child. Looking ahead, Vergaray is optimistic about his future in China. "I believe my future lies here," he says. "China's economy is developing rapidly with an extensive market." Blueberry in Mengzi has also become a flagship plateau agricultural product of Yunnan with the combined efforts of Chinese and international enterprises. By the first half of 2024, the total fruit-bearing area for blueberries had reached 22.5 thousand mu (about 1,500 hectares) in Mengzi. The output in 2023 reached 22 thousand tonnes, with the total value exceeding 2 billion yuan (about 276 million US dollars). (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (R) tastes rice noodles with a friend in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray checks the growth of blueberry plants at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (C, front) poses for a group photo with a local lion dance team in Shilipu Village of Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) An aerial drone photo taken on July 9, 2024 shows a blueberry plantation base of Hortifrut and Joyvio in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) An aerial drone photo taken on July 9, 2024 shows the water reservoir at a blueberry plantation base of Hortifrut and Joyvio in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (4th L) makes cymbal accompaniment for a local lion dance team in Shilipu Village of Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (L) and Song Junhong, the director of a blueberry plantation base, check blueberry plants at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (R) and Song Junhong, the director of a blueberry plantation base, talks about blueberry seedling care at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray browses through family photos after work in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (R) and Song Junhong, the director of a blueberry plantation base, talk about the operation of the water and fertilizer integrated pump room in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) An aerial drone photo shows Marcelo Vergaray (L) and two colleagues taking a rest at a blueberry plantation base of Hortifrut and Joyvio in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray takes photos of blueberry seedlings at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray introduces the blueberry yield at a blueberry plantation base of Hortifrut and Joyvio in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray uses a pressure gauge to measure the pressure of the drip irrigation pipes at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray (2nd R) instructs Song Junhong, the director of a blueberry plantation base, on the care of blueberry seedlings, at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) Marcelo Vergaray poses for a photo at a blueberry greenhouse in Mengzi, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo) NAIROBI, July 13 (Xinhua) -- When Kevin Kimani visited the East Africa (Kenya) Fashion Life Show in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, on Friday, the 24-year-old youth fell for elegant Chinese fabric and designer wear on display in many exhibition stands. His excitement palpable, Kimani who is a communications major, said that part of the reason he was drawn to the Chinese-made garment was their exotic appearance and friendly pricing. The youngster revealed that a mutual friend alerted him about the East African (Kenya) Fashion Life Show and International Small Commodities Expo At Sarit Expo Center that runs from July 10 to 13, attracting 60 exhibitors, of which 40 are local and 20 are Chinese, adding that his visit was motivated by a desire to explore fashionable clothes and shoes from China. "I decided to come and see for myself the good things Chinese exhibitors have, especially clothes that are in fashion. The Chinese fashion is different from others and its unique features are texture and color," Kimani said. Kenyans in their dozens defied balmy weather to visit the fashion show and the expo where Chinese exhibitors showcased a wide range of products including household items, textile and apparel, beauty and personal care, children's toys and electronics. Gao Wei, the managing director of Afripeak Expo Kenya and organizer of the four-day event, said it aimed to serve as a bridge for connecting Chinese and local fashion industries, foster cultural exchange and understanding. He noted that a fusion of China's advanced manufacturing capabilities and Kenya's ingenuity will lead to the production of high-quality and culturally rich fashion items that appeal to global consumers. At the Shaoxing Shifan Import & Export Co. Ltd exhibition stand, Debra Ndegwa, a 26-year-old marketer, was in high spirits as she engaged visitors attracted to brightly colored Chinese fabric on display. Ndegwa showcased Chinese fabric for making curtains, pillowcases and cushions to local visitors who in turn made purchases and promised to make referrals to relatives and friends. "All I can say is that Kenyans are embracing the Chinese fabrics because their quality and the prices are friendly. It is easier to import fabric from China," Ndegwa said. She disclosed her fascination with Chinese-made clothes, adding that her youthful peers too have turned to designer outfits from China in line with growing cultural solidarity. Walking briskly at the rooftop of the upscale shopping complex where the East African Fashion Life Show is taking place, Abdulrahim Weku, a businessman, carted away a tastefully decorated Chinese fabric that he had just bought. A widely traveled entrepreneur, Weku observed that Chinese clothes have struck a chord with Kenyans aspiring for sartorial elegance. Chinese investors in the textile and apparel sector are keen to export fashionable garments and shoes to Kenya, even as they explore the wider African market, said Tony Lau, the managing director of Blackwood International (Jinan) Co. Ltd. Lau said that a partnership with local designers and distributors will be key to raising the visibility of Chinese fashion in Kenya, adding he intends to engage with local shopping malls to facilitate export of customized men's, women's clothing and school uniforms to Kenya. Silas Musyoka, the marketplace operations manager at Kilimall, an e-commerce platform, said that Chinese-manufactured products including clothes, shoes, curtains and carpets are popular among local buyers, given their guarantee of quality and affordability. The fashion show, according to Musyoka, presented an opportunity for Chinese investors in the textile and apparel sector to interact with local clients, understand their sartorial preferences. Millicent Awuor, a female entrepreneur dealing with children's clothes, said that during her visit to the expo, she met Chinese suppliers and exporters of designer wear, with whom they discussed possible areas of collaboration. She observed that Chinese fabric is authentic and cost-friendly even as she mooted plans to diversify to men's clothing imported from China in a bid to boost growth of her business. This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows destroyed buildings and vehicles following an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. With three missiles, Israeli jets bombed the tents housing displaced people in Khan Younis, and then a civil defense vehicle was targeted, local and security sources told Xinhua. Dozens of bodies of the killed and wounded people were lying on the ground, locals told Xinhua. The Israeli raid targeted a large gathering of displaced people in Mawasi, the Gaza Civil Defense Service reported in a brief statement. Meanwhile, Israeli state-owned Kan TV news said that the target of the Israeli attack on the Mawasi area was Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, noting that the army was awaiting the results of the raid. Hamas rejected the claim, saying it comes in the context of covering up Israel's crimes. This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows destroyed buildings and vehicles following an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows destroyed buildings and vehicles following an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) This photo taken on July 13, 2024 shows smoke rising following an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A man checks the debris after an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A woman checks the debris after an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People check the debris after an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A man checks the debris after an Israeli airstrike in the Mawasi area of the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn their relative killed in an Israeli attack during a funeral in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians carry the remains of a man killed in an Israeli attack during a funeral in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn their relative killed in an Israeli attack during a funeral in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on July 13, 2024. At least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured on Saturday by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza, the Gaza health authorities said. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A lecture is held during the "Ibn Battuta and China" academic seminar in Rabat, Morocco, July 12, 2024. The academic seminar was held Friday at the Chinese Culture Center in Rabat. During the seminar, experts and scholars from Morocco and China discussed the contemporary value and significance of "The Rihla," the travelogue written by Ibn Battuta, a world-renowned Moroccan traveler, explorer, and scholar in the 14th century. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) RABAT, July 12 (Xinhua) -- The "Ibn Battuta and China" academic seminar was held Friday at the Chinese Culture Center here in the capital of Morocco. During the seminar, experts and scholars from Morocco and China discussed the contemporary value and significance of "The Rihla," the travelogue written by Ibn Battuta, a world-renowned Moroccan traveler, explorer, and scholar in the 14th century. In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Morocco Li Changlin paid tribute to the visits by Battuta and his Chinese counterpart, traveler Wang Dayuan, to each other's countries back in the 14th century. He added that in recent years, the mutual understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Moroccan peoples have reached a new height. He said China-Morocco relations have become a model of mutual respect and equal exchanges between different countries and civilizations, praising the vigorous cultural exchanges and mutual learning between the two sides. Li Wei, vice president of the International Confucian Association, said the seminar per se reflected the enduring charm of "The Rihla" and the dialogue between civilizations through the spread of classic literature. Nasser Bouchiba, chairman of the Africa-China Cooperation Association for Development in Morocco, said Battuta's travelogue has influenced generations of Moroccans. He called on Arab scholars to learn from Battuta's philosophy and seize opportunities to deepen comprehensive cooperation with China. Moroccan scholars look at a book in Arabic during the "Ibn Battuta and China" academic seminar in Rabat, Morocco, July 12, 2024. The academic seminar was held Friday at the Chinese Culture Center in Rabat. During the seminar, experts and scholars from Morocco and China discussed the contemporary value and significance of "The Rihla," the travelogue written by Ibn Battuta, a world-renowned Moroccan traveler, explorer, and scholar in the 14th century. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) Jio Financial Services (JFS), recently separated from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), has submitted an application to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) seeking to transform itself from a non-banking financial company (NBFC) into a core investment company (CIC) as required by regulatory guidelines. JFS, which was demerged from RIL in July and subsequently listed on the stock exchanges in August, has quickly positioned itself as a significant competitor to fintech startups across various sectors, including payments, insurance, and asset management. In a filing on November 21, the company announced that it had applied to the RBI to transition from an NBFC to a CIC in order to adjust its shareholding pattern and governance structure following its demerger from Reliance Industries, in compliance with RBI regulations. As per RBI guidelines, CICs are companies primarily investing in their group entities via equity, preference shares, convertibles, or loans. These entities function as passive holding companies, maintaining control over their group companies without engaging in other financial activities. Jio Financial Services has denied reports of raising money through bond issuance, refuting claims that suggested a potential fundraising of up to INR 10,000 crore. The company clarified that it complies with disclosure obligations under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and agreements with stock exchanges. Earlier this year, JFS partnered with BlackRock, the world's largest asset management company, to enter India's mutual fund market. Recently, JFS announced that the RBI has approved the appointments of Isha Ambani, Anshuman Thakur, and Hitesh Kumar Sethia as company directors. The company recently introduced a soundbox, along with a variety of other products, including personal and merchant lending, insurance, and retail payments. JFS competes with major players in the fintech sector such as Paytm, PhonePe, BharatPe, PB Fintech, InsuranceDekho, CRED, Zerodha, and Groww. In Q2 FY24, the companys consolidated profit after tax (PAT) doubled sequentially to INR 668.2 crore, while its operating revenue rose over 61% quarter-on-quarter to INR 608 crore. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The New York City civil service exam schedule is open for July, and some jobs pay more than others. The application period for exams opened July 10. Exam applications currently open include: call center representative; dental assistant (NYC H+H); environmental police officer; firefighter; marine engineer; police communications technician; police officer; and school safety agent. Open, competitive, computer-based tests are administered throughout each month for various positions. If you meet the basic requirements of the job, you can apply for your exam online at Online Application System (OASys) or at one of the Computer-Based Testing and Application Centers (CTAC). The deadline for most exams is July 30. The application for call center representative will stay open until Aug. 27, while the application for police officer will be open through Sept. 25. Additionally, the exam for environmental police officer remains open through Aug. 30 and the exam for firefighter remains open through Aug. 9. Here are the starting salaries, deadlines and job descriptions for each career, according to the city. Call center representative Salary: $39,486 Application deadline: Aug. 27 Job description: Call Center Representatives, under supervision, in the Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) New York City 24-hour 3-1-1 Call Center, provide a single point of contact for all non-emergency City services utilizing state-of-the-art telephone and interactive computer systems, respond to phone inquiries from the public, provide customer service and information to callers, take complaints and service requests and forward them for further action; enter inquiries, complaints and requests into appropriate computer systems, and perform related clerical and computer support work. Dental assistant (NYC H+H) Salary: $35,115 to $52,653 per annum Application deadline: July 30 Job description: Dental Assistants (NYC Health + Hospitals), under direct supervision, assist dentists in providing dental services to patients in clinics and hospitals. They prepare patients for examination and treatment; assist dentists by handing them required instruments for the treatment of patients; prepare instruments for sterilization, disinfect surface areas, and maintain clinic and clinic equipment in a hygienic condition in accordance with proper infection control procedures; prepare examination room for procedures; take and upload dental digital imaging; mix amalgams, cements, composites, and related materials; perform laboratory procedures such as pouring and packaging models from impressions for prosthetics; maintain records of instruments and models; maintain clinic equipment to ensure that it is in working order; report shortages in supplies and materials and necessary equipment repairs; assist dentists in patient management; schedule patient appointments; enter and retrieve data and information into computerized systems; interact with patients and the public. Environmental police officer Salary: $$49,210 per annum for the first 26 weeks and $56,454 after the first 26 weeks. Application deadline: Aug. 30 Job description: Environmental Police Officers perform and supervise staff performing duties involved in protecting the watershed areas, water supply systems and installations maintained by the Department of Environmental Protection of the City of New York; enforce the Citys Watershed Rules and Regulations and other laws; and perform special duties or assignments as may be directed by superior officers. Environmental Police Officers operate motor vehicles and may perform aerial reconnaissance. Firefighter Salary: $54,122 Application deadline: Aug. 9 Job description: Under supervision, Firefighters assist in the control and extinguishment of fires, in providing pre-hospital emergency medical care, and in the enforcement of laws, ordinances, rules and regulations regarding the prevention, control and extinguishment of fires, as well as perform Fire Safety Education activities; perform inspections and related enforcement duties, such as issuing criminal court summonses and vacate orders, to assure compliance with provisions of the Fire Prevention Code and applicable sections of the Building Code, Multiple Dwelling Code, Housing Maintenance Code, Labor Law and other laws, rules and regulations, within enforcement purviews of the New York City Fire Department; perform inspections of equipment and schedule as necessary the maintenance of various tools and equipment, including but not limited to power tools, company apparatus, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (S.C.B.A) and other personal safety equipment; and perform related work. Marine engineer Salary: $103,194 Application deadline: July 30 Job description: Marine Engineers, under general direction of the Chief Marine Engineer (CME) or other superior officer, operate the main propulsion equipment and auxiliaries of a diesel or diesel-electric powered ferry boat. They assist the CME or other superior officer in the supervision and direction of the engine room crew (below deck team); take responsible charge of the maintenance, minor or emergency repair work and operation of the main propulsion equipment, boilers, auxiliaries, electrical equipment, steering engines, pumps and fuel tanks on New York City ferry vessels; ensure that all standing orders, agency standard operating procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations are followed, including start-up and shutdown, watchstanding and vessel fuel station procedures; conduct periodic rounds and inspections of machinery spaces; ensure that records of machinery operations and inspections are completed/maintained; supervise vessel fueling and direct the proper care, storage and use of fuel on board ship; ensure that records and logbooks, including the oil record book and engine logbooks, are maintained, as specified; write reports, when necessary; participate in ferry safety meetings; may, during the temporary absence of the immediate superior, perform the duties of that individual. Police communications technician Salary: $42,976 Application deadline: July 30 Job description: Police Communications Technicians, working under direct supervision in the Police Department Communications Section, serve as 911 call-takers; obtain necessary information from callers in order to initiate emergency assistance; serve as radio dispatchers of police resources; view pictures, videos and listen to audio attachments sent via Text to 911; and perform clerical, administrative and other duties related to the provision of emergency service. Police officer Salary: $53,790 Application deadline: Sept. 25 Job description: Police Officers perform general police duties and related work in the New York City Police Department including connecting and building relationships with the community. They patrol an assigned area on foot or in a vehicle to prevent crime; apprehend crime suspects; intervene in various situations involving crimes in progress, aided cases, complaints, emotionally disturbed persons, etc.; respond to and investigate vehicular accidents; investigate specific offenses; interact with prisoners; operate and maintain patrol vehicles; issue summonses; obtain information regarding incidents by interviewing witnesses, victims, and/or complainants; safeguard and voucher found, seized or recovered property; provide information to the public; handle situations involving maltreated, abused, or missing children; interact with juveniles; may be assigned to crowd control for large-scale events such as demonstrations, rallies and parades; prepare forms and reports; and testify in court. School safety agent Salary: $36,955 Application deadline: July 30 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After the number of foreclosures in New York City nearly doubled in 2023, new data shows continued citywide declines from last year, despite an increase here on Staten Island. A new report by PropertyShark analyzed first-time residential foreclosures across New York City during the second quarter of 2024, which includes April, May and June, to identify trends in the citys real estate market. After three consecutive quarters in which citywide cases surpassed 400 first-time filings, Q2 fell below that. In fact, foreclosures were down 14% quarter-over-quarter, wrote Eliza Theiss of PropertyShark. There were 366 first-time residential foreclosures across New York City during the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, which was 14% lower than the 424 in Q1 of 2024 and 20% lower than the 459 in Q4 of 2024, an indication that the foreclosure market is now slowing following the massive surge in the second half of last year. Queens continues to lead the way with the most residential foreclosures of any borough with 160 in Q2, a 16% decrease from the 191 in Q1. Historically, Queens has been the citys leading borough for foreclosures, mainly due to its property mix, which skews towards lower-density residential. That has remained true for the Queens foreclosure market in the post-moratorium era, as well: Queens claimed 44% of the citys entire foreclosure caseload in Q2 2024, Theiss wrote. Brooklyn saw the second-most residential foreclosures with 95, representing a 27% decrease from the 130 seen in the borough in Q1. In Manhattan, the borough with the third-most residential foreclosures, totals ticked up 18%, from 34 in Q1 to 40 in Q2. Manhattan remains the only borough where foreclosure rates have returned to the levels seen before the pandemic-era foreclosure moratorium. Staten Island saw its number of foreclosures spike 46%, the highest increase of any borough, from 26 in Q1 to 38 in Q2. However, the 38 foreclosures in Q2 represent a 31% decrease from the second quarter of 2023, when there were 55 on Staten Island. The Bronx had the fewest foreclosures of any borough in Q2 with 33, which was 23% fewer than the 43 the borough saw during the first three months of the year. Throughout the first six months of 2024, there have been 790 total first-time residential foreclosures, of which 351 were in Queens, 225 were in Brooklyn, 76 were in the Bronx, 74 were in Manhattan and 64 were on Staten Island. QUEENS, N.Y. For its 10th anniversary, All Things Go music festival is set to launch in New York City for the first time ever on Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. Many diverse musicians who are creating a buzz within the music industry, such as Renee Rapp, Janelle Monae, Julien Baker, and Ethel Cain, are set to perform. Originating as a blog created among four friends with a similar passion for music, All Things Go now boasts a popular concert. According to their website, the event prides itself as being more than just a music festival; extending its identity as a source for music lovers to connect and celebrate within a diverse community. For All Things Go, one festival isnt enough! as reported by an official Instagram post shown below. News of the fresh location in Queens to stage the event has sparked conversation among festival and music lovers. The iconic grass courts of Forest Hills Stadium has welcomed a diverse group of headliners for over 100 years. Some previous sell-out performers include Drake, Dolly Parton, Mumford and Sons, The Alabama Shakes, and Ed Sheeran, according to their website. What started as a one-day festival at Union Market in Washington DC and spotlighted only 8 small artists has made its way to the metropolitan area of NYC for a two-day celebration with a stacked setlist. The line-up for the NYC edition of All Things Go notably mirrors that of the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland, which became the events prime arena as it gained a following from music-goers. Some of the many spotlighted artists of this generation will take center stage and perform at both spots in the same weekend. These artists, along with information on how to acquire tickets, were revealed on various social media platforms, as shown below. ALL THINGS GO NYC 2024 Presale for #ATGNYC begins this Thursday, 6/13 at 10AM ET. Sign up for Presale now to get early access to tickets at the lowest price possible. Link in bio - https://t.co/f9s83jO09u General onsale starts Friday for any remaining tickets. pic.twitter.com/qZ52mbAbXs All Things Go (@AllThingsGo) June 11, 2024 All Things Go has transformed into a social media sensation whose demand has only increased. Tickets for the Forest Hills event sold out almost instantaneously, but those who still wish to attend can join the waitlist on their official website for a chance to get them if they become available. Additional resale tickets, which vary from one-day passes to two-day passes, are available through third party platforms such as Stubhub, SeatGeek and VividSeats. Ticket prices for the preferred two-day pass option currently range from $314 to $828, as per Stubhub. Information on how to purchase these tickets and utilize promo codes and discounts can be navigated through Billboard. The popularity of the event has inspired giveaways through partnerships with All Things Go for tickets. The first was announced on X this afternoon, as seen below. Ive teamed up with All Things Go to give away a pair of tickets to both ATG festivals in NY & MD! To win: Follow @concertleaks & @AllThingsGo Like + Retweet Good luck!!! Reply w/ which location youd like to attend! pic.twitter.com/wxQIuL5jlV (@concertleaks) July 9, 2024 You can find information about All Things Go and the 2024 Forest Hills event through various social media platforms, as encouraged by their official website. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Beijing has launched a "rocket street" project, aiming to establish a national-level scientific research and production hub to support China's commercial space development. "Beijing Rocket Street" project will be located in Beijing E-town, an economic and technological development area in the southeast of the capital city, with a total floor space of 140,000 square meters. A common technological platform, a high-end manufacturing center and an innovation research and development center are some of the major facilities. It also plans to build an interactive exhibition hall for science and technology that will offer visitors immersive virtual reality experiences. The local government anticipates that the project will assist rocket enterprises in exploring new technologies and expanding their application scenario. Meanwhile, it has spearheaded a commercial space alliance, bringing together businesses, universities, institutions and cooperatives. Beijing E-town hosts a cluster of over 70 aerospace companies including 75 percent of China's private rocket makers. In 2023, the country's private commercial rocket enterprises, all headquartered in Beijing, carried a total of 13 space launches. Since China's government work report earlier this year highlighted the inclusion of the commercial space industry as a significant driver for new growth, many regions such as Shanghai, Hunan and Sichuan have also released development plans to boost the industry. Data shows that China's commercial space market has experienced rapid growth since 2015, with an average annual increase of over 20 percent from 2017 to the first half of this year. This year, the country's commercial space market is expected to be worth 2.34 trillion yuan (about 328 billion U.S. dollars). Florida is the world-famous home to hundreds of miles of beautiful beaches and thus welcomes more than 140 million tourists each year. However, if youre in the market to buy property in the Sunshine State, be forewarned of which cities to avoid. Real estate expert Yawar Charlie, director of Aaron Kirman Groups estates division and a cast member of CNBCs Listing Impossible warns in a recent interview: When it comes to real estate, not every sunny spot in the Sunshine State is a wise investment. Investing in real estate is about more than just sunshine and palm trees. Its crucial to look at economic stability, growth potential, and environmental risks. Before you get swept up by the allure of Floridas warm weather, make sure youre also considering the financial forecast. Charlie breaks down the five worst cities in Florida to refrain from buying in the next five years and his reason why: 1. Miami Beach: Despite the allure of Miami Beachs nightlife and world-class dining, Charlie warns: Yes, Miami Beach is glamorous, but the rising sea levels and increasing frequency of hurricanes pose significant risks. The cost of insuring properties is soaring, and the potential for long-term value depreciation is real. Its like buying a beautiful beachfront home with a ticking time bomb in the basement. 2. Daytona Beach: Charlie warns not to be too blinded by beaches to not see the downsides, saying: While it may be famous for its speedway, Daytona Beach struggles with economic stagnation and high crime rates. The real estate market has been sluggish, and without major economic development, property values are likely to remain flat. Investing here might leave you feeling stuck in the pit stop. 3. Fort Meyers: Despite its appeal to retirees, Fort Myers faces issues with overdevelopment and environmental concerns, particularly regarding water quality, Charlie warns about this favorite spot for retirees. The housing market has been volatile, and long-term growth prospects are uncertain. Its a bit like buying a flashy car that might just run out of gas. 4. Pensacola: Charlie warns that Pensacola has been impacted by a sluggish economy, saying: This city has faced economic challenges and limited job growth, which impacts the housing market. High crime rates and a lack of new development projects make it less appealing to investors. 5. Ocala: Similar to Pensacola, Ocala has suffered from limited amenities and a sluggish economy. While affordable, Ocalas real estate market is hindered by slow economic growth and limited amenities, said Charlie. The area is heavily reliant on agriculture, which can be volatile. Think of it as putting your money into a time capsule with no guarantee of future rewards. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Seventh Annual Children Helping Children fundraising concert will be held at New Dorp Moravian Church Sunday, July 21 at 3 p.m. Featured will be sisters Meagan Lee on piano and Kaitlyn Lee on cello, wholl perform works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Moussorgsky, Rachmaninoff, Ravel and others. Proceeds from the presentation that will be live and virtual will benefit the Global Medical Relief Fund. General Admission is $20 and $10 for children. Tickets may be purchased by visiting GMRF.Children.org Staten Island Advance A LITTLE ABOUT GMRF GMRFs mission is to help children with no resources who are victims of war, natural disasters or other catastrophes locally and worldwide. It provides care, compassion and access to free medical treatments for those in need. MEAGAN AND KAITLYNS STORY In 2017, 10-year-old pianist Meagan Lee was looking for ways to share her musical talent that would make a difference. So she joined Global Medical Relief Funds Children Helping Children' fundraising mission and initiated the annual Solo Piano Fundraising Concert. Then, in its second year, she joined forces with her equally talented sister, cellist Kaitlyn Lee, to take the concert program to the next level and perform their cello and piano duets. Meagan and Kaitlyns wish is not only to raise funds for GMRFs mission but also to raise awareness. Since 2018 they have raised more than $16,000 through their concerts. On behalf of the children we serve, we at GMRF are so grateful that the Lees are part of our community, said Elissa Montanti, founder and executive director of GMRF. MORE ON THE TALENTED MUSICIANS Meagan Lee is a senior at Staten Island Academy and four-year recipient of the Winter William Scholarship. She has served in many leadership roles, including president of SIAs chapter of Shes The First, a nonprofit organization to fight gender inequality in education, senior president for the Student Advisory Council, President of the Staten Island Academy Film Society and President of GSA. Meagan is also the Concert Principal (plays the cello and the piano) in Staten Island Academys orchestra and has participated in many theater productions. She is also a scholarship piano student in the Precollege Division at Manhattan School of Music. She has been on the Deans List for four consecutive years and is a recipient of the Carl Owen Memorial Scholarship and the Rita and Morris Relson Scholarship, awarded for her outstanding talent and academic achievements. Meagan has won top prizes and awards in numerous international and national piano competitions, including Gershwin International Piano Competition, MSM Precollege Symphony Concerto Competition, International e-Piano Competition, MTNA NYS Junior Piano Competition, and many more. She made her concerto debut at age 10 performing with the College of Staten Island Orchestra, and has performed in the Catch A Rising Star concert with the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra at age 15. Kaitlyn Lee is a graduate of Stuyvesant High School. She is currently a senior at Cornell University majoring in biology and society on the pre-med track and has been on the Deans List for three consecutive years. She is an active writer for the Cornell Daily Sun and Healthcare Review at Cornell and serving as the treasurer. A cellist in the Cornell University Symphony Orchestra, she has served as the fundraising co-chair in the orchestra, as well as the president of Therapy Thru Music. Kaitlyn is also very passionate about giving back to the community, and she has been volunteering at the Seaview Hospital Rehab Center & Home. In 2018, 10-year-old young pianist Meagan Lee was looking for ways to share her musical talent that would make a difference in her community and in the world. So she joined GMRFs Children Helping Children' fundraising mission and initiated the annual Piano Solo Fundraising Concert. In the second year, her sister Kaitlyn joined her to take the concert program to the next level with their cello and piano duets. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The E.R.I.C. Initiative Foundation announced plans to commemorate the life of Eric Garner, who died in police custody on a Tompkinsville street 10 years ago. On Wednesday, July 17, attendees will march from the Staten Island Ferry terminal in St. George to Eric Garner Way at Tompkinsville Park at 11 a.m. A commemoration will take place from noon to 7 p.m. in Tompkinsville Park, located at 45 Victory Blvd. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for a day filled with food, speakers and community fellowship. The foundation opened its first office in Stapleton in April. We decided to form a foundation in my sons name; We made an acronym of his name, the E.R.I.C. Initiative Foundation, and the E-R-I-C stands for eliminating racism and inequality collective. We want to take that and bring it forward. We want to help the youth in the neighborhood. We want to make positive individuals out of them. We want to show them that there is more to life than just holding a gun or going with a gang, Garners mother, Gwen Carr, who serves as the organizations president, said at the time. And I think that we can do this with everybodys support. The foundations mission is to raise awareness about the effects of police brutality and issues of racial injustice as well as create resources for underserved communities of color. It means a lot to me because he was a community person he loved to help his community, said Garners sister, Ellisha Flagg Garner. According to Ellisha, her brother was all about family, an extremely loyal friend, and dedicated to those in need. He had a soft heart to the point where if he saw someone in need he would basically take the shirt off of his back and give it to them,' she said. If he saw that you were cold, hed make sure that youd have something to warm you up. If he saw that you were hungry he would give you something, put something in your stomach to hold you over for the night. He was just that type of person. Garners story Though Garners death was ruled a homicide by the citys medical examiner, a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict former Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who wrestled Garner to the ground on July 17, 2014, during an attempt to arrest Garner for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. Pantaleo placed Garner in a chokehold when he refused to put his hands behind his back while being arrested at Bay Street and Victory Boulevard. As the two struggled on the ground, Garner told Pantaleo and other responding officers 11 times that he couldnt breathe. He later died at Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. Garners plea, I cant breathe, before his death, became a catalyst in the Black Lives Matter movement. The aftermath In 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice declined to bring criminal charges against Pantaleo. Pantaleo was fired from the NYPD that same year. The only other disciplinary action the city took in relation to the case was taking 20 days of vacation from Sgt. Kizzy Adonis, who was at the scene. Garners legacy continues Garners story has influenced social justice change across the country and within New York state. In 2022, the street sign located at the location where Garner took his last breath was renamed Eric Garner Way. In 2021, there was a judicial inquiry into Garners death. The state Supreme Court petition for judicial inquiry was brought by members of Garners family and racial justice advocates. In 2020, state lawmakers passed the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act, which allows prosecutors to bring a felony charge against police officers found to have used a chokehold. In 2015, Garners surviving relatives received a $5.9 million settlement from New York City in connection with his death. That same year, the family also reached a settlement agreement with Richmond University Medical Center in connection with his death. Thanks to a $1 billion donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies, named after former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, tuition will be completely free for most medical students attending the John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. The gift aims to address the declining life expectancy since the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging low income students to attend medical and nursing schools, as well as allowing the most talented future doctors from a wide variety of backgrounds to graduate debt-free from Johns Hopkins. The students who will benefit come from families who earn less than $300,000 a year. The scholarship covers approximately $65,000 annually for four years. The donation covers other living expenses for students whose family earns less than $175,000 a year. An October survey from the Association of American Medical Colleges found that 70% of medical students who graduated in 2023 have an average of more than $200,000 in student debt. As the U.S. struggles to recover from a disturbing decline in life expectancy, our country faces a serious shortage of doctors, nurses, and public health professionals and yet, the high cost of medical, nursing and graduate school too often bars students from enrolling, said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, in a statement. By reducing the financial barriers to these essential fields, we can free more students to pursue careers theyre passionate about and enable them to serve more of the families and communities who need them the most, said Bloomberg. From left, Richmond County District Attorney, Michael McMahon, former city mayor Mike Bloomberg, Senator Diane Savino, former Borough President Ralph Lamberti and Dr. Mohammad Khalid, president of the Iron Hills Civic Association. Looking on to the right is Diana Taylor and Alice Diamond. (Courtesy/Steve White)(Courtesy/Steve White) The gift follows in the footsteps of other high-profile donors who have contributed to NYC medical schools. In February, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York became tuition-free for students, thanks to a $1 billion donation from Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a former professor. In 2018, NYUs School of Medicine became the first medical school in the U.S. to offer free tuition to accepted students. The $1 billion endowment from Bloomberg Philanthropies will also support other health-related fields through increased graduate financial aid at Hopkins, like Bloomberg School of Public Health, School of Nursing, and others. In the statement, Bloomberg also said the global pandemic impacted public education and that the high price tag of medical school deters applicants from pursuing medical degrees. Extraordinary talent exists in every community across America, a fact borne out by the transformative impact of Mike Bloombergs historic gift for financial aid to Hopkins undergraduates six years ago that dramatically expanded the breadth of experience and accomplishment of our student body, said Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University. New York City offers plenty of options for free or low-cost day-care programs for families who qualify for it. Enrollment for infant and toddler programs for kids between 6 weeks old and 3 years old (and not yet eligible for 3-K) is offered year-round, according to the city Department of Education (DOE) website. Families can apply for these programs and enroll at any time though they must be eligible. These programs are free, high-quality early childhood education programs that run year-round for up to 10 hours per day. They offer safe, nurturing learning environments for children to learn, play and build skills to become lifelong learners. They are available in two settings: Center-based care at NYC Early Education Centers (NYCEECs) and home-based care through Family Child Care Networks (FCCNs). Programs available include the free Early Head Start and Head Start programs and Extended Day and Year (EDY) Birth to Five programs that offer free or low-cost services. HOW TO APPLY Admissions for Infant and Toddler programs are year-round. Your child can enroll in a program any time, if you are eligible and there is a seat available. Visit MySchools to find an infant and toddler program near you. For Early Head Start, apply directly through the program. For other Extended Day/Year Infant/Toddler options, you must apply directly through the program. All new applications and recertifications should be emailed to CCapplication@schools.nyc.gov or submitted via MyCity . If your program is unable to email your application, your program can send it to this address: NYC DOEFWC 333 7th Ave 12th Floor New York, NY 10001 And heres a closer look at each program available to families in New York City. HEAD START The DOE offers Early Head Start and Head Start programs through community-based early childhood partnerships. Early Head Start provides care for infants and toddlers between six weeks and 3 years old (who arent yet eligible for 3-K) in centers and through home visiting services. It provides nutritious meals and health screenings for enrolled children and support in accessing health services for families. Head Start is funded by federal grants, and requires families of children in the program to be eligible for services. Qualifying children can begin a program any time during the year. Families qualify if one or more of the following criteria apply: Family income falls within the federal guidelines Living in temporary housing Receiving Human Resources Administration (HRA) Cash Assistance Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Receiving Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) Enrolling a child who is in foster care The best and simplest way to find out if your family is eligible for Head Start, and to enroll, is to contact a program directly. Visit Myschools.nyc, create an account, and search for Head Start programs. The program will ask you for one or more documents to verify your eligibility, such as an income tax form, W-2, TANF documentation, SSI documentation, or pay stubs. Here are the income eligibility thresholds, depending on the number of people in the family or household: 1 $14,580 2 $19,720 3 $24,860 4 $30,000 5 $35,140 6 $40,280 7 $45,420 8 $50,560 For families or households with more than eight people, add $5,140 for each additional person. EXTENDED DAY AND YEAR (EDY) To provide access to these free or low-cost services, NYC Public Schools utilize funding from the Federal Child Care Block Grant (Child Care), which requires that families meet the residency and income guidelines and reason for care eligibility requirements. Residency: Your family must live in New York City, unless the child has been placed in foster care outside of NYC. The child who will receive care at the EDY program must be a U.S. citizen or have legal immigration status. Income Guidelines and Reason for Care: Your familys income must fall below a certain amount, and you must have one of the following approved reason for care: Work an average of 10 or more hours per week Work in an educational or vocational training program Starting to look for work, or have been looking for work for up to six months, including looking for work while receiving unemployment Receiving services in response to domestic violence Live in temporary housing For two-parent households, each parent must have a reason for care. The state annual income standard for eligibility by number of people in a family: 1 - $43,740 2 - $59,160 3 - $74,680 4 - $90,000 5 - $105,420 6 - $120,840 Visit www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/infant-and-toddler for more information. Residents of New York City awoke Saturday morning to the pattering of heavy rainfall. While the potential for precipitation persists, the primary threat has subsided. A little more than an inch of rain fell on Staten Island over the course of this mornings storms, as recorded by the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com weather station. Earlier on Saturday, Notify NYC, New York Citys Emergency Notification System, warned of a flood advisory issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). The advisory, covering the city, has since expired and the concern over flooding is wearing off. An NWS Flood watch initially scheduled to remain in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday evening has been canceled, according to James Tomasini, a meteorologist with the NWS. .@NWSNewYorkNY Flood Advisory for NYC: Until 8 AM on 7/13. 0.5 to 1 in. of rain expected to cause flooding of low-lying & poor drainage areas. https://t.co/sH5GIowN61. Multilingual & ASL Link: https://t.co/UxaBS4Fzwe pic.twitter.com/an9gcKi2tK NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) July 13, 2024 However, just because authorities are easing up does not mean the chance for another shower is completely ruled out. Were not expecting anymore flash flooding, Tomasini said. Could another heavier shower, an isolated shower, still develop? Yes. Theres still chances of rain throughout the day, but were not expecting that flash flooding anymore. That being said, Saturday could produce some lingering showers before drying out tonight, Tomasini reported. The anticipated high for Saturday will sit in the low to mid 80s. Residents will want to soak in this brief relief, as beginning on Sunday, a heat wave will engulf the city. Sunday will predominantly remain dry, but Tomasini notes a slight chance of afternoon showers. Although, those precipitation producers looks to mainly steer to the west of the city in New Jersey. The main story on Sunday will be the heat, Tomasini said; highs will creep up into the upper 80s and low 90s. Heat index values around 95 degrees have prompted the NWS to issue a heat advisory for Sunday, according to Tomasini. BALTIMORE It still was do-or-die time for the Yankees on Thursday night in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rookie Ben Rice just singled in a run with two outs in a ninth to make it a one-run game, bringing up Gleyber Torres with runners on the corners. The slumping Yankees badly needed to pull out this rubber game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Didnt happen. Once again, the Yankees second baseman failed. Torres popped out, the Rays held on for a 5-4 win and the Yankees lost another series dropping their 18th game in 25. The Yankees might be on the verge of giving up on Torres turning around his walk season. Want to bet on MLB? See the best NYC Sports Betting sites With the Yankees in Baltimore this weekend for a showdown series against the first-place Orioles, theyve called up Venezuelan second baseman prospect Jorbit Vivas from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the first time. The Yankees placed reserve first baseman J.D. Davis on the 10-day injured list to open a spot on their 26-man roster for Vivas, a left-handed hitter who batted .252 with five homers, 24 RBI and a .793 OPS in 45 Triple-A games this season. Davis injury? Stomach flu. Ranked the Yankees 15th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, Vivas has been hot of late, batting .346 in his last 15 games with four homers and 11 RBI. Vivas, 23, was traded by the Dodgers to the Yankees last December with reliever Victor Gonzalez for shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney, a 2021 No. 1 draft pick. Torres, 27, is batting .224 with eight homers, 34 RBI and a .637 OPS in 90 games. He also leads the Yankees with 11 errors and has a .968 fielding percentage that is the lowest among MLB starters at his position. Torres is hitting .200 with 2 RBI in seven June games. Prior to this stretch, he returned from a two-game benching to go 6 for 13 in three games. Here is MLB Pipelines scouting report on Vivas: Vivas advanced bat-to-ball skills earned him a $300,000 bonus when he signed with the Dodgers in 2017 and have been evident throughout his pro career. He has ranked in the top 15 in the Minors in strikeout rate in each of his three years in full-season ball, fanning in just 11 percent of his plate appearances during that time. He reached Triple-A at age 22 in 2023 before Los Angeles needed to clear 40-man roster space and dealt him and Victor Gonzalez to the Yankees for shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney in December. His uncanny hand-eye coordination and quick, compact left-handed stroke allow Vivas to make consistent contact against all types of pitches all over the strike zone. He enhances his on-base ability with a willingness to draw walks and a knack for getting hit by pitches. He has gained 25 pounds since turning pro and developed some sneaky 10-15 homer pop that plays almost entirely against right-handers. Vivas has fringy speed and arm strength that limit his value on the bases and in the field. He has sure hands and average range at second base but isnt really suited to play elsewhere. The Dodgers tried playing him at third base, but the game speeds up too much on him there and he doesnt have the arm for the hot corner. Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. ACCRA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG) has ended its nine-day strike after the government agreed to resolve the salary dispute, CLOGSAG announced in a communique late Friday. Isaac Bampoe Addo, the executive secretary of CLOGSAG, said in a statement that the decision came after the Ghanaian government gave a strong indication to see the end of the impasse by January next year. "The government acknowledged and committed itself to the memorandum of understanding signed on January 19, 2022, and gave an assurance that the process for finalizing the salary structure would be completed by Oct. 31 and implemented with effect from Jan. 1 next year. In this regard, the association has agreed to call off its strike," said the statement. The civil and local government workers declared an indefinite strike on July 3 over the government's failure to implement a new salary structure for its 45,000 members. The strike resulted in disruptions in the provision of services among the various ministries, departments, agencies of government, and local government authorities. The cocoa, gold, and oil-producing West African country has faced a severe economic crisis in recent years, prompting the government to request a loan of 3 billion U.S. dollars from the International Monetary Fund over a year ago. The country has so far received 1.56 billion dollars out of the loan to support its economic reforms. A sisterhood of clean beauty Renfrew had already started and sold one company a wedding e-commerce site before becoming obsessed with the chemicals in skin care products, she told The New York Times in 2018. Beautycounter, which she founded in 2011 and is based in Santa Monica, California, helped popularise the idea of clean beauty promising never to use an extensive list of additives, including formaldehyde and synthetic fragrances. She called on a community of ardent promoters, most of them women, to sell to their families, friends and neighbours. Not only did they hawk sugar scrubs, cleansers and creams, but they also sold the idea of selling by recruiting others. And they got a cut of all the sales in their networks. The brand took off. At one point, Beautycounter counted 60,000 sellers, first referred to as consultants and, after Carlyle bought the brand, as advocates. Renee Hill, who lives outside Nashville, Tennessee, started selling Beautycounter products in 2016, just a few weeks before the birth of her fifth child. She introduced her mother and close friends to the brand. Over time, she personally recruited about 40 people, who then brought in others and expanded her network to 400 sellers, giving her a yearly income in the low six figures. Hill had been approached about other multilevel marketing gigs in the past but had turned them down. Beautycounters clean beauty promise felt different, she said. It made it really easy as well to not feel slimy about offering somebody a network marketing opportunity, she said, because I felt so passionately about what we were doing and how we were doing it. Renfrew treated the independent sellers as a crucial part of her team, sharing details about the business and personal ones about herself, too. They even joined Renfrew on trips to Washington, where they lobbied for more regulation in the personal care industry. The sellers were motivated: In 2020, the company, which became profitable the previous year, hit $US395 million in sales, according to two people familiar with the financials. Going mainstream Almost as soon as Carlyle bought the brand, however, sellers started to leave, and Beautycounter sales started to drop. It was a shocking reversal for the company, which had seen sales grow sharply month after month for years. The board, which was controlled by Carlyle and included Renfrew, grew concerned and decided to bring on a new chief executive with expertise in the mainstream beauty industry. Marc Rey, who had held senior roles at LOreal USA and Shiseido, took over in February 2022. He split his time between Miami and the Santa Monica headquarters, where Renfrew, who was given the title of chief brand officer, was based. Renee Hill, a former Beautycounter seller, shows her remaining Beautycounter products at a table inside her home in Tennessee. Credit: NYT A few months into Reys tenure, the company dropped a bomb: Top sellers would be subject to a new compensation system that drastically reduced their commissions. In multilevel marketing companies, a big chunk of the profits goes to sellers rather than to investors or back into the company. Ahead of the sale to Carlyle, to make Beautycounter more profitable, Renfrew outlined a plan to change the compensation structure by no longer giving sellers a commission from their recruits personal purchases, three people familiar with the discussions said. That structure was not unusual for multilevel marketers. Renfrew wanted to tell the sellers and give them a year before the plan went into effect. But the company announced the change in April 2022, and it took effect two months later. Loading When Hill, the seller in Tennessee, received her monthly cheque in June, it was more than 60 per cent less than the previous months. She spent the next few days calling around to people in her network and was distressed to hear that some of them, too, were being hit. Its one thing when youre impacted, Hill said. Its another thing when you bring your entire network of people that have looked to you and trusted you for leadership to see them impacted. That July, Rey held a Zoom call with sellers who collectively brought in tens of millions of dollars. He told them that he would go to bat for them, according to a lawsuit against Beautycounter, Carlyle and Renfrew that was later filed in Minnesota by sellers. Still, according to the lawsuit and three people on the call, Rey took a dismissive tone, telling the sellers not to overreact to the changes. Sellers sent one another texts with messages like WTF, as they tried to keep the shock from showing on their faces. Even more alarming to sellers, according to the lawsuit, Rey attacked the founding ethos of the company. The sellers, he said, should stop emphasising clean beauty because it was no longer sexy or a clear differentiator in the beauty industry. Instead, Rey said, the new sexy was the environment. (Rey was not named as a defendant in the suit.) Jennifer Shawgo, a plaintiff in the suit whose network of more than 1000 sellers had generated $US35 million in sales over the years, was shocked. Were like, But thats why were all here, she said. Rey denied saying the sellers were overreacting. Nor did he say the company should stop emphasising clean beauty, he added, but rather he said it should differentiate the brand in other ways as well. At a time when a lot of brands claimed that they were clean, Rey wrote in an emailed statement, I did state that it was important for us, as a brand, to also explain that the company tested for safety and was socially conscious. The pressure from the independent sellers pushed the company to drop the new compensation plan. But in the meantime, some sellers tried to make up for lost income by working with other multilevel marketers. They were stunned when Beautycounter sent them warnings that a nonsolicitation agreement prevented them from recruiting any of the people they had brought to Beautycounter, according to interviews and another suit filed by sellers against Beautycounter in California. Jay Sammons ran Carlyles consumer products business when the company invested in Beautycounter. He has since moved on and founded SKKY Partners with Kim Kardashian in 2022. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer In the California suit, plaintiffs said these agreements had been included in policies and procedures that they could see only after agreeing to the terms and conditions to enroll. They argued that the sellers do not sign them, have no opportunity to negotiate them and, in many cases, have never even seen them until Beautycounter attempts to use the nonsolicitation restriction against the consultants. At the top of the company, things began to spiral. In July 2022, Sammons, who had been Renfrews closest contact inside Carlyle, left the firm. (He eventually started a private equity firm with Kim Kardashian.) By the end of that year, Renfrew left the business and resigned from the board. Carlyle put in an additional $US65 million in late 2022 and early 2023. With Carlyles blessing, Rey spent more than $US10 million upgrading the companys outdated technology and hired consultants. He made a deal with Ulta, one of the largest beauty retailers, to sell Beautycounter products. Still, even though sales of prestige beauty products in general rose 14 per cent in 2022, sales at Beautycounter continued to fall. In May 2023, Rey was asked to resign, too. Mindy Mackenzie, a Carlyle executive and Beautycounter board member, stepped in as interim chief executive and started cutting staff and external consultants. With a burst of hope for the holiday season, the company rolled out a new website in October 2023. It was the culmination of the millions that Carlyle had spent to upgrade the technology. But even that effort was troubled. The site often crashed, and its once user-friendly parts like the way it would repopulate addresses and loyalty rewards information stopped working. The companys demise In January, Beautycounters top salespeople attended a conference at the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina in Hawaii. The mood was darkened by the website meltdowns and the stream of departures; Beautycounter had roughly 35,000 sellers, almost half as many as when Carlyle bought the brand, one person familiar with the companys financials said. But then Renfrew surprised the gathering by announcing that she had returned to run the company. Carlyle had wooed her back to boost sales and morale. The audience cheered. What they didnt know as they celebrated was that Carlyle would soon walk away from the business. Carlyle had been looking for a buyer since August. In mid-March, Carlyle handed the business over to its lenders, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, which would be in charge of selling what was left. For Carlyle, that meant effectively giving up on a $US700 million investment, valuing it at zero. In April, the company went into foreclosure, and Renfrew bought the rights to the Beautycounter name and other assets from its lenders for several million dollars. A few weeks later, she stunned the sellers when she announced that it would take months to restart the company. She and a team are working to resuscitate the clean beauty brand by the end of the year. But even if she revives the company, she might not be able to count on a loyal and enthusiastic sales force. Some former sellers blame her as well as Carlyle for the demise of the company and their livelihoods. Hill, who is a plaintiff in the California suit, stopped selling Beautycounter products in July 2022. Soon after, a letter from the company warned her not to recruit sellers in her network to new multilevel marketing companies. She acquiesced to that demand and has struggled to build a business with two other direct selling companies. Loading At Beautycounter, she was her familys main breadwinner, bringing home $US177,000 a year; shes now earning $US19,000, according to the suit. Theres a lot of damage that has been done, Hill said. I dont believe I could ever step back into that space. Carlyle is getting out of the space, too. In addition to exiting Beautycounter, Carlyle, under a new chief executive, said it would no longer invest in US consumer and retail companies. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the July 14 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories . Inspiration from where wed rather be. Embrace the wanderlust with sunny pieces that wouldnt be out of place on the Italian coast. Where to buy: Rothys The Square Mary Jane shoes, $285; Amalfi Coast (Assouline) coffee table book, $185; Smeg x Dolce & Gabbana juicer, $899. Where to buy: Business & Pleasure Co The Amalfi umbrella, $299; Philippe Model Maison Totem Jaune chair, $3500; Domayne Paloma large planter, $169; KEY PIECE Evoking Mediterranean breezes, Trudons new Isla perfume ($350) has notes of bergamot and rosemary. Where to buy: Crow Canyon Splatter salad plate, $25; Klevering Trigger plate, $59; Fermob Bistro table, from $410. Yet when I shared this story, it was often met with shock and awe that my father would be interested in anything beyond baking a welcome cake for the Grim Reaper. Although many believe that octogenarians are frail, dotty and ready to call it a day, this perception is slowly changing, explains Dr Anne Ring, author of Engaging with Ageing . One of the interesting things about living longer and healthier lives is that women and men, of course have the time to explore opportunities that perhaps werent possible when they were younger, Ring says. This might mean embarking on a new career theyd always had their heart set on, or investing in a new hobby, because this is a time when you lose a lot of that fear that held you back previously; ageing is very freeing. My father was 83 when he discovered the joy of snorkelling. On holiday together in New Caledonia, I can still remember the joy on his face when he emerged from the water and whipped off his mask, marvelling at the brilliant pops of coral and fish that hed only ever seen on a screen. All these years wasted, he cried. How did I not know this existed? By this age, youre in a comfortable space about yourself and who you are Credit: Rolfe De Guzman I have lived many lives within my 80 years, from school teacher and mother raising four children on a farm in rural Victoria, to travelling the world extensively with my husband back when he was a member for the International Olympic Committee; we campaigned for Sydney to become the host city for the year 2000. There were careers in various industries between those two points, too everything from tourism to running a John Farnham concert, but this is a roundabout way of explaining that Ive always been a big believer in seizing every opportunity that comes your way. I didnt expect to become a model at my age. When my daughter convinced me to sign up with Silverfox Mgmt [a modelling agency representing talent over 30], I didnt think Id be suitable and only did it to humour her. The team at the agency, however, were very encouraging, so I auditioned for several campaigns and within a few months, I had been chosen to appear in the Mothers Day campaigns for both Paspaley and Country Road. Of course, when youre my age, its difficult to stand side-by-side with the beautiful young models, but the shoots were so much fun and the outcomes were incredible. I couldnt believe it when I walked into a Country Road store and there I was on a huge screen. Ive never felt invisible because ironically visibility is something I never looked for. True, women my age have traditionally been overlooked in mainstream media, but thats all beginning to change now that brands are recognising that were the ones with the spending power. Why not advertise to our age group using people who look like us, wrinkles and all? There were many older women walking the catwalk at the Melbourne and Australian Fashion Weeks and thats no happy accident. Its nice to flip the script on the way some sections of our society view what they call the blue-rinse brigade. There are challenges that come with modelling in your 80s. The technology, all those file transfers, halo lights and other tools when youre trying to arrange auditions can be a nightmare, but life in general is wonderful. By this age, youre in a comfortable space about yourself and who you are; youve seen interesting things so youve got great stories, but youve also got time to create more. Recently, I went on a backpacking adventure to Italy with my daughter, and were going to the Olympics in Paris. Ive had a very fortunate journey so far and Im looking forward to whats next. Leaving home at 15 was Mums idea. I must have sensed it would be formative as I still remember her words, even now at 41. Id love you to join the schools German exchange. Neither she nor I foresaw how profoundly it would shape my life. After 15 years of living in a familiar way, I was immersed in a culture that was worlds apart. I transcended being a tourist to living as a local. My new home was a small village of half-timbered houses, reminiscent of a real-life Cinderella story, with cobblestone streets and quaint shops adorned with lace curtains. Fittingly, the Grimm Brothers, famous for collecting and sharing fairytales, had lived and worked nearby. Kellie Floyd (far right) and her German parents, Gerlinde and Thomas in 2023 (25 years later). Leaving the comfort of Melbournes suburbs, I discovered a new depth of self-assurance that I hadnt known before my exchange. It took courage to speak a foreign language, especially when those around me spoke English more fluently than I spoke their native tongue. Every day brought unfamiliar situations, but I found the courage to embrace everything new, supported by my incredible exchange family. Their guidance and encouragement helped me navigate this new world, turning any concern I had into resilience, and any uncertainty into growth. My German sister and I took a tram to school in a neighbouring city, where English was taught with an American accent and I could buy Coke in a glass bottle for one mark in the schools cafeteria Germany switched from Deutsche marks to the euro four years after I finished my exchange. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the July 14 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories . In a storied and quite diverse career, actor Natalie Portman has taken a grand jete from roles like Nina Sayers in Black Swan and the regal, Empire-challenging Queen Amidala in the Star Wars franchise, to a more elegant iteration of the hammer-wielding Thor in the Marvel movies. Trying to assign a box-office value to her body of work got us to $8 billion with the big-ticket stuff, and not enough time to tally up the rest. Shes not a woman of a million faces, yet the 43-year-old finds the girl in the mirror as challenging as she is compelling. I like to think I have quite a strict boundary between who I play and who I am, and that work is an opportunity for me to act out behaviours that are very different from my life, Portman says. Because why do anything that I could actually just do in real life? I always wanted to be an astronaut or a rock star or a woman whos really ruthlessly ambitious, things I dont identify with, where you get the opportunity to dip your toe in another life and live another life for a moment. The elaborate make-up and costumes worn by Queen Amidala created a reflection in the mirror quite different to the one Portman usually sees. But a role such as Maddie Schwartz in the new Apple TV+ series, Lady in the Lake, creates a reflection that maintains its familiarity. Inevitably you bring yourself and your soul to that, and theres some kind of connection that draws you through it that you have to also incorporate, Portman says. Thats why you have to be careful about what you do, because you can absorb things unconsciously. Its definitely a tug between two extremes: one, that theres a strict boundary between the role and oneself, and two, that theres a meshing of role and self. Id say its a tug of war between the two. Advertisement Lady in the Lake is based on the novel of the same name by Laura Lippman, about Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife living in Baltimore in the 1960s. Maddie leaves her family to become an investigative journalist after a series of shocking murders, including that of an 11-year-old girl and a young woman, Cleo Sherwood, whose life is unexpectedly connected to Maddies own. For a story thats largely about two women trying to get free, to have women writing that experience is pretty crucial. NATALIE PORTMAN Portman was first approached for the role by the late director, Jean-Marc Vallee, and his producing partner, Nathan Ross. One of Hollywoods most gifted directors, Vallees television work includes two critically acclaimed HBO series, Big Little Lies (2017) and Sharp Objects (2018). Vallees death from cardiac arrhythmia at 58, just prior to the start of filming, was a shock to Hollywood as the Quebecois filmmaker had been instrumental in the reshaping and elevation of limited series on television. Many of the jigsaw pieces that make Lady in the Lake work that its an adaptation of a powerfully authentic literary work, and that it has a writers room almost entirely powered by women are hallmarks of Vallees approach. In this case, the writing team was led by Alma Harel, who also directed the series. Writers can bring their own experience and their own perspective on the world into the writing, Portman says. So, for a story thats largely about two women trying to get free, to have women writing that experience is pretty crucial. Obviously writers should be able to write about things far outside their experience, but I think there is a special knowledge that a very deep understanding of the lived experience brings. Portman says her acting choices are based on knowing she will have an interesting experience. Credit: Jess Ruby James/Trunk Archive/Snapper The series includes scenes which, in 2024, seem extraordinary. In one, Maddie is unable to sell her car without her husbands signature. It is really shocking and almost begs to be fact-checked, Portman says. Youre like, no, thats not possible. Advertisement But this was not Portmans first encounter with Americas dated gender dynamics. She had been offered, but ultimately turned down, the lead role in Mimi Leders 2018 biography On the Basis of Sex, about the life and early cases of trailblazing American litigator Ruth Bader Ginsburg. One of the details [in that story] was that while Ginsburg was a law professor and fighting in the Supreme Court against discrimination on the basis of gender, she went to interview one of her prospective clients, and couldnt rent a car without her husbands signature, Portman says. Portman was born in Jerusalem in 1981, but by the age of nine was living in Long Island, New York. She studied ballet and modern dance at the American Theatre Dance Workshop and, at the age of 11, landed a role in the musical Ruthless!, about a girl willing to kill to land the lead in the school play. By her own admission, the real Natalie is not that ambitious. It also set her on course towards Australia. Baz Luhrmann cast her as Juliet in his 1996 masterpiece Romeo + Juliet but she didnt stay in the role because she was too young for the weight of the material. She finally made it Down Under to film the second and third Star Wars episodes, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, which were shot in Sydney. I dont have any way of predicting whether something will be lasting, even something like Star Wars. NATALIE PORTMAN It was a complicated period in her life finishing high school, then turning 21 while filming the Star Wars films, then beginning an academic life at Harvard University. Portman lived in Australia again in 2020/21 while filming Thor: Love and Thunder, this time with her then-husband, Benjamin Millepied (the couple split in 2023), and her two children, son Aleph and daughter Amalia. Her acting choices, she says, are based on knowing she will have an interesting experience, because thats the only thing I can really count on. And then its just a beautiful surprise if something actually is meaningful. Its usually a very belated surprise because you only know after 20 years or so if its something that people care about. Advertisement The process, she says, is very mysterious. [Even] after 30 years of doing this, I dont have any way of predicting whether something will be lasting, even something like Star Wars, which was already an important cultural touchstone when I became part of it. We got such bad reviews when we came out that it felt like, oh god, this might be completely forgotten and discarded, Portman adds. And then [it was so pleasing] to see it re-embraced 20 years later, especially by people who were kids when it first came out. How her other work will endure is hard to measure. Black Swan remains a masterpiece, and it gave Portman an Academy Award for best actress, not to mention a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award. Other work, such as A Tale of Love and Darkness, which Portman wrote and directed, matter simply because of the depth of her emotional investment. Loading And a work such as Lady in the Lake speaks to such potent themes complex shifts in gender equality, antisemitism and racial prejudice in mid-20th century America that it is easy to feel its impact. Portman took the role because she was drawn to the way it explored the connections between Baltimores black and Jewish communities. Cities like Baltimore, which were once quite prosperous, then later experienced troubles as industries left I dont want to paint too bleak a portrait, but its US history in microcosm to explore that story. There is also a personal connection. Portmans grandmother, Bernice Hurwitz, was born in Baltimore. For my mothers 70th birthday I did a huge family ancestry project and so much of our family roots were in Baltimore. Thats where my great-grandparents migrated to from Eastern Europe, and they are buried there. Advertisement When I was a kid, a big yellow cat with a Cheshire grin taught me how to cross the road. His name was Hector The Cat, and you couldnt turn on the Saturday morning cartoons without bumping into him. Stop at the kerb, look to the right, look to the left, look to the right again, he sang, in an advertising jingle that is still imprinted on my memory. I learned about skin cancer prevention in much the same way. A roughly hewn cartoon seagull called Sid extolled the virtues of Slip! Slop! Slap! in a mantra that millions of Australians still repeat to this day. At primary school, I remember countless winter mornings heading to the council pool to hurl myself fully clothed into the deep end to retrieve a brick. Why? Because parents, teachers, and governments understood that when it came to saving the next generation from drowning, melanoma and being mowed down by traffic prevention was better than the cure. Its a principle thats worth revisiting as the parliamentary inquiry into social media and Australian society unfurls in our nations capital. A panel of our elected representatives is trying to untangle the Gordian knot of how to minimise the impact that prolonged scrolling on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram is having on us. And at its heart are concerns about the mis- and disinformation were increasingly exposed to. Fake news that can mislead entire swathes of the population, sway elections and undermine democratic processes. Had Scott Johnson not died violently in Sydney in 1988, his big brother Steve might have written a different book about their lives: the adventures of two American boys who grew up dirt-poor, Dickensian urchins in the California sun, who scaled mountains together and forged long and dazzling careers, the younger as a maths wunderkind, the elder building a multi-million-dollar fortune as a global pioneer among the super geeks. All of that, except for Scotts long career, does appear in the book that Steve Johnson is now releasing, A Thousand Miles From Care. Until reading it, I had thought there was little I didnt know about the Johnsons, whose story Ive been reporting since 2013. Scott Johnson and his brother Steve. The bitterly sad title is lifted from an old tourism slogan for Manly: Seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from care. The irony is that Steve, then 29, was at Harvard, more like 10,000 miles from any capacity to care for his kid brother when he received the news that Scotts naked body had been found on the rocks beneath a 60-metre cliff at North Head, just south of Manlys Shelly Beach. Scott was 27 and gay. And brilliant. Within hours, police concluded he must have jumped from that cliff. NFA, an officer wrote on the occurrence pad no further action. Thats what they do, you know, Steve Johnson recalls the constable telling him. This is where they [homosexuals] go to jump. It was quite the sight at the NSW Blues camp on Tuesday morning: Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai being pulled from the water at Sydney Olympic Parks new URBNSURF artificial beach facility. I attacked it, it was a bit of a dare from the boys. It was a good laugh, hey? Luai told reporters after the incident, later adding: There are no beaches in Penrith. We dont get much practice out there. Jarome Luai being rescued from the water last week. Credit: Nikki Short But Dr Amy Peden, a University of NSW injury prevention and drowning researcher, knows of many cases where a dare from a mate has ended in tragedy. Sadly it does happen, often among young people, and particularly young males, she said. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has articulately used adages, idioms and metaphors to discuss a new round of reform to drive the development of the world's second-largest economy since 2012. In a distinct fashion, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, vividly communicates the country's reform goals and methods to audiences both at home and abroad. The following are some examples. VENTURING INTO THE MOUNTAIN DESPITE KNOWING THERE ARE TIGERS In April 2014, Xi delivered a speech at the College of Europe during his state visit to Belgium. China needs to "venture into the mountain despite knowing there are tigers," as its reform has entered a "deep water zone" where tough challenges must be addressed, Xi said. Ahead of a visit to Latin America about three months later, Xi once again invoked the expression to proclaim to the world China's unwavering determination and courage in furthering reform. "We will advance reform with the political courage and wisdom of 'venturing into the mountain despite knowing there are tigers,' and with great dedication to working hard and achieving tangible results," he said. PLAYING THE PIANO WITH ALL 10 FINGERS In an interview with a Russian TV station in February 2014, Xi said that Chinese leaders must "play the piano with all 10 fingers," emphasizing the need to plan for the bigger picture while keeping all moving parts in play. Since assuming the Party's top post in November 2012, Xi has made "coordination" a keyword in the CPC's endeavors to deepen reform so as to improve and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernize China's system and capacity for governance. Amid changes in the domestic and global landscapes, China's reform is confronting challenges on an unprecedented scale, involving a wide range of complex issues. "It is crucial to enhance the coordination and mutual support among reform measures, ensuring that reforms across different fields and sectors align and synergize to maximize overall effectiveness," Xi said in his inspection tour of east China's Shandong Province in May this year. CLEARING THE CAGE FOR NEW BIRDS During his tenure as Party chief of Zhejiang Province, Xi put forward the expression "clearing the cage for new birds" to shed light on the transformation of a relatively extensive model of growth in the eastern province, which boasts a strong private sector. Since he became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 2012, Xi has made use of this expression on multiple occasions. In March 2014, when taking part in deliberation in the annual national legislative session with lawmakers from Guangdong Province, China's economic powerhouse and a pioneer in reform and opening up, Xi used the expression to stress the importance of deepening reform in all areas and promoting structural adjustments. Xi called for efforts to advance industrial upgrading, give full play to the role of innovation in propelling progress, and embrace green development. Three years later, also during the annual national legislative session, Xi mentioned the phrase again in a discussion with lawmakers from Liaoning Province, one of China's earliest major industrial bases, emphasizing the necessity of replacing old industries with new ones amid the country's economic transformation drive. TWO WINGS OF A BIRD, TWO WHEELS OF A CART Xi referred to the roles of reform and the rule of law in propelling China's development as "two wings of a bird or two wheels of a cart" while addressing senior officials during a meeting in February 2015. "Reform should be promoted under the rule of law and the rule of law should be enhanced in the process of reform. This is why we refer to them as 'two wheels,'" Xi stressed. ENGINE IGNITER "If innovation is the new engine for China's development, reform is the indispensable igniter," Xi said in his address at the APEC CEO Summit held in Beijing in November 2014. "To comprehensively deepen reform, we need to broaden the path for innovation," Xi stressed in his address, pledging to enable the engine of innovation to run with full power. China has reformed its talent evaluation system for years to boost creativity among sci-tech professionals. Provinces including Anhui, Shandong and Sichuan have introduced pilot programs to shift away from overemphasizing academic papers, professional titles, degrees and awards. "In a new round of global growth, only reformers can advance, only innovators can thrive, and only those who reform and innovate will prevail," Xi said. A FAIR SHARE OF A BIGGER PIE Addressing the G20 Hangzhou Summit in 2016, Xi used the metaphor "a bigger pie" to describe China's development and stressed the necessity of "ensuring that people get a fair share of it." This is an answer to the question "for whom the reform was conducted." "We will resolve the most pressing problems affecting the immediate interests of the people to their satisfaction," he said. Achieving common prosperity is a basic requirement of socialism and an important feature of the Chinese path to modernization. Making "the pie" bigger while dividing it well has enriched both the theory and practice of common prosperity. BARRY THOMAS PULLEN November 1, 1939-June 26, 2024 There is no local campaign or community action in the past four decades in inner Melbourne that does not bear the imprint of Barry Pullen on it. From fighting the then housing commission slum reclamation program in the 1960s to saving the Fitzroy pool in the 1990s, Barry was in the thick of it. More often behind the scenes, never big noting, but providing focus and strategy to the task. Barry was born in 1939 to parents Thomas Pullen, a fibrous plasterer and Ellen Roderick. Barry was married to Margaret Arkerley, and father of Naomi, Joanna and Emma. Barry was a civil engineer a long-time resident of Fitzroy, bushwalker, activist, member of the ALP, Fitzroy councillor (1972-76) and a founding member of Fitzroy Residents Association. Barrys path to parliamentary office was through his lengthy involvement in community action and not the traditional pathway through trade union sponsorship. He was a member of the Legislative Council in the Victorian Parliament (1982-1999) and a minister in the Cain and Kirner State Labor governments holding various portfolios that included housing, education and conservation and the environment. Before being elected, Barry was employed as a draftsman and civil engineer in the commonwealth and state public service before being elected to the Victorian parliament in 1982. For many people, skydiving is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but for the 30 first-time skydivers and their instructors who made the leap over Rottnest on Saturday, its also an opportunity to make history. More than 1000 people across Australia set out to freefall on World Skydiving Day, July 13, in a global attempt to set a record for the most skydives in a single day. Geronimo Rottnest Skydive participated in a world record attempt for the most skydives in a single day for World Skydiving Day on July 13. Credit: Geronimo Rottnest Skydive With picture-perfect conditions, Geronimo Rottnest Skydive instructor Glen Strutt said the jumpers and their instructors were in for a treat. It was actually forecast for bad weather this weekend, but weve been blessed with a beautiful day, he said. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Fifty days into home quarantine, on May 1, 2020, my wife Rosemarie and I received an email from NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller saying, I want to Zoom with you in the morning. On Saturday morning, Sydney time, Fuller was uncharacteristically grinning from ear to ear. Seeing Rosemarie, he called his wife Andrea to his computer to introduce her. We exchanged hellos, and Andrea said, Ill leave you all to it, bowing out so her husband could share the news he was bursting to tell. Fuller proceeded, Were going to make an arrest a week from Tuesday, words Rosemarie and I will never forget. They were about to catch the killer. Hearing it from the commissioner gave it even more gravity. Now, he continued, when we announce the arrest, I want you to control the press, Steve. Since you cannot be here, Id like you to make a video. Well put out a press release and your video when weve made the arrest. Then he added: Ill wait 24 hours before making any other public statement. This is your pinch, Steve. Steve and Rosemarie Johnson on the Zoom call with Commissioner Fuller. With the utmost grace, the NSW Police Commissioner was yielding credit for the long-awaited arrest. He was giving me the spotlight. After so long battling the police, the top cop was putting me out front. Rosemarie and I, teary and trembling, thanked him profusely, and double-checked every detail to be sure wed heard it all accurately. It was all true. I hired a videographer and recorded a three-minute video for the commissioner. My long silvery COVID hair made clear I was no longer the 29-year-old I was when Scott had died. I was now 61, passionately thanking a long list of people who had brought us Scotts killer. I said a few words about my beloved brother, and then I became unexpectedly tearful. The video ended with my holding my hand to my head and emotionally walking off camera. Commissioner Fuller said it was perfect and added it to the media file for release upon the suspects arrest. Rosemarie and I spent the next anxious week keeping the imminent arrest secret from everyone but our three children, who were locked down in their own homes nearby. On Mothers Day, May 12, 2020, we waited together on Zoom and watched the hours tick toward 6 p.m. Monday evening, which was 8 a.m. Tuesday morning in Sydney. Advertisement Then my iPhone lit up with: offender in custody. Those miraculous words transformed everything. My family went from searching to successful. From pleading to knowing. To the one lucky family who had an answer. Im sure Zoom had transmitted few tears of joy that year, but tears were pouring out of the Johnsons that evening. Our family virtually held each other, kissed, laughed, jumped and cried. We tipped champagne glasses against our computer screens. Our family had rarely rejoiced so hard. My 25-year-old Tessa posted a long Facebook message Ill never forget, that started with: I couldnt be prouder of my father. True to his word, Commissioner Fuller waited a full day before holding a press conference. In the 24 hours after the arrest, my interviews and short video were the face of the story around the world. I had no trouble showing emotion in every conversation. It was a wholly unexpected, thoroughly welcome ending to our 32-year journey. At his press conference, Commissioner Fuller opened with I want to apologise to the Johnson family and the gay community for the three-decade wait. It was the first time any NSW police commissioner had officially apologised to the gay community or to me. Fuller kept his promises while downplaying credit for the amazing capture of my brothers killer during a worldwide pandemic. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Yeomans had arrested a man they named as Scott Philip White, an alcoholic, indigent 50-year-old residing in public housing a few suburbs away from Manly. He was born Scott Newman and had taken his wifes surname when he was in his twenties. We were stunned to learn wed had knowledge of the killer all along: the suspect and his brother Shane were, in fact, Da Manly Boys, the teenaged gay bashers who had been on our short list of gangs since 2007. Scott Newman was just eighteen years old when he killed my brother. Wed focused on his younger brother Shane, who was regarded as a basher by age 14. Yeomans remained circumspect about the arrest and the crime, careful to protect every detail to avoid risking that a conviction would fail. But he sketched the contours of what had happened for me. Advertisement He told me White had met Scott at the Brighton Hotel near the Manly ferry, and they had, according to White, walked to the cliffs at North Head together. Yeomans said White had been married with six kids and then divorced. He was a very bad man . . . this wasnt his only incident. White told police he was gay, but Yeomans doubted it, thinking he was attempting to make the encounter seem consensual rather than a premeditated act of robbery or violence. Police arrest Scott Philip White. It was unusual to strike alone, so I was fixated on why White had attacked Scott solo if it was true he had no accomplice. I asked Yeomans if White had killed Scott to prove something to his brother or the other teens. Yeomans said, I dont know. We might never know what drove this man to kill your brother. For more than a year, that was all he could tell me as he prepared for trial. Loading I left my house to clear my head with a run, piloting toward the Longfellow Bridge to talk to Scott. When I arrived, I looked out across the Charles River that runs between Boston and Cambridge where wed enjoyed many runs and city walks. I smiled remembering our make-believe missions fighting villains when we were young. Now, wed conquered the dark forces of Oz, of prejudice, politics, blood oaths and brotherly bonds. Wed done so with no training or special weapons but by gathering allies who were as steadfast as we were, just as many of the valiant heroes of our storybooks had done. Our band was Sue and Steve, Saul and Chris, John and Vivian, Dan and Martha, my family, and now the incomparable Yeomans, Breda, Carey and Fuller. Wed survived all the trials. Good had prevailed. Trust had won. Advertisement Khan Younis: Israel said it targeted Hamas shadowy military commander in a massive strike that killed at least 90 people including children, according to local health officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there still isnt absolute certainty that Mohammed Deif and a second Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, were killed. Palestinians evacuate from a site hit by an Israeli bombardment on Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip on July 13. Credit: AP Hamas rejected the claim that Deif was in the area, saying these false claims are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre. The strike took place in an area Israels military had designated as safe for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Deif and Hamas top official in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, are believed by Israel to be the chief architects of the October 7 attack that killed some 1200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war. Not seen in public for years, Deif has long topped Israels most-wanted list and is believed to have escaped multiple Israeli assassination attempts. On October 7, Hamas issued a rare voice recording of Deif announcing the Al Aqsa Flood operation. Lebanon security source says Israeli strike kills 2 civilians Beirut, Lebanon, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 A Lebanese security source said an Israeli air strike Saturday killed two civilians collecting water in south Lebanon, while the Israeli army said a raid in the area targeted two Hezbollah operatives. The security source, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, said that "two civilians were filling up water from a roadside spring" in the Deir Mimas area when they were killed in an "Israeli air strike". A source close to Hezbollah, also requesting anonymity, said one of the men was a member of the Shiite Muslim movement and the father of a fighter who had been killed, while the second man was a member of Hezbollah ally the Amal movement. The pair were "civilians, not fighters", the source added. The Israeli army said in a statement that "soldiers identified two Hezbollah terrorists preparing to launch projectiles toward Israeli territory in the area of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon". "Shortly following the identification, the IAF (air force) struck the terrorists," the statement added. Hezbollah has traded almost daily fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip. Lebanon's National News Agency said an "enemy drone" killed two men on Saturday in the same area, identifying one of them as a local council member for the Amal movement in the nearby village of Kfar Kila. It said they were collecting water from the spring "to take it for livestock in Kfar Kila". The Amal movement released a statement saying one of its members, born in 1964, was killed. In Lebanon, the cross-border violence since October has killed more than 500 people, mostly fighters but also including more than 90 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, at least 29 people have been killed, the majority of them soldiers, according to the authorities. The violence, largely restricted to the border area, has raised fears of all-out conflict between the foes, which last went to war in the summer of 2006. QUITO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- An Ecuadorian court on Friday sentenced five defendants accused of murdering former presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio to prison terms between 12 and 34 years. Carlos Angulo, alias "Invisible," one of the leaders of the drug trafficking gang "Los Lobos," and Laura Castillo were sentenced to the maximum penalty of 34 years and eight months in prison for orchestrating the murder. Another two men and a woman were sentenced to 12 years in prison as accomplices. The court also demands full reparation for the suffering of Villavicencio's family. Villavicencio, a 59-year-old politician and journalist, was killed in an armed attack after a political rally in the city of Quito on Aug. 9, 2023. He was campaigning in early elections after then-President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly amid a political crisis. Kremlin warns US missile deployment could make European capitals Russian targets Moscow, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 The Kremlin on Saturday warned the deployment of US missiles in Germany could make European capitals targets for Russian missiles in a repeat of Cold War-style confrontation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of a "paradox" in which "Europe is a target for our missiles, our country is a target for US missiles in Europe." "We have enough capacity to contain these missiles but the potential victims are the capitals of these countries," he said, speaking to Russian state television channel Russia 1. Peskov also hinted that such a confrontation could undermine Europe as a whole. "Europe is not living its best moment. In a different configuration, a repeat of history is inevitable," he said when the channel's anchor Pavel Zarubin pointed out that the Cold War had ended with the Soviet Union's collapse. The White House announced on Wednesday during a NATO summit that it would periodically station long-range weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026 as a deterrent. "Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States' commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence," the White House said. The Kremlin criticised the move, accusing Washington of taking a step towards a new Cold War and of directly participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry said on Friday that Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held a telephone call with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin where they discussed lowering the risk of "possible escalation". NATO countries -- spearheaded by the United States -- have bolstered their defences in Europe following the start of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine in 2022. Erdogan says end near of military operation in north Iraq, Syria Istanbul, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced the imminent end to the Turkish forces' operation against Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq and Syria. Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to secure its border with northern Iraq, from where it accused Kurdish separatists of launching attacks against Turkish territory. "We will very soon complete the lockdown of the area of operation in northern Iraq," the president said, adding that Kurdish forces were now "incapable of acting inside our borders". Erdogan said that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) had been "completely trapped" in both Iraq and Syria, telling young military academy graduates that Turkish forces were "all over them". "We will complete the missing points of the security belt along our southern border with Syria." Since 2016, Ankara has also carried out successive ground operations to expel Kurdish forces from border areas of northern Syria. Kremlin warns Russia could target Europe if US deploys missiles Moscow, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 The Kremlin on Saturday warned that the deployment of US missiles in Germany could make European capitals targets for Russian missiles in a repeat of Cold War-style confrontation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke of a "paradox" in which "Europe is a target for our missiles, our country is a target for US missiles in Europe". "We have enough capacity to contain these missiles but the potential victims are the capitals of these countries," he said, speaking to Russian state television channel Russia 1. Peskov also hinted that such a confrontation could undermine Europe as a whole -- in the same way that the Cold War ended with the Soviet Union's collapse. "Europe is coming apart. Europe is not living its best moment. In a different configuration, a repeat of history is inevitable," he said. The White House announced on Wednesday during a NATO summit that it would periodically station long-range weapons including Tomahawk cruise missiles in Germany from 2026 as a deterrent. "Exercising these advanced capabilities will demonstrate the United States' commitment to NATO and its contributions to European integrated deterrence," the White House said. - 'It's securing peace' - The Kremlin has already criticised the move, accusing Washington of taking a step towards a new Cold War and of directly participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry on Friday said that Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov held a telephone call with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin where they discussed lowering the risk of "possible escalation". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has hailed the US decision despite criticism from members of his Social Democrats. The decision marks a return of US cruise missiles to Germany after a 20-year absence. Defending the decision, Scholz told reporters at the NATO summit that it was "something of deterrence and it's securing peace, and it is a necessary and important decision at the right time." German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that the deployment decision addressed a "very serious gap" in the country's capabilities. The German army does not have long-range missiles that launch from the ground, only cruise missiles that can be fired by aircraft. The 1980s deployment of US Pershing ballistic missiles in West Germany at the height of the Cold War prompted widespread demonstrations, with hundreds of thousands coming out in pacifist protest. US missiles continued to be stationed through the reunification of Germany and into the 1990s. But following the end of the Cold War, the United States significantly reduced the numbers of missiles stationed in Europe as the threat from Moscow receded. Now NATO countries -- spearheaded by the United States -- have been bolstering their defences in Europe following the start of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine in 2022. Four Iraqi forces killed in clashes with IS: official Baghdad, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 Four members of Iraq's security forces were killed Saturday in clashes with Islamic State group fighters, an official said, as authorities announced "a number" of slain jihadists in a raid. Iraqi forces were engaged in an operation targeting IS suspects in a rural area of the central province of Diyala, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Baghdad. The government's security media cell said in a statement: "Our security forces surrounded a group of terrorists... and killed and injured a number of them during clashes." It added that several members of the security forces were also killed, without elaborating. A local police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said one soldier and three policemen were killed "in the ongoing clashes" in Diyala's Khan Bani Saad district. He said three IS fighters were killed. Iraqi forces continue to comb the area -- where on Friday two IS fighters were killed in a military operation -- for suspected jihadists, officials said. The jihadist group overran large swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria, proclaiming in 2014 its "caliphate". It was defeated in Iraq in 2017 by local forces backed by a US-led military coalition, and in 2019 lost the last territory it held in Syria to US-backed Kurdish forces. But IS remnants continue to carry out deadly attacks and ambushes, particularly from remote areas and desert hideouts. In a report published in January, the United Nations said IS has "between 3,000 and 5,000 fighters" across Iraq and Syria. Erdogan says end near of military operation in north Iraq, Syria Istanbul, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced the imminent end to the Turkish forces' operation against Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq and Syria. Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to secure its border with northern Iraq, from where it accused Kurdish separatists of launching attacks against Turkish territory. "We will very soon complete the lockdown of the area of operation in northern Iraq," the president said, adding that Kurdish forces were now "incapable of acting inside our borders". Erdogan said that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) had been "completely trapped" in both Iraq and Syria, telling young military academy graduates that Turkish forces were "all over them". "We will complete the missing points of the security corridor along our southern border with Syria." Erdogan's comments tally with on those made earlier this week by Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Guler, who said his country is "determined" to clear the border area with Iraq and neighbouring Syria of "terrorists". - Decades-long struggle - Turkey has a long history of tensions with Kurdish separatists, and has often launched operations in neighbouring countries to fight separatists it says are holed-up there. Within Turkey, the PKK has been involved in an on-off armed insurgency since 1984. Founded in 1978, the Marxist-inspired group is regarded as a terror organisation by Turkey and most of its Western allies, including the United States and European Union. It also has a presence in northern Iraq, as does Turkey, which has operated from several dozen military bases there against the Kurdish group. Turkey's incursions into Iraq have frequently strained bilateral ties, as well as causing occasional frictions with its Western partners. On Wednesday, Iraq denounced fresh incursions by the Turkish army into its territory in autonomous Kurdistan region, urging Ankara to resolve security issues diplomatically. In recent weeks, Iraqi local media have reported an increase in Turkish strikes, sparking several fires in border areas. Some reports mentioned Turkish forces establishing new positions. On Friday, the Turkish defence ministry announced that one soldier had been killed and another wounded by an improvised explosive device in northern Iraq, blaming Kurdish militants. - Diplomatic overtures - That said, there have been signs of growing rapprochement in recent months. In March, following a diplomatic visit, Baghdad quietly listed the PKK as a "banned organisation" -- although Ankara still demands Iraq do more to fight against the militant group. And in April, Erdogan made his first visit to Iraq since 2011, where he called for Baghdad to be rid itself of "all forms of terrorism". Since 2016, Ankara has likewise carried out successive ground operations to expel Kurdish forces from border areas of northern Syria, along with Islamic State group jihadists. Pro-Turkish forces in Syria now control two vast strips of territory along the border. After originally aiming to topple the government of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Ankara has recently shifted focus to preventing what Erdogan dubbed a "terror corridor" opening up in northern Syria. On July 7, the Turkish leader even suggested he might invite Assad to Turkey "at any moment", offering an olive branch after the 2011 war severed ties between Ankara and Damascus. Hezbollah fires rockets after Israeli strike on Lebanon Beirut, Lebanon, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 Lebanon's Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on Saturday after an Israeli air strike that according to a Lebanese security source killed two civilians in the country's south. The Israeli military, whose forces have been trading regular cross-border fire with Hezbollah since early October, said its raid had targeted two operatives from the Iran-backed group. The Shiite Muslim movement said it had retaliated by launching dozens of rockets at the border town of Kiryat Shmona, in Israel's north. Hezbollah had already launched multiple attacks against Israeli military positions along the border on Saturday. The security source, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, said that "two civilians were filling up water from a roadside spring" in south Lebanon's Deir Mimas area when they were killed in an "Israeli air strike". A source close to Hezbollah, also requesting anonymity, said one of the men was a member of the group and the father of a fighter who had been killed, while the second man was a member of Hezbollah ally the Amal movement. The pair were "civilians, not fighters", the source added. The Israeli army said in a statement that "soldiers identified two Hezbollah terrorists preparing to launch projectiles toward Israeli territory in the area of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon". "Shortly following the identification, the IAF (air force) struck the terrorists," the statement added. Hezbollah said it had launched rockets "in response to the aggressions by the Israeli enemy against the villages... and civilians in the south". Hezbollah has traded almost daily fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip. Lebanon's official National News Agency said an "enemy drone" killed two men on Saturday in the same area, identifying one of them as a local council member for the Amal movement in the nearby village of Kfar Kila. It said they were collecting water from the spring "to take it for livestock in Kfar Kila". The Amal movement released a statement saying one of its members, born in 1964, was killed. In Lebanon, the cross-border violence since October has killed more than 500 people, mostly fighters but also including more than 90 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, at least 29 people have been killed, the majority of them soldiers, according to the authorities. The violence, largely restricted to the border area, has raised fears of all-out conflict between the foes, which last went to war in the summer of 2006. Erdogan says end near for military operation in north Iraq, Syria Istanbul, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced the imminent end of his government's operations against Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq and Syria. Turkey began its Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022, claiming it nneded to secure its border with northern Iraq, from where it accused Kurdish separatists of launching attacks on Turkish territory. "We will very soon complete the lockdown of the area of operation in northern Iraq," Erdogan said, adding that Kurdish forces were now "incapable of acting inside our borders". Erdogan said that the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) had been "completely trapped" in both Iraq and Syria, telling young military academy graduates that Turkish forces were "all over them". "We will complete the missing points of the security corridor along our southern border with Syria." Erdogan's comments tally with those made earlier this week by Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Guler, who said his country was "determined" to clear the border area with Iraq and neighbouring Syria of "terrorists". - Decades-long struggle - Turkey has a long history of tensions with Kurdish separatists, and has often launched operations in neighbouring countries to fight rebels it says are holed-up there. Within Turkey, the PKK has been involved in an on-off armed insurgency since 1984. Founded in 1978, the Marxist-inspired group is regarded as a terror organisation by Turkey and most of its Western allies, including the United States and European Union. It also has a presence in northern Iraq, as does Turkey, which has operated against the Kurdish group from several dozen military bases there. Turkey's incursions into Iraq have frequently strained bilateral ties and caused occasional frictions with its Western partners. On Wednesday, Iraq denounced fresh incursions by the Turkish army into its territory in the autonomous Kurdistan region, urging Ankara to resolve security issues diplomatically. In recent weeks, Iraqi local media have reported an increase in Turkish strikes, sparking several fires in border areas. Some reports mentioned Turkish forces establishing new positions. On Friday, the Turkish defence ministry announced that one soldier had been killed and another wounded by an improvised explosive device in northern Iraq, blaming Kurdish militants. - Diplomatic overtures - That said, there have been signs of growing rapprochement in recent months. In March, following a diplomatic visit, Baghdad quietly listed the PKK as a "banned organisation" -- although Ankara still demands Iraq does more to fight against the militant group. And in April, Erdogan made his first visit to Iraq since 2011, where he called on Baghdad to rid itself of "all forms of terrorism". Since 2016, Ankara has likewise carried out successive ground operations to expel Kurdish forces from border areas of northern Syria, along with Islamic State group jihadists. Pro-Turkish forces in Syria now control two vast strips of territory along the border. After originally aiming to topple the government of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, Ankara has recently shifted focus to preventing what Erdogan dubbed a "terror corridor" opening up in northern Syria. On July 7, the Turkish leader even suggested he might invite Assad to Turkey "at any moment", offering an olive branch after the 2011 war severed ties between Ankara and Damascus. But after Erdogan's intervention, Syrian diplomats made clear that any normalisation of ties would depend on Ankara withdrawing troops from its territory. Any bid to restore ties between Syria and Turkey "must be built on clear foundations that ensure the desired result," the foreign ministry in Damascus said on Saturday. "Foremost of which is the withdrawal of illegally present forces from Syrian territory." Hezbollah fires rockets after Israeli strike on Lebanon Beirut, Lebanon, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 Lebanon's Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on Saturday after an Israeli air strike that according to a Lebanese security source killed two civilians in the country's south. The Israeli military, whose forces have been trading regular cross-border fire with Hezbollah since early October, said its raid had targeted two operatives from the Iran-backed group. The Shiite Muslim movement said it had retaliated by launching dozens of rockets at the border town of Kiryat Shmona, in Israel's north. The Israeli military said four soldiers were wounded including one "severely", after air defences intercepted most of the "approximately 15 launches... identified crossing from Lebanon". Israeli aircraft then "struck a Hezbollah field commander who was operating in the area of (Kfar) Tebnit in southern Lebanon", the military added. Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported multiple wounded in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle near Kfar Tebnit. Hezbollah had already launched multiple attacks against Israeli military positions along the border on Saturday. The Lebanese security source, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media, said that "two civilians were filling up water from a roadside spring" in south Lebanon's Deir Mimas area when they were killed in an "Israeli air strike". A source close to Hezbollah, also requesting anonymity, said one of the men was a member of the group and the father of a fighter who had been killed, while the second man was a member of Hezbollah ally the Amal movement. The pair were "civilians, not fighters", the source added. The Israeli army said in a statement that "soldiers identified two Hezbollah terrorists preparing to launch projectiles toward Israeli territory in the area of Deir Mimas in southern Lebanon". "Shortly following the identification, the IAF (air force) struck the terrorists," the statement added. Hezbollah said it had launched rockets "in response to the aggressions by the Israeli enemy against the villages... and civilians in the south". Hezbollah has traded almost daily fire with Israeli forces in support of ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant group's October 7 attack on Israel triggered war in the Gaza Strip. The NNA said an "enemy drone" killed two men on Saturday in the same area, identifying one of them as a local council member for the Amal movement in the nearby village of Kfar Kila. It said they were collecting water from the spring "to take it for livestock in Kfar Kila". The Amal movement released a statement saying one of its members, born in 1964, was killed. In Lebanon, the cross-border violence since October has killed more than 500 people, mostly fighters but also including more than 90 civilians, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, at least 29 people have been killed, the majority of them soldiers, according to the authorities. The violence, largely restricted to the border area, has raised fears of all-out conflict between the foes, which last went to war in the summer of 2006. * FIRST NAME * LAST NAME * EMAIL Your email address * PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show * YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 * Required fields I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice CREATE ACCOUNT I'LL TRY LATER Already have an account? SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. LILONGWE, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated assorted medical supplies, including drugs worth 9 million U.S. dollars, to the government of Malawi to support the country's public hospitals. When presenting the donation on Friday in Lilongwe, Neema Kimambo, the WHO country representative, expressed her organization's desire to see public hospitals in Malawi well-stocked and people have better access to healthcare services. Kimambo added that the WHO will continue to support the Malawian government by providing various resources to meet the needs of Malawi's health system. Malawian Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda hailed the donation, saying that the supplies will help address the shortage of medical supplies in the country's public hospitals. The WHO has been providing vital medicine and medical supplies to the Malawian government since 2022 through the country's COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project. ABUJA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people were killed and 132 others injured on Friday after a two-story school building collapsed in Nigeria's north-central Plateau state, authorities said. The building at the privately-owned Saint Academy, a primary and secondary school in Jos, the capital city of Plateau state, collapsed when students were writing a promotional examination Friday morning. The building housed several classrooms and offices. A total of 154 people were brought out of the debris by rescuers as of Friday evening, including 22 lifeless bodies and 132 people, out of which six were in critical condition, Musa Ashoms, the commissioner for information and communication in Plateau state, said in a statement sent to Xinhua. Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the incident "as a tragic and a monumental loss to the state" while urging emergency responders to comb the debris to rescue more victims. In a separate statement, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the "devastating development" was too excruciating to imagine. Cases of building collapse are common in Nigeria, and local experts blame aging structures, non-compliance with building regulations, and the use of substandard materials in construction for the accidents. Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today With the Aug. 6 primary election in Missouri less than four weeks away, candidates in hotly contested races are pushing the pedal on putting forth political endorsements. And none are giving it more gas than the two leading contenders for the Democratic nomination in the 1st Congressional District: incumbent U.S. Rep. Cori Bush of St. Louis and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. While both candidates have provided steady streams of releases about the various supporters they have harnessed, Bush showed up Friday at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis to fan the faithful. Saying she was behind the microphone and in front of the cameras to refute the lies and distortions about me, Bush brought about 30 members of local service-industry unions with her. Bushs focus on organized labor serves as a direct counter to Bells recent television ads, spots that have taken Bush to task for voting against the Biden administrations trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Bell argues that Bushs vote against the bill, which eventually passed, endangered large amounts of blue-collar jobs and needed improvements in the St. Louis area. I voted against the compromise bill, Bush said at Fridays press event, referring to the Senates amended version of the legislation. St. Louis doesnt deserve scraps. The issue with union workers is one of the major points of contention between the Bell and Bush camps, who both want to position themselves as the union candidate. To be sure, both have received union backing, but from unions of different kinds. Bushs support comes from guilds representing workers in casinos and restaurants, the communications industry and government employees. Before Fridays press event, Bushs camp announced it had just picked up the support of National Nurses United, which has more than 200,000 registered nurses as members. But while Bush seems to have cornered the market on the service unions, Bell has picked up numerous endorsements from industrial and trade unions. Earlier this week, Bell backers announced their candidate just got the nod from the area local of the International Union of Operating Engineers, a construction industry group. Previously, Bell has been endorsed by other heavy trade unions, such as carpenters, plumbers and pipefitters, sheet-metal workers and laborers. Bush also used her St. Louis appearance to again take Bell to task for accepting campaign contributions from groups that back Republican candidates. Bush did not name the groups, but her backers have not hesitated in the past to name the American Israel Political Action Committee, a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group. AIPAC reportedly created a $100 million war chest aimed at defeating Bush and other progressive lawmakers. Recently, the group swung its weight and money to soundly defeat U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman of New York, who like Bush is a member of the progressive group of House members calling themselves The Squad. Bush has drawn criticism for her staunchly pro-Palestinian stance after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel. Interestingly, Bush made no specific mention of the situation in Gaza during her remarks Friday. The only mention of the subject came from Jay Ozier, head of the local Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, who applauded Bushs push for a cease-fire. But Bush, with her parade of union supporters, is not the only one of the two candidates embracing the theory that the best defense is a good offense. After being criticized by Bush of not defending reproductive rights, Bell announced on Friday that he has gained the endorsement of Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker. Shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, both Bell and Baker announced they would not prosecute people for abortion. Baker, a progressive Democrat and former state party chair, said in a statement, Im proud to endorse (Bells) candidacy ... He will be a strong progressive voice in Congress. Not to be outdone in the progressive politician sweepstakes, Bush announced Friday that she has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont. Bush and Bell are not alone in the primary race. Also running are former state legislator Maria Chappelle-Nadal and Ron Harshaw. SO, ABOUT JOE: At the end of Bushs event, the press followed its time-honored tradition of shouting out questions as a candidate walks away. As Bush ambled quickly across the plaza, one reporter asked her where she stood on the question of whether Joe Biden should drop out of the presidential race. Following politicians time-honored tradition of avoiding direct answers, Bush did not say where she stood on the issue and encouraged her constituents to call her office and let her know their opinions. But then, without any urging from the press, Bush added that most of the callers think Biden should drop out of the race. ST. LOUIS St. Louis officials cleared a longtime encampment along the Mississippi riverfront Friday and ordered more than a dozen people living there to leave, citing high water levels and future risks of floods. The camp, near the city-owned pavilion where The Admiral riverboat once moored, has been there on and off over the last four years, residents said. But by Friday afternoon city workers had cleared the site and were fencing the perimeter to keep people out. Residents said a city worker came by a few days ago to warn them about rising water levels, but that they received no other notice the camp would be cleared until police and city workers with trucks appeared Friday. We didnt get any time to make plans, said A.J. Mitchell. They just told us it was time to go. K.B. Doman, a volunteer with advocacy group Tent Mission, said the camp was a place where city outreach workers and volunteers knew they could deliver food, and connect people with shelters or other services. The group and other volunteer organizations werent told the riverfront camp would be cleared, Doman said. It makes it really difficult to find and reach people when theyre split up and dispersed everywhere, Doman said. City spokesman Conner Kerrigan said Department of Human Services outreach workers had warned people weeks ago about the river levels and offered them beds at area shelters, but each person there had declined. Workers have been consistently checking on folks and offering them services for several weeks now, Kerrigan said. Any statement that we havent done outreach and offered services is completely false. Kerrigan said the camps proximity to the Mississippi was a safety issue. The National Weather Service flood warning for the St. Louis area is in effect into Saturday. Kerrigan said the city would fence off the area to prevent people from camping along the riverbed. Flood water continues to be a risk as we experience weather and storms throughout the summer, Kerrigan said. Its not a safe place for people to be staying. St. Louis has struggled to address homelessness on the riverfront and its downtown area for years, often declaring camps a public health risk and then clearing them, only for other camps to pop up elsewhere. Some residents of the camp said they may move to another, larger camp on private land in north St. Louis. Mitchell said he moved to the riverfront camp after officials cleared another camp downtown. The shuffle makes it hard to find stability, he said. They say you cant be here and pinhole you, and then they say you cant be here and they pinhole you again, Mitchell said. They just want to make it illegal to be homeless. The riverfront camp was tucked away and did not pose a disturbance to people working or visiting nearby, he said. People at the camp had organized their own security and trash pickup, he said. Now Im lost, Mitchell said. TASHKENT, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan plan to introduce a full free trade regime, according to the press service of the Uzbek government on Friday. Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov discussed this during his visit to Kazakhstan with his Kazakh counterpart Olzhas Bektenov. According to the statement, considering the geopolitical and rapidly changing situation, with the effective use of existing reserves, it is necessary in the coming years to increase the volume of mutual trade to 10 billion U.S. dollars. "To achieve this, it is essential to strengthen systematic work on replacing imports from third countries and transitioning to a full free trade regime," it noted. On July 11-12, a meeting of an intergovernmental joint commission on bilateral cooperation took place in Almaty, Kazakhstan, chaired by the prime ministers of both countries. It is reported that last year Uzbekistan invested a record 22.2 million dollars in Kazakhstan's economy. (Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes) Mykolaiv region, Ukraine, July 14, 2018: U.S. and Ukrainian Marines provide security near a Ukrainian BTR-80 armored transporter during a company-level attack at the land portion of Exercise Sea Breeze. U.S. Marines and Ukrainian troops carried out a combined assault using armored vehicles, U.S. and Ukrainian mortar sections and dismounted infantry, culminating days of drills and classes. Exercise Sea Breeze launched July 9, 2018, and brought together 19 nations. Check out additional photos and read the article on Exercise Sea Breeze here. https://www.stripes.com/migration/ukrainian-troops-keep-russia-on-their-minds-as-they-train-with-us-marines-1.537838 Perus Huascaran peak. (Maria Luisa Lopez Estivill/Dreamstime/TNS) (Tribune News Service) In late June, as a group of mountaineers descended a treacherous glacier high in the Peruvian Andes, they spotted a dark, out-of-place lump resting on the blinding white snow. When they approached, they realized it wasnt a rock, as they had initially assumed. It was a corpse. When they got a little closer, they could tell from the out-of-date clothes and the condition of the skin that the dead man had been there for a very long time. A miraculously well-preserved California drivers license in the mans pocket identified him as Bill Stampfl, a mountaineer from Chino who had been buried by an avalanche in 2002. Avalanches begin as loose, flowing rivers of ice and snow that sweep their victims off their feet and wash them down the mountain. When the frozen debris stops, it quickly solidifies into something like a concrete tomb. But in recent years, as the planet has warmed and ice has melted at an alarming rate, receding glaciers on the upper reaches of many of the worlds most celebrated and deadly peaks have begun surrendering the bodies of long-lost mountaineers. Its a blessing and a relief for grieving families who crave closure, but it creates a grim chore for public officials whose job it is to respectfully remove the remains. Last year, on the heels of a heat wave that triggered the fastest loss of glacial ice in Swiss history, the boot of a German climber who disappeared in 1986 began poking out of a well-traveled glacier near the mountain town of Zermatt, not far from the Matterhorn. In the Himalayas, where hundreds of adventurers have perished on the slopes of Mount Everest since the 1920s, Nepali officials have been forced to launch risky, arduous expeditions to retrieve the recently revealed and rapidly thawing corpses. Because of global warming, the ice sheet and glaciers are fast melting and the dead bodies that remained buried all these years are now becoming exposed, Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, told the BBC in 2019. And now, a similarly gruesome scenario has played out on the slopes of 22,000-foot Huascaran, Perus highest mountain. The warming planet is definitely the reason we found Bill, said Ryan Cooper, a personal trainer from Las Vegas who was among the group of climbers who discovered Stampfls body a few weeks ago. When Stampfl and two climbing partners disappeared in 2002, rescuers went looking for them. They found one body, that of Steve Erskine, but Matthew Richardson and Stampfl could not be located. If Bill had been on top of the ice they would have found him, but he was buried back then, Cooper said in an interview. A lot has changed in 22 years. Hauscaran is the highest point, and crown jewel, of the Cordillera Blanca, a region of breathtaking natural beauty thats home to a dozen peaks higher than 20,000 feet and hundreds of alpine glaciers. These ancient, frozen reservoirs supply irrigation and hydroelectric power to much of Peru. But, as with glaciers everywhere on the planet as temperatures have risen, those in the Cordillera Blanca have lost significant mass, as much as 27% in the last five decades, according to official estimates. Cooper said he didnt understand the extent and speed of the changes underway until days before his guided climb was supposed to begin. He and his brother, Wes Warne, were hanging out in the Peruvian mountain town of Huaraz, listening in as other climbers and guides compared notes. They heard the glaciers were melting so fast that previously manageable crevasses cracks caused by natural movement of the ice had turned into deep, yawning chasms up to 60 feet wide that could swallow an entire team of climbers. And they heard that many guides had begun steering their clients to more stable summits, because conditions on Huascaran had become so dicey. Nevertheless, Coopers team decided to give their planned route a try. The five days they spent on the glaciers were tense, Cooper said, an up-close look at the chaos warmer-than-expected temperatures can cause. Youre just hearing avalanches, youre hearing rock fall, youre hearing ice fall all around you, Cooper said. Ive never been on a mountain that was so active. Eventually, the guides decided not to push for the summit, Cooper said. Instead, they led the group down an older, less traveled route that had been the standard track back in the day, he said, before shifting terrain prompted climbers to start taking a different approach. Thats where they came upon Stampfls body, at about 17,000 feet, resting alone, undisturbed and almost completely exposed. In other cases, when just part of a body is sticking out of the ice, excavation can be a grueling ordeal. Rescuers use shovels, axes, boiling water anything to help coax and pry remains free. As soon as they discovered Stampfl was American, Cooper said, he and his brother set aside their frustrations about not making the summit. They now had a much higher goal getting Bill home. Once they had climbed down far enough to have cellphone reception, a flurry of text messages began, and Coopers wife joined the search for Stampfls family. Before long, Cooper found himself on the phone with Joseph Stampfl, Bills son. I didnt know what to say, exactly, Im not a grief counselor, Cooper said in the interview. So he kept it simple, the way hed want his own family to hear such news. Hi, my name is Ryan, he said. Im in Peru. I found your dad. Even though Stampfls body was relatively easy to free from the ice and lift onto the stretcher, it still took a team of 13 five members of an elite police unit and eight mountain guides hired by the family to safely carry his remains down the steep slopes. The group was amazed by how well the ice had preserved Stampfls belongings, Cooper said. His clothes, his sunglasses and his camera with a roll of film still inside. Even a pair of $20 bills in his pocket were decomposing but recognizable. For Sampfls family in California, news of his discovery after 22 years came as a shock. It really took a few minutes to just, actually, process what I was hearing, daughter Jennifer Stampfl said in an interview. She and the rest of the family had no idea what to do next. The sudden need to retrieve a long-lost loved ones body from a towering mountain in Peru is not a problem most people face every day. At first, she assumed the U.S. Embassy would be helpful, but it just provided a list of funeral homes and basically said, Good luck, Jennifer said. So the job of finding and hiring trustworthy mountain guides and sending them to the exact spot fell upon the family. Jennifer said she felt woefully unprepared the family didnt even have precise coordinates to locate Stampfls body and she spent a few days haunted by the possibility of losing her dad for a second time. The mission was a success, however, and her dads remains arrived Friday morning in Lima, where they will soon be cremated and flown back to California. Stampfl, who was 58 when he died, began his love affair with mountains like so many Southern Californians do, by climbing Mount Baldy, his family told the Los Angeles Times in 2002, shortly after he disappeared. He used the 10,000-foot summit as a training ground for progressively higher peaks, including Mount Shasta, Mount Rainier, Kilimanjaro and Denali. He and his ill-fated partners also trained on Mount Baldy for their 2002 trip to Huascaran. When Stampfls ashes arrive home, the family plans to sprinkle some of them on Baldys summit, near an existing plaque commemorating him, Erskine and Richardson. Theyve invited Cooper to join them for the ceremony. I will 100% be there, Cooper said. 2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Chinese President Xi Jinping clasps his hands as he stands at the opening session of the CPPCC, or Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, at the Great Hall of the People on March 4, 2024, in Beijing. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images/TNS) (Tribune News Service) Eight months after President Xi Jinping pledged to bring 50,000 U.S. students to China to stabilize ties, Beijing has made its largest outreach yet. For some Americans, the most progress came in surprising moments outside the official program. Groups affiliated with the Chinese government welcomed some 220 young Americans to a weeklong bonding festival in the southeastern province of Fujian last month. But while many U.S. attendees said they were grateful to visit the worlds No. 2 economy, several criticized the youth festival as scripted and lacking open dialogue. With ties between the two superpowers tense over Beijings support for Russias war in Ukraine and the tally of U.S. tariffs on Chinese exports growing, sessions on tree planting and puppet shows failed to address the biggest issues, two U.S. attendees said. That curated atmosphere left Tory Knowles, 27, who is studying Chinese in the U.S., with a fear there was something I wasnt seeing. For him, the greatest insights came when he visited a nightclub in Fuzhou city, some 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the isolated campus. Everybody was so hip and looked like they were out of a Fast and Furious movie, he said. That was something I never would expect in a city that Id actually never heard of before. The choreographed festival exemplified the challenges facing Xis push to reboot people exchanges, which he called the foundation of healthy U.S. ties at a California summit with President Joe Biden last November. Just 900 Americans are currently studying in China, down from about 15,000 a decade ago. The Center for China and Globalization, a policy research group in Beijing, puts that number slightly higher at around 3,000 based on a wider definition that captures visiting non-degree students. Communist Party officials must balance boosting those numbers with maintaining control over the flow of foreign ideas into China. Beijings Great Firewall blocks sensitive outside comments from the nations internet, while overseas films and books are tightly censored, keeping a cloak of secrecy around many American perspectives. One Chinese participant, who declined to be named speaking about private matters, said attendees from their country had been instructed to avoid discussing sensitive topics at the youth festival. Instead, Chinese participants time and again asked if their guests knew the story of Kuliang, a mountainside village near the events camp where an American community first settled some 150 years ago. That repetition seemed staged, according to two U.S. attendees. Chinas Foreign Ministry said young people from both nations should decide for themselves what to discuss, when asked about chatter being scripted. Its important that both sides are able to talk about uncomfortable and difficult issues, said Rana Mitter, ST Lee chair in U.S.-Asia relations at the Harvard Kennedy School. Understanding there will be differing viewpoints between China and the West, and leaning into them, is the heart of genuine dialogue. Some Americans saw signs Chinese people were open to a freer exchange of ideas. Liam Rinehart, 22, a University of Southern California graduate of international relations and economics, said he had illuminating conversations with students at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, in a trip he tagged onto the festival. The Chinese students asked whether the right to protest could bring any real benefit to American society, Rinehart said. We replied: Yes, the civil rights movement. Thats a pretty big one, he added, referring to the U.S. fight for racial equality. Such exchanges are a rarity. As the festival took place, Washingtons top diplomat in Beijing Nicholas Burns complained that Chinese security officials had interfered in U.S. embassy and consulate efforts to host some 60 public events since November. Chinese citizens were threatened against attending a reception on LGBTQ+ rights at his residence last month, the envoy added. Beijing has dismissed gay rights as a Western-influenced concept, in yet another sign of deepening divisions with the U.S. American student Victoria Ng was left confused after talking to Chinese students about Beijings environmental policies during the festival, the location of which she described as slightly surreal due to the ambient music playing at all times outside. My main question was, Do the citizens of China have any disagreements when policy is enacted? And everyone has said, No, Ng said. Its just unfathomable to me, she added, noting how in the U.S. climate policy has become highly politicized. While the weeks roundtables focused on resilience in daily life and digital entrepreneurship, political tensions were never too far away. A Chinese fighter jet screeched across the Fujian sky one evening, a reminder of the charged environment around the Taiwan Strait, which hugs the coastline of the province. One U.S. participant, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals on future trips to China, said they were conscious the gathering was taking place close to both Taiwan and the South China Sea, two major military flashpoints between Beijing and Washington. The person also wondered if other Americans present who came from varied backgrounds were concerned how their attendance might be used in Chinese state media. The U.S. delegation featured a musical quintet from Pennsylvania, a rhythmic gymnastics and dance group from Oregon, along with students and professionals who ranged in age from teenagers to their late 30s. The event organizers said their program was designed to create a relaxed atmosphere for the American guests. Maybe they think we try to brainwash them, said Shen Xin, secretary general of the Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, which is funded by the government in Beijing. So what we do is just let them enjoy themselves, so they can put down their burdens and get rid of stereotypes. Among the 300 Chinese students, Chen Beilin was one of a handful selected from the host province where Xi built his political career in the 1990s. The 22-year-old asked American participants what would stop them from studying in the Asian nation. Most think there are still many historic problems, like Covid and many other political matters, she said. It will take a long period of time for hostilities to ease but the festival was a good start, she added. There are other obstacles to future ties. The U.S. has issued an advisory urging its citizens to reconsider travel to China, citing Beijings arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions. In 2020, Donald Trump terminated the Fulbright program that for decades brought U.S. scholars to China. His potential reelection in the November presidential vote could see ties between the worlds two largest economies flare up again. American student Ng said a highlight of her week was leaving campus to explore the nearest city after spending 90 minutes trying to call a taxi without access to Chinas ride-hailing apps. They cant chaperone us into being friends, she added. We have to kind of do that by ourselves. 2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. PHNOM PENH, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian military helicopter went missing in Cambodia on Friday during a training session, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Saturday afternoon. "The helicopter lost contact with the air force headquarters in the Cardamom Mountains in Pursat and Koh Kong provinces during a training session," the statement said. "The accident happened due to bad weather and the relevant units have been searching since the morning of July 13, 2024," it added. The statement added that the search and rescue teams have not found the missing helicopter yet as the operation is still going on. U.S. President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg participate in Working Session II of the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Yuri Gripas/Abaca Press/TNS) (Tribune News Service) NATOs European members have long thought they would prefer an ailing Joe Biden to an unpredictable Donald Trump. But now theyre coming to terms with the fact that whoever wins the election U.S. priorities are increasingly going to shift elsewhere. At the same time as their summit in Washington was overshadowed by speculation on what the presidents decline means for his partys prospects of defeating Trump in November, there were noises off-stage sharpening the visitors focus on what comes next. At a rally this week Trump dug in on criticisms of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, indicating he was prepared to ignore its central pillar: the clause on collective defense. But European officials say theyre expecting he and his democratic counterpart to concentrate more on China at the expense of Europe. Europe should not be helpless, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in an interview Friday. We need to get serious about defense of the EU because the U.S. officially no longer has the capacity to fight two wars at the same time, he said, pointing at increasing American tensions with China. Prodded by French President Emmanuel Macron, who called NATO brain-dead five years ago, Europe has rushed to shore up its own defense capabilities. The continents lack of preparedness was laid bare by Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine as well as Trumps time in the White House, when he lashed out at NATO members reliance on their most generous member. Even so, its not so much a Trump presidency as the international environment that are changing things for Europe, according to Camille Grand, an analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations and a former senior NATO official. The difference could be the manner in which any retreat is brought about: With Biden it would be much more step-by-step, with Trump itd be more disruptive, Grand said. At his rally, Trump recounted a threat not to come to the aid of allies that dont meet their spending commitments. Acting on that behavior would flout how the alliance operates and create a huge crisis, according to a senior European diplomat, who wasnt authorized to give candid views so spoke on condition of anonymity. In the meantime, Washingtons focus on Beijing has prompted China to feature more prominently in European officials discussions with U.S. politicians and think tankers on both sides of the aisle. In an interview on the NATO summits sidelines, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics appealed to the next U.S. administration to keep troops in Europe and continue supporting Ukraine. He said rowing back those commitments would only hinder the U.S.s China strategy by raising doubts among allies in its region. If there is no efficient response by NATO where the United States is part of it, Rinkevics said, Why on Earth would anyone in Asia trust the United States? NATO has collectively started to focus more on China, in part to stay relevant to the U.S. On Wednesday, its leaders issued their starkest language yet toward Beijing. They accused it of being a decisive enabler of the conflict in Ukraine, after U.S. officials briefed allies about the extent of Chinas aid to Russias war. The U.S. pivot to counter China is already showing up in budget priorities. The Biden administration requested $9.1 billion for its Pacific Deterrence Initiative for this year, compared with $3.6 billion for the European initiative. With the U.S. shifting focus to Asia, European nations keep underlining that theyre picking up the slack partly out of hope thatll keep Washington engaged. For Germany, the European Unions economic engine, the summit was a turning point, and prompted the realization that it will have to boost its defense capabilities irrespective of a Trump or a Biden White House, according to officials familiar with the governments thinking. For them, this was mainly because of the political volatility in the U.S. We have to understand that even if Biden wins another term, the U.S.s attention will increasingly shift to the Indo-Pacific, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told Deutschlandfunk radio on Thursday. That means what they do more of there, theyll do less of in Europe. Around 23 out of 32 NATO allies will hit a goal of spending at least 2% of output on defense this year up from just 10 countries last year. But with Europe struggling to arm Ukraine and rebuild its stocks, its still got a long way to go to be able to defend the region without American help. France, Germany, Italy and Poland took a step toward filling a critical military capability for which the blocs so far been relying on the U.S., when on Thursday the countries agreed to design and build their own long-range missiles. But its unclear whether those efforts will be enough to assuage the next White House, particularly if its Trump who wins a second term. Defense spending is not in and of itself something that Trump really cares about, said Sumantra Maitra, a senior fellow at the Center for Renewing America, which was founded by Russ Vought, a former official in Trumps Cabinet. Fundamentally, he doesnt really like being in a situation where he thinks he is being taken advantage of. Theres a constant demand from eastern Europe for the U.S. to spend more money in Ukraine, Maitra said, adding he doesnt speak for the Trump campaign: Those are fundamentally not American concerns. Arne Delfs, Slav Okov, Piotr Skolimowski, Kasia Klimasinska and James Mahoney contributed to this report. 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a meeting at the Pentagon on July 8, 2024. (Jack Sanders/Defense Department ) WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday talked with the Russian defense minister for the second time in less than a month, the Pentagon said. Austin and Andrei Belousov last spoke on June 25, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters. The call on Friday was initiated by Belousov. No other details were provided about the call. Singh said Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russias ongoing war against Ukraine. The Russian defense ministry in a statement said the two sides discussed lowering the risk of possible escalation of hostilities in Europe, Agence France-Presse reported. The latest conversation between the two defense leaders followed the conclusion of the NATO summit this week in Washington to mark the 75th anniversary of the military alliance and bolster support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. During President Joe Bidens news conference Thursday evening at the summit, he said he has no good reason now to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Is Putin ready to talk? Im not ready to talk to Putin unless Putin is ready to change his behavior, Biden said. The NATO summit also set the stage for several announcements about enhancing defensive capabilities in Europe. The U.S. on Thursday announced a new $225 million military aid package for Ukraine that will include another Patriot air-defense system as well as artillery rounds and other ammunition. Austin on Wednesday said Ukraine will be flying F-16s this summer following the delivery of the long-awaited fighter jets by the Netherlands and Denmark. The White House in a statement Wednesday said the United States will begin episodic deployments of the long-range fire capabilities for its Multi-Domain Task Force in Germany in 2026. The statement added that is part of a plan to establish an enduring stationing of these capabilities in the future and serve as deterrence against Russian aggression in Eastern Europe. When fully developed, these conventional long-range fires units will include SM-6 and Tomahawk [missiles], and developmental hypersonic weapons, which have significantly longer range than current land-based fires in Europe, the statement said. The 82nd Special Troops Battalion along with the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade prepare equipment for the Rapid Removal of Excess Program at Fort Liberty, N.C., in October 2023. Units will relinquish outdated and excess equipment to align with the Armys vision of keeping brigades light and more lethal. (Vincent Levelev/U.S. Army) JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. One of the largest military bases in the U.S. is conducting a massive housecleaning of redundant and outdated military gear and hardware. Old Humvees and field radios, older M-16 rifles, trucks and ammunition boxes, camouflage netting, generators, computers, outdated nuclear-biological-chemical protection gear, light tactical vehicles, towed trailers, and older night vision goggles are all on the list for removal at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. The plan is to pick it up and move it out to units that can still use the gear. Called Rapid Removal of Excess, or R2E, the collection of weapons, materials and equipment aims to streamline and modernize Army units. The R2E program has already been completed for XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Stewart, Ga., Fort Liberty, N.C., and the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. After I Corps and Lewis-McChord, the Army wants to take the program to III Corps at Fort Cavazos, Texas. Since the cleanup began at Lewis-McChord, 44,000 soldiers including I Corps, the 7th Division, and a collection of tenant units, including Special Forces detachments at the Pacific Northwest base, have turned in a growing cache of materials. To date, more than 33,000 pieces of equipment worth an estimated $418 million have been processed through the program. The final total could reach 60,000 items when the program is completed later in the summer. Soldiers with the 1st Ranger Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, inspect their radios during the Rapid Removal of Excess Program at Fort Stewart, Ga., in November 2023. The Army is moving into a new era and by getting rid of excess equipment, the service is creating space for more modernized weapons, according to Gen. Randy George, the service chief of staff. (Rebeca Soria/U.S. Army) Col. Jamison Smith, the support operations officer for the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command at the base, said the goal is to be lighter and less encumbered while using the best equipment available. As U.S. military strategy shifts more emphasis to the Indo-Pacific region to check Chinas expansion and influence, units would be asked to fight in larger formations over longer distances than in the operations against terrorists in the Middle East and Africa. The end state the Army wants is more agile units, ready to answer the call when they are told to go, with the equipment they need for a near-peer fight that will require them to move constantly and stay more static, Smith said. Capt. Colin Wiener, commander of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, said the troops appreciate getting rid of obsolete equipment. Im very pleased with this it took four pages off our property books, saved days of inventorying what we dont use, saves time soldiers time that can be used for training, he said. And it saves the Army a ton of money by not having to maintain things we dont use anymore and getting them where they are wanted. Gen. Randy George, the Army chief of staff, directed the Army Materiel Command to develop a pilot program to find and reduce surplus equipment and move it to units that can put it to use. Warrant Officer Nicolas Fajardo, the 16th CABs property book officer, said the program will get surplus moved up and out from where it has sat unused, in some cases, for years. The idea is not about getting rid of accountability, he said. Property does not grow legs and run away. It sits and takes away space and time. As the Armys command for the increasingly crucial Indo-Pacific region, I Corps was one of the early adopters of a plan that will extend across the service. Two key actions were taken ahead of the mass turn-in to spur the work. Commanders laid out a specific window in the spring for cataloging and removing the equipment instead of an ongoing process that could allow other priorities to delay it throughout the year. Military vehicles from the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, are staged in a line before undergoing the Armys Rapid Removal of Excess program at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., on June 18, 2024. The program allows units to receive immediate property accountability relief for excess equipment, enabling them to focus on new equipment fielding without the burden of obsolete material. (Effie Mahugh/U.S. Army) The program also shifted the responsibility for ensuring the equipment meets Army standards from units that have the equipment and dont want it to units that want the equipment and dont have it. Previously, the units with the surplus materials had to ensure the equipment met the Army standard of cleanliness and repair, with missing parts requisitioned and restored before handing it over for transfer. Under the R2E program, that job shifts to the receiving units. The material is shipped with less maintenance and sent to its next location as is. Its up to the units that want the equipment to then do the work to make the weapons, gear, and equipment mission-capable. The receiving units are aided by the Materiel Command. Other equipment could go to the Defense Logistics Agency for distribution, sent to overseas allies, or declared surplus and sold or donated to the public. Lightening the bureaucratic load while eliminating equipment from before they were born is satisfying for soldiers. The Army is saying, lets update everything we can, get rid of the old, and get you the new, said Sgt. Diva Arauz, whose property book with the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Lewis-McChord has become noticeably lighter. Really, some of this stuff hasnt been used since Vietnam. A Department of Veterans Affairs official testified at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing that the agency will not comply with proposed legislation that directs the agency to rescind the names of veterans flagged to lose their gun rights after being found unfit to manage their VA benefits. (Joshua J. Seybert/U.S. Air Force) WASHINGTON House lawmakers and the Department of Veterans Affairs appear to be in a standoff on whether the agency should continue to ban veterans from owning guns when they are appointed fiduciaries to manage their benefits. A VA official said this week at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing that the agency will not comply with proposed legislation that directs the agency to notify the attorney general that it acted improperly by seeking to end veterans gun rights when they were determined unable to manage their VA benefits. We are being requested to go back and tell the [Department of Justice] that the names we reported, we reported in error, which we dont believe, Kevin Friel, VA deputy director for pension and fiduciary service, said Wednesday at the hearing. At issue is legislation called the Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act that would direct the VA secretary to issue a formal notice that it acted without authority or court determination that the veterans posed a danger to themselves or others when submitting their names to the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The national background check system is a database identifying individuals barred from legally owning or possessing firearms. Friel and other VA leaders were testifying before the committees subpanel on disability assistance and memorial affairs about 18 bills that propose changes in the delivery of benefits for veterans. But Friels statements that the VA would not abide by the Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act, if enacted into law, prompted outrage and anger from lawmakers and later a request by Rep. Morgan Luttrell, R-Texas, the subcommittee chairman, to speak with him one-on-one during a break in the 2 -hour hearing. The legislation would stop the VA from continuing its practice of identifying veterans as mentally incompetent and unfit to own or possess firearms in cases where the agency determined that they needed a fiduciary, or outside party, to manage their VA compensation. The VA also opposed a similar bill called the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act that would stop the agency from identifying veterans to the national background check system when they are appointed fiduciaries, unless there is a court finding the veterans pose a danger to themselves or others. Friel, upon questioning by lawmakers, repeated several times that the VA would defy the Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act and similar legislation. Friel said he was following the direction of VA Secretary Denis McDonough in his responses. You are putting the VA secretary in a bad position. You sit here and tell us you are not going to comply with the law, said Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas. This is a cause for concern. Friel responded: The issue we have is with the [proposed] law. We are being asked to remove everyone whos being reported. Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., also asked Friel whether the VA would follow the terms of the law. Is it your position that you will not comply with an act of law passed by Congress? he asked. Friel responded: Yes, sir. That you would not comply? Rosendale asked, expressing disbelief. Yes, sir. It is in our testimony that we would have trouble complying with the law, Friel said. He said the VA does not do a background check or review health records for veterans before seeking to take away their gun rights. The determination is based on their need for a fiduciary when seeking VA benefits. Veterans who require fiduciaries are determined to be mentally incompetent and therefore denied gun rights, Friel said. Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., a retired Navy SEAL, said he believes the VA is overstepping the constitutional rights of veterans for due process. But Friel said the proactive approach to taking a veterans firearms underscores the agencys concerns about suicide risks among former service members. Most suicides among veterans involve firearms, he said. But Crane fired back: Do you have any evidence you can cite that shows veterans are more at risk of firearm suicide if they are simply unable to balance their checkbooks and therefore need a fiduciary to manage their finances? Friel said financial stress can lead to depression and hardship. Rosendale asked Friel whether the VA considered how veterans would respond to being judged by the VA as mentally incompetent when they are just having problems managing their finances. Do you think referring to veterans who need a fiduciary as mentally incompetent fulfills this mission or makes veterans less likely to pursue health care at the VA? Rosendale asked. I do not believe that it sways them in any way because the decision is based on the benefit, Friel said. He said under the VAs interpretation of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, the agency can legally remove gun rights from veterans requiring a fiduciary based on a determination of incompetency. Rosendale again asked: So is it your position that you will not comply with an act of law passed by Congress? Yes, Friel said. President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally at in Detroit, Michigan on July 12, 2024. (Daniel Mears/The Detroit News/TNS) DETROIT (Tribune News Service) President Joe Biden rejected speculation about the future of his reelection campaign and criticized the media for giving Republican Donald Trump what he labeled a free pass during a raucous rally Friday night in a Detroit high school gymnasium. As some members of the Democratic Party have argued that Biden should step aside as their nominee in the wake up a weak debate performance , the crowd of about 2,000 people at Renaissance High School chanted, as he took the stage, Dont you quit. When Biden mentioned Trump, the crowd chanted, Lock him up, a hallmark of Trump rallies from the 2016 presidential campaign when he and his supporters called for the imprisonment of Democrat Hillary Clinton. I am running. And were going to win, Biden told the crowd. Biden vowed to shine a light on Trump that, he said, the press hadnt. Biden said Trump is a convicted criminal and a threat to the nation, citing the Republicans push to overturn the result of his 2020 election loss. Biden said another four years of Trump would be deadly serious. The press and theyre good guys and women up there theyve been hammering me, Biden said. I make a lot of mistakes, he said as the crowd booed the traveling and local press covering the rally. Because I sometimes confuse names. I say thats Charlie instead of Bill. But guess what? Donald Trump has gotten a free pass. Biden railed against how the media has covered his verbal flubs. On Thursday night, after the end of a NATO summit in Washington, Biden called referred to his opponent as Vice President Trump and referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Putin, the Russian leader who is waging war against Zelenskyys country. When invading Ukraine, heres what Trump said Im not making this up either: He called (Putin) a genius and said it was wonderful. What in the hell is going on? Biden asked. But people would rather talk about how I mix up names. I guess they dont remember that Trump called Nikki Haley Nancy Pelosi. Donald, no more free passes, Biden declared. Bidens campaign trip Friday marked his fourth visit to Michigan of the year and comes 116 days ahead of the Nov. 5 general election and 15 days after a rocky debate between Biden and former President Trump that spurred bipartisan criticism of the Democratic incumbent. Several Democratic politicians and activists came to Bidens defense Friday night during the rally. Cindy Rudolph, a pastor at Oak Grove AME Church in Detroit, introduced Biden on Friday night. Rudolph said there were some raising doubts about the president. There are far more who are with you than there are who are against you, the pastor told the crowd. Michigan is among the battleground states that will decide which party wins the presidency in November. In 2020, Biden beat Trump by 3 percentage points in Michigan, 51% to 48%. Pete Hoekstra, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, blasted Bidens campaign stop Friday. His obsession with electric vehicles is guaranteed to cripple the community and put Michiganders out of work, Hoekstra said. Joe Biden has proven time and time again that he is wrong for Michigan. Before the rally, Biden spoke for about two minutes to supporters in an overflow room at Renaissance High School, making clear he would focus his campaign on denying Trump a second term in the White House, according to a press pool report. Its going to be all about Trump from here on out, Biden told supporters. That proved true during the rally as the president read a speech from a Teleprompter that lasted about 36 minutes. Biden noted that Trump has promised to be a dictator on his first day back in the Oval Office. And he means it folks, Biden said. Were not gonna let that happen. Over my dead body. I promise you I am OK Earlier in the day, amid widespread speculation about his health, Biden promised a group of his supporters, during a stop at the Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in downtown Northville, that he was OK. He touted his administrations efforts to expand access to health care and lower prescription drug prices. Biden, 81, told supporters in Northville that hes seeking a second four-year term because theres more to do and he wants to finish the job. He then joked, I know Im only 41. At the end of his remarks, Biden said, We have real opportunities. Real opportunities. Got to finish the job. I promise you I am OK. Biden gave a handful of meandering and confusing answers at the debate. On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., joined a group of 19 Democratic lawmakers in Congress who have called on Biden to drop his bid for another term. But Biden and his supporters have pressed on, seeking to reassure voters that hes the right choice to take on Trump. Detroiter Bonnie Ferrell, 55, said one poor debate performance should not define a candidate. Hes done the job whether you liked the way he debated. He has done the work, Ferrell said. Ferrell said voters should be concerned about letting Trump step into office. A vote against Biden is a vote for Trump, who is a person who does not care about our democracy or the quality of life of individuals, Ferrell said. Biden lamented that Republicans in Congress let his expanded child tax credit expire after it had cut child poverty in half in America. Im gonna make child-care tax cut permanent, he said, misstating the name of the tax credit. He said also in his second term hed expand the $35 cap for insulin beyond seniors to all Americans. Biden also said he wants to make billionaires pay a minimum income tax of 25%. Billionaires federal tax is 8.2%. Not a joke. Im not making this up. No billionaire should pay lower taxes than a teacher, a firefighter or a nurse. He says that would generate $500 billion over the next 10 years. Biden vs. everybody Michael Clift, 68, attended Fridays rally and said the identity of a president is less important than the platform of the president. I have a Biden-Harris pin, but I could be Harris-Biden too. In other words, who the Democrats run does not matter to me, Clift said. Clift said he would be in favor of Biden stepping down for a younger candidate. I think the Democrats need to get better at turning over the reins to younger leaders. They havent done that and that is kind of unfortunate, Clift said. Rudy Reyes, a 74-year-old resident of Charlotte, Michigan, said Biden should stay in the race for presidency. And all the other people, who I call Democrats, are bailing out of the ship because its going to affect their paycheck if he loses, Reyes said. But no way in hell can they stick another candidate in the race. They would lose. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was among the Democratic officeholders who spoke at Bidens rally. In an interview before Bidens visit, Benson, the states top elections official, said she wants to remind voters of the power they have. Every citizen needs to understand the impact their vote will have on the future of democracy, Benson said. Benson declined to talk in detail about her views of Biden, citing her role as Michigans chief elections administrator. Benson, Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, and actress Octavia Spencer were among the group that greeted Biden at the Detroit Metro Airport. Tate and 13 fellow Democrats in the Michigan Legislature who represent Detroit signed onto a letter this week offering their unwavering support of Biden as the partys standard bearer. Democratic U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor, Haley Stevens of Birmingham and Shri Thanedar of Detroit traveled with Biden on Air Force One to the airport. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence of Southfield also were on hand for Bidens arrival on Air Force One. At the rally at Renaissance High School, Duggan recounted Bidens long support for Detroit, through the citys 2013-14 bankruptcy and yearslong economic recovery. The mayor compared Bidens recent campaign tumult to the mantra of the popular Detroit vs. Everybody shirts. If youve been watching the news the last week, it seems like Joe Biden vs. Everybody, Duggan said. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Detroiter, was more direct in his criticism of Bidens recent detractors in the Democratic Party. Youre either with or against us, Gilchrist said. Not the president I thought he would be Down the street from Bidens rally, protesters gathered to voice their opposition to his continued candidacy and support of Israels war against Hamas in Gaza. Roughly 50 people gathered by a parking lot entrance near A. Philip Randolph Career & Technical High School to protest Bidens support of Israel, calling for Biden to get the Israelis to halt its military assault on the Palestinian territory. He promised us and I heard him say that he believed the Palestinians should have their own country. I hold him responsible and I feel betrayed, said Nadia Youmans, a protester and Detroiter born in Palestine. We are very angry at Biden, Youman added. I was his biggest supporter, and now I am very disappointed. He is not the president I thought he would be. Another Detroit protester, Nicole Conaway, 47, said any other Democrat would be better than Biden. I am calling for Biden to step down immediately, Conaway said. The stakes are too high, and he does not possess the strength of a leader we need to defeat Trump. I honestly think any of the other Democrats that are being put forward would be more likely to win than Biden. 2024 www.detroitnews.com. Visit at detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat from San Juan Capistrano, California, said he thinks President Joe Biden should give up his bid for re-election. (Jeff Gritchen/Orange County Register/TNS) SANTA ANA, Calif. (Tribune News Service) Rep. Mike Levin, D-Calif., joined the growing chorus of Democrats who are asking President Joe Biden to forgo his reelection bid and told Biden how he felt directly in a virtual meeting Friday. Levin said Friday after that meeting that he was naturally concerned following Bidens debate performance last month, and expressed his concerns with House Democratic leadership. Making this statement is not easy. I have deep respect for President Bidens five-plus decades of public service and incredible appreciation for the work weve done together these last three-and-a-half years. But I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch, said Levin. We must prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy, he added. Donald Trump actively seeks a bleak authoritarianism and the overthrow of the values which have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries. Levin expressed his desire for Biden to drop out of the race directly to the president during a virtual meeting Friday morning before releasing his statement publicly, according to people in the meeting that was hosted by the Congressional Hispanic Caucuss political arm. The meeting was supposed to be a private conversation between the BOLD PAC and Biden, said Rep. Lou Correa, who was part of the virtual gathering. Correa said it was made clear that only two people were supposed to ask questions of the president because of time constraints (Correa was one of those people; he inquired about the economy and immigration) and there were to be no leaks. But then the president said hed take one more question, and Levin expressed his wish for Biden to drop out of the race. Biden answered him completely, and then the conversation ended, said Correa. Everything was leaked. This thing went from just a molehill to a mountain. Correa couldnt recall verbatim Bidens response to Levin but said the president said something to the effect that he is not dropping out of the race but will instead move forward. CNN reported that Bidens response was somewhat rambling, saying people have a legitimate concern about his ability to run for reelection, but thats why I think its important I gotta get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that Im still in good shape. Correa said Biden answered the questions posed to him eloquently. He said it was a good discussion. As to his question about the economy and the need for more workers and a better pathway for undocumented immigrants who work in the U.S., Correa said Biden spoke much more about executive orders than I thought he was going to speak about. He had a lot of details. To me, the guy is competent to run for president, Correa, who has stuck up for Biden often during this particularly tumultuous week, said. He was very emphatic about hes not dropping out, hes going to go through this. Still, once the meeting had ended, Levin publicly called for Biden to step aside from the presidential race. Once again, our national mettle must be forged in the crucible of history. It is time to move forward. With a new leader. Together, Levin said. A spokesperson for Levin confirmed that he was on the call, only adding: It was a private discussion between members and the president. Californias Sen. Alex Padilla said he was on the call and described Biden as having demonstrated once again that he is clear-eyed on the path forward to defeating Trump and MAGA extremism. Hes had our communities backs over the last three years, and well have his this November. Levin is the first Democrat in the House from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties to publicly ask Biden to stop his reelection efforts. Rep. Scott Peters, a Democrat, on Thursday called for a new candidate at the top of the Democratic ticket following Bidens solo news conference Thursday evening. The stakes are high, and we are on a losing course, Peters said. We must find a candidate from our deep bench of talent who can defeat Donald Trump. Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., has reportedly expressed privately that Biden should exit the race. But Levin and Peters are part of more than a dozen House Democrats who have called publicly on Biden to drop out of the race, a number that has grown in recent days. Democrats have grappled with whether Biden could or should continue to run for a second term following a disastrous debate performance last month. Since that televised debate, where Biden, 81, stumbled verbally and appeared at times to lose this train of thought, the president has faced mounting questions about his health and mental competency. As Democratic lawmakers, activists and donors weigh whether Biden is the best to go head-to-head with former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, Biden held a highly anticipated solo news conference Thursday. He gave opening remarks on NATO, using a teleprompter, and then fielded questions from selected journalists that ranged from foreign policy and the NATO summit to his health and mental competency. Biden said he plans to stay in the race. I believe Im the best qualified to govern. I believe Im the best qualified to win, the president said. In an interview earlier this week, Correa acknowledged that Biden has struggled a bit recently, particularly in the debate with Trump, but maintained he was picking up steam again. He also said all the drama surrounding Bidens reelection plans should serve as a wake-up call for Democrats. It really has shocked Democrats into knowing that now we have a real race, he said. I think this is good. You dont want to wake up on Nov. 1 and say, Oh my God, this thing is a real race. You want to wake up in early July because it gives you time to work hard, and Democrats have never been afraid to work hard. A spokesperson for Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat who is leaving office early next year, pointed to earlier statements shes made calling for Biden to meet with House Democrats. Biden met with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at the White House on Thursday, the New York Democrat told colleagues in a letter Friday. On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, I requested and was graciously granted a private meeting with President Joe Biden, said Jeffries. In my conversation with President Biden, I directly expressed the full breadth of insight, heartfelt perspectives and conclusions about the path forward that the Caucus has shared in our recent time together. 2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit ocregister.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris campaign at Girard College in May 2024 for an event focused on Black voters. Harris will return to Philadelphia Saturday at an event aimed at boosting turnout among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. (Tom Gralish/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS) PHILADELPHIA (Tribune News Service) The organization hosting Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on Saturday released a poll this week that shows President Joe Bidens support among Asian American voters has declined since 2020. Harris will be the keynote speaker for a presidential town hall on Saturday held by Asian Pacific Islander American Vote, a civic engagement group focused on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Harris, whose mother immigrated from India, made history as the first Asian American vice president in addition to being the first female and Black person to hold the role. Shes leading the campaigns efforts to Black and Asian voters ahead of the November election. The poll surveyed just under 2,500 Asian Americans and divided that data into six subgroups based on ethnicity. The poll from APIAVote and AAPIData showed Bidens support among Asian Americans has dropped from 54% in 2020 to 46% an 8 percentage point drop. That includes a dramatic 19-point drop among Indian Americans from 65% to 46%. The data underscore the critical role Harris could play in restoring Bidens appeal to Indian Americans and other Asian voters. The poll, however, found Harris overall favorability rating among Asian Americans was lower than Bidens; 51% of respondents viewed Biden as favorable or somewhat favorable, while 44% had the same view of Harris. Harris visit her sixth to Pennsylvania this year comes at a critical time for Bidens campaign, as Democrats continue to sound the alarm about whether the 81-year-old president is capable of beating former President Donald Trump and spending another four years in office. Harris own name has repeatedly been floated as a potential replacement candidate and Biden said in a news conference Thursday that she could take on the presidency if needed, even as he insisted he will stay in the race. Harris has remained loyal to Biden, campaigning on his behalf in Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Greensboro, North Carolina. While Biden retains a strong lead over Trump in polling among Asian Americans, the former presidents numbers with this voter group have been more steady than Bidens 31% of voters in this years poll said they planned to vote for Trump as compared to 30% in 2020. The polling showed an increasing number of undecided and third-party voters within the demographic group a population that could be key in a race that is expected to be close. The poll showed that, in general, respondents thought higher of Biden and Harris than they did of Trump, creating a potential opening for Biden to pick up voters in that demographic. According to the U.S. Census, Asian Americans make up roughly 6% of Pennsylvanias population. In a Zoom call with reporters announcing the results, Christine Chen, the executive director of APIAVote, said the data showed that many Asian American voters were up for grabs, and that the major parties were not doing enough to reach them. Half of the respondents to the poll said the Democratic Party had not yet reached out to them this cycle while 57% said they had not been contacted by the Republican Party. Despite this, 90% of the just under 2,500 registered voters surveyed said they planned to vote in November. This lack of engagement is essentially suppressing turnout, Chen said. Harris visit comes amid a flurry of political events in the state. On the same day, first lady Jill Biden will campaign in Pittsburgh in an effort to appeal to Italian Americans and Trump will hold a rally in Butler County, where he could announce his running mate. Last week, Biden visited Philadelphia and Harrisburg as he sought to salvage his campaign and California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Bucks County on Bidens behalf. 2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Six people were killed and 14 others slightly injured in a vehicle collision on the Solo-Ngawi Toll Road in Boyolali Regency, Central Java early Saturday morning. "The accident occurred at 3:15 a.m. local time when a minibus carrying 22 passengers traveling from Surabaya to Yogyakarta collided with a lightweight brick truck in front of it," said Boyolali Police Chief Petrus Parningotan Silalahi. Silalahi stated that among the 22 passengers on the minibus, including the driver, six died, 14 were slightly injured, and two survived. He suspected that the accident might have been caused by the minibus driver being sleepy. The deceased and injured have been taken to nearby hospitals. A further investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. The man, in his mid-30s, was charged with breaching a protection order within a week of the woman obtaining it, Dublin District Court heard A MOTHER broke down in court as she told a judge that she feared for her life after her partner threatened to kill her and pour boiling water over your head as she arrived at work in Dublin. The man, in his mid-30s, was charged with breaching a protection order within a week of the woman obtaining it, Dublin District Court heard on Saturday. He also had a dangerous driving charge and has not yet indicated a plea. The man cannot be named due to the Domestic Violence Act reporting restrictions and made no reply to the charges. A local garda told the court it was the third time the accused had broken the protection order, but Judge Dermot Dempsey noted there were no charges for the other two breaches mentioned. The court heard the couple lived together and had a child. The visibly upset woman came to give evidence at the bail hearing and said she and their child had to move into a refuge. She maintained that on a date earlier this month, she had been parking her car at work when the accused appeared and ran in front of me and tried to damage the window, pulled the door, and said Ill kill you. She alleged he kept trying to damage the car window and told her Ill kill you, Ill pour boiling water over your head, you robbed my house. The woman alleged the man ran off when she began to record him. Im afraid, Im afraid, hes going to kill me, she said. Asked how she felt about him getting bail, she paused and then replied, He is threatening me; Im scared, Im so scared, I cannot breathe. She broke down again in the witness box. The defence solicitor, Peter Keating, submitted that his client had the presumption of innocence. However, he said the accused had said he could live at a different address and undertake not to contact her even through a third party. He suggested bail conditions, putting him under strict obligations not to breach. The woman agreed and said, I just want him to leave me alone and I just want to feel safe, please. The defendant sat silently with his arms folded for most of the hearing but stood and spoke once to say yes to confirm he would not contact her. Judge Dempsey ordered him to furnish gardai with a new address within 24 hours, sign on daily at a garda station, and abide by the protection order. The judge said there was to be no contact directly or indirectly by either party and warned the accused that he must go to the family courts to arrange child access. The man nodded when asked if he understood the terms. Bail was set at 300, and he must face court again later this month. The defence applied for legal aid, saying the accused lost his job through this. Hell lose his liberty if there are any further alleged breaches, replied Judge Dempsey. 36-year old Samantha Jade Cookes was brought before a special sitting of Tralee District Court on Saturday after her arrest at Edward Street Post Office on Friday. A woman has been remanded in custody after being charged with the theft of 59,094 from the Department of Social Protection. 36-year old Samantha Jade Cookes was brought before a special sitting of Tralee District Court on Saturday after her arrest at Edward Street Post Office on Friday. The court was told that Samatha Cookes of Connolly Park was formerly charged with two counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection. She is charged that on July 12, 2024 at An Post, Edward Street, that she did steal property namely 232 disability allowance payment issued on June 12 to Samantha Jade Cookes and that on the same date she did steal the same sum issued on June 5 to the same name. Inspector Eoin Donovan told the court that these were sample charges and that in total she is accused of defrauding the Department of 59,094 in 238 separate payments over a four year period. He also said there may be further serious charges. The court heard that the state were objecting to bail on several counts including the nature and strength of the evidence from an investigation gardai began in April 2024. Garda Raphael Liston told the court that there was strong forensic and medical evidence. He said Ms Cookes had been interviewed on three occasions since her arrest and told gardai that she believed she had Huntingtons disease and that she made admissions after caution during these interviews. The court was further told that the state were objecting to bail because they believe Samantha Cookes poses a risk to the community. The court was told that she has an ability to use different aliases and can assimilate into community groups. It is alleged she uses variations of her full name and her mothers maiden name and has previously used aliases including Carrie Jade Williams, Jade Williams, Jade OSullivan and Sadie Harris. Gardai gave evidence that she has no ties to Ireland. Ms Cookes was represented in court by solicitor Pat Mann who urged the court to give her bail under strict conditions. He said this evidence is suggested against her. He said his client has spent time in hospital in the Mater and that she is a patient of a doctor in Killarney who put the paperwork in for Ms Cookes. Garda Liston said that allegation is that the information in the documents is false, not the documents. Mr Mann said that it was unfortunate that she was arrested on a Friday but that she would be able to prove she has medical issues including mental health issues. Ms Cookes who was wearing a pink cardigan and black skirt was subdued throughout the sitting. She said she became ill in 2017 and became more symptomatic. In 2019 she began to suffer neurological issues. She agreed she spent time in the Mater hospital in 2020. Mr Mann said a lot of issues were mental health and this made it difficult to access services which she made known to the doctor. She agreed that she now has a new doctor because she was living in Tralee. She told the court that she did not have a passport to leave the country. Mr Mann said in due course she would be able to give medical evidence to defend the matter. The state said there was absolutely no conditions that would alleviate their concerns. They said they were satisfied she is Samantha Cookes and that the other names are aliases. Judge David Waters said the issue was whether or not she would turn up to face charges and that given she has various aliases he was not satisfied she would. He refused bail . Ms Cookes is to appear via video-link again on Wednesday, July 17. Legal aid was granted to solicitor Brendan Ahern after the court was told that she received a supplementary welfare allowance and had no assets. The man allegedly made the threat in a bedroom at the top of his mothers three-storey house, while she was frightened of her life. A son grabbed his mother by the neck and threatened to throw her out of the third-floor window of her home in an alleged domestic violence attack. The man allegedly made the threat in a bedroom at the top of his mothers three-storey house, while she was frightened of her life. Judge Deirdre Gearty granted him bail under strict conditions and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court. The man is charged with breach of an interim barring order at the womans north inner city home on July 5. The prosecuting garda objected to bail, citing the nature and seriousness of the allegations and the strength of the proposed evidence. He said it was alleged the man entered the premises by force, breaking the front door. According to the prosecution, he went inside, grabbed his mother by the neck and threatened to throw her out of the window. He absconded when gardai arrived and attempted to evade them but was caught red-handed near the scene, it was alleged. The garda said more charges would possibly be brought in the case. He feared if the accused was granted bail, he would return to his mothers home and further threaten her. The accused would say the latch and the door were already broken for some time before he arrived, his solicitor Yvonne Bambury said. The garda said he saw the front panel had come apart from the door and it was not just a broken lock. The door was hanging off, he said. In evidence, the alleged victim said she was in the house alone when she heard banging on her door in the early hours of the morning and looked out and saw her son. She told him to go away from the door but he got in, came upstairs and grabbed me, she said, indicating her neck. He opened the window really wide and said he was going to throw me out the window, she alleged. There was froth and everything coming out of his mouth, I was in fear, I was afraid of my life. She said she got out, ran down the stairs and out into the street. She called gardai, she said. Judge Gearty said she was satisfied there were very valid concerns over bail but the accused was presumed innocent. She granted bail in the mans own bond of 200, with conditions that he has no contact with his mother and stays away from her address. He is also to sign on at a garda station, provide a contact number and be of sober habits. The accused, from Punchbowl, Gort, Co Galway, was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell or supply when he was arrested at the time and brought before Dublin District Court. Paul Lennon of Punchbowl, Gort, Co Galway, has been charged with possession and importation of drugs. Photo: Paddy Cummins A truck driver accused of having nearly 2m worth of cannabis in a trailer while transporting fruit and vegetables has now been charged with importation of the drug. Father-of-seven Paul Lennon (60) was stopped in Dublin Port last August by gardai who found the drugs elaborately concealed in the roof, it is alleged. The accused, from Punchbowl, Gort, Co Galway, was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to sell or supply when he was arrested at the time and brought before Dublin District Court. At his latest court appearance, gardai brought fresh charges of importation and possession of more than 13,000 worth of the drug. Mr Lennon made no reply to either count after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets, a garda said. The DPP was directing trial on indictment, the garda said, requesting an adjournment for the preparation of a book of evidence. Judge Monika Leech remanded Mr Lennon on continuing bail for service of the book. Previously, the court heard gardai had confidential information that a crime group was using a truck to bring drugs from Cherbourg to Dublin Port. A truck driven by Mr Lennon was detained on August 25. A sophisticated and elaborate concealment of man-made steel trays was found in the 12-metre trailer, gardai said. The trays contained 189 half-kilo vacuum packages of cannabis, with an estimated combined value of 1.9m, the court heard. The court heard that Ward threatened the woman, who was giving him a lift, with rape before she was sexually assaulted. A victim of an aggravated sexual assault bit off part of her attacker's tongue off during the ordeal, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Gerard Ward (48) was today jailed for five years for the attack. The court heard that Ward threatened the woman, who was giving him a lift, with rape before she was sexually assaulted. She bit down on his tongue as he kissed her before escaping the car. Ward, with an address at Galtee Drive, Southill, Limerick, was convicted by a jury following a trial, of aggravated sexual assault at Raheen Business Park, Limerick on August 25, 2020. Ward has previous convictions for robbery, road traffic and drugs offences. He was given a six year sentence in 2016 for robbery of a taxi driver in which threats to cause serious harm were made. He also received a seven year sentence in 2001 for kidnap and robbery charges. Aggravated sexual assault is a sexual assault that involves serious violence or the threat of serious violence or is such as to cause injury, humiliation or degradation of a grave nature to the person assaulted. The maximum sentence for this offence is life imprisonment. Evidence in this case was previously heard at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick. The court previously heard the woman and Ward had been socialising with others and she was giving him a lift. Ward directed the woman, who was new to the area, to the business park where he told her to turn off the engine. Ward made a threat to rape her before placing his hands on her throat and touching her vaginal area outside her clothing. As he was kissing her she bit down on his tongue and a significant amount of his tongue was bitten off. Ward pulled her hair, leaving a bald patch, and during the trial said this was an effort to get her to release the bite. The woman escaped the car and spat out the piece of tongue. She managed to ring the emergency services. She was also subjected to an assault by Ward in which she received bite marks and scratches to her body. Ward claimed that the kissing was consensual and that he had not made any threats. Gardai accepted at the sentence hearing that Ward answered all questions they put to him and that he had suffered life changing injuries. They accepted there had been no penetration and all the touching was outside the woman's clothes. Defence counsel told the court at an earlier hearing that Ward was remorseful. The loss of part of his tongue was significant and he had to relearn how to speak. Counsel asked for his injuries to be taken into consideration. The court heard he had a difficult bringing and has lost five family members in recent times. Passing sentence today in Dublin, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath commended the bravery and courage of the woman. He said he was acutely conscious of the trauma she had endured and hoped the effects of the ordeal will lessen in time. Mr Justice MacGrath said Wards culpability was high. He said the threat of rape had been taken seriously and the woman was vulnerable and new to the area. Ward had asked her to drive to a remote area and taken advantage of her good nature. The judge said the aggravating factors included Wards prior convictions, which included violent behaviour or elements of violence, but acknowledged some were historical and committed while he was a much younger man. Mr Justice MacGrath set a headline sentence of seven years before considering mitigation, which included Ward's age, his domestic and family situation, his recent employment history and medical issues. He reduced the sentence by 18 months and imposed five and a half years' imprisonment. He suspended the final six months in light of Wards acceptance of the jury verdict and general expression of remorse Gardai confirmed a file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to Antonio Mureddus role in Joe McCarrons departure from hospital while gravely ill Antonio on the video which he filmed inside the hospital The well-known anti-vaxxer activist, Antonio Mureddu, who was jailed for the motorway assault of a Garda Sergeant, had previously been investigated over the death of a Covid patient in Donegal. This week, Judge Francis Comerford imposed the 32-month prison term on businessman, Mr Murredu for the assault on Sgt James Hanley at the slip way on exit 13 at Knockanean, Ennis off the M18 Limerick to Galway motorway on August 10, 2021. However, we can reveal that in May 2022, gardai confirmed a file had been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the Italians role in Joe McCarrons departure from hospital while gravely ill the previous year. The 67-year-old Covid-sceptic patient returned to Letterkenny University Hospital two days later, but subsequently died. In a video that later went viral, Mr Mureddu (now 47) is seen encouraging Covid-sceptic Mr McCarron to leave hospital, despite a doctor saying he could die. In the video of the incident on September 14, 2021, Mr Mureddu can be heard telling Mr McCarron: Put your trousers on, we are going now, you are safe, you follow me. A staff member tells the patient he has the right to decide what he wants to do, but adds: You are barely able to breathe there now. We want you to stay and help you. No, Joe, theyre going to f***ing kill you, Joe, Mr Mureddu says before telling the staff member: Because you are killing people. Antonio on the video which he filmed inside the hospital The medic then tells Mr McCarron: Im very worried about you and I want you to stay. I think he is saying something very dangerous. What he is saying is very wrong and very dangerous, and I think he is endangering your life. It is a very difficult disease that you have and Im not lying to you, you could die. This will be your best chance in the hospital and getting the support we are giving to you. Mureddu then intervenes and accuses hospital staff of lying and says: We go. The staff member then tells him: Think about this. You are endangering his life. Two days later, Mr McCarron, a former failed election candidate with Direct Democracy Ireland, was readmitted to hospital. He was placed on a ventilator, but his condition deteriorated. Mr Mureddu was arrested on February 7 and questioned by gardai in Donegal about the incident, ahead of the force completing and sending its file to the DPP. Among the issues examined was whether the patient was forced or coerced to leave hospital, and a criminal charge of endangerment, it is understood. Charges of trespass and whether hospital staff were threatened were also considered. However, the state prosecutor later advised that no criminal charges be laid. Mureddu appeared before Letterkenny District Court in late February on road traffic charges of having no insurance, using a fraudulent licence plate and failing to give information to gardai at Meencarragh, Ballybofey, last October 23. Judge Raymond Finnegan asked if he had a solicitor and he replied that he had no legal representative. He told Judge Finnegan: I dont give jurisdiction to this court. I can represent myself. When Judge Finnegan again strongly recommended that he get legal representation, Mureddu replied: Absolutely not. I dont give any consent. I am the king and you are the public servant. This week, a court heard that the assault on the Garda took place at around 6.30pm after a high speed car chase on the M18 near Ennis where Sgt Hanley clocked Mr Mureddus red Alfa Romeo going at a speed of 174km at Crusheen heading south towards Limerick One eye witness described Mr Mureddus car travelling like a bullet and in pursuit, Sgt Hanleys Garda patrol car reached a speed of 204kmph. In evidence, Sgt Mark Murphy said that Mr Mureddu Alfa Romeo braked suddenly a number of times and after exiting the motorway stopped his car on the Knockanean slipway. Sgt Hanley - who was by himself on patrol - got out of his Garda car and pushed at Mr Murredu as the Italian national walked towards him. Sgt Murphy said that Sgt Hanley did this for his own personal safety and counsel for Mr Murredu, Patrick Barriscale BL (instructed by solicitor, Colum Doherty) said that his client then over-reacted when putting Sgt Hanley to the ground and placing him in a choke-hold. Mr Barriscale said that Mr Murredu did this as he was concerned for his own safety. Mr Mureddu had prior to the assault only two previous convictions for motoring offences. Mr Barriscale told the court that the Italian national came to Ireland in 2006 and has operated restaurants at Tuam, Limerick and most recently Headford in Co Galway. Mr Barriscale said that at Garda interview after the assault, he expressed regret for his actions and said that he wanted to apologise to Sgt Hanley. Along with pleading guilty to the assault charge on Sgt Hanley, Mr Mureddu also pleaded guilty to a dangerous driving charge and Judge Comerford imposed a three year driving ban for that offence. In court, Sgt Hanley in his victim impact statement stated: I genuinely believe that the defendant sought to take my life on August 10th 2021 - or at the very least cause me serious harm. He said: He did not succeed thanks to the actions of the Good Samaritans who came to my aid. I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to them. Covid sceptic Joe McCarron (67) died with the disease Sgt Hanley was off work for 233 days as a result of injuries sustained in the assault and he told the court the impact of the defendants actions in assaulting me cannot be overstated, both professionally and personally. Dramatic Garda dash cam footage shown to the court showed Mr Mureddu sweeping Sgt Hanley with a leg movement to the ground on the slip way and putting him in a choke hold where Sgt Hanley was losing consciousness. Sgt Hanley tried to access the emergency channel on his Tetra radio to call for Garda assistance but was prevented from doing so by Mr Mureddu who took possession of it and placed it out of reach. The footage shows six other motorists - three men and three women - come to the aid of Sgt Hanley and Judge Comerford said that the motorists effectively apprehended Mr Mureddu until other Gardai arrived. Judge Comerford said that the intervention of the passers-by underlines the respect the community has for Gardai. Sgt Mark Murphy said that one witness believed that Sgt Hanley was suffering a heart attack as he was breathless on the ground and losing consciousness. Another said that Sgt Hanley was distressed with blood on his face and hands. A private LifeLine ambulance came upon the scene and brought Sgt Hanley to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. The 'Good Samaritans' put Sgt Hanley into the recovery position until assistance arrived. Judge Comerford backdated Mr Mureddus prison term to March 12th when he was initially brought into custody. Victim who is in his 60s and lives alone told local enough is enough The grey van that was fired on, with bullet holes visible A 62-year-old farmer who fired two shots at a van that was involved in an attempted burglary at his property had said enough is enough after criminals targeted his home three times in the space of a year. The incident happened in rural Co Mayo on Thursday afternoon, an associate of the man said. Gardai have seized a shotgun and ammunition owned by the farmer and identified at least one suspect, but no arrests have been made. Two men were seen fleeing across fields near the farmers home on Thursday afternoon. They had to abandon the grey van they had used in the attempted burglary after the farmer fired two shots, one hitting the engine and the other the front window. The suspects were at the back of the van at the time, trying to load chainsaws, pots and other stolen items. They were not injured when the shots were fired. Earlier, the farmer had noticed one of the suspects at the side of the property in which his late father previously lived. He saw the suspect had broken in to the house and was standing beside a number of items that had been taken from it. The farmers associate said: He then went into his home, which is beside that property, and got his shotgun and loaded it up as he felt that transportation was on the way to retrieve the items. He then hid in bushes for about an hour before the van arrived to take the stuff away. When it was being loaded into it, he fired off the two shots it was never his intention to harm the criminals. After this happened, he made an emergency phone call and told the operator that he had discharged his firearm, which led to a major response from armed gardai who rushed to the scene and were there within 25 minutes. In the meantime, the van had been abandoned after it broke down about a kilometre away. Bizarrely, one of the suspects called a garda station in Co Mayo using his own name to report the vehicle as stolen before he and his accomplice fled. Rural parts of Mayo and Galway have been completely fleeced by burglary gangs This man is expected to be arrested on sight, according to a source. The farmer lives on his own and is said to be sick and tired, as well as frightened of criminals targeting his property. In recent weeks and months, rural parts of Mayo and Galway have been completely fleeced by burglary gangs. Many travel from the Tallaght area of Dublin to the west of Ireland in high-powered Audi cars, according to several garda sources. While the suspects in relation to this attempted burglary are from Mayo, they are suspected of having family links to some members of the west Dublin burglary gangs. A number of people, including local politicians, who spoke to the Irish Independent expressed sympathy for and solidarity with the farmer. This is a very private individual who lives on his own in a relatively isolated area and he obviously felt that he had enough of being targeted, said a local person who asked not to be named. Everyone around is saying this case is similar to what happened with Padraig Nally who lives only a 40-minute drive from here. Under the Criminal Law (Defence and Dwelling) Act 2011, a person is allowed to use reasonable force defending their home in order to protect themselves and their property. That legislation was drafted following the death of burglar John Frog Ward, who was shot dead by farmer Padraig Nally in Co Mayo in 2004. Mr Nally was cleared of murder but initially found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to six years. However, he was retried for manslaughter and fully acquitted. Thursday afternoons shooting incident comes as gardai led by detectives in Roscommon continue to gather intelligence in preparation for mass arrests of Dublin-based organised burglary suspects who have been terrorising the west for months. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our beloved deceased colleague who once again had to relive the awful event of Adrians murder Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was murdered during an attempted armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union, Co Louth, in 2013. Photo: Damien Eagers The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said it hopes the Court of Appeals rejection of Aaron Bradys bid to overturn his conviction for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe will bring some closure The GRA welcomed the decision of the court this week to reject the near 50 grounds of appeal argued by lawyers for Brady over a seven-day hearing last October. GRA General Secretary Ronan Slevin said our thoughts are with the family and friends of our beloved deceased colleague who once again had to relive the awful event of Adrians murder. He added: "But we welcome the decision of the court which hopefully will once and for all bring some sense of closure to this matter. Brady will now remain in prison serving his minimum 40-year life sentence, almost four years since he was found guilty by a majority jury verdict. Mr Justice John Edwards delivered a summary of the 363-page judgement in what the three-judge panel said was "one of the longest ever" matters before it. Aaron Brady The three judges dismissed all grounds of appeal including a complaint by Brady's lawyers that the integrity of his trial was "well and truly breached" when key witness Molly Staunton, who gave testimony via video link from New York during the Covid-19 crisis, was interrupted by an unseen man, who told her to "stop it right now", before the video link was "dramatically" cut. They told the three-judge court that the incident was grounds for a retrial. Rejecting this ground, Mr Justice Edwards said "the interruptions" that occurred did not represent "a real and substantial risk of an unfair trial which could not be avoided by directions of the trial judge, who carefully and properly addressed the jury on the issue of who had responsibility for the interruptions, acknowledged the absence of supervision and referred to the interruptions as being from the witness's boyfriend". Ms Staunton told the murder trial that Brady said he had to "carry around the guilt of having murdered a cop in Ireland". Ms Staunton said in her direct evidence that Brady also claimed during a drunken "rant" to be "the most feared man in Ireland". Brady, who is now 33-years-old, was led into court by prison officers for today's judgement. Wearing a navy suit and pink tie, Brady did not react when Mr Justice Edwards confirmed that the jury's verdict would not be overturned. Brady, previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum having been found guilty of murdering Det Gda Donohoe (41) at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen, Co Louth on January 25, 2013. Brady was also sentenced to 14 years for the robbery, a sentence that will run concurrently with the life sentence. Det Gda Donohoe was on a cash escort when he was ambushed by a five-man gang and shot dead. The raiders stole just 7,000 in cash during the robbery, which lasted 58 seconds. Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was murdered during an attempted armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union, Co Louth, in 2013. Photo: Damien Eagers Brady's trial was also the longest murder case in Irish legal history, lasting 122 court days. The father-of-one was found guilty of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11 to one majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court on August 12, 2020 and sentenced to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment in October 2020 after an eight-month trial. As he had been found guilty of murdering a garda acting in accordance with his duty, the trial judge ordered that he serve a minimum of 40 years. Mr Justice Edwards told the court this morning that Brady's hearing had been the longest the three-judge court had conducted in its ten year history. "The number of issues in this case was greater than in any other case so far," he outlined, adding that this was the reason for the "very substantial" length of the judgment. This was very shocking for the family and local residents in what has been a quiet area A man has been badly injured in what has been described as a petrol bomb attack on a house in Drimnagh, in the south of the city last night. The man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, according to gardai, who said his condition has been described as stable. It follows what one local councillor said was a shocking incident in the deliberate targeting of the house that has left a family homeless. Cllr Daithi Doolan of Sinn Fein, who is himself a local resident, said the family had fled in fear after the frightening attack on their home overnight. "This attack is unacceptable and should never have taken place, Cllr Doolan said. The family had to flee in the middle of the night and find shelter elsewhere. It was a terrible incident and has left local people in fear. This was very shocking for the family and local residents in what has been a quiet area. People are quite terrified this morning. Obviously fires can be uncontrollable and can spread to neighbouring houses. So, people are very nervous. Cllr Doolan pointed out last nights attack was just the latest in a number of very violent incidents in the area in recent months. Weve had a fatal shooting, weve had a gun attack and now a firebomb attack that has effectively left a family homeless. This latest attack is an attack on the whole community in Drimnagh, he added. And those behind it, those who organised and carried it out need to face the full rigours of the law. They will not succeed in intimidating us. This is a strong community and we won't be easily scared. "But our community deserves better than this. We urgently need more gardai. Unfortunately the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has failed to provide adequate Gardai to protect residents in our communities. "I would strongly urge anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you may feel it is, to please contact the gardai. It is essential those who organised this attack are arrested and face justice." Gardai said they were investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a house in Drimnagh, Dublin 12 in the early hours of Saturday morning. One male was taken to hospital with serious injuries; his condition is described as stable, gardai said. Gardai in Sundrive Road are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them. Any person who was in the vicinity of Dromard Road in Drimnagh in the early hours of Saturday morning between 3am and 3.45am and who may have camera footage (including dash cam) is asked to make this available to gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Gardai added that investigations are ongoing. Chinese Gourmet Restaurant in Oldcastle was one of five establishments nationwide served with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority Of Ireland (FSAI) last month Oldcastle's Chinese Gourmet Restaurant was served with a closure order by Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) officials A Chinese restaurant in Co Meath that was hit with a closure order after food safety inspectors found flies walking on cooked chicken in a rear shed, has apologised for the mistake. Chinese Gourmet Restaurant in Oldcastle was one of five establishments nationwide served with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority Of Ireland (FSAI) last month. In a post on their Facebook page the restaurant wrote a message to their dear customers. The health officials inspected our company on 27th June found that our employees were handling food improperly in the wrong place, the post reads. We promptly handled the contaminated chicken and stopped using the timber shed that day. We also made a remedial plan in a timely manner. The health officials only asked to close the timer shed and allow us to operate normally I will also retrain the chefs employed in food safety and hygiene. The post then states: I would like to express my sincerest apologies to the customers affected by this incident. A man answering the phone at the restaurant on Friday night who said he was the manager/chef, said they had made a mistake, and assured customers they had taken action. We made a mistake and we are sorry for that, the man said. We have been here more than ten years and we never had a problem (before). That order came on foot of an inspection carried out at its premises in the Co Meath town on June 27. In a report prepared following that examination, FSAI officials ordered the immediate closure of an outdoor timber shed located in the restaurants back yard where the discovery of a number of uncovered cardboard boxes containing cooked chicken had been found. The door of the shed was open (and) flies were observed walking on the cooked chicken, the report highlighted. Inspectors also identified the presence of mould being on the sheds walls and ceilings, leading to concerns over a possible risk to public health. Food was not protected against any contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, the report added. Those reservations were among a string of reasons for seven Enforcement Orders to be handed out nationally by food safety authority officials last month. Among the other closure orders were incidents of two mouse carcasses found under a sink and under a toilet, a significant amount of rodent droppings under a sink and rat infestation evidence. Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said food businesses have a legal obligation to comply with food safety legislation in the interest of public health. Consumers have a right to safe food, she said. Under food law, it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that the food they sell to the consumer is safe to eat. If anyone experiences unfit food, poor hygiene standards or notices a breach of food law in a food business, we encourage them to contact us via our online complaint form at www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter. Reporting inappropriate and unsafe food practices provides us with information that we can act upon. Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: Board (Closed area: The Upper storey of the building) (service sector), 29 Clanbrassil Street Upper, Dublin 8 Mercury Eastern European Food (retailer), Unit 25, Midleton Business Enterprise Park, Dwyer Road, Midleton, Cork Giraffe Childcare Limited, Elm Park, Merrion Road, Dublin 4 -Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: Chinese Gourmet Restaurant (Closed area: the use of the outdoor timber shed in the back yard of the restaurant for the storage/ handling of any open food or food contact materials), The Square, Oldcastle, Meath Chrysanthemum (restaurant/cafe), Unit 1 Old Orchard Inn, Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14 Two Prohibition Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020: Johnson Best Food African Take Away, 86 Summerhill, Dublin 1 The Roadhouse (public house), Clongowney, Mullingar, Westmeath. Also, during the months of May and June two prosecutions were taken by the HSE in relation to: Mean Greens Vegan Kitchen Stall, Ballysax Hills, The Curragh, Kildare Griolladh 2 Stall, Ballysax Hills, The Curragh, Kildare Press Release July 12, 2024 Sen Robin's Resolution Urges DOH to Pursue International Collaboration for Medical Cannabis Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla wants the Department of Health (DOH) to foster and strengthen international collaboration with its foreign counterparts to harness expertise and expand research and development for using medical cannabis. Padilla filed Senate Resolution 1066 where he noted some nations have developed fully regulated markets such as taxed and regulated frameworks for retail distribution of a variety of cannabis products for adults. "(G)iven the growing acceptance of cannabis as an alternative and safe option for treatment, our country's health department must exercise openness and willingness to engage with international partners as this can be beneficial in facilitating knowledge and information sharing, and collaborative research initiatives," he said. He also noted there are notable international conferences abroad, such as the Annual Cannabis Research Conference in Colorado, USA, the Annual Medical Cannabis Conference by the Medical University of South Carolina, USA, the Australian Medical Cannabis Symposium in Brisbane, Australia, and the International Medical Cannabis Conference in Tel Aviv, Israel. "(T)he DOH's participation in similar international conferences is consistent with their mandate to adopt an evidence-based and scientific approach in the adoption of new strategies that will address emerging health needs which can include the adoption and use of medical cannabis," he added. Padilla noted that under Sec. 12, Art. XIII of the 1987 Constitution, the State shall undertake appropriate health manpower development and research that is responsive to the country's health needs and problems. Also, he said Executive Order 102 acknowledged the role of the DOH as the Philippines' "innovator of new strategies for responding to emerging health needs and as the lead agency in health and medical research," and granted the DOH "the mandate to promote and maintain international linkages for technical collaboration." He added that while cannabis is listed as a dangerous drug under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for patients afflicted with epilepsy, such as the oral solution Epidiolex for treatment of seizures associated with severe forms of epilepsy in 2020. On the other hand, he said various countries have acknowledged the therapeutic potential of medical cannabis, while the World Health Organization (WHO) cited scientific studies showing that cannabis consumption "is useful in reducing pain and nausea, and in effectively treating symptoms of multiple sclerosis and epilepsy." Padilla added 70 countries have legalized some form of cannabis for medical use, up from 50 in 2019. At least 26 countries are providing medical patients with legal access to high-THC cannabis. Resolusyon ni Sen Robin, Nanawagan sa DOH na Makipagugnayan sa Ibang Bansa sa Paggamit ng Medical Cannabis Nanawagan si Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla sa Department of Health (DOH) na makipagugnayan sa ibang bansa para sa paigtingin ang kaalaman at ang pananaliksik sa paggamit ng medical cannabis. Ihinain ni Padilla ang Senate Resolution 1066 kung saan niyang ipinunto na nakabuo na ng "fully regulated markets" ang ibang bansa para sa mga produkto ng cannabis. "(G)iven the growing acceptance of cannabis as an alternative and safe option for treatment, our country's health department must exercise openness and willingness to engage with international partners as this can be beneficial in facilitating knowledge and information sharing, and collaborative research initiatives," aniya. Ani Padilla, may mga international conferences para rito, kasama ang Annual Cannabis Research Conference sa Colorado, USA; Annual Medical Cannabis Conference ng Medical University of South Carolina, USA; Australian Medical Cannabis Symposium sa Brisbane, Australia; at ang International Medical Cannabis Conference sa Tel Aviv, Israel. "(T)he DOH's participation in similar international conferences is consistent with their mandate to adopt an evidence-based and scientific approach in the adoption of new strategies that will address emerging health needs which can include the adoption and use of medical cannabis," dagdag niya. Ayon din kay Padilla, sa Sec. 12, Art. XIII ng 1987 Constitution, kailangang tiyakin ng Estado ang "health manpower development and research that is responsive to the country's health needs and problems." Dagdag niya, iginiit ng Executive Order 102 ang papel ng DOH bilang "innovator of new strategies for responding to emerging health needs and as the lead agency in health and medical research," at binigyan ang DOH ang mandato para isulong ang "international linkages for technical collaboration." Ayon din kay Padilla, bagama't "dangerous drug" ang cannabis sa Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, inaprubahan na ng Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) at Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ang paggamit ng cannabidiol (CBD) para sa mga pasyente ng epilepsy, tulad ng oral solution na Epidiolex para sa seizures na naiugnay sa "severe forms of epilepsy" noong 2020. Dagdag niya, maraming bansa na ang kumikilala sa therapeutic potential ng medical cannabis, habang ang World Health Organization (WHO) naman ay kumikilala sa scientific studies kung saan ang cannabis consumption ay nakakatulong sa pagbawas ng sakit at nausea, at sa paggamot ng sintomas ng "multiple sclerosis and epilepsy." Aniya, 70 bansa na ang nag-legalize ng medical cannabis, mula 50 noong 2019. Hindi rin bababa sa 26 bansa ang nagbibigay ng legal access sa high-THC cannabis. Intelligent connected vehicle tester Wang Juan is pictured during a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Wang Juan adjusts a rearview mirror before a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Wang Juan prepares for a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Li Cheng checks a vehicle after a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) An aerial drone photo taken on July 4, 2024 shows an intelligent connected vehicle during a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng poses for a photo in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng conducts tests in an intelligent connected vehicle at an automobile inspection center in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng prepares the test report of an intelligent connected vehicle in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Wang Juan (L) gives a road test training to a new employee in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Wang Juan prepares for a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Li Cheng is pictured in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Li Cheng checks a vehicle before a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Li Cheng is pictured during a road test in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) An intelligent connected vehicle conducts autonomous emergency braking test at an enclosed test field in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng records the test data of an intelligent connected vehicle at an automobile inspection center in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng installs a braking robot in an intelligent connected vehicle before a test at an automobile inspection center in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng installs a steering robot in an intelligent connected vehicle before a test at an automobile inspection center in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) An intelligent connected vehicle tester works before a test at an enclosed test field in Tianjin, north China, June 14, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Wang Juan poses for a photo in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Li Cheng (back row) gives a lesson to new employees in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, July 4, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) Staff members pose for a group photo at National Intelligent and Connected Vehicle Quality Inspection and Testing Center (Tianjin) in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle testers measure the distance between an intelligent connected vehicle and a scooter during a door-opening reminder test at an enclosed test field in Tianjin, north China, June 14, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Intelligent connected vehicle tester Zhang Cheng (R) and his colleague Zhang Shuai conduct tests in an intelligent connected vehicle at an automobile inspection center in Tianjin, north China, June 19, 2024. Thanks to advances in electrification, networking, and intelligent transformation, along with progress in autonomous driving technologies, self-driving vehicles are gradually becoming a reality. As the industry develops, more professionals are becoming testers of self-driving vehicles. The profession "intelligent connected vehicle tester" was listed as one of 19 new professions by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security earlier this year. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has thanked the Irish people for hosting Ukrainian refugees and from supporting the country "from the very beginning". Taoiseach Simon Harris greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, ahead of their bilateral meeting. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed in Ireland for his bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris. The President also thanked the Irish people for hosting Ukrainian refugees and from supporting the country "from the very beginning". "First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion," he said. He dismissed US President Joe Biden's gaffe at the NATO Summit of calling him President Putin as a "mistake". "Its a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," he said. The President is stopping over in Shannon Airport while on his way from the NATO summit in Washington DC. He is meeting Mr Harris for their first bilateral where the two men are expected to discuss Russias ongoing war in Ukraine and the help Ireland has given over 100,000 refugees. The two men previously met on the fringes of the Ukrainian Peace Summit in Switzerland last month. More to follow.. Whats more shocking is that the police appear powerless to protect decent people against violent racist thugs. Jessy Clark, a disabled child of 9, was issued with a death threat not to move into a new home in a mixed estate Nine year Jessy Clarke, with his great-grandmothers Pauline OLoan(LEFT) and Margaret Hart Repairs being carried to houses in Antrim that have been vandalised by Loyalits thugs Eight families were forced from homes by racist attacks in Antrim Amnesty International has branded the paramilitary intimidation of families in Antrim as barbaric. And the human rights organisation has highlighted the muted response from local politicians, with just Alliance and Sinn Fein publicly condemning the LVF-linked campaign which targeted eight families last week. The homes in Ballycraigy and Craighill have been attacked, forcing terrified families to flee. The Sunday World previously highlighted the ominous threat against disabled nine-year-old Jessy Clark, whose family were warned not to move in to a purpose-built bungalow in Reford Grove, a new social housing development opposite Ballycraigy estate in Antrim. The young boy, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, had been waiting for years for a home fit for his needs. His great-grandmothers launched a media campaign to highlight the threat, and they have now been reassured that its safe for Jessy and the family to move in. Nine year Jessy Clarke, with his great-grandmothers Pauline OLoan(LEFT) and Margaret Hart However, the hate campaign against immigrant and Catholic. families was stepped up when eight homes in Ballycraigy and neighbouring Craighill were targeted. One of the families had lived there for more than a decade. The area is one of the few remaining LVF strongholds in Northern Ireland. Craighill has a memorial to the loyalist terrorist groups former leader Billy Wright, dedicated to the brigadier, who was linked to 20 sectarian murders. He was shot dead in the Maze Prison in 1997 by the INLA. The LVF later murdered Sunday World journalist Martin OHagan in September 2001. The groups sinister campaign has included spraying a black X on the windows of six homes, mainly belonging to families of African origin. Several are healthcare workers. It also sprayed graffiti as a warning to anyone criticising it online, saying being a keyboard warrior can seriously damage your home. The group has also put up posters reading, we have had enough of undesirables and immigrants being placed in our community. The time has come for locals only, and no multiculturalism, no sex offenders. One terrified family recorded footage of masked men attacking their car, and the windows of a house were smashed. When it was boarded up, the message locals only and crosshairs were sprayed on the boarding. Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, condemned the spate of targeted attacks and called for greater action from the PSNI. This sustained campaign of racist violence is barbaric, he says. It is clear that in Ballycraigy, as in other places where we have seen gangs of masked men carry out similar attacks, that there is illegal paramilitary involvement. Jessy Clark, a disabled child of 9, was issued with a death threat not to move into a new home in a mixed estate It is outrageous that, in 2024, the threat of violence from armed and dangerous groups is determining who can live where in Northern Ireland. Whats more shocking is that the police appear powerless to protect decent people against violent racist thugs. The PSNI says a team of detectives is now leading a robust investigation and it described the incidents as hate crimes, and pledged to increase visibility in the area. However, the clear-up rate for hate crimes is only around ten per cent. There are hundreds of racist hate crimes every single year in Northern Ireland, but the polices own statistics show that in nine out of ten cases the perpetrators are never held to account, says Patrick. Repairs being carried to houses in Antrim that have been vandalised by Loyalits thugs For this to end, we must see resolute police action and courageous political leadership its horrifying that there is insufficient evidence of either. The silence from too many political quarters in response to this latest campaign of racist violence has been deafening. To defeat racism and sectarianism, we need both words and action, he says. Two politicians have spoken out publicly against the sinister threats, thought to be an attempt to free up houses in the area for reallocation. Sinn Fein councillor Lucille OHagan last week condemned the intimidation in the area. Alliance MLA John Blair described the sinister campaign as thuggery and bullying. All of us share are communities. None of us own our communities, and when there are those behaving like they do own their communities there is often a serious ulterior motive. I would call on all elected representatives and statutory agencies to get involved here and help those affected, says the Alliance MLA. His friends contacted the 112 emergency service number after they were separated as they feared he had been involved in an accident A 57-year-old Irish motorcyclist has died after crashing down a 10-metre embankment off a road way in north-west Spain. Video taken at the scene and published by local G 24 News show rescuers recovering the damaged bike and equipment from a steep bank surrounded by trees and bushes. Rescuers retrieve parts of the bike It has been reported that the motorcyclist had been travelling with a group on Friday afternoon in the municipality of Pedrafita do Cebreiro in Lucca who did not at first realise what had happened to him. His friends contacted the 112 emergency service number after they were separated as they feared he had been involved in an accident. A few minutes later, at around 6pm, a person called 112 to report a motorcyclist who had fallen down a deep slope on the LUP-4504. The Integrated Emergency Care Centre of Galicia requested a Galicia-061 Health Emergency team who flew in on a medical helicopter from Ourense. However, it was later confirmed from the scene that the motorcyclist had died. Rescue teams from the regional fire station of Sarria were also alerted as well as the Civil Guards Traffic division The motorcyclist fell down a steep slope with a significant incline in the terrain, which is why emergency teams needed to be called in, a report on G 24 News stated. In a first for the country, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has worked collaboratively to develop fire engineering design guidelines specifically for public hospitals. Health NZ joined with Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment so they can now use the guidelines for hospital refurbishments and new developments. Effective from 1 July 2024, the Design Guidance Note: Fire Engineering Design for New Zealand Public Hospitals is a technical document that provides the minimum requirements for fire safety and design procedures that are expected by Health NZ. This will be a useful reference for regulatory bodies, such as FENZ and Building Consent Authorities, when carrying out their responsibilities. In developing the guidance, we worked with leading fire engineers and a health Architect who have experience in the fire engineering design for New Zealand public hospitals. MBIE and FENZ were active participants in the group, says Health New Zealands Head of Infrastructure Asset Management, Stacey Marsh. To have this finalised guidance also endorsed by FENZ and MBIE means that, for designs following the guidance, BCAs and the FENZ Engineering Unit as reviewers can have greater confidence when considering the issue of building consents. It was important for Health NZ to standardise practice across our buildings, meet legal requirements, provide for occupant safety, and follow good fire engineering practice, says Stacey. Health NZ developed the Design Guidance Note: Fire Engineering Design for New Zealand Public Hospitals to improve consistency to infrastructure design. The key benefits for Health NZ in adopting these guidelines include: Nationally consistent design guidance which supports fit-for-purpose facility development and provides clear and consistent design expectation Standardisation of fire design processes, which will reduce the risk of time and cost overruns on health infrastructure projects Further clarity of our requirements covering fire design and evacuation when applying to health facilities The Fire DGN, published here, is now in place and will apply to the design of all new public hospitals, in the concept design stage or earlier. Students from Western Bay of Plenty schools are celebrating following being made the recipients of a significant scholarship. On Thursday, July 4, 22 students from schools across the Western Bay of Plenty received their graduation certificates for completing the 2024 Acorn Foundation Dale Carnegie Youth Programme. The estate of the late Mary and Roy McGowan has funded these scholarships for the last fifteen years. Acorn is so pleased to once again support the Acorn Foundation Dale Carnegie Youth Programme through the generosity of Roy and Mary McGowan," says Acorn Foundation CEO Lori Luke. "Through 2024, nearly 350 local students have been provided a scholarship to attend a youth version of a course that has taught skills to improve the personal and professional lives of millions of people around the world. 11 Western Bay of Plenty schools provided their Year 13 students the opportunity to attend this course. This three-day course teaches the Dale Carnegie five drivers of success: building greater self-confidence; strengthening people skills; enhancing communication skills; developing leadership skills; and reducing stress and worry. The Acorn Foundation has long partnered with Dale Carnegie BOP Waikato and Priority Ones InStep programme to offer this youth-focused course that helps young people improve their self-confidence and personal communication techniques. The graduation ceremony featured a short speech from each student about what they had learned, and their experiences with a particular highlight for many being the ability to learn new skills that will help them at all phases of their life. Ava Dickison, a student from Tauranga Girls College, says about the programme that [they] learnt a lot of very valuable practical skills that are applicable not just to your professional life, but also in your social life with new people you meet". For Simranjot Kaur from ACG, the confidence that the programme has given her has helped make all the difference. For me it was just boosting my confidence for sure, as someone who over thinks a lot, I tend to stress about what other people think of me," says Simranjot. Being here helped me learn that people worry about how they are judged by others a lot more than other people actually judge them, which has transformed the way that I think." Congratulations to the following scholarship winners: ACG Tauranga: Mei Lee and Simranjot Kaur Aquinas College: Caitlin Cooper, Harry Fearn, and Ryan Williams Bethlehem College: Amelia Newsom Katikati College: Josh McGinty and Matija Ford Mt. Maunganui College: Ashlee Callander and Mary Bragg Otumoetai College: Jack Page and Rebecca Parkes Papamoa College: Laylah Theron and Luke Blow Tauranga Boys College: Michael van Lieshout and Seb Heath Tauranga Girls College: Ava Dickison and Maddy Whitburn Te Puke High School: Anahera Mark and Jess McGowan Te Wharekura o Mauao: Kyraux Tata and Manaaki Thomas The Acorn Foundation: The Acorn Foundation, the Western Bay of Plentys local community foundation, enables generous people to make a bigger impact in their communities, by investing the funds and distributing the returns to causes that matter forever. Since 2003, the Acorn Foundation has distributed over $16.5M to the Western Bay of Plenty community and beyond, supporting the work of more than 300 local charities. Last year, the Acorn Foundation gave away over $3.3M to 226 local and national charitable organisations and scholarship and award winners. Scholarships and awards surpassed $700,000 in total and include the Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, given annually at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Find out more at: www.acornfoundation.org.nz Katikati will not be getting its own sandy beach after all. Katikati Boating Club members are disappointed with the Western Bay of Plenty District Councils watered down' final plan for Katikatis Beach Road boat ramp and surrounds. The club has been wanting an upgrade of the Beach Rd boat ramp and surrounding area for several years. It has been lobbying for the ramp to be raised and widened to make it an all-tide boat ramp which is happening. But they also pitched the idea - back in 2020 - of a sandy beach for locals which would make way for more water sports, recreational activities and easier access for the Katikati community, and for tourists to enjoy the harbour. The clubs asked for the removal of the eroding cliff as part of the new plans, to give Katikati a beach. The concept plan has improvements to the Beach Rd boat ramp including raising and widening the ramps first 30 metres, improvements to the esplanade foreshore reserve, MacMillan Reserve and 294 Beach Rd. Changes also include the installation of cultural and historical features, more green space for new picnic areas, upgrading the restrooms, more car parking and dedicated boat trailer parking. Katikati Boating Club commodore Don Wallis says they supported several initiatives but were unhappy the cliff top will be planted out to stop erosion, rather than removed. Erosion has always been a problem in the area due to the energy from the waves, Don says, and planted-up trees eventually fall into the water. The eroding cliff at Katikati Beach Rds boat ramp area. Photo: NZME. "When we built the ramp the cliff was at least seven meters further out. Planting on the cliff does not work. They engaged a geomorphologist who advised them the erosion will continue, he says. "In the next 80 years according to the rate of erosion, the cliff will not be there. By tapering the land down to the water we can create a beach and stop the erosion. Don calls the upgrade a once in a lifetime opportunity' to get it right and they hope the council will reconsider this part of the plan. Senior recreational planner Jason Crummer says the development of a sandy beach was supported by 11 other submitters who agreed with the boating clubs rationale that it would add recreational value to Katikati as it does not have a beach, add convenience for launching and retrieving small watercraft and would divert some users from the Tanners Point boat ramp. But Jason says a sandy beach development was not currently considered in the draft concept plan as it included a high element of risk to project implementation. Jason listed the following risks: significant financial commitment anticipated to achieve this, requirement and uncertainty around receiving a resource consent, additional annual ratepayer-funded maintenance for the beach, potential restrictions (temporary or permanent) for local hapu access to Tutaetaka Island and potential archaeological authority requirements. This idea also did not reflect the wider aspirations or priorities of the majority submitters, he says. Beach Rd boat ramp and surrounds concept plan Western Bay of Plenty District councillors adopted the final plan following community talks earlier this year, which resulted in 127 submissions. Of those who shared their views, 73 per cent supported the plan. While there was support for a playground, this was not included in the plan as there is the opportunity for a future destination playground to be built at Moore Park. The total indicative cost of the upgrade is $867,514, and it is anticipated this will be shared between the council (50 per cent), financial contributions from developers (25 per cent), and external funders (25 per cent). It is proposed that a portion of 294 Beach Rd, which is owned by the council, be subdivided and potentially sold to help fund the upgrades. Funding and timing of bringing the concept plan to life will be considered through future council planning processes including the 2025/26 Annual Plan. -Katikati Advertiser A significant research project by Eastern Institute of Technology addressing the youth vaping epidemic has expanded beyond its initial Hawkes Bay focus. Following a request from a Bay of Plenty secondary school, the project, titled Vaping Landscape, will now include Papamoa College in its study. The extension complements an existing study, Scoping Solutions to Address the Epidemic of Youth Vaping in Aotearoa, led by Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing. This new study will be carried out by EIT Master of Health Science student Melody Khan, who has been actively involved in the original research. The 'Vaping Landscape' study has been made possible by an additional grant from the Health Research Foundation Hawkes Bay, supplementing the original funding from the Health Research Council and EIT. Both studies aim to explore the personal experiences and health awareness related to e-cigarette use among youth, and to compare regional differences in vaping behaviours. This will be the first comprehensive investigation comparing vaping among intermediate and high school students in two distinct regions of New Zealand, says Anita, highlighting the studys scope. We are collaborating with several schools across Hawkes Bay, and with additional funding, we have extended the research to include schools outside this region. Papamoa College, with over 1,700 students28 per cent of whom are Maori and six per cent Pasifikaapproached EIT with concerns about rising vaping incidents. After evaluating the feasibility and obtaining necessary ethics approvals, the college was incorporated into the study to provide comparative data. Previous data suggested higher vaping rates among Maori and Pacific students compared to their non-Maori and non-Pacific peers, says Anita. Our goal is to analyse vaping behaviours at Papamoa College and compare them with those observed in Hawkes Bay. Melody Khan, a Master of Health Science student at EIT, transitioned from her original focus on nutrition to address the emerging issue of youth vaping. Although my initial thesis was on nutrition and labelling, this pressing issue of youth vaping motivated me to pivot my research. Its an area needing further exploration, says Melody. Papamoa College Deputy Principal Ben Ormsby welcomes the opportunity to participate. Given the rise in vaping incidents at our school, we saw this as a chance to contribute to research and potentially find effective strategies for education and intervention. The feedback from our community has been very supportive, says Ben. The college community is optimistic about the studys potential impact. We hope that our involvement will contribute to meaningful solutions to address youth vaping, says Ben. If the research helps develop effective strategies or messaging, it will be well worth our participation. The expanded study is set to provide valuable insights into vaping behaviours and help shape future interventions to tackle this growing issue among New Zealands youth. Leaders participating in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit pose for a group photo in Washington, D.C., the United States, July 9, 2024. (NATO/Handout via Xinhua) "Questions about NATO's purpose began as soon as the Soviet Union broke up," Walt said. "Predictions that open-ended expansion eastward would lead to a Europe that was 'whole, free, and at peace' look rather hollow today." BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The recently concluded Washington summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has aroused a wave of harsh criticism from politicians and scholars from the bloc's member states and other countries, who said the alliance has become more confrontational and less of a guardian of global peace. Stephen Walt, the Robert and Renee Belfer professor of international relations at Harvard University, wrote an opinion piece in Foreign Policy titled, "This time, NATO is in trouble for real." While NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary, Walt noted the dark clouds casting shadows over the fest, including the rise of far-right forces in Europe, the division between Europe and the United States over the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the regulation of digital technologies, among others. "Questions about NATO's purpose began as soon as the Soviet Union broke up," Walt said. "Predictions that open-ended expansion eastward would lead to a Europe that was 'whole, free, and at peace' look rather hollow today." The columnist challenged trans-Atlantic solidarity: "Europe and the United States are gradually drifting apart, and the only important question is how fast it will happen and how far it will go." Meanwhile, many politicians and observers from NATO's European members voiced their discontent and disagreement over the alliance's antagonism towards certain countries and a shift from the original function it was built to serve. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted on social media that NATO must focus on winning peace rather than engaging in wars. He was posting from Washington, where he attended the summit earlier this week. "NATO was established 75 years ago to protect the security of its members. However, it now seems to be moving away from its original goal, increasingly behaving like a war organization," Orban said in a video posted on his official Facebook page. He said that this shift is demonstrated in NATO's increasingly active role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "We believe this is dangerous -- even irresponsible, because no one can see where this will lead or where we will end up." Uros Lipuscek, a Slovenian political scientist, said that NATO is trying to advance in the Pacific region. Attacks on sovereign countries outside the member area, unwavering support for illegal and illegitimate interventions by the United States, the expansion of NATO contrary to the agreements in such a way that it threatens Russia -- all this has nothing to do with the basic goals of the NATO alliance, but became the dominant direction of development of this increasingly aggressive union, he said. Slovenian politician and former member of the European Parliament Aurelio Juri wrote on X that NATO's sole purpose should be to maintain peace, not endless war. "Perhaps we will finally understand that our entry into NATO in 2004 was not the wisest choice," Juri said, adding that membership in NATO "threatens our security rather than protects it." Mladen Plese, a Croatian political analyst, said that NATO should focus on preserving peace and preventing conflicts rather than starting or getting involved in wars and military conflicts around the world, as it has done in recent years under the guidance of the United States. "The United States has used NATO to implement its policies and has a decisive influence on NATO; this is not good for the European partners. NATO must not be an extended arm of Washington, and more and more European countries are warning about this," Plese said. "NATO is being used in the name of American interests to tighten the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, which does not correspond to the interests of Europe at all," Plese added. Officials and experts further criticized the U.S. dominance over the bloc, saying the country has been turning the alliance into an extended arm to maintain global hegemony. NATO is one of the "institutional frameworks" in the U.S. military-security apparatus that underpin the U.S. grand strategy, Jeffrey Sachs, a professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, told Xinhua. "The United States continues to have a foreign policy that is profoundly misguided and dangerous, based on the goal of hegemony, and with the consequence of confrontation with China, Russia, and most of the developing countries. NATO is part of this misguided and dangerous foreign policy," Sachs said. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov noted the Washington summit "showed that NATO has irrevocably embarked on the path of confrontation and material preparation for war." "The United States and its satellites are mobilizing maximum resources to preserve their collapsing hegemony," Antonov said in the Telegram channel of the Russian Embassy in the United States. "Enemies are being declared as anyone who refuses to submit to the dictates and will of the West." Antonov added that Europe alone is not enough for NATO, with the alliance's interests extending beyond the Euro-Atlantic region, primarily to Asia. "It is important to emphasize that the outcome of the 'humanitarian' interventions by this allegedly defensive bloc is well-known -- the destruction of states, war crimes, the rise of extremism, and the mass death of civilians." Join NY Cannabis Insider for its next industry meetup in NYC on Aug. 13, 2024. Tickets available now. Happy weekend, everyone! We hope youre keeping cool. While were all enjoying this midsummer weekend, lets take a look at what we wrote about last week. First, we ran a piece about our next live event in New York City, which will take place at Madam Mikettes in Midtown on Aug. 13. Details and tickets available here. The evening will feature an interactive discussion with panelists who represent the biggest components of the adult-use ecosystem throughout the state and will discuss current issues facing growers, dispensaries, processors, and laboratories, among other topics. Sign up for the NY Cannabis Insider Newsletter Enter your email address to get exclusive reporting on NY's cannabis market delivered to your inbox: New Yorks Cannabis Control Board held a meeting on Wednesday, during which they approved more than 100 new business licenses and removed some restrictions on marketing. As has been the case at some other CCB meetings, this one got tense at times. Board member Adam Perry noted several times during the meeting that Office of Cannabis Management data show a 60-day turnaround period for applications better than many state agencies. Toward the end of the meeting, board member Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins shouted at Perry. Adam, you have to stop repeating that! Gilbert Jenkins said. We are processing licenses for people who applied in November and December. I dont care what day they open, we dont take 60 days. NY Cannabis Insider checked in with Courtney Forester, CEO of Utica dispensary Air City Cannabis, to see how business has been going at the shop since it opened its doors on June 19. In its first few weeks of business, the store has been serving about 70 customers per day, Forester said in a Q&A. While sales are increasing, current figures are a bit lower than expected, Forester said, largely because of the number of illicit shops in the area. On Monday, we ran a story that took a look at how a recent Supreme Court ruling, which struck down a legal doctrine known as the Chevron Deference, may or may not affect an ongoing federal effort to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule 3 substance. In the days after justices of the nations highest court struck down the Chevron Deference precedent, attorneys who spoke to NY Cannabis Insider about the decision said its more likely the ruling will stymie federal rescheduling and legalization. Have a great weekend everyone, well be back with plenty more next week. niwrej Newbie Join Date: Apr 2024 Location: Chennai Posts: 18 Thanked: 81 Times 5th Generation Honda City V-MT Elegant Edition Review Things I like: High-revving engine. Switch to second gear and drive past 100 kmph @ 7000+ RPM Steering is an absolute joy, tuned very well. I'd say this is my favourite part of the car. I love the suspension. It isn't too soft or too hard. Beige treatment and the overall interior feel very premium. Adequate cooling provided by AC unit. Extremely satisfying physical buttons for infotainment, AC unit, and steering wheel controls. Rear seat comfort. Spacious car cabin with adequate leg room. Seat covers provided with the Elegant Edition model feel premium and comfortable. Decent underchasis protection and bonnet protection. BMW 3 series inspired tail lights are a beauty. 506L boot space. ADAS in V variant (unlike Elevate) 5 star rating by ASEAN NCAP Elegant Edition perks and Honda Connect app. Honda's reliability and low maintenance (WOM). Fingers crossed. Things I don't like: Stock factory fitted 185/60/R15 wheels. Paint quality is disappointing. Tiny hairline scratches everywhere are disheartening. Not a fan of the front chrome bar. I will probably give the Honda City RS treatment after a few years. ADAS is supposed to make you feel safer, not the opposite. No 360 Camera or side cameras in V MT. No ventilated seats. Available as an accessory for 6k. The infotainment system needs an upgrade. Honda Connect app isn't the best. If you silently rest the trunk door, the app won't say it's open but the car instrument cluster will detect it's open. On the contrary, no "bonnet open" warning in the car cluster but the app has it. Beige fabric on the sides is hard to clean and gets dirty soon. 6-airbags should be standard even if it's Elegant Edition as it's just accessories fitted on top. History/Prelude: Our family owned an Alto LXI which got submerged in the Car Choices: Me and my wife started looking for cars to fill the void. We thought of getting an SUV keeping the ground clearance in mind and the high seating point for parents. We also wanted something that lasts for at least 10 years with a decent maintenance cost. So we started calling Hyundai, Maruti, Nissan, and Honda for test drive appointments. The most receptive was Honda. Hyundai took ages to contact us back but called continuously afterwards. Nissan representative didn't care if I buy or not. Maruti representative kept routing calls to other branches until we went straight to the branch itself to talk. Honda was the only brand that valued my request and continuously followed up over calls. (*WAR - Wife's Approval Rating) Honda Elevate MT - I'm not going to pretend that I'm a car enthusiast here. This was my first time driving an SUV and my first on a Honda. I had a clear view of the bonnet. The suspension felt like I was on a boat or a VOLVO bus. I felt a bit of nausea due to the suspension but I enjoyed driving the car. It was a different experience. ADAS doesn't come with the V variant like the City. There is some speed limiter set in this machine - probably for stability reasons. WAR - 3.75/5 Honda City MT - On the same day, we requested a test drive of City MT, as my wife wanted to see what the face-lifted sedan felt like. This time it felt a lot easier to drive and it was like I drove this car before. Steering was so loose and fluid to the point that I thought at one point there was some defect with the car. It felt peppy and the rev-sound was amazing. I loved it. (I later found out that this was my wife's dream car) BTW our focus was on getting an SUV, so we didnt consider this seriously even after driving and loving it. WAR - Wife's full teeth / 5 Nissan Magnite Turbo MT - This was my wife's favourite car when it comes to exterior look (especially the grill). She was mighty impressed with dual tone demo car that was sent to us. All the excitement disappeared once we entered the vehicle. AC's throw wasn't good enough. Instrument cluster from the 1990s. My seating position felt like I was trapped in a slanted bowl inside the car. My wife was sweating on the back with sub-par seats. The representative did not care whether I buy or not. He did not even attempt to market this car. Our short ride ended and my wife was very disappointed. WAR - 1/5 Grand Vitara Smart Hybrid Sigma model - We loved this car. Jesus Christ! This thing had to be the most VFM base variant in GV. It surprisingly had more features for a base model. DRLs, 17 wheels, Keyless entry, Sliding Armrest, Stunning rear profile, Auto start/stop button, Tilt & telescopic steering, 210mm ground clearance, Automatic AC Climate Control, Mild hybrid (~2/3 Kmpl difference) The salesperson was very knowledgeable and explained everything clearly. Cleared all my doubts. The 30k exchange bonus was enticing. The choice became easier when we realized this doesnt come with an infotainment system (we had a spare Pioneer 5290BT which we bought for SWIFT) but had a provision for one with two speakers already fitted (if I remember correctly). Everything about this car felt amazing .until our friends got involved XL6 and GV owners started messaging about battery drain, replacement costs, warranty woes, and started scaring us about battery concerns. We had to take a step back and contemplate if we needed a smart hybrid car (And would it last for at least 10 years hassle-free?). That path lead to us dropping plans but this car stays in my heart. WAR - 4.8/5 Hyundai Creta - We dropped this due to high cost and lower variants did not seem value for money. SX Tech and nLine models looked good but to be honest, I never liked Creta. The front grill looked odd. The back looks sexy. Overall it was a tiny tin can moving. I have experienced a lot of bad Creta drivers on the highway and I grew a deep distaste for this car. No offence to good owners. WAR - 2/5 Other cars that I wish I researched more: - Hyundai Venue - Kia Carens - Dual-tone Brezza Decision: We almost went with Honda Elevate at first. Talked to SA and requested another test drive. Told him we needed to see the colours in person, so drove to the showroom and saw them. We were not satisfied with the available colour schemes. Our budget was 15L, and this car came close to 20L. We could have easily bought it but we always took one or two days to decide sensibly as all the sales people tried their FOMO tactics. Capital Honda wasnt giving us discounts either as we were keen on getting a revised edition (6 airbags standard). At this point, we wanted to try another dealer. I have to say the dealer was prompt in replying and followed up regularly (almost to the point of desperation). Even offered to park the demo car inside my narrow parking slot to see if it fit. A friend of mine recommended to pay a visit to Sundaram Honda. While talking to the Sales Manager about Elevate, we got to know about an Elegant Edition model in Honda City. Its the V variant with a good amount of accessories at a cheaper cost that was introduced during the 2023 Diwali season. The value was good and our focus slightly shifted towards buying a sedan. They were very patient in clearing all my doubts. I wanted an Elegant Edition offer on top of the revised edition but they said they can't do that (EE not applicable) and there won't be any offers or discounts for the revised editions yet. I was arguing a little but to no avail. Negotiated and got very good discounts on the current model. Total on-road price in Chennai came to 15.3L. I havent applied for extended warranty yet. For reference the price was 80k lower than Capital Honda. We didnt see other sedan options from VW and Skoda because of high maintenance and negative feedback on reliability from friends and family. Booked the car at the end of April. Got a March month VIN. The sales manager mentioned about 5-day wait time as the vehicle is transported from Rajasthan. We postponed the date to May as Dad was out of town. I requested PDI which they didn't mind but I cancelled it as it was too far away from town and I trusted the sales manager's word. I'd always recommend doing PDI before purchase. Note: Honda dealership exchange (bonus) quoted way less for the SWIFT - more than 1 Lakh less to be exact compared to the company I sold to outside. Even with an exchange discount, it was not worth it. They gave to some third party and the guy did not even spend 5 minutes inspecting. Colour choice: Golden brown and Meteoroid Grey - We were torn between these two colors. We wanted to see both in person. At the Sundaram Honda sales branch, there was only meteoroid grey. SA offered to drive to the Anna Salai showroom to showcase the brown color. He requested me to drive but I refused as 1) I already did take a test drive with Capital Honda and 2) I wanted to experience the rear seat comfort of the car. We reached the destination and took a solid 20 minutes to decide between the colors. Brown looked blackish but we saw a couple of aged cars outside which didn't look that great. I believe it's very hard to maintain (for any dark color). Grey was giving BMW vibes with a tint of blue (Got NFS Most Wanted flashbacks) and with that spoiler it looked awesome. My wife agreed and our car search ended there. While I was there, I looked at the eHEV model of Honda City. Elegant and beautiful engineering! Too bad its ridiculously priced. There was a 10 lac difference between V MT and eHEV. Even if it was near 20L, I would have bought it 100%. 26+ Lacs for this car is outrageous pricing. Delivery: Took delivery of the car late May with dad and wife, after confirmation of invoice and payment. Signed a couple of papers and received a lot of paperwork in the dock. I paid for the steering wheel cover beforehand which they promptly forgot and said it was out of stock. They promised they'd fit it during the first service or whenever I come for a mall visit (Express Avenue is nearby). They did not force me to buy anything or offer to look at accessories. I would have bought something if they showed me a list. I later found out that they dont have any accessories readily available. Registration was completed for the Honda Connect app during delivery. A survey was given to rate the sales experience. We visited the showroom only once for color selection, other than that everything was done at home. Overall delivery experience was mediocre. They take a photo and give it to you in a frame before you leave. There was another car waiting for delivery so all seemed a little rushed. Honda needs to improve on the delivery experience. My bike delivery was more exciting than this. My wife laughed and felt the same. Driving back home in traffic with a lengthy sedan was one of my nerve-wracking experiences. It did not want to put a dent or scratch on the first day. Exterior: The side profile looks sexy! The trunk spoiler with LED that comes with Elegant Edition looks great in person. I don't know if this car requires that much downforce. It's more of a wing than a spoiler. The hood open clip is situated almost at the center, right above the Honda logo. I'm not a fan of the front chrome treatment but my wife seems to like it. All physical and neat surrounding finish across the clip. No front parking sensors. I was told by SA that they had this but Honda removed it because too many customers started complaining that it's annoying. Good interior bonnet protection. SA recommended that I don't push the bonnet with my palm instead drop it from a decent elevation. He said he has seen many dented bonnets on day 1 when customers press or sit on them to close. 1.5L i-VTEC Engine Buttery smooth. During the test drive, I didn't hear a sound, I was under the impression that the car needed to be started. The Engine bay is well-protected and doesn't have any vibration. My 10-hour drive to Tuticorin felt very relaxing with the sixth gear and low RPM drive, everything felt so comfortable. Front Fender Garnish that comes with Elegant Edition. Blends well and looks good even though I don't like having chrome in our car. Easily scratch-prone door handles with sensors. It also allows for key-insert to open and lock. I received my car with even more scratches after giving it to service people at Sundaram Honda. Sigh! The auto lock/unlock feature is useful when I got the hang of it. Tail lamps are beautiful - Thanks BM...Honda. You can see the Elegant Edition badging and rear parking sensors. Sensors are very sensitive and help me in parking. There is an option to turn off the sensors as well. Stock Good Year Assurance Triplemax 2 - 185/60/R15 84H. It doesn't come with a TPMS system. I have plugged in a nexdigitron Bluetooth valve plug for TPMS. Such a shame to give puny tyres for a car of this size. Above 120+ isn't confidence inspiring with them. Would it look good if I blacked out the rims or is it unnecessary? The exhaust. I should go do a full underchasis rubberized paintwork from 3M. I enquired the shop and they said it costs Rs. 5100 (5 years - every 6 months free repaint interval). Asked the same to the dealership and they told me it'll cost 6k+ (one time only). Huh? Good to see some factory underbody protection that is already present. The ground clearance has not been a problem for me. There's a lot of fuss about the lower GC but I've done 1700 KM and I've not faced a single bump so far. Interior: Interior looks premium. Overall beige treatment feels luxurious when you enter the car. My dad told me it was easier to get in and out of the car compared to the Seltos X-Line that my brother owns. (surprised!) Middle armrest. Good finish with the elegant edition fabric but it does not slide back and forth. I feel the position is a little odd. It should have been a little up further. Maybe it's just me. Traction control (long press) and headlight leveller buttons. I believe the surrounding boxes (3) are additional switch slots that I can utilize. Fuel cap and bonnet release levers. Good quality plastic all around. The clutch is smooth but I feel it needs more effort to push it at the bottom end. Braking is adequate. I wouldn't try braking with these tyres post 120+ kmph. It's not confidence-inspiring. Overall feel of the drive is good and my wife felt very comfortable. Driver seat height adjustable lever. I'm 5'11'', and I can see the bonnet from the driver's seat with my current position. After driving the Elevate, I thought City's seating and viewing angle would be a lot lower but it's not, which is a good thing for me. The wireless charging pad that comes with Elegant Edition has a power on/off switch. My iPhone 14 Plus heats after a while so I don't put it for long hours. The charging pad fits in the cup holders. This charger occupies the 12V socket. I had to plug my dashcam USB into the first socket. TPMS bought separately from nextdigitron. No USB-C in 2024 for a 15L+ car. Our family owned an Alto LXI which got submerged in the 2015 floods. My dad sold that to a dealer out of frustration with an insurance agent and dealership and got us a new car. I don't know if this dealer still exists for Maruti but it's the most fraudulent dealer we encountered. Fast forward a few months later we got a new Swift ZXI Top model Petrol in Jan 2016. It has been through some tough times. A reliable 4-cylinder machine. We usually take our car for highway trips with family until it almost faced the same fate. Ran more than 65,000 km. Got flooded in 2023 floods. Repaired it with insurance and with own money. Got it back in working condition but we decided to sell it later for various reasons. Reviewed our car exchange options and sold the car in good running condition (not to dealer).Me and my wife started looking for cars to fill the void. We thought of getting an SUV keeping the ground clearance in mind and the high seating point for parents. We also wanted something that lasts for at least 10 years with a decent maintenance cost. So we started calling Hyundai, Maruti, Nissan, and Honda for test drive appointments. The most receptive was Honda. Hyundai took ages to contact us back but called continuously afterwards. Nissan representative didn't care if I buy or not. Maruti representative kept routing calls to other branches until we went straight to the branch itself to talk. Honda was the only brand that valued my request and continuously followed up over calls.(*WAR - Wife's Approval Rating)- I'm not going to pretend that I'm a car enthusiast here. This was my first time driving an SUV and my first on a Honda. I had a clear view of the bonnet. The suspension felt like I was on a boat or a VOLVO bus. I felt a bit of nausea due to the suspension but I enjoyed driving the car. It was a different experience. ADAS doesn't come with the V variant like the City. There is some speed limiter set in this machine - probably for stability reasons.WAR - 3.75/5- On the same day, we requested a test drive of City MT, as my wife wanted to see what the face-lifted sedan felt like. This time it felt a lot easier to drive and it was like I drove this car before. Steering was so loose and fluid to the point that I thought at one point there was some defect with the car. It felt peppy and the rev-sound was amazing. I loved it. (I later found out that this was my wife's dream car) BTW our focus was on getting an SUV, so we didnt consider this seriously even after driving and loving it.WAR - Wife's full teeth / 5- This was my wife's favourite car when it comes to exterior look (especially the grill). She was mighty impressed with dual tone demo car that was sent to us. All the excitement disappeared once we entered the vehicle. AC's throw wasn't good enough. Instrument cluster from the 1990s. My seating position felt like I was trapped in a slanted bowl inside the car. My wife was sweating on the back with sub-par seats. The representative did not care whether I buy or not. He did not even attempt to market this car. Our short ride ended and my wife was very disappointed.WAR - 1/5- We loved this car. Jesus Christ! This thing had to be the most VFM base variant in GV. It surprisingly had more features for a base model. DRLs, 17 wheels, Keyless entry, Sliding Armrest, Stunning rear profile, Auto start/stop button, Tilt & telescopic steering, 210mm ground clearance, Automatic AC Climate Control, Mild hybrid (~2/3 Kmpl difference)The salesperson was very knowledgeable and explained everything clearly. Cleared all my doubts. The 30k exchange bonus was enticing. The choice became easier when we realized this doesnt come with an infotainment system (we had a spare Pioneer 5290BT which we bought for SWIFT) but had a provision for one with two speakers already fitted (if I remember correctly). Everything about this car felt amazing .until our friends got involvedXL6 and GV owners started messaging about battery drain, replacement costs, warranty woes, and started scaring us about battery concerns. We had to take a step back and contemplate if we needed a smart hybrid car (And would it last for at least 10 years hassle-free?). That path lead to us dropping plans but this car stays in my heart.WAR - 4.8/5- We dropped this due to high cost and lower variants did not seem value for money. SX Tech and nLine models looked good but to be honest, I never liked Creta. The front grill looked odd. The back looks sexy. Overall it was a tiny tin can moving. I have experienced a lot of bad Creta drivers on the highway and I grew a deep distaste for this car. No offence to good owners.WAR - 2/5Other cars that I wish I researched more:- Hyundai Venue- Kia Carens- Dual-tone BrezzaWe almost went with Honda Elevate at first. Talked to SA and requested another test drive. Told him we needed to see the colours in person, so drove to the showroom and saw them. We were not satisfied with the available colour schemes. Our budget was 15L, and this car came close to 20L. We could have easily bought it but we always took one or two days to decide sensibly as all the sales people tried their FOMO tactics. Capital Honda wasnt giving us discounts either as we were keen on getting a revised edition (6 airbags standard). At this point, we wanted to try another dealer. I have to say the dealer was prompt in replying and followed up regularly (almost to the point of desperation). Even offered to park the demo car inside my narrow parking slot to see if it fit.A friend of mine recommended to pay a visit to Sundaram Honda. While talking to the Sales Manager about Elevate, we got to know about an Elegant Edition model in Honda City. Its the V variant with a good amount of accessories at a cheaper cost that was introduced during the 2023 Diwali season. The value was good and our focus slightly shifted towards buying a sedan. They were very patient in clearing all my doubts. I wanted an Elegant Edition offer on top of the revised edition but they said they can't do that (EE not applicable) and there won't be any offers or discounts for the revised editions yet. I was arguing a little but to no avail. Negotiated and got very good discounts on the current model. Total on-road price in Chennai came to 15.3L. I havent applied for extended warranty yet. For reference the price was 80k lower than Capital Honda. We didnt see other sedan options from VW and Skoda because of high maintenance and negative feedback on reliability from friends and family.Booked the car at the end of April. Got a March month VIN. The sales manager mentioned about 5-day wait time as the vehicle is transported from Rajasthan. We postponed the date to May as Dad was out of town. I requested PDI which they didn't mind but I cancelled it as it was too far away from town and I trusted the sales manager's word. I'd always recommend doing PDI before purchase.Note: Honda dealership exchange (bonus) quoted way less for the SWIFT - more than 1 Lakh less to be exact compared to the company I sold to outside. Even with an exchange discount, it was not worth it. They gave to some third party and the guy did not even spend 5 minutes inspecting.Golden brown and Meteoroid Grey - We were torn between these two colors. We wanted to see both in person. At the Sundaram Honda sales branch, there was only meteoroid grey. SA offered to drive to the Anna Salai showroom to showcase the brown color. He requested me to drive but I refused as 1) I already did take a test drive with Capital Honda and 2) I wanted to experience the rear seat comfort of the car.We reached the destination and took a solid 20 minutes to decide between the colors. Brown looked blackish but we saw a couple of aged cars outside which didn't look that great. I believe it's very hard to maintain (for any dark color). Grey was giving BMW vibes with a tint of blue (Got NFS Most Wanted flashbacks) and with that spoiler it looked awesome. My wife agreed and our car search ended there.While I was there, I looked at the eHEV model of Honda City. Elegant and beautiful engineering! Too bad its ridiculously priced. There was a 10 lac difference between V MT and eHEV. Even if it was near 20L, I would have bought it 100%. 26+ Lacs for this car is outrageous pricing.Took delivery of the car late May with dad and wife, after confirmation of invoice and payment. Signed a couple of papers and received a lot of paperwork in the dock. I paid for the steering wheel cover beforehand which they promptly forgot and said it was out of stock. They promised they'd fit it during the first service or whenever I come for a mall visit (Express Avenue is nearby). They did not force me to buy anything or offer to look at accessories. I would have bought something if they showed me a list. I later found out that they dont have any accessories readily available. Registration was completed for the Honda Connect app during delivery. A survey was given to rate the sales experience. We visited the showroom only once for color selection, other than that everything was done at home.Overall delivery experience was mediocre. They take a photo and give it to you in a frame before you leave. There was another car waiting for delivery so all seemed a little rushed. Honda needs to improve on the delivery experience. My bike delivery was more exciting than this. My wife laughed and felt the same. Driving back home in traffic with a lengthy sedan was one of my nerve-wracking experiences. It did not want to put a dent or scratch on the first day.The side profile looks sexy! The trunk spoiler with LED that comes with Elegant Edition looks great in person. I don't know if this car requires that much downforce. It's more of a wing than a spoiler.The hood open clip is situated almost at the center, right above the Honda logo. I'm not a fan of the front chrome treatment but my wife seems to like it. All physical and neat surrounding finish across the clip. No front parking sensors. I was told by SA that they had this but Honda removed it because too many customers started complaining that it's annoying.Good interior bonnet protection. SA recommended that I don't push the bonnet with my palm instead drop it from a decent elevation. He said he has seen many dented bonnets on day 1 when customers press or sit on them to close.1.5L i-VTEC Engine Buttery smooth. During the test drive, I didn't hear a sound, I was under the impression that the car needed to be started. The Engine bay is well-protected and doesn't have any vibration. My 10-hour drive to Tuticorin felt very relaxing with the sixth gear and low RPM drive, everything felt so comfortable.Front Fender Garnish that comes with Elegant Edition. Blends well and looks good even though I don't like having chrome in our car.Easily scratch-prone door handles with sensors. It also allows for key-insert to open and lock. I received my car with even more scratches after giving it to service people at Sundaram Honda. Sigh! The auto lock/unlock feature is useful when I got the hang of it.Tail lamps are beautiful - Thanks BM...Honda. You can see the Elegant Edition badging and rear parking sensors. Sensors are very sensitive and help me in parking. There is an option to turn off the sensors as well.Stock Good Year Assurance Triplemax 2 - 185/60/R15 84H. It doesn't come with a TPMS system. I have plugged in a nexdigitron Bluetooth valve plug for TPMS. Such a shame to give puny tyres for a car of this size. Above 120+ isn't confidence inspiring with them. Would it look good if I blacked out the rims or is it unnecessary?The exhaust. I should go do a full underchasis rubberized paintwork from 3M. I enquired the shop and they said it costs Rs. 5100 (5 years - every 6 months free repaint interval). Asked the same to the dealership and they told me it'll cost 6k+ (one time only). Huh?Good to see some factory underbody protection that is already present. The ground clearance has not been a problem for me. There's a lot of fuss about the lower GC but I've done 1700 KM and I've not faced a single bump so far.Interior looks premium. Overall beige treatment feels luxurious when you enter the car. My dad told me it was easier to get in and out of the car compared to the Seltos X-Line that my brother owns. (surprised!)Middle armrest. Good finish with the elegant edition fabric but it does not slide back and forth. I feel the position is a little odd. It should have been a little up further. Maybe it's just me.Traction control (long press) and headlight leveller buttons. I believe the surrounding boxes (3) are additional switch slots that I can utilize.Fuel cap and bonnet release levers. Good quality plastic all around. The clutch is smooth but I feel it needs more effort to push it at the bottom end. Braking is adequate. I wouldn't try braking with these tyres post 120+ kmph. It's not confidence-inspiring. Overall feel of the drive is good and my wife felt very comfortable.Driver seat height adjustable lever. I'm 5'11'', and I can see the bonnet from the driver's seat with my current position. After driving the Elevate, I thought City's seating and viewing angle would be a lot lower but it's not, which is a good thing for me.The wireless charging pad that comes with Elegant Edition has a power on/off switch. My iPhone 14 Plus heats after a while so I don't put it for long hours. The charging pad fits in the cup holders. This charger occupies the 12V socket. I had to plug my dashcam USB into the first socket. TPMS bought separately from nextdigitron. No USB-C in 2024 for a 15L+ car. Last edited by niwrej : 7th July 2024 at 00:53 . Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust TL;DR: A hypersonic dual-mode ramjet engine is a high-speed air-breathing jet engine capable of operating efficiently at both lower and extremely high Mach speeds by utilizing dual combustion modes. GE Aerospace's latest prototype offers up to 3x the airflow compared to existing ramjet solutions, translating to greater fuel efficiency, longer range, and potentially more applications. In just 15 months, GE and its partners were able to design and test a new dual-mode ramjet prototype. With its dual-mode architecture, GE's prototype breaks the mold of the typical ramjet by operating in lower Mach ranges, increasing its use case applications. GE Aerospace's research team achieved this by incorporating a rotating detonation combustion (RDC), a detonation wave that travels around the circular channel where the fuel/air mixture is funneled. Testing began in March 2024, and results look promising as the prototype demonstrated a threefold increase in airflow compared to flight-tested hypersonic technology demonstrators. A ramjet is a type of air-breathing jet engine that requires forward motion to provide air for combustion. In comparison, turbojets, common in commercial aircraft, operate by compressing incoming air using a turbine and then combining it with fuel for ignition. Mark Rettig, VP & General Manager of Edison Works Business & Technology at GE Aerospace said, "The technology's robust performance paves the way for the next phase of development, which will focus on continued testing and technology demonstration in alignment with our roadmap for integrated high-speed propulsion solutions." Ramjets are most efficient at supersonic speeds around Mach 3 to Mach 6 and were initially deployed in missiles back in the 1960s. However, these high-speed propulsion solutions will not soon replace turbojet engines in commercial airlines. The prototype work applies to experimental vehicles and defense contracts. This innovation evokes memories of the British Airways Concorde supersonic jet, which could travel from New York City to Los Angeles in just two hours. The Concorde never became mainstream for many reasons, including high fuel consumption. Perhaps airlines can revisit the Concorde concept and kickstart fast travel for the general public. The CMF Phone 1 from Nothing is a massive hit among the public, and its recent release to the market saw a significant performance as it sold 100,000 units in only three hours. Since it was introduced by Nothing as its new specialty brand, the mid-range smartphone gained a massive following when it was introduced, banking on its highly modifiable experiences. Additionally, tech reviewers and content creators who got their hands on the device early were able to raise awareness for this new modular device. Nothing's CMF Phone 1 is a Hit, 100,000 Units Sold in 3 Hours CMF by Nothing announced via a post on X that it saw a milestone on the launch of its Phone 1, the latest smartphone on the market from the company launched by Carl Pei. The company said that in a mere three hours since it made the CMF Phone 1 available, the company sold as many as 100,000 units at this time. The company claimed that this same number was achieved when it first released the Nothing Phone (2a), best known for the smartphone that is the first to officially make it to the US market. CMF by Nothing calls its first mid-range smartphone as the "ultimate" daily device for a user, offering a renowned performance including a powerful camera system and bright display. Read Also : Nothing CEO Says Phone 13 Will Not Arrive Soon, But Will Be Released Along With AI Until 2025 Is It Worth it to Buy the new CMF Phone 1 by Nothing? The early reviews of the CMF Phone 1 are excellent, with different content creators, influencers, and users who have gottheir hands on the device praising what it has to offer on this latest release. It is important to note that this mid-range device is available for only $199, featuring the MediaTek Dimensity 7 300 5G chipset, 5,000mAh of battery, 6.67-inch Super AMOLED display, also bringing back expandable storage for up to 2TB of microSD compatibility. Nothing's Tech Developments and CMF Back in 2021, OnePlus' co-founder and former director Carl Pei introduced the world to Nothing, a startup tech company from the renowned innovator, looking to bring a different kind of experience in the modern age. Initially, Pei's company touted the new operating system for smartphones known as Nothing OS, a preview of what it has to offer for its first device. A year later, the company launched its first smartphone, which offered a unique design with a transparent body, the Phone (1), released in mid-July 2022. Its first entry was faced with enormous acclaim by the company and early users, praising its Nothing OS offers as well as its performance, but it was released outside the US and was not officially available here. The company later released the Nothing Phone (2) and its different generations of earbuds and later unveiled its new subsidiary, CMF by Nothing, which promised more affordable technology. Now that the CMF Phone 1 is here, the world is introduced to a new era from Nothing, centering on a modular smartphone that is now making waves in the market hours since it was dropped. LANZHOU, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Shi Taifeng, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has stressed the importance of fostering a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation while adhering to the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation. Shi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during a research trip to the northwestern province of Gansu from July 10 to 13. He called for increased research into the fundamental issues concerning the community for the Chinese nation, as well as improved preservation and utilization of historical materials, cultural relics, and folk culture. Shi emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about ethnic unity and progress, as well as facilitating extensive interactions, exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups. He also highlighted the need of guiding religious figures and believers in ensuring national unity, ethnic solidarity and social stability. The Bronx, a steaming symbol of climate inequality in US New York, July 12 (AFP) Jul 12, 2024 As much of America baked in heat waves this week, the relatively poor New York borough of the Bronx suffered disproportionately. Reinaldo Morales, a 68-year-old military veteran, went to a seniors' community center with air conditioning because turning it on at home is too costly. "We live in a cement jungle," he said. "It's nice that they have a cooling center like this. But the idea that we can't even afford to cool our home is outrageous," said Morales. Temperatures soared as high as 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) this week in New York, far from the 118F (48C) that roasted Las Vegas. But one image here stuck out: a swing bridge linking the Bronx and Manhattan got stuck in the half-open position for hours on Monday as the heat expanded the metal in its hydraulics. Boats pumped water to cool it off. The Bronx endures problems with poverty, health care and air pollution, and some of its neighborhoods suffered more than others in the heat because of a lack of trees to cool things off. "We have limited shading so it does get very hot especially when the sun is at its peak," said Sandra Arroyo, program director of Casa Boricua, the seniors' center where Morales went to cool off. - 'You are suffocating' - Many residents of the Bronx are low-earning Latinos or African Americans, who say the heat-absorbing buildings that line street after street make life -- and even breathing -- difficult in the scorching, muggy New York summer. "You walk a block and you are suffocating," said Juan Lorenzo, a 72-year-old Dominican. "You just get really tired," added Stephanie Rodriguez, a 21-year-old cashier watching her two-year-old son play in water spouts at the only large park in all of the borough. "We need more green spaces," said Arif Ullah, head of a community organization called South Bronx Unite. All along one bank of the Harlem River in the Bronx stand waste treatment facilities, a power plant and warehouses -- all sources of industry and thus, more heat. Nearby sits a small shadeless kids park, under a series of highway overpasses. Ullah said racist urban policies have allowed communities like his to become urban heat islands that lead to health problems. "And really, it's a matter of life or death," he said. Neighborhoods like Hunts Point and Mott Haven in the south of the Bronx have above-average rates of emergency room visits for respiratory problems attributable to pollution, according to a report issued in April by the New York city government, its first to address the issue of what is known as environmental justice. The city says around 350 people in New York die each year because of the heat or health problems made worse by it, and Black residents are hit twice as often as their white counterparts. The city says aggravating factors include a lack of air conditioning at home, a situation more common in the Bronx than New York's other boroughs. Deadly heat waves in major cities in America and elsewhere have become more common because of climate change and things will only get worse, experts say. Last Polish miner missing after tremor found alive Warsaw, July 13 (AFP) Jul 13, 2024 The last Polish coal miner missing after a tremor was found alive Saturday, the mining company said, two days after the earthquake killed one and injured 17 more. The miner was one of two not evacuated from the Rydultowy mine in southern Poland at the time of the earthquake, with 76 of his colleagues transported to safety. The other missing miner's dead body was found Thursday evening. Rescuers had "found the miner they had been looking for since the earthquake" shortly before 2:00 pm local time (1200 GMT), Leszek Pietraszek, head of the PGG mining group which operates the Rydultowy mine, told journalists. After surviving underground for two days, the man was speaking and teams were in the process of preparing his evacuation, Pietraszek added. Of the 17 other miners who were hospitalised, one was in a serious condition after sustaining head and chest injuries. According to experts, the tremor was the biggest in Polish mining history since World War II, with an estimated magnitude of 3.1-3.4 on the Richter scale. It occurred at a depth of 1,200 metres (3,900 feet). Last year, mining accidents killed 15 in the Eastern European country, compared with 36 the year before. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Taihu Lake braced for its "No. 2 Flood" this year, with the water level rising to 3.9 meters at 12:20 p.m. Saturday, 0.1 meters above the warning level, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. China has entered the main flood season, and in recent weeks, its southern areas have been battered by persistent heavy rainfalls. Rain is expected to continue in the Taihu Lake basin for the next two days, and the water level will continue to rise. Li Guoying, minister of water resources, called for increased efforts to drain water from Taihu Lake as well as strengthened inspection and defense of embankments in over-alarm-level river sections. The ministry recently held a meeting to make arrangements for flood control plans in major river basins, including the Yangtze River basin, Taihu Lake basin and Huaihe River basin. Taihu Lake experienced its 2024 "No. 1 Floods" on June 30. GAZA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian presidency on Saturday held the U.S. administration responsible for the massive Israeli attack on tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza. Washington "persists in violating all international legitimacy resolutions" by continuously providing financial and military support to the Israeli side, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson of the Palestinian presidency, said in a statement, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA. Without U.S. support, Israel "would not be able to continue its bloody crimes against the Palestinian people, defying international legitimacy and the rulings of international courts that have called for an end to the aggression and protection for the Palestinian people," Abu Rudeineh added. Earlier on Saturday, at least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured by an Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis, the Gaza health authorities said. Trade unions exist to look after workers, to look after their wages and conditions and health and safety. They dont exist to engage in the sort of conduct that John Setka has clearly been engaged with. The first part of the months-long investigation was published by this masthead on Saturday morning. The second instalment will be published on Sunday morning, with more coverage through the weekend, including on 60 Minutes on Sunday night. John Setka arriving at the ACTU office in 2019. Credit: Eddie Jim The investigation features secret surveillance and new audio revealing how bikies, criminals and underworld figures have infiltrated the building industry in Victoria and NSW, including on large publicly funded projects. It also uncovered unprecedented details of senior bikie figures and criminals being parachuted into lucrative union roles, with the problems extending to the Indigenous employment sector. In the face of repeated questioning about the explosive allegations, Setka resigned late on Friday. Loading These stories have been constant, and while Ive been the target of many of them, enough is enough, he said on Friday night following his resignation from the CFMEU. If my stepping down can stop these malicious attacks on our members and officials and allow this great union to continue to fight for our members, for their wages and conditions, so that they go home safely to their families each day, then Im happy. The Victorian opposition on Saturday called on Premier Jacinta Allan to hold an urgent investigation into the CFMEU. Victorian deputy Liberal leader David Southwick and industrial relations spokesman David Hodgett accused Allan and Labor of failing to act on the militant union and again committed to set up a new workplace umpire for the construction industry if elected. Loading Reports today of widespread organised crime infiltration of Victorian taxpayer-funded major projects through the Labor-backed CFMEU are deeply concerning, but not surprising, they said in a statement. Under Labor, reports of misconduct, intimidation, rorts, standover tactics and thuggish behaviour on Big Build sites has become commonplace, yet time and again, Premier Jacinta Allan and the Labor government have failed to take appropriate action. The investigation revealed that many of the bikies and criminals acting as CFMEU delegates are employed on projects under Victorias $100-billion Big Build road and rail infrastructure program. This masthead put detailed questions to the Victorian government about whether the states Labor Party would cut ties with the CFMEU and how it planned to respond to the allegations regarding the hiring of underworld figures and bikies on taxpayer-funded projects. Late on Saturday afternoon almost 24 hours after Setkas resignation the Allan government replied saying it, too, welcomed the development. But it stopped short of launching its own probe into the scandal. These are extremely serious allegations that will need to be investigated by the appropriate authorities, a government spokesperson said. Our expectations are clear. There is zero tolerance for illegal behaviour. John Setka has resigned as he should. This masthead also put a list of questions to the NSW Labor government, including about what due diligence it had conducted on labour-hire firms engaged for its state projects. A spokesperson for Premier Chris Minns said there was absolutely no tolerance for criminal or corrupt behaviour in the building industry, in unions, or anywhere. We are watching closely and, as we have previously shown, are prepared to take action to protect the integrity of the construction sector in NSW and the Labor Party in NSW, said the spokesperson. In 2021, then-opposition leader Minns forced his partys NSW branch to suspend the party membership of NSW CFMEU state secretary Darren Greenfield after he was arrested over bribery allegations. South Australian Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas on Saturday said bikies did not belong in the labour movement. It is my firm view that construction workers deserve to be represented by committed professionals, not people hanging out with bikie gangs, he wrote in a post on X. If there is any established connection, then get them out! Malinauskas also asked police to investigate whether there are any links between the construction union and bikie gangs in South Australia, the Adelaide Advertiser reported on Saturday. NSW opposition industrial relations spokesman Damien Tudehope on Saturday said Labor should go further by not accepting donations from the CFMEU and preventing its members from joining the party. For too long, Labor has been in bed with union leaders like Setka, turning a blind eye to their corruption and bullying tactics, Tudehope said. NSW will pay the price as projects are delayed and costs blow out to satisfy their union mates. Federal opposition employment and workplace relations spokeswoman Michaelia Cash called on the Labor Party to return any money donated by the CFMEU. She said the federal government must act immediately to clean up the industry. The depth of criminal infiltration, revealed by the Nine newspapers, is extremely disturbing and should be of concern to every Australian, she said. Department of Transport and Planning issues about 90,000 fare evasion fines a year. Late fees can see a $296 penalty jump to $469 after seven weeks and $533 after 10 weeks. Blustein said that unlike driving infringements, fare evasion fines had no public safety benefit and were purely aimed at protecting revenue, making them patently excessive. The people who can pay up-front, they just pay: it makes no real difference to them. The people who cant pay, it can have devastating, literally life-changing consequences, Blustein said. Attia Rana received a fine in the mail from the Department of Transport and Planing after neglecting to touch-on when she boarded a train at Brunswick station last September. The mother-of-three said she could not afford to pay the $288 penalty when it first arrived, and so it quickly ballooned with late fees to $521.60 almost a weeks salary. Even when I received the first notice, I was thinking, OK this is too much Ill have to plan for how to pay for this, Rana said of the fine, which arrived in October. The transport department issues around 90,000 fare evasion fines every year. Credit: Justin McManus I couldnt sleep the night after. I was just thinking, What should I do now? Rana said that while she thought it was important to discourage deliberate fare evasion, she always usually touched-on and had never received a fine or warning before. We are human and can make mistakes, but the fine is too much it should be reasonable, she said. During the week, Rana met with a financial counsellor to help her apply to Fines Victoria for an instalment plan to pay the debt. The transport department estimates about 3 per cent of all passengers across Victorias train, tram and bus networks do not touch-on, costing it close to $20 million a year in lost revenue in 2022. The department issued 87,513 myki fines in the 2023 financial year a similar number to the years just before the COVID-19 pandemic and down from 93,426 in 2017. An Allan government spokesperson said public transport fines were designed to target repeat offenders and anyone fined could request a review, which considered exceptional personal circumstances and their history of paying to travel. We issue more warnings for fare evasion than fines and our enforcement strategy targets repeat offenders [and] takes personal circumstances into account, they said. But Blustein said the review process was difficult for many people to navigate without the help of a lawyer and it required them to provide a high level of evidence about their circumstances to succeed. Financial Counselling Victoria chief executive Zyl Hovenga-Wauchope said clients seeking help were also often dealing with public transport fines they couldnt pay and found the government hardship program inadequate. Its the poverty premium, he said. They get whacked with a $300 fine that they cant pay, and then they get whacked with the late fees that continue to rise and continue to penalise them for being unable to pay because theyre excessive in the first place. Hovenga-Wauchope said Victoria should adopt similar system of basing fines on a percentage of a persons income, as is done for some traffic fines in Finland, Sweden and Germany. Loading More broadly, he said the state should reconsider the cost of using public transport now $10.60 day, or $53 a week at a time when several governments around the world are making it free or very cheap, including a trial of 50 fares in Queensland. The whole system should be 50 per trip, and then we completely obviate the need to penalise poor people for trying to get to work, Hovenga-Wauchope said. Blustein said many myki fine cases that community legal centres dealt with involved people who made a genuine one-time mistake and couldnt afford to pay their fine, or could not buy a ticket in the first place because they were experiencing homelessness, poverty or fleeing family violence. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When the Tullamarine Freeway reaches capacity next decade, creeping congestion will eventually double your time sitting on the SkyBus to Melbourne Airport. As the city grows, driving from Parkville will become a 68-minute slog. But a new rail link from the CBD via Sunshine in the west, if it gets built, will be just half an hour. After five years at the negotiating table with the airport, first as transport infrastructure minister and now as premier, Jacinta Allan received a welcome text message from the chief executive Lorie Argus late last Sunday night. The private operators had capitulated on demands for an underground station, ending a stalemate that delayed the project at least four years. Allan should have been thrilled. Melbourne Airport said it would compromise to pursue the above-ground option. Credit: Melbourne Airport Instead the premier maintained the rail line was years away. While the main excuse not to proceed had evaporated, she insisted the timeline could not be fast-tracked from 2033 because of the airports years of unreasonable demands that they could not wish away. With a likely price tag of more than $13 billion leaving a funding shortfall of at least $3 billion it left open speculation that either Allan or Treasurer Tim Pallas were not so keen to build it while the east reaps the $35 billion first leg of the Suburban Rail Loop. Advertisement I dont know that shes got the money, one western suburbs MP said. I dont think theres an unwillingness, given the pressure from caucus. North-west MPs have a very strong desire to get it done ASAP. This masthead spoke to more than a dozen people within government, industry and other stakeholders to understand why a popular project embedded in the public consciousness since it was first floated in the 1960s had become a political quagmire. They spoke anonymously to protect their positions and detail internal discussions. They disputed a perception that the premiers office opposes the project. But several said its 2029 completion date had ultimately become the casualty of government budgets ravaged by COVID-19 debt and competing priorities. The seeds of the airport rail saga can be traced back to April 2021. A year and a half from the 2022 state election, the government released its business case for the Suburban Rail Loop. Internally, sources said, it was clear the project was the governments key priority even though the airport rail was itself advertised as part of the loop. It may not have been obvious, but this was publicly hinted at a disastrous press conference that month when Allan and the SRLs executive general manager of rail and infrastructure, Nicole Stoddart, had to defend why the rail loop would not be one continuous journey. The first two legs, from the south-east up to the airport, would use different tracks and trains to the airport rail link through Sunshine. Passengers would have to hop off at Tullamarine and change trains if they wanted to continue along the loop. Advertisement [Airport rail] is an independent line, Stoddart said at the time. The warning signs were there. But challenging negotiations with the airport within a limited budget remained out of public view. One source said the project was already unlikely to fit within the $10 billion committed by the state and federal governments, leaving no room for the airports more expensive preference that the railway station at Tullamarine go underground. A year ago, MPs in the north and west were blindsided when the state moved to break the deadlock by pushing the Commonwealth to include it in a review of the infrastructure pipeline. Federal Transport Minister Catherine King ultimately ruled it should proceed. They were blindsided again when the May state budget locked in a four-year delay. Loading One source, backed by independent transport expert Marion Terrill, said the delay was realistic given worker shortages and price hikes in construction. Others, including Rail Futures Institute president John Hearsch, said the delay was a cover for the uncertainty over who would make up a shortfall in the projects expected costs. Another said the delay meant the states $5 billion commitment was removed from Victorias debt profile, easing pressure from global ratings agencies who will this month meet with Pallas in the US. Advertisement Now that the obstacle over the station has passed, government insiders said a new push was under way to encourage the Commonwealth to make its $5 billion contribution available before the states. With the federal election approaching, the Albanese government could be convinced to promise additional funding. Any extra federal cash would be welcomed by the Victorian premier, who has long complained about getting a raw deal from Canberra. In a submission to Kings now-completed infrastructure review, Victoria argued it had not received its fair share for two decades and had been shortchanged $10 billion or more. That submission failed to name airport rail, instead calling out two other signature projects. It said Victoria would continue to seek a fairer share of funding from the Commonwealth and a true partnership on nationally significant projects, such as the Suburban Rail Loop and the North East Link Project. The Albanese government has committed $2.2 billion to the first stage of the rail loop from Cheltenham to Box Hill, $9.3 billion below what Victoria hopes for. When the front pages of The Age and Herald Sun splashed with the airports backdown, Allan on Monday announced the preferred bidder to do the next phase of tunnelling for SRL East. The timing was coincidental, but internally it was viewed as a statement of the governments priorities. The eastern section of the SRL will include six new stations. Besides the Tullamarine station, the airport rail link will bring the west only one extra a point that MPs from the area freely make while their voters sit on congested roads. Advertisement The government just last week purchased land for the Keilor East station that will form part of the project, after Deputy Premier Ben Carroll in May declared he would not leave parliament until it was delivered for his Niddrie electorate. Some point to this as evidence of the governments commitment to airport rail. We had an ambitious plan to get this project done by 2029, but the airports unreasonable demands have meant project delays of four years, a government spokesman said. Transport Infrastructure Minister Danny Pearson will meet with the airport this month. MPs have been lobbying for extra stations on the Wyndham Vale line to fill transport deserts. The government has dithered for years on electrifying the crowded Melton line and progressing the Western Rail Plan. However, a $650 million upgrade to the Melton line will increase its capacity 50 per cent. One government source said the issue could come to a head at a caucus conference in coming weeks, where Allan and Pearson, the member for Essendon, would have to explain the minimum four-year delay to MPs looking to relieve angst in the western suburbs. The obstacle has been removed. It is becoming less about the project and more about the willingness of the government to actually listen to concerns, they said. Advertisement Washington: Donald Trump has suggested taking a joint cognitive test with US President Joe Biden for the good of the country as they edge closer to an election rematch most Americans say they dont want. One day after Biden held a solo news conference hoping to stop the defections in his ranks, Trump challenged his rival to prove he was capable of being president and suggested that cognitive tests should be compulsory for everyone vying for the White House. President Joe Biden at a campaign event in Detroit on Friday. Credit: AP Joe should immediately take a cognitive test, and I will go with him, and take one also, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. For the first time well be a team, and do it for the good of the country. And from now on, all presidential candidates should be mandated to take a cognitive test and aptitude test, regardless of their age!!! China firmly opposes the Xizang-related bill signed into law by the U.S. side and has protested to the U.S. side, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Saturday. #XinhuaNews BARCELONA, Spain, July 13 (Xinhua) -- More holidaymakers from China will help Spain and other European countries grow their tourist industries, a Spanish expert has said. Albert Vancells, coordinator of the Bachelor's degrees in tourism at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, made the remarks in an interview with Xinhua on Friday. "It's a market with great potential, so Spain and other countries in Europe ... see it as a way to grow their tourist activity," Vancells said, adding that the recovery of Chinese tourism is expected to continue. "We're still far from the pre-pandemic figures, but we hope that it will recover a little more than in the past few years and we expect to return to the 2019 figures in the coming years," the expert said. According to Spain's tourism agency Turespana, over 60 percent of direct flights linking China and Spain before the pandemic have been restored. Data from the Spanish Statistical Office showed that over 380,000 people visited Spain from China last year. However, the figure is well below the level before the pandemic, when more than 700,000 Chinese tourists visited Spain in 2019. "The Chinese are opening up new air connections and recovering old connections that were not operating in the past few years, and so this will obviously lead to more Chinese tourism to the West and the whole world in general," Vancells told Xinhua. For Vancells, "the advantage of Chinese tourism is that it doesn't prioritize the typical tourist product in Spain, which is the beach, but is more interested in cultural and gastronomic activities, as well as trade fairs, congresses and conventions, which could all help Spain to de-seasonalize its tourist activity." HIGH COURTINTERVENES Asks VNIT to open itsroad for 2-wheelers Staff Reporter : CITIZENS can breathe a sigh of relief as the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) has agreed to open its 1.2 km road temporarily, allowing access exclusively for two-wheelers through its campus.This decision comes after weeks of legal battles and community outcry over restricted access due to ongoing construction near the Ambazari dam. Initiated by Divisional Commissioner Vijaylaxmi Bidari, Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Singal convened a meeting with VNIT officials on Friday. During the session, Dr Singal conveyed the publics challenges caused by the construction work in the vicinity of the Ambazari dam. VNIT officials have now permitted vehicular traffic restricted to two-wheelers on this road. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Traffic Shashikant Satav informed The Hitavada that despite VNITs approval, it will take a minimum of three days to fully operationalise the road. The process involves demolishing a portion of VNITs compound wall near Indian Oil petrol pump (Ambazari police chowki) to facilitate vehicle entry. The stretch from this point to Gate No 3 near LAD College will exclusively accommodate two-wheelers, with fourwheelers prohibited, as clarified by DCP Satav. Informing about the safety of student and staff, DCP Satav assured proactive traffic management measures. At each junction, traffic police will deploy barricades and plastic cones, he stated. He also noted that traffic movement may be briefly halted during student movements to ensure safety. It may be mentioned that Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri at the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court on Thursdays hearing took strong stance and compelled the State Government and district administration to utilise their discretionary powers to address the access issue at VNIT. Earlier, VNITs Associate Dean, Mangesh Madurwar, highlighted during court proceedings that the institutes internal roads are ill-suited for heavy traffic. Sources disclosed that despite prior meetings,VNIT officials were initially hesitant to open the road, but the High Courts intervention spurred them to comply JAGAN BOOKEDIn attempt to murder case GUNTUR (Andhra Pradesh), ANDHRA Pradesh police registered an attempt to murder case against former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, two senior IPS officers and two retired officials, following a complaint lodged by a TDP MLA, an official said on Friday. The complaint was lodged by the ruling partys Undi MLA K Raghurama Krishna Raju, who was a YSRCP Lok Sabha MP between 2019 and 2024 but had a fallout with Reddy at an early stage. Besides Reddy, police booked senior IPS officers PV Sunil Kumar and PSR Sitaramanjaneyulu and retired police officer R Vijay Paul and former Guntur Government General Hospital superintendent G Prabhavati, the official said. Vijay Paul and Prabhavati have superannuated. Raju sent his police complaint through mail one month ago and after taking legal opinion, I registered a case at 7 pm on Thursday against the former CM and others, the official told PTI. Raju, a former MP, also alleged that he was subjected to custodial torture, the official added. Police booked the five accused persons under IPC Sections 120 B, 166, 167,197,307,326,465and 506 read with 34. Police invoked the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as the case is three years old.Thecasewasbooked at Nagarampalem police station in Guntur. TDP leader Rajus 2021 arrest case came to the fore in Andhra Pradesh after he lodged a complaint against Reddy and some officialsoveritonJune10. He accused the former CM and the senior officials of plottingacriminalconspiracy against him. Raju, 62, alleged in hiscomplaint that senior IPS officers Sunil Kumar and Sitaramanjaneyulu, police officerVijaya Paul and Government doctor Prabhavathi were part of thatconspiracy.Hewas arrested in May, 2021 in themiddleoftheCOVID19 second wave PM Modi stresses stresses on BIMS TECsro leasengine for economic, social growth NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed Indias commitment to seven-nation grouping BIMSTEC and stressed on its role as an engine for economic and social growth. The Foreign Ministers of the BIMSTEC member states made a joint call on Modi on the second and final day of their retreat in Delhi. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), brings together seven countries of South and Southeast Asia for multifaceted cooperation. Besides India, the BIMSTEC comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. Glad to meet BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers. Discussed ways to strengthen regional cooperation, including connectivity, energy, trade, health, agriculture, science, security and people-to-people exchanges. Conveyed full support toThailand for a successful Summit, Modi said on X. A readout by the PMO said Modi reaffirmed Indias commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, resilient and safe BIMSTEC region and highlighted its significance to Indias Neighbourhood First and Look East Policies as well as in its SAGAR vision. The PM had fruitful discussions with the group of Ministers on further strengthening the regional cooperation in diverse areas , it said. He stressed on the role of BIMSTEC as an engine for economic and social growth, the readout noted. It said Modi expressed Indias full support to Thailand for the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit to be held in September. India hosted the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers retreat to review various initiatives to expand cooperation among the groupings member nations. In his inaugural address at the retreat, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the grouping to infuse new energies, resources and a fresh commitment to bolster cooperation. India has been making concerted efforts to make BIMSTEC a vibrant forum for regional cooperation as initiatives under SAARC were not moving forward for a variety of reasons. SEOUL, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "most strongly denounces and rejects" the Washington summit declaration issued by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) earlier this week, state media said Saturday. The declaration is proof that the United States and the transatlantic bloc pose "the most serious threat to the global peace and security," the official Korean Central News Agency said, citing a press statement released by a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry on Friday. It is "an illegal document that violates the legitimate rights of independent sovereign states and a confrontational programme that incites new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale," the statement added. The U.S. moves to expand military blocs seriously threaten regional peace, extremely exacerbate the international security environment, and spark worldwide arms race, it said. The DPRK warned that NATO's "globalization" strategy pursued by the United States brings "the danger of a worldwide war." The DPRK also lambasted Washington for "seriously infringing upon the sovereignty and security interests of other countries and constantly destroying the strategic stability of the world while wantonly violating the recognized principles of international law including respect for sovereignty, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit," the report said. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China firmly opposes the Xizang-related bill signed into law by the U.S. side and has protested to the U.S. side, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Saturday. On July 12 local time, U.S. President Joe Biden signed into law the "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act." The act gives recognition to the so-called notion of "Greater Tibet" made up by the Dalai group, and asks the U.S. government and the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to counter "disinformation about Tibet" from the Chinese government. President Biden said in a statement that the act "does not change longstanding bipartisan United States policy to recognize the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas of China as part of the People's Republic of China." The spokesperson said the act violated the U.S. government's long-held position and commitments and the basic norms governing international relations, grossly interfered in China's domestic affairs, undermined China's interests, and sent a severely wrong signal to the "Tibet independence" forces. China firmly opposes it and has protested to the U.S. side. The spokesperson said Xizang has been part of China since ancient times. Xizang affairs are China's internal affairs which brook no interference by any external forces. Xizang today enjoys social stability and harmony, with sound economic performance and people's well-being well protected. Xizang is making fresh progress in effectively running its society, maintaining social stability, and achieving high-quality development. No one and no force should ever attempt to destabilize Xizang to contain and suppress China. Such attempts will never succeed. "We urge the U.S. side to take concrete actions to honor its commitments of recognizing Xizang as part of China and not supporting 'Tibet independence.' The U.S. must not implement the Act. If the U.S. continues down the wrong path, China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests," said the spokesperson. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's remarkable strides in combating desertification have been highlighted on International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, on Friday. Over the past two decades, the country has witnessed a significant decline in the frequency and intensity of spring sandstorms, a testament to its robust ecological initiatives. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Friday revealed a substantial reduction in the number of spring sandstorms, from an average of 17 times a year between 1981 and 2010 to 9.2 times in the last decade, nosediving about 46 percent. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the country has intensified support for key ecological projects such as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP). Such efforts have led to the successful management of 331 million mu (about 22 million hectares) of desertified land, with 53 percent of the treatable desertified areas now under effective control. China, one of the nations most affected by desertification, has been grappling with the transformation of fertile lands into deserts, a phenomenon that disrupts rainfall patterns and exacerbates extreme weather events, further driving climate change. The World Atlas of Desertification warns that 75 percent of the world's soils are already degraded, affecting 3.2 billion people globally. Projections by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are dire, with 90 percent of the planet's land surface at risk of degradation by 2050, posing significant threats to biodiversity and human life. In stark contrast to this global outlook, China has achieved zero growth in land degradation and has successfully reduced the area of desertified and sandy lands. A 2020 report from the Chinese Academy of Sciences indicated that China had achieved land degradation neutrality, with the net land restoration area accounting for over 18 percent of the world's total, placing it at the forefront of global efforts in this regard. The TSFP, the world's largest afforestation project, serves as a good example. Launched in 1978 and scheduled to be completed in 2050, it has already helped safeguard the land inhabited by people in the northwest, north and northeast of China. By 2020, the program saw the preservation of 480 million mu of forested land, the management of 1.28 billion mu of degraded grasslands, and the forest coverage rate increased from around 5 percent in 1978 to about 14 percent. In June 2023, China proposed that the TSFP be turned into a fully functional, unbreakable "green Great Wall" and ecological security barrier in northern China. As the International Day for the Prevention of Desertification and Land Degradation aims to galvanize a global sense of duty and urgency, China has emerged as a dynamic force in fulfilling its commitments to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly designated 2025-2034 as the "United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms." Introducing the text of a draft resolution on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, the representative of Uganda said sand and dust storms are an issue of international concern. The storms increasingly threaten achievement of 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, he stressed, adding that the resolution aims to enhance international and regional cooperation to prevent, halt and mitigate their effects. Press Release July 13, 2024 Sen. Robin Pushes Enhanced Rizal Program in Basic Education To make sure Filipinos learn the values promoted by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at an early age, Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla is urging the Department of Education, National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to formulate an "enhanced Rizal program" to be integrated in the basic education curriculum. Padilla is to file this coming week a resolution seeking such an enhanced program, in order to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and the duties of citizenship. "Rizal's example from over a century ago demonstrates the relevance of his teachings to today's youth: even in the face of adversity, it is not impossible for the young Filipinos to pursue their goals and become passionate about learning, as long as they remain focused and put in a lot of effort to attain their dreams," he said. "It is without a doubt that the life, works and writings of Rizal has gained recognition as vital sources of sense of patriotism and nationalism to our people, especially to our youth," he added. According to Padilla, Rizal is a significant figure in the nation's history, and his life's legacy through his literary works continue to serve as an inspiration to generations of Filipinos. Rizal's poem "To the Filipino Youth" highlighted the role and capability of the youth in shaping the future of our Motherland, and urged them to use their capabilities, talents and skills to serve those in need, he added. Currently, Padilla noted Rizal's values extolling untarnished love of country is included in subjects in Grade I to VI. His works "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" are required reading in the third and fourth years in high school. "There is a need for the Department of Education, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to formulate an enhanced program about Rizal's life, novels, poems, anecdotes, and all other literary works, including those written abroad, to be incorporated as part of the basic education curriculum," he said. Sen. Robin, Iginiit na Paigtingin ang Rizal Program sa Basic Education Upang matiyak na maisabuhay ng mga Pilipino habang bata pa sila ang mga katangiang isinusulong ng ating pambansang bayani Dr. Jose Rizal, hinimok ni Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla ang Department of Education, National Commission for Culture and the Arts at ang National Historical Commission of the Philippines na bumuo ng "enhanced Rizal program" sa basic education curriculum. Ang panawagang ito ay nasa resolusyon na ihahain ni Padilla sa darating na linggo, kung saan ang layunin ay mabuo ang "moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience," at ang tungkulin ng bawa't mamamayan. "Rizal's example from over a century ago demonstrates the relevance of his teachings to today's youth: even in the face of adversity, it is not impossible for the young Filipinos to pursue their goals and become passionate about learning, as long as they remain focused and put in a lot of effort to attain their dreams," aniya. "It is without a doubt that the life, works and writings of Rizal has gained recognition as vital sources of sense of patriotism and nationalism to our people, especially to our youth," dagdag niya. Ani Padilla, hindi matatawaran ang kahalagahan ni Rizal sa ating kasaysayan, at ang kanyang mga pamana sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga obra ay nananatiling inspirasyon sa maraming henerasyon ng Pilipino. Ipinunto niya na inilatag ng tula ni Rizal na "To the Filipino Youth" ang kakayahan ng kabataan sa paghubog ng hinaharap ng Inang Bayan, at hinimok silang gamitin ang kanilang kakayahan para tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Sa kasalukuyan, ipinunto ni Padilla na ang mga kasulatan ni Rizal tungkol sa pagmamahal sa bayan ay kasama sa tinuturo sa Grade I hanggang VI. Ang kanyang "Noli Me Tangere" at "El Filibusterismo" ay "required reading" sa third at fourth year sa high school. "There is a need for the Department of Education, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to formulate an enhanced program about Rizal's life, novels, poems, anecdotes, and all other literary works, including those written abroad, to be incorporated as part of the basic education curriculum," ani Padilla. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- A readers' seminar on Chinese President Xi Jinping's books on governance was successfully held in late June at the national library in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, as the works have aroused enthusiastic response among local readers. "This work is of great significance for us to learn from China's reform and opening-up experience and promote Tajikistan's reform and development," said Rashid Alimov, former secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Titled "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the work concentrates on Xi's in-depth thinking on China's national governance and global governance issues, drawing worldwide readers since the debut of its first volume ten years ago. "President Xi Jinping's work has put forward many new ideas, new insights and conclusions, which have important practical value for countries around the world in an era of globalization," said Matlubakhon Sattoriyan, Tajikistan's Minister of Culture. Over the past decade, a series of essential works by Xi, including "Up and Out of Poverty," "The Belt and Road Initiative," "On Building a Human Community with a Shared Future," and a compilation of excerpts from discourses on Chinese modernization, have been translated into over 40 languages and published in around 180 countries and regions. These have provided a "window of thought" to understand China's reform efforts and distinctive path to economic success. SECRET TO CHINA'S REFORM & DEVELOPMENT Continuing reform on all fronts is a recurring theme throughout Xi's series of four books on governance. The Chinese president elaborates on his vision of deepening reforms in these volumes, offering valuable insights and judgments such as "reform and opening up is always an ongoing task and will never end" and "as reform goes deeper, it is more necessary to shoulder responsibilities." For Wirun Phichaiwongphakdee, director of the Thailand-China Research Center of the Belt and Road Initiative, this book is like the "secret to successfully governing a country." He calls it "a valuable treasure for developing countries." "Every time I read 'Xi Jinping: The Governance of China,' I feel like I'm seeking wisdom from a learned sage, experiencing the Chinese leader's love for his family and country through his down-to-earth words," said Phichaiwongphakdee. "Most importantly, it allows the world to experience the remarkable course of China's reform and development through the macro perspective of the Chinese leader," the expert added. "Through this book, I see President Xi's firm determination to continue deepening reforms, which sets an example for our development in Cambodia," said Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association. Simon Lichtenberg, a Danish entrepreneur who has lived in Shanghai for over three decades, is not only a witness to China's reform and opening up but also a beneficiary of a series of China's policies, such as the development and opening up of Pudong and the Shanghai pilot free trade zone. In his view, the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the courage of self-revolution are the fundamental guarantees for the success of reform and opening up and the "secret" for China to efficiently further reforms on all fronts. In Western countries, Lichtenberg said, if the government is not working well, the most common scenario is to change the ruling party or the government. "But in China's case, the party has been able to evolve and live up to new times, new challenges and new world orders, still keeping the same fundamentals of the country and putting the people at the center while modernizing and reforming the industry, infrastructure, health, education, technology ... so many areas where China has moved very, very fast," he added. This has avoided short-term behavior caused by changes in political parties and ensured the consistency and efficiency of reform and development plans, he said. "President Xi has taken Marxism and Chinese history and married them. It is a huge undertaking," said Stephen Perry, honorary president of Britain's 48 Group Club. "Few in the world understand what a mission it is and how effective he is." THE WELL-BEING OF BILLIONS "Maintaining good governance in a country is to make its people prosperous," Xi once quoted an ancient Chinese political and philosophical text. The old writings were named after Guan Zhong, a philosopher and statesman in China's Spring and Autumn period who focused on how to enrich the country and strengthen the people. In China's fight against extreme poverty, almost 100 million people have been lifted out of absolute poverty. The victory has been hailed as a miracle in human history, achieving the poverty reduction target outlined in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ten years ahead of schedule. Developing countries worldwide see China's war on poverty inspirational. When the Uzbek edition of Xi's book on poverty relief, "Up and Out of Poverty," was published in November 2023, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote a foreword for the book. "This book by President Xi Jinping has rich political, economic and philosophical connotations, and reflects his profound thinking on poverty alleviation and the well-being of the people," he wrote. "After reading works such as 'Xi Jinping: The Governance of China' and 'The Belt and Road Initiative,' what impressed me the most was that President Xi's thoughts and viewpoints are all aimed at achieving, in various ways, the development and well-being of the Chinese people and people around the world," said Tamara Berro, a member of the Cairo-based Arab Association of Political Science. President Xi has been leading China towards implementing comprehensive, deeper-level reforms, which have not only removed many obstacles to China's modernization but also offered profound lessons for countries seeking to learn from China's experience, Berro said. In Xi's eyes, one of the five unique features of Chinese modernization is a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. For him, ecological and environmental protection is a century-long plan for the benefit of the people. "Some environmentalists in Western countries believe that protecting the natural environment must come at the expense of human development," said Jean Delvigne, a senior expert on French at the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the CPC. "However, China's successful practices have made Westerners realize that ecological and environmental protection, as well as economic development, both serve people's pursuit of a better life. They are not contradictory and can be achieved simultaneously," Delvigne added. Last year, the UN Environment Program honored China's Blue Circle environmental initiative with the 2023 Champions of the Earth award -- the UN's most prestigious environmental recognition -- for its innovative marine plastic treatment technology. The initiative, launched in east China's Zhejiang province, uses blockchain technology and the Internet of Things to monitor the entire lifecycle of plastic pollution, encompassing collection, regeneration, re-manufacturing and re-sale. In Delvigne's view, achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is a significant feature and important accomplishment of Chinese modernization. The philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," put forward by President Xi, is worth learning from for all countries, he said. PROPOSALS FOR SOLVING GLOBAL CHALLENGES President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has long kept an Arabic version of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" signed by President Xi himself. He said Xi's governance philosophy aims to bring happiness to the Chinese people and benefit populations worldwide. This philosophy could be a guiding principle and benchmark for all global leaders. "Xi's book is itself the latest contribution in a millennia-long line of Chinese reflections on the relations of human beings with nature and with each other," says Martin Albrow, a fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences. "China's unique history and culture have prepared it for adopting a global leadership role in advancing peaceful cooperation between all peoples while joining in the economic progress of each and every one," he added. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, Xi has put forward a series of Chinese proposals and initiatives, such as the building of a community with a shared future for humankind, the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. These initiatives offer Chinese solutions to improving global governance and resolving challenges in human development. Berro said these initiatives constitute a new framework for international relations, helping to shape a fairer and more just international order, promoting equal treatment among different countries, strengthening international security and stability, and advancing global common development. China, through its intellectual capacity, can create balance "in a world in full change, in full imbalance," said French writer and sinologist Lea Bessis. "This is what I hope to find in this new book. As its title suggests, China must show us a new mode of governance," Bessis added, referring to the book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China." President Xi's efforts to develop new quality productive forces and promote Chinese modernization aim to transform China into a high-quality economy, Bessis said. The expert believed that these efforts could benefit regional and global development, offering numerous opportunities to French and international companies. "China has, through its history, become the guarantor of global stability," Bessis said. "China's reform and opening-up policies have continued to be very, very favorable for us," said a senior executive of New Zealand kiwifruit company Zespri. Kiwifruit from the company can now clear customs in China's Shanghai on the same day of arrival. Behind the rapid processing is the enhanced trade facilitation at the Shanghai pilot free trade zone. More and more foreign-funded enterprises are turning policy advantages into growth opportunities in China. GAZA/JERUSALEM, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Saturday denied the claims that its military leaders were targeted in an Israeli attack in the Mawasi area of the Khan Younis city in the south of Gaza. The "claims about targeting leaders are false claims," Hamas said in a statement, noting that it is not the first time that Israel "has claimed to target Palestinian leaders, and then it was later proven to be false." "These false claims are only to cover up the extent of the horrific massacre," said the statement. The Gaza health authorities said that at least 71 Palestinians were killed and 289 others injured by the Israeli airstrike that attacked tents of displaced people in Khan Younis. Israel's Army Radio reported earlier in the day that Mohammed Deif, the commander of Hamas's military wing, and Rafa'a Salameh, the commander of Hamas's Khan Younis Brigade, were the targets of the Israeli airstrike. The report didn't provide details regarding the current status of the two Hamas military leaders. Nevertheless, the Israeli Defense Forces told Army Radio that the strike had been well-planned and carried out with extreme precision. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army about the raid. Deif, 58, has been considered one of Israel's most wanted men for many years and was previously injured during several attempts to kill him. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee on Saturday expressed strong indignation at and firm opposition to the United States on its signing into law of the so-called "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act." At a symposium held Saturday, members of the Committee of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee slammed the act as full of extremely erroneous views and provocative remarks, adding that it was blatant interference in China's internal affairs under the guise of "ethnicity," "religion" and "human rights." The act fully exposes the United States' sinister intention of interfering in China's internal affairs and containing China's peaceful development, the committee members said, describing the act as a serious betrayal of the U.S. government's commitment to acknowledging that Xizang is part of China and not supporting "Tibet independence." They said Xizang has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times and the people of the Tibetan ethnic group are members of the Chinese nation. This is a fact recognized by the world and will not change at anytime, they added. Since ancient times, Xizang has forged unbreakable bonds with the rest of China in geographical, consanguineal, political, economic and cultural terms, they said. The U.S. side and the Dalai clique audaciously distorts history and brazenly denies the fact of China's sovereignty over Xizang. This is a typical act of U.S.-style bullying, they added. In the 65 years since the democratic reform in Xizang, great historic changes have taken place, they said, adding that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, Xizang has entered a period of best development and greatest changes, during which the people have benefited the most. China is a unified multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. China has maintained ethnic unity, religious harmony and social stability for years, which prove that its policies on ethnic and religious affairs are completely correct, they said. Tibetan Buddhism has a glorious tradition of patriotism and has a complete set of religious rituals and historical norms governing the reincarnation of Living Buddhas that has been respected and upheld by the Tibetan Buddhist community, the committee members said. The Chinese government implements the policy of freedom of religious belief, respects and protects religious traditions, and manages religious affairs in accordance with the law, rendering U.S. interference completely unwarranted, they said. The process of building a new, modern socialist Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious, and beautiful is unstoppable by any force, they added. MOGADISHU, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Five inmates and three soldiers were killed, 18 other prisoners wounded on Saturday after heavy gunfire broke out between security forces and prisoners who had attempted to escape in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The spokesperson for Custodial Corps Command Abdiqani Mohamed Khalaf said three soldiers were also injured during the operation. The inmates, members of the al-Shabab militant group that had acquired some weapons and hand grenades, launched a bid to escape from Hamar Central Prison, prompting a shootout between the prison officers and the inmates. The prison authorities said they are investigating how the inmates acquired weapons and hand grenades to launch such daring escapes. "The security forces completed operations against al-Shabab members, the situation is calm at the moment and the forces eliminated all five prisoners. We have started investigations into the incident," he said in a statement issued in Mogadishu. Al-Shabab militants did not comment on the latest attack on the Hamar Central Prison. This is the second such deadly attack on the prison in Mogadishu by the group's inmates. The attack comes after almost three months of relative peace in Mogadishu. ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Bodies of two security personnel abducted by militants earlier this week, have been found in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police said on Friday. The bodies were found in Tank district, the same place where the security personnel were abducted when they were on their way home to spend holidays, the police said. The remains were shifted to a nearby hospital for autopsy before being handed over to their families, the police added. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction and the killing yet. A devastating fire broke out in a vest factory on Jessore Road near Nagerbazar in Dum Dum today. Twenty fire engines were pressed into service. The entire area was covered in smoke. According to fire department sources, no workers were trapped in the factory where the fire broke out. Everyone was safely evacuated. Local sources reported that the factory is located right next to Sarojini Naidu College in Nagerbazar. There is a warehouse of a private ice cream company next to the factory. Locals first heard an explosion from there, followed by the fire. Fire officials initially suspected that the fire may have started from an air conditioning unit and then spread to the factory. The fire department was informed, and they arrived at the scene around 3.40 pm and began firefighting efforts. Around 20 engines were called in to extinguish the fire. Local residents had also joined the firefighters in the effort. Next to the factory, where the fire broke out, there is a wedding hall, a medicine warehouse, a furniture warehouse, and another vest factory. Since most of the warehouses contain flammable materials, there was a risk of the fire spreading. Advertisement State fire minister Sujit Bose, who visited the scene in the morning, said, I have learned that it is a vest factory. There were also some warehouses. Without an investigation, it is not possible for me to say anything right now. There were still pockets of fire. A tin shed collapsed where the fire department was working. We are bringing in a JCB to remove the shed and continue the work. It is not possible to say the cause of the fire right now. We have investigated every fire incident in Kolkata over the past few months and taken necessary steps. Some factories have been shut down. My point is, do business, but follow the rules. Here, I havent seen any proper fire extinguishing arrangements yet. There will be an investigation, and legal action will be taken if necessary. Siliguri mayor Goutam Deb has urged the Darjeeling district magistrate to closely monitor the inflated prices of vegetables and other goods in various markets across Siliguri. In a statement to the media, mayor Deb today expressed concern over the artificial price hike and the significant price differences between wholesale and retail markets for many products. Following orders from chief minister Mamata Banerjee, a meeting was held with the Darjeeling DM to request continued surveillance by government officials in the market. Advertisement Mayor Deb stressed the importance of not discontinuing this effort after only one day, and urged for surprise visits by administrative officers in various markets in Siliguri to combat artificial price hikes of essential items. On the other hand, in light of a recent incident where a woman was indirectly hit by a school bus and subsequently passed away, mayor Deb also implored the Darjeeling district magistrate to conduct an impartial investigation to ensure justice for the victims family. He also requested for checks on the fitness and insurance papers of school buses. Furthermore, the commissioner of SMC has written to the commissioner of police to initiate an unbiased investigation into the accident involving a school bus that resulted in a fatality. Additionally, it was discussed that both the police and transport department will work together to address these issues. According to Mr Deb, many English-medium private schools charge exorbitant fees from their students and it is their responsibility to comply with transportation regulations when operating school buses. The Tea Board of India has formed a working group to investigate the details of a weather-based crop insurance plan, proposed under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) by the department of agriculture and farmers welfare. According to the Tea Boards announcement, the first meeting of this working group will take place on 16 July at its office in Kolkata. The deputy chairman of the Board, Sourav Pahari has stated that representatives from major tea-producing states have been nominated by their respective state governments to be part of this group. Advertisement However, it should be noted that the West Bengal government has not yet chosen their representative, so only 10 out of 11 members may attend the first meeting on 16 July. One exception is Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty from north Bengal, who has been nominated by the Tea Board due to his position as president of the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Association (CISTA), sources said. The head of this working group is director S Soudararajan. Additionally, representatives from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam have been nominated by their state governments: J Venkataramanan as deputy director for agriculture crop insurance, Ms Meena T D as additional director for agriculture division, and Ms Rumi Goswami as director for agriculture. The working group has been joined by high-ranking individuals from the fields of general insurance, agricultural insurance, and banking. The purpose of this committee is to draft proposals based on input from growers and industry, assess previous efforts towards crop insurance coverage and any obstacles encountered, examine international experiences with crop insurance coverage, and prepare for implementing this scheme. Trinamul Congress leaders are pumping in full effort to make the Martyrs Day rally on 21 July a grand success. The police had opened fire to kill youth Congress supporters, who had assembled under Mamata Banerjee, then a youth Congress president, demanding introduction of voters identity cards mandatory for elections. After Miss Banerjee formed Trinamul Congress on January 1, 1998, the day has been observed as Martyrs Day and the meeting is held opposite the CESC building in Esplanade. Advertisement Trinamul Congress leaders are working hard to make the meeting a success. Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the party is not likely to be present at the meeting on health grounds. Party veteran Dr Manas Bhuniya, water resources investigation and development minister has held several rounds of meetings in West Midnapore. The meetings were attended by senior party leaders and workers. Dr Bhuniya urged party workers to be present at the meeting in Kolkata. Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay, state agriculture minister, has held meetings in his constituency in Khardah in North 24-Parganas. He will again hold a meeting with party leaders on Saturday. Senior party leaders said party workers from the districts of north Bengal will come to the city and will be put up at the Central Park in Salt Lake, Rajdanga stadium and other places. Rallies from Howrah and Sealdah stations and north and south Kolkata will start on 21 July and converge at the venue. State Trinamul Congress president Subrata Bakshi is overseeing the arrangements. Senior party leaders Firhad Hakim, Indranil Sen, Aroop Biswas will look after the hospitality of the workers. Senior party leaders and senior officials of city police inspected the venue where the construction of the podium will start from next week. A graded path will be created for smooth transportation of the leaders including Miss Banerjee. Miss Banerjee will be the key speaker at the meeting. The party workers are waiting anxiously to listen to her. In 2025 the civic elections will be held followed by the Assembly poll in 2026. Trinamul will intensify to build contacts with people. In many areas particularly in Kolkata the party did not do well in the recently held Lok Sabha election and the party will try utmost to repair the dent. All the MLAs, MPs, district presidents, councillors will be present at the meeting. Members of the family of the martyrs will be invited to join. A pending no objection certificate (NOC), essential for allowing the jail inmate before his induction to the outside curriculum activities, has caused hindrance to Arnab Dam, the convicted Maoist, the Burdwan University authorities claimed this afternoon. The vice-chancellor of the Burdwan University, Dr Gautam Chandra also hinted about some forces passing motivated and misleading information on the issue of deferment of Dams inclusion in his desired PhD programme. Dr Chandra said, Its known to everyone that the NOC from the higher authorities of the correctional home services is needed, as Dam is currently serving under court custody. Still, some people here in my university are pretending to be willfully innocent and have dispatched wrong information to Kunal Ghosh yesterday. Advertisement Ghosh, the Trinamul Congress leader in his X- handle had ridiculed the Governor appointed vice-chancellor of BU. Dr Chandra said today, I have always shown my positive gesture and thats why I didnt want to delay the issue like my predecessor by putting this forward before the education council. I have treated him like an ambitious student and not as an inmate. There are some protocols like his security that need to be maintained properly. About Dams security, he said: After inclusion, he needs to visit the department regularly and also he will require the library assistance. The BU cant afford to ensure his security arrangements, its a matter of the correctional home authorities. We had forwarded a communication, drafted by our legal cell, about the NOC to the jail superintendent of Hooghly on 9 July, followed by another on 10 July. We are still awaiting a response. Actor couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal left everyone awestruck during the Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant wedding ceremony at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on Friday. Katrina opted for a red sari with golden border that she teamed up with a matching blouse. She looked gorgeous in an open-straight hairstyle. The New York actor completed her look with golden jhumkas and a stunning neckpiece. Vicky, on the other hand looked dapper in a sherwani with floral motifs and brown shoes. Actor Ajay Devgn who arrived with his son Yug in tow also arrived to attend the wedding ceremony. King Khan Shah Rukh Khan slayed the red carpet with his presence and dapper look at the star-studded wedding. The Pathaan actor accompanied by his beautiful wife Gauri Khan looked striking in a green Pathani sherwani-styled set in green. King Khans children Suhana and Aryan Khan also joined the star-studded guest list at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. While Suhana wore a golden-silver-toned stylish saree, Aryan looked chic in a black suit. The siblings were all smiles as they posed for shutterbugs. Other celebrities who were spotted at Mumbais Jio World Drive venue of the wedding included Priyanka Chopra with her husband Nick Jonas, John Cena, AR Rahman, Anil Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan. Each of them posed for shutterbugs. Advertisement Just a day before the wedding, American influencer Kim Kardashian and her sister Khloe Kardashian landed in India. This is reportedly Kims first trip to India. Former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Boris Johnson also arrived in India on last night. The opulent wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani with Radhika Merchant promises to be a spectacular celebration of Indian culture, civilization, spirituality, Indian folk art, craftsmanship, music, cuisine, and much more. The wedding decor theme of An Ode to Varanasi, pays homage to the eternal city, its traditions, piety, culture, arts, crafts and Banarasi cuisine.Banarasi street food like chaat, mithai, lassi, chai, khari, paan, and mukhwas are on the menu. The carefully curated stalls and dedicated guest services have been designed for attendees to not only enjoy the event but also take away lasting memories of their journey through the ghats of Banaras. From chaat to chai, Ode to Banaras features the culinary delights from one of the worlds oldest living cities. Apart from these, sweets, paan and mukhwas, kharik from Ahmedabad, chaat counters, malai toast and chai, lassi and lemon tea the food counters set up for guests promise to bring the Banaras rich and varied food culture to Mumbai. Todays wedding ceremony will be followed by Shubh Aashirwad on July 13 and culminate with the Mangal Utsav or wedding reception on July 14, promising three days of revelry and jubilation for the Ambani and Merchant families. Fatehgarh Sahib MP Dr Amar Singh is a man of many talents. He completed his MBBS degree from Amritsar Medical College and later joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). In 2019, he took the political plunge and joined the Congress. He has been representing the Fatehgarh Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjabs Ludhiana district. Singh (71) has been an active advocate of farmers rights, professing a legally binding minimum support price (MSP) in the upcoming Budget session of Parliament. In an interview with The Statesmans Agraj Pratap Singh, the parliamentarian throws light on his journey, the demand for a special package for his constituency and the work done by him for the people. Q: From a physician to a bureaucrat to an MP, you have donned many hats. What has been your ultimate guiding force and strength? Advertisement A: It has been a very long and satisfying journey. From being born to poor farm labourer parents to having waited till teenage years to get a proper sweater to being able to become a doctor, an IAS officer and an elected MP, I thank God who has been very kind to me. Since the beginning, I have believed that the only way out of my poverty-ridden life was hard work. Each stage of life brings its share of lessons and I have been lucky enough to be able to use them in the next stage that life took me. The guiding force throughout my life has been to make peoples lives better. Having started from the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid, I have seen how good public services can actually change the lives of the poorest of poor. Q: Talking of your parliamentary constituency, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Punjab, what is the current situation in terms of overall development and farmers well being there? A: I have tried to bring on track many stalled projects like the railway overbridge in Mandi Ahmedgarh, Ambemajra flyover on GT road, renovation of Sirhind Railway Station, Rahon road project, renovation of Khanna focal point, among others. Few others will be started soon enough such as Doraha Railway over bridge and Halwara airport. However, given the historic significance of the area, a lot needs to be done. I have been demanding since 2019 a special package to develop world class infrastructure, and air and rail connectivity for Shri Fatehgarh Sahib. The industry in Mandi Gobindgarh, Khanna and Sahnewal needs special packages and GST (goods and services tax) relief. The constituency needs a government medical college and a major public university. Farmers too need relief in our area since the last two years have been very hard with floods, crop infections, extreme heat and lumpy skin disease. Neither the AAPled Punjab government nor the Union government have provided the basic relief given the scale of disruption faced by farmers since 2022. Q: What are your plans for your constituency, Fatehgarh Sahib? What has been the response of youth towards your party? A: Firstly, given its historic significance, I shall continue to demand the special development package for Shri Fatehgarh Sahib. Due to my efforts during the last five years, around Rs 40-50 crore was released by the Centre but the development of world class infrastructure shall require a higher sum. We definitely need a medical college and a public university as people are forced to travel to Chandigarh and Ludhiana for the same. Good affordable education which focuses on employable skills is the need of the hour. Unless we re-direct our efforts towards understanding the needs of the economy in the next 5-10 years, we shall always struggle to generate enough employment for our youth. Youth are a vocal and significant force in our electoral system. I do not think any candidate or party can win elections unless the youth supports them. Q: This is your second term in Lok Sabha. How was the contest different this time as compared to 2019? A: Every election has its own set of challenges. Obviously, re-election campaigns are harder but even as a fresh face, one has to earn credibility and convince ones voters. In Punjab, both the party and the candidate have been factors in deciding who the voters chose in the end in 2024 (general election). Q: With a significant gain in seats for the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, and also the improved strength of the opposition, how do you see its larger impact? A: The verdict this year is for Indias democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution. Irrespective of the popularity of any politician or party, the people are supreme. It is a very healthy development and will lead to more space for peoples issues and far better accountability of the Union government. Q: Your comment on Rahul Gandhi as the Leader of Opposition? A: Rahul is the only person who has been battling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and their social media army consistently since 2014. Name one other politician who has kept the same ideological clarity as far as opposing the BJP and its policies are concerned. He never wavered from his stand of protecting constitutional values and democratic rights. The Bharat Jodo Yatra and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra are symbolic of that commitment. Therefore, I feel he is the best person to lead us as the Leader of Opposition and he will do a tremendous job of making this government accountable to peoples issues. Q: Your suggestion towards solving the problems of farmers in Punjab? A: According to me, there are two broad areas of concern economic and ecological. The economic issues can be solved if the central government brings in a law giving legal guarantee of MSP for all crops. Today, except paddy and wheat, the rest of the crops are procured below MSP. Along with the law, you need centralised procurement of other crops on the lines of paddy and wheat. Large corporate houses have got huge loan waivers since 2014 but we arent ready to give the same to our farmers? On the ecological front, we need to address the issue of decreasing water table and the impact climate change is having on crop cycles. Even Himalayan river water cannot be taken to be year round if severe climate change melts away the glaciers feeding them. A starting point is admitting that farmers are facing an economic and ecological crisis and then involving them, governments and the scientific community to devise solutions that are both effective and scalable for a country such as ours SYDNEY, July 13 (Xinhua) -- One man has died and another has been rescued after their boat capsized when crossing the Tweed River bar in far north of Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state on Saturday. At around 6:00 a.m. local time, emergency services were called to the north wall of the Tweed River, following reports of two people spotted clinging to the upturned hull of a 6.5-meter half-cabin runabout boat. NSW Police Force confirmed that one man was pulled out of the water before being rushed to a nearby hospital to be checked as a precaution. A second man was winched from the rough sea by a rescue helicopter. Paramedics attempted to revive him at Duranbah Beach, but the man was declared deceased at the scene. Police officers are currently working to formally identify the victim. It is believed that the pair launched their watercraft from Kennedy Drive Boat Ramp in Tweed Heads a short time earlier, and they were heading out across the bar when the accident occurred. Initial inquiries have suggested that neither of them was wearing a life jacket. According to the NSW government, the Tweed River originates on the slopes of the nearby Mount Burrell, and flows for approximately 80 km to the ocean at Tweed Heads. As coastal bars commonly feature shallow depths, shifting sandbanks, strong currents, and large breaking waves, the state government has made it clear to the public that crossing these bars can be very dangerous, even in apparently calm conditions. The latest forecast showed that a 1.5 to 2.5-meter swell is expected at the Tweed Heads coastal bar on Saturday. The BJP received a big jolt in Uttarakhand as it lost Badrinath and Manglaur assembly constituencies in the bypoll on Saturday. The ruling party was defeated in Badrinath by more than 5000 votes and in Manglaur by a thin margin of 422 votes. The by elections were held on July 10. The BJP candidate Rajendra Singh Bhandari lost Badrinath assembly segment in Chamoli district to Congress candidate Lakhpat Singh Butola by 5224 votes at the end of the 15 rounds of counting. Advertisement Congress candidate Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin won Manglaur assembly bypoll by a thin margin of 422 votes with 37.91 per cent vote share against 37.4 per cent votes of BJPs Kartar Singh Bhadana. Bhadana was able to reduce his trail margin sharply in the 8th and 9th round to 100 votes as Nizamuddin was leading by more than 7000 votes till seven rounds of counting. The Congress candidate got 51.93 per cent votes while the BJP nominees vote share was 42.3 per cent of the total 54228 votes recorded on July 10. BSPs Ubaidur Rehman finished third securing 23 percent votes. Badrinath assembly constituency fell vacant as the then sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Bhandari left the party during Lok Sabha polls 2024 concluded in June. He joined the BJP supporting its Lok Sabha candidate Anil Baluni. Bhandari was fielded by the BJP in the byelection as he carried command over local public. On the other hand Manglaur assembly byelection was necessitated owing to the death of former BSP MLA Sarvat Karim Ansari. Reacting to the BJPs loss, state party president Mahindra Bhatt said: Bypoll defeat will be assessed and we will make a comeback in the next election. The BJP is exposed now. People of Uttarakhand are feeling betrayed by the BJP. First they were answered by Lord Rama in Ayodhya and now Baba Badrinath has shown the doors to them, said PCC president Karan Singh Mahara. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday asserted that the Assembly bypoll results in seven states is a proof of declining credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. Out of the 13 Assembly seats spread across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu, Congress and other parties of INDIA bloc won 10 seats, BJP two and one Independent. Reacting to the Assembly bypolls results, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, in a post on X wrote, We bow before the people for the positive results of the Assembly bypolls. We salute all the Congress workers for their hard work and efforts in adverse circumstances. Advertisement This victory shows that the public has now completely rejected the arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics of the BJP.This is also a strong proof of the declining political credibility of Modi-Shah, he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, The results of the bypolls held in seven states have made it clear that the web of fear and confusion woven by the BJP has been broken. Every class including farmers, youth, laborers, businessmen and employees wants to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice. The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and to protect the Constitution, he wrote on X. Meanwhile, Congress general secretary in-charge of Organisation KC Venugopal said, Todays by-poll results stand as a resounding victory for democracy and a strong rebuke to the BJPs divisive politics. The INDIA alliance has secured an impressive 10 seats demonstrating the rejection of the BJPs anti-people, anti-youth policies, and divisive politics. Todays results are not just a political victory; they are a triumph for democracy and constitutional values. They reaffirm the peoples commitment to governance that prioritizes welfare and inclusivity over divisive tactics and power grabs, Venugopal said in a statement. With two more BRS MLAs defecting to the Congress, the number of defectors has risen to nine. While Prakash Goud the four-time MLA of Rajendranagar joined Congress yesterday late evening Arekapudi Gandhi, the MLA of Serilingampally defected today morning. Gandhi joined the Congress along with four GHMC corporators. The BRS had won almost all the seats in Hyderabad and adjoining Ranga Reddy district in the last Assembly elections but now with the defection it has started to lose ground rapidly in the urban areas as well. Most of the BRS MLAs in the city and adjoining areas were originally with the TDP and had won in 2014 on its ticket. Advertisement However, as TDPs influence waned after Nara Chandrababu Naidu chose to shift to Vijayawada following the cash for vote case its MLAs shifted to the BRS. In the last Assembly election when the BRS miserably lost in the rural areas its urban MLAs not only held ground but also bucked the trend. Significantly, both Prakash Goud and Arekapudi Gandhi went to meet Chandrababu Naidu last week when he was in Hyderabad after his massive win in AP. Incidentally, Telangana PCC president and chief minister A Revanth Reddy was also in TDP before he joined the Congress. After the defections the strength of the Congress in the state Assembly has increased to 75 from 64. It has wrested the Secunderabad Cantonment seat from the BRS in the bypoll. The BRS which had won 39 seats is down to 29. However, at least 26 MLAs will have to defect from BRS in order to effect a merger with the Congress Legislative Party (CLP). According to another turncoat MLA Danam Nagender barring three or four MLAs the rest of the BRS Legislative party will join the Congress in the next few days. He seemed to indicate apart from BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, his son KT Rama Rao and nephew T Harish Rao the rest of the MLAs will join the Congress soon. The ruling party too wants their ducks in a row before the local polls commence in rural Telangana. The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Odisha Police has arrested two Nigerians, besides a woman from New Delhi, who operated a well-knit online cybercrime network by seeking investment in saffron trade with hefty returns. This organized gang of cyber criminals was operating in the guise of investment in saffron business promising high returns. The arrested persons are Christoper Chizobam, Nnamdi Stanley Mbamalu, both Nigerian nationals and Arti Gautam from New Delhi. Arti opened bank accounts in her own name and in the names of others and shared these accounts with Christoper, who used them to transfer the fraudulently obtained money. Advertisement Christoper was involved in collection of mule accounts to facilitate the receipt of the stolen money. Nnamdi withdrew the cash from ATMs and handed it over to another Nigerian. One of the victims who was taken for a ride by the gang had moved the Cyber Crime Unit, CID by alleging that he was contacted through Facebook, then through WhatsApp and email in December, 2023 by a fraudster impersonating as a former IAS officer from the Odisha Cadre. The person claimed that he was working at the World Bank in Washington, DC. During the course of social media conversations, the fraudster impersonating as an ex-IAS officer sent an email asking the victim to get involved in a project to supply saffron to the World Bank Headquarters. He asked the victim to contact the World Bank procurement department via email to express interest in supplying the saffron for their project. The fraudster then introduced a supplier, who pretended as a Regional Manager at Organics Merchandise, a marketing agent for saffron farmers in India. They started the so-called supply business with an initial supply of 10 kg of saffron for testing and then went up to 110 kg as per the fake purchase order from the World Bank. The victim paid a total of Rs 2,65 crore through multiple transactions to various Indian bank accounts. When the fraudster demanded more money, the victim realized that he had been cheated and complained to Cyber Crime Police Station. A CB team conducted a thorough investigation and successfully apprehended Arati Gautam in New Delhi. The arrested cybercriminals are involved in a series of cyber frauds across the country. Their account numbers have been involved in around 94 cases covering 10 States across the nation. Further verification is going on in different portals to ascertain their involvement in other cases too. The Crime Branch team was supported by DCP, South West and DCP, Dwarka of Delhi Police. With the active participation of Special Teams of Delhi Police, joint raids were conducted at various places in Delhi to apprehend these hardened criminals. Subsequent clues led the team to the Nigerian Nationals Christoper Chizobam and Nnamdi Stanley Mbamai. Their involvement in other offences is being verified, the CID officials said. An economic offender, facing a lookout circular from the Bureau of Immigration (BOI), has been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing of the Odisha Police. He had allegedly deceived investors to the tune of Rs 600 crore in six states by luring them hefty returns through share market investments. The accused, Saiyyad Jiyajur Rahaman (47), a resident of Hooghly district in West Bengal, was detained by BOI at NSCBI Airport, Kolkata, on his return from Dubai. Later, the EOW took him into remand. The accused was produced before the Designated Court under the OPID Act, Cuttack, and the court subsequently forwarded him to jail custody. Advertisement Earlier, the EOW took up the case after Arun Kumar Pattanaik of Dhenkanal district lodged a complaint against Rahaman, the proprietor of the LFS Broking & PMS Services. The accused allegedly duped Patnaik and his relatives of more than Rs 20 lakh in the name of share trading and paying monthly interest of 2% on the invested amount till the final return of the capital amount. It was also alleged that he duped hundreds of investors in Odisha of the amount running in crores. Upon investigation, it was found that the arrested accused, Saiyad Jiyajur Rahaman, is the proprietor of LFS Broking and PMS services. Previously, he served as the Director of LFS Broking Private Limited, a company registered with the Registrar of Companies (ROC), Pune, Maharashtra, and authorised by SEBI. Subsequently, he established a similar-sounding entity, LFS Broking and PMS Service (portfolio management service), to operate as a broker in share trading. By befooling the general public (who were under the impression that they were depositing money in LFS Broking Pvt. Ltd.), the accused collected crores of rupees for share trading in the account of LFS Broking and PMS Service. During the investigation, it was uncovered that the accused had collected over Rs 600 crore from the public in states like Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Gujarat through the unauthorised account of LFS Broking and PMS Services in the name of share trading instead of the authorised account of M/s LFS Broking Pvt. Ltd. Additionally, to attract more investors, the accused promised to pay an additional 2% monthly interest on the invested amount. After paying some initial monthly returns of share trading and additional interest, the accused stopped making any further payments and has been absconding since July 2023. He collected around Rs 100 crore from investors in Odisha alone. With the Congress winning two out of three Assembly Constituencies (ACs) in the by-polls in the Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the poll outcome is victory of people who rejected betrayal and money power. He said this while addressing a large gathering of Congress supporters celebrating electoral victory at his official residence, Oak Over after the results were declared on Saturday. Attributing the win to the voters and the dedicated efforts of Congress party workers, he said that it is a triumph over attempts to lure the voters with money. Advertisement The people have shown dust to those who betrayed the faith of the people and it is a victory by defeating those who believe in luring people with money power. It was a victory over Dhan Bal (money power), he asserted. The voters decision has portrayed as a strong rebuke to the political of horse-trading and vote for maintain political integrity in the state. It had been long 25 years since Congress candidate won in Dehra. In Nalagarh too congress candidate secured a significant victory. The election outcome has sent a clear message to the entire country and in future no candidate of any party in Himachal Pradesh will dare to engage him or her in horse-trading for the next 50 years, said the Chief Minister. He said that attempts to destabilize the government since February 28, has been successfully thwarted and the conspiracies aimed at toppling the democratically elected government has failed. With this victory the number of Congress party MLAs in the assembly has risen to 40 again, said Sukhu. Criticizing the leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur for his repeated claims of forming BJP government in the state and the centre before Lok Sabha elections and called the BJPs Operation Lotus a biggest failure. He said that despite the clear mandate of public, Jai Ram Thakur continued misleading the people of the state by making false and exaggerated claims. The Chief Minister also condemned the deeds of three independent MLAs, and said these three have imposed the by-election on the people by conspiring to overthrow the government. Rather than supporting the opposition in the assembly, these MLAs left the state for a month and staged a protest to have their resignations accepted outside the Vidhan Sabha. The public has given a befitting reply to their obstinacy through the election results which is also a good lesson for all those who were trying to destabilize the congress government in the state, he said. He said that in the bye-polls were held in 13 ACs all over the country and the BJP has only managed two seats out of 13 and that too with thin margin which clearly indicates that the people across the country has rejected the autocracy of the BJP leaders, its ideology and policies of being in power by befooling people. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Saturday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been discharged, an official of the AIIMS said. Singh, who took over as Defence Minister last month for the second consecutive term in the third tenure of the Narendra Modi-led government, was admitted to AIIMS on Thursday. Advertisement Singh, a MP from Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow had taken over the responsibility to head the Ministry of Defence for the first time on 1st June , 2019. He had served as Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1977-1980 and 2001-2003. He was Education minister in Uttar Pradesh government in 1991-1992. Later, Singh became Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister in 2000-2002. In 2003, he served as Minister of Agriculture in the Union Cabinet. He was elected to Rajya Sabha for two terms in 1994-1999 and again for 2003-2008. In 2009 he was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha. He was inducted in the Union Cabinet in the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27th May, 2014 as the Minister of Home Affairs. Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a high-level meeting to review implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme for all-round development of border villages and to prevent migration from there. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the ambitious scheme was launched on 14th February, 2023 with an allocation of Rs 4,800 crore. The Home Minister told the meeting the government is committed to all-round development of the border villages. He said there is need to provide employment opportunities to local residents and to increase connectivity of the villages to prevent migration from there. Advertisement Mr Shah said that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Army deployed around the border villages should purchase local agricultural and handicraft products through cooperatives. Benefit of healthcare facilities of the Army and CAPFs should be regularly extended to residents of nearby villages, he said. The Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stressed upon the maximum use of solar energy and other renewable sources of energy like windmills etc. He said efforts should continue by senior ministers and officials to understand the issues of border villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme. So far, more than 6000 events have been organized in these border villages, which include about 4000 service delivery and awareness camps. More than 600 projects have been sanctioned by the government for employment generation in these villages. During the meeting, the Home Minister laid special emphasis on review at the highest level at regular intervals to dispose of pending issues. Under the Vibrant Villages Programme scheme, 136 border villages are being provided connectivity through 113 all-weather road projects at a cost of Rs 2,420 crore. These villages will get 4G connectivity by December 2024. Appropriate steps are being taken to ensure financial inclusion in all these villages and India Post-Payment Banks (IPPB) are also being facilitated there. Work is being done to develop tourist circuits to bring vibrancy to the Vibrant Villages and to promote tourism. In this endeavour, capacity building and tourism related infrastructure is being developed in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism. The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs including Home Secretary A K Bhalla; Secretary, Border Management and the Director General, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that those who deny the existence of Lord Shri Ram are now hatching conspiracies to insult and defame Ayodhya. Those who did this had rejected the invitation to consecrate Ram Lallas life. Their words carry no weight. They are just spreading confusion with the help of lies and deception, he alleged. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Dev Sai arrived in Ayodhya on Saturday morning along with his cabinet colleagues to have the darshan of Lord Ram Lalla. Advertisement During his conversation with reporters, he said that Chhattisgarh is the city of Mata Kaushalya, the maternal home of Lord Ram. Today, we have come from Lord Rams mamas state to pray for the prosperity of Chhattisgarh. We are fortunate that Lord Shri Ram spent most of his 14 years of exile in Chhattisgarh, approximately 10 years. During this time, he also ate the jootha (partly eaten) berries of Mother Shabari, the CM said. Earlier, upon arriving at the Ayodhya airport, Uttar Pradesh Food and Civil Supplies Minister Satish Sharma warmly welcomed the Chhattisgarh delegation on behalf of the state government, accompanied by DM Nitish Kumar, who presented them with bouquets. The Chhattisgarh CM and his cabinet colleagues reached a hotel located on the highway from the airport. After taking some rest, they departed for Ayodhya Dham by e-bus and other vehicles. They first visited the Ram temple, where CM Sai prostrated before Ram Lalla and offered a basket of berries dedicated to the sacred land of Mata Shabari. The Chhattisgarh CM and delegation also made offerings to Lord Ram Lalla, which included Vishnubhog rice, Kosa clothes, Kari Laddus, Anarsa, Chironji, and Sitaphal. The delegation also worshipped at the Hanumangarhi temple and performed aarti at the Saryu river. The Chhattisgarh CM and his colleagues would return back to Raipur on Saturday evening. Continuing its winning streak, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday retained the Vikravandi assembly seat in the bye-election with a huge margin of over 67,000 votes. This is the first election shortly after the Lok Sabha elections in which the DMK-led INDIA alliance has swept all the 39 seats in TN and the lone seat in neighbouring Puducherry. DMKs Anniyur Siva polled 1,24,053 votes while his nearest rival C Anbmani of the the OBC-Vanniyar dominant Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an NDA constituent, secured 56,296 votes. The Tamil nationalist Naam Tamil Katchi (NTK) nominee K Abinaya has received 10,602 votes. The principal opposition AIADMK has boycotted it on the pretext that the ruling DMK will not allow free and fair election. Advertisement DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin celebrated the victory by distributing sweets to party workers and functionaries at the DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam. With the DMKs Anniyur Siva establishing an unassailable lead of 40,000 votes by noon against his nearest PMK rival C Anbumani, celebrations erupted in Chennai and across the state with DMK workers bursting crackers. Thanking the voters, Stalin said it is a victory to be inscribed in gold in the history of the DMK. To hide their defeat, the BJP-led alliance has unleashed lies and canards against me and the DMK, touching a new low in public discourse. The people have chased away these idlers, disregarding them. Parties in the India bloc have registered victories while the BJP is facing losses in other states where bypolls were held. The BJP should learn from these defeats, the DMK chief added. Stalin further said, It is still a mystery as to why the PMK, which was steadfastly opposed to contesting by-polls as a policy of the party, has entered the fray. With the DMKs victory in Vikravandi, the trend of the ruling party winning bypolls in Tamil Nadu continues. Earlier, the Congress had won the Erode bypoll with a similar huge margin, riding on the DMKs back. As such, the opposition reaction was on expected lines. NTK chief coordinator Seeman termed the bypoll as open bidding and not as an election. As in the Erode bypoll, the NTK had secured a little over 10000 votes in Vikravandi. PMK founder S Ramadoss, in a statement maintained that, the ruling DMK had used money power and won the election. Free flow of liquor, cash and gifts was witnessed. Yet, more than 56,000 voters casting their votes for the PMK is a victory for the party. It was the PMK which has won the election. Accepting the verdict of the people, BJP State president K Annamalai, said This bypoll result will have no reflection in the 2026 assembly election. There will be change and it is certain. DMK ministers were deployed in full strength. Violations and irregularities were so common. But, despite the DMK employing its money power and official machinery at its disposal, people have voted for our alliance in large numbers. 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. (Xinhua/Deng Hua) Despite the Cold War having long ended, U.S. decision-makers are entrenched in an outdated Cold War framework, an "us versus them" mentality, to maintain its status as the sole global superpower and pursue its hegemony. by Xinhua writers Zhang Yisheng, Liu Tian MANILA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- In recent months, the Philippines, supported by Washington, has fueled tensions in the South China Sea, despite the fact that China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) and their adjacent waters. History has shown that Washington's Cold War mentality does not aid in problem-solving but instead worsens issues. Its Cold War toolkit of seeking confrontation and containment will only undermine the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. It was not the first time the Philippines had blindly followed Washington's anti-China agenda. The so-called South China Sea arbitration eight years ago, under the administration of Benigno Aquino III, was far from a genuine legal effort. Instead, it was heavily manipulated by Washington, which has persistently meddled in the region to further its own strategic interests. This arbitration, deceptively portrayed as an independent initiative by the Philippines, was in reality a meticulously orchestrated maneuver with the United States controlling the proceedings from behind the scenes. People holding placards are pictured during a protest rally against the Philippines-U.S. joint military drills in front of the gate of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters in Quezon City, the Philippines, April 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali) As a non-regional country and a non-party to the South China Sea issue, the United States has displayed elements of Cold War thinking through a series of disruptive actions in the region. In recent years, it has spared no effort to draw in all possible allies to contain China. One example is setting up targets and fabricating threats based on its own strategic and security needs. In the South China Sea, the United States has consistently portrayed China's legitimate actions within its sovereign territory as a threat to regional stability and even to the international community and has fabricated so-called threats to "freedom of navigation" where none existed. In 2009, the U.S. government launched the Asia-Pacific rebalancing strategy, which escalated tensions. Furthermore, a deep involvement in the South China Sea has become essential to the country's so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy." In April of this year, the Philippines and the United States conducted a 19-day "shoulder to shoulder" joint military exercise in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. This exercise involved over 16,700 military personnel, including 5,000 Filipinos and 11,000 U.S. personnel, making it the largest iteration of the Philippines-U.S. joint drills conducted in decades. More alarmingly, the U.S. Army also deployed its new Typhon mid-range ground-based missile launcher to the Philippines in April. This marked the first deployment of such a missile system by the United States following its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019. The deployment of such advanced weaponry on foreign soil underscores a broader pattern of American militarism, one that prioritizes strategic dominance over peaceful coexistence. Despite the Cold War having long ended, U.S. decision-makers are entrenched in an outdated Cold War framework, an "us versus them" mentality, to maintain its status as the sole global superpower and pursue its hegemony. The Philippines must not become a pawn in a dangerous U.S. game to undermine regional security. Three criminals including two shooters, allegedly involved in a shootout at a West Delhi restaurant last month, were killed during an exchange of fire between them and teams of Delhi Police and Haryana Police, an official said on Saturday. It was on Friday that a credible information was received that both the absconding shooters, identified as Ashish and Vicky will be going to Kharkhoda (Haryana) along with another associate in a mid size SUV to execute some heinous crime. Immediately, the Delhi Police Crime Branch team swung into action and simultaneously, shared the intel with the Deputy Superintendent and one more police officer of the STF, Sonipat, Haryana Police. Advertisement Accordingly, a joint team of the Delhi and Haryana police was formed to trace the accused persons. The joint team intercepted the suspected vehicle on Rohtak-Chinauli road at around 2040 hours on Friday, and upon sensing police presence, the suspects tried to flee. However, their vehicle got stuck in the farm, as they wanted to evade the police, taking an off- road trail. According to police, upon being stuck, the accused persons started firing indiscriminately upon the police party from inside the vehicle and also as they stepped out. They were warned, and asked to stop firing, and to surrender, but they did not budge to police warning and continued shooting, and a bullet hit a police sub-inspector, while other rounds also hit bullet proof jackets of DCP, Crime Branch, Amit Goel, and ACP Umesh Barthwal. In self defense and in order to apprehend the criminals, the police party also returned fire, where in the alleged accused persons got injured. According to the police, a total of 43 rounds were fired during the exchange-of-fire, including 24 fired by the assailants and 19 by the police teams. The Sonipat Control Room was soon informed about the incident and ambulances were immediately called to rush the injured to a hospital. Unfortunately, the injured, who were rushed to the hospital, were declared brought dead. Forensic Science Laboratory Team (FSL) and experts were called at the spot by local police, while legal action under appropriate sections of law was underway by Police Station Kharkhoda, Sonipat. Following the shootout, five automatic pistols were recovered from the shooters. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has said that its Crime Branch has been continuously working on Himanshu Bhau and his associates to curb their continuous unlawful activity in Delhi NCR region. Accordingly, a team of the CBs New Delhi Range, RK Puram had been persistently working to break the nexus and catch the shooters, and following the eating joint shootout, it was on ground for more than three weeks to develop information on the shooters, identified as Ashish Lalu and Vicky. The recent Supreme Court verdict allowing Muslim women to seek alimony from their husbands under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC) and the Muslim Women (Protection on Divorce Act) 1986 marks a transformative moment in the fight for womens rights in India. This decision not only promises financial stability for divorced Muslim women but also reinforces the constitutional principles of gender equality and secularism. However, its true impact will depend heavily on enforcement and societal attitudes. Historically, Muslim women in India have faced significant legal and societal challenges. The struggle for their rights gained notable attention in 1985 with the Shah Bano case, where the Supreme Court ordered maintenance for a divorced Muslim woman. The backlash from conservative factions led to the enactment of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which many criticised for undermining the rights of Muslim women by limiting their access to maintenance. The recent Supreme Court ruling corrects this historical wrong by unequivocally stating that Section 125 of the Cr. PC applies to all women, irrespective of religion. This is a crucial affirmation of secular laws that transcend personal religious codes, ensuring that all women receive equal protection under the law. By doing so, the court has prioritised the constitutional rights of women over religious considerations, setting a precedent for future cases. This decision also reflects the growing awareness and activism among Muslim women in India. In recent years, Muslim women have been at the forefront of significant movements, from protesting against triple talaq to participating in nationwide protests like those at Shaheen Bagh. These movements highlight their determination to fight for their rights and demand equality. Advertisement The Supreme Courts judgement is recognition of their efforts and struggles, providing them with further courage to continue their fight. However, the judgment alone is not enough. Effective enforcement of this ruling is essential to ensure that Muslim women can claim their rightful maintenance without facing harassment or exploitation from their families or ex-husbands. It is imperative to create mechanisms that protect women from such abuses and provide them with the support they need to navigate the legal process. Moreover, there is a pressing need to address the societal stigma associated with divorced women in a patriarchal society. Despite gaining financial security through alimony, divorced women are often harshly judged and are labelled as opportunistic or gold-diggers. Recognising the unpaid labour of homemakers and valuing their contributions is a step in the right direction. The Supreme Courts acknowledgment of the labour performed by women, often unpaid and unrecognised, is significant. Womens work within the home ~ cooking, cleaning, caring for children and elderly family members ~ sustains families and supports the economy. By granting women the right to demand alimony, the court has recognised this labours value and the sacrifices made by homemakers. This ruling vindicates the struggles of women like Shah Bano and reinforces the importance of continuing the fight for gender equality The 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival will start its 11-day motion and magic on 28 August with Tim Burtons Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Known for his fantastically gothic horror movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Dark Shadows among others, he has assembled a luminous star cast of Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Monica Bellucci for his latest outing, which would play in Venices Out of Competition slot. The films plot sounds riveting. Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River in America. They have just been shaken by a family tragedy. But its troubles are far from over. Lydias life goes into a tailspin after her daughter, Astrid, finds the mysterious model of their town in the attic which opens the portal to Afterlife! Soon, another member of the family says Beetlejuice thrice, that provokes a demon to unleash its own brand of mayhem. Burton helms this movie from a screenplay by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Wednesday), story by Gough & Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith (The LEGO Batman Movie), based on the characters created by Michael McDowell & Larry Wilson. Advertisement In a note, the Festival chief, Alberto Barbera, said: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice marks the long-awaited return of one of the most iconic characters of Tim Burtons cinema, but also the happy confirmation of the extraordinary visionary talent and the masterly realisation of one of the most fascinating auteurs of his time. The Venice Biennale is honoured and proud to host the world premiere of a work that features a surprising swing of creative imagination and driving hallucinatory rhythm. Tim had earlier been bestowed with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement (2017), and has been a Venice regular. Two of his works, Spotlight and Birdman, were huge hits on the Lido the island where the Festival takes place and which is just across the lagoon from Venice mainland. His The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride had also been part of the Venice selections. Interestingly, Venice, which is the oldest festival having opened in 1932 as a Fascist propaganda platform, even predating Cannes by more than a decade, has often been seen as a springboard for the Oscars. Both Spotlight and Birdman clinched the Best Picture Academy Award. Come 23 July, Barbera will announce the full list of Venice 2024 titles in Rome. The writer, a senior movie critic and author, has covered the Venice Film Festival for over 20 years One seat, a surfeit of contenders and internecine skirmishes for supremacysuch is the volatile concoction that is Mirzapur. Unrestrained savagery and copious amounts of gore intermingle with a mercurial plot, ensuring that this series is an unrelenting symmetry of chaos and intrigue. The third season of Mirzapur kicks off with Munna Tripathis (played by Divyendu in earlier seasons) cremation, where his bereaved widow, Madhuri (Isha Talwar), now ascended to the position of chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, solemnly vows to eradicate terror through a stringent zero-tolerance policy. The narrative then transitions to a courtroom setting, depicting the criminal trial of Ramakant Pandit (Rajesh Tailang), who stands accused of the homicide of SSP Maurya (Amit Sial). Despite the grave charges, the erstwhile advocate adamantly declines to mount a defence, even on the justifiable grounds of grave provocation. He even refuses to accept any assistance from his son, Guddu Pandit (Ali Fazal), now the King of Mirzapur. Ramakants conscience and overwhelming sense of self-guilt, however, come back to bite him in the proverbial posterior. While languishing in prison, he gains a newfound appreciation for Darwins theory, realising all too vividly the brutal reality of survival of the fittest. With Munna Bhaiya and Bauji (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) meeting their untimely demise, and Kaleen Bhaiya (Pankaj Tripathi) conspicuously absent, the Tripathis have been unceremoniously ousted from the throne of Mirzapur. Guddu, now the reigning potentate of Mirzapur, however, struggles to assert dominion over Purvanchal. His contemporaries remain sceptical, doubting his capacity to deftly juggle the dichotomy of bullets and business. Guddu finds an astute ally in the incisive Golu Gupta (Shweta Tripathi), who deftly orchestrates business affairs and liaises with their essential contacts. Despite occasionally being hampered by the capricious whims of his hormonal fervour, Guddu rises to the challenge, proving himself a formidable player in this ruthless game. Advertisement Their most formidable adversary is Sharad Shukla (Anjum Sharma), who has Kaleen Bhaiya under his custody, nursing him back to health. Sharad harbours ambitions of claiming the throne of Mirzapur, driven by a fervent desire to avenge his father Ratishankar Shuklas death at the hands of Guddu Pandit in the first season. As the plot thickens, it becomes evident that Sharad has garnered the allegiance of other bahubalis (warlords) to secure his ascent to power. Even Madhuri contemplates throwing her support behind him. Sharad Shuklas Machiavellian political manoeuvres are both intellectually and physically compelling, an attestation to the actors commendable performance. Meanwhile, Talwars portrayal of Madhuri is impeccable, embodying a poised, soft-spoken demeanour that belies her unforgiving nature. The character of Golu Gupta, despite Shweta Tripathis valiant efforts to infuse life and depth into the role, deserved a more nuanced and substantial script. Ali Fazal once again delivers a masterclass in acting; his portrayal of Guddu is not only brawny but also exhibits a newfound cerebral acumen. However, the Siwan subplot, spearheaded by Bharat/Shatrughan Tyagi (Vijay Varma) and little by his father Dadda, continues to feel like an extraneous excursus. Despite the writers strenuous efforts to weave it into the main narrative, Tyagis storyline and its accompanying twists appear superfluous, ultimately contributing little to the overarching plot until the very end. Lala, currently residing in the less-than-luxurious accommodations of the local jail, finds himself contemplating a return to his nefarious enterprises. His time behind bars seems less a deterrent and more a strategic retreat, giving him ample opportunity to plot his resurgence in the criminal underworld. Meanwhile, his daughter, Shabnam, emerges as a significant character this season, her actions reverberating throughout the show like ripples in a pond of cogency. Manu Rishis portrayal of IG Dubey is nothing short of magnificent. Rishi imbues the character with a perfect blend of gravitas and cunning, making IG Dubey a force to be reckoned with. Amidst this tumult, Rasika Dugal, portraying Beena Tripathi, delivers a stellar performance as a woman ensnared in the perilous chess game of power and survival. With remarkable finesse, she ensures that both she and her son remain unscathed amid the relentless machinations and treachery surrounding them. Her portrayal brilliantly captures the essence of a cunning strategist, deftly navigating the labyrinthine dynamics of her volatile world. This season diverges from its predecessors by eschewing the one-man show format. While Munna Bhaiyas absence is palpable, the intricate dance of political machinations comes to the forefront, significantly enriching the narrative. Each character is afforded the spotlight to play their distinct role, ensuring that the weight of the show does not rest on a single pair of shoulders. The violence, though unpredictable, remains grounded within the storylines context. Pankaj Tripathis portrayal is a masterclass, highlighting Mirzapurs dependency on his character and making it unequivocally clear that his retirement is simply out of the question. Although J.P. Yadav (Pramod Pathak) has a more subdued presence this season, his potential for a more pronounced return in future episodes looms large. And yes, viewers should stay tuned for the post-credits scene, a suggestive hint that another season is undoubtedly on the horizon. With 12 new fatalities confirmed, Israel has recorded 31 deaths from West Nile fever since an outbreak in the country in early May, health authorities said. The Health Ministry on Friday, in a statement, reported 49 new infection cases, bringing the countrys total to 405, close to the annual record high of 425 cases in the year 2000, Xinhua news agency reported. The Ministry attributed the high morbidity to warmer and more humid weather in the region, which is favourable to mosquitoes, a host that transmits the virus from birds through bites to humans. Advertisement The Israeli news website Ynet reported that most of the infected are elderly, aged 70 years and above, while children were also diagnosed with the virus. Most human infections show no to mild cold symptoms, but occasionally, some people develop severe illnesses affecting the central nervous system. Earlier this week, Israels chief veterinary officer, Tamir Goshen, told the news website that 159 birds were found infected with the virus in the last two months, compared to only three infections among birds in 2023. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The search and rescue operation for victims of the landslides and flash floods in the mining areas of Bone Bolango regency in Indonesia's Gorontalo province concluded on Saturday, a senior rescuer said. Head of the provincial search and rescue office, Heriyanto, told Xinhua that the operation resulted in 27 confirmed deaths, while 15 people remained missing. "We stopped the search operation today. We have found 27 bodies. Fifteen others are still missing," Heriyanto said. As many as 283 people managed to survive the natural disaster that struck the mining camps and swept them away a week ago, he added. More than 400 personnel, including soldiers, policemen, local rescue office staff, and members of the local disaster agency, participated in the search and rescue operation, according to Bagus Asrama, head of the operational unit of the provincial search and rescue office. The cessation of the search operation adheres to standard procedures, which mandate a seven-day duration for search and rescue efforts, after which a decision is made on whether to extend the operation. The Competition Commission of India, the country's antitrust regulator, has revealed that Apple has been engaged in "abusive conduct and practises" by exploiting its "significant influence" in the market and forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app payment system on the iOS platform and App Store. The development was revealed by Reuters, which cited a confidential 142-page report. In the June 24 report, the CCI's investigation team said Apple was not allowing third-party payment processors to conduct in-app purchases and in most cases the apps are not allowed to include any external links that direct customers to other purchasing mechanisms, which is in violation of the country's competition laws. The Cupertino giant, which has been under the competition regulator's radar since 2021, has denied violating any law and said it is an insignificant player in India with just 0-5 per cent share when compared to Google's Android, which commands 90-100 per cent of the market. It added that the in-app payment system keeps the App Store safe. The CCI report stated, "App developers are forced to partner with App Store and have to adhere to the company's unfair terms, including the mandatory use of Apple's billing and payment system. From the perspective of app developers, Apple iOS ecosystem is indispensable," it added. The report by the panel's investigation unit will be reviewed by senior CCI officials, following which Apple can be expected to argue against the findings in the report. Later, the CCI will take a final decision on whether the iPhone maker should change their practices. If found flouting rules, Apple could be levied a fine as well. This is not the first time that the iPhone maker has come under antitrust lens globally. Last month, antitrust counterparts in the European Union accused the US company of violating tech rules. Apple is also under scanner over levying fees from app developers. The Opposition parties have won or were leading in 10 out of the 13 assembly seats which went for bypolls on July 10. The BJP which contested 12 seats could manage to win only two. The Congress and the Trinamool Congress have won or were leading in four seats each, while the DMK and the AAP in one each. This has come as a big morale booster for the Opposition parties which have returned energised after the Lok Sabha polls. These were the first elections, spread over seven states, to be held after the Lok Sabha polls. The big wins for the Congress came from hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where the party won two seats each. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhus wife, Kamlesh won from Dehra seat, while Hardeep Singh Bawa from Nalagarh. BJP won the Hamirpur seat as its candidate Ashish Sharma won here. Sharma had won the last elections as an independent here. Former Union minister and MP Anurag Thakur had camped here for days to get Sharma elected as the assembly seat fell in his Lok Sabha constituency. The second seat won by the BJP was from Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress turncoat MLA, Kamlesh Pratap Shah, won it on the BJP symbol. He won the poll, defeating the Congress candidate by over 3,000 votes. With these poll results, coupled with the bypolls held along with the Lok Sabha elections, Sukhus position has become stronger and his government safe as he had faced rebellion after several of his MLAs had turned against him and resigned. The BJPs loss from Badrinath seat in Uttarakhand may have come as a big disappointment for the ruling party. Here Congresss Lakpat Singh Butola won the polls defeating BJPs Rajendra Singh Bhandari, who was earlier a Congress MLA but switched side and resigned from the seat. The fact that the turncoat and former MLA could not win from the seat, which is known for its eponymous temple, one of the jyortirlings in the country, would be embarrassing for the BJP. The ruling party had lost the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat which includes Ayodhya, in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, causing consternation in the party. The Opposition parties will remind the BJP that its Hindutva agenda has limited appeal in the very religious centres which are central to its politics. The Congress was leading in the Manglaur seat where its candidate, Qazi Mohd Nizaamuddin was narrowly leading over BJPs Kartar Singh Bhadana. The seat had gone to bypoll after the death of the BSP MLA. The minority dominated seat had always elected a Muslim candidate. The BJP had fielded an OBC candidate, aiming for polarisation. State CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had campaigned extensively for both party candidates. Uttarakhand is not the only state where electorate shunned the ruling party candidates. In Bihar, an Independent won from the Rupauli seat defeating the JD(U) and RJD candidates. In other states, the ruling parties and the chief ministers heaved a sigh of relief with the results. In West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress won three seats, defeating the BJP candidates and was leading on one. It comes as a shot in the arm for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee whose party won most of the seats in the Lok Sabha. In Himachal Pradesh, Sukhu has emerged stronger with a string of victories in the bypolls. In neighbouring Punjab, the AAP candidate won the polls. The bypoll was necessitated as sitting AAP MLA Sheetal Angural switched sides to join the BJP. Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann had made the bypolls his prestige battle as he had even rented a house here during the campaign. The AAP had lost the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 elections. So, Mann desperately wanted a victory in the region dominated by dalits. Angural lost the polls by over 37,000 votes. In Tamil Nadu, the ruling DMK candidate, Anniyur Siva was leading over the nearest PMK candidate by over 67,000 votes. The results are likely to resonate in the upcoming parliament session as the Opposition parties will remind the ruling BJP that it could not win even in the by-polls. Saddening Gujarat's Sabarkantha district, four children have died while two others are undergoing treatment for suspected infection of Chandipura virus (CHPV). According to reports, Sabarkantha Chief District Health Officer Raj Sutariya said that blood samples of all six children have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for confirmation and their results are awaited. The two ill kids, hailing from Rajasthan, are being treated at the civil hospital at Himmatnagar in the district. Of the four children who have died so far, one was from the Sabarkantha district and two were from the Aravalli district, reported news agency PTI. The fourth child hailed from Rajasthan. Chandipura virus, transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies, causes fever, with symptoms similar to the flu. The disease also leads to acute encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. The pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae. The authorities in Rajasthan have been informed about the death of the child due to the suspected viral infection, Sutariya said. To curb the infection, the district authorities have deployed teams to conduct preventive measures, including dusting to kill sandflies in affected areas, officials said. CHPV has been contributing to the rising number of premature deaths due to acute encephalitis syndrome for over a decade in India, a medical journal released in 2017 has said. Although the virus closely resembles with the prototype vesiculovirus, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus, it could be readily distinguished by its ability to infect humans. "CHPV upon entering the neurons triggers cellular stress factors and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The stress granules produced in response to cellular stress have been implicated in viral replication and ROS generation, which stimulates neuronal death. Both these phenomena cohesively explain the neuropathogenesis and neurodegeneration following CHPV infection," an article published on PubMed said. Popular YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has been booked by the cyber wing of Maharashtra Police after one of his parody accounts allegedly posted fake messages on X about Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birlas daughter Anjali Birla. Rathee was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections for defamation, intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, and statement leading to mischief, as well as the IT Act. The post on X handle @dhruvrahtee had claimed that Anjali had cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam without appearing for it. "India is the only country where you can clear UPSC without sitting in the examination. But for that, you have to be born as a daughter of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Om Birla's daughter Anjali Birla cleared UPSC without giving any examination, she is a model by profession. Modi govt is making a mockery of our education system, the message read. The bio of the handle, however, admits that its a parody account and not affiliated with the original account of Dhruv Rathee. When pointed out this, a police officer said they were investigating the matter, reported PTI. Meanwhile, the same handle in another post on Saturday tendered an apology for the message and said it has already deleted the previous post. As directed by @MahaCyber1, I have deleted all my posts and comments on Anjali Birla, I will like to apologize as I was unaware about the facts and copied someone else' tweets and shared it, it said. A CPI (M) leader who was critically injured in an attack in South Tripura's Rajnagar area died while undergoing treatment at a hospital on Saturday, police said. The deceased was identified as Badal Shill, who was in the fray for the communist party for the upcoming local body polls in the northeast stae. Shill was attacked by a group of men with a 'dao' or machete, sticks and other weapons at Rajnagar market, his family alleged. He breathed his last at the state-run GB Pant Hospital in Agartala. The CPI(M) alleged that Badal Shill, a zilla parishad candidate in the panchayat polls, was murdered by goons of Tripura's ruling BJP. The opposition party has called a 12-hour statewide bandh on Sunday protesting the murder, news agency PTI said. Left Front convenor Narayan Kar clarified that the statewide bandh would begin at 6 am, and continue till 6 pm. South Tripura Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Sinha reportedly told PTI that the victim was attacked by a group of people on Friday evening. However, the perpetrators are yet to be identified, he added. "Police visited the spot immediately after coming to know about the incident. The victim was not in a condition to tell the police anything. However, we lodged a suo motu case. An investigation is underway," he said. CPI(M) state secretary Jitendra Chaudhury, who is also the leader of the opposition in the assembly, said Shill had received severe head injuries in the attack. Panchayat elections will be held in the state on August 8, and the votes will be counted on August 10. In another setback for the probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar, who is in the midst of a controversy over alleged misuse of power and privileges, an FIR has been registered against her parents, Dilip Khedkar and Manorama Khedkar. According to media reports, the FIR has been registered following a complaint filed against the parents of Puja Khedkar and five others by a farmer who claimed that he was threatened by Manorama with a gun. "The FIR has been filed under sections 323, 504, 506 of IPC. Charges under the Arms Act have also been included," news agency ANI quoted Manoj Yadav, senior police inspector, Paud Police Station in Pune, as saying. READ MORE: Did Puja Khedkar's mother wave a gun at farmers? Video goes viral as trouble mounts for trainee IAS officer Recently, a video showing Manorama brandishing a gun and threatening a group of people had gone viral. The incident involved a parcel of land bought in Dhadwali village in Pune's Mulshi tehsil by Puja Khedkar's father, a retired Maharashtra government officer. According to the locals, the land of neighbouring farmers was encroached by Khedkars. The two-minute viral video showed Manorama Khedkar, accompanied by her security guards, engaged in a heated argument with a group of people. She was seen yelling at a man with a gun in her hand. ALSO READ: Trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar may be terminated if found guilty; Centres probe begins A farmer, identified as Kuldeep Pasalkar, claimed Manorama Khedkar was forcefully trying to usurp his land. "She has been threatening other farmers as well. She visited my plot along with some security guards and started threatening us while holding a firearm in her hand," Pasalkar alleged. The Pune Rural Police had, on Friday, said the investigation would show if she possessed the license for the gun. "We have taken cognisance of the video that is circulating on social media platforms. Once facts are ascertained, we will start a probe. We will investigate if Manorama Khedkar has a license for the firearm," a senior Pune Rural police official was quoted as saying by PTI. The son of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das allegedly assaulted a state government employee, who has been on deputation at Raj Bhavan. According to a Hindustan Times report, the incident happened during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu to the state last week. According to the complaint filed by Baikunthanath Pradhan to the secretary to governor Saswat Mishra, Lalit Das, and five others attacked him on the night of July 7. According to the complaint, security personnel were witnesses to the incident. Pradhan said he was slapped, punched and kicked by the accused. According to news agency PTI, the wife the Raj Bhavan employee claimed that her husband was beaten up because he did not send a luxury vehicle to pick up the governor's son. She demanded legal action on the alleged attack on her husband. However, there is no confirmation from Raj Bhavan or the police regarding the incident. However, an aide of the governor claimed that the entire complaint was a conspiracy, and there have been complaints regarding the employee in the past. According to the aide, the matter is between the cook of Raj Bhavan and the employee and the governor's son has nothing to do with the incident. With less than 100 days to go for the Haryana assembly elections, the BJP is relying on caste factor to deal with the challenge as the recent Lok Sabha elections threw up a nasty surprise for the ruling party. The BJP will be contesting polls with incumbent Nayab Singh Saini as the CM face. Saini belongs to the OBC category, while the state party president appointed early this week, Mohan Lal Badoli, is a Brahmin. The state in-charge of party affairs Satish Poonia is a Jaat leader, while a co-in-charge Surender Singh Nagar is a Gurjar, another influential OBC caste in the state. The party had earlier sent its first chief minister, Manohar Lal Khhatar, a Punjabi, to the union cabinet as housing and urban affairs minister. The BJP had lost five out of the 10 parliamentary seats to the Congress. This was a setback to the party as it had won all the seats in 2014 and 2019. As Haryana will go to polls with Maharashtra, another state where the BJP alliance suffered a setback, the stakes are higher for this round of assembly polls as these would again be pinned as referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. The emphasis on social engineering is aimed at consolidating the non-Jaat voters in the state. The landed community, Jaats, had turned to Congress during the last Lok Sabha polls, and the community based party, JJP, in the previous polls. Furthering this non-Jaat votes calculus, Home Minister Amit Shah will be in Haryana to address an OBC rally later this week. This will be his second visit to the state within less than a month overseeing the poll preparations after the party suffered loss in the parliamentary polls. During his previous visit, Shah had declared Saini as the CM candidate. The OBCs constitute nearly 30 per cent of the state politics. The state government had announced last month an increase in reservation from 15 per cent to 27 per cent in government jobs, also revising the creamy layer limit from six lakh to eight lakh. The BJP had won the 2014 polls with the help of non-Jaat voters after which a Punjabi chief minister, Manohar Lal Khattar was installed. Considered close to Prime Minister, Khattar had a successful run till the party saw reverse consolidation in favour of the opponents. Will this policy of consolidating non-jaat voters pay off? Not to be seen as a party ignoring the Jaat leaders, it recently inducted Congress leaders Kiran Chaudhary and her daughter Shruti, a former MP, to the party fold. They are family members of former CM Bansi Lal. With their induction, the party leaders gloated that all the Lals were now in the party. The family members of Devi Lal, Bhajan Lal, Bansi Lalall formidable leaders and former CMs of the stateare now in the BJP. The Congress, on the other side, is relying on the Jaats, dalits, Muslims, and other castes for return to power. The land owing class, Jaats, were an active participants in the farmers agitation which played a key role in turning sentiment against the BJP. Also fighting for the 25 per cent Jaat-voters bank is Dushyant Chautala-led JJP, which has aligned with the BSP in the state. Chautalas estranged uncles form a separate political party, INLD. The Aam Aadmi Party will also be contesting the elections. With political activity set to pick up ahead of the polls, the state neighbouring national capital will again be hogging the limelight. There have been reports that farmers unions may again launch a fresh agitation, which will make the assembly polls much more polarising. Tech mogul Elon Musk has donated a "sizeable" amount to America PAC working for Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign against US President Joe Biden. Interestingly, the campaign season saw the X chairperson increasingly targeting Biden on his social networking platform over his health concerns and political issues. Musk had earlier maintained that he would not donate money to either of the presidential candidates. He is yet to publicly endorse a candidate for the 2024 presidential polls. In April, Musk posted on X that Biden "barely knows what's going on" and is just "a tragic front" for a far left political machine. Meanwhile, the Tesla CEO defended Trump, calling him a victim of media bias. When he bought Twitter in 2022, one of his first major moves was to restore Trump's X account. Biden obviously barely knows whats going on. He is just a tragic front for a far left political machine. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 3, 2024 In February, Musk posted on X, slamming Biden's immigration policies. "Bidens strategy is very simple: 1. Get as many illegals in the country as possible. 2. Legalize them to create a permanent majority a one-party state. That is why they are encouraging so much illegal immigration. Simple, yet effective." Bidens strategy is very simple: 1. Get as many illegals in the country as possible. 2. Legalize them to create a permanent majority a one-party state. That is why they are encouraging so much illegal immigration. Simple, yet effective. pic.twitter.com/B9M5ypUOQB Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 3, 2024 Musk's latest donation to Trump's campaign shows how his political stance gradually tilted to the right since the previous Presidential elections. In 2022, the SpaceX CEO said he was a centrist and a "reluctant Democrat" who voted for Biden hesitantly in 2020. Since then, Musk did not donate money to any of the national campaigns until now to the America PAC, which backs Trump. This marks a significant departure from Musk and Trump's not-so-friendly past. He has also supported right-wing politicians across the globe like Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and Argentina's Javier Milei. Trump has receieved funds from other corporate donors amid fading popularity of Biden who has been urged by many Democrats to drop from the race. ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The counter-terrorism department (CTD) of police has arrested two terrorists in an operation in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Friday, the CTD said in a statement. The terrorists belonged to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were wanted by police because of their involvement in funding terrorist activities, the statement added. The arrested terrorists were in contact with the TTP leadership and were operating through social media to collect funds for the terror outfit. The terrorists had recently come back to Karachi after funding a terrorist incident and for collecting funds for their next mission. Police also recovered funds and arms from the terrorists. At least 71 people were killed in an Israeli attack that targeted the Hamas military chief in the southern city of Khan Younis on Saturday. According to the health ministry, around 280 people were injured in the attack. Israeli officials confirmed that the target of the attack was Mohammed Deif, head of the Hamas' military wing. According to sources, Rafa Salama, another top Hamas official was also targeted in the strike. However, it is unknown if the two targets were killed. Those injured were taken to the nearby Nasser Hospital. It is still unclear if the strike took place in the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone, Muwasi, where hundreds of displaced Palestinians are sheltered in makeshift tents amid the intensified attacks. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 38,000 people in Gaza have been killed and more than 88,000 have been injured so far in the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Israeli leader will hold security talks throughout the day after the latest Israeli strike. Who is Mohammed Deif? Deif, the head of the Hamas' military wing the al-Qassam Brigades, is believed to be one of the masterminds behind the October 7 Hamas attack. He is known to the Palestinians as The Mastermind. He was imprisoned by Israeli authorities in 1989, after which he formed the al-Qassam Brigades with the aim of capturing Israeli soldiers. The tunnels that allowed Hamas personnel to access Israel from Gaza is believed to be Deif's idea. Deif is one of Israel's most-wanted men. He is accused of planning and supervising bus bombings which killed tens of Israelis in 1996. He was imprisoned in 2000 by Israel, but he escaped at the beginning of the second Palestinian uprising. Since then no one is sure of his whereabouts. He had also escaped several assassination attempts as well. In 2002, a serious assassination attempt on his life was survived by him. The Israeli authorities had killed his wife and two children in the 2014 assault. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday downplayed United States President Joe Bidens Putin mix-up at the NATO summit in Washington. Biden had accidentally referred to him as Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy referred to Biden's accident as a mistake. "It's a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," Zelenskyy told reporters on Saturday at Ireland's Shannon airport where he was meeting Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris. During the NATO Summit, Biden had confused Zelenskyy with President Putin while inviting the Ukrainian president to speak. "And now I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen- President Putin," said Biden. Later realising the mistake, Biden said "He's gonna beat President Putin, President Zelenskyy." Slips of the tongue and stuttering are not something new to 81-year-old Biden. However, with running for the US presidential elections 2024, and the immense concern among even the Democrats regarding his state of mental health, this Putin mix-up had caused some serious damage. During a solo press conference, Biden made a similar mistake by replacing the last name of Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Donald Trump. "I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she wasn't qualified to be president," Biden said. Meanwhile, many world leaders brushed off Bidens so-called slip of the tongue. Defending Biden, French President Emmanual Macron said "Everyone makes slips of the tongue- it could happen to me tomorrow," he said. While having a conversation with Biden, Macron said he saw an experienced president, whose attachment to Europe is exemplary. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz commented on the incident saying "Slips of tongue happen, and if you always monitor everyone, you will find enough of them...But this doesn't change a single thing of what the US president stated very clearly in his speech." A Pakistani court on Saturday acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the illegal marriage case. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leader, who has been jailed since August last year, was behind bars for only this case after the acquittal in cipher case and suspension of the Toshakhana corruption case. However, it is unclear whether he would be released from jail. While acquitting him, the judge had said that if the couple were not wanted in any other case, then they should be released from prison immediately. Soon after the acquittal in the case, the anti-terrorism court in Lahore approved the request to arrest Khan in three cases related to the May 9 riots following his arrest in the alleged corruption case. PTI had termed the recent arrest as a gimmick. Based on a complaint filed by Bushra Bibi's former husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, an Islamabad court convicted the couple on February 3. Khawar alleged that they contracted marriage during the Bibis waiting Iddat period. In Islam, a woman cannot remarry before completing four months after the divorce or death of her husband. However, the couple had challenged the sentence in a district and session court. Khan was behind bars after he was sentenced in the Toshakhana corruption case in August last year. Khan and Bibi got married in 2018, the year Khan went on to win elections and become prime minister. Bibi is the third wife of Khan. Welcoming the verdict, PTI chief Gohar Khan said it was a victory for the independent judiciary. All these cases were fake and he will also get justice in all other cases, he said. He also sought the immediate release of the leader as it was the only case keeping the former PM in jail. Viewed of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The IDF carried out a targeted strike on Shabbos morning to eliminate the head of Hamass military wing Muhammad Dief and Rafah Salameh, the commander of Hamas Khan Younis Brigade, two of the main architects of the October 7th massacre. The strike, which was reportedly carried out with bunker-buster bombs, targeted a building between Khan Younis and al-Mawasi. Security officials believe that the strike was successful and the two were eliminated but as of Motzei Shabbos, there has been no official confirmation. About 70 other terrorists in the building were also killed in the strike, including Deif and Salamehs bodyguards. According to Arab media reports, Dr. Osama Nafal, a Hamas official who served a senior role in Hamas Economy Ministry, was also killed in the strike. In a joint IDF and Shin Bet activity based on precise intelligence, the IDFs Southern Command and the Shin Bet carried out a strike in an area where two senior Hamas terrorists and additional terrorists hid among civilians, the IDF and Shin Bet stated on Motzei Shabbos. The location of the strike was an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings, and sheds. This is a photo of the compound where the senior terrorists and additional terrorists hid before and after the strike: Non-Israeli media reports claimed that the IDF carried out a strike in a humanitarian zone but the IDF denied the claims. They were in a fenced terrorist compound, not in the nearby displaced persons tent compound, the IDF stated. The IDF also said that the strike was carried out based on reliable and precise intelligence on the presence of the senior Hamas leaders in the building and after it was confirmed that no Israeli hostages were being held there. Even before October 7th, Deif had been on Israels most-wanted list for over 25 years for his role as the mastermind behind many deadly terror attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, including bus bombings. During Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021, Israel twice attempted to eliminate Dief but he narrowly escaped with his life both times. Previously, Israel tried to eliminate him during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, and in 2006, 2002, and 2001. Deif lost an eye in one attempt and was seriously injured in the 2006 attempt. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held a press briefing on Motzei Shabbos and stressed that it has not yet been confirmed that the elimination was successful but I promise you that the IDF will reach every Hamas leader, one way or the other. Muhammad Dief is an arch-murderer, the chief of staff of Hamas, No. 2 in the chain of command, Netanyahu said. He is the architect and leader of the October 7 massacre and many other terror attacks. His hands are covered in the blood of many Israelis. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel) China ready to build community with shared future in new era with Vanuatu: Xi Xinhua) 09:12, July 13, 2024 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai in Beijing, and expressed China's readiness to work with the Pacific island country to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. Noting that Vanuatu is a good friend and partner of China in the Pacific island region, Xi said China and Vanuatu have firmly supported each other on issues concerning core interests since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago. Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu relations and stands ready to work with Vanuatu to deepen high-level political mutual trust, promote the high-quality building of the Belt and Road, and enhance the all-weather and all-round friendly cooperation to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. China hopes to exchange state governance experience with Vanuatu, share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization, and enhance the synergy of development strategies, Xi said. China is ready to deepen practical cooperation with Vanuatu in infrastructure, economy, trade and investment, climate change and other fields, and encourages its enterprises to invest in Vanuatu, Xi noted. Xi emphasized that China is committed to equality among all countries, big or small, and adheres to the principle of combining justice with interests while prioritizing justice. China does not seek major-power competition or geopolitical spheres of influence. It does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or force them to take sides, he added. Noting that China is a promoter of and contributor to peaceful coexistence and common development in the Pacific island region, Xi said China is willing to continue providing assistance to the best of its ability for the economic and social development as well as improvement of people's livelihood of the island countries, thereby supporting them in accelerating their efforts to achieve independent and sustainable development goals. Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable development achievements and ongoing efforts for national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization under the outstanding leadership of President Xi. China upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and treats small countries like Vanuatu equally, which fully demonstrates equality and respect, he said. The Vanuatu government firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and firmly supports China's position on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Xizang, human rights and the South China Sea, Salwai said. Vanuatu hopes to learn from China's experience in state governance, strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, and promote practical cooperation in infrastructure, economy, trade and other fields, he added. The two sides issued a joint statement and agreed to upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership to build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Streetwise: Time It Was by Frank Dunnigan July 2024 Even in the western neighborhoods, far from the hustle-and-bustle of downtown. public clocks were often found as part of building displays and advertising signs. There are not quite so many today as there used to be, but they remain a quiet neighborhood presence. Here are just a few of them. The 8-foot diameter clock at the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Plaza, shown here in 1960, was first installed in 1949facing both north and southbound traffica dozen years after the bridge first opened. The clock was removed and underwent significant maintenance beginning in August 2014, and there was a loud public outcry for the 8 months it was missing from its longtime perch. When it was replaced in April 2015, there were new complaints that the clock was difficult to read, because new number decals had been installed, so a spotlight was added. The buildings of the Affiliated Colleges, which eventually became the University of California San Francisco, are shown here in 1908 with a prominent clock above the schools main entrance facing Parnassus Avenue. These buildings were eventually replaced with newer construction, while the vintage clock has been preserved on the campus. Read more about it Bathers at the Sutro Baths were able to refer to a large rectangular clock on the far wall for a quick time check. The Larkins Building, at the northwest corner of Geary and Arguello Boulevards, has long displayed a public clock above the entrance, shown here in the 1990s. Learn more about the long history of this building and its many different tenants over the years in our SF West History Minute video This detailed 1934 photo of the interior of Argonne Pharmacy, located at 700 10th Avenue, features a prominent clock on the shelf directly above the woman standing at center. The Hibernia Bank at 22nd Avenue and Noriega Street, shown here in 1976, long featured a public clock facing the neighborhood shopping district. It was removed in the years after Hibernias 1992 acquisition by Bank of America. The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park has displayed multiple flower bed clocks over the years, including this one in the 1950s. Munis building on Geary Boulevard at Masonic Avenue, shown here in 1948, contains a street clock above the arched windows on the structures right side near Presidio Avenue. The Associated/Flying-A gas station at the southeast corner of Ocean Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard is shown decked out for the holidays in the 1940s. The operators even decorated the permanent public clock (just below the words Merry Christmas) as a lighted wreath. The station was later modernized, but in the 1970s, it was demolished and replaced with a financial services office. Even the WNP office at 1617 Balboa Street has a public clock on display in its front window with the highly appropriate message: Its History Time. Installed in fall 2023, the clock was designed by Randall Ann Homan of SFNeon, constructed by Jim Rizzo of Neon Works, and funded through San Franciscos Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places! XIONG'AN, Hebei Province, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Global experts on Friday noted the importance of collecting further disaggregated and new population data in China to better understand the aspirations of individuals regarding reproduction and care for children and the elderly. They made the remarks at a seminar held in north China marking the World Population Day, observed annually on July 11, during which the United Nations Population Division anticipated continuing low fertility and ageing in China in its latest projections of global population trends. "China is experiencing one of the most rapid demographic transitions in the world. There is a greater need to produce further data to understand individual's aspirations for reproduction and access to social, health and education services," Ira Ovesen, officer-in-charge of the United Nations Population Fund in China, said in the Xiong'an New Area of Hebei Province. She said China has all the requisite conditions -- commitment, human and financial resources, as well as technical and technological factors -- in place to innovate on a new data chain that "better reflects the evolving population dynamics and supports tailored policy making." With a global theme on inclusive data, the World Population Day this year highlights the significance of population data for sustainable development. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development Program of Action, central to which is the recognition that women's sexual and reproductive health and rights are cornerstones of sustainable development. Yang Jinrui, deputy director of the department of population surveillance and family development at the National Health Commission of China, said China is strengthening population surveillance and projections and improving data collection and analysis in response to evolving demographic transitions resulting from socio-economic development. "China will focus on high-quality development of the population, regularly release population data and project reproduction trends and population changes," Yang said. Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University and vice president of the China Population Association, said population data are a new and important type of resources that can help us understand the general situation, plan family life and seek socio-economic development. "I hope population data can serve as strong support for our pursuit of a resilient and fair future," Yuan said. DAMASCUS, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian foreign ministry on Saturday reiterated that normalizing relations with Turkiye hinges on returning to the status quo before 2011. In a statement, the ministry expressed appreciation to the "friendly and brotherly countries that have made sincere efforts to mend Syrian-Turkish relations," but insisted on the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory and fighting terrorist groups. It added that the cornerstone of these principles is the mutual respect for sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, along with addressing any threats to the security and stability of both nations. The statement comes amid high hopes of restoring Syrian-Turkish relations. Earlier this month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed readiness to mend ties with Syria, emphasizing Turkiye's desire to return relations to their previous levels. Formal diplomatic relations between Turkiye and Syria were severed in 2012 following the onset of the Syrian civil war, with Turkiye backing opposition groups against the Syrian government. An appeal has been issued to the public to help solve the mystery of two Early Bronze Age axeheads which were sent anonymously in the post to the National Museum of Ireland. The Irish Antiquities Division of the National Museum of Ireland are reaching out to the public for information regarding two Early Bronze Age axeheads, dating from around 2150-2000 BC, which were sent anonymously to the museum at the end of June. "These fascinating artifacts were accompanied by a letter stating that they were discovered in the Westmeath area using a metal detector. The sender expressed a desire for the axeheads to be conserved by the Museum but did not provide any contact details or further specifics," the museum outlined. "The axeheads were thoughtfully packed in foam cut-outs and cardboard, ensuring their safe arrival. Our experts at the NMI have identified these items as flat axeheads from the Early Bronze Age, a significant archaeological find that offers a glimpse into Ireland's distant past. "However, to fully understand and appreciate these artifacts, it's crucial to know the exact location where they were found. The context of such discoveries helps archaeologists piece together ancient settlement patterns and cultural practices. For instance, hoards or collections of objects were often deliberately placed in specific locations for reasons that could range from ritualistic to supernatural," the National Museum outlines. "With this in mind, we are appealing to the person who sent these axeheads to reach out to us. Any information about their discovery will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely to verify the find location and its circumstances," the museum said. The National Museum of Ireland is currently participating in an international study of Bronze Age metalwork, aiming to trace the origins of the metals used in such artifacts. Details about the find spot of these axeheads could provide critical data for this research. Matt Seaver, Assistant Keeper of Irish Antiquities at the NMI, shared his excitement: We are thrilled about the discovery of these Early Bronze Age axeheads, but to truly understand their significance, we need to know where they were found. He also reminded the public of the importance of reporting archaeological finds: It is our legal duty to report the discovery of archaeological objects. The NMIs role is to preserve these treasures for everyone in the State, ensuring they are available for future generations. We rely on the publics support to achieve this. "We also wish to remind everyone about the regulations surrounding the use of metal detectors for searching archaeological objects. Archaeological finds without a known owner are the property of the state and are preserved as part of our collective heritage in national and designated museums. More information on this topic can be found on our website at museum.ie. "If you have any information about these axeheads or any other archaeological discoveries, please contact us at antiquitiesdo@museum.ie or call 01-6777444," he said. Again, what's interesting for us about his debate is that it's a bit of a departure from the Senator's policy expertise and delves into ideologue territory. Meanwhile . . . Again, we're not seeing many conservatives come to the Senator's defense. Here's another recent attack that takes aim at the premise of Senator Hawley's culture war objections. Instead of Christmas, they want pride month. Instead of prayer in schools, they venerate the trans flag. Diversity, equity and inclusion are their watchwords," Hawley told the crowd. "Their new Holy Trinity, and they expect their preach much to be obeyed. They may speak of tolerance, but they practice fundamentalismNow this is the lefts true replacement theory, their true replacement agenda to replace the Christian ideals of which this nation was founded, and to silence those Americans who dare still stand by. Sadly, the Republican Party of the last 30 years has been in no position to resist the onslaught," he continued. It flies in the face of the "love" Hawley says drives his Christian nationalism. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links from both sides of the argument . . . Josh Hawley touts racist theory that liberals want to 'replace Christmas with pride month' Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) spoke to a conference of Christian nationalists on Monday, touting a fabricated version of history and the so-called "Great Replacement Theory" along with it. According to the Bucks County Beacon, Hawley's speech to the National Conservatism Conference excited attendees by ca... Josh Hawley proposes anti-critical race theory 'Love America Act' - Washington Examiner Sen. Josh Hawley is proposing the "Love America Act" in the GOP's latest bid to fight the teachings of critical race theory. Hawley, a staunch opponent of the philosophy, said his legislation would combat the "misinformation the Left is spreading" that the United States is "a racist country" that's "systemically evil.""That's not true. Developing . . . BAGHDAD, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi prime minister on Saturday invited regional real estate investors to consider residential projects launched by the Iraqi government to relieve housing shortages. Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani extended the invitation while receiving a delegation of Egyptian and Saudi real estate businessmen specializing in developing integrated and smart residential cities, according to a statement issued by al-Sudani's media office. The Iraqi government has started levering investors into five planned residential projects in the capital Baghdad and some provinces and intended to launch 11 more, al-Sudani said, adding Iraq is witnessing rapid growth and recovery abundant in promising investment opportunities. He said Iraq needs about 3 million housing units, stressing that the government is moving towards building integrated cities that include service, recreational, and commercial facilities and are linked to Baghdad by an advanced transportation network. Clarification on this clip . . . As far as we can tell this was from earlier in the Summer. About a month ago . . . However . . . Many locals think that sideshows are smallish events with just a few auto enthusiasts looking for some excitement. The reality is a bit more complex . . . Consider . . . WE SHARE THIS BLUE PARKWAY LATE NIGHT STREET TAKEOVER TO CAPTURE THE SCALE OF KANSAS CITY "SIDESHOWS" THAT WILL REQUIRE MORE THAN JUST A COUPLE OF SQUAD CARS TO DISPERSE!!! Trouble is . . . There's just not the kind of KCPD manpower to address this kind of late night street takeover when it reaches this pitch. Listen closely to the clip . . . It sounds like the citizen journalist isn't too enthused and seemingly frustrated or just flabbergasted by the EPIC Kansas City sideshow crowd. Take a look via www.TonysKansasCity.com embed . . . Developing . . . A strange story confronts a local institution as social media outrage sparks citywide concern for students. Here are the basics and a link to more info . . . "On Facebook, the mom posted that she picked up her six-year-old from summer school and her child was intoxicated. "She claims her child was slurring their words, stumbling and even hit their head. She wrote that she took her child to the doctor to get tested. Those test results came back positive for a high level of alcohol. The mom confirmed the posts and told KCTV5 her child is okay." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Five people escaped after their SUV fell into an acidic geyser at Yellowstone National Park on Thursday. They got out of the hot water on their own and were hospitalized with minor injuries. The road was closed for two hours on Friday to remove the SUV. Yellowstone National Park Accident Shocks Visitors An unexpected incident at Yellowstone National Park this past Thursday has highlighted the potential dangers hidden in its stunning landscapes. According to CNN, a sport utility vehicle with five passengers unexpectedly veered off the road, plunging into the Semi-Centennial Geyser's acidic waters. Luckily, all individuals managed to escape the vehicle before any life-threatening conditions could escalate. Despite being inactive since a major eruption in 1922, the geyser still presents risks with its high temperatures and acidic nature. Yellowstone National Park is home to over 10,000 hydrothermal features, and this accident serves as a reminder of the precautions visitors must take while exploring the park's natural wonders. Following the incident, the affected roadway was closed for approximately two hours on Friday to facilitate the extraction of the submerged SUV from nearly nine feet of hot water. The swift response from park rangers ensured that the vehicle was removed safely, preventing further disruptions and ensuring the safety of other park visitors. Morgan Warthin, a spokesperson for Yellowstone National Park, mentioned in a statement covered by ABC News that the passengers could exit the hot water by themselves after the crash. They were then transported to a nearby hospital, where they received treatment for injuries that were serious but not life-threatening. As the park's officials continue investigating the precise causes of this accident, they have not released the names of those involved. Violence Disrupts Holiday at Park On Independence Day, an incident involving gunfire at Canyon Village in Yellowstone National Park resulted in the death of a gunman and injuries to a park ranger. The confrontation, which extended from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, occurred in the central area of the park, south of Tower Falls in Wyoming. The National Park Service has confirmed that there are no ongoing threats to the public. However, the area around the Canyon Lodge complex remains sealed off for investigation purposes. Rangers were initially called to the scene after receiving reports of an armed individual threatening people. As per UPI, during the encounter, the gunman and rangers exchanged shots. The individual involved in making threats did not survive the exchange. Details about the gunman's identity have been disclosed. Meanwhile, the wounded ranger is currently in stable condition at a hospital, receiving necessary medical care. The investigation into this violent event is being led by the FBI, with assistance from special agents from the National Park Service. Yellowstone National Park, a vast area of over 2 million acres primarily in northwest Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho, is known for its scenic beauty and historical significance. Established in 1872 for public recreation and enjoyment, the park is typically a place of peace and natural wonder, making this incident particularly shocking. An American Airlines flight was evacuated in San Francisco after a laptop in a carry-on bag caught fire. Passengers used emergency slides and a jetbridge to leave the plane safely. Three people suffered minor injuries, with one needing further medical care. American Airlines Flight Faces Emergency In a tense moment last Friday, passengers on an American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Miami had to evacuate quickly when smoke began billowing from a laptop inside a carry-on bag. According to CBS News, the incident occurred as the plane was preparing to depart, and the cabin quickly filled with smoke, leading to an urgent response. The crew efficiently managed the situation, ensuring all passengers safely exited the aircraft. San Francisco Fire Department was called to the scene to handle the smoking laptop. Fox News reported that they successfully extinguished the fire right on the tarmac, preventing any further danger to passengers or staff. The fire department confirmed that three passengers sustained minor injuries during the evacuation, and one of them required additional medical attention. American Airlines later issued a statement expressing gratitude towards their crew for their professionalism and apologized to customers for the inconvenience caused. The airline reassured everyone that the safety and well-being of passengers and crew are always their top priority. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has taken up the task of investigating this incident to understand better what led to the fire and to prevent such occurrences in the future. As the investigation continues, it remains unclear whether the Airbus A321 aircraft sustained any lasting damage from the smoke and fire. Passengers affected by the disruption were assisted in returning to the terminal and making alternative travel arrangements. American Airlines is working closely with authorities to ensure all follow-up actions are thorough and that passenger safety remains paramount. Related Article: American Airlines Plane Halts Takeoff After Tire Catches Fire Talks Begin Amid Tensions As contract negotiations between American Airlines and its flight attendants near a resolution, another crucial discussion is set to start. This time, it involves the Transport Workers Union and the International Association of Machinists, collectively known as "The Association," representing 35,000 workers. As reported by Forbes, starting Aug. 27, these talks are critical as the current contract is up for amendment in March 2025. The Association, including about two-thirds of fleet service workers, has expressed hopes for a smooth negotiation process. TWU President John Samuelsen emphasized the union's desire for fair wage increases and job protection without escalating conflicts, as seen in past negotiations. He highlighted the importance of a constructive dialogue aimed at quick resolutions. An American Airlines spokesperson expressed optimism about the upcoming negotiations, hoping to secure a favorable outcome for the large workforce represented by The Association. The last negotiation round with American Airlines was marked by significant strife, including work slowdowns and legal disputes, adversely affecting the airline's operations during the summer of 2019. These forthcoming negotiations are about defending past achievements, bringing more maintenance and fleet work back in-house, and reducing reliance on third-party vendors. NAIROBI, July 13 (Xinhua) - Kenyan President William Ruto on Saturday directed security agencies to speed up investigation into the mysterious killings in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, after nine mutilated bodies were retrieved from a dumpsit in a slum. Ruto, who spoke in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, northwest Kenya, assured citizens that those behind the killings will be held to account, saying no stone will be left unturned. "Nine bodies have been retrieved from Kware dumpsite in Mukuru kwa Njenga (slum), majority being bodies of women and girls," he said and appealed to every Kenyan to uphold peace and conduct their business without breaking the law. The president has been under intense pressure to take firm action on security officers who have been abducting young Kenyans who have been holding anti-government and anti-tax hikes demonstrations across the country. The bodies were well-wrapped in sacks and black polythene bags and later tied with ropes while some had burns and were decomposing. The State-funded Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said at least nine deceased persons were dumped less than 100 meters from the Kware police station. BEIRUT, July 13 (Xinhua) -- In a phone call on Saturday with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his concern about the escalation of tensions on Lebanon's southern border, according to a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. "Expanding the conflict is not in anyone's interest," Lammy said. "The United Kingdom wants to see this issue resolved peacefully through a negotiated settlement." The British diplomat stressed "the need to address the tense situation in southern Lebanon and Gaza, and to work together for peace and security in the Middle East," noting that he would visit Lebanon soon. The two sides also discussed bilateral ties during the phone talk, the statement said. The level of tension between Hezbollah and the Israeli army has escalated recently, as the Israeli military announced "its approval of operational plans for an attack on Lebanon." Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned that no place in Israel "will be safe" from his party's missiles in the event of an outbreak of war. The number of combat clashes with the Russian invasion army since the beginning of the day has increased to 109, in particular, in the Pokrovsk direction, where the Defense Forces repelled 17 attacks and seven engagements are underway. Thats according to the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces, Ukrinform reports. "Our defense forces continue to actively repel Russian aggressors, incurring significant losses on their manpower and equipment. A total of 109 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of the day," the report reads. According to the General Staff, settlements in Sumy and Chernihiv regions near the border with Russia are subjected to enemy artillery fire. The localities of Khodyne, Karpovychi, Hrabovske, Zapsillia, Hirsk, and Mohrytsia were fired at by barrel artillery and multiple rocket launchers. At the same time, Kharkiv region remains under constant bombardment by enemy aircraft. Today, from the Russian cities of Belgorod and Shebekino, terrorists launched eight airstrikes using 18 gliding bombs, and also targeted the areas of Lyptsi, Vovchansk, Starytsia, and Mali Prokhody. Kharkiv axis: the invaders attacked Ukraines defense lines near Vovchansk and Hlyboke 13 times. Defense forces have repelled 10 attacks, with three more ongoing. Kupiansk axis: the enemy went for 11 assaults near Synkivka, Vilshany, Petropavlivka, Novoselivka, Berestove, and Stelmakhivka. Four engagements are over, seven more are in progress. The greatest concentration of enemy efforts is being observed in the Berestove area. Lyman axis: the Russian army attacked Ukrainian positions near Makiivka, Hrekivka, and Terny 15 times. Defense forces repelled 10 assaults while five more are ongoing. Siversk axis: Ukraines Defense Forces repelled four attacks near Bilohorivka and Verkhnokamiansk. Three more clashes continue in the Rozdolivka and Spirne areas. Kramatorsk axis: the invaders executed assaults six times near Chasiv Yar, Hryhorivka, Andriivka, and Klishchiivka. Three battles have ended and three more are in progress. Toretsk axis: the enemy attacked seven times near Pivnichne, Toretsk, and New York. Six battles ended without success for the Russians, and one more engagement continues. Pokrovsk axis: since the beginning of the day, the invaders have made the largest number of attempts to dislodge the Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Kalynove, Prohres, Novoselivka Persha, Lozuvatske, Novo-oleksandrivka, and Yasnobrodivka. The defense forces restrained the onslaught, having repelled 17 attacks, but seven clashes are still ongoing. Enemy losses are being verified. Kurakhove axis: the enemy attacked nine times near Krasnohorivka, Kostiantynivka, and Pobieda. Seven battles have ended, two are still ongoing. Vremivka axis: Russian invaders became significantly more active, trying to break through the Ukrainian defenses near Urozhaine, Makariv, Kostiantynivka, and Velyka Novosilka. Ukrainian defenders repelled 16 assaults, and another attack continues in the Vodiane area. According to the General Staff, the situation in other axes has not changed significantly. As reported by Ukrinform, since the beginning of the day, 57 clashes with Russian invaders have been recorded in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational-Strategic Grouping of Troops. The Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea has joined the communique of the Global Peace Summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on the social media site X, Ukrinform reports. "Today, Papua New Guinea joined the first Peace Summit's communique, adding to Oceania's voice in peace efforts. I appreciate this significant contribution to restoring respect for the UN Charter and international law," the Ukrainian head of state wrote. He added that work is underway to broaden the representation of countries from various regions "in this historic document." "We value every voice in favor of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," Zelensky said. The first Peace Summit was held in Switzerland on June 15-16. Three points of Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula were discussed at the summit, including nuclear security, food security and the humanitarian dimension the exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The summit participants signed a joint communique. Other countries may join the document. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine BAGHDAD/AMMAN/TEHRAN, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Iraq, Jordan and Iran on Saturday condemned the targeting of displaced civilians in the Gaza Strip after an Israeli airstrike killed 90 Palestinians, half of them women and children, in displacement shelters in Khan Younis, south of Gaza. Iraqi government spokesman Basim al-Awadi said in a statement that after nine months of war on Gaza, "the massacres of the brutal aggression continue, with the latest atrocities claiming the lives of dozens of innocent children and women." "We renew our call for the international community and major powers to assume their responsibility regarding the continued blatant aggression of this entity (Israel), which considers itself above international law and justice," the statement said. Al-Awadi also said that there is a need for immediate action to save Palestinian people from "starvation, systematic killing, and attempts to force them out of their lands," as well as to deliver necessary aid, medical supplies, and food to meet their humanitarian needs. At least 90 Palestinians were killed after an Israeli airstrike hit tents for displaced people in the Mawasi area in Khan Younis on Saturday morning, the Gaza-based health authorities updated late in the day. Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed the morning raid as another "systematic targeting of civilians and refugee shelters." The ministry spokesperson Sufian Qudah affirmed the kingdom's absolute denunciation of Israel's ongoing violations of international law and international humanitarian law, as well as its defiance of the broad international calls for an end to the war. Also condemning Israel's brutal move against displaced civilians in Gaza, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani urged the international community to "take decisive and effective action and do its utmost to completely stop Israel's criminal moves against the defenseless Palestinians in Gaza in a lasting manner." According to local health authorities, about 300 others in Gaza were also wounded in the morning raid, including dozens of children and women, with some sustaining critical injuries. Earlier in the day, Israeli state-owned Kan TV news said the target of this Israeli attack was Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif, noting that the army was awaiting the results of the raid. Hamas has rejected the claim, saying it came in the context of covering up Israel's crimes. Deif, 58, has been considered one of Israel's most wanted men for many years and was previously injured during several assassination attempts against him. LILONGWE, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) says it has managed to retrieve audio and other material from the black box of the plane that crashed and killed Malawian Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others. The BFU made the announcement on its website, saying this would help in the efforts to find the reasons of the crash of the aircraft, a military Dornier 228-202(K), on June 10. "During the investigation of the wreckage, a Global Positioning System (GPS) was secured and later transported to the BFU. In the recorder and avionics laboratory of the BFU, the data of the accident flight and other flights stored in the GPS could be read out. These will now be analysed very thoroughly. This will take some time," says the statement. Upon request of the government of Malawi through the German government, BFU launched the investigation in collaboration with Malawi's Civil Aviation Authority and Malawi Defence Force. A domestic flight of the military airplane from Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, to the northern city of Mzuzu ended tragically as the plane crashed into a hill within Chikangawa Forest reserve in what the BFU describes as "marginal weather conditions". The German organisation says they conducted investigations at the accident site, the aerodrome of departure and destination as well as the home base of the airplane. According to BFU, the Interim Report will be published after the lengthy analysis and upon concluding the investigation, and will include the facts gathered to that point. "The BFU will publish the analysis of the facts, the conclusions, causes and possible safety recommendations in a Final Report later on," the statement reads in part. Following the accident and the death of the vice president, calls for independent investigations were made by political parties, some civil society leaders, and the family of Chilima, to which President Lazarus Chakwera heeded. In the trees, and of the trees. Dundreggan Rewilding Centre is the first of its kind in the world. Designed by Threesixty Architecture, the building celebrates nature and stands as a place of hope that connects visitors with Scotlands wild forest. Situated on a 10,000-acre estate in Glenmoriston, the site was once a diverse landscape, brimming with life, but centuries of human activity, farming and animal grazing had depleted this biodiverse, natural woodland. Since 2008, the charity Trees for Life has been rewilding the area as part of their vision to restore this fragment of Scotlands Caledonian Forest. With a mission to celebrate the close connection between people and nature, the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre was developed in close collaboration with the community and opened its doors to the public in 2023, offering a gateway to this unique landscape rich in natural and cultural heritage. Visitors can admire ancient pinewood, discover the legacy of centuries of Gaelic history, and connect with a landscape undergoing transformation through rewilding. At the heart of the brief was the aspiration for the building to be integrated in the landscape and inspired by the stunning setting of the Caledonian forest and steeped in the local Gaelic heritage that could make this beautiful wilderness accessible to all. In practical terms, the project consists of a visitor centre, an accommodation building from which visitors can connect to a network of footpaths to explore this special landscape. Visitors are welcomed in a warm and welcoming open space and cafe which overlooks the outdoor play area and pond. Within the Rewilding Centre visitors also find large presentation space, two classrooms and a storytelling area which all support Trees for Life mission to educate, train and inspire the guests. This mission is further supported by the 20 bedrooms in the accommodation building, which cater for school groups and residencies. The Rewilding Centre is about creating an experience that feels like the forest and does so by interpreting and integrating into the design key features of a tree-scape such as the canopy, tree trunks and open clearings. Like a forest canopy that collects and filters sunlight in different ways to provide a variety of experiences, the use of skylights controls the way that light passes through the building to create diverse atmospheres which reflect the varying weather conditions outside. A growing number of Democrats in Congress are publicly calling on President Joe Biden to end his reelection bid against Republican rival Donald Trump. Jessica Taylor analyst with the Cook Political Report talks about the challenges facing Biden's campaign. NATO leaders wrapped up their summit in Washington Friday with unity in support for Ukraine and as the political turmoil in the U.S. lingered under the cloud of uncertainty in its most powerful member the United States. Rose Gottemoeller, lecturer at Stanford University, research fellow at the Hoover Institute and deputy secretary-general of NATO from 2016 to 2019 joins us for insights. Canada says it is going shopping for 12 conventionally powered submarines capable of operating under the Arctic ice to enhance maritime security in a region that is fast gaining strategic significance in the face of climate change. The purchase is expected to help ease mounting pressure on Ottawa one of the lowest-spending NATO members to meet the alliances commitment to spend 2% of GDP on defense. "As the country with the longest coastline in the world, Canada needs a new fleet of submarines," Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said in a statement Wednesday as NATO leaders were meeting in Washington. The ministry said it has begun meeting with manufacturers and will formally invite bids for the sale in the fall. Canadas key submarine capability requirements will be stealth, lethality, persistence and Arctic deployability meaning that the submarine must have extended range and endurance, the statement said. Canadas new fleet will need to provide a unique combination of these requirements to ensure that Canada can detect, track, deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries in all three of Canadas oceans while contributing meaningfully alongside allies and enabling the government of Canada to deploy this fleet abroad in support of our partners and allies. A day later in Washington, Canada, the United States and Finland issued a joint statement announcing an agreement to build icebreakers for the Arctic region. The pact calls for enhanced information sharing on polar icebreaker production, allowing for workers and experts from each country to train in shipyards across all three, and promoting to allies the purchase of polar icebreakers from American, Finnish or Canadian shipyards for their own needs, The Associated Press reported. The AP quoted Daleep Singh, the White House deputy national security adviser for international economics, saying the agreement would demonstrate to Russia and China that the U.S. and allies will doggedly pursue collaboration on industrial policy to increase our competitive edge. Singh noted that the U.S. has two icebreakers, and both are nearing the end of their usable life. Finland has 12 icebreakers and Canada has nine, while Russia has 36, according to U.S. Coast Guard data. The same day in Washington, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government had signed a trilateral letter of intent with Germany and Norway to establish a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation in the North Atlantic in support of NATOs deterrence and defense. Trudeau also said for the first time that Canada expects to reach NATOs 2% of GDP spending target by 2032. Canada also pledged $367 million in new military aid to Ukraine ahead of a meeting Wednesday between Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The commitments come in the face of mounting pressure for Canada to spend more on defense. A founding member of NATO, it is the alliances fifth-lowest spending member relative to GDP and until this week had pledged only to spend 1.76% of GDP by the 2029-30 budget year. In a speech Monday, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson called Canada's level of defense spending "shameful." Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell posted, "It's time for our northern ally to invest seriously." NATO allies first agreed to the 2% defense spending threshold in 2006 and reaffirmed it in 2014 and 2023. This year, 23 of the 32 member states will meet or exceed that target. Several nations have been stepping up their military and commercial capabilities in the Arctic as the receding ice pack makes navigation and petrochemical exploration in the Arctic Ocean more practicable. A sea route across Russias Arctic coastline promises to provide a shorter sea route between China and Europe. Despite China's distance from the Arctic Ocean, Beijing has dubbed itself a "near-Arctic country" to try to stake a bigger claim in the region. VOAs Zhang Zhenyu wrote this article and Adrianna Zhang contributed. China says the number of foreigners entering the country in the first half of 2024 leaped by more than 150%, a huge increase for the worlds second-largest economy as it continues to recover from the COVID pandemic. Although Chinas state-run media touted the country's expanded visa-free policy as a key contributing factor, the numbers released last week tell only part of the story. The number of foreigners traveling to the country is a third of what it was in 2019. According to Chinese government statistics, 287 million people entered and left China between January and June of this year. Of those, 29.2 million were foreigners about 10% of the total and just 8.5 million used visa-free entry. In 2019, nearly 98 million foreign visitors entered and left China. When asked about the increase at a press conference earlier this week, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said he was glad to see travel to China was becoming more popular and talked up the benefits of expanded visa-free travel. Late last year, China extended visa-free travel for up to 15 days to a dozen European countries. As more and more countries benefit from the visa-free policy and as China adopts more measures to ease cross-border travel, on-a-whim travel to China is becoming a reality, Lin said. He also said the government expects more foreigners to travel to the country in the second half of the year. Tourism experts and observers, however, say that China's grim political atmosphere, post-pandemic safety concerns and the high cost of long-distance travel are still obstacles for foreign tourists hoping to visit the country. A German man who has lived in Shanghai for many years and did not want to be named in order to speak more freely with VOA said that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinas international image has declined. Even if European travelers are allowed to enter China without a visa, they may not be enthusiastic enough to do so, he said. Tang, a Taiwanese tourism scholar who didn't want to be identified because of frequent travel to China, told VOA that because inbound statistics do not distinguish between tourism and business travel, government numbers can be misleading. He said travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan who account for more than 40% of visitors are mostly business travelers who would come to China regardless of the visa-free policy. Tang also said that high air ticket prices brought on by pilot shortages, the failure to reinstate some popular routes and a general imbalance between supply and demand are also hampering the recovery of long-distance tourism. In a further effort to boost tourism, China expanded the 15-day visa-free entry to travelers from New Zealand and Australia starting on July 1. China also has a 144-hour transit visa-free policy for 54 countries. However, Tang said China's visa-free policies are unlikely to have much of an impact, especially for U.S. and European travelers. To Europeans and Americans, he said, "China has the appeal of a mysterious and ancient country. But as far as that audience is concerned, he said, "the pandemic started in China. Have the concerns over China's tourism safety and health been addressed? That's the point." Lan, a Taipei-based overseas representative of a U.S. state-level tourism bureau who did not want to reveal her identity because she is not authorized to speak on the topic, said that while Chinese culture attracts foreign tourists, China's political atmosphere has long been a key factor that keeps foreigners away. "China has a good tourism environment, but in general, foreigners are less likely to agree with its politics," she said. Lan said that given political tensions between the United States and China, tourism between the two countries has reached a freezing point. In August 2023, China ended its stringent pandemic restrictions on group tours to most countries. The U.S. State Departments current travel advisory for China is set at level three or reconsider travel, just one below its level four do not travel warning. Lan said that right now, Americans are reluctant to visit China and Chinese tourists are staying away from the U.S. resorts where they used to flock. VOAs Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. Military exercises under way this week between China and Belarus are seen by experts as a response to NATO's growing interest in the Asia-Pacific region and a signal that China's involvement in Europe will continue to grow. Just one day before the start of this week's NATO summit where Japan and South Korea were major participants, China began 11 days of anti-terrorism exercises with Belarus in Brest, a city on the border with NATO member Poland. Belarus has been a crucial supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which borders both Belarus and Poland. The drills, collectively titled "Eagle Assault 2024," were designed to increase military interoperability and allow the two states "to work out the issues of night landing, overcoming water obstacles, and conducting operations in a populated area," according to a statement from the Belarusian Ministry of Defense. As the exercises continued, military representatives from China and Belarus met over the course of two days to discuss joint logistics, further entrenching the two sides' ability to collaborate in military affairs. During a regular news conference on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said questions about the implications of the drills on NATO and Polish security should be referred to "competent authorities." Chinese military collaboration with Belarus "does not target any particular country," he said. The exercises reflect deepening ties between China and Belarus, the newest country to join the Chinese- and Russian-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Its president, Alexander Lukashenko, recently participated in high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Following talks in Beijing on Monday between Wang and his Belarusian counterpart, the Chinese foreign minister "expressed China's willingness to deepen high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic synergy and deepen all-round cooperation with Belarus to advance their all-weather, comprehensive strategic partnership," Chinese state media reported. The countries also agreed to "oppose external interference and resist unilateral bullying," Chinese state news channel CGTN said. 'Tremendous progress' in ties In a comment to VOA, Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, wrote that since the expansion of China's Belt and Road Initiative to Belarus, political solidarity and trade between the two countries has seen "tremendous progress." Reflecting on the significance of Belarus to China, she added, "Belarus [offers] China strong support in Eastern Europe and the Global South." The two countries are united by their support for Russia's war on Ukraine, authoritarian political systems and general discontent with the Western-led international order. China often directs its diplomatic efforts to similar states, notably maintaining an alliance with North Korea and a "no limits" strategic partnership with Russia. Exercises with Belarus point to a larger shift in Chinese foreign policy, with China's focus on Eastern Europe as a frontier for engagement developing in recent months. During his landmark European tour in May, Xi made stops in Serbia and Hungary. He has committed to building a "Chinese-Serbian community with a shared future in the new era" and has elevated relations with Hungary to an "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership." As China has developed ties with Eastern Europe, it has continued to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, offering Russia an economic buffer against Western sanctions and providing Russia with dual-use technology that may be used in weapons aimed at Ukraine. "China has supported Russia for its war in Ukraine in many clandestine ways, but Beijing remains fearful that it will be punished with Western sanctions if it starts giving overt military support to Russia," Eoin Micheal McNamara, a researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, wrote in a comment to VOA's Mandarin Service. "Supporting Belarus, a close ally of Moscow, is signaling to the West that China is prepared to get involved with military cooperation close to EU and NATO borders," he added. NATO 'acting like a bully' China's objection to NATO's involvement with South Korea and Japan is clear. Lin, in a Tuesday news conference, said that the alliance "keeps reaching beyond its boundary, expanding its mandate, stoking confrontation and acting like a bully on the world stage. NATO should not use China to justify its insertion into the Asia-Pacific and attempt to disrupt regional dynamics." Analysts say the military collaboration with Belarus in particular marks a new chapter in China's European foreign policy objectives. "China has been very cautious and careful about extending military presence to Europe, or areas traditionally seen as close to NATO's core area," Sun wrote. "This joint exercise changes that. Given the timing, the exercise is evidently linked to the NATO summit in Washington that has Japanese and Korean participation. It is tit-for-tat." Ali Wyne, senior research and advocacy adviser for U.S.-China at the International Crisis Group, wrote to VOA: "With the United States reinvigorating its core alliances and partnerships in Europe and Asia and increasingly working to integrate those relationships China seeks to demonstrate that it can assemble coalitions of its own, including by deepening its ties with U.S. competitors and adversaries, promulgating its Global Security Initiative, and expanding groupings such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization." Michal Bogusz, an analyst at the Polish Center of Eastern Studies, views the Eagle Assault exercise and increasing collaboration between Beijing and Belarus as a part of a global expansion of informal relationships among authoritarian regimes. "After Putin's visit to [North Korea] and the support he gave to this Chinese ally, now Beijing is supporting Belarus, a Russian ally. This also should make [it clear] that Putin's visit in Pyongyang was from the beginning coordinated with Xi Jinping, and the China-Russia de facto alliance is not only getting stronger but also more aggressive," Bogusz wrote to VOA's Mandarin Service. Beijing, Moscow and Minsk will meet at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in 2025, with China assuming the organization's rotating presidency for the coming year. LILONGWE, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Malawian Ministry of Health and the National Health Commission of China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between hospitals of the two countries. Malawian Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda and the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Long Zhou represented the two sides in the signing of the MoU in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, on Friday. Chiponda described the signed agreement as "timely" and that it "ushers in a new era of strong cooperation between China and Malawi in the critical field of health care". According to the minister, the agreement focuses on strengthening key areas such as obstetrics and gynecology of Malawi's Kamuzu Central Hospital and the first affiliated hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University in northwestern China's Shaanxi Province. The collaboration between the two institutions will enhance local capacity for treating critically ill pregnant women, and improve diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions, according to Chaponda. The minister said the agreement will also focus on radiology and clinical laboratory, whereby Malawian Mzuzu Central Hospital will partner with Xi'an Jiaotong University "to cultivate a skilled workforce" in the said fields. She further disclosed that the implementation of the agreements will be guided by a joint project proposal and annual plans development by both parties, with a three-year timeframe. "I want to express our sincere gratitude for the longstanding support the People's Republic of China has extended to Malawi: China's commitment to our health sector is deeply appreciated," said the minister. She noted: "With this agreement in place, we embark on a new chapter of collaboration that will undoubtedly benefit the health and well-being of the Malawian people." On the other hand, the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi pledged his government's continued support to Malawi to improve the health sector and the welfare of the citizens. Ambassador Long said both Malawi and China will benefit from the MoU since doctors from China also learn a lot of the new things that are particular to Malawi. Down a long gravel road, tucked into the hills in West Virginia, is a low-slung building where researchers are extracting essential elements from an old coal mine that they hope will strengthen the nation's energy future. They aren't mining the coal that powered the steel mills and locomotives that helped industrialize America and that is blamed for contributing to global warming. Rather, researchers are finding that groundwater pouring out of this and other abandoned coal mines contains the rare earth elements and other valuable metals that are vital to making everything from electric vehicle motors to rechargeable batteries to fighter jets smaller, lighter or more powerful. The pilot project run by West Virginia University is now part of an intensifying worldwide race to develop a secure supply of the valuable metals and, with more federal funding, it could grow to a commercial scale enterprise. "The ultimate irony is that the stuff that has created climate change is now a solution, if we're smart about it," said John Quigley, a senior fellow at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. The technology that has been piloted at this facility in West Virginia could also pioneer a way to clean up vast amounts of coal mine drainage that poisons waterways across Appalachia. The project is one of the leading efforts by the federal government as it injects more money than ever into recovering rare earth elements to expand renewable energies and fight climate change by reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. For the U.S., which like the rest of the West is beholden to a Chinese-controlled supply of these valuable metals, the pursuit of rare earth elements is also a national security priority. Those involved, meanwhile, hope their efforts can bring jobs in clean energy to dying coal towns and clean up entrenched coal pollution that has hung around for decades. In Pennsylvania alone, drainage from coal piles and abandoned mines has turned waterways red from iron ore and turquoise from aluminum, killing life in more than 8,000 kilometers of streams. Federal statistics also show about 1,200 square kilometers of abandoned and unreclaimed coal mine lands host more than 200 million tons of coal waste. The metals that chemists are working to extract from mine drainage here are lightweight, powerfully magnetized and have superior fluorescent and conductive properties. One aim of the Department of Energy is to fund research that proves to private companies that the concepts are commercially viable and profitable enough for them to invest their own money. Hundreds of millions of dollars from President Joe Biden's 2021 infrastructure law is accelerating the effort. Department officials hope that by the middle of the 2030s this infusion will have spawned full-fledged commercial enterprises. The two most advanced projects funded by the department are the one in West Virginia treating mine drainage and another processing coal dug up by lignite mining in North Dakota. The first could be an important source of a number of critical metals, such as yttrium, neodymium and gadolinium, used in catalysts and magnets. The latter could be a major source of germanium and gallium, used in semiconductors, LEDs, electrical transmission components, solar panels and electric vehicle motors. Researchers at each site are designing a commercial-scale operation, based on their pilot projects, in hopes of landing a massive federal grant to build it out. The alternative would be to develop new mines, disturb more land, get permits, hire workers, build roads and connect power supplies, tasks that take years. "With acid mind drainage, that's already done for you," said Paul Ziemkiewicz, director of the Water Research Institute at West Virginia University. Ziemkiewicz began the mine drainage project almost a decade ago, helped by federal subsidies. He had envisioned it as a way to treat runoff, recover critical minerals and raise money for more mine cleanups in West Virginia. But the Biden administration's ambitious funding for clean energy and a domestic supply of critical minerals broadened that goal. At the facility, drainage from a one-time coal mine now closed and covered by a grassy slope emerges from two pipes, and dumps about 3,028 liters per minute into a retention pond. From there the water is routed through massive indoor pools and a series of large tanks that, with the help of lime to lower the acidity, separate out most of the silicate, iron and aluminum. That produces a pale powdery concentrate that is about 95% rare earth oxides, plus water clean enough to return to a nearby creek. The Department of Energy is funding research on coal wastes in various states. "There are literally billions of tons of coal ash and coal waste lying around, across the country. And so if we can go back in and remine those, there's decades worth of materials there," said Grant Bromhal, the acting director of the Department of Energy's Division of Minerals Sustainability. Not only coal, but old copper and phosphate mines also hold potential, Bromhal said. The country won't be able to recover metals from all of them right away, but technologies the department is helping develop can satisfy a substantial part of demand in the next 20 to 30 years, Bromhal said. "So if we get into the tens of percents or 50%, I think that's in the realm of possibility," he said. Other solutions to obtain more of these metals are retrieving them from discarded devices and shifting sourcing to friendly nations and away from geopolitical rivals or unstable countries, analysts say. For now, there is only a handful of critical or rare earth mineral mines in the United States, although many more are being proposed. One final subsidy will be required from the federal government: buy the reclaimed metals at a price that guarantees a commercially viable operation, Ziemkiewicz said. That way China can't simply buy up the product or use its market dominance to drive down prices and scare away private investors, he said. Quigley, a former environmental protection secretary of Pennsylvania and a one-time small-city mayor in coal country, hopes to see a facility like Ziemkiewicz's come to the Jeddo mine tunnel system in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Jeddo has defied decades of efforts to treat its flow, which drains a vast network of abandoned underground mines. It is a massive source of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, producing an estimated 114,000 to 151,000 liters per minute. Bringing the Little Nescopeck Creek back to life could put people to work cleaning up the stream and creating recreational opportunities from a newly revived waterway, Quigley said. "This could mean a lot to coal communities, to a lot of people in the coal region," Quigley said. "And to the country." Civil defense workers have recovered about 60 bodies from collapsed buildings and streets covered in rubble in a Gaza neighborhood following days of Israeli bombardment. Mahmoud Bassal, the director of civil defense in Gaza, said Friday that the bodies recovered included those of entire families who apparently were killed by artillery fire and airstrikes while fleeing. "There are bodies scattered in the streets, dismembered bodies; there are bodies of entire families. There are also bodies inside a home of an entire family that was completely burned," Bassal said. Israels military said Hamas militants had regrouped in the Tal al-Hawa and Sinaah neighborhoods in northern Gaza. The military said it could not comment on the discovery of the bodies, according to The Associated Press. An evacuation order for the area was issued Monday. Hamas militants were using the abandoned headquarters of the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, according to the Israeli military, which said it found drones and weapons in the building. UNRWA left that compound in October. "The troops engaged in close-quarters combat with terrorist cells that had fortified themselves inside the UNRWA compound," the Israeli military said. Border crossings Israels troop presence could shrink if Israel and Egypt agree to an electronic surveillance system for the border between the two countries, Reuters reported Friday. Both Hamas and Egypt oppose the presence of Israeli troops there, but Israel is concerned that Hamas could smuggle weapons into Gaza from Egypt through tunnels. The dispute over Israeli troops on the border has stalled cease-fire talks. If a surveillance system is set up, Israel would pull back its troops from the area, according to Reuters. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office denied the report, calling it absolute fake news. "The prime minister insists that Israel remain on the Philadelphi corridor. He has instructed the negotiating teams accordingly, made this clear to U.S. representatives this week, and updated the Security Cabinet to this effect last night," the statement said. Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their October 7 terror attack on Israel that sparked the war. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 116 hostages, including 42 that the military says are dead. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 38,200 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Israel estimates the death toll at 30,000 and says most of the dead are combatants. Nearly three-quarters of Gaza's 2.3 million population is displaced, and nearly the entire population is at risk of famine, according to the United Nations. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters. The World Health Organization warns that millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing a health and humanitarian crisis because of escalating conflict and violence, mainly in the eastern part of the country in recent months. The agency said the surge in violence by armed groups, principally Rwandan-backed M23 Tutsi-led rebels, an accusation denied by the Rwandan government, is leading to mass displacement, widespread disease, gender-based violence and severe mental trauma. Dr. Adelheid Marschang, a WHO senior emergency officer, told journalists in Geneva Friday, The DRC now has the highest number of people in need of humanitarian aid in the entire world, with 25.4 million affected. She said the DRC remains one of the most underfunded crises, which hampers the ability of people to receive the relief supplies and care needed to protect them from infectious diseases, hunger, and sexual and gender-based violence. The United Nations $2.6 billion Humanitarian Response Plan, which aims to assist 8.7 million people in the DRC in 2024, is only 16% funded. Marschang said the WHO has received just $6.3 million of the $30 million it requires, at a minimum, until the end of the year as the situation is expected to get worse. Mass movements of people overwhelm water and sanitation systems and bring an additional burden on the populations scarce resources, she said. As a result, people are facing outbreaks of cholera, measles, meningitis, mpox and plague, all exacerbated by severe flooding and landslides affecting some parts of the country. In the first half of this year, the WHO has reported more than 20,000 cases of cholera, including 274 deaths, most in North Kivu province, and 65,415 cases of measles, including 1,523 deaths. The actual numbers are likely to be higher due to limited disease surveillance and data reporting, Marschang said. She said armed conflict and mass displacement, compounded by widespread floods, were driving hunger and malnutrition to new heights, by forcing families to leave their farms, leave their crops, leave everything they have to move wherever it is safe. The latest IPC Chronic Food Insecurity report finds that about 40% of the DRCs population 40.8 million people face serious food shortages, with 15.7 million facing severe food insecurity and higher risk of malnutrition and infectious diseases. Marschang said 1 million children out of 6.9 million are malnourished and at risk of becoming severely acutely malnourished if they do not receive specialized therapeutic treatment. She explained that children with this condition have a weakened immune system, which makes them susceptible to deadly infectious diseases. Severe acute malnutrition also has serious cognitive consequences for children harming their prospects in life. During a media briefing earlier this week, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, warned of the global health threat posed by mpox, with 26 countries reporting nearly 98,000 cases to the WHO. Noting that the DRC was in the crosshairs of a growing epidemic, he said, The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo shows no sign of slowing, with more than 11,000 cases reported this year, and 445 deaths, with children the most affected. Mpox, a viral disease, spreads through close contact with an infected person through contaminated materials, or with infected animals. Last month, scientists warned of a dangerous new strain of mpox in South Kivu, which could spread widely in overcrowded camps in and around Goma. It is a reason for concern, Marschang said, adding that two camps in North Kivu province are infected with the virus. If we consider that we have military activities around those camps and some camps were actually targeted this year, I think it illustrates the increasing risk for this disease to spread and also the difficulties of containing it if security is not addressed, she said. The U.N. peacekeeping force MONUSCO began winding down its operations in South Kivu in January. Marschang warned that could create a security vacuum. This could throw us further into a situation of increasing numbers of displaced, of victims of violence, she said, with the whole vicious cycle just continuing. Somali security forces foiled an attempted jailbreak Saturday in Mogadishus main central prison after militant inmates, using pistols and hand grenades, attacked prison guards, two security sources told VOA Somali Service. The militant inmates fired on the guards and threw hand grenades before an exchange of heavy gunfire. It is believed the weapons were smuggled into the prison. Officials said security forces are in control of the prison. A spokesperson for the Somali Custodial Corps, Abdiqani Mohamed Khalaf, told reporters in Mogadishu that three prison guards were killed and three others were injured in the attack. Khalaf also confirmed that five militants were killed and 18 were injured in the attack. A post on social media platform X by the state news agency earlier reported the killing of the five militant inmates. All five inmates who were fatally shot had been convicted of involvement in militant bombings and smuggling of explosives in Mogadishu. Four of them were on death row, and the fifth inmate was serving a life sentence. One of the inmates on death row was convicted for his role in multiple attacks, including the raid on the Mogadishu mayors office last year and a suicide bombing at a military academy in July last year, according to a security source. A second inmate who also was on death row was convicted for involvement in the militant attack on the Hayat hotel in August 2022, which claimed the lives of 21 people. In August 2020, al-Shabab inmates obtained weapons and tried to force a jailbreak at the same facility. Four prison guards and 15 inmates almost all of them al-Shabab convicts were killed in the attack. One militant inmate escaped. In the 2020 attack, the weapons were smuggled into the prison by friends and family who hid them inside food and other items during visits. An Ecuadorian court sentenced a gang member to nearly 35 years in prison Friday for plotting and ordering from his cell the murder of a journalist turned anti-corruption presidential candidate. Five people were handed hefty prison sentences for their role in the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, who was shot dead last year just before the country's election. Gang member Carlos Angulo, 31, was given 34 years and eight months in prison for having planned and ordered the murder, according to the sentence read out in court. Another defendant, Laura Castillo, received the same for providing weapons, money, vehicles and motorcycles to the Colombian hitmen who fatally shot Villavicencio on August 9, 2023, as he was leaving a rally in Quito. Villavicencio, a former investigative journalist who vowed to combat political corruption and drug trafficking, was killed days before the first round of voting in the presidential election. Six Colombian men were arrested hours after the shooting, but all of them were killed while in prison two months later. Seven additional suspects were later arrested, one of whom died; another was acquitted. The remaining five went on trial. Accomplices Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores and Alexandra Chimbo were each handed a 12-year prison term. According to prosecutors, Flores handled security for the motorcycle on which the hitman who shot Villavicencio was traveling, while Chimbo was in charge of alerting the gunmen about the candidate's departure. Ramirez did logistics work. Some of the suspects were accused of ties to Los Lobos, one of the main gangs in Ecuador fighting for control of the drug trade that has led to a spike in violence in recent years within the small South American country. 'Jail for cowardly murderers' A witness who testified during the trial claimed there was a $200,000 bounty on Villavicencio's head due to his campaign against gangs and corruption. The witness also accused the suspects of working for people tied to the administration of former Ecuador President Rafael Correa, who is in exile after he was convicted on corruption charges in 2020. The former president, who lives in Belgium, denies any link to the assassination. "We need to know the whole truth and make sure this is not repeated again," Amanda Villavicencio, daughter of the assassinated candidate, wrote on the social media platform X. Outside the court, relatives and supporters chanting slogans held up posters on which was written "jail for cowardly murderers" and pictures of Villavicencio. Villavicencio's work as an investigative journalist exposed high-ranking officials, including Correa's allies. Since 2023 nearly a dozen politicians have been assassinated in Ecuador. The once-peaceful nation is enduring an unprecedented wave of violence linked to narcotics trafficking. With ports on the Pacific, the country serves as a transit point for cocaine produced in Colombia and Peru and sent to the United States and Europe. The homicide rate in Ecuador, a country of about 17 million people, soared from 6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2018 to 47 per 100,000 last year. Shalom Korai never knew his real name or his birthday. He was saved from the streets of a burning Warsaw neighborhood while he was a toddler during World War II, when the rest of his family was killed by Nazis in Poland. He grew up and lived in Israel with no idea of his past. He never knew a hug from someone who shared his blood or his DNA until Wednesday, when Korai walked off an airplane in the U.S. state of South Carolina and into the arms of Ann Meddin Hellman. Her grandfather was the brother of Korai's grandfather, making them second cousins. It's a story that would have been impossible without modern DNA science and without a genetic test that Korai was given by a psychologist who studies children orphaned in the Holocaust. Hellman's ancestors came to the United States while Korai's family stayed behind in Poland to run a family business. Decades later, they would be among the 6 million Jewish men, women and children systematically killed by the Germans in World War II. "I feel like I've given somebody a new life. He's become my child. I have to protect him and take care of him," Hellman said, although she is a few years younger than Korai, who is about 83. She beamed and gave Korai another hug as they waited for his luggage so they could start several days of parties with dozens of other relatives at Hellman's Charleston home. Korai, who speaks mostly Hebrew, couldn't stop smiling even if he didn't quite understand the hubbub of camera crews and Southern hospitality swirling around him. He and Hellman spoke often since the DNA breakthrough, first in letters and later on video calls several times a week. As Hellman waited at the end of the jetway, she nervously spoke to her brother and sister. "I can't wait to get my arms around him," she said. What is known of Korai's story started with him alone. He was on a street in a burning Jewish ghetto in Warsaw in 1943 when a policeman scooped him up and took him to a convent. Nuns baptized him and started to raise him as a gentile with several other orphaned children. Lena Kuchler-Silberman, a Jewish woman who was part of the resistance against the Nazis, heard of the children. She saved around 100 Jewish children, sometimes taking them in as she found them abandoned or alone or sometimes negotiating or paying to take them out of non-Jewish orphanages. Korai was taken to a Jewish boarding school in Poland, then to France and eventually to Israel in 1949. He spent 35 years working on semi-trucks. Korai had three children and eight grandchildren. And he put out of his mind that he would never know his actual birthday, the name given to him at birth, how his father and mother met or what his grandfathers did for a living. "You can't start searching for something you know nothing about," Korai said in Hebrew to the website for MyHeritage, the company whose DNA testing helped find his relatives. MyHeritage offered Korai and other Holocaust orphans DNA testing in the summer of 2023. A few months later Hellman got a ping from a DNA sample she had given during her extensive research of her family tree. It was an unknown second cousin. The name and other information was unfamiliar. On a hunch, she asked another cousin to test her DNA. It matched too. Hellman reached out to MyHeritage and requested a photo and other information. She remembers gasping when she saw Korai. He looked just like her brother. "The picture gave it away," Hellman said. The connection instantly fell into place. Hellman knew a branch of her family connected to her great uncle was killed during the Holocaust. Now she knew there was a survivor. Hellman wasn't looking for anyone in particular when she took her DNA test, but sometimes wonderful surprises happen, said Daniel Horowitz, an expert genealogist at MyHeritage. "All this family that he was always praying for came to him just like that," Horowitz said. Some mysteries remain, thanks to the Nazi annihilation of people and many records of their existence. Hellman knows the name of Korai's aunt. "But I haven't been able to find his parents' names. That upsets me the most," she said. Hellman has learned much about her cousin. He's shy and quiet. As Korai got off the plane Wednesday along with his travel companion and translator, Arie Bauer, he jokingly asked if he could stand behind Bauer. His friend told him to hug his family. "It's slowly dawning on him," said Bauer. "He's getting used to, little by little, a brand new family he didn't know about." It wasn't just Hellman at the airport. More than a dozen other relatives Hellman's brother and sister, her husband and sons, a niece, sister-in-law and cousins were there to celebrate. Dozens more were gathered at Hellman's house for more parties and gatherings. Korai smiled as each of his relatives hugged him. In quieter moments when they talked among themselves, he looked them over. "He'll get to see himself in them in a way he has never gotten to see himself before," Hellman said. "And we get to give a family to someone who never thought one existed." Religion and politics frequently overlap in Reading, an old industrial city in one of the most pivotal swing states of this year's presidential election. In Pennsylvania, there is early precedent for this kind of thing. The state began as a haven for Quakers and other European religious minorities fleeing persecution. That includes the parents of Daniel Boone, the national folk hero born just miles from Reading, a town where the Latino population is now the majority. Today, the Catholic mayor is also a migrant and the first Latino to hold the office in Reading's 276-year history. Mayor Eddie Moran is keenly aware of the pivotal role Pennsylvania could play in the high-stakes race, when a few thousand votes in communities like his could decide the future of the United States. "Right now, with the growing Latino population and the influx of Latinos moving into cities such as Reading, it's definitely an opportunity for the Latino vote to change the outcome of an election," Moran says. "It's not a secret anymore." A community of spirituality and Latinos In Reading, the sky is dotted with crosses atop church steeples, one after the other. Catholic church pews fill up on Sundays and many stand for the services. Elsewhere, often in nondescript buildings, evangelical and Pentecostal congregations gather to sing, pray and sometimes speak in tongues. Outside, salsa, merengue and reggaeton music (often sung in Spanglish) blast from cars and houses along city streets first mapped out by William Penn's sons and that now serve a thriving downtown packed with restaurants proudly owned by Latinos. This is a place where, when the mayor is told that his town is 65% Latino, he takes pride in saying: "It's more like 70%." They believe in their political sway. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2022 found that eight in 10 Latino registered voters say their vote can affect the country's direction at least "some." On a recent Sunday, Luis Hernandez, 65, born in Puerto Rico, knelt to pray near the altar at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church. Later, walking out after Mass, Hernandez said he'll vote for Trump even on the very day of the former president's criminal convictions related to hush money for a porn star. "Biden is old," Hernandez says, and then reflects on how Trump is only a few years younger. "Yes, but you look at Trump and you see the difference. ... Biden's a good man. He's decent. But he's too old." In the weeks after he spoke, many more Americans would join in calls for Biden to withdraw from the race after his debate debacle, which crystallized growing concerns that, at 81, he's too old. Immigration is a key topic It's not just about Biden's age or debate performance. It's also, Hernandez says, about the border crisis. He says too many immigrants are arriving in the United States, including some he considers criminals. And, he adds, so much has changed since his Dominican-born father arrived in the 1960s when, he says, it was easier to enter and stay in America. For some, there are other issues as well. "It's the economy, immigration and abortion," says German Vega, 41, a Dominican American who became a U.S. citizen in 2015. Vega, who describes himself as "pro-life," voted for Trump in 2020 and plans to do so again in November. "Biden doesn't know what he's saying. He doesn't know what he's doing, and we have a country divided," Vega says. Trump is "a person of character. ... He looks confident. He never gives up; he's always fighting for what he believes." Of course, there are some here who just don't favor taking sides except if it's for Jesus. Listen to Pastor Alex Lopez, a Puerto Rican who cuts hair in a barber shop on the first floor of his home on Saturdays, and preaches on the second floor on Sundays. "We're neutral," he says. "We just believe in God." A city with deep industrial roots resurges Reading was once synonymous with iron and steel. Those industries cemented the creation of the Reading Railroad (an early stop on the Monopoly gameboard) that helped fuel the Industrial Revolution and became, in the late 19th century, one of the country's major corporations. Today, the city of about 95,000 people, 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia, has a fast-increasing population. However, it is one of the state's poorest cities, with a median household income of about $44,000, compared to about $72,000 in Pennsylvania. Reading is 67% Latino, according to U.S. Census figures, and home to high concentrations of people of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage as well as Colombians and Mexicans, who own restaurants and other businesses around town. Political candidates are taking notice of Reading's political and economic power. The 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania was decided by about 82,000 votes, and according to the Pew Research Center there are more than 600,000 eligible Latino voters in the state. It's true that Reading still leans mostly Democratic Biden crushed Trump in the city by a margin of about 46 percentage points in 2020. However in that election, voting-age turnout in the city (about 35%) was significantly lower than the rest of the state (about 67%). But the Trump campaign doesn't want to miss out on the opportunity to turn it around. It recently teamed up with the Republican National Committee and Pennsylvania GOP to open a "Latino Americans for Trump" office in a red-brick building near the Democratic mayor's downtown office. Moran has made a plea to Biden and other Democrats to take notice and visit Reading before the election. It's crucial, he says. "I think that it's still predominantly Democratic," he says. "But the candidates need to come out and really explain that to the community." One development, Moran says, is that religious leaders are now less hesitant to get involved in politics. "Things change, even for churches," he says. Clergy "realize the importance that they hold as faith-based leaders and religious leaders and they're making a call of action through their congregations." The message: Get out and vote A few blocks from St. Peter's, a crowd gathers inside First Baptist Church, which dates to the late 19th century. In a sign of Reading's changing demographics, the aging and shrinking congregation of white Protestants donated the building to Iglesia Jesucristo es el Rey (Church Jesus Christ is the King), a thriving Latino congregation of some 100 worshippers who have shared the building with First Baptist for nearly a decade. Pastors Carol Pagan and her husband Jose, both from Puerto Rico, recently led prayer. At the end of the service, microphone in hand, the pastors encourage parishioners to vote in the election irrespective of who they choose as the president. "The right to vote is," Carol Pagan says before her husband chimes in: "a civic responsibility." After the service, the congregation descends to the basement, where they share a traditional meal of chicken with rice and beans. "I believe the principle of human rights have to do with both parties or any party running," Carol Pagan says. "I always think of the elderly, of the health system, of health insurance, and how it shouldn't be so much about capitalism but more rights for all of us to be well." Both of the Pagans make clear that they won't vote for Trump. They're waiting, like others, for circumstances that might lead Biden to withdraw, so they can support another Democratic candidate. "It's our duty to shield that person with prayer it doesn't matter if that person is a Democrat or a Republican," Carol Pagan says. "We owe them that." Vida Mehrannia, the wife of Ahmadreza Djalali, an Iranian-Swedish doctor, marked the 3,000th day of his detention in Iran with a poignant post on the social media platform X. "For 3000 days, our family has lived a nightmare, my children have waited 3000 days for their dad to come home and for 3000 days we have continued to fight," she wrote Friday, tagging in her post Sweden's prime minister, Sweden's foreign minister and Belgium's foreign minister. In another post, she wrote, "This is not an anniversary that Ahmadreza and our family ever wanted to come." In an interview Friday with the Belgian newspaper De Morgen, Mehrannia accused the Belgian and Swedish governments of abandoning Djalali. Barry Rosen, a former American hostage in Iran, said on X that he and several other families of European hostages in Iran joined Mehrannia at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday. They urged the European Union to counter hostage-taking and hold the perpetrators accountable. Djalali was arrested in spring 2016, when he traveled to Tehran at the University of Tehran's invitation to deliver a lecture. Iranian judicial authorities sentenced Djalali to death on charges of espionage, a claim denied by both Djalali and his wife. He has resorted to hunger strikes to protest the court's decision and the looming threat of execution. In a recent audio recording, Djalali, a dual national, criticized Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, expressing disappointment and feelings of being abandoned during last month's prisoner exchange with Iran. Regarding the release from Iranian prisons of European Union diplomat Johan Floderus, a Swedish citizen, and Saeed Azizi, an Iranian-Swedish dual-national, Djalali said, "I see my continued detention in Iran as a clear case of discrimination." Floderus and Azizi were released in a June exchange for an Iranian national, Hamid Nouri. Nouri, a former deputy prosecutor of Iran's Gohardasht Prison, received the highest penalty under Swedish law a life imprisonment sentence from the Swedish Supreme Court. He was convicted of war crimes for his involvement in the mass executions of Iranian political prisoners during the 1980s. The release and return of Nouri to Iran sparked outrage from human rights groups and activists. Earlier this month, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer, human rights activist and recipient of the European Parliament's "Sakharov Prize," expressed concern about the plight of Djalali. "The treatment he faces in prison is not much different from execution. Ahmadreza Djalali has been placed in solitary confinement three times for the purpose of carrying out his death sentence," she wrote in a letter addressed to the European Parliament. Sotoudeh criticized the Swedish government's handling of negotiations with the Islamic Republic concerning the prisoner swap, describing their disregard for Djalali as "regrettable, concerning, and a clear case of discrimination." In her letter, Sotoudeh urged the European Parliament to use all its official and legal capacities to secure Djalali's release. A New Mexico judge brought a sudden, stunning end Friday to the involuntary manslaughter case against Alec Baldwin, dismissing it in the middle of the actor's trial. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice - meaning it cannot be filed again - based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors. She said evidence in the shooting in 2021 of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film Rust had been withheld from the defense Baldwin cried, hugged his two attorneys, gestured to the front of the court, then turned to hug his crying wife, Hilaria. He climbed into an SUV outside the Santa Fe courthouse without speaking to reporters. Baldwin, 66, could have been sentenced to 18 months in prison if convicted. The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings, Marlowe Sommer said. If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching. Marlowe Sommer had paused the trial earlier Friday while she considered the defense motion to dismiss the case over the withheld evidence. The defense argued that prosecutors had hidden evidence about ammunition that might have been related to the shooting. Defense attorneys said they should have had the ability to determine the importance of the evidence. The prosecution said that the ammunition was not connected to the case and had not been hidden. The issue emerged Thursday on the second day of the actors trial during defense questioning of sheriffs crime scene technician Marissa Poppell. Baldwin attorney Alex Spiro asked whether a good Samaritan had come into the sheriffs office with the ammunition earlier this year after the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, for her role in Hutchins death. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison on an involuntary manslaughter conviction, which she is now appealing. Baldwins legal team said the Santa Fe sheriff's office took possession of the live rounds as evidence in the case but failed to list them in the "Rust" investigation file or disclose their existence to defense attorneys. They also alleged the rounds were evidence that the bullet that killed Hutchins came from Seth Kenney, the movie's prop supplier. Kenney has denied supplying live ammunition to the production and has not been charged in the case. "The state's withholding of the evidence was willful and deliberate," Marlowe Sommer said in delivering her decision. "Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice." Erlinda Johnson, one of the state prosecutors, had resigned from the case earlier Friday. A political party led by Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash last month, is withdrawing from the governing Tonse Alliance led by President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party. Leaders of the United Transformation Movement made the announcement Friday at a news conference at the party's headquarters in the capital, Lilongwe. United Transformation Movement spokesperson Felix Njawala said the party believes leaving Malawi's governing Tonse Alliance is what the party's president, the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, would have done if he were alive. Njawala said although Chilima partnered with the Malawi Congress Party, he faced a lot of problems with the alliance, including being arrested, rebuked and sometimes ignored. Njawala said they have agreed today that they should pull out from the alliance. Njawala said the party would now shift its focus to the 2025 elections. He asked everyone who is wishing for the good of the country, including young people, to help the party fulfill the agenda of Chilima, who he said was making Malawi a better and prosperous nation. "Our friends in Kenya are calling themselves Gen Z," said Njawala. "These are people who were born from 1995 and you also should not fear and get tired, but you should take part to support the UTM party, which has carried the vision of Saulos Chilima." Chilima and President Lazarus Chakwera signed the Tonse Alliance in 2020 to unseat then-President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party after the Malawi court nullified the 2019 elections that Mutharika had won. The UTM party has become the third partner to pull out from the governing alliance, which at one time included nine political parties. Political analyst George Phiri is a former lecturer of political science at the University of Livingstonia in northern Malawi. "Looking at how this alliance has been managed or governed, one would likely think that the move that UTM has made now has been made late," said Phiri. "They would have moved out from the alliance already while the late Dr. Saulos Chilima was still the vice president of his country." Phiri said members of the alliance have long cried foul over the failure of the leadership to call meetings involving partners. "Because they were expecting to be meeting regularly in order to monitor how the alliance government was moving," said Phiri. "But seemingly it shows that the Malawi Congress Party stole the show for the alliance and didn't want these other parties to participate in decision making for the alliance government." Phiri said the withdrawal of UTM technically means the end of the Tonse Alliance because the agreement for the alliance was signed by leaders of two parties; UTM and MCP. VOA sought a comment from the MCP but has yet to receive a response. UTM's Secretary General Patricia Kaliati said the members of the party's executive committee are expected to endorse the decision at a meeting on July 19. ADDIS ABABA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- As Africa's population crosses the 1.5 billion mark and the demographic window is opening, social policy experts at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) underscored that getting the dividend requires more time and stronger efforts. The latest call followed the publication of the World Population Prospects and Forecast that was released by the United Nations on the World Population Day, which is annually observed on July 11. Noting that the world's population has witnessed a tremendous growth in the last six decades, in which the global population was around 3 billion in 1960, the report indicated that in just two decades (by 1982), it had surpassed 5 billion and since November 2022 there are more than 8 billion people in the world. Social policy experts at the UNECA, in a situation analysis report on Africa's population prospects issued Friday, said the African continent has been at the center of the global population growth, as the continent accounts for the largest relative growth, with its population expanding from 283 million in 1960 to more than 1.5 billion in 2024, a more than five-fold increase. And it is projected to increase by 950 million and touch 2.5 billion by 2050. The growing population will increase Africa's share in the world's population from the 10 percent in 1960 to 28 percent by 2050. Globally, more than one in four people will be African in 2050, from one in 10 in 1960, it was noted. According to the publication, among the reasons for Africa's rapid population growth is the declining rate of infant mortality across Africa. Data from the UNECA show that infant mortality has declined from 145 per 1,000 children born in 1960 to 38 per 1,000 children born in 2024. As a result, average life expectancy in Africa increased from 43 years to 66 years during the reported period and is projected to increase to 70 years by 2050. In 1960, on average a woman in Africa had 6.6 children over her lifetime. This has progressively reduced to 3.8 in 2024 and is expected to decline further to 2.6 by 2050. Overall, and compared to other regions of the world, fertility rates in Africa remain high and are declining only gradually. The UNECA report indicated that Africa's future is bright with the potential to realize a demographic transition and a large demographic dividend by the middle of this century. It, however, raised a critical question as to what it takes for countries in Africa to achieve the age structure necessary for the demographic dividend, and under what conditions this age structure can catalyze the continent's economic growth. These are important policy questions since as promising as it sounds, a demographic dividend is by no means guaranteed. How well countries capitalize on the demographic window has a lot to do with appropriate policies and the strength of institutions, social policy experts at the UNECA argued. They said that for fertility rates to decline and the age structure to change, working-age individuals need high quality education and decent and productive jobs. Countries must invest in the education and health of the workforce, particularly where the demographic window of opportunity is still more than a decade away. Russia has accused Australia of inciting "anti-Russian paranoia" for charging a Russian-born couple with espionage, the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC) reported Saturday. The married couple, who hold Australian citizenship, were arrested on charges of working to access material related to Australia's national security, though no significant compromise had been identified, the Australian Federal Police said on Friday. The woman, 40, an information systems technician in the Australian Army, traveled to Russia and instructed her husband in Australia to log into her official account to access defense materials, police said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking to reporters on Friday, warned that "people will be held to account who interfere with our national interests and that's precisely what these arrests represent." Russia's embassy in the capital, Canberra, said a press conference by Australian authorities on Friday about the arrests "was clearly intended to launch another wave of anti-Russian paranoia in Australia," the ABC said, citing an embassy statement. The embassy requested written information from the Australian authorities on the couple's situation and was considering "appropriate measures of consular assistance," the ABC reported. The embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment. On Friday, Igor and Kira Korolev appeared in the magistrate's court in Brisbane, court filings show, charged with one count each of preparing for an espionage offense, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in jail. The charges are the first under laws introduced in 2018. They did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody until September 20 when they are next due to appear, media reported. Australia, one of the largest non-NATO contributors to the West's support for Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion, announced a A$250 million ($170 million) military aid package for Kyiv on Thursday at a NATO summit in Washington. Canberra has been supplying defense equipment to Kyiv, banned exports of aluminum ores to Russia and sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities. Anti-junta forces captured a vital town near Myanmar's heartland this week, bolstering their position against the military junta. The offensive, in northern Shan state, involved a coordinated effort by various resistance groups, including the Peoples Defense Forces (Mandalay) and the Three Brotherhood Alliance. The PDF (Mandalay) is made up largely of young, educated professionals and is one of several armed groups formed by Myanmar's shadow government, the National Unity Government (NUG), which hopes to restore democratic rule in the country. During a weekslong battle that culminated Wednesday with the seizure of Nawnghkio Township, the resistance forces seized a large cache of weapons and ammunition from several government army bases surrounding the town. These included a multi-rocket launcher system, providing a significant boost to anti-junta military capabilities. In an interview with VOA on Thursday, PDF (Mandalay) spokesperson Osmond emphasized the importance of capturing Nawnghkio, highlighting its strategic military value and the potential to shift the balance of power in the region. "Nawnghkio town borders the Mandalay region and Mount Shan. Therefore, we were able to seize a geographically important place, he said. The operation started on June 25, coinciding with the second part of the 1027 operation, and the town was completely captured on July 10, two weeks later. Operation 1027 refers to a highly successful rebel offensive begun on October 27, 2023. The PDF (Mandalay) was joined in the assault by elements of the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic force based in northern Shan state. The PDF (Mandalay) confirmed Thursday in a separate statement that the combined forces had captured the junta's last remaining military base in Nawnghkio Township. "All the weapons and ammunition we have seized will be used to eradicate the military dictatorship," said the PDF (Mandalay) spokesperson, who added that the resistance fighters had captured more than 100 prisoners of war. "Among the prisoners of war taken by us, some willingly surrendered and some were captured during battle, said the spokesperson. We also arrested Lieutenant Colonel Hlaine Tun Aung, as he was attempting to escape from his base camp near Mandalay. We pursued him and were finally able to catch him and put him under arrest." Key town at crossroads In a phone interview with VOA, former army Major Naung Yoe explained the strategic significance of the region. Naung Yoe, along with other former soldiers from the Myanmar military, fled the country after the 2021 coup and joined a civil disobedience group known as Peoples Goal, based in the Thai-Myanmar border region. "By capturing Nawnghkio, the resistance forces can now control the Mandalay-Lashio road, Naung Yoe said. The army still controls the supply route from Mandalay to Pyin Oo Lwin, another strategically important town near Mandalay and home to one of the militarys primary training academies. But the military has now lost the Mandalay-Lashio route, showing that junta forces can't completely secure their ground supply routes to this and other areas in upper Shan state." Naung Yoe also said the road running through Nawnghkio was the starting point for the military junta to send support overland to its troops in northern Shan state. Now the junta can no longer use these crucial routes." Trade route with China Nawnghkio is also located on Myanmar's most important trade route between Mandalay and China. This route is now controlled by revolutionary forces, delivering a major trade blow to the junta, Naung Yoe said. China will need to reach an agreement to reopen the route, since it has a such significant impact on trade." The former army major also pointed to the significance of weapons captured by the resistance forces, many of which the rebels could not buy. "The seized arsenal includes advanced weaponry such as howitzers, missile launchers, 84 mm Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft guns and infantry-support machine guns. These tactical military weapons will aid in offensives in heartland areas," he said. "The anti-aircraft weapons obtained from the PDF (Mandalay) can now threaten the junta's aircraft, providing a significant strategic advantage, Naung Yoe added. In terms of military strategy, these captured weapons make the resistance forces more capable and enhance their long-term prospects. Junta response As of Friday, the Myanmar junta had not officially addressed its losses in Nawnghkio. On Tuesday, however, it released a video about recent battles for the nearby town of Lashio, headquarters of the juntas northeastern command. Attacks on the town, led by the PDF (Mandalay), TNLF and another ethnic armed group known as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, were briefly successful in capturing a military base but were largely thwarted by junta airstrikes. In the video, junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun blames civilian deaths on rebel forces. "The combined armed group started attacks against Lashio on July 3, firing short-range rockets and launching drone attacks randomly against the town daily from afar, Zaw Min Tun asserted. As a result, 18 innocent civilians were killed and another 24 were wounded." The junta spokesperson went on to describe what he called an alliance between the MNDAA and the National Unity Government, which has yet to acknowledge any such alliance. TNLA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo told VOA by phone that the deaths of civilians in Lashio were the result of the militarys shelling, not attacks by the resistance groups. Operation 1027, Phase II In the 16 days of the second phase of the 1027 Operation [started June 25], more than 40 military bases in northern Shan state have been captured by the TNLA and the combined resistance armed groups, Yay Oo said. Since the first phase of the operation, our joint forces have more experience, so this time around it is easier to face the military, because we know what to expect, she said. Also, some of soldiers from the junta military have deserted and have joined our side. Yay Oo said the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which comprises her TNLA and two other ethnic armies, has joined forces for the second phase with other rebel forces including the PDF (Mandalay) and other PDF groups. That is the way this revolution will be won, by fighting together to abolish and end the military dictatorship in the country, she said. After her early morning class ended, 16-year-old Nigerian student Chidera Denis was waiting to join classmates for end-of-term exams. Moments later, she was trapped under rubble as her school building suddenly collapsed, with pupils barely protected by the desks where they were sitting. Denis was one of the lucky ones. The collapse of the Saint Academy school in Jos North district in Plateau State killed 22 students Friday, with dozens more hospitalized for treatment, including Denis' friend. "She said she was going to die ... that if they rescued me, I should tell her mother," Denis told AFP a day after the disaster. "I said she should stop saying that, that we'll be alive, that God is our strength." Her brother also attended the school. "I am yet to see her brother," she told AFP. "I am still searching. I am in pain." Rescue efforts end A spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, Yohanna Audu, told AFP on Saturday that rescue efforts had ended after the disaster, the latest fatal building collapse in Nigeria. Audu said there were 22 fatalities, "all of whom are students." The Red Cross posted on X, formerly Twitter, Saturday that a teacher and a student were still missing. "I was beside someone who died," 14-year-old Chidinma Emmanuel told AFP. "He fell down on my arm and it broke. The falling debris landed on his head and killed him." President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the incident as a "huge loss to the nation." The day after, 58 people were still hospitalized while 74 were discharged, the state commissioner for information Musa Ibrahim Ashoms said in a statement Saturday. Collapses common Building collapses are common in Africa's most populous country. The accident Friday was the deadliest since November 2021, when a high-rise building under construction in the country's commercial hub of Lagos collapsed and killed at least 45 people, most of them construction workers. Poor quality of work, lack of oversight, and official corruption to bypass safety checks are often blamed for the incidents. Ashoms said it was not immediately clear what caused the collapse in Plateau, but residents said it came after three days of heavy rain. Although formal investigations have yet to commence, state authorities have said there was a need to reinforce building standard codes. Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang emphasizes the need for all developers and property owners to submit their building plans to the Jos Metropolitan Development Board for verification and revalidation," Ashoms said. The school building disaster was the latest tragedy to hit Plateau State, which has seen a series of deadly intercommunal clashes. Gunmen killed 40 people in Zurak, a mining village 260 kilometers (160 miles) east of Jos, in May. And nearly 200 people were killed in the state last December in raids on mostly Christian villages. More than half of Americans want immigration to the United States to decrease, a June Gallup poll found, marking the first time a majority of Americans have held that view since 2005. The sampling of 1,005 adults found that 55% of Americans believe immigration to the United States should be reduced, significantly more than the 41% who held that view last year. It also found that 25% of Americans believe immigration levels should stay the same, while 16% say immigration should increase. The increase in those wanting to see immigration reduced came from all political party identifications. The poll found that 28% of Democrats say immigration should be decreased, an increase from 18% last year. For Republicans, this number increased from 73% to 88%, while for independents it rose from 39% to 50%. The record for when Americans most wanted to see immigration decrease was recorded by Gallup in 1993 and 1995, when 65% of the adult population wanted less immigration. Gallup attributed those numbers to Californias struggle at that time to handle an influx of migrants. A majority of Americans also favored reduced immigration after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, as well as in December 2005, when the House of Representatives passed a bill to strengthen border security. 32% believe immigration 'bad' for US Most Americans still believe immigration is a positive for the country, according to Gallup, though the percentage has dropped slightly from 68% last year to 64% this year, and sharp partisan divides exist. The poll found that the percentage of Americans who believe immigration is a bad thing for the country has increased from 27% to 32%. Along party lines, 86% of Democrats believe immigration is a good thing, while 39% of Republicans say immigration is a good thing a new low for Republicans according to the poll. Support for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants remains high at 70%, though the share is lower than the 81% support in 2019. Allowing Dreamers immigrants illegally brought to the U.S. as children to become citizens is supported by 81% of Americans. About half support expanding border wall Americans are currently split on whether all immigrants in the U.S. illegally should be deported, with 47% in support and 51% in opposition. Support for expanding a border wall is slightly above half, with 53% of Americans in support of construction while 46% oppose it. The poll was conducted June 3-23. Russian shelling of Ukraine killed four people on Saturday, officials said, as the two countries exchanged drone attacks, one of which burned a Russian oil depot. Two people died in Ukraines partly occupied Kherson region, and two were wounded in the attack close to the regional capital, said Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Two other people died Saturday afternoon and 16 were wounded in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. An oil depot in the Tsimlyansky district, deep inside Russias southwestern Rostov region, was set on fire in the early hours of Saturday following a Ukrainian drone attack the latest long-range strike by Kyivs forces on a border region. Ukraine has in recent months stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals in an effort to slow down the Kremlins war machine. Moscows army is pressing hard along the front line in eastern Ukraine, where a shortage of troops and ammunition in the third year of war has made defenders vulnerable. Rostov Governor Vasily Golubev said the drone attack caused a fire spanning 200 square meters (2,100 square feet), but there were no casualties. Some five hours after he reported the fire on the Telegram messaging app, Golubev said it had been extinguished. In addition to two drones being intercepted over the Rostov region, Russian air defense systems overnight destroyed two drones over the countrys western Kursk and Belgorod regions, the Russian Ministry of Defense said. Ukraines air defenses, meanwhile, intercepted four of the five drones launched by Russia overnight, the Ukrainian air force said. The fifth drone left in the direction of Belarus, said air force commander Mykola Oleschuk. Meanwhile, eight people were wounded in shelling in the town of Shebekino in Russia's Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Saturday. Vadym Filashkin, the Ukrainian governor of the partly occupied eastern Donetsk region, said that Russian attacks on Friday had killed six people and wounded 22. Also on Saturday, the Kremlin warned that the deployment of U.S. missiles in Germany could make European capitals targets for Russian missiles. The U.S. and Germany announced Wednesday they would begin episodic deployments of long-range missiles to Germany in 2026, including Tomahawk, SM-6 and hypersonic missiles. We have enough capacity to contain these missiles, but the potential victims are the capitals of these countries, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, speaking on Russian state television. Thousands of people gathered for a glimpse of the funeral procession of the slain Pakistani rights activist Gilaman Wazir as his casket passed through towns and cities from Islamabad to his native village in the restive Waziristan region bordering Afghanistan about 250 miles away. The procession was not covered by Pakistans mainstream media. A member of the Pashtuns rights movement Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, or PTM Wazir (his name in documents was Hazrat Naeem) advocated for the rights of his people on digital platforms, using prose and poetry to convey his messages in short reels and TikTok videos and on social media platform X. He was attacked in Islamabad on July 7 and succumbed to head injuries after four days. Police officials told VOA they have not found the men involved in the attack. PTM says it will investigate why he was killed. Wazirs activism on digital platforms incurred Pakistans anger when he was working as a laborer in Bahrain. He was arrested in Bahrain at Pakistans request and in 2020 and he was handed over to Pakistani authorities the same year. He was doing labor work in Bahrain. He was deported through Interpol and was put in jail. He was then kept in an internment center. He was bitten by dogs and was given electric shocks, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen said in his address to mourners gathered for a view of Wazirs casket in different towns on July 11 and 12. Pakistani officials have not responded to Pashteens charges. Wazir has a series of reels, Facebook posts and TikTok videos that describe in his own poetry, in Pashto, his ordeal in the prisons. PTM claims Wazir was picked up again by Pakistani authorities in July 2023, in Peshawar, but government officials did not confirm his whereabouts for about six months. He was later handed over to police and was released in late January 2024. PTM says he was on the Exit Control List till his death. Anyone on the list is subject to restrictions on their movements outside the country. Pakistani television networks and media outlets often cover protests and funeral processions, but there was silence in the mainstream media on the killing of Wazir. Afrasiab Khattak, former head of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, told VOA there is a ban on covering PTM activities in media. An army spokesperson told the media in April 2019 to stop reporting on the group. "When the media cannot report the news about killings, like Gilaman's, or the dead bodies of Baloch, or missing people, then there will be questions, said Peshawar-based author and academic Irfan Ashraf. Social media platforms have filled the vacuum of information about Wazir. The hashtag #GilamanWazir was trending on the social media platform X in Pakistan on Thursday. Pakistan has banned X in the country, but more than 32,000 tweets mentioned Wazir in one day. Among others, former Afghan Presidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani offered condolences on Wazirs killing in their tweets. Government leaders in Islamabad have made no comment on the issue. PTM staged huge pro-peace rallies after Islamabad announced last month it was launching a new military operation against terrorism. Wazir and Pashteen questioned the dividends of Pakistans dozen-plus previous military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Khattak said there is a trust deficit between the state and the people. The government is like a thin layer of onion on the face of [the] military. The army makes the decisions, and people dont trust the generals, he said. Tens of thousands of people attended Wazirs funeral in North Waziristan on Friday. They chanted against the Pakistan army, and some waved the three-color Afghan national flag, a message to Islamabad that they dont accept Taliban in Kabul. At the NATO summit this week, South Korea found narrow options to deal with security threats it faces from Russia-North Korea military cooperation, but concrete actions to boost Pacific security are likely to follow, analysts said. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met with NATO allies and partners at the summit in Washington where discussions involved their support for Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic cooperation with the Indo-Pacific. At a meeting between NATO allies and the IP4 partnering Indo-Pacific countries of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea on Thursday, Yoon underlined threats that deepening Moscow-Pyongyang ties pose to Seoul. "Military and economic support that Russia can provide North Korea will increase threats posed to the security of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific," Yoon said, calling for cooperation between the two countries to be "thoroughly blocked." Following their meeting, IP4 countries issued a joint statement condemning "the illicit military cooperation" between Russia and North Korea. Washington and Seoul have estimated that North Korea has sent about 10,000 containers of munitions to Russia. Moscow and Pyongyang denied any arms transactions. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said at a forum Tuesday that the U.S. is "watching carefully to see what Russia provides" to Pyongyang in return and "what impact that has on the security of the Indo-Pacific." A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told VOA's Korean Service on Friday that "efforts by Russia to bolster [North Korea] militarily will only lead to a strengthening of our security partnership with allies across the Indo-Pacific and Europe." Analysts said NATO's response to Russia-North Korea military cooperation in East Asia is limited for now to include joint drills and naval patrols, but closer cooperation among IP4 countries is expected. Evans Revere, who served as the acting assistant secretary for East Asia and Pacific affairs during the George W. Bush administration, said, "The emerging partnership between NATO and IP4 is a work in progress, and the coming months will see new cooperative efforts between and among the partners." He said that could include a U.S. effort to institutionalize IP4 by adding "substance and action-oriented specifics to this group." Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said in an interview with South Korean news agency Yonhap on Wednesday that the U.S. wants to "institutionalize" IP4, which would involve Seoul playing a "global role going forward." Joint drills NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said at a public forum Wednesday that NATO allies are actively looking into how they can have naval exercises with Asia-Pacific partners in addition to air drills. Japan is scheduled to hold a series of joint air drills with Germany, Spain and France all NATO members in July. Patrick Cronin, the Asia-Pacific security chair at the Hudson Institute, said, "Selective NATO member states capable of exercising with South Korea and Japan and other Indo-Pacific partners underscores international support for Seoul's national interest in maintaining peace in its region." Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation chair at the Brookings Institution, said, "I wouldn't be surprised if there are more, more coordinated types of exercise so that if there were conflict that would erupt, there would be ways of different militaries to cooperate." Maritime patrols At a NATO public forum Thursday, Yoon underlined significant contribution to the region provided by joint maritime patrols that some NATO members conduct to enforce sanctions on North Korea. Canada and the United Kingdom as well as IP4 members Australia, Japan and New Zealand have been participating in maritime patrols to enforce those sanctions. However, there are limits to what these patrols can do, according to Bruce Klingner, senior research fellow on Northeast Asia at the Heritage Foundation. Klingner said, "The lack of authority to intercept violating ships limits the missions to monitoring violations." He continued, "Maritime shipments cannot be intercepted since U.N. resolutions against North Korea were implemented with Chapter 7, Article 41 authority, which does not allow for interceptions on the high seas. Any international response will be in term[s] of [a] punitive economic response or providing additional military assistance to Ukraine or Indo-Pacific nations threatened by North Korea." US nuclear deterrence Yoon and President Joe Biden met on the sidelines of the NATO summit Thursday and later issued a joint statement on guidelines for nuclear deterrence and operations on the Korean Peninsula. The guidelines, signed by defense officials, provide ways to integrate Seoul's conventional weapons and Washington's nuclear weapons in various contingencies. The U.S. and South Korea will conduct joint exercises to implement the deterrence guidelines, Kim Tae-hyo, South Korea deputy national security director, told a news conference Thursday in Washington. "At the end of the day, the security architecture in Asia depends fundamentally on the U.S. relationship with the ROK, Japan, Australia and New Zealand," said Gary Samore, former White House coordinator for arms control and weapons of mass destruction during the Obama administration. ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. "Even though the U.S. would like to see something like NATO in Asia, we haven't reached that point yet, though there are small steps in that direction, like joint exercises," he continued. UN Command At a meeting with Yoon on Wednesday, Germany expressed its willingness to join the U.N. Command (UNC), a multinational military body created at the beginning of the Korean War of 1950-53 to defend against North Korean aggression. "NATO has no direct role" on the Korean Peninsula, said Robert Rapson, who served as charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. But he said several key NATO members "have a security-related presence" in the UNC and could "contribute towards maintaining security and stability" there. Pyongyang on Monday said it would regard a U.S. attempt to revive the U.N. Command as "the second version" of NATO. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday the imminent end to the Turkish forces' operation against Kurdish PKK fighters in northern Iraq and Syria. Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022 to secure its border with northern Iraq, from where it accused Kurdish separatists of launching attacks against Turkish territory. "We will very soon complete the lockdown of the area of operation in northern Iraq," the president said, adding that Kurdish forces were now "incapable of acting inside our borders." Erdogan said that the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, had been "completely trapped" in Iraq and Syria, telling young military academy graduates that Turkish forces were "all over them." "We will complete the missing points of the security belt along our southern border with Syria," he said. Since 2016, Ankara has also carried out successive ground operations to expel Kurdish forces from border areas of northern Syria. The PKK designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the insurgency. A top U.S. House member has pledged to work with a coalition of rights groups to be a special advocate for Jimmy Lai, the founder of Hong Kong Next Media, and is urging the Hong Kong government to release Lai from prison as soon as possible. Lai and his newspaper, Apple Daily, which has been out of operation for three years, supported Hong Kong's 2019 pro-democracy movement that was later crushed by China's national security law (NSL) in Hong Kong. Lai, a British citizen, was arrested on fraud charges in August 2020. He has been in prison and denied bail since December 2020. He also faces charges under Hong Kong's national security law of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "conspiracy to publish incitement." Representative Jamie Raskin, ranking member on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, will advocate for Lai through the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commissions Defending Freedoms Project, he announced in a statement first reported by VOAs Mandarin Service. The Chinese Communist Party like other authoritarian regimes abuses government power by suppressing and persecuting dissent, Raskin said in a statement to VOA. Jimmy Lais detention underscores how the CCP [Chinese Communist Party] silences critics to exert power over Hong Kong. Im proud to sponsor Mr. Lai and demand that the CCP immediately release him and stop attacking pro-democracy advocates. No immunity In a statement in February, the Hong Kong government responded to critics of the Lai case. The suggestion that certain individuals or groups should be immune from legal consequences for their illegal acts is no different from advocating a special pass to break the law, and this totally runs contrary to the spirit of the rule of law, the statement read, according to the Hong Kong Free Press. The Lantos commission launched the Defending Freedoms Project (DFP) in December 2012, collaborating with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and Amnesty International USA. It has since expanded to include Reporters Without Borders, Freedom House, Freedom Now, Scholars at Risk, PEN America and the Senate Human Rights Caucus. According to DFP, members of Congress sponsoring a prisoner receive a detailed toolkit for advocacy, which includes writing letters to prisoners and their families, giving speeches and publishing op-eds. They can also initiate legislative actions, hold discussions or hearings, and petition executive departments like the State Department and the White House for support. By taking on a case, lawmakers can help secure releases, reduce sentences, improve prison conditions and raise awareness of unjust laws. According to Raskin, Lai was arrested for his criticism of the Chinese Communist Party through his work as a publisher and pro-democracy advocate. At 76 years of age, Lai has been held in prolonged solitary confinement since December 2020, for entirely peaceful conduct, in exercise of his fundamental freedoms. His age and diabetes diagnosis raise serious concerns about his physical well-being. He faces a potential life sentence under the NSL, depending upon the outcome of his current trial, Raskin said in the statement. Freedom House applauded the representative for advocating on behalf of Lai and commended his efforts. We thank Congressman Raskin for serving as Mr. Lais advocate, and we will continue to call for the immediate release of Mr. Lai and all Hong Kongs political prisoners, Annie Boyajian, vice president of policy and advocacy at Freedom House, said in a written statement to VOA. 'Beijing fears truth tellers' According to Boyajian, Freedom House is proud to serve as an official partner of the Defending Freedoms Project and to advocate for the release of political prisoners around the world, including Lai. Mr. Lai is guilty of nothing more than attempting to exercise and protect fundamental rights in Hong Kong. His imprisonment and the trumped-up charges against him are evidence of just how much Beijing fears truth tellers, Boyajian said. According to Raskin, Lai is being prosecuted under the controversial NSL for his journalism and his pro-democracy activities, in clear violation of his rights to freedom of expression and to a fair trial. Since Beijing implemented Hong Kong's NSL in 2020, U.S. lawmakers from both parties have increasingly voiced concerns about Hong Kong's diminishing autonomy and are seeking additional measures to pressure its government. In March, the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed the "Maintenance of National Security Ordinance," derived from Article 23 of the basic law, targeting treason, sedition, espionage and foreign interference. Violators face life imprisonment. These legislative actions have also raised concerns within the U.S. executive branch and Congress about the further erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong. The White House informed Congress on July 10 that the national emergency regarding Hong Kong would remain in effect after July 14 this year. The Trump administration declared the situation in Hong Kong a national emergency by executive order on July 14, 2020, and the Biden administration has upheld this order since taking office. As a result, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to require that all goods originating in Hong Kong be marked with "China" as the country of origin. Hong Kong fires back The Hong Kong special administrative region government immediately responded Thursday, condemning and opposing the U.S. decision. They accused the U.S. government of using the national emergency to politicize human rights issues, disregard the rule of law and slander Hong Kong's implementation of the national security law. Other U.S. House members expressed support for Lai through introduction of a bill in April to rename a section of the street in front of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in downtown Washington as "Jimmy Lai Way." There has been no progress since the bill was introduced in April by New Jersey Representative Chris Smith, chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), and Representative Tom Suozzi from New York. Additionally, in January, Smith and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, respectively the chair and co-chair of the CECC, announced the nominations of Lai, Xu Zhiyong, Ding Jiaxi and Ilham Tohti for the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. The letter sent to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee highlighted that all four individuals were being arbitrarily detained by Chinese authorities and sentenced to life or long prison terms for exercising their rights guaranteed by international law. The Biden administration on Thursday sanctioned a Venezuelan gang allegedly behind a spree of kidnappings, extortion and other violent crimes tied to migrants that have spread across Latin America and the United States. The U.S. also offered a $12 million reward for the arrest of three leaders of Tren de Aragua, which now joins the MS-13 gang from El Salvador and the Mafia-styled Camorra from Italy on a list of transnational criminal organizations banned from doing business in the U.S. "Tren de Aragua poses a deadly criminal threat across the region," the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement, adding that it often preys on vulnerable populations such as migrant women and girls for sex trafficking. "When victims seek to escape this exploitation, Tren de Aragua members often kill them and publicize their deaths as a threat to others," the statement added. The Tren de Aragua traces its origins to more than a decade ago, to an infamously lawless prison in the central state of Aragua where a number of hardened criminals were held. But it has expanded in recent years as millions of desperate Venezuelans fled President Nicolas Maduro's rule and migrated to other parts of Latin America or the U.S. Authorities in countries such as Colombia, Peru and Ecuador with large populations of Venezuelan migrants have accused the group of being behind a spree of violent crimes in a region that has long had some of the highest murder rates in the world. Initially its focus was exploiting Venezuelan migrants through loan sharking, human trafficking and the smuggling of contraband goods to and from Venezuela. But as the Venezuelan diaspora has settled more permanently abroad, it has joined and sometimes clashed with homegrown criminal syndicates engaged in drug trafficking, extortion of local businesses and murders for hire. Among the groups the Treasury Department said the gang has teamed up with is Primeiro Comando da Capital, a notorious organized crime group out of Brazil that has also been sanctioned by the U.S. Earlier this year, prosecutors in Chile blamed the gang, whose name means "train" in Spanish, for the killing of a Venezuelan army official who had sought refuge in that country after partaking in a failed plot to overthrow Maduro. "The Tren de Aragua is not a vertically integrated criminal structure, but rather a federation of different gangs," said Jeremy McDermott, the Colombia-based co-director of InSight Crime, which this month published a report on the gang's expansion. "It has now become a franchise name for Venezuelan criminal structures operating in the region, with weakening coherence now that its home prison base is no more," McDermott said. The group is led by Hector Guerrero, who was jailed years ago for killing a police officer, according to InSight Crime. Guerrero, better known by his alias El Nino, or Spanish for "the boy," later escaped and then was recaptured in 2013, returning to the prison in Aragua where the criminal enterprise was then headquartered. He fled prison again more recently, as Venezuelan authorities tried to reassert control over its prison population. His current whereabouts are unknown but the U.S. State Department, which has offered up to $12 million for his arrest and that of two other gang leaders, said it believes Guerrero and Giovanny San Vicente, another target of the U.S. bounty, are believed to be living in Colombia. Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who co-chairs the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, has warned that if left unchecked, the Tren de Aragua could also start terrorizing American cities. Among the nearly 1 million Venezuelan migrants that have crossed into the U.S. in recent years are suspected gang members tied to police shootings, human trafficking and other crimes although there's no evidence that the gang has set up an organizational structure in the U.S., McDermott said. "Now we are seeing evidence that they have made it into the United States. Every single day, we're seeing reports from Chicago, South Florida, and New York that these gang members are here," Rubio said at a Senate hearing in April. The White House, in a statement on Thursday, said the Department of Homeland Security has implemented enhanced screening to vet and better identify known or suspected gang members, including Tren de Aragua members. Maduro's government has accused opponents of exaggerating the reach of Tren de Aragua to tarnish its reputation and said that authorities dismantled the group last year when security forces retook control of the prison that had served as its hub of illicit activity. Hours after the U.S. sanctioned the gang, the government announced that a brother of the gang's leader, who was arrested in Barcelona earlier this year, arrived home pursuant to a Venezuelan extradition request to Spain. Attorney General Tarek William Saab said that Gerso Guerrero, who was arrested earlier this year in Barcelona, faces up to 30 years in prison the maximum in Venezuela on multiple criminal charges including extortion, money laundering, weapons trafficking and terrorism. Passengers pose for photos with a model of a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway at the waiting hall of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) JAKARTA, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR), locally called Whoosh, recorded on Saturday that it had carried 4 million passengers since it began commercial operations on Oct. 17, 2023. Eva Chairunisa, general manager corporate secretary of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), said the achievement had proven the high public trust and enthusiasm in Indonesia for the HSR during the nine months of operation. "We achieved this through the combined efforts and innovations of KCIC and all stakeholders, who continuously strive to enhance our services," Chairunisa said in a statement. The HSR in Indonesia is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. With a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the train connects Halim station in Jakarta to Tegalluar station in Indonesia's fourth largest city Bandung of West Java province, cutting the travel time between the two cities from over three hours to around 40 minutes. Chairunisa also said that the existence of Whoosh had a significant positive impact in various sectors, especially tourism and industry in the region. "The positive impact on tourism strengthens our mission to improve connectivity and support economic growth through efficient and convenient transportation," she said. She went on to say that KCIC would continue to improve its facilities at stations and on trains to provide more comfort to passengers. Passengers wait for their trains at the waiting hall of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) People line up before checking in at the waiting hall of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Passengers wait for their trains at the waiting hall of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Passengers get tickets on self-service devices at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) Passengers wait to check in by scanning their tickets at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) People line up before checking in at the waiting hall of Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 17, 2024. The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) marked its nine months of operation on Monday with over 4 million passengers transported, said PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture consortium between Indonesian and Chinese state-owned firms that constructs and runs the HSR. (Xinhua/Xu Qin) By Nokukhanya Musi MBABANE, ESWATINI Eswatini, in an ambitious bid to overhaul its health care system, is partnering with Belarus, paving the way for what officials in the southern African nation hope will be increased access to critical medicines, and the sharing of expertise between Belarusian and Eswatini health care professionals. An Eswatini delegation led by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini signed the health care roadmap with Belarus during a weeklong visit in late June. Principal Secretary Bertram Stewart, who was part of the delegation, said the agreement will unlock new access to medicines, medical equipment, and training opportunities, and introduce new models that could alleviate Eswatinis health care procurement challenges. "We do look forward to long-term collaborations with Belarus and, of course, the intention is to have reciprocal relations with Belarus wherein whatever we can export to Belarus, they will, subject to quality and price, they will be able to take it and likewise, we will reciprocate by procuring from Belarus whatever we feel is of the right quality for the Kingdom of Eswatini," he said. According to the World Health Organization, Eswatini has the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer in the world, with 56 new cases per 100,000 women annually. Eswatini also has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world, with more than 27% of adults living with the disease. And the country has a limited number of doctors and nurses, and many rural areas lack access to basic health care services. While the governments partnership with Belarus could usher in a new era of improved healthcare in Eswatini, for people like Sheila Coleman, who lost both her son and sister to chronic illnesses, the lack of advanced cancer care in the country has been devastating. For many patients, this has meant costly, life-or-death journeys to South Africa for treatmenta burden the government says it is now working to alleviate. "I am proud of my country but of late, have been so disappointed with the health sector of this country," Coleman said. "I feel that the government has failed us as Emaswati and I say this because of experiences that I have had. Being diagnosed with a chronic illness in this country is basically a death sentence." Thys Louren, a doctor in Eswatini, sees great potential in this health care partnership that could lead to job creation, expert skill attraction, and technology transfer. But he cautions that there are critical questions to answer before this collaboration can be deemed a success. "What will Belarus benefit from this proposed joint venture," he asked. "Is the purpose of this joint venture for research purposes because it would provide a very attractive cheaper research cost? Or would it focus on import consumables into Eswatini, which is of concern because we already have pharmaceutical companies in Eswatini and cash flow and availability of stock import is the problem. "Then lastly, is it for the production of pharmaceuticals which could be highly beneficial to Eswatini because it could, one, stimulate local economy and, two, cater for the significant shortage that we are experiencing especially in the cancer care section where chemotherapy is available locally and patients actually have to cross border for treatment." For many in Eswatini, this is a time of unprecedented need. And the nation is placing its health care hopes in the hands of Belarusian expertise. As the partnership unfolds, the nation awaits a pivotal moment, where either an era of medical breakthroughs is born, or the promise of a new dawn fades into the shadows. By Lameck Masina BLANTYRE, MALAWI A political party led by Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash last month, is withdrawing from the governing Tonse Alliance led by President Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party. Leaders of the United Transformation Movement made the announcement Friday at a news conference at the party's headquarters in the capital, Lilongwe. United Transformation Movement spokesperson Felix Njawala said the party believes leaving Malawi's governing Tonse Alliance is what the party's president, the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, would have done if he were alive. Njawala said although Chilima partnered with the Malawi Congress Party, he faced a lot of problems with the alliance, including being arrested, rebuked and sometimes ignored. Njawala said they have agreed today that they should pull out from the alliance. Njawala said the party would now shift its focus to the 2025 elections. He asked everyone who is wishing for the good of the country, including young people, to help the party fulfill the agenda of Chilima, who he said was making Malawi a better and prosperous nation. "Our friends in Kenya are calling themselves Gen Z," said Njawala. "These are people who were born from 1995 and you also should not fear and get tired, but you should take part to support the UTM party, which has carried the vision of Saulos Chilima." Chilima and President Lazarus Chakwera signed the Tonse Alliance in 2020 to unseat then-President Peter Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party after the Malawi court nullified the 2019 elections that Mutharika had won. The UTM party has become the third partner to pull out from the governing alliance, which at one time included nine political parties. Political analyst George Phiri is a former lecturer of political science at the University of Livingstonia in northern Malawi. "Looking at how this alliance has been managed or governed, one would likely think that the move that UTM has made now has been made late," said Phiri. "They would have moved out from the alliance already while the late Dr. Saulos Chilima was still the vice president of his country." Phiri said members of the alliance have long cried foul over the failure of the leadership to call meetings involving partners. "Because they were expecting to be meeting regularly in order to monitor how the alliance government was moving," said Phiri. "But seemingly it shows that the Malawi Congress Party stole the show for the alliance and didn't want these other parties to participate in decision making for the alliance government." Phiri said the withdrawal of UTM technically means the end of the Tonse Alliance because the agreement for the alliance was signed by leaders of two parties; UTM and MCP. VOA sought a comment from the MCP but has yet to receive a response. UTM's Secretary General Patricia Kaliati said the members of the party's executive committee are expected to endorse the decision at a meeting on July 19. Photo: Ramsay de Give-Pool/Getty Images Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case over the Rust shooting was thrown out mid-trial on July 12. Halyna Hutchinss widower still wants to hold the actor accountable in front of a jury, but others celebrated the news. Below, the latest reactions to the dismissal, including Baldwins first public statement after the trial and comments from his celebrity supporters. Day-of responses July 12, 2024: Reactions to the July 12 dismissal of Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case are trickling in. Deadline reports that Matthew Hutchins, the widower of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, still wants Baldwin back in court for fatally shooting her on set in 2021. We respect the courts decision, Hutchinss lawyer Brian J. Panish told Deadline of the criminal case that was dismissed with prejudice, which means it cannot be filed again. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins, Panish added, which seems to suggest that Hutchins will still pursue justice in civil court. In June, Panish claimed to the New York Times that Baldwin and other parties were months late on a settlement payment for a wrongful-death civil lawsuit brought in 2022 over the Rust tragedy. At the time, Panish said Hutchins was considering suing for breach of agreement or resuming the wrongful-death suit. Meanwhile, Baldwins supporters have rejoiced at todays news. Hallelujah @AlecBaldwin You are free!! #CourtTV, his Rust co-star Frances Fisher tweeted. The actress has previously been vocal about her support for Baldwin, tweeting in January 2023 that the grandstanding prosecutor wasnt going after the true culprit who put a live round in a gun. As of publication time, neither Baldwin nor his wife Hilaria have publicly posted about the dismissal that had him crying in court. Fisher left a celebratory message under Baldwins wife Hilarias latest Instagram post, commenting, Hallelujah Hilaria. Actress and songwriter Apollonia Kotero similarly showed her support on Instagram, commenting Amen Alec!! Felicidades!! under Baldwins most recent post. Alec Baldwin takes to Instagram July 13, 2024: Alec Baldwin has issued his first public statement since his involuntary manslaughter case was dismissed. There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now, he captioned an Instagram photo of himself looking emotional in court. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family. Several fellow celebs sent well wishes under the post, which comes a day after the Rust trial was thrown out. We love you, Amy Sedaris wrote, while Don Lemon and Anthony Hopkins both left heart emojis. I cannot express how happy and grateful I feel for you and your beautiful family! , Lesley Ann Warren said. Make peace with yourself and may you and your family heal from this. , Frank Grillo added. Other supporters in the comments include Caroline Rhea, Craig Killborn, Gregory Lauritano, and Mike Hatton. Baldwins Rust co-star Frances Fisher, who already shared multiple congratulatory messages on the day of the dismissal, also posted a new comment: Whatever comes next, we are by your side, Alec. This post has been updated. Photo: Photo by Ramsay de Give-Pool./Getty Images A judge dismissed Alec Baldwins Rust manslaughter case on Friday July 12 after his lawyers accused prosecutors and cops of engaging in a cover-up to hide evidence that could help him. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice, so Baldwin cannot be retried. Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice, Sommer said. The motion to dismiss with prejudice is granted. The trial against Baldwin started veering toward chaos on Thursday July 11 when a prosecution witness revealed on cross-examination that someone had come forward with evidence about the ammunition related to the production. This was not disclosed to his lawyers before his trial. Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. His lawyers had claimed that the evidence could have provided answers to how live ammunition wound up on set. Baldwin has contended that he was told the gun was cold while rehearsing the scene where Hutchins was struck with a bullet. When Judge Sommer issued her decision Friday afternoon after hearing testimony about the evidence, Baldwin broke into tears. The evidence that hadnt been disclosed surfaced when crime-scene tech Marissa Poppell was on the stand. She revealed that Troy Teske, a retired police officer from Arizona, had delivered a collection of live ammunition to the Santa Fe sheriffs department in March 2024, telling them that it was evidence in the case. Baldwins lawyers claimed that the type of live ammunition matched the live bullet that killed Hutchins. Teske brought police the ammo while manslaughter proceedings against Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed were unfolding. Gutierrez-Reed was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on March 6, 2024, in Hutchinss death. Baldwins lawyers filed a motion to dismiss on July 11, and the issues in their argument were meted out in court. The proceedings, which were outside the presence of jurors, included testimony from Rust arms provider Seth Kenney and law-enforcement officers on the case. In a shocking move, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey called herself to testify. The court concludes that this conduct is highly prejudicial to the defendant, Sommer said. The jury has been sworn; jeopardy is attached. This disclosure during the course of trial is so late that it undermines the defense preparation for trial. There is no way for the court to right this wrong, Sommer said. Based on what she heard, there was no other remedy but to throw out the case. After the proceeding, Morrissey told reporters that her office was proud to have brought the case, despite its ultimate outcome. We disagree with the courts decision, but we have to respect it. Photo: Luke Gilford This article was originally published on March 13, 2023 out of the South By Southwest Film Festival. We are recirculating it now timed to National Anthems theatrical release. Youve heard of the horse girl, but Hollywood has finally found its signature horse boy and his name is Charlie Plummer. (Apologies to Jeremy Irvine.) In Lean on Pete, the sensitive Andrew Haigh drama from 2018, Plummer played a soft-spoken Oregon teenager who escapes his strapped homelife when he finds work and a sense of community at a local racetrack. The new movie National Anthem, which premiered at South by Southwest on Friday, can be described in similar terms, except Plummer is a 21-year-old in rural New Mexico and the community he finds happens to be a queer rodeo enclave. Plummer never actually rides a horse in Lean on Pete, but those noble mammals and the people caring for them make independence seem attainable. He gets bucked off the first horse he mounts in National Anthem, but what really matters exists beyond the paddock gates: a makeshift family that embraces Plummers gentle beanpole in a way his oft-absent mother (Robin Lively) cannot. The film is about outcasts who have refurbished the customs of the American West, bringing gender-agnostic glamour to scenery that traditionally attracts rugged men. One of the loveliest titles this years SXSW lineup has to offer, its a Lana Del Rey song in movie form, even though the Lana number of the same name does not appear. (The excellent soundtrack does include Perfume Genius, Angel Olsen, and Mazzy Star, though.) National Anthem marks the debut feature from Luke Gilford, a 36-year-old photographer and filmmaker who in 2020 published an eponymous monograph documenting queer rodeo life across New Mexico, Texas, California, and elsewhere. His most striking image featured two men perched atop a horse wearing only cowboy hats as compelling a thesis statement as any. In addition to magazine shoots starring Andrew Garfield, Lil Nas X, and Jane Fonda, Gilford has directed music videos for Troye Sivan, Kesha, and Blood Orange. Now he seems likely to become a hot indie wunderkind, descending from the likes of Haigh, Ira Sachs, Andrea Arnold, and Chloe Zhao. Gilfords father was a Colorado rodeo champion, and the iconography he grew up witnessing has inspired his lush cinematic palette. Gilford picked a fitting muse in Plummer, whose unassuming eyes yearn for experience. The All the Money in the World actor plays Dylan, a construction hand tasked with parenting his sweet young brother (Joey DeLeon) while his mom spends nights out. Dylans co-workers call him pretty boy, and he doesnt have much in the way of friends, until he takes a gig doing handiwork on a ranch christened the House of Splendor. There, Dylan meets Sky (Eve Lindley, recently seen in Bros and Dispatches from Elsewhere), an equestrian whos involved romantically with the ranchs brooding chieftain (The Conners Rene Rosado) but takes an immediate liking to Dylan. Sky introduces him to drag and psychedelic mushrooms, gives him a home away from home, and encourages Dylan in his quest to buy an RV so he can travel the country. And yet their utopia is no fantasy hearts break here, too. Rodeos and cowboy culture have been a fascination among art-house filmmakers of late. National Anthem joins Zhaos The Rider, Jane Campions The Power of the Dog, and Jacques Audiards The Sisters Brothers in dissecting the masculinity often deemed inherent to the Western genres landscapes. The Idris Elbra drama Concrete Cowboy, meanwhile, explored gentrification through the lens of Black wranglers in Philadelphia. That movie used the real-life Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club as inspiration, and National Anthems end credits thank the International Gay Rodeo Association, which Gilford photographed for his book. National Anthem grants familiar coming-of-age beats a fresh backdrop. Most characters gender identity and sexuality arent defined, making the House of Splendor a sanctuary where nobody is tokenized in the name of representation. Gilford and his cinematographer, Katelin Arizmendi (Swallow), capture emotions in intimate close-up and use painterly wide shots to establish a vibrant sense of place. Splendor is a bohemian arcadia nestled among desert, removed from the mainstream in an act of defiance that requires little explanation. And yet their utopia is no fantasy hearts break here, too. This is but a chapter in Dylans biography. The rest of his life comes next, after National Anthem fades to black. When a nonbinary drag denizen (Mason Alexander Park) offers him permanent residence at Splendor, Dylan is wise enough to say hes just passing through. Hes never experienced belonging before, and were left with the sense that hell go looking for more of that feeling as his 20s continue. Dylans new friends, bruised but hardly broken, have already found themselves. Now its his turn. Q: On July 12 local time, US President Joe Biden signed into law the Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act. The Act gives recognition to the so-called notion of "Greater Tibet made up by the Dalai group, and asks the US government and the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues to counter "disinformation about Tibet" from the Chinese government. President Biden said in a statement that the Act "does not change longstanding bipartisan United States policy to recognize the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas of China as part of the Peoples Republic of China." Whats Chinas comment? A: The so-called Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act violates the US governments long-held position and commitments and the basic norms governing international relations, grossly interferes in Chinas domestic affairs, undermines Chinas interests, and sends a severely wrong signal to the Tibet independence forces. China firmly opposes it and has protested to the US side. Xizang has been part of China since ancient times. Xizang affairs are Chinas internal affairs which brook no interference by any external forces. Xizang today enjoys social stability and harmony, with sound economic performance and peoples well-being well protected. Xizang is making fresh progress in effectively running its society, maintaining social stability, and achieving high-quality development. No one and no force should ever attempt to destabilize Xizang to contain and suppress China. Such attempts will never succeed. We urge the US side to take concrete actions to honor its commitments of recognizing Xizang as part of China and not supporting Tibet independence. The US must not implement the Act. If the US continues down the wrong path, China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests. BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's National People's Congress (NPC) firmly opposes and strongly condemns the passage and signing into law of the so-called "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act" by the United States, said a statement issued by the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee Saturday. The act grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and severely undermines China's interests, sending a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces seeking "Tibet independence," the statement said. James Cox Investigations are continuing after a Bus Eireann driver was shot in the face with an airgun in Limerick yesterday. She was injured just below the eye after a gang of teenagers refused to pay their fare. Fianna Fail Senator Mary Fitzpatrick recently called for community gardai to include an hour of policing public transport on each shift. The local service has been suspended and the National Bus and Rail Union is among several organisations condemning the attack. Ms Fitzpatrick told Newstalk: "We need to have a situation where public safety is guaranteed, where the public can travel on transportation without fear of attack... and where those working on public transport and other frontline services feel that they can go to work and provide the essential service they are providing without fear of physical or verbal attack." By Cillian Sherlock, PA Taoiseach Simon Harris hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he landed in Ireland for a bilateral meeting. It is their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil and is focused on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Mr Zelenskiy landed at Shannon Airport in Co Clare at noon, and hugged Harris after descending the steps from his state aircraft. The leaders also shook hands while Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko was also present. Asked by reporters for his message to Ireland, Mr Zelenskiy said: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. Mr Zelenskiy was also asked about US President Joe Biden mistakenly referring to him as President Putin. He replied: Its a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. While discussing the future of the conflict during the bilateral, Mr Harris expressed his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He also expressed Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. The two world leaders embraced at Shannon Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, offered further assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He confirmed Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelenskiy is stopping at Shannon Airport on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC. Ireland has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. ICSA president Sean McNamara has said the Department of Agriculture must address the classification of ACRES interim payments as overpayments on their systems as a matter of urgency. The system adopted by the Department to manage ACRES payments has classified interim payments as overpayments, which means payments from all other schemes have been, and still are, at risk of being seized in an attempt to claw back these alleged overpayments. This is a ludicrous situation that needs to be rectified, he said. In late February, Minister McConalogue announced interim payments for participants of Tranche 1 of ACRES who had not received an advance payment for their participation in the scheme. Over the following weeks, interim payments of 4,000 were made to those in the ACRES General approach and 5,000 to participants in the ACRES Co-operation Project approach. The Departments system is flagging interim payments as overpayments in cases where the exact value of delayed ACRES payments has not yet been calculated. Consequently, the system is reclaiming funds from payments for other schemes as they become due and will continue to do so for future payments from all other schemes. Continuing, Mr McNamara said, Unfortunately, the debacle over ACRES payments still appears to have no end, and this latest calamity is just adding insult to injury. There is no justification for seizing farmers payments for other schemes just because they made such a mess of ACRES payments. The ICSA raised the issue at a Farmers Charter meeting in Dublin recently. By Cillian Sherlock, PA Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet Irish premier Simon Harris at Shannon Airport on Saturday. It will be the first bilateral meeting with Mr Zelenskiy on Irish soil and will focus on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. While discussing the future of the conflict, Mr Harris is expected to express his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He will also express Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Taoiseach Simon Harris will meet the Ukrainian president (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, will offer further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He will confirm Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelensky is stopping at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington. Ireland has provided 250,000 in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. Greatest 80s Show, September 13, Theatre Royal Get ready to travel back in time to the 1980s with this exciting new music theatre production. This high-energy show features all of your favourite hits from the decade of neon and big hair, including songs from iconic artists like Duran Duran, A-ha, and Spandau Ballet, to name just a few. With a dynamic and powerful set full of the greatest songs of the 80s, Greatest 80s Show is sure to be a hit with audiences of all ages. The show will take audiences on a nostalgic journey through the decade, with memorable performances of classic songs, such as In the Air Tonight, Never Gonna Give You Up and Together in Electric Dreams. With a set that is both electrifying and heartfelt, the show is a celebration of the music, fashion, and culture of the 80s. Greatest 80s Show will be performing at the Theatre Royal, Waterford on September 13, 2024. Dress You Up, Oct 22-25, Bank Lane Stagemad are delighted to announce tickets for "Dress You Up" by Waterford's Wayne Power are now on sale for four nights of entertaining theatre at Bank Lane from Tuesday, October 22, to Friday, October 25. Tickets will be in high demand for the Green Room award-winning Stagemad and well-known writer Wayne Power. Patrons are strongly advised to book early. With a cast of Charlie Maher, Greta Rochford, Gerry Kane, Evie Bourke and Jake Penkert, this is sure to be four nights of sparkling theatre. The play takes audiences back to the summer of 1997. A new government, Britpops last hurrah and Girl Power. Follow Bobby Burke on a summer that will change his life forever. A material boy in a changing world. How far will he go to step out of the shadows of grief and small-town minds to put his best heel forward. Tickets available at gr8events.ie Waterford Walls Walking Tours, August 9 to 18, The Glen As part of this year's Waterford Walls festival, the team will be hosting walking tours, an exciting exploration of vibrant street art in Waterford City. The guided tour will take guests through the city's colourful murals, showcasing the talent of local, national and international artists. Tours start at the Waterford Walls Festival Hub, beside Number 21 Off Licence in the Glen. The Killeirs Live, August 11, The Haven The Killeirs are Ireland's premier tribute band to the iconic rock band The Killers. Comprised of talented musicians and dedicated fans, The Killeirs bring the high-energy performances and electrifying stage presence, that made The Killers a household name, to Dunmore East's Haven Hotel on August 11. In Dantes Inferno there are nine circles of Hell, each reserved for a different kind of sinner. The lustful get thrown about by storms, the gluttonous wallow in icy slush, heretics are trapped in flaming tombs But try as I might, Ive never been able to locate the particular niche in which the sinner is obliged to review the Archibald Prize for all eternity. Maybe theres a small annex next to the heretics because its a local article of faith that the Archibald is a great Australian tradition, loved and esteemed by all. Heretic that I am, I dont think Ive ever seen a really good Archibald Prize exhibition. Some years are better than others, but my first impression was that this year was one of the worst. After the initial shock, a few pictures began to stand out from the crowd, including the eventual winner, Laura Jones Tim Winton, while others receded into oblivion. Laura Jones has won the Archibald Prize with a portrait of Tim Winton at the Art Gallery of NSW. Credit: Janie Barrett Most of the trustees who judge the prize are not art professionals, but they usually manage to choose a credible candidate. Last years winner upset that complacent assumption, making me wonder about the judges criteria for excellence. Are they really trying to give the prize to the best picture? Perhaps theyre fixated on an artist who is young and emerging, or some other extra-aesthetic category. That idea is supported by this years choice of 57 finalists, which seem to be selected for variety rather than quality. I can only discuss a small number. Taiwan's defense ministry announced today, July 13, that it is closely monitoring a series of missile tests being conducted by China's Rocket Force in the northern region of Inner Mongolia. In response, Taiwan's air defense forces are on high alert. Taiwan, a democratically governed island that China claims as its own territory, keeps a vigilant eye on Chinese military activities. While it frequently observes Chinese maneuvers near the island, it seldom discloses details about operations inside China. The ministry reported that starting at 4 a.m. (2000 GMT on Friday), it detected "multiple waves of test launches" by Chinas Rocket Force in Inner Mongolia, approximately 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Taiwan. The Taiwanese forces are actively monitoring the situation and maintaining heightened air defense readiness. However, the ministry did not provide specific details about the missile tests. China's defense ministry did not respond to inquiries outside of office hours. The Rocket Force is responsible for Chinas conventional and nuclear missile arsenal. This development recalls the events of August 2022, when China launched missiles into waters around Taiwan during military drills to protest a visit to Taipei by then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Taiwan operates powerful radar stations on some of the central mountain range peaks, enabling it to monitor activities deep within China, according to security sources. China has intensified its military pressure on Taiwan, especially since President Lai Ching-te took office in May. Beijing labels him a "separatist" and has conducted several military exercises as a show of force. Despite this, President Lai has consistently offered to engage in dialogue with China, but Beijing has rejected these overtures, insisting that only the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their future. Recent Updates: Japan Issues Defense Warning on China and North Korea Chinese Military Activity Near Taiwan: 30 PLA Aircraft, 9 Naval Vessels Detected Biden Launches 'Ukraine Compact' to Boost Kyiv's Defense and Security Woolworths and Coles have them, much to the frustration of some shoppers. Now its Aldi, famous for the speed of its cashiers, that is quietly rolling out self-checkouts to hundreds of stores. The budget supermarket chain has been slow to install self-serve registers, compared with larger rivals Woolworths and Coles. It started trialling them in 2021, but they are now appearing in stores all over the country. At the Aldi in Box Hill South, in Melbournes east, three of the supermarkets four traditional checkouts were closed during a visit this week. Aldi Box Hill Souths new self-service checkouts. Customers paying by card were directed to use the stores six self-service checkouts, installed only last week. On their screen lies a warning: monitoring in progress. Doha, Qatar: For nearly two decades, Hamas has been in charge of governing the Gaza Strip, overseeing its border crossings, schools and hospitals. But after nine months of a ruinous war with Israel, the militant group is now expressing readiness to give up civilian governance in Gaza, albeit without dismantling its military wing. Husam Badran, a senior political officer and spokesman for Hamas, at his office in Doha. Credit: Diego Ibarra Sanchez/The New York Times The overture by Hamas, while most likely a non-starter for Israel, is meant to signal to the international community Hamas apparent readiness to make some concessions to enable the rebuilding of Gaza. It also arrives against the backdrop of ongoing ceasefire negotiations, in which Hamas has shown some flexibility on the language in a proposed deal. First and foremost, we want the Palestinian people in Gaza to recover from this war, Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official, said in an interview at an unmarked building in the Qatari capital, Doha. One of the most remarkable companies in the last two decades is arguably Amazon, which rode the e-commerce tailwind to great success. While the e-commerce tailwind is ongoing, investors will likely not make enormous gains with Amazon's stock. After all, the company is already worth more than $2 trillion in market capitalization. The good news is that there are other smaller but well-established e-commerce companies that investors can keep an eye on. MercadoLibre Inc (NASDAQ: MELI), the leading e-commerce company in Latin America, is one of those candidates. Image source: Getty Images. MercadoLibre has a solid track record of growth MercadoLibre is a rare tech company with a solid growth track record that spans almost two decades, yet it is still "small" enough to make a difference in your portfolio. Founded in 1999, MercadoLibre caught the attention of the then-leading e-commerce platform eBay, which bought a 19.5% stake in the company. The Latin American company went public in 2007, and since then, revenue has grown from just $52 million in 2006 to $14.5 billion in 2023 -- or more than 278 times. It's the clear leader in this region, significantly ahead of even Amazon in market share. So, what did the company do right? Well, many things. Topping the list is MercadoLibre's localized approach to managing its business. It deeply understands Latin America and uses that knowledge to tailor its operations, services, and strategies. This localized approach means the company can recruit the right people to make the right decisions and execute quickly. Besides, the tech company's deep understanding of its markets helps it build a solid brand that resonates well with customers. The tech company has also been highly innovative, constantly iterating and offering new products and services to delight its customers. For instance, it leverages customer relationships and trust in the brand to launch adjacent services such as digital payments and fintech. These services strengthen its relationship with customers and help it build a vibrant and growing ecosystem in this region. It is also worth mentioning that MercadoLibre has always had its founder, Marcos Galperin, leading the company over the decades. The benefit of a founder-led company is that it can focus on the long term, making bets and taking decisions that matter in the long run -- such as to delight its customers and subsequently create value for shareholders. In short, MercadoLibre has done many things correctly over the years, which explains its solid performance over this period. Story continues The e-commerce company is well-positioned to sustain its growth One of the biggest concerns that growth investors have is whether a company making billions in revenue, like MercadoLibre, is still well-positioned to grow. While most large companies will inevitably face growth bottlenecks as they expand, this doesn't seem to be the case for this e-commerce leader -- at least, not in the near future. To put it into perspective, the company grew revenue by a solid 37% in 2023 to $14.5 billion. Net income performed even better, doubling from $482 million to $987 million. That's a remarkable performance, considering that the company was already generating more than $10 billion in revenue! There are many drivers to that. First, Latin America's e-commerce market penetration remains low compared to countries like China and the U.S., giving it plenty of room for growth. Besides, as countries in this region still grow in per capita gross domestic product (GDP), the growing disposable income will likely contribute further to consumption. Internally, MercadoLibre is constantly working to delight its customers, which will naturally lead to higher spending over time -- after all, online shopping is a habitual activity. Moreover, the tech company is constantly experimenting with new services, which will help grow customer wallet share further. One major downside is that competition has intensified in recent years thanks to the entrance of new players like Shopee, Shein, and Temu. But given the vast opportunity ahead, there will be enough room for multiple players. What it means for investors MercadoLibre is a rare company with a combination of a long growth track record, profitability, and prospects for growth in the coming years. Still, there are risks involved. The company is an overseas business subjected to issues like foreign exchange and cultural differences. The stock is also not cheap -- it has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 74 times. However, for investors looking to benefit from the e-commerce tailwind, MercadoLibre should be on the radar. Dont miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then youll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Amazon: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2010, youd have $21,968 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, youd have $43,001 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, youd have $352,022!* Right now, were issuing Double Down alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 Double Down stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of July 8, 2024 John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Lawrence Nga has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and MercadoLibre. The Motley Fool recommends eBay and recommends the following options: short July 2024 $52.50 calls on eBay. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 1 Solid E-Commerce Stock That's Not Amazon to Keep On Your Radar was originally published by The Motley Fool Marriage has a lasting effect on your finances, for better or for worse. Most people are prepared to pay daily expenses and plan for a future together. But few give much thought to how their marriage affects their Social Security benefits. There are three important changes that take place within the first year of getting married. We'll cover each of them in detail below so you know what to expect. Image source: Getty Images. 1. You become eligible for a spousal benefit on your new spouse's work record You probably know that marriage makes you eligible for a spousal benefit on your new partner's work record, assuming your partner has worked long enough to earn a Social Security retirement benefit. But many believe they become eligible for a spousal benefit as soon as they get married. That's not always true, though. Typically, you must be married to your partner for at least one year before you become eligible for spousal benefits on their work record. However, there are a few exceptions. If you're the parent of your spouse's child, the one-year rule doesn't apply. It also doesn't apply to those who were entitled to Social Security benefits in the month before the month they got married. This doesn't matter much to young couples who aren't even old enough to claim Social Security, but it's something to bear in mind if you're nearing retirement age when you marry. You may have to wait slightly longer than you planned to claim your spousal benefit if your marriage hasn't hit the one-year mark yet. However, even if you can't yet claim a spousal benefit, you can still claim a retirement benefit of your own beginning as soon as you turn 62. 2. You become ineligible for a spousal benefit on your ex-spouse's work record It's possible to claim a spousal benefit on your ex's record if you were married for at least 10 years before splitting. However, that eligibility depends upon you staying single. If you choose to remarry, you will no longer be able to claim an ex-spousal benefit. Again, this probably won't matter to you if you're not even eligible for Social Security yet. But if you were already receiving Social Security on your ex's work record, be prepared for the Social Security Administration to switch you over to your new partner's Social Security benefit, assuming they've signed up. Ex-spousal benefits permit you to claim even if your ex hasn't applied yet as long as you've been divorced for at least two years. This isn't true for current spousal benefits. You cannot claim these until your spouse applies for their own retirement benefit. So if you were claiming ex-spousal benefits and then marry someone else who hasn't yet applied for Social Security, your checks may stop altogether unless you're eligible for a retirement benefit of your own. Story continues 3. You become eligible for a survivors benefit if your spouse passes away Marriage also entitles you to a spousal benefit if your partner unexpectedly passes away, but as with spousal benefits, this eligibility doesn't kick in right away. Typically, you must be married for at least nine months before you become eligible for a survivors benefit on your partner's record. However, the Social Security Administration will waive this requirement if you meet one of the following criteria: You're caring for the deceased worker's minor child. You were eligible for Social Security benefits on a qualifying worker's record in the month before the month you married the deceased worker. The deceased worker's death was accidental. The deceased worker's death occurred in the line of duty while serving in the military. You and the deceased worker had been previously married and that marriage lasted at least nine months. The deceased worker was previously married to an institutionalized person and was unable to divorce them due to state law, but married you within 60 days of their institutionalized spouse's death. If you qualify for spousal benefits and your spouse passes away, you can claim benefits as early as age 60 (50 if you're disabled) or at any age if caring for the deceased worker's minor child. Children could also be eligible for their own survivors benefit. You probably don't have to worry too much about the finer points of Social Security benefits of spouses, but it's important to keep the basics in mind, especially if you plan to apply for Social Security soon. If you're not able to apply right away due to eligibility rules, you may have to find other ways to cover your expenses in the meantime. The $ 22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies. View the "Social Security secrets" The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 3 Important Social Security Changes That Happen After You Tie the Knot was originally published by The Motley Fool Thomson Reuters Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his US counterpart Joe Biden accidentally referring to him as Russian president Vladimir Putin was a mistake that could be forgotten about given all the support the US has provided to Ukraine. Mr Biden mistakenly referred to Mr Zelenskiy as Putin at a Nato summit in Washington on Thursday before correcting himself two seconds later. "It's a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," Mr Zelenskiy told reporters on Saturday at Shannon Airport where he was meeting Taoiseach Simon Harris. While discussing the future of the conflict during the bilateral, Mr Harris expressed his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He also expressed Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, offered further assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a bilateral meeting at Shannon Airport, Co Clare. He confirmed Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelenskiy is stopping at Shannon Airport on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC. Ireland has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. - Additional reporting from Press Association Amanda Gray has always had a calling towards working with people who have intellectual or physical disabilities. Like many journeys however, thats not what she started out doing but eventually the pull became so strong that she just had to answer it. The Enniscrone-based lady is now the Director of Services for Praxis Care Ireland, a service which provides support to 450 people in the Republic of Ireland, with many centres located in the West of Ireland. We sat down to talk at the 40th anniversary celebrations for Praxis Care in Ballina, as Amanda told me about why she felt this was the right path for her. Angelina: Amanda, thanks for chatting to me. Tell me a little bit about yourself first of all? Amanda: I was born in Birmingham and both my parents were Irish. Dad's from Enniscrone and mum's from Belmullet. I lived in Birmingham until I was 16. We came home at that point to Enniscrone. I went to school in the Jesus and Mary Convent in Enniscrone I joined in fifth year. So I did my Leaving Certificate, then I went onto third level in Galway and got a business degree. I went off to Dublin to get a job. I was probably 21 at the time. I got a job working in accounts, on the administration side of it. I stayed with it for four years but that role wasn't really for me but I always had an interest in social care. When I was applying for the CAO, that whole system was new to me, being English. I went for Galway because I liked Galway as opposed to going for the course that I really liked. And at the time, Galway didn't do social care. Angelina: You said you always had an interest in social care, where did that come from? Amanda: My auntie has Down Syndrome and she actually lived in Cregg House Services she was one of the first people to move out into the house in Tubbercurry. And so I probably always had an interest in that side of things. I was going out with my now husband Aidan and he knew I wasn't very happy in the role I was in and he said, just leave. So I applied for a lot of jobs in social care, but you couldn't get a job without a qualification or experience. And you couldn't get experience if you didn't have a qualification. Eventually I applied to do the course part time and I found a job where I was able to do that. So I started working in a residential centre in Dublin for people who were deaf blind and had profound intellectual disabilities. And I studied at the same time and worked my way up. Angelina: What came next for you? Amanda: I had my first child. We were still living in Dublin and I was working there. We were building a house at home in Enniscrone as well at the time. We always knew we wanted to move home at some point. I remember having to drop Sean off to the creche the very first day I was going back to work from maternity leave and he was probably about seven months old and I'd done all my checks and it was lovely creche, and I was very happy with it, but I can still remember dropping him off and driving to work and crying the whole way. I remember going in and talking to my boss and I said just having to leave him with people that you don't know was a strange feeling. It kind of changed my perspective of what families have to go through. And sometimes you don't see that when you're working and the kind of battle that families have and the trust that they put in you when they leave their children. So it stuck with me all that time. So I went back to work after I had Sean and then had another baby, Holly. I went back to work for a very short time and then eventually I decided we'd move home to Enniscrone, and I was lucky enough to get a job. It was called a Community Options Project. The Time To Move On Policy was just coming in and they were looking at Decongregation. So it was a project around that in Mayo, working with people with physical disabilities, and that gave me a different type of experience. From that, I was seconded to the HSE, and that was Decongregation as well. Then a job came up with Praxis as Head of Development. Praxis was looking to develop its first services in the West of Ireland so I applied for that post and got that and then moved into operations a bit more. And the services continued to grow and develop. After I joined, we were expanding. We took over a number of services down in Cork and I was driving up and down every week. It was a big takeover, so at that point then they advertised for a Regional Director. I applied for that and I was successful and then last year, I applied to become Director of Services for the Republic of Ireland and was successful. Angelina: Praxis Care is celebrating 40 years this year tell us a little bit more about the work you do. Amanda: Praxis was incorporated in 1984. We started out in the north of Ireland and we then moved into Isle of Man and then England, and then Ireland in 2006. We work across six of the different CHO areas. We work in the east, we work in the west, the north west, and the south of the country. Across the whole of the organisation, we support 1500 people and we employ 2000 staff. And then in the Republic of Ireland, we support about 450 people and over 600 staff. Most of our work is residential service and daily services and also respite services. All our funding comes through the HSE. We're a registered charity, so we're a section 39 organisation, and we support people who have intellectual disabilities, autism and mental ill health. More and more we're seeing that the services that are needed are really for people with quite complex needs and a lot more kind of emergency placements. There's not enough proactive planning for the needs of people with disabilities. And I know the HSE are working really hard to do that, that it doesn't become an emergency, but it is at the moment, it's quite difficult. And families get to that state where they just can't continue to provide support. Respite care is something that continues to grow in the HSE, they're placing a big emphasis on it, and they're increasing the funding around it. And that's really important because it will mean that people can stay at home for longer because families don't want to see their sons and daughters have to move out. We work really hard when that happens, when they do have to move out, to include the families to make sure that they're part of that planning of the new service, to make sure that they're part of that transition and the journey when they come in and that when their son or daughter moves into their new home that they feel like it's their home, that they're just as welcome. Angelina: What keeps you driven Amanda? Amanda: I think it's a few things. I think what keeps me working in social care is that I know the importance of the work, I know the difference it makes. And I probably know that first-hand from seeing my own Auntie Tina. And she was always, and still is, the centre of the family, the thing that keeps everybody together. My mum and her sisters and brothers, when Tina would come home for the eight weeks of the summer, they'd take a week each. So that wrapping, that support around people, I see how much that is needed. But I also got to see first-hand how important the supports that the HSE offered to mum's family for Tina were. She loves her home, she loves living with the people that she lives with. What we offer is so essential to people, it keeps me motivated to keep doing it. But it is stressful it's very busy. You're kind of balancing things all the time. I started working for Praxis in 2018 and they were a lot smaller then, and I remember you'd go to your appraisals and I used to describe the organisation as a big family. Even though six years later we're even bigger and the team has grown significantly, we come together once a month and we have an operations meeting and it still feels like that family. We have a laugh because you have to be able to laugh in this work because it can be so stressful. Angelina: The service is continuing to grow as you said? Amanda: We're actually renewing our strategy now looking at it from 2025 to 2030, but we've no big growth targets in it. I think that's important because we're a charity and we're in it because we want to provide the best services at the best time, with the right people, and you don't want to be looking to meet growth targets because then it can dilute that. We get referrals all the time for different areas. We never look to start in a new area where a service might be isolated. We try to grow from where we can, where there are existing services and that's continuing to happen. In Mayo now, we have a day service and we have three residential services. We have residential services in Sligo, we have two in Leitrim, we have three in Donegal, and even now we're looking at others in Donegal, we're looking at other residential services in Mayo but slowly. There's no pressure to do that. We would have conversations about where needs are and sometimes you have to go out, you have to look at the house because you know that there's a need there in the future. Then when that person comes in, you can design the service around them to meet that. So we will grow, I've no doubt about it, but we're under no pressure to do it and we want to do it in the right way so that we get the best outcomes for people. Key Insights Institutions' substantial holdings in Mastercard implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price A total of 19 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business To get a sense of who is truly in control of Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 88% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. Because institutional owners have a huge pool of resources and liquidity, their investing decisions tend to carry a great deal of weight, especially with individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Mastercard, beginning with the chart below. View our latest analysis for Mastercard What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Mastercard? 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. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Mastercard. 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. 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 Mastercard's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Mastercard. The MasterCard Foundation, Endowment Arm is currently the company's largest shareholder with 9.9% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.1% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 7.4% by the third-largest shareholder. A closer look at our ownership figures suggests that the top 19 shareholders have a combined ownership of 51% implying that no single shareholder has a majority. Story continues While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. 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 Mastercard The definition of company insiders can be subjective and does vary between jurisdictions. Our data reflects individual insiders, capturing board members at the very least. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. 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 Mastercard Incorporated insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$168m of stock. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership With a 12% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Mastercard. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. Next Steps: It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Mastercard better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Mastercard 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 Weather Alert Bulletin: ...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 9 AM EDT FRIDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 33 degrees will result in frost formation. * WHERE...A portion of central Pennsylvania, including the Middle Susquehanna Valley. * WHEN...From 2 AM to 9 AM EDT Friday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants and vegetation from the cold. Potted plants should be brought inside. The frost will occur mainly in valley locations. && Info: Type: Frost Advisory start_time_local: 2024-10-11T02:00:00-04:00 end_time_local: 2024-10-11T09:00:00-04:00 county_name: state: PA headline: Frost Advisory from FRI 2:00 AM EDT until FRI 9:00 AM EDT county_fips: category: Met url: urgency: Expected severity: Minor certainty: Likely geographicname: Schuylkill County state_name: Pennsylvania Amazons (AMZN) dominance in e-commerce makes any potential threat hard to take seriously. On the surface anyway. But the staggering growth of direct shippers like Temu and Shein, though puny in comparison, has grabbed the attention of the people who run the everything store. And Amazon aims to confront them directly before they get much more traction. Amazons reported move to start a new service focused on shipping low-cost fashion and lifestyle products directly from China highlights how bargain platforms have made inroads with American shoppers and Chinese manufacturers. And how even market leaders are forced to adjust to maintain top billing. The Chinese marketplaces arent currently a huge threat to Amazon, but they are growing, and they are nibbling away at its market share, said Neil Saunders, a retail analyst at GlobalData. New data underscores how thoroughly Amazon commands the e-commerce market but also suggests why propping up a bargain copycat service seems like a strategic necessity, akin to a mainstream airline launching a discount carrier to fend off the "little guys." By the numbers, of course, the up-and-comers look more like niche businesses compared with the Seattle mega-retailer. Amazon is forecast to generate more than $360 billion in 2025 from sales tied to independent sellers that use the online platform, according to a report published by eMarketer last week. That represents a 10% jump from 2024. And its ten times higher than its closest online competitor, eBay (EBAY). But even as Amazon towers above its rivals, including the likes of Walmart (see above chart), and is expected to post healthy growth, Temus anticipated figures, for example, outshine everyone else. Temu where customers can order shoes for less than $10, drones for $15, or a mattress topper for a little more than $30 is expected to grow its third-party sales by nearly 60% next year to more than $30 billion, eMarketer estimates show. Thats well above the growth forecasts of other marketplace competitors, including Walmart (WMT) and Etsy (ETSY). At the moment, Temu and other low cost platforms have a catalog confined to more affordable products and basic consumer goods. But there is a danger the overlap could grow as the marketplaces round out their offer and push into higher price points, said Saunders. Like other forms of online shopping or walking the aisles for sales, perceived savings have a way of loosening purses, playing off impulses, and convincing shoppers to pick up items they didn't know they needed. Story continues Owned by the Chinese e-commerce group PDD Holdings (PDD), Temu began operating in the US in 2022. The company has relied on an advertising blitz and subsidies to disrupt established players in China and abroad, wielding ultra-low prices to claw away market share, a model that has thrived as consumers mind their spending. PDD doesn't break out Temu sales figures. But the parent company reported revenue of $12 billion for the quarter ending in May. Shein also has Chinese roots but is currently headquartered in Singapore. The fast-fashion juggernaut, which features $5 pajama sets and $7 yoga leggings, doesn't report its financials. But in a run-up to a potential IPO, estimates pin the company's annual revenue at more than $30 billion. Alongside their financial accomplishments, the two platforms have drawn political scrutiny over the way they handle sending goods to the US. Shein and Temu benefit from a tax loophole that exempts packages from tariffs if they are worth less than $800. Some lawmakers have called for an end to this trade provision, targeting Chinese companies. Almost half of the shipments that are sent over using the duty-free exemption come from China, according to a recent Congressional committee report. Is Amazon running scared? The Temu website. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) A cheaper but slower supply chain Platforms like Shein and Temu have discovered that for some customers looking for a certain set of products, speed is less important than extraordinary value. For years, Amazon has conditioned US consumers to buy unbranded goods from Chinese sellers at low prices. The company optimized for speedy delivery, developing a fulfillment network that can deliver goods in days or even hours. Thats true for goods already shipped to the US from abroad and from domestic merchants. In March, for instance, nearly 60% of Prime member orders arrived the same or the next day across the top 60 largest US metro areas, the company has touted. Customers shopping on discount platforms, however, can buy from sellers who ship products directly from China. Since the goods arent already sitting in stateside warehouses, the logistical journey means delivery times are measured in days and weeks. But what these transactions lose in time, they make up for in price. Thats how customers can find an array of goods on Temu that are much cheaper than those sold by department stores or even Amazon. (To beat the heat, an ice maker costs around $50 on Temu, compared to roughly $80 on Amazon. And a neck fan who doesn't need one of those? goes for around $5 on Temu. Similar items range from $20 to $45 on Amazon.) The direct shipping model works especially well for cheaper items since more of their price is attributed to cost and fees. Removing a fulfillment layer can make them significantly cheaper. Thats why traditional retailers and Amazon which offer service, convenience, and speed typically cant match the prices of bargain apps. Copycat models As the discount platforms have grown their customer base, Amazon has taken notice. The e-commerce leader has shared plans with Chinese sellers to launch a new shopping channel that would cater to users looking for affordable clothing and lifestyle products, as first reported by the Information's Jing Yang and Theo Wayt. The items, many of which will cost less than $20, would be shipped directly from China, with delivery as fast as nine days. There is also something of a future threat in that the Chinese marketplaces are very appealing to younger generations, which Amazon also wants to recruit and retain as future shoppers, said Saunders. And its not just customers Amazon is after. In a statement to Yahoo Finance, Amazon said We are always exploring new ways to work with our selling partners to delight our customers with more selection, lower prices, and greater convenience. Temu told Yahoo Finance in a statement that their direct-from-factory model streamlined the traditional retail supply chain. "By eliminating intermediaries, we pass savings directly to consumers, offering lower prices without compromising quality," the company said. "Consumers have embraced this approach by making Temu one of the most popular shopping apps in the world." Shein did not respond to requests for comment. Amazon's planned discount storefront is also an attempt to court Chinese sellers, their flow of business, and their ad dollars, said Sky Canaves, a principal analyst at eMarketer. They may individually sell small amounts, but in the aggregate, they are high. If the sellers decide to go sell elsewhere, on TikTok and Shein and Temu, if they start exploring other platforms, they are going to be spending on other platforms, she said. Thats what Amazon is trying to anticipate. But the supply chain mimicry and incursion into rival turf go both ways. Just as Amazon is trying to be more like Temu and Shein, the discount platforms are trying to be more like Amazon, said Juozas Kaziukenas, founder of the market research firm Marketplace Pulse. Bargain platforms are setting up partnerships and local warehouse programs in the US and are recruiting domestic merchants. Temu's efforts to recruit more Chinese sellers with US inventory, as well as local merchants, are taking a page out of the Amazon book. It's also a way to protect the company if the US government eliminates the trade provision that exempts low-cost shipments from customs duties, as the Information reported on Wednesday. While it continues to ship products directly from China, Temu is establishing a stronger base of independent US sellers. Temu told Yahoo Finance that qualified sellers can now handle their own logistics from local US and European warehouses. "This enriches our product selection, reduces shipping distances, and shortens delivery times," the company said. The broad success of Amazons e-commerce business has also invited other major players like Walmart and Target (TGT) to build their own marketplaces with third-party sellers. And the build-out of supply chain logistics has made it easier for bands outside the US to gain a foothold, said Cayce Roy, the founder and chief executive at Standvast, an e-commerce fulfillment company, and a former vice president at Amazon. The challenges for Amazon In an environment where Amazon still has headroom for growth but is closer to saturation, experts say creating new revenue streams and claiming share from rivals are ways to boost growth. But challenges lie ahead for taking on the discount platforms that have fortified a niche for themselves. If Amazon built an identity based around rapid delivery and convenience, how will the company communicate to shoppers the upside of slower delivery? This is not a natural fit for them. And they dont necessarily have an advantage, said Kaziukenas. Kaziukenas also pointed to Prime Day, just around the corner, to highlight the many other shopping behaviors Amazon is trying to cater to. Shein and Temu are not accidental. This is the one thing these apps are focused on, but for Amazon, this is going to be priority number 17, he said. "For all of Amazons prowess and strength, this is where they are starting from a point of weakness. Hamza Shaban is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering markets and the economy. Follow Hamza on Twitter @hshaban. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. One great example is BP Plastics Holding Bhd. (KLSE:BPPLAS) which saw its share price drive 109% higher over five years. Now it's worth having a look at the company's fundamentals too, because that will help us determine if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. View our latest analysis for BP Plastics Holding Bhd To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). Over half a decade, BP Plastics Holding Bhd managed to grow its earnings per share at 10% a year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 16% per year, over the same period. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that BP Plastics Holding Bhd has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? This free report showing analyst revenue forecasts should help you figure out if the EPS growth can be sustained. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of BP Plastics Holding Bhd, it has a TSR of 169% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective BP Plastics Holding Bhd shareholders gained a total return of 18% during the year. But that return falls short of the market. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 22% over five years. It's quite possible the business continues to execute with prowess, even as the share price gains are slowing. 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. Even so, be aware that BP Plastics Holding Bhd is showing 3 warning signs in our investment analysis , and 1 of those can't be ignored... Story continues 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 (NEXSTAR) A recent report found that buying a home in the U.S. today is less affordable than any other time in the last 17 years, only emphasizing the pressure many homebuyers may have already been feeling. More than 35% of the average wage is currently going toward the typical costs of a home, the report from real estate data company ATTOM determined. Coupled with stubborn mortgage rates, hovering around 6.95%, the thought of owning a home may feel out of reach for many. It all comes at a time when nearly 80% of Americans say owning a home is part of the American Dream. For years, real estate was considered a good investment. But is that still the case? US inflation cools again, potentially paving way for Fed to cut interest rates soon That will depend on what youre looking for in a home. If, for example, youre staying in a city for a short term like a year or two renting may be the better option. If youre looking to stay somewhere for longer, you may opt to become a homeowner. If you plan to stay in your home for more than five years, you will likely be better off financially owning your home compared to renting, Daryl Fairweather, chief economist for Redfin, told Nexstar via email. Over the past five years, home prices have climbed 47%, Fairweather explains, thanks in large part to the pandemic homebuying boom. While we likely wont see the same rate of appreciation in the coming years, he notes that both home prices and rents will likely be higher in the future. Those costs will at least partially be driven by the housing shortage the U.S. is facing, Bankrate analyst Jeff Ostrowski explained earlier this year. A lack of supply is likely to keep home values elevated, he added. Drew Barrymores new Beautiful bath line and decor is so chic and affordable That will also help appreciation build on your home and help you build equity, which can help with other investments. Its worth noting, though, that much of this will depend on where you live. In communities where home prices are dropping, for example, the value of your own home may decline. Whats better renting or buying? While buying a home has its upsides, like building equity and having a space to call your own, there are downsides. Theres a chance your homes value will decrease instead of appreciating, your monthly costs may be unpredictable, and you have less flexibility if youd like to move. If those aspects are important to you, you may feel more inclined to rent. Your monthly payments are more predictable, you can move when your lease is up, and, in most cases, you arent on the hook when it comes to maintenance problems. Story continues If youre stuck between buying and renting, you may want to focus on the finances of it all, Chris Varsek, the lead real estate agent with The Varsek Team in Illinois, previously told Nexstar via email. Unless youre flush with cash, buying a home also comes with the burden of a mortgage. Even if youre renting, youre still, in a way, paying a mortgage except its the landlords mortgage, Varsek explains. There are various online calculators that can help you determine whether its cheaper for you to rent or buy a home. Before diving into them, you may first want to consider what is financially best for you. Stuck between renting and buying a home? How to calculate whats best for you Generally speaking, experts say you should spend no more than 30% of your gross income on housing, including rent or mortgage, home association fees and utilities. Thats in line with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developments definition of affordable housing. Many online calculators, like one version from Realtor.com, automatically account for those extra costs based on the location youre looking in. Take, for example, Memphis, Tennessee, where home prices have been dropping recently. The average home price is still about $227,000 while the average monthly rent is $1,275. After accounting for those extra costs, Realtor.coms calculator determines buying a home will become cheaper than renting after seven years. The calculator doesnt calculate what you may make if you were to rent out your home a move that could make real estate a better investment for you. Overall, experts have forecasted that rent will remain high but may be softening slightly. The housing market may improve this year compared to 2023, though it likely wont be what we saw in 2020 and 2021 and mortgage rates may not come down anytime 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 Queen City News. River City or Redundancy City? There is plenty of retail development going on in Redding. But in many cases, the stores and restaurants that are being built or have recently opened are more of the same. Sure, we have newcomers like Lotus Thai opening in the Churn Creek Marketplace. We also got our first Crumbl Cookies and Sourdough Bread Company there. But the same shopping center has given us second locations for In-N-Out Burger, MOD Pizza, Jamba, Panda Express, Ross Dress For Less, Petco, a third Les Schwab Tire Center and another Starbucks Ive lost count on the number of Starbucks in Redding. On the other side of the freeway at the new Costco shopping center, under construction are second locations for Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Jersey Mikes and Baskin-Robbins. McDonalds also recently opened at the center. The sign is up announcing a second Chick-fil-A in Redding. This one is going up in the new Costco shopping center off South Bonnyview Road. While its frustrating not to see more variety, Ted Rossman of Bankrate.com said all the commercial construction is a good sign. This is economic growth and development and these companies must feel like something is working if they are continuing to invest in more locations, said Rossman, a senior analyst with Bankrate. Rossman said while online shopping has certainly become more popular, especially in the wake of the pandemic, people still like the brick-and-mortar experience and the fast-casual restaurant segment is booming. Eighty percent of retail sales are still taking place in person, Rossman said. Dining has been hot in recent years coming out of the pandemic. More: What's the best temperature to set your air conditioner thermostat in California? Ken Miller of Northstate Commercial Partners in Redding said the reality of retail development is that shopping center owners are not necessarily looking at variety when they look to fill spaces. It has nothing to do with the food, Miller said. Mega chains like McDonalds and Starbucks have tremendous credit, he said. So, the banks love to throw money into a McDonalds deal or Starbucks deal, developers get the bank financing and investors love it, Miller said. Rossman said cities also are not going to be overly selective. For the most part, they are happy to fill those spaces and they are not particularly choosy about what is going in there, he said. "Overall, I see this as a positive sign. Consumer spending has held up surprisingly well the last few years, even though a lot of people are not feeling great about the economy," Rossman added. "Consumer spending, low employment. (Those) are all positive trends." MOD Pizza has new owner amid bankruptcy rumors MOD Pizza opened a location in the Save Mart shopping center in December 2023. MOD Pizza, which recently opened a second location in Redding in the Churn Creek MarketPlace shopping center, has a new owner, according to news reports. Story continues The news comes as rumors are circulating that the pizza chain has been exploring bankruptcy. Both Restaurant Business and QSR reported this past week that Elite Restaurant Group has acquired MOD Pizza. Terms were not disclosed. But with the deal, MOD officials hope to restructure debt and shore up the 512-unit chains capital base, according to Restaurant Business. MOD Pizza opened in Discovery Village on Dana Drive in Redding in 2015. It opened its second location in Churn Creek Marketplace in south Redding last December. Remember the Shasta County Capitol display? Its been six years since work started on updating the terribly dated Shasta County display in the state Capitol in Sacramento. The new display was finished in 2021 amid a global pandemic. Then it was announced the Capitol Annex, where the county displays sit, would be undergoing a $500 million replacement project, further delaying the official premier of the new Shasta County Capitol display. The new Shasta County Capitol display. The price tag for the annex project has exceeded $1 billion dollars and work has been delayed by lawsuits and other issues, per news reports. Moreover, Randi Slaughter, who spearheaded the community-funded project to get the new Shasta County display built, said there is no guarantee that county displays will be showcased in the new Capitol Annex. Ive never gotten a specific answer from somebody at the Capitol, yes these displays are going to be back in the annex, she recently told me. Our hope is these displays do go back in the Capitol because each county has worked really hard on them. In the interim, the Shasta County Capital Display can be seen at The Art Hunger Project gallery inside the I.O.O.F Hall in downtown Redding. I have been working with Viva Downtown and the Art Hunger Project who have graciously agreed to host the display until its next destination to the Shasta Historical Society building, Slaughter said. The Shasta Historical Society and I met and felt they would be an excellent temporary host to the display. They, too, have their own renovations they are working through, which is how Viva Downtown and I proposed the I.O.O.F Hall for a short period of time. Slaughter is excited that the display will be downtown, but she also hopes it will find its way to Sacramento one day so it can be showcased to a larger audience. With everything happening in our downtown, we see so many visitors coming to see us. Its just really an opportunity, with First Friday bringing in a lot of people there. So we are just proud to display it for the local folks and those visitors, she said. David Benda covers business, development and anything else that comes up for the USA TODAY Network in Redding. He also writes the weekly "Buzz on the Street" column. Hes part of a team of dedicated reporters that investigate wrongdoing, cover breaking news and tell other stories about your community. Reach him on X, formerly Twitter @DavidBenda_RS or by phone at 530-338-8323. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: The Buzz: Why Redding sees more of the same restaurants, stores Gurgen Arsenyan, a deputy from the ruling Civil Contract party, will be appointed Armenian Ambassador to Russia in September, Azernews reports, citing Zhoghovurd newspaper citing a source in the party. According to the newspaper, the Russian side confirmed its agreement back in May, now its Armenias turn. The extraordinary meeting of the spring session of parliament on July 12 was the last for Arsenyan, as he will resign his parliamentary mandate, the newspaper noted. According to the Armenian Law On Diplomatic Service, the ambassador is appointed and recalled by the president of the country at the proposal of the countrys prime minister. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Cheetah Holdings Berhad fair value estimate is RM0.16 Current share price of RM0.14 suggests Cheetah Holdings Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value Cheetah Holdings Berhad's peers seem to be trading at a higher discount to fair value based onthe industry average of 17% Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Cheetah Holdings Berhad (KLSE:CHEETAH) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected 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. We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Cheetah Holdings Berhad Is Cheetah Holdings Berhad 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. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, 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 (MYR, Millions) RM4.99m RM5.30m RM5.59m RM5.87m RM6.13m RM6.39m RM6.65m RM6.90m RM7.16m RM7.43m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 7.46% Est @ 6.28% Est @ 5.46% Est @ 4.89% Est @ 4.49% Est @ 4.21% Est @ 4.01% Est @ 3.87% Est @ 3.78% Est @ 3.71% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 11% RM4.5 RM4.3 RM4.1 RM3.9 RM3.7 RM3.5 RM3.3 RM3.1 RM2.9 RM2.7 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM36m Story continues 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 (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 11%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = RM7.4m (1 + 3.6%) (11% 3.6%) = RM110m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM110m ( 1 + 11%)10= RM41m 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 RM77m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.1, the company appears about fair value at a 11% 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 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 Cheetah Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 11%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.099. 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. Moving On: Whilst important, the DCF calculation 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. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Cheetah Holdings Berhad, we've compiled three important elements you should further research: Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for Cheetah Holdings Berhad we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Key Insights Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Charles Schwab's stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions The top 16 shareholders own 50% of the company Insiders have sold recently Every investor in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. And the group that holds the biggest piece of the pie are institutions with 71% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Charles Schwab, beginning with the chart below. View our latest analysis for Charles Schwab What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Charles Schwab? 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. Charles Schwab already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. 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 Charles Schwab, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Charles Schwab. Our data shows that The Toronto-Dominion Bank is the largest shareholder with 12% of shares outstanding. In comparison, the second and third largest shareholders hold about 6.6% and 5.4% of the stock. After doing some more digging, we found that the top 16 have the combined ownership of 50% in the company, suggesting that no single shareholder has significant control over the company. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Charles Schwab The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Shareholders would probably be interested to learn that insiders own shares in The Charles Schwab Corporation. Insiders own US$2.0b worth of shares (at current prices). we sometimes take an interest in whether they have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 11% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run. Private Company Ownership It seems that Private Companies own 4.3%, of the Charles Schwab stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Public Company Ownership It appears to us that public companies own 12% of Charles Schwab. It's hard to say for sure but this suggests they have entwined business interests. This might be a strategic stake, so it's worth watching this space for changes in ownership. 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 Charles Schwab that you should be aware of. Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands here on Friday. Noting that China regards the Solomon Islands as a good friend, good partner and good brother, Xi said China supports the Solomon Islands in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions and in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Xi said China is ready to enhance strategic communication with the Solomon Islands to firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests and addressing major concerns, enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road cooperation and the development strategy of the Solomon Islands, deepen cooperation in areas such as rural development, medical services, infrastructure, sustainable development and climate change response, and work together to build a community with a shared future between the two countries in the new era, thereby bringing greater benefits to the two peoples. China has always been committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, and advocates that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, are equals, Xi noted. China's friendly cooperation with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries is a sincere effort to assist these island nations in achieving development, falls within the framework of South-South cooperation, and is part of the common development of the Global South, without targeting any third party or seeking any selfish gain, he said. China is willing to continue providing assistance within its capacity to help the Solomon Islands achieve development, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum, and promote the common interests of developing countries, Xi added. Manele said his visit to China began in Fujian Province, where he witnessed China's remarkable development achievements and felt the immense potential and broad prospects of cooperation between the Solomon Islands and China. Noting that China has set an example for developing countries, Manele said China advocates the common values of humanity, upholds multilateralism, avoids forming exclusive cliques or playing geopolitical games, does not require other countries to take sides, and calls on the international community to strengthen unity and cooperation. According to Manele, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi are conducive to promoting world peace, stability and common development, which are of great significance for small countries like the Solomon Islands. Thanks to the participation in Belt and Road cooperation, the Solomon Islands has made significant progress in areas including infrastructure construction, he said. Manele said the Solomon Islands firmly adheres to the one-China principle, resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," and firmly supports the Chinese government's efforts to achieve national reunification. He added that the Solomon Islands is ready to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and build a community with a shared future between the two sides. Both sides issued a joint statement, agreeing to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Solomon Islands in the new era based on mutual respect and common development, and to build a community with a shared future between China and the Solomon Islands in the new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai in Beijing, and expressed China's readiness to work with the Pacific island country to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. Noting that Vanuatu is a good friend and partner of China in the Pacific island region, Xi said China and Vanuatu have firmly supported each other on issues concerning core interests since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago. Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu relations and stands ready to work with Vanuatu to deepen high-level political mutual trust, promote the high-quality building of the Belt and Road, and enhance the all-weather and all-round friendly cooperation to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. China hopes to exchange state governance experience with Vanuatu, share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization, and enhance the synergy of development strategies, Xi said. China is ready to deepen practical cooperation with Vanuatu in infrastructure, economy, trade and investment, climate change and other fields, and encourages its enterprises to invest in Vanuatu, Xi noted. Xi emphasized that China is committed to equality among all countries, big or small, and adheres to the principle of combining justice with interests while prioritizing justice. China does not seek major-power competition or geopolitical spheres of influence. It does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or force them to take sides, he added. Noting that China is a promoter of and contributor to peaceful coexistence and common development in the Pacific island region, Xi said China is willing to continue providing assistance to the best of its ability for the economic and social development as well as improvement of people's livelihood of the island countries, thereby supporting them in accelerating their efforts to achieve independent and sustainable development goals. Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable development achievements and ongoing efforts for national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization under the outstanding leadership of President Xi. China upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and treats small countries like Vanuatu equally, which fully demonstrates equality and respect, he said. The Vanuatu government firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and firmly supports China's position on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Xizang, human rights and the South China Sea, Salwai said. Vanuatu hopes to learn from China's experience in state governance, strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, and promote practical cooperation in infrastructure, economy, trade and other fields, he added. The two sides issued a joint statement and agreed to upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership to build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. [Xinhua/Liu Bin] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Comcast is laying fiber and expanding service in Griswold and Sterling. The project will expand the company's internet connection is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will enable 500 homes in Sterling and 2,200 homes and businesses in Griswold access to Xfinity and Comcast Business, the company press release stated. This is a part of Comcasts $400 million investment into technology and infrastructure in the state over the past three years. As we expand our gigabit-speed network further into Griswold and enter Sterling, we bring more choices for powerful broadband and cost-effective mobile to even more residents and businesses across New London and Windham counties, stated Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President of Comcasts New England Region, in the press release. Comcast technicians working around Sacramento CA neighborhoods on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Comcast is currently expanding internet services in Griswold and Sterling. This expansion will be finished by the end of the year. It's good for Griswold to get more internet service. As Griswold wants to attract more business, having more options for internet service could help, First Selectman Tina Falck said. The more you have to offer, the better response youre going to have, she said. What does the road work look like in Griswold Xfinity service had already been available in the Jewett City section of Griswold. This is also a part of an expansion into all of New London County, New England Region PR Director Elizabeth Walden said. The construction process is going well and is on schedule. Passersby may see a technician bringing service into a home, or see someone doing construction on poles or underground. The work itself is minimally disruptive, and existing customers wont notice a thing, Walden said. The Griswold Department of Public Works has worked with Comcast on the remediation of lawns that have been disturbed, and in other matters, Falck said. Its an ongoing process, she said. What does the road work look like in Sterling For Sterling, Comcast is working all over town on their lines but hasnt had any interaction with the town government. First Selectman Lincoln Cooper personally has had good internet access through Breezeline, he said. I think (Comcast) made it so everyone will have it if they want it, its just a matter of people deciding if they want to give it a try, he said. Why is expansion happening in Griswold and Sterlin This expansion has been based on prioritizing dense populations where the network is already nearby. While Comcast doesnt know how many customers it will gain from the expansion, residents and businesses can visit Xfinity.com and Business.Comcast.com to see if they can access the service. Comcast will also notify customers 30 days in advance of service becoming active in an area, Walden said. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Sterling, Griswold internet options increase with ongoing Comcast work Senedd rejects calls to press ahead with long overdue council tax reforms This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jul 13th, 2024 The Senedd rejected calls to press ahead with long overdue reforms to council tax before the next election despite an overwhelming moral case for change. Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymrus shadow local government secretary, warned council tax imposes a disproportionate burden on poorer households. He tabled an amendment to the local government finance bill, which would have placed a duty on the Welsh Government to stick to implementing reforms by April 2025. In mid-May, the Welsh Government pushed back plans which were jointly agreed with Plaid Cymru to redesign council tax with the aim of making it fairer until 2028. Plaid Cymru pulled out of the broad cooperation agreement two days later due to the delay coupled with concerns about donations to Vaughan Gethings leadership race warchest. Grasp the nettle During a debate on July 9, Mr Owen Griffiths urged fellow Senedd members to back his amendment to ease pressure on some of the poorest households in Wales. He said: Reflect on the real-world implications of kicking this reform into the long grass, especially for lower income families who are continuing to struggle to make ends meet. He warned the delay would condemn those with the least to three years of disproportionately high council tax bills while those with the broadest shoulders do not pay their fair share. Mr Owen Griffiths told the Senedd: The moral case for implementing this change is overwhelming and, given the continued financial pressure facing households across the length and breadth of our nation, now is the time to strike whilst the irons hot. The South Wales East MS accused the Welsh Government of letting an opportunity slip, with parliamentary arithmetic currently in favour and a Senedd election on the horizon in 2026. Unworkable Rebecca Evans, for the Welsh Government, described the Plaid Cymru amendment as too broad to constitute workable or clear law. The finance secretary reiterated that a consultation found a clear appetite for a council tax shake-up but over a slower time frame. Ms Evans said it is no longer feasible to deliver reforms by 2025, adding: Were listening to the people of Wales by moving forwards with council tax revaluation and reform in 2028. She stressed ministers remain committed to reforming council tax, with the first revaluation of Wales 1.5 million homes since 2003 scheduled for 2028 and every five years following. She told the chamber the local government finance bill will underpin delivery of the proposals developed with Plaid Cymrus Cefin Campbell as part of the cooperation agreement. Members voted 12-37 against the amendment. Reckless Peter Fox put forward amendments that would give people a say on reckless council tax rises, with a local referendum required for any increase in excess of 5%. The Conservatives shadow local government secretary, who led Monmouthshire Council for more than a decade, said: Councils cant keep hiking council tax excessively year on year. I put council tax up, I admit it, every year. We had to do that. But there is a limit to how long the public can keep putting their hands in their pockets. Sometimes they need to have a say in if this is right or not, and the councils have to go back to the drawing boards. Ms Evans said no council that has held a referendum has been able to proceed with its initial budget needs since the policy was introduced in England in 2012. She said setting limits in this way effectively becomes a target for local authorities to raise council tax to the maximum allowed rather than carefully considering what is necessary. Mr Foxs amendment fell, with 36 against, one abstention and 12 in favour. As did another Tory amendment seeking to enshrine the 25% single person discount within the bill. Business rates If passed, the bill would increase the frequency of business rates revaluations to three years. Mr Fox also spoke to a Conservative amendment to use new powers in the bill to create a separate business rates multiplier for small businesses. He said: It is important that the differences between small businesses and medium and large businesses are recognised in the rates that they pay. The Tory MS for Monmouth added: We should be really thinking about looking at creating a multiplier for small businesses, as Scotland and England have. Plaid Cymru supported the amendment, with Mr Owen Griffiths saying seeking and obtaining powers but not using them has been a recurring trend with the Welsh Government. Ms Evans said the Welsh Government has no current policy intention to create a small business multiplier, committing to consulting before introducing any such differential. The amendment was narrowly defeated, with 25 against and 24 in favour. Excessive Following the meeting, Mr Fox warned: Be in no doubt, Labour has today passed a bill that will result in continued excessive council tax rises for the people of Wales. But Ms Evans told the Senedd the bill will deliver meaningful change to council tax and business rates in the short term as well as pave the way for further reforms. Its an opportunity to make a real difference to a taxation system that impacts almost every person and business in the country, said the finance minister. The bill now moves onto the fourth and final stage of the Senedds legislative process, with a vote of the whole Senedd on the amended version scheduled for July 16. With Labour and Plaid Cymrus support, and no legal challenge expected, the bill is likely to be agreed next week before moving on to receive royal assent. By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter Wrexham company gets business boost from Dragons Den Theo Paphitis This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jul 13th, 2024 A Wrexham based firm has received a business boost from Retail Entrepreneur and Dragon Theo Paphitis. Emily Allcroft, owner of Ticket Buddiez, tweeted Theo about her business during Small Business Sunday and was one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet or repost by Theo to his over half a million Twitter and Instagram followers. The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has over 3,500 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK. Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo retweeted Ticket Buddiez message to his over 500,000 Twitter and Instagram followers. They are now also profiled on the #SBS website www.theopaphitissbs.com that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners. Founder of Ticket Buddiez, Emily Allcroft said: We only launched the business a few months ago and feel so lucky to have won our spot in the SBS community. Its absolutely great to have support from Theo because as a new business, especially with us only being a few months in, this kind of recognition and exposure is so helpful to our growth. It is the second accolade for Ticket Buddiez in a short space of time, with the company recently being shortlisted in the Great British Entrepreneur awards. Small business champion and Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue Chairman, Theo Paphitis, said: We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS retweet from me become part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish Ticket Buddiez every success. Anyone looking for a retweet from Theo should tweet on Twitter or do an Instagram post to him about their business on Sunday between 5 PM and 7.30 PM and include the hashtag #SBS. Six lucky businesses are retweeted every Monday at 8 PM and then invited to enter their profile on the new website, attend the annual #SBS networking event and take advantage of the networking opportunities. For further information about Ticket Buddiez head over to www.ticketbuddiez.com With the taps turned off on a Chinese-funded oil pipeline from Niger to Benin, China has found itself in the middle of negotiations to solve the internal crises that are plaguing relations between the two West African nations. China pumped billions of dollars into the building of the 2,000km (1,243-mile) Niger-Benin oil pipeline, running from the Agadem oilfield to Benin's Atlantic coast. China was betting on the export of the oil to recoup that money - as well as a US$400 million loan that China advanced to Niger in April that was to be repaid through oil shipments. But the expectations of 90,000 barrels of crude oil gushing through the pipeline every day were quickly scuppered when Benin blocked the loading of oil into ships in early May over a border dispute with Niger. 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. China has been leading negotiations under the Benin-Niger inter-state steering committee, with Chinese diplomats and officials from China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) meeting government officials in the two West African countries in a bid to resolve the dispute. Now two former Beninese presidents have also joined the mediation, something which observers have said China will support as it tries to remedy the situation currently threatening its oil investments. The former leaders, Thomas Boni Yayi and Nicephore Soglo, joined the talks in late June when they visited Niger capital Niamey and had a three-hour meeting with General Abdourahamane Tiani, president of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), the military junta that took power in July last year after leading a coup. Any path that leads to a resolution of the current stalemate would be welcomed by China, according to Seidik Abba, president of the International Centre for Studies and Reflections on the Sahel (CIRES). "Niger and Benin need each other. And China has a big interest in such an agreement between Niger and Benin," Abba said. China is playing a key role in the negotiations, according to Abba. In fact, the only time there has been a temporary reprieve to the oil block was in May, when China intervened and held talks with Beninese President Patrice Talon, who temporarily allowed the export of a million barrels of oil from Benin's Seme-Kpodji port to Marseille, France. "This was facilitated by China, which served as a go-between, convincing Benin to allow the export of oil via its port," Abba said. Story continues "China ... has tried to convince Niger and Benin to reach an agreement because China has huge interests in both countries." He added that the stakes for all parties are high. "If Benin and Niger lose money, China will too." Chinese oil giant CNPC has invested US$4.6 billion in Niger's petroleum industry, and its subsidiary PetroChina owns two-thirds of the country's Agadem oilfield. It also bankrolled and built the Niger-Benin pipeline to move oil from Agadem to Benin's Atlantic Seme-Kpodji port. Niger currently has a domestic refining capacity of 20,000 barrels per day for local use while the pipeline was to export 90,000 barrels daily - which would have gone a long way to helping rebuild its economy after it took a hit following last July's military coup. It was this coup, which toppled then-president Mohamed Bazoum and saw Tiani seize power, that led to the troubles between Benin and Niger. As a result of the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) imposed sanctions on Niger. Benin and some other West African countries also closed their borders with Niger. Under the leadership of the military junta, Niger then cut military ties with France and the US, forcing troops from the two countries to leave. This restricted any financing options open to Niger from Western countries, as the African nation instead strengthened its ties with Russia and China. In February, Ecowas lifted the sanctions, and Benin reopened its border with Niger on March 1. But the military junta in Niger refused to reopen its side of the border, accusing the Benin government of hosting French troops which they said posed a threat to Niger after the country cut military ties with France. But that is not the end of Niger's problems. The oil-rich, landlocked country is also facing internal security challenges caused by rebel group Patriotic Liberation Front. Last month, it claimed responsibility for damaging part of the pipeline - and threatened further attacks unless Niger cancels its US$400 million deal with China. Success of the pipeline from Niger's Agadem oilfield to Benin's port of Seme has been short-lived after a border dispute, a rebel attack and the arrest of three Nigerien workers in Benin. Photo: X/@folasoule alt=Success of the pipeline from Niger's Agadem oilfield to Benin's port of Seme has been short-lived after a border dispute, a rebel attack and the arrest of three Nigerien workers in Benin. Photo: X/@folasoule> Tensions between Niger and Benin also escalated recently when Benin sentenced three Nigeriens to 18 months in prison for allegedly gaining unauthorised entry into the port of Seme. Niger said the three were employees of CNPC subsidiary WAPCO, who had gone to Benin to oversee the loading of oil. Outraged, Niger turned off the taps to its pipeline and warned that it was considering re-routing its oil exports through Chad. It is a move that analysts said would be impossible to implement since China is unlikely to pump more money into a new pipeline. A route through its eastern neighbour had been one of the early ideas for the pipeline, with Niger planning to run it through Chad, to then join up with the Chad-Cameroon pipeline, which runs to the port of Kribi. Another option had been to run the pipeline to Nigeria's coast. "If you want to build a new pipeline, you have to get investment. I am not sure China is ready to build this kind of project [through Chad]. If you look at the pipeline between Agadem and Seme, it was built with mostly investment from China while Niger only made a small investment," Abba said. Plus, China has not yet recouped its investment from the Benin pipeline. "I am not sure that China will build another pipeline before recouping its investment from the other." The only solution, Abba said, is for Niger and Benin to agree to reopen the oil route to Seme - the only option that has China's support. Such an agreement could take many months to reach, according to Francesco Sassi, a research fellow in energy geopolitics and markets at consultancy Ricerche Industriali ed Energetiche (RIE). He said the arrest of the Nigerien nationals working for China's CNPC would also complicate matters. "While I consider it very unlikely that Chinese investments would just flow to an alternative, very risky pipeline project, such as the one transiting through Chad and Cameroon, the event highlights the problematic configuration of China's energy diplomacy in Africa," Sassi said. Disputes between producer and transit countries could interfere with both the economic and financial objectives of Beijing in the region, he said, but they could also hinder the political goals China wants to achieve in Africa. "To solve the dispute and recover the oil investments in Niger, Beijing will need to showcase its ability to navigate through the troubled waters of West African politics, raising the stakes for China's involvement in African politics," Sassi said. The obvious solution is an understanding between Niger and Benin to resolve their differences and resume operation of the pipeline for the benefit of both countries and China, according to David Shinn, a China-Africa specialist and professor at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. But, Shinn said, such an agreement would not end attempts to sabotage the pipeline by supporters of deposed Nigerien president Bazoum, who remains under house arrest by Niger's military government. "China needs to devote its energy to resolving the issues between Niger and Benin and then help find a solution to end rebel attacks on the pipeline," Shinn said. Meanwhile, the building of another pipeline through Chad and Cameroon is probably not realistic, he said. "It would be expensive, take many months to build, and be subject to attacks by Boko Haram where it passes through parts of Chad. Who would be willing to finance such a risky venture?" Shinn said. "Looking to the future, China should be more selective where it invests, although the Niger-Benin conflict was not predictable." Mark Bohlund, a senior credit research analyst at REDD Intelligence, said the likelihood is very low that China will be prepared to finance any link with the Chad-Cameroon pipeline. "It is already heavily invested in the Benin pipeline," Bohlund 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. Last Saturday, hundreds of workers and young people gathered in Stuttgart city centre to demonstrate against Israels genocide against the Palestinians, which has continued now for nine months. The current protests are taking place against the backdrop of a famine in the Gaza Strip that is worsening every day. The medical journal The Lancet recently published a study showing that the actual number of deaths in Gaza could be far higher than previously thought, with an estimated 186,000 deaths (8 percent of the population). Demonstration in Stuttgart against the genocide in Gaza, 07.07.2014 Although the main imperialist powers and their Zionist proxies continue to intensify the genocide, the opposition is not abating. Many participants travelled to Stuttgart from all over the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. WSWS reporters spoke to participants and emphasised two points in particular: The genocide in Gaza is not an isolated event but one front in a developing third world war. The genocide in Gaza cannot be stopped by appeals to the government, but only by building an anti-war movement in the working class. Many participants strongly condemned the German governments support for the genocide in Gaza. Germany is not interested in human lives, but in power, gas and oil, explained one young demonstrator. We all know that half of the people murdered are children. And now weve also learnt that, for example, that 35 injured children sought to travel here, but the German government refused to take them. She sees this escalation of the war by the German government not only in Gaza, but also beyond, saying, You can see that Germany has its hands in everything and also has blood on its hands. Since the beginning of our [Palestine] demos, many other cases have been added from oppressed countries or where genocide is currently taking place, such as in Yemen, Sudan or Congo, for example. When asked about the prospect of focussing the protests against genocide on the working class, she responded approvingly, If we simply went on strike en masse, for example, it would have a much greater impact. ... Of course, its the working class that suffers the most, but it could also do a lot about it. Two 15-year-old schoolgirls who travelled to the demonstration also believe that the German government is partly to blame for the genocide. If they didnt supply weapons to Israel, the genocide wouldnt be happening, one of them explained. The development towards a third world war worries them: I also think it could definitely lead to a third world war, as many countries are at war. And the US is also heavily involved in all is happening. Another student emphasised the repressive role that the German government is playing in suppressing the protests: Its the reason why many people are afraid to talk about the issue. Many people have been arrested merely because they went to protest. The fact that this is being done in the name of the supposed fight against antisemitism particularly repels him: I just find it offensive to Jews who genuinely suffer from antisemitism. Most Jews are against what is happening, they are not Zionists. I find it disrespectful that people are told: Youre antisemitic now because you hate the oppression of other people. Another student from Stuttgart also explained, It is presented as if [supporting Israel] is some sort of contrast to the Nazi past, but I see it as a continuation of this past. Germany was not de-Nazified and support for fascism today only confirms that. It is simply intolerable that a country like Germany is basically supporting the same thing again. On the WSWSs perspective, he explained, I think thats a good approach, because you can obviously see that appealing to the German government hasnt done much good so far. They continue to do their thing. Thats why you have to find other ways, of course, and change often comes from the bottom up, from the working class. I think today it is not enough just to be against genocide. The whole system that created this genocide, the colonial occupation of Palestine, must be confronted and mobilised against. This is a struggle not only against genocide, not only against colonialism, but also against capitalism and imperialism. This obviously requires the working class. Two students who travelled to the demonstration from Freiburg reported on their own experiences of repression: Unfortunately, freedom of expression no longer exists here as far as that is concerned. We actually experienced it for ourselves yesterday. We said something in a panel discussion here at the university, just asked a question with some context. Then the police came, we were forced to leave, and they declared we had committed a criminal offence. She [his girlfriend] was put in handcuffs for bringing it up at the university. He had also had the same experience with university occupations in Basel: Of course, they were violently evicted after one or two days, and the students there also had to fear being sanctioned by the university for expressing their opinion. The professors and lecturers, dependent on their contracts, also have to watch out. On the prospect of mobilising the working class against the genocide on the basis of a socialist perspective, he explained, I see it the same way. I also believe that we can only do something through the masses if the population really stands up and understands that there is actually only one problem that we have to tackle at the root. The Biden administration has signed an agreement with the new president of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, to block migrants from crossing the infamous Darien jungle on the border with Colombia and organize deportations from the Central American country. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central America Eric Jacobstein explained to reporters last week that deportation flights from Panama would begin in the coming weeks. Washington is seeking to create a bottleneck for hungry and desperate migrant workers escaping from the impact of imperialist oppression and war in dozens of countries. It has chosen, of all places, Panama, a principal international trade route through which thousands of ships cross from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans and where billionaires go to hide their fortunes from taxes. It is the latest grim illustration of how the conflict between the globalized forms of production and the obsolete capitalist nation-states is dragging humanity into barbarism and turning our planet into a foul prison, in the words of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky. On July 1, on Mulinos inauguration day, US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas traveled to Panama and signed an agreement providing $6 million for repatriation flights, as well as training programs and technical assistance for migrant authorities to close the border with Colombia. Under the previous government, the Panamanian authorities would directly profit off of busing or otherwise expediting the transportation of the US-bound migrants across the country to Costa Rica. However, representing a significant political shift to the right in local politics, Mulino campaigned on the basis of scapegoating migrants, equating them with criminals. A livestock ranch owner and lawyer who headed the countrys employer association, Mulino acts openly on behalf of former President Ricardo Martinelli, an authoritarian figure who sought asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy after facing charges for phone tapping opponents and journalists, money laundering and embezzling tens of millions of dollars in public funds. Foreshadowing the character of the Mulino administration, Martinelli is also infamous for ordering police and soldiers to massacre banana workers, Indigenous activists and others demonstrating against his attacks on labor rights, mining concessions and the creation of the Colon Free Trade Zone. The Darien already forms a natural obstacle from coast to coast between South America and the Central American isthmus. Every attempt to connect the Pan-American highway, which would otherwise run continuously from Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina, has failed. The dense rainforest and extremely difficult terrain kill dozens each year. For survivors, gang activity, wild animals, illness, and remoteness add to countless possible traumas, including frequent cases of having loved ones go missing. Numerous experts and humanitarian workers have indicated that it is virtually impossible to block and patrol the entire Darien jungle. In the words of a Jesuit migrant service coordinator, Elias Cornejo: It is not feasible because there is nothing to close. It is a jungle without any border-like features. Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego announced on Wednesday that layered fences of barbed wire have already been placed along four of the five most common paths used by migrants to redirect migrants onto one where authorities can ostensibly protect them. These measures, however, will merely force migrants along more dangerous and remote routes in order to avoid falling into the clutches of the authorities now planning to deport them. Videos posted on social media this week show groups of migrants desperately facing a wall of barbed wire placed by Panamanian authorities, on the Colombian side, in Necocli. My children have moved ahead, said a Venezuelan mother to Voice of America, now we will never catch up to them. Last year, a record 520,000 migrants crossed the Darien, and over 208,308 crossed in the first half of this year, a slight uptick compared to last year, according to Panamanian authorities. Since the announcement by Panama on July 1, the numbers have dropped slightly, but still, nearly 1,000 migrants continue to cross daily, about three-fourths of them Venezuelan, followed by large numbers of Colombians, Ecuadorians and Haitians. Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have escaped their home country since 2014 as a result of a deepening humanitarian crisis caused chiefly by an economic crisis and brutal US economic sanctions. More broadly, since 2014 Latin America as a whole has seen its worst economic decade on record, while the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the US-led economic war against China, the Ukraine war and the massive accumulation of public debt spell continued stagnation, poverty growth and social austerity. Colombian pseudo-left President Gustavo Petro has criticized the measures taken by Panama, saying this will only result in people drowning in the sea. But his administration has not moved a finger since he came to power to provide migrants a safe passage around Darien. The Colombian ruling class is making windfall profits from exploiting the bulk of the desperate diaspora from neighboring Venezuela, while everywhere the corporate media and politicians have sought to pit native-born workers against migrants to divide and conquer and bring down labor costs across the board. At the same time, Petro has continued the Colombian oligarchys dependent orientation to Wall Street and Washington. In late May, his administration signed a joint statement with the Biden administration, which included greater cooperation on migration management. If migrants survive the venal and brutal military and police forces commandeered by Washington for use in migrant contention operations across Central America, the greatest hurdle they face has been the administration of Mexicos leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The Mexican government has deployed tens of thousands of troops to detain 590,401 migrants in the first five months of 2024, which constitutes a massive increase over already record numbers last year. In the United States, former President Donald Trump and incumbent Joe Biden have placed the issue of who would make the tougher deporter-in-chief at the forefront of their election campaigns. While Trump has vowed to move thousands of troops from overseas to the southern border and use the National Guard to deport millions, Biden already shut down the border to asylum seekers last monthviolating US and international lawand since 2023 has been far outpacing Trumps deportations and returns of migrants. The efforts by Washington to normalize such barefaced illegality and brutality against impoverished families across the continent and to essentially extend its southern border to the Darien Gap is a warning to all workers, native-born and immigrant alike. The attacks on migrants have always been used by the ruling classes as a precedent for expanding the attacks on the democratic and social rights of the entire working class. The willingness of the likes of Mulino, Petro and Lopez Obrador to turn their governments into branches of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrates that none of the representatives of the ruling elites in Latin America, whether they claim to be left or not, will hesitate in employing equally ruthless means to repress native-born workers to defend profits and impose the diktats of global finance capital. Workers in Panama, the United States and across the region must respond to all efforts to divide them along national lines by coming to the active defense of their migrant brothers and sisters and fighting to end the capitalist system and establish the United Socialist States of the Americas. A plea agreement was reached between Boeing and the US federal government on Sunday in which the aerospace corporation would plead guilty to fraud in order to avoid further charges stemming from the two 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 passengers and crew. A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Under the agreement, Boeing will pay $698.6 million, including a minimum of $455 million in safety and compliance programs and a $243.6 million in fines. The totals are barely a slap on the wrist for the aerospace giant, which made $7.7 billion in 2023. They are also an insult to the families of those who died after the company knowingly put the faulty 737 MAX 8 into service. Moreover, nothing is being put into place to force Boeing to change its practices. The current plea deal only came about after an investigation by the Department of Justice began this year in the wake of the near-fatal door blowout in January on a 737 MAX 9 shortly after take-off. Dozens were injured and it was only luck that the blowout occurred so soon after takeoff, and not while the plane was cruising and tens of thousands of feet higher in altitude, which would have resulted in the death of all on board. All that emerged from the governments investigation is that Boeing had not developed its internal quality control methods as much as previously agreed, thus violating a deferred prosecution agreement from 2021. The only people being held accountable are two employees who lied to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about the risks of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, the immediate cause of the two MAX 8 crashes. The executives who pushed for the system in the pursuit of faster production over airplane safety, including ex-CEO Dennis Muilenburg and current Boeing head David Calhoun, have gotten off scot-free. Numerous testimonies, including at Congressional hearings, show Boeings management was aware of the dangers of MCAS and proceeded with making the MAX 8 anyway in order to keep Boeings profits and stock prices high. None of them have faced charges for the manslaughter, much less murder, of passengers and crew caused by crashes that were a known inevitability. Nor have any of them faced charges related to the numerous other serious quality control problems at Boeing that have come to light this year. In the wake of the January door blowout, dozens of whistleblowers have come forth exposing the fact that management at the airplane company and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems (recently re-acquired by Boeing), were not only aware of but encouraged shortcuts in production at the expense of the safety of the flying public. In the words of Joe Jacobson, a technical adviser to the Foundation for Aviation Safety and former FAA engineer who testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee in April, all Boeing was concerned about was trying to maximize profits. Among the most significant whistleblowers at Boeing have been John Mitch Barnett and Joshua Dean. Barnett was a quality manager at the company for three decades who attempted repeatedly to bring to managements attention serious issues in the production of Boeings 787 Dreamliner at the companys facility in South Carolina. Boeing Whistleblowers John Barnett (left) and Joshua Dean [Photo: Facebook] Joshua Dean worked at Spirit AeroSystems and gave a deposition against his former employer that alleged serious and gross misconduct by senior quality management of the 737 production line. Both faced repeated retaliation from their respective companies while still working for them, and were both forced out, Barnett in 2017 and Dean in 2020 and then again, after being rehired, in 2023. Both died earlier this year under suspicious circumstances. Barnett in particular told a family friend, If anything happens to me, its not suicide. Alongside the whistleblower comments, Boeing has continued to face a deluge of accidents on its planes, further exposing the lack of quality and safety controls inside the company. On Sunday, a Boeing 737-700 operated by Air Do traveling to Tokyo had a hydraulic failure during its approach for landing to Kushiro Airport. As a result of the fault and adverse weather conditions, the aircraft was forced to divert north to Nakashibetsu Airport, where it landed successfully before becoming disabled on the taxiway. On Monday, the FAA revealed it has ordered an inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737 MAX and Next Generation airplanes after reports came in that, in the event an airplane depressurizes, oxygen masks might not supply oxygen to passengers. That same day, a Boeing 757 traveling from Los Angeles to Denver lost one of its tires for its main landing gear during takeoff. The flight proceeded and landed successfully with no injuries during takeoff, flight or landing. On Tuesday, a Boeing 777 scraped its tail along the runway for hundreds of meters while attempting to take off. The jetliner is from the Chilean airline Latam and was attempting to take off from Italys Milan Malpensa Airport. The plane, which can carry more than 500 passengers, was packed and only barely averted a disaster that could have killed everyone on board. On Wednesday, a tire caught fire during the takeoff of an American Airlines flight of a Boeing 737-800. The 180 passengers were safely deplaned, according to airline spokesman Alfredo Garduno in a comment to the USA Today. And on Friday, the pilot of a Boeing 757-23N declared a squawking 7700 emergency after reportedly losing control of their plane as a result of leaked hydraulic fluid, according to FlightRadar24. The flight, which was headed from Spain to England, was successfully rerouted and landed safely at Manchester Airport. The numerous ongoing and potentially fatal problems make the plea deal all the more egregious. Every sign points to serious and systemic problems with Boeings quality control and safety measures that are driven by management solely for corporate profits and stockholder dividends. The same issues that caused the MAX 8 crashes persist and will inevitably lead to the further loss of human life. Workers and youth are increasingly aware of these dangers. In a poll taken in April, more than 50 percent of US flyers said they would pay $50-$150 more for flights not on Boeing aircraft. Nearly 24 percent said they would pay up to $50 to avoid Boeing and more than 19 percent said they would pay $151-$250 to stay away from the dangerous planes. And nearly 37 percent of respondents said that, if they could, they would avoid flying on Boeing aircraft altogether. Yet nothing substantial will come from the federal government. Last year, Boeing earned 37 percent of its $78 billion revenue from government contracts, primarily in defense. It is a key part of the US-backed genocide in Gaza and NATOs war drive against Russia and China. The lives lost on commercial airlines barely register on the war plans of the imperialist powers. Thus, the need for the nationalization of Boeing and the airline industry as a whole becomes all the more important. Its not enough to know Boeings planes are deathtraps; the underlying motive force of capitalist production must be understood. That profits come before human lives is not a moral question of this or that CEO but based in the outmoded socio-economic system upon which Boeing and the entire US political and military apparatus rests. The only way the ongoing disasters can be ended is as part of a revolutionary struggle by the working class to overthrow capitalism and build a new socialist society where production and safety are placed under workers control. Canadas pro-war, genocide-supporting ruling class has succeeded this month in shutting down the two main remaining student encampments protesting Israels final solution of the Palestinian question. Students and faculty have set up an encampment on the campus of McGill University in downtown Montreal, April 27, 2024. Using a court injunction and police violence, authorities in Ontario and Quebec broke up the student encampments at University of Toronto (UofT) and McGill University over the last week and a half, without any of the students demands for divestment from Israeli companies and an acknowledgement of the genocide being met. In a highly provocative move, McGill University management called in private security firm SIRCO to dismantle the student encampment Wednesday. The illegal decision violated a May 15 Quebec Superior Court ruling that denied an injunction for the university to remove the camp. It came just days after British medical journal The Lancet estimated that Israels imperialist-backed genocide has claimed the lives of some 186,000 Palestinians, or about 8 percent of Gazas pre-war population. The rampage by the universitys hired thugs was actively supported by hundreds of police officers from the Quebec Provincial Police and City of Montreal in full riot gear. The move occurred with the encouragement of the Quebec first Coalition Avenir Quebec government. Premier Francois Legault has repeatedly denounced student protesters from the outset of the encampment, which he and university management baselessly slandered as violent and antisemitic. Asked about the ongoing police operation Wednesday, Quebec Higher Education Minister Pascale Dery said, Were following the situation very closely, but this is good news. One week earlier, on July 3, the Peoples Circle for Palestine solidarity encampment, which had refused to budge from the UofTs Front Common for two months, folded its tents and went home in a few hours. The voluntary disbandment of the camp came a day after a reactionary Ontario Superior Court ruling that declared the peaceful protest illegal on the thoroughly anti-democratic basis of the universitys private property rights. McGills violent dispersal of the student encampment and Ontario Superior Court Justice Markus Kohenens injunction evicting the U of T students are the latest examples of the Canadian ruling elites vicious crackdown on all opposition to the Gaza genocide. This campaign has combined legal assaults with extra-legal and state-sponsored violence, and political smears and distortions. Protesters have been attacked by police and also by far-right and fascist mobs, while cops looked the other way. The police have raided peoples homes in the middle of the night, using tactics worthy of the Gestapo, merely based on their political opposition to a genocide that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The wheels of this ruthless state onslaught have been greased by all political parties, who have denounced any criticism of the far-right Israeli regime as antisemitic. The existence of a secret group in Ontarios Ministry of the Attorney General dedicated to spying on and smearing anti-genocide protesters with bogus hate charges, linked directly to the Israeli consulate, points to the existence of a conspiracy against basic democratic rights within the capitalist state and the ruling class. The union bureaucracy sabotaged the anti-genocide student protests This repressive campaign has been overseen by the trade union- and New Democratic Party-backed Trudeau Liberal government, which has covered up for and politically defended the Zionist genocide from Day One. Trudeau has funnelled millions of dollars in military weaponry to Israel, while fully endorsing US imperialisms effort to seize on the genocide as a key component of preparations for a region-wide war targeting Iran. This aggressive policy is one element in a rapidly emerging third world war incited by the imperialist powers to redivide the world in their interests. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, shortly after his Liberal government came to power in Nov. 2015. [Photo: Twitter/Trudeau] The disbanding of the two encampments revealed the trade union bureaucracys role as the velvet glove cloaking the iron fist of the ruling class. Neither the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) nor the various trade union federations in Quebec did anything to mobilize popular support for the student protesters during the more than two months that the encampments were in place. They refused to do so because they knew full well how overwhelming the support for a political mass movement against genocide and war in the working class is. In the months leading up to the encampments, Canada witnessed numerous mass protests across the country against Israels savage onslaught, involving hundreds of thousands of people. The unions feared that mobilizing this support behind the student encampments could have encouraged a movement that would have come into conflict with the bureaucracys allies in the Trudeau Liberal government. In a deeply cynical move, the OFL gave its 1 million members little more than three hours notice July 3 to join a rally to defend the UofT encampment against the injunction, which was enforced by the police. The announcement came some 24 hours after the injunction ruling. The end result was predictable: a few OFL officials and activists turned up for the public relations stunt, which amounted to little more than serving as the guard of honour for the students as they voluntarily removed their tents and belongings under the watchful gaze of police officers and far-right Zionist thugs. The OFLs actions expose as a lie the commitments it had loudly proclaimed to the students when the encampment was first threatened with eviction in May. Those included the bombastic declaration of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) President J.P. Hornick that the unions will be your human shields against the police. As the World Socialist Web Site explained at the time, the OFLs May 27 solidarity rally where Hornick made this empty pledge was a fraud, designed to politically prepare the students for a controlled surrender to the authorities. In the intervening five weeks, Hornick and their fellow union bureaucrats who pull in six-figure salaries did absolutely nothing to build support in the working class for the students. They knew full well that UofT management was seeking an injunction to provide the pretext for a violent police assault, backed up by Zionist activists, on the camp. The university publicly announced it was filing in court for the injunction in early June. Making a mockery of the universitys claim to be a forum for democratic debate and protest, the Toronto Police issued a menacing threat to the students in the lead-up to the injunction deadline, warning, We hope that protestors will leave voluntarily to avoid the need for police action the timing and manner of police action is at our discretion. Isolated by the union bureaucracy and facing the threat of police violence, the student activists encamped at UofT decided to voluntarily end their protest. Well before the 6 p.m. deadline, the only trace of the encampment, which the organizers previously had vowed to leave only once UofT accepted their demands, were the impressions left by their tents on the grass, some spray-painted slogans, and a papier mache sculpture which far-right activists made a great show of destroying only a few minutes after the last students fled. The bankruptcy of student protest politics The union bureaucracys sabotaging of the anti-genocide student protests was facilitated by the totally bankrupt and disoriented political perspective advocated by camp organizers. Focused exclusively on their own university campuses, they believed that if they protested loudly and persistently enough, the managers of these multi-million-dollar education businesses would sit down at a negotiating table with them, admit their wrongdoing, divest from Israeli companies, and condemn the genocide. The leadership never made any attempt to broaden the protest to the working class, and issued no criticisms of the union bureaucrats criminal isolation of the encampments from the workers they claim to represent. The encampment organizers at UofT issued an explanatory statement following the disbandment of their encampment, claiming, We refuse to give the Toronto Police Service any opportunity to brutalize us, as they have done repeatedly to pro-Palestinian protesters across the GTA. This is a deliberate evasion of the main issue. The question was not whether it was appropriate to engage in a senseless scuffle with the police, which only the most demoralized anarchists would advocate, but why, after over two months, the police had the opportunity to confront an isolated group of student protesters? On this decisive question, the student organizers had nothing to say. Why were workers not mobilized to deny the police the opportunity to brutalize the student protesters? Which organizations promised to organize such a mobilization but did nothing? To ask these questions is to answer them. Yet the student protest organizers could not bring themselves to utter a single word of criticism of the pro-war union bureaucracy, which props up genocide Justin Trudeaus Liberal government. If the unions in the OFL had organized a strike only of their members at UofT, they could have placed thousands of workers on the ground to be your human shields as promised by the blowhard Hornick in May. But that promise was a lie. The organizers went on to declare, We are leaving on our terms. This statement is patently absurd. The encampment was forced to disband by the University of Toronto, backed up by a court injunction and the most reactionary social forcesmultiple Zionist organizations, the Toronto Police, and all the might of the Canadian state apparatus and political establishment. The activists statement notes with an incredible degree of naivety that the encampment should have prompted the University of Toronto to reflect on its moral responsibilities in one breath, while in the next declaring that the University was the face of genocide. In fact, the encampment prompted the University to reflect only on its rights as a private landowner. It was on this basis, citing the Trespass Act, that the Ontario Superior Court granted the Universitys application to evict the encampment, declaring that so strong is the protection of property rights that it is possible to grant an injunction based solely on the fact there has been a trespass... The Court found that, The University has been dispossessed of Front Campus in the sense that it no longer has access to or control over it. The Universitys private property rights therefore override all democratic rights in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This reactionary ruling notwithstanding, the judge felt compelled to note that he had found no evidence to support the ludicrous claims made by the university and supporting organizations accusing the student protesters of violence and antisemitism. The response to the violent dismantling of the McGill camp by SIRCO, a globally active private security firm, backed up by the police, prompted an equally bankrupt response from the political forces involved in the camps organization and leadership. Yves Engler, whose valuable exposures of Canadian imperialisms crimes around the world are more than offset by his thoroughly opportunist political relations with the NDP and promotion of left Canadian nationalism, declared in an article that McGill cannot silence students. The fact of the matter is that the genuine outrage over Israels genocide that motivated many students to join encampments has largely been isolated, silenced, and shut down. This has been accomplished through a combination of ruthless state repression, the smothering of the class struggle by the trade unions, and the dead end of the protest politics advocated by encampment organizers. The only way to stop the genocide in Gaza is to join the struggle to build a movement in the working class against imperialist war and the capitalist system, the root cause of genocide and war. For students, this means abandoning any conception that one can appeal to university administrators and their paymasters in capitalist governments to change their ways. Rather, what is required is a determined turn outwards to the working class, in the factories, offices, warehouses, transit depots, and other work locations, to construct a powerful movement that can halt the production and supply of weaponry to Israel and bring the imperialist powers war machine to a grinding halt. This fight can be conducted only on the basis of a socialist and internationalist perspective. President Joe Biden speaks at a news conference on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington, July 11, 2024. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin] The media commentary following US President Joe Bidens press conference Thursday has been dominated by discussion over whether or not he proved himself capable of maintaining his position as the Democratic Partys nominee in the 2024 elections. Far more significant than the semi-senility of Biden, however, is the political madness expressed in his policies and his statements. But this is a madness shared by the entire ruling class political establishment, along with the corporate media. Biden began the news conference with an eight-minute war-mongering rant, beneath the banner of NATO, the military alliance that is the spearhead of American imperialisms global war. He declared the NATO summit in Washington a great success and credited himself with leading it. The summit effectively ended the pretense that NATO is not directly at war with Russia by establishing a NATO Command based in Germany, placing NATO officers in Kiev, and agreeing to deploy long-range missiles in Germany capable of hitting major cities deep inside Russia, including Moscow. Referring to Putin, Biden declared, Once again a murderous madman was on the march. The only solution to countering this monster, Biden said, is massive military escalation. In fact, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was provoked through the relentless expansion of NATO. It has been utilized, as Biden himself boasted, to increase the membership of the military alliance and bring it even further to Russias doorstep. At one point, Biden declared in relation to Ukraines use of weapons to attack Russian territory that weve allowed Zelensky to use American weapons in the near term, but that it wouldnt make sense for Ukraine to strike the Kremlin with them. Not that a decision to use long-range weapons to attack Moscow would trigger nuclear war and the death of millions, if not billions, but that it does not, at present, make sense, that it wouldnt be the best use of the weapons he has. No one in the media bothered to follow up by asking what Biden was doing to prevent the escalation of the war into a nuclear apocalypse. In fact, the entire policy of the United States, endorsed by the other NATO powers at the summit, seems intended at provoking a response from the Putin government that would be used to justify a further escalationincluding the direct deployment of NATO troops into the conflict. At another point, Biden declared rhetorically, Every American must ask for himself or herself: Is the world safer with NATO? Are you safer? Is your family safer? The answer to these questions is clearly no. The entire policy of the Biden administration and the NATO powers is driving mankind to the brink. But no one in the press questioned the assertion that escalating global war is in the interests of the American people. While Biden may be senile, his questioners at the press conference are blighted by the disease of ignorance and stupidity. They were more concerned about the latest pronouncements of millionaire actor George Clooney and the Democratic Partys donors than the consequences of the escalation of the war against Russia. Virtually nothing was said either by Biden or the press about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. There was no mention of the recent article by The Lancet calculating the death toll of Gazans in the US/Israeli war at 186,000 or higher, i.e., at least 8 percent of the pre-war population. However, in response to the question that was asked, Biden reiterated his full support for Israel and made the lying statement, Im not building 2,000 pound bombs for Israel. They cannot be used in Gaza or any populated area without causing great human damage. But just two weeks ago Reuters published an article reporting that Biden has sent Israel more than 10,000 of the city block-destroying 2,000 pound bombs since October. The press, what used to be called the Fourth Estate, is thoroughly integrated into the intelligence apparatus. There was no challenge to Bidens presentation of the war in Ukraine and the need to win it. Instead, David Sanger, the chief foreign affairs commentator for the New York Times, cited bellicose language directed against China in the NATO communique and demanded to know what NATO was doing to disrupt the relations between China and Russia and whether a reelected President Biden, three years on, would be able to hold his own in a meeting with President Xi. The press conference had been described as a make or break moment for Biden following his debate debacle against Trump two weeks ago. Shortly after it concluded, five more House Democrats issued statements calling on Biden to end his candidacy in order to replace him with a Democrat who could defeat Trump in November. That brought the number as of Friday morning to 18, plus one sitting senator, Peter Welch of Vermont. Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore noted in a statement published on X yesterday, What is most striking in the discussions over Bidens fate as the candidate of the Democratic Party in the 2024 elections is the absence of any actual policy differences. All factions support the massive escalation of imperialist war, which threatens catastrophe for all mankind. Kishore added: Particular note should be made of the position of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the Democratic Socialists of America, who have taken the most aggressive position in defense of Biden. Whatever their insincere and hypocritical criticisms of the genocide in Gaza, the DSA is fully behind the policy of American imperialism. It is nothing more than a faction of the Democratic Party. If the Democratic Party does end up changing its candidate, it will not be to implement a change in policy, but to ensure that the extreme recklessness on display at Bidens press conference is carried out in a more effective manner. It is not a matter of glorifying the Democratic Party of the past, but it is worth recalling that in run-up to the 1968 elections, the intense conflict and crisis within the Democratic Party was bound up with conflicts over the course of the Vietnam War. No such differences exist today. The whole electoral process is dominated by the principle of oligarchy. All decisions, including on Bidens personal fate, are made by a handful of billionaire donors, along with the figures who dominate the military-intelligence-state apparatus. The interests of the vast majority of the population, the working class, are entirely excluded. Within this political situation, the essential task for the working class is to articulate its independent interests, in opposition to the Democrats and the Republicans and the entire capitalist system. The World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party are sponsoring a rally and meeting on July 24 in Washington D.C. on the occasion of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to a joint session of Congress. The purpose of this rally is to set forward the political orientation and strategy for a mass movement against the Gaza genocide and US imperialism. We urge all workers and youth to make plans to attend by filling out the form below. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, left, speaks with Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, before Working Session III of the NATO Summit in Washington, Thursday, July 11, 2024. [AP Photo/Susan Walsh] Leading political figures from the imperialist powers and international media outlets were full of moral outrage this week over a Russian missile strike on a childrens hospital in Ukraine. The accomplices of Israels genocide in Gaza which has claimed over 186,000 lives, according to an estimate by the prestigious medical journal The Lancet, accused Russia of violating international law and demanded the holding of leading officials to account for war crimes. A UN investigation found that there was a high likelihood that a Russian cruise missile struck the Okhmatdyt childrens hospital in Kiev, destroying the toxicology ward and killing two people. A further 16 were injured in the strike, part of missile attacks across the country claiming at least 38 lives. A statement from the Russian government blamed a projectile fired by Ukrainian air defence systems for the explosion at the hospital. The United States and Britain were among several Western countries to call for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to condemn the attack. Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced Russia for attacking innocent children, among the most depraved of actions. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, We must hold those responsible for Putins illegal war to account. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell denounced Russia for ruthlessly targeting Ukrainian civilians. Major international media outlets, including the New York Times and CNN in the US, and The Guardian and BBC in Britain, had prominent coverage on the missile strike, with accompanying photo and video reportage. Timing, as they say, is everything. The images of half-naked patients rushed out of a hospital building, some still connected to oxygen and other medical equipment, coincided perfectly with the beginning of the NATO summit in Washington. The announcements that NATO would massively escalate the war with Russia by establishing a permanent office in Ukraine and assuming direct control of the supply of weaponry to Kiev were framed against the backdrop of the barbarism of Russias targeting of hospitals and children. The hypocrisy involved here is astounding. The far-right Israeli regime, with weapons supplied by American and German imperialism, has massacred about 8 percent of Gazas population and laid waste to its civilian infrastructure. Hospitals have been turned into war zones and mass graves, schools and universities obliterated, and the majority of the enclaves housing units either flattened or damaged. Yet none of the politicians or editorial scribblers demanding consequences for Russia have criticised the Netanyahu governments genocidal onslaught. On the contrary, they have adopted draconian methods of state repression to silence anti-genocide protesters and smeared all opponents of Israels barbaric onslaught as antisemites. No country comes close to the criminal Israeli regime, apart from perhaps the United States, when it comes to destroying health care facilities. In October 2023, Israel bombed the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, killing close to 500 people. Far from responding with calls for war crimes charges, the imperialist powers went into overdrive to deny Israels involvement in the massacre. US President Joseph Biden said in the aftermath of the attack that he had no confidence in the number [of deaths] that the Palestinians are using. One month later, Israel raided the al-Shifa hospital, Gazas largest prior to the war. Dozens were left dead as Israel Defence Force (IDF) soldiers rampaged through the facility, pulling patients from their beds and detaining medical personnel. After repeated raids, the hospital was reduced to an empty shell. Several months later, the al-Nasser hospital in Khan Younis was the scene of mass graves, including corpses with wounds suggesting that the IDF carried out mass executions. At no time did the US or British governments see fit to call a UN Security Council meeting to condemn Israels war crimes, which unlike Mondays alleged Russian missile strike, were proven beyond any doubt. Nor did any major newspaper publish editorials or comments along these lines. On the contrary, when the International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, they denounced the ICC openly in the case of the Biden administration or kept quiet. Hypocrisy on such a grotesque scale is not simply to be explained by the personal traits of its leading exponents. Rather, it has deep social roots. The imperialist powers are engaged in a violent redivision of the world in order to secure the lions share of raw materials, pools of labour and markets for their ruling class. This struggle caused US imperialism and its NATO allies to goad Russia into invading Ukraine in order to unleash a long-planned war aimed at subordinating Russia to the status of a semi-colony. It also includes the backing of Israels genocide in the Middle East by the North American and European imperialists. Washington in particular views the subjugation of Iran as critical to consolidating its control over the energy-rich region and undermining its rivals, above all China. The Asia-Pacific is yet another theatre in the rapidly developing third world war, where the US and its allies are recklessly escalating towards war with Beijing. The obscene double standard applied to wars and war crimes around the world invariably corresponds with the imperialist powers global ambitions. The level of moral outrage expressed by their political and media representatives depends upon whether the actions concerned advance or conflict with ruling class policy. This explains the fact that while Russian President Vladimir Putin is castigated as a war criminal and monster who bears sole responsibility for the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drenched in the blood of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, will travel to Washington D.C. in less than two weeks to address a joint session of Congress and meet with Biden. While the former heads a state that the imperialists want to impose a strategic defeat on and carve up so they can seize its natural resources, the latter leads a government that serves as American imperialisms main attack dog in the Middle East. The social classes who benefit from imperialist war, the bourgeoisie and privileged sections of the middle class, actually believe, or have at least convinced themselves to go along with, the pro-imperialist war propaganda. They have backed over 30 years of uninterrupted US-led wars that have been waged in the name of protecting human rights and democracy but have actually laid waste to entire societies from Serbia to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. But their propaganda has reached a qualitatively new level. They now claim to be standing up for Ukrainian democracy against Russian dictatorship, while simultaneously endorsing the Zionist regimes final solution of the Palestinian question. The fact that bourgeois propaganda is at such glaring odds with social reality only goes to show that the material interests of these layers, based as they are on robbery, plunder, and swindling at home and abroad, are irreconcilable with those of the vast majority of the worlds population, the working class. The capitalist profit system, upon which their interests rest, is historically obsolete and has nothing more to offer modern society but the descent into barbarism. The ruling class and its hangers-on propose a redivision of the world in their interests, which can be accomplished only by means of world war. Its predecessors constructed monstrous lies in the 20th century to legitimise two world wars that claimed millions of lives. These included German imperialisms claim during World War I, trumpeted by the Social Democrats and leading intellectuals, that the Hohenzollern monarchy was leading a crusade for the defence of culture and civilisation; and British and French imperialisms insistence that they were waging a war for democracy in alliance with the Russian tsar. A repetition of the horrors of the two world wars on an even greater scale, threatening the very survival of humanity with the deployment of nuclear weapons, can only be averted by the international working class taking up the struggle for a socialist transformation of society. Combatting the duplicity and cynicism of the ruling classs pro-war propaganda is an essential component of the fight to politically mobilize the international working class against genocide and imperialist war. Only if the working class is freed from the influence of bourgeois public opinion with its hypocritical moralising can the workers recognise the real social interests behind such falsehoods and counterpose their own solution to world war and genocide: the programme of world socialist revolution. Hash Tayeh, a Palestinian-Australian businessman, is reportedly under police investigation for his involvement in mass demonstrations opposing Israels genocide in Gaza. The Melbourne Age reported on Thursday that Tayeh will be formally arrested by Victoria Police in Melbourne next week and interviewed over allegations that he has breached the states Racial and Religious Tolerance Act. Hash Tayeh [Photo: Instagram/@kedzhifotowala] From what has been reported, the investigation is a serious assault on democratic rights. It is an escalation of longstanding attempts by the political establishment and state apparatus to curtail and even suppress mass protests against Israels war crimes, under conditions where the federal and state Labor governments actively support the Zionist regime. The Age stated that Victoria Police is investigating whether Tayeh broke the law by reciting chants such as all Zionists are terrorists and other statements equating Zionism with terrorism, and whether Tayehs involvement in organising the protest movement amounts to a crime. That is, Tayeh is facing the prospect of serious criminal charges for political speech and for exercising his right to engage in political activities such as public protests. In addition to the stigma of being found to have breached the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, essentially hate crime legislation, a successful prosecution could result in a prison term of six months or a fine of more than $11,500. The accusations against Tayeh are based on the conflation of Zionism and Israels war crimes with the Jewish people. In Australia, as internationally, supporters of Israels onslaught, including in governments and the media, have asserted that opposition to the Israeli state is tantamount to antisemitism. Victoria Police confirmed to the Age that its investigation was prompted by a complaint over potential antisemitic comments made by an individual. There is nothing antisemitic, however, about Tayehs alleged statements, including those linking Zionists to terrorism. Zionism is not a religious or racial identity, but a right-wing nationalist ideology and political movement that is opposed by growing numbers of Jewish people in Australia and internationally. It is an indisputable historical fact that Zionist paramilitaries, aided by the imperialist powers, especially the US, established Israel in 1948 through a campaign of violence and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian population. That included acts of terrorism, such as massacres of entire villages and the bombing of prominent buildings. Millions of people around the world today correctly view the actions of Israel as a form of state terrorism. Its onslaught on Gaza has included a campaign of indiscriminate bombing, and open calls by Israeli leaders for the ethnic cleansing of the entire strip. The Lancet medical journal estimated last week that the resulting death toll may already be a massive 186,000. The fraudulent identification of all Jewish people and of Judaism with the militarist state perpetrating these atrocities is itself antisemitic. Significant layers of the Jewish population have participated in the global protests against the genocide. Tayeh has spoken alongside such Jewish activists and has repeatedly stated his solidarity with ordinary Jewish people, against the Israeli regime and its Zionist promoters. The investigation of Tayeh raises a broader danger. If strident condemnation of Zionism can be deemed a breach of tolerance laws, will sharp denunciations of other political movements, such as the Labor and Liberal parties, similarly be deemed impermissible? That has increasingly become the tenor of the political establishment, including Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has condemned mass opposition to the genocide as a threat to social cohesion within Australia. The Albanese government and the state Labor administrations have, since the Israeli assault began, reacted with intense hostility to the mass protests that are now the most sustained anti-war movement in Australian history. In the days after the October 7 Hamas military operation, as Israeli bombs were already raining down on Gaza, Albanese together with the Labor leaders of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, condemned protests in defence of the Palestinians as inappropriate. The NSW Labor administration of Premier Chris Minns threatened to ban all such rallies indefinitely, and authorised extraordinary police powers that could have been used to identify and search any participants. While these governments did not proceed with full-scale bans, for fear of inciting mass opposition further, they have never dispensed with that perspective either. Albanese personally led a venomous campaign against small university encampments protesting the genocide, branding them in May as divisive displays of hatred and ignorance that did not have a place in Australian society. He made those comments under conditions where far-right and Zionist vigilantes were physically attacking the encampments, and university administrators were moving to forcefully shut them down. Months after the end of most of the encampments, students involved are still being targeted, including dozens at the University of Melbourne who currently face disciplinary charges carrying the threat of expulsion. Those punitive actions by one of the most prestigious universities in the country form part of a stepped-up campaign against opposition to the Israeli war crimes that is again being overseen by the Labor government. Earlier this month, Albanese compelled the resignation from Labor of Fatima Payman, a 29-year-old senator who had voted for a Greens motion recognising Palestine. Alongside a witch hunt of Payman, Albanese and other Labor leaders have whipped-up an Islamophobic campaign, including assertions that anger over Israels actions is primarily motivated by Muslim religious sectarianism. Then last week the government appointed businesswoman Jillian Segal to the newly-created position of Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism in Australia. Segal is a Zionist lobbyist who has explicitly defended Israels bombing of hospitals in Gaza, has publicly demanded the repression of pro-Palestinian protesters and pledged to combat anti-Zionism. In Victoria, the state Labor administration has presided over a more aggressive approach to weekly mass pro-Palestinian protests. That has included at least two occasions on which police deployed capsicum spray, and repeated attempts to obstruct a truck that has been used as the rally platform for the past nine months. It is within this context that the investigation of Tayeh has been launched. As a prominent and outspoken Palestinian-Australian, he has been a particular target of the most vociferous supporters of Israel. In November, his Burgertory restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield was subject to an arson attack. Tayeh and his supporters noted that the outlets staff had over the previous weeks been harassed and menaced by young Israeli supporters. Victoria Police nevertheless immediately declared that the arson was not a hate crime. Two men were arrested over the blaze in January and have since been charged. Their African ancestry was crudely trumpeted by the media and Victoria Police as proof that the arson had nothing to do with Tayehs Palestinian activities. The men, however, have since stated they were paid $20,000 to carry out the attack by unnamed parties. Victoria Police and the official press have displayed a complete incuriosity as to who those parties may be. Tayeh claims to be the victim of an ongoing campaign of intimidation, with his personal residence also having been firebombed earlier this year. Workers and young people should demand an end to the police investigation of Tayeh, as a politically-motivated assault on democratic rights. The attacks on basic democratic rights must be answered by the development of a mass movement of the working class directed against the Labor governments, the entire political establishment and the capitalist system they defend, which is responsible for authoritarianism, the genocide and imperialist war. Dozens were killed during a weeklong assault by the Israeli military on Gaza City, as Palestinians were trapped in their houses and unable to leave. A boy sitting amongst rubble in Yarmouk Sports Stadium Friday, July 5, 2024 in Gaza City [AP Photo/AP Photo] Bodies were lying uncollected in the streets on Thursday, according to Palestinian officials and emergency responders, one day after the Israeli army dropped leaflets telling residents to evacuate the city through safe routes and head south. According to a report by Reuters, the Gaza Health Ministry said people had been killed inside their houses in the Tel Al Hawa and Sabra districts of Gaza City, and rescuers were unable to reach them. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, reported that Israeli airstrikes on central Gaza killed 60 people Tuesday. According to Reuters, Residents said Israeli tanks that pushed into the Tel Al-Hawa, Shejaia and Sabra neighborhoods of Gaza City shelled roads and buildings, forcing them to flee their homes. This was followed by Israeli military orders to evacuate several districts in eastern and western Gaza City posted on social media, which included these neighborhoods. The emergency service said that at least 30 people had been killed in the Tel Al-Hawa and Rimal areas and that the bodies could not be recovered from the streets there. In a further report on Thursday, Reuters correspondents said when the Israeli forces pulled back from parts of Gaza City, there were dozens of dead and wrecked homes and roads in the Palestinian enclaves biggest urban area... When the Gaza Civil Emergency Service was able to enter the area, they collected 60 bodies of Palestinians. That report was later updated, according to Al Jazeera, to 70 recovered bodies from the attacks in the Tal al-Hawa area. On Friday, Gaza Strip Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said, There are bodies scattered in the streets, dismembered bodies, there are bodies of entire families, there are also bodies inside a home of an entire family that was completely burned. While most of Gaza City had been razed to the ground by late 2023 as part of the US-Israeli ethnic cleansing the Gaza Strip, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to what was left of their residences before they were once again ordered to evacuate. Many Palestinians refused to leave Gaza City because they had concluded there was no safe zone for them anywhere, and they did not believe the Israeli claims of safe passage out of the city. Residents also told the Guardian that they feared they would not be able to return if they left. In a text message to Reuters, Mohammed Ali, 30, said, We will die but not leave to the south. We have tolerated starvation and bombs for nine months, and we are ready to die as martyrs here. Reuters also reported, Dozens of residents returned again on Friday to check the damage after civil emergency teams put out fires in the early hours. Reuters footage showed wrecked roads and buildings, including the former UNRWA headquarters. Bodies wrapped in white shrouds and bearing the names of the dead women and men lay on the floor at Al-Ahli Hospital. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that there have been 6,400 Palestinians reported as missing since the genocide was launched 10 months ago by the Israeli government with the backing of US imperialism. Many of those missing are believed to be trapped under the rubble of the destruction, some having been buried without identification or are being held in Israeli detention. Others have been separated from their families and unable to reconnect in the chaos of the siege. Since April, approximately 1,100 new cases of missing persons have been registered with the ICRC. In a statement, ICRC spokesperson Sarah Davies said, Each week we can receive anywhere between 500 and 2,500 calls to our hotlines, and the majority of these are requests for missing family members. Davies continued, Unfortunately, in such chaotic situations, people can be separated easily. People are panicked, sometimes it is dark and difficult to see, if there are explosions nearby people flee and lose one another. Since October 7, the ICRC reported that there are more than 8,700 missing Palestinians in Gaza and has engaged with 7,429 Palestinian families to gather information, with approximately 2,300 cases where families have found their relatives either alive or dead. The Guardian reported that Muhammad Naji, a resident of al-Falluja in the north of Gaza, said emergency response teams had been able to rescue eight people from the rubble after a recent attack, but that 17 others were buried beneath the debris, and that some of his cousins were missing. Naji said, We dont know anything about them. The whole building collapsed on their heads. Are they dead? Are they alive? No one can tell us anything. If my cousins are dead, we want to bury them. We cant think or comprehend. The Lancet medical journal published a conservative estimate last week that the true death toll in Gaza since October 2023 could be over 186,000, with an official death toll just over 37,000. Exposing the fraud of the humanitarian pier erected in March, the White House and US Defense Department announced on Thursday that the operation will shortly cease operations. Major General Patrick Ryder said in a statement that US troops had attempted to reconnect the floating structure to Gazas shoreline on Wednesday but were unable to do so because of technical and weather-related issues. The pier was set up as part of a public relations effort, announced by President Joe Biden at his State of the Union address, to cover up the US governments role in funding and arming the Israeli genocide in Gaza. It was an absurdity that a $230 million floating pier, which has been an unqualified operational failure, was going to do anything to address the starvation and suffering faced by the Palestinians in Gaza. Despite the obvious, Bidens National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan claimed on Thursday that the pier mission was a success, in trying to deal with the heartbreaking humanitarian situation resulting from the nine-month US-made genocide. I see any result that produces more food, more humanitarian goods getting to the people of Gaza as a success, Sullivan added. The far-right, crisis-plagued government of President Volodymyr Zelensky is preparing to renegotiate its $20 billion debt with Eurobond holders as the pause on its payments following the outbreak of the NATO proxy war against Russia in February 2022 is set to end on August 1. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Kiev, Ukraine, Tuesday, May 14, 2024. [AP Photo/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office] As the Kyiv Post reported, initial negotiations already took place June 3-14 between the Ukrainian government and its creditors, but they did not go well. Bondholders were reportedly unhappy with a cut of up to 60 percent of the original agreement. Should negotiations fail, after August 1, Ukraine will be forced to pay $3.75 billion by the end of 2024. The various major bondholders are using the name Ad Hoc Creditor Committee during negotiations. The Committee consists of Amundi, BlackRock and Amia Capital, according to Bloomberg. PJT Partners Ltd. and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP are participating as the groups financial and legal advisors. These giant hedge funds as well as banks like JP Morgan Chase are deeply involved in the so called reconstruction effort in Ukraine, whose fundamental aim is to subordinate the economy and its working class directly to the predatory interests of finance capital. If negotiations do not end in Ukraines favor, the impoverished country of 32 million will greatly increase its chances of defaulting on foreign debt, threatening both the continuation of the imperialist-provoked war with Russia and the Zelensky government itself whose popularity ratings are already tanking due to a highly unpopular mobilization law passed earlier this year. As the Wilson Center think tank noted, while default is not certain it is obvious that the longer the war drags on, the closer Ukraine will come to defaulting. Already in 2025, the national debt is projected to exceed 100 percent of Ukraines GDP. As a result of previous loan agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Zelensky government is unable to offer any more favorable terms to its creditors, otherwise International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt sustainability targets risk not being reached the Kyiv Post reported. As a result, the government has been forced into a corner during negotiations as it must pay interest on its Eurobonds for three years all at once. Last week, Ukraine received another $2.2 billion from the IMF as part of its participation in the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program which lasts 48 months and will loan the country approximately $16 billion. Ukraine is now the second largest debtor to the IMF after Egypt. These agreements entail mass privatizations, further reductions in already minimal social spending and various anti-corruption reforms demanded by Western imperialism. Despite their title, such anti-corruption efforts are essentially a means to insert Western elites into dictating the social and economic decisions of the indebted governments. The severity of the debt crisis is shaking up the already crisis-ridden NATO-backed Zelensky government and threatens to undermine the war effort. For the past year, the Zelensky regime has been dealing with a severe manpower and ammunition shortage at the front as it continues to lose territory to Russia. Earlier this week, the Ukrainska Pravda reported that Zelensky would soon replace the countrys Prime Minister Denis Shmigal, who had taken a leading role in negotiating with the IMF and assuring Ukraines compliance with its various agreements. The longest-serving Prime Minister in post-Soviet Ukraine, Shmigal was first appointed Prime Minister in 2020 following the resignation of Oleksiy Honcharuk, who made international news in October 2019 when he attended a neo-Nazi rock concert in Kiev. While much of the article attributed Shmigals potential dismissal to mere personality and power conflicts between him and Zelensky, it also cited a sense of great nervousness within the Zelensky regime over the implications of a number of reform agreements with both the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United States. According to Ukrainska Pravda, it was Shmigals government that signed memorandums of commitment with the IMF and other international structures. And whats bad is that the government was the addressee of the so-called reform plan that the White House sent to donors and the government of Ukraine. It went on to add that by sacrificing Shmigal, the Zelensky government hopes its foreign creditors will be more open to new negotiations. Shmigal is likely to be replaced by First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Sviridenko who is reportedly close to Zelenskys wife. Sviridenko is also viewed as 100 percent loyal by Zelenskys powerful aide Andriy Yermak. Reports suggested that Yermak already played a major role in forcing out the former Ukrainian commander in chief, Valery Zaluzhny in February. The infighting within the Zelensky regime is fundamentally a symptom of the ongoing NATO proxy war in Ukraine, which has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and created over 6 million refugees, while devastating the economy already ranked as Europes poorest prior to the war. The extent to which the war has further impoverished Ukrainian society was underlined last week by the head of the Ukrainian parliaments Committee on Social Policy and Veterans Rights, Galyna Tretiakova. In a rare official acknowledgement of the social disaster in Ukraine, Tretiakova stated, We have a catastrophic ratio of people who are considered poor. In fact, the war has thrown us back 16 years in terms of overcoming the problem of poverty. A World Bank report released last month indicated that the number of people living in poverty in Ukraine had grown by about 1.8 million since 2020, increasing to almost a third of the entire population at 29 percent. In total, 9 million Ukrainians were living in poverty as of last year,while the countrys overall population has dropped precipitously from 40 million to 32 million. These figures do not take into account the immense loss of life among Ukrainian soldiers, which is estimated at well over half a million now. The report also showed that the increase in poverty was driven by skyrocketing unemployment. A fifth of working adults have lost their jobs following the outbreak of full-scale war in February 2022. One in four Ukrainians surveyed did not have enough money to buy food at some point in June 2023, according to the World Bank report. Amidst this social disaster, the Zelensky government, seeking to both finance the war effort and placate its international creditors, is preparing further cuts to social spending. Ukraines Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych declared last week, We have taken on an excessive number of social obligations, social payments, which cannot always be supported by financial resources. And this imbalance entails a huge number of judgments that cannot be fulfilled in terms of the economys ability to cover such expenses. Already, Ukraine spends more on its military than on social spending, but, according to Zholnovych, the government now has to further revise the philosophy of social payments and optimize them. While it is as yet unclear exactly how the Zelensky regime plans to cut social spending further, Zholnovych told UNN that a draft law had already been prepared to revise social payments as Ukraine continues its necessary reforms to fulfill its obligations to the IMF and Western imperialism. Last week, you might have seen that Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) released its quarterly result to the market. The early response was not positive, with shares down 5.2% to US$43.62 in the past week. It was not a great result overall. Although revenues beat expectations, hitting US$17b, statutory earnings missed analyst forecasts by 16%, coming in at just US$2.01 per share. This is an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance in its report, look at what experts are forecasting for next year, and see if there has been any change to expectations for the business. We thought readers would find it interesting to see the analysts latest (statutory) post-earnings forecasts for next year. View our latest analysis for Delta Air Lines Following last week's earnings report, Delta Air Lines' 15 analysts are forecasting 2024 revenues to be US$59.9b, approximately in line with the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are forecast to drop 12% to US$6.13 in the same period. Yet prior to the latest earnings, the analysts had been anticipated revenues of US$59.8b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$6.25 in 2024. So it's pretty clear that, although the analysts have updated their estimates, there's been no major change in expectations for the business following the latest results. It will come as no surprise then, to learn that the consensus price target is largely unchanged at US$59.94. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. The most optimistic Delta Air Lines analyst has a price target of US$85.00 per share, while the most pessimistic values it at US$40.00. This is a fairly broad spread of estimates, suggesting that analysts are forecasting a wide range of possible outcomes for the business. Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. We would highlight that revenue is expected to reverse, with a forecast 0.7% annualised decline to the end of 2024. That is a notable change from historical growth of 13% over the last five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in the same industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 7.5% annually for the foreseeable future. So although its revenues are forecast to shrink, this cloud does not come with a silver lining - Delta Air Lines is expected to lag the wider industry. Story continues The Bottom Line The most important thing to take away is that there's been no major change in sentiment, with the analysts reconfirming that the business is performing in line with their previous earnings per share estimates. On the plus side, there were no major changes to revenue estimates; although forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. The consensus price target held steady at US$59.94, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets. Following on from that line of thought, we think that the long-term prospects of the business are much more relevant than next year's earnings. We have estimates - from multiple Delta Air Lines analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here. It is also worth noting that we have found 2 warning signs for Delta Air Lines that you need to take into consideration. 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 Captivated by the spectacular rally in global markets this year, Fredric Luk embarked on his investment journey with high hopes, handpicking a few promising stocks. But after being burned by some ill-fated bets, he quickly sold his entire equity holdings in US tech firms and funnelled his investments into a handful of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). "Buying individual stocks comes with quite a few risks, especially when you're not exactly familiar with the market, plus there's a time difference [in the trading hours of different markets]," said Luk, 25, a consulting professional in Hong Kong. "It makes more sense for me to get broad market exposure." 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. Luk is part of a growing tribe of investors in Asia piling into ETFs. These low-cost, diversified and transparent instruments are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for both retail and institutional investors, with the region seeing the fastest growth in the world. The total assets of ETFs in Asia-Pacific, excluding Japan, have grown nearly 15 per cent to a record US$890 billion in the first five months of the year, in addition to the 36 per cent growth in 2023, according to ETFGI, an independent research and consulting firm. Net inflows of US$118 billion during this period are the highest ever for the region, marking an unprecedented 35 consecutive months of inflows. Including Japan, Asia's ETF market now exceeds US$1.3 trillion and is on track to double in size, reaching at least US$2.5 trillion by 2028, according to a recent PwC report. That means it could become the world's second-largest ETF market after the US, and the strongest demand is expected to come from retail investors, the report added. "In a market where investors are young, sophisticated and doing more of their own homework on what they buy, ETFs have become popular," said Eugenie Shen, managing director and head of asset management at the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA). First launched in the US in 1993, ETFs pool together a basket of different securities that typically track an index or a benchmark, and aim to deliver returns that match the overall underlying market. Similar to other securities, investors can buy or sell ETFs through their brokers anytime during a market's trading hours. Story continues That gives the product several advantages. Compared with individual stocks or bonds, an ETF gives investors broader market exposure through a single vehicle. And unlike mutual funds, which usually require intermediaries such as banks for access, it cuts out the intermediaries, thereby lowering the cost for investors. In another boost to ETFs in Hong Kong and China, a total of 91 ETFs have been added to the cross border trading link between the two sides, giving investors more trading options. The Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong stock exchanges added 85 ETFs in the northbound channel, which allows foreign investors to buy mainland-listed A shares, and six in the southbound link, which allows investors in mainland China to buy select companies listed in Hong Kong. The expanded ETF list takes effect from July 22. Institutional investors have long been implementing their strategies by utilising ETFs as "building blocks" of their portfolios, according to Antoine de Saint Vaulry, director and regional head of ETF sales and business development at Citi in Hong Kong. "That is starting to happen in the retail space and is gradually taking off." Major Asian markets such as China, Taiwan, India, South Korea, Japan and Australia have seen a "massive wave" of retail adoption in recent years, driven by regulatory and industry efforts to promote ETF investing, de Saint Vaulry added. With ETFs' growing status as the region's hottest investment products, issuers both global and local are jostling for a slice of the pie. Their products range from traditionally passive index-linked ETFs to actively managed and novel themes, catering to diverse investor appetites. "Institutional investors are buying because they know ETFs are cheaper, and they use them to fill out their portfolios," said ASIFMA's Shen. "Individual investors, when they do their research, can easily figure out what to buy." BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, the top three indexing giants that together control 66 per cent of the world's US$12 trillion in ETF assets, are also capturing some of the biggest chunks of inflows in the region. "It's really about the breadth and depth of products we offer - from indexing to active strategies across different asset classes such as equity, fixed income, commodities and even cryptocurrency," said Andy Ng, head of iShares equity product strategy solutions at BlackRock. "We have over 1,400 ETFs globally." Ng said Asian investors do not just invest in locally domiciled products, but want global exposure as well, adding that BlackRock was giving them more options to choose from. "It could be a 'winner takes all' industry, and for the early entrants that already have an established presence, people tend to go to them naturally," said Ding Chen, CEO of CSOP Asset Management, a Hong Kong-based fund manager with US$14.7 billion under management. The company last November launched the CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF in Hong Kong, the first ETF in Asia that tracks the Gulf nation's biggest companies. "The competition is intense for sure," she said, adding that the key is to focus more on local and regional opportunities. For example, Nvidia's surge is driving stellar rallies in Asian chip companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung, and some of CSOP's ETF products tracking these stocks have seen strong inflows. "Local investors are more familiar with these names, so it's easier for them to understand. That means we can catch the demand for diversification," Ding said. Mirae Asset Global Investments, a South Korean firm with US$250 billion under management, says the company's team of ETF-dedicated researchers look at the wider economy and markets to identify long-term growth themes. An ideal thematic product would be non-cyclical, with long-term secular, structural growth potential that could become a mega trend, said Youngrae Cho, chief operating officer at Mirae Asset Global Investment (Hong Kong). K-pop companies, lithium battery makers, Japanese Reits that invest in hotels and commercial facilities, and China's "little giants" - firms eligible for preferential treatment to help the country become a stronger technological powerhouse - are among Mirae's ETF themes. Many ETF products track chip stocks like Nvidia. Photo: AP Photo alt=Many ETF products track chip stocks like Nvidia. Photo: AP Photo> "The phenomenal level of growth that we have seen globally in ETFs until now has been driven by passive ETFs," Cho said. "But as ETFs continue to develop and more investors, both institutional and retail, adopt ETFs into their portfolios, the use cases and demand will diversify and expand." The growing popularity of ETFs has seen them quietly overtake mutual funds. Last year, nearly US$800 billion flowed out of mutual funds globally, while ETFs attracted US$800 billion in inflows. JPMorgan Asset Management, traditionally an active fund house, has been ramping up efforts to reinvent itself by converting mutual funds into active ETFs. The firm, having seen success in the US and Europe, is eyeing similar growth in Asia. The idea behind active ETFs is simple - they combine the benefits of passive index-tracking to give investors exposure to the broader market, while also leveraging portfolio managers' stock-picking skills to identify mispriced securities and capitalise on that. This active management overlay aims to lead to outperformance compared with a pure index fund. The ETF structure means it still has the daily disclosure and intraday liquidity, which also enables direct distribution to investors and eliminates the need for intermediaries. Philippe El-Asmar, managing director and head of ETF, direct and digital for Asia-Pacific at JPMorgan Asset Management. Photo: Xiaomei Chen alt=Philippe El-Asmar, managing director and head of ETF, direct and digital for Asia-Pacific at JPMorgan Asset Management. Photo: Xiaomei Chen> "It is like taking the development of a mutual fund further; it's a superior vehicle," said Philippe El-Asmar, managing director and head of ETF, direct and digital for Asia-Pacific at JPMorgan Asset Management based in Hong Kong. "It has more transparency, more liquidity and more cost efficiency compared with a mutual fund." In the last few years almost all portfolio managers, barring a few exceptions, have become more comfortable with using ETFs to deliver their strategy, he added. This shift underscores the pressures facing traditional actively managed mutual funds. Take the US, for example, where less than one-third of the mutual funds outperformed the average of their passive ETF rivals over the 10-year period up to December 2023, according to Morningstar research. This underperformance undermines the primary selling point of active mutual funds - their promise of higher returns justifying higher fees. The average expense ratio, the percentage of assets paid to run the fund, was 0.48 per cent for passive ETFs and 1.02 per cent for actively managed mutual funds in 2023, according to Morningstar. "One factor driving ETFs' growth is the structural decline in alpha generation from active mutual funds," said Hao Zhang, head of business development for China at Mirae Asset. "As markets become more efficient, it's very difficult to consistently beat benchmarks." To be sure, like any other investment products, ETFs come with risks. One common misconception is that passive products are inherently safer. A passive product focusing on a very small sector can be volatile and risky compared with a broad-based index product, according to El-Asmar. Actively managed ETFs could carry their own risks if they deviate significantly from the underlying benchmark. "So it's very important that investors are aware and understand the difference between different kinds of products," he said. Luk, in the meantime, is quite content with his portfolio shift to ETFs, thanks to the bull run in the markets he has invested in. He said he would look to add more ETFs to his portfolio as he builds his investments over time. "I'm happy to ride along" with the broader market without having to spend too much time, he said. CSOP's Ding summed it up, saying investors might not always need professionals to help manage their money. "When you have an investment idea, ETFs can oftentimes offer you the tool." 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. A GoFundMe has been set up to buy Rory Gallaghers 1961 Stratocaster in order to keep it in Ireland A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the purchase of Rory Gallaghers 1961 Fender Stratocaster in order to keep it in Ireland. Earlier this week, Bonhams announced The Rory Gallagher Collection auction, which will oversee the sale of numerous items from Gallaghers gear collection. His iconic Strat was unveiled as the first lot to lead the way. The Strat in question is synonymous with the late Irish blues rock guitar legend, who used the heavily worn 61 Fender to cement his position as one of the all-time greats of guitar music. Its upper estimated value of 1,000,000 which could even be exceeded when the auction rolls around on October 17 is testament to the musical and cultural significance it holds. However, the guitar is seen as equally significant for the citizens of Cork the Irish city in which Gallagher lived who want to raise enough money in order to buy the guitar and keep it in the country. The fundraiser has been set up by Sheena Crowley, the daughter of Michael Crowley, who first sold Gallagher for 100 in 1963. As Sheena explains, Gallagher has been a hugely influential Irish figure, and has been an idol for many of the countrys musicians. This guitar means so much to us in Cork, and we need to become the custodians of that magical guitar, she writes on the GoFundMe page. We feel tied to him and the guitar is a symbol of what he represents for us. The GoFundMe has a target of 1,000,000. If successful, the campaign will approach the City Council, the Department of Heritage and wealthy benefactors to match the 1,000,000. If the fundraiser doesnt meet its target, all donations will be refunded. At the time of writing, 5,990 has been raised. Image 1 of 4 Rory Gallagher's 1961 Fender Stratocaster Image 2 of 4 Rory Gallagher's 1961 Fender Stratocaster Image 3 of 4 Rory Gallagher's 1961 Fender Stratocaster Image 4 of 4 Rory Gallagher's 1961 Fender Stratocaster Rory was someone who pushed the boundaries even at a time when 'Rock n Roll' was considered to be the devils music! Crowley continues. He gigged in places that were being bombed. He dedicated his entire life to it. We must do this for him because we got so much from him, but we must also do it for our heritage. The fundraiser is the first step towards establishing what Crowley describes as a music museum that honors Corks heritage. The Strat, and a wider Gallagher exhibition, would be the key feature. The main attraction would be a dedicated Rory Gallagher section with an interactive theme to it, Crowley says. Fans from as far as Japan, Iceland, Germany, and so on would want the guitar to remain in Cork! We will have to move mountains. The auction is set to take place on October 17. Visit the Help Bring Rory Gallaghers Strat Back to his Home Town GoFundMe page and Bonhams to find out more. To explore the Strat in greater detail, check out Total Guitar's deep dive into Gallagher's gear, and watch Guitarist demo his various live rigs. Triad Group plc (LON:TRD) shareholders (or potential shareholders) will be happy to see that the Executive Chairman, John Rigg, recently bought a whopping UK1.3m worth of stock, at a price of UK3.15. Aside from being a solid chunk in its own right, the deft move also saw their holding increase by some 18%. Check out our latest analysis for Triad Group The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Triad Group In fact, the recent purchase by John Rigg was the biggest purchase of Triad Group shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK3.05. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price. While Triad Group insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. If investing in lesser known companies is your style, you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them). Does Triad Group Boast High Insider Ownership? Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It's great to see that Triad Group insiders own 66% of the company, worth about UK34m. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. So What Do The Triad Group Insider Transactions Indicate? The recent insider purchase is heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But we don't feel the same about the fact the company is making losses. Once you factor in the high insider ownership, it certainly seems like insiders are positive about Triad Group. Looks promising! So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. For example, Triad Group has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is a bit concerning) we think you should know about. Of course Triad Group 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 Palm Beach County man closes in on Guy Fieri glory. Your vote could take him all the way A Lake Worth Beach man's one-pan creamy lemon garlic chicken recipe might have just the right something to take him to culinary glory in Guy Fieri's "Big Flavor, Bigger Heroes Flavortown Recipe Contest." The dish has already landed him in the top 10. Tom Jasinski made the cut, rising above hundreds of home chefs who entered their one-pan recipes. Now he's in the running for the grand prize that includes two tickets to the Super Bowl in New Orleans (airfare, hotel accommodations included), two VIP tickets to the Flavortown Tailgate and a meet-and-greet with Fieri, also a Palm Beach County resident if only part time. Jasinski began his culinary journey at home "both of my parents were amazing cooks." But he never had any formal training. For 11 years, his day job has been director of operations at Lion Country Safari. More: Food Network superstar Guy Fieri makes second trip to North Palm Beach pizzeria Very active on the social media cooking scene, Jasinki said his recipe was already a big hit online. "I made it for TikTok a few months ago and it ended up getting over six million views." Entering Guy Fieri's "Big Flavor, Bigger Heroes Flavortown Recipe Contest," Lake Worth Beach resident Tom Jasinski is now one of ten finalists to win the top prize. Very active on the social media cooking scene, Jasinski runs the YouTube channel "Casting and Cooking BBQ." Then he heard about the contest through social media and thought "This is the perfect recipe to submit... I have to go for it." The one-pan recipe contest kicked off June 10 with an open invitation for culinary enthusiasts to showcase their creativity and cooking skills. From sizzling skillet dishes to savory stir-fry, each entry had to include a complete list of ingredients, detailed cooking instructions and either a photo or video to be considered for the competition. Jasinski submitted his recipe and video and then the dish was judged by the Flavortown committee. Though he's never met or seen Guy Fieri in person, Jasinski is clearly on a similar culinary page after all, he too has eaten at Havana in Lake Worth Beach, a restaurant featured on an early episode of Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." More: The Dirt: Guy Fieri says goodbye to Lake Worth Beach waterfront home but could make a tidy profit The other nine finalists include Kyle Augustson's blazin' chicken penne; Faron Dexter's arayes; Frederick Baker's bacon-wrapped, andouille-stuffed pork chops; Danielle Grossman's New York strip steak; Mike Stephens' loaded cajun pasta bake; Carla Altomare's vedura semplice; Enrique Navarro's cajun beer can chicken; Alex Callegari's Mediterranean arroz con pollo; and Dan Fitzpatrick's chicken caprese bowl. More: Guy Fieri's Flavortown Spiked drinks in four varieties now on sale at local markets Vote and you're a winner too a coupon for a Guy Fieri frying pan Now it's up for viewers to pick a winner. Voting is open through August 2 and votes can be cast here, where the full recipes are posted. The winner will be announced on Aug. 5. Each voter receives a $30 off coupon to purchase Guy Fieri's Laser Titanium three-piece fry pan set (a $129 purchase without a coupon). Ten dollars from each sale will be donated to Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds/donates specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. The homes are equipped with over 40 major special adaptations, including pull-down shelving and roll-under access countertops, cooktops, sinks. This new line of cookware from Guy Fieri's Flavortown features a new patent-pending technology with a safe non-toxic cooking surface, without potentially harmful chemicals (PFAS, PTFE, PFOA). They are non-stick, three times harder than stainless steel, safe for metal utensils and oven safe up to 700 degrees. Boom! Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County resident finalist in Guy Fieri Flavortown contest PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) There is a special behind-the-scenes story of the musical comedy Company, the next and final show of the 2023-24 Broadway in Portland season, and it involves twins born prematurely by surrogacy, an anxious parent from the United Kingdom, a gender-switching role and a happy ending. When producer Chris Harper returns to Portland to watch his revival of Stephen Sondheims and George Furths Company, July 16-21 at Keller Auditorium, itll bring back a lot of memories. I-84 to close for five miles over weekend for trash collection, graffiti removal Portland is so very special to me, Harper said. Living in London some eight years ago, Harper wanted to be a parent, and decided the best way to do it was with the help of a surrogate and surrogacy in America is much more straightforward than it is in the U.K. Greater Idaho leaders invite Gov. Kotek to discuss potential border movement Harper found the most incredible person who carried the twins for me, and she lived in Portland. Read more at PortlandTribune.com. The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Jonathan Meijer, a Dutch man known for his extensive sperm donations is the subject of a new Netflix docuseries, The Man With 1000 Kids, released earlier this month. The true story of 'The Man With 1000 Kids' The three-part docuseries explores Meijers journey into sperm donation and details how he has fathered around 550 children since he began participating in the practice in his 20s. Several couples and single women who used Meijers services to conceive have expressed feeling betrayed and misled regarding the extent of his donations and how many families he has helped in the past. A 2023 report from the Associated Press indicated that the Netherlands has a law limiting sperm donors to fathering 25 children with a maximum of 12 mothers. However, Meijer has provided services to significantly more recipients than permitted by the law. A group of families learn the charismatic man they had trusted is the sperm donor to hundreds or perhaps thousands of other children across the world. The Man With 1000 Kids premieres July 3 pic.twitter.com/XOsNSVUDq9 Netflix (@netflix) June 25, 2024 What happened to Jonathan Meijer? Following the musician and YouTubers actions, the Dutch Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology banned him in 2017 from donating sperm in the Netherlands. In 2023, the Hague District Court in the Netherlands further prohibited him from donating sperm, with each violation of the ban subject to a hefty fine of 100,000 euros (or about $109,000 in U.S. dollars) per case, AP reported. Meijer insists that he did nothing wrong and never misled potential recipients about the number of children he has fathered. Technically I did not lie, Meijer told NBC News in an emailed statement. I followed the guidelines of every large commercial international sperm bank that does not inform the recipients about the amount of offspring one donor will produce, Meijer wrote, adding, I was doing a much better thing, I gave the parents an estimated number, this was better and more info than they would ever get at any clinic. Medical experts, activists, and women who were recipients of Meijers sperm have criticized him for exploiting a service intended to help women and families fulfill their desire to have children. One Australian mother named Kate used Meijers services through Cryos, a Denmark-based organization recognized as the worlds largest international sperm and egg bank. On the show, she voiced her concern about how him fathering so many children could negatively impact the children. What happens psychologically to these children that have 700, 800, 900 brothers and sisters? Kate said in the docuseries. How are they psychologically going to be able to deal with this information? Meijer and his legal team dispute the docuseries allegation that he mixed his sperm with another donor before giving it to a recipient to see whose genes are stronger. He said he would file a slander lawsuit if Netflix did not remove the claim from the show, per NBC News. Despite the controversy surrounding the show, Josh Allott, the docuseries director, stated that he approached Meijer several times to participate in the project, but he declined. We approached him a number of times to be interviewed and gave him a right to reply at the end, Allott told Netflixs Tudum. He refused to comment on any of the allegations in the series. [Source] Nordin Razali, AirAsias first cabin crew who began working for the company 35 years ago, has retired at 60. His last flight was a 90-minute trip to Kuching, Malaysia. The Malaysian airline uploaded a video of the staff celebrating Nordins retirement to TikTok on July 1. Nordin delivered a heartfelt speech to the passengers during his last flight, saying in part, Thank you all for being part of this one-hour-and-30 minutes flight. It's been an honor and a joy to serve you as your crew-in-charge. From the bottom of my 60-year-old heart, I wish you safe travels and happy landings for many more years to come." Trending on NextShark: Usha Vance hit with racist comments by MAGA figures Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! If you're looking to embrace city life without fully committing to the New York City lifestyle, this new rental community coming to Jersey City might be for you. One Grove, located at 215 Grove St. in the city's downtown area, is a 200-unit luxury rental community with apartments ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, starting at $2,925 per month. The development has recently opened for pre-leasing, and occupancy is expected to begin in the upcoming weeks. "One Grove invites you to escape the noise of daily life and let the outside world fade," the website states. "Each studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residence immerses you in hand-crafted details, beautiful natural light and thoughtful features." The One Grove Residences in Jersey City is a 200-unit rental building expected to open in the upcoming weeks. The property will feature smart home technologies, lots of private outdoor spaces, a fitness center and more. The building just minutes away from the Hudson River waterfront, NY Waterway ferry terminals, the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza and the Grove Street PATH Station was designed to provide both a "luxury Zen atmosphere" and an eco-friendly environment. This was achieved through the use of raw textures, organic materials, earthy hues and interior systems that meet performance standards under the LEED and EnergyStar programs. Each apartment will consist of features like premium fixtures, high-end appliances and smart-home technologies to control things like unit access, heating and air conditioning. In addition to being a pet-friendly rental community, approximately 30% of the building's apartment will have their own private outdoor spaces. The One Grove Residences in Jersey City is a 200-unit rental building expected to open in the upcoming weeks. The property will feature smart home technologies, lots of private outdoor spaces, a fitness center and more. And for those looking to host visitors, the building includes a wing of furnished short-term rental units reserved for family and friends to reside during extended stays. These are also available for other visitors who are looking for a short-term rental in the area. One Grove will also boast a list of communal amenities for residents, including a resident lounge, a coworking space and a fitness center. There is also a landscaped rooftop terrace and a large demonstration kitchen for hosting, as well as a parking garage. "We are thrilled to introduce One Grove to the Jersey City community and welcome our first residents in the coming weeks," said David Brown, deputy managing director for the building's developer, Strategic Capital. Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay , on X @maddiemcgayy , and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jersey City apartments: Building with Zen atmosphere opening When does your kid return to school? Here's when classes start in central Ohio Get ready for packed lunches, field trips and pep rallies: the first day of school is only about a month away for many in central Ohio. School start dates can be confusing with some districts opting for orientations and staggered starts for high school freshman, kindergartners and or preschoolers. Most students will begin their classes towards the end of the week of Aug. 12 or at the start of the week of Aug. 21. Woodcrest Elementary School teachers and staff, clap in students on the first day of school in 2023. The school is the district's only year-round school. According to calendars from school districts in the area, here is when students will return to classes in Franklin County and some of the districts surrounding it: Education: Westerville City school board seeks new tax levies to finance school work, operations Franklin County start dates: Columbus City Schools: Aug. 21 except Woodcrest Elementary, Columbus City Schools only year-round school that starts July 24. Bexley City Schools: Students grades 1-6 and 9 start Aug. 15 with a partial kindergarten roster. All students grades 1-12 will be in attendance with a partial kindergarten roster Aug. 16. Canal Winchester Local Schools: Grades 1-6 and 9 will start Aug. 20 and grades 1-12 will be in class Aug. 21. Kindergarteners last names starting with A-G will be in class Aug. 20, last names H-O will be in class Aug. 21 and last names P-Z will be in class Aug. 22. Dublin City Schools: Thursday Aug. 15 first K-12 day. The district will have phase in days for kindergarten students on the 15 and 16 with its first day of preschool on Aug. 21. Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools: First day of classes for firefighting juniors is Aug. 12. On Aug. 13 only returning seniors in the firefighting, nail tech and STNA programs will report to class. Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools: Aug. 15 Grandview Heights Schools: Aug. 13 Groveport Madison Local Schools: Grades 1-6 and 9 start Aug. 12 and grades 1-12 will report Aug. 13. Hamilton Local Schools: Aug. 14 Hilliard City Schools: Wednesday Aug. 21 New Albany-Plain Local Schools: Grades 1-12 with last names A-K start Aug. 19 and last names L-Z start Aug. 20 only. All grades 1-12 report Aug. 21 and preschoolers and kindergartners A-K start. Preschoolers and kindergartners L-Z start Aug. 22. Kindergartners and preschoolers only with last names A-K have a half day Aug. 23 then kindergartners and preschoolers only with last names L-Z have a half day Aug. 26. Reynoldsburg City Schools: Aug. 21 for K-9 students with the last name starting with A-K and Aug. 22 for those students with the last starting with L-Z. All students grates 10-12 will start Aug. 21. South-Western City Schools: Wednesday Aug. 21 for grades 4-12. Students in grades K-3 will have a staggered start with last names A-G only on Aug 21, last names H-O only on Aug. 22 and last names P-Z only on Aug. 23. Upper Arlington City Schools: Grades 1-6 and 9 start Aug. 14 and all students grades 1-12 will be in class Aug. 15 and there will be kindergarten orientation Aug. 14 and 15. Westerville City Schools: Wednesday Aug. 14 for grades 1-5, 6 and 9. Kindergarten students have a gentle start Aug. 14-16 and preschool students have a gentle start date between Aug. 14 and 15. All students grades 1-12 will be in class on Aug. 15 and preschool and kindergarten students will all be in class Aug. 19. Whitehall City Schools: Grades 1-9 start Aug. 19, grades 10-12 and preschool start Aug. 20 and kindergarten starts Aug. 26. Worthington City Schools: Aug. 14 Start dates for central Ohio districts outside Franklin County Big Walnut Local Schools: Aug. 16 and preschool Aug. 19 Buckeye Valley Local Schools: Aug. 14. Kindergartners will have gentle start days between Aug. 14-20 and all kindergartners will be in class Aug. 21. Delaware City Schools: Aug. 14 Fairbanks Local Schools: Aug. 14 for grades 1-12 and Aug. 19 for kindergarten Jonathan Alder Local Schools: All students start Aug. 21 except kindergarteners who have a staggered start for Aug. 21 and 22. Licking Heights Local Schools: Pre-K and grades 1-9 on Aug. 15, with grades 10-12 on Aug. 16. Kindergarten is staggered with last names A-K on Aug. 15 and L-Z on Aug. 16. Madison-Plains Local Schools: Kindergarten girls and grades 1-12 start Aug. 21 and kindergarten boys start Aug. 22. Marysville Exempted Village Schools: Marysville Schools will have a staggered start. On Aug. 14 all 9 th graders will start, grades 1-8 with last names A-M will attend. All high school students will be in class Aug. 15 and grades 1-8 with last names N-Z will attend. The, next day all students grades 1-8 will attend. There will be kindergarten readiness appointments Aug. 14-16 and all kindergartners will attend Aug. 19. Olentangy Local Schools: Thursday Aug. 15 Pickerington Local Schools: Staggered start for grades 1-12 on Aug. 15-16. The first day for all grades 1-12 is Aug. 19 and for kindergarten is Aug. 20. DHunt@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When does school start for Columbus and central Ohio districts in 2024 A pair of empty nesters combined modern technology with a back-to-the-basics mentality to develop a remarkable dream home that generates more energy than it consumes. As detailed by WNC Magazine, John and Amy Ende began the process of downsizing by decluttering their large brick colonial home, keeping items out of landfills by selling, donating, and gifting nonessentials. "It felt extremely freeing to get rid of almost everything," Amy shared with the publication. Then, they partnered with Wilson Architects to construct a maximum-efficiency home near North Asheville, North Carolina. Aaron Wilson, one of the architects, told the magazine that the design itself minimized construction waste, ensuring the project was more eco-friendly from the get-go. "Overlapping the spaces makes the interior feel bigger than if it were split into individual rooms," he said. "This house has a small footprint but functions very well." The interior designer also considered how to make the most of the space, preventing an overconsumption of material resources. "We made sure every ounce was used," Liz Hackett told the publication. The couple also focused on durability by investing in quality. While fast-furniture items may have a lower up-front price, they often cost consumers more in the long run because they aren't built to last. The goods end up cluttering landfills, producing planet-warming gases like methane, according to the University of San Francisco Office of Sustainability. "We did lots of digging into the best tile and counter material," Amy told the magazine. "Porcelain is one of the most eco-friendly choices and really durable." To power their home, the couple depends on a geothermal system that works with the Earth's natural underground temperatures for energy-efficient heating and cooling. Solar panels, another feature that significantly reduces electric bills, provide clean, nonpolluting power. Meanwhile, two Tesla Powerwalls help put money back in the Endes' pockets while making sure renewable energy is available even when the sun isn't shining. "It's like a game," Amy told WNC Magazine. "We first power everything we're using, then fill up the Powerwalls and charge the [electric] car. After that, we give power to Duke Energy for credits." California and Texas are among the states that have similar programs. These programs help keep the lights on when the electrical grid is stressed by extreme weather events like heat waves, which have become more frequent and severe because of a warming planet. Other money-saving, planet-friendly elements in the Endes' house include LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances, including an induction stove that, unlike gas stoves, doesn't release health-harming air pollution directly into the home. Though energy-efficient washers and dryers do exist, the Endes opted to preserve additional electricity and cash by simplifying their approach to the latter part of laundry days, instead of installing an umbrella clothesline for air drying. The location is another secret to the energy-efficient success. The high altitude not only gives the couple stunning views of Beaverdam Valley, but also reduces the need for heating and cooling in the first place with lower temperatures in the summer and higher temps in the winter. The couple told WNC Magazine that they do have a wood stove, but it is more efficient than a stone one, moving the needle in a cleaner direction. According to the Sierra Club, "heating with wood can be safe and feasible in locations where pollutants do not create health problems or violate air-quality standards," though it's important to harvest the wood sustainably. All in all, the Endes are pleased with their move and reconnection to nature another example of the growing movement demonstrating that planet-friendly construction and comfort can go hand in hand. "It's a special spot," John told WNC Magazine. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. Armando and Maria Rivas found a spot on the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier to watch the Blue Angels rehearsal performance over Pensacola Beach on Friday afternoon. From there, they enjoyed an unobstructed view of the U.S. Navys elite flight demonstration teams maneuvers, as well as the throngs of people packing the beach, soaking up the sun and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. From top to bottom, the Rivas like to deck out in Blue Angels themed hats, clothes and accessories. The couple call Texas home, but they travel at least once a year, often more, to see the Blue Angels. Pensacola is their favorite place to see them perform. We started coming to the beautiful Pensacola Beach Air Show since 2016, Maria Rivas said. We see them every year in San Francisco in October, as well, but this is the best, beautiful Pensacola Beach. It's more intimate because it feels like they're closer to you rather than at a distance. The Rivas come back each year for Red, White and Blues Week and the Blue Angels Homecoming Show in November, just like a lot of locals who live here and make the Pensacola Beach Air Show an annual tradition. Michelle Phillips arrived well before dawn to set up her tent on Casino Beach. She snagged the last open spot on the Gulf before the sun rose and joined the crowds of others eating, drinking and relaxing before the show. She may not always set up in the same area, but she always returns for the Blue Angels beach show year after year. As hard as things are for me right now, I'm trying to buy a house and its really hard to try and afford anything, and it's this real struggle, but when you see the show it just makes you feel like America is great. It doesn't matter what's going on in the world. This is a great place to be, Phillips said. Troy and Brittany Alasker came from their home in Perdido to watch the show with their three children and Brittanys mother. They also come each year, but most of the time Troy has to work. He was able to be a part of the family tradition this year, and the entire family was hyped about not only spending time together but also celebrating the U.S. Navys high-flying pilot performers. WYNTK: Heading to the Blue Angels Pensacola Beach Air Show this weekend? Here's everything to know Its the Christmas of July, Brittany Alasker said with a big smile. It feels like a locals event. Everybody that we know and love is out here, the weather is gorgeous, its patriotic, were supporting the Navy. We love coming here and we love them! The Alaskers said they enjoy checking out the food, souvenirs and other items on display at the shows vendor market near Casino Beach. Pensacola entrepreneur Halston Michaud has a vendor tent there showcasing his custom-made bed business, Goonie Bedz Inc. The Blue Angels bed he has on display is a built to look like a fighter jet with the Blues classic blue and gold colors. He said its one of their most popular models and they also have one designed to look like the Blues C-130 affectionately known as Fat Albert. I want kids to feel excited to go to sleep and not afraid to go to sleep, said Michaud, who designs a variety of beds with different themes from pirate ships and treehouses to outdoor adventures. Its about stressing the importance of sleep and mental health and combining those two together. Something as little as sleep can change all that, and I have family in the military and love the Blue Angels. The show attracted thousands to Pensacola Beach and the Casino Beach parking lot was closed by 7:30 a.m. Escambia EMS has a medical tent set up near the Public Safety Building and they treated several people for issues ranging from jellyfish stings and abrasions to heat exhaustion and dehydration. They couldnt stress enough the importance of everyone drinking water, especially in the scorching heat. The Visitors Center on Pensacola Beach is open for folks who want to cool down and there is also free water throughout the area, as well as free sunscreen and skin screenings provided by Baptist Health Care at the Public Safety Building. The Rivas will be back out on Pensacola Beach along with thousands of others despite the heat and the crowds. They kept water handy and enjoyed the breeze on the pier while they watched the show, which they never tire of doing. The Blue Angels, they're the real top guns, said Maria Rivas. I think they're the best. They're the best of the best; precision, excellence, professional. This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Beach draws huge crowds for Blue Angels rehearsal show Yahoo Sports Week 5 is in the books and oh my there's a lot of panic on these fantasy streets. Dalton Del Don joins Matt Harmon for another edition of the 'People's Panic Meter' to answer all of your listener submissions. The duo examines the situations for Breece Hall, Buffalo Bills, Bijan Robinson and many more. Idalou may be known for cotton farming, but it offers much more than the cash crop West Texas is known for. It is also home to a 44-acre farm with an orchard, a vineyard, two greenhouses, vegetables and a year-round farmers market. Idalou Harvest Co., 12206 East Highway 62, is one of the Lubbock area's two year-round markets, and prides itself on all-local offerings, most of which come from the surrounding farm. Lucinda Mann, grower and manager for Idalou Harvest, joined the business in 2022. Mann has been a farmer for 15 years, previously operating a mobile farmers market known as Juicy Lucy's Veggies. Mann's experience, paired with the generational orchard knowledge from owners Dan and Connie Williams, allows the farm to grow a variety of items. That includes: Apples. Apricots. Cherries. Garlic. Grapes. Green beans. Onions. Peaches. Pears. Peppers. Plums. Purple hull peas. Squash. Tomatoes. Zucchini. "We grow quite a bit out here," Mann said. Most of what they grow goes directly to the market's shelves, though it can also be found in the LBK Grown subscription boxes and is a favorite among local chefs. During the school year, Idalou Harvest's produce is used in schools across the state. More: Where can you find Lubbock area grown produce? Here's markets, subscription boxes, more The other side of the business is the market, which recently expanded with a wine bar and an additional room for produce and freezers. Before Mann joined, the shop was only open seasonally. Now, it is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and hosts a farmers market with other vendors on Saturdays through October. These markets offer opportunities for people to see where their food or wine is coming from, which is something Mann encourages people to do. "Know your grower, and support them," Mann said. More in Agriculture News: Texas Tech student, Wolfforth farmer reveals how Google got him into agriculture Along with Idalou Harvest's items, shoppers can find local meat, mushrooms, salsas, seasonings, sauces, baked goods, wine and jewelry. People can keep up with Idalou Harvest Co./Juicy Lucy's Veggies on Facebook, or visit idalouharvest.com. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Idalou Harvest Company thrives on 44 acres with orchards, more Guinea-Bissau might not be economically important to China, but that does not mean the small West African nation is not on Beijing's radar. During a state visit to China this week, Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo met Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the two leaders agreeing to strengthen cooperation on international and multilateral affairs as they officially formed a strategic partnership. In a joint statement released on Wednesday detailing their talks, the two leaders noted: "All countries, big or small, are equal." 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. Beijing has traditionally forged strong diplomatic ties with small nations such as Guinea-Bissau, as it develops these political allies - and secures their votes in international forums - to support China's global ambitions. Meanwhile, for Guinea-Bissau, China is extremely important, providing finance to build key projects ranging from presidential palaces to roads and stadiums. Embalo called China his country's "top priority direction and most important partner in diplomacy" during his visit, as he obtained multimillion-dollar deals from his Chinese counterpart. Xi granted market access to agricultural products from Guinea-Bissau, such as cashew nuts, and agreed to explore local processing of the nuts. Increased imports of food products from Africa is part of Beijing's plan to support the continent's agricultural modernisation - a promise made during last August's Brics summit in Johannesburg. With a population of just over 2 million, Guinea-Bissau is one of the least developed African countries that China announced in 2022 would benefit from the waiver of tariffs on 98 per cent of taxable items originating from the country. "China is willing to continue to provide technical support for Guinea-Bissau to enhance its agricultural production capacity," the statement said. Beijing will also fund some of the country's infrastructure projects as the two heads of state agreed to upgrade the relationship between China and Guinea-Bissau to a strategic partnership - which means the country's strategic value to China lies in economic and geopolitical perspectives. China will expand cooperation in mining, infrastructure construction, ocean resources and other fields under its massive overseas investment plan, the Belt and Road Initiative. Story continues Xi also said Chinese companies would be encouraged to invest and cooperate in Guinea-Bissau to help the African nation "better achieve national development". This will help it "transform its resource potential into development momentum", according to a readout released after the talks held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "China is willing to continue to provide support to Guinea-Bissau's domestic construction to the best of its ability," Xi said in the statement. Beijing will continue to send rice technology experts and medical teams to help Guinea-Bissau ensure food security and develop public health. China has been providing doctors for the country's hospital in Canchungo in the north of the country and the military hospital in the capital Bissau. It will also provide government scholarships and training vacancies to help Bissau cultivate talent of all kinds needed for national development. Beijing traditionally provides thousands of scholarships annually to students to study in Chinese universities and welcomes government workers to attend short-term courses in China. Guinea-Bissau is a key Chinese ally. Beijing's presence can be seen across the country in the form of projects it has financed and built, such as the country's government palace, the parliament, the justice building, the national stadium in Bissau and a new fishing port in Bandim. On Monday, ahead of the state visit to China, Embalo announced China had already pledged to finance a "major conference centre" for Guinea-Bissau's presidency of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). China will also reconstruct 300km (186 miles) of roads and build a new university campus for 12,000 students, Embalo said. "Before we get there, China has already announced a donation of US$27.5 million to Guinea-Bissau, which will be earmarked for projects, independently of other projects we already have in the pipeline," Embalo was quoted as saying by Lusa News Agency, Portugal's largest media outlet. Embalo, who will be in China until Saturday, is ruling the country by special decree after dissolving the opposition-dominated parliament in December 2023 following armed clashes that he described as an "attempted coup d'etat". A date for the upcoming parliamentary elections has not yet been set. China is currently building the country's only highway linking Osvaldo Vieira International Airport to the town of Safim, a distance of 8.2km (5 miles), with a cost of US$14.7 million. A new fishing port in Bandim on the outskirts of Bissau was recently completed by China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group Corporation (CRGEG) for US$26 million. David Shinn, a China-Africa specialist and professor at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs, said from the standpoint of economic relations, Guinea-Bissau is not important to China but its vote in the UN General Assembly and certain specialised international agencies is equal to that of South Africa or Nigeria. "As a result, China pays attention to small economies such as Guinea-Bissau," Shinn said. Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, right, during the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during his state visit to China. Photo: AFP alt=Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, right, during the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during his state visit to China. Photo: AFP> He said for its part, Guinea-Bissau sought export markets, foreign direct investment, loans and foreign aid from wherever it was available. "Although China is a modest source, Guinea-Bissau may perceive that potentially it will become more important," Shinn said. Sub-Saharan geoeconomic analyst Aly-Khan Satchu said he could not imagine Guinea-Bissau's president getting a state visit to the White House. "It's never going to happen. And therein lies an essential difference in China and US foreign relations," Satchu said. He said Xi's flex in Africa was explained by this visit. "I think China is seeking to position itself on the African Atlantic coast. Note Equatorial Guinea's state visit," Satchu said in reference to a state visit to China in May by Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. For Guinea-Bissau, "China can be a game-changer", he said. "It's a small economy and China can put in as little as US$1 billion to work and inflect the country's fortunes," Satchu said. After talks, Xi and Embalo witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents on the implementation of global development initiatives, economic development, customs inspection and quarantine, geology and mining. 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. Small moves, like putting spices near the stove in spice racks designed for drawers, can save cooks time in the kitchen. When most expectant parents would be nesting, my daughter and her husband tore out their kitchen. Sawdust swirled and workers buzzed while every dish, glass, pantry item, utensil, pot, pan, canned good, and cooking appliance sat in the adjacent family room as if someone tossed in a grenade. So much for nesting. When Baby George, curious to learn what all the commotion was about, arrived four days ahead of schedule, Paige and Adam had just finished hurriedly moving items back in, making game-time decisions about what would go where. Grateful for their beautiful new kitchen and new baby, having everything in just the right place was not a priority. Except to me. Scene change. Meanwhile, in Florida, I am booking my flight to Colorado to see my new grandson and to help. On the plane, I practice my silent mantra: No. 1 Add value. No. 2 Do not overstep. At the risk of being that mother-in-law (who me?), I wait until the second day of my visit to mention that I know a great kitchen organizer in the area whom Id be happy to call Remind me to have Fools Rush In printed on a T-shirt. I mean, not to meddle, I whisper to Paige and Adam, so I dont wake the baby. The three of us are standing in the kitchen. And not to suggest you havent already set up your kitchen perfectly, logically! But its just that this organizer could suggest ways to better arrange your kitchen that could save you time. After "get sleep," "save time" are the two words these new parents most long for. I regretted the presumptuous offer the minute I made it. What made me think this idea would land well? George opens his eyes, makes a small squawk. Paige and Adam look at each other, look at me, then, to my surprised delight and probably due to their profound sleep deprivation, shrug and say, Sure! I met Mary Rogers, a healthy cooking educator and kitchen organizer from Boulder, Colo., 20 years ago. I was living in Colorado and invited her to my home to get tips for one of my columns. She taught me to observe how I moved in the kitchen. For example, when making scrambled eggs, I used to ricochet around, opening the refrigerator to get the eggs, then taking five steps to get a pan, and another five steps to get the salt. Its math, Rogers said. Taking 5 more seconds to get an ingredient, a bowl or utensil may not seem like much, but soon those 5 seconds add up to 20, then a minute; over a week it becomes 10 minutes, and in a month an hour. She set up my coffee station so I could make coffee without moving my feet. If your kitchen isnt efficient, youre not going to want to cook, she said. If cooking is a pain, youre not going to make healthy meals. After looking over Paige and Adams kitchen, Rogers noted how much they had gotten right on the fly. They had edited cooking supplies down to only what they used. In most homes, decluttering is the first step, she said, but not here. They knew what critical appliances and foods they wanted close, and had put silverware, glasses and dishes near the dishwasher. She then made the following moves and recommendations to better streamline the couples new kitchen: Put food where you cook. Cooking ingredients, such as oils, spices, vinegars, and canned goods, belong close to the stove. Paige and Adam had their spices in a drawer near the stove, but when you opened the drawer you looked down on their lids. You had to pull each spice out to see what it was. Rogers suggested either labeling the lids or getting angled spice racks made for drawers. Paige and Adam got the racks. A Lazy Susan can also work. Arrange spices alphabetically. Eliminate pantry treks. Seeing cooks walk back and forth to their pantry is one of Rogers top peeves. Reserve the pantry for storing backups of condiments, canned goods, paper towels, etc., and for lesser-used serving pieces, such as platters and appliances (that waffle iron). Because the pantry can also be a good place to store snacks, which arent needed for cooking, Rogers relocated snack foods there moving them out of the cooking area. Thin the caddy. Many kitchens have a caddy to hold cooking utensils, which get crammed with gadgets cooks rarely use, Rogers said, so when you pull out one, three more come with it. Thin the canister so it holds only the six to 10 utensils you reach for most. Move others to a nearby drawer. Keep dishes, glasses and flatware by the dishwasher. The second-best place is near the kitchen table, so table setting is more convenient. If you can achieve both, even better. Similarly, store dish towels near the sink, potholders by the stove. Clear the counters. Unless an appliance is heavily used, keep appliances off counters, especially in the cooking triangle, that busy area between sink, refrigerator and stove. The kitchen will look better, and youll have more room to mix ingredients and chop vegetables. Weave in prettiness. That said, Rogers applauds any move that makes the kitchen a place you want to be, including adding functional decor like a handsome set of salt and pepper grinders, a handmade wooden cutting board, a beautiful fruit bowl, and pretty linen dish towels. Use bins strategically. Paige and Adam were making good use of labeled bins for flour, sugar, dog treats, and nuts, but Rogers saw opportunities for more, including one under the sink for cleaning supplies. Products are easier to access when they live in a bin you can pull out. After Paige and Adam adjusted to the new normal, they admitted that a kitchen organizer was a great idea. I loved my new kitchen before, Paige said, but now its even better. Phew! Marni Jameson is the author seven books, including the newly released Rightsize Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow: A Motivational Guide for Those Seeking Their Ideal Home Later in Life, and What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want. You may reach her at marnijameson.com. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: MARNI JAMESON: New kitchen? That's a chance for cooks to reorganize From sleep apnea to tanning pills, these are some of the biggest health stories of the week. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Sleep disturbances linked to increased susceptibility to COVID. (Image via Getty Images) Time is precious waste it wisely. To help you make the most of your time and better your health in the process, we've compiled a weekly one-stop shop for all things health. First, check out some of this week's health stories from Yahoo Canada you might have missed: Here are more trending news stories you should know about: Sleep disturbances linked to higher risk of COVID, hospitalization and mortality A meta-analysis of observational studies found that people with pre-existing sleep disturbances have an increased risk of COVID infection. A new study published to eClinicalMedicine examined 48 observational studies that included more than 8.6 million people. It found that people who experienced sleep disturbances like obstructed sleep apnea, insomnia, abnormal sleep duration, or worked night shifts were more susceptible to COVID. They also had a higher risk of hospitalization, developing long COVID or mortality from the virus. People with sleep apnea have a higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID. (Image via Getty Images) The data also showed that men with sleep disturbances were more likely to die from COVID than women with sleep disturbances. What does this mean for me? Sleep is crucial to health. Knowing that data showed sleep disturbances constitute a compromised immune system could help people take extra-precautions and be more diligent about staying up-to-date on vaccines and practicing mask-wearing to protect themselves. Experts warn against tanning pills The growing online trend of taking tanning pills has doctors concerned for their safety. Oral tanning pills, tanning tablets and tanning gummies have earned millions of views on TikTok with some users crediting their golden tans to the sun-alternative. Despite videos touting their legitimacy, oral tanning products are not approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. Experts are urging people not to take oral tanning pills. (Image via Getty Images) Earlier this week, Dr. Alexis Young, a US-based dermatologist told Fox News Digital that the pills do not provide any protection from the sun. Whats more, they contain canthaxanthin, a naturally occurring pigment (carotenoid) that is used in tanning pills to change skin colour. According to Young, prolonged use at high doses can cause liver damage and can build-up in the body and the eyes which could lead to blurred vision, night blindness and even permanent vision loss. What does this mean for me? No oral tanning pills or gummies are approved for sale in Canada. However, they still appear on the market despite being considered a drug. Health Canada recommends avoiding oral tanning pills and notes that there is no safe way to tan. Researchers identify oral bacteria subspecies that plays a key role in colon cancers According to new research from the Fred Hutchison Cancer Centre in Seattle, a subspecies of a common type of oral bacteria was found in 50 per cent of colorectal cancer tumours examined by researchers. The subspecies of Fusobacterium nucleatum, a bacteria that causes dental plaque, was found in what were considered more aggressive tumours. New research could transform the way colon cancers are treated. (Image via Getty Images) In an interview with NBC News, Susan Bullman, the co-lead author of the study, said that one particular subspecies of the bacteria acts like a cloak to prevent cancer cells from responding to treatment. Patients who have high levels of this bacteria in their colorectal tumors have a far worse prognosis, Bullman told NBC News They dont respond as well to chemotherapy and they have an increased risk of recurrence. What does this mean for me? The latest findings present new opportunities for targeted cancer therapies. This could hopefully improve the success rates of colorectal cancer treatments and potentially lead to the development of new antibiotics that can target the specific subspecies of bacteria. This discovery opens up different avenues for cancer treatment but requires continued research and trials. Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram. The start of my love affair with foreign markets I think my love of travel started when I read the C. S. Lewis book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a kid especially that moment when Lucy stepped out of the magic wardrobe and into the wondrous land of Narnia. From that moment on, I wanted to travel to wondrous places myself to be a stranger in strange lands. And in the years since, I have. Sometimes I even travel there by stepping through my own kind of magic wardrobe. Brent and I lived in Seattle before becoming nomads, but when I first visited the city, the thing I loved most was the Pike Place Market the citys famous public market. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement It wasnt Narnia, but Id never seen anything like it growing up in Denver, Colorado. The flower stalls! The fishmongers tossing fish! The bustle of it all. The wonderful Pike Place Market (Michael Jensen) Years later, when Brent and I visited Barcelona, Spain, I felt the same about La Boqueria, the famous public market on La Rambla. The croquettes! The patatas bravas! And once again, the bustle. Those markets were only the beginning of my love affair with public markets. Hoi An, Vietnam's Ba Le Market opens my eyes In 2019, Brent and I lived in Hoi An, Vietnam, for three months. An outdoor market called Ba Le Market was a ten-minute bike ride from our homestay. Id been told this was the place to buy fruit and vegetables. Stepping into one of the markets narrow walkways on a very hot morning, I felt like Id entered another world like Lucy stepping through that magic wardrobe. Not Narnia, but definitely an adventure! (Michael Jensen) The bright sunlight was replaced by mysterious shadows and people, all packed tightly together. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Was that a bucket full of snakes? I leaned closer. Nope, those were eels Id just never seen one before. Everywhere I turned in Ba Le, I saw something Id never seen. Women in straw hats crouched next to plastic tubs filled with flopping shrimp. Shrimp can flop? I thought. I walked through the market, passing piles of fruit. The bananas were surprisingly small, each one only a couple of inches long. But what were strange pink fruits with spiky green protrusions? And the purple ones? A man walked by. Despite the sweltering heat, he wore trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. He held a cage stuffed with plump white geese. That cant be good news for the geese, I thought. Nothing fancy, but I loved it. (Michael Jensen) All around me, people chattered and laughed and haggled with fierce concentration, all of it in a language I didnt understand. Once a deal was struck, handfuls of colorful currency were exchanged for fruit and meat. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement As I wandered around the market, I smelled strange scents. A lemon-scented soup simmering in a huge pot over an open flame. The surprisingly pungent tang from some leafy green vegetable. The powerful sweetness of ripe mangoes. Not every sight was magical. In a different section, I saw piles of raw meat, a tub of gutted fish, stacks of ribcages from some large animal and a single hogshead sitting forlornly on a table. If I really had entered Narnia, I could only hope these hadnt been talking animals. Don't forget Mr. and Mrs. Beaver caught and ate fish! (Michael Jensen) A stranger in a strange land With all this raw meat and seafood, the smell was rank and ripe. There were no other tourists, and at 61, I towered over the Vietnamese. Then theres my pasty complexion and the fact that I sweat a lot in humid climates. I stuck out like a tall, pale, sweaty thumb. I was a stranger in a very strange land. But I didnt mind at all. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Quite the opposite. I loved where my magic wardrobe this market had taken me. Ba Le was the first truly foreign market I visited in my seven years as a nomad. There have since been a lot more. Some have been permanent markets like Ba Le, open every day, while others are weekly or bi-weekly. Unlike La Boqueria in Barcelona or Pike Place Market in Seattle, these arent tourist markets. They tend to be simpler, often grittier places. Theyre also where I do our actual, day-to-day shopping. Ive shopped for smoked sausage, roasted chicken, and homemade cheese at the Green Market in Split, Croatia. Ive browsed fresh red peppers and raspberries at Cibin Market in Sibiu, Romania. Ive bought flowers at Bangkoks Pak Khlong Talat Flower Market. And most recently, Ive purchased tomatoes, cherries, watermelon, peppers, corn, and much more at the Tuesday Market in Fethiye, Turkey. Every Tuesday. this empty building in Fethiye magically goes from empty and unattractive to bustling and filled with color. (Michael Jensen) Ive loved all these markets for different reasons. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But theres one market Ive loved the most: Bangkoks Khlong Toei Market. The Magic of Bangkok's Khlong Toei Market Id been warned ahead of time that Khlong Toei can be intimidating. Its the largest public market in Bangkok, which is itself an overwhelming city. Khlong Toei is massive, with fifteen hundred stalls spread over 28 acres (around 113,000 square meters) right in the heart of central Bangkok. Its also a critical link in Bangkoks food supply chain feeding a surprisingly large portion of the city. Thousands of vendors sell to tens of thousands of shoppers who crowd into its narrow walkways each day. Its packed, chaotic, and not for the faint of heart. Definitely not Pike Place Market. (Michael Jensen) Part of what makes Khlong Toei a challenge for some Westerners is that it sells freshly butchered pork, beef, poultry, and seafood that is brought to the market alive and killed as needed. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Khlong Toei is a wet market because the ground is literally always wet from the ice used to keep the meat and seafood fresh, and also because everything is frequently hosed down to wash away the blood and leftovers that result from the animals being butchered. My tuk-tuk dropped me off at 7 AM, and I was steeled to enter the land of Khlong Toei. Are you ready to step through the wardrobe? (Michael Jensen) I started with the fruit and vegetable section, which seemed like a good way to get my feet wet, so to speak. I stepped inside, under the awnings, tarps, and umbrellas that give shelter from the sun. Despite the early hour, the sun was already scorching, and the humidity was almost as bad. I recognized the bananas, apples, and watermelons. And I knew from Vietnam that the pink, hairy fruit was called rambutan. I also recognized the durian green, spiky fruits that the Thai love but that smell awful when cut open. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement But much wasnt familiar. I saw strangely green oranges and a bell-shaped red fruit. And what was the cherry-sized thing in the small red shell? Not what you find in your typical American grocery store. (Michael Jensen) I spotted pineapple and strawberries and dragon fruit and passion fruit and jackfruit and coconuts all of it creating a kaleidoscope of color. It smelled amazing. The vegetables were a bit less colorful, but many were no less exotic to my eyes. Plus, there was the sheer quantity! So many greens piled high on table after table. I happily wandered among stacks of shiny cucumbers, piles of red tomatoes, bundles of leafy morning glory, Chinese broccoli, and fist-sized bok choy. Everywhere customers perused the produce, poking and smelling it. I examined bundles of thick-stemmed lemongrass, piles of loose bright green kaffir lime leaves, and mounds of reddish, knobby galangal root. All would soon be used in the Thai dishes that Brent and I knew had such wonderfully complex flavors. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Next came the spices: tables with plastic bags of sweet-smelling cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. I also saw bags of different curries cumin, coriander, turmeric, black pepper, and chili all ground together into different combinations. Theres a lot of spiciness in those little bags. (Michael Jensen) Visting Khlong Toei's wet market With the day growing hotter, I pushed on into the section that most gives Khlong Toei its gritty reputation: the meat, poultry, and seafood areas. The smell hit me first: the metallic tang of blood and the earthy smell of chickens, geese, and ducks in cages. Thats a lot of chicken. (Michael Jensen) Sure enough, the concrete ground was slick with melted ice and the water from the cleaners endlessly washing everything down with their hoses. On one table sat strangely orange-colored chickens. They had only been recently slaughtered, the heads and feet were still attached. A man methodically gutted them. This is fresh chicken. (Michael Jensen) Other tables were laden with more glistening pieces of dismembered chickens: breasts, thighs, wings, dark-red hearts, feet, and more. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Nearby, I spotted living chickens in wire cages with butchered ones stored right on top. I hoped the live chickens below had no sense of their impending fate. Unlike in America, this chicken doesnt come wrapped in neat plastic packages. (Michael Jensen) The reality of where meat comes from It was gruesome, but Im not a vegetarian, and I think its good to come face-to-face with the stark reality of what it means to eat meat. Next came the butchered livestock: ground-up pork and beef next to piles of intestines, and more hearts, lungs, and livers. Huge hunks of beef sat next to smaller cuts of pork, as well as ribs, ears, hoofs, and more. I passed into the seafood section, and once again, the smell was especially pungent. I wondered how many decades worth of fish guts and blood had soaked into the concrete beneath my feet. No matter how vigorously cleaners washed everything down, it would never quell the stench. Fresh seafood at Khlong Toei (Michael Jensen) I spied plastic tubs and metal bins filled with living seafood: bright red crabs, squids and octopi, and mounds of shellfish. There were shrimp, but there was enough water that at least they werent flopping this time. Some fish were already butchered. Gutted barramundi, tilapia, and snakehead fish rested on piles of ice, often with their bloody heads next to them. But then a fishmonger plucked a still-living black-striped fish from a tank of water, whacked it on the head once, and then proceeded to gut and scale it while it still appeared to be alive. Feeding an entire city isnt a pretty business. Seafood is fresh at Khlong Toei (Michael Jensen) Before Khlong Toei, foreign public markets had made me feel like Lucy entering Narnia through that wardrobe. Now I felt more like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole into Wonderland. Or maybe someplace even more unsettling. Was it time for me to finally give up meat? I didnt regret coming, not at all. I still loved being out of my element, being the tall, sweaty Westerner. Knowing I wasnt in Kansas anymore. But it wasnt Oz either. This was a grim, disturbing land of darker adventures. Much of what I loved about Khlong Toei was the people: the chaotic energy of the workers the butchers and fishmongers, the porters, the merchants and cleaners. And also the locals and restaurateurs bartering for what they would soon cook for lunch and dinner. Not much room to manuver. (Michael Jensen) Not only a market, but a village People knew each other here. This wasnt only a market; it was a village of sorts but in a hidden land you had to find your way into. I walked on until I suddenly found myself surrounded by nicer odors delicious even: frying garlic and meat, and tangy curries. Id reached the famous food stalls within Khlong Toei market. Everywhere I turned, something simmered, bubbled, or sizzled. I saw huge pots of coconut milk turned bright orange by curry. Most of the cooks were women who didnt seem to sweat, not even in the flames of their propane tanks or the heat of the morning sun. That's a lot of food. (Michael Jensen) Back in the meat and poultry section, Id lost my appetite. Now it returned with a vengeance. I ordered a red curry chicken over rice so much for becoming vegetarian. I ate it sitting at a child-sized table with red plastic chairs. It was delicious. The chili peppers gave it heat, and the coconut milk a sweet creaminess. I savored the tang of the lemongrass and galangal. Fresh Thai food is well worth the trip. (Michael Jensen) Finished eating, I knew there was more of Khlong Toei to see: the dry goods and housewares, and the floral, bakery, and clothing sections. But it was time to leave. Like Lucy at the end of her Narnian adventure, I now had to go back to the real world. My stint as a stranger in a strange land was over but only for the time being. Because I still had my magic wardrobe: the entrance to public markets all over the world, always ready to carry me to some wonderful new land. TF Green was so close to being named the best US airport by Travel + Leisure. See ranking Flying anytime soon? Well, according to Travel + Leisure, you might consider Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport instead of heading north to a larger New England airport. As part of its annual World's Best Awards survey, the readers for the online travel magazine voted T.F. Green in Warwick as the second-best airport in the country. It's the latest accolade, and a step up, for the airport that won third-place in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Award for best domestic airport last year. The results of each World's Best list are based on reader surveys, in which candidates receive ratings in a set of categories. In the case of airports, readers judged access, check-in and security, restaurants and bars, shopping and design of the airport overall. The average of the criteria ratings is used for an airport's final score and ranking. T.F. Green received a score of 82.31. What did readers love? The Bruce Sundlun Terminal at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick. There are all the things an airport needs to make a good experience - lack of crowds and lines, very clean, and easy parking - but what really appealed to voters was: the bathrooms. "The bathrooms are magnificent! This seems like a small thing, but when you travel a lot, large stalls with privacy doors and sinks with built-in faucet/dryer combinations are such a gift. And the live plants and fresh flowers by each sink really made me feel like someone cares about my well-being," wrote a voter. "Likely the best experience of my 30 years as a traveling consultant." Who were the other winners? 1. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Minneapolis, Minnesota Reader Score: 82.32 2. Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport: Warwick, Rhode Island Reader Score: 82.31 3. Palm Beach International Airport: West Palm Beach, Florida Reader Score: 81.51 4. Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport: Savannah, Georgia Reader Score: 79.86 5. Indianapolis International Airport: Indianapolis, Indiana Reader Score: 79.68 6. Kansas City International Airport: Kansas City, Missouri Reader Score: 79.63 7. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport: Manchester, New Hampshire Reader Score: 79.44 8. Tampa International Airport: Tampa, Florida Reader Score: 79.40 9. John Wayne Airport: Santa Ana, California Reader Score: 77.24 10. Portland International Airport: Portland, Oregon Reader Score: 77.18 This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: TF Green named one of the best airports in US by Travel + Leisure HOWELL Uptown Coffeehouse wasn't just a place to grab a brew. From first dates and prom-posals to engagements and weddings, it was the backdrop of more than a few life-changing moments. When owner Lorna Brennan announced she would close the shop at 102 E. Grand River Ave. and sell the building to local beanery Good Sense Coffee, a shockwave was felt through town. In its wake, the shop's closure generated an outpouring of love from those who made memories there. Of all the special moments people experienced at Uptown Coffeehouse during its 21-year run, the first to come to Brennan's mind was the time a young man asked his date to prom. "We were in on a prom-posal," she said. "He wrote it on our chalk board on the sign outside, and then when they went to the prom, they came here and took pictures." "I went through all my pictures, all the stuff," she said. "Going down memory lane was really important to me. It was helpful to start that process before it closed." In the end, she feels she said "my proper goodbyes" to the business, staff and customers. The shop's last day was a busy one. Regulars and former staff dropped in, and first-time customers were in town for Balloonfest. Brennan's family surprised her with a bottle of champagne. They toasted and clapped. "I asked family and friends and staff to come back at the end because I wanted it to be special," Brennan said. Lindsay Lavich sits at her window at age 14 in 2011 overlooking Uptown Coffeehouse from a loft apartment. Why the closure? Brennan was "ready to have more freedom." "I wanted to travel. My kids, one graduated this year and the other is in high school. I've had a lot of responsibility for a long time. I've had a building to take care of, which is relatively high maintenance with two apartments and a business," she said. "I was needing to wind down." Lindsay Lavich was 14 when, in 2011, her family moved into a loft apartment across the street. "My friends and I made a tradition of walking downtown together on Fridays, and Uptown Coffee was always our first stop. The uptown mocha and vanilla latte, frozen with whipped cream, were my favorites and theyve been my go-to orders ever since," Lavich wrote in an email to The Daily. "In the apartment, my bedroom was closest to Grand River, so I could see the front door of Uptown from my window," she said. "The windowsill quickly became my favorite spot to sit and gaze out onto the streets below." "On days that I happened to wake up early, unable to fall asleep again, Id sit there on my windowsill and watch the street come to life. ... I knew from experience that Uptown Coffee was a favorite gathering place amongst my peers, but observing through my window, it seemed to be that for many others, as well." Christine Lashley's husband, Skyler, proposed marriage in 2014 at Uptown. He handed her a comic book he'd drawn for her. It showed them at the coffeeshop on their first date and the time he asked her to be his girlfriend during the Howell Melon Festival. "The last section was us sitting there together with the ring," she said. "I could kind of tell after reading it that it was about to happen." Christine and Skyler Lashley celebrate their first wedding anniversary at Uptown Coffeehouse in 2015. They had their first date and got engaged at the Howell shop. They were married that December and moved to Wyoming. "We would always, when we would visit Michigan, go to the coffeeshop, every time," she said. Their daughter, who was born in February, got to go "in my belly when I was pregnant last summer." Wedding officiant and retired Howell firefighter Bill Fenton guesses he married upwards of 500 couples at the coffeehouse. Most were brief "simple ceremonies" at a table where they would sign their license. On Valentine's Day, couples got married for free in front of the fireplace, which Brennan and staff would decorate for the occasion. "A lot of people just want to do the legal part. They dont want to invest in a wedding, or are doing it for insurance," Fenton, owner of "I Do's Your Way" and a candidate for supervisor of Marion Township, said. "Most want to be discrete. Some dont have time to wrangle up witnesses, so I used staff. When they got there, it was more private than they thought." He said couples were usually dressed in street clothes, and customers in the shop often didn't realize people were getting married right next to them. Occasionally, they would show up with a group "dressed to the nines." "They were happy there. It was comfortable," he said. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage Good Sense Coffee Co. is already on its way, as renovations begin inside. "Our goal is to be open within a few weeks to give the community a space to meet/gather and enjoy Good Sense Coffee every day of the week," an early July social post from the business read. Brennan said she plans to be a customer when Good Sense opens. While many expressed their sadness to her, she assured them she'll "still be around." "Some people said, 'It won't be the same,' and I said, 'It might be better.' It might be what Howell needs to move forward." Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Locals celebrate memories from Uptown Coffeehouse in Howell URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) Animal lovers will have a unique opportunity later this summer to work with local wildlife at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The universitys Wildlife Medical Clinic says beginning this August, multiple new volunteer positions will be available to students and the public alike. Never stayed this full for this long: Pet adoptions still needed at Effingham Co. Animal Shelter In their announcement of the new opportunities, the WMC shared a sneak peak of what will be offered: Wildlife Medical Clinic Student Internship Program Open to current UIUC or Parkland undergraduate or graduate students Students will be responsible for intake, care and release of all animals Orphan Feeding Team Open to anyone interested Volunteers will be responsible for the care of the orphan patients admitted to the clinic, and will possibly have the chance to observe clinical procedures and participate in daily clinic activities Ambassador Care Teams Open to anyone interested, although those with animal caretaking or handling experience are preferred Volunteers will be responsible for aiding in the care and enrichment of the ambassador animals. Volunteers will mostly be responsible for cleaning, feeding and enrichment, but some may have the chance to train with birds of prey. Transport Teams Open to anyone interested, but volunteers must have a working vehicle Volunteers will assist in transporting wildlife patients for care at independent rehabilitators of other facilities The WMC invited anyone interested to join them on August 1 at 6:30 p.m. for an informal Zoom session. U of I Wildlife Medical Clinic introduces Ruby a Red-Tailed Hawk More information about the different volunteers offerings is available on the WMCs Facebook page. Anyone who has questions about the programs or volunteering in general can contact the clinic by email at WMCChair@vetmed.illinois.edu. Photo courtesy of the Wildlife Medical Clinic at Illinois Photo courtesy of the Wildlife Medical Clinic at Illinois Photo courtesy of the Wildlife Medical Clinic at Illinois Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) During the fall and the spring, children at Roanokes West End Center for Youth learn from medical student volunteers from Virginia Tech about good nutrition and exercise, laying down the framework for long, healthy lives. The program, Bodies and Bites, is taught by students from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and graduate students from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. The program runs for four months during each school semester, with students in second and third grade starting in the fall and fourth and fifth-grade beginning in the spring. The program teaches students about body systems including the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Each day, the lesson ends by making a snack that relates to what they learned in the day. A lot of times, we offer concepts and activities that these kids have never experienced before in their schools, so its a lot of fun for them, said Kris Rau, assistant professor of basic science education at the medical school. Plus, having a snack at the end is an easy sell. Roanoke College to offer free college credits to Virginia students Operations director at the West End Center, Danny Britton, explains that staff teaches this course yearly at the center and it serves over 150 kids who mostly live in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The center strives to give children tips to help them become healthy adults in the future. Bodies and Bites offers a hands-on approach to learning that the children love, said Britton. They are always very excited when its their groups turn to participate. Kris and all the medical students do an outstanding job and we are very grateful for everything they do. For the student volunteers, Rau explains how it gives them an opportunity to practice communicating medical concepts to grade school students and build friendships with them. I think the best part for me is just getting to teach these students new ways of understanding their bodies and health. Theyre so hungry for this knowledge, said Jacqueline Q Urdang, a medical student from the Class of 2026. Part of what makes the program so special to me is that the students not only learn from us, but we learn from them. They teach me new dance moves and slang and how to interact with the youth in my community, which will make me a better doctor. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. The Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River is considered obsolete by the Federal Highway Administration because its lanes arent wide enough, there are no shoulders and its design fails to meet the burgeoning traffic demand. (Grant Stringer/States Newsroom) The federal government is all in on replacing the Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River, linking Washington and Oregon. On Friday, area political leaders celebrated receipt of a $1.5 billion grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Combined with a separate $600 million award secured in December, it means the feds are shouldering roughly one-third of the projects estimated price. Three Washington Democratic lawmakers U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, whose district is on the Washington side of the bridge announced the latest award on Friday. Replacing the I-5 Bridge is finally going to be a reality, Murray said in a statement. She said the $1.5 billion is the biggest federal transportation award in Washington state history. The money is coming from the U.S. Department of Transportations Bridge Investment Program, a component of the $1.2 trillion, five-year infrastructure law President Joe Biden signed in November 2021. Funds will go to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, the entity overseeing the project one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the region and along the West Coast. Gluesenkamp Perez said shes been fighting tooth and nail for every federal dollar possible. Its the only way we get this colossal undertaking done as well as ensure we feel the benefits of our tax dollars and avoid tolling, she added. Project planners estimate the total cost of replacing the bridge will range from $5 billion to $7.5 billion, with a likely figure of around $6 billion. Thus far, federal grants totaling $2.1 billion have been locked down. Planners are pursuing $1 billion from the Federal Transit Administrations Capital Investment Program. A decision on that funding isnt expected until the project is further along. In the meantime, Washington and Oregon have both committed about $1 billion to the bridge replacement. Tolls are counted on to raise $1.2 billion for construction plus provide an ongoing stream of revenue for bridge maintenance and operations. One of the bridges two spans is over a century old, the other about 65 years old, and the entire bridge is at risk of collapse in a major earthquake. Work is already underway in areas like environmental evaluation, toll planning, and design. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025 and to last until 2032. Nearly 132,000 vehicles, on average, traveled across the bridge each weekday in 2021, according to the Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council. Its the 1-year anniversary of Rex Heuermanns arrest for the Gilgo Beach murders and decades-worth of victims could still emerge This weekend marks the 1-year anniversary of Rex Heuermann's arrest for the Gilgo Beach murders. Saturday marks the 1-year anniversary of Rex Heuermanns shocking arrest for the gruesome Gilgo Beach murders as police continue to investigate ahead of his September trial. In a chilling case that stunned the world, Heuermann, 60 a mild mannered Manhattan architect living with his wife and kids in Massapequa Park, Long Island was arrested on July 13, 2023 for the killings of three women. Over the next year he would be charged with three more. His motivations, meticulous planning, and clear intent was obvious. His intent was nothing short but to murder these victims, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said in June, as cops revealed a digital to-do list Heuermann allegedly made about the killings. The task force believes that this is a planning document that was used by Heuermann to plot out his kills with excruciating detail, Tierney said. This weekend marks the 1-year anniversary of Rex Heuermanns arrest for the Gilgo Beach murders. REUTERS The case, which has played out like a grisly cop drama, appears to be far from over as new charges last month dramatically expanded Heuermanns timeline to include an alleged 1993 murder a sign he may have left 30-years worth of victims in his wake, and that more could emerge. For years, the vicious killings baffled cops and terrified locals after the burlap-wrapped bodies of strangled and beaten sex workers began to appear in Gilgo Beach between 2010 and 2011. In total, Heuermann has now been charged with murdering six women between 1993 and 2010. The accused serial killer, who stands at a hulking 6-foot-4 inches tall, was first charged with murdering three women in their 20s Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello in July of last year. Cops continue to investigate ahead of Rex Heuermanns trial. Rex Heuermann Consultants & Associates Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us, a predator that ruined families, Suffolk County Police commissioner Rodney Harrison said during a press conference announcing his arrest last July. Six months later, he was hit with another murder charge for the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women were petite, worked as escorts between 2007 and 2010, and two of them had children.Their bodies were all bound at the ankles or feet, wrapped in burlap and they appeared to have been strangled. His alleged victims include Maureen Brainard-Barnes,Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello. REUTERS Brainard-Barnes, who disappeared in 2007 at age 25, was found bound by a distinctive belt stamped with the initials WH or HM which may have belonged to Heuermanns grandfather, William Heuermann, prosecutors have previously said. The women were among the first of 10 sets of remains found in or near Gilgo Beach between fall of 2010 and spring of 2011, sparking a years-long police investigation. In June, Heuermann was with charged with killing two more victims Jessica Taylor in 2003 and Sandra Costilla, whose remains were found in North Sea, Long Island, in 1993. Taylor was a 20-year-old sex worker found dismembered and Costilla was a native of of Trinidad and Tobago found beaten with a sharp object. Law enforcement searched Heuermanns home in July 2023 and again in May. New York Post The New York Post Front Cover on July 15, 2023: GOT HIM Police came close to solving the case in 2011 when a witness identified Heuermanns green Chevy Avalanche truck and claimed she saw a man, who she described as an ogre in his mid-40s, drive away from an area where Costello had last been seen. But the lead went cold until a state and federal law enforcement formed the Gilgo Beach Homicide Task Force more than a decade later in 2022. Law enforcement eventually cracked the case by matching DNA from a pizza crust discarded by Heuermann to hair found on a victim. They also used cellphone and computer records to tie him to the crimes, authorities have said. Recent evidence also includes a digital planning document with a to-do list for body transportation along with twisted notes titled NEXT TIME, which detailed his alleged plans to strike women in the face or neck, investigators said in June. Law enforcement linked Heuermann to the killings using DNA from a discarded pizza crust. Suffolk County The pizza box was found thrown out in a trash can. Suffolk County The two new murder charges last month came after cops conducted another search of Heuermanns Massapequa Park home in May and were photographed hauling boxes, apparently filled with evidence, from the house. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his children whose lives were turned upside down by their fathers arrest have vowed to stand by him as the trial unfolds. They are along for the dark ride, one might say, Vess Mitev, a lawyer for the accused killers kids, Victoria Heuermann and Christopher Sheridan, said in June. Theyre two young adults that have done nothing wrong and theyre trying to keep their lives from completely crumbling in the midst of all this, the lawyer said. In June, Heuermann was with charged with killing two more victims Jessica Taylor in 2003 and Sandra Costilla, whose remains were found in North Sea, Long Island, in 1993. James Carbone His murder trial is expected to begin in Suffolk County Supreme Court in September. He wants to get to a trial. He maintains from the beginning he is not the guy. He has said that over and over, Heuermanns lawyer, Michael Brown, said in April. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) An Ogden girl, 14, who went missing in Mexico while visiting family nearly two weeks ago, has been found safe, according to the FBI. Elizabeth Ely Gonzalez and her cousins, Sofia Mailen Moreno Zamora and Regina Moreno Zamora, have been found safe, the FBI said in a press release Friday night. At around 9:30 p.m. on July 12, Mexican authorities found the three girls with Antonio Moreno Gonzalez uncle and the biological father of Sofia and Regina Zamora in Veracruz, Mexico. RELATED: Uncle revealed as suspect in Utah girls disappearance in Mexico A federal arrest warrant has been issued for Moreno on charges related to Gonzalez disappearance. The charges include kidnapping, according to the FBI. The extradition process is now being started to bring Moreno back to the United States to answer for the charges. The FBI would like to thank our law enforcement partners in Mexico and the FBIs Legal Attache Office in Mexico City for their valuable assistance in this case, the release states. We would also like to thank the public for their tips. 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. On July 10, 2024, Scott Salmirs, President and Chief Executive Officer of ABM Industries Inc (NYSE:ABM), executed a sale of 25,000 shares of the company at a price of $48.9 per share. This transaction was reported in a recent SEC Filing. Following this sale, the insider now owns 378,391 shares of the company. ABM Industries Inc is a leading provider of facility solutions with revenues of approximately $6.5 billion and over 140,000 employees in 350+ offices deployed throughout the United States and various international locations. ABMs comprehensive capabilities include janitorial, electrical & lighting, energy solutions, facilities engineering, HVAC & mechanical, landscape & turf, mission critical solutions, and parking, provided through stand-alone or integrated solutions. Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 50,000 shares and has not made any purchases. The company has seen a total of 9 insider sells and no insider buys during the same period. Shares of ABM Industries Inc were trading at $48.9 on the day of the transaction, giving the company a market cap of approximately $3.22 billion. The price-earnings ratio of the stock is 13.42, which is lower than the industry median of 17.64 and also below the companys historical median. According to the GF Value, the intrinsic value of ABM Industries Inc is estimated at $50.60 per share, suggesting that the stock is Fairly Valued with a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.97. Insider Sale: President and CEO Scott Salmirs Sells 25,000 Shares of ABM Industries Inc (ABM) The GF Value is calculated considering historical trading multiples such as price-earnings ratio, price-sales ratio, price-book ratio, and price-to-free cash flow, along with a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from Morningstar analysts. Insider Sale: President and CEO Scott Salmirs Sells 25,000 Shares of ABM Industries Inc (ABM) This sale by the insider could be part of personal portfolio management or other financial considerations. Investors often monitor insider transactions as they can provide insights into how the company's top executives view the stock's valuation and future prospects. This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A single-vehicle wreck early Saturday morning killed one and injured another in DeKalb County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says that around 2:49 a.m. Saturday, 19-year-old Cody W. Ashley was killed when his car struck a pole, a tree and then overturned on County Road 248. ALEA: Huntsville man dead after car hits tree, catches fire Troopers reported that Ashley was in a car chase with police before crashing. He was pronounced dead on the scene. ALEA says a 16-year-old passenger in the car with Ashley was injured and transported to an area hospital for treatment. Troopers with ALEA are still investigating and say 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 WHNT.com. CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Ky. (WKRN) A two-year-old child was reportedly injured in a crash involving a horse and buggy Saturday morning in Christian County. According to News 2s partner, WKDZ Radio, the crash happened on Saturday, July 13 on Pembroke Grove Road. 2-year-old dies after being found unresponsive in KY body of water Emergency personnel in Christian County told WKDZ Radio that the two-year-old was run over by the house and buggy and was taken to Pembroke Elementary School by Hopkinsville EMS. At the elementary school, the two-year-old was then flown to a Nashville hospital to be treated for their injuries, the radio station reported. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The extent of the childs injuries remain unknown. No other information about the incident was immediately released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. 21 people die as school building collapses in Nigeria when students were taking exam Twenty-one people died after a school building collapsed in central Nigeria while students were sitting an exam in what local authorities called an avoidable tragedy. The two-story building collapsed in the city of Jos and saw a further 30 people hospitalized, according to Nigerias National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). NEMA said that students were amongst those who died in Jos, the capital of Plateau State, without providing an exact number. Around 120 people were trapped when the building collapsed, according to Plateau State government. The governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, said the building collapsed as students were sitting an exam. Mutfwang expressed his deep sympathy to the families of students and staff of St. Academy School. The Plateau State government said in a statement Friday: The government describes the incident as an avoidable tragedy, citing the schools weak structure and unsafe location near a riverbank. Local hospitals have been instructed by the government to provide treatment without documentation or payment. Schools with similar safety issues have been urged to close down, the government said. Building collapses are common in Nigeria due to lax construction standards and poor quality materials. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on gun violence during an event at John R. Lewis High School on June 2, 2023, in Springfield, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) The question burning at the center of American public opinion since the first presidential debate: If President Joe Biden steps down, who will replace him as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States? The most obvious answer appears to be the nations second-in-command, Vice President Kamala Harris. But her candidacy would face nearly insurmountable odds of success, if American history and recent voter polls are any indication. Its not because she isnt qualified; as the president asserted Thursday in a press conference, she is, undoubtedly. And, being decades younger than Biden and accustomed to the demands of public office, shed likely have the energy and stamina to campaign and serve out four years of the presidency. Shes also a history maker, as the first woman, African American, and South Asian American person elected vice president. Theres the rub. Poll after poll show only mere percentage points separating Biden and former President Donald Trump. Reflect on that: A huge chunk of American voters want Trump, a convicted felon whose racist, sexist, violent rhetoric went beyond bombast before, during and after his time in the White House and was frequently reflected in his policies. If that many voters are seriously considering voting for him, then does Harris representing so much of what Trump stands against even stand a chance? I think that she does not, Jatia Wrighten, Ph.D., an assistant professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, told me this week. In this political climate, and historically in the countrys political climate, Americans have been hesitant to put support behind Black women at the national level, Wrighten said. Enter Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and, in 1972, the first Black candidate to seek a major partys nomination for president of the United States. Despite her track record of success representing New Yorks 12th congressional district including sponsoring legislation that expanded food assistance programs for low-income single mothers and drawing from her experience as an early childhood educator and authority to further Head Start and school lunch programs her candidacy was largely viewed as a joke. Media members, mostly white men, picked apart her appearance and dismissed her presidential run as female meddling. Those who seemed most likely to support Chisholm like feminist leader Gloria Steinem and civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson instead supported her opponent, George McGovern. In the end, she clinched just 152 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention that year and the party deemed McGovern their nominee. More recently there was Stacey Abrams of Georgia, who, though seeking her states highest office and not the countrys, experienced many of the same obstacles Chisholm did by daring to seek public office while existing as a Black person and woman, at the same time. Perhaps as much as supporters and the media covered her work to root out voter suppression in the Peach State, Abrams opponents and the media zoomed in on all the wrong things, betraying a double standard, which subjects Black woman political candidates to scrutiny that white candidates, male or female, just arent. They talked about [Abrams] being single, her weight, how dark she was, on top of examining the things we look at with any candidate, like how qualified she was, her education, how well spoken she was, Wrighten said. Heightening all of this is the fact that dark-skinned, kinky-haired Chisholm and Abrams dont mirror classic American beauty standards, derived from European ideals of fair skin, straight hair, a narrow nose, and a thin physique. Concerning Black women in American politics, Wrighten posited, Being overweight matters, having darker skin matters, having natural hair matters and it shouldnt. Black women candidates are faced with this standard of beauty that others dont have to contend with. Stereotypes The same sentiments that poisoned Chisholms candidacy and Abrams governors race still exist in America and would pose a serious hurdle to Harris victory, said Wrighten. At the national level, theres a lot of media attention that works against Black women. Theres a lot of bias, there are stereotypes at play that hurt Black women especially. Theres still a sense that women are unfit for the office. Another obstacle Harris could encounter if she tried to make the leap from VP to commander-in-chief: I think established Democrats would have an issue with [Harris] running; theres this sense of, you have to put your time in, pay your dues, Wrighten said. Theres also the lingering effects from the Obama era that would likely damage Harris chance to be commander-in-chief. The election of the countrys first Black president ushered in a double-edged sword: a post-racial era (yeah right) marked by more opportunities and tangible progress for historically oppressed, disenfranchised groups, most notably Black Americans. The flipside was a seething resentment of that progress mostly expressed by the historically powerful group that orchestrated the oppression and disenfranchisement, white Americans. From the tea partys racially tinged attacks on the presidents policy agenda to the birther movements more overtly racist fantasies asserting that Obama was not even an American citizen, the national racial climate grew more, and not less, fraught after Obamas presidency, wrote historian Peniel Joseph, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, in a 2016 Washington Post series on Obamas legacy. Obamas presidency, flesh-and-blood proof of the nations shifting demographics and values, fueled a public sentiment held by many white Americans that Black people were getting perks they didnt deserve, Wrighten said. So, we see this pushback against that. All for naught All of this consideration may be for naught, as Biden again reiterated Thursday that he intends to stay in the race, despite any voter polling indicating Harris would fare better against Trump than he would. But should Harris come to the forefront as the nominee, shell have a tough time ahead of her. I think shell continue to be sexualized, Wrighten said, referring to the unfounded rumors that emerged almost as soon as Biden announced Harris as his VP in 2020. There will continue to be this idea that she didnt earn what she has. There are 59 countries of the United Nations 193 member states that have elected women heads of government, a number that has risen steadily since 1990. It doesnt seem likely that Novembers presidential election will put America on that list; since George Washingtons election in 1789, Americas presidents have always been men. I think that the U.S. should take a long hard look at itself when were thinking about who can be a leader and what they look like, Wrighten said. I also think theres ample evidence to suggest that some serious self-examination is in order, on a national scale. The reality is, only Americans can transform the nation into one that would actually support and enable Harris, or any other woman or woman of color, becoming president. But it doesnt appear were in a particularly reflective mood. This commentary first appeared in the Virginia Mercury, a member with the Phoenix in the nonprofit States Newsroom network. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on gun violence during an event at John R. Lewis High School on June 2, 2023 in Springfield, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) The question burning at the center of American public opinion since the first presidential debate: If President Joe Biden steps down, who will replace him as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States? The most obvious answer appears to be the nations second-in-command, Vice President Kamala Harris. But her candidacy would face nearly insurmountable odds of success, if American history and recent voter polls are any indication. Its not because she isnt qualified; as the president asserted Thursday in a press conference, she is, undoubtedly. And, being decades younger than Biden and accustomed to the demands of public office, shed likely have the energy and stamina to campaign and serve out four years of the presidency. Shes also a history maker, as the first woman, African American and South Asian American person elected vice president. Theres the rub. Poll after poll show only mere percentage points separating Biden and former President Donald Trump. Reflect on that: A huge chunk of American voters want Trump, a convicted felon whose racist, sexist, violent rhetoric went beyond bombast before, during and after his time in the White House and was frequently reflected in his policies. If that many voters are seriously considering voting for him, then does Harris representing so much of what Trump stands against even stand a chance? I think that she does not, Jatia Wrighten, PhD, an assistant professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, told me this week. In this political climate, and historically in the countrys political climate, Americans have been hesitant to put support behind Black women at the national level, Wrighten said. Enter Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and, in 1972, the first Black candidate to seek a major partys nomination for President of the United States. Despite her track record of success representing New Yorks 12th congressional district including sponsoring legislation that expanded food assistance programs for low-income single mothers and drawing from her experience as an early childhood educator and authority to further Head Start and school lunch programs her candidacy was largely viewed as a joke. Media members, mostly white men, picked apart her appearance and dismissed her presidential run as female meddling. Those who seemed most likely to support Chisholm like feminist leader Gloria Steinem and civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson instead supported her opponent, George McGovern. In the end, she clinched just 152 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention that year and the party deemed McGovern their nominee. More recently there was Stacey Abrams of Georgia, who, though seeking her states highest office and not the countrys, experienced many of the same obstacles Chisholm did by daring to seek public office while existing as a Black person and woman, at the same time. Perhaps as much as supporters and the media covered her work to root out voter suppression in the Peach State, Abrams opponents and the media zoomed in on all the wrong things, betraying a double standard, which subjects Black woman political candidates to scrutiny that white candidates, male or female, just arent. They talked about [Abrams] being single, her weight, how dark she was, on top of examining the things we look at with any candidate, like how qualified she was, her education, how well spoken she was, Wrighten said. Heightening all of this is the fact that dark-skinned, kinky-haired Chisholm and Abrams dont mirror classic American beauty standards, derived from European ideals of fair skin, straight hair, a narrow nose and a thin physique. Concerning Black women in American politics, Wrighten posited, Being overweight matters, having darker skin matters, having natural hair mattersand it shouldnt. Black women candidates are faced with this standard of beauty that others dont have to contend with. The same sentiments that poisoned Chisholms candidacy and Abrams governors race still exist in America and would pose a serious hurdle to Harris victory, said Wrighten. At the national level, theres a lot of media attention that works against Black women. Theres a lot of bias, there are stereotypes at play that hurt Black women especially. Theres still a sense that women are unfit for the office. Another obstacle Harris could encounter if she tried to make the leap from VP to commander-in-chief: I think established Democrats would have an issue with [Harris] running; theres this sense of, you have to put your time in, pay your dues, Wrighten said. That dynamic is familiar is Virginia state politics, too, evidenced by the establishment Dems putting their weight behind Terry McAuliffes 2021 run for governor a role hed already held, in addition to chairing the Democratic National Committee 2001-2005 and Hilary Clintons presidential campaign in 2008 and co-chairing former President Bill Clintons 1996 reelection campaign instead of the Jennifers, McClellan and Carol Foy. Both Black women with their bold ideas, statehouse experience and lots of public support had the potential to be Virginias first Black woman governor. Instead, McClellan and Carol Foys prospects were blunted because their partys heavy hitters backed McAuliffe (who then lost to Gov. Glenn Youngkin). Theres also the lingering effects from the Obama era that would likely damage Harris chance to be commander-in-chief. The election of the countrys first Black president ushered in a double-edged sword: a post-racial era (yeah right) marked by more opportunities and tangible progress for historically oppressed, disenfranchised groups, most notably Black Americans. The flipside was a seething resentment of that progress mostly expressed by the historically powerful group that orchestrated the oppression and disenfranchisement, white Americans. From the tea partys racially tinged attacks on the presidents policy agenda to the birther movements more overtly racist fantasies asserting that Obama was not even an American citizen, the national racial climate grew more, and not less, fraught after Obamas presidency, wrote historian Peniel Joseph, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, in a 2016 Washington Post series on Obamas legacy. Obamas presidency, flesh-and-blood proof of the nations shifting demographics and values, fueled a public sentiment held by many white Americans that Black people were getting perks they didnt deserve, Wrighten said. So we see this pushback against that. All of this consideration may be for nought, as Biden again reiterated Thursday that he intends to stay in the race, despite any voter polling indicating Harris would fare better against Trump than he would. But should Harris come to the forefront as the nominee, shell have a tough time ahead of her. I think shell continue to be sexualized, Wrighten said, referring to the unfounded rumors that emerged almost as soon as Biden announced Harris as his VP in 2020. There will continue to be this idea that she didnt earn what she has. There are 59 countries of the United Nations 193 member states who have elected women heads of government, a number that has risen steadily since 1990. It doesnt seem likely that Novembers presidential election will put America on that list; since George Washingtons election in 1789, Americas presidents have always been men. I think that the U.S. should take a long hard look at itself when were thinking about who can be a leader and what they look like, Wrighten said. I also think theres ample evidence to suggest that some serious self-examination is in order, on a national scale. The reality is, only Americans can transform the nation into one that would actually support and enable Harris, or any other woman or woman of color, becoming president. But it doesnt appear were in a particularly reflective mood. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Vice President Kamala Harris speaks on gun violence during an event at John R. Lewis High School on June 2, 2023, in Springfield, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) The question burning at the center of American public opinion since the first presidential debate: If President Joe Biden steps down, who will replace him as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States? The most obvious answer appears to be the nations second-in-command, Vice President Kamala Harris. But her candidacy would face nearly insurmountable odds of success, if American history and recent voter polls are any indication. Its not because she isnt qualified; as the president asserted Thursday in a press conference, she is, undoubtedly. And, being decades younger than Biden and accustomed to the demands of public office, shed likely have the energy and stamina to campaign and serve out four years of the presidency. Shes also a history maker, as the first woman, African American and South Asian American person elected vice president. Theres the rub. Poll after poll show only mere percentage points separating Biden and former President Donald Trump. Reflect on that: A huge chunk of American voters want Trump, a convicted felon whose racist, sexist, violent rhetoric went beyond bombast before, during and after his time in the White House and was frequently reflected in his policies. If that many voters are seriously considering voting for him, then does Harris representing so much of what Trump stands against even stand a chance? I think that she does not, Jatia Wrighten, PhD, an assistant professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, told me this week. In this political climate, and historically in the countrys political climate, Americans have been hesitant to put support behind Black women at the national level, Wrighten said. Enter Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and, in 1972, the first Black candidate to seek a major partys nomination for President of the United States. Despite her track record of success representing New Yorks 12th congressional district including sponsoring legislation that expanded food assistance programs for low-income single mothers and drawing from her experience as an early childhood educator and authority to further Head Start and school lunch programs her candidacy was largely viewed as a joke. Media members, mostly white men, picked apart her appearance and dismissed her presidential run as female meddling. Those who seemed most likely to support Chisholm like feminist leader Gloria Steinem and civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson instead supported her opponent, George McGovern. In the end, she clinched just 152 delegate votes at the Democratic National Convention that year and the party deemed McGovern their nominee. More recently there was Stacey Abrams of Georgia, who, though seeking her states highest office and not the countrys, experienced many of the same obstacles Chisholm did by daring to seek public office while existing as a Black person and woman, at the same time. Perhaps as much as supporters and the media covered her work to root out voter suppression in the Peach State, Abrams opponents and the media zoomed in on all the wrong things, betraying a double standard, which subjects Black woman political candidates to scrutiny that white candidates, male or female, just arent. They talked about [Abrams] being single, her weight, how dark she was, on top of examining the things we look at with any candidate, like how qualified she was, her education, how well spoken she was, Wrighten said. Heightening all of this is the fact that dark-skinned, kinky-haired Chisholm and Abrams dont mirror classic American beauty standards, derived from European ideals of fair skin, straight hair, a narrow nose and a thin physique. Concerning Black women in American politics, Wrighten posited, Being overweight matters, having darker skin matters, having natural hair mattersand it shouldnt. Black women candidates are faced with this standard of beauty that others dont have to contend with. The same sentiments that poisoned Chisholms candidacy and Abrams governors race still exist in America and would pose a serious hurdle to Harris victory, said Wrighten. At the national level, theres a lot of media attention that works against Black women. Theres a lot of bias, there are stereotypes at play that hurt Black women especially. Theres still a sense that women are unfit for the office. Another obstacle Harris could encounter if she tried to make the leap from VP to commander-in-chief: I think established Democrats would have an issue with [Harris] running; theres this sense of, you have to put your time in, pay your dues, Wrighten said. That dynamic is familiar is Virginia state politics, too, evidenced by the establishment Dems putting their weight behind Terry McAuliffes 2021 run for governor a role hed already held, in addition to chairing the Democratic National Committee 2001-2005 and Hilary Clintons presidential campaign in 2008 and co-chairing former President Bill Clintons 1996 reelection campaign instead of the Jennifers, McClellan and Carol Foy. Both Black women with their bold ideas, statehouse experience and lots of public support had the potential to be Virginias first Black woman governor. Instead, McClellan and Carol Foys prospects were blunted because their partys heavy hitters backed McAuliffe (who then lost to Gov. Glenn Youngkin). Theres also the lingering effects from the Obama era that would likely damage Harris chance to be commander-in-chief. The election of the countrys first Black president ushered in a double-edged sword: a post-racial era (yeah right) marked by more opportunities and tangible progress for historically oppressed, disenfranchised groups, most notably Black Americans. The flipside was a seething resentment of that progress mostly expressed by the historically powerful group that orchestrated the oppression and disenfranchisement, white Americans. From the tea partys racially tinged attacks on the presidents policy agenda to the birther movements more overtly racist fantasies asserting that Obama was not even an American citizen, the national racial climate grew more, and not less, fraught after Obamas presidency, wrote historian Peniel Joseph, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, in a 2016 Washington Post series on Obamas legacy. Obamas presidency, flesh-and-blood proof of the nations shifting demographics and values, fueled a public sentiment held by many white Americans that Black people were getting perks they didnt deserve, Wrighten said. So we see this pushback against that. All of this consideration may be for nought, as Biden again reiterated Thursday that he intends to stay in the race, despite any voter polling indicating Harris would fare better against Trump than he would. But should Harris come to the forefront as the nominee, shell have a tough time ahead of her. I think shell continue to be sexualized, Wrighten said, referring to the unfounded rumors that emerged almost as soon as Biden announced Harris as his VP in 2020. There will continue to be this idea that she didnt earn what she has. There are 59 countries of the United Nations 193 member states who have elected women heads of government, a number that has risen steadily since 1990. It doesnt seem likely that Novembers presidential election will put America on that list; since George Washingtons election in 1789, Americas presidents have always been men. I think that the U.S. should take a long hard look at itself when were thinking about who can be a leader and what they look like, Wrighten said. I also think theres ample evidence to suggest that some serious self-examination is in order, on a national scale. The reality is, only Americans can transform the nation into one that would actually support and enable Harris, or any other woman or woman of color, becoming president. But it doesnt appear were in a particularly reflective mood. Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Samantha Willis for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and X. July 12 (UPI) -- Smoke from a passenger's laptop prompted the evacuation of an American Airlines plane at San Francisco International Airport Friday. Airport officials said American Airlines Flight 2045 was about to take off for Miami at about 12:17 p.m. PDT when the crew reported smoke in the cabin. Crew members evacuated the Airbus A321 aircraft and removed the source of the smoke, which was a laptop in a passenger's bag. The San Francisco Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the laptop by submerging it in a tub of water. Fire department officials said the smoke was caused by a lithium-ion battery fire. Some passengers used emergency slides to evacuate the plane, while others used the jet bridge, American Airlines said. "We thank our crew members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," the airline said in a statement. A spokesperson with the San Francisco International Airport told CBS News that three passengers suffered minor injuries during the evacuation. One person was transported to a hospital for treatment. Flight 2045 was delayed and is now scheduled to leave at 11:15 p.m., according to the airline's website. It would arrive in Miami at 8:40 a.m. EDT Saturday. Anthony Johnson, a Black man, died in custody at the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth on April 21. Sheriff Bill Waybourn has come under criticism for failure of leadership. ILLUSTRATION: HUFFPOST; PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES AND COURTESY DARYL WASHINGTON, ATTORNEY FOR FAMILY Jacqualyne Johnson took her son to a mental health hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 19. Anthony Johnson Jr. had not slept for two days, and he suffered from schizophrenic episodes. This time it was hot and heavy, she said, and Anthony was trying not to harm himself. Anthony always wanted to be a trusted man among his family, his sister Chanell said, and planned to earn college degrees. He wanted to fix his mental health issues and have a home for his family. But this was his second recent trip to a hospital; a prior manic episode spurred a visit in February. Jacqualyne Johnson (center), mother of Anthony Johnson Jr., is flanked by daughters Janell and Chanell at a June 11 news conference outside the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The medical examiner in Tarrant County ruled that Anthony Johnson Jr.'s death was a homicide, citing asphyxia from use of force and pepper spray as the cause of death. Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Associated Press After a 15-minute assessment, medical officials decided not to keep him at the hospital, saying it was best if he stayed with his family. When they arrived back home, Anthony got two bags of clothes and left. That was the last time Jacqualyne Johnson saw her son. Less than 24 hours later, her son called and said he had been arrested and was in the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth. The 31-year-old Marine veteran was held oncharges of evading arrest and drug possession. I told him to be safe in there, and we will work on getting you out of there on Monday, Jacqualyne Johnson remembered. But he died on April 21 inside the jail. According to authorities, a struggle took place between Johnson and several officers as deputies were conducting a routine contraband check. Surveillance footage shows officers responding to the cell of Anthony Johnson Jr. at the Tarrant County Jail on April 21. Tarrant County Jail Surveillance footage and a cellphone video show several officers struggling with Johnson while attempting to handcuff him outside of his cell. Officer Rafael Moreno knelt on Johnsons back. Johnson can be heard responding: I cant breathe. The footage did not show the full encounter, according to Daryl Washington, the attorney representing Johnsons family. This month, the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office ruled Johnsons death a homicide by asphyxiation. Last month, a grand jury indicted Tarrant County Sheriffs Officer jailer Moreno and Lt. Joel Garcia on murder charges. Garcias attorney released a statement to KTXA-TV in Fort Worth, saying the officer was heartbroken about Johnsons death but that he committed no crime. Johnson was one of 64 people who have died in the Tarrant County Jail in the last seven years. The causes included suicides, overdoses and fatal encounters with staff. Calls For Federal Oversight Multiple officials in Texas are sounding the alarm for federal intervention at the jail. In early June, Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) urged the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into the distressing pattern of inmate deaths and jail incidents at the Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth. Veasey also wrote a letter to the Justice Department in May, raising alarms about people in the jail dying due to drug overdoses and poor supervision. From physical altercations to drug overdoses and even an unattended birth, the loss of any life within correctional facilities is intolerable and warrants immediate investigation and action, the letter said. Critics have also homed in on Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn, who is in charge of the jail. The sheriff has lost all institutional control of that facility, and it needs to be controlled by the feds at this point. I dont know how many deaths have to occur, Washington, the lawyer for Johnsons family, said. Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn attends a White House briefing on Oct. 10, 2019, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Matt Albence. Waybourn has faced criticism for his close ties to right-wing political figures. Win McNamee/Getty Images Waybourn fired Garcia and Moreno on May 16 following Johnsons death, but he reinstated them a week later, then fired them again. When Johnson died on April 21, Waybourn said department policy was violated when an officer knelt on Johnsons back. But Waybourn has not commented on the case since the two sheriffs officers were charged. The Tarrant County Jail is the third-largest county jail in Texas, with capacity for about 5,000 prisoners. Tarrant County spent $18 million in 2022 to move some people to a correctional facility in tiny Garza County, nearly 300 miles west, to alleviate overpopulation. But after a jail standards review, the lockup was found to be out of compliance with minimum jail standards in December 2023. The county has since considered canceling the agreement with the Texas prison contractor. People who were sent to Garza County are scheduled to return to Tarrant County in September and October, Tarrant County officials told HuffPost. But advocates and officials say jail staff have poor supervision of peoples living conditions and that the jail is still overcrowded. The sheriffs office disputed that and said it welcomed any outside agencies to investigate the facility. Sheriff Waybourn welcomes the Department of Justice and any other investigatory agency into the jail, Robbie Hoy, public information officer for the sheriffs office, told HuffPost. He claimed that an as-yet unfiled inspection from the Texas Commission on Jail Standards preliminarily found the culture inside the facility is positive; the inmates appear to respect the staff; the leadership is active and engaged and that the facility is impressive; impeccably clean one of the cleanest facilities weve seen. Waybourn did not respond to repeated requests for comment that were sent to his personal phone and his campaign staff. Other criminal justice advocates in the county have demanded that Waybourn, who has been sheriff since 2017, resign. Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons said Waybourn isnt doing his job. I am seeking transparency for those people that we serve, for our constituents. It is clear that there are problems at this jail, Simmons said. We are going to be paying out more and more multimillion-dollar settlements if our leadership does not change at the sheriffs office. We have a sheriff who is not implementing meaningful reforms that will ensure the safety of those in custody. The sheriff, my colleagues and I on the Commissioners Court bear a responsibility for all of these deaths and the spending of taxpayer dollars to settle with these grieved families. The Tarrant County Jail in downtown Fort Worth has sent some prisoners to a jail in a small county 300 miles west. Google Streetview Tarrant County isnt deep red: President Joe Biden very narrowly edged Donald Trump there in 2020. But Waybourn has aligned himself with some far-right politics that could endanger his reelection bid in November. His Democratic opponent is Patrick Moses, and residents have led demonstrations this month demanding Waybourns resignation. In 2016, the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association endorsed Waybourns campaign. CSPOA is a political organization for sheriffs who believe they have authority over local, state and federal authorities within their counties. Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted in the August 2020 killing of two people in Kenosha, Wisconsin, amid unrest over the police shooting of a Black man, posted a photo last year with Waybourn and Cary Cheshire, a Texas activist. Cheshire is executive director of Texans for Strong Borders. The Texas Tribune reported last year that the groups founder and president, Chris Russo, had close ties to Nick Fuentes, a far-right commentator with white supremacist ties. Defend Texas Liberty, a powerful political donor group that also embraced Fuentes, donated $5,000 to Waybourns campaign in 2020. He is the elected leader of the jail. It is all under his watch and under his leadership. And he is posing with Kyle Rittenhouse and taking money from these white supremacists PAC groups. Those are all reflections of his character that create a culture of disregard, particularly for Black inmates and their life, Joshua Lucas, a criminal justice reform co-chair of the Justice Network of Tarrant County told HuffPost. More Deaths, Few Answers Robert Miller died in the Tarrant County Jail in 2019. State medical experts ruled that sickle cell anemia was the cause and cited overexertion. But a 2021 autopsy report amended the cause of death to undetermined. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that officers pepper-sprayed Miller three times and that he did not receive medical attention after telling a nurse he couldnt breathe. Medical experts interviewed by the Fort Worth Star-Telegramyears after the ruling said medical officials in the county were confusing a person having a sickle cell trait, which Miller did have, with sickle cell disease and that it was an unlikely cause of death. Shanelle Jenkins' husband, Robert Geron Miller, 38, died in the Tarrant County Jail in 2019. When he died, she was unaware he had been arrested, finding out in a newspaper article. Miller and her lawyer have not received any information about his death from the sheriff's office despite record requests, she said. Amanda McCoy/Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Getty Images In 2020, three Tarrant County officers at the jail were arrested for beating a man named Cory Rodrigues, who suffered a broken cheekbone, broken ribs and a collapsed lung, according to arrest records. The countys district attorney later dismissed the charges. Twenty-one people died in custody in 2020, which was 3.5 times the mortality rate of the Dallas County Jail, its eastern neighbor, according to county records. Last month, the county approved the largest settlement in county history following the death of a baby born inside the Tarrant County Jail that year. Chasity Congious gave birth while alone in a cell. The umbilical cord was wrapped around the babys neck. Her lawsuit claimed jail staff took nearly 40 minutes to realize she was giving birth. Congious and the baby were taken to a hospital, and the baby was pronounced dead 10 days later. Another woman, Chasity Bonner, died in the jail on May 27 following a drug overdose. Simmons, the county commissioner, told HuffPost she is concerned about how many drugs appear to be getting into the jail and the recent number of deaths that have been linked to possible drug use while in custody. At a County Commissioners meeting last month, residents expected to learn more about Bonners death, but Waybourn did not attend the meeting, and no further updates were provided. Janell Johnson, Anthony Johnsons sister, was forced out of the meeting after she directed a fiery statement toward officials as she demanded more answers about the jail deaths of her brother and other people. Searching For Answers Anthony Johnsons mother also still wants answers, and she wants access to the full video of the incident that preceded her sons death. That one video should raise a lot of suspicion as to what is happening in the facility. My son was in custody, and they did the same thing to him that they did to George Floyd. This is like George Floyd 2.0, she said, referring to the May 25, 2020, police murder of the Black man in Minneapolis. Washington, her lawyer, says federal intervention of the jail needs to occur. They heard Anthony say that he could not breathe. The sheriff said the maneuver was not something he approved of, Washington told HuffPost. You would think after what happened to Anthony that they would be taking every step to make sure everyone is full protected. The sheriff has lost all institutional control of that facility, and it needs to be controlled by the feds at this point, I dont know how many deaths have to occur. These are individuals who are mostly considered innocent. They have not had their day in court. Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But in any portfolio, there will be mixed results between individual stocks. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima (NYSE:LOMA), since the last five years saw the share price fall 45%. So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. See our latest analysis for Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price. While the share price declined over five years, Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima actually managed to increase EPS by an average of 63% per year. Given the share price reaction, one might suspect that EPS is not a good guide to the business performance during the period (perhaps due to a one-off loss or gain). Or possibly, the market was previously very optimistic, so the stock has disappointed, despite improving EPS. Due to the lack of correlation between the EPS growth and the falling share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics to try to understand the share price movement. In contrast to the share price, revenue has actually increased by 49% a year in the five year period. So it seems one might have to take closer look at the fundamentals to understand why the share price languishes. After all, there may be an opportunity. The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). It is of course excellent to see how Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet. 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 incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima's TSR for the last 5 years was -17%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima shareholders are up 1.3% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. On the bright side, that's still a gain, and it is certainly better than the yearly loss of about 3% endured over half a decade. It could well be that the business is stabilizing. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Loma Negra Compania Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anonima that you should be aware of. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: many of them are unnoticed AND have attractive valuation). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) The recent tragedy of a horseback rider in our area has prompted questions about driving etiquette when horses are around. On July 7, 2024, a horseback rider named Robin Massey died due to an accident in Glen White, West Virginia. Massey was struck by a truck while on her horse. UPDATE: Horseback rider identified in fatal accident Eric Sherburne, a family friend of Masseys said, She was not riding in the road. She was crossing the road. Once you cross the road from Church Street over across [West Virginia Route] 54, theres a big wide shoulder over on that side and thats why they cross there. Plus, theres a good line of sight. She always looked out for all her friends when they rode. So, she was out in front, and she was out making sure that everybody would get across safely and an accident happened. Eric Sherburne told 59News the area she crossed was not even 1,000 feet from her home. Sherburne says Massey was out riding that day with five of her friends when everything happened. This incident is still under investigation by Raleigh County Sheriffs Office. A rule in place in many locations that aims to prevent accidents like this is the right of way for horses and their riders. Suspects wanted in theft at a Little League field in Raleigh County Horses can weigh 1,000 pounds or more when fully grown, meaning there is a lot of weight and power behind these animals. Sherburne explained that, because of that, scaring a horse by getting too close with a vehicle can be dangerous and the outcome can be unpredictable. Their first instinct is to either run away or fight when theyre spooked when something scares them, and in most cases, [their reaction is to] run away, said Sherburne. If youre riding beside the road or if youre going to cross the road and your horse is acting up, get up and walk it across. If somebody doesnt slow down and your horse spins and jumps out in traffic, its just a bad situation on all three parts. Additionally, horseback riders should wear some kind of light or reflective gear when riding at night to help people know they are there. Horseback riders can also put lights around their horses to ensure they are as noticeable as possible. ATV crash leaves multiple injured in Raleigh County Masseys family is also starting the Ride for Robin Foundation in honor of her humanitarian efforts and nature during her life. They want to continue her work through her passion for taking care of animals. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ASHEVILLE - Pritchard Park was picked, in part, for its shade: A leafy canopy made more essential as areas grapple with higher-than-usual temperatures, activists say, fueling a call to "climate action" as they gathered there in the heart of downtown. It was also picked for its proximity to Wells Fargo Bank though the location they rallied outside of had recently moved, the building still bears the name as Third Act NC, the state chapter of a national political advocacy group, brought New York Citys Wall Street Summer of Heat to Asheville. "What are we leaving for my grandchildren?" organizer Cheryl Orengo, 71, asked. With one grandchild only six-years-old and the other a toddler, What are they going to be dealing with? I cant even think about it because it worries me so much." Cheryl Orengo at a climate action rally in Pritchard Park, July 12, 2024. Will Hofmann/Citizen Times About 40 people, accompanied by radical marching band Brass Your Heart, chanted and hoisted signs at the center of the park July 12, before leading followers on a march around several city blocks. The protest movement calls for big U.S. banks to "stop using our money to fund fossil fuels," said Karen Willey, an Asheville environmental educator and climate communicator. Climate activist and author Bill McKibben founded Third Act to rally people over 60 around climate change. Heat records are being shattered nationwide and the Asheville area, too, is experiencing some abnormally hot and dry weather. While its not the 100-degree heat experienced in other parts of the state, Corey Davis, an assistant state climatologist told the Citizen Times earlier in July, it's still "unusually hot" for Western North Carolina. The National Weather Service is forecasting a high of 89 degrees in Asheville July 13, topping 91 degrees on July 14, and 93 through the rest of the weekend. Members of Third Act NC, a state chapter of a national political advocacy group for those over the age of 60, took part in a climate action rally, July 12, 2024. During her 43 years living in Asheville, Orengo said she's never experienced such sustained heat. Those gathered at the rally remembered summers spent without air conditioning, relying only on the cross-breeze from a front porch, sleeping with a light blanket in the summer. Climate change is real and Im seeing it all around. Even in this area, which is one of the best areas in the country to be in for climate change," said Peter Ronman, of Black Mountain. He used to turn on the AC twice a year. "Now I use it practically every day during the summer," he said. For people without a way to get cool, or those who work outside, the temperatures are dangerous, Willey said. She thought of people working in landscaping, in construction and of the city's unhoused population. In the winter, she said, on the coldest nights there are code purple emergency shelter beds to rely on. But what about in life-threatening heat? Rosemary Robinson (center) and Karen Willey (right) of Third Act NC march during a climate action rally in Pritchard Park July 12, 2024. Buncombe County issued a heat health alert July 9 as the maximum heat index climbed toward 95-degrees. It warned of "dangerous" temperatures for those exposed to heat or who more vulnerable, such as older adults, people with disabilities, outside workers, children, those without AC and pregnant people. It shouldn't be political, said Orengo, who said she worked for Buncombe County health department before she retired. "This is a public health issue." In January 2020 Asheville City Council declared a climate emergency, adopting a resolution acknowledging the urgent need to combat climate change and the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on low-income communities and communities of color. Asheville has ranked on a list of top U.S. cities most likely to receive an influx of residents due to climate migration, and Willey said she's proof that such moves have already begun. Before coming to Asheville, Willey said she lived on a bay in southwest Florida and watched the sea level rise outside her door. She sold the house and moved downtown, but knew once she retired, "I've got to get out of here and go to a place where the water isn't rising." More: Meet Asheville's 1st urban forester. How will the city grow its tree canopy? More: City of Asheville aims to incorporate climate justice into policies, procedures Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville activists call for climate action amid high heats HOUSTON As resilient residents of Houston and its surrounding areas continue to stand united in the recovery from Hurricane Beryl, which left homes and properties damaged and millions without power, the Rockets organization and its local partners joined forces Friday to provide much-needed support. When in need and you have the resources, and you have the ability, then it is your responsibility to give back and make sure that those in need have the support, said Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations. As soon as we realized that (Hurricane) Beryl was going to leave some effects longer than people anticipated, we immediately got together with our wonderful partners. Such was the urgency and demand for support that cars began lining up in front of Toyota Center in the early morning hours, well before the scheduled start of the distribution. This was a testament to both the communitys resilience and the need for immediate relief. The free supplies were provided by the Rockets in collaboration with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis; the American Red Cross Texas Gulf Coast Region; Pepsi; Reliant Energy; Second Servings of Houston; and Cotton Global Disaster Solutions. The Houston Rockets, in collaboration with community and local partners, conducted a drive-thru food and water distribution event outside of Toyota Center to provide essential relief items for Houston residents impacted by Hurricane Beryl. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/cKRYcKu62C BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) July 12, 2024 Volunteers from the Rockets teamed up with WNBA legend and former Houston Comets guard Sheryl Swoopes and hip-hop artist Trae tha Truth to distribute boxed lunches, water, fruit, snacks, and other relief items, including charging devices from Reliant. It means everything, Swoopes said. The city of Houston has done nothing but show me love and the Comets when we were here. Everyone was impacted differently by this hurricane that just came through, and even though this may not seem like a lot to other people, it means everything to me to come back and be a part of this community and be a part of what the Rockets are doing today. Giving back to those whose lives were changed by the devastation was emotional for Julian Duncan, chief marketing and strategy officer with the Rockets. Duncan is also a native Houstonian and Rice University graduate, and the relief efforts are personal to him. Im H-Town, and the Rockets are all about Houston, as well, Duncan said. What I hope people see is not just an organization doing community service, but the people behind me [volunteers and staff] dont have power, themselves. They are pushing their inconveniences to the side to help out those who are less fortunate in Houston. We are just all about The H, and we want to use our platform, our relationships, and partnerships to help out however we can. It means everything, said Swoopes about helping individuals in their time of need. The city of Houston has done nothing but show me love and the (Houston) Comets when we were here. Swoopes helped with the Rockets Hurricane Beryl Relief Event on Friday. #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/4ojDzn4fc5 BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) July 12, 2024 Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A two-vehicle collision between a tan Chrysler Town and County minivan and a black Chevy Malibu on Sunset Drive resulted in both drivers being hospitalized. According to the San Angelo Police Department, the Chevy Malibu was traveling west on Sunset Drive while the Town and Country minivan was heading east on the same road. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on July 12, as the minivan attempted to make a left turn on Southwest Boulevard but collided with the Malibu, placing both vehicles off the road. The impact sent the minivan crashing into a brick sign for Ambassador Square, creating significant front-end damage. Emergency responders transported both drivers to Shannon Medical Center for treatment separately. Authorities clarified that the driver of the Town and Country had a green light but not a green arrow at the moment of the collision. The crash briefly disrupted traffic in the Southwest Boulevard area as crews worked to clear the debris and attend to the injured. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. AKRON, Ohio (WJW) A rape kit testing initiative that solved a 2010 cold case rape in Akron has now resulted in a life sentence for the perpetrator. Derrick Fischer, 53, of Akron, was convicted of two counts of rape in April. He was sentenced to life in prison, the Summit County Prosecutors Office announced on Friday. East Cleveland asks for National Guard to help patrol streets A judge had also found Fischer guilty of a sexually violent predator specification, which strengthened his sentence on each charge to 10 years to life in prison. Derrick Fischer is a dangerous man with a violent history. My office will fight to keep him in prison for the rest of his life, Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich is quoted in the release. Thank you to local law enforcement, the assistant prosecutors, and the survivor for their unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of justice in this case. Two Friday night sobriety checkpoints in NE Ohio The assault occurred in 2010 but the initial investigation did not produce a suspect. Evidence in the case was later tested in 2017 and a DNA profile matched Fischer to the crime, according to the release. The Akron Police Department the following year received a three-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to create a new investigative unit to review unsolved rape cases that are less than 20 years old, in which DNA evidence was collected but had not been matched to a suspect. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Crewmembers who work the ferries that take visitors back and forth to Alcatraz are going on strike Saturday to protest what they say are unfair labor practices. The workers at Alcatraz Cruises previously walked out on a four-hour strike back on May 25. On Saturday, the workers plan to strike from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. at San Franciscos Pier 33, according to a statement from the International Longshore & Warehouse Union. Rallies will take place at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mystery surrounds motive for murder of Alameda family Alcatraz Cruises continues to disrespect workers by violating our rights and federal labor law and disrespecting us at the bargaining table, said Tristan Sentf, a first officer with Alcatraz Cruises. We are striking to send a message that employers need to respect the law and to respect our rights. Its outrageous that Alcatraz Cruises would continue to violate federal labor law while benefiting from an exclusive contract with the federal government to run ferry services to the busiest national park in the country, said deckhand Jack Calvin. The benefit from an exclusive and lucrative contract but they are disrespecting workers, labor law, and are trying to undermine the fair, living wage standard for ferry workers in the region. Workers on the ferry voted to join the union back in September of 2022. There are approximately 95 workers at Alcatraz Cruises. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Can Alec Baldwin Be Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter Again After Rust Case Dismissal? Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the actor's involuntary manslaughter case with prejudice on Friday, July 12 Ramsay de Give-Pool/Getty Alec Baldwin on July 11, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Alec Baldwin was facing up to 18 months in prison if he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the October 2021 death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, but the case was dismissed on Friday, July 12. Since the case was dismissed with prejudice by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, Baldwin, 66, cannot be charged with involuntary manslaughter again; therefore, his criminal case is permanently over. In court on Friday, the defense argued that the prosecutors had buried evidence. RAMSAY DE GIVE/POOL/AFP via Getty Alec Baldwin in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 12, 2024. Related: Alec Baldwin Cries as Judge Dismisses Rust Case in Shocking Twist Baldwin attorney Luke Nikas asked for the case against his client to be dropped, claiming that prosecutors sat on evidence ammunition that was connected to the case and turned over to authorities that would have helped shed light on how live ammunition was brought onto the Rust set. The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings, said Judge Marlowe Sommer, who sided with the defense. Baldwin and his wife Hilaria openly wept when the judge announced the case was dismissed. In January 2023, Baldwin was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter and a firearm enhancement charge for the accidental shooting death of Hutchins on the set of Rust. The charges were dismissed in April 2023. One year later, a grand jury indicted him on an involuntary manslaughter charge, which led to the recent July trial. The death of Hutchins occurred when the gun Baldwin was holding was discharged on the set of Rust in New Mexico in October 2021. When the gun fired, he fatally shot Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza, who has since recovered from his wounds. ROSS D. FRANKLIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Alec Baldwin in a pretrial hearing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 8, 2024. Related: Judge in Alec Baldwin Rust Trial Scolds Attendees for Making a Mess in Court: Have Some Manners Legal expert Emily D. Baker tells PEOPLE, Todays Dismissal with prejudice ends the case against Alec Baldwin as a sanction for the prosecution and law enforcement violations of their discovery obligations to the Defense under Brady. Under the Brady rule, prosecutors are required to share any material evidence they may have with the defense that could work in favor of the accused. In Baldwin's case, that was the ammunition, his defense said. It was clear how seriously the court took this issue, Baker says. Yesterday the prosecution had huge wins in court. Today the defense had their ultimate win in court with a dismissal. The result they have been fighting for in numerous motions over two prosecutions of Alec Baldwin. It doesnt impact the civil cases still pending but ends any criminal responsibility for Alec Baldwin. 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. Ramsay de Give-Pool/Getty Hilaria Baldwin and actor Alec Baldwin on July 12, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Related: Alec Baldwins Wife Hilaria, with Tears in Her Eyes, Hugs Him After His Lawyers Ask Judge to Dismiss Case We respect the courts decision. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins, Brian J. Panish of Panish, the attorney for Halyna's husband Matthew Hutchins said following the July 12 ruling. Baldwin still faces civil lawsuits, including the suit from Matthew Hutchins, which has not been fully resolved despite the October 2022 settlement. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Alec Baldwin wrote on Instagram Saturday, There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now, following the surprise dismissal of his manslaughter trial on Friday. He added, To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family. Baldwin was on trial for his role firing a gun and killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021 while filming western filmRust, which he starred in and was a producer on. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer granted the defenses request for a dismissal after it emerged that authorities and prosecutors deliberately withheld evidence in the case, with the mystery of how real bullets got into Baldwins gun still remaining. The states discovery violation has injected a needless incurable delay into the jury trial. Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice, the judge said. Though Baldwin has been cleared criminally, he still faces civil lawsuits pertaining to Hutchins death. Hutchins was killed when the prop gun Baldwin was using discharged and fired a live round during rehearsals. Attorney Gloria Allred and Hutchins family have pledged to continue to fight Baldwin in New Mexicos civil courts. Allred, who represents Hutchins parents Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych and her sister Svetlana Zemko, described Judge Sommers decision as a devastating blow to all three. It does not change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. It does not change the fact that he fired a loaded gun while pointing it at a human being, Allred explained. Baldwin should also just have the human decency to say Im sorry in a phone call or Facetime to the parents Its not all about Alec Baldwin. There are victims in this case. They are not celebrities they matter, Allred said. Following the dismissal, Brian J. Panish, attorney for Hutchins husband Matthew Hutchins, said, We respect the courts decision. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins. Producers on Rust, including Baldwin, were criticized for replacing workers with non-union members while filming. Had the films team been made up of unionized members, they would have been required to follow the Actors Equity Associations rules and safety tips for using firearms in productions. The rules include advice that actors should Treat all guns as if they are loaded and deadly and that The property master or armorer should carefully train you in the safe use of any firearm you must handle. Be honest if you have no knowledge about guns. Do not overstate your qualifications. It is unclear if Baldwin had any prior training or if he was offered training on set. Never point a firearm at anyone including yourself, the tips also state. Always cheat the shot by aiming to the right or left of the target character. If asked to point and shoot directly at a living target, consult with the property master or armorer for the prescribed safety procedures. Baldwin faced up to 18 months in prison if he had been convicted. The post Alec Baldwin Comments on Rust Shooting Trials Dismissal: There Are Too Many People to Thank appeared first on TheWrap. Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case dismissed in middle of trial and cannot be filed again SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Alec Baldwin s involuntary manslaughter trial in New Mexico came to a sudden and surprising halt on Friday while the judge considers a defense motion to dismiss the case over disputed ammunition evidence in the killing of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer sent the jury home for the day and told them to return Monday after what was supposed to be a short morning hearing on the matter, but raised more questions than expected and prompted her to call for further testimony outside the presence of jurors. The defense argued that prosecutors hid evidence from them about the ammunition that may be related to the shooting on the set of the Western Rust in 2021. The defense said they should have had the ability to determine its importance. We dont know if its a live ammunition match or not, Baldwins attorney Luke Nikas told the judge. But we do know that the state had it, and its disclosable. The prosecution has said that the ammunition was not connected to the case and was not hidden. The issue emerged Thursday on the second day of the actors trial during defense questioning of sheriffs crime scene technician Marissa Poppell. Baldwin lawyer Alex Spiro asked whether a good Samaritan had come into the sheriffs office with the ammunition earlier this year after the trial of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, for her role in Hutchins death. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison on an involuntary manslaughter conviction, which she is now appealing. There has still not been a definitive determination on how the live rounds got on set. But prosecutors said photos on found on Gutierrez-Reeds cellphone point to her being responsible. Poppell testified that at the behest of her supervisor, she accepted the ammunition, logged it and filed a report on it. But the defense said the prosecution did not group it with other evidence in the Rust case, and it was not included when the ballistics evidence was provided to them in April. They buried it, Nikas said. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey established in her questioning that the man with the ammunition was Troy Teske, a retired police officer in Mohave County, Arizona, who is a friend of Thell Reed, a prominent movie armorer and Gutierrez-Reeds father. Morrissey said the bullets were not the same size or chemical composition as the live rounds found on the Rust set, including the one that killed Hutchins. This is a wild goose chase that has no evidentiary value whatsoever, Morrissey told the judge Friday. This is just a man trying to protect his daughter. But Marlowe Sommer found the issue serious enough to ask to see the evidence herself, and put on latex gloves to examine it in open court. She then called off trial for the day and asked to hear testimony from Poppell and Seth Kenney, a supplier of firearms and some of the ammunition on the film. Kenney had been cooperative with police and prosecutors throughout their investigation. The defense have suggested that the relationship has been too cozy, and that authorities insufficiently investigated whether he was responsible for the live bullets reaching the set. Kenney has not been charged with any wrongdoing, and police and prosecutors have said there is no evidence that he had any role in the live ammunition on the Rust set. His attorney did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Police and prosecutors had known about Teske and his supply of ammunition since less than a month after the shooting. Kenney had called him during an interview with the lead sheriffs investigator, Alexandria Hancock, and asked him to send a picture of the ammunition he had. The bullets in the photos did not appear to match the live rounds found on the Rust set. Morrissey said that it eventually became clear to Hancock the issue was an attempt to mislead investigators by Thell Reed, who was trying to shift blame from his daughter to Kenney. Morrissey met herself with Teske last year, but did not pursue the evidence further. The defense suggested the evidence was obscured because it might be favorable to Baldwin. But prosecutors have pointed out that the charge against Baldwin stems from his reckless flouting of gun safety, not an allegation that he had any part in the live ammunition reaching set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan (MFA) congratulated Montenegro on the occasion of the national holiday, Azernews reports, citing the post shared by ministry on its official "X" account. "Happy National Day, Montenegro!" the post reads. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, LFE Corporation Berhad fair value estimate is RM0.41 LFE Corporation Berhad's RM0.33 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate Peers of LFE Corporation Berhad are currently trading on average at a 22,145% premium In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of LFE Corporation Berhad (KLSE:LFECORP) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! 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. Check out our latest analysis for LFE Corporation Berhad The Method We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we 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 (MYR, Millions) RM16.1m RM20.6m RM24.9m RM28.7m RM32.2m RM35.2m RM37.9m RM40.3m RM42.6m RM44.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 38.41% Est @ 27.95% Est @ 20.63% Est @ 15.51% Est @ 11.92% Est @ 9.41% Est @ 7.65% Est @ 6.42% Est @ 5.56% Est @ 4.96% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10% RM14.6 RM17.0 RM18.7 RM19.6 RM19.9 RM19.8 RM19.4 RM18.7 RM18.0 RM17.1 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM183m We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%. Story continues Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2034 (1 + g) (r g) = RM45m (1 + 3.6%) (10% 3.6%) = RM711m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM711m ( 1 + 10%)10= RM273m 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 RM456m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM0.3, the company appears about fair value at a 20% 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 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 LFE Corporation Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.025. 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. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" 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 LFE Corporation Berhad, there are three additional aspects you should explore: PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com Friday, July 12, marked the third day of witness testimony in the Alec Baldwin "Rust" trial. The "30 Rock" actor faces charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter earlier this year and sentenced to a state maximum of 18 months behind bars. Wednesday featured opening statements and first witness statements from police officers who were the first to arrive on the scene. On Thursday, the gun manufacturer, a crime scene tech, and other law enforcement officials gave their testimony. Judge Dismisses Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Trial Based On Suppressed Evidence MEGA Alec Baldwins Rust trial took an unexpected twist on Friday when the jury was dismissed after several hours of waiting. Baldwins team flagged the case as incompetent and alleged that the State of New Mexico concealed evidence ahead of the trial in a motion to dismiss filed late on Thursday night. Simply put, the State was provided highly exculpatory evidence that supports Baldwins argument of intervening cause; it also supports Baldwins case that the SFSOs investigation was biased, improperly motivated, and incompetent, which the Court has already ruled is relevant and admissible, said Thursdays filing, which was obtained by Deadline. Yet the State concealed that evidence from Baldwin, and then it misrepresented the evidence that it had collected. This conduct is egregious and requires dismissal. However, on Friday morning, Morrissey insisted There has been no violation in our obligation as prosecutors. Bullets Came Into The Polices Possession AFTER Hannah Gutierrez-Reeds Trial MEGA On Thursday night, Baldwins team became aware that a good Samaritan came into the Sheriffs office a few weeks ago, after Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months behind bars. That good Samaritan turned out to be Arizona police officer Troy Teske, a close friend of Gutierrez-Reeds father Thell Reed. Although Baldwins legal team requested all of the information and files related to the shooting at the Bonanza Creek Ranch in October 2021, they claim that they were never notified about Teske or the bullets that he dropped off. The motion to dismiss claims that The SFSO and the State have concealed from Baldwin that there was evidence that the live round came from Seth Kenney, a known person of interest and supplier of ammunition to the Rust set. Although the State has not accused Baldwin of bringing live rounds onto the set, it is possible that the lack of disclosure around this new evidence will be enough to get the case thrown out. Seth Kenney Takes The Stand Without A Jury MEGA Around 3 PM ET, during the pre-trial motion, Seth Kenney took to the stand to talk about his role in supplying ammunition for "Rust" and other films. Kenney had been friends with Thell Reed, the father of Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Kenney had previously supplied dummy rounds to a film called "The Old Way," in which armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was the armorer. Around that time, Kenney alleges that Gutierrez-Reed sent him a text message telling him that she had obtained live rounds and wanted to know if live rounds could be fired out of a prop gun. Kenney told her that it was a bad idea and "always ends in tears." He went on to say that he gave dummy rounds to prop master Sarah Zackary, but that was all that he provided. Special Prosecutor Kari Morrissey Testifies Under Oath MEGA After Detective Hancock testified, special prosecutor Kari Morrissey took the stand and was questioned about how much she knew about the supplemental piece of evidence. Body cam footage from Teske entering the police station was shown, although he stated that the bullets that he had in his possession had never been on the set of "Rust." Morrissey said that she felt that the evidence was not worth considering, as the bullets had not come from the "Rust" set and was therefore filed separately and was never given to the defense to review. After being questioned by Baldwin's attorney, Alex Spiro, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer found that the State of New Mexico's withholding of evidence met all three components of a Brady violation. As such, she decided to dismiss the case with prejudice, which means that they cannot charge Baldwin again going forward. Baldwin's sister, Beth, was shown to be in tears behind him. Baldwin also appeared to be emotional and wiped at his eyes while his lawyers patted him on the back. His wife, Hilaria Baldwin, was also in tears as she sat behind the actor. Alec Baldwin Thanks Supporters, but Still Faces Lawsuits in Rust Shooting SANTA FE, N.M. Alec Baldwin no longer faces the risk of prison in the accidental death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, after a judge threw out his manslaughter case on Friday. There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now, Baldwin said on Instagram on Saturday morning. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family. More from Variety Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, after a dramatic hearing about the prosecutions failure to turn over evidence to the defense. But attorney Gloria Allred vowed to keep fighting Baldwin in civil court in New Mexico, saying the judges decision is in no way, shape, or form an exoneration of him. Allred represents Hutchins parents, Olga Solovey and Anatolii Androsovych, and her sister, Svetlana Zemko, all of whom live in Ukraine. At a press conference outside the Judge Steve Herrera Judicial Complex on Saturday morning, Allred said the judges decision is a devastating blow to the family. It does not change the fact that Alec Baldwin killed Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust,' she said. It does not change the fact that he fired a loaded gun while pointing it at a human being. Allred initially sued Baldwin and others in 2023 in Los Angeles. In February, a state court judge granted Baldwins demurrer on the grounds that Hutchins did not have a sufficiently close relationship with her parents and sister to assert damages for so-called loss of consortium. At the time, Allred said she would amend the complaint and refile. But in June, her firm dropped the California lawsuit and filed a new one in Santa Fe. That suit remains in its earliest stages. Allred said she looks forward to bringing the case to trial. Were going to fight to the end for Halyna Hutchins, she said, adding that the parents had a very close relationship with Halyna, even though they were thousands of miles away. PARK CITY, UT JANUARY 19: Filmmaker Halyna Hutchins attends the 2018 Sundance Film Festival Official Kickoff Party Hosted By SundanceTV at Sundance TV HQ on January 19, 2018 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for AMC Networks) Matthew Hutchins, the cinematographers widower, reached a settlement with Baldwin and the Rust production in 2022. But in March, Variety reported that the production had failed to make certain payments required by the settlement. His lawyers threatened to restart the litigation. In a statement on Friday, attorney Brian Panish indicated that he anticipates taking the suit to trial. We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins, Panish said. The Rust shooting has also resulted in a slew of other civil litigation, involving the production, crew members, and insurance companies. Most of it remains pending. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Alec Baldwin has been in and out of the spotlight over the past few years for tragic reasons, following the shooting on the set of his film Rust that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in New Mexico in 2021. After some back and forth over involuntary manslaughter charges going back to early 2023, the case has officially been dismissed due to what the judge deemed a "failure" with evidence. The manslaughter case was dismissed on July 12 after Alec Baldwin's defense attorneys argued that key bits of evidence bullets that had been given to investigators all the way back in March had been hidden by the prosecution. According to Variety, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer in Santa Fe, New Mexico sent the jury home on Friday morning despite the previous expectation that they'd hear testimony, then ultimately decided that the case should be dismissed. She said: The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide discovery to the defendant. Dismissal with prejudice is warranted. The dismissal "with prejudice" means that the case against Baldwin cannot be refiled within that court. The outlet reports that Baldwin exited the courthouse with wife Hilaria, choosing to enter a car rather than speak with assembled media. THR shared more of what Sommer said in her dismissal: The late discovery of this evidence has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings. There is no way for the court to right this wrong. The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy. The dismissal is due to how prosecutors and police handled the bullets in question, and Erlinda Ocampo Johnson one of the two special prosecutors assigned to the case has resigned. The other special prosecutor, Kari Morrissey, did ultimately speak with press after the dismissal, saying: I respect the courts decision. But there is absolutely no evidence that any of that ammunition was related to the incident with Miss Hutchins. The dismissal comes less than a month after trial allegations that Baldwin had fired a blank-filled gun at a crew member before the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. She was killed in October 2021, with the earliest reports claiming a misfire of what was meant to be Alec Baldwin's prop gun that had killed Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza on the set of Rust. Baldwin was officially charged with involuntary manslaughter in early 2023, as well as the Rust armorer who had been in charge of the weapons. Charges were later dropped in April of that year, but Baldwin was hit with a new indictment back in January on involuntary manslaughter charges. Earlier this year, armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in prison after her conviction for involuntary manslaughter. According to TVLine, Baldwin would have faced up to 18 months as well if he'd been found guilty and sentenced instead of his case being dismissed. At the time of writing, Alec Baldwin has not yet publicly responded to the dismissal of his case. The U.S., Canada and Finland announced a plan to create an icebreaker shipbuilding program to compete with China and Russia. In an ambitious effort to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the High North, the U.S., Canada and Finland have created a resource-pooling plan to help meet a projected demand for as many as 90 icebreakers among allied nations over the next decade. These vessels offer a critical capability in a region with increasing strategic significance. The Icebreaker Collaboration Effort, or ICE Pact, seeks to significantly boost shipbuilding by its signatories. The three-pronged agreement calls for enhanced trilateral information exchange, collaboration on workforce development; and an invitation to allies and partners to purchase icebreakers built in American, Canadian, or Finnish shipyards. A memorandum of understanding will be drawn up by years end to spell out the roles of each nation in this effort, which relies on building at scale to reduce costs. This is a particularly critical issue for the U.S. considering it has only two icebreakers and is struggling to build more. Russia alone has more icebreakers than all three nations combined. The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy is one of only two such vessels in the services fleet. (Genna Martin, seattlepi.com) GENNA MARTIN The announcement came during the NATO Summit in Washington D.C. to send a message to China and Russia that the U.S. and its allies plan to compete in the North and work together to make that happen. This is a strategic imperative, a senior U.S. official told reporters on Wednesday. Polar icebreakers are exactly the kind of high-complexity, high-tech market segment in which America is well-positioned to thrive and lead, particularly with added expertise in technology. And this will help build out our industrial capacity but also provide benefits to our Allies, consistent with the message youve been hearing this week at the NATO Summit. Icebreakers provide a presence where other ships cant go and help pave the way so they can. The growing need for them is spurred by melting ice coverage that opens up new lanes of shipping up north, adding additional competition for influence on the water and the potential natural resources lying below the surface. As a result, the Arctic region is increasingly becoming a potential flashpoint. It has seen significant investment in military resources, especially by Russia, which is massively expanding its aviation facilities at Nagurskoye Air Base, adjacent to its large Arctic Trefoil outpost. Image of the airfield at Nagurskoye Air Base taken on August 19th, 2021. The northern apron area is being expanded to a very large degree. PHOTO 2021 PLANET LABS INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRINTED BY PERMISSION. Russia is also developing closer ties with China in the Arctic. The two nations signed a memorandum of understanding last year to strengthen their collaboration and their joint operations in the region, the official said. Though China is nearly 2,000 miles from the Arctic, it declared itself a near-Arctic nation in a 2018 whitepaper dubbing its interest in the region the Polar Silk Road economic initiative. For China, regular use of the Northern Route would be an economic boon, noted the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The distance from Shanghai to German ports is over 4,600km (about 2,900 miles) shorter via the Northern Route than via the Suez Canal. Beijing and Moscow have put their burgeoning cooperation to sea, sparking heightened concerns in the U.S. Last year, a joint Chinese-Russian flotilla sailing near Alaskas Aleutian Islands added weight to calls for the U.S. to establish a permanent naval base in Alaska. While the U.S. Air Force has multiple sprawling bases in the state, there is currently no permanent base from which to station naval vessels there. In another indication of the growing importance of the region, elements of the U.S. Armys elite 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment, also known as the Night Stalkers, last year trained to help defend Alaskas Shemya Island, a highly strategic outpost that would be high on any Russian or Chinese target list in the event of armed conflict. You can read more about that here. The PLAN destroyer Qiqihar was one of 11 Chinese and Russian navy vessels that sailed last year near Alaskas Aleutian Islands in a display of cooperative force. PLAN PLAN destroyer Qiqihar. PLAN Against this backdrop, ICE Pact aims for the U.S., Canada, and Finland to expand their collective ability to build icebreakers for themselves and allied nations and to share capacity, workers, and technical expertise to spread out the financial and infrastructure burdens. Due to the capital intensity of shipbuilding, long-term, multi-ship order books are essential to the success of a shipyard, the White House said in a statement announcing the pact. If were trying to build a long-term order book to create the demand signal we need to have the investment thats required to generate scale, a senior U.S. official told reporters on Wednesday. What were trying to do is to leverage the global order book. And our sense is if we look at Allied nations that are trying to purchase icebreakers over the next decade, its 70 to 90 vessels. The ICE Pact nations have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the number of hulls designed specifically to operate in the harsh polar climes. All three lag far behind Russia in the number of icebreakers. Russia alone has 36, including a new Project 23550 combat icebreaker that further highlights the Arctic arms race. It has more icebreakers in production. In comparison, Finland has 12 and Canada has nine, according to The Associated Press, citing U.S. Coast Guard data. The Russian Navys first new Project 23550 combat icebreaker. Russian state media Russian state media The U.S., as we noted earlier, has just two. Only one, the Polar Star, is considered a heavy icebreaker. The U.S. hasnt built a new icebreaker in more than 50 years. The Coast Guard Ice Breaker Polar Star working the ice channel near McMurdo, Antarctica. Rob Rothway China is adding icebreakers to its massive shipbuilding efforts. It is constructing a new heavy icebreaker and a new heavy-lift semi-submersible vessel capable of salvaging and rescuing vessels in the Arctic, according to a Brookings report. This would supplement their two existing icebreakers and be in addition to reports of their development of a nuclear-powered icebreaker, Brookings noted. The polar expedition icebreaker Xuelong 2 is docking at Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center pier in Qingdao, Shandong province, China, on July 3, 2024. (Photo by Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto The disparity in such vessels which help keep waterways open for American national security interests, commerce, and research is not lost on U.S. military leaders charged with defending the North. Were severely outnumbered, Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, the Commander of the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), testified before the Senate Arms Services Committee in March. We do appreciate that the Coast Guard is procuring more icebreakers. But even with those, we will be severely outnumbered. And that does limit our freedom of maneuver in that region. The Coast Guard Ice Breakers Polar Sea and Polar Star in the ice channel near McMurdo, Antarctica in 2002. USCG photo by Rob Rothway That procurement timeline, however, continues to stretch out to the right. Work on a new class of Polar Security Cutter (PSC) heavy icebreakers for the Coast Guard has suffered substantial delays, with the first of those ships now potentially not set to be delivered until 2028. The contract for the lead PSC vessel was awarded in 2019 to VT Halter Marine, since purchased by Bollinger Shipyards. The services only operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, is becoming increasingly difficult to operate and maintain. To help mitigate that shortfall, the U.S. Coast Guards main contracting office put out a public notice in March about the services intent to purchase a domestically produced, commercially available icebreaker from shipbuilding and marine services company Offshore Service Vessels (which does business as Edison Chouest Offshore) via a sole-source contract. An updated version of the notice stated objective of this acquisition is to provide an operational surface asset capable of projecting U.S. presence in the Arctic. You can read more about that in our deep dive here. The M/V Aiviq, seen here, is widely assumed to be the existing commercial icebreaker the US Coast Guard now says it plans to buy. USCG USCG ICE Pact is a tacit acknowledgment that the three nations cannot by themselves produce a requisite number of icebreakers. Right now, its too small, its taking too long, and were not generating the production that we need., the official stated about U.S. icebreaker fleet. So were trying to break that current equilibrium. Without this arrangement, wed risk our adversaries developing an advantage in a specialized technology with vast geostrategic importance. Not taking action could also allow them to become the preferred supplier for countries that also have an interest in purchasing polar icebreakers. So far, the U.S. has invested nearly $2 billion for its icebreaker program of record, the official explained. The shipbuilder for that program has made additional capital expenditures on top of that, the official added. The scale that we want to build out, it could cost as much as $10 billion to fully deploy the fleet that we want. While offering no specific numbers, the official said the targets are multiples of what we currently have in our fleet. As if to drive home the need for this, the Coast Guard said it encountered multiple Peoples Republic of China military ships in the Bering Sea, Saturday and Sunday. All four of the Peoples Republic of China vessels were transiting in international waters but still inside the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from the U.S. shoreline, the service said in a media release on Wednesday. The Chinese naval presence operated in accordance with international rules and norms, said Rear Adm. Megan Dean, Seventeenth Coast Guard District commander. We met presence with presence to ensure there were no disruptions to U.S. interests in the maritime environment around Alaska. The U.S. Coast Guard recently encountered four Chinese vessels in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. Google Earth image The call for more icebreakers comes as U.S. overall shipbuilding efforts pale in comparison to Chinas According to a Navy briefing slide that emerged online last year, Chinas shipyards can produce orders of magnitude more vessels than the U.S. can. You can read more about that here. Even before the end of the Cold War, Americas ability to build ships was in decline. It has steadily shrunk even more since and is now at a nadir across the board. Despite that, as the ice packs melt the need for icebreakers will only increase. ICE Pact hopes to help the U.S. and its allies close the yawning advantage their adversaries have in the polar regions. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com As alpine glaciers melt, the corpses of long-lost climbers keep popping out of the ice Peruvian National Police carry the body of U.S. mountain climber William Stampfl on Huascaran mountain in Huaraz, Peru. (Peruvian National Police) In late June, as a group of mountaineers descended a treacherous glacier high in the Peruvian Andes, they spotted a dark, out-of-place lump resting on the blinding white snow. When they approached, they realized it wasnt a rock, as they had initially assumed. It was a corpse. When they got a little closer, they could tell from the out-of-date clothes and the condition of the skin that the dead man had been there for a very long time. A miraculously well-preserved California drivers license in the mans pocket identified him as Bill Stampfl, a mountaineer from Chino who had been buried by an avalanche in 2002. Avalanches begin as loose, flowing rivers of ice and snow that sweep their victims off their feet and wash them down the mountain. When the frozen debris stops, it quickly solidifies into something like a concrete tomb. But in recent years, as the planet has warmed and ice has melted at an alarming rate, receding glaciers on the upper reaches of many of the worlds most celebrated and deadly peaks have begun surrendering the bodies of long-lost mountaineers. It's a blessing and a relief for grieving families who crave closure, but it creates a grim chore for public officials whose job it is to respectfully remove the remains. Last year, on the heels of a heat wave that triggered the fastest loss of glacial ice in Swiss history, the boot of a German climber who disappeared in 1986 began poking out of a well-traveled glacier near the mountain town of Zermatt, not far from the Matterhorn. In the Himalayas, where hundreds of adventurers have perished on the slopes of Mt. Everest since the 1920s, Nepali officials have been forced to launch risky, arduous expeditions to retrieve the recently revealed and rapidly thawing corpses. "Because of global warming, the ice sheet and glaciers are fast melting and the dead bodies that remained buried all these years are now becoming exposed," Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Assn., told the BBC in 2019. Gondolas go up next to the Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. (Jamey Keaten / Associated Press) And now, a similarly gruesome scenario has played out on the slopes of 22,000-foot Huascaran, Perus highest mountain. The warming planet is definitely the reason we found Bill, said Ryan Cooper, a personal trainer from Las Vegas who was among the group of climbers who discovered Stampfls body in late June. . When Stampfl and two climbing partners disappeared in 2002, rescuers went looking for them. They found one body, that of Steve Erskine, but Matthew Richardson and Stampfl could not be located. If Bill had been on top of the ice they would have found him, but he was buried back then, Cooper said in an interview. A lot has changed in 22 years. Hauscaran is the highest point, and crown jewel, of the Cordillera Blanca, a region of breathtaking natural beauty thats home to a dozen peaks higher than 20,000 feet and hundreds of alpine glaciers. These ancient, frozen reservoirs supply irrigation and hydroelectric power to much of Peru. But, as with glaciers everywhere on the planet as temperatures have risen, those in the Cordillera Blanca have lost significant mass, as much as 27% in the last five decades, according to official estimates. Cooper said he didnt understand the extent and speed of the changes underway until days before his guided climb was supposed to begin. He and his brother, Wes Warne, were hanging out in the Peruvian mountain town of Huaraz, listening in as other climbers and guides compared notes. They heard the glaciers were melting so fast that previously manageable crevasses cracks caused by natural movement of the ice had turned into deep, yawning chasms up to 60 feet wide that could swallow an entire team of climbers. A view of snow-capped Huascaran mountain in the Andes. It is Peru's highest mountain and the second highest in Latin America. (Getty Images) And they heard that many guides had begun steering their clients to more stable summits, because conditions on Huascaran had become so dicey. Nevertheless, Coopers team decided to give their planned route a try. The five days they spent on the glaciers were tense, Cooper said, an up-close look at the chaos warmer-than-expected temperatures can cause. Youre just hearing avalanches, youre hearing rock fall, youre hearing ice fall all around you, Cooper said. Ive never been on a mountain that was so active. Tourists walk in front of the Tuco glacier in Huascaran National Park during a tour called the "Route of climate change" in Huaraz, Peru, in 2016. The South American country lost 175 glaciers due to climate change between 2016 and 2020, Peruvian scientists said. (Martin Mejia / Associated Press) Eventually, the guides decided not to push for the summit, Cooper said. Instead, they led the group down an older, less traveled route that had been the standard track back in the day, he said, before shifting terrain prompted climbers to start taking a different approach. Thats where they came upon Stampfls body, at about 17,000 feet, resting alone, undisturbed and almost completely exposed. In other cases, when just part of a body is sticking out of the ice, excavation can be a grueling ordeal. Rescuers use shovels, axes, boiling water anything to help coax and pry remains free. As soon as they discovered Stampfl was American, Cooper said, he and his brother set aside their frustrations about not making the summit. They now had a much higher goal getting Bill home. Once they had climbed down far enough to have cellphone reception, a flurry of text messages began, and Cooper's wife joined the search for Stampfl's family. Read more: Peru Trek Claims 3 Southland Hikers Before long, Cooper found himself on the phone with Joseph Stampfl, Bill's son. "I didn't know what to say, exactly, I'm not a grief counselor," Cooper said in the interview. So he kept it simple, the way he'd want his own family to hear such news. "Hi, my name is Ryan," he said. "I'm in Peru. I found your dad." Even though Stampfl's body was relatively easy to free from the ice and lift onto the stretcher, it still took a team of 13 five members of an elite police unit and eight mountain guides hired by the family to safely carry his remains down the steep slopes. The group was amazed by how well the ice had preserved Stampfl's belongings, Cooper said. His clothes, his sunglasses and his camera with a roll of film still inside. Even a pair of $20 bills in his pocket were decomposing but recognizable. For Sampfl's family in California, news of his discovery after 22 years came as a shock. Read more: Mount Everest's highest camp is littered with frozen garbage, and cleanup is likely to take years "It really took a few minutes to just, actually, process what I was hearing," daughter Jennifer Stampfl said in an interview. She and the rest of the family had no idea what to do next. The sudden need to retrieve a long-lost loved one's body from a towering mountain in Peru is not a problem most people face every day. At first, she assumed the U.S. Embassy would be helpful, but it just provided "a list of funeral homes and basically said, 'Good luck,' " Jennifer said. So the job of finding and hiring trustworthy mountain guides and sending them to the exact spot fell upon the family. Jennifer said she felt woefully unprepared the family didn't even have precise coordinates to locate Stampfl's body and she spent a few days haunted by the possibility of losing her dad for a second time. The mission was a success, however, and her dad's remains eventually arrived in Lima, where they were cremated before being flown back to California. Stampfl, who was 58 when he died, began his love affair with mountains like so many Southern Californians do, by climbing Mt. Baldy, his family told The Times in 2002, shortly after he disappeared. He used the 10,000-foot summit as a training ground for progressively higher peaks, including Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, Kilimanjaro and Denali. He and his ill-fated partners also trained on Mt. Baldy for their 2002 trip to Huascaran. Stampfl's family plans to sprinkle some of his ashes on Baldy's summit, near an existing plaque commemorating him, Erskine and Richardson. They've invited Cooper to join them for the ceremony. I will 100% be there, Cooper said. 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. CHICAGO An Alsip man accused of shooting at another person along I-57 in Chicago last weekend is now facing a felony charge. According to Illinois State Police, 44-year-old Lloyd Wickliffe has been charged with attempted murder. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The charge stems from a shooting that allegedly unfolded just before 6 a.m. on Sunday along I-57 near 115th Street in Chicago. 44-year-old Lloyd Wickliffe has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that allegedly unfolded along I-57 on Sunday, July 7, according to Illinois State Police. Troopers said a preliminary investigation revealed that the victims vehicle had been shot at by an individual who was driving in a Chevy Impala. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Troopers were able to identify the suspect and the vehicle that was allegedly involved following an extensive investigation into the incident, and Wickliffe was subsequently taken into custody. Currently, it is unclear what led to the alleged shooting and authorities have not provided details on if the victim was injured. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) Passengers were evacuated from an American Airlines flight at San Francisco Airport on Friday afternoon, Nexstars KRON4.com has confirmed. The passengers evacuated from flight 2045 were destined for Miami. SFO Public Information Officer Doug Yakel said that the Miami-bound flight was backing from the gate when the crew reported smoke in the cabin at around noon. The aircraft was evacuated using emergency slides and via jetbridge, and the San Francisco Fire Department responded by extinguishing the smoke, the Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines said. Yakel said three passengers were injured. The San Francisco Fire Department said one person required medical transportation. The cause of injuries was not mentioned. Yakel said the passengers were being transported back to the terminal as of 1 p.m. Wanted man arrested after falling through apartment ceiling in New York An American Airlines spokesperson said that smoke was initiated from a laptop inside a passengers bag. The bag was quickly removed by our crew members and all customers exited the aircraft. We thank our crew members for their professionalism and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience, they said in a statement. Videos posted on social media show several fire trucks, two emergency escape chutes, and paramedics surrounding the Miami-bound flight. It was desperate until someone opened the middle door and we were able to escape as we were all blocked in the hallway. Some people were slightly injured, a passenger said. According to the American Airlines website, the Miami-bound flight had just landed at SFO from Miami an hour before its initial planned departure at noon. The aircraft was an Airbus A321. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Bill Trott (Reuters) - Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the chirpy, diminutive therapist who became a pop culture figure as she encouraged Americans to have sex safely, frequently and creatively, has died at the age of 96, the Washington Post reported. Westheimer died on Friday at her home in Manhattan, the newspaper reported citing her publicist. Westheimer, who fled Nazi Germany as a child, said she first learned about sex when she was 10 years old and took her parents' "marriage manual" out of a locked cabinet. What she saw on those pages would lead to a career that included international fame, books, instructional videos, lectures, teaching jobs, a radio show, countless television appearances, a syndicated column and even a "Good Sex" board game. Known universally as "Dr. Ruth," the 4-ft-7 inch (140-cm) tall lady with a distinctive German accent and perpetual cheerfulness preached the joys of good sex, great sex and, especially, safe sex. The woman who would become one of the world's best known sex gurus lost her virginity at 17 on a starry night in a hayloft on a kibbutz. "We spent many nights in that barn ... but I remember that first time most vividly of all because it shows that when two people are in love, the first experience can be very enjoyable," she wrote in her 2001 autobiography, "All in a Lifetime." Westheimer, a great proponent of contraception, chided herself in the book for not being concerned with birth control in those first encounters. She also declined to say who her partner was because she remained friends with the man, as well as his wife. Westheimer herself was the product of an unplanned, out-of-wedlock pregnancy. Her mother was working as a housekeeper for the family of Westheimer's father in Frankfurt, Germany, when she became pregnant. The young couple eventually married and Karola Ruth Siegel was born on June 4, 1928. ORPHANED BY HOLOCAUST Westheimer was 10 when the Nazis came to her Frankfurt home and took away her father. Six weeks later her mother sent her to an orphanage in Switzerland. In 1941, Westheimer stopped receiving letters from her parents and she later learned they had been murdered in the Holocaust. At 16 she emigrated to what was then Palestine and joined Haganah, a Jewish paramilitary organization. "I learned to assemble a rifle in the dark and was trained as a sniper so that I could hit the center of the target time after time," she wrote in a 2010 New York Times opinion article that called for women to be allowed to serve in combat in the U.S. military. Westheimer never tested her sniping skills against an enemy but was injured in a bombing in Jerusalem. She married an Israeli soldier and they moved to Paris and went to college. They later divorced, and she headed to New York with a boyfriend, married him, had a daughter and continued her education. After another divorce, she wed Manfred Westheimer, an engineer she met in 1961. That marriage produced a son and lasted until Manfred's death in 1997. After earning a doctorate in education, Westheimer went to work for Planned Parenthood and caught the attention of a New York radio station executive when she lectured broadcast officials on contraception. That led to a weekly 15-minute midnight radio program in 1980 called "Sexually Speaking." It was an advice show that took questions from listeners about orgasms, condoms and sexual dysfunction - very sensitive subject matter for the time - and quickly won Westheimer a following. She said it was a combination of her experience, training, and her quirky voice and accent that gave her credibility with listeners. They also liked the way she would cheerily wish them "good sex!" Westheimer became a popular guest on TV talk shows, which ultimately led to her own show. "I'm like a Jewish mother," she was quoted as saying in People magazine. "A Jewish mother who talks explicitly." Westheimer believed in people doing whatever they were comfortable with in bed - or elsewhere - and that sex was better when accompanied by intimacy and communication. If it was between consenting adults and done with proper consideration of contraception, it was OK with Dr. Ruth. But personally, she was no libertine. "I am very old fashioned ... and a square," Westheimer said in a National Geographic interview in 2003. "I believe in love. I believe in relationships. I believe in people staying together for a lifetime or as long as possible." In addition to her autobiography, Westheimer wrote nearly 40 books, including "Sex for Dummies," "Dr. Ruth's Sex After 50," "Heavenly Sex: Sexuality in the Jewish Tradition," "Dr. Ruth's Encyclopedia of Sex" and "Dr. Ruth's Top Ten Secrets for Great Sex." (Reporting and writing by Bill Trott; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Andrew Yang, a tech entrepreneur who ran for president in 2020, thinks President Biden is heading toward a historic loss in the election, urging him to step aside. Yang joined NewsNations Dan Abrams Live Friday, where he said he thinks Biden needs to withdraw from the race before the Democratic National Convention kicks off on Aug. 19 in Chicago. I think hes heading for a historic loss that is going to hand not just the White House but also the Senate and the House to Donald Trump, Yang told host Dan Abrams. Shortly after Bidens poor debate performance sparked concern among Democrats about his ability to defeat Trump in November or serve another four years if reelected, a handful of Bidens 2020 challengers called on him to step down. Yang, who stumped for Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) in the 2024 race before he suspended his campaign in March, said the incumbent must withdraw from the race for the good of the country. Yangs comments come after Biden held his first solo press conference of the year to conclude the NATO summit in Washington. During the presser, Biden said that his pledged delegates are free to do whatever they want at the convention, including nominate a new candidate, but maintained that he would stay in the race. Yang said that was a fascinating development for Biden, since he has insisted that he is not dropping out despite the growing number of calls for him to do so. Theres been a lot of reporting that a lot of the delegates are like the general public and like voters at large who dont think that Joe Biden can win, he said. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Grant Cardone No matter how much money you make, youre guaranteed to have financial success as long as you make savvy decisions along the way. For financial advisors, that often involves following money advice from experts like business mogul and billionaire, Grant Cardone. Learn More: Im a Self-Made Millionaire: I Followed These 7 Grant Cardone Tips To Get Rich Read Next: 7 Reasons You Should Consider a Financial Advisor Even If Youre Not Wealthy GOBankingRates spoke with Justin Godur, a financial advisor and the founder of Capital Max, and David L. Blain, a chartered financial accountant (CFA) and the chief executive officer at BlueSky Wealth Advisors, to discuss the top advice from Cardone that could help you make thousands. Keep reading for their insights. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Amplify Your Income Streams One of Justin Godurs clients, a mid-level manager named Sarah, utilized Cardones 10X Rule to amplify her income streams. By adopting a mindset of relentless ambition and setting tenfold goals, she diversified her investments into real estate and high-yield stocks. Within two years, her portfolio grew by 150%, generating passive income that replaced her salary, he added. Leverage Sales Training Another client, Mark, a small business owner, embraced Cardones emphasis on sales training, Godur continued. By refining his sales tactics and leveraging Cardones strategies on customer acquisition, Marks business revenue surged by 300% in just 18 months. His secret? Never underestimate the power of consistent follow-up and upselling, said Godur. Try This: I Followed Mark Cubans Genius Advice and Am on Track To Become a Millionaire Set Big Goals Experts advise that for anyone looking to replicate these successes, the first step is to set big goals. As Godur explained, Think bigger than you ever have, as small goals lead to small results. Next, invest in sales training. Mastering sales is critical because its not just about selling products but also about selling yourself. Relentless follow-up is essential, said Godur. Persistence pays, so follow up consistently with potential clients and customers. Explore Investments in Real Estate, Stocks or Even Side Businesses Godur equally recommended following Cardones advice of diversifying income streams as well. Dont rely on a single source of income, he said. This principle, when combined with a disciplined approach, can yield extraordinary results. Godur continued, Ive personally witnessed my clients transformations, and with dedication and the right strategies, anyone can achieve financial freedom. Story continues Optimize Investments and Reduce Expenses David L. Blain said success in following Cardones money rules comes from truly understanding each clients needs and values. One specific client of Blains wanted to retire early but believed their current savings wouldnt allow that, so he implemented Cardones strategy of optimizing investments and reducing expenses into their tailed, 4-year financial plan. Blain noted, Within 2 years their portfolio had grown over 50% and they retired, funding their dream of traveling the world. He noted that because no two clients are alike, recommendations that work for some may be wrong for others. My role [as an advisor] is to gain a holistic view of what matters most to each client and provide a customized roadmap for achieving their key life goals. Understand Whats Most Important to You According to experts, taking the time to understand whats really important to you and the nuance of your particular situation is one of Cardones biggest money rules that will lead to growing wealth over time. I focus on the clients complete financial life, not just their investment accounts, said Blain. Real success comes from optimizing all areas of ones finances to accomplish what they care about most, whether thats buying a home, funding education, donating to charities or anything else. Focus On What You Want To Achieve in Life While experts find popular money advice from Cardone as a good first step, they also warn that following generalized advice is less helpful than recommendations tailored specifically around your individual needs, values, priorities and timeline. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, only options tailored to each persons needs and timeline, said Blain. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Financial Advisor: This Money Advice From Grant Cardone Could Help You Make Thousands Angry words lead to gunman spraying bullets at group on Brooklyn corner: police A few mumbled words to a group of young men on a Brooklyn street corner led to a shooting that sent the four victims scrambling for cover, police said Saturday. The four men, all between 19 and 21, were hanging out at the corner of Dahill and Cortelyou Roads in Kensington about 7:40 p.m. Friday when another man walked by them, cops said. The stranger mumbled something to the group as he crossed the street, prompting an argument. What did you say? one of the victims asked loudly as he challenged the man who walked by. In response, the suspect went into his bookbag, pulled a gun, and opened fire in the victims direction, cops said. The four men jumped into a car parked nearby and sped off. No injuries were reported. The gunman ran off down Cortelyou Road and remained at large Saturday. If hes arrested, hes facing reckless endangerment and attempted assault charges, cops said. Police on Saturday were combing the area for surveillance video that could help them identify the shooter. Fridays bullet barrage comes as shootings in the city have dropped by 9% this year. As of July 7, cops were investigating 465 shootings in the five boroughs 49 fewer than the 514 shootings that occurred this time last year. Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council donated more than 2,352 cans of emergency drinking water to the Baker Fire District BAKER The Baker Fire District now has more than 2,352 cans of emergency drinking water, thanks to a donation by Anheuser-Busch and The Lewis Bear Company. The donation is part of a collaboration between the two companies with the National Volunteer Fire Council, which provides more than 1.5 million cans annually to volunteer fire departments nationwide. The donation will prepare firefighters in Baker with a much-needed source of drinkable water during the summer wildfire season or any other natural disaster. Across the country, approximately 70% of all fire stations are staffed by an all-volunteer force. The Baker Fire District is one of those stations. With the donation of approximately 237 gallons, the district can allocate expenses currently used for water for other needs to help the community. This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Anheuser-Busch donates 2,352 cans of water to Baker Fire District Another sweltering week is coming. Here's how to stay cool in Sussex County As the blistering temperatures continue across Delaware, Sussex County has announced four designated cooling stations ahead of an anticipated heat wave. The following air-conditioned locations are open to get a free break from the heat, throughout the summer: County Administration Building (2 The Circle, Georgetown): open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays Greenwood Library (100 Mill St., Greenwood): open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays Milton Library (121 Union St., Milton): open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays South Coastal Library (43 Kent Ave., Bethany Beach): open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays The county said paramedics will make routine stops at these cooling stations this week to answer any heat-related questions. Free bottles of water will also be available. Other hot weather tips Sussex County recommends residents and visitors limit time outside, especially from 1-6 p.m. when it's hottest. Anyone who is outside should take frequent breaks and drink water. Other tips include: Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing Stay in properly ventilated areas Avoid alcoholic beverages Give pets extra water and provide them with shade or bring them inside Know the signs of heat-related illnesses The county said it expects demands for electricity will increase with the temperatures and asks residents and business operators to conserve power to avoid outages. MORE: Looking to beat the heat? Here are 6 cool places to go with kids during the heat wave Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on X at @h_edelman. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Sussex County announces free cooling stations ahead of heat wave An explosion at 7:30 p.m., July 14, 1939, inside the Duvin coal mine, north of Providence, Kentucky, would end up killing 28 people in one of the deadliest mining accidents in state history. "30 Trapped in Mine Blast; 3 Are Rescued" was the front page headline in the July 15, 1939, Courier Journal. The workers were trapped 181 feet deep and two miles from the entrance of the pit, and it was suspected many of the missing men would not survive. "First word of the explosion reached the mine office when Dennis Walker, 24, a switchman, phoned from about a mile inside the mine. He said he and two helpers were knocked down by the rush of air from the explosion, and that the air was bad." Walker had dragged two others to a side room of the mine where the air was better. All three survived. "Rescuers Still Hold Hope for 9 Men After Finding Bodies of 19 In Mine." The following day's paper documented the first of the deaths but held out hope that the nine miners still missing might be found alive. "A feeling of optimism, growing among the throng packed anxiously around the pit entrance, was heightened by the remark of a rescue squad foreman who said: 'I consider the men have a sixty-forty chance.'" Families of trapped coal miners waited for news following an explosion at the Duvin Mine in Providence, Kentucky, July 16, 1939..Twenty eight men would lose their lives in the mine disaster. However, that sense of optimism was quickly tampered down by the chief mine inspector who said: "With all that carbon monoxide gas down there it doesn't look like they have any chance." There were conflicting projections for how long the men could survive; F.V. Ruckman, president of the mine, said if "sealed in" behind an airtight door they could last "three or four days." Meanwhile, Fred Ferguson, director of the Indiana Bureau of Mines, said the miners had "one chance in a thousand" of being found alive. It didn't take long for the community to rally around the miners' families with a committee, which included J.L. Bradley, publisher of The Enterprise, Providence's weekly newspaper, formed to "seek and receive donations." "While nothing is definitely known about the mine men still trapped we believe they, too, will not come out alive and this brings a total of twenty-eight, with only four single men among them. I don't know what will become of their families unless we can raise the money." Flowers for Dan Byrum, a widower, were carried by his nieces and those for Richard were borne by friends of his wife. They are shown leaving the church where the father and son coal miners funeral took place. By George Bailey, The Courier-Journal. July 19, 1939. Under Kentucky law, families of miners killed were entitled to receive $4,000, but since the mining company did not carry worker's compensation insurance, the families would not even receive that. The bodies of the remaining miners were discovered and brought to the surface July 18. When rescuers reached them, they found last words written in chalk on wooden crossties. "12:20 a.m. all alive, singing and praising the Lord. The unsaved was saved tonight." A second message with a 1:40 a.m. time read, "All alive." Funerals for the miners started the same day. Two fathers and sons were among the twenty Duvin miners buried at Providence, July 19, 1939. Here, the coffins of Dan and Richard Bynum are carried into the Victory Baptist Church, where Richard went to Sunday school. "The Duvin miners, who scarcely have stopped for rest since the explosion Friday night, were hard at work again today as pallbearers for their friends. In clean white shirts, pale and hallow-eyed from lack of sleep, they carried the heavy coffins from 10 a.m. until sunset." Why did the disaster happen? John F. Daniel, chief of the State Bureau of Mines and Materials, said this: "From preliminary investigation, indications are that the explosion was due to the ignition of coal dust at a working face (place where coal is loaded) caused by a premature discharge of permissions (Government approved) explosives while shot firers were preparing explosives for shots." This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 1939 Duval coal mine explosion: 28 men in Kentucky disaster FILE - Women touch a board with the names of people who died in the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center, at the site of the attack in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, July 18, 2019. Ahead of the 30th anniversary of the attack, President Javier Milei's government sent Congress a bill to hold the trial in absentia, which would allow the accused, fugitives, to be tried. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko, File) BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) Argentina designated Hamas a terrorist organization Friday and ordered a freeze on the financial assets of the Palestinian group, a largely symbolic move as President Javier Milei seeks to align Argentina strongly with the U.S. and Israel. Announcing the decision, Milei's office cited the militant Palestinian group's cross-border attack on Israel last Oct. 7 that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage, in the deadliest assault in Israels 76-year history. The statement also mentioned Hamas' close ties to Iran, which Argentina blames for two deadly militant attacks on Jewish sites in the country. The move comes just days before the 30th anniversary of one of those attacks, the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. It killed 85 people and wounded hundreds more in the worst such attack in Argentina's modern history. The other attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, in 1992, killed more than 20 people. Argentinas judiciary has accused members of Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group of carrying out the two attacks. Friday's announcement professed Mileis unwavering commitment to recognizing terrorists for what they are, adding that its the first time that there is a political will to do so. The U.S., European Union and several other countries long put a terrorist designation on Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip before its current war with Israel. Previous left-leaning Peronist governments in Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, have maintained friendly ties with Israel but also voiced support for Palestinian statehood. Since coming into office in December, Milei has set himself apart from even Israels closest allies in his vocal support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A huge swell in global pressure has left Israel deeply isolated over its military campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, displaced over 80% of the territorys people and triggered a humanitarian disaster. Argentina must once again align itself with Western civilization," Milei's office said Friday. For his first state visit as president earlier this year, Milei flew to Jerusalem in a show of support for the Israeli government and promised to move his nations embassy to the contested capital drawing praise from Netanyahu and ire from Hamas. Although raised a Roman Catholic, Milei says he has a deep spiritual connection with Judaism. A jury found Eric Ridenour guilty on all counts on Thursday for lighting two churches on fire in Douglas. Following three days of testimony, the jury in a Tucson district court found Ridenour guilty on all six counts, including arson and hate crimes for his actions in May 2023. On May 22, 2023, Ridenour set St. Stephens Episcopal and First Presbyterian churches in Douglas on fire. Prosecutors proved in the case that Ridenour's motivation to commit the crimes was his belief that members of the LGBTQ+ community and women should not be in leadership positions in churches. St. Stephen's vicar, at the time of the crimes, was a gay man and First Presbyterian's pastor was a woman. Where St. Stephen used to stand is now an empty parking lot, while First Presbyterian is still in the process of repairing and rebuilding. Ridenour could face a total of 130 years in prison if Judge Scott Rash imposes the maximum sentences on all six counts. Ridenour's sentencing hearing is set for late October. More about it: What is left of 2 Douglas, Arizona, churches burned by arsonist? This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man guilty of setting fires at 2 churches in Douglas faces 130 years BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating a shooting where a Bentonville officer shot an alleged assault suspect on Thursday night. A news release said Bentonville police responded to a disturbance call around 6 p.m. at Southwest Castlewood Street. Officer Omri-Andrew Nutt located a suspect, identified as Nathaniel Crabtree, 37 on Sandrock Road. Bentonville police previously said the suspect was involved in an alleged assault. Bentonville police officer shoots, kills alleged assault suspect During the incident, Nutt shot Crabtree and he was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died, according to the release. Nutt started working at the Bentonville Police Department in January 2022 and has been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol. ASP CID agents will prepare an investigative file to be submitted to the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney, who will determine whether the use of deadly force by the officer was consistent with Arkansas laws, the release said. Crabtrees body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab where the manner and cause of death will be determined. Bentonville police told KNWA/FOX24 it has no comment on the incident pending the outcome of ASPs 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 KNWA FOX24. MCGEHEE, Ark. The Arkansas State Police are investigating a double homicide they said occurred in McGehee overnight. In a Friday release, authorities said McGehee Police Department officers were dispatched to a 911 call referencing shots being fired near Cypress and 3rd Streets at 12:36 a.m. on Friday. Pine Bluff police arrest man accused of deadly early morning shooting When they arrived, officers said they found a man who had been shot lying beside 3rd Street. ASP Special Agents said they found another man in a nearby wooded area who had been shot. Officials said both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said MPD officials requested that the ASPs Criminal Investigation Division investigate the case. Little Rock police arrest suspect in deadly June Liberty Cove shooting The release stated that the two bodies were taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine the manner and cause of death. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. UPDATE: ASHLEY COUNTY, Ark. A missing Ashley County teen was found safe less than 24 hours after being first reported missing. ORIGINAL STORY: State Police are searching for a missing teen from Hamburg, in Ashley County. Arkansas State Police report 17-year-old missing from West Memphis, may be near Little Rock According to investigators, the 14-year-old was last seen at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday morning near North Main Street in Hamburg. Investigators said she has a birthmark on her left palm and a chipped front tooth. She was last seen wearing gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt with a blue and white tie-dye undershirt. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ARLINGTON COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Health officials are warning residents in Arlington that they might have been exposed to measles while grocery shopping last week. The Arlington County Public Health Division (ACPHD) said a person with a confirmed case had visited a Harris Teeter while contagious. Though the person is from another state, ACPHD issued a warning Friday that people who visited the store might have been exposed. Listed below are the date, times, and location of the potential exposure site associated with this case of measles: Harris Teeter: 624B N Glebe Rd., Arlington, Va. 22203, between noon and 4 p.m., on Mon., July 1 Metro breaks ground on new Crystal City station entrance in Arlington Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms usually appear in two stages, according to the ACPHD. Stage 1: People have a fever of over 101 degrees, runny rose, watery red eyes and a cough. These symptoms usually start between one to two weeks after being exposed. Stage 2: A rash begins to appear on the face and spread to the body beginning three to five days after symptoms start. People with measles are contagious from four days before the rash appears through four days after the rash appears. If you have not received a measles vaccine, you may be at risk of contracting the illness. Anyone who was exposed and is at risk of developing measles should be on the lookout for symptoms until July 22, 2024. If you notice symptoms, immediately isolate yourself by staying home and away from others, and contact your healthcare provider right away. Virginias first historical marker focused on LGBTQ+ history coming to Arlington You should call ahead before going to your healthcare providers office or the emergency room to notify them you might have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department. The ACPHD issued the following tips for those who might have been exposed: If you have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action. If you have received only one dose of a measles-containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose. If you have an immunocompromising condition, please consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions or develop symptoms. Though most Virginians above kindergarten age are fully vaccinated, infants younger than 12 months are too young to receive the vaccine. Those infants are very susceptible to infection if they have been exposed to someone with measles, ACPHD warned. If you or your child have not yet been vaccinated, you should call the Arlington County Public Health Division or your healthcare provider to get the first of two doses as soon as possible. To check your immunization status, call your healthcare provider or request records from the VDH Immunization Record Request Form. If you have any questions about this potential exposure, you are asked to contact the ACPHD Communicable Disease Programs at 703-228-5657. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. slobo / Getty Images Stephanie Edenburgh, CEO of the parenting site Bizzie Mommy, turns to Target and Staples for the lions share of her back-to-school shopping. Thats because she knows she can rely on the stores sprawling inventory and bargain-basement, money-saving prices but she never lets a new school year arrive without a trip to the worlds largest retailer for both of those same reasons. I always buy back-to-school products from Walmart because of their low prices and vast selection, Edenburgh said and shes hardly alone. GOBankingRates spoke to Edenburgh and two other mothers who swear by the brand behind the Walton family empire for specific back-to-school items that they say they can rarely find elsewhere for less. Explore More: 6 Things the Middle Class Should Sell To Build Their Savings Find Out: 5 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money Ridofranz / Getty Images/iStockphoto Classroom Essentials Edenburgh said that last year, she went to Target and Staples first for things like clothing and calculators, and also to cash in on the formers Cartwheel discounts and the latters penny deals. Finally, I went to Walmart for everything else, where I found the best prices on basics like crayons and glue sticks, she said. Among Walmarts back-to-school deals like the kind that Edenburgh mentioned include: 16-pack of Crayola crayons for $1.47 10-pack of Crayola markers for $0.97, down from $8.52 12-pack of Cra-Z-Art colored pencils for $0.75, down from $1.22 12-pack Elmers disappearing washable glue sticks for $4.47, down from $5.94 4-pack of Sharpie assorted-color, tank-style highlighters with chisel tip for $2.44, down from $7.26 For You: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024 Try This: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) Henglein and Steets / Getty Images Bulk School Supplies If they break, get lost, run out of ink or otherwise need replacing over and over throughout the school year, Edenburgh gets them at Walmart. Walmart is my go-to for bulk supplies like pencils, paper, and folders because they offer significant savings compared to other stores, said Edenburgh. Their price-matching policy also ensures I get the best deal. Walmart is already advertising deals on big packs of school supplies, including: 12-pack of USA Titanium #2 yellow pencils for $2.38 24-pack of Paper Mate mechanical #2 pencils for $3.57, down from $12.12 12-pack of Sharpie markers for $7.97, down from $10.22 60-pack of Bic black Round Stic medium ballpoint pens for $5.44, down from $6.74 Trending Now: 6 Clothing Items Frugal People Keep for Many Years SrdjanPav / iStock.com Backpacks and Lunchboxes Rachel Johnson is an editor and content creator for the digital branding company PWA Media. Shes also a mom who doesnt like to waste money on her kids academic must-haves two specific purchases, in particular. Story continues For backpacks and lunchboxes, I make sure to visit Walmart during back-to-school shopping, Johnson said. Walmart offers many options that are both durable and affordable enough to withstand daily school use. The variety they have ensures I can find something that my money can buy yet pleases my kids. Here are some of the deals that Walmart shoppers who share Johnsons back-to-school needs might want to snag: Kamugo toddlers fashion backpack with sequin bow and mouse ears for $15.88, down from $22.88 Three-in-one backpack, lunch bag and pencil case from YTM for $25.99, down from $39.99 Dakimoe clear backpack for $19.99, down from $49.99 Penguin print lunch box with an insulated bag for $17.88 Arctic Zone cotton candy tie dye lunch box combo with food container, water bottle and ice pack for $9.96, down from $12.44 Contigo Kids insulated reusable lunch box with antimicrobial liner and water bottle holder for $15.45 Office Supplies Depending on the grade level, your kids might count office supplies among their back-to-school needs. But even if they dont, end-of-summer sales provide a perfect chance for adults to stock up for the entire year. I buy all my basic office supplies from Walmart, which offers unbeatable prices and has very many options to choose from, said Olivia Smith, marketing manager for a political campaign domain extension platform called.Vote Domain. Walmarts back-to-school sales are ideal for filling up for the entire academic year. Walmart is my preferred choice due to its cost-effectiveness and where I can get all these essentials under one roof. Walmart is advertising deep discounts on office supplies for both kids and adults, including: 100-pack of Pen+Gear blue sticky notes for $0.67, down from $1.38 Westcott All-Purpose+ five-inch stainless steel scissors for $3.97, down from $8.89 4-pack of Pen+Gear durable view 1/2-inch D-ring binders for $6.48, down from $10.19 Deli desktop stapler with 20-sheet capacity, including 1,000 staples and staple remover for $8.99, down from $11.99 More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Parent: Here Are the 20 Things I Buy From Walmart for Back to School Police officers and patrol car near Stratford Arms shelter in New York where a large fight broke out among migrants Arrests are skyrocketing at homeless and migrant shelters across New York City, with a 100 percent surge so far this year terrifying neighbors who are increasingly ravaged by crime in their communities. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, cops made 836 arrests at shelters citywide the most for any quarter since at least 2018 including 272 felony busts and 573 for misdemeanors, according to NYPD data. In the same period in 2023, there were just 418 arrests at shelters, comprising 160 felonies and 258 misdemeanors. The 25th Precinct, which covers East Harlem as well as Randalls Island home to the citys gargantuan, 3,000-bed tented migrant shelter saw a jaw-dropping 295 percent jump in arrests with 83 during this period, compared to only 21 during the same time in 2023. There has been a 100% surge in arrests at homeless shelters. G.N.Miller/NYPost In East Harlem, arrests have nearly quadrupled from 2023. NY Post photo composite The Randalls Island shelter has been a incubator of brutal and random violence, residents told The Post. Its a total st show over there and the city doesnt have a plan, said financier John, 67, who walks to the island every morning from his home on the Upper East Side. A few months back, a migrant riding on an e-bike sucker punched the finance worker in the back of the head as he crossed the footbridge onto crime-ridden island. The other day, he added, a friend and his wife were walking in front of the tent city when a brute on a bike slapped the woman out of the blue, he said Theres a lot of crime that happens, he continued. A cop here told me once that they had sexual assaults and all this st here that doesnt even get reported. In January, a migrant was stabbed to death at the tent city in a dispute over a woman. The next month, a wild melee melee broke out between the shelters rowdy residents and cops, while two migrants were arrested for assaulting a security guard just days later. Meanwhile, major crimes in the precinct are up nearly 14% so far this year, according to police data. Murders have jumped 50%, from 4 to 6; felony assaults have increased roughly 25%, from 204 to 254; and grand larceny is up almost 15%, from 235 to 270. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, cops made 836 arrests at shelters citywide. Christopher Sadowski William Fowler, a mayoral spokesman, said the uptick in shelter arrests is unsurprising given the influx of migrants into the citys shelter population. Seth Gottfried That st is bad, East Harlem resident Malcom Warner, 28, said of the chaos spilling out into neighborhoods streets from over the bridge. Its gotten to the point that the old people cant sit outside and enjoy themselves. Theyre worried about being attacked. In Long Island City which is packed with a city-topping 23 migrant shelters, The Post revealed in a front-page report last week the 108th and 114th Precincts saw shelter arrests increase 100%, from 9 to 18; and 64%, from 11 to 18, respectively, during this years first quarter. Its affected the staff, including us, which is something we just have to deal and live with, said Doug Gleiber, 51, who runs a wooden box-making company in the neighborhood with his father. One of his workers almost quit after she said she was harassed by migrants, who were furious she accidentally tapped one of their mopeds with her car, Gleiber recalled. The guys were out there and they were screaming at herThey got angry and kicked her car, he said. She has been here for 10-plus years, and she felt so much anxiety that she would have to go out here and be amongst this. Some 207,000 migrants in total have been in the citys care since spring 2022, costing taxpayers $4.88 billion as of May, according to the Office of Management and Budget. An average of roughly 65,000 migrants have been in the citys care in recent months, bringing the overall homeless shelter population to 119,300 as of March 31, compared to 82,200 people in total a year prior, officials said. When youre sleeping, youve got one eye closed, one eye open, because you never know whats going to happen, Francisco Albino said. @CANELATRD/X Crime at shelters is skyrocketing due to disastrous decarceral policies that flood our streets with criminals, the warehouse-style shelter system, and the constant flow of violent migrant gang members crossing our border, Councilman Bob Holden (D-Queens) seethed. This lunacy is transforming neighborhoods into crime-ridden zones, and New Yorkers are paying the price with their safety and taxpayer dollars. William Fowler, a mayoral spokesman, said the uptick in arrests is unsurprising given the surge in the citys shelter population amid the ongoing migrant crisis, but insisted the facilities were among the safer options for homeless. Crime also festers at non-migrant shelters. Paul Martinka Like any other population that rises, increases in arrests at our shelter sites are expected to rise with increasing numbers of people, he said. But our shelters still remain a much safer alternative to sleeping on our streets or in the subway system. He clarified that the NYPD shelter arrest data may also include busts that happen on the street at or near a shelter, or those involving a person who was arrested at one of the housing facilities for a crime that did not occur there. Asked about neighbors ongoing concerns that migrants staying in the city-run shelters were a source of soaring crime in their communities, Fowler referred to Mayor Adams recent statement boasting that overall crime has decreased across the five boroughs over the past six months. Crime also festers at non-migrant shelters, such as the VIP Community mens shelter that opened in March on East 123rd Street. When they first opened that up, cops were coming every day, said Ty Johnson, 34, an overnight maintenance worker at the shelter. You cant put these guys in areas that are drug-infested already, its not gonna work, Johnson said. If these shelters in certain areas, back blocks, the crime would be lower because theyd be away from people. Last month, a shelter resident referred there by the city Department of Homeless Services managed to sneak a razor blade into the facility and slashed five men, all of whom had to be hospitalized, according to police. Residents recalled the bloody attack as a clear example of the dangers they face inside the tinderbox housing set-ups, many of which provide beds for drug addicts and mentally ill individuals. When youre sleeping, youve got one eye closed, one eye open, because you never know whats going to happen, Francisco Albino, 55, who shares a room with 10 other men and relies on his 6-year-old Yorkie, Tommy, for protection. They dont control the people. They put together people with mental issues, the crazy people. Julie Spencer, the principal at Andrew Lloyd Webber-backed drama school ArtsEd, has resigned citing health reasons after an independent investigation concluded that she presided over an unhealthy environment and brought the institution into disrepute. ArtsEd is a storied British drama school, which counts Lloyd Webber as its president and major donor. Its notable alumni include One Day star Leo Woodall and Oscar-winner Julie Andrews. The school commissioned a senior lawyer to investigate after a series of Deadline stories uncovered bullying and misconduct allegations from staff and students against Spencer. More from Deadline Ghazaleh Rezaie, the barrister engaged to lead the probe, has delivered her findings to ArtsEds board after a delay of more than three months. The performing arts school has published a summary of the investigation, but will not release Rezaies full report for data privacy reasons. After interviewing 30 witnesses, Rezaie concluded that Spencers relationships with ArtsEd employees was damaged beyond repair and that an unhealthy environment had developed under her leadership. Spencer joined ArtsEd in 2019 to lead its School of Acting before being elevated to principal in 2021. Rezaie said that not all the allegations against Spencer were well founded, but around half were enough to justify a disciplinary process. The lawyer also concluded that Spencer called students snakes after Deadline published audio evidence of the incident. Rezaie said Spencer brought ArtsEd into disrepute, damaging trust and confidence in the school by allowing it to forcefully deny that she used the term to describe students. Spencer resigned before ArtsEd could commence disciplinary proceedings. Spencer has been on sick leave since ArtsEd commissioned the investigation last year and Rezaie was unable to fully conclude her work because she could not obtain the principals response to all of the allegations within the time available due to the principals health. Deadline has offered Spencer the opportunity to comment via an ArtsEd spokesperson. Farida Mannan, ArtsEds acting chair, said the board will consider Rezaies findings and takes the allegations against Spencer very seriously. She acknowleged that the process had been challenging and at times an emotional for those involved. Mannan added: The board is assessing the lessons which must be learned and changes which must be made We are committed to a culture of inclusivity and transparency. The board of trustees will ensure that robust procedures and processes that create a safe environment for all of ArtsEds students and staff are embedded throughout the whole institution. The statement marks a change of tone from ArtsEd, which emphatically denied the allegations against Spencer and defended the principal in the weeks after Deadlines expose. It disputed any suggestion that the school had a toxic environment and said the claims were of a historical nature, arguing that they related to matters dealt with in a previous barrister-led review by Rebecca Tuck KC in 2021. Tucks review concluded that ArtsEd had a lack of regard for the wellbeing of students, exposing them to favoritism, bullying, and other misconduct. The inquiry forced the resignation of principal Chris Hocking, meaning Spencer is the second ArtsEd chief to quit amid a misconduct controversy over the past three years. The fallout from Spencers tenure is also playing out in court. ArtsEd is facing a legal battle with a former teacher, who was fired after raising concerns about a culture of fear at the drama school. Matt Bulmer was appointed head of ArtsEds Day School and Sixth Form in February 2022 but was sacked in August last year, resulting in his unfair dismissal claim. A representative for Lloyd Webber declined to comment on Deadlines investigation last year. There is no suggestion that he was aware of the allegations. Deadlines reporting on ArtsEd formed part of a Drama Schools Uncovered series, which revealed that revered acting institutions are breeding grounds for sexual misconduct, racism, and bullying. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Over his distinguished career, Engle flew over 185 different aircraft, including NASA space shuttles HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Retired NASA astronaut Joe Engle from a 1971 photo Joe Engle, who had the distinction of being the only astronaut to pilot an X-15 aircraft and a space shuttle, died in Houston on Wednesday, July 10. He was 91 years old. NASA announced the death of Engle, a retired U.S. Air Force major general. The space agency said in its news release that Engle was the last surviving X-15 pilot. The Kansas native graduated in 1955 from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, with an aeronautical engineering degree. According to his NASA biography, he received his commission through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Kansas and entered USAF flying school in March 1956. Related: NASA Seeks Volunteers for Second Mars Simulation Mission but There Are a Few Constraints In June 1965, Engle piloted an X-15 to an altitude of 280,600 feet, the space agency said, adding that three of his sixteen flights in the X-15 exceeded the 50-mile (264,000 feet) altitude required for astronaut rating. 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. Engle was selected as an astronaut for NASA at age 32 the youngest pilot to ever qualify as one. Engles NASA biography also stated that he was commander of one of two crews that took part in the Space Shuttle Enterprise approach and landing test missions in 1977. Related: Astronauts Say They're Having a 'Great Time' and Remain Confident Boeing Starliner 'Will Bring Us Home' In November 1981, he commanded the second flight of the space shuttle Columbia. He was the first and only pilot to manually fly an aerospace vehicle from Mach 25 to landing, NASA said per its July 11 news release. He accumulated the last of his 224 hours in space when he commanded the space shuttle Discovery in August 1985, one of the most challenging shuttle missions ever, the agencys statement continued. On that mission the crew deployed three commercial satellites and retrieved, repaired, and redeployed another malfunctioning satellite that had been launched on a previous shuttle mission. HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Retired NASA astronaut Joe Engle from a 1976 photograph According to NASA, Engle flew in 185 different types of aircraft and also logged in 14,700 flight hours. He is a recipient of the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and NASA Space Flight Medal. His military honors included the Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster. As we mourn the immense loss of Joe, were thankful for his notable contributions to the advancement of human spaceflight, Vanessa Wyche, the director of NASAs Johnson Space Center, said in a press statement. Joes accomplishments and legacy of perseverance will continue to inspire and impact generations of explorers for years to come. Related: Starliner Astronauts Are Not Stranded in Space, NASA Experts Say: Were on a Good Path' NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, a former astronaut and U.S. senator, remarked of Engle via the space agencys news release: He was one of the first astronauts I met at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Ill never forget his big smile, his warmth, and his courage. We all will miss him. Mike Massimino, another former NASA astronaut, paid tribute to Engle in a post on X, writing: I am saddened by the passing of Joe Engle, the only astronaut to fly both the X-15 & Space Shuttle. Every time I saw him he had a huge smile on his face, a great story to tell me, and words of encouragement. We have lost a true American hero, Godspeed my friend. Engle's wife, Jeanie, described him in a press statement as "a loving husband, father and grandfather." Blessed with natural piloting skills, she said, General Joe, as he was known to many, was at his happiest in any cockpit. Always with a smile, he lived a fulfilled life as a proud American, U.S. Air Force pilot, astronaut, and Kansas Jayhawk. Engle was surrounded by his family at the time of his death, per NASA. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. The attorney for the family of the cinematographer killed on "Rust" movie set spoke out on Saturday, a day after a judge dismissed actor Alec Baldwin's charge of involuntary manslaughter following the defense team's accusation prosecutors withheld evidence. Gloria Allred, an attorney for Halyna Hutchins' parents and sister, appeared outside of the courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico where the trial was held. Allred said she "respectfully disagrees" with the court's decision and regrets that the court did not give other options that would have allowed the criminal prosecution to succeed. "The dismissal only strengthens our resolve to pursue justice in the civil case that we have filed against him in Santa Fe, New Mexico," Allred said. She said the family - who live in Ukraine where Hutchins' was born and raised - has yet to hear from Baldwin or his attorneys. Baldwin, who cried as the judge announced the charges were dismissed, wrote in a social media post on Saturday, "There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now. To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family." Alec Baldwin cries as the judge dismisses his charges in the involuntary manslaughter case of Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin, 66, would have faced 18 months in prison if convicted. The trial, which opened with jury selection on Monday for the 2021 shooting, took a bizarre turn right before the dismissal at the end of the week. Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson resigned and fellow prosecutor Kari Morrissey called herself as a witness. The judge sent the jury home earlier in the day Friday while prosecutors argued over the defense's motion for dismissal, which the judge later granted. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed the case with prejudice based on the misconduct of police and prosecutors in the trial. The defense argued that prosecutors hid evidence from them about ammunition that may be related to the shooting. Allred said the judge's decision "is devastating to the family in Ukraine who mourn her loss every day." "We are going to fight to the end for Halyna Hutchins," she said. President Biden holds solo press conference after NATO summit | Special Report SpaceX Falcon 9 breaks apart after launch, and more top stories Judge dismisses "Rust" case against Alec Baldwin Former South Carolina state Rep. Bakari Sellers (D) said Friday that he thinks Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) is former President Trumps best option for vice president. Sellers, also a CNN commentator, joined Real Time with Bill Maher Friday to discuss the upcoming Republican National Convention (RNC) and the highly anticipated running mate announcement from Trump. Among the top rumored candidates are Rubio, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Gov. Doug Burgum (R-N.D.). I would say that the only person who poses any fear for Democrats is probably Marco Rubio, Sellers said. Sellers argued that Rubio, who has held his seat in the Senate since 2011, looks like the future and has a lot of experience. As a Cuban American, Sellers said Rubio can appeal to Hispanic voters in ways that Trump cant. Hes a notable opponent against Kamala Harris in the debate, Sellers said. Sellers argued Burgum and Vance do not give Democrats cause for concern. Vance, he added, stands for nothing. Sellerss comments come as the former president drags out the suspense over who he will choose as his running mate. Trump has said in recent days that he would announce his pick during the RNCs Milwaukee convention, which begins Monday. The former president said in late June he already made his mind up with regards to his pick. Since then hes gone back and forth suggesting on some occasions his mind is more or less made up, and at others indicating hes still deciding. Sources close to the former president, including his son Donald Trump Jr., say they dont even know who it will be. I have no inside information, obviously, Trump Jr. said during a recent episode of his podcast Triggered. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bars in certain Milwaukee suburbs can stay open until 4 a.m. during the RNC. But are they taking advantage of this? This is what we know. Although bars and taverns in the Milwaukee suburbs may extend their bar hours to 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention next week, many told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel they will not take advantage of it. And some said they will stay open if the bar is busy when it is slated to close. "We talked about staying open," said Josh Hansen, manager at The Crooked Crow in West Allis. He said they took the staff needed to stay open as well as the potential sales of staying open into consideration. While he said they are not planning on staying open, he said if The Crooked Crow is busy at its typical closing time, they will not turn people away. "We will not tell people to leave," he said. Chris Paul, owner of Reunion Restaurant in West Allis, echoed those thoughts: "We are prepared to stay open if a group calls or it it is busy, but we are not going to automatically stay open." Are there any bars in the Milwaukee suburbs open for extended hours during the RNC? The only bar that confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that they are staying open until 4 a.m. is Elder + Rime in Wauwatosa at 2300 N. Mayfair Road. They also have an attached restaurant that the RNC can patronize during the convention. The officials at Camp Bar in Wauwatosa said they will not decide until next week. Currently, they are open until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday and until 2 a.m. on the other days of the week. Bars and taverns in certain communities can stay open to 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention. How many bars are staying open in Milwaukee until 4 a.m.? In Milwaukee, more than 20 bars are staying open until 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention, which is from July 15 to 19. Most of its events will be at the Fiserv Forum, where the Milwaukee Bucks play. What is the law about bars staying open during the RNC? On Dec. 6, 2023, Gov. Tony Evers signed an act to allow bars in certain municipalities to be open until 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention. Normally, bars must be closed from 2 to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 2:30 to 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The 14 Wisconsin counties that have the option to extend their bar time are: Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Dane, Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Sheboygan and Fond du Lac. What if a municipality does not want to take part in bars extending its hours? If a municipality wanted to "opt out" of the law, the city council, village or town board needed to approve an ordinance to "opt out." Municipalities such as the cities of Franklin, New Berlin and Oconomowoc passed such an ordinance. What are some of the bars not staying open longer? The bars in Wauwatosa that said they are not staying open for extended hours are 1st and Bowl, BelAir Cantina, Big Head Brewing Co., Cafe Hollander, Crafty Cow and Ferch's Crafthouse Grille. The Hot House Tavern in Menomonee Falls will not be open longer and neither will The Destination in Waukesha, citing the distance from Milwaukee. Woody's Bar and Grill in Hartland also will not be open extended hours during the RNC. How do I know which bars are open for sure? It is entirely at the discretion of the bar if they want to remain open until 4 a.m., so contact the bar directly to ensure it will be open. If a bar will be open until 4 a.m. during the RNC, contact Cathy Kozlowicz at cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com to be included in this story. More: 'Red, White and Brew' welcome party to greet RNC delegates at Summerfest grounds More: What is the RNC, anyway? What to know about speakers, 2024 Republican party platform Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Many bars in Milwaukee suburbs are not extending bar hours during RNC The BBCs Arabic channel has been criticised after its YouTube channel asked viewers whether the killing of a 79-year-old Jewish woman by Hamas gunmen was terrorism or resistance. A caption shown during an item discussing an attack by Hamas on the village of Raanana in Israel, which killed Edna Bluestein, posed the question: How do you view this kind of operation, terrorism or resistance? The attack on Raanana, for which Hamas claimed responsibility, resulted in more than a dozen other people being injured. Some were stabbed, with others run over by vehicles. Under the heading What impact did the Raanana attack have on the Israeli scene and the course of the Gaza war: Point of discussion, the caption accompanying BBC Arabics YouTube report on the attack stated: Does resorting to running overs and stabbing reflect despair at the possibility of putting an end to the war on Gaza and the suffering of Palestinians in the West Bank? How do you view such an operation, terrorism or resistance? How do you expect the Israeli response? Critics say the way the debate was framed suggests the BBC considers it legitimate to describe Hamas gunmen as resistance fighters. They say the tone of the report, broadcast on Jan 17 this year, was another example of the broadcaster being reluctant to describe the organisation, which runs the Gaza strip authority and was behind the attack on Jewish villages on October 7 which led to more than 1,300 deaths, as a terror group. A spokesman for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera) which lobbies for a fair representation of Israel said: The fact that BBC Arabics YouTube channel asks its viewers whether the murder of a 79-year-old woman is terrorism or resistance is in line with the BBCs general insistence on avoiding the word terrorism in relation to any attack on Israeli civilians, including the atrocities of October 7. This reflects the Arabic services inability to distinguish between content that may fall within legitimate discussion on a publicly-funded platform and that which does not. The aftermath of Hamas's terror attack on Ra'anana, which injured more than a dozen people - ast 19 people have been injured in the attack. (Photo by Gili Yaari/NurPhoto via Getty Images The row came as it emerged that many anti-Semitic comments posted on BBC Arabics YouTube channel appear to have been left unmoderated. One BBC Arabic YouTube report about the October 7 attacks had 125,968 views, with 405 comments left by viewers the vast majority of them offensive and violent towards Jews and Israelis, including one telling Jews that your country is in Eastern Europe and that Jewish homes attacked by Hamas had been stolen from Palestinians. Another item, a hospital bed interview with a young Israeli woman who survived the October 7 attacks, was viewed 70,468 times and has attracted 376 comments to date, many of them offensive and violent, such as crocodile tears and it is not your country. One comment, left by a viewer using the name muhammadali3346 in response to the interview, states: Enjoy your stay while it lasts or while you draw breath, your reckoning is at hand, and man will it be a sight to burn in memories. You are in for the let down of your life. A BBC Arabic report broadcast on YouTube on March 21 about Israelis refusing to leave their homes despite gun battles raging in their town attracted comments such as it is really funny and leave our country and go. Following complaints by Camera about comments left on a BBC report on its Facebook and YouTube platforms about fires in northern Israel in January, the BBC deleted a number of offensive comments from its Facebook page and blocked further comments. However, other offensive comments left under the same item on the YouTube channel did not appear to have been edited or deleted, including one which states: They were burning forests in the world and it was their turn, glory be to God, left by saramorie7971. Violent comments Camera said: BBC Arabic has failed to moderate a disproportionately high number of offensive and violent comments on other videos featuring the stories of Israeli victims. Much of the conflict-related online discourse in Arabic in general is infected with bigotry and hatred towards Jews which social media platforms should restrict rather than galvanise with inappropriate and incendiary questions. BBC Arabics approach towards the entire issue is flawed from the start. A BBC spokesman said: BBC News Arabic reflects debates taking place across the Middle East including on polarising and sensitive subject matters around the Israel-Gaza war. As part of this reporting, we invite a wide variety of contributors to provide differing perspectives and routinely question views on air. BBC News Arabic output is subject to the same Editorial Guidelines as the rest of BBC News and takes its commitment to impartiality incredibly seriously. We always look to remove any offensive comments on YouTube as soon as possible. Like many other media companies including The Daily Telegraph, we face issues with comment moderation on social media sites. Although we deploy filtering software, this doesnt always identify problems, so much of our moderation is manual. With millions of followers, we have not always been able to remove offensive comments as quickly as we would like. If they are brought to our attention, we will take action. 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. Behind the spectacular collapse of the Alec Baldwin 'Rust' shooting prosecution Actor Alec Baldwin, right, hugs his attorney Alex Spiro on Friday in Santa Fe, N.M., after the judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case connected to the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the western movie "Rust." (Ramsay De Give / Associated Press) The spectacular collapse of New Mexico's criminal prosecution of Alec Baldwin in the deadly "Rust" movie shooting laid bare nearly three years of errors by state officials who were eager to prove themselves on a world stage. Legal experts had long said it was a risk to charge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter, a felony, for the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, whom the actor accidentally shot while preparing for a scene with a firearm. Baldwin had been told incorrectly that his prop gun contained no actual ammunition. New Mexico First Judicial District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out Baldwin's charge late Friday following a day-long hearing in which defense attorneys alleged Santa Fe County deputies and a special prosecutor concealed potential evidence a bag of bullets an Arizona retired police officer turned in after the incident that may have proved helpful to Baldwin's case. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, center, questions special prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey, second from left, Friday in Santa Fe, N.M., about evidence not turned over to defense attorney Alex Spiro, second from right, during actor Alec Baldwin's trial alleging involuntary manslaughter during filming of the movie "Rust." (Eddie Moore / Associated Press) If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith to show signs of scorching, Marlowe Sommer said, directing her scorn at prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey. Baldwin, who had been facing an 18-month prison sentence if convicted, sobbed as he heard the decision. Legal experts were stunned at what they said was the prosecution's botching of the case. "What a catastrophic end to this case for the special prosecutor," said Santa Fe attorney John Day, who was not involved in the case. "It was a disaster a complete train wreck." Read more: Judge dismisses Alec Baldwin involuntary manslaughter case for 'Rust' shooting Three days into the trial, Baldwin's high-powered legal team had successfully steered the case away from issues Morrissey wanted to explore, including evidence Baldwin may have pulled the trigger. They focused on an investigation that failed to answer a central question in the "Rust" shoooting: Where did the live rounds originate? The Baldwin criminal case may have been doomed from the start. Santa Fe Sheriff's Office Lt. Brian Brandle testifies during the trial of actor Alec Baldwin on Friday at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. (Ramsay de Give / Associated Press) Santa Fe County sheriff's deputies arriving at western movie location Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe on Oct. 21, 2021, were rattled by the mayhem. Two victims lay bleeding on the floor of an old wooden church, Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed appeared to be having a panic attack. Baldwin declined a deputy's invitation to sit in a patrol car, saying he was smoking a cigarette. Law enforcement officers were gobsmacked: How could two people filming a movie be shot with a prop gun held by one of Hollywood's most famous actors? As journalists from around the world descended on Santa Fe, the sheriff and district attorney projected swagger. The sheriff was preparing for a reelection fight. At a news conference six days after the shooting, Dist. Atty. Mary Carmack-Altwies was asked whether Baldwin might be charged. "All options are on the table," she told the crowd. Pressure quickly mounted after Baldwin told ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos that he didn't pull the trigger. Gun enthusiasts howled, saying that gun model doesn't fire on its own. Bonanza Creek Ranch one day after Halyna Hutchins died on set. (Roberto E. Rosales / Albuquerque Journal) By year's end, sheriff's detectives had made mistakes that would haunt the case. The movie's prop master threw bullets from other actors' weapons into the trash. The "Rust" prop truck, which held guns and ammunition, wasn't searched for nearly a week. And it took another month before detectives showed up with a warrant at the Albuquerque prop house of weapons and ammunition provider, Seth Kenney. The deputies found the military green ammo box they were looking for Thell Reed, the armorer's father, told investigators it contained live bullets that may have been the same batch as those on "Rust" but it was empty. Baldwin's team asserted it was Kenney who co-mingled real bullets with dummies an allegation that Kenney has denied, including while testifying Friday. Read more: Full coverage: The fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins on the Rust set Adding another wrinkle, violent tests of Baldwin's revolver at the FBI Laboratory in Virginia in mid-2022 fractured key gun components. "I don't think anyone would say this was a good, clean law enforcement investigation," Day said. "And the prosecutors compounded the problems with their own missteps and poor judgment calls." After more than a year of investigating, the sheriff shipped the case to prosecutors so they could make charging decisions. The D.A. had hired a special prosecutor to help. It looked like a powerful team. Carmack-Altwies was a progressive Democrat. The first special prosecutor, Andrea Reeb, was a Republican who championed gun rights. But emails between the pair, later turned over to Baldwin's team, revealed that Reeb had joked that prosecuting Baldwin could boost her state House campaign. To some, the disclosure made it look like Baldwin's prosecution was politically motivated because many conservatives dislike Baldwin, who lampooned former President Trump on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." Further, prosecutors blundered in January 2023 by adding a "gun enhancement" when filing involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed. The enhancement carried a mandatory five-year prison sentence but wasn't on the books at the time of the "Rust" shooting, forcing prosecutors to scale back. Reeb stepped down and Carmack-Altwies soon followed. That's when Morrissey, a respected Albuquerque criminal defense lawyer, dug into the case. Baldwin's lead attorney, Luke Nikas, flew to New Mexico. He gave Morrissey evidence that he said showed Baldwin's gun had been modified before arriving on set, according to court filings. With little time before a pivotal hearing, Morrissey dropped charges against Baldwin. Attorney Luke Nikas reacts during Baldwin's trial for involuntary manslaughter Friday at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. The judge threw out the case against Baldwin in the middle of his trial and said it cannot be filed again. (Ramsay De Give / Associated Press) The "Rust" star immediately traveled to Montana to finish filming the movie. Meanwhile, Morrissey ordered more tests to determine whether Baldwin's gun had a hair-trigger, as the defense team suggested. Arizona gun expert Lucien Haag rebuilt the revolver, and ultimately concluded the gun hadn't been modified. He was also convinced Baldwin pulled the trigger. By last summer, tensions between Morrissey and Baldwin's team were growing. But Morrissey offered Baldwin a deal in October to plead guilty to negligent use of a deadly weapon, a misdemeanor, and receive a suspended sentence. Weeks went by with no answer. Then Morrissey learned Baldwin's team had shared the plea details with NBC News and planned to sue the state of New Mexico. Baldwin also allegedly pressured a crew member to be interviewed in a documentary Baldwin commissioned about himself, according to an April court filing by the prosecutor. Morrissey withdrew the offer, sending the case to a grand jury. Baldwin was indicted in January and pleaded not guilty. Read more: Alec Baldwin has long lived at the center of a storm. Now comes a hurricane The trial, which began Wednesday, was to be the most-publicized court action in New Mexico's 112-year history. Legal experts saw it as a huge gamble by the prosecution. "This case clearly should not have been criminally brought," New York defense attorney Duncan Levin said Thursday. "The shooting was a tragic mistake but mistakes are not crimes." It wasn't long before the case brought by Morrissey and fellow prosecutor Erlinda O. Johnson started to fall apart. Baldwin's team filed a motion to dismiss the case after the second day of testimony. Marlowe Sommer called an 8:45 a.m. hearing Friday for the lawyers and told the jury to report by 9:30 a.m. Spiro began Friday's hearing by accusing Morrissey of signaling directions to her witnesses. Nikas then launched into a litany of alleged evidence violations, stemming from a bag of bullets that Troy Teske, a retired police officer who lives in Arizona, turned over to the Sheriff's Office in March potential evidence that was not disclosed to the defense. Actor Alec Baldwin, center, reacts as he sits between his attorneys Alex Spiro, left, and Luke Nikas after the judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against him Friday. (Ramsay de Give / Associated Press) Morrissey insisted the envelope contained nothing of "evidentiary value" because the bullets remained in Arizona far from the "Rust" set. "This defies everything they teach you in law school, and when starting out as a prosecutor," University of New Mexico law professor Joshua Kastenberg said. "Prosecutors should never determine what evidence is relevant that's up to a judge." With a stern look, the judge donned blue latex gloves and opened the evidence envelope with scissors. Marlowe Sommer directed crime scene technician Marissa Poppell to categorize the bullets. Gasps rippled through the courtroom when it was revealed that three bullets had casings stamped with Starline Brass the identifying marker of the deadly bullets on "Rust." Furious, the judge scrapped the day of testimony and sent home the jurors who had been waiting in a back room. Johnson, the new prosecutor, resigned from the case and took a seat on a bench reserved for the public. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey talks about evidence not turned over to the defense during actor Alec Baldwin's trial Friday. (Eddie Moore / Associated Press) The two sides clashed over the value of the Teske bullets. Teske was a former friend of Kenney, the ammo provider, and a current friend of Thell Reed. Baldwin's lawyers argued the bullets might show a connection to Kenney, one of Morrissey's main witnesses. Morrissey disagreed, saying the bullets only pointed to Thell Reed. She has alleged his daughter brought some to the "Rust" set. The judge also was deeply troubled that sheriff's deputies logged the Teske bullets under a different case number, not the one for "Rust" evidence, making it impossible for defense attorneys to find on their own. Marlowe Sommer grilled the lead detective, Alexandria Hancock. The judge asked whether Morrissey had participated in discussions this spring about the Teske bullets. "Yes," Hancock said. Louder gasps were heard in the courtroom. At the end, Morrissey took to the witness stand to defend her conduct in the case. The judge was not swayed. "There was no excuse for what happened from a prosecutorial standpoint," Kastenberg said. "The recriminations are just starting." Hilaria Baldwin, right, speaks to her husband, actor Alec Baldwin, at his trial Friday. (Ramsay de Give / Associated Press) "Rust" legal wranglings are not over. Certain civil lawsuits against Baldwin and the producers, including from Hutchins' family members, remain unresolved. "We respect the court's decision," said Brian Panish, lawyer for Hutchins' husband, Matthew, after the judge dismissed Baldwin's criminal case. "We look forward to presenting all the evidence to a jury and holding Mr. Baldwin accountable for his actions in the senseless death of Halyna Hutchins." Actor Alec Baldwin hugs wife Hilaria Baldwin after District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer threw out the involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin on Friday. (Luis Sanchez Saturno / Associated Press) Gloria Allred, who represents the victim's Ukranian family, added: "The dismissal of the criminal case against Alec Baldwin is in no way, shape or form an exoneration of him." Others took a more charitable view, including LeAnn Brightwell, 80, who moved to Santa Fe two years ago from Palm Desert. "I never thought he was guilty of murder; they shouldn't have charged him," Brightwell said. "What a horrific thing to know that you killed someone that's punishment enough." 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. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes latest stock splurge may pose a second conflict of interest after the conservative firebrand invested in cybersecurity tech despite serving on a House subcommittee dedicated to oversight and accountability within the technology industry. The Georgia Republican made six purchases of CrowdStrike Holdings, totaling between $6,006 and $90,000, on June 24, according to her financial disclosures obtained by Raw Story. CrowdStrike is helping the Department of Defense manage their cybersecurity operations, which could inappropriately link Green to the contract. Purchasing stocks from a cybersecurity company could potentially cause a conflict of interest due to Greenes position on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountabilitys Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology and Government Innovation. This is at least the second time this year that Greens piggy bank has been tied to technology trades that pose questions of conflicts of interest. She also reportedly invested up to $15,000 in tech goliath Microsoft back in May. Green also purchased up to $15,000 of Qualcomm stock, which is a federal defense contractor, while serving on the influential Homeland Security Committee and the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement. Greenes latest purchases also include from stock from athleisure company lululemon, cost-cutting warehouse Costco, and the chocolate-milk maker Nestle, Raw Story reported. A bipartisan group of senators introduced the ETHICS Act last week to ban members of Congress, their partners, and dependents from trading individual stocks. Similar efforts to add teeth to restrictions on Congressional stock trading have repeatedly failed. Raw Story said Greenes congressional spokesperson, Nick Dyer, acknowledged Raw Storys questions about her financial disclosure but did not answer them. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Ukraine's National Resistance Center has received information that Belarusian security agencies are preparing to conduct so-called false flag operations in the border zone with Ukraine. Source: Ukraine's National Resistance Center (NRC) Quote: "They are planning to resort to provocations, which they will successfully prevent themselves in order to show their Chinese counterparts their capabilities." Details: The NRC also reported that earlier, Vladimir Kuprianyuk, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus, had announced the threat of preparation and conduct of armed provocations on Belarusian territory "in the context of the increasing presence of special forces, mercenaries and various volunteer groups in the border areas". According to Ukrainian security forces, this statement was intended to prepare the information field for Belarus to conduct its own provocations, as it would be extremely beneficial for Belarus in the context of its accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the first joint anti-terrorist exercises to demonstrate the capabilities of its security agencies to respond to threats. Accordingly, Belarusian security forces plan to "successfully suppress armed provocations" along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border, after which they will attempt to blame Ukraine. Background: After Belarus' State Border Committee reported that it was seeing an increase in the number of Ukrainian troops on the border, Ukraines border guards emphasised that the defence forces are protecting sovereign territory from the aggressor and there is no provocation in doing so. On 6 July, it was reported that the Chinese military had arrived in Belarus to engage in joint counter-terrorism drills. Commenting on the military exercises conducted by China and Belarus near the border with Poland, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that such actions demonstrate how authoritarian regimes are strengthening their ties. Therefore, it is crucial that the Allies also move closer to their partners in the Indo-Pacific region. On 12 July, a Chinese military delegation from the Joint Logistics Support Forces of the Chinese Army arrived in Belarus to discuss cooperation in logistics. Support UP or become our patron! (Reuters) - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, said on Saturday that tensions had subsided at his country's border with Ukraine and extra troops deployed there were being sent back to their bases. Belarus's defence ministry said late last month that it was reinforcing its border after a security incident and in response to a Ukrainian troop buildup. They said a division of multiple launch rocket systems had been deployed to test their combat readiness. Lukashenko, quoted by the official BelTA news agency during a tour of a border region, said that Belarusian intelligence had determined that Ukraine had withdrawn troops from sensitive areas. "That means that those (Ukrainian) troops which had been brought in as reinforcements are now gone," BelTA quoted him as saying. "...There are now no difficulties with the Ukrainians and I hope there will be none." BelTA said he told a meeting of regional officials that the additional Belarusian troops dispatched to the area should return to their assigned bases. "Well, friends, we have to pull back our troops from the border," he was quoted as saying. "So that it is understood that we have no intention of fighting or concentrating our armed forces here, apart from special operations forces." A spokesperson for Ukraine's border guards, in a statement posted online, dismissed the notion of an extra deployment. "From the outset the Belarusians created this threat for themselves and then lifted the very same threat," it said. Russia had said the Belarusian statements and deployment were "cause for concern". Lukashenko allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory to launch the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but has made plain he has no intention of committing troops to the conflict. The Belarusian president, in power since 1994, relied on Putin's assurances of support in quelling unprecedented mass protests in 2020 by demonstrators alleging he rigged his re-election to a sixth term. The two men meet regularly and Russia has in the past year has deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. (Reporting by Ron Popeski, Editing by Franklin Paul) A Bellingham woman has been sentenced to four years in prison for her role in a Whatcom County fentanyl distribution ring. Natasha Parkhill, 38, pleaded guilty to related charges in March, prior to Fridays sentencing. According to records filed in the case, Parkhill was one of six people charged federally in a monthslong investigation of fentanyl dealing in Whatcom County. The ring was actively moving fentanyl from the Seattle area to redistributors in Bellingham. Law enforcement officers observed various drug transactions and interdicted the drug loads. In one instance, law enforcement was called to a convenience store where two people involved with the drug ring overdosed on fentanyl and had to be revived and taken to the hospital. Parkhill was observed by law enforcement engaging in drug sales. In January 2023 law enforcement attempted to arrest her but she fled. Her car suffered a mechanical problem, and she was taken into custody. She had about 1,000 fentanyl pills and over $1300 in cash when she was arrested. Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire spoke Friday during Parkhills sentencing hearing. Drug dealing is a crime that is very much intentional and for monetary gain at the expense of familial loss, Hillaire said. This destruction of our generations will have a long-lasting, negative impact on our people. In a letter to the Court, Hillaire described the devastation of the fentanyl crisis: In our community, I have witnessed spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandchildren, cousins, and friends plan funeral arrangements for a loved one due to a drug overdose. I will never forget the cries of elementary-aged children crying for their father at his funeral and saying, I just want my daddy. This drug ring, and specifically Ms. Parkhill as a drug redistributor, had a terrible impact on the Lummi Nation a tribe that is dealing with tragically high fentanyl overdose deaths, said U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman in a news release announcing the sentencing. I appreciate the Lummi Nation leadership speaking to the court today about fentanyls impact on the community, to hold these defendants accountable for the harm they have caused. Two other members of the drug ring have already been sentenced: 39-year-old Daniel Faix of Bellingham was sentenced in March to 10 years in prison. Ahbdurman Ahmed, 33, of Seattle was sentenced in January to six years in prison. Defendant Mohamed Abdirisak Mohamed, 35, of Seattle pleaded guilty in January and will be sentenced in September. Defendant Matthew Anderson, 35, of Bellingham, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges on June 25. Defendant Robel Sisay Gebremedhin, 41, of Burien, is being sought by law enforcement. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Whatcom County Drug and Gang Task Force, with valuable assistance provided by the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office, Washington State Patrol, the Whatcom County Prosecutors Office, and the Lummi Police Department. From the Dispatch Weekly on The Dispatch Hello and happy Saturday. If you had told me two weeks agofresh off his damaging debate performancethat the fate of President Joe Bidens candidacy would remain uncertain today, I okay, Id have believed you. Its been that kind of a campaign season. Last week I wrote to you the day after Bidens ABC News interview, in which the president performed better than he had in the debate but did little to quiet concerns about his fitness. That middling performance laid the groundwork for a chaotic week: A number of congressional Democrats called on the president to withdraw, swing-state polling numbers trended toward Donald Trump, reports surfaced that Biden is shrinking his inner circle, and other reports indicated that some Democrats have had concerns about Bidens age for years. Your best guide for the winding and twisting journey that was the past week is Nick. On Tuesday, all signs pointed to Joe Biden staying in the race and Democrats not doing anything about it. And he drew an obvious parallel: the GOPs capitulation to Donald Trump in 2016. But the analogy is not perfect, he argued in Boiling Frogs. Voters knew what they were getting in Trump and voted for him in the primaries anyhow. But Bidens team had worked hard to hide the extent of the presidents decline from voters: A conspiracy of silence around Joe Biden, orchestrated at the highest levels, deceived primary voters into believing that he was both fit to govern and remained their best hope for holding the presidency. But then on Wednesday, cracks begin to emerge. A few Democrats spoke out asking Biden to withdraw. Others, though, expressed concern anonymously to reporters but wouldnt put their names out there. Nick notes () that a state party chair told NBC News, I wish I was more brave. I would be crucified by [Democratic leaders] if I spoke out of line. Consider Nick unimpressed: Trumps party is governed by fear, political and physical. That doesnt excuse the cowardice of Republicans, but it does help explain it. Democrats have no such excuse. Antifa isnt going to leave a pipe bomb on a congressmans doorstep if he insists Joe must go. Compared to Republicans, the cost of political bravery to Democrats is very low. By Thursday, Nick was feeling, dare I say, a little optimistic: I think Democrats stand a decent chance of foiling the hostage crisis hes created. He lists the big-name Democrats whove expressed doubts in one way or anotherBarack Obama declining to endorse Bidens decision to stay in amid and maneuvering behind the scenes, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch calling on Biden to drop out, donors retreatingand says a virtual smoke-filled room has begun to fill up. One key difference from the days of such back-room negotiations to determine nominees? This one has been led from the bottom up. He writes: Democratic votersand the wider publichave been screaming for a different nominee for the better part of two years. The hoi polloi dont want him and havent for a long time. It was the presidents many elite friends in Washington who circled the wagons around him and kept him viable politically, perhaps out of foolish personal loyalty, perhaps because they underestimated Trumps chances, or perhaps because theyre far more comfortable with a second Trump presidency than people like me would like to believe. I dont normally turn this newsletter over to one writer, but Nick was dialed in this week and following the hour-by-hour changes in this chaotic but monumental moment. Thats hardly the only work we did on this story, though. Ahead of this weeks NATO summit, Charlotte reported that European leaders had expressed concerns about Bidens fitness, which are compounded by the fact that most would prefer a Biden reelection to the prospects of another Trump administration. All eyes were watching Thursday when Biden did a press conference at the summit. His performance was on par with the ABC News interview: He displayed competence at times but struggled with some of his responses. Dispatch Politics reported on the reaction to that in Fridays newsletter, saying that it wasnt enough to stanch the bleeding of support from Democratic doubters that include veteran political operatives, wealthy campaign donors, and many of his allies in Congress. Immediately following the roughly hour-long news conference still more Democratic lawmakers issued statements lauding Bidens accomplishments but calling on him to withdraw from the race against Trump. And that is where we stand now. The coming week promises to be a busy one: While the uncertainty about Bidens campaign lingers, the Republicans head to Milwaukee for their convention. Dispatch Politics will be on the scene, as well as Steve and Jonah. Be on the lookout for our daily coverage. Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend. Not a member? Join now! Well learn who Donald Trumps running mate is this coming week, but right now Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance appears to be the frontrunner. In this profile, John explains how the onetime Trump critic earned the favor of a man who values loyalty above all else. Vance started with humility, begging for forgiveness. Then he used his connections to gain an audience with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where they apparently hit it off. John details Vances journey from Yale Law School student to Hillbilly Elegy author to senator and now vice presidential frontrunner. And he discusses the many issues Democrats are likely to raise: Vances opposition to Ukraine aid, his position on abortion, and his stance on the 2020 election and January 6. John writes: A Vance VP nomination presents the prospect not just of gambling on Trump for another four years, but of potentially handing the Republican Party over to postliberalism for a generation. If you can never remember exactly what the heck Chevron deference is when you see the term bandied about in Supreme Court coverage, I have good news: Its no longer a thing. But until earlier this month, Chevron deference was a doctrine established in a 1984 SCOTUS ruling stating that judges should adhere to a federal agencys interpretation of a regulatory statute if it is reasonable. Why was that a problem? Adam White explains: It meant that the EPA, OSHA, and other administrative agencies, not the courts, would determine the meaning of a lawand redetermine it later, differently, if a given agency changes its mind. In one of the final decisions of the term, the court handed down a ruling in Loper Bright v. Raimondo, overturning Chevron. Critics have called the decision a power grab for the judiciary, but White argues that it will actually redirect political energy to where it actually belongs: Congress. Not a member? Join now! And heres the best of the rest. When a Russian missile struck a childrens hospital in Kyiv, Joseph Roche hurried to the scene. He found volunteers working to rescue those trapped in the rubble and escorting young cancer patients to safety. He spoke to a hospitals director, who says it will take months to rebuild, and talked to a woman who lives across the street as she brought water to firefighters: Why dont the Americans give us more Patriots? she said to Roche. Dont they understand that the Russians are monsters? Have you checked out Dispatch Faith yet? In Sundays edition, Mustafa Akyol notes that two theories on the rise of illiberalism in the West focus on religion but make opposing arguments: One of them sees the problem in the rapid decline of religion, in particular Christianity. On the other side is the opposite camp, the New Atheists and other secularists, who see the problem not in the decline of religion but rather its excess. Kevin reported all week from the National Conservatism Conference, aka NatCon 4, aka a gathering of the new new new thing on the right. In his piece on the events immigration panel, hes struck by the contrast between the natcons acting like theyre part of radical new movement thinking big thoughts nobody has ever thought before and the very old ideas they were espousing. And hes unimpressed by some of the exaggerated and false claims the panelists made about immigrants. Dont miss his dispatch on a panel of senators, who got an honest-to-goodness standing ovation for spending the better part of an hour declaring that they dont do jack all day and cant do jack and nobody should expect them to. The Supreme Courts ruling that the president enjoys immunity for official acts has roiled the legal cases against himeven the already-decided case in Manhattan, where his sentencing has been delayed. In The Collision , Mike and Sarah catch you up on what the ruling has meant for his election interference case in Washington, D.C., and the classified documents case in Florida. Alex did the mother of all fact checks this week. Project 2025, a 922-page blueprint for a potential Republican president published by the Heritage Foundation, has drawn the attention of liberals concerned about the prospects of a Trump victory. Whatever the merits or flaws of the proposals, the claims about whats actually in those pages are often false. On the pods: Jonah and historian Niall Ferguson have been debating, in print, whether America is the new Soviet Union. On a special episode of The Remnant, they went mano a mano with a moderator and everything. On Advisory Opinions, David and Sarah recorded a live episode at the American Enterprise Institute, where they discussed the Supreme Court and the conservative legal movement, and devoted a little time to the constitutional questions raised by the uncertain state of the Democratic presidential race. On The Dispatch Podcast, Steve talks to Tim Miller of The Bulwark. Miller had been a pretty vocal supporter of Joe Biden, but when he expressed concerns about the president after the debate, many on the left turned on him. He and Steve discuss the reaction hes gotten. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) During the dog days of summer, a threat lurks in Utahs dry fields and lawns one that can harm pets, particularly dogs, and potentially lead to serious complications. Its known as foxtail grass. If the foxtail grass gets embedded, it can become quite dangerous for the pet, said Guinn Shuster, spokesperson for the Humane Society of Utah. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says hes not voting for Donald Trump, instead will write somebody in The name foxtail doesnt describe a particular plant, instead its an umbrella term that covers a number of grasses both native and invasive to Utah. But what connects them is their physical appearance, as their seed clusters resemble a foxs tail, hence the name. Corey Ransom, extension weed specialist for Utah State University, said foxtail-type grasses in Utah, such as cheatgrass along the Wasatch Front and red brome in the desert southwest, have grown abundantly this year following a wetter-than-usual winter. In a year like this, in high-moisture areas, youll find plants that are 2-feet tall, producing even more numbers of seeds, he said. Barded foxtail-type seeds as seen in the palm of the hand. (credit: Corey Ransom) What makes foxtails threatening to pets are the seeds. The barbed awns get caught on a passing pets fur, and if they dip towards the skin, the seeds work their way inwards, not stopping for muscle, tissue, or organs, according to Shuster. Once inside the body, the seeds dont break down, causing abscesses and infections. We have performed operations to remove foxtails before, so it is something that is common enough that we try to educate the public to be very aware of it, she said. The most common areas where foxtail seeds get stuck are in dogs paws especially in between the toes and their undercarriage. Other areas where the seeds can lodge themselves are in the ears, nose, throat, anus, or vulva. Severe complications can arise when dogs inhale foxtail seeds while running, according to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in California. In such a scenario, the seeds can burrow into the dogs lungs, causing severe infections and even death. In 2018, a Cache County Sheriffs Office K-9 named Storm died after inhaling a foxtail seed. The 2-year-old malinois died while undergoing surgery. According to Ransom, the barbed seeds of foxtail-type plants are a product of evolution, a survival mechanism that allows them to cling to an animals fur and later burrow into the ground. Its a mechanism that helps those species perpetuate, he said. But when it comes to soft tissues those same adaptations make it really dangerous. How to tell if your pet has a foxtail There are a few ways to tell if your pet might be suffering from a foxtail seed. For instance, if your dog is excessively licking or nibbling around its feet, then there might be a foxtail seed in its paw. Likewise, excessive sneezing and bloody nasal discharge might mean a seed is in a dogs nose while repeated head shaking and scratching might signal a foxtail seed is lodged in a dogs ear. For those who suspect a foxtail is embedded in a dogs ear, eye or nostril, seek veterinary help, Shuster advised. If one is visibly sticking out of a pets skin, carefully pull it out with tweezers and be sure to leave no broken bits behind. Yet, if a seed cant be removed in this manner, getting veterinary help is advised. Prevention To prevent your pet from getting a foxtail injury, remove foxtail grass from your lawn and avoid letting your dog run into overgrown, grassy areas where it might grow. If you see a lot of it, leash your pet to prevent them from running through that area, Shuster said, noting that pet owners can also guard against foxtail seeds by placing boots on their dogs feet during the summer. After a walk, pet owners are advised to always check for foxtails by running their hands through an animals fur. Owners can also combat foxtail grass by cutting a dogs coat short during the summer and fall months, especially near the legs and feet. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Allies of President Biden seeking to beat back calls to remove him from the Democratic ticket are framing the debate within the Senate Democratic caucus as a choice between Biden and Vice President Harris, suggesting that Biden remains the safer bet. These Biden supporters claim Harris would almost certainly be the replacement for Biden if he were to decide to not run for reelection. But they argue shes not a safer bet to win than Biden, particularly in the key states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, despite Bidens own political weaknesses and vulnerabilities. In truth, its not entirely clear that Harris would be a lock to replace Biden if he were to decide not to run, though she would carry several key advantages heading into any fast-tracked selection process and would be seen as a favorite. But by defining the choice as one between Biden and Harris, Democratic lawmakers are privately trying convince their skeptical colleagues to stick with the 81-year-old president, warts and all. One Democratic senator firmly behind Bidens reelection bid said Harris would no doubt win the nomination if Biden steps aside, even if party officials set up a rushed competition to pick a new nominee. How are you going to skip over the first vice president who is a woman of color, asked the lawmaker, echoing an argument that other Democratic strategists have floated since Bidens disastrous debate on July 27. One Democratic strategist who argues that Biden can still beat former President Trump said it is 99-percent guaranteed its Kamala Harris who would become the nominee if Biden drops his reelection bid. I find it very hard for our structure to deny the vice president, who happens to be a Black female, an opportunity to represent the party, the strategist said. I just dont think thats going to happen that theyre going to pass her over. So then the question is can she be better in those six states, the operative added, referring to the battleground states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Democratic senators backing Biden have made similar arguments to colleagues in private conversations about whether to pivot to a new nominee, according sources familiar with those conversations. A national poll from the Democratic firm Bendixen & Amandi released to Politico this week did show Harris doing better versus Trump than Biden. In the polling, Biden trailed Trump, 42 percent to 43 percent, while Harris led Trump 42 percent to 41 percent. The Biden campaign itself reportedly has quietly done polling on Harriss strength as a candidate in a head-to-head match-up against Trump. But some Democratic lawmakers and strategists suspect that is being done to show that Biden is a safer bet than Harris to beat Trump in November. There have been no signs of air between Biden and Harris amid the political drama surrounding the White House. Harris has insisted that Biden will be the nominee, while Biden himself praised Harris at his Thursday press conference as the most qualified person after himself to run for president, and he lauded her leadership on protecting womens rights to make their own medical decisions, including on abortion, a top issue in this years race. Senate Democrats up for reelection this year declined to talk about Harris as a potential nominee, given the drama swirling around Biden. Thats a question I dont really want to get into, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said when asked whether the vice president would be a viable nominee for the top job. Bidens allies have painted any miniconvention or other competition to find a new nominee as something that would almost certainly result with Harris atop the ticket in November. But Democratic lawmakers who are deeply skeptical about Bidens chances of beating Trump have pushed back by arguing that other potential candidates would have a chance to make their cases to party delegates before they vote at the convention in Chicago next month. Given the complexities of selecting a replacement, that is a huge order, one Democratic senator said but argued that if its clear Biden cant win, you try something else. Democratic strategist Steve Jarding argued that Harris or another new nominee would have an advantage in the general election because she at least would have a chance to define herself, while voters views of Biden are unlikely to change in the next few months. Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, a centrist Democratic think tank, argued that Harris would make a strong nominee. I think she would be in the drivers seat to get the nomination, he said. It would not be a coronation for Vice President Harris but she would be the strong favorite to win the nomination. I think she is a much stronger national political figure than when she was named vice president, he added. Shes done a great job, publicly, the last several months, where theres been a lot more scrutiny. Harris has a number of advantages to secure the nomination if Biden drops out. She would have ready access to the more than $240 million that the Biden-Harris campaign reported in cash on hand at the end of June. And Democratic strategists assume that many of 3,894 delegates now pledged to Biden would flow to her as his running mate and partner for the past four years. I have no doubt Republicans would look to pick [Harriss record] apart. She would have to make the case she is a Biden-style Democrat. Every candidate would have challenges, that would be hers, Kessler added. At the same time, Harris would come with some political advantage that those involved in the congressional debates about Biden are familiar with. Harris famously struggled to define her views on health care during the 2020 election, when she pledged support for Medicare-for-all but then stumbled on the question of whether that would entail the elimination of private health insurance. She also backed publicly funded health care for immigrants in the country illegally in the 2020 Democratic primary, something that Biden also signaled he would support as he battled for liberal voters before clinching the nomination. I am opposed to any policy that would deny in our country any human being from access to public safety, public education or public health period, she told CNNs Jake Tapper in 2019, a statement Republicans are sure to resurface if she becomes the nominee. Jarding said the truth is that we dont know how good Harris would be as a nominee. He said those suggesting shed be the definite nominee if Biden dropped out and a weaker nominee at that are looking for an excuse. People complain and say, She hasnt done much as vice president. Who the hell does a lot as vice president? Very few do. I think its an excuse because they have no other excuse, Jarding added of Biden allies who want to shift the focus to Harriss possible weaknesses. It doesnt help the party to say, Well, I dont know if [Biden] can win but, boy, Harris cant win and we know wed lose bigger so lets go with Biden. Thats a false narrative, he said. How Biden Is Banking on Trump to Save His Campaign Who would have expected that Joe Biden would be looking to MAGA World to save his re-election campaign against Donald Trump? Alas, that is essentially how Biden is hoping to dance through disaster, banking on a televised interview with NBCs Lester Holt on the opening night of next weeks Republican National Convention in Milwaukee to deflect attention away from his slow-motion political collapse. If that goes well, one Democratic strategist told the Daily Beast, then the RNC does present the campaign with an opportunity to move things along. Of course, an interview going well is no guarantee these days for the president. Following his disastrous performance at the June 27 debate against Trump, Biden tried to assuage concerns about his fitness for office by sitting for an interview with George Stephanopoulos of ABC News. During the 22-minute sit-down, Biden gave stammering and meandering answers that did little to reassure a growing legion of skepticsamong them, as fate would have it, Stephanopoulos himself, who was caught on camera in Manhattan a few days later telling a passerby he didnt think Biden could serve four more years. Avengers Assemble! Heavyweight New Plan to Try to Force Biden Out A second official, one familiar with the campaigns thinking, said if Biden can hold his own against Holt, as he mostly did during a Thursday night press conference that lasted nearly an hour, then voters may be sufficiently reassured to remember that Bidens age is not the only issue they will have to consider in November. The RNC is a real opportunity for us to drive home the stakes of this election, the official said. The GOP convention is set to commence in Milwaukee on Monday and culminate on Thursday with a speech by its presumptive nominee. By then, Democratic delegates will have just a month before their own partys convention is set to begin on Aug. 19 in Chicago, where it remains to be seen whether Biden will become the official Democratic nominee for president. First he has to make it through the next several days without giving Democrats several more reasons to demand he abandon his candidacy for a second term. At That Nato Presser, Joe Biden Left the Biggest Question Unanswered Although his performance Thursday night during a live press conference at the close of the NATO summit in Washington was far from dismal, he did conflate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin at a NATO event earlier in the day; then during the press conference, he called Trump his vice president. Since the debate, Trump has been curiously disciplined, mostly watching the media feeding frenzy in Washington from afar. Nobody likes ratings like Trump does, but if the drama surrounding Bidens floundering candidacy overshadows the RNC, the worlds most notorious attention hog might just let it go. After all, the disaster movie that has unfurled in Washington since Bidens debate performance in Atlanta has turned out to be the summer blockbuster nobody expected. Conservatives remain astonished to find not only the media but many Democrats doing their work for them. Joe Biden has serious health issues, and Democrats are finally learning theres more to being President than bike rides, ice cream cones, and long walks on the beach in Delaware, Republican strategist Jahan Wilcox told the Daily Beast. Republicans dont need to do anything to remind Americans that Biden is not remotely fit to serve until January 2029. Biden will seek to prove otherwise. Ironically, hell be interviewed by NBCs Holt at the LBJ Library in Austin, which Biden campaign aides hope will remind voters that Biden has championed civil rights initiatives, albeit on a smaller scale than Johnson did in the 1960s. But theres a risk the venue choice could backfire and serve as a reminder that Johnson, battered by the disaster of the Vietnam War, voluntarily bowed out of the 1968 race, a move many Democrats argue Biden should emulate. The convention that year, like the convention slated for August, took place in Chicago. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Chris Whipple, an author and filmmaker who biographed the life of President Biden, indicated Friday that former President Obama may not even be able to convince Biden to exit the 2024 presidential race. Whipple, in an interview with NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Friday, said it was nonsense to think Obama would be the sole person to persuade the president to step aside. I just talked about reports that Obama is worried that Biden cant win, Vargas said. The relationship between these two men is really complicated. A lot of people have been saying The only person who could tell Biden to step aside is former President Obama. Not quite true. While he agreed that Obama and Biden have a complicated relationship, Whipple said they are truly close. They bonded when Beau Biden was dying with that brain tumor, and Obama really took Joe Biden under his wing, the author of The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Bidens White House, said. However, Whipple added, Biden has a chip on his shoulder. Hes always felt that he was the Syracuse law guy, and all of Obamas people were Harvard and Yale, and they looked down on him, and that he, of course, put his finger on the scale for [former Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton in 2016, the author continued. So, its a fraught relationship, for sure. His analysis comes as Biden continues to face pressure from both sides of the aisle after a poor debate performance last month where he appeared to stumble over his words and had a raspy voice sparked concern about his mental fitness and ability to serve another four years if reelected in November. And despite rising calls from members of his own party to pass the torch, the president has maintained that he will stay the course. The question around Obamas influence was also brought up Thursday by MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, who signaled that the presidents campaign believes Obama is behind increasing calls for Biden to withdraw from the White House race. One thing that we do have to underline here just so viewers can follow whats going on behind the scenes is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this, Scarborough said on Morning Joe. Biden, during a Thursday evening press conference, said he believes he is the most qualified person to take on former President Trump in the fall. I believe Im the best qualified to govern, Biden said. And I think Im the best qualified to win. But there are other people who could beat Trump, too. The fact is, the consideration is, that I think Im the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I will beat him again, he added. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Community First Cares Foundation, in partnership with the Jax Melanin Market, awarded the first five $1,000 microgrants to local minority-owned businesses on Saturday, June 15, at the Juneteenth Melanin Market. These microgrants provide financial support to promote business innovation and growth. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Helping our small businesses grow and thrive is an important cause for Community First Cares, said Missy Peters, the executive director of the Community First Cares Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Community First Credit Union of Florida. This program supports the Melanin Market and the small businesses that depend on the market to get their start and sustain early entrepreneurship. Earlier this year, the Melanin Market announced a new partnership with Community First Cares to commit $20,000 in microgrants to relieve some of the financial burdens these small businesses carry. The first recipients of the microgrant program include: Autumn Faith Company: plans to utilize the grant to purchase more products to grow the brand. Their vision is to offer more than just shirts but also totes, mugs, and hats. Beyond that, this business aims to light a spark for entrepreneurship. Cockys Real Shaved Ice: which plans to utilize the grant to purchase an air conditioning unit for its shaved ice truck. Imani Cowri: plans to utilize the funds to cover the costs of participating in multiple vendor events to boost market presence and cover setup supplies and marketing materials. This investment will support its mission of making women feel seen, heard, empowered, and valued through its fashion-forward jewelry lines. Honey Dripper House: plans to utilize the funding to complete major repairs needed to their truck to continue this cold treat business. Natural Essence Haircare: will utilize the funds to relaunch their brand, including updating labels and packaging for haircare products to attract a wider customer base. Investing in the prosperity of Black-owned businesses is at the heart of the Melanin Market, said Dawn Curling, Executive Director of the Melanin Market. Our grant program not only uplifts entrepreneurial spirit but also allows diversity to thrive in our business community. Jax Melanin Market is now accepting applications for the next round of microgrants to be awarded during the Melanin Market Gullah Fest on Oct. 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information or to apply, please visit melanincollaborativegroup.org/grants. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. President Bidens reelection campaign rallied against Meta Friday for lifting the restrictions on former President Trumps Facebook and Instagram. In a statement first provided to The Hill, the campaign called the move greedy and reckless, arguing that it is an attack on democracy to include the former president on the popular platforms. Restoring his access is like handing your car keys to someone you know will drive your car into a crowd and off a cliff, Charles Lutvak, the Biden campaigns national spokesperson, said. It is holding a megaphone for a bonafide racist who will shout his hate and white supremacy from the rooftops and try to take it mainstream. Without question, it is a direct attack on our safety and our democracy. This greedy, reckless decision will allow Trump and his MAGA allies to reach more Americans with their fundamentally undemocratic, un-American misinformation, he added. Meta said Friday that it has removed additional guardrails on Trump accounts in the run-up to the 2024 election after he was suspended from its platforms following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, and then had his accounts reinstated in early 2023 with heightened penalties for repeat offenses. Donald Trump relied on these social media platforms to send a violent mob to the Capitol on January 6, where they tried to overturn an election, he lost fair and square, Lutvak said. The lies he spread on this platform stoked the mob that assaulted police officers. Five people died. Meta also announced that Trumps accounts will no longer be subject to the additional penalties and it adjusted its general protocol for restricting accounts of public figures during civil unrest. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. If Biden should drop out, what happens to Kansas ballots? What state law says As President Biden faces calls to step aside, questions are surfacing about what would happen including in Kansas. Bidens debate performance earlier this month, which triggered a wave of scrutiny surrounding his age and mental acuity, has led to pressure from some Democrats for the 81-year-old chief executive to drop out of the presidential race. Biden has so far signaled he plans to remain in the race. If Biden drops out, the decision could hold consequences for the November election in Kansas, depending on when he makes his decision. Heres what we know about what would happen in Kansas if Biden drops out. Can Biden be replaced on the ballot in Kansas? Biden hasnt actually been placed on any ballots yet, so theres no one to replace. Kansas finalizes the names that appear on the general election ballot after Republicans and Democrats hold their national conventions. The Republicans are meeting in Milwaukee on July 15-18 and the Democrats are meeting in Chicago on August 19-22. Who the Democrats nominate at their convention whether Biden or someone else determines whose name is on the ballot. What about other states? The same thing goes for other states. Neither Biden nor Trump are the nominees and therefore on general election ballots until theyre formally nominated at their party conventions. Ohio had a deadline of Aug. 7 for its ballots, well before the Democratic National Convention. But Ohio lawmakers passed legislation to fix the issue and the Democratic National Committee also scheduled a virtual roll call for early August to avoid any problem. Its unclear whether the DNC will move forward with the virtual vote. Some news outlets have reported Democrats are weighing moving up the formal nomination of Biden to a virtual meeting later in July. What happens at the conventions? Both parties at the conventions will formally nominate their candidates for president and vice president based on the votes of delegates unless a virtual vote is held first. Even though Biden won nearly all state and territorial caucuses and primaries this year meaning that delegates from those states are pledged to him he does not officially become the Democratic nominee until the convention votes to nominate him. Before the convention, Biden could choose to release his delegates from their pledge to vote for him. That would lead to an open convention, which hasnt taken place in the United States in half a century. At an open convention, candidates for president and vice president would try to win over a majority of delegates to secure the nomination. The convention would go through multiple rounds of voting until candidates win a majority. Some Democrats have said that if Biden steps aside, the party should quickly coalesce around Vice President Kamala Harris as the nominee. That could happen, but isnt guaranteed. Who are the delegates? The delegates, several dozen, are a mix of elected officials, party activists and insiders who were chosen at state party conventions. What happens after the convention? The Republicans and Democrats, after their conventions, will certify to election officials in Kansas who is the presidential and vice presidential nominees. This determines whose names appear on the ballot. In Kansas, theres no deadline for the political parties to certify their nominees, but the parties must certify their choices to the Kansas Secretary of States Office. Still, the parties typically certify their nominees soon after the conventions. In 2020, Democrats certified Biden as the nominee on Aug. 20 and then-President Trump was certified as the Republican nominee on Sept. 2, according to the Kansas Secretary of States Office. What happens if Biden drops out after the convention? The Democratic National Committee would select a new presidential candidate if Biden withdraws after hes nominated at the convention. In Kansas, state law says that if a candidate withdraws or dies before Sept. 1, the candidates name doesnt appear on the ballot and the party must provide a substitute candidate name. If the vacancy occurs after Sept. 1, election officials will replace the candidate with a substitute on ballots if possible, according to the Kansas Secretary of States Office. But that depends on how far along election officials are in ballot preparations. While no hard deadline exists in Kansas, under federal law mail ballots sent to military service members overseas must be sent at least 45 days before the election, which is Sept. 21. The 45-day requirement applies to Kansas. But what about the Electoral College? The final wrinkle is the Electoral College, the 538 electors nationwide who actually, formally elect the president and vice president. Even though the names of presidential and vice presidential candidates appear on the ballot, voters are actually voting for electors from their state for those candidates. Each state gets the same number of electors as electoral votes, which is the number of Senate seats (two for each state) plus the number of congressional seats. Kansas gets six electoral votes. The electors themselves are chosen by the state political parties and are often party insiders. The electors meet on the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December, which is Dec. 17 and cast their votes. [Source] Team Biden-Harris this week launched AANHPIs for Biden-Harris, a campaign program that aims to mobilize Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) voters. It seeks to engage AANHPI communities through a series of events, multilingual resources and targeted outreach efforts ahead of November's election. To kick off the initiative, Harris, joined by television host, writer and executive producer Padma Lakshmi, headlined a special event in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Harris, the country's first South Asian vice president, emphasized the importance of AANHPI voices in her remarks: We need to make sure that AA and NHPI voices are heard at the ballot boxes around our country. Just as we need to make sure that those voices are represented in all levels of government. Asian Americans must be in the rooms where the decisions are being made. Because when policies reflect our experiences our collective experiences, our perspectives I am certain of one thing: Our country is stronger. "AANHPIs for Biden-Harris" aims to replicate the success of the 2020 election, where AANHPI voter turnout increased significantly and played a crucial role in the Biden-Harris victory. With an estimated 15 million AANHPI voters in this cycle, the campaign plans to harness the growing voting bloc to protect the progress made under the current administration and counter former President Donald Trump's "racist and toxic" agenda. The program includes culturally competent and linguistically appropriate resources in languages such as Chinese, Tagalog, Hindi, Hmong, Vietnamese, Urdu and Korean to combat misinformation and engage voters effectively. Additionally, it will deploy relational organizing techniques, training AANHPI supporters to mobilize within their communities and work with affinity-based groups to develop specific voter contact programs. Trending on NextShark: Interview: 'The Boys' Karen Fukuhara on bridging cultures and languages In-person and virtual events focusing on key issues like healthcare and public safety are also planned, starting with a roundtable for AANHPI leaders in Pennsylvania hosted by Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. The campaign will further expand its outreach with events in battleground states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia. Dedicated staff, including National AANHPI Engagement Director Nadia Belkin and National AANHPI Spokesperson Andrew Peng, will lead these efforts. The Biden-Harris administration boasts a strong track record of supporting AANHPI communities, from advancing equity and justice to combating anti-Asian hate. The Biden-Harris administration has made it clear that AANHPIs are not 'others': We belong, said Sen. Tammy Duckworth, co-chair of the Biden-Harris 2024 campaign. Trending on NextShark: 6 dead, hundreds injured in Bangladesh anti-job quota protests Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Biden insists he will stay in race: Voters made me the nominee President Biden on Friday told supporters at a rally in Michigan that hes not dropping his bid because voters made him the Democratic presidential nominee, taking a jab at the press, pundits, and other Democrats. Im the nominee of this party because 14 million Democrats like you voted for me in the primaries, Biden said. You made me the nominee, no one else. Not the press, not the pundits, not the insiders, not donors, you the voters. You decided, no one else, and Im not going anywhere. The energetic crowd, which the Biden campaign said consisted of 2,000 people, chanted Dont you quit and Weve got your back at the beginning of his remarks. Biden insisted at the rally that hes staying in the race and continued his remarks about the press amid ongoing reporting about the growing calls from Democratic lawmakers to drop out of the 2024 race. Theres so much narrative, my campaign is falling apart, they say. Im the nominee of the Democratic party and the only Democrat or Republican who has beaten Donald Trump, ever. And Im going to beat him again, Biden said. He said the press has been hammering me to boos from the crowd, which Biden responded with, No, no, its okay. He said he sometimes confuses names but guess what, Donald Trump has gotten a free pass. I guess they dont remember that Trump called Nikki Haley Nancy Pelosi, Biden said. Donald, no more free passes. Today were going to shine a spotlight on Donald Trump. Were going to do what the press so far hasnt but I think theyre going to soon. Biden on Thursday made a couple gaffs, confusing Vice President Harris with former President Trump shortly after he mistakenly introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin before quickly correcting himself. Biden hit Trump over being found liable for sexual assault, highlighting that the judge in the former presidents New York case that found him liable for sexual battery and defamation said that Trump raped her. He also called Trump a business fraud and highlighted that hes been fined for giving false information to banks. He then bashed Trump over the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, calling it the biggest attack on the U.S. system of government. Trump has sought to distance himself from the conservative vision for his next administration, though many of his former staff and advisers are involved in the effort. I am running and were going to win. Im not going to change that, Biden told the rally. He pointed to a new survey from Marist National Poll for NPR and PBS News that showed him beating Trump 50 to 48. I know him, Donald Trump is a loser, the president said. The crowd started chanting Lock him up and Biden laughed for a second before starting again. Biden said hes running again to finish the job, which he said the night before at his high-stakes press conference at the end of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C. The president said that to kick off his second term in office, he would codify Roe v. Wade and sign voting rights legislation. He added, Listen press before he said that he will make the rich pay their fair share in order to expand and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Biden visited the pivotal swing state of Michigan, which he won in 2020, as he is defending his decision to stay in the 2024 race. He started his speech by calling out a sign at the rally that read, Motown is Joetown, noting that his father sold automobiles and calling out the support he has received from the United Auto Workers. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) was not at the rally; she kicked off a book tour this week. But, she has been making the rounds in recent days to tout her support for the president and is a national co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign. Its always great to have President @JoeBiden in Detroit! Motor City is all in for Biden-Harris, Whitmer posted on X earlier on Friday. Before the rally, Biden joined Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) at a restaurant in Northville, Mich., for a campaign event, during which he told backers, I promise you, Im OK. Dingell traveled with the president from Washington to Michigan and briefed reporters on the plane on the trip. Michigan Democratic Reps. Haley Stevens and Shri Thanedar also traveled with Biden aboard Air Force One, as well as AFL-CIO president Liz Schuler. Biden was greeted when he landed at the Detroit airport by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Michigan House of Representatives Speaker Joe Tate, former Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.), as well as actor Octavia Spencer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Biden isnt the first to struggle to pop the presidential bubble that divides him from the public President Joe Biden makes his way to Marine One, flanked by aides and staff, in May 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) President Joe Bidens at-times incoherent debate performance against Donald Trump in June has prompted growing pressure from donors, some Democratic politicians and voters for Biden to withdraw from the race. But Biden, in an ABC News interview on July 5, questioned whether people are, in fact calling for him to step aside and brushed aside mounting concerns about his ability to defeat Trump in the election. I dont think anybodys more qualified to be president or win this race than me, Biden told host George Stephanopoulos. During Bidens press conference following the NATO summit on July 11, he reiterated his commitment to stay in the race, and said despite evidence of negative polls for him in key battleground states and among likely voters that he had not seen an indication that he cannot win the election. Bidens denial of some political polls and a majority of Democratic voters concerns about his candidacy raise questions about whether he is unaware of the challenges he faces during the race or is disregarding what other people see and want. Presidents have to rely upon advisers and staffers to help sift through the overwhelming amount of available information to provide relevant insights at the right times. Sometimes, this close relationship results in a presidential bubble, meaning the insular relationship the president has with his staff, advisers and possibly family. Biden is not the first president who has faced criticism of living in a bubble with an echo chamber of yes-people. Harry Truman once referred to the White House as the great white jail. Living inside the bubble The presidency of Ronald Reagan exemplifies how living in a presidential bubble comes with positive and negative effects. During Reagans first term, his closest advisers James Baker, Michael Deaver and Edwin Meese were referred to as The Troika. These three men often disagreed with one another but openly discussed policy and options with Reagan, forcing him to make decisions based on different perspectives. In Reagans second term, these advisers left for various other jobs. Instead, Reagan began to rely upon his chief of staff, Don Regan, as his closest adviser. Regan was a very aggressive chief of staff who tightly controlled information given to the president. In the late 1980s, the Tower Commission a presidential commission charged with investigating how the administration secretly sold arms to Iran without congressional approval faulted Regan for what was known as the Iran-Contra Affair. The commission determined that Regan provided the president with poor advice, which led to the scandal. During former President George H.W. Bushs term in the late 1980s and early 1990s, he recognized that his chief of staff, John Sununu, also created a bubble around him. Sununu wanted to be Bushs main source of information and made it impossible for people he did not approve of to meet with Bush. Bush grew suspicious of Sununus activity and opened up a post office box in the early 1990s in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush directed Cabinet officials, aides and other people to send him information there if they suspected Sununu was not passing it along. Bushs suspicions were eventually confirmed, and he fired Sununu in December 1991. Former President Donald Trump also intentionally crafted a presidential bubble of aides and allies to give him only positive feedback. It became well known that Trump watched the news commentary show Fox & Friends. The shows coverage began to cater toward him in positive ways, in an attempt to catch his eye and to persuade him to take different courses of action, such as participating in the Republican primary debate in 2023. There are other examples of how the presidential bubble has played out. Former President Barack Obama, for example, tried to avoid getting stuck in the bubble when he refused to give up his personal BlackBerry, which he considered an important lifeline of direct contact with friends. He was eventually allowed to keep it, with security restrictions in place. Sorting truth from fiction Presidential bubbles inevitably happen. Presidents live and work in Washington but cannot freely walk the streets as another face in a crowd. They have to rely upon others to get a sense of the public tone. Presidents rely on the news media for information and for their staffers to analyze and break it down into coherent feedback. But these staffers job security often becomes tied with keeping their boss happy, which can mean they give information a positive spin. Presidents have to be astute enough to discern the truth from a veneer of it. When former President Bill Clinton was first in office, he appointed Mack McLarty, his buddy since kindergarten, as chief of staff, because he knew he would be brutally honest if necessary. Others, like Reagan, were misled toward disaster, while George H.W. Bush was savvy enough to mitigate the isolation. Some, like Trump, revel in the bubble because it provides a distorted but perceived happy reality. Presidents are privileged to more information than the public on certain issues, which may give them more insight than is publicly available. But when they dismiss the average citizens views, they do so at their own peril. Voters in the U.S. have a huge variety of opinions and points of view. Assuming the White House or D.C. insiders reflect the entirety of the countrys attitudes contributes to frustrations that a president is not listening to the people. Biden has been in public service since 1972. I think that his contributions to the country, in the Senate and executive branch, cannot be quickly or easily diminished. But I believe that the president does need to consider whether he is still serving the public. Is the advice that presidents get from their friends, family and staff tinged with their own ambitions and desire for continuation? Does Biden serve the public better by stepping aside for another candidate or by becoming the official Democratic presidential nominee? These decisions are never simple, but in this case they need to be weighed against his own capabilities, his staffs thoughts and also the views of the general public. I think that Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters need to be part of the process and not just presumed to fall in line without having a voice. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Shannon Bow OBrien is an associate professor of instruction at the University of Texas at Austin. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Biden jokes about age while stumping in Oakland County, says hes optimistic for Americas future President Joe Biden (left) is introduced by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) to a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Contesting with daily proclamations from Democratic Party members that he should drop from the presidential race amid concerns for his age and health, President Joe Biden came to Michigan Friday to inspire confidence in his campaign. Ahead of speaking to a larger crowd at Renaissance High School in Detroit, Biden visited Garage Grill & Fuel Bar in Northville, flanked by Oakland and Wayne County Democrats in the Legislature, as well as U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham). Biden made his way through the crowd as he spoke, thanking the kids who had to dress up to meet the president and expounding on the consequences of a possible second presidential term from Donald Trump. Ive been around 270 years, Biden, 81, said to the laughter of the restaurant. For the longest time, I was too young, because that was the second-youngest man ever elected to the United States Senate. Now Im too old. But I know hopefully with a little bit of age comes a little wisdom. I do think ethics matter. I do think decency matters. We are an optimistic, decent, honorable country and I give my word I have never been more optimistic about Americas possibilities. President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden walks off Air Force One at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) to a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan at a campaign stop for President Joe Biden on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden arrives at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden embraces Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden (left) speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Mayor Mike Duggan (left) arrives at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to welcome President Joe Biden to Michigan on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden walks off Air Force One at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden (left) is introduced by U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) to a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden walks off Air Force One at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson greets President Joe Biden at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks to members of a crowd at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan before speaking to a crowd in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Whereas America was founded on the ideas of equality and possibility, Trump has walked away from that idea, failing to improve infrastructure and health care for the middle class during his tenure, Biden said. When you give people a fighting chance, everybody does better, Biden said. Although Biden beat out Trump for Michigans support in the 2020 presidential election by about 150,000 votes, a growing list of Democrats, including some in Michigan, have called for Biden to step aside amid a strained performance at the last presidential debate, which fueled more concerns about his age and health. But Biden told the crowd at the restaurant that he is still in the race and added some levity. We gotta finish the job and I promise you, Im OK Biden said. I know Im only 41 but folks, this is an important moment. Dingell and Stevens are holding fast to their support behind Biden, despite uncertainty from other Democrats in the state that Biden will win. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Rochester) currently in Northville, MI w/ President Joe Biden rallying support pic.twitter.com/uLeazRU5Gx Anna Liz Nichols (@annaliznichols) July 12, 2024 Things can change, political strongholds can be dissolved and Democrats find a way to connect with people, Stevens told the media before Biden spoke at the restaurant in Northville, which had been a purple area. In 2018, Stevens and fellow U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) broke decades-long Republican control in their districts encompassing Oakland County. This election will be a fight, Stevens said ahead of Biden talking with the crowd in Northville, but she maintained that the president will be victorious. This is now a city that is blue, a township that is blue, that has been holding; it is part of our blue wall line, Stevens said. Were delighted to show that the president is going to win in a tough year. The post Biden jokes about age while stumping in Oakland County, says hes optimistic for Americas future appeared first on Michigan Advance. President Bidens middle-of-the-road performance at a high-stakes press conference Thursday has left House Democrats in a state of limbo regarding his fate. The presidents supporters are pointing to his high notes as evidence Biden still has what it takes to lead the country through the next four years. Critics are highlighting his gaffes in calling for him to bow out for the sake of keeping former President Trump out of the White House. And the ongoing dispute has left the caucus in a position of suspended ambivalence one that will only intensify the dilemma facing Democratic leaders as they attempt to steer their party to some timely conclusion without triggering a civil war. If you have the kind of press conference he had last night, I would say, there were pros and cons to that, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) told The Hill in an interview. And that kind of muddled the waters. Connolly, who was a staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee when Biden was a member, said hes torn over the presidents candidacy and Thursdays press conference hasnt helped him reach any verdicts. Like a lot of people last night, I found some reassurance in the press conference, but I also was reminded of the sort of the plague of stumbles that seems to be happening with increasing frequency, Connolly said. Its always a step forward and a step backward, he added. How can anyone believe thats gonna resolve this issue definitely? It just isnt. Thursdays press conference, which concluded an annual NATO conference in Washington, was the first for Biden since his disastrous debate against Trump last month in Atlanta, where his faltering performance sounded new alarms about his fitness for office and precipitated a slow but steady drip of Democratic lawmakers calling for him to exit the race. Those dynamics raised the stakes exponentially surrounding his appearance before the press, where all sides were watching anxiously to see how he would fare in a high-pressure, unscripted environment. In response, Biden provided something for everyone. The president demonstrated a firm grasp of complex foreign policy issues, addressing questions about his position on China, Russia and Ukraine with a show of ease thats eluded him on other topics, including that of his candidacy. Bidens allies said it was an affirmation the president is more than capable of continuing his tenure as commander in chief for a second term. This president was on his game yesterday, Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said Friday morning on CNN. Anybody that watched that press conference had to be impressed with his breadth of knowledge, detail and willingness to go into the extraordinarily important international issues as well as the domestic issues. Fifty minutes standing up there as well as the presentation it was a tour de force, he added. So whats wrong here? Yet Biden also stumbled on numerous occasions during the nearly hourlong press conference, referring to Vice President Harris as Vice President Trump and praising the military advice he gets from the commander in chief a title he, himself, holds. And just before the event began, Biden introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin, the leader of Russia who is waging a war against Kyiv. When the president was in his wheelhouse of foreign policy, which he has mastered over 40 years in the Senate and eight years in the vice presidency and these last 3.5 years, he seemed comfortable and of course knowledgeable. So that was pretty solid, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) told The Hill. When he got beyond that, it was shaky, and of course the gaffes are going to continue to dog him. Biden did well enough to prevent the trickle of Democrats calling for him to step aside from becoming a flood. But he also wasnt inspiring enough to stem the bleeding. Five House Democrats have called on the president to bow out of the race since the press conference bringing the total number of lawmakers in the lower chamber to 18 a concerning figure for the campaign, but one that is far smaller than the dozens of defectors who some predicted would emerge after the press event. Democratic Reps. Jim Himes (Conn.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Eric Sorensen (Ill.), Brittany Pettersen (Colo.) and Mike Levin (Calif.) released statements in the 24 hours after the press conference urging the president to pass the torch to a new nominee because, in their eyes, he will not beat Trump in November. In 2020, Joe Biden ran for President with the purpose of putting country over party, said Sorensen, who is running in a competitive race this fall. Today, I am asking him to do that again. Asked Thursday night about congressional Democrats closely watching his press conference, the president said hes determined on running, but I think its important that I allay fears by seeing, let them see me out there. Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he purposely waited to release his statement until after the NATO summit ended partisanship and politics should stop at the waters edge while noting his decision did not hinge on Thursdays press conference per se, but rather on the anxiety and uncertainty that surrounds every one of Bidens public appearances these days. Its really not about tonight, Himes said Thursday evening on MSNBC. One of the, really, kind of sick aspects of this moment is that we are watching every speech, every rally, every debate, and saying, how did he do today? And thats just not the way to think about the presidency of the United States. The absence of any consensus on the question of Bidens future is creating enormous headaches for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and the members of his leadership team, who have staged a long string of closed-door meetings and private phone calls with various factions of the caucus in the weeks since the June 27 Biden-Trump debate. Jeffries, throughout that process, has sought a delicate balance, voicing public support for Bidens candidacy while also emphasizing that the partys ultimate goal is to keep Trump from winning a second term whatever it takes. On Thursday night, after the press conference, Jeffries huddled privately with Biden at the White House, where he said he conveyed the mixed messages hes hearing from within the House caucus. In my conversation with President Biden, I directly expressed the full breadth of insight, heartfelt perspectives and conclusions about the path forward that the Caucus has shared in our recent time together, Jeffries wrote Friday morning in a letter to fellow Democrats. He did not say what comes next. Meanwhile, many Democrats are withholding any formal decisions while they wait to see what polls reveal about the fallout, if any, from Bidens debate debacle. The president and his campaign team have insisted their internal polls show he still has a good shot of winning, but many lawmakers on Capitol Hill want more proof than just vocal assurances. Its [one thing] to say subjectively, That was a horrible debate and you need to step down, said Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.). Its a really different conversation if you have objective data that says something different. If they say, Well, weve got different polls. Great. Show us those polls. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), who is calling for Biden to step aside, said hes already seen enough postdebate polls to conclude the situation is dire. We havent had a good day since the debate, he said. Things are trending toward worse things. Biden on Thursday did, for his part, open the door to making a change at the top of the ticket if data says that is the only way to ensure a Democratic victory in November. The president said he would reconsider his decision to stay in the race if his staff informed him theres no way you can win, but he downplayed the odds of that happening. No one is saying that, Biden told reporters. No poll says that. The comments marked a slight departure from the presidents previous tune, which had him rejecting the notion that he would step aside under any circumstances. During an interview with ABC Newss George Stephanopoulos, the president facetiously said if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells me that, I might do that. The change in tune was not lost on some lawmakers, who were satisfied with his softened stance. I was pleased to hear him express an openness to keep considering new information and changed circumstances, Huffman said. Thats not something weve heard before. Time to consider new information, however, is running out. The Democratic National Convention, which will be the official coronation of the presidential nominee, is set to begin Aug. 19, a date that is acting as a quasi deadline for the party to get its act in line. Politics is a very non-sentimental thing, and were gonna have to make some hard judgments and hard choices to ensure that those two overriding goals we talked about, Connolly said. Youve got to beat Trump, and youve got to be able to serve ably for the next four years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- Joe Bidens fight to remain the Democratic nominee is driven by a self-assuredness molded by his five decades in Washington, a time in which he was repeatedly counted out in his quest to reach the White House. Most Read from Bloomberg To many Americans, Bidens insistence on running again at 81 years old defies logic. A furious effort to prove that he has the stamina to serve another term has done little to reverse perceptions that hes too old. Surely, his skeptics say, Democrats would be better served with a younger, more energetic leader at the top of the ticket. But the anxieties of Democratic lawmakers, donors and activists following Bidens calamitous debate performance have only appeared to harden his conviction that hes the best candidate to beat Donald Trump. Im the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I will beat him again, Biden said at a press conference Thursday. Biden has never been one to be swayed by outsiders. He has kept a small circle of advisers that has mostly stayed the same for decades. Momentous decisions have been made during family discussions, with his wife, Jill, playing a major role. His only living son, Hunter, who has struggled with addiction and was convicted on federal gun charges, has recently joined White House meetings, according to NBC News. There are few indications that those closest to Biden have pushed him to reconsider running. Thats a difficult conversation to have, one that would amount to asking a man who strove for the presidency across several election seasons to surrender the office and go into an age-forced retirement. Democrats advocating for a new nominee have said aging only moves in one direction and the type of faltering performance Biden put on at the debate will only become more common in a second term that would end when he is 86. Yet the president has brushed that notion aside. When challenged to drop out by California Representative Mike Levin on Friday during a private call, Biden acknowledged that age is a legitimate concern for people, but he said he could assure people by appearing more in public. I got to get out and show people everything, from how well I move to how much I know, and that Im still in good charge, Biden said, according to people familiar with the exchange. Doubts about Bidens ability to beat Trump continue to spread through the Democratic Party. But with events like the one he staged on Friday in Detroit that featured a raucous crowd chanting dont you quit it became even harder to envision the possibility of Biden withdrawing. Family Fortress Bidens wife and son have rallied around him with shows of support that signal they have no misgivings about his candidacy. The president is all in, Jill Biden said on Monday at a campaign event. Just as he has always supported my career, Im all in, too. Party mechanics are also helping Biden. Theres little path for Democrats to push him out, given that he won enough delegates in the partys presidential primaries to become the nominee. The only choices for Biden critics are bringing public pressure to bear and withholding campaign donations. That scenario, however, runs headlong into his stubbornness and belief that he remains the best standard-bearer. His roots in the Senate, an institution where primaries are rare and candidates regularly serve into their 80s or beyond, are also looming large. Continued hand-wringing by top Democrats about whether to keep their reservations to themselves or go public is also buying Biden time. Luminaries like Nancy Pelosi or Barack Obama could be persuasive to Biden but thus far they have not definitively said what they think the president should do. Biden aides, speaking on condition of anonymity on Friday, reiterated that the campaign is staying the course. Biden may also be unswayed because he thinks its a closer race than many public polls show. All the pollsters I talk to tell me its a toss-up, Biden said in an ABC News interview. Look, I remember them telling me the same thing in 2020: I cant win. At this point in 2020, Biden held regular leads in polling over Trump. The president now trails his predecessor by 3 percentage points, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average. Bidens decision to dig in is a test of his clout in a party in which hes long bristled at his stature. Democrats who have demanded he withdraw fear that his unpopularity will not only cost them the White House, but also drag down House and Senate candidates and hand Trump unified control of Washington, making their worst nightmare come true. Sense of Disrespect That same distaste of Trump is driving Biden to stay in. His path to this moment has been marked by perceived slights that have crystallized a view of himself as a perennially underestimated politician, including during his successful race against Trump four years ago. Even now, Biden routinely boasts about being elected at 29 to the Senate in Delaware, at a time when it was Republican territory. He peppers speeches with advice he gave as vice president to Obama, even as hes written about the former presidents decision to back Hillary Clinton, not him, as the partys candidate in the 2016 election. He has expressed frustration that he received little consideration early in the 2020 Democratic primaries, which he eventually won. He taunts reporters by saying the media didnt think he could achieve bipartisan legislation. And he rails against doomsayers who predicted a red wave that didnt materialize in 2022, when Democrats lost the House by a smaller-than-expected margin and expanded their majority in the Senate. All that brings Biden to the current crisis, prone to viewing party unease as just another case of him being disrespected, underestimated or both, allies and former staff say. The presidents own campaign acknowledges that theyre trailing Trump, but argues that the gap is within polls margins of error. They have also expressed confidence disaffected voters will ultimately rally to his side, and that he still has a path to victory through the Democrats so-called Blue Wall in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. --With assistance from Josh Wingrove. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Biden shrugs off calls to exit presidential race as he takes aim at Trumps Project 2025 Joe Biden on Friday came out swinging against Republican plans to install Donald Trump loyalists across the executive branch to enact draconian right-wing policies if he wins a second term. The president, fresh off hosting NATOs annual summit in Washington and less than a day after a marathon press conference, took to a rally stage in Detroit, Michigan to shrug off calls for him to exit the 2024 election race. Instead he told rallygoers: I am running, and were going to win. He said he remains the Democratic Partys nominee for president, citing his status as the only Democrat or Republican who has beaten Donald Trump, ever. Im going to beat him again, Biden continued, calling Trump a loser and reiterating his believe that Democratic primary voters not the press, not the pundits, not the insiders, not donors rightly chose him to take on the former president. You decided, no one else, and Im not going anywhere, he said. President Joe Biden speaks during a stop at the Garage Grill & Fuel Bar in Northville, Michigan, ahead of a campaign event in Detroit on July 12, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images) Biden turned his attention to his presumptive opponent, the man he defeated four years ago, contrasting his own work strengthening the NATO alliance with Trumps declaration that Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine was genius and wonderful. Biden also hit out at the press for reporting on his own verbal miscues, such as when he confused Volodymyr Zelensky with Russias Vladimir Putin when introducing the Ukrainian leader during an event on Thursday. I guess they dont remember the Trump called Nikki Haley, Nancy Pelosi, Biden said, referring to a moment several months ago when Trump claimed Haley his former UN Ambassador who challenged him for the GOP nomination this year was in charge of security at the US Capitol during the January 6 attack by his own supporters. He declared that Trump would get no more free passes and said he was going to shine a spotlight on the ex-president and his plans. Were going to say who he is, what he intends to do, he said, calling Trump a convicted criminal who was convicted by a jury of his peers of 34 felonies for paying hush money to a porn star and hide it from voters in 2016. He also pointed out how Trump was found liable for sexual assault by a jury, leading a federal judge to declare that what Trump had done to his victim, writer E Jean Carroll, amounted to rape as many people understand the word. Biden also called Trump a business fraud who lost his license to do business in New York State and was fined over $400 million for providing false information to banks. He then noted that the ex-president still faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing classified documents and for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Most importantly ... Trump is a threat to this nation, Biden said, calling the ex-president unhinged and repeating Trumps promise to be a dictator on day one. He means it, folks, Biden added. The president then delivered a warning to supporters about what he described as a dire threat to the American system of government from Project 2025, a blueprint for the next Republican administration laid out in a nearly 1,000 page document published by a right-wing think tank, the Heritage Foundation. It lays out how the next GOP president should gut the century-old civil service system in favor of installing loyalists across government who will implement draconian changes to the American way of life. Biden called the plan the biggest attack on our system of government, our personal freedom, that has ever been proposed in the history of this country. The president also warned that the plan includes a crackdown on abortion medication that would criminalize the procedure across the country, and would allow Trump and his allies to ban contraception by presidential fiat. Biden referred his supporters to Trumps plan to install loyalists across the Department of Justice to prosecute his political enemies as part of the ex-presidents campaign of retribution and revenge. Folks, thats not the United States of America, he said. Another four years with Donald Trump is deadly serious. Deadly serious. His proposals are deadly serious. America needs to wake up and realize what Trump and his MAGA Republicans, what theyre trying to do. Many investors have missed out on the incredible rise of Nvidia's (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock. While most don't own it individually, a larger cohort owns it through index fund exposure. Many investors might be looking for the next Nvidia, but rises like that don't happen often. If you've missed out on Nvidia, I'd propose another company worthy of an investment: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM). The company is benefiting from the same wave that Nvidia is, but it's also more diversified and will be protected in the event of GPU demand falling (which has happened quite often throughout Nvidia's history). TSMC's investment case is ironclad Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) is the world's largest contract chip manufacturer. This means it takes designs from other businesses and manufactures them. This is no different than a standard machine shop or fabrication specialist; it just happens to be in the semiconductor realm. TSMC has stayed on top of the competition through its culture of continuous innovation, which has been evident by its consistent chip technology changes. Recently, 3nm (nanometer) chips quickly became a sizable chunk of TSMC's overall revenue (9% in the third quarter of 2024) despite entering production just in Q3 2023. These chips can be configured to be more powerful, more efficient, or both when compared to previous generations. Despite 3nm chips being relatively new to the market, TSMC is already working on its next generation: 2nm chips. These chips are expected to be available sometime in 2025, and the buzz surrounding them is already impressive. Management stated on its conference call that the demand for 2nm chips is already higher than that for 3nm or 5nm chip launches. This is likely because of the 2nm chips' focus on efficiency, which is a massive cost for companies creating artificial intelligence (AI) models with thousands of GPUs made by Nvidia. With this game-changing product in the pipeline, investors have a great reason to hold the stock for the long term. Additionally, management is seeing a huge demand for AI-related chips. Over the next five years, it forecasts this segment will grow revenue at a 50% compounded annual growth rate. When that growth is complete, AI chips will make up more than 20% of TSMC's revenue. That's massive growth and bodes well for its future. For a more short-term growth driver, TSMC should see a huge boost from its largest customer: Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL). Over the past three years, Apple has made up 26% (2021), 23% (2022), and 25% (2023) of its total revenue. However, Apple's smartphone sales have struggled because of its inability to launch a differentiating new feature. With the announcement of Apple Intelligence, that notion has changed. Because this feature will only be available on the latest generation of phones, it should ignite an upgrade cycle, which benefits TSMC immensely. Story continues Those compelling factors will drive TSMC's stock higher over the next few years; it should also see some financial improvement over the next few quarters. The stock may be a bit pricey, but its growth supports the valuation TSMC stock isn't nearly as cheap as it once was. Entering 2024, TSMC traded for a mere 15 times forward earnings. TSM PE Ratio (Forward) Chart Its valuation has nearly doubled since then as investors have realized what a great price that was. Compared to Nvidia, which trades at 47 times forward earnings, TSMC does look like a bargain.However, that valuation should continue to come down as revenue rises over the next few quarters. TSMC has beaten analyst estimates over the past four quarters, so this forward multiple is likely a conservative valuation. Additionally, analysts expect earnings per share (EPS) to rise by 22% in 2024 and 26% in 2025, so its growth should support its valuation. Although it would be great to go back in time and buy Nvidia at the start of 2023, that isn't possible. Instead, I'd suggest investors pick up shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, as it benefits from similar trends yet trades at a more attractive valuation. Should you invest $1,000 in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing right now? Before you buy stock in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing 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 $780,654!* 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 July 8, 2024 Keithen Drury has positions in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Nvidia, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Missed Out on Nvidia? Buy Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Instead was originally published by The Motley Fool President Biden signed a piece of legislation into law on Friday urging China to mend ties with Tibet and its leaders. The legislation, named Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, received broad bipartisan support and will encourage China and Tibet to resolve the long-standing dispute over Tibets governance. Biden thanked lawmakers who led the resolution through its passage in the Senate in May and the House in June. I share the Congresss bipartisan commitment to advancing the human rights of Tibetans and supporting efforts to preserve their distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage, Biden wrote. The legislation will allow State Department officials to actively and directly counter disinformation about Tibet spread by the Chinese government, including rejecting the false claims that Tibet has been part of China since ancient times, House lawmakers on the Foreign Affairs Committee said in a June press release. It will also allow the U.S. to push for the Dalai Lama and the Chinese government to have negotiations over the future of Tibet. No formal communication between Tibetan and Chinese authorities has occurred since 2010, the lawmakers noted. Bidens administration will continue to call on China to resume direct dialogue with Tibet, he said. The president signing the legislation into law does not change the longstanding U.S. policy recognizing Tibet as an autonomous region. Its a policy decision that falls within my authority to recognize foreign states and the territorial bounds of such states, Biden said. A congressional delegation met with the Dalai Lama in Tibet, sparking anger from China, just after the legislation passed the House last 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. The members of Congress pushing Biden to step aside are nearly all white. Reasons for a racial divide A small but growing number of Democratic members of Congress about 20 as of Friday afternoon have publicly called on President Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. Nearly all are white, and many are members of the moderate New Democrat Coalition. But Biden still has strong support from most of the Congressional Black Caucus, which boasts about 60 members of the House, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, with about 40. His fate may depend on whether he can hold them. The fear of many Democrats whether they are saying so publicly or not is not only that Biden will lose the White House but that he will also doom their chances of winning the Senate or the House of Representatives. Congressional leaders have carried their concerns to Biden, but they have no power to force him out, and they worry that an open conflict could be disastrous for the party. Read more: Column: Biden's longtime defiance appears to have grown into full denial Biden has scoffed at polls suggesting most Democratic voters believe he should step aside after his disastrous debate with former President Trump last month. "Im determined on running," the president said at a news conference Thursday. "Ive got to finish the job because theres so much at stake." He said he would not reconsider unless aides told him theres no way you can win. In the middle are two leaders whose decisions may be key to his fate: former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and the old-school patriarch of the Black caucus, Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.). Pelosi, who retired as Democratic leader in 2022, remains the partys most respected political tactician. On Wednesday, she pointedly told Biden that he needs to make a considered decision whether to run or not even though the president had already said his mind was made up. Its up to the president to decide if he is going to run," she said. "Were all encouraging him to make that decision, because time is running short. Read more: Column: A tongue-tied octogenarian debates a pathological liar. Nobody won, but Biden clearly lost Meanwhile, Clyburn has expressed full support for the president but he has pointedly added that Biden still has time to reconsider. The conversation should focus on the record of this administration and let Joe Biden continue to make his own decisions about the future, Clyburn said Friday. If he decides to change his mind later on, then we will respond to that. Clyburn has also noted that he thinks Vice President Kamala Harris would make a fine candidate if the president pulls out. A former congressional aide whos in touch with Democratic leaders said Clyburn and others in the Black Caucus appear intent on ensuring that Harris will be next in line if Biden withdraws. Theyre making sure shes the only alternative, the former aide said. The longer this goes on, the easier it will be to put her in. Read more: Trump lionizes Jan. 6 rioters as 'warriors.' Could the dog whistle be any louder? Clyburn has a special tie with Biden: In the 2020 primary race for the Democratic nomination, when Bidens campaign was struggling, it was Clyburn who helped deliver a key victory in South Carolina thanks to overwhelming support from the states Black voters. Even before that episode, Biden considered Black Democrats a cornerstone of his coalition, and he has remained attentive to their concerns. He named Harris, a Black senator, as his running mate, and appointed the Supreme Courts first Black woman, Ketanji Brown Jackson. He waged a spirited fight for voting rights legislation that stood little chance of passage. He increased federal aid to historically Black colleges and universities. And when his debate performance sparked panic among some Democrats, the first group he called for support was the Congressional Black Caucus. Most members of the caucus responded with fervent endorsements. Most represent heavily Democratic districts, so their reelection is at little risk if the president loses. "It aint going to be no other Democratic candidate, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) said fervently at the Essence Festival in New Orleans last week. Its going to be Biden." Read more: Column: Trump is officially a convicted felon, but that may not stand in his way But even in the Black Caucus, a few cracks have appeared. This week, Reps. Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) and Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) expressed fears that if Biden falters, the partys chances of winning a majority in the House will suffer too. The chair and vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-San Pedro) and Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), issued a statement supporting Biden, but two members of their caucus, Reps. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano) have called on Biden to step down. Those calling on Biden to withdraw come from a variety of districts and backgrounds. Most are moderates, but at least six are members of the Progressive Caucus. On the other hand, several progressives who have criticized Biden for his policies on Israel and Gaza, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), have publicly supported the president. The question now is whether the trickle of voices publicly calling on Biden to withdraw less than 10% of the House Democratic caucus so far turns into a deluge, prompting Pelosi, Clyburn and others to escalate their pressure on the president. Read more: Column: Trump has big plans for California if he wins a second term. Fasten your seatbelts Several people close to Democratic leaders said the battle probably has weeks to run as new poll numbers appear, constituents weigh in, and more members make up their minds. The real deadline, Clyburn and others said, isnt until the Democratic National Convention begins on Aug. 19. At that point, the delegates who formally designate the partys nominee can make up their minds. Even Biden acknowledged that the delegates are free to vote for any candidate, even though almost all of them were chosen in primaries that he won. "If all of a sudden I show up at the convention and everybody says we want somebody else, that's the democratic process," he said at his news conference. Then he grinned, and added in a confident whisper: "It's not going to happen." Read more from columnist Doyle McManus on Trump and California: 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. Biden tries to reassure Michigan backers: I promise you I am OK President Biden on Friday tried to reassure voters in the battleground state of Michigan that hes up for another four years in office amid questions over his age and stamina. We gotta finish the job. I promise you I am OK, Biden told supporters. He and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) spoke to a crowd at a restaurant in Northville, Mich., ahead of a campaign rally in the area. He echoed remarks from his high-stakes press conference the night before, during which he said hes not running again for his legacy but instead to finish the job he started four years ago. Thats why Im running to finish this job. Theres more to do. I know Im only 41. I promise you Im OK, he said, cracking a joke about his age. The president, 81, added, With age comes a little wisdom the alternative is not much of an alternative. Biden is expected to bash former President Trump later Friday over the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, calling it the biggest attack on the U.S. system of government. Trump has sough to distance himself from the conservative vision for his next administration, though many of his former staff and advisers are involved in the effort. Bidens visit to the pivotal swing state of Michigan, which he won in 2020, comes as he is defending his decision stay in the 2024 race amid growing calls from Democratic lawmakers to drop out. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In 2024's already baffling presidential race, it seems only fitting that a barroom brawl has broken out over tipping. Former President Donald Trump jump-started the debate at a campaign rally last month and seized media headlines by pledging to eliminate taxes on tips if he were reelected. In prior decades, this might have been brushed off as mere campaign trail bluster, but today, off-the-cuff remarks on the stump are often the closest thing we have to deliberative policy making. Right on cue, Republican senators introduced legislation in Congress that would eliminate income taxes on tips, and the idea has even made its way into the Republican Party's 2024 platform. But while Trump may think he's the first politician to mainstream tipping policy, he's actually late to the party. President Joe Biden weighed in on tipping during the 2020 election when he pledged to end the so-called tipped wage credita practice that allows restaurant servers and others in the hospitality industry to be paid below the statutory minimum wage so long as their tips make up the difference. Upon taking office, the Biden administration tightened the rules around the tipped wage credit, narrowing the type of work it could be applied to and curtailing its use in federal contracts. Progressive politicians at the state and local level have pushed to eliminate the credit and apply traditional minimum wage laws to all tipped workers. Washington, D.C., voters approved a ballot initiative eliminating the tipped wage structure in 2022, and Chicago followed suit last year. At the state level, New York, Maryland, and Illinois have recently considered legislation that would likewise scrap this model. The motivation is clear: Both parties are trying to appeal to members of the tipped economy in their efforts to woo the working class. Democrats want to apply one-size-fits-all minimum wage rules that harken back to the New Deal Era, while Republicans appear to believe that a simple proposed tax cut will earn them significant working-class support. Unfortunately, neither of these ideas is the best solution for helping workers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Many restaurant workers prefer the tipped wage structure and make far more than they would under traditional minimum wage rates. Further, in cities like D.C. that have eliminated the tipped wage credit, there has been a spike in restaurants tacking "service fees" of 10 percent to 20 percent onto customer bills, demonstrating that eliminating the tip credit often results in higher dining costs. As far as Trump's no-taxes-on-tips idea, it may have as many drawbacks as benefits, and it is uncertain how much relief it would actually bring workers if it doesn't apply to federal payroll taxes in addition to income taxes. While both policy proposals leave much to be desired, the candidates are not wrong on the politics. The restaurant sector is the second-largest private sector employer with over 15 million workers and is a key employer of workers without college degrees and formerly incarcerated individuals. The industry is deemed so critical in terms of providing employment opportunities and economic benefits to local communities that some commentators have taken to declaring: "As restaurants go, so goes the economy." Despite its centrality to the country's economic well-being, workforce labor issues continue to roil the industry. One of the primary criticisms and drawbacks of restaurant work is the lack of benefits that workers receive in these jobs. Work-life balance is often notoriously lacking as well, with many pointing to the prevalence of "just-in-time scheduling," in which workers can be called into work on short notice in response to real-time spikes in dining demand. If politicians want to help restaurant workers, this is where their focus should be. And the answer is not simply to mandate more benefits for workers but rather to find nimble policy ideas that can help both restaurants and workers. For instance, the industry could perhaps borrow parts of the portable benefits model that is starting to make waves as a solution for increasing benefit offerings to workers in the gig economy. In fact, more restaurants are starting to enlist the gig economy to fill restaurant shifts during extra busy timesa practice that could be encouraged and tethered to a portable benefits model. The industry should also be freer to experiment with writing entirely new systems of labor and employment law. This could be done in myriad ways, but one possibility would be to create a collaborative committee that is equally comprised of restaurant owners and workers. This group would be powerless to act unless both groups agreedif no agreement were reached, status quo labor law would apply as it does now. But if they could reach an agreement on new rules, both sides of the labor debate could benefit from this policy experimentation. As one example, the negotiating parties could agree on a higher minimum wage for workers who agree to be ready within two hours of whenever they are neededa nod to the just-in-time scheduling desires of employersand a lower minimum wage for assured regular hoursproviding an option for workers who want more scheduling predictability. When it comes to tipping, agreements such as allowing waiters to opt to keep 100 percent of their tips instead of being compensated via a traditional minimum wage could be pursueda setup that would empower restaurant workers to make their own decisions on how they want to be compensated. In other words, the industry needs more flexibility and more drastic regulatory reforms that would allow it to update its labor rules for the 21st century. Simply importing last century's minimum wage rules or promoting a minor tax reduction isn't going to cut it. The post Biden and Trump Hope to Tip the Election Scales With Working-Class Proposals appeared first on Reason.com. Biden is unfit to serve another four years. He must step down for our country's sake. | Opinion Say it ain't so, Joe, said a young boy over 100 years ago, tugging at the sleeve of Shoeless Joe Jackson who was charged with conspiring to fix the 1919 World Series. At least that's the legend. That phrase can be refashioned today to fit a question for President Joe Biden: Mr. President, do you really want your legacy to be that of a stubborn old man who, after evicting Trump from the White House in 2020, then handed it back to him in 2024? Say it aint so, Joe. Is personal pride blinding you to the national interest? Say it ain't so, Joe. I am an independent who wrote in John McCain in 2016. You are not my political hero, but I was grateful beyond words when in 2020 you helped deny Trump a second term. Trump remains a stain on our national soul and I will not hesitate to vote for you again if you are the alternative. But so many other Americans who dislike Trump, even some who recognize his profound mendacity, seem prepared to conclude that Trump is a better choice than "Grandpa Joe." Calling presidential debate one bad night is reckless denial Certainly, your party faces significant risks if it switches horses at this stage, but rarely in the face of such uncertainty has the best path forward been so remarkably clear for so many reasons. First, characterizing the problem as one bad night is reckless denial. From the outset, many independents and Democrats thought your party made a mistake in sticking with you. The concern that you are too old only intensified as we watched you become more grandpa-like with each passing month. Although polls after your dismal debate performance showed only a small increase in voters who thought you too old to run, that was simply because an extraordinary number of Americans already thought so. Second, you will only win in November if enough independent Americans conclude that anyone who can stay awake is preferable to Donald Trump. I pray that is the case, but if so then surely any other experienced, competent Democrat has a much better chance to win. Many believe our two-party system produced an appalling choice for this November. Introducing a new candidate will be a breath of fresh air that is almost certain to benefit your party. Concern centers on ability to serve as president four years from now Third, stepping down as a candidate is not an admission that you are unable to continue as president. Granted, you cannot be the scintillating national spokesperson we might like to have but you are certainly capable of making the important decisions required of your office. For voters, however, the question is not whether you can govern tomorrow but whether you will remain capable of governing for another four years. Fourth, do not combine your decision to step aside with an effort to dictate a successor. Endorse a candidate if you must, but you are not entitled to simply pass the baton. The convention delegates, the ones you caused to be elected, must first reflect on a number of difficult questions. Perhaps a consensus candidate will emerge before the delegates gather in Chicago, but neither you nor some group of party elites should tell them what they must do next. That is the best way, perhaps the only way, for a strong candidate to emerge from the convention process. Blame the media. Every angle of Trump's trial has been analyzed except the law. Finally, you seem concerned that a new Democratic nominee will not have been selected though the process of primary elections. So what? The primaries exist for parties to choose their candidate. Your party chose to present only one option; and now only you can permit it to designate a different option. That new candidate cannot become president unless elected by the American people. That is what Nov. 5 is for. Please say it is so, Joe. John Franke is a retired Milwaukee County Circuit Judge and former federal prosecutor. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Biden won't beat Trump this election. A new candidate might The Big One Might Not Be So Bad For Los Angeles, Report Finds New research claims the shaking from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on the south San Andreas fault posits that Los Angeles may see 50% less ground motion than previously predicted. While This is only one scenario, said study co-author Te-Yang Yeh , a postdoctoral researcher at San Diego State University, it is a rare outlook that movies and TV have always painted as a major disaster. More from Deadline The study has not yet undergone peer review, but appears on the preprint site ESS Open Archive . It updates computer modeling first conducted during the 2008 Great Southern California ShakeOut, a project quantifying the consequences of a magnitude 7.8 quake on the southern San Andreas fault, which runs 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of downtown LA. The Statewide California Earthquake Center predicts a worst-case earthquake is expected to cause 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries, and $200 billion in damage. The quake simulations used in the ShakeOut project were not as detailed as todays technology allows, Yeh told Live Science. Their results showed a better outlook for LA. The ground motions are still profound, Yeh said. But its not as horrifying as what was previously predicted. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In the past few years, food recalls have become more common, and a number of big ones have occurred at Meijer. The Meijer grocery chain has been keeping a running list of recalls on its website since 2010, but we found a few big incidents that go back even further. While several of them have been with Meijer branded products, some of the really big cases have been a part of a nationwide recall from other brands. There's not just one reason that food products get recalled at Meijer. Our list of the biggest recalls includes circumstances such as product mislabeling (usually related to undeclared allergens), foreign objects found in products made in the same batch, packaging defects, and possible bacterial contamination. Even though there are often multiple recalls a month for food items at Meijer, our list outlines the largest ones in its history, both specific to Meijer as well as affecting other retailers nationwide. Read more: 12 Rules Shoppers Must Follow At Costco Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Turkey - Johnsonville One of the most recent large food recalls at Meijer involved Johnsonville's Polish Kielbasa. The particular product was a 12-ounce package of turkey sausage. Meijer announced the recall on March 8, 2024, but the sausages hit the shelves at Meijer and other stores between January and February of 2024 across 11 states. The affected states with Meijer locations were Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Around the country, the recall affected 4,721 cases containing 35,430 pounds of meat that Johnsonville had sent out to various retailers, including Meijer. So, what was wrong with these sausages? Two customers bought a pack and found black rubber in their kielbasa. While there weren't any confirmed reports of injuries from the foreign object, Johnsonville suggested that anyone who had bought the sausages should just throw them away instead of risking the chance of finding a piece of rubber in their food. Meijer offered a full refund for anyone who wanted to return their packaged Polish Kielbasa to the store. Banquet Chicken Strips Meal Banquet Chicken Strips Meal - Banquet Meijer was involved in a big recall related to possible foreign objects in Banquet Chicken Strips Meals on September 3, 2023. The meals consist of frozen chicken strips with whole kernel corn and macaroni and cheese. This recall was instigated by Conagra Brands, who manufactured the product on June 20, July 11, and July 17 of 2023, affecting a total of 245,366 pounds of chicken strips. Meijer carried meals from all three production lots with expirations dates ranging from December 2024 to January 2025. Conagra decided to recall all the meals in those lots after a customer injured their mouth while chewing a chicken strip and biting down on a piece of plastic. Nobody else complained of an injury or finding plastic, but Conagra decided to operate with caution. The manufacturer and Meijer asked anyone who had bought one of the recalled meals to either throw them away or return them to the store. Meijer offered a full refund for customers if they brought them back. Frederik's By Meijer Spanish Style Charcuterie Sampler Tray Frederik's by Meijer charcuterie tray - Meijer A big charcuterie tray recall on January 30, 2023, occurred with a store-brand product: Frederik's by Meijer Spanish Style Charcuterie Sampler Tray. The six-ounce package contained three types of meats: uncured salchichon salami, jamon serrano, and uncured chorizo cantimpalo. The affected products had a sell-by date of April 15, 2023. While the only affected product at Meijer was the charcuterie tray, the recall affected 53,000 pounds of cold cuts nationwide. Elsewhere, the recall extended to other deli meat products and charcuterie trays by brands like Boar's Head, Del Duca, Gourmet Selection, and Colameco's Primo Naturale. The producer of the charcuterie tray, Daniele International, recalled these meats due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall was based on the fact the company found Listeria in some products during a routine inspection. Nobody had actually reported a Listeria illness from consuming the charcuterie when the company sounded the recall alarm. Still, Listeria infections can be deadly, and the CDC notes they are especially dangerous for people who are pregnant, 65 and older, or immunocompromised. When Meijer announced the recall, it asked customers to stop consuming the affected charcuterie product. The store was willing to refund the sales amount to anyone who brought it back. Armour Vienna Sausages Armour Vienna Sausages - Armour Another January 2023 recall found Meijer removing 25 different lots of Armour Vienna Sausages from its shelves. The affected 4.6-ounce cans of sausages included Armour Chicken Vienna Sausage, Armour Vienna Sausage six packs, and Armour Vienna Sausage Original. The recall counted a total of 295,089 cases of sausages Conagra Brands had sent out to retailers, weighing a whopping 2.58 million pounds. Conagra recalled the sausages due to a concern that a packaging defect could lead to a spoiled product. Even more worrisome was the fact that the spoilage couldn't necessarily be seen or smelled. It would be easy to consume the products and become sick without realizing you had eaten bad sausages. While the only Conagra products that Meijer carried from the recall were three types of Vienna Sausages, it affected a few other brands and products on other retailers' shelves, too: Goya, Great Value, and Kroger Vienna Sausage, as well as Hargis House Potted Meat. Meijer asked customers not to eat any of the sausages it had in its stores from the affected lots, and instructed they be returned to the store for a refund. Healthy Choice Power Bowls Healthy Choice Korean-Style Beef Power Bowls - Healthy Choice On September 16, 2022, Meijer announced a recall on one flavor of the microwavable Healthy Choice Power Bowls from the freezer section of the store: Korean-Style Beef. There was just one lot of power bowls affected by the in-factory mixup, but it came out to 4,770 cases, for a total of 22,000 pounds of product nationwide. Instead of Korean-Style Beef Power Bowls, some boxes contained Healthy Choice Italian Chicken Sausage and Peppers Bowls instead. In addition to this mix-up being a disappointment for your taste buds if you were expecting Korean beef, the chicken sausage bowl contained milk. The main concern was that people allergic to milk would think the product was safe to eat since the labels didn't list milk as an ingredient. While some people contacted Valley International Cold Storage Acquisition to complain about the mix-up, there weren't yet complaints about the product making anyone sick when the company issued the recall. Customers who were disappointed about buying the wrong product or who were allergic to milk could either throw it away or return the product to Meijer for a refund. P.F. Chang's Beef & Broccoli P.F. Chang's Beef & Broccoli - P.F. Chang's An even earlier labeling mix-up happened with P.F. Chang's Beef & Broccoli, which Meijer recalled on July 31, 2022. This was another recall instituted by Conagra and it affected 119,581 pounds of food at various retailers, including Meijer. The recalled product was a 22-ounce frozen family-sized package with eight servings of P.F. Chang's popular Beef & Broccoli dish. Like the Healthy Choice power bowl mix-up, there was a different meal inside the box than what the label indicated; instead of getting Broccoli & Beef, you would have found Orange Chicken. A major problem with the mislabeling was that P.F. Chang's Orange Chicken contains eggs, which wasn't listed as an allergen on the Beef & Broccoli packaging. You could opt to throw the box away or take it back to Meijer for a full refund. Of course, some people who were fans of both dishes likely just ate it as long as they weren't allergic to eggs. Meijer Mixed Nuts Meijer Mixed Nuts bag - Meijer One large recall that only happened at Meijer occurred on March 9, 2020, when the chain discovered a labeling error with Meijer Mixed Nuts With Peanuts & Sea Salt. The affected bags had three different sell-by dates in July, September, and October of that year. The problem with the mixed nuts was that they contained an ingredient that wasn't listed on the bag: Brazil nuts. Nut allergies aren't necessarily all-encompassing, so there was a risk that someone not allergic to the mix of nuts listed in the bag may have a life-threatening allergy to Brazil nuts. Thus, a formal recall was essential to ensure nobody with a Brazil nut allergy accidentally ate from this bag of nuts. While nobody had reported any allergy mishaps by the time Meijer caught the mistake, the company still asked customers to stop eating nuts from the package and offered a refund upon return. The store's current mixed nuts product does not list Brazil nuts among its ingredients. Various Healthy Choice Power Bowls Healthy Choice Chicken Feta & Farro Power Bowls - Healthy Choice Meijer's recall of Healthy Choice Power Bowls on May 23, 2020, was related to the presence of foreign objects. Since the recall was for several different flavors, Conagra had to remove 34,173 cases of its Power Bowls in the U.S. and Canada. The ones Meijer carried were Turkey Sausage & Egg White Scramble, Unwrapped Burrito Scramble, Pesto Egg Scramble, and Chicken Feta & Farro. If you ate one of these frozen meals, there was a chance you might have bitten down on small rocks that somehow ended up in the bowls. Some customers actually did bite down on rocks and complained to Conagra, which is what got the recall started in the first place. Luckily, the rocks didn't seriously injure anyone before the company announced a recall. Meijer urged customers not to eat the products lest they chomp down on a rock. If you brought it back to the store, you could get a refund and buy yourself a rock-free bowl. Romaine Lettuce And Salads With Romaine romaine lettuce - Bhofack2/Getty Images On November 21, 2019, the U.S. found itself in the middle of a huge recall of romaine lettuce related to an E. coli outbreak. At Meijer, the recall affected everything from its pre-made salads and bowls to its romaine lettuce selection and salad bars. Meijer immediately removed nine Meijer brand salads, 12 types of Dole salad bowls and salads, 12 salads and lettuces from Taylor Farms and Earthbound farms, five types of Bonduelle RP Bistro Bowl Salads, and two types of Ready Pac salads. It also tossed 11 products with romaine lettuce from its Bridge Street Market location. Plus, it got rid of 99 types of romaine lettuce and removed romaine lettuce off the salad bar at two locations. When all was said and done, more than 75,000 pounds of lettuce products were recalled in various establishments across the U.S. The deadly outbreak of E.coli connected to romaine lettuce raged from the end of September until the end of December. While nobody died from the outbreak, the CDC reported that 85 of the 167 people infected with the bacteria across 27 states ended up in the hospital. Fifteen of those experienced kidney failure from the bacterial infection (specifically, hemolytic uremic syndrome). When Meijer removed the affected romaine lettuce products from its shelves, it instructed customers to stop consuming what they'd purchased. Plus, customers could bring back any of the salads or lettuces on the recall list for a refund. Meijer Ground Beef ground beef in package - Jason Dean/Getty Images Meijer announced on April 9, 2019, that it was recalling 1-pound packages of Meijer Ground Beef. The recall included nine different types with a sell-by date of April 10 (the next day). Even though the sell-by date was only a day out, the recall affected 40,000 pounds of ground beef in Meijer stores, including some that had already been sold. JBS Plainwell Inc. instigated the recall because customers had complained about finding hard pieces of green plastic mixed in with the ground beef. While there weren't any reports of injury, a recall was the most logical step. Luckily, it only affected Meijer stores in Michigan and Wisconsin. However, things took a while to get rolling since the USDA found out about the issue on April 5, but the recall didn't take place until four days later. Customers were asked to avoid eating ground beef sold at the stores with potentially contaminated products. If they hadn't already consumed the beef named in the recall, they could return it to the store for a refund. General Mills Gold Medal Flour Gold Medal Flour - Gold Medal Meijer has had a lot of flour recalls over the years, but the biggest one occurred on June 3, 2016. Five types of Gold Medal Flour in different sizes were part of the recall, due to possible E. coli contamination. Overall, the recall affected other General Mills flour brands Meijer didn't carry, as well as bread mixes, brownie and cake mixes, muffin mixes, pancake and biscuit mixes, and even some meat and poultry products that used flour. Flour is involved in a lot of recalls because the raw grains can sometimes pick up bacteria in the field that aren't killed in the grinding and bleaching process. Thankfully, nobody died from the E. coli in this flour, but the CDC reported that 63 people in 24 states got sick, and 17 of those ended up in the hospital. All things considered, it was also fortunate that only one of the hospital patients ended up with kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome). All the illnesses happened between December 15 of the previous year and September 20, 2016. Once Meijer realized it had problematic flour on its shelves, it issued a recall. It also asked customers to stop using the affected product and offered a full refund upon return. Barber And Meijer Frozen Stuffed Chicken Breasts Meijer Kiev package - Meijer Meijer recalled its Barber and Meijer branded frozen stuffed chicken breasts from its stores on July 13, 2015, because they were making people ill. Among the affected products, the store listed nine varieties and sizes, including cordon bleu, broccoli stuffed, chicken kievs, and asparagus stuffed. To ensure all affected stuffed chicken products were discarded, the recall extended to products made from February 17 to May 20. In total, Barber Foods recalled 1.7 million pounds of frozen stuffed chicken products from retailers around the U.S., including Omaha Steaks brand products, too. The worry was that some of the Barber and Meijer frozen stuffed chicken breasts might be infected with Salmonella Enteritidis. Because the products were sold raw, handling the infected chicken or undercooking it could lead to illness. The recall went out after some people got sick around June 24. The CDC traced the frozen chicken products to 15 illnesses in seven states. While no one died, four people ended up in the hospital. It turned out that those who were hospitalized were resistant to treatment by two types of antibiotics. Meijer asked its customers to toss any recalled stuffed chicken breasts that were still in their freezers or to take them back to the store for a full refund. Sabra Hummus Classic Sabra Hummus Classic - Sabra On April 8, 2015, Meijer joined stores around the U.S. who had to pull Sabra Classic Hummus from its shelves. Meijer sold several sizes of the product as well as a dual pack that contained both the classic and garlic flavor. Around the country, 30,000 cases of hummus had to be removed from the shelves at various retailers due to the recall. The decision to recall such a large volume took place after inspectors at Sabra Dipping Company found Listeria monocytogenes in the area of the factory where the hummus was made. Even though nobody had gotten sick from the hummus yet, the company went ahead and instigated a recall to stave off any potential illnesses. Meijer asked its customers to stop eating from any containers of Sabra Hummus Classic they had purchased. Customers could either throw away the potentially contaminated hummus or return it to the store for a refund. Honeysuckle Ground Turkey Honeysuckle ground turkey - Honeysuckle Meijer's turkey recall in August 2011 was part of one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history. Luckily, Meijer only had to get its Honeysuckle brand ground turkey off the shelves. However, around the country a total of 36 million pounds of Cargill turkey was involved in the first round of recalls, with 185,000 recalled in a second round. The turkey recall also included Kroger and Spartan store brands, as well as Shady Brook Farms and Riverside brands. The turkey, which had come from the Cargill factory in Springdale, Arkansas, between February 20 and August 2, was pulled from stores because of possible Salmonella Heidelberg contamination. All total, the CDC reported that 136 people in 34 states fell ill between February and November, along with one death. This strain of Salmonella was especially tenacious and resistant to several types of antibiotics. Luckily, Meijer hadn't received any customer complaints about illnesses related to the Honeysuckle brand turkey before the recall. However, it removed the products just the same. Peanut Products peanuts - Alvarez/Getty Images Meijer was involved in a deadly recall related to its peanut products between 2008 and 2009. Meijer didn't take action until January of 2009, when it recalled two store-brand crackers and two types of ice cream. Soon after, it also recalled two types of Meijer dry-roasted peanuts and four types of ice cream treats. Nationwide, the recall included over 3,900 different peanut products. This recall was huge, not only in terms of the volume of affected products but also the number of people who fell ill. The CDC reported that 714 people in 46 states and one in Canada became sick from Salmonella Typhimurium after eating the peanut items. Of those infected, 24% were hospitalized, and nine died. The sicknesses raged on between September 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009. There was no clear indication that the products Meijer pulled from its shelves were contaminated with Salmonella. However, the ones removed were made from peanuts processed in the same Georgia factory that investigators connected with the outbreak. Read the original article on Mashed. Trainer Cara Castronuova, who appeared on Season 11 of the The Biggest Loser, is suing the New York State Board of Elections for allegedly preventing her and others from writing her name in as a Republican challenger to incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Castronuova was initially kept off the GOP ballot when party leaders challenged the signatures she submitted in April to have her name appear on the ballot. More from Deadline A judge said in May that voters could write in her name. But there was no Republican primary in the race, and thus, no ballots for the partys candidates. After arguing for my right to legally vote by write-in on an affidavit ballot for the Republican candidate of my choice, I was handed a primary affidavit ballot for Democrats, voter Phil Orenstein of Queens Village said in court papers, as reported by the New York Post. I believe my vote will not be counted, and my sacred right to vote for the candidate of my choice was violated. Castronuova also joined the Brooklyn Federal Court lawsuit. New Yorkers are fed up with the good old boys club controlling coronated candidates like puppets on a string. I hope this is a message to the GOP establishment that they are a disgrace for robbing their own voters of a choice in candidates and interfering in fair and free elections by unconstitutionally blocking ballot access for candidates that are not their puppets, she said. The allegations are unequivocally false, a Board of Elections spokeswoman said. The primary election for this office was not contested and the sole qualifying candidate was deemed nominated by operation of law, the Board said in court papers that responded to the allegations. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Comedian and TV personality Bill Maher said he believes President Biden will withdraw from the race to be the Democratic presidential nominee as early as Aug. 9, the 50th anniversary of President Nixons resignation, suggesting it is inevitable amid increasing calls for him to step aside. The one thing I know for sure is this: The question isnt if, its who because he is not going to be the Democrats candidate for president, the Real Time with Bill Maher host said Friday. The one thing I know for sure about America is this, its run by Mean Girls, mean girls in the press and in politics and in life, and when they smell blood in the water, the lust to finish off a vulnerable person will never be denied. Biden is toast, he added. The walls will keep crumbling, and my pick in the office pool for when he gives it up is August 9. The incumbent has come under growing pressure following a disastrous debate performance last month, in which he stumbled over answers and sounded raspy. Critics have called on the president to drop out of the race and allow someone else to take on former President Trump. Questions are also swirling around whether Biden can not only defeat the former president in November, but if he has enough stamina to serve another four years in office. The president has attempted to quell concerns about his mental acuity by hosting campaign events and speaking to media, including a high-stakes on-camera interview with ABCs George Stephanopoulos last week and a solo press conference at the end of the NATO summit Thursday. However, those efforts have not been enough, with a growing number of Congressional Democrats still calling for the president to stand down. Top House leaders, such as former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), have publicly said they back Biden. However, reports suggest they are working in the background to replace Biden at the top of the ticket. House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) met with Biden this week and said he had conveyed the full breadth of opinions in the House caucus to the president. Maher also brushed off concerns about replacing Biden this late in the election. Replacing a president as his partys candidate this late will seem like a big deal for about three days, and then well all be over it, Maher said Friday, going through a list of Democrats he believed could take Bidens place. Kamala Harris, vice president, will get all of Bidens campaign money, and on the Democrats best issue, abortion, shes a walking reminder to women that Republicans are coming for the abortion bill, he said. She wont just protect Plan B. She is Plan B. However, he added that he does not believe Harris is liked enough to win the presidency, saying that he votes for people who will win. For whatever reason, Harris has never been popular, he said. In four years as vice president, shes been quieter than an electric car. And like an electric car, your MAGA Uncle cant explain why she fills him with homicidal rage. She just does. Sometimes life isnt fair. Its not fair that shes not popular, he added. Shes intelligent and accomplished. Maher then ran through Govs. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.), adding that he does not buy into criticisms against Newsom for being slick. Newsom is the best communicator in the party, with a history of standing up to bullies, he argued. Maher believes Whitmer is a very attractive choice because she is a high profile female governor who owns dogs but doesnt shoot them, a reference to a controversial story line South Dakota Gov. Kirsti Noem (R) used in her memoir that sparked criticism and likely moved her off Trumps potential VP shortlist. The TV host also mentioned Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, saying he was perfect for this moment and urged Democrats to look at governors across the state, even those who arent as widely known. Its important to understand no one knows who these people are, and thats good, he added. We need some new characters on this sitcom we call the country. Newsom and Whitmer, however, have both said they would stand behind Biden, dispelling rumors that they could replace Biden on the ticket. The Michigan governor, however, did not close the door on serving as Harriss running mate if the incumbent chose to step aside. Still, the president has maintained that he will stay the course and run against former President Trump in November. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Bill Maher picks date when Joe Biden will step down - and it has a huge tie to presidential history Bill Maher predicts President Jo Biden will step aside from the 2024 race on a historic date (HBO) Late night host Bill Maher predicted that President Joe Biden is not long for the 2024 race and will step aside on a historic date despite the Democrats defiance of the mounting calls to leave the race. New rule: Stop f***ing around! Maher brutally announced on Fridays episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. The issue with President Biden isnt if, its who, Maher continued. Who will replace him? Because he is not going to be the Democrats candidate for president in 2024, all due respect. Biden is toast. The walls will keep crumbling and my pick in the office pool for when he gives it up is August 9, he said. On the same date 50 years ago, then-president Richard Nixon signed his letter of resignation following the Watergate scandal. So Biden's leaving on the same day would have historical significance as it's the only day a US president has voluntarily left office early. Yes, replacing a president as his partys candidate this late will seem like a big deal, Maher said. For about three days, and then well all be over it. As Biden faces increased calls for him to step aside, comedian Maher gave his prediction when the president will step aside. Maher also said America will move quickly past the historic decision (Getty Images) Maher predicted Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as the likely to replace the president on the ticket. Regarding Harris, Maher remarked that she has never been popular. The comedian recalled her failed 2020 presidential bid: You can count the number of delegates she won in the 2020 primaries on one hand, as long as that hand has no fingers. Despite Mahers prediction, as well as lawmakers, actors and prominent donors calls for him to step aside, Biden told a crowd in Detroit, Michigan on Friday that he wasnt budging: Im not going anywhere. Im going to beat him again, Biden said. Credit: X-Epic X-Epic, a leading Chinese chip design software developer, is cutting its workforce by up to 50%, reports the South China Morning Post. Just a few months ago the company completed a major project: it developed an electronic design automation (EDA) suite that covers a variety of aspects of chip design that works on processors made in China, a major breakthrough for Tianxia's semiconductor industry. However, X-Epic has to reduce headcount amid 'market headwinds.' The job cuts, which started this week, affect multiple departments, notably the core research and development unit, according to sources familiar with the situation, who preferred to remain anonymous as the deal is a private matter. The company did not respond to South China Morning Post's requests for comment. The reason for layoffs is said to be market downturn, though keeping in mind that China's market of EDA tools is dominated by foreign companies, notably Ansys, Cadence, Siemens EDA (former Mentor Graphics), and Synopsys, the competition is fierce and American companies control about 70% of China's EDA market. X-Epic was established by Wang Libin, a former engineer from Cadence Design Systems. The company grew quickly, employing about 400 people across various cities in China, including Nanjing, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Shenzhen, as of March 2023. Investors in X-Epic include HongShan (formerly Sequoia Capital China), Matrix Partners China, and China Information and Communication Technology Group. In May, the Nanjing government listed X-Epic as a favored innovative startup, highlighting its potential in the local EDA sector. As of March 2023, it had reportedly raised $121.7 million in funding. For Chinese EDA firms it is not uncommon to get funds from authorities. The reliance on foreign EDA software remains a significant weakness in China's semiconductor industry, alongside challenges in wafer fab tools, such as lithography machines. Major Chinese EDA firms, including X-Epic and Empyrean Technology, are striving to develop EDA tools that can be used to design chips to be made on advanced nodes, such as 14nm/16nm and below. U.S. sanctions prohibit to import advanced EDA software to Chinese entities without an export license that is reviewed with a presumption of denial, so X-Epic and Empyrean will have to come up with appropriate tools rather sooner than later as China strives to semiconductor self-sufficiency, which is why Empyrean reportedly getting huge cash influxes. Despite all odds, the value of China's EDA market is projected to grow. It is expected to reach 18.5 billion ($2.55 billion) next year, up from 9.3 billion ($1.281 billion) in 2020, which indicates a strong potential for future development despite current setbacks, according to SCMP. Yet, for now, Chinese EDA companies have to cut their headcount and get money from authorities to remain afloat. Bill Maher Urges Democrats To 'Stop F**king Around' And Replace Biden With New Nominee Bill Maher is doubling down and reiterating that President Joe Biden cant win the race. The Real Time host, who declared after last months disastrous debate against Donald Trump that Biden is going to lose reelection, isnt convinced that the ongoing efforts to reassure voters will succeed. Stop fucking around, urged Maher. The issue with President Biden isnt if, its who: Whos going to replace him? Because he isnt going to be the Democrats candidate for president in 2024. Biden is toast, the walls will keep crumbling. Maher predicted that Biden will step down on August 9 the 50th anniversary of former President Richard Nixons resignation, albeit for very different reasons than the Watergate scandal. But the Democratic Party has a roster of viable replacements, the pundit maintained. Maher suggested Vice President Kamala Harris or Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as the nominee, before name-checking several Democratic governors, including Californias Gavin Newsom and Michigans Gretchen Whitmer, as well as somewhat lower-profile state executives like Pennsylvanias Josh Shapiro, Colorados Jared Polis and Marylands Wes Moore. No one knows who these people are, and thats good, he added, of the latter group. We need some new characters on this sitcom we call a country. ... These guys, all you need to know is theyre moderates, theyre under 100 years old, and they have a D next to their names. Biden, seen here campaigning in Detroit on Friday, recently said he "isn't going anywhere." Carlos Osorio/Associated Press The subject of Bidens exit from the presidential race reached fever pitch last month, when a CNN flash poll following his catastrophic debate performance saw 67% of viewers say they felt Trump did better. Biden has stumbled since then, as well. He not only confused his own vice president with Trump at a press conference Thursday, but introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Putin hours earlier. Still, the president recently told fellow Democrats that he isnt going anywhere. Maher told his audience after last months debate that Biden might be the only guy who could lose to Trump. Longtime strategist James Carville and the New York Times editorial board, as well as some Democratic lawmakers, have since shared similar forecasts. Were at the airport and at this point, we just need to be sure we get the last rental car, Maher said Friday in his plea to replace Biden. Something reasonably safe, relatively clean and not Trump. If there isnt a dead Girl Scout in the trunk, were good to go. Related... It was the moment when long-simmering media resentment at a seemingly opaque White House broke through the surface with startling intensity. With Joe Bidens candidacy teetering in the wake of last months alarming debate showing, journalists who had covered his presidency full-time for years suddenly asserted that it lacked that most basic political element: credibility. The trigger was the revelation disclosed in several news outlets that a specialist in Parkinsons disease had visited the White House eight times in as many months. The press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, was forced in a live televised briefing on to the defensive over a supposed lack of transparency. Related: Biden heads to Michigan to shore up support as calls to quit persist My first [question] to you is on the credibility of this White House when it comes to talking about the presidents health, the Associated Press correspondent, Zeke Miller, asked Jean-Pierre, who, taken aback, responded by calling for a little respect. The exchange quickly devolved into an angry back-and-forth over whether Jean-Pierre had given an accurate picture about the presidents health and her continuing refusal to confirm the name of the visiting specialist, despite it already being in the public domain. The White House ultimately clarified matters in a subsequent news release that confirmed the specialist as Kevin Cannard and explained that he had visited the White House in January to carry out the neurological part of Bidens annual medical check-up. Yet the flare-up went beyond one narrow episode. Many journalists increasingly feel they have been bamboozled by a White House culture of denial and non-disclosure. People who pride themselves in holding power to account in the worlds leading democracy have been asking how they could have been so blinded to Bidens diminishing state before it burst into the open so vividly on the debate stage in Atlanta. At least some have reached the conclusion they have been misled by a campaign of obfuscation by White House staff some of whom themselves privately complain of feeling deprived of access to the president that their seniority would normally have assured. Wider staff access, the argument runs, could have given more people a clearer picture of whether Biden was in decline which, in turn, would have created a higher chance of the true state of his functioning coming to light. But Bidens age-related decline was a media issue long before his disintegration at the debate, which the Biden campaign asked for partly in an effort to discredit such speculation. Little more than a week beforehand, widely circulating videos purporting to depict the president in varying states of confusion were reported in several respected outlets as tendentiously edited cheap fakes. The evidence was there for people to see, and its somewhat disingenuous in the press corps to say, well, you know, we were kept in the dark, said W Joseph Campbell, professor emeritus of communication of American University in Washington DC. Trump was ranting about Bidens troubles and his gaffes in the 2020 campaign, so I think it depends on what outlets you were following. And to use a phrase the administration seems to be employing these days, this is a big-boy town and you find your news where you can it doesnt necessarily have to be ladled out to you by the White House press office. Yet those who did report the matter quickly found themselves rounded on by an outraged White House. When the Wall Street Journal published a 3,000-word front-page article in early June carrying detailed anecdotes that questioned Bidens cognitive faculties, an administration spokesman, Andrew Bates, dismissed the stories as false claims made by Republicans. The article which has since been vindicated by reports in other US news sources, including the New York Times was also attacked by the MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, a Biden supporter who later called on him to stand aside after the debate. In a social media post showing that disquiet over Bidens cognitive faculties was neither secret nor new, James Rosen, White House correspondent of the hard-right Newsmax outlet, recalled being ostracised after asking Biden in a press conference two and a half years ago about polling showing public concern about his perceived decline. When I asked Potus on January 19 2022, with utmost respect for your life accomplishments and the high office you hold, why the electorate harbored such profound concerns about his cognitive fitness, it was considered rude, and I was blackballed in briefings for eight months, he wrote on X the day after the debate, accompanying his post with a transcript of the exchange. Just as the whisperings over the presidents age and health have escalated into a roar, so too have the long-running tensions between the administration and the New York Times, which this week published its second editorial in 10 days urging Biden to end his campaign. The calls have been in line with similar pleas from rival outlets but animus may have been sharpened by a lack of access to the president, keenly felt by an organisation that styles itself as Americas newspaper of record. The newspaper carries its own singular obsession with the president, aggrieved over his refusal to give the paper a sit-down interview that Publisher AG Sulzberger and other top editors believe to be its birthright, Politico reported earlier this year. Biden has given fewer press conferences and media interviews than any US president since Ronald Reagan, in what now looks like a deliberate strategy to conceal his deterioration. Trump who has frequently denounced the media as enemies of the people gave nearly three times more news conferences and interviews in office than Biden. With a rash of hastily organised interviews and a high-profile news conference at Thursdays close of the Nato summit, the administration is now trying to rectify that a panicked tactical change which, if it results in more verbal flubs, may only serve to justify the previous approach. It is an unintended irony that the White House has been shielding Biden from media accountability a key component of the democratic process and rubbishing questions over his age in an effort to maintain his credibility as a self-proclaimed defender of democracy and a bulwark against Trumps authoritarian visions, which the administration insists is inimical to press freedom. That circle, says Campbell, cannot easily be squared. It does seem to be in conflict with this greater goal as a protector or defender of democracy if youre protecting the chief executive for an extended period of time, and then really criticising any attempts to pierce the veil. "Black Lives Matter" posters spurred a lawsuit in one Minnesota school district. Pride flags came down in others. Even "All Are Welcome Here" signs have raised eyebrows and drawn criticism. Cultural divides over diversity and equity initiatives continue to ripple across Minnesota with posters and other displays that advocates say are designed to instill a sense of belonging still drawing ire from opponents. So as teachers across the state head into a new school year this fall, what they hang on the walls comes with a calculation of potential hassles from disapproving parents. In June, the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reinstated a case alleging Lakeville Area Schools discriminated against parents critical of district-sponsored Black Lives Matter posters. Parents had requested but couldn't get alternate Blue Lives Matter posters installed, too. Earlier this year, the 2024 Minnesota legislative session timed out without a House vote on a bill that would prohibit the banning of rainbow flags in schools and other government buildings. Asked last week about the Lakeville case, Education Minnesota, the statewide teachers union, shifted its attention, instead, to the kids. "Schools should be places where all students are seen, valued and respected," David Aron, the union's legal counsel, said. "It's unfortunate that a far-right interest group would target a school district's effort to demonstrate support for its Black students in the name of free speech." A Lakeville schools spokesperson confirmed last week that the Black Lives Matter artwork, approved by the district, still adorns the walls. The Upper Midwest Law Center, a conservative nonprofit law firm that represents the Lakeville parents, said the district "cannot put its thumb on the scale" in favor of Black Lives Matter activists. "Students are there to learn, not to be indoctrinated politically," James Dickey, the firm's senior counsel, added in an interview last week. Dickey said the appeals court ruling has the potential to influence district action elsewhere to remove posters or make room for those with alternate viewpoints a prospect that concerns Hannah Edwards, director of Transforming Families Minnesota, which offers services to the LGBTQ community. She knows teachers who've been cautioned against putting up rainbow posters or addressing students by preferred pronouns. "Not every one of these stories ends up being school board level or newsworthy," Edwards said. "But they are scared of these parents who are threatening to retaliate." To be sure, there have been headlines: The Worthington, Minn., school board voted to remove Pride flags from classrooms. Flags began disappearing in Bemidji in response to that district's viewpoint-neutral stance on such displays. Several Anoka-Hennepin school board members threatened to hold up approval of next year's budget due in part to concerns over matters relating to gender identity. State Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-St. Paul, the first openly transgender member of the Legislature, cited the action in Bemidji and Worthington as inspiration for a bill this year to ban rainbow bans a proposal that advanced past the committee stage but never received a House vote because of what she believed would be a Republican filibuster as end-of-session deadlines neared. During the bill's committee hearing, Rep. Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, said schools should be free of political activities. Finke countered that everything that might be considered political in nature then must be banned, adding in an interview last week: "You can't single out the rainbow and remove it." Edwards said such signs and stickers are needed because transgender students like her daughter seek out "visual safety clues" to find teachers who want it to be known: "All students are safe in my classroom," she said. Finke plans to reintroduce the bill in 2025, and hopefully secure passage early in the session, she said, if DFLers remain in control of the House. Posters and school board policy The Lakeville poster dispute dates to 2020 and began with district leaders initially telling teachers not to display Black Lives Matter signs because it violated the district's goal of maintaining political neutrality. Months later, the district approved and paid for the printing of eight inclusivity posters two of which had the slogan Black Lives Matter and the statement: "At Lakeville Area Schools we believe Black Lives Matter and stand with the social justice movement this statement represents. The poster is aligned to School Board policy and an unwavering commitment to our Black students, staff and community members." In a filing last week seeking a new hearing before the full court, the district argued that school boards are "responsive to the electorate" and that taking a different stance on an issue at first "does not mean that it cannot later change its mind or adopt the speech itself." Dickey, of the Upper Midwest Law Center, said: "We're pretty confident that the 8th Circuit is not going to review or rehear its decision in this case." He is pursuing a settlement with the district calling upon Lakeville to return to a neutral position on all political matters. And would that mean the posters would have to come down? "That's part of our initial offer," he said. Black voters helped Biden win Georgia in 2020. Some say its too risky to abandon him now Alanna Morris tuned in to last months presidential debate hoping to watch President Joe Biden wipe the floor with former President Donald Trump. Instead, the 44-year-old Atlanta cardiologist saw a candidate she hardly recognized. She turned the event off halfway through, feeling sad and concerned the president had suffered a medical event like a stroke. That disappointment, however, hasnt dissuaded her from her plan to vote for the president. She finds the alternative a second Trump term untenable. Dont rock the boat unless you have a plan to get me back to shore, she said. Getting me to shore is making sure that Donald Trump is not in office come January 2025. Four years ago, Black voters saved Bidens bid for the Democratic presidential nomination after his poor finishes in predominantly White early voting states. Now, that support within the Black community from battleground state voters and Black leaders serves as one of the last bulwarks against a growing number of lawmakers and donors asking him to pass the torch. That support is seen in Georgia, which was crucial to the presidents past political success. Biden became the first Democrat to win Georgia since 1992, when he defeated Trump by less than 12,000 votes. But repeating that victory will be a challenge. In a new memo to Democrats this week, the Biden campaign argued that its clearest path to winning in November runs through the so-called Blue Wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, suggesting that Georgia as well as other battlegrounds like Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina arent as competitive. Any path to victory for Biden in the Peach State this year will depend on the continued support of Black voters, many of whom said they would prefer to keep him, even over the opportunity to nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as the partys first Black woman nominee. In interviews, the presidents supporters in the state shared a similar message: the stakes of this election are too high to change course now. I am voting for democracy, and as of right now a convicted felon is not it, Jarita Burdette, a 42-year-old Atlanta resident, told CNN. Bidens our guy, thats who Im riding with. Some voters said they thought Biden was capable of leading for another four years and preferred him over a hypothetical alternative. Many expressed frustration with the attention being paid to Bidens age and performance vs. Trumps record and policies. The Democratic Party knew four years ago how old Joe Biden would be in 2024, said Michelle Mitchell, a 69-year-old Black Atlanta resident who participated in a CNN roundtable with older voters and opposes efforts to pressure Biden to step aside. To try to pull a stunt like this at the 11th hour is very disappointing. Jayla Koriyan, a 26-year-old Atlanta voter, said her vote in November is aimed at keeping Trump out of office. She pointed to the former presidents plans to launch a massive deportation operation of migrants and criticized him for his unwillingness over the years to denounce the far-right Proud Boys or the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. Asked if she had concerns about Bidens age, Koriyan replied: What are our other options? History of support Multiple post-debate polls have shown that Black voters are split on whether the president should step aside or remain at the top of the Democratic ticket. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll released this week found 47% of Black voters said Biden should continue his campaign, compared to 49% who said he should cede the nomination to someone else. A New York Times/Siena College poll found a similar split. But the same polls suggest that the calls for Biden to cede the nomination arent as strong within the Black community. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that among Biden supporters, 58% of Black supporters said both Biden and Trump ought to be replaced, compared with 84% of Asian supporters, 74% of White supporters and 67% of Hispanic supporters. Support among Black voters has long been the make or break point for Democratic politicians. In 2008, Black voters helped Barack Obama win the Democratic nomination and their high voter turnout helped him carry states like Ohio and North Carolina. In 2016, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination thanks in large part to Black primary voters in South Carolina and other southern states. And in 2020, Biden seemed poised for primary defeat after he placed fourth in Iowa and fifth in New Hampshire. It was his first place finish in South Carolina, fresh off the endorsement of Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, that turned the primary around. Biden won 61% of the Black vote, which made up 56% of the Democratic primary electorate, according to CNN exit polling. As of Friday, more than a dozen members of Congress have called on Biden to pass the torch to a new generation. But the presidents support among the Congressional Black Caucus has remained strong publicly. Clyburn said Friday that hes all in on Biden, and that discussions about whether the president should drop out should end. The conversation should focus on the record of this administration, on the alternative to his election, and let Joe Biden make his own decisions about his political future, Clyburn told NBCs The Today Show. Hes earned that right. Whats the alternative? Rhonda Briggins, a 51-year-old political organizer based in Atlanta, said her main focus is defeating Trump and boosting down ballot Democratic candidates. Everything else, including calls for Biden to step aside, is a distraction. But part of her reasoning for keeping Biden is borne out of a fear for Harris and her safety. Briggins said Harris is more than qualified to become president, but the thought of the vice president becoming the nominee made her nervous. Sexism in America is more prevalent than even racism in America, and so to be a Black woman you get both hits, she said. Im afraid of so many things when we even think about that as an option for her. Among the names floated in the media to replace Biden if he steps aside California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer among them the most logical choice for many Biden skeptics has been Harris, who could inherit much of the campaigns funding and infrastructure and run on his record. Morris said that Harris would be an obvious choice, and she would vote for her if she were the nominee. Her concern, she said, was that independents wouldnt. We saw this with Stacey Abrams here in the state of Georgia, where you had a highly competent nominee who had all the credentials, Morris said, referring to the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in both 2018 and 2022. She had everything. She was the full package. And she did not win. Some voters said they would be open to Harris and think she can do the job. But a few said they hadnt seen enough of her over the last four years to feel confident swapping her in. Robyn Gipson, a 29-year-old Atlanta voter who wants Biden to stay in, said she didnt have confidence Harris could beat Trump because she hasnt heard enough from her over the last few years. I feel as though Kamala, the only thing I know her for is We did it Joe, Gipson said, referencing the viral moment when Harris called Biden to congratulate him on their 2020 victory. Its been four years, we havent seen anything. George Mitchell, a 78-year-old Atlanta resident who also participated in the roundtable discussion, said he would back Harris. Anyone, in his view, would be better than Trump. I would support my third-grade nephew, he said. I will support anyone that the Democrats put up there. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The blackmarket for Nvidia H100, A100 AI GPUs is exploding US-imposed export sanctions cause Chinese buyers to come up with imaginative techniques to get their hands on precious cargo In October 2022, the Biden Administration announced that it would impose restrictions on the sale of new semiconductors to China, aiming to slow the progress of the Chinese tech sector. This has meant firms like Huawei have had to become increasingly creative to get around the restrictions, but its not easy. The US blocked the importation of advanced Nvidia GPUs to China to tighten control over critical AI technology and this has inadvertently ignited a thriving underground market there. Chinese buyers, undeterred by the sanctions, are employing remarkably ingenious tactics to smuggle in high-end Nvidia GPUs like the H100 and A100. There is always a way The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports some travelers are now hiding advanced Nvidia chips in their luggage. The outlet reviewed records, including customs filings, that showed Nvidia chips were being purchased by Chinese buyers in an underground market. One Beijing distributor told WSJ reporters that he receives dozens of chips monthly, claiming "there is always a way" to get them into China. Another broker, acting as an intermediary, described using personal contacts at official distribution channels and system integrators in Southeast Asia to source the chips, omitting the model numbers on paperwork to evade detection. In April 2024, Reuters reported Chinese universities and research institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Shandong Artificial Intelligence Institute, were able to acquire Nvidia chips through resellers. While tighter regulations under the Advanced Computing Chips Rule aim to curb this flow, the blackmarket continues to thrive and adapt. As the tech arms race intensifies, both sides are employing increasingly sophisticated measures to outmaneuver each other in this high-stakes game of technological cat and mouse. More from TechRadar Pro Bloomberg: Orban spoke against Ukraine's NATO membership during meeting with Zelensky in Washington Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke against Ukraines NATO membership during a plenary meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Alliances Washington Summit, Bloomberg reported on July 13. Orban refused to back military support for Ukraine during the summit on July 11 and suggested that Kyiv should not join the alliance, according to Bloombergs sources. The comment sparked backlash from other leaders. Budapest has repeatedly opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, and maintained close relations with Moscow throughout the full-scale war. Orban met Zelensky in Kyiv at the start of July after taking over the rotating presidency on July 1. He urged the Ukrainian president to consider a ceasefire to "speed up peace talks. The talks were billed as an important step toward solving long-standing problems between the two leaders. But Zelensky dismissed the proposal and stuck to Kyivs own peace plan. Orban angered many in the EU after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 5 to discuss the invasion of Ukraine. He said that Ukraine and Russia's stances on the war and prospects for peace are "very far apart." Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the trip was "an insult to the Ukrainian peoples fight for their freedom. The EU has distanced itself from Orban's venture, saying he does not represent the European bloc despite Hungary's presidency of the Council of the EU. The Hungarian leader then visited China and met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on July 12. After the meeting, he wrote on X that Trump will solve the war. Orbans peace missions have caused outrage in the EU, undisclosed European diplomats told the media following a meeting in Brussels on July 10. While no decision was taken on how to prevent such ventures in the future, "there will be follow-ups," said Rikard Jozwiak, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Brussels correspondent. Read also: Zelensky repudiates Orban, says only strong alliances can be mediators between Russia, Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Chandni Shah and Devika Madhusudhanan Nair (Reuters) -Boeing has started certification flight testing of its long-delayed 777-9 with U.S. aviation regulators onboard, the U.S. planemaker said in an emailed statement. The company said it conducted its first flight on Friday night after receiving Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). The development is a boost for Boeing, which has been grappling with production and legal issues since a Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX plane. The news was first reported by Air Current. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) while declining to comment on specific certification projects, said "Generally, this kind of thorough process takes many months." The 777-9 is part of the 777X project to upgrade the 777 wide-body jet. The project has been in development since 2013 but has faced multiple hold-ups, including certification delays. Type inspection authorization is typically associated with the start of the certification process, made after the FAA has examined technical data. The milestone allows FAA pilots to participate in flight testing needed to certify the plane for normal operation. The chairman of Emirates, the plane's biggest customer, said in May he did not expect the certification before the first quarter of 2025. Boeing has said that the 777-9 test fleet will undergo the most thorough commercial flight test effort the planemaker has ever undertaken. (Reporting by Chandni Shah and Devika Nair in Bengaluru Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Mark Potter and Diane Craft) Army personnel in charge of security at the gates of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, received an anti-terroism briefing Wednesday, training that typically gives a mundane rundown of how to identify potential threats. But this PowerPoint presentation had a glaring difference: It conflated mainstream lobbying groups, partisan organizations and non-violent political activism with terror groups such as the Islamic State and the Ku Klux Klan. A photo of the slide presentation went viral online and raised the ire of Republicans on Capitol Hill and far-right commentators online for highlighting two groups in particular as terrorist organizations -- National Right to Life and Operation Rescue, both anti-abortion lobbying groups that have no record of acting violently. Read Next: Hundreds of Soldiers Ordered to Recruiting School Were Promised Bonuses. So Far, Just 2 Have Been Paid. The Army repudiated the presentation, saying it will review such briefings in the future. The botched briefing comes as the Pentagon grapples with legitimate extremism in the military ranks and provides a snapshot of how educating the force on threats at the ground level can be mishandled. "The slides were developed by a local garrison employee to train soldiers manning access control points at Fort Liberty," an Army spokesperson told Military.com in a statement. "These slides will no longer be used, and all future training products will be reviewed to ensure they align with the current DoD anti-terrorism guidance." National Right to Life describes itself as the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the U.S., with 3,000 local chapters across the country. The group advocates for anti-abortion education and legislation, and opposes assisted suicide. "In a presentation that is deeply offensive to pro-life Americans across the nation, Fort Liberty promoted outright lies about National Right to Life in a demonstration of lazy scholarship," Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said in a statement. "In our over 50-year history, National Right to Life has always, consistently and unequivocally condemned violence against anyone." Operation Rescue is a Christian activist organization that says it uses "investigative techniques to expose deceit, neglect and abuse within the Abortion Cartel, while demanding enforcement of state and federal standards and statutes." But the briefing on threats also lumped in left-wing groups, according to a copy of the slides obtained by Military.com. Those included People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, a nonviolent animal rights group, which has long blasted the Army for using working dogs, as well as using animals as test subjects. The briefing noted PETA as an extremist group, seemingly conflating it with the Animal Liberation Front -- an international extremist animal rights group with a history of violence, including firebombing. PETA was investigated by the FBI in the early 2000s, but a Justice Department inspector general report later found that investigation to be inappropriate. Some information in the presentation appeared more accurate but was outdated. Earth First and the Earth Liberation Front, eco-terror groups with histories of arson and bombings, were listed in the slides, though such groups have lost much of their relevance in recent decades. The Weather Underground and Black Panthers, both listed as terrorist groups, were active decades ago. It did identify violent movements that are more current, such as neo-Nazis and the Christian Identity Movement, which was connected to the Oklahoma City bombing but may be having a resurgence. The Army kicked off a 15-6 investigation into the presentation amid the public outcry, one source with direct knowledge of the situation told Military.com. The investigations can be wide-ranging, often include dozens of interviews, and are tools that inform decisions on disciplinary action. The individual who gave the class did not create the presentation themselves, and it was not immediately unclear who made it and how it got into the formal training. The presentation was shared widely on social media, and quickly caught the attention of conservative commentators and Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill. A statement posted on X from the House Armed Services Committee noted that it was "demanding answers" from the Army on the matter. The service has struggled to articulate what is and isn't extremism, sometimes conflating partisan or political movements as radicalism. It recently issued a set of new policies that allow it to more easily hold soldiers accountable for expressing radical views -- even when off duty, when such views may otherwise be constitutionally protected. The policies generally bar speech and actions that side with violence against the government or systemic discrimination. Related: Soldiers Now Face Punishment for Sharing, Liking Extremist Content on Social Media Under New Army Policy The News As Joe Biden takes up the headlines with his own campaign drama for a change, Donald Trump is facing his own, quieter debate: Who should he pick as his running mate? The former president is nearing the July 15 deadline to announce who hes tapped, and while hes fueled speculation by suggesting over the last several months that his mind is made up, it remains unclear who (if anyone) he has officially decided on. What we do know with the knowledge, of course, that Trump remains unpredictable is that the list of options has narrowed to three. The Candidates J.D. Vance. The senator from Ohio has the backing of Don. Jr, who has privately and publicly pushed for his father to choose the MAGA-expert. Vance would be the best choice if Trump is looking for a vice presidential pick who can continue the movement beyond his second term. Hes also, in recent years, become increasingly aligned with Trumps unique brand of politics: Closing out the National Conservatism conference on Wednesday, the Ohio senator praised Trump for conquering the old, globalist GOP, a faction that he said had been planning a return to implementing the Wall Street Journals editorial positions until Trump returned to win the nomination. Trump, as a person who values loyalty above all else, might be swayed by a person who is unlikely to push back on policy proposals and decision-making. In theory, he might also help in the all-important Rust Belt after winning an unusually tough midterm election against Democrat Tim Ryan in one of the most Trump-trending states. Vance was a convert to MAGA and the conversion happened under bright media lights. In 2016, as his memoir Hillbilly Elegy became a runaway bestseller, Vance denounced the GOP nominee and said that he couldnt possibly vote for him. In 2022, his Republican opponents in Ohios primary bashed him with the old quotes but it took Trumps official endorsement to get him through the race. He has a memory like a steel trap, Vance said of Trump at Wednesdays National Conservatism conference. I almost wish his memory was as bad as Joe Bidens, because hed forget what I said about him in 2016. Doug Burgum. The North Dakota governor, who made little impact in the 2024 primary, has been far more visible as a Trump surrogate and potential VP. He would bring personal wealth to the ticket, estimated by Forbes at more than $100 million, and had barely been critical of Trump, even as a rival; he told Meet the Press in 2023 that he wouldnt do business with Trump, but recanted. NewsCorps Rupert Murdoch has advocated for Burgum, and Trump has called him a success, who probably knows more about energy than anybody I know. But Burgum is the only candidate on the shortlist whos signed a bill limiting abortion a near-total ban in North Dakota, which he said in 2023 that he wouldnt demand nationwide. That position aligned him with Trump, but on Wednesday, Trump said that the abortion ban was an issue for Burgum. I think Doug is great, Trump told Brian Kilmeade on Fox News Radio. Hes taken a pretty strong stance or the state has. I dont know if its Doug, but the state has. Marco Rubio. Like Vance, Rubio attacked Trump in 2016, ending his own primary campaign by calling the candidate a dangerous con man with small hands. Democrats have recycled those clips for years, portraying Rubios subsequent Trump support as convenient and insincere, all for a man whose little Marco nickname stuck. But Rubio has the biggest win record of anyone on the shortlist, entering Miami politics in his 20s and humiliating then-Gov. Charlie Crist with his Tea Party-powered 2010 U.S. Senate campaign. He demolished well-funded Democratic challengers in 2016 and 2022, repositioning himself as a Trump ally, and more often than not aligning with him on foreign policy and immigration. At a time when the GOP is bullish on making inroads with Latino voters, hes also just as comfortable defending Trump in Spanish-language and English-language media. That hasnt quieted every one of Rubios MAGA critics, who still recall his effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform in 2013, which put him in conflict with future Trump administration figures like Jeff Sessions and Stephen Miller. And he was also celebrated by more hawkish Republicans who would go on to oppose Trump. He represents the neocon, war-mongering establishment of Washington D.C., which stands diametrically opposed to the very policies that President Trump has always stood for, former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard told Megyn Kelly this week. (Gabbard, who endorsed Biden in 2020, has undergone her own MAGA conversion.) The rest. Theres still, of course, the chance Trump pivots and picks some of his other early options: Sen. Tim Scott is one of the few former primary opponents who didnt manage to anger Trump, and could bring in Black voters; former Housing Secretary Ben Carson has long been an ally of Trumps, and New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was an early entry on his VP list. PeopleImages / iStock.com The lofty $1 million figure is often cited as the ideal number for a retirement portfolio although it keeps creeping ever higher. However, most Americans are still falling woefully short of achieving a seven-digit nest egg. Read Next: Im Planning My Retirement: 5 Expenses I Wish I Had Cut Sooner Find Out: The Surprising Way You Can Get Guaranteed Retirement Income for Life According to the Federal Reserves most recent Survey of Consumer Finances, the median retirement account balance was only about $87,000. Those relying on Social Security arent faring much better, as the average monthly retirement check was just $1,867.83 as of May 2024, amounting to just $22,414 per year. This is the reason why its so important to save and invest as much as you can as early as you can. To that end, GOBankingRates performed an analysis of just how much youd need to save each month at different ages to hit $1 million by age 65. As is apparent below, the earlier you begin, the more time compound interest has to work its magic, making it easier to reach the $1 million level. But even if you come up a bit short, investing consistently is the key to boosting your portfolio value as much as possible. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. At Age 20 Earning 10% annually (the approx. long-term average of the S&P 500 index): $96 Earning 8.2% annually (the approx. long-term average of a portfolio consisting of 60% S&P 500 index and 40% long-term government bonds): $178 Earning 5.5% annually (the approx. annual average of long-term government bonds): $424 At Age 30 Earning 10% annually: $264 Earning 8.2% annually: $416 Earning 5.5% annually: $787 Learn More: Heres How Much You Need Saved To Retire Rich in Americas Largest Cities At Age 35 Earning 10% annually: $443 Earning 8.2% annually: $645 Earning 5.5% annually: $1,095 At Age 40 Earning 10% annually: $754 Earning 8.2% annually: $1,018 Earning 5.5% annually: $1,560 At Age 45 Earning 10% annually: $1,320 Earning 8.2% annually: $1,655 Earning 5.5% annually: $2,300 At Age 50 Earning 10% annually: $2,415 Earning 8.2% annually: $2,850 Earning 5.5% annually: $3,600 At Age 55 Earning 10% annually: $4,900 Earning 8.2% annually: $5,400 Earning 5.5% annually: $6,300 3 Tips To Help You Reach $1 Million Starting at Any Age As you can see above, starting early is one of the most important steps in accumulating $1 million by the time you retire. In fact, if you start as early as age 20, you wont even have to save that much on a monthly basis to reach that target. But regardless of when you start, theres a path to a seven-digit nest egg. Here are three additional tips that can help get you to millionaire status. Story continues Automate Life is full of surprises that can derail even the most dedicated savers path to investment success. This is why automating your savings and investment is so important. When your bank automatically transfers money every month to your investment account, you cant forget about making your payment or talk yourself into skipping just this one month because youd rather spend that money on something else. After a short while, youll get used to having your money automatically transferred to your investment account and likely wont even miss it. At that point, you can even consider bumping up your monthly contribution to get to your savings goal even faster. Maximize Your Employer Match One of the greatest tools of all in terms of wealth-building is the employer 401k match. Most employers that offer a 401(k) plan will match a certain percentage of employee contributions every year to boost their accounts. For example, if you put away 5% of your income every year into your 401(k), your employer might make an additional contribution matching between 50% and 100% of what you put into your account. Over a 40-year investing career, that can add up to a significant amount of money. Choose the Right Investments Over the long run, the amount you earn on your investments plays a pivotal role in your ultimate account balance and even a few percentage points can make a huge difference. As shown above, the difference between earning 8.2% on your investment and 10% can amount to tens of thousands of dollars over the period of a few decades. For this reason, even conservative investors are best served over the long run by having at least some of their portfolio invested in stocks. As volatile as the stock market can be, over a long period of time, the risk of losing money diminishes greatly. In fact, the S&P 500 has never lost money over any 20-year rolling period, making it a solid investment for long-term investors. Please note that values are approximate and in the real world can vary based on the sequence of investment returns you earn. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Much Do You Need To Save Each Month at Different Ages To Hit $1 Million in Retirement? British Prime Minister Keir Starmer deflected questions about President Joe Bidens mental fitness and age during a CNN interview Friday, saying it is up to American voters to decide on their president. CNNs Jake Tapper asked Starmer, the newly-elected prime minister of the United Kingdom, whether he believed 80 years was too old for someone to serve as U.S. president noting both parties presumptive candidates would be just over or under that age come November. Obviously, in America, its for the American people to decide who they want to be their president, Starmer replied. Starmer also maintained earlier in the interview that Biden was in good form during a one-on-one meeting between the leaders Thursday. We were billed for 45 minutes. We probably went on for the best part of an hour. Covered a lot of ground. And, he was in good form, Starmer said during the CNN interview, echoing his Thursday remarks to the BBC. The interview comes just over a week after he was elected prime minister in the Labour Partys landslide victory. Tapper also asked Starmer if he endorsed Biden for president, noting the U.K. leader said a second Trump term would not be his desired outcome during a September 2023 interview with Politico. Starmer said he would work with whoever is elected in November. I am a progressive, and were sister parties with the Democrats. But Ive also been really clear that I will work with whoever the American people decide to elect as their president. Thats what you would expect and it is for the American people to decide, Starmer replied. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Starmer says Biden deserves credit and reveals details of first weekly audience with King Charles Sir Keir Starmer said that Joe Biden deserves credit for the success of the Nato summit and that the president was on good form during their recent in-person conversation. The prime minister was asked about Bidens mental capability in a new interview with CNN, in which he also discussed the possibility of working with Donald Trump and his weekly meetings with King Charles III. Starmer recently attended the Nato summit in Washington DC alongside other world leaders including Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky his first major outing on the world diplomacy stage. In an interview with CNN on Friday, he was asked about the continuing concern over Bidens mental acuity, following a string of serious gaffes and his disastrous debate performance last month. I yesterday spent 45 minutes with the President, he told the news networks Jake Tapper. Wed spoken on the phone, as you can imagine, but this was an opportunity to discuss a number of issues. The prime minister sat down with CNNs Jake Tapper, for an interview that aired on Friday (CNN) We probably went on for the best part of an hour, covered a lot of ground, and he was in good form. It was also a really good opportunity for me, as a new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, just literally in week one, to speak to the President about the special relationship, which matters to him, matters to me. Starmer also reiterated that he and the UK had unshakeable support for Nato and praised the success of the summit. Weve had two days of the council now with actually a very successful outcome president Zelensky [said] this is a success, he said And so I do think [Biden] deserves credit for that. On Thursday evening Biden gave a high-stakes press conference at the Nato summit, shortly after introducing Zelensky as president Putin. Despite getting through his scripted remarks, during questions from reporters he referred to his running mate Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump, a slip-up that was pounced on by members of the Trump campaign. Starmer was also asked about the possibility that come November, he could be made to work with Trump, should he return to the White House. In particular, Tapper highlighted previous comments by foreign secretary David Lammy. Starmer was also asked about the possibility of working with Donald Trump, should the former president return to the White House in November (CNN) In 2018, Lammy called then-President Trump a woman-hating, neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath and a profound threat to the international order. Starmer has also reportedly said that another Trump presidency would not be his desired outcome. Were sister parties with the Democrats, Starmer said. But Ive also been really clear that I will work with whoever the American people decide to elect as their president. Thats what you would expect, and it is for the American people to decide. Theyll decide later this year, and we will approach it on that basis. Starmer once talked about abolishing the British monarchy, however, he told CNN that he now looks forward to his weekly audience with the King. It is always valuable to listen to what he has to say. Hes incredibly interested in politics, in the affairs across the United Kingdom, and global affairs, he said. Theyre a really good frank exchange of views and long may they continue. He added: Hes incredible as well, you know, hes had a really difficult time with his health this year but he is out there doing his public duty. British Police said human remains found on the Clifford Suspension Bridge in Bristol and in an apartment in west London belong to two male victims. Photo by Rick Findler/EPA-EFE July 13 (UPI) -- British police have arrested a 34-year-old man after two suitcases containing human remains were found on a bridge in Bristol. London Metropolitan Police said in a statement per CNN they conducted a joint operation with local authorities to detain the man early Saturday in Bristol. The suspect will soon be transferred to London for questioning. Police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Colombian national Yostin Andres Mosquera. There currently are no other suspects in the investigation. Investigators also found remains in an apartment in Shepherd's Bush, west London, that they believe are connected to the Bristol crime. Officers said they believe remains belong to two male victims. A formal identification has not yet been conducted. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said Saturday's arrest was "a significant development." "We understand the concerns of local communities in both Bristol and London and officers will remain in the Clifton and Shepherd's Bush areas over the coming days to reassure those affected by this tragic incident," he said. Authorities since Wednesday have been searching for whoever left two suitcases containing human remains on the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Avon and Somerset Police received a report late Wednesday night of a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously on the bridge. By the time officers arrived, the suspect was gone, but his suitcase was left behind. Investigators later found a second suitcase near the crime scene. Another man was arrested Friday in London in connection to the investigation but was later released without charge, police said. Burkina Faso's military junta has announced a ban on homosexuality, reversing the country's policies two years after seizing power. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced Thursday that the junta's cabinet has agreed on legislation criminalizing "homosexuality." He did not reveal the extent of the ban whether it is against LGBTQ+ identity broadly or specifically those in same-sex relationships, nor what the sentences will entail. "Henceforth homosexuality and associated practices will be punished by the law," he stated, per BBC. While LGBTQ+ identity is not widely accepted in the nation, it was not previously outlawed. The ban comes as part of the junta's overhaul of marriage laws two years after overthrowing the country's former military ruler, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba. The nation will only recognize religious and customary marriages once the junta parliament approves the law and leader Ibrahim Traore signs off on it. There are currently 61 countries that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual acts in some form, 32 of them being in Africa, according to ILGA World Database, with punishments ranging from fines and imprisonment to the death penalty. Human Rights Watch has previously said the 2022 military coup in Burkina Faso was "responsible for serious abuses, further degrading [the country's] human rights and humanitarian situation." While many countries have decriminalized same-sex relationships in recent years, others have instead enacted legislation where there previously was none criminalizing them. Uganda lawmakers passed what has been dubbed one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws last year in May, and Ghana advanced a draconian LGBTQ+ criminalization bill in spite of warnings from other nations and world financial institutions. The daughter of Cameroon's president, Brenda Biya, recently came out as a lesbian in spite of the country's anti-LGBTQ+ law and backlash from her family. She called on states to overturn their "unfair" policies. Businessman Murdered Wife, 29, and Got Only 10 Years in Prison: 'A Life Is Worth More Than That' (Exclusive) Curtis Holliday murdered his wife Chi Le and left her body in a freezer in 2020 Facebook Chi Le with her daughter. Curtis Holliday, the Texas businessman who murdered his wife and left her body in a freezer, will walk away a free man after he serves his 10-year prison sentence. Back in 2020, Holliday had been arrested for continuously abusing his wife, 29-year-old Chi Le, and ordered to have no contact with her. While out on bond, he murdered her. Years later, in June 2024 and shortly before jury selection was scheduled to begin in his trial in Harris County District Court, Holliday, 62, pleaded guilty to murder in exchange for a decade-long sentence. (He already served two of those years, per ABC 13.) We are pleased that we were able to get that accountability. He took responsibility, Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Bondurant says in a statement to PEOPLE. Curtis Holliday and Chi Le Related: 'Please Check My Husband': Texas Wife Wrote Chilling Message Before She Was Killed, Stuffed into Freezer Le met Holliday on WeChat in 2015, before moving into his home and working for his business, where the couple bought and resold household goods that customers had returned to retailers. A year later, Le, a Vietnamese immigrant, gave birth to their daughter, and the pair then got married in 2019. For more on the murder of Chi Le, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands now, or subscribe. In early 2020, Holliday was arrested on domestic violence charges. Court documents detailed the abuse he allegedly subjected his wife to, including striking her, restricting her access to food, locking her in a room against her will and telling her that if he were to kill her, no one would know, care or notice. Four months later, Holliday killed his wife. I was jealous and angry that [Chi] had decided to leave me for another man, he explained in his guilty plea. 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. Le's death was discovered in April 2020, when her aunt, Simone Le, noticed that weeks had gone by since she had talked to her niece. After calling the police and explaining that it was unlike Le to miss their frequent phone conversations, the aunt requested that an officer stop by the couples home. That's when police made a startling discovery that there was a woman there, caring for the couple's daughter but it was Hollidays ex-wife and not Le. A month later, police spotted what prosecutors described in an affidavit as a large freezer that appeared to be brand new in the middle of a room. The appliance not only looked out of place, they wrote, but was big enough to hold a person. Authorities then were shocked to find Les body wrapped in plastic inside the freezer, frozen with frost on the skin, according to an autopsy report. The freezer where Chi Le's body had been found. Holliday later confessed to placing his wife in the freezer but insisted that she had died by suicide. But authorities were skeptical, in part due to a Facebook message that Le's aunt had noticed before her nieces death: If suddenly nobody can find me, or find me dead, she wrote, please check my husband. He many times tell me [sic] that he will murder me. After a medical examiner ruled Les death a homicide, prosecutors charged Holliday with murder in July 2020. His attorney Dick DeGuerin was expected to argue that his client had merely visited the couples home albeit despite a court-issued no contact order discovered his wifes body and panicked before stuffing it into the freezer. We thought that a settlement was better than a trial for him, says attorney DeGuerin of Holliday. "He could be out in eight years, back with his daughter. KHOU TV Curtis Holliday in court. Related: What Nicole Brown Simpsons Family Really Knew About O.J.s Violent Abuse Revealed in New Docuseries (Exclusive) Prior to her violent death, Le had turned to law enforcement and the courts, knowing her life was in danger. According to those who work with domestic violence victims, her case, and Holliday's short prison sentence, is emblematic of larger social problems. Amy Smith with the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, tells PEOPLE, "It goes to show just what little resources and support there are for the victims. Adds Andy Kahan with Crime Stoppers of Houston: "This case sends a chilling message to domestic violence victims. Her life is worth much more than 10 years. 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. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (FOX40.COM) The California State Fair is officially underway, and residents from across the state can look forward to traditional fair activities like eating anything fried, enjoying a ride or two, and more importantly, doing it all while beating the heat. But fairgoers can attend the fair even more comfortably knowing that Sacramento County health inspectors will be in attendance making sure that all 160 food stands are preparing their food while utilizing safe food practices. Rolando Villareal, the environmental health division chief for Sacramento County, said, Food vendors at the California State Fair face the same level of inspection as all other restaurants in Sacramento CountyWe want to ensure that they follow safe food handling practices and adhere to state health codes to keep their customers from getting sick. The California State Fair: a state tradition for over 160 years Health inspectors will conduct unannounced inspections to investigate food-related complaints while providing food safety education to vendors. Inspectors will be looking to ensure that fresh food is prepared every day, as no food for next-day use is allowed to be sold at the fair, that healthy food temperature is maintained, that the source of food is approved, and that vendors follow proper handwashing procedures and proper sewage disposal. The California State Fair began on Friday, July 12, and will run through July 28. In addition to its 160 food stands, the event became the first state fair in the country to allow the legal sale and consumption of marijuana. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As cartels take a stake in green gold, US and Mexico rethink how avocados reach American kitchens When two US avocado inspectors were assaulted and detained at a police roadblock in the Mexican state of Michoacan last month, it sparked a costly international crisis. The US paused all avocado imports from the state for more than a week, leaving Mexican growers out of tens of millions of dollars and temporarily sending the price of a carton of the fruit in the US soaring by 40 percent, according to analysis firm RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness. Weeks later, after diplomats and agricultural officials from both countries negotiated new security guidelines around inspections, the massive cross-border trade has stabilized, with the US Department of Agriculture saying that export levels returned to normal at the beginning of July. But the episode underscored the precarious nature of the industry and the immense volatility in a region that provides most of the worlds avocados, one of Mexicos most dangerous states and a nexus of cartel power. US and Mexican officials are now considering new changes to the strict processes that direct how the fruit can make its way to American kitchens to meet ever-increasing demand, with industry groups and advocates urging for more oversight. Green gold Avocados, the creamy fruit with the industry nickname green gold, are big business. Of the amount exported from the nearly 2.7 million metric tons of the fruit grown last year in Mexico, 81 percent went to the US, at a value of $2.7 billion. Nearly three-quarters of Mexican avocados come from Michoacan, a state along the countrys Pacific coast with a volcanic belt running through it that makes its soil ideal for farming. The states deepwater port has also been critical for the flourishing of drug cartels, which moved into Michoacan in the 1980s, fueling a homicide rate that is today more than twice the national average. The expansion of the avocado market in the state around the same time has been deeply intertwined with the violent groups and corrupt public authorities, researchers at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said in a report this year. Citing interviews with growers in the state, the researchers described how criminal groups illegally burn and log protected forests and bribe local officials to change permissions around the use of the land to allow for commercial activity. According to an academic article published by the Mexican government cited in the report, 80 percent of the avocado orchards in Michoacan were established illegally, initially through unauthorized land use that was then turned into legal parcels thanks to corruption of public authorities. Cartels today also regularly extort producers in protection schemes, the report found. Local police forces in turn commonly rent themselves out as security for producers, and heavily armed militias known as autodefensa groups have formed to patrol farms. A group of armed men provide security as a truck with avocado trees passes by in Ario de Rosales, Mexico, on July 1, 2021. - Cristopher Rogel Blanquet/Getty Images This is the core of the mafia-style relationships that exist in Michoacan around avocado production, Romain Le Cour, one of the report authors and a senior expert at the initiative, said in an interview. You need criminal actors in a way to stir up the business, you need business entrepreneurs to run the business, and you need corrupt authorities to make sure that what youre doing becomes legalized or laundered. Mexican officials in the aftermath of the detention of the inspectors in June were quick to downplay the incident, claiming it was nonviolent and unrelated to organized crime and the inspectors work in the avocado industry. The inspectors, who were Mexican citizens working for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, were stopped and taken from their car after attempting to cross a barricade on a highway set up by police officers who were protesting a pay issue, according to Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla, the Michoacan governor. US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar has said, however, that the men were assaulted. The office of the Michoacan state prosecutor told CNN last month that theyve opened an investigation into the incident. A dangerous job Since the US first allowed imports of avocados from Michoacan in 1997, APHIS employees in the country have inspected avocado orchards to ensure they are free of pests that could harm US avocado crops. About 100 inspectors from the agency operate within the state, according to Ramirez, visiting avocado groves and packing facilities to check the fruit before issuing a certification. That close contact and pivotal responsibility leaves them extremely exposed to corruption and violence, said Le Cour, the GI-TOC expert. In 2022, exports of Mexican avocados were similarly halted for several days after one of the US inspectors working in Michoacan received a threatening phone call. In the wake of both incidents, Mexican leaders have pushed to change the bilateral agreement regulating the trade to allow for the Mexican government to take over the inspections, with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticizing the US decision to halt the export as arrogance. In a news conference last month, Mexican Agriculture Minister Victor Villalobos said the Mexican government was perfectly prepared to do the work, which he said would be valuable to avoid having to stop the export. Officials at the US State Department and USDA have considered the possible change, according to Ken Melban, the vice president for industry affairs and operations at the California Avocado Commission, which represents growers in the state. Avocado trees grow on newly planted land next to deciduous forest in Michoacan, Mexico, on March 16, 2022. - Brian Overcast/picture-alliance/dpa/AP In a statement, Melban called it unimaginable the US government would consider abdicating inspection responsibilities to Mexico. Such a change, he told CNN, would leave him doubtful of the integrity of certifications that the exported avocados are actually pest-free. US farmers will not be protected under such a program, one intended and designed specifically to protect US farmers economic interests, he said. An APHIS spokesperson declined to comment on the thinking around the policy. US and Mexican officials have also recently resurfaced discussions around a policy to block the export of avocados from Mexico grown in orchards on illegally cleared lands, according to Brad Adams, the executive director of Climate Rights International, an advocacy group that used satellite imagery last year to document the widespread deforestation behind the market. Leaders in both countries have voiced support for such a policy, but have so far been unable to decide on a legal mechanism to enact it. In a letter this spring to a group of US senators who had pushed for the change, the USDA noted that its inspectors dont have the regulatory authority to certify around the issue, according to a copy obtained by CNN. Instead, the agency pointed towards training and technical assistance that the US Forest Service has provided to Mexico to support real-time deforestation monitoring of priority regions. Weve exposed something that is illegal and therefore indefensible, Adams said. They have an obligation that they recognize at a governmental level in Mexico, and the US cant keep importing illegally harvested produce. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Which celebrity donors are asking Biden to drop out of the race? (NewsNation) A growing group of celebrity Democratic donors are calling on President Joe Biden to step down from his 2024 bid, some of whom have threatened to withhold future contributions. Public concerns over the 81-year-olds ability to serve a second term intensified after the first 2024 presidential debate in June. Biden appeared to stumble over his words and lose his train of thought during his first standoff with former President Donald Trump this election cycle. Read the RNC platform party members will consider Monday The chorus calling on Biden to back down grew stronger after the presidents solo news conference Thursday. Fresh from the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., Biden confused the name of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with that of Russian President Vladimir Putin and referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump. Biden has repeatedly declined to give up his reelection bid but recently told DNC delegates theyre free to do whatever they want. The party must nominate a candidate by Aug. 7 George Clooney The self-described lifelong Democrat detailed his concerns about the presidents abilities in a July 10 New York Times op-ed. In the last four years, (Biden) has won many of the battles hes faced, Clooney wrote. But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against timethe Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate. Clooney co-hosted a fundraiser for Bidens reelection in June and previously spearheaded Democratic fundraising events for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Selecting a new presidential nominee would be a messy process but one that has the potential to win back checked out voters, Clooney said. Lets hear from Wes Moore and Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer and Gavin Newsom and Andy Beshear and J.B. Pritzker and others, he wrote. Stephen King Famed author Stephen King posted on X July 8, calling for Biden to call off his reelection bid. Joe Biden has been a fine president, but its time for him in the interests of the America he so clearly loves to announce he will not run for reelection, he said. X owner Elon Musk replied, saying, Even Stephen King is voting for Trump! King has been an outspoken critic of the Republican Party. Abigail Disney The daughter of longtime senior Disney executive Roy E. Disney said shell stop donating to the Democratic Party unless and until they replace Biden at the top of the ticket. This is realism, not disrespect, she told CNBC on July 4. Biden is a good man and has served his country admirably, but the stakes are far too high. Abigail Disney is a longtime Democratic donor. Shes contributed nearly $2 million to federal Democratic candidates, committees and groups since 1992, according to NewsNation partner The Hill, which analyzed Federal Election Commission (FEC) contributions. Her combined contributions during this election cycle so far total $63,000. If Biden does not step down, the Democrats will lose, she said. Of that, I am absolutely certain. The consequences for the loss will be genuinely dire. Reed Hastings Earlier this month, Netflix co-founder and Democratic donor Reed Hastings shared his doubts about Bidens ability to lead a second term. He told The New York Times the president needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous. Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, donated $1.5 million to support Biden ahead of his 2020 victory. They also contributed $100,000 in the summer of 2023 to back his 2024 reelection efforts, The New York Times reported. Hastings has a close relationship with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, whom some have suggested as an alternative nominee, the newspaper noted. Ashley Judd Actor and activist Ashley Judd made a public call Friday for Biden to step aside. The defense of our cherished rights and freedoms, the moral imperative that we do better by more people, and our bodies, cannot be left to voters who see and are frightened of the consequences of President Bidens obvious limitations, or who are now not going to vote, Judd wrote in a USA Today opinion piece. Until now, Judd had been an outspoken Biden supporter. She noted that joining the chorus of celebrities and donors advocating for Biden to leave the race may cost her professional opportunities. Their outrage at me is insignificant compared to the harm that is assured under a second Trump term for, say, our LGBTQ+ families, she wrote. Judd lost an endorsement in 2017 after she quoted Trump during a performance of Nina Donovans I am a Nasty Woman poem. She also is among those whose allegations helped spark the #MeToo movement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Navajo President Buu Nygren fist bumps Emerson Horace, chief financial officer of the Navajo Division of Economic Development who processed the Change Labs loan program for the President signature. Mr. Horaces job involves overseeing the financial aspects of the division's operations, including budgeting, financial reporting and ensuring financial compliance.(Photo/Navajo Nation) Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren wants to help hundreds of Navajo businesses grow through a new loan program. President Nygren made $7 million in funding available to small businesses through two loan programs offered by the nonprofit, innovative business accelerator Change Labs in Tuba City. He signed on Monday an agreement between Change Labs and the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative. The initiative is a partnership among the Navajo Division of Economic Development, the Navajo Chamber of Commerce and the Navajo Regional Business Development Office. I am really looking forward to small businesses thriving, new ones starting, changing existing ones from feeling they were forgotten, President Nygren said. We want business to grow and become bigger, to hire more people. Were trying to change the narrative by investing in our own communities. 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. Heather Fleming, executive director for Change Labs, said she expects to help more than 100 small Navajo businesses. With the ($7 million) in loans for Navajo businesses, we're anticipating serving approximately 180 Navajo borrowers with loans as small as $10,000 and as large as $1 million, she said. We will work directly with food vendors, artists, nonprofit leaders and construction firms, she added. Over a 10-year period, the Navajo Nation will give $87 million to Dine business owners from the federal governments State Small Business Credit Initiative. The Division of Economic Development received the first installment of $26 million. Of this funding source, $7 million has been allocated to Change Labs to push its small business support efforts forward. Change Labs will start to process loan applications through the loan guarantee and the loan participation program this month and will continue to accept applicants through 2027. Loans are available from $10,000 to $1 Million to invest in small businesses. Change Labs offers a range of services, including mentorship, training and access to capital to help individuals start and grow successful businesses. 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 Illinois Republicans head to Milwaukee for the partys national convention on Monday amid the political upheaval of electing a new state chairman whose chief task will be be trying to quell growing ideological and geographic divisions fueled by the hard-line partisanship of presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump. Kathy Salvi of Mundelein, who has made unsuccessful runs for the U.S. House and Senate, was selected Friday at a virtual meeting of the 17-member Illinois Republican State Central Committee. Salvi on July 19 will replace Don Tracy of Springfield, who in his resignation letter last month bemoaned spending far too much time dealing with intraparty power struggles, and local intraparty animosities involving Republicans who would rather fight other Republicans than engage in the harder work of defeating incumbent Democrats. The closed-door vote culminated a calamitous period following Mays state GOP convention, which revealed internal splits that led to the ouster of the state partys vice chairman, Mark Shaw of Lake Forest. Shaw was accused of improperly displaying a delegate badge to participate in floor votes and trying to leverage his status as a Trump organizer to become the states Republican national committeeman. The state central committees decision to dump Shaw as vice chairman and remove him from the partys fundraising committee portended Tracys demise, and he submitted his resignation two days later. Salvi won the chairmanship with about 60% of the weighted vote against state Rep. John Cabello of Machesney Park, a Rockford suburb, in an initial round of voting after Aaron Del Mar, the Palatine Republican Township committeeman, withdrew from the contest. In a final tally, 16 of the 17 members voted for Salvi, with one abstention, said GOP sources who were not authorized to speak publicly about the committees deliberations. Cabellos candidacy to be interim chairman until after the Nov. 5 election was backed by forces aligned with the controversial Shaw, who still sits on the state central committee despite losing his party title and looked to exert some power within the party, the GOP sources said. Cabello said he wanted to serve as a caretaker to keep the train on the tracks while they do their due diligence to find someone else to serve as chairman. Salvi now faces the task of trying to unify disparate groups of Illinois Republicans as the national party on Monday focuses on a united convention celebration behind Trump to defeat Democratic President Joe Biden, whose political fate was thrown into question after a stumbling debate showing against the former president. The presidential election dynamic also will undoubtedly be affected by the events of Saturday evenings Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania after Trump was whisked off stage after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd. After the incident in Pennsylvania, Salvi released a statement saying, The Republicans of Illinois are united and stand with President Trump. We express our full support for President Trump and his family. We appreciate the prompt response by law enforcement and the Secret Service. In the short term, rallying delegates behind the former president at the national convention was already an easy job. All 64 of them are pledged to Trumps nomination. But after that, the task for the new party chair is much harder trying to sell Trump in populous suburban areas where moderate women, a powerful election voting demographic, have shunned him. Trump has suffered back-to-back 17 percentage point defeats in Illinois in 2016 and 2020, pushing the state GOP into further irrelevancy down ballot as Democrats increased their dominance. Salvi needs to find a message that can unify Republicans geographically as the party core has shifted from suburban moderates to hard-line conservatives in largely rural downstate counties. Dominated for decades by wealthy donors, the partys once winning statewide platform of moderation on social issues and fiscal conservatism has gradually been scuttled by a growing embrace of social conservatism, including opposition to abortion and gay rights. Increasingly, the party has put ideological purity over electability in selecting candidates. The state GOPs rightward tilt was accelerated by the ascension of Trump, playing to feelings of victimization among voters and encouraging disruption of government institutions. A prime example is the 2022 GOP nomination of far-right downstate evangelical Darren Bailey for governor, aided in part through backdoor help from the man who ultimately defeated him, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Bailey lost badly in the general election and his candidacy cost Republicans across the ballot. Former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar, who served from 1991-1999, was blunt in his assessment of the state partys future if Trump regains the presidency in November. I dont see any hope in Illinois, because hell still have firm control of the Republican Party, Edgar said. The suburbs have been the key for several years, Edgar said, noting the collar county region was staunchly Republican during his tenure but has since become Democratic. We havent done well there. And I think more recently, its been the Trump factor. Its just that style of politics, I dont think, plays well with the average suburban voter. Edgar said he believes it could be a long time before the Republican Party can come around in Illinois if Trump wins. Its a cult more than a movement, an ideology, he said. Its obvious that everybody has drunk the Kool-Aid, and thats where the party is. Edgar did note that the current disarray among Democrats over Bidens fate on the ticket could help the GOP in Illinois. In an interview ahead of the chairman vote, Salvi said she has been very active with the party, supporting candidates up and down the state of Illinois, attending events where invited and making my case to the people willing to listen how Illinois is really no different than the states that surround us. Acknowledging Trumps previous losses in Illinois and concerns by some Republicans that his presence on the ballot has dragged down Republicans in down ballot contests, Salvi said she believes the 2024 election will be different because of voters dissatisfaction with Biden and his policies. Biden basically pulled a bait and switch, she said. People are hurting. Families are hurting. And they look at their lives under the four years of President Trump and they look at their lives of the last 3 1/2 years and people are hurting. Were going to have an angry vote out there. Not just Republicans. People who have never voted before. Theyre coming out in droves to support something different because they feel as though the promises made were not kept, Salvi said. The policies of the Biden administration have hurt families, have hurt Illinois families and voters. And people are recognizing that, which is why I think that the middle, center-left is coming on board. Tracy will retain the chairmanship through the end of the national convention in Milwaukee, while Salvi, as incoming chair, is expected to join U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, the chair of the Illinois delegation, at convention-related party organizational events. Miller is a member of the far right House Freedom Caucus, an ally of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and actively sought and won Trumps endorsement for her reelection efforts. The Republican National Convention runs Monday through Thursday with nightly programming occurring mainly between 6 and 10 p.m. from the Fiserv Forum, the home of the NBAs Milwaukee Bucks. The Illinois delegation will gather for morning breakfast organizing sessions at its hotel. It is among 56 state and territory delegations with a total of nearly 2,500 delegates who will formally nominate Trump and learn of his selection of a running mate. The RNC plans to have a theme for each convention night, with Tuesdays being Make America Safe Once Again. Its likely that Chicagos crime issues will be a target for attacks as one of the cities Trumps campaign say have become hollowed out, dystopian nightmares due to woke soft-on-crime and open border policies. Speaking July 8 on Fox News to Sean Hannity, Trump said he expected Biden to be the nominee at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and that post-July Fourth weekend shootings make the city like a war zone. Democrats are obviously very proud of Chicago. And I love Chicago. I have investments in Chicago, Trump said, But when you look at the crime in Chicago, when you look at whats gone wrong with Chicago, its not a very good thing to be displaying right now. Republican convention delegates in Milwaukee will be asked to approve a slimmed down national party platform that in some respects is less conservative than the Illinois Republican platform. The national party platform proclaims that it was because of us that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, returning the issue of legality of abortion to the states, in recognition of the conservative justices appointed by Trump. But it does not call for a national abortion ban, as many abortion opponents had sought. The Illinois GOPs state platform approved in May continued its long-standing expression of support for a human life amendment to the federal and Illinois constitutions affirming the right to life of unborn children. The state GOP also approved a resolution attacking Illinois Democrats for their extremist pro-abortion agenda. Democrats successfully used the high courts decision to overturn Roe as a rallying cry in the 2022 midterm elections and are heavily promoting reproductive rights in the 2024 campaign. The Illinois GOP state platform also continues to oppose same-sex marriage, stating that the ideal environment for children is within a two-parent family based on the principle of marriage between one man and one woman and backing a constitutional amendment to that effect. In Milwaukee, Democrats will be conducting counterprogramming operations, including daily events featuring elected officials from across the nation, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. In addition, the Democratic National Committee has paid to wrap 57 Milwaukee County buses with signs supporting President Joe Biden and has purchased space on 10 billboards in Milwaukee featuring Trump and some of his incendiary statements, including his reference to Milwaukee as a horrible city in a June meeting with House Republicans. Eight additional billboards are going up focusing on preserving democracy and restoring abortion rights. Those billboards will feature Biden and slogans including Democracy is on the ballot, folks, and Joe Biden will: restore Roe, fight for freedoms, defend democracy. The billboards are located along Interstates 94, 41 and 43 that cut through the heart of the Wisconsin city. Salvi, the new Illinois GOP chair, is an attorney who mounted an unsuccessful challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates in the 2022 general election, losing by more than 15 percentage points. Her platform on the campaign trail was typical of many Republicans today: She opposed abortion rights, though when asked about the prospect of a federal abortion ban that would outlaw the procedure in all states, she said she thinks laws regulating abortion are best made by individual states in line with Trumps latest position. She also expressed support for constructing a wall along the southern border with Mexico to halt illegal immigration, one of Trumps central goals during his single presidential term. During a Daily Herald candidate forum for the 2022 GOP primary, Salvi also resisted saying whether the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump. Joe Biden is our president, Salvi said. I wish we had a different president to meet this moment, but we dont. Salvi also ran for the U.S. House in 2006 but lost in the Republican primary. Her husband, Al, was elected as a state representative in 1992 and served two terms before making unsuccessful bids for U.S. Senate in 1996 and for secretary of state in 1998. Cabello was an at-large Trump delegate in 2016 and co-chaired the Illinois delegation to the national GOP convention in Cleveland that year. Cabello is in his second stint as an Illinois House GOP member, serving in his current northern Illinois seat since last year after initially serving in the chamber from 2012 to 2021. Del Mar, an unsuccessful 2022 GOP lieutenant governor candidate, said he withdrew from the chairmanship race when it became clear he could not get the votes needed to win. My whole thing was about trying to give a voice to the grassroots community, the Illinois Republican grassroots community, that often has had a deaf ear turned to them, he said. FILE - This photo provided by the Chicago Field Museum shows the bodies of migrating birds, Oct. 5, 2023, at the Chicago Field Museum in Chicago. The birds were killed when they flew into the windows of the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, a Chicago exhibition hall, the night of Oct. 4-5. The exhibition center on Chicago's lakefront has launched a $1.2 million effort to prevent bird strikes after hundreds of songbirds crashed into the building in one night last fall. (Daryl Coldren/Chicago Field Museum via AP, File) CHICAGO (AP) An exhibition center on Chicago's lakefront has launched a $1.2 million effort to prevent bird strikes after hundreds of songbirds crashed into the building in one night last fall. The McCormick Place Lakeside Center began installing film etched with tiny dots on its windows in June, the Chicago Tribune reported. The dots are designed to help birds distinguish between windows and nature. The work should be completed by early September, in time for fall migrations. Nearly 1,000 songbirds migrating south perished in one night last October after crashing into the center's 200 yards of windows, the result of a confluence of factors including prime migration conditions, rain and the low-slung exhibition hall's lights and window-lined walls, according to avian experts. Researchers estimate hundreds of millions of birds die in window strikes in the United States each year. Birds dont see clear or reflective glass and dont understand it is a lethal barrier. When they see plants or bushes through windows or reflected in them, they head for them, killing themselves in the process. Birds that migrate at night, like sparrows and warblers, rely on the stars to navigate. Bright lights from buildings both attract and confuse them, leading to window strikes or birds flying around the lights until they die from exhaustion a phenomenon known as fatal light attraction. New York City has taken to shutting off the twin beams of light symbolizing the World Trade Center for periods of time during its annual Sept. 11 memorial ceremony to prevent birds from becoming trapped in the light shafts. The National Audubon Society launched a program in 1999 called Lights Out, an effort to encourage urban centers to turn off or dim lights during migration months. Nearly 50 U.S. and Canadian cities have joined the movement, including Chicago, Toronto, New York, Boston, San Diego, Dallas and Miami. Russian attacks on the village of Budy in Kharkiv Oblast injured 25 people and killed two, including the oblasts chief emergency worker, Ukraines Interior Ministry reported on July 13. A missile hit the village, located less than 15 kilometers southwest of Kharkiv city, in the afternoon. Half an hour after emergency workers arrived at the scene, Russian troops launched a second attack on the same location, Artem Kostyria, head of the State Emergency Situations Service's branch in Kharkiv Oblast, and police sergeant Oleksiy Koshchii. The terrorists cynically and purposefully struck when all the services arrived at the scene, said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Three rescuers, a police officer, and around 20 civilians, including children, were injured. The strikes also damaged railway infrastructure, including train wagons, and injured five railway workers, according to the state-owned company Ukrainian Railways. The company noted that Russia targets railway infrastructure daily, particularly in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Russian double-tap attacks, when a target is struck twice, are commonplace in Kharkiv Oblast. The second strike is intended to hit rescue workers. Kharkiv Oblast is under constant attacks, amped up by Russias new offensive in the region that began on May 10. Ukrainian soldiers are holding off Russian advancement in Kharkiv Oblast, thwarting an attempt to capture the village of Borova on July 11. But Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned on July 13 that Russia is planning another attack from the north in the near future. "If I start answering that question (of where the attack will be), well provoke panic," he told the NV news outlet. "Let's just say that there are problems, and they tend to get worse." Read also: Russias move on Kharkiv has bogged down. But was it a failure? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Artem Kostyria, Head of the Kharkiv District Department of Ukraine's State Emergency Service in Kharkiv Oblast, has been killed in a Russian attack on the village of Budy, Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Kharkiv City Council, citing Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov Quote from Terekhov: "The work of emergency workers is always fraught with danger, especially now when the terrorist state is systematically and ruthlessly destroying the Ukrainian nation. Today, Artem Kostyria has been killed by Russian invaders during the repeated attack on the village of Budy. The terrorists cynically and deliberately launched the attack when all services arrived at the scene." Background: On Saturday afternoon, Russian forces struck the village of Budy in Kharkiv district twice. The latest information indicates that 2 people have been killed and 22 injured in the Russian strikes. At least one child is known to be among the injured. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that the number of injured had increased after the village was bombarded again. An ambulance that responded to a call has also been damaged. Support UP or become our patron! Charity arts and craft event accused of propaganda to sow hatred of Jews Young children attended an arts and craft open day which included a workshop for adults where badges celebrating the Intifada and praising Palestinian martyrs were made. The badge making session, promoted as one of several fun activities, was part of a charity fundraising open day. But the Open Day, which was marketed in promotional material and social media as open to all, all ages welcome, has been criticised by campaigners as propaganda designed to sow hatred of Jews. They say it was inappropriate for young children to be present at an open day where Palestinian slogans celebrating death and the armed struggle against Israel were recreated. The Open Day, staged by the charity Metroland Cultures, was held in Kilburn on 29 June to raise money for Palestine and Sudan. Badges made as part of the workshop featured slogans such as Long Live the Intifada written inside a heart, Free Palestine, If I must die, let it bring hope, let it be a tale and If I must die, you must live to tell my story, on the background of Keffiyeh scarf material. Critics say the Intifada badge could be interpreted as a promotion of anti-Israeli terrorism and the death badges as promoting martyrdom. The last two slogans were taken from a poem by Refaat Alareer, who had, in a BBC interview, described Hamass massacre of Israelis on 7 October as legitimate and moral. Hewas subsequently killed in an airstrike by the IDF. Metroland Cultures has denied that any children took part in the badge making workshop. The Metroland Cultures open day was advertised with flyers featuring watermelons which have now become the symbol frequently used instead of the Palestinian flag, since the colours of the fruit match those of the flag. Critics accuse the arts and crafts event of 'propaganda' - Metroland Cultures taken from X/X Critics say the event could have the effect of sowing hatred of Jews in the minds of children in the borough, which has a large Jewish community. The group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) claims that Metroland Cultures, whose mission is to build, share and support art and culture in the London Borough of Brent, had breached its charitable objectives by staging a partisan event and engaging in political activities outside of its charitable remit. Caroline Turner, director of UKLFI said: Metroland hosted a badge making class with Heiba Lamara, which was advertised on the Metroland Facebook page. Instead of promoting arts, culture and heritage for the people of the London Borough of Brent, the centre has promoted divisive activities, designed to sow hatred of Jews and Israelis amongst its participants. Instead of developing skills and capacities to enable young people to participate in society as mature and responsible individuals, as set out in their charitable objects, Metroland is using propaganda to encourage young people to adopt an anti-Israel political narrative. UKLFI, which has submitted a complaint about Metroland Cultures, claims that the group has breached section 29 of the Equality Act 2010 by providing a service which discriminates against Jews, Israelis and Zionists. In its letter to the charity UKLFI stated: No Jew, Israeli or Zionist would feel comfortable participating in the workshops created by Metroland Cultures. UKLFI believes that Metroland Cultures, as a service provider, has discriminated against Jews and Israelis by providing services which they would feel unable to participate in and have also harassed these groups, in breach of the Equalities Act, by creating an intimidating, hostile and offensive atmosphere for them. The chair of trustees of Metroland Cultures is Rachel Dedman, a writer, curator and art historian who has specialised in Palestinian art and culture, particularly its tradition of embroidery. In a letter to UKLFI, Lois Stonock, the groups Founder and Director, did not deny any of the claims made about the open day, including the badge making workshop, and indicated it may be prepared to launch an internal investigation into the event. She wrote: I confirm that the Trustees have received your letter and are taking the matters raised seriously. Metroland Cultures did not respond when approached by The Telegraph for comment. A spokesperson for Metroland Cultures later said: While some children were in attendance with their families during the open studios, there were no children at the badge-making workshop. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article stated that children made badges with pro-Palestinian slogans at a workshop at an open day organised by the charity Metroland Cultures . We understand no children were at the badge-making workshop which was designed for adults. We are happy to correct the record. 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. In the heart of Kharkiv, Kharkiv Theater for Children and Youth performs in bomb shelters under constant threats of Russian attacks. The Kyiv Independent visited one of the theater's performances in late June to meet the dedicated actors and their no less dedicated audience. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. See previous coverage of a Chillicothe drug bust in the video player above. CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) The Chillicothe Police Department conducted a drug bust on Thursday, leading to one arrest. According to a release from the department, officers searched a residence on North High Street, and seized 259 grams of cocaine and 103 grams of fentanyl. Police said they also found four firearms, cash and evidence that points toward drug trafficking activities. Chillicothe police arrested Ronald Meadows, 52, for drug trafficking, possession of cocaine and a scheduled substance, and four counts of having weapons under disability. The department said additional felony charges are possible, pending lab results. Clintonville restaurant catches fire twice in two years Multiple other drug arrests have taken place in Chillicothe this year, including three arrested in May after officers found crack cocaine, meth and fentanyl in their home. Police encourage people to come forward with any tips about drug activity, wanted persons or illegal activity by calling 740-773-1191 or emailing crimetips@chillicotheoh.gov. Anyone suffering from addiction is encouraged to contact Chillicothe social worker Joanna Denny for help at 740-656-1084 or by emailing jdenny@isbh.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. FILE PHOTO: Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside the building of an American company in Beijing (Reuters) - China expressed strong opposition on Saturday to a U.S. law signed by President Joe Biden that presses Beijing to resolve a dispute over Tibet's demands for greater autonomy, vowing to "firmly defend" its interests. Biden signed into law on Friday the Tibet dispute act, which seeks to push Beijing to hold talks with Tibetan leaders, stalled since 2010, to secure a negotiated agreement on the Himalayan region and spur China to address the Tibetan people's aspirations on their historical, cultural, religious and linguistic identity. The law "grossly interferes in China's domestic affairs, undermines China's interests, and sends a severely wrong signal to the 'Tibet independence' forces," China's foreign ministry said. Although Washington recognises Tibet as a part of China, the law appears to question that position, analysts say. The U.S. has long supported the rights of the Tibetan people to practice their religion and culture, accusing China of human rights violations in the remote region bordering India. "The U.S. must not implement the Act," the China's ministry said. "If the U.S. continues down the wrong path, China will take resolute measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests." Attention has focussed on Tibet-China issues as the Dalai Lama, recuperating from a medical procedure, turned 89 last week. The exiled spiritual leader has said he will clarify questions about his succession around his 90th birthday, while China insists it will choose his successor. (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by William Mallard) Chinook helicopter stranded in field for three days following engineering issue An RAF serviceman works on the stranded helicopter near Bere Regis in Dorset - Max Willcock/BNPS An RAF Chinook helicopter has been stranded in a field for three days after making a precautionary landing following a suspected hydraulic failure. The aircraft is being guarded by the RAF in Bere Regis, Dorset, while it undergoes an engineering assessment. It is thought to have been taking part in a south coast training exercise involving six helicopters when the technical issue arose. A witness said there were attempts to start the Chinook on Friday, only for a hydraulic pipe to split. The Chinook, which is fewer than 100 yards from the A31, could be there for several more days, it is understood. It is believed to have come from RAF Odiham in Hampshire. Police speak to RAF servicemen next to the A31 - Max Willcock/BNPS Lewis Johnstone, 20, from Poole, who works for a military engineering company, said: The Chinook went down on Wednesday while taking part in an exercise going on along the whole of the south coast with six helicopters. I believe it went down with a hydraulic issue. When they started it again, the hydraulic pipe split, so they shut it down and I imagine it will be there under guard for a few more days. The Chinook is undergoing an engineering assessment following a suspected hydraulic failure - Max Willcock/BNPS Last year, an RAF Chinook made a crash landing near the River Mawddach in Gwynedd, west Wales, after a technical fault. The RAF is shrinking its CH-47 numbers from 60 to 51, with each Chinook costing a reputed 30m to replace. A Chinook can carry up to 55 troops, or approximately 10 tons of cargo, and can travel at up to 190mph. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: The Chinook has made a precautionary landing. We are in the process of conducting an engineering assessment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) stands against the other industrial stocks. Industrial stocks in the United States encompass a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, defense, and construction. These sectors form the backbone of the American economy, driving innovation, employment, and growth. Companies within this category often engage in the production of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure essential for various industries. The performance of industrial stocks is closely tied to the overall health of the economy. Economic expansion typically boosts demand for industrial goods and services, while recessions can lead to contractions in this sector. Recently, industrial stocks have shown resilience amid global supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, thanks in part to technological advancements and diversified service offerings. Advancements in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are transforming the industrial landscape. Companies are increasingly investing in smart manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures are pushing industrial firms toward sustainable practices. Companies are adopting greener technologies and renewable energy sources to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Industrial stocks play a vital role in the US economy, offering a diverse range of investment opportunities. Understanding the dynamics of different sectors, keeping abreast of market trends, and evaluating economic indicators are crucial for making informed investment decisions in this space. With continued advancements in technology and a focus on sustainable practices, the industrial sector remains a critical and evolving component of the financial market landscape. Overall, industrial stocks returned close to 10% so far in 2024. According to Federal Reserve Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization report, most major market groups saw gains in May. Consumer goods increased by 1.3 percent, driven by rises across all components except home electronics. Business equipment edged up by 0.2 percent despite a drop in transit, buoyed by gains in information processing and industrial sectors. Defense and space equipment rose by 1.0 percent, marking a nearly 10 percent increase from a year ago. The materials market group saw a 0.8 percent increase, with non-energy durables and non-energy nondurables each up by around 1 percent, and energy materials rising by 0.6 percent. In manufacturing, overall output rose by 0.9 percent in May, slightly above last year's level. Durable manufacturing increased by 0.6 percent, nondurables by 1.1 percent, and other manufacturing (publishing and logging) by 0.2 percent. Within durable manufacturing, notable gains were seen in wood products (up 2.6 percent), machinery (up 2.3 percent), and computer/electronic products (up 0.8 percent). Furniture and related products saw the largest decline (down 2.6 percent). In nondurables, printing and support activities decreased by 1.5 percent, while other categories saw gains. Mining output rebounded with a 0.3 percent increase in May, following declines in the previous two months. Oil and gas extraction rose, offsetting decreases in other mining and support activities. Utilities output grew by 1.6 percent, surpassing last year's level by 3.9 percent. Capacity utilization for manufacturing rose to 77.1 percent in May, slightly below its long-run average. Mining's operating rate reached 92.7 percent, well above its average, while utilities remained notably below their typical operating levels despite a slight increase to 71.5 percent. Story continues So, what are the best industrial stocks to buy in this current environment? Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkey's comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 10 industrial stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular industrial stocks among elite investors. A robotic arm in a factory demonstrating the application of motion control technologies. Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) Number of Hedge Funds Holders: 63 Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) manufactures and sells motion and control technologies and systems for various mobile, industrial, and aerospace markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Diversified Industrial and Aerospace Systems. Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) is thriving in commercial and military sectors, particularly in OEM and aftermarket channels. In Q3 FY 2024, its Aerospace Systems segment saw an 18% organic sales increase year-over-year, driven by strong demand in general aviation and military markets. Strategic acquisitions, like Meggitt plc in September 2022, expanded its customer base and global reach, contributing to a 3.4% sales rise in the first nine months of FY 2024. Parker-Hannifins Win Strategy boosted the segment's adjusted operating margin to 24.7%, up 150 basis points. Moreover, Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) is prioritizing shareholder returns with an 11.4% increase in dividends year-over-year and a 10% quarterly dividend raise in April 2024. On June 17, Wells Fargo analyst Joe ODea affirmed a Buy rating on Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) and established a price target of $630.00. As of June 19 closing, the company's shares were valued at $506.83. In the first quarter of 2024, there were 63 hedge funds holding positions in Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH), consistent with the previous quarter according to Insider Monkey's database. The total value of these holdings is approximately $2.28 billion. Ric Dillon's Diamond Hill Capital held the largest stake among these hedge funds during this period. Diamond Hill Capital Mid Cap Strategy stated the following regarding Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH) in its first quarter 2024 investor letter: Other top Q1 contributors included Parker-Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH). Diversified industrial and aerospace manufacturer Parker-Hannifins industrial business orders typically turn positive after five or six quarters of order declines. Accordingly, shares rose in Q1 in anticipation of a new cycle, implying a strong recovery for the company in the forthcoming calendar year. Overall PH ranks 9th on our list of the best industrial stocks stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds to see the other industrial stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of PH as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some 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 PH 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 10 Best of Breed Stocks to Buy For The Third Quarter of 2024 According to Bank of America. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) Alexandria is throwing a birthday party and everyone is invited. On Saturday, Alexandria is celebrating its 275th anniversary with a waterfront and fireworks extravaganza to honor a city that is almost three decades older than the United States of America. Its a year tradition for us in Alexandria. We get two Independence Days or two birthdays basically back-to-back, said Robert Granoski of Alexandria. Protecting your pets from extreme heat Gronoski said hes excited to be watching the fireworks display on Saturday evening. Im privileged to be born in Virginia, born in this area and grow up in an historic place like this. Its filled with American history, he said. The citys events this weekend will include live music, fireworks and cannon blasts. City officials said they are expecting 9,000 people on the waterfront for the event. Well, this is a big celebration. Its the 275th, Daniel Guzman, the citys special event coordinator, said. So we like to brag that were older than the country. Guzman said the event has been expanding each year. We like to make this bigger each year, make it a little more fun, he said. We like to make something that the community can say, wow, that was uniquely Alexandria.' Metro breaks ground on new Crystal City station entrance in Arlington Michelle Mitchell said she has lived in Alexandria for 37 years and shes excited about the history of the city and the event celebrating 275 years. I think its beautiful. They always celebrate every year, she said. Its still going strong, and I think theyre going to celebrate another 275 years. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. At the close of his Disagree Better campaign, Gov. Cox tells governors their work is just getting started Outgoing National Governors Association Chair Utah Gov. Spencer Cox shakes hands with incoming Chair Colorado Gov. Jared Polis during the NGAs 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is not optimistic about the future of the United States of America. But he is hopeful. Cox took the stage as chairman of the National Governors Association for the final time on Friday, not to bid farewell to his chosen Disagree Better initiative, but to deliver a call to action for the 13 governors and several hundred state and federal influencers that were present. Weve gotten really, really good at tearing things down, Cox told attendees gathered at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. We need more builders. And thats exactly what were trying to do. Hope, Cox explained, instead of optimism or pessimism, is the approach elected officials as well as everyday citizens must take to actively cross divides of misunderstanding and solve problems if the country is to avoid the worst outcomes of inaction. I am not optimistic about our country, and I dont think any of us should be, Cox said. There is nothing that says that we are inevitably going to get better as a country, there is nothing that says that we arent going to continue to tear ourselves apart, there is nothing that says that we wont inevitably have another civil war its happened before and it can happen again. And it will happen again if we dont do the work. Cox calls on governors to lead the way But the events of Thursday and Friday that capped off a year of Coxs Disagree Better campaign which included ads with 21 governors, trainings on depolarization and service projects gave the Beehive States first-term governor hope, he said, that there is a critical mass of people willing to do that very work. Im hopeful because people in this room are not willing to let this happen to us, Cox said. We can make this a better place. We can love each other again. We can disagree without hating each other. The National Governors Association summer meeting featured a discussion with former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse about what institutions are needed to cultivate communities that can weather future technological disruption. It featured presentations from professors on the effectiveness of Disagree Better techniques in politics and education. It featured a conversation with actor Matthew McConaughey on countering the politics of fear. And it featured a surprise visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the clear divide between good and evil in foreign affairs. New National Governors Association Chair Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during the National Governors Associations 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News The end of Disagree Better? Following his speech, Cox passed the NGA chairs gavel on to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who presented his own Lets Get Ready initiative to improve how states measure learning outcomes in K-12 education. During the conference, Polis frequently praised Cox for Disagree Better, saying it needs to become a permanent part of how governors lead and he expressed hope that Cox would keep the initiative alive apart from the NGA. The Disagree Better initiative, of course, is even more important today than when when we began this work and I know it will live on and Gov. Cox will discuss the way and manner that that work will continue moving forward, Polis said. Since entering the position in July 2023, Cox has hosted events across the country to educate the governors on what leads to toxic political polarization and what tools can be used to reverse the trend. He has also filmed nearly two dozen videos of bipartisan pairings of governors modeling healthy dialogue. The chairmanship gave the Utah governor a megaphone to propose an alternative to demeaning rhetoric and partisanship in political discourse. He brought the message to Washington, D.C., and the TED Talks stage. Cox has also tried to bring Disagree Better home, in the form of measured solutions to culture war controversies and positive campaigning, but not without the message becoming a main point of criticism from his primary challengers on the right, and his general election opponent on the left. On Friday morning, Cox admitted that implementing Disagree Better, particularly in the middle of an election, is difficult. But he insisted it is what Americans want and said he intends to continue his effort to spread it across the country. Theres no question that were pushing a rock uphill right now. But thats how change happens. We have to do this work, Cox said. Theres a hunger for this. Theres a desperation out there. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and first lady Abby Cox pack school supplies into backpacks as part of the United Way of Salt Lakes Stuff the Bus campaign held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Incoming National Governors Association Chair Colorado Gov. Jared Polis shakes hands with outgoing Chair Utah Gov. Spencer Cox during the NGAs 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Actor Matthew McConaughey speaks as hes joined by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis during an event titled Disagree Better - Role of Culture in Polarization as part of the National Governors Associations 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Utah first lady Abby Cox speaks before starting the United Way of Salt Lakes Stuff the Bus campaign held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a press conference as part of the National Governors Associations 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and first lady Abby Cox pack school supplies into backpacks with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey as part of the United Way of Salt Lakes Stuff the Bus campaign held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference as part of the National Governors Associations 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during an interview with a member of the media as part of the National Governors Associations 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a press conference as part of the National Governors Associations 2024 Summer Meeting held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 12, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News State Sen. Frank Niceley offers remarks as the debate SB-7003 on education during a special session of the Senate at the State Capitol Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. School Freedom Fund, a national political action committee, will pour $3.6 million into five Tennessee legislative seats backing pro-voucher candidates, seeking to oust longtime incumbent Sen. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, and oppose Rep. Bryan Richey, who is seeking a state Senate seat in Maryville. School Freedom Fund is affiliated with the libertarian advocacy group Club for Growth Action, and works to support candidates that support school choice policies, including publicly funded private school vouchers. The PAC spent nearly $4 million on state races in Texas earlier this year, targeting 14 candidates that opposed state funding for private school vouchers, and defeating 10. Other groups, including Americans for Prosperity Action, were also part of that effort. You can no longer call yourself a conservative if you oppose school freedom, and you should expect a very expensive primary that youll probably lose, School Freedom Fund President David McIntosh said. Following the recent failure of bold school freedom legislation in Tennessee because of Republican opposition, School Freedom Fund is making a major investment in five races. The groups $3.6M ad buys will: The is the beginning of a school freedom movement putting parents not bureaucrats in control of their childrens education, McIntosh said. We are looking to replicate our results in the Texas primary where we defeated 10 anti-school freedom incumbents. According to Federal Election Commission disclosures, School Freedom Fund is funded significantly by contributions from Jeff Yass, who owns one of Wall Street's most successful trading firms Susquehanna International. Susquehanna has invested in hundreds of companies globally. One of the company's most valuable holdings is ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, according to Forbes. Yass has contributed $5 million to the PAC this cycle. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Club for Growth PAC to spend $3.6M to oust Niceley, Richey Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, seated left, and GOP officials sign contracts in August 2023 for Milwaukee to host the 2024 Republican convention. (Mayor's Facebook page photo) For once, we arent here today to condemn a decision made by the city, said Omar Flores, spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the Republican National Convention (RNC) at a Friday press conference. As of 11 a.m. on Friday, the coalition and the city of Milwaukee were able to come to what Flores called a handshake agreement on a protest route. The new route, only slightly different from a route announced by the coalition days ago, will come within sight and sound of the Fiserv Forum, where the RNC will be held. Flores said that an assistant city attorney will be attending the march as well to ensure that no problems occur. This agreement is greatly beneficial to the coalition because we can tell our partners that we can march on the route we want to without being impeded by the police, said Flores. The coalition is calling for people to stand against what it feels is a racist and reactionary agenda by the Republican Party and to stand with Palestine, defend reproductive, LGBTQ, and immigrant rights, and advocate for peace and justice for all. We want to be clear about something today, we were able to come to this agreement with the city because we fought for it, said Flores. They werent just going to hand it to us. Flores said that one major reason for forming the coalition was to send the message that direct action works. That when we fight, we win. Shortly after Milwaukee was chosen to host the RNC, the coalition applied for a permit to hold a family friendly march within sight and sound of the convention. That began a months-long stand-off between the coalition and the city, which had to juggle input from the U.S. Secret Service and RNC leaders. Whereas a speakers platform offering time-slotted chances for groups to express themselves and parade route were proposed inside the soft-security zone, a last minute venue rental near the proposed sites dashed those plans, and caused the security zones to expand. The coalition then filed a federal lawsuit arguing that their free speech rights were being violated, but a federal judge sided with the city. Flores said that the final agreement struck with the city resulted from consistent organizing. We gave the city no choice but to engage with us, to allow for a family friendly protest that will go without being impeded, said Flores. We did this through the strong unity we formed amongst endorsing organizations. We did this by running a call-in with demands to the mayors office to allow us to march on the route that we asked for. We did this by constantly applying pressure through the media to show that the city was refusing to work with us. We did this through our lawsuit against the city. We are proud that today the city is working with us, and we were able to run our march the way that we want to. The coalition is expecting between 5,000 and 10,000 people will attend the march on the RNC. At 10 a.m., protesters will gather in Red Arrow Park a popular gathering place for protests in Milwaukee since the police killing of Dontre Hamilton in 2015 prior to the march. The march is expected to pass by Martin Luther King Drive and Highland Avenue, which is where it will get closest to the Fiserv Forum. Although protesters can not account for how law enforcement will react to the march, Flores said that the agreement made with the city decreases the likelihood of any problems with police. Law enforcement from 64 agencies, across 24 states, and 44 Wisconsin agencies will be deployed to the RNC. The coalition is also aiming to avoid any potential conflict with counter protesters. The risk of running this march was already low, but now its even lower, said Flores. Flores said he hopes that the agreement with the city will set a precedent for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The Columbus Zoo welcomed two new Tasmanian devils, a continuation of its conservation efforts to help the endangered species. Tori and Layna arrived Friday from the Toledo Zoo, although true to their name the pair initially hail from Tasmania. At just 1 and 2 years old, the pair are taking their time to adjust to their new space. According to a Facebook post, the pair will meet one another and grow comfortable before a regular viewing schedule is set. For now, the zoo said the two girls are adjusting with the help of the zoos Australia and the Islands team. The Zoo said the transfer is part of the Save the Tasmanian devil program, an international program by the Tasmanian government to fight the species threat of extinction. In the wild, Tasmanian devils face threats like Devil Facial Tumor Disease and roadkill. The Columbus Zoo last welcomed Tasmanian devils in 2019, when Sprout, Thyme and Mustard arrived in Ohio. Both Sprout and Mustard died in 2022, and Thyme died just this past May at age 5. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. What to Do if You Come in Contact With a Shark A group of divers swim with a sandbar shark off Jupiter, Florida on February 24, 2024. Florida is the place in the world with the most shark attacks in 2023. Credit - Jesus OlarteGetty Images In the past two months, multiple people have been attacked by sharks in Florida, Hawaii and Texas. And while some of these occurrences may not be out of the ordinary, they still create an element of fear for those wanting to take to the beach during the hotter months of the year. In early June, two separate shark attacks left three people hurt along Florida's Gulf Coast, leading authorities to warn citizens about shark danger in the water, and urging them to tread carefully when swimming in the ocean. A few weeks ago, there was another shark attack in Hawaii, which killed a lifeguard who was surfing off the island of Oahu. And, throughout the Fourth of July festivities, at least four people were bitten by sharks in Texas and Florida. Shark attack instances, trends, and interactive maps for those curious are logged with the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) at the Florida Museum of Natural Historya comprehensive database of all known shark attacks initiated in 1958. So what do you do if you encounter a shark? An expert shares with TIME what to do in the event you spot a shark and how to best prepare for avoiding injury. Read More: Are Shark Attacks Increasing? Here Are What the Data Say Bait fish offer warning for evacuation According to Gavin Naylor, director of the Florida Program for Shark Research and of ISAF, people can very often be in close proximity to sharks, though swimmers are often unaware since sharks are swimming roughly 100 yards to 200 yards offshore. Sharks do typically try to avoid people and keep to themselves, according to Naylor. But, when they come closer to shoreusually, looking for food in bait fish there are multiple ways people can encounter a shark in the water, and each of these instances require different approaches. If people see bait fish jumping out of the water, that is a good indication that a shark is near, and they should evacuate, Naylor says, especially if the waters are not clear. If water is very murky, and [the sharks are] fishing, and they're, looking for bait fish, and they're going through a morass of people, then obviously more likely to make a mistake, Naylor tells TIME. If a shark charges, fight back Its important to pay attention to the sharks behavior, and see if its movements are erratic, if its moving backwards and forwards, circling, or just has a swimmer at the center of its attention. If the shark does manage to charge you, Naylor says hitting the shark in the snout very hard will usually spook the animal off. They have a lot of receptors on the snout, so if theyre really quite alarmed, it'll turn and it'll go away, Naylor continues. That happens nine times out of 10. If that does not work, and a shark tries to bite a swimmeror even has a limb in its mouthNaylor says the best course of action is to poke the shark hard in the eyes. Then, one should reverse out of the water, keeping eye contact with the shark and making sure to never leave their back towards the animal until they are back up onto the beach. Different bodies of waters, different shark threats In terms of prevention and preparation, Naylor says this often depends on the waters one is in, and thus the sharks that swim in those waters. People say Don't watch your shiny jewelry. Well, sure that that helps if you're worried about Blacktip sharks, because they feed on schooling fishes, Naylor said. But if you're in Australia, whether you're wearing jewelry or not, will make a blind bit of difference to a white shark, because they feed on seals. According to Naylor, this years attacks in Florida specifically are not out of the ordinary, with thousands of sharks and millions of tourists in the summers. Still, in 2023, the ISAF confirmed only 69 unprovoked shark bites on humans and 22 provoked shark bites, a slight uptick from the most recent five-year average of 63 incidents annually, but a number they still categorize as extremely low, since fluctuation is expected. Get alerts on the biggest breaking news stories here Contact us at letters@time.com. I am a regular reader of "Tales From the morgue." I love history. I will teach middle school U.S. history to homeschooling children in the next school year. There is one article that I have used to teach my students to learn to take on responsibility. The article is, "Conrad Hilton's youthful dream realized." Would you share the article so I can save a digital copy in my teaching files? Salvador Heredia This Nov. 6, 1930, El Paso Times column chronicles Conrad Hiltons climb from young hotel man in San Antonio, New Mexico to proprietor of the greatest hotel of them all, the 350-room El Paso Hilton, which opened the week this article was published. Nov. 5, 1930 Hilton Hotel invites public to opening Thursday Conrad Hiltons Youthful Dreams Realized In Hotel System History of Todays Big Organization Like Romance There were two trains a day or a night, rather, for one arrived at 1 a.m., the other at 3 a.m. They didnt pay much attention to the little town of San Antonio, N.M.; but, whenever they stopped, Connie N. Hilton was glad. It probably meant a customer for his little five-room adobe hotel. C.N. was then a very young man younger than most hotel keepers, for that was more than 30 years ago. His father, A.H. Hilton, sturdy pioneer, had forged into the New Mexico country, and at San Antonio, had built the rambling adobe structure which he called the Hilton hotel. One end served as the family home. At the other end was a store, the Hilton Mercantile company. In the middle were the rooms which were the Hilton hotel. Good for the store were brought in by mule. Father Had System idea To the pioneer Hilton and his wife was born the son, Connie, in San Antonio. The elder Hilton, failing to find the gold and silver which had lured him, adventuring, westward in the eighties, did find his niche in the scheme of things westerns as a hotel proprietor and merchant. The idea of owning more than one establishment under the same management now a common thing all over the land came to the older Hilton like an inspiration. He saw the town of Socorro needing a merchant. He moved up there with the family. But what to do with the hotel at San Antonio? A.H. Hilton, the father, called in Connie. Son he said, youre going to stay here. You are going to be a hotel man and run this hotel. That suited the boy. Every dollar of profit he made was to be his. So, very early, he considered the problems of management, and he learned every angle of the business, for not only was he manager, he was bell boy the bell consisting of a customer calling, Hey! he was porter, baggage man, superintendent of service, errand boy, Johnny-on-the-spot at the trains, wood cutter, cashier, auditor, purchasing agent and when dusty stages rolled up, doorman! More: El Paso's Hilton Hotel debuts as city's tallest building with fastest elevators From Ground Up He learned the business from the ground up and the ground was adobe! In his spare time, he went to school. What dreams he dreamed! He would be a hotel man, nothing less. Yet sometimes he wondered; sometimes when weighted down with heavy sample cases, he led some weary traveler at 3 a.m. to the equally little establishment which was the Hilton hotel, San Antonio, N.M. But soon it was necessary that his hotel experience be left behind. His father was a man who appreciated the value of an education. At the proper time he decided the boy should enter St. Michaels college in Santa Fe to complete his education. Connie departed, to drop hotel activaty for many years but not to forget them. He had learned one great principle while still a boy: Give the guest all you can for the least possible cost and the guest will not only come back but will speak well of you to others. After completing the course at St. Michaels college, Connie entered the New Mexico Military academy at Roswell, N.M. and graduated in the class of 1906. He returned to Socorro then to enter business with his father. A.H. Hilton had by this time reaped the benefits of his vision and foresight. He had become a moderately wealthy man through his investments in mercantile establishment, land and livestock. At one time he was one of the largest buyers of mohair in the United States and he and Connie made trips throughout the whole of New Mexico trading for wool and mohair, pelts and hides. Connie Starts Early At the age of 21, Connie was elected a member of the legislature of New Mexico, the youngest man ever to serve as representative in the body. He shunned politics, however, and though the Republican leaders of the state urged him toward a political career, he decided against it and devoted his entire time to development of his fathers business of which he was the general manager. He was engaged not only in livestock business, but also in banking, coal mining and zinc mining. While still a young man, he was head of several corporations and the acting director of business involving huge sums of money. Then came the event that changed the lives of so many men the war. At the first call to colors, Connie Hilton resigned all of his offices, turned over his work to his father and enlisted in the service. He entered the first officers training camp of Presidio, Calif., successfully passed the training there and was commissioned a lieutenant. After Presidio Connie was transferred to Jacksonville, Fla., and then to France, where he served until the signing of the armistice. It was a sad blow to Connie and to his future plans when his father died while he was in France and he returned after the war to find that prospects in New Mexico did not look to good. His vision had broadened and after a few months at home, he turned toward Texas where the oil booms of 1919 were commencing. More: Plaza Hotel dazzles as 'beautiful beacon' of El Paso's past and future March 29, 1950 - BRIDE-ELECT OF EL PASOAN: Miss Elizabeth Taylor, left, is shown with Mrs. Mack Saxon, center, mother of Miss Taylor's fiance, Conrad N. Hilton Jr., of El Paso and her mother, Mrs. Francis Taylor. They are pictured in Miss Taylor's suite in the Hilton hotel here, as they chatted about the couple's wedding plans. Goes to Cisco C.N. Hilton finally arrived in Cisco, Texas and there he re-entered the business which he had left some 20 years before. The Mobeley hotel was doing a land office business. Men were paying any price for just a cot to sleep on; guest were being turned away by the dozens; the town was filled with oil prospectors and everything was booming. In the oil boom of 1919 he must have felt something like his father felt when he joined the gold prospectors of the late seventies. At any rate, for some reason still unknown to C.N. Hilton, and for some reason which he attributes to fate, the owner of the Mobeley hotel wanted to sell out. His early experience in the hotel stood him in good state; he had learned his lesson early in life and even to those boom days, his fairness to all and his desire to give everyone the best possible service at the least possible price made for him a reputation throughout the oil fields. So successful was he in his operation of the Mobeley that in 1920 he went to Fort Worth and purchased the Terminal hotel which was operated until 1921 and the Melba hotel. Later in the year he acquired the Waldorf hotel, of Dallas in 1923 he made the last purchase of his earlier hotel operations when he purchased the Beaton hotel of Corsicana. All of these hotels were successfully operated by the Hilton Hotel company and later sold. It was in 1923 that C.N. Hilton first developed the idea of the Minimax hotels. He had been making careful observations of hotel facilities throughout the southwest and Texas in particular. He became convinced that the idea he had in mind and which he wanted to sell to the public was something that the hotel world needed. A strictly first-class chain of hotels; absolutely modern in every way comfortable to the last degree and offering to the public the maximum amount of service and satisfaction for the minimum cost. With this idea firmly settled in his mind he began in 1924 the building of the first hotel of the Minimax chain, the Hilton hotel of Dallas. The Dallas Hilton was opened in August of 1925. It was successful from the first of operation; so successful in fact that soon C.N. began to continue his survey for another location for a Hilton hotel. West Texas was booming, Hilton was impressed with the city of Abilene and after a careful study of the situation, that city was selected for the site of the second Hilton of the formulating system. The Hilton of Abilene, another modern hotel of 275 rooms was opened in September, 1927. Waco Gets Third One Waco, in the heart of central Texas, was selected as the next city in which a Hilton hotel should be built. The need of the city for modern hotel accommodations was strikingly evident. In July 1926, the Waco Hilton with 200 rooms was opened another step toward the realization of Hiltons dream. In the meantime, Hilton was offered and accepted in March 1926, a lease upon the Marchamn hotel of Wichita Falls. This is the only hotel in the Hilton chain which does not bear his name, but it is nevertheless Hilton operated, and important and successful unit in the Minimax system. In 1928 the building of the San Angelo Hilton was begun. The San Angelo Hilton was the fifth and was opened only last May. The Plainview Hilton hotel was the sixth of the Hilton system. It was made possible by the Hearty cooperation of the citizens of Plainview, who donated a bonus of $20,000 which was raised to insure the building there. Then the Lubbock Hilton, number seven, and now this week the greatest of them all, the 350-room El Paso Hilton. Each successive unit enters the field of competition just a little bit better equipped to serve the interest of the public. In the building of each hotel something more is learned, something new is added by experience. Well might the old Hilton hotel at San Antonio, N.M., contemplate with pardonable pride the new hotels which now bear its name; Hilton hotels, have come a long way from the adobe house by the Rio Grande, where the youthful Hilton dreamed and planned. Trish Long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 915-276-1584. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Conrad Hilton's youthful dream realized in hotel system: Trish Long Conservative groups are pushing to clean voter rolls. Others see an effort to sow election distrust FILE - Voters depart an election center during primary voting, May 21, 2024, in Kennesaw, Ga. Conservative groups are systematically attempting to challenge large numbers of voter registrations across the country ahead of this year's presidential election. The strategy is part of a wider effort to raise questions about the integrity of this year's election as former President Donald Trump repeatedly claims without evidence that his opponents are trying to cheat. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File) Conservative groups are systematically attempting to challenge the legitimacy of large numbers of voter registrations across the country before the presidential election. The strategy is part of a wider effort raising questions about the integrity of this year's election as former President Donald Trump repeatedly claims without evidence that his opponents are trying to cheat. The voter roll tactics include mass door-knocking campaigns, using special software designed to identify voters whose eligibility could be challenged and a crush of lawsuits. Some of those have been brought by the Republican National Committee, which hosts the GOP's national convention this coming week. Several Republican secretaries of state are combing through voter lists on their own, including in Ohio and Tennessee, or to comply with aggressive new state voting laws. Those behind the reviews cast them as good government endeavors intended to help local election offices clean up the rolls. Voting rights groups and Democrats believe the effort aims to shake faith in the results of the 2024 election and lay the legal groundwork to challenge the results. Here is a look at what's happening around voter roll challenges: States already must maintain their rolls Soles to the Rolls in Michigan, whose name echoes the Souls to the Polls get-out-the-vote efforts of Black churches, and Nevada's Pigpen Project are among state-level initiatives in which volunteers are trying to find flaws in state voter rolls. Their findings can sound ominous: dead people or non-U.S. citizens registered, or people listed at addresses where they no longer live, suggesting the potential for double-voting. Conservative activists identify the suspect records, then deliver them to local or state election offices for possible removal. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, earlier this year told a suburban Detroit clerk to reinstate the registrations of about 1,000 people who had been removed through such an effort, after the purge was reported by The New York Times. Amy Cohen, executive director of the National Association of State Election Directors, said information from member states suggests the efforts are happening nationwide. She said many of the challenges ignore or misunderstand the complexity and legal requirements around maintaining voter rolls. The National Voter Registration Act already requires states to take steps to maintain accurate and current voter registration lists. Just because someone finds an outdated registration doesnt mean election officials are unaware of it, Cohen said. Voter registration lists are living, breathing databases, she said. Thats part of the challenge, because people move and die and change their names and just exist every single day, and when you get a list, youre purchasing a moment in time. Registration activities and voter registration list maintenance activities are happening on an ongoing basis. The fight for voter data Conservative groups behind the voter roll reviews have filed hundreds of public records requests across the country to gain access to voter files. In almost a quarter of states, the disputes have landed in the courts. One of their goals is to create public databases for anyone to search and question whether certain voters should be allowed on a state's rolls. The Public Interest Legal Foundation, led by conservative attorney Cleta Mitchell, is behind challenges in Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Mitchell is perhaps best known for participating in Trump's call asking Georgia's secretary of state to find the votes he needed to win the state in 2020. Arizona, California, Maryland and Pennsylvania face lawsuits by other groups. In Georgia, an Associated Press survey of the state's 40 largest counties found that more than 18,000 voters had been challenged over the past two years, even though local election offices had rejected most of them. Many of the volunteer groups have received encouragement to mine the voter lists at workshops led by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a Trump ally and leading voice promoting election conspiracy theories. They also sometimes employ tools such as EagleAI Network, a data-matching software program developed for Mitchell's Election Integrity Network that creates voter lists from change-of-address forms, criminal justice records and property tax data. The Public Interest Legal Foundation also sued the Electronic Registration Information Center, a voluntary system in which states share data to maintain accurate voter lists. Its lawsuit sought access to information the member states had agreed to keep private when they joined. The foundation's president and general counsel, J. Christian Adams, who previously worked in the Justice Departments Voting Section, said not a single eligible voter has been removed from the rolls as a result of his group's efforts. He called the movements critics paranoid. Fraud, I dont care about," he said. Accuracy is what I care about. He said correct voter lists are especially important in states that mail ballots to every registration on their lists. At least nine Republican-led states have abandoned the voluntary network, known as ERIC, after it became embroiled in election conspiracy theories, weakening its ability to cross-check voter records across state lines. Supporters of the system noted the paradox of the Republican states leaving because it's the only national system that helps states identify voters who are not eligible to cast a ballot. Cleaning the rolls or sowing distrust? The Republican National Committee, newly reconstituted under Trump, also is involved in efforts to challenge voter rolls before the November election. Michigan's voter rolls have been targeted in numerous lawsuits over the past four years by the RNC and others. A Nevada lawsuit filed by the RNC in March alleges the state is violating the National Voter Registration Act by failing to keep voter registration records accurate and updated. RNC Chair Michael Whatley at the time cited the need for clean voter rolls. Experts say the federal law actually errs on the side of enfranchising voters. To prevent eligible voters from being disenrolled, it requires outdated records to remain in the system for some years after they're flagged as a potential concern. It's a technicality that can explain questions often raised by conservative groups, such as the number of voter registrations exceeding a jurisdiction's population. It's like comparing apples to orangutans, Nevada's Democratic attorney general said in faulting the data RNC cited in its analysis. In its brief, the Democratic National Committee cast the RNC lawsuits as building ammunition for a 2024 election challenge. This lawsuit is little more than political theater, designed less to address any real (much less substantial) issue with Nevadas voter registration lists, than to sow public distrust in the security and integrity of our electoral systems," the filing said. "It is no more than a continuation of Republicans 2020 efforts to undermine public confidence in our elections. Casting suspicions on voting Trump ally Ken Blackwell, who leads election efforts at the America First Policy Institute, has said legitimate voters run the risk of having their hard-won right to vote diluted by unlawfully cast ballots if voter roll glitches arent addressed. However, election law experts say the problem that such efforts aim to fix ineligible voters casting ballots remains exceptionally rare. Why? Because its common sense that one person voting when theyre not eligible is not going to swing an election, and is going to expose himself to criminal penalties, said Alice Clapman, senior counsel with the Brennan Center for Justices democracy program. So, even if someone were inclined to do this, its very high risk and very low reward. Clapman said the disinformation around voter rolls is eroding trust in election officials, who already face pressure and threats, and is undermining faith in the proud civic activity of voting. Whats so insidious about it is voting used to be a unifying national activity, she said. It's now become this object of suspicion, and thats really corrosive of our democracy. We will continue to fight: VP Harris stands by Biden in latest speech despite calls for her to top ticket Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she attends an Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote presidential town hall in Philadelphia on July 13 (REUTERS) Vice President Kamala Harris began her speech by making clear that she backed President Joe Biden in the face of mounting speculation that she will be moved to the top of the ticket. Harris, the first Asian American vice president in US history, took the stage at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, denouncing Donald Trump and boosting Biden. The November election is the most existential, consequential and important election of our lifetime, she warned the crowd. We always knew this election would be tough and the past few days have been a reminder that running for president is tough. And it should be, Harris continued. Biden is a fighter, his vice president said. We will continue to fight. In November, we will win, she added. Vice President Kamala Harris waves as she attends an Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote presidential town hall in Philadelphia (REUTERS) At one point, the crowd began to chant: Four more years! The vice presidents clear support for the 81-year-old president comes at a crucial time for the Biden-Harris campaign as a growing list of celebrities, donors, and lawmakers have called for Biden to step aside mere weeks before the Democratic National Convention. While the vice president has strongly supported the president, even after his disastrous debate performance, Harris is believed to be one of the top candidates to replace Biden. On Friday, Biden reiterated his unmoving position, telling the Detroit crowd that he wasnt going to quit the race: I am running, and were going to win. The Trump campaign reportedly fears that the former president-slash-convicted felon will face a younger candidate in the fall. Republicans seem to fear that Harris in particular will make the ticket, as their targeted attacks against her have increased after the first debate. Harris told the crowd on Saturday: President Biden and I fight for the American people. Donald Trump does not. Harris defends Biden at an Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote presidential town hall in Philadelphia (REUTERS) Trump incites hate, uses vile language toward immigrants, Harris said. She added that he bragged about seating three Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v Wade. Restoring reproductive rights across the country has been a fixture of the Biden-Harris re-election campaign, as nearly half of the states have abortion bans in effect since the fall of Roe. One does not have to abandon their faith to agree that the government should not be telling her what to do with her body, the vice president passionately told the crowd. She warned that if he were to return to the White House, he would sign a federal abortion ban. There is so much at stake at this moment, the vice president said. Last week we were again reminded of that fact, referring to the Supreme Courts immunity decision. If the Supreme Court says the laws do not apply to Donald Trump...If people like Mike Pence are not around to stand up to him, our last line of defense is the ballot box, Harris said. The Republican National Convention begins on Monday in Milwaukee, where Trump is expected to announce his running mate. Harris remarks came hours before Trumps rally in the western part of the state. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent visit to Pakistan represents a crucial step in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries. The two-day visit featured a range of activities, including the signing of significant agreements and discussions focused on deepening cooperation across various sectors. It is worth recalling that President Ilham Aliyev received a grand ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at Islamabad International Airport. The welcome included a guard of honor, a 21-gun salute, and a red carpet reception, showcasing the high regard and respect Pakistan holds for Azerbaijan and its leadership. This ceremonial reception underscores the importance of the visit and the warm relations between the two nations. During the visit, several key agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, focusing on enhancing cooperation in multiple fields such as trade, energy, defence, education, and culture. These documents lay the groundwork for future collaborations and joint ventures, signalling a robust and multi-faceted partnership. Agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and economic ties were a major highlight. Both countries are keen to explore opportunities in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries. On the other hand, the memorandum on energy cooperation included joint ventures in oil and gas exploration as well as renewable energy projects. This aligns with Azerbaijan's expertise in the energy sector and Pakistan's growing energy needs. It is worth noting that both countries signed agreements to enhance cooperation in defence production and military training. This is part of a broader strategy to strengthen security ties and regional stability. Documents were also signed to promote educational exchanges and cultural programs, fostering people-to-people connections and mutual understanding. Note that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is built on several key principles that highlight their mutual respect and strategic partnership. Both countries share deep historical and cultural connections, which provide a strong foundation for their bilateral relations. These ties are celebrated and reinforced through various cultural exchange programs. Azerbaijan and Pakistan have consistently supported each other on international platforms. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Azerbaijan's independence and has supported its stance on the former Garabagh conflict. Similarly, Azerbaijan supports Pakistan's position on Kashmir. Eventually, both nations view each other as strategic partners in the region. They cooperate closely in fields such as defence, energy, and trade, recognising the mutual benefits of such collaborations. Economic cooperation is a cornerstone of both countries relationships. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are working to enhance bilateral trade and investment, exploring new areas for economic partnership. Also Baku and Islamabad share a common interest in regional stability and security. Their defence cooperation and joint efforts in counter-terrorism initiatives reflect this shared priority. Today, President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Pakistan symbolises a deepening of ties that are likely to grow stronger in the coming years. The agreements signed during this visit pave the way for increased cooperation and mutual benefit. The emphasis on trade, energy, defence, and cultural exchanges highlights a comprehensive approach to bilateral relations. And this visit has significantly advanced the Azerbaijan-Pakistan relationship, setting the stage for a robust partnership that encompasses various strategic areas. The visit underscores the commitment of both nations to work together for mutual benefit and regional stability. Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY) is no stranger to making big moves. It agreed to buy CrownRock for $12 billion last year. Meanwhile, it outbid Chevron to buy Anadarko Petroleum for $55 billion in 2019. Like the Anadarko deal before it, Occidental is using a lot of debt to fund its CrownRock purchase. That will likely lead to another big move by the oil giant. I predict it will sell its stake in master limited partnership (MLP) Western Midstream (NYSE: WES). Here's why a sale would make sense, and who might buy its interest in the midstream company. A sensible swap Occidental Petroleum has been among the many participants in a wave of mergers sweeping across the oil sector over the past year. Exxon kicked off the current wave with its roughly $60 billion deal for Pioneer Natural Resources in early October. Chevron quickly followed that up by agreeing to buy Hess for $53 billion a few weeks later. Occidental followed those leaders with its agreement to buy CrownRock for $12 billion in December. Whereas Exxon and Chevron agreed to all-stock deals, Occidental is primarily funding its CrownRock purchase with debt. It's issuing $9.1 billion of new debt and assuming CrownRock's $1.2 billion of debt to fund the deal, while only issuing about $1.7 billion of new stock. That debt-heavy financing strategy is risky, considering it took a similar approach to fund the Anadarko deal. That strategy backfired when crude prices crashed in early 2020, causing severe financial stress for Occidental. Occidental plans to quickly pay down debt following the close of its CrownRock deal. It intends to reduce its debt principal by at least $4.5 billion within 12 months of closing the deal by using its free cash flow and the proceeds from a new $4.5 billion to $6 billion divestiture program. While Occidental has many assets it could sell, monetizing its stake in Western Midstream would likely enable it to achieve its debt reduction target in one deal. The oil company owns a 49.9% interest in the MLP and 2% of its operating company, which it acquired when it bought Anadarko. With a market cap of $15.5 billion, Occidental's interest is worth around $8 billion. Selling its interest in Western Midstream would, in a sense, enable Occidental to trade its stake in that noncore asset for CrownRock, which will enhance its core position in the Permian Basin. While the company would lose the stable cash flow the MLP distributes to investors, it could quickly pay off a meaningful amount of debt. Lots of potential buyers The midstream sector has also undergone a lot of consolidation in the past year. Leading MLP Energy Transfer acquired fellow MLP Crestwood Equity Partners for $7.1 billion last year. It recently followed that deal up by agreeing to acquire WTG Midstream for nearly $3.3 billion. Meanwhile, Oneok merged with MLP Magellan Midstream Partners in a transformational $18.8 billion deal last year. Several other midstream companies have acquired smaller companies or assets over the past year. For example, Enterprise Products Partners bought out several joint ventures from Western Midstream for $400 million earlier this year. Most midstream companies have the financial flexibility to make an acquisition if the right deal comes along. Western Midstream would be a great strategic fit for many companies in the sector. They could purchase Occidental's stake (likely with a mix of cash and stock) and then buy out the rest of the company from public shareholders in the future. Private equity infrastructure funds are another potential buyer pool. For example, leading infrastructure fund manager Brookfield Asset Management and its affiliate Brookfield Infrastructure could acquire Occidental's stake in Western Midstream for cash. They could let the remaining interest in the company remain publicly traded or offer outside investors the same terms. An infrastructure fund would likely be able to close a deal faster and could pay all cash for Occidental's stake, potentially giving this group an advantage over strategic buyers. A sale makes so much sense Occidental Petroleum will need to quickly sell assets after it closes its CrownRock deal to repay debt. I predict it will decide to sell its stake in Western Midstream. There should be lots of potential buyers, which could enable it to get a great price. A sale would quickly boost the company's balance sheet by monetizing a noncore asset to fund a deal that enhances its core position. Should you invest $1,000 in Occidental Petroleum right now? Before you buy stock in Occidental Petroleum, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Occidental Petroleum wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $780,654!* 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 July 8, 2024 Matt DiLallo has positions in Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Infrastructure Corporation, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Chevron, Energy Transfer, and Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Brookfield Asset Management and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Enterprise Products Partners, ONEOK, and Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Prediction: This Will Be Occidental Petroleum's Next Big Move was originally published by The Motley Fool UPDATE 6:13 a.m., 07/13/24 Columbus Police have identified both decedents in the murder suicide that has claimed the lives of a husband and wife. Tekallaya Jackson, 41, and Vincent Stewart, 51, were found dead inside a home on Richland Drive. CPD says evidence points to a murder-suicide, a gun was found near Stewarts body. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Danielle Danforth at 706-225-4299 or ddanforth@columbusga.org. UPDATE 8:08 p.m. New information has been confirmed in the shooting investigation of two Columbus residents. Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan confirmed with WRBL that the Richland Drive shooting is a murder-suicide. Bryan pronounced the man and the woman found at the scene dead Friday evening. Columbus police say an investigation is still underway. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Columbus police are investigating a shooting that left two people dead. Police say they received a call about a shooting occurred at a residence in the 1100 block of Richland Drive at approximately 6:40 p.m. When they arrived authorities found two bodies inside the home. CPD says the Violent Crimes Unit is on scene and a death investigation is underway. This is an ongoing story, WRBL will update this article when new information is 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. A couple in their 20s converted 11 camper vans before building their dream one. Take a look inside the $127,000 Ram ProMaster. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund spent five years building and converting vans. In 2023, they quit their van conversion business to build one final dream van to travel in. The van cost $127,000, and after a year of traveling, they said there wasn't anything they'd change. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund started their van conversion knowing exactly what they wanted. There was no debate over adding a pop of color; the couple planned to stick to neutrals. When deciding if it was worth spending the money and time building a shower, the answer was an easy yes. Straight lines and Scandinavian influence were styles the pair had eyed for years, so naturally, they agreed to incorporate those elements in their van. These quick answers and the conversion for the van altogether took a mere six months. But Scarlett, 26, and Seth, 27, told Business Insider that their van was really five years in the making. Before the build, the couple had spent years converting and selling vans. After a bout of burnout, the pair decided to quit their conversion business and prioritize building a van to travel in. It's been a year since they completed the build, and they said it's exactly as they dreamed. "I wouldn't change down to centimeters hardly anything," Seth said. "It works really, really well for us," Scarlett added. Scarlett Eskelund stands on the roof of her Ram ProMaster. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund After five years of converting and selling vans, the couple was ready to build their dream one In 2018, Seth and Scarlett felt stuck. "We were just in an unhappy place in life," Scarlett said. Scarlett had recently graduated from college and entered a field she wasn't passionate about. Meanwhile, Seth was doing freelance videography. To shake things up, they decided to purchase and convert a van. The van would allow the pair to avoid rent, freelance, and travel to jobs across the country. Scarlett said that while a van suited their needs at the time, the goal of exploring was never their driving force for van life. They spent about a year on their first conversion, and during that time, they fell in love with the process. Then COVID-19 hit, and Scarlett and Seth saw an opportunity to capitalize on the wave of interest in van life. RV park conglomerates witnessed stocks surge and camper conversion businesses advertised lengthy waitlists, The New York Times reported in 2020. In response, the pair started their own business converting vans. It was a success. For the next three years, the pair converted and sold vans for an average price of $85,000. Since 2018, Seth and Scarlett converted 11 vans, including three they lived in; their builds typically took three to six months. "Eventually, the need to get into a van fell off around 2023 or so," Seth said. "And everything kept getting more and more expensive." Faced with higher vehicle and material costs, Seth and Scarlett decided to shut down their business. "We suffered extreme burnout toward the end there, and ultimately, we decided our mental health was worth more than that," Scarlett said. They both agreed they had enough energy for one more project: a dream van in which they'd live and travel indefinitely. A view of Scarlett Eskelund paddleboarding. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund They spent 2,000 hours over six months building out the van Scarlett said they started this project knowing it would be their last conversion. With that in mind, their goal was to prioritize a space that catered to their needs and comforts. The pair started by outlining what their dream van would house. A shower was a must for both of them, as was creating a stealthy van that didn't scream luxury from the exterior. With a list of amenities, they mapped out the design and got to work. They purchased a new 2023 Ram ProMaster in January 2023 with an MSRP of $60,000. Their previous vans had been Mercedes Sprinters, but for their final vehicle, they picked the ProMaster for its width. Seth is 6'2'', and the ProMaster is wide enough to stretch out in their bed fully. Their van had a black exterior and tinted windows, which would help it be more discreet when parked in large cities. They also made sure that the van's exterior features were unnoticeable. "We kept all of the stuff on our roof really minimal," Seth said. For example, the highest item on top of the vehicle is a fan, which sits just three inches above the roof. Their solar panels are thin, and the couple used boat hatches instead of skylights, which sit flush with the roof. Plus, they flat-mounted a Starlink internet system as well. The pair's exterior must-haves also included plenty of water storage. Their van can hold 48 gallons of fresh water and 30 gallons of gray water in a tank system underneath the van. This allows them to be off the grid for two weeks. As for the interior, the pair prioritized kitchen space, storage, and a litter box for their two cats. The shower is noticeable when you first step inside the van. It's about two feet by four feet and made of lightweight, waterproof materials. The couple's two cats use a hidden litter box. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund Next to the shower is a hidden litter box for the couple's two cats, Lula and Sasha. The litter box also functions as a bench. Near the bench is the kitchen area. "I cook at least two or three times a day, so that was important," Seth said. Their kitchen has an oven and a propane stove, as well as a fridge, sink, pantry area, and hidden laundry basket. At the back of the van is their bed, which they convert to a table and seating area during the day. Side-by-side images of the interior of the couple's $127,000 van build. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund The couple agreed that while they wanted to add smart amenities, the design and feel of the space were equally important. "We've always been under the opinion that when you live in this small of a space full-time, clutter is your worst enemy," Scarlett said. "So we wanted to feel very clean all the time and very calming almost like a sanctuary." They drew influences from Nordic design, which can be seen in the space's simplicity and clean lines. The van has two main elements: gray Roman clay and natural wood. Some of the van's more expensive features include an electrical system that cost $20,000 and the shower, which they estimate they spent close to $10,000 on. Overall, they value the van at $127,000. Thanks to relationships they had built from previous conversions, Scalett and Seth received some discounts and deals throughout the project. But labor isn't factored into that price tag. Seth said they spent more than 2,000 hours working on the van over six months. "The most expensive thing you're going to run into is labor," Scarlett said. While the conversion took six months, Scarlett and Seth said five years of experience was required to make the build possible. "You could not build this with only six months of knowledge," Scarlett said. For example, Seth has years of electrical experience and certifications that allowed him to build their van's system. They finished the build in June 2023 and were thrilled with the result. "This van had to be the thing that could get us as much time as we need and want doing this," Scarlett said. "We can confidently say we did that. This van has everything we need to do it forever." Scarlett Eskelund and one of the couple's two cats. Scarlett and Seth Eskelund The couple has spent the past year traveling around the continent "We gave up basically everything we gave up our business, we were shutting it down, leaving a warehouse we had been in for three years," Scarlett said. Seth said that leaving that behind was both stressful and invigorating. Their first stop was Colorado, a state they hadn't visited yet. There, they spent nights near water, where a mother and baby moose would frequent a highlight they still talk about a year later. In the past year, they've explored a handful of states and parts of Mexico and Canada. So far, they haven't changed a single element or feature in the van and don't plan on it. And while they accomplished their dream van, Scarlett said, "You couldn't pay us to do it again." Instead, their future goals include owning properties across the country and building tiny homes. But for now, their focus is to continue their van adventures. Read the original article on Business Insider Court filings in defamation suit against Kari Lake hint at what discovery might reveal Court filings in an ongoing defamation case against Republican Kari Lake offer the first glimpses at what information parties in the lawsuit are seeking, and what records might reveal if the issue proceeds to a damages hearing. Lawyers for Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who initiated the lawsuit last year, say in legal documents that Lake has refused to produce information about her social media metrics and her financial situation, among other records. Lake's attorneys say she doesn't have possession of many of the requested documents, and that Richer hasn't turned over all of the records they requested, either. Those include medical records and documentation of cameras and other items purchased by Richer for his home in the wake of threats that he says were fueled by Lake and her campaign. Kari Lake gives a press conference on the sidewalk outside of the Downtown Phoenix Post Office after casting her ballot on Nov. 8, 2022. The lawsuit accuses Lake and her affiliates of spreading false information about Richer after she lost her gubernatorial race in the November 2022 election. Richer alleges Lake knew, or should have known, the statements were false. Lake is now running for U.S. Senate and Richer, a Republican, is seeking reelection to his county recorder seat. The suit is widely expected to serve as a high-profile test of whether false election statements against known public officials could be actionable in court, and it could unearth a slew of sensitive records shedding light on efforts to sow doubt in election results. For instance, Richer's attorneys are requesting record of Lake's communications with Republican figures and donors related to her false election claims. Such information has never before been publicly released, but could be revealed in court if the case goes to a damages hearing. The case is currently in discovery, the formal process of exchanging information between attorneys about witnesses and evidence. So far, proceedings have been rife with disagreements between Richer's and Lake's legal teams. Lake's attorneys previously attempted to bypass the discovery process and proceed straight to a damages hearing in the case. The court ultimately ruled in May that the case would be subject to discovery. But continued arguments over the process recently drew an order from Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Randall Warner prescribing a four-week schedule to resolve the discovery conflicts. In the order, first reported by legal blog Arizona's Law, Warner said Richer must create a "reasonably tailored" list of records sought via discovery and Lake must undertake "a reasonable search" for them. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer addresses the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, during a Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting about the Senate Audit of Maricopa County ballots from the 2020 general election, at the Maricopa County government complex in Phoenix on May 17, 2021. "The court will not rule that Lake must produce everything requested, nor that she need not produce anything," Warner wrote. "Rather, the parties are directed to narrow the issues in light of the above so that a specific order to compel can be issued if there is further disagreement." Dennis Wilenchik, an attorney representing Lake in the case, said Warner's order was "an immediate positive ruling for us." "The other side has to prove damages he doesnt have, and are therefore complicating everything," Wilenchik said, adding in a subsequent email to The Arizona Republic that he believes Richer's lawyers are trying to drag the case out to distract Lake from her Senate race. Cameron Kistler, counsel at Protect Democracy and one of Richer's attorneys for the lawsuit, said his team has handled the discovery process appropriately. "We have and continue to abide by our discovery obligations and hope that the defendants will do the same," Kistler said. Amid discovery disagreements, Richer seeks records from Lake affiliates As disagreements over discovery have continued to unfold, Richer's team has begun to pursue other avenues to obtain records and information pertaining to Lake and her election claims. Attorneys for Richer recently filed subpoenas seeking information from MyPillow founder Mike Lindell and podcaster Michael Krechmer. Court records show they are also requesting documents from Lake's husband, Jeffrey Halperin, and local conservative activist Merissa Hamilton. My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell delivers remarks during former President Donald Trump's rally at Legacy Sports Park in Mesa on Oct. 9, 2022. Lindell is a prominent election conspiracist and ally of former President Donald Trump. Krechmer, also known as Michael Malice, is an author and podcaster who has contributed to Fox News and other conservative media outlets. Hamilton is currently the executive director of the Save Arizona Fund, a nonprofit that serves as Lake's legal fundraising arm. The subpoenas, which were approved by the court, demand information about the private metrics of podcast episodes hosted by Lindell and Krechmer in which Lake made defamatory statements. Richer's attorneys said in court documents that the metrics are "directly relevant" to calculating his damages. Wilenchik said he views the subpoenas as an attempt to expand the limits of a potential damages hearing. Lindell and Krechmer did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Richer's attorneys said in court documents that they also asked Hamilton for "documents concerning the reach and scope of defendants' defamatory statements, defendants' efforts to profit based on those lies, defendants' campaign to knowingly spread lies about Richer, and their knowledge of threats and other harm to Richer and election workers." Hamilton told The Republic that she was subpoenaed on May 30. The request had a deadline of June 14, and Hamilton said she attempted to drop off more than 100,000 printed pages of responsive documents to the office of one of Richer's attorneys on that date. She said the attorney "no-showed." Hamilton filmed video of the closed office that she posted to social media. Merissa Hamilton (left) speaks during Kari Lake's news conference, May 23, 2023, at Lake's headquarters, 4040 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. Lawyers for Richer said in court documents that Hamilton first contacted their legal team on the morning of the deadline and said she was finishing printing and compiling the requested documents. They said Hamilton quoted them clerical costs of more than $30,000 and demanded they pay before she turned over the records. When Richer's attorneys responded to Hamilton, disputing the amount owed and her decision to print electronic records, they said she didn't respond and later showed up at their closed office with dozens of boxes of documents. "After completing that stunt, Hamilton again demanded that Richer pay her $32,345.50 and argued that the terms of the subpoena required her to print all responsive documents," the attorneys wrote in a court filing. "But Hamilton has refused to comply with the subpoena or even to offer times to confer by phone, despite Richer's repeated requests to do so." In a statement to The Republic, Hamilton accused Richer and his lawyers of a "pattern of legal abuse." "It's very disrespectful to the institution of our justice system to use our courts as a playground for his authoritarian cosplay," she said. "Stephen should pay his legal bills." What's next? Document production in the case is expected to conclude by the end of August. Warner's recent order also prescribes some new dates to work through ongoing disputes in the discovery process. He ruled that Richer must provide Lake with his list of requested records by July 19. She will then have until Aug. 2 to file a document specifying whether each item has been searched for and produced. If she and her attorneys are objecting to handing a piece of information over, Warner said they must document their basis for doing so in the court filing. By Aug. 9, both legal teams must file a joint memo specifying any remaining disputes for the court to decide. "The court notes that, as in all discovery disputes, specificity and reasonableness tend to be more persuasive," Warner wrote. Then, lawyers will be back in court on Sept. 10 for a status conference. The court has yet to set a date for a damages hearing, leaving the case's end date wide open. With an expedited schedule, a court decision could come in the weeks immediately before Election Day. If court dates fall at a more normal pace, the suit is likely to conclude after the general election. Republic reporter Fernando Cervantes Jr. contributed to this article. Sasha Hupka covers county government and election administration for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at sasha.hupka@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SashaHupka. Follow her on Instagram or Threads: @sashahupkasnaps. Sign up for her weekly election newsletter, Republic Recount. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorneys file subpoenas in defamation case against Kari Lake Level 2 Be Set evacuations put in place as Cow Valley Fire grows to over 114,000 acres PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Fire crews are not only continuing to battle the Cow Valley Fire, but protecting towns and critical infrastructure in the area, since the fire now covers over 178 square miles as of Sunday afternoon. As a result, new evacuation orders have been put in place for the surrounding areas, the Oregon State Fire Marshal announced. The blaze, burning near the town of Brogan in Oregons Malheur County, sits at an estimated 141,559 acres with 0% containment, according to the State of Oregons Fires and Hotspots Dashboard. A map of the Cow Valley Fire, Jul. 14, 2024. (Courtesy: Oregon State Fire Marshal) So far, officials say the fire has destroyed four homes and is threatening 20. They are also concerned about the blaze advancing towards a geothermal power plant. As of Sunday, officials say the fire remains both northwest and west of Brogan and west of Highway 26 near Jamieson and Vale. Level 2 Be Set evacuations: Residents along Highway 26 from Brogan to Willow Creek. This includes residents located north and west of Range Road (also known as Reservoir Road). Level 1 Be Ready evacuations: The Westfall and Vale communities. In light of this, the Fire Marshal mobilized task forces from Umatilla, Multnomah, Marion, Lane and Clatsop counties to control what officials described as a fast-moving wildfire, pushed by strong winds and triple-digit temperatures. Gov. Tina Kotek also invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the fire on Friday, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to protect life and property. The Fire Marshal said any evacuation notices will be issued by the Malheur County Sheriffs Office. Further, Malheur County Emergency Management and the Red Cross have a shelter in Girvin Hall at the Malheur County Fairgrounds. Stay with KOIN 6 News for updates on this fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Crews in Georgetown County continued their search on Saturday for a swimmer who went missing Friday evening. Crews from Midway Fire Rescue, Georgetown County Sheriffs Office, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Coast Guard are involved in the search. The search is happening in the area of S. Dunes Drive in Pawleys Island. News13 photo: Alec Daniels News13 photo: Alec Daniels News13 photo: Alec Daniels News13 photo: Alec Daniels News13 photo: Alec Daniels No other information was immediately available. Download the News13 app to stay updated on the go Sign up for WBTW email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WBTW.com for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Several protesters expressed their anger by holding up signs and directing calls of shame at several Republican Georgia Election Board members for scheduling a last-minute meeting at the state Capitol on July 12. Three conservative board members defended themselves against accusations that the meeting violated open meetings laws. Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder The three GOP members of the Georgia State Election Board convened an emergency meeting Friday to press forward with several new election rules in a rush to have new procedures in place for the November election, sparking accusations of state open meetings law violations. A couple hundred people packed inside a state Capitol room for the impromptu hearing where Democratic party members and progressive voting rights advocates shouted shame and waved signs reading this meeting is illegal as GOP board members Janice Johnston, Rick Jeffares, and Janelle King conducted an emergency meeting scheduled about 24 hours prior. Jeffares and King, the two newest members of the election board, threatened to remove disruptive individuals from a meeting, which would culminate in the adoption of two new election rules and the threat of legal action for violating open meetings rules. King quickly defended the timing of the meeting against claims it violated the Georgia Open Meetings Act, saying that she sought the legal advice of the boards attorney who agreed it was a continuation of a meeting that began on Tuesday, which only requires 24 hours public notice to resume. According to King, Tuesdays meeting ended abruptly at 5 p.m. by board Chairman John Fervier, who decided to reconvene the meeting Wednesday morning without consulting GOP board members about any potential scheduling conflicts. On Wednesday, the meeting was called back from recess with only two members in attendance, which would have put on hold the finalization of several rules that the Republican-controlled board approved on Tuesday. If the meeting is not officially ended, then any progress made this week could be pushed back to the next regular meeting scheduled for Aug. 6, further condensing the timeline to have new election procedures ready for the Nov. 5 election, she said. King read the Georgia code stating that election boards may meet upon the call of the chairperson or whenever two of their members request it. We did not get one phone call from an attorney telling us that what were doing was illegal, King said. We were told that all we had to do is make sure you have 24 hours, because according (state code), as long as the majority of the board calls for a meeting then we can do that. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported after the meeting Friday that Republican Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr warned all members of the board that the emergency meeting could violate the states Open Meetings Act. Sara Tindall Ghazal, a Democratic Party election board member, challenged her fellow board members decision before Fridays meeting, saying it violated state transparency laws and failed to follow proper procedures. Ghazal, an attorney who has practiced election law, referenced the state law which stipulates that the chair of the election board will schedule meetings, that seven days notice is required for regular board meetings, and that emergency meetings may only be held when a threat to public health, safety, or welfare is imminent. Ghazal and groups including the state Democratic party contended that the Republican board members were circumventing a law requiring the chair to officially schedule board meetings. Georgia law requires that proposed election rules and amendments are posted online for public comment for 30 days before they can be finalized. In addition, Ghazal cast doubts on whether the meeting on Friday met the states open meetings requirements since board Johnston appeared via virtual streaming, which she said is not allowed to be counted for the three-person majority needed for a quorum. Georgias Open Meetings Act says that only members who participate in-person can be counted as part of the quorum needed to conduct government business. We got here because roughly half of Tuesdays meeting was spent trying to relitigate the 2020 election and did not leave enough time to discuss the petition presented to the board for rulemaking, she said. Republicans in Georgia have overhauled the states election laws and made other procedural changes to the voting process following former President Donald Trumps narrow 2020 defeat to President Joe Biden. The meeting ended Friday with Republican and pro-Trump voting groups cheering the passage of several rules they said would further their efforts to weed out voting fraud and improve election integrity in Georgia. The State Election Board approved two proposed rules Friday, including a requirement that local election officials post daily updates on their websites and inside polling places during early voting. Another measure would provide poll watchers greater access on election nights while county workers process ballots. Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon commended State Election Board members Johnston, Jeffares, and King for what he argued amounted to supporting transparency in elections. I also want to thank the NUMEROUS grassroots activists who have given up their time and money to focus public attention on this issue. They have demonstrated their fearless ability to show up, stand up, and most importantly, speak up time and time again! McKoon said in a statement. To be clear, our work here is not complete. However, Georgia voters can have more confidence in knowing they will have the lawful right to monitor the vote counting process from early voting, to election day, to final tabulation! Fair Fight, a voting rights advocacy organization based in Georgia, claimed that the meeting was illegal, since Fervier is responsible for notifying each board member of any planned meeting, even if it is at the request of two other board members. Todays state election board meeting is a farce deliberately scheduled when all members could not attend and without input from the Chair, Lauren Groh-Wargo, Fair Fight CEO, said in a statement. Masquerading as official business, the sham meeting set up by the Republican Members is an effort by the MAGA operation to advance their election sabotage scheme ahead of November. Richard T. Griffiths, spokesman and president emeritus for the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, said even if the Friday meeting was not clearly in violation of the open meeting law, it still came across as unnecessary stunts that violated the intent of the law designed to hold government agencies and officials accountable. Could the meeting possibly be technically legal, well maybe a court might find that true, but it goes against the very spirit of the Open Meetings Act, which is a transparent process that allows the public to see and understand whats going to happen, Griffiths said. In the wake of the 2020 election, Republican lawmakers passed an election law overhaul in 2021 that limited the authority of the secretary of state with the election board and also set higher thresholds for the state board to adopt emergency voting rules. Conservative legislators had objected to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger issuing several emergency rules during the 2020 election, including mailing absentee ballot request forms to every registered voter in response to the pandemic public health threat. If you really look at (Senate Bill 202), the secretary of state was severely constrained in what could be considered an emergency meeting to adopt rules. It had to be at risk of life or limb, Ghazal said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Czech President Petr Pavel announced on July 12 that the Czech Republic will send Ukraine 50,000 rounds of ammunition in July and August. From September to the end of the year, Ukraine will receive 80,000 to 100,000 rounds of ammunition per month, he added. This initiative is part of the Czech Republic's plan to supply half a million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine in 2024, according to the Czech Television Company. After attending the NATO summit in Washington, Pavel arrived in Houston on July 12 to speak at a political debate and meet with local politicians and businessmen. In February, Pavel announced that Prague had identified 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells outside Europe that could be purchased and sent to Ukraine once the necessary funds were allocated. By late March, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said that several countries had contributed funds to the Czech initiative, potentially resulting in the delivery of 1.5 million rounds to Kyiv. At the end of June, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced that the first batch of ammunition had arrived in Ukraine. Read also: Czechia, Ukraine to sign bilateral security agreement on July 18 Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) stands against the other industrial stocks. Industrial stocks in the United States encompass a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, defense, and construction. These sectors form the backbone of the American economy, driving innovation, employment, and growth. Companies within this category often engage in the production of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure essential for various industries. The performance of industrial stocks is closely tied to the overall health of the economy. Economic expansion typically boosts demand for industrial goods and services, while recessions can lead to contractions in this sector. Recently, industrial stocks have shown resilience amid global supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, thanks in part to technological advancements and diversified service offerings. Advancements in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are transforming the industrial landscape. Companies are increasingly investing in smart manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures are pushing industrial firms toward sustainable practices. Companies are adopting greener technologies and renewable energy sources to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Industrial stocks play a vital role in the US economy, offering a diverse range of investment opportunities. Understanding the dynamics of different sectors, keeping abreast of market trends, and evaluating economic indicators are crucial for making informed investment decisions in this space. With continued advancements in technology and a focus on sustainable practices, the industrial sector remains a critical and evolving component of the financial market landscape. Overall, industrial stocks returned close to 10% so far in 2024. According to Federal Reserve Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization report, most major market groups saw gains in May. Consumer goods increased by 1.3 percent, driven by rises across all components except home electronics. Business equipment edged up by 0.2 percent despite a drop in transit, buoyed by gains in information processing and industrial sectors. Defense and space equipment rose by 1.0 percent, marking a nearly 10 percent increase from a year ago. The materials market group saw a 0.8 percent increase, with non-energy durables and non-energy nondurables each up by around 1 percent, and energy materials rising by 0.6 percent. In manufacturing, overall output rose by 0.9 percent in May, slightly above last year's level. Durable manufacturing increased by 0.6 percent, nondurables by 1.1 percent, and other manufacturing (publishing and logging) by 0.2 percent. Within durable manufacturing, notable gains were seen in wood products (up 2.6 percent), machinery (up 2.3 percent), and computer/electronic products (up 0.8 percent). Furniture and related products saw the largest decline (down 2.6 percent). In nondurables, printing and support activities decreased by 1.5 percent, while other categories saw gains. Mining output rebounded with a 0.3 percent increase in May, following declines in the previous two months. Oil and gas extraction rose, offsetting decreases in other mining and support activities. Utilities output grew by 1.6 percent, surpassing last year's level by 3.9 percent. Capacity utilization for manufacturing rose to 77.1 percent in May, slightly below its long-run average. Mining's operating rate reached 92.7 percent, well above its average, while utilities remained notably below their typical operating levels despite a slight increase to 71.5 percent. Story continues So, what are the best industrial stocks to buy in this current environment? Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkey's comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 10 industrial stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular industrial stocks among elite investors. An aerial view of a commercial jetliner in flight, its airframe glinting in the sun. RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) Number of Hedge Funds Holders: 62 RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX), a major player in the aerospace and defense sectors, offers services and systems to commercial, military, and governmental clients worldwide. The company is structured into three primary segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Recently, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) was awarded a contract modification worth $33.8 million by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. This contract entails supplying spare parts for the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) program. Additionally, RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is facing a class action lawsuit alleging age discrimination. Filed by the AARP Foundation and two law firms in the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, the lawsuit claims that certain job advertisements from Raytheon displayed a preference for younger candidates. This alleged bias contravenes the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practices Act, and the Virginia Human Rights Act. The company, initially based in Massachusetts, has recently moved its headquarters to Virginia. The number of hedge funds in Insider Monkeys database owning stakes in RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) grew to 62 in Q1 2024, from 61 in the preceding quarter. The consolidated value of these stakes is nearly $2.42 billion. Among these funds, Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management was the companys leading stakeholder in Q1. RTX managed to grow its topline by high single digits since the end of 2020 and currently trade at a forward P/E of 19. It is slightly undervalued if we assume that it will continue to grow at its current rate. However, bullish investors think many countries are prioritizing national security and are willing to invest more in advanced weaponry and defense systems. Rising tensions around the world, like the ongoing war in Ukraine, are prompting governments to gradually increase their military budgets and this will translate to more contracts and revenue for defense companies. That's why RTX is attracting a large number of smart investors. Overall RTX ranks 10th on our list of the best industrial stocks stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds to see the other industrial stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of RTX as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some 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 RTX 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 10 Best of Breed Stocks to Buy For The Third Quarter of 2024 According to Bank of America. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Russian-born businessman Vladimir Likhutin has become the first resident of Czechia to be officially found guilty of violating anti-Russian sanctions. Source: Czech Radio, as reported by European Pravda Details: A businessman based in the Czech city of Teplice attempted to smuggle three premium Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW cars to Russia in May 2022. At the same time, the export of vehicles worth over 50,000 from the EU to Russia, with the exception of ambulances, has been banned since March 2022. The court's verdict, which has now entered into force, ordered that Likhutin pay a fine of CZK 300,000 (roughly US$12,900) for the offence. He was banned from trading in motor vehicles for the next 20 months. He is also obliged to pay the state approximately 132,000, which he received from Russian clients as advance payments for the vehicles in question. Other similar cases are under investigation in Czechia. The prosecutors say the investigations are protracted, as international cooperation is also required. Background: Czechia is advocating for restrictions on the movement of Russian "diplomats" within the Schengen area. Czechia has recently told Russia that they are "the trash of humanity" after the Russian attack on Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv. Support UP or become our patron! Warning: This story contains graphic imagery. Viewer discretion is advised. GILES COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A Middle Tennessee vape shop is accused of selling a man chocolate that caused him to hurt himself severely. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations and the Pulaski Police Department said Cloud Master Smoke and Vape sold a man two magic mushroom chocolate bars, which caused him to harm himself and have seizures in a pool of his blood. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts I wanted to get the publics attention if anyone out there had purchased some of these products and know it could lead to something as horrible as what happened to this guy, said District Attorney Brent Cooper. Cooper said the chocolate bars shouldve never been on the shelves in the first place. The Diamond Shruumz product was recalled on June 27, but the DA said this man was still able to purchase it from the vape store on July 6. Decherd alderman charged in connection with drug overdose death Federal health officials are investigating a possible death and hospitalizations tied to the brand. According to the Diamond Shruumz website, the active ingredient in the candy is muscimol, which is also a psychoactive chemical. (Courtesy of DA Brent Cooper) According to the DA, preliminary analysis from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) found psilocybin in the WZRDZ Jokes Up! chocolate bar. Psilocybin is a psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms or shrooms. While he did not treat this man in particular, psychiatrist and psychedelics researcher Dr. Joshua Siegel said it is possible that there was more at play than this man eating both of these chocolate bars. Its just hard to know without knowingwhat was this individuals psychiatric history? What was in his blood at the time? What was going on? Siegel questioned. US signs agreement with 3 social media giants aimed at preventing distribution of synthetic drugs However, Siegel said shrooms use has become more common in recent years with more academics and drug companies doing more research on the drug and some municipalities working to decriminalize its use. I guess its not surprising that a secondary consequence of that is that there has been increasing illicit use of psychedelics, Siegel said. Researchers at New York University found law enforcement in the U.S. seized 1,800 pounds of mushrooms in 2022. In 2017, they seized 500 pounds. Siegel said in a clinical setting, using shrooms has a low medical risk and it is virtually impossible to overdose if someone is only taking a psychedelic. However, a lot of people arent taking these drugs in a controlled environment. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee Siegel said patients with a personal or close family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder arent typically allowed into psilocybin studies and trials. Its kind of a spectrum of psychotic symptoms. It can be just kind of a sense of de-realization or feeling like youre disconnected to reality, up to a full-blown psychotic episode, he said. Siegel also warned people against combining other drugs with psychedelic mushrooms or using an untested product. These are powerful drugs and they can be beneficial when used in the right settings in careful ways, and they can be just as harmful when used in the wrong settings and the wrong individuals, he said. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Siegel also said alcohol use is linked to people being hospitalized for self-harm. News 2 reached out to Cloud Master Smoke and Vape and the companies behind both brands of chocolate bars and didnt hear back. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Hello, its the weekend. This is The Weekender Donald Trump has been slowly torturing four (at least, as far as we know) Republican men one of whom he might soon, eventually select as his running mate for months. While some news outlets are reporting that the former president is loathe to announce his VP at the moment, with no interest in disrupting the truly abysmal news cycle for President Biden, its also safe to assume Trump is getting some sick pleasure out of dangling the veepship in front of GOP Sens. Marco Rubio (FL), Tim Scott (SC), J.D. Vance (OH) and North Dakota Republican Gov. Doug Burgum. Its his favorite loyalty test forcing those who wish to secure his good graces to publicly grovel at his feet until theyve somehow demonstrated proper fealty. And hes gotten lots of use out of this foursome in recent months enlisting his shortlist to help him do everything from skirting court-imposed gag orders, spreading lies on his behalf during his recent trial in Manhattan, to shirking their legislative duties so he has something to attack President Biden with on the campaign trail. Hes also been using the VP announcement as a back-pocket distraction token to deploy at any moment he might need it during this campaign cycle. Ahead of the first presidential debate a few weeks ago, his campaign floated the idea that he might announce his vice president from the debate stage. He didnt end up doing that, clearly not in need of a distraction that might spin the news cycle in his favor. Now, ahead of next weeks Republican National Convention, hes teasing out when exactly that announcement will come, without actually offering any specifics or making any commitments. Id love to do it during the convention, which would be you know, or just slightly before the convention, like Monday, love to do it on Tuesday or Wednesday, actually, but for a lot of complex reasons that you people understand, pretty much dont do that, Trump said on The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show. We have a very good bench. It appears he will drag things out as long as he possibly can, enjoying the company of the knee-benders. Heres what else TPM has on tap this weekend: Hunter Walker updates us on his reporting on Pence Card author Ivan Raiklin, now dubbed the secretary of retribution. Josh Kovensky reflects on Hungarian leader Viktor Orbans recent field trip to Mar-a-Lago. Khaya Himmelman checks in on Michigan Clerk Tina Barton after the sentencing of Andrew Nickels, the man who left a voicemail threatening her life and the life of her family after the 2020 election. Khaya also digs in on the Heritage Foundations most recent Trumpian move: declaring the 2024 general election fraudulent before the voting has even begun. Emine Yucel unpacks Rep. Lauren Boeberts (R-CO) latest pandemic propaganda. Lets dig in. Nicole Lafond The Secretary of Retribution A story that TPM first reported back in April now has the attention of a Democratic member of Congress. Ivan Raiklin is a former Green Beret and close associate of ex-Trump White House adviser Michael Flynn. He is perhaps best known as the author of the Pence Card memo that outlined a strategy to have then-Vice President Mike Pence overturn Trumps loss in the 2020 election. Back in April, we wrote about how Raiklin had put together a Deep State Target List featuring over 350 institutions, officials, politicians, and media figures that he wanted to see exposed for a supposed plot against Trump. Raiklin had presented a convoluted plan involving getting the billionaire Elon Musk, who now owns the site once known as Twitter, to publish direct messages exchanged by his targets. We also noted that Raiklin had reached out to the far right Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association in an effort to get those law enforcement officers to go to the maximum level to punish the targets on his list for unspecified crimes. In the months since we published our piece, Raiklin, who has appointed himself Trumps secretary of retribution, noted that several other media organizations followed the story. Raiklin initially responded to the coverage by encouraging his followers to dig for dirt on TPM, your humble correspondent, and my friends and family. He also kept up his efforts to get Musk and far right sheriffs to take on his targets and warned their last chance for amnesty is September 3. On Wednesday, Raw Story joined the list of outlets that have followed our reporting on Raiklin with a piece that their editor-in-chief Dave Levinthal billed as an EXCLUSIVE. While the story didnt break much new ground, it did highlight more recent comments Raiklin has made calling for his targets to be jailed. It also included a response to the list from Rep. Jamie Raskin (R-MD), who described Raiklins Deep State Target List as a vigilante death warrant for hundreds of Americans and a clear and present danger to the survival of American democracy and freedom. We are happy to see this story get more attention. As we have repeatedly noted on this page, Trump allies are getting louder and louder about their desire to seek revenge on political enemies if he wins a second term. It is, as Raskin said in his comment, a deadly serious issue. The recent report sparked a wave of headlines including in fringe far right media. Podcaster Tim Pool elicited a delighted reaction from Raiklin with his segment on the story, which provided yet another example of why this matters and why we at TPM will stay ahead of the story. Pool made perfectly clear how eager he, Raiklin and other right wingers are to see their enemies targeted. Donald Trumps Secretary of Retribution has a target list. OK. Im excited for this. I like it, Pool said, before adding, Why should I be mad about retribution? Hunter Walker Making Europe Great Again Lets play devils advocate: its not necessarily a bad idea for Hungarian leader Viktor Orban to travel to Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing in search of a peace deal that might bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Russias cruel invasion has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. At the same time, western experts seem to be reaching a consensus that any further, significant changes of territory in either direction are unlikely to take place due to action on the battlefield so long as the West continues to support Ukraine and Russia remains committed to prosecuting the war. At the same time, Donald Trump is increasingly favored to win the November election. That puts continued U.S. aid to Ukraine in jeopardy, raising the prospect that Ukraine could find itself in a far more precarious position next year. It makes sense that Ukrainian officials might be more open to a deal this summer with all that as the backdrop. But is that what Orban was pushing? As I wrote this week, not really. Orban said publicly and privately that hes shooting for a deal in late 2024 saying explicitly at one point that he envisions a peace deal taking place during a potential transition. That is, while Biden may still be in office, with Trump gearing up to reenter the White House. For Ukraine, the question would be whether any deal prevents a war like this from ever happening again. That is, whether they receive a security guarantee of some sort that forecloses any invasion. Russias position on that has not changed, Putin reportedly told Orban: it is against any such guarantee. What kind of deal could they cut without Ukraine? Josh Kovensky His Words Are Forever Seared Into My Memory Earlier this week, a U.S. District judge sentenced Andrew Nickels, who threatened the life of former Rochester Hills, Michigan Clerk Tina Barton, to 14 months in federal prison. Following the 2020 election, Nickels called Barton and left a voicemail threatening her life and the life of her family. He pled guilty in a federal Detroit court in February, as reported by TPM. The case is one of many brought by the Department of Justices Election Threats Task Force, established in 2021 to specifically address violence against election workers. The defendant repeatedly threatened the life of a Michigan election worker because she publicly defended the integrity of the 2020 election that she helped administer, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri said in a statement in response to the sentencing this week. She added: Our democracy depends on the willingness of election workers to do their jobs without having to live in fear. Todays sentence should serve as yet another reminder that the Justice Department will not hesitate to prosecute those who threaten violence to influence how our public servants administer elections. In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Barton wrote about the lasting effects the threats have had on her life: While it has been more than 1,300 days since Andrew Nickels threatened my life and the lives of my family members, his words are forever seared into my memory and continue to repeatedly play in my mind. Election workers are still reeling from the torrent of violence that followed the 2020 election, even as justice slowly but surely prevails. Experts have previously told TPM that threats and intimidation will be an inevitable part of the 2024 election. I think theres going to be this push just like we saw in 2020 against the system and against officials, former registrar of voters for Orange County, California Neal Kelley told TPM . Heritage Foundation Already Declares 2024 Election Fraudulent In a presentation on Thursday night, conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation preemptively declared the 2024 election to be fraudulent, claiming without evidence that Joe Biden is already attempting to fraudulently sway the results of the upcoming election, the Washington Post reported. According to the Associated Press, the think tanks presentation reads as follows: The lawlessness of the Biden Administration at the border, in staffing considerations, and in routine defiance of court rulings makes clear that the current president and his administration not only possesses the means, but perhaps also the intent, to circumvent constitutional limits and disregard the will of the voters should they demand a new president. And in a press conference about the report, per the AP, the executive director of the Heritage Foundations Oversight Project executive Mike Howell said: As things stand right now, there is a zero percent chance of a free and fair election in the United States of America. We have previously seen a much more subtle version of Republicans attempting to get ahead of a possible defeat in 2024, setting themselves up to declare mass voter fraud in the fall with messaging around the false narrative of noncitizens voting in elections. In May of this year, election deniers and Republican members of Congress promoted a redundant piece of legislation known as the SAVE ACT, which would make it illegal for non citizens to vote in federal elections. Its already illegal for non citizens to vote in federal elections, and, as previously reported for TPM, its a provably false narrative. But, its a more subtle way for Trump and his allies to keep election denialism and invented instances of election fraud at the forefront of the campaign, in the case of a possible loss come November. Alongside Thursdays presentation, the Heritage Foundation is also promoting Project 2025 the presidential transition project, which has laid out a blueprint for how another Trump presidency might drastically alter the executive branch power and reshape the federal workforce, among other things. Trump, as previously reported, has recently distanced himself from this initiative in an apparent attempt to appear less extreme during a moment when President Bidens abilities have come into question. Khaya Himmelman Words Of Wisdom I wonder what could have caused Joe Bidens rapid physical and cognitive decline? pic.twitter.com/p83tQbrfVt Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 11, 2024 Thats MAGA Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), seemingly suggesting that President Bidens recent public struggles have been caused by the COVID vaccines and boosters he received over the past couple of years. Normally I wouldnt even dignify such a tweet but this one is so ridiculous it had to make it into the Words of Wisdom archives. May I remind Rep. Boebert that millions and millions of people received those same vaccines Might be a good idea for the congresswoman to ease up on the vaping. It might be taking a toll on her cognition! Jokes aside, Boebert, of course, already knows the vaccine has nothing to do with whats going on here. But I must say, it is a peak cheap move to take advantage of an aging politician to try and sprinkle some pandemic propaganda into the news cycle. Emine Yucel DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR) Danville Parks and Recreation is hosting a soft opening for a new splash pad at Doyle Thomas Park on Monday, July 15. We are excited to have a soft opening of Danvilles second splash pad, Director of Danville Parks and Recreation, Bill Sgrinia, said. We know that local residents will truly enjoy this addition to Doyle Thomas Park, which is already so well-loved. LIST: Places to swim in Southwest & Central Virginia Admission to the new Doyle Thomas Park splash pad is free and will operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It will be open on: Monday- Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday- Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. The project reflects Danville Parks and Recss commitment to enhancing parks and facilities by providing residents with safe, enjoyable spaces to gather and play. For more information on this project, visit the citys Parks and Recreation website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Cobb Isle Road is one of the most exclusive addresses in one of the countrys most exclusive enclavesa private lane in Water Mill, New York, where multimillion dollar homes look onto Mecox Bay in the Hamptons. But on July 1 it was not visiting socialites who drove into Cobb Isle Road. It was the local fire department, called by a carbon monoxide alarm being triggered at an $8 million, five bedroom spread on the waterfront. There they found a scene of horror: Brandon Miller, 43, was unconscious inside a car in the garage. The carbon monoxide alarm had been triggered by exhaust fumes which had overcome him, the Daily Beast is told. Southampton Volunteer Ambulance rushed an unconscious Miller to Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care and listed in critical condition. He proved to be beyond saving and died on July 3. The Millers High Life Brandon Miller loved the high life. His boat, docked nearby, was called MillerTime. The Hamptons home was matched by a $47,000-a-month Park Avenue rental on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. And unlike his discreet Hamptons neighbors, it was all documented on social media for the world to see, because Miller was the Instagram husband part of an internet power couple with his wife Candice. Candice Miller is one half of the influencer sisters Mama and Tata. Candice was mama, her sister Jenna Crespi was tata, the aunt. We tell our story from the perspective of a fashionable mom of two, Candice, and a newly pregnant and inquisitive mom-to-be, Jenna, the blogs about section reads. We would like to share our experiences and impart our insights on how to be a great mom while maintaining beauty, style, and glamor in everyday life. Everyday life was not so everyday, except perhaps in the Hamptons. On Instagram and in her blog there was a dizzying picture of the good life: weekly $800 facials, a personal chef, summertime poolside dinners for 40 in the Hamptons, glittering charity soirees in Manhattan, vacations at elegant European hotels and Thanksgiving in Palm Beach, Florida followed by a double collagen cosmetic mask to repair any damage from sun exposure. One photo showed mama with her two girls on a balcony at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Paris. Suites there start at $2,500 a night. Her presentation of an ideal existence was reinforced by an influencers ultimate validation; being mentioned by mainstream media along with people who have more traditional claims to celebrity. In a report on the Youth America Grand Prix Gala in New York in April last year, the Daily Mail prominently mentioned her and her family along with Steves Jobs daughter Eve, and Rupert Mudochs former third wife, Wendi Deng. Candice Miller - one half of the sister blogging duo Mama and Tata - attended the event with her real estate developer husband, Brandon Miller and their two daughters. She looked radiant in a chiffon caftan-style gown, her long brown waves flowing down her shoulders. The article added that Candice Miller had been spotted palling around with Ivanka Trump. What saved her from coming off as a Park Avenue Marie Antoinette was a seemingly genuine devotion to her family. The posts often included her two adorable daughters and sometimes her handsome husband. The second-generation real estate developer was widely presumed by her followers to be the one funding the lifestyle. Candice was quoted in Mini Magazine in 2019 saying, I have the most supportive husband who encourages me to do whatever I love and always lifts me up. I attribute a lot of my courage and strength to his unconditional love and support, as well as that of my children. On most days, what I really look forward to is arriving home, and sitting for dinners with my husband and my girls, followed by some very yummy snuggles before bedtime, where we all profess our love for one another over and over again. She added, Literally, we do that. End of the Dream On July 3, as her husband was declared dead, the idealistic internet life came to an abrupt end: Candice Miller quietly deleted @mamaandtata. Puzzled, the followers who had made the Millers Instagram famous went elsewhere in the virtual worldRedditto seek answers. SCannon95 had followed Candice Miller for the over the top lifestyle and had felt jealous of the travel and the parties. Now, she wrote, I also can't believe how much of the content I consumed and took at face value. She allowed that she and other followers had been in the thrall of what looks like a perfect life online even if we know IG vs. reality is different. In retrospect, the hints of trouble in internet paradise were there if you looked carefully. A few of the @mamaandtata postings have survived online and a video clip of the family from last year shows a small band playing Cant Help Falling in Love. Candice Miller is singing along, moving to the music with both hands upraised, one clutching the hand of the daughter to the right. Mama is animated to the point it seems she is performing for the camera as much as actually enjoying a family night out. A subdued Brandon Miller sits across the table with the other girl on his left. The girl is drawing with crayons. He leans over and gives her a fatherly kiss, but otherwise seems detached from his wifes determined merriment. The real troubles, however, were not online, but in the world of New York real estate which had made the Millersapparentlyrich and carefree. A Nepo Babys World Collapses Brandon Miller was unashamedly a nepo-baby; hardly the first in the dynastic world of New York real estate. His father, Michael Miller founded Real Estate Equity Corporation, REEC, in 1978 and started by developing suburban shopping centers in the years of the mall boom. His son joined after attending Brown University, as the company moved into high end commercial and residential properties in Manhattan. Its more prestigious projects include the 2011 construction of a luxury building in Tribeca. Brandon and Candicethey had been childhood friends before marrying in 2009and their daughters moved into the penthouse, which served as a stage set during the internet ascension of Mama and Tata. That same year the couple bought their Water Mill home for $3.2 million and watched its value soar. But in 2016, Millers belief in his father was shattered in the most atrocious way: at his funeral. Court papers reveal how as he mourned his father, Miller was approached by a man from Long Island called Donald Jaffe. Jaffe, it turned out, had made several large loans to the elder Miller. They had facilitated the construction of the Tribeca building and the purchase of Brandons house in Water Mill. In a deposition, Michael Millers assistant, Christine Frangipane, told how she told Brandon Miller about the loans and he was clearly shocked at the amount of funds that his Dad borrowed from Mr. Jaffe and that so much was due. But then it got worse. When I showed Brandon the loan documents, he immediately blurted out that is not my signature and then he said he did not know about the loans and was very upset, Frangipane said under oath. In fact, the assistant said, Michael Miller had forced her to forge his sons signature more than once. Michael would instruct me to sign his and Brandons name or he would sign his name and tell me to sign Brandons name, she said. I would then notarize the documents. His fathers inheritance was poisoned: his debt to Jaffe was as high as $5.6 million (Brandon Miller settled in 2022), and TD Bank sued Brandons mother Barbara for $2.1 million Michael Miller owed, claiming mother and son tried to hide the fathers assets. They strongly contested the allegations. Miller became REECs managing partner and a year after the fathers death, the firm acquired a row of four low-rise buildings for $21 million near the High Line in Manhattans Chelsea. The buildings were demolished to make room for a planned 10-story commercial building. But the project was scuttled by the pandemic and ownership passed to another developer. The lot is occupied by weeds and rats. It was a pattern for REEC: It bought a row of seven low rise buildings on the Bowery in Manhattans Lower East Side in 2021 to build a life sciences facility for bio-tech startups. The buildings are still there, empty pending demolition. A project to build a 9-story office building on St. Marks Place in the East Village, once the center of the counterculture, suffered years of delay and is only now nearing completion. The real end to the dream, however, was more personal than the struggles of post-pandemic real estate. Miller was sued by Interior Marketing Group (IMG), which is owned by Cheryl Eisen, once described as "the reigning prop princess of luxury New York real estate. The suit accused him of failing to pay $102,730.27 in rental for what it describes as dining and family room fixtures, area rugs, table lamps, bedroom desks and chairs, credenzas, bed frames, pillows, draperies and sheers and artwork. He was also said to have refused to return items valued at $64,000. The Park Avenue image was a fraud: Even the furniture in the Millers videos wasnt really their own. And in the Hamptons, Page Six reported, he was being sued for $50,000 by the Lighthouse Marina in nearby Aquebogue for unpaid bills for MillerTime. All the more poignant then, that last July his influencer wife told Gotham Magazine: My favorite Hamptons memories are going on the boat with my whole family and all my closest friends on July 4 to see the fireworks and have dinner and a little party, she said. This July 4, her husband had been dead for 24 hours and her influencer life was over. Now mama and her daughters have only memories of a gilded life envied by tens of thousands with a secret dark void at its heart. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office is warning residents of a recent telephone scam that attempts to collect money for fake warrants. The Sheriffs Office says that a person is falsely identifying as a member of the Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office and tells the victim that there is an outstanding warrant for their arrest. To clear the warrant, the victim is told to deposit money into various cash transfer apps such as Zelle, Venmo or PayPal, the Sheriffs Office says. The Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office wants to remind the public that it does not contact people by phone regarding outstanding warrants. Anyone who has a warrant for their arrest will be told in person by a uniformed deputy. Deputies do not collect payments or fees associated with any warrant. If anyone in Dona Ana County is contacted regarding an outstanding warrant over the phone, collect as much information as you can, such as the name and phone number of the person contacting you, and report it to the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority at (575) 526-0795. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Peachtree City police are searching for a pair of suspected thieves they said stole a victims credit card and splurged at a clothing store. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 1 p.m., on June 30, a man and a woman went inside Newks in Peachtree City. Police said the duo lingered around the soda machine and began looking at those seated in the dining room. After a few minutes, the pair moved to a section of tables, dropped a jacket and while picking it up, police said they slid a customers purse towards them. The woman reached down and removed the victims wallet, according to officials. TRENDING STORIES: Peachtree City officers said, 12 minutes later, the same woman but a different man went inside Lululemon where they used the victims credit card to buy over $5,000 worth of merchandise and gift cards. Authorities said they also tried to make a $511 purchase at the Peachtree City Walmart. Police said the dastardly duo got away in a silver Mazda SUV with Texas tag SWN8688. The getaway car was a rental. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The first suspect is described as a woman, with long dark hair with highlights. She was wearing black joggers, thick-soled sneakers, a black top, glasses, and a black hat. Police said she changed into a red top at the second location. The second second suspect is a man with dark hair. He was wearing a gray T-shirt, black shorts and white socks. The third suspect was a man, heavy set with a buzzed head and short facial hair. He was wearing white sneakers, a blue shirt and dark pants. Anyone with information is urged to contact Det. M. Taylor via email. IN OTHER NEWS: (NBC News) Friday on Dateline, after former Arkansas State Senator Linda Collins is killed outside her home, detectives struggle to determine if her murder was connected to her political career. Here is a preview of Dennis Murphys two-hour report, The Hands of a Killer. It was late afternoon when the call went out over police frequencies. Former state senator Linda Collins had been found dead at her home. Murdered. Unsolved Ohio: Woman vanishes after man seen driving her car with new bullet holes To Butch and his sister Tate, there was nothing that made a bit of sense. TATE: My world just falls apart. BUTCH: I couldnt imagine. Rumor quickly had it her killing was a political cover-up that went right to the top. MITCH MCCOY: Bombshell. Two days later, another former senator in Oklahoma is found dead, in his home. That lit this case on fire. At the marbled state courthouse in Little Rock, shock prevailed. KEN YANG: Social media, the way it is now, everyone starts coming up with reasons. Who would want to murder the former state senator? Was the clue to be found in her political ties or her private life? With Linda Collins, those strands were deeply entwined. Boyfriend of woman missing for 23 years remains primary suspect, deputies say SHERIFF BELL: We had to ignore a lot of outside interference in order to catch this killer. Watch Datline: The Hands of a Killer, Friday at 9 p.m. on NBC4. About Dateline Dateline NBC is the longest-running series in NBC primetime history and is in its 32nd season. Dateline is anchored by Lester Holt and features correspondents Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison and Dennis Murphy. The stories range from compelling mysteries to powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. When major news breaks, they go to the scene, putting the pieces together to bring the viewer the full picture. And in every story they tell, they help the real people who lived the events share their journeys with the viewer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 31-year-old Davenport man was sentenced on Wednesday to 137 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to a news release. According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Sylvester George Taylor Staples was found in possession of a firearm and 9.24 grams of cocaine base. Staples had multiple prior felony convictions, including a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, the court also found Staples violated the terms of his federal supervised release and ordered to serve an additional 24 months of imprisonment. Sylvester Staples (Scott County Jail) After completing his term of imprisonment, Staples will be required to serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. U. S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. On This Day, July 13: Simona Halep becomes 1st Romanian to win Wimbledon singles title On July 13, 2019, Simona Halep became the first Romanian to win a Wimbledon singles title after beating Serena Williams. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI July 13 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1863, opposition to the Federal Conscription Act triggered New York City riots in which at least 120 people died and hundreds were injured. In 1898, Guglielmo Marconi was awarded a patent for wireless telegraphy -- the radio. In 1943, one of the largest tank battle in history -- which happened as part of the Battle of Kursk -- ended along the Eastern Front in the Soviet Union when German dictator Adolf Hitler redeployed his troops to the south. In 1960, Democrats nominated Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts for president against GOP Vice President Richard Nixon. George Zimmerman listens as the verdict is announced that a jury found him not guilty on Day 25 of his trial in the Seminole circuit court in Sanford, Fla., on July 13, 2013. The jury deliberated for 16 hours aver two days. File Photo by Joe Burbank/UPI John F. Kennedy (R) and Richard Nixon debate on October 21, 1960. UPI File Photo In 1977, a state of emergency was declared in New York City during a 25-hour power blackout. Ryutaro Hashimoto, prime minister of Japan addresses member nations attending the Earth Summit Meetings on June 23, 1997, at the United Nations in its General Assembly Hall. On July 13, 1998, Hashimoto resigned, a victim of the country's economic woes. File Photo by Jason Szenes/UPI In 1985, musicians and celebrities gathered at arenas around the world to hold a 16-hour Live Aid concert, raising more than $125 million in famine relief for Africa. In 1992, Yitzhak Rabin became Israel's new prime minister, ending the hard-line Likud Party's 15-year reign. Rabin embraced Israeli-Palestinian relations and helped establish peace between Palestinians and Jordanians. He faced criticism for his views and in 1995 was assassinated. Israeli Prime Minister Yithzak Rabin (L) shakes hands with PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat (R) during peace accord signing ceremonies held on the South Lawn of the White House on September 13, 1993. Rabin was elected prime minister on July 13, 1992. File Photo by Leighton Mark/UPI In 1998, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned, a victim of the country's economic woes. In 2005, a judge in New York sentenced former WorldCom Chief Executive Officer Bernard Ebbers to 25 years in prison for his part in what was described as the largest fraud in U.S. corporate history. File Photo by Monika Graff/UPI In 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a plan to save major government-backed mortgage companies known as Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac with billions of dollars in investments and loans. In 2013, neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in a gated community in Florida. The case provoked a national debate on "stand your ground" laws and racial profiling. In 2019, Simona Halep became the first Romanian to win a Wimbledon singles title after beating Serena Williams. In 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Israel to begin a four-day trip in the Middle East in which he also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, accusing the leader of being personally responsible for killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi. File Photo by Menahem Kahana/UPI Seniors left scrambling for cash after affordable housing community in Miami threatens rent hike Affordable housing is a lifeline for many U.S. seniors struggling to get by on fixed retirement incomes. But that lifeline is not indefinite. It can be hoisted up or dropped down, as one senior living community in South Florida recently found out the hard way. Don't miss Cost-of-living in America is still out of control use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what the US Fed does or says Car insurance rates have spiked in the US to a stunning $2,150/year but you can be smarter than that. Here's how you can save yourself as much as $820 annually in minutes (it's 100% free) These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how When Tucker Tower opened in Palmetto Bay in March 2024, local seniors and community leaders were thrilled. The 120-unit building is designed specifically to give older Floridians access to affordable housing. But within a few short months, residents had already been alerted to a rent increase on July 1, in some cases by as much as $138 a month. Tucker Tower resident Georgina Milhet told CBS News she couldnt sleep after the rent hike notice mid-way through her lease, adding: I'm on the verge of crying what was done is not fair. But the Housing Trust Group, which owns and operates the affordable housing community, said the notice was delivered by the book and according to federal regulation. Heres what happened. Miami-Dade median income Tucker Tower celebrated its grand opening on March 4 and just 57 days later, on April 30, the management team posted a flyer for residents, giving them 60-day notice of a rent hike. The flyer, obtained by CBS News, read: This is to notify you that due to an increase in the area median gross income (AMGI) published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there will be an increase in your monthly rental rate effective July 1, 2024. Per the news outlet, senior residents living in Tucker Tower had a section in their lease contracts pertaining to units participating in government-regulated affordable housing programs. That section states: If the AMGI increases during the lease term, [the] owner may, at its sole discretion, increase the rent to the maximum allowable amount based on the new AMGI. In Miami-Dade County, where Tucker Tower is located, the AMGI as of April 1, 2024, is $79,400 up 6.29% from $74,700 in 2023. Using that income midpoint, an extremely low income (30% of AMI) for a one- or two-person household in Miami-Dade would be $23,850 or $27,250, respectively. Story continues According to the Tucker Tower flyer of proposed rent hikes, a one-bed, one-bath apartment for residents at 30% AMI would cost $618 a month, while a two-bed, two-bath apartment would cost $731 a month, as of July 1. While thats still a lot cheaper than the average Miami rent, many residents including Milhet were anxious about how to squeeze an extra $100 or more out of their fixed retirement incomes. Some of the seniors living in Tucker Tower claim they were not aware of or did not understand the rent increase provision in their contracts. Milhet said she was so desperate to get in the building that she overlooked that vital detail. Regardless, it would be reasonable not to expect a rent increase within a few months of signing an annual lease at an affordable living facility thats the tune that Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Kionne McGhee took when taking on the Home Trust Group on the residents behalf. Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how A win for the residents McGhee told CBS News he spent nearly two months examining the contracts of distressed Tucker Tower residents and seeing how his office could help resolve the issue. "I felt it was unjust, he said of the almost-immediate rent increases. I hold firm that the residents should win in this issue. Home Trust Group president and CEO, Matthew Rieger, issued a written statement to CBS News explaining why the company chose to increase the rent and reiterating that the move was completely regulated. The federally mandated timeframe for rent increases is generally July 1, with few exceptions, as is the case in this situation, the statement read. The increase must occur on July 1, irrelevant of when the individual leased the apartment. We do not have the option to say to individuals who leased in January of this year that they will receive an increase next January. Regulations do not permit us to do that. We have to realize increases when we are told, and to the amount specified by HUD, when all LIHTC owners are doing so. After releasing that statement and getting a lot of heat from residents the affordable housing firm reversed its decision about raising the rent during this lease term. McGhee confirmed: The residents will not see an increase in their rateA letter will be sent out notifying them of such. What to read next No turning back: This Wall Street bear is predicting the biggest market crash since 1929 Heres how to prepare your portfolio if hes right Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month 'You didn't want to risk it': 80-year-old woman from South Carolina is looking for the safest place for her family's $250,000 savings. Here's Dave Ramsey's response This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Emergency workers rush to attend to victims after an Israeli air strike on the Al-Mawasi camp for the displaced Palestinians. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian medics reported that at least 90 people were killed and hundreds were injured in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in southern Gaza as Israel sought to kill a leader from Palestinian Islamist Hamas. The health authorities in Gaza controlled by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement said that at least 300 people were injured in the attack on the al-Mawasi camp when tents for displaced people were hit. Many were severely wounded and are in danger of dying, according to medical sources in the Gaza Strip. Israeli media reported that the target of the strike was Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing in Gaza. The Haaretz newspaper said army sources believed Deif was killed in the attack, though later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this was not certain, speaking to a press conference in Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted Deif, along with Hamas' military leader in the central city of Khan Younis, Rafa Salama, as both are considered "masterminds of the massacre on October 7." One of Israel's central aims in the current conflict is to capture or kill Deif and the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Yehya al-Sinwar. The third most senior Hamas leader in Gaza, Marwan Issa, was reportedly killed in March. The IDF said the strike "was carried out in a fenced-in area controlled by Hamas and where, according to [IDF] information, only Hamas terrorists and no civilians were present." "It was a precise attack. It is estimated that most of the victims were also terrorists who were with Deif and Salama," it added. The army had extremely reliable intelligence information that Deif and Salama were in the base at the time of the attack, a senior military representative said in an online briefing for journalists. The IDF said the target zone was an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings and barracks, with no tents nearby, though Palestinian reports said the strike hit tents housing displaced people. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was investigating the airstrike and added that, "in view of the developments in Gaza," Defence Minister Yoav Gallant conducted an assessment of the operational situation along with military and intelligence chiefs. There were several major attacks in Gaza early on Saturday, according to the WAFA Palestinian news agency. Staff at the Nasser Hospital reported a shortage of beds to accommodate the large number of injured following the attacks. The Israeli military said on Saturday that operations were continuing throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Gaza City. Report: Two killed in Israeli drone strike in Lebanon Meanwhile fighting continues between Israel and Lebanon, with two civilians killed by an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon, the official Lebanese news agency NNA reported on Saturday. The two were found dead inside a vehicle in the town of al-Khardly after they were targeted by a missile fired from the drone, the agency added. One fatality was identified as Mussa Sulaiman, a member of the Shiite Amal group, an ally of the Lebanese Iranian-aligned Hezbollah movement. The IDF said it struck at what it called "two Hezbollah terrorists" preparing to launch projectiles from southern Lebanon toward Israel. There are fears that the conflict could spread to Lebanon as Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah have been fighting almost daily since the beginning of the Gaza war. Argentina classifies Hamas as terrorist group Argentina has classified Hamas as a terrorist organization. "Hamas has claimed responsibility for the atrocities committed during the attack on Israel on October 7. These are part of a long history of terrorist attacks in the name of Hamas," the office of President Javier Milei announced on Friday evening. The United States, Canada and the European Union listed Hamas as a terrorist organization long ago. But Argentina is one of the few countries to have taken this step in Latin America, along with Paraguay and Costa Rica. Other countries such as Colombia and Bolivia broke off their relations with Israel due to its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Milei is seen as a staunch ally of Israel and unreservedly supports the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in the war in Gaza. The Jewish community in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires is one of the largest outside Israel. Emergency workers rush to attend to victims after an Israeli air strike on the Al-Mawasi camp for the displaced Palestinians. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Bodies of the Palestinian children who were killed in an Israeli attack that hit the house belonging to the Al-Raii family, are brought to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa FILE -FILE - A Delta Air Lines jetliner is shown at Denver International Airport in Denver, June 26, 2019. Delta Air Lines is changing its employee uniform policy following a turbulent ride through a social media storm started by a passenger's outrage over two flight attendants photographed wearing Palestinian pins. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) ATLANTA (AP) Delta Air Lines is changing its employee uniform policy following a turbulent ride through a social media storm started by an X user's outrage over two flight attendants who were photographed wearing Palestinian flag pins. The uproar over the July 10 post on X, which described the Palestinian pins as Hamas badges, led Delta to ban its employees from wearing pins representing any country or nationality besides the U.S. The rule will take effect Monday. We are proud of our diverse base of employees and customers and the foundation of our brand, which is to connect the world and provide a premium experience," the Atlanta-based airline said in a statement "We are taking this step to help ensure a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for all. Delta's policy shift reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, which has triggered high-profile protests that, among other things, have roiled college campuses. Both attendants pictured wearing the pins were in compliance with Delta's previous policy giving employees more flexibility with uniform accessories. Before Delta announced its new policy, one of its employees escalated the situation by posting a reply on X asserting the attendants wearing the Palestinian pins were violating company rules and sympathizing with passengers who might be terrified by it. That post has since been deleted but was captured in a screenshot shared by the American Muslim rights group CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Delta apologized in a post and said the employee responsible for the reply had been removed from handling its social media communications. What happened with Delta is just the latest example of anti-Palestinian racism, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the national deputy executive director of CAIR, told The Washington Post. He said the group welcomed Deltas apology. And my hope is that this incident will begin to slowly, slowly move the needle in a different direction. With Republicans starting their national nominating convention in Milwaukee on Monday, Oklahoma's Democratic delegates to their party's Chicago convention in mid-August reflect the uncertainty many have over President Joe Biden's selection to be a candidate in the November general election. "Biden's my guy," says Alicia Andrews , head of Oklahoma's Democratic party. "If it was up to me, I would tell everybody to shut up about having him drop out of the race and focus on reelecting a president who will preserve our democracy," Andrews told The Oklahoman in a brief interview. Referring to former President Donald Trump, expected to be the Republican presidential nominee, Andrews said, "we sure don't want that dictator wannabe. We need to ride with the guy who beat him once and can beat him again." But while Andrews is supportive of Biden, former Gov. David Walters said it will be increasingly difficult for Biden to continue as the party's nominee if swing state polls continue to deteriorate. "Fifty states don't elect a president anymore," Walters said. "In reality, it's only about 10 states." Alicia Andrews, chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, says it's time to focus on re-election of President Joe Biden. Should Biden step aside, Walters said he hoped the party would have an open and transparent nomination process. "It strengthens the ticket a lot more if there's a little competition," he said. Walters, in addition to his spot as a delegate, also serves on the executive committee of the Democratic National Committee. Walters said he was attending this year's convention with his 17-year-old grandson, Harrison Fried, who was serving as a page. Is it too late to change the Democratic presidential nominee? Walters said this year's convention could be a historic one for Democrats, if it actually chooses the presidential nominee. "That's the way it used to be done," he said. "There's no reason it wouldn't work again." Walters also downplayed claims that it was too late in the process to change candidates. "If the UK can change its entire government in six weeks, then we should be able to," he said. "So we're going to prepare for what could be a very historic and interesting convention." The Oklahoma party's website lists 13 of some 40 delegates from the state expected to attend the Chicago convention starting Aug. 19, including Walters and current state House Democratic leader Cyndi Munson, D-OKC. Walters served as governor from 1991-95. More: Biden rallies to chants of 'Don't you quit,' attacks press for giving Trump 'free pass' Currently the state has a Republican governor, all Republicans in its seven-member Congressional delegation and a strong majority of Republicans in both houses of the state legislature. Discussions about Biden are distractions, Oklahoma Democratic delegate says Oklahoma Democratic Committee delegate at-large Antwuan Jackson II said he thinks President Biden should stay in the campaign, noting he and the vice president are our best hope for protecting the future of our country. The opposition offers no credible alternative. They have shown themselves to be divisive, lacking in character, and detrimental to the interests of minorities, the middle class, working class Americans, and small business owners, Jackson said in a statement. Jackson said the discussions about President Bidens age and mental acuity are distractions from substantial progress and meaningful change he and Vice President Kamala Harris have already achieved. He said he has heard from voters that they see a stark contrast between the presidential candidates, with Biden offering integrity and dedication to public service. More: The GOP presidential nominee isn't in question, but OK lawmakers expect debates at the convention Oklahoma voters, regardless of political affiliation, recognize the importance of a leader who can uphold the principles of honesty, competence and compassion in guiding our country forward, he said. Antwuan Jackson II is an at-large delegate for the Oklahoma Democratic Committee. Matthew Lucas, also an at-large delegate, said he believes that the party is firmly behind Biden. Lucas told The Oklahoman he believes the conversation surrounding Bidens age and mental state are a sideshow distraction. The Democratic National Convention in August should highlight the stark differences between the two parties, Lucas said, adding that more than 40 delegates from Oklahoma would be attending. Opinion: No country for old men. Biden, Trump block the way for newer, younger leaders. I think thats going to be a defining point of this convention, making sure that we reiterate not only to our state delegates and everyone, but to the American people as well, that it is a real threat to our democracy, he said. Lucas is going to the national convention for the first time and hes assigned as a floor whip for Oklahomas fourth congressional district. More than 40 delegates from Oklahoma are attending. M. Scott Carter and Jordan Gerard contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma delegates face uncertainty at Democratic National Convention TOPEKA (KSNT) After what some are calling a disastrous debate performance, support is wavering for President Biden. 27 News political analyst Bob Beatty says more than half of Democrats polled do not believe the president is capable of getting the support he needs to win the election. Ive been studying elections for 25 years, Beatty said. Theres never been such a disastrous performance by any candidate at the presidential level in a debate. The chairman for the Kansas House Elections Committee, Rep. Pat Proctor (R) says the clock is ticking for Democrats to decide who theyll back. Practically, you would have to know at the latest by middle of September what name to put on the ballot, Proctor said. Proctor also says in terms of fundraising, any democratic substitute other than Vice President Kamala Harris would have a steep hill to climb. [Biden] has collected bucketloads of money, he said, and he cant give that money to anybody else except his vice president. Beatty says major donors of the Biden campaign have already pulled their support, and that continuing to lose money would pose the president with a serious challenge. Thats American politics you gotta have TV ads, Beatty said, you gotta pay your workers. And if the donors are telling Biden were not gonna fund this campaign, how does he stay in the race? Kansas Gov. backs Biden after shaky debate Despite the questions about his fitness to lead following the June 27 debate, many Democrats are still backing the 81-year-old incumbent including Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. While I have never been shy about standing up to Washington when its wrong for Kansas, the Presidents record of delivering bipartisan results speaks for itself. His efforts will continue to allow Kansas to recruit new manufacturing businesses, rebuild our infrastructure, and stand up for our fundamental freedoms. He is a decent man of strong character. I will support him in November. Statement from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) from July 2 Beatty says the biggest problem facing Democrats is the divisiveness within the party as they weigh their options. Utter, utter disaster for the Democrats, Beatty said, would be Biden going to the convention sticking to his guns and donors, democratic congress people have largely abandoned him. The president has been consistent about staying in the race, most recently during a July 12 speech in Detroit where he told the crowd hes not going anywhere. The Democrats will likely continue to consider their path forward as the Democratic National Convention draws near. That kicks off Aug. 19 in Chicago. For more election news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Get the latest in weather alerts by downloading our Storm Track Weather App. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The front page of the Deseret News on July 14, 1960, the day after John F. Kennedy Jr. won the Democratic presidential nomination. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. As the nation prepares for a couple of potentially wild political party conventions, it is interesting to look back at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. On July 13, 1960, John F. Kennedy won the Democratic presidential nomination on the first ballot at his partys convention. Kennedy had been in the mix in 1956, but spent four years preparing for this moment. He arrived at the convention with 600 of the 761 delegates needed. According to historical reports, JFK faced some opposition from former President Harry Truman, who thought he was too young, while Texas Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson was angling to grab the nomination at the convention, with Adlai Stevenson also in the mix. But on the first ballot, Kennedy won just enough delegates when in the final roll call, Wyoming put its support behind the senator from Massachusetts. Two days later, Kennedy surprised most Democrats when he named Johnson as his running mate. The front page of the Deseret News on July 15, 1960, after John F. Kennedy chose Lyndon B. Johnson as his running mate in the upcoming presidential campaign. Utah Democrats lauded the choice. According to coverage of the day, Utah Democrats were pleased with the ticket. Kennedy would go on to win the presidency following a tough battle with Republican Vice President Richard M. Nixon, but served in the Oval Office for just three years before he was assassinated in 1963. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives from that era, including stories about Kennedys visits to Utah, his relationship with Johnson, and others who knew him well: JFKs Utah visits chronicled on Web Running mate is key Book: Kennedy scorned idea of Johnson as president Kennedy-Nixon debates inform todays presidential politics True in theory: 60 years later, JFKs death still fuels a culture of doubt John F. Kennedy remembering a friend McConkie recalls working with John F. Kennedy 50 years later does JFKs Tabernacle speech still resonate? (+photos) Thousands of Utahns turned out to see President Kennedy in 1963 The JFK fascination In Detroit, Biden vows to stay in the race and lays out plans for his 1st days of a 2nd term President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit as Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist looks on, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden rallied a lively crowd waving Motown is Joetown and We Heart Joe signs in Detroit Friday evening, emphasizing that he will not leave the presidential race. You made me the nominee, Biden said at Renaissance High School. No one else. Not the press; not the pundits; not the insiders; not the donors. You the voters, you decided. No one else, and Im not going anywhere. During the event, Biden outlined his plan for his first 100 days if hes reelected, disparaging his opponent former President Donald Trump and journalists depiction of him along the way. Biden came to Michigan with something to prove Friday. Questions about the presidents health and demands that he step off the ticket emerged following his worrisome performance at the first presidential debate on June 27. Biden and his team have scrambled to assure voters that the debate was just a bad night. You may have noticed that since the debate, the press they were hammering me, Biden said. Rally attendees turned to boo reporters after the president gestured towards the press pool. During the rally, Biden criticized journalists and pundits for not paying more attention to Trump, who has been convicted of 34 felonies and faces three other indictments, following the debate. Along with national lawmakers, donors and pundits, some Michigan Democrats have recently asked Biden to end his reelection run, including U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) and state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Lansing). Democrats expressed concern that Biden wont be able to defeat Trump in November, who has mounted a far-right campaign linked to the Heritage Foundations far-right Project 2025. Amid media reports that former President Barack Obama has expressed concerns about Biden as the nominee, Trump posted on social media Friday: OBAMA AND BIDEN HATE EACH OTHER! OBAMA NEVER RESPECTED BIDEN, THOUGHT HE WAS DUMB, AND A TOTAL LIGHTWEIGHT. WILL BE AN INTERESTING COUPLE OF WEEKS. OBAMA WANTS HIM OUT, WANTS V.P. HARRIS IN! But some of Michigans Democrats, like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) have continued to support Biden. Whitmer met with Biden last week at the White House, alongside other Democratic governors. A bloc of Democratic state lawmakers representing the Detroit area signed onto a letter supporting Biden on Thursday. Some people are having a little too much fun getting on TV and talking trash about our president, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist said during the rally. They had too much fun talking about somebody who has shown up for Detroit, Michigan, America and the world, unlike anybody in generations. Biden repeatedly vowed to stay in the race this week, with a letter to lawmakers, a live press conference and a busy speaking schedule in must-win states, like Michigan, and the NATO conference in Washington, D.C. He also promised to stay in the race at Renaissance High School in Detroit. Biden campaigned at the same school the day before Michigans March 10, 2020, presidential primary which he decisively won in addition to holding a 2012 rally there when he ran for reelection as Obamas vice president. Much of the crowd at Fridays rally also wanted him to stay in the debate, chanting, Four more years! and Dont give up! Biden arrived in Michigan Friday afternoon and stopped at Garage Grill and Fuel Bar in Northville for an event before the Detroit rally. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit), Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Reproductive Freedom for All President Mini Timmaraju and actress Octavia Spencer, amongst other local leaders, joined Biden for his campaign swing. Biden highlighted his support for labor unions and improving the economy for the working class during his speech. Members representing LiUNA 1911 and SEIU, two labor union locals, were present at the event. He also made fun of Trump. Poor Donny. He cant even watch TV this week because its Shark Week, Biden said, both a reference to a speech Trump made about how he would rather be electrocuted than be near a shark and Whitmers catchphrase, which she references in her new book, Its Shark Week! Biden blasted Project 2025, which includes banning abortions, eliminating federal agencies and ending Social Security programs, as a project built for Trump thats run and paid for by Trump people. Folks, Project 2025 is the biggest attack on our system of government and on our personal freedom thats ever been proposed in the history of this country, Biden said. President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Supporters of President Joe Biden rally in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski The crowd at President Joe Biden's rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Supporters of President Joe Biden rally in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols The crowd at President Joe Biden's rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Supporters of President Joe Biden rally in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Supporters of President Joe Biden rally in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally at Renaissance High School in Detroit, July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols Supporters of President Joe Biden rally in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski President Joe Biden speaks at a rally to reinvigorate support for his reelection campaign in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Lucy Valeski Supporters of President Joe Biden rally in Michigan at Renaissance High School in Detroit on July 12, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols While Biden called Trump a threat to democracy and made the case that a Democratic win would prevent autocracy, the president also took the moment to highlight his own plan of action in office. The 100-day plan included restoring abortion access nationwide, signing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, make the rich pay their fair share, end medical debt, raise the federal minimum wage, ban assault weapons, expand policy to combat climate change and make child care tax cuts permanent. Biden would need to have a Democratic Congress to achieve those goals and the U.S. Senate would likely need to reform the filibuster. Michigan is a crucial swing state, with Trump last campaigning here in June, doing an event at a Detroit church and speaking at the Turning Point Action conference. Friday was Bidens fourth visit this year to Michigan. The president visited Detroit for an NAACP dinner in May, Saginaw in March and Macomb County in February to celebrate his endorsement from the United Auto Workers union. Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff have also made several appearances in Michigan this year. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post In Detroit, Biden vows to stay in the race and lays out plans for his 1st days of a 2nd term appeared first on Michigan Advance. Detroit keeps losing pieces of future to gun violence. I know pain all too well. | Opinion As a 22-year-old native Detroiter, I have seen and felt the pain of gun violence far too often, and the recent tragic death of Jordan Thornhill, a bright young man with a promising future, has struck a deep chord within me. Jordan, a recent graduate of Michigan State University, an alum of Renaissance High School, a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, a brother and a son and a friend to many. He deserves to still be here with us today. Jordan Thornhill, a recent graduate of Michigan State University, was shot and killed at a July 5 party on Cherry Lawn Street near Wyoming and Fenkell avenues in Detroit, one of several deadly incidents during the Fourth of July weekend. He was shot and killed at a July 5 party on Cherry Lawn Street near Wyoming and Fenkell avenues, one of several deadly incidents during the Fourth of July weekend. More: 'It crushed us': Detroit community rebuilds after deadly block party mass shooting Losing Jordan feels like losing a piece of our city's future. He embodied the hopes and dreams that many of us hold, striving to continue a legacy, creating his own, and contributing positively to our community. His senseless death is a painful reminder of the ongoing violence that plagues our city and steals away our brightest lights. I know this pain all too well. I lost my brother, Darnell Young, to gun violence in 2023 and the wound is still fresh. Frankly, grief never really goes away; it just becomes a part of who you are. More: Detroit police announce block party crackdown after shooting that kills 2, injures 19 Every time another life is cut short, it reopens that wound, reminding me of the fragility of life in a city we love so dearly. And unfortunately, you cant escape the trauma because when you forget the pain, you feel guilty for becoming numb. Detroit is a beautiful city, rich in culture and resilience. But it is hard to see that beauty when it feels like we are constantly mourning. We are tired of the vigils, the tears and the unanswered questions. I am tired of seeing our friends and family become hashtags and headlines. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield speaks about the youth in Detroit and how community needs to come together before there can be legislation after a mass shooting killed two people and injured 19 on the eastside of Detroit on Sunday, during a press conference at Edmore Marbud Park, in Detroit, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. The violence in our city has no filter. No age, gender or social status shields you from its brutality. There are many similarities between Jordan and the rest of the promising youths of our city. We think of him, and the chilling phrase that could have been me, haunts us. More: Community unites around call to end gun violence in wake of block party mass shooting Now we are reluctant to go outside and engage in our community. I question, when did Detroit become Gotham City? Who is going to save us? Are we capable of saving ourselves? Jordan's death should not be in vain. We need to come together as a community and demand change. We need better resources, more support for our young people and a commitment from our leaders to tackle this violence head-on. As I look around my city, I still see so much potential. We are strong, we are resilient and we are capable of incredible things. But we need peace to fully realize that potential. I beg us to please stop burying our future. Trinity Jones To Jordan's family and friends, I offer my deepest condolences and love. Your pain is our pain. Detroit, let us honor Jordan, Darnell and all those we have lost, by working toward a Detroit where no more lives are needlessly snatched by gun violence. Detroit, today we begin to heal together. Let us turn our pain into action and our grief into a catalyst for change. Trinity Jones is a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University. She plans to study law. But until law school, she is social media editor for Detroit's Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit keeps losing pieces of its future to gun violence | Opinion Did he want a cat scan? Mountain lion makes surprise visit to Arizona hospital Patients at an Arizona hospital got an unexpected visitor on Friday: a mountain lion. The big cat walked on the grounds of the Tucson Medical Center, about 100 miles south of Phoenix, at around 10:30 a.m. before getting stuck in an enclosed courtyard, according to Arizona Game and Fish spokesperson Michael Colaianni. It wasnt long before the lion's presence drew a crowd, with people snapping pictures and videos of the creature as it looked for a way out. The mountain lion was seen pacing and peering into courtyard windows, according to reporting by The Arizona Daily Star. The "subadult male mountain lion" even cut one of its paws after leaning over a window and breaking it, the Star reported. The male lion was darted, tranquilized and removed from the hospital courtyard a couple hours later. No patients, staff or visitors were at risk, and no one was injured, hospital spokesperson Carrie Santiago told USA TODAY. Mountain lion puns, jokes made The Tucson Police Department was apparently roaring with laughter about the mountain lion call, taking the time to describe the incident in a social media post with a few purrfect puns. TPD officers from the Midtown Division were called to a local hospital today for reports of a trapped cat burglar, the post says. The suspect had damaged a window, but thankfully, members from Arizona Game & Fish were able to safely remove the mountain lion without further damage and without injury. The department continued to praise "a-lion-ces with our public safety partners." CAT BURGLAR CAUGHT AT HOSPITAL TPD officers from the Midtown Division were called to a local hospital today for... Posted by Tucson Police Department on Friday, July 12, 2024 A hyperlocal social, @WhatsUpTucson, shared details about the cat encounter in a post on X. Irony: I am still a patient at TMC and wasnt eaten by Mountain Lion, the post reads. One commenter couldn't resist a correction: Only ironic if a) you wanted to get eaten and b) that was your way out." A user wrote: Just wanted a cat scan. Mountain Lion this morning at TMC in one of the quads. No one injured Irony: I am still a patient at TMC and wasnt eaten by Mountain Lion Whats Up Tucson (@whatsuptucson) July 12, 2024 It wouldve been a HIPAA violation if we gave the mountain lion your room number, Tim Bentley wrote, referring to the federal privacy haw. Big cat set to make return back to the wild The great news to come from the situation, Arizona Game and Fish spokesperson Michael Colaianni told the Star, is that the mountain lion is very healthy. Because the mountain lion did not exhibit "aggression toward humans or other unacceptable behaviors," it was approved to be sent back to the wild, Colaianni said. It will be fitted with a GPS radio collar and released at an undisclosed approved location in the wild away from the Tucson area, according to Colaianni. "This just happened to be a mountain lion that was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and so we could determine it was suitable for release," Colaianni shared with the Star. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hospital in Tucson, Arizona gets surprise visit from mountain lion Local farmers are concerned as troubling questions and legal conflicts already threaten to delay the Washington State Department of Ecologys massive water rights lawsuit in Whatcom County. The confusion resulting from the massive scale of the growing lawsuit has already led to delays. The size of the lawsuit has already grown from Ecologys initial estimate of 15,000 claimants to now over 30,000. The complexity of the case, where Ecology is bringing complicated groundwater flows into a water rights adjudication for the first time in an entire watershed, is resulting in growing legal fees before the actual case has technically even started. Initial farming community fears that the process will take decades more than Ecologys optimistic estimates and cost local water users and state taxpayers many millions of dollars appears to be well founded. This first hearing, finally coming almost a year after Ecology was originally given the go ahead to file the lawsuit, only dealt with the simple task of setting a schedule of initial events. Yet, multiple motions were laid in front of Whatcom County Superior Court Judge David Freeman over what would appear to be a fairly simple beginning act in this complicated process. The continued delays in this process underline what we at Whatcom Family Farmers have said all along: This will be a long, complicated legal process that will significantly delay any real progress toward fixing the complicated water issues in the Nooksack river system. Judge Freeman denied all motions that had been filed so far, ruling that the lawsuit hasnt commenced yet, and wont officially start until he issues a summons and scheduling order. The primary issue to be resolved yet is the claims form required to be filled out by the claimants. Initially Ecology drafted two claims forms. After many concerns were raised, Ecology is still working on getting a single revised claim form out. They have now proposed Aug. 30, with a hearing date for the form to be determined yet. Without significant changes to the original draft, further objections are likely. The Department of Ecology filed the water rights adjudication in Whatcom County Superior Court in early May after multiple years of threatening to do so. The adjudication and its expansive legal questions have brought most collaborative work in achieving solutions to Whatcoms water challenges to a halt while the court case grinds along. Once the 30,000 claimants are served, they have one year to file their claim, and an additional three years after that to prove their claim is valid. After that process the court will need to process all 30,000+ claimants, in addition to dealing with the almost certain objections to claims that will arise. Fred Likkel is executive director of Whatcom Family Farmers. Id like to address this column to the next Conservative leader. I have no idea who you are and, frankly, I dont want to know yet. We need time, not just to kick the tyres of the various candidates but dont take this the wrong way to examine the bodywork for scratches and to look under the bonnet. There is nothing to be gained by rushing. Its hardly as if the country were gazing breathlessly in our direction. We are still at the stage where some journalists are cooing about Sir Keir Starmers dashing looks. Use the time to show us what youre like at opposition. That, after all, is the job for which you are immediately auditioning. We want to see you perform at our party conference in Birmingham before we vote. A contest now would be lost in the noise. A new opposition leader gets only a couple of weeks to make an impression and, if that moment is lost, it doesnt come again. Ask Iain Duncan Smith, who was unlucky enough to be elected the day after the Twin Towers were destroyed in 2001. What Id like to hear is not what you would do as Prime Minister, but what you will do as leader of the Opposition. Sure, Id also like to have a sense of what makes you tick ideologically, but detailed policy can wait. What cant wait is repairing our dilapidated party machine. Our campaign operation is being held together with bubblegum and string. If only CCHQ had had people advising against an early poll rather than betting on one. We somehow managed to catch ourselves off guard with the snap election, but no one else. To be fair, all parties rust in office. For the past 14 years, talented Tory MPs have been running Whitehall ministries, while talented Labour MPs have been running their party. Now it is the other way round, and there is a job of work to be done. We badly need money. Jeremy Hunt won his seat against the trend, partly because of his obvious decency and ability, but mainly because he sank 100,000 into his campaign and worked every inch of his prosperous corner of Surrey. If we want to win back similar seats, we need to start now. Which brings us to the mess of candidate selection. Yes, one always hears complaints about the candidates department from those who were unsuccessful. But this time, we all know first-rate people blocked by officials. To be clear, this is not a complaint about plum seats being held in reserve for the in-crowd. I take the unfashionable view that we need one or two ex-SpAds who know how to get things past civil servants. It is, in any case, unrealistic to expect party bigwigs not to help their proteges; but that would not matter if other high-calibre candidates were given a fair crack of the whip. Nor should you accept the decline in membership as a fait accompli. Two years ago, the Canadian Conservatives quadrupled their membership to more than 600,000. Almost all those new members joined to support Pierre Poilievre, who appealed to younger voters by promising to cut taxes, reduce barriers to employment and build houses. You, putative leader, might lack Poilievres powerful brand of geeky charisma, but you can surely improve our current performance. At the very least, you could double our membership, bringing our party into line with Labour. One specific suggestion, if I may. Appoint Jacob Rees-Mogg as party chairman, rather than leaving that role to an MP who will necessarily be distracted. You should look again at our leadership rules. In this shrunken parliamentary party, it takes only 18 MPs to trigger a leadership challenge and, unless you win 61 or more votes, you are out. That was the structural flaw that did for Duncan Smith and that undermined both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Appoint some party grandees to devise a better system. In order to avoid any temptation to game things in favour of a particular candidate, their recommendations should have a delay mechanism, coming into effect only from, say, 2030. Meanwhile, show the country that you would make a decent fist of being PM. Be ready to forgo cheap hits in order to build your credibility. You will be tempted to oppose whatever the Government does, especially when it is unpopular. Perhaps you will tell yourself that, though the broad thrust of its approach is right, the details are wrong. The Tories opposed Tony Blairs 1998 tuition fees legislation on grounds that it established, not fees, but a disguised graduate tax. They had a point. But that did not detract from the general principle that it was right to shift part of the cost of higher education from taxpayers to beneficiaries. The Tories channelled public opposition, but doing so made them look more like a campaign group than an alternative government. What are todays equivalents? Housebuilding and healthcare. In both areas, Labour wants to do the right thing. Yes, it will do it in ways that the Tories would not choose. But it would be a mistake to nitpick, let alone line up with Nimby campaigners or NHS unions. The rate at which we build homes has been falling, relative to our population, since the 1960s. Result? Our rents are half as high again as in France, Germany or the Low Countries, and the average size of our homes is a third less. How should you, as Tory leader, respond to Labours proposals to build on part of the green belt? The popular response would be, Hands off! The statesmanlike response would be, Much of the greenbelt is indeed dotted with petrol stations, rubbish dumps, car washes and the like. We want to preserve beautiful countryside but, if you can declassify scrubland that just happens to be close to cities, you will have our full support. Dont repeat the mistake our party kept making during the last Parliament, namely sacrificing long-term credibility to short-term headlines. Especially when it comes to the NHS. The Conservatives decided in 2010 that they would never be trusted with RHNS, and that their best option was to sign the cheques unconditionally. Remember the moans after the referendum about Wheres our 350 million a week? The current number is more than 700 million. Yet this vast increase has been pocketed without acknowledgement, and without reform. The Tories fear of being accused of privatisation means that the fruit is not so much low-hanging as piled in great snowdrifts. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has made a refusal to charge for treatment a red line, meaning that Britain cannot copy the insurance-based systems of Europe, let alone the savings-account systems of Asia. This is a pity, as it reduces investment, while doing nothing to help the poor, who do not pay in any event. But even within that red line, there are reforms to be made. Tory timorousness means that nothing has been done since the Blair years to encourage private procurement in other words, the NHS purchasing private provision without charging patients. Streeting shows every sign of wanting to go down this road, and when he does, you can be certain that the trade unions will howl with fury. At that point, future leader, you should back Labour full-throatedly. Your support will do them no favours with their base. But it will establish you as prime ministerial. None of this is to suggest going easy on them. There will be plenty of areas where you should oppose what Labour is doing, from impossible decarbonisation targets to votes for 16-year-olds, from tax rises to wokery. But pick your battles. If you howl down every change as the end of civilisation, people will stop listening. One last tip. Dont fret about Reform. If you are seen as wet and woke, nothing will make them go away. If you are seen as a mainstream Conservative, people will stop voting for them. Either way, this is about you, not them. 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. Jersey Electricity plc (LON:JEL) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 12% in the last quarter. But that doesn't help the fact that the three year return is less impressive. Truth be told the share price declined 18% in three years and that return, Dear Reader, falls short of what you could have got from passive investing with an index fund. So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. Check out our latest analysis for Jersey Electricity 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 three years that the share price fell, Jersey Electricity's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 2.0% each year. This reduction in EPS is slower than the 6% annual reduction in the share price. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past. You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Jersey Electricity, it has a TSR of -8.3% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. A Different Perspective Jersey Electricity shareholders have received returns of 14% over twelve months (even including dividends), which isn't far from the general market return. That gain looks pretty satisfying, and it is even better than the five-year TSR of 5% per year. Even if the share price growth slows down from here, there's a good chance that this is business worth watching in the long term. 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. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Jersey Electricity (1 is concerning) that you should be aware of. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: many of them are unnoticed AND have attractive valuation). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on British 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 Former president Donald Trump was rushed off stage after a weapon was fired at a campaign rally Saturday in Butler, Pa. Trumps right ear appeared to be grazed as he was escorted away by Secret Service. According to the Associated Press, the suspected shooter identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa. was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed. A rally attendee is also dead, and two other attendees were critically injured. More from TVLine The shooting is being investigated as an attempted assassination. Shortly after the incident, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung told the The New York Times that the former president was fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility, while Secret Service confirmed that the former President is safe. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Before delivering remarks before the press, President Joe Biden issued the following statement: I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trumps rally in Pennsylvania. Im grateful to hear that hes safe and doing well. Im praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. Theres no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also addressed the incident on X: Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. Pennsylvania state police are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local partners. The moment Trump was grazed occurs at the 8:36 mark in the video below: Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter A bullet fired by a 20-year-old man grazed former president Donald Trump as he spoke Saturday evening during a campaign rally about 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. Secret Service agents rushed Trump, face bloodied, from the stage into a nearby limo as the former president pumped his fist in defiance. Trump was treated and released at a nearby hospital. His campaign said he was fine. This evening, we had what were calling an assassination attempt against our former President Donald Trump. Its still an active crime scene, Kevin Rojek, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Pittsburgh field office, said at a news conference. Early Sunday, the F.B.I. identified the shooter as Matthew Crooks from Bethel Park, Pa., which is about an hours drive from the rally site in Butler. They were working to uncover a motive. State voter rolled identified Crooks as a registered Republican, multiple media outlets reported. He was killed by a U.S. Secret Service agent shortly after opening fire. Thomas Matthew Crooks identified by FBI as gunman behind attempted assassination of Trump at Western Pa. rally Two people the shooter and a rally attendee were killed, and two other spectators were critically injured, the Secret Service said. The FBI said they were all adult men. The attack occurred just moments after Trump began speaking at the rally. He was showing rally attendees a chart about border crossings when gunfire rang out. Trump stopped speaking mid-sentence, touched the side of his face and ducked down. Former President Donald Trump is surrounded by Secret Service agents at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa, on Saturday, July, 13, 2024. Trump was escorted off the stage by Secret Service agents and into his motorcade just minutes into his rally in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, after a series of pops that sounded like gunshots rang out. (Doug Mills/The New York Times) He was quickly dog-piled by Secret Service agents as several more shots rang out. In the background, someone could be heard yelling get down, get down, get down. There was screaming in the crowd, as spectators sitting behind the former president either crouched down or looked around nervously. Agents held Trump down for about a minute, before helping him up and encircling him. He emerged with blood on his ear and face, and pumped his fist as he was hustled offstage. Trump took to his social media site Truth Social at 8:42 p.m. and said that a bullet had gone through the upper part of his right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin, wrote Trump, who also offered his condolences to the rally attendee who was killed. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said during an appearance on CNN Saturday night that the shooter pulled the trigger from outside the grounds of the rally, and acknowledged that law enforcement would have to figure out how he got to the location where he carried out the attack. A spokesperson for the Secret Service said in a statement that the shots came from an elevated position outside of the rally venue, and confirmed that the shooter was dead. Rally attendees described a chaotic scene as the shooting unfolded . One man at the rally who said he is an emergency room physician recounted to CBS News in an on-camera interview how he tried to help someone who was badly wounded in the attack. Trump shooting: Attendees describe chaotic scene as shots rang out at Pennsylvania rally The guy had spun around, was jammed between the benches, the man recalled. He had a head shot here. There was lots of blood and he had brain matter. President Joe Biden was briefed on the incident by top officials, including Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, according to the White House. In a brief televised address delivered Saturday night, Biden condemned the violence and said he would reach out to Trump. He later connected with the former president. An attempt to kill an ex-president, caught in real time, stuns the country How could a gunman get close enough to nearly assassinate a former president? Look, theres no place in America for this kind of violence, Biden said. Its sick. Its one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this. The shooting came just hours before Republicans are set to gather in Milwaukee for the the partys political convention, which begins Monday. Trump, who is expected to name a running mate any day, is scheduled to formally accept the GOP presidential nomination Thursday. In a statement issued Saturday night, senior Trump campaign advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita said the shooting would not interfere with the Republican National Convention. President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States, they said. As our partys nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again. Shots fired at Trump: Please God, let us stop hating one another this much | Opinion Kentucky Republicans, Gov. Beshear: Violence has no place in our country How attacks on presidents and candidates have shaped US history Ripping Though My Skin: Trump Speaks Out After Assassination Attempt Donald Trump has spoken out about the apparent assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally on Saturday evening, writing in a post on Truth Social that he felt a bullet piercing the upper part of his right ear and ripping through my skin. While several outlets cited Secret Service sources as saying Trump was hit by glass, not a bullet, the ex-president was nonetheless dragged off stage with blood pouring from his ear in astonishing scenes that will go down in history. Shots echoed through the rally mere minutes into his speech, killing one attendee and leaving two in critical condition. The suspected shooter, who had crawled up on a roof outside the rally venue, was shot dead by Secret Service agents. Shooting just happened at The Trump rally pic.twitter.com/Xs1dVL1H3T Acyn (@Acyn) July 13, 2024 During former President Trump's campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue, Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. US Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. Trump could be seen reaching for his ear and grimacing, before ducking for safety behind the podium as shots rang out. He was dog-piled by security but still managed to pump his fist at his supporters in a show of vigor as agents made him exit stage left. A screen grab captured from a video shows the shooter was on a rooftop and was killed by the Secret Service. Hank Jenkins/Anadolu via Getty Trump is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility, his spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Daily Beast shortly after the shooting. More details will follow. The Trump campaign said the ex-president would still appear at the Republican National Convention on Monday in Milwaukee. According to the Associated Press, Donald Trump Jr., said his father is in great spirits after speaking with him on the phone. He will never stop fighting to save America, no matter what the radical left throws at him, he said in a statement. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is shown covered by U.S. Secret Service agents. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he is assisted by the Secret Service. Brendan McDermid/Reuters President Biden posted a statement Saturday night, saying he has been briefed on the shooting and that Im grateful to hear that hes safe and doing well. Im praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. Theres no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it. A statement from the White House on Saturday night confirmed Biden had spoken to Trump but did not disclose details of their conversation. It appears he's doing well, Biden said in an earlier press conference of his political rival, adding he has an opinion but no facts on whether the incident was an assassination attempt. Its sick. Its sick, he said. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Vice President Kamala Harris has also been briefed, according to The Hill. The outlet noted the president is staying at his Delaware beach house for the weekend and was attending mass at St. Edmonds Catholic Church when the incident happened. According to CNN, Biden will return to the White House earlier than expected, arriving Sunday. His original schedule had him in Delaware until Monday and flying onto Texas. Reps. Dan Meuser and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) were both in the front row at the rally in Butler County, PA, as was Pennsylvania GOP Senate Candidate Dave McCormick. BREAKING: Donald Trump pumps his fist as blood covers his face after pops ring out. pic.twitter.com/XSLVR055bv Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 13, 2024 Meuser told a Fox News correspondent that he heard eight to ten shots and that it appeared multiple people in the crowd may also have been hit with gunfire. McCormick described the scene to Politico: All the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot. Theres lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump. Republican candidate Donald Trump is seen with what appears to be blood on his face surrounded by Secret Service agents. Rebecca Droke/Getty The incident will likely boost Trumps standing amongst his supporters, as he has frequently leaned into calling his multiple criminal trials witch hunts and political persecution. Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk endorsed the former president on X shortly after the shooting occurred.I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery, Musk wrote, posting a photo of the bleeding president. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Donald Trump to speak in Pennsylvania - Will his running mate be there? Editor's note: Latest updates on former President Donald Trump's rally on July 13, 2024: Trump was rushed off stage after gunshots rang out at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump appeared to have blood on his face, but was quickly confirmed to be "fine." WASHINGTON - Former President Donald Trump holds his last pre-convention rally Saturday with a key appointment still to be made: His running mate. Trump holds a rally in Butler, Pa., near Pittsburgh, amid suggestions that he may wait until the convention itself to announce his vice presidential pick, perhaps on Monday. I'd love to do it during the convention, which would be, you know, or just slightly before the convention, like Monday," Trump said Friday on "The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show." Republicans are looking to see whether Saturday's event in western Pennsylvania includes J.D. Vance, a senator from nearby Ohio who is a finalist for the vice presidential nod. FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at his golf resort in Doral, Florida, U.S., July 9, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo Trump also enters his convention lacking certainty about who his Democratic opponent will be. Some Democrats have urged President Joe Biden to withdraw from the race amid concerns about his age stemming from the June 27 debate with Trump. In recent days, Trump has said he expects Biden to remain in the race, but he is prepared to run against Vice President Kamala Harris if necessary - not that he has any say in the matter. Trump has absolute control over the running mate slot, and has strung out the process to maximize publicity and gin up interest in the Republican nomination. In his Travis/Sexton radio interview Friday, Trump said he is considering Vance, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida - who appeared with him at a Tuesday rally near Miami - Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Gov. Doug Burgum of North Dakota. He also talked about a Monday convention unveiling. "Love to do it on Tuesday or Wednesday actually," Trump said, "but for a lot of complex reasons that you people understand, pretty much dont do that." Speculation about Vance ramped up after news that one of his top backers - Donald Trump, Jr. - plans to speak just before the vice presidential nominee on Wednesday night of the convention. On Friday, the younger Trump posted a pro-Vance video on the X social media platform. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump speaks in Pennsylvania; will his running mate be there? MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Memphis woman is counting on her 35-plus years in the fast food industry to run a successful sandwich shop downtown. Kellie Barksale is opening Kellies Deli at the corner of Tennessee and G.E. Patterson, and shes getting some help from her brother and daughter, who are also partners in the business. Weve worked together before. So we are definitely all looking forward to it. Being our own bosses, so to speak, said Barksdale. Kellies Deli on GE Patterson. WREG photo Kellies deli under construction Kellies Deli Inside Kellies Deli Kellie and Ashley Barksdale Kellies Deli to open in August Kitchen area of Kellies Deli Kellies Deli at Tennessee and GE Patterson Jessie Alls, Kellie Barksdale and Ashley Barksdale Jessie Alls Ashley Barksdale The deli will serve sandwiches, soups, and a variety of desserts. Barksdale and her brother, Jessie Alls, will work in the kitchen, and Barksdales daughter, Ashley, will help manage the place. We are going to make some of our products for our sandwiches, and we will use Boars Head for most of the sandwiches, and Im making the soups, and then well make the desserts ourselves, too, said Barksdale. Barksdale lives in the neighborhood and has had her eye on the storefront inside the historic Emerge Memphis building for a while. The Big River Market moved out of the location last August after a year in business. Barksdale has seen restaurants in Memphis come and go and knows how difficult the business can be, but felt this was the right time to take a leap of faith. Moneybagg Yo opening second restaurant in Memphis I have the fear of being too busy and then not doing any business at all, said Barksdale. I think you get a lot of foot traffic, maybe when its not 99 degrees out, but a lot of traffic from the condos and things like that. Even the farmers market down the street. So, Im hoping well do really well. Kellies Deli will have seating inside and outside and operate seven days a week. The restaurant is expected to officially open its doors in late August. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Downtown Management District is asking that the El Paso City Council not make any decision regarding the Downtown Arena project that was approved by voters as part of the 2012 Quality of Life Bond election at their scheduled meeting next week. The path is not clear on how we get to the large-scale arena. I have not seen any plans on how we will get there yet. So I think it is premature to be taking any actions, putting on ballots, revoking bonds, supporting the bonds, if we dont know ultimately where we want to go and how that action feeds into getting us where we need to go, said the DMD Executive Director Joe Gudenrath. Downtown Arena project could head to November ballot The DMD still supports and advocates the need for a large-scale modern arena to be built in El Pasos Downtown, and Gudenrath said he would like to see a clear plan laid out by the City on how to still make that a reality, before making any decisions. On the agenda for the City Councils meeting on Tuesday, July 16, they will discuss whether to send the project back to voters on Novembers general election ballot, so they can decide whether or not to scratch the project entirely. The item was pushed by city Reps. Chris Canales, Brian Kennedy, and Art Fierro, who argue its only right that voters get a say on the project as it has been in limbo for so many years. I think after this much time, its a good idea to take this back to the voters to see if they want it to continue. The City, I think, put together the best possible option with the money thats still remaining with the proposal next to the Union Depot, and I think the reception to that was kind of lukewarm. A lot of people didnt like that proposal, Canales said. The project, approved by voters in 2012, called for the development of a modern large-scale arena in Downtown El Paso but faced push-back and legal challenges as the Duranguito neighborhood was eyed as the possible construction location. Fast-track to today, the latest proposal called for a scaled-back project of a hybrid facility with indoor and outdoor seating built around the historic Union Depot site, that would have half the capacity of the large arena. We have to make some sort of decision, so its good to take that decision to the public and see if they still want this project, if they want the proposal that the City put out earlier this year, or if maybe this is the end of this project for now, Canales said. You know, its interesting to me to think that there are people who are eligible to vote now who were 6 years old back in 2012, and I think they deserve to have a say, too. This is their money, too. Canales said he thinks it best to start from scratch, and welcome investments in the future into an entirely new project with a clear plan, location, and costs that would stand a better chance of coming to fruition, rather than cobbling something together out of what is left of that 2012 vision. Haphazardly changing long-term plans jeopardizes a persons faith in where the community is going. We have seen a significant amount of private investment in Downtown El Paso based on a vision that talked about things that are coming to fruition, but that also involved a large-scale modern arena, Gudenrath said. He added that continuing to make decisions that alter that vision could jeopardize the investments made thus far, and called on the City to remain committed to what was approved. Stick to plans, proceed forward, overcome obstacles, keep the community engaged, informed, and then fulfill the promises that our city government has made to voters, Gudenrath said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Hatem Khaled and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -An Israeli airstrike killed at least 90 Palestinians in a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza on Saturday, the enclave's health ministry said, in an attack that Israel said targeted Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it remained unclear whether Deif and another Hamas commander had been killed and promised to continue to target Hamas leadership, saying more military pressure on the group would improve chances of a hostage deal, even as three days of ceasefire talks separately halted on Saturday. "Either way, we will get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas," Netanyahu told a news conference. The militant Islamist group Hamas denied Deif had been killed, according to a senior Hamas official on Al Jazeera TV. Hamas earlier said Israeli claims it had targeted leaders of the group were false and aimed at justifying the attack, which was the deadliest Israeli attack in Gaza in weeks. Displaced people sheltering in the area said their tents were torn down by the force of the strike, describing bodies and body parts strewn on the ground. "I couldn't even tell where I was or what was happening," said Sheikh Youssef, a resident of Gaza City who is currently displaced in the Al-Mawasi area. "I left the tent and looked around, all the tents were knocked down, body parts, bodies everywhere, elderly women thrown on the floor, young children in pieces," he told Reuters. United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, in a statement, said he was "shocked and saddened" by the civilian deaths, which underscored "nowhere is safe in Gaza," and said international humanitarian law must be upheld. The Israeli military said the strike against Deif also targeted Rafa Salama, the commander of Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade, describing them as two of the masterminds of the Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that triggered the nine-month war in Gaza. Deif has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021, and has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades, held responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings. The Gaza health ministry said at least 91 Palestinians were killed in the strike and 300 injured, the deadliest toll in weeks in the conflict-shattered enclave. Al-Mawasi is a designated humanitarian area that the Israeli army has repeatedly urged Palestinians to head to after issuing evacuation orders from other areas. Reuters footage showed ambulances racing towards the area amidst clouds of smoke and dust. Displaced people, including women and children, were fleeing in panic, some holding belongings in their hands. The Israeli military published an aerial photo of the site, which Reuters was not immediately able to verify, where it said "terrorists hid among civilians". "The location of the strike was an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings, and sheds," it said in a statement. The Israeli military official said the area was not a tent complex, but an operational compound run by Hamas and that several more militants were there, guarding Deif. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday to discuss Israel's Gaza operations and emphasized the need to minimise civilian harm, the Pentagon said. Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Union's Foreign Affairs and Security Policy representative, called for an independent probe and condemned any potential violation of international law, posting on social media site X that the "end cant justify all means." HOSPITAL 'FULL OF PATIENTS' Many of those wounded in the strike, including women and children, were taken to the nearby Nasser Hospital, which hospital officials said had been overwhelmed and was "no longer able to function" due to the intensity of the Israeli offensive and an acute shortage of medical supplies. "The hospital is full of patients, it's full of wounded, we can't find beds for people," said Atef al-Hout, director of the hospital, adding that it was the only one still operating in southern Gaza. Gallant was holding special consultations, his office said, in light of "developments in Gaza". At ceasefire talks underway in Doha and Cairo, two Egyptian security sources, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said negotiations had been halted after three days of intense talks. They cited the behaviour of Israeli mediators as revealing "internal discord". Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, in a statement said the group had been in contact with mediators in Egypt and Qatar as well as Turkey and Oman, and cited the attacks on Saturday, calling for an ed to "these massacres against our people". Netanyahu, in his televised remarks Saturday evening, said he had not moved away from the framework presented by U.S. President Joe Biden. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said Israel told U.S. officials it had targeted senior Hamas officials and that the Biden administration was seeking to learn more about the reported civilian casualties. As the prime minister spoke, protesters continued to rally in Tel Aviv, singing songs and waving signs calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Thousands of protesters also marched outside Jerusalem earlier in the day. "Maybe it's good, maybe it's not good. I don't know about Mohammed Deif, I know that keeping the war is bad for all of us," said Ayala Metzger, the daughter-in-law of an Israeli hostage who took part in the hostage solidarity march near Jerusalem. Also on Saturday, at least 20 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli attack on a prayer hall at a Gaza camp for displaced people in west Gaza City, Palestinian health and civil emergency officials said. Critics have accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, which Israel denies. It characterises its actions as self-defense to prevent another attack like the one on Oct. 7, though the International Court of Justice ordered Israel in January to take action to prevent acts of genocide. Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in the cross-border raid into southern Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated with its military action in Gaza that has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, medical authorities in Gaza say. (Reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi, Hatem Khaled, Maayan Lubell, Emily Rose, Muhammad Al Gebaly and Ahmed Tolba, Additional reporting by Jarrett RenshawWriting by Nidal Al Mughrabi, Timour Azhari and Susan HeaveyEditing by Sharon Singleton, Helen Popper, Frances Kerry, Christina Fincher, Deepa Babington and Christian Schmollinger) Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the world-famous sex therapist most commonly known as simply Dr. Ruth, died Friday at her home in Manhattan, according to her publicist Pierre Lehu. Having lived 96 extremely full years devoting herself to fixing the sexual hangups of strangers, all while smiling and laughing in a way that infused a comfortable casualness into an otherwise awkward subject, the cause of her death has yet to be revealed, but she for sure had a nice, long run. Westheimer's work became public-facing when she was in her 50s, fielding calls on the WYNY radio show Sexually Speaking. From the '80s, when her popularity was at its peak, up until she died, Dr. Ruth appeared on more TV and radio shows than you can count, wrote and contributed to dozens of books, and even popped up in the occasional movie cameo, such as in the French comedy "One Woman or Two." In 2023, Westheimer received one of her last of many huge achievements when New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed her as the states honorary ambassador to loneliness. On Saturday, Hochul gave a touching tribute to Dr. Ruth on X, writing, "Dr. Ruth Westheimer led an extraordinary life. She was brave, funny, candid and brilliant. As New Yorks first-ever Ambassador to Loneliness, we worked together to spotlight a mental health crisis impacting our seniors. We will miss her greatly. May her memory be a blessing." "She was restful when she passed away," her publicist Pierre Lehu tells PEOPLE Dr. Ruth Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the sex therapist who became a pop culture phenomenon in the 1980s for her frank and humorous approach to human sexuality, has died. She was 96. The one-time radio talk show host died on Friday, July 12, her publicist, Pierre Lehu, who co-authored books with Westheimer, confirmed to PEOPLE on Saturday, July 13. "She was restful when she passed away. Her son and daughter were with her and holding her hand at that moment," Lehu says, adding, "It was as peacefully as she could possibly go. She was 96." He continued of his late friend, "It's amazing, there was stuff still going on in her life [she has a book coming out this fall with Allison Gilbert] and someone wants to make a biopic about her." Lehu did not provide further details of Westheimer's cause of death, but according to The New York Times and The Washington Post, she died at home in New York City. In June 2023, Westheimer spoke to PEOPLE about what surprised her most about her life. That I became famous, she said when celebrating her 95th birthday. That I have a wonderful daughter, son-in-law, a wonderful son and daughter-in-law and four wonderful grandchildren." RELATED: Dr. Ruth Turns 95: 'What Keeps Me Young Is Talking About Sex from Morning Till Night!' (Exclusive) Dr. Ruth as a child RELATED: From Holocaust Orphan to Israeli Soldier to Sex Therapist: The Amazing Story of Dr. Ruth Westheimer was born Karola Ruth Siegel on June 4, 1928, in Wiesenfeld, Germany. A Jewish refugee, Westheimer called herself an orphan of the Holocaust after losing her entire family during World War II. Her father, Julius, was taken away by the Nazis in 1938. Approximately six weeks later, her mother and grandmother put her on a train to Switzerland as part of the kindertransport, the organized escape of thousands of Jewish children out of Germany. After the war, she emigrated to Palestine in 1945, where she began going by her middle name, Ruth, and was trained to be a sniper for the Israeli Army. From there, she moved to Paris to study psychology at Sorbonne University and then, New York City. Twice married and divorced, she met Manfred Westheimer, a telecommunications engineer and fellow Jewish refugee, in 1961. He became her third husband, and she called their 36-year union her real marriage. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Dr. Ruth RELATED: The Story Behind Bill Clinton and Dr. Ruth's Decades-Long Friendship: 'He's Always Been Impressed by Her' As she pursued her post doctoral research in human sexuality, she began working at Planned Parenthood, where she trained family planning counselors. It was in 1980 when she got the offer that would change her life. Public radio station WYNYs community affairs manager, Betty Elam, who had heard Westheimer speak, proposed the idea of a call-in show on sex education. What started as a 15-minute debut after midnight turned into the live call-in show Sexually Speaking, which lasted ten years and led to a series of tv and radio shows. Westheimer was known for answering questions clearly and often with humor. When people needed to learn about oral sex, I would say go buy an ice cream cone and practice, she said back in 2019. In later years, she stayed relevant by lecturing, teaching and writing books. Westheimer received many awards for her work over the years, including an honorary doctorate degree from Trinity College in 2004 and the Medal for Distinguished Service from the Teachers College at Columbia University. Additionally, Ask Dr. Ruth, a film about her extraordinary life, premiered in theaters in 2019. Westheimer is survived by her two children, Miriam and Joel, and four grandchildren. Her husband, Manfred, died in 1997. "With such a difficult beginning like me, having been an orphan at the age of 10 years old no parents, no brothers and sisters all I feel is gratefulness," she previously told PEOPLE. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Long term investing is the way to go, but that doesn't mean you should hold every stock forever. We really hate to see fellow investors lose their hard-earned money. For example, we sympathize with anyone who was caught holding Transat A.T. Inc. (TSE:TRZ) during the five years that saw its share price drop a whopping 80%. And we doubt long term believers are the only worried holders, since the stock price has declined 50% over the last twelve months. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 31% in the last 90 days. While a drop like that is definitely a body blow, money isn't as important as health and happiness. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. View our latest analysis for Transat A.T Because Transat A.T made a loss in the last twelve months, we think the market is probably more focussed on revenue and revenue growth, at least for now. When a company doesn't make profits, we'd generally hope to see good revenue growth. As you can imagine, fast revenue growth, when maintained, often leads to fast profit growth. Over five years, Transat A.T grew its revenue at 3.0% per year. That's far from impressive given all the money it is losing. It's not so sure that share price crash of 13% per year is completely deserved, but the market is doubtless disappointed. While we're definitely wary of the stock, after that kind of performance, it could be an over-reaction. A company like this generally needs to produce profits before it can find favour with new investors. You can see below how earnings and revenue have changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image). If you are thinking of buying or selling Transat A.T stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet. A Different Perspective Transat A.T shareholders are down 50% for the year, but the market itself is up 16%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 13% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Transat A.T (of which 2 are significant!) you should know about. We will like Transat A.T better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of undervalued stocks (mostly small caps) with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Canadian 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 Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the television sextherapist who captivated audiences with her matter of fact approach to talking about the topic, died July 12 in her home in New York City. She was 96. Westheimers career began in the 1980s with her radio show Sexually Speaking. in 1983 she published Dr. Ruths Guide to Good Sex, the first of 40 books she wrote. She was a regular on the late night show circuit, and her own talk show debuted in 1984. In a 2016 interview with the Harvard Business Review, Westheimer said career path wasnt planned from the start. She was training to become a sex therapist at Cornell University Medical Center when a law was passed in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey that required radio programs to include community affairs in their broadcasts. The school received a letter from a local station that asked if any of the students would be interested in fulfilling the role, and Westheimer said she would. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would turn into a program, she said. But within a week I got a request from Betty Elam at WYNY to do an interview on a Sunday morning show. I did it, and right after that she called and gave me 15 minutes of airtime just after midnight on Sundays. So I did that for one year. I built it up. She soon began to receive thousands of letters and spent a decade as the host of her own show at the station from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays. Westheimer also revealed that losing family in the Holocaust inspired her to live her life in a very specific way. There were 1,500,000 Jewish children killed during World War II. I was spared because, by chance, I was in Switzerland, not in Holland, Belgium, or France, she explained. People like me have an obligation to make a dent in society. Many of us became social workers, nurses, or counselors. I wanted to study medicineimpossible at first, because I didnt have a high school diploma, parents, or money. So I became a kindergarten teacher, which my grandmother had once said I should do because I was so short I could fit on those little chairs. I did that in Israel and Paris, and then I started to study psychology. I did not know that my eventual contribution to the world would be to talk about orgasms and erections, but I did know I had to do something for others to justify being alive, Westheimer said. Westheimers small demeanor (she was 47) and accented English often drew listeners to her program, but her academic training and extensive knowledge kept them coming back each week. She was a proud advocate for LGBTQ rights in the 1980s and and outspoken defender of gay men throughout the decades AIDS epidemic. She also supported abortion rights and was a proponent of monogamy. In a 2015 appearance on The Steve Malzberg Show she explained, Im an optimist. I believe that most people want to have a relationship. They dont want to just go to bed. They dont even want to have a onenight stand. In 2020, she credited her ability to offer her undivided attention as a big factor in her success. While speaking to author Howard Lovy, Westheimer explained, Im sitting alone. I just had coffee. And I am not doing anything but listening to you and talking to you. I think you are absolutely right. This is one of my characteristics which comes from being a therapist. Because in my office in those days, no phone calls when I talked to people. Karola Ruth Westheimer was born on June 4, 1928, in a German village that was then known as Wiesenfeld. She was sent to live in Switzerland at the age of 10 due to the rise of the Nazi Party at home; her parents stayed in Germany to take care of Westheimers grandmother. Both her parents were later killed at concentration camps. Westheimer immigrated to Palestine at the end of World War II, where she was trained as a sniper as a member of the Haganah, the Zionist military organization that protected the Yishuv (the Jewish population in Palestine before 1948). She was injured when a bomb hit her dorm on her 20th birthday during the 1948 Palestine War, which almost resulted in the loss of both her feet. The trauma of the bombing stayed with her throughout her life. On Oct. 9, 2023, she tweeted, As someone who was severely wounded in Israels 1948 War of Independence, of course I stand with Israel today. But those wounds also help me to identify with all the dead and wounded on both sides. This is a terrible tragedy which sadly wont end soon. She and her first husband moved to France in 1950 and Westheimer studied psychology at the Sorbonne. She and her husband divorced in 1955 and Westheimer immigrated to the United States with the man who would become her second husband in 1956. Westheimer earned her Masters in Sociology from the New School in 1959 and her doctorate from Columbia. Westheimer and her second husband soon divorced, and she met Manfred Westheimer in 1961. They were married until her husbands death in 1997. Her television show The Dr. Ruth Show took off in 1985. She also wrote a naturally syndicated advice column and launched a series of calendars. Westheimer regularly appeared on several talks shows, including The Howard Stern Radio Show, Nightline, The Tonight Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Dr. Oz Show and Late Night with David Letterman, as a guest. Westheimer was also the author of 40 books, including Sex for Dummies, The Art of Arousal, Heavenly Sex: Sexuality and the Jewish Tradition, Doctor Ruths Guide to Good Sex, and her autobiography All in a Lifetime. In 2001 Westheimer was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Leo Baeck Medal. She also received an honorary doctorate from Hebrew Union College-Institute of Religion for her work in human sexuality and her commitment to the Jewish people, Israel and religion. Westheimer is survived by two children, Joel and Miriam, and four grandchildren. The post Dr. Ruth Westheimer, TV Sex Therapist, Dies at 96 appeared first on TheWrap. Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast, causing a fire overnight on July 13, Governor Vasily Golubev claimed. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian air defense shot down two drones over Rostov Oblast, one over Belgorod Oblast, and one over Kursk Oblast. Golubev claimed that a large fire broke out at the oil depot in the Tsimlyansky district in the east of Rostov Oblast. A fire-fighting train was involved in efforts to extinguish a fire, he added. No casualties were reported. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the reports. The Kyiv Independent could verify the claims. Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military assets, oil refineries, and industrial facilities. A total of over 30 Russian oil refineries, terminals, and depots were targeted by Ukrainian special operations forces as of late June, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Read also: Drone attacks caused fire at substations, oil depot in 2 Russian regions, governors claim Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Two men from Ireland, Patrick McDonagh and Matthew McDonagh, are facing charges in U.S. District Court in Seattle for allegedly stealing more than $400,000 from an elderly homeowner in Shoreline. U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested the pair in mid-June and have been held at the immigration detention center. According to the criminal complaint, the McDonaghs were part of a group that traveled across the country scamming homeowners, particularly the elderly, by falsely claiming urgent home repairs were needed. In one case, they convinced an elderly homeowner in Shoreline to pay them $435,000 for non-existent roof and foundation repairs. This type of fraud on our elderly neighbors is heartbreaking, said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. To pose as someone trying to help them, while all the while the goal is to steal as much as they can from the victims hard-earned retirement funds. It is a special kind of cruelty to engage in such conduct. The scheme began in January 2024 when the men approached the victim, claiming they were working in the neighborhood, and noticed a hole in the victims roof. They offered to fix the hole and remove moss from the roof. Over several days, they pressured the victim to write checks totaling $61,000 for their services. They also claimed the foundation was cracked and would repair it with a titanium tie rod system. Despite no actual damage to the roof or foundation, the men dug trenches and poured concrete to give the illusion of work being done while continually pressuring the victim for more money. They even demanded an additional $20,000 for taxes and convinced the victim to wire $200,000 to a third party for building supplies, ultimately stealing $435,000. The FBI investigation linked the brothers to similar contractor fraud complaints in Washington County, Oregon, and Spokane, Washington, totaling about $50,000. They used fake photos and posed as reputable local businesses in those cases. Sadly, seniors are often an attractive target for fraudsters attempting to steal a lifetime of savings, and scammers are skilled at deceiving people, said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. We encourage consumers to stay vigilant and avoid making quick decisions before doing research or getting to know someone. If you think you or someone you know could be a fraud victim, call your financial institution immediately and report suspected fraud to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Red Flags for Contractor Fraud: The contractor knocks on your door looking for business because they are in the area and uses aggressive sales tactics. The contractor pressures you to make an immediate hiring decision. The contractor accepts only cash as payment and demands full payment before starting any work. The contractor claims to have materials left over from a previous job. Tips to Avoid Contractor Fraud: Always get multiple estimates for any work you want done. Ensure contractors are licensed and insured. Verify them at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries website. Check with consumer protection agencies like the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission for complaints against a contractor. Conspiracy to commit wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Dust moves into Las Vegas valley due to storms in Arizona Dust moves into Las Vegas valley due to storms in Arizona LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Amid scorching triple-digit temperatures across the Las Vegas area on Friday a dust storm also kicked up due to thunderstorms in Mohave County. Many parts of Las Vegas saw dust clouds including the areas near the Las Vegas Strip and along the northwest part of the valley. According to 8 News Now Meteorologist Tedd Florendo, decreased air quality and hazy skies were expected as a result on Friday evening. An 8 News Now viewer captured the storm rolling in along with debris hitting electrical cables and causing a spark near Tropicana Avenue on Friday evening. By 6:30 p.m. on Friday, low visibility across the valley was reported causing some concern for air travel in the area. By 8 p.m. minimal if any clearing in the sky could be seen. An airplane appears to take off amid a dust storm in Las Vegas on Friday. Storms in Mohave County kicked up dust that migrated through the valley. (KLAS) Storms in Mohave County have kicked up dust that is migrating through the valley. (KLAS) Storms in Mohave County have kicked up dust that is migrating through the valley. Storms in Mohave County have kicked up dust that is migrating through the valley. (KLAS) An airplane appears to take off amid a dust storm in Las Vegas on Friday. Storms in Mohave County kicked up dust that migrated through the valley. (KLAS) An airplane appears to take off amid a dust storm in Las Vegas on Friday. Storms in Mohave County kicked up dust that migrated through the valley. (KLAS) Earlier in the day a dust storm in Mohave County Arizona rolled into the northwestern part of the state but by 6 p.m. the storm could be seen moving into the Las Vegas 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 KLAS. The downtown headquarters of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The union representing Los Angeles Department of Water and Power workers is suing the city for allowing employees who retired from other city departments to work at the utility while collecting a pension. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, argues that the city charter prohibits those who retire with a pension through the Los Angeles City Employees Retirement System from subsequently working as a DWP employee. The city attorney's office last year took the position that the retired city employees can join the DWP, according to the lawsuit. But the charter's prohibition against working as a city employee while collecting a LACERS pension includes DWP jobs, not just jobs elsewhere in the city government, the lawsuit said. The city charter includes three pension systems: the Water and Power Employees Retirement Plan, the Los Angeles Fire and Pension System and LACERS. IBEW officials worry that a flood of retired city employees will sign on at the utility, which often pays more than other departments. Because of their experience, they can start at a high level, drawing a salary and their LACERS pension, then retire again and collect pensions from both LACERS and the Water and Power plan. Read more: 'DROP on steroids.' L.A. city workers double dip by retiring and getting hired at DWP, union alleges The union also argues that the issue must be addressed through collective bargaining. The taxpayers and ratepayers of Los Angeles are the same people, and they will pay the price if this decision is allowed to stand it triggers the most extreme 'double-dipping' scenario any municipality has ever seen, IBEW Local 18 head Gus Corona said in a statement. In a cease-and-desist letter to City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto dated March 11, Corona called the situation DROP on steroids a reference to a police and firefighter program that allows participants to collect their salaries and pensions simultaneously for the last five years of their careers. As of May, seven DWP employees received a LACERS pension, while an additional 81 to 253 DWP employees are eligible to do so. Another 1,700 DWP employees will become eligible in the future, according to the lawsuit. The transition isn't as easy for employees making the reverse move. Under DWP rules, a retired employee may seek another city job only after six months and must start as a new employee, working for at least five years before their LACERS pension vests, according to an IBEW representative. Ivor Pine, a spokesperson for the city attorneys office, declined to comment on the lawsuit. 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. Irelands first family of music, The Corrs, have shared some pearls of wisdom from their three decades in the industry. The multi-million selling sibling quartet - which comprises of sisters Andrea, Sharon and Caroline, plus, brother Jim - first burst onto the scene in the 90s and won over a loyal fanbase thanks to their unique style which blends traditional Celtic music with a pop-rock twist. They will be revisiting their 1997 album Talk On Corners and some of their biggest hits as they take to the road for a UK and Ireland arena tour this autumn, including one night at the London O2 Arena on November 20. Joining them will be special guest Natalie Imbruglia. Speaking to the Standard backstage at BST Hyde Park last weekend where they themselves were special guests of Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain, The Corrs said that while they still get a buzz from doing what they do, they are more mindful these days not to let it be all-consuming, especially now they have partners and children to consider. As an artist, when you are first starting out, theres this idea that all you do, is get out on stage and perform, they explained. I think its important to know that you should always make time for yourselves, to cherish the moments on and off stage, and make sure you have downtime, otherwise you end up being available for 24 hrs, and its easy to become property, but its the best feeling to spend time with the fans, its just important to make sure you have some time to yourselves too, otherwise its easy to be in work mode all the time. We love playing in front of the crowds. The adrenalin is always high, and its great to be able to do what we love in front of so many people. Its lovely to be able to perform, and to sing along with our fans and that feeling, it never gets old. Its amazing we get to be able to experience these moments with our children now, and sit together, with the kids, and its lovely that they get to share the music with us. Not many musicians these days can say that they have endured as long as they have let alone sold 40 million albums. Asked what they think the biggest changes to the industry have been and the secret to their longevity, the Dreams hit-makers mused: Well, its all about streaming now, and longevity depends on the song, and the nature of the songs. We went to Malina [in Bulgaria] and all the teens knew the songs from Karaoke, which was incredible! We asked them how do you know all the words to our songs? The albums were released before you were born!, and its fantastic that a whole new generation discovers the music and still values the songs. Looking to the future, they have no intention of hanging up their instruments anytime soon and would welcome the continued call of the road.Depending on the childrens schooling and the time available, wed love to go to South America, Southeast Asia and Australia, they said. For more information on The Corrs and to buy tickets to the Talk On Corners Tour, visit livenation.co.uk Of all the places in Los Angeles where it makes sense to close a street to cars, the half-mile stretch of Wilshire Boulevard through MacArthur Park tops the list. Where else could L.A. instantly add more than two acres of public open space in a park-poor neighborhood that is also one of the most densely populated communities in the country? By simply rerouting vehicles around the park and reclaiming the road for pedestrians and bicyclists. Read more: Editorial: Why does it have to be so hard to get a speed hump in Los Angeles? Los Angeles may be catching up to other major cities, such as New York and San Francisco, that have closed major roads through public parks to give people more space to recreate safely. The city closed a portion of the road through Griffith Park Drive to much success in 2022. Now Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez has launched Reconnecting MacArthur Park, the citys most ambitious effort yet to permanently pedestrianize a major street. Along with Mayor Karen Bass and several city department heads, Hernandez announced this week the first phase of the project, which will include community input, draft environmental documents and test closures. Don't expect the road to close permanently any time soon. Hernandez's office said the project is a work in progress and will take years to develop. Read more: Editorial: L.A. Metro is doomed if it can't keep bus and train riders safe The project is being funded in part by a $2-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportations Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, which is aimed at undoing or repairing the harm caused by transportation construction decisions of the past. More than a century ago, MacArthur Park was a serene paradise with a sprawling lake in a rapidly urbanizing city. But civic boosters wanted Wilshire Boulevard to continue, uninterrupted from the ocean to downtown. So the city built the road through the middle of the park turning the space into more of a drive-through rather than a destination park, Jose A. Gardea wrote in his history of MacArthur Park . Read more: Opinion: Ban cars from streets near schools. Children shouldn't have to risk their lives every morning Today Wilshire Boulevard is one of the citys main arterials serving motorists and transit riders. To be sure, closing the road and diverting vehicles around the park would be inconvenient. But Los Angeles is a built-out city and leaders need to make tough choices about how to divvy up space. In this neighborhood, open space is desperately needed, and if there is community support, the higher priority should be restoring the park rather than the convenience of cars. Some nearby residents and business owners question why the city is spending time and money studying the road closure when there are more immediate problems that need to be addressed namely open drug use and homeless encampments that make people feel unsafe using sections of the park. Their complaints are valid. But residents shouldnt have to choose between more park space and safe park space. The city has an obligation to do both. Park space is too precious to cede to motorists. Where possible, Los Angeles should reclaim more roads for the purposes of recreation, health and pleasure. MacArthur Park is a great place to start. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. New electric vehicle fee coming to Pennsylvania next year. Heres what to know Come 2025, electric vehicle drivers will pay an annual registration fee in Pennsylvania. The legislation headed to Gov. Josh Shapiros desk will charge owners of battery-powered and plug-in hybrid vehicles $200 next year, the first of an incremental scale that will reach $286 in 2030. Prime sponsor Sen. Greg Rothman, R-Shippensburg, said the fee will help maintain Pennsylvanias roads and bridges some of the worst-rated in the nation and shift some of the burden off the states gas tax. This legislation will simplify government for electric vehicle owners and ensure all drivers are contributing toward the maintenance of Pennsylvanias roads and bridges, Rothman said. The bill also eliminates the alternative fuels tax on electricity for at-home charging, which netted the state nearly $778,000 in 2023. According to a fiscal note prepared by the House Appropriations Committee, the new electric vehicle fee will generate $16.1 million in 2025 and as much as $28.8 million by 2030. The current system for electric vehicle owners is to file monthly statements on electric use and remit the tax to the Department of Revenue. Rothman, in a legislative memo, called the process cumbersome and noted that most EV owners dont file the statements or are unaware that they are required to. Pennsylvania has had dramatic growth in electric vehicle ownership, with a 45% rise compared to a year ago as state and federal funds drive the buildout of public charging stations on its main highways. Data released by PennDOT shows that more than 63,000 electric vehicles are registered in the state. Additionally, hybrid EVs number 274,800 statewide, a 24% increase. Counting plug-in hybrids, the total electric vehicle share in the commonwealth is almost 375,000 vehicles. Earlier versions of the bill proposed fees as high as $380, though the figure was negotiated down to secure bipartisan support. By Heekyong Yang SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean EV battery maker SK On is in talks with automakers to supply prismatic batteries, expanding from its existing pouch-type batteries, a senior executive said, as it scrambles to turn around amid slowing global electric vehicle (EV) demand. SK On, a unit of energy group SK Innovation, which supplies EV batteries to Ford Motor, Hyundai Motor, Volkswagen among others, is speaking to multiple automakers that are looking to line up prismatic battery supply deals, SK On chief spokesperson Ko Chang-Kook said. "We are having talks with automakers who will take our prismatic batteries ... we will now have the opportunity to diversify our product portfolios sooner than later," Ko told Reuters. Ko did not disclose the names of automakers but said the company has already completed the prismatic battery technology and is prepared to start producing prismatic batteries once discussions are finalized. There are three types of lithium-ion batteries currently used in EVs - prismatic, cylindrical and pouch-type, all of which are fundamentally the same in functionality, but each has pros and cons. Prismatic and cylindrical batteries are cased in hard materials. Pouch-types use sealed flexible foils and are protected by thin metal bags. SK On currently produces only pouch-type batteries for EVs. While the firm secured prismatic battery technology, it is also looking to develop cylindrical-type batteries, widely known for the type used by Tesla. When asked if SK On, which has never made a profit since it was split off from SK Innovation in late 2021, plans to cut its capital expenditure for the year, Ko said SK On is not considering that for now, adding it will not cut research and development spending. Earlier this year, SK On's parent SK Innovation said it had a capital spending budget of about 9 trillion won ($6.55 billion) for this year, with more than 80% allocated for SK On. Cross-town rival LG Energy Solution (LGES) said in April it plans to minimise capital expenditure this year due to slowing EV demand. Last month, LGES paused part of construction of its multi-billion dollar battery factory in the U.S. state of Arizona as it adjusts the pace of planned investment execution flexibly to optimize its operations. In April, SK On said it was still on target to break even in the second half of this year. The company said this month it would implement across-the-board expense cuts, including freezing salaries of all executives until the firm turns a profit. SK Innovation is expected to pursue a merger with profitable gas affiliate SK E&S to help prop up SK On, local media outlets have reported. Story continues On Friday, SK Innovation said in a regulatory filing that it would hold a board meting next Wednesday to discuss various strategic measures, including mergers to strengthen its competitiveness, but nothing has been decided. ($1 = 1,374.4200 won) (Reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Sandra Maler) ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) A boil water notice has been issued after a water main break on Tennessee State Route 67A, according to a social media post by the City of Elizabethton. Affected areas include Old Buffalo Road, Jewell Street, Jerome Street, Joy Drive, Victor Drive and surrounding areas near Okolona Estates, the post said. Carter Co. inmate Billy Fletcher charged with murder in connection to Victor Birchfields disappearance Residents are encouraged to bring tap water to a rolling boil and allow it to boil for one minute before letting it cool. Boiling water is not necessary for washing clothes, bathing or washing dishes. Crews are working to repair the water main break. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Elon Musk and Donald Trump, pictured at the White House in 2017, had a strained relationship in the past but have grown closer - Evan Vucci/AP Photo Elon Musk, the worlds richest person, has backed Donald Trump with a sizeable donation to a super-PAC supporting the Republican nominee, according to reports. The Tesla chief executive, who previously said he would not financially support either presidential candidate, donated an unknown amount to America PAC, sources told Bloomberg. The alleged donation shows how the pairs frosty relationship has thawed in the years since the two men publicly insulted one another. Mr Musk, 53, a vocal critic of Joe Biden on his social media platform X, has been growing closer to the Republican nominee, while Trump is said to have discussed giving the multi-billionaire a plum advisory role if he is re-elected to the White House. Donald Trump speaks at a rally in Florida last week - Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo Last month, Mr Musk told Tesla shareholders during a meeting in Austin, Texas, that Trump calls him out of the blue for no reason. America PAC, which can receive unlimited contributions for political activity, will next publish its list of donors on July 15. The group focuses on door-to-door voter persuasion and has so far spent $15.8 million on direct voter contacts, according to Bloomberg. A Trump voter shows her support at his rally in Miami last week - Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo Mr Musks donation comes as President Bidens funding has taken a hit following his catastrophic debate performance against Trump. Key Democrat donors including George Clooney, the actor and film-maker, have publicly called for the president to step aside amid concerns about his mental acuity. On Friday night, Mr Biden held a rally in the swing state of Michigan in which he accused journalists of hammering him. The 81-year-old walked on stage in Detroit to chants of dont you quit, and insisted that he will remain in the presidential race despite growing calls from within his party to drop out. He also addressed reporting of his gaffes on the world stage at the Nato conference, where he introduced Volodymyr Zelensky as President Putin. Mr Biden acknowledged he had been panned by critics in the media, but suggested that the same scrutiny had not been applied to his Republican rival. Now Im not complaining, Im just saying, Mr Biden began. You may have noticed that since the debate, the press, and theyre good guys and women up there, theyve been hammering me. I make a lot of mistakes. As he spoke, the crowd began booing and jeering at reporters who were assembled to cover the event. The president protested at the crowds reaction, telling supporters: Oh no, no, no, its okay. Theyve been hammering me, because I sometimes confuse names. I say thats Charlie, instead of Bill. But guess what, Donald Trump has gotten a free pass. The incident was compared online to Trumps tactic of referring to negative press coverage while speaking at rallies, after which attendees have jeered at the press. My health a legitimate concern, says Biden Mr Biden had earlier acknowledged his health is a legitimate concern for voters but doubled down on his insistence he would not be leaving the presidential race. Twenty-one sitting Democrats have publicly called for him to stand down, and senior party figures including Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi are reported to have concerns about his leadership. Among those to urge Mr Biden to step aside is California Democrat Mike Levin, who addressed Mr Biden directly in a virtual meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. During the meeting, the Democrat leader noted that his achievements were not cutting through with voters like they did before. That was great when you were feeling good, Biden are you OK now? Thats whats underlying. Thats what people are worried about, he told Mr Levin, the New York Times reported. Its a legitimate concern for people, but thats why I think its important Ive got to get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that Im still in good charge. Mr Biden said he was going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions in order to quell concerns. 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. Technology billionaire Elon Musk donated to a super PAC supporting the reelection efforts of former President Trump, according to reporting from Bloomberg. Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, gave an undisclosed amount of money to the America PAC, sources close to the matter told the outlet. The alleged donation comes just months after the tech mogul said he would not spend money on either Trump or President Biden as the two prepare for a rematch in November. However, Musk has shown more support for conservative viewpoints and politics in recent years. Just to be super clear, I am not donating money to either candidate for US President, Musk wrote on social media platform X, which he owns, in March. However, The New York Times reported around the same time that he met with Trump and Republican donors in Florida as the former presidents campaign was attempting to to shore up his finances. The presumptive GOP nominee later confirmed that the meeting took place. Musk has also suggested that he could endorse a candidate late in the race. The billionaire has also been highly critical of Biden on X, including criticizing the president over his allegiance to unions and his immigration polices. Why does the radical far left Biden administration welcome violent illegals into America to prey upon your friends & family? Musk said in a post on X earlier this year. We are even warned by other countries that it is insane to make America a haven for their convicted criminals! America PAC is required to disclose a new list of donors on July 17, per Bloomberg. The news also comes after Trump outraised Biden significantly in May, thanks in part to a surge following the former presidents conviction in his New York hush money trial. The numbers helped erase the cash advantage Biden had early in the election cycle, though both candidates still have a lot of money at their disposal. The Hill has reached out to Musk, America PAC and Chris Gober, the treasurer for America PAC, according to the Federal Election Commission. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are pictured in the White House at an event in 2017 along with Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist. Musk in 2024 has reportedly made a sizeable donation to a Trump PAC (AFP via Getty Images) Elon Musk, the worlds second-richest person, contributed a sizeable amount to a pro-Trump super PAC, according to a report. The size of Musks donation is unknown, but Bloomberg, which first reported the donation to America PAC, called it sizable. There is no upper limit on the amount individual contributors can give to super PACs. The donation from Musk, whose net worth is estimated to be $249.8 billion, according to Forbes, diverts from a 2021 proclamation by the SpaceX founder: I prefer to stay out of politics. But in recent months, Musks X posts have championed far-right ideas as he reposted memes and quotes that back Trump. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are pictured in the White House at an event in 2017 along with Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist. Musk in 2024 has reportedly made a sizeable donation to a Trump PAC (AFP via Getty Images) The Tesla CEO had previously criticized both major party candidates. In June 2017, Musk stepped down from his roles on Trumps presidential advisory councils after the US withdrew from the Paris climate accord. He has questioned Bidens immigration policy, called for the prosecution of his chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci and decried wokeness as a mind virus. Although he has not endorsed either candidate for 2024, Musk has made a clear shift away from Biden as of late. He has also joined in the chorus of claims that suggest that Trump is being prosecuted for political reasons. The billionaire wondered on X: Do they prosecute anyone besides Trump in NY? NY also prosecutes people that support Trump, an X user replied, to which he said: Good point. Bidens campaign blasted the donation. Arrogant billionaires only out for themselves are not what America wants or what America needs, a Biden campaign spokesperson told Bloomberg. Elon knows Trump is a sucker who will sell America out, cutting his taxes while raising taxes on the middle class by $2,500. The contribution also arrives after the X owner disclosed in January that he had voted for Biden in 2020, but he cannot see myself voting for Biden this time. The Tesla CEO met with Trump in March in Palm Beach, Florida. Around the same time, Musk announced that he didnt plan on donating to campaigns for either Biden or Trump. Musk has previously said that he prefers to stay out of politics, but has posted about numerous right-wing stances (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Musk is not alone in his apparent support for the former president he joins a growing number of Silicon Valley bigwigs have been leaning toward Trump this election. The contribution comes after Musk reportedly co-hosted a so-called anti-Biden Silicon Valley dinner party in April with entrepreneur and investor David Sacks. On the heels of Trumps historic conviction in the hush money trial, Sacks hosted another dinner with Facebook senior executive Chamath Palihapitiya that was said to be attended by other uber wealthy figures such as Peter Thiel and Rupert Murdoch. Its safe to say that theres a wellspring of support in Silicon Valley, Sacks told the New York Times, especially given the backlash to the political prosecution of Trump. Pioneering Planet Elon Musk's grand plan for Mars colonization includes, apparently, a long-term dream to create new species on the Red Planet. As the New York Times noted in its expansive profile on the billionaire's Martian pipe dream, which included among its revelations an alleged grandiose offer to seed the future colony with his own sperm, Musk has repeatedly floated the idea of a new species built for the ravages of the planet's dry heat. "I think its quite likely that wed want to bioengineer new organisms that are better suited to living on Mars," Musk said during a recorded 2013 interview, as quoted by Forbes that same year. "Humanitys kind of done that over time, by sort of selective breeding." Though he didn't get into specifics, the concept seems to be in line with others that have been floated over the years including by NASA the same year, which discussed the prospect of using gene-splicing to create a "tough plant 'pioneer' that can grow in Martian soil." Over the ensuing decade, the multi-hyphenate business owner has, according to the people close to him who spoke with the NYT, repeated the idea to SpaceX employees and others in the company's orbit over the years. Plan Ahead As with many Muskian proposals, the suggestion of future Mars-specific species is quite vague including whether his sperm will have anything to do with the strange new organisms. However, we do know some of his other plans for the colony, which as the NYT notes have ramped up in the past year. According to the newspaper's sources close to Musk and his manifest destiny moonshot, plans for small dome-shaped habitats have been drawn up. The people tasked with creating those Martian mockups have even begun figuring out what materials would be used to build them, though the NYT didn't print those details. SpaceX employees have also begun designing spacesuits to help withstand the planet's cruel climate, and the company has employed a medical team tasked with researching whether people could have children there, which is very much in line with Musk's natalist preoccupation. The 53-year-old tycoon also reportedly told SpaceX employees earlier this year that he expects one million people to be living on Mars within the next 40 years a departure from his previous comments suggesting it would take between 40 and 100 years to build a self-sustaining community on the planet. When Musk puts his mind to something, he does occasionally manage to make things happen. But his timelines are often comically over-ambitious, and therefore should probably be taken with a grain of Martian salt. Whether and how the bioengineered Martians might come to fruition, however, is anyone's guess given that we're still less than six years out from the revelation of the first known CRISPR babies. More on Musk: Elon Musk Mocks Concern Over SpaceX Obliterating Baby Birds in Their Nests Update: The Medical Examiners office said determined the death was caused by a heart condition. An investigation is underway after an employee was found dead on their stores roof early Thursday morning. A spokesman for the Orlando Fire Department said their units and police were called to the Bealls on East Colonial Drive around 8:20 a.m. for a wellness check. When firefighters arrive, they found the employee dead on the roof of the store. Read: Man dies after reaching for gun in front of Orange County deputies, sheriff says The Medical Examiners office said a cause and manner of death has not yet been determined. Its not clear why the employee was on the roof, or how long they were there for. Read: Soto case: White Nissan that drove to area where girls body dumped belonged to mother We are deeply saddened by the loss of a team member and our sincerest condolences go out to their family, Bealls spokeswoman Suzanne Santangelo said. As the circumstances are currently under investigation, we will not be commenting further at this time. Read: Man dies after reaching for gun in front of Orange County deputies, sheriff says Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The National EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor Moving Honors Procession held a ceremony Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center in Amarillo. The cross-country procession was joined by the National EMS Bike Ride and American Medical Response for the ninth stop of their 21-city journey, which started in Seattle and will end in Arlington, Virginia, on July 20 during the weekend of honor. With this event, emergency responders lost in the line of duty are honored and added to the Tree of Life Memorial. This years event honors 36 first responders who were lost in the line of duty. The National EMS Memorial Service has been congressionally sanctioned to conduct its annual service. The list of the 36 honorees for this year's National EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor Moving Honors Procession is seen during a ceremony Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial Center in Amarillo. Members of the Potter County Fire Color Guard bring the colors forward at the Moving Honors Procession Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo. Local firefighters gather around the Global Medical Response vehicle of the Moving Honors Procession Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo. Amarillo Councilman and Potter County Fireman Josh Craft addresses the crowd at the Moving Honors Procession Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo. At the ceremony, this year's list of names of those lost in the line of duty were read, with a flyover from an EMS helicopter. Amarillo City Councilman and firefighter Josh Craft was the featured speaker. Megan Haverkamp, the described crew chief of the moving memorial with Global Medical Response, spoke about the multistate journey. We will go through 18 states covering about 4,800 miles to our final destination, honoring those EMS personnel that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, she said. When we reach our final destination, we bring the families of these EMS personnel to honor them. Each family will be given a flag, a white rose and a challenge coin as a small token of their loved ones service. Haverkamp emphasized that this moving honor memorial procession is to make sure that these brave men and women are remembered. It helps to show these family members that their loved ones are not forgotten, she added. Megan Haverhamp of Global Medical Response speaks about the mission of the Moving Honors Procession Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo. Members of the Potter County Fire Color Guard present the colors at the Moving Honors Procession Wednesday at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo. One of the items given at the ceremony to children of lost loved ones is a stuffed bear named Chief Teddy Bear to help bring them comfort. Children do not often realize what is going on, and the bear helps bring them comfort with a story with the bear, so that they realize that their loved ones will not be forgotten, she said. Seeing it firsthand, the children really connect with the bear. She said that this was the fourth year of the Moving Honor Procession and that all honorees will have a short biography on the website. The directory of previous honorees includes several Texans, including six who were with Amarillo agencies and died in medical flight crashes in 2000 and 2010. To find out more about the Moving Honor Procession and to see all EMS honorees, go to: https://www.national-ems-memorial.org/events-2/moving-honors/ . This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: EMS moving honors procession holds ceremony at TX war memorial LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Momentum grew this week for an end to taxes on tips as Nevadas U.S. senators and the Culinary Union announced their support for former President Donald Trumps proposal. Culinary Union officials initially dismissed the idea as a campaign stunt when Trump announced his intention to end the tax during a rally at Sunset Park on June 9. A CBS News report described it as a pitch to win over voters in the battleground state that is largely dependent on the hospitality industry. Culinary union calls Trumps pledge to end taxes on tips wild campaign promises The idea came out of the blue, but it could swing the state to the red as in Republican red. When I get to office, we are going to not charge taxes on tips, Trump said. Were not going to do it, and were going to do that right away, first thing in office, because its been a point of contention for years and years and years. Democrats and the union changed the narrative this week as U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen signed on as co-sponsors to the bipartisan No Tax on Tips Act. U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) has joined the cause. The idea has grown to become a plank in the Republican National Committees platform going into next weeks Republican National Convention. Michael McDonald, chairman of the Nevada Republican Party, told 8 News Now the idea came out of discussions he had with Trump about working people. But Trumps mention of the idea in Las Vegas was unrehearsed, he said. These are issues we talked about, kitchen table. Im not the only one to talk to him about it, but this is something where its very meaningful for me. So, when you saw it come out, it was not rehearsed. It was something hes been looking at for awhile, he said. I know hes talked to waitresses and staff before throughout, even members of his own staff here at the Trump Tower, McDonald said. When youre here in Vegas, it was perfect, he said, but added that the change would benefit people in hospitality jobs nationwide. McDonald described a tip as a gift not income to be taxed. Retired Metro lieutenant on speakers list at Republican National Convention Culinary Union Secretary-Treasurer Ted Pappageorge applauded the idea in a Friday statement. For decades, the Culinary Union has fought for tipped workers rights and against unfair taxation and we are proud to fight alongside Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen, and Congressman Steven Horsford for tipped worker tax relief, Pappageorge said. Workers, unlike big corporations and the super-rich, are willing to pay their fair share and Culinary Union will always fight to protect workers and against unfair taxes, he said. Culinary Union applauds Senator Rosen, a former Culinary Union member and tipped worker, and Senator Cortez Masto for joining bipartisan legislation to provide relief to hospitality workers in Nevada. Real solutions are what workers rely on and we are proud to have senators who are fighting to deliver real results for working families, Pappageorge said. When Rosen signed on to the No Tax on Tips Act, Republican opponent Sam Brown criticized her for it. Trump endorsed Brown in the U.S. Senate race the same day he brought up tips. Im pleased to see that Jacky Rosen is finally supporting a solution for working families, an idea championed by President Trump and me. Having worked in an Amazon warehouse to support my family, I understand the struggle of putting in 10- or 12-hour days just to make ends meet. Nevada workers deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money, and our plan to end taxes on tips will do just that. Nevadans wont forget that Jacky Rosen had nearly 8 years to address this issue and did nothing. Once again, Jacky Rosen has failed us, Brown 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 KLAS. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An adult son has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of his father at Red Sands on July 4, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. The Sheriffs Office says that 21-year-old Jair Navarro was arrested on Friday, July 12 by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. Navarro is facing a murder charge in the death of his father, 39-year-old Arturo Navarro, the Sheriffs Office said. The Sheriffs Office says the elder Navarro died on July 7 after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Shortly before midnight on July 4, Texas Rescue Patrol and deputies from the Sheriffs Office responded to reports of a fight in progress with gunshots fired at Red Sands. Arturo Navarro was found with a gunshot wound to his head and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Unit took over the investigation and determined that Jair Navarro was responsible for shooting his father. Detectives obtained a criminal warrant for murder and the younger Navarro was found and apprehended along the 11600 block of Datsun Drive in El Paso County. He has been booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a charge of murder and a $750,000 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 KTSM 9 News. Erdogan with his delegations on the plane. Photo: Anadolu Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye, has announced that his country is interested in resuming the operation of the Black Sea grain corridor. Source: Erdogan's conversation with journalists while coming back from the NATO summit in the US; Turkish news agency Anadolu Details: Erdogan also mentioned discussing these issues on the sidelines of the NATO summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Quote from Erdogan: "We want to work with the Ukrainian side and I hope we will be able to work with this corridor again." More details: Erdogan emphasised the need to return to diplomacy and prepare the ground for negotiations without further bloodshed: "I stressed that we are ready to continue the Istanbul process in this direction." Background: As part of the agreement, Ukraine was able to safely export almost 33 million metric tonnes of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea through the so-called Grain Corridor. However, in July 2023, Russia withdrew from the agreement, claiming that its requirements had not been met. It should be noted that the Turkish side then advocated for the resumption of the grain corridor with Russia's participation, while Ukraine was able to establish its own route across the Danube River. Support UP or become our patron! The South Lakeland Winn-Dixie store is closing later in July, to reopen months later as an Aldi, a company spokesperson confirmed Friday. Are more conversions on the way? Customers had posted on social media this week a notice posted at the store that it would be closing soon for a remodel. Many speculated that it might be converting to the Aldi format. "We can confirm the Winn-Dixie located at 6902 South Florida Ave. ... will be closed for renovations in late-July," the Aldi media relations department said Friday in response to a request from The Ledger. "The store will reopen to the community as an ALDI over the next several months. "While this store is temporarily closed, we continue to proudly serve the residents in the Lakeland area at our other nearby stores. We thank our customers for their years of loyalty at this location and look forward to seeing them soon as a new ALDI." Aldi announced in August that it was acquiring about 400 Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets from Southeastern Grocers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. The sale closed in March. Aldi said at the time the acquisition was announced that it would convert "a significant amount" of Winn-Dixie and Harvey's stores to its Aldi brand, but not all. "However, a meaningful amount of Winn-Dixie stores will continue to operate under their respective banners," it said during the day of the announcement. It did not say which stores would convert, and as of the time of the closing in March, it still had not released a comprehensive list of conversions. On Friday, in the email to The Ledger, the media department hinted that more former Southeastern Grocers stores in Polk County would be converted. "Associates at this location have the opportunity to be the first to apply to newly converted ALDI stores," the company said. "In addition, ALDI is committed to doing its best to minimize the impact and provide support and opportunities to associates at converting stores, including the option to remain with Winn-Dixie and transfer to a neighboring store. Aside from the South Lakeland store, there are six other Winn-Dixie supermarkets in Polk County: 6600 N. Socrum Loop Road, Lakeland 2900 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland 345 Havendale Blvd., Auburndale 36019 US 27, Haines City 28047 US 27, Dundee 1860 E. State Road 60, Lake Wales There are also three Harvey's supermarkets: 1305 Ariana St, Lakeland. 2630 U.S. 92 East, Lakeland 2700 Recker Highway, Winter Haven Publix: Lake Miriam store is scheduled to close this summer for demolition and remodel Story continues Before the sale was announced, Aldi had nine stores in Polk County, plus a distribution center in Haines City. 4745 U.S. 98 N., Lakeland 4532 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland 1046 N. Wilson Ave., Bartow 2133 U.S. 92, Auburndale 333 Ave. K S.W., Winter Haven 753 Thompson Nursery Road, Lake Wales 35770 U.S. 27, Haines City 7820 Osceola Polk Line Road, Davenport 9550 U.S. 192, Clermont The acquisition gives Aldi 19 stores in Polk County. By comparison, Publix has at least 30 stores in Polk, including 13 in the Lakeland area alone. Its GreenWise market on South Florida Avenue was recently converted to a traditional store. That's in addition to the company's headquarters in Lakeland and multiple production and warehouse facilities. In March, Aldi announced plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. The five-year expansion plan is focused on bringing "even more Florida communities quality, affordable groceries." This article originally appeared on The Ledger: South Lakeland Winn-Dixie will be converted to an Aldi, company says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday said Ankara is close to realizing its goals in its ongoing military operations against Kurdish fighters in neighbouring Iraq and Syria's north. Erdogan's remarks come a day after the Turkish Defence Ministry announced one soldier had been killed and another injured in northern Iraq after an improvised explosive device detonated, and accused the "separatist group" of the incident. Turkey often uses the term to refer to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey, the US and EU also classify the PKK as a terrorist group. "We are going to complete the lockdown of the area of Claw-Lock operation in northern Iraq very soon," Erdogan told military academy graduates in Istanbul. Erdogan was referring to the offensive Turkey launched in April 2022 in what it said aimed to fend off PKK attacks from Iraq's north. Turkey has earlier agreed with the government in Baghdad to cooperate on targeting PKK fighters in Iraq where the group is based. PKK is now "completely trapped" in both Iraq and Syria, Erdogan said. "We will complete the missing points of the security belt along our southern border with Syria," he added. Turkey has carried out ground offensives in northern Syria to push Kurdish militia from its border since 2016. It controls swathes of land in the area. Erdogan recently referred to plans for a rapprochement with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Turkish president is under growing domestic pressure regarding over 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Ankara is "determined not to allow any structure that will pose a threat to our country along the Iraq and Syria borders," Erdogan added. Prime Butcher Baker at 1572 2nd Ave., where the four underpaid butchers worked. This wasnt very kosher. A once prominent kosher steakhouse and butchery owner who has since done lobbying work for the country of Qatar owes over half a million dollars in unpaid wages, interest and fines, state officials claim. The New York State Department of Labor is trying to recoup $646,893 from Joseph Allaham, nearly a decade after his high-end Manhattan steakhouse, Prime Grill, closed in 2016, according to recent court filings. Lawyers for the department say Allaham who became a lobbyist with a $1.4 million contract from Qatar after the eatery shuttered owes his former staff $168,000 total. That includes $110,000 in unpaid wages to four butchers who worked at Allahams since-shuttered Upper East Side kosher butcher shop, Prime Butcher and Baker, between 2007 and 2013, according to the filing for judgment in Manhattan Supreme Court. With interest and damages, the total in the July 8 filing comes out to $441,000. The state first asked him to cough up the cash in 2019, and Allaham appealed the judgement against him. The court recently ruled against him, in the states favor, prompting the latest filing. Prime Butcher Baker at 1572 2nd Ave., where the four underpaid butchers worked. Google Maps In 2016, state labor officials also accused Allaham of underpaying workers $58,000, charging him a total of $205,893 with interest and damages, court papers show. The DOL spokesperson told The Post Allaham has yet to pay a dime in either judgment. The Syrian-born Allaham left the kosher food biz around 2017 and took up a second act as a highly-paid lobbyist for several foreign countries, including a $675,000 contract with the Democratic Party of Albania, $49,000 for Kosovo and for Qatar, according to the US Department of Justices Foreign Agents filing records. Prominent Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy once sued Allaham, claiming that he played a role in what Broidy said was a Qatar-backed hack of his emails. Allaham settled the suit and admitted knowledge of the hack, but refuted that he played a role in it, according to the Wall Street Journal. He did not respond to requests for comment from The Post. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Almost all 100 million people in the United States who use AT&T were impacted by hacking that included a portion of their information. The company revealed customers phone call and text message history in 2022 from May 1 to October 31, 2022, and a smaller group of people had their call and message history from January 2, 2023, leaked as well. However, no major sources of personal information were obtained by the hackers. Its not your social security number, its not your billing information, Jullie Wheeler, the president and CEO of Western Virginias Better Business Bureau, said. Its calls you made, texts you made, and when you made them. Although the company has not confirmed it, the content of customers calls and messages does not appear to be breached at this time. Therefore, Wheeler believes the likely outcome of this incident is hackers will match names to phone numbers to spam call people. Larrys Law aims to prevent elder fraud in Virginia Wheeler says although its possible the hackers goal with this information could be more sinister, they usually just take what they can get. They usually like the bang for the buck, what they can do quickly, Wheeler said. A bunch of cell numbers gives them the ability to spam (call). While the investigation is ongoing, there isnt much AT&T customers can do at this time. However, it is recommended that they remain calm and upgrade their devices security if possible. Dont panic because in this particular case, it doesnt appear like there was financial information involved, and thats obviously where your biggest risk is, Wheeler said. Just wait to see if you hear from AT&T and what they encourage you to do. It is unclear when AT&T will conclude its investigation. When it does, customers will be notified of what happened and what they would need to do. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Smoke from an encroaching wildfire is seen over homes after an evacuation was ordered in the eastern Canadian community of Labrador City TORONTO (Reuters) - A fairly controlled fire grew to a 10,000-hectare inferno over the course of a day, causing 9,600 residents of an eastern Canadian community to flee and putting a nearby community on evacuation alert. The fire northwest of Labrador City, in western Newfoundland and Labrador, was deemed fully under control as recently as Tuesday, Premier Andrew Furey told reporters Saturday. Perfect fire conditions on Friday changed that. The fire grew from 600 hectares to 10,000, moving 21 kilometres in four hours, he said. It became an extremely aggressive inferno, he said, that forced the evacuation of Labrador City. The fire was about six kilometres from town Saturday midday. Nearby Wabush was on evacuation alert Saturday. Waterbombers were attacking the fire and the province had requested assistance from other provinces and the federal government. Thousands of people made the hours-long trek to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, about 500 kilometres away. It was untenable to keep people in Labrador City, Furey said, adding they had also evacuated a local hospital. Were very grateful to everyone who has packed up their belongings, packed up their families, packed up their pets and moved suddenly. So, thank you for being patient. 2023 was Canada's worst-ever wildfire season, when 18.5 million hectares burned and blazes raged simultaneously in the east and west of the country. (Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Nick Zieminski) A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 20 Starlink satellites toward low Earth orbit from California on July 11, 2024. The rocket's upper stage suffered an anomaly, causing the satellites to be deployed in an lower-than-intended orbit. | Credit: SpaceX Update for 4:30 p.m. ET on July 12: SpaceX has announced that the July 11 Falcon 9 failure will lead to the loss of all 20 Starlink satellites. Read our failure story for more information. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is requiring an investigation into the recent anomaly suffered by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The issue occurred on Thursday night (July 11), during the launch of 20 Starlink internet satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Falcon 9's upper-stage engine failed to complete its second burn as planned, and the spacecraft were deployed into a lower-than-intended orbit as a result, according to SpaceX. SpaceX is looking into the nature and cause of the anomaly, under the supervision of the FAA. "The FAA will be involved in every step of the investigation process and must approve SpaceX's final report, including any corrective actions," FAA officials wrote in an anomaly update. "A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety," the agency added. "In addition, SpaceX may need to request and receive approval from the FAA to modify its license that incorporates any corrective actions and meet all other licensing requirements." Related: SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffers failure during Starlink satellite launch (video) SpaceX said via X early this morning (July 12) that it had made contact with five of the 20 Starlink satellites and was trying to get them to raise their orbits using their onboard ion thrusters. "Unlike a 'Star Trek' episode, this will probably not work, but it's worth a shot. The satellite thrusters need to raise orbit faster than atmospheric drag pulls them down or they burn up," company founder and CEO Elon Musk wrote on X in response to the SpaceX post. A black and white spacex falcon 9 rocket first stage sits on the deck of a ship at sea. RELATED STORIES: SpaceX launches next-gen US spy satellites and sticks the landing (video) 8 ways that SpaceX has transformed spaceflight Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky Falcon 9 anomalies are incredibly rare. The workhorse rocket has launched more than 350 times since its debut in June 2010, and it has experienced just one catastrophic in-flight failure an explosion in June 2015 that resulted in the loss of a robotic Dragon cargo capsule headed for the International Space Station (ISS). (Thursday night's incident, though a failure, was not catastrophic, at least not in the same way; the satellites were deployed, and some of them might still make it to their intended orbit.) The Falcon 9 is human-rated and has flown astronauts on 13 separate occasions. The rocket has two crewed launches coming up relatively soon the private Polaris Dawn effort to low Earth orbit on July 31 and the Crew-9 mission to the ISS for NASA sometime next month. Those target dates could slip as a result of Thursday night's anomaly, but the wait likely won't be too long, said billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, who funded and will command Polaris Dawn and did the same for the pioneering Inspiration4 mission back in 2021. "SpaceX has an incredible track record with Falcon 9. I can say from personal experience they are very transparent when issues arise. I have no doubt they will arrive at a cause quickly and ensure the most cost-effective and reliable launch vehicle keeps delivering payload to orbit. As for Polaris Dawn, we will fly whenever SpaceX is ready and with complete confidence in the rocket, spaceship and operations," Isaacman said in an X post today. The embezzlement allegations against a former commander of the Idaho American Legion have developed into the biggest crisis in the nonprofits history here and led many of its members to question the statewide organizations longtime leadership. Charles Abe Abrahamson, who for several years served as an executive overseeing the Boise-based nonprofits finances, is suspected by fellow senior leadership of embezzling at least $750,000 of its funds. The Idaho Statesman was first to report the allegations against Abrahamson, which are at the center of an Idaho State Police investigation. Abrahamson, 54, a former U.S. Marine who later served five years in the Idaho Army National Guard, has yet to be arrested or charged with a crime, according to Idaho court records. But details continue to surface about his suspected handling of hundreds of thousands in finances for the veterans organization money used to fund programs for children and communities across Idaho. Through both interviews and public and Legion records, a Statesman investigation has accounted for hundreds of thousands of those alleged missing Legion funds. The records showed that Abrahamson is accused of defaulting on an internal loan, stealing an endowment fund for adolescents and selling Legion real estate without the nonprofits knowledge. Hes also suspected of draining the organizations bank and investment accounts of about $370,000, and hiding it by falsifying documents, according to longtime American Legion member Bob Skinner, Idahos national executive committeeman and a member of the internal committee formed to investigate where the nonprofits money went. Its just crazy, Skinner said in a phone interview with the Statesman. I still lay awake at night sometimes thinking, Why did he do this? Why would he do this to fellow veterans? Why would he do this to kids with cancer? Its just phenomenal to me that someone would do that to that level. Charles Abe Abrahamson is a former commander of the Idaho American Legion who continued to serve in a senior statewide executive position in charge of finances for the military veteran nonprofit. Hes now at the center of an Idaho State Police investigation for at least $750,000 in alleged embezzlement of the organizations funds. Idaho State Police spokesperson Aaron Snell directed the Statesman to the agencys public records filing process when asked this week for an update on the investigation. ISPs public records division last month denied a request for agency documents related to Abrahamson, citing police investigation records that may deprive someone of their right to a fair trial or interfere with law enforcement proceedings. In the months since fellow senior Legion executives suspended Abrahamson without pay from his statewide adjutant job in April, a number of the roughly 8,000 members in Idaho have called for a change in leadership. The nonprofit is hosting its annual convention this weekend in Mountain Home the same city where Abrahamson made his home and it will include votes on who should steer the organization over the next year and beyond. Members at various levels, from state executives to the local chapters known as posts, appear to be at odds over the direction of the Idaho American Legion. The one thing they seem to agree on is ensuring that such a devastating incident, which threatens the Legions core mission for years to come, never be allowed to happen again. To that end, the Eagle chapter last month passed proposed amendments that its members plan to put up for a vote at this weekends convention to add two new statewide leadership positions. Eagle Post Commander Ralph Perez said he also hopes to see some accountability. The overwhelming consensus is that the American Legion Department of Idaho needs new leadership and additional safeguards to prevent this kind of scandal from ever happening again, Perez said in an email to the Statesman. As it has been for years under the current Good Old Boys Club running the department, if you speak out or raise concerns, as many members have done, you are marginalized, threatened and ostracized. That is how Abe Abrahamson was enabled to do what he has allegedly done, he added. It makes no sense to allow the same foxes guarding the hen house to stay in those positions after all the hens have been slaughtered. Abrahamson, who was commander of the Idaho American Legion from July 2018 to July 2019, has a criminal record that includes a felony grand theft conviction, repeat probation violations and several years of prison time, court records showed. As more seeps out about his history and his alleged theft, questions have grown about who in leadership knew what and when, and how the nonprofit focused on services for veterans and children should move forward. Abe had convinced us that all these things were fine, here was the documentation and we were just led down the primrose path, Skinner said. I agree that we should have been looking closer. But I think the wrong thing to do is to get rid of the people who are actually the people right now leading us down the path to recovery. The Moscow Nine The scope of Abrahamsons alleged fraud has come into sharper focus over the past few months. In recent years, his suspected activities spanned the state, including Latah, Blaine, Gooding and Bonneville counties, a Statesman investigation has documented. Previously reached by phone seeking comment on the allegations against him, Abrahamson hung up on a reporter. For former Moscow Post Commander Robert Isenberg, 71, a retired lieutenant colonel who served more than 30 years in the Army, the recent revelations are a long time coming. He was among nine members at one of Idahos oldest local chapters who was kicked out of the American Legion in 2020 by Abrahamson and other statewide leaders over what he said were contrived misconduct allegations. They were looking for ways to get to the posts financials, Isenberg told the Statesman in a phone interview. No doubt in my mind, that was their long-term goal. Isenbergs grandfather returned from serving in World War I in Europe and helped establish the American Legion in Milwaukee in 1919, he said. For decades, his entire family his father and his wifes father, his uncles, brother, son and his sons wife, who each served in the military were proud members of the American Legion. That is, Isenberg said, until he was removed by Idaho statewide executives without his knowledge while he was out of town. He called the experience traumatic, and said he was shown a restraining order and given no recourse to challenge the charges against him. He said the national American Legion then didnt respond to letters he wrote over his concerns about what was happening in Idaho. Today, when he meets fellow veterans and younger members of the military looking to get involved with local organizations, he said he actively steers them away from the American Legion. They ask what groups to join, and I make sure to tell them loud and clear, dont waste a nickel on the American Legion, he said. They let me down and every veteran in Latah County. The experience of being removed after 47 years at the Moscow post was equally disheartening for Ralph Holick. Over that time, he had twice served as commander of the post, and was its financial officer when he said Abrahamson and others kicked him out. The former U.S. Navy aviation electrician was served a list of charges, which he said were trumped up, about failing to follow various bylaws. But Holick, 81, argued that he didnt receive proper due process according to the organizations bylaws, referring to the formal hearings that led to his dismissal as a kangaroo court. It was held similar to a trial, and thats being polite about it, Holick told the Statesman by phone. In his opening statement, the individual handling the hearing said this is all about the money. It wasnt about bylaws. In the aftermath of the widespread embezzlement allegations against Abrahamson, Holick said he feels somewhat vindicated. He said he was pleased to hear of Abrahamsons removal, though he said it doesnt repair his relationship with the American Legion or fix what happened to him and the other eight expelled members. Im still bitter, you bet, Holick said. But my response to everybody that Ive had dealings with is that Im not out for revenge, Im out for justice. And itll always be a sore spot always. Idaho Mission Blue loan scheme In 2021, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abrahamson, in his role as adjutant, went to the Moscow post seeking money. Ultimately, Abrahamsons handling of the smallest amount of money he is accused of embezzling wound up leading to his downfall, Skinner said. Abrahamson approached the new post leaders in Moscow to secure a $20,000 loan that would be spread around the state to other posts with lesser means to survive looming financial hardship during the pandemic, then-Moscow Post Commander Rand Lewis told the Statesman. Abrahamson dubbed the program Idaho Mission Blue. With an attorney, Lewis drew up a two-page loan agreement, which Abrahamson signed. The Statesman reviewed a copy of the document, which Lewis confirmed was authentic, and it required full repayment with interest after two years. He was supposed to provide us with written updates as to what was going on and the status of the loan throughout the life of the loan, and he never did that, Lewis said by phone. So we kind of got a red flag starting to flash fairly quickly on it, but we assumed the loan would be paid off with the interest as agreed to. In February 2023, the loan came due, but Lewis said his repeated inquiries on when to expect payment received no response from Abrahamson. The spring and summer bled into the fall, and Lewis said he got his attorney involved, sending a demand letter for the money to the national American Legion when the statewide nonprofit never responded. I dont know how national works, thats way above my pay grade, said Lewis, who served 30 years between the Army and Air Force, including as a combat engineer. But all of a sudden, we started getting interest in our problem. In late November 2023, the national organization asked Idaho Commander Doug Huffman to look into and resolve the matter, Huffman explained to statewide membership in a May 2024 email obtained by the Statesman. Huffman, who is seeking a second term as commander this weekend, said Abrahamson told him that the Moscow funds were a grant instead of a loan. That was the dispute, but he signed a piece of paper that said it was that loan, Skinner told the Statesman, referencing the two-page agreement. Ultimately no evidence exists that any chapter ever received any financial assistance through the loan, Skinner said. He gave us a document to show the different posts that had been lent money to operate the post, and we talked to some of those posts, and that document was a fabrication, Skinner said. The statewide nonprofit now has a monthly plan in place, Lewis and Skinner said, to pay back the loan with interest to the Moscow post by the end of 2026. We had a signed contract, which really kind of couldnt be overlooked like the other stuff was, Lewis said. So we think we were at the cutting edge of finally bringing him down. Legion discovers falsified investment records Not long after Abrahamson coordinated the loan out of Moscow, an Idaho Legion member desired to establish an endowed scholarship fund to help needy students who wished to attend summer and vocational programs. The donor provided the organization with $100,000, Skinner said, and Abrahamson met with the man to collect the money and get the fund started. After some time passed, Skinner told the Statesman that the donor asked him to find out where the money was invested, given the intent was to use the accrued interest each year to fund the scholarships. When pressed, Abrahamson in February this year provided documents to the Idaho American Legions fellow executives that showed $30,000 invested in a low-interest savings account at Wells Fargo and about $70,000 at an investment firm for nonprofits in Idaho Falls called Trimp Wealth Management, Huffman told membership by email, and Skinner confirmed to the Statesman. A copy of the Trimp investment fund statement was obtained by the Statesman from a former Idaho American Legion executive committee member who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. That person told the Statesman that they provided the same record, along with several other documents, to the Idaho State Police to assist with their ongoing investigation into Abrahamson. Former Idaho American Legion Commander Charles Abe Abrahamson, left, with his wife, Robin Abrahamson, appeared during an interview with Idaho News 6 in January 2024. He is now under an investigation by Idaho State Police for at least $750,000 in alleged embezzlement of the military veteran nonprofits funds. Skinner confirmed the authenticity of the Trimp investment statement to the Statesman, as did former statewide Commander Ron Adams, who serves today as regional commander for the organization. Adams told the Statesman by phone that he was present at the February meeting where Abrahamson provided the documents. But statewide Legion leadership discovered that both the Wells Fargo and Trimp statements were fabricated, Skinner said. He said he learned that none of the $100,000 had ever been invested in either financial institution. I found out the whole thing was a scam, said Skinner, who lives in Idaho Falls and commands that local post. Theres no money there. They got a deal on historic Legion building When a local chapter in the American Legion falls below a dozen or so active members or interest in the organization wanes in a community, the statewide nonprofit gets involved to try to boost membership, Skinner said. Or the posts charter is turned in and its assets handed over to the statewide group until members seek to reestablish. American Legion bylaws dictate those assets should be held for at least three years before discharge, he said. After decades in operation, the Hailey post folded and its assets, including its historic two-story, 5,400-square-foot building on Main Street, were turned over to the statewide nonprofit. The buildings cornerstone contains ore from the mines that were active in the area when it was built in 1910, and its white brick edifice was shipped in from Salt Lake City, according to a city historical document. In March 2023, the Hailey building was sold to a retail tenant on the first floor, according to Blaine County Assessors Office records obtained by the Statesman. The warranty deed on file in that office includes Abrahamsons signature and the legal description states that the entire building sold in the real estate transaction. Local real estate firm Blaine County Title helped sell the Main Street property, the warranty deed showed, and Daryl Fauth, the companys president, confirmed this with the Statesman by phone. He said the building sold for $92,000, despite the property being valued by the assessor at more than $718,000 last year. Its assessed value has since increased to almost $808,000, Blaine County Assessor Jim Williams said in an email to the Statesman. If they bought it for $92,000, they got a deal, Williams said. The Commercial Building, right, on Main Street in Hailey is a historic two-story building in the citys downtown commercial core. Previously owned by the Idaho American Legion, a former commander in the military veteran nonprofit sold it to the downstairs retail tenant in March 2023. Married couple Randy and Barbara Murphy own Valley Tile & Floor and bought the building. Randy Murphy told the Statesman by phone that he didnt recall the purchase price, but that the building was set to be condemned and torn down to sell just the land, so instead they bought it, and he made necessary improvements himself. Thats why I got it how I got it, Murphy told the Statesman. I put thousands of dollars in that building to bring it to where it will still stand. He said he considered the deal closed and is not part of Abrahamsons problems in the wake of the embezzlement allegations. Fauth declined to comment when asked how he first came in contact with Abrahamson, citing privacy concerns over real estate transactions. He also declined to say whether the deal for the historic building created any concerns for him given the considerable difference between the final sale price and the countys valuation. It is unclear what year the Hailey post turned in its charter or whether the Legions three-year hold on its assets was followed, as required by the nonprofits bylaws. Charlene Lorino, the commander for the region in Idaho that includes Blaine County, said by email that the Hailey posts closure predated her time in the position, and directed the Statesman to Skinner for additional questions. Lorino now serves as the acting state adjutant in Abrahamsons absence. Skinner said he recalled hearing about the sale of the Hailey building in passing, but didnt know where its proceeds ended up. The Finance Commission would approve any such sale, and Skinner was unaware whether such authorization was granted. During that time, Abrahamson continued in his role as adjutant, the only full-time paid position at the Idaho American Legion. As the senior executive who directly assisted the statewide commander, he collected a yearly salary of about $45,000, plus $12,500 for expenses and another $1,500 to attend the annual national convention, Skinner said. Biggest mistake of my life Former Gooding Post Commander David White has waited eagerly as information has trickled out about Abrahamsons alleged financial misconduct in the Idaho American Legion. White, 76, like many honorably discharged veterans a requirement to join the American Legion sought to continue serving his community once he retired after 20 years with the Army and Air Force, including time in Vietnam. In rural Gooding County, he became commander of his local chapter and went to work, investing his time, money and effort into documenting the posts history, restoring the Legions local stature and fixing up its building, the War Memorial Hall. Have you ever tried to do something thats bigger than yourself? I saw an opportunity, White said in an interview with the Statesman. So I joined the American Legion because it encompasses all veterans, not just the ones that served in a combat zone, and Ive still got fond memories of my 20 years in the service. When White ran into some hang-ups in 2019, now three years in as the leader of the Gooding post, he said he reached out to the statewide nonprofit for help. Abrahamson responded. David White, a Vietnam military veteran and former commander of the Idaho American Legions Gooding Post, reminisces in his Gooding home about his 20 years serving in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. He was removed from his role in American Legion leadership by former Idaho statewide Commander Charles Abe Abrahamson in fall 2019. Seated inside his Gooding home mostly decorated with photos from a bygone era, framed military awards and the memories of his decorated career White said that was where it all went wrong. It was the biggest mistake of my life, he said. Abrahamson showed up to the Gooding post and began asking questions about the building and the chapters finances, White said. Before he knew it, White was removed from his position on three allegations of conduct unbecoming a Legionnaire, a copy of which he provided to the Statesman, in addition to his email correspondence about it with Abrahamson. Abrahamson a resident of Elmore County appointed himself the Gooding posts commander, records showed, and another recent member named James Woodward was placed in the posts adjutant role, which he maintains today. White showed up to the next chapter meeting to contest the allegations and his removal, and said he was issued a trespassing warning from Gooding police and told not to return. White has been trying to restore his reputation ever since. A few months later, in February 2020, Abrahamson brokered a deal to buy out the local chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars that co-owned the building, county assessor records showed. White said the Gooding posts new leadership then built a path to liquidating American Legion property, including potential sale of the building, through revised bylaws, a copy of which White obtained and shared with the Statesman. Its a real estate swindle, White said. There are no meetings of the American Legion. It is a phantom post. Today, the American Legion building on the corner of 3rd Avenue West and Idaho Street in Gooding sits mostly vacant. A placard in the window of the rundown cinder-block edifice references private event rentals, a Statesman reporter observed on a visit. The building maintains tax-exempt status as a charitable military organization, though Idaho statute says any revenues from business activities unrelated to the organizations core mission could lead to reassessment and possible fees. In April, the Gooding County Board of Commissioners asked Woodward to submit paperwork to renew the buildings tax exemption. Included in the records, obtained by the Statesman through the county assessors office, were minutes from a Gooding post meeting in mid-April, which listed attendance of four members in chapter leadership, including Woodward and Dan Danuser. Danuser, a 99-year-old World War II veteran, according to chapter records, lives in Gooding and at points has been listed as commander of the local post. Reached by the Statesman on his cellphone, Danuser denied ever being the post commander or having attended any meetings. Dennis Frisby, a prior Gooding post commander, told the Statesman in an interview at his home near War Memorial Hall that Woodward appointed him in 2021 to the position without his knowledge. Frisby said he and Woodward later spoke, and Woodward told him that the commander role came with no responsibilities, because there are no meetings, he said. Woodward, who told the Statesman that he is disabled with back problems, including from his service in the Army Corps of Engineers, said he didnt recall the conversation with Frisby. The Gooding post currently has about 30 members and only rents out the building sometimes, he said. The War Memorial Hall in Gooding houses the Idaho American Legion Post and receives public funds annually from Gooding County to operate as building for military veteran organization meetings. Its use by a member as a private rental space may brush up against its tax-exempt status under Idaho law. Frisby resigned the commander position in a letter to the national American Legion in April 2022, a copy of which the Statesman reviewed, out of concerns about being held liable for the organizations finances. He cited in his letter never having seen a membership roster, bank statement or the income generated through rental of War Memorial Hall. Its a defunct organization, Frisby told the Statesman. Im not going to be a commander, theres nothing to command. Open criminal investigation in Gooding County Woodward said it was a shock to him when he received a letter from the Idaho American Legion about the embezzlement allegations against Abrahamson. He last spoke with Abrahamson about a year ago, Woodward said, and sometimes worked half-days here and there doing oil changes and vehicle tuneups at an auto repair shop that Abrahamson and his wife, Robin Abrahamson, used to own in Twin Falls. Abe, as far as I can tell, was a good guy, Woodward said. Kind of down to earth. Former Idaho American Legion Commander Charles Abe Abrahamson, right, with his wife, Robin Abrahamson, appeared during an interview with Idaho News 6 in January 2024. He is now under an investigation by Idaho State Police for at least $750,000 in alleged embezzlement of the military veteran nonprofits funds. The Gooding County Board of Commissioners extended the War Memorial Halls tax-exempt status for this year. Gooding County also provides a yearly $4,500 donation to the American Legion toward its mission. Since 2019, when Woodward took over as the Gooding adjutant, that totals more than $23,000, according to an accounting obtained by the Statesman from the county clerk through a public records request. The same month the buildings exemption was extended this year, Woodward changed the mailing address for those payments to his personal residence in Gooding, Idaho secretary of state records showed. He told the Statesman that the public funds mostly go toward the War Memorial Halls utilities. White has continued to voice his concerns about the Gooding posts operations to the county commissioners, who told White they forwarded them to Gooding County Prosecutor Trevor Misseldine. In an email to the Statesman, Misseldine said he could not comment because of an open criminal investigation concerning the matter. White said he has persisted in garnering statewide and national attention about the alleged misdeeds within the states American Legion. He said he watches closely as the nonprofit deals with the fallout of Abrahamsons removal and the alleged financial fraud. Like White, Holick, the former longtime member of the Moscow post, said he hopes to see renewed mission and sense of purpose for the Idaho American Legion in the days and years ahead. I was just trying to do what was right for the post, for the American Legion and for the membership, he said. I was treated like basically a criminal. Were talking about veterans American veterans. Is that any way to treat your fellow servicemen? Claim: Coors, Walmart and ExxonMobil have all contributed money to The Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank leading the Project 2025 initiative. Rating: Rating: True Context: In past years, all three organizations have truly contributed money to The Heritage Foundation, usually via their private foundations. As of 2024, the Adolph Coors Foundation is the only one of the three organizations still publicly disclosing support for the conservative group. Further, in order to fully document and verify the full scope of this subject, we also reviewed evidence of all three organizations making past contributions to other groups presently named as advisory board partners of Project 2025. In the months leading up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, online users shared a rumor positing three specific businesses were among those who previously provided funds to the conservative Heritage Foundation the leaders of the Project 2025 policy initiative. Posts said Coors, Walmart and ExxonMobil contributed money to the think tank. For example, on July 8, 2024, the progressive Facebook page The Other 98% posted (archived), "The Coors family (beer), the Walton Family (Walmart), and Exon Mobile [sic] have contributed to the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025. You know what to do." The post received more than 23,000 shares. An online rumor claimed the Adolph Coors Foundation, Walmart's Walton Family Foundation and ExxonMobil all contributed to The Heritage Foundation, the leaders of the Project 2025 initative. Another Facebook user previously posted the same text on July 6. That popular post possibly the original one starting the rumor received more than 22,000 shares. Other users also later reposted the same rumor on Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Threads, TikTok and X. An online rumor claimed the Adolph Coors Foundation, Walmart's Walton Family Foundation and ExxonMobil all contributed to The Heritage Foundation, the leaders of the Project 2025 initative. The posts' mention of Project 2025 also known as the 2025 Presidential Transition Project refers to a conservative coalition's policy plan for a future Republican U.S. presidential administration. The Heritage Foundation formally announced Project 2025 in April 2022. As Snopes previously reported, people across the political spectrum expressed fears the initiative's proposed actions are precursors to authoritarianism. Further, the plan proposes recommendations to reverse protections for LGBTQ+ people, limit abortion access and stop federal efforts to mitigate climate change. The rumor promoted in the online posts claimed Molson Coors Beverage Co.'s family a reference to the Adolph Coors Foundation Walmart's Walton Family Foundation and ExxonMobil "have contributed to the Heritage Foundation." The text in the posts then mentioned Project 2025. In those terms, yes, this rumor is true. All three organizations have, in the past, contributed money to The Heritage Foundation the leaders of Project 2025 usually via their private foundations. FoundationSource.com defines a private foundation as an independent, legal entity set up for solely charitable purposes, with funds typically sourced from a single individual, a family or a corporation, which also receives a tax deduction for donations. In our research for this matter, we concluded the Adolph Coors Foundation is the only organization of the three appearing to presently and publicly still disclose support of The Heritage Foundation. Further, in order to fully document and verify the full scope of this subject, we also reviewed evidence of all three organizations making past contributions to other groups presently named as advisory board partners of Project 2025. The Project 2025 website defined its advisory board partners as follows: "A broad coalition of over 100 conservative organizations [that] has come together to form the project pillars." In our prior reporting, we reported the advisory board partners are a collection of groups under The Heritage Foundation's oversight that have co-signed the effort, given feedback on its proposals or promoted the initiative to government officials. The Project 2025 website also added the following disclaimer: "The opinions of Project 2025 and The Heritage Foundation do not necessarily represent the opinions of every one of its advisory board partners." We contacted all three organizations named in the posts to ask about past contributions to The Heritage Foundation and requested comment about Project 2025. A spokesperson for ExxonMobil returned our phone call and asked about our story, but did not return our email including our questions sent after the call. We received no further responses from any of the organizations within 48 hours. Adolph Coors Foundation The website for the Adolph Coors Foundation published its purpose, in part, is to "[place] a high priority on programs that help youth to prosper, encourage economic opportunities for adults and advance public policies that reflect our nation's founding principles." The foundation's website displayed a "featured projects" page (archived). That page featured three "highlights," one of which named The Heritage Foundation: The Adolph Coors Foundation is proud of be a long-time funder of The Heritage Foundation. Heritage's mission is to formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. In 1973, Joseph Coors, one of our Foundation's founders, was instrumental in the creation of The Heritage Foundation. In 2023, Heritage celebrated its 50th anniversary fighting for America's future, mobilizing the conservative movement and training new leaders who will lead America in the future. Please visit the following link to learn more about The Heritage Foundation and its policy work: https://www.heritage.org. We referenced Adolph Coors Foundation's tax documents reported by both ProPublica and SourceWatch.org. According to those tax documents, the Adolph Coors Foundation contributed $1,325,000 to The Heritage Foundation between the tax-filing years 2008 and 2022. In our research of the foundation's tax filings, we noticed names of other organizations also now associated with Project 2025's many advisory board partners. For example, the filings named The Claremont Institute; The Heartland Institute; Hillsdale College; Leadership Institute; Mackinac Center for Public Policy; and Media Research Center. Additionally, the conservative organization The Federalist Society which is not listed on Project 2025's advisory board partners list also appeared in the foundation's filings. Walton Family Foundation The Walton Family Foundation describes itself on its website as "[continuing] a philanthropic vision begun by Walmart founders Sam and Helen Walton." The website's grants page (archived) featured a search box allowing users to easily locate past contributions. The website displayed contributions to The Heritage Foundation from 1992 through 2018 totaling $650,000. We noted the foundation's website also displayed past contributions to other organizations presently named as Project 2025's advisory board partners, including American Compass in 2022 and 2023 (totaling $300,000); The Claremont Institute between 1994 and 1998 ($277,000); Discovery Institute in 2015 ($200,000); Foundation for American Innovation in 2023 ($119,456); Heartland Institute between 2002 and 2017 ($420,000); Independent Women's Forum between 2016 and 2022 ($525,000); James Madison Institute between 2012 and 2015 ($290,000); Mackinac Center between 1999 and 2012 ($470,000); National Center for Public Policy Research in 1997 ($97,000); Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs between 2014 and 2020 ($2,155,630); Pacific Research Institute between 1995 and 2014 ($875,000); and Texas Public Policy Foundation between 1995 and 2022 ($1,030,000). ExxonMobil The ExxonMobil corporate website hosts a page titled, "Philanthropy and social contributions." The page begins its description of the company's efforts as follows: "ExxonMobil works closely with the communities where we operate to identify and invest in initiatives that help support their needs. We collaborate with governments and local stakeholders to invest in programs that promote local economic growth and help improve social conditions." We researched page archives for ExxonSecrets.org provided by the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. ExxonSecrets.org previously hosted links to official tax filings and forms mentioning ExxonMobil Corporation's private foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation. Those filings were titled, "Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments." Most of the links directed users to PDF files originally hosted on an old Greenpeace website, greenpeaceusa.org. According to the documents which spanned the years 1998 through 2012 ExxonMobil contributed at least $730,000 to The Heritage Foundation. ExxonMobil Corporation and ExxonMobil Foundation both contributed funds. We uncovered no further contributions from ExxonMobil to The Heritage Foundation for years following 2012. (The DeSmog.com website, an organization launched in 2006 "to clear the PR pollution that is clouding the science and solutions to climate change," published further information about this matter and a slightly higher contribution amount total from ExxonMobil to The Heritage Foundation.) Similar to the Adolph Coors Foundation and Walton Family Foundation, ExxonMobil's years-old documents named several organizations that later became some of Project 2025's advisory board partners. For example, the documents mentioned the American Legislative Exchange Council; The Heartland Institute; Independent Women's Forum; Institute for Energy Research; Media Research Center; National Center for Public Policy Research; and Texas Public Policy Foundation. The documents also listed contributions to The Federalist Society, which again was not listed as a Project 2025 advisory board partner. In 2016, The Heritage Foundation published, "ExxonMobil is not currently a contributor to The Heritage Foundation; however, their last contribution amounted to .05 percent of The Heritage Foundation budget." Sources: "Adolph Coors Foundation." SourceWatch.org, https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Adolph_Coors_Foundation. "Advisory Board." Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project, https://www.project2025.org/about/advisory-board/. Brugger, Kelsey. "Inside Heritage's Plans for a 2025 GOP Administration." E&E News by POLITICO, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.eenews.net/articles/inside-heritages-plans-for-a-2025-gop-administration/. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2006 Contributions and Community Investments: Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 2006, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328034333/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4381. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2007 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments: Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 2007, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328034459/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4586. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2008 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments: Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 2008, https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/gcr_contributions_public_policy08.pdf. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2009 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments: Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20100722075258/https://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/files/gcr_contributions_pub-policy09.pdf. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2010 Contributions and Community Investments: Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 2010, https://web.archive.org/web/20110807140436/https://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/files/gcr_contributions_pubpolicy-2010.pdf. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2011 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments. ExxonMobil, 2011, https://web.archive.org/web/20120904190618/https://www.exxonmobil.com/corporate/files/gcr_contributions_highered11.pdf. Exxon Mobil Corporation 2012 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments: Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 2012, https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/1019890/2012-exxon-giving-report.pdf. "ExxonMobil Community & Development." WebCite Archive, ExxonMobil, 5 July 2012, https://webcitation.org/68w7Tt51X. "ExxonMobil's Funding of Climate Science Denial." DeSmog, https://www.desmog.com/exxonmobil-funding-climate-science-denial/. "FACTSHEET: HERITAGE FOUNDATION." ExxonSecrets.org via Internet Archive Wayback Machine, https://web.archive.org/web/20210322034944/https://exxonsecrets.org/html/orgfactsheet.php?id=42#src21. "Featured Projects." Adolph Coors Foundation, https://www.coorsfoundation.org/featured-projects/. Form 990-PF: Return of Private Foundation. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2010, https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2011/510/172/2011-510172279-0816d5a9-F.pdf. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2011, https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2012/510/172/2012-510172279-092fad86-F.pdf. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2012, https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2013/510/172/2013-510172279-0a30f8f1-F.pdf. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2013, https://990s.foundationcenter.org/990pf_pdf_archive/510/510172279/510172279_201411_990PF.pdf. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2014, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6986096-Adolph-Coors-Foundation-2014-990.html. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2015, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6986081-Adolph-Coors-2015-990. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2018, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20511702-adolph-coors-foundation-2018-990. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2019, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22041083-adolph-coors-foundation-2019-990. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2020, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/22062736-adolph-coors-foundation-2020-990. ---. Adolph Coors Foundation, 2021, https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23854177-adolph-coors-foundation-2021-990. ---. ExxonMobil, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328033342/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4390. "Heritage Announces 2025 Presidential Transition Project, Hiring of Paul Dans to Direct New Initiative." The Heritage Foundation, 14 Apr. 2022, https://www.heritage.org/press/heritage-announces-2025-presidential-transition-project-hiring-paul-dans-direct-new. Hirsh, Michael. "Inside the Next Republican Revolution." Politico, 19 Sept. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/09/19/project-2025-trump-reagan-00115811. Ibrahim, Nur, and Aleksandra Wrona. "What's Project 2025? Unpacking the Pro-Trump Plan to Overhaul US Government." Snopes, 3 July 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/07/03/project-2025-trump-us-government/. "Policy Agenda." Project 2025 Presidential Transition Project, https://www.project2025.org/policy/. Public Information and Policy Research. ExxonMobil, 1998, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328033124/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4385. ---. ExxonMobil, 2001, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328033553/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4388. ---. ExxonMobil, 2002, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328033801/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4386. ---. ExxonMobil, 2003, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328033922/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4389. Public Information and Policy Research: 2005 Worldwide Giving Report. ExxonMobil, 2005, https://web.archive.org/web/20210328034214/https://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4387. Suozzo, Andrea, et al. "Adolph Coors Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer." ProPublica, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/510172279. Winter, Emery. "Claim about Coors, Walmart and Exxon's Ties to Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 Need Context." VerifyThis.com, 10 July 2024, https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/business-verify/project-2025-heritage-foundation-coors-walton-walmart-exxon-mobil-donation/536-90c6af54-b737-4206-ad56-e8f694aac82a. "What Is a Private Foundation." Foundation Source, https://foundationsource.com/what-is-a-private-foundation/. SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket has completed 350 missions since its debut in 2010. File Photo by Joe Marino/UPI July 13 (UPI) -- SpaceX's prolific Falcon 9 rocket was grounded after a rare malfunction resulted in a failed satellite mission in California. The reusable Falcon 9 booster, which has powered numerous Starlink missions as well as crewed flights for NASA and the International Space Station, experienced an issue during the launch Thursday night of 20 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, according to a thread on X. During flight, the Falcon 9's second-stage booster did not complete its second burn as intended, causing the batch of satellites to be deployed into a lower than desirable orbit, SpaceX said. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday the missions are halted, including in Florida, as the agency and SpaceX investigate. SpaceX said it found the upper stage of the booster suffered a "liquid oxygen leak." Liquid oxygen is used as an oxidizer for the rocket's fuel. With the Starlink satellites unable to reach target orbit, they are at the mercy of Earth's gravity. SpaceX said Friday it made contact with 10 of the 20 satellites and was trying to bring them up to target orbit using their ion thrusters. Company founder and CEO Elon Musk posted on X, which he also owns, "we're updating satellite software to run the ion thrusters at their equivalent of warp 9. Unlike a Star Trek episode, this will probably not work, but it's worth a shot." The remaining satellites will likely burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. SpaceX said the satellites are designed to disintegrate on reentry, so they don't pose a risk to people or property on the ground. Thursday's incident is a setback for Falcon 9, which otherwise has had a stellar record. Since its debut in June 2010, Falcon 9 has launched more than 350 missions, including 13 crewed flights. Falcon 9 experienced one catastrophic failure in its lifetime. An explosion in June 2015 cost SpaceX a robotic Dragon cargo capsule that was bound for the ISS. The rocket was grounded for six months pending an investigation The rocket again exploded just before the launch of a satellite mission in September 2016, causing it to be grounded for nearly five months. Thursday's failure, while not catastrophic, puts SpaceX up against the clock as Falcon 9 is scheduled to run two more crewed missions within the next couple of months. The rocket is scheduled on July 31 to fly tech billionaire Jared Isaacman and three other crew members into orbit in a private mission dubbed Polaris Dawn from Kennedy Space Center. SpaceX likely won't reach that target date, but Isaacman said he doesn't expect to wait long. "SpaceX has an incredible track record with Falcon 9. I can say from personal experience they are very transparent when issues arise," he said on X. "I have no doubt they will arrive at a cause quickly and ensure the most cost-effective and reliable launch vehicle keeps delivering payload to orbit. As for Polaris Dawn, we will fly whenever SpaceX is ready and with complete confidence in the rocket, spaceship and operations." Also in Florida, Falcon 9 was slated to launch a vital resupply mission to the ISS next month to support the Starliner crew and other astronauts on board. "Crew safety and mission assurance are top priorities for NASA," the agency said in a statement. "SpaceX has been forthcoming with information and is including NASA in the company's ongoing anomaly investigation to understand the issue and path forward." And a Starlink 10-4 mission was set to lift off before dawn Sunday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and another early morning one had been scheduled for Wednesday. If you invested $10,000 in shares of coffee giant Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) 30 years ago, you would have well over $900,000 today. It's been a great long-term investment, but 2024 has been a different story. As of this writing, Starbucks stock is down 24% year to date, greatly underperforming the S&P 500's nearly 17% gain. What are coffee aficionados to do when looking for a caffeinated investment opportunity? As it turns out, there are two other coffee stocks outperforming the broad market this year: Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) and Black Rifle Coffee (NYSE: BRCC). Here's what investors need to know. SBUX Chart 1. Dutch Bros Dutch Bros is a drive-thru coffee chain with 831 locations as of the end of the first quarter. And business is booming. In Q1, the company's same-store sales were up a whopping 10%, and this number is quite noteworthy. Once a location has been open for 15 months, Dutch Bros considers it part of the comparable-store base for measuring same-store sales. It's opened over 150 new locations in the past year, and these newer shops are excluded from that figure. This metric is a good way of monitoring the health of the business with an established base of customers. Dutch Bros' 10% same-store sales growth last quarter was partially due to an increase in customer traffic. This stands in stark contrast to Starbucks in its fiscal 2024 second quarter (ended Mar. 31) when the company saw a 7% year-over-year drop in transactions in North America -- the same time and place Dutch Bros was enjoying solid growth. This doesn't mean Starbucks is doomed. But management's commentary about the weather and the need to offer better promotions to drive traffic has a hollow ring to it when looking at the results from Dutch Bros. Dutch Bros stock has climbed this year on the strength of its Q1 results. The brand indeed seems healthy, which is good in light of the company's goals. Management plans to open at least 150 new locations this year, and it intends to continue opening new locations at a brisk pace as it marches toward 4,000 locations long term. Given the brand's popularity, this could be a winning strategy, and it's one of the most aggressive growth plans in the restaurant industry. 2. Black Rifle Coffee Black Rifle Coffee sells coffee beans and grounds direct to consumers through a subscription service. It also operates a select few stores, has ready-to-drink options in convenience stores, and is increasingly getting its products into major retailers such as Walmart. And its growing presence in retail stores -- known as wholesale revenue -- is what's really impressing investors right now. Story continues The comparison to Starbucks is again enlightening. In its fiscal 2023, channel development revenue for Starbucks was roughly flat year over year -- this includes coffee in grocery stores and ready-to-drink products at convenience stores. But management noted a drop in ready-to-drink sales last year. In the first half of fiscal 2024, Starbucks' channel development revenue is down 10% year over year. In part, this is due to the sale of its Seattle's Best Coffee brand, but management also noted "SKU optimization," which could mean it pulled some products from shelves because they weren't selling well. By contrast, Black Rifle Coffee seems to be thriving in grocery stores and convenience channels. In Q1 2024, the company's wholesale revenue increased 51% year over year compared to a 48% increase in distribution, suggesting it's generating more sales per point of distribution. When it comes to ready-to-drink coffee products, Black Rifle Coffee is now in nearly 87,000 doors as of last quarter, up 38%. And data suggests the company is growing sales in its areas of distribution faster than comparable products. Moreover, management recently restructured operations for its ready-to-drink business, hoping to drive better profitability as production scales for these products. Black Rifle Coffee stock hit an all-time low in late 2023, which is important context for its gains in 2024 so far. However, investors have been increasingly encouraged as the brand has found traction outside of its traditional subscription business. It's why the stock is winning so far this year. Don't count it out completely, but Starbucks does have some work to do when it comes to winning back some customers and boosting its profit margins. By comparison, Dutch Bros and Black Rifle Coffee are early in their growth stories. Considering both companies have long-term expansion plans, these stocks could continue to outperform the industry leader and the broad market. Should you invest $1,000 in Starbucks right now? Before you buy stock in Starbucks, 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 Starbucks 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 $791,929!* 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 July 8, 2024 Jon Quast has positions in Starbucks. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Starbucks and Walmart. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Starbucks Stock Is Underperforming the S&P 500 in 2024, but These Other 2 Coffee Stocks Are Soaring. was originally published by The Motley Fool Family of man killed in Lawrence Co. dog attack speaks on new animal control ordinance LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A new animal control ordinance is going into effect in Lawrence County after an 83-year-old man was attacked and killed by a dog in June. However, his family says it isnt enough. On Friday, the Lawrence County Commission voted to adopt section 3-1-5 of the Alabama code, which essentially means that dog owners need to put measures in place that would keep their pets from running off. 37-year-old woman arrested after domestic shooting in Huntsville County Commissioner Amard Martin says one of his first calls when he worked in law enforcement dealt with vicious dogs. He said the adoption of this ordinance is a good first step. We shouldve done this 20 years ago but Im glad that were able now to try and move forward and try to get some things done. News 19 spoke to two of Nortons granddaughters who say they are glad that this section of the Alabama code will go into effect, however, they dont feel as though its enough. Nortons family says they have made previous reports about the dog involved in the attack. They told us that they dont believe their reports were taken seriously by law enforcement and want to see irresponsible dog owners held accountable. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App The granddaughters also said they were surprised to hear the commission voted to craft a resolution to honor their grandfather, but they havent been contacted by the commission about when that will be presented to them. The idea for the resolution was brought to the commission by Martin. He died in a horrific way, dogs tearing him apart and its very horrific and to me, hes a hero and I wanted to make sure that he was honored, Martin said. An attorney for Lawrence County said the honorary resolution for Norton will be presented at an upcoming commission meeting. They added that the law was not previously adopted in the county, because as it is written, it is only mandatory for cities to enforce. The law states any person who is caught violating it will be charged between $2 and $50, plus court costs. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Family sues police after dog died as officers held them at gunpoint during traffic stop Family sues police after dog died as officers held them at gunpoint during traffic stop BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) Last year, a family rushing to save their dogs life was stopped by the cops and held at gunpoint. KRQE Investigates first reported on the intense traffic stop where at the time, the Albrecht family caught in the crosshairs of police guns, knew officers should not act the way they did. Today, that family has filed a civil rights lawsuit that aims to drive that point home. Latest from KRQE Investigates Theres hurt, theres hurt, William Albrecht told KRQE News 13 during a September interview. Since he and his family were stopped for speeding along 550 in the Town of Bernalillo last year trying to save their dog Stellas life, theyve wanted to share their story and make a change. I just could not believe the treatment that I was getting, Albrecht recalled. The message is, you cannot afford to hire people that abuse the people that are supposed to be protected and served, Civil Rights Attorney Shannon Kennedy told KRQE News 13. Its untenable. Its unsustainable. It must stop, she added. Its a message Kennedy is sending to the Town of Bernalillo and its police department in a civil rights lawsuit for that traffic stop KRQE Investigates first exposed. Lapel video shows former Bernalillo Police Officer Jeramie Nevarez immediately pointing his gun at Albrecht, ordering him out of the car. Step back! Step f**** back! Nevarez shouted. The officer directed Albrecht into traffic and ignored pleas from the family trying to explain their dog needed to get to the vet. Backup arrived and officers continued with a felony stop. Albrechts wife and 16-year-old son were also held at gunpoint. Albrecht was handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car without explanation. Sir, my dogs bleeding out of its mouth! Albrecht pleaded. I dont give a f***! Officer Nevarez replied. This is inexplicable, immediate escalation of confrontation, explained Kennedy. The Kennedy law firm is no stranger to seeking justice from those who abuse their power. Ive been practicing for 30 years, said Shannon. Mr. Kennedy, a little longer. Their lawsuit against Bernalillo claims that Albrechts constitutional rights were violated. The lawsuit claims the Town of Bernalillo is liable for officers and public employees acts, which amounted in this case to claims of assault, battery, false arrest, and false imprisonment of the Albrecht family. I mean, every day people are pulled over for speeding and theyre not drawn down on, said Kennedy. So I dont know whats in the water in the Town of Bernalillo. Were going to find out and were going to make sure that people driving through that town are safe. Nevarez has since been fired. He was later arrested on a domestic violence charge. That battery case against him is still pending. Sadly, its not surprising, said Kennedy. She explained psychological screenings are required in New Mexico when officers are hired and should flag people like Nevarez. Sometimes theres pressures to get more officers on the street, so the standards are lowered and then theres no accountability, said Kennedy. Its disappointing. The Albrechts werent cited for speeding that day. They were eventually let go without explanation, even cursed by the officer as they drove off. F*** d*** h***, Nevarez cursed as Albrecht drove away. F*** him! F**** b****! The individuals that are caught on camera acting in such a disparaging, disgraceful way should be terminated and they shouldnt be rehired by other departments, Kennedy said. I just think there should be zero tolerance for this kind of abuse of power. Shanon Kennedy, Civil Rights Attorney The Albrechts dog Stella didnt make it. What if this dog was a grandmother? What if this dog was a baby? Kennedy said the lack of consideration from the officers involved gave her pause. What if someone is speeding to get emergency medical care for a beloved family member and theyre drawn down on? I just wonder where is the leadership? KRQE News 13 reached out to Bernalillo Police and the Mayor to see if other officers involved in the stop were disciplined. We did not hear back by air time. Kennedy and the Albrechts want administrators to take note. Were also going to let the townspeople know, for whatever reason, you are employing as a community people in uniform and with guns that are acting in an abusive, dangerous manner, said Kennedy. And its something that needs to be changed. While the civil rights lawsuit plays out in Sandoval Countys District Court, Jeramie Nevarez has a plea hearing in his battery case scheduled for next week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Fatal crash causes roadway shutdown in Las Vegas, expected to last 8 hours Fatal crash causes roadway shutdown in Las Vegas, expected to last 8 hours LAS VEGAS (KLAS) At least one person died in a crash near the Spaghetti Bowl in Las Vegas, leaving traffic through the exchange shuttered Saturday morning, law enforcement officials said. The post on X came just before 8 a.m., when Nevada State Police officials disclosed that the exchange between northbound I-15 to southbound US-95, US-95 southbound to I-15 southbound, and I-15 southbound to US-95 southbound were all closed due to the crash. At the time, officials said the roadways were expected to be closed for eight or more hours. This embedded content is not available in your region. No information was immediately disclosed about the specifics of the fatal crash. Nevada State Police did not say how many people were hurt or killed in the crash, or how many vehicles were involved. Commuters were asked to avoid the area. This is a developing story. Stay with 8newsnow.com for more information as it becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The U.S. District Courthouse in Baltimore. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines. A federal judge in Baltimore threw out a First Amendment challenge to the 2021 law that imposes a tax on internet ads in Maryland. In a 20-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby granted the states request to dismiss the case, writing that plaintiffs in the case used hypothetical invoices to show how the law would be unconstitutional as applied. She added that the record before the court, and the plain reading of the Pass-Through Prohibition, does not support plaintiffs argument. Griggsby wrote that the text of the law makes clear that there are many applications of this statute that would be constitutional and would not implicate the First Amendment. At bottom, the statutes unconstitutional applications do not substantially outweigh its constitutional ones. For this reason, Plaintiffs have not shown that they can prevail on their First Amendment facial challenge to the DATAs [Digital Advertising Tax Act] Pass-Through Prohibition. Under the laws pass-through provision, companies can adjust pricing to account for the tax. They cannot, however, do so with a fee or surcharge and cannot add a line item to invoices that accounts for the presence of the tax. We are disappointed with the decision, which recognized that Maryland is restricting the speech of businesses yet failed to hold the law unconstitutional, said a statement from Jennifer Dickey, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Litigation Center vice president and deputy chief counsel. The Constitution protects businesses right to speak to their customers about taxes that affect their prices. Dickey did not respond to questions about the potential for appealing the ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond. The ruling is the latest blow to large tech industries seeking to overturn the tax, which is the first of its kind in the country. Those same companies have at least four other cases working through tax court that lawyers say could overturn the law. Sen. President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), who sponsored the legislation three years ago, applauded the ruling. He said in a statement that he was pleased that the court upheld a constitutional and fair program that ensures digital advertising platforms contribute to the long-term success of Marylands children through our world-class education system. A spokesperson for Comptroller Brooke Lierman did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling. In 2021, the Maryland General Assembly passed the digital ad tax that imposes a tiered tax on internet ad revenue in Maryland. The state could collect as much as $250 million annually, according to legislative analysts. The funds are earmarked for the Blueprint for Marylands Future education program. Then-Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed the measure but the legislature, with its Democratic supermajority, overrode the governor. Under the law, companies reporting $100 million of gross global annual revenue are subject to a 2.5% levy. The tax increases in increments of 2.5% to a maximum rate of 10% levied against companies reporting more than $15 billion in gross global revenue. Companies subject to the tax are prohibited from passing the tax on through a fee or surcharge. The so-called pass through language restrictions were one of four grounds forming the basis of the federal court challenge. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, NetChoice a trade group representing large technology and social media companies and the Computer & Communications Industry Association claimed the pass-through restriction amounted to a content-based speech restriction that insulates lawmakers from responsibility for the act. In two separate 2022 rulings, Griggsby dismissed the four claims. First, in March 2022, she dismissed the first three counts of the lawsuit including claims the law violated the Internet Tax Freedom Act, the Commerce clause and due process clause. Nine months later, Griggsby dismissed the First Amendment claim as moot. In January, a federal appeals court judge upheld the March ruling but remanded the First Amendment claim back to the lower court for consideration. The law has also been the subject of lawsuits in state court. An Anne Arundel Circuit Court judge ruled the law was unconstitutional but that ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court of Maryland. Meanwhile, big tech firms including Apple and Meta took their case to Maryland Tax Court to try to thwart the law. Those cases remain open. On Wednesday, attorneys representing Google and Meta, in an online seminar with the California Tax Foundation, predicted Maryland courts would overturn the law as early as the fall because it violates the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act, according to Bloomberg Tax. The post Federal judge dismisses First Amendment challenge to digital ad tax appeared first on Maryland Matters. A group of Georgias federal lawmakers have introduced legislation in U.S. Congress to get Atlanta the funds it needs to upgrade its water infrastructure and facilities. The legislation comes in response to the water main crisis in June, when thousands of Atlantans went without water for several days as a series of water main breaks caused disruptions to traffic, utilities and even events in the city. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock introduced the City of Atlanta Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act in the U.S. Senate while Rep. Nikema Williams introduced a companion bill for it in the U.S. House of Representatives. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In June, Ossoff, Warnock and Williams delivered nearly $1 million from the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to pay for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to review Atlantas aging water system. Now, the legislation filed by the three lawmakers aims to provide $100 million to go toward upgrading the citys aging utility. TRENDING STORIES: However, previous remarks from Mayor Andre Dickens indicate that the $100 million, while a chunk of the funding needed, would only cover about 10% of what the project needs. After the water crisis had officially ended and recovery was underway, city officials reviewed the water system with Army Corp of Engineers staff. In remarks following the review, Dickens told Channel 2 Action News that billions of dollars may be needed to fully upgrade the infrastructure. As previously reported, many of Atlantas pipes were put in place in the 1920s, 30s and 40s, meaning some are as old as 80. Dickens said the age of the system and the need for upgrades meant that the city would need to request aid from the federal government. I will be asking the feds for more money, lots more money. I want us to be the example of solving it, all of it, and thats going to be a number in the bs, billions. Its not going to be a small number, Dickens said in June. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The Biden administration recently announced a move to preserve expanses of land in Alaska previously targeted for road construction and mining development and assure protections for "fish and wildlife habitats that are important to native communities' way of life" in the area, Reuters reported. Two measures from the federal Bureau of Land Management focus on 28 million acres of the 49th state, and particularly land in the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, which would be crossed by the proposed 211-mile road project from Arctic mining company Ambler Metals. The project, known as Ambler Road, planned to expand mining in a previously inaccessible region, The Wilderness Society noted, which "would have allowed environmentally destructive development and threatened subsistence resources for the region's remote communities." It's a stark contrast from a decision by the Trump administration that had removed the area's conservation status, Reuters stated, adding that when environmental analysts from the Department of the Interior considered the possible impact of development on the region's population and food supply, they concluded it "would harm subsistence hunting and fishing in up to 117 native communities." Many members of Native communities voraciously opposed the Ambler Road. "The Ambler Road will pierce the heart of the lands that our people have depended on for thousands of years," the Alaska Native tribal consortium Tanana Chiefs Conference said. The measures come on the heels of other recent calls from the Biden administration that support the conservation of natural resources in the Arctic, including, per the BLM, "ensuring the entire United States Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing" and protecting habitats and migratory patterns for wildlife such as caribou, polar bears, and birds. "Alaska's majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world," a statement from President Joe Biden reads. "These natural wonders demand our protection." The analysis is promising but not final. The Department of the Interior won't release a final decision for weeks, The Washington Post reported June 28. Brimming with hopeful energy? Let it power one action today to protect precious wildlife and resources. Read up on climate news, explore a clean energy swap, support eco-friendly brand choices and pro-climate political candidates, and plan sustainable travel. Stunning natural landscapes await. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A suspect stole three vehicles Friday in three different counties before being arrested in Lancaster County, authorities say. According to the Union County Sheriffs Office, a man stole a vehicle out of Charlotte, drove into Union County then wrecked it near Marvin. FedEx confirmed to Queen City News that this belonged to one of their delivery drivers. The suspect then found another vehicle to steal, a BMW SUV, the Lancaster County Sheriffs Office said. VIDEO: Chester County police chase ends in truck going airborne, fentanyl arrest The BMW wrecked with a Chevrolet pickup truck on Charlotte Highway just north of the city of Lancaster. Deputies say a passerby stopped to help, and as he checked the driver of the pickup, the suspect stole the passerbys Toyota work truck. While on S.C. Hwy. 9 headed west, the Toyota eventually crashed around 3:15 p.m. The driver was taken into custody and transported to a medical center. FedEx offered the following statement on their stolen truck: Safety is our top priority, and we are grateful no one was seriously injured. We are cooperating with law enforcement, and any questions should be directed to local law enforcement. The extent of the suspects identity and injuries are unknown at this point. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating the nations two largest dialysis providers over allegations they illegally thwart smaller competitors, according to three people with knowledge of the probe. The investigation focuses in part on how the companies make it difficult for the physicians who work in their clinics to leave for rivals and start new businesses, said the three people, who were granted anonymity to speak about a confidential matter. The agency is investigating whether noncompete agreements the companies require doctors to sign snarl efforts by rivals that want to make it easier for dialysis patients to be treated at home. The investigation began earlier this year and is in its early stages, the people said, and examines the business models of the two companies, DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care, which dominate the U.S. dialysis market, controlling at least 70 percent of outpatient clinics. Though neither company is a household name, their clinics are found in suburban shopping malls, big-city downtowns and rural communities in the U.S. The probe is the latest effort by the FTC, which has become one of the Biden administrations top corporate cops. Alongside its counterparts at the Justice Department, the agency has leveraged its regulatory power to curb corporate concentration across the economy a key part of the White Houses economic agenda. The agency has scrutinized Amazon over anticompetitive pricing and a large anesthesiologist group over monopolization allegations in Texas; has challenged mergers in a number of markets, including groceries and mattresses; and is expected to sue three health care companies over skyrocketing insulin costs. We are cooperating with the commission staff to answer their questions and demonstrate the advantages of our structure in serving the kidney care community," said DaVita spokesperson Karen Modlin. "We are confident the analysis will show that we have enhanced competition and that our practices promote valuable investments for the betterment of physicians, clinic staff, and patients. Spokespeople for the FTC and Fresenius declined to comment. The noncompete agreements under the microscope concern nephrologists, who specialize in treating kidney disease. More than a half-million Americans receive dialysis treatment, which removes waste from the blood when their kidneys cannot do the job. Fresenius is also the largest supplier of dialysis machines used in hospitals, clinics and at home, and supplies DaVita with machines for home use. Both Fresenius and DaVita which serve a majority of patients in clinics sign contracts with doctors to serve as medical directors in their clinics. Those contracts typically include noncompete provisions during, and for some time after, they expire. Those include bans on doctors serving as medical directors in any competing setting, including a patients home, in the same geographic market. States, including California, have banned noncompete agreements outright, while others such as Delaware, Rhode Island and Massachusetts bar them specifically for doctors. The FTC is seeking to ban most noncompetes nationwide, but is facing a skeptical judge in Texas who appears inclined to strike down the regulation. Overturning the noncompete ban doesnt prevent the FTC, or any other plaintiff from challenging the contracts in court on a case-by-case basis. The American Society of Nephrology has expressed its support for the FTCs noncompete rule. Restrictive covenants imposed by these companies can limit the ability of a nephrologist or entire group of nephrologists to provide services at competing centers, the group wrote in a public comment. These restrictive covenants allow dialysis companies to establish and maintain monopolies in communities with already scarce and limited access to care by barring competition from entering the market and severely limiting patient choice. Home dialysis technology has greatly improved in recent years, said Paul Conway, head of policy and former president at the American Association of Kidney Patients. And home care is a vastly different experience for patients, he said. But if you're a young doctor and you're aggressive and you want to have a larger group of home patients and you're working for a company that doesn't really have that, why should your creativity and ambition and talent to help people be limited by that? Scott Bieber, a nephrologist with Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and a medical director with Fresenius, said that because of billing changes in recent years, home dialysis has become more profitable, and both DaVita and Fresenius are expanding that option. But that doesnt solve the problem, he said: Nephrologists feel they are trapped by the clauses, which can lead to fewer employment options for doctors and treatment options for patients. The clauses also can make it difficult for the upstart device companies, he said. A number of companies including Quanta, Deka Research and Development and Outset Medical are making a new generation of dialysis machines for the home market. Conway said home dialysis access is improving, but slowly. To some degree, it's gotten easier, said Conway, who served as chief of staff to George W. Bush administration Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, and is a former dialysis patient. But we do not think that it is actively offered to all patients. Market concentration in the sector has long drawn FTC scrutiny. In 2019, Fresenius bought home dialysis equipment maker NxStage after agreeing to sell overlapping assets. The FTCs two Democratic commissioners at the time including current Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter criticized the settlement saying it didnt go far enough and that it could harm competition in the market for home treatments. And in 2021, DaVita sold several clinics as part of an agreement with the FTC to complete a deal in Utah. Earlier this year, Fresenius sold dialysis clinics in several South American countries to Davita. The relationship between doctors and the clinics is complicated. The medical director positions, which typically supplement a nephrologists main practice, are very lucrative, he said. They are a guaranteed source of income that doesnt flex up or down, like the rest of their practice, which allows them to operate a more stable business. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated under which administration Elaine Chao served as labor secretary. It was the George W. Bush administration. Felicity Kendal said 'I am not obviously Jewish but I am proud to be Jewish' - Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock Felicity Kendal has worn a Star of David necklace since Oct 7 as she said she is proud to be Jewish. The Good Life actress, 77, converted to Judaism in her thirties after being drawn to the religion despite her Catholic upbringing. Speaking to The Times, Kendal described feeling like she had found home in the Jewish faith and revealed that she has decided to start wearing her gold Star of David necklace all the time. Following the Hamas terror attack in Israel, she said: I am not obviously Jewish and I am not widely known to be, but I am proud to be Jewish. How can I not speak? Having worn the symbol of Jewish identity only occasionally before, Kendal said that two comments a day apart caused a shift in her mentality after the October attack. One woman in Chelsea, west London, told her she was brave to wear the necklace as it could be a bit dangerous, while another in Battersea Park, thanked her for displaying her faith openly. I was quite taken aback, Kendal said, adding: Would people say anything like that to someone wearing a cross or a turban? It made me think, right, I am wearing this all the time now, and I do. If someone might find a little piece of jewellery insulting or inflammatory then we are in a really tricky place as a country. Where does it end? Kendall said that every Jewish person she knows feels that anti-Semitism is growing in light of the war in Gaza and that it needs to be calmed down. I feel more and more that there is a misunderstanding that every Jewish person on the planet is responsible for the war in Gaza, she added. This has to change because it is not true. Hate must stop Clarifying that she is no politician, she explained that there has to be a ceasefire on both sides. Israel has to stop and Hamas has to stop too, and give back the hostages. Everyone should join the cry for peace. That is what is important. All this hate must stop. She added: I do not have the answers. People are being killed and terrified on both sides, but where are the brilliant minds trying to solve it? They are not the ones in charge, thats for sure. Felicity Kendal starred with Richard Briers in 1970s sitcom The Good Life - BBC Kendal also spoke about processing the death of her second husband of 50 years, Michael Rudman, the American theatre director who died on March 30 last year, aged 84. Speaking about her struggles with grief since then, she said: It is good to talk about these things. Theres a lot of stiff upper lip with death. People avoid it or say things like, Im sorry you lost your husband. I actually hate that. Its as if you have lost the cat. I havent lost Michael; he is dead. We are all at one point or another going to have to deal with similar things, so lets be open about it. She added that his life had been crammed full until his last couple of years, where he faced health setbacks and had full-time carers in the house. He was quite angry during the last month, Kendal said. He wanted to go on forever. 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. Fetterman doubles down on Biden support as calls to withdraw increase: Cut the s Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) defended President Biden Saturday, showing confidence in Bidens ability to win in November, as calls continue to mount for him to pass the torch following a rocky debate showing against former President Trump last month. Democrats, stop worrying about Joe Bidens legacy and think about yours, Fetterman wrote on social media platform X. Abandon a great president after a rough debate or stand with the only person who ever beat Trumps [a] into dust. All must choose, but were headed for assured mutual destruction if we dont cut the [sh], he added. In an interview Friday on CNNs The Source with Kaitlan Collins, the freshman senator acknowledged that while polls may be close, he said he believes Biden will ultimately win Pennsylvania his home state. Fetterman added that Keystone State voters are excited for the incumbent. Not one single person has approached me as a Democrat and said, Joe Biden, we gotta get rid of Joe, Fetterman told host Kaitlan Collins. Regular people in Pennsylvania are excited for Joe Biden, and I witnessed that when I was in Philadelphia last week. Joe Biden is going to be okay in Pennsylvania, but its gonna be close, he said. Pennsylvania is one of several swing states that Biden must win to secure the presidency. The Hill/Decision Desk HQs polling index shows Trump with 48.7 percent support compared to the presidents 44.7 percent. Republicans are also attempting to flip Sen. Bob Caseys (D-Pa.) seat in a hotly contested race. Fetterman has spent much of the last two weeks criticizing Democrats who have called on Biden to stand down as the partys nominee after the poor debate showing, where he stumbled over his words, lacked energy and sounded raspy. Biden and his campaign have attempted to quell concerns with live interviews and rallies since the June 27 debate, but at least 19 Congressional Democrats have urged the incumbent to pass the torch. Actor George Clooney, a lifelong Democrat and fundraiser for the Biden campaign, has also called on the president to stand down. Fetterman pushed back on the calls in his interview with Collins. Its maybe 18 or 19, maybe 20 Democrats in Congress have now asked Joe Biden to step down, he said. So that means well over 90 percent of Democrats in Congress right now is right there with Joe Biden, at this point. So, I think thats more meaningful to reflect what you know where we are as a party on that at this moment, Fetterman added. Instead, he continued, it is more important to focus on Trump and his alleged ties to Project 2025, a conservative agenda put forth by the Heritage Foundation that could fundamentally restructure the U.S.s government, which Democrats have latched onto as a way to hit the former president and Republicans heading into Novembers election. Fetterman believes that both Biden and Casey will win reelection but said Democrats must unite behind Biden. I want to be clear, Joe Biden can beat Trump, he said. But Joe Biden cant beat Trump and the New York Times and this whole apparatus of other people and consultants and all these people just keep riding his back week in and week out. The Pennsylvania senator was referring to an op-ed from New York Times editorial board following the debate pressing Biden to withdraw his candidacy. The Times renewed that call in a subsequent post earlier this month, saying the president was embarrassing himself. Biden, however, has maintained that he intends to finish the race and beat Trump in the fall, writing off the debate showing as a bad episode. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gage Skidmore/ZUMA Press Wire / Shutterstock / Gage Skidmore/ZUMA Press Wire / Shutterstock Former President Donald Trump, leading in the polls for the next president of the U.S. as of July 10, 2024, has long been the GOP favorite for claiming the Oval Office. And droves of Republicans have been putting their money where the preference is, throwing down millions of dollars to support Trump in his run to reclaim his position as commander-in-chief. Read Next: Should Trump Eliminate Income Taxes? Heres What Tax Experts Say Check Out: 5 Subtly Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money Since Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts in May, financial contributions to back him have poured in, according to his campaign, which said it received $34 million in the hours immediately following his conviction. Though some, including Republicans, insist that Trump is not the right choice for president, particularly in light of his felonies, donations to the Trump campaign are flooding in. Heres a look at the nine biggest donors all of whom have tossed in at least $5 million to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024, according to OpenSecrets. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $5,000,000 The Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Foundation has been around for nearly 40 years. The foundation and its founders, Laura and Isaac Ike Perlmutter, support cancer research, the exoneration of wrongly convicted criminals and first-responder organizations, among other groups. According to the foundations site, it has donated more than $78,000,000 to various causes and missions. Learn More: Im an Economist: Heres My Prediction for the Housing Market If Trump Wins the Election CrownQuest Operating Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $5,000,936 Based in Midland, Texas, but operating in several areas of the continental U.S., CrownQuest is an active driller looking to expand its leasehold in the Permian Basin. Energy Transfer LP Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $5,007,719 Energy Transfer is a midstream energy company in North America with more than 125,000 miles of pipelines and associated energy infrastructure in 44 states, dedicated to transporting oil and gas products. Hendricks Holding Co Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $5,013,650 A private holding company, Hendricks Holding Company, Inc. (HHC) invests in and oversees a variety of companies many of which are in the manufacturing and transportation space. McMahon Ventures Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $5,250,000 Story continues According to Bloomberg, McMahon Ventures, LLC provides management consulting services. Little other information about this organization is available. America First Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $6,007,770 There are a few organizations that have some variation of the words America First in their title; it is unclear which of them is so generously backing Trump, but OpenSecrets marks America First Action and America First Policies among its affiliates. Bigelow Aerospace Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $9,182,000 Headquartered in Las Vegas, Bigelow Aerospace is a general contracting, research and development company that focuses on achieving economic breakthroughs in the costs associated with the design, development and construction of habitable space structures for private enterprise and government use, according to the companys website. Uline Inc Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $10,009,176 For over 40 years, Uline, a family-owned business, has been a leading distributor of shipping, industrial and packaging materials to businesses throughout North America. Timothy Mellon Amount contributed to the Trump campaign as of June 21, 2024: $75,000,000 Trumps biggest donor by far is Timothy Mellon, an extremely wealthy investor and known political donor who has helped fund Donald Trumps Super PAC, while also giving millions for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the third-party candidate, in his 2024 bid to claim the Oval Office. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These Are Trumps Biggest Donors So Far How Much Have They Contributed? The new Diversion Hub facility, shown in this rendering, is expected to cost $14 million to build. Final architectural plans for a new and permanent location for the Oklahoma County Diversion Hub were recommended by MAPS 4 advisers Thursday. Pending city council approval Tuesday, the complete plans and specifications for the site at 1216 Linwood Blvd will go out for bid Wednesday, with contractor selection expected in August and construction to start as autumn begins. The MAPS 4 Diversion Hub facility will serve as the new headquarters for a nonprofit organization partnering with multiple agencies to provide stabilizing services to people navigating the criminal justice system. The nonprofit coordinates various programs at its current location on 220 NW 10, including client education, employment navigation, probationary services, family counseling, mental health and substance abuse support. The two-floor building will span 35,575 square feet more than three times the Diversion Hub's current 10,000-square-foot space. Rachel Bundy, a longtime project manager with the REES Associates architecture firm, said that furniture coordination for the interior is being arranged and artists have been selected to create public art on the walls of the lobby. One of the things that the Diversion Hub wanted to prioritize was just making sure that it was a welcoming and comfortable space for their clients, so we worked to really open up this space and provide a lot of natural light, Bundy said. More: Public-private partnerships help provide Diversion Hub resources to help prevent incarceration The Diversion Hub, looking southwest, is shown in this rendering The project is being funded by $13 million from MAPS 4 and a land contribution worth $2 million from the Arnall Family Foundation. $1 million originally allocated for land acquisition has been instead added to the total $14 million construction budget, with updated cost estimates coming in just slightly under budget at $13.95 million. From an experimental effort to services for more than 1,700 Architects hope construction will start in September, but for Meagan Taylor, the executive director of Diversion Hub, the new building can't come soon enough. She heads a nonprofit born out of efforts in 2019 to address Oklahoma's disproportionately high incarceration rate. We had hundreds of people that we were serving from the get-go, but it was kind of overwhelming in sort of a good way, Taylor remembered. But were in a really good place with the onsite programs we have right now. Were low-barrier which is rare in the criminal justice system. Most of the programs that youll ever work within the criminal justice system are high-barrier, and there are pre-reqs to qualify and several conditions. What started out as an experimental effort of five employees, Taylor said, has since grown to a staff of nearly 60, working to connect an average of 1,777 clients with 13 onsite partner agencies providing various types of assistance. A former prosecutor, Taylor said many issues stem from lack of access to resources, which often complicate peoples chances of avoiding a return to jail, including unpaid fines and failures to appear in court. I've seen just the hoops that those create for people that have no hope, that are trying to get through a broken system and are trying to do the best they can, Taylor said. More: A court diversion program saved his life. Now he guides others through the program The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board also reviewed and recommended agreements for the project's real estate donation, lease and management, parking and utilities, and temporary access and construction easements for the eventual contractor. The Diversion Hub of Oklahoma County is donating that land thats immediately around the (new) building, MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. They are keeping the parking lot area. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Plans for new Diversion Hub complete, construction to begin Sept. 2024 Finland's parliament passed a law on July 12 granting border guards the authority to block asylum seekers crossing from Russia. This decision followed the arrival of over 1,300 people, prompting Helsinki to close its border. Finland has accused neighboring Russia of weaponizing migration by encouraging migrants from countries like Syria and Somalia to cross the border, an assertion the Kremlin denies. Helsinki believes Moscow is promoting the crossings in retaliation for Finland joining NATO, which supports Ukraine against Russia's unprovoked war. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's right-wing government emphasized the bill's importance in preventing future arrivals, even though it conflicts with Finland's international human rights commitments. "This is a strong message to Russia, a strong message to our allies, that Finland takes care of its own security, we take care of the security of the EU border," Orpo said at a press conference following the vote, according to Reuters. Since last summer, more than 1,300 asylum seekers have crossed over from Russia, but there had been no new arrivals since March until July 11. After the parliamentary vote, the Finnish Border Guard released a statement reporting that one person had crossed the border illegally that day and applied for asylum after being caught by a border guard. Finland closed its land borders with Russia late last year. Read also: Zelensky calls NATO Summit success, but experts warn of green light for Russian aggression Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Photo illustration by Getty Images. We are in our first American Devolution, not a second American Revolution. Americans must decide whether to curb our further freefall toward fascism, in an effort to keep democracy based in an evolving constitutional republic, not a devolving one. This alarming message occurred to me after observing the convergence of three factors: Long-past and recent United States Supreme Court decisions, especially since 2021; reemergence of Donald J. Trump as the presumptive presidential nominee for the Republican party; and a 2023 playbook to end our democracy, published under the ominous title, Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise: Project 2025: PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION PROJECT. The democracy destruction playbook was authored by 29 writers and two editors associated with the politically conservative organization known as the Heritage Foundation. As reported March 13, 2024, by the Washington Spectatora non-profit news organizationthe playbook was bought and paid for with funding from the Koch Network and Leonard Leo. During a July 2, 2024, podcast of Real Americas Voices War Room, Kevin Roberts, the Heritage Foundations president, asserted the United States is undergoing the second American Revolution. This assertion is a grotesque mischaracterization because the convergence is more accurately described as our first American Devolution when previously hard-won rights and protections are taken from us. Abortion rights for women is one example. A second example is the U.S. president is now above the law, given both presumptive and absolute immunities from criminal prosecution. That can now be enjoyed by all presidents, including former President Trump, according to the Supreme Court. In a final example, the Supreme Court decided that courts cannot simply defer to a governmental agency for interpretation of an ambiguous law, which is likely to result in more expensive consumers goods and services. The obvious problem is courts are experts in law, not other topics. Readers should be aware the Koch network is led by oil billionaire Charles Koch while fellow conservative activist and wealthy attorney, Leonard Leo, is the longtime executive vice president of the Federalist Society, backed by billionaire Chicago industrialist Barre Seid who transferred more than $1.6 billion into the control of Leo, according to a New York Times report on Aug. 22, 2022. Together, groups linked to Koch and Leo spent more than $55 million to fund creating the playbook, according to a March 21, 2024, NBC news report. The NBC report was made possible by working with Accountable.US, a progressive advocacy group. Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, said dark-money groups linked to Leo, influenced shaping the current Supreme Courts conservative supermajority made possible under Trump. Tips for identifying fascism come from the remarkable Rod Serling who fought in the Philippines during World War II but hoped to fight Nazis in the European theatre. He was also the writer for the Twilight Zone television episode titled, He Lives, in season four. According to Serling, to appeal to a group you must first join them by speaking to them in their language at their level. Make their fears your fears; make their hate your hate. If they are poor, talk to them about poverty. If they are afraid, talk to them about their fears. And if they are angry, give them objects for their anger. But most of all, make this group an extension of yourself. The tactics are blatant to anyone who has been closely observing Trump since June 2015. In the tradition of influential American writer Henry David Thoreau who inspired the great Indian political ethicist, spiritual leader and lawyer, Mohandas K. Gandhi and our own great American Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., I argue when a governmental body interprets and creates laws that are above the power of justice and accountability, the law itself has devolved to the status of being an unjust law. Published in 1849, Thoreau wrote on page 11 of his book Civil Disobedience that Unjust laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them. They think that, if they should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the evil. It makes it worse. Gandhi and Kings answers were unambiguous non-violence movements that were successful through active resistance and civil disobedience. All citizens and voters have a choice: Support democracy or embrace devolution. Jeff Havens is a resident and voter in Helena, Montana. He is a former science teacher and investigative news reporter near Chicago who focused on public corruption A night-flying helicopter drops water on flames as the Thompson fire burns July 2 in Oroville, Calif. (Ethan Swope / Associated Press) The first wildfire death of the 2024 season was reported Friday as California sweltered through scorching temperatures this week. Human remains were found in a structure that burned Monday in the Mina fire near Covelo, Mendocino County officials confirmed. The body is still being identified by the coroner's office but is believed to be that of a 66-year-old woman who was reported missing by her family. Officials said she had last been seen near the structure, where she was trying to extinguish the flames that began when a burn pile got out of control and started the wildfire. The Mina fire first sparked Monday and has since burned almost 100 acres but was 85% contained by Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire. The recent heat wave has taken a heavy human toll throughout the state. Read more: Motorcycle tour of Death Valley turns fatal as thermometer cracks 128 degrees Last weekend, a motorcyclist died in 128-degree temperatures at Death Valley National Park and a man died from heat in Sacramento. In the Bay Area, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner was investigating 19 potential heat-related deaths as of Friday, including those of four homeless people, one in transitional housing and 10 older adults over the age of 65 years old. During July alone, the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Emergency Department treated 22 people who complained of heat illness, compared with 21 cases in all of June and 11 cases in May, according to an agency spokesperson. Saturday brought a respite from the hot weather in Southern California, however. The National Weather Service predicted scattered showers and thunderstorms in Southern California on Saturday, along with some cooler temperatures over the weekend that could finally bring some temporary relief to the heat wave. National Weather Service meteorologist John Dumas said despite potential wet weather and lower temperatures, fire risk may only increase. In a pattern referred to as virga, the moisture in the middle layers of the atmosphere will fall as rain, but evaporate before hitting the ground. "Unfortunately, the lightning can still make it," Dumas said, which might spark new wildfires. A red flag warning has been issued until 9 p.m. Saturday for the mountain and foothill regions of Los Angeles County, according to the weather service, along with the Antelope Valley and valleys of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, Ojai and Casitas Valley. Dumas also said the heat will decrease by one or two degrees over the next few days, leading to "almost normal temperatures" by Monday or Tuesday before a new heat wave is expected to roll through Southern California. So far, the 2024 wildfire season has resulted in more than 3,600 blazes that have burned more than 228,000 acres, scorching a far greater swath of land than the average for this point in the year. Fires have destroyed or damaged at least 148 structures, officials said. Several continued to burn Saturday. The Bluff fire erupted suddenly Friday about noon near Banning in Riverside County, burning 50 acres and prompting an evacuation warning. The fire was 75% contained as of Saturday morning. Read more: 'Unprecedented' heat wave in California brings death, fires, all-time highs The blaze was first reported near Bluff Street and Mias Canyon Road, near the Banning Sportsman's Club, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. On Friday afternoon, Cal Fire issued an evacuation warning for north of Sunnyslope Cemetery, the entire Banning Bench area, west of Hathaway Canyon Road and east of Bluff Street, south of the Forest boundary. But after firefighters stopped the blaze's spread by mid-afternoon, officials lifted the evacuation warnings around 5 p.m. Also in Riverside County, the Pauba fire was first reported around 1:31 p.m. near State Route 79 and Pauba Road in the Temecula area, Cal Fire said. The blaze had burned 101 acres and was 50% contained. In San Bernardino County, the Vista fire had scorched more than 2,800 acres and was 31% contained as of Saturday morning, , according to Cal Fire. The blaze first ignited July 7 around 10 a.m. near Lytle Creek; evacuation orders were issued for the Mt. Baldy Ski Resort and the Pacific Crest Trail from Lytle Creek to Mt. Baldy. The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District warned about poor air quality in the Victor Valley area due to smoke from the Vista fire. The advisory is in effect through Sunday. In Santa Barbara County, the Lake fire the largest active blaze in the state was 19% contained Saturday morning after scorching 38,004 acres, according to Cal Fire. The blaze began on July 5 and grew quickly as firefighters on the ground struggled to access the flames despite persistent heat and difficult terrain. Three recreational residences were destroyed and an outbuilding and campground was damaged, according to officials. At one point, the fire came within a mile of Sycamore Valley Ranch, formerly known as the Neverland Ranch owned by Michael Jackson. Capt. Scott Safechuck, spokesperson for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, said Saturday morning that more than 3,400 personnel were working around the clock to extinguish the fire. Crew members have made a "visible difference" on the south side of the fire, where flames could previously be seen from Santa Ynez and the Lake Cachuma area, Safechuck said. Despite unusually high temperatures in the evening that worsen fire risk, firefighters had made some nighttime progress with controlled burns of dry vegetation and a helicopter that dumps water in the dark. Those coordinated efforts have "really been successful for us eliminating a lot of the threat on the south side," Safechuck said. "That is really good for community safety, because that's where a lot of the structures were threatened," he said. "We are making a huge improvement in that area." Firefighters are still working to control the burning in the backcountry, where challenging terrain has made it more difficult to extinguish the hot spots. Safechuck said fire crews have wrapped structures in the line of fire with aluminum foil-like material to prevent their burning. Read more: Heat waves are growing hotter and more prolonged. What's driving extreme temperatures? The heat wave that has scorched California for several days has only made fire conditions worse. For the Los Angeles area, thunderstorms forecast over the weekend could raise the risk of igniting new wildfires. Thunderstorms are expected to move in from the southeast Saturday afternoon and move over the mountains and deserts of Los Angeles County, the mountains of Ventura County and interior portions of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County, according to Joe Sirard, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. There's a 10% chance of showers over the coasts and valleys of L.A. County. Rainfall amounts will be highly localized and difficult to predict, depending on the location. Elevated fire conditions continue to be widespread across Southern California due to high temperatures. Sirard warned residents to avoid activities, such as campfires, that could ignite flying embers. "Any lightning strikes ... could spark new fires so that's obviously a concern," he added. Due to high temperatures in the Palm Springs area, California State Parks closed the Skyline Trail at Mount San Jacinto State Park. Hikers have been rescued during recent heat waves due to dehydration and heat exhaustion. 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. Legendary fitness guru Richard Simmons passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, according to TMZ, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. Richard Simmons Died One Day After His 76th Birthday MEGA TMZ reported that law enforcement sources revealed that the fitness star passed away at his Los Angeles home earlier today, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. They were told that foul play is not suspected at this time. Simmons, known for his infectious energy, rose to fame in the 70s and 80s after opening a series of gyms, and then later releasing dozens of popular fitness tapes and DVDs. Fans were drawn to Simmons thanks to his positive, enthusiastic energy, as he helped people enjoy fitness and lose weight in a fun way. He eventually stepped out of the limelight after many years of fame. The Blast has reached out to Lauren Santillana, Public Information Manager for the City of Beverly Hills, but has yet to receive confirmation on his death. Richard Simmons Celebrated His Birthday On Friday MEGA On Friday, the fitness icon celebrated his 76th birthday. He took to Facebook to share a birthday-related post as well as gratitude for all the well wishes. After sharing some backstory about his life in the post, he thanked everyone who sent him birthday wishes. "When I taught class at Slimmons, on my birthday they would have special cakes made for me. One was a sheet cake airbrushed with my picture on it.one was a Barbie doll and her dress was the cakealso what about that cake with a big Disco ball on top. It was my birthday when we taped Groovin in the House .that one was a three-dimensional three-foot cake in the shape of one of my Dalmatians You know I cried," Simmons wrote on Facebook. So many of you have sent me birthday wishes on my Facebook and other platforms. I really appreciate that. I dont know when your birthday is but I wish you a happy and healthy birthday! Love, Richard." The Fitness Guru Was 'Grateful' To Be 'Alive' To Celebrate His 76th Birthday MEGA Simmons, who stepped out of the spotlight 10 years ago to live a quieter life, told PEOPLE that he was planning to blow out a candle to mark his birthday on Friday. "But the candle will probably be on a zucchini," he said. "You know, I'm a vegetarian." He also told PEOPLE how he was feeling and what he planned to do for his birthday. "I feel good. I am grateful that I'm here that I am alive for another day," he said. "I'll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people." Richard Simmons Was Recently Treated For Skin Cancer On His Face MEGA Simmons also shared that he recently underwent a painful treatment for skin cancer on his face. He shared the information on social media to help bring awareness to others about the importance of health checks. "I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has had cancer. Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check-up," he wrote in his post. "Tell the ones that you love that you love them. Hug those people and children who you really care for. A big hug really goes a long way." The Fitness Icon Posted On Facebook On Saturday Morning On Saturday morning, Simmons shared a post on Facebook simply captioned, "Hello gorgeous! Please dont rain on my parade." Many fans dropped into the comments to share their love for Simmons and well wishes. And others, once hearing of his passing, shared their condolences. "Richard, you will be so missed. Your life was THE parade. How many you motivated to join you. You walked before and so many followed you. Because of your spirit and heart. We love you and will miss you. Thank you for sharing yourself with us," one person wrote. Another added, "Gonna miss your daily posts." One other fan wrote, "I am so shattered, you helped me SO much, especially after escaping an abusive relationship. You made me feel like I had worth. You helped SO many people. There is a gigantic hole in the world." A helicopter long lines the capsule containing a sample collected from the Bennu asteroid as part of NASAs Osiris-Rex mission from where it was retrieved to a clean room at the U.S. Armys Dugway Proving Ground in Dugway on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News It turns out if you live in Utah and near a military installation, China or North Korea might be your neighbors. They have significant land holdings, according to records, steadily acquiring the acreage over the years. Its not just foreign controlled companies, it is the nation states themselves that have purchased land and Utah is in the top five in the country for the amount of land acreage at risk. Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman, is attempting to change the course in Utah with legislation passed earlier this year. Her bill, HB516 prevents countries North Korea, China, Iran and Russia from buying land in Utah. And it goes further. If those countries, or foreign controlled companies with a 51% ownership, have land holdings, it has to be relinquished in a year. I have tried to help people see why this is so important to Utah for a couple reasons the first being this is a major national security concern, she told the Deseret News. She added that the multiple national agencies have published reports and sounded the alarm that China is purchasing land and in proximity to military installations. The law she got passed requires coordination with the Utah Department of Public Safety to document those land holdings. The agency is compiling a database on land holdings in Utah and sets in motion a way to reverse that course. Basically, as Pierucci described it, the land in question has to be relinquished in a year. The state will take over, buy out any U.S. interests in that particular acquisition and then put the rest of the proceeds in the general fund. If the action appears extreme, it is, but the alarms have been sounding for some time. Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, was an original co-sponsor of legislation trying to tackle the problem on the national level. A National Public Radio report detailed the issue of increasing land purchases by countries such as China and its implications. Although Chinese-owned land is a tiny fraction of all foreign-owned land in the U.S., its purchases have raised fears that the Chinese government could have control, through the Chinese corporations, over U.S. assets or gain access to U.S.-based information. Indeed, during the past four decades, Chinese companies and investors have bought up land in the U.S. as well as purchased major food companies like Smithfield Foods, the United States largest pork processor. Corporations own the majority of that land. Now legislation in Congress would restrict Chinese ownership of U.S. land. In Utah, that land is less than 40,000 acres which seems small given the size of the state. Pierucci and others want to stop the problem from growing. A jury has awarded a former Anderson County employee with a $5.95 million verdict against the county government and William T. Jones, the county's former circuit court clerk, on allegations of sexual harassment and subjecting her to a hostile work environment. U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley Jr. issued a judgment order July 11 awarding Amy Ogle, a former deputy clerk in the Anderson County Circuit Court Clerk's office. The order was issued following a two and a half-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Knoxville. Ogle was awarded: $4 million in compensatory and punitive damages against Jones $1.95 million in compensatory damages against Anderson County Calling her a "very brave" woman, Ogle's lead attorney Richard Collins praised the 44-year-old Anderson County native for "sticking with the case" and "doing what was right for her and her family." "We're very pleased with the results (of the trial)," he said in a brief phone interview July 12. "It was a very abusive environment," he said in describing Ogle's work in the circuit court clerk's office under the 55-year-old Jones. In February 2018, as reported in The Oak Ridger, the Anderson County Commission unanimously approved a resolution asking Jones to resign from his position because of sexual allegations made against him by four of his former or current employees and one citizen. Jones did not resign and continued to seek re-election to the position he'd held since 2014. He lost in the May 2018 Republican primary to Rex Lynch. Lynch won the race for circuit court clerk, and having no Democratic challengers, he was elected to the position he still holds. Jones has continued to deny the allegations of sexual harassment, which was reiterated in the pretrial order. At the time of the county commission's 2018 resolution, Jones had issued a letter that stated in part, "While some minor offensive joking may have taken place, I categorically deny any actions which would create a hostile workplace. I suspect these false allegations are politically motivated with convenient timing." The Oak Ridger reached out July 12 to Jones, his attorney, and the attorney for Anderson County for comments on this verdict and case. The news organization received no response. Attorneys representing Ogle said through the pretrial order that Jones subjected the women working in his office from 2014 to 2018 to "a hostile work environment based on sex." "Jones's harassment varied from woman to woman, but nearly all experienced or were exposed to unwelcomed sexual advances, unwanted touching, requests for sex and sexual favors, displays of pornography, intimidation, retaliation, and epithets offensive to women. "He referred to Ms. Ogle as his 'prissy b**ch' in the presence of her co-workers, and he would constantly subject her to lewd advances, requests for sex, and inappropriate touching. Jones conditioned Ms. Ogle's job, pay and job benefits on her tolerance of his abuses. He required her to send photos of herself to keep her vacation time, and early in her employment, he told her that she would not get another pay raise until she 'got out of her shyness,' a threat Jones smugly carried out." The Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton. Anderson County response Attorney Arthur F. Knight III, representing the county, denied that Ogle was sexually harassed at any point by anyone employed by the county government or any unlawful acts, according to the pretrial order. The written pretrial order was signed on behalf of the attorneys for Ogle, the county government and Jones, who was represented by lawyer Hugh B. Ward Jr. Ogle's attorneys, which included co-counsels Dan Stanley and Ursula Bailey, stated that Anderson County "failed Ms. Ogle and all of the women working under Jones" by not enforcing basic antidiscrimination and antiharassment policies and training required by law. They stated the first sexual harassment complaint against Jones was made to the county human resources department in 2014 and it was not until February 2018 that county commission censured Jones for creating a sexually hostile work environment. The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith covers Oak Ridge area news. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter@ridgernewsed. Support The Oak Ridger by subscribing. Offers available at https://subscribe.oakridger.com/offers. This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Former Anderson County clerk wins $5.95M suit over sexual harassment LAPD Assistant Chief Al Labrada, right, held a news conference with his lawyer Jeremy Tissot regarding allegations of him stalking a lower-ranking officer he was romantically involved with. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) Former Los Angeles assistant police chief Alfred "Al" Labrada has retired from the department after a disciplinary board found that he secretly tracked a fellow officer he was romantically involved with and then tried to cover his tracks, according to three sources familiar with the case. The board found Labrada guilty Monday of all seven counts he faced, including that he lied to internal affairs detectives and tried to persuade a witness not to testify in a department investigation into the matter, according to a source who requested anonymity to discuss the normally secret proceedings. The three-member panel was supposed to reconvene in October to decide on an appropriate penalty for Labrada, who faced termination. But Labrada confirmed through a spokesperson Friday that he was leaving the department; his retirement is retroactive to July 1, the spokesperson said. An email to the LAPD seeking Labrada's work status was not immediately responded to Friday. The panel's unanimous ruling represents a startling fall for an official who was second in command to then-Chief Michel Moore and seemed poised to potentially take the reins of the the department. The case against Labrada stems from allegations by LAPD Officer Dawn Silva, who said he placed an Apple AirTag under the bumper of her car to track her movements while the couple were ending their domestic partnership. Under the citys charter, LAPD disciplinary hearings play out like minitrials, with evidence and witnesses, in front of a three-member panel. With very few exceptions, the proceedings are held behind closed doors, in windowless hearing rooms in the Professional Standards Bureau's office on Figueroa Street. Read more: Officer claims LAPD failed to protect her after alleged AirTag monitoring by assistant chief The Labrada hearing, which was spread out over several weeks, was described to The Times by someone familiar with the case who was not authorized to speak publicly. The panel of three civilians heard evidence suggesting Labrada tried to cover up his actions when confronted about Silva's allegations. Among the charges leveled against Labrada by the department is that he lied to internal affairs. The panel heard that Labrada initially told investigators he had purchased AirTags to track his luggage while he was on a Caribbean cruise. But after investigators obtained a search warrant for his city-assigned phone, they found screenshots in its "Recently Deleted" folder suggesting he had used the devices to monitor Silva's movements on numerous occasions over several months. In a statement Friday, Labrada lashed out at what he described as "the political influence that has tainted the Board of Rights and LAPD Internal Affairs process." "Having witnessed firsthand the lack of a fair process, I am now more determined than ever to fight for the officers whose lives have been impacted by this flawed system. Furthermore, I am deeply disappointed in the failures of the Internal Affairs process," the statement read. "In achieving the rank of Assistant Chief, the second highest position within the LAPD, I never expected that my impeccable service record and three decades of dedication would be marred by a malicious and unfounded attack." After The Times reported on the allegations last fall, Labrada was relieved of duty, demoted to commander and recommended for termination, pending a disciplinary panel known as a board of rights that would determine whether he would be fired. The department's probe also revealed that Labrada unpaired the tracking devices from his phone almost immediately after receiving a call from Moore telling him he was under internal investigation. Investigators also uncovered text messages they described as threatening and possessive that Labrada sent to Silva during their relationship. Read more: LAPD cant get rid of their bad cops. Heres what they want to do about it In one message, he reportedly warned her not to "be bending over for" other men, using a Spanish homophobic slur. In others, he sent her knife emoji and wrote "be good or cut you" and demanded repeatedly to know if she "loved him." The department also accused him of trying to coerce a witness in the case, another LAPD officer, into not testifying, reportedly threatening to reveal damaging information about the officer. In presenting its case, the department called several witnesses to testify, including Silva and Assistant Chief Daniel Randolph, who told the panel that Labrada's actions after being put under investigation suggested a consciousness of guilt. Labrada's attorney called several former senior LAPD officials to testify about his character during the proceeding, including former Deputy Chief Dennis Kato, who testified that he had known Labrada since Labrada was a young sergeant and that he had always found him to be upstanding. Robert Arcos, now a top-ranking official in the Los Angeles County district attorney's office who has applied for the LAPD police chief job, described his former protege as a hard worker and strong advocate for the Latino community. But when pressed by an attorney for the department, Arcos said he would recommend removing any employee who, like Labrada, was found to have lied. Attorneys for the department argued that, because of concerns about his credibility, Labrada would no longer be allowed to testify in court. Before his demotion, Labrada had been one of the highest-ranking Latinos in the department's history. He has repeatedly denied that he purposely tracked Silva. This year, he filed a government claim against the LAPD a precursor to a lawsuit accusing Moore of violating his due process by publicly discussing his case before it was resolved. Moore, he alleged, had often been more lenient, a double standard that emerged when Moore didn't take a similar action against another top former LAPD assistant chief who had an inappropriate relationship with the same woman as Labrada. Silva has sued the city, alleging department officials failed to protect her from backlash after she accused Labrada. She has a temporary restraining order against him, which is set to expire next year. As a condition of the order, Labrada is barred from possessing any firearms unless he meets certain conditions. In his claim, Labrada accused Moore who retired at the end of February, but said he would continue working for the LAPD as a consultant of leading a campaign to block his career advancement, saying his former boss felt threatened at a time when he faced criticism over a drop in morale and staffing shortages. Labrada also cited an alleged culture of cronyism at the LAPD under Moore that involved looking the other way when the chiefs allies were accused of misconduct. After a police investigation into the AirTag allegations which stemmed from a report filed in September with San Bernardino County authorities prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Labrada, citing insufficient evidence. The board's ruling raises fresh questions about that decision. On Friday, Labrada said in his statement that he would continue to explore his legal options. "My pursuit of justice is far from over. I will exhaust all available avenues to ensure that the justice system in America, whether within a government agency like the LAPD or in a court of law, remains fair, just, and fulfills its essential role in upholding a free and open legal system for all," the statement read. His words echo similar criticism of the board of rights process by officers who have sued the department and the police union. In recent months, a broader debate about overhauling the department's much-maligned discipline system has caused tension between the union and some high-ranking department officials. Read more: In first public comments since stalking allegations, top LAPD official denies wrongdoing Late last month, the City Council approved a ballot measure that would give the police chief the authority to fire officers outright for certain serious misconduct, while eliminating the option for officers to have their disciplinary cases reviewed exclusively by civilians. In February, Silva sued the city for sex discrimination, harassment and retaliation, alleging that her romance with Labrada from October 2017 to July 2023 ended because of the toxic nature of their relationship. She alleged Labrada kept messaging her, even after a highly publicized Oct. 7 news conference during which he vehemently denied the allegations she made against him. Labrada said at the time that news coverage of his case had caused him significant emotional and physical distress. 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. Frat that went viral holding up American flag during Palestine protests to be RNC speakers Frat brothers who held up the flag at UNC Chapel Hill amid Gaza solidarity protests are going to speak at the RNC (CBS 17/screengrab) Fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina who held up an American flag during a Gaza solidarity demonstration in the spring will speak at the RNC, according to Donald Trumps campaign. A group of students and fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill patriotically protected an American flag that had been disturbed by demonstrators during an anti-Israel protest on their campus, the Trump campaign said on July 12. The students gained national attention as videos of the protest showed them standing strong to protect the American flag, even as protestors antagonized them, according the campaign continued. The campaign did not name specific fraternities or their members. The fraternity members are among a group of everyday Americans who were given a speaking role at the convention, which starts Monday in Milwaukee. Frat brothers who held up the flag at UNC Chapel Hill amid Gaza solidarity protests are going to speak at the RNC (CBS 17/screengrab) The four-day RNC gathering will include two dozen everyday American speakers. The campaign said the RNC will provide a platform and voice for the workers, veterans, and families left behind in Joe Bidens America. The fraternity brothers made national headlines on April 30 for holding up the American flag on a flagpole after protesters tried to remove it. Demonstrators had already taken down the flag once and successfully replaced it with a Palestinian flag, photos and videos of the event reveal. Chants of USA! then overwhelmed the crowd. The interim chancellor announced that the American flag will stand here as long as Im chancellor. Police arrested more than 30 protesters at UNC-Chapel Hill that day. The school was one of dozens of colleges across the country that held student-led demonstrations over the ongoing war in the Middle East. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) Life jackets will be distributed at several locations within Fresno County on Saturday by officials and local volunteers, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office announced on Friday. On Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m., deputies say nearly 100 life jackets will be distributed free of charge at the following locations: Skaggs Bridge Park Lost Lake Park Avocado Lake Laton-Kingston Park. These jackets will be distributed by members of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office, North Central Fire Protection District, and local volunteers. Deputies say the priority is to give these to visitors who do not already own a life jacket, and it will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. This initiative comes after three young people drowned in June, with two in the San Joaquin River and one in Shaver Lake. Sheriffs officials say all the victims shared something in common: they did not know how to swim and were not wearing life jackets or had it properly secured. Deputies say they were able to acquire these life jackets in just the past two weeks thanks to the following businesses and people: Century 21 Select Real Estate Fresno/Madera Officer, that donated. Kyries Schaeffer, a Kingsburg resident and donation organizer. Valerie Dearcanangelis, a Fresno resident and donor. Walmart in Dinuba, that donated. Big 5 Sporting Goods at Shaw and Marks in Fresno, who helped maximize the $400 in donations the sheriffs office received. They also say the store staff helped them to get as many jackets as that money would buy. Sheriffs officials say their goal with this event is to also get swimmers in the habit of wearing life jackets every time they get into a lake or river, just as the routine process drivers go through when putting on a seatbelt every time they drive. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) The Fremont Police Department and the California Attorney General are seeking the publics help in finding Ellie Chinaza Obi Lorenzo, a three-year-old girl whos been missing since 6 p.m. on Thursday. Ellie was last seen at Casa Arroyo Apartment on Racho Arroyo Parkway in Fremont, her biological mother, who reported her missing to the police at around noon on Friday, said. Alleged mass shooter of Alameda family charged: DA Police at the scene of the fathers residence. Photo: Jack Molmud Police said Ellie is under the custody of her father, a Fremont resident who passed away in San Francisco early on Friday. Ellies mother said as per the custody agreement, she was supposed to have her child returned on Friday. Since her fathers passing, police said, the childs whereabouts are currently unknown. Our heart goes out to the family, and we assure you we are doing everything to locate the child. The three-year-old is described as an African American toddler approximately three feet tall, weighs 60 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. Police said she was last seen wearing a pink jacket, a pink shirt, a pink undershirt and black pants. Three-year-old Ellie Chinaza Obi Lorenzo. Photo: FPD The San Francisco Police Department said it is lending resources to Fremont PD in conducting an extensive search, SFPD told KRON4. Anyone with information is asked to call FPD at 510-790-6800. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) As friends and co-workers honor her legacy, a community is looking for answers after the life of a beloved mother and speech therapist was cut short by crime. Alexa Stakley, 29, lost her life trying to save her son from an attempted carjacking. Her brothers spoke with NBC4 on Thursday, remembering her as a loving and caring sister. She was also a speech therapist in a preschool program in Canal Winchester. Everything she did she did whole heartedly, she didnt half do anything, said Megan Mayes, a speech therapist who worked with Stakely. Brothers say Stakelys character was unmatched Mayes and Britney Champlin worked with Stakely in Canal Winchester Local Schools for five years. They described her as a force and an incredible advocate for her students. They also said she was amazing at her job, as a mom and as a friend. She just had that persona about her that you want to have in your corner because she cares and loves so much, Champlin said. At around 1:30 a.m. Thursday after getting off work at a local restaurant, she picked up her six-year-old son at the babysitters. After she got the sleeping boy in the car, she went back to get something. Thats when someone jumped in her car and started to drive off, according to police. Investigators said Alexa ran after it, ended up being hit by the car and did not survive her injuries. Her son was not hurt. We are shook and theres no filling that void. Its going to be hard honestly trying to keep moving forward, Champlin said. Decades old car pulled out of Griggs Resevoir Mayes wore a speech pathologist shirt Friday in honor of Stakely. Stakely had the same shirt. I dont think theres a single person out there whos not outraged. And just sad and mad and confused all at the same time, Mayes said. She just had such a passion, a fire and I always really admired her over that. Police are still looking for whoever was involved in taking Stakelys life. They released this QR code Thursday to help people submit anonymous tips. Police urged people to come forward with information. So did Champlin and Mayes. Just to speak up, people out there know something. Anything. And you took away a mother and our friend and its wrong. This could have been avoided, Champlin 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. A farmer planting corn near Dwight, Illinois, on April 23, 2020. Partisan gridlock in Congress has led to a stalemate on the current farm bill, which provides crop subsidies and nutrition assistance. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) A farmer plants corn near Dwight, Illinois, on April 23, 2020. Partisan gridlock in Congress has led to a stalemate on the current farm bill, which provides crop subsidies and nutrition assistance. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) WASHINGTON The stalemate over the current farm bill may be solidifying a new era in farm politics as it joins the last three farm bills in a trend of delays and partisan division a contrast from the legislations history of bipartisanship. Every five years, Congress is tasked with drafting a new federal farm bill. The omnibus law that began 90 years ago as various kinds of payments to support farmers now has an impact far beyond the farm, with programs to create wildlife habitat, address climate change and provide the nations largest federal nutrition program. The current farm bill process, already nearly a year behind schedule, is at an impasse as Democrats and Republicans clash over how to pay for the bill and whether to place limits on nutrition and climate programs. The previous farm bill expired in September 2023 and has been extended through the end of this September. Historically, farm bills were completed within a few months of their expiration date. Ten of the 13 farm bills since 1965 were enacted by Dec. 31 in the year of their expirations. But three of the four farm bills since 2008 went beyond that date. The last three bills including the 2018 bill, which is the one recent version that passed on time each had partisan disagreements about spending. The trend represents a change in how the once-bipartisan legislation is viewed. The last two farm bills were the anomaly, said Jonathan Coppess, a professor of Agricultural Law and Policy at the University of Illinois who has written a history of the farm bill. Now that it has been three in a row, Im not sure that holds. A recent report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service notes that starting in 2008, farm bills have been subject to delays, vetoes and insufficient votes to pass on the floor. The report concluded: Over time, farm bills have tended to become more complicated and politically sensitive. As a result, the timeline for reauthorization has become less certain. Spending debate between Republicans, Democrats That uncertainty is true of the current farm bill, as Republicans in the House and Senate push for spending limits that Democrats say are non-starters. I dont think were close to getting a farm bill done until the folks who are negotiating the farm bill are realistic about whats doable within a constrained resource environment, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an interview on the radio program AgriTalk June 21. The Republican-led House Agriculture Committee approved its farm bill proposal largely on party lines at the end of May, after hours of debate and complaints from Democrats that the process had not been as bipartisan as in years past. Four Democrats voted for the bill in committee, but they joined 20 other Democrats on the committee in a dissenting views letter expressing genuine concern over the trajectory of the Majoritys partisan farm bill which they predicted would be stuck in delay and dysfunction without significant changes. The Senate Agriculture Committee has yet to vote. The Republican and Democratic leaders of the committee have each put forward contrasting bills and expressed their frustration. The most frustrating time Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who is retiring after this term, has called the process the most frustrating of her career and said she would not let the Republican approach for the farm bill be her legacy. Ive actually been involved in six farm bills and led on three of them, and this has been the most frustrating time, said Stabenow in an interview with Michigan Advance at the end of June. Because its so much more partisan than usual and particularly around food assistance. Partisan division is not uncommon in todays Congress but is notable on the farm bill, which had historically brought together lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. Bipartisan support can be necessary for final passage because the size of the $1.5 trillion farm bill means it inevitably loses some votes from fiscal conservatives and others. If you dont have a bipartisan bill, this is not going to happen, and that is no matter whos in charge. The margins are too close to be able to get this done without bipartisan support, said Collin Peterson, a former Democratic House member from Minnesota and Agriculture Committee Chairman. The key dispute for Democrats this year is a funding calculation that would place limits on the Thrifty Food Plan formula that calculates benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP. Republicans are using the limits to offset other spending in the bill on crop subsidies. The top Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, said he wants to put more farm in the farm bill. Peterson, who is now the head of an eponymous consulting firm, said in an interview with States Newsroom that Republicans would likely have to make changes to the nutrition title to get a bill to final passage. It is unrealistic to think they are going to get this done without significant changes in that part of the bill, he said. An uneasy alliance from the start The nutrition program that is at the center of the impasse was added to the legislation 50 years ago to help build a coalition of wide-ranging bipartisan support. Lawmakers added the nutrition title to the farm bill in 1973, a move that widened the vested interest in the bill in the House. Lawmakers who wanted to increase payments for cotton and wheat farmers in their districts were able to bring in support from representatives from districts whose citizens could benefit from food aid. That was the first coalition building between the two interests, Coppess said. But it was pretty intense. And it was an uneasy alliance from the start. Since then, the farm bill in many ways has become a food bill. Three-quarters of the mandatory spending in the bill falls under the nutrition title, which includes SNAP, the largest U.S. program that addresses hunger. The program, formerly called food stamps, supplements food budgets for low-income households. Anti-hunger groups have joined the outside interests pushing for the bill every five years. But with such a large funding line, the nutrition program has become a target for Republicans who want to cut it to offset other spending in the bill. The dispute is all the pay-fors, Peterson said. And that has been the issue for the last three farm bills and issue on this one as well. Peterson, who was chairman of the House Agriculture Committee for the 2008 farm bill and was the top Democrat on the committee for the 2013 and 2018 bills, said partisan division on the committee is not unfamiliar at this phase of the process. The farm bills he worked on also had partisan votes in the House but eventually found support from both sides after conferencing with the Senate. At the end of the day, every one of those bills was partisan, until we got through the conference committee, and then at that point it was bipartisan, because the Senate brought some of that to the table, Peterson said. So, kind of, whats going on here went on the last three farm bills. The most recent farm bill in 2018 was marked by contentious partisan debate centered on SNAPs work requirements and other eligibility rules. The House Agriculture Committees bill that year initially failed on the House floor and later squeaked through on a 213-211 vote. Twenty Republicans joined all House Democrats in voting against that bill. After reconciling with the Senate bill and the removal of some of the contentious changes to SNAP, most Democrats flipped their votes in support and the House agreed to the final conference report in a bipartisan vote of 369-47. The dissenting votes included 44 Republicans and three Democrats. A trend toward fracture The partisan division over the nutrition title creates new fault lines for the farm bill. Historically, farm bill alliances were more regional than partisan. They were built on a common ground of support for shared crops or producers: cotton in the South, corn in the Midwest and wheat in the Western Plains. What was our biggest issue back in the four farm bills that I wrote was not Republican versus Democrat. It was usually Midwest against the Southeast or the Northeast or the Southwest from a crop standpoint, former Senator Saxby Chambliss said in an interview. Chambliss, a Republican from Georgia, was on the House Agriculture Committee from 1995 to 2002 and the Senate Agriculture Committee 2005 to 2011, which included a stint as chairman and ranking member. Theres a different political dynamic that exists in the Senate today that did not exist when I was there, Chambliss said. How much of that bleeds into the farm bill? I dont know the answer to that, but obviously its a little more acrimonious than what I ever experienced. As partisan politics have become more entrenched in regions of the country, with the South becoming more closely aligned with the Republican Party, it has played out in farm-bill politics. You see a staunch realignment around where the regional and the partisan are now very similar, said Coppess. (KRON) A California fugitive who allegedly killed his ex-wife and her two young children by burning the victims was captured on Thursday in Modesto, investigators said. Jose Cardoza, 59, went on the run for 16 days following a triple homicide in Stockton. At approximately 2 p.m. July 11, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force received a tip that Cardoza had been seen around a bus station in Modesto. Investigators said Cardoza had planned to flee from Northern California that night. Officers found him standing outside the bus station and took him into custody. Investigators said Cardoza intentionally ignited an RV camper on fire while it was parked at a residence on Visalia Court in Stockton on the morning of June 25. His ex-wife, 33-year-old Lizbeth Josefina Gutierrez, and her two sons, ages 7 and 10, were all sleeping inside the camper, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Gutierrez and her sons never made it out alive, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Their bodies were found by Stockton firefighters, and homicide detectives were called to the scene. Mystery surrounds motive for murder of Alameda family (Officers) worked countless hours and traveled great distances to locate this violent fugitive, said Lasha Boyden, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of California. Thanks to a tipster, we were able to act quickly and take this suspect into custody. The loss of life in this horrific tragedy was felt by the community. I hope his capture brings some sense of relief to the victims family. The USMS previously offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to his arrest. The USMS said its Major Case Fugitive Program prioritizes apprehending high-profile offenders who are considered to be some of the countrys most dangerous people. These offenders tend to be career criminals with histories of violence or who pose a significant threat to public safety, USMS wrote. Cardona went by many aliases, including: Jose Carmona-Estrada, Roberto Giron-Giron, Felipe Ramirez Leon, Juan Alonzo-Alemndares, Juan Alonzo, Jose Avilla Cardona, and Andres Vecerra Torres. He was booked into a San Joaquin County Jail for homicide Thursday. We would like to thank all our partners for their assistance with this case as well as members of the community who provided numerous tips through Stockton Crime Stoppers throughout the investigation, the Stockton Police Department wrote. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "most strongly denounces and rejects" the Washington summit declaration issued by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) earlier this week, state media said, Azernews reports. The declaration is proof that the United States and the transatlantic bloc pose "the most serious threat to the global peace and security," the official Korean Central News Agency said, citing a press statement released by a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry. It is "an illegal document that violates the legitimate rights of independent sovereign states and a confrontational program that incites new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale," the statement added. The US moves to expand military blocs seriously threaten regional peace, extremely exacerbate the international security environment, and spark a worldwide arms race, it said. The DPRK warned that NATO's "globalization" strategy pursued by the United States brings "the danger of a worldwide war." The DPRK also lambasted Washington for "seriously infringing upon the sovereignty and security interests of other countries and constantly destroying the strategic stability of the world while wantonly violating the recognized principles of international law including respect for sovereignty, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit," the report said. The most you can lose on any stock (assuming you don't use leverage) is 100% of your money. But if you pick the right business to buy shares in, you can make more than you can lose. For example, the UEM Sunrise Berhad (KLSE:UEMS) share price has soared 222% in the last 1 year. Most would be very happy with that, especially in just one year! In the last week the share price is up 2.7%. Looking back further, the stock price is 201% higher than it was three years ago. So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. View our latest analysis for UEM Sunrise Berhad There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. Over the last twelve months, UEM Sunrise Berhad actually shrank its EPS by 18%. This means it's unlikely the market is judging the company based on earnings growth. Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics. We are skeptical of the suggestion that the 0.6% dividend yield would entice buyers to the stock. Revenue was pretty stable on last year, so deeper research might be needed to explain the share price rise. The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). It is of course excellent to see how UEM Sunrise Berhad has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling UEM Sunrise Berhad stock, you should check out this FREE detailed report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, UEM Sunrise Berhad's TSR for the last 1 year was 225%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective It's nice to see that UEM Sunrise Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 225% over the last year. That's including the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 8% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for UEM Sunrise Berhad you should know about. If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: many of them are unnoticed AND have attractive valuation). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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 YUKON, Okla. (KFOR) A construction project in Yukon starts next Monday on one of the citys busiest streets, Garth Brooks Boulevard. Garth Brooks Blvd. construction. Traffic cones are already lining the road, between Vandament and Main, ahead of the construction. Garth Brooks is one of our busiest streets, said Jenna Roberson, with the city of Yukon. Garth Brooks Blvd. is widely-traveled. Its lined with businesses and homes with driveways directly connected to it. LOCAL NEWS: Put it to a vote: District judge decides special election on entertainment district wont happen for now People are always going up and down it, said Roberson. With that comes obvious wear and tear. Roberson said in a recent city survey, Yukon residents wanted road repairs. Garth Brooks Blvd was definitely a hot topic, said Roberson. On Monday, July 15, Garth Brooks Blvd. is getting a mill, asphalt and overlay facelift. They are going to take out a layer of the existing pavement and they are going to grind that down and uhm, replace that with new asphalt, said Roberson. The construction is happening along Garth Brooks Blvd from Main to Vandament, a mile stretch. The city is keeping at least one lane open in each direction during the project.. which is expected to last 30 days. Garth Brooks Blvd. construction map. This is also happening right in front of Yukon Middle School. Many residents commenting on Facebook, worried the construction will be happening right when school starts back up again on August 14th. We will do everything we can to make sure that this project is going to be complete before school starts, said Roberson. Many asked why wait to do the project until right before the new year. Roberson said the project was originally slated for early Fall, but they worked with the Association for Central Oklahoma Government and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to move it to the Summer. LOCAL NEWS: Mid-Del schools working to repair storm damage at high school before new school year The city was awarded a $900,000 grant by ACOG, though the CRRSSAA Grant. ODOT is making sure the Covid dollars are spent correctly. This leaves the city only paying less than $100,000 dollars. It really saved a lot of taxpayer money, said Roberson. News 4 asked Yukon Public Schools if it had a plan just in case the project takes longer than expected. A spokesperson told us Our team will continue to manage the situation as construction continues and will make changes as or if needed for drop off / pick up. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. An Amazon truck makes deliveries in Wheeling, Ill., earlier this year. Some states have passed or considered measures that would impose a fee on retail deliveries in order to provide funding for road maintenance. Nam Y. Huh/The Associated Press For decades, states have relied on gas taxes to provide much of the money to maintain roads and bridges. But as cars become more fuel efficient, and some Americans switch to electric vehicles, state leaders say the gas tax wont pay the bills for much longer. At the same time, many cities have seen their streets crowded with delivery trucks from Amazon and other companies, as consumers increasingly opt to have products delivered to their homes. In a few states, lawmakers think fees on those deliveries could be part of their road-funding solution. If youre going to be creating wear and tear on our roads, you should help pay to maintain them, said Colorado state Rep. Cathy Kipp, a Democrat who chairs the Energy and Environment Committee. In July 2022, Colorado became the first state with a retail delivery fee, a charge on all vehicle deliveries to consumers within the state. The fee, which currently stands at 29 cents per delivery, provides funding for highways, bridges, tunnels, electric vehicle charging stations and projects to reduce air pollution and to electrify vehicle fleets and transit systems. It has brought in more than $160 million. Colorado leaders have had to simplify the law to help businesses comply with it, but they say its largely been a success story. Minnesota enacted its own retail delivery fee in 2023, and lawmakers in New York and Illinois have proposed similar measures. Meanwhile, legislators and transportation officials in several other states have commissioned studies to consider the concept. Some retailers and Republican lawmakers have argued that the fee hurts consumers, and many businesses in Colorado initially had trouble complying with the law. The 27-cent delivery fee is not trivial, its effects are not imperceptible, and it greatly affects our citizens especially those who are already struggling to pay the bills and provide for their families, Republican state Rep. Rose Pugliese, the House minority leader, wrote in a Colorado Springs Gazette guest column several months after the law was enacted. But backers of the fee say they see growing interest across the country, especially as delivery trucks become ubiquitous in many neighborhoods. Future-proofing transportation funding State law in Colorado limits the ways in which lawmakers can expand taxes. With gas tax revenues dwindling, legislators didnt have an obvious solution to pay for roads. They eventually settled on the retail delivery fee, which is not characterized as a tax. Initially, the program was a struggle for many businesses, due to a requirement that they detail the fee separately on each receipt. For our medium and small businesses, it was a real complicated thing and very burdensome for them to have to reprogram their software with a whole extra line item, Kipp said. Last year, Kipp joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to amend the program. They rescinded the requirement that businesses itemize the fee on each receipt and allowed companies to cover the fee themselves rather than breaking it out on each order. They also exempted retailers with less than $500,000 in sales. Since the fix was adopted, Kipp said she has stopped hearing complaints about the program. Chris Howes, president of the Colorado Retail Council, said he too has not heard any recent gripes. Weve got it straightened out by now, he said. People have accepted it and moved on. Amazon did not grant a Stateline interview request, and the National Retail Federation deferred questions to state chapters. Chamber of Progress, a tech industry advocacy group, did not arrange an interview by publication time. Last year, lawmakers in Minnesota enacted their own retail delivery fee, a 50-cent charge on purchases of more than $100. Lawmakers heard from local governments that they were struggling to maintain their roads and badly needed state aid to make up the gap. This is trying to future-proof our transportation funding, said Democratic state Rep. Erin Koegel, who sponsored the bill. We keep getting performance grades from civil engineers saying were at a C- or D for our infrastructure. We needed to think about ways to get more revenue in the system. Koegel said the measure was a compromise. Her initial draft, which did not have a $100 threshold for purchases, was intended to be a deterrent, much like cigarette taxes. She said delivery trucks are increasing congestion in many cities and damaging streets that werent built to support large vehicles. However, lawmakers ultimately decided to limit the fee to more expensive purchases in order to protect lower-income consumers. Minnesotas fee is projected to generate $59 million in its first fiscal year. The funding will be distributed to cities, counties and towns to help with their road-funding needs. Traffic throughout the day Cities and counties in Washington state also have asked for help, and some local leaders have asked state lawmakers to consider a retail delivery fee or to authorize cities to collect one. State lawmakers commissioned an analysis, published last month, looking at the potential for such a program. The report found that a fee could generate $45 million to $112 million in revenue in 2026, depending on which businesses and orders were covered. Were now seeing that theres traffic on our system throughout the day, and the growth of these delivery services is a part of that, said Democratic state Sen. Marko Liias, who chairs the Transportation Committee. Weve had a history in transportation of user-based fees. This feels like a mechanism that could help in that regard. Liias emphasized that some version of the fee is likely to be a big topic of discussion in the next legislative session. He said hes already heard strong arguments on both sides of the issue. In some areas, the rise in retail deliveries has put the greatest burden on the infrastructure surrounding shipping facilities. Illinois CenterPoint Intermodal Center, the nations largest inland port, connects interstate trucking, railway lines and Mississippi River barges. There really needs to be a shift in the tax structure, since many of these facilities are not generating the local sales tax youd get at a brick and mortar, said Democratic state Sen. Rachel Ventura, whose district includes the CenterPoint facility. We have a lot of traffic going in and out, and the environmental burden and road repairs and the tax burden fall locally. Ventura has drafted a bill that would allow communities to assess fees on intermodal facilities locations that transfer products from one type of transportation to another. Local governments that opted in would be able to spend the funds on roads within five miles of the facilities. The fee, which would be based on the weight of each shipment, is projected to generate $33 million to $68 million per year. The bill has not passed out of committee, and Ventura said lawmakers are still discussing the path forward amid opposition from the trucking industry. In New York, a Democratic bill to impose a 25-cent fee on deliveries within New York City has been introduced but remains in committee. Meanwhile, state agencies in Nevada and Ohio have commissioned studies examining the feasibility of retail delivery fees. Those reports have not yet led to legislative action. 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 Gaza Aid Pier May Have Already Delivered Its Last Truckload of Aid The Pentagon's troubled mission to move aid through a temporary pier in Gaza may already be over as officials are now wavering on the possibility of reattaching the pier in the war-torn region after weather forced its removal for a fourth time last month. The Pentagon's top spokesman, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, said that the military's efforts to reinstall the pier failed this week and that a "re-anchoring date has not been set." It was the latest in a series of setbacks for the monthslong, Army-led effort to offer relief to starving Palestinians caught in the middle of Israel's brutal offensive against Hamas. In speaking with reporters Friday, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh went further and framed the reinstallation as an open question. "If a re-anchoring does happen ... we would read that out to you," she said. Read Next: What Happens if the President Issues a Potentially Illegal Order to the Military? On Thursday, Ryder already confirmed that "the pier will soon cease operations." If it cannot be reinstalled, that means the mission -- which kicked off in April but quickly became mired in operational issues and, subsequently, political wrangling -- could already be over. The pier helped bring the first truckload of aid onto the shores of Gaza on May 17 and has been operable for a total of about 20 days since. "We are not shying away from the fact that there have been higher sea states that have, at times, disrupted delivery of aid and have made it harder to get aid in," Singh admitted to reporters. Shortly after the fleet of ships carrying all the equipment for the Army's Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore, or JLOTS, mission set off from the East Coast of the U.S. in April, one of the ships carrying supplies was forced to turn back to port after experiencing a fire in its engine room. Then, one of the small Army ships got held up in Tenerife -- a small island that is part of the Canary Islands cluster off the west coast of Africa -- leading to concerns about the readiness of the Army's fleet of watercraft. Then came the weather delays. High seas caused the first of the many weather-related delays as the pier was being set up, and experts noted that the pier was being asked to operate in an area and under conditions for which it wasn't designed. Once the pier was up and running in May, there were more issues. After about a week of operations, Pentagon officials conceded that some of the first truckloads of aid were not even making it to the Palestinians because the vehicles carrying the aid to local warehouses were being looted. Then, a storm broke apart the pier and forced its first removal for repairs. That storm also beached several Army boats on the Gaza shore for hours. By the end of June, the pier had been removed three times over weather and high seas. Yet, despite being repeatedly sidelined, Singh told reporters that nearly 20 million pounds of aid had been delivered to the beach at the end of June, making the pier the second-highest volume of aid from any entry point into Gaza at that point. While the amount of aid appears large, it is hardly enough to feed the more than 2 million Gaza residents for any substantial amount of time. Singh argued that the pier's mission, despite the problems and relatively low amount of aid delivered, managed to lay important groundwork for future aid deliveries. "The deployment of this pier has also helped secure Israeli commitment to opening additional crossings into northern Gaza," Singh stressed and noted that there have also been more trucks moving from Jordan directly into northern Gaza. The mission also developed the port of Cyprus so that aid can now be inspected there and delivered directly into Gaza through Israel's Ashdod port and crossings in the north, she added. Regardless of whether the pier is put back one last time or not, Signh also said that the Pentagon is committed to getting all the aid for the JLOTS mission -- aid that is currently waiting in Cyprus -- to the citizens of Gaza. "Whether that be through the port of Ashdod or through the temporary pier -- no matter what -- the aid that was assembled, we'll get to the people who need it most," she said. According to Singh, the Pentagon is also working on a plan that is "in a proof-of-concept stage right now" to get aid into Gaza through Ashdod, possibly using American vessels. "We're working that ... with the Israeli government. When we have more, we will certainly share whether that involves U.S. ships or commercial ships," Singh said. Related: Military Removes Gaza Aid Pier for Third Time as Lawmakers Call It a 'Failed' Operation Marines stand on the deck of the frigate "Brandenburg" (F215) on its return from the Mediterranean. The "Brandenburg" left Wilhelmshaven in March 2024 to support maritime surveillance off the Lebanese coast and train the Lebanese navy as part of the UN Unifil mission. Focke Strangmann/dpa A German Navy frigate has returned home after completing a four-month United Nations mission in the eastern Mediterranean. The Brandenburg docked in the northern German port of Wilhelmshaven early on Saturday, a spokesman confirmed, with relatives and friends of the 185 servicemen and women on board gathering to welcome them home. The frigate departed Germany in mid-March to serve as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Its mission was to combat smuggling, secure borders and support the training of the Lebanese Navy. The UN mission also monitors the border area between Israel and Lebanon, where there have been repeated violent incidents with fatalities on both sides following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. UNIFIL plays a vital role amidst enormous tensions in the Middle East, said Andreas Scheiba, the commander of the Brandenburg, in a statement. "Not only did exercises take place here with the Lebanese navy, but also with the Lebanese air force as part of flight operations training," he added. According to navy data, the frigate covered a total of around 30,000 kilometres during its deployment. The experience was valuable for many of the crew members serving on their first deployment after months of training. The Brandenburg has now been replaced by the Ludwigshafen am Rhein corvette. Marines stand on the deck of the frigate "Brandenburg" (F215) on its return from the Mediterranean. The "Brandenburg" left Wilhelmshaven in March 2024 to support maritime surveillance off the Lebanese coast and train the Lebanese navy as part of the UN Unifil mission. Focke Strangmann/dpa Ship's mooring personnel observe the frigate "Brandenburg" (F215) on its return from the Mediterranean. The "Brandenburg" left Wilhelmshaven in March 2024 to support maritime surveillance off the Lebanese coast and train the Lebanese navy as part of the UN Unifil mission. Focke Strangmann/dpa A 16-year-old girl was taken to hospital in severe condition as a result of the attack on Chornobaivka in Kherson Oblast on Saturday. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, the Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "In the evening, the occupiers attacked the residential sector in Chornobaivka. A 16-year-old child was wounded when a shell hit the house. She sustained a traumatic amputation of her arm and shrapnel wounds to her torso. An ambulance took the teenager to hospital in a severe condition. Now the doctors are examining the girl and providing her with medical care." Background: Earlier, it was reported that on Saturday, three people were killed and five injured as a result of the Russian aggression in Kherson Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Parents-to-be from Haiti stand at a gap in the U.S.-Mexico border wall after having traveled from South America to the United States on Dec. 10, 2021 in Yuma. Photo by John Moore | Getty Images A judge on Friday rejected a lawsuit against a GOP ballot referral that would make it a state crime for migrants to cross the southern border and empower local police officers to arrest them, clearing the past for it to go before voters in November. Late Friday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Minder threw out the legal challenge against the Secure the Border Act that sought to keep it off the ballot, writing in an 11-page order that the act complies with the Arizona Constitutions single subject rule. Because all provisions of HCR 2060 relate to one general subject responses to harms related to an unsecured border and because Plaintiffs have not met their burden to overcome Arizonas presumption of constitutionality, the Court finds that HCR 2060 satisfies the Arizona Constitutions single-subject rule, Minder wrote, referring to the acts underlying legislation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Four Latino advocacy groups Living United for Change in Arizona, Poder in Action and the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Network had sued, arguing that the referral violates the constitutional requirement because its provisions make multiple changes. It creates a new felony offense for the sale of lethal fentanyl, punishes undocumented Arizonans who submit false documentation to apply for jobs or public benefits and makes crossing the southern border illegally a state crime punishable with prison time. In his order, Minder, who was appointed to the bench in 2017 by GOP Gov. Doug Ducey, dismissed the criticism from the immigrant advocacy groups, saying that their interpretation was too narrow. Previous court cases concerning the single subject rule have found that only a reasonable relation between a ballot measures provisions is necessary, Minder wrote. Among the cases Minder cited as proof that the single subject rule allows broad interpretation was the 1990 case Knapp v. Miller. In that case, John Knapp, whose drivers license was suspended, argued that an act that included regulations on DUI testing, license suspensions and court hearings violated the Arizona Constitution. But the court found that all of the acts provisions fell under the single subject of transportation. Minder concluded that the Secure the Border Act similarly satisfies the state Constitutions single subject rule. In a legislative findings clause added to the act, GOP lawmakers defended its wide-ranging provisions as solutions for the same issue: the problems caused by an unsecured southern border. Minder agreed with that premise, writing that all of the provisions included in the act appear to work towards the same goal. Four of the five provisions relate to the presence, verification, benefits, and return of people who cross the border without legal permission. Those four provisions are all deterrents to, or enforcement methods for, crossing the border without legal permission, he wrote. Logic and popular understanding shows that those items are parts of, or germane to responses to harms relating to an unsecured border. The fifth provision, creating a new class of felony offense, with strict prison sentences for people who sell fentanyl that knowingly ends in someone elses death, also complies with the acts purported subject, according to Minder. Critics argued in court that the sale of fentanyl is unrelated to someones immigration status and loops in all Arizonans, meaning the act encompasses separate and dissimilar subjects. But Minder said that the drug is sufficiently related to the theme of the unsecured border because it is being illegally smuggled across it. Entry of people and of drugs into Arizona through the border are logically or in popular understanding connected, which is what the single-subject rule requires, he wrote. Minder upheld the legislative findings clause as the justification for the inclusion of the fentanyl provision and said it adequately ties the rest of the provisions together. It is enough that the Legislature believes the lethal fentanyl and the other four provisions appropriately address harms from the unsecured border and that Plaintiffs have not sufficiently shown otherwise, he wrote. And, Minder added, a ballot proposal doesnt have to punish just one group of people to comply with the single subject rule. Previous court rulings have concluded that, as long as a ballot measure complies with the single subject requirement, it can be deemed constitutional, even if it affects multiple different groups of people. In a Monday court hearing, opponents of the act warned Minder that finding it to be in compliance with the Arizona Constitutions single subject rule would open the door to lawmakers making any legislative findings to bolster overly broad ballot referrals. Minder acknowledged that risk in his ruling, but said that the mere possibility that future legislatures could violate the constitutional requirement using his reasoning as a basis isnt sufficient to render the act unconstitutional. In the end, Minder wrote, opponents simply didnt meet the burden of evidence needed to prevent the act from being placed on the November ballot. The courts, he noted, operate from a presumption that the legislature passed a constitutional measure, and the evidence against that must be clear and convincing. A successful challenge of the single subject rule, he ruled, faces a high bar: It needs to prove that a ballot measures provisions cannot be linked together by any reasonable argument. Now, Minder concluded, its up to the voters whether to support the proposal in November. Arizona law requires Plaintiffs to overcome the strong presumption that the act is constitutional, he wrote. Because a natural connection exists, i.e., all provisions are responses to harms relating to an unsecured border, Plaintiffs have not met their burden to show a violation. Absent other challenges, the policies of HCR 2060 should be left to the voters. In a statement posted to social media site X, Senate President Warren Petersen applauded the ruling. The Republican from Gilbert, along with House Speaker Ben Toma, took up the defense of the legislation in court after Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat, declined to. The duo were instrumental in passing the act through the legislature, with Petersen co-sponsoring a bill that sought to make it a state crime to cross the southern border that was later ensconced into the act after Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed it. In his statement, Petersen lambasted the Democratic governor and the Biden administration for failing to resolve the states border issues. Arizona Republicans have repeatedly touted the Secure the Border Act, as a solution in a bid to recruit votes during an election year when the border has risen to the top of voter concerns for the first time in five years. Its unthinkable that Democrats and our Governor would stand with Biden and radical left activists, instead of the hardworking Arizona families who are begging for their elected leaders to secure our border and promote safety within our communities, Petersen said. As expected, the court ruled in favor of sanity instead of chaos, and were grateful we are able to provide this opportunity to voters to have the final say on. Jim Barton, an attorney who represented LUCHA in court, said the groups legal team is still weighing its options. Ballot measures can only be challenged on their form before voters consider them in an election. A violation of the single-subject rule was among the few legal avenues to prevent the act from making it onto the ballot. Challenges based on the acts content cant be launched until after voters have had a say. That includes a lawsuit over the acts lack of allocated funding. The Arizona Constitution requires ballot proposals that are likely to incur state spending to make up for that cost, and despite multiple law enforcement and government officials warning of just that during the acts passage through the legislature, GOP lawmakers refused to account for it. Alejandra Gomez, executive director of LUCHA, denounced the act as stop and frisk on steroids and said Minders ruling sets a dangerous precedent. She warned that if the act, which has been titled Prop. 314, makes it onto the November ballot, the states minority populations will suffer. LUCHA, she said, is prepared to appeal the ruling. If Prop. 314 reaches the ballot box this November, many Arizonans will be disproportionately targeted and subjected to suspicion and persecution. This discriminatory legislation will lead to over-policing in every community across our state, Gomez said in a written statement. Arizonans, even those hundreds of miles from the border, will be under the intense scrutiny of law enforcement. A routine traffic stop could quickly escalate into an inquiry about citizenship status and possible detainment based solely on the color of your skin and your last name. Critics have compared the act to SB1070, Arizonas notorious show me your papers law that led to rampant racial profiling after it empowered local police officers to question the citizenship status of Arizonans during routine traffic stops. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST Pastor Matthew Trewhella speaks to an audience in Iowa about his book, which encourages government officials to defy any law, policy or court opinion they deem unjust or immoral under the law of God. | Photo by James Year. Used by permission. Not for republication. This story originally appeared in Wisconsin Watch. It is a project of Pro Publicas Local Reporting Network. ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Wisconsin Pastor Matthew Trewhella has an affable routine when hes trying to persuade government officials to abolish abortion, ignore gun laws and question election results. The 63-year-old opens his talks with a photo of Trewhella nation: his wife of over 40 years, their 11 home-schooled children and dozens of grandchildren. He cracks jokes. He quotes history and scripture. He floats secession as a regretful possibility. With half-rim glasses and collared shirts, Trewhella looks and sounds more like a professor than a provocateur. But when addressing his congregation at an Embassy Suites in suburban Milwaukee, he sneers and shouts, deriding his enemies as wicked dogs, whores and tyrants. When you see sodomy running rampant, when you see women in government, when you see men behaving like effeminate little squirrels, judgment is in the land, Trewhella said during a 2020 sermon. Last year, he said homosexuality should be treated as a crime, noting that the Bible called for the death penalty for the filth of sodomy. For much of his public life, Trewhella has made a career of denouncing the law while railing against abortion and gun restrictions. Twenty years ago, that made him a political pariah. His reputation for blockading abortion clinics, calling for churches to form militias and defending the murder of abortion providers was so extreme that two state chapters of Right to Life, the anti-abortion group, condemned him. When you see sodomy running rampant, when you see women in government, when you see men behaving like effeminate little squirrels, judgment is in the land. Pastor Matthew Trewhella in a 2020 sermon But today, the world has changed. He has been invited to speak by local Republican parties and other groups across the country. He gave a prayer breakfast sermon to one of the nations preeminent law enforcement associations. And a prolific booster of election conspiracy theories has used his work as the basis for a campaign to disrupt elections. Trewhellas ability to tailor his message for different audiences has helped. Hes gracious to the women who introduce him at political events but tells his congregation that the idea of women in government is sickening and perverse. In the cast of characters who might influence the upcoming election, hes not rallying crowds like Steve Bannon, the former Donald Trump strategist, or Charlie Kirk, the founder of the conservative student group Turning Point USA. Trewhella is more behind the scenes, providing a religious justification for some far-right policies and causes. With the political establishment shifting, he exemplifies how in this splintered landscape, even the most fringe figures can become influencers. Trewhella gained his newfound acceptance with a self-published 2013 book, The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, which relies on a theory developed by 16th-century Calvinists seeking holy justification for fighting political oppression amid the religious wars of the Protestant Reformation. Trewhella has applied it to todays political battles, writing that government officials have a divine right and duty to defy any laws, policies or court opinions that violate the law of God. To him, that means outlawing abortion and same-sex marriage, or even violently resisting the government if necessary, noting in his book that there are times when men must redden their swords. In recent years, Trewhellas teachings have popped up in legislatures and local boards as the Christian right has increasingly influenced Republican politics. A Missouri state representative applied the doctrine when he proposed banning abortion in 2020, when Roe vs. Wade was still in effect. Commissioners in western North Carolina invoked it when they declared their county a gun sanctuary to protest state laws. Former President Trumps first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has praised Trewhellas book several times, extolling it as a masterful blueprint showing Americans how to successfully resist tyranny. And a member of Trumps 2020 campaign legal team, Jenna Ellis, cited Trewhellas work as a solution to government overreach in her 2015 book advocating for a biblical interpretation of the Constitution. Trewhellas acceptance into more mainstream circles has surprised extremism researchers who have tracked him for decades. Its important to pay attention to a man creating the ideological rationalizations for these ideas, said Devin Burghart, president of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, a nonprofit that tracks the far right. I think that the public needs to know that hes a dangerous theocrat who would fundamentally alter the United States in irreparable ways that would harm many, including women, people of color and the LGBTQ community, Burghart said. Wisconsin Pastor Matthew Trewhella In Wisconsin, Trewhella has forged a close relationship with the Republican Party of Waukesha County, the stronghold for state GOP power. His book is the only one the group promotes on its website. Twice in the past two-and-a-half years, the party has invited him to speak at events, including one where he addressed local candidates. A young leader in Trewhellas church gave the opening prayer at a county GOP dinner, and the party paid that member to do political canvassing just a month after he was charged in state court for calling in a bomb scare against an LGBTQ+ event. The member is awaiting a plea hearing in August and said his lawyer advised him not to comment. During a speech to the Waukesha GOP last year, Trewhella focused on how local officials were best positioned to safeguard Americans most cherished freedoms. You may have to do things in the future youre not authorized to do, Trewhella told them. The country is breaking apart. Counties are becoming important in the process. Counties may secede from one state and join an adjoining state as things break apart. Several adjoining counties may end up leaving a state and forming their own state. Remember, this happened during the Civil War. The Waukesha GOP chair declined to comment through executive director Kathy Pape, who wrote in response to repeated interview requests, We are done with this. I think that the public needs to know that hes a dangerous theocrat who would fundamentally alter the United States in irreparable ways that would harm many, including women, people of color and the LGBTQ community. Devin Burghart, president of a group that tracks the far right Approached near a suburban strip mall at one of his regular anti-abortion street protests in May, Trewhella smiled when asked by a reporter about his reputational rehabilitation. Dozens of his followers spread out at an intersection beneath a punishing sun, handing out pamphlets and displaying 5-foot signs of aborted fetuses. Most people will always only care about three things in life: me, myself and I, he said. Its only because of their mundane, self-absorbed lives that they would think someone like me is an extremist. Thats my answer. He chuckled and returned to his flock. Trewhellas Transformation Trewhella tells his own life story in biblical terms: a fallen man finds redemption. Trewhella said he wrote it all down in a 23-page conversion testimony after his 5-year-old son asked him, Dad, when are you going to write a book where you can tell us how you went from being a bad guy to a good guy? Growing up in a Catholic family, Trewhella wrote, he was forced to attend nearly unbearable Sunday Masses. He described his mother as a classic merciful mom and his father as short on words and quick on corporal punishment. When Trewhella was 11, his parents divorced, which he called an ugly thing that removes all innocence. As a bad guy, Trewhella wrote, he joined a Detroit gang and dealt drugs, stole cars, firebombed houses, robbed businesses, burglarized homes, fought other gangs, and fenced stolen items to the Mafia. Then, he said, he landed in an evangelical rehab program at 17 and had an epiphany during church. Understand, I had told the shrink at the psyche ward just three days earlier that I would burn down more houses when I got out of jail, Trewhella wrote. But sitting there I saw my sin for how truly reprehensible it was. I was in the presence of a holy God. As a good guy, Trewhella got married, graduated from a Pentecostal college and, in 1989, founded Mercy Seat Christian Church in the Milwaukee area. He also became one of the nations most militant anti-abortion activists. He joined the so-called rescue movement, in which activists blockaded clinics. In 1990, he founded his own organization, Missionaries to the Preborn, whose members chained themselves to cars parked in front of clinic entrances. Trewhella distributes signs for an anti-abortion street demonstration Trewhella racked up arrests and jail time for misdemeanor convictions, though other charges were dropped. By 2007, the group took credit for permanently closing down six of eight Milwaukee clinics. Trewhella has professed nonviolence. But after an activist killed an abortion provider in 1993, he signed a document describing the murder of these doctors as justifiable. Around the same time, Planned Parenthood recorded Trewhella urging churches to form militias and telling parents to teach their children to assemble weapons blindfolded: This Christmas, I want you to do the most loving thing. I want you to buy your children an SKS rifle and 500 rounds of ammunition. A man who reportedly used Trewhellas groups address on his drivers license shot and killed a physician who performed abortions in 1998. The group fundraised for the families of people imprisoned for anti-abortion violence, according to a 2001 book. And Trewhella wrote that in 2003 that he visited a man awaiting execution for murdering an abortion provider, saying that when abortion is outlawed, future generations would view the man as the sanest and bravest man of our age. It all made Trewhella persona non grata. Republican politicians disregarded him. Wisconsin Right to Life said Trewhellas group had scant support from the mainline right-to-life people. Vermont Right to Life called his groups statements disturbing. And by the time Trewhellas group announced a tour through Montana in 2001, the states Right to Life organization warned its supporters to steer clear. Theyre really out there, Steven Ertelt, head of the Montana group, said at the time. They know we wont give them the time of day. After Wisconsin Watch and ProPublicas initial interview with Trewhella, the pastor did not return more than a dozen calls, emails and text messages seeking a follow-up interview. The news organizations tried to speak with Trewhella at another protest and at his church service, but he was not there. He did not respond to emailed questions and refused receipt of a certified letter containing them. Through his anti-abortion militancy, Trewhella came across an idea that would give him a religious foundation for his crusade: the doctrine of the lesser magistrates. For years, the theory had circulated among Christian Reconstructionists, who believe that all of society including government, education and culture should follow their strict reading of Old Testament law. Its adherents included some of the most violent members of the rescue movement. Trewhella recalled in an interview first encountering the lesser magistrates doctrine during a talk by a minister in 1990. It drew from the Bible to claim that those vested with political power could actively resist tyranny on behalf of the people including, in extreme cases, with lethal violence. Immediately that made sense to me because I was very involved on behalf of the preborn, he said. Then, at a 2007 prayer meeting, the spirit moved Trewhella to do more. I just felt from the Lord, he said, that I should write a book on the doctrine of the lesser magistrates, make a website for it, teach it to the government officials and the people of America. The obsession led him to a 1550 German Lutheran text called the Magdeburg Confession, which he claims is the doctrines first formalization. Trewhella commissioned an English translation, releasing it in 2012. The next year, he self-published his book, in which he beseeched readers to deploy the doctrine against abhorrent issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion. The back cover called it a hopeful blueprint for freedom. Trewhellas Embrace After his book came out in 2013, Trewhella hustled. He used his blog and talks to spread the doctrine across the religious right. He seized on controversy and the attention it brought. Often, he veiled the more extreme elements of his philosophy in American patriotism, asserting that the doctrine influenced framers like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. In interviews with half a dozen academics, including conservative, Christian professors of government and religion, all but one disputed Trewhellas claim. Two leading scholars on the revolutionary period and constitutional law said they had never even heard of the doctrine. All of them considered its application in modern-day America inappropriate and dangerous. But to those of a certain political or religious persuasion, Trewhella has proved convincing. The book helped Trewhella attract the ear of high-level officials. In 2015, in a remarkable turnabout, Republican lawmakers welcomed Trewhella to the Montana Capitol for a sermon in which he discussed the doctrine. The federal government has already attacked and abridged liberty; they are now in the process of plundering the American people, he said. The phalanx of laws created by the state to invade our domestic affairs, disarm the people, seize our property and harass our persons all point to the growing tyranny in America. Trewhellas message resonated in the rotunda and in the nations politics, coming in the period between the Tea Partys rise and Trumps election. That speech, Trewhella later said, helped put his book on the map. In 2017, Kentuckys then-Gov. Matt Bevin met with Trewhella and Operation Save America, an abortion abolition group now run by Trewhellas son-in-law. We were able to pray for him and challenge him with the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrate and the abolition of abortion, a group blog post said. He told Pastor Matt Trewhella and the rest of us that he read the book and has passed it to others. Bevin did not respond to repeated requests for comment. In 2019, Missouri state Rep. Mike Moon, now a state senator, helped run a conference on the doctrine of the lesser magistrates, where Trewhella spoke. A few months later, Moon introduced a bill to completely outlaw abortion in the state, leading Trewhella to claim credit on social media. Moon and his office did not return repeated requests for comment. Trewhellas ideas also gained favor among gun rights activists, as a wave of counties declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries, some of which state that local law enforcement will not act on any gun laws they deem unconstitutional. The hard-line Gun Owners of America has consistently cited Trewhella and his book in its support of such resolutions. At least 10 resolutions across the country specifically refer to lesser magistrates. One of the earliest, issued in 2019, was authored by a county commissioner who has described reading Trewhellas book as a turning point in his leadership. It gave me the foundation I needed as a county commissioner to be the big brother to protect my constituents, Dr. Dan Eichenbaum, a Republican in Cherokee County, North Carolina, said on his podcast. In an interview, Eichenbaum said his Second Amendment resolution inspired several other jurisdictions to take action. He said he was not aware of the details of Trewhellas anti-abortion activism, including that Trewhella had defended the murder of abortion providers. I cant make excuses for that, he said. Like many leaders on the right, Trewhella suddenly found a much larger audience when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. As some people questioned public health measures like masks and vaccines, they began looking for ways to resist government officials they saw as trampling their rights. They found answers in Trewhella, who pumped out short-form videos and spoke on conservative podcasts and other platforms. In light of the tyrannical acts by the state regarding COVID-19, we are rebooting our efforts, he posted on social media in April 2020. The doctrine appeared in local meetings in Indiana and Tennessee as officials challenged public health measures. Andy Ogles, then-mayor of Maury County, Tennessee, south of Nashville, invoked the doctrine when he took steps to allow unvaccinated health care workers to keep their jobs. Ogles is now a Republican member of Congress. His office did not respond to requests for comment. Frustrated by pandemic measures like restaurant closures and masking in schools, Republican activists in Ottawa County, Michigan, west of Grand Rapids, invited Trewhella to speak several times. In 2022, one group that invited him, Ottawa Impact, helped flip the county board of commissioners to Christian control. Since then, the board has tried to fire its health administrator and declared Ottawa a constitutional county. The largely symbolic resolution states the board will not enforce any measure that it believes infringes on constitutional rights. Trewhella called Ottawa a blueprint for counties across America. Two Ottawa Impact founders denied that Trewhella influenced their work. But that sort of denial is common: When asked about their relationship with Trewhella or his ideas, people often distance themselves or are reluctant to give him credit. Last spring, conservative activist David Clements made the 44th stop on his Greater Magistrates Tour in northwestern Wisconsin. The tour, which took its name from Trewhellas book (revising it to promote the voters as greater magistrates), blended Christianity and conspiracy theory to encourage disrupting future elections. As about 200 people listened on, Clements ran through the familiar debunked claims about the rigged system, urging attendees to demand their local officials withhold certification of voting machines and results. Using Trewhellas playbook, Clements said, they might save their country county by county. Referring to certain voting machine vendors, Clements told the crowd, Jesus Christ had been resurrected to restore you to a place where there are no tears, there is no suffering, there are no Dominion or ES&S machines. Throughout his tour, Clements had the company of some of the nations most prominent election denialists, including Bannon and Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow. Joe Oltmann, an activist who concocted the baseless claim that a Dominion Voting Systems employee had rigged the election, appeared several times. Oltmann has hosted Trewhella on his podcast and told his Telegram channel that Trewhellas book is required reading for all freedom minded Americans. Clements said he would only do an interview if Wisconsin Watch and ProPublica allowed him to record a video and broadcast it in its entirety. Oltmann had similar terms. The news organizations did not agree, and neither Clements nor Oltmann answered written questions. Trewhellas name has previously come up in attempts to challenge the 2020 election. Pennsylvania state Sen. Cris Dush, a Republican who led a legislative investigation into election results, called upon the doctrine of the lesser magistrates when he urged people to take action against the certification of presidential electors, the Pennsylvania attorney general said in a court filing. In an interview, Dush said the doctrine resonated with his military training, which permitted him to disobey an unlawful order. Extremism researchers and pro-democracy groups say Trewhellas influence on attempts to disrupt elections is particularly concerning because he claims some of his most vocal supporters have been sheriffs. Sheriffs wield significant law enforcement power in much of America. Some have claimed they have the power to seize voting machines should they believe theres fraud. A faction known as constitutional sheriffs claim that within their jurisdictions, they have the sole authority to interpret the constitutionality of state and federal laws. Leaders of the movement have promoted election conspiracies and urged sheriffs to investigate possible fraud. They have also celebrated Trewhella, name-dropping him at conferences and giving his book to attendees. All of those county commissioners and mayors and whatnot who are entertaining this stuff, theyre putting peoples lives and the entirety of civil order at risk by playing footsie with Matt Trewhella. Frederick Clarkson, extremism researcher Trewhella also spoke last year at a prayer breakfast at a conference held by the National Sheriffs Association, which represents thousands of law enforcement officers across the country. Trewhella said he spoke at their invitation. The organization did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But former Daviess County, Kentucky, Sheriff Keith Cain, a past board member who coordinated the prayer breakfast, said by email that Trewhella had asked to give the sermon after registering a booth. Cain said he requested Trewhella stick to spiritual matters. Trewhella did not abide. He told a group of about 40 each with a complimentary copy of his book placed in front of them that sheriffs are ministers of God first and must defy laws, policies or court opinions deemed unjust or immoral under the law of God. America is languishing under the blithe compliance of the lesser magistrates, he told them. The filth of Sodom is paraded down the streets. Now, with a presidential contest looming, what worries Frederick Clarkson, an extremism researcher who has tracked Trewhella for decades, is not the pastors influence on who wins, but the impact hell continue to have on state and local politics. Theres a tectonic shift thats gone on in American public life and politics, he said. All of those county commissioners and mayors and whatnot who are entertaining this stuff, theyre putting peoples lives and the entirety of civil order at risk by playing footsie with Matt Trewhella. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) With a summer forecasted to get hotter and drier, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared an extended state of emergency due to the increased risk of wildfires. The state of emergency for imminent threat of wildfire starts Friday and lasts through October 1, 2024. Missing, endangered 2-year-old girl in need of urgent medical care, officials say In a statement, Kotek said this upcoming weekend is of particular concern as the state is battling large blazes like the Cow Valley Fire, Larch Creek Fire, and others. She said hot, windy conditions that include lightning for some regions are threatening even larger wildfires. Throughout the summer, it will inevitably get hotter and drier, presenting an even greater risk of catastrophic wildfires. The best way to limit wildfire impacts on our communities, natural areas, and first responders is to be aware of the conditions and prevent wildfires from starting, Kotek said. I urge all Oregonians to follow the instructions and evacuation levels issued by emergency officials, subscribe to emergency alerts on ORAlert.gov, have an evacuation plan, prepare a go-kit, and stay aware of changing conditions. Three state conflagration declarations and two federal Fire Management Assistance Grant declarations have already been declared due to wildfires this season, officials said. With lives, property, and the safety of people threatened, as well as the ongoing continuing evacuations and damaged structures already experienced by many, the declaration is an effort to redirect resources to wildfire fighting efforts. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. "If you have $1,000 to invest and are looking for reliable high-yield stocks, then look at the energy industry." That's a statement that nobody would expect to hear given the inherent volatility of oil and natural gas prices. The key is that you need to focus your attention on the midstream sector, which operates very differently from energy producers and processors. Here's why Enterprise Products Partners (NYSE: EPD) and Enbridge (NYSE: ENB) are the ultimate place to invest $1,000 if you're in search of high-yield stocks. Three ways to play in the energy patch When most people think of the energy industry, they are generally thinking about companies that drill for oil and natural gas. These enterprises, however, only represent one segment of the overall energy sector. These "upstream" companies have somewhat unstable businesses because their income is dependent on the prices of the commodities they produce, which can be highly volatile. This is actually a problem in the "downstream" segment of the energy sector, too. Image source: Getty Images. The downstream is where refiners and chemical manufacturers are lumped together. They use oil and natural gas to create other products, like gasoline. But a lot of the time the products downstream companies produce are commodities, so there's pricing volatility on both sides of the business. Once again, the view that energy is a volatile business is spot-on. But the "midstream" segment of the energy sector is very different. Midstream companies like Enterprise and Enbridge own things like pipelines, which help to move oil and natural gas from where it is extracted to where it gets used. Usually midstream companies charge fees for the use of their assets, which means that the price of what's flowing through their systems is less important than demand for energy. Energy demand tends to remain fairly constant regardless of energy prices because the modern world would screech to a halt without oil and natural gas. Enterprise Products Partners is a high-yield MLP This is how Enterprise has been able to increase its distribution -- the partnership equivalent of a dividend -- annually for 25 consecutive years. That's a pretty incredible streak in the energy sector, especially when you pair it with a huge 7.1% distribution yield. But don't think that the high yield here is a sign of risk. Enterprise's distributable cash flow covers its distribution by a healthy 1.7 times. That means it could endure a decent amount of adversity before a distribution cut would be in the cards. The master limited partnership's (MLP) balance sheet is also investment grade, so the income you generate from owning it is built atop a strong financial foundation. There's two caveats. First, the yield is likely to make up the vast majority of your return. Distribution growth will probably be in the low- to mid-single percentage digits. But if you are looking to maximize income, that probably won't be a problem. Second, as an MLP, Enterprise is a bit more complicated come tax time (you'll have to deal with a K-1 form, for example). Enbridge is the Canadian alternative If you don't want to deal with the MLP angle, then you might want to examine Enbridge. Like Enterprise, Enbridge is one of the largest midstream companies in North America. But it isn't structured as a master limited partnership. That simplifies things a bit (more on this below). Enbridge has raised its dividend for 29 consecutive years. That streak has been built atop an investment-grade balance sheet. The yield is an even more enticing 7.5%. That said, Enbridge hails from Canada and pays its dividend in Canadian dollars. The actual dollar value of the dividends that U.S. investors collect will change with exchange rates. And U.S. investors will have to pay Canadian taxes on the dividends, which can generally be claimed back come tax time. So there's less tax complexity, but you don't completely avoid it. Another nuance with Enbridge is that its portfolio of infrastructure assets is a bit broader, including oil pipelines, natural gas pipelines, natural gas utility operations, and clean energy assets. If you want an energy sector focus, it isn't a pure play. But if you don't mind owning a company that is actually shifting its business along with the changing global energy landscape, then it might be even more attractive than you thought. Maybe "ultimate" is hyperbole, but these are great options There's no single best investment option for every investor, so it's hard to suggest that Enterprise and Enbridge will work for everyone. But if you are looking for reliable income stocks, these two midstream giants have proven they are industry leaders that know how to reward investors well through the energy cycle. It's hard to complain about that fact when you combine it with 7% yields! Should you invest $1,000 in Enterprise Products Partners right now? Before you buy stock in Enterprise Products Partners, 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 Enterprise Products Partners 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 $780,654!* 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 July 8, 2024 Reuben Gregg Brewer has positions in Enbridge. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Enbridge. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The Ultimate High-Yield Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool ANSTED, WV (WVNS) Governor Jim Justice visited Hawks Nest State Park in Fayette County to kickoff the project for the parks aerial tram replacement. Hawks Nest State Parks aerial tram was a part of the park since 1970, and the $8 million replacement project is part of more than $250 million in state park improvements that were made under the leadership of Governor Justice. Never Have I Ever: Caleb Okes Bridge Walk A whole lot of people who love Hawks Nest State Park have been waiting for the tram project. Ive also been looking forward to today, so we can get the ball rolling to bring it back bigger and better than anyone could ever imagine. Hundreds of thousands of folks have created memories here on the tram over the last 50 years, and Im excited for the next hundred thousand visitors to the park to be able to do just the same. Babydog and I plan to be two of the first to take a ride down to fish in the river next spring. Governor Justice The project is estimated to be finished in late spring of 2025. Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice Photo Courtesy: Governor Justice As West Virginia is emerging as the place to come to, not a place that was backward and dingy and dark, not educatedall the bad jokes that we are told being told about us. We are a different animal today. Governor Jim Justice A symbol of patriotism: bald eagles in the Mountain State Not only will the aerial tram cars be able to hold six people in each car, they will also be ADA-accessible. Investments were made in 36 parks, three rail trails, and nine forests in West Virginia, some of which include the creation of two new state parks, renovations at every lodge and cabin in the system, new recreational facilities and much-needed infrastructure upgrades systemwide, Cacapon Resort State Parks new lodge, and hundreds of new campsites built or upgraded. Over the past seven years, our state parks system has undergone a complete transformation thanks to Governor Justices leadership and commitment to making West Virginia the best destination in the country. Revenue and visitation are both up across the system due to these improvements. Im looking forward to seeing the continued success of our treasured parks system. Chelsea Ruby | West Virginia Tourism Secretary The investments in the various locations throughout the state are paying off, with an increase in both visitation and revenue that will help with reinvestment in public lands in West Virginia. WV DNR showcase new dive team to aid in underwater searches I couldnt be more excited about the upgraded experience that the new aerial tram will bring to our guests at Hawks Nest. This project is one of many that exemplifies what our state parks are all about, creating opportunities for people to make lifelong memories and enjoy new experiences in the mountains of West Virginia. Brett McMillion | DNR Director The original aerial tram at Hawks Nest State Park opened in 1970, and served visitors for more than 50 years. It took passengers down an 800-foot descent from the lodge to the base of the New River Gorge on Hawks Nest Lake. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Grandview man has been charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon after waving a gun at a fireworks tent in Belton, Mo. the day after the Fourth of July. According to the Cass County Sheriffs Office, deputies responded to a disturbance call at Shays Fireworks on 171st Street, near Holmes Road, for a disturbance call on July 5. Technician stranded on roof forced to watch while his tools are stolen One of the victims said a man, 25-year-old Verrell Garrett, had waved his gun at them. The victim said the suspect then left the tent and later returned, waving his firearm toward them while he was driving. Several days later, deputies with the Criminal Apprehension Unit identified Garrett as the suspect and arrested him on July 11. The Grandview Police Department also provided assistance in the investigation. That same day, Garrett was charged with a Class E Felony for Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Timothy Haslett enters not guilty plea in Jaynie Crosdales murder A Class E Felony is the least severe class of felony based on the punishment and is considered a mid-level crime. If someone is charged, they could face up to four years in prison, one year in jail, a fine of up to $10,000 or a later chance of parole. According to deputies, Garrett is currently being held at the Cass County jail with no bond allowed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Greene County man accused of pointing gun at womans head, threatening to kill her during argument A Greene County man is facing charges over accusations he pointed a gun at a womans head during an argument. In a report, Pennsylvania State Police in Waynesburg say troopers were sent to Jefferson Road in Morgan Township for a reported aggravated assault on July 8. An investigation determined that a man and woman got into an argument over a piece of furniture next to the mans garage. PSP says the man, identified as Alex Uveges, 51, brandished a handgun and pointed it at the womans head, reportedly saying he was going to kill her. Troopers took the gun during their investigation. Uveges is facing several charges, including aggravated assault, simple assault and terroristic threats. He was released from the Greene County PRison on an unsecured bond but is scheduled to appear in court at the end of July. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Uniontown shooting that killed father was murder-for-hire plot, state police say A public nuisance: Family of woman killed in mass shooting at Penn Hills bar files lawsuit Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case dismissed, cannot be filed again VIDEO: Its a busy weekend for politics in the Pittsburgh region. Here's a look at who's coming to town DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts GREENWOOD, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Hackett man is accused of sexually assaulting a minor at a daycare when the victim was two years old, according to court documents. Jamie Speaks, 55 (Courtesy: Sebastian County Detention Center) Jamie Speaks, 55, was arrested by Greenwood police on July 11 on a second-degree sexual assault charge. The Arkansas Crime Information Centers Sex Offender Registry database shows Speaks is a level two sex offender. A probable cause affidavit filed on July 8 said GPD received a report from the parents of a 16-year-old on May 26, 2022, about a sexual assault. The victim reportedly disclosed to a counselor she was sexually abused by Speaks when she was around two years old at a daycare. She told interviewers that Speaks would come into the daycare she attended while his wife worked in the kitchen. Greenwood couple accused of leaving child in hot car in Fort Smith Speaks would allegedly take her by the hand into the bathroom where he would sexually abuse her. The girl said she had never told anyone about the abuse until she was in counseling at age 16. Before Speaks was arrested, he was named in two civil lawsuits against Miss Tinas Preschool in Greenwood that were filed in December 2023 and January 2024. The lawsuits accuse the preschool of knowingly allowing a convicted child predator to be around children at the school, which reportedly led to long-term sexual abuse. Speaks is accused of forcefully and intentionally making harmful physical sexual contact with minors who were at Miss Tinas. The lawsuits say Speaks was charged in 1993 with molesting a seven-year-old who was in the care of him and his wife at their at-home daycare. Fort Smith police arrest suspect in July 5 shooting on Garrison Avenue His wife closed the daycare in 1994 after the incident and was later hired at Miss Tinas, according to the lawsuit. Tina Skaggs, the owner of the preschool, allegedly knew of Speaks criminal history when she hired his wife and allowed him to spend time at the preschool despite his convictions and sex offender status. In the lawsuit, Skaggs denies the assertion that Speaks was frequently and consistently present during the time of his wifes employment at the preschool. She also denies being aware that Speaks was left unsupervised with children and taking them into the bathroom. The two lawsuits are set to go to trial next year, one starting on August 11, 2025, and the other on September 8, 2025. Court documents say Speaks pleaded guilty to sexual assault and sexual indecency with a child charges in June 2012. Speaks is being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond and is set to appear in court on July 17. Pine Bluff man arrested in Louisiana in connection with Fort Smith shooting Miss Tinas Preschool was listed as permanently closed on Bing and Google. The phone number listed on Bing has been disconnected. The Arkansas Department of Human Services licensed child care providers database does not list Miss Tinas Preschool but the Arkansas Secretary of States business online search database still lists the school as a nonprofit corporation in good standing. The DHS database lists two other child care providers under Skaggs name, Preschool Extraordinaire on South Coker Street and Bundles of Joy Infant Center on Highway 71 South. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A Kern County firefighter and a good Samaritan were able to rescue an emotional support pig named Kelvin from the devastating fire in the South Lake community earlier this week. The Larsen Incident destroyed three homes on July 8, the Kern County Fire Department said. Officials said harsh conditions, 110-degree temperatures led to the spread of flames in the neighborhood in the 8000 block of Main Street. Social Security COLA increase for 2025 projected to be lowest in several years On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service at the Sequoia National Forest posted on Facebook the story of Kelvin, a half-blind emotional support pot belly pig that was rescued from flames that destroyed a home. Kelvin was rescued by a firefighter and a neighbor from flames of the Larsen Incident on July 8, the US Forest Service said. / Photo: US Forest Service Kelvin was rescued by a firefighter and a neighbor from flames of the Larsen Incident on July 8, the US Forest Service said. / Photo: US Forest Service Officials said a firefighter and a neighbor went into burning building to save Kelvin and its owner. Fortunately, they were all able to escape. A friend then helped find a temporary home for Kelvin and its owner. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage In the Facebook post, forest service officials thanked the community for coming together and helping one another out. We want to thank our citizens of the Kern River Valley for showing each other kindness, support, compassion, and strength in hard times, the post read. Many others stories go untold, but the fact remains that we are strongest together, and good will always win. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green (D) defended Biden Friday amid scrutiny over the presidents age and mental fitness, arguing Biden was quite sharp during his press conference at NATOs Washington summit Thursday. Hes quite sharp, Green said, reacting to a clip of Biden speaking from the press conference. Look, an 81-year-old gentleman is going to have moments where they skip a word, where they feel exhausted that was the case when we had Ronald Reagan (R) as president, and he went on to two terms that are viewed as particularly successful by many, The Hawaii governor said in an interview on The Hill on NewsNation with host Blake Burman. Green, also a physician, added that Trump and Biden are older men, meaning they will likely have bad days. Youre going to see bad days on on the part of former President Trump also. These two gentlemen are old. Is that a surprise? No, it doesnt take a physician to tell you that, he said. What I can tell you is that cognitively, he is quite able to put major complex policies together, Green said, referring to Biden. Green dismissed some concerns about Bidens ability to do the job, saying that the presidents team has delivered years of great work. I got to see him firsthand because we had the Maui wildfire just under a year ago. He walked, you know, he walked the disaster zone with us. He greeted 300 people, he said. Responding to Burmans questions about concerns Bidens team is insulating and isolating the president, said such a strategy is common no matter what the circumstances. Teams of course they protect their principal they do that for Mr. Trump, they do that for Biden, theyve always done that for every president, Green said. Ronald Reagan, in his last two years, was completely surrounded by his inner circle, and mostly Nancy Reagan. And everyone felt that he had severe decline then, but he was still our president, Green added. Greens remarks come after Biden met with Democratic governors last week including Green. Governors emerged from that meeting saying they have his back and that they have full confidence in the presidents ability to serve and win. The number of Democratic congressional lawmakers calling for Biden to step aside has continued to rise following the Thursday press conference, though. Despite Democratic governors reaffirming their support for Biden, New York Lt. Gov Antonio Delgado has also called for the president to stand down. I have immense respect and admiration for his [President Bidens] deep and abiding commitment to the American people and our founding democratic ideals. He can add to his legacy, showing his strength and grace, by ending his campaign and making room for a new leader, Delgado wrote in a post to social platform X Wednesday. Nexstar Media Group, which owns NewsNation, is also The Hills parent company. The Hill on NewsNation airs Monday to Friday at 5 p.m. ET. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) stands against the other industrial stocks. Industrial stocks in the United States encompass a broad range of sectors including manufacturing, transportation, aerospace, defense, and construction. These sectors form the backbone of the American economy, driving innovation, employment, and growth. Companies within this category often engage in the production of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure essential for various industries. The performance of industrial stocks is closely tied to the overall health of the economy. Economic expansion typically boosts demand for industrial goods and services, while recessions can lead to contractions in this sector. Recently, industrial stocks have shown resilience amid global supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty, thanks in part to technological advancements and diversified service offerings. Advancements in automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence are transforming the industrial landscape. Companies are increasingly investing in smart manufacturing technologies to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Environmental concerns and regulatory pressures are pushing industrial firms toward sustainable practices. Companies are adopting greener technologies and renewable energy sources to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Industrial stocks play a vital role in the US economy, offering a diverse range of investment opportunities. Understanding the dynamics of different sectors, keeping abreast of market trends, and evaluating economic indicators are crucial for making informed investment decisions in this space. With continued advancements in technology and a focus on sustainable practices, the industrial sector remains a critical and evolving component of the financial market landscape. Overall, industrial stocks returned close to 10% so far in 2024. According to Federal Reserve Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization report, most major market groups saw gains in May. Consumer goods increased by 1.3 percent, driven by rises across all components except home electronics. Business equipment edged up by 0.2 percent despite a drop in transit, buoyed by gains in information processing and industrial sectors. Defense and space equipment rose by 1.0 percent, marking a nearly 10 percent increase from a year ago. The materials market group saw a 0.8 percent increase, with non-energy durables and non-energy nondurables each up by around 1 percent, and energy materials rising by 0.6 percent. In manufacturing, overall output rose by 0.9 percent in May, slightly above last year's level. Durable manufacturing increased by 0.6 percent, nondurables by 1.1 percent, and other manufacturing (publishing and logging) by 0.2 percent. Within durable manufacturing, notable gains were seen in wood products (up 2.6 percent), machinery (up 2.3 percent), and computer/electronic products (up 0.8 percent). Furniture and related products saw the largest decline (down 2.6 percent). In nondurables, printing and support activities decreased by 1.5 percent, while other categories saw gains. Mining output rebounded with a 0.3 percent increase in May, following declines in the previous two months. Oil and gas extraction rose, offsetting decreases in other mining and support activities. Utilities output grew by 1.6 percent, surpassing last year's level by 3.9 percent. Capacity utilization for manufacturing rose to 77.1 percent in May, slightly below its long-run average. Mining's operating rate reached 92.7 percent, well above its average, while utilities remained notably below their typical operating levels despite a slight increase to 71.5 percent. Story continues So, what are the best industrial stocks to buy in this current environment? Our Methodology We leveraged Insider Monkey's comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 10 industrial stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular industrial stocks among elite investors. An intermodal container train winding through a rural landscape. Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) Number of Hedge Funds Holders: 87 Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP), through its subsidiary Union Pacific Railroad Company, operates as a major player in the U.S. railroad industry. The company provides transportation services for a wide range of products, including grain and grain products, fertilizers, food and refrigerated items, coal, and renewable resources. These services cater to various sectors such as grain processors, animal feeders, ethanol producers, and renewable biofuel producers. Additionally, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) transports construction materials, industrial chemicals, plastics, forest products, specialized items, metals, ores, petroleum, liquid petroleum gases, soda ash, sand, finished automobiles, automotive parts, and merchandise in intermodal containers. On June 17, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) had its rating downgraded from Buy to Hold by Loop Capital, which also reduced the stock's price target from $276 to $238. This downgrade is due to concerns about Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) operational efficiency and cargo volumes, which are expected to remain weak in the near term. Loop Capital's analyst highlighted that these issues are not fully accounted for in the current stock valuation, prompting the revised rating and price target. This adjustment signals a more cautious outlook for Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) financial performance over the next year, potentially influencing investor decisions. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with stakes in Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP) decreased to 87 from 90 in the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkeys database. The combined value of these stakes is approximately $4.92 billion. Ken Fisher's Fisher Asset Management emerged as the largest stakeholder among these hedge funds during this period. Overall UNP ranks 3rd on our list of the best industrial stocks stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Industrial Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds to see the other industrial stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of UNP as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some 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 UNP 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 10 Best of Breed Stocks to Buy For The Third Quarter of 2024 According to Bank of America. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. The Southwest Suburban Health Department said Friday that it identified a positive case of Legionnaires' Disease in West Allis. SWSHD identified the Legionella bacteria in a cooling tower at 7400 W. Greenfield Ave., which houses Noble Senior Living, the department said in a news release. According to the health department, there is no widespread risk to the community, but it advises West Allis residents living within a 1-mile radius of the address to self-monitor for symptoms such as muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, coughing and fever. Any individuals experiencing any symptoms should contact their healthcare provider. We have proactively been working with the facility to ensure the safety of the West Allis community as we continue to investigate this case, Health Commissioner Robert Leischow said in the release. "We will continue working with the living facility to address this situation and protect the health of those living at or near this facility. SWSHD ordered the Noble Senior Living facility to take actions including using bottled water for drinking and discontinuing the use of showers, faucets and ice machines until proper filters are installed to repair the cooling tower and other water distribution services. Legionella bacteria grow in warm water and can make people ill when they breathe in the mist from a water source infected with the bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' Disease, SWSHD said in the release. The illness normally is not spread from person to person, but it must be treated with antibiotics. Those who have compromised immune systems, smoke, or are 50 years of age or older are more likely to be affected. In 2018, three patients died and 14 were infected in Madison after contracting the disease. The disease was found to be linked to the UW Hospital's water supply system. For more information and facts about Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires disease, visit the city of West Allis website. Any questions can be directed to Ashley Palen, Director of Community Health Services, at apalen@westalliswi.gov. Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Legionnaires' Disease confirmed in West Allis senior living facility Photo: Find Taylor Casey (Facebook) The mother of Taylor Casey, the Black Chicago woman missing in the Bahamas, says though she couldnt withhold her daughters racial identity, there was another detail about her she hid from the public in fear it would throw a wrench in the search for her. Casey was identified as a transgender woman for the first time since she went missing June 19. The focus was going to be taken off of finding my child, my child being missing and that they were going to put the focus on Oh, Taylors transgender, which should not be the focus at all, Colette Seymore, Caseys mother, told NBC News. She said if her daughter were a cisgender white woman the investigation would have been done properly, the way it should have been done. Is she wrong? Lets recall the search for Gabby Petito: Authorities exhausted every resource possible in locating the YouTuber with a severe sense of urgency. Meanwhile, missing Black women are lucky if their photo makes basic internet circulation. White women are often overrepresented in news coverage anyway when Black people make up more of the missing persons cases in the country, according to the report Missing White Woman Syndrome: An Empirical Analysis of Race and Gender Disparities in Online News Coverage of Missing Persons. Additionally, a report from Transgender Europe states that 74 percent of the murders of trans people reported around the world were committed in Latin America or the Caribbean, where Casey was last seen. She was attending a yoga program at the Sivananda Asharam Yoga Retreat in the Bahamas, where legal restrictions are placed on same-sex intimacy. Out of all of the retreat participants, Casey was the only Black woman and the only trans woman, her friends tell NBC. Authorities also havent found evidence of foul play in the investigation, but its unclear if her identity has anything to do with her disappearance. The last piece of evidence found was her phone and a few of her belongings, per the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Her family has now sought the help of the FBI and Illinois legislators for help. Thursday was Caseys 42nd birthday. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Summer 2024 is barely 3 weeks old and it's already been a record-smashing season for heat extremes, with scores of record highs set from the deserts of California (124 degrees) to the mountains of Maine (98 degrees) over the past few weeks. And forecasters say still more extreme heat is on the way in upcoming weeks. But it's not just about a number on a thermometer: The USA's ongoing heat wave has also been deadly. At least 30 fatalities across the West this month are suspected to be related to extreme heat, according to state officials and media reports. The death toll will increase as the summer continues, but experts say the numbers won't ever be right. That's in part because heat kills in subtle and complex ways. Extreme heat stresses the human body, which means its true toll can't be measured simply by counting obviously heat-related deaths (such as heat stroke or hot car deaths). Heat may not show up on a death certificate even if high temperatures played a role in causing a person's death. Extreme heat kills and maims: Here are some of its victims from across the US. We know the number of workplace and traffic-related accidents increases during heat waves, Bharat Venkat, director of the UCLA Heat Lab, told USA TODAY on Thursday. If you fall off a ladder at work because it was a particularly hot night and you didnt have air conditioning and you didnt sleep well, that wouldnt be counted. Researchers have previously tied heat to increases in overall deaths. If the entire U.S. experienced extreme heat for just one day, an estimated 154 adults would die, according to a USA TODAY analysis of data from a 2022 study. Making things even more complicated: Theres no national standard or data collection for heat deaths, and many counties collect the information differently. The end result? Heat deaths are absolutely undercounted, Venkat said. A vehicle drives as heat waves shimmer, causing visual distortion, during a long-duration heat wave which is continuing to impact much of California on July 10, 2024, near Death Valley National Park, California. Who tracks weather and heat-related deaths? Reporting weather-related deaths is far from an exact science and up-to-the-minute reports are gathered from a variety of sources. The National Weather Service tracks deaths conveyed by its weather forecast offices, where information is gathered from local officials and news media reports. The information is timely and publicly available, but not complete. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the official source of cause of death reporting, and is based on death certificate data, so its information is more complete but often delayed by years after the weather event. (But even the CDCs data is not precise nor exact because the process of filling out death certificates isnt standardized across the nation.) Even so, the CDC reported heat-related deaths averaged nearly 900 per year for the five years between 2016-2021, double the five-year average from 15 years earlier. Meanwhile, initial media reports of heat deaths often look to local authorities as a source. But local governments have different procedures for disclosing deaths and they aren't consistent in what is considered a heat-related death. Among the more than 3,000 counties completing death certificates in the U.S., theres reason to believe the forms are handled differently in every county, said Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke Universitys Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability. Death certificates have multiple slots for adding information, with many potential codes available from a standardized set of codes for reporting primary and contributing causes of death. When its time to complete the form, if heat exposure or other environmental factors contributed to a stroke or heart attack for example, Ward said information about the patients activities in the days leading up to their hospitalization or death might only be found deep in the notes from an emergency room doctor. Heat triggers other health problems. So what counts as a heat death? Most deaths that occur due to extreme heat are likely exacerbations of preexisting medical conditions, said Sameed Khatana, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a cardiologist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Can you say confidently that this particular heart attack happened because of this heat wave and it wouldn't have happened if that heat wave didn't occur? That's a big challenge. When heat is a direct cause of death the question is simpler, said Khatana. When its a contributing factor, thats where the challenge lies. Theres also no way to definitively know if heat killed someone unless the signs are very clear. Autopsies often dont show heat exposure, Venkat said. Its hard to read heat off the body. Were they working in a hot warehouse, were they exposed to a long period of high temperature? An autopsy wont necessarily show that. Maggy Johnston, an outreach coordinator with Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, wraps a cold towel around Michael Pesterfluid during the heat wave in Salem, Oregon, on July 5, 2024. Heat has been historic This heat wave has been historic and record-setting: More than 50 cities in California and Nevada broke all-time heat records in the first five days of July, according to AccuWeather. Some areas experienced temperatures up to 20 degrees over historical averages. Las Vegas soared to its all-time record high of 120 degrees last week, breaking the previous record by the wide margin of 3 degrees. Palm Springs, California, also ballooned to its all-time record of 124 degrees last week. The National Weather Service warns that more temperature records are possible in the West this weekend and also that the heat is headed across the country. "This long-duration heat wave remains extremely dangerous and deadly if not taken seriously," the weather service said. "Dozens of daily record-high temperatures are forecast over much of the West through Saturday. Hazardous heat will expand in coverage over portions of the central and eastern U.S. late this weekend." Next week looks brutal too: "Confidence is increasing in extremely dangerous heat, particularly for urban areas in the Southeast and East Coast beginning Monday." The heat wave will also bring danger at night. Higher nighttime temperatures are especially dangerous for those without access to air conditioning, which is especially a problem if there are power outages during heat waves. The stresses on your organs to keep you alive when its really hot are intense. When temperatures drop at night, your body has a chance to recover, Venkat said. When you dont get that, its pretty serious. Theres a certain threshold beyond which your body just cant do it anymore. If youre not able to get sleep, and let your heart and lungs and kidneys and liver take a break, its more likely one of these systems will fail the next day, said Venkat. Its like any sort of mechanical system, if you run it long enough it will break down. Contributing: Chris Cann, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave death count keeps growing, but true toll is higher LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Two women and their families in a complex of low-income apartment rental townhouses have been without functioning air conditioning in their units for several weeks during a record-breaking spell of heat in the region, the women tell the 8 News Now Investigators. Antwanesha Price, a resident of the Sierra Point Apartments near Maryland and Desert Inn, told 8 News Now that she will have been without her central air for four weeks as of Saturday. Her neighbor directly next door told the 8 News Now Investigators her apartment has been without A/C since July 4. Both women said the management company claims a part is on order, but that the necessary repairs never materialize. Unbearable, Price, who has lived in the same apartment for three years, said. Its horrible. Price, who pays $400 per month, said one of her three children has medical issues and when hes overheated, he is susceptible to seizures. She told the 8 News Now Investigators shes been paying for hotel rooms and staying with family, but when she does stay at home, her 8-year-old son doesnt fare well. He woke up with a bloody nose this morning and the other morning, Price said. At the propertys on-site office, a woman who identified herself as Teri, the property manager, spoke with the 8 News Now Investigators but did not answer any questions about the air conditioning in the complex. Im not able to disclose anything, Teri the property manager said, forwarding the 8 News Now Investigators inquiries to Pacific Cap, which she believed to be in Oregon. Public records show the owner as LV LIHTC, LP, a Nevada limited partnership, care of Integra Property Group, LLC, in Seattle. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Hemp Casita visits Topeka to show how the plant can help farmers Hemp Casita visits Topeka to show how the plant can help farmers TOPEKA (KSNT) One Topeka man is hitting the road, and hes bringing a house with him. The Hemp Casita made a stop at Evergy Plaza Friday night. Its made out of hemp by-products, and built by Kansas State students. Kelly Rippel, a co-founder of Kansans for Hemp, is helping send the tiny home across the Sunflower State to showcase what farmer-grown hemp can do. We just want people to see this and experience it for their own, Rippel said. Put their eyes and hands on it to see what this can actually mean for communities [and] for farmers. The Kansas State Fair hosted the Hemp Casitas first stop, and has traveled throughout Kansas since. It plans to travel nationwide. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in Texas after Hurricane Beryl left hundreds of thousands without power during soaring heat waves across the state. The declaration comes days after President Joe Biden issued an official disaster declaration providing the state with access to federal funds and after the White House said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott failed to promptly request federal assistance. "The combination of severe heat and limited access to electricity is dangerous, especially for vulnerable populations and those relying on electricity-dependent durable medical equipment and certain healthcare services," Dawn O'Connell, the federal department's assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said in a Friday press release. What does a public health emergency mean for Texas? The declaration issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra may provide Texas with greater access to federal funds and resources, such as grants and equipment, to respond to the emergency situation. It also allows for a more flexible use of Medicare and Medicaid, waiving certain regulatory requirements. Federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have been in communication with public health officials in Texas to share health and safety messaging, the press release said. The Department of Health and Human Services has also provided local officials with data about Texans who are most vulnerable to power outages due to use of electricity-dependent medical devices, or who receive frequent care that may be disrupted by severe weather events. Floods, power outages across Texas following Beryl storm Hurricane Beryl's landfall has left more than a million homes and businesses in Texas without electricity over the past week. As of Thursday, three days after the storm arrived in Houston, around 1.3 million people continued to experience outages, according to poweroutage.us. Major electricity suppliers CenterPoint Energy and Entergy Texas received backlash from customers after announcing Wednesday that they had only been able to restore electricity to around 50% of customers and were still working to bridge the other 50%. Abbott said Thursday that an investigation should be opened into CenterPoint's failure to promptly restore electricity to customers. Testifying before the Public Utility Commission of Texas on Thursday, CenterPoint CEO Jason Ryan said that the company "will not stop the work until it is done." Abbott himself has been the subject of scrutiny following the devastation from Beryl, as he spent the week of the storm attending prescheduled meetings with diplomats in Asia. Biden criticized Abbott for failing to declare a state of emergency in Texas sooner, a comment that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick labeled an effort to politicize the emergency. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Public health emergency declared in Texas; Beryl fallout continues A meeting between Hispanic House Democrats and President Biden ended somewhat awkwardly Friday, as one member used his question to ask the president point blank to drop out of the race. Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm, organized the call with time for two questions, but Biden spontaneously took a third. Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) used the opportunity to ask Biden to step down from the presidential race against former President Trump. According to multiple sources, Levins request was calm and preambled with praise for Biden and his agenda but based on interactions with constituents in his district. In his response, Biden explained why his public engagements have ballooned over the past few weeks. Thats why Im going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions. I think I know what Im doing because the truth of the matter is Im going to say something outrageous no president in three years has done what we have in three years other than Franklin Roosevelt, because of your help. Thats not hyperbole, thats a fact. No president, said Biden, according to a source familiar with the conversation. And so that doesnt answer the question. Thats that was great when you were feeling good, Biden, are you OK now? Thats whats underlying. Thats what people are worried about. Ive got a grandfather whos 85 years old and he cant walk. Its a legitimate concern for people, but thats why I think its important I gotta get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that Im still in good charge. After the call, Levin released a statement praising Biden but asking him to pass the torch. We must prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy. Donald Trump actively seeks a bleak authoritarianism and the overthrow of the values which have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries, Levin said in his statement. Once again, our national mettle must be forged in the crucible of history. It is time to move forward. With a new leader. Together. Since Bidens debate against Trump last month, insider sentiment about Bidens viability as a candidate has seesawed along with his performances at public events, but a steady trickle of Democrats has joined calls for him to drop out. Bidens performance at a solo press conference after the NATO summit in Washington on Thursday calmed fears that the president had lost a step in his grip of policy issues, but his verbal flubs and inconsistent delivery maintained questions about his ability to communicate his administrations accomplishments. Bidens schedule Friday included the CHC meeting and a later meeting with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which was scheduled to start about an hour before the CHC meeting wrapped up. Today, CHC Bold PAC had a positive call where we heard the latest from President Biden on the state of the November election, CHC Chair Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.) said. The President answered our questions and thanked us for supporting him and for the critical role we have in working to reelect him, President Biden has my unwavering support and I believe he is the best candidate who can beat Trumps hateful anti-American rhetoric, Barragan added. The calls host, Bold PAC Chair Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), ended the meeting after Bidens response to Levin, referencing the presidents upcoming appointment. Again, Mr. President, we want to thank you for being very generous with your time. That will be the last question for today, but we know that you have another engagement with some of our colleagues from the AAPI community, Sanchez said. Several senior CHC members, including Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) who was the second Democrat and first CHC member to call for Biden to withdraw did not attend the call because of travel or other reasons. Many CHC members after the call said they were pleased with the content of the meeting, less so with the leak about Levins interaction with Biden. According to Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), who also serves as a Biden-Harris campaign co-chair, Reps. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) were the first Bold PAC members to ask Sanchez for a spot on the queue. She stated that they would be the two people who definitely would get to ask their questions. But the chairwoman kept a list of all the members who put their hands up in the call and who wanted to ask questions. And in fact, at one point during the conversation, she announced who was in the queue, Escobar said. Correa, a member of the Three Amigos who has butted heads against Democratic leadership on immigration issues, pressed on Biden the importance of finding a path to citizenship for long-term undocumented immigrants. We need your help, Mr. President. We need your help with the Latino voters. Again, we need from you a strong message of hope, said Correa, according to a source familiar with the conversation. They need hope of becoming Americans. I ask you to, in your messaging, to talk to these families and say to them, there is a pathway in my second administration for all of you that have been here for decades, that have followed the laws, that have paid taxes to be part of the American Dream, sir, he later added. Biden, whose standing with immigration advocates in the CHC rose substantially with Junes announcement of immigration relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, responded with a pitch for the bipartisan border deal not popular with that crowd but a dig on Trump and the immensely CHC-friendly immigration relief package. Look, you know, I strongly agree with every word you just said, not a joke. Im being deadly earnest. And one of the things I tried to get, with all of your help, we tried to get that compromise that was, got through, that bipartisan compromise that was negotiated for weeks and weeks. And Trump decided that that was going to benefit us, so he said scuttle it. And all these guys from before backed away, Biden said. Were in a situation where, thats why I used the executive action, for example, to make sure that over a million Latinos who are married to an American citizen are, get complete access to citizenship, and get you get a green card, now. And its going to change the dynamic in a big way. But the anonymous leak laid bare divisions within the CHC, a group that has had extreme ups and downs in terms of member unity. Its disheartening that we have members who would undermine Lindas leadership, who would undermine their colleagues and who would undermine the president. I mean, honestly, all of this helps Donald Trump, Escobar said. Mychael Schnell 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 The Hill. (The Hill) A meeting between Hispanic House Democrats and President Biden ended somewhat awkwardly Friday, as one member used his question to ask the president point blank to drop out of the race. Bold PAC, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) campaign arm, organized the call with time for two questions, but Biden spontaneously took a third. Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) used the opportunity to ask Biden to step down from the presidential race against former President Trump. According to multiple sources, Levins request was calm and preambled with praise for Biden and his agenda, but based on interactions with constituents in his district. In his response, Biden explained why his public engagements have ballooned over the past few weeks. Chris Matthews: Biden critics are going to pay for it Thats why Im going out and letting people touch me, poke me, ask me questions. I think I know what Im doing because the truth of the matter is Im going to say something outrageous no president in three years has done what we have in three years other than Franklin Roosevelt, because of your help. Thats not hyperbole, thats a fact. No president, said Biden, according to a source familiar with the conversation. And so that doesnt answer the question. Thats that was great when you were feeling good, Biden, are you OK now? Thats whats underlying. Thats what people are worried about. Ive got a grandfather whos 85 years old and he cant walk. Its a legitimate concern for people, but thats why I think its important I gotta get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that Im still in good charge. After the call, Levin released a statement praising Biden but asking him to pass the torch. We must prevail against the incalculable threat Donald Trump poses to the American institutions of freedom and democracy. Donald Trump actively seeks a bleak authoritarianism and the overthrow of the values which have guided us towards justice and prosperity for nearly two and a half centuries, said Levin in his statement. Biden tries to reassure Michigan backers: I promise you I am OK Once again, our national mettle must be forged in the crucible of history. It is time to move forward. With a new leader. Together. Since Bidens debate against Trump last month, insider sentiment about Bidens viability as a candidate has seesawed along with his performances at public events, but a steady trickle of Democrats has joined calls for him to drop out. Bidens performance at a solo press conference after the NATO summit in Washington on Thursday calmed fears that the president had lost a step in his grip of policy issues, but his verbal flubs and inconsistent delivery maintained questions about his ability to communicate his administrations accomplishments. Bidens schedule Friday included the CHC meeting and a later meeting with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, which was scheduled to start about an hour before the CHC meeting wrapped up. The calls host, Bold PAC Chair Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), ended the meeting after Bidens response to Levin, referencing the presidents upcoming appointment. Again, Mr. President, we want to thank you for being very generous with your time. That will be the last question for today, but we know that you have another engagement with some of our colleagues from the AAPI community, said Sanchez. Several senior CHC members, including Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) the second Democrat and first CHC member to call for Biden to withdraw did not attend the call because of travel or other reasons. Judge dismisses Rudy Giulianis bankruptcy Many CHC members after the call said they were pleased with the content of the meeting, less so with the leak about Levins interaction with Biden. According to Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), who also serves as a Biden-Harris campaign co-chair, Reps. Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) and Lou Correa (D-Calif.) were the first Bold PAC members to ask Sanchez for a spot on the queue. She stated that they would be the two people who definitely would get to ask their questions. But the chairwoman kept a list of all the members who put their hands up in the call and who wanted to ask questions. And in fact, at one point during the conversation, she announced who was in the queue, said Escobar. Correa, a member of the Three Amigos that has butted heads against Democratic leadership on immigration issues, pressed on Biden the importance of finding a path to citizenship for long-term undocumented immigrants. We need your help, Mr President. We need your help with the Latino voters. Again, we need from you a strong message of hope, said Correa, according to a source familiar with the conversation. They need hope of becoming Americans. I ask you to, in your messaging, to talk to these families and say to them, there is a pathway in my second administration for all of you that have been here for decades, that have followed the laws, that have paid taxes to be part of the American Dream, sir, he later added. Biden, whose standing with immigration advocates in the CHC rose substantially with Junes announcement of immigration relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, responded with a pitch for the bipartisan border deal not popular with that crowd but a dig on Trump and the immensely CHC-friendly immigration relief package. Collins will not vote Trump, but cast write-in vote for Haley Look, you know, I strongly agree with every word you just said, not a joke. Im being deadly earnest. And one of the things I tried to get, with all of your help, we tried to get that compromise that was, got through, that bipartisan compromise that was negotiated for weeks and weeks. And Trump decided that that was going to benefit us, so he said scuttle it. And all these guys from before backed away, said Biden. Were in a situation where, thats why I used the executive action, for example, to make sure that over a million Latinos who are married to an American citizen are, get complete access to citizenship, and get you get a green card, now. And its going to change the dynamic in a big way. But the anonymous leak laid bare divisions within the CHC, a group that has had extreme ups and downs in terms of member unity. Its disheartening that we have members who would undermine Lindas leadership, who would undermine their colleagues and who would undermine the president. I mean, honestly, all of this helps Donald Trump, said Escobar. Mychael Schnell 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 Queen City News. Historic Ohio building to be demolished after deadly explosion A historic Ohio building is set to be demolished after a deadly explosion earlier this year. The historic Realty Tower building in Youngstown will be torn down, with the demolition starting Tuesday at noon, CBS affiliate WOIO reported. News Center 7 previously reported on the explosion that occurred in late May when a crew working in the basement cut a gas line they thought was turned off. The explosion killed 27-year-old Akil Drake, a Chase Bank Employee, and injured 7 other people. >> RELATED COVERAGE: Deadly Ohio explosion caused by crews cutting gas line they thought was turned off, NTSB says According to a release from Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, Realty Tower owners, engineers, and city officials decided to demolish the building because of significant concerns, about the engineers ability to stabilize the building. While we are disappointed that such a prominent and historic downtown building cannot be saved, we are thankful to be moving forward with a resolution to safely get residents home and downtown businesses open, Brown said in a statement. The process of the demolishment will be determined by Realty Tower owners. The investigation into the explosion is being handled by the pipeline and hazardous materials division of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The City Centre building is pictured in Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The University of Utah plans to purchase the City Centre building and parking lot. The Utah Board of Higher Education is meeting to consider the estimated $38.5 million purchase price. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News The University of Utah will soon acquire a 10-story office building and acreage in downtown Salt Lake City for the opportunistic price of $38 million, a university official told higher education officials on Friday. Right now, were purchasing it for $38 million and the previous owner several years ago purchased it for about $75 million. For those of you in the construction world, its post-tensioned concrete. Its a very well built building that, over time, will only need interior tenant improvements and things to keep it a relevant building, said John Creer, the universitys chief real estate officer. Post-tensioned concrete is a method of strengthening concrete by adding tension after it has cured. The Utah Board of Higher Education approved the universitys purchase of the building and adjacent parking lot. Built in 1986, the building has over the years housed the Salt Lake Chamber, Social Security Administration offices, law offices and more recently, computer gaming companies. No state money will be used to purchase the office building and an adjacent parcel of 1.8 acres at 175 E. 400 South. Funding will come from the University of Utahs internal bank and be repaid through lease payments from current tenants. The university plans to consolidate university operations currently housed in other downtown office space into the building. The parking lot next to the City Centre building is pictured in Salt Lake City on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The University of Utah plans to purchase the parking lot and City Centre building. The Utah Board of Higher Education is meeting to consider the estimated $38.5 million purchase price. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News A surface parking lot west of the building generates about $600,000 in revenue just being a downtown, prominently located surface parking lot that well keep running like that for a while, until we need the land, Creer said. Presently, the 238,805 square foot office building is about 52% vacant, which has left the current owner unable to cover the debt, necessitating their need to dispose of the property, Cathy Anderson, the universitys chief financial officer, wrote in a letter to the higher education board. Anderson wrote that the location north of the City-County Building and near the Matheson Courthouse is highly desirable due to its proximity to a TRAX/UTA light rail stop, green space, restaurants, the Salt Lake City Public Library, and many other city amenities. Users at this location are four to five TRAX stops from the University of Utah main campus. Creer said many of the existing tenants are compatible with the university functions that will take place in the building. The good thing is, it has some really unique full-floor opportunities that the university can take advantage of, he said. The university will need to spend $3 million to $4 million for refreshing. We know we need to upgrade some elevators. Is our biggest ticket item, just to bring them into the 21st century, he said. Story continues Common areas and lobbies were upgraded by the previous owner. Amanda Covington, chairwoman of the Utah Board of Higher Education, complimented the universitys team for securing the property and building at a competitive price and plans to exit leases at other office buildings in the city and move into a central location. Well done. Its a great get, you guys, from a real estate perspective. So way to be on your toes with this one, she said. Twin sisters Jo and Joy Banner pose for a photograph in front of their business, Fee-Fo-Lay Cafe, March 13, 2024, in Wallace, La. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith) WALLACE, La. (AP) Sisters Jo and Dr. Joy Banner live just miles from where their ancestors were enslaved more than 200 years ago in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. Their tidy Creole cottage cafe in the small riverfront town of Wallace lies yards from property their great-grandparents bought more than a century ago. Its a historic area the sisters have dedicated themselves to keeping free of the heavy industry that lines the opposite shore of the Mississippi River. We have all these little pockets of free towns surrounding these plantation cane fields. Its such a great story of tenacity and how we were able to be financially independent and economically savvy, Joy Banner said. Today, miles of sugarcane borders homes on Wallace's west side. Eastward, two plantations tell the story of enslaved people: One has more than a dozen slave quarters, the other a memorial commemorating a slave revolt. Directly across the Mississippi, refineries and other heavy industry crowd the view, showing Wallace residents exactly what the Banners are fighting against taking over their side of the river. Together, they created a nonprofit called The Descendants Project to preserve Black Louisianans' culture. The immediate goal is to stop a 222-acre (90-hectare) proposed grain export facility from being built within 300 feet (91 meters) of the Banners property and near several historic sites. It would essentially pave the way for the whole entire West Bank area that doesnt have any heavy industry on it to just be industrialized, Jo Banner said. "We have a lot of heritage, and thats going to be decimated if we get these plants. Their sentiments echo those of residents who live in other towns along Louisiana's Cancer Alley, an 85-mile (135-kilometer) corridor along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. It's filled with industrial plants that emit toxic chemicals, including known carcinogens. The Descendants Project has tangled with Greenfield Louisiana LLC, the company proposing the grain terminal, as well as the local St. John the Baptist Parish Council, for nearly two years, seeking to prevent the Greenfield Wallace Grain Export Facility from being built. It would receive and export grain byproducts via trucks, trains and barges. While some town residents support the project, the Banners and other neighbors fear it will eradicate historic landmarks and pollute the area. We already have issues with industry from the other side of the river, said Gail Zeringue, whose husbands family purchased their property in the late 19th century. To add to that with a grain elevator is just piling it on. The Parish Council recently rezoned nearly 1,300 acres (526 hectares) of commercial and residential property for heavy industry. Another swath along a residential zone was redesignated for light industry. All the tracts are owned by the Port of Louisiana and have been leased to Greenfield Louisiana LLC. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found the grain facility could adversely affect several historic properties in and around Wallace, including the Evergreen, Oak Alley and Whitney plantations. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the terminal could add to the many existing manufacturing industries and other existing sources of environmental burden for the St. John the Baptist Parish community. After nearly two years, Greenfield is still waiting for the permitting process to be complete. "It appears to me that the Army Corps wants to make sure that everyone is heard, said Lynda Van Davis, counsel and head of external affairs for Greenfield Louisiana. Before we did anything, we talked to the community first, and so our system is safer, and it's green. The facility will be used for transportation, and there will be no chemicals or manufacturing on site, something Greenfield representatives said sets it apart. They also plan multiple dust collection systems to minimize emissions. They are aware of Wallaces historical significance, Van Davis said. We had testing done. We made sure that there were no remains of any prior slaves that were maybe buried in the area, Van Davis said. In the event that we do find any remains or maybe some artifacts, we would stop and make sure that the right people come in and preserve any artifacts that are found. Specifically, Greenfield said, the State Historic Preservation Office would step in. The Amistad Research Center, the Louisiana Civil Rights Museum and the state park system are also potential partners to help decide what to do with any artifacts or remains that might be discovered. Some neighbors are more worried about Wallaces future than its past. They're concerned the towns prosperity hangs on whether the facility is approved. Wallace doesn't even have a gas station, and school enrollment has been declining. The only changes Ive seen in my community are people leaving. We have absolutely nothing on our West Bank, said Willa Gordon, a lifelong resident. It automatically meant to me jobs coming into my community and economic development and growth, so I was very excited. Im disappointed that, years later, its still not here, Nicole Dumas said. Greenfield plans to create more than 1,000 new jobs during construction and 370 permanent positions once the site opens. The company also has promised to host local job fairs, training and certification programs. St. John the Baptist Parish Council members Virgie Johnson and Lennix Madere Jr., the elected officials who represent Wallace, declined to comment on the proposed construction. Both voted in favor of the zoning change. The tug-of-war between past and present is a familiar one across the country, with small, historic Black towns dwindling because of gentrification, industry or lack of resources. Through their nonprofit, the Banners want to create a network of historic communities and economic opportunity. They recently moved a plantation house their ancestors once lived in to their property in hopes it can be given a historical marker and of preventing any industrial building on their land. We are doing what we can to protect and to hold on, but its so crucial that we keep these plants out, Jo Banner said. HOLLAND The city of Holland suffered an enormous loss Thursday, July 11, with the passing of Frank Kraai. The news was posted by Kraai's niece, Shannon Elhart, on social media. It comes less than three months after Kraai was in attendance for the groundbreaking of Holland Ice Park, a development he made possible with a $1.1 million donation. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and I say that for a life ... he said to those gathered at the groundbreaking Tuesday, April 23, according to MLive. Im 88-years-old and I think Ive had the richest life anybody could have. Frank Kraai looks on following the groundbreaking event at the new Window on the Waterfront Ice Park. Kraai donated over $1 million to make the project a reality. My Uncle Frank had a beautiful life, Elhart wrote Thursday. He was a bright light in this world, and hell continue to be, as I know hes touched so many lives countless lives. The ripple effect of his love and compassion could never be measured. More: City breaks ground on much-anticipated Holland Ice Park Kraai was an elementary school teacher, principal and loyal volunteer, who made it his mission more than 10 years ago to bring an ice rink to Holland. Frank Kraai was an extraordinary, ordinary Holland resident, Mayor Nathan Bocks wrote in a statement Friday. Frank helped all of us to see and enjoy the wonderful community we live in. As a community, we are disappointed that Frank wont be there to cut the ribbon (to the rink) in person, but his heart will always be in the ice and we know he will be listening to the laughter and the joy of the skaters from heaven." Kraai came from humble beginnings, raised by his father, who was a construction laborer, and his mother, a homemaker. The family lived near 120th Avenue and New Holland Street, across from North Holland Elementary School. He contracted polio as a young child, which left his body somewhat weakened. After graduating high school, he attempted to follow in his fathers footsteps as a bricklayer, but found the job too taxing. The rest of Kraai's professional career was teaching at West Ottawa Public Schools and, later, overseeing student teachers at Hope College. Kraai impacted many in education, but locals say it was his generosity that had the biggest impact. Kraai playing Santa Claus and Sinterklaas for children during the holiday season, helped organize Tulip Time parades and lead Tulip Time tours, supervised the 4-H program at three different Ottawa County fairs, sang with the Holland Chorale for decades and co-hosted a local cable TV program. Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage During the groundbreaking for the new ice rink, Kraai expressed his desire to see the development completed. Thank you for caring and loving him, Elhart wrote of her uncle. He was more dear to me than I can express. My heart is very heavy today, but I am remembering all the blessings I have because of this very kind man who loved me unconditionally and gave so much to others. Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland mourns educator and philanthropist Frank Kraai Homes value gone up in recent years? Dont freak out, Horry County officials say Horry County officials all had one clear message to taxpayers about their property assessments: Dont freak out. Earlier this month, 275,000 property owners received notices from the county that the value of their reassessed properties exceeded $1,000. Since then, there has been confusion and frustration among county residents, with some taking to social media to air their grievances. Horry County is the fastest-growing county in South Carolina, and its growth has been tremendous in recent years. With that growth has come rising property values. On Friday morning, Horry County Assessor Larry Roscoe, Horry County Finance Director Shannon Todd and Assistant Horry County Administrator Barry Spivey sat down with local media to answer some of the most common questions theyve seen, and clear up any confusion. Question: I just got assessed last year. Why am I getting reassessed again? According to Roscoe, there are two times when a property owner gets a tax assessment from the county. At the time of purchasing the property When the whole county gets reassessed on the five-year mark A resident who bought a house in the fourth year of the tax cycle might be getting reassessed this year. When the new reassessment comes after the home purchase, that becomes the taxable basis for that property. Roscoe said the positive aspect of all of this is that the highest a reassessment can go after its initially assessed is 15 percent higher than that original value. For some who are seeing increases larger than 15 percent, there is an exception. New properties that have never gone through the state assessment process before can be assessed at their market value. But from there, Roscoe explained that during the next cycle, it cant go higher than 15 percent above its assessed value this first time around. Q: Will this assessment value be my tax bill? The simple answer to that question is no. Roscoe, Spivey and Todd all agreed that the property tax is just one part of an individuals overall tax bill for that year. Other factors include whether or not someone owns multiple cars, boats, rental properties and what municipality their properties are located in. Each municipality in Horry County has a millage, which affects peoples overall tax bill. That rate is different depending on what town or city you live in. Some local governments may decide to raise that millage to pay for more law enforcement officers or a new fire truck, for example. Those values have all already been decided by local municipalities during their yearly budget process. All those budgets were agreed upon by the end of this fiscal year, June 30. Based on those budgets, Horry County knows three municipalities that will have higher millages this next year: Conway, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside. Roscoe said his office will have a new online system this year that will allow people to estimate their tax bill based on the municipality they live in. Theyre still waiting on getting those final millage numbers in, and he hopes the system will be up and running by the end of this month. The actual tax bills will be sent out in October of this year and due in January 2025. Q: How should I appeal my assessed property value? The easiest way to find evidence for an appeal is by using an online service like Zillow, Roscoe explained. From there, homeowners can see the comparable values for houses in their neighborhood. If theres a big discrepancy between the value of your home versus others in the neighborhood, that would be a very legitimate case for an appeal. Typically, appeals take one to two days to resolve once theyre looked at by the assessors office. Roscoe said they look at appeals in the order his office receives them in. Other factors that could yield to a successful appeal include whether or not theres been damage that the county was unaware of when making its assessment. Examples of that include a termite infestation or unreported storm or flood damage. Last year, Todd said their office had 4,000 appeals, equivalent to about 1.25% of the properties they assessed. According to Roscoe, 99.9% of appeals are decided when assessors discuss them with property owners. Its literally written into the books. . . the last step says appeals, he said. Because we want to give the community feedback and an opportunity to be apart of this process, so if weve made an error youre not stuck with that error. Q: I dont live in a municipality. What does this all mean for unincorporated Horry County residents and businesses? If you live in an unincorporated part of Horry County, like Carolina Forest. The County Council has decided not to raise any tax millages this year. Based on Todd and Roscoes calculations, the average property tax bill for those residents and businesses will be around $40. That number is based on the median home price for unincorporated Horry County, which is $352,000. In total, they said 75% of unincorporated homes and businesses will see their property taxes increase by less than $200, and 6% of residential properties will see their property taxes decrease. Q: I called the assessors office and they havent gotten back to me. Whats going on? Roscoe said the best way to contact someone from the tax assessors office is to send them an email at hcg.assessor@horrycountysc.gov, noting that every single email gets a reply from someone in his office. This is the busiest time of year for his office, which has 70 people. Out of those 70, 24 field appraisers service approximately 20,000 parcels each year. Fifty percent of our work comes in twenty percent of the year, Roscoe said. It does create some lag. During this time of year, he said their office receives more than four calls a minute, sometimes as many as eight calls a minute. That equates to about 75,000 phone calls a year and over 30,000 in-person visitors. All of the tax assessor services are available online. Dont freak out, its truly not that much of an increase on average, Todd said. Support for the homeless family of a boy with autism who was slapped by a man for touching his car has continued spreading across the community. The incident happened on July 1 as Alfredo Morales, 10, and his older sister, Claudia Morales, were crossing the street in Pacoima. Thats when Alfredo reached out and touched the emblem on the mans Mercedes-Benz sedan. The man made an immediate U-turn and followed the siblings to a bus stop. He stepped out, walked over to Alfredo who was sitting on a bench and slapped him. His sister tried intervening and explained that Alfredo had autism, but the man still struck the boy. Cell phone video of the confrontation went viral on social media, leaving community members outraged. A police report was also filed by the family. Alfredos family is homeless and lives out of a broken truck at a Sun Valley park. The boys father, Miguel Morales, recently lost his job at a restaurant and is struggling to make ends meet. A man seen walking up to Alfredo Morales, 10, and slapping him in the face after the boy touched the emblem on his Mercedes-Benz sedan in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) The male driver pulled over at a bus stop where the siblings were sitting at a bench in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) The male driver pulled over at a bus stop where the siblings were sitting at a bench in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) A man seen walking up to Alfredo Morales, 10, and slapping him in the face after the boy touched the emblem on his Mercedes-Benz sedan in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) Alfredo Morales explores a microphone as KTLAs Mary Beth McDade speaks with his family on July 3, 2024. (KTLA) The crosswalk near Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Osbourne Street in Pacoima where the incident happened. (KTLA) The Morales Family is currently homeless and living out of their truck. (GoFundMe) Alfredo Morales and his sister is seen in the truck they live in with their family at a Pacoima park. (KTLA) A man seen walking up to Alfredo Morales, 10, and slapping him in the face after the boy touched the emblem on his Mercedes-Benz sedan in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) A man seen walking up to Alfredo Morales, 10, and slapping him in the face after the boy touched the emblem on his Mercedes-Benz sedan in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) A man seen walking up to Alfredo Morales, 10, and slapping him in the face after the boy touched the emblem on his Mercedes-Benz sedan in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) A man seen walking up to Alfredo Morales, 10, and slapping him in the face after the boy touched the emblem on his Mercedes-Benz sedan in Pacoima on July 1, 2024. (RMG) Alfredo Morales parents are overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support. (KTLA) The Morales family, who are homeless, are seen spending an afternoon together outside of the truck they live in at a Pacoima park on July 4, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales family, who are homeless, are seen spending an afternoon together outside of the truck they live in at a Pacoima park on July 4, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales family, who are homeless, are seen spending an afternoon together outside of the truck they live in at a Pacoima park on July 4, 2024. (KTLA) Antonio Villegas, the familys attorney, speaks to Alfredo Morales mother. He has pledged to seek justice for the family. (KTLA) Alfredo Morales parents are overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support. (KTLA) Los Angeles rapper Swifty Blue has vowed to help fix the Morales familys truck so they can be mobile again. (KTLA) Alex Manzo, a good Samaritan, heard about the Morales family and created a GoFundMe to help them get back on their feet. (KTLA) Alfredo Morales and his sister is seen outside the truck they live in with their family at a Pacoima park. (KTLA) Alfredo Morales parents (on left) are overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support. (KTLA) Following a successful GoFundMe campaign and fundraising event, the Morales family said they were overwhelmed by the generosity and kindness of strangers. On July 12, their broken pickup truck was towed to a local dealership, Airport Marina Ford, for a complete makeover. Its situations like this when you see it and if theres something you can do, its imperative to step up and do what you can, said Dan Theroux, General Manager of Airport Marina Ford. Alfredo and his sister ride the bus daily to make a food and grocery run for the family. They were taking their usual bus route on July 1 when the confrontation happened. Many community members resonated with the story and wanted to support the Morales family in any way they could. Alfredo Morales and his father, Miguel Morales, are grateful for the outpouring of support. (KTLA) The Morales Family is overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of community support on July 12, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales familys broken pickup truck was towed away to a local dealership for a complete makeover on July 12, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales familys broken pickup truck was towed away to a local dealership for a complete makeover on July 12, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales familys broken pickup truck was towed away to a local dealership for a complete makeover on July 12, 2024. (KTLA) Alfredo Morales explores a microphone as KTLAs Mary Beth McDade speaks with his family on July 3, 2024. (KTLA) A good Samaritan allows Alfredo Morales to enjoy the air conditioning in his truck on a hot summer day on July 12, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales Family is currently homeless and living out of their truck. (GoFundMe) The Morales family, who are homeless, are seen spending an afternoon together outside of the truck they live in at a Pacoima park on July 4, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales family, who are homeless, are seen spending an afternoon together outside of the truck they live in at a Pacoima park on July 4, 2024. (KTLA) The Morales familys broken pickup truck was towed away to a local dealership for a complete makeover on July 12, 2024. (KTLA) Oscar Garcia from Smack Auto Collision Center will be repainting the broken truck once a mechanical overhaul is done. He said hes glad he can help turn an upsetting situation into a positive one. Im shocked as to how many people have come out here to show their love and support, Garcia said. From the gentleman who came down so that Alfredo could enjoy the AC in his car, to the Ford Dealership assisting us with the truck and transmission. Our goal is that they become a stable family where they have somewhere safe to be at, sleep at night and theyre able to transport places without a problem. The Morales family is staying at a motel temporarily until local housing officials can help them transition into more permanent housing. The family said they plan to give back in some way and show their appreciation to everyone who has helped them so far. Community rallies behind family of autistic boy slapped by man in Pacoima As for the driver who slapped Alfredo, many upset residents have shown up at the mans home to demand answers. KTLA has reached out to the driver involved but has not received a response. No charges have been filed yet by the Los Angeles Police Department. A GoFundMe to help the Morales family can be found here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends the first night of mourning ceremonies for the martyr of Husayn ibn Ali, The grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, at the Hussainiyah of Imam Khomeini in Tehran. Iranian Supreme Leader's Office/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Following the election of moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's filmmakers are hoping for an artistic future without censorship. "We had a meeting with the president, discussed the censorship problems of recent years and really shook our hearts out to him about them," film director Jahangir Kosari said on Saturday. After the meeting, he and his colleagues were confident that the Iranian film industry would "breathe again" with Pezeshkian and find a censorship-free path, Kosari wrote on the website Parsine. However, Kosari still has to be patient with his hopes for better times. His latest film "I am Forough" about the Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad is not allowed to be shown in cinemas on the instructions of the Ministry of Culture, which is still in office. The ban is partly because the poet Farrokhzad, who is very popular in the country, is one of Iran's leading feminists - and is therefore a thorn in the side of the Islamic system - and partly because of his daughter Baran Kosari, who plays the leading role in the film. In solidarity with the women's movement, she took off the obligatory headscarf in 2022 and has since been banned from working and travelling abroad. Her picture, the film poster and the film itself are therefore not allowed to be shown publicly, Kosari said. However, he hopes that this "absurd ban" will be lifted with Pezeshkian and a new minister of culture. With Pezeshkian, Iranian filmmakers also hope that in future, art and not the headscarf will once again be the main focus when it comes to films. Newly elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R), and Iranian Judiciary Chief GHOLAM HOSSEIN MOHSENI EJEI (L) attend the first night of mourning ceremonies for the martyr of Husayn ibn Ali, The grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, at the Hussainiyah of Imam Khomeini in Tehran. Iranian Supreme Leader's Office/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Following the election of moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran's filmmakers are hoping for an artistic future without censorship. "We had a meeting with the president, discussed the censorship problems of recent years and really shook our hearts out to him about them," film director Jahangir Kosari said on Saturday. After the meeting, he and his colleagues were confident that the Iranian film industry would "breathe again" with Pezeshkian and find a censorship-free path, Kosari wrote on the website Parsine. However, Kosari still has to be patient with his hopes for better times. His latest film, "I am Forough," about the Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad, is not allowed to be shown in cinemas on the instructions of the Ministry of Culture, which is still in office. The ban is partly because the poet Farrokhzad, who is very popular in the country, is one of Iran's leading feminists - and is therefore a thorn in the side of the Islamic system - and partly because of his daughter Baran Kosari, who plays the leading role in the film. In solidarity with the women's movement, she took off the obligatory headscarf in 2022 and has since been banned from working and travelling abroad. Her picture, the film poster and the film itself are therefore not allowed to be shown publicly, Kosari said. However, he hopes that this "absurd ban" will be lifted with Pezeshkian and a new minister of culture. With Pezeshkian, Iranian filmmakers also hope that in future, art and not the headscarf will once again be the main criterion in films. The women's protests in September 2022 were triggered by the death of the young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, known to her friends and family as Jina. She was arrested by the morality police because a few strands of hair were visible under her headscarf. She died in police custody. Since then, many women have taken off the obligatory headscarf in protest. Among them were renowned actresses, who were banned from working and travelling abroad as a result. The actress Taraneh Alidoosti was even sent to prison for a fortnight as a result. Horizon City man arrested in fatal shooting of his father on the Fourth of July A Horizon City man was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of his father on the Fourth of July in the Red Sands area, authorities said. Jair Navarro, 21, was arrested Friday, July 12, on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of 39-year-old Arturo Navarro, El Paso County Sheriff's Office officials said. Jair Navarro Texas Rescue Patrol and El Paso County Sheriff's Office deputies responded about 11:50 p.m. July 4 to a report of a fight with gunshots fired in the 15600 block of Montana Avenue in the Red Sands area in far East El Paso, officials said. Red Sands is where thousands of people gather on the Fourth of July to party and shoot off fireworks. Deputies found Arturo Navarro with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He died July 7. El Paso County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit investigators found that Jair Navarro had allegedly shot his father Arturo Navarro. Authorities provided no information on what caused the fight between the father and son. More: Man in critical condition after shooting on Fourth of July in Red Sands area Jair Navarro was arrested July 12 by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in the 11600 block of Datsun Drive in Socorro, officials said. He was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a $750,000 bond, jail records show. He remains jailed as of Saturday, July 13, jail logs show. No further information has been released. Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Horizon City man arrested in the July 4 fatal shooting of his father HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Property owners in Horry County should be on the lookout for reassessment notices in their mailboxes. More than 250,000 notices have been mailed out as part of the countys routine reassessment process, which occurs every five years to re-equalize property values. Courtesy: Horry County Government Some homeowners are concerned that higher property values will lead to higher property taxes. However, county officials emphasized that this is a common misconception. Horry County assessor Larry Roscoe said while property values in Horry County have indeed increased due to significant growth over the past five years, this does not necessarily translate to higher taxes. The most anyone would see could be a 15% increase, Roscoe said. He added by law, when property values rise, the county must adjust the millage rate to prevent an increase in total tax revenue. This helps ensure that changes in property values dont unfairly burden taxpayers with higher bills. The millage rate, which is set annually by local authorities, is the rate at which property taxes are levied. It funds various public services such as police, fire departments, and public schools. The reassessment will bring up to the new market values, new assessed values, and the rollback is actually to equalize from prior to current year, Horry County Finance Director Shannon Todd said. Finalizing millage rates depends on municipalities setting their budgets first. Once they share these budget plans with the county, adjustments are made to the millage rates accordingly. Roscoe said county council plans to finalize the new millage for unincorporated Horry County during the next council meeting. He shared a preliminary report on what the average increase could look like for property owners in unincorporated Horry County. About 75% of the homeowners in Horry County will see an increase, just on the real estate side of $200 or less, the vast majority of that being somewhere in that $40 to $60 range, he said. Horry County Administrator Barry Spivey said another thing to consider in the reassessment is that it combines all property types together. You may see a small increase on your real property, but you should see decreases on your personal property, which includes everything from your vehicle, camper, boats, business, personal property, those types of things, Spivey said. Spivey highlighted important exemptions and benefits: Anyone that is living in their residence as a primary residence, make sure that you have that exemption, he said. That is a huge exemption for our taxpayers, a direct benefit they receive and essentially removes the school district operating millage. How Reassessment Works Reassessment Process : The county determines your propertys market value. An assessment ratio is applied to calculate the assessed value. This assessed value is then multiplied by the millage rate to determine the actual tax amount. For example, if your home is worth $125,000, multiplying this by the 4% assessment ratio gives an assessed value of $5,000. If the millage rate is 0.2162, your property tax would be $1,081. Adjusting the Millage Rate : When property values rise, the county must adjust the millage rate to prevent an increase in total tax revenue. This means that as property values go up, the millage rate is rolled back to balance the overall tax revenue. Millage Rate Explained : The millage rate is set annually by local authorities and is used to fund various public services such as police, fire departments, and public schools. Roscoe wants to remind property owners that the reassessment notices are not bills but notifications to review the new property values. Almost everybody in Horry County would have received an assessment notice. The state requires us to notify you if during a reassessment we are going to increase the value of your property by more than $1,000, he said. This is to bring the new value to your attention so you can review its reasonableness. If you believe your property assessment is too high, you can file an appeal within 90 days of receiving your reassessment notice. Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. * * * Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. HOT SPRINGS, Ark. The city of Hot Springs has decided to opt out of the decision to merge its 911 call center with Garland Countys. Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe said this was a tough decision that involved many factors but noted safety will always be the number one priority, with money being a distant second. Resolution in Garland County shows justices support mileage to increase public safety officials The city of Hot Springs would have received $500,000 from the state if it were to merge its 911 center with the countys, a price city officials said is not worth the consolidation if it means slowing down safety. We like to deal with issues as fast as possible, Hot Springs Fire Chief Edward Davis said. Get those things resolved and allow people to return to their vacations or their lives and do it in a peaceful manner. Which is exactly how Hot Springs local Seth Louton, experienced dialing 911 in the past. Saying that all three officers who showed up once he called were very prompt at getting there, nice, and really helped him out. However, the consolidation has Louton wondering how much this would benefit him in a case of an emergency. He said the plan needs to go back to the drawing board. Garland County Quorum Court considering resolution to fund more deputies, public safety officials Which is something that the city of Hot Springs agrees with, but has yet to successfully appeal from the consolidation officially. I think the state of Arkansas made a mistake when they denied the appeal that we made to keep two dispatchers here, Davis said. Now, the 911 call center is in the Hot Springs Police Station. If the merge were to happen, it would move to the Garland County 911 emergency communications center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Happy Birthday, Warren! The legendary Warren Buffett turns 94 next month Aug. 30 to be exact. And as is frequently the case when he turns a year older, investors wonder what a post-Buffett Berkshire Hathaway will look like. Thats especially true this year, with Buffetts longtime partner Charlie Munger having passed away last year and CEO-designate Greg Abel waiting in the wings. Im a Berkshire investor myself, and I dont plan to go anywhere when Buffett is no longer part of the show. If you are a Berkshire shareholder, you might want to keep your powder dry as well. Why? For one thing, Greg Abel seems unlikely to mess up the formula. And ironically because Berkshires days as a marvelous investment seem to be over, its astounding long-term record under Buffett notwithstanding. In many ways, Berkshire has become more like an index fund than a conventional corporation. So its not as if something magical will depart when Buffett does. According to Berkshires most recent annual report, the stock returned 4,384,748% to its investors from the time Buffett took control in 1965 through the end of last year. Thats 140 times the 31,223% return for the S&P 500 (^GSPC), the standard market benchmark. But that was then, and this is now. As Ill show you, recent Berkshire investors including my wife and me havent done remotely as well relative to the rest of the market as Buffett and his early followers have done. A little background is in order. For most of my career, I didn't own Berkshire because I was an employee of publications that frequently wrote about Buffett. So I never bought any shares during Berkshires salad days, much as I wanted to. But on Jan. 7, 2016, the first week that I became self-employed, my wife and I made a modest purchase of Berkshire stock in our joint brokerage account and have held it ever since. And guess what? The huge long-term advantage that Berkshire shows compared with the S&P 500 has totally disappeared since our purchase. In fact, wed have been a bit better off buying an S&P 500 index fund than buying Berkshire. From our purchase date through last Monday, Berkshire was up a respectable 214%. That was also its total return because it didnt pay any dividends during that period. However, during that same period, Admiral-class shares of Vanguards S&P 500 index fund returned 232%, including reinvested dividends, according to calculations that Jeff DeMaso, editor of the Independent Vanguard Adviser, did for me. In other words, my wife and I got into Berkshire when its stock market glory days had passed. Story continues Is he up to the task? Greg Abel, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, and Andrea Abel at the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference last year. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images) And that strange as it may seem is a major reason that Im not concerned with what Greg Abel will do at Berkshire when Buffett passes from the scene. Last December, shortly after the death of Charlie Munger, Buffetts longtime partner in running Berkshire (and my longtime friend), I wrote that I saw no compelling reason for my wife and me to sell our Berkshire stock. I still feel that way because theres no reason to think that Abel will change the company drastically if he ends up running it when Buffett ceases to be involved. After all, Abel, whos 62, has spent almost 25 years working for Berkshire, and Buffett named him his heir apparent three years ago. Abel seems to be a Buffetteer through and through. In addition, you can make the case that Berkshire, which owns lots of different, unrelated US businesses, including big chunks of stock in Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express and numerous other US and Japanese companies and batches of other assets, is sort of an index fund itself. (What's a more vanilla investment than that?) Then theres the tax question which may or may not apply to you. My wife and I bought our Berkshire in a taxable account because I knew it was highly unlikely that the company would pay any dividends while Buffett was involved with it. So selling now would mean forking over more than 30% of our 200%-plus Berkshire profit to the IRS and our state government. A final reason that I feel no compulsion to sell Berkshire just because of a likely management change is that companies' founders or longtime chief executives are often succeeded by competent replacements. For example, Tim Cook has done a fine job since taking control of Apple (AAPL) from legendary co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011. And Walmart (WMT) didnt blow up and actually thrived over time when the legendary Sam Walton died in 1992 and was succeeded by David Glass. So, my inclination is to stick with Berkshire and see what happens if I outlast Buffett. And who knows? Should the stock drop sharply when Buffett passes from the scene, I may be tempted to buy some more of it. Maya Benjamin contributed research to this story. Allan Sloan, a contributor to Yahoo Finance, is a seven-time winner of the Loeb Award, business journalisms highest honor. House Republicans failed vote this week is exposing party divides on spending and underlines the challenges GOP leadership faces in its ambitious plan to pass all 12 annual funding bills by the end of the month. Republicans were caught off guard by the tally Thursday, when 10 members of their party voted with most Democrats to tank a GOP-crafted bill to fund the legislative branch for the next fiscal year. GOP leadership said the partys goal remains to get the rest of the bills across the finish line this month, and they have already cleared four, amounting to more than $1 trillion in government spending. But potentially tougher bills lie on the horizon. The legislative bill, the smallest of the dozen bills, funds chamber operations, the U.S. Capitol Police, Library of Congress, the Congressional Budget Office and other offices. But some of the Republicans who voted against the bill this week say they have a gripe with the measure over its proposed funding levels, which they say would amount to a $375 million increase in spending for fiscal 2025, among a list of other issues. The Department of Defense, military, gets about $1 trillion, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), one of the Republicans who bucked his party on the vote, said in a video explaining his decision. Our interest on the national debts about $1 trillion, and this particular bill and this particular time didnt seem, to me, appropriate because our new level of spending, if this goes through the Senate and gets signed by the president, will be over $7 billion for the legislative branch. And that is a $375 million or 5.6, almost 6 percent, increase over last years spend. So, thats a bit of a problem for me, he said, while also taking issue with the sizes of increases for members representational allowances and the Library of Congress. Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.), head of the House Freedom Caucus, said he opposed the measure over the overall proposed increase, as well as the Houses failure to add amendments to block funding for electric vehicle charging stations around the Capitol and reduce funding for the congressional physician who promoted COVID mask mandates. The bill, which only notched support from three Democrats, would face a difficult path to passage in the Democratic-led Senate in its current form. But its recent failure shines a renewed light on the challenges GOP leadership continues to face in unifying its party behind its funding bills, particularly as the party contends with a bipartisan deal struck last year to cap spending. The failed vote overshadowed a press conference just hours before by members of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which crafts the annual funding bills, marking the last of the partys 12 funding bills making it out of the committee this week. I dont think its a stretch to say that we have brought respect back to the appropriations process, Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), a spending cardinal, said at the event. When you considered the fact that this is the 11th day of July and we have now completed the markups on all 12 of our appropriation bills through committee, and a third of those across the floor of the House, with others to come soon, is a departure from the norm of the last 14 years Ive been in Congress and certainly over the [fiscal 2024] situation that we all endured. Republicans vowed a return to fiscal discipline and regular order upon reclaiming the House last year, with ambitious promises of passing all 12 funding bills across the floor and avoiding a massive year-end omnibus. But months of infighting over spending and divides over areas like abortion and FBI funding culminated in a new Speaker and two funding packages that many conservatives still opposed. Theyre operating with a much narrower majority on the floor than we are, and we have difficulty sometimes just because people have conflicts, people get ill, House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) said of GOP leadership ahead of the vote on the legislative branch funding bill on Thursday. At the same time, Senate Democrats advanced their first three annual spending bills out of committee. The top Democrat and Republican on the committee also announced an agreement to increase funding beyond the budget caps deal made last year, setting the stage for a spending fight with the House in the months ahead. Cole said that Republicans will instead operate within what the law specifies, adding that if theres any adjustment or change from leadership, negotiators will go from there. But Democrats on the House side also have pressed for further funding, while accusing Republicans of undercutting components of the larger budget caps deal made last year that were not reflected in the law, which could mean more funding for nondefense programs. The funding issue, and a list of conservative policy riders being pursued by Republicans in their fiscal 2025 funding bills, translate to little or no Democratic support on the floor for the bills putting pressure on GOP leadership to lock down sufficient GOP support in the narrowly divided House to get measures passed. Pressed about the partys goals to finish voting on all 12 funding bills by the end of the month, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters after the vote Thursday that theyve scheduled that and were still working towards that goal. We bring in four bills when we come back in two weeks, and were gonna have some more opportunities to pass additional bills, Scalise told The Hill on Thursday, as lawmakers prepared to leave town ahead of the Republican National Convention next week. The real question is going to be, with us passing in the House over 68 percent of government funding already, is the Senate going to finally take up anything? Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Indiana Democrats to push through the chaos of the presidential election Friday in Indianapolis, two days after seemingly expressing concerns over the partys presidential campaign. If we stop worrying about whether they might call us woke, and instead worry about whether we're actually waking people up, if we stop being so damn afraid of a little chaos and just embrace it, as the path from here to there, we will win, Pritzker said. Pritzker's comments came at a dinner on the eve of the state Democratic Party's convention to select nominees for attorney general and lieutenant governor and presidential delegates amid growing concerns about President Joe Biden's age and ability to do the job. Mike Schmuhl, Indianas Democratic party chair, told the IndyStar that while Biden did have a tough debate Biden will be nominated by delegates in Indiana. Joe Biden had a poor debate for debate performance, but Donald Trump is a convicted felon, and he's been impeached twice. In our primary Joe Biden was unopposed, he said. So, 100% of our delegates will be pledged to President Joe Biden. When we congregate in Chicago, he is the nominee. He has the delegates to secure the nomination to accept it and secure it. Pritzker, a top Biden supporter, was caught on a hot microphone Wednesday discussing his concerns over the presidential race to an attendee at a public safety event, Chicago media reported. "I mean, we're just going to keep fighting. I don't know what to say. You know, got to do what we have to do," Pritzker was quoted as saying. "I don't like where we are, but ..." A spokesperson later clarified that Pritzker was referring to Bidens status as a candidate, according to reports. Pritzker has been mentioned in Democratic circles as one of a handful of governors who could replace Biden on the ticket. During a high-stakes press conference Thursday, Biden reaffirmed his intention to remain in the race but paid deference to the sovereignty of party delegates and the democratic process. Theyre free to do whatever they want, but Ive had overwhelming support, Biden said. Biden answered in the affirmative when asked if they were free to vote for a different candidate. As of Friday afternoon, at least 19 Democratic lawmakers had called for the president to drop out of the race. Pritzker didn't address growing concerns about Biden's candidacy or his comments Friday, but did outline issues and his tumultuous path to Governor, when he didnt decide to run until six months out from the election. Everyone I knew told me that I was crazy to run for governor. Honestly, the Democratic Party was not exactly crying out for a white, Ukrainian American Jewish billionaire, he said. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, one of a handful of Democratic governors who have been mentioned as a possible replacement candidate for president Biden in the presidential race, speaks to Indiana Democrats Friday, July 12, 2024. Democrats Hoosier Hospitality Dinner was held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, on the eve of the party's state convention, where attendees will vote on their presidential delegates. Pritzker is also slated to speak in Ohio at a Democratic event in Columbus on Saturday. The 2024 DNC will start Aug. 19 in Chicago, but due to an early deadline to make the Ohio ballot, the party plans to hold a virtual vote on the nomination prior to the convention. Biden and other Democrats have previously stated that reelecting former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, would be a threat to American democracy. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Illinois Gov. Pritzker urges Indiana Democrats to push through chaos An inmate is seen in her cell in the reception center at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla in April 2012. (Lea Suzuki / San Francisco Chronicle via Associated Press) The potential heat-related death of a prison inmate in California's Central Valley this week is focusing renewed attention on conditions within correctional institutions as extreme heat, wildfire smoke and flooding pose increasing threats to incarcerated people. Though extreme heat endangers residents throughout the state, experts say California's prisons are uniquely unprepared for climate change because of a variety of factors, including their remote locations, aging infrastructure and overcrowding. Many facilities are not equipped with central air conditioning, updated ventilation, shade structures or backup generators to power fans and other cooling devices during outages, according to a 2023 report by the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. What's more, the state's 94,000 incarcerated people are distinctly vulnerable to climate hazards because they are entirely reliant upon the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for preparedness and response. "As these climate hazards become more common in these areas, it's important that the system has a plan or strategies in place to make sure that these folks are safe," said Guadalupe Gutierrez, one of the report's authors. "No one can outrun a wildfire, out-swim a flood or escape a heat wave least of all if you're inside a prison." State officials have provided few details about the person who died this week, identified as Adrienne M. Boulware, an inmate at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. The California Coalition for Women Prisoners, an advocacy group, reported Monday that she became incoherent and unresponsive while suffering from heat exhaustion as temperatures in the area soared to 113 degrees. CDCR, however, said her cause of death appears to be from an ongoing medical condition, and that she died two days after being transported to an outside medical facility for treatment. The agency is "closely monitoring the current heat wave and is coordinating with our state partners and the leadership in each of the state's 32 prisons to ensure there are appropriate resources and response," CDCR spokeswoman Mary Xjimenez said. "We are paying special attention to medically vulnerable incarcerated people and will be providing additional water, ice, cooling areas, and information to our staff and incarcerated population on ways to prevent heat-related illnesses throughout this heat wave." Read more: 'Unprecedented' heat wave in California brings death, fires, all-time highs Dangerous heat inside prisons is not uncommon. One incarcerated person at the California Correctional Institution in Kern County told The Times that he's been using a small fan and a wet rag to keep his body temperature down, but that the rag dries quickly in the hot, arid air. His shower has only one knob hot water which offered no relief as temperatures in the Tehachapi area soared to 102 degrees this week. "The last few days I've pretty much laid on top of my rag," said the 32-year-old, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation. "I took off my socks. I took off everything, pretty much, except my boxers, and I just kept falling asleep because it was just so hot. I was just getting so lazy, and I was getting headaches and super thirsty." But the Tehachapi facility is only one of several state institutions that are ill-equipped for climate change. The report identified eight California prisons that are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat all of which are in Kern, Imperial, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. "Especially in the Central Valley and Southern California, they are located in areas that are like an oven," said Ashley Chambers, a spokesperson for the Ella Baker Center, an Oakland nonprofit. "And when temperatures reach 100 degrees and higher, those prison walls are not created to keep heat out. They're not created to keep wildfire smoke out." Indeed, state facilities are also susceptible to other climate hazards, such as the California Institution for Women and the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County, which were among those found to be most vulnerable to wildfires and their smoke. The report did not include federal prisons, county jails or other local holding facilities. The California State Prison in Corcoran, Kings County, was among those found to be most vulnerable to floods and in fact did come close to inundation during record rains last year. "The climate crisis impacts all of us, including people that are inside our California state prisons," Chambers said. Read more: Fears grow as floodwaters threaten to drown this California city and prison complex But extreme heat continues to pose the largest threat. A survey of nearly 600 incarcerated people found that the majority of respondents did not feel prepared for the hazard despite the fact that more than half of them, 372 people, had experienced it, according to the report. Eighty-seven percent of respondents said the yard they use most frequently has no shade covering, while 60% said they have never had access to air-conditioned rooms during extremely hot days. About half, 47%, said they never had increased access to showers during heat events. The respondents advocated for improvements that they said would help, including infrastructure changes such as the addition of air conditioners, ventilation, shade and other cooling systems, as well as better preparedness and training among staff. CDCR's 2023 annual report outlines some projects aimed at addressing those concerns, including heat and ventilation improvements in several facilities. However, many of the plans have timelines of five to 10 years. In the meantime, daily maximum temperatures are already rising and are expected to keep climbing in the years ahead including an increase of up to 5.8 degrees by 2050 and 8.8 degrees by 2100, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom's extreme heat action plan. By midcentury, heat waves that result in public health impacts are projected to last two weeks longer in the Central Valley. Inmates stand together in a yard at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. (Lea Suzuki / San Francisco Chronicle via Associated Press) CDCR's Department Operations Manual also describes some emergency protocols for wildfires and earthquakes, such as evacuations, but provides minimal information about its preparedness for heat waves, floods and other disasters. It does not mention extreme temperatures. However, the agency does follow a statewide Heat Illness Prevention Plan, according to Xjimenez. The plan includes tailored responses based on excessive heat conditions, as well as operational changes that are triggered at temperatures of 90 and 95 degrees, such as providing coolers filled with ice, water bottle refill stations, industrial floor fans and access to cooling areas, she said. Despite such efforts, the survey found that 72% of incarcerated people were unfamiliar with what procedures to follow in the case of extreme heat. Eighty-one percent said they had never been trained in safety protocols for the hazard. "People who are incarcerated do not have freedom of movement they can't move to a colder location," said Abhilasha Bhola, a report coauthor. "They're completely reliant on the prison system to provide and make sure that they are safe in the case of a climate emergency." Read more: In a troubling milestone, Earth surpasses 1.5 degrees C of warming for 12 consecutive months Bhola likened CDCR's climate response to that of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had widespread effects across the state prison system including high incidence of illness and death. "This is an important way of thinking about what can go wrong when we are not prepared," she said. She and Gutierrez offered several recommendations and policy solutions, including creating more robust disaster preparedness plans and releasing some of the most vulnerable and aging prisoners. Bohla noted that many inmates are older than 50, and many suffer from underlying health issues such as asthma and heart disease that make them even more susceptible to heat. Heat-related deaths are "completely preventable," she said. "The people who have decision-making power over CDCR, and elected officials, should know that this is going to happen," she said. "All of the evidence, all of the information, is in their hands, and it is clear now more than ever that they need to take steps to protect the people who are incarcerated, and make sure that they are preventing unnecessary, unneeded loss of life." The researchers also recommended closing some of the state's prisons, many of which are operating over capacity. Chuckawalla one of the eight prisons found to be most vulnerable to extreme heat is already slated to close in 2025, but they said they have not heard of any additional closure plans and have not received any response to their report from CDCR after its publication. The other seven facilities found to be most vulnerable to extreme heat are the California Correctional Institution; the California City Correctional Facility; California State Prison, Centinela; Calipatria State Prison; Ironwood State Prison; California State Prison, Los Angeles County; and the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. Read more: Temperature records shattered across the West as intense heat wave drags on Last month, prison workers were also excluded from the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration's new heat regulations for indoor workers, which established standards and requirements for workplaces that experience temperatures of 82 degrees or higher. Prisons were originally covered under the plan but carved out at the last minute because of concerns from the California Department of Finance about the cost of adhering to the rules, which officials said could be "in the neighborhood of billions of dollars." The fiancee of the 32-year-old inmate at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, who also asked that her name not be used for fear of retaliation, said she is gravely concerned about his health and safety during heat waves. She said she has tried reaching out to CDCR's public information officers and ombudsmen over the years, but that their responses have been unsatisfactory often pointing to budgetary limitations and that little has changed. "It's wrong," she said. "Imagine being that hot. Imagine being in a cell. It's terrible and they get a little fan and they just wait it out. And he goes through this every year they all do." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Actor Alec Baldwin reacts during his trial for involuntary manslaughter for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie "Rust," Friday, July 12, 2024, at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. The judge threw out the case against Baldwin in the middle of his trial and said it cannot be filed again. (Ramsay de Give/Pool Photo via AP) SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) A nearly three-year legal saga for Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer ended Friday without a verdict but with tears of relief for the actor and a small coterie of family who had settled into a somber daily routine on wooden benches inside a windowless New Mexico courtroom at trial. In the morning, 16 jurors had filed into the courtroom for a third day of scrawling notes and listening with steepled hands to testimony in the involuntary manslaughter trial against Baldwin in the 2021 shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, only to be released for the day as the trial took an unscheduled detour. Have a great weekend, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said. Outside the jury's view, the criminal case against Baldwin was teetering as defense attorneys for Baldwin accused local investigators and prosecutors of concealing evidence that might shed light on the unconfirmed origin of live ammunition on the set of Rust. It was Baldwin's fifth day in court. He arrived each morning in a black SUV with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, to a phalanx of outdoor media cameras. Inside the courtroom Monday, at the start, an energetic Baldwin whispered to an attorney, scrawled on a legal pad and passed post-it notes to his legal team. The defense won an early victory as the judge ruled Baldwin could not be held criminally liable for his role as co-producer on Rust." The case would focus on Baldwin's handling of a gun as lead actor. Come Tuesday, the defendant's younger brother, Stephen Baldwin, arrived in the back of the courtroom for jury selection. He would return each day, all day. Among a pool of 70 potential jurors, all but three were familiar with the Rust shooting case. By day's end, a jury of five men and 11 women were seated for trial. For opening statements Wednesday, the courtroom was packed to capacity, with half of the gallery reserved for news media, from local network TV to the Times of London, and a few designated photographers. Attorneys and the public filled the other half, some friends and relatives of Baldwin along with local curiosity seekers and traveling amateur trial afficionados. Seated in court, Baldwin trained his eyes downward on a notepad, away from the jury as prosecutors gave opening statements and overhead video monitors showed the aftermath of the fatal shooting at a movie set ranch. Prosecutors said Baldwin violated the cardinal rules of firearm safety in pointing a real gun toward Hutchins while playing make-believe. Defense attorneys argued Baldwin was just doing his job as an actor, reasonably relying on other professionals to ensure gun safety, though with tragic consequences. Baldwins older sister, Elizabeth Keuchler, shed tears in court as the statements unfolded. She greeted her brother with an embrace across a courtroom banister and would sit close behind him thereafter. A prominent critic of Baldwin also took her seat in the front of the court gallery: victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing the sister and parents of Hutchins in a civil trial seeking damages. Baldwin's every expression at trial registered on a video feed of the trial transmitted by CourtTV and The Associated Press. There was a restrained and attentive gaze during a first full day of witness testimony Thursday from the A-list actor with a decades-long career in films and television, from The Hunt for Red October to 30 Rock and as a fixture on Saturday Night Live. Baldwin darted from the courtroom once, but otherwise paced slowly and deliberately through the courtroom and the courthouse, where impromptu interviews and photographs were prohibited. On Friday afternoon, Baldwins outward demeanor changed little, but tension was building in the courtroom, where Marlowe Sommer weighed a motion to dismiss the case and probed revelations that investigators failed to disclose the receipt of ammunition in March by a man who said it could be related to Hutchins' death. Prosecutors said they deemed the ammunition unrelated and unimportant, while Baldwins lawyers alleged they buried it. During an afternoon break, Baldwin took deep, measured breaths as he walked painstakingly from the courtroom. The air whistled slightly as he breathed out with lips pursed. Hilaria Baldwin took his arm and rubbed his back as they paced the hallway. Back inside, the audience chuckled as defense attorney Alex Spiro sparred with the ammunition supplier for Rust, Seth Kenney, who had forged a cooperative relationship with investigators in the aftermath of the shooting. But the courtroom fell silent amid the clatter of laptop keyboards as the judge questioned a sheriffs detective about the decision to place the ammunition in an evidence file, separate from the Rust shooting case, and whether lead prosecutor Kari Morrissey knew about that. When you say that there were discussions and the decision was made by all of you to put that ammo in a separate file, was Ms. Morrissey part of that discussion? Marlowe Sommer said. Yes, the detective responded. The case was collapsing. The courtroom gasped as Morrissey acknowledged her co-prosecutor had just resigned. Tears welled in Baldwin's eyes, followed by sobbing, as the judge outlined her decision: The sanction of dismissal is warranted in this case. This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here. Welcome back to our Saturday edition, a roundup of our best lifestyle reads. Will you help us celebrate?! Business Insider's docuseries, "Quiet on Set," just won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information. If you haven't read our piece on Dan Schneider's tenure at Nickelodeon and our investigation into the dark stain on beloved children's TV shows at the time, it's not too late. This reporting served as the basis of this now award-winning Investigation Discovery doc. On the agenda: But first: The skies are friendlier in the morning. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here. This week's dispatch SEAN GLADWELL/Getty Images A trick to avoid flight delays It's simple: Only book early-morning flights. That's it. That's the trick. Nabbing a seat on a morning flight, especially during the summer, will virtually ensure your flight won't be delayed. At least that's what Denver meteorologist Chris Bianchi told Business Insider's senior science reporter Morgan McFall-Johnsen. He learned the hard way: In June, he was stuck overnight at New York's LaGuardia Airport after booking an evening flight. "I broke the one rule you should never ever break," Bianchi said in a TikTok video. "Never book a flight in the afternoon, or especially at night, during the summertime months in the United States." Morgan explains that the summer months in the US, and the heat and humidity they bring, are prone to create thunderstorms, wreaking havoc on flight patterns. Even if your plane isn't in the path of a thunderstorm, your flight schedule can still be affected. "Weather in other cities can really disrupt your travel plans," Bianchi added. It doesn't help that delays can also have a ripple effect, since late planes affect subsequent departures. As for Bianchi, he finally made it home after he boarded a 7 p.m. flight the next day. Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI Men's new status symbols Logos, lounge chairs, cold-plunge tubs. The one thing they have in common is the new social clout they're all imbued with, particularly among men in the workforce. And, as always, the watch remains a timeless status symbol. But the two hottest styles right now trendy socks and sneakers are at the opposite end of the spectrum. These are the goods. Also read: Ticino, Switzerland is known as the country's "Little Italy." Markus Thoenen/Getty Images Ten better getaways It's the busiest time in the travel season, and international travel is especially hot. That means the crowds in the world's most popular destinations are likely to be even worse this year. To avoid the masses, a luxury travel agent shared 10 under-the-radar alternatives to hot tourist spots. Her list, spanning five continents, has something for the urban explorer, the nature enthusiast, and the beach bum alike. See the recs. Bianca Bagnarelli for BI No FIRE, no problem The financially independent, retire early (FIRE) movement has been gaining steam in recent years, with young hustlers dreaming of amassing enough wealth to retire before they go gray. As it turns out, not retiring early might be better for your long-term health. That may sound a bit like a capitalist myth, but there's science to back it. A lot of it has to do with your sense of purpose and social needs. Work's effect on longevity. Tyler Le/BI Wild homes are hot right now Growing bored with the surplus of white and gray houses, some homebuyers are turning to more outlandish places to live. The hot housing market and the rise of social media accounts like Zillow Gone Wild have made it easier than ever to find a wacky home so people are swapping cookie-cutter accommodations for something more personalized. Inside the wacky new real estate trend. Also read: Apple TV+, Abanti Chowdhury/BI What we're watching this weekend "Sunny": The first episodes of the sci-fi thriller series starring Rashida Jones are streaming on Apple TV+. "Arcadian": Nicholas Cage's new horror movie, in which he navigates a post-apocalyptic world with his two sons, is streaming on Shudder. "Quad Gods": The documentary, which centers on a quadriplegic esports team, is available on Max. See the full list. iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI Deals we love Nordstrom's biggest sale of the year: A former employee shares what to buy and what to skip at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, which is open to Nordstrom cardholders now and to the general public on Monday. Prime Day on the horizon : Amazon Prime Day is coming Tuesday and Wednesday, but there are plenty of deals to shop now. Here are the best ones, from AirPods to Whitestrips. Protect your skin this summer: The UV index measures the intensity of the sun's UV rays. Here's how to read it and what you'll need to prevent skin cancer. More of this week's top reads: The Insider Today team: Joi-Marie McKenzie, editor in chief of life, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York. Read the original article on Business Insider Interstate 84s Eagle Road off-ramps will close next week. Heres when and why The Idaho Transportation Department will close the Eagle Road off-ramps of Interstate 84 starting Monday for night-time paving. The closures, which are weather dependent, are to ensure the safety of the crew, according to an Idaho Transportation Department press release. While a standard pothole patch might last a few months to a year, the repairs we achieve with these overnight closures will last multiple years, Field Operations Manager Eric Copeland said in the release. This not only minimizes the need for constant maintenance but also significantly reduces the disruption for drivers, On Monday, July 15, the I-84 Eagle Road eastbound off-ramp will be closed beginning at 8 p.m. It will reopen by 5:30 a.m. On Tuesday, July 16, the Eagle Road westbound off-ramp will close at 8 p.m. and reopen by 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. A drug dealer who is alleged to have imported a large amount of narcotics into Ventura County was arrested this week, authorities said. The investigation by the Ventura County Sheriffs Offices Fentanyl and Overdose Crime Units (VC FOCUS) into a drug pipeline from the San Gabriel Valley to Ventura County began this past April and almost immediately resulted in an arrest of someone in Oxnard, authorities stated. Through diligent follow-up investigation, detectives were able to determine the source of supply for this drug dealer was Christian Tran of Temple City, VCSO said. Over the next several months, detectives conducted multiple surveillance operations and confirmed that Tran was actively selling large amounts of narcotics. Former Inglewood teacher convicted of murder, sexual assault Tran was arrested as he left his Temple City residence on Thursday. He was arrested on a variety of charges, including possession for sales of controlled substances, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and sales of controlled substances. Multiple search warrants were also served on Thursday; including the one at Trans residence in the 4800 block of El Monte Avenue in Temple City, warrants were also served in El Monte, San Gabriel, Irwindale and Rosemead. Authorities seized almost two kilograms of fentanyl, over four pounds of methamphetamine, 18,000 counterfeit M30 (oxycodone) pills containing fentanyl, 734 Adderall pills and over 150 pounds of marijuana. MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms and butane honey oil were also seized, VCSO said, as were four illegally possessed handguns and cash derived from drug sales. Los Angeles County authorities investigating after physical fight leaves man dead After being booked into the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility, Tran, 29, posted bail and was released, according to inmate search records. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 25. Anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact VC FOCUS by calling 705-383-8700 or by emailing VCFOCUS@ventura.org More information regarding VC FOCUS and the County Overdose Awareness & Solutions Team (COAST) can be found here. According to the Ventura County Sheriffs Department, fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. As little as two milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be a lethal dose, authorities stated; counterfeit M30 (oxycodone) pills like the one Tran had seized from him are highly abused and often contribute to overdoses within Ventura County, law enforcement officials said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke on a panel about education hosted by Family Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines July 12, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa and national conservative leaders discussed wins and future goals for issues like abortion and education policy Friday at the Family Leadership Summit, with one of the groups officials calling for further abortion restrictions in Iowa. The Family Leader, an influential conservative Christian organization, brought speakers to the gathering of an estimated 1,000 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Family Leader Vice President Chuck Hurley, who works as an advocate and lobbyist at the Iowa Legislature, told the crowd that that conservative Christians have seen major successes in Iowa in recent years. Less than 14 years ago, all three branches of Iowas government were pro-abortion, pro-deviant sexuality and were anti-God honoring education the governor, the Senate, the House and the Supreme Court, Hurley said. But by Gods grace and your support, just four elections later, in 2016, Iowans have had elected a pro-life, pro-family governor and Legislature, and things began to change. One important, recent conservative win in Iowa, Hurley said, was the recent state Supreme Court abortion decision. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Iowas six-week abortion ban at the 2023 Family Leadership Summit. A year later, speakers at the event celebrated the June Iowa Supreme Court decision to uphold the law a significant win after the court struck down a similar so-called fetal heartbeat law that had been signed in 2018 last year. Under the latest court decision, most abortions will be illegal in Iowa after cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, something that occurs as early as six weeks of pregnancy. There are exceptions to the ban in cases of rape and incest, if reported within specified time frames to law enforcement, a public health agency or a doctor, as well as when the medical procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother. Hurley called the 4-3 court decision a major, major answer to prayer, thanking the four judges who overturned the injunction on the abortion law as well as Reynolds for appointing them. But he said work on restricting abortion in Iowa is not over. While we make great strides in protecting the most innocent among us, we arent done, Hurley said. Fourteen states now protect babies from the moment of conception, and Iowa should be the 15th. Advocates for reproductive health care say the law will functionally ban a majority of abortions in Iowa, as many people are not aware they are pregnant at six weeks of gestation. Others, like Sally Frank, a law professor at Drake University, said after the Iowa Supreme Court decision that Iowa lawmakers may pursue other measures to restrict access to abortions, like an Idaho law that would make helping a pregnant minor get an abortion in another state punishable by up to five years in prison. While Reynolds did not specifically touch on abortion policy when she spoke at the event, she said religious groups, and specifically the Family Leader, have played an instrumental role in shaping public policy during her tenure in office, meeting monthly or quarterly to discuss a variety of policy subjects. We talk about areas that we can partner, how we can lift up the people that we can serve, initiatives that youre working on and that were working on, and how we can coordinate and really elevate what were doing, the governor said. Weve done that with life, and weve done that with school choice. Reynolds, DeVos talk education policy, school choice Another victory highlighted at the event was the states education savings account (ESA) program, signed by Reynolds in January 2023, a measure Hurley called a huge generational win for parents and children, and for Gods kingdom. In a panel led by Family Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats, Reynolds and former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos praised one another for their work in education and expanding the availability and public funding for K-12 private and charter schools as alternatives to public school systems. Much of the conversation centered on Iowas ESA program, providing public funding for private school tuition and associated fees. The program provides scholarships that match per-pupil funding at Iowas K-12 public schools for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, an fund of $7,826 per participating student. The law is on a three-year timeline for implementation, being available to all kindergarteners, Iowa public school students and private school students with a family income of 300% or below the federal poverty line in the first year of implementation the 2023-2024 school year. In the upcoming year, the family income eligibility limit will grow to 400% of the FPL, and in the 2025-26 school year on there will be no income limit. Reynolds said that while she has been an advocate for school choice for many years, she believed the COVID-19 pandemics impact on schools has changed many peoples minds about the correct path forward for education policy. You always think, those problems are in other school districts, its not in my school district. My school district is great,' Reynolds said. But I think COVID, honestly, served it up on on a silver platter for us. It was a defining moment, it really gave parents a proper seat to see what was happening in their classrooms. Following the 2022 midterm elections, Republicans hold a majority in the Iowa House and a supermajority in the Iowa Senate, in addition to holding all statewide elected offices except the state auditor won in 2022 by Democratic incumbent Rob Sand. In addition to the 2022 general election wins, Hurley highlighted the influence of the Family Leader, as well as supporters and allies like Reynolds and the American Federation for Children, in the previous cycles primary elections. Several incumbent GOP lawmakers were unseated by challengers in the 2022 Iowa primaries, largely over the issue of private school scholarships a program Reynolds was unable to get over the finish line in multiple legislative sessions due to insufficient GOP support. Following many of these successful Republican primary challengers going on to win in the general election, Reynolds was able to sign into law a version of the program that was more expansive than previous versions, creating a system where ESA funds will be available to all Iowa families without income limits beginning in the third year of implementation. DeVos praised Reynolds fearlessness in pursuing the ESA program, especially when faced with challenges from within the Republican party. She really did set a new tone when taking on members of her own party who refused to make that step to give families that power, and it was not without a lot of difficulty and a lot of political capital, shall we say, DeVos said. But clearly she knew where her constituents in Iowa were, and are, on that subject. Reynolds, DeVos speak on potential Trump VP picks The speakers also touched on the presidential race between presumptive nominees President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. In the panel with Reynolds and DeVos, Vander Plaats asked what qualities the two Republicans wanted to see in Trumps vice presidential candidate. DeVos, a member of Trumps administration from 2017 to 2021, said she wanted to see a vice presidential nominee with strong principles who is able to disagree and debate with Trump behind the scenes on important issues. She also defended former Vice President Mike Pences role during the Trumps presidency a subject of disagreement among Republicans following his criticism of Trump for attempting to overturn 2020 election results and his own campaign to become the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. I think Vice President Mike Pence has not gotten nearly the credit due to him for the role he played in the first Trump administration, DeVos said. There were a lot of moments and a lot of things that could have unfolded differently had it not been for Mike Pences seasoned political experience and his wise counsel behind the scenes. Reynolds said she agreed with DeVos, calling for someone who could offer pushback to Trump that he would seriously consider when making important decisions. She also said that she was partial to governors when considering who should take the vice presidential position, as governors have executive branch experience. Trump has indicated he may announce his vice president pick at the Republican National Convention next week, with expected contenders including U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance and Tim Scott, as well as former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders have been floated as potential Trump running mates. Youre not just the governor of (a) party, Reynolds said, you have to be the governor of the state, and so you have to understand you have that philosophy, of course, that drives your decision, but you also have to be able to govern a state as well, so and then absolutely, you need somebody that can step in if something would happen. The post Iowa, national conservative leaders talk abortion, school choice at Family Leader event appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. The First State is full steam ahead with launching its first recreational marijuana stores early next year. But do you know how to get in on the business? The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner will begin accepting applications for all licenses in September, which includes those applying for licenses through the state's social equity program. A marijuana cigarette is shown. Delaware is on track to open recreational marijuana stores early next year. In June, the marijuana commissioner's office launched an interactive map to help Delawareans determine whether they may qualify for the social equity program. It also held a series of workshops across the state to bring people up to speed on how the program works and what resources are available to those who qualify. Of course, you can also apply through the First State's standard application process. WHEN WILL STORES OPEN?: Delaware is on track for starting recreational weed sales Delaware became the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana last year (there are now 24 states that have legalized adult-use weed). Since then, Delaware has been building the infrastructure necessary to launch the recreational program. The First State has had a medical marijuana program since 2015, which also saw changes to its program this year. Marijuana buds are shown in a medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland, Calif., in 2010. Where will cannabis operations be allowed in Delaware? Jurisdictions across the state are preparing to adopt marijuana business regulations, and so far, they've sought to oppose operations by whatever means available. While municipalities can ban such facilities, counties can only regulate them by limiting which zoning districts they can be built in and other land-related laws. And in May, Sussex County staff proposed an ordinance to do just that. Even prior to that, before the commissioner's office had really gotten up and running, beach towns had banned marijuana operations. COMMUNITIES OPPOSE LEGAL WEED: Beaches act first as Delaware towns consider marijuana regulations before stores arrive Delaware's marijuana commissioner has also held presentations and meetings with communities throughout the state to help lawmakers, law enforcement and other government entities understand the realities of legal weed. A key component of Commissioner Rob Coupes conversations is explaining that marijuana is legal for consumption now, along with explaining the differences between the illegal street market and the regulated industry. He noted that resistance was particularly strong in Sussex County. What I point out to them is that the regulated market, what makes it significantly different, is that its tested. Its regulated. Its tested for safety, for quality, he said. The consumer gets that information. Whats being used on the street, at the end of the day, you really dont know whats in it. Story continues Anticipated timeline to legal weed in Delaware Sept. 1: The state will begin accepting license applications. Nov. 1: The state will begin issuing 60 cultivation facility licenses. Dec. 1: The state will begin issuing 30 manufacturing facility licenses. March 1, 2025: The state will begin issuing 30 retail store licenses and five testing facility licenses. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Legal weed in Delaware: How to apply for a business license Iraq said on Saturday it is planning to host talks between Turkey and Syria to help normalize ties between its two neighbours after a rupture of more than a decade. Relations have soured between Ankara and Damascus after a civil war erupted in Syria in 2011. Turkey supported opposition insurgents seeking to oust incumbent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey has since launched military operations in neighbouring Syria. On Saturday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said his country has launched an initiative to mediate between Turkey and Syria, the official Iraqi news agency INA quoted him as saying in the United States. Hussein added that he had conferred with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Washington to arrange for a meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad with Syrian officials. "There are also continued contacts with the Syrian side," he added. The date of the talks will be set later, he said. In a sign of rapprochement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently said his country could extend an invitation to al-Assad "at any moment" to discuss restoration of ties. "We want peace in Syria and we expect everyone who supports peace to support this historic call," Erdogan said on his return flight from the US where he attended a NATO summit. He did not mention Iraq or any other country for a possible meeting with al-Assad. Erdogan severed diplomatic relations with Damascus, describing al-Assad as a "murderer." The Syrian president has long ruled out an improvement in relations while Turkish troops remain on Syrian soil. A rapprochement between Turkey and Syria, considered unthinkable until relatively recently, has been on the horizon, with al-Assad returning to the international stage after a decade of isolation. With attitudes towards the some 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey continuing to deteriorate, with riots targeting their businesses, Erdogan is under growing domestic pressure to negotiate with al-Assad. The Turkish leader has also threatened a new military offensive in northern Syria against the Kurdish regional government, which he accuses of having links with the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Turkey. A rapprochement with Damascus could also aid Turkey in its relations with Russia, which hosted a meeting of Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers in late 2022 and remains the most important supporter of the al-Assad government. Erdogan said on his way back from the NATO summit in Washington on Friday that he hopes that concrete steps can be taken soon, according to his office. The Turkish president has tasked his foreign minister with making progress on the Syrian relationship, while he has also proposed inviting al-Assad to Turkey. For Syria, which was recently readmitted to the Arab League, a resumption of relations with Turkey would represent a further signal of the country's return to the international diplomatic scene. Iraq said on Saturday it is planning to host talks between Turkey and Syria to help normalize ties between its two neighbours after a rupture of more than a decade. Relations have soured between Ankara and Damascus after a civil war erupted in Syria in 2011. Turkey supported opposition insurgents seeking to oust incumbent Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey has since launched military operations in neighbouring Syria. On Saturday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said his country has launched an initiative to mediate between Turkey and Syria, the official Iraqi news agency INA quoted him as saying in the United States. Hussein added that he had conferred with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Washington to arrange for a meeting in the Iraqi capital Baghdad with Syrian officials. "There are also continued contacts with the Syrian side," he added. The date of the talks will be set later, he said. Later Saturday, Syria said any initiative to restore ties with Turkey should be based on Turkish forces' withdrawal from its territory and the combat of what it called "terrorist" groups. Syria "emphasizes that return of normal relations between the two countries is based on return to the pre-2011 situation," the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to the country's official news agency SANA. In a sign of rapprochement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently said his country could extend an invitation to al-Assad "at any moment" to discuss restoration of ties. "We want peace in Syria and we expect everyone who supports peace to support this historic call," Erdogan said on his return flight from the US where he attended a NATO summit. He did not mention Iraq or any other country for a possible meeting with al-Assad. Erdogan severed diplomatic relations with Damascus, describing al-Assad as a "murderer." The Syrian president has long ruled out an improvement in relations while Turkish troops remain on Syrian soil. A rapprochement between Turkey and Syria, considered unthinkable until relatively recently, has been on the horizon, with al-Assad returning to the international stage after a decade of isolation. With attitudes towards the some 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey continuing to deteriorate, with riots targeting their businesses, Erdogan is under growing domestic pressure to negotiate with al-Assad. Erdogan said on Saturday Ankara is close to realizing its goals in its ongoing military operations against Kurdish fighters in neighbouring Iraq and Syria's north. Erdogan's remarks come a day after the Turkish Defence Ministry announced one soldier had been killed and another injured in northern Iraq after an improvised explosive device detonated, and accused the "separatist group" of the incident. Turkey often uses the term to refer to the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Turkey, the US and EU also classify the PKK as a terrorist group. "We are going to complete the lockdown of the area of Claw-Lock operation in northern Iraq very soon," Erdogan told military academy graduates in Istanbul. Erdogan was referring to the offensive Turkey launched in April 2022 in what it said aimed to fend off PKK attacks from Iraq's north. Turkey had earlier agreed with the government in Baghdad to cooperate on targeting PKK fighters in Iraq where the group is based. PKK is now "completely trapped" in both Iraq and Syria, Erdogan said. "We will complete the missing points of the security belt along our southern border with Syria," he added. Turkey has carried out ground offensives in northern Syria to push Kurdish militia from its border since 2016. It controls swathes of land in the area. A rapprochement with Damascus could also aid Turkey in its relations with Russia, which hosted a meeting of Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers in late 2022 and remains the most important supporter of the al-Assad government. Erdogan said on his way back from the NATO summit in Washington on Friday that he hopes that concrete steps can be taken soon, according to his office. The Turkish president has tasked his foreign minister with making progress on the Syrian relationship, while he has also proposed inviting al-Assad to Turkey. For Syria, which was recently readmitted to the Arab League, a resumption of relations with Turkey would represent a further signal of the country's return to the international diplomatic scene. Israel targeted the leader of the Hamas military in an air strike on Saturday, in what would be the most significant assassination of the war if he is confirmed to have been killed. Mohammed Deif is considered one of the orchestrators of the Oct 7 massacre, and has been involved in the kidnapping and killing of Israeli citizens for decades. Known as The Guest because of his reported habit of switching where he sleeps every night, Deif is also said to be the architect of the tunnel network stretching hundreds of kilometres underneath Gaza. Saturdays attack left more than 70 people dead and more than 100 injured, according to local media. Palestinian media said the strike hit a designated safe zone, known as known as al-Mawasi, in Khan Younis. Israeli media cited military officials who said the strike targeted a building in the humanitarian zone between al-Mawasi and Khan Younis, but not in the tent camp, as Palestinian media reported. The Israeli army estimates that no hostages were in the area. An Israeli official told The Telegraph: Mohammed Deif was our target and so was the commander of Hamass Khan Younis Brigade, Rafaa Salameh. We are waiting for final confirmation on the situation, but we are optimistic. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that it isnt absolutely certain that Deif was killed in Khan Younis on Saturday, but promised that Israel will get to the entire leadership of Hamas. Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, announced that he had held an operational situation assessment with the heads of the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet intelligence agency in light of developments in Gaza. Mohammed Deif was the target of Saturday's air strike - AFP People carry a casualty at the site of what Palestinians say was an Israeli strike at a tent camp in al-Mawasi - Hatem Khaled/Reuters Deif, born in Khan Younis in 1967, joined Hamas during the first Intifada. He became the leader of the terror groups military in 2002 after Ahmed Jabari, his predecessor, was assassinated by Israel. In the hours after the Oct 7 attack, Deif appeared in a recorded video message announcing the start of Operation al-Aqsa Storm. Urged Palestinians to take up arms, he said in the clip: Enough is enough. Israel holds Deif responsible for the kidnappings and murders of two Israeli soldiers, Shahar Simani and Aryeh Frankenthal, in 1994. Deif was also behind suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Askhelon in February 1996, in which more than 50 Israelis were killed. The attacks were seen as revenge for an Israeli assassination of Yahya Ayyash, a senior Hamas official known as The Engineer for his role in bombings. Palestinians mourn people who died in the Israeli air strike - APAImages/Shutterstock A Palestinian woman near the attack site - Mohammed Salem/Reuters He is seen as responsible for the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006, as well as strengthening Hamas military ties with Iran in recent years. Rafaa Salameh, the commander of Hamass Khan Younis Brigade, was also targeted in the strike, according to Israeli media. 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. CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM July 13 (Reuters) - An Israeli airstrike targeted Hamas' military chief Mohammed Deif in Gaza on Saturday, a security official and Israel Army Radio said, in an attack that the enclave's health ministry said had killed at least 71 Palestinians. It was unclear whether Deif was killed, the security official said. Army Radio said Deif was hiding in a building in Israeli-designated humanitarian zone Al-Mawasi, west of the southern city of Khan Younis. Deif was one of the masterminds of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. He has survived seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021 and has topped Israel's most wanted list for decades. The Gaza health ministry said at least 71 Palestinians had been killed in the strike and 289 injured. Palestinians gather near damage, following what Palestinians say was an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip July 13, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was holding special consultations, his office said, in light of "developments in Gaza". It was unclear how the strike would affect ceasefire talks underway in Doha and Cairo. The Hamas-run media office said at least 100 people had been killed and wounded, including members of the Civil Emergency Service. The Israeli military said it was looking into the report. A senior Hamas official did not confirm whether Deif had been present and called the Israeli allegations "nonsense". "All the martyrs are civilians and what happened was a grave escalation of the war of genocide, backed by the American support and world silence," Abu Zuhri told Reuters, adding the strike showed Israel was not interested in reaching a ceasefire deal. Attack 'Surprising' say witnesses Reuters footage showed ambulances racing towards the area amidst clouds of smoke and dust. Displaced people, including women and children, were fleeing in panic, some holding belongings in their hands. Witnesses said the attack was a surprise as the area had been calm, adding more than one missile had been fired. Some of the wounded, who were being evacuated were rescue workers, they said. "They're all gone, my whole family's gone.. where are my brothers? They're all gone, they're all gone. There's no one left," said one tearful woman, who did not give her name. "Our children are in pieces, they are in pieces. Shame (on you)," she added. Rising up the Hamas ranks over 30 years, Deif developed the group's network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise. He is held responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings. Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in a cross-border raid into southern Israel on Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies. Israel has retaliated by military action in Gaza that has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, medical authorities in Gaza say. Reporting by Nidal Al Mughrabi, Hatem Khaled and Maayan Lubell This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel targets Hamas chief; Gaza officials say at least 71 killed Israel targets Hamas' military leader in Gaza. Who is he and what does it mean for the war? FILE - This image taken from video and released by the militant group Hamas on Aug. 26, 2005, shows a man identified as Mohammed Deif. An Israeli attack on the south of the Gaza Strip on Saturday July 13, 2024, killed 71 people and injured scores, the Health Ministry in Gaza said, while an Israeli official said it targeted the head of Hamas' military wing. The Israeli official identified the target of the strike in Khan Younis as Mohammed Deif, believed by many to be the chief architect of the Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war. (AP Photo/File) RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) Israel on Saturday said it tried to assassinate Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of the Hamas group 's military wing who has long topped the country's most-wanted list. The strike took place in an Israeli-declared humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, killing at least 90 Palestinians and wounding nearly 300 more, according to local health officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was still not absolutely certain whether Deif and another target of the strike, Rafa Salama, were killed. He also told a news conference that Hamas' entire leadership is marked for death. Here is a closer look at Hamas' elusive military leader and what his death could mean for the trajectory of the war. Who is Mohammed Deif ? Deif was among the founders of Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in the 1990s and has led the unit for over 20 years. Israel has identified him and Hamas' Gaza leader, Yahya Sinwar, as the chief architects of the Oct. 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war. For years, Deif has topped Israels most-wanted list. He is believed to be paralyzed after surviving multiple Israeli assassination attempts. He has not been seen in public in years, and only a handful of photos of him exist online. On the morning of Oct. 7, Hamas issued a rare voice recording of Deif announcing the Al Aqsa Flood" operation. Deif, like Sinwar, was born in the refugee camp of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in the early 1960s and was believed to have joined Hamas shortly after the formation of the Islamist Palestinian group in the late 1980s. In 1989, during the height of the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, Deif was arrested by Israel but later released. Deif was promoted to head of the Qassam Brigades in 2002 after his predecessor was killed by Israel. He is thought to have helped expand Hamas labyrinth of tunnels that run beneath Gaza, and is held responsible by Israel for plotting attacks that killed scores of Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings. Deif is so elusive that even his appearance and well being are points of speculation: Some media reports say he has used a wheelchair for years following injuries he sustained during past assassination attempts, while others report he is able to walk unassisted. His name, Deif, means the the guest in Arabic, an attribution purportedly reflecting his tendency to change locations frequently to hide from Israel. The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced in May that he was seeking the arrests of Deif and Sinwar and Hamas' exiled supreme leader, Ismail Haniyeh. The prosecutor, Karim Khan, said he is also seeking the arrests of Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. What does it mean for the war and negotiations? The killing of Deif would mark the highest profile assassination of any Hamas leader by Israel since the war began, signifying both a huge victory for Israel and a deep psychological blow for the militant group. At a news conference Saturday night, Netanyahu said all of Hamas' leaders are marked for death. He said that stepping up the pressure on the group by killing its leaders would move Hamas closer to accepting a cease-fire deal. Killing Deif could also help push Netanyahu closer to a deal. The Israeli leader has said he will not end the war until Israel achieves its war goals, which include destroying Hamas' military capabilities. But killing Deif could also throw the ongoing cease-fire talks, which appeared to have made tentative progress in recent weeks, into disarray and would likely widen the gap between Hamas and Israeli delegations in Cairo. For the Israelis, it may give them the victory narrative theyve desperately been chasing for nine months, said Khaled el-Gindy, an analyst specializing in Palestinian affairs with the Washington-based Middle East Institute. But el-Gindy believes it will harden Hamas' position, too. "Accepting a cease-fire in that context would seem like a surrender, he said. ___ Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Israel targets Hamas military chief in strike Palestinian officials say killed at least 70 people Israel says it targeted Hamas military chief and an alleged mastermind of the October 7 attacks in an airstrike in southern Gaza which local authorities said killed at least 71 Palestinians. Mohammed Deif the leader of Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing was targeted Saturday in Al-Mawasi, a displacement camp west of the city of Khan Younis, an Israeli security official told CNN. The Israeli military said it in the process of verifying whether Deif was killed in the strike, who was targeted alongside the head of the Khan Younis brigade, Rafe Salama. The strike left scenes of devastation in the area, where the Gaza Health Ministry reported at least 71 people killed and nearly 300 people injured. The strikes hit an area where displaced people were sheltering, according to the ministry. Videos from the scene show locals and rescue teams trying to unearth several people still trapped. Palestinians gather near damage caused by an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area on Saturday. - Mohammed Salem/Reuters Al-Mawasi has been designated by Israel as a safe zone for Palestinians fleeing the fighting raging in Gaza. The Kuwait and Nasser Hospitals on the ground are now struggling to cope with the high numbers of dead and injured civilians coming in, the ministry said. Al-Mawasi residents described the terrifying moment the strike hit. I was sitting in the bathroom, and before I heard explosions from the strike, the bathroom flew off, a young boy called Hammoud told a CNN stringer on the ground. Then, the whole area became filled with smoke, and then the shells began to fall. Hammouds young brother was killed in the strike whilst his sister is currently in hospital receiving treatment for her injuries, his family told CNN. Hamas denied Israeli claims it had targeted Deif and Salama, calling the killings a horrific massacre. The occupations claims of targeting leaders are false claims, and this is not the first time the occupation has claimed to target Palestinian leaders, only for its lies to be exposed later, a statement read. A shadowy figure Israeli security and intelligence first received intelligence about a potential opportunity to strike Hamass top military commander in recent days, but a clear window of opportunity to strike Deif only crystallized in the last 24 hours, an Israeli official said. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and top Shin Bet officials held multiple discussions overnight to assess the viability of a strike before the green light was given, the official said. A key focus of the discussions was assessing Israeli intelligence indicating that there were no hostages in the area, the official added, as well as the effect that carrying out such a significant strike might have on ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal negotiations. Little is known about Deif. Thought to have been born in the 1960s, Deif is a bomb maker was behind a wave of four suicide attacks in 1996 that killed 65 people in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and other outrages intended to derail the peace process. Palestinians pictured in the aftermath of the strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. - Mohammed Salem/Reuters His full name is Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, but he became known as El Deif (the Guest), because, for decades, he stayed in different houses every night to avoid being tracked, and killed, by Israel. Deif has been the target of Israeli assassination attempts before. A 2014 Israel strike killed his wife, seven-month-old son and three-year-old daughter. In May, the International Criminal Court said it was seeking arrest warrants for Deif and other senior Hamas figures, saying they had reasonable grounds to believe they bore responsibility for the October 7 attacks, which saw around 1,200 Israelis killed. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) An Ithaca woman is facing multiple charges after police say she went into a mans home and stabbed him in the arm during an argument. Jessica Leigh Anderson, 24, was arrested on Thursday afternoon after a stabbing victim allegedly identified her as his attacker. According to the Ithaca Police Department, the man called 911 shortly after 3 p.m. on July 11 to report that he had been stabbed. When police arrived at the mans home on the 600 block of Spencer Road in Ithaca, they found that the man had a significant laceration on his forearm, and the bleeding hadnt been controlled yet. Members of the Bangs Ambulance Company and the Ithaca Fire Department went to the scene and provided the stabbing victim with first aid after police determined that the scene was safe. One arrested, one critical after man gets stabbed in the neck in Elmira During a field interview, the victim told police that Anderson, who he knows, went into his residence without permission and started a verbal altercation. According to the victim, Anderson stabbed him in the arm during the altercation and fled to a nearby apartment building on the same road. An ambulance took the man to a local hospital for further medical treatment, and he is expected to make a full recovery. After the man was taken away from the scene, police found Anderson in her home in an apartment building thats also located on the 600 block of Spencer Road. She was arrested without incident. Man arrested after attempted burglary in Ithaca Anderson was charged with first-degree burglary (a class B felony), second-degree assault (a class D felony), and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a class A misdemeanor). Anderson was arraigned in the Ithaca City Couty and taken to the Tompkins County Jail on $1,000 cash bail/$5,000 insurance bond/$20,000 partially secured surety bond with 10% deposit. Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact the Ithaca Police Department using one of the methods listed below: Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245 Police Administration: 607-272-9973 Police Tip line: 607-330-0000 Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Japan and Germany agree to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region Japan and Germany agree to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, a region which has seen increasing military assertiveness from China. "While the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region is under bigger threat, due to China and North Korea's movement, the cooperation between Germany, with whom Japan shares similar values, is becoming more important," Kishida said. During talks in Berlin, Kishida and Scholz also confirmed that their countries would create an economic security framework amid fears about what they view as China's overproduction of electric vehicles and other key products using massive subsidies. As part of efforts to accelerate bilateral cooperation, the two leaders also agreed to hold high-level intergovernmental talks in Germany possibly next year to grapple with a wide range of global and regional issues. "Today we agreed to set up a new dialog on economic security. And we have decided to hold joint intergovernmental consultations again next year, this time in Germany," said Scholz. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shake hands during their meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, July 12, 2024 - Michael Kappeler/(c) Copyright 2024, dpa (www.dpa.de). Alle Rechte vorbehalten Scholz also said that despite the distance between the two countries, Japan and Germany have "many things in common" and the two leaders agreed that the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries will hold 'two-plus-two' security talks in Japan soon. Kishida travelled to Germany after attending the 75th NATO summit in Washington which ended on Thursday. In talks with Scholz, he expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's deepening military cooperation with Russia, with Scholz calling it a "clear violation of UN sanctions". Japan also believes escalating China-Taiwan tensions are among the most serious security challenges, with Beijing viewing the self-ruled democratic island as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Kishida and Scholz met as their countries' acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), which simplifies the process of sharing food, fuel and ammunition between Japan's Self-Defence Forces and the German military, came into force on Friday. A German frigate is scheduled to make a port call in Japan this summer, while a Maritime Self-Defence Force training squadron is planning to stop in Hamburg, Japanese officials said. On economic security, the Japanese and German leaders discussed how to work in tandem to strengthen a free and fair global trade order, while confirming their cooperation to bolster supply chains of hydrogen, semiconductors and critical mineral resources. Scholz also said that he believed an agreement between the European Union and China on tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles was possible. The EU is imposing provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on EVs imported from China, ratcheting up tensions with Beijing in the EU's largest trade case yet. "We will always insist on conditions being fair on all sides and thats whats being discussed right now between the European Union and China," said Scholz. Those remarks comes a day after Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Germany will bar the use of critical components made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in core parts of the country's 5G networks in two steps starting in 2026. Germany, which is Europe's biggest economy, has long mulled what to do about components made by Chinese suppliers in its new-generation cellphone networks. Faeser said critical components from Huawei and ZTE will be barred from 5G core networks by the end of 2026, while "critical management systems" from the two manufacturers in 5G access and transport networks must be replaced by the end of 2029. In the political world, accusations and mudslinging are almost as common as campaign promises. Recently, the Missouri GOP gubernatorial primary has seen its fair share of controversy, particularly surrounding Jay Ashcroft and his credentials as an engineer. As Jays former supervisor and a fellow engineer, I feel compelled to set the record straight. Ashcroft is undeniably an engineer by education and credentials. He has two Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc.-accredited engineering degrees from Missouri University of Science and Technology. He worked as an engineer for 4 1/2 years in the defense industry, and then was certified by the state of Missouri to teach mechanical engineering, which he did for almost six years. The recent attempts to discredit Jays engineering background by pointing out that he does not hold a government license as a professional engineer are misleading at best. Its important to understand that while a professional engineering license is a requirement for certain roles, it is not a blanket necessity for most engineering work. Many engineers operate in capacities where such licensure is not required. Ashcroft has never claimed to be a licensed professional engineer. He has always been transparent about his qualifications and experience. To suggest that candidates are unfit for office because they lack a specific government-issued license, especially when that license is not a prerequisite for the roles they have performed, is a disingenuous attack. Its an attempt to distract voters from the real issues at hand and the substantive qualifications that Jay brings to the table. The underlying implication of these attacks is even more troubling. Should we, as voters, support a candidate such as Mike Kehoe who seems to endorse the idea that more government regulation and licensure are inherently beneficial? The notion that we need more government control over who can and cannot work in various fields is antithetical to the principles of free enterprise and individual merit. Kehoes endorsement of the idea that government licenses to work are necessary and good is a dangerous stance, particularly in an era where overregulation stifles innovation and entrepreneurship. As a former small business owner, you would think Kehoe would know better. Do we want to elect someone who believes that the path to progress is through more bureaucratic red tape? Ashcroft represents a different vision. He understands that while certain professions do require rigorous licensure for public safety, not all work should be subjected to such constraints. His approach is pragmatic and rooted in a deep understanding of both the engineering and legal landscapes. In contrast, Kehoes constant untruthful attacks on Jay reveal desperation and a lack of substantive critique. Its a classic tactic of a career politician who is more interested in maintaining power and control than in advancing real solutions for Missouri. Why is Kehoe being investigated by the FBI? Jay Ashcrofts track record, both as an engineer and a public servant, speaks for itself. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to integrity, innovation and practical governance. As someone who has supervised Jay and seen his capabilities firsthand, I can attest to his competence, dedication and ethical standards. The voters of Missouri deserve a leader who embodies these qualities, not one who resorts to cheap political stunts to discredit his opponents. In this primary, the choice is clear. Jay Ashcroft is not only qualified but also uniquely positioned to lead Missouri forward. Lets not be swayed by unfounded attacks, and instead focus on the real issues and the true qualifications of the candidates. Rosendo Martinez is a retired senior engineering scientist. He lives in Macedonia, Missouri. Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is a growth stock with management that is keenly focused on expanding the company's top line. There are two ways for a restaurant chain to do that, and the leadership team is focused on both of them. Here's what you need to watch at Chipotle over the next three years to make sure that the company is living up to its own plans. Chipotle has five goals, but really only two In Chipotle Mexican Grill's 10-K, there is a section titled "Business Strategy," in which it explains that it has five fundamental goals: Sustaining world class people leadership by developing and retaining diverse talent at every level; Running successful restaurants with a people accountable culture that provides great Food with Integrity while delivering exceptional in-restaurant and digital experiences; Making the brand visible, relevant, and loved to improve overall guest engagement; Amplifying technology and innovation to drive growth and productivity at our restaurants, support centers and in our supply chain; and Expanding access and convenience by accelerating new restaurant openings in North America and internationally. Those are all important, but they really can be distilled down into just two main objectives: run the existing restaurant fleet at a high level and open new locations. The first quarter of 2024 showed that Chipotle is capable of doing both quite well. With regard to existing restaurants, same-store sales, which measures sales at locations open for at least a year, expanded at a roughly 7% clip. Half that level would be considered a pretty good result in the restaurant business, so whatever Chipotle's is doing with its brand concept is clearly resonating with customers. Meanwhile, overall sales rose a touch over 14% to $2.7 billion. The only way that number gets significantly larger than same-store sales is by adding new locations. So, based on the numbers, Chipotle is firing on all cylinders today. What about the future for Chipotle? Chipotle currently operates around 3,500 restaurants globally. That's a pretty big number, but it is nowhere near as large as other brands with which it competes. For example, McDonald's has more than 41,000 locations around the world. To be fair, McDonald's is one of the largest restaurant companies on Earth, but it still suggests there's a huge runway for growth ahead. A more comparable brand might be Taco Bell, owned by Yum! Brands, which has around 8,500 locations and sales of nearly $16 billion. So it looks like Chipotle could add another 5,000 stores at the low end. Its revenue, annualizing the first-quarter tally, would be somewhere near $11 billion today. That's about $5 billion lower than Yum! Brands' Taco Bell. Even if Chipotle never reaches the scale of McDonald's, the next three, five, and even 10 years are likely to be filled with growth. It's worth noting the company only opened 47 new locations in the first quarter. That's a pace of roughly 200 a year, which means that it would require well more than a decade to get to Taco Bell's scale. Story continues There's no way for Chipotle to instantly reach the size of Taco Bell or McDonald's. It has to build that growth from the ground up while still executing well at its existing restaurants. That's not an easy task, and there are going to be bumps in the road along the way. Put another way, don't expect every quarter to be as good as Q1 2024. But the next three years will still likely produce a lot of growth in the business. Perhaps the company "only" gets to 4,100 locations in that time, but that's still going to have a meaningful impact on the top and bottom lines. If you are considering investing in Chipotle today, well, very little has changed about its long-term growth story. Paying up for growth at Chipotle The problem with Chipotle is that Wall Street is well aware of its strong growth story. Looking at the most commonly used valuation metric, the stock's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 63.5 versus a five-year average of 69.5. You can argue that P/E being below the long-term average suggests shares are cheap, but it is hard to call 63.5 a low number. You are paying a premium for growth at Chipotle, which means this stock is most appropriate for more aggressive investors. Still, if history is any guide, Chipotle knows how to deliver what investors are expecting. Should you invest $1,000 in Chipotle Mexican Grill right now? Before you buy stock in Chipotle Mexican Grill, 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 Chipotle Mexican Grill 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 $780,654!* 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 July 8, 2024 Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Where Will Chipotle Mexican Grill Stock Be in 3 Years? was originally published by The Motley Fool Jeremy Clarksons working relationship with Richard Hammond and James May appears to be officially over. The TV star is currently enjoying the biggest success of his career with Clarksons Farm, a series airing on Amazons subscription service Prime Video that documents his attempts to run the 1000-acre farm he purchased in 2008. Since premiering in 2021, Clarkson has extended his business empire by purchasing a Cotswolds pub for 1m something he is developing a brand new series about, which will no doubt include the grim discovery he made outside the country boozer earlier this week. But those hoping Clarksons Farm was a temporary stopgap in between new seasons of The Grand Tour the Prime Video show the trio made together after leaving Top Gear will be left disappointed following what looks to be the closing of the production company co-owned by Clarkson, Hammond and May. MailOnline reports that, on Thursday (11 July), the presenters approved the disolution of W Chump and Sons, which produced The Grand Tour, with government agency Companies House. As part of the companys dissolution, the trio declared solvency and have appointed a liquidator to wind up their business. This development appears to confirm hints that the shows forthcoming special, which was filmed in Zimbabwe, will be the last time the trio will work together. The Independent has contacted Clarkson, Hammond and May for comment. Clarkson and Hammond hosted Top Gears first series in 2002 alongside Jason Dawe, with May replacing the latter in series two. The trios chemistry and on-screen interactions was one of the reasons the show became such a success, and they remained on the BBC motoring show until Clarkson was dropped in 2015 following a behind-the-scenes incident. Hammond and May proved their loyalty to Clarkson by also leaving the show and, together, they created The Grand Tour, which premiered in 2016. Clarkson, Hammond and May on The Grand Tour (Prime Video) It was claimed in November 2023 that the final special, filmed as part of the fifth series, would be the shows finale. Clarksons Farm has since become one of the biggest hits on Prime Video. Earlier this year, the TV star shared behind-the-scenes details of the show, revealing how the idea of free-grazing his pigs a rare breed called Sandy and Black ended in disaster. Clarkson had been warned by land agent Charlie Ireland that it wouldnt be as simple a task as he was thinking, stating: Pigs need round-the-clock care. He learned this the hard way when many of the piglets died, with some of them being crushed accidentally by their mothers. In fact, so many piglets died that it left those working on the show feeling distressed. John Fetterman reportedly gauged Biden support at a Democratic lunch, but only a few senators wanted the president to stay in the race John Fetterman reportedly gauged Biden support at a Democratic lunch, but only a few senators wanted the president to stay in the race John Fetterman has repeatedly gone to bat for Biden as some Democrats call for a new nominee. At a recent Democratic lunch, Fetterman reportedly asked senators if Biden should continue his campaign. Only a smattering of lawmakers agreed with Fetterman, according to Politico. Since joining the upper chamber last year, Sen. John Fetterman has been one of President Joe Biden's strongest political allies. And after Biden's disastrous debate performance which has led to a chorus of congressional Democrats asking the president to step aside as the party's presidential nominee the Pennsylvania lawmaker has doubled down in his support of the embattled leader. But so far, many Senate Democrats appear highly skeptical of Biden's chances in November, despite only one Democratic senator publicly calling on the President to forgo his reelection bid. During a Senate Democratic lunch on Thursday where Biden's top campaign aides spoke about his polling and a path forward Fetterman voiced his frustration at the pessimism in the room regarding the president's chances, Politico reported. "You have legacies, too," Fetterman told the senators who were present in the room, according to the outlet. (Some senators had already left the meeting before Fetterman rose to speak, Politico reported.) The first-term lawmaker also questioned senators about what their legacies would look like if they turned on Biden over a bad debate, according to the report. When Fetterman asked his fellow Democrats if they'd want to see Biden continue in the race, only a handful of people in the room four in total joined him in agreement, according to Politico. The lawmakers who stood with Fetterman included Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, per the report. Democratic senators have largely remained mum on Biden's chances in public despite their long-standing support of the president's legislative priorities, but their reported views behind closed doors reveal the hesitancy that still permeates the caucus. For weeks, Fetterman has looked to dunk on Democrats who have gone against Biden, arguing that their lack of support only serves to embolden former President Donald Trump's campaign. "I refuse to join the Democratic vultures on Biden's shoulder after the debate," the senator wrote on X after the June debate. "No one knows more than me that a rough debate is not the sum total of the person and their record." Fetterman who faced criticism from some Democrats after his own debate performance in the high-stakes 2022 Senate race which featured then-GOP candidate and celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz brushed aside naysayers that year. And he has done the same for Biden who has insisted that he's not leaving the presidential race ahead of the general election. During a June appearance on "Fox News Sunday," Fetterman compared his campaign situation with that of the president. "We had a difficult debate, and yet we still managed to go on to win," he said at the time. "One debate is not a career." Read the original article on Business Insider Join Space.com's 25th Anniversary Virtual Panel on July 17: The Next 25 Years of Space Exploration - To the Moon, Mars and Beyond Join Space.com as we celebrate our 25th anniversary by looking to the future of humanity's reach into the cosmos. | Credit: Future In the 25 years since Space.com first launched its space news mission on July 20, 1999, humanity has accomplished amazing feats in astronomical research and spaceflight. But what lies ahead in the next quarter century? Join Space.com as we celebrate our 25th anniversary by looking to the future of humanity's reach into the cosmos with the live virtual panel "The Next 25 Years of Space Exploration - To the Moon, Mars and Beyond" at 12 p.m. EDT on July 17 on this page and on the Space.com homepage. Moderated by Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik, a 23-year veteran of Space.com, our panelists will discuss the great strides to date in the fields of exoplanet research, the search for life, human spaceflight and astronomical discoveries, and how giant new observatories, new spacecraft and technical advances could yield even more advancements. Our panelists will be: Dr. Sara Seager, astrophysicist and professor of planetary science, physics and aeronautics and astronautics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge; Dr. John Mulchaey, director of the Carnegie Observatories overseeing the Giant Magellan Telescope; Dr. Tom Marshburn, chief medical officer for Sierra Space and former NASA astronaut and three-time spaceflyer. Be sure to join us at Space.com on July 17 for what promises to be an amazing discussion on the future of space exploration and astronomy. Actor Alec Baldwin reacts after the judge threw out the involuntary manslaughter case for the 2021 fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during filming of the Western movie "Rust," Friday, July 12, 2024, at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, N.M. | Pool Video via Associated Press The involuntary manslaughter charges brought against actor Alec Baldwin were dismissed Friday by the judge over his case due to the prosecutions failure to properly turn over evidence to the defense, according to CNN. As previously reported by Deseret News, the incident which Baldwin is being charged for occurred in 2021 on the set of the western film Rust, where Baldwin was handling a prop gun that fired a live round, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Baldwins defense argued that he was not responsible for the incident, and that the blame lay with the films armorer and the first assistant director, who were in charge of gun safety. This was an unspeakable tragedy, but Alec Baldwin committed no crime. He was an actor, acting, playing the role of Harlan Rust, Baldwins attorney, Alex Spiro, said, per CNN. These cardinal rules are not cardinal rules on a movie set. Baldwin faced two charges: negligent use of a firearm and acting without due caution or circumspection. He pointed the gun at another human being, cocked the hammer and pulled that trigger, in reckless disregard for Ms. Hutchins safety, prosecutor Erlinda Johnson said, per CNN. The accident was caused by a live round being mixed in with the prop rounds, although it remains unclear how this happened. According to NBC News, Baldwin pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming he was unaware there were live rounds in the gun and had been directed to point it in Hutchins direction. On Friday, Baldwins lawyers argued that state investigators did not inform the defense team that they had live rounds of ammunition connected to the case, prompting them to move for dismissal. Prosecutor Kari Morrissey countered that the ammunition was determined not to match the live rounds retrieved from the Rust set and was therefore irrelevant to the case, describing the dispute as a wild goose chase that has no evidentiary value whatsoever. 1st Judicial District Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer ruled in favor of the defense after several hours of arguments. There is no way for the court to right this wrong, said Sommer, per NBC News. The sanction of dismissal is the only warranted remedy. A Washington state judge said Friday that Attorney General Bob Ferguson is not entitled to enforce a subpoena seeking decades of records from the Seattle Archdiocese, despite his assertion that the records are needed to learn whether the Catholic church used charitable trust funds to cover up sexual abuse by priests. Judge Michael Scott sided with the archdiocese, which argued that under the states law governing charitable trusts, Ferguson did not have authority to enforce the subpoena. The law contains an exemption designed to ensure the state does not meddle in religious practices. Nevertheless, Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said in a written statement after Fridays decision that the church is willing to provide the state with relevant records and collaborate with Ferguson on the investigation in a lawful manner. Sexual abuse in the Church is a heart-wrenching part of our history, and I am deeply sorry for the pain caused to victim survivors, their families and all Catholics, Etienne said. We remain focused on the need for healing and proper governance in these matters. ... Because we are committed to preventing abuse, promoting transparency and continuously improving our processes, my offer to collaborate with the attorney general still stands. Ferguson, himself a Catholic, said his office would appeal. The state argued that the exemption in the law does protect religious practices but that using charitable trust money to conceal or facilitate sex abuse was not a religious practice. Our fight for survivors of clergy abuse is not over, Ferguson said in a news release. Washingtonians deserve a full public accounting of the Churchs involvement in and responsibility for the child sexual abuse crisis. Ferguson filed the case in May, saying the church was stonewalling its investigation by refusing to comply with the subpoena. At the time, the archdiocese called his allegations a surprise, saying it welcomed the investigation and shares the states goals preventing abuse and helping victim survivors on their path to healing and peace. Church officials said the records sought by the state were excessive and irrelevant including every receipt going back to 1940, in an archdiocese with more than 170 pastoral locations and 72 schools. Some 23 states have conducted investigations of the Catholic church, and so far at least nine have issued reports detailing their findings. In some cases, those findings have gone far beyond what church officials had voluntarily disclosed. For example, the six Catholic dioceses in Illinois had reported publicly that there had been 103 clerics and religious brothers credibly accused of child sex abuse. But in a scathing report last year, the Illinois attorney generals office said it had uncovered detailed information on 451 who had sexually abused at least 1,997 children. Similarly, Maryland last year reported staggering evidence of just how widespread the abuse was: More than 150 Catholic priests and others associated with the Archdiocese of Baltimore sexually abused over 600 children and often escaped accountability. In 2018, a Pennsylvania grand jury found that more than 300 Catholic clerics had abused more than 1,000 children in that state over the prior 70 years. The Seattle Archdiocese has published a list of 83 clerics it says were credibly accused, and it says that beginning in the 1980s it was one of the first in the nation to begin adopting policies to address and prevent sexual abuse by priests. Sexual abuse by church personnel peaked in 1975, and there have been no reports since 2007, the archdiocese said. A proposal to make it a state crime to cross the border illegally qualifies for the November ballot, a judge ruled Friday as he rejected a lawsuit that argued the measure violated the constitution's single-subject rule. The Secure the Border Act would give Arizona law enforcement the authority to arrest and detain people who cross the border with Mexico other than at a legal port of entry. Republicans in the state Legislature referred the matter to the Nov. 5 ballot, triggering an immediate challenge that the move was unconstitutional. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Minder ruled that lawmakers met the "single-subject" standard for ballot questions when they approved House Concurrent Resolution 2060 in June. Besides authorizing Arizona law enforcement to detain and arrest people who cross illegally, the measure also provides immunity for law enforcement officers who detain or arrest; makes it a state crime to fraudulently get state benefits and hikes the penalties for any fentanyl sales that result in death. Alejandra Gomez, executive director for Living United for Change in Arizona, speaks during a news conference at the Arizona Supreme Court in Phoenix on June 5, 2024. Living United for Change, a civil rights group, went to court the day after the measure passed along partisan lines. They argued the multiple provisions ran afoul of the state constitution's single-subject rule. But Minder, quoting from a previous ruling on the single-subject law, disagreed. The provisions all 'fall under . . . one general idea' which is 'responses to harms relating to an unsecured border,'" he wrote. He found there is a "natural connection" between the measure's various provisions because they all relate to an unsecured border. Based on that, he ruled, the plaintiffs didn't meet the burden of proof to block the act from appearing on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. James Barton, attorney for the various plaintiffs, said an appeal is being considered. "We need to be strategic and weigh the risks," Barton said in an emailed comment, noting he would need to confer with the plaintiffs. LUCHA and its executive director, Alejandra Gomez, were the lead plaintiffs in the case, along with Victory PAC and state Rep. Oscar De Los Santos. Other groups joined in: Poder in Action, Inc., the Phoenix Legal Action Network, and the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project. All were seeking a preliminary injunction and a judgment barring the Secure Border Act from the ballot. The act was a hot-button issue in the final month of the legislative session. Its main provision state enforcement of border crossings hinges on whether a federal appeals court upholds a Texas law that proposes the same authority for Texas law enforcement. Federal law makes it clear border enforcement is a federal matter but states like Texas and Arizona are testing that standard. Arizona Republican lawmakers earlier this year passed a similar bill, but Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed it. Lawmakers resurrected it as a ballot referral, which does not need any action from the governor. The ruling sets the stage for a contentious campaign. LUCHA and other groups have likened it to Arizona's infamous SB1070, which a decade ago brought national attention to Arizona, resulting in boycotts and numerous protests. Critics of that measure have said they are better prepared now to fight this border-related act, citing their experience from the 1070 struggle. Reach the reporter at maryjo.pitzl@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on Threads as well as on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @maryjpitzl. Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ judge rejects legal challenge to House Concurrent Resolution 2060 A federal judge has refused to stay his decision striking down Floridas restrictions on gender-affirming care while the state appeals. Putting the decision on hold will cause needless suffering and will increase anxiety, depression, and the risk of suicide for transgender Floridians, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle wrote in his ruling, issued Thursday. This is the factor that most clearly supports denial of a stay, he continued. There is also no compelling state interest for staying the decision, he added. The state allowed and even paid for gender-affirming care for many years before enacting the statute and rules at issue in a wave of anti-transgender bias, and it has safeguards in place to assure the care is provided according to the best-practice standards, Hinkle wrote. Leaving in place the status quo as it existed for years prior to adoption of the challenged statute and rules will cause no concrete harm to the state or anyone else, he noted. The evidence that animus motivated at least some legislators is overwhelming, indeed undisputed, Hinkle went on, saying that a legislator loudly called transgender individuals demons and imps, another called them evil, and a sponsor said good riddance to any transgender individual who left the state. With legislators having loudly and proudly proclaimed their bias, Judge Hinkle concluded, the defendants ought not be allowed to hide from it now. In a June 11 ruling, he had permanently blocked enforcement of the restrictions. His ruling in the case of Doe v. Ladapo found that Florida Senate Bill 254 and the related Boards of Medicine rules were motivated by disapproval of transgender people and violate the equal protection rights of transgender individuals and parents of transgender minors in Florida. Florida was the first state to pass a law restricting access to health care for transgender adults. The ban on this care for minors was first enacted in March 2023 through the adoption of rules by the Florida Board of Medicine and Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine, at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, and the Florida Department of Health. SB 254, which was passed by the legislature, signed by the governor, and took effect in May 2023, wrote the ban into state law, subject to a narrow continued-use exception for minors who had started treatment before the ban. SB 254 also created felony criminal and civil penalties for Florida medical providers. It further added severe restrictions that effectively blocked access to essential medical care for trans adults and minors who would be eligible for the continued-use exception, including requiring that care be provided exclusively by physicians, barring telehealth, and requiring patients to complete unique, onerous, and misleading consent forms. The suit against the law and rules was brought by four trans adults and seven parents of trans minors. They are represented by GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Southern Legal Counsel, and Lowenstein Sandler LLP. Todays ruling forcefully reiterates that health care access must be based on sound principles of medicine, not politics or bias, Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLAD, said in a press release. As the court found, the state of Florida has not been able to provide a single instance of a Florida transgender adolescent or adult receiving inappropriate treatment or experiencing regret over care they have received in the state. We are relieved that transgender people and their families in Florida will continue to be able to make the health care decisions that are right for them. We are pleased the court will continue to enforce this important decision, which correctly found that Floridas ban on lifesaving medical care for transgender youth and adults was based on bias, not facts, added Shannon Minter, legal director at NCLR. Like other similar laws around the country, Floridas ban was passed impulsively, without any attempt to genuinely understand this area of health care or the best interests of transgender youth and their families. The State of Florida continues to ignore the facts and make unsupported and, in some cases, outlandish claims. We are grateful to Judge Hinkle for calling these state officials to task for their misrepresentations. There has so far been no public response to the ruling by DeSantis, Ladapo, or other Florida officials. DeSantis's office did refer the Florida Phoenix to statements he made regarding the June decision. If youre not willing to defend Floridas duly enacted statutes against liberal jurisprudence, then youre basically saying the people of Florida shouldnt govern themselves and that we should just turn over our destiny to some trial judge somewhere. That I refuse to do, DeSantis said in a news conference at the time. A judge in New Mexico has dismissed Alec Baldwin's involuntary manslaughter case in relation to a fatal 2021 shooting on the set of his film Rust. The decision was made after the judge found that the state had withheld evidence that could have helped explain why live rounds of ammunition were on a film set. It was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the case is permanently dismissed and cannot be brought to court ever again. "There is no way for the court to right this wrong," Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer declared, per The New York Times. Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter over the accidental death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in October 2021. Hutchins was killed when a live round made its way into a prop firearm Baldwin was holding, which accidentally discharged before passing through Hutchins and hitting the films director, Joel Souza. In March, the films armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Baldwin was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter on January 19, 2023, before that charge was dropped as prosecutors required more time to examine evidence. The 30 Rock star was charged for a second time exactly a year later, on January 19, 2024, after investigators discovered that the guns trigger had to have been pulled for the round to discharge. Baldwin maintains that he never pulled the trigger, but rather cocked the firearms hammer before the gun unexpectedly fired. His attorneys argued that the firearm did not function properly in the first place, and that it was damaged by the FBI during testing amid the investigative process rendering any further examination moot. A federal judge on Friday axed a retaliation claim against Andrew Cuomo in the high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit leveled by a state trooper who contends the former New York governor groped her. But the key sexual harassment claim by the woman known as Trooper 1 against Cuomo remained untouched in the partial dismissal by Brooklyn federal Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall. Trooper 1s attorney, Valdi Licul, said separate federal retaliation claims remain pending. With all due respect to the court, todays decision sets a dangerous precedent, Licul said in a statement. It permits sexual harassers and their enablers who resign in disgrace to retaliate against their victims without any legal consequences. It should not go unnoticed that the sexual harassment claims against Mr. Cuomo and the New York State Police will proceed. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo still faces a sexual harassment claim in a state troopers high-profile federal lawsuit. Getty Images Cuomo resigned as governor in 2021 after a bombshell probe by Attorney General Letitia James found he sexually harassed multiple women, including Trooper 1. He has denied the accusations and faces a July 19 deadline to answer the latest version of Trooper 1s complaint, records show. The AGs report was nothing more than a political hatchet job lacking legal merit, said Rita Glavin, Cuomos attorney, in a statement. While politics and a reckless media mob carried the day in 2021, truth and the rule of law will ultimately prevail. Trooper 1 contended that Cuomo, among other misbehavior, touched her stomach and back as well as kissed her on the cheek in 2019 while she was on duty. A state trooper contends Cuomo groped her while she was on duty. Rita Glavin She also allegedly that Cuomo and two of his top deputies former chief of staff Melissa DeRosa and spokesman Rich Azzopardi retaliated against her for coming forward. The judge threw out the retaliation claims against Cuomo based on city and state human rights laws because the alleged reprisal unfolded after the governor resigned, according to court documents. Hall previously dismissed retaliation claims against DeRosa and Azzopardi in September, records show. This decision confirms what we said all along: Trooper #1s complaint was a gross abuse of the court system and a transparent attempt to weaponize the Attorney Generals sham report for her own personal financial gain, the pair said in a joint statement. These efforts have failed. We believe that Judge Halls opinion demonstrates that Trooper #1s claims were frivolous and, as such, we are considering our legal options. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL July 12, 2024 Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Enbridge Inc. ENB, The Williams Companies Inc. WMB, Kinder Morgan, Inc. KMI and MPLX LP MPLX. Industry: Oil Pipeline Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2300030/4-oil-pipeline-stocks-to-gain-from-the-promising-industry The midstream business model ensures that the operations of oil and gas transportation pipelines and storage facilities remain largely insulated from fluctuations in commodity prices. This stability is bolstering the outlook for the Zacks Oil and Gas - Production & Pipelines industry. Pipeline companies enjoy a strategic advantage over their upstream and downstream counterparts, as they generate consistent and predictable revenue streams through long-term contracts with shippers. Enbridge Inc., The Williams Companies Inc., Kinder Morgan, Inc. and MPLX LP are among the frontrunners in the industry. About the Industry The Zacks Oil and Gas - Production & Pipelines industry comprises companies that own and operate midstream energy infrastructure assets. The properties consist of extensive pipeline networks that transport crude oil, liquids and natural gas. The midstream energy players are also involved in the processing and storing of natural gas. The companies have interests in natural gas distribution utilities, serving millions of retail customers across North America. Some companies are ramping up investments in renewable energy and power transmission businesses. The firms invest in wind farms, solar energy operations, geothermal projects and hydroelectric facilities. Thus, with a diversified portfolio of renewable energy projects, the companies have room to generate extra cash flows in addition to stable fee-based revenues from the transportation assets. What's Shaping the Future of Oil & Gas - Production and Pipelines Industry? Pipeline Demand to Improve: Oil price is trading at more than $80 per barrel. Crude prices, which are highly favorable, may help explorers and producers ramp up upstream activities, leading to higher production. This, in turn, is improving the demand for crude transportation pipelines of the midstream players. Stable Fee-Based Revenues: Most pipeline and storage assets are being booked by shippers for the long term, making midstream businesses less vulnerable to volatility in commodity prices. Backed by long-term contracts, the companies belonging to the industry also have a minimal oil and gas volume risk. Owing to these factors, pipeline players will continue to generate stable fee-based revenues. Story continues Impressive Project Backlog: Many pipeline companies in the industry have a backlog of growth projects worth billions of dollars. The projects will come online in a few years, securing additional cashflows for the pipeline players. Attractive Dividend Yield: Oil and gas pipeline stocks are paying attractive dividend yields. Compared to the overall energy sector, companies belonging to the industry have been rewarding shareholders with significantly higher dividend yields over the past several years, providing reassurance that the midstream business is relatively more stable than upstream and downstream operations. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks Oil and Gas - Production & Pipelines is a nine-stock group within the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector. The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #76, which places it in the top 30% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates rosy near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. The industry's position in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries results from a positive earnings outlook for the constituent stocks in aggregate. Before we present a few stocks that you may want to consider, let's look at the industry's recent stock market performance and its valuation picture. Industry Lags S&P 500, Beats Sector The Zacks Oil and Gas - Production & Pipelines industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Oil - Energy sector but underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the past year. The industry has soared 19.8% over this period compared with an improvement of 9.8% of the broader sector and 28.1% rise of the S&P 500. Industry's Current Valuation Based on the trailing 12-month enterprise value-to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA), which is a commonly used multiple for valuing oil and gas production & pipeline stocks, the industry is currently trading at 12.71X, lower than the S&P 500's 20.12X. It is, however, above the sector's trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 3.15X. Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 14.81X, as low as 8.67X and at a median of 12.39X. 4 Oil & Gas Pipeline Stocks Leading the Pack Kinder Morgan: With its operating interests in oil and gas pipeline networks spread across 82,000 miles, Kinder Morgan is a leading energy infrastructure company in North America. It derives most of its earnings from take-or-pay contracts, generating stable fee-based revenues. Kinder Morgan, a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company, is poised to grow further on the back of its business model, which is relatively resilient to volume and commodity price risks. The Williams Companies Inc: The Williams Companies is well-poised to capitalize on the mounting demand for clean energy since it is engaged in transporting, storing, gathering and processing natural gas and natural gas liquids. With its pipeline networks spread across more than 33,000 miles, The Williams Companies, currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), connects premium basins in the United States to the key market. WMB's assets can meet 30% of the nation's natural gas consumption, utilized for heating purposes and clean-energy generation. MPLX: MPLX generates stable cashflows and has lower exposure to commodity price volatility since it is the operator of midstream energy infrastructure and logistics assets. It also generates cashflows from a relatively stable fuel distribution business. Over the past 60 days, MPLX has witnessed upward earnings estimate revisions for 2024. The partnership, with Zacks Rank of 2, has attractive organic growth capital projects and is pursuing low-carbon opportunities. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Enbridge: Enbridge is among the leading midstream energy players in North America. Its energy infrastructure includes one of the world's longest crude oil pipeline networks. With a significant portion of its assets being contracted by shippers for the long term, its business model is less exposed to volatility in oil and gas prices. Backed by long-term contracts, Enbridge's business model has considerably lower volume risk exposure. ENB carries a Zacks Rank #3. Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation. See Stocks Free >> Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZacksInvestmentResearch/ Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Williams Companies, Inc. (The) (WMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Enbridge Inc (ENB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kinder Morgan, Inc. (KMI) : Free Stock Analysis Report MPLX LP (MPLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research (WHTM) Once upon a time, a large chunk of what is now the United States of America was a large chunk of the British Province of Quebec. Before that, it was part of New France. Before that, there were the Beaver Wars, a series of brutal conflicts lasting most of the 17th century, between Native American tribes over control of the lucrative fur trade. To vastly oversimplify things, it ended up with France becoming the dominant power in the area, which they called New France. Then, following defeat in the French and Indian War (17541763), France ceded the territory to Great Britain in the 1763 Treaty of Paris. They created the Province of Quebec. Midstate Historial Markers: The mystery of Fort Hunter Then, after the United States defeated the British (with French help) during the Revolutionary War, the British ceded the territory to the Americans in the 1783 Treaty of Paris. (There are so many Treaties of Paris its hard to keep track sometimes.) Get daily news, weather, breaking news and alerts straight to your inbox! Sign up for the abc27 newsletters here So now the United States was in charge of the area west of Pennsylvania, east of the Mississippi River, and northwest of the Ohio River, up to the border with Canada. (The border wasnt officially determined until 1846, which caused trouble at times.) But what to do with this Northwest Territory? A lot of the states had claims on parts of the territory. Fortunately, a compromise was devised; the states would give up their claims and turn over the territory to the Confederation government, and let Congress figure it out. Map of the Northwest Territory (Library of Congress) Since the Confederation Congress couldnt raise taxes, they were anxious to get the land up for sale. They passed the Land Ordinance of 1784, which set up a process to divide the Northwest Territory into new states, followed by the Land Ordinance of 1785 to establish a system to survey the land. Its Ratification Day! Who, what, when, where and why? Finally, in 1787, the Confederation Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which officially established the territory as an area to be administered by an appointed Governor, while it got chopped up into new states. Of course, there were still thousands of Native Americans living in the area; and of course, they didnt like being arrogantly told their lands now belonged to the U.S. Government; and it should surprise no one that things ended up being decided by force of arms. The Northwest Indian War erupted in 1786, before the final plan to create states was passed, and it dragged on until 1795, by which time the power of the tribes was pretty much broken. Finally, the division of the area into new states began. In all, five and a fraction of states were created-Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and a small section of Minnesota. Most importantly, thanks to the Ordinance of 1787, these states were equal in stature to the original 13 states, The Ordinance of 1787 became one of the major accomplishments of the government created by the Articles of Confederation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Bob Menendez walks into the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse in Manhattan on Friday, July 12, 2024. Jurors began deliberating in his federal corruption case Friday afternoon after the judge spent the morning delivering jury instructions. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Sen. Bob Menendezs fate is now in the hands of 12 New Yorkers after his federal bribery case went to the jury Friday afternoon in Manhattan. Jurors began deliberations at 2:10 p.m. and had not reached a verdict by 5:10 p.m. Judge Sidney H. Stein directed them to return Monday morning to resume deliberations. Were here as long as you want, Stein told them. Jurors have a computer at their disposal to call up trial exhibits and just 15 minutes after they began deliberations, they requested cables to connect the computer to a big screen to see exhibits. Stein also advised them they could return to the courtroom to hear testimony read and see and feel the more than $500,000 worth of gold bars and cash investigators seized from the senators home and his wifes safe deposit box during an FBI search in June 2022 valuables court officials already passed around the jury box once, during the nine-week trials first week. Friday morning, the judge spent almost three hours finishing the jury charge he started reading Thursday afternoon, reviewing the 18-count indictment, instructing jurors on the elements needed to reach a conviction on each charge, and otherwise explaining the law. Its a lot of words, but its all very logical, Stein told them. The jurors who had appeared increasingly bored as the trial wore on seemed downright excited as they headed in to the private jury deliberation room, the judges lengthy jury charge and verdict sheet in hand. They traded waves, smiles, and peace signs with five alternate jurors they left behind in the courtroom, who Stein thanked for their service and sent home for the afternoon. The alternate jurors were not discharged altogether, though, in case they need to be called back into service. Recalling an alternate is rare, Stein assured them, but noted it had just happened earlier Friday in another courtroom, where an alternate replaced a juror who had researched the case outside the deliberation room, a jury no-no. It also happened in Menendezs first corruption trial in 2017, when a juror was excused for a long-scheduled vacation. That case ended in a hung jury. Friday, Stein gave jurors all kinds of deliberation guidance, including not to give up a view you conscientiously believe in, just because you are outnumbered. After jurors disappeared to deliberate, Menendez walked out of the courtroom, telling reporters: Faith in God. Earlier, the senator ate lunch in the cafeteria of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courthouse with his daughter, MSNBC host Alicia Menendez, who has dropped by throughout the trial to watch from a pew reserved for family, and his older sister, Caridad Gonzalez, who testified in his defense last week and has attended the trial faithfully since. Menendez has maintained his innocence since his September indictment, saying his actions were the normal work of a U.S. senator and prosecutors were motivated by racism. Early mornings, while waiting for court to start and during breaks, he has gazed at the citys skyline from courthouse windows, sang and hummed Josh Groban songs and other tunes, greeted and hugged relatives and other well-wishers who showed up in support, and posed for occasional selfies with courthouse staff. He is charged with 16 federal crimes, including bribery, extortion, honest services wire fraud, acting as a foreign agent, and conspiracy. Prosecutors say he and his wife, Nadine, took cash, gold bars, a luxury car, home furnishings, mortgage payments, a no-show job for Nadine, and more from businessmen Wael Hana, Fred Daibes, and Jose Uribe. In exchange, prosecutors say, the senator chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee until his indictment agreed to act in the interest of Egypt and Qatar so that officials in those countries would invest in Hanas and Daibes businesses and disrupt the criminal prosecution of Daibes. Hana and Daibes are standing trial alongside the senator. Uribe, who pled guilty in March, testified that he gave Nadine Menendez a $67,000 Mercedes-Benz convertible as a bribe so that the senator would kill and stop all investigation in a state insurance fraud case that threatened his own company. Stein postponed Nadine Menendezs trial until at least August because she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Law enforcement arrested a Kansas City man on July 1 for a plan he is accused of arranging to kidnap and torture a man over a large drug debt in recent months. The man was unaware the plot he was organizing was with undercover law enforcement and informants who were pursuing a monthslong investigation into him, according to court documents. Federal prosecutors in Kansas charged Carlos Niebla-Machado, 50, of Kansas City, with a count of attempted kidnapping in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan. on July 1, the same day he was arrested in Alma, Kansas, according to court documents. Niebla-Machado is being held at the Leavenworth Federal Correctional Institution, according to U.S. Bureau of Prisons records. Chekasha Ramsey, Niebla-Machados attorney, declined to comment for this story Thursday. Federal and Kansas law enforcement began investigating Niebla-Machado in February based on information from an informant who reported the man claimed to have contacts to bring in large amounts of fentanyl pills and methamphetamines from California to the Kansas City metro, authorities allege. The informant also reported that Niebla-Machado had said he wanted to have a man kidnapped because of a $300,000 drug debt the man owed. An undercover Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent and the informant met with Niebla-Machado in March, and he allegedly confirmed he wanted a man kidnapped if he did not pay the debt he owed and spoke of forcing the man to sign over real estate and vehicles toward the debt. In a May meeting with two law enforcement informants, Niebla-Machado reportedly said he was ready to move forward with the kidnapping plot. He further said he wanted the man tortured and then taken to Mexico, where he and his associates would turn the man over to a cartel, so they could force him to sign over property, a KBI agent wrote in court documents. In a June meeting with two undercover agents, Niebla-Machado provided the mans full name, age, address in Kansas City, photos of him and his vehicle and some background information on the man. Niebla-Machado said the man owed $300,000 and said he wanted him tortured by cutting his fingers off and using a torch on (his) face to persuade (him) to sign over property as payment toward the owed drug debt. During the same meeting, Niebla-Machado also identified another man, a California resident, who owed $210,000 to someone else, and said he wanted that man killed, according to court documents. One of the agents asked if the money was owed to a cartel, and Niebla-Machado would not confirm the debts owed by the two men were actually owed to a cartel, a KBI agent wrote. In a later encounter, Niebla-Machado said the California man owed money to people in Las Vegas and agreed that the man would be killed and his body dumped in the desert outside the Nevada city. One of the agents told Niebla-Machado it would cost $15,000 for the kidnapping and another $10,000 for the killing. Niebla-Machado agreed to use a pistol and a truck, which law enforcement later confirmed had belonged to the planned kidnapping victim, as a down payment for the kidnapping and torture. The remainder of the cost, which wasnt determined, would be collected later. In another June meeting, three undercover agents, one of the informants and Niebla-Machado met in Topeka and traveled to a rural property in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, where the torture would occur. The group walked around the property, and Niebla-Machado confirmed the rural area would work. KBI agents, Kansas City police and Homeland Security agents met the target of the kidnapping plot at his home in Kansas City on June 30 and told him of the investigation, according to court documents. He agreed to cooperate with law enforcement and told them he had been working with Niebla-Machado to move a few hundred pounds of marijuana. The victim said there was an issue with the people he used to distribute the drugs and reported they never came through with the money to give back to Niebla-Machado, which created the debt he owed. The man said he had given Niebla-Machado home furniture, electronics, about $20,000 in cash, a pickup truck and a tow truck to help pay off the debt. He estimated he owed around $100,000 but said the other man kept adding interest because he wasnt paying fast enough. Niebla-Machado made an initial appearance in court on July 3, and his next hearing was set for July 17. Ken Paxton is in hot water again. And hes twisting law, politics to save himself | Opinion Attorney General Ken Paxton is once again acting like a man who knows hes in trouble. And he is once again willing to roil Texas politics and the law to squirm out of it. Paxton warned ominously Wednesday that the same House committee that recommended his impeachment last year which ended with a Senate trial that let Paxton off the hook was at it again. He said, without evidence, that a committee meeting set for July 17 was an effort by lame-duck Republicans conspiring with Democrats to remove me from office. In case anyone missed the point, Paxton threw in that it was just like [President Joe] Bidens relentless attacks on President [Donald] Trump. My statement slamming the desperate establishment plot to resurrect impeachment. pic.twitter.com/3yV32D1MUd Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) July 11, 2024 The chairman of the House General Investigating Committee, Republican Rep. Andrew Murr of Junction, called Paxtons statement a farfetched fantasy and said the panel was taking up business completely unrelated to the attorney general. So, why would Paxton go there? Paranoia is an obvious answer, but hes craftier than that. Hes throwing up dust before someone tries yet again to hold him accountable for his corruption. In this case, though, it wont be the Legislature. It will be the feds. New court developments suggest that an FBI investigation reportedly launched in 2020 over Paxtons favors for friend and donor Nate Paul continues. And Paxton, true to form, has tried to use the power of the office to stymie it only to be shut down by a federal appellate court. A recent 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling denies an unnamed state agencys attempts to prevent employees from testifying before a federal grand jury. Though it does not name Paxton, the details match a document unveiled as part of Paxtons impeachment trial. Attorney General Ken Paxton, middle, waits with his attorneys Tony Buzbee, left, and Mitch Little for closing arguments to begin at his impeachment trial at the Capitol on Friday September 15, 2023. The agency tried to argue that attorney-client privilege exempted the employees from having to testify. Three Republican-appointed judges on the 5th Circuit unanimously slapped it down, noting a clear exemption to the privilege if the employees in question have evidence of a crime. In other words: The Department of Justice asserted that Paxton employees know facts that will implicate him. And Paxton tried to use the powers of the office itself to derail the investigation. It was plain in his impeachment trial that several top aides Paxton loyalists all saw him twist his agencys priorities to help Paul, who was himself a target of federal prosecutors. They saw the attorney general go to abnormal lengths to help one man in an arena in which the AGs office had no role. The Senates Republican majority, of course, passed on convicting and removing Paxton from office as a political matter. If the grand jury indicts Paxton, it will be useful for him to have implied that the villains in his already-established narrative, the House impeachment crew, is somehow behind the federal charges. As the old joke goes, youre not paranoid if they really are out to get you. But in Paxtons case, paranoia is useful. It plays to the hardcore Trump base of the GOP that sees the entire world aligned against them and their preferred candidates. Paxtons statement mentions Trump three times in five paragraphs. Supporters donate money and raise a ruckus that casts doubt on any charges, no matter how well-supported, against their man. Many Texans are no doubt predisposed to distrust an indictment from the Biden administrations Justice Department. And the fact that the investigation is going into its fourth year will only raise suspicions that its a deep dive to find something, anything to get Paxton. Federal public corruption cases often take years to build, though. The FBI is thorough and methodical. To be fair, they dont always make their case they spent years pursuing Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, and the Democratic stalwart was found not guilty. That was a failure of the evidence. Well see what the feds have on Paxton, but he wont be able to beat a federal indictment on politics alone. And as the Senate trial showed, the evidence that Paxton went out of his way to help Paul is strong. He had no answer for it, other than to say that as AG, he could do what he wanted. Hell need better than that in federal court. By kicking up dirt now, Paxton is trying to cloud a pretty clear picture. Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us! We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news and to publish those views in the Opinion section. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days. Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions. You can submit a letter to the editor two ways: Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred). Fill out this online form. Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic. Kevin Youkilis says he was at incident involving family of WCPO weatherman Steve Raleigh Former Boston Red Sox player and Cincinnati native Kevin Youkilis was at the scene of an alleged assault at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse parking lot in June. Former Red Sox player Kevin Youkilis was at the scene of an alleged assault in Cincinnati last month that involved the family of WCPO chief meteorologist Steve Raleigh. Youkilis, a three-time MLB All-Star and Cincinnati native, confirmed on Facebook Saturday that he is in a viral video of the incident, which occurred on June 22 in the parking lot of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on Riverside Drive, according to a police report. Youkilis was in Cincinnati to broadcast the Red Sox-Reds game at Great American Ball Park, he said in his Facebook post. After dinner with his agent at Montgomery Inn, Youkilis said he saw a group of people, some of whom wearing Red Sox gear, "jawing at each other in the parking lot" and joined the group to try to diffuse the situation. "Unfortunately, I was a little too late and saw a horrible chain of events unfold," Youkilis said in the post. "My intentions after what I witnessed was to help the two individuals on the ground and to protect anyone else from being harmed. I snapped a little bit after what I saw and used some colorful language in the video." Youkilis added that he was not at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse with any of the individuals involved and did not know who they were. "To the individuals that were hurt, praying you have a speedy recovery. Hope this helps clarify the video and cant wait to get back home again this fall," Youkilis said. The video of the incident, which has been circulating on social media this week, was posted by Facebook user Stacie Morrow-Stickrod, who claims to be the daughter of the victims. The video shows a man and a woman lying on the ground. "Please, she's bleeding. She's bleeding," the person filming the video says. Other people in the video are heard arguing, and about halfway through, someone is heard saying, "You're an embarrassment to that (obscenity) Red Sox brand." Another person is then heard saying, "Go back to Boston." How is Steve Raleigh's family involved in the incident? The assault took place after a minor crash occurred in the Montgomery Inn parking lot, according to an incident report. Raleigh's family member who The Enquirer has not named because he hasn't been charged with a crime was driving a black Cadillac Escalade in the Boathouse parking lot when he hit a white Ford F-150 after failing to yield to oncoming traffic, a crash report reads. A "large fight" broke out in response to the crash, according to a transcript of police audio 911 calls. A suspect struck a victim in the head with a closed fist, according to an incident report. The victim was knocked to the ground and injured. Two other people stepped in to aid the first victim. The suspect then struck and shoved the two other people to the ground, also injuring them. A woman hit her head, bled and started vomiting during the assault, a transcript of police audio reads. The incident report does not list the conditions of the victims or whether they were taken to the hospital. However, the crash report states the driver of the F-150 and another one of its occupants were taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Police believe the assault suspect was under the influence of alcohol, according to the incident report. It is still unclear whether the suspect has any relation to Raleigh or if they were involved in the crash leading up to the incident. Names of the two suspects and five victims on the incident report have been redacted, and police have not made any arrests either. WCPO 'aware' of incident involving chief meteorologist After the video of the incident began circulating on social media this week, WCPO Vice President and General Manager Jeff Brogan released a statement on the tv station's Facebook page Friday, confirming the family of Raleigh was involved in the incident. "We are aware of the incident involving Steve Raleighs family," Brogan wrote. "It is still under investigation, and at this time no charges have been filed against anyone. Brogan added that Raleigh's account is "consistent with the police report" and WCPO "will continue to monitor official findings." Who is Kevin Youkilis? Youkilis spent 10 seasons in the MLB. He played first and third base primarily for the Boston Red Sox, with whom he won two World Series. He was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2018. Kevin Youkilis shows his Red Sox World Series ring at his UC Hall of Fame induction in 2007. Born in Cincinnati, Youkilis is also a University of Cincinnati Hall of Famer and a Sycamore High School Hall of Famer. He had his No. 36 retired by the Bearcats in 2015 and his No. 13 retired by Sycamore in 2017. He joined the NESN broadcast booth as a color analyst in 2022 after one season in 2021 as a weekly contributor to NESN's pregame and postgame shows. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kevin Youkilis was at alleged assault involving Steve Raleigh's family The key to earning more money, switching careers, and getting sober for this millennial: going back to college at 32 The key to earning more money, switching careers, and getting sober for this millennial: going back to college at 32 Erin Vaughan, 41, went back to college when she was 32. It allowed her to find a new career path she wouldn't have considered otherwise. It was challenging to get a degree later in life, but she said it was well worth it. It's not an exaggeration to say going back to school changed Erin Vaughan's life. Vaughan, 41, completed two semesters of college in her mid-twenties, but she wasn't able to afford to further her education at the time, so she dropped out and began pursuing her passion for the culinary field. She moved to Los Angeles, worked in restaurants, and started her own business as a personal chef and she said she loved working with her clients, who were primarily older adults who needed nutritional meals. However, given her older client base, Vaughan wanted to further her knowledge of nutrition. At the age of 32, she went back to school and graduated in 2020 with a bachelor of science degree in food science and technology. She had to take out $20,000 in student loans to afford the program, but she said it was well worth it. "It is truly one of the hardest things I've ever done, but the most rewarding thing," Vaughan told Business Insider. "It has changed how I think about myself. It has changed how I think about my abilities. It has definitely changed my career." The restaurant industry had a heavy drinking culture, Vaughan said, and once she started school and grew committed to the program, she decided to become sober. "It's the biggest thing I've ever done for myself," she said. "There's four years where I've worked toward one goal, and it empowered every aspect of my life." Vaughan now works as a project manager for quality assurance at a men's personal care brand. According to documents reviewed by BI, she's already received a series of promotions at the company that have boosted her paychecks by hundreds of dollars per month. She said it's a role where she feels like she can bring a lot of value and continue to grow. She's among a growing number of older adults who have decided to return to school later in life to give themselves another shot at higher education. A recent paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that about 70% of the rise in college completion from 1990 to 2010 is a result of the growing share of adults getting degrees after their mid-twenties. On top of that, a report from Gallup and the Lumina Foundation on the state of higher education in 2024 found that "adults' interest in pursuing some form of higher education is at the highest level" the organizations ever recorded. Going back to school opened Vaughan's eyes to the possibility of a different career path, and she now has a steady job, bigger paychecks, and a sense of fulfillment with the opportunities her degree opened up for her. "If you have that inkling, do it. It will be rewarding," Vaughan said. "It'll be hard, but it's kind like, you don't enjoy doing squats. You enjoy it afterward. You enjoy the results. And I think anybody who's in their head about going back, the only way to move through that is actually do it." 'It's opened up a world of potential' Going back to school hasn't made things perfect for Vaughan. Graduating at the beginning of the pandemic, Vaughan said she had to accept a job with a very low salary because she had no other option, and she went through three different jobs in search of better pay before landing her current role. But a few years of instability set her up for a steady future where she can look toward achieving her goals. "I can shine in my job, and I know that I can use the skills I have in the future and blaze my own trail," she said. "It's opened up a world of potential for me." Of course, going to school later in life doesn't always pay off. BI previously spoke to a Gen Xer who pursued a degree in his 40s, but he was unable to land a job and ended up saddled with over $100,000 in student debt. The high cost of college is also a key factor as to why many Gen Zers have chosen to skip higher education altogether, instead choosing to pursue careers that do not require college degrees. Given the financial barriers, some adults have opted to complete some or all of their programs at a community college to lessen the costs. Vaughan started her program at a community college, and she said that had she not done otherwise, she would have had a much bigger student-debt balance. Going forward, Vaughan said she's looking forward to discovering where else her career can take her and she's hoping to pursue other interests now that she has a job that gives her a good work-life balance. "I'm able to actually go to yoga classes, take care of my health, write as a hobby or maybe even as a side hustle someday, or maybe I'll pick up photography," Vaughan said. "You don't have to stop now that you have your degree." Did you go back to school later in life? Did it pay off, or do you regret it? Share your story with this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com. Read the original article on Business Insider Russia used Iskander missiles to hit Kharkiv railway station, number of casualties rises photos The aftermath of the attack. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Early reports indicate that Russian troops fired two Iskander-M missiles on the village of Budy in Kharkiv Oblast. The strike killed two people and injured 23, including a 14-year-old girl. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office The aftermath of the attack. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "On 13 July, at about 15:40, the Russian armed forces launched a missile strike on a railway station in the village of Budy, Kharkiv Oblast. After the [emergency] services arrived, Russian troops used the double-tap strike tactic and fired a[nother] missile at exactly the same location. The head of the Kharkiv District Department of the State Emergency Service in Kharkiv Region and a police officer of the Patrol Police Response Unit [...] of the National Police in Kharkiv Oblast were killed. 23 people, including a 14-year-old girl, suffered injuries of varying degrees of severity." The aftermath of the attack. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: The attacks damaged railway infrastructure facilities, residential buildings and cars. The aftermath of the attack. Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office The prosecutor's office further stated that according to early reports, the Russian Armed Forces hit the village with two Iskander-M missiles. Background: On Saturday afternoon, Russian troops struck twice at the village of Budy in Kharkiv district. Earlier, it was reported that two people had been killed and 22 injured in the strikes. The attack killed Artem Kostyria, head of the Kharkiv District Department of the State Emergency Service in Kharkiv Oblast, and Oleksii Koshchii, a police officer in the patrol police response sector of the Kharkiv District Police Department. Five railway workers were among the injured. Support UP or become our patron! The Santa Monica Police Department arrested a 31-year-old woman suspected of abducting a 4-year-old girl from a restaurant in the city. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Police officers arrested a woman on suspicion of kidnapping a 4-year-old girl from a restaurant in Santa Monica, according to authorities. Around 12:10 p.m. Friday, the Santa Monica Police Department received a frantic call from a woman whose 4-year-old granddaughter had been abducted from a restaurant in the 1900 block of Lincoln Boulevard. Responding officers gathered video of the suspected kidnapper, a woman in her 30s, and relayed those images to other units, according to police. More than 30 police officers and civilian personnel flooded the area in search of the child and her abductor. Nearly 30 minutes after the 911 call, officers located the kidnapped girl and the suspect at the Holiday Motel, less than half a mile away from the restaurant. The child was unharmed, according to police. Breanna Shields, 31, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, a felony charge that is punishable by up to 11 years in prison. Police say Shields had been living at the motel for an extended period of time. Her bail is set at $100,000. She is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday. 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. There have been several attempts to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to military intelligence service chief Kyrylo Budanov on Saturday. "But as you can see, they were unsuccessful," Budanov told New Voice, a Ukrainian website. The general did not say what his claim was based on. He also did not say whether his or other Ukrainian intelligence services might have been involved in the plans. Budanov has made provocative comments in the past, as a form of psychological warfare. The Kremlin responded, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov making clear that the president's safety would be protected. "The threat from the Kiev regime is obvious," he told TASS state news agency in Moscow. Budanov further said Putin was no longer a compromise figure accepted by all of the Russian elite, but, because he has been in power for more than 20 years, Russians are afraid of losing him. He said when Putin dies, he imagines the response would be similar to the death of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in 1953. For people in the Soviet Union at that time, "their whole world collapsed, they didn't know how to go on living," Budanov said. Little is known about attempted attacks on Putin during his lengthy time in power. An assassination attempt by men from the Caucasus failed in May 2022, shortly after Putin ordered the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Budanov said. There is no evidence of this. There have been several attempts to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to military intelligence service chief Kyrylo Budanov on Saturday. "But as you can see, they were unsuccessful," Budanov told New Voice, a Ukrainian website. The general did not say what his claim was based on. He also did not say whether his or other Ukrainian intelligence services might have been involved in the plans. Budanov has made provocative comments in the past, as a form of psychological warfare. The Kremlin responded, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov making clear that the president's safety would be protected. "The threat from the Kiev regime is obvious," he told TASS state news agency in Moscow. Budanov further said Putin was no longer a compromise figure accepted by all of the Russian elite, but, because he has been in power for more than 20 years, Russians are afraid of losing him. He said when Putin dies, he imagines the response would be similar to the death of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in 1953. For people in the Soviet Union at that time, "their whole world collapsed, they didn't know how to go on living," Budanov said. Little is known about attempted attacks on Putin during his lengthy time in power. An assassination attempt by men from the Caucasus failed in May 2022, shortly after Putin ordered the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Budanov said. There is no evidence of this. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once said in an interview that he had stopped counting the number of times he has heard about plans to attack him. Russian special forces hunted him down in Kiev immediately after Russia's invasion in February 2022. In May 2024, the Ukrainian government reorganized the staffing at the top of Zelensky's personal security team, after two officers were allegedly hired by Moscow to assassinate the Ukrainian president, Budanov and other officials. How to know whats in your drinking water TYLER, Texas (KETK) When you turn on your tap, what comes out? Is it pure H2O, fresh spring water or water from a plant? Whats in it? Tyler Water Utilities to study taste, odor quality of city water The different stuff that youll find in water like minerals and chemical treatments can vary so much that there are dozens of different brands of water you can buy at any store. While you may not know exactly whats behind your favorite water brands like Liquid Death, Box Water or Dasani, Texans are lucky because we get to know exactly whats in our tap water. Thanks to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texans can visit the Texas Drinking Water Watch, which is a website that will show you water sample results for any public water system in the state. The first page of the website has a search bar where you can type the name of your city or water system in the box next to Water System Name or you can leave that box empty and clicking Search For Water System will bring up all the water systems in the database. IN FOCUS: Growing population putting strain on water supply for some Texans Once youve clicked search youll find a page like the one pictured below where KETK searched for Tyler. Clicking on the desired Water System No. will take you to the page where you can finally see sample results. At the top of this page youll see several yellow links to things like Water System Facilities and Violations but for our purposes the most relevant link is Recent Non-TCR Sample Results. This page has results that specifically arent relevant to the Total Coliform Rule (TCR) for bacteria like E. Coli, so any chemicals or elements in the water like fluoride are listed here. Once youve clicked through that link youll see a table titled Recent Primary/Secondary Sample Results that has results for chemical elements detected and not detected ND in the water system. For example, the City of Tyler had 0.061 milligrams of Barium per liter of water tested on Aug. 24, 2023. Officials say you shouldnt eat from these East Texas lakes This Recent Non-TCR Sample Results page has other sample results further down for things like SOCs (Synthetic Organic Chemicals) and RVOCs (Regulated Volatile Organic Chemicals) but luckily the City of Tyler has no positive results for those listed. Other yellow links at the top the page will show you other results for things like: TCR Sample Results lists the systems tests for coliform bacteria like E. Coli. PBCU Summaries will show you the systems test results for Lead and Copper. Chlorine Summaries shows tests for Chlorine. Turbidity Summaries shows tests for haziness or turbidity in the water. TOC/Alkalinity Results shows total organic carbon and alkalinity in the system. LRAA (TTHM/HAA5) shows the local running average for total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and Haloacetic acids (HAA5) which are byproducts of water disinfectant treatments. The Water System Detail link will show you several other useful tidbits of information like contacts for water system officials, who the system sells and buys water from, the systems water sources and even how many residential and commercial business connections the system has. These toxic chemicals were found in some East Texas fish For example, Tylers public water system reportedly has 37,038 residential connections and 5,599 commercial connections. Back on the search results page you can also click on the desired systems Fact Sheet or Summary Sheet where you can see the treatments like chlorine and filtration that are used to clean the individual systems water. To learn more, visit the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. The Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a July 13 interview that European capitals would be the victims if they hosted U.S. long-range missiles. Peskov said that Russia can contain U.S. missiles after the announcement that Germany will host U.S.-made long-range missiles in 2026. "Our country is in the crosshairs of American missiles located in Europe. We've been through all this before," he said in an interview with Russian TV propagandist Pavel Zarubin. "We have enough potential to deter these missiles. But the capitals of these states are potential victims." He referenced the Cold War, when U.S. missiles in Europe were aimed at the Soviet Union, while Moscow aimed missiles at Europe. Peskov also claimed that Europe is bursting at the seams and that history will repeat itself, in response to a comment that the Cold War ended in the collapse of the Soviet Union. Washington announced the deployment of missiles on July 10. Germany will host SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles, as well as hypersonic weapons that have a far longer range than any weaponry in Europe. Some of the missiles can reach targets 2,500 kilometers away and are mostly used to hit ground targets. European countries recently promised to develop long-range cruise missiles and ramp up defense production amid rising tensions with Russia and Ukraine's growing needs. Currently, Germany is the only country to agree to host U.S. long-range missiles. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters in Washington that the agreement will act as a deterrent that secures the territory of NATO and Germany, Reuters reported on July 11. "This decision has been a long time in the making and comes as no real surprise to anyone involved in security and peace policy," he added. Read also: Zelensky dismisses Bidens Putin gaffe as mistake, says US gave a lot of support to Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Kremlin indirectly threatened the West with a fierce response to the deployment of US weapons in Europe, after Berlin and Washington agreed to place long-range US missiles in Germany that would have the range to strike well into Russia. "Of course" Moscow will respond to this deployment, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in response to a question from a Russian television journalist on Saturday. "There has always been a paradoxical situation: The US has deployed missiles of various ranges and calibres, and these have traditionally always been aimed at our country." Russia, on the other hand, has aimed its missiles at targets in Europe. "Our country is in the crosshairs of US missiles in Europe," Peskov was quoted as saying by the TASS Russian state news agency. "We've been through all this before, it's happened before." However, Russia has the ability to deter these missiles, he said. "But the potential victims are the capitals of these states," he added threateningly. The US plans to station weapons systems in Germany again as of 2026, according to an announcement on the sidelines of a NATO summit on Wednesday in Washington. The missiles would include Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of up to 2,500 kilometres. They can also technically be equipped with nuclear weapons. SM-6 air defence missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons would also be stationed in Germany. Russia and China responded to the announcement with anger. It will be the first time since the end of the Cold War that such weapons have been deployed on German territory. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said later in the week that the weapons are intended as a deterrent, and that Berlin is always concerned with preventing a war. Is that it? For the last year, we have been treated to interminable lectures from the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves about how growth would be a national mission, how the UK would top the G7 league table for economic expansion and that she knew how to run the economy. And yet, a week after moving into No 11 Downing Street, all we have seen is a move to restore planning targets the Conservatives abandoned in 2021, and the creation of a National Wealth Fund that has so little money it will make no difference to anything. By contrast, the last four chancellors to take office after a long spell in opposition made big, bold reforms in their first few days. The blunt truth is that, despite years of preparation, Reeves clearly does not have a clue what to do and that is about to become painfully obvious. The first week in office, especially when you have just been elected with a landslide majority, is an opportunity for a new chancellor to seize the moment, and announce major changes in policy that will make a significant difference to the economy. We were told, perhaps slightly too often, that Reeves would be an ambitious, hyperactive finance minister, assembling the most expert minds in the country to deliver growth, create new partnerships with industry and draw major global investors into a stable country, all driven by something called securonomics, whatever the heck that might mean. Hows that going? Not so well, as it happens. In her first set-piece speech, Reeves announced a series of planning reforms. That was perfectly laudable in itself almost everyone agrees that our inability to build anything has turned into a major economic problem but on closer inspection, it only really amounted to restoring the targets set by the last government, which were not met anyway. By the end of the week, we had the launch of the National Wealth Fund which, despite the presence of that financial titan Mark Carney, seemed to add up to 7bn of subsidised investments, a sum so tiny in relation to a 1 trillion economy as to make no difference to anything. And that was the entire package. Of course, you might point out that it is just the first week and we need to give Reeves time. And yet that argument falls apart on closer examination. Genuinely reforming chancellors coming into power after a long period of opposition hit the ground running. In his first week in office back in 2010, George Osborne set up the Office for Budget Responsibility and announced a wide-ranging spending review to get borrowing under control. Back in 1997, Gordon Brown made the Bank of England independent as well as transferring responsibility for regulation to the Financial Services Authority, some of the biggest moves of the post-war era. Going further back, when Geoffrey Howe took office on the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979, he announced a June Budget that cut the top rate of tax from 83pc to 60pc and the basic rate from 33pc to 30pc, while abolishing exchange controls. And James Callaghan on taking office in Harold Wilsons first government in 1964 apparently the administration Sir Keir Starmer most admires slapped a 15pc surcharge on imports and half the Treasury was hived off into the Department of Economic Affairs to create a national plan. Sure, we can argue about whether those were the right or wrong measures. For what it is worth, my view is that Howes were masterful, Browns overrated, Callaghans catastrophic, and Osbornes too-clever-by-half but everyone can have a different opinion. The important point is this. They were big, bold changes in policy, which over time had a major impact on the direction of the economy. And they happened rapidly. There was a reason why those chancellors acted so quickly and decisively. They were perfectly well aware that changes in policy take a long time to work through into the real economy. If a policy is to start bearing fruit by the time of the next election then it needs to be implemented immediately. And of course, most major Treasury decisions dont require primary legislation. The Chancellor can simply impose his or her will, and if necessary secure approval from Parliament later. It makes sense to make the big reforms right away. By contrast, Reeves has announced nothing of any significance in her first week. Of course, in fairness, it could be that she is saving it all up for the autumn. She may be taking her time to consult with her officials and to examine the books before making any major decisions. When she presents her first Budget, we may start to see the fireworks. And yet, there is a more plausible explanation for why her first week has been such as damp squib. For all her boasting about her formidable CV, she doesnt actually have any ideas at all. Her agenda will be as empty and as tired as her rhetoric. The Treasury will announce lots of reviews and experts will be brought in to craft new initiatives. Meanwhile, big companies will be happy enough to score some easy PR points by redesignating normal maintenance spending as investment agreed after a summit with ministers. But all it will amount to is re-arranging the deck chairs on a ship that is slowly sinking. The genuinely significant chancellors made some major policy changes immediately on taking office. Whether they were from the Right or Left, they were painfully aware that time is precious and the space for real reforms is very narrow. Reeves has nothing to announce, because, despite several years to prepare for this week, she doesnt have a clue what to do and, worst of all, that will condemn the UK to five more years of stagnation. 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. Labour launches cyber security crackdown on Russia and China after NHS hack New rules to curb threats from Russia and China New measures to stop Russian and Chinese cyber attacks are expected to be introduced by the Government following last months devastating NHS hack. Whitehall sources suggest the Kings Speech will include a commitment to strengthen the rules to prevent rogue actors harming public services. Providers of central services, such as the NHS and transport networks, are already subject to a safety regime to reduce the risk of digital attacks. However, the rules for third-party contractors are currently less strict. Last month, two NHS hospital trusts in London were successfully hacked causing the postponement of more than 800 planned operations and 700 outpatient appointments. The patients disrupted included those in need of cancer treatment and organ transplants. Hanna Groothuizen who faced desperate choice - CLARA MOLDEN FOR THE TELEGRAPH The hack was thought to be the work of the Russian cyber criminal gang Qilin. It took place via a ransomware attack on computers run by Synnovis, which provides pathology services to hospitals and GP surgeries in the capital The new government is now expected to mandate that all the providers of essential infrastructure understand and protect their supply chains from attack. The measures may also include improving the management of data on cyber attacks to learn lessons from previous hacks. A source at the Department for Health and Social Care said: It is painfully clear how vulnerable parts of the health service are to attack. The attacks on Kings and Guys and St Thomas caused huge chaos and delays to treatment. These attackers saw a weak link in the NHS supply line and ruthlessly exploited it. This Government isnt going to stand by and let malign actors target our NHS and patients. Digital suppliers need to have the same protections as the health service itself. Youre only as strong as the weakest link in the chain. St Thomas', one of the victims of last month's NHS attack - NURPHOTO The Kings Speech will take place this Wednesday. Previous estimates have put the cost to the UK economy from cyber crime at 27 billion per year. Data published by the NHS in London showed that nearly 100 cancer treatments had to be postponed in a six-day period due to the technical problems arising from the recent hack. On Friday The Telegraph reported the story of a 36-year-old mother of two who was forced to delay reconstructive surgery following breast cancer. Hanna Groothuizen said the delay meant she was forced to choose between having her cancer removed but losing her breast, or delaying surgery altogether. Synnovis has apologised for the disruption caused and said it has worked with the NHS to minimise the impact on patients. 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 Governments decision to release prisoners who have served less than half of their sentences has understandably caused uproar. Among those set to be released as part of this approach include some criminals convicted of violent offences, who will now be released back into the community. Sir Keir Starmer has sought to justify the decision by claiming that the situation in prisons is worse than I thought it was, but the data on prison occupancy is a matter of public record, and has been for some time. Nevertheless, Sir Keir has won support from some quarters, with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley describing the scheme as the least worst option. It is understood that police forces feared that the use of station cells to accommodate the overflow from prisons would result in there being no space to detain arrested suspects, potentially leading to a breakdown of law and order as criminals worked to exploit the situation. It is difficult to see, however, how releasing criminals early and indicating in the process that current criminality may also benefit from a sentencing discount is any form of solution to this issue. The Government should be working to expand the prison estate as rapidly as possible, ensuring that criminals who pose a danger to society are removed from circulation. The construction of Nightingale hospitals during the pandemic shows that it is possible for the state to move quickly when it wishes to do so, and such a scheme would certainly be preferable to a policy of catch and release. 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. Passionae Martin is all smiles walking back to her seat after receiving her diploma during the graduation ceremony for her recruit class at the Los Angeles Police Academy on May 3. She was among 35 to graduate in her class. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) After an initial round of interviews, the number of contenders to be the next Los Angeles police chief has been narrowed to about 10 names, according to multiple sources familiar with the nationwide search. The pared-down list is divided between department veterans and outsiders, including several who have deep ties to Southern California law enforcement. Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, right, at a mayoral campaign event for Rick Caruso, center, in 2022. At left is former LAPD chief William J. Bratton. McDonnell, a one-time LAPD assistant chief, is said to be among the candidates for police chief. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) Among them is Jim McDonnell, a one-time LAPD assistant chief and former Los Angeles County Sheriff, whose name has circulated around LAPD headquarters and City Hall for months as a possible candidate. His entry, confirmed by at least three sources, adds another dynamic into what is considered by many to be a wide-open race to be the city's next top cop. The sources agreed to speak to The Times on the condition their names not be used because the search process is supposed to be confidential. The department veterans who received second interviews, according to sources, are: Assistant Chief Blake Chow, who oversees LAPD special operations; Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides, commanding officer of the departments South Bureau; Deputy Chief Donald Graham, who heads the Transit Services Bureau; Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton, head of the Detective Bureau; and Cmdr. Lillian Carranza of the Central Bureau. LAPD Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides speaks at an event in August. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton speaks at a news conference in April. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) LAPD Capt. Lillian Carranza during a news conference at police headquarters in 2018. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) The outside candidates who are also scheduled to be interviewed are former Houston and Miami chief Art Acevedo and Robert Arcos, a former LAPD assistant chief who works for the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. Two female policing executives from outside agencies are also said to have received second interviews. Art Acevedo, former police chief of Miami, Houston and Austin, speaks during a protest near Capitol Hill in Washington in June 2022. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) LAPD Deputy Chief Robert Arcos at an inspection of officers in 2017. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Recruiters are scheduled to conduct another round of interviews with the 10 or so contenders behind closed doors over the next few weeks, according to the sources. The process has been shrouded in an unusual level of secrecy. Although the names of candidates have occasionally been withheld to protect the identities of those working in other cities, officials this time have also declined to reveal how many people applied for the position, only saying that the number was "more than 25." Sources have since told The Times that the number was more than 30. At stake is the chance to lead the countrys third-largest local police force at a crucial time in its history. Whoever gets the job will be inheriting a wary department eager for clear leadership and a city worried about both crime and the use of force. One of the key questions facing Mayor Karen Bass is whether an outsider would be better at introducing reforms in the organization, rather than someone who has come up through the ranks here and already understands the political and labor landscape. Bass and members of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners have embarked on a citywide listening tour to canvass residents, officers and business owners about what they want to see in the next chief. During the public forums, many attendees pushed for the selection of an insider who is attuned to policing in a city as vast and diverse as L.A. Others talked about the importance of picking someone who understands the complicated history between the department and the communities it policies. And yet, unlike in other recent chief searches, a growing number of people within the LAPD are pushing for an outside candidate to breathe new life into the organization. The Los Angeles Police Protective League, the powerful bargaining body for the city's rank-and-file officers, has not publicly staked out its position on the insider-outsider debate. The search began with the February retirement of former Chief Michel Moore. One of his former assistant chiefs, Dominic Choi, was picked as interim leader. Moore has stayed on as a consultant on the chiefs search, and Choi has said he will not seek the job permanently. More risk management than crime-fighting, the job of running the LAPD a vast, multibillion-dollar organization with more than 10,000 employees that operates under an intense microscope involves balancing demands that are often at odds: Violent crime such as homicides and robberies are up from this time last year; the number of police shootings has also increased, raising concerns from the Police Commission, the department's civilian watchdog. Meanwhile, any new leader, particularly one from the outside, will be expected to be a quick study and hit the ground running. The pool of contenders is more diverse and generally less experienced than in the recent past. At least four women are rumored to have made the cut, and all but two candidates are people of color. A woman has never been in charge in the LAPD's long history. Nor has there ever been a Latino chief, in a city and department that are both now more than half Latino. Commission officials have insisted publicly that race and gender will not be deciding factors in the selection process. Commission President Erroll G. Southers and the body's other members have repeatedly said they are focused on picking the most qualified candidate instead of "checking any boxes." Southers declined to comment through a spokesperson. Prognosticators have said Bass' selection will say a lot about what direction she thinks the department is headed. Picking someone from within the organization to follow in Moore's footsteps would signal that the mayor is looking to continue some of the reforms he started but would stop short of the wholesale changes that some have called for. Choosing an outside candidate would signal that the mayor is seeking a new direction for the department, some observers say. The city has hired only two outside chiefs in the past 75 years: Willie L. Williams and William J. Bratton. Both selections followed seismic scandals: the Los Angeles uprising in 1992 and the Rampart scandal of the late 1990s that saw more than 70 police officers implicated in unprovoked shootings, assaults and evidence-planting. The two current contenders with the most experience are both outsiders. After starting his career with the LAPD, McDonnell left to take the police chief job in Long Beach before a successful run for L.A. County Sheriff. He has worked at USC for the past few years, alongside Southers. Acevedo once served as California Highway Patrol chief for the Los Angeles Basin, before being tapped to be top cop for Austin, Houston, Miami and, most recently, Aurora, Colo. The second round of interviews marks a key step in the months-long search. City officials initially said the hire would be finalized by late August or early September, but that timeline could stretch into the fall. Bass will hire the next chief, choosing from nominees provided by the commission and an outside hiring firm. The deadline to apply closed late last month; initial interviews with candidates started a few days later. Bass has repeatedly said that the feedback she receives will factor into her decision. City Councilmember Tim McOsker said he understands the need for discretion around the search process, much like when, as a chief of staff for former mayor James Hahn, he took part in the nationwide search that led to the hiring of Bratton. At the same time, he said, he thinks it's important that Bass lays out her expectations before picking a chief, which is "one of the most important, and politically loaded decisions for a mayor." He pointed to the letter Bass sent the Council before her reappointment of Moore, in which she listed her expectations, from reducing violent crime to boosting community policing and holding officers accountable. McOsker said he thought the mayor should be equally clear about what she wants in the next chief. The mayor's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday. LAPD Deputy Chief John McMahon, who runs the Information Technology Bureau, said that, to succeed, the department's next leader "must truly be competent and actually care to make a difference." "The LAPD chief's job is for someone possibly so very confident and a bit narcissistic they enjoy the abuse, but do they realize the demand," said McMahon, who didn't apply for the position. Experts say the LAPD job is one of the toughest in law enforcement. Any serious candidate will have to have a proven track record as an experienced leader. The chief must be comfortable speaking extemporaneously and often in front of cameras about the work of the police department through the progressive lens of the citys elected leaders, including the mayor and City Council. Whoever gets the job will need to navigate through many challenges at once, while dealing with the myriad issues confronting the city, including homelessness and the fentanyl crisis. The next chief will also have to recruit and inspire a new generation of officers, some of whom werent even born when the department was forced to undergo sweeping changes in the wake of the Rampart scandal and who grew of age in the Black Lives Matter era. Others are keen to see how the next chief will tackle a much-maligned discipline system that, depending on whom one asks, either lets too many bad cops off or has been weaponized to favor the well-connected. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Las Vegas man accused of shooting juvenile twice told him to walk it off, police say LAS VEGAS (KLAS) An 18-year-old man faces several charges after police said he shot a juvenile twice during a drug deal gone wrong and then told him to walk it off, police said. On June 24 at around 3 p.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a call where they found a juvenile suffering from two gunshot wounds, one in the abdomen and one in the lower back, according to an arrest report. Several witnesses told police they saw a red vehicle, possibly a Dodge Charger with several impacts on the front window, last seen driving away, heading east. Police were able to determine the Charger was driven by a man police learned was attempting to engage in the illegal sale of marijuana, the report stated. During the marijuana sale, the details of which are redacted in the arrest report, Devin Dixon, 18, met with the man in the vehicle. Devin Dixon, 18, faces several charges after police said he shot a juvenile twice during a drug deal gone wrong and then told him to walk it off, police said. (LVMPD) Surveillance video showed Dixon shooting toward the man in the Charger, but instead hitting the victim several times in the back. After firing several more times, Dixon appears to hesitantly walk up to the victim, pick up a firearm, and tell the victim to walk it off, before he left the scene, according to the report. There is a possibility the victim may be paralyzed from the waist down, the report stated. Additional information about the victim was redacted from the report due to his age, so it was unclear if Dixon knew the victim before the shooting. Police arrested Dixon on July 5 and took him to the Clark County Detention Center where he is being held on a $150,000 bail. Dixon faces the following charges: Three counts of attempted murder with the use of a deadly weapon Three counts of assault with the use of a deadly weapon Attempted robbery with the use of a deadly weapon Discharging a gun into an occupied structure or vehicle Conspiracy to commit robbery, battery with the use of a deadly weapon Carry a concealed weapon without permit Conspiracy to shoot a gun at/into an occupied structure or vehicle Conspiracy to commit assault with the use of a deadly weapon Conspiracy to commit battery with the use of a deadly weapon Discharging a gun where a person might be endangered Destroying the property of another valued between $250 to $5K His next court appearance is scheduled for July 23. If Dixon makes bail, he will be required to be on high level electronic monitoring, have no contact with the victim, stay away from the victims addresses, stay out of trouble, and have no weapons in his possession. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK Laura Kavanagh, the New York City Fire Department's first woman fire commissioner who had repeatedly butted heads with the departments top chiefs, announced her resignation Saturday after less than two years in office. My dedication to the FDNY has never and will never waver, Kavanagh said in a statement Saturday. It has been the honor of a lifetime to devote the last 10 years five as first deputy commissioner and more than two as commissioner to advocating for the men and women of the FDNY. Kavanagh, who was an integral part of several mayoral, congressional, and presidential campaigns before becoming a special assistant to former Mayor Bill de Blasio, is stepping down to seek other career opportunities, sources close to the fire commissioner said. Yet Saturdays announcement comes amid a week of rumors about closed-door meetings with Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks about her stepping down over increased tensions between herself and the department chiefs. Among the recent issues of contention was Kavanaghs choice for the FDNYs new chief of department to replace John Hodgens, who is currently on an extended medical leave with plans to retire, an FDNY source with knowledge of the issue said. After ostracizing several seasoned chiefs she often disagreed with, many speculated Kavanagh would choose a younger, recently promoted chief who had been loyal to her, which would cause a mass retirement among the higher ranks. Several top chiefs had asked to be lowered in rank and put back in the field after she demoted Assistant Chiefs Fred Schaaf, Michael Gala, and Joseph Jardin to deputy chief in February 2023. Whoever she chooses she chooses, the chiefs have no say in it, the source said. But if you elevate someone from one of the lower chief spots to be the highest-ranking uniformed firefighter in the city, youre going to have a problem. A lot of high-ranking chiefs are going to ask Why am I here? and retire. A second source close to Kavanagh said her decision to leave was made without any pressure from the mayors office or the departments rank and file. The decision was all hers, the source said. Kavanagh will remain with the department for the next few months to help the citys new fire commissioner get up to speed. Adams has yet to name a replacement. While the decision I have made over the last month has been a hard one, Im confident that it is time for me to pass the torch to the next leader of the finest Fire Department in the world, she said. I look forward to spending the next several months assisting the departments transition in leadership, before embarking on my next professional challenge. Adams called Kavanagh a trailblazer for not only serving as first female Fire commissioner in our citys history but leading the department to new heights. She has helped usher in sweeping improvements to the FDNYs technology infrastructure; increased funding for members health and safety, including for cancer reduction and mental health counseling; and overhauled how the FDNY recruits and retains members of color, leading to the most diverse Fire Department in our citys history, while simultaneously tripling the number of women serving as firefighters, Adams said, adding that he and his staff made it clear that she could have kept this position for as long as she wanted. We thank her for every minute she has given to running the greatest Fire Department in the world, he said. Kavanagh was also credited with vigorously tackling the rising number of fires sparked by faulty lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and scooters. While she reconfigured department resources and personnel to inform the public about their dangers and inspecting e-bike shops, she lobbied City Hall and then Congress to ban the sale of batteries not certified by Underwriters Laboratories or other testing labs. Then Mayor de Blasio gave Kavanagh a leadership position in the FDNY in 2014. She was named first deputy commissioner four years later and was made fire commissioner in October 2022, replacing outgoing Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro. She almost immediately ran afoul of the departments high-ranking chiefs on how she wanted the department to be run. During the impromptu meeting at the eighth floor conference room in February 2023 one of the first with the staff chiefs since becoming commissioner Kavanagh gave her staff chiefs a general idea on what she expects from the brass and rattled off several dos and donts. Innovative and out of the box thinking, she said, according to a recording of the meeting shared with The New York Daily News. That is what I expect here. I dont need to think how things have been done in the past. That is what we have rules and regulations for. That is how the department runs. She also dropped a major dont: The leaders shouldnt bully their subordinates. Ever. Bullying of any kind is completely off the table, she said. I will not tolerate (it). It is not effective. It does not do what you think its going to do. It is also not befitting of the New York City Fire Department. If you want to bully or threaten either your co-workers or your superiors, that will not be tolerated by me. That is a hard line. Those in attendance bristled by her line in the sand, even though she didnt point out any one person, said a senior staff chief who attended the meeting. In March of 2023, a half-dozen experienced FDNY brass filed an ageism lawsuit against Kavanagh and the city, claiming they were harassed, maligned and ultimately demoted because they seemed too old in Kavanaghs eyes. Among the plaintiffs were Chiefs Gala and Jardin, who the fire commissioner demoted early in her tenure. Each plaintiff was between 54 and 62 years old when the complaint was filed in March 2023. In June, the city had asked Judge Patria Frias-Colon in Brooklyn Supreme Court to dismiss the case, claiming that the sweeping complaint fails to show the chiefs were specifically targeted because of their age. As of Friday, Judge Frias-Colon hadnt filed her decision to the citys motion. Attorney Jim Walden, who is representing the plaintiffs in the ageism suit, said Kavanaghs departure wont stop them from keeping the pressure on. That lawsuit was never going to get dismissed. The timing makes it abundantly clear the city knew it was in trouble, Walden said. On behalf of all the victims of her misdeeds, were elated and we certainly hope a new commissioner restores sanity to the fire department because we all count on them. (Colin Mixson contributed to this report.) (Bloomberg) -- In French politics, the passionate leader of the Green Party is known as the other Marine for her opposition to Marine Le Pen, and shes now stealing a march on her far-right namesake. Most Read from Bloomberg As the messy aftermath of the countrys parliamentary elections unfolds, Marine Tondelier has emerged as an unexpected power player, who could even become a compromise candidate for prime minister. Hailing from Le Pens constituency, Tondelier has gained attention as a committed adversary of her nationalist brand of politics. While leading the next government of Europes second-largest economy is a long shot, one of the architects of the New Popular Front stands a chance at a role in the new administration. Shes a more amenable figure for centrists than politicians from other parties in the left-wing alliance the surprise winner of the June 7 parliamentary vote. The 37-year-old has moved from relative obscurity to the center of Frances ongoing political drama. Shuttling between meetings in her characteristic green blazer, Tondelier is playing a key role in the talks to forge a workable government. She has presented herself as a facilitator seeking to find a consensus with the far-left France Unbowed and the Socialists. If it was up to the ecologists, we would already have a government, Tondelier said Friday on BFM TV in response to questions about why the NPF is still unable to designate its own candidate for prime minister. Her larger allies in the NPF, which won more than twice as many seats as the Greens, have refused to accept each others nominations. Her party is not the blocker in the talks, she said. While remaining vague about her own ambitions and trying to paper over infighting in the NPF which also includes the French Communists Tondeliers attempt to paint a picture of constructive negotiations is starting to wear thin. Nearly a week after two rounds of voting yielded a hung parliament, none of the three major blocks appear close to a compromise that could result in a government. President Emmanuel Macron has mostly remained in the background after his electoral gamble plunged the country into gridlock. The NPF is the biggest group in the National Assembly, but still about 100 seats short of a majority, and the Greens are a relatively small part of that. But Tondelier has gained credibility with a history of tangling with Le Pen, Macrons government as well as far-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon. The Green politician comes from Henin-Beaumont, the northern stronghold from which Le Pen and her National Rally have made inroads across France in recent years. Shes made thwarting the far-right party her mission since entering politics 15 years ago. Tondelier challenged Le Pen in her home district in legislative elections in 2012, 2017 and 2022, losing miserably in the first two ballots but getting 39% in 2022 in a head-to-head contest thanks to a coalition with the left. In a 2022 interview in Le Point, Tondelier called the National Rally a party of vultures, accusing Le Pens movement of creating a climate of fear and hatred in Henin-Beaumont against the opposition, media, unions and associations, something she recounted in her 2017 book. But shes also been critical of Melenchon for running for a seat n Henin-Beaumont in 2012 without previous connections to the area. He lost in the first round, well behind Le Pen. She has since called the far-left leader divisive. In this years snap election, Tondelier gained attention for an emotional outburst in a live interview on France Inter radio between the two rounds of voting. Struggling to choke back tears, she called Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire weak and privileged for what she saw as a half-hearted effort to counter the National Rally. One flash point for Tondelier during this campaign was the National Rallys refusal to participate in a scheduled TV debate with her and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. She slammed the move as a snub to all women and said she had wanted to take on the far-right partys leader Jordan Bardella face to face. Her surge in prominence has helped her gain double-digit percentage points in approval ratings, the most of 33 politicians. But she ranked 22nd well behind Francois Hollande, the former president from the Socialists, according to an Elabe poll for Les Echos published on Thursday. She became much better known during the election, which she wasnt before, said Elabe President Bernard Sananes. She has the reputation among left supporters as the one who brought the left together. The daughter of a physician and a dentist from Henin-Beaumont, a town near the Belgian border which has a far-right mayor alongside Le Pen as its representative in the National Assembly. Tondelier has said that she has seen first hand the risks posed by the National Rallys policies. Known for her directness, she has defended the NPFs solidarity and pushed back against allegations by Macron and Le Pen that the left-wing alliances economic platform is dangerous. In addition to rolling back pension reform and raising taxes, the alliance wants to significantly increase the minumum wage. I dont accept that because we are environmentalists we dont know what we are talking about on the economy, Tondelier told BFM TV. Parts of the leftist manifesto take direct inspiration from the Greens such as a halt to all new highway projects. But it skirts nuclear energy, which is backed by Macron and other alliance members. Tondelier in turn calls Frances showcase atomic reactor a financial fiasco. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. At least 90 Palestinians have been reported killed in an Israeli strike on a displacement camp in southern Gaza which Israel said targeted Hamas military chief, who was an alleged mastermind of the October 7 attacks. Footage from Al-Mawasi, which has been designated as a safe zone for Palestinians fleeing the fighting elsewhere, shows bodies in the street and destroyed tents. A senior staffer at UNRWA, the UNs agency for Palestinian refugees, described the Nasser hospital, which took in victims of the strike, as the most horrific scenes I have seen in my nine months in Gaza. I saw toddlers who are double amputees, children paralyzed and unable to receive treatment, and others separated from their parents. Mohammed Deif the leader of Qassam Brigades, Hamas military wing was the figure targeted, alongside the head of the Khan Younis brigade, Rafe Salama, an Israeli security official told CNN. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference in Tel Aviv Saturday that he was not certain whether Deif and his deputy had been killed, but said he had given his blessing for the head of Shin Bet Israels security agency to carry out the operation after being assured there were no hostages in the area. The strike left scenes of devastation, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting at least 90 people killed and 300 people injured. It said women and children accounted for half of those killed and dozens of those injured. CNN has no way of verifying the casualty numbers reported by the ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants killed. Palestinians gather near damage caused by an Israeli strike at a tent camp in Al-Mawasi area on Saturday. - Mohammed Salem/Reuters The Kuwait and Nasser Hospitals on the ground said they were struggling to cope with the high numbers of dead and injured civilians coming in, the ministry said. I was sitting in the bathroom, and before I heard explosions from the strike, the bathroom flew off, a young boy called Hammoud told a CNN stringer on the ground. Then, the whole area became filled with smoke, and then the shells began to fall. Hammouds young brother was killed in the strike whilst his sister is currently in hospital receiving treatment for her injuries, his family told CNN. Another resident named Aida Hamdi told CNN: We suddenly heard missiles hitting. I was baking bread, I took my daughter and we started running outside. I threw all the dough away, it was mixed with sand. We heard three hits, people around me were martyred, women, men, and children. Hamas denied Israeli claims it had targeted Deif and Salama, calling the killings a horrific massacre. The occupations claims of targeting leaders are false claims, and this is not the first time the occupation has claimed to target Palestinian leaders, only for its lies to be exposed later, a statement read. At least one US-made munition was used in the airstrike. In a video shared on social media, CNN identified the tail fin of a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), a Boeing-manufactured GPS-guided kit which can be added to so-called dumb bombs to direct them at a specific target. Trevor Ball, a former US Army explosive ordnance disposal technician, confirmed the identification of the JDAM tail at the scene for CNN. Similar CNN analysis has found US-made munitions were used in a strike on a school complex near Khan Younis and in other Israeli strikes on Gaza. A shadowy figure Israeli security and intelligence first received intelligence about a potential opportunity to strike Hamas top military commander in recent days, but a clear window of opportunity to strike Deif only crystallized in the last 24 hours, an Israeli official said. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi and top Shin Bet officials held multiple discussions overnight to assess the viability of a strike before the green light was given, the official said. A key focus of the discussions was assessing Israeli intelligence indicating that there were no hostages in the area, the official added, as well as the effect that carrying out such a significant strike might have on ongoing ceasefire and hostage deal negotiations. US officials said that Israel informed the United States that they had targeted senior Hamas officials in an airstrike Saturday but did not give advance warning of the operation. Palestinians pictured in the aftermath of the strike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. - Mohammed Salem/Reuters Little is known about Deif. Thought to have been born in the 1960s, Deif is a bomb maker was behind a wave of suicide attacks in 1996 that killed 65 people in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and other outrages intended to derail the peace process. His full name is Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, but he became known as El Deif (the Guest), because, for decades, he stayed in different houses every night to avoid being tracked, and killed, by Israel. Deif has been the target of Israeli assassination attempts before. A 2014 Israel strike killed his wife, seven-month-old son and three-year-old daughter. In May, the International Criminal Court said it was seeking arrest warrants for Deif and other senior Hamas figures, saying they had reasonable grounds to believe they bore responsibility for the October 7 attacks, which saw around 1,200 Israelis killed. Israels campaign in Gaza - aimed at destroying Hamas and rescuing hostages still being held - has since killed more than 38,000 people. Pressure on ceasefire deal The strike comes at a delicate time in negotiations for a possible ceasefire and hostage release deal. While killing Deif would be seen as a major victory for Israel, it could encourage Hamas to harden its position on a three-phase Israeli proposal that was laid out by US President Joe Biden at the end of May. Talks to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages are ongoing. A Hamas political official denied reports on Sunday that Hamas is halting ceasefire negotiations due to Saturdays strike. Izzat Al-Rishq also called the strike an escalation and claimed one of the Israeli governments goals is to block the path to reaching an agreement that stops the aggression against our people. Meanwhile, at his press conference Saturday, Netanyahu insisted he would not move one millimeter from the framework laid out by Biden. He claimed Hamas had requested 29 changes to the proposal, but he refused to make even one. Im not adding conditions or removing conditions, he said. Hamas has not yet publicly commented on Netanyahus claims. However, a diplomatic source involved in the negotiations said the ceasefire talks were still scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, next week despite the strike. In Israel on Saturday, protesters and families of hostages took to the streets of several cities to demand the government secure a deal to release all the hostages. In Jerusalem, masses outside the Knesset demanded the government accept the hostage release deal and bring everyone home now. Some protesters also gathered outside Netanyahus office. In Tel Aviv, Andrey Kozlov, who was held hostage in Gaza for eight months before the Israeli military rescued him in June, addressed the crowd. I want to share that every day in Gaza was a living hell; every day felt like it could be my last on earth. Take it from me, every day matters, every minute, even every second, Kozlov said from the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. I may look okay to you from the outside, but the pain weighs on me more than anyone can see, more than anyone can imagine, he added. I was one of the lucky ones since I wasnt held in a tunnel. So, I endured harsh conditions and abuse (but) what about the remaining 120 hostages? Kozlov said. Kozlov also urged Netanyahu to bring the rest of the hostages back home saying, Please sign a deal! The Hostage and Missing Families Forum reminded Netanyahu there would be no victory before all the 120 hostages were brought home. The deal is in the final stages before signing and returning the hostages home; it is time to instruct the negotiation teams to reach agreements and bring everyone home, it said in a statement. We have been waiting for them for 281 days. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Legal scholars: SCOTUS gave Trump a "big hammer" and he may use it to undo NY conviction The Manhattan justice weighing the fate of Donald Trump's guilty conviction in New York could potentially throw out the verdict if he decides jurors should never have heard certain evidence about the president's conduct as president or the judge could uphold the verdict by deciding that evidence would have made little difference, according to legal experts. In doing so, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan may become one of the first judges to decide exactly how a landmark Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling could limit what evidence jurors can hear concerning a president's official conduct. Jurors in the Manhattan criminal trial in May found Trump guilty of 34 charges of falsifying business records including invoices, accounting ledger entries and checks as part of a scheme to disguise $130,000 in hush money as a legal expense and keep potentially damaging stories about alleged extramarital encounters from voters. Each of the 34 count carries up to four years in prison though legal experts said Trump would likely serve less than four years given his previous lack of a criminal record. On Wednesday, Trumps lawyers filed a motion arguing that jurors should never had heard testimony from former White House personnel, along with other pieces of evidence. The motion cites the Supreme Court's pivot presidential immunity ruling, and asks Merchan to vacate the jurys verdict and dismiss Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs indictment. Prosecutors have until July 24 to file a response. Merchan has delayed sentencing until September "if," he said, "such is still necessary." In the Trump immunity case, the Supreme Court gave Trump a big hammer, a stick, a really powerful weapon to go smash up the cases that have been brought against him, said College of Charleston professor Claire Wofford, who teaches constitutional law and American government. "And that's exactly what he's done in this most recent filing." William Brennan, an attorney who represented Trump in his second U.S. Senate impeachment trial and in a Trump payroll tax case before Judge Merchan, said the judge could grant a new trial where jurors couldnt hear certain evidence such as testimony from witnesses about Trumps conduct as president. Judge Merchan could say: Look, based on this decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Trump case, that type of testimony should not come in, and the only fair resolution is to give the defendant another shot at a trial, Brennan said. So that could absolutely happen. Or, he said, the judge could let the verdict stand and decide that all the evidence at issue concerned Trump's unprotected private conduct or that the evidence's inclusion was a harmless error that would have had a minimal impact on the verdict. SCOTUS' BROAD DEFINITION OF OFFICIAL CONDUCT The Supreme Courts landmark 6-3 ruling said that presidents have "absolute immunity from criminal prosecution" for acts that fall within the "exercise of his core constitutional powers he took when in office." Presidents, according to the ruling, have "at least presumptive" immunity for other official acts, and no immunity for unofficial acts. Five of the nine justices also agreed that presidents cannot be indicted based on conduct for which they are immune from prosecution. That means prosecutors aren't allowed to use evidence that concerns a president's protected official conduct. Justice Amy Coney Barrett disagreed with that part of the ruling saying it would "hamstring" prosecution of bribery by excluding evidence of an official act connected to a bribe. 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," Barrett said in her concurrence. But Chief Justice John Roberts who wrote the majority opinion said for a bribery prosecution, a prosecutor could point to public record to show the president performed the official act and admit evidence of what the president allegedly gained. The opinion bars prosecutors from using testimony or private records of the President or his advisers "probing" official conduct. Roberts said allowing that evidence would invite the jury to "second-guess" the president's motivations for official acts which he argues would "'seriously cripple'" a president's exercise of official duties. Trump's motion argues that point: "The purpose of the Presidential immunity doctrine is to ensure that Presidents can perform their extremely demanding functions without fear of a future criminal prosecution." But Hofstra University law school professor James Sample called the majority opinion unprecedented and disastrous for prosecutors probing abuse of power. "The majoritys prohibition on using conduct immune from prosecution as evidence, even when, as is clearly the case with Trumps hush-money payments, the underlying conduct is unofficial, makes it nigh on impossible to mount the evidence needed to carry the prosecutorial burden even as to categorically non-immune conduct," Sample said. Roberts tasked the lower court weighing Trump's indictment for allegedly scheming to overturn the results of the 2020 election with weighing whether his conduct was official or unofficial while also making sure the indictment holds up with "sufficient allegations" without protected conduct. Wofford said Judge Merchan in Manhattan now has a similar job. The key issue about presidential immunity is going to be what's official and what's not official, Wofford said. And they didn't give a very clear standard. The ruling offers a broad definition of official conduct, saying: "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.'" Wofford said that gives Trump's team a "lot of leeway." "For the prosecution, clearly their best argument is going to be to try to argue that these are not official acts," Wofford said. The limited guidance means that courts will be hashing out tests and rules for presidential immunity for years to come in decisions that could wind up back at the Supreme Court, Wofford said. "There's a lot of room here for Judge Merchan to formulate his own rule, his own legal test, his own sense of how you can balance official versus unofficial conduct," Wofford said. TRUMP'S FIGHT AGAINST PROSECUTION'S EVIDENCE Trump's lawyers say prosecutors tainted the grand jury proceedings and the trial by including testimony from his former White House communications director Hope Hicks about her conversations with Trump and former special assistant Madeleine Westerhouts observations about Trumps Oval Office conduct. Much of the unconstitutional official-acts evidence concerned actions taken pursuant to core Executive power for which absolute immunity applies, Trumps motion reads. These transgressions resulted in the type of deeply prejudicial error that strikes at the core of the governments function and cannot be addressed through harmless-error analysis. Wofford said Trump is referring to the "harmless error standard," which refers to errors that would have "no reasonable possibility of affecting the verdict." "It's a really high bar for him to make that argument, but it's not out of the realm of possibility," Wofford said. The former president's lawyers are focusing on evidence concerning Trumps calls in the White House Situation Room, his conversations about the pardon power, his official tweets, his conversations with Hicks and his use of Air Force One and Marine One. Prosecutors used such evidence to portray Trump as a micro-manager so worried that stories of alleged extramarital sex would decimate his 2016 campaign that he drove a hush money scheme that he ultimately concealed using falsified records some of which he signed himself. Westerhout described Trump's hands-on role in day-to-day matters from dictating tweets, to personally signing checks, to avoiding email, to sometimes signing documents without reviewing them first. Hicks testified about the fallout of the "Access Hollywood" leak and frantic efforts to minimize damage. She also said it would have been "out of character" for ex-Trump fixer and prosecution witness Michael Cohen to have decided all by himself to pay off adult film star and director Stormy Daniels. Professor Sample said Judge Merchan has found himself in an "unenviable position." "He must evaluate, on an entirely ex post basis, whether the evidence, which was properly admitted under the laws as they have existed since the nations founding, is now suddenly inadmissible, in a case centered on the cover-up of pre-presidency conduct, merely because the Supreme Court has effectively created a monarchy in a nation that fought a revolution against the very notion that a king could do no wrong," Sample said. Trump's lawyers say he has absolute immunity for Westerhout's description of Trump's conduct on Air Force One, Marine One and the Situation Room. And his lawyers said he has at least presumptive immunity for the parts of Westerhout's testimony detailing her work with Trump and her observations about how he exercised his executive authority. "None of these details regarding President Trumps Administration involved actions that were 'manifestly or palpably beyond his authority,' which is the boundary of that perimeter," reads the Trump motion. Trump's lawyers continued: "The prospect of biased local prosecutors using official acts testimony regarding a Presidents personal preferences during his or her administration, and his or her communications with confidential assistants, presents an unacceptable risk of 'undue pressures or distortions' to a Presidents work on behalf of the American people." Wofford said Trump's argument about Westerhout's testimony "makes sense" under the Supreme Court's ruling. "Clearly he has to be able to talk to his aides without fear that everything he says is going to be subject to prosecution," Wofford said. She said: "Even if the prosecution were to argue: Well, you need to look at what they talked about to me, Trump has a reasonable argument that how he likes to conduct, how he likes to do his job, how he likes to take phone calls, that he doesn't like to do emails, that he likes to move documents in various ways onto Air Force One to me, that's reasonably within the sphere of an official duty." PROSECUTION COULD FIGHT ABSOLUTE IMMUNITY CLAIMS But Wofford said she thinks Trumps lawyers are stretching by arguing that he would have absolute immunity for Hicks testimony or Trumps tweets. The core executive functions that [Chief Justice John Roberts] talked about the opinion are things that are really closely tied to the text of the Constitution, like the pardon power or the removal power, Wofford said. Trump's motion argues Hicks' testimony was "categorically inadmissible" because the Supreme Court opinion prohibits prosecutors from using testimony from advisers "probing" protected conduct. Trump's lawyers called Hicks a "key subordinate" on whom Trump relied. They said Trump's discussions with Hicks in 2018 about the hush money scandal "fit comfortably" within Trump's "outer-perimeter Presidential authority." But Wofford said it's unclear whether Hopes was indeed an adviser. Wofford said Merchan could put all presidential communications with staff in the official conduct bucket or he could look at the substance of the conversations. "It doesn't necessitate that just because he was talking to her, everything he talked to her about is covered as official conduct," Wofford said. "If the question is: 'Are the President's communications with a staff member about a private matter involving sex with a porn star covered under official conduct?' then you have a much more persuasive argument that what Hope Hicks testified to is not covered under presidential immunity." Wofford added: "I mean, if Trump's sex life is not private, and neither is how the media is responding to a sex life, I don't know what does constitute private." The Supreme Court ruling offers little insight into exactly how to define private conduct. Referring to Trumps D.C. case, the justices said Trump 'appeared to concede that some of the alleged conduct involved private actors who helped submit fraudulent slaters of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding. Trump argued that asking the Republican National Committee chair "'to gather electors' counted as his official conduct of contacting state officials about federal election integrity. The government called that "campaign conduct." In her concurrence, Barrett said of the alleged fake electors scheme: In my view, the conduct is private and therefore not entitled to protection. Still, the other five justices didnt explicitly label the conduct private and gave the task to lower courts, writing: Unlike Trumps alleged interactions with the Justice Department, this alleged conduct cannot be neatly categorized as falling within a particular Presidential function. The Supreme Court's opinion said that the president's duty to "'take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed'" include enforcing federal election laws. Trump's lawyers also claim the Supreme Court's ruling gives the former president absolute immunity for his tweets including tweets apparently referencing Cohen and Daniels. But the Supreme Court's opinion didn't set a hard and fast rule for weighing a president's communications with the public. "There may, however, be contexts in which the President speaks in an unofficial capacity perhaps as a candidate for office or party leader." reads the opinion. "To the extent that may be the case, objective analysis of 'content, form, and context' will necessarily inform the inquiry." Wofford said that could provide an opportunity for prosecutors though not a slam dunk. "The court basically said most tweets from a president are official acts, but there is a little bit of wiggle room the court didn't say all of them," Wofford said. "There's an opening there for the prosecution to argue that even though it was an official White House Twitter account and Trump had an official White House person helping him write the tweets, that the content of the tweets themselves render them unofficial." Trump's lawyers are also arguing prosecutors shouldn't be able to defend their use of Trump's tweets by pointing to witnesses Daniels and Cohen who have offered "implausible opinions" about why Trump made the posts. The Supreme Court opinion said "courts may not inquire into the Presidents motives" when parsing unofficial versus official conduct. "Nor may courts deem an action unofficial merely because it allegedly violates a generally applicable law," the opinion says. "Otherwise, Presidents would be subject to trial on 'every allegation that an action was unlawful,'depriving immunity of its intended effect." Trump's lawyers say allowing prosecutors to use Daniels' and Cohen's testimony on Trump's motivations behind the tweets would amount to "an impermissible 'intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch' and the 'enfeebling of the Presidency.'" And his lawyers argue that the tweets were "objectively" directed at the American people not Cohen or Daniels. PRESUMPTIVE IMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR TRUMP Wofford said Trumps lawyers have the advantage when it comes to arguing that Trump's non-core conduct was official and thus covered by really high presumptive immunity. In that respect, they have a really good argument, because the Supreme Court used really sweeping language when it talked about immunity for official acts, Wofford said. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. The ruling makes clear that it's up to the government to rebut the presumption of immunity. But Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the majority opinion lacks guidance on when or how the government could do so. The opinion referring to Trump's D.C. case tasked the lower court with deciding "whether a prosecution involving Trumps alleged attempts to influence the Vice Presidents oversight of the certification proceeding would pose any dangers of intrusion on the authority and functions of the Executive Branch." Wofford said that sentence created a definition of presumptive presidential immunity weighing whether the conduct would intrude on executive authority and functions that poses a high bar for prosecutors. Wofford pointed out the opinion's use of the phrase "any danger." "How can you argue something's not going to have any effect on that?" she said. "That's a really high bar for the court to jump over." Trump's motion makes that point too: "Where presumptive immunity applies, prosecutors bear the burden of rebutting the presumption by showing that a criminal prosecution involving evidence of the official act would pose no dangers of intrusion on the Executive Branch." Trump's motion argues prosecutors waived their right to rebut the presumption by rushing to trial over Trump's pre-trial objections when he also argued he had immunity and that a state court couldn't prosecute him for the offenses. "The harm resulting from DANYs actions is irreparable because it will cause future Presidents to be 'unduly cautious in the discharge of his official duties' and to fear '[v]ulnerability to the burden of a trial and to the inevitable danger of its outcome,'" reads the motion. Trump's lawyers also say the former president should have at least presumptive immunity for his mandatory federal ethics disclosure form. "By using this document in a criminal prosecution, DANY invited the type of 'second-guessing' of President Trumps official acts that 'would threaten the independence [and] effectiveness of the Executive,'" reads the motion. And Trump's lawyers say the president's public statements responding to congressional and Special Counsel investigations were part of his "outer-perimeter" official conduct meaning he should have presumptive immunity. The first phase of the "Reconnecting MacArthur Park" project, announced Tuesday, will study the feasibility of permanently closing Wilshire Boulevard to vehicular traffic in favor of an open streets concept. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: I am frustrated to read about Councilmember Eunisses Hernandezs proposal to spend precious city resources on closing Wilshire Boulevard through MacArthur Park. This is such a distraction from the real and urgent problems in the MacArthur Park/Westlake neighborhood. The neighborhood has some of the worst poverty and violence in the city. Rather than divert limited public resources to grandiose and symbolic gestures that will have no meaningful impact on the people who live there, the councilmember should focus on providing the neighborhood with even a few of the basic services that it seems to almost entirely lack: police protection, garbage removal, public health services, clean spaces for street vendors, street sweeping and graffiti removal. I agree that green spaces are hugely important to every community, but instead of enlarging a poorly maintained and dangerous space that we already have difficulty managing, perhaps we should focus on removing encampments, trash and graffiti, preventing open fentanyl and meth use, and providing even an occasional police patrol within the park we already have. Marc Young, Los Angeles .. To the editor: The proposed closure of Wilshire Boulevard in MacArthur Park is as misguided as the gondola to Dodger Stadium and the high-speed rail that no one wanted. If the intent is to "dream bigger and better for the community, let's think about what this closure could do: one, force traffic into smaller side streets causing gridlock for the local businesses and residents; two, increase the usable real estate for drug dealers and users; three, take away easy access to bus lines and disrupt bus routes; four, remove a wide thoroughfare for emergency vehicles. Instead of closing Wilshire Boulevard, why not build a park above it like the High Line in New York City? That would bridge both sides of the avenue, increase the usable park space and keep vital traffic flowing underneath. Arthur Payson, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: The problem is not the lack of park space at MacArthur Park, but rather its utter neglect by the city. Making more park by eliminating part of Los Angeles main street will not dilute the palpable urban rot at MacArthur Park and its environs. Where are the police, housing inspectors, sanitation workers and code enforcement persons? I own a building nearby on Alvarado Street and never see enough city presence. Why does Hancock Park, next door, get clean and safe streets but not here? Bold without substance is just more perniciousness. L.A. should follow what some major cities in Mexico do: close off main thoroughfares on Sundays for everyone of good will to use then clean up after them immediately. Richard Stanley, Los Feliz .. To the editor: Reading about removing Wilshire Boulevard from the area separating sections of MacArthur Park reminded me that just after I was born in 1947, my first home was a house on Rampart Boulevard that is still standing near the park. My mother used to walk me to MacArthur Park in my stroller twice a day to go around the lake, where we would happily feed the birds and watch small motor boats which children and their parents could rent from the old marina. At that time the area was considered to be a crown jewel of the Los Angeles park system. In the years since, MacArthur Park has become what Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez described as the "overdose epicenter of the city of Los Angeles" and a haven for homeless encampments. The ambitious plans to expand the park by removing Wilshire Boulevard as a thoroughfare will fail to bring back young mothers, like my mom was in 1947. Until our leaders plan to place around-the-clock police officer foot patrols inside MacArthur Park to enforce the law, all that will be accomplished by removing car traffic on nearby Wilshire Boulevard will be making more room for drug dealers, addicts and homeless tents, while bringing on more downtown traffic jams. Douglas Weiskopf, Burbank This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ROCHESTER, New York (WJW) A public memorial service was held Saturday morning in Rochester, New York for fallen Cleveland Officer Jamieson Ritter. Just days after being honored for his service in Cleveland, fallen officer Jamieson Ritter was remembered during visitation in his hometown of Webster, New York. During the Saturday morning memorial service, Ritter was remembered by his siblings, his best friend, his mother, the Cleveland Division of Police and many more. A hero: Officer Jamieson Ritters family releases statement On Monday, a memorial service was held in Cleveland for the fallen officer, who was killed in the line of duty in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Following the service, Ritters body was returned to his home in upstate New York, where people he grew up with can say their last goodbyes. Ritter graduated high school in 2015. Four years later, he graduated from Syracuse University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was deployed to Syria in 2022 as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard. After that, he continued his service with the Cleveland Division of Police. Cleveland officers murder: What Delawnte Hardys mental state means for charges Ritter was shot and killed while trying to arrest 24-year-old Delawnte Hardy, who is also accused of killing his grandmother. Hardy, who was indicted on several charges Wednesday, could face the death penalty. Although Officer Ritter was just 27 years old, fellow officers praised him for his leadership and commitment to community policing. Officer Ritter will be laid to rest in a private interment after the public memorial service on Saturday morning. The Cleveland Police Foundation is accepting donations to its Heroes Fund, which will provide support for Officer Ritters family. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In Bilasuvar district, various events are being organized within the framework of the "Green World Solidarity Year," Azernews reports. As part of the "Green World Solidarity Year," cleanliness, improvement, and greening activities were conducted on July 13 along the sections of the Bolgar River passing through Xirmandali, Beydili, and Bilasuvar city territories. The event named "Clean Country," involving employees of various district administrations, institutions, youth organizations, and volunteers, focused on cleaning household waste dumps along the shores of the Bolgarchay River, while also conducting ecological awareness campaigns among the local population. Former President Donald Trump was injured in an apparent assassination attempt at his rally in Butler Saturday evening. Two other people were killed, including the suspected shooter. PHOTOS: Former President Donald Trump rushed off stage after shots fired at rally Trump issued a statement on Truth Social later Saturday night, confirming that he was shot with a bullet and said that it pierced the upper right part of his right ear, according to NBC News. STATEMENTS: Local, national officials condemn violence following shooting at Trump rally The Secret Service confirmed that one spectator was killed and two others were critically injured. A spokesperson with Highmark Health confirmed that the two injured are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Agents also confirmed that they killed the shooter. As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard shortly after he took the stage around 6:15 p.m., and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear. People in the stands behind him appeared shocked. Trump appeared to lower himself and the sounds apparent gunshots continued as Secret Service agents rushed the stage. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available and watch for LIVE Updates below: UPDATE 9:30 p.m. Sunday Channel 11 met with firefighters who worked alongside Corey Comperatore who was a former fire chief who was shot and killed during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Saturday. RELATED COVERAGE >>>He died a hero: Butler County fire community remembers former chief killed at Trump rally Hell always be remembered as the guy who took the bullet for the president, said Scott Hoffman, Buffalo Townships former assistant chief. UPDATE 8:30 p.m. Sunday President Joe Biden gave remarks from the Oval Office at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Biden called for an end to political violence in the United States. While we may disagree, we are not enemies, Biden said during his approximately six minutes of remarks. Were neighbors, were friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together. The president also called to lower the temperature in political rhetoric as a step towards ending the violence. UPDATE 4:50 p.m. Sunday 11 Investigates has learned that four Pittsburgh police officers assigned to the former presidents motorcade yesterday suffered minor injuries during the shooting. The four motorcycle officers were part of Donald Trumps escort to and from the rally in Butler. Sources tell Chief Investigator Rick Earle the officers were just feet away from Trump when shots rang out. The four officers suffered minor injuries from flying debris caused by the bullets. Sources say the officers were hit with either plastic or metal fragments when the bullets struck objects nearby. They were treated at the scene. They were okay to escort Trump back to the airport in Pittsburgh last night after he was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital. UPDATE 4:05 p.m. Sunday According to the Associated Press, a local police officer climbed onto the roof where Crooks was located. They say he pointed his rifle at the officer who then retreated down the ladder. Click here to read more details. UPDATE 3:12 p.m. Sunday Pennsylvania State Police have identified the victims who were shot during the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. As reported earlier, the man who was shot and killed was Corey Comperatore, 50, from Sarver, Pa. The second victim was David Dutch, 57, from New Kensington Pa. Dutch was taken to a hospital in critical condition and is now listed in stable condition. The third victim has been identified as James Copenhaver, 74, from Moon Township, Pa. He was also taken to a hospital in critical condition and has also been upgraded to stable condition. These victims and their families are certainly in our thoughts today, said Colonel Christopher Paris, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner. The Pennsylvania State Police continue to work tirelessly alongside our federal, state and local partners as this investigation continues. UPDATE 1:50 p.m. Sunday Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered United States and Commonwealth flags to fly at half-staff, starting immediately, to recognize Butler County resident, Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the shooting at Trumps rally Saturday. The flags will remain lowered until the date of Comperatores interment, which has not yet been announced. UPDATE 11:50 a.m. Sunday Former first lady Melania Trump released a statement Sunday, thanking Secret Service agents for protecting her husbands life and sending sympathy to the other victims of Saturdays shooting, USA Today reported. When I watched that violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized my life, and Barrons life, were on the brink of devastating change, she wrote. She also called the gunman a monster. A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine attempted to ring out Donalds passion - his laughter, ingenuity, love of music, and inspiration. She also thanked supporters and even those who have not backed Trump for sending their thoughts. For those of you who cry in support, I thank you. I commend those of you who have reached out beyond the political divide - thank you for remembering that every single politician is a man or a woman with a loving family. -Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk UPDATE 11:00 a.m. Sunday The former fire chief for Buffalo Township, Corey Comperatore, was the person killed in the crowd at the Trump rally in Butler County, Channel 11 has learned. CLICK HERE for the latest that we have learned about Comperatore. UPDATE 8:50 a.m. Sunday A spokesperson for Highmark Health confirmed to Channel 11 that the two people who were injured at Saturdays rally are still in critical condition. UPDATE 8:40 a.m. Sunday Chief Of Communications for the United States Secret Service, Anthony Guglielmi, took to social media to dismiss claims that additional security was requested and rejected for Trumps rally. Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former Presidents team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed, he posted on X. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo. Theres an untrue assertion that a member of the former Presidents team requested additional security resources & that those were rebuffed. This is absolutely false. In fact, we added protective resources & technology & capabilities as part of the increased campaign travel tempo Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024 UPDATE 8:35 a.m. Sunday Former President Donald Trump issued a new statement on his social media website Trhuth Social Sunday morning, thanking supports and saying we will fear not. Read the full statement below: Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers yesterday, as it was God alone who prevented the unthinkable form happening. We will FEAR NOT, but instead remain resilient in our Faith and Defiant in the face of Wickedness. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families. We pray for the recovery of those who were wounded, and hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed. In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Deermined, and not allowing Evil to Win. I tryly love our Country, and love you all, and look forward to speaking to our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin. UPDATE 7:45 a.m. Sunday Former President Donald Trump authorized a fundraiser thats meant to collect donations for the people hurt or killed in the shooting at his rally on Saturday. Click here to learn more about the fundraiser or to make a donation. UPDATE 1:20 a.m. Sunday The FBI has confirmed that the alleged shooter at the Donald Trump rally in Butler County was Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park. Anyone with information about Crooks is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or leave a tip at FBI.gov/butler UPDATE 12:45 a.m. Sunday Investigators with the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police troopers held a press conference at the Butler Township Police Department to provide more information. Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge with FBI Pittsburgh, clarified that their department will be leading the investigation into federal crimes committed at the rally and Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into local crimes. Rojek said resources from across the Bureau are being used in this investigation, including some from Quantico. They are asking anyone with videos or photos from the rally to submit a tip. Click here to learn how to submit a tip. FBI agents have confirmed that they are considering this situation an assassination attempt. They said the Butler County Fairgrounds are still considered to be an active crime scene. Investigators say they have a tentative identity of the shooter but will not be releasing that information until they are 100% sure. DNA tests, photo and video evidence are being used to help them confirm the shooters identity. State police confirmed that all three spectators who were shot were adult men. Their identities will not be released by investigators at this time. Investigators also said that the shots fired were not concentrated and were scattered. They could not clarify how many shots were fired. When asked what kind of gun the shooter was using, police said that information was part of their ongoing investigation. Bomb technicians have also been called to the area. Police said this is often standard protocol and they have to check a lot of bags or packages that were left behind as the area was quickly evacuated. State police said security was led by Secret Service Agents. State Police initially said that Secret Services would be attending the press conference, but later said that they were unable to join. None of the victims were police officers. Investigators said it is unknown how long the shooter was in position. Once the identity of the shooter is released police are asking anyone who knew them to send in information. They are also asking anyone who believes that any other people are involved in this situation to contact them and leave a tip. Police also said they were investigating multiple reports of suspicious activities before the shooting but did not provide more details on what those reports included. UPDATE 11:37 p.m. Sources tell NBC News that the suspected shooter is from Pennsylvania is around 20 years old. URGENT: Federal investigators have tentatively identified the man who shot at former president Donald Trump today in Pennsylvania and he is a male, approximately 20, and from Pennsylvania, according to five senior U.S. law enforcement officials briefed on the matter. W/ Tom Winter (@Tom_Winter) July 14, 2024 UPDATE 11:30 p.m.: Pennsylvania State Police, the FBI, and Secret Service agents are holding a press conference at 11:45 p.m. You can watch the update LIVE on Channel 11 and in our streaming apps. UPDATE 11:22 p.m.: Gov. Shapiro put out an update on social media saying that Trump has left Butler under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of Pennsylvania State Police. Under the protection of US Secret Service and with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police, former President Trump has now left the Butler area. Lori and I are thankful that his team reports that he is fine and we continue to wish him a full and speedy recovery. We Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 14, 2024 UPDATE 11:18 p.m.: NBC News created this map that shows where the suspected gunman was, which was on a roof approximately 148 yards away from Trump. The shots were fired from outside the Secret Service security perimeter for the rally, three senior U.S. law enforcement officials told NBC News. UPDATE 11:15 p.m. Speaker Mike Johnson says the House of Representatives will also be conducting an investigation into the shooting. THE HOUSE WILL CONDUCT A FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY. The American people deserve to know the truth. We will have Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and other appropriate officials from DHS and the FBI appear for a hearing before our committees ASAP. Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) July 14, 2024 UPDATE 11:10 p.m.: NBC News reports that Trump is expected to attend the Republican National Convention where he is expected to become the GOP presidential nominee in Milwaukee on Monday. UPDATE 10:55 p.m.: A spokesperson from the FBI has confirmed that they will be leading the investigation into the shooting. In full, their statement said: The FBI has assumed the role of the lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred earlier today in Butler, Pennsylvania. Special agents of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office responded immediately, including crisis response team members and evidence response technicians. We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement. Anyone with information that may assist with the investigation is asked to call our tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI. UPDATE 10:17 p.m.: A spokesperson for Highmark Health confirmed to Channel 11 that two people who were injured at Saturdays rally are being treated at Allegheny General Hospital. They are both in critical condition. PHOTOS: Police presence heightened as Trump rally shooting victims are treated at Pittsburgh hospital UPDATE 9:00 p.m.: In a new press statement issued by the United States Secret Service, it was confirmed that a second attendee was critically injured in the shooting. The victims now include, Donald Trump who was shot in the ear, one spectator who died, and two other attendees who were shot and are considered critically injured. Secret Service Agents say the shots were fired at about 6:15 p.m. They say the suspected shooter fired multiple shots from an elevated position toward the stage. Agents confirmed that they killed the shooter. Here is the latest information from our investigation. We are grateful to the Secret Service team and our law enforcement partners for their swift action. Our thoughts go out to the families affected by this tragedy. pic.twitter.com/E8FazqtUVZ Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 14, 2024 UPDATE 8:51 p.m.: Donald Trump issued a statement on Truth Social at 8:42 p.m. Saturday night. He confirmed that he was shot with a bullet and said that it pierced the upper right part of his right ear. He thanked the Secret Service and law enforcement for their response. Trump also confirmed that the shooter is dead. Donald Trumps Full Statement: I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA! UPDATE 8:41 p.m.: Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin Kraus sent out the following statement I have offered the assistance of my office and numerous deputies have been detailed to aid with security involving the hospital treatment of those who have been injured in Butler County. It is important to emphasize that a life was lost today. That is tragic and unacceptable. No one who attends a political rally should fear for their life in doing so. I can assure the residents of Allegheny County and western Pennsylvania that my personnel, in conjunction with all of law enforcement in this region, will work diligently to keep our citizens safe. UPDATE 8:34 p.m. FBI Pittsburgh sent out the following statement: FBI personnel are on the scene in Butler County and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward UPDATE 8:06 p.m. President Joe Biden said he has been briefed on the shooting at the Trump rally. He said he is grateful to hear that hes safe and doing well. You can read his full tweet below: I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trumps rally in Pennsylvania. Im grateful to hear that hes safe and doing well. Im praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Jill and I are grateful to the Secret President Biden (@POTUS) July 13, 2024 UPDATE 7:45 p.m.: Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger told NBC News that the suspected shooter and one spectator are dead. Another spectator is in serious condition. Goldinger also said he was told Trump would be OK. UPDATE 7:29 p.m.: Sen. Bob Casey said that he is monitoring the situation, adding that political violence is never acceptable. I am monitoring the situation at President Trumps rally in Butler and Ive reached out the State Police to offer support. Political violence is never acceptable and I am hoping former president Trump & all attendees are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement. Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) July 13, 2024 UPDATE 7:13 p.m.: The Secret Service released a statement on X saying they implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available. Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) July 13, 2024 UPDATE 7:05 p.m. The Donald Trump campaign has issued a statement saying that the former president is fine and is being treated at a local medical facility. TRUMP CAMPAIGN STATEMENT: President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow. Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) July 13, 2024 UPDATE 6:55 p.m. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro issued a statement after the incident saying that violence against any political figure is unacceptable. Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States. I have been briefed on the situation. @PAStatePolice are on the scene in Butler County and working with our federal and local Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) July 13, 2024 The Associated Press contributed to this story. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Person dies after colliding with docked boat while waterskiing in Washington County Many Strip District business owners concerned over proposed Penn Avenue project Uniontown shooting that killed father was murder-for-hire plot, state police say VIDEO: A public nuisance: Family of woman killed in mass shooting at Penn Hills bar files lawsuit DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The latest stretch of hot weather over Kansas is putting pressure on those who work outside or in buildings that dont have quality air conditioning. The service manager at Roth Heating and Cooling says that most of his employees are out in the field and are busy working on A/C units. Theyve been getting a lot of calls from customers because their A/C is working overtime in this heat. He asks employees to self-monitor, saying it is especially important if theyre in the direct sun. Take breaks often, drink plenty of fluids, water. Some of our guys have to work by themselves, so theres no buddy system. Nobody can monitor you but yourself, so you are in charge, says Service Manager Jim Kuhn. If they have a larger project, Roth sends out people in teams to monitor each other and get the work done more quickly. The owner of Rhoden Roofing says temperatures can reach nearly 160 degrees on dark shingle roofs. John Rhoden says the project manager sets regular break times and then conducts personal assessments of everyone working outside. So it is way hotter up on the roof than it is on the ground. Sometimes, we have to have our manager step in and say, Okay, guys, lets take a break. If this project doesnt get finished today, we can come back when its nice and cool and finish up because the customers are understanding, says Rhoden. The heat is tough on cars, keeping local mechanics busy. At Affinity Automotive, they switch up the work schedule for their technicians to avoid the heat as much as possible. Our techs are our biggest asset here, so weve gone into our summer hours, so they come in at 6:00, and they leave at 3:00, so that way theyre leaving at the heat of the day, says Operations Manager Corey Trask. So you know the last thing we want is anything to happen to the tech while theyre working in the shop, you know, in the heat of the day working on a hot car. They also encourage crews to get out of the shop and into the air-conditioned office for breaks. Trask says during summer months, heat takes a toll on vehicles. They typically see a lot of issues with batteries and air conditioners, especially with vehicles that dont get regular maintenance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Local man sentenced to 281 years in prison for raping five girls Local man sentenced to 281 years in prison for raping five girls WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A Sedgwick County Judge has sentenced a man to 281 years in prison for raping five girls from 2010 to 2022. The Sedgwick County District Attorneys Office told KSN that David Mendoza was sentenced to five life sentences for his crimes. Those five life sentences are Hard 25 sentences, meaning he is required to serve the full 25 years before being eligible for parole. If he was granted parole for one, the next life sentence would kick in. Bus carrying Marion football team catches fire In addition to those life sentences, Mendoza was sentenced to 372 months he will be required to serve after. Altogether, Mendoza was sentenced to 281 years in prison. A jury found Mendoza guilty of 25 total crimes on May 6: Six counts of rape 13 counts of aggravated indecent liberties Four counts of aggravated criminal sodomy One count of criminal sodomy One count of kidnapping Investigators said the victims were all girls he knew and were under the age of 14 when the assaults started. Some of the cases date back to 2010. The last case was in May 2022. Mendoza was booked into the Sedgwick County jail in November 2022 and has been there since then. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Local McDonalds owner-operators in the Southwest Virginia area donated $13,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia on Friday, July 12. This is a part of McDonalds Happy Meals for the House campaign, which gives back a portion of Happy Meal sales to local houses. Roanoke College to offer free college credits to Virginia students The Ronald McDonald House provides housing and meals for families with children in hospitals nearby for free. For more information on the Ronald McDonald House and their mission, visit their website. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. LORIS, S.C. (WBTW) The Loris Historical Society received $100,000 in the new state budget, and the group will use the money to renovate the state theater on Main Street. The president of the historical society said the organization has great plans for its state theater and hopes the renovations will bring more visitors and residents to Loris downtown area. Edwards said the society will use the state funds to renovate the entire theater. He said the organization currently hosts some meetings and social events, like corn hole. However, Edwards said the historical society wants to make the space more accessible for chamber meetings, arts and crafts events and even private events like weddings. He also said the organization will add a 1,000 square-foot second-floor museum to the theater. He hopes the museum and the theaters improvements will encourage more people to visit the theater and support surrounding businesses. It brings people into town, and it helps other businesses quite a bit, Edwards said. So, our restaurants and all of our clothing shops and all that benefit greatly. Edwards said the organization looks forward to renovating other historical buildings and preserving their heritage in the future. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko claimed on July 13 that he was ordering the withdrawal of troops from the border with Ukraine, Belarusian state-owned news agency Belta reported. Minsk reinforced security at the border in late June after a series of alleged "security incidents." Colonel Vadim Lukashevich, a high-ranking Belarusian military official, accused Ukraine of setting up explosives and military equipment near the border in preparation for assaults and terrorist attacks. Lukashevich didn't provide evidence and the Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. During a meeting in Luninets, Brest Oblast, Lukashenko said that the situation had stabilized and that Ukraine had withdrawn its troops. The Belarusian troops will be relocated to their permanent deployment positions, he said. We are not going to fight and are not going to concentrate our armed forces here, except for special operations forces, Lukashenko added. However, he warned of potential threats from the western direction, claiming that Belarus is being provoked into entering the war and should be ready. Belarus is Russias closest ally and hosts Russian troops and missiles. However, the Belarusian army is not directly involved in the invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation said in May that it predicted the launch of a new Russian psychological operation about the opening of a new front in the north of Ukraine near the Belarusian border, aimed at "stirring up mass panic" in Ukrainian society. "We expect a series of provocative statements by the top leadership of Russia and Belarus threatening Ukraine soon," the statement said. Currently, Belarus is hosting joint training exercises with Chinese soldiers, billed as anti-terrorist training. They began on July 8 and will finish on July 19. This follows Belarus accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a Eurasian political, economic, and defense organization led by China and Russia. Read also: Russian kamikaze drone flies deep inside Belarus, whereabouts unknown Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Lukashenko sees easing of tensions on the border with Ukraine Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has hinted at easing tensions on the border with Ukraine. During a visit to troops in the border region, he emphasized the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from the region, according to the state agency BelTA. "Now we have no complications with the Ukrainians, and I hope that there won't be any," he was quoted as saying by BelTA. At the same time, Lukashenko announced the withdrawal of units that had been deployed to the Ukrainian-Belarusian border in recent weeks. Lukashenko had recently reinforced the border units due to alleged troop gatherings on the Ukrainian side of the common border and alleged provocations. Kiev, on the other hand, claimed that Ukrainian units had merely expanded their defence positions along the border. At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Belarus authorized the deployment of Russian units from its territory. Man who allegedly struck bicyclist in deadly Manchester, NH crash turns himself into police The man allegedly involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Manchester, NH earlier this month turned himself in to authorities Friday, police said. Stanley Richardson, 59, of Candia, NH is facing charges of felony conduct after an accident causing injury or death after turning himself over to authorities. Manchester authorities said on July 3 around 3:45 p.m., a black vehicle, possibly a Nissan Rogue with veterans plates, collided with a 71-year-old bicyclist on Central and Union Street before driving off. The victim was rushed to a hospital where he later died from his injuries from his serious head injury. Earlier this week, Manchester police said they had located the suspects vehicle but had not filed charges. Richardson was held on preventative detention pending a court hearing, Manchester police say. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Man charged with arson in motel fire that displaced 15 Man charged with arson in motel fire that displaced 15 EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 45-year-old man has been arrested for alleged negligent arson after a motel fire displaced 15 residents in Alamogordo last month, according to a news release issued by Alamogordo Fire and Police Departments on Friday, July 12. Michael Scrivner, 45, was doing plumbing repairs at the Budget Inn, located at 2404 North White Sands Blvd., before the ignition of the fire on Friday, June 14, according to the news release. Scrivner did not call 911 and fled the motel before first responders arrived, according to the news release. The AFD Fire Investigations Unit, Alamogordo Code Enforcement Division, New Mexico State Fire Marshals Investigation Division and the Alamogordo Police Detectives Division conducted a joint investigation into the origin and cause of the fire, officials said. On Wednesday, July 10, an arrest warrant was issued for Scrivner for one count of negligent arson as a fourth degree felony, according to officials. Scrivner was contacted by Alamogordo Police and transported to the Otero County Detention Center, officials said. He is waiting for his first court appearance. As previously reported by KTSM, on June 14, the Alamogordo Fire and Police Department responded to the Budget Inn for a possible commercial structure fire. 15 people displaced in hotel fire in Alamogordo Fire crews saw the heavy smoke and located the fire in the attic space of the building, officials said. The fire resulted in significant structural damage that affected 13 rooms and displaced about 15 long-term residents. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MADERA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been found dead inside a vehicle in Madera, the Madera Police Department said. Officers say they received a call regarding an unconscious, possibly dead person inside a vehicle parked in the 200 block of North C St. in Madera at 6:30 p.m. Upon arrival, police say they found a deceased man, who appeared to be around 50 years of age, seated inside a white SUV. His identity is unknown at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Madera Police Department at 559-675-4220. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) A man has been indicted following an investigation in which he is accused of engaging in criminal actions against a Fresno councilmember and others during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a statement sent by Councilmember Miguel Arias said. Councilmember Arias says he was notified by the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation on Thursday regarding the incident of Mohammad Amr Alhashemi, who is accused of engaging in criminal actions designed to disrupt, harass, and threaten our city, along with another group of people. In 2020, Arias says he ensured access to local government continued during the pandemic by utilizing Zoom for virtual public participation. He says access was critical during this time as the public was not allowed to attend council meetings in person given health and safety concerns. However, he says some individuals used the citys public comment section to create disruption. It was suspected at the time that those engaging in threatening behavior were not Fresnans, and did not respect the citys residents values. Arias says at the time of the Zoom meetings he cautioned that the FBI was monitoring their threats to those participating and that they would be held accountable, but the behavior did not stop and continued for months. He says it was eventually replicated by local extremists who went as far as to threaten him and his family at home and engage in a national insurrection in D.C. The councilmember says he appreciates the work of the FBI in this case making those involved accountable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. Man involved in Brooklyn rapper Pop Smokes grisly 2020 murder shows no remorse in new interview Left: Pop Smoke, whose real name is Bashar Barakah Jackson, holding a microphone during a performance. Right: Blockstar, whose real name is King Vermont Raskel, talking on set of the No Jumper podcast A man who was allegedly involved in the cold-blooded murder of Brooklyn-born drill-rap pioneer Pop Smoke showed no remorse over the senseless tragedy in a new interview. Blockstar, whose real name is King Vermont Raskel, told the No Jumper podcast that hes not sorry about nothing in his first public comments since he and three other men allegedly broke into a Hollywood Hills home where 20-year-old Pop Smoke was staying around 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 19, 2020. It shouldve never happened, but I aint sorry, Blockstar told the No Jumper podcast. instagram/nojumper One of the perps, who was 15 at the time of the murder, admitted in court three years later to shooting the famous rapper whose legal name is Bashar Barakah Jackson according to reports, which did not identify the defendant because he was being tried as a minor. Pop Smoke, who was hit three times in the back, later died from the wounds at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Its unclear if Blockstar, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, fired the gun, or if it was another of his co-defendants, two of whom were also minors and also prosecuted as juveniles. Another alleged perpetrator, Corey Walker, is awaiting trial. Blockstar reportedly pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery in 2023, and was given a four-year sentence. Because juvenile criminal proceedings are confidential, it is not clear when or under what conditions he was released. A June 27 video on his Instagram appears to show him using scissors to cut off his ankle monitor, while the caption reads, Cant let no P.O. determine my safety. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Sheriffs Office told The Post: If someone has an official ankle bracelet on, theyre not supposed to cut it off. Corey Walker is awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in Pop Smokes murder. Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Blockstar told Adam22, the founder of the podcast No Jumper in a July 4 interview: It shouldve never happened, but I aint sorry. If I could go back, Ill go back. But I aint sorry. Ns die every day. [Pop Smoke] was rapping about it. All type of sh-t. So, I aint sorry about it. I send my condolences to the family. I wish it never happened. But I dont regret nothing, In the interview, Blockstar denied reports that the murder was a premeditated hit. It was a robbery, Blockstar insisted. Nobody sent us. Nobody did none of that. A June 27 video on Blockstars Instagram appears to show him using scissors to cut off his ankle monitor. instagram/vblockstarr3 Nobody [was] intended to get hurt. We was just kids being kids being kids from the hood. And [there was] too much movement Movement from everybody. Too much sh-t going on. Just too much sh-t going on. It wasnt intentional. He continued: Growing up . . . my people, my family told me, You aint sorry for sh-t. Whatever you did, you did it for a reason and stand on it.' Detectives reportedly said Pop Smoke may have posted the address of the home which was owned by Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Teddi Mellencamps husband, Edwin Arroyave on social media and been targeted by the crew. Robbed all of us of a great musician, one Instagram user wrote, referring to Pop Smoke. Getty Images Fans ripped Blockstar on No Jumpers Instagram, where a video of the interview has been seen 1.6 million times. Robbed all of us of a great musician, one user wrote. This is sick and demonic, another wrote. During the interview, Blockstar admitted, I did get off too lightly. Pop Smoke, a Canarsie native, died just 12 days after releasing his second mixtape, Meet the Woo 2, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. He collaborated with stars including Nicki Minaj, Lil Baby and Travis Scott. Blockstar could not be reached for comment. Man killed, another injured in Over-the-Rhine shooting, police say A man was fatally shot in Over-the-Rhine early Saturday morning. Cincinnati police officers responded to the 1700 block of Vine Street at approximately 3:36 a.m. for a report of multiple people shot, according to a news release. When officers arrived, they found two victims with gunshot wounds. Cincinnati fire personnel responded and began performing life-saving measures, but one of the victims, identified as 30-year-old Lloyd Baker, was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and is listed in stable condition. The shooting is under investigation, and police have not said whether they've made any arrests. Anyone with information is asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department's Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Over-the-Rhine shooting leaves 1 dead, another injured HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) An East Texas man was sentenced to 99 years in prison on Thursday, a day after a Henderson County jury found him guilty of assaulting a public servant. Suspect in Jacksonville shooting should be considered armed and dangerous, police say According to the Henderson County District Attorney, Hubert Eldon Case III, 41 of Gun Barrel City, was in jail in November 2023 when he struck a detention service officer in the face. Mugshot of Hubert Eldon Case III. Courtesy of Henderson County Jail. During the trial, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse reportedly testified it was important for the jury to send a message that this type of criminal activity wont be tolerated. Cases criminal history includes prior convictions of unlawful possession of firearm by a felon, possession of marijuana, criminal trespass, fleeing a police officer, unlawful carrying of a weapon, resisting arrest and assault family violence, the DA said. District Attorney Jenny Palmer said the verdict and sentence that Case received uphold the rule of law and ensures the safety of public servants. Van City Council vote to terminate city manager, mayor submits resignation I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Henderson County Sheriffs Office for their diligent work in this case and to the jurors for their dedication and service. This outcome sends a clear message that such criminal behavior will be met with serious consequences in Henderson County, Palmer said. Case will now serve his sentence at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Man sentenced to additional years in prison for a felony gun crime in relation to the death of a 17-year-old girl SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (WVNS) Additional years were added to the prison sentence of a man who was sentenced to prison for life for the murder of a 17-year-old girl due to a felony gun crime. 30-year-old Steven Marvin Lawson Jr., also referred to as Bali, was sentenced to ten years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Suspects wanted in theft at a Little League field in Raleigh County Lawsons sentence will run consecutively to the life sentence with no possibility of parole that he is serving for the murder of a 17-year-old girl. According to statements made in court, Lawson shot the 17-year-old mother of his child with a handgun on September 28, 2020 at a house in the Jumping Branch area of Summers County. He dismembered the body of the 17-year-old with help from another person, and proceeded to leave the body parts spread across multiple states. Investigators involved in the case were told by Lawson that the gun, which was stolen, was taken apart and the pieces of which were thrown away in various locations. However, investigators later discovered that the gun was hidden in Georgia in a bag of laundry at the home of the mother of Lawsons other children. Testing at the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory revealed that the gun found by investigators was the one that fired the bullet that killed the 17-year-old girl. Michigan man arrested and charged in Raleigh County People with previous felony convictions are prevented from having guns or ammunition in their possession by federal law. Lawsons previous felony convictions for two counts of theft by receiving stolen property in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Superior Court on May 13, 2016 prevented him from legally being able to have a gun in his possession. If Mr. Lawson had not possessed a loaded firearm that he knew he was not allowed to possess, the 17-year-old minor might still be alive. He then helped to dismember and discard her as if she was a disposable object and not a person who mattered. He also showed a complete disregard for how his actions would devastate her family and loved ones, including his own child with her. Todays sentence reflects the heinous nature of this offense, is appropriate given Mr. Lawsons repeated criminal conduct, and protects the public from further crimes by him. Will Thompson | United States Attorney Lawsons criminal history, which includes more than a half-dozen convictions for misdemeanor offenses, dated back to when he was 17-years-old. On March 15, 2024, Lawson was found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Child Abuse Resulting in Death by a Parent, Guardian, or Custodian, Concealment of a Dead Body, and Conspiracy to Conceal a Dead Body by a Summers County Circuit Court jury in the death of the 17-year-old girl. Raleigh County man arrested and charged with Fentanyl crime This case serves as a grim reminder that convicted felons and domestic abusers should not possess firearms. A 17-year-old mother has been taken from her family, and our community suffered another senseless violent crime. We hope this sentence brings some sense of justice and sends a very clear message that ATF and our partners will use every tool available to protect our communities. Shawn Morrow | ATF Special Agent in Charge; Member of the Louisville Division, which covers all of West Virginia The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who thanked the West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their work on the investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Man shot in back while inside vehicle in Pittsburghs Garfield neighborhood, police say Pittsburgh police are investigating after a man was shot in the citys Garfield neighborhood late Friday night. A police spokesperson says officers responded to the 300 block of North Fairmount Street around 10:40 p.m. for reports of shots heard. On scene, officers found shell casings and were told a man had been shot while inside a vehicle and had left to seek treatment at the nearest hospital. The spokesperson says officers went to the hospital and found the victim, who had been shot in the back. Hes in stable condition. The mans car was towed for processing. No arrests have been made, and the spokesperson says the investigation is ongoing. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Uniontown shooting that killed father was murder-for-hire plot, state police say A public nuisance: Family of woman killed in mass shooting at Penn Hills bar files lawsuit Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter case dismissed, cannot be filed again VIDEO: Its a busy weekend for politics in the Pittsburgh region. Here's a look at who's coming to town DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Police are investigating after a man allegedly stabbed his mother several times in her Tigard apartment early Friday afternoon. Just before 1 p.m., officers were called to an apartment complex on Southwest North Dakota Street. Surveillance footage helps capture suspected Vancouver car prowler On arrival, police say a woman who lived at the complex came to a neighbors door saying she had just been stabbed by her son. After officers found the victim in her apartment, she was taken to the hospital with what officials believe to be non-life-threatening injuries. While officers were still at the scene, the womans son called police from a nearby business to turn himself in, according to officials. Portland authorities identify homicide victim in Old Town shooting The 28-year-old man was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges including first-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon. No further information, including the identities of those involved, has been released at this time. Officers believe multiple witnesses were in the area at the time of the incident and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen in downtown Macon closed early Thursday after a man threw a brick through the front window, according to a restaurant manager. Kory Poss, the restaurant manager, said the brick left a hole in the window with glass scattered behind the host stand around 7 p.m. The brick narrowly missed the hosts and no one was injured. They were kind of standing right there when the brick was thrown, Poss said. Thankfully it didnt go and hit anybody. Glass shattered across the floor behind the host stand of Piedmont Brewery and Kitchen when a brick was thrown through the window July 11, 2024. It wasnt the first time Poss had seen the man outside of the restaurant on Third St. and Cherry St. Lane, but the incident was unusual, he said. We have bystanders and stuff like that, but I dont know what the issue was to be honest, Poss said. This guy has been around a couple of times, but he threw the brick and took off. Customers and employees chased the suspect on foot through the Dunlap Park median toward an alley on Cherry St. Lane, but lost him before deputies arrived, Poss told The Telegraph. It is unclear whether the suspect was arrested as of Friday evening. A wood panel covered the broken window Friday, which Poss worried would deter customers from coming inside. The restaurant reopened Friday as usual. The restaurant posted a photo of the storefront on Instagram with the caption, #meanpeoplesuck. One user commented Macon makes itself hard to love sometimes. The restaurant responded, This happens everywhere. I just wish we had better mental health care for the displaced. Poss recalled a previous conversation with the man who, he said, was mad at a local church, not affiliated with Piedmont. I think it was somebody who had misdirected their anger at something we had nothing to do with, Poss said. I do think we should have a better program for mentally ill patients. A wooden plaque covered a broken glass window after a brick was thrown in front of Piedmont Brewery July 11, 2024. Poss was unsure how much money it would take to fix the window, but it could take about a month to repair. An incident report was filed with the Bibb County Sheriffs Office. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. British police have found human remains in a west London apartment which they believe are connected to body parts found earlier this week in another city, officers said Friday. Authorities are now on the hunt for a Colombian man thought to be linked to the case. Investigations have been underway since two suitcases were found on Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of the capital, on Wednesday. They contained the remains of two men, police previously said. The Metropolitan Police said in a statement that officers believed the newly discovered body parts are connected to the human remains found in Bristol. It added that a 36-year-old man arrested in London over the grisly find has been released without charge. They are now on the hunt for another man believed to be linked to the case. Officers said their priority is to find Yostin Andres Mosquera, a 24-year-old Colombian national, naming him for the first time. They released a photo of Mosquera clad in a black Adidas baseball cap, black jeans, a black jacket, black trainers with thick white soles, with a black backpack. Officers also believe they know the identity of the two male victims, but formal identification is yet to take place, they said. Police are trying to locate and inform their next of kin. Both victims are thought to have been known to Mosquera and the Met is appealing for information on his whereabouts, the statement added. This is a fast-moving enquiry with detectives in London and Bristol actively pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine said. The investigation began when Avon and Somerset Police received a call late on Wednesday about a man with a suitcase acting suspiciously on the bridge in Bristol. The suitcases were later found in the area, the force said on Thursday. The Metropolitan Police released this photo of a man they are seeking in connection with the Clifton Suspension Bridge case. - Metropolitan Police Authorities later said a man wanted in connection with the incident had traveled to Bristol from London earlier the same day. Police previously did not identify the individual, despite a large-scale search involving a police helicopter and coastguard. They arrested the unnamed 36-year-old early Friday but said the person was not the same individual as the one police were initially looking for. Vicks Hayward-Melen, acting Bristol commander of Avon and Somerset Police, told the BBCs Today program Friday that officers and initial attendants at the scene are being supported after the really horrendous discovery. The police have said that it is not aware of any current risk to the wider public, adding that high-visibility patrols are being carried out in the area. It is the second grisly case to have shocked Britain this week, after Tuesdays triple killing of the wife and two daughters of a BBC sport commentator. Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horse racing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Hannah Hunt, 28, and Louise Hunt, 25, were named as the victims of the attack. Kyle Clifford, 26, was found by officers in Enfield, north London, on Wednesday following an extensive manhunt, and arrested on Thursday in connection with the killing. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MARYSVALE, Utah (ABC4) The residents of Marysvale in Piute County, Utah, face possible major flooding due to the Silver King Fire, according to the Utah Division of Emergency Management. Because of the Silver King wildfire, the residents of Marysvale face a substantial and immediate risk of major flooding from microbursts and monsoon storms, a post from towns social media states. We live in a flood plain and the burnt watershed will increase flood risk from debris flows and increase stream velocity. MORE: Extreme heat remains over Utah into the weekend, monsoonal showers to come The towns mayor, along with the Division of Emergency Management, reportedly recommend that all residents contact their insurance agents and discuss the cost/benefit ratio of flood insurance for their homes. Floods may occur not only in the immediate monsoon but also in the coming years of spring runoff, and are likely to be of greatly increased volume compared to the flooding we have seen in the last decade, the post states. Insurance agents reportedly may tell residents that there will be a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance will cover flooding losses. However, in situations similar to the Silver King Fire, if flooding occurs within that 30-day window, the federal government has reportedly successfully gotten insurance companies to waive the policy. Again, the town and the Utah Department of Emergency Management strongly recommend that you consider obtaining flood insurance as soon as possible due to the significant increased risk of flooding right now and continuing for several years, the post states. Tracie Harrison, State Flood Plain Manager, Utah Division of Emergency Management, will be addressing citizens at a town council meeting on Tuesday, July 16, at 7 p.m. at the Marysvale Community Center. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Massive helium reservoir in Minnesota is even more 'mind-boggling' than we thought, new data suggest A helium reservoir in northern Minnesota is likely to be "expansive both laterally and at depth," a new survey shows. Seismic data from a 0.7-mile-long (1.1 kilometers) sweep just outside of Babbitt suggest the recently discovered reservoir is larger than initial estimates indicated , which has resource exploration company Pulsar Helium and its potential clients jumping for joy. Recent tests also revealed helium concentrations underground are even higher than the "mind-boggling" results obtained in March , firmly establishing the project in Minnesota as a major player in the global helium market. "We are delighted to receive this 2D seismic data," Pulsar Helium president and CEO Thomas Abraham-James said in a statement . The results confirm that a previously discovered pocket of helium between 1,750 and 2,200 feet (530 to 670 meters) below the surface "is identifiable and that additional gas-bearing zones are likely at depth," he said. Laboratory tests in June placed helium concentrations in the reservoir between 8.7% and 14.5%, topping previous maximum estimates of 12.4% and 13.8%. The concentrations are the highest the industry has ever seen: To put those figures into context, any helium deposit with a concentration above 0.3% is considered economically significant, Abraham James previously told Live Science. Related: Scientists just discovered an enormous lithium reservoir under Pennsylvania Despite being the second most abundant gas in the universe, helium is a scarce resource on Earth , forming only through nuclear fusion and the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium. The gas is in high demand, because it forms an essential cooling component in rockets, nuclear reactors and diagnostic medical equipment, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. As a result, the global supply of helium is dwindling, and some industries are already facing shortages . A picture of a water tower in Babbitt, Minnesota, close to the helium drilling site. "It's pretty dire out there," Abraham-James previously told Live Science. Should helium stores in Minnesota be extractable, they could go a long way in addressing shortages in the U.S., he said. RELATED STORIES Massive hydrogen reservoir discovered beneath an Albanian mine could be an untapped source of clean energy Argyle mine: Earth's treasure trove of pink diamonds born during a supercontinent's break up Enormous deposit of rare earth elements discovered in heart of ancient Norwegian volcano The reservoir could also provide a way to store and access helium on demand, without the need for above-ground storage. The June results showed that helium naturally flows to the surface at a rate of up to 821,000 cubic feet (23,250 cubic meters) per day, meaning there is no need for fracking. "These results are considered world-class," Pulsar Helium representatives wrote in a statement shared with Live Science on Tuesday (July 9). The results add to a large pool of data which Pulsar Helium has shared with a third independent party that will calculate the size of the reservoir. Those results are expected by the end of July, Pulsar representatives said. NEW YORK (PIX11) New York City Mayor Eric Adams voiced his support for President Joe Biden on Friday as the president faces mounting pressure from other Democrats to drop out of the presidential race. A growing number of Democratic lawmakers have called on Biden to not seek reelection ever since the presidents poor performance in the June 27 debate against former President Donald Trump. More Local News Biden has faced questions about whether he has the mental fitness to serve four more years as president. Democratic leaders in New York are split on whether Biden should be the partys presidential nominee in November. One thing I know about this type of work is that you never quiet the noise. This is the nature of the beast, Adams told PIX11 News. Im a supporter of the president. Im a soldier. Give me my marching orders. I am pleased with so many things he has done while he was in office, including the economy, public safety stuff. Adams said he would vote for Biden as a superdelegate in the Democratic National Convention in August when the party officially nominates its presidential candidate. I think that [Biden] has to make the decision personally on what he wants to do and then the party must come together. We operate within the party system, and thats where the determination is made, Adams said. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (Border Report) On July 18, 1984, a man named James Huberty walked into a McDonalds restaurant in San Ysidro, California killing 21 people including an 8-month-old baby boy. Huberty, an unemployed security guard, had told his wife he was going hunting, hunting for humans. It breaks my heart. Im definitely looking at the world differently, said Charlie Minn, a movie producer. Eight years ago, Minn made a documentary called 77 Minutes, named after the amount of time Huberty spent killing his victims inside and outside the restaurant. Former Uvalde CISD police chief indicted for Robb Elementary shooting response Minn says the shooting was nothing more than a hate crime. He knew there would be a lot of Mexican people there, and his wife even admitted this and he shot 40 people and killed 21, Minn said. I thought we should re-release 77 Minutes because of the landmark 40-year anniversary. The victims, survivors and families have been forgotten in my opinion. He believes those who arent familiar with the massacre will learn something from his film, which has been described as extremely graphic and not for children. We cannot forget: Victims of mass shooting remembered The documentary is a perfect platform spread awareness and let people know what happened even if it happened before you were living. Minn regrets massacres, like the one in San Ysidro four decades ago, keep happening. We havent learned a darn thing in 40 years, and it keeps happening. Were averaging one per day and the police response is horrendous. Look what happened in Uvalde, 77 minutes, just like San Ysidro, we havent learned a darn thing in 40 years. 1984 massacre at border McDonalds a distant memory for community The McDonalds restaurant where the tragedy took place has since been torn down. A satellite campus for a community college now sits on the site with a memorial honoring the victims outside the building. Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border Border Report will cover the anniversary extensively in the days leading up to July 18 with interviews and accounts from those who survived the ordeal. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp apps can be seen on the display of a smartphone, in front of the logo of Meta. Jens Buttner/dpa Social media giant Meta is lifting remaining restrictions on former US president Donald Trump ahead of his potential rematch with President Joe Biden in November's elections. Trump was banned from major social media platforms in early 2021 after his supporters stormed the Capitol building in Washington, but had his accounts on Meta's Facebook and Instagram restored in 2023. Meta said in a blog post on Friday that remaining "heightened suspension penalties" linked to Trump's repeated offences will be removed after his nomination as the Republican Party's presidential candidate at the party's national convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin next week. "In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President," the group said. Nevertheless, Meta said the presidential candidates remain subject to its platforms' community standards, "including policies designed to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence." Trump is no stranger to restrictions on Facebook and Instagram. He was banned for two years after using the platforms to incite supporters to attack the Capitol on January 6, 2021, with baseless allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. Meta initially suspended Trump indefinitely, but its oversight board decided that the ban could only last for two years before being re-evaluated. Former President Donald Trump had his Facebook and Instagram accounts reinstated two years after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot but was still subject to restrictions on his posts. File Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/UPI July 13 (UPI) -- Meta said it would remove restrictions placed on Donald Trump's social media accounts ahead of next week's Republican National Convention. Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs said in a statement Friday that the decision was to give the former president an equal platform in the race against President Joe Biden. "In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis," Clegg said. "As a result, former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties." Trump's newfound social media freedom is a boon for him as he prepares to become the official GOP nominee at the Republican National Convention, which will be held Monday through Thursday in Milwaukee. The parent company of Facebook and Instagram suspended Trump from his accounts in 2021 shortly after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Meta at the time said it suspended Trump's accounts for two years after it deemed some of his rhetoric, such as praising the Capitol rioters, could incite more violence. The company reinstated Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts in January 2023 but slapped restrictions on the accounts to "deter repeat offenses." "In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation," Meta said at the time. Following the lift on his account restrictions, if Trump were to violate Meta's community standard's again, he could only be subject to suspension for a few days. Trump, meanwhile, has been keeping himself busy on his own social media site, Truth Social, which he launched in 2022 following his suspension from most mainstream platforms. Elon Musk announced on Nov. 19, 2022, Trump's Twitter account was restored. Musk has since renamed the platform as X. And Google ended restrictions on his YouTube account on March 17, 2023. FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Grand Rapids WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Meta said on Friday it was rolling back some restrictions that had applied to former U.S. President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The social media company indefinitely suspended Trump's accounts following his praise of people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The company then reinstated his accounts in early 2023, saying it would monitor Trump's posts for further violations that could result in another suspension of between one month and two years. Trump, who is running against U.S. President Joe Biden, will no longer be subject to the additional monitoring, Meta said. "In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis," Meta said in an updated blog post. Some social media experts have long criticized Meta and other platforms for failing to moderate political content, including from political candidates. Trump was also banned from Twitter, now called X, in 2021. Billionaire Elon Musk restored the account shortly after acquiring the company in 2022, though Trump has only posted once since then. (Reporting by Sheila Dang in Austin; additional reporting by Jasper Ward and Mrinalika Roy; Editing by Rod Nickel) New Mexicos governor weighs in on President Bidens re-election campaign SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham weighed in on United States President Joe Bidens re-election campaign after a series of gaffes have fueled speculation about whether he should stay in the race. Ive been really clear to the White House and to President Biden as a candidate that its a much tougher election. And so we all better be prepared and know what your risks are, said Governor Lujan Grisham. Concerns over the presidents fitness to serve in office grew on Thursday after he mistakenly referred to Donald Trump as Vice President and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky as Vladimir Putin. Those comments followed his disastrous debate performance weeks ago. Im all in: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham doubles down on special session next week The governor did not specifically address the gaffes during an interview with KRQE News 13 but said it is imperative to have a candidate who will defeat Donald Trump. Hes going to have to make that decision, but its better to make that decision when you have people like me telling you the facts about where we are as a country and knowing that he can count on me and the Democratic party can count on me to do my part, said Governor Lujan Grisham. When asked if she thinks New Mexicans have faith in President Biden, Governor Lujan Grisham said she hopes they have faith in saving Americas democracy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Miami murderer involved in at least six killings was finally sent off to prison on Friday, a month after the Miami Herald exposed an unusual arrangement whereby state prosecutors kept him in the county jail for 14 years, digging up information on other inmates. William Little Bill Brown, a 33-year-old former gang leader from Opa-locka, had been in his own cell in county jail since he was 19, jail officials said, protected from other inmates and often dialing up then-prosecutor Michael Von Zamft. The Miami-Dade prosecutor had given Brown a sweetheart deal: 25 years in prison and immunity from prosecution for one of Miamis worst mass shootings. Recorded calls reviewed by the Herald showed that Brown expected Von Zamft to reduce his sentence even further if he kept cooperating. Brown attempted to please prosecutors over the years, collecting information from inside or outside the jail in ways legal experts told the Herald was unethical, improper and likely a violation of other inmates rights. And every few months, prosecutors made sure Brown wasnt shipped off to prison. READ THE EXPOSE: Miami-Dade prosecutors deal with the devil threatens to topple murder convictions But Von Zamft left the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office in March, after Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Andrea Wolfson threw him off a murder case for misconduct. She also removed co-prosecutor Stephen Mitchell, because he emphatically argued there had been no unethical conduct. Among other things, Von Zamft was accused of trying to arrange for Brown to meet up with two inmates who were witnesses in a murder case, to help them iron out their wavering testimony an accusation the prosecutor denied. On Wednesday, Mitchell appeared in court to say that corrections officials could transfer Brown to carry out his sentence in state prison. On Friday, county jail officials did just that sending him to the South Florida Reception Center in Doral, where state inmates are processed. State Attorneys Office spokesman Ed Griffith said that Mr. Brown has been transferred to state prison as he is not presently a witness in a pending criminal matter. Von Zamft could not be reached for comment on Friday. Von Zamft expressed positive views of Brown in recorded calls reviewed by the Herald, saying he was really f---ing smart and provided accurate information. The Herald found that Von Zamft brokered the deal that gave Brown full immunity for four murders, in return for cooperating in another murder case. The most notorious of the shootings Brown got away with was the Liberty City Massacre of Jan. 23, 2009. Brown told police in a sworn confession that he and another young man sprayed bullets into a crowd of teenagers, leaving bodies strewn all over the ground. Two teens, Derrick Gloster and Brandon Mills, were killed. Seven other young people were injured. The teens parents said they never knew about the immunity deal until told recently by Herald reporters. Its unclear whether Brown will be kept in protective custody in state prison due to his cooperation with law enforcement. He has 10 and a half years left on his sentence. Miami is a city enveloped in scandals, earning a reputation that its elected leaders are looking out more for themselves than the public. The city has become the laughing stock of South Florida a symbol of self-dealing. In this crisis of public trust, what does the city commission do? Give preliminary approval to a proposal that will ensure that commissioners themselves could stay on taxpayers payroll for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, those same commissioners dont show the same urgency to look into a series of reforms that the Miami Herald Editorial Board and community activists have been asking for, such as expanding the commission from five to seven or nine seats. On Thursday, a divided commission voted to approve the first reading of an ordinance to revive a pension program for elected officials that was suspended more than a decade ago during the financial crisis. The proposal needs to come back to the commission for final approval, the Herald reported. We hope that, when it does, commissioners come to their senses and reject it. The measure states that Miami elected officials will become eligible to receive a pension either after starting their seventh year of service and once theyve turned 62, or after 10 years of service and once theyve turned 60. The pension amount will be equal to half of their highest compensation with the city, with annual 5% increases until it is equal to 100% of what their compensation was while in office. Participation in the program would be voluntary. The ordinance was sponsored by Commissioners Christine King and Miguel Gabela, who, ironically, was elected last year on a platform of restoring public faith in City Hall. Gabela defeated former Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was arrested last September on charges related to corruption. King and Gabela could each earn up to $57,756 per year based on their current compensation and years of service, the Herald reported. Pensions are a luxury many of their constituents dont get. Most private employers, for example, moved away from pensions years ago to cut costs. Also voting in favor of the program was Commissioner Joe Carollo. First elected in 1979, Carollo, a former mayor, was already in the citys pension program when he returned to the commission in 2017, when his payments were suspended until the end of his current term, the Herald reported. If the commission passes this proposal, Mayor Francis Suarez should veto it. Suarez would earn $124,452 per year if he chose to receive a pension, but he clearly doesnt need the extra compensation. His net worth increased dramatically after becoming mayor thanks to his myriad side jobs and employment deals that raise questions on whether hes used his public office to look for ways to enrich himself. As Commissioner Damian Pardo said at the Thursday commission meeting, reviving pensions really comes across as self dealing. Were passing this for ourselves, the Herald reported. Pardo and Commissioner Manolo Reyes voted against the proposal. The rest of the commissioners are out of touch if they truly believe thats not exactly how residents will look at their latest move. Unfortunately, low voter turnout and engagement in Miami often guarantee elected officials dont pay the political cost of their actions. King defended her measure on Thursday, saying that although the job of city commissioner is considered part-time, it involves around-the-clock effort. We believe that. Surely, commissioners need to be properly compensated they currently earn $58,200 a year, which is more than a part-time salary for most people. Its a disservice to constituents if only the independently wealthy have the financial stability to serve in office. But the answer isnt putting taxpayers on the hook for each elected official through the rest of their lives. At the very least, the pension program should have gone before the voters, but the commission rejected the idea of a referendum. King emphasized that pensions would be voluntary. If the commissioners who voted for it are truly serious that they are not self-dealing, then they should choose not to enter the program if its approved. Click here to send the letter. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A registered sex offender from Michigan who traveled to Arkansas to sexually accost a child was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison on Thursday. A jury found 33-year-old Jeremy Robert Ward guilty in a January trial of one count of interstate travel with the purpose of enticing a minor to engage in sexual activity with a minor, six counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of travel with the purpose to engage in illicit sexual activity with a minor. Michigan man found guilty of sexually exploiting a minor in Arkansas According to federal prosecutors, Ward met the 12-year-old victim online in September 2022 when he added her to his Snapchat account. He exchanged messages with her for about three weeks before traveling to Arkansas from his home in Marine City, Michigan, to meet. On Oct. 15, 2022, he met the child face-to-face in her neighborhood when he drove his car up to her while she was riding her bike. During her encounter with Ward, the victim was able to record a part of the exchange. Prosecutors said Ward can be heard stating, I was hoping to take you home, and that the victim must think Im gonna kidnap you or something, to which the victim said, You probably are about to at this point. Arkansas State Police say 42 suspects arrested in crimes against children sweep Officials said Ward then asked if the victim knew of any private spots in order to find a more secluded place. Around the same time, the victims father used an app on the childs phone and noticed she was outside the area where she was allowed. The parents told investigators then went to her location and found their daughter on the ground with Ward, whose pants were around his ankles. Ward then ran into the woods. Hope man facing multiple child porn charges after Arkansas State Police investigation Federal prosecutors stated that the victim testified at trial that while she was in the field with Ward, he attempted to commit sexual acts with her. Investigators subsequently found messages on Wards phone from the victim, including video and still images of her nude. In addition to his 40-year sentence, Ward was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release. Ward was previously convicted in 2013 in Michigan of three counts of possession of child sexual abusive material and one count of accosting a child for an immoral purpose. Arkansas man pleads guilty in federal court to possessing child porn and threatening a judge The investigation was conducted by the Bryant Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Bryant and Amanda Fields. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Astronomers may have found a rare "missing link" black hole in the Milky Way after spotting a group of improbably fast-moving stars at the heart of a nearby stellar cluster. If confirmed, the cosmic juggernaut, known as an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH), would be the second-largest black hole ever found in our galaxy. IMBHs are an extremely rare subset of black holes that are larger than stellar-mass black holes but smaller than supermassive black holes . This means they can be anywhere between 100 and 100,000 times the mass of the sun , according to NASA . In theory, IMBHs should be just as common as other black hole types. However, astronomers have struggled to locate potential IMBHs or confirm their existence and they aren't sure why. As a result, IMBHs are often referred to as missing link black holes . While several promising candidates have been detected, none have been proven to be the real deal. Now, in a recent study uploaded April 4 to the preprint server arXiv, researchers may have uncovered evidence of a large IMBH in the globular cluster Omega Centauri a compact group of around 10 million stars in the Milky Way located around 17,000 light-years from Earth. The team compared 500 photographs of Omega Centauri taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and mapped the movements of around 1.4 million stars at the cluster's center. This revealed at least seven stars that "should not be there," researchers wrote in a statement. Thousands of stars next to one another This is because these stars were spotted whizzing around fast enough to escape the cluster's gravity and fly off into intergalactic space. But despite this, the stars continue to orbit at breakneck speed near the cluster's center. "The most likely explanation [for this] is that a very massive object is gravitationally pulling on these stars and keeping them close to the [cluster's] centre," study lead author Maximilian Haberle, a doctoral candidate at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy (MPIA) in Germany, said in the statement. "The only object that can be so massive is a black hole, with a mass at least 8,200 times that of our sun." Related: The most elusive black holes in the universe could lurk at the Milky Way's center The Milky Way's second-biggest black hole? A series of photos showing the likely location of the black hole Omega Centauri is an unusual entity: It is around 10 times larger than most other globular clusters and is surprisingly flat. It is so massive that you can even see it with the naked eye on dark, clear nights, when it takes up almost as much of the night sky as the moon when viewed from Earth. Researchers suspect that the cluster likely used to be a dwarf galaxy that orbited the Milky Way, before being pulled into the galaxy's middle. As a result, scientists have often wondered if there could have been a sizable black hole at its heart. Researchers first proposed the idea of an IMBH in Omega Centauri in 2008, when Hubble revealed how tightly the cluster's stars are bunched at its center. However, at the time, other researchers argued that this could be caused by a swarm of several smaller, stellar-mass black holes. But the superfast stars highlighted in the new study indicate the existence of an IMBH, the study authors argue. related stories Study finds black holes made from light are impossible challenging Einstein's theory of relativity Epic NASA video takes you to the heart of a black hole and destroys you in seconds Scientists discover bizarre region around black holes that proves Einstein right yet again "This discovery is the most direct evidence so far of an IMBH in Omega Centauri," study co-author Nadine Neumayer, an astronomer at MPIA, said in the statement. If confirmed, it would be the Milky Way's second-largest known black hole behind Sagittarius A* the supermassive black hole at the heart of our galaxy, she added. "This is exciting because there are only very few other black holes known with a similar mass." However, the presence of an IMBH in Omega Centauri is not confirmed, and more data is needed to know for certain if it is really there. It is also unclear exactly how large the cosmic entity might be and where it is. The researchers have been granted time in the future to use the powerful James Webb Space Telescope to peer deeper into the cluster, which means we may not have to wait too long for more evidence of the black hole's existence. A map shared July 12 by the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 shows the route that protesters plan to take July 15 through downtown Milwaukee. Milwaukee protest organizers have shared a slightly revised route for Monday's march outside the Republican National Convention, reporting that they reached a "handshake agreement" on the route with Milwaukee police and the City Attorney's Office to deviate entirely from the city's sanctioned march route. City officials did not confirm an agreement Friday. City Attorney Evan Goyke said while the city is not moving its sanctioned route, his office's staff met with the protest group about their planned route and are working to ensure it goes "smoothly and safely." A spokesperson for the Milwaukee Police Department didn't answer questions Friday about whether police had approved the group's route, saying that the department is working with the group "to ensure they have the opportunity to safely express their First Amendment rights." Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024, said Friday he was confident the march would not be "impeded by the police." The route avoids the U.S. Secret Service's credentials-only "hard" security zone around the convention. But it permeates the broader soft security zone governed by the city's extraordinary event ordinance, which establishes certain areas where protests will be allowed, including a "parade" route for marches. Organizers of Monday's march have emphasized the importance of being able to protest near Fiserv Forum, where delegates are expected to officially name former President Donald Trump as their nominee for the November election. The city's designated parade route is over four blocks from Fiserv, starting and ending at Zeidler Union Square Park. With representation from the American Civil Liberties Union, the Coalition sued the city last month and demanded that they be allowed to march within "sight and sound" of Fiserv Forum, including through a portion of the hard zone where West Kilbourn Avenue crosses Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. After losing that bid Monday, the coalition shared their own march route on Tuesday that takes marchers down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, about a block from Fiserv, and circles back across the Milwaukee River to avoid the hard zone. The new route shared Friday is mostly identical, with a revision to the south end of the route that takes the protesters down Plankinton Avenue instead of 2nd Street. That allows the marchers to avoid overlap with the city's designated parade route, where there could be other protest groups. Goyke said the citys designated route, which is scheduled to be used by multiple other groups, was established to ensure that streets will be clear for protesters, while other areas will be needed for vehicle access. Goyke said his staff met with the Coalition after seeing the group's repeated statements in the press that they intended to use their own route. We have an obligation as a city to make sure it is done safely," he said, adding that he and other staff from his office will be present during protests throughout the week. At a press conference July 12, Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024, holds up a map showing a new route for marching outside the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. At a press conference Friday, Flores said the meetings with city officials represented a victory of the group's pressure tactics, including its lawsuit and attention from the media. "We were able to come to this agreement with the city because we fought for it; they weren't just going to hand it to us," Flores said, adding, "We gave the city no choice but to have to engage with us to allow for a family-friendly protest that will go without being impeded." The Coalition to March on the RNC, which expects to draw thousands of marchers on Monday, consists of local and national organizations including the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee. More: 'If we don't, who will?': Local organizers share why they're marching against the Milwaukee RNC While the groups' individual missions vary, some of the coalition's shared goals include defending immigrant, abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and standing with Palestinians. Many are also disillusioned with President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party, and participated in the Coalition to March on the DNC in 2020. Journal Sentinel reporters Alison Dirr, Tristan Hernandez and Quinn Clark contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's the new route that RNC protesters will use downtown Monday A marine expert cheated death when a drone crashed into his boat at high speed during Henley Royal Regatta. Robert Glen is now suing for the cost of repairing damage to his craft after the miraculous escape. Mr Glen and five others were on board the 50ft-long Celtic Queen when the drone, weighing 62lb, plummeted into the boat on the River Thames in 2022. He claims that the drone lost power and fell rapidly while spinning uncontrollably, adding: Had the drone collided with a person, the resulting injuries would likely have been fatal. The drone shattered on impact with the vessel. An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report said that fatal injuries would have occurred if the 28kg aircraft falling at 30 metres per second had struck a person on the boat. Alta X drone like the one that crashed - ANNA WITHRINGTON/AAIB Fortunately Mr Glen, 85, and his passengers were unhurt, but the Celtic Queen needed more than 83,000 repairs, according to a claim lodged with the High Court. Mr Glen, who runs the marine company EP Barrus and has just won a lifetime achievement award from the European Commercial Marine Awards, says he was not able to use his boat while carrying out the extensive repairs it required. The Oxford-based businessman is claiming damages of more than 100,000 from SP Films Ltd, of Royal Way, Loughborough, who were operating the drone to film during the regatta. Mr Glen, who has been married to former High Sheriff of Oxford Penelope Glen for 55 years, accuses the company of negligence and says it was flying the drone in the wrong place when the batteries failed and it fell uncontrollably before striking the boat, Bird's-eye view of the regatta race course - ANNA WITHRINGTON/AAIB According to Mr Glens legal team, SP Films was providing footage of the regatta from its Alta X drone, operated by a pilot from a pontoon on the river, and filming boats taking part in the regatta in a controlled area segregated by booms from the rest of the river reserved for privately owned and commercial vessels. The drone took off on its 21st flight of the day on June 29 2022, allegedly its sixth consecutive flight without a battery change. Its pilot, then 53, says he cannot remember if he checked the battery levels immediately before the flight, the High Court will hear. As he flew the machine over competing boats, its low battery warning was activated, and he started to fly the drone back to land when it suddenly lost power and fell quickly, spinning uncontrollably, and collided with the cabin roof before shattering and falling into the river. It has not been recovered. Damage to the cabin and gunwale - ANNA WITHRINGTON/AAIB Mr Glen says his vessel was bespoke, and suffered deformation and severe damage to its cabin roof, handrail, outer wall, and decking, with debris embedded into the gunwale. The boats entire Tek-Dek (synthetic teak decking) had to be removed and replaced and he claims he was entitled to have his vessel restored to her original condition. He accuses the company of failing to replace the drones batteries after every third flight, failing to check the drones battery level before its last flight, failing to monitor its battery level and failing to comply with guidance to operate the drone 50m away from vessels and boats at all times. Loss adjusters for the film companys insurers have admitted liability. Mr Glen runs Barrus, a dynamic marine engineering company, and has worked closely with the British Military since 1960. His career spanned 65 years, and he provided marine support for the first expedition to trace the source of the Blue Nile in 1968, and was responsible for engineering the first propeller-driven boat to reach speeds of more than 100mph in 1970 on Lake Windermere. Steve Peters, 55, who runs SP Films, claimed he was not aware of the writ being lodged against his firm. He told The Telegraph: This was two years ago, but this is the first Ive heard of any action against us. Were only a small company. 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. U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper who was the mayor of Denver 20 years ago, on the fifth anniversary of the death of Colorados first Black female secretary of state, unveiled a new street sign at the corner of 16th Avenue and Lincoln named in her honor, Vikki Buckley Place. Photo by Ernest Luning/The Colorado Statesman SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A Chula Vista man who went missing during a hike in Riverside County was found dead Wednesday, authorities said. Hantae Kim, 61, was reported missing around 11 a.m. Sunday, Lt. Deirdre Vickers with Riverside County Sheriffs Department told FOX 5/KUSI Tuesday. He was last seen in the area of Fuller Ridge Trailhead, which is part of the Pacific Crest Trail, off Black Mountain Road in Whitewater. Man fatally stabbed at Mira Mesa home in apparent domestic dispute: SDPD However on Wednesday, Kims body was found in a ravine, located east off Fuller Ridge Trailhead and south of Snow Creek. There is no evidence of foul play at this time, Vickers confirmed. The Riverside County Sheriffs Department conducted searches with a rescue helicopter, as well as search groups and other law enforcement agencies. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Officials are searching for an endangered 2-year-old girl, who is need of urgent medical care, according to the Oregon Department of Human Services. Marianna Bahena has been missing since Thursday and is known to the State of Washington and ODHS. Marianna Bahena, age 2 Questions remain as Oregon patients receive notice of HIV, hepatitis exposure Bahena is with her mother, Gabrieal Mendez, and they are believed to be in Portland, Vancouver or Battle Ground. Officials also believe Mendezs six-year-old son is with them. ODHS asks the public to help in the effort to find Marianna. Anyone who suspects they have information about the location of Marianna or Gabrieal Mendez should call 911, officials said. Name: Marianna Bahena Pronouns: She/her Date of birth: Aug. 25, 2021 Height: 40 inches Weight: 29 pounds Hair: Brown Eye color: Brown Gabrieal Mendez You can report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child, ODHS said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Mom Hit And Killed With Her Own SUV, With Her 6-Year-Old Inside: Police A mother was killed Thursday while trying to stop two men from stealing her SUV while her 6-year-old slept inside, police in Columbus, Ohio announced. Alexa Stakely, a 29-year-old speech pathologist at a local school, had just finished a shift at her second job as waitress and had gone to pick up her son from his babysitter, according to a police press release. Alexa Stakely via Columbus Division of Police Columbus Division of Police Stakely put her son in her SUV and started the vehicle before realizing shed forgotten something, and back to the babysitters home, according to a police press release. As she returned to her car, she saw it backing out onto the road and ran towards it. She was hit by the SUV and thrown onto the pavement, according to the release. Police discovered her lying in the road and suffering from traumatic injuries at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, and she was pronounced dead at 8:43 that same morning. The SUV was driven through the apartment complex before being abandoned nearby, according to the release. Stakelys son was found safe and asleep inside the car. Police said two men were seen running past an injured Stakely lying in the road and into a neighboring apartment complex, according to the press release. Surveillance video from earlier in the day showed a group of men looking into apartments nearby. Two of the men in the footage matched the description of the men who ran past Stakely, police said. Canal Winchester Schools, where Stakely worked, said in a statement posted on Facebook that the school is deeply saddened by Stakelys death. She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated to her son, the statement read. Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond. Stakelys younger brother, Hayden Swartz, told local news station WBNS that hes hoping the suspects turn themselves in. Do what is right. Justice needs to be served and people need to learn their lesson that theres law in this community and in this world, Swartz said. Related... A hangs a help-wanted sign outside a KFC restaurant in Miami. Several states have passed pay transparency laws that require employers to be more open about the wages and benefits they offer. Phoro by Joe Raedle/Getty Images To combat gender and racial wage gaps, nearly a dozen states recently have enacted pay transparency laws that require employers to be more open about the wages and benefits they offer. Most of the laws require employers to disclose wages in job postings and some bar them from asking a job candidate about their salary history. Even though its against the law, we definitely still see that women are being paid less than their male counterparts, even though theyre doing the same job, said Jessica Ramey Stender, a lawyer and the policy director at Equal Rights Advocates, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that focuses on sexual harassment and pay discrimination, among other issues. And thats a problem. Under the federal Equal Pay Act of 1963, employers cant pay different salaries on the basis of sex to employees who do equal work. States have similar protections. Nevertheless, women on average have been paid less than men as far back as federal data has been collected. Women on average earn about 84 cents for every dollar that men earn, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Federal data also shows a racial pay gap: Latino, Black and Native American workers on average earn from 73 cents to 77 cents for every dollar a white worker earns. In Maryland, women on average are paid 86 cents for every dollar their male counterparts make, according to the states Equal Pay Day report for 2024. It found that Hispanic women in Maryland have the largest gender and racial wage gap, making just 50 cents for every dollar earned by white men. As a Black woman and as someone who works professionally, this is personal to me, said Del. Jennifer White Holland, (D-Baltimore County). When we look at families in Maryland, its womens earnings that matter now more than ever. She cited the Equal Pay Day reports finding that more than 40% of Maryland mothers are the lead or only wage earner in their household. White Holland helped pass a new law that will require employers in Maryland to include salary ranges in job postings, among other provisions. That law takes effect in October. Part of the pay gap nationally comes from the fact that women and racial minorities are overrepresented in industries that pay lower wages, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. But there is still a gap, though a narrower one, when men and women are doing the exact same job. We definitely still see that women are being paid less than their male counterparts, even though they're doing the same job. Jessica Ramey Stender, policy director, Equal Rights Advocates Pay transparency laws can close the gap further by providing women and people of color with more opportunities to see whether theyre being compensated fairly, Stender said. The hope is that with this additional information in their toolbox, everyone especially women experiencing the wage gap will be able to better negotiate pay for themselves, she said. But some critics of pay transparency laws question whether theyll have the desired effect. Todd Zenger, a professor of strategic leadership at the University of Utah, said requiring complete transparency is an extreme way to address pay equity. Theres also mixed evidence over whether prohibiting employers from asking about salary history could help or hurt job candidates, he said. Theres one argument that theres gender differences in ones willingness to bargain, Zenger said, noting research showing that women might not negotiate in the same way that men do. You can say, This is what I need to come and join you, and if theyre able to ask about your prior pay, that sets some sort of common ground. Pay transparency laws also could lead to flattened pay, he said. Some people are paid more because of good performance, for example, but transparency laws could make it difficult to change pay on those less objective criteria, he argued. Salary transparency and history bans The number of states with pay transparency laws has grown significantly within the past few years, said Glenn Jacoby, a policy associate in employment matters at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Labor force participation still hasnt reached pre-pandemic levels, but more people are looking to join the workforce and lawmakers want the job-seeking process to be smoother, she said. So far, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Washington state and the District of Columbia have approved pay transparency laws. The laws take varying approaches to ensuring transparency. They may require employers to disclose salary ranges for open positions, prohibit retaliation against employees who discuss their pay with colleagues, or require employers to report pay data to government agencies, according to GovDocs, a Minnesota-based company that tracks employment laws for large companies. Some laws also mandate that employers provide salary information upon request, or prohibit them from asking job candidates about their salary history, according to Jana Bjorklund, the senior counsel and director of employment law and compliance at GovDocs. And this is all driven by pay inequity, Bjorklund said. A handful of cities, including New York City, Jersey City, New Jersey, and Columbus, Ohio, have enacted their own transparency laws. Most states with pay transparency laws require employers of a certain size to post salaries for all open job positions. In California, companies with at least 15 workers must do so. But some states, such as Colorado, where lawmakers enacted new rules this year, require the transparency from all companies, even those with a single worker. When states first began considering pay transparency laws, they tended to focus on requiring employers to provide salary information upon request, Jacoby said. In some cases, the requirement would apply only for applicants selected for an interview. Now, several states are expanding these laws to require compensation-related information in the initial job posting, she said. In January, a law took effect in Hawaii requiring certain job listings to include an hourly rate or salary range. It also prohibits an employer from discriminating by paying one employee in a protected category less than another for substantially similar work. The bills original language was inspired by conversations among recent college graduates struggling to find jobs, said Hawaii state Sen. Chris Lee, a Democrat. These laws make sure everyone is on the same page through the entire hiring process, he said. Its both fair to the companies as well as the employees or prospective employees and helps ultimately saves a ton of frustration and time and effort by a lot of other folks who would be applying for these positions, Lee said. Still, Lee recalled that lawmakers heard complaints from small businesses concerned about being able to compete with larger companies. In the District of Columbia, new rules went into effect on June 30 requiring employers to include salary ranges in job postings and to disclose health care benefits before the first interview. Do the laws work? While some states pay transparency laws are just going into effect, some preliminary research shows how such laws could be helping raise salaries for all workers. A recent study in Colorado, the first state to mandate salary transparency, in 2021, found that not only did more companies share salaries within job postings, but the posted salaries increased by 3.6%. One possible explanation for the boost is that some companies adjusted their salaries to match their competitors and reach market equilibrium, according to the paper, which was written by a pair of economists in the University of California system. According to a survey from the Society for Human Resource Management, a nonprofit for human resources professionals, 70% of organizations that list pay ranges in their job postings said they received more applications, and 65% said that listing pay ranges made the candidate pool more competitive. Isabela Salas-Betsch, a research associate at The Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, said the results are good news for businesses. When employees have more information, they feel more valued and motivated, which translates to greater performance and retention, she said. But some small employers fear that pay transparency laws will make it more difficult for them to compete with larger companies for talent. Close to half of the almost 400 companies that responded to a 2022 pay clarity survey by global advisory company WTW cited possible employee reactions as a reason for holding back on communicating about pay. Still, many companies said they plan to increase transparency in their postings, even without local mandates. Some experts warn that the laws could have unintended consequences. In a 2016 article for the Harvard Business Review arguing against pay transparency, Zenger, the University of Utah professor, cited an experiment in which University of California faculty who discovered they were being paid less than their peers became much less satisfied with their jobs and more likely to say they might leave. Theres always a trade-off associated with these kinds of things, Zenger told Stateline. 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 More states enact salary transparency laws to fight gender, racial pay gaps appeared first on Maryland Matters. Most Wanted fugitives for week of July 12, 2024 EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Crime Stoppers of El Paso, Inc. distributes pictures of fugitives wanted by the El Paso Police Department and the El Paso County Sheriffs Office weekly through the Most Wanted feature. The following fugitives are individuals, which attempts to locate have been unsuccessful. Garcia, Luis Javier H/M Blanco, Juan Carlos H/M Evans, Mercedez Angelica W/F Garibay, Ramon Perez, Isaac Gonzalez, Bobby Mathews, Michael Everts, Elleni Lynne Sanchez, Jesus Lopez, Oscar El Paso Police Department Luis Javier Garcia: Age 35; 6-feet; 186 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for pre-revocation warrant; no bond. Juan Carlos Blanco: Age 36; 5-foot-8; 180 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for a pre-revocation warrant; no bond. Mercedez Angelica Evans: Age 24; 5-foot-5; 175 pounds; brown hair and blue eyes; wanted for cruelty to non-livestock animals/failure to provide; no bond. Ramon Garibay: Age 42; 6-foot-2; 210 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for burglary of habitation; $50,000 bond. Isaac Perez: Age 37; 5-foot-8; 150 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for two counts of unauthorized use of vehicle; $20,000 bond. El Paso County Sheriffs Office Bobby Gonzalez: Age 51; 5-foot-10; 250 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for driving while intoxicated three or more times; $100,000 bond. Michael Mathews: Age 69; 6-feet; 200 pounds; gray or partially gray hair and brown eyes; wanted for unauthorized use of vehicle; no bond. Elleni Lynne Everts: Age 30; 5-feet-6; 120 pounds; brown hair and green eyes; wanted for possession of controlled substance; $100,000 bond. Jesus Sanchez: Age 33; 5-foot-8; 235 pounds; brown hair and brown eyes; wanted for abandon/endanger child criminal negligence; no bond. Oscar Lopez: Age 30; 5-foot-9; 125 pounds; black hair and brown eyes; wanted for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery; $41,000 bond. Anyone with information on the location of any of these fugitives should call Crime Stoppers of El Paso immediately at (915) 566-8477 (TIPS) or submit the information on-line at www.crimestoppersofelpaso.org. You will remain anonymous, and if your tip leads to an arrest, you can qualify for a cash reward Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Mountain Lion Cub Hit by Vehicle Released Back into the Wild After 2 Surgeries The cub recovered for seven months at the San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center San Diego Humane Society A mountain lion cub recovers at the San Diego Humane Society An injured mountain lion has recovered and returned home. The California male cub was hit by a vehicle and found on the side of a Simi Valley road with a severely fractured left leg on Thanksgiving Day in 2023 when he was just 5 months old. The animal spent seven months healing from two surgeries at San Diego Humane Societys Ramona Wildlife Center before the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released him equipped with a GPS collar back into the wild in Ventura County on June 26. San Diego Humane Society The California Department of Fish and Wildlife releases the mountain lion cub on June 26, 2024 Related: Coyote with Head Stuck in Bucket Rescued from Flooded Field This patient was a very special case because his surgeries involved a unique collaboration between Project Wildlife veterinarians and shelter veterinarians, veterinarian Jon Enyart, the senior director of Project Wildlife at San Diego Humane Society, said in a statement, referring to the Santa Clarita veterinarians who tended to the cub before his team did. Being a teaching institution, we seize opportunities to share our skills across our wildlife and companion animal sides, ensuring every patient gets the highest quality medical care, Enyart added. San Diego Humane Society San Diego Humane Society vets tend to the mountain lion cub Together, the medical personnel treated the cub for the fractured hind leg as well as for dehydration and malnourishment. The San Diego Humane Society said in a release that vets repaired the cubs tibia with a metal plate and 10 screws to realign the bones. For the next three weeks, the mountain lion was monitored via cameras in an indoor hospital enclosure, limiting human interaction and movement that could risk damage to the surgery site, the release continued. San Diego Humane Society The male mountain lion in surgery Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Then veterinarians performed a second surgery to revise the placement of the screws," the release added, before the cub "was able to move to an outdoor enclosure for continued rehabilitation in mid-December. Since mountain lions are considered apex predators, the vet team waited six more months until the cub was fully recovered to release him back into the wild so he would be able to hunt and survive. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Editor's Note: A hearing officer with the Colorado Division of Water Resources approved the stipulated water replacement plan that would allow metro districts to pump additional water. The officer has not entered a final order in the case. This story erred in saying Colorado Water Court approved the plan. Two metro districts expect to use more groundwater to fuel growth east and northeast of Colorado Springs. Under the plan, Cherokee Metropolitan District and Meridian Service Metropolitan District will have more rights to water in the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin that will allow them to serve up to 13,640 new customers, according to a news release. The Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin is an alluvial groundwater basin, meaning it can be recharged. Deeper groundwater in the Denver Basin does not recharge and some wells in those basins have started to see diminishing production. A long-awaited plan allows the districts to use more water from the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin because they are contributing water to the basin. The districts pump water from the Denver Basin, deliver it to customers, treat the wastewater and then return the water to the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin. Under the plan, the districts will be reusing Denver Basin water. "This allows us to extend the useful life of that water," said Jim Nikkel, general manager for the Meridian Service Metro District. The district provides water, sewer and other services to the Meridian Ranch area, which is about 4 square miles. He expects the new water rights will help the area grow from 3,700 homes to its full build-out of 5,000. Cherokee is largely built-out and so the additional water is expected to allow the district to serve new customers outside its boundaries, said Jeff Munger, Cherokee's water resource engineer. Cherokee serves Cimarron Hills and neighborhoods east of Colorado Springs. Featured Local Savings The districts improved the quality of the water they are returning to the aquifer to allow the plans for new wells to go forward. Last July, Cherokee unveiled a $43 million upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant that added reverse osmosis to reduce the total dissolved solids going back into the groundwater. Dissolved solids can include organic matter and salts. Meridian paid for half the plant. The districts also showed no other water users will be harmed by the new wells, which is critical across the dry eastern El Paso County plains. The two water providers expect to jointly drill new wells, Nikkel said, although no dates are set for the work to start. "Both of us are interested in putting this water to use as quickly as we can," he said. The decision marks the end of a process started in 2005, Nikkel said. The plan was filed with the courts in 2008. "We are excited to see the project reach this point," Munger said. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A 15-year-old girls family is accusing a 29-year-old Myrtle Beach man of abducting her and bringing her over state lines last month. It also isnt the first time the man, Brandon OHara, has been accused of wrongdoing with minors. In 2019, he was accused of raping a child. In January of this year, he was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct after allegedly raping a woman. He was given a $30,000 bond. News13s Jackie Librizzi looked into why OHara is not on the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry. She was under the impression that he [OHara] was a 17-year-old that he had been talking on Snapchat for about a year or so, a family member of the girl said. The family member said OHara is continuing his actions meaning they have to pay the price. It would be June 19, Brandon picked her up from her residence, loaded up suitcase for clothing, some other materials and basically made a b-line back to Myrtle Beach to, I guess work, he said. The girls family member said OHara works at a Myrtle Beach hotel, though its not clear which one. I guess the police had tracked him and knew who he was, confronted him at work, the man said. When the police confronted him, he told them where she was located. News13 has reached out to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Greene County Sheriffs Office in Indiana where the girl lives, and OHara for comments or more details about the case. Horry County police said theres no report from the incident, but there was a call for service. The girls family member said when the police picked her up, her belongings were still in OHaras possession. From Brandons report, [they] found family members, contacted his father and at that point, explained to him what was going on, he said. I told him I desperately need her materials and belongings back. The man said he was able to get a hold of the girls belongings, and now, shes safe. He said he didnt file a police report since hes not her legal guardian, but he asked the parents to file a report, as well as contact the FBI. OHaras 2019 charge was nolle prossed, meaning the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office chose not to prosecute. On that same day, OHara pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery to a minor under the states youthful offender act. It allows people under the age of 25 to have their conviction removed from public record. OHara was 24 at the time and received probation along with a permanent restraining order. News13 reached out to the South Carolina spokesperson for the FBI to see if its investigating. Were waiting to hear back. * * * Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Meet the Penguin and Egg. The distorted spiral galaxy at centre is the Penguin, and the compact elliptical galaxy at left is the Egg. This is a new near- and mid-infrared image from the James Webb Space Telescope, taken to mark its second year of imaging space. (NASA, ESA, CSA, M. Marin (STScI) - image credit) NASA has released a stunning new image from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) marking the two-year anniversary of the release of its first images. And the space agency is calling it the "Penguin and Egg." What exactly are we looking at? Well, it's two interacting galaxies known jointly as Arp 142 that lie 326 million light-years from Earth. They are 100,000 light-years apart, which may sound far, but in astronomical terms, that's very close. In contrast, our Milky Way and the closest major galaxy to us the Andromeda galaxy are separated by 2.5 million light years. The Penguin and Egg galaxies made their first pass some time between 25 and 75 million years ago, NASA said in a release. This, in turned, triggered a new star formation in the Penguin. Galactic mergers can cause galaxies to form thousands of new stars a year over millions of years. In the case of the Penguin, NASA said, research suggests that about 100 to 200 new stars have formed each year. This is many times more than what is happening in our own galaxy, where only roughly six to seven new stars form each year. Webbs mid-infrared view of interacting galaxies Arp 142 seems to sing in primary colours. The background of space is like a yawning darkness speckled with bright, multi-coloured beads. This image was taken by MIRI, the telescopes Mid-Infrared Instrument, which astronomers use to study cooler and older objects, dust, and extremely distant galaxies. Webbs mid-infrared view of interacting galaxies Arp 142. This image was taken by MIRI, the telescopes mid-infrared instrument, which astronomers use to study cooler and older objects, dust, and extremely distant galaxies. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI) Before the galactic interaction, the Penguin was a spiral galaxy. Now, the centre forms the "eye" of the Penguin. The Egg, on the other hand, is an elliptical galaxy, which contains much older stars. At the top right of the image is the PGC 1237172 galaxy, which is 100 million light-years closer to Earth, according to a release by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md. And, of course, in the background lie thousands more galaxies. The gift that keeps on giving JWST is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. Unlike Hubble's one mirror, JWST has 18 individual mirrors that make up for one giant one. That makes it a light-catching machine, allowing it see some of the faintest objects and to peer far back into the earliest times of the universe. That's why astronomers were so excited when this game-changing telescope was launched on Dec. 25, 2021. It was a Christmas gift headed to orbit beyond the moon, just waiting to be unwrapped. The first image released blew astronomers away. U.S. President Joe Biden has unveiled the first image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope. The first image released by the James Webb Space Telescope shows thousands of galaxies. (NASA) It was the telescope's first wide-field image, which provided the sharpest and deepest infrared image of thousands of galaxies. And JWST is the gift that keeps on giving, particularly to astronomers looking to better understand our universe and how we got here. The telescope, with its massive light-collecting capability, is changing the way astronomers look at our universe. Its observations have challenged the idea of how stars form and even how fast the universe is expanding. The full view of the James Webb Space Telescopes NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument reveals a 50 light-years-wide portion of the Milky Ways dense center. An estimated 500,000 stars shine in this image of the Sagittarius C (Sgr C) region, along with some as-yet unidentified features. A vast region of ionized hydrogen, shown in cyan, wraps around an infrared-dark cloud, which is so dense that it blocks the light from distant stars behind it. Intriguing needle-like structures in the ionized hydrogen emission lack any uniform orientation. Researchers note the surprising extent of the ionized region, covering about 25 light-years. This image from the James Webb Space Telescope reveals a 50 light-years-wide portion of the Milky Ways dense centre. An estimated 500,000 stars shine in this image of the Sagittarius C (Sgr C) region, along with some as-yet unidentified features. (Samuel Crowe/UVA/STScI/NASA/ESA/CSA/NASA/ESA/CSA) "[I'm] incredibly, incredibly grateful because the pictures that we are able to see now it was not something that we thought we will be able to see," said Lamiya Mowla an assistant professor at Wellesley University in Wellesley, Mass. She is one of several scientists who are part of the Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS). "[Previously,] we were talking about that we will be able to resolve things down to hundreds of light years or so, down to that level in a very, very early universe. Now, we can see that we can almost get down to tens of light years." Data on exoplanets a 'game changer' And while we don't get the jaw-dropping images from Webb when it comes to the study of exoplanets planets orbiting other stars its data is proving to be incredibly helpful in understanding planetary atmospheres, especially larger planets that are more similar to our outer planets, such as Jupiter and Neptune. "If you look at other planets like hot Jupiters, or even colder, like Neptune, or Neptune-sized planets that are a bit colder James Webb is really a game changer," said Olivia Lim, a PhD student at the Universite de Montreal and member of the Trottier Institute for Research of Exoplanets, whose main area of focus is the seven-exoplanet system known as TRAPPIST-1. "People are able to measure things that we weren't able to measure before or they're they're able to do it with so much more precision." And, of course, the telescope has also provided images of phenomena closer to home, such as a jaw-dropping image of Uranus and its rings. This image of Uranus from NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) on NASAs James Webb Space Telescope shows the planet and its rings in new clarity. The planets seasonal north polar cap gleams in a bright white, and Webbs exquisite sensitivity resolves Uranus dim inner and outer rings, including the Zeta ringthe extremely faint and diffuse ring closest to the planet. This Webb image also shows 14 of the planets 27 moons: Oberon, Titania, Umbriel, Juliet, Perdita, Rosalind, Puck, Belinda, Desdemona, Cressida, Ariel, Miranda, Bianca, and Portia. This image of Uranus from NIRCam (near-infrared camera) on NASAs James Webb Space Telescope shows the planet and its rings in new clarity. (NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI) Mowla said that she's incredibly grateful for JWST and what it can tell us about our own origins. "The things that we are seeing over here is what it has taken the universe to get us to the point that we are at today, the world that we take for granted. It has spent 13.7 billion years to build this perfect Earth," she said. "I'm pretty sure there are habitable planets in every galaxy. We just haven't found them yet." NASA's $5 billion Europa Clipper mission may not be able to handle Jupiter's radiation A highly anticipated NASA astrobiology mission is troubleshooting a serious issue just months before its planned liftoff. The Europa Clipper spacecraft is scheduled to launch this October atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The robotic explorer will embark upon a $5 billion mission to assess the potential of Europa, an ice-covered ocean moon of Jupiter, to support life as we know it. But that launch date, and the probe's ability to carry out its ambitious mission, may now be in peril: Mission team members have discovered a problem with Clipper's transistors, devices that control the flow of electricity on the probe. "The issue with the transistors came to light in May when the mission team was advised that similar parts were failing at lower radiation doses than expected," NASA officials wrote in an update on Thursday (July 11). That's of serious concern, because Clipper is headed into a radiation gauntlet. "The Jupiter system is particularly harmful to spacecraft, as its enormous magnetic field 20,000 times stronger than Earth's magnetic field traps charged particles and accelerates them to very high energies, creating intense radiation that bombards Europa and other inner moons," NASA officials wrote in the update. Europa Clipper is scheduled to arrive in the Jupiter system in 2030. The probe will orbit the gas giant, not Europa, but it will spend a fair bit of time in the moon's neighborhood: Clipper will make about 50 flybys of Europa over the course of its 3.5-year science mission. Related: Why NASA's Europa Clipper mission to Jupiter's icy moon is such a big deal A rocky world's surface. Beyond the horizon, Jupiter looks huge. Toward the top left, there's a hazy star. This past May, the mission team was told that parts similar to Europa Clipper's transistors "were failing at lower radiation doses than expected," NASA officials wrote in the Thursday update. Transistor testing is now underway at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, which leads the mission, as well as the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, both of which are in Maryland. The results aren't exactly promising. "Testing data obtained so far indicates some transistors are likely to fail in the high-radiation environment near Jupiter and its moon Europa because the parts are not as radiation-resistant as expected," NASA officials wrote. "The team is working to determine how many transistors may be susceptible and how they will perform in flight," they added. "NASA is evaluating options for maximizing the transistors' longevity in the Jupiter system. A preliminary analysis is expected to be complete in late July." A fast-forwarded gif of scientists working on the Europa Clipper. RELATED STORIES: Europa: A guide to Jupiter's icy moon Jupiter's ocean moon Europa may have less oxygen than we thought Watch this Jupiter moon lander handle harsh terrain it may face on Europa (video) The devices in question are called metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors, or MOSFETs, and they were manufactured by a company called Infineon Technologies, according to the journal Science. The discovery of their vulnerability at this late stage makes it very difficult to deal with. "The transistors cannot simply be replaced," Science's Paul Voosen wrote. "Clipper's aluminum-zinc electronics vault, meant to provide a measure of radiation resistance, was sealed in October 2023. Barring an indication that the faulty MOSFETs will cause catastrophic failure, the agency will likely seek to continue with the launch although backup windows are available the next 2 years." A semi-truck flipped on I-40 in Lebanon Saturday morning, stopping westbound traffic for miles. Delays continued through the morning, but all lanes reopened by the afternoon. The Lebanon Police Department posted a statement to social media just after 9 a.m. warning drivers to expect delays as emergency responders worked on the scene. The police said the truck's driver had injuries that were not life-threatening. By 9:30 a.m., officials said a tow truck was on the scene and attempting "to right the truck." An hour later, emergency crews turned the semi-truck upright. The crash blocked two lanes of westbound traffic near mile marker 239, and Lebanon police officers redirected traffic onto Sparta Pike. Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Department of Transportation officials were also on the scene. Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work,subscribe to The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville traffic: Overturned semi-truck stops traffic on I-40 west Earlier this week, the Republican Party released its 16-page Make America Great Again policy platform ahead of its national convention. As many news outlets pointed out, it did not explicitly call for a national abortion ban. Instead, it said that the party supports states establishing fetal personhood through the constitutions 14th Amendment. We believe that the 14th Amendment to the constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied life or liberty without due process, and that the states are, therefore, free to pass laws protecting those rights, the agenda read. Some media outlets reported this as if the GOP had softened its stance on abortion or that it backed away from an abortion ban. But legal experts tell Salon this isnt the case. Instead, the party is still advocating for a national abortion ban they are trying to conceal it using different language. This is nothing more than a national abortion ban not to mention a ban on birth control and IVF hidden in plain sight, Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, deputy director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, told Salon in a phone interview. They're using language suggesting that they will lead the issue to the states because they know how unpopular banning abortion and other forms of reproductive health care is, and so they're trying to conceal and mislead the public. The voters should avoid falling for it, she emphasized. The key to their true agenda here is the suggestion that the 14th Amendment of the federal constitution somehow empowers states to ban abortion, Kolbi-Molinas said. They are signaling that embryos and fetuses are persons under the 14th Amendment, which is simply not true. And if that were the case, if embryos and fetuses had constitutional rights under the due process clause, states would be required to ban abortion. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all persons "born or naturalized in the United States and provides citizens with equal protection under the laws. If fetuses and embryos were included in this, states that have already enshrined abortion rights into their state constitutions, such as California, would still have to pass abortion bans. This is because the federal constitution, and federal law generally, take precedence over state laws, and even state constitutions. Under this platform, states would be forced to ban abortion, and state laws protecting abortion, including those who have been passed recently by ballot through direct democracy, would be challenged and overturned, Kolbi-Molinas said. And its not just abortion, giving constitutional rights to embryos and fetuses that override the rights of the pregnant person which is what they would seek to do here with the 14th Amendment that also leads to bans on birth control, on IVF and on other forms of reproductive health care. David S. Cohen, a professor of law at Drexel Kline's School of Law, told Salon he agreed. It would be unconstitutional for a state to allow abortion because now you are denying that person the equal protection of the law and due process of the law, Cohen said. The idea that the 14th Amendment protects a fetus or embryo, or fertilized egg would be effectively a national abortion ban and that's a constitutional abortion ban, not just the statutory one. A statutory abortion ban can be overruled by a majority of Congress. If it's a constitutional requirement to ban abortion, then the only thing that can reverse it is to add an amendment to the Constitution or to get a different set of justices on the Supreme Court. How would a Republican administration be able to apply the 14th Amendment to embryos and fetuses though? It would come from a court; it would come from an interpretation of the constitution, he said. It certainly wouldn't be an originalist interpretation, because certainly the founding framers, and whether it's you know, the original constitution of the 14th Amendment, knew nothing about embryology and fertilization of eggs and sperm. But anti-abortion advocates are pushing this interpretation nonetheless, Cohen said. I think it's their holy grail, he said, adding that it wouldnt just be abortion being banned. IVF, he said, would be threatened or probably banned. Contraception would be suspect and possibly murder. Miscarriages and stillbirths would be investigated. Anything that might be considered to be the possibility of a fertilized egg reaching its demise could be a crime scene. To think that a political party that has been so focused on banning abortion as broadly as possible for decades is actually changing its mission is foolish, Cohen said. They may be trying to mask their position given the electoral politics, but they aren't changing anything. While President Joe Biden has faced speculation, particularly from conservatives, that reporters give him their questions in advance, the White House Correspondents Associations president Kelly ODonnell took to social media Saturday to help debunk the notion following Bidens Thursday press conference, his first solo press conference of the year. She noted that Bidens staff use what they know about reporters and their coverage areas to try to predict what may be asked, but this does not mean reporters provide questions ahead of time. Received many comments and questions on press conferences. Important to note that WH staff prepare for press conferences by creating lists of questions they expect could be asked for the president, ODonnell explained. They look at questions asked in briefings and of staff, stories reporters are doing, and known areas of interest. It is their job to anticipate questions reporters would ask. Staff interact with reporters every day and are very familiar with reporter subject areas. That is their job. Standard. Its their task to prepare for likely questions. Conservatives in particular have previously shared a viral photo from a previous press conference with Biden holding a card that included a photo of the reporter, with a question listed below. But rather than the question being provided in advance, what was written appeared to be what the White House staff believed might be asked. ODonnell elaborated, I am saying that staff game out anticipated questions that they think specific reporters may use because they talk to those reporters daily, know their work and previous questions posed to the WH team. Any of us around the WH every day can anticipate what many reporters would likely ask based on their specific reporting assignments and current news issues. A photo card with an anticipated question is prepared for the president to review, ODonnell noted, specifically replying to concern over a viral image of one of those photo cards that included a potential question for the president. Overlooked is that question was not actually asked as written because it was staff written. Is it your contention that Biden has never once been provided prewritten questions in advance ahead of a press conference during your tenure as president of the WHCA? Because people in the replies are posting what seems to be ironclad proof that that is exactly what happens. pic.twitter.com/c6haMBRsVn Peter Henlein (@SwissWatchGuy) July 13, 2024 Bidens Thursday press conference of the year on Thursday to mixed reactions. At the end of his introduction, he commented, Ive been given a list of people to call on here. ODonnell explained that the president has a list of media who are credentialed in advance and his staff are aware of who will be in the room before a press conference begins. As the president noted Thursday, he had a list of reporters to call on which was prepared by his staff, including a variety of different media outlets representing different platforms. His staff also preps Biden with questions they believe reporters may ask, based on their knowledge of those journalists. This was a followup to ODonnell looking to debunk the idea that White House reporters would provide questions in advance on Thursday. She labeled the idea a false charge. To those who make the false charge, the WH press corps does not provide questions in advance. The president has a list of media who are credentialed in advance. His team knows who will be in the room and chose reporters from news wires, TV, print, and radio including a Polish https://t.co/CwtRRNUKUX Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) July 12, 2024 However, speculation about Biden getting the questions in advance wasnt helped by recent interviews targeting the Black community, where it was revealed that the hosts were sent questions by the campaign in advance and agreed to ask those questions. Biden appeared much stronger at the press conference than at his June debate against Donald Trump. He also reiterated that he has no plans to drop out of the presidential race. The post NBCs Kelly ODonnell Debunks Speculation Biden Gets White House Reporters Questions in Advance appeared first on TheWrap. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) A North Carolina nonprofit is kicking off a nationwide tour to break a cycle of incarceration. Cyril Prabhu, the founder of Proverbs226, said for 12 years the organization has supported children with incarcerated parents. When I see these children who have a mother or father in prison, I see myself in them, said Prabhu. Prabhu, who was born in India, said, My mom was abandoned with a six-month-old baby When I grew up, people asked me What is your father doing? Ive always lied about it because I never had a father. With support, Prabhu said he was able to receive an education and find himself on a positive path. Hes now a senior vice president at the Bank of America. However, about 30 years ago after coming to the US, a traumatic event changed his life. In 1993, I was taken down by gunpoint, locked up in a dark room for nearly 45 minutes, and somebody had a gun at my head. For nearly 45 minutes, I saw how close I was to the end of my life, said Prabhu. He said his life was spared and he wanted to go back home, but something made him stay. For me, something that was a misery for me at one point is now my ministry, he said. Went to a party then drove around shooting at people. Court documents reveal more in deadly Charlotte shooting spree Through scholarships, mentorships, and working in prisons across North Carolina to help families heal, Prabhu said theyre helping steer younger generations away from walking a similar path. He said about 82 percent of children with an incarcerated parent will also end up in prison. Since starting the nonprofit, Prabhu said Proverbs226 has been able to help more than 100 children go to college. With a new school thats expected to open in August, he hopes theyll be able to do more. This vision of investment is what this country needs, and Im so happy that North Carolina saw this vision and gave us this to work with, said Prabhu. As part of the budget and House Bill 259, Prabhu said the state helped transfer a former prison in Anson County to the organization in 2023 for just $1. He said the 5 and 2 Trade School Our Mission (5and2tradeschool.net) is an 18-month program that will teach students 18 years and older vital skills to help them find success. Prabhu said the 26-acre site will offer five trades including digital arts, welding, farming, auto and culinary programs. Its inspired by five loaves of bread and two fish. Starting that trade school is a portion of it, the other portion of it is to see that these kids actually graduate from school to see these kids heal from the heartaches, explained Prabhu. Through an apprenticeship program, Prabhu said students are able to gain hands-on experience, earn money, and walk out without any debt. Today we have 17,000 children in the program. Twenty percent of those kids will do well without us doing anything. Its the 80 percent that are falling off the radar screen that we want to save and bring into the trade school, Prabhu said. Friday evening at Living Word Family Church in Wake Forest, Prabhu met with other ministries, volunteers, and Department of Correction members. By sharing a film titled Break the Cycle and gathering in cities across the country, hes hoping to spread awareness and share how others can help. We want to take that playbook and go across the country, Prabhu said. There are so many amazing people doing work in prisons, doing bible studies, Sunday morning services were saying extend your program, help the families, and bring them together. Thats the whole purpose of this journey. Through the Breakthrough Tour, Prabhu said they hope to gain prayers and support. He said that support could help put a child on a better path. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. (Getty Images) LINCOLN State auditors used GPS tracking data to uncover inappropriate personal use of state cars by Nebraska parole officers exposing about 300 unapproved trips and more than 9,000 miles over a years time. Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley said the problematic use was especially striking as the dozen offenders pointed out are government employees whose jobs are to meet with and help former inmates stay on the straight and narrow path. In a sense, they have to set an example themselves obey the laws and respect state property, Foley said. Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley He noted as did an audit released this week that personal use of a state-owned vehicle is a misdemeanor under Nebraska law. Car use policy was lacking Rosalyn Cotton, chair of the Nebraska Board of Parole, said Friday that more investigation and research on the boards end is needed to determine disciplinary action, if any. While the 26-page audit report covered the Nebraska Board of Pardons as well, it focused more on the Board of Parole and problematic vehicle usage in that agency. The audit covers calendar year 2023. During that time, the states 43 parole officers and Division of Parole Supervision were under the wing of the Board of Parole. A state law passed this year returns those officers and supervision of paroled inmates to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, where they had been prior to 2016. Cotton said that regardless of the shift, her team is working to ensure that improper use of state vehicles doesnt happen again, including providing clearer direction about what is and is not allowed. Auditors noted in their report that the Board of Parole had failed to implement a formal vehicle use policy as guidance. Without such procedures there is significantly increased risk for not only abuse of state vehicles but also loss, theft, or misuse of public property or funds, the report said. Auditor urges more GPS Foley said a glaring deficiency was in management not reviewing the Global Positioning System (GPS) usage data generated to ensure that vehicles are used only for essential state work business. The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes. Mike Foley, Nebraska State Auditor He said his office is pushing for agencies across state government to use GPS tracking to help reduce abuse. He said the devices come with minimal financial cost. What we found peculiar is that those vehicles were all equipped with GPS monitors, Foley said of the parole agency. The agency never even asked for the data to check where those people were going, where those cars went. We could see them going back and forth to their homes. Traffic along Interstate 80 According to the audit, 12 employees of the Board of Parole during 2023 used state vehicles to drive 9,018 unauthorized miles to and from their personal residences. Total miles driven in state-owned vehicles that year by parole employees was about 390,000. None of the 12 offenders described in the audit was a member of the Parole Board. Those five-full-time governor appointees determine if prison inmates get parole. Two of the offending parole officers racked up the bulk of the questionable miles. Of 291 unapproved trips cited, 255 were attributed to those two. At times, the auditors said, the two billed the department for on the clock hours after they had arrived home. Auditors said those two faced deeper scrutiny after their car usage emerged early on as more conspicuous. Circumstances exist, Foley said, where it makes sense for state employees to take a vehicle home. But, he said auditors found no documentation that the trips in question had been approved by managers. 243 miles for retirement party When questioned by auditors during the process, Board of Parole representatives reportedly said they had no knowledge of the problem activity. In a response in the final report, board representatives said they will aim to implement the auditing teams recommendations, including documenting purpose of all travel with a state vehicle and banning commutes to and from home without proper authorization. Among improprieties brought up by auditors was a parole officers 243-mile trip, while not on the clock, to attend a retirement celebration in Lincoln. Another 16 times, employees were not getting paid for work but drove a state car to a personal event. Certainly you cant use a state vehicle on your day off to go to a retirement party, Foley said. The post NE Board of Parole chided after employees used state cars for personal commutes appeared first on Nebraska Examiner. A reconstruction (right) of a Neanderthal woman from her skull (left), found at a cave in Iraqi Kurdistan in 2018. | Credit: JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images Neanderthals may not have truly gone extinct but instead may have been absorbed into the modern human population. That's one of the implications of a new study, which finds modern human DNA may have made up 2.5% to 3.7% of the Neanderthal genome. "This research really highlights that what we think as a separate Neanderthal lineage really was more interconnected with our ancestors," Fernando Villanea , a population geneticist at the University of Colorado Boulder who was not involved in the study, told Live Science. Both modern human and Neanderthal populations "shared a long history of exchanging individuals." Neanderthals were among the closest extinct relatives of modern humans, with our lineages diverging around 500,000 years ago. More than a decade ago, scientists revealed that Neanderthals interbred with the ancestors of modern humans who journeyed out of Africa. Today, the genomes of modern human groups outside Africa contain about 1% to 2% of Neanderthal DNA . Related: 'More Neanderthal than human': How your health may depend on DNA from our long-lost ancestors However, researchers know less about how modern human DNA may have entered the Neanderthal genome. That's largely because there are currently only three known high-quality examples of a complete Neanderthal genome that have survived from specimens unearthed in Vindija cave in Croatia , which date to 50,000 to 65,000 years ago, and Chagyrskaya and Denisova caves in Russia, which date to about 80,000 and 50,000 years ago, respectively. In comparison, scientists have sequenced the genomes of hundreds of thousands of modern humans since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003. "There has been a considerable amount of research focused on how matings between Neanderthals and modern humans affected our DNA and evolutionary history," study senior author Joshua Akey , a population geneticist at Princeton University in New Jersey, told Live Science. "However, we know much less about how these encounters impacted the genomes of Neanderthals." In the new study, scientists relied on the fact that both modern humans and Neanderthals generally possess two versions of every gene, one inherited from the father, the other from the mother. Because the two groups were more different from each other than they were from others of their own kind, interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans would lead to offspring that had a higher chance of possessing two different versions of each gene a situation known as heterozygosity than children that did not result from such interbreeding. The researchers compared the genomes of the three Neanderthals with those of 2,000 modern humans. They discovered the Neanderthal genome may consist of 2.5% to 3.7% modern human DNA. That is akin to 1 in 30 modern human parents in the ancestral Neanderthal population . The research team's analysis suggested that modern human DNA entered the Neanderthal genome during at least two distinct epochs of interbreeding one about 200,000 to 250,000 years ago, and the other about 100,000 to 120,000 years ago. Interbreeding may have taken place at other times, but such events may not have left any detectable traces in the Neanderthal genome, Akey said. A recent, not-yet peer-reviewed study suggests that most Neanderthal DNA seen in the modern human genome resulted from a single major period of interbreeding about 47,000 years ago that lasted about 6,800 years. Interbreeding that occurred at other times, such as the earlier events that impacted the Neanderthal genome, likely did not leave a detectable trace in our genome. Skulls found in the Skhul and Qafzeh caves in Israel date to around 100,000 years ago around the same time as one of the major interbreeding events identified in the study. Those fossils appear to be modern human remains, but they still have relatively primitive features such as larger brows, which might "be signs of gene flow from Neanderthals," Chris Stringer , a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London who was not involved in the new study, told Live Science. RELATED STORIES 10 unexpected ways Neanderthal DNA affects our health What's the difference between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens? The mystery of the disappearing Neanderthal Y chromosome By analyzing the level of genetic variation seen between the three Neanderthal genomes, the new study also suggested the long-term average Neanderthal population was about 20% smaller than previously estimated. "This doesn't sound like a large difference, but given that Neanderthals were already estimated to have a fairly small population size, the fact that it was even smaller is an important insight," Akey said. These new smaller estimates of Neanderthal population size suggest that Neanderthals may have disappeared because "they were simply absorbed into the modern human population," Akey said. "Recurrent waves of modern human migrations out of Africa eventually overwhelmed the ability of Neanderthals to remain a distinct population, and they were ultimately just assimilated into the modern human gene pool." Future research could study the biological effects, good or bad, that modern human DNA may have had in Neanderthals, Akey said. The scientists detailed their findings online Thursday (July 11) in the journal Science . Following some initial delays, needy Colorado families will have more funds to feed their kids while school's out. The Colorado Department on Human Services announced Thursday the rollout of the new Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) program. Similar to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Summer EBT is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and will provide eligible students with $120 for groceries throughout the summer between school years. In a press release, the CDHS said that families will start to receive a notice of their students eligibility for the program through the mail. If approved, they will then receive a new benefit card for each eligible student in their family 30-45 days later. Students who already receive benefits like SNAP and free or reduced-priced meals at their school will automatically qualify for this new program. Since this new waiting period comes following the announcement in the middle of July, many eligible Colorado families are concerned that the aid will come too late. On Facebook, multiple Colorado families who qualify for the new program expressed their concerns. Human Services communications manager John Rosa said the rollout process for Summer EBT was similar to the pandemic electronic benefits transfer (P-EBT) and the delay stemmed from it being a new federal program with "a lot of moving parts." "We wanted to dot our i's and cross our t's to make sure everything is correct," he said. "Thats the reason it took this long." Rosa added that they found many more Coloradoans eligible for the program than they had anticipated. An earlier projection of 360,000 students ballooned to over 550,000 when they finished this year's count. In a January press release, the state Education Department projected that the eligible children may receive $40 per month during the summer. Because of the delay, this year's will be in a one-time $120 increment that is expected to continue in the years to come. In response to these families' concerns, CDHS released a statement Friday the delay caused by the initial year shouldn't be an issue in the years to come. Featured Local Savings "While we were able to use some of the lessons learned from Pandemic EBT, Summer EBT required an entirely different framework and multiple system changes to ensure that the right students were identified as eligible to receive benefits," the statement read. "In future years, Colorado will be able to use these new systems to get benefits out earlier and in line with federal program guidelines." In the meantime, Rosa recommended that families in need contact their local food bank for any immediate needs and visit their website for additional resources. Last month, the state's summer meals program opened to all students ages 18 and under across 44 locations in the Pikes Peak Region. Fraud watch CDHS is also warning those who are eligible to be aware of potential fraud with their EBT cards. As of early June this year, the department reported 38 instances of adult financial theft, 16 reports of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families theft and approximately 2,470 reports of SNAP theft statewide. Rosa noted that, within hours of announcing this summer's EBT rollout on Facebook, scammers were already found in their comment section. "Never share your PIN with anyone," CDHS states on their website. "Do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts or calls asking for your EBT Card or PIN number. Legitimate EBT customer service workers will never ask for your PIN." Those who believe their card's information has been stolen are advised to freeze their card and change their PIN immediately. Neighbors share concern after northwest Las Vegas shooting happens at same site of 2015 double murder LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A deadly shooting left some people with more questions than answers on Friday after police said a man was shot and killed in a northwest Las Vegas valley home that was also the site of a double murder 9 years ago. Oh its ongoing, one neighbor told 8 News Now of continued issues in the neighborhood. The woman, who did not want to share her name, spoke about Fridays deadly shooting near Buffalo Drive and Lone Mountain Road. Once I see oh the street is blocked off, she added. They got the usual scenario, that was nothing new to me. 1 dead, 1 injured in shooting in northwest valley home A deadly shooting left some people with more questions than answers on Friday after police said a man was shot and killed in a northwest Las Vegas valley home along the 4800 block of North Tioga Way. It was also the site of a double murder 9 years ago. (KLAS) According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, two men got into an argument that led to gunfire just after 5:00 a.m. inside the home in the 4800 block of North Tioga Way. Officers said one man died on scene, while the other was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Its the latest in what neighbors called a series of concerning situations at the same address. In the last few years its a periodic every six-eight months, a neighbor continued. Whatever, police cars. A deadly shooting left some people with more questions than answers on Friday after police said a man was shot and killed in a northwest Las Vegas valley home along the 4800 block of North Tioga Way. It was also the site of a double murder 9 years ago. (KLAS) The anonymous woman who spoke with 8 News Now said she has lived in the area for 50 years. She remembered the first time the same house made the news back in 2015 when a husband and wife were murdered and both their bodies were found inside. The man who killed the husband and wife at the home in 2015, Mark Carpenter, was renting a room at the time, according to police. He was convicted and sentenced in May of 2023, according to court documents. Man accused of killing landlords indicted by grand jury Fast forward nine years and the woman said she is still trying to stop what she referred to as ongoing issues. What does it take, code violations? she asked. What is the avenue to making this not happen again? She said it was all to make sure this normally quiet spot could go back to feeling safe for her and others. Just the various situations that have occurred, the woman concluded. Is very noticeable. In regards to Fridays shooting, police told 8 News Now they were not searching for any outside suspects. Police said several other people were inside the home when the incident happened. There was no word on whether they were living at the home or visiting at the time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. On Saturday, Israel launched an overnight airstike to kill top Hamas military commander and suspected architect of the Oct. 7 attack, Mohammed Deif, which hit a humanitarian zone in Gaza. During a news conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was not absolutely certain Deif, and a second Hamas commander Rafa Salama, had been killed, but vowed to get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas." According to Gazan health officials, the strike killed at least 90 people and wounded hundreds near Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza strip, marking the largest loss of life in weeks. The targeted zone, Mawasi, was designated as a safe zone by Israel in October, and is home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge, according to U.N. officials. This is not the first time Israel has dropped bombs on Mawasi and accused militants of operating from within the tents and makeshift shelters housing the areas civilian population. Arrogance & Bullshit: Top Insiders on Netanyahus Catastrophic Oct. 7 and Gaza War Israeli military officers said this attack targeted a fenced-in Hamas-run compound that was not used as a camp for displaced Palestinians, describing the site as an open area with trees and several buildings and sheds. Footage of the airstrikes location appeared to corroborate some of the Israeli Defense Forces statements. Video also showed charred tents and cars and bodies being transported on the hoods, in the hatchbacks of cars, on donkey carts, and carpets. In response to the attack, Hamas rejected Israels position that Dief was in the humanitarian area, stating these false claims are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre. Referred to as The Guest, Deif has long topped Israels most-wanted list and the highly elusive Hamas commander has survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts. If dead, he would be the highest ranking Hamas member to have been killed by Israel since the start of the war. The Israeli operation came during fragile cease-fire discussions, the same day Netanyahu rejected Hamas demand for amendments to the proposal created by President Biden in May, saying he would not move one millimeter from the original terms. Egypt, a mediator in the cease-fire talks, issued a statement condemning the strike, saying these ongoing violations against Palestinian citizens add serious complications to the ability of the efforts currently being made to reach calm and a cease-fire, and criticizing what it called the shameful silence and lack of action from the international community. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Israel is not yet sure whether Mohammed Deif, the military chief of the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, was actually killed in an airstrike. "There is still no absolute certainty," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference in Tel Aviv. The army had previously announced that it was still investigating whether Deif and Rafa Salama, the commander of the Khan Younis Brigade, had been killed in the airstrike west of Khan Younis. Hours earlier, the Israeli military bombed a fenced-off object in the humanitarian zone between Khan Younis and al-Mawasi, which Israel claimed served as a base for Hamas terrorists. According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, 90 people were killed in the attack and a further 300 were injured. The army had extremely reliable intelligence information that Deif and Salama were in the base at the time of the attack, a senior military representative said in an online briefing for journalists. The information from all sides could not initially be independently verified. (WBRE/WYOU) Newsmakers will feature CHOP Out Hunger this weekend. Jayne Ann Bugda and Andy Mehalshick host the monthly Public Affairs program. Bugda and Mehalshick will be joined by Dani Rufh, Founder and CEO of CHOP Out Hunger, and Bailey Rufh and Ty Holmes, both major gift officers with CHOP Out Hunger. Bailey is the inspiration for the organization. She will share her story of how she and her mom, Dani, started the non-profit, The panel will talk about the need for food in our communities and how CHOP Out Hunger has grown to serve many people in our region. CHOP Out Hunger helps areas schools fight food insecurities through food pantries, pop-up pantries, and backpack programs year-round. Newsmakers will air at a special time on Saturday, July 13 at 1 pm on WBRE and then on Sunday, July 14 at 7:30 am on WYOU. Graphics The mission of Chop Out Hunger is to create an entire generation that doesnt know hunger through innovative and collaborative outreach partnerships. Since 2019, CHOP has grown to serve tens of thousands of students weekly in Pennsylvania. 1 in 5 children in rural PA faces food insecurity Backpack Program Students are given a bag of food every Friday to take home and get them through the weekend. Bags include easy-to-prepare, nutritious foods, and fresh produce. In-School Pantries At the high school level, we introduce an in-school pantry that is self-serve to all students. Pop Up Pantries Pop Up Pantries allow us to come into a community with a box truck full of food; including, pantry staples, fresh produce, frozen meats, and dairy. More Information TEL: (570) 485-5050 Chopouthunger.org Andy Mehalshick, Jayne Ann Bugda, Dani Ruhf, Bailey Ruhf, and Ty Holmes on the Newsmakers set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) reiterated he is not considering a run for the Democratic nominee, even if President Biden were to step aside. The governor repeated that he will not run for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination most recently during an interview with journalist Robert Costa on CBS News, which is set to air Sunday morning. You delete, delete, delete, delete. Thank you, delete, and rinse, repeat, he said. Im all in. No daylight, Newsom responded when Costa asked how hes handled personal messages asking if hell consider becoming the nominee. Newsom told Costa he has absolutely not engaged in private conversations on the topic, either. I know one thing: Everything you do in private becomes public. Even private thoughts seem to manifest publicly. So, not a chance, Newsom said. The California governors latest remarks come in the wake of Bidens shaky debate performance in late June, which sparked concerns among Democrats and has given rise to conversations about likely contenders to replace the president at the top of the partys ticket. Newsoms name has appeared in these discussions, joining other prominent Democrats like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Vice President Harris and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Despite his rising popularity in the party, Newsom has remained a staunch and prominent Biden supporter and has served as a surrogate for the campaign. Newsom first declared in 2022 that he would not run for president during the 2024 election cycle, even if Biden decided against pursuing reelection. The Biden camp has maintained he will remain in the race and claim the Democratic nomination at the end of August. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nicholas Godejohn was sentenced to life without parole for his involvement in the murder of Gypsy Rose Blanchard's mom. Gypsy, on the other hand, was sentenced to ten years with eligibility for parole. She was released in December, while Nicholas remains behind bars. As The Blast previously reported, Gypsy is believed to be a victim of Munchausen by proxy as her mother, Clauddine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard, subjected her to years of fake medical diagnosis and unnecessary surgeries and prescribed medications. As she felt it was the only way out, she and her then-boyfriend, Nicholas, plotted to murder Dee Dee, a plan which they carried out in 2015. Nearly ten years later, Gypsy Rose Blanchard was released on parole, and her case became one of the biggest headlines. As she continues to stay in the media, many are now calling for Nicholas Godejohn's case to go to retrial. What Happened To Dee Dee Blanchard? View this post on Instagram A post shared by dee dee (@dee_dee_blanchard) Dee Dee Blanchard was believed to have Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental health disorder where a caregiver fabricates or induces illness in someone under their care to gain attention or sympathy. As reported by several news outlets and shown in the 2017 documentary "Mommy, Dead & Dearest," Dee Dee falsely claimed that Gypsy suffered from various severe health conditions and disabilities, subjecting her daughter to unnecessary medical treatments and procedures. The relationship was either very affectionate because I was very submissive and obedient, or I was either rebellious and I would be punished for it, Gypsy said in the docuseries. After I would do something that my mom wanted me to do, we would go to Toys R Us, or she would buy me a new dress, and then the next best thing was her love and affection. Gypsy Rose Blanchard And Nicholas Godejohn Murder Dee Dee Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard In 2012, Gypsy Rose met Nick Godejohn virtually on a Christian Dating website, and the two formed a relationship. They communicated for nearly three years before they met in person for the first time in 2015. Encouraged by Gypsy Rose, Nicholas fatally stabbed Dee Dee on June 9, 2015, at the family's home in Springfield, Missouri. Godejohn received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, while Gypsy-Rose was released on December 28 after serving eight and a half years of her ten-year sentence. Nicholas remains behind bars. Nicholas Godejohn's Final Words Before Sentencing Goes Viral A clip of Nicholas Godejohn awaiting his sentence is now going viral on TikTok as he expresses his final words to the judge. "When this whole thing happened, like I've said it before in my statements, is very much the truth. So I'll just say it again," he said in the courtroom. "When this whole thing happened, all I ever really want[ed] to be is with Blanchard. That's all I ever wanted to be." "I never knew what it was like to have a motherly love. I've never known what it's like to have a female connection. I've never known any of that," he continued. "None of it because I've never known it, that's part of the reason why I strive so hard to get it, so much to the point where I don't even understand what it even feels like to have a female connection. It's missing. It's a missing link. It's always been a missing link, it's always been one." "And that's the reason why when I got so deep into this situation, where I fell in love so deeply," Nicholas told the judge. "Didn't you say 'love is blind?' I've always said that [and] well I admit it, I was blindly in love. That was always very much the case. It was always that way. So I understand you're a fair judge. I've heard it multiple times, and all I ask is [...] any form." Nicholas Godejohn Sentenced To Life Without Parole View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nicholas Godejohn (@nicholasgodejohnfreedomproject) Nicholas's defense argued that Gypsy Rose had manipulated him, but the jury ultimately found him guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and was convicted of first-degree murder in November 2018. I felt horrible about it. When me and her were in the hotel room she [Gypsy] kept on telling me, Stop crying, stop crying. Theres no reason, reason to cry. It was my idea, it wasnt yours. I did what I did because I loved her. I really wanted a life with her, I really did," he told ABC's "20/20." Reflecting On Dee Dee's Murder Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard When reflecting back on the night of the murder, Gypsy Rose said she hid in the room next door while Nicholas stabbed her mother repeatedly. I heard her scream once, and there was more screaming but not like the kind in a horror film. Just like a startled scream, and she asked, Who was it that was in the bedroom? And she called out to my name about three or four times, Gypsy told "20/20." And at that point, I wanted to go help her so bad, but I was so afraid to get up. It's like my body wouldn't move. Then everything just went quiet. Gypsy expressed that the prospect of starting a new life made her feel both excited and overwhelmed. It would come in times of happiness, little spurts of happiness, but I would have breakdowns or I'd start crying, feeling remorse, guilt, and at the same time, also missing her at the same time, worry about what, what I'd just done. She's gone, she said. Two suspected speed demons are accused of fueling a deadly multi-vehicle crash in New Jersey and one of the drivers is now being charged in the death of his own wife. Benjamin Futerman, 32, was behind the wheel of a BMW and Wilson Familia, 22, was driving a Ford Mustang both allegedly exceeding 100 mph when they crashed on Route 9 near Ferry Road in OPld Bridge shortly after 1 a.m. on June 2, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said. Futermans doomed wife, Kristina Godich, 31, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene. Kristina Godich was a loving wife and a best friend to a husband who adored and spoiled her, according to her obituary. He is now charged with causing her death. freemanfuneralhomes.com Wilson Familia, 22, of Old Bridge, was operating a Ford Mustang when it crashed in the area of Route 9 and Ferry Road, Old Bridge, shortly after 1 a.m. June 2, authorities said. facebook Wilson Familia Officials would not speculate if the two men were drag racing. Futerman, of Manalapan, and Familia, of Old Bridge, drove recklessly and at a high rate of speed before colliding with other vehicles, the prosecutors said. The cause of the crash is still being investigated, said prosecutor spokesperson Brynn Krause. Futerman was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition, and was released days later. He surrendered to authorities Wednesday, officials said. Familia and his three passengers were also transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Familia surrendered to the Old Bridge Police Department on Monday. Wilson Familia posted a picture of a red Mustang to his Facebook. facebook Wilson Familia Futerman was hit with one count of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and one count of second-degree vehicular homicide in the death of his wife, prosecutors said. Familia was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree assault by auto, and two counts of third-degree aggravated assault for the injuries sustained by his passengers, authorities said. Futermans wife was a Rutgers grad who worked in finance and credit risk management for Wells Fargo. Godich was born in Uzbekistan and brought to the US as an infant, according to her gut-wrenching obituary, which documented the moms kindness, love of family and zest for life. Kristina Godich, (seen here with newlywed husband Benjamin Futerman) worked in finance and credit risk management for Wells Fargo, where she was a vice president, according to her LinkedIn. freemanfuneralhomes.com Futerman, who survived the crash, was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in critical condition, prosecutors said. He was released days later but did not surrender to authorities until Wednesday, officials said. freemanfuneralhomes.com Kristina was a huge animal lover and had a special place in her heart for the less-fortunate, sickly, injured and homeless animals, she would nurse them back to health and provide a warm, loving haven for them. Each wagging tail and grateful purr was a testament to her selfless devotion, the obituary reads. She also loved to travel and explore the world and was a fabulous fashionista who strutted through life with style and sass. Her love affair with fashion was matched only by her obsession with shoes, the tribute said. Godich loved to travel and explore the world and was a fabulous fashionista who strutted through life with style and sass, her obituary read. Linkedin Kristina Godich In addition to noting that Godich was a devoted mother to son, Jayson, the poignant write-up eerilydescribes Kristina as a loving wife and a best friend to a husband who adored and spoiled her. Both Futerman and Familia were released this week on pre-trial monitoring, authorities said. Ukrainian intelligence is closely monitoring the joint "anti-terrorist" exercises being conducted by Chinese and Belarusian forces in Belarus and says no additional threats or provocations have been detected. Source: Captain Andrii Yusov, representative of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda Quote: "Based on the latest data, there are currently no additional threats from Belarus. In particular, these are indeed planned exercises. However, Russian disinformation may, as ever, attempt to use any excuse to strengthen its position. Naturally, Ukraine's security and defence forces are closely monitoring and controlling the situation in this area." Background: Ukraine's National Resistance Center reported that it had received information that Belarusian security services were preparing to conduct false flag operations in the border area with Ukraine. Previously: On 6 July, Chinese troops reportedly arrived in Belarus to take part in joint anti-terrorism drills. Commenting on the military exercises being conducted by China and Belarus near the Polish border, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that such actions demonstrate how authoritarian regimes are aligning more and more, which makes it even more important for the Allies to work more closely with their partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Support UP or become our patron! No backup required: Texas senior care depends on luck and wits to cope with heat after power outages Housekeeper Denise Wright throws out food on Friday that spoiled after Hurricane Beryl caused power outages at the Ella Springs Senior Living Community in Houston. The loss of electricity meant that many residents had to throw out the majority of their cold food items. Credit: Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribune Some 120 miles from where Hurricane Beryl first made landfall in Texas on Monday, the power was out in north Houston, specifically at the Ella Springs Senior Living Community, an 80-resident assisted living and memory care facility. That first day, following their emergency plan, the staff got to work, locating two small generators, fans and portable air conditioners to try to make one common area the dining room cooler for residents. Ella Springs had previously registered with CenterPoint Energy, the utility that manages power lines in the area, as a critical load customer, according to director Brenda Hobson. That designation, Hobson thought, would mean that like hospitals, her center would be among the first ahead of residential customers to have power restored. Electricity needed for air conditioning is one concern, admittedly a large one. But when the power went off at Ella Springs, it also took down the emergency alert system for residents. They all have the pendant to call for help, Hobson said of the devices residents use to alert staff in emergencies. With the power outage, that doesnt work. And that means constant checks on each resident. Its a lot of extra stress on the staff. About 25 of her residents who have varying stages of dementia live in a secure unit. When the electricity went out, the locks on doors leading outside deactivated, forcing staffers to stand guard to keep residents from wandering. After four days of being put on hold and disconnected, Hobson came to the realization that the priority designation with the utility wasnt one at all. At this point, weve never had an outage like this before, said Hobson. She understands CenterPoint has a tough job but better communication with its health care customers should also be top of mind, she said. CenterPoint did not immediately respond to questions about their priority list protocols. Ella Springs was among roughly 14 nursing homes and 30 assisted living facilities in Harris County without power by late Thursday, four days after Beryl struck Texas. Although power was restored by Friday morning, the experience has her wondering why she pre-registered if they werent going to get power any sooner than anyone else. When a storm hits Texas, utilities, by law, are supposed to give nursing homes and assisted living centers (as well as hospice sites) the same priority, as hospitals when it comes to restoring power But how that happens and how fast is not specified by the state. And theres no requirement that the states 2,000 assisted living facilities and 1,187 nursing facilities have generators to power heating and cooling systems. The only requirement is that they have alternative power sources to keep medication refrigerated and lifesaving equipment like oxygen machines up and running. Thats been something we, as advocates, have tried to get passed for years, said Greg Shelley, the chief long-term care ombudsman in Harris County. Shelleys team is part of a state network that handles residents concerns and complaints. When a storm hits the Houston area, Shelley and his staff of eight hit the phones, either from their cars, their homes or their office, trying to reach about 400 elder care facilities across the 1,700 square-miles of sprawling Harris County. If they can contact a nursing home or assisted living facility staffer Shelleys team quickly asks about power. Is power on? Are you on a generator? Is it working? What do you need? Brenda Hobson, director of operations at Ella Springs Senior Living Community, shows a medical alert pendant that residents use to inform nurses that they require assistance. During the blackouts, these pendants ceased functioning, and staff had to continuously check residents apartments to ensure there was no one in distress. Credit: Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribune The long-term care ombudsman network is usually among the first to get updated numbers on problems after a storm, about the conditions inside care homes for elderly and disabled residents. They pass along the information to emergency responders and officials. But for the most part, elder care facilities in Texas have no requirement to have generators to power heating and cooling systems despite the increase in stronger storm activity over the past 25 years. And if a facility has a generator, the type can vary. Most move residents into a common area and use portable generators to power a few fans or portable air conditioning units inside that area, as Ella Springs did. As of Friday, some 80 facilities along the coast remained without regular power. It is not clear how many had generators or had moved residents to facilities where power was restored. Luckily, so far at least, there have been no deaths or serious injuries reported as a result of the outages at senior facilities. What are the rules? Since 1996, state law has required all new nursing homes to have an emergency generator that powers safety features such as emergency lighting and exit signs, fire alarm systems, nurse call systems, telephones and medication and life-saving equipment. The same is true of all assisted living facilities that serve 17 or more residents. However, state law does not require nursing homes or assisted living facilities to have a generator to power air conditioning or heating systems. Texas Health and Human Services also requires emergency preparedness plans for assisted living and nursing facilities. This plan can include communication, sheltering arrangements, resource management, and evacuation. But these plans offer facility operators a lot of latitude in how they are implemented. ALFs and NFs should know who to contact regarding power issues in the event of a power failure, said agency spokesperson Tiffany Young. Young said nursing and assisted living facilities that lose power during a natural disaster can also choose to evacuate to another facility or agreed-upon location. She also said a nursing home must have a plan for remaining in the facility during an emergency. HHSC does not regulate independent senior living facilities. These entities do not hold a state license and are not required to report any information to the state health agency. When Hurricane Beryl made its way toward southeast Texas the states health agency sent out alerts to long-term care providers, reminding them to use their emergency plans. Failed Attempts Various lawmakers have attempted to require backup generators at assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Still, each attempt failed to reach Gov. Greg Abbotts desk. State Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, filed a bill to require backup generators at assisted living facilities in 2021 after Winter Storm Uri caused the Texas power grid to collapse for several days. However, the bill stalled in committee after facing opposition from the industry, which raised concerns, mostly about cost. The price tag to equip all the states assisted-living facilities with generators would be enormous. I understand the cost being a problem. But I am sad these senior citizens who are forced to live in these environments, but nobody seems to care, Thompson told The Texas Tribune on Friday. Its kind of disappointing to see because Texas is better than this. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission estimated that in 2021, the cost of installing a new generator capable of supporting certain air temperatures could range from $20,000 for a new and smaller facility to $720,000 or more for an older and larger facility. Thompson refiled the bill in the 2023 session alongside Rep. Shawn Nicole Thierry, D-Houston, and Rep. Elizabeth Liz Campos, D-San Antonio. Yet, the bill once again stalled in committee. I thought the second go around we had a chance, Thompson said. I was shocked. It was a bipartisan no vote. The cost and feasibility of the potential generator law are hurdles lawmakers have been unable to get past in Texas. Hurricane Beryl has shown us once again how vulnerable our senior residents are during extreme weather, Thierry said. Many of these elderly Texans are disabled or bedridden, and its heartbreaking and unacceptable to see them suffer needlessly. But in Florida, it has been a different story since Hurricane Irma, a Category 4 storm, hit in 2017. An oxygen concentrator sits next to a fan in a common area on Friday at Ella Springs Senior Living Community in Houston. In order to maximize the effect of the generators, all of the 80 residents gathered into the common area to stay cool and keep life-saving medical equipment working. Credit: Olivia Anderson/The Texas Tribune As power outages gripped the state, a grisly discovery in the storms aftermath was made inside a Fort Lauderdale-area nursing home where 12 residents died from heat after a hurricane-related power outage cut off the air-conditioning system. As a result, Gov. Rick Scott issued emergency rules that he later signed into laws requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities to maintain a backup power source. Virginia passed a similar law in 2019 requiring assisted living facilities to install and maintain adequately sized emergency generators or accept mobile generators. Oregons Department of Human Services requires assisted living facilities with ventilator-assisted care to have a functional emergency backup generator. Marylands health code requires assisted living facilities that serve 50 or more people to have an emergency electrical power generator on-site. It must be able to start immediately and reach full speed within 10 seconds. Thierry said she believes a generator requirement bill must be brought before lawmakers again during the next legislative session. We are experiencing more frequent natural disasters and extreme weather-related events, so I feel like its clear that the bill Ive been pushing for multiple sessions should be prioritized, she said. Ensuring that nursing homes and all assisted living centers in Texas have adequate and uniform standards for backup power is not only sensible, it's a matter of life and death. Thompson, who announced his retirement from the Texas House last year, said he is not optimistic about a bills chances. I dont see much hope for the bill under the current environment, Thompson said. They are going to spend all their time talking about other things that dont have an impact on people. Thompsons advice to Texans is if a loved one is being put in a nursing home or assisted living facility, check to see if they have a backup generator. He said if they dont, leave and find a place that does because this is the best way to initiate change. How many Texas facilities have generators? It took the crushing statewide power outage of the 2021s winter storm to force Texas to take its most recent tally of how many of its senior facilities have generators on hand. That 2022 survey yielded responses from 1,520 licensed assisted living facilities and 1,139 licensed nursing home facilities. About 47%, or 715, of the assisted living respondents reported having a generator on hand and 99%, or 1,132, of the nursing facilities that answered reported having one. One caveat. Theres a lot of wiggle room in that survey. For one, its all self-reported information. None of it is independently verified, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Also, having a generator and being able to cool an entire facility are two separate things. Facilities were only asked if their generator is configured to providing cooling for at least part of the facility. Not all senior facilities that said they had a generator could actually use one to cool an entire building. In Harris County, providers like Hobson spent the better part of a week answering questions from frantic residents and families who worried about the power outage. Hobson said that a better communication process between utilities and hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities could be where to start. If everyone learns from this we can hopefully make some progress before the next time, she said. Were trying to answer our residents and their families and we just have to tell them We dont know. On Friday, Hobson met with electricians, bracing for an estimate. She wants to know what it would cost for a larger, better power backup. Its going to be extremely expensive, she said. Could the government help, she wonders? Any kind of help would be helpful. Disclosure: CenterPoint Energy and Texas Department of Health and Human Services have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. Big news: director and screenwriter Richard Linklater; NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher; U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-California; and Luci Baines Johnson will take the stage at The Texas Tribune Festival, Sept. 57 in downtown Austin. Buy tickets today! The Colorado Springs Fire Department is responding to a well involved house fire at 78 Haney Rd. According to a social media post by the department, Engine 4 was on the scene at 8:50 p.m. and a second alarm has been ordered. The Gazette responded to the scene briefly around 9:30 p.m. Several fire engines lined the streets with a drone flying above to monitor while firefighters worked to control the flames. Firefighters and medical personnel were seen walking up and down the block where the engines lined up, checking individuals out as they exited their homes. The fire department asks the community to avoid the area while firefighters work to control the fire. Firefighters and several engines were still on-scene as of 10 p.m. No injuries have been reported at this point. This will be updated as more information becomes available. FILE - A North Korean flag flutters in North Korea's village Gijungdong as seen from a South Korea's observation post inside the demilitarized zone in Paju, South Korea during a media tour, March 3, 2023. North Korea threatened Saturday, July 13, 2024, to boost its nuclear fighting capability and get the U.S. and South Korea to face an unimaginably harsh price as it slammed its rivals new defense guidelines that it says revealed an intention to invade the North. (Jeon Heon-Kyun/Pool Photo via AP, File) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea threatened Saturday to boost its nuclear fighting capability and make the United States and South Korea pay an unimaginably harsh price as it slammed its rivals new defense guidelines that it says reveal an intention to invade the North. On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol authorized the signing of joint nuclear deterrence guidelines as part of efforts to enhance their capabilities to cope with North Koreas growing nuclear arsenal. The guidelines were adopted a year after the two countries established a consultation body to bolster information-sharing on nuclear operations and discuss how to integrate U.S. nuclear weapons and South Korean conventional weapons in contingencies. In a statement carried by state media, North Koreas Defense Ministry said the U.S.-South Korea guidelines betrayed their sinister intention to step up their preparations for a nuclear war against North Korea. The statement said its enemies escalating nuclear threats urgently require North Korea to further improve its nuclear deterrent readiness and add unspecified important elements to the composition of the deterrent. It said the U.S. and South Korea will pay an unimaginably harsh price if they fail to stop provocative acts. South Koreas Defense Ministry on Sunday called North Koreas statement sophistry, saying the guidelines would not have been needed if there were no North Korean nuclear threats. The South Korean Defense Ministry warned in a statement that any attempt by North Korea to use nuclear weapons will invite an overwhelming response by the South Korean-U.S. alliance and result in the end of the Norths government. Details of the U.S.-South Korean guidelines weren't available, but experts say they are largely about how the two countries would integrate U.S. nuclear weapons and South Korean conventional weapons to respond to various potential contingencies caused by North Korean attacks and provocations. Experts say the U.S. and South Korea are expected to map out detailed concept and operation plans based on the guidelines and review them via bilateral military exercises. The guidelines are the first of their kind between the allies. The U.S. has repeatedly promised to use all its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons, to protect South Korea if it is attacked by North Korea, but many experts in South Korea believe the U.S. lacks plans on how it would implement its extended deterrence to its ally. South Korea has no nuclear weapons. North Korea has argued it was forced to pursue nuclear weapons to deal with U.S.-led nuclear threats. American and South Korean officials have steadfastly said they have no intention of attacking North Korea. Concerns about North Korea's nuclear program have grown in recent years as the North performed a slew of provocative missile tests and openly threatened to use nuclear weapons preemptively in potential conflicts with its adversaries. North Korea's Foreign Ministry denounced the NATO summit declaration, threatening to deter a "threat" with "tougher strategic counteraction," the state-controlled Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on July 13, citing a ministry's spokesperson. The document, concluded after the three-day NATO summit, condemned North Korea and Iran for fueling Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine by providing Moscow with military aid. With Russia's military stocks running low and domestic production capacity simultaneously hampered by Western sanctions, North Korea has been shaping up to be Russia's leading weapons supplier. Moscow has reportedly received extensive military packages from Pyongyang, including around 5 million artillery shells. "Any transfer of ballistic missiles and related technology by Iran to Russia would represent a substantial escalation," the declaration read. Pyongyang rejected the document, calling it "illegal" and claiming that the "U.S. and NATO pose the most serious threat to global peace and security." Further criticism of Washington in the document largely echoes Russian propaganda narratives. "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will never overlook or avoid the looming grave threat but thoroughly deter the aggression and war threat with stronger level of strategic counteraction," the statement claimed. North Korea has fired its missiles toward the sea off its eastern coast multiple times, seen by South Korea as a provocation. A joint declaration of NATO members also mentioned that China is a threat to the interests and security of the alliance and is a "decisive enabler" of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Beijing rejected the notion, characterizing NATO's accusation as being "provocative." The White House said that a recently signed partnership agreement between Moscow and Pyongyang, pledging to provide each other aid if either is attacked, should worry not only the U.S. but also China as it threatens to undermine the stability of the Korean peninsula. Read also: Zelensky calls NATO summit success, but experts warn of green light for Russian aggression Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (NewsNation) A group of Louisiana church leaders across the state are condemning a new law mandating the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools. Rev. Marc J. Boswell, senior pastor at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, is part of the movement and says the law was deeply troubling but not surprising given the concerning rise of Christian nationalism in Louisiana. Dont do this in our name, he told NewsNation, referring to the Ten Commandments in schools. We are not backing this. We are a Christian-identifying people and we do not support this. New Louisiana law requiring classrooms to display Ten Commandments churns old political conflicts The Ten Commandments law has been widely shunned by civil liberty groups and faith leaders as being a gross infringement on the rights of students and a violation of the separation of church and state under the Constitution. Shortly after the law was signed, several clergy joined a group of parents of Louisiana public school students in suing the state over the law. This week, they asked for a preliminary injunction blocking the law and requested expedited answers ostensibly to get a decision before the first day of school. Alec Baldwins Rust involuntary manslaughter case dismissed As a nonreligious family, we oppose the government forcibly subjecting all children to a religious scripture that we dont believe in, Jennifer Harding and Benjamin Owens, who are among the group of parents suing, said in a statement. More than 110 clergy have rebuked the law signed by Gov. Jeff Landry last month saying the responsibility of religious education belongs to families, churches and other religious institutions, not the government, in a letter to the governor. Boswell, a Baptist, has joined Christian leaders of several congregations and denominations including Lutheran, Catholic and Methodists. We value the right of all families to determine the religious education of their children and are appalled to see public officials claiming that right for themselves, the clergy wrote. FILE -Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs bills related to his education plan on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Lafayette, La. Louisiana has become the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom, the latest move from a GOP-dominated Legislature pushing a conservative agenda under a new governor. (Brad Bowie/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File) FILE Workers repaint a Ten Commandments billboard off of Interstate 71 on Election Day near Chenoweth, Ohio, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Louisiana has become the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom under a bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Visitors walk past a monument of the Ten Commandments outside the Capitol, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Paul Weber) A copy of the Ten Commandments hangs in the Alabama Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., Thursday, June 20, 2024. The wooden plaque hangs next to a display titled The Foundation of Our Law that also includes information about the Magna Carta and the Mayflower Compact. The display sits in a room that housed the Alabama Supreme Court library between 1885 and 1940 and is now used for historical displays. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler) Supporters want students to see Gods law Louisiana Rep. Dodie Horton, a Republican who introduced the bill, advanced the proposal saying it is the basis of all laws in Louisiana during a House debate over the bill. Im not concerned with an atheist. Im not concerned with a Muslim, she said when asked about teachers who might not subscribe to the Ten Commandments. Im concerned with our children looking and seeing what Gods law is. Landry defended the law days after signing off on it saying most of our laws in this country are founded on the Ten Commandments, in an interview with Fox News. Ready for the fight: La. lawmaker on Ten Commandments law Look, when the Supreme Court meets, the doors of the Supreme Court on the backside have the Ten Commandments. Moses faces the U.S. Speaker of the House in the House chamber. He is the original giver of law, Landry told the outlet. The law has supporters in the faith community. At Archbishop Shaw High School, a Catholic-run school in suburban New Orleans, the head of school, the Rev. Steve Ryan, said he was pleased that the Ten Commandments will be posted on public school walls. These laws, which are part of the Judeo-Christian tradition, are good safeguards for society. They are actually reasonable, Ryan said. Where are the Ten Commandments appropriate? The new law has sparked robust conversation in congregations all over the state including in Rev. Jon Parks. He is the co-pastor of the University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge and the executive director of the Interfaith Federation of Baton Rouge. As a Protestant Christian, I do value the Ten Commandments and the role that they play in our lives, and theres plenty of great places where we can talk about those, but it doesnt seem like the public school classroom is the right place, he said. Parks says he sees the law and use of God in the classroom as more of a political statement rather than a religious one in an effort by state lawmakers to win favor with more conservative voters. Youre talking about elementary school children here looking at language that is not used anymore and the translation was cobbled together from different sources, and also leans a little bit in a certain direction in terms of religious morality, he said. In their letter, clergy also expressed concern over the state choosing an official version of scripture, which has varying interpretations. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry visits Catholic schools to boost support of ESA bill on Thursday, May 16, 2024.(WGNO/Cole Walker) The state-approved version of the Ten Commandments set forth in H.B. 71 does not exist in any translation of the Bible, they wrote. It is simply not possible to create a version of the Ten Commandments that honors every faith traditions interpretation, and legislators attempt to do so is deeply offensive to us as Christians. Growing movement of religion in public schools Louisiana became the first state to pass the Ten Commandments law, but others have considered similar proposals. In Utah, teachers would be allowed to teach the Ten Commandments in class under a bill that passed the state legislature and is awaiting a signature by the governor. A South Carolina bill that also mandates that the commandments by displayed in schools is in a state house committee. Texas introduced a Ten Commandments bill last year which ultimately failed to pass. The Oklahoma state school superintendent, a Republican, ordered public schools to incorporate the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12, arguing the historical significance of the religious text. Law professor Michael J. Broyde believes the Louisiana law wont hold up. Hes the projects director at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. The law as it stands now makes it clear that having just the Ten Commandments on display is an endorsement of a set of religious values, which the Supreme Court has never tolerated, he said. Louisiana kicks off national fight with Ten Commandments mandate The government can display a variety of religious symbols, Broyde said, but it cant idiosyncratically highlight a single religious symbol for display. He said religious symbols are coercive in nature and they are the most complicated to uphold because students are in schools involuntarily since the law requires it. Voluntary religious behavior is almost always protected, but when the government forces people to participate in religion by placing a religious symbol in the classroom and saying they must act respectfully in front of that symbol even though they may not agree with it, thats coercion, he said. Those cases are extremely problematic and we should resist, Brodye said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Numerous car thefts in Riley County reported in the past 30 days MANHATTAN (KSNT) Multiple car thefts are being reported in Manhattan this week. Police say nine car thefts were reported in the last 30 days. Many of these thefts could have been avoided. Four of them have actually been instances where people have left their keys in their vehicles unlocked, making it a pretty easy target for a suspect, Officer Manning with Riley County Police Department told 27 News. Police are reminding people to keep valuables out of their cars, keep their vehicles locked, and not leave their keys in their cars. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) A summer mentorship program in the Bronx gives Black and Latino students hands-on health care experience with the hope that they will pursue careers in the medical field. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine program also addresses disparities in health care coverage. PIX11s Arrianee LeBeau has the full story in the video player above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Octavia Spencer Says Biden and Harris Have Delivered at Detroit Rally: Joe Biden Works for You, The Other Guy Works for Himself Octavia Spencer reiterated her steadfast support for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at a July 12 campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan calling the current president a fighter. The event was held at Renaissance High School, where Biden campaigned ahead of the 2020 presidential primary. Spencer said Biden has a bold, positive vision for the future where freedom and democracy are strengthened and where the economy works for everyone. The Oscar-winner and Hidden Figures star pointed to the last election, where Biden narrowly defeated former President Donald Trump in Michigan, with 50.6% of the states votes versus Trumps 47.8%. More from Variety Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have delivered, Spencer said. Theyve delivered. Theyve rebuilt a battered economy and brought manufacturing back to our shores. And listen up, ladies: theyre fighting each and every day for our fundamental right to make our own decisions about our own bodies. As November inches closer, Spencer said there is one job to do: Reject Donald Trump once and for all. Americans have a choice to make, Spencer said. Who do we trust to fight for us? Do we trust a leader who has kept his promises and fought every day to make life better for all of us? Or do we trust a convicted felon? Joe Biden works for you, the other guy works for himself. Spencer also recently attended an Ann Arbor fundraiser with Vice President Kamala Harris in June. The actress has continued to show her support for the Biden campaign on social media, posting after Bidens performance at the June 27 debate. We all know that when you stumble, its about how you get back up thats most important, Spencer posted on her Instagram two days after the debate. She has also vehemently detested Project 2025, a blueprint of conservative policy proposals for a future Republican administration that includes pillars like banning DEI initiatives, banning abortion nationwide, restricting birth control access and much more. Spencers support comes just days after George Clooney published an op-ed in the New York Times demanding that Biden drop out of the presidential running. Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fundraiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010, Clooney wrote in his essay. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate. Besides Spencer, Biden was joined by Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, several Democratic members of Congress, union leaders and other elected officials at the rally. At the Detroit rally, the president attacked Project 2025 and detailed core policy proposals he hopes to enact within the first 100 days of a second term. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Colorado's second-highest court ruled on Wednesday that the Teller County sheriff cannot rely on an agreement with the federal government to authorize his deputies to perform immigration duties state law prohibits specifically, the continued detention of noncitizens beyond their release from custody. In 2019, the state legislature enacted a law forbidding local law enforcement from honoring civil detainer requests from immigration authorities, including warrants not signed by a judge and issued solely by executive branch employees. However, Sheriff Jason Mikesell contended the prohibition did not apply to an arrangement he entered into with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Known as a 287(g) agreement, some of Mikesell's employees were authorized to perform the tasks of federal immigration officers, including acting on civil immigration warrants. A trial judge previously agreed with Mikesell that the 287(g) agreement rendered his deputies "de facto" federal immigration officers and permitted the arrangement to continue. But a three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals noted a problem: The 287(g)-agreement permitted Mikesell's deputies to participate in immigration enforcement "to the extent consistent" with state law. Initiating a detention at the direction of ICE was not consistent with the 2019 change in law. "Though a procedure that requires ICE officers to directly arrest and detain aliens rather than delegating such authority to local law enforcement would require ICE to exercise more effort to apprehend and detain aliens, it was the legislatures prerogative to require immigration officials to put forth that effort in Colorado," wrote Judge Pax L. Moultrie in the July 3 opinion. Case: Nash v. Mikesell Decided: July 3, 2024 Jurisdiction: Teller County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Pax L. Moultrie (author) Stephanie Dunn David H. Yun Background: Appeals court rules against Teller County sheriff, reinstates lawsuit challenging immigration enforcement Six residents of Teller County filed suit against Mikesell, alleging the sheriff was using their tax dollars to carry out the 287(g) program in violation of Colorado law. Then-District Court Judge Scott Sells initially dismissed the case on the belief the plaintiffs lacked standing, but the Court of Appeals reinstated the suit in 2021. At a January 2023 trial, Sells heard the Teller County Sheriff's Office has had an agreement since 2000 to detain people on behalf of ICE. Since the 287(g) program began in 2019, four of Mikesell's deputies were trained to perform certain functions of ICE officers in the county jail, including interrogating detainees, serving ICE warrants and holding detainees on ICE's behalf for up to 48 hours after they are released from custody on their state charges. The designated deputies held a total of three detainees at ICE's request after they had posted bond. The men were all transferred to ICE detention. Calling the 287(g) arrangement a "modest program," Sells concluded Colorado law did not prohibit Mikesell from using his employees to carry out federal immigration functions. Specifically, he found the deputies acted as "de facto federal immigration officers" and state law could not "invalidate federal arrest warrants." "If Plaintiffs prevail, the consequence would be a system where an inmate walks out of the Jail after posting bond, possibly being met by family members in the Jail parking lot and then being arrested by ICE officials," Sells wrote. "Plaintiffs give no consideration of how their preferred procedure might affect the safety of the inmate, family, ICE officer, TCSO deputies or the public." Featured Local Savings The plaintiffs turned to the Court of Appeals, noting that nothing prevented Mikesell from communicating with ICE about detainees. But the federal government also required 287(g) arrangements to be consistent with state and local law. "The sheriff cant do what Colorado law doesnt authorize or forbids him from doing," argued attorney Stephen G. Masciocchi to the appellate panel. "Our constitution and the statute in question forbid him from arresting or detaining persons for civil immigration purposes." Teller County Attorney Paul W. Hurcomb countered the detentions of noncitizens were necessarily valid because the civil arrest warrants were valid. "Its valid under federal law," interjected Moultrie. "But isnt the whole issue plaintiffs argue is that its not valid under Colorado law?" "Do you have to comply with state and local law or not?" added Judge David H. Yun. Yes, responded Hurcomb, "and our contention is we are complying with state and local law. Colorado law does not prohibit a 287(g) agreement." Not so, the Court of Appeals concluded. Moultrie explained the 2019 legislative change explicitly applied to non-judicial immigration arrest warrants, and the 287(g) agreement clearly envisioned local law enforcement agencies would comply with their states' laws. "Thus, we disagree with the district courts conclusion that the (deputies) are federal officers solely accountable to federal law while performing immigration enforcement function," she wrote. Attorneys for the plaintiffs and for Mikesell were not immediately available for comment. The plaintiffs noted in their complaint that Mikesell was the only Colorado sheriff to have a 287(g) agreement. The case is Nash et al. v. Mikesell. With two weeks remaining before a planned vote on Chicago Public Schools $9.9 billion budget proposal, Mayor Brandon Johnson has said he wont accept staff cuts or forgo CPS $175 million obligation to contribute to the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund. In an emailed statement Friday, a spokesperson for the administration said that the mayor is aligned with CPS on the cost-saving measures and operational efficiencies outlined in the districts proposal released earlier this week. But, Johnsons office added, He is not supportive of cuts to critical support staff. As in previous years, budget amendments may be necessary to address concerns and account for increased costs. CPS has separately also signaled the likelihood of a forthcoming budget amendment, to fund expected salary increases resulting from collective bargaining underway with the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association. The districts current $505 million projected deficit doesnt account for those raises nor its pension payment, according to the mayors office. With the added possibility of retaining staff slated to be cut, CPS proposed $9.9 billion plan up $500 million from last year appears to represent the beginning rather than end of finalizing district finances for the coming school year. By law, CPS is required to have a balanced budget, with operating revenue matching expenses, Chief Budget Officer Mike Sitkowski said at the Board of Education in October. CPS pension obligations Regarding CPS annual required payment to the municipal pension fund in which its employees are members, the Johnson administration noted the city is already subsidizing what should be a district payment of $289 million this year the fourth in which CPS has been obliged to contribute, in an effort to disentangle city finances from the districts as it transitions to a fully elected school board. The city still expects CPS payment, but Johnson will seek to eliminate a discrepancy in state policy to alleviate the burden longterm, his administration said. The City will work with the district and our partners in Springfield to bring CPS pension payments in line with all other school districts in Illinois whose pension contributions are made by the State, a spokesperson said. Limited options, much blame To fill the deficit, CPS has said it made central office cuts, secured new grants, restructured debt and eliminated vacant positions. A spokesperson deferred to the mayors office for comment on alternative strategies. In its statement Friday, the mayors office recognized limited options to close that budget gap, following the expiration of federal COVID-era emergency relief funds and historical underfunding. A spokesperson added that Johnson views the 2024-25 CPS budget as a bridge year that builds on students gains while working to secure long-term fiscal stability. CEO Pedro Martinez said Wednesday the proposed budget very clearly puts teaching and learning front and center where it belongs. Under a new funding model, CPS will provide every school with core foundational staff and holistic teachers to provide arts and physical education, as well as a third specialty, such as world language or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, at the discretion of school principals. This is a landmark change from prior years, where some CPS schools lacked the resources to hire teachers for these holistic subject areas, the district said. The mayors office called the change promising, but said more remains to be done to ensure the budget aligns with Mayor Johnsons vision for a fully-funded, equitable school district where all children have the resources that they need to thrive, regardless of their zip code. Condemning recent end-of-year layoffs among support staff, the teachers union which spent more than $1 million to buoy Johnson into office, swiftly rebuked CPS proposal, as ignoring the steps necessary to protect progress made in the district and lacking a plan to fund a transformational neighborhood public schools. The CTU did not respond to a request for comment on what those steps would entail and the funding sources the district has not sought, instead providing a statement accusing Martinez of shirking responsibility by not aggressively taking on the states underfunding of our schools. The union, CPS and Johnson presented a united front for lobbying in the spring. But their efforts werent successful in securing more funding from state lawmakers, who are not required to provide adequate funding to districts statewide until 2027, per a school funding reform passed a decade prior. The Mayors Office will continue to work with CPS and the Chicago Board of Education to ensure that this budget meets our obligations to the residents of Chicago who need and deserve a world-class public education system, Johnsons office said Friday. Palestinians inspect the damage next to ambulance vehicles after an Israeli air strike on the Al-Mawasi camp for the displaced Palestinians. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinian medics reported that at least 71 people have been killed and hundreds injured in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in southern Gaza. The Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza said on Saturday that at least 289 people were injured in the attack on the Al-Mawasi camp when tents for displaced persons were hit, with many severely wounded. Israeli media reported that the target of the strike was Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing in Gaza. It is unclear whether Deif was hit, and the Israeli army has not commented. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was investigating the airstrike and added that, "in view of the developments in Gaza," Defence Minister Yoav Gallant conducted an assessment of the operational situation along with military and intelligence chiefs. One of Israel's central aims in the current conflict is to capture or kill Deif and the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Yehya al-Sinwar. The third most senior Hamas leader in Gaza, Marwan Issa, was reportedly killed in March. According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, there were several fierce attacks in Gaza early on Saturday. Staff at the Nasser Hospital reported a shortage of beds to accommodate the large number of injured following the attacks. The Israeli military said on Saturday that operations were continuing throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Gaza City. In the southern city of Rafah, Israeli forces destroyed numerous tunnels on Friday and killed several members of Hamas. Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli air strike on the Al-Mawasi camp for the displaced Palestinians. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli air strike on the Al-Mawasi camp for the displaced Palestinians. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Emergency workers rush to attend to victims after an Israeli air strike on the Al-Mawasi camp for the displaced Palestinians. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa Bodies of the Palestinian children who were killed in an Israeli attack that hit the house belonging to the Al-Raii family, are brought to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Palestinian medics reported that at least 71 people were killed and hundreds injured in an Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in southern Gaza. Among the dead was a Hamas military leader who was the target of the attack, according to Israeli media reports from Saturday. The health authorities in Gaza controlled by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement said that at least 289 people were injured in the attack on the al-Mawasi camp when tents for displaced people were hit. Many were severely wounded and are in danger of dying, according to medical sources in the Gaza Strip. Israeli media reported that the target of the strike was Mohammed Deif, the leader of Hamas' military wing in Gaza. The Haaretz newspaper said army sources believe Deif was killed in the attack. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted Deif, along with Hamas' military leader in the central city of Khan Younis, Rafa Salama. They have not yet confirmed whether the pair, considered "masterminds of the massacre on October 7," were killed. One of Israel's central aims in the current conflict is to capture or kill Deif and the Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Yehya al-Sinwar. The third most senior Hamas leader in Gaza, Marwan Issa, was reportedly killed in March. The IDF said the strike "was carried out in a fenced-in area controlled by Hamas and where, according to [IDF] information, only Hamas terrorists and no civilians were present." "It was a precise attack. It is estimated that most of the victims were also terrorists who were with Deif and Salama," it added. The IDF said the target zone was an open area surrounded by trees, several buildings and barracks, with no tents nearby, though Palestinian reports said the strike hit tents housing displaced people. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it was investigating the airstrike and added that, "in view of the developments in Gaza," Defence Minister Yoav Gallant conducted an assessment of the operational situation along with military and intelligence chiefs. There were several major attacks in Gaza early on Saturday, according to the WAFA Palestinian news agency. Staff at the Nasser Hospital reported a shortage of beds to accommodate the large number of injured following the attacks. The Israeli military said on Saturday that operations were continuing throughout the Gaza Strip, including in Gaza City. Report: Two killed in Israeli drone strike in Lebanon Meanwhile fighting continues between Israel and Lebanon, with two civilians killed by an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon, the official Lebanese news agency NNA reported on Saturday. The two were found dead inside a vehicle in the town of al-Khardly after they were targeted by a missile fired from the drone, the agency added. One fatality was identified as Mussa Sulaiman, a member of the Shiite Amal group, an ally of the Lebanese Iranian-aligned Hezbollah movement. The IDF said it struck at what it called "two Hezbollah terrorists" preparing to launch projectiles from southern Lebanon toward Israel. There are fears that the conflict could spread to Lebanon as Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah have been fighting almost daily since the beginning of the Gaza war. Argentina classifies Hamas as terrorist group Argentina has classified Hamas as a terrorist organization. "Hamas has claimed responsibility for the atrocities committed during the attack on Israel on October 7. These are part of a long history of terrorist attacks in the name of Hamas," the office of President Javier Milei announced on Friday evening. The United States, Canada and the European Union listed Hamas as a terrorist organization long ago. But Argentina is one of the few countries to have taken this step in Latin America, along with Paraguay and Costa Rica. Other countries such as Colombia and Bolivia broke off their relations with Israel due to its offensive in the Gaza Strip. Milei is seen as a staunch ally of Israel and unreservedly supports the policy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in the war in Gaza. The Jewish community in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires is one of the largest outside Israel. Palestinians including children, injured after Israeli attack on Nusairat, are brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Palestinians including children, injured after Israeli attack on Nusairat, are brought to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Omar Ashtawy/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa What is OKC's plan for reform following DOJ inquiry into mental health emergency calls? Dustin Pigeon, 29, was standing in his front yard, covered in lighter fluid, holding a lighter in one hand and a bottle of accelerant when two Oklahoma City police officers arrived. Pigeon suffered from bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and substance abuse. The officers begged Pigeon to reconsider. Before he could, another officer, Sgt. Keith Sweeney, arrived clutching his gun. I will (expletive) shoot you, Sweeney yelled. Get on the ground. Sweeney fired five shots at Pigeon. He died. Bennie Edwards, 60, suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He went to a strip mall holding a knife. Oklahoma City police Master Sgt. Keith Duroy and Sgt. Clifford Holman arrived, pepper sprayed and fired a Taser at him. Moments later, they shot Edwards. He died. Ernest Antwine, 42, suffered from schizophrenia and substance abuse. Oklahoma City police arrested him at least 15 times before his mother, Shirley Antwine, called for help again. During previous interactions with Antwine, officers used a Taser on him for resisting arrest. In many cases, they then drove him to a nearby hospital and then took him to jail. This time, however, Oklahoma City police Sgt. Robert Burton dropped him outside of Oklahoma City limits, on the side of Sooner Road. Burton stepped in front of a silver Nissan pickup. He died. Those mental health emergencies were reported by Oklahoma Watch over the last four years. In each case, Oklahoma City police officers responded without the guidance of a mental health professional. While the majority of mental health-related calls do not end so tragically, stories such as these sparked a Department of Justice investigation into the state of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Police Department in 2022. Federal investigators are looking at whether the state, city and police department comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities. More: When should you call 988? Oklahoma's mental health lifeline can be used before a crisis In recent years, the Oklahoma City Council, police, and fire departments have collaborated to improve mental health response in the city. On July 3, the city council released a 20-page report titled Transformational Progress, Oklahoma Citys Mental Health Services, Challenges, Innovation, and Solutions. The report was largely the product of the Law Enforcement Task Force and the Community Policing Working Group, which started in 2020. The two groups, with the help of 21CPSolutions, a company that specializes in public safety services, collected information to present 39 mental health response recommendations to the city council. How OKC has responded to mental health-related 911 calls Two programs were launched in 2019 to address the plethora of mental health-related 911 calls dispatchers receive annually: the Community Advocacy Program through the Oklahoma City Fire Department and the police departments Triaged Resources Urgent Support Team, known as TRUST. In 2023, of the 438,785 calls the Oklahoma City Police Department received, 18,614 were mental health-related. The city councils report discussed how the two programs have changed the role of 911 for those who routinely call by connecting them to services that reduce their need to call again. They were overutilizing 911, said Mike Walker, Oklahoma City Fire Department chief of operations. I dont say that in the sense that they were abusing, its just thats who they knew would answer the phone. The Community Advocacy Program takes fire department referrals and connects people to agencies that provide services ranging from food and housing to mental health care. More: Should you call 988 or 911 for mental health help? Here's what to know Lt. Bill Downs, of the Oklahoma City Fire Department, and Jenna Cox, Oklahoma Department of Human Services family services specialist, visit clients regularly to assess their needs. The two-person team can only keep a caseload of about 70, and Walker said they check on some clients only once per month. The fire department will add two case managers but is struggling to find qualified applicants. Downs said, so far, the program has saved the fire department an estimated $600,000 in costs from 911 overuse. A little bit of prevention, a little bit of coordination and everybody wins, Downs said. TRUST is a similar program. Police officers dispatched to mental health emergencies can refer callers to members of the Crisis Intervention Team, who can then connect them to appropriate services. The Crisis Intervention Team, launched in 2002, is a voluntary 40-hour mental health response training program. It comprises 172 Oklahoma City police officers, which was 35% of active patrol officers as of June, although 460 have completed the training. Valerie Littlejohn, the Oklahoma City Police Departments public information officer, said the disparity can be explained by the additional criteria required to join the Crisis Intervention Team; an officer must be a lieutenant or below in rank and the majority are on patrol, not in other departments such as investigations or administration. Kathy Walkers daughter struggles with mental health and interacted with Crisis Intervention Team officers on two occasions, most recently in May 2023. They were very good at talking to her and convincing her that she needed to go to a hospital to be evaluated, Kathy Walker said. Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state. Collaboration is critical Mental health response frequently overlaps with homelessness and overdoses, so mental health responders have to collaborate with other providers, such as those assisting the unhoused and those who have overdosed. The city started the Homeless Outreach Team in 2014. Police officers can report cases involving unsheltered individuals to the Oklahoma City Action Center, which notifies 40 nonprofit organizations affiliated with the citys Key to Home Partnership. Shelah Farley oversees the Street Outreach and Community Response team at Mental Health Association Oklahoma, part of the Key to Home Partnership. When youre living outside with untreated mental illness or substance abuse issues youre in what we call survival mode, Farley said. Youre only worried about the here and now. Youre not worried about talking to someone about your mental health because you dont have time for that, so if were bringing that to people, its a lot easier to obtain. The city also launched the Overdose Response Team in July 2023 to follow up with people who suffered an overdose and connect them with food, water, housing and/or mental health care. The team consists of Lance Jones, a major in operations at the Oklahoma City Fire Department, and Stephanie Pfitzenmeyer, a peer recovery support specialist at Hope Community Services. They know where we need to go and we know what we need to say when we get there, Pfitzenmeyer said, speaking of the collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals. Jones said they have spoken with about 600 people, both overdose victims and their companions. Walker said the citys efforts will focus on expanding programs like these and creating others that allow mental health professionals to play a larger role in responding to 911 calls. Mobile integrated health care The city is hiring five clinicians, five paramedics, nine case managers and one physician for its Mobile Integrated Health Care program, which aims to embed mental health professionals who work directly for the city into law enforcement response. Mobile Integrated Health Care will consist of four units, two of which are already in operation: Crisis Call Diversion, Crisis Response Teams, a Community Advocacy Program, and an Overdose Response Team. Crisis Call Diversion will provide a localized alternative to 988, a national suicide and crisis lifeline. It gives those experiencing a mental health emergency an option other than 911 by allowing callers to interact with mental health crisis specialists over the phone. Crisis specialists can dispatch Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse-contracted professional mobile crisis teams if needed. Due to its high call volume, Oklahoma 988 sends its high-risk calls to 911 emergency dispatchers. Walker said that last year, there were about 18,000 of those. In order to manage this and provide residents with a localized alternative to 988, the city will implement Crisis Call Diversion to embed a clinician and a certified case manager who is qualified to assess needs with Oklahoma City 911 dispatchers. The program will ensure more streamlined coordination between mental health professionals and law enforcement. If mental health professionals decide that a person requires a high level of care, they will be able to send a crisis response team. Crisis response teams will consist of a paramedic and a case manager who, if necessary, will take people to crisis and urgent recovery centers operated by certified community behavioral health clinics. Less critical cases will be handled by an alternative response team operated by an external agency and will be on the streets by January. The biggest problem OKC faces is staffing The citys largest obstacle is staffing. The only position filled so far is the physician posting. According to a November 2023 report by the Tulsa-based Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, the federal government has designated all 77 Oklahoma counties as mental health professional shortage areas. The fact is, we can throw money at a problem all day long, said Jeff Dismukes, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Oklahoma executive director. But if we dont have a workforce, well never be able to deliver what it is that we need to deliver. A separate report by the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative found that a significant reason for this is the lack of in-state educational opportunities for those interested in mental health careers. The likely caseloads also might be an obstacle. Steve Norwood, chief operations officer for specialized services at RedRock Behavioral Health Services, said their crisis stabilization units are normally at 85%-90% of capacity. Verna Foust, Red Rock Behavioral Health Services chief executive officer, said community mental health jobs arent the most desirable. Its a tough job, theres more paperwork because were billing government forces, she said. Sometimes, its easier not to work in the community sector. Statewide reforms Tulsahas operated its Community Response Team, similar to Oklahoma Citys Mobile Integrated Health Care, since 2017 through a collaboration between law enforcement and Family & Childrens Services, a certified community behavioral health clinic. Through its Community Outreach Psychiatric Emergency Services, known as COPES, Family & Childrens Services works with Tulsa police and fire departments to dispatch a mental health professional with law enforcement when needed. Amanda Bradley, vice president of COPES, said that when the Community Response Team was formed, it was imperative that every collaborator agreed on a set of definitions for terms such as divert. She said that because law enforcement and mental health professionals have different backgrounds in mental health response, it is important to make sure everyone is on the same page. Tulsas program didnt struggle with recruitment because mental health professionals from Family & Childrens Services were able to fill those roles immediately. Pfitzenmeyer said working for Hope Community Services, not Oklahoma City, has made her job on the Overdose Response Team easier because she completes client intake forms for admission to Hope while she is checking on them with Jones, expediting treatment center admission. Behavioral health issues dont belong to just one entity, Dismukes said. Its going to take multiple organizations working together to find real and lasting solutions. Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Council report outlines mental health emergency response reform Old Sacramento costume, gift store Evangelines turns 50. How is it celebrating its birthday? Uniquely is a Sacramento Bee series that covers the moments, landmarks and personalities that define what makes living in the Sacramento area so special. Want it to be Halloween year round? Evangelines has its customers covered. From the Addams Family to Sailor Moon to Barbie, the store has around 3,500 costumes, said Deborah Chausse, the businesss owner. I think for costumes, everyone wants something original, said Jennifer Kossmann, the stores special projects manager. Theres always something new to see here. Located on 113 K St., the novelty gift store and the costume mansion is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To celebrate, the business is offering discounted prices on vintage items, like lava lamps, mood rings and Kit Kat clocks. Evangelines has become known for its quirks and plethora of fun costumes. Its inventory spans three stories, filled with novelty gifts, accessories and costumes. Costumes are displayed on one of the three floors at Evangelines in Old Sacramento on Wednesday. The store is celebrating 50 years in business. The woman-owned business first opened in 1974 at the historic Howard House, a building established in Old Sacramento in 1850. The building housed multiple businesses over the years, like a barber shop, an insurance agency, a wholesale grocery store, according to an Old Sacramento touring company. Evangelines was first run by Chausses mother, Dorothea Evangeline Chausse. The two, originally from San Francisco, moved to Sacramento after spending time in Pilot Hill, which is right outside of Auburn. At the time, the daughter Chausse was studying at Sacramento State and would work at the store part time. An antique store turned novelty store Evangelines began as an antique and gift store, which shared a building space with a discotheque. But throughout the 1980s to 2000s, the store expanded while other businesses shut down. By 1985, her mother retired at 65 and Chausse took over. Dorothea Evangeline Chausse died in 2013. I remember the moment, Deborah Chausse said. She came in right after her birthday and she just gave me the keys. Owner Deborah Chausse stands outside Evangelines Costume Mansion in Old Sacramento on Wednesday. Her mother Dorothea Evangeline Chausse founded the store in 1974. Evangelines money was sitting stuck with antiques, Chausse said. They werent selling as much as they used to. The business began selling trendier items and add Halloween costumes regularly. They began selling spiked collars, grim reaper robes, vampire teeth and witch dresses. We began catering towards an alternative crowd, Chausse said. This was before Hot Topic, and we had hair dye, colored hair spray and we were very welcoming to employees who were tattooed. It seemed like a reluctant idea at first. Chausse thought the idea was crazy, as the store wasnt selling costumes yet and only accessories and toys. But with a strong recommendation from a former employee, Evangelines took the risk. The spooky attire sold instantly, Chausse said. After that, they began ordering more. We sold everything, Chausse said. I sold twice as much. Evangelines sale of goth fashion would only continue to grow, said Kossmann, who has worked at Evangelines since 1993. Today, half of the store is 100% Halloween, Chausse said. Customers view colorful wigs displayed at Evangelines on Wednesday in Old Sacramento. A 50-year legacy Other businesses that once occupied the Howard House, like a discotheque and a bank themed restaurant and bar would shut down over the years. But Evangelines always remained. It later took over the remaining floors. Walking around Evangelines is like getting a glimpse into history. Remnants of the former Howard House businesses are seen throughout the store. The bar from a local restaurant has been repurposed as a cashier stand, decorated with costumes and mannequin heads with wigs. The bathrooms for a restaurant are redecorated as Heaven and Hell dressing rooms. Evangelines expanded to a three story business in 1992, taking over the floor space of the Howard House and the Lady Adams building. By 2000, Chausse, alongside her husband, Leon Corcos, bought both historic buildings, fully assembling the Costume Mansion upstairs. Its hard for me to believe that it has been 50 years, Chausse said. I still look forward to coming to work every day and helping to keep Sacramento supplied with new and quirky gifts and toys. Debra Witthar, who said she has been shopping at Evangelines since she was a teenager, picks out items at the Old Sacramento store on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Evangelines is celebrating their 50th anniversary in business. Debra Witthar, right, who said she has been shopping at Evangelines since she was a teenager, enters the store in Old Sacramento on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Olvera Street's donkey may be forced to hit the road after eviction Families enjoy Jorge, the stuffed burro of Olvera Street, during the Cinco De Mayo Fiesta on Sunday, May 5, in Los Angeles. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) One of Olvera Streets most photographed icons may soon vanish from his post because of a ruling by a Los Angeles city commission. Jorge, the stuffed donkey known as El Burro who greets guests entering Olvera Street, and his manager, Richard Hernandez, were given a 30-day eviction notice on Thursday. Hernandez owns and operates a Mexican restaurant there called La Carreta. The notice was handed out by the Board of Commissioners for the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument Authority. The board manages the historic and commercial resources of Olvera Street, a venerable thoroughfare whose origin dates back to when the city was founded as a Spanish pueblo. In 1930, the street was officially repurposed as a Mexican marketplace . The board listed ownership issues and delinquency concerns as the primary drivers for voting in favor of eviction, according to board records . Hernandez's troubles began years ago when his mother, Maria Trancito Hernandez, tried to add his name to the lease for the spot occupied by La Carreta. According to the commissioners, Maria Trancito was the sole individual on the lease agreement. Jesus Hernandez, a merchant who owns a gift shop on Olvera Street, waits for a key to store his uncle's life-size stuffed donkey, Jorge, in downtown Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2020. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press) Maria Trancito Hernandez passed away on April 16 and was buried on May 9. That day, the board sent a notice to the family that the lease was terminated, giving them one week to vacate. After family and community members objected at a board meeting, a vote on whether to carry out the eviction was placed on the July 11 agenda. In the eviction notice, the board acknowledged that Maria Trancito Hernandez attended a meeting on Oct. 9, 2019, with El Pueblos previous general manager. She requested that her son Richard, who was managing the El Burro stand and restaurant, and her daughter Patricia Hernandez be added to the agreement. Olvera Street's general manager expressed concern then about adding Richard Hernandez, citing a record of nonpayment of rent, inconsistent business insurance, aggressive and threatening behavior and making false accusations against city staff and merchants. There was no documentation of Hernandez's alleged failings or any explanation of what constituted the "aggressive and threatening behavior." A call to current general manager Arturo Chavez was not immediately returned, nor were calls to the Hernandez family. Read more: Why is a stuffed burro facing eviction from Olvera Street? Richard Hernandez was placed on a one-year hold to give him an opportunity to improve his behavior. The board eventually found that his aggressiveness continued from 2019 through 2023, but it offered no examples. When shops returned to business in the summer of 2021, there was no further progress on amending the lease, according to the board. Nicole Macias, niece of Richard and granddaughter of Maria Trancita, called the issue a clerical error in a TikTok post on May 10 and said she didnt understand why Olvera Street wasnt working on a new lease. Pete Brown, a spokesperson for Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon, who represents Olvera Street, said that the board has the power to enter into contracts for services and leases as it deems necessary. As of today, our office was not made aware of any extenuating circumstances preventing the commission from providing a lease agreement, he said. Therefore, its disappointing to see that the El Pueblo Commission could not find a way to amicably resolve the situation with Mr. Hernandez. This leaves El Pueblo with one less legacy-family business to uphold the history and traditions of our citys birthplace. Read more: L.A.'s Olvera Street recognized as a top 'Great Street' in America Though Richard Hernandez has been running the business since the 1990s, La Carreta dates to the late 1960s, when Hernandezs father, Jesus Don Chuy Hernandez, originally set up on Olvera Street. In those day, Don Chuy employed a live donkey from Pomona named Cirila. In the early 1970s, a photo with Cirila cost $2, and the animal drew crowds of visitors. Cirila was also used in Olvera Streets traditional Christmas posadas. Cirila was retired in 1972 and replaced with the stuffed donkey Jorge, who was shipped from Mexico City. The erstwhile beast of burden sat for six months in a customs warehouse before agents cleared its passage. Jorge has become an iconic feature on Olvera Street, with generations of locals and visitors taking photos. A petition to save Jorge is nearing 5,000 signatures . 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. One dead, another injured after vehicle veers off SR-78 in Oceanside OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) One person was killed and another was injured after their vehicle veered of eastbound State Route 78 in Oceanside Saturday morning, authorities said. According to a SigAlert from California Highway Patrol, the crash occurred after the College Boulevard exit shortly before 9:50 a.m. Aerial footage shows the vehicle seemingly in pieces in the parking lot of an ampm convenience store, located at 3804 Plaza Dr. Man stabbed with icepick in Little Italy Aerial of Oceanside The Oceanside Fire Department responded, along with several police units. Fire officials said the vehicle traveled through a homeless encampment on the side of the highway. Crews searched the area and confirmed there were no injuries. Man shot multiple times dies near East County apartment complex Aerial view of Oceanside crash Meanwhile, authorities said there were two people inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. One of them has been confirmed dead, while the other was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Their condition is unknown at this time. A vehicle seen on its side San Diego County HazMat was called to the scene to monitor for any hazardous materials release since the crash site was close to a gas station. The area was found to be free from any immediate threat, fire officials said. CHP is handling the investigation. This is a developing story. Please 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) Court documents detail how investigators are linking a third suspect to a deadly shooting at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock. The shooting, which happened at Old Settlers Park on June 15, resulted in two deaths and 14 injuries, according to the Round Rock Police Department. Police said the victims were innocent bystanders. Third suspect arrested in Round Rock Juneteenth celebration shooting Investigators believe the shooting happened as part of an ongoing feud between two rap groups, documents said. 18-year-old Keshawn Dixon was arrested in Killeen and charged with deadly conduct, a third-degree felony, according to a probable cause affidavit. Attorney information for Dixon wasnt available Friday. KXAN will reach out to his representative when that information becomes available. What happened prior to the shooting Several witnesses told police they saw Dixon in the area of the shooting, wearing a light grey hoody and a white ski mask, according to the affidavit. Those witnesses said Dixon was in an altercation with another man at the celebration, which stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two groups, court records state. Mugshot of Keshawn Dixon (Round Rock PD photo) According to court records, the dispute between Dixons group and the other mans group stemmed from a member of Dixons group who was allegedly murdered. Witnesses told police Dixon pulled out guns and started shooting when he and the other man confronted each other, according to the affidavit. Another witness told police Dixon fired the switch. In the affidavit, police describe a switch as a device that can convert a semi-automatic pistol into a selective-fire machine pistol capable of fully automatic fire. The witness told police Dixon started shooting and lost control of the gun, according to the affidavit. In the affidavit, the witness said Dixon was allegedly shooting at the man he had a dispute with, who was in the direction of where the crowd was. Court records state that area is where many of the shooting victims were found. The investigation Dixon was previously questioned by law enforcement prior to his arrest, according to the affidavit. While Dixon admitted to being at the Juneteenth celebration, he was vague as to his whereabouts during the shooting. Dixon said he remembered shots going past his head when he was in the area of the shooting, court records state. Furthermore, he said he was at the celebration for only 10 to 12 minutes. He also provided police with his social media account name. On that account, police saw Dixon and another family member holding firearms, according to the affidavit. Julianna Russ 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 KXAN Austin. A group of whistleblowers at OpenAI have filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission arguing that the company blocked its staff from warning regulators about the risks its artificial intelligence technology could pose to humanity. According to a seven-page letter obtained by The Washington Post, whistleblowers said the company gave its employees restrictive employment, severance and nondisclosure agreements. Per those agreements, if employees raised concerns about the company to federal regulators, they could face penalties. OpenAI, the creator of the popular AI tool ChatGPT, made its staff sign agreements that required them to waive their federal rights to whistleblower compensation, among other restrictions for employees looking to work with federal regulators or agencies. The whistleblowers claim in their letter that given the risks associated with the advancement of AI, there is an urgent need to ensure that employees working on this technology understand that they can raise complaints or address concerns to federal regulatory or law enforcement authorities. The Hill has reached out to OpenAI for comment, but a spokesperson told the Post that its whistleblower policy protects employees rights to make disclosures. Additionally, we believe rigorous debate about this technology is essential and have already made important changes to our departure process to remove non disparagement terms, said OpenAI spokesperson Hannah Wong. One of the whistleblowers spoke with the Post and said they dont think that AI companies can build technology thats safe and in the public interest if they shield themselves from scrutiny and dissent. As AI technology companies emerge and change, there have been concerns that they are doing so for the wrong reasons. Just days ago, Microsoft relinquished its seat on the board of OpenAI, saying its participation is no longer needed as there are concerns about antitrust violations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As evaluators go through the two-part process of a competency hearing, more of the history of alleged University of Colorado Colorado Springs shooter Nicholas Jordan came to light Friday in court. Jordan, 25, was present in court Friday for the first part of his hearing to determine whether he is competent to stand trial. While no decision was made, new information on Jordan's childhood and mental health history was revealed. Jordan is accused of shooting and killing Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, and Samuel Knopp, 24, of Parker, in the early morning hours of Feb. 16 in the dorms on the UCCS campus. In April, Judge David Shakes announced that the first competency evaluation, performed by the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, found Jordan incompetent to proceed. The prosecution then requested a second evaluation by an expert unaffiliated with CMHIP. The second evaluation found Jordan competent, leading to a competency hearing. On Friday in court, prosecutors called Dr. Patricia West Moreland, a forensic psychiatrist, to the stand immediately after opening remarks by Shakes. Moreland performed the evaluation on April 30 that found Jordan competent. Moreland testified that Jordan said to her during the two-hour evaluation that he may have exaggerated with the doctor in the first evaluation. Moreland said that Jordan told her other inmates encouraged him to lie so he could be transferred to a state hospital, where he could receive better food, and that he regretted going down this path. Moreland testified that throughout her evaluation, Jordan denied having depression or suicidal thoughts. He did have some symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder related to childhood trauma, but not physical or sexual trauma, Moreland said. She also testified that Jordan told her about marijuana use that ebbed and flowed over the years, but that he denied the use of other drugs. Moreland described Jordan as attentive, happy to engage in conversation, cooperative, well-mannered and intelligent. She said she did not see any symptoms of psychosis, such as responding to internal stimuli or any anxious or agitated presentation. Featured Local Savings It was revealed on Friday that in 2021, Jordan went to the StoneCrest Center for a seven-day stay for concern regarding psychotic symptoms. While in the center's care, Jordan was on anti-psychotic medication but did not continue them after leaving. Aside from this visit, Jordan has not received any treatment for his mental health. Moreland noted that Jordan's marijuana use was not taken into account during this stay, which she believes played a part in his diagnosis and care. Moreland diagnosed Jordan with substance-induced psychosis disorder at the end of the April 30 evaluation, which is different than his previous diagnosis of bipolar 1 with psychotic features, but that she believed he was competent to stand trial. The defense counsel continued digging into Moreland's evaluation, asking detailed questions about how bipolar disorder presents. Defense attorneys argued that in the evaluation, Jordan showed signs of paranoia, a symptom of both bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder. The first evaluation found that Jordan was having hallucinations and possessed several symptoms of psychosis including pressured speech, irritability and a lack of focus. Defense attorneys argued that with disorders such as bipolar, symptoms come in "episodes," and the individual may have periods of stability. His lawyers brought up several aspects from his childhood and college life. Jordan grew up in poverty and has trauma related to those circumstances. At one point, it was brought up in court how a friend used to light Jordan on fire. Jordan attended three different colleges in three states over seven years. Aside from UCCS, Jordan also attended Grambling State University in Louisiana. While defense lawyers argued moving so often was a sign of instability, Moreland said it was not. Defense also brought up the unsolved murder of Jordan's brother in Michigan, which occurred a year before the UCCS shootings. Toward the end of the hearing, defense lawyers argued against the idea that Jordan exaggerated his symptoms for personal gain. His attorney claimed he now could be "faking wellness" to avoid the long waiting list for those in custody requiring mental health resources, getting to go to trial faster. The evaluation done by Moreland reports that Jordan knows more about his case now, and believes he can prove his innocence. Defense lawyers asked Moreland whether Jordan could be lying to be found competent so he could get to trial more quickly. Moreland responded that it is not likely and would be hard to achieve. Jordan's competency hearing will continue Aug. 2, when Shakes will hear from the first evaluator. The hope is that a decision will be made to determine if Jordan will move forward to a trial or be ruled incompetent. If Shakes finds Jordan incompetent, the case will be stalled indefinitely until Jordan is restored to competency through mental health services. In a recent ABC News interview, New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks confirmed reports he is considering banning cellphones in schools as early as this September. Gov. Kathy Hochul had earlier announced shed introduce a bill during the January 2025 legislative session to ban smartphones in schools. The bill would permit phones capable of sending and receiving texts, but not those with internet access. Objections to allowing K-12 students to use their phones in school stress their addictive nature. Hochul has already signed the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act, ordering social media companies to ban addictive feeds for those under 18. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Currently, Florida and Indiana ban cellphones in the classroom, while Ohio directs districts to draft their own policies for cutting down on cellphone use and Alabama strongly encourages limits. Virginia Gov. GlennYoungkin issued an Executive Order on July 9, instructing his Department of Education to come up with guidance for public school divisions to adopt local policies and procedures establishing cellphone-free education. Spokane, Washington, announced its ban July 10, and the Kansas state Board of Education is considering one as well. Related Exclusive: Sales Skyrocket for Phone Pouch Company as In-School Bans Spread Would this be the right move for Americas largest school district? We asked NYC parents to weigh in, and the responses were nearly unanimous. Brooklyn Mom Lena raved, I am so unequivocally for the cellphone ban, I can barely contain my enthusiasm. It is insane to me that there are schools in which children are allowed to carry the worlds most addicting distraction in their pocket all day. As full-grown adults, we are suffering from our inability to stop looking at our devices and constantly consuming media in a format we are barely evolved enough to handle and we want to give that same problem to children without fully formed brains, who already lack the ability to exhibit impulse control? With access to nonstop videos and internet, they have forgotten how to keep themselves occupied, lamented fellow parent Jessica F. My son claims theres nothing to do if he cant play Minecraft. It has become an obsession. With multiple studies demonstrating a connection between heavy social media use and depression, anxiety, loneliness and suicidal ideation, the majority of parents we heard from were thrilled to know there might soon be a limit on in-school smartphone use. Having their phones at lunch keeps kids, especially socially awkward ones, from interacting with new people, contributed parent A.F. They use phones as a crutch and withdraw from socializing. I look forward to my high school-aged daughter being forced to socialize. Although face to face doesnt make for easier girl drama, an anonymous mom admitted, access to quick responses leads to more drama. A lot is said behind a screen that might not have been said face to face. Research has also demonstrated that children learn better and with deeper comprehension when reading on paper rather than on screens. Dad M.V. said, I would go a step farther and ask that teachers revert to giving homework assignments on paper, not on computers. Yes, computers are more convenient for teachers and students. But they pose similar addiction and distraction problems. Carrie C. recognized the extra burden policing devices would place on educators. Related Banning Smartphones at Schools: Research Shows Higher Test Scores, More Exercise I dont think its a good use of teachers time or intellect for them to be the ones who have to enforce putting your smartphone away, she wrote. But I wouldnt use that as a reason to shrug your shoulders and conclude that its not worth trying to make improvements when possible. For mother of three Sophia McShane, however, a ban on phones is unacceptable. Ive had it with the [city Department of Education] and their constant changes that dont benefit the children, she raged. My eldest goes to school on his own and picks up his siblings from school. A phone is a necessity. The DOE should stick to teaching these kids how to read and write. Theyre failing at that but want to focus on phones. Its ridiculous. Travel and safety are the most prevalent arguments for why a school cellphone ban is more dangerous than the troubles caused by phones. But Kate L. doesnt buy it. She argued that, If (parents) need to contact their child for non-emergency reasons, do so before or after school or during lunch. Brooklyns Lena went further, saying, The idea that children need to be immediately accessible to parents all day long is absurd. My middle schooler commutes roughly 40 min on the subway. He has a stupid phone in order for me to be in touch with him or him with me to and from school or in case of emergency. If, God forbid, there was an emergency, I have no doubt I could get in contact with him during the day by calling the school. If the argument is, well what if there is a school shooting (again, God forbid), then I think we are trying to solve that problem with the wrong device. National polls have run the gamut from 72% of high school teachers opposing cellphones in the classroom to 70% of parents against a ban. If the largest school district in America goes through with Banks cellphone moratorium, would that finally accumulate enough research and evidence to guide definitive policy for the entire country? The views expressed here are those of the author. Shan Wu is a former federal prosecutor who served as counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno I wasnt quite sure what to expect when I was invited to testify before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. While I have prepared people to testify before Congress, it was the first time I was the one in the witness chair and I expected more stress. Prepping other people allows you the luxury of reacting and word-smithing answers but answering questions as a witness gives you no time to edit or get input before you have to answer. And, as a lawyer, Im used to being the one asking the questions. To get ready I reminded myself of what I would tell my own witnesses, which was that they knew the subject of their own testimony better than anyone else in the room, and that no amount of combative questioning could change that fact. My advice worked well for my preparation, but nothing could have prepared me for how transparently performative were Republicans in their questioning. The writer, former federal prosecutor Shan Wu, testifies before the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. House Judiciary GOP/YouTube The subcommittee is part of the House Judiciary Committee and is chaired by Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, who also chairs the House Judiciary Committee. Theyve taken to flinging any criticism that can come to mind about the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs conviction of former President Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up his alleged sexual encounter with actor and director Stormy Daniels. Alvin Bragg Claims Victory as Jim Jordan Seethes About YouTube Gun Vids Particularly notable is the fact they were holding the hearings even before the trial had concluded, in one instance taking testimony from a witness in that trialTrump attorney Bob Costelloon a day off from the trial and even before Costellos actual testimony in the trial a few days later. They also sought testimony from Alvin Bragg, whoappropriatelydeclined, given that sentencing has not occurred in the case, making it an ongoing criminal case. The three Republican witnesses (I was the only witness for the Democratic minority) were all there to justify the variety of criticisms about the Bragg case. Jonathan Fahey, a former federal prosecutor, testified about what he called the problem of progressive prosecutors like Bragg who supposedly were unwilling to prosecute serious crimes. Fahey, who also was the chief of the Immigration Customs Enforcement under Trump for about two weeks before resigning, complained about Bragg being willing to bring a case against the former president while street crime ran rampant (fact check: New York crime has been declining during Braggs tenure). Jonathan Fahey, a former federal prosecutor, who testified about what he called the problem of progressive prosecutors like Alvin Bragg. House Judiciary GOP/YouTube John H. Wilson, a former New York State judge, was there to testify about his views that Judge Juan Merchan should have recused himself from hearing the case due to an appearance of impropriety arising from Merchans $15 dollar donation to the Biden campaign and Merchans daughter working for a Democratic communications firm. John H. Wilson, a former New York State judge who thinks that Judge Juan Merchan should have recused himself from hearing the Trump case over a $15 dollar donation to the Biden campaign. House Judiciary GOP/YouTube Wilson conceded that Merchan had sought advice from a judicial ethics advisory board which saw no reason for Merchan to recuse but, nonetheless, Wilson believed he should recuse. Sitting next to Wilson, I was quite surprised when he testified that, as a judge, he had never presided over any felony trials. It seemed odd to me that the Republicans would have picked a witness with such limited judicial experience to criticize a judge with far more experience. The third witness was Professor Bradley Smith, a federal campaign finance expert, whom Trumps defense team had planned to call in the trial but ultimately did not. Professor Bradley Smith, a federal campaign finance expert, who was not called to testify in the Trump trial after Judge Merchan ruled he could not give an opinion on whether Trumps actions were illegal or not. House Judiciary GOP/YouTube That choice not to call Smithwhich the Republican questioners spun as the Trump team being denied the chance to call himcame after Judge Merchan ruled that while Smith could testify as an expert on general legal issues about campaign finance he could not give an opinion on whether Trumps actions were illegal or not, since that was up to the jury. Merchan also ruled that Smith could not testify as a fact witness since he had no personal knowledge of the facts in the case. Witness testimony began after opening statements by Jim Jordan and the Ranking Minority Member Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D), the delegate from the Virgin Islands, andto my surprisea Pledge of Allegiance. After being sworn in, the Republican witnesses went first, starting with Professor Smith, who was finally able to give his opinion about the case against Trump. After hearing it, I certainly understood why Judge Merchan restricted his testimony. Among his opinions was the case theory was laughablean opinion that clearly would have run afoul of an expert witness not being allowed to opine on the ultimate issue in criminal cases. It would be like bringing on a fingerprint expert to testify that the defendant definitely was the murderer. Thats not the role of experts. Its the role of the jury. When it was my turn the Republicans went at me first and I was struck by how leading and long-winded the questions were. I should say that the questions had long wind-ups to the actual question which the questioner used to pose their own opinions. It quickly became apparent that those were much more important than my answersunless I were agreeing with them. For example, when I pushed back on Representative Dan Bishops attempt to get me to agree that Congress should be able to inquire into state criminal cases by saying they needed to wait for the case to conclude he either tried to talk over me or interrupt me. But time was actually on my side here because each member had only five minutes and as the long-windups went on I watched the digital time ticking away on their efforts to get answers out of me that might help their point of view. The Democratic questions were refreshingly substantive, including questions about Project 2025the Heritage Foundation blueprint for the Trump administration. The questions from Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D. Florida) about the plans for surveillance of abortion statistics were great examples of the real weaponization that Trump has planned. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D. Texas) gave me the only real surprise of the day when she asked me to name the three branches of government as part of her point that Congress should not be interfering with criminal prosecutions. When she agreed with my answers, I felt a little like Id given the right answer in class. But the questions that stuck out at me the most were the ones from Congressman Matt Gaetz (R. Florida) to the Republican witnesses. Gaetz wanted to make the point that convicting Trump under a theory that involved covering up the payments so as not to have them treated as campaign contributions meant that he, Gaetz, could start buying ties and charging them to his campaign. Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, right, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., confer during the House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Proclaiming that he hated wearing ties but since people told him that Congressmen were expected to wear ties he might buy his at Ross Dress for Less. Gaetzs question was all about his theory that the Trump conviction actually would encourage misuse of campaign finance funds. Gaetzs pleasure with himself was blatant as he grinned and snickered throughout. Chairman Jim Jordan appeared to enjoy Gaetzs performance even more than Gaetz, continuously beaming and laughing during Gaetzs questions. It was the interaction of Gaetz and Jordan that made the biggest impression upon me. For in their frat-boy style joking I could sense that there was no real substance to their inquiries. Sure, they and their Republican colleagues did a bunch of speechifying in their questions critical of Trumps conviction but that did not seem the real point at all. There in the splendor of the high ceilings and wood panels, the real point for them seemed to have fun and put on a show. But its a show that masks the real dangers of using the trappings of Congress to interfere with the administration of justice. As Ranking Minority Member Plaskett stated, the real hearings should be about the threat of the plans set forth in Project 2025. Therein lies the real weaponization of our government for political gain. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said at the NATO Summit in Washington, DC, attended by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, that Ukraine should not join the Alliance. Source: Bloomberg, citing sources; European Pravda Details: Orban attended the NATO Summit after announcing a self-proclaimed "peace mission," during which he visited Kyiv, Moscow, and Beijing without any coordination with EU and NATO members. At the NATO Summit, Orban refused to join the military support for Ukraine, which was in line with the agreements reached earlier. However, he also explicitly stated at the leaders' meeting, which was attended by the Ukrainian president, that Ukraine should not become a member of the Alliance. "Orban even suggested in a plenary meeting with Zelenskyy that Ukraine shouldnt join NATO, were told. Some leaders hit back, with one suggesting Hungarys own history shows why Ukraine belongs in the alliance," Bloomberg noted, recounting the discussion behind closed doors. Background: After attending the Washington summit, Viktor Orban travelled to Florida to meet with Donald Trump, who believes that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was provoked by Ukraine's intention to join NATO. The EU Legal Service earlier found that the Hungarian prime minister's talks with Putin contravene EU treaties. It also became known that six EU countries would not send ministers to events during Hungarys EU Council chair but would limit themselves to lower-ranking officials. Support UP or become our patron! Oregon Libertarians suspect Republicans will try to meddle at their nominating convention or strike their access to the November ballot. (Getty Images) Oregon Libertarians are bracing for the prospect of Republicans meddling in their Saturday nominating convention or trying to block Libertarian candidates from appearing on the ballot in November. Matt Rowe, chair of the Libertarian Party of Oregon, told the Capital Chronicle he has heard implicit threats over the past few weeks that backers of Republican congressional candidates were planning to temporarily change their party registration to participate in the Libertarian nominating convention on Saturday. If that fails, theyll take advantage of a long-running dispute over the legitimacy of the partys bylaws in an attempt to block Libertarian nominees from appearing on the ballot in hotly contested races. The Libertarian Party has just 19,800 voters statewide less than 1% of the states more than 3 million registered voters. Its candidates stand virtually no chance of winning elections, but they have long frustrated Republicans by siphoning hundreds or thousands of votes that might otherwise have been cast for GOP candidates in tight races. In 2020, longshot Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Jo Rae Perkins even sued to block her Libertarian opponent from appearing on the ballot, arguing that he was improperly nominated under invalid party bylaws. She lost that lawsuit, but a former Libertarian Party leader who has long argued the party is operating under illegal bylaws warned Rowe last month that Republicans found a kernel of hope in that 2020 court case. This time around, Richard Burke told Rowe in texts reviewed by the Capital Chronicle, the Oregon Republican Party or the National Republican Congressional Committee plan to file a complaint with the secretary of state and follow up with an administrative appeal. Perkins, now the Oregon Republican Partys secretary, said she hadnt heard of any such plans and deferred comments to the Oregon Republican Partys communications director, LaJuana Decker. Decker did not respond to an email Friday. And Rowe, preparing for Saturdays convention in the tiny eastern Oregon city of Moro, is worried about other interference. Earlier this week, he received a phone call from a Republican friend who told him that Kevin Hoar, a fixture in Oregon GOP politics and campaign manager for 4th Congressional District candidate Monique DeSpain, was helping organize efforts to bus Republican activists to the Libertarian convention. Those Republicans, having temporarily changed their party registration to Libertarian, would try to hijack the convention to nominate straw men or no candidates at all, Rowe said. If Republicans in Oregon put 1/10 of the effort they do into trying to manipulate elections and trying to play spy versus spy like theyre in an episode of West Wing or something like that if they could just grow up, learn how to do a serious campaign on serious issues and actually address the issues that matter to the people of Oregon, they could probably win an election, Rowe said. But instead, theyve got to do stupid, dishonest, underhanded games like this when they already have every advantage in the book compared to us. Thats what I find to be utterly shameful. Hoar, for his part, denied any involvement in efforts to either seize control of the Libertarian nominating process but said he heard some people talk about doing just that. Ive heard some people talk about it, but I dont have anybody doing it, Hoar said. I havent been involved with organizing anything for the Libertarian convention, but there are perhaps grassroots people that pay attention to this stuff. He said the same about the prospect of challenging Libertarian candidates viability. I dont know of anything thats being done about that, but I have heard about it, Hoar said. There are some very vocal people that I think filed lawsuits in the past about that. It remains to be seen. I guess it really depends on what happens at their convention. A spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee also denied any involvement in registering Republican voters as Libertarians, and didnt immediately respond to a question about whether the group would try to invalidate the Libertarian slate. Rowe suspects that Burke the former party leader, one-time Libertarian nominee for governor and member of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission who warned him that Republicans were sniffing around was working with the GOP. Burke denied that and said hes merely concerned that the Libertarian Party is vulnerable to legal attacks. Im not feeding the Republicans anything, he said. Im not trying to hurt the Libertarian Party. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As President Joe Bidens support continues to crumble, his party is reckoning with the possibility of a punishing defeat in November a potential GOP wave that would not only elect former President Donald Trump but also sweep away Democrats from power in Congress. Their angst about Biden prompted one vulnerable member of Congress, Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.), to ask the president directly on Friday to consider dropping out a stunning confrontation that has deeply rattled Democrats who were already anxious about the high stakes of the moment. Bidens response, according to a member on the call: Im running. And theres a newfound urgency. Democrats are realizing that Bidens path to victory is narrowing. His chances in critical Sun Belt states like Arizona and Nevada are dwindling, some Rust Belt states are at risk and blue safe zones like New Hampshire are suddenly in play. Some big donors are threatening to withhold millions of dollars in pledges to pressure Biden to step aside, and rewarding lawmakers who urge the president to let someone else take his place. All these forces are fueling a panic within the party that Bidens meltdown could catapult Republicans into a trifecta in Washington. Some worry that Biden could drag down the rest of the ticket so badly that they not only fail to win back the House, but Trump and Hill Republicans could be handed big-enough majorities in both chambers to actually carry out huge GOP priorities. They are nervous about the upcoming election, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) said of his Democratic colleagues who are calling for Biden to step down from the ticket. If anybody tells you they're not, theyre lying. The anxieties about being tied to Biden who polls show has lagged behind Trump in key battlegrounds for months, but has slipped even more recently permeate the entire ticket. Democrats quest to assert more local control may be compromised as well, as Bidens crisis could jeopardize their attempts to flip legislative chambers in swing states like Arizona and Pennsylvania, and hang onto Michigan and Minnesota. "If this were any other Democratic candidate, we could talk about how terrible the 34-count convicted felon is, but we're in this discussion about Biden's age, said one Michigan state lawmaker granted anonymity to speak freely. More than two dozen lawmakers, Hill staffers, state officials and Democratic operatives were interviewed for this article. Most were granted anonymity to freely discuss the situation or werent authorized to speak publicly. Inside the Capitol, Democrats who fear Biden cant win make up a majority of the party and a growing number are willing to say so publicly. "Its over," one aide to a battleground Democrat said of the fight to flip the House. "It doesn't matter if they're outperforming him by 35 fucking points. The math doesnt work." And among those Democrats especially in the House there is a growing dread that the political gravity has shifted enormously in the last week. On Monday, Bidens campaign had temporarily quieted his defectors. But by Friday, many senior Democrats privately believed a push to remove the president at the highest levels was inevitable, even after he held a nearly hourlong press conference after the NATO summit Thursday specifically to calm detractors. No one will say out loud that the upper rungs of House leadership want Biden to drop his bid. But lawmakers and senior aides say the two people who could bring an end to the hand wringing Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi have conspicuously chosen not to. In private conversations with some fellow Democrats, Pelosi has suggested she wants him to step aside, according to two people familiar with the discussions. Privately, Democratic leaders know the longer this goes, the worse it is for the party. Jeffries team had encouraged lawmakers that if they planned to speak, do it sooner than later, according to three people familiar with the discussions hoping to avoid a drip-drip of member comments in the coming weeks. Jeffries released no details from his one-on-one with Biden on Thursday night. Those parsing his letter afterwards, though, said they believed he did deliver the bad news, according to one Democrat. A spokesperson for Jeffries declined to comment on a private meeting. Democrats, taking stock of Bidens extremely narrow path to victory, are beginning to believe that their personal political interests are being jeopardized along with the presidents. I think the map is a lot more narrow than it was, said a Democratic strategist. Obviously anything is possible, and there are a lot of weeks ahead of us. But we have to be perfect, and we cannot afford to make mistakes, and I dont think thats what were seeing right now. Biden is still certain to win blue Californias electoral votes. But Democratic lawmakers, senior aides and consultants fear his struggles could endanger incumbents who might otherwise be safe and dangerously narrow offensive opportunities costing them control of the House. I dont think theres any coming back from the debate, said a Democratic consultant whos working on multiple battleground races, including in California. Theres nothing that can be done to repair that. One group of former House Democrats is so concerned about Bidens drag down ballot that they penned a letter to Biden calling for an open convention to salvage the partys chances in November. Part of the problem: Biden is polling far behind his 2020 vote share in scores of competitive House districts. Internal surveys from May and June show him losing districts in New York and California that he carried by double-digit margins four years ago. That has left key Democratic candidates in the infuriating position of watching the dam, the consultant said: grimly aware that Bidens woes could sink them, hoping for a change, but unable to speak up for fear of antagonizing the White House. The panic among California Democrats is not rooted in post-debate poll drop-offs but a fear that there's only so much altitude they can maintain if Biden tanks at the top of the ticket. Democratic incumbents in the toughest seats could still hold on, if they can keep running far ahead of Biden and raising enormous amounts of cash. Democratic polling conducted in June for an outside group showed that incumbent Democrats in endangered seats were running an average of 9 points ahead of Biden in their districts, according to a person with direct knowledge of the polling. "If Biden remains the nominee and shows real weakness, can you have this massive split ticket?" one strategist said. "It's not the current polling data [that's the problem], it's projecting out." Some Democrats are now saying openly that they believe Trump will win the election so that they can position themselves as a check on his power. Among them are Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), who hold districts that Trump won in 2020. Party operatives have begun to seriously consider a broader shift toward this message to address voters' anxieties about a Trump win. "There's going to be a big pivot to 'we need to be a check on Trump,'" a strategist said. New York state could play a crucial role in control of the House, with as many as seven swing seats. The support for Biden among Democrats running in those seats is eroding, but hasnt broken. So far, just Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.), representing a seat in the Hudson Valley, has explicitly called on Biden to step aside and not run in November. But he avoided discussing the presidents possible drag down ballot in his argument. Others Democrats expressed concerns, like Josh Riley, who is challenging Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) for an upstate seat, and told POLITICO that voters are not wrong for wishing they had different options in the presidential race. And Laura Gillen, taking on Rep. Anthony DEsposito (R-N.Y.) on Long Island, declined to defend Biden in an interview with POLITICO last week, pivoting to the importance of Democrats keeping the House, even if Trump wins. The top of the ticket is just one factor for House candidates, but some fear that in a close race, it could be the deciding one. Four years ago, Biden was a desired nominee in part because of his vast appeal to wide swaths of voters, from suburban women in the Midwest to Black voters in the South. But now, he has suddenly become radioactive. Democrats are spending a record amount of money in state legislative races this cycle in an attempt to claw back power from the GOP and theres some concern that Bidens unpopularity could scramble those efforts. That fear is prompting some state legislative candidates in battlegrounds to distance themselves from Biden, pressing upon voters the idea that state lawmakers stand to have a greater impact on their daily lives than politicians in Washington. "Do we wish that the polling was really clear at the very top of the ticket, and Biden was 10 points ahead? said one Michigan state lawmaker granted anonymity to speak candidly. Of course, but there's never a world where we don't run scared and work as if we don't need every single last vote." Nicholas Wu, Myah Ward and Melanie Mason contributed to this report. Patients in Oregon may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis after possible protocol violation PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) More than 2,000 patients from two Portland-area hospitals might have been exposed to several types of infections after a physician possibly violated hospital protocols, Oregon health officials and Providence and Legacy health systems announced Thursday. In a statement, the Oregon Health Authority said its healthcare-associated infection program is working with Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center in Gresham and Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City on their investigations into the breached practices. In the announcement, a spokesperson for Providence said the hospital recently learned that a physician, who has not been publicly identified, may not have followed Providences infection control practices during some procedures at Portland-area hospitals including Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center, Providence Portland Medical Center, and other non-Providence hospitals. Some dementia patients may have undiagnosed liver cirrhosis, study finds Providence did not detail which protocols might not have been followed, but said the physician put patients at low risk of exposure to infections including hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The physician was employed by the Oregon Anesthesiology Group (OAG), which no longer provides services for Providence, the hospital system spokesperson said, noting the physician no longer works for OAG either. Providence said the hospital is notifying about 2,200 patients seen at Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center along with two patients seen at Providence Portland Medical Center by mail or a MyChart notification about their possible exposure to the infections. Out of an abundance of caution, we are encouraging these patients to get a blood test to screen for the aforementioned infections, at no cost. If a patient tests positive, Providence will reach out to discuss their test results and next steps, Providence said in a statement. Patient safety is our number one priority, and our patients have our full commitment to a thorough review of this issue and appropriate action. As of Thursdays announcement, OHA said the agency is not aware of any reported illnesses associated with the breach. New Hampshire shooter kills security guard before being fatally shot at psychiatric hospital Oregon Health Authority acknowledges the worry, pain and loss suffered by anyone affected by a health care-associated infection (HAI) an infection acquired while they are receiving care in a hospital or other health facility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 31 hospital patients in the U.S. has at least one HAI on any given day. HAIs can have devastating impacts for patients as they can increase the length of stay, delay recovery from illness, cause emotional stress, and can lead to sepsis or even death. OHAs response to HAIs can involve different divisions with separate consultative and regulatory functions, OHA said. The state health agency further added, While news of this infection control breach at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center and Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center may be distressing for some people, its important to know that Oregons health care providers employ highly qualified and skilled infection preventionists and laboratory staff who lead the charge to prevent HAIs. In addition, local, state and federal public health agencies work closely with healthcare settings to implement effective infection control practices and equip health care providers with the tools that keep patients, visitors and the public safe. Airline passengers reported feeling sick on a flight. Officials hinted at the possible cause A spokesperson for Legacy Health said they are notifying 221 patients who may be impacted by the breach. Upon learning of this situation, we immediately suspended the provider and launched a comprehensive investigation in accordance with regulations and with our policies and procedures, reads a statement issued by Legacy Health. Our community should know that this was an isolated situation involving a single provider, contracted with the Oregon Anesthesiology Group to provide care at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center for approximately six months beginning in December of 2023. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Penguin and the Egg: See the latest images from the James Webb Telescope NASA is celebrating the two-year anniversary of the James Webb Telescope with the release of a vivid new photo. The Webb is the most sophisticated infrared space telescope ever built. Eric Smith, a James Webb Telescope Program Scientist, spoke with Channel 2 Action News shortly after the big reveal. The evidence of that we see today is this beautiful image of two interacting galaxies, Smith said. NASA calls the image the penguin and the egg. The galaxies first passed each other tens of millions of years ago causing the new star formation that makes the shape of the penguin. Scientists say the galaxies are about the same mass, which is why one hasnt consumed the other yet. Through images like this, we learn about how the universe forms and builds large galaxies, Smith said. RELATED STORIES: The $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope first started taking images in July of 2022. Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Emeritus Glenn Burns visited the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville to learn how the telescope gathers images. So the images we see come in, bounce around this way to a primary mirror, then a secondary mirror, and they send those images and that data over to us, astronomer Karisa Zdanky said, showing how the telescope works. The telescope has produced amazing views of our universe. Most scientists can name a favorite. Smith told Channel 2 Action News that his favorite was one of the Webbs first: a Carina Nebula, sometimes called cosmic cliffs. The image showed the stars scattered in the galaxy in the background with bright red cliffs that looked like something youd see in the desert. The Webb Telescope has fuel to last 25 years since its 2021 launch, giving scientists and space enthusiasts a lot to look forward to in the years to come. You can scroll through all of the Webb images released by NASA by CLICKING HERE. RELATED NEWS: Watching the presidential debate, the ABC interview and the post-NATO press conference brought three words to mind make it stop. It is hard to witness a man who has served this country well try to hang on to something, when seemingly the die is already cast. We are in a period of crisis, and to slow down the spiral, there are a few things we should immediately stop. Make the conversation on age stop. Age is not synonymous with incompetence. There are countless people in their 80s who are thriving and successful. Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Martha Stewart, Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinem and Warren Buffett are a few octogenarians and nonagenarians who are still making an impact. Make the celebrity op-eds stop. Is it necessary for celebrities to publish an opinion piece in the newspaper for the world to see? Is this how we treat people we say that we love? What about taking the loved one to the side and having a private conversation with them? Make the defector counting stop. It adds no value to an obviously eroding situation. It adds more pressure, and its certainly embarrassing. Why kick a person when they are down? Piling on is not a civil exit strategy. Make the armchair diagnosing stop. Mental acuity are the medias buzzwords to describe President Joe Bidens consistent gaffes, flubs and trailing off. Since he is a public figure, there seems to be no regard for HIPAA and medical privacy. Yet many unqualified people want to offer a diagnosis. This is not uncommon. In the last two years of President Ronald Reagans second term, there was media speculation about his cognitive decline. Five years after leaving office, Reagan shared with the American people that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. Make Round 1 stop. The feverish speculation and persistent pressure for Biden to step down is more than likely one round of many fights within the Democratic Party. Among some, there is some diplomacy and respect in how Biden is being asked to step down. This could be short-lived if he delays or does not make a decision that the Democratic Party wants. If he decides to step down, for his tenure and leadership, Biden deserves an honorable exit. But first, Round 1 has to be completed, because the following rounds, especially Round 2, promise to be ugly. Make the inevitable ugly stop. If Biden decides to withdraw, we are probably going to be thrust into ugly conversations that are distasteful, offensive and outrageous. Get ready for social media and chat comments to ignite in ways we have yet to experience. These conversations wont be about former President Donald Trump. They will be about Vice President Kamala Harris. People will vehemently reject and unapologetically attack her as the potential presidential nominee because she is female and biracial. Critics will not mince words. The misogynistic and racist comments and pictures will be posted with no restraint. Brace yourself. There is a new low of ugly coming our way. Make the red-herring chase stop. Right now, there are so many distractions in this election cycle that there is no place to discuss issues that will impact unborn generations. There are issues about the environment, reproductive rights, wars, housing, immigration and threats to democracy that need deep due-diligence debate and discussion. This is not happening. There is also a serious need to inspire people to vote, to engage young people in the voting process and to educate Americans on their voting rights. This is not happening. Little to none of this is happening because the bait to discuss the presidents health or age is more alluring. This chase for the bait has to stop so that we can focus on uniting our country and strengthening our democracy. However this plays out, let it be with some honor, respect and decorum. President Biden deserves to proceed or exit with his dignity intact. The Rev. Theresa A. Dear is a national board member of the NAACP and a Deseret News contributor. SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Surfside Beach Town Council at a recent meeting voted to reprimand the pier committee chairman, who is also a member of the towns planning commission, in relation to social media use. Mayor Robert Krouses weekly newsletter didnt give specifics, but he said Dusty McCracken was reprimanded for his actions. He also said that members of the public are free to critique council members, but that social media posts are the least effective method for it. It was particularly difficult for me because I know this member well, I respect him very much and consider him a personal friend, Krouse said. We worked together on the pier committee for a year and a half, and have remained close after our time together. The council also approved a variety of recommendations from the pier committee, including swings under the pier, a volleyball net, allowance of kiosks, a pier plaque plan and a visitor center/town store. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire Assyria stands out in history as the fountainhead of empire. It was perhaps the first state to subdue the bulk of its world, extending in every direction until its frontiers consisted almost entirely of sand, sea, and inaccessible mountains. Assyria brooked no rivals: for more than a century, there was none who could withstand its might. Assyrian kings developed vast new urban spaces, erected grand, monumental structures, oversaw the construction of remarkable infrastructural projects, moved hundreds of thousands of people from one end of their empire to the other, and recorded their deeds in bombastic and evocative royal inscriptions accompanied by incredibly rich and often explicitly gruesome reliefs. Assyria also stands out for the abundance of sources available to tell its story: alongside the famous royal inscriptions are tens of thousands of texts written in cuneiform on clay tablets and other media. It is therefore astonishing that we have had to wait so long for an accessible narrative of the rise and fall of the Assyrian empire that builds on the best of academic research but can be enjoyed by layman and expert alike. There is no one better to fill this gap than Eckart Frahm, a scholar whose work has for decades represented the cutting edge in research on Assyria. Assyria: the rise and fall of the world's first empire finally delivers what we have lacked. Frahm offers a retelling of the dazzling story of Assyria's rise from a self-contained merchant entrepot in northern Iraq to world empire, and then of its precipitous fall in a series of dramatic and bloody wars that left an indelible imprint on world history. Frahm's book is divided into three sections. The first covers Assyria's gradual emergence from the fringes of the Mesopotamian world to its reinvention as an important kingdom on the international stage. The second section is the heart of the book, walking readers through Assyria's turbulent and tentative invention of empire up to its dramatic crystallisation as universal sovereign, and its sudden implosion. The third and final section concerns Assyria's legacy. Frahm reflects on ancient Assyria's afterlives in the modern world, including the recent campaign of destruction waged against its archaeological remains by Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. Frahm's prose is crisp and engaging. He guides readers through a millennium and a half of history without ever getting bogged down in detail or passing over important information in a hurry. Frahm is judicious and even-handed in his exposition, cleaving closely to the historical evidence and avoiding anachronistic readings. For those without a background in the history of the ancient Middle East, Frahm provides more than enough context against which to understand Assyrian history. The book also comes with a handy list of dates and rulers, useful maps, and well-chosen illustrations. Assyria's story is spectacular. It has suffered from the absence of a historian able to bring it to the general public. Thanks to Frahm's masterful effort, there is reason to believe Assyria's story will start to get the hearing it deserves. Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire Eckart Frahm Bloomsbury Publishing, 14.99 ISBN 978-1526623836 A fast-moving grass fire was burning Friday afternoon in a rural area north of Roseville, prompting Placer County sheriffs officials to briefly issue an evacuation warning. The Athens Fire had burned about 260 acres of dry grass and had a dangerous rate of spread, the Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit said in social media posts. Cal Fire officials said the grass fire spread from a vehicle at Athens Avenue near Fiddyment Road; it was reported at 100 acres at 2:15 p.m. Cal Fire just after 3 p.m. said the fire was 50% contained. 3pm Athens Fire Update: Fire reported to be 260.3 acres in grass off Athens Ave near Fiddyment Road in west Placer County. pic.twitter.com/t6BmKRxErN CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit (@CALFIRENEU) July 12, 2024 The Placer County Sheriffs Office issued the evacuation warning at 2:20 p.m. Friday for structures along Athens Avenue east to Industrial Avenue; those along Industrial Avenue south to Sunset Boulevard; and those along Athens Avenue south to Sunset Boulevard. Sheriffs officials said they had notified Thunder Valley Casino Resort, but staff and customers at the casino were not being evacuated at the time. Authorities had closed Sunset Boulevard at Cincinnati Avenue, Athens at North Foothills and Fiddyment Road at Sunset Boulevard. At 3:50 p.m., the Sheriffs Office announced that the evacuation warning had been lifted. https://x.com/PlacerSheriff/status/1811875426962407933 John Susa is the founder of Personal Lifetime Advocacy Networks of Rhode Island (PLAN RI), a nonprofit organization of families who have relatives with disabilities. Kevin Nerney is executive director of the R.I. Developmental Disabilities Council. Rhode Islanders with disabilities deserve control over their own lives and real access to their communities. Development and adherence to an Olmstead plan, directed by people with disabilities, their families and advocates is the best way to reach this goal. Olmstead v. L.C (1999) was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case decided in favor of two plaintiffs who wanted to improve their lives by seeking the necessary supports to live outside an institution. The decision confirmed that the country was ready to turn to a better way of supporting its most vulnerable citizens based on their specific needs and circumstances. The Olmstead decision reaffirmed the basic right to personal freedom for all citizens. It both guides governmental support to, and reaffirms the right to liberty of, individuals with disabilities. More: Channeling 'Rudy,' RI judge orders sports league to 'let the kid play.' Here's the case. Everyone stands at the precipice of potential disability because of accidents, health crisis, or advancing age. An Olmstead plan will affect us all in different and important ways, with an emphasis on personal choice and individualization of supports throughout the human service system. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires government services be provided to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting possible. In 2014, the Department of Justice found several instances in which service provisions to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities were found to be excessively segregated, keeping individuals with disabilities for long periods in environments where they had no opportunity to experience normal community life or personal choice and liberty. More: This program will help RI families with special-needs students. Here's what to know. Recently, the U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island noted that children with disabilities in the care of the Department of Children, Youth & Families are being excessively held in the most restrictive setting of a psychiatric hospital. The absence of a cogent and reasonable Olmstead Plan places the state in jeopardy of another federal action because of this violation. The Supreme Court urged states to develop and expedite plans to transform the site-based services for persons with disabilities into services that are primarily community-based. In the view of most individuals with disabilities, their families, their professional service providers and advocates, community-based now means individuals can interact personally with all members of their community during the routine activities of daily life. Unfortunately, those options are still limited in Rhode Island, resulting in unnecessary segregation. The Olmstead planning process must be guided by individuals and their family members who have lived experience. All progress toward liberty and inclusion has come as a direct result of their advocacy for change. Our state must not proceed with only policymakers from various levels of state government. An Olmstead Plan on paper is not the end goal. It should stimulate the ongoing transformation of human service support systems in ways that are consistent with the principles of the Olmsted decision and the ADA. Thus, we invite all Rhode Islanders to attend to this process, which affects many of their neighbors and maybe, eventually, even themselves. Meaningful inclusion and personal choice will only evolve through vigilance over planned improvements. Thus, the specific direction of the U.S. Supreme Court a quarter century ago that all states plan for fundamental change will finally come to pass. More: Her husband died of ALS. Now, her story is featured in an Amazon Prime documentary. Personal liberties lie at the heart of the Olmstead decision. Facilitating that standard should be the overriding goal of a Rhode Island Olmstead Plan. The plan must promote more inclusive community service provisions for every citizen who seeks them. Now is the time to write, implement and monitor an Olmstead plan. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The Supreme Court urged states to transform the site-based services for persons with disabilities into services that are community-based. FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) A partial lane closure is planned for a road in Fayette County. From 6:30 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2024 to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2024, one lane of West Virginia Route 38, Beckwith Road, will be closed for paving from milepost 15.33 to milepost 16.92. Partial road closure planned for road in Fayette County The road closure schedule could be affected by any inclement weather or unplanned circumstances. People in the work zone will still be able to access properties in the area, however those traveling through the area are asked to use alternate routes. Anyone traveling through the area are advised to be careful when traveling through the work zone and to follow all traffic control devices and signs in the area. The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) apologizes for any difficulties that the planned road closure may cause to those in 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 WVNS. The hosts of Pod Save America went after individuals surrounding President Biden in their latest episode on Friday, accusing the White House of picking losing battles and spreading false rumors. The hosts, who worked with Biden in the Obama White House, have been leading calls for the president to step out of the 2024 race against former President Trump, drawing barbed comments from the Biden campaign about self-important Podcasters. Dan Pfeiffer, one of the co-hosts, criticized Bidens team for what he said were jabs through the media at their podcast, as well as George Clooney, who wrote an op-ed this week calling on Biden to step aside; David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser who has long questioned Bidens candidacy, and even former President Obama. Just as a political operative, just the incompetence of spending your time fighting Pod Save America, David Axelrod, George Clooney, and the most popular figure in the Democratic Party, at a time when youre struggling with Black voters, is fing insane. Jon Favreau, another co-host, said he heard from reporters that people at the White House were seeking to spread rumors that he wrote Clooneys op-ed. I dont know whos doing it in the White House, and like I believe firmly that its not the people that we know and are friends with not just because they wouldnt do that to us, but because I think theyre smarter than this. Because this is, this is just like really stupid st, he said. Why are you spending time on us for? Favreau added later. Go fing, just beat [President Trump.] Or like, help your candidate be on message and deliver a message. Neither the Biden campaign nor the White House has publicly accused Obama of being involved in calls for Biden to step aside, but MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, a Biden favorite, said on his show Thursday that the Biden campaign sees Obamas hand in the turmoil. One thing that we do have to underline here just so viewers can follow whats going on behind the scenes is the Biden campaign and many Democratic officials do believe that Barack Obama is quietly working behind the scenes to orchestrate this, Scarborough said. Co-host Mika Brzezinski, who has defended Biden amid calls to quit after his disastrous debate two weeks ago, specifically suggested that Obama was involved in Clooneys op-ed. Axelrod and the podcast co-hosts were early members of a growing chorus of Democrats making the case that Biden is likely to lose to Trump following his rocky debate performance last month. More than 20 House members have now called on Biden to quit, and Democratic donors are reportedly panicking as well. Clooney, in his op-ed in The New York Times Wednesday, said he had seen Bidens decline during a star-studded fundraiser in Los Angeles earlier this summer. Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate, the Hollywood star wrote. Later that day, New York Times correspondent Annie Karni wrote that Bidens team was fighting back. From a source familiar with event planning: The President stayed for over 3 hours, while Clooney took a photo quickly and left,' she posted on X. Biden has repeatedly said hes not going anywhere, and still believes hes the partys best choice to beat Trump. At a press conference Thursday night, Biden said he is the most qualified person to run for president. I believe Im the best qualified to govern, Biden said. And I think Im the best qualified to win. But there are other people who could beat Trump, too. But its awful to startfrom scratch. So lets start there, No. 1, he continued. The fact is, the consideration is, that I think Im the most qualified person to run for president. I beat him once, and I will beat him again. The Hill has reached out to the Biden campaign and the White House 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. Warsaw is considering Kyiv's proposal to shoot down Russian missiles flying toward Polish territory while they are still in Ukraine's airspace, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the American Enterprise Institute in Washington on July 12. His remarks come days after Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said Poland will not comply with Ukraine's request to shoot down Russian missiles without NATO's decision. Warsaw, an alliance member, frequently scrambles fighter jets to protect Polish airspace as Russian forces launch large-scale aerial attacks on Ukraine. They have never been used to destroy missiles or drones. The proposal to intercept missiles over Ukraine was included in a security agreement between the two nations signed on July 8 in Warsaw. "At this stage, this is an idea. What our agreement said is we will explore this idea," Sikorski said, calling the potential move self-defense. Some of the Russian missiles fired at targets in Lviv Oblast in Ukraine's west entered Polish airspace for about 40 seconds before turning back to targets on Ukrainian soil, Sikorski said. According to the minister, the problem for Poland is that once downed, the debris could pose a threat to Poles and the country's property. "And the Ukrainians are saying: 'Please, we will not mind, do it over our airspace when they're in imminent danger of crossing into Polish territory,'" he added. Last year, a Russian missile entered Polish airspace, putting the country's defenses on high alert. In another incident on Nov. 15, 2022, a missile flew onto Polish territory during a Russian mass attack, killing two civilians. Polish investigators later concluded that it was a stray Ukrainian anti-air projectile launched to intercept the Russian attack. Read also: Poland prepares Ukrainian Legion, several thousand already registered Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski has stated that Warsaw is considering Kyiv's proposal to intercept Russian missiles heading towards Polish territory while they are still in Ukrainian airspace. Source: Sikorski in an interview with the American Enterprise Institute in Washington; BBC; European Pravda Details: This proposal was included in a joint defence agreement between the two countries, signed during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Warsaw earlier this week. "At this stage, this is an idea. What our agreement said is we will explore this idea," Sikorski said. He emphasised that Poland is a frontline state and Russian missiles breach its airspace. "Our dilemma is the following. If we shoot them down only when they enter our airspace the debris is a threat to our citizens and to our property. And the Ukrainians are saying, Please, we will not mind, do it over our airspace when theyre in imminent danger of crossing into Polish territory'." Sikorski stated. "To my mind, thats self-defence but we are exploring the idea," Sikorski added. Earlier this week, Polish Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Warsaw would consult with its NATO allies and must obtain their approval before attempting to intercept any Russian missiles. "If there would be such a decision, it can only be an allied decision. It will never be an individual decision," Kosiniak-Kamysz said in an interview with Polish TV channel TVN. "The key opinion is the United States, who is quite sceptical in this matter, so Poland will certainly not make such a decision on its own," he added. Background: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that Poland would engage NATO allies in discussing the possible downing of Russian missiles and drones over the territory of Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police responded to a reported shooting in Northwest Oklahoma City Friday evening. Officials say the shooting happened near Lyrewood Ln. and West Wilshire Blvd around 11:00 p.m. Friday. According to police, the suspect approached the victim in his car and fired shots. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The location of the suspect is currently unknown. This is a developing story. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. DENVER (KDVR) Gov. Jared Polis declared support for Ukraine and was pictured next to Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday at a meeting of the National Governors Association, where the Ukrainian president urged continued aid for the war-torn country. Colorados governor sat next to Zelenskyy during a meeting at the associations summer gathering in Salt Lake City, where Polis was elected as chair after previously serving as vice chair for the group. Denver voters weigh in on housing, affordability in new poll Polis posted a picture of the two on social media with the caption: ! Slava Ukraini! Thats Ukraines national salute, which means glory to Ukraine. A later statement from Polis reads: Colorado stands in solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people as they defend their home and their freedom against Putins aggression. The United States plays a critical role in supporting our international allies, and Governors appreciated the opportunity to have a candid conversation with President Zelenskyy on the efforts to beat Putin and restore democracy to every part of Ukraine, and we reiterated our full support as Ukraine stands up against Russias attack on global security and stability. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis In Zelenskyys 13-minute address, he made his case for continued aid from the U.S. The only thing we ask for is sufficient support air defense systems for our cities, weapons for our men and women on the frontline, support in protecting normal life and rebuilding, Zelenskyy told the governors. This is all we need to withstand and drive Russia from our land and to send a strong signal to all other potential aggressors which are watching. Governors to urge wealthy donors to support Ukraine Zelenskyys plea came days after NATO leaders met in the U.S. capital and pledged more help for Ukraine. While governors do not vote on U.S. military aid to Ukraine, Zelenskyys appearance showed his willingness to connect with other leaders in the U.S. to plead his countrys case. He got a warm welcome, introduced to cheers and thunderous applause by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican and the outgoing National Governors Association chairman. There are things that happen in world affairs. Sometimes its hard to tell who the good guys and the bad guys are. This is not one of those times, Cox said. How the worlds only acoustically perfect natural amphitheater formed in Colorado Cox and Zelenskyy signed a trade agreement between Utah and the Kyiv region. Several governors of both parties pledged in a closed-door meeting with the Ukrainian leader to urge their states wealthiest people to give humanitarian aid, said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat. The Associated Press 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 FOX31 Denver. AUSTIN (Nexstar) When President Biden delivers the keynote address commemorating the Civil Rights Acts 60th anniversary at the LBJ Library on Monday, the nation will be watching the politics as much as the prose, political observers said. His trip comes at a pivotal time for his political future, and much of the momentum against his run originated in Austin. The underlying message will be Joe Biden is a competent candidate. Hes here. Hes forceful, people should stop talking about removing him,' Executive Director of the Texas Politics Project Jim Henson said. As with all Joe Biden events now, the subtext here will overwhelm the actual text of the speech. Just two weeks before Biden is scheduled to evoke the legacy of Texas-native President Lyndon Baines Johnson, Austins own congressman became the first House Democrat to call on him to bow out of the race and follow in the footsteps of LBJ. The 36th president announced he would not seek the Democratic nomination in March 1968. I know how painful that had to be for President Johnson. And this is a painful decision, but a necessary one if we are to stop our democracy from being trampled on by Trump, Doggett told Nexstar. Doggett will not be in attendance for the presidents speech on Monday. His office said he had a longstanding commitment out of the state planned before the event was announced and before he called on Biden to step aside. Polling from the Texas Politics Project found in June, Bidens approval rating hovers at 39 percent in Texas. 64 percent of Texans said he is too old to be President, including 45 percent of Texas Democrats. His polling in Texas has been really in the doldrums and has been throughout most of his presidency, his job approval rating is negative. A lot of doubts, even among Democrats about his age, Henson said. Following the event at the LBJ Library, Biden will sit down with NBCs Lester Holt for an exclusive one-on-one interview. Biden last traveled to Texas in March to attend a fundraising swing in Dallas and Houston. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) The Polk County Sheriffs Office has identified the 19-year-old suspect in a deputy-involved shooting on Friday. Sheriff Grady Judd said Henry Maynard was at his grandmothers home in the Oakwood Estates neighborhood in Winter Haven around 9:30 p.m. Friday. He was asleep when she had placed an Amond Joy candy bar on his desk. When he woke up, the chocolate bar had melted, sending him into a rage. Polk County deputies shoot, kill man who hit grandmother with car, rammed into deputys vehicle, Judd says Maynard ran to his parents house, picked up a bag, and drove back to his grandmothers home in an unregistered car, and without a license. He then called 911, telling the operator he was about to commit a crime and needed to be able to escape, Sheriff Judd said. When Deputy Sheriff Christian Quattlebaum, 26, responded to the scene, Maynard drove past his parents, who had arrived at the grandmothers home, and accelerated the vehicle, t-boning the deputy. (WFLA) During this rage, he also ran over and dragged his grandmother with the car, who was trying to stop him from leaving. She was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive. A neighbor told the sheriffs office, that he then jumped out of the vehicle, in a rage like a madman and went to the drivers side of the deputys vehicle, yanking on the door until it opened. Thats when he began climbing into the car. Corrections officer arrested for using fraudulent handicap tag at Publix, Polk deputies say Deputy Quattlebaum, who was trying to get out of the car through the passenger side, eventually shoots Maynard, who was attacking the deputy. As soon as he rammed our deputys vehicle extremely hard, he jumped out there was a confrontation and the deputy shot the suspect, who is deceased at the scene, Judd said. The sheriffs office revealed Maynard had a previous arrest for aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. Sheriff Judd said Maynards mother has worked as a detention deputy with the sheriffs office for 10 years, and the father works as a nurse in their jail system. Wonderful, wonderful people. The deputy was treated at a nearby hospital and is expected to be OK. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. By Catarina Demony, Miguel Pereira and Pedro Nunes LAUNDOS, Portugal (Reuters) - Portuguese priest Guilherme Peixoto rose to fame playing electronic dance music near his church in a tiny Portuguese village. Now famous beyond borders and playing at some of the world's best nightclubs, his goal - to spread a message of hope through music - hasn't changed. On Friday evening, hundreds of partygoers, old and young, flocked to the northern village of Laundos to hit the dance floor as 49-year-old Peixoto, wearing a black shirt with a clerical collar, took to the DJ booth. One of the first songs of his DJ set included excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr's historic "I Have a Dream" speech. He also mixed religious songs with techno music. "Making the night a safe space is always a huge challenge... and it must start with the music you play, the energy you transmit, the message you share," Peixoto said as people gathered for the festival, called "Ar de Rock", or "Rock Air". Many went up to him to ask for selfies and chat. His music festival takes place during summer but Peixoto, who has over 900,000 followers on Instagram, plays elsewhere too. He performed at Hi Ibiza, one of the world's top clubs, on Thursday and has concerts scheduled in Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Last year, Peixoto was invited to perform during Pope Francis' visit to Portugal for World Youth Day. Music is so important to him that in 2019, during a trip to the Vatican, he asked Francis to bless his headphones. "Music unites us," he said. Peixoto's passion started young and grew while in seminary. It was on a trip to Afghanistan as military chaplain in 2010, during which he organised social events for soldiers, that he started to explore the world of DJing. When he returned home, Peixoto enrolled in DJ school and has been playing ever since. "Being a priest means being among people and helping them understand that if they have values they will not lose them just because they go out at night (to party)," he said. The morning after the Laundos party, which lasted until the early hours, Peixoto had to officiate at a wedding nearby, swapping his black clergy shirt for a long white robe and his headphones for a Bible. "I can't take this literature to the dance floor but I can have the same principles: talk about Christ, tolerance, faith and love," he said. (Reporting by Catarina Demony, Miguel Pereira and Pedro Nunes in Laundos; Editing by Christina Fincher) Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has announced her intention to resolve the issue of ratifying the Rome Statute by the end of the year. Source: Iryna Mudra in an interview with Voice of America, as reported by European Pravda Mudra stated that she personally supports the ratification of the Rome Statute, an international treaty on which the International Criminal Court (ICC) is based but which Ukraine has not yet ratified. Quote: "I know that the Prosecutor General supports it, as well as the relevant parliamentary committee. I believe that together we will accomplish this. My goal is to resolve the issue of ratification by the end of this year," she stated. Mudra explained that issues with ratification are partly due to previous years' inaccurate communication messages. "Thus, a truly mistaken impression has unfortunately taken root in the minds of the military," she noted. The mistaken perception is that as soon as Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute, it will immediately serve as grounds for holding Ukrainian military personnel and leadership accountable before the International Criminal Court. However, Mudra is convinced that from a legal standpoint, this is an incorrect assertion because Ukraine already made two declarations recognising the jurisdiction of the ICC in 2014 and 2015. "So, in essence, we have already recognised its jurisdiction. The ICC can already hold our citizens accountable. There are no new risks with the ratification of the Rome Statute. This needs to be clearly understood and explained to the military, which is what we have begun to do," she explained. Mudra also mentioned that with the ratification of the Rome Statute, Ukraine will only gain benefits as the country will become a full participant in the ICC. "We will gain the right, in particular, to nominate our judge to the ICC. Additionally, Ukraine will be able to participate in the conferences of participants, thus influencing the processes. Ratification will also serve as a catalyst for harmonising national legislation. Currently, I am working with the military to dispel their fears and doubts and correct any previously formed incorrect impressions," she explained. Background: Last year in August, Andrii Smyrnov, a former deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, stated that considering the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in Ukraine should be done only after winning the war against Russia. Support UP or become our patron! PHILADELPHIA A once powerful union boss here has received a prison term for his role in an embezzlement scheme. John Dougherty, 64, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment on Thursday in Philadelphia federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia. He also must forfeit almost $354,000 and to pay $50,000 in immediate restitution, with full restitution still to be determined. Dougherty was convicted of crimes committed as business manager of Philadelphia-based Local 98, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The prosecution had requested a prison term within the sentencing range of 135 to 168 months, but defense attorney Gregory Pagano, asked for a "significant downward departure." Pagano said the labor leader's crimes should be considered in the context of his "history of community service and charitable works," as well as "tremendous and tireless work that Mr. Dougherty did for Local 98." Dougherty and other associates, including then-Local 98 President Brian Burrows of Mount Laurel, were accused of diverting about $600,000 in union funds from April 2010 through August 2016. Embezzled funds paid for repairs and improvements at the participants' properties and for personal expenses, the federal prosecutor's office said. Dougherty and Burrows also allegedly filed false reports to hide the theft of union funds and did not disclose income from the scheme on their federal tax returns. A federal jury in December 2023 convicted both men of multiple charges. Burrows, 64, received a four-year term last month and was ordered to forfeit almost $136,000 at a sentencing hearing Wednesday in Philadelphia federal court. He also must pay restitution, with that amount still to be set, a court record says. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl also ordered Dougherty to pay a $7,100 special assessment. Dougherty in November 2021 was convicted of conspiring to commit honest services fraud and seven counts of honest services fraud. Dougherty in that case was accused of paying more than $200,000 in bribes to a Philadelphia city councilman, Robert Henon, between May 2015 and September 2016. John Dougherty held himself out as Local 98s biggest booster, said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero. But while he was backslapping his electricians with one hand, he was ripping them off with the other. "He cheated Philadelphians, too, through his corrupt quid pro quo with Bobby Henon," Romero said. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty sentenced for role in embezzlement scheme What Project 2025 would mean for the fight against climate change Project 2025, a controversial conservative roadmap that aims to guide the next Republican administration, calls for the elimination of multiple energy- and environment-related offices and rules moves that would restrict the governments ability to combat climate change and pollution. Policies promoted under the plan would place political personnel in positions to oversee science at major federal agencies and reduce such agencies limitations on polluting industries. The project additionally proposes chopping up several agencies. It called for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the nations oceans, weather, climate and fisheries science agency, to be dismantled. NOAA is home to the National Weather Service (which the plan says should henceforth focus on commercial operations), as well as the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (which the plan says should be downsized, with much of its climate research disbanded). The plan would also eliminate offices within the Energy Department that focus on renewable energy, climate technology and energy technology research. And the Energy Department chapter further calls for a whole-of-government assessment and consolidation of science, including a review of all the federal science agencies. In addition, with the help of Congress, Project 2025 seeks to eliminate energy efficiency standards for household appliances. Such standards have been a target of congressional Republicans, who have made multiple efforts to block or roll back Biden administration restrictions on appliances. Former President Trump has also blasted regulations requiring more efficient lightbulbs, showerheads and a range of other items. Trump has sought to distance himself from the project in the wake of the leader of the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that put it together, controversially calling for a bloodless revolution. However, many sections of the plan were written by officials from the former presidents first administration and the provisions on energy efficiency standards are one of many areas where the plan appears to broadly dovetail with policies Trump has called for. The project would also reinstate a Trump-era measure that moved the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) headquarters to Grand Junction, Colo., for instance a move critics said effectively pushed out long-time staffers who had been based in Washington, D.C. In an interview with The Hill, Western Energy Alliance President Kathleen Sgamma, who co-wrote the Interior Department section of the proposal, said that section is all about increasing [oil and gas] development and production from federal lands. Sgamma, who leads a group that lobbies on behalf of the oil industry, said the raft of proposals are intended to reverse Biden administration policies that restricted fossil fuel development on those lands. Upon taking office, Biden signed an executive order pausing all new oil and gas leasing on public lands, which has since ended. More recently, he signed permanent protections for about 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The plan would undo these actions, restoring Trump-era policies that opened up more Arctic lands for drilling, reduced protections for endangered species and implemented restrictions on environmental reviews and other review processes in an effort to bolster infrastructure and energy projects Some of the blueprints proposals for the Interior Department would likely require an act of Congress. For example, the plan also calls for the repeal of the Antiquities Act of 1906, the statute that allows presidents to designate national monuments. Others, however, could likely be accomplished through the executive branch, such as opening up more Arctic lands for drilling, reducing protections for endangered species and implementing restrictions on environmental reviews and other review processes in an effort to bolster infrastructure and energy projects. At the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the plan calls for the consolidation of science and policy under political officials. Its plans for doing so include appointing at least six political appointees who are in charge of overseeing and changing the agencys research and science activities. It also calls for moving high-ranking career officials out of the EPAs Office of Water, and eliminating the agencys civil and criminal law enforcement office instead moving the law enforcement officials to the agencys office of general counsel. The law enforcement office, known as the Office of of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, is in charge of pursuing criminal and criminal penalties when companies break laws by polluting. Asked about the reason for moving those senior officials out of the water office, Mandy Gunasekara, author of the plans EPA chapter, told The Hill some officials who are in those roles could use their positions to put up roadblocks to policy proposals they disagree with. She said moving law enforcement to the general counsels office could address discrepancies between the people who make the rules and those that apply them. The EPA section of the plan also calls for an update to the agencys 2009 finding that greenhouse gas emissions pose a threat to human health and the environment. This endangerment finding compels the EPA to do something to address the threat of these emissions. Its not clear whether an update could weaken or overturn this finding. In addition, the plan would make the agencys consideration of potentially toxic substances more industry friendly and revisit a rule that is currently set to bolster the cleanup of cancer-linked PFAS chemicals. Gunasekara was the EPAs chief of staff during the Trump administration. She declined to say whether shed want to serve in a second Trump administration. The primary architect of the Interior Department section, William Perry Pendley, is also a former Trump official. Pendley was the acting head of the Bureau of Land Management during Trumps presidency, but he was never confirmed by the Senate despite leading the agency for more than a year before being ousted by a judge. Pendley is a longtime advocate of selling off public lands, writing in a June op-ed that the BLM should sell them to resolve housing shortages in the western U.S. He has also denied both the reality of climate change and the existence of a hole in the earths ozone layer, called the Endangered Species Act a failure, and made headlines for calling undocumented immigrants a cancer and claiming that Islam was at war with the U.S. The project makes no secret about who wrote this, said Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities, in reference to Sgammas role in the Interior section. Pendley would love it if most oil and gas policy was handed over to states even when it comes to federal lands, Weiss added. Project 2025 has sparked concerns among environmental advocates. Climate activist Jamie Henn said what alarms him about the project is not necessarily that its more extreme than Trumps proposals, but that its more specific. Trump would frack the National Mall if he thought it would make a couple of bucks for donors and Big Oil, said Henn, director of Fossil Free Media, a nonprofit that supports ending fossil fuel use. But he said Trump tends to speak in slogans, while this is a plan that really gets into the details. Were not only going agency by agency, were going into every single agency program, Henn said. Theyre coming in with sledgehammers and scalpels to try and dismantle any barriers to the fossil fuel industries. The projects proponents said its goals are to get a conservative administration ready for action with a detailed policy plan. My goal is very much parallel to the goal of the whole project, and its to make sure that the next opportunity conservatives have to lead the administration, we dont lose any time, Gunasekara told The Hill. She described her aim in drafting the plans EPA section as 1. set out a clear policy vision and then 2. figure out the steps it would take to ultimately implement that in the most efficient manner possible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Project 2025 a must read I strongly encourage every American, especially the undecided or those contemplating not voting, to google Project 2025. Written by the Heritage Foundation with approximately 100 conservative groups signing on, it is a blueprint for the Trump presidency. It includes replacing nonpartisan government employees with Trump loyalists. Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection at his golf club in Doral, Fla., on July 9, 2024. Government oversight and consumer protections and safety will be eviscerated. Project 2025 proposes partisan control of the Departments of Justice and Commerce, the FBI, and the Federal Communications and Federal Trade Commissions. It would dismantle the Department of Homeland Security and abolish the Department of Education. In the wake of global warming and its unprecedented damages and costs, Project 2025 would dramatically cut environmental and climate change regulations in favor of a drill baby drill policy. OPINION: Why Project 2025 is a hateful plan all Americans should fear AMERICANS ARE NOT POWERLESS: Democracy in America will only die if we let it Project 2025 would also cut funding for Medicare and Medicaid and calls for the rejection of abortion as healthcare and would eliminate coverage for emergency contraception. Project 2025 would remove legal protections based on sexual orientation and gender and eliminate affirmative action, to be replaced with DOJ prosecutions of anti-white racism. Project 2025 recommends the arrest, detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants and using the military to place them in internment camps. In November, please vote to protect our democracy. Janine Migden-Ostrander, Westerville Police work hard for us, so help by celebrating them It is time for every neighborhood in Columbus to become police friendly. The men and women in blue need to be celebrated and thanked every day for keeping us safe. That is the best way to fight crime in Columbus. So the next time you see a police officer just say thank you; it will improve their morale and make our streets safer. Michael Oser, Columbus 'We the people' are in a ridiculously difficult position We The People, in order to create a more ridiculous government, have boiled our presidential choices down to a bumbling great-grandparent, a pathological liar and fraudster, and a family clown whose brain was snacked on by worms. Ben Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington would die of embarrassment (if they werent already dead). This is what the two-party system hath wrought. The cries of one party for their candidate to step down is laughable. The fact that the other party is ignoring the same problem with their candidate is roll-on-the-floor hilarious. Its as if the movies Grump Old Men and Idiocracy had a baby. Yet one of these incompetents is hailed as a savior. It is appalling the level of ignorance we have achieved. Michael Williamson, Fulton This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Project 2025 the blueprint for dismantling America What is Project 2025? Is it Trump's plan? What to know about the political right's plan for a conservative nation Social media has been abuzz with the ultra-conservative initiative Project 2025. So just what is it? The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank out of Washington, D.C., launched the 2025 Presidential Transition Project to "assemble an army of aligned, vetted, trained, and prepared conservatives to go to work on Day One to deconstruct the Administrative State." More: We are 9/11 war veterans. Remember Jan. 6 and renounce violence. It is based on a more than 800-page "Mandate for Leadership," published in April 2023 by the Foundation, reimagining the executive branch and as a plan to overhaul multiple federal government agencies, including the FBI, Department of Justice and Department of Education, and that isn't even talking about the want to ban certain words from the legislature and what jobs in the federal government will be appointed. More: Pitts: MAGA in love with Trump; people who worked with him, not so much All of this is intended to be the playbook for the next conservative president to follow. Here's what we know about Project 2025 and what it could mean for the 2024 presidential election. What is Project 2025? For many it is being referred to as just Project 2025, and it has become a hot topic among celebrities, political figures, media and on social media in recent weeks. The "Mandate for Leadership" outlines conservative agendas that would mean the repeal of parts of initiatives President Joe Biden and former President Barack Obama brought forth during their tenure at the White House, including student debt forgiveness and the Affordable Care Act. Beyond that, the deportation of undocumented immigrants is high up on Project 2025's to-do list. There is also a section of this plan that appears to undo LGBTQ+ rights in multiple different areas, including banning people with HIV or those who are transgender from serving in the military, rescinding regulations that bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, and sex characteristics, and also seems to oppose same-sex marriage and gay couples adopting children by seeking to "maintain a biblically based, social science-reinforced definition of marriage and family." Here are just some other items that Project 2025 entails: Passing sweeping tax cuts and changes to the tax code which will impact those with lower incomes while benefiting those with a higher income. Reversal of DEI programs Development of new nuclear weapons and building of more nuclear power plants Dismantling of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration due to it being "one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry. Ending Head Start and dismantling the Education Department Outlawing pornography Why are people worried about Project 2025? One of the main things in this playbook? The reinstatement of a Trump executive order augmenting a president's power to hire and fire federal officials by replacing civil servants with political appointees throughout government. Project 2025 has been pre-screening the ideologies of thousands to become part of the federal government once a conservative takes office to have, a pre-vetted, pro-Trump army of up to 54,000 loyalists." Project 2025 and the Heritage Foundation leadership have also called this group "conservative warriors," and enacted imagery of them marching into Washington, D.C., like an army. While the Heritage Foundation's nearly 900-page mandate is a blueprint for a far-right way of "taking back control" of the federal government, it is also the rhetoric that is coming from people like the group's president, Kevin Roberts. We are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be, Roberts said on a conservative media outlet called Real Americas Voice. "Project 2025 should scare every single American," said President Joe Biden, in a speech slamming former President Donald Trump for having any part of Project 2025. "It would give Trump limitless power over our daily lives and let him use the presidency to enact 'revenge' on his enemies, ban abortion nationwide and punish women who have an abortion, and gut the checks and balances that make America the greatest democracy in the world." Is Project 2025 part of Trump's plan if he wins the 2024 presidential election? Though the plan's organizers want Trump to follow Project 2025 if he wins the November election it even has his name in different areas throughout the plan the businessman turned politician has tried to distance himself from the Heritage Foundation after Biden slammed him in the press for being affiliated with the group. Trump took to his Truth social media account in an attempt to lead the narrative away from his affiliation with Heritage Foundation writing. "I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things theyre saying and some of the things theyre saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them." In a post early Thursday morning he wrote, " I know nothing about Project 2025. I have not seen it, have no idea who is in charge of it, and, unlike our very well received Republican Platform, had nothing to do with it. The Radical Left Democrats are having a field day, however, trying to hook me into whatever policies are stated or said. It is pure disinformation on their part. By now, after all of these years, everyone knows where I stand on EVERYTHING! DJT" And while Trump denies knowing the people who are "in charge of it," some are members of his previous staff. Russ Vought (Project 2025 writer) headed the Office of Management and Budget under Trump John McEntee (senior adviser for Project 2025) was the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office under Trump Paul Dans (head of Project 2025 team), former Trump staffer Spencer Chretien (head of Project 2025 team), former Trump staffer Troup Hemnway (head of Project 2025 team), former Trump staffer Project 2025 said it does not speak for any candidate or campaign in a July 5 post on X, formerly Twitter. Its playbook is comprised of suggestions the coalition believes will benefit the "next conservative president." Who is involved with Project 2025? The Heritage Foundation has pulled together 100 coalition partners of conservative groups in the country. Here are the partners of Project 2025 reported by the Heritage Foundation: 1792 Exchange American Accountability Foundation American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists Alabama Policy Institute Alliance Defending Freedom ACLJ Action American Commitment American Compass American Cornerstone Institute The American Conservative American Council of Trustees and Alumni American Family Association America First Legal American Juris Link American Legislative Exchange Council The American Main Street Initiative American Moment American Principles Project The American Family Project The American Redistricting Project Americans United for Life AMAC Action California Family Council Centennial Institute Center for a Secure Free Society Center for Equal Opportunity Center for Family and Human Rights Center for Immigration Studies Center for Military Readiness Center for Renewing America Citizens Against Government Waste The Claremont Institute Coalition for a Prosperous America Competitive Enterprise Institute Concerned Women for America Conservative Partnership Institute Defense of Freedom Institute Discovery Institute Eagle Forum Ethics and Public Policy Center Fairer America Family Policy Alliance Family Research Council Feds for Freedom First Liberty Institute For America Forge Leadership Network Foundation for American Innovation Foundation for Defense of Democracies Foundation for Government Accountability Freedoms Journal Institute The Frederick Douglass Foundation Calvert Task Group The Heartland Institute The Heritage Foundation MacArthur Society of West Point Graduates Hillsdale College Honest Elections Project Independent Womens Forum Institute for Education Reform Institute for Energy Research Institute for the American Worker The Institute for Womens Health Intercollegiate Studies Institute Dr. James Dobson Family Institute The James Madison Institute Job Creators Network Keystone Policy The Leadership Institute League of American Workers Liberty University Mackinac Center for Public Policy The Malone Institute Media Research Center Mississippi Center for Public Policy Moms for Liberty Mountain States Policy Center National Association of Scholars National Center for Public Policy Research Native Americans for Sovereignty and Preservation Noah Webster Educational Foundation Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs Project 21 Black Leadership Network Pacific Research Institute The Palm Beach Freedom Institute Palmetto Promise Patrick Henry College The Patriot Foundation Trust Personnel Policy Operations Public Interest Legal Foundation Recovery for America Now Foundation Republicans Overseas Foundation Stop Abusive and Violent Environments Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services Students for Life of America Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Tea Party Patriots Texas Public Policy Foundation Teneo Network Turning Point USA Young Americas Foundation USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Trump says about Heritage Foundation's controversial Project 2025 Prosecutors have dismissed charges against a western Iowa teen accused of sharing a 'hit list' of arson targets in her community. Kaelyn Surrell, 18, was charged in December with multiple counts of threatening terrorism. Investigators said Surrell, a senior at Sidney High School, had shared the list, which included fellow students and school staff, on social media and threatened to commit arson against them. The complaints note that Surrell, a cadet with the Shenandoah Fire Department, could have had the knowledge needed to carry out her threats. On Monday, Fremont County Attorney Peter Johnson filed to dismiss the case. In a statement, he said there was a "lack of evidence" to bring the charges to trial, and noted Surrell has completed six months of strict pretrial release supervision. More: Ex-Grundy County firefighter gets prison for multiple arsons, domestic abuse "The decision to dismiss the charges does not condone or minimize the seriousness of threats made against others in all forms," Johnson said. "However, the legal standards and elements required for a conviction must be met, and particularly, in this case, dismissal of all charges is a just result." The law under which Surrell was charged criminalizes threats causing reasonable fear of the "imminent commission" of the act, and appellate courts have read that restriction narrowly, in one case dismissing a conviction in which a man made threats he wouldn't have been able to carry out until the following day. Johnson confirmed to the Register that investigators did not find evidence Surrell was about to carry out her threats. Surrell's attorney, Amanda Heims, confirmed via email that she believed the state could not prove the elements of the terroristic threats charge. "Working diligently to reveal these deficiencies led to the complete dismissal of all charges against my client, allowing justice to prevail," she said. "I am happy to have been able to assist my client in putting this behind her." The dismissal also comes after Surrell has completed community service with a number of organizations, according to court filings, and submitted an essay to the court about her experience. In it, she wrote that through her actions she lost many things she'd treasured, including being a fire cadet and a drum major for her school band and attending her school graduation, as well as the chance to spend time with a dying relative. In the future, she wrote, she hopes to work as a nurse or emergency medical technician. "I'm going to sit and think about what I'm saying and how I'm going to respond whether I'm angry or not," she wrote. "... From now on throughout the future I'm going to sit and think, 'is this really worth getting upset over?'" This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fremont County teen's school arson threat charges dismissed Putin allows sacking MPs and senators for leaving Russia without permission Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows lawmakers and senators to be dismissed early for an unauthorised leave from Russia. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti; Telegram-based news outlet Astra Details: Effective today, parliamentarians must coordinate their departures with security services in advance before leaving the country. The parliamentarians claim that the law is necessary to prevent Russian MPs from being detained abroad, for example, on an Interpol warrant stemming from a Ukrainian court ruling. Support UP or become our patron! 'QAnon Shaman' from Jan. 6 riot wants his furry horned hat and spear back. Here's why the feds said no Jake Angeli, the so-called "QAnon Shaman" whose signature attire made him the face of the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, wants his furry horned hat and spear back. The government, so far, is not inclined to return them. Those items, prosecutors said in a court filing Friday, might serve as evidence in a future court proceeding because a U.S. Supreme Court ruling could allow Angeli to contest his conviction. Angeli pleaded guilty to a felony and was imprisoned. He was released last year. But the Supreme Court on June 28 said federal prosecutors misapplied the law in some Jan. 6 cases, including his. Angelis attorney, William Shipley, did not respond to an emailed question on Friday as to whether Angeli would ask for a reversal of his conviction. When Angeli was arrested by FBI agents in Phoenix days after the riot, they seized his horned hat and spear. The items were in his car. Angeli told agents he planned to don them and protest outside the Arizona Capitol. Before he became a symbol of the U.S. Capitol riot, Angeli was a known quantity in and around the Phoenix area. As early as 2019, he appeared at protests including sometimes solo protests with a painted face, and wearing tan sackcloth pants and his horned hat with fur tails cascading past his shoulders. He was shirtless, showing off elaborate tattoos that he said had a deep shamanistic meaning. Jake Angeli, who supports QAnon, shouts about reopening schools in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic at the state Capitol on Aug. 12, 2020. Angeli espoused elements of the bizarre QAnon theory. That conspiracy supposed that a federal agent with top-secret Q-level clearance was posting obscure clues about sinister happenings within the government on online bulletin boards. Adherents coalesced on a narrative: A cabal of global leaders, who sometimes drank the blood of children, would be exposed and arrested by Trump. That did not come to pass. Jake Angeli: From the Arizona Capitol to the Jan. 6 riot in Washington Angeli, along with thousands of other Trump supporters, traveled to Washington, D.C., for a Trump speech at the Ellipse on Jan. 6. It was the day that a Joint Session of Congress was gaveled in to follow the constitutionally-prescribed procedure for certifying presidential election results. Angeli, whose getup made him easily identifiable in video footage, was one of the first to enter the U.S. Capitol. A federal judge said Angeli literally spearheaded the entry of others. Angeli briefly took the dais of the U.S. Senate and left a note for then-Vice President Mike Pence. He wrote, Its only a matter of time. Justice is coming. After Trump posted a message asking his supporters to leave the U.S. Capitol, Angeli was seen on video footage encouraging people to get out. 3 years later: Here's what happened to the Arizonans who were at the US Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot Angeli, who was charged under his legal name Jacob Chansley pleaded guilty in September 2021. He was released from a halfway house in May 2023. His first stop upon release was the Arizona Capitol. He brought along photographers for a photo shoot. Angeli wore a similar furry hat and bright yellow pants. Instead of a spear, he carried a drum and tom-tom. He has since carried on an active presence on social media and as a guest on various online talk shows. He started a website that offered one-on-one consultations. He also sold T-shirts featuring his image. A check of the website on Friday showed the apparel was sold out and no longer available. How the Supreme Court ruling affected Angeli's sentence Angeli was among dozens of Jan. 6 defendants charged with obstructing an official proceeding. But the Supreme Court, in a case called Fischer v. United States, said the government had misinterpreted the statute in bringing those cases. The crime, the court ruled, only applied to tampering or destroying a document that would be used in an official proceeding. Under his plea agreement, the government could pursue other charges against Angeli should he successfully contest his conviction. Those charges included civil disorder, demonstrating in a Capitol building and disruptive conduct in a place where the vice president was guarded by Secret Service. In any subsequent case, prosecutors could use Angelis statements in court against him. He told the court at his sentencing that he took responsibility for his actions with no ifs, ands or buts about it. He also said that he was in no way, shape or form a dangerous criminal. I'm not a domestic terrorist. I'm not an insurrectionist. I'm a good man who broke the law." Prosecutors in the Friday filing said they would ask to hold on the hat and spear as evidence until Angeli assures the Court there will be no further challenges to his criminal conviction. Though, prosecutors said, even after that the government would consider seizing the property through civil forfeiture. Angeli asked the court to order the return of his property in May, though his filing didnt specify what the property was. The judge agreed to hold off on a decision until the Supreme Court ruling in the Fischer case. The government filing Friday was the first mention of the specific items. They were described as a spear and a helmet used to project strength during the assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Angeli also has asked the court to discharge him from his three-year probation, citing his spotless record in the year since his release. Angeli, according to a notation from the judge in the case, also has found a stable residence, a job and was married. A marriage license under Angelis legal name didn't appear in Maricopa County records. His attorney also did not reply to a request for details on the nuptials, or his employment. Reach the reporter at 602-444-8473 or richard.ruelas@arizonarepublic.com. Not in the race: The QAnon Shaman won't make Arizona's 2024 congressional ballot, but here's who will This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jake Angeli, 'QAnon Shaman' of Jan. 6, won't get fur hat, spear back Spastic diplegia cerebral palsy may affect a Quad-City teens ability to walk, but it hasnt affected her zest for life. Our Quad Cities News reporter Victoria Frazier introduces us to Katie Moore, as fans, friends and family cheered her on at Genesis Home Runs for Life at the Quad Cities River Bandits. For more information, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. This week's On Our Radar piece features a stacked lineup ranging from federal green investments to tourism awards and Taylor Square. The installment details what Chatham Area Transit will receive as part of a $7.8 million federal grant, provides an update on the lawsuit challenging the naming of Taylor Square, and also explains an update to the appeal process in Savannah's civil service ordinance. Also, see where Savannah stacks up as a tourism destination compared to other U.S. cities. If you have neighborhood updates, organization events or news tips you think could be of service to Savannahians, send them to elasseter@savannahnow.com. Also reach out if there are stories here you would like to know more about. Deadline for the On Our Radar series will be the end of day each Friday. Last week: On Our Radar: Have transportation concerns? Here's how to join the regional planning process "I'm riding with Joe" CAT is set to double its electric bus fleet thanks to a $7.8 million federal investment. CAT received a Federal Transit Administration Low or No Emission Grant to add six battery-electric buses, four depot chargers and workforce training. The group celebrated receiving the grant at an event Thursday attended by Chatham County Chairman Chester Ellis, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and CAT Interim Director Stephanie Cutter. "Rolling stock to support public transportation is very expensive," Cutter said. "In order to serve the community, in order to meet them and take them where they want to go, we can only do it through partnerships." More: Chatham Area Transit holds pop-up event; attendees get first look at microtransit vehicles CAT's Board of Directors approved submission of the grant in March 2024. The grant money was funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, one of the hallmark policies of President Joe Biden's administration. Both Ellis and Johnson took Thursday's event to tout the Biden administration's investment in the region. Savannah has received more federal investment in the past four years than any other administration, said Johnson, who is a delegate for the Democratic National Convention and endorsed Biden Thursday. "I'm riding with Joe," Johnson said. "They say he may be forgetting some things, but he isn't forgetting about Savannah." Savannah in top three of Travel & Leisure's 2024 "World's Best Awards" Patriotic pride was on full display to wrap up the evening with the Independence Day fireworks show presented by Savannah's Waterfront on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Casey Jones for the Savannah Morning News) Travel & Leisure's World's Best Awards are a near 30-year-old annual ranking based on reader surveys where cities are rated based on sites, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value, according to a Visit Savannah Press Release. Savannah ranked third this year ahead of cities such as Chicago, New Orleans and Nashville. "On behalf of the Savannah/Chatham County community, we are extremely proud to be ranked among the top on Travel + Leisure's annual World's Best destinations list," said Joe Marinelli, President and CEO of Visit Savannah. "It's a reminder that visitors to Savannah continually find world-class accommodations, unique culinary experiences, approachable retail opportunities, and museum and tour options that meet every taste and interest. For the 18th consecutive year, Savannah stands proud again of being named a top place for visitors worldwide." Savannah has "consistently placed in the top five," according to the press release. Because of that consistent recognition Savannah earned induction into Travel & Leisure's Hall of Fame, which is awarded to destinations voted onto awards lists for 10 consecutive years, the release said. Savannah placed behind Charleston, ranked in the top spot, and second-place Santa Fe, New Mexico. More: Trolley noise was a pain point for downtown Savannah residents. New ordinance aims to fix that. Taylor Square lawsuit dismissed in Chatham Superior Court A crowd gathers for photos around the new marker during the official dedication of Taylor Square on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Chatham County Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley denied a motion for summary judgment that claimed the city's renaming of the square violated the state constitution. Mayor Van Johnson referenced the decision in his recent press conference. "Taylor Square is still Taylor Square," Johnson said. "We told you." The lawsuit was filed by David Tootle, a local Republican who most recently lost a runoff bid for the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. Walmsley's decision stated Tootle's claims did not show personalized injury from the square's renaming, which was required in order to have standing. The court decision also ruled the city's action did not violate the Georgia statute which regulates how municipalities provide services related to monuments. Savannah unveiled the Taylor Square markers at an event in February which drew a crowd of about 300. The lawsuit was filed by Tootle in July 2023 to prevent the city of removing John C. Calhoun's name from the square. The case's dismissal was first reported by the Savannah Agenda. Savannah updates civil service board procedures Savannah City Council voted Thursday to adjust the procedures for the appeal process in its civil service ordinance. The move changes the point at which an appeal goes before the council-appointed civil service board. Before Thursday's vote, the civil service board would have the final say in an official's appealed demotion, suspension or dismissal. The update now leaves the final authority to the city manager, who can approve or deny the decision of the civil service board. More: Defense attorney alleges former detective influenced witness in murder trial of Savannah man The move comes after former Savannah Police Department detective Ashley Wood was reinstated and demoted to a code compliance position by the board in December 2023. Wood was initially fired by SPD for falsifying information in multiple search warrants before being reinstated by the board during Wood's appeal. Some council members had previously expressed concerns about the civil service board process after Wood was reinstated. Wood has since been indicted by a Chatham County grand jury. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah News Update: Biden administration grant boosts Chatham's electric buses The heat wave that has been sizzling the West during the first part of July has expanded eastward but will also continue to bake much of the region during the third week of the month. Salt Lake City will be near the core of the heat, as temperatures will resurge into triple-digit territory and near records by the middle of the week. The practical effects of a long-term heat wave include an elevated risk of fires, expanding drought conditions and increased energy demand. A blistering heat wave that has been roasting the West since the beginning of July relented in some areas this past weekend but will also continue to expand its footprint to the east across the central United States, challenging records over the next several days, warn AccuWeather meteorologists. People cool off in misters along the Las Vegas Strip, Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Temperatures in Wichita, Kansas, will come close to levels not seen on July 15 since the Dust Bowl Era of the 1930s. Widespread highs in the upper 90s to 100s will be experienced over the central and southern Plains Monday afternoon and evening. A front will help to cool portions of the Plains down a bit by midweek. However, areas west of the Continental Divide will continue to bake away and, in some cases, throttle up once again. Salt Lake City is one major metro area over the Great Basin where near-record highs and triple-digit heat are forecast this week. The expansion of this heat dome is part and parcel of a very hot weather pattern across a large portion of the country, with heat-related advisories also in effect in parts of the South and East. While the heat will ease across areas farther west, where all-time record highs were set over the last couple of weeks, it will not cease. Temperatures will remain above the historical average into the second half of July, raising the risk for fires and expanding drought conditions. For the better part of the beginning of July, residents of the central U.S. have enjoyed temperatures near or below average, in stark contrast to their neighbors to the west. Recently, they could no longer claim such comfort. "After an extended, record-breaking heat wave across California, Oregon, Washington and Nevada, the heat dome responsible for those records has begun to shift east," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. As a result of the heat, heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are plastered across the central Plains at the start of this week. GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts with Premium+ AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures, which combines a number of factors such as the temperature, humidity, amount of sunshine and wind to give a more realistic representation of how it feels, will be several degrees above the actual thermometer readings for most, especially in the Midwest, where humidity levels will be elevated. On the edge of the heat dome, rounds of showers and thunderstorms will cut the heat across the Northeast and Ohio Valley, from New York to Missouri bringing a risk for torrential rain and damaging winds. More sustained relief will arrive later in the new week for the Central states as a cold front sweeps in a cooler and drier air mass from Canada beginning in the middle of the week. For heat-weary residents of the interior West, it has been a sultry first half of July, with numerous records falling to the wayside thanks to the massive heat dome. Since it has contracted to the east, a slight break in the heat has arrived, especially across the Northwest, and this will expand south into California, say AccuWeather meteorologists. "Although it will still be hot in places like Sacramento and Fresno, California, we do not expect additional records to be broken through the middle of the new week," said Buckingham. Instead, temperatures will be about 5-10 degrees above the historical average in places like Las Vegas and Phoenix, which are still well into the 90s and even into triple-digit territory. Las Vegas had a blistering stretch of record high temperatures from July 6 to 12, tying or setting record highs each day, including an all-time record high of 120 on July 7. On Sunday, the high was 106, which ended a stretch of highs in the 110s to 120 that dated back to July 3. While relief will be felt closer to the coast and in the Northwest, and also in the Midwest, the Intermountain West and northern Rockies region will bear the worst of the heat for the new week, thanks to a bulge in the jet stream that will keep temperatures in triple-digit territory for some deep into the second half of July. As of Monday, the AccuWeather forecast for Boise, Idaho, calls for high temperatures to be near or above 100 degrees through Monday, July 29, with only modest relief thereafter. The historical average high temperature in Boise is in the low to mid-90s for the rest of the month. Subtle shifts in the heat dome will also open the door to some monsoon moisture and thunderstorm activity in the Southwest. "As the heat dome moves, the corridor of monsoon thunderstorm activity will also shift," said Buckingham. "The moisture will not be overly impressive, but there will be an elevated risk of thunderstorms and spotty fires across the Four Corners region for the new week." Outside of the area in the Southwest where thunderstorms are possible, it will be bone-dry. The combination of the lack of rainfall and high temperatures will expand the drought footprint, especially across the Rockies. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A vegetation fire destroyed three homes in Lake Isabella over the weekend, according to Kern County Fire Department. On July 9th, KCFD fire crews were dispatched to a vegetation fire that engulfed two homes on Reeder Drive and Harnage Street. Strong winds caused the brush fire to spread across a field behind the homes. KCFD evacuated residents from surrounding homes in the area. Firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service were assigned to protect the neighborhood downwind from embers spreading across the air. Free fries on Friday: These popular food chains are celebrating National French Fry Day Officials said the fire was fast and hard to contain due to propane tanks, and several belongings spread in the yards and energized power lines fueling the blaze, KCFD said through a news release. Photos provided by courtesy of the Kern County Fire Department. While fire crews managed to save numerous homes in the area, the aggressive fire destroyed three homes. Miraculously, no injuries were reported. Tuesdays fire was the second multi-structure fire in two days in the Lake Isabella area. The cause of the fire 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 KGET 17. Reeves faces a battle with Labours Left over refusal to pile on more debt Historically, Labours answer to making the sums add up when it comes to tax and spending has always been to borrow more. However, Rachel Reeves wants to move the party away from its profligate reputation, pledging iron-clad discipline to balance the books. So far, the Chancellor has said she will only borrow to invest as part of new rules that she has vowed to live by. But some of Labours biggest backers want her to do more, while others say she can still stick to the letter of her rules while turning on the fiscal taps. Sharon Graham, the boss of Unite, which represents more than a million British workers, compared the UKs borrowing constraints to a straitjacket. Britain should be more like America, she believes, suggesting that our debt pile of 100pc of GDP was nothing compared with the US, at 130pc of its economy. Shes not alone. Paul Nowak at the Trades Union Congress believes Reeves must think as flexibly as possible on fiscal rules in her first Budget. Andy Haldane, the former chief economist at the Bank of England, has also urged Reeves to tweak the rules so investment choices are seen through the lens of how valuable they are, not just by how much debt is racked up. This is not recklessness fiscally, this is doing a sensible thing, Haldane said this week. Crying out for investment But as unions and economists continue to pile pressure on Reeves to spend more, will the Chancellor succumb to that pressure and, with debt already high, will financial markets let her? Lord ONeill, a crossbench peer who has served both as a minister in the Tory government and advised Labour as part of a review on scaling up British businesses, says the UK is crying out for more public investment. There needs to be a more ambitious position that Ive not seen from any political party yet, he says. The Labour Party is closer to finding a credible way of actually having greater investment spending themselves. Reeves has two borrowing rules. The first allows her to borrow for investment as long as she brings day-to-day spending back into balance within five years. This is different to her predecessor Jeremy Hunt, who ruled that total borrowing including investment had to be less than 3pc of GDP at the end of the Governments five-year forecast. The second rule essentially imitates Hunts goal of getting debt falling in five years. Lord ONeill wants Reeves to be more ambitious. He says: Ive talked to senior Labour figures a few times on replacing the current fiscal rule with a more sophisticated version of the so-called golden rule. This was former Labour leader Gordon Browns old rule of borrowing only for investment, one that he introduced in 1997 and kept until the financial crisis. Fickle fiscal rules The Institute for Government (IfG) says Britain changes its rules governing tax and spending on average once every four years, more than any other country in the world. By contrast, New Zealands fiscal rules have been the same for almost 15 years. Lord ONeill says Labour should hand Britains tax and spending watchdog responsibility of auditing big infrastructure projects like HS2, aiming to ensure they are value for money. In order to make it credible, you would only do the ones that the OBR independently verified as having a significant positive multiplier effect or in other words, enough bang for your buck. He warns the current tax and spending rules are not conducive to growth. Infrastructure spending truly has the potential to boost the economy in the long term, he says. But judging their benefits through an arbitrary five-year debt reduction target is just insanity. Lord ONeill is not alone. The influential Tony Blair Institute (TBI) think tank has called for Reeves to completely overhaul the rules to make them fit for the future. The Chancellor is resisting calls for a major overhaul. But James Browne, a senior policy adviser at the TBI, says there are two ways Reeves could give herself more space while sticking to the letter of her debt rule. The first involves including the Bank of England in its debt measure. The reason it is excluded at the moment is because of the term funding scheme (TFS), which offered cheap loans following the Brexit vote and Covid. This added significantly to debt while the loans were being dealt out, then reduced as the loans were paid back. The TFS will have wound up completely by the end of the decade. By including the Banks debt, Reeves headroom could increase to 25bn compared to 8.9bn in the last Budget. The TBI says going a step further and excluding student loans from the debt measure could hand Reeves 52bn to play with in the Autumn, in a move that would align more closely with her mantra of taking into account investment. The TBIs Browne says: The current debt rule is very constraining. A big reason why youre not getting a big fall in the official measure by the end of the decade despite actual borrowing being forecast to be pretty small by then is because of the student loans that will be issued, adding to the debt. So it seems slightly odd to be arguing we should be investing less in hospitals and schools just because were issuing lots of student loans. While Reeves has said she doesnt want to tinker with Hunts definition of debt, Browne adds that this definition would allow her to borrow 7.3bn for her National Wealth Fund without being constrained by her rules. A simple problem Reeves cannot ignore Reeves said in her Mais lecture this year that she would ask the OBR to report on the long-term impact of capital spending decisions, adding that she would publish wider measures of public sector assets and liabilities at fiscal events, showing how the health of the public balance sheet is bolstered by good investment decisions. Our headline measure of public investment also includes the student loans that the Government assumes wont be paid back, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Stripping this out could enable more money to be spent on big-ticket projects. Accounting tricks aside, there is a simple problem Reeves cannot afford to ignore. Outside the pandemic, the UK is already issuing the most debt in its history. Fears are also rising ahead of the public sector pay deals that will be made by Reeves instead this summer. The Chancellor already recognises the challenges ahead, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the Government will not return to austerity. The International Monetary Fund has warned that 30bn of tax rises or spending cuts will be needed by the end of the decade to top up departmental budgets. Imogen Bachra, a bond strategist at NatWest Markets, says traders recognise the difference between investment and profligacy. I think markets in general will tend to forgive borrowing for investment that could drive economic growth more than borrowing for other things that might not improve the productive capacity of the economy, she says. But Bachra adds that markets will be wary of handing Reeves a blank cheque for investment spending. Whilst borrowing for investment may bring growth over the medium to longer term, markets tend to be more short-sighted and the near-term concern of higher borrowing may outweigh any long-term positives, she adds. Thomas Pope, an economist at IfG, agrees: There are certainly good arguments in favour of higher public investment. What I would say is that there shouldnt just be a free pass on extra investment. The Government needs to make sure that the money is spent well. Pope highlights that while Boris Johnsons pledge to build 40 new hospitals was an eye-catching announcement, it is smaller investments that provide the most value for money. Too often in the UK, weve invested not as well as we could have, he says. So its really important that if the Chancellor wants to increase investment, she ensures there are really robust processes within the Treasury to ensure that what were investing in is genuinely good value for money and therefore justifies borrowing for it. The risk is that we end up with debt higher than we intended, and thats a burden on future generations. 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. Reince Priebus sees '60% chance' Biden won't be on ticket but RNC will keep focus on him Republican host committee chairman Reince Priebus speaks as part of the Republican National Convention fall media walkthrough at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. The convention will be held July 15-18. - Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel When Reince Priebus took the job organizing part of the Republican National Convention, there was one thing he didnt fully anticipate: He wouldnt know who his partys Democratic opponent would be. Now, as the GOPs presidential nominating convention kicks off in Milwaukee on Monday, Priebus said he thinks there is a 60% chance that President Joe Biden is not going to be at the top of the ticket in November. The uncertainty surrounding Biden following a disastrous debate performance that has led some in his party to call on him to withdraw has shaken up the presidential race with just four months until the election. But Priebus, the RNCs host committee chairman, suggested it is not going to change anything about the tone or what the Republican Party is going to do during the convention in Milwaukee. Republicans, he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, should keep their attention on Biden, though he speculated they might spend a little time talking about other Democrats like Vice President Kamala Harris, too. Im not so sure how much it all matters, Priebus said, when asked if hed like former President Donald Trump to face Biden. Part of me enjoys the drama. Its sort of just fun to watch, to be honest. The comments come as Trump is poised to accept the Republican presidential nomination in a swing state that is a must-win on the path to the White House. Polls show Trump in a tight race with Biden in Wisconsin, but recent surveys have given Trump the edge. One poll released July 9 showed Trump up five points over Biden in the state. And a growing number of Democrats have called on Biden to withdraw from the race as questions about his age and viability persist. The politics of this couldnt really be better, Priebus said of Republicans heading into the convention. When you have a candidate thats running ahead in the polls, and you have businesses that want to be involved in a political process, its a good place to get on board. Priebus described the Democratic tensions with Biden following his debate performance as a slow leak thats not going to go away. He said the more Democrats question or call for Biden to step down, the more they are hurting his opportunity to raise funds and sway skeptical voters. Theyre killing themselves no matter what theyre doing. Theyre eating up time, theyre eating up money. And theyre killing their incumbent president, Priebus said. As far as Im concerned, he added, they ought to keep doing it. Democrats, for their part, have said they plan to make clear "just how devastating another Trump presidency would be" for those in Wisconsin and across the country over the next week. The Democratic National Committee said Trump during the convention will "plunge his party into new depth of extremism... because Republicans are willing to trade any remaining shred of dignity they have left to move Trump one step closer to his dream of becoming a dictator on 'day one.'" "If they get their way, Trump will turn the government into a tool for his plans of revenge and retribution," DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said, referencing the conservative Project 2025 governing blueprint, which was created by a think tank sponsoring the convention. But the upcoming four days in Milwaukee will be the culmination of more than two years work for Priebus and the host committee. The committee this week announced it raised more than $85 million for the convention a figure it described as a record amount raised by any Host Committee for a Republican convention in history. Priebus told the Journal Sentinel the committee received contributions from more individual donors and companies including several large gifts than it had anticipated but declined to share dollar amounts. He said hes seen far less concern about politics and not wanting to be involved in politics than he did in 2016 It could be because the reality of our politics today has sort of settled in, he said and noted the virtual Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in 2020 laid the groundwork for this weeks event. He credited Milwaukee Democratic Mayor Cavalier Johnson and County Executive David Crowley for supporting the RNC. We had a bipartisan feeling about this fundraising effort, which helped, I think, bring in a lot of businesses and individuals that may have been nervous about giving, he said. Republicans have estimated as many as 50,000 could come to the city for the convention. Priebus said he anticipates more mainly journalists seeking to cover the week. Among the bigger questions during a convention where Trump is the only contender is who he will choose as his running mate. Does Priebus, Trumps former chief of staff, know who Trump plans to make his vice presidential pick? No, Priebus said Friday, adding he thinks Trump is thinking through the best way possible to create the most media out of this announcement. As far as what to expect during the convention, Priebus said the obvious: Its going to be about President Trump. But the questions on the other side of the aisle remain. I think for the most part, the posture should be were running against Joe Biden, Priebus said. I would put maybe a couple chips down on going after Kamala Harris. But Id spend most of my time dealing with Joe Biden and the situation the countrys in and what hes done as president. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Reince Priebus sees '60% chance' Biden won't be on ticket Dick Celeste, a Colorado Springs resident, is the former president of Colorado Colleger, former U.S. ambassador to India, former governor of Ohio and former head of the Peace Corps. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A relic of St. Mary Magdalene was stolen from the Cathedral of the Madeleine, according to the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. In a press release, the Diocese of Salt Lake City wrote it was stolen on the morning of July 10. The theft was reportedly discovered around 7 a.m. when one of the cathedral staff found the reliquary broken on the floor beneath the crucifix. Photo provided the the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. According to Father Martin Diaz, who is the rector of the cathedral, it seems to be an act of theft rather than vandalism. This was a person looking for something of value to sell, Diaz said in the release. It is likely that he picked up the reliquary, but once he got it off the shelf could not hold it, as it is very heavy. Once it was broken open, he took the one thing that appeared sellable. A Facebook post from the Diocese of Salt Lake City said the relic has been housed in the reliquary for over 100 years and is annually displayed as an invitation to prayer on Easter Sunday and July 22 for the Solemnity of St. Mary Magdalene. This is a very disturbing loss, Diaz said. We want to make every effort to find and restore this treasure for the people in Utah. It is also important to acknowledge that Catholics do not worship relics: they serve as a physical reminder of the women and men who have lived generous and charitable lives on behalf of God and others. Our life of faith and service to the community will, of course, go on. The post goes on to say that the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City is the only diocese and Cathedral in the United States under the patronage of St. Mary Magdalene, celebrating the woman who was a close follower and supporter of Jesus Christ. As the Catholic community prepares to celebrate the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene on July 22nd, it will do so with a keen sense of the loss of this small historic and physical connection to its patron, the post reads. The Diocese of Salt Lake City is working with the Salt Lake Police Department to recover the relic. A reward of $1,000 is being offered for its return or information leading to its return. Anyone with information is asked to contact Diaz at (602) 318-5555. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Republicans increase attacks on Kamala Harris as Joe Bidens political future hangs in the balance As the future of Joe Bidens candidacy remains uncertain, Republicans have their sights set on another target - Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the presidents own party donors, lawmakers and politically active celebrities have joined in a chorus of calls for Biden to step aside. While the president himself has remained defiant, telling Michigan supporters on Friday: I am running, and were going to win. Trumps campaign reportedly does not want to face a candidate other than Biden. Still, Republicans seem to be preparing for Harris to rise to the top of the ticket. Post-debate, she has become the bullseye for Republicans sexist, racist attacks. In 2020, Harris made history multiple times over. When sworn in, she became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected vice president of the US. Republicans homed in on these facts in recent days completely ignoring her years-long experience on the political scene. That includes a few Republicans have suggested that she was a DEI hire, which stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans as the Biden campaign battles worsening concerns about the presidents age. Republicans have increased their attacks on her in recent days (Getty Images) Democrats have got to choose between a mentally incompetent president and a DEI vice president, Texas Republican Rep Chip Roy recently told Fox Business. Shockingly, he wasnt the only one to make the offensive remark. Former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka managed to relay the same sentiment in a more offensive way, saying on Newsmax this week: Shes a DEI hire, right? Shes a woman. Shes colored, therefore shes got to be good. The New York Post also added to the racist chatter, with a columnist writing a July 6 story headlined: America may soon be subjected to the countrys first DEI president: Kamala Harris. Some have attacked the intelligence of the former prosecutor and California attorney general. Texas Rep Ronny Jackson, who also served as Trumps White House physician, blasted Harris: She has got to be the lowest IQ vice president that this country has ever had. Failed GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also claimed Harris had a low IQ. Harris speaks to members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on July 10, 2024 in Dallas, Texas (Getty Images) Despite serving as vice president for more than three years, others have attacked her competence and qualifications. Earlier this week, Trump himself derided Harris: If Joe had picked someone even halfway competent, they would have bounced him from office years ago. But they cant, because shes got to be their second choice. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro claimed the vice president cant put a sentence together, before suggesting that she is often under the influence: I think she likes to have a good time. Some strategists have said they arent surprised by Republicans recent flood of attacks against Harris or how they are framing them. Republicans are attacking Harris with these tired racist tropes because they truly have no idea how to take on a woman who is smarter and tougher than their wannabe strongman Trump, Jess McIntosh, a Democratic strategist and former communications adviser to Hillary Clinton, told the Wall Street Journal. Its things like attacking her intelligence, attacking the tone of her voice, her laugh, the othering language, Karen Finney, Democratic strategist and former Clinton 2016 spokesperson, told The Guardian. Those are pretty common tropes that we see used against women. Speaking on Pod Save America on Wednesday, former Biden White House press secretary Jen Psaki chalked up Harris lack of popularity to the fact that we live in a country that is sexist and racist. Biden andHarris raise their hands as they stand on a White House balcony on July 4th (REUTERS) In the face of discriminatory comments, Harris has been climbing the polls, indicating she has a better chance than Biden of defeating Trump in a hypothetical matchup. One poll, conducted by the Democratic firm Bendixen & Amandi, showed Biden slightly behind Trump, 42 to 43 percent, while Harris surpassed Trump, 42 to 41 percent. In a ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, respondents also preferred Harris to Biden in a hypothetical head-to-head against Trump. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they would support Harris compared to 46 percent who would support Trump. But if Biden and Trump faced off, the president only garnered support from 46 percent of respondents, while Trump inched ahead with support from 47 percent of respondents. Harris is scheduled to speak at a rally on Saturday in Pennsylvania, just one day after Biden once again vowed to remain in the race. MILWAUKEE Protesters will be far from the action as more than 50,000 Republican delegates and GOP party stalwarts descend here to nominate Donald Trump for president. Demonstrators will be kept blocks from the main convention site, relegated to an area outside of the fenced-off perimeter around the complex. Its the result of months of fighting between Republicans and the Secret Service and between liberal activists and the city of Milwaukee over how to keep a potential 5,000 protesters away from the proceedings. The battle over the protests at the Republican National Convention grew urgent after campus demonstrations erupted across the country this spring over the ongoing war in Gaza, once again illuminating the disruptive power of protests. And while most protesters acknowledge that the Democratic convention in Chicago is their main target, Republicans wanted to ensure that the gathering to formally install former President Donald Trump as their partys nominee goes smoothly while projecting a tough-on-crime message. We are the party that backs law enforcement and law and order. And so I do think it's important that we make sure that we live up to that reputation. And I think that we will, said Sandy Wiedmeyer, chair of the Republican Party of Kenosha County and a convention delegate. At the same time, demonstrators have been livid that they couldnt march closer to the convention complex located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum and Wisconsin Center District. They argue they should be "within sight and sound" of the arena to get their messages across about wars overseas and their stands on a range of issues from abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights to housing and the economy. It sets a terrible precedent. I mean, they could just rent out our whole city and then the whole thing becomes a credential zone, said Omar Flores, co-chair of the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024, the group organizing the largest demonstration. The designated boundaries surrounding the convention site were set in June after a monthslong image-management campaign by Republicans to present an air of order around Trump. Republicans pressured the Secret Service to push back protesters. And they did after the Republican National Committee reserved the Milwaukee County Historical Society building for events. The Secret Service then adjusted the security perimeter to include the adjacent Pere Marquette Park, preventing protesters from marching near there. For Republicans, the imposed order is part of pulling off a successful event. From the beginning of the convention planning process, weve worked closely with key local stakeholders to ensure the most secure and rewarding convention experience possible for upwards of 50,000 guests, said convention spokesperson Kush Desai. Desai said he cant speak to the law enforcement-sensitive intel regarding potential protest activity [but] we remain diligent in the planning process and are confident in achieving our goals of standing up for all First Amendment rights, ensuring that the democratic process can play out safely. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, a staunch Democrat who sees the convention as an economic benefit to the city, said months of discussions with Secret Service and law enforcement went into planning the event. And though he respects protesters desire to voice their opinions to delegates, he says its unrealistic to think they could get any closer to the arena. "Demonstrators would like to go on stage at Fiserv Forum, and the RNC would rather that they be on the moon. But we have to strike the right balance to make sure that they are able to exercise their First Amendment rights. And I think we've done that," Johnson said in an interview. The Secret Service is on high alert for threats. Director Kimberly Cheatle told ABCs This Week on Sunday that the security situation around convention planning is constantly evolving but there is nothing credible in terms of direct threats heading into the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer. But to those hoping to voice their point of view, the security comes at a cost. ACLU of Wisconsin staff attorney Tim Muth said that the city gave in to the pressure from Republicans to move the protesters farther away from where Trump will be nominated. Its about trying to move the image of the protesters as far away from the site of the convention as possible. The city of Milwaukee has designated two official protest locations near the security zone, but those are likely a no-go for the Coalition to March on the RNC group. Many of those who have signed up to participate on a speakers dais in one protest area are MAGA Republicans. Were not going to be anywhere near it, said Flores. We would run the risk of being in conflict with right-wing agitators. It's a concern that Wisconsin officials share. Milwaukee Alderman Lamont Westmoreland worries about left-leaning protesters and MAGA Republicans crossing paths during the convention. In this political climate, when youre dealing with groups that have very strong opposing views, its not good. We've seen what's happening around the country since 2020, Westmoreland said. The fact that Wisconsin allows people to carry a concealed weapon if they have a permit raised his concerns even further. Its illegal to conceal guns in Wisconsin if you don't have a concealed carry permit. But if there's nobody screening for weapons in the [soft perimeter] zone, then you don't know who's concealing and who's not concealing, said Westmoreland. Coalition to March on the RNC, which includes progressive allies from abortion rights to homeless and housing advocates plans a protest on Monday morning that could have 2,500 to 5,000 participants, according to Flores. Another activist put the number at 10,000. The city and protesters reached a handshake agreement on Friday that will allow protesters to march without being impeded by the police, according to Flores. A spokesperson for the city did not respond for comment. They also agreed on a tweak to the march path to avoid conflict with the people that are marching on the official route, Flores said. The protesters will still be in the second-tier area, separated from the credentialed area, according to a map of the protest. Monday afternoon, another group called the Poor Peoples Army will march to raise awareness around homelessness. It expects similar numbers of participants weather permitting. Thunderstorms are in the forecast. In Chicago, a related protest group is organizing an estimated 40,000 protesters to converge on Chicago next month for the Democratic convention. The expectation for fewer protesters in Milwaukee than Chicago is the result of a confluence of factors, according to activists. First, Trump isnt in office. Joe Biden right now is very clearly like the perpetrator of a lot of what's going on over there in the Middle East. And, you know, he's honestly just an extremely easy target, Flores said. Progressive protesters also believe they'll have greater influence over the proceedings inside that arena in Chicago even if they'll be stationed outside. They are going where they think theyll be heard, said Marj Halperin, a Democratic analyst and organizer with Indivisible Chicago Alliance. The GOP will not be sympathetic and wont change any policies based on protests. Rescue crews are searching for a missing swimmer in Pawleys Island. According to a Facebook post by the Georgetown County Emergency Management, Midway Fire Rescue, Georgetown County Sheriffs Office, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Coast Guard are conducting a search Friday evening for the swimmer in the area of South Dunes Drive. Rescue crews received the call about a male teen missing in the surf at 6:10 p.m., according to Brandon Ellis, director of Georgetown County Emergency Management. Ellis said crews have been actively searching for the teen. However, rescue crews have been pulled out of the water because it is getting dark, Ellis said. They plan to resume the search Saturday morning. Ellis said that patrols will continue Friday evening up and down the beach. He was unsure if the teen was vacationing. Rescue crews were searching for a male teenager with dark blue shorts, according to Vincent Moreno, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard. Moreno had few details, including the age of the teen. Witnesses reported seeing two teens struggling in the water. One made it safely to shore. Crews are searching the Pawleys Island and North Litchfield Beach area, according to officials. No other details were available. This is a developing story. Keri Rossi-Dentremont holds a photo of her grandmother, Mary DiBiasio, whose relatives found her unattended and in peril in a Rhode Island nursing home bathroom despite having suffered a broken hip. (Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) For hours, John Pernorio repeatedly mashed the call button at his bedside in the Heritage Hills nursing home in Rhode Island. A retired truck driver, he had injured his spine in a fall on the job decades earlier and could no longer walk. The antibiotics he was taking made him need to go to the bathroom frequently. But he could get there only if someone helped him into his wheelchair. By the time an aide finally responded, hed been lying in soiled briefs for hours, he said. It happened time and again. It was degrading, said Pernorio, 79. I spent 21 hours a day in bed. Payroll records show that during his stay at Heritage Hills, daily aide staffing levels were 25% below the minimums under state law. The nursing home said it provided high-quality care to all residents. Regardless, it wasnt in trouble with the state, because Rhode Island does not enforce its staffing rule. An acute shortage of nurses and aides in the nations nearly 15,000 nursing homes is at the root of many of the most disturbing shortfalls in care for the 1.2 million Americans who live in them, including many of the nations frailest old people. They get festering bedsores because they arent turned. They lie in feces because no one comes to attend to them. They have devastating falls because no one helps them get around. They are subjected to chemical and physical restraints to sedate and pacify them. California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island have sought to improve nursing home quality by mandating the highest minimum hours of care per resident among states. But an examination of records in those states revealed that putting a law on the books was no guarantee of better staffing. Instead, many nursing homes operated with fewer workers than required, often with the permission of regulators or with no consequences at all. Just setting a number doesnt mean anything if youre not going to enforce it, said Mark Miller, former president of the national organization of long-term care ombudsmen, advocates in each state who help residents resolve problems in their nursing homes. Whats the point? Now the Biden administration is trying to guarantee adequate staffing the same way states have, unsuccessfully, for years: with tougher standards. Federal rules issued in April are expected to require 4 out of 5 homes to boost staffing. The administrations plan also has some of the same weaknesses that have hampered states. It relies on underfunded health inspectors for enforcement, lacks explicit penalties for violations, and offers broad exemptions for nursing homes in areas with labor shortages. And the administration isnt providing more money for homes that cant afford additional employees. Serious health violations have become more widespread since covid-19 swept through nursing homes, killing more than 170,000 residents and driving employees out the door. Jason Travers says his 87-year-old father, George, who lived in a Rhode Island nursing home, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button.(Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) Pay remains so low nursing assistants earn $19 an hour on average that homes frequently lose workers to retail stores and fast-food restaurants that pay as well or better and offer jobs that are far less grueling. Average turnover in nursing homes is extraordinarily high: Federal records show half of employees leave their jobs each year. Even the most passionate nurses and aides are burning out in short-staffed homes because they are stretched too thin to provide the quality care they believe residents deserve. It was impossible, said Shirley Lomba, a medication aide from Providence, Rhode Island. She left her job at a nursing home that paid $18.50 an hour for one at an assisted living facility that paid $4 more per hour and involved residents with fewer needs. The mostly for-profit nursing home industry argues that staffing problems stem from low rates of reimbursement by Medicaid, the program funded by states and the federal government that covers most people in nursing homes. Yet a growing body of research and court evidence shows that owners and investors often extract hefty profits that could be used for care. Nursing home trade groups have complained about the tougher state standards and have sued to block the new federal standards, which they say are unworkable given how much trouble nursing homes already have filling jobs. Its a really tough business right now, said Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive of one trade group, the American Health Care Association. And federal enforcement of those rules is still years off. Nursing homes have as long as five years to comply with the new regulations; for some, that means enforcement would fully kick in only at the tail end of a second Biden administration, if the president wins reelection. Former President Donald Trumps campaign declined to comment on what Trump would do if elected. I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed, Jason Travers says. His father, George, died in April 2023, four months after he entered a Rhode Island home. (Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) Persistent shortages Nursing home payroll records submitted to the federal government for the most recent quarter available, October to December 2023, and state regulatory records show that homes in states with tougher standards frequently did not meet them. In more than two-thirds of nursing homes in New York and more than half of those in Massachusetts, staffing was below the states required minimums. Even California, which passed the nations first minimum staffing law two decades ago, has not achieved universal compliance with its requirements: at least 3 hours of care for the average resident each day, including two hours and 24 minutes of care from nursing assistants, who help residents eat and get to the bathroom. During inspections since 2021, state regulators cited a third of California homes more than 400 of them for inadequate staffing. Regulators also granted waivers to 236 homes that said workforce shortages prevented them from recruiting enough nurse aides to meet the state minimum, exempting them from fines as high as $50,000. In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared an acute labor shortage, which allows homes to petition for reduced or waived fines. The state health department said it had cited more than 400 of the states 600-odd homes for understaffing but declined to say how many of them had appealed for leniency. Were seeing the collapse of post-acute care in America. Rick Gamache, CEO, Aldersbridge Communities In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in 2022 to loosen the staffing rules for all homes. The law allows homes to count almost any employee who engages with residents, instead of just nurses and aides, toward their overall staffing. Florida also reduced the daily minimum of nurse aide time for each resident by 30 minutes, to two hours. Now only 1 in 20 Florida nursing homes are staffed below the minimum but if the former, more rigorous rules were still in place, 4 in 5 homes would not meet them, an analysis of payroll records shows. Staffing is the most important part of providing high-quality nursing home care, said David Stevenson, chair of the health policy department at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. It comes down to political will to enforce staffing. Linn Health & Rehabilitation, a well-regarded nonprofit nursing home in East Providence, Rhode Island, closed this summer because its Medicaid payments did not cover its costs. It has been converted into an assisted living facility.(Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) The human toll There is a yawning gap between law and practice in Rhode Island. In the last three months of 2023, only 12 of 74 homes met the states minimum of three hours and 49 minutes of care per resident, including at least two hours and 36 minutes of care from certified nursing assistants, payroll records show. One of the homes below the minimum was Heritage Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Smithfield, where Pernorio, president of the Rhode Island Alliance for Retired Americans, went last October after a stint in a hospital. From the minute the ambulance took me in there, it was downhill, he said in an interview. Sometimes, after waiting an hour, he would telephone the homes main office for help. A nurse would come, turn off his call light, and walk right back out, and he would push the button again, Pernorio reported in his weekly e-newsletter. While he praised some workers dedication, he said others frequently did not show up for their shifts. He said staff members told him they could earn more flipping hamburgers at McDonalds than they could cleaning soiled patients in a nursing home. In a written statement, Heritage Hills did not dispute that its staffing, while higher than that of many homes, was below the minimum under state law. Heritage Hills said that after Pernorio complained, state inspectors visited the home and did not cite it for violations. We take every resident concern seriously, it said in the statement. Pernorio said inspectors never interviewed him after he called in his complaint. In interviews, residents of other nursing homes in the state and their relatives reported neglect by overwhelmed nurses and aides. Jason Travers said his 87-year-old father, George, fell on the way to the bathroom because no one answered his call button. I think the lunch crew finally came in and saw him on the floor and put him in the bed, Travers said. His father died in April 2023, four months after he entered the home. Lori DiBiasio, right, found her mother, Mary, who had a hip fracture, sitting on the toilet unattended at her nursing home, hanging onto the grab bar. Marys granddaughter Keri Rossi-Dentremont, left, was her health care power of attorney. (Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) Relatives of Mary DiBiasio, 92, who had a hip fracture, said they once found her sitting on the toilet unattended, hanging on to the grab bar with both hands. I dont need to be a medical professional to know you dont leave somebody hanging off the toilet with a hip fracture, said her granddaughter Keri Rossi-Dentremont. When DiBiasio died in January 2022, Rhode Island was preparing to enact a law with nurse and aide staffing requirements higher than anywhere else in the country except Washington, D.C. But Gov. Daniel McKee suspended enforcement, saying the industry was in poor financial shape and nursing homes couldnt even fill existing jobs. The governors executive order noted that several homes had closed because of problems finding workers. Yet Rhode Island inspectors continue to find serious problems with care. Since January 2023, regulators have found deficiencies of the highest severity, known as immediate jeopardy, at 23 of the states 74 nursing homes. Homes have been cited for failing to get a dialysis patient to treatment and for giving one resident a roommates methadone, causing an overdose. They have also been cited for violent behavior by unsupervised residents, including one who shoved pillow stuffing into a residents mouth and another who turned a roommates oxygen off because it was too noisy. Both the resident who was attacked and the one who lost oxygen died. Bottom lines Even some of the nonprofit nursing homes, which dont have to pay investors, are having trouble meeting the state minimums or simply staying open. Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit Aldersbridge Communities, which owns Linn Health & Rehabilitation in East Providence, said Rhode Islands Medicaid program paid too little for the home to keep operating about $292 per bed, when the daily cost was $411. Aldersbridge closed Linn this summer and converted it into an assisted living facility. Were seeing the collapse of post-acute care in America, Gamache said. Rick Gamache, chief executive of the nonprofit that owned Linn Health & Rehabilitation, visits with resident Elsie Linde when the nursing home was still in operation. (Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) Many nursing homes are owned by for-profit chains, and some researchers, lawyers, and state authorities argue that they could reinvest more of the money they make into their facilities. Bannister Center, a Providence nursing home that payroll records show is staffed 10% below the state minimum, is part of Centers Health Care, a New York-based private chain that owns or operates 31 skilled nursing homes, according to Medicare records. Bannister lost $430,524 in 2021, according to a financial statement it filed with Rhode Island regulators. Last year, the New York attorney general sued the chains owners and investors and their relatives, accusing them of improperly siphoning $83 million in Medicaid funds out of their New York nursing homes by paying salaries for no-show jobs, profits above what state law allowed, and inflated rents and fees to other companies they owned. For instance, one of those companies, which purported to provide staff to the homes, paid $5 million to the wife of Kenny Rozenberg, the chains chief executive, from 2019 to 2021, the lawsuit said. The defendants argued in court papers that the payments to investors and owners were legal and that the state could not prove they were Medicaid funds. They have asked for much of the lawsuit to be dismissed. Jeff Jacomowitz, a Centers Health Care spokesperson, declined to answer questions about Bannister, Centers operations, or the chains owners. Miller, the District of Columbias long-term care ombudsman, said many nursing home owners could pay better wages if they didnt demand such high profits. In D.C., 7 in 10 nursing homes meet minimum standards, payroll records show. Theres no staffing shortage theres a shortage of good-paying jobs, he said. Ive been doing this since 1984 and theyve been going broke all the time. If it really is that bad of an investment, there wouldnt be any nursing homes left. The new federal rules call for a minimum of three hours and 29 minutes of care each day per resident, including two hours and 27 minutes from nurse aides and 33 minutes from registered nurses, and an RN on-site at all times. Homes in areas with worker shortages can apply to be exempted from the rules. Dora Hughes, acting chief medical officer for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a statement that those waivers would be time-limited and that having a clear national staffing minimum will facilitate strengthened oversight and enforcement. David Grabowski, a health policy professor at Harvard Medical School, said federal health authorities have a terrible track record of policing nursing homes. If they dont enforce this, he said, I dont imagine its going to really move the needle a lot. Only 12 of Linn Health & Rehabilitations 47 residents could stay after it became an assisted living facility. The other 35 had to move to other nursing homes.(Josephine Sittenfeld for KFF Health News) Methodology for analysis of nursing home staffing The KFF Health News data analysis focused on five states with the most rigorous staffing requirements: California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. To determine staffing levels, the analysis used the daily payroll journals that each nursing home is required to submit to the federal government. These publicly available records include the number of hours each category of nursing home employee, including registered nurses and certified nursing assistants, worked each day and the number of residents in each home. We used the most recent data, which included a combined 1.3 million records covering the final three months of 2023. We calculated staffing levels by following each states rules, which specify which occupations are counted and what minimums homes must meet. The analysis differed for each state. Massachusetts, for instance, has a separate requirement for the minimum number of hours of care registered nurses must provide each day. In California, we used state enforcement action records to identify homes that had been fined for not meeting its law. We also tallied how many California homes had been granted waivers from the law because they couldnt find enough workers to hire. For each state and Washington, D.C., we calculated what proportion of homes complied with state or district law. We shared our conclusions with each states nursing home regulatory agency and gave them an opportunity to respond. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This analysis was performed by senior correspondent Jordan Rau and data editor Holly K. Hacker. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF, and subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. The post Residents suffer when nursing homes ignore or waive staffing rules appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. Richard Simmons at Project Angel Food's Annual Angel Awards 2013 honoring Jane Lynch. - Credit: Rodrigo Vaz/FilmMagic Richard Simmons, the energetic fitness guru who exuded positivity, has died according to his representative, ABC News reports. He was 76. Simmons had just celebrated his birthday on Friday and had posted a thread about it on X, formerly Twitter. According to TMZ who first reported the news, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to his home on Saturday morning following a call from his housekeeper. He was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene. No cause of death was given. Per authorities, there is no foul play suspected and he appears to have died of natural causes. (Reps for Simmons did not immediately return Rolling Stones requests for comment.) More from Rolling Stone Simmons, who became obese during his adolescence, dedicated his life to helping others get healthy. In the 1970s and Eighties he opened several gyms aimed at those who were looking to gain fitness that were of all shapes (back then, most gyms were geared to those already bulked up and fit). He opened his own exercise studio, The Anatomy Asylum, in Los Angeles (later called Slimmons where he taught classes until 2013), which provided encouragement with an emphasis on the enjoyment of exercise. His popular fitness tapes and DVDs including his Sweatin to the Oldies series featured him in his trademark striped short-shorts and sparkly tank tops providing motivation via his exuberant personality to people of all shapes and sizes. His celebrity extended beyond working out: He had a recurring role in soap opera General Hospital and hosted his own nationally syndicated series The Richard Simmons Show, which ran for four years and garnered several Emmy Awards. Simmons also guest starred as himself on a number of shows, from Saturday Night Live, The Larry Sanders Show, and Arrested Development to game shows like Hollywood Squares and Win, Lose or Draw. He authored several books and cookbooks, including his autobiography, 1998s Still Hungry After All These Years. While he was a cultural fixture for more than four decades, he had generally retreated from the public eye in 2014, though he continued to communicate with fans via his social media. Earlier this year, news of a planned biopic on him starring Pauly Shore broke, of which Simmons apparently did not approve. You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So dont believe everything you read, he wrote on Facebook. In March 2024, he revealed on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer and later shared that after seeing a doctor the cancerous cells were successfully eradicated. The cancer news came just a few days after he had written a post saying he was dying, which he clarified to mean that everyone should embrace every day that we have. In his original post, he shared the same positive sage advice he had dedicated his life to imparting. Every day that you are alive you have got to move. Whether it is standing or sitting you have got move your body every day. Start with stretching then cardio and strength. He later added: There is something else very important that you must do. Tell the ones that you love that you love them. Hug those people and children who you really care for. A big hug really goes a long way, he continued. If you have time I want you to listen to a terrific song. It is by Tim McGraw it is called Live Like You Were Dying. Live today and dont forget to pray. Best of Rolling Stone New details have emerged in the death of legendary fitness guru Richard Simmons. Police had responded to a call from Simmons housekeeper on the morning of July 13 one day after his 76th birthday. Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene, and no foul play was suspected. More from TVLine On Aug. 21, a spokesperson for the Simmons family told People.com that, per the Los Angeles County Coroners office, Simmons death has been determined to be accidental, stemming from complications due to recent falls and with heart disease a contributing factor. The coroners office also reported that Simmons toxicology report was negative, other than medication he had been prescribed. Richard Simmons & Denise Alexander on General Hospital in 1979 Everett Collection Simmons rose to fame in the 1970s after opening a series of gyms across Los Angeles. His popularity led to a pair of TV hosting gigs Slim Cookin and the Emmy-winning Richard Simmons Show as well as a slate of self-hosted fitness tapes released throughout the 1980s, all of which made him a certified pop culture icon. He appeared as himself across dozens of television shows, including All My Children, Amazing Stories, Arrested Development, CHiPs, Evening Shade, Fame, General Hospital and The Larry Sanders Show. He guested on late-night programs such as Late Night With David Letterman, Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and was a panelist on game shows Family Feud, The New Hollywood Squares and Super Password. He also lent his voice to several animated series, including Dinosaurs, Fish Hooks, Hercules, Johnny Bravo and Rockos Modern Life. Richard Simmons & David Letterman Everett Collection Simmons halted most public appearances in 2014, prompting false speculation that he was being held against his will. In 2017, journalist Dan Taberski released a podcast titled Missing Richard Simmons where he investigated Simmons abrupt disappearance from the public eye and why the exercise instructor went MIA. Rumors continued to swirl, and in 2022, Simmons issued a statement to the New York Post saying he was happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen. TV Stars Who Died in 2024 TV Stars We Lost in 2024 View Gallery83 Images Best of TVLine Get more from TVLine.com : Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Newsletter The post Richard Simmons, Legendary Fitness Guru, Dead at 76 appeared first on Consequence. Richard Simmons, the legendary fitness guru and media personality, has died at the age of 76. According to TMZ, Simmons was found dead at his home in Hollywood Hills on Saturday (July 12th). A cause of death is under investigation, but no foul play is suspected. Citing law enforcement sources, TMZ reports that Simmons took a fall on Friday night, which may be connected to his passing. Simmons had just celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday. In a Facebook post shared to his personal page earlier on Saturday, Simmons wrote, Hello gorgeous! Please dont rain on my parade. Originally hailing from New Orleans, Simmons initially began his career in the physical fitness world when he opened a gym and health club in Beverly Hills, California. He rose to fame thanks to his energetic and flamboyant personality and workout attire, as captured in his popular aerobic video series Sweatin to the Oldies. He also became popular guest on television talk shows including Late Show with David Letterman, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and The Howard Stern Show. In 2008, he put his support behind a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools as a part of the No Child Left Behind Act. Beginning in 2014, Simmons retreated from the public spotlight. This led to numerous media reports and concern over his well-being, such as a widely read 2016 story in the New York Daily News. For his part, Simmons assured fans that he was fine and just wanted to be a little bit of a loner for a little while after injuring his knee. Earlier this year, Pauly Shore confirmed that he is set to play Simmons in an upcoming biopic, which Shore believes could save lives. Richard Simmons, Legendary Fitness Guru, Dead at 76 Scoop Harrison Popular Posts Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. "I dont know that well ever get answers, Chris Whiteid, Riley Strain's stepfather, tells PEOPLE Metro Nashville Police Department Riley Strain. A private investigator has completed his investigation into the death of Riley Strain the 22-year-old University of Missouri student who was found dead in the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee, about two weeks after he went missing. Steve Fischer posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, July 9, that he completed his investigation. He told PEOPLE he could not comment on his findings. On the social media platform, Fischer said that the report he sent to Strain's family is 281 pages and is accompanied by a 49-minute video presentation containing important pieces of surveillance footage from when Strain initially disappeared. He also said in his post that there are more than 104 hours of surveillance video from more than 20 cameras. Riley can be tracked throughout the entire evening, from dinner until 9:58 p.m., he said. With so much data already released, the family may decide not to read my report at this time. It is a lot to rehash, and the accompanying video will undoubtedly be hard to watch." Metro Nashville PD Riley Strain. Related: 'No Clear Evidence' College Student Riley Strain Was Given Too Much Alcohol Before He Drowned: Officials Speaking with PEOPLE, Strains stepfather, Chris Whiteid, said he had not had a chance to read the report or watch the footage. What's in it? I really don't know because we really haven't had a chance to look at it. We're still waiting on getting the police report since they've closed the report now, Whiteid says. Wed like to see what they have." According to Whiteid, the family has been told that they can get up to one hour free, but the estimate for all the information is a minimum of $1,600 to $1,800. And we've heard cases as high as $10-$15,000 to get everything on a case like this," he adds. The family has also been told that to get the information, they need to be residents of Tennessee. "We're trying to get some answers, Whiteid tells PEOPLE. I dont know that well ever get answers, but at least once we see everything that they have that we haven't seen, we'll have a better idea. So that's where we're at with it. Christopher Whiteid Riley Strain. Related: Riley Strain's Cause of Death Revealed Through it all, Whiteid says that the family is still trying to understand exactly what happened to their son and also trying to heal. We took a little break from everything and cleared our heads a little bit, then everything started blowing up again. And so it's day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Just some days are better than others," he says. "And it seems like every time something blows up, it brings all the emotions back and all the questions." Whiteid adds: "So we're just here. I mean, that's the best way to put it, is we're just here." The Nashville Police Department did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Friday, July 12. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Roanoke College is aiming to ease the financial burden of higher education with its new program: Explore@RC, which will allow high school students to earn 12 free college credits before graduation. A $3.5 million grant from the Virginia Board of Education will allow the school to provide a variety of courses to 10th-12th grade students. College is expensive, and if you dont think you are going to be successful at college, you may not even attempt it given that it could set you back financially quite a bit just to make that attempt, said Dr. Lisa Stoneman, the Education Department Chair at Roanoke College who helped to create the lab school. So we feel like offering this free is an opportunity for students to prove to themselves that they can do it. Roanoke College has worked alongside the City of Salem on the program, but any Virginia Student is eligible. Thats a good way to build my resume, going to college for free, I wish every college would do that, said Quinn Bowens, a junior at Salem High School. But the fact Roanoke College does it and its like five minutes away from Salem High School, why wouldnt I sign up? RELATED STORY: Roanoke College offering free college classes to high school students: Heres how Bowens will be among the first class in the program. She will be starting her pursuit in the medical field in the fall as a Roanoke College Maroon while she is still a Salem High School Spartan. Bowens says that is both exciting and a little bit intimidating. These people that youll be taking classes with, you dont know them one bit. So its kinda scary to see what they think of you, said Bowens, But I think Ill overcome it and hopefully do good. As a way to combat that fear, they will match people in the program with a current Roanoke College student. These peer mentors will help them navigate college life. I was also a first-gen college student. Thats a hard entry point you know? said Dr. Stoneman, If you dont know anyone in your family personally whos done all the things youre getting ready to do, its really nice to have a kind of paved pathway in front of you. Explore@RC is still accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year until August 1st. The school says the best way to apply is to email the programs director Natasha Watts at nwatts@roanoke.edu Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Since 2004, Rock Island High School has had a student exchange program with St. Meinrad School in Rottenburg am Neckar, a town with a population similar to Rock Island in southwestern Germany, according to a news release. Staff and students during their trip to Germany are, from left, Nick Eli, Monta Ponsetto, Eva Essman, Norah Wright, Dillon Gray, Trevor Hamburg, Henry Mass, and Amy Curtiss. Every other year, students from each school travel across the Atlantic to discover what life is like on the other side. Rock Island students are the first to take the plunge by visiting Rottenburg in June, and students from St. Meinrad will travel to Rock Island in October. During their trips, both groups stay with host families, attend school, take field trips to local areas of interest, and tour major cities. Quad City students got to visit both Munich and Berlin. The exchange is supported by GAPP (German-American Partnership Program), which provides organizational support and individual scholarships to students from each school. In 2020, RIHS was named a school of distinction by GAPP for its longstanding dedication to the program. Five RIHS students made the trip to Germany this past June. The students three-week visit to Germany included many exciting highlights and educational experiences. During this time, each of our students was paired with a student from St. Meinrad School, attended their classes, and lived with their family. While at school, they also prepared and gave presentations on topics related to their daily lives or cultural comparisons between Germany and the USA. Other highlights from their stay included a tour of Rottenburg, visits to the nearby university town of Tubingen, a day trip to Stuttgart, a tour of Bebenhausen monastery, chocolate making at the Ritter Sport factory, pretzel making at a local bakery, and weekend excursions with their host families. The trip concluded with a three-night stay in Berlin, during which the group visited the Reichstag building, had a guided tour of Berlin Wall sites, went out to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial Site, and took in a view from the TV Tower at sunset. It soon will be host families turn to host the group from St. Meinrad School this fall. Fifteen German students will be in Rock Island from Oct. 17-31. Rock Island High School is in need of families to volunteer to host a German student during their stay. If you are interested or know someone who might be interested in hosting a student, email nick.eli@rimsd41.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Gail Kloss, executive director of the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan, receives a $50,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Petoskey, presented by past president Reg Smith, to support the expansion of the Children's Learning Center. PETOSKEY The Rotary Club of Petoskey recently announced it had allocated nearly $100,000 in support of local nonprofit and educational organizations in 2024. "Our members are passionate about giving back and creating opportunities for our community," said Christian Smith, current president of the Rotary Club of Petoskey, in a press release. "Each project we support is carefully chosen to align with our values and goals, ensuring that our contributions have the greatest possible impact." The recipients and their respective projects include: Camp Daggett: $12,055 to install a fire suppression system in the camps kitchen and in support of summer day camp for area youth Habitat for Humanity: $5,000 to assist in building affordable housing for those in need Manna Food Project: $2,500 to support ongoing efforts to alleviate hunger in the community McLaren Northern Michigan: $4,500 to the Career Academy to enhance educational opportunities and career training for local residents North Central Michigan College: $15,000 towards scholarships for students in the nursing and fast track programs The Petoskey Club: $5,000 to provide educational scholarships for individuals not qualified for Medicaid Salvation Army: $4,988 to upgrade kitchen facilities, improving meal services for those facing food insecurity In addition, the club provided a $50,000 gift to the Womens Resource Center of Northern Michigan for the Children's Learning Center. This donation is part of their capital campaign to enhance the center's facilities and expand its services for children and families in the region. "This is an exciting time for our club as we continue to make significant strides in supporting our community," said Reg Smith, outgoing president, in a statement. "These donations are not just numbers; they represent our commitment to making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. We are especially proud of our $50,000 gift to the Children's Learning Center, which will have a lasting impact on the future of our community's children and help alleviate our area's child care crisis." This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Rotary Club of Petoskey donates $100,000 to local projects Rudy Giuliani's bankruptcy case was thrown out. Here are some key things to know FILE - Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference outside federal court in Washington, Dec. 15, 2023. On Friday, July 12, 2024, a federal judge threw out the bankruptcy case of the former New York mayor, citing repeated uncooperative conduct, including a failure to comply with court orders and disclose sources of income. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) NEW YORK (AP) A federal judge threw out the bankruptcy case of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Friday. He cited repeated uncooperative conduct, including a failure to comply with court orders and disclose sources of income. While Giuliani's creditors can now pursue other legal remedies, such as seizing his apartments and other assets, the judge's decision also allows the former prosecutor and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump to now try to appeal a massive $148 million defamation verdict. Here are some details of the bankruptcy case: What was the judge's reasoning for dismissing the case? U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane had sharp criticism for Giuliani, calling him a recalcitrant debtor who thumbed his nose at the bankruptcy process to shield himself from the defamation judgment and other debts. Transparency into Mr. Giuliani's finances has proven to be an elusive goal, Lane wrote in his decision, adding how he sees no evidence that this will change. Lane expressed concern Giuliani funneled his income into companies he owned and never reported any income from those entities. He also failed to disclose he is pitching his own Rudy's Coffee brand and didn't immediately disclose a book contract. Did Guiliani want this to happen? Not at first. Giuliani filed for bankruptcy last December, days after a jury awarded the eye-popping judgement to two former Georgia election workers who said he spread lies about them in 2020 and upended their lives with racist threats and harassment. The bankruptcy filing had frozen collection of that debt. Giuliani's lawyers this month sought to have a trustee sell off his assets, but they changed their minds and on Wednesday pushed for the case to be dismissed. Giuliani's spokesperson said he expects the former U.S. attorney will ultimately be totally vindicated" in court. What happens next? Now that the case has been tossed out, Giuliani is no longer protected from creditors, including judgments, collection actions, foreclosures and repossessions, because of an automatic stay granted under federal bankruptcy law. That means his creditors can try to recoup at least some of the money he owes by various means, such as getting a court order to seize his assets. It also means the two election workers can return to the court and seek enforcement of their judgment. Their lead bankruptcy attorney said in a statement on Friday they plan to move forward as quickly as possible. Giuliani is now free to appeal the defamation verdict. What is the current state of Giuliani's finances? When Giuliani filed for bankruptcy, he listed nearly $153 million in existing or potential debts. That included nearly $1 million in state and federal tax liabilities, money he owes lawyers and millions more in potential judgements in lawsuits against him. He estimated at the time he had assets worth $1 million to $10 million. In his most recent financial filing in the bankruptcy case, he said he had about $94,000 in cash at the end of May and his company, Guiliani Communications, had about $237,000 in the bank. He has been drawing down on a retirement account, worth nearly $2.5 million in 2022. It had just over $1 million in May. Russia will attack Ukraine again from the north, Budanov says Russia will soon once again attack Ukraine from the north, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said in an interview published July 13. Speaking to NV news outlet, Budanov refused to specify if he was talking about an offensive in the oblasts of Sumy or Chernihiv so as not to "provoke panic," but insisted indications were already present. "If I start answering that question (of where the attack will be), well provoke panic," he said. "Let's just say that there are problems, and they tend to get worse." "There is no catastrophe, but its impossible not to see the problems. Ive already told someone from the Western press: I wont have much good news this year, unfortunately," Budanov said. Budanov was answering a question about Russian plans reported in April to mobilize an additional 300,000 soldiers by June 1. When asked how this could affect Russia's offensive plans, he said the situation "feels a bit like a joke to me." "For two years, when everyone was yelling that there was going to be a (new) attack from the north, we insisted it wouldn't happen. Nothing happened," he said. "The moment we said there would be an attack from the north, everyone started questioning, 'Maybe it won't happen after all?' "It will! It is already happening," Budanov said. While not saying where the new offensive might occur, Russia earlier this year opened a new front in the war on May 10 when it attempted to advance in Kharkiv Oblast. Read also: Russias move on Kharkiv has bogged down. But was it a failure? It was effectively bogged down in just about two weeks, with Ukrainian forces counterattacking near the border town of Vovchansk. European Pravda reported on June 13 that according to its undisclosed NATO source, Russian losses in the offensive have been "astronomical." The source estimated that "Russia likely suffered losses of almost 1,000 people a day in May," potentially indicating even higher numbers than those presented by the Khortytsia group. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview published on May 25 that Russia's losses during the offensive were eight times higher than those suffered by Ukraine's Armed Forces. The figures could not be independently verified. Read also: Russias advance toward key eastern highway threatens Ukraines grip of Donetsk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Reuters) - European countries would be putting themselves at risk if they accept deployments of long-range U.S. missiles, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a video published on Saturday. Asked by Russian state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin about the possibility of the United States deploying hypersonic missiles to Europe, Peskov said: "We have enough potential to deter these missiles. But the capitals of these (European) states are potential victims." Peskov noted that throughout the Cold War, American missiles based in Europe were aimed at Russia, with Russian missiles aimed at Europe in return, making the continent's countries the chief victim of any potential conflict. He said: "Europe is now coming apart at the seams. This is not the best time for Europe. Therefore, in one way or another, history will repeat itself" (Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Potter) The Russians have launched 32 guided bombs on Kharkiv Oblast over the past 24 hours, causing destruction. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Details: At night, the Russians attacked the village of Zavadske, damaging a house, garage, outbuildings and windows. On Saturday, a 68-year-old woman was injured during an attack on Vovchansk. At noon, the Russians struck the village of Odnorobivka in Bohodukhiv district with two drones. The strikes took place while Ukrposhta (Ukrainian Postal Service) employees were delivering pensions to the local population via a mobile post office. One vehicle was destroyed, and another was damaged. In the morning, a group of civilians triggered a mine during evacuation via a forest belt in Starytsia. In total, six people were injured: three men aged 30, 48, and 52 were diagnosed with acute stress reactions; two men aged 18 and 63 and a 43-year-old woman sustained blast injuries. Support UP or become our patron! Russian mobile air defence system troops in Ukraine. Moscow has lost over 70,000 personnel over the last two months - AP Russia has lost more than 70,000 troops in the past two months, British military intelligence said on Friday. The update by the Ministry of Defence added that the heavy losses would likely continue as Russia looked to make gains across the front lines in Ukraine. The average daily Russian casualties (killed and wounded) in Ukraine, throughout May and June 2024, increased to conflict highs of 1,262 and 1,163 respectively, the MoD wrote. In total, Russia likely lost (killed and wounded) in excess of 70,000 personnel over the past two months. A Russian T-80 tank fires towards Avdiivka, but the gains in eastern Ukraine have been grinding - AP Russia has made grinding gains in eastern Ukraine over the past months as Kyivs armed forces try to overcome crippling shortages in manpower and ammunition. Moscow launched a new front in May with a cross-border offensive into Ukraines north-eastern Kharkiv region. A senior Nato official described the losses as astronomical during a briefing on the fringes of the alliances summit in Washington DC this week. Russia likely suffered losses of almost 1,000 people a day in May, which is quite an astronomical figure, the source said. Russian soldiers operate a Supercam drone. A cross-border offensive into the Kharkiv area has been costly - AP Though the offensive was short-lived, it stretched Ukrainian resources, enabling Russia to make further gains on their priority target of the nearby Donetsk region. However, it stretched Russian resources also, said the MoD. The uptick in losses reflects Russias opening of the new front in the Kharkiv region, while maintaining the same rate of offensive operations along the remainder of the front, its update said. Although this new approach has increased the pressure on the front line, an effective Ukrainian defence and a lack of Russian training reduces Russias ability to stretch and exploit any tactical successes, despite attempting to stretch the front line further. The update added: Russias casualty rate will likely continue to average above 1,000 a day over the next two months as Russia continues to try to overcome Ukrainian positions with mass. Russian soldiers fire from a self-propelled 122mm multiple rocket launcher - AP Western analysts have said Russias use of small assault units have prevented them from making substantial gains or exploiting any breakthroughs in Ukraines defensive lines. Moscows forces have repeatedly made probing attacks with between 10 to 15 unmounted infantry troops, to avoid the heavy losses experienced with more heavily mechanised assaults. These tactics can yield incremental gains, but they are poorly suited to achieving operationally significant breakthroughs. Larger assaults have proven costly to Russian forces, which cannot afford sustained equipment losses of the kind seen earlier in Avdiivka, Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, said. Following a recent field research trip to the country, Mr Kofman said that Ukraine faces tough months ahead despite the improving battlefield situation He said: Ukraine faces difficult months of fighting ahead, but the situation at the front is better than it was this spring. Ukraines manpower, fortifications, and ammunition situation is steadily improving. Russian forces are advancing in Donetsk, and likely to make further gains, but they have not been able to exploit the Kharkiv offensive into a major breakthrough. 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. Five railway workers are among the 22 civilians injured in the Russian attack on the village of Budy, Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast State Administration; Ukrzaliznytsia (the Ukrainian Railways) Quote from Ukrzaliznytsia: "The terrorist country has struck railway facilities and rolling stock in Kharkiv Oblast today. Sadly, early reports indicate that five railway workers have been injured: a driver, a station manager, a station duty officer, a senior railway foreman and a shunting operator. Three of the railway workers have been taken to hospital with shrapnel wounds and concussion, and two more received medical treatment on the spot. The railway wagons have been damaged, and the fires caused by the enemy strike were promptly contained." Details: Syniehubov added that five railway workers had been injured in the Russian attack on Budy. The official confirmed that one of the two fatalities was Artem Kostyria, Head of the Kharkiv District Department of Ukraine's State Emergency Service in Kharkiv Oblast. A total of 22 people have been injured: 16 men and 6 women aged 14 to 81. Two people are in a serious condition, 13 are in a moderate condition, and the rest are in a mild condition. Syniehubov stressed that the Russians deliberately delivered two strikes within half an hour of each other when all the relevant services were already on the spot. Background: On Saturday afternoon, Russian forces struck the village of Budy in Kharkiv district twice. The latest information indicates that 2 people have been killed and 22 injured in the Russian strikes. At least one child is known to be among the injured. Support UP or become our patron! A Corvallis Safeway location could be sold to a national grocery company as Kroger and Albertsons move toward merging. The $24.6 billion merger would unite two of the biggest grocery chains in the country. In the local markets, Kroger owns Fred Meyer, and Albertsons owns Safeway. A Place to Sleep, episode 10: Wrapping up We check back with some of the people we've met along our travels and we catch up with politicos who are trying to come up with solutions. To appease federal antitrust regulators, Kroger and Albertsons plan to sell 579 locations to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers for $2.9 billion, according to a Kroger news release. The divestiture plan lists 62 Oregon outlets that would change hands, including the Safeway at 590 NE Circle Blvd. in Corvallis. The list shows Safeway, Albertsons and QFC stores are included in the deal. Store management at the Corvallis location declined to comment on the sale. "The divestiture plan ensures no stores will close as a result of the merger and that all frontline associates will remain employed," an Albertsons spokesperson said in an email. "Furthermore, associates will also continue to receive the competitive wages and benefits that they do today, maintaining their pay, health and wellness plans, and all collective bargaining agreements where they are in place," the spokesperson said. C&S Wholesale Grocers was founded in 1918 and supplies more than 7,500 independent supermarkets, chain stores and military bases, according to the companys website. The company owns the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union brands. Piggly Wiggly mainly does business in the American South and Midwest. Grant Union stores are found in upstate New York and Vermont. The transaction is not final, and C&Ss agreement is subject to Kroger and Albertsons resolving pending cases in court, Lauren La Bruno, C&S spokesperson, said via email. La Bruno said the purchase of the stores in question would enable the company to be one of the leading grocers in the U.S., adding that C&S would be welcoming hundreds of grocery retail veterans and tens of thousands of store associates from the companies currently running the stores. Their skill and knowledge, along with our leading wholesale and supply expertise, will undoubtedly ensure that these stores continue to successfully serve their communities for many generations to come, La Bruno said. Kroger and Albertsons announced their planned merger in October 2022. The companies say it is necessary to better compete with Walmart, Amazon and other big rivals, according to the Associated Press. Kroger, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,750 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, including such brands as Ralphs, Smiths and Harris Teeter. Albertsons, based in Boise, Idaho, operates 2,273 stores in 34 states, including brands like Safeway, Jewel Osco and Shaws. Together, the companies employ around 700,000 people. Kroger and Albertsons would control around 13% of the U.S. grocery market; Walmart controls 22%, according to Associated press reporting that cited J.P. Morgan analyst Ken Goldman. Under the initial divestiture plan, announced in September 2023, C&S planned to purchase 413 stores for $1.9 billion. But the Federal Trade Commission said the initial plan was inadequate and would give C&S a hodgepodge of unconnected stores and brands, leaving it ill-equipped to compete with a combined Kroger and Albertsons. In February, the FTC sued to block the merger between the grocery giants, saying the lack of competition would lead to higher grocery prices and lower wages for workers, the Associated Press reported. Its unclear if the new plan will satisfy regulators. An Oregon District Court hearing is slated for Aug. 26 regarding a Federal Trade Commission request for a preliminary injunction that would block the merger. In the same sort of regulation-beating effort, Albertsons infamously spun underperforming stores off to Washington-based Haggen after buying up Safeway circa 2014. Haggen filed for bankruptcy, closed most of its stores, and sold the remainder back to Albertsons for a fraction of the purchase price. The biggest private employer union in the region endorsed the proposed merger of Kroger with Albertsons, according to Supermarket News. United Food and Commercial Workers is outspoken at the national level in opposing the merger, calling on FTC to investigate potentially illegal trust building and demanding the chains divest some of their stores. But the PNW chapter, UFCW 555, says go ahead. The Oregonian reported on survey data in 2023 that showed Fred Meyer has 28% of grocery shopping foot traffic, followed by Safeway at 27%. WinCo was a distant third but had growing patronization at 12%. Corvallis has a few smaller grocers, including Bazaar International Market, Corvallis Southside Market, First Alternative Co-Op. The city is packed with larger outfits, including Bi-Mart, Fred Meyer, Grocery Outlet, Market of Choice, Safeway, Walmart Neighborhood Market and WinCo Foods. The village of Budy in the Kharkiv district. Photo: DeepStateMap Russian forces struck the village of Budy in the Kharkiv district on Saturday afternoon, 13 July, leaving civilians dead and injured. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, the Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Details: At around 15:40, Suspilne reported that an explosion had occurred in Kharkiv during a large-scale air raid. Later, Syniehubov reported that the Russians had attacked the village of Budy in the Kharkiv district. A man, 24, sustained shrapnel injuries. The site of the hit is being inspected. Suspilne reported a second explosion in Kharkiv at 16:12, its aftermath is currently unknown. Updated: At 16:64, Syniehubov reported that the Russians landed anotger strike, which caused civilians to suffer injuries. The number of wounded is being ascertained. Later, the official added that a civilian had been killed in the attack. At 17:18, Syniehubov reported that one person had been killed and 16 injured in the Russian attack on Budy. Nine people, including one child, have been taken to hospital. "The number of casualties has increased after the area was struck once again. An ambulance that responded to the call has also been damaged. The information is being gathered," the official stressed. At 17:42, Syniehubov reported that the death toll had risen to 2 and the number of injured to 22. Support UP or become our patron! Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least seven people and injured at least 29 over the past day, regional authorities said on July 13. Ukrainian forces shot down four out of the five Shahed-type drones launched by Russia overnight, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk reported. Another drone entered the airspace of Belarusian Homel Oblast bordering Ukraine's Chernihiv and Kyiv oblasts, he added. Mobile fire groups were involved in repelling the air attacks. The drones were intercepted over Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. Russia targeted a total of eight Ukrainian oblasts over the past day Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Luhansk, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter three regions. In Donetsk Oblast, four people were killed and nine others injured in the town of Myrnohrad, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. A Russian attack on the town of Kostiantynivka killed two civilians and injured three, damaging an industrial facility, the governor said. Seven more people suffered injuries in Lyman and three others in Chasiv Yar, Leonidivka, and Novomykolaivka, he added. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 14 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. One person was killed, and six were injured over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. A 68-year-old woman was injured after Russian troops attacked the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Read also: Russias advance toward key eastern highway threatens Ukraines grip of Donetsk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces carried out several attacks against Donetsk Oblast on July 12, killing six people and injuring at least 19 others, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported. The town of Lyman in the Kramatorsk district came under fire, injuring seven people. Private homes and at least one private vehicle were destroyed. In the Pokrovsk area, four people were killed and nine others were injured, including a child, as a result of the shelling. At least two people were trapped under rubble in the city of Kostyantynivka following intense shelling and a fire in one of the buildings. At least other three people were also injured. During rescue operations, emergency workers recovered two dead bodies from the rubble. Russia is carrying out intense attacks in multiple sections of the eastern front, including in Donetsk Oblast, after it captured the city of Avdiivka in February. Earlier in July, Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from the Kanal neighborhood of the embattled town of Chasiv Yar in the region. Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on July 2 that fighting had been particularly intense in recent weeks around the town of Toretsk, located some 25 kilometers (15 miles) south of Chasiv Yar. Read also: Russias advance toward key eastern highway threatens Ukraines grip of Donetsk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian Shahed kamikaze drone targeting Ukraine overnight on July 13 appears to have veered off course and flew more than 350 kilometers over Belarusian airspace, according to reports. Ukrainian Air Force Commander, Mykola Oleschuk, said five drones were deployed in the attack, four of which were shot down while the fifth "left the airspace of Ukraine in the direction of the Gomel region of Belarus," he said in a post on Telegram. The Belarusian Hajun monitoring group later reported it had flown 250 kilometers "over Gomel and Zhlobyn, entered the Mogilev region, and then the Minsk region." It also said a Belarusian Mi-24 helicopter and Su-30 fighter jet were scrambled to intercept the drone before it "presumably flew to Vitebsk." "What happened to the Shahed after is currently unknown," it added in a post on social media. The Shahed entered Belarus at 3 a.m. and flew over 350 km. Details Last night, a UAV (kamikaze drone of the Shahed type) launched by Russia entered the airspace of Belarus again this is the second time in the last two days. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, last night pic.twitter.com/aXfL7I0sYt Belarusian Hajun project (@Hajun_BY) July 13, 2024 The group said this was the second such incident in two days. Elsewhere on July 13, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast, causing a fire overnight, Governor Vasily Golubev claimed. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Russian air defense shot down two drones over Rostov Oblast, one over Belgorod Oblast, and one over Kursk Oblast. Golubev claimed that a large fire broke out at the oil depot in the Tsimlyansky district in the east of Rostov Oblast. A fire-fighting train was involved in efforts to extinguish a fire, he added. No casualties were reported. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the reports. The Kyiv Independent couldn't verify the claims. Read also: This is how Ukraine can and cant use its F-16s Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Shahed attack drone entered Belarus at 03:00 and flew over 350 kilometres. A helicopter and a fighter jet were scrambled to intercept it. Source: Belaruski Hayun, an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet Details: The Ukrainian military reported that Belarusian analysts had spotted a Shahed drone in the airspace of Belarus for the second time in the last two days. It is known that at 03:00, the Shahed UAV crossed the Belarusian-Ukrainian border near the village of Loyew (Gomel Oblast) and continued to move north. The Shahed flew over the cities of Gomel and Zhlobin, entered Mogilev Oblast, and then Minsk Oblast, coming as close as possible to the city of Minsk. Belaruski Hayun writes that at 05:00, a Mi-24 helicopter and a Su-30 fighter jet were scrambled to intercept the Shahed. The aircraft was spotted just in the area of the UAV's flight the border of Minsk, Mogilev and Vitebsk oblasts. Later, the UAV entered Vitebsk Oblast of Belarus and presumably flew towards the city of Vitebsk. It is not known what happened to it further. Support UP or become our patron! The Russians attacked Marhanets hromada in the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with heavy artillery in the evening of 12 July, and they attacked the city of Nikopol itself at night [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories - ed.]. Source: Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Details: The Russians also struck Nikopol with artillery and a kamikaze drone overnight. Infrastructure facilities, a house and an outbuilding were damaged. No casualties were reported. Support UP or become our patron! The attack on Novoocheretuvate in Donetsk Oblast on Saturday evening killed two people and wounded one. Source: Vadym Filashkin, the Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "Two people were killed and one wounded in Novoocheretuvate of Komar hromada. (Hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories) Tonight, the Russians dropped two guided aerial bombs on the village, one of which hit the yard of the house where all three victims were at that time. A total of 10 private buildings, a shop and a power line were damaged." Background: Earlier, it was reported that two people were killed and four were injured in the attack on Donetsk Oblast on Saturday. Support UP or become our patron! A husband and wife were killed in the shelling of Komyshany, Kherson Oblast, on Saturday night. Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, the Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "A family a 44-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were killed by artillery shelling in Komyshany. They suffered fatal explosive injuries." Background: Earlier, it was reported that on Saturday, three people were killed and five injured in the Russian attack in Kherson Oblast. Later, it was reported that a 16-year-old girl was taken to hospital in a severe condition as a result of the attack on Chornobaivka in Kherson Oblast on Saturday. Support UP or become our patron! The alarm bells have been sounding throughout the war in Ukraine, warning loudly that if Kyiv falls, an emboldened Russia could set its sights on NATO next. In such a devastating fight, airpower and airspace control could be decisive. The Russian air forces have underwhelmed over the past 2 years of war, but they also have rapidly adapted and scored wins through tactics such as stand-off bombing and synchronized drone and missile barrages. Other elements of the aerospace forces have also effectively denied Ukraine the chance to shift the battlefield from the skies. "It's been surprising they're adapting over time through trial and error," Justin Bronk, an airpower expert at the UK's Royal United Services Institute, said. From what this war has shown, to counter the Russians, NATO needs more air defenses, new ways of countering drones, and new basing concepts. Without these, the alliance could face a nastier fight should the worst come. That's according to interviews with a dozen air-warfare experts, including former fighter pilots and current and former Western military commanders and officers. Experts told Business Insider the Ukraine war has underscored how some elements of modern air combat are radically changing. Advancing technologies have upended the operating environment in the skies, and extensive surface-to-air-missile networks are creating battlespaces almost impenetrable for older aircraft and still daunting for newer, more-advanced planes. Russia's air force hasn't done as well as expected The intense fighting in Ukraine has given the West a better picture of the Russian military's capabilities and revealed that many earlier assessments of its strength were overblown. Some vaunted Russian weapons, such as S-400 air defenses, T-90M tanks, and "hypersonic" missiles deemed unstoppable, have not always lived up to the hype. But Russia's problems have extended beyond its weapons. Russia botched the initial invasion by failing to establish air superiority from the start, and it has been unable to synchronize its air and ground forces. Though the S-400, the air-defense system pictured, hasn't always lived up to its fearsome reputation, Russia has fielded a formidable air-defense network that has proven a serious challenge for the Ukrainains. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images While Russia has some fairly capable systems and weapons in Ukraine, "the employment is extremely poor," Bronk said, highlighting unforced errors like Russia shooting down its own aircraft despite rigid command structures that should prevent such mistakes. On the battlefield, effective airpower should aid the advance of armored combat vehicles and infantry by striking an enemy's strongpoints, as well as the reinforcements and supplies they depend on. To do this, aircraft must fly overhead of ground forces or nearby to target enemy positions. Russia has failed to achieve this kind of coordination or secure air dominance. Andrew Curtis, an independent defense researcher, described Russia's support for its ground troops, especially in the early days of the war, as "little short of woeful." "I think that surprised quite a lot of Western observers," he said. Russia has demonstrated that it's unable to suppress or destroy enemy air defenses, fly effective counterair missions, or run complex composite air operations like those the US Air Force pulled off in the opening days of Desert Storm in 1991 and then in the Iraq invasion in 2003. These failures have thwarted Russian efforts to overcome Ukraine's air defenses and enable significant breakthroughs on the ground, Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps colonel and a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said. The war in Ukraine has shown that Russia's air force isn't as capable as previously thought, but it has shown it can adapt and score wins. Su-34 fighter-bombers, like the one pictured here, have, for example, conducted devastating glide bomb attacks against Ukrainian front-line forces and cities. aviation-images.com/Universal Images Group via Getty Images "The Russian air force is a lot more vulnerable than we thought it would be," Guy Snodgrass, a former TOPGUN instructor and retired US naval aviator, said. "What the Ukraine war has shown is that their capabilities were significantly overstated," he added, though he said it would be a "mistake" to dismiss the Russian threat. Russian air forces have also scored some wins Despite its inadequacies, Russia's airpower has scored some wins that shouldn't be understated, and it still holds some capabilities in reserve. Russian bombers have pummeled Ukraine with long-range missiles fired from within its airspace, and fighter-bombers have bombarded Ukraine's defensive lines with guided glide bombs. The glide bombing has shattered defenses and contributed to Ukraine's battlefield losses and withdrawals in recent months. Russia has developed bombs fitted with guidance kits that can be launched from beyond the reach of ground-based air defenses or air-to-air missiles. It's now ramping up production of these devastating weapons, and it has yet to deploy some of its more-advanced air assets. Guided glide bombs, like the one seen here beneath a Russian aircraft, have been a problem for Ukrainian defenders given the limited options available to defeat them. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP Russia has also shown it can field a robust air-defense umbrella similar to the one Ukraine has built with Western help layered with powerful radars, electronic-warfare systems, and missiles. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has managed to secure lasting air superiority because both sides can detect each other's aircraft and eliminate them with a large arsenal of surface-to-air missiles. Ukraine has lost at least 135 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, while Russia has lost nearly double that figure, the open-source intelligence site Oryx reported in February. The destruction of so many fighter, bomber, and transport aircraft on both sides underscores the threat posed by air-defense systems. Russia could challenge NATO's historical air dominance Since the end of the Cold War, the US and its Western allies have enjoyed the clear advantages of having the superior air force or the only air force in conflicts they have fought around the world, from Europe to the Middle East. And in fights like Desert Storm and the Iraq War, the West established air superiority by taking out its opponent's air defenses. Russia would be a very different opponent. It has the territory and industry to build and field massive and sophisticated air defenses that an opponent may struggle to destroy. In wars like Afghanistan, the US dominated the skies, providing troops on the ground the necessary support for a different kind of warfare than what Ukraine is engaged in today. AP Photo/Hoshang Hashimi, File And "should the Russian military succeed in a limited land invasion, it would immediately establish surface-to-air missile (SAM) coverage over any captured territory," Can Kasapoglu, a Hudson Institute nonresident senior fellow, said recently. "In this scenario, NATO airpower would need to fly intensive missions focused on the suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses." Experts and Western military officers have said that in such a fight, the US and its allies, even with fleets of fifth-generation stealth fighter jets, likely would find it difficult to establish the same level of air dominance they've largely had since the end of World War II. Giorgio Di Mizio, an air-warfare expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that a fight with Russia would likely be "quite different from all the scenarios that we have faced over the last decades, where there was no contestation of the air domain." In future fights, it may be possible for the US to achieve air superiority only in bursts small windows in a specific time, place, and location where air defenses are missing, destroyed, or out of ammo, Gen. David Allvin, the US Air Force chief of staff, said on the "War on the Rocks" podcast in January. "It's not a given, and it's been a given for the last 30 years," Gen. James Hecker, the commander of NATO's air command, said earlier this year. He said NATO hadn't been serious about fighting Russia since the end of the Cold War, but the military alliance was taking steps to strengthen its air capabilities. "If we can't get air superiority, we're going to be doing the fight that's going on in Russia and Ukraine right now," Hecker said. "And we know how many casualties that are coming out of that fight." An initial Russian attack could surprise Russia failed to execute a decisive shock-and-awe blow at the start of the war in Ukraine. That doesn't mean NATO can expect the same, but it would be a vastly tougher enterprise against 32 states, many of which are armed with advanced fighter jets and air-defense networks, than it was in Ukraine. The Russian air force can't meet Western air forces air to air in a major attack without being "shot to pieces," Bronk said. But that's not all that Russia brings. The Russians could attempt a surprising and impactful opening attack, experts said. For example, the Russians could target vulnerabilities like satellites to try to disrupt the space-based communications and navigation NATO airpower depends upon. Russia has a number of capable jets, Su-35s like the ones seen firing missiles here, but overall, as a collection of dozens of nations, NATO has the superior air combat capabilities. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov And if Russia made "a dash for the Baltic republics, for example, in the first few hours or days of the war, there would be a lot to do for Western air forces," Fabian Hinz, an IISS missile expert, said. In this nightmare scenario, the Baltic states would need NATO airpower to stop a large Russian combat force from advancing, and the greatest threat to that endeavor likely would not be Russia's air force but other capabilities, such as its air defenses. Russia could be expected to use any aerial sanctuary to attack the Baltic defenders and inbound NATO troops with the drone and glide-bomb attacks it has used in Ukraine, as well as to menace Western Europe with an even larger missile campaign than Ukraine has faced thus far. Col. Riivo Valge, deputy commander of Estonia's air force, said "to decisively blunt this kind of theoretical attack, NATO should collectively invest into the air defenses of the whole Eastern flank." Crowded airspaces The proliferation of drones and varying precision-guided missiles has dramatically changed warfare, driving a greater need for extended interceptor-missile inventories. "The focus on UAS unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles has been much greater than any conflict we've seen previously," Mattias Eken, a missile-defense expert at the RAND Corp., said of the Ukraine war. A dominant feature of the war in Ukraine has been unmanned aerial systems, from small quadcopter-style drones like this one to the larger systems seen in past conflicts. They're used for a range of actions, including surveillance, one-way attack, targeting, bombing, and more. Paula Bronstein /Getty Images The conflict in Ukraine has heavily stressed stockpiles of precision-guided munitions, but Russia has supplemented its arsenal with Iranian-made and homemade one-way attack drones, particularly for strikes on cities and critical infrastructure. And, like Ukraine, the Russians have employed loitering munitions and cheap exploding first-person-view drones. These threats collectively require layers of air defenses, electronic-warfare options, and more to defeat. As air-defense batteries fire away at higher-end threats, troops on both sides of the conflict have taken to defending their trenches from the FPV drones with shotguns. Experts told BI that the West needs more systems to counter such threats, including inexpensive options to down cheaper missiles and drones instead of using million-dollar interceptor missiles. One option could be the interceptor drones Ukraine is developing. Future fights will strain air defenses Ukraine's air-defense network is widely credited with stopping Russia from achieving greater gains and forcing it to fight a grinding ground war that has cost Russia absolutely staggering losses. But the demand has been insatiable, and Valge, the Estonian air-force officer, said these defenses were the "most visible deficiency" in Western forces. Others agreed. A former Western air force intelligence officer described Europe's current missile defense network as "kind of patchy with a few Patriots here and a few Patriots there." This person spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak about what he learned in the role. Patriot batteries like this one have been extremely valuable for Ukraine, helping to shut down barrages of Ukraine's cities and critical infrastructure and shooting down enemy aircraft. Anthony Sweeney/US Army Cancian said that the West stopped investing significantly in air defenses after the Cold War and took its focus off the Russians, adding that it was considered a given it could achieve air dominance "in pretty much every environment that they were going to be operating in." In Ukraine, the world has seen that Western air defenses can shoot down incoming drones and missiles when they have sufficient coverage and enough ammo, and the performance has quelled doubts about the Patriot. Demand for Patriot missiles is up, as demonstrated by several European countries' requests to purchase them earlier this year and the new Western pledges to send Ukraine more Patriot batteries and components. But the strain on air defenses is certain to be high in future fights. The ubiquity of drones and long-range missiles suggests that advancing armor columns will need to move forward with shields of electronic warfare and air defenses, assets that are even more important if these forces can't count on friendly aircraft overhead. In the opening phase of Ukraine's highly anticipated summer 2023 counteroffensive, for instance, its advancing combat vehicles, among which were Western tanks and armored vehicles, were marred by Russian attack helicopters because of the lack of mobile air defenses that proved their worth elsewhere. And later, as Russia launched new assaults in the fall, Ukraine's defensive response was hamstrung by ammunition shortages for its air defenses. When Ukraine launched its summer 2023 counteroffensive, it ran into numerous problems that hindered its assault, one of the big ones being Ka-52 helicopters like the one pictured here. REUTERS Lockheed Martin is ramping up its Patriot missile production, pushing for 550 annually, but in a fight with the Russians, more could be needed depending on how the West prioritizes its defense; each Patriot interceptor missile costs about $4 million. There are other air-defense assets out there, but they face similar limits on manufacturing capacity and arsenal size as well. "I don't think we are learning the whole entire lesson just yet," Timothy Wright, another missile expert at IISS, said. Spreading out Another lesson of the Ukraine war is that fixed bases are easy-to-find targets. Eken of the RAND Corp. said Ukraine managed to prevent its air force and air defenses from being destroyed in the first days of the invasion by spreading them out. He described it as having units dispersed over a wide area but with a command-and-control system that could get them all to work together to defend or attack and urged the West to give the tactic additional consideration. Russia didn't start noticeably embracing this tactic until Ukraine began scoring hits against its air bases with long-range attack drones. While the West practices disaggregation to a certain extent, such as through highway operations and austere basing, it still heavily focuses on permanent bases. The planes pictured here would be just a sample of the full air combat power available to the NATO alliance, but much of it is concentrated at vulnerable bases. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen Jarmo Lindberg, a former Finnish fighter pilot who previously served as the commander of the Finnish Defense Forces, said the idea of dispersal has been core for Finland as it formulates its military strategies with the threat of neighboring Russia in mind. He said Russia's invasion showed all frontline NATO states should adopt it. But the shift wouldn't be easy for all of NATO. An air base centralizes fuel and munitions storage, spare parts to repair planes, and the mechanics and air-traffic controllers who keep flight operations running. Dispersal increases the challenge of keeping all these airfields supplied and may spread its talent too thinly. The former intelligence officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that it's "a cultural thing that most Western air forces are used to operating from centralized bases." But he advocated for a shift in how the West treats aircraft and command centers, saying that "lining them all up to get whacked is not really an option." NATO's next move A war where the much-larger and more-powerful NATO faces off against Russia would look different from Ukraine's fight. But experts said the West must invest in its militaries now. Russia may be deterred if the West appears strong enough. Bronk said that "it's so much cheaper and easier" to invest now in the capabilities to deter Russia than it is "to actually invest in the forces capable of fighting an extended war for six months, a year, two years." Specifically, NATO needs to boost its air-defense capabilities along the alliance's eastern flank, where member states have said they could be the first ones targeted by Russia should it succeed in Ukraine, and place a greater focus on force dispersal to make aircraft and their accompanying support assets less vulnerable to attacks. Strengthening NATO's ability to deter a Russian attack has been a consistent effort for the 75-year-old alliance and was a focus of talks at the 2024 Washington, DC summit. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein Valge, the Estonian air-force officer, argued that "Russia understands strength." The stronger NATO's eastern flank is, he said, "the less room there will be for any fatal misunderstanding." That's not to say NATO doesn't already have a highly capable fighting force, including sophisticated air-defense systems available across Europe and fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35, as well as other stealth assets such as the B-2 bomber and the B-21 that's set to eventually replace it. There are also a ton of combat-ready fourth-generation aircraft, including F-16s, F-15s, Mirages, Eurofighter Typhoons, and Gripens. And surface-to-surface missiles are making a comeback. But there are questions of whether it has the arsenal and manufacturing base for an extended war. "Nobody really wants an air war with Russia," said John Baum, a Mitchell Institute expert and retired US Air Force lieutenant colonel. "It is not a highly desirable thing, I think, from either side, to want to have this air war." But the West can't afford not to be ready for it. Read the original article on Business Insider "Rust" armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed and her family want her case to be revisited. The news comes only a few hours after Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who sentenced the rookie armorer to 18 months behind bars, decided to dismiss the state's case against actor Alec Baldwin. Both were charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the October 2021 death of "Rust" cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. However, on Thursday night, Baldwin's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing buried evidence that was known to both law enforcement and the prosecution. Special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson resigned in light of the news, and Judge Sommer concurred that the prosecution had indeed committed a Brady violation. However, whether it's enough to also get Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's case revisited remains to be seen. 'Rust' Armorer's Family Wants Her Case Dismissed Like Alec Baldwin's Was MEGA On Friday night, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer decided that the prosecutors representing the State of New Mexico committed a Brady violation by suppressing evidence that could have been favorable to Alec Baldwin and his case. Now that Baldwin's case has been dismissed, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed's famous father, veteran armorer Thell Reed, wants his daughter released from prison. He maintains that his daughter was nothing more than a "scapegoat" when it came to the October 2021 shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Although the prosecution convinced the jury that the rookie armorer brought live ammunition onto a movie set, the truth is that it has never been established exactly where the ammunition came from. Some believe that the live ammunition came from Seth Kenney, who supplied the props for the film out of his warehouse in Albuquerque. Thell Reed Says It Is 'Good' That Alec Baldwin's Case Was Dismissed MEGA On Friday night, Thell Reed, 81, told the Daily Mail that the judge granting Baldwin's motion to dismiss was "good" and felt that "Hannah's case should also be dismissed." "Theres a lot of evidence that hasnt been heard at all," he alleged. "They [the prosecution] suppressed all the important evidence and I guess [Baldwins] attorneys brought it out." The 27-year-old armorer was sentenced to the state maximum of 18 months behind bars after it took a jury less than three hours to find her guilty of involuntary manslaughter. She was, however, acquitted of a lesser charge of tampering with evidence. She is currently serving her sentence at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility and was actually expected to testify on Friday before the jury was dismissed in light of the suppressed evidence. Thell Reed Hopes Alec Baldwin's Dismissal Will Help His Daughter's Appeal MEGA The case against Alec Baldwin was dismissed with prejudice, which means that he cannot face criminal charges again. Now that his "Rust" trial has been dismissed, Thell Reed is hoping that Hannah Gutierrez-Reed will be granted a swift appeal. "It should [be grounds for an appeal]. She didn't do anything wrong. Theyve absolutely made her a scapegoat," Thell Reed said of the prosecutors. What Happened On The 'Rust' Set In October 2021? MEGA On October 21, 2021, Alec Baldwin was rehearsing for a scene in a church at the Bonanza Creek Ranch just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, when a gun that he was holding went off. The "projectile" - which later turned out to be a real bullet - fatally wounded Halyna Hutchins and hospitalized director Joel Souza, who later made a full recovery. Baldwin claimed that he did not pull the trigger and did not know how a live round ended up in the gun he was holding. A live round was later found in the bandolier of a costume worn by "Supernatural" actor Jensen Ackles when authorities conducted their investigation. First assistant director David Halls was the one who checked the gun after Hannah Gutierrez-Reed loaded it. He was also the one who handed the gun to Alec Baldwin and declared it a "cold" gun, meaning a gun that did not contain live ammunition. He pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of the negligent use of a deadly weapon. He served six months of unsupervised probation, paid a $500 fine, and completed 24 hours of community service. Santa Fe Prosecutor Steps Down From Rust Case MEGA On Friday, after the suppressed evidence was brought to light, special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson decided to resign during Fridays hearing. In a brief statement, she told TMZ that she felt that the best decision was to dismiss the case in order to uphold the integrity of the justice system. As prosecutors, we have obligations to disclose all the evidence. When I learned this morning of the existence of the evidence that had not been disclosed, I believed that the right decision was to dismiss the case, she said. When my voice was not heard, I asked to withdraw from the case. We not only owe a duty to the people, but to the defendants accused of crimes as well. The prosecution must always be above reproach. The New Mexico judge overseeing actor Alec Baldwins Rust case dismissed the involuntary manslaughter charges mid-trial Friday, ruling that the state withheld evidence and the case could not be retried. Handing down the ruling from the bench, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said the withholding of the evidence, related to bullets turned over to law enforcement during the investigation, was intentional and deliberate. The states discovery violation has injected a needless, incurable delay into the instant jury trial. Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice, Sommer said in her decision. Baldwin broke down in tears as she announced her ruling before embracing his wife, who was seated in the gallery. The dismissal was largely based on misconduct of police and prosecutors, who were accused of withholding evidence from the defense. The court concludes that this conduct is highly prejudicial to the defendant. The jury has been sworn. Jeopardy has attached, and this disclosure during the course of trial is so late that it undermines the defendants preparation for trial, Sommer continued. There is no way for the court to right this wrong. The defense is not in a position to test the states theory as to the source of the live rounds that killed Ms. Hutchins, she added. The state is highly culpable for its failure to provide this discovery to the defendant. The judges decision to drop the case came after numerous failed attempts for a dismissal by Baldwins team. Jury selection in the trial began Tuesday nearly three years after the deadly shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on a Western movie set in New Mexico. Baldwin, 66, pleaded not guilty and maintained throughout the case that he was not criminally responsible for unwittingly discharging a live bullet in the prop revolver used on set. Movie guns are typically loaded with secure blanks for filming, as live ammunition is prohibited on film sets. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the films armorer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March and sentenced to 18 months in prison, after prosecutors argued she brought live ammunition onto the set despite rules against it and failed to follow gun safety protocols that could have prevented the shooting. Gutierrez-Reed is appealing the conviction. The production team resumed filming of Rust in Montana last year and it is expected to be released sometime in 2024 or later. Zach Schonfeld contributed reporting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two days after Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter trial began and nearly three years after the fatal Rust movie set shooting that led to the charge against him, a New Mexico judge said eight words that left the actor visibly emotional and marked the trials end. Your motion to dismiss with prejudice is granted, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer told Baldwin and his legal team in court on Friday afternoon, prompting an already shaking Baldwin to remove his glasses and sob into his hand before embracing his wife, Hilaria. The ruling concluded nearly three years of back-and-forth legal arguments and turnover in prosecutors leading up to the trial against Baldwin, who faced up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine related to the October 2021 fatal shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the Western film, Rust. At the time of the shooting on October 21, 2021, Baldwin was practicing a cross draw, pulling a gun from a holster on the side of his body opposite to his draw hand, with a prop gun at a church on the films New Mexico set when it fired a live round, killing Hutchins and injuring Rust director Joel Souza. On Thursday, Baldwins defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case stating the prosecutors concealed evidence potentially pointing to an external source of the live ammunition (prop supplier Seth Kenney) because the evidence would be favorable to Baldwin, court documents show. On Friday, following a chaotic hearing that involved one special prosecutor taking the stand as a witness and another special prosecutor Erlinda Johnson resigning from the prosecution team that day, Marlowe Sommer sided with the defense as a result of the evidence issue first brought to light Thursday and granted the motion to dismiss with prejudice, meaning the case cannot be brought again. Baldwin thanked his supporters via an Instagram post Saturday in his first public comments since the charge against him was dropped. There are too many people who have supported me to thank just now, the actor wrote in a post which included a photo taken of him during the trial earlier this week. Baldwin added: To all of you, you will never know how much I appreciate your kindness toward my family. Special prosecutor Kari Morrissey, who on Friday answered questions under oath from defense attorney Alex Spiro, said she was disappointed by the dismissal. I believe that the importance of the evidence was misconstrued by the defense attorneys, but I have to respect the courts decision, Morrissey said following court Friday. Heres what led to the dismissal in the Baldwin case. Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer presides over actor Alec Baldwin's trial on involuntary manslaughter in First Judicial District Court on July 12, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. - Ramsay de Give/Pool/Getty Images Defense accuses prosecution of suppressing evidence Marlowe Sommer, who had been adamant about keeping the trial on schedule, was noticeably perturbed early Friday when she halted testimony in the case and dismissed the jury so she could take up Baldwins motion to throw out his criminal charge. Ahead of her ruling Friday, the judge referred to a dismissal with prejudice as a very extreme sanction that would require her to go through each element of the motion and make a very good record as to why Im seeing what Im seeing, she said. Baldwins team argued state investigators did not properly share with the defense that a man had delivered a box of ammunition purportedly connected to the case to investigators. In its motion, the defense claimed the state unilaterally withheld evidence that could be favorable to Baldwins trial, which is a violation of the Brady rule, named after the 1963 Brady v. Maryland case. The rule requires prosecutors to disclose material, exculpatory information in the governments possession to the defense, according to Cornell Law School. In order to establish a Brady violation, Marlowe Sommer explained Friday, the defendant has to show the prosecution suppressed evidence, the evidence was favorable to the accused and the evidence was material to the defense. The defense claimed Baldwin was unaware of the risk live ammunition had been brought to the Rust set. For the states prosecutors to establish a link between Baldwin and the live ammunition source, they would have to show Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the armorer for Rust who in March was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in prison, had brought the rounds to set, according the motion filed Thursday. Evidence that the live rounds came from Kenney is therefore favorable to Baldwin, which is why the State buried it, the document states. In court Thursday, crime scene technician Marissa Poppell testified retired police officer Troy Teske had delivered a box of ammunition to the Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office in March after Gutierrez-Reeds conviction, CNN previously reported. Teske, who was a friend of the armorers father, told investigators he thought the ammunition could be associated with the Rust incident, according to Poppell. The items, however, were cataloged separately from Baldwins case, excluded from the Rust case inventory and not tested to see if they matched the lethal round, according to Poppells testimony. Marlowe Sommer said on Friday the suppression-of-evidence element of proving a Brady element was satisfied. The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office and the prosecution failed to disclose the supplemental report to defense and provide defense an opportunity to inspect the rounds collected into evidence that Mr. Teske gave, the judge said. Judge: No way for the court to right this wrong The second Brady element Marlowe Sommer broke down is whether the evidence suppressed by prosecutors was favorable to Baldwin, either as impeachment or exculpatory evidence, she said. This prong is satisfied. The suppressed evidence is favorable to the accused, the judge said. It is impeachment evidence, has even been offered in this trial as impeachment evidence and is potentially exculpatory to the defense. Marlowe Sommer added the evidences exculpatory value couldnt be analyzed at such a late point in time due to the nondisclosure. She next examined whether the suppressed evidence was material to the case, which she concluded it was. Attorney Luke Nikas embraces actor Alec Baldwin during his trial on involuntary manslaughter at Santa Fe County District Court in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 12, 2024. - Ramsay de Give/Pool/AFP/Getty Images The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings, Marlowe Sommer said, adding Baldwins defense wasnt in a position to test the prosecutions theory regarding the source of the live rounds that killed Hutchins. The judge said the state failed to provide the discovery to Baldwins defense team, referring to the prosecutors withholding of the information as intentional and deliberate. Marlowe Sommer said: If this conduct does not rise to the level of bad faith, it certainly comes so near to bad faith as to show signs of scorching. The judge also agreed the late evidence was highly prejudicial to Baldwins case. The jury has been sworn, jeopardy has attached, and this disclosure during the course of trial is so late that it undermines the defendants preparation for trial, Marlowe Sommer said. There is no way for the court to right this wrong. The judge added just before granting the motion to dismiss the case: The states discovery violation has injected a needless, incurable delay into the jury trial. Dismissal with prejudice is warranted to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the efficient administration of justice. Gutierrez-Reeds attorney, Jason Bowles, said he will move to dismiss her case following Baldwins case dismissal. The judge found intentional misconduct and we also have had the same failures in Hannahs case, by the State, Bowles said. Attorney Gloria Allred, who is representing Hutchinss parents and sister, said during a Saturday news conference, it may be a little premature for Alec Baldwin to be having his party. Allred said plans to launch a civil case against Baldwin would proceed. We are going to fight to the end for Halyna Hutchins, Allred said, adding she hopes the district attorneys office in Santa Fe decides to appeal Fridays ruling. But I would point out, this was not our case, Allred said. Now it will be our case, the civil case, so we have more control of what happens in this case, and we have more power to work to move it forward. CNNs Julia Vargas Jones and Jack Hannah contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Sacremento Teacher Gets Suspended For Racist Exam Question, Black Man Uses 'White Name' On Application And More Photo: The Sacramento Bee Teacher Alex Nguyen at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif. is under fire for including whats perceived as inappropriate and racist questions on a biology final exam given last month. - Candace McDuffie Read More Image: WSVN On Tuesday afternoon, an 11-year-old girl police identified as Taliyah Clarke was shot inside her Miami apartment and later died from her injuries. The three charged in connection to her death are among those whod normally be expected to care for Clarke the most. - Candace McDuffie Read More Photo: Cook County Sheriffs Office (Getty Images) Nearly two years after a white woman was found stuffed in the freezer of her Chicago home. Now, her killer is looking at some serious prison time. On Wednesday, Sandra Kolalou was sentenced to 58 years in prison for the October 2022 murder of her landlord, 69-year-old Frances Walker, according to CBS Chicago. - Noah A. McGee Read More Photo: Veterinary Service News The New York Police Police Department is under fire following the arrest of a Black army vet for carrying a firearm. The veteran says hes licensed to carry. Now, he demands to know what was really the issue. - Kalyn Womack Read More Photo: Greg Doherty (Getty Images) Tragedy struck the family of rapper Lil Durk when his 10-year-old son allegedly shot his stepfather. According to the Daily Mail, during an alleged domestic dispute between his mother, and stepfather, Joshua Pippens, the child used Pippens gun to shoot him. - Stephanie Holland Read More Photo: Samantha Mitchell (AP) Updated as of 7/11/2024 at 12:13 p.m. ET: A Black man begging for his life as hotel security holds him down only to die later is serving as an eerie reminder of an event that brought the world together amid the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago. - Noah A. McGee Read More Photo: nvphoto (Shutterstock) Sigh in yet another example of how Black people struggle navigating the job seeking process, a Black Detroit man is suing a luxury hotel for allegedly denying his application, only to hire him for a ridiculous reason. - Kalyn Womack Read More Screenshot: Fox 5 New York, Facebook The discovery of the body of Yazmeen Williams inside a sleeping bag last weekend sent rage across the lower east side. With that being said, when New York police said they found their suspect, the block pulled up too with all the smoke. - Kalyn Womack Read More Regla Becquer, 49, the owner of five care homes under her LLC Love and Caring for People, is accused of poisoning her patients - Screenshot: CBS Steven Kelly Pankratz was referred to the Love & Caring for People care homes after developing a brain condition and hospitalization for sepsis. Pankratz later broke his ankle on the way home, making it difficult for him to get around, so he was placed under the care of Regla Su Becquer, who has owned the care company since 2022. - Phenix S Halley Read More Screenshot: TikTok We all remember the Maryland teacher who went viral for the wrong reasons right? In May, Marquise White shared a video on his TikTok where he showed his young Black female students taking out his braids before his hair appointment. - Noah A. McGee Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Unsealed search warrants reveal some of what was found when investigators entered Maxwell Anderson's Milwaukee home shortly after he was arrested in the grisly killing of Sade Robinson. During an April 5 search of Anderson's 39th Street home, detectives found a knife in the kitchen sink, an ax hanging on the living room wall and women's clothing hidden under a bench in the basement. A woman's ID card also was found during the search. A detective found a possible blood stain in Anderson's car, on a door speaker. Anderson, 33, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide and mutilation of a corpse in connection with the April death of Robinson, a 19-year-old Milwaukee Area Technical College student. Anderson also is charged with arson of property other than a building. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Also released was a series of still images of surveillance footage captured April 1 at a bar on Water Street in Milwaukee. Anderson dined there with Sade Robinson on a date. The encounter would be the last time Robinson was seen alive. A Milwaukee judge has set a Dec. 9 trial date for Anderson. During a scheduling conference Friday, Anderson's lawyer Anthony Cotton told Circuit Judge Mark A. Sanders he intended to file a motion to move the trial outside Milwaukee County, citing pretrial publicity of the case. Sade Carleena Robinson Lawyer says Maxwell Anderson needs more computer time to help in his own defense Cotton pleaded with Sanders to do what he could to give his client more access to jail computers, so he can examine discovery evidence in his case. The volume of the evidence including reports, videos and DNA items that are still being tested in a crime lab is dense, Cotton said, describing the case as "complicated." The two hours his client gets each day to examine discovery isn't enough for him to effectively aid in his own defense, he said. Sanders said he was reluctant to interfere with jail procedures or order access for Anderson that was out of line with that of others at the jail. He recommended lawyers monitor the situation and to report back if it becomes a problem later. Last month, Sanders rejected a request by Cotton to allow Anderson a laptop in his cell with copies of his discovery uploaded onto it. Will Maxwell Anderson be tried separately for arson? Cotton filed a motion earlier on Friday seeking to have the arson charge tried separately. State law allows for multiple crimes to be charged in the same complaint if they "are of the same or similar character or are based on the same act or transaction or on 2 or more acts or transactions connected together or constituting parts of a common scheme or plan." Cotton argued in court papers the arson charge is "materially different in nature" from the others and could have a prejudicial effect. Sanders gave Assistant District Attorney Ian Vance-Curzan until Aug. 23 to respond to the motion. Sheena Scarbrough, left, and Carlos Robinson, the mother and father, respectively, of Sade Robinson, hold doves to be release in memory their daughter during her public memorial service on May 10 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee. Prosecutors believe Anderson met up with Robinson for a date on April 1. Prosecutors say after a short night out, the local bartender and Robinson went back to his house, where he killed her, dismembered her body and disposed of the body parts across Milwaukee County. Her burned-out Honda Civic was found near West Lisbon Avenue and North 29th Street in Milwaukee April 2. DNA testing determined a severed arm that was found on a shoreline in Waukegan, Illinois, in mid-May also belonged to Robinson. Robinson's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last month against Anderson, seeking the proceeds on the sale of his home and other damages. Anderson remained in jail Friday after failing to post a $5 million bond. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Search details of Maxwell Anderson's home, car in Sade Robinson case Salt Lake woman douses husband with lighter fluid, sets him on fire, police say SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A woman is accused of dousing her husband with lighter fluid and setting him on fire at their Salt Lake County residence, according to Salt Lake City police. The woman, 31, was arrested in Salt Lake County on five counts of aggravated arson (first-degree felony), aggravated assault (third-degree felony), property damage (class B misdemeanor), and three counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child (third-degree felony). On July 12, SLCPD responded to a report of a woman setting her husband on fire at their basement residence. The caller the landlord who reportedly rents out the basement to the married couple reported that she had heard the victim screaming in pain, according to the probable cause affidavit. Charges filed in death of vulnerable adult involving heroin, unfit living conditions, infection The victim allegedly told his landlord that his wife had set him on fire after dousing him with lighter fluid. The landlord also stated the woman admitted to setting her husband on fire. Upon entering the scene, police found the couples room to be filled with smoke, with a pile of clothes and carpet still smoking from the incident. The victim suffered from multiple blisters and peeling skin from being burned, the affidavit states. The couples young children, ages 1 and 2, were reportedly asleep in another room. Police said the landlords daughter, 14, was also present. The accused woman is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and appears to suffer from delusions and mental instability, the affidavit states. 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. (Photo/File) Native Vote 2024. The San Carlos Tribe is speakng out against recent legislation recently by the U.S. House of Representatives that would further disenfranchise Indigenous communities. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE), introduced by House Republicans, would require anyone seeking to register to vote in federal elections to provide an approved form of photo ID. Indigenous communities have struggled in the past with overcoming the strict voter ID laws. Many Native voters may not have the availability, financial resources, or mobility to obtain the necessary identification. Citizens living on reservations without traditional street addresses tend to use P.O. boxes because of the U.S. Postal Service limitations. Many states do not accept PO boxes as a valid form of residence. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. This has contributed to Native Amercans having the lowest voter turnout of all groups, and contributing to this problem is states not accepting tribal IDs as valid forms of ID. The San Carlos Apache Tribe is opposed to the legislation which they believe undercuts the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the National Voter Registration Act and the Voting Rights Act of 1965," This bill is designed to intimidate, discourage and prevent eligible tribal members from registering to vote, San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler said in a press release. This legislation is an unconstitutional attempt to suppress the Native American vote and comes after the high turnout in the 2020 election decisively impacted federal election results in Arizona. This bill considers approved forms of photo ID as a U.S. passport, military ID, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or a government-issued photo ID card showing that the applicants place of birth was in the United States. Drivers license and tribal ID cards typically do not prove a persons citizenship and couldnt be used to register under the SAVE Act. Only about 48% of U.S. citizens have a passport, according to State Department data. About the Author: "Neely Bardwell (descendant of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian) is a staff reporter for Native News Online. Bardwell is also a student at Michigan State University where she is majoring in policy and minoring in Native American studies. " Contact: neely@nativenewsonline.net SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A new multi mixed-use tower in downtown San Diego has marked a first for the area. The 37-story tower offers 431 residential units, 289,000 sq. ft. of office space and 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space, Holland Partner Group announced in a press release Tuesday. West, located at 1011 Union St., is attempting to bring a new vision to the downtown area. We are excited to officially introduce West to San Diego, a multi mixed-use project that embodies the future of urban living, working and dining, said Brent Schertzer, Managing Director at Holland Partner Group. West is a community that infuses the spirit of San Diego culture into the heart of downtown; a blend of laid-back lifestyle and upscale urban refinement. Our goal is to create an inspiring place that celebrates community, connection and growth. The residential space features one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, three-bedrooms and penthouse units with amenities like a fitness center, outdoor fitness terrace, large outdoor landscaped deck, clubroom, and rooftop pool and spa. West is part of a planned three city-block development by Holland Partner Group, which includes a second project that will bring downtowns first Whole Foods Market in mid-2026, according to the real estate investment company. The San Diego Association of Governments is set to move into West, as well as a quick service restaurant that plans to open in Fall 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KRON) Serial killer Edmund Ed Emil Kemper was denied parole at a hearing held by state prison officials this week. His next chance for parole is slated for 2031. When he was just 15 years old, Kemper murdered his grandparents. He was confined to a state psychiatric hospital as a teenager. Kemper was later released from the hospital and lived with his mother at her home in Aptos, Calif. He began a murder spree in 1972 that terrorized Santa Cruz County. Kemper murdered seven women before killing his final victim his mother. The murders involved dismemberment and sexual depravity, the Santa Cruz County District Attorneys Office wrote. Most of the victims were young hitchhiking college students who Kemper picked up in his car. This car, belonging to mass murderer Edmund Emil Kemper III, was seized by Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office investigators on April 27, 1973. (Jerry Telfer /The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) Edmund Kempers car (Photo by Jerry Telfer /San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images) Five decades later, the 75-year-old inmate still lacks remorse for his killings, according to District Attorney Jeff Rosell. Kemper would pose a danger to society if he was released from prison, Rosell said during the serial killers state parole hearing on Tuesday. The district attorney said, Ed Kemper is one of the most depraved and prolific serial killers of our time. He lacks insight and shows no true remorse for these brutal murders. Kemper remains locked in California Medical Facility in Vacaville, prison inmate records show. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SBU drones behind overnight strike on Russian oil depot in Rostov Oblast, source says Drones launched by Ukraine's State Security Service were responsible for an overnight attack on an oil depot in Russia's Rostov Oblast, an intelligence agency source told the Kyiv Independent on July 13. "Last night turned out to be very hot for the Russian oil depot in the Tsimlyansky district of Rostov (Oblast)," they said. "According to our information, it was SBU drones that (caused the explosion) at the facility where various brands of gasoline and diesel fuel with a total volume of 12,500 cubic meters were stored." Rostov Oblast Governor Vasily Golubev earlier talked about an attack on the facility, reporting a large fire but claiming there were no casualties. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed air defenses shot down two drones over Rostov Oblast, one over Belgorod Oblast, and one over Kursk Oblast. "SBU drones continue to implement 'economic sanctions' against Russia's energy complex, which is providing for the war in Ukraine," the intelligence agency source said, adding: "And these 'sanctions' will only increase." Ukrainian forces regularly conduct drone strikes and sabotage acts on Russian territory, targeting military assets, oil refineries, and industrial facilities. A total of over 30 Russian oil refineries, terminals, and depots were targeted by Ukrainian special operations forces as of late June, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Read also: Russian kamikaze drone flies deep inside Belarus, whereabouts unknown Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A South Carolina correctional officer has been charged with delivering contraband to inmates, Orangeburg Sheriff Leroy Ravenell announced Friday. We were asked by the detention center director to investigate the possibility that contraband was being brought in, Ravenell said in a news release. Investigators with the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office were notified of narcotics making their way to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Detention Center on Monday. The sheriffs office did not say what type of drugs were being delivered. On Thursday, 26-year-old Tatyana Izlar of Denmark, S.C., was charged with one count of furnishing prisoners alcoholic beverages or narcotic drugs and one count of furnishing or possessing contraband in county or municipal jail. She eventually admitted to being paid to make a delivery, the sheriffs office said. Investigators also seized a quantity of marijuana and a cell phone from Izlars car. Izlar could face between one to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to South Carolina law. Scientists issue warning after half of nation's beaches expected to vanish in next 50 years: 'These efforts can be stepped up' Cyprus, an island country in the Mediterranean, is renowned for its sparkling white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. But those beaches are at risk of disappearing within mere decades. What's happening? Cyprus Mail reported on the alarming news, quoting Cypriot scientist Dr. Giorgos Zittis from the nonprofit research center the Cyprus Institute. "Sea level rise is expected to destroy around 50 per cent of Cyprus' beaches," he said. Sea levels are rising for two primary reasons, per Climate.gov: melting glaciers and rising ocean temperatures. Due to global heating and increasing atmospheric temperatures, nearly 80% of glaciers worldwide have already melted or shrunk, according to National Geographic. Further, those rising temperatures cause the volume of the ocean itself to expand, pushing up sea levels even more. Dr. Zittis said that even if pollution stopped today, temperatures in Cyprus would continue to climb for at least 20 years, the Mail reported. "Cyprus and the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean, which is also a hot spot of climate change, are mainly affected by increasingly higher temperatures," he said. Why are rising sea levels concerning? For a place like Cyprus, these climate-fueled weather patterns are particularly threatening. The Mail reported that the majority of Cyprus' critical infrastructure such as "airports, shipping ports and power plants" is located along the coast. Any damage to this would severely threaten residents who rely on this infrastructure to survive. High temperatures will also put pressure on energy sources leading to price increases while also threatening many major industries and income streams, such as agriculture. The Mail has already covered how recent heat waves have been fatal for Cyprus residents in recent years. Additionally, for a place whose tourism industry relies heavily on beaches, these changes could spell disaster for the economy. "Our summers may be too hot even for tourists," warned Dr. Zittis. This is an issue facing nearly every coastal community around the world. The United States has also seen unprecedented sea level rises, which are threatening to destroy entire coastlines, particularly in the southeastern U.S. What's being done about this? The Mail, paraphrasing Dr. Zittis, reported that if Cyprus does not "drastically cut" its planet-warming pollution within the next decade, these changes could be even more severe. Efforts to curb pollution could include managing water use, converting buildings to be more energy efficient, and investing in clean energy sources. "We are a bit behind," Dr. Zittis said. "There is room for improvement, for example in electricity generation, these efforts can be stepped up." Cyprus may even have to look into changing how it advertises to tourists, in order to draw in visitors during cooler, safer times of year. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Smell on Earth The visual wonders of the universe range from awe-inspiring comets streaking our night skies to the ethereal spirals of far away galaxies. But in the glittering tapestry of the cosmos, there's at least once locale a giant gaseous exoplanet, in fact that may put you off, because the place smells as rank as rotten eggs. An international team of scientists published a new paper in the journal Nature about this smelly exoplanet, dubbed HD 189733b, and how they used the James Webb Space Telescope to characterize its unique chemical composition. The planet, which scientists found in 2005, is about 64 light years away from us, CNN reports, and is 10 percent bigger than Jupiter. After training the James Webb on the exoplanet, scientists were surprised to discover that HD 189733b has hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas that smells like rotten eggs and which has not been detected outside our solar system until now. Jupiter also has hydrogen sulfide, and scientists have predicted other gas giants elsewhere would have the same chemical, according to CNN. "The high precision and infrared capability from (the Webb telescope) allow us to detect hydrogen sulfide for the first time on exoplanets, which opens a new spectral window into studying exoplanet atmospheric sulfur chemistry," Johns Hopkins University astrophysicist and the paper's lead author Guangwei Fu told CNN. "This helps us to understand what exoplanets are made of and how they came to be." A Deadly Place HD 189733b is also notable because its orbit hugs quite close to its star, even closer than the planet Mercury is to our own Sun. Hence, despite sporting a peaceful blue hue, this exoplanet is a fiery hell with average temperatures at around 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. What's also wild about this planet is it has super fierce winds that would make the hurricanes on our planet look like calm skies, with wind speeds as high as 5,400 mph. The wind is also full of a deadly surprise glass-like rain falling sideways at such a rapid speed that the precipitation would slice anybody into pieces. It would be a terrible idea to visit this place, but we can at least admire it from afar thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope. Smell you later! More on exoplanets: James Webb Spots Habitable, Icy Exoplanet Relatively Close to Earth Here are some of The Providence Journal's most-read stories for the week of July 7, supported by your subscriptions. Here are the week's top reads on providencejournal.com: Ladder trucks spray hundreds of gallons of water a minute to douse a blaze that ignited from within a scrap metal heap at Rhode Island Recycled Metals on Wednesday. A large fire at the Rhode Island Recycled Metals scrapyard near the Port of Providence on Wednesday morning sent large plumes of thick, black smoke billowing over nearby neighborhoods for hours. It was the second fire there in the last three months and prompted the Office of Attorney General Peter F. Neronha to file a request in Superior Court to have the Allens Avenue business immediately shut down. It comes amid an ongoing court case being pursued by Neronha's office and the state Department of Environmental Management to clean up the waterfront property and enact more stringent pollution controls there. On Friday, Superior Court Judge Brian Stern granted the states motion for a temporary restraining order. While not yet making a final ruling on their claim, Stern found that Neronha and the DEM had made a reasonable case that the scrapyard is a public nuisance, meaning it will will remained closed for the foreseeable future. Local news: Large fire at Port of Providence scrapyard prompts state action RICHMOND Two people are dead after a man shot his estranged wife on Friday and then died after crashing his car while being chased by the police the following day, according to the state police. Stephanie Francis, 44, was found dead from a gunshot wound in her Hopkinton home on Friday, state Police Lt. Col. Robert Creamer wrote in a news release. Detectives identified her estranged husband, Joseph Francis, 45, as her alleged killer and obtained an arrest warrant charging him with domestic violence murder and violating a domestic violence no-contact order. After being spotted and chased by police on Saturday morning, Francis lost control of his SUV, which rolled over and came to rest on its hood near the intersection of Dawley Road and Nooseneck Hill Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police reports detail a history of domestic abuse allegations against Francis in the weeks leading up to his wife's killing. Crime: Estranged husband-wife dead after homicide followed by car crash during police pursuit Authorities say this security image from the Walmart on Post Road in Warwick shows the people alleged to have planted skimming devices at self-checkout terminals. A group of Romanian nationals living on the West Coast are accused of planting skimming devices on local bank ATMs and self-checkout registers at stores in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to steal customers' credit and debit card information and PINs to later drain their bank accounts, according to federal authorities. The widespread skimming scheme netted more than $300,000 from local bank accounts via counterfeit cards created with the stolen card information and PINs, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. The scale, scope, and brazen nature of these defendants scheme to steal the financial account information of unsuspecting consumers and use it to help themselves to funds and property, as we have alleged in federal court, is staggering, U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha said in a statement. Read the full story to find out which locations in Rhode Island were affected. Crime: A theft ring allegedly planted a 'staggering' number of card skimmers at RI stores Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Melissa Long. Saying that judges and lawyers can harbor implicit biases, Rhode Island's first and only Black state Supreme Court judge is calling on the court to change the rules that allow lawyers to strike jurors without cause for race-neutral reasons. Justice Melissa Long issued a concurring opinion in a murder case saying, "We must remain vigilant of the ways that we can continue to curtail jury discrimination whenever possible." Long said that the court should correct "errors and abuses" in the jury selection process through a rule eliminating peremptory strikes or removing jurors from a pool without cause in jury trials, and have trial justices "apply heightened scrutiny" to for-cause strikes against jurors. Courts: Could RI change how it picks, or strikes, jurors? Why this justice is calling for reform. Wine is an important part of the dining experience at Camille's, on Providence's Federal Hill. Wine Spectator magazine has unveiled the winners of the 2024 Restaurant Awards, which honor the worlds best restaurants for wine. They recognized 3,777 dining destinations from all 50 states in the United States and more than 75 countries internationally. In Rhode Island, 17 restaurants won the signature Wine Spectator glasses for excellence. They recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. For the full list, read Gail Ciampa's story. Dining: What are RI's best restaurants for wine? Here's who made Wine Spectator's list To read the full stories, go to providencejournal.com. Find out how to subscribe here. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Scrapyard fire; domestic homicide; card skimmers: Journal top stories You dont have to be a fan of Rep. Colin Allred to acknowledge that he is no fool. Hes a savvy politician who has at least an outside chance of defeating his GOP rival, Sen. Ted Cruz, in November. But his reticence to take a decisive stand on President Joe Bidens fitness to remain on the Democratic ticket is nothing short of a cop-out in an election cycle where a little boldness would go a long way. On Thursday, Allred broke his silence about Bidens startling debate performance, telling The Dallas Morning News that he was, disappointed with what I saw in the debate. Disappointed? Thats what you say when your candidate gaffes or has a Rick Perry-esque oops moment. Its not what you say when your candidates mental acuity is the salient question. Horror and dismay would be more like it. At a minimum, some high-level concern. After a career in the NFL, youd expect Allred to be ready to make audacious plays and when necessary, take more hits. Especially since he has not always shied away from rebuffing his party or the president in this election cycle. In January, he joined only two other Texas Democrats (and every congressional Republican) in voting for a resolution that denounced Bidens handling of the southern border. (He declined, however, to support subsequent rebukes.) After Bidens repeatedly disastrous border policy decisions that have been particularly detrimental to Texas, that vote should not have been a hard call for Allred, but it opened him up to criticism from his primary opponents. He still roundly defeated them all, suggesting that a little chutzpah on the stump would not weaken his party support. Of course, Allred and his political team are probably watching the polls very closely. The latest have Vice President Kamala Harris, Bidens most likely successor, with a higher unfavorability rating than even Biden. At least for now, that makes sticking with the Biden camp the safest bet. And its worth noting that Cruz, Allreds opponent, also stood by his presidential nominee, even helping his once-fierce opponent to cast doubt on the 2020 election results. So, Allreds in good company, I guess? Trump is in no danger of losing Texas, with or without Biden on the ticket, which is most likely why Allred has chosen to remain laser-focused his words, not mine on his Senate race. Cruz has aroused enough Democratic ire that Allred could still pull off an underdog victory regardless of what the top of the ticket looks like. And like I said, despite his linebacker past, Allred is shrewder than he is tough. Like most other congressional Democrats, he thinks being Switzerland is the best course of action. And it might be. If Biden stays in the race, and if by some chance wins, Allred is in the White Houses good graces regardless of who is actually in charge of the White House. If Biden is bumped from the ticket, voluntarily or otherwise, Allred can rush in (no pun intended) and support whomever the new nominee is without ever looking like a Biden stan. Smart. But weak. If I were a Democrat, Id demand better. Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us! We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news and to publish those views in the Opinion section. Letters should be no more than 150 words. Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days. Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions. You can submit a letter to the editor two ways: Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred). Fill out this online form. Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic. Shadowy ad cartel that targeted conservative news outlets faces at least 2 possible state Republican AG probes At least two Republican state attorneys general are weighing possible legal action against members of a shadowy cabal that reportedly controls 90% of global marketing spending following allegations that they colluded to withhold ad dollars from conservative outlets, The Post has learned. The Global Alliance for Responsible Media was accused of leading a coordinated effort to squelch online free speech and restricts ads to a slew of news outlets including The Post in likely violation of federal antitrust laws, the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee said in its alarming report this week. Representatives for the Republican state attorneys general of Montana and Missouri confirmed that they are examining the evidence uncovered by the House panel. The Global Alliance for Responsible Media was accused of attempting to limit online free speech and restrict ads to a slew of news outlets, including the New York Post. vmodica Were looking into what actions the attorney general may be able to take, as it appears there may be anti-trust violations, a spokesperson for Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen told The Post. A spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said his office is aware of the report and looking into the matter. GARM, an initiative of the World Federation of Advertisers, represents dozens of the largest companies and ad organizations, including Disney, Coca-Cola, Toyota and Walmart. Its members spend nearly $1 trillion per year on ads. The House Judiciary Committees ongoing probe will include demands to specific companies who are members of GARM to turn over relevant information in the near future, House GOP sources told The Post. The committee will release more reports and potentially hold more hearings detailing its findings as the investigation proceeds, the sources added. The Global Alliance for Responsible Media has been accused of trying to restrict free speech. Just because they havent been targeted yet doesnt mean they shouldnt expect something, one House GOP source who requested anonymity told The Post. Its definitely not over. The report could open the door for major lawsuits from additional states and the likes of billionaire Elon Musk. The panels references to potential antitrust violations also could open a path to action by the Justice Department especially if former President Donald Trump wins the upcoming election. The probe is focused on whether GARM and its members violated Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which governs illegal restraint of trade. Depending on the severity of the alleged wrongdoing, that could mean either civil or criminal charges. The report details how shadowy corporate cartel targets outlets including The Post claimed to be spreading misinformation. The panel is considering whether to make an official referral to the Justice Department for action against the advertising cabal, sources said. The House Judiciarys report is a solid first effort in untangling this Gordian knot and could compel more state attorneys general to get involved, according to Joel Thayer, a tech policy lawyer and president of the Digital Progress Institute. Potential involvement the DOJ is a long shot and would likely require one or states to craft a compelling argument, he added. GARM recommended its members cease all paid advertisement on Twitter. We need to clarify a few things in the report, but I think it gives a good framework by which state AGs can enact subpoenas against GARM and potentially these other companies to get a better sense of how GARM works, how GARM makes decisions, Thayer said. Then, they can construct a case around anticompetitive effects. The report compiled emails and testimony by far-left GARM chief Robert Rakowitz, who denied organizing a boycott or recommending that GARM members stop advertising on Twitter in an interview with investigators. However, in one internal email dated Feb. 9, 2023, Rakowitz appeared to brag that X was 80% below revenue forecasts since GARM challenged Musk on brand safety issues. Rakowitz testified that the email was meant as a self-effacing joke. Rob Rakowitz, Initiative Lead, Global Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) encouraged members to adhere to the recommendations. AWNewYork/Shutterstock Emails also showed that Rakowitz encouraged GARM members to adopt the recommendations put forth by independent fact checkers such as the Global Disinformation Index and NewsGuard. GDI, a UK-based organization, has received funding from the US State Department as well as groups linked to George Soros. NewsGuard, which scans web sites and news sources and rates them for reliability, is the subject of an investigation by the House Oversight Committee, which said it was concerned about censorship campaigns and projected First Amendment speech. Rakowitz described himself as the idiot who challenged Musk on brand safety issues. John Gable, CEO of anti-bias group AllSides, said that Rakowitzs reliance on GDI and NewsGuard is akin to a Ministry of Truth approach whereby the public is exposed to just one political agenda. Gable told The Post that the House Judiciary Committee obtained emails which showed that Rakowitz was in direct contact with GroupM, the number one ad buyer in the world which is also part of the WPP conglomerate. Thanks to this congressional report, we see there was direct correspondence with GroupM talking about excluding conservative outlets, Gable said. Particularly problematic was Rakowitzs directive to rely on GDI. Rokowitzs email correspondence regarding the situation. GDI may be self righteously fighting a good fight like the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, but theyre overly biased with a partisan agenda and they were not trustworthy, Gable said. According to Gable, GDI uses exclusion lists and blacklists that are shared privately and which are indirectly and directly shaping the flow of potentially billions of dollars in advertising expenditures. When these lists are applied in biased manners, the repercussions are obvious when it comes to the national discourse, he said. Gable also hit out at NewsGuard, which in his words are not transparent in their ratings. NewsGuard goes to great lengths to prevent people from seeing their ratings, he said. Gable added that it was reasonable to assume that each major advertiser is maintaining its own exclusion and inclusion lists of which outlets to do business with. In Oct. 2021, Rakowitz and John Montgomery, a former executive vice president of global brand safety at worlds largest media buying agency GroupM, discussed a strategy of blocking certain news outlets like Fox News, The Daily Wire, and Breitbart News, the report states. Elsewhere, GARM allegedly collaborated with London-based nonprofit called the Global Disinformation Index that labeled The Post and nine other outlets, including Reason magazine and RealClearPolitics, as having the greatest level of disinformation risk. Daily Wire founder Ben Shapirois seen during the House Judiciary Committee meeting on Collusion in the Global Alliance for Responsible Media July 10, 2024. House Judiciary Committee One GARM employee questioned the initiatives reliance on the GDI rankings, calling it bewildering that the group somehow placed the NYPost as at most risk paper in the USA for disinformation. The extent to which GARM has organized its trade association and coordinates actions that rob consumers of choices is likely illegal under the antitrust laws and threatens fundamental American freedoms, the report said. The WFA defended its practices in a lengthy statement and said it has been cooperative with the House Judiciarys probe. Rep. Jim Jordan is seen during the House Judiciary Committee meeting on Collusion in the Global Alliance for Responsible Media July 10, 2024. House Judiciary Committee The report released on July 10 does not include the 168-page transcribed interview which effectively clarifies questions on GARMs adherence to competition law policy and practices, that GARM is a voluntary organization, and that guidance from GARM is non-binding, the WFA said in a statement. This transcript also clarifies the context of documents selected by the Committee and details of technical aspects of GARMs work. Rakowitz did not return The Posts request for comment. Other outlets targeted by GARM and its members included podcaster Joe Rogan and Musks social media site X. After the report surfaced, Musk tweeted that X has no choice but to file suit against the perpetrators and collaborators in the advertising boycott racket. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, pushed for a crackdown on GARM in a statement to The Post. Time and again, weve seen major corporations colluding with government to censor speech, Gaetz said. They hide the ball with a thicket of shell companies and pretend its not collusive, but when Congress shines the light on the system, these shell companies like the Stanford Internet Observatory are forced to shut down. The Orwellian-named Global Alliance for Responsible Media is one such entity, and it deserves further scrutiny by state and federal regulators and law enforcement, Gaetz added. GRADY COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) Friends of a victim named in an ongoing federal suspicious death investigation in Chickasha say she was a family woman and servant. Grady County authorities told News 4 they found the body of a woman Monday during a medical call. That investigation is now in the hands of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since the home is on tribal land. LOCAL NEWS: History is repeating itself: Family speaks after missing NC woman found dead in Edmond News 4 confirmed with family and friends that Holly Miller, 50, of Chickasha was the victim. Photo of Holly Miller. Image courtesy: Holly Miller's family Photo of Holly Miller. Image courtesy: Holly Miller's family Photo of Holly Miller. Image courtesy: Holly Miller's family Millers obituary says she was a Mangum native and Oklahoma Christian University graduate, earning a Bachelors in Social Work and then later separate Masters Degrees in Social Work and Public Health. Shes described as having a love for people and a drive to advocate for others which took her across different careers in Social Work, Home Health, Hospice and Senior Living. Miller, at the time of her death, was the Executive Director of Sand Sage of the Highlands Assisted Living in Mustang. News 4 reached out to her place of employment for comment and received the following statement from a corporate spokesperson: We would like to say, we are deeply saddened by this loss and to hear of the passing of Holly Miller. Holly was not only a leader and dedicated team member, but she was also a mentor and friend to our community associates and our residents. She touched the lives of many and she will be greatly missed. We are asking the greater community to keep Holly and her family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this difficult time. Discovery Senior Living A News 4 employee spoke with family friend Marisa White Friday, who told News 4 she had received permission from Millers family to speak about her. She just had this infectious personality that made everybody feel special and everybody feel loved, said White. She was a wonderful person inside and out. The mother of five, according to White and her obituary, constantly made time for her children at sporting and school events; cheering them on from the sidelines in life. Shes the type of person that was selfless, said White. She was constantly serving other people, and I think thats where she found her true calling, was in helping others; especially the elderly and the seniors. White said that getting news of Millers passing was hard to cope with since one of her parents grew up with one of Millers and had stayed lifelong friends. I heard about her passing from my mom, said White. I called my husband into our bedroom immediately and we both were just in shock. It still just feels like its not real and it shouldnt be. White said that Millers loss is a great tragedy for her family and the community who saw her as a friend, mentor and as a dedicated woman to her faith. The entire family is a faithful Christ following family, said White. I know that prayer is a powerful thing and Holly believed in that as well, and I think rallying around the family and praying for comfort and strength during this time [is important]. Also, respecting, you know, their grieving period as well. White said that Millers family is requesting that monetary donations be sent to the McRay Funeral Home in Chickasha for anyone who would like to support them during this time. Contact information for the funeral home is listed below: Mailing Address: P.O, Box 806, Chickasha, OK 73023 Phone: 405-224-4141 Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Shooting Friday evening in east Columbus leaves two dead, police say Two people are dead after a shooting Friday evening in east Columbus, according to police. Police said the call came in around 6:40 p.m. for the shooting that occurred in the 1100 block of Richland Dr. The Columbus Police Departments Violent Crimes Unit will lead the investigation, according to a post on the departments X page. This story is ongoing and will be updated as new information becomes available. ST. LOUIS A suspect allegedly fired shots at a Brooklyn, Illinois officer during an overnight chase on Interstate 70 that made way through St. Louis city limits. No injuries were reported and the officer was not shot, according to a crime summary report from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The pursuit ended just after midnight Saturday, though the suspect remains at large. Highland ICU nurse credits co-workers for saving sons life Investigators say the Brooklyn officer was pursuing a black Jeep Patriot that was reported to be stolen in Illinois. The officer followed the suspect vehicle on I-70 into St. Louis city limits. At some point, on I-70 near the Shreve Avenue exit, an occupant in the Jeep emerged from the sunroof and fired shots at the officers vehicle. The officer avoided the shots and quickly took the exit onto Shreve Avenue as the Jeep continued on the interstate. Police say multiple shell casings were recovered along the interstate near the reported scene of gunfire. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department says an investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A suspect in a vehicle being pursued by police shot at a Brooklyn officer near the Shreve Avenue exit of Interstate 70 in north St. Louis early Saturday , according to St. Louis police. At about 12:20 a.m., St. Louis Metropolitan Police officers responded to the area to assist Brooklyn police, a news release states. The Brooklyn officer was pursuing a black Jeep Patriot that had been reported stolen in Illinois, according to the release. Near the Shreve exit of I-70, an occupant of the Jeep rose through the vehicles sunroof and fired shots at the officers vehicle. The officer evaded the shots and left the interstate. The officer was not injured, and the police vehicle was not damaged, the release states. The Jeep was last seen continuing eastbound on I-70. Shell casings were found on the interstate where the officer indicated the incident had occurred. An investigation is ongoing. Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump was shot at during a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday, with a bullet hitting his ear and causing visible injuries. The Secret Service neutralized the shooter, who is now dead. One spectator was killed and two others were seriously injured. Trump had been addressing the crowd for around five minutes when shots rang out. He seemed to grab at his right ear before he was told to duck by Secret Service agents who jumped on top of him. Following the shots, Trump appeared to have blood on his face as he held up his fist and mouthed Fight at the crowd several times while being led away by his Secret Service detail. The crowd broke into a USA chant. During former President Trumps campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on the evening of July 13th at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue, the Secret Service said in a statement. The incident is currently under investigation and the Secret Service has formally notified the Federal Bureau of investigation. I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump said in his first statement after the incident, which he shared on Truth Social after being taken to be checked out by health professionals. Shooting just happened at The Trump rally pic.twitter.com/Xs1dVL1H3T Acyn (@Acyn) July 13, 2024 I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear, Trump said. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. BREAKING: Donald Trump pumps his fist as blood covers his face after pops ring out. pic.twitter.com/XSLVR055bv Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 13, 2024 CNN reported that pool reporters at the rally heard a series of loud explosions or loud bangs, followed by Secret Service agents rushing in to protect Trump. The Secret Service went and immediately covered President Trump. Pool heard residual bangs afterward, a press pool report read. Agents grabbed Trump, who was seen waving his fists in the air. NBCs Dasha Burns described the moment that shots rang out. We were in the middle of all of this as this all transpired. We were getting off of the press riser, getting to the ground level where all of the attendees are on the grass here at this venue. We heard at first what I thought might have been fireworks. I even saw a little bit of smoke wasnt sure what was going on. My producer Bianca and I then realized this might be something more serious. We then got ourselves behind a barricade for safety. Trying to make sure our colleagues and peers around us were safe. Everyone ducked down. As you see in that video, the former president ducked down. Secret service came and protected him. People in the audience hear those who were attending initial confusion. This is not something you are expecting when you are at an event like this. We get down on the ground. We hear those continued pop, pop, pop, pop, pops. They kept going. It felt like for a long time for those of us who were here on site, Burns concluded. Here is how NBC's @DashaBurns described the shots: "We heard at first what I thought might have been fireworks. Even saw a little bit of smoke. Wasn't sure what was going on. My producer Bianca and I then realized this might be something more serious" and everyone ducked. pic.twitter.com/HVNxOkhWkV Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 13, 2024 Fox News Chad Pergram tweeted that Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Meuser said that it appeared multiple members of the crowd may have been shot. CBSs Scott MacFarlane commented, Let me be unequivocal about something. This is a security failure of epic, historic proportions, that there was some type of explosive noise. Biden and other politicians rush to condemn violence Following what appeared to be an attempted assassination of the former president, politicians and other notable public figures released a flood of statements in support of Trump and decrying the violence. I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trumps rally in Pennsylvania. Im grateful to hear that hes safe and doing well, Biden said in a statement. Im praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information. Biden appeared live in front of press and cameras shortly after the statement was issued, offering further remarks. Look, theres no place in America for this kind of violence. Its sick. Its sick, the president said. Its one of the reasons why we have to unite this country. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this. Vice President Kamala Harris shared her relief that Trump was not seriously injured and condemned the act. Violence such as this has no place in our nation. We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence, she said. There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy, former President Barack Obama wrote. Although we dont yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasnt seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. There is absolutely no place for political violence in our democracy. Although we dont yet know exactly what happened, we should all be relieved that former President Trump wasnt seriously hurt, and use this moment to recommit ourselves to civility and respect in our politics. Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 13, 2024 Former Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan delivered one of the most emotional responses, writing, Fking unacceptable. Zero tolerance for violence of any sort. I pray the former President is ok and all attendees. I dont give a st what ur politics are. The competition is at the ballot box, not with guns. Lets pray for peace and nonviolence in America. Fucking unacceptable. Zero tolerance for violence of any sort. I pray the former President is ok and all attendees. I dont give a shit what ur politics are. The competition is at the ballot box, not with guns. Lets pray for peace and nonviolence in America. https://t.co/qZ48uUvXd1 Tim Ryan (@TimRyan) July 13, 2024 However, some took the moment to go on the attack, notably far-right Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Democrats wanted this to happen, she wrote. Theyve wanted Trump gone for years and theyre prepared to do anything to make that happen. She went on to list members of Congress who she said had cosponsored legislation to end the former presidents Secret Service protection. Why would they want that? You know the reason, the representative continued. Others may have been killed innocent people that were there supporting President Trump and all they wanted was to Make America Great Again and they may have been murdered for it. Thank GOD Secret Service was there for Trump and everyone else at todays rally. Sen. Bernie Sanders, himself a former presidential candidate, issued a statement that read, Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery. Political violence is absolutely unacceptable. I wish Donald Trump, and anyone else who may have been hurt, a speedy recovery. Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 13, 2024 Former presidential candidate and Biden transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg said, In this horrible moment, encouraged to hear President Trumps team indicate that the former president is doing well. An entire nation must speak with one voice today to completely and unequivocally reject all political violence. Elon Musk seized the moment to endorse Trump for president. In a short post shared on X that included video of Trump from after the shooting, I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery. Reports of the shooting in Pennsylvania are horrifying, Rep. Liz Cheney wrote. Violence of any kind has no place in American politics. We are grateful for the reaction of Secret Service and other law enforcement and pray for the former president and all those injured. Meghan McCain wrote, Please join me and my family in immediately praying for our great nation and the entire Trump family. The post Donald Trump Grazed, Shooter and Audience Member Killed at Pennsylvania Rally appeared first on TheWrap. The News Many Democrats are trying to make the debate over President Biden a literal and metaphorical black and white issue. Missouri Congressman Emanuel Cleaver sits in the gray. Hes a former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, a so-far critical source of support for the president. Hes a party stalwart determined to find its best path towards victory, which may or may not be Biden. And he represents a majority-white Midwestern district at a time when theres talk of an emerging racial split over the presidents nomination. Cleaver hasnt held back in his criticism of Bidens debate performance. He winced recalling Trump denouncing immigrants taking Black jobs with little pushback. Had he been onstage, he would have demanded Trump define exactly what a Black job means. I think he just did not come back strong, Cleaver said during an interview on Saturday. And thats what some of the younger men are saying, young men of color they want him to be stronger. But he also isnt sure what to do about Bidens post-debate crisis yet and time is of the essence. Heres the danger that I think we have to be aware of, he said. We cant continue to discuss this issue and philosophize about whats going on. Kadias view I reached out to Cleaver because hes been especially raw in discussing the partys predicament since the debate. Hes been working things out in real time, balancing conflicting concerns, and refusing to make the process look easy or suggest theres one obvious solution. As he mentioned, though, this kind of debate cant go on forever. The timeline Cleaver has in mind is the convention not the Democratic one in August, the Republican one starting on Monday. We undermine our own candidate, whoever he or she is, if we dont stand ready as soon as the gavel hits on the closing of the Republican convention to just go out after them, he said. I can see us still trying to get things organized over the next six days during the time that the Republicans are in Milwaukee. However, if we are not organized and ready to go with Joe Biden or someone by the end of that Republican convention, I think were in trouble. Resolving that split by then will be difficult, however. He had just spoken with union leaders Friday, who he said were inflexibly committed to Bidens candidacy. The president had courted them hard, theyd won major concessions in office, and they did not see enough of the things that are alarming people and the party to make a change. Even among Bidens union base, though, some divisions have emerged. The AFL-CIO has been one of the biggest players to reaffirm Bidens candidacy, although UAW head Shawn Fain who sits on its executive council has questioned his ability to win. Closer to home, Cleaver sees an age split over Bidens candidacy within his own family. His father passed away last year, but it was impossible to imagine him ever turning on Biden he was a longtime fan who would often talk about his civil rights record, in particular. But thats not how the younger members of his family think about him. I have young people in my family my children, nieces and nephews who are not as enthusiastic about Joe Biden at this point, he said. But I think, in the final analysis, they are going to vote for Joe Biden, because the other guy is not a viable option. Then theres the Congressional Black Caucus, which is seen as perhaps the most important player in this process. After the current CBC chairman Steven Horsford backed Biden on Monday and set up a virtual caucus meeting with the president, some Democrats thought the threat to his nomination was all but over. Things proved more complicated than that. Behind the scenes, The Washington Post reported that the group failed to find enough support for a joint statement backing up Biden that might have been a political haymaker. Cleaver didnt directly address that statement, but suggested the caucus might still be looking for reassurances from the White House about their priorities, like child tax credits and voting rights legislation, as they have in other situations where their support was important. But he did note that the image of Black Democrats in ultra-safe, majority-minority districts was outdated. Just like other caucuses, they had members in competitive races, or running for statewide office, who were still trying to gauge what effect Biden would have on their election. A Republican wave could dramatically thin the CBCs own ranks. We have to try to protect all of our members, and we have a lot of members, he said. People assume that my district that I serve is a Black district it is not. I have about 20% African American. At the same time, Cleaver pointed out as many others have that not a single member who has called for Biden to drop out has come from their caucus. I think what we have to do what we are doing, he said. The 60 members of the Black Caucus are trying to use our leverage, because were the largest caucus in Congress, to put our foot down on one side or another and influence where the entire party goes. So what would it take for them to weigh in? One major factor could be Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has personally supported Biden, but has stayed in listening mode while hearing from a more skeptical caucus. He has not tipped his hand as to how that process might end. Biden is now addressing various factions individually in virtual meetings two were scheduled for Saturday. I think our respect for Hakeem Jeffries is so high that youre going to find that were going to act in deference to him right now, Cleaver said. Were not going to get out in front of him. So when he finally says something about how we should go, I think you can expect that right after that, just about all 60 of us falling right in line. The Senate is going through a similar process. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said Im with Joe when asked about Biden, but is listening to members and according to a report in Axios privately considering alternative nominees in conversations with donors. When I asked Cleaver to comment on the report that Schumer might not be fully committed to Biden, he responded, Ill tell you after I get off the ground from my heart attack. Notable The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has been going through its own debate over Bidens candidacy. While its leadership is solidly pro-Biden, three members have called for Biden to step down and NOTUS reported that these tensions came to the fore during a virtual meeting with Biden on Friday. How SLO activist saved Cuesta Canyon from being buried alive by highway project. Why not? The Cuesta Grade road has been a perpetual work in progress since the first shovel full of dirt was tossed. But there was one plan that went too far. As construction technology and vehicle design advanced, various road routes evolved from walking path along the creek, to horse-drawn wagon road, to railroad, to paved road and finally, to multi-lane highway. The first graded road over the Cuesta was constructed by Chinese laborers in 1877. An Oct. 9, 1967, story in the Telegram-Tribune said the California Division of Highways planned a massive rerouting, moving the road to the west side of the canyon, nearer the railroad. The plan filled most of the canyon with earth excavated from the pass. The new road would be freeway and the old one would revert to being a secondary county access road. Engineers said the new route would solve east-side rock slide and drainage problems. So much earth would have been moved that the six-lane freeways climb would have flattened the grade incline from 7% to 5%. In some places the canyons sycamores and oaks would be buried under fill dirt 200-feet deep and pave much of the Miossi property, La Cuesta Ranch, much of which is today the Miossi Open Space hiking area. This did not sit well with ranch owner Harold Miossi, so he began a campaign to stop the bulldozers. He died in 2006 at the age of 84 and Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust is now associated with a host of philanthropic causes. Miossis legacy of environmental activism was documented in the following Nov. 15, 1993, story by Ann Fairbanks. Archives preserved In the mid-1960s, the state Division of Highways wanted to chop 160 feet from the top of Cuesta Grade, bury the canyon and creek below with 38 million cubic yards of dirt, plant a six-lane freeway and 120-foot median, and ram it through a land of lavender hills and shadowed oaks, maples and sycamores, meadows and old barns. Harold Miossi shows a photograph used in 1960 hearings on a desalination project proposal in a Nov. 4, 1993, interview. That lyrical description of Cuesta Canyon in the Feb. 25, 1968, issue of the Los Angeles Times is still apt today thanks to the rabble-rousing, letter-writing and alliance-building of Harold Miossi. They wanted to make a grapevine of Cuesta Canyon, said Miossi, who still lives in the canyon ranch house where he was born 71 years ago. When I saw the plans, I just sat there in total disbelief. He didnt sit there for long. Then best known as a political workhorse for Democratic candidates, Miossi turned into an activist. He took on Goliath, defended his native canyon, and won his first environmental battle. The letters, photographs, display materials, official records and publications documenting that battle as well as many later ones will comprise the backbone of a new collection to be housed at Cuesta College. The San Luis Obispo County Environmental Archives will serve as a repository of fragile materials and documents historically significant to the countys environmental movement. The core of the archives collection will be more than 100 boxes of materials amassed by Miossi and three fellow harbingers of conservation causes who spoke and wrote prolifically: Kathleen Goddard Jones lead walks to Coreopsis Hill at the Guadalupe Dunes near Oso Flaco Lake in March 1985. Kathleen Goddard Jones, 85, of the Nipomo Mesa, a leader for 30 years in the fight to preserve the Nipomo Dunes and a recipient of a national environmental award. The late Lee Wilson of Arroyo Grande, who was instrumental in winning federal wilderness status for Lopez Canyon and served as the first president of the local Sierra Club chapter. And the late Ian McMillan, a Shandon rancher and author who fought the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, campaigned against the devastation of the San Joaquin kit fox, worked to save Morro Rock and battled the desecration of nature for more than 50 years. Together they took actions that really preserved a good 10% of this county, said Dominic Perello, chair of the Environmental Archives Committee. A former chair of the Sierra Clubs Santa Lucia chapter, Perello has been active himself in environmental issues since moving from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo in 1954 to teach at Cal Poly. When I came to San Luis Obispo it reminded me of Santa Barbara in the 1930s, Perello said. By the time I graduated from UCSB in 1954 to teach at Cal Poly, I had found we were growing up like L.A. Now in San Luis Obispo, were about where Santa Barbara was in 1945-46. Everyone wants to build more, further up the hills. As head of the archives committee, Perello is anxious to preserve what Miossi calls irreplaceable footnotes to our countys history documenting the beginnings of the still-ongoing fight to keep San Luis Obispo County pristine and natural. Miossis collection of documents and photos was housed in this building seen here in a Nov. 4, 1993 photo. During a recent visit to the Miossi family ranch that would have been obliterated by the massive realignment of Highway 101, Perello joined Miossi in sifting through his 10 boxes of historical materials stored in a granary. Built in 1890 out of cheese boxes, the 20-by-20 foot building is nestled among oaks and sycamores that dot rolling hills threatened in years past by wildfires. Thats why its so important to gather such collections, Perello and Miossi agreed, and secure them for future generations in a place safe from the ravages of nature and time. Take the collection of someone like Ian McMillan, whos writings and photographs occupy about 80 boxes. His children are very eager that it be preserved, Miossi said, but future generations may not be as dedicated. McMillan was a great friend Miossi said, who used to call him on Sunday mornings to talk about the kit fox or whatever cause was on his mind. Then two or three days later, McMillan would follow up the discussion with a letter in the mail. In a 1972 letter to the Telegram-Tribune editor, McMillan praised his fellow conservationist Miossi. Traveling north past the Miossi Ranch in Cuesta Canyon, what always impresses me most is the historic canyon itself and the thought of how it was so ably defended a few years ago from being buried alive by a monstrous highway project. I will never forget that historic battle in which the local forces of conservation under the leadership of Harold Miossi, combined in what should stand as the greatest conservation achievement so far in the history of our county. A photo of the Devaul ranch, now under the waters of Lopez Lake which filled in 1969. In Miossis collection which includes aerial photographs of the countys coastline before Diablo Canyon, yellowed newspaper clippings, piles of manila folders stuffed full of documents, photographs of rolling hills now submerged by Lopez Lake there are several 8-by-10 photographs of picturesque Cuesta Canyon. Attached to each photograph is a watercolor overlay by Peg Maxwell, a retired San Luis Obispo High School art teacher. The overlays graphically portrayed her concept of what the Division of Highways scenic corridor would do to the canyon. According to a 1981 article in California Today, those visual aids proved to be a crowd-pleaser when the battle for Cuesta Canyon hit the County Board of Supervisors, which had to approve closure of Cuesta access roads before the highway would become a freeway. Thanks to Miossis careful planning, the highwaymen were underdogs in their own town, the article reads. A photo shows northbound Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo, with the Monterey Street exit, Motel Inn and Cuesta Grade in the background, circa 1960. When the retired art teacher presented her watercolor overlays, the audience laughed and applauded wildly. At the close of testimony, Board Chairman Hans Heilmann asked if anybody was in favor of any of the routes proposed by the Division of Highways. Not a hand was raised. Unanimously, the board voted not to approve any of the routes. Applause broke out. Miossis cause hadnt always been so popular, though. His was a lone voice, he said, until he captured the attention of the Los Angeles Times and landed on the front page that Feb. 25, 1968. Until then, he said, his campaign had been wildly written off as just the mouthings of a pitiful creature. But thanks to those mouthingsalong with the vision and dedication of people like Jones, Wilson and McMillan much of San Luis Obispo Countys natural beauty has been saved from mans intrusion. OLD CUESTA ROADA photo from the California Division of Highways [now Caltrans] which once reported 71 hazardous curves on the highway north of San Luis Obispo. The dirt road was built to replace Stage Coach Road in 1915 and improved in 1923, the photo is from about 1922. Those conservationists cringed that our beautiful county might fall prey with polluted air, valleys paved over, mountains leveled, indigenous flora and fauna wiped out, dunes and shoreline commercialized, Miossi wrote as part of a description of the archive project. Rather than wring their hands and say Why? Why? they dreamed of a landscape that could be saved and said Why not? That is why we seek to assemble their materials in a central safe location where we and generations after us who seek to preserve this countys pristine image can learn from the past. LAKE CITY, S.C. (WBTW) The head of the Small Business Administration visited Lake City on Friday as a part of her nationwide tour celebrating the success of local entrepreneurs. Isabel Guzman was joined by state and local officials who came to show their support for the empowerment and development of small businesses within the local community. The small business expo showcased businesses owned by minorities and veterans. Over 150 participants gathered at The Continuum on Main Street to network and share their business insight. Guzman spoke about the available small business resources across the state for growing businesses and startups. She said more small businesses are being established across the country now more than ever. There are nearly a half million businesses here in the state and there have been over 300, 000 new business applications filed with those converting to establishments, she said. She said there an abundance of hope and optimism within the economy. A select group of entrepreneurs joined the administrator later in the day for a round table. They were able to ask questions and give feedback about their personal experiences with the SBA. The administrator said she was invited by Rep. James Clyburn, but he was unable to attend due to scheduling issues. * * * Tomika Jackson joined News13 in April 2024 as a multimedia journalist. She started her journalism career in 2000 with previous stops at WALB TV10, CBS47 & WTOC11 in Savannah, Georgia. Tomika is a Georgia native and Valdosta State University graduate. Follow Tomika on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram. You can 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. Smith presses Cannon to leave Thomass opinion on special counsels out of Trump case Special Counsel Jack Smith urged Judge Aileen Cannon Friday not to apply Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomass opinion in the recent presidential immunity ruling to former President Trumps classified document case. Smith agreed in the Friday filing to hold a briefing about the Supreme Courts ruling, which grants U.S. presidents broad immunity from prosecution for official acts. Smith asked Cannon to not factor in Thomass concurring opinion in the ruling, as Trump and his legal team have requested for her to do. The former presidents team filed a motion to hit the brakes in the classified documents case days after the immunity decision was handed down, latching on to Thomass opinion questioning whether Smith had been lawfully appointed. If this unprecedented prosecution is to proceed, it must be conducted by someone duly authorized to do so by the American people. The lower courts should thus answer these essential questions concerning the Special Counsels appointment before proceeding, Thomas wrote. A day later, Cannon approved Trumps request to delay a few deadlines in the case so the Supreme Court ruling could be evaluated. Smith said in the Friday filing that Thomass argument against him was not relevant to the current case before the court, and that the Trump team itself had not initially raised it. The 6-3 Supreme Court ruling dismantles some of Smiths indictment of Trump, but Smith argues that the fallout from the immunity decision doesnt affect the classified documents case because he has not charged Trump over official acts Trump made as president. Cannon, a Trump appointee, faced criticism after she suspended the trials start date indefinitely, arguing she needed more time to examine pretrial motions Trump teams filed asking her to toss the case. The trial date has still not been set. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hours after police said Stephan Sterns dumped 13-year-old Madeline Sotos body in a rural part of Osceola County, records show a white Nissan traveled the exact same path Sterns car took from the apartment complex where Soto was killed to the area near the dump site. On Friday, officers confirmed the white Nissan belonged to Sotos mother, Jennifer Soto, and it was driven by Stephan Sterns at the time. Sterns potential return to the place where he left Madelines body in the middle of the night adds another layer into the case. By then, he and Madelines mother met with police, where he told them he last saw the girl when he dropped her off at a church near her school. Read: Madeline Soto case: Stephan Sterns murder trial delayed The records released Thursday show Sterns began whats believed to be his journey to dump Madelines body at 12:44 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2024. His Lincoln MKZ last appeared on a traffic camera a few miles away from the dump site at 1:16 p.m. Sterns car began its return journey around 2:11 p.m., now with the addition of a spare tire, the investigator stated in the report. Sterns Lincoln returned to the apartment complex at 2:43 p.m., where police said Sterns moved between a workshop area and a dumpster as he threw items away. Kissimmee Police said Jennifer Sotos white Nissan, driven by Sterns, pinged on a license plate reader at 3:16 a.m. on Feb. 27, the following day. The reported stated that the Nissan took the same path as Sterns did the day before, entering the area near the dump site at 3:35 a.m. Read: Madeline Soto case: Jail emails released between man accused of killing teen and his family At 4:09 a.m., the white Nissan was picked up on its way back to the apartment complex, passing through the front gate at 4:30 a.m., according to police. Its not clear why Sterns took Jennifer Sotos car instead of his own and whether she was aware of his excursion. One possible explanation was the flat tire on Sterns Lincoln, but police have not confirmed those details. The documents also revealed messages between Sterns and his father after Sterns was booked into the Osceola County jail. Read: Madeline Soto case: Court hearings set for man accused of killing Osceola County teen One of the messages referenced a woman whose name was redacted from the paperwork. Chris Sterns wrote to his son that he believed the woman knew more about Madelines death than she was letting on. We all know [redacted] was heavily involved in this, Chris Sterns said. I am disgusted she is free, and you are not when this is not all your fault!! You need to think about yourself more and her less the whole family is willing to stay quiet and let you take the fall for everything. Police have not named anyone else as a person of interest in this case. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Los Angeles man was arrested in connection with the unsolved murder of a woman in 1984. Richard Moore, 59, was taken into custody at his Echo Park home on June 27 for the murder of Madeline Garcia, 69, in Northern California. Moore was 19 years old when prosecutors alleged he attacked the woman on the 300 Block of Atlantic Street in Roseville. He then dragged her into an alleyway where she was beaten to death, officials said. Since the womans killing, detectives investigated the case but could not find solid leads. The case eventually went cold. Now, 40 years later, with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies and a breakthrough in DNA technology, Moore was identified as the suspect and tracked down by authorities. Neighbors who lived by Moore in a quiet Echo Park neighborhood said they were in disbelief over the allegations, with many saying the man seemed friendly and helpful. Richard Moore, 59, was arrested in Los Angeles on June 27, 2024 in connection to the 1984 murder of a woman in Northern California. (Placer County District Attorneys Office) The Echo Park residence where Richard Moore was arrested on June 27, 2024. (KTLA) The Echo Park neighborhood where Richard Moore was arrested on June 27, 2024. (KTLA) Its been a shock to learn that something so crazy is happening with someone who we live near, one neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, told KTLAs Angeli Kakade. He was always pretty friendly. I rode my bicycle by one time and he asked if I needed to air my tires. As police surrounded Moores home on June 27, neighbors were left stunned. We got up early to walk the dogs and noticed a bunch of unmarked cop cars, like Toyota Camrys and Hondas with the red and blues, the neighbor recalled. It definitely had a heavy sort of feeling to it that something big has gone down. Moore was transported back to Placer County where he was charged with one count of murder along with special allegations relating to kidnapping and rape. He appeared in court on July 8 for an arraignment hearing where a public defender was appointed and he entered a not guilty plea. The next court date is scheduled for July 22, according to the Placer County District Attorneys Office. The decades-long investigation involved several agencies including the Placer County District Attorneys Investigations Unit, the Roseville Police Department, and the FBI Sacramento Field Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A powerful storm blew across the High Desert Friday afternoon, causing what some described as sand hurricanes and mini sand cyclones," which destroyed property and caused a multi-vehicle crash on the 40 Freeway. A view from a hilltop in Apple Valley showed a nearly 3-mile sandstorm moving north to south across Hesperia, just west of the Mojave River. The storm also appeared to create multiple dust devils. A strong sandstorm blew across the High Desert Friday afternoon, causing what some described as sand hurricanes and mini cyclones," which destroyed property and caused a multi-vehicle crash. Several residents in Hesperia, Barstow and Apple Valley told the Daily Press the sandstorm toppled trees, knocked down mailboxes, battered vehicles and frightened people. Ive been here since 1991, and Ive never seen such a quick, unexpected and violent sandstorm, said Hesperia resident Brenda Sewell When it was finally over, there was sand and grit everywhere. Erratic strong gusty winds Meteorologist Ben Brissey reported Friday that an elevated cell was developing near Holcomb Valley and extending north into Apple Valley The primary threats will be gusty winds and lightning, though a brief downpour is possible as storms move off to the northwest, he said. The National Weather Service on Friday also reported the increase in tropical moisture on top of a warm dry air mass that will result in scattered showers and thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. Portions of the storm could have lightning and erratic strong wind gusts along with brief heavy rain, the NWS reported. Sand hurricane On Friday afternoon, a Daily Press reporter near Main Street and Seventh Avenue experienced a strong sandstorm, which limited visibility to about 30 feet as it carried debris into the air and caused a few sprinkles. Sewell, who lives near Hesperia High School, told the Daily Press that the sand hurricane was totally unexpected and insane. It was like a scene from the 'Wizard of Oz,' Sewell said. The wind started shaking our swamp cooler, sand started pounding the house and all the trees around us were getting battered. Sewell, who lives on a half-acre, said she could barely see her backyard bungalow because of the sandstorm. Nita Paddack of Apple Valley said, We live right across the street from the river bed. So much dirt. Our neighbors have a weather monitor that recorded wind gusts at 35 mph. A powerful sandstorm blew across the High Desert Friday afternoon, causing what some described as sand hurricanes and mini cyclones," which toppled trees, destroyed property and caused a multi-vehicle crash. When the storm hit, my dogs freaked out and ran for cover, said Hesperia resident Candice Smith. I didnt know what was happening until I looked outside and saw this massive cloud of sand blasting my house. Reggie Stanton of Hesperia said the storm tore the metal siding off one of his backyard sheds and destroyed part of a chicken coup. Several residents traveling through Hesperia said at one point, they could not see 10-feet in front of their vehicle due to the sandstorm. Videographer Jose Gonzalez spoke to one woman whose backyard metal shed was lifted off the ground by the wind and thrown over the fence into her neighbor's yard. Barstow gets hits People in the Barstow area said they saw a massive sandstorm, hundreds of feet high, come through as it tore down trees, destroyed property, and knocked out power in Lenwood, Hinkley and parts of Barstow. At about 5:42 p.m., the California Highway Patrol reported brown-out conditions during a multi-vehicle crash on eastbound Interstate 40 near Newberry Springs. Authorities reported that six vehicles struck a single vehicle in the incident which may have involved up to 20 vehicles. In a video posted to Facebook, resident Kaye Webster narrates as the storm knocks down one of four cottonwood trees and blows debris across her back patio. At about 2 a.m. Saturday, Webster told the Daily Press that electricity had not returned to her property in north Barstow. A strong sandstorm blew across the High Desert Friday afternoon, causing what some described as sand hurricanes and mini cyclones," which destroyed property and caused a multi-vehicle crash. Riding as a passenger on Interstate 15, Sherri Ann Davis took video of what appeared to be miles of monsoon-like weather conditions, with rain and flying debris Unstable atmospheric conditions, said the driver, with Davis responding to viewers, Yup, what she said. Resident Ann Jackson said the storm was pretty scary as it woke her up. Her power also went out for a few minutes before returning. The storm blew a cat bed into the middle of the yard and sent a chair and the neighbors trash cans flying, said Jackson, who thought, Oh no, we are all going to die. The Las Vegas Review-Journal also reported a rare weather phenomenon blew through Las Vegas on Friday evening. A haboob, also known as a big dust cloud or storm, brought blowing dust and cut visibility at Harry Reid International Airport from the normal 10 miles to 4 miles within a few minutes. A powerful storm blew across the High Desert Friday afternoon, causing what some described as sand hurricanes and mini sand cyclones," which destroyed property and caused a multi-vehicle crash on the interstate. Wildfire threat The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch through Sunday as dry lightning and gusty winds are expected in the High Desert, San Bernardino County and Riverside County mountains, foothills and passes. Erratic wind gusts are expected to reach 35 to 50 mph or stronger. More: Vista Fire containment increased to 31% On Saturday and Sunday, high temperatures in places like Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia will range between 96 and 101 degrees. Barstow should see highs of about 105. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Storm batters High Desert, topples trees, destroys property The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take the case of an Arizona man who was sentenced to life in prison as a juvenile. Lonnie Bassett was convicted of killing two people in Arizona in 2004 when he was 16 years old. He was sentenced to natural life, which prevents release under any condition, and a consecutive life sentence, which allows for the possibility of release after 25 years. The convictions and sentences were upheld on appeal, and the Arizona Supreme Court denied Bassetts requests for postconviction relief. Arizona abolished parole for people with felony convictions from 1994 to 2014. This meant the only release available was through executive clemency. Basset was sentenced in 2006. In a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, Bassett's attorneys argued that his sentence violated the Eighth Amendment's protection against cruel and unusual punishment. Petitioner Lonnie Allen Bassett was sentenced to life without parole under a system that did not afford the sentencing court discretion to choose any other option, they wrote. That makes Arizonas sentencing scheme mandatory and thus unconstitutional for juvenile defendants. The Constitution prohibits mandatory life without parole sentences for juveniles, they argued. Responding to Bassetts petition, attorneys for the state argued that the sentencing judges who made decisions when parole was not available were not aware the law had changed. Therefore, they were making decisions believing that parole was still available. Bassetts sentencer made an individualized choice between two non-capital sentencing options, the Arizona Attorney Generals Office wrote. Due to a widespread mistaken belief that one option included parole-eligibility, his sentencer expressly considered whether parole-eligible sentences were appropriate. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Basset's petition for certiorari. Justices Sonya Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson dissented from the denial. This Courts precedents require a discretionary sentencing procedure where the sentencer can consider the defendants youth and has discretion to impose a lesser sentence than life without parole, Sotomayor wrote, quoting previous case law. Because Arizonas sentencing scheme instead mandated life without parole for juveniles, I would grant the petition for certiorari. Sotomayor said discretionary sentencing ensures that life without parole sentences are only imposed where that sentence is appropriate. This constitutionally required sentencing scheme reflects the premise that, in deciding whether to impose life-without-parole for a juvenile, consideration of youth and a childs capacity for change matter, Sotomayor wrote. Bassett's attorneys said the decision would impact dozens of similarly situated people in Arizona who were sentenced to life without parole as juveniles. Have a news tip? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or 812-243-5582. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JimmyJenkins. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Supreme Court declines Arizona case about juvenile life without parole Donald Trump is, at least for now, still facing federal (as well as state) criminal charges over his role in the effort to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election. via Associated Press When the Supreme Courts conservative majority ruled earlier this month that presidents are immune from criminal charges for laws they allegedly break while performing official duties, Adav Noti, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, thought back to the final weeks of Donald Trumps time in the White House. Faced with an embarrassing defeat to Joe Biden, Trump and his campaign had orchestrated a nationwide effort to challenge the loss in court, lying and citing conspiracy theories about fraud. Eventually, they summoned a mob to Washington, D.C., that attacked Congress in an unsuccessful effort to overturn the election results. But a couple weeks before the Capitol attack, Trump made a crucial decision. In furtherance of his efforts to cast doubt about the election results and provide the grounds to overturn them, outside advisers had urged Trump to issue an order to seize voting machines nationwide, in order to gin up evidence about the machines being compromised. There was even a draft executive order drawn up announcing the seizure. But Trump did not issue it. The Capitol attack the following month was a crisis, to be sure, but a president issuing a lawless order to seize voting machines would have represented something closer to a directive to overthrow the American democratic process, in which elections are largely run by states and localities. Now Noti, a former attorney at the Federal Election Commission, wonders if Trump would have acted differently if the new Supreme Court ruling had been in place. People in the White House counsels office and DOJ said, Its illegal, you cant do that, and they won that argument, Noti said. Thats the conversation that I think potentially comes out differently in this environment. So now, they go to the president and say, You cant do that, its against the law, and the president says, Im not bound by the law! I cannot be subjected to legal consequences for it, so Im doing it anyway and thats an order. Across the country, legal experts and observers are grappling with the Supreme Court decisions implications for the future of American democracy. If presidents cannot be held criminally liable for laws broken as part of their official duties, hasnt the Supreme Court incentivized illegal acts by the most powerful person in the world? And in turn, havent the justices handed presidents new, powerful tools for subverting democracy? Many say the answer is yes. If there is a president intent upon committing crimes, this decision gives him a very clear path to that, said David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research and a former voting rights attorney at the Department of Justice. Ordering the Justice Department to institute a sham investigation? Absolutely immune, Becker said, listing what he called the Supreme Courts road map for corrupt future presidents. Ordering the military to seize voting machines, as the former president almost attempted in 2020? Hes talking to the military, thats a core function [of the presidency], he would be immune. Ordering the National Security Agency to conduct secret surveillance on a political opponent? The NSA is part of the executive branch, immune. That sense of alarm is common among legal observers. The Supreme Court should rehear the case so the justices can correct course before the unanticipated consequences of their broad opinion come to pass, wrote Mary McCord, a former federal prosecutor who served as acting assistant attorney general for national security at the Justice Department in 2016 and 2017, and who is now executive director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown. The ramifications of the decision for the countrys democratic process, McCord told HuffPost, are vast. The president, she agreed, is now arguably immune from criminal prosecution were he to direct the FBI to conduct surveillance of political enemies, for example, or direct the Justice Department to pursue a sham election fraud investigation something the courts conservative majority explicitly blessed in its opinion. If Congress cant criminalize and courts cant look behind any of the interactions between the president and the executive agencies, then you can see them being weaponized, she said. Beyond DOJ think about the IRS. ... [For] any agency with any sort of enforcement authority, it becomes a tool for real abuse and overreach of that authority. McCord noted that dissenting justices brought up the hypothetical of a president being immune from criminal prosecution for ordering the military to assassinate a political opponent a scenario that the majority scoffed at, but did not address specifically in their ruling and concurrences. And she agreed that an order to seize voting machines may be legally protected, too. Given the breadth of the majority opinion, if the president ordered the FBI to seize voting machines in order to investigate fraud, baseless or not, in the election taking this majority at its word, that would be something that not only the president couldnt be prosecuted for, but also, if Congress cant legislate on that, and courts cant examine it, then even a state secretary of states lawsuit would arguably besomething where the Supreme Court says, courts cant examine this. What is official conduct? Donald Trump is, at least for now, still facing federal (as well as state) criminal charges over his role in the effort to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 election. But the future of those charges depends on how lower-court judges interpret the Supreme Courts opinion. In essence, the Supreme Courts majority ruling, penned by Chief Justice John Roberts and joined by the courts five other conservatives, broke up presidential conduct into three categories. According to the ruling, the presidents core constitutional powers are absolutely immune from criminal prosecution, while unofficial, or private, acts are not immune. The decision also outlined a third, middle category official acts on the outer perimeter of the presidency, for which the president is presumptively immune, unless 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. (In a dissent, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said this vague wording meant that, for presidents, the Rule of Law now becomes the rule of judges.) Whats more, according to Roberts opinion, in dividing official from unofficial conduct, courts may not inquire into the Presidents motives, and official actions cannot be used as evidence in criminal cases brought for a presidents unofficial acts. Roberts did not write that any of the actions detailed in the federal election interference charges against Trump were unofficial. But he did explicitly say Trump was immune from one of the accusations of attempting to use, as the indictment put it, the power and authority of the Justice Department to conduct sham election crime investigations and to send a letter to the targeted [swing] states that falsely claimed that the Justice Department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the election outcome. This, apparently, would be part of the presidents official duties. Theres just no doubt that current, former and future presidents now enjoy really broad immunity from criminal prosecution, said Jessica Levinson, a professor of law and director of the Public Service Institute at Loyola Law School. And to the extent that you have a president who wants to push and/or jump over the limits of criminal law, this Supreme Court opinion is rather freeing. Expanding the Presidents toolbox Even if the court has stripped all or even most criminal penalties for presidents who break the law in office, that doesnt necessarily mean there are no safeguards against election theft. After all, if a future president were to move to seize voting machines, for example, he could face a lawsuit in civil court, though its unclear how successful that would be. He could also face opposition, or even the threat of mass resignation, from members of his administration who are themselves not immune from criminal prosecution. This is what Trump faced when he threatened to fire then-acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen after Rosen refused to go along with Trumps plans. Trump could preemptively pardon any co-conspiring officials. But in a second term, things could be different anyhow Trump seems intent on making abject loyalty the top priority for would-be members of his administration. You have to look at the larger set of constraints that limit what any president could try to do in terms of illegal conduct, said Rick Hasen, a law professor and director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at the University of California, Los Angeles. What are the other safeguards? Can we count on the courts? Can we count on administrators? Can we count on people surrounding that president to reign in illegal conduct? And one of the dangers with Trump in particular is there is a lesser likelihood of having guardrails in the administration next time, because theyre doing vetting that is focused primarily on the loyalty of those individuals that might work for the government. So I think that creates a greater risk than you would ordinarily see. This debate what, realistically, are presidents now incentivized to do? continues among legal observers. The court has given a sitting president many more tools to try to use their power to manipulate an election, Noti told HuffPost. Theyve greatly expanded the toolbox. And all those tools remain illegal. But as to the president, that no longer really matters. They have given a sitting president many more tools to try to use their power to manipulate an election.Adav Noti, executive director of the Campaign Legal Center Levinson saw it slightly differently. Theres not more tools in the toolbox its just, if you steal the toolbox, you might not face any penalties for doing so. On one point, though, the lawyers with whom HuffPost spoke agreed: While Trumps 2020 effort to overturn the legitimate election results largely went through his campaign and outside advisers people like Rudy Giuliani, then Trumps personal attorney lobbied state legislators with conspiracy theories the Supreme Court has now incentivized future presidents to work directly through the levers of power exclusively available to the White House. [Conservative attorney] Cleta Mitchell will not be on the call with Brad Raffensperger in the future, Rudy Giuliani will not be having meetings in the White House unless, and I expect as is possible, people like Cleta Mitchell and Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman are hired by the White House, Becker said. Its the easiest thing to do for a president who wants to use his position for corruption, the sole consideration for hiring should be fealty to that individual. Even setting aside the legal consequences of the Supreme Courts immunity ruling, the courts majority dramatically changed the norms to which presidents have, for centuries, held themselves: In the past, it was unthinkable that a president would be intimately involved in the prosecutorial decisions of the Department of Justice, for example. Thats why it was so scandalous when Trump meddled with the DOJ, such as when he pressured then-FBI director James Comey to drop the agencys investigation of Trumps then-national security adviser, Michael Flynn. But in his opinion, Roberts spelled out that such prosecutorial decisions were explicitly the official domain of the executive branch and that the Constitution vests the entirety of the executive power in the President. Former Trump Justice Department officials told NBC News they feared this would only embolden Trump if he wins in 2024. McCord pointed out that the justices didnt explicitly disavow the norm that presidents shouldnt meddle in the Justice Departments decision-making but she also acknowledged that Trump would likely see the ruling as a green light in this regard. The next time, hes not going to be trying to appoint an attorney general that believes in those norms, she said. Then, theres the greatest norm of all the peaceful transfer of power between presidents. Trump has violated this once before, when he called his mob to Washington, D.C. And hes never shown any sign of regret for it. When HuffPost asked Hasen how Trump might use the Supreme Courts immunity ruling to stack the deck for the next Republican nominee for president in 2028, Hasen took issue with the question. Youre assuming that Trump would leave office at the end of his second term? Related... In case after case this term, the Supreme Court rejected decisions from the federal appeals court with a reputation as the nations most conservative. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has become a breeding ground for legal challenges against Biden administration policies brought by Republican state attorneys general and conservative legal powerhouses alike. But the cases that progressed one step higher did not fare as well. All nine justices voted to toss an abortion pill lawsuit. Eight upheld the federal gun possession ban for domestic abusers. Seven rejected a challenge that couldve upended the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In total, the Supreme Court reversed or vacated the 5th Circuit in eight of the 11 appeals heard this term. The outcomes rein in a legal system that has delivered considerable wins for conservative plaintiffs as it steadily moved to the right in recent years. Former President Trump made appointing conservative judges a priority during his White House term, solidifying a rightward bent in the 5th Circuit by appointing six judges to its bench, a substantial number only beat by Trumps appointees to one other appeals court. President Biden so far has appointed two 5th Circuit judges. Today, 12 of the 17 judges in active service on the court were appointed by Republican presidents. The Biden administration has frequently appealed unfavorable 5th Circuit decisions to the nations highest court. The disputes span from culture war battles to attempts to claw back the administrative state. And for the most part, the Justice Department found success, even with the Supreme Courts conservative majority. Unanimously, the justices reversed the 5th Circuits decision that wouldve restricted access to mifepristone, the common abortion pill, in a lawsuit brought by a group of anti-abortion doctors and associations. All nine justices agreed the plaintiffs never had the right to sue, known as standing, preserving access to the abortion pill without ever reaching the merits of the case. Rejecting one of the challengers theories, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said adopting it would necessitate sweeping doctrinal change that could not be contained. We decline to start the Federal Judiciary down that uncharted path, he wrote for the court. That path would seemingly not end until virtually every citizen had standing to challenge virtually every government action that they do not like. Similarly on standing grounds, the Supreme Court rejected the 5th Circuits decision finding the Biden administration coerced social media companies into taking down content that officials viewed as misinformation. The Fifth Circuit relied on the District Courts factual findings, many of which unfortunately appear to be clearly erroneous, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, one of Trumps appointees, wrote for the six-justice majority. The lower court decision only gained favor with the courts three leading conservatives: Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch. The 5th Circuit didnt only experience losses, however. The Supreme Court did affirm decisions that struck down the Trump-era bump stock ban, invalidated the Securities and Exchange Commissions in-house enforcement system and rejected an undocumented immigrants paperwork challenge to their removal order. But those cases were in the minority, with nearly three-quarters of the 5th Circuit appeals heard by the Supreme Court this term now wiped. When it came to the Second Amendment, eight justices in United States v. Rahimi voted that the 5th Circuit went too far when it struck down a federal provision making it a crime to possess firearms while under a domestic violence restraining order. Only Thomas agreed with the lower court. The Supreme Court upheld the provision, handing a win to the Biden administration and chastising the 5th Circuit for reading the high courts expanded Second Amendment test too broadly. That error left the panel slaying a straw man, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority. The 5th Circuit now must confront how the slap back impacts a series of other Second Amendment challenges. Perhaps most notably, the court must decide whether to stand by its previous opinion voiding some applications of the federal crime for unlawful drug users to possess guns. Hunter Biden, the presidents son, was convicted on the charge last month, though his appeal is proceeding in different circuit. A 5th Circuit panel on Tuesday heard oral arguments in one of its pending challenges to the provision. Rahimi was mentioned more than a dozen times. Now with the benefit of Rahimi from the Supreme Court, I think they want us to look at this from every different point of view that we can imagine in order to render the best opinion we can, U.S. Circuit Judge Kurt Engelhardt, a Trump appointee, noted at the argument. At the Supreme Courts direction, the 5th Circuit will also take a second look at its decision rejecting a challenge to Texass law that regulates social media platforms content moderation policies, which was passed over accusations Big Tech had censored conservatives. All nine justices agreed to send back the case and a similar one that arose from a different lower court. But six justices singled out the 5th Circuit for going astray in its First Amendment analysis, with the majority opinion giving extensive guidance to avoid future error. [T]here has been enough litigation already to know that the Fifth Circuit, if it stayed the course, would get wrong at least one significant input into the facial analysis, Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the majority. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy made headlines last year after he issued an advisory about social media and youth mental health. In a New York Times op-ed published in June 2024, he declared that it is time to require a surgeon generals warning label on social media platforms, stating that social media is associated with significant mental health harms for adolescents. This is just the latest volley in the surgeon generals fight against the youth mental health crisis, which he has called the defining public health issue of our time. By proposing a surgeon generals warning label akin to those on tobacco products, Murthy is implying parallels between Big Tech and Big Tobacco. Both are multibillion-dollar industries where profits are prioritized over peoples well-being and where vulnerable and impressionable youth are seen as key targets for gaining market share and potentially lifelong customers. I teach an undergrad course on technology use and adolescence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I frequently give talks to the general public about social media and youth mental health. A big part of my job is thinking about how to distill a complex and constantly updating field of research into accurate yet accessible take-home messages, and I think the analogy between Big Tobacco and Big Tech is the wrong one to make. Such an analogy is misleading about the effects of social media. Tobacco is clearly and definitively harmful. The research on social media is more ambiguous and complicated. While some youth are harmed by itlike those who are cyberbullied or using social media so excessively that it is disrupting their schoolwork or sleepothers benefit from or even thrive on it. The surgeon generals advisory even has a whole section on the potential benefits of social media use, like increased feelings of social connection and online social support, especially for youth with marginalized identities who may struggle to find in-person support. Simply warning that social media use is associated with harm flattens a complex reality without offering specific solutions. My preferred analogy when discussing social media and mental health is not tobaccoits food. Big Food is also a multibillion-dollar industry that puts profits over health and hopes to turn youth into long-term customers through marketing and careful product design. But the relationship between food and health is extremely complex, and we intuitively understand that such complexity exists. For starters, we do not argue about whether food is good or bad. We recognize that some foods are healthier than others, some are OK in moderation, and others should be avoided at all costs. Similarly, some social media behaviors are clearly beneficial (making meaningful connections with peers), some should be more carefully monitored (comparing yourself to others that you see online), and others should be banned outright (viewing or creating content advocating for self-harm or problematic eating behaviors). Furthermore, we know that individual characteristics may determine what is healthy for someone to consume. People with a family history of heart disease may need to be extra careful about what they eat, and many parents try to wait as long as possible before introducing their children to juices and sodas. Similarly, people with a history of depression may need to be extra careful about what they consume online, and parents should wait to introduce social media until their kids are mature enough to handle using it responsibly. (There are also parents who think their children should never have sugary drinks, just as there are parents who think their children should never have social mediaand children will probably manage to sneak access to both.) A surgeon generals warning that food is associated with significant health harms would be technically true but not practically helpful. Instead, public health measures around nutrition and youth are multipronged, including more detailed and nuanced education about healthy eating habits for children and parents, involving pediatricians, schools, and communities, restricting what types of food are available at school, and regulating how foods can be marketed to children. Likewise, a blanket warning about social media would not be especially helpful on its own. It may discourage some users or push some parents to pay closer attention to their childrens digital media habits, but it does not make the platforms any safer to use. We also need efforts from families, schools, health care workers, and communities to address the youth mental health crisisand tech companies must do their part as well. I worry that requiring a surgeon generals warning could even backfire by discouraging tech companies from cooperating with researchers and mental health experts. The World Health Organization, U.S. National Cancer Institute, and former U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin have all declared that there is no safe level of tobacco use, so getting Big Tobacco to make their products safer is a nonstarter. But some researchers argue that a modest amount of screen time is associated with the greatest adolescent well-being, and Big Tech can make their platforms safer. (For example, Meta currently redirects searches associated with self-harm or disordered eating to mental health resources instead of harmful content.) Murthys Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory contains a detailed bullet-point section on what platforms should do to minimize risks and maximize benefits. But would tech companies still want to work with a surgeon generals office that is portraying them as dangerous to our youth? I also worry that a surgeon generals warning could end up shielding the tech companies against liability for harms caused by their platforms. Imagine how such a warning would be implemented: Every time users log on, they would see a pop-up about social media being associated with mental health harms. They may read it, or they may just reflexively tap I accept the risks, and now the responsibility for any consequences has been shifted to the user. Just requiring a warning lets tech companies off too easily. They can and must do more to protect people on their platforms. A surgeon generals warning for social media is not going to solve our youth mental health crisis. That said, in just proposing this warning, Murthy is using his bully pulpit to bring national awareness to the importance of understanding how social media affects youth mental health. I am curious to see whether Congress will approve the surgeon generals request and, if so, whether it will be the first piece of a larger effort to improve youth mental healthor if it will end up as just a Band-Aid that plasters over deeper issues. RAEFORD, N.C. (WNCN) A man wanted in New York in connection to a homicide was arrested Thursday in Hoke County, the sheriffs office said. According to the Hoke County Sheriffs Office, Stepfane Gilliam had outstanding warrants for homicide out of New York. Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement uncovered that Gilliam was staying in Raeford. After Gilliams location was verified, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Hoke County Special Operations arrested him in the 400 block of Ben Austin Road in Raeford on Thursday. The sheriffs office said he was taken into custody without incident and turned over to the U.S. Marshals and representatives from the state of New York. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) said Friday that if Americans want to fix issues with the Supreme Court and protect their rights, the only way they can do so is by reelecting President Biden this fall. Swalwell, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, joined MSNBCs Ali Velshi to discuss former President Trumps ongoing legal battles, the recent Supreme Court immunity ruling and the upcoming election. The California Democrat said hes been hopeful that the recent ruling will not impact the outcome of Trumps classified documents case and warned against a second Trump administration. Just imagine what a second term with Donald Trump would look like. Hes already told us through Trumps Project 2025, Swalwell said, referring to a conservative policy agenda released earlier this month by the Heritage Foundation. And we saw this actually in his first term when he appointed three judges that he has in his palm and they took away a right that women have had for the last 50 years like that, Swalwell said, referring to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. It vanished and so, what else will be gone? His comments come after the high court capped its term earlier this month by determining core presidential powers are immune from criminal prosecution. The result marked a big win for Trump and returns his federal case involving efforts to overturn the 2020 election back to a lower court to determine whether his actions leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol merit the protection. Swalwell also argued that in vitro fertilization (IVF) and gay marriage rights, among other issues, would also be gone if Trump wins reelection in November. Hell send his stormtroopers out to anyone who speaks dissent, he said. And if you do, youll disappear. Swalwell continued, noting Bidens job growth numbers while in office, while advocating for voters to ensure the president remains in the White House. Theres one person we cannot hire and thats the bankrupt, racist felon who violently sent his friends to storm the office where he was last fires, the congressman said. Thats the way out, is to not let him put any more justices on the court. With the countdown to Election Day already ticking away, questions are swirling around Bidens ability to not only defeat Trump but whether he has the stamina to serve another four years in office. A poor debate performance last month, where he lacked energy and stumbled over his words, have only exacerbated the concerns and have led many Democrats to call for the president to step aside. Still, a major worry for many on the left is that if Trump is reelected, Alito and Thomas will retire on their own. That move would open up two lifetime positions for the former president to choose younger replacements, skewing the courts majority for years to come. Swalwell, who served as a manager in Trumps second impeachment trial, said voters should not worry about what happened during the debate, which Biden has called a bad episode, but do what they can to prevent what could happen over the next 40 years. He has stopped short of defending Biden as of late, but consistently warned of the threat of Trump. We have an opportunity to inoculate the next generation from Donald Trump and never talk about this guy in our lives again, Swalwell said Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. If youre an AT&T customer, your data has likely been stolen This week, AT&T confirmed it will begin notifying around 110 million AT&T customers about a data breach that allowed cybercriminals to steal the phone records of nearly all of its customers. The stolen data contains phone numbers and AT&T records of calls and text messages during a six-month period in 2022, the company says. If youre an AT&T customer, heres what the breach could mean for you. Samsung is getting into the wearables game. The company had its annual Galaxy Unpacked event this week, where it debuted new models of its Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold phones and its new generation of wireless earbuds. It also unveiled more details about its $399 wearable smart ring to compete with Oura. Tesla is apparently not ready to reveal its robotaxi design next month as intended, according to Bloomberg, and is instead pushing the event to October. The company reportedly needs more time to build the prototypes. Following the report, Tesla shares fell more than 6%. This is TechCrunchs Week in Review TechCrunchs newsletter recapping the weeks biggest news. Want it in your inbox every Saturday? Sign up here. News Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker speaks during their inaugural "Product Vision Day" in Huntington Beach, California, on August 3, 2023. (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images) Fisker drops his salary to $1: Henrik Fisker and Geeta Gupta-Fisker are lowering their salaries to $1 to keep the failed EV startups bankruptcy case alive as lawyers work to complete a sale of its remaining inventory. Read more Elon Musk doesnt have to pay more Twitter severance: Musk defeated one of several lawsuits spawned out of firing more than 6,000 Twitter employees, as a federal judge ruled that X Corp. doesnt owe the ex-employees any more severance. Read more Humane execs form new startup: Former Humane execs have left the company to start Infactory, an AI-powered fact-checking search engine. The founders spoke to TechCrunch about their plans. Read more How Apple Intelligence will change Siri: Siri is getting a slew of new features and updates thanks to the addition of Apple Intelligence and a partnership with OpenAI. Heres a look at all the new features that will change how you use your iPhone. Read more Heres a cool robot: As part of a new project, Googles DeepMind Robotics implemented Google Gemini 1.5 Pro to teach a robot to respond to commands and navigate around an office. Read more OpenAI ditches observer seats: Months after Microsoft gained an observer seat on OpenAIs board, the company is leaving the position of the non-voting seat. OpenAI says there wont be any more observers on the board likely ruling out reports of Apple gaining a seat. Read more Ask Rufus: Amazons AI-powered shopping assistant Rufus is now live for all U.S. customers in the Amazon mobile app. Rufus will offer help with finding products, performing product comparisons, and getting recommendations on what to buy. Read more FTC finds "dark patterns" in subscription services: Does it feel like its harder than it should be to cancel a subscription service? As part of a new study, the FTC found that subscription services use dark patterns that make it difficult for users to cancel. Read more Whataburger to the rescue? In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, some Houstonians got creative with their attempts to track the power outages by using the Whataburger app to see which of the chains locations were open. Read more Lucid Motors sets a new record: Lucid Motors delivered 2,394 EVs in the second quarter of 2024, a new record for the company and a positive sign amid its struggle to establish a foothold in the EV market. Read more Your late-night Wikipedia deep dives just got better: Wikipedia has finally started implementing dark mode for its mobile website to ease your eyes while you go down a 3 a.m. rabbit hole about the Roman Empire. Heres how to turn it on. Read more Analysis Spotify screen shown an 2 smartphones Spotify is a social network now: With Spotifys recent launch of comments on podcasts, Sarah Perez explores how the music streamer is taking yet another step toward building a social networking experience. Combined with the apps 2023 revamp, which added a TikTok-like discovery feed and the ability to post to stories, Spotify is shaping up to be a social network centered around all things audio, not just a music-streaming app. Read more Can visual AI models really see? The latest round of language models are touted as able to understand images and audio as well as text. But a study by researchers at Auburn University and the University of Alberta tested the biggest multimodal models on a series of very simple visual tasks and found that they dont see the way you might expect. In fact, as Devin Coldewey writes, visual AI models may not see at all. Read more Chinese firm Moja EV Kenya on Friday commenced the rollout of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to increase adoption of green transport in Kenya. Wang Aiping, chief executive officer of Moja EV Kenya, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the 80 KW DC fast charging stations are expected to enhance convenience of motorists dependent on electricity to power their vehicles. "Our goal is to have 100 charging stations spreading across Kenya by the end of the year," Aiping said. Wang noted that the stations will charge electric vehicles to full capacity within 15 minutes to 30 minutes thereby reducing downtime and increasing driving range. According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Kenya had 3,753 EVs as of December 2023, constituting 1.62 percent of the vehicles registered in the country. Maurice Njagi, industrial development officer at the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, said that Kenya has put in place supportive policies to incentivize the deployment of EV charging infrastructure to ensure their coverage. Njagi added that charging stations are granted preferential electricity tariffs from power utilities because of their contribution to green transition in the country. Tzu Chi volunteers say goodbye to a Buddhist master before setting out on a volunteer mission at the Jing Si Abode in Hualien, Taiwan, Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) HUALIEN, Taiwan (AP) When a 7.4-magnitude earthquake ripped through Taiwan in April, it took about 30 minutes for the regions most ubiquitous charity to set up an emergency response center. Tzu Chi, an international Buddhist organization led by an 87-year-old nun, the Venerable Cheng Yen, and her followers, sprang into action. They prepared hot meals and assembled necessities for survivors and rescue teams, from drinking water and energy drinks to blankets, beds and tents. The nuns reside in the Jing Si Abode in Hualien, the quakes epicenter on the island's east coast. It is also the spiritual home of the global organization, which is supported by millions of members across 67 countries, including the United States. In 1966, Cheng Yen touched by lack of access to basic health care in the beautiful yet economically underdeveloped region started Tzu Chi, inviting local housewives to save 50 Taiwanese cents each month. Today, the charitable foundation organizes relief operations globally. In Taiwan, it runs hospitals, a medical school and its own cable television channel. During the COVID-19 pandemic, amid a nationwide scramble to get people immunized on the island of 23 million, the foundation used its members' influence across health care and other business sectors to buy 5 million vaccines. Within Taiwan, Tzu Chi is known for its earthquake relief efforts. Globally, it has built a network of movers and shakers whose work ranges from disaster relief and building schools, houses of worship, homes and hospitals, to refugee resettlement and feeding the hungry. The organization has had a significant presence in the U.S. since 1989 with programs in 80 locations run by paid staff and about half a million volunteers. They ran relief operations after Sept. 11, 2001, and during Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. More recently, they were on hand to support survivors and families of a 2022 mass shooting in the predominantly Asian city of Monterey Park in Southern California. They donated $1.5 million to relief efforts after the 2023 Maui fires in Hawaii that claimed more than 100 lives. Stephen Huang, executive director of Tzu Chis global volunteers based in Southern California, became Cheng Yens disciple 35 years ago, during a time of personal grief days after his older brothers sudden demise. Huang understands why those unfamiliar with Tzu Chi might wonder how a petite, soft-spoken nun functioning in a patriarchal society and who rarely leaves her humble abode in Hualien could have built this global organization. She is an ordinary person who does extraordinary things, he said. The heart behind all the work she has done over the last 60 years can be described in one word: compassion. The organization exists because of its fundraising. Much of its work is dependent on its commissioners, members who have undergone extensive training and who raise funds monthly. There is no minimum amount required, but members must raise money from at least 40 people while also making donations themselves. The more the better, theres no minimum or upper limit," said Cheng Mei-yue, a schoolteacher and Tzu-Chi commissioner in Taipei. This model helps fund Tzu Chis work in Taiwan and abroad. Its most recent annual report from 2022 shows that Tzu Chi raised 5.6 billion New Taiwan Dollars ($175 million) through fundraising efforts, which made up 61% of its budget. Still, the organization has not been immune to scrutiny or scandal. Public criticism over lack of transparency spurred leaders to post Tzu Chis annual reports and financials online. The organization has also raised eyebrows for recruiting well-heeled commissioners, and for the sheer number of resources at its disposal to advance its causes. In 2005, the organizations attempt to rezone and develop land designated for environmental conservation in Taipeis picturesque Neihu district was met with public outrage. Tzu Chi relented in 2015 after a decade-long administrative battle with local residents and environmentalists who led the charge to preserve the land. Tzu-Chi CEO Po-wen Yen the former head of the United Microelectronics Corporation, a major semi-conductor manufacturer in Taiwan is well aware of the criticism about the organizations wealth. He came on board as CEO right after the Neihu scandal, vowing to be more open with the public. You can say that all the resources we gathered is to help to the fullest extent possible when disaster strikes, he said, adding that their budget also funds other global chapters. While the nonprofit is supported by wealthy benefactors, he said, most of the members still belong to the middle class. The organization straddles a fine line between an aid organization and a Buddhist sect that has forged its own religious identity under Cheng Yens leadership. Julia Huang, professor of anthropology at National Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, Taiwan, traced the evolution of Tzu Chi from a grassroots initiative to global nonprofit in her book, Charisma and Compassion. She says Cheng Yens teaching emphasizes walking the path of Bodhisattva, a compassionate person who postpones their own enlightenment to save suffering beings. Tzu Chis humanitarian aid efforts are inextricable from the faith, said Joe Hwang, the organizations head of volunteer affairs though it's a departure from traditional Buddhism, which espouses a retreat from the world. Religion, he said, is a way to guide people toward good and equip them to help others. Thats what I think engaged Buddhism is, that we are engaged in this world. Tzu Chi is also unique in the way it sanctifies secular fields, Julia Huang said. Buddhist symbols can be found in their hospitals. The hospital in Hualien has a giant mosaic of the Buddha caring for a sick monk. In Tzu Chi, the hospital itself is an embodiment of Buddhist canon, she said. Cheng Yen also supports the donation of bodies to medicine, teaching devotees that human beings do not own their bodies after they die. The nun draws from stories, including one where the Buddha is said to have given his body to a starving tigress unable to feed her cubs. And yet, Tzu Chi has volunteers from all major religions. The superintendent of its hospital in Hualien is a devout Christian. The organization has funded the construction of churches in Haiti, Ecuador and Mexico, and mosques in Indonesia, which has the largest population of Muslims of any country in the world. Although we start from Buddhism, that doesnt limit who we help, CEO Yen said. Tzu Chi is currently constructing schools and homes in Mozambique; helping with resettlement of Syrian refugees in Turkey; building Indonesias largest university; training Ukrainian refugees in Poland to do relief work; and constructing homes in Bodhgaya in India, the town where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Stephen Huang says the nun even spent thousands of dollars to repair an antique Quran. He said the largest number of Tzu Chis projects are in China, with an emphasis on promoting vegetarianism and building schools, housing and water wells in arid regions. In 2010, Tzu Chi became the first overseas religious nonprofit to get permission to set up an office in China, where it identifies as a charity rather than as a religious group. Julia Huang said members in China do walk on eggshells to maintain a presence in that country, where the government requires each religion to be loyal to the Communist Party and its policies. To that end, Tzu Chi has had to rethink how they refer to sacred rituals such as tea ceremonies and remain apolitical, she said. While the organization has struggled to make a dent in countries where political stability is an issue such as Afghanistan, Nepal and parts of South America it has seen success in other countries from Indonesia and Mozambique. Franky Widjaja heads the Indonesia chapter with 2.3 million members, of whom 85% are Indonesian and Muslim. He has had a close master-devotee relationship with Cheng Yen since 1998, when his father introduced him to the nun. He has been involved in disaster relief efforts since and has overseen the construction of schools and hospitals in and around Jakarta. Widjaja says Cheng Yen compares the organizations structure to the thousand arms of Guanyin, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and compassion. She says if 500 of you go out to help, thats 1,000 hands, he said. When you believe in that purpose and you walk the talk, you will see the impact for yourself. In Mozambique, Dino Foi and his wife Denise Tsai run a $70-million project to build 3,000 homes and 23 schools in the region that was ravaged by Cyclone Idai in 2019. Tsai, who is Taiwanese, met and married Foi when he was a student in Taipei. The couple leads Tzu Chis Mozambique chapter, conducting a wide range of programs including hot meals, care for older adults, teen pregnancy prevention, child nutrition, vocational training and English language classes. We started small, we continue small, but we believe the future will be bright, Tsai said. At the heart of Tzu Chis work is the belief in karma and reincarnation. Buddhists believe that each intentional action good or bad gives rise to karma, and that a persons rebirth depends on their thoughts and actions in prior lives. Stephen Huang says he has not only found his purpose in Tzu Chi's mission to help people, but has also witnessed the positive effects of good karma. When the earthquake struck Hualien in April, members from as far away as Mexico City said they wanted to raise money to help those affected halfway across the world. Displaced Syrian refugees who are rebuilding their lives and have no money or resources for themselves also offered assistance. We are all connected by compassion, Huang said. Thats the power of love. ___ Bharath reported from Los Angeles. ___ 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. A drumbeat of recent departures has hollowed out senior leadership in Tampa Mayor Jane Castors housing and economic development teams a little more than a year into her second term. Now, Castor has tapped someone to help fill the void, at least until permanent replacements are hired. Abbye Feeley, a longtime city employee who most recently held the title of deputy administrator of development and growth management, will soon become the interim head administrator of economic opportunity and development, the Tampa Bay Times confirmed Friday. She is considered among the mayors most trusted confidants. Her position change has not yet been formally processed, city spokesperson Adam Smith said, and likely wont take effect until next week. Feeley steps into the shoes of Nicole Travis, Tampas top staffer overseeing economic development who left the city earlier this summer. She announced her resignation in April. A slew of other senior officials have since said goodbye. Feeleys appointment will relieve some concerns in the business community, and go a long way toward answering questions about where we go from here with all the recent resignations, Tampa-based governmental relations consultant Stephen Michelini told the Times. Its a start, he said, praising her work ethic and institutional knowledge. Shes going to need a lot of support. Less than two months after Travis announced she was leaving, her deputy, Alis Drumgo, handed in his resignation. Then the director of the citys community redevelopment agency, Erica Moody, decided she would leave after just a year of working for the mayors administration. In mid-June, Kayon Henderson, director of housing, submitted her resignation. Later that month, city planning director Stephen Benson resigned, too. I know that it makes a good story to connect all of these because they were all in close proximity but there is no connection, Castor told the Times in a recent interview, adding that the cluster comprises a slim proportion of the citys overall workforce. She pointed to the advisory teams she convened early in her first term teams that gave reports and recommendations Castor said offered roadmaps to keep the city moving forward, despite the staffing reshuffle. We have well-laid plans, Castor said. The city has remained mum on concrete rehiring plans, stirring concern among some of the citys business and development crowd. Castor told the Times that her administration would be conducting a national search to find Travis permanent replacement and possibly looking nationally for the deputy position, too. In September 2020, Castor tapped Feeley, a former city planner who left in 2018, to direct a reimagined planning and development office to keep on top of growth and steer it in the right direction in a newly named city department called Development & Growth Management. At the time, the mayor called the department key to the success of my administrations key focus areas. Of Feeley, she added: Her expertise will be instrumental in transforming Tampas tomorrow. Teen regains pulse while on the way to the hospital after nearly drowning in northern suburbs ZION, Ill. A teen girl is recovering in the hospital Friday night after she nearly drowned while swimming at a beach in the northern suburbs. According to officials from the Beach Park Fire Department, at around 5:45 p.m., crews were called to the Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park following a report of a swimmer in distress. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Crews arrived on the scene and after speaking with witnesses, they learned that a 15-year-old girl had been swimming and never re-surfaced. Crews from the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department and the Beach Park Fire Department entered the water and began a search. The teen was eventually located and pulled from the water by rescue divers and swimmers and taken to the hospital. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland According to fire officials, the teen regained a pulse while on the way to the hospital. The teen was later transferred to staff at Vista Medical Center, where she was taken in for evaluation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Valley of the Gods within the Bears Ears National Monument. (Photo by Tim Peterson LightHawk for the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition) Five Native American tribes are joining the federal government in looking over tens of thousands of public comments on the future of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. The three-month public comment period ended on June 11, and more than 20,000 people submitted responses, according to the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. The public comments overwhelmingly supported the use of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge in the management of the Monument, the Coalition said in a news release on Wednesday. The tribally informed co-management plan for the national monument is the first of its kind in U.S. history. The plan is a collaborative approach between the federal government and tribes on how to steward Bears Ears, which can include tribal ancestral history and ideas for protections through land conservation and traditional education. People from the Zuni Pueblo, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Ute Mountain Tribe, and Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray each have their own cultural and spiritual connections to the land, and say it is a sacred site. The five tribes signed the land management deal in June 2021. With public comment over, the five tribes acting through the Bears Ears Commission, along with the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, will review the comments and figure out how to incorporate them into the final management plan. President Joe Biden fully restored the Bears Ears monument in October 2021 after the Trump administration cut it by nearly 2 million acres. In 2023 a federal judge tossed out a lawsuit by Arizona lawmakers that sought to reverse Bidens proclamation. Part of the impetus for the area being designated a national monument was to protect it from future uranium mining, like the Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints near the Grand Canyon National Monument. Bidens executive action came after the head of the National Park Service said in March 2022 the federal government would make greater efforts to include Native American tribes in decisions involving federal lands. Source New Mexico is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Source New Mexico maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Shaun Griswold for questions: info@sourcenm.com. Follow Source New Mexico on Facebook and X. Thousands of Islamists rally near the Pakistani capital to denounce Israeli strikes in Gaza Thousands of supporters of the religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) take part in a rally in solidarity with Palestinian people in Gaza, in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Saturday, July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/W.K. Yousafzai) ISLAMABAD (AP) Thousands of supporters of a Pakistani radical political party rallied near the capital, Islamabad, on Saturday, denouncing Israeli strikes in Gaza and urging the government to send more aid to the Palestinians. The protesters also demanded that Pakistan declare Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a terrorist. There was no immediate response from the government following the rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel. Pakistan has been calling for a cease-fire in the nine-month Israel-Hamas war, and in recent months has sent relief items for the Palestinians in Gaza. Saad Rizvi, head of the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan party, which led the rally, said the sit-in at the protest would continue as long as its demands are not accepted by the government. Hundreds of police were deployed near the rally, which took place as militant attacks have surged in Pakistan. Families and supporters of hostages held in Gaza carry Israeli flags and placards as they enter Jerusalem on the final day of a four day march from Tel Aviv demanding a deal for the release of hostages on Saturday. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI July 13 (UPI) -- Families of hostages held in Gaza were joined by thousands of protesters in a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem trying to force Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a hostage deal. The four-day march, which set out from Tel Aviv, was expected to reach Jerusalem by Saturday evening. Organizers planned to assemble in front of the prime minister's house, coinciding with other mass demonstrations throughout the country. A large demonstration also was expected Saturday evening outside of the Israeli Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv. Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was kidnapped by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attacks was quoted by the Times of Israel saying, "we're seeing more and more reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to sabotage the deal [to release the hostages]. He adds demands that could cost Matan his life, he adds demands that could cost the lives of other hostages." Amid the March, IDF officials said they targeted Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif and Khan Younis Brigade leader Rafe Salama in an airstrike on southern Gaza. The four-day march occurred while Israeli forces carried out an air strike targeting top Hamas officials. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI Gaza's Health Ministry said the strike also killed over 70 Palestinians and left hundreds injured. The report gave hostage family members concern about how the attack would affect hostage negotiations. According to the IDF, 116 hostages remain in Gaza, and 42 of them have been confirmed dead. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI "We're all for settling the score with the Hamas murders, but not at the cost of our loved ones's lives and our chances to get them home," Zangauker said, adding Netanyahu was jeopardizing hostage negotiations by targeting a Hamas leader. Opposition party leader Yair Lapid, who joined hostage families in the march, condemned Netanyahu for the strike. "We are marching to Jerusalem to make it clear that even if they killed Mohammed Deif, it doesn't mean they can kill the hostage deal. We need a deal now," Lapid said. Hamas, meanwhile, denied that Deif and Salama were killed in the attack and said Israel's reports "are false and aimed at covering up its crimes." Netanyahu later in a press conference on Saturday said there was "no certainty" Deif was killed in the strike, but defended the attack and rebuffed claims that he was hardening his demands in negotiations. I don't add demands, and I don't take any demands away, but I also don't let Hamas add demands," he said. "If we stand firm in our insistence on these principles, we will get a deal that releases our hostages and allows us to continue the war until victory." Negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States are tense even after Hamas dropped its previous demand for a permanent cease-fire before a deal is even signed. Netanyahu, meanwhile, has added demands such as an enforcement mechanism that would guarantee Hamas would not return to northern Gaza and for Israel to maintain control along the Gaza-Egypt border. While both sides have agreed to a general framework, Hamas still expects a permanent cease-fire to be the ultimate goal, while Netanyahu has insisted Israel must be able to continue the war "until all the objectives of the war are achieved." One hundred and sixteen Israeli hostages remain imprisoned by Hamas of the 250 kidnapped in the Oct. 7 attacks. The IDF confirmed 42 of the remaining hostages are dead. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Three people were apprehended by law enforcement Friday evening after a short pursuit near Grove City. According to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office, a car passed a DUI checkpoint at 8:30 p.m. at the intersection of US Route 62 and Parlin Drive. Deputies in cruisers began to pursue the vehicle, which ended up flipping on its side near State Route 665. Case dismissed against school bus driver accused of OVI in Upper Arlington Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office As deputies approached the flipped car they found three people inside including one juvenile. All three were apprehended while the driver was taken to a hospital with a suspected broken ankle. Deputies also recovered a gun inside the vehicle. Courtesy Photo/Franklin County Sheriffs Office No law enforcement was injured in the incident as the FCSO says charges against the driver are pending. This embedded content is not available in your region. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russian shelling in Kherson Oblast killed three people and injured five on July 13, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. In the afternoon, Russian attacks killed one resident in the village of Tokarivka. The victim was a 41-year-old man. In the morning, Russian forces struck the village of Pryozerne, close to the regional capital Kherson. One shell hit the yard of a residential building, killing a 72-year-old woman. The shelling also killed a 50-year-old woman who was outside during the attack, according to Prokudin. The injured have been taken to hospital, he noted. The two villages were located near the Dnipro River where the shelling of civilian areas occurs almost daily after Ukraine liberated the area in November 2022. Russian troops retreated to the rivers east bank where they continue to launch brutal attacks. Russian forces targeted 14 settlements in Kherson Oblast during the previous day. The strikes killed one person and injured six, according to Prokudin. Read also: Russias advance toward key eastern highway threatens Ukraines grip of Donetsk Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Three people hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash in Cahokia Heights Three people have been hospitalized after a two-vehicle crash in Cahokia Heights Friday evening. Cahokia Volunteer Fire Department was sent to the scene of a crash on Illinois Route 3, south of Illinois Route 157, at 6:53 p.m., Chief Stephen Robbins said. Prairie Du Pont Volunteer Fire Department responded as mutual aid. The crash was between a FedEx van and a minivan, Robbins said. One person was in the FedEx van, and two people were in the minivan, he said. Firefighters extricated one person from the minivan, and all three people were transported to the hospital, Robbins said. He said the fire department is not aware of any fatalities. Tim Scott Talks Election Rigging, Mark Robinson Loses His Black-MAGA Mind, D.L. Hughley Calls Out Folks Who Says Biden Should Drop Out Sen. Tim Scott (R) (R-SC) shakes hands with Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally at the Grappone Convention Center on January 19, 2024 - Image: Chip Somodevilla (Getty Images) Both Democrats and Republicans are holding their breath, patiently waiting for GOP nominee Donald Trump to reveal who he wants to be his running mate come November. - Phenix S Halley Read More North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson speaks at a rally for Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at the Greensboro Coliseum, in Greensboro, NC on Saturday, March 2, 2024 - Image: Scott Muthersbaugh (Getty Images) Many are calling Mark Robinsons remarks at a southeast North Carolina church last month incendiary and bizarre after a 30-minute speech where he endorsed violence, saying some folks need killing. - Phenix S Halley Read More Photo: John Nacion (Getty Images) D.L. Hughley, known for a career of sharing divisive stances, is at it once again with a sharp tone regarding a high-stakes issue: folks who are adamant about President Joe Biden dropping out of the upcoming presidential race. - Candace McDuffie Read More House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a press conference with other House Democrats in Washington D.C. - Image: Samuel Corum (Getty Images) The Biden campaign has been scrambling for weeks to convince the American people that he is the right choice to run against former President Trump, and the most important co-sign is that of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. As time continues, it doesnt seem like the president has the support he needs from his own party, but Jeffries stamp of approval could be the one thing that changes the tide of the election. - Phenix S Halley Read More Former WURD Radio Host Andrea Lawful-Sanders - Screenshot: Instagram: @islddva In efforts to save face after his bad debate against former President Trump, Joe Biden is speaking to the media more than usual. Recently, his interview at a Philadelphia radio station led to a Black radio host losing her job. - Phenix S Halley Read More Photo: Getty (Getty Images) Peter Welch of Vermont became the first Senate Democrat publicly call for Biden to end his campaign following the Presidents shakey debate performance against Trump last month. Since then, this plea has only intensified. - Candace McDuffie Read More People watch the CNN presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump at a debate watch party - Image: Mario Tama (Getty Images) Its no secret that at The Root ...weve made it our responsibility to call out Former President Donald Trump for his racially-insensitive remarks and often divisive politics. We speak directly to our viewers but recently gave South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott the opportunity to be open and honest with those in the Black community who might not trust him. - Phenix S Halley Read More Protesters block the busy Nairobi - Mombasa highway in the Mlolongo area, Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, July 2, 2024. - Photo: Brian Inganga (AP) From Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Fives The Message to Public Enemys Fight The Power, hip hop has always been a powerful platform for young people of color to express themselves and speak out against the injustice around them. - Angela Johnson Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Topeka Police Department (TPD) is pursuing leads in an investigation into a credit card skimmer found at a local ATM. 27 News reached out to the City of Topeka and TPD on July 10 with questions on credit card skimmers being found in the community. City spokeswoman Rosie Nichols responded to this written information request, stating a skimmer was located by police on May 14 at a 24-hour ATM located at Southeast 29th Street and California Avenue. An investigation into the discovery of the illegal device is ongoing. This is the only skimmer to be found and confirmed by police so far this year. Human remains found during search for missing Kansas man, murder suspected: KBI 27 News asked Nichols for advice on what actions people should take if they find a suspected card skimmer. She said locals can reach out to police by calling the TPDs financial crimes unit at 785-368-9405. The best practice is to remove and collect the skimmer as soon as possible, Nichols said when referring to actions police take upon confirmation of a card skimmer. There are several different types of card skimmers. Some of them require the suspect to return to collect the device after hours/days to download the numbers. Other more complicated systems utilize Bluetooth technology to allow the suspect to remotely download that data without being exposed to the ATM camera a second time. The skimmer can then be analyzed to potentially identify suspects. Other recommendations include keeping an eye on your financial activity, such as account statements and balances. You are also encouraged to contact police and your financial institutions immediately if you think you are the victim of a card skimmer. It is always a good idea to examine any device in which you place your financial cards, Nichols said. If the scanner appears to be loose or does not match the design aesthetic of its surroundings, then dont use the scanner. Sometimes the skimmer falls off when a customer attempts to use it. Should this happen, contact the police department for a quick response. We have means of conducting a forensic examination of the skimmer which can lead to suspect identification. If anyone is interested in what skimmers look like or how they work, there are countless sources online. Indiana men arrested after Kansas sheriff finds 100 pounds of weed in traffic stop What are credit card skimmers? The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) describes credit card skimmers as electronic devices that capture credit or debit card information from card readers whenever a card is swiped. The KDA recommends businesses put programs in place to deter criminals from installing the skimmers, focus on detecting skimmers if they have been installed and train employees on how to respond if suspicious devices are found. Employees should check for skimmers daily as it only takes around 10 seconds for someone to install one. Some skimmers may appear home-made and be easy to spot while others are much more sophisticated and are meant to blend in with their surroundings. Skimmers can be installed on the exterior and interior of card reader devices. The KDA further recommends you take the following steps if you think youve found a card skimmer: Avoid touching the device and the dispenser. This is evidence of criminal activity. Turn off the dispenser immediately. Dont let customers use it going forward. Call law enforcement. Leave the device in the dispenser until law enforcement can examine and take it away. Save any surveillance video footage from before the device was found. Credit card skimmers have been located recently in other parts of Kansas at gas stations. In early 2023, the Atwood Police Department in Rawlins County confirmed skimmers were found on local gas pumps. 27 News also confirmed with Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig in June this year that credit card skimmers were found at two local gas stations in McLouth and Ozawkie. Scammer drains Kansas victims debit card down to $6 You can learn more about credit card skimmers, how to combat them and other dangers they pose by clicking here. If you think youve fallen victim to a scam, contact the Kansas Attorney Generals office by clicking here. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A 30-year-old man originally accused of murder is now believed to have been defending another man. Several witnesses came forward after more than a year to say Lonny Lil Blue Barton-Owens actions in September 2022 were justified, said Deputy Prosecutor Tyler Grandgeorge. That led prosecutors to drop the second-degree murder charge. I want to note for the family, this is not a light decision, Grandgeorge said during a hearing this week in Benton County Superior Court. While it may not feel like it to so many in this room, this is the decision that justice demands. While he may have been acting in self-defense, Barton-Owens history of felony convictions meant he wasnt supposed to have a gun. And after an emotional, hour-long hearing, Judge Jackie Stam sentenced him to a year and four months, the maximum end of the Washington sentencing range for having the weapon illegally. Hes already served more than that awaiting trial. He was released from jail on Thursday. During the hearing, Fernando Prophecy Pulidos family called him a man of God, who defended his family and now wont be able to see his six children grow up. My brother may have not been perfect, but he was no killer. He did not deserve to die, his sister said. There is no justice for my brother Fernando. Fernandos life mattered, his mother Maria Guzman said. The day my son died, it took a piece of my heart. I felt like a zombie. ... I miss him every day. While Barton-Owens, a father as well, did not want to speak at the hearing, his attorney Katherine Bohnet said he wanted the judge to know that he was sorry for the Pulido familys loss. She added that he would live with his actions for the rest of his life. 2022 shooting Pulido, 36, was found with a gunshot wound to his stomach at a home on the 3700 block of West Fourth Avenue just after 10 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2022. He died soon after at Trios Southridge Hospital. Court documents say he had some methamphetamine in his pockets. As officers searched the house, they discovered signs of a struggle and a fired shell casing outside a bedroom. Witnesses reported that Pulido came over to the house where Barton-Owens and a man called Sharky were in the smoke room. Pulido and Sharky had a previous altercation that left Pulido seriously hurt. Sharky was armed with a bat, but Pulido was able to take it away from him and started beating him. Barton-Owens then got a gun and shot Pulido. Barton Owens was arrested in November 2022 by a U.S. Marshals task force working in Pasco. Hes been in jail since then. Good father, brother, son Pulido was one of several siblings who grew up with a single mother trying to make ends meet. Four of his sisters and his mother were at this weeks sentencing. They said he protected them. And while he sometimes used violence, they said he wasnt a bully. He was kind to the people he loved, they said. Several said that they would choose to forgive Barton-Owens because they didnt want to carry hate, but they also didnt feel like Pulido was getting justice. They noted that Barton-Owens ran from the scene rather than call police for help, and then took Pulidos BMW. Bianca Pulido said its hard to know that no one at the home had the decency to call for help and instead fled and continued living their lives. It takes more courage to forgive than it does to hate, she said. You have made it difficult to live up to what I believe. It is only because Fernandos soul deserves peace. They noted his death has taken a toll on the family, especially because it came just weeks after his grandmothers death. Illegal gun possession Grandgeorge told Stam that his office had spent a lot of time investigating the shooting, and it wasnt until they were able to interview several witnesses that they decided to drop the murder charge. Fernando wasnt perfect, but he did not deserve to die, Grandgeorge said. No one deserves to die. He hoped that Pulidos family could take some solace in their memories of him. While he expressed sympathy for the family, he noted that it is important that prosecutors act in the interest of justice. Bohnet echoed that she didnt believe that the prosecutors took dismissing the murder charge lightly. But for her part, she said Barton-Owens was a good man. He has many people who love him and who supported him, she said. Everybody that I talked to about Lonnie was shocked that he was involved. Stam agreed with the recommendation, saying that Barton-Owens had been charged with illegally having a gun and not murder. If anything, I hope that your comments have made an impact on (Barton-Owens), she said. I believe that he has heard you and is going to absorb the things that you said. President Joe Biden this week tried his best to reassure Democrats that he is up for the job he is running for. After a deadly weekend in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson took a strong stance against those committing atrocious violent acts in Chicago. And one alderman reflected on whether NASCAR deserves to be a permanent fixture of Chicagos summers. Read last weeks quotes here. I wouldnt be running again if I did not absolutely believe I was the best person to beat Donald Trump in 2024. President Joe Biden Biden wrote this in a letter to congressional Democrats. We need to ensure that we are holding every single individual accountable for the pain and trauma and the torment that they have caused in this city,. There will be consequences. There will be consequences for the violence. We will not let criminal activity ruin and harm our city. Mayor Brandon Johnson Johnson said this at a news conference Monday morning after more than 100 people were shot over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, as reported by the Tribune. Im not engaging in hypotheticals. You can see that Im all in for Joe Biden. Gov. J.B. Pritzker Prtizker expressed his support for President Joe Biden, saying that he is mentally and physically capable, as quoted by the Sun-Times. If it was good enough for the Klan, its good enough for the Oath Keepers here. Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg Witzburg was referring to a rule that allowed the Chicago Police Department in the 1960s to fire officers with ties to the Ku Klux Klan, as reported by WBEZ. Major events are great, but they come and go. Chicagoans remain. It would do this administration well to remember that. Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th Lopez was criticizing the mayors support of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, as reported by the Tribune. I dont know why it has to take the Democratic National Convention to come here for them to actually do something for the citizens already here. Titi Titi lived in the tent city along the Dan Ryan Expressway that was recently cleared in preparation for the DNC. The residents will get temporary housing at the Tremont Hotel in Chicago, as reported by Block Club Chicago. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump will make his final campaign stop Saturday before formally accepting his partys nomination, visiting swing-state Pennsylvania, as he looks to build suspense over his vice presidential pick among both voters and the final contenders themselves. Most Read from Bloomberg The former president has teased out the process, appearing to play mind games with the candidates, in a bid to ramp up the intrigue and anticipation. Trump on Friday said he was still deciding among as many as five names and that he had changed his mind multiple times likening the forthcoming announcement to his onetime televised reality show. Its like a highly sophisticated version of The Apprentice, Trump said. The rally will be in the town of Butler in rural Pennsylvania, just a few hours away from the home of Ohio Senator JD Vance, whom Trump named as one of the names in the mix to be his No. 2, along with North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina, in a radio interview Friday. Vance, a rising star in the Republican Party, rocketed to fame with his memoir Hillbilly Elegy a story about his White, working class upbringing, and has embraced the former presidents brand of populist politics. Trumps drawn out decision making has seen his potential running mates look to burnish their credentials by tapping their donor networks to help boost his war chest, appearing in media as surrogates and by joining the former president at campaign events. Representatives for Vance havent yet said whether the senator would attend the rally. Rubio will not be at the Pennsylvania rally but joined Trump at an event earlier this week in his home state that epitomized how the presumptive Republican nominee is handling the VP selection process. The campaign touted the event ahead of time as one where he could make his announcement, and Trump teased Rubio throughout, including suggesting at one point that he might not be a senator for much longer. Trump has even kept political watchers uncertain as to the timing of the announcement, saying he wanted to make the announcement during the convention which starts Monday in Milwaukee even as he acknowledged the logistical challenges. The party will need to nominate both Trump and his running mate for the ticket. Earlier: Trump Teases Rubio at Miami Rally as VP Announcement Nears Saturdays rally comes at a pivotal point in the campaign, with Trump gaining in swing-state polls while his general election rival President Joe Biden is fighting to put down a Democratic rebellion that seeks his ouster from the ticket after a disastrous first debate. Trump largely stayed silent in the days after the debate while Biden struggled to deal with the media scrutiny and Democratic backlash, and the former president returned to the trail with his Miami rally on Tuesday. Trumps campaign schedule is vastly different from what was expected just a week ago. The sentencing hearing for his felony conviction in the New York hush-money trial was postponed after the US Supreme Court decision ruling that presidents have some immunity from criminal charges. Pennsylvania is Bidens home state and crucial to his efforts to secure a second term. The incumbent flipped the state from Trump in 2020 to clinch victory but polls show him facing a tough climb in 2024. A July Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll found Trump leads Biden 51% to 44% in Pennsylvania his largest lead in any of the seven swing states in the survey. The rally venue, Butler, offers friendly territory for Trump as Biden has struggled to sell his economic agenda to blue-collar or rural voters in such communities across the country. An internal memo from the Trump allied super political action committee, Make America Great Again Inc., detailed plans to target voters in Pennsylvania and other swing states. Highlighting the importance of the state, Vice President Kamala Harris will also be in Pennsylvania on Saturday for a campaign event. --With assistance from Stephanie Lai. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is rushed offstage during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) BUTLER Former President Donald Trump was injured at a campaign rally in Butler on Saturday in what law enforcement officials called an assassination attempt. A rally-goer and the gunman were killed, authorities said, and two other people at the rally were critically injured in the incident, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Authorities said at a press conference late Saturday that there was no reason to believe there was any other existing threat, but said the site of the shooting remained an active crime scene. They did not identify the shooter except to say he was male, and did not identify the victims. Anyone who attended the rally or has information is asked to call 1-800-call-fbi, or go to fbi.gov/butler. The shooting began shortly after Trump took the stage at about 6 p.m., when several loud pops could be heard, and Secret Service agents whisked him off the stage, blood visible on his face. Trump briefly pumped his fist at the crowd before he left the stage. Saturdays event was to be Trumps final campaign rally before he formally accepts the Republican Partys 2024 presidential nomination at next weeks Republican National Convention, which the campaign said Saturday he will attend. Trump posted to his verified account on the Truth Social platform at 8:42 p.m. and appeared to confirm he was shot. I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania. Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured, Trump wrote. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country. Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA! Anthony Guglielmi, Chief of Communications for the U.S. Secret Service, released a statement to reporters shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday: During Former President Trumps campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on the evening of July 13 at approximately 6:15 p.m., a suspected shooter fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. U.S. Secret Service personnel neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased. U.S. Secret Service quickly responded with protective measures and Former President Trump is safe. One spectator was killed, and two spectators were critically injured. This incident is currently under investigation. and the Secret Service has notified the FBI. The Secret Service did not appear at the press conference with the FBI and Pennsylvania State Police shortly before midnight in Butler. Asked how the shooter was able to get so close to the former president and fire off several rounds, FBI Special Agent Kevin Rojek from the Pittsburgh field office said at the press conference it was surprising, adding the Secret Service really needs to answer that question, they conduct the initial site survey, they do the initial security assessments and determine where the different security locations should be, and theyre the ones who are in charge of securing the scene. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger said on CNN that the shooter was outside of the grounds, so to speak. Quite frankly I dont know how he would have gotten to the location he was were gonna have to figure out how he got there. President Joe Biden condemned the shooting in a brief statement from Delaware. Theres no place in America for this kind of violence, Biden said. Its sick, its one of the reasons we have to unite this country, he added. We cannot allow for this to be happening. We cannot be like this, we cannot condone this. A White House official said late Saturday that Biden had spoken to Trump, as well as to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Butler Mayor Bob Dandoy. LIVE: Sounds of multiple shots heard at Trump rally in Pennsylvania https://t.co/0htWSbaRrZ Reuters (@Reuters) July 13, 2024 FBI personnel are on the scene in Butler County, Pennsylvania and the FBI will continue to work jointly with the U.S. Secret Service as the investigation moves forward, FBI Pittsburgh Public Affairs Officer Bradford Arick told the Capital-Star in an email. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Bertha Cazy told the Capital-Star in an email: The Pennsylvania State Police has Troopers on scene assisting the Secret Service in various capacities. All other questions should be directed to the U.S. Secret Service, the agency handling the investigation. Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told reporters Saturday President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow. Shapiro said on social media he had been briefed on the situation and that Pennsylvania State Police were on the scene working with federal and local partners. GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who spoke at the rally before Trump, told Fox News there were a number of shots, and Secret Service agents attended to Trump. He said it was hard to tell where the shots came from, but that he heard seven or eight shots. And then, sadly, someone behind me, up in the bleachers was definitely wounded, and there was a lot of blood. And, you know, the police came in and helped carry that person out of the stands so they could get the care they needed. Im not sure if others were injured or not, if at all, he said, describing the scene as very chaotic. McCormick said he was sitting in the front row to Trumps right as he was facing the crowd. I couldnt tell whether it was one gun or two, but there were seven or eight shots, just one right, one right after another. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa) said he was monitoring the situation at the rally and had reached out to State Police to offer support. Political violence is never acceptable and I am hoping former President Trump and all attendees are safe. Everyone in Butler should listen to law enforcement, Casey posted to social media. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-16th District), who also spoke at the rally, called the shooting an attack from the left, in a Facebook post, adding that he and his family were safe and we are praying for Mr. Trump and everyone involved. In a joint statement Saturday evening, Trump campaign advisors Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita and Republican National Committee chairman Michael Whatley and co-chairman Lara Trump said Trump was doing well. President Trump looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee as we proceed with our convention to nominate him to serve as the 47th President of the United States. As our partys nominee, President Trump will continue to share his vision to Make America Great Again. Later on Saturday, an FBI spokesperson said the agency had assumed the role of lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation. We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement. In a second social media post shortly after 11 p.m., Shapiro said Trump had left Butler. ABC News reported Trump arrived in Newark shortly before midnight. Federal law enforcement officials will continue to lead on the investigation into the shooting of former President Trump, Shapiro wrote. Pennsylvania State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting of the other victims. I have been in regular communication with law enforcement on the ground in Pennsylvania and have spoken with President Biden who offered his full support. Trump campaign deputy director of communications Margo Martin posted a video at 12:37 a.m. Sunday of Trump disembarking from a plane. Peter Hall of the Capital-Star staff contributed. Our earlier coverage of the rally continues below. Speakers at the event included representatives from the oil and gas industries, the mayor of Slippery Rock, and Sean Parnell, a former GOP candidate for U.S. Senate who received Trumps endorsement, but suspended his campaign in 2021 after his then-wife testified he had abused her and their children. U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-9th District) who took the stage to AC-DCs Thunderstruck told the audience Trump will deliver on his promises. Our border will be secure. He will end the gas backwards energy policy of the Biden administration and in Pennsylvania, natural gas will flow again. We will make manufacturing great again by being the most competitive place in the world to build things. U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-16th District), whose district includes Butler, pointed to Bidens debate performance as evidence that the media has been lying to us about the presidents health. Have you ever heard the term playing through the whistle? Playing it through the whistle means you keep on playing, you keep on doing what you have to do to win, Kelly said. You keep on going to make sure you dont lose. But I want to give you a different version: Wed better play it through the echo of the whistle. Playing through the whistle isnt enough, not with this crew that were fighting against right now. GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, who is challenging three-term incumbent Bob Casey, reiterated his claims that Casey votes with Biden 98% of the time. I like to say Punxsutawney, because it reminds me of Punxsutawney, Bob, Bob Casey, that is who only comes out of his hole once every six years, McCormick said. The lack of leadership, lack of moral clarity, an economy where 60% of Pennsylvanians are living paycheck to paycheck, and prices are up by more than 20% and is the result of the terrible, flawed policies of Joe Biden, the spending Bob Casey supported it every step of the way, he added. McCormick repeated another familiar highlight of his campaign stump speech, pointing to the fentanyl crisis. For those of you who are Vietnam vets, we lost 53,000 veterans in eight years of war. We had two Vietnams last year in the United States from fentanyl, he said. This is a war against us. McCormick also referenced Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia in 2023, and Oakmont resident Marc Fogel, a teacher detained in Russia in 2021. Fogels mother said earlier in the week she was going to seek Trumps help in securing her sons release. We need leadership thats going to stand up and bring Pennsylvanian Mark Fogel home to Pennsylvania, home to America. Thats what leaders do. Thats what a commander in chief does, McCormick said. The Democratic National Committee rolled out a billboard in Butler to greet Trump on Saturday that jabs at the former presidents economic record. The billboard, with the words Donald Trump was a disaster for Pennsylvania, will be located at the end of the Pullman Viaduct, about 10 minutes away from the Butler Farm Show. Pennsylvania voters remember Trumps failures and know exactly how much is at stake in November, DNC spokesperson Addy Toevs said in a statement. Thats why theyll reject Trump and his Project 2025 agenda, and once again send President Biden to the White House. As Trump rallied in western Pennsylvania on Saturday, first lady Jill Biden was also in the region to attend an Italian Sons and Daughters of America dinner in Pittsburgh. And in the eastern half of the commonwealth, Vice President Kamala Harris was in Philadelphia to deliver the keynote address at the Asian Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall on Saturday. Saturdays appearance in the Keystone State is Trumps fifth visit to Pennsylvania this year, but his first in the western half of the commonwealth. Trump has made two 2024 appearances in Philadelphia, once for a rally on Temple Universitys campus, and to deliver brief remarks at Sneaker Con in February. He also held a rally in the Lehigh Valley in April, and delivered a keynote address to a National Rifle Association gathering in Harrisburg in February. Donald Trump can take his twice-impeached, 34-time convicted, vowed-to-be-dictator-on-day-one, consumed by revenge, serial liar, Project 2025 self out of Pennsylvania and go back to his Mar-a-Lago golf course, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said in a statement Saturday. After he destroyed our economy, screwed over workers, and called for the termination of the Constitution written in our state, Pennsylvania voters will send him packing in November. Again. Butler is a reliably red county where Trump won by double digits in the 2016 and 2020 general elections. Trumps rally in Butler a few days before the 2020 presidential election was well-attended, although there were transportation issues for those attempting to exit the rally. President Joe Biden has also been no stranger to Pennsylvania, making ten appearances the state so far, mostly in the southeast. Biden campaigned through the state last Sunday, appearing at a traditionally Black church in Northwest Philadelphia, and speaking to supporters in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. As of Saturday morning, 18 Democrats serving in the U.S. House and one serving in the U.S. Senate have called on Biden to not seek the Democratic Party nomination, following his poor debate performance in late June, amid questions about whether he can beat Trump in November. Biden has repeatedly said he does not plan to drop out of the race, reiterating his position at a rally in Michigan on Friday, where he was greeted with chants of dont you quit and we got your back, from a crowd at Renaissance High School in Detroit. You made me the nominee, no one else not the press, not the pundits, not the insiders, not donors, Biden told the audience. You, the voters. You decided. No one else. And Im not going anywhere. Support for the president Pennsylvania Democrats have largely remained behind the Scranton native. Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate for president or vice president should Biden step aside, has remained committed to Bidens 2024 bid. U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has also emerged as a key campaign surrogate for Biden. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who is seeking a fourth term in office, has also stood by Bidens side, while other Democrats in battleground states have distanced themselves from him. On Friday, speaking to reporters after an event in Darlington Township, Beaver County, Casey reiterated his support for Biden, saying it had not changed. I think were going to have a unified party between now and November, Casey said. This is a difficult period, but well get there. But you know where I stand. McCormick has blasted the three-term senator for continuing to support Biden. His campaign put up billboards in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton this week reading Same old tired ideas, with photos of the two Democrats. In response to a question about whether he was worried about Biden being a potential drag on his Senate race and other down ballot races on Friday, Casey answered with a firm no. Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District) who also spoke at the event in Darlington with Casey, urged people to Google Project 2025, and what Donald Trump expects to do if he becomes president, again. It is dangerous, he said. It is threatening to our freedom and the fundamentals of our rule of law in this country. Deluzio added that he thinks Democrats will unite to make sure Trump is never the president of this country again. However, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7th District) has expressed concern about Bidens electability and U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-12th District) has said Biden needs to show that hes up for the task of staying in the race. Lee, who was scheduled to attend a Pittsburgh rally for Biden with Allegheny County Democrats on Friday but did not appear due to a schedule conflict, did not answer questions about Biden at an event in Pittsburgh with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Lee said she would not answer a political question while at an event where she was appearing in her capacity as a member of Congress, TribLive reported. Pennsylvania GOP unites behind Trump Trump, who was convicted of 34 felony counts in a New York courtroom in May, largely has united the Pennsylvania Republican Party behind his candidacy. With the exception of U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st District), every GOP member of the states congressional delegation has endorsed Trump; Fitzpatrick has not announced who he will be voting for in November. The only Republican in Pennsylvanias congressional delegation to represent a district Biden won in 2020, Fitzpatrick said he wrote in Mike Pence for president in 2016, but voted for Trump in 2020. Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes are critical to the candidates chances of winning in November. Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon sent a memo to supporters listing Pennsylvania as one of the three blue wall states that provide the campaign the clearest pathway to reelection. Recent polling indicates that Biden and Trump are engaged in a close race for Pennsylvania, although Trump holds a narrow edge. The Cook Political Report ranks Pennsylvania in the toss-up category. It has the largest number of electoral votes of any battleground state. Updated: This story was updated numerous times during and after the rally. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST What timing, said The Star-Ledger. Just as America prepared to celebrate 4 July the commemoration of winning independence from the British crown the supreme court decided to "restore the monarchy". By a 6-3 majority, it upheld Donald Trump's contention that a president has immunity from prosecution for acts that fall within the undefined category of "official" conduct. The case related to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election result; justices left it to lower courts to determine whether his acts were "official" or not, but directed them to interpret the scope broadly. By way of illustration, the court claimed that a presumption of immunity should apply to Trump's strong-arming of the then-vice-president Mike Pence to ignore the results of the electoral college decision. One of the dissenting justices, Sonia Sotomayor, complained that the ruling effectively makes the president "a king above the law", enabling him to get away with, say, ordering the assassination of a rival. This is an appalling ruling, said Jackie Calmes in the Los Angeles Times. Fifty years ago, Richard Nixon was brought down by the Watergate scandal, a case that gave the lie to Nixon's infamous claim that "when the president does it, that means that is it not illegal". The court has now effectively affirmed Nixon's claim. We already had reason enough to fear a second Trump term, given his contempt for the law and his vengeful instincts. Only last week, he reposted on social media a call for his Republican critic Liz Cheney to be tried for treason in a televised military tribunal. The new ruling would enable him to "run amok with little fear of criminal accountability". The Justice Department provoked this judicial pushback by launching its partisan "lawfare" campaign against Trump, said Jason Willick in The Washington Post. Few dispute that Trump behaved disgracefully after the 2020 election, but this mostly took the form of spouting lies. Without evidence of a clear crime to pin on him, and to link him to the 6 January rioters, prosecutors "threw everything into the indictment they could, even alleging that Trump's threat to remove an acting attorney general was criminal". Such "broad and inchoate charges" invited a rebuttal. The critics' alarm is overblown, agreed Timothy C. Parlatore on CNN. The threat to US politics today is not presidents running amok; it's rival parties descending into a destructive cycle of retaliatory legal warfare. Yes, this ruling might help Trump today, but it will also help protect Joe Biden and future administrations from politically motivated prosecutions. It's true that the immunity ruling doesn't mark "the end of democracy", said The Washington Post. Former presidents could still be punished for official acts that don't relate to their core responsibilities, if prosecutors can convincingly argue that punishment wouldn't hinder a vigorous executive branch. Those who commit misdeeds on the president's behalf will still have to answer to the law. And courts will still have the power to order the executive to halt improper activity. The worry, though, is that this ruling will embolden presidents "to push the boundaries". In the meantime, it has provided invaluable assistance to Trump's campaign, said Laurence H. Tribe in The New York Times. By taking nearly ten weeks to deliberate and opening the way to a new round of appeals, the supreme court has all but extinguished any chance of a verdict in the 6 January case before November's election. Regardless of whether you think Trump should be acquitted or convicted, "immunity by running out the clock is justice delayed and thus justice denied". Former President Trump on Friday reupped his request for President Biden to undergo a cognitive test, telling Biden he would accompany him. Joe should immediately take a Cognitive Test, and I will go with him, and take one also, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. For the first time well be a team, and do it for the good of the Country Biden has in recent weeks faced intense scrutiny over his age, mental fitness and ability to complete another four years in the White House if reelected in November. Following a poor debate performance against Trump last month where he appeared to lack energy and stumbled over his words a growing list of Democrats have called on the president to withdraw from the race. Others, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and CNNs Dr. Sanjay Gupta, have echoed calls for him to undergo cognitive testing. Trump has repeatedly called for Biden to join him in taking cognitive tests, even before the presidential debate. The former president has also previously boasted that he received a perfect score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Gupta, noted in a recent op-ed, however, that the MoCA isnt the same level of cognitive testing the medical experts I spoke to would like to see Biden do. The presumptive GOP nominee also voiced support for a cognitive test requirement for candidates in the future. And from now on, all Presidential candidates should be mandated to take a Cognitive Test and Aptitude Test, regardless of their age!!! he wrote. Former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who suspended her campaign in March and released her delegates to the former president earlier this week, floated a similar requirement based on the age of candidates. We should seriously be looking at the ages of the people that are running our country and understand if thats what we want, she said at the time. Biden has rebuffed calls to sit for a cognitive test, often saying that the rigor of the presidential office is enough of a test. He has also maintained that he intends to stay in the race and wrote off the debate showing as a bad episode. Look, I have a cognitive test every single day. Every day I have that test; everything I do, Biden told ABCs George Stephanopoulos in his first post-debate TV interview. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Trump is wringing every last ounce of suspense out of his running mate announcement. The former president has in recent days been adamant about his desire to announce his pick during the Republican National Convention (RNC), describing it as the old-fashioned way. But sources indicated the announcement is likely to come before the convention officially begins on Monday. Id love to do it during the convention, which would be, you know, or just slightly before the convention, like Monday, Trump said on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show on Friday. Id love to do it on Tuesday or Wednesday, actually, but for a lot of complex reasons that you people understand, pretty much dont do that. Convention rules are such that Trump would have to name his running mate by Monday to allow the party to formally nominate the ticket during a roll call vote. Trump campaign officials on Thursday pushed back against reports that the conventions rules were tweaked to allow for Trump to name his running mate later in the week. The removal of the 1 hour requirement was adopted to permit the roll call and run of show to proceed in an expedited and orderly manner. Nothing more, nothing less, RNC lead rules counsel William McGinley posed on X. The search has narrowed in on Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), though Trump has in recent interviews mentioned Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) as a contender. Vance and Rubio are thought to have separated themselves from the pack, and Vance in particular has multiple high-profile boosters in the former presidents orbit, including Donald Trump Jr. Trump has played coy about who he might select, at times suggesting his mind is more or less made up and at others indicating he goes back and forth about the pick. A campaign spokesperson said only Trump knows who he will choose, and sources close to the former president were similarly unsure about who the final pick might be. The good news is, it will all be over soon, one Trump ally said. Trump on Friday praised Scott, Vance and Rubio for their recent television appearances and hailed Burgum as a fantastic governor. I have some really, really good candidates. And you know, I may be leaning one way and that changes sometimes, Trump said Friday. You know, all of a sudden you see something that you like or you dont like and you lean a little bit differently. Its like a highly sophisticated version of The Apprentice if you think about it, he added. There has been some speculation that Trump could announce his pick on Saturday night at a rally in Butler, Pa. The rally is happening less than 50 miles from Ohio, making it a natural place for Trump to potentially introduce Vance as his running mate. Chatter that the first-term Ohio senator will be the pick has ramped up in recent days in light of the Pennsylvania rally and after it was announced that Donald Trump Jr., who has advocated for Vance as his fathers running mate, will speak at the convention ahead of the vice presidential nominee. Vances allies praise him as the most articulate voice in Congress in laying out Trumps America First agenda, and he has shown a willingness to do combative television interviews to defend the former president. He is close with Donald Trump Jr. and Tucker Carlson, among others in Trumps orbit, and his Rust Belt upbringing could help him win over working class voters in key battlegrounds. The senator could be vulnerable to Democratic attacks, however, particularly over his intense criticism of Trump during the 2016 campaign, when Vance called Trump noxious and an idiot. Vances experience could also be an issue having served less than two years in the Senate. Rubios allies have argued the senator could help expand Trumps appeal to minority voters, which could chip away at President Bidens coalition and potentially flip swing states in Trumps favor. The senator is a more establishment figure, too, and could help win over voters who backed Nikki Haley during the GOP primary. Rubio and Trump were bitter rivals in the 2016 presidential race, though, trading personal insults throughout the campaign. The senator would also need to move outside of Florida in order to join the ticket because of constitutional restrictions on candidates hailing from the same state. Burgum, who only burst onto the national scene in the past year with his own 2024 bid, has quickly built a strong relationship with Trump. The Wall Street Journal pegged Burgum as the best man for the job, citing his ability to govern and his business background. But his critics have questioned whether the red-state governor would do much to expand Trumps appeal, and Trump himself suggested in recent weeks that Burgum signing a restrictive abortion ban could be an issue. Ultimately its more of an instinct. You know, you develop an instinct, Trump said Friday. But I like to know all the facts before the instinct kicks in. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump was shot in the ear after a gunman perched on the roof of a nearby building opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday -- a harrowing incident that the FBI called an assassination attempt. The shooting, which set the country on edge on the eve of the Republican National Convention, left one spectator dead, two others critically injured, and sparked chaos at the event. As the former president spoke, shots crackled and Trump, hand to his ear, dropped to the ground where he was surrounded by agents before being hustled off the stage into a waiting car amid the screams and confusion of the crowd. The shooting, which is being investigated by the FBI overseen by the Justice Department's National Security Division, as well as the U.S. attorney's office in Pittsburgh, comes amid a heightened threat environment. The Secret Service, in a statement, said that a shooter "fired multiple shots toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue" after which agents "neutralized the shooter, who is now deceased." The shooter fired as many as eight rounds from an AR-style rifle while perched on a rooftop adjacent to the venue and was 200-300 yards away at the time of the shooting, law enforcement sources told ABC News. It was "surprising" that the suspected gunman was able to get off as many shots as he allegedly did, law enforcement said, adding that the gunman was a "very determined attacker." MORE: Suspect in Trump assassination attempt had registered as Republican but motive unknown One spectator was killed and two others critically injured, the Secret Service said in a statement. All were adult men, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said during a press conference. The shots fired were "scattered" and the injured and dead had been spread through the crowd, he said. The FBI early on Sunday identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The gun he allegedly used was legally purchased by his father, according to multiple law enforcement sources. A source said the early indication was that the shooter was a lone wolf, but the situation was fluid. FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek earlier had said the agency was trying to assess the motive for the shooting and to confirm the gunman's identity. "It's a matter of doing biometric confirmations, so there was no identification on the individual for example so we're looking at photographs right now and we're trying to run his DNA and get biometric confirmation." MORE: Trump rally shooting live updates There appeared to be blood on Trump's right ear as he was being taken off stage, and he could be seen mouthing "fight" and pumping his fist. Bivens described a "chaotic scene" where law enforcement acted "heroically." Bivens said officials were following up on reports about suspicious occurrences that they received prior to the shooting. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., on Saturday, July 13, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) PHOTO: A screen grab captured from a video, shows a person who is believed to be the suspected gunman according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pennsylvania. (WTAE) 'Something was wrong,' Trump says A spokesperson for Trump said in a statement, "President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility." Later in the evening, he was released and left the Butler area under Secret Service protection, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on X. In a statement on Truth Social posted hours after the shooting, Trump said he "was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear." "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening," he wrote in the post, which expressed condolences to the family of the rallygoer who was killed. "It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country," he added. Trump's campaign says he still plans to attend the RNC. MORE: How the possible assassination attempt on Donald Trump unfolded Outpouring of support The incident sent shockwaves throughout the political world and sparked condemnation from both sides of the aisle as well as an outpouring of support. President Joe Biden called the incident "sick" and said "there's no place in America for this kind of violence." "We cannot be like this. We cannot condone this." Biden spoke to Trump in the wake of the shooting. And Vice President Kamala Harris said she was "relieved he is not seriously injured." "Violence such as this has no place in our nation," he added. "We must all condemn this abhorrent act and do our part to ensure that it does not lead to more violence." Donald Trump Jr., told ABC News he has spoken to his father, who remains at the hospital. He said his father is "in good spirits" as he remains under observation, adding that his father is "never gonna stop." MORE: Biden calls Trump rally shooting 'sick,' says this violence has 'no place in America' "This is the fighter America needs!" Trump's son Eric wrote in a post on X with a photo of his father's fist raised in the air attached. And Trump's daughter Ivanka, called the shooting "senseless" and wrote "I love you Dad" on X. Former Vice President Mike Pence said on X that he was "praying for President Trump and urge every American to join us." In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro said "We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms and commend the Secret Service for their swift action today." Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who is on the short list for Trump's potential running mate, placed blame for the incident, without elaborating or citing evidence, on President Biden. "Today is not just some isolated incident," Vance wrote on X. "The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs. That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination." House Speaker Mike Johnson vowed a "FULL INVESTIGATION OF THE TRAGIC EVENTS TODAY" in a statement on X. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., July 13, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) 'People started to panic' Trump was talking to the crowd about immigration when pops could be heard and chaos broke out. The former president could be seen grasping his ear before going down to the ground and being swarmed and shielded by Secret Service agents. PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (Evan Vucci/AP) Dave McCormick, who's running for U.S. Senate, told ABC News he was in the front row of the rally. He said he heard "seven or eight" shots fired. "People started to panic," he said. "Everyone dropped to the ground." Witness Leonard Verdetto said everyone at the rally had been "joyful" but then he heard "popping sounds," describing 6-8 shots fired. "None of us really registered at the time that all these people were saying 'get down!' 'get down!'" "We were all praying...We were praying to him to keep us safe, keep us protected." Another witness, a speaker at the event, Rico Elmore, said he was about 20 feet away from Trump at the time. He said at first he thought the shots were "fireworks." "I turned around, and someone yelled 'medic." Then he took his tie off and sprang into action, realizing there was not time for a medic to get there, but by the time he got there, he said, it was too late. "The person...was bleeding out through their head." He said "I tried to block the wound" by holding a towel against it until the medical team arrived. "I just saw the bullets hitting the stands, bouncing up," witness John Dohanich added. He said there was an initial volley of shots, followed by a pause, and then the rest of the shots. "I'm hearing everyone screaming 'get down!' 'get down'," and he said he tried to help people get down. "I told them just to keep praying, keep calm." In the wake of the incident, Trump, with blood on his ear and the side of his face, was then led off the stage quickly, pumping his fist on stage and also as he was helped into a vehicle to be taken away. Heavily armed security personnel got on stage as he was led off. "An incident occurred the evening of July 13 at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania," the Secret Service said in a statement. "The Secret Service has implemented protective measures and the former President is safe. This is now an active Secret Service investigation and further information will be released when available." The White House said in a statement, "The President has received an initial briefing on the incident at Former President Trump's rally." PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (Evan Vucci/AP) PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage at a campaign event in Butler, Pa., July 13, 2024. (Gene J. Puskar/AP) In the wake of the shooting, there was a heavy police presence outside Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. Violence 'absolutely unacceptable' "Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable," Pennsylvania Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a statement. "It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States." Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, a possible vice president pick, wrote on social media, "Everyone join me in praying for our President Trump and everyone at that rally. I hope everyone is ok." North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a possible vice presidential pick, posted to X, calling for prayers for the former president. "Please join Kathryn and me in praying for President Trump, his family and everyone attending the rally today." PHOTO: People take cover as U.S. Secret Service agents surround Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on stage at a campaign rally, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa. (Evan Vucci/AP) Another vice presidential hopeful, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, also posted on X asking for prayers for Trump and those at the rally. "Praying for President Trump and all those attending the rally in Pennsylvania today." "ATF is responding to assist the U.S. Secret Service and other law enforcement partners. This is a top priority. We have no further comment at this time," ATF said in a statement. ABC News' Isabella Murray, Jack Date and Luke Barr contributed to this story. Trump shot at rally in assassination attempt; spectator killed and shooter dead originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Former President Donald Trump survived an apparent assassination attempt at a western Pennsylvania campaign rally on Saturday night that killed one attendee and seriously injured two others. Trump said he was shot in the ear, and he was treated at a hospital nearby before being released and leaving the state Saturday night. Officials said the suspected shooter was dead. The FBI identified the suspected gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, in a statement early Sunday morning. Law enforcement officials said at a press conference late Saturday night that they had not yet identified a motive for the attack, and the investigation was ongoing. This evening we had what we are calling an assassination attempt against our former president, Donald Trump. It is still an active crime scene," Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBIs Pittsburgh field office, said at the news conference. The chaos in Butler, Pennsylvania, began around 6:15 p.m., when multiple shots rang out at the rally. Trump was in the first minutes of his campaign speech talking about immigration and border crossings, when he turned towards a large screen to share a chart with the crowd. Thats the moment when three pops sounded out. Trump touched his right ear and quickly lowered himself to the ground as secret service agents called for him to get down. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear," the former president said in a social media post . "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening. Within seconds, agents laid across Trump with their bodies to protect him as screams from the crowd were punctuated by shots that continued to ring out. Trump remained on the ground for about a minute, surrounded, until a voice could be heard telling the former president and his protection, shooter is down. When he stood back up, supported by agents, he appeared injured, with blood streaking red from his ear across his cheek. Agents rushed him off the stage. But first he could be heard over the microphone at his podium saying, let me get my shoes. Then he said, wait, wait, wait. And in a dramatic moment, Trump paused to pump his fist and yell fight, fight, to a cheering crowd chanting USA! USA! Trump was then quickly ushered into an SUV and taken to a nearby hospital. Photos of that fist pump were quickly amplified by Republican allies on social media. I saw the man standing on his own two feet and stick his fist up in the air, said Jondavid Longo, the Republican mayor of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, who attended the rally. And, you know, hes tough. Hes tough guy. In his post, Trump thanked law enforcement for quickly responding to the shooting and expressed his condolences to the family of the dead and wounded rally-goers. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country, he wrote . The attack on Trump both a former president and the presumptive Republican presidential nominee prompted a massive mobilization of law enforcement, with the FBI leading the investigation. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement that a suspect had fired toward the stage from an elevated position outside of the rally venue. Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger similarly said on CNN that the suspected shooter "was outside the grounds." Attendees described a chaotic scene as law enforcement rushed to protect the former president and confusion broke out as people attempted to figure out what was going on and tried to help victims. All the sudden shots started to crack, someone behind me appears to have been shot, said Dave McCormick, the Republican nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania, who was in the front row at the rally. Theres lots of blood, and then the Secret Service were all over President Trump." Officials did not release the identities of the shooting victims Saturday night. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said his nephew was among them. The nephew was in the "line of fire" behind Trump, Jackson told Fox News on Saturday night, and was grazed in the neck: A bullet crossed his neck, and he was bleeding. Leaders from across the political spectrum quickly condemned political violence in the wake of the attack. "Theres no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it," President Joe Biden said in a statement. He later spoke on camera briefly: Look, theres no place in America for this kind of violence. Its sick. The White House said Saturday night that Biden had spoken with Trump and been briefed by law enforcement. Donald Trump Jr. said in a statement that the former president "is in great spirits," and Trump's daughter, Ivanka, thanked the public in a social media post for the "love and prayers for my father and for the other victims of today's senseless violence." The campaign sent out a statement reiterating that the former president "looks forward to joining you all in Milwaukee" at the Republican National Convention, slated to start on Monday. Jared Mitovich contributed reporting. Trump Says George Clooney Is a Backstabber and Very Disloyal for Telling Biden to Step Down Donald Trump called George Clooney a backstabber in response to the actors New York Times op-ed that called on President Joe Biden to drop out of the 2024 race. The former president and presumed Republican nominee in November went on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Friday to discuss what he calls Bidens big boy press conference. One of the cohosts Clay Travis asked the embattled politician if he follows the current palace intrigue and what his response was to Bidens inner circle publicly asking him to step down. Its really kind of wild. In the two weeks since you knocked him out in the debate, I mean, they have just spun completely out of control, Travis said. Can you believe how much of a dumpster fire they are right now? Trump told the cohosts that Clooneys piece was an act of betrayal. I thought George Clooney was very disloyal, because whether you like Biden or not, you know, hes been nice to Clooney. I thought it was very disloyal. Backstabber. A third-rate movie actor, Trump said. Clooney, a prominent donor and lifelong Democrat, called for a new nominee in his piece in the Times Wednesday. His strong stance sent a shock through the Democratic Party, causing more Hollywood elite and prominent democrats to express their concern. Clooney hosted a successful, record-breaking fundraiser for the president, where many in attendance have since expressed Biden did not appear fit for another four-year term. The June 15 fundraiser raised $28 million overnight for the reelection campaign. He was a television actor and never made a really good movie, Trump added of Clooney, an Oscar-winning actor who got his start on ER. You can watch the full episode of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show here. The post Trump Says George Clooney Is a Backstabber and Very Disloyal for Telling Biden to Step Down appeared first on TheWrap. Two Alexandria men have been arrested on second-degree murder charges in connection to a June 18 homicide on Overton Street, according to police. Two Alexandria men have been arrested on second-degree murder charges in connection to a June 18 homicide on Overton Street, according to police. Brandon Jahiem Whipple, 21, and Robert Earl Swafford, 19, both remain in the Rapides Parish Detention Center No. 1 after their arrests. Bail for each was set at $1 million, according to online jail records. The Alexandria Police Department arrested Whipple on July 11, followed by Swafford on July 12. They are the second and third people arrested in the shooting that killed one person in the 2700 block of Overton Street. Officers had chased a vehicle with multiple people in it, but didn't catch anyone when they fled from the car at Monroe Street and Louisiana Avenue. Overton Street homicide: Alexandria man arrested, accused in fatal June shooting Detective: Alexandria man goaded victim into fight, then shot him in his back Robert Drakes III was arrested on June 30 on a charge of second-degree murder. His bail also is set at $1 million and he remains in jail. Drakes, 21, has requested and been appointed an attorney, but he has no court dates yet, according to online Rapides Parish Clerk of Court records. He also faces an unrelated charge of armed robbery with a pretrial conference set for Aug. 21. Whipple also was booked on a probation violation charge. No bail is set on that charge. He pleaded guilty in October to a felony charge of aggravated assault with a firearm and a misdemeanor drug charge, but was sentenced to three years probation. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Police arrest Brandon Whipple, Robert Swafford after fatal shooting Two pedestrians killed on I-215 in Salt Lake City overnight, UHP says SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Two pedestrians were struck and killed by two separate vehicles on I-215 early Saturday morning, according to the Utah Dept. of Public Safety. At around 3:55 a.m. on July 13, UHP troopers responded to a crash involving multiple vehicles and two pedestrians at around 900 West I-215 West Eastbound, according to a press release from the DPS. Before the first pedestrian was struck, a dark SUV pulled to the shoulder and a female passenger got out of the vehicle and entered the right travel lane. A silver Kia Spectra then struck the female, officials said. 14-year-old Utah girl missing in Mexico found safe, FBI says The male driver of the SUV that was parked on the shoulder then got out of the vehicle and went toward the female victim, where he was then struck by a Volkswagen Tiguan. The female was pronounced dead on scene, officials said, while the male was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly after. I-215 West Eastbound was closed at Redwood Road so troopers could investigate the incident but has since been reopened. The identities of the victims have not been released at this time. No further information is currently 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 ABC4 Utah. MOSS POINT, Miss. (WKRG) Investigators are still trying to figure out what led up to a fight that ended with dozens of shots fired and at least two people hurt in Moss Point, Mississippi. A news release from the Moss Point Police Department said officers responded to the report of a shooting before dawn on Thursday, July 11th near the intersection of Magnolia Street and Davis Avenue. When they arrived they stopped several vehicles trying to drive away from the scene. At least two of the people who were stopped had gunshot wounds. Investigators say two groups of teenage girls met for a fight in a church parking lot on Davis. The groups shot at each other and police recovered 41 spent shell casings. Police say additional search warrants on the vehicles resulted in the seizure of two guns and more ammunition. Police say it appears none of the people involved are from Moss Point and charges are pending the results of their 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 WKRG News 5. (Bloomberg) -- United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain suggested Donald Trump is on track to defeat Joe Biden in November, warning Democrats risk a catastrophic repeat of their 2016 election loss unless they confront hard truths. Most Read from Bloomberg Were speaking truth to those who need to hear it most and thats the Democrat Party, Fain said Friday at the Netroots Nation conference in Baltimore, urging people not to put our heads in the sand and hide from reality we tried that in 2016 and it didnt work. Fain is one of the nations most influential labor leaders and he delivered Biden a long-sought and effusive endorsement in January, buoying the presidents reelection campaign. While Fain didnt directly address Bidens debate performance or the calls to replace him on the ticket, his comments indicate concern within the labor movement about the presidents prospects in November. Amid the fallout from Bidens June debate disaster, the UAW chief told the crowd of progressive activists that it was necessary to face uncomfortable facts. Weve seen it before: We saw in 2016 people just wanted to buckle down and hope for the best knowing that we werent meeting the moment, Fain said. And we see it happening again, though very few people are willing to speak up about it: The truth is the billionaire class and the corporate class has the working class on the ropes, and theyre ready, through their messiah Donald Trump, to deliver a fatal blow, and our political system is set up to let that happen. Earlier: Biden Tells Voters Im OK in Bid to Rescue Troubled Campaign Fain didnt mention Biden by name, though he praised the presidents record on labor issues. Weve got a president in the White House who wants to stand with the working-class and weve made incredible gains over the last three and a half years, he said. In contrast, Fain added, Trump would be a complete disaster for the working class. Fain spoke on a day that Biden was campaigning in Michigan, where the union has its headquarters. Lauren Hitt, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign, said in a statement on Friday night that he has been a champion for working people over greedy corporations. Thats why our campaign has 33 unions supporting us - it reflects Joe Bidens record of delivering results for working families. Biden has highlighted his union support as he tries to beat back pressure to exit the presidential race. The AFL-CIO announced Wednesday that its executive council, which includes Fain, had voted unanimously to reaffirm its commitment to reelect Biden, saying in a statement that he has run the most pro-union administration in our lifetimes. But Fain at a Thursday meeting of the UAW executive board expressed concern about Bidens ability to defeat Trump, according to people familiar with the conversation. Reuters reported earlier on Fains private misgivings. As a reporter asked Biden a question at his Thursday press conference about Fains concerns, the president interjected, UAW just endorsed me, but go ahead. A UAW spokesperson declined to comment Friday. --With assistance from Josh Wingrove. (Updates with Biden campaign comment, in ninth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Ukraine should become a NATO member sooner rather than later to ensure security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with CNN on July 12. The three-day NATO summit in Washington ended with the launch of the Ukraine Compact, a security framework signed by 32 allies. In addition, the countries affirmed Kyiv's "irreversible" path toward membership, though Ukraine did not receive any definitive news about its future accession. "We will be entirely happy only when Ukraine becomes a member of NATO and the promise of this will be fulfilled. We heard very reassuring messages over the last days at all levels that the path of membership is irreversible, that Ukraine will be in NATO," Kuleba said. "But we cannot wait another 75 years to celebrate Ukraine's accession." Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine was a key focus of the Alliance's 75th-anniversary summit. Multiple countries announcing aid packages and security agreements. According to Kuleba, Ukraine is confident that allies' commitments will be implemented, but the timeline remains the main issue. "We ask all our partners to rush with delivery of what they have promised because we need it here and now to protect our cities when it comes to our air defense, energy infrastructure. Also, (to) arm our soldier with sufficient capabilities to hold the lines and destroy Russian invaders," the minister added. Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he hopes that Ukraine will join the alliance within the next 10 years. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly called on partners to issue a membership invitation to Kyiv, said that Ukraine will join NATO only after Russia's full-scale war ends, echoing Stoltenberg. Read also: Zelensky calls NATO Summit success, but experts warn of green light for Russian aggression Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine could be invited to join NATO at any moment, says Deputy PM Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, says Ukraines invitation to join NATO remains on the Alliance's agenda and can be extended at any moment. Source: Stefanishyna in a column for NV on the results of the NATO summit in Washington, as reported by European Pravda Details: Stefanishyna pointed out that the allies clearly stated in the summit declaration that Ukraines path to NATO is irreversible. She noted that the negotiations on this wording had not been easy. Quote: "However, together with our friends, we have realised how important it is to ensure that the future of Ukrainians cannot be a bargaining chip in negotiations with the aggressor. No threats, challenges, or elections will change the fact that Ukraine's future is in NATO," Stefanishyna wrote. This has been agreed by 32 NATO member states, and any changes to this decision will require a unanimous consensus, she added. "The invitation for Ukraine remains on the agenda and may be extended at any moment. While we await that moment, Ukraine is becoming increasingly militarily and politically integrated with the Alliance," the deputy prime minister asserted. Background: NATOs Washington Summit Declaration states that Ukraine's path to the Alliance is irreversible. However, the summit did not extend an invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance, as there is no consensus among the member states. The declaration specifies that NATO leaders will be able to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join "when the Allies agree and conditions are met." Read more: NATO is inevitable: What the Washington summit's decision means for Ukraine's membership Support UP or become our patron! With one million FPV drones pledged to Ukraine by an international coalition, the need for pilots is only going to increase. The Ukrainian cope cage-covered Nissan SUV rumbled down a dirt road, chased by a First-Person View (FPV) drone zipping through the sky with an angry buzz. At first glance, this seemed like a video seen many times on social media. Both sides use these light, fast, highly maneuverable flying munitions as fearsome attack weapons. The driver, however, was in no danger. He was motoring through a training grounds obstacle course designed to help teach new Ukrainian FPV pilots how to fly over, around, and through objects, avoid electronic warfare countermeasures, and hit moving targets. Obstacle course training for Ukrainian FPV & bomber drone operators. Operators work with caged civilian cars & under EW. pic.twitter.com/riAJiCT5c4 Clash Report (@clashreport) July 11, 2024 Its one thing to have drones. It is something else altogether to reliably guide them to dynamic targets across a chaotic and bloody battlefield. While the many videos of attacks on tanks, trucks, and troops like the one below make it look easy, its not. One FPV drone, one russian IFV, one epic destruction. : Azov Brigade pic.twitter.com/ZRGqLFxwJF Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) July 12, 2024 We have a constant need to train our pilots and operators. The world of unmanned systems is constantly changing and the enemy comes up with certain methods or can prevent us from completing our tasks, said one of the soldiers, who goes by callsign Teenager. We have the opportunity to constantly train and improve our skills. As he speaks, the video cuts to an FPV drone flying through a net-covered tube obstacle. Its one of the many hurdles new pilots have to navigate as they become familiar with flying and experienced pilots have to use to refresh their skills. For rookies, just getting to that stage takes time. Our training is done in several stages, said another soldier, callsign Glory. It starts with a base of basic summer practices, then the second stage is more complex practices, and then there are application tactics, where our pilots learn to counter the enemy, an imitation of what is on the battlefield. The obstacle course offers many challenges, from mockups of building facades to slaloming around metal poles to buzzing through hoops. There are also static targets, like an old automobile. Student pilots have to learn how to fly FPV drones through doors and windows. Twitter screencap There are training grounds for practicing motor skills, there are targets that can always be hit, there aretools so that pilots can prepare and learn to work not just in hothouse conditions, but in conditions as close as possible to combat, Teenager explained. This training teaches pilots to make kills that look right out of a dystopian movie, including strikes through open windows, doors and tank hatches. The program is about more than just learning how to fly and fight. Successful FPV operations require munitions mated to the drone and a constant need for parts. Among other skills, the new operators learn to use a FlyingBear high-speed 3-D printer to fashion needed pieces. Working a 3-D printer is an important part of FPV drone operations. Twitter screencap As FPV drones have become a weapon of choice in this war, the demand for people to fly them is intense and about to become more so. The Ukraine Defense Contact Groups Drone Coalition signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday at the NATO Summit pledging to provide one million FPV drones to Ukraine. So far, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Latvia, New Zealand, and Sweden have promised $49 million to rapidly procure them. More funds are expected as well. Latvia is providing a drone testing training range for industry and the military to continuously improve drone technology. The U.K. has launched an industry competition on behalf of the Drone Coalition to develop and procure FPV drones. To date, that effort has received 265 bids, which are currently being evaluated. The first contracts are expected to be signed in August. The coalition, however, will give Ukraine more than just FPV drones. At the same time, coalition members are working to provide other types of drones like reconnaissance, strike drones, AI-upgraded drones, as well as counter-drone capabilities. Through the Drone Coalition, we will be seeking joint procurement initiatives to utilize and expand national industrial capacities. A sapper of the night bomber crew of the Khartiia Brigade with the call sign Sonic installs an 8-kilogram bomb on a heavy night strike drone, nicknamed Baba Yaga by the Russian military, designed to destroy fortified Russian positions, near Lyptsi on June 19, 2024 in Kharkiv Oblast. Photo by Taras Ibragimov/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC UA:PBC/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images Global Images Ukraine Thanks to a major recruiting effort by the Ukrainian Ground Forces Command, there is a steady stream of people interested in flying FPV drones to kill Russian fighters. They come from the military as well as the civilian world, said Teenager. Gamers make up a good portion of that cadre. Maybe if yesterday you were grieving for Mom, today you are a great find for the Army and a great danger for the enemy, he said. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Ukraine to receive up to 100,000 shells per month from Czechia Czech President Czech President Petr Pavel has shared details about the delivery of artillery shells to Ukraine as part of the Czech initiative. Source: Pavel during a discussion in Houston, Texas, as reported by European Pravda with reference to Czech news agency CTK Details: Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced at the end of June that the first shipment of shells under the Czech initiative had arrived in Ukraine. Defence Minister Jana Cernochova clarified that this involved 50,000 rounds of ammunition, with the goal of supplying 500,000 rounds to Ukraine this year. This amount is currently financially secured, with the first batch of 180,000 rounds funded by a German contribution. Pavel stated that an additional 50,000 rounds of ammunition are expected to arrive in Ukraine in July and August and from 80,000 to 100,000 rounds per month will be delivered from September until the end of the year. Background: The Czech initiative could provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with 50,000 to 100,000 large-calibre shells per month. Support UP or become our patron! With Ukraine short on battle tanks like the Abrams, US-made Bradley fighting vehicles are proving their worth US-made Bradley fighting vehicles have been a highly effective tool for Ukraine. With lots of maneuverability and firepower, they have been used on the battlefield as light tanks. For Kyiv, Bradleys are also more expendable than other Western armor like Abrams tanks. NATO members have equipped Ukraine with plenty of highly capable armored vehicles to take into battle against Russia, giving Kyiv a firepower, survivability, and maneuverability upgrade over the aging Soviet-era systems with which it started its grueling fight. Among the wartime additions to Ukraine's arsenal is the US-made Bradley fighting vehicle, a formidable asset that continues proving its worth on the battlefield several decades after it first saw combat. There was tremendous hype around the arrival of the American-made M1 Abrams tank, but that's faded. However, the Bradley, despite suffering significantly more losses, has consistently been celebrated for its effectiveness, in some ways overshadowing the Abrams. Kyiv didn't get very many Abrams, limiting their ability to make an impact on the battlefield and making the tanks more precious than the far more plentiful and more expendable Bradleys. These vehicles don't deliver the same overall combat strength as the Abrams, as they're essentially armored troop carriers and fighting vehicles, but the Bradleys can serve in ways akin to a tank and aren't without their advantages. The American-made Bradleys, in the hands of the Ukrainians, are "in effect being used as a light tank," Mark Cancian, a defense expert and retired US Marine Corps colonel, told Business Insider. A 'very effective' infantry fighting vehicle The Bradleys were built as a response to the Soviet infantry fighting vehicles and entered service in the 1980s. It is a combat-proven system, having deployed in the Gulf War in the early 1990s and then again to Iraq in the following decade, and has been praised for its maneuverability, survivability, and firepower especially its ability to take out enemy armor on the move. A Bradley fighting vehicle from the US Army 2nd Armored division drives through Saudi Arabian desert on Jan. 18, 1991. AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami With an operational range of around 300 miles and a crew of three, the Bradley can transport as many as six fully equipped soldiers to and from the battlefield at speeds of up to 40 mph. It is armed with tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles, a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, and a 7.62mm M240C machine gun. The Bradley features a thermal vision system also found on Ukraine's Abrams tanks that is able to detect targets out to a distance of five miles. Its steel and aluminum armor, as well as a plate on the front of its belly, are durable enough to protect against some munitions and shield it against certain mine explosions. The Bradley's armor can also be bolstered with explosive reactive armor, like a main battle tank, to further protect it. A former US Army infantry officer told Business Insider "the capabilities that it brings in terms of speed, its ability to keep up with the tanks, your ability to move infantry squads in a protected manner across the battlefield very quickly, and its fairly robust armor package along with the capabilities of the weapons systems on there make it a very effective infantry fighting vehicle." The US announced it would send dozens of Bradleys to Ukraine in early 2023 amid a push by other NATO countries to surge armored vehicles to the country ahead of a counteroffensive. The Bradley isn't the only armor the US sent to Ukraine. Kyiv also has 31 Abrams tanks a fraction of the more than 300 Bradleys it has received as of early July, according to Pentagon data. Main battle tanks, like the Abrams, have not necessarily been a go-to armor choice for Ukraine and have been used more sparingly in combat. Part of that has to do with inventory, as Kyiv has many more Bradleys than Abrams to expend. Additionally, the battlefield conditions support the idea that a lighter vehicle could be better than something on the heavier side. A US Army M2 Bradley fires its weapon at Trzebien, Poland on Feb. 22, 2022. US Army National Guard photo by Spc. Hassani Ribera The Bradley infantry fighting vehicle is lighter than an Abrams tank by roughly 40 tons. It handles off-road action well and doesn't usually get "bogged down in the mud" as easily, explained the former US infantry officer. They added that there's "a certain amount of mobility that comes into play there." "The Bradley is perhaps a bit more maneuverable than a main battle tank," said the former officer, who had experience with the IFV during their service. "It's taller than one, which makes it a pretty good target, but it's more compact and can sort of maneuver through the terrain a little more agilely." In Ukraine, the battlefield is different than what US weapons saw in the Middle East. The skies are contested, preventing air cover for armored operations, and unmanned aerial vehicles, along with anti-tank infantry equipped with anti-tank missiles and helicopters equipped with the same, are now threatening tanks like never before. Such an environment could favor lighter, faster, more maneuverable alternatives. Additionally, while the powerful, heavily armored Abrams was built to kill other tanks, those battles are being seen fairly infrequently. This top tank was also built for armored breakthroughs, but massed armored assaults aren't really happening. An M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank fires during the Tank Gunnery Competition, TIGERCOMP on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. US Marine photo by Sgt. Tayler P. Schwamb The Bradley can hold its own in a tank fight. Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said previously that the Bradley isn't a tank, but it is a "tank killer," as well as an effective tool against infantry. Ukraine has used these to target bunkers, exposed infantry, machine gun nets, and other targets beyond armor Bradleys can be easier to recover, repair, and maintain, offer maneuverability and mobility, deliver sufficient combat capability and crew protection, and are not considered as high value as the Abrams from a targeting perspective. Some Abrams crews have said the tanks make them the "number one target." Since the first Bradleys arrived on the battlefield more than a year ago, Ukrainian soldiers have praised the vehicle for its role in combat, applauding its firepower and survivability and commending it for being an upgrade over the Soviet-era systems they were using beforehand, such as the BMP. In an interview last fall, a Bradley crew from the 47th Mechanized Brigade called the IFV a "very serious machine," noting that its thermal imager is "very high quality." While the range may be lacking, "the shrapnel density is crazy, the firepower density is just insane," one soldier said. "Target acquisition takes seconds, just seconds. At night, this machine is absolutely priceless, simply invaluable. You capture targets much faster. Visibility is better than during the day." Videos shared by Ukraine's military, as well as open-source intelligence (OSINT) accounts, have documented multiple instances of Bradleys going up against Russian armored vehicles and even Russia's prized T-90M tanks in head-to-head fights, with the Bradleys holding their own or overpowering enemies. Other videos have shown the American-made armored vehicles engaging drones and unleashing withering chain-gun fire on Russian infantry positions. And on defense, these vehicles have taken direct hits or run over mines, and the crews have survived. Although the footage captures just a fraction of what is happening on the battlefield, it builds a strong case for the fighting vehicle's impact in the war. Ukraine is using it in a light tank role Ukrainian soldiers patrol with a Bradley in Ukraine's Donbas region. Anadolu Much of the Bradleys' success comes down to how the Ukrainians are using them. Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, said that based on footage seen from the war, it is apparent that Ukraine is operating the Bradley as if it were a tank rather than an armored vehicle or transport. "There's no question that the Ukrainians seem to be using it differently from the way the US Army would use it. They're using it much more in a scouting role, in a light tank role, than as an infantry fighting vehicle," he said, looking at open-source intel. The US tends to operate its Bradleys in groups, with the vehicles working together with its Abrams. The armor is supported by infantry and air cover. Ukraine's limited arsenal of main battle tanks and insufficient airpower have led it to use its Bradleys differently. Drones and mines, too, have led to changes, with Ukraine usually sending only one or two out at a time. The versatility of the Bradley fighting vehicle allows Ukraine to use it in whatever function is most useful in a given moment. They can transport troops, engage in battle on the front line, or scout out Russian positions miles away. The Bradley was designed to be able to keep up with the Abrams across varying terrains. On the front lines in Ukraine, Cancian explained, the Bradley can scout, hide in the dense tree lines, and race across wide fields of mud and dirt. Though it's using them differently than the US does, Ukraine has adapted quickly to the Bradleys and is using them well. "What's impressed me is how quickly the crews have come up to speed on fighting the Bradley. The performance of the vehicle itself hasn't surprised me. It hasn't underwhelmed me either it's what I would expect from well-trained crews," the former infantry officer said. Ukrainian soldiers on a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Avdiivka on Feb. 23, 2024. Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images "You can't just jump into a Bradley and go into a battle and expect to be effective," they added. This all adds weight to a narrative that has come to define Kyiv's side of the war for over two years now: the Ukrainians, often low on weapons or struggling to make ends meet, are scrappy fighters, fighting in ways Western armies like the US wouldn't. The Bradleys is one example of that, Cancian said, showing what Ukraine can do despite the odds. Bradleys are good but not unbeatable Though celebrated for their effectiveness, these battle-hardened vehicles are far from invincible, and many of them have fallen victim to Russian threats like artillery, mines, and drones. So far, Ukraine has lost at least 90 of its Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, according to the open-source intelligence site Oryx, which uses visual confirmation to track war losses on both sides. When the US employed the Bradleys in Afghanistan and Iraq, improvised explosive devices dealt damage to their vulnerable undercarriage. That contributed to growing concerns about the future role of the vehicle, which is now set to be phased out with the Army's new XM30 Mechanized Infantry Fighting Vehicle replacing it in the coming years. A prototype of the vehicle is set to be delivered in late 2024. Cancian said it has likely been a surprise that the Bradley has done so well in Ukraine given the Army's concerns about its vulnerability. A Ukrainian soldier in a Bradley near Avdiivka. GENYA SAVILOV via Getty Images There are advantages to using the Bradley over the Abrams or any other main battle tank for certain missions, but it remains unclear if Ukraine would be relying so heavily on Bradleys if it had received more Abrams tanks from the US, which would then allow them to employ the tanks more liberally on the battlefield. Massed armor can be tremendously effective for offensive armored breakthroughs, but without certain force multipliers, such as airpower, Ukraine might be unable to leverage its armor to its full potential. It faced these challenges during last year's counteroffensive, which saw Ukraine's newly acquired Western main battle tanks stumble. F-16s are on their way, creating new possibilities, but their effectiveness remains to be seen. For now, Ukraine's army is on defense, and the US hasn't offered any additional Abrams to supplement the ones already received. The Bradleys, though, remain in heavy use by the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, a group that's seen practically non-stop fighting for a year. A US aid package earlier this year included more Bradleys to the brigade. Read the original article on Business Insider Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Ukraine's Defence Intelligence, believes that Russia will attempt to attack Ukraine's territory from the north in the coming months. Source: Budanov in an interview with Ukrainian news magazine NV Quote from Budanov: "You know, this situation feels a bit like a joke to me. For two years, when everyone was yelling that there was going to be an attack from the north, we insisted it wouldn't happen. Nothing happened. The moment we said there would be an attack from the north, everyone started questioning, 'Maybe it won't happen after all?' It will! It is already happening." Details: Budanov stated this "emphatically and firmly", the journalists said, but he did not specify whether he was referring to the Sumy or Chernihiv fronts. Quote from Budanov: "If I start answering that question, well provoke panic. Let's just say that there are problems, and they tend to get worse. There is no catastrophe, but its impossible not to see the problems. Ive already told someone from the Western press: I wont have much good news this year, unfortunately." Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian defenders down 4 Shahed drones and 5th flies to Belarus Mobile fire group. Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Four out of five Shahed drones were shot down on the night of 12-13 July. The fifth drone flew towards Belarus. Source: Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram Details: The Russians launched five Shahed-131/136 attack drones from Russias Primorsko-Akhtarsk on the night of 12-13 July. Four Russian drones were downed by mobile fire groups within Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. The fifth drone exited Ukrainian airspace, heading towards Gomel Oblast in Belarus. Background: One of the Shahed kamikaze drones launched by the Russian Federation during the attack on Ukraine on the evening of 11 July flew into Belarus and stayed in the airspace of Belarus for at least one hour. The National Resistance Center has received information that Belarusian security agencies are preparing to conduct so-called false flag operations in the border area with Ukraine. Support UP or become our patron! A group of Ukrainian scammers called the Monetary Army is using fake dating profiles to defraud Russian men out of thousands of pounds, with some of the profits funnelling into Kyivs war effort. Alongside the dating profiles, the scammers use illegitimate websites and cryptocurrency transactions in a business that allows them to get rich quickly while avenging themselves on Moscows citizens. The Monetary Army was born in 2020, when young Ukrainian tech-workers took advantage of surging dating app use during the Covid pandemic to target Russian men looking for love. Since then, it has grown from a small group to a team of 100, says Arthur, a 24-year-old man from Kharkiv who was an early member. He requested that his last name be withheld for security concerns. When he met The Telegraph on a hot summer day in Kharkiv, Arthur calmly ignored an air raid alert as he showed off his roster of fake dating profiles on the encrypted messaging app Telegram all of them featuring stunning women. While the city remains under constant bombardment from Russian forces, Arthur interacts with Russian men under the guise of beauties such as Natasha, Anastasia or Olena. All have long blonde or brown hair, light-coloured eyes, large lips, and perfect make-up. Another fake profile used in the dating scam After creating a profile, Arthur joins a Telegram channel called Divinchik, a common dating app in Russia, and matches with men. During the dialogue when the case comes to the meeting, my task is to invite men to one of the events that we have on a fake home site, he explains. For example, to the theatre, stand-up comedy show, ballet, or cinema. And then the man never meets the woman. The Monetary Army uses five websites to entrap Russian men in the scam. All the websites show an event calendar, like an exhibition featuring the Ukrainian-Russian 19th-century painter Ilya Repin or a Vivaldi Four Seasons concert. The website The Telegraph was shown appears legitimate, equipped with pictures and videos of the events, travel guides and an about page that claims that millions of people use it monthly. Buying two tickets costs an average of 35, and the men are instructed to pay the website through cryptocurrency. After completing the transaction, Arthur tells the Russian men he can no longer make the date and suggests they ask for a refund. The customer support Telegram channel, which is often Arthur on a separate account, begins the scam. Arthur says: The system tells the men to buy two more tickets as a deposit to get a refund for the initial tickets. Thanks to which they put in more money, in principle, an unlimited amount, depending on how much of a fool he is. The men can then be trapped in a never-ending cycle of putting additional money into the system. They start telling the victim that he made some mistake in filling out the return form. You already put two payments, now you need to put four. Yet another tempting image used to attract Russian men The Monetary Army can make anywhere from 78 upwards for each scam, with an average of 100, but Arthur said the maximum that has ever been stolen from one man was 19,000. Part of the money goes towards helping Ukraines military, but most goes to pay the staff. Arthur makes 1,575 a month from the job. Others work for the Monetary Army part-time or whenever they need extra cash. A 29-year-old woman from Kharkiv named Yana, who asked that her last name be withheld, works for the scam in the winter when work is more challenging to come by. She said that she looks for idiots to match with for the scam. Often, the men Yana matches with are labourers, police officers, Russian soldiers, or students in a military academy. The latter tell Yana that they are going to war and ask questions like Will you wait for me? Of course she will, Yana replies. They were saying yes, we are heroes, but I didnt really take the conversation in the direction of politics. I was not interested in talking about politics. Sometimes, the men Yana matches with try to call their supposed date or ask for explicit images, while others send their own graphic pictures. There are idiots everywhere. But you block them right away, well what good are they? she laughed. Yana was first introduced to the Monetary Army by Arthur in the summer of 2022, shortly after Ukraines military managed to push Russian troops out of the Kharkiv region. Before the war, Yana said she had never considered being part of a scheme to rob Russian men. However, the 29-year-old, who has remained in Kharkiv for the entirety of the war, has witnessed the constant attacks on her city and the brutal murder of her fellow Ukrainians in Vladimir Putins war. Since then, Yana says she has enjoyed scamming Russian men. With a smile, she says: Considering they bombed a lot, it didnt hurt my conscience. 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. RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Former President Donald Trumps campaign announced that everyday Americans will be featured at the upcoming Republican National Convention, including guests from the Triangle. On Friday, it was announced that the group of students and fraternity brothers at UNC-Chapel Hill who held up the American flag during pro-Palestinian protests on campus will be speakers at the GOP Convention. The UNC students, who later formed a nonprofit organization called Pints for Patriots, also raised over $500,000 from GoFundMe donations from people across the nation to throw a rager later named Flagstock 2024 and later stated they would donate the money to various charities. $500K+ GoFundMe for UNC students who protected American flag during protests closes at midnight; funds to go to party, charities We have been overwhelmed by the sheer force of patriotism on display, organizer John Noonan said in a statement when the GoFundMe reached half a million dollars. What started as a modest request to buy a few kegs for some great young guys has ballooned into an American cultural moment, with millions of people paying attention: blue and red, left and right, all of the above. He added, With over 12,000 donations and almost half a million dollars, its incumbent on us to disburse the money in a manner that is faithful to our donors intent: throwing these great guys a world class party that will echo across eternity. Flagstock 2024 is set to be held on Labor Day, Sept. 4, free of charge and invite only. Flag-protecting UNC frat sets date for Flagstock 2024 party after viral fundraiser topped $515,000 Former N.C. school teacher and corrections officer Annette Albright is also listed to attend the GOP Convention. The Republican National Convention will be held from July 15 to July 18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trump will be rubbing elbows in Milwaukee with a crowd that may include dozens of witnesses and alleged co-conspirators in his criminal cases people he has sworn not to communicate with about details of the charges against him. Avoiding them may not be possible for the former president during the four-day convention, creating an unusual dynamic, and a potential legal liability for Trump, against the backdrop of a national nominating convention. If I were a Trump attorney, my biggest fear might be that Trump finds himself in close quarters with a defendant and starts running his mouth off, said Anthony Kreis, a law professor at Georgia State University. Several false electors for Trump in 2020 who were charged with crimes in Arizona, Nevada and Georgia are expected to be at the Republican National Convention. In addition, many of Trumps former White House aides who testified to grand juries in Washington and Florida are likely to be on hand. Though the roster of speakers hasnt been publicly shared, theres a high likelihood that others embroiled in Trumps alleged crimes a long list of GOP officials and activists will also be there. The situation is, like many things associated with Trump, unprecedented, and its hard to gauge the likelihood that an interaction in a crowded convention hall could become legally perilous for the former president. But its not zero, according to legal experts. I imagine the tight scripted nature of the convention will help isolate Trump from that danger, Kreis said. But you also never know. General attacks on the prosecutions hes facing in Washington, Florida and Georgia familiar themes in Trump rallies and speeches or superficial encounters with people involved in his cases are unlikely to raise prosecutors eyebrows. But legal experts say there are lines Trump could cross if he mentions codefendants or witnesses by name or has more substantive interactions with them. And even general remarks, whether scripted or extemporaneous, could present risks if they could be interpreted as pressure on witnesses against cooperation or an attempt to influence their future testimony. If he were to meet with them in a conference room or hotel room, then concerns arise that they are violating not only the letter of the order but also the spirit of it, said Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney from the Eastern District of Michigan. With regard to a public speech, I think general comments about politically motivated prosecution probably would not cause any concern, but if Trump starts detailing his version of a cover story, then that could prompt prosecutors to argue that he has breached his terms of release. Violating release conditions can have an array of consequences, from facing tighter restrictions on his speech to being incarcerated while awaiting trial. In Trumps New York criminal trial, in which he was convicted for covering up hush money payments to a porn star, Judge Juan Merchan considered jailing Trump for violating the terms of a gag order by making comments about witnesses and jurors. He imposed fines and issued stern warnings instead. The Trump campaign declined to specify if it is taking steps to mitigate these risks at the convention, and its possible the former president wont have direct interactions with those covered by his pretrial release conditions. In Washington and Florida, Trump agreed to conditions that bar him from communicating about the facts of this case with any individual known to the defendant to be a witness unless his lawyer is present. In Georgia, where Trump is facing state charges related to the 2020 election, that restriction also extends to his 16 codefendants, including several current and former GOP officials. Trump has an added wrinkle because of the gag order hes under in Washington, which prohibits him from making any public statements, or directing others to make any public statements that target any reasonably foreseeable witness or the substance of their testimony. The dynamic is sure to be a subject of scrutiny. Compounding the challenge is that in two of Trumps cases, hes charged with a sweeping conspiracy to corrupt the results of the 2020 election, marshaling GOP leaders, state party officials and activists to accomplish the task. Many of those very figures remain active in the party and are expected to attend the convention. They include Nevada state party Chair Michael McDonald; Michigan GOP Committeemember Kathy Berden; and Arizona GOP activist Nancy Cottle, who obtained court permission this week to attend. Also likely to be found at the convention will be prominent members of Trumps White House and intelligence community leadership involved in case the former president faces for hoarding highly classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and allegedly obstructing efforts by the government to reclaim them. Trump is unlikely to go to trial in any of his ongoing three cases this year. Yet, because the cases remain pending, he is still subject to the conditions of pretrial release. Alex Isenstadt contributed to this report. The U.S. is developing a new long-range and relatively affordable missile specifically for Ukraine's Air Force. A request for information (RFI) in relation to the new munition was first released in January, and an update on July 10 expressly stated the intended recipient would be Kyiv. The new weapon to be developed is an Extended-Range Attack Munition (ERAM), that aims to be a low-cost, quick to produce air-launched missile with a range of around 460 kilometers. It will be a 500-pound (225 kilogram)-class munition with a fragmentation warhead capable of destroying armored targets. "This munition is pivotal for accelerating Ukraines capability to meet warfighter needs efficiently and effectively and provides an affordable mass weapon to be produced at scale," the update reads. Other criteria include a hit accuracy of 10 meters of a target and the ability to operate GPS effectively even when the enemy engages electronic counter-measures. The RFI is a document sent out to prospective manufacturers who can then express interest in development and bid for a contract. The manufacture of the weapon is intended to begin no later than two years after the awarding of the contract and up to 1,000 are to be produced each year. It is not known if the weapon is intended to be used by Ukraine's current Soviet-era fighter jets, or the Western-supplied F-16s currently making their way to the battlefield. Either way, they will boost Ukraine's offensive capabilities considerably. The nearest thing currently in Kyiv's arsenal are U.K and French-supplied Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles which it has only in limited numbers. These have been used incredibly effectively by Ukraine's Air Force, most notably against the Russian Black Sea Fleet headquarters in Sevastopol on Sept. 22. Read also: This is how Ukraine can and cant use its F-16s Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The US held off sanctioning this Israeli army unit despite evidence of abuses. Now its forces are shaping the fight in Gaza Former commanders of the Netzah Yehuda battalion, an Israeli military unit that has been accused by the United States of gross human rights violations against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank prior to October 7, have been promoted to senior positions in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and are now active in training Israeli ground troops as well as running operations in Gaza, a CNN investigation has found. Among CNNs findings was rare whistleblower testimony from a former soldier of the unit who described a command that encouraged a culture of violence, an issue identified by US State Department investigations. In April, the State Department said that it had determined five Israeli security units had committed gross violations of human rights prior to the outbreak of the war with Hamas in Gaza. The department said that four of the units had effectively remediated, or reformed themselves, in the wake of those violations, but that it was still deciding whether to restrict US military assistance to the remaining unit: The Netzah Yehuda battalion, originally created to accommodate ultra-Orthodox Jews in the military. In this 2014 photo, Israeli soldiers in the Netzah Yehuda battalion are seen taking part in training in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, near the Syrian border. - Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images/File The news that the US might withhold assistance from the Israeli military unit triggered a furious response at the time from top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said: If anyone thinks they can impose sanctions on a unit of the IDF, I will fight with all my strength. In a letter obtained by CNN, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told House Speaker Mike Johnson that the US was working with Israel on identifying a path to effective remediation for the Netzah Yehuda battalion. The letter did not name the unit, but current and former US officials confirmed to CNN that Blinken was referring to Netzah Yehuda, which has been accused of a string of abuses in the occupied West Bank over the last 10 years, including in the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian-American man in 2022. Using facial recognition technology and other open-source techniques, CNN has found that three former commanders of the Netzah Yehuda battalion who were in charge of the unit at the time of alleged abuses in the West Bank have risen through the ranks of the IDF. CNN tracked these commanders by matching their faces to publicly available imagery over the years, ranging from photographs of military ceremonies to battlefield updates. CNN has spoken with a former member of the unit, who detailed instances of cruel and excessively violent treatment of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The whistleblower said that commanders actively supported vigilante violence and that promoting them into senior IDF positions risked bringing the same culture to other parts of the military. A lot of us probably did not see Arabs, Palestinians in particular, as someone with rights okay, like theyre really the occupier of some of the land and they need to be moved, he said. The former soldier, who asked not to be named due to fears about his security, told CNN that the unit was well known for carrying out what he described as the collective punishment of Palestinians. He gave an example of the battalions forces assaulting a Palestinian village, going door-to-door with stun grenades and gas grenades as retribution for some local children throwing rocks. While he was in Netzah Yehuda, he said, the battalions commanders played a key role in perpetuating a culture of violence, both by standing by as it happened and promoting it. Responding to CNNs request for comment on the allegations of abuse by Netzah Yehuda, the IDF said that the battalion operates in a professional and ethical manner and that its soldiers and commanders act according to the orders and protocols expected of soldiers in the IDF. The IDF added that it investigates every exceptional incident, and takes command and disciplinary measures against those involved when appropriate. It did not comment on the subsequent promotion of some commanders. In the course of its month-long investigation, CNN spoke with several current and former US officials, who revealed the intense frustrations within the Biden administration at the perceived special treatment that Israel receives from the US when it comes to addressing human rights violations by its security forces. The former US officials said the fact that Netzah Yehudas former commanders have continued to be promoted through Israels military ranks was a worrying result of Americas inaction and could have devastating consequences. The US determined that four of the five Israeli units under scrutiny were remediated on the basis that Israel had taken steps to bring to justice responsible service members, according to an internal memo sent by the State Department to Congress and obtained by CNN. Israeli military veterans from Breaking the Silence, an anti-occupation advocacy group, told CNN that the IDF often scapegoats junior soldiers or officers, arguing that abuses are the fault of a few bad apples rather than reflective of institutional problems stemming from longstanding military practices or government policies. That approach should not meet the bar for effective remediation, US officials said. A State Department spokesperson told CNN that they do not discuss the circumstances of individual cases, but its experts had concluded that several Israeli security force units were credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights (GVHRs), and that for four of those, the Israeli government had taken effective steps to bring those responsible to justice. We continue to assess reports of GVHRs by Israeli security forces, in accordance with the law, and all US security assistance to Israel is provided consistent with domestic and international law, the spokesperson added. Current and former US officials also told CNN that the five Israeli units were not the only ones the State Department had been examining. The special State Department panel had reached unanimous consensus at a working level that three additional units had been guilty of abuses prior to October 7, the officials said. Only Blinken or the Deputy Secretary of State can make a final determination on whether units remain eligible to receive US military assistance and it is unclear if the matter has come before them. The findings by the expert panel would have been enough to disqualify a military unit from any other country, the officials said. The incidents include the killing of Ahmad Jamil Fahd, who was allegedly shot by forces from the Israeli police counterterrorism unit, the Yamam, near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, in May 2021; the killing of a Bedouin man identified as Sanad Salaam al-Harbad, who was allegedly shot by the Israel Border Police in the southern Israeli city of Rahat in March 2022; and the alleged rape of a 15-year-old boy by an interrogator from the Israeli Internal Security Forces at the Russian Compound (Moscobiyya detention center) in Jerusalem in January 2021. One US official CNN spoke with said these were among the most flagrant abuses looked into. CNN reached out to the Israel Border Police and Shin Bet, the countrys domestic security agency, for comment on the State Departments findings. Soldiers walk near missile defense systems during Juniper Cobra, a joint US-Israel ballistic missile defense exercise, at Hatzor Israeli Air Force Base in central Israel, on February 25, 2016. - Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP/Getty Images Josh Paul, who as a former director in the State Departments political-military affairs bureau spent more than 11 years working on US defense diplomacy, security and weapons assistance before resigning in October 2023 over the transfer of arms to Israel, told CNN that there was not even the slightest basis to suggest that the three further units identified to CNN the Yamam, the Israel Border Police and Internal Security Forces connected to the Moscobiyya detention center had done anything to reform. Paul had previously referenced the Moscobiyya rape allegation in an interview with CNNs Christiane Amanpour, adding that a charity had drawn it to the attention of a State Department vetting panel he was on. The allegation was believed to be credible and raised with Israels government, he said. And do you know what happened the next day? The IDF went in to the (charitys) offices and removed all their computers and declared them a terrorist entity, he told Amanpour. Two of the units have been linked to deadly incidents in the wake of October 7. The Yamam was involved in Israels hostage rescue operation in Nuseirat refugee camp, in northern Gaza, on June 8, which freed four Israelis and, according to local health authorities, killed more than 270 Palestinians and injured over 700. The IDF has disputed those numbers, claiming that casualties from the operation were under 100. CNN cannot independently verify the casualty figures given by either side. Meanwhile, the Israel Border Police shot and killed a 3-year-old Palestinian girl in the occupied West Bank in January and a 12-year-old Palestinian boy in occupied east Jerusalem in March. The fact that the US has never imposed sanctions on any Israeli military unit shows the lack of political will and moral courage to hold Israel accountable, Paul added. Palestinians inspect the damage a day after a deadly hostage rescue operation by Israeli forces in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on June 9, 2024. - Eyad Baba/AFP/Getty Images Culture of impunity The US is by far the biggest supplier of weapons to Israel, and its military assistance has helped shape Israels operations in Gaza. But it has increasingly come under international pressure over its support as the war drags on. Nine months since Hamas militants killed around 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped more than 250 people, Israels assault on Gaza has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. US President Joe Biden has called for the war to end, and laid out a US-backed Israeli ceasefire proposal, but his administration has continued to supply Israel with billions of dollars worth of weapons. Paul told CNN that Israels prosecution of the war in Gaza would look far different if the US had enforced legislation known as the Leahy law. The 1997 law, named for former Sen. Patrick Leahy who authored the legislation, prohibits the US from providing assistance to any foreign security units that are credibly implicated in human rights violations. Had the US used the leverage that Leahy laws provide over the years to encourage the IDF to crack down on misbehavior and to snuff out its current culture of impunity, we would have seen at the very least a much stronger unit discipline (than what we see in Gaza right now) at a tactical level, said Paul, who was a member of the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum created in 2020 to identify Israeli units that should be barred from receiving US aid. Under the Leahy law, in cases where an entire unit is designated to receive assistance, the State Department vets not only the unit but also its commander. Charles Blaha, the former director of the State Departments Office of Security and Human Rights, and also a former member of the Israel Leahy Vetting Forum, said that the panel pays special attention to commanders. They set the tone for the units. When a commander from a tainted unit goes on to another unit, he can render the new unit ineligible for US assistance too, said Blaha, who retired from the State Department last year. Moral failure The Netzah Yehuda battalion was created by the Israeli military in 1999 for ultra-Orthodox Jews, to accommodate their more stringent religious practices, like the separation of men and women. Since it was established, the battalion has also attracted religious nationalists from the West Bank settler movement, according to those familiar with the unit. It forms part of the Kfir Brigade, the largest infantry brigade in the IDF. One of the most shocking and widely reported incidents involving the Netzah Yehuda battalion was the death of a 78-year-old Palestinian-American man, who was detained in his home village of Jiljilya in the occupied West Bank in January 2022. Omar Assad was held gagged and with his hands tied for a period before being freed and left unresponsive by soldiers from the unit, according to an IDF investigation. An autopsy report determined that Assad had died from a heart attack after he was detained. The IDF investigation concluded that the incident resulted from a moral failure and poor decision-making on the part of the soldiers. Following the initial probe, the IDF said that it would reprimand the commander of Netzah Yehuda Lt. Col. Mati Shevach and remove the platoon commander and company commander from their positions, barring them from commanding roles for two years. But no criminal charges were brought against the soldiers, because the military said there was no causal link found between Assads death and their conduct. The IDF referred CNN to its findings when questioned about Assads death. Mourners carry the body of Omar Assad during his funeral in the West Bank village of Jiljiliya, north of Ramallah, on January 13, 2022. - Nasser Nasser/AP Current and former US officials told CNN that the Assad case reflects a broader trend of the types of cases that the US examines. To date, the only incidents in which the US has implicated Israeli units in gross human rights violations were cases in which Israeli courts had already ruled. The State Department has never made an independent determination of a gross violation of human rights by an Israeli unit. Ever, Blaha said. Speaking further about the special treatment that Israel gets from the US, he added: Of course, we treat Israel differently and that really undermines our human rights advocacy in the rest of the world. Shevach, Netzah Yehudas commander at the time of Assads death, was promoted to the role of deputy commander of the Kfir Brigade, which oversees Netzah Yehuda, soon after his two-year stint in charge of the ultra-Orthodox battalion ended in August 2022. And now, Shevach is training soldiers who are about to enter combat, according to an IDF press release and media reports. Shevach has been running drills for Israeli forces at the militarys Urban Warfare Training Center, a mock city in Tzeelim military base in the Negev desert, preparing them to go into Gaza. In an October interview with US broadcaster CBS at the center, Shevach explained how he was readying soldiers to fight Hamas, adding that the major concern for most of the soldiers was that at a certain point they would get an order that the war ends, and we didnt finish our mission. CNN put its findings on Shevachs career trajectory to Blaha, who said that it strongly suggests that the types of tactics, the types of abuses, the type of violations that the Netzah Yehuda have committed are going to metastasize to the new units because if that person is in charge of training, he is going to promulgate the same lack of ethos regarding human rights. CNN found that two other commanders who oversaw Netzah Yehuda also known as the 97th Battalion of the Kfir Infantry Brigade at the time of alleged abuses in the occupied West Bank were also promoted. Lt. Col. Nitai Okashi oversaw the Netzah Yehuda battalion from 2018 to 2020. In January 2019, soldiers from his unit were captured on video beating and taunting a Palestinian father and son after their arrest in the occupied West Bank. Four were later convicted of aggravated abuse. Okashi, according to Israeli media reports, asked the judge for mercy, saying the soldiers had learned their lesson. In another incident, in October 2019, 14 soldiers from his unit were arrested, according to the Israeli military, after they were caught on video assaulting Bedouin men at a gas station in the West Bank. Since leaving the battalion, Okashi has been promoted into a number of commanding roles in the IDF. He has operated in Gaza since the beginning of the war as the commander of the Jerusalem Brigade and taken reporters from international media, such as German magazine Der Spiegel and Britains Guardian newspaper on military embeds into the strip. The IDF announced a further promotion for Okashi in March. Lt. Col. Uri Levy was in charge of Netzah Yehuda from 2014 to 2016. During that time, a Netzah Yehuda soldier was indicted for abuse under aggravated circumstances by a military court in Israel, after he allegedly administered electric shocks to Palestinian suspects in two separate incidents in October 2015. After leaving the unit, Levy was promoted to work in the Kfir Brigade. Levy retired from the military in 2023 and now regularly appears on Israeli talk shows as a pundit. In April, when news broke that the US could be poised to sanction Netzah Yehuda, he told Israeli Channel 7: Anyone looking to find some kind of flaw in an IDF unit like this can find it, and I suggest looking at the glass half full the operational successes, the achievements, the hard work night after night. CNN reached out to the IDF for comment on the alleged abuses carried out by Netzah Yehuda over the past decade. In response, the IDF said: It should be noted that in relation to the events that took place in 2015 and 2019 the involved had been indicted and the military court had imposed prison sentences in both cases, along with additional punishments. Men forced to strip naked In late 2022, Netzah Yehuda, which had been stationed in the occupied West Bank since its inception, was reassigned to the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. The IDF said it was an extended operational deployment, but Blinken, in his letter to Speaker Johnson, wrote that it was an acknowledgement that the battalion had engaged in conduct inconsistent with IDF rules. Still, that track record has not stopped the IDF from deploying Netzah Yehuda soldiers to Gaza, where they have been fighting since the start of the war. On April 16, under the leadership of then-commander Lt. Col. Shlomo Shiran, Netzah Yehuda was involved in an operation at the Mahdiyya Al-Shawwa school in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza, where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering, according to eyewitnesses, local journalists and IDF statements. Eyewitnesses said that the soldiers surrounded the school, fired excessively on the complex and forced men to strip naked before detaining them. The IDF said intelligence indicated Hamas fighters were in the area. A voice note allegedly recorded by Palestinians inside the school as the attack unfolded, obtained by CNN, captured panic as the civilians remained trapped inside and gunshots rang out. A video posted on social media showed a Palestinian man forced to strip naked in front of an IDF tank. The IDF did not respond to CNNs request for comment on the incident. In turning a blind eye and failing to take action against Netzah Yehuda and other units in the past, Paul said that the US has contributed to a continuing culture of impunity whose effects we see in every outrageous TikTok video recorded and published by Israeli soldiers on the ground as they plunder, pillage, and mock their way across Gaza. That Netzah Yehuda has been allowed to fight in Gaza after having been pulled from the occupied West Bank in the wake of violent incidents is ironic and concerning, the whistleblower who served in the Netzah Yehuda told CNN. In the strip, he said: They pretty much get a carte blanche, where they can do more or less whatever they want. In the rare interview, he told CNN that he has felt compelled to speak out about the mistreatment of Palestinians by the force after reflecting on his time as a soldier. After he joined the unit at age 19, he recalled, he heard about soldiers being rewarded for killings. If you kill a terrorist, you get two weeks off as a compensation which is quite an attractive reward for someone thats spending a lot of time in the military, he said. The IDF said in a statement to CNN that the claim soldiers are rewarded with early leave for killing terrorists was false and baseless. Soldiers are going to do what their commander is expecting them to do and follow orders. And so, if these commanders dont put their foot down and punish them for their behavior, then they are in fact condoning their behavior, the whistleblower said. But, he added, Most of the commanders couldnt care less (about abuses), as long as it didnt end up on video. Credits Investigative Reporter: Katie Polglase Investigative Producer & Writer: Pallabi Munsi Investigative Producer: Benjamin Brown Executive Producer: Barbara Arvanitidis Senior Photojournalist: Alex Platt Investigative Video Editor: Mark Baron Senior Digital Video Producer: Augusta Anthony Visual Editor: Alberto Mier Photo Editor: Toby Hancock OSINT Editor: Gianluca Mezzofiore Features Editor: Laura Smith-Spark Senior Investigations Editor: Eliza Mackintosh Executive Editors: Dan Wright & Matt Wells Ami Kaufman and Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Utah could be first state to use ketamine in execution, but lawsuit warns of a horrific death The chamber and table where the Utah Department of Corrections plans to execute Taberon Honie by lethal injection is pictured. The chamber where the Utah Department of Corrections plans to execute Taberon Honie by lethal injection is pictured. (Photo courtesy of Utah Department of Corrections) On Aug. 8, Utah could become the first state in the country to use ketamine, a powerful anesthetic, in an execution by lethal injection. But Taberon Honie, the states first death row inmate to face an execution warrant in more than a decade, is suing officials with the Utah Department of Corrections, claiming the novel approach could lead to unnecessary pain and suffering, while triggering hallucinations, paranoia and mental anguish. The 75-page complaint, filed in Utahs 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City, argues the effects of the drug cocktail ketamine, fentanyl and potassium chloride will violate Honies constitutional rights. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Eric Zuckerman, Honies attorney, also writes the states current execution protocol is rushed, outdated and inadequate, with text messages obtained through a subpoena suggesting a lack of communication between Utah Department of Corrections staff and the Attorney Generals Office. Filed on Thursday, the suit names Brian Redd, executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections; Bart Mortensen, warden of the Utah State Correctional Facility; Randall Honey, director of prison operations, and the various unnamed and anonymous employees and staff preparing for or carrying out Honies execution. The suit asks the court to put the scheduled execution on pause until the Department of Corrections takes the reasonable and necessary steps to devise a new procedure. Zuckerman is also asking the court to allow Honies counsel to have access to a communication device during the execution. The latest mugshot of Taberon Honie, who is scheduled to be executed in August for sexually assaulting then murdering 49-year-old Claudia Benn, the mother of his ex-girlfriend. Honie is suing officials with the Utah Department of Corrections, arguing the drugs they plan to use will cause unnecessary suffering. (Credit: Utah Department of Corrections) Without one, Honie could be deprived of his ability to contact a judge during his execution should it appear the execution is being carried out in a way that violates the state constitution. Glen Mills, director of communications for the Utah Department of Corrections, said the agency anticipated this move, and will be watching to see how it plays out. In the meantime, we are moving forward with our plan to fulfill our statutory responsibility on the date assigned, Mills said in an email. Honie was convicted in 1999 for sexually assaulting then murdering 49-year-old Claudia Benn, the mother of his ex-girlfriend. According to court documents, Benns three grandchildren were inside the home at the time. A hearing is set for Wednesday before 3rd District Court Judge Linda Jones. The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole has also scheduled a commutation hearing for Honie starting on July 22, where he can argue his case for spending the rest of his life in prison rather than being executed. Claims of psychological torture and unnecessary mental anguish Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can lead to hallucinations, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The drug is notorious for creating a psychotic state, the complaint reads, which can result in paranoia, anxiety, strong hallucinations and out-of-body experiences. If administered intravenously, Honie could be exposed to unnecessary mental anguish and rendered incompetent, Zuckerman writes. The lawsuit also claims the drug can cause suffocation, nausea and vomiting. Theres a greater risk of choking, according to court documents, because Honie will be strapped to a gurney and unable to adequately lift his head. And the more ketamine thats administered, the worse the problematic side effects become, the lawsuit alleges it has whats called a ceiling effect, meaning higher doses dont necessarily correlate to more effective pain reduction. Meanwhile, the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl has only been used in one U.S. execution, a 2018 lethal injection in Nevada where it was one of four drugs. Even in high doses, the complaint claims, fentanyl cant reliably induce unconsciousness. And it could lead to wooden chest syndrome, according to court documents, causing Honie to feel as if his chest has turned to stone, rendering him unable to breathe. Potassium chloride, the last drug to be administered, has for years been used in lethal injections around the country. But if the prisoner is not adequately unconscious, which Honies attorneys warn could happen, potassium chloride leads to excruciating suffering. The drug is used to stop the inmates heart by disrupting the sodium and potassium ions in the cardiovascular system, which quickly causes an irregular heartbeat, then cardiac arrest, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. But without being properly sedated, potassium chloride can lead to extreme pain, described by the Center for Death Penalty Information as liquid fire. In short, ketamine could cause psychological torture, fentanyl could lead to painful suffocation, and neither drug will mask the pain brought on by potassium chloride, Zuckerman writes. As a result, Honie could suffer a horrific death. Thats an unconstitutional risk of pain and suffering, the lawsuit alleges. In addition, the Department of Corrections failed to take necessary safeguards in its execution protocol, which increases the risk of harm, Zuckerman writes. That includes failing to train staff and drafting life-saving contingency plans. The complaint argues that instead of the current cocktail, a single-drug lethal injection using pentobarbital would significantly reduce the substantial risk of severe pain. Pentobarbital is currently authorized in Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Missouri, Kentucky, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, North Carolina and South Dakota. Twelve of the countrys 24 executions carried out in 2023 were done with pentobarbital, according to records submitted as exhibits in the lawsuit. Lawsuit: Department of Corrections protocol was rushed The lawsuit also paints the protocol developed by the Department of Corrections as rushed, outdated and inadequate, a claim the department disputes. Pointing to text messages submitted as an exhibit, Honies attorney says the department was caught off guard when the Utah Attorney Generals Office submitted the execution warrant. After the warrant was submitted, Mills, the director of communications, wrote in a text to the departments executive team: They filed it last night. Nice to get notified!!! In response, executive director Redd texted Oh wow. Unreal. Mills said on Friday the department knew well in advance the warrant was coming and had been planning the protocol for about a year, challenging the lawsuits claim that they werent aware the warrant would be filed. But they werent notified by the Attorney Generals Office, he said, instead finding out from Honies counsel. We werent caught off guard by the warrant being issued, we felt we should have been notified by the Attorney Generals office, Mills told Utah News Dispatch on Friday. The complaint also accuses the department of providing inconsistent information and making misleading and false statements to the courts regarding the dosage of the drugs and how and when theyll be administered. According to the complaint, that led to an inadequate protocol regarding things like the IV lines, instructions on how to administer backup syringes, possible secondary doses, logistics with the new prison site and how the consciousness check (prison staff will try to ensure Honie is unconscious before the potassium chloride is administered) will be conducted. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST A University of Wisconsin-La Crosse faculty committee unanimously recommended former chancellor Joe Gow lose his faculty position, setting the stage for the UW Board of Regents to fire him. Gow was removed as chancellor last year for creating sex videos posted on porn websites. He was put on paid leave because he still retains his tenured faculty appointment and seeks to return to teaching. UW-La Crosse moved to revoke his tenure in a hearing last month. In a report released to Gow Friday and shared with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the committee said a professor creating porn videos in their private capacity wasn't unethical, but how Gow handled the aftermath was problematic. Former UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow and his wife, Carmen Wilson, arrive at a disciplinary hearing to decide whether he should be fired as a faculty member from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on June 19 in Onalaska. Gow led UW-La Crosse for nearly 17 years until the UW Board of Regents removed him as chancellor last December after discovering he and his wife had created sex tapes, sometimes with adult film stars, and posted them on porn websites. "Once a faculty member publishes provocative content and is recognized in it as the public face of the University,he must choose whether to respond in a way that supports the best interests of the University, as his employer, or capitalize on the controversy," the five-person committee wrote. "Prof. Gow clearly chose the latter path, exploiting his role as a UWL faculty member (and former UWL chancellor) to generate additional interest in, views of, and revenue from his pornographic content for his own benefit." The committee's decision was disappointing but unsurprising to Gow who sees the entire process as a conflict of interest. A UW System attorney advised the committee while other UW System attorneys represented UW-La Crosse in the hearing. Gow said his videos and books are protected under the First Amendment. "Although this isnt the decision we wanted, (my wife) Carmen and I remain firmly committed to defending free speech and expression," he said. "Were in this for the long run, and we look forward to a public hearing with the UW Board of Regents." Fired UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow presents an email he sent to interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan during a disciplinary hearing to decide whether he should be fired as a faculty member from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse on June 20 in Onalaska. In last month's hearing, UW-La Crosse argued just cause existed to fire Gow for unethical conduct, refusing to cooperate with the investigation and violating computer policies. Among the evidence brought forward: Gow invited adult film star Nina Hartley to speak on campus in 2018 without disclosing he and his wife had starred in a sex video with her. Gow argued it wasn't a business relationship requiring disclosure, an explanation the committee found "unpersuasive." Using pen names, Gow and his wife published two books about their experiences in the adult film industry with a note describing the account as a true story. Gow said the books were based on a true story with some creative liberties taken. The committee said parsing the language after the fact "calls into question intellectual honesty." Gow did not participate in the investigation against him despite being on paid leave with no other job responsibilities. The committee disagreed with Gow's arguments that his offer to answer questions in writing showed a willingness to cooperate and the investigation ended without warning to him. Gow said many of the charges lodged against him strayed from the central question of whether he is fit to be a faculty member. He raised questions about the chain of custody associated with his university computers. In one of the few allegations dismissed by the committee, the report described insufficient evidence to support the allegation of Gow deleting information from his computer in an attempt to hinder the investigation. The committee, however, took issue with Gow suggesting a UW-driven conspiracy against him. His explanations ranged "from being plausible to evasive to disingenuous." The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, also known as FIRE, is a national, nonpartisan free speech organization that's taken an interest in Gow's case. "Upholding free speech means standing on principle, especially when it is difficult or unpopular to do so," FIRE attorney Zach Greenberg said. "UW-La Crosse should show some backbone, not pander to politicians. Let Gow teach." UW-La Crosse Chancellor James Beeby, who started the job July 1, will send his own recommendation to the board. His predecessor, interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan, had urged for Gow's termination. University spokesman Kyle Farris declined to comment, saying it was an active personnel matter. The UW Board of Regents have the final call in firing tenured faculty. It's unclear when the board will vote on Gow's tenure. A UW System spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-La Crosse faculty committee recommends firing Joe Gow as professor PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Vancouver leaders have determined the citys law enforcement agency would need a hefty budget boost by 2030 to improve staffing and meet the needs of [the] rapidly growing community. According to the report the Police Community Advisory Committee released on July 1, Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes proposed that the police department hire 80 more personnel. I-5 Bridge Replacement Project gets $1.49B boost as lawmakers aim to upgrade ancient bridge The department currently has 116 full-time employees, including 69 officers and detectives, eight sergeants, two lieutenants, one commander and 36 staff members that arent sworn in. The ongoing annual cost of these employees ranges anywhere from $102,000 to $340,000, the report said. Based on the proposed staffing increase and other potential investments in new programs and technology, the advisory committee found that VPD would need an extra $36 million each year by 2030. The current annual budget sits at $76 million. The proposed funding approach would include an initial six-year property tax levy lid lift in 2024, followed by a facilities bond in 2026 and a public safety sales tax in 2028, the report said. The first levy would raise property taxes to $0.41 for every $1,000 of assessed value starting in 2025, and then increase another 5% for the next five years. Pac-12s postseason bowl agreements remain for Oregon State and Washington State Meanwhile, the potential facilities bond would impose a levy between $70 million and $100 million in 2026. The committee said any excess funds from the levy would be in place until after the debt service expires, which is typically 20 years after the bonds are issued. The final proposed levy would result in a sales tax set at one-tenth of 1%, which could garner $7.4 million in 2023. While the first two proposals would require voter approval, the report said officials might not need a ballot measure to approve the sales tax due to legislative action from the city and other state agencies. Armed and dangerous: Lane County homicide suspect triggers nationwide search Vancouvers police advisory committee noted that these proposed taxes would increase the cost of living for all residents. It is also hard to predict the electoral landscape with a high degree of certainty, the committee wrote. While voters have historically supported public safety measures in Vancouver, including the passage of Proposition 2 to support fire and emergency medical services in 2022, things may change between now and 2030. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. "Theyve been hammering me": Biden goes on the offensive in an effort to strengthen his campaign President Biden, who has increasingly framed a push for his ouster as one from elites and the ultra-rich, tried to throw a death blow to charges for him to exit the race during a Friday Detroit, Michigan campaign event. In an impassioned speech, championing a record on labor rights and promising higher taxes on billionaires, Biden took shots at Trumps past, and the candidates own gaffes. The president jabbed at Trumps shark fixation, before accusing the press of creating a double standard on its coverage of his age. You may have noticed that since the debate, the press and theyre good guys and women up there theyve been hammering me, Biden said. I guess they dont remember that Trump called Nancy Pelosi Nikki Haley. Donald, no more free passes. Biden: I'm just saying, you may have noticed that since the debate, the press and they're good guys and women up there, they have been hammering me. Crowd: Boo Biden: Trump has gotten a free pass pic.twitter.com/02RgwxQveC Acyn (@Acyn) July 12, 2024 Having vigorously resisted a two-week-long push from top Democratic strategists, donors, and pundits to knock him off the ticket, Biden shot past addressing his critics and went on the offensive against his opponent. Were gonna shine a spotlight on Donald Trump. Were gonna do what the press, so far, hasnt, Biden said, citing Trumps criminal conviction and inspiring the crowd to cheer lock him up. Throughout his reelection campaign, Biden has drawn attention to Project 2025, the far-right plan to re-shape the Federal government, and has also laid out his first 100 days of a second term, promising a restoration of Roe v. Wade and expanded voting rights, alongside Social Security and Medicare improvements financed by taxes on the wealthy. Biden: Folks, look at this right wing project 2025. Crowd: Boo Biden: Oh, you heard about it? Crowd: Yeah pic.twitter.com/gHfHTBNDAv Acyn (@Acyn) July 12, 2024 Biden left Detroit voters, a union stronghold city, with a message of support for workers, rather than the wealthy. I dont work for big oil, I dont work for big pharma, I dont work for the National Rifle Association, I work for you, the American people, Biden said. (FOX40.COM) A vegetation fire started on Friday afternoon in Placer County after a vehicle collided with a power pole, according to CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit. The Placer County Sheriffs Office said evacuation warnings have been issued for the following areas due to the Athens Fire: Athens Avenue east to Industrial Avenue, Industrial Avenue south to Sunset Boulevard, and Athens Avenue south to Sunset Boulevard. At 3:50 p.m., all evacuation warnings were lifted, the sheriffs office said. Road closures are also in place at the following locations: Sunset Boulevard at Cincinnati Avenue, Athens Boulevard at North Foothills, Fiddyment Road at Sunset Boulevard, and Fiddyment Road at Athens Boulevard. At 3:35 p.m., those road closures remained in place. At 4:30 p.m., all roads were reopened. At 7:10 p.m., the fire was 90% contained. Wildfire Information Zonehaven, CAL FIRE and NIXLE: Websites you can use for wildfire information AlertCalifornia live cams to provide more insight into natural disasters These are the items to include in your emergency kit in case of a disaster A public safety map for the Athens Fire can be found here. The fire is burning along Athens Avenue, near Thunder Valley Casino, in unincorporated Placer County. The Placer County Sheriffs Office added that no evacuations have taken place at the casino, but those inside the building have been notified. Around 2:40 p.m., Cal Fire said the fire had grown to 100 acres. At 3:10 p.m., the flames of the Athens Fire were 50% contained, but the fire had grown to 260 acres. Deputies are at the scene of the fire near the Western Placer Waste Management building near Athens Avenue and Fiddyment Road. The Roseville Fire Department is assisting CAL FIRE units in stopping and containing the fire. Sacramento deputies arrest 23-year-old murder suspect, sheriffs office says There is no immediate threat to structures, according to the Placer County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. We are blessed to live in a country where democracy is treasured and celebrated, and liberty and justice are promised to all. But now these sacred rights are under threat. Some conservative Christian groups are working to impose their version of Christianity on our nation, controlling how we live, what we learn and what we believe. They would forfeit 250 years of democracy in their quest for political power and societal control, under what's often described as white Christian nationalism. The goal of this movement is to rule our country according to their conservative religious beliefs. Our founding fathers understood the danger of allowing government to control or be controlled by religion and made the separation of church and state a cornerstone of our democracy. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, the church must never be the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. Our democracy envisions a government of the people, by the people and for the people all the people. The First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution establish freedom of religion, speech, assembly and representation - for all the people. This melding of different religious, political and social beliefs, ideas and ways of life is a core strength of our democracy. By contrast, white Christian nationalists view it is a threat. White Christian nationalists see themselves as the only true Americans White Christian nationalism is a political ideology that elevates certain politically conservative white Christians over everyone else. They consider themselves the only true Americans and seek to control every aspect of our society, including family, education, government, business, and media, and to restrict, intimidate and otherwise disenfranchise people who are different from them. This ideology seeks power and privilege out of a sense of entitlement and superiority. It is fueled by a fear of and anger at minorities and others who they believe will take away or destroy what they consider to be theirs. It leads to restrictive policies, oppressive laws, hate crimes and violence, all designed to deny power to these others and keep it for themselves. White Christian nationalism would reverse decades of progress on the civil rights of Black and brown people, women, children, religious minorities and LGBTQ. This is frighteningly real. For example, consider the Heritage Foundations Project 2025, an ambitious document that sets forth a blueprint for how a conservative administration can usher in this new dystopian white Christian nationalist America beginning next year. This movement claims to be Christian, but it is far outside the Gospel White Christian nationalism claims to be Christian but it is not it is the opposite of the Gospel of Jesus. Where Jesus preached love, joy, hope and peace, white Christian nationalism relies on fear, anger, oppression and hate. He said what we do for the least of them we do for him. He judged others by their actions, not by their ethnicity, gender or station in life and rejected political power when it was offered and preached against the use of power to oppress others. Jesus sought to create a kingdom on earth where all would be accepted and love would drive out fear a Beloved Community. We believe people of faith are called to build this "Beloved Community" as was envisioned by King. This is a community that welcomes and loves everyone as people of inherent value and worth. It cares for and about others. Diversity is considered a strength and an opportunity to learn and grow. When there is conflict, those in community speak the truth in love and seek to understand rather than judge. They believe that two well-meaning people can see an issue differently without becoming enemies. They work for resolution with respectful and honest dialogue instead of anger and violence. We've been political foes. Why we're uniting to build trust in Wisconsin elections. It was in this spirit that the "We All Belong" campaign was launched last year with three goals: to protect democracy, reject white Christian nationalism and build the Beloved Community. It is part of MICAH (Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope), a multi-racial, multi-faith organization that has been organizing and advocating for social justice in Milwaukee for over 35 years. We believe the choice between Beloved Community and white Christian nationalism is a battle for the soul of our nation. We stand for a nation where We All Belong and urge you to stand with us. The "We All Belong" campaign will hold a "Rally for Democracy" on Sunday, July 14, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Helene Zelazo Center on the UW-Milwaukee campus. Kathy Schluter is part of the executive leadership team at MICAH. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee anti-Christian nationalist rally stands against Project 2025 VIEW FROM THE AIR: Warehouse burns in York YORK, Pa. (WHTM) Drone photos showed the scale of Fridays blaze at a warehouse in York. Flames engulfed the structure around 6:30 p.m., drawing firefighters from three counties to battle the blaze at Albermarle and Elm Streets in the city. At least three firefighters were injured when two tanker trucks collided while shuttling water between a fill site and the scene. By midnight, crews remained at the scene as the structure was in ruins. Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Photo Courtesy / Matt and Melissa Media Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. VinFast pushes its NC plant opening to 2028, four years later than first planned The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has again delayed its timetable for opening a manufacturing plant in North Carolina, according to a Saturday news report, and now aims to start production there in 2028. In 2022, when the company first announced plans to build a plant in Chatham County, it said it would begin making cars in North Carolina within two years. It then moved the target startup date to 2025, but said it was conducting a thorough review and evaluation of all aspects of the construction process for our North Carolina factory. The news agency Reuters first reported the additional delay on Saturday. This is a developing story and will be updated. Virginia Republicans arent pushing back against former President Donald Trumps recent assertions that police told rioters to enter the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection. During his June 28 rally in Chesapeake, Trump called for the release of the J6 hostages who were jailed, and praised a Supreme Court decision last month that makes it harder to charge the rioters with obstruction. He said many who stormed the Capitol were horribly treated. So many of these people were told to go in, said Trump, speaking at Historic Greenbrier Farms. The police (told them) go in, go in. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans of Virginia Beach who spoke at Trumps event repeatedly refused questions from The Virginian-Pilot asking if they agreed with the former presidents remarks. Several other prominent Republican legislators who were contacted for comment did not respond. Trump led an unprecedented and unsuccessful effort in 2020 to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden that culminated in his supporters storming the U.S. Capitol as Congress was certifying electoral votes. Rioters forced their way inside scaling walls, shattering windows and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with police officers. Roughly 140 officers were assaulted about 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department. Officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured, suffered two strokes and died the next day. Four officers died by suicide in the following weeks or months. Harry Dunn, a former Capitol Police officer, criticized Trumps assertions about police inviting rioters inside. He said the refusal of some legislators to condemn those remarks were shameful. Its a slap in the face, Dunn told the Pilot on Thursday. Officers were assaulted, violently and viscously. If you look at (images of) the west front, the tunnel as it has been called, officers were giving it their everything to keep those people out of the building. Six officers were disciplined for violations such as improper remarks related to their service on Jan. 6, according to a 2021 release from the Capitol police. But Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger has hit back on assertions that officers allowed the mob inside. This notion that the Capitol Police were somehow allowing these folks into the Capitol, inviting them in, helping them, just simply not true, he said in a previous interview with CNN. In the immediate aftermath, many Republicans in Congress condemned the attack. At the state level, the Senate Republican Caucus in 2021 publicly chided then-Sen. Amanda Chase after she expressed support for the rioters. Three Republicans, including then-Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment of Williamsburg, joined Democrats in censuring her. Related Articles Youngkin has long tiptoed around issues involving Trump, but the governor previously acknowledged Biden won the 2020 presidential election and expressed disapproval over the Capitol attack, calling it a blight on democracy two years ago. Kiggans previously called Jan. 6 a dark day and said those who broke the law should be held accountable. Alex Keena, assistant professor of political science at Virginia Commonwealth University, said he suspects even mild statements have now become controversial. Between Trump cinching the Republican presidential nomination and the Supreme Courts recent ruling, Keena explained its increasingly risky for Republicans to voice any disapproval about the attack. I think the Supreme Court decision has emboldened a lot of people who were sympathetic to the Jan. 6 cause and to Trumps efforts to overturn the election, he said. Its very risky (for Republican legislators) to speak out against Jan 6 I think they wish it would just go away. Trump, however, has kept the Capitol attack at the forefront of his presidential campaign this year, launching his first rally in Ohio with a recording of Jan. 6 rioters singing the national anthem from jail. Hes called the rioters patriots and pledged to pardon them if he returns to power. Keena said it has placed Republicans in states with moderate political climates, such as Virginia, in a challenging position. If they speak out, they could provoke Trump or his most loyal followers. But fully embracing the attack could repel other voters. I think they decided the best strategy for a lot of Republicans is to just not talk about it, he said. Virginias House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said he fears that the failure to firmly and consistently condemn the attack is sowing the seeds for more violence. I absolutely think we are harming American democracy by normalizing that political violence and claiming that the people who literally stormed the Capitol were some kind of victims, he said. I think we are going down a dangerous path. Katie King, katie.king@virginiamedia.com BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. A Virginia woman accused of starting a fire inside a bathroom at a grocery store in Buffalo Grove is now facing a felony charge. Buffalo Grove police said 29-year-old Kiara Davis, a Norfolk, Virginia, resident, has been charged with one count of arson. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines According to police, the charge stems from an incident that unfolded inside of a Woodmans in the 1550 block of East Deerfield Parkway on Wednesday night. 29-year-old Kiara Davis, a Norfolk, Virginia, resident, has been charged with one count of arson in connection with a fire that broke out inside a bathroom at a Buffalo Grove grocery store on Wednesday. Officers said they were called to the scene just after 10:30 p.m. following a report of a fire that had broken out and been put out inside the mens restroom at the store. Police said the blaze had been extinguished before officers arrived on the scene, but when they got there, they found the bathroom stall and surrounding area had been damaged by the fire. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Officers later examined security footage and spotted Davis allegedly entering the bathroom just before the fire was reported. Authorities caught up with Davis a few hours later and she was taken into custody around 1 a.m. Thursday. Davis appeared in court in Lake County on Thursday morning. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve has been added to the list of Alabama Birding Trails. The spot includes a bird blind, giving visitors an opportunity to watch and photograph rarely seen species. Burn ban targets air quality in Tennessee Valley Weve had really great success with lot of unique birds, said Land Trust of North Alabama Executive Director Marie Bostick. Mixed flocks of warblers, flycatchers and cuckoos are just a few of the species that have been spotted in the forests on Chapman Mountain. Hooded Warbler, Courtesy: Herb Lewis Indigo Bunting, Courtesy: Herb Lewis Summer Tanager, Courtesy: Herb Lewis Red-eyed Vireo, Courtesy: Herb Lewis A couple years ago, avid bird watcher Herb Lewis approached leadership of the Land Trust of North Alabama with an idea. He wanted to create a space where birds, normally hidden in the foliage, come out so people can see them. Lewis and the Land Trust applied for a grant through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. With that money, a group of volunteers help build the blind and install a water source. Lewis had built a similar space in his backyard, so he thought the project on Chapman Mountain would successfully attract birds. However, he made sure before bringing others to the area. It was full of migrating birds, Lewis said. I was overwhelmed, so I waited the next day to check it out and be sure same thing again. Then, I advertised to the Land Trust. Weve got it. This is a magic place. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. The bird blind is maintained by several dedicated volunteers. It can accommodate 20 bird watchers, and many days, you will see several people stopping by to watch. People come here and they bring their children, and they can see this, Lewis said. Whats amazing is even though were in the open, it doesnt bother the birds. Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Courtesy: Russell Brown Kentucky Warbler, Courtesy: Russell Brown White-eyed Vireo, Courtesy: Russell Brown Cerulean Warbler, Courtesy: Russell Brown Eastern Towhee, Courtesy: Russell Brown For those interested in birding, Lewis recommends joining a local group like the North Alabama Birdwatchers Society. He said you can download apps like Merlin Bird ID to help identify the bird calls you are hearing. Plenty of spots, like Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve are easily-assessable and free to the public. The trails at Chapman Mountain Nature Preserve are open from dawn to dusk. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. Democratic and Republican primaries, and a slew of nonpartisan elections, are more than five weeks away, but South Florida voters can begin casting their ballots. Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Sartory Links office said they put 159,459 ballots in the mail on Friday, which means some of the countys voters will begin receiving them on Saturday. Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott said more than 200,000 ballots would go in the mail on Tuesday. Scott, in an interview Friday with the South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, said the ballots are going out a little later than usual because the bulk of his office operations moved to a new, more secure location designed for election operations. The planned Tuesday mailing is still within the window required by Florida law. Under state law, the first day supervisors of elections offices could send the initial batch of mail ballots was July 11. The last day for the first wave of mail ballots to go out is July 18. The Miami-Dade County Elections Office said its initial mailing, of 215,000 ballots, went in the mail on Thursday. A relatively small number of voters from South Florida and elsewhere have already received, and some returned, mail ballots. Overseas and military ballots had to go out from elections offices by July 6. After the initial mailing, elections offices send ballots to people as requests come in. The last day people can request mail ballots for the Aug. 20 primaries and nonpartisan elections is Aug. 8. Many people who have requested, and received, mail ballots in the past wont be getting them for the Aug. 20 primaries and nonpartisan elections. All requests for vote-by-mail ballots made in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election when mail voting surged because of the COVID pandemic and 2022 midterm elections have been voided under state law. That means voters who dont take steps to sign up again wont get mail ballots for the August primaries and nonpartisan elections or for the November presidential election. In Broward, Scott said via email, the requested vote-by-mail ballots is approximately one-third less than those requested in the 2020 primary elections. We believe the decrease in requested ballots is due in part to the recent change in our law regarding vote-by-mail ballots. Voters will select party nominees for a range of offices, from state Legislature to Congress. In most cases, the primaries are open only to registered voters in the political party holding the primary. There are also many contests on Aug. 20 open to all voters, including elections for School Board and judge. In addition, there are several primaries that are open to all voters, regardless of whether theyre registered as Democrats, Republicans, no party affiliation or in minor parties. Scott said people sometimes believe that if they receive a ballot including an open/universal primary that theyve gotten the wrong ballot. Thats not the case, he said. Among the Aug. 20 open, universal primaries: Florida Senate District 35 in Broward, where theres no incumbent because of term limits. Broward clerk of the circuit court, supervisor of elections and tax collector. Palm Beach County public defender. Florida began allowing widespread mail voting after the contentious, problem-plagued 2000 presidential election. Voters dont have to provide a reason, such as being out of town on Election Day, the way they once did with what used to be called absentee ballots. Use of mail balloting increased each year, then soared in popularity in 2020 because many voters didnt want to go to in-person polling places during the coronavirus pandemic. And someone who requests a mail ballot is not required to use it, Scott said. Voters can still use in-person early voting or vote in their neighborhood polling stations on Aug. 20. Safeguards are in place to prevent someone from voting more than once. People who use mail ballots still have plenty of time to return them, but waiting too long is a problem. Florida has a strict deadline. Mail ballots must be back at the county supervisors of elections offices by the time polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. If they arrive after that (with a limited exception for members of the military overseas) they wont be counted. Postmarks dont count. Every election, thousands of mail ballots are late and dont get counted. And even a small number of votes can make a difference. In the November 2021 special congressional primary contest in Broward and Palm Beach counties, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick won by just five votes out of 49,082 cast. A total of 297 mail ballots were postmarked on or before Nov. 1, but didnt arrive at the supervisors of elections offices until after Election Day, Nov. 2. Under Florida law, they werent counted. Information People can check to see if theyre registered to vote, request mail ballots and check their status, and find locations of polling places online and by phone. Broward County: www.browardvotes.gov, 954-357-8683. Palm Beach County: www.votepalmbeach.gov, 561-656-6200. CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) Officials have identified the wanted man who was found dead in the eastern part of the state. According to the Carteret County Sheriffs Office, on Thursday they assisted the SBI to serve a warrant for Corey Jay Reynolds, 34, of Greensboro. Reynolds was wanted by the Greensboro Police Department for statutory rape and indecent liberties with a minor, according to the CCSO. The SBIs Violent Criminal Apprehension Team learned Mr. Reynolds had traveled to Carteret County and was staying in Newport with family. Officials made contact with Reynolds and asked for him to come outside and speak with them, but he refused and stopped talking to the officials. After several hours, a special response team was called for deployment and entered the home around 7 p.m. Reynolds was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DRYDEN, N.Y. (WETM) A wanted Groton man is facing multiple drug, weapon, theft, and escape-related charges after a police chase that started in Dryden. According to the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office, sheriffs deputies and Dryden Police Officers saw Joshua F. Conklin, 35, leaving the Dryden Hotel in a black Ford Mustang at 8:34 a.m. on July 10. The deputies and officers tried to stop Conklin, who was wanted, but he refused to comply. Authorities say that Conklin led the police on a several-mile chase into Cortland County, back into Tompkins County, and through the Town of Dryden before turning down a road thats currently closed for roadwork. Conklin almost hit construction equipment and the construction crew on Dutcher Road, but the equipments operator maneuvered the vehicle. Conklin then lost control of his Mustang and drove off of the road into the woods. Wanted man arrested after falling through apartment ceiling in Elmira Conklin abandoned his car and led police on a long foot pursuit, police say. While running from police, Conklin allegedly tried to steal several occupied vehicles on Fall Creek Road that were waiting in traffic caused by other roadwork. Conklin jumped on top of one of the vehicles after the driver refused to open the door. Police used a stun gun on Conklin and arrested him. He was transported to the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office to be processed, and his car was towed and impounded at the sheriffs office while a search warrant was pending. Authorities say that Conklin tried to escape on foot again while his restraints were being transferred so he could use the bathroom. He was taken back into custody after deputies used a stun gun on him again as he was running through the sheriffs offices side yard. After he was processed, Conklin was charged with second-degree escape (a class E felony) and taken to the Tompkins County Jail while police continued to investigate the chase and waited for the warrant to search his vehicle. Endicott man falls asleep at the wheel, arrested on drug and gun charges The Tompkins County Sheriffs Office, the Village of Dryden Police Department, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) searched Conklins car on July 12. Authorities say they found an aggregate of about 16 ounces of methamphetamine, a loaded 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun, a full-length 12-gauge shotgun, and shotgun ammo in the car. (Courtesy: Tompkins County Sheriffs Office) Authorities say that nearly one pound of meth and two shotguns (one of which was modified) were found in Joshua Conklins car during a search. That afternoon, Conklin was booked on the following additional charges: Second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class A-II Felony Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (modified shotgun), a Class C Felony Three counts of first-degree reckless endangerment, a Class D Felony Third-degree attempted grand larceny (motor vehicles), a Class E Felony Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon (convicted felon in possession), a Class A Misdemeanor Third-degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, a Class A Misdemeanor Universal traffic tickets (infractions and unclassified misdemeanors) Tompkins County man arrested for alleged $1 million Medicaid fraud Conklin was arraigned on the escape charge and the charges that were added on Friday. The DEA, the New York State Police Department, the Village of Dryden Police Department, the Village of Groton Police Department, Dryden Ambulance, and the Town of Dryden Department of Public Works assisted the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office with this case. Before this incident, Conklin was wanted on the following charges: Fourth-degree grand larceny Fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property Second-degree criminal mischief Possession of burglary tools Fifth-degree conspiracy Driving while intoxicated Third-degree grand larceny Third-degree possession of stolen property Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. Wanted man arrested after falling through apartment ceiling in New York Wanted man arrested after falling through apartment ceiling in New York ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) A wanted man was arrested after police say he fell through an apartment ceiling in Elmira, New York while hiding from police. According to the Elmira Police Department, officers were called to an apartment building at about 6:26 p.m. on July 12 for a report of a wanted person, George Wilson. Officers surrounded the building and tried to make contact with Wilson. But shortly after the officers arrived, one of the buildings tenants went outside and told them that Wilson had fallen into their apartment from the attic. Man stabbed in the neck walking into Brooklyn building: NYPD Police secured the apartment Wilson reportedly fell into and kept calling for Wilson to come out from his hiding place. A K9 Unit from the Schuyler County Sheriffs Office found Wilson after a brief search, and he was arrested without further incident. Wilson was wanted for three felony charges: third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (intent to sell), second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was also wanted on another warrant for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Wilson was arrested and is currently being held at the Chemung County Jail on the Chemung County Court warrant. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Wanted man arrested after falling through apartment ceiling in New York Wanted man arrested after falling through apartment ceiling in New York ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) A wanted man was arrested after police say he fell through an apartment ceiling in Elmira, New York while hiding from police. According to the Elmira Police Department, officers were called to an apartment building at about 6:26 p.m. on July 12 for a report of a wanted person, George Wilson. Officers surrounded the building and tried to make contact with Wilson. But shortly after the officers arrived, one of the buildings tenants went outside and told them that Wilson had fallen into their apartment from the attic. Police secured the apartment Wilson reportedly fell into and kept calling for Wilson to come out from his hiding place. A K9 Unit from the Schuyler County Sheriffs Office found Wilson after a brief search, and he was arrested without further incident. One arrested, one critical after man gets stabbed in the neck in Elmira Wilson was wanted for three felony charges: third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (intent to sell), second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was also wanted on another warrant for seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Wilson was arrested and is currently being held at the Chemung County Jail on the Chemung County Court warrant. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UNION, Mo. Matthew Tobben, an assistant fire chief for the Boone County Fire Protection District who died in the line of duty in mid-Missouri, was honored with funeral services and procession on Saturday. Tobben, an assistant chief for the Boone County Fire Protection District, died Monday during a swift water rescue operation when he and three others were thrown from a boat. The other three occupants were rescued. Funeral services, included full fire service honors, began 11 a.m. Saturday at at East Central College in Union. It followed a procession with fire service members from the Oltmann Funeral Home to the college. Watch the live stream of funeral services Saturday in the video above from FOX 2. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Crews with DC Fire and EMS were on the Potomac River on Saturday afternoon to rescue people from a boat that took on water. In a post made on X at 3:12 p.m., officials said the incident happened near the 14th Street bridge. A 24-foot pleasure craft and water taxi were involved in a collision there. Man arrested in connection to Northwest DC stabbing The water taxi was not damaged, but the pleasure craft took on water and was waiting for a tow boat after crews helped dewater it. Two people were on the boat, while 40 people were in the taxi. One person from the boat was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. On Episode 119 of This Week In Space, Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik talk with Dr. John Crassidis from the University of Buffalo about orbital debris and its dangers. If you saw the movie "Gravity," you have a sense of the dangers of orbital debrisand the risk is very real. More than 25,000 objects over four inches in diameter are tracked by the US Space Force, and millions of others are smaller or untrackedeverything from derelict satellites to dead rocket stages to bits of shrapnel and even just chunks of frozen rocket fuel is there. And even something the size and mass of a paint chip, traveling at orbital speeds, can take out a window of a spacecraft. Look out below; this is going to be a hot one! Download or subscribe to this show at: https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Space news of the week Model Falcon 9! TOP TELESCOPE PICK: A Celestron telescope on a white background Looking for a telescope to see planets and comets? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide. Finally, did you know you can launch your own SpaceX rocket? Model rocket maker Estes' stunning scale model of a Falcon 9 rocket that you can pick up now. The launchable model is a detailed recreation of the Falcon 9 and retails for $149.99. You can save 10% by using the code IN-COLLECTSPACE at checkout, courtesy of our partners collectSPACE.com. About This Week In Space This Week in Space covers the new space age. Every Friday we take a deep dive into a fascinating topic. What's happening with the new race to the moon and other planets? When will SpaceX really send people to Mars? Join Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik from Space.com as they tackle those questions and more each week on Friday afternoons. You can subscribe today on your favorite podcatcher. As Republicans from around the country descend for a week, the owner of Penzeys Spices is sharing what for regular customers has become his well-known mixture of liberal politics and biting humor with a sign at the downtown location that reads: "Welcome Future Fake Electors." The sign went up Friday, and workers said Saturday there had only been one person upset about it so far. They also said that about 10 days earlier, someone spray painted "Trump" on one of their windows, and they have had trouble getting the paint off. Penzeys Spices has a Welcome Future Fake Electors sign in its downtown store ahead of the 2024 Republican National Convention on in Milwaukee. After the 2020 election, several states, including Wisconsin, put together groups of fake electors intended to substitute for actual electors during the electoral count on Jan. 6, 2021. The idea was to keep Donald Trump in power, even though there has never been evidence to indicate he won or that any results were incorrect. More: Wisconsin AG Josh Kaul charges former Trump associates in fake elector scheme More: Here are the 10 people who participated in Wisconsin's fake elector scheme in 2020 Penzeys Spices CEO Bill Penzey is not shy about his politics and how he feels about the Republican Party. The company offers a "January 6 Box" of spices with one mixture called "Justice" and another called "Outrage." Penzeys also has a section on its website entitled "About Republicans" "Watching the slow decline of the Republican Party over the last half century, and the steep decline/bottom falling out over the last decade, it can be easy to see the nonsense that has overtaken the party as pretty much random," says an essay on the section, signed "Bill." "The Republican departure from conservative values and embrace of what, from a distance, looks a whole lot like insanity didnt happen by chance. All of it has been intelligently crafted with the goal of preserving the position of those who profit from the inhumanity that is at the very roots of pretty much every problem we are facing." "Trump" was spray painted on the window of the downtown Milwaukee Penzeys Spices store. The essay closes with Penzey saying: "We can and will work without Republicans to solve the problems we face, but it sure would be nice to get back to a time where Republicans were equal defenders of equality, the environment, and democracy. We look forward to that day." This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Penzeys Spices posts Welcome Future Fake Electors' sign for RNC Just over a month ago, we witnessed the incredible reopening of Michigan Central Station and two weeks ago, we announced that our six-month fundraising campaign for the Michigan Central Station Childrens Endowment Initiative nearly doubled its initial fundraising goal of $10 million, raising more than $19 million. The gratitude we feel toward this community will stay with us forever. Michigan Central Station stands in Detroits Corktown neighborhood on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The Childrens Foundation will now facilitate a process to select 10 youth-serving organizations to receive funding and support to build an endowment of at least $1.5 million each. (Applications are now being accepted, due Aug. 1. An informational webinar is set for 9 a.m. Thursday, July 18.) Over the past six months, we shared our vision for this campaign with hundreds of foundations, companies, and individuals. As we move into the next phase of this initiative, we want to share answers to two of the most common questions we received: Why endowments? What does success look like? Why Endowments? Like Michigan Central Station, endowments are permanent. They grow over time and provide organizations with annual, unrestricted funds. Many universities, hospitals and large cultural institutions were built and rely on endowed funds. While annual funds are also critically important to these institutions, endowments provide them with financial sustainability that leaves little doubt that they will exist in perpetuity. What we refer to as social change organizations, however, rarely have endowments. These organizations tend to be smaller, provide direct services to communities and are often led by people of color and individuals from other historically marginalized groups. Leaders of these organizations spend a lot of time raising the funds they need to operate annually, which can distract them from their mission. Typically, fundraising success for these organizations means raising a little more money than they spend each year only to start the process over again. It can be exhausting and often leads to burnout. Reports from The Center for Effective Philanthropy and The Bridgespan Group make the case to consider endowments for social change organizations. These reports are part of what inspired us to focus this initiative on building endowments for organizations that directly serve children in our area. There is a natural tie between our campaign and the re-opening of Michigan Central Station. Michigan Central is about the future and our regions children are our future. And just as the station is an old building now fit for a modern purpose, endowments are an old tool that this initiative is applying in a modern way. By creating endowments for 10 youth-serving organizations, we acknowledge that like Michigan Central Station these organizations are critical anchors in our community and need to be here to serve children for generations to come. What Does Success Look Like? We have five key measurements of success: We aim to shift the historical perspective and narrative about which organizations deserve endowments. This community rallied to raise over $19 million in six months, which we think demonstrates incredible success on this front. We want to empower 10 organizations to become more financially sustainable by helping them learn how to leverage their new endowment. This is one of the reasons each organization will have the opportunity to access $500,000 in matching dollars for each gift they secure toward their newly created endowment. We hope this gives organizations courage to have bigger, bolder conversations with their stakeholders and we hope donors see an opportunity to make larger, legacy-type gifts that they may have previously reserved only for larger institutions. We want to enable these organizations to plan for the future. This is why each organization will have access to resources at Michigan Central. In addition to their initial endowment gift, each organization will also receive unrestricted grants in 2025 and 2026, plus technical assistance and capacity-building support throughout this process. For example, if an organization needs to invest in its marketing capabilities or wants to develop a multi-year fundraising plan, it will have support and resources to do that. We want to give these organizations something they rarely get: time and resources to innovate, plan and evolve into the future. We want to demonstrate what equitable, trust-based philanthropy can look like. We sought the counsel of many philanthropic leaders in this community, which helped us develop the eligibility criteria and an open, transparent application and selection process. Most notably, a 15-person selection committee will pick the organizations receiving these endowment gifts. This committee represents the diversity of the geographic area this initiative covers. It includes political, civic, business and nonprofit experts. Most importantly, it also includes youth voices, and the voices of those who have been served by our areas nonprofits. Rightfully so, they will tell us which organizations must be here forever. Success will also be defined by what we learn along the way, and how we share those learnings. We hope that the journey these 10 organizations are about to undertake makes it easier for another 10 organizations to start an endowment. We hope that the funders who supported this initiative understand the long-term return on their investment. We hope that this initiative will shine a light on innovation coming from Detroit, and that the local and national philanthropic sector will learn from us. Perhaps this type of approach will inspire another community to celebrate their own historic moment in a similar way or to develop yet another way to ensure that the organizations providing critical services in their community can exist for generations to come. We are so incredibly grateful to this community for its generosity. We have one final ask of you: If there is an organization that serves children in this area that you believe needs to be here in perpetuity, please encourage them to consider applying. The eligibility criteria and application information are here. Lisa Ford is co-chair of the Michigan Central Station Childrens Endowment Campaign. Andrew Stein is president and CEO of the Childrens Foundation. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fords to help 10 Detroit groups establish $1.5M endowments. Here's why WGNs Mike Lowe gives update on cancer treatment, thanks nurses In the video player above, Mike Lowe talks to Paul Konrad about his diagnosis CHICAGO WGNs Mike Lowe gave an update Friday on his cancer treatment. In May, Mike announced he was diagnosed with stage 3(c)/N+ colon cancer and is participating in a clinical trial with Northwestern Medicine. On Friday, he posted an update that he has finished his first six week course of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. More: Cancer sucks: WGN Reporter Mike Lowe reveals stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis Im trying to make it a little less scary by showing you what treatment looks like, his post said. This week, I finished my six-week course of radiation therapy and chemo pills. I gave a big hug to all of the @northwesternmedicine nurses whove been taking such good care of me. He explained his experience with a not-so-subtle dig at the Chicago Bears archrivals, The Green Bay Packers. During treatment, I experienced a few of the typical side effects: fatigue, diarrhea, mouth sores, discomfort in my hands and feet, irritation while urinating, and occasional nausea. So, basically nothing worse than how you feel after a trip to Green Bay. But overall, it was not that difficult to tolerate. In a few weeks, Mike says he will have chemotherapy infusions for four months. His full post is below: Its been said that the scariest phrase in the English language (other than were out of Oreos) is you have cancer. Im trying to make it a little less scary by showing you what treatment looks like. This week, I finished my six-week course of radiation therapy and chemo pills. I gave a big hug to all of the @northwesternmedicine nurses whove been taking such good care of me. During treatment, I experienced a few of the typical side effects: fatigue, diarrhea, mouth sores, discomfort in my hands and feet, irritation while urinating, and occasional nausea. So, basically nothing worse than how you feel after a trip to Green Bay. But overall, it was not that difficult to tolerate. Ive continued to work, and I really havent stopped doing anything socially. I even went to The Rolling Stones concert at Soldier Field. At the end of the month, Ill have a port (known as a venous access device) placed in my chest. Itll provide easy access for my bloodwork and #chemotherapy infusions. Chemo is scheduled to start on July 31, and will continue for four months. By then, the Bears should be 12-0, and I should have restocked the Oreos. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 number of charter school students in Maryland is about one-third the national rate, but there are still 46 charters in the state, 31 of them in Baltimore City. Photo by Getty Images. School choice doesnt come close to packing the political firepower of a womans reproductive choice. But it is an explosive, divisive issue on its own. In education, the culture wars over race, LGBTQ and religion get most of the attention. However, school choice, as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Cara Fitzgerald writes, is now a potent, deeply polarizing partisan issue. Conservative Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) proclaimed it the most important domestic issue in the country. And the political right is winning big. Fitzgerald, in her book The Death of Public School: How Conservatives Won the War Over Education in America, concludes: Today, as a result of the school choice movements success the very existence of the traditional public school is threatened. The most prevalent forms of school choice are charter schools, vouchers and tax savings accounts. Charter schools Charters in 46 states enroll around 7.5% of all public school students. In Maryland, legislation in 2003 authorized local education agencies (LEAs) to create public charter schools with more autonomy than other schools. Last school year there were 49 charter schools in Maryland (31 in Baltimore City), with about 25,000 students. (Disclosure: My son serves on the board of a charter school operator in Baltimore City.) Charters get high marks. A national study at Stanford University found that charter students had reading and math gains that outpaced peers in traditional public schools, and students of color benefited most. Positive academic results occur in Maryland, especially in Baltimore City. Vouchers and savings accounts Contrary to public charters, these put money directly in parents hands to pay for private school. Evidence of effectiveness is lacking. Yet conservative proponents argue that parents freedom to choose is justification enough, and these programs are mushrooming nationwide. Opponents respond that vouchers and savings accounts actually subsidize private (primarily religious) schools, and many subsidized students, disproportionately from higher-income families, have never attended public schools. Opponents also echo Fitzgeralds warning that these programs, even when targeted to low-income families, are a Trojan horse for ideological conservatives who want to totally eliminate public schools. Maryland has no saving accounts and only a small voucher program, known as BOOST. Under BOOST, vouchers provide scholarships to low-income students who attend a participating private school. Because of the opposition of most Democrats, funding is small. My own view and the political landscape I applaud Annapoliss resistance to vouchers and savings accounts but think more should be done to support and encourage charters. Its an uphill climb politically. The Kirwan Commission (on which I served) ducked the issue of charters. Local school boards, which resent limits on their authority, flat-out oppose them. The Maryland State Education Association union supports them because Maryland is one of the few states that requires teachers in charters to be covered by collective bargaining, the same as teachers in other schools, but it resists targeted financial aid for them. As a result, the total number of charter students in Maryland is about one-third the national rate. Worse, there is a current crisis in funding that puts charters in serious danger. Heres the situation. Maryland law requires LEAs to provide charter schools with funding that is commensurate with amounts that other schools receive. A state board decision in 2005 determined that LEAs could not withhold more than 2% of commensurate funding for central administrative costs. However, last year the state board interpreted the impact on charters of the provision in the Blueprint for Marylands Future mandating that at least 75% of most state funding follow students to their individual schools. The board held in effect that the 75% provision superseded the commensurate requirement, thus allowing LEAs to withhold 25% of the funding for central administrative purposes. Now, for example, Baltimore City schools is holding back the maximum 25 % to spend essentially at its discretion. The fiscal chasm between 2% and 25% is huge, and in my view, the state ruling on 75/25 is misguided. The 75/25 formula seeks to assure that funding is actually spent in schools on students. Thats laudable. But charter schools were already spending at least 98% directly on their students so the 75/25 split doesnt make sense as applied to them. To their credit, the state board and the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board are considering a resolution to create a work group to develop a framework for regulations on charter funding. Hopefully, it will tackle head-on the lack of transparency and justification for what LEAs are withholding under the 75/25 provision. If the work group doesnt propose regulations that are fair to charters, a legislative remedy should be sought. In any event, Democrats in Annapolis should seek to expand state aid for charter start-up costs and facilities. They should do this not just because its good for schoolchildren, but because its good politics. The Dems political dilemma over school choice Nationally, Democrats as public support for school choice has grown have lost their supremacy as champions of public education. One education expert concludes: Charters enjoy support among base Democratic voters, but not among elites and powerbrokers. A majority of Black and Latino families favor school choice. Yet, President Joe Biden cut back federal aid for charters. Thats a political mistake. Public charters should be supported as a middle ground offsetting Democratic rejection of vouchers and savings accounts. I am not as glum as Fitzgerald. No doubt, as she observes, the line drawn between public and private education [is] blurred. But public schools are certain to survive (and hopefully improve). They are mainstays of neighborhoods and communities. Moreover, private schools, if they expand exponentially, will prove disappointing. They, from elite to religious, have not come up with a secret sauce to dramatically improve the academic chances of the vast numbers of students who are poor and of color. So, listen up Annapolis. Theres a chance to show Democrats across the country how to recapture the political high ground on school choice: Choose public charter schools. The post Why dont Maryland politicians choose school choice? They should appeared first on Maryland Matters. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A coyote bit a woman walking in Henderson on Friday morning, a repeat of a similar attack that occurred Sunday July 7, according to wildlife officials. The Nevada Department of Wildlife issued a warning on Friday about coyote activity in the Pittman Wash near Green Valley Parkway in Henderson. Officials are advising people in the area to use increased caution after the bite reports. The woman bitten Friday and another woman bitten on Sunday each had puncture wounds on their lower leg and went to the hospital for treatment. Coyote attacks are extremely rare and generally involve feeding activity. It is possible these bites are related to protective behavior associated with denning sites, according to Claire Clarke, Urban Wildlife Education Coordinator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) in Southern Nevada. Clarke said pet owners should keep their dogs on a leash and under control when walking along trails in the wash. If you see a coyote, NDOW recommends: Do not run. Make yourself appear as large as possible. Make loud noises by yelling, blowing a whistle or using another noisemaking device. Throw rocks or other objects in their direction. Stand your ground, but do not corner the animal. Do not feed them. Pittman Wash, which features a popular hiking trail, is a natural waterway that is now part of the Las Vegas Valley flood control network. Nevada Department of Wildlife game wardens are investigating both incidents and monitoring coyote activity in the area. Anyone encountering coyotes exhibiting aggressive behavior while visiting the area is encouraged to notify the department by calling 800-992-3030 or 775-688-1331. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WILDWOOD A man wanted for allegedly shooting a bystander on a city street has been arrested. William Hoyle, 40, is charged with the attempted murder of a 20-year-old woman, who was shot in the head Tuesday night on the 3800 block of Pacific Avenue, according to the Cape May County Prosecutors Office. The victim was not Hoyle's intended target in the 10:26 p.m. shooting,, the prosecutor's office said in a statement. She was hospitalized on life-support measures on Friday. Response to Memorial Day chaos: Wildwood bans backpacks from its boardwalk The victim, Vilte Gruzdyte, is a Lithuanian citizen in this country on a student visa, the prosecutor's office said. "This is a tragic incident, and we are all as a community praying for Vilte and her family," said Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland. As part of an investigation, Cape May Countys SWAT team searched a home on the 4700 block of Pacific Avenue on the morning after the shooting. Investigators recovered a 9mm gun and clothing believed to have been worn by the shooter, according to the statement. A 45-year-old man, David L. Johnson, was charged with hindering apprehension in connection with the execution of the search warrant, the statement said. The search for Hoyle ended Thursday afternoon when Hoyle turned himself in to the Camden County police department in Camden. Hoyle is charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses. The charges are only allegations. No one has been convicted in the case. Hoyle was being held in Cape May County Jail, pending a detention hearing. An investigation is underway, and additional charges may be filed. Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit of the prosecutors office at 609-465-1135 or Wildwood police at 609-522-0222. Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com. This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: William Hoyle is charged with attempted murder of a foreign student Former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson criticized President Biden for brushing off calls to step aside from the White House race, suggesting it is a sign of arrogance and stubbornness. On one hand I feel compassion for the president, and found myself feeling bad for how he was struggling during the press conference last night, Williamson wrote Friday on social media platform X, referring to his solo presser concluding the NATO summit. On the other hand I feel disdain for the level of arrogance and stubbornness that enables him to put the Democratic electorate through this drama, she added. Her remarks come as Biden continues to face pushback following a poor debate performance last month against former President Trump. During his time on stage, the president appeared to lack energy, stumble over his words and stare off into space. The lackluster showing has sparked concerns among Democrats about his ability to defeat Trump in November or serve another term, prompting many to call on the incumbent to step aside and allow someone else to take on the former president in November. Williamson, the onetime spiritual adviser to Oprah Winfrey, too has put pressure on the president to withdraw from the race. Earlier this month, the author suggested she could throw her hat into the ring for a third time after launching a long-shot bid in March 2023 and subsequently suspending and relaunching a bid earlier this year. While she withdrew from the race officially after the June primaries, Williamson argued that Biden needs a replacement in the race. In her Friday post, she said Bidens stubbornness is losing him votes. Democratic leaders have been kindly and respectfully telling President Biden hes done a great job and now his greatest gift to the nation would be to pass the baton, Williamson wrote. Clearly thats not working. During Bidens Thursday evening press conference, he answered several questions about his mental fitness and desire to stay in the race. A day later, he held a campaign event in Michigan and said he would not withdraw from the race, claiming voters made him the nominee. Williamson said she thinks its time for some brutal honesty, tough love and for the delegates to decide to change the trajectory of this campaign. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This week, an Ohio woman was issued a citation after a road rage incident that ended in her mooning another driver. Westlake Police got a call Sunday evening reporting a female had gotten out of her vehicle in a rage on an exit ramp from Interstate 90, WOIO, a CBS affiliate in Cleveland reported. >> Ryan Reynolds collabs with popular Ohio clothing company According to police, the woman was yelling and swearing at the other driver. Eventually, she pulled her pants down to moon them. The incident was caught on video. The woman, only described as being in her 40s, was cited for disorderly conduct, WOIO reported. MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A Madison County womans petition for a review of her appeal was denied by the Supreme Court of Alabama Friday. Aleisha Danielle Meyer Parker and Bradley Nathan Parker were both charged with reckless murder after the 2018 shooting of their one-year-old son which they both said was an accident, according to investigators. Both parents were arrested 12 hours after the child died at their home on Tybee Drive in Triana. State Supreme Court rejects Amy Bishops request to review conviction in 2010 UAH shooting Aleisha Parker was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury on February 9, 2023, and on May 25, 2023, and was sentenced to 20 years in the Julia Tutwiler Prison in Wetumpka. She appealed her conviction to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in July 2023, but it was upheld by that court a few months later. On Friday, several justices within the Supreme Court of Alabama denied her petition for a writ of certiorari or order by which a higher court will review the ruling of a lower court. Bradley Parkers charges were dropped in October 2018 after Madison County District Judge Linda Coats said prosecutors didnt have probable cause to charge him with reckless murder at a preliminary hearing. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App The judge also downgraded Aleishas charge to manslaughter following the hearing. Bradley Parker said that he went downstairs that morning and saw his wife holding a gun near the childs playpen, according to testimony given by Madison County Sheriffs Office Investigator Jason Payne. In an attempt to prevent his wife from hurting herself or the toddler, Bradley Parker told investigators that he tried to take the gun away, Payne said. The gun, a Smith and Wesson .38-caliber revolver, went off during the struggle, and Dante was struck by a bullet. According to Paynes testimony, the husband told investigators that Aleisha Parker had suffered depression in the past and threatened to hurt herself. He testified that forensic evidence pointed to Aleisha Parker as the one who pulled the trigger, killing Dante. Payne also indicated that the pair had turned against each other, leading to the initial arrests of both. 37-year-old woman arrested after domestic shooting in Huntsville Investigators testified Aleisha Parker changed her story several times on the day of the shooting as well. Following the testimony, Judge Coats deemed the case a horrible accident, saying that there wasnt probable cause to believe the husband was culpable or to charge the wife with reckless murder, a Class A felony. Bradley Parker was released from jail following the judges ruling, however, he was indicted by a grand jury for reckless murder in April 2022. Court documents show he pled guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in July 2023 and was sentenced to 10 years, suspended for three years. Aleisha Parker has served just over a year of her sentence at Tutwiler Prison. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Woman dies in broad daylight shooting near DCs Fort Dupont Park WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a woman has died after a shooting in Southeast D.C. on Saturday afternoon. MPD said that at about 2:35 p.m., it was dispatched to the 3300 block of Fort Dupont Drive for a shooting. National Weather Service issues excessive heat watch for Montgomery County Police said a woman was found dead at the scene. MPD said its looking for a White Sedan with heavy tints. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Woman in her 60s fighting for life after being struck down by 81-year-old cabbie: NYPD A woman was fighting for her life after she was hit in Brooklyn by a yellow taxi driven by an 81-year-old cabbie, cops said Saturday. The unidentified woman, who is believed to be in her 60s, was crossing Fourth Ave. and Atlantic Ave. in downtown Brooklyn at about 9:30 p.m. Friday when the elderly cab driver in a yellow Toyota taxi rammed into her. EMS rushed the woman to New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where she remained in critical condition. Cops were trying to identify the woman Saturday. The cab driver remained at the scene. No charges were immediately filed. On Thursday evening in Harlem, a 40-year-old driver in a Nissan Pathfinder struck and killed 3-year-old Jaynelyse Valdez as the tot, her 37-year-old mother, and her two brothers, one 2, the other 4 months, crossed the corner of W. 135th St. at Lenox Ave., cops said. As of Wednesday, 64 pedestrians have been killed on city streets, a 30% jump from the 49 killed by the same date last year. Overall traffic deaths have jumped by 5% so far this year, from 126 to 133, police said. With words, deeds and arms deals, allies make the case for NATO in terms that would appeal to Trump FILE - Leaders take their seats for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council during the NATO summit in Washington, July 11, 2024. European allies in NATO are stepping up their military spending, just as Donald Trump wanted. In words, deeds and arms deals, leaders of the United States' partner countries in NATO are making the case for the military alliance in ways likely to appeal to the presumed Republican presidential nominee. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) WASHINGTON (AP) European allies in NATO are stepping up their military spending, just as Donald Trump wanted. They're pointing to common interests, such as concerns over China. Theyre creating American jobs by buying U.S. weapons. In words, deeds and arms deals, leaders of the United States partners in NATO are making the case for the military alliance in ways likely to appeal to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. Even if their actions arent necessarily directly tied to Trumps prodding, the allies are casting them in terms he would approve of and maybe take credit for. Its not clear what Trump would do about U.S. participation in NATO if elected. Hes shrugged off questions from reporters even as President Joe Biden has cast him as a threat to the 75-year-old Western military alliance. But European leaders are worried. With Russia intensifying missile attacks on cities in Ukraine, a democracy in the heart of Europe, the battle to keep the U.S. in NATO is far more than gamesmanship for European partners. For some, its existential. If Ukraine loses, my countrys next. Thats clear, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said during the NATO summit in Washington this past week. His government is raising taxes to keep up with an urgent push, shared by the majority of European NATO members, to strengthen military capability in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. At the summit, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made a point of saying that allies had gotten Trumps message, with a record 23 of the 32 now spending at least the agreed-upon 2% of their gross domestic product on their militaries. "The United States has been understood. Allies have acted, Stoltenberg declared in response to one of many questions about a possible Trump withdrawal from NATO. Stoltenberg and most others had previously said that it was largely Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine that had unleashed security spending by NATO members in Europe. Indeed, in 2021, only six allies had met the spending target. The message from Europe, as it makes the case for the country with the biggest military and economy to stay engaged: The U.S. is good for European allies and NATO. And NATO and European allies are good for the U.S. And a Europe that's safe and stable is a great market for the U.S. This defense of Europe is not only defense tied with values it is, it's the alliance, it's democracy, it's values. But you know, it's business," Jacek Siewiera, the head of Poland's national security bureau, said in an interview with The Associated Press before the summit. Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas ticked off the priorities that his country would share with Trump if he returns to the White House making European defense more self-reliant, buying more U.S. weapons and thus generating more business for the U.S. arms industry, confronting perceived security threats to the West from China, and sanctioning Iran. He's a deal-maker, Kasciunas said during a panel discussion at the summit. I think we should sit, calm down, and if he will win find a deal." With the U.S. election in turmoil following Biden's poor debate performance and struggles since to prove he's capable of serving another four years, European officials need to maintain a delicate balance. They stress publicly that they will work with whoever wins November's elections, not wanting to be seen as weighing in on U.S. politics by saying they are worried about Trump or offending Biden by overtly preparing for another Trump presidency. Trump has caused alarm by speaking admiringly of Russian President Vladimir Putin, even calling his invasion of Ukraine genius," and disparaging NATO, a mutual-defense pact signed in 1949 as the West confronted the Soviet Union in the Cold War. U.S. presidents and lawmakers, including Biden, have warned Europe for decades, especially as European military spending sagged after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, that it had to do more to share the financial and military responsibilities of NATO. But Trump has warned more often and more loudly and during the current campaign he has threatened to invite Russia to attack NATO allies that are not spending enough on their militaries. "I just want them to pay their bills. Were protecting Europe. They take advantage of us very badly, he told Fox News Radio last week as Biden and NATO leaders gathered in Washington. He acknowledged that European defense spending was, in fact, up sharply. Although not as openly as Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, who visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the NATO summit, European officials have been working to build relationships with the Trump camp, former diplomats say. European officials make a point of visiting the factories in U.S. cities and towns that make the weapons their countries are buying or drop mention of them into their conversations, stressing the contribution to the U.S. economy. Siewiera, the Polish security official, remembers Trump's first term as prosperous for Poland. It was then that his government began investing heavily in U.S. arms including HIMARS rocket-launcher systems, Patriot air defense systems, F-35 fighter jets and Abrams tanks. President Trump was right when he harangued us, Poland Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski said at an event at a Washington think-tank on Friday. So credit where credit is due. Partly." Ultimately, said Daniel Fried, a former U.S. ambassador to Poland, now at the Atlantic Council research center, Trump likes to be a winner. If Trump claims credit and thereby continues U.S. support for NATO because he saved it, that's a narrative I would encourage Europeans to accept, Fried said. World population projected to peak at 10.3 billion in 2080s, new United Nations report says The world's population is expected to grow to an estimated 10.3 billion people in the mid-2080s, according to a new report from the United Nations. That's up from the current global population of 8.2 billion people. The United Nations report identified the following population trends: The estimated size of the worlds population at the end of the century (2100) is now expected to be 6% smaller than estimated a decade ago. Across the globe, one in four people lives in a country whose population has already peaked. In 63 countries, population size peaked before 2024. Some of those countries include China, Germany, Japan and the Russian Federation. Jul 6, 2024: Orlando, Florida, USA; fans attend a pre game concert before a match between D.C. United and Orlando City at Inter&Co Stadium. Global population experiences dramatic growth The U.N. Population Fund said the global population crossed the 7 billion mark in 2011. Historically, it took hundreds of thousands of years to reach a single billion before growing sevenfold in roughly two centuries, the U.N. said. Recent dramatic growth has largely been driven by more people surviving to reproductive age, along with more urbanization and large-scale migration. Calculating the number of future people is not a perfect science with many sources of uncertainty in estimating the global population, the Census Bureau said. It estimated the world reached 8 billion people last September while the U.N. timed the milestone nearly one year earlier. The global population is aging People 65 and older are expected to outnumber kids 18 and younger by the year 2080, the UN report found. The cohort of senior citizens is expected to reach 2.2 billion in size. By the mid 2030s, the number of people 80 and older will be 265 million, larger than the number of infants - those 1 year or younger. Most populous places within the U.S. The current U.S. population is 341.8 million. While the U.N. report didn't specify how much the U.S. population would grow, it is among 126 countries whose population is expected to increase through the 2050s. California is the most populous state in the country with nearly 39.1 million people, followed by Texas with about 30.5 million, according to the bureau. New York City is the most populous city with more than 8.3 million inhabitants. Last year's population growth was largely driven by the South, the Census Bureau said. The South is the most populous region and the only one to maintain population growth throughout the pandemic. Texas added more residents than any other state, welcoming over 473,000 people, followed by Floridas 365,000 new residents between 2022 and 2023. Contributing: Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: World population is projected to peak at 10.3 billion in the 2080s WPD looking for women accused of stealing $6,400 from Walmart WPD looking for women accused of stealing $6,400 from Walmart WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) The Wichita Police Department is asking for the publics help in locating two women accused of stealing $6,400 in $100 bills from a Walmart in west Wichita Friday afternoon. A Facebook post from the WPD said the two women are possibly mother and daughter. One of the suspects, a white female in her late 50s to early 60s, allegedly grabbed the money. Bus carrying Marion football team catches fire The other suspect, who referred to the first as her mother, is a white female between 25 and 30 years old. Both suspects are approximately 5-foot-5-inches in height and have a medium build. Both have a heavy Slavic accent. The two women were last seen leaving the scene in a rental Toyota minivan with Florida license plate 97B DAC. The vehicle was last seen driving south on South Seneca Street from Kellogg around 2:07 p.m. Friday. If you have any information regarding these individuals or their whereabouts, please get in touch with Officer Van Pelt at mvanpelt@wichita.gov. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. York City School District employee charged with having sexual relationship with student A York City School District employee has been charged with several counts of sexual contact with a student after allegedly having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student. Melissa Juarez Castro, 25, of Hellam Township was first employed as a bilingual teacher aide at William Penn Senior High School in August 2023, providing translation services. On April 17, 2024, the York City Police Department received a ChildLine allegation that alleged possible sexual assault, according to the criminal complaint. During an interview with the victim, police were told that Juarez Castro had allegedly pursued a relationship with a student she provided translating to in one of his classes at the high school, first requesting his social media handle, which led to communication between the two after school hours. In October of 2023, the two began meeting outside of school at a park in York City, according to the affidavit. Towards the end of October, the relationship allegedly turned sexual. The victim told police he and Juarez Castro had sexual intercourse multiple times over the course of their relationship, which ended in April 2024. Search warrants served to social media platforms Meta and Instagram revealed photos and videos of the two kissing on the lips, the criminal complaint read. "She 100% maintains her innocence and asks that everybody is patient and waits to hear the whole truth come out," said Timothy Matthew Barrouk, Jaurez Castro's attorney. The York City School District did not respond to requests for comment. Juarez Castro's preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 26, at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Adrian Boxley Sr. This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York PA High teacher charged with alleged sexual contact with student A proposed amendment to New Yorks Constitution to expand nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ and pregnant people will appear before voters in November, the states highest court ruled Thursday. The decision from New Yorks Court of Appeals affirms a June decision allowing the amendment to be brought to voters for ratification, after an upstate New York judge threw it off the ballot in May. The justices on Thursday dismissed an appeal from Marjorie Byrnes (R), a Republican state Assembly member, upon the ground that no substantial constitutional question is directly involved. Byrnes did not immediately return a request for comment. In a statement, New York Republican Party Chair Ed Cox said the court was wrong to reject the appeal and called the proposed amendment, which will appear on the November ballot as Proposition 1, a radical departure from common sense. Im confident voters if theyre told the truth will resoundingly reject Prop 1, Cox said. Cox in his statement claimed the amendment would grant noncitizens the right to vote in elections and allow minors to access gender-affirming medical care including surgeries, which are rarely recommended to transgender youth under 18 without their parents consent. New York Republicans have used similar scare tactics to sway voters against the amendment, which Democrats are hoping to use as a way to protect abortion rights in the state. While the ballot question would not explicitly protect the right to abortion in New York, where the procedure has been legal since 1970 and is not seen as under threat, it would prevent a person from being discriminated against for having an abortion. In New York, individuals are already protected from employment discrimination based on reproductive health care decisions, including abortion. The New York Constitution currently bars discrimination based on race, color, creed and religion. The proposed amendment, known to its supporters as the Equal Rights Amendment, would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on a persons ethnicity, national origin, age, disability and sex including their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care and autonomy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris said he will visit Kyiv "in the coming weeks," after welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky to his country in a brief stopover meeting on July 13. Zelensky is traveling back to Ukraine from the NATO Summit in Washington and flew via Shannon Airport where the two leaders met. Speaking during a press conference, Harris said hey had had a "very good meeting," and had discussed a potential bilateral agreement on demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security. "I thank Ireland for supporting the Peace Summit in Switzerland and the Taoiseach for his strong personal attention and commitment to the efforts to bring the children home," Zelensky said in a post on social media following the meeting. On my way to Ukraine, I met with Irelands Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD. We discussed support for Ukraine and continued cooperation in demining and cybersecurity. We also talked about the next steps to implement the decisions based on the outcomes of the Peace Summit and discussed pic.twitter.com/00GgW2Nkyp Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) July 13, 2024 Ireland has a policy of neutrality, is not a member of NATO, and has one of the lowest rates of defense spending across the EU, at around 0.2% of its GDP. Its government has remained committed to not providing lethal military aid to Ukraine. But the country has taken in a significant number of Ukrainian refugees since the beginning of the full-scale war, estimated to be just shy of 100,000, around 73,000 of whom were living in state-provided housing at the end of 2023. The cost of such a program is thought to be around 1.5 billion euros a year ($1.6 billion). Ireland has since implemented sharp cuts in the benefits offered to Ukrainian refugees. Zelensky is expected to visit the U.K. on July 18, taking part in the Fourth European Political Community Summit at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock. Read also: Ukraine and its soldiers weigh in on whether Biden should step aside Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said President Biden mistakenly referring to him as Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday was a mistake that could be forgotten about. Its a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians, Zelensky told reporters on Saturday, Reuters reported. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. Zelensky was referring to the moment when Biden was introducing him at a NATO summit event in Washington earlier this week. Now, I want to hand it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentlemen, President Putin, Biden said. Biden quickly corrected himself, saying Hes going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky. Im so focused on beating Putin, weve got to worry about it, Biden joked. Zelensky jumped in and said, Im better. You are, a hell of a lot better, Biden said. The mix-up comes at a time of increased scrutiny for Biden. The accident garnered significant attention as the 81-year-old faces calls from members of his party to step aside and allow someone else to take on former President Trump in the election. Biden had just had several days of meetings with international leaders, many of which focused on supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. The Zelensky-Putin comment came just hours before Biden accidentally referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as Vice President Trump in a press conference after the NATO summit. At the press conference, Biden spoke harshly of Putin and the war. Biden said Putin instilled fear in Europe and called him a murderous madman. Russia fired back at Biden, calling his remarks absolutely unacceptable. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Zelensky dismisses Biden's 'Putin' gaffe as 'mistake,' says US gave a lot of support to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed being introduced as "President Putin" by his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden earlier this week, describing it as a "mistake." Biden made the gaffe during his speech on the final day of the NATO summit on July 11, as questions over his fitness for office continue to swirl. "And now I want to turn it over to the president of Ukraine, who has as much courage as he has determination. Ladies and gentleman, President Putin," Biden said. Speaking on July 13 during a press conference during a brief visit to Ireland, Zelensky played down the incident. "It's a mistake. I think the U.S. gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," he said in comments reported by Reuters. After making the gaffe, Biden quickly corrected himself. "President Putin? I'm so focused on beating Putin," Biden said. In response at the time, Zelensky quipped "I'm better," with Biden replying "you're a hell of a lot better." In Ireland on July 13, Prime Minister Simon Harris said he will visit Kyiv "in the coming weeks," as he welcomed Zelensky to his country. Zelensky is traveling back to Ukraine from the NATO Summit in Washington and flew via Shannon Airport where the two leaders met. Speaking during a press conference, Harris said hey had had a "very good meeting," and had discussed a potential bilateral agreement on demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security. "I thank Ireland for supporting the Peace Summit in Switzerland and the Taoiseach for his strong personal attention and commitment to the efforts to bring the children home," Zelensky said in a post on social media following the meeting. Read also: Ukraine and its soldiers weigh in on whether Biden should step aside Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in the annual meeting of the National Governors Association during his visit to the United States and met with American state leaders in Salt Lake City. Source: press service of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reports European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine's need for bomb shelters for educational institutions, air defence and electricity generation and called on US governors to develop regional cooperation with Ukrainian oblasts. Quote from Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "We are grateful for the humanitarian aid and housing, especially for the people who lost their homes due to the attacks. They lost their homes, and so they needed to restore them or rebuild them from scratch to rebuild their lives. So we are grateful to your business." During the meeting, the parties also discussed cooperation at the level of defence companies and the reconstruction of Ukrainian schools and hospitals. Zelenskyy spoke about the situation on the battlefield, Russia's daily terror against Ukrainian civilian objects, and critical and energy infrastructure, including the missile attack on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital. Quote from Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "You should know that Russia attacks our schools, universities, and hospitals every day. That is why the NATO summit was so important: to strengthen our air defence. We are grateful to America and other partners. And the decision to transfer several additional defence systems is crucial for us." Read also: NATO is inevitable: What the Washington summit's decision means for Ukraine's membership Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy downplayed President Joe Bidens NATO name gaffe this week, calling it a mistake. Ahead of a news conference at the NATO summit in Washington on Thursday, Biden mistakenly introduced Zelenskyy as President Putin before quickly correcting himself. The slip-up amplified a crescendo of concern over the presidents mental acuity following a disastrous debate performance last month, and a growing number of Democrats are calling for him to step aside as the Democratic nominee. While visiting Ireland to meet with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on Saturday, a reporter asked Zelenskyy directly for his response to Bidens name blunder. Its a mistake, he said. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. The U.S. has been providing military support to Ukraine in its war with Russia and recently announced a new weapons package that will include air defense systems, munitions and anti-tank weapons. NATO members this week pledged a minimum baseline funding of 40 billion in military aid to Ukraine next year to provide sustainable levels of security assistance for Ukraine to prevail. While some seized on Biden's error as an opportunity to bash his electability, others, including French President Emmanuel Macron, dismissed the moment as a "slip of the tongue." On Friday, Biden took to X to address public scrutiny, noting that while Trump has praised Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, people would rather talk about how I mix up names. Zelenskyy expected in UK and Ireland next week The Guardian Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the United Kingdom next week, where he will speak at Blenheim Palace in front of European leaders gathering to discuss the situation in Ukraine, European security and democracy. Source: The Guardian Details: Zelenskyy will also make his first visit to Ireland on Saturday morning, where he is scheduled to meet with Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris. Ireland, which has long maintained a policy of military neutrality but provides non-lethal aid to Ukraine, is expected to offer increased support. Specifically, it will back Ukraine's efforts to bring back home approximately 20,000 children who have been forcibly displaced to Russia and Belarus. Zelenskyy met with newly appointed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the NATO summit in Washington last week, but this will be his first opportunity to meet with a broader delegation of the Labour government, which will aim to reaffirm continued support from the United Kingdom. This conference is the European Political Communitys fourth meeting. This collective was established after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron. It aims to strengthen ties between leaders of EU and non-EU countries in an informal setting. Previous conferences have taken place in Spain, Moldova and Czechia. In addition to the United Kingdom, the invited non-EU countries include Norway, Iceland, Georgia, Kosovo, Serbia, Albania and Turkiye, although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was absent from previous summits, has not confirmed his participation. Background: Ukrainian President Zelemskyy is now in the United States, where on 11 July, 23 countries and the EU signed a security compact with Ukraine. The president stated that Ukraine had signed 23 agreements and that "there will be agreements with other countries". Support UP or become our patron! Volodymyr Zelenskyy at an airport in Ireland. Photo: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) At the start of his visit to Ireland on Saturday, 13 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on US President Joe Biden's slip of the tongue at the NATO Summit, where Biden mistakenly referred to Zelenskyy as "Putin", describing it as a "mistake". Source: Zelenskyy in Ireland, as reported by European Pravda, citing the Irish Times Details: Arriving at Shannon Airport in the west of Ireland, Zelenskyy spoke briefly with journalists before meeting with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris. Asked about his reaction to Biden mistakenly calling him "President Putin", Zelenskyy said: "Its a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so". Zelenskyy also expressed his gratitude to the people of Ireland for their support. "First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion," the president said. Zelenskyy travelled to Ireland for a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on his way back to Ukraine after meeting with NATO leaders in the United States. Background: On Thursday, at the final press conference of the NATO Summit, Biden confused Zelenskyy with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and also referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Trump". Politico reported that European officials and diplomats were privately taken aback by US President Joe Biden's uncertain and error-filled speeches at the NATO Summit in Washington. Support UP or become our patron! Zelenskyy meets with US congressmen to discuss industrial opportunities Zelenskyy at a meeting with Utah governor. Photo: Zelenskyy on Telegram President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed the creation of industrial opportunities and jobs in the defence sector at a meeting with US congressmen. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Details: In addition, at a meeting with congressmen representing Utah and other states, Zelenskyy thanked them for their support for Ukraine. Quote from Zelenskyy: "We really appreciate that America is side by side with us, which means that American leadership is not weakening." More details: In addition, Zelenskyy and Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska met with the governor and first lady of Utah. The president spoke about successful examples of partner states' patronage of Ukrainian oblasts and proposed establishing regional ties between Ukrainian oblasts and American states. Background: Zelenskyy is on a visit to the United States, where on Thursday, 11 July, 23 states and the EU signed the Ukraine Compact, a multilateral document containing commitments to support Ukraine. The president said that Ukraine had signed 23 strong agreements and announced that "there will be more agreements with other countries". Support UP or become our patron! Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai in Beijing, and expressed China's readiness to work with the Pacific island country to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. Noting that Vanuatu is a good friend and partner of China in the Pacific island region, Xi said China and Vanuatu have firmly supported each other on issues concerning core interests since the establishment of diplomatic relations 42 years ago. Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu relations and stands ready to work with Vanuatu to deepen high-level political mutual trust, promote the high-quality building of the Belt and Road, and enhance the all-weather and all-round friendly cooperation to jointly build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. China hopes to exchange state governance experience with Vanuatu, share development opportunities brought by Chinese modernization, and enhance the synergy of development strategies, Xi said. China is ready to deepen practical cooperation with Vanuatu in infrastructure, economy, trade and investment, climate change and other fields, and encourages its enterprises to invest in Vanuatu, Xi noted. Xi emphasized that China is committed to equality among all countries, big or small, and adheres to the principle of combining justice with interests while prioritizing justice. China does not seek major-power competition or geopolitical spheres of influence. It does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries or force them to take sides, he added. Noting that China is a promoter of and contributor to peaceful coexistence and common development in the Pacific island region, Xi said China is willing to continue providing assistance to the best of its ability for the economic and social development as well as improvement of people's livelihood of the island countries, thereby supporting them in accelerating their efforts to achieve independent and sustainable development goals. Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable development achievements and ongoing efforts for national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization under the outstanding leadership of President Xi. China upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and treats small countries like Vanuatu equally, which fully demonstrates equality and respect, he said. The Vanuatu government firmly adheres to the one-China principle, and firmly supports China's position on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Xizang, human rights and the South China Sea, Salwai said. Vanuatu hopes to learn from China's experience in state governance, strengthen the alignment of development strategies with China, and promote practical cooperation in infrastructure, economy, trade and other fields, he added. The two sides issued a joint statement and agreed to upgrade the comprehensive strategic partnership to build a China-Vanuatu community with a shared future in the new era. New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) to say that serious concerns have been raised about "a very strange trend" emerging for the last eight months. Divulging details of the matter, in a post titled 'Is there a HUGE silver scam being carried out through the GIFT city in Gujarat?', he wrote that all of India's silver imports from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are being brought in through a single place, GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, since December 2023. Stating that India levies a 15 per cent import duty on silver and only institutions nominated by the RBI and the DGFT are allowed to import silver, he wrote: "For some strange reason, these rules DO NOT APPLY to Gujarat's Gift City where any private player can import silver." Gokhale said that under an agreement between the UAE and India, silver can be imported at a reduced duty of 8 per cent provided it meets something called "rules of origin" requirements. In this post, the MP has raised a number of concerns, including- Banks and other institutions that have imported silver through other ports in India from UAE have been REFUSED permission to import it at 8%. This has been done by the Customs Dept citing "failure to meet rules of origin requirement" - However, ALL silver imports coming through GIFT City in Gujarat from UAE have been allowed at 8% duty without any issues - As a result, silver is now being imported to India from UAE ONLY through Gujarat for 8 months 1. How is ONLY GIFT City in Gujarat allowing private players who are NOT nominated by RBI & DGFT to import silver? 2. Why are silver imports coming from UAE through ports in the rest of India not being allowed an 8% concessional duty? Why is that concession only for imports through Gujarat? 3. On what basis has GIFT City in Gujarat been allowed a monopoly on silver import from UAE for 8 months? A trade research firm called GTRI has demanded a probe into this mystery and has also said that this "special treatment" given to Gujarat's GIFT City will have a negative impact not only on silver trade but also on other precious metals. (Disclaimer: The copy originally appeared in Zeebiz.com. Other than the header, this story has not been edited by zeenews) Karnataka DCET 2024: The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has extended the deadline for filling options in the Diploma CET (DCET) counselling 2024 to July 15. This extension allows candidates to complete document verification by July 14. "As per the interim order in the high court, the candidates who have passed the NTTF will be given the result and considered for seat allotment," reads KEA official notification.Candidates who pass the document verification process will be eligible for the first round of seat allotment. They must visit KEA in Malleshwaram, Bangalore with all original documents and two sets of photocopies. The KEA stated that candidates must have their documents verified and obtain a verification slip to be considered as Regular Diploma candidates. Afterward, they can register their options and participate in the first round of seat allotment. Karnataka DCET 2024: Heres how to check seat allotment Visit the official website of the Karnataka Examination Authority at kea.kar.nic.in. Navigate to the 'Admissions' section in the header menu-bar and select 'Diploma CET 2024'. Click on 'Karnataka DCET 2024 First Seat Allotment Result' on the subsequent webpage. Enter your DCET Number and Date of Birth when prompted Submit to check if you have been allocated a seat for admission. Additionally, applicants should submit an application to have their documentation verified if they wish to be acknowledged through DCET 2024 to the second year or third semester of engineering or architecture courses. The document verification will take place on July 13, 2024, at 2 PM (reporting time is 1:45 PM) or July 14, 2024, at 11 AM at KEA, Malleshwaram, Bangalore. New Delhi: The startling incident unfolded in Uttar Pradesh's Fatehpur involving 24-year-old man named Vikas Dubey, who was allegedly bitten by a snake for the seventh time in 40 days. Following the matter, Chief Medical Officer Rajiv Nayan Giri stated that the victim had requested financial help from the authorities. "The victim came to the Collectorate and cried that he had spent a lot of money to cure the snake bite and now he requested financial help from the authorities. I advised him to visit a government-run hospital where he could get anti-snake venom free of cost," Giri said, ANI reported. What Is The Incident Calling it strange, Giri informed that the person was bitten by a snake every Saturday and consistently went to the same hospital and got cover in one day. "We still need to figure out if it is actually a snake that's biting him. We also need to see the competence of the doctor who is treating him. A person being bitten by a snake every Saturday and that person being admitted to the same hospital every time, and recovering in just one day seems strange," he said. The Chief Medical Officer said that they had formed a three-doctor team to investigate the matter. "This is why we thought of forming a team to investigate the case, after which I will tell the people the truth of the matter," he added. In a series of recent events, U.S. President Joe Biden has become the subject of widespread discussion and even amusement due to his repeated verbal gaffes. From confusing NATO leaders to mistakenly identifying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden's mix-ups have raised questions about his cognitive sharpness and have been the talk of the global media. In today's DNA, Anant Tyagi analyses Biden's recent verbal slip-ups. Similar to the movie 'Ghajini' and 'Golmaal', where the hero Aamir Khan and Johnny Lever has short-term memory loss, President of the United States, Joe Biden, slips his tongue too. Earlier, President Biden became Ghajini in the NATO meeting, calling Trump the Vice President and Putin the President of Ukraine. But now another video is going viral, in which Biden said something directly to the President of Ukraine, Zelensky, that left Zelensky surprised by calling him Putin. New Delhi: The monsoon has arrived in a major part of the country, causing waterlogging and flooding in several areas.On Saturday, the Indian Metrological Department raised an alert for heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and other states as well. The isolated regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning on July 13. Weather And Flood Update Of Uttar Pradesh The weather department raised a yellow alert for all the districts of Uttar Pradesh while the state's capital Lucknow reported experiencing a minimum of 28.0 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 34.0 degrees Celcius. Lucknow may witness spells of rain with cloudy sky and thundershowers today. More than 700 villages of the state were affected by the flood as the river level went high while the deaths of 11 people recently in rain-related incidents, PTI reported. According to the report, the state recorded an average of 7.5 mm of rainfall in the period. IMD Predicts Rainfall In Delhi The national capital continues to experience rainfall accompanied by cloudy sky and thunderstorms on Saturday, July 13. Delhi reported experiencing a minimum of 25.0 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 33 degrees Celcius today. #WATCH | Delhi: Rain lashes parts of the national capital; visuals from Janpath pic.twitter.com/3WGD6FfaRh ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2024 Orange Alert For Mumbai Due To Heavy Rain IMD raised an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane, Palgar, Raigad and Ratnagiri on July 13 while districts including Dhule, Jalgaon and Nandurvar may witness light rain. Imran Khan Acquitted: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been acquitted in the case regarding their marriage. This has been the sole reason for Khan's imprisonment since August last year. What Is The Case About? A complaint was reportedly filed by Bushra Bibi's ex-husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, who alleged that they married without observing the mandatory waiting period of Iddat in Islamic law. This recent court decision clears them of any wrongdoing in this matter. Bushra Bibi, known as a spiritual guide to Khan, became his third wife after divorcing her husband of 28 years. Khan has faced numerous legal battles, but this acquittal represents a significant legal victory for him. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party hailed the verdict as a triumph for the independent judiciary and demanded Khan's immediate release. PTI chief Gohar Khan welcomed the verdict and said it was a victory for the independent judiciary. All these cases were fake and he will also get justice in all other cases, he said, demanding that Imran Khan should be freed as it was the last case in which he was convicted. Imran Khan's Legal Battle Khan's legal challenges are far from getting over. Shortly after his acquittal in the marriage case, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore approved requests to arrest Khan in three new cases related to the May 9 riots that ensued following his initial arrest on alleged corruption charges. This development complicates Khan's political future, despite recent electoral successes for his party. In an exclusive statement to Zee News, Mehbooba Mufti said, "Today, the 13th, is the day of our martyrs who gave their lives to liberate the country from dictatorship so that there could be democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. This was the reason that despite being a Muslim-majority state, Jammu and Kashmir joined hands with India, with the belief that Jammu and Kashmir could become a prosperous, democratic country," Mufti said. She added, "But today, Kashmiris are thinking, 'Did we make a mistake by joining India?' Adding to that, she said, 'When we were to pay tributes to our martyrs, the Mazar-e-Shodha (martyrs' graveyard) was locked, and we too were kept inside.'" "Not only this, but today an order came which further degraded the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was divided. People are being fired from their jobs over small issues. Jammu and Kashmir has become completely silent, but the Center is still afraid of us. Otherwise, why would they not allow us to remember our martyrs?" Mehbooba said. Reacting to today's MHA ordinance, Mufti said, "You brought such an ordinance that has converted the assembly of Jammu and Kashmir into a Municipality. So that if any party other than the BJP (which can never form a government in Jammu and Kashmir) comes to power here, it would not have any authority to govern Jammu and Kashmir." Criticizing the Center, Mufti said, "If you do not trust the people here, then why have you kept them with you? You talk of bringing other parts of Kashmir under your control, yet you have made the lives of the people in this part of Kashmir difficult. Was this the promise of Gandhi and Nehru to the people of Jammu and Kashmir?" Addressing the people of the country and the opposition, Mehbooba said, "I want to tell the entire country, especially the opposition, that Jammu and Kashmir is a laboratory. Tomorrow, the same could happen to you. They (BJP) can do it to Punjab or Maharashtra. See, can you free Kejriwal today? If our constitution is being twisted today, tomorrow it may happen to you," she said. Appealing to the people and the opposition, she said, "I appeal to the people of Gandhi's country to save Jammu and Kashmir. Aren't the people of Jammu and Kashmir yours? Do you only want the land? If you want the land, then decide once and for all. But what do you want to prove by insulting us in this way?" she asked. "I hope that this time the opposition will not remain silent on what the Center has done to a powerful assembly by converting it into a Municipality. I hope you (the opposition) will speak up about this." In a shocking development, radioactive materials allegedly stolen from a government facility were found in a Dehradun home following which the police arrested five persons. The locals informed the police about the presence of suspicious people following which the police raided the house. These accused were arrested from a house in Brook and Woods Colony, situated on Rajpur Road in Dehradun. The arrested suspects are from Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Ajay Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, revealed to ANI that the police have detained five individuals who were found in possession of radioactive material and a radiographic camera. He mentioned that when the authorities attempted to open the box, the suspects warned that it might be challenging due to the radioactive chemicals inside. During interrogation, SSP Ajay Singh told ANI that the suspects planned to trade the radioactive material box for crores of rupees. The SSP said that after an investigation by the intelligence agencies and the SDRF team, it was found that there was radioactive material in this box. SSP Ajay Singh said that Bhabha Atomic Research Center, which is a premier agency, has also been contacted. Further investigation is being carried out. The rules for radioactive materials are governed by the Atomic Energy Act, of 1962. The central government can prohibit the manufacture, possession, use, transfer, export, import, transport, and disposal of radioactive substances without written consent. Radiography cameras use X-rays or gamma rays to create images of the inside of an object or body. These images can be used to inspect industrial objects. (With inputs from ANI) Uttarakhand Bypoll Results 2024: Two seats of Uttarakhand went to the bypolls on July 10 - Badrinath and Manglaur. The Congress had won the Badrinath seat during the 2022 assembly elections while the BSP's Sarwat Kareem Ansari had bagged the Manglaur seat. Badrinath went to the bypolls due to the resignation of sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Singh Bhandari who joined the BJP and contested the bypolls on the saffron party ticket. On the other hand, the Manglaur seat went to the bypolls due to the demise of Sarwat Kareem Ansari. The Congress has managed not only to retain the Badrinath seat but also won the Manglaur seat, handing the ruling BJP a crushing defeat in the bypolls. If you look at the 2022 general assembly elections, then BJP candidate from Badrinath Mahendra Bhatt had polled 30595 votes while Bhandari had got 32661 votes on Congress ticket. Since Bhandari quit Congress and joined the BJP, the saffron party fielded him from the seat again while Congress fielded Lakhoat Singh Butola. In the bypoll results announced today, Bhandari got 22,937 votes while Butola polled 28,161 votes, winning the bypoll by a margin of 5,224 votes. While bypolls generally witness low voter turnout, the BJP's votes dipped by 7,658 while that of Congress was down by 4,500. Lessons For BJP The bypoll defeat has two important lessons for the BJP - one related to the imported leaders and the second about its loyal party workers. The BJP has been betting big on other party's rebel MLAs/MPs in the polls including that of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. Most of the time, the rebel MLAs/MPs from other parties lose the bypoll when contesting on the BJP ticket. Such imported candidates have barely helped the BJP. Second, when such candidates are given a ticket, it means that the loyal party workers get sidelines in the poll. This sends out a wrong message to the party workers who lose the zeal to work on the ground and thus, the vote share dips. Discontent brews within the party workers when outsiders get a ticket. The BJP has no dearth of political leaders and party workers and instead of betting on rebel candidates of other parties, the saffron party should focus on strengthening its local leadership and reward loyal party workers. Rupauli Bye-Election Result 2024: It was all going well for the JDU till this noon as the party's candidate Kaladhar Prasad Mandal was leading from the Rupauli assembly seat in Siwan. Mandal was facing a stiff challenge from Bima Bharti, a former JDU MLA who quit the party to join the RJD and contest Lok Sabha polls from Siwan. After losing the Lok Sabha polls to independent candidate Pappu Yadav, Bharti was back in the assembly bypoll battle on the RJD ticket. It was looking like that the JDU would retain the seat but things took an astonishing turn with independent candidate Shankar Singh taking a lead over both - Mandal and Bharti. Singh gradually solidified his leads and marched towards the victory, giving a jolt to the JDU. Who Is Shankar Singh? Shankar Singh is a former Bihar MLA who represented the seat between February 2005 and November 2005 on the Lok Janshakti Party. Singh, the leader of the North Bihar Liberation Army, has played a crucial role in the political dynamics of the region. In 2000, he took over from the militia's founder, Butan Singh, who was killed by unidentified attackers in the Purnea court. Singh's leadership has been notable for the militia's involvement in various activities such as voter intimidation and booth capturing. Regarding the Rupauli bypoll election, the competition was expected to be between the JD(U)'s Kaladhar Prasad Mandal and RJD's Bima Bharti. However, Singh came out of the syllabus for the two. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Bima Bharti, who had previously secured the seat for JD(U) multiple times. Bharti left Nitish Kumar's party before the General Elections to run for Parliament on an RJD ticket. After losing in the Lok Sabha elections, she is now contesting the bypoll as an RJD candidate. New Delhi: Private sector lender HDFC Bank has announced that it is going to temporarily halt UPI services on July 13 due to migration of its Core Banking System (CBS) to a new engineered platform. "We are conducting a system upgrade at HDFC Bank on Saturday, 13th July 2024, from 3:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This upgrade aims to enhance your banking experience by improving performance speed, expanding capacity for high traffic and boosting overall reliability," HDFC Bank has said. To make your future online banking experience better, we're undergoing a system upgrade._ For more details, click here: https://t.co/3QipoYoARB#Annoucement #SystemUpgrade pic.twitter.com/z3hnXRCqeq HDFC Bank (@HDFC_Bank) July 12, 2024 HDFC UPI Services To Be Unavailable At THESE Timings On July 13 HDFC UPI Services will be unavailable at two intervals --one is from 3:00 AM to 3:45 AM and the other is from 9:30 AM to 12:45 PM --informed the bank. For HDFC Bank Account holders the following UPI services will not be available in the said time Send and receive money Merchant payment (QR or online) Balance enquiry Set or change pin NetBanking, Mobile Banking, Online Fund Transfer To Be Unavailable On July 13 NetBanking and Mobile Banking services will be unavailable throughout the entire upgrade period i.e, from 3:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Meanwhile, online fund transfer modes --IMPS, NEFT, RTGS, HDFC Bank account-to-account online transfers as well as branch transfers --will also remain unavailable throughout the upgrade period. Can You Use Your HDFC ATM Card On July 13? During the upgrade period, HDFC customers can withdraw cash from ATMs with the HDFC Bank debit card and credit cards. Though there will be some restricted limits on the usage. Usage of debit and credit cards on swipe machines will be permitted. Critical Services impacted during the system upgrade: Time 3:00AM - 3:45AM 3:45AM - 9:30AM 9:30AM - 12:45PM 12:45PM - 4:30PM UPI Not Available Available Not Available Available ATM & Debit Cards Available with Restricted limits* Available Available with Restricted limits* Available NetBanking & MobileBanking Partially Available Partially Available Partially Available Partially Available Other Fund Transfer Modes** Not available Not Available Not available Not available Credit Cards Available # Available Available # Available Prepaid Forex Cards & INR Cards Available @ Available Available @ Available "Please plan your banking activities accordingly, as some services will be temporarily unavailable during this 13 and a half hour period," said the bank. HDFC Credit Card Charges To Be Revised From August HDFC Bank has meanwhile made an important announcement relating to its Credit Card. The bank has said that effective from 1st August 2024, it will be making following revision to the Credit card charges. The new payment charges pertain to Rental Transactions, Fuel Transactions, Utility Transactions, Educational Transactions, International / Cross Currency Transactions, Rewards Redemption towards Statement Credit, Finance Charges and Easy-EMI Processing Fee. New Delhi: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is set to introduce a new product on UPI that works like a credit card. The RBI has allowed banks to offer credit lines to customers through UPI. Several banks, including Axis, HDFC, ICICI, Indian Bank, and PNB, are already using this product. Customers get a fixed credit line and only pay interest to the bank on the amount of credit they use. Uses Cases Of Credit Line Feature On UPI The new credit feature on UPI allows customers to make purchases without seeing immediate fund outgo from their accounts. Payments are settled at the end of a cycle, and this service is available exclusively to shops. The shopkeepers bear the cost of credit in terms of fees, ensuring there is no charge for the customer. While this is a new product, it leverages the existing UPI payment and acceptance infrastructure, making it seamless and efficient for both customers and merchants. This innovative feature aims to enhance the convenience and flexibility of digital transactions in the retail sector. In the eight years since its launch, UPI has become the primary method for account-to-merchant payments, surpassing debit cards. UPI credit offers capabilities similar to credit cards, with one of the main adoption drivers being the lower fees merchants pay compared to credit card transactions. New Delhi: Elon Musk has denied rumors that he offered his sperm to help start a colony on Mars. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO went on X (formerly Twitter) to reject a recent New York Times report that made this claim. Musk made a statement via X and wrote, "I have not, for what it's worth, 'volunteered my sperm.'" He further clarified that while colonizing Mars remains a long-term goal, SpaceX is currently focused on achieving the fundamental challenge of reaching the red planet. Furthermore, he said, "No one at SpaceX has been directed to work on a Mars city. When people have asked to do so, I've said we need to focus on getting there first." According to a report in The New York Times, Elon Musk has offered to donate his sperm to help colonize Mars as SpaceX aims to reach the planet. Musk, 53, has asked SpaceX employees over the past year to start designing a city on Mars. He has also instructed SpaceX staff to create spacesuits, plan dome homes, and research if humans can reproduce on Mars. Musk reportedly hopes to establish a self-sufficient Martian colony and may even bioengineer new species to thrive there. His suggestions include using solar panels for energy and utilizing thermonuclear explosions to warm the planet. Adding further, a medical team is studying whether people could have children on Mars. The Times reported that billionaire Elon Musk is interested in creating his own species on the planet. These plans might involve Musk using his sperm to help start a colony. However, it's still uncertain if humans can reproduce on Mars. Elon Musk has previously stated that it could take 40 to 100 years to establish a self-sustaining civilization on the red planet. Adam Watkins, associate professor of reproductive biology at the University of Nottingham, said that "studies have shown that you can send freeze-dried sperm into space sealed, like freeze-dried coffee effectively," as reported by Business Insider. Adding further, he explained that "You would then do something like IVF with those sperm and eggs and transfer the embryos into females who are already established at the other end," such as in a Mars settlement. Elon Musk's ambitious plan to colonize Mars faces several challenges, including barren landscapes, frigid temperatures, dust storms, and an unbreathable atmosphere. Unlike NASA, which aims to send humans to Mars in the 2040s, Musk aspires to achieve this milestone much sooner. OPPO Reno 12 Series India Launch: Oppo has rolled out the OPPO Reno 12 series in the Indian market after the Reno 12 series China debut and global launch. The new Reno series features two phones which include the Reno 12 and Reno 12 Pro smartphones. Notably, the phones are equipped with AI capabilities among other features. The OPPO Reno 12 comes in a single 8GB + 256GB variant in the country. Meanwhile, the Reno 12 Pro comes in two variants: 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB. The Oppo Reno 12 comes in Sunset Peach, Matte Brown, and Astro Silver. Meanwhile, The Oppo Reno 12 Pro is offered in Sunset Gold and Space Brown Pro colour options. Oppo Reno 12 And Reno 12 Pro Price: The OPPO Reno 12 is priced at Rs 32,999 for the single 8GB + 256GB model. Meanwhile, the Reno 12 Pro comes in two storage models: 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB priced at Rs 36,999 and Rs 40,999, respectively. The series will hit the store on July 25. We're thrilled to reveal the price of the #OPPOReno12Series: OPPO Reno12 Pro 5G Starting from INR 36,999/- OPPO Reno12 5G Starting from INR 32,999/- Dont miss out, pre-order now: https://t.co/1QVEeFHjQa#OPPOAI #EverydayAI pic.twitter.com/4Zw3bjbufL July 12, 2024 Oppo Reno 12 And Reno 12 Pro AI Features: The new Reno 12 series is equipped with AI features. The AI Eraser 2.0, similar to Google Magic Eraser, enables the removal of objects from photos in just a few seconds. With AI Clear Face, group photos taken with the front camera are optimized and can be later edited for enhancement. Adding further, the AI Best Face feature allows for correcting photos where some people's eyes are closed. Furthermore, the AI Studio feature provides the ability to transform photos into digital avatars. Oppo Reno 12 And Reno 12 Pro Specifications: Both the phones sport a 6.7-inch FHD+ curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and are powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 7300-Energy platform. The smartphones run on Android 14 with ColorOS 14.1 and are loaded with a 5000mAh battery supporting 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. The Reno 12 series comes with a promise of three years of OS upgrades and four years of security fixes. Both smartphones come with All-Round Armour protection and IP65 dust and water resistance. The OPPO Reno 12 gets the Gorilla Glass 7i protection. Meanwhile, the Reno 12 Pro gets the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for durability. In the camera department, both models are packed with a 50MP main camera with a LYT-600 sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. For selfies and video chats, there is 32 MP for the Reno 12 and 50MP for the Reno 12 Pro. The Sandman's first foray onto the page was in 18th-century German dictionaries, which briefly described the German idiom "der Sandmann kommt" "Sandman is coming" which was used to tease particularly sleepy-looking children. The first story about the Sandman and his doings was published in 1818 by German writer E.T.A Hoffman. "Der Sandmann" begins with an exasperated nurse telling a story about a mythical creature who throws sand in the eyes of little children who won't go to sleep, causing them to fall out of their sockets. The Sandman then collects the eyeballs in a sack and carries them to his home on the dark side of the moon, where he feeds them to his children. "'Der Sandmann' became an important story in psychoanalytic circles because Freud made so much of it in his essay 'The Uncanny,'" says Tatar. "Hoffman's story is a fairy tale for grownups, really his Sandman is this dark, predatory monster. It definitely wasn't written for children." Advertisement In 1841, Hans Christian Andersen published a fairy tale (that was meant for a young audience) called "Ole Lukie" Ole being a Danish first name and Lukie translating to "shut your eye." The eponymous character, always dressed in silk pajamas and carrying a groovy colorful umbrella, is never referred to by Andersen as the Sandman, but "The Sandman" is the title most English translations assign to the fairy tale. "It is a very strange story," says Dr. Jacob Bggild, a professor in the Hans Christian Andersen Center at the University of Southern Denmark, in an email. "Andersen's Ole seems to be a benevolent figure, but he does introduce the boy in the story, called Hjalmar, to death and sexuality. But he does not throw sand into the eyes of children, he squirts milk into them! Apart from that, it is not a story with a regular plot but more of a sequence of dreamlike tableaus." It should be mentioned that at the end of Andersen's story, Hjalmar discovers Ole Lukie has a brother who, instead of coming night after night to our bedsides, bringing dreams, only visits each person once, bringing Death. His name is also Ole Lukie. "What's interesting about the Sandman stories is they remind me a bit of the children's verses and lullabies we sing to children which are soothing and gentle, but there's a stark, violent side to them, too," says Tatar. "Somehow it seems to mirror our ambivalence towards children. We adore them and want to tell them gentle, lovely stories, but they drive us crazy at times. We and especially our ancestors resorted to cautionary and disciplinary tales like Little Red Riding Hood, in which the wolf will eat you up if you stray from the path. In the Hoffman story, if you don't go to sleep, the Sandman's going to come and scratch out your eyes." And if strong-arming children into settling down to sleep isn't why the European parents and nurses of old told cautionary bedtime stories, maybe it's because they wanted to prepare their little ones for life's hardships. "The unusual thing about the Sandman is, he's a lot bigger than you are there's no defeating him," says Tatar. "You can't face him down like you can the villains in fairy tales. There's no happily ever after except falling asleep, giving in. He can't be beheaded or trapped or tricked like other villains. It's hard to distinguish fairy tale, myth, legend and all of that, but in a way he belongs more to the realm of myth than fairy tales." Now That's Interesting "Mister Sandman," a 1954 pop song by The Chordettes, is used in the closing credits of the 1981 slasher film "Halloween." Over 70 Palestinians were killed in a violent incident in Gaza City on Friday, with a Hamas official accusing Israeli authorities of orchestrating a "planned massacre," as reported by Al Jazeera. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director-General of the Hamas Government Media Office, claimed that the Israeli military directed thousands of Palestinians in eastern Gaza City to move to western and southern neighbourhoods and then opened fire on them once they arrived. He further disclosed that rescue crews have recovered 70 bodies from the Tal al-Hawa area, and at least 50 people remain missing, according to al-Thawabta. "Some displaced people were pointing to the Israeli army, carrying white flags and saying, 'We are not fighters; we are displaced.' But the Israeli occupation army executed these displaced people with cold blood," al-Thawabta said. "The Israeli army was planning to carry out that massacre in Tal al-Hawa." He called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its "war of extermination" against Palestinians. United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemned the recovery of the bodies in Gaza City, calling it "yet another tragic example of the toll on civilians" in the ongoing conflict. This incident adds to a series of devastating events that have caused significant loss of life and displacement in Gaza. According to reports, the death toll from the incident has risen to over 70, with many others injured. The UN has reiterated its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages taken during the conflict. "While this conflict is going on, it is not only impossible to give people the medical support they need, the food they need, the shelter they need, but also the dignified burial that they need," Dujarric said. The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added that there will be "a need for accountability" when the conflict in Gaza ends. "But right now, people are hungry. People need water. People need medical help. And that's what we're trying to do in the middle of a combat zone," he said. Since Israel's war on Gaza erupted in October, the West Bank has also seen a surge in violence. According to Palestinian officials, at least 553 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, and 9,510 have been detained. About 3 million Palestinians live in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where more than 500,000 Israelis reside in over 100 settlements. " " Welcome to 'Ar-Kansas'? No way. The state of Arkansas has decreed its state is pronounced like "Arkansaw" and with good reason. Brian Stansberry/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0 Key Takeaways French explorers in the 17th century anglicized Native American tribal names, leading to the pronunciation of states like Arkansas and Kansas. Arkansas Historical Society declared the correct pronunciation of Arkansas as "AR-kin-saw," rooted in the original French pronunciation. The divergent pronunciations of Arkansas and Kansas stem from French renderings of similar tribal names, with Arkansas maintaining the French pronunciation. Imagine you're an intrepid 17th-century French explorer traversing the expansive wilderness of Louisiana (New France), a territory spanning the entire Mississippi basin from modern-day Louisiana through Illinois and northward into Canada. You encounter dozens of native tribes, each with its own confounding language or dialect, and you attempt to record their names in your journal as best you can. This imperfect system is how English-speaking Americans arrived at many of the names for Native American tribes, including the Dakota, Iowa, Alabama, Nebraska, Ottawa, Chippewa and Tuskaloosa. Think of it as a centuries-long game of multilingual "telephone." Tribal names evolved from their original native pronunciation into a French approximation and finally into an Anglicized mangling of the French. Advertisement Which brings us to the legitimately confusing question of how the state of Kansas could be pronounced "KAN-zis" while the nearby state of Arkansas, with the addition of two simple letters, is pronounced "AR-kin-saw." Biden battles worst crisis of his 50-year career Xinhua) 09:21, July 13, 2024 This image provided by CNN shows U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and former President Donald Trump taking the stage at CNN's Atlanta studio for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election on June 27, 2024. (CNN/Handout via Xinhua) U.S. President Joe Biden's recent debate against his rival Donald Trump seems to have confirmed some people's worst fears. Critics said the oldest sitting president in U.S. history is in a state of cognitive decline. WASHINGTON, July 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden is facing the worst crisis of his 50-year political career. The recent debate against rival Donald Trump seems to have confirmed some people's worst fears. Critics said the oldest sitting president in U.S. history is in a state of cognitive decline. That's because two weeks ago, Biden appeared in a nationally televised debate to be physically frail, confused and befuddled. Now, several members of Biden's party are calling for the president's withdrawal from the presidential election. Over 10 Democrats in the House of Representatives have urged Biden to step aside, and Vermont Senator Peter Welch became the first Democratic senator to make this request. "People within Biden's own party are calling for him to step aside and let the Democratic convention pick another candidate for a three-month race against Trump," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua. On Wednesday, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a long-time ally of Biden, did not directly respond when asked if she supports Biden's continuation in the campaign. Instead, she stated that "it's up to the president to decide if he is going to run" and noted that "time is running short." The media chorus has been going strong for the two weeks since the debate, with a daily avalanche of opinion pieces calling on Biden to withdraw. The New York Times' chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker, wrote that Biden's "halting and disjointed performance" prompted a "wave of panic among Democrats." National Public Radio reported that private fears within the Democratic Party about Biden are "slowly going public." NATO PRESS CONFERENCE Biden hosted a major NATO summit in Washington this week. With persistent concerns within the Democratic Party, all eyes were on the president as he made a concerted effort to alleviate fears of his age and mental fitness. In a speech before the press conference, he misnamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "President Putin." During the press conference, Biden accidentally referred to Vice President Kamala Harris as "Vice President Trump." Biden's press conference started later than scheduled. For about an hour, he answered questions from roughly 10 media outlets, much of which focused on whether he should continue to run for office. Biden firmly reiterated his intention to stay in the race. Analysts said Biden answered reporters' questions on foreign policy and NATO policy and stumbled somewhat on other answers. U.S. President Joe Biden is pictured at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on May 13, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua) Answering questions on his cognitive condition, Biden told reporters: "The only thing age does is create a little bit of wisdom." "No one will be satisfied no matter how many tests Biden agrees to, no matter how many interviews he does, etc.," said Ashley Parker, a White House reporter for The Washington Post. "And again, that's the challenge, because he needs to do something that will put this discussion about his fitness to rest, and allow the Democrats to return to talking about Trump." BIDEN CALLS FOR UNITY Last week, Biden appeared for an interview on the network ABC to reassure voters that he is the person for the job. Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College in the state of New Hampshire, told Xinhua: "To a certain extent, I think things like his ABC interview and other appearances have helped. The big problem is that none of these have been the sort of platform that the debate was. And these efforts haven't stopped calls from elected Democrats and fundraisers for the president to bow out of the race." Notably, while doubts about Biden are increasing within the party, those publicly calling for his withdrawal remain in the minority, possibly due to a lack of consensus on a successor candidate. Pushing Biden to resign abruptly could prevent any Democratic leader from uniting the party. It could lead to internal chaos, dealing a devastating blow to the Democrats in the presidential election in early November. As Biden stated in a letter to Democratic lawmakers on Monday, there are only 42 days left until the Democratic National Convention officially announces the party's presidential nominee and only 119 days until the general election. "Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us," Biden concluded. "It is time to come together, move forward as a unified party, and defeat Donald Trump." BIDEN'S WOES BENEFIT TRUMP According to the latest average of polls from Real Clear Politics, Trump has received a bump in key swing states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, since the debate. Those three states are crucial to winning the election, experts said. Trump leads Biden in several other key swing states some by significant margins. On Thursday night, Trump ridiculed Biden in an online post following the NATO press conference, during which Biden mistakenly referred to his vice president as Trump. "Crooked Joe begins his 'Big Boy' Press Conference with, 'I wouldn't have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site. "Great job, Joe!" With Trump leading Biden in election polls, NATO countries are concerned. "Most allies see Trump as anti-NATO and isolationist-inclined ... They fear this will weaken the alliance and put in jeopardy U.S. support for Ukraine," William Courtney, a retired U.S. ambassador and adjunct senior fellow at the RAND Corporation, told Xinhua. A report by The Hill pointed out that NATO's next secretary general, Mark Rutte, may face his biggest challenge with the potential return of Trump to the White House. The report noted that the increasing likelihood of Trump being re-elected will only exacerbate Europe's concerns about the withdrawal of the United States from NATO under Trump's leadership. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands in Beijing on Friday. Noting that China regards the Solomon Islands as a good friend, good partner and good brother, Xi said China supports the Solomon Islands in pursuing a development path that suits its national conditions and in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Xi said China is ready to enhance strategic communication with the Solomon Islands to firmly support each other in safeguarding core interests and addressing major concerns, enhance the synergy between the Belt and Road cooperation and the development strategy of the Solomon Islands, deepen cooperation in areas such as rural development, medical services, infrastructure, sustainable development and climate change response, and work together to build a community with a shared future between the two countries in the new era, thereby bringing greater benefits to the two peoples. China has always been committed to an independent foreign policy of peace, and advocates that all countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, are equals, Xi noted. China's friendly cooperation with the Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries is a sincere effort to assist these island nations in achieving development, falls within the framework of South-South cooperation, and is part of the common development of the Global South, without targeting any third party or seeking any selfish gain, he said. China is willing to continue providing assistance within its capacity to help the Solomon Islands achieve development, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum, and promote the common interests of developing countries, Xi added. Manele said his visit to China began in Fujian Province, where he witnessed China's remarkable development achievements and felt the immense potential and broad prospects of cooperation between the Solomon Islands and China. Noting that China has set an example for developing countries, Manele said China advocates the common values of humanity, upholds multilateralism, avoids forming exclusive cliques or playing geopolitical games, does not require other countries to take sides, and calls on the international community to strengthen unity and cooperation. According to Manele, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi are conducive to promoting world peace, stability and common development, which are of great significance for small countries like the Solomon Islands. Thanks to the participation in Belt and Road cooperation, the Solomon Islands has made significant progress in areas including infrastructure construction, he said. Manele said the Solomon Islands firmly adheres to the one-China principle, resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," and firmly supports the Chinese government's efforts to achieve national reunification. He added that the Solomon Islands is ready to further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with China and build a community with a shared future between the two sides. Both sides issued a joint statement, agreeing to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the Solomon Islands in the new era based on mutual respect and common development, and to build a community with a shared future between China and the Solomon Islands in the new era. MATTOON Mike Martin of Mattoon is the 2024-25 governor of Rotary District 6490. Martin, a member of the Mattoon Rotary Club, was installed as governor of a district that includes 43 clubs in 19 counties. Martin succeeds Janet Ellis-Nelson of Champaign. Martin will serve through June 30. This years worldwide theme is The Magic of Rotary. Martin said the diversity of the districts large and small clubs will guide Rotarians as together, we create change through the Magic of Rotary. Martin said his priorities for creating magic in District 6490 include increasing this districts contributions to The Rotary Foundation and continuing to support eradication of polio, strengthening club experiences and building awareness of clubs impact in their communities, enhancing Rotarians membership experiences, and building cultures of innovation and fostering more diverse perspectives in decision making. The new governor also said there will be some new district projects such as Positive Peace initiatives and increased emphasis on mental health and addiction prevention, especially for the young. The Mattoon Rotary Club had a contingent of 18 people who attended the installation dinner for Martin, who has been a member of the Mattoon club since 1986. He twice served as president of Mattoon Rotary and was founder of the Mattoon Rotary Charities Foundation, which funds the clubs donations to various projects in the community and the district. Mattoon Rotarians are pleased to support fellow club member Mike Martin during his tenure as district governor, said Tina Stovall, president of the Mattoon Rotary Club in 2022-23. Mikes passion for service in our local communities, and in communities around the world, is inspiring to all of us. He truly reflects the Rotary motto of Service Above Self. Martin has held several club leadership positions and has contributed many hours of community service. For his outstanding contributions, the club recognized Mike as Rotarian of the Year in 1994-1995 and in 2019-2020, Stovall said. Martin is the fifth member of the Mattoon Rotary Club to serve as District 6490 governor in the 99-year history of the district. Tim Gover, former mayor of Mattoon, was district governor in 1995-96 while a member of the Charleston Rotary Club. Martin also served as an assistant governor in District 6490 in 1998-99 and 2018-22. He is currently a member of the districts Global Grants Committee, Disaster Response Committee and the Foundation Committee. He also has been active in Heart 2 Heart, a collaboration of community service between Rotary districts in the Heart of America and the Heart of Mexico. He has made several Rotary work trips to Mexico and was named District 6490 Rotarian of the Year in 1996. Martin received the People of Action Outstanding Service Award from Rotary District 6740 in eastern Kentucky for his work in providing more than 14 tons of cleaning supplies and equipment to the area following major flooding in 2022. A native of Texas, Martin received a bachelors degree at Eastern Illinois University and joined the Mattoon accounting firm of West & Company. He is a retired certified public accountant and nursing home administrator. In addition to Martins installation, the ceremony included installation of club presidents Noah Olson, Mattoon, and Aaron Lock, Charleston. Jonathan McKenzie of Charleston also was installed as assistant governor working with the Mattoon, Charleston and Sullivan Rotary clubs. After a decade as managing director of Sandhills Global Event Center, Amy Dickerson is leaving to pursue other opportunities. The event center announced her departure in a news release Friday, but the Lancaster County Agricultural Society Board had placed her on paid administrative leave for two weeks at its June 18 meeting. The Ag Society board thanks Ms. Dickerson for her dedication and leadership over the last 10 years during a period of great growth and improvements for the event center and wishes her well in her future endeavors, Kendra Ronnau, Ag Society board president, said in a prepared statement. The board appointed Operations Director Ron Bohaty as day-to-day operational leader, the news release said. Ronnau wouldnt comment on why Dickerson was put on administrative leave, nor would she discuss anything regarding the event center, including a timeline for replacing Dickerson. We dont comment on personnel issues, and we sent a press release and we wish Amy well, she said before hanging up. Dickerson said she voluntarily resigned to open a strategy consulting firm called Brand+Space Impact. After being 'always on' for the event center over 10 years at a time of tremendous growth and strengthening of the team and infrastructure, Im looking forward to spending a bit more time with my family while working at what I love doing helping brands come to life in spaces and events, often with a twist of technology, Dickerson said. She said her company will be a national consulting business focused on the intersection of brands and spaces. I love bringing brand stories to life in permanent and pop-up spaces to create impactful experiences for profit and nonprofit organizations and the people important to them. She wouldnt discuss the administrative leave, but said that after talking with the board about where they want to go with the event center, and where she is in her career and personal life, she decided it was best for her to move on. Im very proud of the progress we made over the last 10 and a half years, she said. During Dickersons decade of leadership, the event center grew to serve over 300 local and national events, drawing up to 600,000 visitor days a year. It generates as much as $72 million in incremental economic impact each year. Over the last decade, the event center has become a more nationally known event space while continuing to serve as the countys largest community and emergency center, with a unique focus on agriculture-themed education, business and tourism, the news release said. Dickerson helped the Ag Society board secure millions of dollars in current and future infrastructure funding and strengthened the event centers well-respected team, according to the news release. That includes over $20 million in grants, Dickerson said, including a $5 million matching grant from the Nebraska Economic Development Departments Shovel-Ready Capital Recovery and Investment Act program to modernize the event center. In 2021, the event center hosted the National High School Finals Rodeo, drawing nearly 20,000 people to Lincoln, totaling nearly 100,000 visitor days, which is a measure of how many days those visitors stayed in Lincoln. That included nearly 1,600 competitors from at least 40 states and two foreign countries. The event center staff pulled off the event after a one-year postponement because of the pandemic and despite a windstorm that blew through days before the event and damaged about 40% of the stalls and temporary structures. Last year, the event center reached a $7.1 million naming rights agreement with Sandhills Global. Prior to returning to her native Nebraska to take the position at the event center, Dickerson worked at Hewlett Packard for 13 years. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's of business administration from the University of California. Of her time at the event center, she said she's most proud of the team she worked with there. Im most proud of the people, the very strong team and how expert they are and how we take them for granted, she said. Top Journal Star photos for July 2024 Flash Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Friday said China strongly condemns the irresponsible and provocative remarks made by the NATO Secretary General against China, which are steeped in Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and consist of baseless accusations. According to media reports, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 11 emphasized again at the closing press conference of the NATO Summit that China has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine. He said that China's joint military exercise with Belarus fits into the pattern of working together in supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. Stoltenberg said China is taking more assertive behaviors in Hong Kong and the South China Sea, and threatening Taiwan and threatening neighbors, adding that China is conducting a huge military build-up with no transparency and investing heavily in new modern missiles and nuclear weapons. Lin said at a daily news briefing that the NATO Secretary General in his remarks attacked China's system, blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs, and distorted China's domestic and diplomatic policies. He sought to shift blames and mislead the international community on Ukraine and pointed fingers at China's normal military development and relations with relevant countries. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it, Lin said. "China has already made its position clear on the Ukraine issue and the NATO Summit," Lin said, adding that for a long time, the NATO Secretary General, in disregard of the facts and China's protests, repeatedly smeared and hurled attacks at China. He has been playing up the "China threat" narrative and inciting suspicion about China and anti-China sentiments in an apparent attempt to cooperate with certain parties to suppress and contain China, said the spokesperson. These clumsy stunts have sounded the alarm for many in the world and remind people what risks and challenges NATO, as a vestige of the Cold War and a product of bloc confrontation and bloc politics, will bring to world peace and stability, Lin said. "China urges certain Western politician, whose political life is approaching an end, not to fan the flames, make provocations, and shift blames for the sake of trying to leave behind some kind of legacy," said Lin. Lin added that China will stick to the path of peaceful development and inject more stability and positive energy into world peace and stability through its own development and international cooperation. China will also firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. "To see China as NATO's imaginary enemy will only backfire on NATO itself," he added. 1. Yes. They look better and require less maintenance. Most high-end housing areas have them. 2. Yes. Wood fences can weather and look unsightly, plus masonry walls help to block sound. 3. No. Residents should have a choice of what kind of barriers are put up near their homes. 4. No. Allowing a variety of materials will be better for aesthetics, and costs may be lower. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. Masonry walls may be sturdier, but mandating them is problematic. Vote View Results In the winter of 1789, around the time George Washington was elected as the first United States president, a printer quietly published what would become the first American novel. William Hill Brown wrote the book, called The Power of Sympathy. Isaiah Thomas & Company in Boston, Massachusetts published it anonymously. Around 100 pages long, The Power of Sympathy is a love story of two young New Englanders. Their relationship ends suddenly and tragically when they learn of a shocking secret. The book is dedicated to the Young Ladies of United Columbia (the United States). Outside of Boston, though, few Americans would have known or cared about The Power of Sympathy as a historical marker. David Lawrimore, who teaches at the University of Idaho, has written about early U.S. literature. He said, If you picked ten random citizens, I doubt it would have mattered to any of them. Most people werent thinking about the first American novel, he added. What the first American novel was like The Power of Sympathy is in many ways a sign of its time with its use of letters, religious messages and formal language. But the story also includes themes of the worries and hopes of a young country. Dana McClain is an assistant professor of English at Holy Family University. McClain noted that Brown was an outspoken Federalist who believed in a strong national government and stable society. The letters in The Power of Sympathy include the subjects of class, public outlook and the differences between North and South, as if expecting the Civil War that followed in the 1860s. Like many other early American writers, Brown tied the behavior of women to the fate of the larger society. The novels letters concern the power of pleasure and how female envy could bring a flood of scandal. The book compares high moral standards to a mighty river that fertilizes the country through which it passes. A character in the book warns, Most of the novels with which our female libraries are overrun are built upon a foundation not always placed on strict morality and in the pursuit of objects not always probable or praiseworthy. The character adds, (they) appear to me totally unfit to form the minds of women, of friends, or of wives. How it became considered the first The Power of Sympathy was commonly cited as the first American novel in the 1800s without much debate. Experts then agreed that the honor should belong to the first book written and published in the United States by a writer born and still living in the country. These guidelines disqualified several earlier works such as Charlotte Ramsay Lennoxs The Life of Harriot Stuart and Thomas Atwood Digges Adventures of Alonso. Another contender was Father Bombos Pilgrimage to Mecca which was written around 1770 but was not published until 1975. Author Brown was likely born in 1765 in Boston. One of his early published works was a poem about Daniel Shays. Shays led a rebellion of former Revolutionary War soldiers in Massachusetts. Brown was not yet 30 when he died in North Carolina, in 1793, from what experts believe was malaria. He never married or had children. After his death, publishers released his play The Treason of Arnold and another novel Ira and Isabella. Brown did not gain much fame in his short life. No memorials, historical places, or literary societies have been named after Brown. Even the site of his burial place is a mystery. I'm Caty Weaver. Hillel Italie reported this story for The Associated Press. Hai Do adapted the story for Learning English. ______________________________________________ Words in This Story novel - n. a written story usually about imaginary characters and events anonymously - adv. not named or identified dedicated - adj. used only for one particular purpose random - adj. chosen without a particular plan or pattern formal - adj. suitable for official speech and writing envy - n. feeling of wanting to have what someone else have scandal - n. something that is shocking, upsetting and unacceptable You are here: World Flash China's National People's Congress (NPC) firmly opposes and strongly condemns the passage and signing into law of the so-called "Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act" by the United States, said a statement issued by the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee Saturday. The act grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and severely undermines China's interests, sending a seriously wrong signal to the separatist forces seeking "Tibet independence," the statement said. Absentee ballots still count in Wisconsin even if voters witnesses fail to give election clerks their full address, a state appeals court has ruled. The decision Thursday by the 4th District Court of Appeals is expected to expand the number of absentee ballots that will be counted in the battleground state with yet another tight presidential race looming in November. Each of the last two presidential elections in Wisconsin was decided by fewer than 23,000 votes. Polls show another close race this year between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Biden campaign officials have said winning the so-called blue wall of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin offers the president the clearest path to victory. Wisconsin law requires absentee voters to submit their ballots to local election clerks in an envelope marked with a witness signature and address. But the statutes dont define an address in that context. Dane County Circuit Judge Ryan Nilsestuen ruled in January in two cases brought by liberals that clerks can still count ballots even if a witness address lacks the municipality or ZIP code or simply says same or ditto if the witness lives with the voter. Republican legislators asked the appellate court to either toss out Nilsestuens ruling or find that an address is best understood as a witness street number, street name and municipality. The appeals court upheld Nilsestuens decision on a 3-0 vote, ruling that witnesses need only supply enough information so municipal clerks can identify them and communicate with them if necessary. If legislators wanted absentee voter witnesses to supply more specific address components, they could have mandated it, Judge Chris Taylor wrote. Taylor is a former Democratic legislator. Judge Brian Blanchard is a former Democratic district attorney and Judge Rachel Graham served as a clerk for liberal state Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley for four years, according to her biography on the Wisconsin Court Systems website. The Republican lawmakers attorney, Misha Tseytlin, didnt immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press on Friday seeking comment on the ruling and inquiring about whether the GOP would ask the state Supreme Court to take the case. Winning the case at the next level would be an uphill fight for the Republicans, given that a four-justice liberal majority controls the high court. Last week, the Supreme Court allowed local election officials to place absentee ballot drop boxes around their communities. The decision undid a 2022 ruling from the courts then-conservative majority limiting drop box use to only clerks offices. Fridays investiture ceremony for new Fifth Judicial District Magistrate Judge Jennifer Bergin came with humor but also the seriousness that accompanies the position. The Honorable Jennifer Bergin, upon donning her new robe, committed to serving the public and being fair and consistent as she presides on the bench. Bergin was named to the judgeship in June and replaces the Honorable Calvin H. Campbell, who retired June 30. Bergin told those in the packed courtroom that she didnt set out to become a judge, but over the last year began to think it was a spot where she could make a difference. An opportunity opened to me that I felt like I needed to apply for, I needed to try for, Bergin said. She called the magistrate court the face of the court system, as it deals with matters including family law, probates, misdemeanors and traffic infractions, things that the people see. Serving the people: Judge Campbell steps down from the bench Magistrate Judge Calvin Campbell sat Friday in his chambers in the Theron Ward Judicial Building, just 10 minutes before the start of a farewe District Judge Rosemary Emory, who has known Bergin for 25 years, said she sees in her the same energy and enthusiasm as she did when they first met, but now has more experience. Emory said she was confident that Bergin will serve with dignity and integrity. Bergins former law partner, in written comments read by Emory, wrote that the new judge is full of compassion, empathy and accountability plus, she is wicked smart. Administrative District Judge Eric J. Wildman administered the oath of office. Previously, Bergin worked for 16 years as chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney in Twin Falls County. She received her bachelor of science degree in biology from Idaho State University in 1995 and her juris doctorate in 1998 from Gonzaga University School of Law. She most recently worked with her law partner at Kippes & Bergin. Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Sawtooth National Recreation Area Ranger Kirk Flannigan has signed an emergency closure order in response to the Bench Lake Fire, which started approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday one mile west of Redfish Lake. The closure includes the Redfish Lake recreation complex, which includes the lodge and associated buildings, roads, trails, trailheads, and campgrounds in the complex and a small buffer area around the complex. We are letting folks know that the order is coming now in hopes of catching visitors before they head this direction, Flannigan said. With the concentration of fuels in the Sawtooth Wilderness, the unusual weather pattern were experiencing right now, and the proximity of the fire to a very popular recreation destination, we believe its better to be safe than sorry. The Bench Lake Fire, the cause of which remains undetermined, has burned approximately 66 acres in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Blazing ball determined to be cause of canyon fire The cause of one of the fires that ignited Tuesday afternoon in the Snake River Canyon near Twin Falls was certainly unusual. The Sawtooth National Forest has ordered a Complex Incident Management Team to help manage the Bench Lake Fire. The incoming team will assume command of the fire from the local Type 3 team 6 p.m. Saturday. On the Bench Lake Fire, resources include Incident Commander Chris Belliston, one engine crew, one Type 3 helicopter, one air attack aircraft, two water scooper aircraft, and a lead plane. A Type 2 helicopter with helicopter rappelers is enroute to the incident. A Complex Incident Management Team is brought in for wildland fires that exceed the firefighting resources available on Forest. The team uses the Incident Command System and is staffed with supervisory positions that can order resources to manage the fire and provide oversight for several operational periods. The fire danger rating for the Sawtooth National Forest is listed as high, which means fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels, such as grasses and needles, will ignite readily. France could become the fourth country with which the Philippines enters into a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) type of pact following Japan, as both nations seek to strengthen their defense cooperation. The official visit of France Minister of Armed Force Sebastien Lecornu and his meeting with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in December 2023 resulted in a letter of intent to establish a stronger defense partnership in all areas of strategic training and industrial domains. - Advertisement - French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel said that while both parties have not yet committed to any specific timeline, the possibility of a first draft for France might happen in September 2024. France and the Philippines [also] met in Paris in May, late May. I think it was the fourth joint committee on defense cooperation. And both parties agreed on the process, and the agreement was that France would be the one to start writing the first draft of a VFA, Fontanel recounted. They agreed that France would take the pen to write the first draft. And I think they did not commit to any specific timing, but maybe by September, autumn period, France will be in a position to issue the first draft. And that would be then possibly the start of discussion between the Philippines and France on the French draft, she added. Fontanel congratulated the Philippines and Japan for concluding a successful Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) for a short span of time. She expressed the same confidence for a possible VFA-type of agreement with the Philippines. In a related development, China remained firm in disregarding the legality of the 2016 arbitral ruling that upheld the Philippines exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, calling the verdict was illegal and invalid. The spokesperson of the China Embassy in the Philippines claimed that Manila was joining other countries in ganging up against China over the maritime row between the two countries, GMA News reported. To cling to this position and the arbitral award will get the Philippines nowhere but farther and farther away from the right path, the Chinese Embassy stated. International think tank Stratbase ADR Institute meanwhile is calling for more joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea between the Philippines and like-minded countries, amid continuous illegal and aggressive actions of China in the area. Stratbase President Professor Dindo Manhit urged like-minded countries to reinforce cooperation and elevate partnerships by conducting joint patrols and military exercises. Among the countries that reaffirmed their support for the award during the conference were Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the United States. Also present were the ambassadors of Austria, Bangladesh, the European Union, Germany, Greece, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, and Vietnam, and representatives from Brunei, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Manhit emphasized the importance of the arbitral ruling and cooperation with like-minded states amid Chinas continuous aggression in the West Philippine Sea. This year, we witnessed actions the most aggressive by far performed against our fellow Filipinos at sea. Our troops, fisherfolk, and vessels encountered several attempts to block rotation and reprovision missions, numerous occasions of firing of water cannons, and an alarming number of collisions and near-collisions Our boats may be damaged, and our lives may continuously be at risk, but our will to defend the West Philippine Sea has never been stronger, Manhit said. Honda Cars Philippines has introduced its groundbreaking e:HEV hybrid system to the local market not too long ago. Launched with the RS variant of the All-New CR-V in September 2023, the e:HEV technology is a game-changer, boasting impressive performance and environmental benefits. At the heart of the e:HEV system is a powerful combination of two electric motors the Traction Motor and the Generator Motor which together deliver 184 PS and 335 Nm of torque. This electrified powertrain is mated to a new 2.0-liter Direct Injection Atkinson Cycle engine, providing an additional 148 PS and 183 Nm of torque. The seamless integration of the electric and gasoline components allows the e:HEV to achieve outstanding driving pleasure and exceptional environmental performance. - Advertisement - The e:HEVs intelligence shines through its three distinct driving modes: EV Drive Mode, Hybrid Drive Mode, and Engine Drive Mode. In EV Drive Mode, the vehicle runs solely on battery power, offering a quiet and emissions-free driving experience. In Hybrid Drive Mode, the engine primarily acts as a generator, supplying power to the battery and/or traction motor. Engine Drive Mode utilizes the gasoline engine as the main power source. This smooth and seamless transition between modes allows the system to optimize power delivery and fuel efficiency for various driving conditions, creating a more comfortable experience for both the driver and passengers. One of the standout features of the e:HEV is its self-charging capability. The systems regenerative braking and traction motor can harvest energy from braking and deceleration, recovering friction losses and extending the cars electric driving range. The engine can also act as a generator, keeping the battery primed for action and further optimizing fuel economy. By introducing the e:HEV hybrid system in the Philippines, Honda Cars Philippines is taking a significant step towards its global goal of carbon neutrality through zero environmental impact by 2050. This innovative technology not only delivers outstanding performance and efficiency but also showcases the companys commitment to a more sustainable future for mobility. The All-New CR-V 2.0 RS e:HEV E-CVT, with its Honda SENSING and Honda CONNECT features, is now available at Honda dealerships nationwide. Customers can also take advantage of the limited-time offer on the CR-V V Turbo CVT, available this July with a PHP 120,000 discount. For more information on Hondas latest promos and technologies, visit the companys website at www.hondaphil.com. One of the Napa Valleys most famous homeowners has put his mansion up for sale. The St. Helena-area home of the longtime TV host Ryan Seacrest was listed Wednesday for $22 million, Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley said in a statement. Originally built 20 years ago, the gated property recently underwent a renovation by the architectural designer Silvia Nobili, builder Grassi Construction and Clint Nicholas Design. Located in a lovely setting with beautiful, filtered views and privacy, what really stands out is the tranquility of the site. You are enveloped in this wonderfully diverse natural setting that is so relaxing almost meditative, Coldwell Banker listing agent Cyd Greer said in the news release. Seacrests 40-acre property, with views of the valley floor and mountains, includes a Tuscan-style 8,650-square-foot main house with three bedrooms, a 1,200-square-foot guest cottage, and a pool house. Details of the main house include beams of reclaimed wood, antique French limestone, wide-plank oak flooring, and a 1980s Italian brass-and-leather dry bar by Willy Rizzo. According to the Coldwell Banker announcement, the main home of Seacrests estate features an inner courtyard for entertaining, a chefs kitchen and butlers pantry, a main bedroom suite with its own office and terrace, and two guest suites. Other amenities include a library gallery, TV room, wine cellar, fitness room, and seven wood-burning fireplaces one of them a kitchen fireplace with rotisserie and pizza oven. Coldwell Banker reported that the estate is planted with mature trees and drought-tolerant native plantings. The grounds also include a heated infinity-edge pool and spa, bocce court, 220 fruiting olive trees, a built-in audio system, and a whole-property backup generator. Outside, the natural setting boasts mature trees and drought-tolerant native plantings, an in-ground heated infinity-edge pool and spa, a bocce court, 220 fruiting Italian varietal olive trees and extensive outdoor lighting. The property has been outfitted with extensive security and surveillance systems, a built-in audio system, a Lutron lighting system and whole-property backup generator. 10 celebrities who have broken into the cannabis business 10 celebrities who have broken into the cannabis business Martha Stewart Jim Belushi Carlos Santana Gwyneth Paltrow Mike Tyson Jay-Z Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong Snoop Dogg Seth Rogen Willie Nelson During a special meeting Thursday evening, Marshalltown City Council voted unanimously to offer their vacant city administrator position to Muscatine City Administrator Carol Webb. Webb received a contract from Marshalltown Thursday evening and said she has signed and returned the contract. She is replacing former city administrator Joe Gaa, who left the position in January after four and a half months. Gaa had been hired to replace former city administrator Jessica Kinser, who had resigned in May 2023. Since January, Mayor Joel Greer has served as the interim city administrator. It was just a job opportunity that fit where I am in my career and with my family and met my familys needs, Webb said. I put my hat in the ring and was lucky enough to be selected. Muscatine City Council will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday to discuss strategy for hiring a new city administrator. Webb said she does not believe Muscatine will have a hard time attracting good, qualified candidates. Webb joined the city after the city council voted to cancel the contract of former city administrator Gregg Mandsager, citing a lack of confidence in Mandsagers ability to perform the job. Mandsager had been the city administrator since 2009. A lawsuit Mandsager filed against the city and several people who sat on the council at the time of the removal is still pending. Webb was hired by Muscatine in July 2020 after a seven-month search for a new city administrator in which over a dozen candidates were interviewed and three finalists were picked. She started on Aug. 24, 2020. I have had a wonderful experience in Muscatine, she said. It has been a great opportunity. The people who I have had the pleasure of working with really care about this community. They have a vision for the future of the community. I am really blessed to have worked here and be a part of all of that. It has not been determined when Webb's last day in Muscatine will be, although her contract requires 45 days notice. That would put her last day as Aug. 23, almost exactly four years after she started. Throughout a career spent mainly in municipal jobs, Webb has developed a love of city government. She has a bachelor of arts degree in biology and chemistry from William Penn College. Hoping to continue her career in helping people through city government, she went on to get a master of public administration from the University of Colorado-Denver in 2015, with a goal of becoming a city administrator. Looking back on her time with Muscatine, Webb said she is proud of a lot of the housing developments that she has helped work on, as well as expansion of current businesses. She is also happy with the work she has helped the city do on blighted and dilapidated housing. The city was also awarded a $2 million grant on the Isett Avenue project. We have added a lot of housing units, she said. Im not sure how many but I feel really good about that. She also worked to help Muscatine in its reopening from the COVID-19 health crisis. I have sincerely enjoyed my time in Muscatine, Webb said. We have accomplished many things that have moved Muscatine forward. FAFSA complications impact college-related decisions for 79% of first-gen applicants FAFSA complications impact college-related decisions for 79% of first-gen applicants BUTLER, Pa. Former President Donald Trump was the target of an apparent assassination attempt Saturday at a Pennsylvania rally, days before he was to accept the Republican nomination for a third time. A barrage of gunfire set off panic, and a bloodied Trump, who said he was shot in the ear, was surrounded by Secret Service and hurried to his SUV as he pumped his fist in a show of defiance. Trump's campaign said the presumptive GOP nominee was doing "fine" after the shooting, which he said pierced the upper part of his right ear. "I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place," he wrote on his social media site. The FBI early Sunday identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. The agency said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Secret Service agents fatally shot Crooks, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue at a farm show in Butler, Pennsylvania, the agency said. One attendee was killed and two spectators were critically injured, authorities said. All were identified as men. The attack was the most serious attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It drew new attention to concerns about political violence in a deeply polarized U.S. less than four months before the presidential election. And it could alter the tenor and security posture at the Republican National Convention, which will begin Monday in Milwaukee. Organizers said the convention would proceed as planned. Trump flew to New Jersey after visiting a local Pennsylvania hospital, landing shortly after midnight at Newark Liberty International Airport. Video posted by an aide showed the former president deplaning his private jet flanked by U.S. Secret Service agents and heavily armed members of the agency's counter assault team, an unusually visible show of force by his protective detail. President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump, was briefed on the incident and spoke to Trump several hours after the shooting, the White House said. "There's no place in America for this type of violence," the president said in public remarks. "It's sick. It's sick." Biden planned to return to Washington early, cutting short a weekend at his beach home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Many Republicans quickly blamed the violence on Biden and his allies, arguing that sustained attacks on Trump as a threat to democracy have created a toxic environment. They pointed in particular to a comment Biden made to donors on July 8, saying "it's time to put Trump in the bullseye." Officials said members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team killed the shooter. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection. Law enforcement recovered an AR-style rifle at the scene, according to a third person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. An AP analysis of more than a dozen videos and photos from the scene of the Trump rally, as well as satellite imagery of the site, shows the shooter was able to get astonishingly close to the stage where the former president was speaking. A video posted to social media and geolocated by the AP shows the body of a person wearing gray camouflage lying motionless on the roof of a building at AGR International Inc., a manufacturing plant just north of the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump's rally was held. The roof where the person lay was less than 150 meters (164 yards) from where Trump was speaking, a distance from which a decent marksman could reasonably hit a human-sized target. For reference, 150 meters is a distance at which U.S. Army recruits must hit a scaled human-sized silhouette to qualify with the M-16 rifle. The AR-15, like the shooter at the Trump rally had, is the semi-automatic civilian version of the military M-16. Asked at the press conference whether law enforcement did not know the shooter was on the roof until he began firing, Kevin Rojek, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh Field Office, responded that "that is our assessment at this time." "It is surprising" that the gunman was able to open fire on the stage before the Secret Service killed him, he added. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, whose department oversees the Secret Service, said officials were engaged with the Biden and Trump campaigns and "taking every possible measure to ensure their safety and security." Trump was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers when the gunfire began after 6:10 p.m. As the first pop rang out, Trump said, "Oh," and the raised his hand to his right ear and looked at it, before quickly crouching to the ground behind his lectern. The people in the stands behind him also crouched down as screams rang through the crowd. Someone could be heard near the microphone saying, "Get down, get down, get down, get down!" as agents rushed to the stage. They piled atop the former president to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat. Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. A woman screamed louder than the rest. Afterward, voices were heard saying "shooter's down" several times, before someone asked "are we good to move?" and "are we clear?" Then, someone ordered, "Let's move." Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, "Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes," with another voice heard saying, "I've got you sir." Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face, which was smeared with blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word "Fight" twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of "USA. USA. USA." The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist. His motorcade left the venue moments later. Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he was put into a vehicle. "Everybody went to their knees or their prone position, because we all knew, everyone becoming aware of the fact this was gunfire," said Dave McCormick, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, who was sitting to Trump's right on stage. As he saw Trump raise his fist, McCormick said, he looked over his shoulder and noticed someone had been hit while sitting in the bleachers behind the stage. Eventually, first responders were able to carry the injured person out of a large crowd so he could get medical care, McCormick said. Reporters covering the rally heard five or six shots ring out and many ducked for cover, hiding under tables. After the first two or three bangs, people in the crowd looked startled, but not panicked. An AP reporter at the scene reported the noise sounded like firecrackers at first or perhaps a car backfiring. When it was clear the situation had been contained and Trump would not return to speak, attendees started filing out of the venue. One man in an electric wheelchair got stuck on the field when his chair's battery died. Others tried to help him move. Police soon told the people remaining to leave the venue and Secret Service agents told reporters to get "out now. This is a live crime scene." Two firefighters from nearby Steubenville, Ohio, who were at the rally told the AP that they helped people who appeared injured and heard bullets hitting broadcast speakers. "The bullets rattled around the grandstand, one hit the speaker tower and then chaos broke. We hit the ground and then the police converged into the grandstands," Chris Takach said. "The first thing I heard is a couple of cracks," Dave Sullivan said. Sullivan said he saw one of the speakers get hit and bullets rattling and, "we hit the deck." He said once Secret Service and other authorities converged on Trump, he and Takach assisted two people who may have been shot in the grandstand and cleared a path to get them out of the way. "Just a sad day for America," said Sullivan, who recalled that fluid sprayed from a mechanical line on the stage before a speaker tower started to fall. "Then we heard another shot that, you could hear, you knew something was, it was bullets. It wasn't firecrackers," he said. The perils of campaigning took on a new urgency after the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in California in 1968, and again in 1972 when Arthur Bremer shot and seriously hurt George Wallace, who was running as an independent on a campaign platform that has sometimes been compared to Trump's. That led to increased protection of candidates, even as the threats persisted, notably against Jesse Jackson in 1988 and Barack Obama in 2008. Presidents, particularly after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, have even greater layers of security. Trump is a rarity as both a former president and a current candidate. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the three men on Trump's shortlist for vice president, all quickly sent out statements expressing concern for the former president, with Rubio sharing an image taken as Trump was escorted off stage with his fist in the air and a streak of blood on his face along with the words "God protected President Trump." Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, said in a statement on X that he had been briefed on the situation and Pennsylvania state police were on hand at the rally site. "Violence targeted at any political party or political leader is absolutely unacceptable. It has no place in Pennsylvania or the United States," he said. Read more here: Photos: Trump injured, 2 killed in shooting at rally The 27th edition of Asia's largest technology show, Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2024, will be held from November 19-21 at the Bangalore Palace. Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Minister for Information Technology, Biotechnology, and RDPR, announced the event schedule on Friday during a meeting with tech leaders. He emphasized that BTS 2024 will position Bengaluru at the forefront of global tech innovation and collaboration. The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, also attended the meeting and held an interactive session with over 200 CEOs from India's leading IT, semiconductor, electronics, AVGC, biotech, and startup organizations. The goal of this meeting was to foster an open dialogue between government officials and tech leaders, focusing on Karnataka's vibrant tech ecosystem and future prospects. The government highlighted that BTS 2024 will serve as a hub for exchanging new ideas. The conference will span six focused tracks over three days, covering IT & Deep Tech, Biotech & Healthtech, the startup ecosystem, the Global Innovation Alliance, the India-USA Tech Conclave, and a newly added Electro-Semicon track. The event will also feature over 85 sessions with 460 speakers, each curated by a committee of experts from the industry, research, and academia. Special programs like the CEO Conclave, Startup Conclave, and Fireside Chats with renowned personalities will also be included. "Karnataka serves as the headquarters for major tech giants, GCCs, and leading unicorns. This success stems not only from the state's industry-friendly policies and programs but also from our active engagement and collaboration with the entire tech ecosystem. We deeply value our close association with Global Innovation Alliance Partners, which helps BTS attract the world's foremost leaders, innovators, and disruptors, drawing over 50,000 tech enthusiasts from India and more than 40 nations," said Priyank Kharge. This year, there will be an increased focus on B2B meetings, allowing delegates and companies to engage in more structured and productive sessions. Attendees can schedule meetings with prospects well in advance and connect with participants seamlessly during the event. The event will be conveniently accessible through a dedicated Event App, which will provide real-time updates and personalized recommendations to enhance the overall experience. BTS 2024 will also feature a hackathon where problem statements from various government departments will be presented. Industry partners will provide infrastructure, support, and mentorship to startups pitching solutions. Selected startups will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions at BTS 2024. The International Exhibition at BTS 2024, with over 700 exhibitors, will be a major highlight. It will have focused pavilions on Corporate & Industry, the Global Innovation Alliance, the Startup Zone, the STPI National Showcase, the MSME Pavilion, the R&D Pavilion (Lab to Market), Leading States of India, the Karnataka Showcase, and Technology Parks. This year, there will be a special emphasis on sectorial pavilions such as Biotech & Healthtech, Electro & Semicon, Telecom, Spacetech, Mobility, Greentech, Edutech, BFSI & Fintech, and Animation & Gaming. The event will also honor achievement and excellence at a prestigious awards ceremony, featuring accolades such as the STPI IT Export Awards, Smart Bio Awards, Startup & Investor Awards, and more. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], July 13: In the heart of a small village, a young entrepreneur is making big waves in the world of education. At just 23 years old, Honey Gupta has already achieved what many only dreams of. Through his innovative platform, skillhance.com, he has helped over 300 students enroll in prestigious courses across top institutes and this is just the beginning. Growing up in a small village, Honey always had big dreams. "I wanted to create something that could make a real difference in people's lives," he shares. With a passion for education and a keen understanding of digital marketing, Honey embarked on a journey to empower others through knowledge. Launched with the vision of making career selection ease for every student on deciding the best fit course for them by proper counselling and tests, skillhance.com offers guidance, resources, and mentorship to students aspiring to enroll in top courses. The platform has already facilitated admissions in fields like MBA, digital marketing, business analytics, data science and other trending courses at renowned institutes such as MICA, IIIT Bangalore, Alma Better, UpGrad and other top institutes. Skillhance.com is more than just a platform; it's a community dedicated to student success. The website offers detailed information on various courses, personalized mentorship, and exclusive resources to help students navigate their educational journeys. Services include career guidance, job and internship updates, course reviews, course comparisons, and admission consultancy. Honey Gupta's inspiring journey from a small village to creating a successful startup is a testament to the power of dreams, dedication, and hard work. The startup has already achieved a seven-figure revenue in just five months, which is a remarkable accomplishment. This success was achieved without any external support, being fully bootstrapped from the beginning. Skillhance.com stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for students across the nation. Visit skillhance.com to learn more about how Honey Gupta and his platform are transforming the educational landscape. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has reported a steady securitisation market in the first quarter of FY25, despite a year-on-year (Y-o-Y) decline of 18 per cent in volumes, bringing the total to just over Rs 450 billion. This drop was anticipated following HDFC Ltd's exit from the direct assignment (DA) market in July 2023. However, the quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) change was minimal, with only a 3 per cent decrease, indicating potential growth in the securitisation market for the remainder of the fiscal year. Historically, securitisation volumes are lower in the first quarter and tend to increase throughout the year. Ind-Ra expects the market to expand with the inclusion of new originators, particularly large private banks, which are starting to view securitisation as an alternative funding source. Pass-through certificates (PTCs) continued to dominate the market, contributing over 52 per cent to the 1QFY25 volumes. However, their proportion in overall volumes saw a significant drop of over 20 per cent Q-o-Q. Jatin Nanaware, Senior Director of Structured Finance at Ind-Ra, commented, "The securitisation volumes in 1QFY25 have been in line with our expectations. We expect the market to broaden with new entrants including private banks looking at securitisation as an alternate source of funding. Having the option of a backup servicer from day one provides additional support to PTC investors." For the second consecutive quarter, Ind-Ra rated a transaction originated by a private bank. The transaction, BHARAT 2024 Series II, comprised four tranches with ratings ranging from 'IND AAA' to 'IND BBB+', featuring a timely interest and ultimate principal payment structure. Additionally, Ind-Ra rated a structure involving multiple securitisation issuances from a single trust, each independent in terms of pool, structure, operational accounts, and cashflows. Ind-Ra also rated two transactions in the past quarter that included a backup servicer arrangement from inception. These transactions had specific triggers that, when breached, would lead to the backup servicer taking over the pool's servicing. Furthermore, Ind-Ra rated a rent receivables securitisation transaction, Prosperity Asset 8 Trust, with an ultimate interest and principal structure during the quarter. Vehicle loans continued to lead PTC volumes, accounting for 61 per cent of all transactions rated by the agency in the past quarter. Unsecured personal loan pools followed with a 33 per cent share. Notably, 80 per cent of the rated transactions featured a timely interest and ultimate principal structure. Additionally, about 65 per cent of the transactions had a turbo amortisation feature, indicating investor preference for such structural mitigants. In terms of live transaction performance, delinquencies in PTCs backed by secured asset classes remained within a range, while there was a slight increase in delinquencies in PTCs backed by unsecured asset classes compared to the previous quarter. These delinquencies, however, remained within Ind-Ra's base assumptions. The agency continues to closely monitor all transactions for delinquencies. Collection efficiency showed a range-bound trend for secured asset classes from July 2023 to June 2024 payouts. However, a dip in collection efficiency was observed for transactions backed by unsecured asset classes. Despite these trends, none of the Ind-Ra rated transactions experienced a decline in their credit enhancement from January to June 2024, and there were no negative rating actions in 1QFY25. (ANI) NewsVoir Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 13: Under a significant initiative for skill development in the Indian hospitality industry, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is launching an 18-month Vocational Education and Training (VET) Swiss Professional Diploma programme in collaboration with EHL and Hyatt Hotels in Delhi NCR and Lucknow. Students who have completed their Class 12 can enroll for this programme which is being delivered at premium Hyatt properties including Hyatt Regency (Delhi), Hyatt Regency (Lucknow), Andaz (Delhi) and Grand Hyatt (Gurugram). At present, there are over 500 students undergoing training by CII at other hotels across India. CII also assures job placements to its students upon their successful completion of the Swiss Professional Diploma. Sunjae Sharma - Managing Director - India & Southwest Asia, Hyatt Hotels, "At a time when India is emerging as a global leader in the hospitality industry, there is significant growth potential for the youth of India who choose the VET by EHL programme, offered by the Confederation of Indian Industry. We are proud to be the first international hotel chain company in India to collaborate with CII and EHL for this initiative and to contribute to training a new generation of hoteliers. I am confident that the learning and training imparted at Hyatt will enable these young minds to stand out in this competitive sector and achieve their dreams." Aman Aditya Sachdev, Director & Regional Head at EHL for South Asia, Middle East & Myanmar, "The VET by EHL program is based on principles of the world-renowned Swiss Competency Framework and has been developed by EHL subject matter experts and faculty members, as well as with global industry feedback. The objective of the program is to prepare the youth worldwide for frontline job roles in the hospitality industry at global standards. Students of the program in India will be at a significant advantage with future employers, in global mobility and in their career progression. They will acquire the relevant knowledge and competencies required by the industry at par with international programs. We are excited to launch the VET by EHL program today at multiple Hyatt Hotels across India. The program shall be delivered in coordination with the CII Institute of Hospitality; CII and EHL have established a long-term strategic partnership in India for the skilling of the youth for the hospitality sector." Sougata Roy Choudhury - Executive Director, Confederation of Indian Industry, "With the rapidly expanding hospitality industry in India and many other countries, there is an unprecedented requirement of skilled professionals. Also, the youths' interest in long duration courses is dwindling. Hence, CII, as an Industry body has stepped in to bridge this gap through the VET by EHL Swiss Professional Diploma initiative, that offers practical training by industry experts at renowned and luxurious Hyatt hotels. We ensure students are job-ready from day one, and upon completing this 18-month diploma, they secure placements in top hotels and restaurants worldwide." The VET by EHL Swiss Professional Diplomas is spread over 18 months, divided into three levels of learning: Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced. The program will offer learning in three distinct streams: 'Culinary', 'Food & Beverage Service', and 'Rooms', following VET by EHL's world-renowned quality assurance standards. Each certificate level builds skills on top of the previous and culminates in a Professional Diploma. Students will get online access to the world-class global Learning Management System. They will be assessed on both theoretical knowledge on the Learning Management System and practical skills acquired during training. Upon completion of the course, they will become part of the prestigious VET by EHL Global Alumni Network. Furthermore, they are also offered the option to enroll for and pursue a UGC-recognized degree. Students are assured placements by CII after successful completion of the program. Backed by the coveted international diploma, being job-ready in 18 months and with real-life learning experience at luxury hotels, they will turn sought-after by all five-star hotels in the country and abroad. Students must have cleared the 12th standard from a recognized board in India with a minimum of 50 per cent marks in English to be eligible for the program. For more details about the program:Call: 8700554435Email: admissions@ciiskills.inWebsite: www.ciiih.com Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society through advisory and consultative processes. CII works closely with the top 86 hospitality member organizations. Hyatt Hotels Corporation, commonly known as Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, is an American multinational hospitality company. This renowned group has more than 1350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 69 countries, across six continents. EHL is the world's leading hospitality institute and has pioneered the methods of Swiss hospitality education for over 131 years. The VET by EHL programme uses a balanced learning approach that combines hands-on courses with blended learning courses to develop operational skills for the industry and transferable skills for future growth and learning. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in the Indian equity market increased by Rs 7,390 crores during the second week of July, according to investment data from the National Securities Depository Limited. The data also pointed out that the net investment by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in July has increased to Rs 15,352 crores. Before that during the first week of July, FPIs infused Rs 7,962 crores into the Indian equity market. Foreign Institutional Investors were sellers in January, April, and May, cumulatively selling equities worth around Rs 60,000 crores. However, they were buyers in February, March, and June, with cumulative purchases amounting to Rs 63,200 crores. "The most significant feature of institutional equity flows into the Indian market is the erratic nature of FII flows and the steady growth nature of DII flows. DIIs have been sustained buyers in all months of calendar year 24 so far whereas FIIs alternated between buying and selling" said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. Last month in June, the FPIs turned net buyers in Indian markets after two months of selling. In June, FPIs injected a net investment of Rs 26,565 crore into Indian equities, following initial selling earlier in the month after the announcement of election results. Before that in May, the FPIs withdrew Rs 25,586 crore from the equity market, while in April, they were net sellers with a withdrawal of Rs 8,671 crore. "Inflows into DIIs like mutual funds are now on an upward trajectory and this will keep the markets resilient. FII flows will continue to be erratic influenced by global factors. Better-than-expected results from IT majors who have come out with results so far indicate the potential for FII buying in these stocks where valuations are not excessive" said Vijaykumar. This trend of outflows created selling pressure in the Indian equity market. But now, the surge in FPI investments points to the renewed confidence by investors in India's market potential and economic outlook. Now the investors will monitor the upcoming budget by the central government and the markets will react accordingly. (ANI) Notably, Kerala and Uttarakhand met the criteria of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and secured the first position among all the states and Union Territories (UT) in the NITI Aayog's SDG India Index 2023-24. Taking to the social media platform X, he said, "Kerala tops India once again! With a score of 79 in NITI Aayog's latest Sustainable Development Index, Kerala remains first. This recognition reflects the Left Democratic Front government's commitment to social progress and welfare." The SDG India Index 2023-24, the fourth edition of the country's principal tool for measuring national and subnational progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), was released on Friday by NITI Aayog. The SDG India Index 2023-24 scores for states range from 57 to 79, while for UTs they range between 65 and 77. This marks an improvement over the 2020-21 scores, where states ranged from 52 to 75 and UTs ranged from 62 to 79. Uttarakhand and Kerala lead as the top states with scores of 79 each, and Chandigarh maintains the top spot among UTs with a score of 77. Tamil Nadu took the third spot, followed by Goa and Himachal Pradesh. The SDG India Index 2023-24 measures and tracks the national progress of all states and UTs on 113 indicators aligned to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's (MoSPI) National Indicator Framework (NIF). The SDG India Index computes goal-wise scores on the 16 SDGs for each state and UT. The Index was launched by Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog, in the presence of BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog; Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India; Dr Yogesh Suri, Senior Adviser at NITI Aayog; and Isabelle Tschan Harada, Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP. (ANI) PNN New Delhi [India], July 13: This year's budget will set the tone for the NDA 3.0 government. Sethurathnam Ravi expects this budget to be similar to the previous budget. The focus will be on growing and boosting infrastructure and capex. Job creation would be a key factor in all policies. Capex in the manufacturing sector through private-public partnerships will also be pushed by the Government. incentives for clean and green energy, including e-vehicles, waste to energy, green coal, sustainability, etc., so as to achieve global goals and keep in line with Bharat's vision of Vikshit Bharat. The budget may consider the tourism & Hospitality sector to be given infrastructure status as they are the second largest employment provider. The target of 15 million foreign tourists and 20 billion domestic travellers can only be achieved through this so that funding is easily accessible at a lower-cost. Given the consistent increase in GST collection each quarter, it is likely that the upcoming budget will see a rationalization of GST, with potential changes in rates, particularly in the clean and green energy space. It is expected that the upcoming budget will bring about modifications in the new tax regime, potentially increasing the limits of exemption and providing certain exemptions for health, pension, and education, thereby impacting personal taxation. The national pension schemes may also go through changes so that the burden on the government for pensions, in the long run, is reduced. The apprehensions of employees should be addressed as various feedback are available This budget will be a directional budget through which infrastructure, job creation, and tax relief to the middle class will be the key focus. (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) NewsVoir Palakkad (Kerala) [India], July 13: Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust, established in 1994 has completed its annual dowry-free wedding ceremony held on July 13 in Moolamcode. This year they marked the 14th year of this initiative. The charitable trust has been managed by Mr PNC Menon and Sobha Menon to run various philanthropic projects (including the CSR programs of SOBHA Ltd.). Since its inception in 2008, the community wedding event has facilitated 697 dowry-free weddings for young couples from families lacking resources. This community wedding event was graced by Sobha Menon, Bindu Menon and other wellknown dignitaries, in which thirteen couples from the Palakkad region tied the knot in the ceremony, that included traditional rituals and festivities. The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden and social stigma associated with dowry, particularly for families below the poverty line. The Trust has introduced additional support measures, including marriage counselling, post-marriage assistance, and kitchenware to help the newlyweds establish their households. Additionally, each bride received a traditional gift of 36 grams of gold, from the Trust. PNC Menon, Chairman Emeritus of Sobha Limited, commented on the initiative, "Our dowry-free wedding program underscores our dedication to fairness and community welfare. We remain committed to supporting these couples as they start their new lives without any burden of dowry." In addition to the dowry-free wedding program, the Trust is involved in several social welfare and community development initiatives, including educational scholarships, healthcare initiatives, and community infrastructure projects across Kerala. In a recent inauguration event held in March 2024, the Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust celebrated "Griha Sobha 2024", wherein the keys were handed over for its first set of 100 homes at no cost to the beneficiaries, and foundation stone laying was done for another 120 homes of the promised 1000 homes to women from resource-limited families. PNC Menon has also pledged Rs 1,000 crores as philanthropic contribution towards the development of the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, emphasizing the Trust's commitment to sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life for communities across India. As the Trust marks this milestone, it continues to focus on its mission of promoting social welfare and community development, aligning with PNC Menon's vision of an equal and inclusive society. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 13: For many decades, The Art of Living, under guidance from world renowned spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has been addressing critical issues that impact the wellbeing of the nation. From water conservation and agricultural sustainability to environmental protection, afforestation, rural development, women's empowerment, skill development, free education, waste management, and renewable energy; The Art of Living has been at the forefront of driving positive change. The organisation's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Double Recognition for Excellence in '24 The Art of Living was honoured as the Best NGO of the Year 2024 for water conservation initiativesat the Global CSR & ESG Awards. This prestigious recognition, accepted by Chairman Shri Prasana Prabhu, highlights the collaborative efforts that have driven success and reaffirms the organisation's commitment to achieving water positivity in India. Earlier this year, the organisation also received the Best CSR Impact Award for the JalTara Project at the NGI CSR Summit, emphasising significant contributions to environmental and social sustainability. Addressing Urgent Challenges: The Art of Living's Comprehensive Impact One of the most pressing challenges India faces today is water scarcity. Recognising this urgency long before it became a mainstream concern, The Art of Living has taken proactive measures to mitigate the impending crisis. The River Rejuvenation Project has been instrumental in revitalising over 70 rivers and countless tributaries and streams, positively impacting more than 3,45,00,000+ people across 19,000+ villages. By implementing simple yet effective techniques and mobilising community driven efforts, the organisation is restoring the natural hydrological cycle and enhancing the health of rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs nationwide. The commitment to agriculture sustainability is demonstrated through the training of over 22,12,000+ farmers in natural farming techniques. This initiative not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also ensures food security and economic stability for farming communities. Education and skill development are pivotal to the organisation's mission. Free education has been provided to over 1,00,000 students, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality education. Additionally, over 4,20,000 youth have been empowered with livelihood skills, preparing them for a brighter future and contributing to the nation's economic growth. Various initiatives have also aided over 1,10,000 rural women, fostering economic, and general empowerment. Environmental sustainability is another cornerstone. Over 42,00,000 kg of waste is processed annually, contributing to cleaner and healthier communities. Through the Mission Green Earth initiative, The Art of Living has planted over 9,600,000+ trees globally, significantly enhancing the planet's green cover. Hygiene camps conducted have benefited over 90,000 participants, promoting health and wellbeing in communities across the country. Building a Sustainable Future Together - Support Matters Looking ahead, The Art of Living aims to expand its efforts, implementing water conservation initiatives across the entire nation to ensure a sustainable future for all. Help is essential to accelerating these impactful initiatives. Donations will help expand water conservation projects, sustain education and skill development programmes, empower women, protect the environment and more. By joining hands, a sustainable and prosperous future can be created for all. Make a lasting impact, donate now: https://vvki-projects.org/MakeDonation For more information, please contact:+91 9036121415Social Projects Information Desk The backing and commitment to The Art of Living's mission is appreciated. About The Art of Living Social Projects The Art of Living, a non-profit, educational, and humanitarian organisation founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, works closely with the Government of India to relieve the country from water scarcity through various water conservation projects. Follow at: https://www.instagram.com/artofliving.sp/Like at: https://www.facebook.com/artoflivingsocialprojectsTweet at: https://twitter.com/artofliving_spMessage at: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/artofliving-sp Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2460239/Double_Recognition_Best_CSR_awards.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1979631/AOLSP_logo_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) In a touching moment that underscored the fusion of international star power with Indian hospitality, Nita Ambani was photographed walking hand-in-hand with Kim Kardashian and renowned jewellery designer Lorraine Schwartz as she welcomed them to the 'Lagna Vidhi' ceremony of Radhika and Anant. The trio's presence added an extra layer of glamour and excitement to the already star-studded affair. Kim Kardashian, stunning in a red saree, expressed her delight about attending the event through her Instagram stories, sharing glimpses of her Mumbai experience. She revealed their filming for 'The Kardashians' in Mumbai, offering fans an exclusive look at their perspective on India. The Kardashian sisters' stay at the iconic Taj Colaba and their adventurous auto-rickshaw ride around the city further highlighted their enthusiasm for Indian culture. Earlier in the day, Kim and Khloe Kardashian embraced a quintessential Mumbai experience with an auto-rickshaw ride, capturing their spontaneous exploration of the city's vibrant streets on social media. Their enthusiastic participation in local traditions resonated with followers worldwide, amplifying the wedding's international allure. The Ambani-Merchant wedding, renowned for its opulence and guest list featuring global celebrities, saw the presence of stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas, John Cena, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and numerous Bollywood personalities. Newlywed Radhika Merchant dazzled throughout the festivities with her impeccable style and grace. For her vidai ceremony, following her marriage in a traditional ivory and red lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Radhika chose a striking sindoori red ensemble crafted by Manish Malhotra. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, her bespoke couture lehenga featured intricate gold Karchobi work and Banarasi brocade prints, paying homage to Gujarat's rich textile heritage. Accompanied by heirloom jewellery adorned with gold, diamonds, and emeralds, Radhika's appearance epitomized elegance and cultural richness. Her attire and accessories, meticulously curated by experts, added to the splendour of the event, captivating all in attendance. The celebrations will continue with 'Shubh Aashirwad' on July 13 and the grand 'Mangal Utsav' wedding reception on July 14. (ANI) Star couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan were among those few noted celebrities who missed the extravagant wedding celebration. Saif and Kareena have shared their best wishes for Anant and Radhika post-wedding. Taking to Instagram stories Kareena and Saif have congratulated the couple, "Wishing you a lifetime of joy and happiness... Missed celebrating with everyone so much!! Sending lots of love!! Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's wedding festivities have been nothing short of spectacular, drawing attention globally with a series of lavish events and star-studded guest lists. Radhika Merchant, adorned in exquisite ensembles throughout the celebrations, continued to dazzle at every turn. For her vidai ceremony, following her marriage in a traditional ivory and red lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Radhika opted for a stunning sindoori red ensemble crafted by Manish Malhotra. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, her couture lehenga featured intricate gold Karchobi work and Banarasi brocade prints, paying homage to Gujarat's rich textile heritage. The ensemble was complemented by heirloom jewellery embellished with gold, diamonds, and emeralds, adding a regal touch to her appearance. Radhika's impeccable attire and accessories, meticulously curated by experts, contributed to the grandeur of the event, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. The wedding, held at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, attracted an array of global celebrities and Bollywood luminaries, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Nick Jonas, John Cena, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and many more distinguished personalities. The celebrations are set to continue with 'Shubh Aashirwad' on July 13, followed by the grand 'Mangal Utsav' wedding reception on July 14. (ANI) Radhika Merchant, the new bride in town, continues to turn heads with her impeccable fashion choices. Following her captivating bridal outfits, Radhika, Anant Ambani's bride, mesmerized everyone with her breathtaking ensemble at the Shubh Aashirwad ceremony. The star of the event was undoubtedly Radhika's hand-painted lehenga, which showcased a perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary elegance. The intricate details and vibrant colours of the lehenga highlighted her sophisticated style, making her the centre of attention. For Shubh Aashirwad's look, Radhika wore a lehenga by designer Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, who collaborated with artist Jayasri Burman to make this masterpiece for the bride. Styled by Rhea Kapoor, Radhika's new look brought Jayasri's painting to life, the lehenga's 12 panels are hand-painted on a special Italian canvas. Featuring Jayasri's quintessential mythical aesthetic, the art on the lehenga celebrates Anant's union with Radhika through deeply meaningful imagery. The human figures representing the happy couple radiate a celestial aura that honours the divinity in their humanity. The fauna depicts Anant's fondness for animals, particularly elephants that are considered auspicious and beautiful. The flowers in the lehanga represent Abu Sandeep's signature style. The craftsmanship features meticulous hand embroidery of real gold Zardozi. A glittering sea of sequins shines over the most intricate spaces of Jayasri's art. It is paired with a blouse hand-embroidered entirely in Resham by master craftsmen at Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. For the accessories, Radhika wore an emerald green with white beads work neckpiece, matching earnings and maang tikka. Not only designer let Radhika's outfit do the talking her hairstyle also caught the attention. Looking at the details, she opted for a lotus flower to accentuate her hairstyle. Rhea, on her Instagram handle, shared the beautiful story behind the creation and photos of the bride. https://www.instagram.com/p/C9XXbLTvGTJ/? Earlier on July 12, the youngest son of Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and the daughter of industrialist Viren Merchant exchanged vows in a spectacular wedding ceremony attended by a host of international celebrities and high-profile guests from various fields. The wedding ceremony, attended by a star-studded guest list from Bollywood, business, and politics, featured luminaries like Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and international star Kim Kardashian alongside others. The wedding celebration of Radhika and Anant Ambani took place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Radhika Merchant captivated throughout the festivities with her impeccable style and grace. For her vidai ceremony, following her marriage in a traditional ivory and red lehenga by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Radhika opted for a stunning sindoori red ensemble crafted by Manish Malhotra. Meticulously styled by Rhea Kapoor, reflected a blend of cultural heritage and contemporary flair. Her sindoori red Manish Malhotra lehenga featured intricate Karchobi work on a backless blouse, complemented by a brocade silk lehenga skirt adorned with Banarasi prints in vibrant sunset hues. The ensemble was completed with a Banarasi silk dupatta and a veil cascading into a dramatic train, creating a picture of timeless elegance. Adding to her regal appearance were heirloom jewellery pieces passed down through generations, embellished with gold, diamonds, and emeralds. Each accessory, from the choker to the mang tika, contributed to Radhika's majestic presence on her special day. The celebrations continue with 'Mangal Utsav,' the wedding reception on July 14. (ANI) Additional Director General (ADG) of Border Security Force (Eastern Command) Ravi Gandhi arrived at Frontier headquarter in Tripura on his two-day visit from July 12 to 13. The ADG reviewed the current security scenario and discussed various operational aspects of border management including the steps being taken to prevent the illegal migration of Bangladesh nationals. The ADG was welcomed by Inspector-General (IG) BSF Tripura, Patel Piyush Purusottam Das and other senior officers followed by a guard of honour. IG BSF Tripura briefed the ADG about the general security scenario along the Indo-Bangladesh border. The IG briefed ADG about the challenges being faced by troops on the ground along the international border and measures taken to counter the challenge of illegal migrants. The ADG also had a courtesy meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Chief Secretary Jitendra Kumar Sinha and Tripura Director General of Police Amitabh Ranjan. During the high-level meeting, ADG BSF discussed the prevailing security scenario. He also apprised the various measures being taken by BSF, especially tech solutions for border domination and action being taken to counter the illegal migration of Bangladesh nationals. The ADG (Eastern command) further had a detailed interaction with Officers and discussed the issues being faced at the ground level. The ADG (Eastern command) BSF along with the IG Tripura Frontier will also be visiting the border areas to take stock of the situation and will meet field commanders during the visit. Earlier on Thursday in a significant operation based on confidential information, the Government Railway Police (GRP) detained seven Bangladeshi nationals at Agartala Railway Station. The group, consisting of four women and three men, had reportedly entered India through illegal means and were planning to travel to various destinations across the country by train. (ANI) A dispute between two factions of Karni Sena in Rajasthan's Jaipur escalated into a violent altercation on Friday. The altercation broke out between Shiv Singh Shekhawat, national president of the Rashtriya Karni Sena, and Mahipal Singh Makrana, the leader of Rajput Karni Sena, at Chitrakoot area, police said. The confrontation reportedly involved an assault, with Makrana alleging that he was attacked with the butt of a gun, they said. According to officials, Makrana was allegedly attacked with the butt of a gun by Shekhawat's gunman. Both factions have accused each other of firing, but there has been no confirmation of a shootout. "After receiving information about the incident, the police arrived at the scene. Makrana was injured and is currently being treated. Both leaders have gunmen, who are also being questioned. We received information about the firing, but no one was hurt due to the firing. The injuries were due to physical assault," Jaipur DCP (West) Amit Kumar said. Members of Rajput Karni Sena claim that Shiv Singh Shekhawat lured Mahipal Singh Makrana to their office, where he was held captive and assaulted in an attempt to take over Karni Sena. Vijendra Singh from Rajput Karni Sena stated, "Mahipal Singh Makrana has been a founding member of Rajput Karni Sena since 2006 and has served as the national president for the past seven years. Recently, there have been efforts to disrupt Rajput unity, and a conspiracy was hatched against him. He was trapped at their office, assaulted with the butt of a gun, and is now in the ICU. This is an attack on the Rajput community, and I demand the arrest of the gunman." The Chitrakoot police have registered a case and were further looking into the matter. (ANI) Various stakeholders, including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, CISF, Customs, RPF and state agencies such as State Police, Marine Police, Fisheries, IB and Port Authorities actively took part in the exercise. Indian Naval Ships along with Coast Guard ships participated in the exercise. Extensive aerial surveillance of coastal areas by both Naval and Coast Guard air assets was undertaken during the exercise which was closely monitored at the Joint Operations Centre (East), Eastern Naval Command. The exercise witnessed the close coordination and synergy of all coastal security stakeholders. The exercise has further strengthened the coastal security construct. (ANI) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Mumbai has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 14.02 crore of five accused under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) in the case of an Income Tax Refund fraud of Rs. 263 crore. This includes one flat in Mumbai of Purushottam Chavan, land parcels in Lonavala and Khandala of Rajesh Batreja, balance in Anirudh Gandhi's company bank A/c, insurance policies of accused Rajesh Shetty and Bhushan Anant Patil and fixed deposits totalling to Rs. 14.02 crore, the ED said in a release on Friday. According to officials, ED initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI under various sections of the IPC, 1860 and of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Tanaji Mandal Adhikari and others for fraudulently generating and issuance of TDS refunds from the Income Tax Department to the tune of Rs. 263.95 Crore. The ED investigation revealed that Rajesh Brijlal Batreja helped Tanaji Mandal Adhikari and others in diverting Proceeds of Crime (PoC) of Rs. 55.50 crore outside India with the help of Anirudh Gandhi. After the diversion of PoC, Rajesh Brijlal Batreja with the help of other persons in Dubai, concealed the PoC outside India. Part of the concealed PoC has further been invested in the two Indian companies based in Mumbai and Gurugram under the guise of share investment by making cross-border remittances. Initially, Rajesh Batreja voluntarily repatriated a small part of the PoC totalling to around Rs. 1.70 crore. Later, instead of bringing back the remaining PoC, Rajesh Batreja in connivance with Purushottam Chavan, diverted and diluted the PoC. They have also concealed the PoC in India and outside India in close association with persons based in Dubai. Earlier, Tanaji Mandal Adhikari, Bhushan Anant Patil, Rajesh Shantaram Shetty, Rajesh Brijlal Batreja and Purushottam Chavan were arrested and presently, all five accused are under judicial custody. A prosecution complaint has also been filed on September 11, 2023, against Tanaji Mandal Adhikari and 10 others, cognizance of which has also been taken by the Special (PMLA) Court. Including this attachment, the total seized/attached of immovable/movable properties in this case is around Rs. 182 crore. Further investigation is under progress. (ANI) Delhi Police have rescued a one-year-old child who was abducted and sold for money. Five people, including four women, were arrested in this case, according to the police. The police, however, did not reveal the names of the women accused. According to the police, on July 8, Sultanpuri Police Station received information that a boy child aged 1 year had been missing from Kanjhawala Road in Krishan Vihar since 10:30 PM on June 6. "The boy was taken away by a lady, namely 'S'. On the statement of the mother of the missing child, namely 'C', a case was registered and the investigation was taken up immediately," the police said in a statement. After analysing numerous CCTV camera footage and call details of suspects, the woman who is accused of abducting the child was apprehended in Krishan Vihar, Delhi. On sustained interrogation, she told the police that she had taken the child from the complainant for Rs. 1,50,000 and sold the child to another woman for Rs. 2,10,000. Subsequently, the police caught the woman who bought the child from her residence in Delhi. In the interrogation, she told the police that she sold the child to a couple living in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh for Rs. 3,30,000. Then a police team was dispatched to Mathura; they rescued the child and arrested the couple. The police also arrested another woman who acted as a mediator between the couple and the other women accused. The husband, who was identified as Arpit, told the police that he and his wife did not have children so they wanted a child to raise. One of the women accused was a relative of the couple, said the police. The police said that further investigation into the case is ongoing and that more people could be involved in this case. (ANI) Advocate Deepak Chouhan, representing the SpiceJet Airlines employee who allegedly slapped the Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Jaipur Airport in Rajasthan, has stated that his client was 'sexually harassed' by the police personnel, which led to her slapping him. A viral video showed a female SpiceJet employee slapping CISF ASI Giriraj Prasad at Jaipur Airport on Thursday, following a heated argument between the two. In a conversation with ANI on Friday, Advocate Deepak Chouhan said, "The SpiceJet employee has been arrested. She was sexually harassed by the CISF ASI at Jaipur Airport. Abusive words were used against her, which caused her to lose her cool and slap the CISF officer. This was her natural response to the incident." The advocate further emphasized that the female employee had not displayed such behaviour in the past. "In court FIR, we have mentioned that the woman had not displayed such behaviour in the past. Had this been her usual behavior, such incidents would have come to light earlier. However, this is a matter of investigation," said Advocate Chouhan. The SpiceJet employee has been arrested by the police following a complaint by CISF ASI Giriraj Prasad, who alleged that she slapped him after an argument over the security screening at Jaipur Airport. According to the report provided by ASI Prasad, the crew member reached the airport at 4 in the morning. During this time, he was also on duty at the airport. He said that the crew member tried to enter without going through a security check, and he stopped her, asking her to undergo screening. The crew member cited the absence of female staff and refused to be screened. When she cited the absence of female staff, Giriraj contacted airport control, asking to call for female staff by sending a message on his wireless. The crew member got angry and started arguing, and even before the female staff could reach her, the crew member slapped him. Meanwhile, the female crew member has also filed a case against the ASI. SpiceJet Airlines also came in support of its employee, stating that the ASI used abusive language with the female staff and asked her to meet him at his home after duty. "Today, an unfortunate incident occurred at Jaipur Airport involving a SpiceJet female security staff member and a male CISF personnel. While escorting a catering vehicle at the steel gate, our female security staff member, who had a valid airport entry pass issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), India's civil aviation security regulator, was subjected to inappropriate and unacceptable language by the CISF personnel, including asking her to come and meet him after his duty hours at his home. SpiceJet is taking immediate legal action in this serious case of sexual harassment against its female employee and has approached the local police. We stand firmly by our employee and are committed to providing her with full support," said a SpiceJet spokesperson. A probe is underway into the matter. More details are awaited. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gaurav Bhatia praised the government's decision to announce June 25 (the day the Emergency was imposed) as "Constitution Murder Day" and said that the Congress and party leaders Rahul Gandhi, who display the Constitution of India have "never apologized" for imposing an Emergency on the nation. The Government of India on Friday announced that June 25 will be remembered annually as "Constitution Murder Day" in remembrance of the Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975. Speaking to ANI, the BJP leader said that the imposition of Emergency by Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the "darkest day." "This is a very important decision taken by the government. The reason is very simple, in the annals of history, the darkest day and era has been the imposition of emergency by the late Indira Gandhi. The current generation is aware of this fact and we have learnt our lessons. The sad part, the agonizing part is that the Congress party and its leaders, like Rahul Gandhi, who hold and display the Constitution of India, have never apologized to the country for imposing an emergency on the nation," Bhatia said. The BJP leader said that the behaviour of the Congress party is that they "justify" the imposition of the Emergency. "In a very recent write-up by Shri Sonia Gandhi ji rather than apologising and saying it was the darkest day in the Democracy of our country she justifies the imposition of the Emergency and she goes on to say that there is nothing to regret. Such is the behaviour of the Congress party," he added. In a write-up, Sonia Gandhi said the issue was dredged up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to divert attention from the assault on the Constitution. Bhatia further said that it is important that our current generation and future generations be aware of the imposition of Emergency "Therefore it is important that our current generation and future generations are also aware of the imposition of Emergency and we learn our lessons. So that the nation could move forward," he said. Earlier on June 26, the Lok Sabha adopted a resolution condemning the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as Speaker Om Birla read out the resolution condemning the act and said that June 25, 1975, will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India. On the occasion of the completion of 50 years of Emergency imposed in 1975, Birla praised the strength and determination of all those who strongly opposed the Emergency, fought and protected India's democracy. Birla said, "This House strongly condemns the decision to impose emergency in the country in 1975. Along with this, we appreciate the determination of all those people who strongly opposed the emergency, fought an unprecedented struggle and took the responsibility of protecting the democracy of India." He added, "The day of June 25, 1975, will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India." The Emergency of 1975 in India stands as a stark chapter in the nation's history marked by widespread political turmoil and civil liberties suppression. Declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Emergency saw the suspension of fundamental rights and the imposition of strict censorship, aiming to quell political dissent and maintain order. It resulted in the arrest of thousands of opposition leaders, activists, and journalists without due process, leading to a climate of fear and uncertainty. The period witnessed significant curtailments of press freedom and civil liberties, with media outlets facing censorship and restrictions on reporting. The Emergency was lifted in 1977 following widespread public outcry and electoral defeat for the ruling party, underscoring the resilience of democratic institutions and the importance of upholding constitutional values in India's political landscape. The legacy of the Emergency continues to serve as a reminder of the fragility of democratic freedoms and the necessity of safeguarding them against authoritarian tendencies. (ANI) The General Counsels' Association of India (GCAI) met with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and submitted a representation seeking statutory recognition of general counsels and in-house counsels as legal practitioners. General counsels or in-house counsels are qualified lawyers employed by corporations for legal work but are not allowed to practice as 'Advocates' or hold membership in the Bar Council during such employment. GCAI president Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat apprised the Minister that regulation and recognition of General Counsels, with over 500,000 practising law currently in India, is extremely important and requested positive consideration from the Government of India, the GCAI said in a release. GCAI's representation to the Minister highlighted that the corporate sector, which is the backbone of India's growth, is being looked after by trained legal practitioners who are employed by corporations. However, even though they deal with all facets of Indian laws, regulatory compliances, adjudication, arbitration, and litigation, they are not recognized as 'Advocates' under Indian laws, thereby not being regulated by any professional code of conduct or regulatory body. Therefore, GCAI humbly suggested that there should be a suitable amendment to Indian laws, primarily the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, 1975, so that due regulation and recognition are provided to the legal services by General Counsels. Sharing his views on this occasion, Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, Founder of GCAI, said, "Since its foundation, the vision of GCAI has been to create a distinct professional identity for General Counsels and institutionalize the in-house legal function as a separate specialized stream of legal practice. Our meeting today with the Honourable Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, is a big step towards making this vision a reality. It was heartening to see Meghwal ji's appreciation of the contribution of in-house counsels to the growth of the country's economy and his commitment to India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. He has assured us of positive and fair consideration so that General Counsels can have the same rights as advocates under the current law." GCAI is of the view that the amendments proposed in its representation to the Honourable Minister are in line with recent progressive steps undertaken by the Bar Council of India, including allowing foreign law firms and foreign lawyers to practice in India. Such a change would not only restore the rights and status of the legal practitioners employed in the corporate sector but also integrate them with the legal ecosystem. This correction in the rules would not only benefit the corporate sector but also enhance the availability of legal services to society at large. GCAI is grateful to all its stakeholders for their invaluable support in this initiative, especially its Founders - Amar Kumar Sundram, Dr. Akhil Prasad, Dr. Sanjeev Gemawat, Lubinisha Saha, Manjaree Chowdhary, Neera Sharma, Raghu CV, Shukla Wassan, and Tejal Patel. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who along with his cabinet will visit Ayodhya today, said that he will offer 'Shabri Ber' to Ram Lalla as prasad, adding that they will pray for the prosperity of the state. "Today I am going to Ayodhya Dham with the entire cabinet to have darshan of Lord Ram. We will pray for the prosperity of Chhattisgarh. Ber is very much famous. During his (Lord Ram) canvas (exile) he ate 'jhouthe ber' of Mata Shabri. I am also taking 'Shabri Ber', Mahua flower as prasad," Chhattisgarh CM said addressing the reporters on Saturday. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Deputy CM Arun Sao said there is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement to have the darshan of Lord Ram. "We are all going to have darshan of Lord Ram and take blessings. This opportunity has come after a wait of 500 years. That is why there is a lot of enthusiasm, and excitement to have darshan of Lord Ram. In reality also on June 25, the Constitution was murdered. For the sake of power and position Congress party and Shri Indira Gandhi imposed the Emergency. It was the darkest day of the history. It is important today to celebrate "Constitution Murder Day" for our youth also to know what happened that day," he said. Chhattisgarh BJP chief Kiran Singh Deo said they will pray for the prosperity of the state. "Everyone is going. We will have the darshan of Lord Ram. We are going with devotion. We will pray for the prosperity of Chhattisgarh. I am very excited for the darshan of Ram Lalla," Kiran Singh Deo said. Chhattisgarh Minister Dayaldas Baghel said, "CM and all the cabinet ministers are going (to Ayodhya today) and will have darshan of Lord Ram and will seek blessings from Lord Ram." The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya was held on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the rituals, led by a group of priests. Acharya Satyendra Das is the Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, in Ayodhya. The event saw the participation of about 8,000 invitees, including 1,500-1,600 eminent guests. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav put an end to the 'nightlife' in Indore district following complaints from the public representatives that it was promoting liquor consumption and illegal drug trade in the city, according to a statement in an official release. CM Yadav also said that a new system would be implemented in the operation of night markets and business institutions in Indore. Following CM Yadav's instruction, Indore Collector Ashish Singh cancelled the previous order regarding 24-hour operation for various commercial institutions in the BRTS corridor from Niranjanpur Square to Rajiv Gandhi Square in Indore city with immediate effect, the release issued on Friday stated. The decision came into force after CM Yadav held a meeting with the ministers, MLAs, and other public representatives of the Indore division through video conferencing on Friday. "During the meeting, Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya raised the issue of an effective ban on illegal drug trade and implementation of a new system regarding operation of night markets and business institutions in Indore. The Chief Minister immediately directed that a new system will be implemented in Indore soon by making a detailed action plan regarding night markets, industrial institutions, office operations, etc. Illegal drug trade will also be effectively banned. Strict action will be taken against the culprits," the statement in the release said. It further stated, "On the instructions of CM Yadav, Collector Ashish Singh has cancelled the order with immediate effect which was issued on September 13, 2022 for permission to operate 24x7 i.e. night services (24 hours) to various commercial/industrial/office etc. institutions in BRTS corridor, 11.45 km from Niranjanpur Square to Rajiv Gandhi Square in Indore city." (ANI) Support Us Your Support will ensure EPWs financial viability and sustainability. The EPW produces independent and public-spirited scholarship and analyses of contemporary affairs every week. EPW is one of the few publications that keep alive the spirit of intellectual inquiry in the Indian media. Often described as a publication with a social conscience, EPW has never shied away from taking strong editorial positions. Our publication is free from political pressure, or commercial interests. Our editorial independence is our pride. We rely on your support to continue the endeavour of highlighting the challenges faced by the disadvantaged, writings from the margins, and scholarship on the most pertinent issues that concern contemporary Indian society. Every contribution is valuable for our future. With the Amarnath Yatra underway, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have beefed up the security for this year's pilgrimage following the recent terror attacks. Unprecedented security measures, including electronic surveillance along the entire Yatra route and access control, have been put in place. This comes against the backdrop of the recent terror attacks in the Jammu region, including the terror attack at the army convoy in Kathua and encounters in Doda and Udhampur, which are in the Jammu region. The security for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, especially around the Jammu base camp of the Amarnath Yatra and the National Highway, has increased. Special nakas and checks are there. Security forces are also using CCTV cameras to keep a vigil on the movement. Meanwhile, Amarnath Yatra pilgrims are arriving in huge numbers at the Jammu base camp and they say they are happy with the security arrangements. A fresh batch of pilgrims left for their journey to the Amarnath shrine under heightened security measures on Saturday morning. The pilgrims set out for the sacred location amid tight security from Panthachowk Srinagar base camp towards Baltal and Pahalgam yatra base camps, where they would seek blessings and connect with their faith at the holy shrine. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board organises the Amarnath Yatra, which is divided into two routes: one that goes through Pahalgam and the other that goes through Baltal.Baltal serves as the camping ground for pilgrims in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. This year, the Amarnath Yatra is taking place amid a significant increase in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. On July 8, five soldiers lost their lives and many were injured in an ambush by terrorists in Kathua district. Further, to ensure a safe and efficient movement of the pilgrims and commuters during the holy Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police issued an advisory on July 6 on the National Highway 44, with cut-off timings and clear instructions for the various convoys and non-convoy movements. On Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police of Kashmir, VK Birdi, convened a crucial coordination and security meeting at Nunwan Base Camp to work in close coordination to ensure a safe and secure Amarnath Yatra. This year, the yatra started on June 29 and will end on August 19, lasting 52 days. The devotees of Lord Shiva undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave, which is located in the Kashmir Himalayas. (ANI) Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo has said that from the first day that BJP government assumed office, work of implementing the election manifesto promises had begun. The first decision of the government, he said, was to open the gates of the Lord Jagannath temple. "On July 12th, we completed one month. From the day we took the oath, this government has started its work in connection with the manifesto with which we went to the people. Important decisions taken by the government are being implemented. The first decision was to open the gates of Lord Jagannath temple. The second decision was to create a corpus fund of Rs 500 crores for Lord Jagannath for any necessities required for Niti Kanti. The third decision was regarding the Subhadra Yojana," Deo told ANI. He said that the government has been conducting pre-budget consultation meetings to get input from the various stakeholders. A full-fledged budget for 2024-25 is scheduled to be tabled in the assembly on July 25. "We had announced that prior to the budget, we would like the stakeholders to give suggestions. We had 3 former finance ministers who attended the meeting and gave input. Since this is the first budget of the BJP government, I am sure we will rise to the occasion," Deo said. The first session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly is set to commence on July 22, 2024, according to an official statement. As per the official notification, the session will begin with Odisha Governor Raghubar Das' address, which will be followed by a motion of thanks on the governor's address. As per the schedule, the Odisha budget for 2024-25 will be presented on July 25. The complete schedule of the Odisha Legislative Assembly's provisional calendar sittings suggests the Governor's Address and a Motion of Thanks on the Governor's Address on July 22. The announcement in connection with the election of the Deputy Speaker and the discussion on the Motion of thanks on the Governor's address take place on July 23. The election of the Deputy Speaker will take place on July 24. The budget for the year 2024-25 will be presented on July 25. The general discussion on budget will be held on July 29. The motion on vote on account and discussion on the motion on the vote on account will take place on July 30. Appropriation Bill on vote on account will be held on July 31. (ANI) After the central government amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 enhancing more powers of the Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the Centre's move would render the new Chief Minister "powerless" and indicates that the polls would be held soon in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier today, the Ministry of Home Affairs amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019 enhancing some powers of the Lieutenant Governor of the erstwhile state. "Another indicator that elections are around the corner in J-K. This is why a firm commitment to laying out the timeline for the restoration of full, undiluted statehood for J-K is a prerequisite for these elections. The people of J-K deserve better than a powerless, rubber stamp CM who will have to beg the LG to get his/her peon appointed," Omar Abdullah posted on X. Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta said that changes are important. "In the coming days, the elections of Vidhan Sabha will be held and looking after that the LG power has been enhanced. The changes are important and they should take place. Looking after that the Minister of Home Affairs has taken the decision. For Free and fair elections the step has been taken. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha election we all witnessed that people in Jammu and Kashmir voted with great zeal. After this decision the activeness will come in the administration," Gupta told ANI. Reacting to Omar Abdullah's remarks that CM will become 'powerless', he said that "Law and order already is under control of MHA. Commenting on the issue is not right. Earlier the conditions of J-K were not good but now the government has improved the law and order here." President Droupadi Murmu has given her approval to the amendments in the rule exercising the powers conferred by section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, (34 of 2019) read with the Proclamation dated 31st October 2019 issued under section 73 of the Act, a notification issued by the MHA mentions. The President made the rules further to amend the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019. "These rules may be called the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Temtory of Jammu and Kashmir (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024," reads the notification. As per the notification, "these rules may be called the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024." The amendments shall come into force on July 12, the date of the publication in the Official Gazette-- a move in anticipation of the speculated assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. In the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019 (hereinafter referred to as the principal rules), some rules have been inserted. As per the inserted sub-rule (2A), "No proposal which requires previous concurrence of the Finance Department with regard to 'Police', 'Public Order', 'All India Service' and 'Anti Corruption Bureau' to exercise the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor under the Act shall be concurred or rejected unless it has been placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary". In the principal rules, after rule 42, rule 42A has been inserted pointing, "Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs shall submit the proposal for appointment of Advocate-General and other Law Officers to assist the Advocate-General in the court proceedings, for approval of the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister." In the inserted rule 42B, "Any proposal regarding grant or refusal of prosecution sanction or filing of an appeal shall be placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs". In the principal rules, in rule 43, after the third proviso, the notification states that some provisos shall be inserted, focusing on matters connected with Prisons, Directorate of Prosecution and Forensic Science Laboratory, under which "the matters shall be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor by Administrative Secretary, Home Department through the Chief Secretary". "Provided also that in respect of matters connected with posting and transfer of Administrative Secretaries and cadre posts of All India Services officers, the proposal shall be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor by the Administrative Secretary, General Administration Department through the Chief Secretary". It is pertinent to mention that the principal rules were published in the Gazette of India dated August 27, 2020 and subsequently amended on February 28, 2024. (ANI) Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday defended the BJP-led central government's decision to observe June 25 as "Constitution Murder Day" in remembrance of the emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975. He said that the future generation should know that there was a time when Congress and its leader, Indira Gandhi, abolished the constitution. " On June 25, 1975, when an emergency was imposed on the country, in a way we can say that democracy was murdered; without trial, lakhs of people were put in jail, and there was censorship on the press. The future generation should know that there was a time when Congress and its leader, Indira Gandhi, abolished the Constitution. So, June 25 will be observed as Samvidhan Hatya Divas. What is wrong with this? In these 10 years, has anyone been jailed without a trial," Meghwal told ANI. "The Government of India on Friday announced that June 25 will be remembered annually as "Constitution Murder Day". Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gaurav Bhatia praised the government's decision and said that Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, had "never apologized" for imposing an Emergency on the nation. Speaking to ANI, the BJP spokesperson said that the imposition of Emergency by Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the "darkest day." "This is a very important decision taken by the government. The reason is very simple, in the annals of history, the darkest day and era has been the imposition of emergency by the late Indira Gandhi. The current generation is aware of this fact and we have learnt our lessons. The sad part, the agonizing part is that the Congress party and its leaders, like Rahul Gandhi, who hold and display the Constitution of India, have never apologized to the country for imposing an emergency on the nation," Bhatia said. In a write-up, Sonia Gandhi said the issue was dredged up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to divert attention from the assault on the Constitution.Bhatia further said that it is important that our current generation and future generations be aware of the imposition of Emergency. "Therefore it is important that our current generation and future generations are also aware of the imposition of Emergency and we learn our lessons. So that the nation could move forward," he said. Earlier on June 26, the Lok Sabha adopted a resolution condemning the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as Speaker Om Birla read out the resolution condemning the act and said that June 25, 1975, will always be known as a black chapter in the history of India. On the occasion of the completion of 50 years of Emergency imposed in 1975, Birla praised the strength and determination of all those who strongly opposed the Emergency, fought and protected India's democracy. The Emergency of 1975 in India stands as a stark chapter in the nation's history marked by widespread political turmoil and civil liberties suppression. Declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Emergency saw the suspension of fundamental rights and the imposition of strict censorship, aiming to quell political dissent and maintain order. It resulted in the arrest of thousands of opposition leaders, activists, and journalists without due process, leading to a climate of fear and uncertainty. The period witnessed significant curtailments of press freedom and civil liberties, with media outlets facing censorship and restrictions on reporting. The Emergency was lifted in 1977 following widespread public outcry and electoral defeat for the ruling party, underscoring the resilience of democratic institutions and the importance of upholding constitutional values in India's political landscape. The legacy of the Emergency continues to serve as a reminder of the fragility of democratic freedoms and the necessity of safeguarding them against authoritarian tendencies. (ANI) Congress candidate and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's wife, Kamlesh Thakur, has won the assembly by-election from the Dehra constituency by defeating Hoshyar Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kamlesh Thakur was leading by over 9,000 votes against Hoshyar Singh in the final round of counting on Saturday. After winning the Dehra assembly by-polls, Kamlesh Thakur, said, "The party leaders and workers worked day and night for this day. I will give all credit to the people who stood by the party throughout. I am proud of the people of Dehra." Chief Minister Sukhu spoke to ANI on Congress leading on two out of three assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh and said, "People of Himachal gave us 40 seats in 2022. People have given a befitting reply to the kind of poaching that happened in state politics in the past." "This also gave the message that the people of the state are aware and awake and that such poaching will not work. Three independent MLAs had no reason to resign. They could have simply allied with the BJP, but even they learned their lesson," he said. Adding further, Sukhu said, "I had put in everything for the Dehra constituency. I want to congratulate Kamlesh Thakur for winning the seat. The reason for fielding my wife from Dehra was to make Congress enter Kangra and increase the MLAs in the valley from 9 to 10. All three seats are strongholds of BJP and we have won two of them. This is a big deal." Congress workers and supporters celebrated in Dhaliara in Kangra district as the party's candidate won the Dehra Assembly seat. Congress candidate Hardeep Singh Bawa is leading the Nalagarh assembly constituency in Himachal Pradesh by 6,870 votes against the BJP's KL Thakur in the penultimate round of counting. The only silver lining for the BJP in the assembly by-elections is in Hamirpur, where its candidate Ashish Sharma was leading by a slender margin of 1,571 votes in the final round of counting. The seats fell vacant after the three independent legislators, Hoshiyar Singh (Dehra), Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur) and K L Thakur (Nalagarh), who had voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls held on February 27, resigned from the state assembly on March 22 and joined the party the next day. Meanwhile, in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Mohinder Bhagat won the Jalandhar assembly seat by 37,325 votes. The TMC is ahead in all four West Bengal seats, with Raiganj candidate Krishna Kalyani taking a significant lead of more than 50,000 votes. The counting of votes for the 13 legislative assembly seats spread across seven states began on Saturday morning. Polling took place on July 10 for the assembly seats. (ANI) Following the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led central government's announcement to observe June 25 as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' (Constitution Murder Day), Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a fierce attack. On Saturday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that those who repeatedly 'attacked the spirit of the Constitution' and democracy through their decisions and actions would celebrate 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' with negative politics. On Friday, the central government declared that June 25, the date on which the Emergency was imposed in the country in 1975 under the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi-led Congress government, would be observed as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas.' In a post on 'X,' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that those who have faith in the Constitution would protect it. https://x.com/priyankagandhi/status/1812036304802050253?t=FqYEpexVTuinpCAlntnsBQ&s=08 "The great people of India fought a historic battle to achieve their independence and constitution. Those who made the constitution, those who have faith in the constitution, will protect the constitution," she tweeted in Hindi. Attacking the central government, she continued, "Those who opposed the implementation of the Constitution, formed a commission to review it, called for its abolition, and repeatedly attacked its spirit and democracy through their decisions and actions, will definitely celebrate 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' with negative politics. What is surprising in this?" The Centre on Friday announced it would observe June 25 as "Samvidhan Hatya Diwas" in remembrance of the 1975 Emergency. The decision has triggered a backlash with opposition parties targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. PM Modi referred to the 1975 Emergency as a "dark phase of Indian history" and announced that June 25 will be commemorated annually as Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas to honour those who suffered during that time. In a post on X, he wrote, "To observe 25th June as #SamvidhaanHatyaDiwas will serve as a reminder of what happens when the Constitution of India is trampled over. It is also a day to pay homage to each and every person who suffered due to the excesses of the Emergency, as Congress unleashed a dark phase of Indian history." Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the day would serve as a reminder of the significant sacrifices endured by those who faced the severe hardships of the 1975 Emergency, highlighting their immense contributions. "On 25 June 1975, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, showing her dictatorial mindset, strangled the soul of Indian democracy by imposing an emergency in the country. Lakhs of people were jailed without any reason and the voice of the media was suppressed. The Government of India has decided to celebrate 25 June every year as 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas,'" Shah wrote in a post on X. The announcement has also triggered sharp reactions from the opposition. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X on Friday, "In the last 10 years, your government has celebrated 'Samvidhan Hatya Diwas' every day. You have snatched away the self-respect of every poor and deprived section of the country every moment." Reacting to the Centre's announcement, ruling Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh said at a press conference that the BJP is trying to divert attention from its anti-people policies. "She has been criticized. Indira Gandhi lost once and she came back to power as the Prime Minister. So that chapter was just one page of history and years later, the BJP is trying to divert attention from its anti-people policies, disasters, and the bad condition of the country. They are trying to play this old card," Ghosh said. The Emergency of 1975 in India stands as a stark chapter in the nation's history marked by widespread political turmoil and civil liberties suppression. Declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Emergency saw the suspension of fundamental rights and the imposition of strict censorship, aiming to quell political dissent and maintain order. (ANI) As per an official release, "Acting on specific intelligence of the movement of drugs through the road, Nuiland-Dimapur, Assam Rifles established a Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) on July 10, 2024, near the fourth mile." "Subsequently, Assam Rifles intercepted a vehicle, carried out a thorough search and recovered 1,134 grams of suspected heroin estimated to be worth approximately Rs 7,93,80,000," said the release. The release further said that the contraband was found in 81 plastic soap cases, meticulously concealed to evade detection and three individuals were apprehended at the scene in connection with the smuggling activities. The recovered arms, ammunition, magazines and stores have been handed over to the Nagaland Police, it added. (ANI) Baikuntha Pradhan, a Raj Bhavan employee in Odisha has alleged assault by Governor Raghubar Das's son, Lalit Kumar along with other six people on the night of July 7. A complaint has been registered into the matter at the Sea Beach Police Station in Odisha's Puri. Earlier, Baikuntha Pradhan wrote to the Governor explaining to him about the incident. "I, Baikuntha Pradhan, Asst. Section Officer, Parliamentary Affairs Department, currently working on a deployment basis at Governot's Household, beg to state the following unfortunate and life-threatening incident done by Mr. Lalit Kumar, Son of Honourable Governor of Odisha and others (Total 6 persons) in the night of 07th July 2024 atRaj Bhavan, Puri", read the letter. Pradhan further alleged, "Being the In-Charge of Raj Bhavan, Puri, I was in Raj Bhavan, Puri since 05.07.2024 to supervise the preparedness of Raj Bhavan, Puri for visit/stay of Smt., Droupadi Murmu, Honourable President of India on 07th and 08th of July 2024. The President's visit was going very smoothly on 07.07.2024. However, on that night at around 1.45 PM, when I was sitting in the office room, Mr Aakash Singh (Personal Cook of Honourable Governor) came to the office and told me that Mr Lalit Kumar ( Son of Horfble Governor of Odisha) wanted to meet me right now. I came with Mr. Aakash to meet Mr. Lalit Kumar at Suite No-4." He further claimed that as soon as Kumar saw him, he started scolding him in 'unparliamentarily' language and used highly objectionable slang against him. "The moment Mr Lalit Kumar saw me; he started scolding me in unparliamentary language and used highly objectionable slang. When I objected to such humiliation, they started slapping me. Feeling helpless, I started running out of the room and hid behind the Annex building. However, the two PSOs of Mr. Lalit Kumar could find out my location and dragged me to Room No. 4 through the lift. Security Personnel and others present there have witnessed this incident. They again started slapping, blowing punches on my face, kicking every part of my body and twisting my left ankle", the letter mentioned. Baikuntha Pradhan further alleged that Lalit Kumar had kept threatening him. "Mr. Lalit Kumar kept on saying that if they murdered me, nobody could save me, neither the Comptroller nor anybody else", he claimed. Baikuntha Pradhan has demanded that the accused be brought to justice. "In view of the facts stated above, I request you earnestly to give me justice and bring the culprit to book as I received bodily injuries, was humiliated severely and loss of human dignity, for which I will remain highly obliged to you", he wrote in the letter to the Governor. Sayoj, the wife of Pradhan, has also alleged that his husband was assaulted by the Governor's son Lalit Kumar because the latter wanted a luxury car to pick him up from the station, but during that time many vehicles were on duty due to the President's visit. In a conversation with ANI, Sayoj said, "On the night of June 7, the Governor's son called my husband to his room and beat him badly. He came out to save himself, but two men dragged him and beat him. He is badly injured. He was beaten because he (the Governor's son) wanted a luxury car to pick him up from the station, but during that time many vehicles were on duty due to the President's visit." She claimed that her husband met with the Governor; however, he did not respond well. "My husband sent a Maruti Suzuki car, which was available, so he beat my husband as to why he did not get VIP treatment. He is still injured. My husband also met the governor, but he did not respond well. We have lodged a complaint at the Puri Beach police station. We want the accused to be punished and justice should be given to us", she alleged. There has been no response so far to these allegations from the Governor's office or from Lalit Kumar against whom the Raj Bhav staffer has made the allegations. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Indore, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday, July 14, to participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' program and inaugurate 55 Excellence Colleges for 55 districts in the state. All necessary arrangements and safety measures are being made in the district for the visit of the Union Minister. Shah will first participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' program, under which a record 11 lakh trees will be planted on the campus of the Revati shooting range of the Border Security Force (BSF). After that, the Union Minister will reach Atal Bihari Art and Commerce College, where he will inaugurate the 55 Excellence Colleges for 55 districts in the state. State cabinet minister Tulsi Ram Silawat told ANI, "Union Minister Amit Shah will participate in the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' program here in the city on Sunday. After that, he will also inaugurate the Excellence Colleges for 55 districts in the state. When CM Mohan Yadav was the Higher Education Minister, he envisioned the new education policy. It is going to be launched tomorrow." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for planting 140 crore trees across the country in the name of 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' on World Environment Day, under which CM Mohan Yadav has pledged to plant 5.5 crore trees in Madhya Pradesh, Silawat said. "Of these 5.5 crore trees, 51 lakh will be planted in Indore, with Home Minister Amit Shah participating in a world record attempt to plant 11 lakh trees at the Revati Range of the BSF. Indore has already become a clean city; now we are going to make it a green city," the minister added. Indore Collector Ashish Singh told ANI, "Home Minister Amit Shah will first participate in the Guinness Book of World Records attempt to plant 11 lakh trees at the Revati Range of the BSF. After that, he will inaugurate 55 Excellence Colleges for 55 districts in Madhya Pradesh at the Atal Bihari Art and Commerce College located in the Bhawarkua area." Home Minister Shah will also address the students on the occasion. The preparations for both programs are ongoing in the city, he added. (ANI) Heaping praise on India over its achievements in the space sector, Steve Lee Smith, former NASA astronaut, said that in the history of the world, India just did something no one has ever done. Smith told ANI, "India has been very successful in space (sector) in the last 20 years, very well respected around the world. Mission Over Mars to circle Mars, it was the first time a country had ever done that. India landed on the moon last year. In the world history, they just did something no one has ever done." "And just months later, India is preparing its own capsule to send humans to space and they have name their astronauts also. Hopefully, Indian Astronauts on an India's spaceship will go into space," he expressed his desire. Meanwhile, NASA will have a hand in training two Indian astronauts, one of whom will fly to the International Space Station (ISS) late this year. ISRO chairman S Somanath had earlier said that ISRO will likely select four astronauts for training. Notably, India's planned space station is called the Bharatiya Antariksha Station. It will be built by India and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The station is expected to be completed by 2035. NASA plans to decommission the ISS by 2031. The Indian space station will be smaller than the International Space Station (ISS). It will have a mass of 20 tonnes (ISS - 450 tonnes and Chinese Tiangong Space Station - 100 tonnes) and will be used for microgravity experiments. It will orbit Earth at an altitude of around 400km. Notably, India's first solar mission Aditya-L1 spacecraft completed its first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 point on July 3, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a statement. The Aditya-L1 mission is an Indian solar observatory at Lagrangian point L1, launched on September 2 last year and was inserted in its targeted halo orbit on January 6. Aditya-L1 spacecraft in the Halo orbit takes 178 days to complete a revolution around the L1 point. (ANI) Following the victory of Congress candidates in two out of three assembly constituencies in the recent by-elections in the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said it was a victory of the people over money power. "This is a victory for voters of the state and the dedicated efforts of Congress party workers," CM Sukhu told a large gathering of Congress supporters at his official residence, Oak Over. "This is the victory of people over money power. The voters have delivered a strong rebuke to the politics of horse-trading and have voted to maintain political integrity in the state. It had been 25 years since a Congress candidate won in Dehra. In Nalagarh, too, the candidate secured a significant victory. The election outcome has sent a clear message to the entire country and in the future, no candidate of any party in Himachal Pradesh will dare engage him or her in horse-trading for the next 50 years," said the Chief Minister. He said that attempts to destabilise the government since February 28, 2024, have been successfully thwarted and the conspiracies aimed at toppling the democratically elected government have failed. With this victory, the number of Congress party MLAs in the assembly has risen to 40 again. He criticised the leader of the opposition, Jai Ram Thakur for his repeated claims of forming a BJP government in the state and the centre before Lok Sabha elections, terming the BJP's "Operation Lotus" a big failure. He said that despite the clear mandate of the public, Jai Ram Thakur continued misleading the people of the state by making false and exaggerated claims. The Chief Minister also condemned the deeds of three independent MLAs and said these three have imposed the bye-election on the people by conspiring to overthrow the government. "Rather than supporting the opposition in the assembly, these MLAs left the state for a month and staged a protest to have their resignations accepted outside the Vidhan Sabha. The public has given a befitting reply to their obstinacy through the election results, which is also a good lesson for all those who were trying to destabilise the Congress government in the state," he said. He said that in the bye-polls held in 13 ACs all over the country, the BJP has only managed two seats out of 13 and that too with a thin margin, which clearly indicates that the people across the country have rejected the autocracy of the BJP leaders, its ideology and its policies of being in power by befooling people. (ANI) The Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) has terminated three outsourced employees and issued show-cause notices to persons concerned in connection with alleged black marketing of blood in Mandla district hospital in Madhya Pradesh. The action was taken after a written complaint lodged by a man who was asked to pay Rs 3,400 in exchange for blood for his son. The CMHO took the complaint seriously, investigated the matter and took action against the persons concerned. Complainant Phool Singh Masram said, "My son fell ill after which I admitted him here and the doctor said there was a deficiency of blood. First, free blood was provided but again there was a requirement of blood for which I was given a red slip by the nurse. I was going in search of blood and on the way, a man met with me and said he would arrange the blood in exchange for which he demanded Rs 3400." Later, he lodged a complaint to the police and also submitted a written complaint to Mandla CMHO Dr K C Sarante about the matter. According to the written complaint letter, a copy of which is with ANI, "I am Phool Singh Masram and Rs 3400 was taken from me for blood on July 10 and again Rs 3400 was demanded for the blood on July 11. I humbly request you to please get my money back." Acting on the written complaint, the matter was investigated by Additional Collector Rajendra Kumar Singh, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr K C Sarante, Civil Surgeon Dr Vijay Dhurve and action was taken against persons concerned. "On behalf of the hospital management, Chief Medical and Health Officer Mandla took action to terminate the services of the outsourced employees Shubham Janghela Lab Supervisor, Durgesh Kachwaha Van Driver, Kamlesh Dhurve Van Attender of the Blood Center contracted firm Surya Charitable Trust Mumbai," the statement read in an official release. "Show-cause notices were issued against regular lab technicians Anil Bhoyar, Yaduraj Chaurasia, Yaduvesh Yadav and Shyam Hardah, nursing staff Urmila Marskole and Varsha Patel. Besides, the notices were also served to contract lab technicians Ashok Kumar Uike, Pavitra Kachwaha, Ravindra Merscole. All of them were requested to submit a reply within 24 hours otherwise, necessary action will be taken against them," the release read. Along with this, a notice has also been issued to the pathologist of District Hospital Mandla. Also, a criminal case has been registered against Pradeep Barmaiya, who provided the blood in the matter, at the Mandla Police Station, the release added. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP MP Sanjay Singh on Saturday met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren at the latter's official residence on Saturday. "INDIA is united against dictatorship. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's wife, Sunita Kejriwaland AAP MP Sanjay Singh welcomed Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana Soren at the Chief Minister's residence today," AAP's official account stated on social media platform X. "Satyamev Jayate. A conspiracy was hatched by the BJP to defame Arvind Kejriwal. But BJP had to face defeat in this cheap game and Supreme Court granted bail to Kejriwal. This is a victory of democracy over dictatorship," the official AAP account stated further. Earlier in the day, Hemant Soren accused the ruling BJP of humiliating the judiciary and hoped that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was in judicial custody in the excise policy case, would come out of jail soon. "I hadn't met Sonia Gandhi after coming out of jail; that is why I came to meet her. Discussions for the Jharkhand Assembly elections will continue... Indians are very tolerant and cooperative. They tolerate a lot until they can't, and then they make themselves heard by voting. The BJP has humiliated the judiciary. I hope Arvind Kejriwal will be granted bail soon," Soren said. Notably, Kejriwal got interim bail from the Supreme Court on Friday in money laundering charges linked to the excise policy case. But he could not come out of jail as he was separately arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the same case on June 25. He is under remand till July 25 in the CBI case. Hemant Soren was released from the Birsa Munda Jail on June 28 after nearly five months following bail from Jharkhand High Court in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. (ANI) Launching a scathing attack on the Kerala government for not inviting him to the inauguration of the Vizhinjam Port, Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, said that in 2015, his government had inaugurated the construction and now Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is trying to take credit. Satheesan said, "The Vizhinjam Port is a reality, after six months, it will be commissioned. The opposition of Kerala is celebrating this day because it is our 'baby'. We have been trying to make this port since last 3 decades. We started this project in 1991 when K Karunakaran was the CM, unfortunately, we couldn't complete it. We inaugurated the construction in 2015. For the last 8 years, the present government didn't take any initiative to make any road or rail connectivity and now Pinarayi Vijayan's government is trying to take credit." "They didn't invite me to the inauguration programme though I am the state Assembly LoP," he added. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan welcomed the first mothership, "San Fernando " at the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala on Friday. Welcoming the ship, the CM highlighted that India had now entered the global map through Vizhinjam port and called it a proud moment for India. "India enters into the global map through Vizhinjam. It is a huge port among world ports. The biggest ships in the world can berth in Vizhinjam. The operation is starting through a trial run. And will start completely functioning soon. This is becoming the mother port and it is a proud moment" said CM Vijayan. Vizhinjam seaport is very close to the famous Kovalam beach. It has water connectivity to many regional and international ports. This is the first transhipment port in the country. Till now India was dependent on Colombo, Dubai and Singapore ports for transhipment. Now Vizhinjam International Seaport will be the transhipment port of the country. The Vizhinjam International Seaport has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, (APSEZ). The port is built with a total investment of Rs 8,867 crore. The state government of Kerala has contributed about Rs 5,595 crore while the central government contributed Rs 818 crore for the port. Built on the public-private partnership, Vizhinjam International Port's construction started in 2016. The project was allotted to APSEZ on December 5, 2015, after the Government of Kerala and Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Ltd. (AVPPL) agreed to a concession agreement on August 17, 2015. (ANI) Slamming the BJP over the recently concluded by-poll, Congress leader Pawan Khera said on Saturday that for the second time in one and a half months, the people of the country gave a strong message to the BJP. Notably, INDIA bloc won 10 out of 13 assembly seats, the BJP got two, and an independent won one seat. Khera said, "These by-elections, which were held on 13 seats, are very important. For the second time in one and a half months, the people of the country gave a strong message to the BJP. The message was very clear in the Lok Sabha elections. In Uttarakhand, we won both our seats, Badrinath and Manglaur. In Himachal Pradesh, Congress won 2 out of 3 seats. And if you assess all 13 seats in total, the BJP got only 2." "The people who were trying to destabilise the elected government have been taught a good lesson by the public today. One after another, people are rejecting BJP's politics because it lacks accountability, respect for democratic processes, and answers to the people's questions," he added. Further, the Congress leader said that they have already started preparing for the four states where elections will be held shortly. "In the upcoming elections in four states, all our workers, office bearers, and everyone involved are fully committed. We will not let the ideology we have struggled for over the past years weaken," he said. Pawan Khera also alleged that officials in Amarwara, Madhya Pradesh, paused the vote counting and went for lunch. "This might be the first time in history this has happened. The entire administration is coming together to defeat the Congress.," he added. Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said that the results of the by-elections in 7 states have made it clear that the web of 'fear and confusion' woven by the BJP has been broken. In a post on X, Rahul said, "Every class including farmers, youth, labourers, businessmen and employed people want to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice. The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and protection of the Constitution." (ANI) Delhi Police have arrested a Chinese national for residing illegally in the Shakarpur area of Delhi after his visa expired, an official said. The accused has been identified as Yu Jia. He has been living in India since 2019, police said. Upon his arrest, it was revealed that he had been receiving treatment for HIV at a local hospital, police said. "Delhi Police arrested a Chinese national identified as Yu Jia who was illegally living in Delhi's Shakarpur area after his VISA had expired. During an investigation, it was found that he has been living in India since 2019. An FIR has been registered. He claimed that he was HIV positive and was undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police have already informed the FRRO for further proceedings," Delhi Police said. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Four individuals, including a minor, were apprehended in connection with the extortion from gym owner case, an official said. "4 members, including a juvenile in Conflict with the Law (CCL) of the Gogi-Deepak Boxer-Sunny Kakran gang, who fired on a Gym Owner in Burari for extortion, have been arrested," Delhi Police said. Giving further details about the arrest, DCP North Manoj Kumar Meena told ANI, "We received a call at 10 pm. The caller told us that a bullet was fired in the air in front of him and he was also threatened. Two individuals who had fired the shots were chased away, and while fleeing, they stole a motorcycle belonging to a labourer from the Swaroop Nagar area." "We reviewed CCTV footage and used technical intelligence, leading to the identification of one of the individuals who was not at home and had fled. Raids were conducted, resulting in the arrest of four including a juvenile," DCP Meena said. "Among the three arrested individuals, Nikhil has a prior case of murder and attempted murder from 2022. Mohit has two cases of robbery from 2022. While, Gagandeep has been arrested for providing shelter to the other accused," DCP Meena added. "In this case, we have applied a new criminal law section that treats involving juveniles in crimes as a separate offence. This section allows for penalties not only for the juvenile but also for those who encouraged or compelled them to commit the crime," DCP Meena said. (ANI) Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress leader Rahul Gandgeted the BJP and said that the results of bye -elections reflects people of the nation want to demolish dictatorship and are standing with the INDIA bloc to establish rule of justice. INDIA bloc parties won 10 assembly seats, while the BJP managed to won two and one was won by an Independent, as votes were counted on Saturday for the by-elections held this week on 13 seats in seven states. Taking to his official X handle, Rahul Gandhi said, "The results of the bye-elections in seven states have made it clear that the web of fear and confusion woven by the BJP has been broken." He added, "Every class, including farmers, youth, labourers, businessmen and employed people want to completely destroy dictatorship and establish the rule of justice." Congress leaders lauded the resounding victory of INDIA bloc parties in the assembly by-elections, attributing the BJP's dismal performance to its "arrogance, misgovernance and negative politics". Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the bypoll results were also "strong evidence of the falling political credibility" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. The leader also asserted that the people are now in support of the INDIA bloc and said, "The public is now completely standing with INDIA for the betterment of their lives and protection of the Constitution." Meanwhile, following the victory of Congress candidates in two out of three assembly constituencies in the recent by-elections in Himachal Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday expressed happiness and congratulated all the winning candidates of the Congress party and INDIA bloc in the by-polls held on 13 seats across seven states in the country. "The people of the country have extended their support to the INDI alliance in the by-elections held on 13 seats in seven states. The people of Himachal Pradesh have expressed their faith in Congress. Many congratulations to all the winning candidates of Congress and INDI alliance," said Priyanka Gandhi. Further highlighting the Congress party's commitment to the needs and aspirations of the youths of the country, she said, "The people of the country have understood that politics that misleads people 100 years ago and 100 years ahead will not do any good to the country. The people want positive politics that improves the present and prepares a clear blueprint for a bright future. We are committed to the needs and aspirations of young India." Notably, the counting of votes for the 13 legislative assembly seats spread across seven states began on Saturday morning. Polling took place on July 10 for the assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The Election Commission held the by-elections in one seat of Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, two seats of Uttarakhand, three seats of Himachal Pradesh, and four seats of Uttarakhand. The constituencies included Vikravandi in Tamil Nadu; Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh; Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda, and Maniktala in West Bengal; Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh; Badrinath and Manglaur in Uttarakhand; Jalandhar West in Punjab; and Rupauli in Bihar. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the state government welcomes industrialists and with investment, the state would become economically strong, through which the state would move forward with the full potential to increase the GDP of the country. CM Yadav made the remark while addressing leading industrialists from various sectors in an interactive session on investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh at Hotel Taj Mahal in Mumbai on Saturday. The industrialists were invited to the interactive session to make "Invest Madhya Pradesh-Global Investor Summit-2025" a success. GIS-2025 is proposed to be organised in Bhopal in February next year. "Investments are being made continuously in Madhya Pradesh. A favourable environment has been created for investment in the state from the point of view of industry, trade, and business. There is immense investment potential in all sectors like energy, tourism, health, mining, etc. The state government has also made adequate provisions in the budget to encourage industry and trade. Focusing on the conditions and characteristics of different areas of the state, it has also been decided to hold industrial summits in different areas," CM Yadav said. "The Madhya Pradesh government welcomes industrialists. With investment, the state will become economically strong and people will also get employment in the areas where investment will be made. With this, we will move forward with our full potential to increase the GDP of the country," he added. Referring to Ranmukteshwar Mahadev and Samrat Vikramaditya, the chief minister further said that the powerful governance was envisaged in Indian culture. It was believed that the spirit of governance should be noble. There must not be narrowness in the approach of governance. "According to Indian culture, the government aims to make all the citizens prosperous and happy by establishing good governance. The Madhya Pradesh government is continuously making efforts in this direction under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi has made the country the fifth largest economy in the world by improving all the systems in a short time. Now under his leadership, we are moving toward the goal of becoming the third largest economy in the world," he added. CM Yadav also held a round table meeting and one-to-one discussion with industrialists on the occasion. A film focusing on industrial investment opportunities and main tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh was also screened. (ANI) With INDIA bloc parties winning 10 out of 13 assembly seats in the by-elections held earlier this week in seven states, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra said that BJP and the "agency raj" are continuously losing strength, adding that people are saying, "Tumse na ho payega" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "So @AITCofficial wins 4/4 assembly by-polls in Bengal while INDIA wins 10/13 nationally. @BJP4India & its Agency Raj continues its losing streak. People are saying "Tumse na ho payega @narendramodi"," Moitra said speaking to ANI on Friday. The Trinamool Congress won all four seats in the West Bengal Assembly bypoll on Saturday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that out of four seats, her party has won back three seats that were formerly held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has retained one seat previously held by the TMC. "Among the four seats, three were held by the BJP, both in the Lok Sabha and in the Vidhan Sabha. We have won all three and held on to our seat as well. That means four out of four. I express my gratitude to our people for this victory," Banerjee said speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Saturday. Thanking people for her party's victory the Trinamool supremo said, "We are dedicating our victory in the Lok Sabha polls and Vidhan Sabha polls to July 21...Despite all conspiracy, on one hand the BJP and on the other hand the agencies, people have voted for us." Speaking about Raiganj assembly bypoll, Banerjee said, "BJP and Congress made us lose (from Raiganj) by using money in polls. Then I asked Krishna Kalyani to contest the polls because he was the MLA from the region. He accepted the challenge and we are grateful to people for voting him to power." "In Ranaghat, Mukut Mani was a BJP MLA like Krishna Kalyani. After he joined our party, we gave him ticket. He lost the Lok Sabha polls from Ranaghat maybe due to false campaigning, hatred and conspiracy by the Election Commission. But he has won the Assembly bypoll this time. He was a BJP MLA. Ranaghat is a BJP seat that has now been won by the TMC," she added. Speaking about Bagdah assembly bypolls where the TMC has fielded their youngest candidate, Banerjee said, "In Bagdah as well, Biswajit (Das) lost the polls. But he is a good, strong leader. He said that he will contest in future but he is not willing to contest this seat now. So we fielded our youngest candidate, Mamatabala Thakur's daughter Madhuparna Thakur. Madhuparna has given a tough fight. People over there supported us and she has won." (ANI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai demanded a CBI probe into the MUDA site allocation "irregularities" and asked why the Congress leaders are scared if they haven't done anything wrong. Speaking to the reporters on Saturday, he said, "If there was no scandal in the MUDA site allocations and no truth to the allegations, such a major controversy would not have come to the fore. Why should there be any hesitation in investigation through an independent agency if there is nothing to hide?" Bommai further said, "There was a difference between an inquiry and an investigation. The MUDA scam should be subjected to a thorough investigation. Let there be a complete inquiry into which exchange sites are in MUDA, under what circumstances, and to whom the sites were allocated. The case should be handed over to the CBI." He pointed out, "The media has clearly shown the details of this scandal. Let Chief Minister Siddaramaiah say what he wants regarding this issue, but there has been a clear violation of the law concerning which sites should be obtained in which layouts. Party leaders have read and explained the legal violations. 50:50 allocations should be made in certain layouts, but this has not been not followed. On the prima facie, the rule violation is evident. The question remains about the circumstances and methods of how the sites were obtained." Speaking on the arrest of former minister B. Nagendra in the Valmiki Corporation scam, Bommai said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting the investigation. "Initially, former minister Nagendra was given a clean chit, but now his involvement is evident, and he has been arrested. The MLA and corporation chairman, Basangouda Daddal, was also said to be not involved, but now that has been proven otherwise. The deeper they dig into this case, the more details emerge. The financial department's role will become clear in the coming days. The ED will continue its investigation." On tourism department scam, Bommai stated that "he had no information about it." (ANI) A fire broke out at a chemical factory in Haryana's Khundewala village area, an official said. No casualties reported, and fire tenders are present at the spot. Further information is awaited. (ANI) Speaking to ANI, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said that as our Jawans are engaged in guarding the country's borders, that's why countrymen remain safe. Rai further said that the paramilitary force has become stronger under the leadership and inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji and the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah Ji. "Our borders are fully safe and secure and anyone who try to infiltrate through borders security forces is very much capable to give befitting reply to enemy" Rai added. During BSF forward post visit in Jammu and Kashmir, MoS Home Nityanand Rai interacted with the soldiers, had food with them, and took stock of the security preparations. Nityanand Rai on Two days official visits in Jammu and Kashmir begins from today. (ANI) Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said on Saturday that he has no doubt that India's economy is looking up, as just in a decade, the country has taken a jump from slot number eleven to five. Addressing the 3rd GCTC Cyber Security Conference here today, VP Dhankar said, "Just a decade ago, we were taken as a fragile five countries on the point of the economy. What a jump in a decade! From slot number eleven, we are at number five." "This is one indicator we have to go to, another indicator, also an indicator of economic growth that is relatable to every individual, because our size at the moment has to be seen in the context of our demographic size. So I do not doubt that our economy is looking up, and it is looking up on account of various steps taken," he added. Meanwhile, India can become the second largest economy by 2031 and the largest economy in the world by 2060, said Michael Debabrata Patra, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) during a program at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. "It is possible to imagine India striking out into the next decade to become the second largest economy in the world not by 2048, but by 2031 and the largest economy of the world by 2060," said Patra. He also called India's journey in economic development an eventful and arduous one and added that during the last financial year 2023-24, India became a USD 3.6 trillion-dollar economy. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projects that in PPP (purchasing power parity) terms, India will overtake the US by 2048 to become the second-largest economy in the world. (ANI) Anbumani Ramados, Rajya Sabha MP and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President, on Saturday accused DMK of winning the by-election in Tamil Nadu's Vikravandi by "murdering democracy". As DMK won Vikravandi Assembly seat in bypolls, PMK President Dr Anbumani Ramadoss said, "What happened in Vikravandi bypolls is a murder of democracy. The democracy has been murdered again. PMK got respectful 56,300 votes." Anniyur Siva of DMK secured a win against Anbumani. C of PMK by a vote margin of 67,757. Siva secured 1,24,053 votes while Anbumani garnered 56,296 votes. Speaking with ANI, Ramados said, "Even though DMK won by bribing voters, PMK won without spending any single penny, and we had got a respectable vote count." "It was completely a mockery of democracy. The entire world knows what exactly is happening there... It is a bypoll, and Tamil Nadu is known for it, where you buy votes. In Tamil Nadu, you buy your votes unlike anywhere else in India. So this won't be the trend for the assembly elections," he added. He added further, "I would like to thank the voters, who expressed faith in us, and in a bye-election in Tamil Nadu, I see this as a huge amount. In the last bye-election, the DMK and BJP together got only 43,000 votes." Stepping up his attacks on DMK, Ramados said, "The DMK bribed the voters with nearly Rs 10,000 and they also gave saris, earrings and other things worth Rs 4000. DMK need not be proud of itself by winning elections in this way by murdering democracy, law and order..." The PMK president also criticised the Election Commission of India and said that the party for the past 20 days, had been complaining to ECI in Tamil Nadu that DMK has been distributing money, alcohol and other things but not a single action was taken against anyone. Ramados spoke about the Vikravandi and said that the constituency is very backward, and the Villupuram district is one of the most backward in the state. "The per capita income of the district is the least in the state and for them, even Rs 500 is a big amount of money. And when they are getting Rs 10,000, they will vote for them only. This is something where I don't fault the voters but I fault the system, the EC, the DMK... This is a bye-election where DMK bought the votes." Notably, the counting of votes for the 13 legislative assembly seats spread across seven states began on Saturday morning. Polling took place on July 10 for the assembly seats in Tamil Nadu, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The Election Commission held the by-elections in one seat of Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh, two seats of Uttarakhand, three seats of Himachal Pradesh, and four seats of Uttarakhand. The constituencies included Vikravandi in Tamil Nadu; Amarwara in Madhya Pradesh; Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda, and Maniktala in West Bengal; Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh in Himachal Pradesh; Badrinath and Manglaur in Uttarakhand; Jalandhar West in Punjab; and Rupauli in Bihar. (ANI) Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has granted bail to Nittin Johri, an accused in Bhushan Steel Money Laundering case, on health grounds, observing that he falls in the category of sick and infirm persons. Special Judge Jagdish Kumar granted bail to Johri after considering the medical records and submissions made by the counsel. Johri, former CFO of Bhushan Steel Limited, has been directed to furnish a bail bond of Rs one Lakh with one surety of like amount. The court directed him to surrender his passport to this Court. The court also said that he will not leave the country without prior permission of the court. The court said that accused shall make himself available as and when called by the investigation officer for further investigation, if so required. Senior advocate Pramod Kumar Dubey and advocate Gautam Khazanchi appeared for Johri. He sought bail on ground of sickness and infirmity and apprised the court that his health is deteriorating in jail. The court noted that the applicant also has other comorbidities as reveals from reports of AIIMS including sugar and increased Creatinine. The fact is also not denied that applicant has a genetic history of cancer and kidney failure, with both his parents died due to cancer and his father remained on dialysis for 08 years. "While the facts reveal that when the applicant suffered from adenoma (occurrence of cancer) in January 2023, tests were conducted within a short span of time and he was operated within a period of 17 days. The circumstances for the applicant may need speedy treatment, if situation arose in the given health condition of applicant," the court said in the order passed on July 12. The court noted that the investigation in the present case has already been completed. There are no allegations that the applicant has not co-operated in the investigation. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Saturday allowed a plea of a married woman seeking permission to medically terminate her 32 weeks pregnancy of abnormal foetus. The High Court grants the permission after considering the recommendation by the medical board of AIIMS and physical-mental well-being of the petitioner woman. Justice Sanjeev Narula allowed the petition and said, "The continuation of the pregnancy poses a significant risk to the Petitioner's physical and mental health and is likely to result in the birth of a child with severe health issues." "Consequently, the Court finds it appropriate to permit the termination of the pregnancy in the best interest of both the Petitioner and the unborn foetus," Justice Mahajan said in the order passed on July 13. The doctors from the AIIMS Medical Board stated that they have counselled the Petitioner and her husband and explained to them the procedure and the risks involved in such late-term termination, to which the petitioner is willing to undergo the procedure, the High Court order noted. The Court has also interacted with the Petitioner, and she has confirmed that this is her own personal decision, and after receiving a medical opinion from AIIMS, she is inclined to terminate her pregnancy, it added. Section 3(2B) of the MTP Act permits a pregnant woman to seek termination of her pregnancy, beyond the permissible 24-week gestational age, in case the said pregnancy is found to have substantial foetal abnormalities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has issued guidelines dated August 14, 2017, for late-term termination of pregnancy referred to by a court of law. The High Court said that pertinent to the present case, the guidelines classify the abnormalities of 'Corpus callosum agenesis with additional major abnormalities' as well as 'Hydrocephalus over 20mm with dilation of all ventricles' as major central nervous system abnormalities. "Thus, having regard to the aforenoted provisions and the clear and explicit medical report, which suggests substantial foetal abnormalities, the Court is inclined to accept Petitioner's request," the bench said in the order. Moreover, given the scheme of the MTP Act, particularly of Section 3(3), in arriving at the ultimate decision in such cases, the Court must also recognise and give due weightage to the choice of the mother and her foreseeable environment, as well as the possibility of a dignified life for the unborn child, the bench further said. A married woman of 31 years of age had moved to Delhi High Court seeking permission to medically terminate 32 weeks of pregnancy having an abnormal foetus. The High Court had called for a report from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Petitioner's counsel, Amit Mishra had submitted that the foetus has abnormalities. It was revealed on July 4 after the petitioner underwent an ultrasound test. He also submitted that the petitioner took the opinion from four other labs, and the results were the same. Considering the advanced stage of pregnancy, the bench directed AIIMS to file a medical report by July 13. Petitioner had approached the court after she was advised by the doctors to get the permission of the court for medical termination of pregnancy, as it was beyond the permissible duration under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act. (ANI) The wife of Baikuntha Pradhan, an official posted as Assistant Section Officer on deputation at Odisha's Raj Bhavan, Sayoj met Governor Raghubar Das. Speaking to ANI, she said, "Everyone is aware of what happened on June 7. The governor had called to seek justice and I met him. He assured me that justice will be given...He said that we are their family." Earlier today, Baikuntha Pradhan alleged assault by Governor Raghubar Das's son, Lalit Kumar along with other six people on the night of July 7. A complaint has been registered into the matter at the Sea Beach Police Station in Odisha's Puri. Earlier, Baikuntha Pradhan wrote to the Governor explaining to him about the incident. "I, Baikuntha Pradhan, Asst. Section Officer, Parliamentary Affairs Department, currently working on a deployment basis at Governot's Household, beg to state the following unfortunate and life-threatening incident done by Mr. Lalit Kumar, Son of Honourable Governor of Odisha and others (Total 6 persons) in the night of 07th July 2024 atRaj Bhavan, Puri", read the letter. Baikuntha Pradhan further alleged that Lalit Kumar had kept threatening him. "Mr. Lalit Kumar kept on saying that if they murdered me, nobody could save me, neither the Comptroller nor anybody else", he claimed. Baikuntha Pradhan has demanded that the accused be brought to justice."In view of the facts stated above, I request you earnestly to give me justice and bring the culprit to book as I received bodily injuries, was humiliated severely and loss of human dignity, for which I will remain highly obliged to you", he wrote in the letter to the Governor. Sayoj, the wife of Pradhan, has also alleged that her husband was assaulted by the Governor's son Lalit Kumar because the latter wanted a luxury car to pick him up from the station, but during that time many vehicles were on duty due to the President's visit. (ANI) The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, will convene the State Maritime and Waterways Transport Committees (SMWTC) meeting on July 16. The committee aims to ensure the comprehensive development of maritime and waterways transport across India, expanding its reach to include the remaining states. The meeting will begin at 10:00 am via video conferencing, chaired by TK Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW. The meeting will focus on the preparation of state-specific Maritime and Waterways Transport Master Plans, formulation of Maritime Sector Policies, Green Initiatives, Waterways Development, Cruise Tourism, Urban Water Transportation, and the Development of Lighthouses, a press release by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said. Recognising the need for a unified approach to manage and integrate the waterways transportation sector, the Ministry has established SMWTCs to coordinate various initiatives and schemes within each state. These committees will be pivotal in consolidating efforts and providing focused leadership in the maritime and waterways sector. Each SMWTC will be headed by the Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary and include representatives from major ports, maritime boards, state PWD, Inland Waterways, Department of Tourism, Department of Fisheries, Railways, NHAI, Customs, etc. The release further said that currently, SMWTCs have been constituted in 13 states, including Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep, with plans to establish them in all 30 coastal and waterways states and UTs of India. The agenda for the meeting includes reviewing the progress made by already constituted SMWTCs, discussing the issues faced by different states along with discussion on the implementation of the Sagarmala Programme, development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, opportunities in Ro-Ro / Ro-Pax / Ferry / Urban Water Transportation, Sagarmala Shipbuilding Clusters, Harit Nauka (Green Transition) Scheme for Inland Waterways, Cargo Promotion Scheme, MoUs with States for Coastal and River Cruise Tourism and support for State Inland Waterway Transport. Notably, Chief Secretaries and Additional Chief Secretaries, as Chairpersons of SMWTCs, will present progress in their states, SMWTC initiatives, state-specific issues, and required support from the Ministry, aiming to review progress, address issues, and foster collaborative solutions to enhance maritime and waterways transport in India. (ANI) BJP President JP Nadda will attend the meeting, which will start at 11.00 am at Lohia Auditorium and continue till 5.00 pm. The meeting will be initiated by state president Bhupendra Chaudhary and conclude with a speech by National President JP Nadda. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will address the committee before JP Nadda. This working committee meeting will be divided into two sessions, ending with the passage of a political proposal. The political proposal will include discussions on the upcoming by-elections for ten seats, a review of the Lok Sabha elections, and the future roadmap following the election defeat. All party delegates will be included in the working committee. In addition to the National President, State President, State Organisation General Secretary, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, both Deputy Chief Ministers, all Central Ministers from Uttar Pradesh, all 33 MPs, all MLAs, and all office bearers of the organisation and the party, and all office bearers of the fronts will also be included. The largest presence in the working committee will be the Mandal Presidents, who number more than 1,900 across the state. Along with Mandal Presidents, all District Presidents, Regional Presidents, District Incharges, office bearers of all fronts, all General Secretaries of the party, and all ministers will be included. (ANI) Chinese FM meets Gabonese, Malagasy counterparts, former UN Secretary-General Xinhua) 10:40, July 13, 2024 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rafaravavitafika Rasata, who is in China for the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday met with Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs Regis Onanga Ndiaye, Malagasy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rafaravavitafika Rasata, and former secretary-general of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, respectively, who are attending the opening ceremony of the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development in Beijing. During the meeting with Regis Onanga Ndiaye, Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the Global Development Initiative responds to the urgent desire of developing countries for accelerated development, adding that China appreciates Gabon's participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. China is willing to work together with African countries to gather strength in order to accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote the development and revitalization of the African continent, Wang added. Regis Onanga Ndiaye expressed gratitude for China's support for Gabon's pursuit of justice and its transitional process, as well as its support for Gabon's independent choice of national system and development path. Gabon greatly appreciates the series of important global initiatives brought up by China and will continue to actively participate in the initiatives. During the meeting with Rafaravavitafika Rasata, Wang said that China is willing to work together with all parties to pool efforts and assist various countries in accelerating the process of modernization. China welcomes Madagascar's active participation in the implementation of the three major measures to support African industrialization, agricultural modernization and talent development which were announced during the China-Africa Leaders' Dialogue in South Africa, he added. Rafaravavitafika Rasata stated that China's assistance to Africa has never been conditional, and it has proposed a series of important global initiatives, demonstrating its firm determination to support the development of African and other "Global South" countries. Madagascar greatly appreciates this and will continue to actively participate in the implementation. During the meeting with Ban Ki-moon, who is also chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, Wang said that proposals of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road Initiative and the three major global initiatives have gained widespread support from the international community. China is willing to work together with the United Nations to inject strong impetus into the implementation of the sustainable development agenda and make greater contributions to world peace and human development. Ban Ki-moon said that the major concepts and proposals put forward by China, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, will bring prosperity and well-being to the world. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Gabonese Minister of Foreign Affairs Regis Onanga Ndiaye, who is in China for the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations secretary-general and chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, who is in China for the Second High-Level Conference of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) The new Rackspace Technology Inc. headquarters near Stone Oak. The company move to the new space earlier this year. At 80,000 square feet, it is one-tenth the size of its old 800,000-square-foot home in repurposed space at the former Windsor Park Mall in Windcrest. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Two of San Antonios most recognizable companies have landed on a list that signals they could be on a precarious path. Both Rackspace Technology Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc. made analytics company Debtwires listing of the top 10 companies most likely to enter a restructuring which could include bankruptcy in July. A spokeswoman for Rackspace, a cloud computing company, brushed off concerns that a bankruptcy reorganization or any other restructuring could be around the bend. A spokeswoman for radio station owner iHeartMedia didnt respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Debtwire has come up with with what it says is the industrys first predictive score for leveraged (meaning having more debt than equity) companies and their likelihood of becoming stressed, distressed or entering a restructuring. Companies that make the list are experiencing financial or operational trouble that may result in their inability or unwillingness to pay debts, interest payments, or potentially any other liabilities as they become due, Debtwire says. Companies with stressed debt have serious financial problems. When the debt is considered distressed, the problems have become more severe. At that point, a company may be on the brink of bankruptcy or already mired in it. IHeartMedia's offices on San Antonios North Side. IHeart was added this month to Debtwire's list of the top 10 companies most likely to enter a "restructuring." John Davenport, STAFF / San Antonio Express-News iHeartMedia received a Likely to Distress Score of 97. Rackspace finished right behind at 96. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rackspaces turnaround? When struggling Rackspace reported first-quarter earnings in May, CEO Amar Maletira told analysts, We continue to make steady progress on our turnaround. He was referencing what the company calls an operational turnaround as it works to reposition itself as an innovative hybrid multi cloud and AI solutions company after restructuring done in 2022. One visible sign of the companys transition was its recent move from its former headquarters in the old Windsor Park Mall to a much smaller space in a business park 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 Windcrest. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its also been working to refinance debt. In March, Rackspace said it closed a private exchange with some creditors, eliminating $375 million in debt. In its report, Debtwire said Rackspace reduced its debt by $336 million through what it called distressed exchanges. Natalie Silva, a Rackspace spokeswoman, said via e-mail that the company closed a public debt exchange in April with the participation of over 96% of secured creditors, strengthening our capital structure and extending all of our corporate maturities to mid-2028. She noted that the company had $283 million in cash on its balance sheet and an incremental $375 million available through a revolving credit facility. Additionally, it had $658 million in total liquidity at the end of the first quarter. We believe we have sufficient capacity and runway to implement our strategy and execute on our turnaround, Silva wrote. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rackspaces talk of refinancing, turnarounds and meeting or exceeding earnings guidance the past seven quarters fell flat for Sarah Foss, Debtwires global head of legal. While noting the company increased business offerings in the past year, she said, The impact on revenue and profitability is yet to materialize and the demand environment continues to remain uncertain, negatively impacting the companys revenue and profitability. Rackspace revenue was down 9% in the first quarter but topped what Wall Street analysts had expected. Its net loss widened by nearly 5%, to $640 million from $612 million in the same period a year earlier. Still, the company remains optimistic. Our operational initiatives continue to gain momentum, as we are building pipeline in both business units, expanding bookings, and identifying additional opportunities to increase efficiencies, Silva said Thursday. While we continue to monitor the overall macro environment in the near term, we are well positioned and are leaning into opportunities created by secular market trends in Public Cloud, Private Cloud, and AI. Bankruptcy redux? While Rackspace has been on Debtwires list for at least a few months, iHeartMedia is a newcomer though it has sought protection from creditors in the past. Advertisement Article continues below this ad iHeartMedia is no stranger to distress, having gone through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 to restructure a $16 (billion) debt load amid litigation with lenders and declines in broadcasting revenue, Foss said in the statement. IHeart emerged from bankruptcy in 2019, nearly 14 months after seeking refuge. As part of that restructuring, it was able to shed about $10.4 billion in debt. It also spun off San Antonio billboard advertising company Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc. as an independent publicly traded company. Debtwire recently reported that iHeartMedia is evaluating its restructuring options again in connection with more than $5.2 billion in long-term debt on its books as of March 31. IHeart owns and operates more than 860 radio stations in about 160 markets. It owns seven stations in San Antonio, the nations 25th-ranked Nielsen market. The stations include WOAI-AM, KQXT-FM and KAJA-FM. Last month, Debtwire citing two unidentified sources it said were familiar with the matter reported that iHeart creditors for weeks have been hashing out divergent strategies on how best to address the audio companys over-levered capital structure. IHearts sizeable debt has been a recurring risk factor in regulatory filings, with it warning that it may adversely affect our financial health and overall operating flexibility. Much of iHearts debt doesnt mature until 2026 and 2027. Company President and CFO Richard Bressler presented a more upbeat message than Debtwires prognostication during an earnings call in April. The companys net debt at the end of the first quarter of about $4.86 billion, which he said was the lowest in the companys nearly 50-year history. That was about 6.9 times its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and other items, a figure its shooting to reduce this year to 4 times, he said. As of March 31. IHeart had $361.4 million in cash and the ability to borrow $426.8 million. Bressler struck a bullish tone about iHearts prospects for the second half of 2024. We continue to see signs of improvement throughout our business and the broader advertising marketplace, he said. As we look ahead, we expect to generate significant political revenues as a result of the presidential election cycle. Full-year political advertising revenue is pacing 16% higher than the last presidential contest in 2020, when iHeart generated $167 million of political revenue. In the first quarter, iHeart lost $18.1 million a vast improvement over the $222.4 million loss it posted in the same period last year. Revenue dipped slightly to $799 million from $811.2 million. Another oft-repeated warning from the company is that it may implement further restructurings in the future. Bressler said the company expects to incur $60 million in restructuring expenses this year as it continues to execute on new opportunities to optimize our organization for efficiency and growth. The Pakistani government has taken steps to regulate the country's wheat market by banning the import of wheat and the export of flour on Friday, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Ary News reported. This decision came after it was determined that the country had imported more wheat than it needed, leading to a surplus. The government has amended its Import and Export Policy Orders 2022 to implement the ban, which also includes a prohibition on exporting flour made from imported wheat, as per Ary News. Earlier in March, the federal government had conditionally allowed the export of flour made from imported wheat under the Export Facilitation Scheme 2021. On July 10, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the National Assembly that the government had not decided on the export of wheat even as the State-Owned Enterprises (Governance and Operations) Bill, 2024 was rushed through the legislature. "No decision has been made for the export of wheat. I want to bring it on record before the House that there is no such decision for the wheat export," he told the National Assembly responding to a point of order raised by a parliamentarian. However, referring to the PTI government's sugar and wheat scams, he recalled that it was also on record that in the past wheat and sugar were first exported and later imported and where the billions and trillions of rupees went was part of the history. Meanwhile, a new amendment has been passed by the Senate, granting the government the power to remove members of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) based on recommendations from the board nomination committee. This amendment will become law once signed by President Asif Ali Zardari. (ANI) Over 70 Palestinians were killed in a violent incident in Gaza City on Friday, with a Hamas official accusing Israeli authorities of orchestrating a "planned massacre," as reported by Al Jazeera. Ismail al-Thawabta, Director-General of the Hamas Government Media Office, claimed that the Israeli military directed thousands of Palestinians in eastern Gaza City to move to western and southern neighbourhoods and then opened fire on them once they arrived. He further disclosed that rescue crews have recovered 70 bodies from the Tal al-Hawa area, and at least 50 people remain missing, according to al-Thawabta. "Some displaced people were pointing to the Israeli army, carrying white flags and saying, 'We are not fighters; we are displaced.' But the Israeli occupation army executed these displaced people with cold blood," al-Thawabta said. "The Israeli army was planning to carry out that massacre in Tal al-Hawa." He called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its "war of extermination" against Palestinians. United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric condemned the recovery of the bodies in Gaza City, calling it "yet another tragic example of the toll on civilians" in the ongoing conflict. This incident adds to a series of devastating events that have caused significant loss of life and displacement in Gaza. According to reports, the death toll from the incident has risen to over 70, with many others injured. The UN has reiterated its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages taken during the conflict. "While this conflict is going on, it is not only impossible to give people the medical support they need, the food they need, the shelter they need, but also the dignified burial that they need," Dujarric said. The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres added that there will be "a need for accountability" when the conflict in Gaza ends. "But right now, people are hungry. People need water. People need medical help. And that's what we're trying to do in the middle of a combat zone," he said. Since Israel's war on Gaza erupted in October, the West Bank has also seen a surge in violence. According to Palestinian officials, at least 553 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, and 9,510 have been detained. About 3 million Palestinians live in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where more than 500,000 Israelis reside in over 100 settlements. (ANI) A book about Rinpoche's life, authored by his niece Nyima Lhamo, was also released at the event. Exile Tibetan Minister of Defence Gryari Dolma attended the event as the chief guest and honoured the memory of Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, a Tibetan freedom fighter who was wrongly accused and imprisoned by China. Speaking to ANI, Dolma Gyari said, "Today marks the death anniversary of the renowned Tibetan freedom fighter and former political prisoner Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. He was arrested on false charges, spent a long time in Chinese prison, and ultimately died there. This event is to remember his death anniversary." During the event, Rinpoche's niece launched a book detailing her personal experiences from the time her family faced pressures and challenges due to the false charges against Rinpoche. She has written the book to speak the truth about her experiences. Following this, Tibetan activist Sonam Tsering was also present at the event to honour Rinpoche's memory. He highlighted the ongoing struggles of Tibetans facing persecution in China and urged the Chinese government to free all Tibetan political prisoners. Sonam Tsering also spoke with ANI, stating, "Today marks the 10th anniversary of Tulku Rinpoche, a prominent Lama who passed away under Chinese torture and prosecution. We also demand that the Chinese Communist government release all Tibetan political prisoners." (ANI) Abu Dhabi [UAE], July 13 (ANI/WAM): The governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bermuda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on exchanging knowledge and experiences in the development and modernization of government models. The agreement, signed at the United Nations (UN) High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, builds on the close bilateral relations between the UAE and Bermuda and aims to help the two agile, future-oriented governments drive economic, environmental and social development. Under the MoU, the UAE Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and Bermuda's Ministry of Economy and Labour will create a framework for sharing information on initiatives for enhancing government services and policies. The framework will see the governments share best practices in human capacity building to help public sector employees gain critical skills in areas including technology and leadership. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister for Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, and Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, signed the MoU on behalf of the UAE, while the Honorable Jason Hayward, Minister of Economy and Labour, signed for Bermuda. Lootah said: "The UAE government has developed a leading model for developing human capacity and stimulating innovation within the public sector, which has led to better policies, smarter services and tangible benefits for our society and economy. This model has given rise to the world's first government accelerators, the One Million Arab Coders initiative and numerous leadership programs. We are committed to sharing our experiences in these initiatives with other agile nations that prioritize future readiness, such as Bermuda. In doing so, we are supporting other governments to become more resilient and accelerate progress around SDGs in line with our role as a key member of the international community." "Bermuda's participation in the Government Experience Exchange Programme highlights the robust and deepening friendship between Bermuda and the UAE. " said the Honourable Minister Jason Hayward, Minister of Economy and Labour. The UN HLPF on Sustainable Development is organized by the UN Economic and Social Affairs Department at its headquarters in New York and runs until 17 July. The UAE delegation attending the forum is participating in a number of bilateral meetings with countries, governments, UN programs, and international organizations to support progress on SDGs in line with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is also forging strategic partnerships around several priorities relating to SDGs, including eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring access to energy, and spurring climate action. (ANI/WAM) Paris [France], July 13 (ANI/WAM): On Sunday 14 July, the Olympic Torch Relay arrives in Paris as it begins the final stage of a journey that will end on 26 July at the Opening Ceremony of Paris 2024, according to the Olympic Games Paris 2024's organising committee. The torch will make its first foray into the capital twelve days before the Opening Ceremony, allowing Parisians and visitors to the City of Light a preview of the big celebration of Olympism to come. The Olympic torch will be the protagonist of the 14 July evening. It will burn brightly in the capital, lighting up the summer evening as the city gears up for the start of the Olympic Games. The relay will pass by many of France's most recognisable sites this Sunday, starting at the Grand Palais and finishing its route at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville. 14 July is also Bastille Day, a national holiday in France, and nothing could send a more powerful message than seeing the torch weave its way across the City of Light. The torch will make its way down the Champs-Elysees the traditional location of a Bastille Day military parade. From there, it will head to the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, before passing through the Jardin du Luxembourg: a 25-hectare green oasis in the heart of the city. The torch will then zip past L'Olympia, before setting course for the prestigious Place Vendome and onto the Louvre - one of the most famous art museums in the world. It will then advance to the Centre Pompidou, which houses the biggest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe, before moving on to the celebration site: Place de l'Hotel de Ville. (ANI/WAM) Argentina on Friday designated Hamas as a terrorist organization and ordered a freeze on the financial assets of the Palestinian group, ABC News reported. The move is symbolic of President Javier Milei's pro-Israel stance as he seeks to strongly align Argentina with Israel and the US, ABC News reported. Mieli's office cited the group's cross-border attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 that killed approximately 1,200 people and took 250 people hostage, in one of the deadliest assaults in Israel's 76-year-old history, ABC News reported. The statement also mentioned Hamas' close ties to Iran which Argentina blames for two deadly militant attacks on Jewish sites in the country. The move comes just days before the 30th anniversary of one of the attacks, the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires. It killed 85 people and wounded hundreds more in the worst such attack in Argentina's modern history, ABC News reported. The other attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992, killed more than 20 people. Argentina's judiciary has accused members of Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group of carrying out the two attacks. On Friday, Milei announced his "unwavering commitment to recognizing terrorists for what they are," adding that "it's the first time that there is a political will to do so." The US, European Union, and several other countries gave a terrorist designation on Hamas, which ruled the Gaza Strip before its current war with Israel. Previous left-leaning Peronist governments in Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, have maintained friendly ties with Israel but also voiced support for Palestinian statehood. "Argentina must once again align itself with Western civilization," Milei's office said Friday. For his first state visit as president earlier this year, Milei flew to Jerusalem in a show of support for the Israeli government and promised to move his nation's embassy to the contested capital -- drawing praise from Netanyahu and ire from Hamas. (ANI) Authorities have resumed the search operation on Saturday in the Trishuli River for two passenger buses, believed to be carrying about 63 people on board, swept by a landslide on Friday morning. Search teams and rescue personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police started their search in the Trishuli River alongside the Mugling- Narayangadh road section on Saturday morning. Bheshraj Rijal, DSP at District Police Office, Chitwan told ANI that teams have been deployed for the search. "Teams have been deployed for search operation. We are expecting the operation would be eased because the water level has receded in comparison to yesterday. Rainfall has stopped which would further enable us to expedite the search. More than a hundred Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel including divers have been deployed," Rijal said. The team of Nepali security agencies on Friday scoured a radius of 5km from the spot where the buses were swept by a landslide but couldn't trace them. They were forced to halt the operation at 6 pm (Local Time) on Friday because of nightfall. After a pause of over 12 hours, the operation has resumed in full scale, an official said. On Friday the Nepal Army said, " After receiving the news that the buses carrying passengers had collapsed in Simaltal, Chitwan-based forces including divers have been deployed to carry out the rescue operation with the help of other security agencies and locals." As per the official, the landslide swept the Kathmandu-bound Angel bus and Ganpati Deluxe, which was heading from Kathmandu to Rautahat's Gaur. Preliminary reports suggest that there were 24 people onboard the bus that was heading to Kathmandu and 41 people were travelling in another bus. Three of the passengers on the Ganpati Deluxe managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle. (ANI) US President Joe Biden on Friday signed "The Resolve Tibet Act" which states that China's ongoing occupation of Tibet must be resolved per the international law peacefully and not through repression. Biden's government called on China to resume direct dialogue, without preconditions, with the Dalai Lama, or his representatives, to seek a settlement that resolves differences and leads to a negotiated agreement on Tibet. The act- Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Dispute Act, popularly known as the Resolve Tibet Act, states that it is American policy that the Tibet issue must be resolved in accordance with international law by peaceful means, through dialogue without preconditions. "The Resolve Tibet Act cuts to the heart of China's brutal treatment of the Tibetan people," said Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet. The bill sees Tibetans as people with their own religious, cultural, linguistic and historical identity. It recognises that China is suppressing the Tibetans' way of life. The Dalai Lama has repeatedly called for China to grant genuine autonomy to the Tibetan people, and it is clear under international law that people are entitled to self-determination. When House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) spoke before it passed Congress, he expressed his hopes that the new law will help "put the people of Tibet in charge of their future." The law promotes a resolution of the dispute between Tibet and China. It empowers Tibet to counter disinformation about Tibet from the Chinese government. Rejects as "inaccurate" China's false claims that Tibet has been part of China since "ancient times." It promotes dialogue between China and the Dalai Lama without preconditions. The US can also 'explore activities to improve prospects' to lead a negotiated agreement on Tibet, including coordination with other countries, to bring a negotiated agreement on Tibet. The Central Tibetan Administration welcomed the agreement. In a post on X, the Tibetan Administration said, "BREAKING NEWS: Resolve Tibet Act, is now a law after US President Joe Biden signed on 12 July 2024. It helps the US counter misinformation from the PRC and support the rights of Tibetans." https://x.com/CTA_TibetdotNet/status/1811956990224245212 Students for a Free Tibet, an NGO working in solidarity with the Tibetan people in their struggle for freedom and independence, said the law echoes the will of Tibetans. In a post on X, the NGO said, "BREAKING: S. 138 The Resolve Tibet Act is officially signed into US law! This law will amplify our ability to echo the will of the Tibetan people, especially those within Tibet, who have never accepted China's 65-year illegal occupation of their homeland. #FreeTibet". https://x.com/SFTHQ/status/1811952479212388719 On Friday, a memorial event for Tibetan freedom fighter Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, marking the anniversary of his unjust death in Chinese custody, was organized at the Gangkyi Tibetan Library in the North Indian hill town of Dharamshala where the speakers urged China to free all political prisoners. (ANI) The ban came after the farmers protested against wheat imports despite the high crop produce in the country, Dawn reported. The Pakistan Ministry of Commerce issued two notifications that withdrew the March 29 order that allowed millers to export flour made from imported wheat. However, no data on the export of such flour was available on the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) website. Export of wheat and its byproducts from locally produced wheat is already banned, Dawn reported. The local wheat price saw a dramatic decline during the caretaker government's tenure, primarily due to imports by the private sector, including wheat flour millers. Out of 65 total wheat importers, 17 were flour mills that also imported wheat. The government had previously formed a committee to investigate the issue, but it took two months to impose a ban on wheat imports, which was officially notified on Friday. On Thursday, the All-Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) went on strike as a mark of protest on Thursday against the new withholding tax. Flour dealers and owners of atta chakkis (small wheat grinding units joined the protest, causing disturbances in the supply flow of flour. Chairperson of PFMA, Asim Raza said that the measure has made flour mills withholding agents for tax collection. He said the tax is expected to increase flour prices by Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 8 per kg. Raza said that he would continue the strike until the demands are met and the strike would adversely affect the supply chain. "The tax measure is unacceptable and impracticable as flour dealers are refusing to lift their consignments instead of sharing their tax details for withholding tax purposes," he said. (ANI) The family of Siddhant Vitthal Patil, who went missing in the USA after he took a trip to the Glacier National Park in Montana have urged the Indian government to help them get more details on his whereabouts. Patil who was working in San Jose had taken a trip to Glacier Park when he was reported missing. Patil's maternal uncle, Pritesh Chaudhari in Pune says that he had sent Siddhant's last location update to the Indian consulate in Seattle, but they said that he is 'presumed to be dead'. The maternal uncle says he has provided all the information to the embassy. "Siddhant's parents are in shock. I am coordinating with the Indian embassy in Seattle. I shared his last location updates received from his Apple watch and mobile Phone with the embassy and also talked to his friend," he said. Chaudhari said he requested the embassy for a thorough investigation into the case but is yet to receive a response. "I feel helpless on seeing the mail that states Siddhant is presumed to be dead. I got to know of an NGO worker and he is helping me as much as possible," he said. Chaudhari urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the matter up with the US government. He added that they still hope that Siddhant is alive. "Apple has sent all the text messages on Siddhant's phone but they are encrypted. We requested the embassy to try and get it decoded but to no avail." Siddhant's employers at Cadence Design Systems in San Jose are also urging the US Congress representative to follow up with the matter, but action can only be initiated by the Indian consulate. Chaudhari added that the Indian embassy said that they cannot do anything as of now because the water level is very high and they are scanning the area with drones. The receding of water may take weeks or months, they said. In its last update on July 8, the Indian Consulate in Seattle said " Consulate is in touch with the office of Governor of Montana on this matter and following up regularly. While a search operation was conducted yesterday, another round of search and rescue is again underway today by the National Park Rangers. The consulate is keeping the friends and family of Siddhant V Patil updated on this matter." According to reports, Siddhant had gone to Avalanche Creek with his friends. He probably slipped after losing his balance on a large rock. He went underwater, briefly resurfaced, and then was swept up by the current and into the gorge. (ANI) Ricardo Delgado covers the Hill Country for the San Antonio Express-News. He can be reached at ricardo.delgado@express-news.net. He previously worked for The University Star at Texas State University. Nearly Democrats from the United States Congress have called on President Joe Biden to quit the 2024 Presidential race as per a report by US-based media outlet Politico. Most of those who urged Biden to pull out are rank-and-file lawmakers even as the Democratic Party leadership continues to publicly back the president's re-election. The lawmakers calling for Biden to exit the race include top national security Democrats like Jim Hines and Adam Smith, the ranking members on the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, respectively, Politico reported. The majority of these hailed from "safe districts" in which the President won by healthy margins in 2020. Lloyd Doggett, a lawmaker from Texas, the first lawmaker to call for Biden to end his re-election bid, represents a 'safe' seat and has been in Congress for nearly three decades. Doggett said on Thursday that Biden should make the "painful decision" to step aside "in favour of a stronger candidate." Seth Moulton, a lawmaker from Massachusetts said on Wednesday that Biden's name on the Democratic ticket put the party on a "path to losing." Other representatives, like Eric Sorensen of Illinois, Pat Ryan of New York, Hillary Scholten of Michigan, and Mike Levin of California, are younger lawmakers and come from districts where Democrats have not had a stronghold. These districts may become tougher to win if Biden's unpopularity persists--this fear has frazzled all Democrats, Politico reported. Peter Welch of Vermont has publicly called for Biden to step out, though others have only raised questions about Biden contesting the elections. A meeting was held on Thursday between the Democrat senators and top Biden advisers. Though the meeting did not reassure the lawmakers, but no lawmaker has called for him to back off since then, Politico reported. Several other Democrats have voiced their support for Biden in the November elections. The divided lawmakers say that their ideological split only benefits Donald Trump,the presumptive Republican candidate. (ANI) Demanding a safe return of forcibly abducted Zaheer Ahmed Baloch in Quetta, the main highway linking Quetta to Karachi (N-25) has been blocked by the protesters near the Sona Khan area by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC). Pictures and videos showing the highway blockage were shared by the BYC on social media platforms. Taking to its official X handle, the BYC on Saturday posted, "The main highway connecting Quetta to Karachi (N-25) has been obstructed near Sona Khan. Yesterday, during a press conference, members of BYC and Zaheer Baloch's family declared that unless their demands were met by the Administration, they would proceed to block the highways. Their main request was the secure release of Zaheer Baloch." According to the BYC, Zaheer Ahmed Baloch, a father of two and the sole provider for his family, has been a government employee for over 15 years. He was reportedly abducted on June 27 by Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel while on his way home from work. Recently, Pakistan police brutally attacked a peaceful protest organised by the Baloch community for the safe return of Zaheer Ahmed Baloch at Saryab Road, Quetta. The response by the Pakistan police to the peaceful protests had drawn widespread criticism across the country. Social media platforms are now inundated with posts and videos from human rights activists and organizations condemning Pakistan's harsh actions. In a post on X, PAANK, the Human Rights Wing of the Baloch National Movement stated, "In recent times, the Balochistan government and its subordinate security agencies have been under scrutiny for their actions towards peaceful protesters. The authorities have been accused of violating the country's Constitution and laws while attempting to justify their failures and resorting to violence against those who are peacefully protesting. This behaviour has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Balochistan." Earlier, Mahrang Baloch, speaking on behalf of the BYC, announced plans for a Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar on July 28. In a video statement, she highlighted the committee's strong opposition to what they term as the ongoing Baloch genocide by Pakistan. Mahrang underscored various aspects of this alleged genocide affecting the Baloch community, including direct violence, deaths from accidents and neglect-related illnesses, and drug-related issues among Baloch youth. Economic hardships faced by Baloch farmers, labourers, and fishermen, including debt accumulation and land seizures for state projects, were also condemned. On July 11, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the event and posted on its official X handle, "HRCP strongly condemns the violent treatment meted out to protestors in Quetta, including women, who were rallying against the alleged enforced disappearance of Zaheer Baloch, a postal worker from Quetta who was abducted by unidentified persons on 27 June." "Despite continuing reports of enforced disappearances, particularly from Balochistan, the state has not demonstrated a firm resolve to end this heinous practice. Instead, it has invariably resorted to violence to stifle protests against enforced disappearances in violation of their constitutional right to assemble peacefully" the HRCP added. (ANI) The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE), representing East Turkistan and its people, said that the Court of the Citizens of the World, a quasi-judicial body, has held Chinese President Xi Jinping "directly responsible for the genocide of Uyghurs." East Turkistan, also known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, lies in the very heart of Asia. In October of 1949, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops marched into East Turkistan, effectively ending the ETR. The Chinese communists established the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in the territory of East Turkistan. The ETGE, officially the Government in Exile of the Republic of East Turkistan, is a political organisation established and headquartered in Washington, DC by Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other peoples from East Turkistan. "The China Tribunal delivered its final verdict on China's atrocities in Occupied East Turkistan (so-called Xinjiang). The presiding Judge emphasised that East Turkistan is an 'area which was supposed to be independent.' He asserted that China's underlying motive for its crimes is to prevent East Turkistan's independence and to forcibly integration East Turkistan and its people into a single Chinese nation," ETGE said in a social media post. "The Judge underscored that international law mandates the recognition of the right to self-determination. He concluded that China systematically planned and executed acts of genocide and crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples and Chinese dictator Xi Jinping is directly responsible for the crimes. The Judge further highlighted that the ongoing Uyghur Genocide is a continuous vigorous attack aiming to completely annihilate the Uyghur community," the post added. https://x.com/etexilegov/status/1811837342346543380?s=46&t=nbusnwoIYo9hUrDuoWfhwQ The Court of the Citizens of the World, a quasi-judicial body, launched the 'China Tribunal' in The Hague, Netherlands, holding hearings from July 8 to 12. The tribunal included charges against Chinese President Xi Jinping, covering counts including crimes of aggression, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Taiwan, Tibet, and East Turkistan (Xinjiang). Testimonies from victims of Chinese persecution were presented during the court proceedings. The situation in Xinjiang, an autonomous region in northwest China, has been marked by severe repression and human rights abuses against predominantly Muslim ethnic minority groups, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and others. According to reports, the Chinese government has implemented a series of policies aimed at eradicating the cultural, religious, and ethnic identities of these groups under the guise of combating extremism and terrorism. The Court of the Citizens of the World (CCW) is a People's Tribunal that prosecutes world leaders and regimes that commit human rights violations, including crimes of aggression and crimes against humanity. (ANI) The World Uyghur Congress, Lawyers for Uyghur Rights, and the Uyghur Human Rights Project have celebrated the landmark ruling by the Argentinian Federal Court of Criminal Cassation, reversing a previous decision that blocked a criminal complaint for genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghur people. This ruling mandates that the prosecutor open an investigation into the alleged atrocities committed by Chinese state agents, bringing the Uyghurs closer to accountability for the systematic repression and international crimes against them. The Court of Cassation determined that the Court of Appeal of Buenos Aires had erred in agreeing with the Prosecutor's decision to archive the complaint. As a result, the Prosecutor has been ordered to open an investigation, marking a significant step towards justice for the Uyghur people. This decision mandates that the first instance judge must now commence the investigatory stage of proceedings. This pivotal moment follows the original filing of the criminal complaint in Buenos Aires on August 16, 2022, under the universal jurisdiction provisions of Article 118 of the Argentinian Constitution. These provisions enable Argentinian courts to hear cases concerning international crimes, regardless of where they occur. Initially, the Prosecutor had archived the complaint, citing ongoing cases in Turkey and France. However, this decision was challenged and ultimately overturned by the Court of Cassation. The complaint presents substantial evidence of international crimes against the Uyghur people, including forced labour, forced abortions and sterilisations, torture, mass internment, and killings. Supported by expert testimonies and victims' accounts, the case seeks to hold Chinese state agents accountable for these heinous acts. In addition to reversing the decision to archive the case, the Court of Cassation also overruled the denial of civil party status to the victims. This development allows the victims to participate actively in the investigation, which will be the first of its kind to bring evidence of the atrocities against the Uyghurs before a criminal court. Once the investigatory stage begins, the judge can indict defendants, issue arrest warrants, and move the case to trial. This decision aligns with Argentina's ongoing efforts in universal jurisdiction cases, which also include investigations into crimes in Colombia, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the decision, World Uyghur Congress President Dolkun Isa stated, "This decision is encouraging, and a step closer to accountability for Uyghurs. Perpetrators of atrocity crimes should not be allowed to evade prosecution. We are very pleased about the strong stance that the Court has taken." Uyghur Human Rights Project Executive Director Omer Kanat added, "This news gives new hope to Uyghurs. It sends a strong signal to the Chinese authorities that the perpetrators of crimes against the Uyghur people are not being forgotten." Barrister Michael Polak, chair of Lawyers for Uyghur Rights, emphasized the importance of this decision in countering impunity for serious crimes based on ethnicity and religion. He noted, "This will be the first opportunity for victims to give firsthand evidence about the torture and abuse they have witnessed and suffered in a criminal court." "The treatment of the Uyghurs is of a type that we thought had been confined to history and it is important that democratic states around the world renew their calls on China to stop the repression and to show that these types of crimes have consequences for those who commit them," he said. Gabriel Cavallo of JC Abogados y Asociados highlighted the significance of the ruling for Uyghur victims seeking justice. "The ruling recognises the right of Uyghur victims to access justice in Argentina and paves the way for them to be heard," he stated. The decision has garnered support from various international legal and human rights organizations, reinforcing the global movement towards universal jurisdiction in addressing crimes against humanity and genocide. This landmark ruling represents a crucial step in the ongoing fight for justice for the Uyghur people and the accountability of those responsible for their suffering. (ANI) The bodies of an Indian and a Nepali national were recovered from the embankments of the Narayani River on Saturday as the search continues for two passenger buses swept away by a landslide in Central Nepal. Divers called off the search operation for the day at nightfall and will resume tomorrow morning. Earlier on Saturday afternoon, the body of an Indian national identified as Hrishipal Sah was recovered from Golaghat in Chitwan, about 50 kilometres downstream from where the vehicles were swept into the river by the landslide. "The brother of Hrishipal Sah identified the body. The body has been brought to Bharatpur Hospital and will be handed over to the family upon completion of the procedures. Debit cards issued from two banks in Nepal and the Aadhar Card were also retrieved from his body," said Indradev Yadav, the Chief District Officer of Chitwan, speaking to ANI over the phone. On Saturday, the police also recovered two more bodies from the embankments of the Narayani River, suspected to be passengers who were onboard the ill-fated vehicles. One of the bodies has been confirmed to be that of a Nepali national named Ramit Kishor Majhi, according to Chief District Officer Yadav. "Father of Ramit Kishor Majhi, a passenger on board the vehicle that has gone missing since Friday morning, identified the body later this evening," added Yadav. According to the District Police Office, Chitwan, one of the bodies found today was floating in the river, while the other was buried in sand. DSP Beshraj Rijal of the District Police Office in Chitwan stated that the bodies were discovered during the search operation. The Chief District Officer mentioned that the country's entire available resources and manpower trained in water-induced disasters have been used in the search operation. However, the location of the vehicles, the exact number of passengers aboard, and their details remain unknown. "The search operations will resume tomorrow morning as it has gone dark and the water level in the river also has continued to rise," added Yadav. In a notice issued, the District Administration announced that personnel from security agencies will search the river 50 kilometres downstream, utilising larger magnets, drones, and sonar equipment. Additionally, a new search area near the religious site of Devghat has been identified, where searchers and divers will swim upstream, accompanied by another team searching downstream for the missing buses. At least five dozen people went missing after two passenger buses--the Kathmandu-bound Angel Deluxe Bus and a Ganapati Deluxe Bus, en route to Gaur of Rautahat district from Kathmandu--were swept away by a landslide into the rain-swollen Trishuli River near Simaltal along the Narayanghat-Mugling road section at around 3:30 am on Friday. Two passenger buses were swept away by a landslide at Simaltal in Chitwan district along the Narayangarh-Mugling road section on Friday morning. Personnel and divers from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been deployed to search for the missing buses. (ANI) Calls for justice and recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh genocide are intensifying, as highlighted in a recent international event. Organised by 'Genocide 71,' an initiative of Mukto Ashor and Bangladesh History Olympiad, the event featured diverse voices emphasising the need for global acknowledgment and education about the atrocities committed by the West Pakistani army and their collaborators. With eyewitness accounts and advocacy from human rights activists, researchers, and former legislators, the push for international recognition and justice for the victims of the genocide, which resulted in an estimated 3 million deaths, is gaining momentum. A webinar titled "International Webinar on Bangladesh Genocide, Justice for the victims 53 years and counting!" was organised on Saturday. Muktoi Ashor is a prominent non-governmental organisation from Bangladesh. The webinar was hosted by Priyajit Debsarkar, an independent geopolitical analyst. The webinar featured a range of speakers, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise. "On March 25th, 1971, 53 years ago, the West Pakistani army, along with local collaborators, perpetrated horrific atrocities in Bangladesh, we pay our tributes and respects to those who fell that day. Their targets were civilians, including students, women, and children. They were eagerly anticipating the restoration of democracy after the General Election of 1970" said Priyajit in his remarks. Ian Martin, an English human rights activist who witnessed the early days of the conflict in Dhaka, highlighted the importance of remembering these events despite their relative obscurity in the West. "Enduring memories of my life is standing on the roof of Gulshan on 25th 26th March 1971, hearing the shells, watching the ep rifles and police on targeted assault on Iqbal hall and Dhaka University. Why 1971 has been so less in the public domain in the West, especially from a genocide point of view?" said Martin. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Chief Innovation Officer, Director General, MoFA Dhaka Bangladesh, emphasised the necessity of preserving eyewitness accounts and tangible evidence to educate future generations about this dark period. "The eyewitness accounts are now available including the tactical and tangible evidence. These have to be made public so the world can have a look. Bangladesh is open to inspection and we are happy to host events and external agencies and experts to carry out their own independent assessment" said Muntasir Ayreen Khan, a visual artist and researcher, focused on the often-overlooked experiences of women and minority communities during the genocide. Her poignant reminder of the atrocities committed against women, including systematic rape and torture, underscored the urgency of ensuring their stories are heard and acknowledged. Bob Lancia, a former American legislator, stressed the importance of international recognition through resolutions like the one pending in the U.S. Congress. His advocacy for educational initiatives and memorialization efforts resonated with the broader goal of ensuring that the world does not forget the victims of 1971. Abu Sayed, (General Secretary BD History Olympiad and Author) speaking on behalf of the organizers, reiterated their commitment to elevating the Bangladesh Genocide to the international forefront. Their efforts include educational workshops, exhibitions, and publications aimed at fostering awareness and recognition worldwide. The Bangladesh Genocide refers to the systematic and widespread atrocities committed by the Pakistani military and their collaborators in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) in 1971. Following the declaration of independence by Bengali nationalists on March 26, 1971, the Pakistani military launched "Operation Searchlight," targeting civilians, intellectuals, political activists, and minority groups. The campaign involved mass killings, rapes, torture, and forced displacement, resulting in an estimated three million deaths and widespread human rights abuses. (ANI) Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi continue to face new legal challenges, with potential new arrests looming, despite recent developments in their favour, Geo News reported. A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Saturday acquitted the former prime minister and his wife in the "iddat case," known as the un-Islamic nikah case, which was the final hurdle for Khan's release from jail. Earlier this year, they had been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined PKR 5,00,000 each following a challenge by Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka. However, their legal troubles persist. Geo News reports that Bushra Bibi faces a potential arrest warrant from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with a new Toshakhana gifts case. The anti-corruption watchdog has dispatched teams to investigate alleged misuse of power in acquiring Toshakhana gifts, with efforts intensifying to issue an arrest warrant for Bushra. The verdict in the iddat case holds significant implications for Khan, who has been incarcerated since August last year following his conviction in the Toshakhana criminal case and subsequent legal entanglements leading up to the February 8 elections. In a separate development, Lahore police has made no progress in apprehending Imran Khan after his interim bails were revoked by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) earlier in the week. Despite Adiala Jail records not indicating Khan's arrest in the May 9, 2023, riots cases, Lahore Police has reportedly sent a team to the Rawalpindi jail to execute the arrest of the PTI founder, Geo News reported. The new NAB case revolves around allegations of illegal possession and sale of 10 valuable Toshakhana gifts. NAB officials have confirmed their intent to pursue charges against Imran Khan related to these gifts, which were reportedly retained after a minimal payment. Despite earlier legal battles, including refusals to extend Khan's physical remand in related cases, the legal landscape remains fraught for the former premier. Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi's legal team has preemptively filed a pre-arrest bail plea in anticipation of her potential arrest in the impending NAB reference. The case is linked to a 190 million-pound National Crime Agency (NCA) settlement, complicating matters further for the former first lady. Imran Khan's lawyer, Intazar Panjutha, addressing the media outside Rawalpindi jail, emphasised that the efforts to undermine the PTI founder have failed, noting that as per current records, Khan and Bushra face no additional imminent arrests. Panjutha highlighted court orders mandating their release and underscored the absence of pending arrest warrants against them. Despite securing relief in multiple cases, including the 190 million-pound reference and various bail grants in May 9 riot cases, Khan faced setbacks with the dismissal of his pre-arrest bail in vandalism cases linked to last year's protests, Geo News reported. (ANI) Asim Raza, Chairman of the Pakistan Flour Mills Association, announced that the strike had been postponed after the government committee reached a deal with the association. The Chairman of the FBR and four federal ministers held a critical meeting with members from the Flour Mills Association. During the discussions held, the group expressed concerns about the implementation of the withholding tax, as per ARY News. Citing sources, the ARY News reported that the FBR Chairman has agreed to examine abolishing the withholding tax on flour mills. As a result, the Flour Mills Association has agreed to the government's suggestion to postpone the strike. The government committee has arranged a follow-up meeting with the Pakistan Flour Mills Association for Thursday next week to finalise discussions about the withholding tax problem. (ANI) Amid ongoing political turmoil in Pakistan, and the opposition's repeated calls for re-elections in the country; citing rigging as a reason, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly asserted on Saturday that there is a need to expose elements spreading uncertainty and instability in the country, according to ARY News. Sharif's remarks came as a thinly veiled attack on opposition, during a meeting with the parliamentary leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N) in Senate and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Irfan Siddiqui. He stated that the government as well as PML-N to pay attention to evolve an effective strategy to let down the organised campaign against the government, state and national security institutions. The prime minister further praised the Muslim League (N) for its constructive contribution to the Senate and stated that the Upper House should guide other elected chambers in promoting democratic norms and a civilised environment. He also congratulated Senator Irfan Siddiqui on his election as Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. Quite recently, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and politician, Javed Latif, expressed strong disapproval of the current Shehbaz Sharif-led administration, claiming that it was the result of an "arrangement." Speaking at ARY News' "Off the Record" programme, the PML-N leader emphasised the need to put the interests of the state ahead of party connections. He emphasised that the PML-N's existence depends on protecting the state since their fates are linked. Javed Latif demanded a comparison of the achievements and performance of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, recognising their respective legitimacy. He declared and issued a warning that more harm would result from the ongoing meddling. "It is true that elections are held in which the people make decisions, but it is not correct to say that the system is rigged. Those who interfere in the system have failed," he said, according to ARY News. "Nawaz Sharif is silent, while politics is being done around prisoner number 804 [Imran Khan]," he added. (ANI) (WHTM) The family of Charity Thome has reached a $1.25 million settlement years after she was fatally shot by State Police in Lebanon County, according to the familys attorney Benjamin O. Present, Esq. The Lebanon County District Attorneys office says on March 16, 2020, Thome had attempted to break into a home and fled police, leading them on a chase. Officers used an immobilization technique to disable Thomes vehicle, causing it to spin out into a field. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Morning Weather The District Attorneys office says Thome continued to drive into a police cruiser and continued to accelerate. At that point, Troopers drew their weapons and fired at Thome, killing her. According to an autopsy, Thome was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the shooting. District Attorney Pier Hess Graf ruled the State Trooper, Jay Splain, and his partner were justified in the fatal shooting. Grafs husband, Corporal Christopher Graf, was Splains supervisor at the time. That idea that somehow his role or our marriage plays a part in this I frankly disagree with, said District Attorney Hess Graf told Dennis Owens in 2022. Splain was also connected to multiple other fatal shootings, all of which were ruled justified. This settlement culminates a long, hard-fought litigation surrounding the unconstitutional fatal police shooting of Charity Thome, said Present. Though no amount of money can bring back their lost loved one, the Thome family is grateful to have settled for substantial and fair compensation. State Police declined to comment on the settlement in a request earlier this week. Its unclear who all will be paying out the settlement. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 British Army has shrunk to its smallest size since the Napoleonic wars The British Army has shrunk to a force of only 72,000 soldiers, its smallest size in two centuries. Cpl Aaron J. Stone/UK Ministry of Defence The British Army is now smaller than those of Romania and Bangladesh. Its size raises questions about the UK's ability to support NATO, confront Russia, or fight a war. "Right now, the British Army cannot generate a single division, let alone two," an expert told BI. What has happened to the redcoats that defeated Napoleon and helped win an empire that stretched across a quarter of the Earth's surface? The British Army has shrunk to its lowest level since the early 1800s. Years of relentless budget cutbacks have left it with just 73,000 active-duty soldiers. That's a far cry from the Chinese army of 2 million soldiers, Russia's 1.3 million, or the 460,000 active-duty troops of the US Army. Britain's Army is now smaller than those of Romania and Bangladesh, and just slightly larger than those of Canada and Armenia. Until now, its lowest manpower level over the last two centuries came in 1823, when it had just 72,000 soldiers. But that understates the current problem. Britain's population in 1823 was just over 20 million, versus around 67 million today. Adjusted for population, the British Army of 1823 would have around 225,000 soldiers today. This raises questions about the ability of Britain to support NATO, confront Russia, or to engage in any major or long-term conflict. "As things stand, the British Army is a one-trick pony," Nicholas Drummond, a British defense expert and former infantry officer, told Business Insider. "It would deploy, fight for a maximum of six months, and then be fully depleted." The British Army has never had it easy. For centuries, it was the poorer cousin of the Royal Navy, which was seen as the guardian of an island nation and its empire. The writer Rudyard Kipling pointed out in poems like "Tommy" that Britain doesn't support its army until there's a war: For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!" But it's "Savior of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot; Thus the British Army's muster rolls have fluctuated depending on the world situation, and the perpetual parsimony of His Majesty's Treasury. In 1812, when it fought Napoleon and burned down Washington, DC, it had 246,000 soldiers. In 1918, it ended the First World War with 3.8 million personnel, and 2.9 million in 1945. In 1989, the British Army had 156,000 soldiers, or more than twice its present size. Like many armies after the end of the Cold War, it was downsized due to a perceived lack of need, difficulties in recruiting soldiers, and the belief that precision-guided weapons meant fewer boots on the ground. However, the shocking casualties and trench warfare in the Ukraine conflict suggest that future wars will be attritional, with victory going to the nations that have the most stamina, industrial might and resources to sustain losses. Yet with just 28,000 Army reservists, Britain lacks manpower to flesh out undermanned units in wartime, or to replace losses. Even the Army's current two combat divisions aren't fully capable. "Right now, the British Army cannot generate a single division, let alone two," Drummond said. "It simply doesn't have the supporting units needed to sustain it when deployed." "We have no second echelon force to provide a third, reserve division, casualty replacements, or to create the basis of a larger wartime Army." Drummond argues that today, Britain needs two readily deployable mechanized divisions, one using tracked vehicles and a lighter unit on wheels, each of 25,000 troops. "In addition to this, we need training regiments and Army schools, and a regular reserve. Historically this has required 30,000 to 40,000 additional personnel. So the irreducible peacetime strength of the Army is 80,000 to 90,000 soldiers." If money is the root of all evil, then the British armed forces have been sinned against for 35 years. In 1984, the UK's defense spending was 5.5% of GDP. It is currently a bit over 2 percent, with the newly elected Labor government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledging to honor the previous Conservative government's to raise the defense budget to 2.5%. This is less than America's 3.5% spent on defense, though it exceeds NATO's goal which many members have yet to fulfill of 2% of GDP allocated to the military. It's not just the Army that is struggling. The British armed forces have been cut back to 183,000 personnel, and even then, they can't find enough recruits. A shortage of sailors has forced the Royal Navy to decommission warships, and the Royal Air Force can't attract enough pilots. To be fair, the problem is caused by more than stingy government bean-counters. With many nations abolishing conscription, and civilian careers seen as more lucrative, this is not a good time to be a military recruiter anywhere. But as a nation past its imperial glory, Britain has prided itself on punching above its weight. A skeleton army won't help. Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider TOKYO, Jul 13 (News On Japan) - A kebab shop in Shibuya's Center-gai has fallen victim to theft, with the arrested of five individuals, including a former employee. Bilkay Khan, a 22-year-old Turkish national, along with four others are suspected of breaking into the kebab shop in Shibuya's Center-gai and stealing approximately 2.3 million yen in cash. An employee of the victimized kebab shop expressed their sorrow: "It's sad. Really, very sad. We used to eat together as a team, cook together. Why, why?" The employee added, "Since he used to work here, he might have known where the money was kept." When asked if the stolen money had been returned, the employee replied, "No, it hasn't been returned." The shop had a combination lock installed, but it appears the suspects knew the code. Source: ANN OSAKA, Jul 13 (News On Japan) - A 26-year-old policeman in Osaka has been arrested and indicted for sexually assaulting a girl in his car, knowing that she was under 16 years old. The officer who was indicted on Saturday morning on suspicion of non-consensual intercourse, is suspected of sexually assaulting a girl in his car in a parking lot of a commercial facility in Osaka prefecture in June, knowing that she was under 16 years old. According to the police, the officer met the girl on social media earlier this year and met her multiple times, falsely claiming to work in construction. The incident was discovered when the girl and her parents consulted the police in late June, and the officer admitted to the charges, saying "there is no mistake." The Osaka Prefectural Police commented, "This is an unspeakable act for a police officer, and we deeply regret it. We will deal with this strictly." Source: TBS KYOTO, Jul 14 (News On Japan) - A 23-year-old female police officer who had suffered severe head injuries during judo training at the Kyoto Prefectural Police Academy passed away on July 13th at the hospital where she was being treated, the police announced. According to the Kyoto Prefectural Police, on July 1st, the officer, a beginner in judo and a new recruit since April, was practicing "randori" (free practice) in the dojo of the police academy in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. During the practice, she hit her head hard on the tatami mats and was rushed to the hospital. The officer was diagnosed with acute subdural hematoma and underwent emergency surgery, but remained in critical condition and unconscious. Police reported that she passed away on the morning of July 13th. The officer was wearing a head cap for protection during the training. The Kyoto Prefectural Police commented, "We extend our condolences. We will ensure that such incidents never happen again by thoroughly implementing preventive measures." They are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident. The female officer was posthumously promoted to sergeant on July 13th. Jul 13 (News On Japan) - Keeping your B2B sales pipeline packed with hot leads is crucial for sustained growth and success. This involves not only identifying and nurturing potential clients but also leveraging digital marketing strategies like SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and link building to attract and convert high-quality leads. Here's a comprehensive guide to achieving this goal: Understanding the B2B Sales Pipeline A B2B sales pipeline is a visual representation of your sales process, detailing each stage a prospect goes through from initial contact to closing the deal. Key stages typically include: Lead Generation: Identifying potential clients. Lead Qualification: Determining the prospect's potential and needs. Engagement: Building a relationship through consistent communication. Proposal: Presenting a tailored solution. Negotiation: Discussing terms and addressing concerns. Closing: Finalizing the deal. Lead Generation Strategies 1. Inbound Marketing Inbound marketing focuses on creating valuable content that attracts prospects to your business. Key tactics include: Content Marketing: Develop high-quality, informative content such as blog posts, whitepapers, case studies, and eBooks. This positions your business as an industry thought leader and builds trust with your audience. SEO: Optimize your website and content to rank higher in search engine results, making it easier for potential leads to find you. 2. Outbound Marketing Outbound marketing involves reaching out to potential leads directly through methods like cold calling, email campaigns, and direct mail. Email Marketing: Develop targeted email campaigns that address the specific needs and pain points of your prospects. Cold Calling: Train your sales team to effectively communicate your value proposition over the phone. Leveraging SEO for B2B Lead Generation SEO is critical for driving organic traffic to your website, which can convert into high-quality leads. Here are some key strategies: 1. Keyword Research Identify keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to find relevant keywords with high search volume and low competition. 2. On-Page SEO Optimize your websites content and structure to improve its visibility in search engine results. Key elements include: Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Ensure each page has a unique and compelling title tag and meta description. Header Tags: Use header tags (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content and include keywords where appropriate. Content Optimization: Incorporate relevant keywords naturally within your content, maintaining readability and value for your audience. Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your site to improve navigation and SEO. 3. Technical SEO Ensure your website is technically sound to improve search engine crawlability and user experience. Key aspects include: Site Speed: Optimize your website to load quickly on all devices. Mobile Optimization: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. Secure Website (HTTPS): Use SSL certificates to secure your website. 4. Local SEO Optimize your site for local searches if your business targets specific geographic regions. This includes creating and optimizing your Google My Business profile and acquiring local citations. Effective Link-Building Strategies Link building is the process of acquiring backlinks from other websites to your own, which can significantly boost your SEO and drive referral traffic. Here are some effective strategies: 1. Guest Blogging Write high-quality articles for reputable websites in your industry. This not only earns you backlinks but also positions you as an authority in your field. 2. Content Marketing Create shareable content, such as infographics, research reports, and how-to guides. Promote this content through social media and industry forums to encourage other sites to link to it. 3. Resource Page Link Building Identify websites that list resources relevant to your industry and reach out to request the inclusion of your content. 4. Broken Link Building Find broken links on reputable websites and suggest your content as a replacement. This provides value to the website owner and earns you a backlink. 5. Skyscraper Technique Identify popular content in your industry and create an even better version. Reach out to sites that are linked to the original content and suggest they link to your improved version. Nurturing Leads Through the Pipeline Generating leads is only the first step. Nurturing them through the pipeline involves consistent engagement and personalized communication. 1. Lead Scoring Implement a lead scoring system to prioritize leads based on their likelihood to convert. Criteria may include engagement level, company size, and decision-making power. 2. Marketing Automation Use marketing automation tools to streamline your lead nurturing process. Automate email campaigns, follow-ups, and social media interactions to maintain consistent engagement. 3. Personalized Communication Tailor your communication to address the specific needs and pain points of each lead. Use CRM tools to track interactions and preferences, allowing for more personalized and effective engagement. 4. Educational Content Provide your leads with valuable, educational content that helps them solve their problems. This builds trust and positions your business as a go-to resource. Monitoring and Adjusting Your Strategy Regularly monitor your sales pipeline and marketing efforts to identify areas for improvement. Key metrics to track include: Lead Conversion Rate: The percentage of leads that convert to customers. Sales Cycle Length: The average time it takes to close a deal. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): The total cost of acquiring a new customer. Use this data to refine your strategies and ensure your pipeline remains packed with high-quality leads. Conclusion Maintaining a robust B2B sales pipeline requires a strategic blend of inbound and outbound marketing, effective use of SEO and link building, and consistent lead nurturing. By optimizing your online presence and leveraging digital marketing tactics, you can attract and convert high-quality leads, ensuring sustained business growth. Regularly monitor and adjust your strategies based on performance data to keep your sales pipeline full and thriving. By Chris Onuoha President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will on Tuesday, July 16, in Lagos, launch Preferential Trade under AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI). The launch, being coordinated by the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the AfCFTA Secretariat, is in line with the vision of Africas founding fathers to unite the continent in one, shared prosperity and the renewed hope agenda of his administration. In a release to the media signed by Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Policy and Law Expert /Lead Trade Enablement, Nigeria AfCFTA ahead of the launch, he stated that the national coordinator, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Awolowo will host the launch in Apapa Port in Lagos. He stated, Nigeria signed the AfCFTA Agreement on July 7, 2019, becoming the 34th AfCFTA State Party. With a robust economy across different industries and a huge potential effect on value chains across the continent, Nigerias readiness and preparedness for preferential trading under the AfCFTA preferential trade regime would immensely contribute to repositioning the continental market as a global trade market and rallying point. He further stressed that Nigeria is ready to unleash an army of exporters into Africa. The key objectives are to demonstrate and showcase Nigerias trading under the AfCFTA, and that businesses in Africa can take advantage of the GTI to trade, as well as the processes through which the AfCFTA can be effectively engaged, remarked Awolowo, while adding that it is an indication of the readiness of governments of State Parties to support private sector, businesses to take advantage of the AfCFTA. The launch signposts the readiness of the AfCFTA Secretariat to support the AfCFTA implementation by private sector and Member States. Nigerias participation in the second phase of the GTI, signals a new dawn for trading under the AfCFTA as several Nigerian businesses are eager and prepared for export and shipment of indigenous products within the continent with Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, Zambia and Egypt as target markets, he added. According to him, This is to demonstrate Africas businesses ability and readiness to trade under the framework of the AfCFTA. And to quote the National Coordinator Everything Africa needs for Africa is already in Africa, he stated. Expected dignitaries at the launch include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment of Nigeria, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, other Government Officials, Ministers responsible for Trade, the Diplomatic Corps, International development partners and Heads of businesses. Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. By Ikenna Ngere Meta announced on Friday that it has lifted the restrictions on U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trumps Facebook and Instagram accounts. These measures were initially implemented following the violent storming of the U.S. Capitol by his supporters in January 2021. The company stated, Former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties. Trumps accounts were suspended indefinitely after the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, when it was determined that he had praised the violent actions on social media. Although his accounts were reinstated in February 2023, they carried the threat of penalties for future violations. Meta has now lifted this additional restriction. In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for President on the same basis, Meta stated in a blog post. The company emphasized that U.S. presidential candidates remain subject to the same Community Standards as all Facebook and Instagram users, including policies designed to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence. Trump, who became the first former president to be convicted of a crime, was also banned from Twitter and YouTube. Although those bans were lifted last year, Trump primarily communicates via his own social media platform, Truth Social. His Facebook profile, which has 34 million followers, features posts originally published on Truth Social, along with invitations to rallies and campaign videos. A European low-cost carrier opened its fourth base in Tangier that will connect the northern city to domestic and European destinations in line with the countrys tourism strategy. The new base will help the airline to connect Tangier with 25 destinations, of which 13 are new destinations, with eight being cities within Europe and the remaining five being domestic destinations within Morocco, Ryanair said in a statement. The new Tangier hub adds to three existing ones in Agadir, Fez and Marrakech. Our latest base opening takes Ryanairs total investment in Morocco to over $1.4bn, supporting over 5,000 direct and indirect jobs and delivering growth in the local tourism economy, Airline CEO Eddie Wilson stated. Morocco and Ryanair signed a deal to launch 11 domestic flights in Morocco in summer 2024 linking 9 cities: Agadir, Errachidia, Essaouira, Fez, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan. The decision is part of the low-cost airlines plans to double its passengers to and from Morocco by 2027 to 10 million. Part of the same vision, Ryanair will add 24 new destinations linking Morocco to Spain, Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden, the statement said. As Rwandans go to the polls on Monday July 15 to elect a President, the incumbent Paul Kagame is expected to win a fourth term in office, as he is running virtually unopposed after three decades in power in the eastern African nation. The 66-year-old Kagame led the rebel movement that ended 1994 genocide in Rwanda and has served as president since 2000. He faces only two challengers, Frank Habineza of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana. Six other potential candidates were not cleared to run by the state-run electoral commission. However, both opposition candidates have only modest expectations and they have struggled to pull crowds to their rallies. Kagame faced the same opponents in the last election in 2017, when he won nearly 99% of the vote. Observers expect a similar result in a country where serious opposition to Kagame has long been absent. He has also been able to cling to power after a constitutional change in 2015 removing term limits that would have barred him from standing again in 2017 and now, in 2024. Kagame has won praise during his tenure for reducing poverty and increasing medical insurance coverage for Rwandans, transforming the capital Kigali into a clean city with good roads and stylish buildings, as well as for helping turn the country into a regional financial hub. But, on the flip side, his government has been accused by Western nations and rights groups of muzzling the media, assassinating opponents, and backing rebel groups in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A total of 9.5 million Rwandans are registered to vote, according to electoral authorities. The late discovery of this evidence during trial has impeded the effective use of evidence in such a way that it has impacted the fundamental fairness of the proceedings, said Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, explaining, in part, her decision to dismiss the case with prejudice." https://people.com/judge-in-alec-baldwin-rust-case-dismisses-involuntary-manslaughter-charge-8677361 I'm still reading the article but apparently it's because his lawyers claim the prosecutors buried evidence: Reply Thread Link Someone needs to explain to me how this random ammo would be a help to the defense. The ammo wasn't on trial, the man who pulled the trigger was. So how was this "evidence" supposed to be used by the defense to help Baldwin. Everyone agreed there was live ammo in the gun. He had the gun in his hand when the cinematographer was killed. So how does this random ammo help defend him from pulling the trigger? It seems irrelevant to me, so why did it need to be included? Reply Parent Thread Link we don't know and we'll never know bc the principle of the thing is that they were hiding evidence deliberately. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm not sure either but I guess if someone hands something that could be considered evidence relating to the incident it's all gotta be considered for a fair trial. Prosecution knew about this and decided to not count it with other evidence, whereas the defense was not given that knowledge until much later. Reply Parent Thread Link From what I've gathered, the case was dismissed not specifically because of what the bullets might or might not have meant for the case, but because the prosecution deliberately hid them from Baldwin's defense team which is a GIANT no-no. Prosecution is required to hand over everything they have related to the case to the defense regardless of whether THEY, the prosecutor's office, thinks it's "relevant" or not. If they withhold or try to hide anything, that's depriving someone of a fair trial and it's the worst thing a prosecutor can get caught doing legally. Now, as to why the prosecutor thought that the other bullets turning up were bad enough for the case that they needed to hide them...I don't know. Maybe they legit just thought they weren't important. But the why doesn't matter, it just matters that they withheld something from the defense and that got their case thrown out. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It doesn't matter whether or not the ammo would have made a difference to the case the defence doesn't have to prove this. In a criminal trial the prosecution has to be absolutely 100% above reproach and have a duty to hand over absolutely everything they find to the defence and they didn't. It took years to get to the point of a trial, there's no excuse for the prosecution acting this way. Reply Parent Thread Link Theres no secret evidence gotcha moments in court like you see on TV. ALL evidence has to be disclosed to both parties in civil and criminal cases in order for it to be a fair trial. This is on the prosecution playing dirty plain and simple. Reply Parent Thread Link They really fucked up the case. Reply Thread Link and not a single one of us is surprised lbh Reply Parent Thread Link Yep seemed that way from first dismissed grand jury case Reply Parent Thread Link They really fucked this up. You dont hide evidence. Reply Thread Link "Baldwin's lawyers claim a man named Troy Teske, a friend of Thell Reed, the father of convicted Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for loading a live round into Baldwin's gun turned over ammunition to authorities that he thought was connected to the case. Were talking about a prosecution that didnt preserve those bullets, that didnt collect them at all. That didnt turn them over, he said. This is critical evidence in the case that was never disclosed to usWe were entitled to it, Nikas said. This case should be dismissed, Your Honor. After a lengthy recess, Sommer heard testimony from witnesses including Seth Kenney, the Rust props firearms supplier as well as Corporal Alexandria Hancock of the Santa Fe Sheriff's Office. Hancock works in the office where Teske allegedly dropped off the ammunition. During one tense exchange, Baldwin attorney Alex Spiro asked Hancock if she was "hiding" any more evidence. "I don't think I've hidden anything," Hancock replied. Hancock admitted that the ammunition Teske handed over was filed separately from the other Rust evidence. She also said prosecutor Kari T. Morrissey was involved in talks to file them separately. In a stunning move, Morrissey called herself to testify under oath, and explained why she didnt think the ammunition handed over was considered Rust evidence." Under questioning from Baldwin attorney Spiro, she admitted that her co-prosecutor, Erlinda Johnson, had resigned earlier that day. He also asked her, You just dont like Mr. Baldwin, do you? Morrissey replied that she appreciated Baldwins politics as well as the acting he did from Saturday Night Live. Judge Sommer issued her ruling shortly after Morrissey left the witness stand. https://people.com/judge-in-alec-baldwin-rust-case-dismisses-involuntary-manslaughter-charge-8677361 Edited at 2024-07-12 11:19 pm (UTC) Yeah apparently this was evidence that wasn't acknowledged: Reply Parent Thread Link like what even Reply Parent Thread Link The sheer incompetence is astounding. Reply Parent Thread Link The co-prosecutor resigning Reply Parent Thread Link absolute clown show Reply Parent Thread Link yeah, they brought it on themselves. I don't think it would have even affected the case that much to disclose; they were focused on his actions as an actor on the day, so it wouldn't matter what the original source of the bullets was I bet Gutierrez-Reed is going to get a retrial based on this though Reply Parent Thread Expand Link My god, how do you even spend that much money to go to law school and fuck up this bad. Reply Thread Link I've always wondered... who is that man in your icon? Reply Parent Thread Link Swiss figure skater Stephane Lambiel! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I work for lawyers and very few are actually that smart. To become a lawyer and pass the bar you just need to be a good test taker tbh. Being good at tests doesnt mean you have street smarts or common sense. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link There was no way he was going to be persecuted off of these charges. Prosecution fucked up big. Reply Thread Link Your subject line is iconic at this point. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link honestly, the correct move. it was dismissed with prejudice, too. the hilaria subreddit is.... Something about this Reply Thread Link Dismissed with prejudice is surprising me tbh. Reply Parent Thread Link Not with an impaneled jury and a Brady violation. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The charges were dismissed and he cannot be tried again for this specific charge if anyone else is wondering like I was. Is there any chance the prosecutor will face repercussions for hiding evidence? Reply Thread Link disbarment is on the table, but they quit. Reply Parent Thread Link You can still be disbarred after quitting, if thats what you mean. Quitting a job doesnt mean they left the legal profession. Reply Parent Thread Link Quitting doesnt save you from losing your legal license. Reply Parent Thread Link Shes not even a prosecutor. Shes actually a criminal defense attorney but she was appointed after the original prosecutor screwed up and had to recuse herself. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The judge said no further sanctions were needed but not sure if the bar or someone else will bring anything. I saw one prosecutor quit last week? Reply Parent Thread Link Completely understandable. The prosecutors have been shady from the start. Unconstitutional charges and wanting to enhance their political careers. They completely brought this on themselves. I wonder if Hannah will get a new trial because of this too. Reply Thread Link And inevitably this'll also be at least a retrial if not a quashing of the armourer's conviction. Rightly so, rule of law is sacred and prosecutors do not get to pull this shit, but I'm enraged that such a stupid move has fucked up justice for Halyna. Whatever the verdict, she deserved to have this tried properly in court. Reply Thread Link Someone upthread said it was dismissed with prejudice, so I think the case is done, and prosecutors cant retry it. * I misread your comment and thought you were talking about Baldwins case. I wouldnt be surprised if this debacle was used in Hannahs appeal. Edited at 2024-07-12 11:39 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Baldwin's for sure, yes, but Gutierrez will have to file a fresh/amended appeal in her own case. Which she will win, it's only a question of how big a win. I'm betting she'll wind up in the same position, and it's certainly going to make it extremely difficult if they were planning to go for anyone else after Baldwin. edit: I was replying while you were editing :o) Edited at 2024-07-12 11:41 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Hannahs team was provided the evidence that was hidden from Alecs team. Reply Parent Thread Link You CANNOT be withholding evidence. The prosecution has been messy from the jump. Reply Thread Link dismissed with prejudice??? They fucked up big time Reply Thread Link Ah. Thats the just thing to do, under the law, but goddamn what a stupid fucking thing to do. Reply Thread Link this is some cartoon shit. they just never learn that fucking around with evidence will haunt them. Reply Thread Link For anyone confused like me haha : Dismissed with prejudice: In the legal area, a case that gets dismissed with prejudice means it has been permanently dismissed. No matter the circumstances, if a case is dismissed with prejudice, it cannot be brought back to court. The case is done. Alternatively, a case dismissed without prejudice means the case can be brought back to court. Edited at 2024-07-12 11:47 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link too big a turd to flush, gonna clog Reply Parent Thread Link the only logical explanation of the new Katy Perry song/video is that it's actually literally from the timeline where Hilary won and it's from that reality's 2017 where it also flopped Matthew Perpetua (@perpetua) July 11, 2024 Reply Thread Link saw someone say this should be Kamalas fight song Reply Parent Thread Link Or worse still, Kamala's 'High Hopes' Reply Parent Thread Link Normally I would feel sympathy for someone whos been piled on like this but she lost any sympathy I ever had for her by willingly choosing to go back to Dr Luke. She deserves all of this flack 100%. Obviously she wanted a hit after her last 2 albums didnt do well commercially. She calculated it would be safe given Dr Luke has had some recent hits. But she mis calculated. The empty feminism of her new song is incongruent with working with an alleged rapist. 1) Doja and Kim Petras do not necessarily appeal to the same fanbases as Katy. Just because their fans let it slide doesnt mean the fans of Katy / general pop wouldnt let it slide without calling it out. 2) theres an argument to be made (whether you agree or disagree) that Doja/Kim are in contracts with Luke so theyre culpability is somewhat in question because of it. Not to mention Katy is more famous and the bigger star. Katy has more status and power and control of her own career at this point and had 0 legal binding to continue working with him. She just didnt care about anything else than getting a hit so Edited at 2024-07-13 12:49 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link didn't kim go out of her way to defend dr luke? Reply Parent Thread Link I wouldnt be surprised tbh Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, I remember she said something along that line Edit: Petras told NME she had a really good experience working with Luke and would totally do it again, adding, I would like my fans to know I wouldnt work with somebody I believe to be an abuser of women. She later tweeted that her positive experience with Luke does not negate or dismiss the experiences of others or suggest that multiple perspectives cannot exist at once. ... so basically she semi backtracked Edited at 2024-07-13 03:55 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Nah, Kim is trash, she said that she wouldn't work with him if she thought he was an abuser - so basically called Kesha a liar. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link To be fair to Doja, she signed with dr Luke when she was like 15 and it was before Kesha came out with the info he had raped her. And shes also been pretty publicly critical of him as a producer too. When her contract is up I am interested to see what she does and where she goes Reply Parent Thread Link Ay wey, they went in. I watched half and the video looks old, also this song/look is nothing like I was expecting from the other pics where she looked like old arca outtakes. USA bikini during this time and not ironically? But Dr puke producing is the worst part of it. Read the room sis. Reply Thread Link GOOD Reply Thread Link During Perrys imperial phase, this 2012-era white liberal feminism might have passed. In the context of 2024, though, it feels reductive. Womans World sounds like it was designed by a committee in a boardroom at Capitol Records whose sole objective was a sync on RuPauls Drag Race and generating comments of you ate from white gays living in West Hollywood. It is female empowerment filtered through the lens of a Ryan Murphy show. Lol Edited at 2024-07-13 12:47 am (UTC) Dazed review was brutal as well: https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/63107/1/katy-perrys-womans-world-dr-luke-the-epitome-of-2010s-girlboss-feminism Lol Reply Thread Link Deadddd Reply Parent Thread Link EVISCERATING Reply Parent Thread Link damn. and that's what you missed on glee. Reply Parent Thread Link "is female empowerment filtered through the lens of a Ryan Murphy show." Reply Parent Thread Link damn this review would have me like via GIPHY Reply Parent Thread Link lmaoooo shit if i was katy that last line would send me into retirement/hiding Reply Parent Thread Link I'M CRYING Reply Parent Thread Link I havent even listened and this has me GONE lolol, journalistic art Reply Parent Thread Link The funniest thing about it is, possible spoiler, its rumored that it actually *will* be appearing as a lipsync on RPDR with Katy as a guest that week Reply Parent Thread Link I thought Drag Race is always filmed like a summer ago Reply Parent Thread Expand Link omg it really does sound like a bad RuPaul song Reply Parent Thread Link high art. nominating it for review of the year, whether or not the category exists Reply Parent Thread Link ahhhhhhhahahahahhaha Reply Parent Thread Link and generating comments of you ate from white gays living in West Hollywood How many ontd gays are feeling called out? Reply Thread Link Not me. I don't support rapists. I'm a survivor myself and have always been on Keshas side. I'm tired of this "white gays" trope. At least I'm tired of hearing about it while I struggle with addiction and suicidal ideation, daily. This shit doesn't help. You people fucking suck. Reply Parent Thread Link Hi bb! I just wanted to let you know that even though I dont know you, Im proud of you. I hope today has been a more peaceful day for you, and that the grip of addiction lessens as each day goes by. Im rooting for you, and Im already so proud of the work youve done already. You are so strong and I look forward to the day when I see you comment about being in a better place Me and Britney love you! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link New snippets from Katy Perrys 143 album with tracks featuring - Gorgeous - Lifetime pic.twitter.com/oS8Ak1HL1F zay 143 WOMANS WORLD (@zaytypicalperry) July 11, 2024 what's crazy is it sounds like there were better options on the album so who thought woman's world was a good idea Reply Thread Link Lifetime is probably the best one, but it sounds very 2016. Which isn't terrible but...idk how that would do in 2024, chart-wise and stream-wise. Reply Parent Thread Link I think it could go well, the kids are yearning for danceable music Reply Parent Thread Link I thought gorgeous sounded like what the kids were into... 2 years ago... Reply Parent Thread Link Lifetime sounds fairly decent from the clip Reply Parent Thread Link lifetime feels like it could have been on an album with walking on air, one of her best songs. WHY did they decide to make "woman's world" - well, at all, but - the first single? was there some idea behind putting out an AWFUL song and video so the rest sounds shockingly good in comparison? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oh yeah these are significantly better than women's world. Now I'm wondering if she knew that WW would flop hard and wanted the attention good or bad from it to later release the potentially better singles? Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Those both sound very 20teens. Reply Parent Thread Link The album title 143 reminds me of her superior song 365 Edited at 2024-07-13 01:57 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link not the fucking air horns Reply Parent Thread Link god I hate that interviewer hes a walking midlife crisis Reply Parent Thread Expand Link all sounds generic and boring tbh she's so done Reply Parent Thread Link I'm really liking Gorgeous, it's gonna make some good remixes Reply Parent Thread Link ALL of the snippets sound better imo, even the shittier ones (the Doechii collab). She always seems to choose the worst songs. There's an alternate universe somewhere, where we got Legendary Lovers/WOA, Roulette and Cry About It Later as singles. Instead we got Birthday, Hey Hey Hey and Small Talk. Reply Parent Thread Link These songs sound so generic Reply Parent Thread Link and why was trisha paytas in the video? needed more than one rape apologist? Reply Thread Link If Taylor Swift is the Walmart of Pop then Katy Perry is the Toys R Us. Reply Thread Link Why are we disparaging Toys R Us Reply Parent Thread Link Well, they did just recently come out with that awful AI-generated commercial. Reply Parent Thread Link Mte, Toys R Us never killed a nun (to the best of my knowledge). Reply Parent Thread Expand Link katy perry is the five below of pop. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link the only good thing she did was expose taylor swift Reply Parent Thread Link I'd say Taylor is Target and Katy is K-Mart. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Not Katy Perry making me, a diehard Met fan, love & relate to this Yankee reaction gif Reply Parent Thread Link I am glad I am not the only one who believes she tried to do "something" in that video. Not saying I love it or anything, but it was just TOO weird to not be meant say something Reply Parent Thread Link yeah, the first part could have "made sense" IF it was followed up by some commentary but then it just...... wasn't. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link "Did someone sell her on self-satirizing?!" The video did give off the feeling as if it was gonna make that satirical commentary but nope! Reply Parent Thread Link She played herself wtf was she thinking Reply Thread Link She wasn't Reply Parent Thread Link The past participle of ring is rung, Pitchfork writer. This post brought to you by the word swum. Reply Thread Link I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who wanted to point this out. Reply Parent Thread Link Sis your spoiler cut is broken, it literally took me 40 scrolls to get past all this lol <3 Reply Thread Link i'm sorry Reply Parent Thread Link STRAIGHT TO JAIL Reply Parent Thread Link OP I HOPE YOU ARE STILL AWAKE BECAUSE YOUR LJ CUT DOESN'T WORK. Reply Thread Link I AM THANKS Reply Parent Thread Link Can we get a cut? This is a lot of videos on the main page Reply Thread Link yes i was tired and fucked up the formatting oop if the mods reject the fixed post i submitted immediately after this was approved, i will edit with a cut and paste so it is as perfect as i can make it because i am trying my best here Reply Parent Thread Link Sorry!! I appreciate the post, I just couldnt read it bc it kept crashing my browser lol but I want to go through it!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I have RSI from scrolling the main page to get to the next post, sob Reply Thread Link This cut is lethal Reply Thread Link I FIXED IT but also submitted a correctly formatted version literally just as this was posted fuck my life Reply Parent Thread Link Is this your first cut? Because it's usually the deepest Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lmfao op I love you both for making this post on principle, and for accidentally inciting chaos with the broken cut link Reply Thread Link I haven't listened yet, but omg OP the personal journey you took us on with your intro and outro. Captivating, relatable, hilarious, unhinged. I love it. Reply Thread Link i think the one with proper formatting i submitted is only marginally less unhinged, but i didn't copy the fixed version before submitting it oops Reply Parent Thread Link not complaining about the cut but rather i scrolled through the entire post and just a girl is not included! yes gwen stefani is her own unique brand of terrible but for a song written 30 years ago every single line is still apt and it's still a banger of a "the world is shit to women" song. Reply Thread Link i knew i would leave some out because like... this took me a very long time and i should have stopped before i got to 20 maybe but i didn't if this list were even longer, i think i would have included don't speak over just a girl Reply Parent Thread Link I want so much to check out all the videos, but it keeps killing and giving me an error message that it cannot load Reply Thread Link OMG i should have done a two parter probably... um let me see if i can fix this by adding more cuts Reply Parent Thread Link okay let me know if it works for you now. there are several cuts now so there shouldn't be too many videos under each cut -- hopefully just the right amount that it won't break your browser Edited at 2024-07-13 04:48 am (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link Peddles you know I love ya, and I love that this was chaotic but it's working good now and this obvi took a lot of time. Nothing but respect! Edited at 2024-07-13 04:58 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link well maybe i am chaotic neutral and i was just bringing that energy to this post with me fucking up the cut tag and neglecting to realize maybe it also needed at least four cuts Reply Parent Thread Link Well same, that's probably why we get along lol! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link CN is the best alignment I'll fight anyone who says otherwise Reply Parent Thread Link you certainly did the thing Reply Thread Link Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ Reply Thread Link i made this post just for you Reply Parent Thread Link im now disappointed i didnt open ontd earlier to experience the super long no cut drama cuz it sounds funny lol. great job on such a long original post!! Reply Thread Link i saved you from a repetitive stress injury Reply Parent Thread Link WOW! OP! Love this original. How did you keep sane with the formatting? via GIPHY Reply Thread Link i didn't! but like... i got one fifth of the way through fixing the formatting and i was like... pls kill me when i saw how much was left. but then i got to 3/4 done and i was like, "okay it's almost over and then i can sleep" and here i am still awake for some reason Reply Parent Thread Link lmao somehow theyre gonna blame "the left"/"the blacks" for this mainstream bluemagats did clownery and theyre not enjoying the bite back, gl Reply Thread Link Correct. I very much want to be wrong on this but if Biden cannot turn around his polling and ends up losing in November, we all know where the blame will be placed. Reply Parent Thread Link the comments in the clooney post were scary for me, like people talking about splitting the party and stuff. as if tripling down is going to change anything, or has ever worked for dems in the past. im surprised that they're actually hitting the panic button because they normally wouldn't, but its also clear that nothing is going to come of it. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link His polling is fine. The media and bots are fueling this fucking nonsense. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Governors Whitmer, Newsom, and even Bernie Sanders are all heavily supporting Biden today. I will do all that I can to see that President Biden is re-elected. Why? Despite my disagreements with him, he has been the most effective president in the modern history of our country and is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump a demagogue and pathological liar. Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 13, 2024 Edited at 2024-07-13 06:33 pm (UTC) Well numbers don't lie. It's white people who didn't vote for Biden last time. 53% of white women and a much higher percentage of white men voted Republican. What some people don't want to admit new the base of the Democratic party is Black women. They're the ones doing the hard work right now.Governors Whitmer, Newsom, and even Bernie Sanders are all heavily supporting Biden today. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Theyre going to blame Black People, the pro Palestine movement, minorities etc similar to how they attacked Black People for not voting for Clinton. Literally blaming everyone but themselves. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link right? leftists have seen the writing on the wall for years: fascism has taken hold and biden's disoriented ass is not going to be the one to save us. it's not our fault center-left dems only realized this now that it's too late to change anything Reply Parent Thread Link They always do. Reply Parent Thread Link Anyone who still supports Trump doesn't matter to the Democrats, they're not getting their vote no matter who they run? What year is it? Reply Thread Link For sure they're not getting any votes from anyone who actually *likes* Trump. The problem is there are a lot of voters who disapprove of both men and these voters aren't necessarily policy-driven or high-information voters. So if they see Biden as a walking corpse there's a good chance they'll vote Cheeto. Reply Parent Thread Link I actually think it's more likely they won't vote at all. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Is it still possible for him to step down ? Or are they just wasting their time ? Reply Thread Link No it is not. He's not the nominee yet. Reply Parent Thread Link waste of time Reply Parent Thread Link technically we have til august 19th to declare the nominee Reply Parent Thread Link he's not even formally the nominee yet, just presumptively. it's not just possible right now, it's possible to do it pretty cleanly up through august. Reply Parent Thread Link it's not too late, but there would be a bunch of logistical nightmares if he did. Reply Parent Thread Link Giant waste of time and it's actually voter suppression. Biden won the primary, he has close to 4,000 pledged delegates, he will be the nominee. This is a crisis manufactured by the media who just want clicks and traffic. They're not going to have a contested Convention, he will win on the first ballot. Delegates are excited to vote for him, I saw some interviewed on MSNBC yesterday. Reply Parent Thread Link I think they have to shit or get off the pot. If Biden refuses to step down they need to get behind him after the convention and try to drag his corpse over the finish line. Edited at 2024-07-13 04:42 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Agreed. They also need to have a strategy for energizing the base because Biden is not a reliable communicator. If he wants to lean into the FDR comparisons and start doing some 'fireside chats' then so be it. The scolding voters for being concerned and treating us as though we don't see Biden slipping is not going to cut it. Reply Parent Thread Link drag his corpse over the finish line Lol now I have the image of everyone having to be like Patrick saying PUSHHHHH!!! on election night!! Reply Parent Thread Link i made a joke the other day about how theyre going to drag him there and then euthanize him right after and my mom said i was a sinister person lmfao Reply Parent Thread Link I agree. I'm not American, so I apologize if my knowledge is incorrect, but doesn't he have to choose to step down himself? No one else can force him to. In light of hearing that, I can't really get behind this wave of op-eds (even if I do agree that he's not fit to be president). This is a conversation that should have happened 4+ years ago so they could start building up a replacement candidate (or, at bare minimum, making Harris more visible and publicly engaged than she has been if their real plan was to throw to her all along). These headlines feel really irresponsible if no one can get him to step down AND he refuses to. It's not only affecting his chances but potentially also those of the people down the ticket if dem voters don't show up. If they don't rally behind him after the convention and weekend at Bernie's the hell out of this mess then they'll likely be handing Trump the next four years on a silver platter. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes he he has to make the decision himself. People are trying to create public pressure on him though to the extent that people in his inner circle finally get to him and tell him his re-election is just not viable. Yes, it's fracturing the party in the short-term. But he cannot effectively communicate anymore and he's trailing everywhere. People sounding the alarm are sounding it because the highly likely outcome is if he stays in the race, Trump wins. Also GOP house, GOP senate, GOP Supreme Court. For all the crackpot conspiracy theories, the truth is everyone from politicians to celebrities to donors are doing this for one reason: Donald Trump needs to lose. While I totally agree this should've happened a long time ago I'd point out that it's not too late, the convention hasn't happened. You are 100% right that if he doesn't drop out they must rally behind him. Dems will literally rally behind whoever though - Biden, Kamala, or someone else - to defeat Trump. Edit: Also while conversations about Biden's fitness shoulda happened earlier, I will point out that various WH sources say they've seen a rapid decline in just the last 3 months. So he likely does not have the abilities he had even at the State of the Union earlier this year. Edited at 2024-07-13 06:24 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link laughing to keep from crying over the accuracy of this comment if i think about the election for more than 2 minutes i start to feel sick with worry Reply Parent Thread Link Seriously, this is classic prolonged Democratic bedwetting. The left is coming out in support of Biden because theyve been the target of this asinine circular firing squad so many goddamn times, they KNOW how weakening and counterproductive it is. Reply Parent Thread Link just tell me is it too late for him to step down Reply Thread Link yes Reply Parent Thread Link no Reply Parent Thread Link They begin sending out absentee ballots to the military and Americans living overseas two days after the Convention in August. If you didn't watch his 40 minute rally in Detroit yesterday, then your opinion about his viability is lacking. WATCH-- @chrislhayes reacts to the Biden campaign rally in Michigan: That was by far, I think, the best performance hes given since the State of the Union. Thats the Joe Biden that has been a very successful politician and won in 2020. pic.twitter.com/G4MzwWaKPX All In with Chris Hayes (@allinwithchris) July 13, 2024 It is too late and he's not stepping down. He's on the ballot, he won the primary. The convention is just a week of PR and promotion, they're not going to choose anyone else.They begin sending out absentee ballots to the military and Americans living overseas two days after the Convention in August.If you didn't watch his 40 minute rally in Detroit yesterday, then your opinion about his viability is lacking. Reply Parent Thread Link It is not too late. He can die between now and the election, so obviously there are procedures for all circumstances. If Biden announces that he is no longer running, his pledged delegates (whose votes he "earned" during primaries) are released to vote for another candidate. At that point he cannot "force" these delegates to vote for a particular candidate, but he can endorse someone to encourage the party to unite behind that person. If any candidate gets a simple majority, they become party's candidate. If no one gets simple majority, there is a bunch of other procedures to follow. I think situation becomes more dire if Biden does not drop out prior to the convention, and then becomes unable to run after the convention. At that point the party leadership's only choice would be to basically "pick" someone. Which will be challenged by republicans in court and is very undemocratic, and a very bad look, and a true cf. Reply Parent Thread Link For months prior the majority of us spoke loudly about how Biden had no chance of winning this election because of his support of genocide and were told that pro Palestine people were a small minority and that Biden would be fine. In the months since, Biden has doubled down his support for genocide while continuing to hemorrhage out voters in key states and amongst millennials and gen Z and as his support continued to drop these same people who are now coming out against him kept telling us hed be fine. But his performance in the debate was indefensible to them and now theyre jumping ship. But I need people to understand that Biden lost the election because of his unwavering support of Israel while they commit a genocide. I need more people to say that out loud and stop making it about his age. I will gladly vote for the corpse of Joe Biden but not one that continues to give the green light for the massacre of Palestinians. Im sorry but I cant bring myself to vote for him even if that means Trump comes and ruins the USA. I know Im going to get down voted for this but American lives are not better than Palestinian lives and Bidens unwavering support of Israel while they commit a genocide and being a self proclaimed Zionist is where I draw the line. If the response is well Trump or any other politician would do the same then that tells you the American democracy system needs an overhaul because no foreign entity should have THIS strong a chokehold on another country. Anyways everything Ive feared is coming and its all because the Democratic Party refused to find an actual candidate thats worth running. I better not hear anyone try to blame the people who didnt vote for Biden just like they blamed the people who didnt vote for Clinton when Trump wins. Democrats have had 8 years to prepare a candidate and they didnt. The Democratic Party has no one to blame but themselves. Edited at 2024-07-13 04:45 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link I'm not going to blame you for not voting for him. Reply Parent Thread Link I appreciate you for that. I dont take that decision lightly but the videos and pictures Ive seen that have come out of Gaza and the West Bank I just cannot unsee. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I have to say though that, as someone who works with and volunteers with asylum seekers in Europe, things got 1000x worse for them after Trump was elected. The US flat out refused to take in any more - we are talking people who went through torturous journeys on the Mediterranean sea, victims of sex trafficking, war victims and so on. This left many stranded, in danger, separated from their families for years to come. I completely sympathise with your views and it is beyond awful that the only choice other than Trump is Biden. I completely get that. but I have to say, with Trump in power, it won't just be the US in danger. It will affect thousands of vulnerable people across the world too. And some of the people I volunteer with are actually Palestinian. Edited at 2024-07-13 04:52 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link the mental gymnastics of "but trump" ive been seeing is like... i mean biden is literally encouraging israel to continue and these weirdos are like "YEAH BUT TRUMP WOULD DO IT ORANGELY" human beings are already dying in a genocide! wake the fuck up! if this isnt the thing that pushes you to at least be comfortable saying "NO." then there wont be any line the dems cant cross for them. and thats what they dont realize has caused many people to realize they got fucking duped and step away entirely. wake. up. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I feel you. Ive been on the fence about not voting at all, but I know come Election Day, I will vote for whoever is on the dem ticket, but I feel sick having to do it. The dems spending the last 4-8 years just twiddling their thumbs is so infuriating. They had all the opportunity in the world to boost up someone that the voters could get behind. Reply Parent Thread Link Everything you said is true. However, people still have a choice and I really hope they vote for Biden. that tells you the American democracy system needs an overhaul. Wasn't this one of the reasons people didn't vote for Trump the first time? They wanted a political revolution. And what good came out of it? Nothing, things got worse. How many people died or are still suffering the consequences today because of the way his gov handled Covid? How many years of f*cked up Supreme Court do Americans have to look forward to? How much damage did he do to immigrants? Project 25 is getting more emboldened by the minute. Not to mention, support for Ukraine is vital, and Trump is not going to allow it. If you draw the line at Palestine, good. But it's also worth considering that Palestine in all likelihood will get worse under Trump. Trump's potential victory will embolden China, Russia and Israel. Make no mistake. And in a time when the far right is surging in so many countries, well, that's terrifying. I get your frustration. In my country, it is very much the same. Always voting for the lesser evil, cases of corruption are everywhere, no matter what political color. But I still think it is irresponsible to do nothing having the choice. It may come a day when you have none. Edited at 2024-07-13 05:35 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link arabian Sorry to reply to you for this, butare you going to add anything or just leave reacts down thread? Reply Parent Thread Link I'm encouraging people in non-competitive states to vote their conscience absolutely and in swing states to view it not so much as a vote for Biden, but a vote against Trump, Fascism, Project 2025 and White Supremacy. Having said that, even if you are in a swing state and can't do that I won't give you shit. He's a former Segregationist, currently funding a genocide and his ego and hubris are going to put Trump back into power - just an appalling human being. Reply Parent Thread Link There is no Democratic candidate who would have a different take than Biden. I don't know what your fantasy is, but neither Whitmer, Newsom, Buttigieg, or anyone else who would have a shot at the nomination that I can think of would do anything different. And Biden isn't losing the election. Trump's cult may be loud but they're not the majority. Reply Parent Thread Link For all the things you right say against Biden, it is absolute insanity to not vote for him and let Trump win. This is the epitome of biting off your nose to spite your face! Trump is going to let Israel go all out against Palestine and Russia against Ukraine as well. You care about the Palestinians that much that you would let a much worse candidate get into power?? Really? I hope you all can live with the consequences of your actions if you dont vote. And again, I get it, Biden is a weak candidate but Trump is pure EVIL and him and the GoP will bring about Gilead real fucking quick...so think about that. but again, you have the right not to vote just realize that Trump winning is much much more grave than voting for Biden Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Im sorry but I cant bring myself to vote for him even if that means Trump comes and ruins the USA. I too attempt to make the world a better place by making the world a worse place. Seriously though, politics are hopeless. Most of us feel the same as you. Its understandable that not voting may seem like the answer. I normally have no opinion on non voters - Ive been one - but I cant relate to the recent reasonings. Im a logical person - if the felon, racist, rapist with a hard on to be a dictator works overtime to nix votes, my Spidey senses tell me no way in Hell should I do exactly that willingly Reply Parent Thread Link i will also not be voting for him based on his support of open genocide. i cannot physically bring myself to it, even thinking about it makes me feel ill, especially now after all we've seen. i will be voting down ballot however. I'm in Michigan, and I think Biden will lose, honestly. Reply Parent Thread Link I need these people to tell me who is the candidate that theyre running. OK Bidens out. What happens next? Is it kamala, Buttigieg, kennedy, west? Who is this person thats defeating Donald Trump. That were all gonna get behind. Reply Thread Link honestly i think a gavin newsom/josh shapiro would be a very strong ticket. i would love to see a woman/gay/etc. candidate win but tbh we need somebody "palatable" for the republicans who don't want to vote for trump. Reply Parent Thread Link The thing is Gavin wont run. He doesnt think he can win and he doesnt want to upset the establishment by running an empty campaign. Hes not going to pull a desantis. I think he has his sights set on 2028 or 2032. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Gavin has no hope. He'll definitely lose many swing states because people are afraid of "Commiefornia." Gretchen would be my ideal candidate, and she would lock up MI and WI for the Dems. But she doesn't want it right now, i think she'll run in 28/32 (assuming we still have elections then). Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Kamala would be the easiest transition, in terms of funding and continuity. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link it's no one. the reason no one is asking him to step down from office is because they don't want president harris. they never say she should be the nominee or reference a potential vice president for her. those others couldn't even come in second during the primaries. kennedy is a joke Reply Parent Thread Link can we pretend Buttigieg doesn't exist please? McKinsey ass bitch. personally, people slept on Beto last cycle. too many people listened to that idiot Joe Scarborough. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Non American here. can someone explain to me while every news outlets are only reporting on how Biden should step down and nobody is discussing Project 2025, Trump lying everytime he opens his mouth, the fact his rally speech was full of mistakes like Biden and his literal rape accusations? I always watched CNN but it seems even they are out for bidens head and not covering Trumps fuck ups? Reply Thread Link Its because the American media is broken and complicit in all of this. Theyre coming after Biden like they did with Clinton. When in reality both of their asses (Trump and Biden) should be on the hot seat. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah thats what it feels like a complete sequel to 2016 only this seems even more terrifying Ive been listening to The Asset podcast about Trump/Putin and it really seems its happening again Reply Parent Thread Link A fair assessment of the media and Trump is that they have graded him on a curve so as not to seem 'biased.' That being said, there was wall-to-wall coverage of his trial and Project 2025 has been a fixture on every station I watch. Not sure what you have access to as a non-American though. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I saw one reporter respond to someone saying basically that trump being trump is already known so there is nothing new to report and the information about biden is news so thats why its being covered. Absolutely covering trump on a curve. Then you have articles being written about the White House advance team doing exactly what an advance team does (preparing for events down to every detail) and it starts feeling like the but her emails play book again. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link imma be honest and say that while the media is obviously complicit and right-leaning, i think its disingenuous to act as if the words "project 2025" will sway people one way or another. white supremacy isn't a new project. white liberals have been pushing it forwards while also using institutional and more rhetorical forms of antiblackness to avoid accountability for supporting it. even under the threat of something like "project 2025", the vast majority of white liberals will only be spurred to action should they believe they will actually lose MORE than the average PoC. that's just how they operate. if they actually cared about trump being elected, and the rights of PoC, they wouldn't have spent the previous election on racist bullying and blackmail trying to get PoC to "fall in line" and they wouldn't have spent the past ~year or so bullying PoC for making genocide their hard line. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Trump lying is like a day that ends in 'Y'. To the media, there is nothing left to say about it. I don't watch mainstream news so I don't know what they're talking about really, but Project 2025 and those Epstein docs should be the first major news story. Reply Parent Thread Link For what little it's worth, major Canadian news outlets (CTV, CBC, Global) have started talking about Project 2025 these past few weeks. I think part of the issue with talking about these sorts of long-brewing issues (it's my understanding that Project 2025 has been in the works for a few years) is that if you bring them up too early, they'll be buried by the time the debates and the actual election roll around. The media is constantly hungry for new, different, disruptive information and a slow boil (which is what Project 2025 is unfortunately doing very well) is just not something our current approach to news and information sharing is equipped to handle well. Then you get into things like the interests of individual media outlets and it gets uglier all the way down. Reply Parent Thread Link Because they want Trump to win. Reply Parent Thread Link I am guessing because it sells? They have their own fiscal goals to meet, and I know at least I have been giving them a ton of eyeballs post debate last month... Reply Parent Thread Link I cant believe this hoopla is happening 4 months before the election, its too late, stop the grandstanding. This is why Democrats never get shot done, theres always some contrarian who wont just fall in line. Trump could be doing debates on a ventilator sitting in a wheelchair and his base would still vote for him. Just stop whining, stop giving the media material, get the man into office and have him step down in 5 months, idgaf. Reply Thread Link Thank you. People are being fucking idiots. Trump is a convicted felon. A rapist. A pedophile. A business fraud. A treasonous lying pack of shit who wants to set up a dictatorship and take down democracy. A vote for anyone but Biden is a vote for Trump. Period. If you are upset about what is happening in Gaza... under Trump, it will be 100, 1000x worse. The man is a traitorous, narcissistic, evil scumbag who aligns himself with dictators. Vote for Biden. PERIOD. Edited at 2024-07-13 05:07 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link "If you are upset about what is happening in Gaza... under Trump, it will be 100, 1000x worse." I get why people are upset. I am too. But, I don't understand why people don't get this. Trump is literally using the word Palestinian as a slur. We are 4 months away, these are the only options. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link im sorry, but america isnt a democracy. if it were, clinton wouldve won in 2016. you have to live in very specific places for your vote to matter. someone in new york, montana, california or kentucky voting for anyone other than biden arent electing trump because they dont matter to begin with. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link The battle of the op eds. I think Bidens rally in Michigan yesterday was good and it was actually covered (since the press is breathlessly watching everything for every mistake he makes now). Biden saying in his NATO presser that campaigns usually start after Labor Day was revealing because that may have been the case pre Covid but since so much of the 2020 campaign was online, I feel like it shifted the idea/concept of a campaign and the timeline. The campaign is now. And Bernie just wrote an op-ed in the NYT fully behind Biden: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/13/opinion/joe-biden-president.html The battle of the op eds. I think Bidens rally in Michigan yesterday was good and it was actually covered (since the press is breathlessly watching everything for every mistake he makes now).Biden saying in his NATO presser that campaigns usually start after Labor Day was revealing because that may have been the case pre Covid but since so much of the 2020 campaign was online, I feel like it shifted the idea/concept of a campaign and the timeline. The campaign is now. Reply Thread Link a (non-american) friend of mine keeps telling me that the polls are just the media skewing things and that actually biden is ahead by a lot and will be winning this. theyre so emphatic that it makes me wonder if im reading things completely wrong? also i said in another post that everyones talking about how well biden did with his speech, but the president needs to be able to do well when speaking in the moment to others debates, press conferences, interviews, situations with heads of state, etc. its not enough that he can read words on a teleprompter well. its very concerning to me that some people think that his recent speech means that hes totally competent and fit for the job Reply Thread Link People are being a bit weird about polling right now. I do not believe polling is the be all and end all but pretending as though they are irrelevant is nonsensical. Part of this stems from people like Nate Silver being loud and overconfident in 2016. Pollsters aren't psychics but polling can tell us where the wind is blowing. Reply Parent Thread Link i never understood the polling thing because, like, i wasn't asked to take part in a poll. No one in my family was in these polls. What are these polls from?? They cant possibly ever really be an indicator of anything. Reply Parent Thread Link However, the techniques being used by pollsters are changing as technology changes and we change how we communicate and contact each other: Here is an article about the issues with the 2020 polls specifically: The problem with assuming that because you have not been contacted, and no one you know has been contacted (or admits to participating), the polls are not representative is that these polls are very, very small compared to the total number of eligible voters. There simply aren't enough resources to contact every eligible voter in the US and ask their thoughts. Instead, pollsters are trying to get representative samples (so that they can get scalable results from polling, say, various sample population sizes of 1000 people in a country with over 160M registered voters) that reflect a given region's demographics (or other values of interest; some break voting trends down along religious lines, etc.). This means that even something small like having the "wrong" area code (aka it doesn't align with where you currently live) may prevent someone from being considered "representative" for that area. One of my relatives, for example, has been contacted for polling for their home province multiple times but never for their current province of residence because they still have an area code from their home province, despite having moved away years ago. Also, it truly is supposed to be random (while still being representative). This means that while some people get contacted multiple times, some people will never be contacted because 1. the polls are small to start with (so your chances of being contacted in the first place are already very low) but also 2. their demographic profile has already been "accounted for". You also can't volunteer to be "randomly selected" if the random part is supposed to be true, so people who are more politically engaged and want to participate but are never called could be left feeling forgotten by the process and not reflected by the results. The myth used to be that younger generations (then millennials, now millennials and gen z) were under represented because polls were landline-only (which we are far less likely to have). Here is an article that breaks down how various US polls collect their data as of 2019: https://medium.com/@hassen.morad/addressing-the-landline-only-polling-myth-473dbb6d46bd However, the techniques being used by pollsters are changing as technology changes and we change how we communicate and contact each other: https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2023/04/19/how-public-polling-has-changed-in-the-21st-century/ Here is an article about the issues with the 2020 polls specifically: https://www.pewresearch.org/methods/2021/03/02/what-2020s-election-poll-errors-tell-us-about-the-accuracy-of-issue-polling/ The problem with assuming that because you have not been contacted, and no one you know has been contacted (or admits to participating), the polls are not representative is that these polls are very, very small compared to the total number of eligible voters. There simply aren't enough resources to contact every eligible voter in the US and ask their thoughts. Instead, pollsters are trying to get representative samples (so that they can get scalable results from polling, say, various sample population sizes of 1000 people in a country with over 160M registered voters) that reflect a given region's demographics (or other values of interest; some break voting trends down along religious lines, etc.). This means that even something small like having the "wrong" area code (aka it doesn't align with where you currently live) may prevent someone from being considered "representative" for that area. One of my relatives, for example, has been contacted for polling for their home province multiple times but never for their current province of residence because they still have an area code from their home province, despite having moved away years ago. Also, it truly is supposed to be random (while still being representative).This means that while some people get contacted multiple times, some people will never be contacted because 1. the polls are small to start with (so your chances of being contacted in the first place are already very low) but also 2. their demographic profile has already been "accounted for". You also can't volunteer to be "randomly selected" if the random part is supposed to be true, so people who are more politically engaged and want to participate but are never called could be left feeling forgotten by the process and not reflected by the results. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Poll Truthers are incredibly ignorant. Romney supporters in 2012 did the whole "unskew the polls" thing and look at how that turned out. They just couldn't believe the polls could possibly be right because "Obama is obviously so terrible" according to their echo chamber. Same thing is happening again. In 2024, it's a peak Blue MAGA take. From Trump's Truth Social posts and his campaign leaks it's clear how much they want Biden to stay in the race and are unprepared for Kamala which should tell us everything we need to know about the state of the race. Like it's bordering on desperation how badly they want to go against Biden. Reply Parent Thread Link If you saw him speaking spontaneously for 40 minutes in Detroit, you wouldn't be worried about him at all. No gaffes, no getting anyone's name wrong, he knocked it out of the park. He's more than competent. BREAKING: President Biden just announced his first 100 days plan when reelected. He will codify Roe v. Wade into law, sign the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, and expand and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. Retweet so all Americans see this.pic.twitter.com/ejtWiBS8XO Bidens Wins (@BidensWins) July 13, 2024 Edited at 2024-07-13 07:23 pm (UTC) The job isn't press conferences and Biden has no problem impressing the heads of state he deals with. We just had the best NATO summit ever, and the Chancellor of Germany, Trudeau and Starmer all came our in support of Biden yesterday.If you saw him speaking spontaneously for 40 minutes in Detroit, you wouldn't be worried about him at all. No gaffes, no getting anyone's name wrong, he knocked it out of the park. He's more than competent. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Do people really think Kamala can win if he steps down? Or is there someone else they want to introduce? Idk I don't have faith in the US electing a Black/Indian woman. Though someone mentioned prosecutor vs felon would probably play well in American media so maybe Reply Thread Link I cant imagine she could win. But I did see post on Twitter that had poll where she would win. And it made me honestly almost start believing conspiracy theories. Reply Parent Thread Link I dont think the prosecutor angle would help Kamala at all, unfortunately. Reply Parent Thread Link I think it will help quite a bit. Not with progressives, but most white Americans will love that she locked people up. Team America, baby!!!! Reply Parent Thread Expand Link One issue both parties share is that there isn't a rising star or an actual star at this point. I'm not caping or hoping a Republican star is on the horizon, but I don't know who in their party has the name recognition and support. They all follow into line, regardless. With Dems, there are some I like but I don't think there's a definitive pick. I think about how Obama became president, and I don't think any Dem is doing the same thing about selling their story, relating to others, etc. This shouldn't matter, but it does. Reply Parent Thread Link I would be more confident in her winning if the dems actually invested in her as a replacement early on. She is FAR better than Biden, but I don't trust other people to think that. This country is still sexist and racist, even on the left. Her kookiness also doesn't help. Reply Parent Thread Link she beats trump in enough head-to-head polls rn who knows how it would actually play out but I think she at least has a CHANCE vs. biden who doesn't have a prayer. trump is ALSO historically unpopular and I think any non-biden democrat has a CHANCE. if kamala is the simplest and cleanest way to cut him out, I'm fine with her. would rather go down swinging with her at the head of the ticket vs. death marching to fascism with biden. Reply Parent Thread Link She won't be favoured but she can win and she has a better shot than Biden. There's a reason Trump and his team BADLY want Joe to stay in the race. Her biggest weakness is laughing somehow and she's cut that out recently. Trump even called her "Laffin' Kamala" (his spelling, not mine). Like that's all they've got, and she's not even doing that! Plus, her biggest weakness in the primaries was her record of locking people up as DA in San Fran and AG in California and Trump can't attack her for that cuz conservatives and centrists alike are obsessed with incarcerating people/youths. Reply Parent Thread Link I personally don't think so. the never-Trump republicans aren't gonna vote for a WOC. the progressives aren't gonna be excited to vote for "Copmala". Reply Parent Thread Link White liberals that do nothing to challenge white supremacy in themselves andtheir circle of influence ate a huge reason we're here rn and it's so wild the mental gymnastics that do to remove any responsibility from themselves. Reply Thread Link Come on now. White liberals take money/resources/accolades/leadership positions to dismantle white supremacy while upholding it in so many ways. I was having this conversation about work again. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh, please!! These people! Get a fucking grip AND a life. Nothing means anything anymore; it hasnt for a long time now. Polls mean nothing. Op-eds mean nothing. The media is no longer even a recognizable estimation of reality. Bidens mechanically-reanimated corpse IS our best and only option. Lets just all grit our teeth and carry on until November. Reply Thread Link Yep, people like this and our whole media think we're in a different time. Reply Parent Thread Link Choosing who to vote for between Biden and Trump is NOT difficult, come on, celebrities need to fuck off Reply Thread Link i think they want someone who has a better chance of winning. Or living for that matter. Reply Parent Thread Link Living? Dare to dream. Reply Parent Thread Link OSHA Finds Alabama Concrete Contractor Violated Worker Safety Following Fatal Struck-By Incident Moundville, Alabama-based Ballard Contractors Inc. faces eight citations as a result of the investigation. An OSHA investigation has found that Ballard Contractors Inc.which specializes in commercial and industrial concrete constructionfailed to follow essential safety procedures, resulting in the tragic death of a 65-year-old worker. According to a recent release, the employee was fatally struck by a shipping container weighing over four tons near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. OSHA revealed that the Moundville, Alabama-based company allowed the employee to guide an 8,575-pound container into place. During the operation, one of the chains used to lift the container snapped, causing the fatal accident. OSHA noted that Ballard Contractors failed to ensure the rigging equipment was properly rated to handle the containers weight. The company permitted the worker to operate near or beneath the moving load and allowed the use of steel chain slings and a four-way chain lift without proper identification plates or load ratings. The company also did not perform periodic inspections of the slings and failed to implement fall protection measures for workers handling rigging equipment at heights of 11 feet. Ballard Contractors failed in its legal responsibility to provide its employees with a safe work environment, especially when it comes to dealing with the serious dangers of handling heavy loads, OSHA Area Office Director Joel Batiz in Birmingham, Alabama, said in a statement. OSHA standards exist to help prevent tragedies such as this from occurring. Employers must recognize their duty to ensure the safety of their employees. OSHA issued eight citations to Ballard Contractors for violations related to fall, struck-by and crushed-by hazards. The company has since entered into an informal settlement agreement with OSHA to resolve these citations and penalties. Washington Roofing Companies Face Over $1 Million in Fines for Repeated Safety Violations The companies repeatedly failed to ensure worker safety, leading to severe penalties. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)as part of an ongoing effort to address the prominence of fatal falls in the construction industryhas fined four roofing companies a total of $1.27 million for multiple safety violations, including failure to provide adequate fall protection for their workers. Not only did these companies knowingly put their workers at risk, theyve all been caught breaking the same rules before, Craig Blackwood, assistant director of L&Is Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said in a statement. Among the companies fined, Allways Roofing Inc. received the largest penalty. On June 24, 2024, L&I cited Allways Roofing for $345,700 after inspectors found workers not using proper fall protection while re-roofing a home in Mill Creek. This fine comes just three months after a nearly half-million-dollar penalty for similar violations in Snohomish, Washington. Over the past 12 years, Allways Roofing has amassed 124 safety violations and currently owes more than $4 million in fines. The company has 15 business days to appeal the latest citation. SSHI LLC, operating as DR Horton in Port Orchard, was fined $132,000 on June 20, 2024, for not ensuring its subcontractors used fall protection or wore safety glasses while operating pneumatic tools. This company has been inspected 14 times in the past three years, resulting in repeat and serious violations. DR Horton has not appealed the latest fines. Pulte Homes of Washington Inc. faced a $99,000 fine on April 23, 2024, for failing to ensure fall protection on a steep-pitched roof in Washougal. This company has been cited for repeat serious violations in the past three years and is appealing the latest penalties. Valentine Roofing of Burien was fined $207,000 on March 29 for six willful serious violations. Inspectors noted that safety lines were too long, potentially allowing a fall to the ground before the arrest system could engage. Valentine Roofing has appealed the latest citation. Juan Santos Huerta was sentenced to 30 years after pleading no contest to one count of injury to an elderly person causing serious bodily injury by omission. His mother was found dead in her bed with maggots in her open wounds. Bexar County Sheriff's Office An Elemendorf man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in the death of his 74-year-old mother in a case authorities said was the worst case of neglect involving an elderly person. Juan Santos Huerta was 52 when Bexar County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested and charged him with injury to an elderly person by omission after his mother, Maria Del Socorro Huerta, died Sept. 4, 2021. As part of a plea agreement reached between Bexar County prosecutors Ana Ochoa Nelson and Margie Hilmo and defense attorney David Andre Woodard, Juan Huerta pleaded no contest to one count of injury to an elderly person causing serious bodily injury by omission. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Friday, state District Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl found him guilty and sentenced him to 30 years in prison. Sheriff Javier Salazar said deputies found the woman dead when they arrived at the home she shared with her son in Elemendorf. Calling what the woman went through the worst case of neglect of an elderly person Ive ever seen, Salazar said the conditions Maria Huerta had to live under were horrific. She had parts of her body that actually had exposed bone because the flesh had basically rotted away, and she had several spots on her body that were infested by maggots, Salazar said at the time. A statement released Friday by the Bexar County District Attorneys Office said Huerta did not seek proper medical care for his mother, nor did he provide adequate nutrition or hygiene for her. When she was found in her bed, she had open, infected sores, and had not been taken out of her bed for about two years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales said he could not imagine the pain and loneliness that Maria Huerta experienced before she died, nor can I imagine how a son would allow such a thing to happen to his mother. In a separate case, Juan Huerta also was charged with health care fraud, a third-degree felony. Hes accused of fraudulently charging Medicaid more than $63,000 to take care of his bedridden mother. The Texas Attorney Generals Office reported that Huerta charged Medicaid from April 2018 to October 2021, a month after his mother died. He told deputies he called home health companies to steal time or falsify hours caring for his mother while he worked as a truck driver, an affidavit supporting his arrest stated. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Despite increasing pressure to defund oil and gas firms in support of international decarbonisation efforts, many major banks are continuing to provide financing to fossil fuel companies. A recent report from the U.S. organisation Rainforest Action Network (RAN) and partners revealed that in the years following the 2015 Paris Agreement, the 60 largest private banks in the world provided $6.8 trillion in funding to fossil fuels. Over the past eight years, approximately $3.3 trillion went to fossil fuel expansion. These banks supported over 4,200 fossil fuel companies with loans and securities transactions or underwriting. In 2023, after many major banks had pledged to reduce or end funding to oil and gas companies as part of the Net Zero Banking Alliance, financing for fossil fuel companies reached $705 billion, with $347 going towards expansion. The report shows that JPMorgan Chase was the biggest financer for fossil fuels, contributing $40.8 billion in funding to fossil fuel companies in 2023. This is followed by the Japanese bank Mizuho, which provided $37 billion in financing, with $18.8 billion contributing to fossil fuel expansion. Citibank was also a major contributor, providing $204 billion to fossil fuel companies since 2016. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank gave nearly $13.4 billion, DZ Bank $2.5 billion, Barclays $24.2 billion and Santander $14.5 billion to the fossil fuel industry in 2023. The Research and Policy Manager at RAN and the reports co-author April Merleaux stated, Wall Streets biggest concern is profit, our main concern is climate and human rights. While the banks profiting from climate chaos create new greenwashing tales every year, our data shows how much money they are actually pouring into fossil fuels. Merleaux added, Our reports new methodology uncovers previously unknown details about bank financing of fossil fuels and gives activists new tools to confront the banks. Our data shows that bank financing of fossil fuels is not declining nearly fast enough. In 2023, nearly $350 billion has flowed to fossil fuel companies, incompatible with real climate commitments. Critics of the report said there was little evidence showing where the funding went in the fossil fuel sector, with several banks responding that their financing mainly went towards green transition efforts by energy companies. It was unclear whether some of the expansion funding went to supporting new green energy projects or fossil fuel activities. U.S. banking institutions were found to be the biggest contributors to the fossil fuel sector, providing 30 percent of the financing in 2023. JPMorgan responded to the report saying it was one of the worlds biggest funders to both traditional and clean energy firms. It stated that it would disclose the proportion of financing contributing to low-carbon energy compared to fossil fuel energy financing, following a request from the New York City comptroller on behalf of pensions it manages. JPMorgan stated, We believe our data reflects our activities more comprehensively and accurately than estimates by third parties. Meanwhile, Bank of America, the third biggest funder of fossil fuels worldwide, according to the report, said that it was a market leader in terms of energy transition funding. It stated, We are engaged with clients across the energy spectrum to help them with their energy transition goals. Citibank said that by 2020 it had achieved $441 billion towards a $1 trillion sustainable finance goal, suggesting that much of its energy financing is going towards transition sectors. In June, the boss of Barclays bank, CS Venkatakrishnan, said he thought it was unrealistic to ask banks to stop this financing funding fossil fuel companies altogether. He said that lenders cannot go cold turkey and emphasised the importance of a transition away from the most polluting fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives, such as gas. Venkatakrishnan said that Barclays is very much moving away from coal and oil, but suggested that fossil fuels will be around for quite some time and We are very much moving away from coal to oil, oil to gas, gas to clean energy and the reality is that for quite some time fossil fuels will be with us, especially natural gas. In February, Barclays announced plans to stop directly financing new oil and gas projects following mounting pressure to decarbonise operations. However, environmentalists continue to put pressure on Barclays to do more in support of a green transition. Recent reports suggest that Cambridge University is considering cutting ties with Barclays due to its poor climate change record. Most major banks around the globe are continuing to finance fossil fuel companies, despite mounting pressure from governments and environmentalists to reduce funding in support of a green transition. However, it is still unclear how much of the financing is going towards fossil fuels compared to how much contributes to the transition energy sector. Greater transparency from these banks could help consumers understand where the financing is going as well as put pressure on banks to make a change. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Kurdistan hasnt been able to export its oil via a pipeline for more than a year now, but crude continues to flow out of the semi-autonomous Iraqi regionon tank trucks to the border with Iran. More than 1,000 such tank trucks are estimated to be transporting at least 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Kurdish oil to Iran and Turkey, a Reuters investigation has found. Although the price of the crude being smuggled out of the northern semi-autonomous region is reportedly around $40 per barrel in these murky deals, the trade is lucrative, especially compared to the hardships the Kurdistan regional government has seen without oil revenues over the past year. The smuggling is estimated to be bringing around $200 million per month, according to Reuters, whose reporters talked with more than 20 people, including oil engineers, oil industry sources, traders, government officials, politicians, and diplomats. Some of these sources told Reuters that the oil smuggling was likely happening with the knowledge of the regional and federal governments. Once in Iran, the oil is loaded onto ships at the Iranian ports in the Gulf at Bandar Imam Khomeini and Bandar Abbas, or transferred by road to Afghanistan and Pakistan, industry, political, and diplomatic sources told Reuters. Other sources said that no one really knows what happens with the $200 million monthly revenue from these operations. The smuggling business has thrived since the closure of the pipeline route to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, which the semi-autonomous region of OPECs second-largest producer used to ship its oil abroad until March 2023. These exports via pipeline to Turkey, of about 450,000 bpd, ceased last year after they were shut in in March 2023 due to a dispute over who should authorize the Kurdish exports. The impasse followed an International Chamber of Commerce ruling in March 2023 in a dispute between Turkey and Iraq regarding Kurdistan oil. The ICC ruled in favor of Iraq, which had argued that Turkey should not allow Kurdish oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline and the Turkish port of Ceyhan without approval from the federal government of Iraq. Now, only Iraqs state oil marketing firm SOMO has the right to sell crude oil produced anywhere in Iraq. And it looks like the re-opening of the pipeline to Ceyhan on the Turkish Mediterranean coast is not a priority for politicians in Baghdad. In November 2023, Norwegian firm DNO, one of the six members of the Association of the Petroleum Industry of Kurdistan (APIKUR), said that the international oil companies operating in Kurdistan would not be producing oil for exports until they have clarity about overdue and future payments and sales terms. Some companies have resumed oil production for the local market. But industry sources told Reuters that the local buyers, approved to buy the crude, sell it via middlemen for export without the international firms knowing of these re-selling operations. The smuggling adds between 200,000 bpd and over 300,000 bpd to Iraqi supply, as estimated by various Reuters sources. Privately, Iraqi officials have cited this trade as one of the reasons why Iraq OPECs second-largest producer has failed to limit its output under the OPEC+ deal so far. Iraq hasnt complied with the current cuts despite continuously pledging it would show better discipline going forward. Compensation plans have been prepared for Iraq, as well as non-OPEC producer Kazakhstan, which is part of the OPEC+ group but has failed to stick to its quota, too. Between January and March 2024 alone, Iraqs cumulative overproduction stood at 602,000 bpd, per OPECs estimates. Iraq has a 4-million-bpd cap on production. It pumped 4.189 million bpd in Junedown by 25,000 bpd from May, per OPECs secondary sources in its latest monthly report released this week. But thats nearly 200,000 bpd above its target under the OPEC+ deal. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com As they eagerly pursue an expansion of trade relations with the West, the leaders of Turkic states in Eurasia are clearly wary of importing Western values. This dichotomy of interests was on full display at a recent summit of Turkic heads of state, hosted by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev, in his opening remarks at the meeting, held in the Nagorno-Karabakh town of Shusha, voiced a desire for the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to develop into an influential global entity capable of protecting regional interests and practices from outside influence. The OTS should become one of the prominent international forces, Aliyev said. The commitment of our peoples to traditional values and their shared ethnic roots closely bind our countries. The 21st century must be a century of progress for the Turkic world. After lauding traditional values and shared heritage, however, Aliyev emphasized the importance of boosting trade, saying the expansion of the East-West transport corridor is one of our top priorities. His sentiments were echoed by other participants, including Kazakhstans president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who told attendees that the full potential of the Trans-Caspian international transport route must be utilized. The OTS comprises Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Three other nations, Hungary, Turkmenistan and the de facto Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, have observer status. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who attended the Shusha summit, described the OTS as a very important organization for cooperation between the West and East. Aliyev urged his fellow heads of state to show greater commitment to the OTS via increased budget allocations. Azerbaijan recently contributed $2 million to enhance the OTS secretariat. The Azerbaijani leaders efforts to bolster the OTS come at a time when Bakus relations with the West have deteriorated. Over the past year, Aliyev and other top Azerbaijani officials have not hesitated to air grievances against the U.S., France and top European bodies. In his inaugural address in February, Aliyev signaled further divergence from the West, speaking exultantly about pan-Turkic cooperation. Aliyev may want to be an important trade partner with the West, but he clearly is not going to be a friend. Should everyone sit and listen to the words of those who live in some Western countries? Who has given them this right? Their past is nothing to be proud of. Their past is full of blood. Their past is colonialism, he said in public comments made in June. We dont listen to anyones orders; we dont allow anyone to come here and interfere in our work. Dont hit me and I wont hit you. If you are going to hit me, then you will also get a headache. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Nebraska Department of Education recently received a $4.5 million federal grant to continue its apprenticeship program for teachers. The funding comes from the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grant program through the U.S. Department of Labor, which is intended to help states develop the workforce with increased apprenticeship opportunities. Nine states were chosen as grant recipients and $49 million was awarded through the program in total. Nebraska plans to use the new grant money to expand the statewide teacher apprenticeship program that the Education Department began this spring, said David Jespersen, a spokesman for the department. Nebraska was able to launch the program in March with the help of $1 million allocated by the Legislature, and this new federal grant will allow the department to not only continue it, but also to expand it to include more schools and teachers across the state, Jespersen said. The apprenticeship program was created to help curb the ongoing nationwide teacher shortage in Nebraska by helping school classified staff like paraeducators and office staff who already have bachelors degrees receive their teaching certification. Three Nebraska school districts the Lincoln Public Schools, Omahas Westside Community Schools and the North Platte Public Schools have partnered with the state through the grow your own program, which is in its pilot period. Each district is partnering with a Nebraska college or university through the program. The Lincoln district is partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Omaha Westside is partnered with Midland University, and North Platte is working in conjunction with Chadron State College. Participants tuition is paid for through the funding, and they are able to receive their teaching certificates in just one year, rather than two. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2024 About 200 job seekers with alleged fake employment letters with National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre Zaria have been robbed of N20m. The IPPS capturing of newly employed staff of National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre Zaria has exposed employment scandal of about 200 with fake letters. Tension began to mount when many of the employed people discovered that their names were not in the list despite having original employment letters with them. The affected people were said to have immediately demanded for the money they paid for the employment since the deal was not through. Investigation revealed that those behind the deal were members of the committee set up by the Director of the Centre, Dr. Labaran Shehu to work for the employment. The committee members were said to have used the opportunity and abused the trust given to them. Those on the scandal were Nazifi Adamu, who provided letterhead papers, Yusuf Alhaji who faked Directors signature and Musa Sokobido who provided IPPS number to one Aula Auwalu. Others were Adamu Maowada Aliyu, Suleiman Adamu and Abubakar Ibrahim. According to a source, they collected between N200,000, N300,000 and N700,000 from the applicants depending on the office one applied for and realized about N20m. When contacted on phone, the Director of the Centre, Dr.Labaran Shehu, said those in the scandal were with Police for investigation because of the crime they committed. Confirming the arrest, the PPRO Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Yakubu A Sabo, said there was a transfer case from Saye Divisional Police headquarters to State Command, and the investigation was going on. CHICAGO Homeless people who have been living in one of Chicago's largest and most visible encampments will be relocated to a shelter by next week so the area will be emptied before the Democratic National Convention in August, a city official said Friday. The encampment is along Interstate 90 just southwest of the city center, an area that's a main thoroughfare between the two sites where the Democratic convention will be held starting Aug. 19. The encampment will be emptied and permanently roped off on Wednesday, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Brandie Knazze said Friday. The 29 people staying there were told in June, Knazze said. As of Friday, only six remained, she said. They were being relocated to a city-run shelter in a former hotel that also once housed Ditka's restaurant. It was converted into a homeless shelter last year. "This is really a part of our unsheltered strategy," Knazze said. "Our goal is to be thoughtful, be trauma informed and help people along their journey." Knazze said the city was moving the people now because they assumed federal authorities would require them to do it later for security reasons. "We don't want to wait and be told the week before or the week of," she said. "This is really about getting people inside." After the convention, the city will be working with the relocated people to find them housing or other shelter placement, Knazze said. The number of homeless people in Chicago in January was three times as high as in 2023, according to a city tally. There were more than 18,800 homeless people in the city in January 2024 compared with about 6,100 the year before. Chicago has reported more than 44,000 migrants arriving since 2022. The city began enforcing a 60-day limit on shelter stays in mid-March. The city has reported 1,411 people leaving shelters so far because of the caps. As of Thursday evening, the city said more than 17,000 people have found other housing since officials began keeping data in 2022. In March, voters rejected a one-time real estate tax on properties over $1 million to pay for services for homeless people. ___ Associated Press video journalist Teresa Crawford contributed to this report. Photos: Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Election 2023 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - 2023 Brandon Johnson - File Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 Brandon Johnson - 2022 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. SPRINGFIELD Travis Akin has been in and around Illinois Republican politics for more than three decades. The 51-year-old Marion native has worked campaigns, staffed lawmakers in the state Capitol, served as a precinct committeeperson and attended more than his fair share of Lincoln Day Dinners. But the self-described political junkie will get to check another item off his bucket list next week: serving as an Illinois delegate to the Republican National Convention. "This is like the Super Bowl for politicos," Akin said. "And I'm just really excited to be a part of it. There's only been 46 presidents of the United States. And to have an opportunity to be a part of history, it's just exciting." "If you love politics, love this country, love our system of government, there's nothing more exciting to be a part of something like this," he said. Akin, elected as a delegate from Illinois' 12th Congressional District, is one of 64 delegates from the state who will head to Milwaukee to set the party's platform and formally nominate former President Donald Trump as the Republican candidate for president in 2024. Members of the delegation said they are unified around Trump, who received about 81% of the vote in the Illinois primary and is polling ahead of President Joe Biden in most swing states. But even with signs that Republicans may be in a position to retake the White House and full control of Congress, the party's future in the Land of Lincoln is far less certain amid years of poor election results and party infighting. When Illinois Republicans cross the northern border this weekend, they will be led by one state party chair. But they will return next week with a new one. The 17-member Republican State Central Committee voted on Friday to appoint Kathy Salvi the new party chair to replace outgoing chair Don Tracy. The change is effective at the conclusion of the convention. Tracy, in his resignation letter last month, said that party infighting contributed to his decision to step away. Salvi beat out state Rep. John Cabello of Rockford and state central committeeman Aaron Del Mar of Palatine. The leadership shuffle, just months before the election, underscores a state party in flux and still trying to find its footing to compete in an increasingly one-party state dominated by Democrats. Republicans control no statewide offices, are in the superminority in the state legislature, at a 5-2 disadvantage on the state Supreme Court and hold just three of 17 congressional seats. The anti-Trump wing of the state party, more reminiscent of the version that won statewide elections under the leadership of moderate former Govs. Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar, has largely been extinguished. Unity around Trump does not foreshadow electoral success in Illinois as the former president has lost the state twice by 17-percentage point margins. Salvi, an attorney from suburban Mundelein who unsuccessfully ran for Senate against incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth in 2022, said Friday that they hope to put a spotlight on Illinois' Democratic-run government. "As we prepare to nominate the next President of the United States, Illinois stands as a testament to what Democrat governance can do: out of control cost of living, rampant crime, and rife with corruption," Salvi said, adding that the state party "will stand and fight for our conservative ideals." Despite poor electoral fortunes in recent election cycles, the sheer size of Illinois the sixth-most populous state in the country means that the state will have one of the largest delegations at the Republican convention. Fifty-one delegates three from each congressional district were elected by primary voters in March, while 10 at-large delegates were selected at the party's convention in May. The last three are the state party chairman and the state's two national committeepersons. State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, an at-large delegate, is attending her first convention and is looking to make the most of the opportunity. "We have the main responsibilities of voting for our candidate for president and vice president," Bryant said. "But it's also about networking. Since the very first time I ran back in 2014, I always believed that one of my main jobs is to be an ambassador for the 58th District, of course, but also for all of the Southern Illinois region." Bryant, who was elected to the Illinois House in 2014 and the Senate in 2020, said that it's not hard to find Republicans in her region, a former bastion of conservative Blue Dog Democrats that she now dubs "Trump Country." "But it's not easy to be a Republican in the Illinois General Assembly," Bryant said. "And so I'm hoping to network in a way that shows other Republicans in other parts of the state that we have strong Republican values in Illinois. "And I hope that we're able to show the rest of the country because as Illinois delegates, a lot of people will be looking at what an Illinois Republican (looks) like because we have J.B. Pritzker as our governor," she said. Bryant said that "just like you do in family conversations," the party is working through any issues it may have and is unified. "We just need to have that one name at the top that's kind of leading us into the convention," Bryant said of the party chair vote. "I don't believe that we are in chaos. I think that we are quite unified." One thing there won't be any squabbling about is Trump, with the party being "100% united together" behind him, said Myles Nelson, a first-time delegate elected from the 13th Congressional District. Despite several elected Democrats and party officials calling for Biden to step aside over concerns about his age and viability, there is not a similar movement asking for Trump to withdraw in spite of the former president's conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal in the run-up to the 2016 election. In contrast, Akin said this "unified" Republicans around the former president. "I think most Republicans look at that and are just aghast that this kind of lawfare is going on in our country," Akin said. "And it just seems so unfair." Nelson said he was "extremely confident that Donald Trump will win this election, no matter who the Democratic nominee is." Reps. Mary Miller, R-Hindsboro, and Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, are among the delegates, with Miller, one of Trump's closest allies in Illinois, being selected by state Republicans to lead the delegation. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, will not serve as a delegate, but a spokesman said he will attend the convention and supports Trump. Former Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, who lost a close congressional primary to Bost in March, will also serve as a delegate. Illinois House GOP Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, and Senate GOP Leader John Curran, R-Downers Grover, were not selected as delegates or alternates. The convention opens Monday and will culminate Thursday with Trump accepting the GOP nomination in a primetime speech. Nelson said he's "super excited" for the convention, which he has prepared for by watching videos of past conventions and talking to veteran convention-goers like his boss, Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro. "I've definitely done my history on conventions and I'm super excited just for the atmosphere of it all," Nelson said. "The energy will be through the roof." Ga Mantse, Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has expressed optimism for Accra's revitalisation, stressing the importance of resident participation in maintaining a clean and healthy city. He made this statement during an inspection tour of the Homowo clean-up campaign's second phase on Saturday, July 13, which covered areas such as Makola, Tudu, Rawlings Park, CMB, and the central business district (CBD) of Accra. I have a firm belief that Accra will rise and shine again, adding that cleanliness in next to godliness, he stressed. King Teiko Tsuru II was joined by senior officials from the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), Asafoatsemei, Asafoanyemei, and Environmental Health Officers on the inspection tour. It's a pleasure to walk on these streets, knowing they're now safe and clean," he remarked, beaming with delight, as he addressed participants during the exercise. The Ga Mantse assured that the exercise will be sustained beyond the Homowo festivities, vowing to continue the clean-up efforts and lead by example in the Homowo clean-up initiative. "We will ensure that this exercise goes beyond the Homowo celebrations and becomes a regular feature in our community," he said. He, however, cautioned that the Special Task Force will be patrolling in Accra to ensure the city remains clean. "Those who will be found flouting the sanitation by-laws will be dragged to the sanitation court and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent," Nii Teiko Tsuru II warned. The Ga Mantse also used the opportunity to advise Ghanaians to ensure that "we all play our part as citizens to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair poll on December 7". The 5-hour exercise was led by a dedicated team of Asafoatsemei, Asafoanymei, and environmental health officers, who form the Special Task Force and Zoomlion. Zoomlion provided the necessary resources, including garbage trucks, personnel, and equipment. The Chief Operating Officer for the Environment and Sanitation Cluster of Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), Mrs. Florence Larbi, and the Chief Corporate Communication Officer, JGC, Madam Sophia Kudjordim both participated in the exercise. Security personnel from the Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces ensured security and compliance. The clean-up team worked tirelessly to ensure that the streets and surroundings within the CBD of Accra were thoroughly cleaned, leaving the areas spotless and hygienic. The Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs of Zoomlion, Madam Emma Adwoa Appiaa Osei-Duah, encouraged, especially the traders, hawkers, and shop owners, to take active part in the exercise for their own safety. According to her, unsanitary conditions bring about diseases that can affect them and people who patronise their goods and services. She urged the metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) to enforce the sanitation by-laws to ensure cleanliness in Accra. The success of the exercise was a testament to the power of community spirit and collective action, inspiring a cleaner and healthier Accra for all. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain What happens when online investment trading platforms start to resemble games that keep people playing for hours, with badges and exploding confetti to reward investors for their engagement? For those who know what they're doing, it won't make much of a difference. New research from the University of Toronto engaging nearly 1,000 volunteers in artificial investment scenarios shows that more informational features such as price change notifications might even help savvy investors execute their strategy better. Gamified investing didn't seem to lead to people making more mistakes or trading a whole lot more eithertrading went up by a modest 5% with just under a third of that attributed to gamification. It's a different story though for novices with limited knowledge. Using lab-built platformsa no-frills one and another using a mix of rewards- and information-based features common on popular gamified trading sites such as Robinhood and EToro, the researchers found that these investors preferred the rewards-based environment. And this preference was associated with much more frequent trading12.5% more than in the stripped-down trading version. The gamified environment also seemed to reinforce ill-advised strategies, such as holding on to losing investments and selling high-performing ones. Investors favoring this kind of behavior were nearly 32% more likely to sell their asset after receiving a price increase alert and nearly 38% more likely to hold it after a price drop notification, compared to what they did without the alerts. Knowledgeable investors, however, did the opposite, and were nearly 36% more likely to buy an asset after receiving a price increase notification. "Neutral" investment platforms are the ideal set-up for self-directed investors because their features do not influence the investor's decisions, said researcher Mariana Khapko, an assistant professor of finance at the University of Toronto Scarborough, cross-appointed to the University's Rotman School of Management. While the prevailing advice for amateurs is to buy indexed funds and then generally ignore them, gamified platforms nudge users towards more frequent trading, with monetary benefits to the platform. "This is particularly worrisome if gamified platforms cater to young, inexperienced traders who are particularly susceptible to be influenced by 'fun trading,'" said Prof. Khapko, who collaborated on the research with Marius Zoican, an associate professor of finance at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and Philipp Chapkovski, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bonn. Regulators have paid extra attention to gamified trading platforms in recent years, concerned that they may negatively influence users' choices, sometimes leading to financially disastrous decisions. As a result, the U.S. Securities Commission Exchange released new rules in July 2023 aimed at eliminating potential conflicts of interest in the algorithms used in the gamified platforms. Still, regulators need to be careful not to throttle technological innovation as they seek to preserve ethical integrity in the online trading space, said Prof. Khapko. "I believe the most effective recommendation is to improve financial literacy across the board, which would reduce investors' susceptibility to behavioral nudges," she said. The study appears in Management Science. More information: Philipp Chapkovski et al, Trading Gamification and Investor Behavior, Management Science (2024). DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2022.02650 Journal information: Management Science 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: Researchers say that climate change is causing thicker, more hazardous ice to choke the fabled "northwest passage" long-sought by navigators seeking a faster route from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans. Melting sea ice in the fast-warming Arctic Ocean is not making it easier for sailors to navigate a legendary shortcut between Europe and Asia despite popular belief, scientists said Thursday. To the contrary, climate change was causing thicker, more hazardous ice to choke the fabled "northwest passage" long-sought by navigators seeking a faster route from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans. Considered virtually impassable a century ago, a growing number of ships have been sailing this remote seaway north of Canada as the thawing of the polar ice promised new opportunities for trade and exploration. Cargo ships, fishing boats, racing craft and even a large, 1,000-passenger cruise liner were among the vessels to make the once-unthinkable voyage in recent years. But a new study challenges "the increasingly common belief" that the northwest passage could become a viable alternative shipping route as warming temperatures cause an overall decline in Arctic sea ice. "We found almost the opposite of what people were assuming," the study's lead author Alison Cook, an expert on polar shipping at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, told AFP. Far from opening up, Cook and colleagues found that the shipping season in the northwest passagethe number of weeks per year that a vessel can safely navigateactually shortened between 2007 and 2021. This was the result of an increase in older, thicker ice from the melting polar cap drifting southward into the passage, where it reinforced choke points and impeded navigation. This ice posed a greater risk to ships than the younger, thinner ice more common in the Canadian archipelago, said the study published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment. Storied route Explorers dreamed for centuries of discovering a northwest passage through the Arctic. In one of the Arctic's great mysteries, British explorer Sir John Franklin led a storied expedition to chart the course in 1845 that cost two ships and the lives of all aboard. In 1906, Roald Amundsen became the first European to sail its icy distance. The journey saves ships approximately 7,000 kilometers (4,300 miles) of distance between Europe and Asia. As sea ice has considerably declined in the Arctic, the prospect of reshaping global trade flows has renewed geopolitical and economic interest in the storied route. But the lack of infrastructure, its remoteness, and maze-like shoals and straits make navigation perilous. The study said that as sea ice has declined, the number of voyages across the entire Canadian Arctic had quadrupled since 1990. Journeys through the northwest passage have grown too, but remain very low. Ships entering its straits increased from 112 in 2013 to 160 in 2019, according to the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental organization for the region. This could change as the planet further warms. A 2021 peer-reviewed study forecast that the northwest passage would be navigable for at least part of the year if global temperatures rose 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This latest study did not offer future projections but Cook said the older, thicker ice accumulating in the passage would be there "for quite some time, many years into the future". "It's more like giving a warning," she said of their findings, "or making people aware (to be) careful still, because it's not opening up anytime soon." More information: Alison Cook, Sea ice choke points reduce the length of the shipping season in the Northwest Passage, Communications Earth & Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01477-6. www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01477-6 Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment 2024 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In this photo provided by the Brevard Zoo, Bubba, a 375-plus-pound loggerhead sea turtle, is released back into the Atlantic Ocean at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, Fla., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Credit: Brevard Zoo via AP A 375-pound (170-kilogram) sea turtle has been released back into the Atlantic Ocean after three months of rehabilitation in Florida. Officials with the Brevard Zoo released a male loggerhead named Bubba Wednesday afternoon in Cocoa Beach. Biologists with Inwater Research found Bubba in St. Lucie County on April 10, officials said. After noticing injuries to both front flippers, they used a crane to pull him out of the water and into a carrier in their pickup truck to bring him to the zoo. A preliminary exam found that Bubba had likely been injured in a predator attack. The sea turtle was also dealing with an intensive infestation of marine leeches, which were causing anemia. Biologists estimate Bubba is 60 to 75 years old. In this photo provided by the Brevard Zoo, Bubba, a 375-plus-pound loggerhead sea turtle, is released back into the Atlantic Ocean at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, Fla., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Credit: Brevard Zoo via AP In this undated photo provided by the Brevard Zoo, Bubba, a 375-plus-pound loggerhead sea turtle, receives medical treatment at the Sea Turtle Healing Center at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Fla. Credit: Brevard Zoo via AP In this undated photo provided by the Brevard Zoo, Bubba, a 375-plus-pound loggerhead sea turtle, receives medical treatment at the Sea Turtle Healing Center at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Fla. Credit: Brevard Zoo via AP 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus meets with the San Antonio Express-News Editorial Board on Sept. 8, 2023. McManus' bodyguard, SAPD Officer Mark Castillo, faces allegations that he sent a series of sexual messages to a married woman while on duty. Kaylee Greenlee Beal San Antonio Police Chief William McManus' personal driver and bodyguard is facing allegations that he sent sex-related text messages to a married woman while on duty. Officer Mark Castillo, a 23-year veteran of the force who also is married, sent some of the texts at times when he was in close proximity to the chief and appeared to be on duty, messages reviewed by the San Antonio Express-News indicate. The womans husband, Arturo Cisneros, said he filed a complaint with the San Antonio Police Departments internal affairs unit after learning about the texts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad READ MORE: SAPD Chief McManus ruled out suspension for aide who admitted sexual tryst in parking lot Cisneros also called 911 to report the affair, and an SAPD supervisor who learned about the messages from that call forwarded the matter to internal affairs, according to a source familiar with the investigation. SAPD spokesman Ricardo Guzman confirmed that the incident first reported by KSAT is under investigation but declined to comment further. Castillo has been temporarily reassigned to desk duty but remains on the chiefs security detail, the source familiar with the investigation said. Castillo did not respond to a phone call seeking comment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad 'What are you wearing?' Cisneros, 58, said he found out on the morning of May 23 that his wife of 30 years was having an affair. He said they were talking about a financial matter, and he used her phone to look for an email he had forwarded to her. When he opened her phone, her text messages were displayed, Cisneros said. The last person who had texted his wife was identified as Officer Mark Castillo. Cisneros said he asked his wife who Castillo was. She jumped off the couch, and I ran into the bedroom with her phone, Cisneros said in a statement he wrote for his attorney and shared with the Express-News. She started banging on the door screaming, Give me my phone! Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cisneros said he scrolled through the messages, which dated back a month, and found several that were sexual in nature. Some of them appeared to have been sent when Castillo was on duty, including an exchange from May 20, a Monday. On that day, Castillo sent a text expressing a desire to have sex with Cisneros' wife. Youre totally going to get me in trouble, she responded. They exchanged a couple of more messages, before Castillo wrote: Think Chief about to walk out. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The woman said goodbye but invited Castillo to have lunch with her at a restaurant in the Las Palapas chain, where she was dining with friends. Come sit with mecan you sit at the bar in uniform? the woman asked. Let me see if Chief needs me to wait around or hes going with the Sgt, Castillo responded, before indicating that he planned to stop by the restaurant. It was great to see your face, the woman texted him later in the afternoon. The next day, May 21, the two had a similar exchange. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What are you wearing? Castillo asked her. Well I do have a skirt on but its nice and long, the woman responded. Damn, wanted to touch your leg, Castillo said. You still can. Im headed over there now, the woman responded, again referring to Las Palapas. Im still with Chief but he might be done soon, Castillo responded. On May 22, the two met in a parking lot near Revolucion Coffee + Juice on Broadway, the text messages indicate. Castillo said by text that he was working that day, but it wasn't clear if he was on duty at the time he met with the woman. Sorry that was so one sided, the woman texted afterward. I need you naked. I want that too, Cisneros responded. Cant wait till I can enjoy all of you. I swear I still feel you touching me, the woman said. That was just an appetizer honey, Castillo responded. 911 call leads to arrest Cisneros said that after reading the texts, he decided to report Castillo to SAPD because cops arent supposed to be doing this. An incident detail report obtained by the Express-News indicates that Cisneros called police regarding an affair his wife was having with Marcus Theos, the bodyguard to the chief of police. Garbled words are common in incident detail reports because officers and dispatchers are entering notes into the system as a call progresses without pausing to check spellings. The official police report makes no mention of Officer Castillo or Marcus Theos. According to that report, Cisneros told officers his wife was having an affair and that when he locked himself in a bedroom to read the text messages, his wife became hysterical, hitting herself and banging on the door. Cisneros, speaking to the Express-News, denied telling officers that his wife hit herself. The report states that while officers were talking to Cisneros, his wife returned home. Officers said they observed a large, bruised knot on the right side of her forehead and a small bruise and a scrape near her left wrist. The woman told officers that after her husband walked off with her cellphone, she tried to grab it from him at which point he punched her once in the right eye and once in the forehead, according to the report. She said Cisneros also tried to close the door on her left arm when she sought to retrieve her phone, the report states. The officers asked if they could take photos of her injuries, and she refused, the report states. She also refused assistance in obtaining a protective order. Cisneros was arrested on suspicion of domestic assault causing bodily injury, a class A misdemeanor, and transported to the Bexar County jail. He was released on bail soon after. Cisneros denied that he assaulted his wife. The wife also told KSAT that Cisneros did not hit her, but she declined to say how she was injured. Cisneros and Carolyn Wentland, his attorney, said they believe he was arrested because the incident involved someone close to the police chief. The way this was handled by SAPD is not OK, Wentland said. It might have been handled differently had it not involved an employee or someone close to the police chief. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine upon conviction. Cisneros could face additional repercussions. He's currently on probation in Blanco County for aggravated assault against a public servant, a charge that stems from a confrontation with a sheriff's deputy in 2016. By Cisneros' account, he and his wife were spending time at a Blanco County property they owned when she called the sheriff's office and accused him of harassing her. Cisneros said he got into argument with a responding deputy and fired a shotgun into the ground. He said he was having "a bad night" and lost his temper. He was sentenced in 2017 to eight years of probation. If his probation is revoked in connection with his recent arrest on the domestic violence charge, he could be sent to prison. "I thought I was just making a simple police report," Cisneros said of his complaint to SAPD. "Now, here I am. Now I face consequences for it." Similar cases Castillo's case marks the second time one of McManus' bodyguards has faced allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior. Officer Robert Gonzales Jr. received oral sex from a then-girlfriend in his pickup while parked near police headquarters in May 2021. Even though the officer admitted to the act, McManus rejected a recommendation from the departments advisory action board to formally discipline the officer. The panel of officers and civilians reviews allegations of officer misconduct and makes disciplinary recommendations to the chief. McManus sustained a separate allegation against Gonzales that while on duty, he drove a city vehicle at speeds up to 120 mph, even though he wasnt responding to a call or performing any duties that would require driving so fast. For that infraction, McManus ordered Gonzales to receive written counseling. Afterward, Gonzales who had been with the department for 20 years and was McManus' personal driver for three years was transferred from the chiefs office to overnight patrol at SAPDs Central Substation. McManus has imposed discipline in previous cases of sexual misconduct by police. Officer Christopher Martinez was suspended indefinitely which is tantamount to firing after he was accused in 2009 of engaging in sexual activity while in uniform in a patrol car at Brooks City Base. Martinez unsuccessfully appealed his firing to an arbitrator. READ MORE: Officers had sex on duty Sgt. Sam Esparza was suspended for 30 days after he admitted in 2011 to driving a woman to an after-hours party. On the way, he stopped under a bridge at Guadalupe Street and Interstate 35, where he and the woman had sex, officials said. In April 2016, McManus indefinitely suspended two officers who were accused of engaging in sexual relations while on duty. According to department records, officers Rebecca Martinez and Eman Fondren disabled the GPS units on their vehicles to conceal on-duty trysts one in a Home Depot parking lot and another in a private home. A tribally operated security task force with promising results has been forced to cease operations after one year. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribes security task force reduced calls for service by 30-35 percent during its time in operation, Tribal Chairman Peter Lengkeek said. However, after a full year, no one from the Bureau of Indian Affairs had responded to the tribes Public Safety State of Emergency and the small tribe of about 2,000 citizens was forced to foot the bill. Without it being honored or funded we have no choice, Lengkeek said. Funding for the task force came from the tribes general welfare account, Lengkeek said. Since July 2023, the tribe has spent nearly $1 million on the operation. Providing certified security training, private training, employee compensation, vehicle maintenance and gas prices all quickly added up to an unsustainable amount. Historically, the Crow Creek tribe is consistently one of the poorest in the state. At one point in the early 2000s, the tribe was the poorest tribe in the United States. While the tribally operated High Plainz Dispensary has provided a financial boost, a $1 million bill is something the tribe cant afford. We have no choice but to set that security task force aside for now and hopefully someday [bring it back], Lengkeek said. The task forces creation came after the murder of tribal citizen Garrett Hawk on July 1, 2023. The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe formed a group of eight tribal members to patrol the 421-square-mile reservation in central South Dakota. The day after Hawks death, the tribe issued a Public Safety State of Emergency regarding violence on the reservation. The state of emergency called for an amended Memorandum of Agreement with the South Dakota Highway Patrol for increased protection when needed, working with the Brule County Sheriffs Department to lease jail cells, reopening the tribal justice department facilities and establishing a security task force. Much like the Oglala Sioux Tribes lawsuit against the United States, the tribe called upon the federal government to fulfill its treaty obligations to protect the tribe. Under the 1825 Treaty with the Teton, which was reaffirmed by the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie, the U. S. government is obligated to protect not only Crow Creek citizens but all Native reservations in South Dakota. Because this is a BIA issue, its not getting any better, its getting way worse, Lengkeek said. The BIA has not responded to request for comment. Lengkeek said hes yet to receive any assistance despite reaching out to the Department of the Interior. For over a year, the tribe has struggled with excessive response times and a lack of jails and juvenile detention facilities, all of which are exacerbated by jurisdictional issues. The tribe has a total of three law enforcement officers staffed and managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. On the weekends, one officer is on at a time to cover the reservation. Additionally, some land within the reservation is not owned by the tribe, making matters more complicated when police are called. Violence on the reservation isnt exclusive to tribal citizens either, Lengkeek said. Recently, several tourists were attacked and robbed near a campsite at the Big Bend Dam, which is Corps of Engineers land. The Corps of Engineers did not respond to a request for comment from ICT and the Rapid City Journal. Due to its proximity to Lake Sharpe and the Missouri River, the tribe sees a large number of visitors in the summer and fall looking to hunt and fish. Lengkeek said theft is a big issue at area campgrounds, and tribal police cant respond as the campgrounds arent technically within their jurisdiction. Its hurting our economy, Lengkeek said. Theyre going to tell all their friends, Dont come to Crow Creek, youll get robbed in broad daylight, and theres no security. With the tribes annual powwow coming up in August, Lengkeek said hes not concerned about safety during the powwow. Currently, the tribe has a Memorandum of Understanding with the South Dakota Highway Patrol to provide increased security and work alongside tribal law enforcement during the event. Lengkeek is anticipating signing an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the South Dakota Highway Patrol to allow for this agreement year-round as needed. I have no qualms working with the state, Lengkeek said. I have always reached out to the state to coordinate on different things. Even though we banned the governor, we still work with the state. We banned the governor herself, not the state. In addition to reaching out directly to the Department of the Interior, Lengkeek has also reached out to U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, U.S. Senator John Thune and Representative Dusty Johnson. When asked, Rounds office said hes addressed the issue several times including directly with U.S. Assistant Interior Secretary Bryan Newland in May 2024 during a Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing, Johnsons office said last year he met with tribal leaders virtually to discuss the matter. In a 2023 letter to the Congressional Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Johnson requested that the subcommittee hold field hearings on lack of law enforcement in Indian Country and hear directly from tribal leaders in the Great Plains. A Rapid City man was sentenced to 10 years in prison with two suspended for second-degree manslaughter Friday. Caesar Duran, 21, appeared at the sentencing hearing at Pennington County Court in person wearing a gray jumpsuit. Duran had accepted a plea agreement in April with the State's Attorneys Office, where he pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, dropping the original charge for second-degree murder. State's Attorney Kelsey Blair requested the court sentence Duran to the maximum sentence. In South Dakota, the maximum sentence for second-degree manslaughter, which is a Class 4 felony, is 10 years in prison. Duran was arrested for second-degree murder after he fatally stabbed 19-year-old Tyler LaForge following an argument around 10:45 p.m. on July 1, 2023 along Highway 16 near Keystone. According to law enforcement, four people rode in a Jeep Cherokee traveling down the highway when the vehicle pulled over. The two men got out and argued before LaForge was stabbed, according to the Pennington County Sheriff's Office. With LaForge back in the vehicle, the group called 911 and began to drive to the hospital. Law enforcement met the vehicle and did CPR on LaForge. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital, but he ultimately died of his injuries. Investigators worked through the night to find Duran and interview witnesses. Duran's past convictions in South Dakota are limited to misdemeanor traffic violations. In March 2022, he was arrested for misdemeanor simple assault, impersonation to deceive law enforcement, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, but the state dismissed the case a month later. LaForges family gave statements at the sentencing hearing. Fighting back tears they said LaForge was a good kid and his life didnt deserve to be shortened. Evidence was brought to the court on whether LaForges presence that night threatened Durans safety or if he was there for a prank. Blair said there was no evidence of LaForge carrying a weapon the night of the incident. Defense attorney John Murphy said Duran was defending himself from LaForge, after he allegedly attempted to rob Duran. Murphy reminded the court of LaForges text messages mentioning going after Duran and taking his belongings. However, evidence on LaForges intentions that night remains unclear. Murphy requested for the court to suspend all or a portion of the 10-year sentence. Before declaring the sentence, Judge Robert Gusinsky highlighted Durans lifestyle and being a part of the drug culture by selling drugs. Gusinsky said it is difficult to say what really occurred that night, however the result shouldnt have ended someones life. After four months of prepping, the Pennington County States Attorneys Office has established the first ever Major Crimes Unit in South Dakota as of Monday. The unit will specialize in complex felony cases including homicides, child abuse, sexual assaults and aggravated assaults. According to the release sent from the States Attorney, the unit will comprise three experienced attorneys, three legal secretaries, one paralegal and one investigator. Pennington County State's Attorney Lara Roetzel said the need for the unit is evident, with her 10 felony attorneys working 2,600 felony cases a year. There is so much institutional knowledge that goes into prosecuting cases like homicides, rapes, or serious assaults. If you don't handle these cases frequently, its easy to lose your edge, said Roetzel. By dedicating a team exclusively to high-level crimes, we are building and maintaining a strong, knowledgeable team that will lead to higher conviction rates and ultimately, a safer community. There are currently 21 open homicide cases including vehicular homicides and numerous sexual and aggravated assault cases currently pending, stated the release. Roetzel said it was seeing the workload her attorneys were receiving that inspired her to take action. She and the Law Office of the Public Defender Director Eric Whitcher came together to form a unit. The units two primary purposes are to have a specialization in intricate felony cases, ensuring a team of attorneys can effectively manage the complexities of each case, and to facilitate increased compensation about an $8,000 increase for more experienced prosecutors. However, Roetzel said the unit serves a bigger purpose helping the victims of crime. Ultimately, its all about the victims Its really about us making sure these victims get justice, whatever justice will be in that case, whatever it means for that particular victim in that time in space. Theyll have the best opportunity for that because well be able to give it to them, Roetzel said. The job description for MCU attorneys was approved by the Pennington County Commission in February. According to the release, the attorneys assigned to the new unit are Adam Shiffermiller, Jason Thomas and Roxanne Hammond. Administrators who will assist are Chief Deputy States Attorney Gina Nelson, Assistant Chief Deputy States Attorney Kelsey Blair and Roetzel. Roetzel is seeking an additional attorney to join the MCU. She said the work will require someone who has the experience and the drive to bring in justice for complex cases. With the formation of the new unit, Roetzel wanted to put an emphasis on the hard work law enforcement has been doing within the community. She said the same level work should not only go to arrests but also to prosecution. I call it the ability to close the deal. I have to be able to close the deal. I have to be able to get the conviction at the end of the day, and if I dont have the talent and the skill and the lawyers that can do that, what good is the arrest? Roetzel said. The growth for improvement does not stop there; Roetzel said there are big plans approaching this summer. The States Attorneys Office will be strengthening their community engagement by launching a Community Advisory Council. Roetzel said the office also plans to start a podcast to inform the public of the day-to-day proceedings of being a part of the States Attorneys Office. She said the office will also start to participate in more community events. These initiatives aim to ensure the people we serve know who we are, understand what we do, and have opportunities to weigh in. This engagement ultimately enriches our work and supports our efforts to keep Pennington County safe, Roetzel said. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts on the Express-News Crime Team. She can be reached at ezavala@express-news.net. Born and reared in San Antonio, she graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1981 and has been a newspaper journalist since she graduated from Texas Womans University at Denton in 1985. She has worked at five daily newspapers in Texas, including The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and the Denton Record-Chronicle. Summer, often known for its cookouts and fun under the sun, is a favored season with Rapid City residents. But for the homeless population, the high temperatures can be more fatal than an opportunity for summer fun. With a heatwave fast approaching Rapid City, the need to be under the shade and stay hydrated this weekend is evident. National Weather Service Meteorologist Aaron Dye said residents can expect weekend temperatures to be in the high 90s to low 100s. Our normal high for this time of year is 86, so obviously we are above normal but not necessarily record-breaking, Dye said. Dye said there is potential the National Weather Service will have to issue a heat advisory for south central South Dakota. According to The National Library of Medicine, the homeless have a high risk of heat-related illness such as heat stroke, exhaustion and rash due to lack of access to cool places and water. It was these risks that inspired Rapid City resident Caitlin Hein to take action to assist our houseless relatives this weekend. Coming from a family whose core value is to help those in need, Hein wanted to make the same impact after witnessing a homeless man desperately searching for water in the trash. The 26-year-old single mother said she was disheartened she couldnt immediately help the man. It was this small moment that sparked something within Hein. I thought during this heat I should always have ice cold water to hand out to houseless relatives because I dont think anyone, no matter what the circumstances are, deserves to go to the garbage to drink something hot out of there, Hein said. Hein then went out of her way to buy cases of water bottles and hand them out to any individual who seemed desperate for water. The load quickly became something Hein couldnt do alone, so she went to Facebook asking the community to share her passion. It started on a whim and now its been a collaborative effort with community members and friends. With people donating water, donating liquid IV, fruit, granola bars and coolers, Hein said. For Hein, the homeless population are people and should be respected as such. She said it is the communitys responsibility to take care of everyone as if they are family. In support of her passion, Hein has received five coolers, 12 packs of Gatorade, 14 packs of mandarins, four watermelons and eight packs of water. She said she felt it was her duty to help those in need because if I dont do it, who will? Hein and her family will be handing out water and nutrients throughout the weekend at Prairie Market, Skate Park and any location Hein thinks she is needed. She said they will be driving around the town and handing out goods from her vehicle. I just plan on driving around and handing out stuff for people who need it, Hein said. Hein hopes to inspire other individuals to take action to help. She encourages everyone in the community to not be afraid to provide a helping hand and carry a case of water in their car. I think a little bit goes a long way, Hein said. Further donations are always welcomed, Hein said. Residents who wish to assist are encouraged to donate water, Gatorade, fruit and granola bars at Garbage Tale Vintage in downtown Rapid City. Along with Hein, the Cornerstone Rescue Mission will be providing cooling stations for the homeless at their main facility downtown. Much like in the winter months, Community Transition Program manager Matthew Hower said they take the utmost priority in servicing the homeless population during extreme weather conditions. Hower said Cornerstone will also be giving out water and meeting any nutritional needs attendees may need. Precautions are also being taken by the Rapid City Fire Department Mobile Medic Program. Captain Ryan Marcks said Mobile Medic will be working in conjunction with the Rapid City Police Department Quality of Life Unit to patrol known gathering locations and make contact with the unhoused to proactively address any life threats. The Rapid City Fire Department responds to multiple calls for medical assistance on a daily basis. During extreme weather, be it hot or cold, often the reported medical complaint will vary from any sort of environmental issue, Marcks said. With the expected heat this weekend, the Rapid City Fire Department will ensure any calls for service, be they medical or fire related, are responded to and mitigated in a safe and expeditious manner, Marcks said. Despite precautions taken for the extreme weather, Marcks said some resources are required for the individual to be sober. Addiction is a wicked beast that claims more lives than the hottest hot or coldest cold ever will, Marcks said. To stay healthy during this weekend, Marcks said the average person should consume at least six to eight glasses of water every day; however, with the extreme heat, that number should double. He also encourages people to avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol as it dehydrates the body. Physical exercise during the heat of the day should also be avoided. If an individual experiences confusion, increased heart rate, excessive muscle cramping or lack of sweating in a hot environment, Marcks said this is a sign of a potential heat emergency and they should immediately get out of the heat and begin hydrating. With temperatures over 100 degrees and relative humidities in the single digits, fuels are drying out rapidly prompting the Bitterroot National Forest to raise fire danger to "very high" effective immediately. Continued hot and dry weather is predicted for the next several days including a chance of thunderstorms and lightning. The Bitterroot National Forest Fire Management team advises that people know what precautions to take during this level. Very high fire danger means fires start easily from all causes, and immediately spread fast. Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires. Spring and early summer rains have resulted in a tall, thick crop of grasses that are now starting to dry and cure, increasing the likelihood of a larger, more intense fire. Even in the timbered stands, heavy fuels like standing dead trees and logs are already extremely dry. It is imperative that residents and visitors alike exercise caution when recreating outdoors. Several unattended campfires have been discovered by forest personnel, especially around Lake Como Recreation Area and Lost Horse. Just because there are no flames, doesnt mean the campfire is out, Bitterroot National forest Fire Prevention Officer Russell Buzzell. Buzzell reminds people to drown a fire with water, stir it, and then touch the area to make sure its cool to the touch. If its too hot to touch, its too hot to leave, he said. Please follow these fire safety tips: Keep campfires small and completely extinguish them before leaving camp. Always add water, stir it, and make sure all embers are out. It is illegal to have unattended campfires. Smokers should light up only in areas cleared of all flammable debris. Cigarette butts should never be thrown from vehicle windows. Fireworks are illegal on public lands: every forest, every campsite, every day. Never light fireworks in the woods. Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained, with nothing dragging on the ground. A loose safety chain or dangling muffler can send a shower of sparks into dry vegetation. Keep vehicles off dry grass. The catalytic converter may contact the vegetation and start a fire. Recreational shooting? Take precautions! Never shoot into dry vegetation and always make sure youre shooting in a safe location, away from roads, trails, campsites, and occupied areas. Be aware that shooting exploding targets is prohibited on National Forest System lands. For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting. Know before you go. Always check with your local Ranger Station prior to your trip to get the most up-to-date information on fire danger and fire restrictions for the area. Visit www.mtfireinfo.org to learn more about restrictions that are in place throughout Montana. Outdoor burning season will close in Ravalli County tomorrow, July 13. Visit fireintheroot.org to learn more about outdoor burning seasons, rules, and fire prevention tips. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, should never be flown near or around wildfires. To learn more about Forest Service policy regarding UAS visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/aviation/uas/responsible-use. This year, firefighters on the Bitterroot National Forest have responded to seven fires, four human caused and three started by lightning. Sen. Theresa Manzella's actions during her re-election campaign were deeply troubling and disheartening. Her willingness to allow minions to target children with sickening flyers, attacking fellow legislators who told her no on voting for her atrocious bills, shows what she intends in the future. Most legislators do not tolerate her and often vote down her bills. She especially dislikes David Bedey who wrote an ethics bill that legislators now must follow as it hits Manzella right between the eyes for her past actions. Go Bedey! Her competitor, Wayne Rusk consistently demonstrated his honor and integrity throughout the campaign. Despite having access to damning shocking information that could have seriously harmed Manzella's reputation he chose not to exploit it, focusing instead on trying to win the election based on his merits and commitment to serving the people of Montana. In contrast to Manzella, he always tried to point out what he would do for the Bitterroot if elected. For those who voted or are thinking about electing Manzella in November, check out her Senate Bill 434. This bill is scary! Read it and realize what Manzella has planned for you and your childrens future! https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2023/billhtml/SB0434.htm. Come October, a write-in candidate will announce an effort to be the new senator for SD 44. This candidate is not part of the John Birch or phony America First crowd. He is a real republican of which you can be proud. Keep tuned for upcoming information! Marc Sabin, Corvallis WASHINGTON (AP) Four Indo-Pacific countries attending the NATO summit issued a joint statement Thursday to strongly condemn the illicit military cooperation" between Russia and North Korea, showing how the military alliance and its Pacific partners are forging closer ties to counter what they see as shared security threats. For the third year in a row, leaders or their deputies from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia which are not NATO members attended the high-level meeting of the 75-year-old military alliance of European and North American countries. In Washington, they launched cooperative projects on Ukraine, disinformation, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. We will address our shared security challenges, including Russias war against Ukraine, Chinas support for Russias war economy and the growing alignment of authoritarian powers, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said when meeting officials of the four Pacific partners. "We must work even more closely together to preserve peace and protect the rules-based international order. Our security is not regional. It is global," he said. The White House said it welcomed the attendance of the four Indo-Pacific countries at the NATO meeting because the threats and challenges among the regions are interconnected. In an interview with the South Korean news agency Yonhap, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said Washington wants to institutionalize the grouping of the four countries as Washington refocuses its attention in the region. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol told fellow leaders that solidarity among like-minded countries has become more important than ever when facing interlinked challenges such as the war in Ukraine and provocations from Pyongyang. He said South Korea welcomed an airworthiness certification from NATO for Korean aircraft, which he said would ensure mutual military compatibility. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he would promote a foundation for a long, lasting collaboration between NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners. Kishida told reporters that Japan and NATO would reinforce procedures for sharing highly sensitive intelligence and that Japan would conduct a joint exercise with NATO in the Euro-Atlantic region, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK. New Zealand signed a partnership program with NATO, though details were not immediately known. Stoltenberg wrote on the social platform X that it would take the cooperation between New Zealand and the transatlantic alliance to unprecedented levels. The Australian government announced its largest single military assistance package, worth nearly $250 million Australian dollars ($167 million U.S.), for Ukraine. The delivery of highly capable air defense capabilities and air-to-ground precision munitions represents Australias largest single support package for Ukraine, and will make an enormous contribution to its efforts to end the conflict on its terms," said Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy along with other leaders from the Indo-Pacific region. China, which NATO on Wednesday called out as a decisive enabler of Russias war efforts, has opposed NATOs reach into the Indo-Pacific region. It harms Chinas interests and disrupts peace and stability in the region, said Lin Jian, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman. Dont bring instability to the Asia-Pacific after it has done so to Europe, he said Thursday. But it is Russia's invasion of Ukraine, North Korea's growing alliance with Russia, and China's role as the main supplier of dual-use technology to Russia that are driving the cooperation between the 32 NATO member countries and the four Indo-Pacific nations, said Kenneth Weinstein, the Japan chair at the Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute. Kathmandu, Nepal, July 13, 2024: The police have been mobilized since Saturday morning to search for two buses that fell into the Trishuli River from Simaltal located in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-29 of Chitwan. The armed police has started searching using water drones and sonar cameras. However, no trace of the missing buses has been found so far. Bagmati Deluxe bus with registration number-Bagmati Pradesh-03-001 B 2495 that was going to Gaur from Kathmandu and the Angel Deluxe bus with registration number Bagmati Pradesh-03-006 B 1516 that was coming from Birgunj to Kathmandu were swept away by the landslide at around 3:30 am on Friday morning. Kathmandu, Nepal, July 13, 2024: Chairman of the CPN-UML KP Sharma Oli will be appointed as Prime Minister on Sunday morning. According to a source at the office of the president, Sitalniwas, President Ram Chandra Paudel will officially appoint Oli as Prime Minister on Sunday morning. Following the appointment, he would be sworned in on Sunday itself. It is said that newly appointment Prime Minister Oli would expand cabinet on Sunday. Americans with wads of cash jailed at Mexican border Mexicali, Baja California Two Americans were arrested Friday for trying to enter Mexico with more than $100,000 USD in cash. The pair were taken into police custody and their money seized after a customs search located the cash. The pair arrived in a truck at the Mexicali, Baja California border from the state of California. They were driving over the border through the nothing to declare lane. Their vehicle was given the green light to pass, however, as they entered Mexico, customs agents noticed heavily tinted windows. Their vehicle was pulled over by National Guard and an inspection conducted by the National Customs Agency of Mexico. During the inspection, agents located more than $104,000 in USD bills. The crew identified themselves as American citizens. These people were carrying a bag containing several bundles of bills. After counting them, the amount was $104,008 U.S. dollars, equivalent to more than 1.8 million pesos, which did not have the declaration approved by the Tax Administration Service (SAT), National Guard reported in a statement. Both Americans were arrested for violating Article 9 of the Customs Law. John Santiago, leak detection superintendent for San Antonio Water System, right, takes a listen to a leak found by Jon Sosa, senior leak detector, on July 11. Leaking pipes and other issues lead to billions of lost gallons each year in the SAWS system.. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News John Santiago, San Antonio Water System's leak detection superintendent, Jon Sosa, senior leak detector, and Sabino Bino Hernandez, senior foreman, have a strategy session before heading out to look for leaks on July 11. Leaking pipes and other issues lead to billions of lost gallons each year in the SAWS system. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News When the San Antonio Water System pitched the Vista Ridge pipeline, the utility called it a game-changing water project. SAWS officials promoted the $2.8 billion project as a crucial step to diversify and expand San Antonios water supply, and they hail it as a success. The 142-mile pipeline, which runs from Burleson County, brings more than 16 billion gallons of water per year into the SAWS system. But as SAWS imports that immense amount of water, the city-owned utility is losing even more 21 billion gallons per year by way of leaks, breaks and other issues. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As the region remains locked in drought and San Antonio's population continues to grow, it has become increasingly crucial for SAWS to maximize the water it does have and reduce its need to find water from other sources. San Antonio Water System employee Jon Sosa works to repair a washer on a leaking pipe on July 11. Leaking pipes and other issues lead to billions of lost gallons each year in the SAWS system. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Some critics and SAWS' own board say the utility has to do a better job of ensuring that less of its water pours onto the pavement or seeps into the ground from the systems aging infrastructure especially as SAWS is pushing its customers to cut back on outdoor watering and cracking down on violators of water use rules. SAWS and City Council recently approved restrictions aimed at reducing water usage by 10% during droughts but that comes as SAWS is losing more than 20% of its water intake. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "You've got double that in our own leaks in our system," SAWS trustee David McGee said at a June board meeting. "We do need to hold ourselves to the same high standard of not wasting water that our own ratepayers are dealing with as well. It's right there in front of us." SAWS officials say they have already made reducing water loss a priority, with plans to spend more than $500 million over the next five years to replace mains and increase staffing to repair pipes, among other efforts. Reducing losses from the SAWS system has risen in priority with new initiatives reaching across departments and staff, the utilitys recently approved conservation plan says. San Antonio Water System employee Sabino Bino Hernandez looks into a water meter box while co-worker John Santiago measures the distance to the water main on on July 11. Leaking pipes and other issues lead to billions of lost gallons each year in the SAWS system. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News How San Antonio stacks up A 2022 report from the Texas Living Waters Project and the National Wildlife Foundation found that across the state, water systems lose at least 572,000 acre-feet per year enough to meet the total annual water needs of Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Laredo and Lubbock combined. One acre-foot is enough water to cover 1 acre in 1 foot of water. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas utilities lose an average of 51 gallons of water per service connection each day, the report found. Large utilities like SAWS that serve more than 100,000 people tend to lose even more, with an average loss of 55 gallons per connection per day, the report said. Of the 91 billion gallons that entered the SAWS distribution system last year, more than 20% was not sold to customers, something that is referred to in the industry as nonrevenue water. While some of that is accounted for by firefighting, mandatory line flushing and other factors, most of it 19 billion gallons is the result of real losses from breaks and leaks in the system. Dallas Water Utilities reported real losses of 17.6 billion gallons, while Austin Water lost about 7 billion and Fort Worth 5.9 billion. Those numbers were reported in water loss audits, which utilities are required to submit annually to the Texas Water Development Board. The 2023 reports have not yet been reviewed by the board, so they could be subject to corrections. Sorting out how SAWS' water loss stacks up against those systems is complicated because utilities can vary widely in how they are constructed and how they operate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jon Sosa, senior leak detector for San Antonio Water System, looks over data collected about a possible leak on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News San Antonio and Dallas, for example, have similar populations within their city limits about 1.5 million residents in San Antonio and 1.3 million in Dallas, according to the Census Bureau but their water utilities operate very differently. According to its audit, SAWS serves a retail population of more than 2 million people and about 22,000 people by wholesale meaning that SAWS provides water to another system for it to distribute. Dallas Water serves a population of about 2.6 million, but half are served through wholesale water sales to more than 20 nearby cities. That setup means the water losses in those smaller cities are tallied by those municipalities, not by Dallas, while nearly all water loss in San Antonio is attributed to SAWS. That adds up to big differences in the number of service connections, which are individual connections to water main lines. SAWS served about 875,000 service connections in 2023, which was 22,000 more than the year before. Dallas had about 340,000 connections last year, a number that increased by only 1,000 year over year. Austin Water, which serves the states fourth-largest city, has about 252,000 connections. Every connection is a potential spot where leaks and loss could occur. Each connection is also opportunity for meter error, although SAWS officials say they expect that the number of meter errors will be improved by its new electronic meters, which are currently being deployed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last year, SAWS lost about 61 gallons per connection per day, according to its water loss audit. Fort Worth Water lost just under 51 gallons, while El Paso Water, which serves about 222,000 connections, lost 59 gallons. The city of Houston reported losing 73 gallons per connection per day and Austin 77 gallons, while Dallas topped the list at 142 gallons, according to their audits. San Antonio Water System's leak detection team paints SAWS on a San Antonio street to mark the spot of a potential leak. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News SAWS typically discusses water usage in terms of gallons per capita per day, or GPCD, which describes how much water is used daily per person within its service area. In 2023, SAWS lost 28 gallons per person per day, which was the highest since at least 2014, according to the conservation plan. Dallas and Houston both reported losing 37 gallons per person day. The increase came as SAWS' overall water consumption also spiked over the past two years, though it still reported the lowest GPCD of the state's six largest cities. READ MORE: Feds warn water utilities about rising threat of cyberattacks San Antonio Water System employee Sabino Bino Hernandez checks out a water leak at a San Antonio home on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News 'A very complicated situation for SAWS' While SAWS' water loss issues are not unique, some of the issues the system faces are very different from those in other large Texas cities. SAWS differs from its counterparts in the structure of its system, the variety of its water sources and the challenges presented by San Antonio's geography. SAWS has almost 7,800 miles of water main lines, enough that if they were laid out end to end, they'd stretch from San Antonio to New Zealand. That's more than Houston, which reported about 7,200 miles. More miles of pipe mean more potential chances for leaks, along with increased maintenance and replacement work demands. Some of that infrastructure is approaching the end of its lifespan, including cast-iron and cement pipes that are 50 to 60 years old, said Carlos Mendoza, SAWS' vice president of distribution and collection operations. San Antonio Water System employee Jon Sosa, senior leak detector, carries equipment used to listen to pipes to find leaks while working in a San Antonio neighborhood on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News SAWS also brings in water from 13 water supply projects from seven sources, making the system more complex. While more than half of SAWS water comes from the Edwards Aquifer, supply is also brought in from parts of the Trinity Aquifer, the Carrizo Aquifer and the Simsboro Aquifer, by way of the Vista Ridge pipeline. The utility also has a desalination plant to treat and distribute brackish water, has an aquifer storage and recovery facility that provides water and supplies a small amount of surface water from Canyon Lake. About 90% of SAWS' water supply is groundwater, which is drawn by almost 200 wells, each creating an opportunity for leaks, data errors or other issues. The system isnt centralized so water from multiple sources doesnt come together in one location. Instead, different parts of the city receive water from different sources. The diverse water sources are a strength for the system, Vice President of Conservation Karen Guz said, because it makes SAWS more resilient to issues with one particular water source. But it also makes water loss analysis more complicated, she said. Other large Texas utilities have fewer sources: Austin Water has three treatment plants pulling water from the Colorado River, while Dallas Water Utility gets drinking water from six lakes. San Antonio Water System employees John Santiago, left, and Sabino Bino Hernandez look for potential water leaks on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News With dozens of intake points, SAWS has more opportunities for leaks. Each well also has its own meter, which is a place for potential error, said Jeff Haby, senior vice president for production. Measuring water can be done very accurately, but there is some error in every meter, he said. The more meters there are, the more potential errors. San Antonios geography and topography also can play a role in water loss. Drinking water is pumped out of the SAWS' Agua Vista Station in San Antonio on Aug. 19, 2022. Josie Norris/Staff photographer Within SAWS service area, the elevation varies by about 1,400 feet from the lowest to highest points. While utilities in flatter cities can run at similar pressure throughout the system, SAWS has about four dozen different pressure zones, Haby said, where water is moving through the system with different amounts of force. Moving water from a lower elevation to a higher elevation requires more water pressure at the bottom of the hill and more water pressure means more potential for leakage, because it stresses pipes. And then theres the ground itself, which presents its own problems. Parts of the city have heavy clay soil, which dries and contracts during drought. That shifts the pipes that sit in underground trenches and causes breaks. Thats why some areas seem more susceptible to breaks than others, such as the Northeast Side, with its clay soils, as well as the far South Side, which has sandy ground. Other areas, such as the Northwest Side, sit on rock, which isnt free from issues. Water leaks might not show up on the surface there, instead seeping into the porous stone, making it harder to detect them, Haby said. All of that," he said, "creates a very complicated situation for SAWS." Filtered water courses through the hydration line at San Antonio Water System's Agua Vista Station on Aug. 19, 2022. Josie Norris/Staff photographer Questions from customers, council SAWS' water loss has increased over the past decade, according to records from the Texas Water Development Board. In 2013, it reported losing 43.4 gallons per connection per day, 18 gallons less than it reported a decade later. It has surged over the past two years, which the utility attributes to the record-breaking heat and prolonged drought, because of dry, shifting ground and increased demand for water. About one-third of the increase in SAWS' daily per capita usage in recent years is related to nonrevenue water, conservation manager Chelsea Hawkins recently told the SAWS board. As the utility tries to drive down overall usage and calls on residents to use less water, thats increasingly come under scrutiny. Pumps move water from the Vista Ridge pipeline through San Antonio Water System's Agua Vista Station on Aug. 19, 2022. The city-owned utility gets water from seven different sources, making its system more complex and contributing to water loss from meter issues, leaks and main breaks. Josie Norris, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer Reducing use from individual account holders as part of these plans is important, but the real issue that needs immediate attention is nonrevenue water, said Joe Yakubik, a former member of the utilitys Rate Advisory Committee. Speaking during the public comment portion of the utilitys May 7 board meeting, he urged trustees to prioritize addressing leaks. Leaks are SAWS' largest growing customer class and have been rising steadily and uninterrupted for over 20 years, he told the board of trustees. I wonder if SAWS has overemphasized production at the detriment of conservation. While City Council was supportive of SAWS' recent proposed changes, two council members questioned the utility about water loss and proactive plans to prevent leaks at a meeting in June before voting to approve them. Wearing headphones, San Antonio Water System employee Sabino Bino Hernandez searches for possible water leaks in a San Antonio neighborhood on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Council Member Melissa Cabello Havrda asked for more information about the utilitys plans to replace aging infrastructure, while Council Member Marina Alderete Gavito asked about how SAWS responds to leaks. We see a lot of (breaks) in District 7. Last summer, there was a huge one next to Jefferson High School and Wilson (Boulevard) was flooded for blocks, Alderete Gavito said. She asked if current and future investments by the utility would help cut response times from weeks to days. Donovan Burton, senior vice president for water resources and governmental relations, said SAWS has an asset management team tasked with looking at the conditions of water mains to help prioritize replacements and that the utility tries to align its work with city construction projects when possible. Replacing those pipes will help prevent breaks in the future, said CEO and President Robert Puente, and the utility also changed working hours this summer to speed up crews' responses. 'A top priority for SAWS' Puente says the utility has been working to address water loss for years, well before members of the public starting paying attention. The question for me is, really, why now is the public interested in this? he said. Puente said some of the additional focus has come from the SAWS board and City Council, which have spoken up about water loss and supported adding resources and staffing to reduce it. I thank the public for getting on board with this and helping us move it forward, he said. San Antonio Water System employee Sabino Bino Hernandez works in a San Antonio neighborhood on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News But the utilitys own conservation plan, a document required by state law, highlights how it has placed a spotlight on water loss, listing make reduction of SAWS water losses a top priority for SAWS as a conservation strategy. The document outlines several steps SAWS is taking to do that, including increasing staffing and spending. READ MORE: SAWS rate increases will mostly impact big businesses Over the next five years, SAWS plans to spend at least $549 million on replacing water mains, the conservation plan said, and staff members are looking for ways to increase that number. Thats a major increase: From 2019 to 2023, the utility was spending about $68 million per year on main replacements, Burton said. That jumped to $99 million in 2024, and the 2025 draft budget calls for $129 million, he said. Thats how serious we are about this particular problem, Burton said. Some of that money will come from growth to the system, he said. As the city's population grows, so does SAWS' customer base and its revenue. Other funds are being freed up as SAWS nears completion of projects required under the Environmental Protection Agencys consent decree, a decadelong, $1.2 billion effort to reduce sewer spills. In 2013, the utility reached an agreement with the federal government to make upgrades and repairs to its sewage system and to pay a $2.6 million penalty for Clean Water Act violations. SAWS had more than 2,000 illegal sewer overflows from 2006 to 2012, according to the Justice Department, discharging about 23 million gallons of raw sewage into waterways. The consent decree required SAWS to increase capacity, conduct systemwide cleaning and implement a maintenance program to reduce those overflows, and it required work to be completed by 2025. Houston is under a similar consent decree, which was approved in 2021 after years of negotiation and expected to cost $2 billion. Haby led the consent decree work and will now lead the water loss initiative. San Antonio Water System employee Sabino Bino Hernandez marks the site of a potential leak on July 11. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News In 2022 and 2023, the utility added 50 employees to improve response time to breaks, and contractors have been hired to supplement SAWS staff. Those numbers will continue to rise: Approval was given to increase crews more in both 2024 and 2025, the plan said. SAWS is also trying to improve retention among those employees, in part through safety measures for high heat, and creating more growth opportunities for these roles. The utility already has a team tasked with proactive leak detection, using technology to identify and repair leaks before they surface as large breaks. In 2026, that team is expected to double from seven to 15, according to the plan. Those are starting points for SAWS, the plan said. SAWS leadership recognizes that water losses experienced during the past two years are not acceptable. With this in mind the SAWS Water Loss Plan will be updated to determine what investments will be needed to avoid a similar challenge during future drought periods. Puente said its not feasible to eliminate water loss completely, the same way the city will never be able to eliminate potholes. It will be a years-long effort to reduce it, then more work to maintain that, he said. National Guard arrest Chicago woman inside Cancun International Cancun, Q.R. An American woman was arrested from inside Terminal 3 of the Cancun International Airport for drug possession. During a security inspection of her luggage, custom agents found a bag of marijuana. Chicago resident Connie N was arrested by elements of the National Guard and escorted out of the airport from her United Airlines flight. Her arrest was made after approximately 32 grams of dried marijuana was found inside a clear bag stuffed in her luggage. Nearly 13 years after a Montgomery County man was falsely accused of abusing a child, his road to justice has all but reached its end. I got $431,266, Kingrea, 50, said in an interview Thursday. Last year, the governor approved a bill granting Kingrea about $59,000 for the 12 months he spent incarcerated as an innocent man. Kingrea said he continues to receive a portion of those funds monthly. Del. Rip Sullivan, R-Fairfax, carried that bill through the House in 2023. During the 2024 session, the delegate successfully pushed for updates to Virginias wrongful incarceration statutes. The approved updates eliminate the requirement that an awardee receive most of their compensation through an annuity and makes several other improvements, Sullivan wrote in a session recap published on his website. It also provides compensation to those who were wrongfully on the sexual offender registry or death row. Now, Kingrea said, exonerated individuals will receive their funds all at once. He said his $431,000 came through a wire transfer from the state treasury department. They paid me all of it in one lump sum. Id never seen that many zeros, he said. It was quite a beautiful day. The 2024 updated compensation bill explains that individuals who have been wrongly convicted and incarcerated will be awarded $55,000 for each year they spent behind bars. In addition, compensated individuals shall also receive not less than $30,000 ... for each year or fraction thereof (i) of imprisonment after being sentenced to death or (ii) that such person was required to register with the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. Kingrea said he believes the state gave him about $55,000 for each year his name was on the registry almost equivalent to the same as being wrongly incarcerated. Just imagine the effect being on the registry would have on you, your family, and your job prospects, Sullivan wrote in his session recap. Kingrea and his wife, Michelle, have a 9-year-old son named Dylan, who has been diagnosed with a number of disabilities, including spastic cerebral palsy and autism. When Kingrea was on the registry, he said caring for Dylan was harder, as he couldnt advocate for his son at school. He had no words for that kind of heartbreak. Unfortunately, he was discriminated against when I wasnt able to go there and be there, Kingrea said. Then youve got child protective services that other people would be calling on you, and its just horrible. When Kingrea became one of a dozen or so people in the commonwealth to ever be exonerated, he said he was honored. Thats how rare these things are, he said. Not too many people in this world can even say they have one House bill in their name. Now Im like a back-to-back champion. Kingrea said he and his wife are thinking about using his compensation funds to purchase a new home, as Dylans needs have outgrown their 1970 trailer. First and foremost, keeping him out of an institution has been our goal, Kingrea said. Thank goodness that, because of this, were actually able to to make that dream come true. I dont know where we would be without it. More than anything else, Kingrea said he is grateful for everyone who has helped his family, including Sullivan, his attorney Fred Kellerman and Innocence Project advocates. Im very humbled, Kingrea said. Im just glad that we always stood on what the truth was. Weve lived our lives through our hearts, regardless of what others thought that was best for us. Weve lived and made our choices through our hearts, and thats how we still are today. Chelsie Ver Mulm had plans to take some of her baby animals to a farmers market in Omaha on June 22 -- guests she didn't get to bring very often. "I had plans to leave Iowa early and get down there with the bottle babies since some of those people have never seen a goat before, let alone gotten to pet one," said Ver Mulm, who lives in Rock Valley and owns the Hudson Meats and Sausage butcher shop, in nearby Hudson, S.D. "It was a customer interaction thing." By 9 a.m. that day, Ver Mulm had new more pressing priorities -- moving her cattle, goats and sheep to dry land. By mid-afternoon, floodwaters from the swollen Rock River had completely submerged the fenced pastures in her backyard. Her butcher shop was too deep underwater to access, let alone to assess the damages. Ver Mulm quickly called her cousin to help her move livestock to safety. Soon, more neighboring farmers were offering their services to help move animals -- albeit, more than they expected. "Most of my ewes and nannies are behind the house," Ver Mulm said. "Most of the people don't realize how many animals I actually have because we put them out in the pasture. So we got them all to the front and they were like, 'holy crap. Where are we gonna fit all these?'" Flooded farm land The setting sun peeks through storm clouds over a flooded corn field along Highway 18 northwest of Spencer, Iowa, on June 25. Floodwaters cove Farm Flooding Chelsie Ver Mulm, center, points out how high the water had reached in her pastures to Andy and Kelsey Callens on June 22, 2024 in Rock Valley, Iowa. Over the next few hours, Ver Mulm's animals made it to safety, but most of her land and equipment remained flooded and damaged, if not entirely unusable. Her ordeal is one of a long list of flood-related stories that Siouxland farm families have faced in recent weeks. The record flooding in large swaths of Northwest Iowa and Southeast South Dakota covered entire corn and soybean fields, causing the submerged plants to die immediately. In other fields, there are certain spots which ponded and killed some plants while others survived. Michael Cordonnier, PhD, an Illinois-based crop consultant, estimates about 900,000 U.S. corn acres, and 750,000 acres of soybeans were lost to flooding. Iowa Agriculture Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says it's too soon to know the full extent of the damage in the state, as wet fields lead to slower developing crops and yield losses long-term. "It's hard, in fact, it's impossible to say at this time what the full extent of that will be," Naig, an Emmetsburg native said. "It could take until fall to get that full picture." The agriculture secretary noted the flooding resulted in two types of damage. "One is, of course, the direct flood water damage, water eroding or damaging foundations or structures," Naig said. "Obviously, so many homes that have been impacted, that affects folks in town, and certainly some low lying areas along streams [or] damaged and washed out cropland, pasture, those types of things. "And, the other type of damage that we're seeing is related to the excess moisture that we've seen generally this spring in parts of especially Northwest Iowa, receiving nearly an entire growing season worth of precipitation in just in a couple of weeks. And, of course, that's creating longer lasting challenges for the crop. In that case, you really won't know the full extent of that crop damage until harvest this fall, because some of that, you just have to wait and see what it yields." The floodwaters also inundated multiple cattle lots in the region. Beth Doran, an Iowa State University Extension Outreach beef specialist, noted some cattle weren't eating enough during the heavy rains that contributed to the downstream flooding. Now, producers are concerned that if the current heat humidity continues to rise, the effects of the stress and muddy feedlots could lead to foot rot or hairy heel warts. "The way we look at it, whenever an animal is stressed, we recommend to producers not to market them right away," Doran said. "When animals get stressed they tend to get a dark cutter, where the meat is darling in color than normal. Keep them at home with food and water, in low stress, and it could take about three weeks for them to go back to that nice bright red color." Gentry Sorenson, an Iowa State University Extension field agronomist based in Algona, said the extensive water and rainfall has led to nitrogen losses and stress in many plants, as well as an increase in weeds. "With the rainfall it's also made applications of post-emergent herbicides difficult as well, with wet soil conditions, [farmers] can't get out in the field and make the applications," said Sorenson, whose territory includes Buena Vista, Dickinson and Clay, which all experienced widespread flooding. Doren and Sorenson agree the most important thing a farmer who experienced losses should do is to document the damage and report it to their crop insurance agency and Farm Service Agency. Farm Flooding Chickens and ducks play on debris left behind after the water had receded on Chelsie Ver Mulms land on June 22 in Rock Valley, Iowa. Farm Flooding Seven-year-old Maddox Callens and other members of his family help Chelsie Ver Mulm, left, build a makeshift pen for her goats on a neighbors Ver Mulm is in the process of getting support from her local FSA, looking for short-term help getting the basics: new fences, reseeding the pastures and dealing with weeds and debris. But long term, Ver Mulm says the financial hit goes a lot deeper. "[The butcher shop] is accessible now, but the backlog of people that we weren't able to fit in that week has caused some problems, and then pushed everybody else back," she said. "We missed a couple markets in Omaha, so our cash flow from selling was affected. Plus, with all of the damages, other farmers no longer have the freedom to buy whatever they want over the next couple months. And, come fall or winter, the feed prices are going to skyrocket." This is Ver Mulm's first time working with her Farm Service Agency to apply for federal assistance. She's not really sure what will happen or how much assistance she'll get, and she's not the only one with long-term concerns. Hawarden flooding A deer wades to safety through a flooded farm field south of Hawarden, Iowa, on June 22 in the wake of flooding from the Big Sioux River. According to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm Management Field Specialists, over 90% of the 23 million acres of soybeans and corn in Iowa farms are insured using Revenue Protection (RP) multi-peril crop insurance. "Crop insurance is just like many other types of insurance," Naig said. "It never makes you entirely whole, but what it can do is allow you to be able to get through, paying your expenses, and hopefully have a chance to do it again next year. The good news about crop insurance is it's a very well established program. Unfortunately, most farmers have had an experience with crop insurance at some point in their career, and [there are] pretty well established protocols for that." Authorities also are pointed producers to other state and federal assistance programs. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday announced a new loan program to those who suffered a physical loss to livestock, livestock products, real estate, or equipment used in the production of agricultural products, for which an insurance claim has been submitted and approved. The Disaster Recovery Farm Interest Program will reimburse up to $50,000 from one year of interest paid on eligible loans executed or amended after the earliest incident date of the federal disaster declaration for the county where the damage occurred. Producers in multiple Northwest Iowa are eligible. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has called for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to further assist farmers by opening up Conservation Reserve Program acres for emergency grazing as a result of flooding. "There are some triggers in place that have to be met in order for that to happen," Naig said. "In fact, we're having an ongoing conversation with USDA about that. [It's] a process that will have to play out here over the coming weeks, but it is an option, but it's not easily done, unfortunately, but it's certainly something that we are looking at." Although that proposal hasn't gone into effect yet, there are still other USDA programs currently available for farmers in times of natural disasters such as the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) and the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which helps with livestock loss, and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), which helps repair damage to farmlands. CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- Federal Emergency Management Agency teams will begin canvasing Correctionville. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams will begin going door-to-door in at 9 a.m. on Saturday in Correctionville to help residents impacted by the historic flooding last month. The team will help individuals apply for individual assistance, Woodbury County Emergency Management announced Friday. If residents are not home, FEMA members will leave a flyer so they can schedule an appointment for a later date. FEMA is able to provide money for people who: are paying for a temporary place to live, have to do home repairs or have other needs not covered by insurance. Woodbury County emergency management also announced a cooling center will be set up at the Correctionville Community Center from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. SOUTH SIOUX CITY A yellowed and frayed stack of century-old editions of The Mail, a defunct newspaper, sit in front of a desk in the Gary Sides Memorial Historical Records Room at the South Sioux City Public Library. To the right in the neutral room, shelving is packed with white, black and blue binders containing family, town and business histories. "Items naturally decay over time. If you don't save them, you will lose them," Dan Nieman, the library's assistant director and reference librarian, said as he sat at the desk flanked by Director Cicely Douglas and Jim Tillman, a local Black history historian and author. "And if you lose them, you're not just losing paper, you're losing history. You're losing the stories of our community." South Sioux City Public Library history preservation The first edition of The Mail, dated July 19, 1919, is shown Tuesday in the Gary Sides Memorial Historical Records Room at South Sioux City Pu The library, 2121 Dakota Ave., recently received a $1,500 grant from the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation to take steps to preserve its local history collection. The first phase of the project consists of sorting and organizing family and business histories, censuses, marriage records and newspapers from as early as the 1800s. After previously requesting funding and not getting any, library staff are elated that they'll finally be able to make local history and genealogy more accessible to patrons. "It's very exciting. We're really just happy we're able to get this started, because this is such a wonderful opportunity for the area to have all this history in this room. We need to make sure we take care of it," said Douglas, who noted the library initially requested $3,000 and will be looking for additional grant funding in the future to continue the project. Douglas said the library "inherited" the local history collection, which came from local historian Gary Sides' basement. Sides, a Dakota City resident who died in 2014, did extensive work during his life compiling thousands of notebooks regarding the history of Dakota County relating to steamboats, bridges, buildings, schools, farms, towns and life stories, as well as other historical projects. South Sioux City Public Library history preservation Cicely Douglas, library director, gestures towards a binder of census information Tuesday in the Gary Sides Memorial Historical Records Room a "As you can see, a lot of the materials are deteriorating, just because when this whole space was planned and kind of conceived, it was a short-term solution. They just said, 'There are records. Let's get them, so we can have the whole town history.' But not a whole lot was able to come of making sure it's preserved long-term and to really keep these items scannable in our databases and really tease out what's in here," Douglas explained. Douglas said the records the library can salvage require special preservation with acid-free paper and containers. She expects that process to take a couple of months to complete. "The equipment we received is a lot of acid-free folders, acid-free tissue paper, acid-free boxes for photos and photo negatives. We also received a light box through this grant, too," she said. "As we're preserving, we can at least make sure the records that we have are accurate or properly notated and easy to find. That's the big part to it right now -- really understanding what we have in this room and having it organized." The binders filling the south wall contain mostly family histories, which Sides complied over the years. Nieman said others have since added more family histories to the collection. "It's really a community project that has been going on for some time. This grant just helps us to have some monies to do something with it," he said. South Sioux City Public Library history preservation Jim Tillman, local Black history historian and author, holds a folder of information on Dr. DeWitt Dawkins, a Black South Sioux City veterinar Tillman has two books in the works with Nieman. One is about the most influential Black families from South Sioux City, while Dr. Whit M. Dawkins, a veterinarian from South Sioux City who was recognized as the first African American elected to the Sioux City YMCA board of directors, is the focus of the other. "But Dr. Whit Dawkins was so much more than that," Tillman said of Dawkins, who in July 1967 rode a horse 450 miles across the state of Nebraska in 18 days. "He gave emphasis and brought attention to the Negro cowboy. There were black cowboys. There were Native American cowboys. There were Mexican cowboys." Tillman said he gets excited when he finds a "gold nugget" -- a connection between people from South Sioux City's past, or a new story to tell -- while doing research. The library's local history collection could contain a lot of "gold nuggets" for Tillman. "It's a lot of behind the scenes work, but we're committed to it," Tillman said of the preservation project. South Sioux City Public Library history preservation Cicely Douglas, library director, left, Dan Nieman, assistant director and reference librarian and Jim Tillman, local Black history historian According to a preliminary police report, a woman shot a man after he began physically assaulting her, a juvenile and another family member. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images San Antonio police are investigating after a reported assault ended in the death of a 45-year-old man Saturday. A 40-year-old woman is accused of shooting the man, who was her partner. According to a preliminary police report, the woman shot the 45-year-old after he began physically assaulting her, a juvenile and another family member at a home in the 1100 block of Boling Brook Drive, near Marbach Road. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Officers responding to a call about a shooting, arrived around 9 a.m. and found a 45-year-old man with a gunshot wound. CRIME & COURTS: Mexican man sentenced to nearly 20 years for drug trafficking after caught at border with meth The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He has not been identified. SAPD continues to investigate. BOSTON Drivers for ride-hailing companies in Massachusetts are pushing ahead with what they describe as a first-of-its-kind ballot question that could win them union rights if approved. The push comes despite a landmark settlement last month guaranteeing that Uber and Lyft drivers will earn a minimum pay standard of $32.50 per hour in Massachusetts. Supporters of the measure last week delivered the final batch of signatures needed to land a spot on the November ballot. April Verrett, president of the Service Employees International Union, said the tens of thousands of Uber and Lyft drivers working in Massachusetts deserve the collective bargaining benefits of unions. "This would be the first in the nation to establish a union for drivers in this way," she said. The group is working on a similar effort in California. Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who secured the settlement which included what she described as "an unprecedented package of minimum wage, benefits and protections" is also backing the ballot question. Verrett said labor laws in the country aren't written to take into consideration gig workers, something the ballot question would begin to remedy in Massachusetts if voters support the question and drivers ultimately form a union. "We fundamentally believe that workers are workers," she said. "All workers deserve a union, a way to come together with their coworkers to have a say in their livelihood." Yolanda Rodriguez has driven for Lyft for about six years and says she's convinced that having union rights would benefit her and other drivers. The 33-year mother of three who lives in Malden, just outside Boston, said she begins most days at about 3 a.m., with many of her trips involving driving people to Logan International Airport. Rodriguez said about a year ago her account was canceled when she was pregnant. She said she went for five months before it was restored and she could begin earning an income again. "I don't want that to happen to other women or men because there are often children behind the cancellations," she said through a translator. "If I had a union, I would be able to turn to them and work with them." Under a policy Lyft announced earlier this year, the company said their goal is to make drivers feel supported and respected when a temporary hold is placed on a driver's account during an investigation including a streamlined, in-app button for drivers to appeal deactivation decisions. But not everyone thinks the question goes far enough if they support it at all. Henry De Groot, 28, of Boston, has driven for both companies on and off for five years but says the ballot proposal question isn't a fair deal. "I'm 100 percent pro-union and I'm 100 percent opposed to the ballot question," he said. De Groot said the question doesn't create a democratic system where all drivers have rights. He said no rights are included in the initiative beyond basic collective bargaining, including details on how dues are spent. "You can't have a regular union and not let workers have a vote," he said. "There is no driver control over leadership. It's about the basic democratic rights that other unions have. It's a top-down organization." Kelly Cobb-Lemire, an organizer with Massachusetts Drivers United, which she describes as a grassroots, driver-led campaign, said other app-based workers including delivery drivers are left out of the ballot question. "We're fighting to ensure that both drivers and delivery workers have the right to form a union and are classified as workers," she said. "We support democratic collective bargaining where every driver has a vote." She said her group is instead pushing lawmakers to approve a bill that would enshrine full employee rights for all app workers and include a path to unionization for everyone. She said the legislation also would mandate that drivers and delivery workers be paid at least the Massachusetts minimum wage for all working time. The ballot question, if approved, would define "active drivers" as those who completed more than the median number of rides in the previous six months. Once a union signs up 5% of active drivers in a bargaining unit, it would get a list of all eligible workers and block any other union from being recognized without an election. If a union then signs up 25% of the eligible voters in a bargaining unit, it becomes the certified bargaining representative unless another union or a "no-union" group comes forward within the next seven days with signed cards from at least 25% of eligible voters, at which point there would be an election. Backers of the question had been preparing to go up against a possible series of industry-backed ballot questions that intended to classify drivers as independent contractors. But that threat evaporated after the settlement, which barred the companies from supporting all five proposed variations of their ballot question meaning they won't proceed to the ballot. In a statement after the settlement was announced, Lyft said the deal resolved a lawsuit that recently went to trial and avoided the need for the ballot initiative campaign this November. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/nato-in-state-of-hysteria-as-alliance-faces-russia-china-trump-reelection---experts-1119357524.html NATO in State of Hysteria as Alliance Faces Russia, China, Trump Reelection - Experts NATO in State of Hysteria as Alliance Faces Russia, China, Trump Reelection - Experts Sputnik International NATO leaders at the Washington summit this week were in a near hysterical state as they deal rising challenges and the growing possibility and Donald Trump will be elected for a second term, experts told Sputnik. 2024-07-12T23:39+0000 2024-07-12T23:39+0000 2024-07-12T23:39+0000 analysis dan lazare russia china ukraine nato beau grosscup peter ford https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/04/1117734735_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_33d3902f8fa23a9941bc72c6c2f0f45b.png "NATO is almost hysterical as it confronts the failure of its backfiring attempts to 'contain' Russia, China, Iran and the DPRK [North Korea] and the imminent likely election of a NATO-sceptic Trump as US president," former United Kingdom ambassador to Syria and political commentator Peter Ford said on Thursday. The 32-nation alliance unveiled its new declaration earlier in the day emphasizing its determination to confront Russia and China in defense of what it called international law and to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. However, the declaration made no reference as to other nations' and alliances' rights to interpret those concepts differently from NATO. Ford said the declaration did not appear to be rational and rather than presenting the alliance's principles and priorities in a way that could provide the basis for negotiated agreements with other nations, it indulged wildly in abuse. The former UK diplomat also said NATO leaders were now so limited in their understanding of the world that they could not recognize other nations' aspirations while clinging to old intellectual constructs such as their alleged "rules-based order." This denial extended to the refusal to acknowledge that while NATO may have gained more members, but in reality more liabilities than assets, two key states - Turkey and Hungary - were now increasingly members in name only, he said. Ford said the declaration principally signals NATO's commitment to continue stoking the Ukraine conflict over a very long period, but this bluster may only last until the November US presidential election. "We can but pray that Russia and China are sensible enough to see through the bluster and wait to see what happens," Ford added. NATO'S AVALANCHE OF LIES American University in Moscow President Edward Lozansky agreed that the declaration was irrational and worse, one that brings the world closer to the edge of the abyss. NATO claimed to champion the forces of freedom and progress in the world, but its militaristic and aggressive policies against so many nations undermined its own rhetoric, he said. Lozansky also said he was unsure why Hungary and Slovakia signed the declaration, which contradicted their previous statements, but speculated that perhaps they had to yield to the enormous pressure - something that has happened in the past to disobedient members. NATO DECLARATION A TEXTBOOK OF IMPERIAL OVERREACH US constitutional historian and political commentator Dan Lazare said the declaration read like an archaic document out of the distant past, so unconnected with reality that it resembled something King Louis XVI might have issued before the French Revolution. "According to the document, it is opening up a liaison office in Jordan, expanding operations in Kuwait and discussing strategy with the AUKUS [Australia-United Kingdom-United States] nations" while also proclaiming the Indo-Pacific region as directly affecting Euro-Atlantic security, Lazare said. "But why stop there? Why not extend operations into the Antarctic or the Strait of Magellan?" Lazare said a few elements in the declaration were particularly over the top even by NATO standards, such as the proclamation the alliance members will never recognize Russias new territories, including Crimea. While the declaration accuses Russia of sabotage, acts of violence and provocations at allied borders, among other malicious activities, it is widely known the United States and its NATO allies were responsible for the greatest single act of sabotage by destroying the Nordstream 2 pipelines, he said. However, Lazare described the NATO Declaration's attack on China as especially ironic, Lazare said. If Washington truly wanted to put an end to the deepening Russia-China partnership, it should try lowering the temperature and adopting a more cooperative and reasonable approach, he said. "Neither country is going away soon, so the United States better learn to live with it," Lazare added. LAST DITCH EFFORT TO PROP UP CRUMBLING ALLIANCE California State University Emeritus Professor of Political Affairs Beau Grosscup saw the declaration as a desperate last-ditch attempt to prop up the venerable and crumbling alliance before the US elections are held in November. The declaration was also crafted to make a strong statement of support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, he said. "Finally, the declaration is very clear that NATO is expanding its capabilities and commitments into the Pacific and Middle East/African theaters," Grosscup said. The declaration was meant to try and show both NATO's friends and critics that the alliance was still a powerful force in the world to be reckoned with - a statement of unity and resolve that puts in doubt any notion of its demise among critics, he said. However, the declaration will do nothing to change inexorable global realities and will not significantly change the dynamic of great power relations, Grosscup said. For all the bluster and bluff, the declaration will seriously further increase already grave global tensions as China and Russia will see it as an aggressive act, Grosscup added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/nato-squeezes-juice-from-the-world-to-impose-neocolonialism---russian-ambassador-on-nato-summit-1119347469.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240711/us-upset-with-putin-modi-meeting-amid-nato-summit-requested-rescheduling---reports-1119344088.html russia china ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nato summit analysis, peter ford on nato summit, edward lozansky on nato, dan lazare on nato, beau grosscup on nato https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/completely-unfit-whats-behind-us-corporate-press-sudden-change-of-heart-on-joe-biden-1119360834.html 'Completely Unfit': What's Behind US Corporate Press' Sudden Change of Heart on Joe Biden? 'Completely Unfit': What's Behind US Corporate Press' Sudden Change of Heart on Joe Biden? Sputnik International The incumbent president's debate debacle became a watershed moment for his re-election campaign with former political and media allies suddenly urging him to drop out despite earlier encouraging people to vote for him. 2024-07-13T10:28+0000 2024-07-13T10:28+0000 2024-07-13T10:28+0000 joe biden americas us donald trump george clooney washington hollywood cnn democratic party msnbc https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/1d/1119183283_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_5cab3879d9e9d4b8cbebb0cde583a662.jpg The tone of the US press, donors and fellow politicians has drastically changed after US President Joe Biden's botched debate with his presidential rival Donald Trump on June 27. Biden's most recent hour-long news conference on the final day of the NATO summit in Washington, DC, has failed to calm Democratic fears, according to CNN.Reflecting on the mid-June fundraiser event where he helped the Biden campaign collect $30 million, the actor admitted that the Biden he was with last month "was not the Joe 'big f***ing deal' Biden of 2010. He wasn't even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate."In his op-ed, Clooney claims his stance is shared by "every senator and Congress member and governor" he has spoken to privately no matter what they say publicly.However, less than a month ago the actor insistently urged Americans to cast their votes for Biden in mass mailing: "We need as many people as possible to chip in to make sure President Biden gets four more years in the White House," Clooney wrote.Likewise, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough also urged Biden to consider dropping out despite being one of his favorite pundits, as per Axios.This stance contrasts sharply with Scarborough's fierce defense of Biden in March: "You look at Joe Biden, he exercises every day. You look how fit and trim he is," the journalist claimed, discussing the president's physical fitness on "Morning Joe".Similarly, New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman, who is believed to be close to the US administration and never questioned Biden's physical fitness before, now says, "Joe Biden has no business running for re-election."In a similar vein, Biden's biographer Evan Osnos, CNN commentator Van Jones, MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow and other staunch supporters of Biden have been quoted by the New York Times as saying that the president has "diminished from where he was" and needs to be replaced.Even former President Barack Obama and ex-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had Biden's back for his first tenure, are now said to be expressing concerns in private about his ability to run and win, according to CNN.Was It a Surprise?"Why was it a surprise? Bidens debate problems leave some wondering if the press missed the story," the Associated Press (AP) reported on July 3, in what appeared to be an attempt to save face.The media outlet pinned the blame on Biden's "aggressive" aides, his lack of public visibility, and fears that any story that would question the president's fitness would be seen as helping Trump win in 2024.However, on June 21 the AP itself ridiculed those questioning Biden's mental capacity and denounced video clips showing the president's decline as "misleading", "out-of-context" and "trimmed."The right-leaning press calls the ongoing meltdown in the Democratic Party and liberal media a "coordinated rebellion" and "dangerous internal power struggle between rival factions inside America's ruling class."'Dems & Media Hid Truth About Biden's Health'US conservatives do not buy into the mainstream narrative that Biden's debate debacle was an unexpected moment, insisting that Team Biden, liberal donors and pro-Democrat pundits were well aware of the president's condition."Anybody whos anybody in the Democratic Party participated in, knew of and covered up Bidens cognitive dysfunction while allowing secret unnamed staffers to run the country," Miller said.Politico hastened to dismiss this stance as a "conspiracy theory."It is clear, however, that concerns within the Democratic Party have been simmering for quite a while.Prior to the "eye-opening" debate, Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote: "One extreme possibility in the case of a very bad showing Thursday night, I have been told, is to obtain agreement from Biden and his family advisers for the president to come to the Democratic convention in Chicago in August and accept the accolades of a first-round delegate victory; then he would decline the nomination and throw the nominating process open to all. The new shoe-in candidate, in this vision, might be Gavin Newsom, the young and photogenic governor of California, or the popular Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois."It appears that the scenario described by Hersh is already underway. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/biden-has-made-gaffes-for-decades-will-continue-to-make-them---campaign-1119355006.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/warning-shot-2-million-donation-to-biden-critics-signals-trouble-for-his-re-election-campaign-1119358943.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240711/biden-mistakenly-refers-to-ukraines-zelensky-as-putin-during-introduction-at-nato-event-1119345101.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/biden-may-decline-democratic-nomination-if-he-does-poorly-in-upcoming-debate---hersh-1119052113.html americas washington hollywood Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova joe biden campaign, joe biden's mental health, us 2024 presidential campaign, us mainstream media urges biden to drop out, george clooney urged biden to drop out, biden's re-election bid, coordinated rebellion, coordinated media attack on biden https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/death-toll-from-israeli-strike-on-gazas-khan-younis-rises-to-90---gaza-health-ministry-1119365696.html Death Toll From Israeli Strike on Gaza's Khan Younis Rises to 90 - Gaza Health Ministry Death Toll From Israeli Strike on Gaza's Khan Younis Rises to 90 - Gaza Health Ministry Sputnik International The death toll from the Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip's southern governorate of Khan Yunis has risen to 90 people, with 300 injured, the enclave's health ministry said on Saturday. 2024-07-13T18:20+0000 2024-07-13T18:20+0000 2024-07-13T18:20+0000 world middle east israel gaza strip hamas israel defense forces (idf) palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/04/15/1118035820_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_927dbfe3f417bc9341b3ad0c01baaa3d.jpg "The death toll in the occupation's [Israel's] horrific massacre, committed on Saturday morning against citizens and displaced persons in Al Mawasi neighborhood in Khan Younis Governorate has reached 90, half of them women and children, 300 injured, among them dozens of children and women," the ministry said in a statement.Earlier in the day, the ministry said over 70 people were killed and 289 injured by the strike in Al Mawasi area. A representative of the Israel Defense Forces told Sputnik that it had stricken an area in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting chief of Hamas's military wing Mohammed Deif and the commander of one of Hamas' units, Rafia Salam. Al Arabiya news channel reported, citing a source, that Salam was killed in the strike. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/israeli-strike-in-khan-younis-kills-over-70-as-high-ranking-hamas-officials-reportedly-targeted-1119362385.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International the death toll from the israeli strike on the gaza strip's southern governorate of khan yunis has risen to 90 people, with 300 injured, the enclave's health ministry said on saturday. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/is-bidens-scaremongering-over-project-2025-a-last-ditch-attempt-to-stay-in-race-1119363324.html Is Biden's Scaremongering Over Project 2025 a Last Ditch Attempt to Stay in Race? Is Biden's Scaremongering Over Project 2025 a Last Ditch Attempt to Stay in Race? Sputnik International Joe Biden's campaign is presenting a US conservative initiative called Project 2025 as a blueprint for Donald Trump's potential second term in an apparent bid to divert attention from the POTUS' debate fallout. 2024-07-13T12:59+0000 2024-07-13T12:59+0000 2024-07-13T12:59+0000 americas donald trump joe biden americans michigan hollywood federal bureau of investigation (fbi) democrats republican white house https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/07/1119278173_0:160:3075:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_c46aee8de4910343ea7acb7498fc013c.jpg US President Joe Biden lashed out at the 2025 Presidential Transition Project - commonly known as Project 2025 - during his campaign event in the battleground state of Michigan on July 12."Do you think democracy is under siege based on Project 2025?" Biden said, linking his Republican contender Donald Trump to the project run by a coalition of American conservative organizations headed by the DC-based think tank the Heritage Foundation.The Biden campaign also launched an advert slamming the former president, while Vice President Kamala Harris called the project's agenda a blueprint for Trump's potential second term.The project's 900-page policy proposal calls upon Americans to counter the push of the "radical Left" and, among other things, seeks:While Trump has claimed he has nothing to do with the conservative initiative, CNN has argued that it found that at least 140 people who worked in his previous administration are associated with Project 2025, including Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows and adviser Stephen Miller.The Trump campaign rejected the claims and fired back at Team Biden, calling the unfolding "coordinated attack" from the White House and its subservient media a "distraction" in the aftermath of the incumbent president's disastrous debate performance."Team Biden and the DNC [Democratic National Committee] are lying and fear-mongering because they have nothing else to offer the American people. Remember this is the same group that lied to Americans and hid Joe Bidens cognitive decline all these years," Alvarez added.The timing of the Biden campaign's attack on Project 2025 raises questions given that the Heritage Foundation's initiative was launched in 2022 and has been circulating for almost two years.On the other hand, the sudden fuss over the conservative program comes amid mounting pressure on Biden to drop out of the presidential race from influential media pundits, Democrats, Hollywood celebrities and liberal donors. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/completely-unfit-whats-behind-us-corporate-press-sudden-change-of-heart-on-joe-biden-1119360834.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/biden-mixes-up-harris--trump-says-hell-take-neurological-exam-if-his-doctors-suggest-it-1119346312.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240629/not-fit-for-presidential-duties-ex-pentagon-adviser-on-bidens-debate-with-trump-1119176342.html americas michigan hollywood Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova project 2025, is trump connected to project 2025, is project 2025 a threat to democracy, donald trump campaign. us media urging joe biden to drop out, biden campaign is using project 2025 to divert attention from biden's failures, biden's debate debacle, heritage foundation https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/israeli-newspaper-says-country-is-collapsing-as-46000-businesses-shutter-1119357894.html Israeli Newspaper Says Country is Collapsing as 46,000 Businesses Shutter Israeli Newspaper Says Country is Collapsing as 46,000 Businesses Shutter Sputnik International Roughly 46,000 Israeli businesses shut down since October 2023, according to the Hebrew newspaper Maariv, which described the country as "collapsing." 2024-07-13T02:09+0000 2024-07-13T02:09+0000 2024-07-13T02:09+0000 world palestinians israel ansar allah houthi hezbollah lebanon palestine middle east israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/15976/30/159763034_0:140:3059:1861_1920x0_80_0_0_b4007a2ffc2de153fb6a5d35a3935832.jpg Roughly 46,000 Israeli businesses have shut down since October 7, according to the Hebrew-language newspaper Maariv.The Israeli economy has been declining rapidly since it launched its campaign in Gaza,particularly after the Yemen Ansar Allah movement (aka Houthi) and the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon have been taking action in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.The Houthis have blockaded the Red Sea from ships it says are connected with Israel or the United States. Because of their actions, the southern port of Eilat the country's busiest port before the war has been virtually shut down since October 2023. Exacerbating the situation further, foreign tourism has also collapsed during the war, and as of December, nearly half a million Israelis have left the country and that was before tensions inflamed significantly between Iran and Israel.Meanwhile, the Ansar Allah movement has been attacking Israels north, forcing tens of thousands of Israelis to evacuate the area, virtually wiping out businesses in the area. However, businesses around all of Israel are struggling, the paper said, with construction and ancillary industries being hurt the most but it noted that nearly every industry is being affected.Yoel Amir the CEO of Coface Bdi, a services and credit risk management firm, told the paper that they estimate 60,000 Israeli businesses could shut down by the end of the year.In December, South Africa brought a case against Israel in the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide. Since then, a dozen countries have joined it and many more have publicly welcomed the case.More than 38,300 Palestinians have been confirmed killed and another nearly 88,300 have been seriously injured in Gaza since Israel began its campaign, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. That number is largely assumed to be a massive undercount because of a lack of health services and thousands who remain missing are presumed to be buried under the rubble. A recent study by the British medical journal The Lancet estimates that more than 186,000 Palestinians have likely died as either a direct or indirect result of the Israeli campaign. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240710/israels-strike-on-school-in-gaza-attempt-to-sabotage-ceasefire-talks-turkiye-says-1119321799.html israel lebanon palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino israeli economy, issues inside israel, discontent is israel, businesses shutting in israel https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/israeli-strike-in-khan-younis-kills-over-70-as-high-ranking-hamas-officials-reportedly-targeted-1119362385.html Israeli Strike in Khan Younis Kills Over 70 as High-Ranking Hamas Officials Reportedly Targeted Israeli Strike in Khan Younis Kills Over 70 as High-Ranking Hamas Officials Reportedly Targeted Sputnik International The Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza looked to eliminate Mohammed Deif, the head of the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas. 2024-07-13T11:24+0000 2024-07-13T11:24+0000 2024-07-13T11:33+0000 israel world hamas al arabiya shin bet middle east palestine-israel conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/0d/1119362605_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_27a374adc8d4e9c868787b1feb0020c6.jpg An Israeli strike in Khan Younis in southern Gaza has killed 70, with nearly 290 people injured, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The statement notes that many of the injured have sustained serious wounds.The strike occurred in the Al-Mawasi area of the province.The bombing reportedly targeted the head of Hamas' military wing Muhammad Deif, local news outlet Yedioth Ahronoth has reported. Another target of the strike was the Hamas brigade commander in Khan Younis.However, it is currently unclear whether Deif was taken out by the strike, Israel's Army Radio reported on Saturday. Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Galant is assessing the operational situation with Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and the head of Israel's General Security Service (Shin Bet), Ronen Bar. According to reports, Israeli military intelligence believes Deif was likely severely injured, while confirming his elimination will take time, the publication noted. Israeli security forces are also confident that there were no Israeli hostages near the senior Hamas members at the time of the strike.Meanwhile, another news outlet Al Arabiya has cited sources as saying that Rafiah Salama, a commander of one of the Hamas units, was killed in the strike. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240710/israels-strike-on-school-in-gaza-attempt-to-sabotage-ceasefire-talks-turkiye-says-1119321799.html israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gaza war, khan younis, israelm israel defense forces (idf), gaza strip, palestine-israel conflict, israel-hamas conflict, hamas https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/nato-unable-unprepared-to-defend-european-countries---ex-pentagon-analyst-1119358402.html NATO Unable, Unprepared to Defend European Countries - Ex-Pentagon Analyst NATO Unable, Unprepared to Defend European Countries - Ex-Pentagon Analyst Sputnik International The NATO military bloc is unprepared and unable to defend Europe because most of its capabilities have "been sent to Ukraine and destroyed already" retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski told Sputnik. 2024-07-13T02:39+0000 2024-07-13T02:39+0000 2024-07-13T03:23+0000 analysis ukraine karen kwiatkowski josep borrell russia washington nato european union (eu) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/1e/1119197924_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_7969e4a7c6a3e6a03c26d4051b1a8e34.jpg "NATO is unable and unprepared to defend European countries in fact most of that defensive capability has been sent to Ukraine and destroyed already," Kwiatkowski said in an interview. European NATO members have had no reason to develop their own defense capabilities, diplomacy or trade due to the dominant role of the United States in the military bloc, including its key position in nuclear defense, Kwiatkowski noted. Instead, Kwiatkowski argues that the summit was designed to benefit arms dealers in the West. At the same time, the document serves as a warning to the rest of the world that the military alliance sees no limit to its territorial ambitions and with the current level of funding will pose a threat to peace and security, and trade in the Black Sea and the Pacific regions, Kwiatkowski added.According to Kwiatkowski, the major part of the declaration contradicts any defensive intent of the military bloc as NATO now seeks specific war and prewar efforts against Russia and China across multiple regions.On Wednesday, NATO members released a joint Washington Summit Declaration, which outlines the alliance's efforts to further isolate Russia, bolster the alliance's security on its eastern flank, increase security assistance for Ukraine, and claim Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" into NATO, among other initiatives. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday that NATOs new development plan includes readiness to mobilize around 300,000 troops in the European Union, while the EU currently has 150,000 operational military personnel. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240712/nato-in-state-of-hysteria-as-alliance-faces-russia-china-trump-reelection---experts-1119357524.html ukraine russia washington Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nato defenses in europe, how strong is nato, can nato defeat russia, can nato defend itself https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/natos-calls-for-surging-defense-spending-fuels-winds-of-war---politician-1119360603.html NATOs Calls for Surging Defense Spending Fuels Winds of War - Politician NATOs Calls for Surging Defense Spending Fuels Winds of War - Politician Sputnik International The recently concluded NATO summit in Washington did nothing but fuel the winds of war, centering on issues of weapons and urging the allies to increase military spending, Stefano Valdegamberi, former Italian parliamentarian and Veneto's regional councilor, told Sputnik. 2024-07-13T08:49+0000 2024-07-13T08:49+0000 2024-07-13T08:58+0000 military ukraine russia nato stockholm international peace research institute (sipri) stefano valdegamberi https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/05/1112405858_0:0:2968:1669_1920x0_80_0_0_90f76e92599a773adc3cf7fabef8e358.jpg From July 9-11, Washington hosted NATO's 75th anniversary summit. The summit declaration outlines the alliance's efforts to further isolate Russia, bolster the alliance's security on its eastern flank, increase security and arms assistance for Kiev regime, and claim Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" into NATO, among other initiatives. While the Ukrainian conflict drags on, demand for weapons will likely continue to rise in Europe and worldwide, the politician said. Western countries, being the largest arms exporters, are reaping the rewards from the situation and using arms trade boom to bridge budget shortfalls, he added. "After all, the arms market is important for the economy of countries that use democracy as an alibi to justify wars," Valdegamberi said. The politician also recalled that there had been no clear call or support from the side of the West for the 2014 Minsk Agreements to be respected and implemented, with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel later stating that these agreements were only serving to delay the conflict and arm Ukraine. The United States remained the world's largest arms exporter in the period from 2019 to 2023, data of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) showed. France, the European Union's arms heavyweight, became the second largest arms exporter in the same period after the US, increasing shipments by 47% between 201418 and 201923, SIPRI added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/ex-pentagon-analyst-calls-nato-declaration-document-of-contemptuous-global-war-1119359330.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nato, nato summit, nato summit in washington, nato is alliance of war https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/sweden-closing-nord-streams-explosions-case-signals-international-conspiracy---moscow-1119364874.html Sweden Closing Nord Streams Explosions Case Signals International Conspiracy - Moscow Sweden Closing Nord Streams Explosions Case Signals International Conspiracy - Moscow Sputnik International Sweden's decision to close the case on the undermining of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream-2 gas pipelines may indicate international collusion, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Sputnik. 2024-07-13T16:49+0000 2024-07-13T16:49+0000 2024-07-13T16:49+0000 world maria zakharova ulf kristersson dmitry peskov sweden stockholm germany nord stream ag nord stream nord stream pipeline https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/1d/1101347558_0:63:1200:738_1920x0_80_0_0_92adc02f32428ca312139dddc359fd1c.jpg Swedish investigators have been unable to bring charges for the bombing of the Nord Stream gas pipelines and discontinued the case, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Saturday.In response, Moscow hit back, claiming an "international conspiracy.""Let me remind you that the crime was committed in the special economic zone of Sweden. And the reason for such legal apathy is that the main beneficiary of the terrorist attack is the Biden administration, which did not hide the relevant plans. Stockholm has neither the right nor the will to object to the US," she wrote on her social media.In February, Swedish Public Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist announced the termination of the national probe into the Nord Stream explosions, ruling that the case does not fall under the country's jurisdiction. Stockholm handed materials to Germany for further investigation, he added. "We had a formal investigation, because it happened not on Swedish territory but in the Swedish economic zone. That was pretty traditionally done, and they concluded they could not blame someone for this. They didnt have a case. So for us its closed," Kristersson said in an interview with the Time magazine. The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were built to deliver gas under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. They were hit by explosions in September 2022 and Nord Stream's operator, Nord Stream AG, said that the damage was unprecedented and it was impossible to estimate the time repairs might take. Russia considers the explosions of the two pipelines an act of international terrorism. Moscow has requested that the materials of the case be handed over several times, but to no avail, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240426/international-investigation-into-nord-stream-terror-attack-needed---russian-un-envoy-1118128412.html sweden stockholm germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International sweden's decision to close the case on the undermining of the nord stream and nord stream-2 gas pipelines may indicate international collusion, russian foreign ministry spokeswoman maria zakharova told sputnik. Ministry of National Defense: US and Philippines Should Immediately Withdraw and Never Deploy Mid-Range Missile in the Region Again China Military Online) 11:35, July 13, 2024 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Friday. Question: It's reported that the spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines recently said the US is currently shipping out its equipment used during annual joint exercise Balikatan. As per plan, the land-based Mid-Range Capability missile system Typhon deployed in the Philippines will be pulled out of the country in September or even earlier. Philippine troops have been taught how to use and maintain the Typhon missile system, but it was not employed in live-fire exercises. Do you have any comment? Zhang Xiaogang: We have noted relevant reports. The US mid-range missile system is a strategic offensive weapon reminiscent of the Cold War. It should never have been deployed in this region. The US and the Philippines should honor their words, immediately pull out the system and never deploy it again. In recent years, the US side has withdrawn from multiple arms control treaties or organizations, which greatly undermined the international arms control and disarmament process. Forcing its allies and partners onto the US war chariot will only lead to tensions and confrontation, and undermine regional peace and stability. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to this approach. We urge the US and the Philippines to respect the aspirations of peoples in the region for peace and development, and do more for regional peace and stability. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Quovante Yatis Walls appears in court for closing arguments in his murder trial on Friday. The jury found Walls acted in self-defense when he killed his roommate, Mario Miller, at the Northwest Side apartment they shared in May 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutor David Martin give his closing arguments Friday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Monica G. Guerrero delivers her closing argument Friday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Monica G. Guerrero speaks with client Quovante Yatis Walls in court Friday. The jury found Walls acted in self-defense when he killed his roommate, Mario Miller, at the Northwest Side apartment they shared in May 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Danielle Cramberg delivers her closing argument Friday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Judge Christine Del Prado shows the jury their instructions Friday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Quovante Yatis Walls appears in court for closing arguments in his murder trial on Friday. The jury found Walls acted in self-defense when he killed his roommate, Mario Miller, at the Northwest Side apartment they shared in May 2022. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News A Bexar County jury decided Friday that a San Antonio man who shot and killed his best friend and roommate over their rent money did so in self-defense, delivering a not guilty verdict in a weeklong murder trial. It took the panel 4 hours to find that Quovante Yatis Walls was protecting himself and his property when he shot and killed Mario Miller, 29, on May 31, 2022. Walls cried silently after the verdict was read. If he had been convicted, Walls, 31, could have been given a life sentence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The panel was allowed to consider whether Walls acted in self-defense or defense of his property because he said Miller took the money that was going to be used to pay their rent and prevent their eviction. Defense attorneys Monica E. Guerrero and Danielle Cramberg said that Miller had taken in his best friend because Walls was homeless. But when they were served with an eviction notice, tensions rose and they began arguing over not only the rent money but also groceries and the mess in the apartment. The dispute turned into a fight. Miller then tried to leave the apartment. Thats when Walls fired at him to scare Miller, the attorneys said, reminding them of Walls testimony. Officers found Miller with a gunshot in the back of his head dead inside the apartment when responding to a call about shots fired. They had arrived around 8 a.m. May 31, 2022, at the Sherill Oaks Apartments in the 4000 block of Sherill Brook Road, near Bandera and Evers roads. A witness told police that a man, later identified as Walls, had left the scene on foot. Jurors saw Walls interview during his interrogation, and on Thursday also heard Walls tell them in his own words what happened. He said he and Miller were arguing about the apartment being messy, then over the rent money. They then began to fight. Walls said at one point Miller grabbed a gun, but Walls was able to wrestle it back. He said Miller then took a pair of scissors and threatened to stab Walls. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Walls said he retreated into the restroom, holding the door shut, to try and calm things down. Thats when Miller grabbed the rent money, put it in his backpack and began to leave the apartment, Walls said. Walls said he fired a shot to scare Miller, not kill him. He also said he did it in self-defense. In her closing argument, Cramberg told the jury that Miller had betrayed Walls and exploited his generosity after Walls offered him food and shelter. He (Walls) felt he needed to protect himself, and from being robbed and thrown into homelessness, Cramberg told the jurors. Walls was protecting his property, his rent money and himself. Prosecutors will say Quovante is violent, that hes Hannibal Lecter, she said, referring to the serial killer in Silence of the Lambs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She said Walls did take a short walk to clear his head but never was far from the scene. She said he could have gotten in his car, taken the gun and fled, but instead he asked a neighbor to call 911. Thats not indicative of a cold-blooded killer, Guerrero told the jury. But Bexar County assistant district attorneys David Martin and Ashley Jones argued that Walls killed Miller in cold blood, shooting him in the back of the head as he attempted to leave the Northwest Side apartment they shared. Quovante Walls killed Mario Miller, he told you that, Jones told the jury in her closing argument. She went on to explain that a person acts in self-defense only when the threat is immediate, not when someone is walking away from an incident. Judge his credibility by his statements, and if they made sense, she told the panel, reminding them that Walls appeared to change his story each time detectives presented him with additional evidence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Miller had his back toward Walls as he attempted to walk out of the apartment, Martin pointed out during his closing argument. A person is justified if they think its immediately necessary because of the others use of force, he told the panel. He had no legal right to use force against Mario at that moment. Im sorry. A guy lost his life for no reason, Martin told the jury. (Walls) is guilty, he knows it. He just needs someone to tell him. The case was heard in the 227th District Court, Judge Christine Del Prado presiding. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/us-south-korea-nuclear-strategy-could-be-aimed-at-russia-and-china-1119364152.html US-South Korea Nuclear Strategy Could be Aimed at Russia and China US-South Korea Nuclear Strategy Could be Aimed at Russia and China Sputnik International US President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol have authorized a joint nuclear pact after it was signed by defense officials in July. The agreement is called "US-Republic of Korea Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula." 2024-07-13T15:44+0000 2024-07-13T15:44+0000 2024-07-13T15:44+0000 analysis south korea china seoul joe biden asia-pacific region southeast asia pivot to asia north korea opinion https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0a/16/1114403164_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_5f9265b34d054bcfafb111ae9f011c5e.jpg US President Joe Biden and his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol have authorized a joint nuclear pact after it was signed by defense officials in July. The agreement is called "US-Republic of Korea Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula."According to him, the US is ready to justify any actions aimed at preparing for a large-scale conflict with China and Russia in the Asia-Pacific region by the "North Korean nuclear threat."Under the new accords, the US would commit "specific nuclear assets" for deterrence of Seoul's northern neighbor, explained Kim Tae-hyo, a deputy national security director in South Korea, as quoted by the Associated Press. The news outlet has argued that it does not necessarily mean the US will permanently station nuclear weapons on the peninsula, adding, however, that specifics of the guidelines aren't available.The US first deployed its nuclear weapons in South Korea in 1958, whereas in 1991 these nukes were withdrawn from the peninsula under President George H.W. Bush.Previously, Seoul and Pyongyang made several attempts to reach a consensus on the region. Despite the reconciliation process between North and South Korea appearing to get a second wind after being brokered by the Trump administration, Team Biden reversed the strategy pursued by its predecessors.The Biden administration has also backed President Yoon who openly vowed to crack down on "Communist Pyongyang" after assuming office. Since 2022, Washington and Seoul have stepped up joint military exercises disregarding vocal protests from Pyongyang. As a result, in January 2024 North Korea announced it would no longer seek reconciliation and reunification with the South.As tensions continue to grow, South Korea feels insecure and has requested additional guarantees from Washington, according to Dr. Zhang Baohui, director of the Centre for Asian Pacific Studies at Lingnan University in Hong Kong.The question is, however, whether the US is ready to wage a nuclear war with North Korea for the sake of South Korea, as "the credibility of US extended deterrence is steadily being eroded," Baohui said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240702/south-korea-carries-out-live-fire-drills-near-norths-border-first-time-in-6-years-1119218545.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240630/north-korea-accuses-us-japan-south-korea-of-creating-asian-version-of-nato-1119188258.html south korea china seoul southeast asia north korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova south korea and us nuclear deterrence, north korea, nuclear weapons, biden administration's pivot to asia, will the us deploy nuclear weapons to south korea https://sputnikglobe.com/20240713/what-advantages-will-russia-have-after-disassembling-the-storm-shadow-cruise-missile-1119347892.html What Advantages Will Russia Have After Disassembling the Storm Shadow Cruise Missile? What Advantages Will Russia Have After Disassembling the Storm Shadow Cruise Missile? Sputnik International Russian specialists have extracted parts of the Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles, an expert engineer told Sputnik. 2024-07-13T04:20+0000 2024-07-13T04:20+0000 2024-07-13T04:20+0000 military russia united kingdom (uk) kiev storm shadow cruise missile missile video https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/0c/1119353756_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_27e2ddb069c490a59fddcf1660762532.jpg Russian professionals have taken apart the components of the Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missile, an expert engineer told Sputnik."The suspension mounting system and main switch, located in the center section, are removed from this unit along with all electrical circuits and wires. This is done in order to have objective control over subsequent changes in the missiles design," the expert said.He went on to explain that once the next missile is disassembled, the technical professionals will be able to identify whether it is the original version, if any design changes have been made, if new components have been incorporated, or if any modifications or even traps have been added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240709/russian-experts-extract-parts-of-storm-shadow-guidance-system---serviceman-1119304458.html russia united kingdom (uk) kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 What advantages will the Russian army have after taking apart and studying the Storm Shadow cruise missile? Sputnik International What advantages will the Russian army have after taking apart and studying the Storm Shadow cruise missile? 2024-07-13T04:20+0000 true PT1M06S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International parts of the storm shadow/scalp cruise missiles, storm shadow missile, russian experts Daisy Corvette prevailed off a perfect pocket trip, zooming by the pacesetter in the stretch to win the $12,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace on Friday, July 12 at Century Downs. Driven by Mike Hennessy, Daisy Corvette stalked the quick-leaving Outlaw Sharktastic (Nathan Sobey) from the pocket through fractions of :27.4, :56.3 and 1:24.4 before launching her attack at the head of the stretch. She prevailed in 1:54 flat with Outlaw Sharktastic settling for second one length behind. If Only Id Known (Phil Giesbrecht), the 9-5 favourite and winner of the Mares Preferred in her last start two weeks ago, advanced first-over down the backstretch to take third. Climbing back up to the top mares class following a winning effort against conditioned company a week ago, Daisy Corvette was sent postward as the 9-2 fourth choice in the field of six and paid $11.70 to win. Trained by Shanisty Andres for owner Tammy Murschell, the five-year-old Mystician-Yellow Mustang mare earned her third win from a dozen seasonal starts. She now has 16 victories lifetime with earnings just shy of $150,000. After winning the Friday feature, Hennessy found himself right back in the winner's circle with the streaking Outlaw Spiced Rum ($3.30) after the Travis Ellis trainee wired a field of $20,000 claiming mares in 1:55.2 to make it six straight. The six-year-old daughter of Blue Burner out of Billie J Blue Chip became the winningest pacing mare in Canada so far this year with 13 victories (from 20 starts) for owners Trevor Williams and Aurel Vodon. Brandon Campbell led all trainers and drivers for wins with a triple on Friday's 11-race card, scoring an upset with Metaki ($26.60) and later winning back-to-back races with Agricola ($5.40) and Outlaw Endofanera ($5.40). To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Century Downs. (Standardbred Canada) Tells On A Roll turned in a career-best effort in Friday night's $36,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Handicap Pace to shake off a stern challenge from new millionaire Prohibition Legal through the Woodbine Mohawk Park stretch. Driven by Travis Cullen, Tells On A Roll left from post six with the three-time O'Brien Award-winning mare So Much More (James MacDonald) pacing with her into the first turn before giving way at the inside for the pocket trip as the favourite forged on through a :26.4 opening quarter over the 'good' track. Tells On A Roll got a breather to the half in :56 before facing the first-over challenge from Prohibition Legal (Louis-Philippe Roy) and they battled on top through three-quarters in 1:23.2. The top two mares took off from the rest of the field into the stretch, with Tells On A Roll pulling clear late to score by 3-1/4 lengths in a career-best 1:49.4 effort. Trained by Jodie Cullen, Tells On A Roll earned her second win and now has eight victories -- all in the Mares Preferred class -- while finishing no worse than fourth from 13 starts this season for owners Paul Sanders, A1stable and Ron Cullen. A career winner of 17 races from 39 starts, the four-year-old Tellitlikeitis-Have Rock Willroll mare has accumulated $540,486 in purses. She paid $3.10 to win as a the 1-2 favourite. Prohibition Legal, an O'Brien Award winner as a two-year-old and 11-time career winner, earned millionaire status with her runner-up paycheque in her 28th career start for trainer Nick Gallucci and Millar Farms, owner and breeder of the Big Jim-Catch A Wish mare. So Much More rounded out the top three. Mohawk also hosted Ontario Sires Stakes action on Friday night with the career-debuting Alimony Mike winning the fastest of four $27,397 divisions in 1:57.1 for the father and son, training and driving team of Tyler and Dustin Jones. The Royalty For Life-Color Me Pretty colt was bred by Dustin Jones Stables and is co-owned by Golden Bear Racing and Gestion C Levesque 2005inc. Driver Louis-Philippe Roy scored a stakes double with a pair of first-time winners. The Kyle Fellows-trained Go Blue (Green Manalishi S-New Years Day) won his division in 1:59.2 for breeder Edward Wilson and co-owner Beverle Wilson while the Luc Blais trainee Day (Wheeling N Dealin-On A Sunny Day) scored in 1:58.3, with a :27.4 final frame, for owner/breeder Determination. The other division went to Pierre In Paris (Archangel-French Doll), who won at first asking in 1:59 with Bob McClure driving for trainer Scott McEneny, who shares ownership with Aristi Varsakis, Martwest Racing and Cantucky Farm. To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) Brett Miller took three divisions of the first leg of Buckeye Stallion Series for two-year-old colt pacers at Eldorado Scioto Downs on Friday, July 12. Each of the seven splits went for $27,397. The oddest Miller driven winner was the trotting sired pacing colt, Believe In Tom. The duo snagged the fifth division in 1:53.2. Miller took the Long Tom colt straight to the front and never looked back, setting fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:25.4. The gelding, bred and owned by Gerald Mijal, came home in :27.3 to win by four lengths over Dracos Strorm (Eric Goodell) and Johnny Smash (Austin Hanners). The Steve Novak trainee, out of the Believeinbruiser mare Believe In Waco, started his career a month ago at the Paulding fair, then went to the Marion fair before winning a qualifier at Scioto in 1:53.2. I liked him all winter, but being sired by a trotter, we did not stake him to the sire stakes, said Novak. But theres always next year. Miller also drove the most striking looking horse when Extra Suds (pictured above) took the sixth division in 1:54.2. The pair got away second, but not content to sit, pulled by the :28 opening quarter. Setting the tempo from there on out, they got to the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:26.4 before coming home in :27.3 to win by 3-3/4 lengths. Sky Dogg (Aaron Merriman) was second with Seaing Gray (Trevor Smith) finishing third. Trainer Virgil Morgan Jr. also leases the pinto colt by Lather Up who was purchased at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $45,000. Odds On Valhalla was Millers first win of the night, taking the second division in 1:54.1. Fond Of Dancin (Smith) took the lead from post nine and set fractions of :28, :57.2 and 1:25.4. Odds On Valhalla got away fourth and pulled first-up, winning by a half-length over Fortunesfool (Tyler Smith) while Fond of Dancin held on for third. Morgan trains the Yankee Cruiser colt for Odds On Racing and UFO 4. JBmagic won the first division in 1:52.4 with Luke Hanners up. Trained by Tyler Bates, the gelding by Fear The Dragon took an early lead going to the :27.3 opening quarter, yielded to the 4-5 favourite Mr McDragon (Miller) as the field went to the :57.1 half and 1:25.3 three-quarters. Hanners popped the pocket with JBmagic coming out of the last turn to win by four lengths over Mr McDragon. Catch The Express (Ronnie Gillespie) was third. Robert Geist owns JBmagic, a $12,000 Blooded Horse Sale purchase, who prepped for the Stallion Series with a third and a win at two fairs before scoring a 1:56.4 win in a qualifier on July 1. Butchershop Buck and Dan Noble led gate to wire to win the third division in 1:55.1 off fractions of :27.2, :57.4 and 1:26.3. The Onyx Dragon (Goodell) came from seventh to finish second and Go Jim Dandy (Tr. Smith) was third. Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey own the Well Said gelding while Deborah Swartz trains. Butchershop Buck started his career with a third-place finish at the Circleville fair then came right to Scioto for a qualifier and a second in a "non-winners of one" event. Overcoming a break in in the third quarter, Twin B High Tide persevered to win by 4-1/4 lengths in 1:53.2 for the mother/son, trainer/driver team of Alicia and Austin Hanners. Leaving from post five, Twin B High Tide went to the lead and tripped the beam in :29 and :58.2. Going towards the three-quarters, Johnny Up (Chris Lems) made the lead with a rush and was well in front with the timer reading 1:26.3. Into the last turn, Twin B High Tide made the break trying to reel the race leader in. The 1-5 favourite re-rallied to win over Johnny Up. Southern Rockfest (L. Hanners) was third. Twin B High Tide, a Downbytheseaside colt purchased for $20,000 at the Harrisburg yearling sale, is owned by Hanners Racing. My First Fire took the seventh and last division in 1:53.2. Coming off the rail to sit in the two-hole, Jon I Love Dat (Kayne Kauffman) got to the quarter in :27.2. De Dragon (L. Hanners) pulled from third to take the lead going under the wire for the first time and hit the half in :56.4. Austin Hanners pulled My First Fire just before the 1:26 third quarter and won by a length and half over De Dragon while Rose Run Ajay (Miller) was third. Greg Luther Racing owns the colt by Catch The Fire who was a $35,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase. After winning his first two qualifiers, My First Fire broke his maiden on July 5 in 1:56.3. Racing continues on Saturday, July 13 with Ohio Sires Stakes action. There will be three divisions of two-year-old colt pacers and two divisions of two-year-old filly pacers on the 16-race card. (With files from Scioto Downs) In the latest edition of Rewind, Robert Smith recalls the outstanding performance by the pacing filly Brees Brief in winning the 1985 Fan Hanover Stake for three-year-old filly pacers at Greenwood. That was a highlight of the 1985 season, so nearly 40 years ago. In 1982 the front cover of that year's Little Brown Jug carried a picture of the great Fan Hanover, winner of the previous year's Jug. Her victory was a major historical event as she became the first filly to ever win this famous race in the 35 years it had been held. Now with yet another 43 years of history her record remains unchanged. Each year a major stake race is held now at Woodbine Mohawk Park to commemorate this great performer. Brees Brief Wins 1985 Fan Hanover Stake Driver Steve Condren stares back at his closest pursuer as he opens up an eight length lead on the field to win the 1985 Fan Hanover Stake. Photo by Steve Tombosso On the evening of Friday, June 14, 1985 at Greenwood Raceway history was in the making as a great young filly pacer named Brees Brief lowered a Canadian record that had stood for three years. At this point in history it seemed that not many records lasted that long. The Canadian standard for a three-year-old filly pacer had stayed at 1:56.3 since 1982. It appeared that there was something magical connected with that exact time as several brilliant fillies had all reached that exact mark. In 1982 Bartross and Programmed set the standard at Greenwood and Blue Bonnets, respectively. The following year Armbro Bramble and Tarport Myrtle scored winning miles in that exact time at Blue Bonnets and Edmonton. After no one added their names to the list in 1984, earlier in the 1985 season two more talented young filly pacers again scored in 1:56.3. This time it was Silent Cat at Mohawk and Verda Hanover at Blue Bonnets that stopped the timer again in that magical mile time. That made it a total of six! June 14th and the Fan Hanover Stake was when the great filly Brees Brief stepped up and broke this proverbial "log jam." After two elimination heats, each for a purse of $25,950 and each featuring six top three-year-old fillies, the stage was set. In the first elim the winner was Romantic Fling owned by Louis Gordon of Montreal and trained by Duncan MacTavish. She was driven by Keith Waples. Her winning time of 2:00.3 was well below what was expected but it was sufficient for the victory. In the second division a much quicker tempo saw Silent Cat step to a winning mile in 1:57.1. In the sulky was Don McElroy for trainer Dale Baker and the owners of the Glory B Stable. Apparently a fall during a race the week previous did not have any lasting effects on her. Finishing second was Brees Brief for Steve Condren and Skippers Finale was third in her very first start of the year. In the final eight starters were expected but soon after the elims were completed Idylwood Bonnie was deemed a veterinary scratch. This reduced the field to seven. With just five minutes to go to post time, another scratch was announced as Skippers Finale also made an exit. The final was now a field of six. In the final Silent Cat was first away and held the lead much of the way and in the process waged quite a battle with For Your Eyes Only. In what was described as "brutal fractions" she hit the opening marker in :27.4 and the half in :56.2. She continued the torrid pace reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:25.2. At this point it appeared as though her earlier duel took its toll and she began to falter ever so slightly. At this stage of the race Brees Brief took over and breezed to a convincing win, all by herself at the wire. Officially the margin of victory was listed as eight lengths. Second was Romantic Fling with Keystone Chick and Silent Cat next in line. Brees Brief after being the O.J.C.'s freshman filly pacer of 1984 returned to Greenwood to not only capture the already prestigious Fan Hanover stakes, she also rewrote the record books. Owned by the Surge Stable, Mansoor Stable and Dr. Richard Wylie she was trained by Stew Firlotte. The new Canadian record she set ironically stayed in the family as Firlotte and the Surge Stable connection teamed up to campaign Programmed, one of the current record holders. Closing Note: The Fan Hanover Stake was first held on July 1, 1983 at Greenwood Raceway. One of the nice aspects of this race is that Dr. Glen Brown, a very special personality involved with Fan Hanover as her only owner, was nearly always present for the winner's circle trophy presentation. I noticed that when this year's race was held on N.A. Cup night, Lynne Hague, the daughter of the late Dr. Glen and his wife Pat, was on hand to do the honours. The 1:48.2 mile paced by this year's winner Its A Love Thing equalled the stakes, track and Canadian record established by American Jewel in 2012 and matched by Sylvia Hanover last year. They go a little faster than in 1985. Quote For The Week: " Drink for the thirsty. Food for the hungry. Lodging for the weary." - A sign in a 1770's Tavern in Machias, Maine. Who Is It? Can you name the two drivers shown above both with green and white driving silks? Name a horse if you wish. (Abahazy photo collection) Who Else Is It? Can you name these two "not so old" fellows? (Standardbred Canada) Longtime harness racing industry participant John William 'JW' Beaton of Sydney, N.S. passed away on July 11, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He was in his 68th year. Born in 1956 in Niagara Falls and raised in Port Hood, John William was the oldest of eight children of the late Donald Angus Beaton and Mary Florence (MacIsaac) Beaton. John Willie (JW) was well known throughout the island and touched a much wider circle throughout the horse community. JWs lifetime career was working in the construction industry as a masonry labourer and primarily worked for Brimac Masonry, but outside of work his real passion that never waned was for harness racing. Since he was a youngster, JW started attending the races in Inverness with his father. He would then begin going to the racetrack in Port Hood where he would help groom and jog horses and would spend many of his summers at Donmar Farms in Balls Creek under the guidance of Donald Rankin Sr. After graduating high school, JW travelled to Pompano Park in Florida to work with the racehorses and would later receive his driver's license while working in Saint John, N.B. After working away for some time, JW returned home to Port Hood and started driving in Inverness. Since then, JW raced at all the tracks around the Maritimes, especially at Tartan Downs, Northside Downs, and Inverness Raceway, and has owned and trained Standardbreds with his wife Kim for many years. JW continued to catch drives for various other owners, totaling 993 lifetime wins, until his health issues began the last few years. JW has been inducted into the Cape Breton Horseman's Hall of Fame and has enjoyed his racing passion as it truly was a lifelong experience right up to his passing. JW is survived by his wife, Kim (Robertson) of 37 years; son, Johnathan (Colleen) Beaton; two granddaughters, Isabel and Abigail Beaton; two brothers, Donald Francis, Port Hood, Anthony (Lisa) Beaton, Waterdown; and five sisters, Caddy (late Harold) Pond, Louise (Greg) MacInnis, Anita (late Danny) Gillis, Judique, Marcella (Brian) Ingraham, Port Hood, and Colina (Paul) Galan, Brampton; as well as his many nieces and nephews. JW will be remembered for his story telling, humour, fullness of life, and love for the dance floor. JW will be immensely missed by all his family and friends. The family would like to thank the many staff of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and VON for their dedicated kindness and care. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, 902-539-7175. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 17, from 3-6 p.m. at The Port Hood & Area Resting Place, 267 Main Street, Port Hood, and Thursday, July 18, from 3-6 p.m. at T.J. Tracey Funeral Home in Sydney. Funeral mass will take place on Friday, July 19, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River. Donations in JWs memory may be made to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to family by visiting tjtracey.com. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of John Willie Beaton. This photo provided by Uvalde County Sheriff's Office shows Pete Arredondo. Arredondo, the former police chief for schools in Uvalde, Texas, was arrested and briefly booked into ail before he was released Thursday, June 27, 2024, on 10 state jail felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child in the May 24, 2022, attack that killed 19 children and two teachers.(Uvalde County Sheriff's Office via AP) Associated Press Former Uvalde school Police Chief Pete Arredondo and one of his officers are set to be arraigned July 25 on child-endangerment charges stemming from their response to the Robb Elementary School shooting. Their arraignment will take place at the Uvalde courthouse. But their trials could unfold elsewhere. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A legal expert says their defense attorneys could ask a judge to move the trial to another city. They'd likely question whether the two men could get a fair trial in the rural community of 15,000, which is still recovering from the slaying of 19 fourth-graders and two teachers on May 24, 2022. The law office representing Arredondo, who was fired by the school district nearly two years ago, said he may waive his arraignment, meaning he'll sign a court document for a not guilty plea to be entered, and he won't have to show up at the hearing. Nico LaHood, one of the lawyers for ex-officer Adrian Gonzales, said his client plans to go to his arraignment in person and enter a not guilty plea. Former Uvalde CISD police officer Adrian Gonzales, 51, of Kyle, Texas was indicted on 29 charges of abandoning and endangering of a child in the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. Uvalde County Sheriff's Department Gonzales, 51, was the first police officer on the scene at Robb Elementary. He arrived before the 18-year-old gunman entered classrooms 111 and 112, where he carried out the massacre. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But it was Arredondo, 52, who became the public face of the deeply flawed police response to the mass shooting. He was presumed to be the on-scene incident commander at Robb Elementary. Arredondo was vilified by families of victims and survivors during Uvalde school board and city council meetings in the months following the shooting. Nearly 400 law enforcement officers flocked to the school that day, but it took more than 70 minutes for a Border Patrol tactical unit and others to confront and kill the shooter. News organizations from around the world poured into Uvalde in the days and weeks after the massacre, and have covered the subsequent investigations including one by the U.S. Justice Department and another by a Texas House special committee and civil lawsuits. Uvalde residents have been saturated with news coverage of the incident and the political and legal turmoil that followed. "I think there's been a great deal of local, state, regional and national media publicity about the events that happened in Uvalde," said John Convery, a former state and federal prosecutor and past president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. "It's on the defense to make it an issue with a pretrial motion and a request before the judge." Advertisement Article continues below this ad "If they stay in Uvalde, jury selection will no doubt play a large part," he said. One question the pair's defense attorneys likely will ask is whether potential jurors have formed opinions about Arredondo or Gonzales, or their handling of the shooting before hearing any of the evidence at trial? The charges Arredondo is charged with 10 state jail felony charges of child endangerment. He is accused of putting 10 children who survived the shooting in imminent danger by giving directions that delayed the police response and for failing to heed his training on active shooters. Gonzales, who had been a Uvalde school police officer for a year before the shooting, was indicted on 29 counts of child endangerment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Gonzales is accused of putting 29 children 19 who died and 10 who survived in imminent danger by failing to act to stop the shooter. The indictment suggests Gonzales heard shots and had been told the gunman's location, that the officer had time to confront him before he entered classrooms 111 and 112. Similar charges have been brought only once before. A school resource officer at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., was charged with felony child neglect for failing to enter a building where a gunman was shooting at students and teachers. Seventeen people were killed in the Feb. 14, 2018, mass shooting. A year ago, a Florida jury found the officer, Scot Peterson, not guilty. Convery questions whether the Uvalde district attorney's office should have brought charges against Arredondo and Gonzales. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Bethlehem woman is dead after setting fire to her home and shooting herself, the Alexander County Sheriffs Office said. Teresa Ann Bowman, 64, of Bethlehem, died on Friday after being transported to Frye Regional Medical Center, Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell said in a news release. Around 2 p.m., a shooting victim and a house fire at 1036 North Shore Drive was reported. The home is in the Olivers Landing Development in the Bethlehem community of Alexander County, Pennell said. Bowman was identified as the person who was shot. Bowman was a resident of the home, Pennell said. Several people in the area saw the smoke and pulled Bowman out of the burning home. Bowman was transported by Alexander County EMS to Frye Regional Medical Center where she later died. Numerous fire departments responded to the scene to put out the blaze, Pennell said. The Alexander County Sheriffs Office and Alexander County Fire Marshals Office conducted a joint investigation. The fire marshals office determined the fire was arson, Pennell said. The sheriffs office found that Bowman suffered from a single gunshot wound. Pennell said the investigation showed Bowman first set fire to her residence, then shot herself. Bethlehem Fire and Rescue, Ellendale Fire Department, Wittenburg Fire Department, Grace Chapel Fire Department, Hiddenite Fire Department, and Alexander County Rescue also responded to the scene. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: An American Airlines Airbus A321 takes off from Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Nov. 29, 2018. A smoking laptop in a passenger's bag prompted an evacuation on an American Airlines flight headed to Miami from San Francisco International Airport Friday, July 12, 2024, according to the airline. Credit: AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File A smoking laptop in a passenger's bag prompted an evacuation on an American Airlines flight headed to Miami from San Francisco International Airport Friday, according to the airline. One person sustained minor injuries while exiting that required transport to a hospital, the airline said. Passengers evacuated via emergency slides and a jet bridge. Two other passengers also reported minor injuries, according to the San Francisco Fire Department, which responded to the incident. Crews reported the smoking laptop as passengers were boarding, the airline said. American Airlines flight 2045 was scheduled to depart San Francisco at 12:15 p.m. for Miami. The flight will depart later Friday. Steve Kulm, a spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration, said the agency will investigate. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The MV Sea Change, the first commercial passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is seen on the water, Friday, July 12, 2024, in San Francisco. The MV Sea Change will begin offering free rides to the public along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday, July 19. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Chea The world's first hydrogen-powered commercial passenger ferry will start operating on San Francisco Bay as part of plans to phase out diesel-powered vessels and reduce planet-warming carbon emissions, California officials said Friday, demonstrating the ship. The 70-foot (21-meter) catamaran called the MV Sea Change will transport up to 75 passengers along the waterfront between Pier 41 and the downtown San Francisco ferry terminal starting July 19, officials said. The service will be free for six months while it's being run as part of a pilot program. "The implications for this are huge because this isn't its last stop," said Jim Wunderman, chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, which runs commuter ferries across the bay. "If we can operate this successfully, there are going to be more of these vessels in our fleet and in other folks' fleets in the United States and we think in the world." Sea Change can travel about 300 nautical miles and operate for 16 hours before it needs to refuel. The fuel cells produce electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction that emits water as a byproduct. The technology could help clean up the shipping industry, which produces nearly 3% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions, officials said. That's less than from cars, trucks, rail or aviation but still a lot and it's rising. The MV Sea Change, the first commercial passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is seen on the water, Friday, July 12, 2024, in San Francisco. The MV Sea Change will begin offering free rides to the public along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday, July 19. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Chea Frank Wolak, president and CEO of the Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association, said the ferry is meaningful because it's hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vessels. "The real value of this is when you multiply out by the number of ferries operating around the world," he said. "There's great potential here. This is how you can start chipping away at the carbon intensity of your ports." Backers also hope hydrogen fuel cells could eventually power container ships. The International Maritime Organization, which regulates commercial shipping, wants to halve its greenhouse gas releases by midcentury. As fossil fuel emissions continue warming Earth's atmosphere, the Biden administration is turning to hydrogen as an energy source for vehicles, manufacturing and generating electricity. It has been offering $8 billion to entice the nation's industries, engineers and planners to figure out how to produce and deliver clean hydrogen. A person walks off the MV Sea Change, the first commercial passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, Friday, July 12, 2024, in San Francisco. The MV Sea Change will begin offering free rides to the public along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday, July 19. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Chea Environmental groups say hydrogen presents its own pollution and climate risks. For now, the hydrogen that is produced globally each year, mainly for refineries and fertilizer manufacturing, is made using natural gas. That process warms the planet rather than saving it. Indeed, a new study by researchers from Cornell and Stanford universities found that most hydrogen production emits carbon dioxide, which means that hydrogen-fueled transportation cannot yet be considered clean energy. Yet proponents of hydrogen-powered transportation say that in the long run, hydrogen production is destined to become more environmentally safe. They envision a growing use of electricity from wind and solar energy, which can separate hydrogen and oxygen in water. As such renewable forms of energy gain broader use, hydrogen production should become a cleaner and less expensive process. The MV Sea Change, the first commercial passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is seen on the water, Friday, July 12, 2024, in San Francisco. The MV Sea Change will begin offering free rides to the public along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday, July 19. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Chea The MV Sea Change, a hydrogen-powered ferry, is docked at the San Francisco ferry terminal Friday, July 12, 2024, in San Francisco. The zero-emission vessel will begin offering free rides to the public between the Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf on July 19. Credit: AP Photo/Terry Chea The Sea Change project was financed and managed by the investment firm SWITCH Maritime. The vessel was constructed at Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, California, and All-American Marine in Bellingham, Washington. 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net. Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023. In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line. One of the three men arrested in May for allegedly using their connections to Chi Alpha Ministries in College Station to assault a child has been charged with an additional crime, according to Brazos County Jail records. Ryan Hoffart, 25, has been charged with the additional crime of trafficking a child, according to jail records. In May, Hoffart, Otto Bo Randolph, 30, and William Johnson, 23, were each charged with indecency with a child, exposure, according to jail records. Hoffart also has been charged with indecency with a child, sexual contact. On Feb. 25, the father of one of the alleged victims filed a lawsuit against Chi Alpha Campus Ministries and Mountain Valley Fellowship in College Station for $1 million claiming that multiple instances of assault took place from October 2021 to November 2022. Chi Alpha is a fraternal ministry organization with over 300 locations on university campuses around the world, including one at Texas A&M University, according to the organizations website. Mountain Valley Fellowship (MVF) is a church within the North Texas District of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. The North Texas District Council Assemblies of God is under the supervision of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. All four organizations are listed as defendants in the lawsuit. In the lawsuit, Hoffart, Johnson and Randolph are named as Chi Alpha youth leaders and are accused of sexually assaulting the 14-year-old victim. Otto Randolph is referred to as Bo Randolph in the lawsuit and the plaintiffs legal team told The Eagle that they are the same person. Hoffart is also accused in the lawsuit of having taken the victim to registered sex offender Daniel Savalas home in Houston. Hoffart, Randolph and Johnson allegedly exposed their genitalia to the victim during regular church meetings, according to a probable cause report from the Bryan Police Department obtained by The Eagle. Additionally, Hoffart allegedly touched the victim inappropriately, according to the same police reports. Officers said Hoffart also allegedly met with the victim privately in spring of 2023 to pressure him not to tell anyone about what had happened. Police also said that a member of the North Texas District of the Assemblies of God confirmed that Hoffart had admitted to exposing himself in front of the victim. In June 2023, Savala was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and charged with a first-degree felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child, according to the Waco Tribune-Herald. The charge was upgraded to continuous trafficking of a person in September 2023. Savala is also facing charges of indecency with a child, exposure; indecency with a child, sexual contact; and sexual assault of a child, according to Harris County records. He is being held in the McLennan County Jail. On March 13, a second lawsuit against Chi Alpha Ministries was filed in Harris County against the Huntsville chapter. The lawsuit was filed by an anonymous John Doe and accuses the ministry of allowing similar instances of sexual assault. Hoffart, Johnson and Randolph are not named in that lawsuit, but Savala is. Trafficking of a child is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Indecency with a child, sexual contact is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Indecency with a child, exposure is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Hoffart is being held under a $150,000 bond after having been released under a $100,000 bond on May 23. Johnson was previously a news reporter for KAGS-TV in Bryan. Actress Ashley Judd issued a passionate plea to "deeply decent" President Joe Biden on Friday to drop his campaign for a more effective candidate because "we can't risk a Trump presidency." She faulted Biden in an op ed in USA Today for his utter inability to do anything to stem his opponent's "unchecked firehose of galling lies" in the 81-year-old president's stumbling debate last month against Donald Trump. Judd, who grew up in Kentucky, noted Trump's powerful persuasion among the American public, including among her many friends and family members in the South who "feverishly love" the former president. Biden's debate pratfall and her loved ones' regard for Trump "activated in me profound alarm," Judd noted, because she cannot not face the possibility of Trump bringing his "incalculable cruelty" to the White House again. "I now ask President Joe Biden to step aside," Judd wrote. Judd added her voice to an increasing chorus of long-time Biden supporters, including several top Democrats, after his troubling debate behavior and repeated stumbles and gaffes since then. He introduced Ukraine President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy as "President Putin" at the 70th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, and referred to his own vice president as Donald Trump before correcting himself in both cases. Judd's fellow actor George Clooney also pleaded with Biden in an op ed earlier this week in the New York Times to step out ot the race, warning him that he "cannot win his fight against time." Biden's superpac donors have now threatened to withhold some $90 million in donations until the president is no longer in the race, the Independent reported Friday. Biden has so far remained adamant that he is in the campaign til the end. "I'm in this to complete the job I started," he declared Thursday. Politico reported in 2019 that while Biden was running against Trump in the 2020 election, he indicated to aides he would be only a single-term president because of concerns then about his age. He also referred to himself then as a "transition president," presumably to a younger candidate once his term was up. A man who plotted to abduct, rape and kill a U.K. TV presenter was sentenced Friday to life in prison following his arrest in 2023 by Essex Police. Gavin Plumb, 37, was sentenced in Chelmsford Crown Court to life in prison, and was ordered to serve at least 16 years before becoming eligible for parole. He was convicted by a jury of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby since 2021. Essex Police's Major Crime Team said Plumb developed an obsession with Willoughby, one of the U.K.'s most famous television personalities, over a "number of years," collecting thousands of images of her. He joined online forums, including one called "Abduct Lovers," and detailed his plans to kidnap her from her family home. On the forum, Plumb discussed what equipment he would purchase to carry out the abduction, including metal cable ties, ropes and chloroform, and described how he would restrain Willoughby. In conversations with a user named "Marc," Plumb "discussed graphic detail about sexual and violent offenses they plotted to carry out against the victim." Judge Edward Murray said Plumb's plans were so "horrifying, shocking and graphic in detail" that they were not shared in open court, and only the jury were shown evidence of the conversations. Plumb had claimed the plans were only a fantasy, though he had told an undercover Minnesota police officer who infiltrated the forum that he was "definitely serious." Plumb also had previous convictions for kidnap and attempted kidnap of women, according to Essex Police. The undercover detective with the Owatonna Police Department in Minnesota gathered information from Plumb in early October 2023 and forwarded his concerns to the FBI within just a couple of days. The FBI in turn contacted their counterparts in the U.K. Plumb was arrested by Essex Police at his home on Oct. 4. Murray said Plumb's plans were "particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading" and he had no doubt they were "considerably more than a fantasy." Willoughby, 43, left her role presenting ITV's "This Morning" after 14 years soon after Plumb's arrest. She did make an impact statement, though it was not shared publicly, and the judge indicated Plumb's plot had a "catastrophic" and "life-changing" effect on her. "Today Gavin Plumb starts a life sentence, with a minimum of 16 years behind bars, and the streets of Essex are safer for woman and girls as a result," Essex Police's Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, said in a statement. "He is a dangerous individual with a history of kidnapping, attempting to kidnap and plotting to kidnap women and girls. In this case he went further and intended to rape and murder his victim," Wood said. "He tried to claim throughout the trial that he was an obsessive fan and a fantasist - that is simply not true. He planned this attack on Ms Willoughby over a two-year period, scoping her movements, seeking to elicit help from others to carry out his wicked plan, buying chloroform and other items to incapacitate, restrain and inflict violence upon her. He is no fantasist - he's a calculated, violent, sexual predator who has spent his adult life inflicting or plotting to inflict harm on women." This is the moment a dangerous sexual predator who plotted to murder Holly Willoughby, was arrested by Essex Police. Gavin Plumb, 37, had been plotting an attack on the television presenter since 2021, planning how he would carry out his plan & even purchasing a kidnap kit. pic.twitter.com/nEv4Ylxz7l Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) July 4, 2024 --with reporting by TMX Russia has issued a threat that it will take counter measures to news that the U.S. will deploy long-range missiles in Germany. The U.S. and Germany announced at the 70th NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday that they would deploy long-range missile capabilities in Germany in 2026 to reconfirm their commitment to NATO while Russia is battling Ukraine, Reuters reported. Ultimately, the move would reportedly lead to longer-term deployment that would include SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons with a longer range than current capabilities in Europe, according to Reuters. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov angrily responded to the announcement, accusing NATO of "once again very clearly confirm[ing] its essence: It is an alliance created in an era of confrontation with the aim of maintaining confrontation." This is a "very serious threat to the national security of our country. All of this will require us to take thoughtful, coordinated, effective responses to deter NATO, to counteract NATO," Peskov warned. NATO also announced Wednesday that a new American defense system in northern Poland to intercept ballistic missile attacks was "mission ready." A fleet of drones deployed to surveil New York City beaches for sharks and swimmers in distress have been under attack by angry avian perpetrators. The drones first took flight in May and were immediately met by "very annoyed" birds who responded to the interruption of their air space by swarming and swatting at the foreign devices. "They will fly at it, they'll swoop at it, they'll be vocalizing," Veronica Welsh, a wildlife coordinator at the New York City Parks Department, said, according to the Associated Press. "They think they're defending their chicks from a predator." In response to a lifeguard shortage, the NYPD announced the implementation of drones at its beaches earlier this year. The idea is to rescue struggling swimmers by dropping a flotation device from the drone which immediately inflates once it hits the water. Despite four drownings at city beaches so far this summer, there have been no rescues to date. However, the drones did alert their first shark sighting Thursday, prompting officials to close an NYC beach, the outlet reported. No birds have been harmed, but New York avian experts and conservationists pointed out the intrusive technology could potentially push out the beach's bird population specifically, American oystercatchers. "We don't know a lot about what sort of distance is required to protect the birds," David Bird, a professor of wildlife biology at McGill University pointed out, according to the AP. "But we do know there are birds on this beach that are highly endangered. If they abandon their nests because of the drones, that would be a disaster." As a result, the police department agreed to launch its drones further from nesting areas, after the city's emergency management department brought the concern to the attention of drone operators. "We pointed out that there's a nest here and there's two angry parents who don't want you anywhere near their eggs or their babies," Natalie Grybauskas, the agency's assistant commissioner, said. New York isn't the only city to implement drones as part of its beach safety protocols. Officials in Long Island, New York and Australia also deploy similar devices for monitoring. A "incredibly dedicated" single mom was fatally run down with her own car by thieves who stole it as her 6-year-old son slept in the backseat, Ohio authorities reported. Alexa Stakely, a 29-year-old speech pathologist, picked up her boy from a babysitter early Thursday morning in Columbus after finishing her second job as a restaurant server, police said in a statement posted on social media. After strapping the sleeping child in her Honda SUV, Stakely started the engine, then remembered she needed to retrieve something from the sitter. She left the motor running and met the sitter at the front door, then suddenly spotted her vehicle being backed out of the driveway of the townhouse on Blue Knoll Drive. "Stakely was seen running toward her Honda when she was struck and thrown onto the pavement," police said. Cops were called shortly before 1:30 a.m. and found Stakely lying in the street with traumatic injuries, including a severe head wound. Cops also found her SUV abandoned nearby with her son unharmed and still sleeping inside. Stakely was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead about seven hours later. Two unidentified males were seen running past Stakely, jumping a fence and disappearing into the apartment complex after she was run down, police said. Surveillance video recorded earlier in the morning also showed a group of males casing apartments on a nearby street, with two matching the descriptions of those who ran past Stakely, police said. No arrests have been made and detectives were seeking additional video to aid their investigation. Stakely worked at the Winchester Trail Elementary School in suburban Canal Winchester, where she was "passionate about children and speech-language therapy," and was known as "Ms. Alexa'' to her preschool students, the school said. "She was smart and compassionate, and she cared so much about helping children develop their ability to communicate," the school said in a statement posted on its website. "She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated to her son. Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond." Stakely was a graduate of Ohio State University and lived in the Columbus suburb of Pickerinton, according to her online resume. A Catholic group and counselor are suing Michigan officials over the state's ban on so-called conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth, claiming it violates First Amendment rights to free speech and religious expression. The lawsuit filed Friday by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties and Emily Jones, a self-described "devout Catholic" and licensed therapist, seeks to block enforcement of the measure signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer a year ago. The move made Michigan the 22nd state to outlaw conversion therapy for minors, with Whitmer lead defendant in the lawsuit calling it a "horrific practice" and saying the ban was needed to make the state a place "where you can be who you are," the Associated Press reported at the time. Conversion therapy involves "sustained efforts to discourage or change behaviors related to LGBTQ+ identities and expressions," and has been widely discredited by professional organizations, according to the American Psychological Association. In court papers filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids, Catholic Charities and Jones said their lawsuit was intended to help children who "experience distress over their biological sex." They alleged that many kids who have identified themselves as transgender have been "encouraged to undergo a gender transition" including "puberty blocking drugs, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries" when they sought counseling. The plaintiffs said that there's "no sound evidence that such medical interventions provide any long-term benefits," and that they have instead "helped clients change their behavior and gender expression in ways that better align with the clients' own unique goals for their lives including by accepting and embracing their biological sex." "The First Amendment protects not only the right to disseminate information but also the 'reciprocal right to receive' information," according to the lawsuit, which cited a 1976 Supreme Court ruling in a Virginia case. A spokesperson for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who's among the defendants in the case, didn't immediately return a request for comment, according to the Detroit News, which first reported on the lawsuit. But state Rep. Felicia Brabec, who sponsored the underlying legislation, defended the crackdown on conversion therapy for minors. "As a clinical psychologist, I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous this practice is and that to call it therapy is misleading and treacherous," said Brabec, who hadn't yet seen the lawsuit. Ministry of National Defense: Separatists for "Taiwan Independence" Will be Caught no Matter Where They Hide China Military Online) 11:42, July 13, 2024 Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular news conference on Friday. Question: It's reported that Taiwan's military sent letters to local temples and churches asking for permission to use them as ammunition depots in war time, which sparked backlashes in some cities and counties. What's your comment on this? Zhang Xiaogang: We have noted relevant reports. The DPP authorities are obstinate in seeking "Taiwan Independence" by force. Their attempts to use religious sites in wartime and turn local residents into human shields are appalling. National reunification is the right way forward, while "Taiwan Independence" only leads to a dead end. Separatists for "Taiwan Independence" will be caught no matter where they hide, and any scheme to resist reunification by force will fail. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) Thai PM urges expansion of halal food market to boost economy By Vietnam News Agency Sat, July 13, 2024 | 8:28 am GMT+7 The first meeting of the Thai National Halal Industry Committee (NHIC) for 2024 was held to bolster Thailand's economy and open new markets for halal food products. Thailand traditional dishes. Photo courtesy of thailand.prd.go.th The initiative aims to expand the international market for halal food products, including those from the southern border provinces. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who presided over the meeting, emphasised the importance of this initiative, highlighting Thailand's strong and stable food sector. He noted the country's robust supply chain, suitable climate, and reliable labour and transportation sectors. The formation of the NHIC is seen as a crucial step in expanding new markets for Thai products. This follows discussions held by Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul with leaders from predominantly Muslim countries, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Sultan of Brunei. The PM urged relevant agencies to promote halal food products internationally and support innovation and technology for producers. He called for clear budgeting under the Ministry of Industry to enhance the Halal Industry Center's efforts. The initiative aims to improve living standards in the southern border provinces by creating jobs and increasing incomes, leveraging the region's high potential. Srettha also visited halal product booths to promote various products developed to enhance the halal industry's potential. (TBTCO) - Gia xang dau trong nuoc hom nay (10/10) uoc du bao co the uoc ieu chinh tang manh. Theo o, gia xang trong nuoc co the tang tu 950 - 1.250 ong/lit; gia dau diesel co kha nang tang khoang 820 - 1.050 ong/lit. Tren thi truong the gioi, gia dau giam sau khi du lieu cua Hoa Ky cho thay luong dau tho du tru tang, nhung muc giam bi han che boi rui ro gian oan nguon cung cua Iran do xung ot Trung ong va con bao Milton o Hoa Ky. Everton open negotiations for Napoli's Lindstrm | 12/07/2024 Updated Everton are in talks with Napoli to sign winger Jesper Lindstrm according to Fabrizio Romano. He says the Serie A side are open to selling Lindstrm if the terms of the deal are favourable. At the same time, he plays down speculation that the Blues are after Hellas Verona's full-back Jackson Tchatchoua. The 24-year-old, who is also known as "Jobbe", began his senior career and Brondby before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt, making 57 league appearances for both and scoring almost the same number of goals, 13 and 12 respectively. Article continues below video content That was enough to persuade Napoli to sign him for a reported 30m last summer despite interest from the club he has supported since childhood, Liverpool. Shamoon Hafez of BBC Sport is now reporting on 18 July that Everton are interested in signing Lindstrm, with suggestions elsewhere that the Club prefer an initial loan deal with an option to buy. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () How to get rid of these ads and support TW ToffeeWeb Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2 has announced the ground breaking of the Asan-UAE Gastroenterology Hospital, the emirates first integrated hospital specialised in gastroenterology. This marks the first international venture of Asan Medical Centre (AMC), South Koreas largest hospital. It is being developed by AMC in partnership with Scope Investment, a UAE-based investment group. The groundbreaking ceremony, held at DHCC Phase 2, was attended by Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority; Moon Byung Jun, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai; Issam Galadari, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA); Dr. Soo-Sung Park, Chief Financial Officer and Paediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Asan Medical Centre; Najib Fayyad, Chief Executive Officer at Scope Investment; Dr. Saeed Al Dayeh, General Manager, Health Care Sector at Scope Investment, and other senior officials from DHA, DHCA and Scope Investment. Scheduled for completion by 2026, the Asan-UAE Gastroenterology Hospital will significantly increase the UAEs capacity in critical areas such as digestive health, gastrointestinal oncology, liver transplantation management, and lifestyle diseases. By providing advanced healthcare services and education in gastroenterology, the new hospital will contribute to bolstering Dubais specialised medical offerings. The hospital will also expand the range of services within the DHCC ecosystem, further solidifying its position as an enabling healthcare and wellness destination. Speaking on the occasion, Al Ketbi highlighted that the tremendous developments witnessed by Dubais health sector, combined with its distinctive investment climate that has fostered growth in this vital sector. The increasing demand for high-quality health services, have transformed the emirate into a major healthcare destination and an important location for the headquarters of major international hospitals and medical centres, he noted. "Asan Medical Centre is a leading hospital in Korea, and we congratulate them on the establishment of their first gastroenterology hospital outside of Korea in Dubai through the collaboration with Scope Investment and the Dubai Healthcare City Authority," stated Byung Jun. "We look forward to providing the best healthcare services to patients not only in the UAE but the whole GCC region and around the world through this hospital," he added. Galadari said the new hospital represents an important milestone in the ongoing development of DHCC Phase 2, underscoring its drive to enable specialised healthcare by attracting globally renowned institutions and expertise. Spanning 21,150 sq m, the hospital will encompass two basement levels and seven floors, offering 65 beds, including royal and VIP rooms, four operating theatres, and comprehensive gastroenterology care for adults and children. "It is a testament to our dedication to providing high-quality specialised healthcare services through strategic local and international partnerships, in line with Dubais objective of attracting key investments across various sectors," he added. Dr Park said: "We are dedicated to delivering a comprehensive range of gastrointestinal services at Asan-UAE Gastroenterology Hospital, prioritising safety and efficiency." "Our commitment extends to maintaining rigorous safety standards and utilising state-of-the-art technology, ensuring that every patient receives the best possible care in managing their digestive health," he noted. Fayyad said the Hospital will be a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to providing comprehensive and advanced gastroenterological care. "This investment complemented by the support of DHA and DHCC underscores our commitment to improving the quality of life of the community by providing superior medical services and innovative healthcare solutions," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain Ship Repairing & Engineering Company (Basrec) on Sunday celebrated its 60th Anniversary under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at the Gulf Hotel Convention Center. The event was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Education Charitable Trust and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Labour Fund (Tamkeen), Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, said a Bahrain News Agency report. Shaikh Isa highlighted the unwavering support provided by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad to the Kingdoms industrial sector. He emphasised the Kingdoms commitment to further developing the sector, noting its importance in furthering economic diversification efforts, in line with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. Shaikh Isa outlined the progress witnessed by the Kingdoms industrial sector, attributing it to the efforts of the skilled Bahraini workforce. His Highness added that the sectors advancement contributes to Bahrains overall development and reflects the Kingdoms standing on both regional and global levels. He extended his congratulations to the employees of Basrec, noting their wide-ranging achievements over the past 60 years and wishing them success in their future endeavours. As part of the celebration, Basrec revealed its new logo and branding, symbolising a refreshed and forward-looking identity. Additionally, the company showcased its new floating dock, which has double the capacity of the previous one, underscoring Basrec's commitment to supporting its partners' growth plans and enhancing its service capabilities. Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo, Chairman of the Board, stated: This historic moment in which we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Basrec represents a source of pride and honor for every member of the companys family and everyone who contributed to building this pioneering entity in the field of ship repairing and engineering in the Kingdom of Bahrain. "Our journey began six decades ago, full of challenges, but thanks to the diligent and sincere efforts of our team, we have achieved many accomplishments and have become one of the prominent names in this field at the regional level. "The success we have achieved would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of our employees, our valued customers, and our partners who have shared our journey towards excellence, he said. John Robson, CEO of Basrec, added: Basrec has built a reputation across the Middle East as a leader in the marine and engineering sector, delivering innovative and distinctive marine services that have become synonymous with excellence in the industry. "Our comprehensive range of bespoke solutions to the maritime industry and ships operating in and near the Arabian Gulf has made us the leading one-stop shop for all maritime needs. As part of our expansion program, we have acquired a new floating dock with double the capacity of our current one, focusing on enabling the growth of our partners and doubling our employment commitment to developing our local Bahrain workforce while supporting the Kingdoms economy. The milestone event brought together industry leaders, government officials, and other guests. Founded in 1962, Basrec has grown to become a leading provider of innovative and comprehensive marine services, renowned for its commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. One reader has success treating toenail fungus with alternating applications of advanced whitening toothpaste and tea tree oil. Veronika Viskova, Contributor / Getty Images Q: I found the cure! My toenail was infected with fungus I hadnt been able to shake. I recently started applying a brand-name advanced whitening toothpaste, alternating with tea tree oil. It has been three months, and about three-fourths of the nail has now grown in healthy. The toothpaste was a bit harsh on the skin in the beginning, but it got better over time. I applied the toothpaste daily to the entire nail, making sure to get in every little nook and underneath the nail. I scrubbed it with a brush in the shower, then applied tea tree oil. In the mornings, I applied the toothpaste before putting on my socks. Lets see if anyone else has good results. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A: Thanks for sharing your regimen. To get rid of toenail fungus, you have to keep treating the nail until it has grown out completely free of fungus. That can take months. We dont know what is in your toothpaste, but many whitening toothpastes contain hydrogen peroxide, a known antifungal agent. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) also has antifungal activity (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Aug. 4, 2023). It seems that you have found a combination that works well together. We, too, would like to know if anyone else has positive results. Q: For over two years, I struggled to get my LDL cholesterol down to 70 by taking atorvastatin (generic Lipitor). The best I could manage was around 90. When I read that cocoa might help lower cholesterol, I began adding it to my breakfast drink. I used a heaping tablespoon of 100% natural cacao powder, unsweetened. When my LDL was checked two months later, it was 68. Since then, three years ago now, my LDL has consistently been between 68 and 72. Of course, I am still taking the atorvastatin and thrilled to be keeping the LDL in check. A: Youve certainly had success! A recent review of randomized controlled trials found that cocoa consumption lowers total cholesterol and LDL (about 8 or 9 mg/dL, on average), as well as lowering blood pressure slightly (Nutrients, June 18, 2024). Obviously, not everyone gets the same benefit that you have. Cocoa powder is low in fat and sugar, so it should provide the best benefit from cocoa polyphenols. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Q: My thyroid gland doesnt work very well, so I have been taking levothyroxine. My new doctor has suggested a multivitamin and a calcium supplement. Can I take all these pills at once? I know some things dont agree with the thyroid hormone. A: Youve been paying attention. Calcium can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine (Pharmaceuticals, March 2, 2021). If your multivitamin contains iron, that might also pose a problem. It isnt hard to get around this difficulty, though. Simply take your nutritional supplements at a different time. When you check the label on your multivitamin, also look to see if it contains biotin. That B vitamin can interfere with accurate thyroid test results, so you may want to discontinue the multi for a couple of days before your regular blood work. You can learn more about maximizing the effectiveness of levothyroxine in our eGuide to Thyroid Hormones. This online resource may be found under the Health eGuides tab at PeoplesPharmacy.com. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Folk Maritime Services Company, a PIF company, has signed an MoU with Bahri Ship Management, a business unit of Bahri, The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia, to strengthen its fleets capabilities. The agreement was signed by Poul Hestbaek, Chief Executive Officer of Folk Maritime and Eng Khalid Alhammad, President of Bahri Ship Management, to strengthen collaboration on technical ship management, crewing and ship building supervision, thereby contributing to the goals of Vision 2030 to build a robust logistics and maritime sector in Saudi Arabia that serves the region and beyond. Hestbaek said: The agreement marks a new era of collaboration as two Saudi-based entities join hands to strengthen the kingdoms logistics and maritime infrastructure. Since our inception last year, Folk Maritime has focused on creating a robust feeder service network with a commitment to efficiency, sustainability and cost competitiveness and supporting the development of Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub. Proven expertise Bahris proven expertise in ship management and crewing, will enable us to strengthen our fleet and add tremendous value to our operations as Saudi Arabias pioneering independent feeder and short-sea shipping operator. Alhammad added: Every collective step we take towards enhancing Saudi Arabias maritime logistics capabilities only brings us closer to realising Vision 2030s goal of transforming the kingdom into a leading global logistics hub. This partnership with Folk Maritime Bahri Ship Management is one such critical step that we, at Bahri Ship Management, are determined to make a success through our immense expertise in the sector. With two vessels in operation, Folk Maritime serves as a strong partner in driving feeder services along one of the worlds most pivotal shipping routes, the Red Sea. With support from Bahri Ship Management, the aim is to link Saudi Arabia to regional ports across the Middle East and North Africa. Folk Maritime aims to further expand its fleet strength through new purchases as well as building new vessels purpose-designed for regional trade.--TradeArabia News Service Zain Bahrain, a leading telecom services operator in the kingdom, has recently partnered with Manama Hub's 'Khibra Initiative' for the first Meet the Leaders Mentorship Event. "Khibra" is an overarching mentorship initiative, encompassing events and programs covering diverse sectors. The initiative aims to provide young individuals with the necessary guidance and support to excel in their careers. This speed mentoring event provided the youth with opportunities for one-to-one discussions with industry leaders and gain insights from a career planning session delivered by Zain. As a key partner, Zain Bahrain has played a pivotal role in supporting Manama Hub to host its inaugural event - a speed mentorship event in Zain Bahrain Tower. This innovative format allowed mentees to engage with multiple mentors, offering a unique opportunity to gain personalized insights from a diverse range of experts. The event featured mentors from 10 industries, including IT, banking, marketing, semi-government, and fintech, with 30 mentors in total, 7 of whom are from Zain. Fatema Haider, Zain Bahrain Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Culture, said: "At Zain Bahrain, we are committed to empowering the next generation of leaders. This collaboration provides innovative opportunities for our employees and young Bahrainis to receive invaluable guidance and support, helping them navigate their careers and achieve their full potential." Yara Abdulhameed Shaper from Manama Hub said: "Believing in the transformational power of mentorship, Manama Hub launched Khibra. The initiative aims to connect youth with experienced professionals, to empower them to advance their career." "The positive feedback from the participating youth emphasized the need for such programs and we look forward to continuing expanding Khibras impact," he stated. The 'Khibra' initiative is a testament to Zain Bahrain's unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders. Zain Bahrain is deeply committed to equipping and supporting the youth with the skills and knowledge of the future.-TradeArabia News Service In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister, issued a royal decree promoting Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, the Chief Executive of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera), and appointing him as Director-General of the Dubai Land Department. The decree is effective from its date of issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette. A Legislative committee is moving forward with drafting a bill that could overhaul the way that license raffles for antlered moose and ram bighorn sheep are conducted. Wyoming Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik at a Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee meeting on Tuesday told legislators that the system is not working as it was meant to. The current system with the number of licenses that are available it really doesnt work with its original intended purpose, Game and Fish Director Brian Nesvik said. The current preference point system was implemented in 1997 and is applicable to non resident elk, deer, antelope, moose and bighorn sheep drawings and resident moose and bighorn sheep drawings. Hunters seeking big game licenses can collect a preference point every year for $50. Seventy-five percent of licenses go to those with the highest preference points, and 25% go randomly, so a hunters odds of drawing a license increases each year if they purchase another point. People can begin applying for preference points as young as 11 but hunters can spend up to decade racking up preference points before obtaining hard-to-draw hunts. The proposed bill would scrap the preference point system for those seeking entered moose and ram bighorn sheep licenses and be replaced by a bonus point system. Changing the system could allow for increased odds for younger people to draw a license. Nesvik told legislators that the average age of bighorn sheep hunters has consistently gone up. The last we looked, and this was a couple of years ago, the average age of the sheep hunter was like 57. And bighorn sheep hunting is kind of a young man's game, a young woman's game, he said. Nesvik also stated that in some bighorn sheep areas there are essentially no licenses that make it into the random draw so the only hunters that really have a chance of getting a license are those with the most preference points. If you play this out over time it's a situation where a nonresident right now has essentially no incentive to purchase preference points, he said. There is not a likely scenario where they could ever draw under this system. The bonus-point system would be an entirely random draw, but those with more points will have more chances to get a license. For example, people with 10 preference points would have 10 extra chances in the draw, compared to one chance for people applying for a license for the first time. Essentially all folks will have at least chances in the drawing. Its the difference between buying one lottery ticket or buying 100, Nesvik said. Pushback People favoring the bill see the potential change as a way to level the playing field and to give everyone a chance to draw a license. People against the bill say that the bill is not fair to those who have waited for years and spent money buying preference points. Amendments have been proposed to give the people that have accumulated preference points a better chance to draw. One proposed amendment would delay the implementation of the bill four or five years. The amendment would allow people that have stocked up on preference points over the years a final stretch to use their points. The four year implementation I think takes care of a lot of that. I think it takes a lot of those top end guys and gives them a pretty good chance. I dont know if it's enough but I think it does give them the opportunities that they probably deserve, said Sen. Wendy Schuler. Another proposed amendment would square the amount of preference points accumulated and make them into bonus chances. For example, hunters with 10 preference points would have 100 bonus chances. Buffalo Bayou floods near Downtown Houston just after Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday, July 8, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Hurricane Beryl knocked out electricity for millions of residents and businesses this week, creating days of sweltering anguish as new questions emerged about the Houston power grids ability to withstand a Category 1 storm. But the aftermath of the hurricane became notable for a looming catastrophe not making headlines the region handled up to 12 inches of rain without destructive flooding. The Bayou is seen flooding just after Hurricane Beryl makes landfall on Monday, July 8, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Beryl drenched Harris County on Monday, with most parts of town receiving at least four to six inches of rain in 24 hours. Roads and highways were inundated, creating unsafe conditions for drivers and necessitating dozens of water rescues. However, despite several swollen creeks and bayous leaving their banks, very little structural flooding had been reported in a region famous for damaging floods. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The highest rainfall amount recorded in Harris County was 11.4 inches along Clear Creek in the Friendswood area, where 2.72 inches fell in a single hour during the worst of the storm. But high totals were reported across the county, with over 10 inches of rain registering in areas as far apart as Deer Park, Inwood and Willow Waterhole. The storm caused several waterways to exceed their banks, including Clear Creek and the lower portions of Cedar Bayou, the San Jacinto River, and White Oak Bayou. Buffalo Bayou also reached its banks near Shepherd Drive into downtown and water came over the banks on Brays Bayou around Meyerland. But the county has received less than 10 reports of structural flooding, according to the Harris County Flood Control District, the agency responsible for flood infrastructure. Part of that success is because the intensity of the rainfall remained manageable, staying below three inches an hour, according to Harris County meteorologist Jeff Lindner. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "If you go back to some of our other big floods, we're talking rainfall rates of five, six inches an hour," Lindner said. When the Memorial Day storm soaked the Houston area in 2015, up to 11 inches of rain fell in just three hours at Brays Bayou and Beltway 8. The following year, some areas received up to 16 inches of rain in 12 hours in the Tax Day storm. Both rainfall events produced extensive structural flooding. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 drenched Harris County with up to 47 inches of rain over the course of four days, including as much as 6.8 inches of rain in a single hour. Another reason why homes stayed high and dry in Beryl was the flood mitigation projects that have been completed in recent years, HCFCD Director Tina Petersen said. "What we noticed is Greens (Bayou) did not go out of bank in the upper part of the watershed," Petersen said. "That is an area that historically has flooded." Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the years since Hurricane Harvey, the Greens Bayou area has been helped by an expanded stormwater detention basin that Petersen said has made a difference. Though Lindner said he had been concerned about potential flooding along Brays Bayou, it did not end up happening, which could be partly due to the $480 million Project Brays that was completed in 2022, according to Petersen. "We do think for sure that's an area where we're seeing benefits," Petersen said. Along Hunting Bayou, a $124 million project is almost 100% complete and is making an impact, she added. "The stormwater reached the top of the banks but it receded before we think there was any damage," Petersen said. "So when we see that, that's exciting. That's what we are pushing for. All of the work we're doing, that's what we are hoping for." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Inwood area, which had some of the county's highest rainfall totals in Beryl, has a major project in the works the largest stormwater detention basin HCFCD has ever constructed, Petersen said. Though the basin still has another two to three years of construction, the work that's been completed so far likely helped the area, she said. White Oak Bayou also has improvements in the pipeline, including a project expected to be completed by the end of September and another one slated to be finished by early next year. In the Clear Creek watershed, two projects were recently finished the Reverend Lawson Basin and the South Shaver Stormwater Detention Basin that help hold water, keeping it out of homes. A third project, the FM 1959 Basin, is still in the works. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I am a resident of Princes Town, and I want to grab the attention of the Ministry of Educati Haley Loredo holds a cell phone photo of her children with their grandmother, Maria Loredo, 73, who died after a tree fell on her second story bedroom at their home in the 17400 block of Rustic Canyon Trail during Hurricane Beryl Monday, July 8, 2024, in Spring. The cell phone photo was taken Feb. 10, 2024. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer People gather outside a home in the 17400 block of Rustic Canyon Trail where Maria Loredo, 73, died after a tree fell on her second story bedroom during Hurricane Beryl Monday, July 8, 2024, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer Information comes fast but not always accurately when storms bear down on the Houston region. Reported storm deaths an important measure of storm severity from Hurricane Beryl have ranged from nine to 11, to the Chronicles estimate of at least 13. But an accurate count for the region might not come for weeks, according to those in charge of the tally. Brent Taylor, spokesman for the Houston Office of Emergency Management, said Friday that the office keeps a running tally of possible deaths that may be storm-related, but the final determination will come from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and might take time to become final. Advertisement Article continues below this ad People have this desire to get information faster than the process takes, Taylor said. MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Hurricane Beryls death toll may climb with Galveston womans death Representatives for the institute, which serves as Harris Countys medical examiner, provided data showing the county could have as many as eight deaths connected to Beryl. If accurate, the number would bring the regions total to 13. Incoming cases are still being assessed, said Jasmine Jefferson, a spokeswoman for the institute. A list of confirmed storm-related deaths is now available on our website and will be updated as cases are certified. Each case is considered individually to determine whether its storm related, including medical history, environment and postmortem examination findings, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The latest additions include a 76-year-old woman who drowned after her sailboat struck a boat and sank into Clear Lake during the storm, a 77-year-old man who drowned when his vehicle submerged in water, and a 76-year-old man, a 50-year-old woman and a 78-year-old man who all died of hyperthermia when they lost power after the storm. In Harris County and the surrounding counties affected by Beryl, an overlapping series of agencies investigate deaths. They must work through what counts and doesnt as a storm death, which can sometimes be more complicated than it might seem. One television station, for instance, reported a storm-related death in Fort Bend County, but Sheriff Eric Fagan said that his office was not investigating any deaths connected to Beryl. One woman fell in her pool during the storm and drowned and a 5-year-old girl was outside with her father the day after the storm and fell into a bayou and died, he said. But neither of those can be directly connected to the storm. Similarly, some reports have said there were three storm deaths in Galveston County. But John D.J. Florence, chief investigator for the Galveston County Medical Examiners Office, would only confirm one the death of a woman in a home near Crystal Beach. A friend went to check on the 71-year-old woman after the storm and found her dead in a home in the 1200 block of Texas 87, Sheriff Henry Trochesset said. The woman had been using oxygen. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deputies soon arrived but because of the storm and ferry service going down, a forensic examiner couldnt arrive immediately, Trochesset said. Florence said the storm was a contributing factor in the womans death. Mitch Thames, spokesman for Matagorda County, compared the uncertainty surrounding some of the deaths after Beryl to determining the cause of death during the COVID-19 pandemic. Id say its best for someone else to decide these things, he said. Officials in Matagorda County are investigating a death as possibly storm-related, Thames said. A 60-year-old man was found dead in his Bay City home in the days after the storm. He was paraplegic and bedridden and lost power during the storm. His son visited him multiple times after Beryl struck to bring him water, but he was found dead from heatstroke, Thames said. Montgomery County officials have provided few details about the three deaths there. An emergency management official said a fallen tree killed a man in his 40s while riding his tractor. Two other people were discovered dead in a tent in a wooded area in Magnolia. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Harris County, there have been at least eight deaths reported as possibly connected to the storm. They include a civilian employee of the Houston Police Department, later identified as Russell Richardson, 54, who was found dead in a submerged car in the floodwaters of Houston Avenue near City Hall. He died while trying to come to work, officials said. Fire department investigators determined a Houston house fire that killed a man early Monday was likely caused by lightning from the storm. County officials were investigating two other deaths, including a 53-year-old man in Humble and a 74-year-old woman in Spring. A man died after a tree fell on a home in Kings River Village in Humble, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed. Gonzalez said the man, 53, was sitting in his home with his family, waiting out the storm, when an oak tree fell on their roof and a structure fell on the man. Gonzalez confirmed another death after a tree fell on 74-year-old Maria Loredo in the 17400 block of Rustic Canyon Trail. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said Loredo, a grandmother, was in her bedroom at the time. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Taylor said there is not an agency is responsible for investigating all deaths in Harris County. The Pima County Attorneys Office is looking into procurement concerns, self-reported to county officials by Catholic Community Services leaders, which appear to have prompted recent staffing changes at the Catholic nonprofit. In May, County Administrator Jan Lesher sent a memo to the Pima County Board of Supervisors advising them that two Catholic Community Services employees were penalized for having conflicts of interest with an unnamed vendor that overcharged for its services. CCS has taken disciplinary action against the employees involved in hiring the vendor and alerted the County about the lack of required procurement procedures and contracting, Lesher said in the May 17 memo, first reported by the Tucson Agenda. I have met with CCS leadership and believe it is taking the appropriate corrective actions and I am appreciative of their immediate notification. The vendor provided laundry services at the nonprofits migrant-aid program, Casa Alitas, Catholic Community Services CEO Elena Dwyre said. We did believe it was important for our partners to understand that as soon as we found this conflict, it was immediately disclosed and we took immediate action to address it, Dwyre told the Arizona Daily Star. I think this speaks to our strong internal controls that we were able to identify the situation and we immediately rectified it. Leshers memo cited a message from Dwyre, advising the county of the vendor problem. Catholic Community Services recently discovered, in an internal review of accounts, that we had been overcharged for services by a contractor for one of our programs, Dwyre wrote. Upon further investigation we learned that two employees with that program had violated our conflict of interest and purchasing policies. Those employee relationships were quickly terminated, the contractor relationship was likewise discontinued, and program partners were promptly notified of the issue. We have begun the steps needed to rectify the billing issues. Additional steps have been taken to improve training and tightening of purchasing oversight, to ensure this situation will not repeat itself. The vendor was also working without a contract, in violation of county and federal procurement rules for the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Shelter and Services Program grant, Lesher wrote. As matters such as this must be reported to our federal funder, and out of an abundance of caution and for full transparency, I am alerting you to this incident and assure you we are taking the matter seriously, Lesher wrote to supervisors. In May, former Casa Alitas director Diego Pina Lopez resigned from his position, which was taken over by George Rushing, executive director for children and family services for CCS. Pina Lopez declined to comment on the reasons for his departure. Former Catholic Community Services operations director Teresa Cavendish is also no longer at the agency. Cavendish did not respond to a request for comment from the Star. Dwyre said she could not name the employees involved in the conflict of interest, due to a termination agreement. Pima County spokesman Mark Evans said its up to Catholic Community Services to decide whether to provide the names of the employees involved to the media. This was a personnel matter at a nonprofit company we contracted with. We defer to them when discussing their employees, he said. Lesher told supervisors shes asked the Pima County grants-management department to review all of CCSs vendor contracts to ensure compliance with federal requirements. She also asked the County Attorneys Civil Division to review the matter for implications to the overall CCS contract and any possible repercussions with the federal government. The Star has filed a public records request seeking more details on the procurement irregularities and any available results of the County Attorney Offices review. PHOENIX State lawmakers are entitled to ask Arizona voters to approve a border security measure that contains everything from penalties for entering this country to selling fentanyl, a judge ruled late Friday. Theres nothing illegal about putting all of that into a single take-it-or-leave-it ballot measure, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Scott Minder said in an 11-page ruling. Minder rejected arguments by immigrant rights groups and Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA) that the five-provision measure violates a requirement that all legislation be limited to one subject and matters properly connected therewith. That same requirement applies to measure placed on the ballot. The idea is to prevent logrolling, where disparate issues are placed together with voters forced to adopt the whole package including things they dont want to get what they do. Minder said four of the provisions relate to the legal presence, employment verification, access to benefits and allowing judges to order the deportation of those who enter the country at other than a port of entry. Those four provisions are all deterrents to, or enforcement methods for, crossing the border without legal permission, the judge wrote. Logic and popular understanding shows that these items are parts of, or germane to responses to harms relating to an unsecured border. And Minder concluded that a fifth provision enhanced prison sentences for those who sell fentanyl if it results in the death of another person also fits. The Legislature made explicit findings about the dangers of fentanyl and the impact of the transportation of fentanyl over the border, including the enticement of people to cross the border without legal permission, he wrote. This court has no factual basis to doubt, and plaintiffs have shown no reason to question, the deterrent effect of the proposed lethal fentanyl crime, the judge continued, Entry of people and of drugs into Arizona through the border are logically or in popular understanding connected, which is what the single-subject rule requires. There will be an appeal, Alejandra Gomez, the groups executive director, said Saturday in a statement. If Proposition 314 reaches the ballot box this November, many Arizonans will be disproportionately targeted and subjected to suspicion and persecution, Gomez said, referring to the number being given to the measure by the Secretary of States Office. This discriminatory legislation will lead to over-policing in every community across our state. The most visible part of the legislation is the language allowing police to arrest those who enter Arizona from Mexico other than at a port of entry. The Republican-controlled Legislature actually approved a measure to do just that earlier this year, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. A separate proposal by Rep. Quang Nguyen, R-Prescott Valley, dealing with the sale of fentanyl never made it out of the House. GOP leaders then combined both into HCR 2060, designed as a ballot measure to bypass the governor. They made violating that law a crime but allowed judges to drop charges if the person self-deports. They also added provisions making it a crime to use forged papers to seek public benefits and to get around requirements to prove legal presence to work in the state. The combined measure was approved by lawmakers over the objections of many Democrats. They said the provision empowering police to arrest border crossers would lead to racial profiling and result in the same bad publicity Arizona got in 2010 with the adoption of SB 1070 giving police the power to question and detain people they believe are in the country illegally. Foes also questioned whether the measure is constitutional. They pointed out that a federal appeals court has so far barred enforcement of SB 4, a nearly identical Texas law on which much of HCR 2060 is modeled, But any similar challenge here cannot be heard by the court unless and until the measure is approved in November. That left foes with only one pre-election legal tool: argue that it violates the single-subject rule. Minder acknowledged that courts have struck down other ballot measures where lawmakers have tried to cram in various unrelated items. The subject is broad, he said of HCR 2060. But it is not foolishly so. Consider, he said, a decision by the Arizona Supreme Court to strike from the ballot a measure that was simply titled as relating to state government. But Minder said the justices found nothing improper in allowing a vote on a package of issues as related to marital and domestic relations. Ditto, he said, of a ballot measure labeled simply protection of children or one labeled transportation. This court finds that responses to harms related to an unsecured border is no broader than domestic relations, Minder said. Even the provision on fentanyl, he said, meets the legal test, even though those who would be subject to its penalties could be U.S. citizens. Arizona courts have repeatedly found that provisions of the same act can affect different groups of people without violating the single-subject rule, Minder said. If the decision is not overturned, it could become a draw to bring out voters who may be sympathetic to Republicans who will be running for office at the same Nov. 5 general election. Hobbs herself has acknowledged that the measure is likely to prove popular among those who believe the border is not secure. I understand their frustration, Hobbs said. But the governor, in an earlier interview with Capitol Media Services, is beginning to make the case for its defeat. It will kill jobs, she said. Oklahoma tribes announced a step Friday that unites the entities, makes hunting and fishing easier for all tribal members, and combines expanding tribal wildlife management efforts. It further solidifies the end of state-tribal compacts severed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in 2021. The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes announced the Five Tribe Wildlife Management Reciprocity Agreement at its July quarterly meeting at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. The agreement allows hunting and fishing licenses issued through each tribe to be recognized by the other tribes on respective reservation lands. According to the announcement, tribal members and citizens of the Cherokee Nation, Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Muscogee Nation, and soon the Seminole Nation can use their tribal membership to hunt and fish on lands of all tribes treaty territories. The announcement notes that the new agreement will allow the Five Tribes to collaborate on wildlife management within their reservations and enhance their ability to manage natural resources. Hunting and fishing are inherent treaty rights among our five tribal nations and have been vital to food security for generations of Cherokees, said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. As Cherokees, we can use tribal citizenship photo IDs to hunt and fish on our 7,000-square-mile reservation. For the past two years, this has proven to be a highly successful initiative for both the tribe and our outdoor sportsmen. This new Five Tribes agreement makes hunting and fishing in eastern Oklahoma more sustainable, and more diverse for all our citizens. The adoption of uniform codes by all tribal governments involved is a significant accomplishment and demonstrates the strength of our collective sovereignty. The announcement completes tribal efforts to replace a system that ended in December 2021 when Stitt refused to renew state and tribal hunting and fishing compacts. Under the compacts, tribes paid the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to license their members. It meant lower costs to tribal citizens but kept participation in the states records for tracking harvest on all lands within the state and preserved participation numbers that influence federal funding formulas based in part on participation compared state-to-state. According to department records, the department last received $689,240 for tribal-compact license sales in fiscal 2021. That year, estimated participation in deer hunting alone totaled 457,020 license holders statewide. The following year, that statistic fell 35% to 294,796. In October 2022, tribes made hunting and fishing licenses available to members and citizens. Most tribes allow their tribal membership cards to serve as their credential or license. Fridays announcement noted that all Oklahoma residents with valid state-issued hunting and fishing licenses remain eligible to hunt and fish within these tribal treaty territories under all applicable laws. Hunting and fishing activities by tribal members and citizens will be subject to the laws of the tribe on whose reservation the activity is taking place. We have established the Choctaw Nation Wildlife Conservation Department to assert our tribal sovereignty. This department determines how our citizens hunt and fish on our reservation by using their tribal membership, said Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton. We have now taken a significant step forward by partnering with the Inter-Tribal Council. This partnership will provide further opportunities for our tribal members to hunt and fish on our reservations using their tribal membership. Together, we are asserting our tribal sovereignty and benefiting approximately 815,000 tribal citizens, as well as all Oklahomans. The announcement notes that hunters and anglers on the various reservations are responsible for knowing and abiding by any applicable laws. Tribal citizens will also be responsible for securing permission to access land owned by others. Each tribe will manage programs to provide access to tribally owned areas. Tribal citizens or members reporting harvests will report to the tribe to which they are citizens or members. The agreement honors statewide hunting and fishing limits, which are considered aggregate statewide. According to the announcement, limits will not reset in or outside each reservation. Each tribe will report basic harvest data each year by Feb. 28 to help regulate and manage wildlife. Tribal leaders indicated they look forward to working with state and federal partners as they implement the agreement and continue identifying partnerships for advancing wildlife conservation. State game wardens cross-deputized with the respective tribes can ticket and enforce laws on these reservations. Tulsa World is where your story lives Nicole Hensley is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle. She can be reached at nicole.hensley@houstonchronicle.com. She joined the Chronicle in 2018 from the New York Daily News and after writing for The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington. A native of Seattle, Nicole is a graduate of Washington State University. Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office is asserting itself as legal counsel to a state board after two meetings where no action was taken to follow a direct order by the Oklahoma State Supreme Court regarding a proposed new religious charter school. In a letter sent Thursday, Attorney General Gentner Drummond notified the executive director of the Statewide Charter School Board of the move effective immediately. The new state governing board held its first meeting on Monday and held off on complying with a June 25 order by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to rescind a contract for state sanctioning and taxpayer funding for public education with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. Oklahoma Catholic leaders who proposed the school are currently mulling an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Dan Carsey, a private attorney with the firm Hall Estill, gave the board counsel, apparently despite Drummonds having denied permission for the private attorney to do so in advance of the meeting. Rather than abiding by the Supreme Courts order, the Board has disregarded its duties by deferring to the Intervenors (St. Isidores) litigation whims. Accordingly, and immediately, the SCSB must obey the Courts writ of mandamus and rescind the St. Isidore contract by (1) calling a special meeting or (2) moving the next regularly scheduled board meeting to no later than the last day of this month as permitted by section 311(A)(8) of the Open Meeting Act, Drummond wrote in a Thursday notice to Statewide Charter School Board Executive Director Rebecca Wilkinson. It was Drummond who prevailed in going to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to reverse what he believed to be unlawful action in state sanctioning and funding for St. Isidore, a religious school. Last year, the Oklahoma Legislature voted to dissolve the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board as of June 30 and as of July 1 to create this new, larger governing board with expanded oversight responsibilities. The new Statewide Charter School Board inherited the old boards legal obligations and oversight of Oklahomas seven state-sponsored virtual charter schools, and it has added responsibility for four traditional charter schools previously sponsored by the State Board of Education. At the statewide virtual boards final meeting, held June 28, a vote to follow the state Supreme Courts order to rescind its contract with St. Isidore failed because of one vote to abstain by member Brian Shellem of Edmond. Then on July 5, St. Isidores attorneys requested a stay of the courts order to rescind St. Isidores contract while Catholic leaders decide whether to appeal the case. Shellem an appointee of Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has repeatedly championed St. Isidore and criticized Drummond for his legal stance on the matter of establishing a religious school with public funds was the only member to carry over to the new board. He was elected chairman of the new board, which also includes among its voting members State Superintendent Ryan Walters, who has vowed to help St. Isidore get its appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. After an executive session lasting nearly 90 minutes on St. Isidore, the new board took no action on Monday, but Shellem announced that the board would wait and see whether the state Supreme Court issues a stay of its order to the board. We do plan on honoring and respecting the decision of the (Oklahoma) Supreme Court, Shellem said then. Amid the legal uncertainty, Catholic leaders canceled their planned August opening of St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School. The Tulsa World is where your story lives Vietnam and Cambodia will not let hostile forces use territories of one country to sabotage the other, while preventing such forces from distorting or dividing their countries friendship. Vietnamese State President To Lam and President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Cambodian Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen made the pledge at their talks in Phnom Penh on Friday. Their meeting was part of Lams two-day state visit to Cambodia starting on the same day at the invitation of Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni. President Lam expressed his pleasure at paying a state visit to Cambodia for the first time in his new position and at meeting again with Hun Sen, a long standing close friend of the leaders and people of Vietnam. Lam highly appreciated Hun Sens precious contribution to and key role in the maintenance and development of the friendly neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The host highly valued his guests first state visit to Cambodia as the State leader of Vietnam, considering the trip a promotion to the countries friendship and close-knit ties. The two leaders reviewed and treasured the cooperative achievements that the two nations have achieved in recent times, agreeing that the peace, stability and development of either countries also benefit the other. They vowed to develop security and defense cooperation more comprehensively and deeply, while being steadfast to the principle of not allowing any hostile force to use one countrys territory to sabotage the other. Vietnamese State President To Lam (L) and President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen are seen at their talks in Phnom Penh on July 12, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Lam and Hun Sen also expressed their determination to prevent hostile forces from distorting or dividing the Vietnam-Cambodia traditional friendship and solidarity. They expressed appreciation for the help, solidarity, attachment and sacrifice the two countries have offered to each other during their struggles for liberation in the past as well as their national building and development today, affirming that this is an undeniable truth. Hun Sen highlighted Vietnams support and sacrifice that helped Cambodia get rid of the Pol Pot genocidal regime and revive. The host and guest agreed to actively implement the high-level agreements and results of the high-level meetings between the two parties in order to further beef up the bilateral relations in the coming time. The two leaders also agreed to effectively promote the mechanism of the annual conference of the ministers of public security and home affairs of Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam, the meeting of the defense ministers of the three countries, and the joint exercise of these countries in response to non-traditional security challenges. The two countries will step up meetings and interactions between all-level leaders and via all channels, especially between young leaders and youths of the countries, as well as young leaders of the Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam Development Triangle Area, the two leaders agreed. They underscored the need to bring into play the mechanisms of the joint committee for economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation, and the cooperation and development conference of border provinces. Hun Sen emphasized the importance of cooperation in human resource development and suggested that Vietnam continue to support Cambodia in this field. In response to Lams invitation, Hun Sen affirmed that he will pay a visit to Vietnam in the near future and the specific date for the trip will be arranged via diplomatic channels. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emmanuelle Pavillon-Grosser expressed her hope that France would welcome more Vietnamese investors in the future, as part of the all-round exchange and cooperation between the two countries. Consul General Pavillon-Grosser was speaking at a ceremony conducted at the French Palace in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday evening to celebrate the French National Day (July 14). The event was attended by deputy chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City administration Vo Van Hoan, members of the Consulate General in the city, and leaders of French and Vietnamese businesses. Addressing the ceremony, Pavillon-Grosser said that France will continue promoting exchange and cooperation activities with Vietnam in all fields, especially economics and trade. The two-way trade between the two countries has so far amounted to 7.6 billion (US$8.2 billion), and France is currently the second largest European Union (EU) investor in Vietnam. France hopes to welcome more Vietnamese investors into France in the coming time, as part of the bilateral exchanges and cooperation, the consul general said. Pavillon-Grosser pointed out that education, scientific research and culture have also become areas of priority for cooperation between the two countries, in addition to economics and trade. Presently, nearly 6,000 Vietnamese students are studying in France, and 100 of them have received scholarships from the French government, an unprecedented number so far, said the diplomat. This year, Vietnam continues holding the third position in the number of international students receiving French university scholarships, she added. Speaking at the ceremony, Vice-Chairman Hoan commented that the annual French National Day has become a Vietnam-France friendship day, offering opportunities for the people of the two countries to honor the unique interference between the two cultures. Last year, the two nations celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership, he said. France is Vietnam's fourth largest export market in the EU, with the bilateral trade amounted to $4.8 billion last year, of which $3.17 billion was the value of the Southeast Asian nations exports to France. In addition, France is the leading official development assistance (ODA) donor in Europe for Vietnam, which ranks second among the countries receiving French ODA in Asia. Based on the good bilateral relationship, Ho Chi Minh City is always one of the localities actively promoting comprehensive cooperative relations with France, with two-way trade between the metropolis and the European country reaching $750 million in 2023, stated Hoan. Being home to 40 representative offices of French businesses, the city highly appreciates the interest of French investors in key projects such as metro lines and those that help renovate and embellish the Saigon Port and the riverbank, Hoan told the ceremony. Realizing that the potential for cooperation with France is still huge, the municipal administration hopes the city will attract more French investors and further promote cooperation in the fields of education, sustainable urban planning, smart city construction, heritage preservation, energy infrastructure development, seaports, green economy and digital economy. With the most dynamic economy in the southern region, along with its young population and growing middle class, Ho Chi Minh City will be a potential market for high-end French products as well as for cultural, tourism and culinary exchange activities between the two sides. Vietnam and France established diplomatic relations in 1973, and the two nations upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2013. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Local forest rangers in Tuy Hoa City, Phu Yen Province, south-central Vietnam are investigating a case in which yellow-headed temple turtles were for sale on the sidewalks in the city. The turtles were spotted being sold on the streets in Ward 1, 5, 9 and Binh Ngoc Commune in Tuy Hoa City in a bunch of photos that went viral on Friday. It has raised public concern if the reptiles are allowed to be sold publicly. According to Nguyen Vinh Thanh, head of Tuy Hoa City Forest Protection Division under the Phu Yen provincial Forest Protection Department, the turtles were owned by L.B.T. who resides in Ward 7, Tuy Hoa City. The reptiles are in the group IIB of the list of endangered, rare and precious forest animals, Thanh said. However, they were raised in the southern Long An Province, and were bought by T. to resell them. This process was verified by Long An Province forest rangers. "This species of turtle can be traded, but the process must be in a regulated place, not to be publicly or on the street, Thanh said. Also, when selling them, a list of forest products must be made with confirmation from local forest rangers. Thanh added that his unit is coordinating with wards and communes in Tuy Hoa City to review, inspect and handle according to regulations on the trade of yellow-headed temple turtles as well as other rare animals. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Garbage collectors in Ho Chi Minh City have voiced their doubts over the feasibility of the Department of Transports proposal to eliminate rudimentary garbage vehicles, wondering which vehicles can travel to narrow alleys to collect trash. Rudimentary and old garbage vehicles are rampant on the streets of the southern metropolis. When they pass through, commuters on other vehicles are startled and hold their noses due to the foul odor from garbage vehicles. These vehicles are most active between 4:00 pm and 9:00 am the next day. Garbage often piles up on these vehicles, accompanied by big bags and even dustbins. Many of them are severely deteriorated and have no rear-view mirrors. Drivers usually do not wear helmets and cannot see anything in the rear as the trailers obscure the drivers view. These overloaded vehicles have caused concern among commuters. There is sometimes a person classifying garbage standing on top of the makeshift trailer. With just a sharp bend or hard braking, the person may fall into the road. A rudimentary garbage vehicle with garbage piling up high is seen in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City. Vu Thanh, a 29-year-old resident in Thu Duc City, a district-level administration unit under Ho Chi Minh City, said while he was traveling on Pham Van Dong Street to his workplace, he sometimes had to wait at red lights next to vehicles full of garbage with leachate leaking and an awful odor emitting. The career of waste collectors is worthy of respect but such garbage vehicles are too old and no longer appropriate for the city. [I] hope engineers will design more modern vehicles to replace [these old ones], Thanh added. According to Kieu Trang, a 25-year-old resident in Phu Nhuan District, such trash vehicles have no blinkers, thus are not safe. People sitting on a rudimentary garbage vehicle do not wear helmets. H.A., a garbage collector, shared that her monthly salary is VND6 million (US$234.6). She begins her work at 1:00 am every day. She rides the motorbike to a site where trailers are put, connects a trailer to her motorbike, and runs to small alleys to collect garbage. When the trailer is full of trash, she runs to a parking lot for garbage compactors and transfers the trash from her trailer to a garbage compactor. She collects five trailers of trash per day and finishes her work at 9:00 am. There are some alleys that allow only small garbage vehicles. If the city replaces these vehicles with larger ones, they cannot enter small alleys, H.A. shared, adding that she cannot drive a truck. A woman presses garbage on a rudimentary vehicle while it is running. T.S., another trash collector, said he refused to receive a trailer that his company provided but purchased a larger one at nearly VND20 million ($782.1). His trailer has been used for two years. It is still new and can be used for many additional years. He cannot afford a larger one. Pickups cannot enter small alleys, so their drivers have to park the vehicles at the entrances of the alleys and walk to collect garbage. These pickups are worth hundreds of millions of Vietnam dong each and drivers have to have certain drivers licenses, S. shared. (VND100 million = $3,910). T.V.T., a garbage collector in Thu Duc City, said he spent VND18 million on his garbage trailer and had done the job for over a decade with his monthly salary reaching VND8 million ($312.8). At the beginning, he used a trailer provided by his company but it was broken, so he bought a new one. T. claimed that all garbage vehicles have bags hung around to contain scrap. He earns some VND100,000-200,000 ($3.9-7.8) per day by picking up scrap while collecting trash. He would find it hard to afford another vehicle, unless he receives support from his company or the state, T. said. An alley on Kha Van Can Street in Ho Chi Minh City fits a small garbage vehicle. According to a company selling garbage vehicles, a 500-kilogram garbage pickup costs over VND400 million ($15,633). They cannot turn around in narrow alleys. Bui Hoa An, deputy director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that rudimentary garbage vehicles may hinder traffic as most of them fail to meet the standards. The city has had plans to restrict rudimentary three- and four-wheel vehicles since 2010 and expected to completely terminate the operations of these vehicles after 2025. Many garbage collectors add iron hooks to hang bags of trash. Many residents still use untested rudimentary vehicles for travel and transport, posing a danger to others. The department requested the administrations in Thu Duc City and districts to deal with the situation. Responding to garbage collectors questions on how to transport trash from narrow alleys, An said the municipal government had tasked the Department of Natural Resources and Environment with studying solutions. A degraded vehicle full of garbage runs on Pham Van Dong Street in Thu Duc City, under Ho Chi Minh City. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Vietnamese company has managed to assemble a small-sized pickup truck model to battle fires in alleyways in urban areas instead of relying on imported big trucks for firefighting. The pickup truck costs VND1-1.2 billion (US$39,331-47,198). The fire pickup truck launched by Ho Chi Minh City-based Vinh Phat Motors is the first of its kind in Vietnam. The vehicle called SANDEUR S-100 was designed to be over 1.8 meters wide and 5.8 meters long, have a tonnage of 3,490 kilograms, and be able to carry five people and firefighting equipment. The vehicle is equipped with basic firefighting equipment, such as a water pump, a water tank, a foam tank, a nozzle which can help spray water as far as 50-60 meters, and equipment for rescue. The vehicles will be provided to professional firefighting units as well as semi-professional and private units in localities in Vietnam. Photo: Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre It took Vinh Phat Motors two years to complete the model due to strict requirements in design and equipment, said Vinh Phat Motors chairman and general director Tran Vinh Ha. The vehicle will help with firefighting in alleyways in large cities. At a ceremony to launch the vehicle, Colonel Pham Van Hieu, deputy director of the Department of Industry Security under the Ministry of Public Security, affirmed that the vehicle was certified by the Vietnam Register. In addition to professional firefighting units, residential groups, enterprises, farms, and factories can own and use the vehicles. The fire pickup truck was completely assembled in Vietnam, using accessories of Japans Isuzu and locally-produced parts. Photo: Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre The vehicle was expected to contribute to improving firefighting services in Vietnam, especially in cities and areas with many narrow alleys. Photo: Cong Trung / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A fatal landslide early on Saturday morning in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam claimed the lives of at least 11 people and left four injured. Authorities said that the exact number of people being buried in the landslide remains unknown. Speaking to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper, a local official of Ha Giangs Bac Me District confirmed that the body of the 11th deceased victim was recovered by the afternoon of the same day. The four injured, including one child and three adults, were rushed to the Ha Giang Provincial General Hospital for emergency treatment, with their health condition stable now, the hospitals leader told Tuoi Tre. Rescuers carry a victim out of the scene of a fatal landslide in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, July 13, 2024. Photo: Supplied A Ford Transit, with 16 occupants, encountered a landslide-hit road section when it was approaching a National Highway 34 section in Bac Mes Yen Dinh Commune at around 4:00 am, according to local authorities. The National Highway 34 links Ha Giang with neighboring Cao Bang Province. When all of the occupants got out of the car to team up with some passers-by to push the vehicle stuck in the mud, a mountainside suddenly collapsed, sending thousands of cubic meters of earth and debris onto the road and burying all of them. Rescuers are searching for the victims of a fatal landslide in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, July 13, 2024. Photo: Supplied A search and rescue operation was quickly launched shortly after the incident, with the participation of more than 100 rescuers and healthcare workers. At the scene of the incident, an estimated 50,000 cubic meters of mud and debris fell onto the road section. Tran Duc Quy, vice-chairman of the Ha Giang administration, said that he had visited and offered financial support to the injured and the bereaved families. The scene of a fatal landslide which killed at least 11 people and injured four in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, July 13, 2024. Photo: Supplied Ambulances are approaching the scene of the fatal landslide. Photo: Supplied Rescuers bring a victim out of the scene of the fatal landslide. Photo: Supplied A landslide-hit victim is taken into an ambulance. Photo: Supplied A screenshot of a video clip showing rescuers manually recovering the body of a landslide-hit baby boy. Photo: Supplied Nguyen Van Giao (in blue T-shirt), director of the Health Department in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam, visits a victim who suffered injuries in the fatal landslide. Photo: Supplied Competent forces are conducting a search and rescue operation. Photo: Supplied Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Houston Area Womens Center President and CEO Emilee Whitehurst delivers her speech at the groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, May 17, 2023, in Houston. The new flagship facility will triple the number of beds it has for domestic and sexual violence survivors when it is completed in November 2024. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer As soon as Hurricane Beryl finished rolling across the Houston region, officials at the Houston Area Womens Center say the calls poured in from people seeking escape from domestic violence. Employees as of Thursday were still working to tabulate exactly how many people called the center seeking assistance, but the development was not unexpected, they said. This happens after every disaster, according to those at the center and several academic studies. The tactics abusers use are compressed in events like these, said Emilee Whitehurst, the centers chief executive. Whereas before, maybe someone would manage things by going to see a friend when conditions got bad. Now, the abuse escalates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MORE FROM HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Houston police fully mobilized 24 hours after Hurricane Beryl hit Domestic violence organizations and shelters across the Houston region went into Hurricane Beryl knowing the potential for a surge in requests for aid was possible, especially given their experience in previous disasters. A 2024 report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, for instance, details the breadth of studies showing that women are disproportionately affected by public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. Multiple studies looking at Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the pandemic found increases in the prevalence and severity of domestic violence after the events, according to the report. But widespread power outages and the storms damaging winds have combined to cause problems for several organizations. Brenda Sykes, the CEO of Bay Area Turning Point in southeast Harris County, said a generator helped keep the organizations shelter functional in the days after the storm. But employees dont yet know exactly how many people reached out for help, because calls havent been coming through and those that have often drop. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She urged anyone in need to call 281-286-2525. The limited cell service and internet connections limited individuals ability to call, she said. Like Bay Area Turning Point, the Houston Area Womens Center has relied on generator power to keep operations running through the storm and its aftermath, Whitehurst said. But the organization did see storm damage to its under construction new facility and more minor damage to its existing facility. Acting Police Chief Larry Satterwhite has spoken out against the entrenched problem of domestic violence in Houston and across the region. In an interview before the storm, he said the department in recent months has begun stationing some investigators at the different patrol divisions to increase the speed in which they can investigate domestic violence cases. Between 2019 and 2022, domestic violence-related homicides doubled in Harris County, according to a report from the University of Houston. In 2019, investigators with the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriffs Office investigated 32 homicides in which they suspected domestic violence played a role. By 2022, that number increased to 64. On Friday Seven News Brisbane opened with an acknowledgment of the 17 years of service by esteemed presenter Sharyn Ghidella. Her sudden axing was not the way any popular and long term presenter should have been treated, but it was Ghidella who (understandably) chose not to take up the offer of a final bulletin. Max Futcher described her as A true professional, an accomplished journalist and for all of us here, a friend and mentor and my good mate. He added, Sharyn leaves with our respect, our admiration and wishes for an amazing future. Love you Shaz. Futcher will present the news solo for the immediate future, but it isnt clear if other changes may be ahead. MPs newly elected in 2024 election gather in the Chamber for group photo in London LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's new government is preparing over 35 bills for the formal start of the parliamentary year on Wednesday and has put economic growth at the heart of its agenda, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office said. Starmer, who ended 14 years of Conservative rule earlier this month with a sweeping election win for his Labour Party, said his government aimed to deliver stability, boost growth and create wealth across the country. Legislation will include a bill to enforce tough new spending rules and strengthen the role of the independent Office of Budget Responsibility, meaning significant fiscal announcements will be properly scrutinised, the statement from his office said. "Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste," said Starmer, who has returned to Britain after attending the NATO summit last week in his first major international meeting as the country's leader. "We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long-term and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the downpayment on that change." Within days of taking office as the country's first female finance minister after the election, Rachel Reeves set out plans to increase house building, unblock infrastructure projects and attract private investment. Through a new National Wealth Fund, the government hopes to attract private capital into nascent and growing industries to support growth and meet net zero commitments. The State Opening of Parliament is the only regular occasion when the three constituent parts of parliament the Sovereign, the House of Lords and the elected House of Commons meet. The pomp and ceremony tends to attract large crowds and a significant TV audience. (Reporting by Muvija M; Editing by Christina Fincher) Israeli PM Netanyahu says not certain that Hamas leader killed in strike Israeli PM Netanyahu press conference amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was still not clear whether Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif and another senior commander were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza on Saturday but he vowed to pursue Israel's war aims to the end. "Either way, we will get to the whole of the leadership of Hamas," he told a televised news conference, adding that chances of an agreement to return Israeli hostages would be improved by increasing military pressure on Hamas. The brief news conference was called after the Israeli military said it had conducted a strike based on what it said was precise intelligence, targeting Deif and senior Hamas commander Rafa Salama in the city of Khan Younis. Palestinian health officials said the strike killed at least 90 Palestinians and wounded as many as 300 in the designated humanitarian zone of Al Mawasi, in the heaviest loss of life in weeks. The Israeli military said the strike had hit a military compound but said it could not confirm casualty numbers. Netanyahu, speaking as demonstrators in Tel Aviv demanded more action to bring Israeli and foreign hostages back from Gaza, said that military pressure on Hamas was the best way of reaching an agreement to return the hostages seized by Hamas fighters during the Oct. 7 attack. He said he would not compromise on Israel's basic demands for a deal. "I haven't moved a millimetre from the framework that President Biden presented," he said. "But I am also not letting Hamas move a millimetre." (Reporting by Emily Rose, writing by James Mackenzie; editing by Jason Neely) RAMALLAH (Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Israel and the United States were responsible for an attack that killed dozens in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, but the Western-backed leader also blamed Hamas for the continuing war in Gaza. His comments signal rising tension between Abbas's Fatah faction and the Islamist Hamas group, which accused the Palestinian president of taking Israel's side. Israel said the attack was aimed at killing the Hamas military chief Mohammad Deif and his aide. It remained unclear whether Deif or his deputy were killed in the strike that left at least 90 Palestinians dead and 300 wounded, according to Gaza health ministry. "The Palestinian presidency condemns the slaughter and holds the Israeli government fully responsible, also the U.S. administration that provides all kinds of support to the occupation and its crimes," said Abbas in a statement published by his office. But Abbas, whose authority maintains a limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, assigned some blame to Hamas, whose Oct 7 attack inside Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were abducted, kicked off the nine-month war in Gaza. "The presidency sees that by escaping national unity, and providing free pretexts to the occupation state, the Hamas movement is a partner in bearing legal, moral and political responsibility for the continuation of the Israeli war of genocide in Gaza Strip," the statement said. Hamas has run Gaza since its 2007 takeover of the coastal territory from Abbas loyalists. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters Abbas's statement meant the Palestinian Authority "has chosen to be in the same trench with the occupation". "Such an attitude will not succeed in blackmailing the resistance or pressuring it," said Abu Zuhri. Efforts by Arab mediators, led by Egypt, have so far failed to reconcile power struggles between the two sides. Another Hamas leader, Basem Naim, who took part in previous reconciliation talks with Abbas's Fatah faction, said Abbas was to blame for the failure to reach a unity deal. Naim said Abbas's comments made him and his authority "partner to the Zioinist enemy and its crimes not only in Gaza but also in all of the Palestinian land." (Reporting by Ali Sawafta and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Christina Fincher) Two dead in Russian 'double tap' attack on town near Ukraine's Kharkiv Aftermath of a Russian missile attack in the village of Budy Aftermath of a Russian missile attack in the village of Budy (Reuters) -Russian forces launched a "double tap" missile attack on Saturday on a small town near Ukraine's second largest city, Kharkiv, killing two people, an emergency services official and a police officer, officials said. Officials also reported four dead in a series of attacks in Donetsk region to the southeast and two more in southern Kherson region. Prosecutors said the mid-afternoon missile attack targeted the railway station in Budy, southwest of Kharkiv. After rescue teams arrived, a second missile hit the area. They said 25 people were injured in the incidents, including two children. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the head of the Kharkiv district emergency services was killed, along with a police officer from a rapid reaction unit. Among the injured were three emergency workers, a policeman and about 20 civilians. Reuters could not verify independently the accounts and Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. But Russian forces have used the "double tap" tactic to devastating effect. Kharkiv remained out of Russian hands in the initial advance of the Kremlin's forces after the February 2022 invasion. The city and surrounding area have since come under constant attack, though Ukrainian officials say the frequency has diminished since U.S. supplies of weaponry to Ukraine resumed after a break of several months. Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin said an attack by multiple rocket launchers hit a multi-storey apartment building killed one person in Chasiv Yar -- a town targeted by Russian forces as a staging point in advancing through Ukraine's east. A guided bomb, increasingly used in Russian attacks, killed one person near the town of Kurakhove, where some of the heaviest fighting is taking place along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front. Two bombs dropped on a village further west near the town of Komar killed two people. Ten buildings and a shop were damaged. In southern Kherson region, regional governor Oleksander Prokudin said Russian shelling had killed a couple in a village outside the main administrative centre, also known as Kherson. Prokudin said Russian forces had shelled Ukrainian-held positions throughout the day. Russian forces seized Kherson region in the early days of the 2022 invasion, but Ukrainian forces recaptured many areas later in the year. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksander KozhukharEditing by Nick Zieminski, Deepa Babington and Franklin Paul) Puja Khedkar: IAS success story that actually is not Not alone the wealth and properties Pooja Khedkar, who is also a doctor with MBBS degree, is reportedly possessing, her family background is also debated following the controversies after controversies surrounding her Civil Services selection and consequent appointment as Assistance Collector in Pune Saturday July 13, 2024 11:46 AM , Aleem Faizee, ummid.com Mumbai: Tuesday May 23, 2023 was a historic day for 933 lucky men and women who had cracked the coveted Civil Services 2022 Final Exams and were consequently recommended by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for IAS, IFS, IPS, IRS and other prestigious posts coming under the government of India. The entire focus of the whole nation was on these future bureaucrats. Ishita Kishore, Garima Lohia and Uma Harathi all three who respectively bagged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranks, and 930 others who came next, suddenly became role models and inspiration for a country of 1.45 billion people. Among these role models was also Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar. Puja had bagged the 821st rank in the UPSC Civil Services 2022 Merit List . Her marks, as per the UPSC, was 914 180 less than 1094 scored by UPSC Civil Services 2022 Topper Ishita. With this score and rank in the UPSC Merit List, Puja Khedkar was not eligible for IAS rank. But, her UPSC scorecard also had two more distinctive points OBC and PwBD5. The OBC is Other Backward Class whereas PwBD refers to Persons with Benchmark Disability. It was Pujas caste OBC and classification under PwBD5 that moved her up in the UPSC Merit List and she was hence appointed as Assistant Collector Pune (IAS Rank) for two year probation period. Puja Khedkar was now on course to become another inspiring IAS Success Story. A female, woman with disability, coming from a backward community fought all odds to crack the UPSC Civil Services Exams, believed to be the toughest in the world, and became one of Indias top bureaucrats media headlines would have been this few years later. However, blame it on her luxurious lifestyle, desire to flaunt her power and status, or unnecessary haste to achieve targets, everything collapsed within days like a house of cards. Selfish war with power Puja was supposed to join as Assistant Collector Pune in June this year. Weeks before reporting, Puja started demanding separate cabin, accommodation, staff, car, royal seal and more for which she was not entitled to as a trainee and probationary officer. Snaps of WhatsApp chats now viral in public domain reveal Puja asking the Pune Collector office staff to arrange all these things before her arrival in the city and take charge of the office. According to the reports, Puja was apprised of her trainee status, but she remained adamant and unconvincing. Trying to meet her demands on her own, Puja came to the Pune Collectorate accompanied with her father, and occupied the cabin and antechamber of Pune District Additional Collector Ajay More. Ajay More was on leave and was unware of whats going on in his office in his absence. Puja also removed the name plate of Ajay More and replaced it with her own. As she was not entitled for an official vehicle as a trainee, she put red and blue beacon lights on her own private Audi A4 car and imprinted the Maharashtra Shasan logo on it, according to India Today. Puja is also accused of obtaining with the help of a private contractor VIP registration number for her Audi A4 luxury car. Puja Khedkars out of the way style irked her bosses forcing Pune District Collector Suhas Diwase to take the matter to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik. False claims, fudged documents Even as the debate was still on about the seemingly unruly behavior of Puja Khedkar, and the Maharashtra Chief Secretary was yet to take action, reports started pouring in about the alleged fudged documents Puja used and the false claims about her illness she reportedly made to get concessions in the UPSC Civil Services Exams. As per the UPSC rules, a civil services aspirant is required to undergo medical tests to confirm his or her illness. Accordingly, Puja Khedkar was asked to report to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi in April 2022 for verification of her disability. She however did not report at AIIMS citing Covid infection, The Deccan Herald reported citing officials. According to Pune Now, Puja Khedkar skipped AIIMS call for medical test five times. She appeared for the 6th time but only for half of the test. She did not agree for MRI test to assess vision loss. Later she submitted a fake disability verification report issued by a private hospital to the UPSC to obtain her IAS posting, The New Indian Express reported citing the documents submitted by Puja at Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). The UPSC challenged her documents submitted at CAT, but she received joining order allegedly using political influence, The New Indian Express reported. Doubts surrounded not only Puja Khedkars health issues but also about her OBC status. As per her documents, Puja comes from the OBC category. But, benefits under the OBC category are reserved for those having non-creamy layer certificate. To get a non-creamy layer certificate, a persons annual income must be less than 8 lakhs. On the other hands, Puja Khedkars father owns 110 acres of agriculture lands, posses 6 plots and 7 flats, holds 900 grams of gold and diamond, 4 luxury cars, partnerships in two private firms, and alone owns property worth 17 crore rupees, according to The Times of India. Pujas father Dilip Khedkar unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Dilip Khedkars annual income is 40 crores. Hindustan Times and other media reports claimed Puja holds properties worth more than 17 crores. Amid all this a mock UPSC interview of Puja Khedkar also surfaced where she can be heard saying that her parents are separated and she is currently living with her mother Manorama Khedkar. Puja family background Not alone the wealth and properties Pooja Khedkar, who is also a doctor with MBBS degree, is reportedly possessing, her family background is also debated following the controversies after controversies surrounding her Civil Services selection and consequent appointment as Assistance Collector in Pune. Pujas mother Manorama Khedkar with whom she is reportedly living is a Surpanch of Bhalgaon village in Pathardi Taluka of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. She was most recently seen in videos having heated exchanges with media persons, and threatening farmers with a gun. Pujas father Dilip Khedkar, with whom she reportedly went to Pune and occupied Additional Collector Ajay Mores office in his absence, is a retired IAS officer in Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Dilip Khedkar had contested the Lok Sabha 2024 elections as a Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi nominee from Ahmednagar Parliamentary Constituency. He bagged some 13,000 votes and lost the poll by a margin of more than 6 lakhs. Dilip Khedkar, according to reports, had used his influence to put pressure on district collector and other senior officials to meet his daughter's demands. Poojas maternal grandfather, Jagannathrao Budhwant, was also a Senior IAS officer, calmingly the first IAS officer from the Vanjari community. Meanwhile, Puja Khedkar has been transferred from Pune to Washim, and the matter has also reached the PM office. The PMO has sought a report from Pune Collector Suhas Diwase. Simultaneously, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, where fresh civil servants are given training, has also sought a report from the Maharashtra State General Administration Department. Maharashtra OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save said a probe will be initiated to scrutinise whether the probationary IAS officer belonged to the non-creamy layer OBC category as claimed by her while appearing in the UPSC exams. Official sources said Puja Khedkar may be terminated from service if found guilty. The officials said all the documents presented by her to secure her candidature in the civil services examination and then for selection in the service will be re-examined by a single-member committee constituted by the Centre on Thursday. The officer may be terminated from the service if found guilty. She may face criminal charges also in case she is found to have misrepresented a fact or done any sort of manipulation in documents relied upon for her selection, news agency PTI reported official sources. In a related development, a police compliant has also filed against Pujas mother Manorama Khedkar for threatening a farmer. [The writer, Aleem Faizee, is Founder Editor ummid.com. He can be reached at aleem.faizee@gmail.com.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. As Viet Nam and Russia embark on ambitious liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear energy projects, their partnership promises to reshape the energy landscape and strengthen bilateral ties. Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Viet Nam marks a significant step forward, heralding new opportunities for collaboration and growth in these critical sectors. During his trip to Viet Nam last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted Russia's capability to both produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Viet Nam and supply it to the country. "There are different options here: we can take part in the construction of the appropriate liquefaction capacities, or we can supply our liquefied gas from the territory of the Russian Federation. Either way, its possible, there are prospects here, there are corresponding blocks where we can operate and produce liquefied natural gas," he told the media. In his article in the Nhan Dan (The People) newspaper on June 19 titled "Russia and Viet Nam: A Friendship Tested over Time, President Putin announced plans for the Novatek group, Russia's leading LNG producer and exporter, to implement LNG projects in Viet Nam. The energy sector remains a strategically important area of bilateral cooperation. The Vietsovpetro joint venture, which has been exploring deposits on Viet Nam's continental shelf for more than four decades, has proved highly efficient," Putin wrote. "The volume of oil it has produced over the years has exceeded 250 million tonnes. Rusvietpetro, a joint venture company established in 2008, is successfully operating in Russia's Nenets Autonomous Area. It has already extracted over 35 million tonnes of oil in the harsh conditions of the Far North. Gazprom, in turn, is engaged in gas extraction in Viet Nam, while another major Russian company, Novatek, intends to implement LNG projects on Vietnamese territory. Novatek is one of the few energy groups licensed by Russia to export LNG directly. Among the 11 cooperation documents signed between the ministries, sectors, and enterprises of the two countries during Putin's visit, one was a memorandum of cooperation in Viet Nam between the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group and Novatek. Earlier, Putin stated that Russia was ready to establish long-term direct supplies of hydrocarbons, including LNG, to Viet Nam, and Russian companies were ready to join large-scale projects using LNG as co-investors and suppliers. In September 2023, Novatek CEO Leonid Mikhelson said that the companys Vietnamese partners made a number of specific proposals to enter the republics market, but negotiations are complicated by the lack of a legislative framework for such projects and problems with demand. Viet Nams plan for LNG The Vietnamese government has placed liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the centre of its Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) as a means to transition away from coal. Under PDP8, no new coal-fired plants will be developed after 2030. The plan also imposes a deadline of June 2024 for these coal plants to proceed with their projects; otherwise, delayed or abandoned coal-fired ventures will be terminated and replaced by renewable or LNG-based power plants. According to PDP8, Viet Nam expects to derive 25 per cent, or 37,000 MW of power, from LNG by 2030. This will require significant sector growth and investment. Domestic LNG projects currently produce just 7 billion cubic metres per year of usable gas, which is not enough to fulfil Viet Nams current needs. In 2018, Viet Nam imported 55 per cent of the total LNG used domestically; by 2020, that number had grown to 70 per cent. According to Viet Nam's gas industry development plan, the country will need to import 1 to 4 billion cubic metres of LNG per year from 2021-2025, increasing to 6 to 10 billion cubic metres per year by 2026. Novateks interest Before Putin's discussion about plans to provide long-term LNG supplies to Viet Nam, Russian media had frequently addressed this issue. The Novatek group has shown interest in the LNG sector in Viet Nam on at least three occasions. LNG is regarded as the cleanest fossil fuel available today, as it does not produce soot, smoke, or dust during the combustion of natural gas. Furthermore, LNG-powered electricity is less dependent on natural conditions compared to wind or solar power, making it less prone to interruptions. With these exceptional advantages, LNG has become a seismic name across continents. In the United States, El Pais reported that the appeal of LNG is akin to a modern-day gold rush, shaking energy centres to their core. Numerous LNG facilities have been constructed to meet export demands, making the US the world's largest LNG exporter in 2023. According to a January report by Fortune, LNG terminals are proliferating along the European coastline. Last year, more than 20 new or expanded LNG terminals were planned across the European Union. These terminals are now becoming operational, resulting in an increasing influx of LNG into the EU. In Asia, Reuters reported that LNG imports reached a record high of 26.61 million tonnes in December 2023, establishing the continent as the world's leading LNG importer. In a July 2023 article, the Russian news agency Sputnik highlighted the LNG trend in Viet Nam. Following its first shipment of 70,000 tonnes of LNG from the multinational energy group Shell last year, Viet Nam has officially integrated into the global LNG trend. Sputnik assessed that LNG serves as a "bridge fuel" in Viet Nam's transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. It is also considered a sensible choice given future challenges, as coal-fired power cannot be expanded (Viet Nam plans to cease using coal for electricity generation by 2050, according to PDP8), and hydropower has no further development potential. Under PDP8, Viet Nam aims to increase the share of gas-fired power from LNG to 14.9 per cent by 2030. Viet Nam is emerging as one of Asias most promising markets for LNG imports for electricity generation. Nguyen Quoc Thap, president of the Viet Nam Petroleum Association, said, Having a mechanism to contract power output in accordance with gas volume is critical for the development of imported LNG power projects. Golden opportunity in VN According to an October 2023 report by CNBC, experts have identified Viet Nam as one of the Southeast Asian countries poised to become a key driver for the LNG market by 2030. With LNG demand expected to surge in the coming years under PDP8, Viet Nam is predicted to become a standout player in the LNG market and is on track to become a major force in the sector. "LNG demand from Europe is projected to peak in 2027 and then decline by 2030. At that point, Southeast Asia, particularly Viet Nam, Thailand and Indonesia, will drive growth," said Tony Regan, head of the Asia-Pacific gas division at NexantECA, an energy and refining consultancy. Recognising the significant opportunity in Viet Nam, Novatek established a representative office in Ha Noi as early as August 2021, aiming to develop a range of LNG supply projects for the country. According to Interfax, in October 2022, Leonid Mikhelson, the founder and chairman of Novatek, informed Russian media that the group was exploring the possibility of supplying LNG to both existing and newly constructed power plants in Viet Nam. "Novatek is examining the potential to build an LNG terminal in Viet Nam," he added. By July 2023, Novatek representatives met with Pham Van Phong, general director of PV GAS, expressing their desire to collaborate with the Vietnamese group on LNG trading for 2023-2026. In an official statement following the meeting, Novatek emphasised its high regard for the cooperation opportunities with PV GAS. In March, during a meeting with Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Novatek reiterated its strong interest in various LNG projects in Viet Nam. E.N. Golm, Novatek's director of Business Development, highlighted the company's keen focus on Viet Nam's liquefied natural gas sector. This includes participation in the Ca Na LNG power project alongside other partners, as well as tapping into the rapidly growing Vietnamese gas market. Given the positive results from President Putin's visit to Viet Nam and the subsequent announcements by the Russian leader, it is expected that Novatek will soon begin LNG projects in the country. Nuclear research: new era of cooperation Viet Nam and Russia are partnering to develop a Nuclear Technology Research Centre featuring a new 10MW research reactor, aiming to produce radiopharmaceuticals and irradiate silicon for semiconductor manufacturing. This was announced by Tran Chi Thanh, director of the Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute, at a press conference held by the Ministry of Science and Technology on July 4. Thanh said that by the end of June, Alexey Likhachev, general director of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), and Huynh Thanh at, Viet Nam's minister of Science and Technology, exchanged a memorandum regarding the implementation of the Nuclear Technology Research Centre (CNST) project in Viet Nam. Since then, the two parties have agreed on the methods of cooperation and implementation to ensure the project's effective construction and operation. The CNST is expected to be located in Long Khanh City, ong Nai Province. The centre will feature a pool-type nuclear reactor with a capacity of 10MW, using low-enriched fuel manufactured by Russia. Thanh said that the project had already started designing the reactor and surveying suitable locations for its construction. The new research reactor aims to produce radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and diagnosis, a critical task given that Viet Nam sees approximately 180,000 new cancer cases annually, with a domestic treatment success rate of around 40 per cent (compared to 70 per cent globally). "Currently, the a Lat Nuclear Reactor produces nearly 10 types of radiopharmaceuticals, but the new reactor could increase this capacity by five to seven times," Thanh said. The Ministry of Science and Technology has tasked the Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute with forming specialised teams focused on reactor physics, horizontal channel design, isotope production, materials research, silicon irradiation for semiconductors, activation analysis research, environmental protection, and nuclear safety. This initiative aims to ensure a skilled research and application workforce for the new reactors efficient and safe operation once the CNST becomes operational. Thanh also mentioned ongoing collaborations with several international institutions, including the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia, to provide long-term training for personnel. At the press conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Hoang Giang emphasised Viet Nam's policy of developing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes alongside socioeconomic development. He highlighted the practical demand for nuclear energy, demonstrated by its applications in medicine, agriculture, and the import-export of agricultural goods. "Aligned with global trends, many countries are refocusing their resources on nuclear energy for socioeconomic development. Thus, the project requires long-term preparation, with the goal of integrating nuclear energy into our socioeconomic growth," he said. The Nuclear Technology Research Centre project is being executed under an intergovernmental agreement signed in 2011. The Vietnamese government approved the investment policy for the project in 2018, marking the first time Viet Nam had undertaken a large-capacity research reactor project. Tran Hong Thai, also deputy minister of Science and Technology, noted that the project was of great interest to both Viet Nam and Russia and had been included in the priority list for cooperation between the two governments. "The success of the project not only marks an important milestone in Viet Nam-Russia scientific and technological cooperation, enhancing Viet Nam's nuclear energy capabilities, but it also lays the groundwork for Viet Nam and Russia to continue engaging in more significant cooperative activities in the future, particularly in nuclear energy," Thai said. To support the feasibility study, safety analysis, and design dossier review, the Ministry of Science and Technology has requested Rosatom to facilitate the involvement of Vietnamese experts in the basic design of the reactor and the accompanying safety calculations and analyses. Rosatom will also assist Viet Nam in training personnel to operate the reactor. Viet Nam currently operates the a Lat Nuclear Reactor, which has been in service for 40 years. Originally built by the United States in 1963 as the TRIGA Mark-2 reactor with a capacity of 250kW, the reactor was decommissioned before April 1975, with all fuel rods removed and returned to the US. In 1982, the Soviet Union assisted in restoring and upgrading the a Lat Nuclear Reactor, which was recommissioned in March 1984 with a nominal capacity of 500kW, double that of the original TRIGA reactor. The reactor is used for scientific research, sample analysis, radiopharmaceutical production for healthcare and industry, and personnel training. VNS The University of Houston-Downtown, left, and the Harris County Jail, right, along the Buffalo Bayou are shown from a window view in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer A violent confrontation that led to the fatal shooting of a Harris County sheriff's deputy Wednesday night started because a man was upset his pizza order didn't look like an advertising picture, according to evidence presented at a court hearing Thursday. Ronald Palmer, 44, was arrested Thursday and charged with capital murder of a police officer after the death of 28-year-old deputy Fernando Esqueda. Palmer also faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon over an alleged assault of two pizza shop employees shortly before the shooting. MORE ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: HPD getting help with post-Beryl patrols from 100 officers across state Advertisement Article continues below this ad Palmer didn't appear at his scheduled hearing Friday morning. Court officials said he waived his appearance at the hearing, which is when defendants are told their rights, learn where their cases are assigned and potentially are given bail. Palmer's bail was set at $50,000 on each of the assault charges, but he is being held on the capital murder charge until a district court judge can decide on his bail. That would come no sooner than Monday. Palmer is accused of threatening two Little Caesars employees with a gun about 10 p.m. Wednesday "because he was dissatisfied with the appearance of the pizza he ordered," according to court records. One of the employees was pistol-whipped, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Local media gathers in front of a Little Ceasers Pizza where an employee was pistol whipped over a wrong oder, leading to a police search for the suspect, who is now accused of ambushing a Harris County Sheriffs Deputy Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Reading from a probable cause document, a magistrate judge said Palmer was "mad his pizza didn't look like the picture." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The manager of the store gave Palmer a full refund, but even after that he attacked the employees, the judge said. Palmer left the store before police arrived. A short time later, Esqueda, who was a member of the sheriff's office's Violent Persons Warrant Task Force, found Palmer's car outside his home address, according to the sheriff's office. While he was speaking to a detective by phone, Esqueda was ambushed and shot multiple times, according to the sheriff's office. He died at a hospital later Wednesday night. Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda, 28, was shot and killed shot overnight in northeast Harris County, officials said. Deputy Esqueda was a five-year Harris County Sheriffs Office veteran Harris County Sheriff's Office Witnesses, including a person who was with Palmer at the time of the assault, said Palmer stood 10 feet from the uniformed Esqueda when he fired his gun, the magistrate judge said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Authorities asked for help finding Palmer throughout the day Thursday, and he was arrested at an apartment in northeast Harris County around 7 p.m. The capital murder charge against Palmer makes him potentially eligible for the death penalty, but decisions about whether it will be sought are usually made later in the judicial process. The Harris County District Attorney's Office has asked for a hearing in order to request that Palmer be held without bail. If the hearing takes place, prosecutors would need to show strong evidence that Palmer is likely guilty of the killing. If Palmer is released on bail, he could be ordered to stay away from Esqueda's family and witnesses involved in the case, as well as be banned from possessing firearms, alcohol or drugs. In court documents, Palmer said he was a full-time truck driver and lives in northeast Houston. Advertisement Article continues below this ad During the hearing, a public defender said that while Palmer had a criminal record, he hadn't been arrested since 2005 and had never been convicted of a felony. He does have multiple convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, according to prosecutors. By Mai Huong Over the past five years, Viet Nam's labour market has undergone significant transformation due to technological advancements, the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic shifts, necessitating adaptation from both employees and recruiters to new trends. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, the COVID-19 pandemic, AI advancements like ChatGPT, the rise of the chip industry, tech sector volatility, economic slowdown since late 2022, digital banking transformation, increased corporate ESG focus, supply chain shifts from China, and Chinese investment in Viet Nam have all significantly impacted the labour market, both positively and negatively. According to Ngo Thi Ngoc Lan, Northern director of Navigos Search, job openings are now concentrated in business, marketing, technology, R&D, production, finance-accounting, and human resources. High-demand roles include UI/UX Designers, Data/Business Analysts, Chip Design Engineers, Environment Experts, and GPU Engineers. Companies from China and major R&D centres continue to maintain or increase hiring, particularly in manufacturing and banking. In an interview with Viet Nam News, Lan said that employers were facing significant challenges in finding suitable personnel. One of the biggest hurdles is the scarcity of candidates with the skills and experience required for new job roles, according to Lan. For example, the demand for data scientists and chip design engineers outpaces the supply of qualified labour in the Vietnamese market. Employers now seek candidates with a combination of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, good communication abilities, foreign language proficiency, and adaptability. The quality bar for candidates has been raised, with companies expecting higher performance levels than in the past. As customers become more demanding, requiring higher quality and greater quantities at lower prices, businesses also need to demand higher quality from their employees and candidates. Previously, companies were willing to hire candidates with skills and experience rated at 5 or 6 out of 10, but now they require candidates to be at 7 or 8. The number of people who can meet this higher standard is limited, making it difficult for businesses to recruit sufficiently or promptly, Lan said. In addition, Vietnamese businesses increasingly value the role of skilled workers, especially those in managerial or leadership positions, and are open to attracting candidates from abroad or engaging with foreign enterprises to recruit talent, Lan observes. However, there remains some hesitation among these candidates in deciding to switch work environments and adapt to Viet Nam's corporate culture. Thus, many companies have heavily invested in employer branding campaigns to change their image as employers and have achieved notable successes. Viet Nam remains an attractive destination for foreign investors, particularly in manufacturing. However, investment trends are shifting from labour-intensive industries to those requiring high technical content and automation, which demands a higher quality labour force. Pham Hoai Nam, director of the Population and Labour Statistics Department at the General Statistics Office, acknowledged that the labour market still faced limitations, particularly with the quality of the labour supply not meeting the demands of a modern, flexible, sustainable, and integrated labour market. Notably, over 70 per cent of the workforce lacked formal training. Labour quality had seen little improvement, with a substantial segment of informal workers in precarious positions comprising over three-fifths of the total workforce. In an economy moving towards greater industrialisation, Nam said the imperative for a skilled and educated workforce was paramount. Consequently, there was a rising recognition within the Vietnamese labour community of the necessity for ongoing learning and skill enhancement. "Expanding educational institutions can significantly boost the number of continuously trained workers. Viet Nam has prioritised enhancing education quality and expanding educational infrastructure to offer greater learning opportunities for its citizens, enabling workers to pursue further education and enhance their skills upon joining the workforce," Nam said. Demand from future workforce Viet Nam boasts of being one of Southeast Asia's largest and most dynamic labour markets, with 51.4 million people currently employed as of June, accompanied by a consistently low unemployment rate. Vietnamese workers play a crucial role in the country's economic and social advancement. Currently, Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennials (1981-1996) constitute 54 per cent of the workforce, while Baby Boomers (1946-1964) make up just 0.6 per cent. By 2025, Generation Z is expected to comprise 25 per cent of the total workforce. As the future workforce, Generation Z brings a distinct perspective on productivity drivers and workplace preferences. Ivan Loo, associate director at Talentvis a recruitment agency in Southeast Asia highlighted the significant transformations driven by technological advancements and shifting employee expectations. The expansion of the digital economy has increased the demand for professionals skilled in IT, e-commerce and digital marketing. Additionally, the trend towards flexible and remote work arrangements has provided diverse job options catering to individual preferences. Vietnamese workers are seeking better work-life balance, higher salaries, and more fulfilling careers. Loo said employers were encouraged to adapt by offering upskilling opportunities, competitive salaries, benefits, and flexible work arrangements. This approach would help in fostering a better work environment and improving employee retention. We encourage employers to truly understand and get in touch with the demands of today's employees through upskilling opportunities. This fosters a better work environment and improves employee retention as they grow trust in their employers ability to value their work and train them to keep up with the market, he said. "Employees today focus on maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. They seek opportunities that allow them to excel in their careers while also having time for family, hobbies, and personal interests," Loo said. He suggested organisations could adapt by offering flexible work arrangements like remote or hybrid options, flexible hours, or compressed work weeks. Investing in training would show commitment to professional growth, while clear career pathways would foster engagement and loyalty. Creating a supportive, inclusive workplace culture where employees feel valued and engaged was essential, he said. A recent report by Jobs_that_makesense Asia and Manpower, "The Quest for Meaning at Work", revealed that in Viet Nam, when seeking new employment, salary and job stability are primary concerns for 40 per cent of respondents. One-third prioritise career and personal growth, while 26 per cent emphasise maintaining a positive work-life balance for professional satisfaction. Viet Nam's labour market is evolving rapidly, influenced by technological advancements and changing employee expectations. By adapting to these trends and leveraging digital tools, organisations can draw in and retain top talent, foster employee satisfaction and productivity, and achieve their business objectives in a competitive labour market. VNS 51.4 million people employed in Q2: GSO HA NOI The number of people employed in the second quarter of this year reached 51.4 million, increasing by 195,800 compared to the same period last year, the General Statistics Office has reported.Notably, the rate of those joining the labour force in Q2 was reported at 68.6 per cent, the office said.During the AprilJune, the nationwide labour force aged 15 and above stood at 52.5 million, lifting the total in the first half to nearly 52.5 million, marking a rise of 196,600 year-on-year.In the last quarter, the percentage of Vietnamese working people with degrees or certificates accounted for 28.1 per cent, up 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous quarter and by 1.3 percentage points year-on-year.Meanwhile, the unemployment rate among the working-age population in the period remained unchanged at 2.27 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.The average income of working people in the first half of 2024 was VN7.5 million (nearly US$300) per month, up 7.4 per cent compared to the same period last year. HA NOI After five years of implementation, the trans-pacific agreement has opened up many export opportunities for Vietnamese companies, particularly tra fish. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) the market has opened up to Vietnamese fisheries, as well as pangasius, according to the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). As of June 15, 2024, Viet Nam's pangasius export turnover to the CPTPP market reached US$114 million, an increase of 10 per cent year- on- year, according to Viet Nam's General Department of Customs. Of which, the export value in the first half of June was $12 million, up 23 per cent over the same period in 2023. In the first six months of the year, Mexico was the largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius in this bloc, with a value of $31 million, an increase of 7 per cent, followed by Japan and Canada ($18 million each) and Singapore ($16 million). However, in the period of 2019-2023, COVID-19 pandemic, political conflicts and distruptions to transportation routes in the world created many challenges for Vietnamese fishery exports, including to the CPTPP bloc. The high inventory of tra fish in many key export markets kept Vietnamese tra fish exports down in 2023. However, compared to other markets, the pangasius export turnover reduction to CPTPP was still at an acceptable level. This year, pangasius exports begin to recover in some markets, including the CPTPP bloc, which mainly consumes frozen pangasius fillets from Viet Nam. VASEP forecasts that in the last six months of 2024, pangasius exports to the CPTPP bloc are expected to continue the increase because prices and demand are gradually stabilising. To promote the exports, businesses need to improve their competitiveness and research this agreement's advantage in term of tariff to take export opportunities. VNS HA NOI - A carbon market will create motivation for green transition , said Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on July 12. Chairing a meeting on the establishment of a carbon market in Viet Nam, Ha said that the establishment is difficult and complex, with many developments and changes, requiring a unified commitment to global-scale implementation. Currently, many countries have established carbon markets, gradually forming technical barriers related to carbon credits for goods. "To ensure the interests of businesses and the nation, Viet Nam cannot stand aside this trend," he emphasised. He urged ministries and agencies to analyse and clarify the necessary conditions to form a carbon credit market with full political and legal bases and engagement of each ministry and sector, and then develop a synchronous implementation roadmap. The operation of the carbon market must follow a roadmap under the management of the State, match the capacity and development levels of businesses and the economy, and ensure national interests, Ha said, adding that its necessary to learn experience through joint ventures, partnerships or cooperation mechanisms but ministries and agencies must stay proactive. According to the Deputy PM, the project on the establishment of the carbon market aims to help Viet Nam fulfill international commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating new financial flows for greenhouse gas emission reduction activities, and creating motivation for green transition for industries and economic fields. He said that on the basis of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment must allocate emission quotas for each field, industry, and enterprise; guide ministries, agencies, businesses, and consulting organisations on calculation formulas, measurements, statistical reports, appraisals of emission quotas and carbon credits. Deputy Minister of Finance Le Tan Can said that carbon market transactions are proposed to be made on an online platform. It is expected that the roadmap for carbon market development includes two phases with the pilot phase from 2025 to 2027 and the official operation from 2028. Groups of solutions include greenhouse gas inventory and allocation of greenhouse gas emission quotas; carbon credit management; greenhouse gas emission quota and carbon credit trading system; management, inspection and supervision; and awareness improvement and capacity enhancement. Specific tasks are perfecting legal mechanisms and policies; building a system for credit trading and organising and operating the carbon market; and communications programmes to raise awareness of the carbon market among target groups. In Viet Nam, more than 300 programmes and projects have registered to be implemented with carbon credit mechanisms. Of these, about 150 were granted more than 40.2 million carbon credits which have been exchanged on the world carbon market. - VNS HA NOI The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam has asked Vietnamese carriers to increase flights to Can Tho International Airport to meet the demand. Currently, there are five flight routes to Can Tho from Ha Noi, Vinh, Hai Phong, a Nang and Con ao with a total of 11-12 return flights per day. This is a great effort of carriers to maintain flight frequency to Can Tho amid the shortage of aircrafts the authority said, however, the number of flights have not been able to meet the travelling demand from and to Can Tho of local residents, tourists and investors. Thus, the Civil Aviation Authority asked Vietnamese carriers to increase flight frequency of the Ha Noi Can Tho routes as well as other routes and expand new domestic and international routes to Can Tho. Can Tho International Airport must create favourable conditions for domestic and foreign airlines to exploit routes to Can Tho. The Civil Aviation Authority will continue to study policies to facilitate operations of Vietnamese airlines and foreign airlines to Can Tho. Under Can Tho Citys planning for 2021-30 period with a vision to 2050, Can Tho City is expected to become a growth hub of Cuu Long (Mekong) River Delta. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the State-owned enterprises (SOEs) to pilot the recruitment of foreign chief executive officers (CEOs) and those who are not members of the Communist Party of Viet Nam for managing positions. This aims to revamp the leadership and improve the operation efficiency of SOEs in the context that the role of SOEs in the economy is fading with many struggling with losses and slow in innovation. Emphasising the importance of quality personnel, Chinh asked SOEs to consider recruiting high-quality staff, especially foreign CEOs, with appropriate salary and remuneration mechanisms. He also urged SOEs to pioneer in innovation, application of science and technology, in international integration and investing abroad as well as in fighting against corruption. In addition, SOEs must take the role in promoting socio-economic development coupled with ensuring social security and in enhancing quality of human resources and smart governance. Focus must be on speeding up digital transformation, green transition, circular economy, semiconductor, hydrogen and artificial intelligence, he asked. Statistics of the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed that there were 676 SOEs as of the end of 2023 with the State holding 100 per cent of charter capital at 478 SEOs and controlling stakes at 198. In 2023, SOEs generated total revenues of VN1,652 trillion ($64.82 billion) and VN125 trillion ($4.9 billion) in profits. VNS PHNOM PENH Metfone, an affiliate of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, is a typical model for the economic cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia, President To Lam affirmed on July 13 when visiting the leading mobile operator in Cambodia as part of his state visit to the neighbouring country. The President appreciated the results that Metfone has achieved during its 15-year presence in the Cambodian market. In addition to its dynamic business operations, Metfone has won the hearts of the Cambodian people through its social security activities in Cambodia, Lam stressed. He praised the company's policy of accompanying the Cambodian Government in implementing e-Government when universalising telecommunications services and pioneering in supporting digital transformation in Cambodian Government, ministries and agencies. The President hoped that Metfone will maintain its position as a leading enterprise in the fields of telecommunications, technology, and digital transformation in Cambodia, and actively support the Vietnamese business community here. Viettel began to invest in Cambodia in 2006 and cooperated with a Cambodian partner to launched Metfone in 2009. Now it is one of the five biggest companies in terms of tax payment in Cambodia and creates around 30,000 indirect jobs. President To Lam also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Vietnam Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air on strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation, with the goal of providing aviation services with the highest quality standards on routes between Viet Nam and Cambodia; and another between Vietnam Airlines, Saigon Tourist Group, Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA) and Cambodia Angkor Air on tourism cooperation. VNS PHNOM PENH President To Lam held talks with President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and President of the Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Phnom Penh on Friday. Congratulating the CPP on its great success at the recent elections and Hun Sen on his election as President of the Senate, Lam appreciated his hosts precious sentiment towards and key role in the maintenance and development of the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Hun Sen highly valued his guests first state visit to Cambodia as the State leader of Viet Nam, considering the trip a contribution to the countries friendship and close-knit ties. The two leaders applauded the cooperation achievements obtained in the recent past as seen in the increased political trust with frequent visits and meetings between the countries leaders, the substantive development of security - defence cooperation that has become a pillar of bilateral relations, and the stronger trade and investment links, with Viet Nam among large investors and trading partners of Cambodia. Besides, other cooperation areas like education, culture, and tourism have become more and more diverse. Particularly, people-to-people exchanges have been carried out extensively in various forms, especially between the provinces sharing the borderline. The collaboration between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Cambodian Senate and National Assembly has been increasingly reinforced, helping consolidate party-to-party and government-to-government ties. The stability, peace, and development of a country also benefit the other, the leaders agreed. They voiced appreciation for the assistance, solidarity, cohesion, and sacrifice their countries have given to each other during the struggles for national liberation in the past as well as the national development at present, stressing that this is an undeniable truth. Hun Sen underlined Viet Nam's assistance and sacrifice that helped his country to escape from the Pol Pot genocidal regime and revive. To develop bilateral relations more strongly in the new period, both host and guest agreed to actively realise the high-level agreements and results of the high-level meetings between the two Parties. Viet Nam and Cambodia will step up meetings and interactions between all-level leaders and via all channels, especially between young leaders and youths of the countries, as well as young leaders of the Cambodia - Laos - Viet Nam Development Triangle Area. They will bring into play the mechanisms of the Joint Committee for economic, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation, and the cooperation and development conference of border provinces. New cooperation mechanisms such as the meeting between the foreign ministers of Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos will be actively implemented. Additionally, exchanges, cooperation, and mutual assistance will be expanded between the two countries legislative, executive and judicial bodies, peoples organisations, and localities, they said. Lam and Hun Sen emphasised that their countries will develop security - defence cooperation more comprehensively and profoundly; adhere to the consistent principle of not allowing any hostile force to use a countrys territory to sabotage the other and considering a countrys safety as the others benefit; bring into play the mechanisms of the annual meeting among the ministers of public security/interior of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam, the meeting of the three countries defence ministers, and the three countries joint exercise on response to non-traditional security challenges; and also enhance coordination between the two countries competent forces. Particularly underlining the historic significance of the Viet Nam - Cambodia relations, both leaders reached high consensus on the need to strongly reform and diversify communication and education forms help the two countries people, especially the young, to have right awareness of the traditional friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, countries, and peoples. They also stressed the resolve to prevent hostile forces from distorting or driving a wedge into their countries friendship. Hun Sen also highlighted the importance of cooperation in human resources development, asking Viet Nam to continue assisting Cambodia in this regard. The two leaders agreed to continue strengthening the Viet Nam - Laos - Cambodia cooperation, including effectively implementing the agreements reached at the high-level meeting among the leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the CPP, and the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party. They concurred in maintaining and capitalising on the meetings among the three countries Prime Ministers, parliamentary leaders, ministers of public security, national defence and foreign affairs, along with leaders of some other ministries and sectors. Solidarity and cohesion among Viet Nam, Laos, and Cambodia will be intensified for the sake of each country and the region, they remarked. Replying to Lams invitation, Hun Sen affirmed that he will pay a visit to Viet Nam in the near future. VNS PHNOM PENH President To Lam had a meeting with Cambodian King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni in Phnom Penh on July 12 afternoon as part of his State visit to the neighbouring country at the invitation of the monarch. Welcoming President Lam on his state visit that is part of his first overseas tour as the State leader of Viet Nam, King Norodom Sihamoni said this reflects the importance that the Vietnamese Party and State, as well as the President, attach to the close-knit and trustworthy relations between the two countries. He expressed his belief that the visit will mark a new milestone helping to further intensify the Cambodia - Viet Nam good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability. The King also took this occasion to express his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese State and people for assisting the Cambodian people to escape from the genocidal regime in the past and develop the country at present. He affirmed that he will continue supporting the good traditional friendship between the two countries as his father, late King Norodom Sihanouk, used to do. For his part, President Lam emphasised that Viet Nam always treasures and gives the top priority to the enhancement and development of its ties with Cambodia. Generations of Vietnamese leaders and people always appreciate the good sentiments along with precious support and assistance from late King Norodom Sihanouk and generations of Cambodian leaders and people for Viet Nam during the struggle for national independence in the past and the current cause of national construction and development, he remarked. At the meeting, King Norodom Sihamoni and President Lam noted with satisfaction that the Viet Nam - Cambodia relations have continued growing stably, the mutual trust and cohesion between the two countries leaders and people been increasingly reinforced, while bilateral trade is now a bright spot with impressive growth. Both expressed their hope that in the coming time, the two sides will increase all-level delegation exchanges and meetings; foster cooperation in economy - trade - investment, culture, science - technology, and people-to-people ties; and properly settle outstanding problems in the spirit of friendly neighbourliness, solidarity, and cohesion. The two leaders affirmed that their countries traditional friendship, solidarity, and mutual assistance, nurtured with enormous efforts and even sacrifice by former generations, are a priceless asset that needs to be maintained for future generations. They also pledged to continue nurturing that sound relationship, and further step up communications to educate young people on the solidarity between the two countries and their people and to keep promoting the Viet Nam - Cambodia friendship. President Lam invited King Norodom Sihamoni to pay a visit to Viet Nam in 2024. The King appreciated the invitation, noting that he will visit Viet Nam in the near future. Following the meeting, President Lam paid a courtesy call on Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and invited her to visit Viet Nam soon. Later on the same day, King Norodom Sihamoni hosted a banquet in honour of the State leader and high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam. VNS VIENTIAN Vietnamese President To Lams visit to Laos was successful and once again affirmed the special solidarity between the two countries, said Vanxay Tavinyan, Vice Chairman of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committees Commission for Propaganda and Training and Editor-in-chief of the Pasaxon Newspaper. He made the remark while talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents about the outcomes of the President's state visit on July 11 and 12. Vanxay expressed his delight that President Lam chose Laos as the first country to visit as the State leader of Viet Nam, which demonstrates the trust in and respect for the two countries good traditional relations. Laos and Viet Nam boast special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, an unprecedented relationship in history, he remarked, describing the trip as enormous momentum for the Lao Party, State, and people and also a contribution helping the bilateral ties become stronger and stay sustainable forever. Viet Nam has always stood shoulder by shoulder with Laos, even in the most trying times. Particularly, when Laos is holding the rotating Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2024, Viet Nam has assisted Laos even more, reflecting the strong bonds between the two countries, according to the official. He noted that the Vietnamese Presidents visit received high evaluation from many Lao people and obtained considerable successes. President Lams talks and meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Assembly, and former leaders of Laos showed that Viet Nam always treasures the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with the neighbouring country. Vanxay went on to say that during the visit, the two sides signed seven cooperation documents to help Laos develop in all spheres and foster bilateral cooperation, solidarity, and mutual assistance. Generations of Vietnamese leaders often choose Laos as the first country to visit after taking office. The latest trip was important to helping people around the world and young people of the two countries understand that in the past, at present, or in the future, Laos and Viet Nam are never inseparable, he added. VNS PHNOM PENH Vietnamese President To Lam on July 13 met President of the Cambodian National Assembly (NA) Khuon Sudary as part of the formers state visit to the neighbouring country. The President conveyed regards from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other Vietnamese leaders to the Cambodian leader, and expressed his impressions of the host countrys strong and dynamic development. Lam congratulated Cambodia on its successful organisation of the 5th Senate election on February 25, and the municipal, provincial, town and district council elections for the fourth term on May 26, noting the victory of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) at the elections demonstrates the publics confidence in and support to the Party under the leadership of its President Hun Sen. Sudary, for her part, called Lams visit a milestone in the bilateral relations, contributing to enhancing and deepening the relationship. She used the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their wholehearted support to Cambodia during its past struggle for national liberation, including the Cambodian peoples fight against the Pol Pot genocidal regime, as well as the present cause of national construction and development. The host informed that the Cambodian NAs new building, a gift from Viet Nam, is expected to be put into operation soon. The two sides noted with pleasure the stable development pace of the bilateral cooperation, saying Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders have maintained their regular contacts, and that bilateral cooperation mechanisms have proven effective. Both spoke highly of collaboration between the two legislatures in the implementation of the agreement inked in November 2022, and in the organisation of the first Cambodia Laos Viet Nam (CLV) Parliamentary Summit in December 2023, creating a foundation for the legislative ties among the three countries to grow strongly, while tightening their traditional friendship and solidarity. The leaders shared the view on the need to maintain, preserve, constantly consolidate and promote the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability between Viet Nam and Cambodia on the basis of mutual trust and respect, for the sake of their people. The two countries will also maintain all-level contacts and meetings in all channels, including the parliament channel, and step up economic cooperation and connectivity, especially in border areas, towards the target of US$20 billion in two-way trade as set for the upcoming years. They will also work harder to build a shared borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development, and carry forward the role of the two NAs in forging the bilateral ties, particularly in building institutions and perfecting legal systems to facilitate economic connectivity as well as the expansion of collaboration in education-training and other areas. The sides consented to tighten the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam relations, and continue their close coordination and support at inter-parliamentary forums like the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF). Lam suggested the Cambodian side pay more attention to removing difficulties for people of Vietnamese origin in the country, including those regarding their citizenship, to live and integrate into the host society, while creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to operate there. Earlier the same day, the President and his entourage laid wreaths at the Independence Monument, another dedicated to late King Norodom Sihanouk, and the Viet Nam - Cambodia Friendship Monument in Phnom Penh. VNS Miccah Cabe, 10, a 4th grade student at Gary L. Herod Elementary School in the in the Maplewood/Meyerland West area in Southwest Houston, TX, protested alongside other students and parents on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Parents say their principal and several teachers are being being forced out. Sharon Steinmann Meyerland Performing and Visual Arts Middle School parents and students demonstrate against the resignation notice of Principal Auden Sarabia on Monday, May 13, 2024 in Houston. Sarabia told staff he must either resign by Tuesday or go before the district's Board of Managers. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer As Houston reels from power outages and damage from Hurricane Beryl, its school district released Wednesday a rewrite of the principal hiring regulation that empowers division leadership to decide a principals desired qualities with input from families. The rewrite comes after HISD scrapped in June the previous regulation requiring a committee of community stakeholders to interview finalists for a principal position. HISD is filling what is understood to be a large number of vacancies after a wave of principal departures at the end of the year. Some of these departures catalyzed school communities to protest because the district requested an unknown number of principals to resign or face board termination. PRINCIPAL TRACKER: Schools with leadership turnover since Mike Miles became superintendent Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is a regulation not a policy. Regulation is not set by the Board; it is set by the Administration. This regulation is being rewritten because it is out of date and does not reflect current practice, a district spokesperson wrote in a statement. The new regulation, effective Tuesday, does not outline how input from parents and caregivers will be collected, nor does it put in place any measures for the community to check during the hiring process what input is incorporated. Except in the case of direct appointment, division leadership will create a principal profile designed to determine the best match for the campus, the regulation reads. The principal profile will be shaped from input from parents and caregivers in the school community. The principal profile will identify the special characteristics, desired background, and qualifications required for the position. The old regulation required a schools Shared Decision-Making Committee, campus faculty and staff members, and community members to weigh in on the new principals desired qualities and background called the principal profile. Under the new regulation, division leadership will interview finalists after the vacancy is advertised for ten days and Human Resources selects candidates that meet the campus profile. This new regulation does away with the previous role of a school stakeholders committee meeting with candidates and providing input. It is unclear when the district started shifting away from the process outlined in the old regulation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Parent Hannah Villarreal, whose child will attend Herod Elementary School, had pointed out the old regulation to the district and reached out to lawmakers about Herods principal hiring process. She said the district now has the majority of the say in this process, with parents only able to weigh in on the principal profile. And especially when we feel like a lot of people in higher positions dont actually know the school and know the needs of the community, Villarreal added. Now, how do we know that theyre going to choose someone thats going to best fit the community? After division leadership interviews finalists, leadership makes a recommendation to the Superintendent to approve. The Superintendent would then inform the Board of the hire after approval. The regulation regardless of campus rating also allows a division superintendent to seek approval from the superintendent for direct appointment, which will include reassignment of an internal principal or selection from a candidate pool called the principal pipeline pool. The old regulation also had a section for circumstances best served by direct appointment. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If division leadership selects a principal by direct appointment, leadership will consider a schools principal profile when possible, according to the new regulation. GENEVA The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted 25 resolutions at the end of its 56th regular session in Geneva, including one on climate change and human rights drafted and proposed by Viet Nam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. The session, which took place from June 18 to July 12, featured five thematic panel discussions, debates and dialogues on 37 special procedures and human rights mechanisms of the UN, as well as consultations on draft resolutions. The UNHRC also completed the procedural adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reports of 14 countries in Cycle IV. At this session, the Vietnamese delegation, led by Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva, actively participated in the development and introduction of the council's resolutions. This reflected its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights as well as responding to climate change, while also contributing to the implementation of its foreign policy of being proactive and responsible for common issues of the international community. The resolution on climate change and human rights has been actively introduced annually by Viet Nam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines for the councils consideration and approval since 2008, with a different theme for each year. On July 10, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted 2024 resolution on climate change and human rights with the theme of just transition. This is a success of the three missions from proposing and drafting content to consulting and lobbying countries to ratify it. The Vietnamese delegation actively delivered speeches in various sessions and discussions on human rights and rights to health care and education, extreme poverty, and discrimination against women and girls, as well as at sessions approving UPR reports of countries. Along with ASEAN countries, it also made a joint statement on technical cooperation. The delegation actively joined exchanges and consultations with representatives of other countries and co-sponsored many initiatives in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, demonstrating Viet Nam's consistent views, policies and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights. It also affirmed Viet Nams message of Mutual Respect, Dialogue and Cooperation, Ensuring All Human Rights, for All for its three-year membership at the UNHRC (2023-2025). VNS HA NOI According to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reporter in Phnom Penh, within the framework of President To Lam's state visit to Cambodia from July 12-13, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Cambodian News Agency (AKP) renewed their professional cooperation agreement. On July 12, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, held a meeting with AKP General Director Sokmom Nimul and signed a new professional cooperation agreement between VNA and AKP. In her remarks at the meeting, General Director Vu Viet Trang emphasised that the visit to Cambodia reflects the desire to enhance practical and effective cooperation in information and communication between VNA and AKP, meeting the development needs of the press in the digital age. This cooperation is in line with the vibrant cooperation activities between the two countries at all levels, contributing to strengthening the good relationship between Viet Nam and Cambodia. Despite not being able to meet directly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cooperation activities between the two agencies have been effectively implemented, adapting to the situation and capabilities of each agency. General Director Vu Viet Trang also expressed gratitude to the AKP leadership for their effective support of the VNA's representative agency and reporters in Cambodia. General Director Vu Viet Trang informed AKP leadership about VNA's development, focusing on enhancing the application of modern journalism technology in various stages of the reporting process and improving the capabilities of journalists in the digital era. She highlighted that in the current strong digital transformation trend, VNA is implementing various solutions to diversify information products, leveraging rich data sources, and developing new journalistic products that combine text, photos, audio, graphics, and video. VNA is also working on different information distribution channels to reach the public on multiple platforms. In addition to disseminating information gathered by reporters in 63 provinces and cities across Viet Nam and 30 cities in 28 countries worldwide, VNA also uses information from about 40 partner news agencies and international media organisations, including AKP. This ensures timely and accurate information about Viet Nam and regional and global events is provided to both domestic and international media systems and directly to the public. AKP General Director Sokmom Nimul highly appreciated the effective cooperation between VNA and AKP. He emphasised that VNA is a reliable friend and partner that consistently provides official information to AKP. The development of AKP today cannot be separated from the support and assistance from VNA. The relationship between the two agencies and the two countries is based on friendship, close ties, and mutual support. General Director Sokmom Nimul expressed confidence that the meeting and signing event would strengthen the bond between the two agencies, particularly enhancing the leading roles of the two national press agencies and contributing to strengthening Viet Nam-Cambodia relations. General Director Sokmom Nimul noted that AKP is currently focusing on reforming in a positive, proactive, and comprehensive spirit of the Ministry of Information and the Royal Government of Cambodia to improve work efficiency and professional operations, especially in terms of technology and human resources. On this basis, AKP hopes to continue receiving material, technical, and training support from VNA, especially in the field of television. After reviewing the significant milestones in the comprehensive and close cooperation between VNA and AKP since 1979, based on VNA's proposal, the leaders of the two agencies agreed to consider the possibility of conducting meaningful activities to recognise the contributions of the special cooperation between VNA and AKP in their development paths, towards celebrating the 80th anniversary of VNA's establishment (September 15, 1945 - September 15, 2025) and the 50th anniversary of AKP's establishment (December 3, 1978 - December 3, 2028). The leaders of the two agencies agreed to propose that the competent authorities of both countries consider the possibility of VNA and AKP coordinating to implement a project to enhance bilateral cooperation capacity within the framework of Viet Nam-Cambodia inter-governmental cooperation in the near future. The General Directors of VNA and AKP affirmed the necessity of closer and more regular cooperation in verifying doubtful information and providing accurate and timely information to the domestic public and the international community to avoid fake and false information that could affect bilateral relations. After discussing and agreeing on cooperation contents, General Director Vu Viet Trang of VNA and General Director Sokmom Nimul of AKP signed the new professional cooperation agreement between VNA and AKP. The agreement includes information exchange, technical support, assistance for representative correspondents and special envoys, delegation exchanges, journalism skills updates, Vietnamese and Khmer language internships, and coordinated viewpoints at press forums where both sides participate. On this occasion, the VNA delegation also presented film shooting equipment for news production to AKP, aligning with the current development focus of the Cambodian national news agency. During the visit, General Director Vu Viet Trang and the VNA delegation also visited and worked at the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia. General Director Vu Viet Trang expressed her sincere thanks to Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang and the staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia for their continuous attention, guidance, and companionship with VNA, especially with the representative correspondents of VNA in Phnom Penh in performing their political tasks. Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang highly appreciated VNA's role and the activities of the VNA representative agency in Phnom Penh, affirming that the information published by VNA about bilateral relations is always accurate and in line with the country's foreign policy. During the visit to Cambodia from July 12-13, General Director Vu Viet Trang and the VNA delegation also had a working lunch with Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra, discussing some development orientations and media management in the context of the strong development of digital media today, and visited and worked with VNA representative correspondents in Phnom Penh. VNS PHNOM PENH President To Lam on July 13 met with representatives of Vietnamese representative agencies and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia as part of his state visit to the neighbouring country. Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang informed the leader that there are more than 100,000 Vietnamese living, working and studying in the country. The representatives of the Vietnamese community proposed the Vietnamese Party and State call on the Cambodian Government to create more favourable conditions for them in matters relating to nationality, education, training and employment, while facilitating the operation of Vietnamese associations and businesses. They also noted wish for scholarships for disadvantaged children, the building of schools and education institutions for Vietnamese people in Cambodia. Briefing the overseas Vietnamese (OVs) on his meetings with Cambodian leaders, the President said the two sides agreed to continue giving high priority to strengthening their traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation. The President said he called on Cambodia to roll out more favourable policies in support of people of Vietnamese origin, along with more incentives towards Vietnamese firms. Affirming that the Party and the State always pay attention to OVs, especially people of Vietnamese origin in Cambodia who are still facing a host of difficulties, President Lam asked them to raise their legal status and observe local laws. He asked the Khmer-Vietnamese Association, Vietnamese associations and the Vietnamese community in Cambodia to stay united, support each other, and try their best to contribute to the socio-economic development of the host country and the homeland, as well as the close-knit relationship between the two countries. On this occasion, the President presented US$20,000 to the Khmer-Vietnamese Association to support its operation, and 200 gift packages to people in difficult circumstances. VNS PHNOM PENH President To Lam on July 13 afternoon left Phnom Penh, concluding his successful state visit to Cambodia at the invitation of King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni. The President and his entourage were seen off at Phnom Penh Airport by Senior Minister in charge of General Affairs of the Ministry of the Royal Palace Kuy Sophal, Minister of Tourism Sok Soken, Cambodian Ambassador to Viet Nam Chea Kimtha, and other Cambodian officials, along with Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang. This is Lams first visit to Cambodia after he took office. His visit holds great significance and is seen as a milestone for the bilateral ties to grow more intensively and extensively under the motto of good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability. While in Cambodia, the President met King Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, held talks with President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and President of the Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister Samdech Moha Bovor Thipadei Hun Manet, and had a meeting with President of the National Assembly Khuon Sudary. King Norodom Sihamoni highly valued the visit, noting it demonstrates the importance the Vietnamese Party and State, and the President himself attach to the bilateral relationship. At the meetings, the two sides rejoiced at the comprehensive, effective and practical development of the Viet Nam-Cambodia cooperation over the past years, bringing tangible benefits to their people. They appreciated mutual support, solidarity and sacrifice the two countries granted to each other during their past struggles for national liberation, as well as national construction and development at present. Hun Sen praised Viet Nam for its support and sacrifice to the Cambodian people during their past struggle against the Pol Pot genocidal regime, and their revival efforts. The two sides agreed to renew and diversity communications methods to raise public awareness, especially among young generations, of the traditional friendship, closeness, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, countries and peoples. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese President To Lams state visits to Laos and Cambodia from July 11-13 have contributed to enhancing the traditional and effective cooperation among the three countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said. The minister told the press that these are the first overseas trips of President To Lam in his new position. The results reaped during the visits are important to the relations between Viet Nam and the two Southeast Asian neighbours. Highlighting the visits successes in all aspects, he called them new imprints in the implementation of the foreign policy adopted at the 13th National Congress of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), and a demonstration of the determination of the Vietnamese Party, State and people in continuously consolidating and promoting the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, and the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability with Cambodia. The visits have also helped tighten the relations between President Lam himself and Lao and Cambodian leaders, the minister said. According to Son, the visits are also the outcome of the implementation of high-level agreements, especially the high-level meeting between the CPV and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP). The comprehensive results of the visits will create milestones for the new development period of the relations between Viet Nam and Laos and Cambodia, as well as among the three countries, he affirmed. In less than three days of his trips to Laos and Cambodia, President To Lam had 32 talks and meetings with the high-ranking leaders, students and overseas Vietnamese; and visited economic establishments in the two countries. On this occasion, leaders of departments, ministries and agencies also held working sessions with their partners from Laos and Cambodia to exchange specific cooperation contents. In Laos, the two sides affirmed their determination to continuously develop the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos in a more intensive, practical and effective manner. They agreed on measures to effectively implement high-level agreements between the two Parties and States, contributing to creating new momentum and further promoting relations between the two countries in the coming time. Focus will be placed on defence - security, economy - trade - investment, education - training, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides consented to coordinate in effectively implementing the Viet Nam - Laos cooperation strategy agreement for the 2021-30 period and the Viet Nam - Laos bilateral cooperation agreement for 2021-25. They will continue to make efforts to completely address problems to successfully carry out some important cooperation projects between the two countries. To preserve and foster the unique and special relationship between the two countries, the leaders agreed that both sides need to intensify dissemination and education for their people, especially the young, in this regard as well as promote locality-to-locality cooperation, especially between border provinces. Regarding regional and international cooperation, the two sides pledged to continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of ASEAN, the United Nations and the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Laos' senior leaders appreciated Viet Nam's support in the process of preparing and organising conferences during its ASEAN Chairmanship Year. President To Lam affirmed that Viet Nam will continue to actively coordinate and support Laos to successfully undertake international responsibilities in 2024, including the roles as the Chair of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). During the Presidents visit to Cambodia, the leaders of the two countries agreed to promote and strengthen solidarity, mutual trust and understanding, making bilateral cooperation intensive, practical and effective. The two sides emphasised the solidarity, attachment, and friendship; and the need to continue to help the young generation understand the value and history of the bilateral relations. In their talks and meetings with President To Lam, the Cambodian leaders noted that the Cambodian people always remember Viet Nam's support and sacrifice to help Cambodia escape from the Pol Pot genocidal regime and revive. The two sides agreed to further promote economic - trade - investment ties, defence - security and border cooperation, collaboration in human resources development, and people-to-people exchanges. They consented to actively support each other in building an independent and self-reliant economy while ensuring deep and effective international integration. In human resources development, the two sides will focus on promoting the attraction of students from the two countries to study in each country in areas that meet their demands such as digital transformation and science-technology. Both sides welcomed their relevant agencies to coordinate closely to build a border of peace, friendship, stability and cooperation and agreed to develop and promote cooperation between border provinces. Regarding the Vietnamese community in Cambodia, the high-ranking Cambodian leaders affirmed they will create more favourable conditions for them to live and work stably and legally in the country. Within the framework of regional and international cooperation, the two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the Cambodia - Laos - Viet Nam Development Triangle Area and the Greater Mekong Sub-region; support Laos to fulfill its roles as Chair of ASEAN and AIPA 2024; and boost the management and sustainable use of Mekong River water resources for the benefit of communities in the basin and in all the three countries. According to the minister, the visits achieved important and comprehensive results in all fields, affirming the high determination of the high-ranking leaders of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia to further develop the great Viet Nam-Laos relations and the close ties between Viet Nam and Cambodia for the practical benefits of the people of each country and the three as a whole. VNS HA GIANG A Ford Transit van was buried by a landslide while on its way from Ha Giang Province to Bao Lam District in Cao Bang Province, leaving passengers dead or injured. As of Saturday noon, eight have been confirmed dead, including a child. Four people are hospitalised. According to Ha Giang Province, at around 4am on July 13, the vehicle carrying 16 people was passing through National Highway No. 34 (Km 10+900, at Bac Me Districts Yen inh Commune) when it encountered a landslide. When the passengers got off the vehicle to help push it through the landslide, thousands of cubic metres of land from above rushed down the road, burying the vehicle and the passengers. The provinces police and military quickly deployed hundreds of personnel to the scene to rescue the victims. The local Department of Health also deployed mobile medical stations at the scene to treat the buried victims and transport them back to the provincial general hospital. Excavators are deployed to clear the scene as authorities are still working to rescue the victims. Tran uc Quy, Vice Chairman of Ha Giang Peoples Committee, paid a visit to families of the victims and the deceased to offer support. The landslide covered around 150m of the Km10+950 segment, measuring up to around 15m tall and 20m wide. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 13 urged efforts to deal with the consequences of a landslide in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang which left 11 people aboard a mini bus dead. In an official dispatch sent to relevant ministries and a number of northern mountainous localities, the leader extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and requested preparedness for rains, floods and landslides in the time ahead. He asked the Peoples Committee of Ha Giang to coordinate with their counterparts of Cao Bang and Lai Chau provinces, and other localities and agencies to continue handling landslide consequences and seeking the missing (if any), while supporting the families of the deceased. The committee needs to instruct competent agencies in the province to determine the causes of the landslide, and ensure traffic safety, the PM said. He asked Ha Giang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Son La, ien Bien, Lai Chau, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen and Lang Son provinces to promptly identify landslide-prone areas to work out evacuation and response plans. In the dispatch, the leader assigned specific tasks for the ministries of public security, agriculture and rural development, natural resources and environment, transport, construction, industry and trade, and national defence. Notably, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was urged to set up working groups that will coordinate with localities in this regard. Ha Giangs authorities reported that at around 4am on early July 13, the 15-seater mini bus carrying 16 people was passing through National Highway No. 34 (Km 10+900 in Bac Me Districts Yen inh Commune) when it encountered a landslide. When the passengers got off the vehicle to help push it through the landslide, thousands of cubic metres of land from above rushed down the road, burying the vehicle and its passengers. The provinces police and military quickly deployed hundreds of personnel to the scene to rescue the victims. The local Department of Health also deployed mobile medical stations at the scene to treat the buried victims and transport them back to the provincial general hospital. As of the latest update, Ha Giang provincial authorities have brought 15 victims out of the landslide area. Among them, 11 people have died, and 4 are injured and are receiving emergency treatment at Ha Giang Provincial General Hospital. The province of Ha Giang is providing financial support of VN5 million (US$196) for each deceased victim and VN3 million ($118) for each injured person. Bac Me District is also providing funeral assistance of VN25 million ($983) for each deceased victim and VN5 million ($196) for each injured person. Additionally, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society is offering VN5 million ($196) for each deceased victim and VN2 million ($78) for each injured person. Excavators are deployed to clear the scene as authorities are still working to rescue the victims. VNS US-based logistics unicorn Flexport is offering international freight forwarder and supply chain services to Vietnamese clients. The company has a plan to scale up and expand the local presence by partnering with ITL, a strong infrastructure player in Vietnam, to integrate assets, technology, and global networks, thus enhancing its capability to serve customers worldwide. The partnership with ITL provides Flexport with a competitive edge that sets us apart. This partnership is a significant opportunity to blend our technology with Vietnams infrastructure for significant automation potential in the logistics sector. We aim to revolutionise by aligning technology with Vietnams infrastructure for long-term success in the market, Sanne Manders, president of Flexport told VIR. Local logistics investment moves at pace across Vietnam, Source: ITL In Vietnam, Flexport has supported over 1,300 factories to help them transport goods to more than 500 importers worldwide. The country has also become a key strategic market for Flexport over the past few years. Vietnam is the companys second-largest ocean freight region after China, and is poised for continued growth. It also focuses on driving trade growth with digital solutions and solid networks that are well-suited to capture the growing e-commerce and high-value/electronics industries and provide value-added services. We believe the future potential of the Vietnam logistics industry is very promising. There is still a huge opportunity for transformation in the logistics industry, both through infrastructure improvements and the adoption of digital technologies and automation in the logistics market, Manders added. Over the past five years, Danish logistics company DSV Air & Sea has also seen its business grow quickly with the market and has been accelerated by its merger and acquisition strategy. Managing director Eric Herding said, DSV Air & Sea remains dedicated to Vietnam, and we are looking to the future to understand the service requirements of our customers. One of our current priorities is building up our cross-border trucking capabilities, which create a trucking route between China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. It is also investing in bonded warehousing to allow greater flexibility for customers and facilitate more efficient consolidation and speed to market. In line with our asset light strategy, our business grows along with our customers, attracting new customers and through dealmaking activities where we have a proven track record and have expanded our capabilities tremendously, Herding added. Meanwhile, SCGJWD Logistics (SJWD), the logistics arm under Thailands SCG Group, is expanding its overseas operations, particularly in Vietnam. In May, it announced the purchase of SCG International Vietnam Co., Ltd. with an investment of approximately $5.3 million. SCG International has been operating in logistics in Vietnam for more than 10 years and has built a vast network of skilled service providers, specialising in road transport and container transport covering all of Vietnam and cross-border transport to neighbouring countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and China. The company is also a logistics service provider for the Long Son Petrochemicals complex, Vietnams first integrated petrochemical project. As for Transimex, one of Vietnams major integrated logistics service providers in which SJWD has invested, the operating results are expected to be better than that of Q1 as a result of the gradual overall recovery of the economy, he added VinaCapital released a report in June indicating that by early 2024, Vietnams total trade flows were growing at a 15 per cent rate, and revenues derived from air and sea cargo handling were growing by over 30 per cent on-year, which is one reason logistics companies share prices have soared this year. Investors are looking past the anomalous surge and collapse in shipping rates and are enthused about the prospects for further government-regulated port fee increases and capacity growth, which have raised hopes that Vietnam could eventually become an international transshipment hub akin to Singapore. Logistics groups must work to mitigate Red Sea route tensions Instability in the Red Sea is affecting businesses in Vietnam, and demonstrating the prolonged weakness of the domestic logistics industry. Logistics firms take alternative steps While logistics businesses in Vietnam are taking action to respond to Red Sea tensions, the situation may drag on for some time. Experts urge promotion of digital transformation in logistics, e-commerce Applying technology in logistics and e-commerce will bring many benefits, thus optimising the efficiency of these two sectors, and contributing to reducing logistics costs for the entire economy, heard a workshop in Hanoi on May 16. Kimmy Crowson, left, passes the time in the garage of their powerless home with a game of Uno with her children, Kia and Kayla, after Hurricane Beryl made its way through the Greater Houston area. The storm came ashore as a Category 1 hurricane on July 8 near Matagorda Bay. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Severe flooding is seen next to the Interstate 10 freeway just after Hurricane Beryl made landfall on July 8 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer George Kovacik sat in his parked car with his three dogs last Thursday, hoping the air conditioning would cool them off. Like thousands of other Houston-area residents last week, Kovacik had been on his fourth day without power in his Kingwood home. The worst part about not having power, Kovacik said, is not knowing. You sit here and youre hoping that your power comes on, and it wears you down after a while, he said. And theres not much you can really do except pray that the powers going to come back on. Advertisement Article continues below this ad MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: What was the breaking point for you following Beryl? Take our survey and share your thoughts. Hurricane Beryl made landfall July 8 on the Texas Gulf Coast near Matagorda Bay and caused large-scale power outages across the Greater Houston area. The storm had dealt the latest blow to a region still recovering from river flooding after spring rains and widespread power outages caused by the May 16 derecho and tornadoes. Those used to living in Southeast Texas and along the Gulf Coast know the devastating effects of hurricanes and seasonal severe weather better than most. Yet after Beryl took away electricity this time, the literal powerlessness grew to represent our collective state of mind across the region. Many residents began expressing their sadness, hopelessness, frustration and grief about living in a city seemingly plagued with relentless catastrophes. On social media, residents created posts like Living in Houston is excruciating right now. Or on the Houston sub-Reddit, a post titled Anyone else losing hope? received more than 1,400 responses. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Chronicle spoke with mental health professionals to shed light on some of the emotions Houstonians may be facing. Post-Beryl mental trauma Dr. Lokesh Shahani, psychiatrist and chief medical officer at the UTHealth Houston Behavioral Sciences campus, said people can be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after experiencing severe property damage and financial consequences from previous severe weather. When new storms approach, it could trigger their PTSD. Many of us who have gone through major hurricanes, like Hurricane Harvey, and lost our property, had significant property damage, were out of our houses for months and have gone through major hardship. That hardship caused a lot of stress, Shahani said. And whenever we hear about hurricanes, its the recollection of that hardship that comes again in our brains. SALUTE THOSE WHO HELPED: Do you know a Houston hero of Hurricane Beryl? Take our survey and let us know. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Shahani said when our brains are not used to severe hardship, people begin to experience anxiety. People can become afraid of a major hurricane affecting them and start to constantly worry about what their life is going to be like after a hurricane and how theyre going to deal with it. They can also develop physical symptoms such as lack of sleep, restlessness and feeling sick to their stomach. Overcoming hopelessness Dr. Luming Li, the chief medical officer of the Harris Center for Mental Health, said stress of a storm could trigger a fight-or-flight response that can be combated through healthy behaviors, such as healthy eating, drinking plenty of water and exercising. Li also says when people get individual therapy for these feelings, they work on not turning everything that could or has happened into a catastrophe in their minds. For those feeling hopelessness after a severe weather event, Li said that can be dealt with through continued connectivity. I think that (hopelessness) can be challenging when you are or are not able to connect with others. But oftentimes, people dont feel hopeless alone and when there is always somebody to talk to, Li said. When you feel disconnected, alone, feeling like youre just in it alone, that can promote some of the hopelessness. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Dealing with guilt, other emotions The aftermath of a storm promotes other feelings as well, such as a variation of survivor's guilt: A person may feel guilty if they have power or the means to get a hotel or stay with a friend who has power while others dont have the same resources. People also may experience jealousy because their neighbors have power while they dont. Dealing with those emotions, Shahani said, is knowing everyone has an individual plan and not comparing yourself to others. Theres a plan for everyone and, hopefully, we will all be restored with power, Shahani said. All we can do is focus on doing what we can for others. Another way for people to work around their negative emotions in the aftermath of the storm is to list what theyre grateful for, Li said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad From having fresh water or being able to have access to family or amenities, these are all things that we might cherish and share gratitude about, Li said. Even though we had a very hard storm that impacted us, our communities got brought together, we get to spend more time with our kids, things like that are some of the silver linings. People feel the loss of a dollar twice as much as gaining a dollar, Li said. When they experience loss, whether its loss of normalcy or their ability to connect with others, the challenges of that can bring a lot of negative emotions. For those struggling with mental health, the Harris Center has an emergency line at 713-970-7000. Texas Health and Human Services also has mental health services at hhs.texas.gov. Kovaciks message to others who still dont have power like him: Have patience. Fallen power lines and Center Point Energy vehicles are seen in the East End neighborhood of Houston, days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A Lineman tends to fallen power lines in the East End neighborhood of Houston, days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. (Raquel Nataliccio/Houston Chronicle) Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A Lineman tends to fallen power lines in the East End neighborhood of Houston, days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Over a quarter of the 2.26 million CenterPoint Energy customers whose lights went out Monday after Hurricane Beryl were still without power Saturday, five days after the storm took a massive bite out of the Houston area's electric supply. CenterPoint's power outage tracker reported 571,020 customers in the dark as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The company's restoration map showed estimated repair times as late as Monday for some areas northeast of the inner loop, but large swaths of the city were still marked as having a "restoration date pending review." Advertisement Article continues below this ad In its latest release, the company said thunderstorms that moved through the area Friday afternoon forced crews to pause work, though it said CenterPoint's restoration rate was "ahead of its previous expectations." "CenterPoint Energy's crews are now on track to restore power to approximately 85% of impacted customers by the end of this weekend," CenterPoint said in a statement. But given the magnitude of the power loss, this target would still leave more than 300 thousand Houston-area customers in the dark one week after the storm. The Houston area's struggle to get by without power comes after a week of deadly temperatures soaring into the 90s and the threat of more weekend thunderstorms. CenterPoint's prolonged equipment failures are the target of Houston memes and stinging graffiti, as well as desperate appeals from local officials to get the city up and running. "Im mad as hell at CenterPoint," said U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, while U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee sent a letter Friday to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland asking the federal government to investigate the company's "egregious and consistent service lapses." "This team is doing everything we can to put pressure on CenterPoint," said Houston Mayor John Whitmire of the lagging repairs. "They must do better. They must communicate better," he said, promising to hold the company accountable after an action review. Gov. Greg Abbott also called for an investigation into why the region has had prolonged electrical outages "on multiple occasions." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The utility itself is regulated by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, which called on CenterPoint in a public meeting Thursday to "talk to your customers" to tackle the region's crisis of confidence in its services. While CenterPoint covers the majority of the Greater Houston area, it is not the only company that saw sustained power losses in the region after Hurricane Beryl. Entergy, which services the second most households, still had 43,129 customers without electricity at 1:28 p.m. Saturday. For some of the Houston-area households left without power in the wake of the storm, a few days were already unbearable, much less a week. Before regaining power Wednesday evening, residents in southeast Houston's Lancaster Senior Village faced sweltering heat and inoperable elevators that left some senior citizens dangerously stranded on upper levels of the facility. Others slept in their cars for air conditioning at night, wary of the health risks linked to the high temperatures. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "There was no one checking on us to see if we needed water or needed food, so the best thing to do was get together," said Emma Sutton, 56, who went door to door checking on her neighbors, passing out food, ice and water. China strongly condemns irresponsible remarks made by NATO Secretary General: spokesperson Xinhua) 13:10, July 13, 2024 BEIJING, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Friday said China strongly condemns the irresponsible and provocative remarks made by the NATO Secretary General against China, which are steeped in Cold War mentality and ideological bias, and consist of baseless accusations. According to media reports, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 11 emphasized again at the closing press conference of the NATO Summit that China has become a decisive enabler of Russia's war against Ukraine. He said that China's joint military exercise with Belarus fits into the pattern of working together in supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. Stoltenberg said China is taking more assertive behaviors in Hong Kong and the South China Sea, and threatening Taiwan and threatening neighbors, adding that China is conducting a huge military build-up with no transparency and investing heavily in new modern missiles and nuclear weapons. Lin said at a daily news briefing that the NATO Secretary General in his remarks attacked China's system, blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs, and distorted China's domestic and diplomatic policies. He sought to shift blames and mislead the international community on Ukraine and pointed fingers at China's normal military development and relations with relevant countries. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it, Lin said. "China has already made its position clear on the Ukraine issue and the NATO Summit," Lin said, adding that for a long time, the NATO Secretary General, in disregard of the facts and China's protests, repeatedly smeared and hurled attacks at China. He has been playing up the "China threat" narrative and inciting suspicion about China and anti-China sentiments in an apparent attempt to cooperate with certain parties to suppress and contain China, said the spokesperson. These clumsy stunts have sounded the alarm for many in the world and remind people what risks and challenges NATO, as a vestige of the Cold War and a product of bloc confrontation and bloc politics, will bring to world peace and stability, Lin said. "China urges certain Western politician, whose political life is approaching an end, not to fan the flames, make provocations, and shift blames for the sake of trying to leave behind some kind of legacy," said Lin. Lin added that China will stick to the path of peaceful development and inject more stability and positive energy into world peace and stability through its own development and international cooperation. China will also firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. "To see China as NATO's imaginary enemy will only backfire on NATO itself," he added. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) File: Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport on Saturday, May 4, in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo addressed the recent outbreak of violent threats against CenterPoint employees at a Friday news conference. We have heard reports of someone pulling a gun on a group of lineman, somebody shooting pellets at the truck, Hidalgo said. I know people are angry at the situation, and the heat makes us all more frustrated and the tempers run higher, but these folks are here just to help us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hidalgos conference came after CenterPoint representatives told the Chronicle their crews were experiencing a spike in threats toward linemen and support employees. Thursday night, a staging area near Barnett Stadium in southwest Houston was forced to shut down after crew members there were threatened with a drive-by shooting. Hidalgo urged residents not to take out their anger on linemen or other CenterPoint employees, many of whom have come from out of state to help repair damage caused by Beryl. She advised Houstonians interested in accelerating recovery efforts to volunteer and assist in debris cleanup and tree removal. It could take up to six people an entire day to remove one large tree, Hidalgo said. We need so much more help than we have right now. Utility power line trucks park along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle) Kirk Sides/Staff photographer A Lineman tends to fallen power lines in the East End neighborhood of Houston, days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. (Raquel Nataliccio/Houston Chronicle) Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Power line personnel work near large transformers, center, while they repair a broken power pole along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Power line personnel work near large transformers, center, while they repair a broken power pole along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Power line personnel work near large transformers, center, while they repair a broken power pole along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle) Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Large power line transformers are visible, left center, while personnel work on a broken power pole along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Large power line transformers are visible, left center, while personnel work on a broken power pole along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Utility power line trucks park along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Utility power line trucks park along Broadway near the causeway Thursday, July 11, 2024, as crews repair power lines downed as Hurricane Beryl made landfall Monday. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle) Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Hidalgos remarks were echoed by Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The long-anticipated Ambani wedding is finally upon us after an array of extravagant pre-nuptial festivities. The bride and groom, Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani, tied the knot on July 12, 2024, in a ceremony held in BKC Bandra, Mumbai, attended by the global elite. This grand celebration, costing several thousand crores, barely dents the Ambani net worth, showcasing the familys immense wealth. With Asias richest family orchestrating a wedding destined for the history books, the event has captivated worldwide attention. Speculations and Brand Spotlight Amidst the opulence, speculation among netizens has emerged, linking the Ambanis' lavish spending to rising mobile data service tariffs. Despite such conjectures, the wedding festivities have provided a substantial platform for various brands, both homegrown and global, to shine. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla (AJSK) Couture Radhika Merchant donned a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla (AJSK) creation on her wedding day, alongside several family members and celebrities. The Ambanis' choice of AJSK over traditional wedding favorite Sabyasachi Couture could be attributed to a strategic business move. Reliance Brands Limited acquired a majority stake in AJSK in 2022, suggesting a business alliance behind the sartorial choice. Conversely, rival Aditya Birla holds a 51% stake in Sabyasachi Couture. Manish Malhotra's Glamour Another prominent designer featured in the celebrations was Manish Malhotra. Numerous celebrities showcased his designs at the wedding. Similar to AJSK, Manish Malhotra received funding from Reliance Brands Limited, which owns a 40% share in his company. Notably, Nita Ambani was seen wearing a Manish Malhotra Rangkat saree during the wedding rituals. Rihanna's Pre-Wedding Performance and Fenty Beauty Launch The pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar were highlighted by a performance from beauty mogul and pop star Rihanna. Coinciding with her performance was the launch of her makeup line, Fenty Beauty, in India. Following her appearance, Fenty Beauty launched on Nykaa, generating substantial buzz. Haldiram's Beloved snack brand Haldirams also found itself in the spotlight. The Ambani family distributed gift boxes containing Haldiram snacks to Reliance employees. These boxes included popular items like bhujiya, sev, mithai, and even a silver coin, delighting recipients. Kim Kardashian (SKIMS) The wedding saw a host of A-list celebrities, including Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Kim Kardashians presence sparked speculation about a potential collaboration between her shapewear brand, SKIMS, and Reliance. The rumors of a partnership have garnered significant attention online, suggesting a marketing strategy similar to Rihanna's. Club One Air's Luxurious Transport Guests from across the country were transported to the wedding venue in style, courtesy of Club One Air. The company arranged 100 special jets to accommodate the guests. These luxurious aircraft, featuring double beds, dining areas, and lavatories, reportedly cost Rs 7.2 lakh per hour to rent. NDTV has solidified its leadership in the media landscape, with its YouTube channel topping the charts, showcasing its remarkable performance in the digital domain. NDTV has surpassed its rivals in views for videos and shorts, garnering a significant 20.9% share of views. (Source: YouTube API; Time Period: 29 June 2024 to 5 July 2024) with the closest competitor trailing by more than 1.3 million views. This success demonstrates NDTV's sustained digital supremacy in the news media landscape, as well as its expertise in using technology to interact with audiences, and deliver the news timely. Today, YouTube has emerged as a crucial channel for news consumption, with NDTV leading the way, demonstrating its commitment to producing high-quality, accessible information via cutting-edge digital solutions. This milestone validates NDTV's position as a media industry leader, dedicated to encouraging meaningful viewer connection and creating content that resonates globally. Also Read : NDTV Infrashakti Awards'24 honors visionaries in infrastructure development Niyo, India's pioneering travel banking platform, is making significant strides in catering to Indian students travelling abroad for their education. With a customer base of nearly 1.5 million, students studying abroad now constitute 20% of Niyo's total customers. Niyo aims to achieve a market share of 50% among this cohort by FY26. In 2023, 1.3 million Indian students were pursuing their higher education abroad, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. This number is expected to cross 1.5-2 million by 2025. India's total expenditure on overseas education reached a whopping $60 billion last year, highlighting the immense potential and importance of this segment. Niyo has noted that nearly a third (34%) of the students on their platform have gone to the USA & Canada for higher education, followed by the UK (13%), Australia (12%) and France (7%). An emerging trend is the pursuit of higher education in countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Philippines - and Niyo is considered as the most reliable option for students in these countries. On average, Niyo has observed that a student spends approximately Rs. 40 lakhs annually on college fees and daily expenses when studying abroad. Niyo's zero-forex markup card helps these students save up to Rs. 2 lakh on forex markups alone. These substantial savings can be redirected towards other essential expenses, making international education more affordable and accessible. Vinay Bagri, Co-founder and CEO, Niyo, said, "Being the first in the industry to offer a zero-forex markup card, Niyo has been the preferred travel banking partner for students travelling abroad. This value proposition of the card has made it possible for students to save significantly on their education expenses. Also, it is extremely convenient for their parents to load money instantly in INR through UPI from India, without any hassle of reaching out to banks or forex agents." Students continue to be a strategic segment for Niyo, as their spending on the card is five times higher than that of leisure travellers. By focusing on this high-value segment, Niyo is well-positioned to further expand its market share and strengthen its leadership in the overseas education sector. We expect Niyos market share to grow from 20% to 35% this year, Bagri added. Niyo's zero-forex markup card allows students to avoid the hefty foreign exchange fees typically associated with international transactions. This innovative feature ensures that students can manage their finances more effectively, making every rupee count towards their education and living expenses abroad. While a conventional forex card can be taken only after a visa, cards offered by Niyo have no such restrictions. Hence, students have been using Niyo cards for their education payment needs much earlier in their journey such as college application fees, admission deposits, visa fees, etc, thereby saving up to INR 50000 in pre-departure expenses. Unlike a forex card, students can use their Niyo cards in India as well for domestic transactions through UPI, etc. In addition to savings, Niyo also offers seamless access to over 15 essential services for students such as accommodation, financial services, etc across 25 countries. All of these services can be accessed through a dedicated student section in the Niyo app. Also Read : Niyo reshapes the international travel landscape Zepto, one of Indias growing consumer internet company, announces the elevation of Devendra Meel to the Chief Business Officer, effective July 2024. In this pivotal role, Devendra will spearhead category management and foster brand partnerships, ensuring optimal assortment, pricing, availability, and growth of all core categories on the platform. Aadit Palicha, Co-founder and CEO, Zepto, shared, Devendra has had an incredible run at Zepto. After joining us a year ago, he played a key role in scaling our advertising business to hundreds of crores in revenue and, more importantly, built out Zepto Pass end-to-end: from an idea to 5M+ subscribers today. Devendra has executed like an entrepreneur and treated Pass like his baby, working tirelessly 6-7 days a week with the Pass team to make the economics sustainable, and brought the whole company together to get Pass launched in record time. Reflecting on his new role, Devendra Meel shared, Having a front-row seat in a company poised to redefine Internet India is the opportunity of a lifetime. I am deeply committed to this mission and will bring all my energy and dedication to it. Zeptos meritocratic, fast-moving environment offers high-stakes challenges and the potential for 10X career growth. For those excited by such prospects, our business team is actively hiring across various roles, Meel added. Devendras journey at Zepto has been marked by transformative initiatives and a strategic vision that aligns perfectly with the companys ambitious growth plans. His elevation to CBO underscores Zeptos commitment to fostering internal talent and driving continuous innovation. Prior to Zepto, Devendra, an IIM-Bangalore graduate, led special initiatives at Zomato and Jio. Also Read : Zepto-Simpl's BillBoard Banter promotes #SabseTezKaun for instant checkout Imran Khan Acquitted But Faces Fresh Arrest Orders Amid Political Turmoil 2 Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his third wife were acquitted on charges of marrying unlawfully by a Pakistani court on Saturday, but he will not be freed after authorities issued fresh orders to arrest him. This ruling came just a day after Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party secured more seats in parliament, adding pressure to the fragile ruling coalition grappling with a broken economy. The couple had been sentenced to seven years in February when a court found them guilty of violating Islamic law by not observing the required interval between Bushra Khans, also known as Bushra Bibi, previous marriage divorce, and her subsequent marriage to Khan. They appealed against their convictions. An appeal court overturned their convictions, citing insufficient evidence from the prosecution. Nevertheless, authorities have issued new warrants for Khan in three separate cases allegedly linked to violence against military and state installations. The PTI party has criticized these new arrests as efforts to prolong Khans detention. Its mid-July in Lower Alabama and that means three things: Its hot, the forecast calls for scattered thunderstorms, and an armadas worth of anglers are about to surge into inshore and offshore waters in the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. Over 90-plus years, the Rodeo, presented by the Mobile Jaycees, has established a unique spot in Alabamas Gulf Coast culture. There are plenty of other fishing tournaments. This one crosses lines: Its not just a sporting or a recreational event, its a scientific event, a social event, a spectator event. Thinking about dipping your toe in Rodeo waters? Heres what to know. The Captain T's Fishing team shows off their haul of red snapper at the 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com When, where, how much? The Rodeo is free to spectators, and youll find more information on the experience below. For participants, tickets have been on sale at the Rodeo headquarters on Dauphin Island and other ticket outlets listed on the event website since Fathers Day. Theyre also available for online purchase through the event site. Open competition tickets are $60 per angler. A number of jackpot competitions focusing on specific species such as king mackerel, speckled trout, red snapper and sharks are separately ticketed, with buy-ins ranging from $40 per angler to $500 per boat. Top prizes in these jackpots range up to $10,000. The 91st Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo opens with the ceremonial firing of a cannon at 5 a.m. Friday, July 19, and fish must be brought in by 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21. The weigh station is at the Rodeo site off Aloe Bay on Dauphin Island. Full rules can be downloaded from the ADSFR website. Stephen Laurendine, aka "Cousin Eddie," considers the haul as the Lady Ann docks on the closing day of the 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Its a party If youre visiting as a spectator, youll find the Rodeo site on the right shortly after you drive onto the island. Itll be hard to miss. Parking arrangements are informal but plenty of parking is available along Lemoyne Drive and adjacent streets; the only hard and fast rule is that No Parking signs, private property and the lots of nearby businesses should be respected. No tickets are required to enter the site. The weigh station, and by extension the Rodeo site, will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Attractions include a vendor market, food and beverage concessions, live music and a chance to view the catch as anglers bring in their hauls. The biggest fish get the most attention at the docks, especially the sharks and other fish that have to be hoisted by crane to be weighed. Thanks to a partnership with scientists from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, who harvest samples and data from the catch, one of the central attractions for visitors is a display area where dozens of fish, including some rare and weird ones, are displayed on ice. For youngsters in particular, its a chance to get a close look at the diversity of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. And there are always DISL students and staff on hand to explain what youre looking at. Whens the best time for spectator viewing? Saturday is easily the most popular day for families and other casual visitors. Between that and the action at the docks, the scene is guaranteed to be lively. Common advice is that Sunday is the day to see the real whoppers come in, the theory being that the biggest boats go out the farthest into the Gulf and tend to be the last to return. But anglers vary their plans considerably depending on weather and other conditions. The live music schedule includes The Bruce Smelley Band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Justin Tulo from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Keith Burns aka the Mailman from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. According to promotional materials, visitors are welcome to bring their own coolers but should not bring beverages in glass containers. The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo site was a bustling with activity before the start of the 2021 Liar's Contest, with Azalea Trail Maids gathered around the stage and the cannon used to fire the ceremonial opening blast being rolled through the crowd.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Theres a party before the party Tradition dictates that the ADSFR open with some fish stories. Accordingly, the Capt. T-Bone Liars Contest will take place the evening of Thursday, July 18. If its anything like the 2021 edition itll be a shambolic, good-natured affair featuring tale-tellers of widely divergent ability. (Good thing theres a prize for Worst Liar.) Incidentally, that years runner-up described a red snapper driving a 77s Lincoln, and the winner told a tale of a fishy nemesis that bit him somewhere memorable. The audience opted not to take a look at the scar. Sign-up starts at 5 p.m. at the Rodeo site, with up to 10 contenders (who must be Rodeo ticketholders) taking the stage at 6 p.m. Music from Johnny Hayes follows from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. A bull shark weighing just under 300 pounds is hoisted from the back of a pickup at the 90th Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo on Sunday, July 23, 2023.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com Speaking of whoppers Theres always a chance that records will fall at the rodeo. You just never know. In 2021 a 22.24-pound bonito almost got used as bait before it was weighed in and confirmed as a new state record. Last year the rodeos cranes hoisted a 1,019-pound tiger shark that beat a 33-year-old record. If you want to keep an eye on things from home, a leaderboard will go live online at https://adsfr.com/ once the boats start coming in. Current state saltwater fishing records can be found at the website of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, outdooralabama.com. Another good way to enjoy the event vicariously is to keep an eye on https://www.facebook.com/ADSFR for videos, photos and updates. A large tank at the Alabama Aquarium features a variety of Gulf of Mexico fish, including a nurse shark.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com As long as youre on island time Any excuse to visit Dauphin Island is a good excuse to visit Dauphin Island, and the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo certainly provides a good excuse. But after an hour or two youll likely be ready to move on. Dont forget that the island has plenty more to offer. Small fry captivated by the sea creatures they saw on display at the rodeo will be primed for a visit to the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, an attraction that received a major makeover just a year ago. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Theres also historic Fort Gaines, which keeps the same hours, and the islands public beaches (weather and surf conditions depending, of course), and the nature trails of the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Not to mention a smattering of restaurants, galleries and other attractions. Make a day of it. Ask the new Miss Alabama to dish about her favorite restaurants, and three things become abundantly clear. Abbie Stockard likes carbs. She isnt afraid to eat carbs. And yes, she works out, partly because of the carbs. Italian is my favorite kind of food, so I love any kind of pasta, Stockard, 21, said during a recent interview with AL.com. If any restaurant has bread, Im going to love it. Im so serious. Miss Alabama 2024 was quick to emphasize that maintaining a healthy balance is important to her daily life. Exercise and good nutrition matter to Stockard, a nursing student at Auburn University whos also a member of the schools Tiger Paws dance team. Ive danced all my life, so I know firsthand the benefits of a well-rounded lifestyle, said Stockard, who grew up in Vestavia Hills. Physical activity, but also mental wellness. That philosophy doesnt prevent Stockard from indulging in her favorite treats a juicy cheeseburger, for example, or a hearty bowl of mac and cheese and she was happy to name some of her favorite places to chown down in the Birmingham metro area. Heres what she said. Mac and cheese at Bottega Cafe is served with a side salad.(AL.com file photo) Where: 2240 Highland Ave. South, Birmingham. Menu includes: Baked feta, fried oysters, mushroom and spinach cannelloni, butchers pie pizza, chicken scaloppine, roasted pork loin, blueberry tiramisu, coconut-pecan cake. Miss Alabama says: My favorite Italian restaurant would be Bottega Cafe, because I love their mac and cheese. And its special, because the past two years, the night before Miss Alabama, Ive gone there with my family literally because of the mac and cheese. its kind of my good-luck place, and I love the mac and cheese. They cook it in the oven they make their pizzas in, Im pretty sure. You can tell its homemade. Its not the kind you just put in a microwave. Its so rich. Margherita pizza at Bettola, a restaurant in Birmingham. The wood-fired pizza is made with San Marzano tomato sauce, Fior Di Latte mozzarella and basil.(Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com) Where: 2930 Third Ave. South, Birmingham. Menu includes: Herb insalata, pepperoni pizza, quattro formaggi pasta, pollo pomodoro panini, antipasti board, arugula insalata, tiramisu, chocolate budino. Miss Alabama says: I love Bettola. I like their Margherita pizza, and they have an appetizer, its some kind of bread and melted cheese that you dip the bread in. Its so good. On an ideal night I would go to Bettola, and then right across the street is Jenis Ice Cream. What would be such a fun date night, or a family night, you rent those scooters in downtown Birmingham, which Ive done before, and you drive around and get dinner at Bettola, and then ice cream at Jenis. It sounds like the perfect night. (Note: Stockard was likely referring to the burrata appetizer on the menu at Bettola, which features Italian cows milk cheese served with warm flatbread thats baked in house.) Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has a location in Birmingham at Pepper Place. (Courtesy photo) Where: 219 29th St. South, Birmingham. Menu includes: Flavors such as Double Dough, Brambleberry Crisp, Cookies in Cream, Buttercream Birthday Cake, Wildberry Lavender, Banana Cream Pudding, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Strawberry Buttermilk. Miss Alabama says: At Jenis, I get two flavors. One is Coffee with Cream & Sugar, and then the Gooey Butter Cake. Its so good. Their cones are also homemade, so youve got to have a cone. Customers inside Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint in Birmingham.(AL.com file photo/Tamika Moore) Where: 2811 Seventh Ave. South, Birmingham. Menu includes: Hamburger, The Frankie Brady grilled cheese, Elvis burger, Cobra Kai burger, Cowboy burger, Greg Brady burger, sweet potato fries, fried Oreo. Miss Alabama says: My favorite burger place now is Jack Browns in Birmingham. They just opened up one in Auburn, too. I like a classic cheeseburger just meat, cheese and bun. I just like it plain. I dont like sauce or anything else. Birmingham chef Frank Stitt and his wife, Pardis, opened their French bistro Chez Fonfon in Birmingham's Five Points South neighborhood in 2000. (Photo by Tamika Moore) Where: 2007 11th Ave. South, Birmingham. Menu includes: Chicken liver mousse, veal tenderloin, grilled salmon, tomato salad, trout with capers, hamburger Fonfon, peach sorbet, lemon meringue tart. Miss Alabama says: Chez Fonfon has a really good cheeseburger. Its up there. Johnny Brusco's New York Style Pizza in Hoover.(AL.com file photo/Jon Anderson) Where: 2341 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover. Menu includes: Veggie deluxe pizza, BBQ chicken pizza, four cheese pizza, chicken bacon ranch flatbread, three meat flatbread, cauliflower crust pizza, garlic knots with cheese, fried ravioli. Miss Alabama says: I dont go there as much anymore, but for like six years in a row, my family would go to Johnny Bruscos every Thursday. I would just get a single slice of Hawaiian pizza. I like pineapple and bacon. Or I would get a slice of cheese pizza with bacon and olives. I love olives so much, I will eat them out of the jar. In Auburn, I would get made fun of, because I would just have a jar of Kalamata olives, and then my roommates would walk in and Im standing there in the kitchen, eating them with a fork, straight from the jar. Milo's Hamburgers has 20 locations throughout Alabama -- primarily in the Birmingham metro area, but also in Cullman, Decatur, Jasper, Montgomery, Prattville and Tuscaloosa. (Photo courtesy of Milo's Hamburgers) Where: Several locations in Birmingham metro area. Menu includes: Bacon cheeseburger, spicy grilled chicken sandwich, Mexi buger, toasted cheese, loaded fries, chicken nuggets, fried apple pie, fried lemon pie. Miss Alabama says: I love Milos, their grilled cheese and fries, oh my gosh. But I dont drink tea. Im more of a water and milk kind of girl, which is kind of gross. But I still love Milos. Where: Four locations in Birmingham metro area, including flagship at 3036 Healthy Way, Suite 100, Vestavia Hills. Menu includes: Powerhouse Bowl, Blazer Bowl, Island Bowl, OG Bowl, Vulcan Bowl, Nutty by Nature bowl, The Hulk bowl, The Hawaiian bowl. Miss Alabama says: I eat healthy, too. I love City Bowls. I get the acai base with granola, Nutella, strawberries and bananas. The Taziki's menu includes a grilled Shrimp feast with basmati rice and a Greek salad.(AL.com file photo/Joe Songer) Where: Several locations in Birmingham metro area. Menu includes: Hummus, whipped feta, Caesar salad, chargrilled lamb feast, grilled chicken gyro, turkey club pita, baklava, dark chocolate cake. Miss Alabama says: Tazikis is my favorite just because its light and its healthy. California Pizza Kitchen's former location at The Summit in Birmingham.(AL.com file photo/Jerry Ayres) Honorable mention: California Pizza Kitchen Where: Former location at 238 Summit Blvd., Suite B, Birmingham, now closed. Menu includes: BBQ chicken pizza, spinach artichoke dip, California cobb salad, pepperoni pizza, tomato basil spaghetti, shrimp scampi zucchini, red velvet cake, key lime pie. Miss Alabama says: I used to love California Pizza Kitchen. They got rid of it at The Summit, but that just was my favorite place to go. I love CPK, because they do bread as an appetizer, and anywhere that has bread, I will like it. And then I get their grilled salmon with a side of mac and cheese. I loved California Pizza Kitchen so much, I would go probably once a week. Im so serious. I loved it. I was devastated when they closed their location at The Summit. And they also have a dessert, its a butter cake, and its so good, too. Antoinette Velasquez picks up some baking supplies for her moms 70th birthday party at Kroger on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Houston. Velasquez was told to expect to be out of power for another week, but wanted to stay home until her moms party. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Jeff Bailey, store manager of Krogers on Shepherd Street in the Heights neighborhood, photographed on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Dalana Turner, a Cincinnati-Dayton based Kroger employee, restocks the freezer section at the grocery store on Shepherd Street on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Houston. The company sent employees from other locations to assist the Houston in getting fully stocked after Hurricane Beryl. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Jeff Bailey, store manager for Kroger on Shepherd St., talks about the precautions the store took for Hurricane Beryl on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Kroger employee Edward Morales restocks meat that had to be replaced due to a power outage with Hurricane Beryl on Friday, July 12, 2024 in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Strolling through the Houston Heights H-E-B was the first glimpse of near-normalcy after Hurricane Beryl for some area residents Friday. Grocery stores worked around the clock to keep essential items and hurricane supplies stocked as hundreds of thousands remained without power into the morning. At numerous Kroger, Food Town and H-E-B stores, grocery carts piled high as residents with and without power cooled off, refueled and stocked up on essentials. Some, including store employees, even looked to the stores as a way to take a break from the heat, said Jeff Bailey, store manager of Kroger at 1035 N. Shepherd Drive. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I heard some of the guys coming in that don't have power say, 'Can I just stand in the produce cooler for a little while?'" he relayed with a chuckle. Still, some locations struggled to keep up with demand in the storm's immediate aftermath. R. Michael Lewis went to his local H-E-B in Third Ward for ice to pack his fridge when he first lost power but turned on his heels when he saw a line stretching out of the building. He said that though still restocking, the store is now "functionally fine." Although their home's power was restored Tuesday, sisters Stephanie and Samantha Luna took their time at H-E-B on Thursday in their first grocery trip since the storm hit. The two were joined by Stephanie's two young children and a 4-year-old niece whose home remained without power as the sisters stocked up on baby formula, snacks and water. The Luna family fared even worse during the May derecho their apartments near White Oak Bayou were out of power for a week and a tree crushed Stephanie Luna's car. Still, losing power for even 24 hours made them worry for the young children, particularly since one of the women, who is diabetic, remained without power Thursday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Lunas felt more prepared for Beryl than the derecho and shopped at H-E-B and Walmart on Sunday before the storm. By Thursday, they were happy to restock supplies for the children and less essential items. "It's so bad for the kids ... but we made it out better than the last storm," Stephanie Luna said. Where to find hurricane supplies Most grocery stores, including the Kroger at Shepherd Drive, kept hurricane essentials such as water, ice, canned goods and cleaning supplies well-stocked. By Thursday, all area Krogers were open during their regular hours and stocked with hurricane essentials including snacks, canned goods, water and ice. Some items, like propane, were limited in some stores due to demand. It's something that "unfortunately, we are getting good at reacting (to)," Bailey said while making rounds around the store Friday morning. "We're getting good at the pre-planning, the preparation." Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the item most in demand for people shopping at the grocery store's Shepherd Drive location was ice. "I think the first day we sold 15 pallets of ice and we've been averaging about 10 pallets a day," Bailey said, noting that ice vendors have replenished the store's supply daily. Before the storm hit, the store drew long lines of people making preparations, buying nonperishables such as canned food and water. But many people also purchased perishable items too, possibly thinking "even if they did lose power, they could have a few days of ice chest life," Bailey said. The grocer continually replenished shelves from its distribution center in east Houston and other vendors. Other grocers, including Walmart and H-E-B, had also restocked their nonperishable items since the storm. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Just like residents, Kroger is Houston Strong," said Liz Colvin, Kroger's vice president of merchandising. "We are honored to play a valuable role in both the preparedness and recovery efforts in the region." Stores distribute aid but struggle to restock perishables Many grocers looked for other ways to aid the community. Area Krogers designated a fuel lane to first responders and employees, and the grocer is providing emergency financial aid and mental health resources to its associates, Colvin said. Walmart is offering free meals, holding water distribution events and providing charging stations through its Walmart Foundation, and Whole Foods is inviting nonprofits to apply for in-kind donations through local stores. Because of how localized the effects of Hurricane Beryl were, Food Town has had no supply chain issues, president Mike Lewis said. At least 17 of the local chain's 28 locations were open and had power as of Thursday afternoon. "Our fully operational stores can receive shipments and are stocking items daily," Lewis said. "Perishable items might not be available at stores in areas more heavily impacted by the storm, but those stores remain fully stocked with non-perishables such as canned goods, cleaning supplies, health and beauty needs and pet food." Advertisement Article continues below this ad On Friday morning, most shelves were chock-full of goods at the Shepherd Drive Kroger, while many frozen items were being stocked by employees. As Bailey walked the store, up and down each aisle, a customer approached and asked when milk would be restocked. "We did have one truck, but it went right on out of here," he said, telling the customer that milk would be back later in the day. While perishable items were still being restocked by many grocery brands, they said demand was down since more than 870,000 residents still had no way to store them. That demand is expected to increase substantially once power returns, Lewis said. As of Friday, perishable items could be found mostly stocked at area H-E-B and Walmart locations and other grocery stores unaffected by power outages. "For shoppers who are looking to restock their perishables, and who have a safe way to store them, now is probably the time to do so," Lewis said. Some Houstonians looking to fill their fridges were caught off guard by stores with heavy foot traffic even while power remained out in much of the city. "It's like a mob right now, everybody taking gallons and gallons of water. I couldn't believe it," said Maria Soler, who lives in Cloverleaf and visited her local Kroger. "Why are people acting like the hurricane is coming tomorrow?" The U.S. Supreme Court overturned a federal regulation banning bump stocks in June, but state Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said she will persist with her efforts to pass a ban under state law in Alabama. Givan has pre-filed a bill for next years legislative session that would make possession or sales of bump stocks a Class C felony. A bump stock uses the recoil action of a semiautomatic rifle to make it fire rapidly, similar to a machine gun. A gunman used rifles equipped with bump stocks when he killed 58 people and wound hundreds more in Las Vegas in 2017, prompting the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms to ban the devices until last months Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, found that the ATF exceeded its authority when it classified firearms with bump stocks as machine guns and imposed the ban. Givan said state lawmakers should propose legislation they think is the correct policy even if it clashes with the Supreme Courts position. She noted that many state lawmakers proposed abortion bans before Roe v. Wade was overturned. Regardless of what, weve got to still push the issue, Givan said. People said Roe v. Wade was legal. But that still hasnt stopped states and individuals from filing legislation after legislation after legislation to strike it down. Givan has proposed the bump stock ban before, and passing it is a longshot. Republicans hold three-fourths of the seats in the Alabama Legislature and have generally opposed gun restrictions. On a topic related to bump stocks, the Alabama House passed a bill by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, that would have banned Glock switches, devices attached to semiautomatic handguns that make them fire multiple rounds with a single pull of the trigger. Enslers bill, which did not address bump stocks, died in the Senate. The Montgomery lawmaker said he will bring the bill back next year. Glock switches are illegal under federal law, but Ensler and law enforcement officials who supported his bill said a state law would improve enforcement efforts to keep the devices off the streets. Givan, an attorney who has been in the House since 2010, said she is uncertain whether her bump stock bill will get serious consideration. She said the level of gun violence in Alabama, and particularly in Birmingham and Montgomery, demands the attention of lawmakers. Givan said some women in her district have told her they are afraid to go in their yards to tend their flowers. Im going to keep the conversation going regardless, Givan said. Because maybe we got close last year. Maybe one year well get even closer. But its unfortunate that the issue of these types of apparatuses should even be a debate. An organization that serves as the watchdog for how Alabama treats people with disabilities is under federal review after a series of complaints. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will visit the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program later this month to evaluate whether the organization appropriately uses public funds and complies with federal regulations. Nancy Anderson, the interim director of the Disabilities Advocacy Program, told AL.com that concerns have been raised about the work the organization prioritized this year. Are we able to take every case that comes our way? No. We have eligibility criteria that guide the work that we doAnd, unfortunately, we have resource limitations; there are only so many of us doing this work, Anderson said in a statement. Inevitably, we are going to disappoint some people by not being able to provide them with the help they want. Finally, are we always able to achieve the outcomes desired by someone when we are working with them? Again, the answer is no. Selvin Garcia, the program specialist overseeing the review, said the federal government received various complaints. I unfortunately cannot share additional information at this time, said Garcia in an email to AL.com. The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program is the federally-funded protection agency for children and adults with disabilities in the state. Part of the University of Alabama law school, the agency is tasked with monitoring and investigating psychiatric residential treatment facilities for youth, nursing homes and other inpatient institutions that house people with disabilities. They also advocate for independent living and employment opportunities for people with disabilities and for special education students to ensure that they receive the supports mandated by law. < > The Administration for Community Living, a division of the federal department, is conducting the review. Members of the public can provide comments on their experience with ADAP by July 31. More information can be found here. Garcia said possible outcomes depend on the nature of the review and the severity of the findings. But generally it provides compliance confirmation, recommendations for improvement, corrective action plan, technical assistance, etc, Garcia said in a statement to AL.com. The Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program is currently in litigation with the Alabama Department of Human Resources after filing a lawsuit in 2021, alleging that the state discriminates against foster children and youth with mental impairments by unnecessarily segregating them in restrictive, psychiatric residential treatment facilities. Earlier this year ADAP filed a class-action lawsuit against Alabama Medicaid and the Department of Senior Services, arguing that the agencies violated the civil rights of thousands of disabled and elderly residents who rely on support from the state to get care in their communities. We welcome the opportunity to share our work with the site visit team why we do it, how we do it, for whom we do it, Anderson said. I suspect we will learn ways in which we might approach our work differently or better. We welcome that learning if it means we have new and better ways to represent Alabamians with disabilities Montgomery County Circuit Judge James Anderson on Thursday issued a new temporary restraining order to block the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses needed to fully launch the new industry. Andersons ruling follows arguments by lawyers representing the AMCC and multiple companies in a July 2 hearing in the long-running and complex litigation. Anderson said companies suing the commission have shown a reasonable chance of succeeding on their claims that the AMCC did not follow its own scoring, averaging and ranking rules when awarding licenses, and that AMCCs investigative hearing process, intended to be an appeal remedy for companies denied licenses, does not comply with a state law called the Alabama Administrative Procedures Act. Anderson, as he said he planned do at the July 2 hearing, denied the AMCCs motion to dismiss the latest complaint filed by Alabama Always, a Montgomery company that applied for but was not awarded an integrated license. More than 30 companies applied for integrated licenses, but the AMCC can issue only five. The AMCC has awarded licenses three times, in June, August, and December of last year. The AMCC rescinded the June and August awards because of problems with its procedures and the litigation. Again, the court is sympathetic to the public interest in getting medicine in the hands of patients, Anderson wrote in his order. That said, the December 12 awards are the Commissions third round of licensing awards at issue, and the prior two award rounds remain the subject of ongoing litigation meaning that the Commissions effort to issue licenses now, is already on uneven ground. Anderson wrote that his intent is to preserve the rights of all the companies applying for licenses. The AMCC has issued licenses for cultivators, processors, secure transporters, and a state testing lab. But licenses for the integrated companies, which figure to the largest companies in the business, and for dispensaries are, on hold. Cultivators are growing the plants for the medical cannabis products, but there is no way to get products to patients until more of the litigation is resolved. The AMCC met Thursday and approved some changes to its regulations in response to a bill that removed the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries from the responsibility for regulating the cultivators. The Department of Agriculture supported that change. The AMCC assumes that full responsibility. The AMCC heard from patient advocates, including Amanda Taylor of Cullman, and former state Rep. Mike Ball of Huntsville, the House sponsor of the medical marijuana bill that passed in 2021 and a longtime proponent of the benefits of medical cannabis. What were trying to do, it was birthed in compassion, Ball said. Its very important to get this industry up and operating in a transparent manner. But the purpose of it is people who are suffering who can be helped. And there are untold numbers of them. We are just starting with this. And Im really looking to get these knots untied and get this underway so people can be helped. Thats what this is about. Taylor, a leader for a new patients advocacy organization, said she continuously hears from people in need of the medicine. It has really broken my heart. I receive at least 45 phone calls a day of people who are in dire need, Taylor said. Cynthia Atkinson, who has advocated for medical cannabis since before the law passed, attended Thursdays AMCC meeting. Atkinsons husband, longtime WSFA TV meteorologist Dan Atkinson, received relief from symptoms of Parkinsons when they went to Colorado to try medical cannabis. Dan Atkinson died in 2017. Its been heartbreaking, Atkinson said. Alabama patients are the ones that are suffering. Personally, I dont blame the commission. Theyre trying to do their job. Unfortunately, throughout the country, most of the states end up in litigation. And so it takes a while. Atkinson said her husband, who had Parkinsons and diabetes, was on seven medications when they started researching medical marijuana in 2014. They went to Colorado the next year. We tried different methods. We found the patch, the medicinal patch, worked beautifully for him, Atkinson sad. And for almost two weeks, when he had the patch on, he didnt have to have the pain medicine. It relaxed his muscles. It kept the cramping, it kept the pain away. AMCC Chairman Rex Vaughn said he is appreciative of the efforts of advocates like Ball, Taylor, and Atkinson to stress the urgency of making the medication available. Our big hangup right now is we cant issue dispensary licenses or integrated facility licenses, Vaughn said. Thats kind of where were hung. So, anytime we can find a way to resolve those shortcomings, we would love to do so. But as long as litigation is going on we will have to work within the circuit courts demands. We feel like weve done that. We believe we are sound in our judgement in the way we have awarded licenses and we believe that those awarded should be issued, Vaughn said. Certainly we would all like to move quicker. The law passed in 2021, called the Compassion Act, allows companies to make gummies, tablets, capsules, tinctures, patches, oils, and other forms of medical marijuana products. Patients who receive a medical cannabis card from a doctor who obtains certification to recommend the products will be able to buy them at licensed dispensaries. The law allows the products to be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, weight loss and nausea from cancer, depression, panic disorder, epilepsy, muscle spasms caused by disease or spinal cord injuries, PTSD, and others. The candidates in Alabamas 2nd congressional district race had completely different takes on the announcement Friday that Alabama was the recipient of a $550 million federal grant for the Interstate 10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project. The money represents likely the biggest federal grants awarded to Alabama for an infrastructure project and comes from a program created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) long referred to as the bipartisan infrastructure law that has become a signature policy achievement for President Joe Biden. Democratic congressional hopeful Shomari Figures of Mobile credited the Biden Administration for delivering the largest infrastructure grant in the history of the state of Alabama. Figures also said he was disappointed that news releases issued by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, and Alabamas Republican congressional delegation -- omitted any mention of Bidens name, or U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Its sad that we live in such a politically polarized culture that none of the Republican leadership in this state is willing to acknowledge this, Figures said in a statement to AL.com. If this had happened in the Trump Administration, every single statement wouldve said: Trump, Trump, Trump. Figures said that since the GOP leadership in Alabama wont say it, I will: Biden just delivered BIG for Alabama bigger than Trump ever did. This bridge project has been needed for a very long time and will have enormous impacts in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Republican Caroleene Dobson of Montgomery, in a statement, credited Ivey and the congressional delegation for working hard to make the case for this project and secure the funding, and they deserve our thanks. Indeed, local and state officials within the Ivey administration have lobbied and met with federal transportation officials in recent years to push for federal support for a project that could cost around $3.5 billion. The news releases sent by Ivey and others include comments thanking Alabama lawmakers for securing the grant. None of Alabamas Republican members of Congress voted in favor of the IIJA in 2021. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, the lone Democratic member of Congress from Alabama, did vote in support of it. Only 13 Republicans in Congress voted in support of the IIJA. A rendering of the proposed I-10 bridge over the Mobile River. (Courtesy of ALDOT) The project, as proposed, includes a new six-lane, 215-foot-tall cable-stay bridge in downtown Mobile and an elevated new six-lane Bayway. The new Bayway construction would extend around 7.5 miles and connect downtown Mobile to Exit 98 in Daphne. Gov. Ivey and Alabamas congressional delegation worked hard to make the case for this project and secure the funding, and they deserve our thanks. Dobson recognized Trump, saying the GOP presidential hopeful has publicly promised to fund a six-lane expansion of I-65 through the State of Alabama if elected to a new term. She said an expanded I-65 will help ease travel to the Gulf Coast and further relieve congestion. Regarding Biden, Dobson referenced his recent public appearances that have raised questions in the national media about his ability to win re-election in November. Judging from his recent debate performance, big boy news conference, and other public appearances, Joe Biden couldnt find Mobile if he were standing on Dauphin Street during Mardi Gras, she said. Dobson and Figures are engaged in a fierce race for the 2nd district seat that became an open contest after the U.S. Supreme Corut last June ruled that an Alabama Republican-drawn congressional map was in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It was redrawn to give Black voters a better opportunity to elect a candidate of their choosing, which turns out to be in the 2nd district. The new district stretching from Montgomery to Mobile and including a host of rural and mostly Black counties in Southwest Alabama has a Black voting age population of 49%. The congressional district was a +12 advantage for Biden during the 2020 election. Alabama, as a state, was a +25.4 advantage for Trump. The contest is viewed as a pivotal one for the partisan control of the U.S. House in January 2025. The House is a 219-213 advantage for Republicans, though a host of national pundits believe the Democratic Party has an opportunity to retake it. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriffs Office is investigating after a man was shot and killed early Saturday morning by a Tuscaloosa Police Department officer. The incident happened at the Whataburger on McFarland Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. In a press conference Saturday morning, Sgt. Josh Hastings from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Division said police were responding to a trespassing call for a male suspect, who he identified as Joseph Driver. At approximately 1:30 this morning, officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department were called to the Whataburger on McFarland Boulevard in reference to a subject who was trespassing, Hastings said. Upon their arrival, they made contact with that individual identified as Joseph Earl Driver, a white male, 36 years of age. As they were attempting to place him into custody, he pulled out a knife and cut one of the officers -- at which time they discharged their firearms, striking him multiple times, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. The violent crimes unit was called out to assist in processing the scene, Hastings continued. None of them were Tuscaloosa Police Department employees, due to the officers being from Tuscaloosa involved in the shooting. And both officers have been placed on administrative leave per policy at this time, so the investigation is still ongoing. Hastings said the officer who was cut sought medical attention and is going to be fine. A Madison woman is suing Limestone County Schools in federal court, alleging educators deprived her son of due process rights after he was suspended in May following horseplay with other students in a high school weight room. Birmingham attorney Roderick Van Daniel filed the suit July 10 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on behalf of Alicia Grissom, parent of one of the minors suspended after the incident at East Limestone High School. In court documents, Van Daniel claims the district acted outside its disciplinary policies when it suspended Grissoms son in May and assigned him to a stint in alternative school when the next year begins. The suit asks a jury to award $500,000 plus attorney fees and unspecified punitive damages. The school district did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Amidst the breakdown of law and order in the United States, more severe punishments are now being demanded from many quarters. But there are occasions where lenity is appropriate. On March 3, 1989, in Valley Stream, New York, thirteen-year-old Kelly Ann Tinyes was brutally murdered. Her stabbed and strangled body was stuffed into a sleeping bag and crammed into a closet in the basement of the home of the Golub family, a few houses away from where Kelly lived. The crime garnered national notoriety, not only for its atrocity, but also, in legal and scientific circles, for the new ground broken in the use of DNA as forensic evidence in the conviction of 21-year-old Robert Golub for the crime. Golub was given an indeterminate sentence of 25 years to life. It only was more than 24 years later, in connection with a parole hearing, that Golub finally acknowledged that he did in fact kill Kelly, attributing his actions to the steroids used to enhance his bodybuilding activities. The Tinyes and Golub families continued to live on the same street for the next two decades, feuding heatedly all the while; the Tinyes family continues to press the New York State Board of Parole to deny Robert Golubs repeated bids for release. Many questions remain unanswered about the events of March 3, 1989, including the possible roles of others who were in the Golub house at the time, and including a telephone call made from the Golub residence to the Tinyes residence earlier that day. The murder of Kelly Ann Tinyes conjured up my memories of another strikingly similar murder that had occurred in Philadelphia nearly thirty years earlier and that also received national attention the killing of three-and-a-half-year-old Becky Holt. Little Becky had apparently followed a dog into the kitchen of the home of a neighbor down the street. In the kitchen was fifteen-year-old Edward Cooney, Jr., who sexually attacked Becky, strangled her to death, and stuffed her body into a cabinet in the basement of the house. Anatol W. Holt, Beckys father, was a noted computer pioneer and polymath whose significant work made the UNIVAC computer possible. The day after Beckys murder, the now-defunct Philadelphia Evening Bulletin featured a front-page article written by Anatol Holt during a sleepless night. The piece concludes (emphasis in original): Had I caught the boy in the act, I would have wished to kill him. Now that there is no undoing of what is done, I only wish to help him. Let no feelings of caveman vengeance influence us. Let us rather help him who did such a human thing. The Becky Holt tragedy impacted my family quite hard. My parents were friendly with the Holts, and a few days before the murder, I was playing with Becky at her house while my mother was visiting Beckys mother, Tanya. My father participated in the search party after Becky went missing. The assistant district attorney who handled the prosecution of Cooney, Lisa Aversa Richette (who would later achieve a distinguished if controversial career as a judge), was a schoolmate of my mother. My parents were saddled with the task of explaining the lurid situation to me in terms appropriate for the five-year-old boy I was. Of course, they attended Beckys funeral, as did the parents of Edward Cooney, Jr.; the elder Cooney sat in the front row next to Tolly Holt during the service as the two men cried on one anothers shoulders. Given the eerie similarities between the crimes, and the differing attitudes of the victims fathers, one might be tempted to pass judgment comparing the relative character attributes of Kellys father Richard Tinyes and Tolly Holt. It must be noted, however, that the Holts were given something yet denied to the Tinyeses: clear facts about what really happened to their daughter and sister. The day of the murder, Cooney Jr. confessed his sin to a priest and, almost immediately thereafter, to a Philadelphia police detective. He led the police to Beckys body and gave a full accounting of his crime (if such is possible). Cooney was an honor student with an otherwise clean record. This, together with the Holt familys stance against vengeance, presented a conundrum regarding what the justice system should do. Per the advice of a panel of psychiatrists and prosecutors, and with the concurrence of the Beckys family, the safety of society was accorded primary consideration, and so Cooney Jr. was prosecuted as a juvenile delinquent and not as a criminal. He was sent for treatment at a mental hospital, and then for vocational training at the Pennsylvania State Industrial School until attaining the age of majority (which was 21 in those days). It is gross understatement to say that Golub has not been as forthcoming as Cooney was, and the years of delay have almost totally deprecated the value of whatever explanations Golub may yet proffer. But Robert Golub was not alone in the house. There are other people who, in all likelihood, are privy to additional facts regarding Kelly Tinyess murder. The Tinyes family has a right to know what happened to Kelly. The New York State Board of Parole has a right to know what happened to Kelly. The public has a right to know what happened to Kelly. Those who continue to suppress the facts are morally if not criminally complicit in Kelly Ann Tinyess killing. One factor weighing in slightly favor of the Tinyes familys quest to keep Golub incarcerated is that Golub is not a wokester, a downtrodden disadvantaged minority group member, an LGBTQXYZ, or any other demographic pandered to by the wokeist non-prosecution and lenity policies of the likes of Letitia James, Kathy Hochul, Alvin Bragg, Merrick Garland, and the Obiden administration. Golubs next hearing before the New York State Board of Parole is now calendared for August 2024. For Kelly Tinyess family, the parole denial announcement from each one of Robert Golubs Parole Board hearings since he became eligible for parole in 2013 has been a tainted victory, because while Golubs continued imprisonment is nominally a positive development, the Boards decision also begins a new biennial cycle of anguish in preparing for the next hearing. Given the severe atrocity of the crime and Golubs long delay in acknowledging his guilt, the odds of him being sprung are not particularly favorable, but historical events show that there is no telling how the board will rule. The Tinyes family and others in their situation are thus compelled to hope and pray for Golubs death in prison in order to relieve their continuing stresses. This too exacts a costly toll from their souls. Kenneth H. Ryesky, a writer currently based in Israel, is an attorney who taught business law and taxation at Queens College CUNY for more than two decades. Image via Pxfuel. Ever since he dazzled the world with speechifying on behalf of the common man at the 2004 Democrat convention, Barack Obama has been pushing his own brand of democracy. Here we are, in 2024, and Joe Biden is parroting the Obama democracy talk. The way we know this blather is issuing from the latter, not the former, is because on July 4th, 2024, Obama predictably took the opportunity to tweet this: The Fourth of July is about celebrating the big, bold, inclusive experiment that is our American democracy. And it has always been an experiment. Our democracy has never been guaranteed, which means we cant take it for granted. We need to keep fighting for it, keep improving it, and keep making sure it reflects the better angels of our nature instead of the worst. That, more than anything, is what America is all about. Judging from the sentiments expressed in that communique, the former president is either still unaware that America is a constitutional republic or is unequivocally invested in incrementally imposing majority rule upon a defenseless minority by issuing warnings that democracy is in peril. The key difference between a democracy and a republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system -- i.e., citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government. In a republic, a constitution or charter of rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure democracy," the majority is not restrained in this way and can impose its will on the minority. Big Government Barack has spent the last 20 years trying to promote America as a true democracy as well as to dictate to us our best and worst angels. The former president feels hes the only one who knows what America is all about and acts as if we need him to set us straight. The problem is that this countrys freedom hinges on individual rights bestowed by God, not cake crumbs tossed off the Truman Balcony at the White House. Americas inalienable God-given rights include life, liberty, and the free pursuit of happiness. These are birthrights that belong to every American, regardless of race, creed, or color. And its that individual freedom that established a heritage that reflects our better angels, not democratic collectivism, communalism, or socialism shrouded in rhetoric promoting Obamas version of democracy. The reason America thus far has not perished from the earth, is because we have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people[,] not the other way around. Its no secret that Barack Obama would like that to change and has made it clear over the years that he sees things quite differently than the Framers of the Constitution. Barack Obama has said that he believes: The Constitution is a charter of negative liberties, [that] says what the states can't do to you, [and] says what the federal government can't do to you. But it doesn't say what the state or federal government must do on your behalf. The former presidents goal has always been to combat the evils of America and remediate perceived injustices through must do government fiat. Its clear that Obamas intention is to force collectivism on those entrenched in what he views as the self-centeredness of individualism. In that infamous 2001 negative liberties radio interview, Barack Obama also stated that the U.S. Constitution is a flawed document from which America must break free. During that conversation, Obama stressed that instead of an originalist, fixed document, what America needs is a living Constitution that refocuses from negative rights to positive economic rights. In other words, in Baracks world, our system needs to be revised to forcibly share the wealth, and level the playing field. Because Americans live in a constitutional republic, to accomplish that goal, Obama has made it his lifes purpose to convince voters to install leaders and legislators that will advance his Marxist worldview. Wasnt it during Barrys tenure that free speech, freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, and the right to due process all became threats to what he claims to esteem? Under the guise of furthering the cause of supposed democracy, during his two terms and more recently as Bidens covert advisor, its obvious to those paying attention that Obamas true beliefs have zero to do with what he claims America is in danger of losing. Always speaking as if its understood that everyone agrees with what hes saying and that an unspoken enemy is what deters democratic progress, in 2022, Obama had this to say: If we want democracy to flourish, we will have to fight for it. Well have to nurture it. And we will have to demonstrate its value, again and again, in improving the lives of ordinary people. That includes looking at the shortcomings of our own democracies -- not the ideal, but the reality of our own democracies Only then will we be able to tell a better story of what democracy can be, and must be, in this rapidly changing world. Rather than foster pride in America and esteem our system of government, by suggesting it was not the ideal, the master of Machiavellian Innuendo implied that America needs a loftier system to replace the one he deems unjust. This is the same guy who also said, It should be the power of our vote, not the size of our bank accounts, that drives our democracy. Yet he stands by without comment as our nations compromised border threatens the foundation of the democratic process, free and fair elections. Instead of warning us that democracy is in jeopardy because American citizens are about to be disenfranchised by illegal aliens canceling out their votes -- Obama remains silent because throngs of illegal have nots ultimately serve his purposes. The democracy progressives like Obama favor requires a political system that justifies the exercise of power by some (those that agree with the Lefts agenda), over others (that disagree with the Lefts agenda), which is not how our Constitutional Republic was designed to work. In truth, the democracy currently being foisted on Americans is just a courteous name for the Left being given carte blanche to sanction mob rule. And who is better at inspiring a mob to enforce rules than the 44th president of the United States? Sadly, our nation has slowly become comfortable with pure democracy because the exercise of power of one person over another [is now] justified by reference to the protection of the interests or rights of the person over whom power is exercised. What has not yet been specified, if not dictated by the Constitution, in any given situation, who or what gets to decide what protecting the interests or rights of the person over whom power is exercised entails? The contradiction is that while fairness is preached, individual autonomy is rendered dangerous. Think back, wasnt the supposed protection of interests exactly what Americans experienced during COVID? A clarion call went out that stated that the minority noncompliant threatened the lives of the majority compliant. Then, to safeguard the common good, the rights of the minority were denied when the paranoid wishes of a majority, dictated to by a fearmongering federal government, were enforced by threats and unconstitutional mandates. That, my friends, is the kind of so-called democracy Barack Obama dreams of, and the kind of democracy Joe Biden promotes on behalf of the master calling the shots. Honestly, with the speed at which things are changing, four more years of the masses being indoctrinated with the Lefts way of thinking and the lynch mob may be commended for defending the common good with the help of pitchforks, torches, and ropes. Back to Obama. This is a man who is notorious for speaking as if his viewpoint represents the majority. For 20+ years now, every chance he gets, Americas most famous community organizer tickles the ears of the disgruntled, stirs up racial hostilities, and makes heroes out of criminals. Even the slightest disagreement with Barrys vision of how the world, not as it is, but as he would like it to be has resulted in labeling patriotic citizens, threats to democracy. While contributing to the climate that made prosecuting, jailing, and demonizing political opponents acceptable, Obama feigns concern for all Americans by making disingenuous statements like, This increasing habit of demonizing political opponents creates a dangerous climate. In addition to demonizing the Second Amendment, during his tenure, the former president was not a friend of free speech. Remember Obamas 2010 public chiding of one whole branch of government at the State of the Union address? That spectacle was over the ruling in the landmark Citizens United decision. The public tongue lashing the high court received from the President of the United States at the SOTU is what lit a fire under the confrontational aggression directed toward the judicial branch that still exists today. Despite political debate being a foundational American pastime, citing misinformation as the reason, the former president would be fine with passing a law restricting political commentary on social media. That way, when swaying popular opinion, the government could crack down on the praise of candidates that disagree with Obama and allow unrestricted praise of candidates that represent a point of view that Obama approves of -- all while touting the merits of democracy. Remember when Obama defended "democracy" by saying, In our democracy and our civic discourse, it seems as if folks who take religion the most seriously are sometimes also those who are suspicious of those not like them. Statements like that, as well as the former president drawing moral equivalencies between ISIS and Christianity, has facilitated the ongoing subversion of even our nations religious foundations. Obamas calculated threat to democracy effort is succeeding because seeds of suspicion have been planted so deeply in Americas psyche that, in some circles, free speech and the right to bear arms are now viewed as menacing. Not to mention the Americans who support legal immigration being labeled xenophobes, and comparisons being made between reverence for the American flag and hatred. Recently, at a Biden 2024 campaign stop in Philadelphia, the former president again pushed his idea of democracy to the fore by suggesting to gushing sycophants that when true democracy goes away, people get hurt. It has real consequences. To date, Obama has not yet defined what he believes true democracy to be, nor has he clarified what those real consequences actually are. Whats suspect is that Barack never discloses how the true democracy he continually nudges Americans toward will eventually be accomplished, nor has he let on whether or not the end goal is to substitute the protections of our founding document with a mob controlled by a cunning Marxist leader. If democratic ideals were truly of concern to those warning America that democracy is in peril, why would Barack Obama, and now Joe Biden, institute policies unpopular with the majority by repeatedly circumventing established governing bodies that represent the people they claim theyre fighting for? If the former presidents idea of fairness involves stirring up the majority to intimidate and eventually eradicate the beliefs and desires of the minority, shielding Americans from that kind of threat is the reason why our Founders decided to institute a constitutional republic in the first place. Jeannie hosts a blog www.jeannieology.us Image: AT via Magic Studio The American administration continues to apply immense pressure on Israel to stop its defensive war against Hamas in Gaza, and to pivot to a diplomatic option under which it would negotiate with Hamas and agree to a two-state solution which would impose on Israel yet another hostile Arab state. This second state would present a long and indefensible border to Israels east. The administration also looks to Israel to accept Arab administration of a post-war Gaza, to include participation of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The administration states as its motive to justify this pressure by claiming that too many people are dying in Gaza, but this conclusion is based on false casualty information and statistics provided by Hamas itself. It is convenient, albeit tendentious and unethical, for the Administration to accept Hamas propaganda as the driving force to pressure Israel to stop defending itself. In reality, casualties among Hamas terrorists and Gaza civilians are unknown and cannot be ascertained, because the published casualty figures are based on Hamas casualty releases, and there are no credible primary confirming sources. To say that these Hamas reports are merely unreliable is to grant them undue credulity. They are propagandistic fiction, as this author discussed regarding a 2014 Israel/Hamas conflict in Fantasy War Reporting. The veracity of Hamas self-reported casualty lists has not improved in the 10 years since. Civilian casualty figures are not nearly as high as Hamas is reporting. Their figures do not report as a distinct group any, much less all, Hamas terrorist fighters who have been killed in battle or in operational accidents. They just include their terrorist fighters, unidentified as such, within Gaza civilian casualty figures. They also do not differentiate between Gaza civilians killed in IDF attacks against legitimate military targets who were unintentional collateral casualties; Hamas combatants disguised as civilians; and civilian noncombatants killed because they were forced by Hamas to serve as human shields, or who served voluntarily in that capacity when directed or demanded by Hamas, which action would convert them from protected noncombatants into unprotected combatants under international law. The distinguished British military historian Sir Andrew Roberts, who has written voluminous comprehensive biographies of Churchill, Napoleon, King George III, and other giants of military history, as well as several histories of military operations, said this in the British House of Lords regarding the lack of veracity of the number of casualties reported by Hamas in Gaza, as well as the morality of how the Israeli defense forces carry out their operations: Even if we were to take Hamass statistics as accurate, the 27,500 figure, and theres no reason why we should, if we dont do that with Putin, we dont do that with ISIS, if one subtracts the number of Gazans whove been killed by the quarter or so of Islamic Jihad and Hamas rockets that fall short, ones left with a fewer than two to one ratio of civilians to Hamas terrorists killed, of whom thereve been over 9,000 so far. My lords, war is hell, and every individual civilian death is a tragedy. But as a military historian, less than two to one is an astonishingly low ratio for modern urban warfare, where the terrorists routinely use civilians as human shields, and its a testament to the professionalism, ethics and values of the Israeli defense forces. This conclusion is further supported by a thorough analysis of the absence of veracity in the casualty figures published by the Hamas Health Ministry, the Hamas Media Office, and the United Nations; this analysis was recently presented by David Adesnik, Director of Research for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, at the Jewish Policy Center on May 22, 2024. No national government could rationally base its international policy decisions on a foundation of too many civilian casualties, while relying upon this self-reported, unverified, and self-serving Hamas and United Nations propaganda, but many governments, including that of the United States, are doing just that. The United States itself has a history of sometimes protecting, sometimes failing to protect, and sometimes intentionally, as an affirmative policy, targeting enemy noncombatants during conflicts when it perceives that its own national interests are paramount. The hypocrisy of trying to impose upon Israel an impossible standard which the United States has itself never imposed upon itself, achieved, nor even attempted to achieve, and has sometimes intentionally ignored, is self-evident. Even if, for the sake of argument, the number of civilian deaths in Gaza reported by Hamas is taken at face value, the discrimination of this administration against Israel based on these numbers of civilian deaths is highlighted by the administrations silence where Arabs/Muslims have been killed by one another and neither Israel nor Jews were involved. Here are the statistics of the number of Arab/Muslim deaths caused by recent Arab-on-Arab Middle East conflicts that do not involve Israel and Jews, and a notation of the lack of Arab and Western negative reaction to those casualty numbers. Syria: 306,887 estimated civilians killed by 2022 according to the Office of the High Commissioner, United Nations Human Rights. Yemen: 377,000 estimated civilians killed by August 25, 2023 according to Campaign Against Arms Trade, citing UN statistics. General: >410,000 The seven civil wars in the Middle East between 2016 and 2018 marked an all-time high since 1996. The deadliest year in the Middle East was 1988, when more than 330,000 battle-related deaths were recorded, most of them in the Iran-Iraq war (19801988). Since 1991, 2014 was the deadliest year, with almost 80,000 battle-related deaths. (OCHA Reliefweb data can be found here.) There is no gnashing of teeth in Western nations, or even in Arab countries, and certainly not in the United Nations human rights commissions and committees, about the hundreds of thousands of Arab civilians killed by other Arabs in modern Arab-on-Arab Middle East conflicts. No one is arguing that there were too many Arab casualties inflicted by other Arabs. Only when Jews are involved, only when Israel is protecting its citizens in a legal war of self-defense, and more than complying with international law in doing so, does the West, including the United States, and the Arabs, in a blatantly discriminatory manner, try to stop Israel from guaranteeing its own citizens safety. The American administration should drop from its diplomatic repertoire too many civilian casualties as a false and perverse justification for putting pressure on Israel to end its existential battle with Hamas in Gaza. Michael S. Goldstein is Arizona State Director of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations. He is a 30-year veteran of the United States Navy and of the U.S. intelligence community. His articles appear in American Thinker. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. Trumps epitaph must include credit for injecting fake news into the lexicon. You are reading these words via alternative media born in response to the industrialization of fake news. The news business is zero-sum. Every lost NY Times or Washington Post subscriber becomes a Twitter, YouTube, Rumble, Gateway Pundit, etc. viewer. The industry just experienced a staggering crisis of trust over the Biden coverup. The overall financial implications of continuous erosion of trust in government have yet to be grasped. For homework, online search: fake+u.s.+government+economic+statistics. Especially significant will be the coming de facto credit downgrading resulting from the Biden fiasco. Credit is from the Latin credere, to believe. Biden shines a spotlight on government/media lies of all flavors, awakening creditors to our extreme government trust deficit. Americas economy is sustained by creditors willingness to purchase our bonds. The Biden affair ripped the bandage off the festering wound from a century of continuous lies, financial and otherwise. Accelerating money creation and debt accumulation relies on lies and wishful thinking. Investors, domestic and foreign, have yet to dump U.S. government bonds. The key word is yet. A special kind of stupid is required to exchange cash (even fake U.S. cash) for 30-year Treasury bonds and expect them to be honored. Honor left the building decades ago. A political reckoning obviously follows Bidens unmasking, now a distraction preventing focus on a potential November landslide encompassing down-ticket races across the board. Senate and House control is at stake. There are financial and political sides to the coin. Total focus on the political misses upcoming equally significant financial consequences. In the Great Wars wake in 1919, Yeats composed The Second Coming, the ultimate commentary on his and our chaotic times, Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. The ceremony of innocence was shattered after the blood-dimmed limousine sped from Dealey Plaza. Subsequent years witnessed centrifugal forces tearing apart the center. The Vietnam War, a 500,000-troop, 58,220-dead atrocity, spawned the antiwar movement. Public trust in government was an additional casualty of Vietnam. Nixons Silent Majority arose in response, and from exploitation of the employed classes. It represented a reconfiguration of the center. He was re-elected in a 49-state landslide when voters were offered a centrist alternative. Reagan's revolution targeted oppressive government; another 49-state re-election blowout followed. Ponder the passionate intensity of the worst among us, the Left: a motley collection of Democrats, state media, lawfare prosecutors and judges, Antifa, BLM, Hamasniks, 51 intelligence professionals, the FBI (perpetrator of the largest armed robbery in American history), etc. Or the passionate intensity of Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney (sadly missed), Stephanie Plaskett, AOC, Rachael Maddow, professional actor Lawrence ODonnell, or Mayorkas. Or Mr. Congeniality, perpetually perturbed former DCI John Brennan, incensed over the SCOTUS presidential immunity ruling: By rewriting the rule that has governed presidential authority for the past 235 years that no one, not even a president, is above the law the court has given a green light to any future president inclined to wield his or her executive authority irrespective of the laws that apply to all other citizens and residents of the U.S. King George III would be pleased. . . . Their ruling will have deeply disturbing practical consequences if an unprincipled and politically corrupt individual is ever elected president of the United States in the future. . . . potential criminal charges a corrupt and vengeful president could direct the Department of Justice to pursue. Whatever. One questions the sincerity of these hysterical actors. Our schadenfreude meters needle is now pegged as Democrats rush to close the drapes exposing their civil war. The Biden mess is only a sideshow distracting from Democrats pre-existing, existential problems. Yeats experienced the first great movement of historys bloodiest century. The second movement reached its crescendo at mid-century, including the deaths of 65 million during Chinas Cultural Revolution and millions more from the Vietnam conflict as the tempo wound down. Maos Great Leap Forward preceded Bidens Build Back Better. A new, peaceful center is coalescing. The Ukraine and Hamas conflicts represent ahistorical anomalies running counter to the developing new order. They would never have occurred absent the 2020 election theft. A tide of bloodshed rose over the previous two centuries, beginning with Napoleons wars. The Abraham Accords previewed our centurys peaceful destiny as that tide recedes. This election revolves around issues of trust. Forget all other factors confronting Democrats Kamala, the economy, or border crisis. The election was decided on June 27. Not only was the emperor naked, his party and media enablers were exposed before the cameras. The debate aftermath only magnifies their predicament. Fool us once, shame on you. Neither voters or media consumers will forget. There was a time when a majority actually believed our government. Pollsters have quantified the erosion of trust. Pew identified a peak of 77% in 1964, a full 55% above the current level. Gallup puts the current number disbelieving the lone nut gunman explanation for the JFK assassination at 65%, static over the past decade but higher between 1976 and 2003. Immediately after the assassination, 52% believed in a conspiracy. The objective of the Warren Commissions report 16,000 pages, 27 volumes was to bury the truth. It failed. Ditto for the J6 select committee. Disbelievers increased to 81% in 1976, followed by a steady deterioration since. Why? Probably because younger generations are unfamiliar with the subject. Why the 1976 peak? That year the House Select Committee on Assassinations was formed, eventually concluding: The committee believes, on the basis of the evidence available to it, that President John F. Kennedy was probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy. And: The committee believes on the basis of the circumstantial evidence available to it, that there is a likelihood that James Earl Ray assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a result of a conspiracy. Gallup identified a credibility gap between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats, [and] college-educated adults [are] less likely to say it was a conspiracy. 39% of Democrats believe in an assassination conspiracy; 55% of Republicans. Grouped by education level, those least likely to believe in a conspiracy possess graduate degrees. Consider what this implies regarding universities/indoctrination camps. Remaining Democrats increasingly consist of the gullible. Rational ones are fleeing. The worlds oldest political party crawled into its deathbed by aligning with someone Obama warned must not be underestimated for an unrivaled ability to screw things up. Anarchy was loosed. Down-ticket consequences, reaching every precinct, may be profound. Political trust is ephemeral; once lost it cant be retrieved. A direct line connects Dealey Plaza to CNNs Atlanta debate debacle. Oppenheimers quote at the Trinity nuclear test can be reformulated: Biden has become Death, destroyer of worlds. Ably assisted by his press secretary, destroying her partys little remaining trust while John Kirby sings backup. Democrats are riding a thermonuclear implosion. Douglas Schwartz blogs about history, politics, and economics at The Great Class War. Image: YouTube video screen grab. Flooding is seen surrounding a restaurant in the Houston neighborhood of the East End days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer Thumbs down: Perhaps the worst kept secret in Texas politics is that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to have the big job someday. Well, with Gov. Greg Abbott out on a business jaunt to Asia great timing there, guv! Patrick got the keys to the castle for a few days. He then proceeded to botch his first and most important test as acting governor: to throw a lifeline to his states largest city as a hurricane approached. Anyone with a weather app knew, days before Hurricane Beryl made landfall, that it would affect Texas, and its not unusual for states to ask ahead of a big storm for the feds to get supplies ready. (Abbott, for instance, requested federal aid well before hurricanes Harvey and Hanna battered the state.) But Patrick apparently dragged his feet. In a dramatic phone call to the Chronicle, President Joe Biden said he had to reach out personally to Patrick to ask that Texas request the aid. Patrick defended himself, saying he wanted to assess the damage before reaching out to the feds. Of course, this political kerfuffle was a convenient and rather annoying distraction from the very real suffering that many Houstonians without power are going through now. But it at least gave Texans a preview of how a Patrick administration might function under pressure and he sure didnt look ready for prime time. Stick to the Legislature, Dan, and maybe hold Houstons largest electric provider accountable for its calamitous post-Beryl performance while youre at it. CenterPoint Energy CEO Jason Wells speaks to a reporter about the effort to restore power in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at a CenterPoint Energy office in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Thumbs down: As too many of us continue to swelter, without electricity, how ticked off are everyday Houstonians at CenterPoint? Consider this: Graffiti artists have taken up the cause. On Wednesday, commuters beheld a new CenterPointLe$$ graffiti tag on an I-10 West underpass. And it didnt improve the public mood when, during CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells' interview with the Chronicle, a photographer captured the thermostat on the CenterPoint office wall displaying a cool 70 degrees. I understand how frustrating it is to be without power, especially in this heat, Wells said. Do you though, Jason? During the same interview, he noted that while his own home lost power for two days, he didnt notice it much because of his backup generator. Must be nice! Thumbs up: Most of the photos coming out of Hurricane Beryls devastation are heartbreaking: a family waiting for food at a church, homes split open by downed trees, an anxious-looking dog peering at its owners as yet another tempest rolls through the storm-exhausted city. Some of the photos are inspiring: linemen working through sweltering conditions, Houstonians clearing a neighborhood drain with a rake, volunteers at food and water distributions popping up across the region. Then there are the ones that make us laugh, even when they shouldnt: a couple of skeletons in a front yard behind a spray-painted Waiting for CenterPoint sign. Or a scene from outside El Tiempo restaurant where, even days after Beryl made landfall, floodwaters make Navigation Boulevard looks for all the world like the San Antonio River Walk. As Houston sweats its way through another disaster recovery, tarping roofs and clearing trees, looking at that photo is like a much-needed mental vacation. Envision lolling beneath the colorful umbrellas, taking in bright teal iron work outside the terra cotta-roofed restaurant. Imagine the breeze of plentiful fans, the salty bite of a margarita, followed by a shaded stroll along a perfectly delightful tourist trap. Cheers to that. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Graffiti reading Centerpointle$$ is seen on the I-10 West freeway on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A pair of skeletons along with a sign that reads waiting on Centerpoint is seen on the front yard of Rex Mackall Jr.s home as his family and neighborhood still remain without power four days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall, Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Spring. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer When the national television ratings for Thursday nights much awaited prime time big boy press conference with President Biden were released yesterday, the FOX News cable channel (FNC) beat all of the competition by a wide margin both cable and broadcast channels which covered the event. The numbers were consistent with the ratings in recent months that saw FOX News continue to lead its cable news competitors seven days a week. These results are interesting in light of the fact that FNC is the only conservative, or right of center, mainstream media outlet TV or print in the United States. It is also the only mainstream media close to being fair and balanced. The rest of the MSM, obviously CNN and MSNBC but also including PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, and in print/online the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, etc., is without exception left of center if not in the vanguard of wokeness. Yesterday FOX News distributed the following email news release. FOX News Channels (FNC) coverage of President Joe Bidens press conference on Thursday, July 11 was the highest-rated program in television from 7:30-8:30 PM/ET, averaging 5.7 million viewers and 835,000 in the 25-54 demo, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. In addition to topping cable news, FNC outpaced broadcast and all cable networks, including ABC, CBS and NBC, among others. Additionally, FNC solely held the largest share of the cable news audience (25%) throughout President Bidens press conference. In primetime, from 8-11 PM/ET, FNC drew in 4.2 million viewers and 597,000 in the 25-54 demo, easily outpacing CNN and MSNBC combined. During total day, FNC also outpaced all networks, averaging 2 million viewers and 256,000 in the younger 25-54 demo. CABLE NEWS & BROADCAST COVERAGE July 11, 2024 7:30-8:30 PM/ET FNC - 5,669,000 P2+; 835,000 A25-54 CNN - 2,216,000 P2+; 439,000 A25-54 MSNBC - 2,524,000 P2+; 319,000 A25-54 ABC - 4,973,000 P2+; 879,000 A25-54 NBC - 3,552,000 P2+; 592,000 A25-54 CBS - 3,601,000 P2+; 611,000 A25-54 8-11 PM/ET FNC 4,237,000 P2+; 597,000 A25-54 CNN 1,395,000 P2+; 297,000 A25-54 MSNBC 1,771,000 P2+; 196,000 A25-54 In the chart above, attributed to Nielsen Media Research, the first number P2+ is persons aged two years old and older while A25-54 is the demographic of persons between the ages of 25 and 54 that is preferred by advertisers. Screenshot Biden Big Boy News Conference July 11, 2024 // Courtesy and used with the permission of FOX News Conservatives, and indeed people of any ideological bent, who have cut the cord or who are avoiding FOX News are missing something. An analysis of the coverage on the cable and broadcast channels on Thursday night confirms that assertion. FNCs live coverage after Bidens presser ended at 8:29 p.m. ET Thursday was exceptional. Jesse Watters (8:29-9 p.m. ET), followed by Sean Hannity (9-10 p.m. EDT), were strikingly on the mark with their analysis and guests. Meanwhile, at CNN, the talking heads alternated between Bidens diehard defenders and Obama mouthpieces like David Axelrod who have turned on a dime since the disastrous June 27 debate and are now desperately trying to unseat Biden as the Democrat party presidential nominee. In other words, CNN, and MSNBC, as they have been since at least 2016, are purveyors of non-stop pro-Democrat Trump Derangement Syndrome spin. Whenever I have defended FOX News here in the past, I have received many passionate critiques, with readers writing things like I cut the cord five years ago because FOX News has turned left. O.K., well, if you stopped watching it years ago, how do you know what the channel is up to now? I am not without criticisms of FOX News. In particular, the channel has recently experienced additional prime time success by moving Greg Gutfelds 11 p.m. ET late night comedy show to a prime time slot at 10 p.m.. This chat show is then replayed at 12 a.m. PT, as is another roundtable talk show, The Five, that is replayed at 9 p.m. PT. For viewers on the West coast, 7-8 p.m. (Gutfelds first airing), 9-10 p.m., and 12-1 a.m. are taken up with recorded lighter fare rather than substantive live news programs. Most of the rest of the day, however, is solid information whether it is hosted by news department anchors or opinion hosts like Jesse Watters and Laura Ingraham. The occasional Democrat contributors like Juan Williams and Richard Fowler, who comprise a tiny minority of FNC talking heads, are not as fire-breathing as their more radically left peers on CNN and MSNBC. To its credit, FNC, which after all is considered mainstream media, includes these Democrats in order to provide some semblance of balance and viewers access to left wing viewpoints. A number of programs on FOX News are noteworthy standouts and, for me, appointment viewing. These include Life, Liberty & Levin, two weekend programs hosted by attorney, author and talk show host Mark Levin on Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET. Levins show is the only long form interview program on any cable channel, limited to one or two guests. Maria Bartiromos Sunday Morning Futures (10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ET Sundays) is another excellent program with great guests, and is often the highest rated cable news show of the weekend on any news channel. FOX Newss web site has emerged as a leading news portal, currently ranked #6 among all U.S. news sites by you.gov. In addition to articles, the site has a video section with pages dedicated to individual programs that feature lots of clips. If someone has a cable or satellite television subscription, its easy to create a free login and watch videos of complete recent programs. In November 2018, FOX launched an online digital subscription service, FOX Nation. I wrote about its launch here. The site, which bills itself as Shows, Documentaries, and Movies that Celebrate America, has expanded its offerings and includes original first rate documentaries, news and discussion shows, classic feature motion pictures, and archives of recent FNC programs. For the record, my endorsement of FOX News as something to pay attention to does not preclude my ongoing recommendation since the dawn of the World Wide Web in the mid-1990s that people need to access a wide variety of news and information sources. But again, especially in terms of live breaking news, forthcoming political convention coverage, debate analysis, and other major events, on the highly accessible mainstream media FOX News cannot be beat. Full disclosure: I was invited to be a guest twice on the FOX News channel, in November 2020 and February 2021. The videos are online here and here. Like most guests (with the exception of the channels paid contributors), I was not compensated for these appearances. Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who has covered national politics and other topics for over five decades. His most recent interview on BBC Radio in the U.K. can be listened to here. His web page with links to his work and a bio is http://peter.media. Peters extensive American Thinker archive: http://tinyurl.com/pcathinker. His Twitter account is @pchowka. Ages agothat would be May in the year of our Lord 2024George Clooney contacted Poseur Joe Biden on behalf of Amal Clooney, Georges spouse: George Clooney contacted a top White House official last month to complain after President Biden criticized the International Criminal Courts decision to seek a warrant against top Israeli officials over the war in Gaza, a case the actors wife had worked on, according to two people familiar with the situation. [snip] Mr. Clooney is scheduled to appear at a high-dollar June 15 fund-raiser for Mr. Biden in Los Angeles, with former President Barack Obama in attendance. That fundraiser netted Joementias campaign close to $30 million and was attended by such dark forces as Jimmy Kimmel, Julia Roberts, Barbara Streisand, Jack Black, Kathy Griffin, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and BHO. Image: George and Amal Clooney. YouTube screen grab. Clooneys wife is a Lebanon-born lawyer. She is Muslim, BTW. She also hates Israel: Last month, she co-signed an opinion essay with other members of an I.C.C. advisory panel arguing that their investigation had found reasonable grounds to believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. Their report found sufficient evidence to charge the Israeli leaders with the war crime of intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the murder and persecution of Palestinians as crimes against humanity. As an aside, the starvation claim was debunked, with the UN releasing a report on June 4 that said its own claims about famine were implausible. So, what is the deal with George Clooney intervening with Joe? Why bother? The answer is fear: The Academy Award-winning actors wife, Amal Clooney, played an instrumental role in making the case for the ICC to prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes in Israel and Gaza and she could face US sanctions if Biden, 81, were to sign legislation recently passed by the House of Representatives. During the call, George Clooney expressed concern to Counselor to the President Steve Ricchetti that his wife could face penalties under the sanctions bill and took issue with Bidens comments related to the arrest warrants and his administrations initial openness to slapping sanctions on ICC officials, according to the Washington Post. Did Georges efforts pay off? Of course, they did. Several days after [the phone call], the Biden campaign sent out a fundraising text from Clooney. Im not exaggerating when I say that this election is the fight of our lives, the text blast from Clooney reads. Its a choice between those who want to pull America back to the past, and those who want to move America into the future. Almost a month later, though, in a NYT Op-ed, Clooney revealed a change of heart: Its devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasnt even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate. Why it took Clooney so long to come forward is uncertain. Dems, Progs, and Libs (DPLs) are known to be slow in the head. In any event, Clooney has turned on Joe. What is Biden to do? One thing we know for sure is that Joe is a fighter. Hes said so himself: On Oct. 5, 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, was recorded on a hot mic saying, No one fucks with a Biden. Well, George has certainly f**ked with Joe, not merely a Biden, but THE Biden. Joe has an opportunity to do the right thing times 2. One, he can do the right thing by re-emphasizing support for Israel and acknowledging the hoax of the alleged famine, and two, he can do what it takes to get sanctions against the miscreants involved in the ICCs outrageous acts against Israel. Said miscreants would include George the Traitors missus. Biden is one to revel in the misfortune of those opposing him. Georges Bidenfreude would be most satisfying to the Poseur and would also serve to mitigate the latest stupidity from VP Kamala Hamas. First, the story, from a report out at The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday: In May this year, on the flat plains of an Icelandic geothermal reserve, a gigantic vacuum cleaner designed to suck planet-warming carbon dioxide out of the sky was switched on. The machine, called Mammoth, would not be entirely out of place on a Mad Max set. It will soon start extracting up to 36,000 tonnes of CO from the atmosphere a year to be fossilised, locking it safely and permanently underground. And, heres some context, from one of my favorites, the Jo Nova blog: In a world where humans make 37 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually the project will be able to remove 36,000 tons of CO2 each year, which is approximately one millionth of human annual emissions. Cost estimates are said to be closer to $1,000 a ton to remove the CO2. Effectively, were spending 36 million dollars US to convert one millionth of human annual emissions of a fertilizing gas into limestone rock we dont need. Call me crazy, but it seems like if the goal is creating superior air quality, and doing it as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible, which should be the goal for any government or private (air quotes because this is crony capitalism) business, then the solution is trees right? Ive said this before but Ill say it againthis is not to suggest that high carbon levels in the atmosphere makes for dirty air as its a requirement for every living thing on the planet, and the lower the carbon levels means the less plant growth we have, from crops to grasslands, and from biodiverse jungles to kelp forests. Carbon is a building block of life after all, with the American Chemical Society declaring it impossible to live without. Which is why, from the leftist cultists that spread death everywhere they go, its easy to see why carbon is Public Enemy No. 1. Im also not suggesting that planting trees on an Icelandic geothermal reserve is a possibility, but these greenies could stop chopping down the Amazon (which captures hundreds of millions of tons each year) to fuel the wind energy industry, and they could have left 1,000-year-old forestswhich serve as carbon sinks and sequester billions of tons of the gas each yearstill standing instead of razing them for the construction of wind turbines. Point A: What has the destruction of balsa trees in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest got to do with the wind power industry in Europe? As the international commitment to renewable energy has grown in recent years, the increase in wind farms has triggered a huge demand for balsa wood, leaving a trail of deforestation in its wake. Point B: Say verabschiedung to the magical woodlands that inspired the backdrop for many a Grimms fairy tale as the German government has officially commenced a controversial deforestation initiative. But, theres no money in pretending that net zero technologies are the answer, and can make a dent in natural and cyclical environmental patterns, certainly not the $600 million in taxpayer funds that the company behind Mammoth (Climeworks) received from Joe Bidens Department of Energy to build similar facilities in the U.S. Heres this, from the companys own website: Climeworks is part of three megaton direct air capture hub proposals in the U.S., all of which were selected by the US Department of Energy for public funding for a total of more than 600 million USD. The largest one, Project Cypress in Louisiana, was granted an initial 50 million US dollars in March to kickstart the project. Somehow the company received three out of three contracts, snagging more than half a billion dollars of taxpayer money? Smells like cronyism to me. But thats all the green industry isa massive slush fund for supporters of big government. Like George Carlin said, Its a big club, and you aint in it. But, youre funding it! Hat tip: John McMahon, Kolonga, Qld Australia. Image: Free image, Pixabay license. A basic tenet of rule of law in a functioning republic is that prosecutors must play fair. They can't skew justice their way, the way the Soviets did. They can't hold show trials. They can't put their thumbs on the scale of justice and rig it all one way before it even gets to a jury. If they do, they aren't the legitimate face of the law, they're just activists. So the recent decision from a New Mexico justice to throw out the murder case with prejudice against actor Alec Baldwin, who accidentally shot dead the cinematographer on the set of a movie he was making was the right one, even if it leaves the victim without justice. According to Deadline: In a dramatic turn of events, Alec Baldwins involuntary manslaughter trial for the fatal 2021 shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was dismissed Friday over critical evidence that a New Mexico judge ruled had been concealed. The state has repeatedly made representations to defense and to the court that they were compliant with all their discovery obligations, New Mexico Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer said in her ruling from the bench just now. Despite their repeated representations, they have continued to fail to disclose critical evidence to the defendant. Yes, it should have been thrown out, even if Baldwin is an absolute a-----, a bully, a jackass, an egomaniac, and deserves to be a pariah for the remainder of his selfish, miserable life. The injustice wasn't in the dismissal of the case, but in the prosecutors' concealment of evidence they knew they were mandated by law to disclose, which may have lessened Baldwin's culpability in the eyes of a jury. The prosecutors knew the rules but ignored them, wanting a conviction without playing by the rules, even though they probably could have gotten some kind of conviction just by letting the truth out. They wanted to make the jury's decision for them. Which stands in stark contrast to a lot of other high profile cases going on where prosecutors have been getting away with often similar or this exact same prosecutorial misconduct. Start with the case of sleazy Jack Smith, the questionably appointed Special Counsel in two of the cases directed against President Trump, the one where Trump is charged with stealing or mishandling classified documents. According to Politico: In their filing, prosecutors acknowledged the government had previously and incorrectly told U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon that the boxes remained in their original, intact form as seized, other than a decision to replace classified documents with placeholder sheets. That depiction, the prosecutors conceded, is inconsistent with their current understanding that some of the documents are not now in the same order as they appear in digital scans of the records that were made in the fall of 2022 after Cannon ordered an unusual process to review whether the FBI may have seized legally privileged records. There are some boxes where the order of items within that box is not the same as in the associated scans, prosecutors wrote, adding in a footnote: The Government acknowledges that this is inconsistent with what Government counsel previously understood and represented to the Court. Smith claimed it didn't matter, but by the wildest of coincidences, the version he presented of the documents showed more carelessness and disorder than actually was the case, which disadvantaged Trump. Advantage: Jack Smith, who figured a jury would be easier to manipulate to his point of view if it could be shown pictures of classified documents slopped all over the place and flung around. He even took pictures to show it. He nakedly tried to put his thumb on the scale and this case still hasn't been dismissed. Why hasn't it? That alone should dismiss it. There's also the case of Kamala Harris, former prosecutor and attorney general of California, who kept people in jail beyond their sentences in order to exploit their labor to fight wildfires, and witheld "Brady" evidence (same as in the Baldwin case) that would have exculpated a man in a death penalty case. Why wasn't her case thrown out and why wasn't she disbarred right then and there? The New York Post has a long list of her prosecutorial abuses in her seedy past. And there's more yet, in myriad cases against the Jan. 6 protestors, all of which yielded late-stage disclosures of exculpatory evidence prosecutors knew about but decided not to tell the defendants about, again, more Brady motion violations, same as Harris and the Baldwin prosecutors engaged in. According to Epoch Times News: A defendant in the Proud Boys trial over Jan. 6, 2021, charges moved on March 9 to dismiss the case, after some footage from the day of the breach was shown for the first time. Dominic Pezzola is one of the Proud Boys members on trial for obstruction of an official proceeding and other charges. The newly disclosed footage, shown on Fox News this week, is plainly exculpatory, Pezzolas lawyers said in the new motion. It establishes that the Senate chamber was never violently breached, andin factwas treated respectfully by January 6 protestors, the motion reads. ... and ... Prosecutors must not withhold evidence that can be exculpatory. The rule was crystallized in Brady v. Maryland, a 1963 Supreme Court decision. Suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to an accused who has requested it violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution, the decision states. Zachary Rehl, another Proud Boys defendant, requested all information regarding Congress going into recess on Jan. 6, 2021, in late 2021. While Brady obligations do not extend to the entirety of the government, they do include investigative agencies or agencies closely related who knew or should have known that information would be material to a prosecution arising from their direct involvement. Here the U.S. Capitol Police are directly related and fully aware of the events of January 6, 2021, lawyers for the defendants said. They cited previous court decisions, including one that found that a prosecutor has a duty to learn of any favorable evidence known to the others acting on the governments behalf in the case, including the police. Joe Biden even had a judicial nominee who had no idea what a Brady motion was. He got confirmed, 51-48, with one abstention this past January. Why wasn't he disbarred instead? All of these people deserve the exact same fate as the New Mexico judge gave to the lawless prosecutors in the Baldwin case -- to see their cases thrown out with prejudice and further punishment for misconduct on the cards. That is the standard and prosecutors should positively fear that law and thus, obey it with religious fervor. People have a right to expect lawful, impartial justice, particularly on the prosecutorial side, which has enormous power. Because of that power, it has a special obligation to act lawfully given that it's in an accusatory position demanding others be punished. When prosecutors fail to follow the law, they are the lawless ones and should be punished with more than just the dismissal of the case with prejudice. They ought to be in jail, as an example to others. The New Mexico judge understood this. Why so many Democrats let this slide, mostly when their target is named Trump or Trump-friendly, tells us all we need to know about the justice system such as it is right now. Image: Screen shot from NBC News video, via YouTube Back in January of 2024 I wrote Terrorist attacks in America: for what are they waiting? It was an article about the thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands, of terrorists Bidens handlers open border policies have invited into the country. Its a topic Ive addressed several times since as FBI Director Christopher Wray keeps warning the terrorist threat level is higher than ever. He has even sort of suggested open borders might have something to do with that. Constant probes of our military installations by foreign nationals illegally in the country are sort of concerning, as are Chinese operatives buying up farm and ranch land next door to some of our most sensitive military installations. Graphic: Explosion following the plane impact into the South Tower (WTC 2). Wikimedia Commons.org. Public domain. In the meantime the FBI is busy harassing Americans who dare to blow the whistle about DEI madness and incompetence in the FBI, and the FBI and DHS are always busy pursuing religious Americans, Trump supporters and Americans who are serving or have served in the military. Why would our national security apparatus be after them? Why, theyre the most dangerous domestic terrorist risks! Shouldnt that be obvious? The priorities of those charged with keeping Americans safe are equally obvious. Graphic: X screenshot As Ive previously written, dramatic, flashy 9-11 style attacks are unlikely. As lax and misdirected as our national security apparatus is, they might be able to intercept that kind of plan. Islamists telling flight instructors they dont need to learn how to land would sort of stick out, that trick having been done before. Whats most likely are the kinds of mass, but small, attacks Kurt Schlichter presents in The Attack , a novel of which I was not aware when making that suggestion. Imagine the chaos, the terror, if small groups of terrorists, on a single day or two, attacked across the nation: malls, grocery stores, churches, theaters, parks, concerts, anywhere people gathered. Four or five armed with AKs, grenades and other explosives would roll up a high body count, perhaps higher than 9-11. Four or five in every state is only 250, and there are surely far more terrorists ready and waiting than that. Attacks in blue states, where most people are unarmed and police forces are depopulated, would surely see far more casualties than red states where many are armed and the police are fully staffed and allowed to do their jobs. Chinese soldiers would most likely be used not for that kind of attack, but for sabotage and assassinations of high-value targets. Transformers, most of which are made in China, serving entire communities or industries can be taken out with nothing more substantial than rifle bullets. Water supplies can be poisoned, pathogens released and strategic aircraft waiting on the pad can be destroyed with RPGs. The great advantage of this strategy is its not necessary to tell individual cells of their missions or targets, or even to supply them with weapons, until just before they strike. They require no additional support, no medical aid, no extraction. They expect to die, and will continue to kill until they run out of ammo or are killed by citizens or the police. So for what are they waiting? Why havent all those actual Islamist terroristsand members of the Chinese militaryalready attacked? They know they can take their time. Their operatives entered the country unvetted, and authorities have no idea who or where they are. Perhaps theyre waiting for a date significant to them, something like September 11th? Perhaps theyre still waiting to put all their plans, all their weapons, all their propaganda efforts in place? Surely their leaders have long known Joe Biden is senile and his handlers are incompetent fools. After Bidens disastrous debate, and the political upheaval that followed and continues, might they not be more likely to attack to take advantage of the confusion? Perhaps theyre waiting for Iran to get nukes and attack in the aftermath of a nuclear attack on Israel or America? Perhaps, fearing a reinvigorated and vengeful America under Donald Trump, theyre waiting to see if hes elected, and only then will they attack, allowing his political enemies to blame him and hamstring America again? Perhaps theyre working with Democrats/Socialists/Communists to use terror attacks to their political advantage? Conspiracy theory? At one time I wouldnt even imagine such treason. Now, is it really far-fetched? After Bidens handlers have given 85 billion in military equipment to terrorists, enriched Iran, after General Milley told the Chinese hed warn them of any attack? After Bidens Handlers are trying to save Hamas? After they've revealed themselves as America haters? When the attacks come, we might have a better chance to find out why they waited. With the national security apparatus we have, we really dont have any other option. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud and tyranny. --Frederick William Robertson On Wednesday, the SAVE Act, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, was passed by the House despite that fact that 198 Democrats voted against it. The bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote; it would prevent illegal residents from voting. The Democrats have long made clear their support of the open border, the unlimited importation of ten to fifteen million migrants, from around 170 countries. They are flooding the country with millions of immigrants, dispersing them throughout the nation, in order to boost their representation in Congress where needed. While they don't need the migrants to vote to get that benefit, they confidently assume these millions of migrants will vote for Democrats, the party that is transferring billions of dollars of taxpayer money to them; money to feed, shelter, transport and sustain them. Of course, they will vote Democrat! How blatant can they be? Election fraud is their game and theyre good at it. Theyve been doing it for decades. They are just getting more brazen. Refusing to vote for this bill is an overt dismissal of the Constitution and the intentional invalidation of American election integrity. The reason for their 'no' votes? They claim that no such law is needed because it is already illegal for foreigners to vote in our elections. Well, of course it is, but it is not at all enforced as the numerous investigations of the 2020 election have proven. So far, at least ten percent of new migrants have already registered to vote. Probably more, given that they are automatically registered in states with motor-voter laws that allow illegals to get drivers licenses. Some Democrats claim that the bill is effectively a poll tax. They continue to assert that blacks and Hispanics cannot afford or do not know how to obtain legitimate proof of citizenship! How insulting is that? Extremely insulting and extremely racist but then it has always been that the left is racist. It was the left that supported slavery and fought to keep it. It was the left which implemented Jim Crow laws throughout the South. It was the left which opposed the Civil Rights laws of 1965; they were passed by a Republican majority. It was Joe Biden who relished humiliating the great Clarence Thomas at his confirmation hearings. Democrats cannot abide black conservatives. Joe Biden was among the worst. Again, the reason for their 'no' vote on the SAVE Act? Their contempt for middle class Americans, no matter their ethnicity, is palpable. We are all deplorables. They delight in flooding the nation with migrants and could not care less about the crimes they are committing rapes, murders, DUIs, robberies, assaults, etc. Their motive is cheap labor and Democrat voters. Our courts, the courts that have imprisoned hundreds of innocent people who were in D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, as well as Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon, and which hope to send Trump to prison, release these migrant criminals again and again. Naturally, they re-offend. The Biden regime, pro-criminal like the Soros machine that has installed so many pro-criminal district attorneys and judges, has utterly destroyed our once-revered system of justice. We are fast approaching Stalinist/Maoist territory. What the Dems refusal to support a requirement of proof of citizenship to vote proves is their total abrogation of the Constitution, their total acceptance of Obamas promised transformation of America agenda. Obama, the Marxist, always wanted to take the U.S. down a peg. The transformation he promised requires that all illegal immigrants are allowed to vote. Its the Democrats only path to permanent power and it is power they embrace, not patriotism or the rule of law. And now, over-confident after the three+ years of the Biden administration, they have given up any pretense of respecting the Constitution and the rule of law. With their no votes on the SAVE ACT, theyve declared their clear intention to cheat and steal yet another election. Even if the bill passes in the Senate, Biden has vowed to veto it. That is how much this president and the Democrats hate America. Who will stop them? Speaker Johnson? Not likely. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell? No chance. They are both tools of the left like the rest of the Democrats and those despicable RINOs. It must be the people. These traitors must be voted out of office or all is lost. Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, via Picryl // public domain In America, the vaunted and valued idea about our freedom of the press has been diminished and devalued because the Biden administration has protected President Biden from vigorous questioning. In fact, Biden has had few free-wheeling press conferences, where the basic What? Where? When? And Why? by the press can give the president the opportunity to articulate reasonable and important answers. I offer these Whys. Why does the USA pay 4% of GNP to NATO? Why are other NATO members asked to pay nearly 2% of GNP? Why do many NATO members not even pay their 2%? Why do feckless Democrats claim that President Trump would drop out of NATO when he merely stoutly insists that NATO members pay what they owe, or he would forcefully question if America would defend them? Why has America given hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for Ukraines defense, but Biden puts restrictions on types of weapons and when or if they can be used? Why too few and too late jet planes for Ukraines defense? Why is Biden always implying fear of Putins nuclear threat when it is always Putins ace with which to threaten the world and thus intimidate Biden? Why does Biden forget JFKs willingness to assert a profile of courage toward Russia? Why does Biden imply that it is unpatriotic for Trump or Republicans to question or demand accounting for our taxpayer dollars spent for Ukraines defense? Why does Biden in his budget for Americas defense allot 3% or less, and 4% to NATO? Why, in connection to defense spending, does Biden not talk about his domestic spending in connection to our soaring national debt? Why, if an accomplished and well trained neurologist has visited the White House presumably to either examine Joe Biden or confer with Bidens physician several times about his medical care, are we not informed of the results of such consultation? Why did a competent neurologist not recommend appropriate brain scans and thorough cognitive testing? I think the Whys have it! The American people need their questions answered in detail. Image via PickPik. No matter its stated reasons, no matter how misguided its policy, the United States administration, advised by its historically anti-Israel Department of State, is putting severe pressure on Israel to stop fighting Hamas in Gaza, without permitting it first to achieve its war aim of complete destruction of this threat to its existence. They are doing it without regard for the consequences to Israel, its population, and to the Western world. Given the arrogance of the Biden administrations dictating a suicidal wartime policy to an allied government which must answer to its own people, it is instructive to consider the potential consequences, had similar pressure been imposed upon the United States during WWII to stop its war against Japans military, to relinquish the accomplishment of its war aims, and to negotiate, in 1944, a ceasefire with Japans military totalitarian government. It is mid-1944. The U.S. military has secured Saipan and the other Mariana Islands and is preparing to build there a complex of airbases from which the new B-29 long range bombers would historically burn down many Japanese cities and kill hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilian noncombatants. But in this imagined scenario, it is not to be. A confluence of pressures demands that the U.S. military cease its operations against Japan, and, rather than continuing to completion what was its historic policy of demanding unconditional surrender, the United States government is compelled to negotiate a ceasefire with Japans military government. Such pressure potentially could have come from politics in this, a presidential election year. It could have come from friends or allies; from an American public concerned with the deaths of too many Japanese civilians during the Saipan campaign, or because of the mounting casualty figures among U.S. military personnel. There were war correspondents among American troops during most operations, and the friends and families on the home front were historically both very knowledgeable of, and stressed by, the mounting U.S. casualties. Their loved ones were dying out there in the Pacific. What might a settlement negotiated in July of 1944 have looked like, and, most importantly, where would it leave us in the United States today? What might be the consequences to us? The Japanese negotiators would have demanded that in exchange for a ceasefire, the Empire of Japan would be entitled to retain the territories and the natural resources it had conquered during the first half of 1942. Had the Japanese negotiated successfully, we would have watched natural resources, and oil in particular, flowing unabated from the stolen Southern Resource Area to Japan, unimpeded by United States submarines which historically almost completely blocked this from happening. The military government of Japan would have been able to accomplish what the United States thus far had been preventing: Japans creation of greatly enhanced Imperial Navy and Army air forces second to none, and, most importantly, the logistical infrastructure which would enable Japan eventually to exclude all United States military operations and commerce from the entirety of the western Pacific area for decades. The Saipan campaign began in June of 1944. The United States did not begin to liberate the Philippine Islands, an American protectorate occupied by the Japanese military since early 1942, until Oct. 23, 1944, or Okinawa until April 1, 1945. Thus, the U.S. Philippine military allies, and all their citizens, as well as Americans who had been prisoners of war of the Japanese since early 1942 in the Philippines, would have remained under Japanese occupation and exploitation, and often brutal death. Further, the slaughter of millions of unarmed Chinese civilians under occupation by the Japanese army would have continued unabated, and Japanese atrocities committed against Philippine and American civilians would also have continued. The United States would have accomplished none of its war aims in the Asia-Pacific theater. It would not have eliminated the expansionist Japanese military government and the ideology of its leadership. It would not have removed the Japanese military from China, where it had already killed millions of civilians. It would not have removed the Japanese military from the Philippine Islands, a U.S. protectorate, which it historically did in the first quarter of 1945 after the destruction of the capital city of Manila and the murder of thousands of Philippine civilians, mostly by Imperial Japanese Navy troops. It would not have removed from Japans control the lands and resources it stole in 1942 in the Central Pacific, the South Pacific, the Southwest Pacific, and the Asian mainland. It would not have prevented further expansion of Japanese conquest and occupation into other regions of the Pacific, Asia, and the Indian Ocean area. It is not improbable that under these circumstances Australia and India might fall under the commercial influence of a militaristic Japan, with or without actual invasion. The Japanese Navy striking force of six aircraft carriers which had raided Pearl Harbor in December 1941, moved on in April of 1942 to conduct a raid into the Indian Ocean where it sank a British Royal Navy aircraft carrier and two heavy cruisers. The Royal Navy had to pull its forces back to the coast of Africa. Had the United States dropped out of the Pacific war in mid-1944, could the U.K. have continued to defend the Indian Ocean area while still fighting Germany in Europe? The hypothetical failure of the United States to accomplish its war aims in 1944-45 could have resulted in a weakened America and a much more dangerous world today. In our present timeline, what may be the consequences to the civilized world should the Biden administration force Israel, now serving the West as the canary in the coal mine vis-a-vis militant Islam, be forced to stop its war against Hamas today, to let the barbarians win, to allow Iran hegemony over the Middle East, and to facilitate the spread of militant Islam through, at a minimum, all of Europe? Michael S. Goldstein is Arizona State Director of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations. He is a 30-year veteran of the United States Navy and of the U.S. intelligence community. His articles appear in American Thinker. Image: Naval History and Heritage Command, via Picryl // public domain John Healey has set out the UKs continued commitment to the Aukus defence project as he welcomed Australias defence minister to the country. Aukus is a fundamental part of the UKs future security and can help drive the Governments growth agenda, the new Defence Secretary said. Mr Healey spoke as he toured a military steel supplier in Sheffield with Richard Marles, who is the Australian defence minister and deputy prime minister. A partnership between the UK, US and Australia, Aukuss primary goal is to help Canberra attain nuclear-powered submarines amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The trilateral pact also involves co-operation on a variety of other military technologies. Just over a week into the job and fresh from the Nato summit in Washington DC, Mr Healey toured specialist steel manufacturer Sheffield Forgemasters, owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), alongside his Australian counterpart. There he reaffirmed the UKs commitment to Aukus and emphasised its role in UK job creation. The submarine programme is expected to generate 7,000 additional British jobs. At its peak, there will be over 21,000 people working on programmes related to it in the UK supply chain according to the MoD. Establishing New Industries with #AUKUS AUKUS Forum Chief Executive, @MrMichaelSharpe shares the latest insights. See Building a future beyond defence https://t.co/9YOreOssAJ pic.twitter.com/3WfKc54kD1 AUKUS Forum (@AUKUSforum) July 13, 2024 Mr Healey said: Working with allies and partners is fundamental to our security and so it is a pleasure to host my Australian counterpart within my first fortnight as Defence Secretary. The UK and Australia are the closest of friends and our work through Aukus is testament to this. Sheffield Forgemasters is a shining light of UK industry that helps boost global security and employs skilled staff from the local community. This is just one example of how our hugely important partnership with our Australian and American partners can help drive jobs and growth across Britain. The visit comes after Sir Keir Starmer spoke to his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese with the leaders outlining their commitment to partnership. The tour at Sheffield Forgemasters followed Mr Marles visiting HMNB Clyde in Scotland to see first-hand how the UK operates its nuclear submarine base. Left to right: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA). President Joe Biden (Derek White/Getty Images for DNC), Vice President Kamala Harris (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik), Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmir (AP Photo/Al Goldis,) and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File). Houston Chronicle Staff A couple of weeks after Joe Bidens dismal debate performance spawned a Category 5 political hurricane of dismay and disillusionment among his fellow Democrats, the candidate still stands. He remains upright, even though his most ardent supporters would hesitate at this point to compare him to a sturdy and venerable Hermann Park live oak. Whether he has survived the storm or is in the relative calm of the hurricanes eye remains difficult to forecast. Biden has managed to corral statements of steadfast support from several party poobahs, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer who reportedly later indicated privately he would be open to a change on the ticket and South Carolina U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (Bidens kingmaker in 2020) who also caused his own mini-storm when he entertained the idea of a mini-primary. But as even those examples indicate, Biden has not stanched the panic of the party faithful dreading the return of Donald Trump. The presidents post-debate assurances and public appearances have not calmed elected Democrats and candidates around the country who fear theyll lose too if, as U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado predicts, Trump wins in a landslide against Biden. Those officeholders and would-be officeholders, as well as party operatives and donors, are reading the same grim polls that Bennet is reading, along with at least 11 Democratic members of Congress (as of Thursday morning) who have abandoned the president. Theyre well aware that their presumptive candidate was behind in the polls before the debate and is even further behind afterward. Polls suggest that about half of the partys base wants to make a change. CHRONICLE EXCLUSIVE: Biden says he had to push for Beryl aid request with Abbott overseas Advertisement Article continues below this ad The reason nothing has changed in addition to the short time remaining is twofold: One, Biden himself continues to insist that hes the best candidate to beat Trump and therefore has no intention of dropping out. Some select group of party elders maybe Bill and Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Barack and Michelle Obama may embark on a take away the keys intervention, but Biden is the only one who can decide. As Jim Garaghty of the Washington Post points out, There isnt any deus ex machina lurking that would force Biden out, short of a serious health issue. The second factor is fear of the unknown. If their candidate dropped out at this late stage in the campaign, what would Democrats do? They have some ideas, but they honestly dont know. We would suggest their fear is overblown (no pun intended in this hurricane season). Options do exist that would allow the party to choose the strongest possible candidate available to defeat the most dangerous potential president in modern American history. Biden could withdraw and anoint Vice President Kamala Harris, bequeathing to her his formidable campaign war chest. Its not clear whether he could also bestow on her the 3,896 convention delegates committed to him (out of the 3,903 total committed). Party committee rules bind delegates to in all good conscience reflect the sentiments of those who elected them. But state laws which might or might not be enforceable complicate the question of whether delegates must vote for the candidate they were initially pledged to. Whatever the rules, Biden could certainly press for his promised delegates to switch to Harris. But if it comes to that, we prefer another way, a more democratic way: the mini-primary. As laid out by New York Times columnist Ezra Klein and others, heres how a mini-primary might work: Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Democratic Party would hold at least four town hall meetings around the country between the time Biden withdraws and the Democratic National Convention meets in August. Such an approach would be unprecedented, but we can imagine the attention these gatherings would attract as at least one party offers up a roster of fresh, new faces vying to lead the nation. As longtime political consultant James Carville put it, writing in the New York Times, Think the Super Bowl with Taylor Swift in the stands. The young, the old and everyone in between will tune in to see history being made in real time. Who would choose these contenders? Theres no obvious answer to that crucial question, although Carville suggests giving former presidents Clinton and Obama the responsibility of selecting perhaps eight worthy contenders from those who choose to run. Vice President Kamala Harris would certainly be among the eight. Based on the town hall results and in-depth interviews with the candidates, the roughly 4,000 convention delegates would make their choice in Chicago. Not to wax nostalgic about old-fashioned smoke-shrouded rooms, but there was a time in the not-so-distant past when delegates, both Democrats and Republicans, arrived at their respective conventions charged with the responsibility of actually choosing their partys standard-bearers. Often it took multiple rounds of voting. You will have what you had in the old days, Elaine Kamarck, an expert on American political governance, said during a recent interview on the Ezra Klein podcast. Delegations will meet in their hotels, and the candidates will go from hotel to hotel or their surrogates talking to the delegations and trying to get support. ... It would be an old-fashioned convention. Democrats dont lack for solid contenders. Besides Harris, consider Gretchen Big Gretch Whitmer the popular, no-nonsense governor of Michigan, with a solid history of working with Republicans. And what about Andy Beshear, the governor of Kentucky? Yeah, hes a white male from the semi-South, but his popularity, steady fireside leadership during the pandemic and history of working with Republicans could be persuasive for the voters Democrats need to pry away from Trump. Or Pete Buttigieg, the transportation secretary who made an impressive presidential run in 2020? Or Pennsylvanias Gov. Josh Shapiro, who like Whitmer is popular in a swing state? What about Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia? Or maybe even Democrats favorite fantasy candidate, Michelle Obama? Sure, there are no guarantees that throwing the nomination open will work. Chaos, procedural and otherwise, could erupt, just as it did the last time the Democrats met in Chicago, in 1968. Just as it did in 1912, when it took the fractious party 46 ballots to nominate the eventual 28th president, Woodrow Wilson. The hope, as Klein points out, quoting a delegate to the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln, is that delegates realize that their paramount objective is to organize victory. Never has that duty been more urgent. For Democrats this year, the fundamental issue is to organize victory against an opponent who is a danger to the nation. Maybe that Democratic candidate is Biden. Maybe its Harris. Maybe its someone else. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The challenge is daunting, whoever the candidate and however he or she is chosen. Bidens approval rating is stuck at around 37%. Cook Political Report post-debate has moved six states into the Trump column, with Arizona, Nevada and Georgia moving from Toss Up to Lean Republican. Any wonder that Democrats are demoralized? Heres another reason why the party needs to pull itself together, and fast: In two years this nation will celebrate its 250th birthday. Imagine the Founders response if they once again were among us and saw that the president presiding over our national celebration was a convicted felon with mental acuity issues of his own, a man who lies with every bloviated breath and whose autocratic inclinations mock every intention of those incredible statesmen who gave birth to a new nation. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin and their esteemed cohorts, we suspect, would shake their heads and weep. Twenty years after a letter to Jana Novotna changed her life, an emotional Barbora Krejcikova emulated her much-missed mentor by becoming Wimbledon champion. Krejcikova kept the Venus Rosewater Dish in Czech hands following Marketa Vondrousovas surprise triumph last year by claiming a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory over popular Italian Jasmine Paolini. Novotnas tears on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent after she lost the 1993 final is one of Wimbledons most famous images, with the Czech eventually winning the title five years later. Novotna took a teenage Krejcikova under her wing but died of cancer in 2017 aged 49 before she could see her protege flourish in the professional game. Krejcikova is from Novotnas home town of Brno and, unsure where her career was heading as an 18-year-old, she went to the former Wimbledon champions house and gave her a letter asking for advice. Knocking on her door changed my life, said Krejcikova after being handed the trophy. When I finished juniors I didnt know whether to continue or go the way of education. Jana was the one who told me I had the potential to go pro. Barbora Krejcikova celebrates her victory (John Walton/PA) Before she passed away she told me to go and win a slam. I did in Paris in 2021 and it was an unbelievable moment for me. I never believed I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998. Krejcikova, who revealed she talks to her mentor in her dreams, sobbed when she was shown her name on the honours board along with Novotnas. The only thing that was going through my head was that I miss Jana a lot, she said. It was just very, very emotional. I think she would be proud. I think she would be really excited that Im on the same board as she is because Wimbledon was super special for her. Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with her supporters (Mike Egerton/PA) Both Krejcikova and Paolini took their time to rise through the ranks in singles, with the Czech thought of as a doubles specialist prior to her surprise French Open victory in 2021. It is only this season, meanwhile, that Paolini has emerged at the top level, reaching her first slam final at Roland Garros a month ago. Wimbledon was guaranteed an eighth different champion in the womens singles in the last eight years and it was Krejcikova, who defeated 2022 winner Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, who made the better start. The 28-year-old was playing in her 13th slam final across singles and doubles and had lost only one, so it was no surprise to see her thrive on the big occasion, finding the corners of the court and serving superbly. Jana Novotna, left, is consoled by the Duchess of Kent in 1993 (Neil Munns/PA) Paolini responded very well in the second set, to the delight of the crowd, and service games sped by in the decider until the Italian wobbled at 3-3, handing over the break with a double fault. Krejcikova had her own struggles serving it out but saved two break points before making it over the line. I expected its going to be difficult to serve it out, but I believed that I can do it, said the Czech, who described it as the best day of her life. The only thing I was telling myself was just try to make first serve and try to play your shot and just be brave. If its not going to work out, its going to be 5-5 and the match is not over. Jasmine Paolini looks disappointed (Mike Egerton/PA) Paolinis smiley demeanour and positive energy have earned her a huge number of fans this summer but she could not help but be disappointed having also lost to Iga Swiatek in Paris. Its been a really good two weeks, said the Italian, who had never won a singles match at Wimbledon before this year. I have to accept today and to try to work hard. Im sure Im going to do it, but today its tough to speak because I was close but not enough. Sometimes Im a little bit scared to dream too much. If I keep this level, I think I can have the chance to do great things. Today I was dreaming to hold the trophy, but it didnt go well. Krejcikova will return to the singles top 10 on Monday with Paolini at a career-high of five while she becomes the first woman representing the Czech Republic to win slam titles across different surfaces. Barbora Krejcikova emulated mentor Jana Novotna to win her second grand slam singles title at Wimbledon. Krejcikova kept the Venus Rosewater Dish in Czech hands following Marketa Vondrousovas surprise triumph last year by claiming a 6-2 2-6 6-4 victory over popular Italian Jasmine Paolini. Krejcikovas win comes 26 years after Novotna won her only slam title, lifting the trophy she most wanted having famously cried on the shoulder of the Duchess of Kent five years previously following defeat by Steffi Graf. Barbora Krejcikova celebrates her victory (John Walton/PA) Novotna took a teenage Krejcikova under her wing but died of cancer in 2017 aged 49 before she could see her protege flourish in the professional game. Krejcikova is from Novotnas home town of Brno and, unsure where her career was heading, she went to the former Wimbledon champions house and gave her a letter asking for advice. Knocking on her door changed my life, said Krejcikova after being handed the trophy. When I finished juniors I didnt know whether to continue or go the way of education. Jana was the one who told me I had the potential to go pro. Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with her supporters (Mike Egerton/PA) Before she passed away she told me to go and win a slam. I did in Paris in 2021 and it was an unbelievable moment for me. I never believed I would win the same trophy as Jana did in 1998. Krejcikova sobbed when she was shown her name on the honours board along with Novotnas before continuing her celebrations. Both Krejcikova and Paolini took their time to rise through the ranks in singles, with the Czech thought of as a doubles specialist prior to her surprise French Open victory in 2021. It is only this season, meanwhile, that Paolini has emerged at the top level, reaching her first slam final at Roland Garros a month ago. Wimbledon was guaranteed an eighth different champion in the womens singles in the last eight years and it was Krejcikova, who defeated 2022 winner Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, who flew out of the traps. Jasmine Paolini fought back strongly in the second set (Mike Egerton/PA) The 28-year-old was playing in her 13th slam final across singles and doubles and had lost only one, so it was no surprise to see her thrive on the big occasion, finding the corners of the court and serving superbly. Actor Hugh Jackman was sat among a number of former Wimbledon champions in the Royal Box, and the crowd were fully behind Paolini as she tried to mount a comeback. But it took a huge effort from the Italian just to get on the board in the third game, and Krejcikova wasted no time wrapping up the set, missing only two of 21 first serves. Paolini, who had only won three games in her final against Iga Swiatek in Paris, headed off court for a bathroom break and the momentum immediately switched on the resumption. Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale were among the Royal Box (Mike Egerton/PA) Paolini surged into a 3-0 lead, finding greater depth and vim on her shots and drawing some errors from the Krejcikova racket. The Italians smiley demeanour and positive energy have earned her huge numbers of fans this summer and half the crowd were on their feet when she levelled the match. Now it was Krejcikovas turn to head off court for a break and the tension ratcheted up as both held serve comfortably in the early stages of the third set. Paolini was the first to find herself under pressure in the seventh game and it told, a couple of errors putting her in a hole before a double fault handed the break to Krejcikova. Jana Novotna, left, is consoled by the Duchess of Kent in 1993 (Neil Munns/PA) The Czech had dropped just one point on serve in her first four games in the deciding set but there were nerves trying to finish it off and she had to save two break points before clinching it on her third match point. Krejcikova will return to the singles top 10 on Monday with Paolini at a career-high of five while she becomes the first woman representing the Czech Republic to win slam titles across different surfaces. Its unreal what just happened, said the 28-year-old. The best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life. I was just telling myself to be brave. It was such a difficult match, a great final, a great competition and Im super happy to be standing here enjoying this moment. Paolini refused to be too disappointed, saying: Im a little bit sad but I try to keep smiling. I have to remember today is still a good day. I remember watching as a kid cheering for (Roger) Federer. So to be here now is crazy. Its been a beautiful two weeks. A beloved bear who was rescued from the war in Ukraine and rehomed in a Scottish zoo has died. Staff at Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder in West Lothian said the death of Yampil, an Asiatic black bear, meant it was a truly sad day. The animal had been rehomed there in January this year after being rescued from the village of Yampil in Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers had discovered an abandoned zoo in the village when they arrived there in July 2022, five months after the Russian invasion. Out of nearly 200 animals at the zoo, Yampil the bear was one of only a few who had survived. Yampil was rehomed in Scotland after being found in an abandoned zoo in Ukraine (Five Sisters Zoo/PA) Romain Pizzi, a specialist vet at Five Sisters Zoo, said while Yampil had been comfortable and happy at the West Lothian zoo, animals who have been rescued from such traumatic circumstances could have complicated health problems such as dental problems or PTSD. He said: Yampil was anaesthetised for further treatment for his health problems which were worrying the team. Sadly, anaesthetising animals always carries risks, and Yampil did not recover from the procedure. Mr Pizzi stated: We are utterly devastated to confirm that Yampil, our 12-year-old Asiatic black bear, has passed away following an anaesthetic procedure. Yampil was one of seven surviving animals rescued from an abandoned zoo in Ukraine, a lesser-known tragedy of human conflict. The vet added that staff at the zoo were all deeply affected by the loss of our beloved Yampil. Staff at Five Sisters Zoo said it was a truly sad day after Yampil died while undergoing a medical procedure (Five Sisters Zoo/PA) He said: We appreciate this will be a truly sad day for all the incredible people who helped make his rescue possible. While the zoo will remain open as usual, we kindly request respect and privacy for our owners and staff during this difficult time. British composer Errollyn Wallen has said she received hundreds of very abusive messages after creating a new version of Jerusalem for the Proms but feels it was important to reflect the Commonwealth connection to the song. Three weeks before the Last Night Of The Proms in 2020, the Belize-born musician was commissioned to create a new arrangement of the classic hymn to accommodate the slimmed down orchestra due to pandemic restrictions. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs, Wallen revealed she wanted to delve into the meaning of the words written by William Blake, and added a line in her version to show the connection of British hymns to Commonwealth people. Errollyn Wallen with her honour (Yui Mok/PA) She said: The work is dedicated to the Windrush generation and also the fact that its little understood that in the colonies, de facto, we live with the music of England. And so in Belize, all these hymns are our hymns, and so Ive also put a little, added an extra sentence, mentioned that we Commonwealth people, we sing with you. There was nothing controversial, I didnt think, about what I was doing but certainly it seemed to cause a bit of fury. Wallen said she was really shocked at the backlash it received, recalling: I spent the next day, Sunday, just going through deleting, deleting, deleting, hundreds and hundreds of messages, very abusive, thinking well, actually, when was the last time somebody really talked about a new piece of music in the national press, so yeah, Ill take it. Im proud of that piece of music. All I did was put a introduction that was very delicate and then we move by the end into the rousing, recognisable thing of Jerusalem. And the other thing is that Jerusalem has had so many reimaginings, hundreds of them. She revealed that some of the messages were racially charged, with one person writing on social media, whats the black woman know about Jerusalem?. Wallen added: Thats when I thought, They dont realise the song belongs to us. It belongs to all the Commonwealth because thats what weve grown up singing it, its everybodys. So I hadnt realised there was a problem, that theres certain sacred things that no black person must touch. I, as a composer, I feel like music belongs to everyone, it always has done. During her career, Wallen has created other politically inspired pieces including Our English Heart about the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, which referenced colonialism and Empire. Wallen said: I feel I should be telling the stories of our time, not to say that I dont feel very connected to centuries past. Im very connected to the tradition of classical music and I revere Vivaldi, Bach and Beethoven, Mozart, but I live here now in my environment, and music is this incredible force of energy and love and I feel as a composer I have a responsibility to other people. The multi-award winning composer and performer has 22 operas to her name and a large catalogue of orchestral, chamber and vocal works which are performed and broadcast throughout the world. She was the first black woman to have a work featured in the Proms and the first woman to win the Ivor Novello Award for Classical Music, as well as composing for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games 2012, and for the Cop26 conference in Glasgow. Wallen shared her frustration that classical music is seen as a genre for the wealthy and privately educated as she praised her school which offered free music lessons as the reason she has got to where she has. She said: We grew up with music, it was part of the fabric of school life. And youd play in your local orchestra, terribly of course, but everybody would play. There wasnt this hierarchy. My absolute abject despair is that soon it will only be people with money who will be playing classical music. Now, this music was never created by super wealthy people. It was made by people who were part of a trade, thats who composers were, and people who had something to say and had a great talent to share. I dont know how we got to this point where its perceived as this elite thing just for some people because all the musicians Ive worked with, they are so dedicated and just in love with the passion that music gives us all. She said a culture needs to be created that is not suspicious of things that are really good for us to help open up classical music spaces to a wider spectrum of society. The full Desert Island Discs episode of Errollyn Wallen is available on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday from 10am and BBC Sounds. Every dog deserves the chance to relax and play without a worry in the world. That's why it's such a gift to see a rescue dog finally learning to trust and have fun, but it's equally as special to watch working dogs take a break, too. Whether it's a police K9 enjoying a pup cup or a canine mascot playing instead of performing, it's easy to see why dogs being dogs makes people smile. Recently, a group of lucky cadets at Texas A&M got to learn this firsthand when a group of therapy Golden Retrievers came to visit the school's canine mascot, Miss Reveille. This Collie is the fifth Miss Reveille to hold the esteemed title, and she does plenty of important work around campus to make her predecessors proud. But she needs time to simply be a dog, too! Luckily, these Retrievers gave her the perfect opportunity. How sweet! Miss Rev is having a blast with her new doggie friend around, but it looks like the Golden Retriever is a bit conflicted. They know they have their vest on for a job, which doesn't normally include play, but who can resist running around with a buddy? Related: University of Washington Husky Mascot Proves He's Dedicated When It Comes to Treats "It's good to see that Miss Reveille gets to play, too," commented @amandarae777. I know what you mean! Dog mascots can spend a lot of time meeting fans and posing for pictures, but we don't always get to see this side of them. Luckily, many Texas A&M students get to shower her with love every day--she has more playmates and walking buddies than she knows what to do with! The Golden Retrievers who got to distract The First Lady of Aggieland for the day are part of Bella's Buddies, a nonprofit that trains Golden Retrievers to be a part of the classroom and Veterans' Association environments. The therapy dogs assist with anything from grief counseling to confidence-building exercises, but at the end of the day they are dogs who deserve to play like dogs--just like Miss Rev! Who Is Miss Reveille? Unless you live in Texas or attend Texas A&M, you may not know who exactly Miss Reveille is. She's the school's official mascot and the highest-ranking member of the university's Corps of Cadets, but most students know her as the queen she is. As you can imagine, she's popular everywhere she goes (including to class with her cadets) and loves soaking up the attention. But here's the kicker: she really is the queen bee on campus! What Miss Rev says goes, even in the classroom. If the dog barks during class time, the professor has to dismiss the class early! She's gotten on a lot of students' good sides for getting them out of class, and now she's won over her new Golden friends. No wonder she's the most popular girl in school! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. New laws to hand greater powers to local leaders and the economic watchdog will be among more than 35 Bills in a packed Kings Speech next week, the Government has said. Legislation to bolster the role of regional politicians and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will be announced on Wednesday, as the new administration sets out its priorities for the next parliamentary session. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the measures as the down payment on the change his Government is seeking to deliver, with economic growth the keystone of its agenda. The strengthening of the OBR, which was outlined in Labours manifesto, is designed to ensure nobody can play fast and loose with the public finances ever again, Downing Street said. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted his first Cabinet meeting (Chris Eades/The Sun/PA) Ahead of the speech, which will be delivered by the King as part of the State Opening of Parliament, Sir Keir said: Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste. We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long-term and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the down payment on that change. From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbo-charge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK. The task of national renewal will not be easy, and this is just the down payment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the Kings Speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people. The Prime Minister signalled that Whitehalls grip over big cities and regions would be loosened as he used his first week in office to meet metro mayors and representatives from the devolved nations. Meanwhile, legislation to enact policies such as Labours national wealth fund and a new mission control tasked with turbo-charging the UK to clean power by 2030 will also feature in the package. Sir Keir has said such decisions are key to boosting growth, which he has made the central pillar of the changes he wants his new administration to deliver. Measures to boost housebuilding and infrastructure, improve transport and create more jobs will also be included, Number 10 said. The Sunday Times newspaper has reported the speech will include a law to create a national register of children going absent from school. A duty on councils to keep the register is aimed at preventing children from becoming a lost generation of pupils following the pandemic, the newspaper says. Sir Keir would not be drawn into saying whether his plans to extend the voting franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds will be in the speech, only telling reporters that everything will be focused on economic growth when asked. Angela Rayner at a rally in central London in 2022 organised by the Trades Union Congress to demand action on the cost of living crisis and call for higher wages - Thomas Krych/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Almost 100m of taxpayers money was spent last year on paying public sector staff to work for trade unions, a new report has found. The research from the TaxPayers Alliance revealed there were 23,592 public sector workers moonlighting as trade union reps in 2023, the second highest number on record. This is an increase of 468 workers from the previous year and makes 2022-23 the second highest figure since the Cabinet Office began publishing the data in 2017-18. It is also the highest ever recorded in full-time equivalent terms, at 20,791 workers. Spending on so-called facility time rose to 96,767,665 in 2022-23, an 8.4 per cent increase from 89,307,860 the previous year. Experts have warned about the risk of a Labour government being unwilling to crack down on public bodies who give trade union representatives paid time during work hours, known as facility time. Len Shackleton, editorial and research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, said: It is likely that Labour will increase facility time. In their Plan to Make Work Pay, attached to the manifesto, they say they will introduce statutory rights for trade union equality reps. As this appears under the heading Facilities time, the implication is that these reps will be given time off work for these duties. Transport for London run by Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has proposed increasing council tax by 37 next year - spent 8 million on facility time last year, the most of any public body. This helped to support 881 trade union representatives as the capital was frequently ground to a halt amid strike action. The Department for Work and Pensions, meanwhile, had the largest number of trade union representatives at 1,023, costing 654,413. The money also went to 1,059 so-called pilgrims who worked full-time on union duties, the report found. More than half of these workers were employed by local authorities and another 228 by the NHS. The public sector bodies with the most staff working full-time on union duties include NHS Lothian in Scotland, with 48, at a cost of nearly 1.9 million. Transport for London employed 35 full-time union workers, while the bankrupt Labour-run Birmingham city council had 30 across its central and education functions. The Scottish Prison Service had an additional 25. A further 507 public sector employees spent more than half their time working on union duties. The previous government earlier this year set out plans to clamp down on trade union facility time, with former minister Esther McVey writing to the worst-offending councils in April. However, Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, told the Trades Union Congress in September last year that a Labour administration would change trade union law to ensure sufficient facility time and access for unions to represent members. Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, told the TUC in September last year that Labour would ensure 'sufficient facility time and access for unions to represent members' - Peter Byrne/PA Sir Keir Starmer has already come under pressure from the unions since taking office, with the leader of Britains biggest union warning there would be no honeymoon period just 48 hours after Labours election victory. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the Unite union, refused to back Labours manifesto believing it did not go far enough on workers rights and protecting jobs. She told the BBC: I am glad we have a Labour government [but] I am the leader of a trade union and my main focus is jobs, pay and conditions for workers. So I am either going to be seen as a critical friend or a pain in the proverbial. Maxwell Marlow, director of research at the Adam Smith Institute, said: The TPAs [TaxPayers Alliance] excellent research has exposed some considerable and expensive flaws in the internal governance of our public institutions. While we should be encouraging entrepreneurialism and industriousness, it should be common sense that taxpayer-funded facilities should not be used for these activities. Government offices are not WeWorks, and it should remain this way. John OConnell, chief executive of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Brits will be furious that thousands of staff who should be providing public services are moonlighting for the trade unions instead. After years of intense industrial action disrupting the vital services that taxpayers pay so handsomely for, it will add insult to injury for many to learn that they have effectively been subsidising the strikes. The new government should recognise the significant savings that could be made by clamping down on the worst excesses. The museums gilded copper and glass necklace is believed to have belonged to a Congolese chief hanged by Belgiums colonial administration. Photograph: PR Handout For years, the lustrous copper and glass necklace was on display at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren, east of Brussels. Reputed to have belonged to a notorious 19th-century trader of enslaved people, it has 10 bright gilded copper beads suspended on silk, with red glass jewels on an intricate medallion. But nobody really knew how the jewellery from central Africa came to be in Belgium. The museum first registered the necklace in 1959. A decade earlier, a Greek resident of the former Belgian Congo tried unsuccessfully to sell it to the museum. He had acquired it from an anonymous Belgian mechanic, who in turn had bought it from a Congolese chief or so the archives said. That simple story hides a much more complicated and violent reality. The necklace belonged to Yakaumbu Kamanda Lumpungu, chief of the Songye people in Kabinda in the centre of the modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A proponent of Congolese independence, Lumpungu was hanged in 1936 by the colonial administration, accused of a double murder charges that his family denies. Lumpungu had inherited the necklace from his father and gave it to his favourite wife, Mfute. His relatives do not believe he would have parted with it voluntarily. Nearly 90 years after his death, the necklace is one of dozens of objects on display in an exhibition on the provenance of the collection of the Royal Museum for Central Africa, which runs until 29 September. The museum was rebranded as the AfricaMuseum in 2018 after a massive renovation and decolonisation process. Today, the museum founded in 1898 to glorify a brutal colonial project is still coming to term with its past. After King Leopold II took control of Congo in 1885, establishing a notoriously violent and cruel regime, thousands of objects art, weapons, musical instruments, grave goods and even human remains flowed north to Brussels. The AfricaMuseum like the British Museum in London, the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris and Hamburgs Museum am Rothenbaum Cultures and Arts of the World is grappling with growing calls for restitution of colonial-era artefacts. Bart Ouvry, director of the AfricaMuseum, said: In the long term, it is inevitable that a number of those objects go back or at least become the property of the Congolese government. He added: We dont have a right to fail. Ouvry, who was the EUs envoy to the DRC, Kenya and Mali, said restitution would take decades to complete but he would be disappointed if we havent taken any concrete steps during my mandate, which has a further five years to run. The museum is not the arbiter of what to return, however, as the collection officially belongs to the Belgian state. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests, which forced a reckoning with the countrys colonial past, Belgium passed a law in 2022 on the restitution of colonial collections. The legislation allows objects, in particular those acquired under duress or through violence, to be returned after research by historians to the DRC, Rwanda or Burundi (other Belgian colonies) through treaties with those states. Related: Belgium unveils plans to return DRC artworks stolen during colonial rule Until very recently, it was thought that probably around 1,000 objects [at the AfricaMuseum] were taken away in the context of violence, said Hein Vanhee, a historian at the museum. We now know that is a serious underestimate. His meticulous trawl of the archives has found that more than 40,000 objects about one-third of the entire collection - were collected before the first world war, the most violent period in Belgiums colonial history. Under Leopold IIs Congo Free State, which ended in 1908, colonial forces shot, and severed the hands of, people who failed to meet rubber quotas. The Belgian government took over the colony until 1960. Many more [objects] than we would like to think, in the past, were collected in the context of violence, Vanhee said, although poor documentation made it impossible to be precise. About one-fifth (22%) of the 40,000 objects came to Belgium with no information. But it is clear that thousands of artefacts were collected by force during punitive expeditions. One Belgian officer, who supplied a cache of objects, reported back that local language names of items could not be recorded given the state of hostility of the Babanga people. The Compagnie du Kasai, a rubber trader established in 1901 and long controlled by Leopold II, made regular deliveries to the museum, including one consignment of 1,400 objects in 1913. The archives are silent on how the objects were acquired. Today, restitution is not so simple. Anne Wetsi Mpoma, a Brussels-based curator who runs a gallery dedicated to African art and culture, argues that the 2022 law is unrealistic, in part because it puts the emphasis on a Congolese government already not doing its job, she said, in basic functions such as health or security. She added: When the Congolese government receives those objects, what will they do with them? Will they give them back to the communities? Or will they put them into museums? Rather than a state-to-state restitution programme, she proposes a grassroots-led approach where Belgian museums and the Congolese diaspora work with African museums and local communities to transfer works. There is also real work that needs to be done in the field, to [say to] communities: OK, are you willing to receive those objects back? Do you even know that those objects are being held in white institutions in Belgium? Meanwhile, the AfricaMuseum is revising its own displays. Since the 2018 reopening, busts of colonial-era figures and a controversial Leopard Man sculpture have been moved from the grand entrance to a storeroom where they can only be seen as part of a guided tour. Museum staff had intended a dialogue between the colonial-era pomp and newly installed works by modern African artists, but most visitors saw only the old propaganda unvarnished. Of course, it is a process, Ouvry said, referring to the museums renovation. If there is one museum in Belgium which cannot afford to remain in its ivory tower, it is certainly the AfricaMuseum. Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's National Rally, and Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, lead a Eurosceptic alliance of hard-Right parties in the European Parliament - Wojtek Radwanski/AFP A Eurosceptic alliance of hard-Right parties, led by Viktor Orban and Marine Le Pen, in the European Parliament is on course to scoop more than 250m in EU funding. The Patriots for Europe group, formed after European elections last month, is the third largest political alliance in the European Parliament and has pledged to roll back Brussels overreach. Estimates obtained by The Telegraph found that the new faction can expect 50.8m (43.7m) in EU funding a year, which includes money for the group, MEP salaries and money for offices and assistants. Over the five-year lifespan of the new parliament, it means Brussels will pay 218m to a group that is dedicated to reasserting national sovereignty from EU overreach. Parties can form parliamentary groups if they come from at least seven different member states and have a minimum total of 24 MEPs. Groups qualify for EU funding, more influence and speaking time in Brussels and Strasbourg. The new group has 84 MEPs from Mr Orbans Fidesz and Ms Le Pens National Rally, Geert Wilders Freedom Party, Matteo Salvinis League, Spains Vox and hard-Right parties from Austria, Belgium, Greece, Latvia and Portugal . We dont want a European empire. We dont want a European United States, Mr Orban said after the group was formed.We want national sovereignty and independence under our own national flags, he added. Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, with Donald Trump at the former US president's estate in Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida - Zoltan Fischer/X account of Viktor Orban/AFP The group stops short of calling for Brexit-style exits from the EU, which some of its members used to support, but wants Brussels powers reduced. It is likely to be shut out of senior parliamentary jobs by a cordon sanitaire by the pro-EU parties, which remain in the majority. Mr Orban has frequently clashed with the European Parliament, which has accused him of eroding democratic standards and the rule of law in Hungary during his 14 years in power. He has also infuriated MEPs by co-opting Hungarys six-month term holding the EU presidency to bolster his so-called peace mission to Moscow and Beijing to end the war in Ukraine. Ms Le Pen is poised to go to trial with 24 other people in September over alleged misuse of EU funds. It is alleged that National Rally used European funds meant for parliamentary assistants to pay party staff. Ms Le Pen and her party have previously denied wrongdoing in connection with campaign financing. Marine Le Pen arrives at the National Assembly in Paris following the second round of France's legislative election - Raphael Lafargue/ABACAPRESS.COM If theres one thing Orban and Le Pen love about Europe, its EU funds in their pockets, Daniel Freund, a German green MEP and fierce critic of the Hungarian prime minister, said. For another five years, EU taxpayers will fund the corrupt enemies of democracy. And one thing is for sure: they wont be doing any legislative work. EU taxpayers will pay them for their anti-EU propaganda. Its a shame. Each MEP has a salary of 97,000 a year, as well as a monthly allowance of 4,778 to cover costs such as phone bills. They receive a budget of 29,557 for running offices and hiring assistants. That comes to an annual total of more than 42.7m for all 84 of the MEPs, which excludes their per diem of 350 for each day they sign into the parliament. The group also qualifies for cash, which is calculated based on its size. Assuming the 2024 68m pot for such funding stays the same, the Patriots group is in line to receive more than 8m a year. The estimated grand total the EU will pay the group and its MEPs every year, for five years, is 50.8m. The largest group in the European Parliament is the centre-Right European Peoples Party (EPP). It has 188 MEPs and can expect 113.4m a year in funding and salaries. The centre-Left Socialists and Democrats are the second largest group after a June vote, which resulted in Europes shift to the Right. As well as the Patriots and EPP, there is the soft-Eurosceptic European Conservatives and Reformist group, which is the fourth largest in the parliament. It has not joined forces with the Patriots because the Giorgia Meloni-dominated faction, which is pro-Ukraine, sees it as too soft on Vladimir Putin. The Patriots would have been larger and entitled to more money but have fallen out with the Alternative For Germany (AfD) party after its lead candidate in the elections said not all Waffen SS members were criminals. The AfD has now formed another, smaller hard-Right group in the parliament. New laws across Australia have expanded police powers to break up protests. Photograph: supplied by Blockade Australia Brad Homewood describes his first steps into a maximum security facility, where he spent the first three weeks of a two-month jail sentence, as intimidating. Youre in there with the worst of the worst, he says. Theres a lot of violence in there. I didnt experience any personally, but you hear it, especially after lockdown. Days earlier, he and his partner, Deanna Violet Coco, had used a truck with a sign draped over the side that said climate breakdown has begun to block three city-bound lanes of the West Gate Bridge during morning peak hour in March. They pleaded guilty to public nuisance and obstructing police, and were released in May. Recently, another two protesters, both aged 21, found they could also go to prison after being charged under New South Wales anti-protest laws. Last Sunday, Laura Davy disrupted a loading facility at the Port of Newcastle. A day later, the court determined that she deserved a three-month sentence. I just thought of my family and my friends, and how I was going to contact them, Davey tells Guardian Australia of her initial reaction to the sentence, which is being appealed. The pair are now on bail. Theyre among a growing number of Australians whove been criminalised for protesting under what the Human Rights Law Centre recently described as a worrying proliferation of vague anti-protest laws. Its report, called Protest in Peril, concludes the laws have eroded the right to protest, a right it says is fundamental to democracy. The laws have disproportionately targeted climate protesters, the report found, but HRLC senior lawyer David Mejia-Canales says its affecting other movements. Of most concern to lawyers and advocates is how the laws expanded police powers to break up protest movements, and the use of borderline unlawful bail conditions. Protest in Peril According to the report, there have been 49 laws enacted by governments that have affected protests over the past 20 years. Related: Newsroom edition: why anti-protest laws wont stop climate activists - podcast They include the Northern Territorys introduction of an offence of loitering in a public place after being given a notice to leave by a police officer, which can result in six-month sentence. In Queensland, protesters who disrupt mining equipment using devices such as tripods can face one year in prison. South Australia has the harshest fines, of up to $50,000 and three months in prison for obstructing a public place. But NSW has enacted the highest number of anti-protest laws of any state, according to the report. Climate group Blockade Australia was the impetus for introduction of the states harsh anti-protest laws in 2022, which can see protesters face a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and $22,000 in fines for blocking major facilities. Other movements are affected. In March, 19 pro-Palestine protesters were arrested and charged under the anti-protest laws after they blocked the road at Port Botany. This came after 23 people were also charged in November. One of those charged in March was the Sydney branch secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, Paul Keating. Hes yet to face court. The purpose of the previous state liberal government wasnt to just stop environmental activists, the law itself is designed to stop forms of protests in all forms, Keating tells Guardian Australia. Bail weaponised In recent weeks, a number of people have been charged in NSW after Blockade Australia coordinated rolling daily actions blocking the economic pinch points in Newcastle. They were calling for a change to the economic and political system to achieve meaningful climate action. Homewood, 51, is acting as spokesperson for the group. I cant find hope anywhere else but in a culture of resistance. Ive got no faith in the political class or the system to solve the [climate] crisis, Homewood says. Related: University of Sydney students and staff blast new draconian protest crackdown Of the dozens of people charged over the Newcastle protests, most received fines of between $750 and $1,500. This is a more common response from the legal system, according to Lydia Shelly, the president of the NSW Council of Civil Liberties. Shelly believes this is partly due to the difference between the public perception of protesters that has been cultivated by police and politicians and the magistrate taking into account the objective seriousness of what the protester has done. The majority of the judiciary are quite conscious [of] the importance of the role of protest in liberal democracies, as well as [that] they understand that its usually quite low levels of what they would consider low levels of offending, she says. After the Westgate Bridge incident, both Coco and Homewood had an initial 21-day sentence increased to two months on appeal, after the court heard the action had hampered emergency services and caused a woman to give birth on the side of the road. But what is of most concern to Shelly is the scandalous use of bail conditions by police to disrupt protest movements. Effectively, what theyre doing by way of a bail condition is disrupting and inhibiting the capacity for people to organise, to come together collectively and to organise themselves, she says. Its increasing the surveillance and monitoring of protesters. Anastasia Radievska, of the Australian Democracy Network, analysed the types of bail conditions imposed on protesters. Among the requirements were: reporting to a police station three times a week; giving communication devices to police; and not associating with the climate movement theyre involved in or with specific people. Many recent Blockade Australia protesters in Newcastle were given orders not to associate with others charged in relation to Blockade Australia actions, according to Radievska. Meanwhile, she says a number of protesters charged in the pro-Palestine movement have been required not to attend unlawful protests but none of the 19 charged in Sydney in March were given harsh bail conditions. Mejia-Canales says certain bail conditions are borderline unlawful and have helped to erode the right to protest. The bail is only meant to make sure that you come back to court for a hearing. Its not meant to punish people any further, and thats what were seeing police services around the country doing. Related: Four pro-Palestine protesters arrested after scaling roof of Australias Parliament House to unfurl banners criticising Gaza war A spokesperson for the NSW attorney general, Michael Daley, said the Bail Act needed to strike a balance. The Bail Act balances the need to ensure community safety, and the integrity of the justice system, with the common law presumption of innocence and the general right to be at liberty. Keeping that balance right requires ongoing scrutiny, they said. Laws under review NSWs anti-protest laws are now under review. After a push from more than 40 organisations the government agreed to make the two-year review public and open to community consultation. Last December, the supreme court ruled part of the rules were invalid after legal action brought by Knitting Nannas, an activist group made up of older women. In the Human Rights Law Centre report, it states how many rights in Australia have been hard-fought for including womens right to vote, the first Mardi Gras in 1978, and the Freedom Rides in 1965. Some of us owe our human rights more to protest than the goodwill of politicians, the report said. Homewood will soon face court for another action in Victoria, and also one in Tasmania after an action related to the logging industry. Hes preparing himself for a sentence of six, eight or even 12 months. Were as committed as weve ever been, he says. Theres too much on the line. Judy Rogers, 85, walks in her apartment at Treemont Senior Living Community on Friday July 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. She spent five days in her sweltering 3rd floor independent living apartment. The complex lost power during Hurricane Beryl and was still without power on Friday evening. Residents had no lights or air conditioning and the lobby only had a few fans. Sharon Steinmann When Jonathan Sturgis last said goodbye to his 93-year-old mother Barbara, he thought he was leaving her in good hands. On Tuesday, the day after Hurricane Beryl chewed through Houston and left millions without power, he checked on his mom at The Terraces, the Kingwood independent living complex where she lived. The power had been knocked out there, but Jonathan and his mom enjoyed lunch. He noted it was a little warmer than usual inside, but he knew they had a backup generator. No reason to worry. Jonathan told Click2Houston that hed received only one email from The Terraces regarding the hurricane. (I wasnt able to reach The Terraces for comment.) Our generator continues to run select lighting and power in both dining rooms and the kitchen, it read. We have air conditioners and fans in place. Houston firefighters transport Judy Rogers, 85, downstairs from her 3rd floor independent living apartment at Treemont Senior Living Community on Friday July 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. She spent five days in her sweltering apartment and her daughter was finally transferring her to a nearby facility with assisted living and skilled nursing services, who were also without power. The complex lost power during Hurricane Beryl and was still without power on Friday evening. Residents had no lights or air conditioning and the lobby only had a few fans. Sharon Steinmann Houston firefighters prepare to take Judy Rogers, 85, downstairs from her 3rd floor independent living apartment at Treemont Senior Living Community on Friday July 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. She spent five days in her sweltering apartment and her daughter was finally transferring her to a nearby facility with assisted living and skilled nursing services, who were also without power. The complex lost power during Hurricane Beryl and was still without power on Friday evening. Residents had no lights or air conditioning and the lobby only had a few fans. Sharon Steinmann But by Thursday morning, temperatures inside had climbed to intolerable levels. The Terraces began voluntarily evacuating residents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad For Jonathans mom, that came too late. Barbara had already died. As far as I know, Barbaras is the Houston areas first heat-related death, post-Beryl, at senior housing. Im worried it wont be the last. Many of these facilities are registered as high-priority places where electricity is crucial, the way hospitals are. But according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, five days after Beryl, approximately 35 nursing homes and 67 assisted living facilities in the greater Houston area are still without power. And of those, at least a dozen nursing homes and 27 assisted living facilities have no way to power their air-conditioning, even while we remain under a heat advisory. Federal and state laws require nursing homes which care for people who require around-the-clock assistance to have a generator. But theyre not required to have enough power or fuel to maintain the indoor temperature at a livable level. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Other places that cater to seniors assisted, independent and senior living communities have no generator requirements at all. The Terraces was exceptional for even having a generator. But it doesnt seem that the generator was powerful enough to keep residents safe from extreme heat. Greg Shelley, senior manager of the Harris County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at UTHealth Houstons Cizik School of Nursing, told me hes received an inordinate amount of calls from struggling independent living facilities, which are outside his purview. He has little to offer them not even a place to call for help. It is maddening that so many Texas facilities are still woefully unprepared for a blackout. Even after Winter Storm Uri, when 1 in 10 nursing homes and nearly one-third of assisted living facilities across the state lost power. And even after the derecho that recently knocked out power across the Houston area. We can and should point fingers first and foremost at CenterPoint for failing to maintain a grid capable of handling even the weakest of hurricanes. As I write this on Saturday morning, my power is still out. Theres no indication when itll return, other than a blue scribble on the online outage map showing my street has been assessed. CenterPoints performance is inexcusable. But just as that company consistently seems to put profits over the people its meant to serve, too many senior care and living facilities havent invested in the upgrades needed to guarantee basic human dignity and safety. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Generators, especially ones big enough to power an HVAC system, are expensive. They can also be lifesaving. After Beryl, facilities unable or unwilling to pay for them have left medically vulnerable seniors trapped in sweltering, stifling conditions and upper-level floors with no working elevator to get down. In dire situations, emergency responders have been called in to carry residents downstairs, such as at the Timber Top Condominiums in Champion Forest and the independent living facility Treemont Senior Living Community in Spring Branch. Chronicle tech columnist Dwight Silverman, whose 94-year-old mother is a Treemont resident, described in a Facebook post how residents werent even presented with a plan of action the day before the storm, or given instructions for how meals would be handled on the day Beryl struck. Literally and figuratively, he wrote, residents were left in the dark. Houston firefighters prepare to take Judy Rogers, 85, downstairs from her 3rd floor independent living apartment at Treemont Senior Living Community on Friday July 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. Sharon Steinmann Judy Rogers, 85, was in her third-floor Treemont apartment when the power went out. A diabetic who has already had two hip replacements, she slipped and fell on Monday night. Unable to get a response from management, her daughter Roseann, who was in South Carolina, desperately dispatched friends to help her mom. Roseann says that when they FaceTimed her, The hallways looked like something out of The Blair Witch Project. It was pitch black with blinking lights. The temperature inside was in the high 80s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston firefighters transport Judy Rogers, 85, downstairs from her 3rd floor independent living apartment at Treemont Senior Living Community on Friday July 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. Sharon Steinmann Roseann says that when her friends asked at the front desk for a master key, they were told the facility had lost it. (Treemont has not responded to my requests for comment.) Luckily, Judy had crawled to her door to unlock it. None of Roseanns friends had power at their homes, so firefighters were called in to transport Judy to Treemont Health Care Center, which is connected to the apartments. Now nurses can keep an eye on and administer medicine to Judy, whose feet have swollen in the heat. Shes confined to a hard chair in the slightly cooler common area, since even the health centers bedrooms dont have portable A/C units. We were lucky, Roseann told me on Friday. What if someone has nobody to check on them at all? Houston firefighters transport Judy Rogers, 85, downstairs from her 3rd floor independent living apartment at Treemont Senior Living Community on Friday July 12, 2024 in Houston, TX. Sharon Steinmann Last year, a Florida nursing home administrator was charged with homicide for allowing nine patients to die of heat exposure in 2017 after Hurricane Irma. Accused of being a captain who abandoned ship, the administrator failed to evacuate his patients as temperatures climbed to 107 degrees, even though a hospital right across the street had power. Paramedics discovered nearly a dozen patients left dead or dying. Some wore diapers filled with urine and feces. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The preventable tragedy spurred Floridas then-Gov. Rick Scott to issue an emergency rule mandating backup power at all long-term care facilities. Many legal battles with industry groups later, the Florida Legislature made the rules permanent. Long-term care facilities, including assisted living and nursing homes, now must have generators and fuel to maintain a temperature of 81F or below for at least 96 hours during a power outage. Uri should have inspired our governor to do the same. After the freeze, Rep. Ed Thompson, R-Pearland, twice tried to get a similar bipartisan bill passed. Both attempts, furiously opposed by industry groups, never made it out of committee. Patty Ducayet, the states long-term care ombudsman, said the office would eagerly back a resurrected version of the bill. With Thompson retiring at the beginning of next year, seniors in Texas need a new champion. If Gov. Greg Abbott is serious about investigating CenterPoint so that the Legislature can act on it next year to make sure events like this never happen again, he must also urgently hold long-term care facilities accountable especially with hurricane season just beginning. Perhaps, when he gets back from Asia, hell have found his moral courage. Perhaps thats wishful thinking. The people being held hostage to heat in negligent senior housing communities are our mothers and fathers. Theyre our grandmothers and grandfathers. Many live in senior housing precisely because it offers them the lifesaving support they need. They should get that especially when the lights go out. Outgoing Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty leave Downing Street The long-anticipated moment of reckoning for the Conservative Party has arrived, and so commences the battle to explain why it has been so completely and utterly spurned by voters at the ballot box. The prize for winning this contest is enormous no less than the opportunity to set the future direction of travel for the oldest political party in the world. It has been said in the last week that the Conservatives loss had little to do with ideas and values, and much more to do with a failure to deliver. Certainly, broken promises represent the core motif of the Tories catastrophic defeat. Over the past fourteen years, the Party has pledged to the public that it would reduce the size of the state, grip immigration, roll back identity politics, drive up productivity and secure better standards of living for everyone in our United Kingdom. It has failed on each one of these commitments. But I think the manner in which the Party has been rejected and cast out by voters speaks to the fact that something more profound has gone wrong. For what has been broken over the last fourteen years is the promise that Conservatives have historically made of a good, prosperous and meaningful life to all who are willing to work hard and get on. We have disappointed that deeply-held desire of all aspirational people particularly amongst younger generations for a genuine stake in our country and economy. That promise has, since the Conservative Partys very inception, served as its basic moral mission. In the 19th Century, it translated into a zealous belief in the rightness of giving as many people as possible a stake in our democracy, by extending to them the vote. In the 20th Century, that mission meant giving far more people a stake in our economy, by widening property ownership to more and more individuals and households. The property owning democracy, in other words, was a logical succession to electoral democracy. These efforts by Conservatives through the years have served a fundamentally stabilising role for the British body politic. They have ensured an ever-widening base of people with a sense of ownership for our country: a sense that it is in some meaningful way theirs; that Britains fortunes are somehow their own personal responsibility. As Ive written for Policy Exchange, it is that sense of ownership which provides the foundations of a successful society one that supports strong communities, and the moral development of individuals. The pursuit of this mission has also helped to generate a body of people with conservative values in each successive generation. Cynics would say that to make someone a conservative, you simply have to give them something they can lose. But it is more correct that to be a conservative, one must have something to conserve a home, a family, a way of life, a nation which one feels part of. The quest to provide people with something worth conserving has given Tories a moral compass, a purpose to hold on to, even when changing political circumstances have been difficult to navigate. The Conservative Party is the party of opportunity, of property and of family. But historically, it has been the party of spreading those things to as many people as possible. For the last decade and a half, we have wholly failed to achieve this. Prosperity, property ownership, family life such things long championed by conservatives have ceased to be unifying, aspirational ideals. Instead, they have been transformed into privileges denied to a growing proportion of the population. The upshot is a burgeoning cohort of people who feel unplugged from our society and economy. The shrinking base of people who feel enfranchised in this country is precipitating the current sense of instability, and it is compromising too the sense of order which conservatives are the professed guardians of. A political party is not required to win on every area of policy to maintain the confidence of the people in government. Voters can trust the leadership of a group of men and women, even if they do not endorse the totality of their views and values. But to lose a basic association with aspiration, opportunity and ownership is to lose a sense of what at its core the Conservative Party stands for. Those on the Right willing on the demise of the Conservative Party should be very careful what they wish for. All true conservatives know that institutions which stand the test of time contain some inner wisdom, and that anyone who ignores this is foolish indeed. You do not get a more conservative country by ditching the most successful vehicle for conservative policies to have existed. But it is undeniable that in recent years, the Conservative Party has lost its way. The responsibility of all those who remain committed to its endurance is to help the party rediscover its driving sense of moral mission: its undertaking to give a greater proportion of the British people a stake in the country that they call their own. To give them something to conserve. The great intellectual restoration on the Right must do three things: first, it must achieve clarity on what sort of stake in our society we wish to afford people: property ownership of all varieties, a family and a sense of belonging to a shared moral and cultural community. Secondly, and absolutely critically, it must rethink the ways in which we can extend these things to a greater number of people. And thirdly, it must accept that improving matters will require courage; the decisions required for a stronger, more prosperous, more cohesive country will not be easy, or else they would have already been taken. It will be a historical exercise, as it will require us to look back to those enduring principles which have always guided conservatives. But it must be a forward looking one too, as we consider how we can make younger generations receptive to our values and beliefs. Do this, and Conservatives will not only recover a sense of who they are, but of why their convictions remain so relevant. Fail, and the role of the Party will be reduced to serving as the representative of a permanent minority interest. James Vitali is Head of Political Economy at Policy Exchange Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Britain suspended financial aid for UNRWA in January but David Lammy, the new Foreign Secretary, is said to be reviewing the move - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock David Lammy is closely considering resuming funding for the UNs humanitarian body for Gaza, despite alleged links to Hamas. Britain suspended financial aid for the United National Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) in January, following claims that its members had taken part in the Oct 7 atrocity, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 240 people taken hostage. Israel has claimed that more than 1,400 of the organisations workers were members of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad, approximately 12 per cent of the agencys workforce in Gaza. A number of employees were subsequently sacked. A Palestinian woman in the Gaza strip after an alleged Israeli strike - Mohammed Salem/REUTERS Even before the current war, which has devastated much of the enclave, UNRWA was crucial to maintaining basic services, including education, with most of its staff coming from Palestinian society. However, the accusations of links to Hamas drew global criticism. In April an independent review led by Catherine Colonna, the former French foreign minister, said the agency must improve its screening of staff for pro-Hamas sentiments. The previous month the agencys chief, Philippe Lazzarini, said it was not possible to weed out all staff members who have pro-Hamas sentiments. Barbara Woodward said UNWRA was 'providing essential services to Palestinian refugees' - Julia Nikhinson/AP Photo Speaking at the UN on Friday, Barbara Woodward, the UKs Permanent Representative to the UN, revealed that Mr Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, is closely considering resuming UK funding to UNRWA. Palestinians in Gaza are facing humanitarian catastrophe and the very real risk of famine, she told the UNRWA Pledging Conference. For months they have suffered unbearable hardship without the food and protection from harm that they need. She said the UK was committed to alleviating the suffering and delivering aid to civilians, adding: We recognise that UNRWA is absolutely central to these efforts. It is playing a critically important role in getting aid to those who need it in Gaza and providing essential services, including healthcare and education, to Palestinian refugees across the region. Ms Woodward said Britain had been appalled by the allegations of UNRWA staff being involved in the Oct 7 massacre. But she said the UK was committed to the aid agency. We are confident that UNRWA is taking robust action in response to Catherine Colonnas independent review, to ensure it meets the highest standards of neutrality, transparency and accountability. Senior Conservatives, including likely leadership contender Suella Braverman, had publicly called for Lord Cameron, the previous foreign secretary, not to resume Britains support for the agency. One unnamed Tory said the decision would be morally bankrupt. Upon becoming Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer called for a ceasefire that leads to a sustainable peace for both Israelis and Palestinians and the release of all hostages, as well as more humanitarian aid for Gaza. A number of the president's former allies have called on him to quit his campaign for re-election A growing number of Democrats are urging Joe Biden to conclude his bid for re-election and make way for a younger contender after a series of stumbling performances on stage. Concerns about his recent debate performance have escalated within the party, drawing criticism from politicians, donors and other insiders. How many Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside? Select a group to explore comments from key figures turning against Biden Reps and Senators 27 of 535 Governors 0 of 50 Donors 10 Figures of interest Critics in the House of Representatives and beyond are now adding their voices to those pushing for a reconsideration of Mr Bidens candidacy. Donors George Clooney George Clooney, a prominent Democratic donor and friend of Mr Biden, publicly called on the president to end his re-election campaign as the latter welcomed world leaders to a Nato summit in Washington, DC. Mr Clooney expressed concerns that Mr Biden is not the same as he was in 2010 nor during his candidacy in 2020, urging the Democratic Party to address the situation at its upcoming national convention. Calling for the party to figure it out, he said: We are not going to win in November with this president. Abigail Disney The heiress to the Disney fortune withdrew her financial support, saying that the Democrats would not receive a single dime until they bite the bullet and replace Mr Biden. Abigail Disney has withdrawn her financial support - Getty/Santiago Felipe Biden is a good man who has served his country well, but the stakes are far too high to allow timidity to determine our course of action, Ms Disney, who has long been a major Democratic donor, said on July 4. Gideon Stein Gideon Stein, philanthropist, revealed that he would pause planned donations of $3.5 million to the Biden campaign. Joe Biden has been a very effective president, but unless he steps aside my family and I are pausing on more than $3 million in planned donations to nonprofits and political organisations aligned with the presidential race, with the exception of some down-ballot work, Mr Stein said. Virtually every major donor Ive talked to believes that we need a new candidate in order to defeat Donald Trump. Reed Hastings Reed Hastings, the Netflix co-founder and a major Democrat donor, called for Mr Biden to withdraw from the presidential race in an article for the Economist on July 3. Alongside his wife Patty Quillin, Mr Hastings has donated more than $20 million in recent years, including roughly $1.5 million to Mr Biden during his 2020 campaign. Biden needs to step aside to allow a vigorous Democratic leader to beat Trump and keep us safe and prosperous, he said in an email to The New York Times. Bill Harris Bill Harris, a former chief executive of Intuit and PayPal, announced that he is leading a small group of Democratic donors who have committed $2 million to support funding for presidential debates among potential nominees, should Mr Biden choose to step aside. Its not that we have to protect ourselves from chaos and drama, Mr Harris said. We need drama and a little chaos. I think it can be refreshing and energising. Whitney Tilson Whitney Tilson, author and investor, ordinarily gives around 100,000 per year to the Democrats, but he said he was reconsidering his support after Mr Bidens stumbling performances. I feel deceived. For months my Republican friends have been sending me videos from Twitter and Fox News that appear to show Bidens dementia, Mr Tilson wrote X, formerly known as Twitter, at the end of June. If its as bad as what we all witnessed on Thursday night, then he needs to put his country first and step aside immediately, he added. Rick Caruso Rick Caruso, a Los Angeles developer and former mayoral candidate, was a Democratic donor and co-hosted a multi-million-dollar fundraiser for Mr Biden in December. He announced in a July 6 interview that he would halt his efforts to support Mr Bidens re-election until he can obtain more clarity on the matter. The question is not only can you be a viable candidate, but also do you have the ability to be the president of the United States?, Mr Caruso said. He added on X that stepping aside was the honourable thing for president Biden to do. Damon Lindelof Damon Lindelof, Hollywood showrunner and longstanding Democratic donor, wrote an article in Deadline urging Mr Biden to step down from the race early in July. Damon Lindelof advised fellow Democrats to cease funding Mr Biden - Getty/Elisabetta Villa He advised fellow Democrats to cease funding a candidate who should withdraw from the campaign. I am a lifelong Democrat and I love my complicated, glorious country. I am not writing this anonymously because Im asking others in positions of influence to do the same. I dont know if what I have to say will matter, but I know what my eyes and my ears and my heart tell me, he added. Ive been asleep at the wheel and its time to wake the f--- up. Rob Reiner The film director, whose credits include Spinal Tap, said on X: Its time to stop fing around, the director wrote on X, formerly Twitter. If the convicted felon wins, we lose our democracy. Joe Biden has effectively served the US with honour, decency, and dignity. Its time for Joe Biden to step down. A long-time donor to the Democrats, he is one of Hollywoods most prominent party supporters. Bill Ackman Bill Ackman, a billionaire fund manager who backed Dean Phillips for the nomination has blamed Jill Biden for her husband not stepping down. I no longer blame Biden for not stepping aside. He no longer has the mental acuity to make important judgments about himself. It is becoming increasingly clear however that the fault lies with Jill Biden. Bill Ackman (pictured) has blamed Jill Biden for her husband not standing down - Reuters/Mike Blake First lady Jill Biden becomes irrelevant the moment her husband is no longer president. No more Air Force One. No more glamorous life. No more White House dinners for dignitaries. No more being treated like a queen when travelling the world. Mr Ackman is now likely to back Donald Trump. Representatives and Senators Peter Welch Peter Welch, a veteran Democratic senator from Vermont with over two decades of service, became the first senator to publicly urge Mr Biden to withdraw from the presidential race on July 10. Mr Welch told the Washington Post: We need him to put us first, as he has done before, he said. I urge him to do it now. Adam Schiff Senior Democrat Adam Schiff, a former chair of the House intelligence committee, said he has serious concerns about Mr Bidens ability to beat Trump and called on him to drop out of the race. While the choice to withdraw from the campaign is President Bidens alone, I believe it is time for him to pass the torch, he said. In doing so, [he would] secure his legacy of leadership by allowing us to defeat Donald Trump in the upcoming election. Sherrod Brown Sherrod Brown of Ohio became the fourth Democrat in the Senate chamber to ask Mr Biden to drop out of the race. Mr Brown said many Ohioans had contacted him over concerns that defeat to Donald Trump would jeopardise Democrat plans to grow jobs in our state, give law enforcement the resources to crack down on fentanyl, protect Social Security and Medicare from cuts, and prevent the ongoing efforts to impose a national abortion ban. He called on Mr Biden to end his campaign. Martin Heinrich Martin Heinrich, a senator for New Mexico, on Friday said Mr Biden should drop out. He called the president one of the most accomplished presidents in modern history but said that this moment in our nations history calls for a focus that is bigger than any one person. Jon Tester Jon Tester called on Mr Biden to drop out of the race after the US President was forced off the campaign trail with Covid-19 in mid-July. The Montana senator, who faces a tough re-election battle this year, told a local news outlet: While I appreciate his commitment to public service and our country, I believe President Biden should not seek re-election to another term. Jim Costa Jim Costa, a California congressman and former leader of the Blue Dog Democrat faction, said the party needed to deliver their strongest team to the American people in this election. Echoing other Democrats appeals to legacy and patriotism, he said: For the good of the country, I think it is time for the President to pass the torch to the next generation to carry on the legacy he started. Brittany Pettersen Brittany Pettersen, a congresswoman for Colorado, on Friday called on Mr Biden to pass the torch. Joe Biden saved our country once, and Im joining the growing number of people in my district and across the country to ask him to do it again, Pettersen said in a statement posted on X. Please pass the torch to one of our many capable Democratic leaders so we have the best chance to defeat Donald Trump, who is the greatest threat to the foundation of this country that we have ever faced. Mike Levin Southern California congressman Mike Levin directly confronted Mr Biden during a virtual meeting on Friday with a group of Democratic lawmakers. Mr Levin asked Mr Biden in the call to make way for a younger leader. Making this statement is not easy, Mr Levin said. I have deep respect for President Bidens five plus decades of public service and incredible appreciation for the work weve done together these last three and a half years. But I believe the time has come for President Biden to pass the torch. Hillary Scholten Hillary Scholten serves as the US representative for Michigans 3rd congressional district and has typically supported Mr Bidens legislative agenda on issues such as healthcare, immigration reform, and economic policies. Following the first presidential debate, she said she was concerned by Mr Bidens performance. But after Mr Bidens speech on July 11, she withdrew her support, writing: It has become clear over the last several weeks that a change needs to be made. Greg Stanton Greg Stanton, a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives, has generally supported Mr Biden and his administrations agenda. In a statement on July 11, Mr Stanton touted himself as one of Bidens early supporters in 2020, but that the stakes in the election could not be higher. He added: For our countrys sake, it is time for the president to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders. Scott Peters Scott Peters, a representative for Californias 52nd congressional district, is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of 100 centrist Democrats in the House. Scott Peters: 'The stakes are high' - Bill Clark He asked Biden to withdraw from the presidential campaign because the stakes are high, and we are on a losing course, in a statement released on July 11. My conscience requires me to speak up and put loyalty to the country and to democracy ahead of my great affection for, and loyalty to, the president and those around him, he added. Eric Sorensen Eric Sorensen, a representative for Illinois, said he is hopeful that Mr Biden will step aside. In 2020, Joe Biden ran for president with the purpose of putting country over party. Today, I am asking him to do that again, he said on July 11. Brad Schneider Brad Schneider, a representative for Illinois, said that he loved Mr Biden and was forever grateful for his leadership and service to our nation. But he added on July 11: The time has come, however, for president Biden to heroically pass the torch to a new generation of leadership to guide us to the future he has enabled and empowered us to pursue. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Marie Gluesenkamp of Washington issued a statement on the afternoon of July 11 in which she suggested unelected advisers are making important decisions about the country, rather than Mr Biden. She also implied the president should abandon his re-election bid. Americans deserve to feel their president is fit enough to do the job, she said. The crisis of confidence in the presidents leadership needs to come to an end. The president should do what he knows is right for the country and put the national interest first. Jim Himes Jim Himes of Connecticut is a high-ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee. On July 11 he wrote: The 2024 election will define the future of American democracy, and we must put forth the strongest candidate possible to confront the threat posed by Trumps promised MAGA authoritarianism. Ed Case Ed Case from Hawaii broke ranks with the rest of the states congressional delegation when stating that Mr Biden should end his re-election bid. Difficult times and realities require difficult decisions, he wrote, adding my guidepost is what is the best way forward for our country. Pat Ryan Pat Ryan, representing a vulnerable seat in New York State, urged Mr Biden to fulfil his earlier promise to act as a bridge to a new generation of leaders and to step aside for the good of our country on July 10. Earl Blumenauer Earl Blumenauer is a long-time Leftist who is set to retire at the end of his long term. He said on July 10 that he hoped Mr Biden would end his bid because the 2024 race was not just about extending his presidency but protecting democracy. Mikie Sherrill Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, who is typically centre-Left, wrote that the stakes are too high and the threat is too real to stay silent because Democrats cannot allow Trump to return to the White House. Adam Smith Adam Smith of Washington, a high-ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed concerns that Mr Biden was no longer able to clearly, articulately, and strongly make his case to the American people. I think its become clear that hes not the best person to carry the Democratic message, he said on July 8. Angie Craig Angie Craig of Minnesota, representing a swing district, voiced concerns about Mr Bidens debate performance and subsequent lack of a forceful response. She cautioned that time was running out to select a replacement, emphasising the urgency of the situation. I do not believe that the president can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump, she said on July 6. Lloyd Doggett Lloyd Doggett, a congressman from Texas serving his 15th term, was the first House Democrat to publicly call for Biden to step aside. The 77-year-old member of the influential House Ways and Means Committee, expressed his respect for all that president Biden has achieved, but criticised him for failing to effectively defend his many accomplishments on the debate stage. The need for him to step aside is more urgent tonight than when I first called for it on Tuesday, he said on July 5. Mike Quigley Mike Quigley, an Illinois congressman heavily involved in planning the Democratic National Convention, made a direct plea to Mr Biden, acknowledging his legacy, but urging him to let someone else do this at this critical juncture. Mike Quigley has made a direct plea to Mr Biden - AP/John McDonnell I would say: Mr president, your legacy is set. We owe you the greatest debt of gratitude. The only thing that you can do now to cement that for all time and prevent utter catastrophe is to step down and let someone else do this, he said on July 5. Seth Moulton Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, a former 2020 presidential candidate, has said that he no longer had confidence in Mr Bidens ability to defeat Trump. President Biden has done enormous service to our country, but now is the time for him to follow in George Washingtons footsteps and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump, he said on July 4. On July 3, he had expressed grave concerns about Mr Bidens ability to defeat Donald Trump. Raul Grijalva Raul Grijalva, Arizona progressive, told the New York Times that the Biden campaign was in a precarious state and emphasised that Mr Biden must now bear the responsibility of maintaining control of the White House. What he needs to do is shoulder the responsibility for keeping that seat and part of that responsibility is to get out of this race, he said on July 3. Jared Huffman Jared Huffman was one of four Democrats to plead with Mr Biden to withdraw on July 19. He represents Californias 2nd Congressional District and previously spoke out against Mr Biden in an interview with CNN on July 18. Weve got to acknowledge that this was not just one bad night. This is a pretty pervasive and widespread perception thats been dragging President Biden down in the polls for many months. Weve got to figure this out. I think we have a couple of weeks to do it, but weve got to do it, Mr Huffman said. He added the narrative around Mr Bidens age is going to be pretty difficult for the president to undo it as it is pretty well established now. Marc Veasey US Representative Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, was also part of the four and the second House Democrat from Texas to urge Mr Biden to step aside. Mr Veasey is the first member of the Congressional Black Caucus to publicly make this call. Chuy Garcia Chuy Garcia, of Illinois, a progressive who describes himself as a proud immigrant, was another US Representative to call for Mr Biden to step down on July 19. Following Mr Bidens debate with Mr Trump, Mr Garcia said it was a tough 90 minutes to watch. He added that Mr Biden has a very important decision to make over the next few days about whether he can continue and complete the campaign and, of course, lead the country forward. Mr Garcia has previously hit out at Mr Biden for using the word illegal when describing immigrants. Mark Pocan Wisconsin US Rep. Mark Pocan became the first top Wisconsin Democrat to call for Mr Biden to exit on July 19. It marks a shift in Wisconsin, where top officials have largely backed Mr Biden in recent weeks. Mr Pocan is a progressive Democrat and is affiliated with several organisations, including Wisconsin Citizens Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Fair Wisconsin, and the Midwest Progressive Elected Officials Network. Morgan McGarvey Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky called Mr Biden an incredibly effective and empathetic leader, praising his record on job growth and climate issues. However, he said that the party could not risk the focus of the campaign being anything other than Donald Trump and his ilk. Gabe Vasquez Gabe Vasquez, a congressman for New Mexico, said that while Mr Biden is an honourable public servant who has dedicated his career to bettering the lives of all Americans, he believes there is too much at risk in the election and said he should step aside. Mr Vasquez is running for a second term in a swing district along the US border with Mexico where partisan control has flipped in each of the last three elections. Governors No Democratic governors have yet called on Mr Biden to step aside. Tory leadership contenders Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss Id like to address this column to the next Conservative leader. I have no idea who you are and, frankly, I dont want to know yet. We need time, not just to kick the tyres of the various candidates but dont take this the wrong way to examine the bodywork for scratches and to look under the bonnet. There is nothing to be gained by rushing. Its hardly as if the country were gazing breathlessly in our direction. We are still at the stage where some journalists are cooing about Sir Keir Starmers dashing looks. Use the time to show us what youre like at opposition. That, after all, is the job for which you are immediately auditioning. We want to see you perform at our party conference in Birmingham before we vote. A contest now would be lost in the noise. A new opposition leader gets only a couple of weeks to make an impression and, if that moment is lost, it doesnt come again. Ask Iain Duncan Smith, who was unlucky enough to be elected the day after the Twin Towers were destroyed in 2001. What Id like to hear is not what you would do as Prime Minister, but what you will do as leader of the Opposition. Sure, Id also like to have a sense of what makes you tick ideologically, but detailed policy can wait. What cant wait is repairing our dilapidated party machine. Our campaign operation is being held together with bubblegum and string. If only CCHQ had had people advising against an early poll rather than betting on one. We somehow managed to catch ourselves off guard with the snap election, but no one else. To be fair, all parties rust in office. For the past 14 years, talented Tory MPs have been running Whitehall ministries, while talented Labour MPs have been running their party. Now it is the other way round, and there is a job of work to be done. We badly need money. Jeremy Hunt won his seat against the trend, partly because of his obvious decency and ability, but mainly because he sank 100,000 into his campaign and worked every inch of his prosperous corner of Surrey. If we want to win back similar seats, we need to start now. Which brings us to the mess of candidate selection. Yes, one always hears complaints about the candidates department from those who were unsuccessful. But this time, we all know first-rate people blocked by officials. To be clear, this is not a complaint about plum seats being held in reserve for the in-crowd. I take the unfashionable view that we need one or two ex-SpAds who know how to get things past civil servants. It is, in any case, unrealistic to expect party bigwigs not to help their proteges; but that would not matter if other high-calibre candidates were given a fair crack of the whip. Nor should you accept the decline in membership as a fait accompli. Two years ago, the Canadian Conservatives quadrupled their membership to more than 600,000. Almost all those new members joined to support Pierre Poilievre, who appealed to younger voters by promising to cut taxes, reduce barriers to employment and build houses. You, putative leader, might lack Poilievres powerful brand of geeky charisma, but you can surely improve our current performance. At the very least, you could double our membership, bringing our party into line with Labour. One specific suggestion, if I may. Appoint Jacob Rees-Mogg as party chairman, rather than leaving that role to an MP who will necessarily be distracted. You should look again at our leadership rules. In this shrunken parliamentary party, it takes only 18 MPs to trigger a leadership challenge and, unless you win 61 or more votes, you are out. That was the structural flaw that did for Duncan Smith and that undermined both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Appoint some party grandees to devise a better system. In order to avoid any temptation to game things in favour of a particular candidate, their recommendations should have a delay mechanism, coming into effect only from, say, 2030. Meanwhile, show the country that you would make a decent fist of being PM. Be ready to forgo cheap hits in order to build your credibility. You will be tempted to oppose whatever the Government does, especially when it is unpopular. Perhaps you will tell yourself that, though the broad thrust of its approach is right, the details are wrong. The Tories opposed Tony Blairs 1998 tuition fees legislation on grounds that it established, not fees, but a disguised graduate tax. They had a point. But that did not detract from the general principle that it was right to shift part of the cost of higher education from taxpayers to beneficiaries. The Tories channelled public opposition, but doing so made them look more like a campaign group than an alternative government. What are todays equivalents? Housebuilding and healthcare. In both areas, Labour wants to do the right thing. Yes, it will do it in ways that the Tories would not choose. But it would be a mistake to nitpick, let alone line up with Nimby campaigners or NHS unions. The rate at which we build homes has been falling, relative to our population, since the 1960s. Result? Our rents are half as high again as in France, Germany or the Low Countries, and the average size of our homes is a third less. How should you, as Tory leader, respond to Labours proposals to build on part of the green belt? The popular response would be, Hands off! The statesmanlike response would be, Much of the greenbelt is indeed dotted with petrol stations, rubbish dumps, car washes and the like. We want to preserve beautiful countryside but, if you can declassify scrubland that just happens to be close to cities, you will have our full support. Dont repeat the mistake our party kept making during the last Parliament, namely sacrificing long-term credibility to short-term headlines. Especially when it comes to the NHS. The Conservatives decided in 2010 that they would never be trusted with RHNS, and that their best option was to sign the cheques unconditionally. Remember the moans after the referendum about Wheres our 350 million a week? The current number is more than 700 million. Yet this vast increase has been pocketed without acknowledgement, and without reform. The Tories fear of being accused of privatisation means that the fruit is not so much low-hanging as piled in great snowdrifts. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has made a refusal to charge for treatment a red line, meaning that Britain cannot copy the insurance-based systems of Europe, let alone the savings-account systems of Asia. This is a pity, as it reduces investment, while doing nothing to help the poor, who do not pay in any event. But even within that red line, there are reforms to be made. Tory timorousness means that nothing has been done since the Blair years to encourage private procurement in other words, the NHS purchasing private provision without charging patients. Streeting shows every sign of wanting to go down this road, and when he does, you can be certain that the trade unions will howl with fury. At that point, future leader, you should back Labour full-throatedly. Your support will do them no favours with their base. But it will establish you as prime ministerial. None of this is to suggest going easy on them. There will be plenty of areas where you should oppose what Labour is doing, from impossible decarbonisation targets to votes for 16-year-olds, from tax rises to wokery. But pick your battles. If you howl down every change as the end of civilisation, people will stop listening. One last tip. Dont fret about Reform. If you are seen as wet and woke, nothing will make them go away. If you are seen as a mainstream Conservative, people will stop voting for them. Either way, this is about you, not them. Nigel Farage said one of the reasons the turnout at the general election was low is because many 'can't see the point' - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph A campaign to reform the UKs voting system would be more irresistible than Brexit, Nigel Farage has said. The Reform UK leader made the claim after it emerged that, in 2020, Sir Keir Starmer had suggested Britain did not have a healthy democracy because millions of people vote and it doesnt really count. The general election was described as one of the most distorted in history after Labour won 63 per cent of seats with 33.7 per cent of the vote. At the same time, Reform picked up five seats despite receiving more than four million votes. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, won 72 with just over 3.5 million votes. The results have reignited debate about whether the UK should replace its first past the post electoral system with proportional representation. Mr Farage told The Telegraph: The electoral system is broken. We get more votes than the Lib Dems and five seats. Starmer gets a third of the vote and two-thirds of the seats. The whole thing is illegitimate. With turnout falling to its lowest level in more than 20 years 59.9 per cent of people voted in the election Mr Farage blamed first past the post for breeding public apathy. One of the reasons the turnout was as low as it was is because many cant see the point, he said. This isnt working any more, so there is going to be a major campaign for serious electoral reform, and its coming over the course of the next five years. This will be more irresistible than Brexit was. He pointed out that while Sir Keir had benefited from the electoral system on this occasion, Labour delegates had backed a motion calling on the party to embrace proportional representation at its annual conference in 2022. Nigel Farage, picrured with his fellow Reform MPs, said the electoral system 'isn't working any more' The Telegraph can reveal that, in January 2020, Sir Keir criticised the electoral system and said he would want to look at changing it. Giving a speech to members of the Westminster North Constituency Labour Party days before he launched his campaign to be party leader, Sir Keir said there needed to be a debate about reform. In an audio recording from the meeting, shared with The Telegraph, he can be heard saying: On the voting system, I think this is a really strong point, so many people vote and it doesnt count and we cant go on like that because progressive politics requires peoples votes to actually count. So I would want to look at this. The only caveat Ive got is that I also genuinely believe that you need a representative in each area who is there to represent the people in that area and to act on their behalf so whatever this system is, I dont want to lose that. Theres ways of accommodating [that]. Its a debate we should have as a party Im not fixed on a particular position. But I do think the fact that millions of people vote and it doesnt really count is not the sign of a healthy democracy at work. However, after becoming Labour leader, Sir Keir defended first past the post. He told ITV last month: Its the right system, and it has given us strong government in this country, and we are not making any changes to it. Asked about Sir Keirs comments from 2020, Mr Farage said: I agree, and I will quote that back at him in the next few weeks. He urged the Prime Minister to uphold the will of the Labour Party conference. Princess Martha Louise said: 'When I moved into this room, I became terribly afraid of the dark. And there was a man staring at me' - Shutterstock A princess has said she was haunted by the ghost of a Nazi SS general who shot himself in her childhood palace bedroom. Princess Martha Louise, of Norway, said the phantom fascist would appear and try to strangle her. She believes the spectre was Waffen SS general Wilhelm Rediess, who lived in the royal familys Skaugum Castle during the German occupation of Norway in World War II. Rediess, Adolf Hitlers right-hand man in Norway, killed himself on May 8 1945 rather than face justice when Germany surrendered to Allied forces. Waffen SS general Wilhelm Rediess was responsible for the mass deportation of Jewish Norwegians to death camps Martha Louise, 52, said the restless spirit haunted her for years when she was a teenager. She told the Modern Royalty podcast: When I moved into this room, I became terribly afraid of the dark. And there was a man staring at me. I told everyone. Every night, my nannies or my parents would look behind the curtains, pull them back and say, Look, there is no one behind the curtains. There is no one here. Martha Louise said she only learnt the horrific truth decades later when her father, now King Harald V, revealed the rooms macabre past. She had reminded her father of the haunting and he told, Oh, thats the room where the Nazi general took his own life. Martha Louise, who is fourth in line to Norways throne, told the podcast she thought: Its only now that you are telling me this? Death camps Rediess lived like a king in Norway after the 1940 invasion. He was directly responsible for the mass deportation of Jewish Norwegians to death camps, where they were murdered. He rose from SS-Obergruppenfuhrer and police leader to a general of the Waffen SS in 1944. Asbjoern Svarstad, a World War II expert, told local media that Rediess was found dead on a sofa in what became the princesss bedroom when she was 14. Martha Louise is a self-styled clairvoyant, who claims to have spoken to angels. She is the eldest child of King Harald V, but he will be succeeded by her younger brother, Crown Prince Haakon. She had to step down from royal duties in 2022 over her partner Durek Verretts controversial views and accusations she was using her royal title for profit. Princess Martha Louise with her partner Durek Verrett, who claims to have risen from the dead and to have predicted the 9/11 attacks - ISM/Capital Pictures Mr Verrett, 49, claims to be a sixth-generation shaman, believes sadness causes child cancer and sold medallions online to ward off Covid-19. The Hollywood guru claims to have risen from the dead and to have predicted the 9/11 attacks. The couple run an alternative medicine business and are set to be married, with King Haralds blessing, on August 31. To those of you who feel the need to criticise: Hold your horses. It is not up to you to choose for me or to judge me. Shaman Durek is merely a man I love spending my time with and who fulfils me, the princess said in a social media post defending the relationship in 2019. It will be Martha Louises second marriage. Her first husband was the writer Ari Behn and the couple had three daughters before they divorced in 2017. Mr Behn, who struggled with depression, took his own life on Christmas Day 2019 at the age of 47. Pakistani media reported Khan could face fresh charges related to violence during his arrest last year. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters A court in Pakistan has acquitted the former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife on charges of unlawful marriage, just a day after his party won the majority of reserved seats in the supreme court. Syed Zulfi Bukhari, an adviser to Imran Khan on international affairs and media, said: The court has not only thrown out the case but the judge has ordered for the immediate release of Imran Khan and his wife. Bukhari said there is not a single pending case against Khan to keep him in prison. Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party asked for the immediate release of Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. Khan and Bibi were sentenced to seven years days before the general elections in February by a local court in Pakistan, which found them guilty of breaking Islamic law and failing to observe the required interval between Bibis divorce and their marriage. Khan was sentenced in four big cases including the unlawful marriage and another involving allegations of leaking state secrets and has been imprisoned since last August. He has been acquitted in all cases or granted bail. Khans supporters and close aides were celebrating the acquittal of the unlawful marriage allegations, known as the Iddat case, hoping it would pave the way for his release. But minutes after Khans acquittal order, local media reported that an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan had issued written orders for the arrest and questioning of Khan in cases related to 9 May violence during his arrest last year. Related: Pakistani judges say intelligence agency threatened them over Imran Khan Soon after his arrest, violence erupted across Pakistan when Khans supporters attacked military installations and buildings in protest. Khan has been accused of being the mastermind of the unrest. Bukhari said: Now all of sudden we are just hearing that Khan has to be questioned in cases related to 9 May violence and also his wife in a corruption case. It is a mockery of justice but we know these fake cases wont stand in the court of law. The courts are releasing Imran Khan but the administration and military establishment are putting fake cases one after another to put him in prison. Why were these cases not brought before? Khan had accused Pakistans powerful military and its chief of harbouring a personal grudge against him and ordering his arrest. For decades, Pakistan has been ruled by military dictators, and the powerful military still plays a huge role in politics. Fawad Chaudhry, the former information minister and a former close aide of Khan, said he is behind bars because of politics not criminal activity. [The] arrest of Imran Khan is [a] continuation of [a] political vendetta against Pakistans most popular political leader, Chaudhry said. The authorities are too scared of freeing Imran Khan hence [a] series of fake criminal cases are put together to keep him in jail. Zahid Hussain, a political analyst and author, said Khans acquittal in the Iddat case was very much expected as it was frivolous and had no legal standing. Hussain said: It was also expected that the military establishment does not want Khan to be out of prison and he will be arrested in another concocted case. But it will not be easy for the military to keep Khan in the prison for quite long now as the judiciary is asserting itself, we have seen yesterday in the major reserved seats case, and the pressure from the military and government is not working. Montage of Angela Rayner, Sir Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Sue Gray To the unsuspecting onlooker, it would appear that Sir Keir Starmer is running a rather slick operation. With his Cabinet appointed and his Downing Street team in place, a steady drumbeat of Government announcements has dominated the news agenda this week. But just over a week into the new regime, tensions are bubbling under the surface. Allies of Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, fear she is being frozen out and believe she is already being unfairly stripped of responsibilities. Ms Rayner, directly elected by Labour members as Deputy PM and therefore unsackable, has already been identified as the biggest potential threat to Sir Keirs authority. The darling of the Left, she has her own power base within the party and is particularly popular among those who, like her, have come up through the ranks from the trade union movement. Angela Rayner is sworn in as an MP on July 9 - House of Commons A Savanta poll earlier this month showed she was by far the most popular choice among Labour voters to succeed Sir Keir. She has a powerful mandate from the membership, having been elected deputy in 2020 with more than twice as many votes in the final round as Rosena Allin-Khan, her nearest rival. However, friends of Ms Rayner are growing concerned that her authority is being gradually and subtly undermined. While in opposition, she had been leading one of Labours flagship policies, the new deal for working people, which promises to boost wages and give workers more rights. But it is now Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, whose department will take the lead. This probably means that the new deal will get killed off as Jonny Reynolds will want to do what is best for business, not what is best for the unions it will be a clash, said one Labour source. According to party insiders, there is now growing speculation that Ms Rayner is also set to have the planning brief taken away from her after Rachel Reeves made it the focus of her first major speech as Chancellor. Angela has been frozen out of everything. She was sitting in the front row of a speech about her own department, said a source. Others point to the fact that many of Ms Rayners shadow cabinet team were overlooked when it came to getting jobs in the Government. Mike Amesbury, Paula Barker and Flo Eshalomi, close allies and members of her shadow housing team, have been relegated to the backbenches. Matt Pennycook and Jim McMahon, also members of her shadow team, have been appointed as ministers in her department. Friends of Ms Rayner are urging her to get out there more and take ownership of her brief. One said: Everyone has been looking busy Wes, Ed and Rachel have all been out there doing things. Within a few days, she is already being frozen out of stuff, having parts of her brief taken off her it is not a great start. Wes Streeting used his first day as Health Secretary to declare that the NHS is broken and this would be his departments official policy. He went on to hold a first round of talks with the British Medical Association, aimed at breaking the deadlock on junior doctor strikes. Meanwhile, Ms Reeves chose the Churchill Room at the Treasury, where the creation of the NHS was announced, to deliver her maiden speech as Chancellor, and Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has spent the past few days implementing a ban on North Sea oil and setting up a new net zero task force. One issue said to be hampering Ms Rayner is that the office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not yet been defined. Nick Parrott, her chief of staff, was not able to get hold of Sue Gray, Sir Keirs powerful chief of staff, to discuss it before election day. But John McTernan, who was political secretary to Sir Tony Blair from 2005 to 2007, said that this should not pose a problem for her. Angela has got the position in the party with its own mandate and a position in the Cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister, he said. She has the relationships with the powerhouses at the centre of the operation Keir, Rachel and Ed and if you look at her department, she is at the heart of Labours growth agenda. The Telegraph understands Ms Rayner is happy with her team of ministers and will still remain closely involved with the new deal. Meanwhile, a restructure at Labours campaign headquarters, which was meant to take place last week, has been delayed because David Evans, the partys general secretary, has been unable to get the green light from Ms Gray. David was meant to be overseeing this but cant start it as he hasnt had a steer from Sue Gray about what the structure of Downing Street will look like, said a Labour source. He is blowing up because Sue Gray isnt answering the phone to him. While some staff have been offered plum jobs in either Downing Street or government departments, dozens of others are now left in limbo. Anyone hired on a general election contract is now officially working out their notice, which was triggered on polling day. A Labour source said: Following the election, many members of the team have moved into government roles, meaning changes to the HQ operation. This will allow the party to support the Government on delivering its mission of national renewal. The restructure of the Downing Street operation has moved at pace. It would not be correct to say that this has caused frustration for senior personnel in the party. Keir Starmer has had a slick start in his first days in government but his team has already started putting structures in place to win a second term. Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters Labour has already begun preparing for its 2029 election campaign, with the partys political strategist Morgan McSweeney telling associates that he wants to build a new coalition of voters and fight it like an insurgent party. Keir Starmer has only been prime minister for a week, making a slick start in his first days in government, but his team has already started putting in place the structures to win a second term. This includes McSweeney being charged with thinking about political choices that will secure another victory, and Jonathan Ashworth, the former MP now leading the Labour Together thinktank, taking a highly, highly political role. In a fireside chat this week with David Axelrod, the US star strategist for Barack Obama, McSweeney told those attending that his job now was to think about the 2029 election. He said the party did not have to start with its current coalition of voters and would start again building the support it would need to win based on the likely electoral picture. His main argument was that the winning party always has to fight an election like an insurgent. McSweeney will be involved in day-to-day political strategy as well as longer-term election planning. His efforts will be bolstered by Ashworths appointment to Labour Together, an organisation previously run by McSweeney and funded by party donors. Ashworth, who lost his Leicester South seat to a pro-Gaza independent candidate, said his role would partly be looking ahead to the next four to five years. The campaign to win the next general election has started, Ashworth said. I know this from my time as a special adviser in government, that being in government is really, really busy and relentless. I think Labour Together can provide real space to do some of the real intellectual renewal that will need to be carried out to sustain that government Well be thinking about the policy platform that that Labour will want to fight the next general election on. Ill leave others to judge, but I would have thought that the signal that goes out from my appointment is that I am a very political figure who has worked closely with Keir and his team. I think that in itself signifies the importance of the organisation to the government. Also how people want the organisation to be playing a highly, highly political role thinking about the next general election campaign. In his first seven days, Starmer and his team have begun sowing a political narrative of being left a disastrous financial inheritance by the Conservatives, while positioning themselves as the fixers. David Lammy, the foreign secretary, went immediately to European countries to start rebuilding the UKs relationships abroad, while Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said the Tories had left her with no money and in the worst position since the second world war. Any scandals or departmental crises, from prison overcrowding to NHS waiting lists, are to be blamed on the legacy of the Conservatives. The prime minister has pitched himself as the man to solve the problems left by the Conservatives, staking his reputation on being able to deliver change. Sue Gray, his chief of staff and a former senior civil servant, is integral to his efforts to get Whitehall to implement his plans. However, some within Labour said the party was very conscious of the likely clash between politics and policy, and aware of the need to win over voters regardless of how difficult policies may be to deliver. One Labour source said Gray was already rubbing some of the political operatives in Starmers team up the wrong way as she appeared to be back in her comfort zone of letting the civil service be in the driving seat. Labour aides said the kings speech next week was focused on delivery rather than politics, and would be an opportunity to show the public that the party was intent on carrying out its manifesto from the package on workers rights to renationalising railways. Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC, said the evidence from the first week was that this is a government thats going to deliver its commitments whether thats the launch of their national wealth fund or Jonny [Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary] rolling up his sleeves and getting involved directly in talks with the steel unions about Port Talbot, and a more grown-up relationship with the devolved nations. He added: This is a prime minister with a 170 working majority and its a thumping mandate from the public. For a [small number of] employers who think they can somehow frustrate the legislation [on workers rights] or stop it coming into being: people should respect that mandate and take on board theres been nothing hidden. Theres no big surprises. Labour have long been talking about day one employment and union access to the workplace. Once the kings speech is out of the way, attention will turn to Reevess first budget and the need for a spending review before the end of the year, as well as dealing with the various immediate problems from prisons to the NHS and the potential for backbench unhappiness over the partys refusal to scrap the two-child benefit limit. Peter Mandelson, the Labour peer and architect of New Labour under Tony Blair, said the first week could not have gone better but the challenge would be navigating problems left by the last government while trying to implement Labours plans. With focus, planning and good execution they can sustain this momentum. It requires more three months ahead thinking rather than three weeks or three days, he said. The challenge is unfolding the plans already made alongside the unexploded ordnance left by the Tories from their chaos and indecision. Across Whitehall there are so many loose ends and landmines. The new Labour government has approved three giant solar farms such as the one in West Sussex, above. Photograph: Pavel Babic/Getty Images Keir Starmers Labour government unveils plans for a rooftop revolution today that will see millions more homes fitted with solar panels in order to bring down domestic energy bills and tackle the climate crisis. The energy secretary, Ed Miliband, also took the hugely controversial decision this weekend to approve three massive solar farms in the east of England that had been blocked by Tory ministers. Related: Labour will take global lead on climate action, Ed Miliband vows The three sites alone Gate Burton in Lincolnshire, Sunnicas energy farm on the Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border and Mallard Pass on the border between Lincolnshire and Rutland will deliver about two-thirds of the solar energy installed on rooftops and on the ground in the whole of last year. Now, before Wednesdays kings speech, which will include legislation for setting up the new publicly owned energy company GB Energy, ministers are working with the building industry to make it easier to buy new homes with panels installed, or instal them on existing ones. Ministers are looking at bringing in solar-related standards for new-build properties from next year. At present, while formal planning permission is not required, there are restrictions on where and how high up on buildings they can be placed. There are also restrictions in conservation areas and on listed buildings. These may also be re-examined. Miliband, who has promised to triple the amount of solar power in the UK by 2030, as well as double onshore wind and quadruple offshore wind, said on Saturday night: I want to unleash a UK solar rooftop revolution. We will encourage builders and homeowners in whatever way we can to deliver this win-win technology to millions of addresses in the UK so people can provide their own electricity, cut their bills and at the same time help fight climate change. His officials insisted the new government was showing its willingness to take on the Nimbys as part of the fight against the climate crisis. As one of his first acts last week, Miliband lifted the Tories de facto ban on the building of new onshore windsfarms. Milibands rapid moves on solar power were welcomed by UK energy experts, who said they would speedily rectify a huge imbalance in the use of renewable energy in Britain. At present, most power from renewable sources is concentrated in the north but has to be transmitted to the south, where demand is most intense. Unfortunately, these transmission lines are congested and power supplies from the north to the south are often curtailed, said Sugandha Srivastav, of Oxford Universitys Smith School of Enterprise and Environment. Instead, gas generators have to be turned on to provide electricity for households in the south, and as we all know, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, gas can be extremely expensive. So solar in the south is going to fix a key problem. It will keep power costs low, which is what we desperately need. In addition, the opening of the Gate Burton, Sunnica and Mallard Pass solar farms will increase the nations capacity for using solar radiation to generate electricity. The three farms will have a capacity of around 1.35 gigawatts, which is almost 10% of current capacity so this is very welcome, said Hamish Beath, an energy consultant at Imperial College London. However, the decisions have caused local outcries. The Tory MP for Rutland and Stamford, Alicia Kearns, said she was utterly appalled by Milibands decision to give the go-ahead to the Mallard Pass farm. The government hit back, saying the move was justified on the grounds it will provide clean energy to power about 92,000 homes over the next 60 years. Opening the door to more large solar power farms will have to be quickly followed by improvements to the National Grid, experts also say. We need to think urgently about how we transmit and distribute electricity, added Srivastav. The demand for power is only going to go up as we electrify society and if we cannot get electricity to where it needs to be, we will be in an untenable situation. Speaking before the kings speech, Starmer made clear his priorities would be to stimulate economic growth including through a green energy revolution in order to provide the necessary wealth for improving public services. The speech will include a bill to enforce tough new spending rules and strengthen the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility. It will mean significant fiscal announcements must be properly scrutinised. It will also include plans for a national register of children who are failing to attend school under a new law to stop them becoming part of the lost Covid generation. Councils will be required to monitor so-called ghost children and keep records of those being home-schooled. The education bill will also make it a legal requirement for all primary schools to have a breakfast club and for branded items of uniform that a school can insist upon to be limited to three, to help family budgets. The prime minister said: There is no time to waste. We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long term. From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbocharge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK. The task of national renewal will not be easy and this is just the downpayment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the kings speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people. There will be legislation on setting up a national wealth fund to drive investment into the UK, and the recruitment of a new border security command. The package of bills will also focus on building more houses, improving public transport, and measures allowing devolution to local leaders. Trees that fell during Hurricane Beryl remain perched on a couple of houses in the Homestead neighborhood of Houston on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jon Shapley/Houston Chronicle) Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Kimmy Crowson, left, passes the time in the garage of their powerless home with a game of Uno with her children Kia and Kayla after Hurricane Beryl made its way through the Greater Houston area after coming ashore as a Category 1 storm, Monday, July 7, 2024, in Houston. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Buffalo Bayou floods onto Allen Parkway after Beryl made landfall early morning Monday, July 8, 2024, in Houston. Ishika Samant/Staff photographer A broken electricity pole on Green River Road as a result of Hurricane Beryl on Thursday, July 11, 2024 in Houston. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle) Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Early spaghetti plots for Beryl showed it making landfall in South Texas. WeatherBELL Hurricane Beryl sneaked up on me. Until late Saturday, I didnt expect it to come anywhere near Houston. I bought bags of ice early Sunday morning, just in case and felt a little silly. No one else in the grocery store seemed to be stocking up. Then, Monday morning, the wind howled. Our windows shook. My husband and I worried about the giant oak that leans toward our house: Its infected with bark beetles, and hed scheduled to be cut down later in the week. But that one, thank God, held its ground, even as limbs and neighbors trees crashed around us. I was shocked by how hard this storm walloped the city. Fallen trees seemed to be everywhere, crushing roofs, blocking streets, bringing down power lines. As Im writing this Friday, my southeast Houston neighborhood still doesnt have electricity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hospitals got backed up, since they couldnt discharge patients into the sweltering, power-outage chaos. Hotels the ones that have power, anyway have been booked solid, full of people who cant stay in their homes. Even the citys official cooling centers didnt have enough generators. What on earth just happened here? Were a hurricane-hardened city, arent we? How did this storm take us by surprise? I called people who could help me make sense of it all: Jeff Lindner, the Harris County Flood Control meteorologist whose calm expertise made him a Houston hero during Hurricane Harvey; Rafael Renteria, a tree expert with the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center; and Phil Bedient, director of Rice Universitys SSPEED Center. (It stands for Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center. Phil likes cute acronyms.) Heres a condensed, lightly edited transcript of those conversations. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Jeff Lindner, meteorologist, Harris County Flood Control District Q: I was surprised that a Category 1 storm did so much damage. Was this storm unusual? A: A lot of people are saying, This is worse than Ike and stuff like that. Well, lets think about Ike for a minute. Ike was a strong Category 2. And Hurricane Ike made landfall in Galveston Bay. So the Houston metro area was on the better side of Ike, right? Q: We were on the clean side of the hurricane then? Not the dirty side, where the winds are higher? A: Right. With Ike, we were on the clean side. But this time, Beryl came in from our southwest, which placed us on the dirty side. Even though Beryl was weaker than Ike, it was accelerating as it came in, picking up speed. That acceleration brings strong hurricanes further inland. And on the dirty side, the hurricanes forward speed is added to the wind speeds, so that gives you your maximum wind speeds. I think this caught a lot of people off guard. Ive heard a lot of, They say this is only a Category 1, but we dont think this was a Category 1. This was a Category 1, OK? If you actually look at the data from observation site for example, at Hobby Airport or Bush we had sustained tropical storm force winds of 45 to 55 mph. Thats a tropical storm-speed wind, not a hurricane speed. Category 1 winds start at 74 mph. We had gusts up to 83 or 84 mph. So we gusted up above hurricane force, but we did not have sustained hurricane force winds in Harris County. We did not have sustained hurricane-force winds in the metro area. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Also, if you look at the damage, its consistent with a tropical storm or a weak hurricane. Its a lot of vegetation damage. Its a lot of fence damage. We dont have roofs completely blown off homes or windows blown out or walls down. I mean, theres some isolated cases of that, but its not widespread. I think this is important for people to understand: We had only a strong tropical storm with hurricane gusts. Q: Thats sobering. We could definitely be in for bigger storms this year. A: This should be a wake-up call for a lot of people of what wind can do. And it should bring some realization of what a major hurricane potentially is gonna look like. With a Category 4, say, we could have sustained winds over 140 mph more than twice the speeds we had with Beryl. Beryl should also bring some realization that its not just major hurricanes that cause a lot of problems. You know, we always tell everybody, Pay attention to the forecast, and be prepared for changes in the forecast. Always have your hurricane plan ready on June 1. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But I get the impression a lot of people tuned out on July 3, when Beryl was way back down around Jamaica, and didnt get ready until July 7, which was Sunday, the day before landfall. But hopefully now therell be some realization of why you have to be prepared this time of year, how quickly things can change and why its so important to keep up with the forecast when were dealing with these tropical storms. And also why you should have a kit and a plan that you can execute relatively quickly. Rafael Renteria, tree expert at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Q: Ive been struck by what a beating Houstons trees took. Does that have to do with last years drought? A: Yeah, it absolutely could have something to do with the drought. And actually, weve had droughts the past couple of years. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Droughts change the physical attributes of the soil quite a bit, especially here in Houston. Our soils are pretty heavy in clay. Clay can become excessively waterlogged really muddy and expand a lot. Or when its dry, it can shrink and become hard as a rock. That expansion and that shrinking means that the soil here flexes, and that flexing has been happening all throughout trees root zone. When the soil dried out, tree roots grew in a very specific soil makeup. But now, with so much rain, that is being changed, and that change is hard on full-sized trees. Sometimes that can cause roots to die back especially when you compound that with drought stress and the pests and disease that happen as a result. And if the roots die back, now the trees are essentially just holding on to the soil a lot less even though the visible part of the tree didnt change in size at all. Q: As Im replanting my yard, what should I be thinking about? A: Its important to have a good amount of trees, of varying sizes and of different species. If your whole house was surrounded by, say, post oaks, and every single one of them fell over due to the same problem, then youd have nothing. But if you have a strong, more strongly rooted tree in the mix something like a red maple then you wouldnt lose everything. Q: Its like diversifying a stock portfolio? Having lots of different species helps my yard handle all sorts of risks? A: Absolutely. Also, you definitely want to look at native trees. Theyre built for this climate, so they tend to do better as far as the droughts and stuff. And they support the most wildlife here in Houston. You also want to put the right tree in the right place. Look at how much space you have, and what your soil is like, and how big the tree will be someday. CenterPoint has information on that: You dont want to plant a tree under a power line if its going to grow tall enough to interfere with it. Phil Bedient, director of Rice Universitys SSPEED Center Q: Heres the thing that Ive been trying to figure out: Why did Hurricane Beryl catch everyone in Houston flat-footed? It seemed that we didnt realize, until the last minute, that it was coming here. A: The track was highly unusual. After it hit the Yucatan, everyone expected it to sort of stay the course and maybe come just inside the Texas border with Mexico, or maybe come up toward Corpus. But instead it took a hard right-hand turn. The reason that happened is because of the high pressure the high pressure dome sort of acted like a guidepost along with a whole bunch of other factors, including the temperature of the water in the bay as Beryl came off of Mexico. There are so many factors at play. The National Hurricane Center does a pretty good job, but its never particularly easy to predict where any hurricane will go. Youve seen the spaghetti plots? Q: The ones that show a tangle of lines on a map? With one line for each different models prediction of the hurricane path? A: Right. They always talk about the European versus the American. Did you happen to look at that yourself for Beryl? Q: No. I wasnt paying attention until the last minute. A: Well, I wasnt either, and by the time I was trying, my home internet was already out. With those spaghetti plots, there are 15 lines, at least. And they were across a wide swath. They always draw one path in the middle, which may be misleading everybody wants to believe the average, right? But in this particular case, it was the far right line that was correct. Thats where the hurricane ended up: coming towards Houston. Its very unusual for that to happen. But thats what happened. Q: I was surprised that a Cat 1 storm did so much damage. A: Boy, it came in with a punch. It had gusts of what, 84 or 89 miles an hour near downtown? Thats a strong signature. And the storm was big. It was very wide, and it cut a wide swath right across most of the developed area of Houston. Thats part of why the impact is so devastating. Beryl really was a barn burner. They did the very best they could to say where it was gonna go. They issued all kinds of warnings. But people were watching that track and thought it wouldnt hit us. I was watching the track: Oh, this is gonna go to San Antonio. We dont need to worry about this in Houston. When I saw what was going on in my backyard with the trees and the shrubbery, I was like, Whoa, what is going on here? Q: It sort of comforts me that you didnt see this coming any more than I did. But it also scares me. It seems that hurricanes are getting faster and harder to predict, and that were getting more of them. Am I right about that? A: Remember, the hurricane hunters are better than theyve ever been. The data is better than its ever been. But the competing forces are also more powerful than theyve ever been. Its a complex beast. Thats why you see 15 different model run results. You dont see three; you see 15, and none of them is consistently right. Honeywell tests its technology on a Boeing 757 like this British Airways jet - Antony Nettle/Alamy Stock Photo New technology that could have prevented the worst aviation accident in history has been tested in the UK for the first time. The in-flight aid, demonstrated exclusively for The Telegraph on a Boeing 757 flight at Cardiff Airport, generates alerts for its pilots and warns them if they are about to collide with other aircraft on the ground. In 1977, 583 people died when two Boeing 747s collided on a foggy day on the runway at Santa Cruz de Tenerife airport in the Canary Islands. Both pilots and air traffic controllers were unable to see and prevent the crash. Honeywell Aerospace, the company behind the new technology, says the trend of near-misses between landing airliners and aircraft waiting to take off has been increasing for the past seven years, with 24 such incidents reported to US authorities in 2023 alone. The wreckage at Tokyo airport in January after the crash. The scenario that led to the collision was tested by Honeywell at Cardiff airport - Richard A Brooks/AFP via Getty Images In Tokyo this January, a Japan Airlines flight that was landing crashed into a coast guard plane that had mistakenly entered the runway at the last moment, killing five people on the smaller plane. The 379 people aboard the airliner all survived. Thea Feyereisen, a senior technical fellow at Honeywell, said her companys new tech flashes up warnings on flight deck screens and triggers audio alerts to pilots. Just as if your copilot had said, Hey, theres someone on the runway, this is a third pair of eyes for the pilot, she said. The Telegraph joined Honeywells flying testbed Boeing 757 for its first UK demonstration flight of the new safety tech. A series of carefully controlled exercises over Cardiff airport saw the 757 performing what would normally have been a dangerous series of manoeuvres including a reproduction of the Tokyo crash scenario. Cardiff airport where the testing took place - Ceri Breeze/Alamy Stock Photo At the crucial moment, the new safety systems blared out traffic on runway to Captain Joe Duval, prompting the pilot to throttle up and safely guide the airliner away from the impending collision. A text message flashed up on the screens in front of both pilots as well, making doubly sure that there was no doubt about the danger they were entering into. Another exercise saw the big Boeing lined up on the runway, ready to take off, with the second jet cleared by air traffic controllers to taxi across its path the same scenario that happened at Tenerife half a century ago. Captain Duval advanced the thrust levers, sending his airliner speeding towards a potential collision. Alerts blared out again, prompting him to pull the levers back to idle and apply the brakes. Swiss cheese technique to stop accidents The new technology forms part of the Swiss cheese model of accident prevention, where small improvements help stop disasters from occurring. In the model, different slices of the cheese which, famously, has holes in it are layered on top of each other until the holes are all covered. Aviation experts say accident prevention consists of adding layers of safety, making it increasingly unlikely that dangerous situations end in catastrophe. Members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Only weeks after Ebrahim Raisi, the last Iranian president, died in a helicopter crash, some in the international community are hailing his successor, Masoud Pezeshkian, as a reformist or moderate. The record shows he is nothing of the sort; he is unwaveringly loyal to the Supreme Leader and the Islamic Republics hard-line policies. Lets be clear why this is happening. The Islamic regime is rattled, weak and desperate. This is why they have allowed a so-called reformer to win the presidency. He is a fig leaf. Western democracies should not fall for this political manoeuvre. The Iranian people want democracy and freedom. We need to stand with them and increase pressure, not lessen it. For more than four decades, the Islamic Republic in Iran has exported its radical revolution. From its hostage taking, assassination attempts and terrorist attacks, the people of Britain are no stranger to this. Last months listing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group by the Canadian Government is welcome. Now, Britain has an opportunity to lead in Europe. From my meetings with elected officials across the continent, I know there is a growing recognition that we need to hold the regime to account for its crimes. Given David Lammys impressive leadership on this issue over many years and Labours clear commitment, an early move by the new Government would be a powerful message both to the ever-weakening regime and the long-suffering Iranian people. The evidence against the IRGC is unequivocal. It promotes terrorism at home and abroad. It funds and backs terrorist acts by Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and others in the region. It supports the Russian invasion of Ukraine with drones and arms. On British soil, it is responsible for dozens of attacks, and attempted kidnappings, against journalists, dissidents and officials. It spreads an extreme Islamic ideology through a network of schools, charities and mosques in the UK. In my own country, Iran, it has viciously suppressed, executed and tortured my brave compatriots in the Women, Life, Freedom movement. The UK Government has previously argued they need to keep a channel open to Tehran and by listing the IRGC as a terrorist organisation it will shut this dialogue off. That is simply not true as Britain maintains an active embassy in Tehran. But, in any case, what has this dialogue achieved? Decades of appeasement and containment of the Iranian regime has just emboldened them and harmed British interests. The regime is inching closer to a nuclear bomb when options will become much more limited. Others have said that sanctioning a branch of the military of another nation would set an irreversible diplomatic precedent that could later be used against the West by bad actors such as Russia and China. This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the IRGC, whose very name, its founders publicly brag, does not include the word Iran because its mission is not Irans defence but the export of the Islamic Revolution around the world. Despite its recent warmongering and bluster, we should be clear the regime is weak and divided. The people have turned against it, as we see in boycott after boycott of its sham elections. We are seeing increasing indications of defections from within the armed forces. Change is inevitable in Iran. It will be driven from within the country and it may happen sooner than you think. There is an alternative to both appeasement and military action. A third way: backing the Iranian peoples fight for democracy. There are practical things Western democracies can do to support the Iranian people. It is time for not just maximum pressure, but a policy of maximum support. This is the same set of policies that Britain and the West used to help bring down apartheid in South Africa and communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Iranians deserve the same support. Listing the IRGC should be just the first, but critical, step of this more concerted effort. My compatriots are fighting for an Iran not defined by terrorism and chaos but by peaceful co-operation and productive relations with the world. Imagine a democratic secular Iran living at peace with its neighbours. Imagine a new economic powerhouse building regional prosperity and peace. This is now possible. The Iranian people are fighting to make this a reality and with your support they will achieve this in less time and at a lower cost. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi is an advocate for secular democracy in Iran Rory Stewart Theres a particular kind of figure in transatlantic public life to whom success, adventure and power seem to come with ease. They tend to dabble in history, lead distinguished lives in Westminster or Whitehall, moonlight as academics, get offered Chairs at prestigious universities and editorships or directorships of legendary institutions. They deplore Brexit, though force themselves to pay lip service to the workings of democracy that landed us with it. They are, as we are never allowed to forget, the grownups in the room and their ringleader, the most irritating grownup of all, is Rory Stewart. A humble-bragger par excellence, he manages to be both an exceptionally posh boy the Dragon School in Oxford, Eton, Balliol, the Bullingdon, says things like going tonto instead of went mad and furiously projects a down-with-the-people magnanimity and bold interest in their lives. Typical of this were his RoryWalks videos, uploaded during his campaign for Tory leader in 2019, which showed him going round Britain talking to voters about their lives and concerns. He likes to throw his hat in various rings, then pull or be pushed back as Conservative leader (2019), as a member of the Conservative party itself (shortly thereafter losing the whip in 2019 for his anti-no-deal Brexit stubbornness), for mayor (he withdrew in 2020 because of the delay in the race caused by Covid). Rumoured to be in the offing for the chancellorship of Oxford, he ruled himself out, humble-bragging that: there are much better candidates than me. Since 2022, the Brady-Johnson professor of Grand Strategy at Yales Jackson School of Global Affairs, erstwhile New York Times contributor and author of Politics on the Edge, has further amplified his two cents with a chart-topping podcast with Alastair Campbell The Rest is Politics. This is a slyly dorky, and meaningless, riff on Hamlets dying the rest is silence. I suspect that its easy to be a grownup when success flies at you and sticks. Straight out of Oxford, our sensible friend Rory joined the Foreign Office, which gave him two-years leave to walk across the most dangerous parts of Asia. This, plus time in Iraq and Afghanistan, led to a clutch of bestselling books and television programmes. For such a well-rounded, cultured and above all luxuriously educated fellow, it raised a few eyebrows last week when Stewart plugged a Radio 4 programme he is presenting on the wonders of ignorance. Ignorance has an extraordinary often positive role in our creative, artistic and political lives Ive been working with some wonderful thinkers to explore the power of ignorance on [Radio 4], tweeted Stewart. Simon Schama, another classic grownup but a historian with serious scholarly chops and a sincere moral interest in all he studies, immediately smelt the rat. Ignorance never helped creative art ever with knowledge under siege this is the worst possible time to be imagining it as a positive force for anything. Whose terrible idea is this? Quite so. The idea that ignorance the first port of call for Isis, the Nazis and other world-destroyers and totalitarians who begin by smashing ancient sites, libraries and burning books is somehow a creative virtue is cynical at best and evil at worst. Its certainly hard to imagine that the Yale professor of Grand Strategy was hired because of his love of ignorance. And perhaps this is a small off-note; there are programmes and thinkers exploring everything under the sun. But it speaks to a longer history of cynical slipperiness. Stewart was a Conservative would-be leader who admires Jeremy Corbyn. Despite the latters direct responsibility for the sewer of anti-Semitism that the Labour Party became, Stewart condemned, rather than condoned, the decision by Starmer to bar Corbyn from Labour. Such amorality is never far from view. Usually, when I go into a voting lobby, I panic, he told The Guardians Tim Adams in June, when asked how he would vote this election. I guess my hand will once again float over Labour, but will probably come down on Lib Dems or the Greens. I am glad that British public life still contains intellectuals and polymaths. But we could do without the posturing of sage men who rise above the petty politics of Westminster and passion of partisanship all while being the most perfect creatures of Whitehall, the best at negotiating power and enjoying the fine things of life whether while smoking opium at lavish weddings in Iran, as Stewart has done, or sipping brandy at the Athenaeum club, of which he is a member. Stewart isnt the only grand, and grandly self-loving, grownup that irks. Others include: his fellow podcaster and Blairs former spin doctor Alastair Campbell; the insufferable George Osborne, who tanked the armed forces before going on to edit the Evening Standard and chair the British Museum; and, inevitably, David Cameron, whose recent grownup stint in the Foreign Office involved showing his disdain for Israels war efforts in Gaza. The Arabist embrace of the Foreign Office in particular and Whitehall in general is always seductive to the grownups. Rory and co might think they have the answer to everything but as their own history shows, they dont. Indeed, sometimes it takes someone with a bit of honesty and backbone, someone familiar from early on with the taste of personal failure, of rejection, of struggle, to know whats best for the rest of us. Emmanuel Macron called a meeting to try to bring an end to tensions in his party - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images Emmanuel Macron has urged senior figures in his party to end the infighting that broke out after he called snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament. The French president held crisis talks in the Elysee on Friday with the warring heads of his Renaissance party, who are squabbling over top jobs after it lost seats in the vote. Gabriel Attal, the prime minister, and Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, who both have ambitions for the presidency in 2027, are locked in a power struggle. Mr Macron, who is barred from seeking a third consecutive term as president, criticised the disastrous spectacle of the rivalry and told the pair to prioritise the nation rather than premature ambitions. Le Figaro reported the president was scathing in his criticism and warned the assembled ministers: We cannot do what we criticised others for before coming to power. The snap election has deepened divisions, Kate Parker, of the Economist Intelligence Unit, told The Telegraph. The party [Renaissance] was created as a vehicle for Macron, so the fact that his popularity has plummeted has meant that the party itself is really struggling for cohesion. Gabriel Attal, pictured with Rachida Dati, the culture minister, was angry at Emmanuel Macron's snap election call - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images Mr Macron angered some of his party, including Mr Attal, when he called snap parliamentary elections after being defeated by Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN) in Junes European Parliament elections. RN won the first round of the snap vote but, after French voters turned out to stop it grasping power in the run-off, fell to third behind the victorious Left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and Mr Macrons diminished Ensemble coalition of Renaissance and its allies. The 577-seat National Assembly is roughly split into thirds between NFP with at least 190 seats, Mr Macrons centrists at 164 and RN with 143. Mr Macron remains president, and retains powers over foreign policy and defence, but faces being a lame duck for the final years of his term. He has called for a broad coalition of moderate parties in the National Assembly to reach a majority and keep the hard-Right RN from power. But his possible coalition allies oppose his flagship reforms on pensions, welfare and retirement and efforts to cut the national debt. Mr Macrons new weakness is mirrored in the lesser status of Renaissance, which has gone from 170 deputies to just under 100. Macron may now accept Attal resignation Mr Attal, 35, offered Mr Macron his resignation after it became clear he did not have a majority, and it has been reported that the president is leaning towards accepting it on Tuesday. That will heap pressure on the NFP, an uneasy alliance of the hard Left and centre Left, to put forward a candidate for prime minister. The group, which is divided over Israel and Ukraine, failed to meet its own Friday deadline to pick a candidate. But Mr Macron has been unable to exploit those divisions while his own party has been mired in infighting Mr Attal was elected as party leader in an electronic vote on Saturday. He was the only candidate but only after a bitter struggle with Mr Darminin and Elisabeth Borne, his predecessor as prime minister. He secured the position after taking credit for convincing candidates to withdraw in the second round to ensure the best chance of RN being defeated. Many Renaissance deputies believe this saved their jobs and prevented a far worse defeat. Gerald Darminin, pictured after casting his vote in the election, had proposed an 'anyone but Attal' management team including himself and Elisabeth Borne, below, the former prime minister - Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images Elisabeth Borne Mr Darminin, 41, now hopes to replace the current party president after missing out on leading the parliamentary group. He had called for a management team of himself, Ms Borne and the outgoing equality minister to run the group in what was seen as an anyone but Attal strategy. The two rivals clashed ahead of the Elysee talks. During two meetings this week, they publicly disagreed over potential new coalition partners in front of Renaissance deputies. Mr Darminin said he would shut out the Greens from a future alliance, fearing voters were turning against costly environmental policies. Mr Attal argued in favour of a broad coalition that could include everyone but the hard-Left France Unbowed, which is led by divisive firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon. Mr Attal, a former socialist, sent deputies an email declaring unity would be his only compass. Mr Darminin, a former member of the centre-Right Republicans, fired off his own group email shortly afterwards. The unity of our group is very important, but unity (like life as a couple) cannot be decreed : it is built every day, he sniped. Deadlock shows no signs of ending At the crisis meeting in the Elysee, Mr Darminin gave no indication of backing down. We must know if we want to live together, he reportedly said during the highly charged discussions.. In the meantime, the deadlock in France shows no sign of abating. None of the prospective alliances found more than 39 percent backing in a Wednesday survey of 1,002 people by pollster Elabe. The most popular was a broad moderate coalition, from the Socialists and Greens on the left to Macrons camp, as well as the conservative Republicans on the right. Mr Macron called for such a pact in an open letter earlier this week, but it was swiftly rejected by the parties, including the Republicans who have ruled out any coalition agreement. Its such an unprecedented situation in France that for the time being, its really very complicated to know how its going to work out, said David Gouard, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Toulouse. Young Conservative Max Waddington, 23. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer When Jayde Tanisha Edwards saw the exit poll on 4 July, she was shocked. I think everybody came to the conclusion that the Conservatives were going to lose, but I dont think we realised how badly we were going to lose, she says. Edwards is an unlikely Tory activist. She is 25 years old, and when she got involved with the party some years ago standing as a councillor in 2019 she was a teenage mother living in temporary accommodation. Although everyone in her family and community supported Labour, she was attracted by the Conservative message of aspiration. It was that fundamental belief in prosperity and being able to build yourself up, and just do whatever you want to do, she says. Most people in her age group do not share this view: just 8% of people under 25 voted Conservative on 4 July. In 2019, it was 21%. With so few in their age group supporting the party, young Conservative members are a vanishingly small number. Even Edwards, a committed activist who is out knocking on doors in every local and general election, is uncertain. During this campaign, that fire and that passion for young voters just wasnt there, she says. So how can I convince people on the doorstep? As the party licks its wounds, she and other young Tories are wondering what comes next and what role they have to play. The task feels urgent. If the party doesnt start talking to young people, its going to be wiped out in the next 10-15 years, says Adam Wildsmith, a 23-year-old from Durham who is deputy director of Blue Beyond, a grassroots group for young Conservatives. Throughout the campaign, many young Tories were frustrated with policy announcements clearly aimed squarely at older generations: the triple-lock pension, national service for the young. It was increasingly difficult to defend and just tone deaf when we are all worried about housing, jobs, cost of living, says Wildsmith. Blue Beyond surveyed its members in June and found that 85% did not think Tory policies addressed young peoples concerns. Some activists are already thinking about how to bring in more young people. Faaris Khan, a 20-year-old from Surrey Heath, joined the party when he was 17 after learning about it in his politics A-level class. He quickly became chair of his local Young Conservative branch. Khan was, in fact, the only member of this group but undeterred, he worked to recruit a handful of others from nearby sixth forms to join him. I made it my mission from there to not just get people interested in the party, but interested in politics, he says. Since the disastrous election result, Khan has been wondering how he might overhaul the partys national approach to young members. I want to do something like the young Republican National Congress in America with more social, informal events, he says. Khan has already met donors and is planning to organise gatherings around the country and fringe events at the Conservative conference. The one frustration he has is with party HQ. I tried to float this idea last year, and I was essentially stonewalled and look where we are now, he says. I think its integral that they join in on this and help us rebuild, because it could really help us going into the next election. While most young Conservatives think they have an important role to play in regenerating the party, it can feel like an uphill battle. Blue Beyond was set up in 2019 by young Conservatives frustrated with the lack of youth engagement from the party. Its easier to be a young Labour activist than a young Conservative activist, says Samuel Rhydderch, a 25-year-old Blue Beyond member based in London. Labour has been fantastic in galvanising youth support, whereas in the Conservatives, we have had to affiliate ourselves through our own will and machinations. After the worst election defeat in history, this is a decisive moment for the party, as it decides how to rebuild and whether to veer to the right or try to reclaim the centre ground. Some see this as an opportunity. I was always of the view that the Conservative party needed a defeat or reset, says Rhydderch. Weve lost that spark, and creativity around policy. Theres no energy any more. There is such a thing as being in power for too long. He hopes to see a young star rise up as leader, like Barack Obama did in the US or David Cameron in the UK. But with only 121 MPs, it isnt clear who that would be. Many young Conservatives are uninspired by the prospective leadership candidates. Im a little bit lost, and its the same with my peers, says Edwards. The biggest questions that weve had is who do we want to lead our party now, who has the credentials, has the vision? And the answer is we dont know. We dont really know what the Conservatives stand for at the moment. Blue Beyonds survey found that a majority would support Penny Mordaunt as the new leader, but she lost her seat. Some are anxious about a shift to the hard right. Putting someone like Suella Braverman in charge would lose us the next election, 100%, says Khan. Im not sure I could continue within the party if she is elected. Wildsmith shares this view. I think its important to stay and try to change the party from within, but Braverman as leader, or bringing Farage in thats a red line for me. He thought Bravermans speech in Washington, in which she made offensive comments about the LGBT Pride flag, was despicable, and the focus on culture war issues during the campaign out of touch and cruel. About 9% of under-25s voted Reform, placing the party roughly on parity with the Conservatives in that age group. Wildsmith puts this down to savvy campaigning. Reforms campaigning on social media, especially their TikTok account, was fantastic, whether you agree with it or not, he says. Mainstream parties need to try to lean into that. Khan agrees: I know people that voted Reform just because theyre on social media a lot and they think Nigel Farage is funny but I know for a fact if they read their policies, no way would they vote for them. Related: We put seven young people in a group chat to discuss the UK election. This is what happened next Others find the inevitable infighting over ideology depressing. I think the debate over whether we should move to the right or left is arbitrary. The reason voters changed their minds is because the Conservatives had a terrible record of delivery in office, says Max Waddington, a 23-year-old politics student from East Yorkshire, who was out canvassing for his local MP David Davis. The only focus should be on competence, unity and delivery. Recently, Waddington attended a dinner for about 250 Conservative party members in his local area. I looked around the room and thought: I might be the only person in this room still alive in 20 years, he says. So in that eventuality, where will the money come from, the outreach, the campaigning? He thinks that this ageing membership affects policy decisions, too. The party needs to focus on things for working-age people graduate salaries, student debt repayments, housebuilding, he says. But I dont think people in the party understand that, because theyre overwhelmingly old. I dont think they understand the existential threat. A staff member holds Picasso's Corrida aux Personnages (Unique) at Bonhams auction house in London - ANADOLU/GETTY Four leading experts will examine Pablo Picassos signature to determine whether a previously unknown trove of works are authentic prints and paintings by the artist or simply audacious forgeries. The experts have been appointed by a judge in Rome to adjudicate on a sensational case in which a British-based Italian businessman is claiming ownership of a long-lost collection of 36 Picasso paintings and drawings worth hundreds of millions of euros. Marcello Santelia, 76, says that his father Giovanni, an art collector, obtained the paintings and drawings from the legendary Spanish painter in the 1950s. He insists that they are all genuine Picassos and told The Telegraph outside the courtroom earlier this week that they would be worth an unimaginable amount if they were ever sold at auction. But Italian police and prosecutors claim the collection is fake. The paintings and drawings were seized by Italian police when Mr Santelia tried to sell one of them, purportedly a portrait of Picassos lover and muse Dora Maar, to a buyer in Dubai seven years ago. He did so openly, applying to Italys culture ministry for permission to export the painting overseas. But the request aroused the suspicion of the authorities. When police went to Mr Santelias home in the town of Nocera Inferiore in 2018 they found the collection of 36 works, all purportedly by Picasso. In a trial that began in April, Mr Santelia was accused of possession of counterfeit works. At the hearing on Monday in the capitals labyrinthine Tribunale di Roma court complex, the judge in the case, Francesco Patrone, appointed four experts whose task will be to determine whether the Picassos are genuine or not. One of them is a professor of art history while the other three are graphologists, handwriting experts who will scrutinise the signatures on the paintings. They will compare the long-lost collection with authenticated Picasso works that are held in galleries and museums around the world. (L-R): Salvatore Nocera, Marcello Santelia and Giuseppe Spagnuolo - NICK SQUIRES/THE TELEGRAPH The judge gave them more than six months to complete the task, adjourning the case until February 17. Mr Santelia, 76, who ran a construction company in Worcester before moving back to his native Italy, vigorously denies the accusations of fraud made against him. He is set to call a number of expert witnesses in his defence to testify as to the authenticity of the works, which are said to have been produced by Picasso between 1943 and 1956, known as The Mediterranean Years period. Speaking to The Telegraph outside court, he said: My father was a friend of Picasso. The paintings are genuine Picassos. I only wanted to sell one of them and I applied for permission to the Italian state. Thats how this whole thing started. Its difficult to put a value on what they would be worth. It would be a terrific sum. But I dont want to sell them. I want them to form the basis of an art foundation or museum. Salvatore Nocera, one of his lawyers, said. He has all the proof about the provenance of the paintings. All 36 of them are authentic Picassos. Giuseppe Spagnuolo, another defence lawyer, said: The experts appointed by the court will spend the next six months comparing the collection with Picasso paintings from all over the world. The hearing went well for us the judge accepted our expert witness, Stefano Liberati, who is the president of an association of international art experts. Mr Santelia claims that his father bought the paintings from Picasso in the 1950s and brought them back to Italy, where they have been ever since. The private collection is now in the hands of a specialist art crimes unit of the Carabinieri police, pending the outcome of the trial. Picasso's lover and muse Dora Maar in front of her portrait - MICHAEL SIMA/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES Mr Santelias father Giovanni is said to have brought the works back to the family home in Nocera Inferiore after buying them from Picasso, a friend of his, at some point during the 1950s. The diary of one English traveller, Pete Smith, records a visit Giovanni Santelia paid to Picassos home in Mougins, south east France, during Christmas 1955. On 13 December that year, Smith wrote in his diary: Rogers to collect Santelia Giovanni en route to meeting Pablo [Picasso] in Mougins for Christmas. The following day he recorded that Picasso gave his guests some of his work, writing: Arrive Mougins with Roger, Santelia Giovanni and Pablo. As always he has pictures for all of us to take home. In the past a number of Picasso paintings have sold at auction for more than $100 million. The most expensive Picasso painting ever sold at auction is Les Femmes dAlger (Version O), painted in 1955, which was bought for $179 million at Christies in 2015. Adnan Hussain speaks after his election victory in Blackburn - Newsquest/SWNS A newly-elected MP who won his seat on a pro-Palestinian ticket once told a Gaza rally that there was no difference between the Israeli government and the terror group Isis. Adnan Hussain was elected as an independent in Blackburn, an area with a large number of Muslim voters. He defeated Kate Hollern, the Labour candidate, having campaigned against the partys stance on the Israel-Hamas war and promised to speak out against the injustice being inflicted against the people of Gaza. Speaking at a rally in Hyde Park, central London, in 2014, he told the crowd: Isis are terrorists and so are the Israeli government there is no difference between them. Any man, woman that takes away innocent lives is a terrorist. There is no doubt about it. He could be from America, he could be from Israel, or he could be the bloody Isis there is no difference. In July 2014, Israel had launched an offensive in Gaza after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and murdered in the West Bank by Palestinian terrorists with links to Hamas. In the same years, Isis captured swathes of territory in north-western Iraq and eastern Syria as it took advantage of the ongoing Syrian civil war. In its quest to establish an Islamic caliphate in the region, it persecuted Christians and Shia Muslims, also publishing videos of the executions of Western journalists and aid workers. Mr Hussain also encouraged the crowd to boycott Israel, claiming people were killing Palestinians one by one by supporting companies such as Coca Cola and McDonalds. Asked whether he stood by his 2014 remarks, he told The Telegraph: I hold strongly to my position that acts of violence inflicted upon a civilian population for political motivations should be classed as terrorism, be such acts carried out by an individual, a political body/entity or even a state. Clearly, in the context of this speech, I expressed my belief that the offensive being carried out by the state of Israel upon an unarmed and besieged population, which resulted in over 2,000 deaths, was an act of terror. To understand my reference made to Isis here, the speech must be contextualised within the political makeup of the time. Isis would have naturally come to mind as an example of terror, simply because it was the most prominent terrorist body at the time. Emotions unning extremely high Mr Hussain said he also holds strongly to his beliefs on the importance of economic, and at times cultural boycotts for the purposes of combating apartheid systems, occupations in breach of international law, and sieges upon a civilian population. The MP said that, when he made the comments, emotions were running extremely high, clouding my ability to always articulate my point clearly. He added that hindsight and the maturing of 10 years, has resulted in my understanding that I would now articulate and word certain aspects of what I said 10 years ago a lot differently, in a bid not to allow the space for nuance to arise. RSBC says expert assistance to blind and visually impaired students can cost 60,000 - BRIAN MITCHELL/CORBIS DOCUMENTARY The UKs largest blind charity for children has said its specialist college and others like it may face closure if Labours VAT on fees policy cuts funding for its students. The Royal Society for Blind Children said blind young people who already have the odds stacked against them may end up being cared for in old peoples homes. Josie Grainger-Francova, the charitys director of education, said a hike in fees caused by Labours planned 20 per cent VAT levy would affect local authority and private funding for many of Dorton Colleges students. Ms Grainger-Francova, who is also principal of the Bromley college, the only specialist education provider for visually impaired 16 to 25-year-olds in London and the South East, said it could face closure if fees become prohibitive. She warns consequences could be catastrophic for hundreds of young people now and in the future, including those who have already been failed by special educational needs provision in state schools. Over 50 students a year come to us from failed state placements where they have variously been put in a room and left, had a learning support assistant who had to teach themselves Braille and havent had any friends because they were not allowed to mix because they were told it was a health and safety hazard for them to go out with their white cane, said Ms Grainger-Francova. We have even had students who were told you dont look blind and were put on a catering course where they then realised they were actually blind and kicked them off the course. Their eyes dont work but they have just as much right as anyone to access the education they need. It is blatant discrimination not to allow them that equality of opportunity. The charity has said that without specialist schools children will not learn adequate life skills needed to live independently - CHRISTOPHER JONES/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO With fees topping 60,000 a year to finance the expert assistance blind and visually impaired students need, if VAT meant fees rose even higher those resources could be the first to go. Our charity has been around for 180 years and supported thousands of children but we are already having to fight to the wire to get funding for some of these students. I am worried that the VAT policy will mean a lot of young people in independent settings like ours will be pushed into mainstream schools by local authorities because it is cheaper but we know it doesnt work there because they dont have the expertise and, as for parents that are paying privately, it will be add a huge amount to fees. We are literally on a cliff edge. But without colleges like Dorton, she fears young people may not be able to learn vital life skills to enable them to access the education they deserve and may even end up in inappropriate settings. A 21-year-old could end up in an old peoples home or just sitting at home because there is not enough social care for the visually impaired. There is a lot of fear around the visually impaired and statistically, your sight is the sense most people fear losing the most but as one of our young people said to someone on a bus who spoke down to her Im blind not stupid. Just because you cant see, it doesnt mean you cant do the fear is endemic in society. Ms Grainger-Francova, an experienced Ofsted inspector, decided to speak out after recent Independent Schools Council figures revealed that numbers of young people with sensory disabilities, who are blind, deaf or living with speech and language disorders, are supported in Independent schools have surged by a third over the course of the last Parliament. Over 13,000 of them are now supported in Independent schools, nearly 3,000 more than in 2019. We are already fighting for placements because local authorities do not want to pay 60,000 per student. If we had to put our fees up by 20 per cent, I think we would end up closing and that would be a tragedy. Alex Chalk, the former justice secretary, said more use of suspended sentences was the "correct way" to "address the immediate crisis" in prisons - Paul Cooper Alex Chalk, the former justice secretary, has been criticised by Suella Braverman for suggesting fewer criminals should receive custodial sentences. The ex-home secretary said that a proposal by Mr Chalk, who was a cabinet colleague, for greater use of suspended sentences for less serious crimes was a bad idea which would let victims down and put public safety at risk. It comes after Shabana Mahmood, the new Justice Secretary, announced that many criminals would be automatically freed 40 per cent through their sentence, rather than at the current half-way point, to ease prison overcrowding. Mr Chalk, who was justice secretary until he lost his Cheltenham seat to the Liberal Democrats in the general election, said the measure was the correct way to address the immediate crisis in prisons, but called for more fundamental custodial reform. But in a sign of the divisions in Conservative ranks following the election defeat - likely to be further exposed during the partys coming leadership contest - Ms Braverman said Mr Chalks proposal was a bad idea. Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, criticised her ex-colleague for suggesting fewer criminals should go to jail - Paul Grover/for The Telegraph She told The Telegraph: It undermines confidence in the criminal justice system, lets down victims, puts pressure on the police and probation due to the re-offending risk and puts public safety at risk. This is why, with approximately 40 colleagues, I tabled amendments to the Sentencing Bill to stop this from happening in the last Parliament. It would be very concerning if the Labour government went ahead with this misguided policy. Earlier this week Ms Mahmood said the emergency measure was needed to avoid a total breakdown of law and order if prisons and police cells ran out of capacity. Those convicted of sex and terror offences as well as violent offenders serving terms of four years or more and those convicted of crimes connected to domestic abuse will be automatically excluded. Shabana Mahmood, the new Justice Secretary, said many criminals would be released early to ease prison overcrowding - Joe Giddens/PA Appearing on the BBCs Today programme podcast, Mr Chalk said the Government should take a twin-track approach to sentencing. You should lock up those people youre most scared of, but not everyone youre cross with, he said. So in simple terms, that means that those people who commit the most heinous crimes we say life should mean life in those circumstances. However, Mr Chalk said that for someone on the cusp of a sentence of say eight months imprisonment, an immediate custodial sentence sends a freight train through their lives, meaning they are 55 per cent likely to commit a further offence if they have that short sentence in custody. For these cases, he said it was preferable to hand out suspended sentences in which offenders are tracked using technology and required to undertake unpaid work and activities contributing towards their rehabilitation. Mr Chalk said that in these cases the chance of reoffending was just 25 per cent. He also said that this approach would be less costly. Freeing offenders after 40 per cent of their sentence will buy you 18 months, but it wont buy you any more than that, he said. You have to be as the new justice secretary, very frank and credible about the long term. The cost of keeping someone in prison is 49,000 a year, but the cost of building a new prison, each cell, the capital cost is around 600,000. If the situation is that you havent got enough money, are you seriously going to be saying that instead of building that hospital were going to be building a new nick at the cost of 600,000 per cell? I think thats a tough question and so we have to work out as a nation, how many can we afford to lock up? Britain changed under Mrs Thatcher - Peter Jordan/Popperfoto via Getty Today Parliament returns, and the Conservative MPs WhatsApp groups are bubbling with both returning MPs and excited newbies. Already in the background you can hear the gears of a number of leadership campaigns as they grind into action. I have no link to any of them but I do have one piece of advice: slow down. The Conservative Parliamentary Party and government between them has made as many mistakes as the outgoing Major government in 1997, with a similar result. It is vital that we do not also repeat what followed, and condemn ourselves and the country to more than ten years in opposition. As political parties are wont to do, we obsessed about the leadership and ignored the other difficulties that plagued us. Accordingly we rushed into electing William Hague, and handed him a package of problems that would probably have defeated anybody. We were hopelessly divided, morale in the party was at an all time low, the party organisation was virtually prostrate, as well as being virtually bankrupt with little income and almost no remaining donors. We had very little in the way of new ideas, our campaigns being reduced at one point to the ridiculous soundbite, five days to save the pound. William Hague failed to move the dial when he was Tory leader - Julian Simmonds In Parliament every criticism of the Labour government was met with its your fault and we are still cleaning up your mess. William Hague was probably the greatest orator of his generation, but after four years of battling at the Despatch Box all he could deliver in the next General Election was a paltry one seat improvement. Frankly it was a disastrous wasted opportunity. Potential disaster Today we face many, if not all, of the same problems. We rest on a knife edge. Decisions made in the coming weeks could generate a spectacularly different range of outcomes. On one side is potential disaster. Either the right of centre vote is divided by Reform UK, ushering in decades of Labour hegemony. Or worse, the party is seduced into some deal or coalition with them, potentially precipitating a split with our more centrist MPs that reduces us to not even being the Official Opposition. On the other side there is the very real possibility of returning to government within four years. No enthusiasm for Labour First, the facts: Labour has not seized power through a wave of enthusiasm but by default. Indeed, in this respect this is not the triumphant result of 1997. Instead, Labour secured fewer votes than Jeremy Corbyn did when he lost in 2019. Labour got more votes under Jeremy Corbyn and lost than they did under Starmer who won - Stefan Rousseau/PA Moreover, Labours majorities across hundreds of seats were tiny. In one instance, a Shadow Cabinet member lost his seat. In another, one held on by a mere 500 votes. The swing in the vote share was small but carefully focused. Consequently, although we as a party face a difficult road ahead, this is a road full of opportunity. But we must avoid rushing into commitments or promises that may hinder our chances at recovery. Last week, the public was unforgiving of our failure to meet promises. They will be equally unforgiving of empty promises in opposition. Much of what we need to do is clear rebuild party finances, creating a robust war chest, both for the next election but also for any interim parliamentary by-elections and council elections. If we are beaten by Reform UK in those, it would lead both to an increase in their standing with the public and a corresponding reduction in Conservative morale and determination. Choosing the right leader Accordingly we must defend our nearly 5,000 Conservative councillors nationwide, where we have made significant inroads. And in due course we must choose the right leader of the party, hopefully one who in the next few months will demonstrate real oppositional skills in Parliament. That being said, the leadership contest should be secondary to rediscovering the partys position on the challenges the country faces and should not be rushed. Leadership candidates and the party need time to develop ideas. In the two Parliaments following 1997 the Conservative Party came up with precious few new ideas. By contrast, in 1975 the newly installed Margaret Thatcher and her lieutenants, facing similarly dire challenges to today, commissioned and created the foundations of a whole new set of policies and principles to equip the country for the future. Mrs Thatcher and her 1989 reshuffled Cabinet - Terry O'Neill/Hulton Archive/Getty Nigel Farage and his new party have one significant advantage over us at the moment: the ability to make assertions that speak to peoples frustrations, backed by untested but plausible ideas. This opens up the opportunity to discredit or overbid his claims, backed by hard evidence. To be taken seriously, we must seek to promote the feasible over the plausible. But to do this the party must decide its stance on the seismic challenges the country faces. This must be an intellectual, not ideological, debate. On immigration, our failure to deliver has pushed voters to Reform UK. Successive government pledges to cut or reduce migration, both legal and illegal, have failed. Where we succeeded, like the 90 per cent reduction in illegal immigration from Albania, it was due to our careful analysis of other European nations policies. Ironically this policy innovation was manufactured by Conservative backbenchers, not by a sclerotic Home Office. This alone tells us that we have a better capacity for policy innovation than the government. Domestically we must urgently address the issues that matter most to people with greater creativity than we showed in government. We must cut the Gordian Knot of property rights that has blocked housing policy for decades. Nigel Farage speaking in the chamber - UK Parliament We must deal with higher education policies that have serially failed, turning fees and loans into the curse of a generation and a millstone of nearly 10 billion of bad debts written off every year. We must wean British industry off the addiction to cheap labour first engendered when Gordon Brown was the Chancellor. We need a free market technology policy that can succeed in a protectionist world. It will be difficult but not impossible. The world is increasingly dangerous. Frankly the defence policies of successive governments have been shamefully irresponsible. Planning for future conflicts will require careful, adaptive policies, focused on expanding our shrunken Army on a cost effective basis, particularly by massively expanding the reserves. We must focus on realistic goals and pragmatic solutions that resonate with the publics needs. The path forward requires unity, introspection, and decisive action. We must harness our strengths, learn from our past, and address the pressing issues with informed, well-considered strategies, not public ideological battles. Together, we can restore public trust, rebuild our partys standing, and provide the robust opposition required to this Labour government. Labours apparent dominance is built on remarkably fragile foundations, which we should begin to undermine starting today. How we do that is more immediate than who is our leader. If we take our time then, when we elect our new leader, he or she will have a fighting chance to give this country the government it really deserves. Apple TV+ "Silo" is scheduled to join the Comic-Con on July 27 as the series is expected to announce the release date for season 2. Apple confirmed that the cast and showrunner will hold a panel at the convention along with a sneak peek for the upcoming season. Read Also : Apple TV+ Launches Original Podcast With Early Access for Subscribers Apple TV+ to Hold Special Panel for 'Silo' at Comic-Con Apple revealed its participation in the much-awaited San Diego Comic-Con later this month. The "Silo" panel will be attended by Rebecca Ferguson and Common, along with the showrunner and creator Graham Yost. The stars and the creator are expected to discuss some crucial parts from the first season as a form of recall for the fans. Moreover, it is also anticipated that they will announce some details for the upcoming season. The discussion also hinted that there could be a surprise special guest that will join the panel. A sneak peek into the second season is highly likely to be available during the convention. Apple Teases Four Seasons for 'Silo' "Silo" first debuted in the Apple TV+ as an original series of the platform in 2023. The show is based on a trilogy of novels by Hugh Howey. Last month, the production announced that the series is intended to run for four seasons. Ferguson previously shared that the show had just finished shooting the second season. Meanwhile, the third and fourth seasons are still waiting for the green light from Apple. The actress also hinted at the possibility of filming the remaining two seasons back to back before concluding the show. "I believe that the show has an ending, and I know when that is...To be honest, I don't think it's a secret. The books are the books. It's three books, and the three books are divided into four seasons," the actress said. The Loves and the Gallaghers arrive in Berlin in good time for Sunday's final - Jeff Gilbert England fans enjoy the beer on the train heading to Berlin - Jeff Gilbert It was the journey of a lifetime for thousands of fans who had only dared to believe after the Three Lions victory in Wednesdays semi-final. But it was also a testing odyssey for many of the legions of England followers making their way to Berlin in hope of seeing the team claim glory in the final. As planes direct to Berlin were fully booked or just too expensive to use, fans scrambled to make their way across Europe by any route to reach the German capital in time for the clash against Spain on Sunday. By the early morning on Saturday, some were already happily swapping tales of their epic journeys as they enjoyed beers at Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. Yet many England fans had still to arrive in Germany. The St Georges Cross could be seen in cities across the Continent as they journeyed in hope by train and car after flights had sold out or the cost of the remaining seats spiralled. The Telegraph accompanied fans on a two-day journey beginning at St Pancras on Friday morning taking a circuitous 1,000-mile route (albeit just 600 miles as the crow flies) and five trains via Paris, Brussels, Aachen, Cologne and eventually making it to Berlin. Fans unaccustomed to the luxury of European restaurant cars turned carriages into pubs as they enjoyed the novelty of draught beers on a train, which helped them shrug off delays and the discovery that German efficiency is not what it is made out to be. Some of those on board had decided to take a trip for some Balearic sunshine en route, with Liam OFarrell, 33, who works in fire safety, George Russell, 29, an electrician, his uncle Barry Russell, a caretaker, 61, and Dave Payne, 55, a hotel owner, going via Mallorca. They left the village of Combe Martin in north Devon at 2am on Friday, taking a Jet2 flight from Bristol to Palma before flying into Hannover and taking the train. We are just a bit tight, Mr Russell said. It cost us 250 in total so it was much cheaper. Its going to be worth it when England win. Some of those taking it a little easier were three generations of the same family who had made the journey in a day. Daniel Love has taken son Charlie, 11, with brother-in-law Tony Gallagher and son Jay, 12, alongside their grandad Cliff Love, 64, to every game. Weve been taking the boys back for school, Monday and Tuesday they will be off, Mr Gallagher said. The teachers know weve been to every game, probably more cities than most. We even went to a wedding in Bremen. We left at quarter past four this morning, we cant wait to get to the ground. We aint got to worry about getting up in the morning now. I bet we will be outnumbering the Spanish when we get there. England supporters relax with beer on the train - Jeff Gilbert Others had refused to go home after ditching plans to return to England earlier in the week and stayed out for the final before eventually securing a ticket including Darren Butt, 55, and son Charlie, 14. They were hoping Charlies brother Spencer, 17, would make it after his flight from Manchester was cancelled and who was now among a group of Three Lions fans who had taken over Edinburgh airport to the basement of Scottish holidaymakers. The whole experience has been amazing, the locals have been great, Mr Butt, who works in property, said. Weve got a flight home on Wednesday, my wifes not very happy, as we were meant to be coming home on Friday. But its amazing for him, hes 14, its his first final and mine too. Spencer has had a bit of an epic journey. His flight was cancelled in Manchester and he was told to go to Edinburgh. Now hes got a delay there and its full of English fans from Manchester. And that will only get him to Cologne. As fans flew in connecting via almost every major air hub or more obscure routes such as the city of Szczecin in Poland, with direct budget airline flights hitting 1,000, others only just setting off had not even found transport to take them to Germany. I just want to go and soak up the atmosphere with the fans, said Konrad Gajewski, 27, from Gloucester, as he attempted to hitchhike in Dover with a a placard reading Its Coming Home with a message asking for a lift on the other side. I will probably not be able to get tickets but maybe I will be able to, he said. I want to go and paint my face in a St Georges Cross and enjoy the time with other fans. I had to sleep in a tent last night in Dover as I couldnt get a room in a hotel but I dont mind. The flurry of last-minute bookings after Ollie Watkins stunning late winner against the Netherlands in Dortmund means many fans do not even know where they will be staying when they reach Berlin. Those preparing for the 16-hour drive was Sam Ingram, 31, who paid 1,250 for tickets and will travel via Dunkirk and then Belgium before reaching eastern Germany on Saturday. We looked at flights and they were so pricey and it takes just as long as driving all told, he said. We were almost going to do a stop in Turkey. We went to the semi-final and after the win we decided we had to try. The atmosphere in the England end, Ive never experienced anything like it. This is once in a lifetime. I think were probably going to have to do it on penalties. Id love to see us do it like that but I dont know if my blood pressure can take it. And if we win it, knight Gareth Southgate. Jason Whittaker, 49, left, with friend Pete Shemit, 51, travelling on a German train to Berlin - Jeff Gilbert Around 35,000 fans have tickets for todays final despite an official allocation of 10,000 in the Olympiastadion, but tens of thousands of England fans are heading to Berlin just for the atmosphere. Those yet to secure tickets included Micah Ellwood, 23, from Wokingham, Berks, who had already travelled 18 hours to reach Germany with friend Dean Cook, 25, on a whim after the semi-final victory and left as soon as they clocked off work on Friday. We havent got tickets, he said. Were desperately hoping that there is a late cancellation or something like that. Its a once-in-a-lifetime thing. If we are there and England win it, it will all be worth it. Im not due back at work until Wednesday Ill probably still have a hangover. I think we will win it. Theres loads of little things that are coming together at the right time. I believe. And if we do win it, it will be the perfect way for Southgate to bow out. England did nothing before him. He gets a lot of unfair stick and I think it would be the perfect way to finish his spell. As the train pulled into Berlin, it was clear the fans enjoying the fully-stocked bar carriage were already getting carried away with the party atmosphere. When do you fly home? fans would ask. I dont know, was the usual answer, or as one fan added: But the session will be good. Why would I come home on Wednesday, when we will still be celebrating on Thursday. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event on Thursday - Sean Rayford/Getty Images Donald Trumps campaign is shifting its attacks to vice president Kamala Harris amid fears shell replace Joe Biden ahead of the election. The presidents second in command is usually spared the barbs reserved for their boss by rivals, but with pressure mounting on Mr Biden to stand down, there is now serious chatter that Ms Harris could replace him as the Democrats presidential nominee. In a video obtained by Politico that will play next week at the Republican National, Trumps team rips into Ms Harris. If you ever wondered how JOE BIDEN can get the border so screwed up, he had help, the video starts, followed by images of the VP laughing. Ms Harris was tasked with controlling immigration at the border from Central America, something Trump says the administration has failed to do. This video reminds Americans that standing right next to weak and failing Joe Biden has been his cackling co-pilot Kamala making our communities less safe, senior Trump adviser Brian Hughes adds in a statement. Critics of Ms Harris say she has been largely absent from the spotlight since Mr Biden took office in 2021. However, seven senior sources told Reuters earlier this month that she is the top candidate to replace him. Responding to the campaign video, Brian Fallon, a spokesman for the Harris campaign, told Politico, Ms Harris has stood up to fraudsters and felons like Donald Trump her entire career and that Trump is lying about the vice president because she has been prosecuting the case against him on the biggest issues in the race. Follow the days updates below and join the conversation in the comments section 05:46 PM BST Blog closed Thats it for todays live blog - thanks for following. Here is a rundown of the days main stories: Elon Musk has thrown his weight behind Donald Trump with a sizeable donation to a group working on his bid for reelection. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has brushed off Joe Bidens gaffe in which he mistakenly introduced him as Russian foe Vladimir Putin, saying we can forget some mistakes. Joe Biden said his health is a legitimate concern for voters but maintained he would not be leaving the presidential race. Republicans are set to gather in Milwaukee to select Donald Trump as their presidential nominee at the partys four-day convention starting on Monday. President Joe Biden held a rare rally in Detroit on Friday night, telling a cheering crowd he will not leave the election race and warning that Republican Donald Trump poses a serious threat. 05:41 PM BST Elon Musk backs Donald Trump with sizeable donation Elon Musk has thrown his weight behind Donald Trump with a sizeable donation to a group working on his bid for reelection. The billionaire boss of Tesla has been a vocal critic of Joe Biden and supporter of right wing policies, having become more politically outspoken in recent years. In May reports surfaced that Mr Musk met Trump to discuss being an adviser to his administration. On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Mr Musk gave an undisclosed sum - but a sizable amount - to a group called America PAC, which is helping Trump retake the White House. The report added that the group can receive unlimited contributions for political activity, and is next required to disclose its list of donors on July 15. 04:54 PM BST Trump looks for luscious locks from VP Donald Trump is reportedly as much concerned about whats in the heads of his vice presidential candidates as he is whats on their heads. As he finalises his choice of running mate, the former president is eyeing the candidate who can not only help his bid for reelection but has an enviable barnet to match. Hes very seriously looking at each candidates hair, a Trump source told the website Puck. JD Vance and Marco Rubio, both senators, as well as Doug Burgum, the North Dakota governor, are said to be the three leading candidates to join Trump on the Republican 2024 ticket. Dougs got great hair; thats what [Trump] demands in his VP, said the source. Click here to read the full story Donald Trump with JD Vance - Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images 04:33 PM BST How the White House hid the truth about Bidens decline from the world Smoke and mirrors covered his many gaffes, but now a growing number of Democrats fear the 81-year-old president has made one slip too many, write Ben Wright, Rozina Sabur and Tom Teodorczuk. Following Joe Bidens disastrous performance against Donald Trump in their debate on June 27, White House reporters started poring through the visitors log at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. One name kept cropping up again and again: Dr Kevin Cannard. The neurologist and specialist in movement disorders works at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, which serves the president. Eagled-eyed journalists spotted that he visited the White House no fewer than eight times between last July and this March. The revelation forced a statement from the White House which suggested Dr Cannard had only seen Biden for his three annual physicals and the other visits were related to military personnel. Dr Kevin OConnor, the White House doctor, added: President Biden has not seen a neurologist outside of his annual physical. But even taken at face value, the statement prompts some additional questions. Firstly, why has the White House press corps taken this long to start investigating the medical comings-and-goings taking place under their noses? And, secondly, if the president really isnt seeing specialist doctors, why not? Read the full story 04:01 PM BST Facebook lifts restrictions on Trump Facebook has lifted restrictions imposed on Donald Trump after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, placing the former president on an equal footing on the platform with Joe Biden just days before the Republican National Convention. The social media giant had initially banned the former president from using its platforms in 2021 after his supporters stormed the Capitol. Meta, Facebooks parent company, lifted that ban last year but announced Trump would be subject to guardrails such as heightened suspension penalties if posts violated its standards. Now, the company has removed those restrictions, reasoning that while they were put in place following the extreme and extraordinary circumstances of the Capitol attack, Trump had not done anything to run afoul of them. 02:59 PM BST Trump to hold rally in Pennsylvania at 5pm Donald Trump is due to speak in Pennsylvania today where he might unveil his vice presidential pick. The former president has one last chance to unveil his choice for VP on a rally stage before the Republican National Convention kicks off in Milwaukee next week. The rally, to be held at the Butler Farm Show just outside Pittsburgh at 5pm, comes as the former reality TV star continues to tease his pick, working to drum up maximum attention and hype. Trump has made clear in recent days that his preference is to dramatically reveal his pick live at the convention something the ratings-obsessed former president has said would make the proceedings more interesting and exciting. 02:34 PM BST All the Democrats who have called on Joe Biden to quit Concerns about the presidents recent performance are escalating in the party, write David Millward and Verity Bowman. A growing number of Democrats are urging Joe Biden to conclude his bid for re-election and make way for a younger contender after a series of stumbling performances on stage. Concerns about his recent debate performance have escalated within the party over the past two weeks, drawing criticism from politicians, donors and other insiders. Critics in the House of Representatives and beyond are now adding their voices to those pushing for a reconsideration of Mr Bidens candidacy. Click here to see who they are 01:49 PM BST Zelensky brushes off Bidens Putin gaffe as a mistake Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has brushed off Joe Bidens gaffe in which he mistakenly introduced him as Russian foe Vladimir Putin, saying we can forget some mistakes. As he began a visit to Ireland, MrZelensky told reporters at Shannon Airport that its a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. Mr Zelensky will meet Irish leader Simon Harris at the airport later Saturday, their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil. Asked for his message to Ireland, Zelensky said: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. 01:27 PM BST Let me meet my grandpa: Joe Bidens secret grandchild makes heartfelt plea Lunden Roberts would like Navy, her daughter with Hunter, to play a greater role in the life of the presidents family, writes our US correspondent Susie Coen. Five-year-old Navy Joan Roberts grins as she charges out of her bedroom while proudly cradling a postcard of Joe Biden. When she visited Washington DC last month, her mother told her she could choose anything she wanted from the White House gift shop. But rather than picking out a board game, puzzle or soft toy of the presidents dog, Navy chose a headshot of the smiling US president to keep in a birdhouse in her bedroom. It might seem an unusual choice, but Mr Biden, 81, is more to this little blue-eyed girl with soft blonde curls from rural Arkansas than just the head of state he is her grandfather. Read the full story Lunden Roberts at home with her daughter Navy Joan, whose grandfather is Joe Biden - James Breeden for the Telegraph 01:07 PM BST 100 per cent of calls are about Biden stepping down, says Democrat Cori Bush Democratic Congresswoman Cori Bush said all the phone calls to her office are about Joe Biden dropping his bid for reelection. Campaigning in downtown St. Louis, she said 100% of the phone calls into our office are asking me to ask the President to step out of the race. And so Im making it clear: if you have an opinion on it, please call our office and let us know. 12:34 PM BST Biden says his health is legitimate concern for voters Joe Biden said his health is a legitimate concern for voters but maintained he would not be leaving the presidential race. Mr Biden came under pressure once again yesterday from members of his party to recognise the vulnerability of their position amid questions over his ability to lead. His recent gaffes at a Nato Summit on Thursday have only fuelled concerns that he is incapable after he mixed up the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky with Vladimir Putin and his vice president with Donald Trump. As he held a rally in the battleground state of Michigan, he cut a lonely figure as support from his party drained away and he fielded concerns from California Democrat Mike Levin in a virtual meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Following calls from Mr Levin to step aside, Mr Biden acknowledged that his achievements are not cutting through with voters like they did before. That was great when you were feeling good, Biden are you OK now? Thats whats underlying. Thats what people are worried about, he told Mr. Levin. Its a legitimate concern for people, but thats why I think its important Ive got to get out and show people everything from how well I move to how much I know and that Im still in good charge. 11:57 AM BST Detroit all in for Biden, says Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said Detroit was all in for President Biden as she bats away rumours she will be running for president. The Michigan governor has been tipped as a possible contender for the presidential bid, something she has dismissed as a distraction more than anything as she rules out a run even if Mr Biden were to step down. . Speaking after Mr Bidens rally in Michigan, she said: Its always great to have President Joe Biden in Detroit! Motor City is all in for Biden-Harris. It's always great to have President @JoeBiden in Detroit! Motor City is all in for Biden-Harris. Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) July 12, 2024 11:35 AM BST Donald Trump to hold campaign rally near Pittsburgh on Saturday Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will hold a campaign rally near Pittsburgh in the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania on Saturday. It comes as suspense builds over who he will choose as his running mate for the Nov 5 US election. Trump has said he will announce his vice presidential pick shortly before or during the Republican Partys national convention, which kicks off on Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and where he and his No. 2 will be officially nominated. Trump mentioned Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott as possible running mates during a radio interview on the The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show on Friday. 11:09 AM BST Is Biden borrowing from Trump playbook? Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery, so when Joe Biden gave a rally in Michigan last night, Donald Trump had something to crow about. As Mr Biden got to the subject of his political rival, the crowd chanted Lock him up, a riff on the famous phrase shouted at Trump rallies calling for the imprisonment of his 2016 presidential opponent Hillary Clinton. Mr Biden also took a swipe at the press, another key feature of the Trump playbook. Hopefully with age comes a little wisdom, Mr Biden added Heres what I know - I know how to tell the truth, I know right from wrong ... and I know Americans want a president, not a dictator. Biden fans arriving to hear him speak in Detroit - Adam J. Dewey/Anadolu via Getty Images 10:41 AM BST Republicans set to gather in Milwaukee which Trump called horrible Republicans are set to gather in Milwaukee to select Donald Trump as their presidential nominee at the partys four-day convention starting on Monday. Milwaukee is a Democrat stronghold, so it didnt help smooth things over with wary Democrats when Trump used the word horrible when talking about Milwaukee just a month before the convention that begins Monday. Adding to the angst, Milwaukee was supposed to host the Democratic National Convention in 2020, but it didnt happen due to Covid. Owners of local restaurants, bars and venues say the number of reservations that were promised during the RNC arent materialising. And protesters complained the city was trying to keep them too far away from the convention site to have an impact. I wish I was out of town for it, Jake Schneider, 29, said as he passed by the citys statue of Fonzie, the character played by Henry Winkler in the 1970s sitcom Happy Days that was set in Milwaukee. Im not super happy that its the Republican Party coming to town. 10:15 AM BST Biden press conference attracted 24 million viewers President Bidens Nato press conference drew 24.2 Million viewers on Thursday, according to Nielsen data. The event, in which Mr Biden made two disastrous mixups, still attracted a far smaller audience than the 51 million people who tuned in to watch his terrible debate performance against Donald Trump two weeks before. 09:49 AM BST Biden hits back at bad press Democrat supporters thronged a gym in Detroit yesterday evening to hear Joe Biden speak. The US president struck a defiant tone as he said Im not going anywhere and hit back at what he said was negative press coverage around him. Theyve been hammering me, he said of the media, eliciting boos from the crowd. Guess what, Donald Trump has gotten a free pass, he added. The Biden supporters sticking with the president - Elconin/Bloomberg Mr Biden said he was being unfairly targeted for his verbal miscues - Emily Elconin/Bloomberg 09:35 AM BST I am running and were going to win, Biden tells supporters in Detroit President Joe Biden held a rare rally in Detroit on Friday night, telling a cheering crowd he will not leave the election race and warning that Republican Donald Trump poses a serious threat. Mr Biden, 81, is trying to shift the conversation from his mental sharpness to the impact of another Trump presidency, as his campaign struggles after his shaky debate performance on June 27 and two high-profiles gaffes at the Nato summit on Thursday. I am running and were going to win, he said to a crowd that carried Motown is Joetown signs and chanted Dont you quit before he spoke. Im the nominee, he said. Im not going anywhere. Liz Truss accused Rishi Sunak of an 'abandonment of Conservative principles' - Aaron Schwartz/NurPhoto via Getty Images Liz Truss has blamed the scale of the Tories general election defeat on Rishi Sunak trashing my record. Ms Truss who lost her seat at the election, becoming the first former prime minister since Ramsay MacDonald in 1935 to do so said she was among the Conservative candidates to have paid the electoral price for Mr Sunaks errors. Writing for The Telegraph in her first intervention since the devastating result, Ms Truss said she had kept her silence during the election campaign to prevent further damage to the party but felt that I must speak out now. She wrote: More than 250 of us paid the electoral price for this. Regrettably, over the course of the next five years it will be the British people who have to bear the cost of this failing. Singling out the 2022 Tory leadership campaign, in which she beat Mr Sunak on a tax-cutting agenda, Ms Truss said: Sunak and his allies had sought a short-term advantage in the Conservative leadership contest by claiming that cutting taxes did not generate growth. This abandonment of Conservative principles not only led to him getting no credit from the voters for cutting National Insurance, but also led to an even larger general election defeat as he continued to trash my record and promote Labours false narrative that the global rise in mortgage rates was somehow my fault. Ms Truss said Tory MPs in control of the party and the machine around Sunak had chosen to indulge the unelected state rather than taking it on, meaning they could not address issues such as stopping illegal migration. She came 630 votes behind Labours Terry Jermy in South West Norfolk, which she had represented since 2010, and was one of 251 Tory MPs to lose their seats as the Conservatives went down to the worst defeat in their modern history. Ms Truss said Tory MPs had been ejected by an electorate angry at too many years of successive administrations failing to implement Conservative policies. The former prime minister said her fate had been sealed by Reform UK taking nearly a quarter of the votes in her constituency. Taking aim at one of Mr Sunaks key slogans, she said: Repeating the mantra of stop the boats while presiding over record immigration into the UK and failing to stem the flow of illegal migrants entering the country via those very boats insulted voters intelligence. Referencing her brief time as prime minister when economic volatility triggered by the mini-budget resulted in her leaving Number 10 after 49 days Ms Truss said she had tried to take on the Blairite economic orthodoxy. She wrote: Alas, I know only too well what happened next I found myself undermined, not just by the economic establishment and the unelected state but also by centrist Conservative MPs who were unprepared to fight for Conservative values and more interested in their careers. She said the Conservatives had not been willing to contemplate radical change at the election and that until we are willing to do so, I do not believe we can win another election. But she added: I am in no doubt that, after five years of Labour, the public will be crying out for a popular Conservative alternative. This makes it all the more vital that we understand our past failings as we seek to learn lessons from the results of July 4. Ms Truss claimed that the seeds of this defeat go right back to 1997 and the way that the Conservative Party responded to the New Labour project, both in opposition and in government. She said: Rather than taking on the Leftist agenda, far too often it was bought into and the election result was our punishment for having done so. Ex-Tory minister Chris Skidmore could head the Office for Students. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA The new head of the Office for Students (OfS) will have to oversee rescue plans to avoid a domino effect with a number of universities going under, experts have warned. The new governments Department for Education (DfE) announced on Tuesday that it had accepted the resignation of the OfSs controversial chair, James Wharton, a former Tory MP who ran Boris Johnsons leadership campaign. Lord Wharton, who was given the job of running the independent regulator in 2021 despite having no experience of higher education, did not give up the Tory whip in the Lords and was widely criticised for being too close to the Conservative government. Related: Universities in England risk closure with 40% facing budget deficits, says report One of the most surprising names said to be on the list of possible contenders to replace Wharton is Chris Skidmore, the former Tory energy minister who resigned from the government in January and has been excoriating in recent public attacks on his former party. Skidmore was once the universities minister and is respected in the sector. Other names suggested to the Observer by a range of well-connected figures in higher education include David Bell, vice-chancellor of Sunderland University and a former DfE permanent secretary. With 40% of universities projected to be in deficit, according to recent reports by both PricewaterhouseCoopers and the OfS, experts said this weekend there has never been a more crucial time to have a more effective and stronger regulator with clearer priorities. In 2023, a scathing report by the Lords industry and regulators committee criticised the OfS, which had intervened on Conservative pet causes, including free speech and low value courses, for being driven by the ebb and flow of short-term political priorities and media headlines. Prof Steve West, vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England, who stepped down from the OfS board when he served as president of Universities UK, said: This is the OfSs most critical moment. It has a very serious job to do protecting students and the reputation of UK higher education. When West was on the board, he said discussions about how to protect students at universities that looked financially unstable were more manageable because they typically involved one or two universities. The difference now is the sheer scale of what they are facing. If youve got a large number of institutions at risk and posting deficits, that is a far bigger systemic issue, he said. More than 50 universities are making job and budget cuts in response to a drop-off in overseas students and a decade-long freeze in the 9,250 a year fees paid by UK students. The Russell Group has estimated that English universities lost an average of 2,500 a student a year in 2022-23 and without a change in policy this will increase to 5,000 a student a year by 2029-30. Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute thinktank, said: When this many universities are projected to be in deficit, you cant say: This is a market and some institutions will have to go, because there is a serious risk of a domino effect. He warned that if one university went under, lenders would start calling in their debts left right and centre. Hillman added: It was inevitable that Lord Wharton had to go. It was an extraordinary appointment for political reasons. Chris Millward, professor of practice in education policy at Birmingham University and former director for fair access at the OfS, said the regulator now had a key role to play in not only forecasting risk but also managing it. He added that although the OfS was supposed to protect the interests of students: If a university goes bust, the implications will be much wider. A spokesperson for the DfE said the process to appoint an interim chair was under way with a permanent replacement announced in due course. SheIt added: It is important that we have a sustainable higher education funding system that provides opportunities, supports students and maintains the world-leading status of our universities. Tourists in Crete Tourists in Crete were forced to wade into the sea and throw their backpacks on board a ferry after locals reportedly banned the use of a floating platform. A line of tourists can be seen bobbing along with the help of a rope from the shore in Balos beach to the waiting ferry. Many can be seen desperately trying to hold their belongings above water before having to throw it to others to catch onboard. Tourists visiting Balos beach in Crete were forced to enter the sea to get their ferry ride home The ferry had stopped at the picturesque lagoon as part of a sightseeing trip and was due to go to the town of Kissamos when the tourists were ordered to disembark and reboard through the water. The reason behind the passengers having to disembark the ferry is unclear. One American tourist told local news website zarpanaws it was an unacceptable situation. People have to walk through neck-deep water to reach the edge of the sea. Elderly people are unable to walk, they said. The absence of a floating platform at the lagoon meant tourists had to wade into the water Giorgos Mylonakis, the mayor of Kissamos, said the platform had been removed by mistake but has since been repositioned and the situation is better. Its not only a matter of safety, but also of the visitors general experience. Balos is one of the most beautiful places in Greece and we must ensure the best possible experience for everyone, he told broadcaster ERT. Police made 11 arrests on the first day of Trnsmt. Scotlands largest music festival is held on Glasgow Green for three days. Headliners included Liam Gallagher on Friday, Gerry Cinnamon on Saturday, and Calvin Harris on Sunday, which will clash with the Euro 2024 final. Police Scotland revealed that six arrests were made inside the festival on Friday. Revellers enjoyed sunshine at Trnsmt on Friday, when 11 arrests were made (Michael Boyd/PA) Another five arrests were made outside the festival on Friday. No figures for arrests on Saturday will be released until Sunday. Festival-goers experienced glorious sunshine on Friday during a day which included a secret set from Travis, and major acts including Sugababes and Garbage. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: There were six internal arrests (within the walls of the event) and there were five external arrests (outside the entrance of the event) and they relate to breach of the peace and minor assault offences. Volodymyr Zelensky said he can forget mistakes after US President Joe Biden referred to him as President Putin at a Nato summit. Mr Zelensky acknowledged the infamous gaffe of the highly-scrutinised American leader while conducting a stopover in Ireland on his return to Ukraine. On Thursday, Mr Biden introduced Mr Zelensky as President Putin at a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC. He immediately corrected himself, saying: President Putin? Hes going to beat President Putin. President Zelensky. Asked by journalists about the mix-up on Saturday, Mr Zelensky said: Its a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. The Ukrainian President held a bilateral meeting with Irish premier Simon Harris at Shannon Airport in Co Clare on Saturday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrives at Shannon Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) After Mr Zelensky landed at noon, they held their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil at the airport. The leaders hugged and shook hands after the Ukrainian leader descended the steps from his state aircraft. Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko was also present. The bilateral meeting focused on the conflict in Ukraine and co-operation between the two countries. Taoiseach Simon Harris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Brian Lawless/PA) Prior to the meeting, Mr Zelensky also gave a message to the people of Ireland: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. Mr Harris said he has accepted an invitation to visit Kyiv in the coming weeks. The Taoiseach also invited Mr Zelensky to conduct an official visit to Ireland and added that the Ukrainian president was very eager to address the Irish parliament. Speaking at a press conference following their engagement, Mr Harris said the two leaders discussed a potential bilateral agreement on demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security. The two leaders hugged on the airport tarmac (Brian Lawless/PA) He also expressed Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Ive just had a very good meeting with President Zelensky. Im very pleased to welcome him to Ireland. He added: It gave me an opportunity to express condolences in person on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Ukraine, to the president of Ukraine, for all the loss of civilian life throughout this brutal, illegal war and Russian aggression. Speaking about Mr Zelensky generally, he said: It never fails to amaze and inspire me as to how committed he is to the cause of Ukrainian freedom. Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to the media following a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Brian Lawless/PA) And I know what he wants, above and beyond everything else, is to have a situation where his citizens men, women and children can live safely in Ukraine again. As I said to him today: We will keep your people safe and we will mind them for as long as it takes, here in Ireland, theyre welcome. But I know you ultimately want them back home and they ultimately want to be back home. And thats the common aim that everyones working towards. The Irish premier confirmed Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, offered further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He said he was absolutely horrified about reports of 20,000 abducted children from Ukraine. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a bilateral meeting at Shannon Airport (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA) Russia is actively stealing children from Ukraine. It is taking young babies and children from the clutches of their parents and it is bringing them to either temporarily-occupied territories or to Russia. He added: Whilst we need the war to stop and we need peace in Ukraine, we need these children back home with their parents, today, where they belong. Mr Harris also said Ireland would be making a contribution of seven million euros to the European Investment Banks EU for Ukraine fund, which addresses food and energy security needs, as well as support for refugees. Asked about his view on the US presidents performance at Nato and his continued run for re-election, Mr Harris said he had recent detailed conversations with Mr Biden, adding: I found President Biden to be as engaging and as informed and as passionate about Ireland I must say as Ive ever found him to be. Its absolutely not my place to give a view in terms of who should be the next president of the United States or anything to do with the election. Mr Zelensky and Mr Harris last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Ireland has provided 250 million euros in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed more than 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. Its described as maybe the greatest Hollywood photo ever taken. There is Faye Dunaway sprawled on a chair next to the Beverly Hills Hotel swimming pool the morning after her Oscar win. Newspapers headlining the awards show are strewn near a table thats presided over by her gleaming golden statuette. But the actress' gaze at the ultimate trophy seems disillusioned as the reality of it hits her. What I love is that Is that all there is? was kind of the theme to it, says the ferociously talented legend, who is the subject of a documentary that debuts at 8 p.m. ET/PT Saturday on HBO (and will be available for streaming on Max). Faye is a candid, affectionate portrait of a woman who reigned on the big screen from the late 1960s to the middle of the 1970s, when American movies caught up to the turmoil and tumult of the modern world. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Faye Dunaway sits by the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, the morning after the Academy Awards ceremony, where she won the Oscar for Sidney Lumets satirical film Network on March 29, 1977. The HBO documentary "Faye" premieres Saturday. If youre a GenXer, you may recognize Dunaway, now 83, and recall one or two of her films, perhaps the 1981 camp classic Mommie Dearest, the biopic about Joan Crawford that nearly destroyed her career. Long before the technology existed, the image of Dunaway as Crawford screaming, No wire hangers! at her adopted daughter was meme-worthy. Those in the Gen Z range probably are unfamiliar with Dunaway, which makes the HBO doc a remarkable opportunity to introduce the current generation to a complex artist who was often labeled as difficult. As Faye sensitively reveals, Dunaway wasnt just battling the usual show business sexism against independent women. She was struggling with bipolar disorder at the time she was achieving greatness. Directed by Laurent Bouzereau, Faye features his extensive interviews with Dunaway, along with film clips, archival footage and illuminating interviews with her son, Liam Dunaway ONeill, and close friend Sharon Stone, among others. It traces how Dorothy Faye Dunaway grew up with an alcoholic father and a mother who eventually divorced him and raised her alone in Florida, where pretty Southern girls with ambitions of performing pursued beauty queen titles. After Dunaway won a sweetheart of Sigma Chi contest while attending the University of Florida, she transferred to Boston University and then landed in a Lincoln Center repertory theater led by director Elia Kazan. Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde." Noticed for her acclaimed off-Broadway acting in 1965s Hogans Goat, Dunaway was cast opposite Warren Beatty in 1967s Bonnie and Clyde, the cultural inflection point that helped create New Hollywood with its violence, humor, sense of anguish and willingness to depict subjects like sexual impotence. She became an overnight star, plus a fashion trendsetter for her striking costumes (designed by Theadora Van Runkle) as one-half of the famous bank-robbing duo from the Depression era. In an early interview around that time, Dunaway said success is freedom, a truism that was only partly true for the female population in cinema. She would go on to deliver brilliant performances in classics like 1968s sexy caper The Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen, 1974s bleak neo-noir Chinatown with Jack Nicholson and 1976s scathing satire Network. Her role as a brittle TV executive with a prescient knack for reality TV won her the best actress Oscar. Looking for reliable streaming options? Check out USA TODAY Home Internet for broadband service plans in your area. In "Faye," Dunaway addresses the double standards of filmmaking in that era, when wanting more control over your projects and having strong opinions were accepted and encouraged for men, but treated as drawbacks for women. She discusses the notorious anecdote about her walking off the set when Chinatown director Roman Polanski (who later pleaded guilty to unlawful intercourse with a minor and fled America) yanked a stray hair from her head that was interfering with a shot. Afterward, she says, Nicholson nicknamed her the dreaded Dunaway, or Dread, much to her delight. Faye Dunaway wears a collection of bangles by Butler & Wilson in the late 1980s. The pinnacle of Dunaways daring as an uncompromising actress is Network. Although it is remembered for Peter Finchs Im mad as hell speech as troubled TV anchor Howard Beale, it also must be recognized for Dunaways steely commitment to playing Diana Christensen, a woman dominating an industry run by men. All I want out of life is a 20 share and a 30 rating, says Dunaway as Diana, and she means it. Theres no love in this character, no hidden empathy or tenderness that surfaces late in the story. Dunaway is magnetic, but completely unsympathetic as Diana, never taking an easy route that might have won her some sympathy. Once Mommie Dearest was declared a disaster by critics (the documentary argues it needed a director who would have toned down its midnight movie aspects), Dunaway struggled to regain her momentum. Always serious about her craft, she kept taking chances in smaller movies. She played an unglamorous alcoholic in 1987s Barfly and won a Golden Globe for playing modeling agency founder Wilhelmina Cooper opposite a young Angelina Jolie in HBO's Gia. "Faye" is at its most sensitive regarding the revelations about Dunaways mental health issues. The frankest observations come from Dunaway herself, who, during a sequence that documents her micromanaging tendencies, says: So now you see what it is about me. Not easy. Dunaway opens up about her struggles with manic depression and alcoholism, particularly in terms of how her bipolar disorder has impacted life behind and in front of the cameras. She describes how she is happier and healthier thanks to medication and treatment. I think you have to ask yourself this question: If she wasnt in so much pain, would she have been that good? Which then, in turn, wouldnt have made her be able to touch people acting, her son says. Youve got to take the good with the bad. Thats just life. It takes guts to go the places that Dunaway did emotionally in her movies, but it requires even more to sustain a full personal life while juggling the demands she had to meet. Faye is never more compelling than when it examines how Dunaway adopted a son with her then-husband, photographer Terry ONeill (who took her famous Oscar photo) and began devoting herself to motherhood at roughly the same time she was taking on a job that required her to portray the abusive parent of an adopted daughter in Mommie Dearest. As the documentary nears its conclusion, Dunaway is shown at Cannes Film Festival in 2011, the year she was chosen as the face of the festival. As photographers snap away, Faye, the mega-star, snaps into gear, exuding her full charisma as a personality. Watching it on a TV screen, Faye demonstrates that Dunaways talent radiates on any screen: big, small or pocket-sized smartphone. As author and critic Mark Harris says in capturing her essential quality. Faye Dunaway in one word: undismissible. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Faye Dunaway documentary reveals hidden bipolar disorder Hundreds lined up outside Houstons Bayland Community Center for ice, military style rations and water. Local officials are still trying to get more aid to those without electricity. Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, whose office is coordinating this effort, spoke to those waiting in line. "Were projected to have a very turbulent hurricane season, and a storm of this magnitude should not knock out power to so many," said Briones. Hundreds of thousands in greater Houston may continue to have no electricity at home. RELATED STORY | Mercy Chefs is one of the groups helping Beryl survivors by serving meals amid power outages Houston resident Enrique Pineda said he and his family go to the dozens of cooling centers for air conditioning. He spoke of having no power after Hurricane Beryl, as well as none after the deep freeze of 2021 that brought Texas electric grid to near collapse. People like him living in southwest Houston, hit by a barrage of hurricane-related storm outages are weary of promises by the electricity provider. CenterPoint, the utility in charge of the majority of power for the nations fourth-largest city, has been the target of local anxiety not just from residents, but also politicians. "We hope to have 80% of our customers restored by Sunday and the remaining customers are going to be the hardest-hit customers that have trees down. It's not a quick fix," said Paul Locke, spokesperson for CenterPoint Energy. The anger towards the power company got so bad, police in suburban Fort Bend County arrested a man for pulling a BB gun on a line worker. Leaders are hoping cooler heads prevail and recovery continues, unlike the oppressive heat and humidity. AT&T reported that over 109 million customers, or nearly all of them, had their call and text logs exposed to a third-party platform following a massive data breach affecting tens of millions of Americans. In an SEC filing on Friday, AT&T said that millions of customer calls, texts, and partial user information for those accessing AT&T's wireless networks were exposed to the public. A "very small number" of customer data from Jan. 2, 2023, were also believed to have been leaked, all of which were "unlawfully accessed" and illegally downloaded on a third-party cloud platform called Snowflake. AT&T claimed it only learned about the data leaks earlier in April after it detected a threat actor accessing the company's call logs from its workspaces to the cloud space. DOJ, FBI Hid AT&T Data Breach Until July The data leakage was only disclosed to the public this month after the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation noted that a delay in disclosure was warranted. This is in addition to the over 73 million customer accounts disclosed on the dark web following a service disruption earlier in February. The Federal Communication Commission has already announced an investigation regarding the data network's latest cyberattack incident. We have an ongoing investigation into the AT&T breach and we' re coordinating with our law enforcement partners. The FCC (@FCC) July 12, 2024 Also Read : AT&T Confirms 73 Million Leaked Accounts Found on Dark Web Snowflake Data Leaks Felt Across Major US Tech Firms This was not the first time millions of data were leaked on Snowflake as cyberattacks continue to hit major tech firms like AT&T for their vital customer data. Illegally extracted data from Ticketmaster and Santander Bank were later found on the cloud platform as hackers demanded ransom money for the stolen customer data. Google's cybersecurity wing Mandiant believes that vital customer data from over 165 organizations, many of which are based in North America, were exposed on Snowflake in the past few years. Snowflake has since promised to improve detection systems and stricter protection against similar data leaks. A federal appeals court has reversed the conviction of a researcher who was accused of hiding work he did in China while employed at the University of Kansas. Feng Franklin Tao was convicted in April 2022 of three counts of wire fraud and one count of making a materially false statement. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson threw out the wire fraud convictions a few months later but let the false statement conviction stand. She later sentenced him to time served. But the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver on Thursday ruled that the government failed to provide sufficient evidence that Tao's failure to disclose his potential conflict of interest actually mattered, and it directed the lower court to acquit him of that sole remaining count. The case against Tao was part of the Trump administration's China Initiative, which started in 2018 to thwart what the Justice Department said was the transfer of original ideas and intellectual property from U.S. universities to the Chinese government. The department ended the program amid public criticism and several failed prosecutions. Tao was a tenured professor in the chemistry and petroleum engineering departments at the University of Kansas from 2014 until his arrest in 2019. The appeals court noted that while it began as an espionage case, the FBI found no evidence of espionage in the end. But the professor was accused of failing to disclose when filling out an annual institutional responsibilities form, under the school's conflict-of-interest policy, that he had been traveling to China to work on setting up a laboratory and to recruit staff for Fuzhou University, where he hoped to land a prestigious position. Federal prosecutors argued that Taos activities defrauded the University of Kansas, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy and National Science Foundation, which had awarded Tao grants for research projects at Kansas. Tao's attorneys argued in their appeal that the case against Tao was a breathtaking instance of prosecutorial overreach that sought to turn a human resources issue at the university into a federal crime. In a 2-1 ruling, the majority said there was insufficient evidence for the jury to have found that Tao's failure to disclose his relationship with the Chinese university affected any decisions by the Energy Department or Science Foundation regarding his research grants, and therefore it did not count as a materially false statement. Appeals Judge Mary Beck Briscoe dissented, saying Taos failure to disclose his time commitments related to his potential position at Fuzhou University, was in fact, material to both agencies because they would have wanted to know in their roles as stewards of taxpayers' money who are responsible for ensuring the trustworthiness of research results. ___ This story was first published July 13, 2024. It was updated July 15, 2024, to correct where the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is based. It is based in Denver, not Kansas City, Missouri. Project 2025, a controversial conservative roadmap that aims to guide the next Republican administration, calls for the elimination of multiple energy- and environment-related offices and rules moves that would restrict the governments ability to combat climate change and pollution. Policies promoted under the plan would place political personnel in positions to oversee science at major federal agencies and reduce such agencies limitations on polluting industries. The project additionally proposes chopping up several agencies. It called for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the nations oceans, weather, climate and fisheries science agency, to be dismantled. NOAA is home to the National Weather Service (which the plan says should henceforth focus on commercial operations), as well as the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (which the plan says should be downsized, with much of its climate research disbanded). The plan would also eliminate offices within the Energy Department that focus on renewable energy, climate technology and energy technology research. And the Energy Department chapter further calls for a whole-of-government assessment and consolidation of science, including a review of all the federal science agencies. In addition, with the help of Congress, Project 2025 seeks to eliminate energy efficiency standards for household appliances. Such standards have been a target of congressional Republicans, who have made multiple efforts to block or roll back Biden administration restrictions on appliances. Former President Trump has also blasted regulations requiring more efficient lightbulbs, showerheads and a range of other items. Trump has sought to distance himself from the project in the wake of the leader of the Heritage Foundation, the conservative think tank that put it together, controversially calling for a bloodless revolution. However, many sections of the plan were written by officials from the former presidents first administration and the provisions on energy efficiency standards are one of many areas where the plan appears to broadly dovetail with policies Trump has called for. The project would also reinstate a Trump-era measure that moved the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) headquarters to Grand Junction, Colo., for instance a move critics said effectively pushed out long-time staffers who had been based in Washington, D.C. In an interview with The Hill, Western Energy Alliance President Kathleen Sgamma, who co-wrote the Interior Department section of the proposal, said that section is all about increasing [oil and gas] development and production from federal lands. Sgamma, who leads a group that lobbies on behalf of the oil industry, said the raft of proposals are intended to reverse Biden administration policies that restricted fossil fuel development on those lands. Upon taking office, Biden signed an executive order pausing all new oil and gas leasing on public lands, which has since ended. More recently, he signed permanent protections for about 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The plan would undo these actions, restoring Trump-era policies that opened up more Arctic lands for drilling, reduced protections for endangered species and implemented restrictions on environmental reviews and other review processes in an effort to bolster infrastructure and energy projects Some of the blueprints proposals for the Interior Department would likely require an act of Congress. For example, the plan also calls for the repeal of the Antiquities Act of 1906, the statute that allows presidents to designate national monuments. Others, however, could likely be accomplished through the executive branch, such as opening up more Arctic lands for drilling, reducing protections for endangered species and implementing restrictions on environmental reviews and other review processes in an effort to bolster infrastructure and energy projects. At the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the plan calls for the consolidation of science and policy under political officials. Its plans for doing so include appointing at least six political appointees who are in charge of overseeing and changing the agencys research and science activities. It also calls for moving high-ranking career officials out of the EPAs Office of Water, and eliminating the agencys civil and criminal law enforcement office instead moving the law enforcement officials to the agencys office of general counsel. The law enforcement office, known as the Office of of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, is in charge of pursuing criminal and criminal penalties when companies break laws by polluting. Asked about the reason for moving those senior officials out of the water office, Mandy Gunasekara, author of the plans EPA chapter, told The Hill some officials who are in those roles could use their positions to put up roadblocks to policy proposals they disagree with. She said moving law enforcement to the general counsels office could address discrepancies between the people who make the rules and those that apply them. The EPA section of the plan also calls for an update to the agencys 2009 finding that greenhouse gas emissions pose a threat to human health and the environment. This endangerment finding compels the EPA to do something to address the threat of these emissions. Its not clear whether an update could weaken or overturn this finding. In addition, the plan would make the agencys consideration of potentially toxic substances more industry friendly and revisit a rule that is currently set to bolster the cleanup of cancer-linked PFAS chemicals. Gunasekara was the EPAs chief of staff during the Trump administration. She declined to say whether shed want to serve in a second Trump administration. The primary architect of the Interior Department section, William Perry Pendley, is also a former Trump official. Pendley was the acting head of the Bureau of Land Management during Trumps presidency, but he was never confirmed by the Senate despite leading the agency for more than a year before being ousted by a judge. Pendley is a longtime advocate of selling off public lands, writing in a June op-ed that the BLM should sell them to resolve housing shortages in the western U.S. He has also denied both the reality of climate change and the existence of a hole in the earths ozone layer, called the Endangered Species Act a failure, and made headlines for calling undocumented immigrants a cancer and claiming that Islam was at war with the U.S. The project makes no secret about who wrote this, said Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the Center for Western Priorities, in reference to Sgammas role in the Interior section. Pendley would love it if most oil and gas policy was handed over to states even when it comes to federal lands, Weiss added. Project 2025 has sparked concerns among environmental advocates. Climate activist Jamie Henn said what alarms him about the project is not necessarily that its more extreme than Trumps proposals, but that its more specific. Trump would frack the National Mall if he thought it would make a couple of bucks for donors and Big Oil, said Henn, director of Fossil Free Media, a nonprofit that supports ending fossil fuel use. But he said Trump tends to speak in slogans, while this is a plan that really gets into the details. Were not only going agency by agency, were going into every single agency program, Henn said. Theyre coming in with sledgehammers and scalpels to try and dismantle any barriers to the fossil fuel industries. The projects proponents said its goals are to get a conservative administration ready for action with a detailed policy plan. My goal is very much parallel to the goal of the whole project, and its to make sure that the next opportunity conservatives have to lead the administration, we dont lose any time, Gunasekara told The Hill. She described her aim in drafting the plans EPA section as 1. set out a clear policy vision and then 2. figure out the steps it would take to ultimately implement that in the most efficient manner possible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we believe in. Pricing and availability are subject to change. These are the best Prime Day deals on wrinkle creams that actually work Today is the last day of Amazons Prime Day - so get the deals while you can. They arent alone with there being sales like the Walmart Prime Day deals that have dropped trying to rival them. So hurry and shop the Prime Day beauty deals, fashion deals, Apple deals and more. If you aren't sure what you want or need but want to find some deals - shop by price: Prime Day deals under $50 or Prime Day deals under $100. Amazon Prime Day is finally here, which means, as a longtime beauty editor, I'm on the hunt for high-quality skin care at steep discounts especially deals on beauty staples I already use and love. First up in my search: anti-aging wrinkle creams. Sure, in the world of skin care, "wrinkle cream" is a bit of a dated term (some would argue "anti-aging" is too). But, what I'm talking about here are the kind of serums, exfoliators and, yes, creams, that contain ingredients like retinol and vitamin C that have been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine (and not so fine!) lines. I myself am recent (ish) anti-aging cream convert. For most of my life, I was a skin care skeptic. In fact, I washed my face with bar soap until I was 45. I never moisturized because I thought lotions and potions were nonsense. But around my late 40s, as my skin began to seriously age, I started looking for ways to soften wrinkles, lighten dark spots and make my complexion look brighter and plumper overall. And I started to see that consistent use of certain products with specific formulations did, in fact, improve the signs that I was no longer 25. The items here are among my favorites and best of all, for Prime Day, they're all available now for a whole lot less than you'd normally pay some at the best prices I've seen all year. And as a heads up: Amazon's sales extravaganza kicks off today and runs through July 17. Best Prime Day deals on wrinkle creams and serums Peter Thomas Roth Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM Night Serum $55 $65 Save $10 There's a reason I named this Peter Thomas Roth formula the best retinol serum of the year: At 1.5% retinal concentration, it's just potent enough to really work on reducing wrinkles and fine lines, while not so strong that your face will start molting within the first week of use. Plus, it contains 8-hour slow-release microencapsulated retinol, which tends to be less irritating, and is packed with brighteners like vitamin C and soothing emollients such as vitamin E and squalane to keep your face hydrated and reduce redness. The texture here is particularly standout: It's silky and smooth, as opposed to tacky and viscus. When I used this product last year for three months, I saw an almost immediate skin-tightening effect. Over the weeks there was more clarity in my skin tone and the lines in my forehead appeared less deep. It's difficult to choose a retinol serum that will work "best" for all skin types, but with its high-quality ingredients and thoughtful formulation, this one comes closest to being a one-size-fits-most skin-care star and right now, it's at the lowest price I've seen in 2024. $55 at Amazon Amazon Verso Skin Care Dark Spot Fix $60 $95 Save $35 We know retinol works reliably to reduce wrinkles but this Swedish brand's Dark Spot Fix does double duty: It's a skin-lightening treatment containing retinol 8, a stabilized vitamin A complex meant to be eight times more effective than conventional retinol but half as harsh. There's no data to support the company's claim here, but I can tell you this from experience: The formula is creamy, gentle and lightened a stubborn brown spot on my cheek I'd been annoyed by for years in just three weeks. Though no results will be as effective as a visit to the dermatologist, if you're dealing with mild hyperpigmentation, this is an at-home skin-care win especially at this price (a full 50% off). $60 at Amazon Explore More Buying Options $95 at Lookfantastic$80 at Dermstore If you have Amazon Prime, youll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more.) Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Hear from Autoblogs experts on the best Amazon Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you. The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication. Tracy Cortez posed with her discarded hair after making weight as a result of her spontaneous haircut. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) (Josh Hedges via Getty Images) UFC fighter Tracy Cortez took an unusual strategy when trying to make weight on Friday. After attempts to shave off a pound ahead of the weigh-in were unsuccessful, she brought out the scissors. After struggling at a weigh-in Friday for Saturday's fight against Rose Namajunas, the 30-year-old flyweight fighter cut off a handful of her hair in order to lose the last half pound. Cortez's impromptu haircut gave her the push needed to make weight at 126 pounds. Cortez, who had originally weighed in at 127 and then 126.5 pounds, teared up as she successfully made weight. Desperate to get her weight down, Cortez told her team backstage to just "f*****g chop it," per Nolan King of USA Today. As a result, Cortez walked away with the fight still on, and with a stylish new long bob to boot. Heres the moment Tracy Cortez decided to f*cking chop it and cut her hair to make weight for #UFCDenver (via Eddie Cha/@FightReady_MMA). pic.twitter.com/6S6Grgj8G6 Nolan King (@mma_kings) July 12, 2024 Cortez and Namajunas will now face off as planned in the main event of UFC's Fight Night card on Saturday. The event was originally supposed to feature Namajunas against Maycee Barber, but Cortez filled in after Barber withdrew in June due to multiple health issues. Cortez has an 11-1 record since joining UFC in 2019, while Namajunas is 13-6 in 11 years as a professional. Cortez's only other fight this year, a bout against Miranda Maverick, was canceled; Namajunas won her last fight, against Amanda Ribas, by unanimous decision in March. Samantha Griffin of Marion, Indiana, told 'Good Morning America' that her husky was "bugging" her to go outside Luna Love/Facebook Luna the husky who helped save her owner from a carbon monoxide leak An Indiana woman is incredibly thankful for her rescue dog, especially after the pet alerted her to a carbon monoxide leak and, as first responders later explained to her, ultimately saved her life. Samantha Griffin, 38, spoke with Good Morning America on Thursday, July 11, about when her two-year-old husky Luna began "pouncing on" her in June to go outside shortly before first responders discovered that her Marion apartment had a significant carbon monoxide leak. Griffin told the outlet that this story started in late May when Griffin decided to unplug her smoke and carbon monoxide detector because the device was periodically going off. "So we just kept thinking it was a power issue. But when Luna started acting up and then I started getting a headache, we [were] just like, something ain't right," Griffin said. Luna Love/Facebook Samantha Griffin with her dog Luna Luna, who Griffin rescued from Speedway Animal Rescue in September 2023, then took matters into her own paws on June 24, when her owner tried to rest up amid a "bad migraine." Luna wouldn't let Griffin sleep. "All day long, she was bugging me to go outside. And normally she don't do that," Griffin said, adding that her dog, estimated to be around two years old, began to "pounce" on her. Related: 'Dog in Distress' Helps Rescue Their 'Struggling' Golden Retriever Friend from Drowning "I think I still have bruises from where she's hit me and she scratched up my door and stuff like that, trying to get out, so she was alerting us way before the alarm even went off," she said. Eventually, after Griffin contacted her building's maintenance, her local fire department arrived to find a significant carbon monoxide leak and credited Luna with saving her owner's life. Luna Love/Facebook Luna the husky Marion Fire Prevention Chief Brandon Eckstein told local outlet WRTV that the apartment's carbon monoxide levels were "outside of our normal range of point zero nine parts per million." Eckstein added that homeowners should have their "flue pipes checked yearly" and "carbon monoxide detectors close to those natural gas appliances." The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 400 Americans die each year from "unintentional CO poisoning," not linked to fires, with over 100,000 visiting the emergency room and 14,000 hospitalized. The dog owner told GMA her apartment's leak was caused by a bird's nest sitting in the flue of her building's gas water heater. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "Luna did save my life that day. If she hadn't gotten me out, I definitely probably would have fallen asleep and just died," Griffin said. "I'm just so overwhelmed, grateful for all of it. Because I don't know where I'd be right now without her," she added to the outlet. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor. Submit San Francisco is now gearing up to welcome the world's first hydrogen-powered ferry as it offers free rides across the Bay Area. First reported by the Associated Press, the 70-feet ferry MV Sea Change is scheduled to begin transporting passengers from Pier 41 to downtown San Francisco starting July 19 in an effort to boost production of zero-emission commercial water vessels. The ferry, which can hold up to 75 passengers, will offer free rides for its first six months as part of its pilot program. The California Air Resources Board has long teased the idea of a zero-emission, fuel cell-powered water transport since 2019 following a $3 million cash grant to the Zero Emission Industries. Also Read : US to Begin Construction of First-Ever Bullet Train From LA to Las Vegas How Does the MV Sea Change Works? Powered by the electricity produced from hydrogen and oxygen, the MV Sea Change can travel for about 300 nautical miles or 16 hours before it needs to be recharged. The fuel cell works similarly to regular carbon-powered batteries but offers a denser power charge to offer longer distances with a smaller carbon and heat emission. Using hydrogen fuel cells, experts believe that the sea vessel poses "great potential" in reducing "carbon intensity" and greenhouse gases in congested port areas like San Francisco. So far, the CARB is already preparing to require all short-distance ferries in the state to be emission-free by the end of 2025, in time when more hydrogen-powered vessels like MV Sea Change enter mass production. More Zero-Emission Vehicles Roll Out Across San Francisco MV Sea Change's deployment in the Bay Area follows the growing trend of zero carbon-emission vehicles debuting in San Francisco as California pushes to curb carbon footprints across the state. Earlier in March, the California Public Utilities Commission signed the expansion of Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing services in San Francisco. Similar progress can be seen in air transportation as the state welcomes air taxis and electric drones to several California cities, including major areas in San Francisco. Mumbai: Cyber cell of Maharashtra police has filed a case against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee after a parody account posted a message on X that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birlas daughter had passed the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam without even appearing for it. The YouTuber has been booked based on a complaint filed by Mr. Birlas relative. When pointed out that the message was not posted by Rathis social media handle, the police said they are investigating it. A police official said that the YouTubuer has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for defamation, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of peace, and making a statement leading to mischief, along with charges under the IT Act, the official said. According to the state cyber department, the account with the handle @dhruvrahtee had claimed on X that Birla's daughter had cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam without appearing for it. However, the bio of the handle @dhruvrahtee reads, This is the fan and parody account and not affiliated with the original account of @dhruv_rathee. Not impersonating anyone. This account is Parody. Rathi on X handle wrote that the post was done by some random parody Twitter account. I have nothing to do with this, he said. The parody account posted on X on Saturday, As directed by @MahaCyber1, I have deleted all my posts and comments on Anjali Birla, I will like to apologize as I was unaware about the facts and copied someone else' tweets and shared it. Mumbai: Blame game has begun in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP), after the large-scale cross-voting by their MLAs in the legislative council elections. While, the Shiv Sena (UBT) blamed the cross-voting by seven Congress MLAs for the defeat of alliance candidate Jayant Patil, NCP (SP) is unhappy with Uddhav Thackerays decision to field his close associate Milind Narvekar as the third candidate of the alliance and jeopardising Mr. Patils chances. Meanwhile, Mr. Patil claimed that at least once MLA from the Sharad Pawar faction also cross-voted. Jayant Patil, chief of Peasants and Workers Party, received only 12 votes in the election held on Friday. All three candidates of MVA together received only 59 votes. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that MVA candidate Jayant Patils defeat was not a setback for the opposition alliance. Though legislators from the Congress cross-voted in the council polls, no one from the Shiv Sena (UBT) or NCP (SP) defied, he said. Apart from the PWP, Samajwadi Party is also part of the MVA. However, Mr. Raut indicated that secular parties sold their votes to the ruling alliance for huge money. He alleged that the rate of the MLAs of smaller parties and independents was soaring like a stock market and some of them were even given two acres of land. There are MLAs who think they are secular, who believe in the socialist ideology. There are many like that (who did not vote for the MVA candidate). The rate for MLAs ranged from Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore. The MVA will not play such a game, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. However, contradicting Mr. Rauts claim about no defection in the Sharad Pawar faction of NCP, Mr. Patil said he was sure of getting 14 votes including 12 from the NCP (SP) and a single vote from PWP MLA Shyamsundar Shinde. I received only 12 votes. Our MLA voted for me.Which means at least one MLA from Sharad Pawars party cross-voted, he said. A senior leader from the NCP (SP) pointed out that the MVA did not have enough votes to field three candidates. Sharad Pawar had made a promise to Jayant Patil at the time of the Lok Sabha election itself. Congress had numbers to get its candidate elected easily. But Shiv Sena (UBT) did not have the number. Mr. Thackerays candidate got votes from the Congress because of which Mr. Patil came in the danger zone. Had he not fielded a candidate, all candidates would have been elected unopposed. That would not have exposed the discord in the alliance, the NCP (SP) leader said. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole said that action will be taken against the MLAs who defied the party whip in the legislative council election. He said the party knows who cross-voted. We have the information about the MLAs who cross-voted. The party will take action against them for indulging in anti-party activities. They will be shown the doors, the Congress leader said. by Nirmala Carvalho Yesterday the prime minister received a delegation led by the president of the Bishops' Conference (Cbci). In the letter, besides the ritual congratulations for the new mandate, all the concerns for Christians from the attacks in Manipur to the quota issue. Among the topics also Pope Francis' visit to India. Delhi (AsiaNews) - A delegation made up of four prominent personalities of the Indian Church met yesterday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express great concern for the escalation of attacks against Christians in various parts of the country. Leading the meeting was Msgr Andrews Thazhath, Metropolitan of Trichur of the Syro-Malabars and president of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCP), who also congratulated the Prime Minister on having obtained a third consecutive term in the top government posts. The leaders also pledged the Catholics' utmost commitment to the nation's development. In the letter the delegation handed over to Modi, the Church leaders, after congratulating him and promising cooperation, expressed their "anguish over the increasing attacks on Christians and their institutions by anti-social elements in different parts of India". "There have been several cases of harassment and attacks with false accusations of forced conversions and the misuse of anti-conversion laws. We wish to make it clear,' they continue, 'that the Church is firmly opposed to forced conversions. The bishops' document then wants to bring to the government's attention the plight of "poor, Dalit and tribal Christians" who are "often victims of discrimination and exclusion". "We appeal to you," they add, "to extend to Dalit Christians the benefits of the reservation, similar to those enjoyed by Dalits of other religious groups, so that there is no discrimination based on religion, as guaranteed by our Constitution. "Furthermore, we also appeal to you that the reservations provided for tribal Christians be kept intact and not withdrawn." The letter then highlights the absence of Christians from the National Commission for Minorities and the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions. Next, the Church leaders address the issue of Christian NGOs facing 'undue challenges during the renewal of their Fcra registration (which allows them to receive foreign donations)'. Finally, the note concludes, 'in solidarity with the people of Manipur [victim of tribal violence ], we urge you to take serious action to restore peace and harmony in the State'. The letter was signed by Cbci president Msgr Andrews Thazhath, vice-president and bishop of Bathery, Msgr Joseph Mar Thomas, and Cbci general secretary and archbishop of Delhi, Msgr Anil Couto. When questioned by journalists at the end of the meeting, Bishop Thazhath said that 'our concerns have been heard' and the PM expressed 'solidarity'. However, Modi also added that the perpetrators of the violence were 'fringe groups' and not 'the majority party [Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP] or the government'. Moreover, the PM would not give clear answers on the demands for Dalit Christians (for quotas) or the campaign to oust Christians from the status of a recognised tribe and caste. Concerning Manipur, the premier said that the government is taking all measures to ensure peace, emphasising that 'this is an ethnic conflict and is not confessional'. In conclusion, the Catholic leaders urged the prime minister to speed up the steps for a visit of Pope Francis to India and added that they will also address the same invitation to the pontiff. What Is Sexual Consent? What Every Man Needs To Know About Consent In The Bedroom Sparks were flying at the party. The conversation flowed. There was definite flirting. You shared a couple of drinks, and then a couple more. A little kissing and grinding on the dance floor. Youre really into this person. And you think theyre into you, too. Fast-forward a few hours, after they accepted your invitation to finish the evening with a nightcap at your place. But the heat you felt when you first started to make out has slowed down. Now youre on the bed, half-naked. Youre buzzed. Youre turned on. You really, really want to have sex. But theres a nagging voice in your head holding you back. Somethings changed. Are they not into you? Are they just quiet in bed? Are they too drunk? Or just sleepy? Your next move defines who you are as a man and possibly your future. Do you have consent? What Is Consent? In this scenario, this person isnt saying no. But theyre not saying yes, either. This is not consent, despite what some people may think. Consent is not the absence of NO. Its the presence of YES. RELATED: Lies Pop Culture Taught Us About Love, Sex & Romance Silence does not equal yes. Moaning does not equal yes. Drunken stupor does not equal yes. Asleep does not equal yes. The only thing that equals yes is yes, whether they're saying yes out loud or saying yes by actively participating taking off their clothes without being asked, taking off your clothes, guiding your hands, etc. Consent is simple and unmistakable. Its not something that needs to be interpreted through a thousand emotional and psychological filters. There really isnt any grey area when it comes to consent. When you have it, you know. You need consent for every sexual act, every time you have sex. If someone wants to kiss you, it doesnt mean they want to go down on you. If someone goes down on you, it doesnt mean she wants to have intercourse. If she slept with you last weekend, it doesnt mean she wants to sleep with you tonight. Even if youre in a long-term relationship, you need consent each and every time. Consent can be given and taken away in the same sexual encounter. Thats not being a tease. Thats a persons right to their body. If your partner started doing something that you didnt want, you have the same right. If consent is taken away, stop what youre doing immediately. Some signs that consent is being taken away: Ouch. That hurts. Can we stop? Im not really into this. Falling asleep. A push on your shoulder. Suddenly going quiet. If you sense that your partner's not as into it as they were a few moments ago, you should stop immediately and ask them whats up. These are the basic elements that define consent. You can read more about them through this fact sheet from the National Violence Resource Center and its It's On Us campaign. Why Consent Is Sexy Consent might sound legalistic and dry and unfun. But in reality, consent is sexy. Its raw. Its enthusiastic. Its hot. When you have consent, you know for sure that your partner wants to be with you. They find you sexy. They crave your touch. They're totally into what youre doing. Consensual sex is the sexiest kind of sex there is. Imagine this. You and your crush are having wild, crazy hot sex. Youre turned on. They're turned on. They're getting closer and closer to orgasm. Your touch, your hands, your moves are giving them so much pleasure. And all the while, your crush is saying, Yes, yes, YES! I think about consent as a way to communicate with my partner during sex. Its how we both know we really, really want to be having sex with each other, says Erin OCallaghan, a senior at University of Cincinnati. RELATED: Video Series Teaches Guys How to Talk About Consent Why would you want to have any other kind of sex? While consent is mandatory when it comes to sex, its also a key element of desire the HELL YES you feel when a partner is 100% into you. Its also possible to ask for consent in a sexy way. As Angie Rowntree, founder and director of Sssh.com, notes, There are many ways to turn consent into a kind of sensual game that requests your partner to do certain things, if they consent. One of the most common ways to do this, she says, is using the phrase Tell me what you want. Each person can do this in turn to help things progress in an equal way. This kind of exchange, Rowntree says, becomes a dirty-talk-turned-physical sort of scenario that establishes consent in a way that turns on anyone involved. RELATED: Dirty Talk Phrases That Are Also Consent Questions Sex Without Consent Is Rape Consent isnt just sexy, its also mandatory. More and more, men and women are calling out non-consensual sex for what it is: Rape. Though the definitions and consequences vary from state to state, any sexual activity without consent is sexual assault. This is a crime for which you can be charged, convicted, sent to jail, and then required to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. RELATED: What Happens When Men's Consent Is Violated Sexual assault is a crime for a reason. Its one of the worst traumas that a human can endure. Regardless of gender, sexual violence leaves a lasting impact on a victims life. Survivors are more likely to face PTSD, depression, anxiety, and even physical health problems too. This British video explains consent in a very clever, easy-to-understand way. Unfortunately, given the state of youth hookup culture, consent and alcohol do not mix. If you drink and drive, youre taking a risk that you might harm yourself or others. The same is true when it comes to sex. Just because someone is drunk does not mean theyre consenting to sex. In fact, a partner under the influence of drugs or alcohol cannot give consent. Even if the person says yes, you can still be held legally responsible for sexual assault. Its not regrettable sex if the other person was too drunk to consent; its sexual assault, and someone going through with it can be held legally responsible. RELATED: The Meaning of Consent and The Different Types That Exist If youre drinking, your judgment is impaired as is your ability to ascertain consent. As a rule of thumb, if youre too drunk to drive, youre probably too drunk to have sex. Wait until the morning when youre both sober, and able to provide an enthusiastic yes. Its not worth the risk of harming someone else, and being responsible for rape. When consent is unclear, stop and get clarity. If youre pressuring or cajoling a partner to engage in sexual activity, youre out of bounds. If a partners resistance or lack of consent turns you on, you should seek professional help to stop yourself from hurting others. Talking About Consent With Your Partner One common misperception about consent is that talking about it comes off as administrative, boring, and unsexy. This could not be further from the truth. Talking about consent is better than foreplay. Before you have sex, talk to your partner about what turns them on. Do they like a gentle touch or a firm touch? What are their favorite sex positions, fantasies, or props? Do they like to role-play? Talk about what turns you on, and what you imagine doing together. Many people are curious about BDSM sex. This can be perfectly healthy and consensual when you and your partner talk about it ahead of time and establish clear guidelines, including a safe word. Take some time to learn more about approaching BDSM safely beyond just reading 50 Shades of Grey or watching rough sex in porn. RELATED: What Is a Safe Word and How Does It Work? During sex, there are many ways to ensure you have consent. The most basic is asking questions like, Is this OK? But you can get more creative than that as well. Here are some things you can whisper in your partners ear the next time you're having sex: "If you like what Im doing, I want to hear you say yes." "I want you to enjoy every moment of us being together, so let me hear your voice." "Does that 'Mmmmm' mean you like what Im doing?" "Do you know what Ive always wanted to try? [insert sexual fantasy here] Would you be up for that?" Too many guys think talking about consent is technical and unsexy. Untrue. says Leela Strong, a 34-year old woman from Boston. Checking in as we go keeps sex hot for both of us. RELATED: Conversation Examples of How to Ask for Consent Engaging deeply in consent with your partner will make you a better lover. When you talk about desires and know what your partner wants, you can be confident that you're giving them pleasure which is a much better brag than simply that you slept together. Talking About Consent With Your Friends When youre with the guys, its easy to fall into culturally defined ways of talking about women and sex as conquests or objects. Thats not fair to the women in your life, and it probably isnt what real life sex is like for you, either. It is important for men to challenge some of the norms that they have been taught that being with someone who is incapacitated is OK or that what they may have seen in sexually explicit media is OK, says Nicole Daley, Director of the Start Strong Initiative, a federal program focused on healthy relationships. RELATED: Toxic Things That Society Encourages in Men Even if they dont find that every moment is a full on advocacy moment... they can challenge their friends by letting them know making rape jokes is not cool. There are a lot of ways to talk about consent with your friends, and it doesnt have to be a heavy or intense conversation. If you want to brag about sex, brag about how much the other person wanted and asked for it. Brag about how much they liked what you were doing and how enthusiastically they consented. You can also take steps among your group of friends when you are out at a party or a bar. If you see someone drunk and alone at a party male or female dont assume that someone else is looking out for them. Take responsibility yourself to make sure they are safe. Keep an eye on your friends, too. A friend doesnt let a friend drive drunk, so why would you let a friend initiate drunken sex? If a friend is drunk and acting in creepy ways to women, take him home dont laugh it off. If hes hitting on a woman who is drunk, you can either speak up or you can just create a distraction. Or find the womans friends and have them take her home safely. Finally, show support for survivors of sexual violence and do so in visible ways. Wear a Consent Is Sexy T-shirt. Show up at an event to support an anti-sexual violence organization. Raise your hand at the next prevention workshop. If there are men or women in your life who have been sexually assaulted or abused, talk about what its like to support them. Find ways to open the door to a conversation about myths and misperceptions about sexual violence, and its impact on a survivors life. Consent isnt complicated. But its not talked about enough. What else do you want to know or learn about consent? Further Consent Resources Men Can Stop Rape offers online and offline resources for healthy masculinity, consent, and navigating sex in an alcohol and hookup culture. Planned Parenthood Consent 101 Videos If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find support, resources, and advice through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE or online.rainn.org. Trained volunteers are available to answer questions big or small 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sarah Beaulieu is author, speaker, founder of The Uncomfortable Conversation, Inc., and the author of "Breaking the Silence Habit: A Practical Guide to Uncomfortable Conversations in the #MeToo Workplace." You can find her on Twitter at @sarahbeaulieu. You Might Also Appreciate: (Photo : Unsplash/Joshua Hoehne) Elon Musk's X Corp., formerly Twitter, is being accused of breaching digital content regulations, which could have them face a million-dollar fine, according to a preliminary view released by the European Commission (EU) on Friday. The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires large online platforms and search engines to take increased responsibility for tackling illegal content and promoting public safety. X Corp.'s Employing Dark Patterns The investigation, initiated in December, reached its preliminary findings by examining internal company documents and consulting with experts. The European Commission, the executive body of the 27-member bloc, found X's violations concerning dark patterns, advertising transparency, and data access for researchers. European Union's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager posted on social media X that X does not comply with the DSA in key transparency areas, including using dark patterns to mislead users, the inadequacy of its ad repository, and blocking data access for researchers. X failed to provide researchers with independent access to public data but instead structured its process for granting eligible researchers access to its API in a manner that discourages participation, Al Jazeera reported. READ ALSO: Meta Faces Another Legal EU Probe Over Breach of Digital Services Act on Child Safety X's Blue Checkmark Violation X's use of the blue checkmark for verified accounts also does not align with industry practices. The Commission indicated that allowing anyone to subscribe for a "verified" status negatively impacts users' ability to make informed decisions about the authenticity of accounts and content they interact with. Evidence of verified status being misused by "motivated malicious actors" to deceive users has also been found. Blue checks have long been recognized as trustworthy sources of information. However, the preliminary assessment of X indicates that the platform now deceives users and violates the DSA, European Commissioner Thierry Breton posted on X. Back in the day, #BlueChecks used to mean trustworthy sources of information Now with X, our preliminary view is that: They deceive users They infrige #DSA X has now the right of defence but if our view is confirmed we will impose fines & require significant changes. pic.twitter.com/M9tGA5pYQr July 12, 2024 Musk retweeted that the European Commission proposed an unlawful secret agreement to X, suggesting that the platform would avoid fines if it censored speech quietly without telling anyone. Other platforms agreed to this arrangement, but X refused. The European Commission offered an illegal secret deal: if we quietly censored speech without telling anyone, they would not fine us. The other platforms accepted that deal. did not. https://t.co/4lKsaRsYoA Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 12, 2024 The company will now have the chance to review the findings thoroughly and provide a formal response. If the Commission's findings are validated, a non-compliance ruling could result in fines of up to 6% of the company's total global annual revenue, along with periodic penalty payments and periods of enhanced supervision. Vestager added that transparency is the fundamental principle of EU regulation, which all platforms, including X, should adhere to. Series of EU Proceedings Against Tech Companies The European Commission has been taking legal proceedings against DSA non-compliance since the year's first half. In March, AliExpress faced the EU for DSA violation in risk management and mitigation, content moderation, internal complaint handling mechanisms, advertising transparency, recommender systems, trader traceability, and data access for researchers, the EU said in a press release. In April, the Commission also initiated proceedings against TikTok to evaluate whether the company breached the DSA when launching TikTok Lite in France and Spain. Media sources reported that the EU also evaluated whether Meta, the provider of Facebook and Instagram, violated the Digital Services Act (DSA) in May in areas related to the protection of minors. RELATED ARTICLE: Amazon to Disclose Digital Services Act Compliance After Attempting EU Rule Bypass Last Year 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 13 July 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's recent visit to Pakistan represents a crucial step in enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries. The two-day visit featured a range of activities, including the signing of significant agreements and discussions focused on deepening cooperation across various sectors. It is worth recalling that President Ilham Aliyev received a grand ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at Islamabad International Airport. The welcome included a guard of honor, a 21-gun salute, and a red carpet reception, showcasing the high regard and respect Pakistan holds for Azerbaijan and its leadership. This ceremonial reception underscores the importance of the visit and the warm relations between the two nations. During the visit, several key agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between Azerbaijan and Pakistan, focusing on enhancing cooperation in multiple fields such as trade, energy, defence, education, and culture. These documents lay the groundwork for future collaborations and joint ventures, signalling a robust and multi-faceted partnership. Agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and economic ties were a major highlight. Both countries are keen to explore opportunities in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and textile industries. On the other hand, the memorandum on energy cooperation included joint ventures in oil and gas exploration as well as renewable energy projects. This aligns with Azerbaijan's expertise in the energy sector and Pakistan's growing energy needs. It is worth noting that both countries signed agreements to enhance cooperation in defence production and military training. This is part of a broader strategy to strengthen security ties and regional stability. Documents were also signed to promote educational exchanges and cultural programs, fostering people-to-people connections and mutual understanding. Note that the relationship between Azerbaijan and Pakistan is built on several key principles that highlight their mutual respect and strategic partnership. Both countries share deep historical and cultural connections, which provide a strong foundation for their bilateral relations. These ties are celebrated and reinforced through various cultural exchange programs. Azerbaijan and Pakistan have consistently supported each other on international platforms. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognise Azerbaijan's independence and has supported its stance on the former Garabagh conflict. Similarly, Azerbaijan supports Pakistan's position on Kashmir. Eventually, both nations view each other as strategic partners in the region. They cooperate closely in fields such as defence, energy, and trade, recognising the mutual benefits of such collaborations. Economic cooperation is a cornerstone of both countries relationships. Azerbaijan and Pakistan are working to enhance bilateral trade and investment, exploring new areas for economic partnership. Also Baku and Islamabad share a common interest in regional stability and security. Their defence cooperation and joint efforts in counter-terrorism initiatives reflect this shared priority. Today, President Ilham Aliyev's visit to Pakistan symbolises a deepening of ties that are likely to grow stronger in the coming years. The agreements signed during this visit pave the way for increased cooperation and mutual benefit. The emphasis on trade, energy, defence, and cultural exchanges highlights a comprehensive approach to bilateral relations. And this visit has significantly advanced the Azerbaijan-Pakistan relationship, setting the stage for a robust partnership that encompasses various strategic areas. The visit underscores the commitment of both nations to work together for mutual benefit and regional stability. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 17:03 (UTC+04:00) In the January-June period of this year, Azerbaijan transported 1,568,622 passengers by air transport, Azernews reports. This represents a significant increase of 39.2% compared to the same period last year. During the first half of the year, Azerbaijan was most frequently visited by 442,964 passengers from Russia, marking a 30.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In June, Azerbaijan received 341,384 passengers, which is 36.1% more than the same month last year. From Russia alone, 95,638 passengers traveled to Azerbaijan in June, an increase of 22.3% compared to May last year. After Russia, Turkey had the second highest number of passengers traveling to Azerbaijan during the January-June period of this year, with 368,427 passengers. This represents a 23.4% increase compared to the previous year. The United Arab Emirates ranked third with 215,537 passengers, showing an increase of 47.6%. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Global forum in east China aims to promote shared human values Xinhua) 13:26, July 13, 2024 JINAN, July 12 (Xinhua) -- A two-day forum was held at the birthplace of Chinese philosopher Confucius, aiming at promoting the human values advocated by the Global Civilization Initiative and a community with a shared future for humanity. Themed "traditional culture and modern civilization," the 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations took place in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province, on Wednesday and Thursday. It attracted nearly 400 international guests from 63 countries and regions. Vincent Meriton, former vice president of Seychelles, delivered a speech at the forum, emphasizing the importance of diversity. "Every nation is unique with different peoples, customs, languages, histories, beliefs and ideas. These differences should be respected and celebrated because they enrich the diversity of humanity," said Meriton, also chairman of a Seychelles-China friendship association. "In today's world of division and conflict, the forum is a beacon of hope. Such activities are essential if we want to build bridges between civilizations and promote peace and harmony," said Jose Ramos-Horta, president of Timor-Leste, in a written message. He urged dialogue across cultural barriers and emphasized the need for practical strategies to enhance intercultural cooperation to foster a peaceful, just and inclusive world. The Global Civilization Initiative, proposed by China in March 2023, was a prominent topic among the guests and experts at the conference. It advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. "To move forward, we must embrace values of respect, inclusivity and our differences. The Global Civilization Initiative should be celebrated worldwide as a way for peaceful co-existence. It recognizes and respects countries' specificities while acknowledging shared goals of peace, security, sustainability, respect and self-determination," Meriton said. Participants noted that Confucianism represents an excellent traditional Chinese culture emphasizing benevolence, humanism, faith, justice and harmony and these principles have profoundly influenced the development of not only China but also the world. Amid intensified geopolitical conflicts worldwide, a gloomy economic outlook and a widening wealth gap, humanity faces a historic crossroads. Participants at the forum advocate for drawing wisdom from exemplary traditional cultures to effectively address these challenges. "We are in a post-hegemonic world. What kind of world will it be? I think Confucius gave us the right idea. Not one dominant power, not one dominant region, but a world of harmony in diversity," said Jeffrey Sachs, a professor at Columbia University. The forum also highlighted the integration of traditional culture and modern civilization to promote sustainable development and progress of human civilization. "We see great potential in technology to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. Digital platforms are bringing people from different nations and cultures together. Innovative initiatives should be carried out to support technology applications to preserve and share our cultural heritages," Ramos-Horta said. Misha Tadd, director of the Global Laozegetics Research Center at Nankai University, cautioned that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and risks, noting that AI involves not just technology but also ethical considerations. "Which one are we going to cultivate, a good AI or an evil one? What attitude shall we show to AI products, compassion or hostility? These are all worthy of consideration, and traditional philosophy can show the way out," Tadd said. (Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liu Ning) (Photo : Photo by Antoni Shkraba) We spend our lives mostly at work, and we get so comfortable there that we tend to act and speak like family does and even use jargon to communicate with each other. What is Corporate Jargon? Corporate jargon is a cringe-worthy business buzzword that is used to fit into corporate culture and stay aligned with office norms. Leon Prieto, a scholar and professor of management at Clayton State University, told BBC that much of today's corporate jargon has its roots in the military. Corporate jargon emerged as a byproduct of the integration of military veterans into the American business world after World War II. These veterans not only brought specialized skills but also their military vocabulary, which, rooted in discipline and strategic thinking, aligned well with the rapidly evolving corporate environment during the post-war economic boom. The language that was once used to bring the precision, efficiency, and seriousness of military operations into thecorporate culture has now become common in corporate discussions. READ ALSO: Three Common Phrases That Project Weakness and Insecurity According to Experts Even Elon Musk Finds Corporate Jargon Annoying, Too Who else does not have their pet peeves at work? This is the same with Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, who finds office jargon and acronyms to be a particular annoyance at work. As Verdict reported, Musk's disdain for workplace jargon is well-known. He even made headlines in 2010 when he sent a nearly 300-word email to all SpaceX staff with the subject line "Acronyms Seriously Suck," where he expressed his strong dislike for acronyms. Musk highlighted that no one can truly remember all these acronyms. People often do not want to appear dumb in meetings, so they just stay silent. According to Musk, acronyms often take longer to say than the original phrases, undermining their very main purpose. Other criticisms of corporate jargon include its potential to be sexist, its lack of trustworthiness, and its association with meaningless work. Above all else, workplace jargon is just merely annoying and unnecessary. What are The Downsides of Such Jargon? According to Preply's survey of over 1,000 Canadians conducted between October 26 and 31, 2023, some Canadians believe that using business jargon helps them understand others (22%) and makes the speaker appear knowledgeable (21%). At a time when many workplaces are aiming for greater diversity and inclusion, jargon tends to create the opposite effect, establishing in-groups of individuals familiar with the language while excluding those who are not, which can significantly limit opportunities for advancement. Among younger workers, about half of Generation Z and Millennials also reported feeling left out at work. They often use words they do not fully understand just to fit in, making communication frustrating for everyone, Alberta reports. Clear communication is one of the nine essential skills for success in the modern workplace, which is why it is important to use words that clarify rather than confuse. RELATED ARTICLE: New Employee Dilemma: How To Avoid Culture Shock? Best Ways To Deal With New Work Environment 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. 13 July 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Gunduz Ismayilov, the deputy chairman of Azerbaijan's State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, met with Jason McLarney, the deputy ambassador for international religious freedoms and special assignments of the International Religious Freedom Office of the US State Department, Azernews reports. Speaking about the environment of tolerance and solidarity in our country, the vice-chairman said that protecting and strengthening this environment, ensuring people's religious freedom at a high level, and establishing religious security is one of the state's main tasks. In Azerbaijan, all religious denominations are covered with comprehensive attention and care, and necessary conditions have been created for all religious communities that do not spread harmful religious ideas and do not operate in a way that harms inter-religious relations. Also, every year financial assistance is allocated from the state budget to both Islamic and non-Islamic religious communities to support the activities of the existing religious denominations in the country. Gunduz Ismayilov emphasized that today Azerbaijan is the leading state of the region not only due to its socio-economic success, and military-political potential but also due to the provision of freedom of conscience and multicultural environment, protection of traditions of tolerance formed over centuries, as well as restoration of historical and religious monuments. During the meeting, the vice-chairman, who also touched on the 2023 report of the US State Department on International Religious Freedom, pointed out that the realities of Azerbaijan have been distorted. Expressing his gratitude for the detailed information, the guest shared his views on the registration and activity of religious institutions, as well as other relevant issues. A number of other issues of interest to the parties were also discussed at the meeting, which was attended by Sonya Fernandes, advisor for Eastern and Southern European countries of the BSAI, Diana Brown, advisor on political issues of the US ambassador to Azerbaijan, and officials of the State Committee. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 13:45 (UTC+04:00) The Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, together with the State Tax Service and ADA University, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing theoretical and practical knowledge, Azernews reports. The document entails fostering beneficial cooperation through establishing intensive relations between the parties. The Memorandum outlines joint and coordinated cooperation between the parties separately and collectively to achieve specific objectives. This includes ADA University students gaining practical experience in tax authorities, organizing joint local and international scientific conferences, round tables, seminars, training courses, simulations (competitions), forums, exhibitions, and meetings, preparing joint projects, relevant teaching materials, scientific articles, and publications, regulating student voluntary activities in the apparatus of the Service and various institutions based on the contract, attracting teachers and trainers on topics envisaged in the university's teaching, and other matters. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the head of the State Tax Service, Orkhan Nazarli, and ADA University's Vice Rector for State, External, and Student Affairs, and Director of the Institute of Development and Diplomacy, Fariz Ismayilzade. F. Ismayilzade highlighted the importance of cooperation directions, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the memorandum for both sides. He noted that the University is interested in expanding this collaboration and in implementing joint projects with the State Tax Service, supporting the development of the relevant personnel base for state institutions. O. Nazarli stressed the importance of the signed document, ensuring the development of scientific-practical relations, ensuring specialized personnel training, sharing existing experience in mutually beneficial areas, and expanding joint cooperation based on common interests. At the event, ADA University's advisor to the Vice Rector and Deputy Director of the Institute of Development and Diplomacy, Aygun Hajiyeva, presented achievements in higher education institutions, stating that the University collaborates with 150 international partner organizations through 30 different programs, 7 faculties, and over 200 teachers, educating nearly 5,000 students. The Institute of Development and Diplomacy, operating within the University, organizes international conferences and programs. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 13:04 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of Montenegro Jakov Milatovic on the occasion of Montenegro's national holiday, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "Dear Mr. President, On the occasion of your national holiday, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and the entire people of your country on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and Montenegro enjoy good traditions of friendship and cooperation. We are pleased with the dynamic development of our interstate relations and the expansion of our cooperation in various fields. I am confident that we will continue to make joint efforts to strengthen the relations between our countries and to fully utilize the potential of our mutually beneficial cooperation, both bilaterally and multilaterally. On this festive day, I wish you robust health and success in your endeavors, and I wish the friendly people of Montenegro continued peace and prosperity. Respectfully, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 10 July 2024" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 16:00 (UTC+04:00) An article about the adoption of the Garabagh Declaration at the informal Summit of the Turkic Council held in Shusha these days has been published on the website of Sweden's "CawaMedia" agency, Azernews reports. The agency's article characterizes the signing of the Garabagh Declaration as a historic and far-sighted step capable of altering global trade routes and regional economies. It is noted that this event will have serious consequences for the entire Western world and Northern European countries, potentially transforming trade and digital connections in the Eurasian region. The author highlights that the "Digital Silk Road" project, aimed at creating a fiber-optic telecommunications route between Europe and Asia via the Caspian Sea, is of particular interest to Scandinavian countries. This initiative also creates new opportunities for technological firms and digital service providers in Scandinavia, ensuring faster and more secure delivery of information between Europe and Asia. For the IT sector of Northern countries, this digital corridor offers excellent collaboration with rapidly growing Asian markets, potentially facilitating easier deployment of cloud services, improved connectivity for multinational operations, and new opportunities in fields such as e-commerce and digital content delivery. The article also emphasizes Azerbaijan's role in the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars trade route, noting that with over 50 commercial ships in the Caspian Sea, our country provides significant transit services to Turkic states. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 18:00 (UTC+04:00) As part of her working visit to the city of Saint Petersburg, the Russian Federation, Speaker of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova participated in the meeting of the Council of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (CIS PA), Azernews reports. The meeting featured discussions on a number of organizational and agenda issues. Recalling CIS PA observers participation in the snap presidential elections held in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Speaker Sahiba Gafarova highlighted that necessary conditions had been created by the relevant state bodies in the elections for ensuring the full transparency of the election process, so that voters could express their will freely. Sahiba Gafarova emphasized that this fact was also pointed out by international observers. The Speaker described the observation of election processes as a pivotal area of cooperation within the CIS PA, which contributes to the development of democracy and the rule of law in the territory of the member states, as well as the exchange of experience in the area of organizing and conducting the electoral process. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 11:05 (UTC+04:00) In the global market, the price of one barrel of Azerbaijani oil branded as "Azeri Light" amounted to $90.35, increasing by 0.59% or $0.53 per barrel, Azernews reports. The price of September futures for "Brent" crude oil amounted to $85.03 per barrel. The average price of one barrel of oil for Azerbaijan's state budget this year is calculated at $75 per barrel. It is worth noting that the lowest price for "Azeri Light" oil was recorded on April 21, 2020 ($15.81), while its highest price was noted in July 2008 ($149.66). Oil in Azerbaijan is primarily extracted under a contract framework known as the "Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli" (ACG) block. Under this contract, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) holds a 25% share. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) "There are various interests behind any financial assistance. "The information of some French officials about France's direct financial assistance to Georgia is false, and those who spread this information have their own interests." The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, said these words while commenting on the information that France stopped direct aid to the Georgian budget and increased financial support to civil society and media subjects. According to him, the forces that feel that the Georgian government does not specifically serve the interests of another state are now directing various financial resources to those who serve their interests. "This once again proves that there are hidden interests behind such money. The Georgian government does not serve the interests of any foreign country," said Shalva Papuashvili. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 20:38 (UTC+04:00) Gurgen Arsenyan, a deputy from the ruling Civil Contract party, will be appointed Armenian Ambassador to Russia in September, Azernews reports, citing Zhoghovurd newspaper citing a source in the party. According to the newspaper, the Russian side confirmed its agreement back in May, now its Armenias turn. The extraordinary meeting of the spring session of parliament on July 12 was the last for Arsenyan, as he will resign his parliamentary mandate, the newspaper noted. According to the Armenian Law On Diplomatic Service, the ambassador is appointed and recalled by the president of the country at the proposal of the countrys prime minister. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 23:30 (UTC+04:00) The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) "most strongly denounces and rejects" the Washington summit declaration issued by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) earlier this week, state media said, Azernews reports. The declaration is proof that the United States and the transatlantic bloc pose "the most serious threat to the global peace and security," the official Korean Central News Agency said, citing a press statement released by a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry. It is "an illegal document that violates the legitimate rights of independent sovereign states and a confrontational program that incites new Cold War and military confrontation on a global scale," the statement added. The US moves to expand military blocs seriously threaten regional peace, extremely exacerbate the international security environment, and spark a worldwide arms race, it said. The DPRK warned that NATO's "globalization" strategy pursued by the United States brings "the danger of a worldwide war." The DPRK also lambasted Washington for "seriously infringing upon the sovereignty and security interests of other countries and constantly destroying the strategic stability of the world while wantonly violating the recognized principles of international law including respect for sovereignty, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit," the report said. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 13 July 2024 23:59 (UTC+04:00) The US and its allies have fabricated a crisis around Irans peaceful nuclear program, Iranian President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian said, Azernews reports. "The US and its Western allies have abused the non-proliferation regime to fabricate a crisis regarding Iran's peaceful nuclear program - openly contradicting their own intelligence assessment - and use it to maintain sustained pressure on our people," Pezeshkian wrote in his message to the new world in Irans leading daily, The Tehran Times, on July 12. As the US pursues such a policy toward Tehran it continues to "support the nuclear weapons of Israel," he maintained. "I wish to emphasize that Irans defense doctrine does not include nuclear weapons and urge the United States to learn from past miscalculations and adjust its policy accordingly. Decision-makers in Washington need to recognize that a policy that consists of pitting regional countries against each other has not succeeded and will not succeed in the future. They need to come to terms with this reality and avoid exacerbating current tensions," the Iranian president-elect added. Pezeshkian, a reformist candidate, won Irans runoff presidential election on July 5, garnering 53.6% of the vote, while conservative Saeed Jalili received 44.3%. Pezeshkian is expected to take the oath of office on July 30. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Bombardier is eyeing a deal to buy back most of its old operations in Belfast which were sold to Spirit AeroSystems in 2020 Canadian aircraft giant Bombardier is eyeing a move to buy back almost all its former operations in Northern Ireland, Belfast Telegraph can reveal. In a move affecting about 2,500 jobs, the company would purchase most of what it sold to US firm Spirit AeroSystems in 2020, people with knowledge of the matter have said. Firefighters battle blaze at industrial estate in Newry. Photograph by Declan Roughan / Press Eye Firefighters battle blaze at industrial estate in Newry. Photograph by Declan Roughan / Press Eye Firefighters battle blaze at industrial estate in Newry. Photograph by Declan Roughan / Press Eye Firefighters are continuing to battle a major blaze at an industrial estate in Newry. The fire is at Greenbank Industrial Estate in Ballinacraig. Providing an update, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said crews are still dealing with a significant fire at the location. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area and homeowners to keep their windows and doors closed. We would advise this incident is likely to continue throughout the night. NIFRS has also recognised the contribution of farmers in the area who used slurry tanks to help tackle the fire. Its understood the fire broke out at Formula Karting before spreading to other units at the industrial estate. One of those units was a furniture shop named House of Murphy. The owners said: House of Murphy family and staff are devastated due to recent events where a fire has destroyed our Greenbank, Newry shop. Please bear with us while we try to salvage and recover. Thanks a million to the emergency services and farmers that helped out. We appreciate everything. The outreach of help and support has been overwhelming. Firefighters battle blaze at industrial estate in Newry. Photograph by Declan Roughan / Press Eye Newry Chamber of Commerce said it is devastated for the local businesses which were gutted in the fire. Chamber Chief Executive Michael Savage attended the scene on Saturday and offered the Chamber's support to the family businesses impacted and their loyal staff. Newry Chamber of Commerce CEO, Michael Savage. He said: "Our hearts go out to the long established family businesses impacted by this blaze. "They are devastated by what has happened and are concerned about what happens next and what the future holds for their staff. "I have offered the full support of the Chamber team and our member businesses and we will assist in any way we can in the difficult days ahead. "Our sincere thanks go to the fire crews for their efforts in tackling the blaze and also the local farmers who brought their tankers to the scene and helped stop the spread of the fire." Sinn Fein councillor in Newry, Geraldine Kearns, said: Significant fire in Greenbank Industrial Estate. Fire brigade working on the scene. "Please avoid area and keep windows closed. My thoughts are with all those affected. Devastating. Earlier in the day, an NIFRS spokesperson said there were six fire appliances and over 50 personnel carrying out firefighting operations. We would advise members of the public to avoid the area where possible and nearby homeowners to keep their windows and doors closed, the statement added. Traffic was at a standstill at Warrenpoint Carriageway and Kimorey Street. Drivers have been advised to avoid the area. Irish premier Simon Harris hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he landed in Ireland for a bilateral meeting. It is their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil and is focused on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Mr Zelensky landed at Shannon Airport in Co Clare at noon, and hugged the Irish leader after descending the steps from his state aircraft. The leaders also shook hands while Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko was also present. Asked by reporters for his message to Ireland, Mr Zelensky said: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. Mr Zelensky was also asked about US President Joe Biden mistakenly referring to him as President Putin. He replied: Its a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. While discussing the future of the conflict during the bilateral, Mr Harris expressed his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He also expressed Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. The two world leaders embraced at Shannon Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, offered further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He confirmed Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelensky is stopping at Shannon Airport on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC. Ireland has provided 250 million euro in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. Taoiseach Simon Harris said he will visit Kyiv later this summer Taoiseach Simon Harris greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, ahead of their bilateral meeting. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has landed in Ireland for his bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Simon Harris. He thanked the Irish people for hosting Ukrainian refugees and from supporting the country "from the very beginning". "First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion," he said. He dismissed US President Joe Biden's gaffe at the NATO Summit of calling him President Putin as a "mistake". "Its a mistake. I think United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so," he said. The President is stopping over in Shannon Airport while on his way from the NATO summit in Washington DC. He is meeting Mr Harris for their first bilateral where the two men are expected to discuss Russias ongoing war in Ukraine and the help Ireland has given over 100,000 refugees. The two men previously met on the fringes of the Ukrainian Peace Summit in Switzerland last month. Joe Biden confuses Kamala Harris with former President Trump Taoiseach Simon Harris announced he would be visiting Kyiv in Ukraine "in the coming weeks". President Zelenskyy invited Mr Harris to visit Ukraine "later this summer". "I look forward to doing that," said the Taoiseach. He also announced Ireland will contribute 7m to the European Investment Bank to an 'EU for Ukraine' fund which provides financial assistance for food and energy security to refugees in Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Harris said the two leaders discussed a potential bilateral agreement on demining, energy, humanitarian assistance and food security. Ive just had a very good meeting with President Zelensky. Im very pleased to welcome to Ireland. He added: I took the opportunity to expresses condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the people of Ukraine, to the president of Ukraine, for all the loss of civilian life throughout this brutal illegal war of Russian aggression. Joe Biden calls Volodymyr Zelensky 'President Putin' Pervert caught with one of UKs biggest hauls of sick images before courts again Sicko previously jailed over horde of more than one million depraved pics accused of breaching sex court order Simon Hosick Paul Higgins Sat 13 Jul 2024 at 15:30 A pervert caught with one of the UKs biggest hauls of child sexual abuse images has been accused of breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). A woman took spectators by surprise as she joined marchers in Belfast for the annual Twelfth of July celebrations. She also gave them a lot more than they expected to see when she pulled down her top to expose her breast. PITTSFIELD After a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude, a Pittsfield boy's memory continues to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Jimmy Bernardo was just 12 when he was abducted and murdered by a child predator over three decades ago. In the wake of his death, community members rallied in support of his legacy, and on Saturday morning continued the tradition at the 29th Jimmy's Ride a motorcycle procession through Pittsfield to Bousquet Mountain Ski Area that raises money for the county's child advocacy center, the Berkshire County Kids' Place. "My brother was taken by a pedophile," said Robert Bernardo, Jimmy's brother. "Child abuse is a huge thing in our county ... and these services at the Kids' Place provide a safe environment for the child to recover from that traumatic experience." Robert Bernardo spoke outside the Wendell Avenue nonprofit, where under the hot Saturday sun about 60 motorcycles were staged, ready to be ridden. The annual ride is as much a show of support for vulnerable children as it is a fundraising event, said one participating biker, Lisa Folino. "They can't really stand up for themselves, and they're counting on somebody to help them," she said. Folino works as a legal assistant at the office of Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. Shugrue co-founded the Kids' Place, which opened its doors near the Pittsfield courthouses in 1995. The agency supports children who have been victims of abuse, linking them with mental health services and liaising with law enforcement to help them participate in prosecution of their perpetrators while minimizing the risk of re-traumatization. "Some years, the funds from this ride have been able to keep this agency afloat," said Heather Williamson, the Kids' Place executive director. Police caught Jimmy's killer, Lewis Lent Jr., thanks to a quick-witted child, Rebecca Savarese, whom Lent tried to abduct off the street in Pittsfield in 1994. Rebecca got away after feigning an asthma attack, and a bystander was able to memorize some of the license plate of the truck Lent drove away in. The truck belonged to a resident of Summer Street in Lanesborough, who had let Lent borrow it. Still searching for answers Last month, law enforcement from two states searched that Summer Street home. Shugrue said they were searching for the remains of another child, Sara Anne Wood, who disappeared from Frankfort, N.Y. Lent is serving life sentences for the abduction and killing of Jimmy Bernardo and the murder of 12-year-old Wood. Shugrue said that region's prosecutor is still aggressively pursuing the search for Wood's remains. That is why law enforcement returned to the Summer Street home on June 18, Shugrue said Saturday. With ground-penetrating technology, he said investigators probed the cement flooring and "saw something in there that they thought might be bones." They drilled holes in the concrete and brought in cadaver-searching dogs, who alerted them to one area of the basement. The area was then excavated, but it turned out what looked like remains was actually just piping. "We really thought we had it," Shugrue said. Lent also admitted to abducting Westfield 16-year-old James "Jamie" Lusher, whose remains authorities are still searching for. Shugrue said he believes the convicted killer is responsible for additional crimes against children. "I truly believe, in my own heart, that he's got more victims," Shugrue said. As authorities work to bring closure to the families of Lusher and Wood, the community continues to wrap itself around the Bernardos. Robert Bernardo said he is already looking forward to next year's fundraiser, which will be the 30th ride. He said next year's event will for the first time allow cars to participate in addition to motorcycles, expanding the reach of a fundraiser that has been so crucial to the Kids' Place. At this point we dont foresee any change in the shopping center," said David Burns, general counsel for First Hartford Realty Corp which is managing the property. OTIS Already under deadline pressure from Sandisfield to find a way to lessen taxpayer burden for schools, the Farmington River Regional School Committee is now also facing mistrust from Otis. The Otis Select Board voted to request the school committee bring in a consultant to shepherd the process around apportionment for the two-town school district in order to achieve a neutral process and ultimately a successful adoption by both towns. It's the next step in a process that has been ongoing since a Nov. 17, 2022, special town meeting in which Sandisfield voted to request the addition of terms to the district's regional agreement by which it could withdraw. As the less wealthy town in the two-town district, Sandisfield taxpayers have been shouldering more than what the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says they can afford. Otis taxpayers, on the other hand, have been shouldering less than they can afford, even though the physical school building is located in Otis. The Sandisfield Select Board set a Sept. 1 deadline for the school district to propose a different way to apportion the funding burden. Put simply, Sandisfield wants the funding burden to shift from Sandisfield to Otis. A LACK OF TRUST The June 26 letter on town administrator letterhead carried the names of Larry Southard and Therese Gould, Select Board members, as well as that of Brandi Page, Otis town administrator. Page, who attended the school committees July 1 meeting via Zoom, said having a consultant speaks to a lack of confidence in whats happening. She said the Select Board wants a consultant from the Massachusetts Association of Regional School Committees to mediate. They just want to have confidence in the process so, when this goes to a vote we can say this whole process was fair, it was led by a neutral party and hopefully be successful, Page said. Its going to be hard for the Select Board to stand behind it when the feedback that theyve gotten from the representatives on the RAAC committee [regional agreement amendment committee] has been negative. The RAAC committee has been working on updating the districts regional agreement, which governs the relationship between the two towns as it relates to the district except for the apportionment method, which the school committee is handling. Gould spoke to the school committee via Zoom. There is a definite lack of trust between the two towns, which is unfortunate, said Gould, who also serves on the eight-member RAAC committee. And I dont believe that we will be able to arrive at an agreement that will work for both towns when there is such a lack of trust between the members of the two towns. Sandisfield School Committee member Douglas Miner referred to a March 5 email Page sent to Sandisfield's then-town manager Jonathan Sylbert and school committee chair Denise Hardie. Page had reviewed the costs to both towns and wrote that Sandisfield "has the capacity to support education costs." The school committee took no vote on Otis' request for a consultant. THE MIDDLE GROUND Hardie asked Superintendent Timothy Lee to lead the discussion on three options for apportionment for the district. In addition to polling school committee members on each option, Lee shared his own opinions, saying he understood the need for financial relief for Sandisfield. What I dont understand is how much relief, he said, adding that relief could come through programmatic and budgeting changes. School committee members said they didnt believe that would be possible. I think it was as close to the bone as you could make it, School Committee member Melissa Bye, of Sandisfield, said of the districts latest budget. All three apportionment methods would shift the burden from Sandisfield to Otis. Predictably, Otis members of the board favored the method that would shift it least while Sandisfield members favored the one that would shift it the most. Lee spoke of a delicate balance in pursuing this process. The risk that everybody sees and knows and may or may not be talking about is that by disbanding a group that represents the interests of both towns, especially what we heard from Brandi tonight about the lack of trust, is that you run the risk of further alienating and causing more mistrust in the process, Lee said. Part of something to consider with this motion is the urgency of making forward progress on the draft versus a risk of building more mistrust in the process. The school committee meets Monday at 6 p.m. at the Farmington River Regional Elementary School. Fredric D. Rutberg is the publisher of The Berkshire Eagle. He can be reached at frutberg@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6380. The trailer for Captain America: Brave New World shows Anthony Mackie battling villains as the superhero for the first time. The film sees Mackies character Sam Wilson take on the role of Captain America, having previously been the superhero The Falcon since the Winter Soldier movie. Advertisement It also sees Harrison Ford, 81, make his Marvel debut as General Ross, a role played previously by the late William Hurt. In the movie, Fords character asks Wilson to take up an official military position, after becoming president, in an attempt to uncover a nefarious global plot. The trailer sees Fords character telling Wilson work with me Sam, well show the world a better way forward, before showing clips of him taking up the Captain America shield. Advertisement Mackie, 45, can then be seen battling villains including Red Hulk, who makes a brief appearance in the trailer, picking up Captain Americas shield and slamming it into the ground. It comes after Civil War actor Chris Evans last in the role of Steve Rogers, Wilsons predecessor in the role, with the trailer showing General Ross telling Wilson you may be Captain America, but youre not Steve Rogers. Captain America: Brave New World will be the fourth in the series to feature the hero as the main character after Civil War, Winter Soldier and The First Avenger. The film will be released in Irish cinemas on Friday, February 14th. Taoiseach Simon Harris hugged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he landed in Ireland for a bilateral meeting. It is their first bilateral meeting on Irish soil and is focused on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Mr Zelenskiy landed at Shannon Airport in Co Clare at noon, and hugged Harris after descending the steps from his state aircraft. The leaders also shook hands while Ukrainian ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko was also present. Asked by reporters for his message to Ireland, Mr Zelenskiy said: First of all, thank you so much for your support, thanks to Ireland for hosting a lot of Ukrainian refugees, you were with us from the very beginning of the Russian invasion. Mr Zelenskiy was also asked about US President Joe Biden mistakenly referring to him as President Putin. Advertisement He replied: Its a mistake. I think the United States gave a lot of support for Ukrainians. We can forget some mistakes, I think so. While discussing the future of the conflict during the bilateral, Mr Harris expressed his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He also expressed Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Advertisement The two world leaders embraced at Shannon Airport (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, offered further assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He confirmed Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Advertisement Mr Zelenskiy is stopping at Shannon Airport on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington DC. Ireland has provided 250 million in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. A large section of Sinn Fein supporters feel party leadership has failed to have their backs, Mary Lou McDonald has admitted. Ms McDonald made the remarks following a comprehensive and honest review of Sinn Feins recent electoral performance by the partys national leadership. Advertisement She said the party had failed to reflect most peoples views on immigration, while also acknowledging Sinn Fein got it wrong by backing the Governments referenda in March. Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald (Damien Storan/PA) More recently, Sinn Fein celebrated successes in the UK general election last week when it became Northern Irelands largest party at Westminster level in terms of both seats and vote share. Advertisement However, that came on the back of a disappointing outing in the European and local council elections in the Republic of Ireland in June, where the party performed well below expectations despite modest gains. The Sinn Fein leader said the party would take decisive steps to prepare for the next general election in the Republic of Ireland. Speaking to the media after a party meeting in Dublin on Saturday, Ms McDonald said: Sinn Fein had a disappointing outcome in the recent local and European elections. Despite making slight gains, we fell significantly short of our own expectations. Advertisement She added: We and I, as leader of this party, must acknowledge that for a sizable section of our supporters, there is a belief that we have failed to have their backs and that we didnt listen to their concerns. Advertisement Its evident that in the local and European election campaigns, we lost trust and we lost support. So I have listened and we are going to listen every single day to what those who rely on Sinn Fein are telling us. That has always been our core strength. The most recent elections in the North illustrate what we can do when we are at our very best. In the local and European elections, we fell short of that standard. We must do better and we will. Advertisement On immigration, Ms McDonald said the party failed to reflect where most people are at. The Sinn Fein leader said the Governments immigration policy did not make sense, was not transparent, and was unfair. She said: Sinn Fein stands firmly against racism. So, too, do the Irish people. We are a modern European economy and a strong one. We depend on migrant workers in so many areas of our society, not least our health service. Everyone must be treated with dignity with respect and in accordance with human rights standards. That is not in dispute. However, the State must also have an immigration policy that makes sense to people, thats transparent, thats fair and that works. And at present, that is not the case. We need a system that ensures applications are processed with clear criteria for determining who can come, whether they can work and what support they may receive. Ms McDonald said the party must bring clarity to what it is offering voters. She said: That means offering a crystal clear choice at the next general election between more of the same Fine Gael and Fianna Fail or a new government led by Sinn Fein and by listening to the concerns of those that we are so proud to represent. Ms McDonald said the party got it wrong by supporting yes votes in the Governments Family and Care referenda, adding: We must be big enough to admit that. The proposed constitutional amendments that would have extended the meaning of family beyond those defined by marriage and changed an acknowledgement of womens duties in the home to one about family carers, were overwhelmingly defeated. She said: We did what we should never do: We settled for second best. Many in our party and many of those who support our party rightly called us out on this. Ms McDonald said the party must be an unwavering voice for fairness, for decency, and for whats right. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy will meet Irish premier Simon Harris at Shannon Airport on Saturday. It will be the first bilateral meeting with Mr Zelenskiy on Irish soil and will focus on Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement While discussing the future of the conflict, Mr Harris is expected to express his condolences for the citizens whom Ukraine has lost in the war including the bombing of Ukraines largest childrens hospital earlier this week. He will also express Irelands full support for Ukraines bid towards EU membership. Taoiseach Simon Harris will meet the Ukrainian president (Brian Lawless/PA) Advertisement Mr Harris, who became Taoiseach in April, will offer further Irish assistance for thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated to Russia and Belarus and entered into Russian re-education programmes since the war began. He will confirm Irelands membership of an international coalition for the return of the estimated 20,000 children. The two leaders last met on the fringes of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Mr Zelensky is stopping at Shannon Airport, Co Clare, on his way back from a summit marking the 75th anniversary of Nato in Washington. Advertisement Ireland has provided 250,000 in non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the country has welcomed over 108,000 Ukrainians under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Irish Defence Forces members have trained 455 Ukrainian personnel in demining, battlefield casualty care and the use of non-lethal mine clearance equipment. A Pakistani court has overturned the conviction and seven-year prison sentence of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife in the case of the couples alleged 2018 unlawful marriage case. The decision removes the last known hurdle in the way of Khans release nearly a year after he was jailed, lawyers said. Advertisement Naeem Panjutha, one of Khans lawyers, said the court announced the verdict in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where the former premier is being held. The acquittal comes two weeks after another appeals court upheld the February 5 conviction and sentence of Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi. The court in its brief order said if the couple is not wanted in any other case, they should be released. Bibi is Khans third wife and a spiritual healer. Advertisement She was previously married to a man who claimed that they divorced in November 2017, less than three months before she married Khan. Islamic law, as upheld by Pakistan, requires a three-month waiting period before a new marriage. Bibi has said they divorced in August 2017 and the couple insisted during the trial that they did not violate the waiting period. It was unclear how the government would respond to the court order. Authorities have registered multiple cases against Khan since 2022 when he was ousted from power through a vote of no-confidence in the parliament. The latest development came a day after Pakistans supreme court ruled that the party of Khan was improperly denied at least 20 seats in parliament, in a significant blow to the countrys fragile governing coalition. Advertisement Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party was previously excluded from a system that gives parties extra seats reserved for women and minorities in the National Assembly, or lower house of the parliament. Though the verdict was a major political win for Khan, it would not put his party in a position to oust the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who came into power following a February 8 election that Khan allies say was rigged. Khan has been embroiled in more than 150 legal cases, including inciting violence, since his arrest in May 2023. During nationwide riots that followed that, Khans supporters attacked the military and government buildings in various parts of the country and torched a building housing state-run Radio Pakistan in the north-west. Advertisement The violence subsided only when Khan was released by the supreme court. Khan was again arrested in early August 2023 after a court handed him a three-year jail sentence for corruption. Since then, Khan has been given bail by different courts in all the cases in which he has been convicted. Israel said it has targeted Hamas military commander in a massive strike in the crowded southern Gaza Strip that killed at least 90 people, according to local health officials. More than 300 people were injured in the attack. Advertisement It is not immediately known whether Mohammed Deif was among the dead. Israeli officials confirmed that he and a second Hamas commander, Rafa Salama, were the targets of the strike. Gaza: Around 155,000 pregnant & breastfeeding women are facing critical challenges in accessing proper care.@UNFPA and partners are working to meet escalating needs, but secure, unhindered access is required to facilitate the delivery of essential aid.https://t.co/CAM6CFs7pD pic.twitter.com/k6LfbrQ1Ed Advertisement United Nations (@UN) July 13, 2024 A military official later said they were still checking and verifying the result of the strike, but did not deny it took place inside the Israeli-designated safe zone. Advertisement Deif is believed by many to be the chief architect of the October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war. He has topped Israels most-wanted list for years and is believed to have escaped multiple Israeli assassination attempts in the past. His potential killing threatens to derail cease-fire talks and would be seen as a major Israeli victory in the nine-month campaign. Hamas leaders were targeted during the strike, Israeli officials said (AP) Advertisement Hamas said in a statement in response to Israel: These false claims are merely a cover-up for the scale of the horrific massacre. At the hospital, Associated Press journalists counted more than 40 bodies and witnesses there described an attack that included several strikes. Footage of the aftermath showed charred tents, burnt-out cars and household belongings scattered across the blackened earth as emergency workers and Palestinians displaced by the nine-month war searched for survivors. Advertisement Victims were carried on the hoods and in the hatchbacks of cars, and on donkey carts and carpets. Witnesses said the strike landed inside Muwasi, the Israeli designated safe zone that stretches from northern Rafah to Khan Younis. "Children were often carrying white flags on sticks" Scenes of families fleeing Gaza City, where women described to @UNWateridge traumatic births without health care & enduring periods without access to clean water or sanitary products @washingtonposthttps://t.co/0J7TQdcFJQ UNRWA (@UNRWA) July 13, 2024 The coastal strip is where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled to in search of safety, sheltering mostly in makeshift tents. This was designated as a safe zone filled with people from the north, said one displaced Palestinian man who did not give his name. Children were all martyred here. We collected their pieces with our hands. He estimated there were seven or eight missiles and that first responders were targeted as well. According to an Israeli official, the strike was carried out within a fenced area of Khan Younis that was run by Hamas, but did not elaborate on the precise location. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed or injured (AP) Deif is believed by many to be the chief architect of the October 7 attack that killed some 1,200 people in southern Israel and triggered the Israel-Hamas war. He has topped Israels most-wanted list for years and is believed to be paralysed after escaping multiple Israeli assassination attempts in the past. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza 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 38,300 people in Gaza and wounded more than 88,000, according to the territorys health ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. More than 80% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been driven from their homes, and most are now crowded into squalid tent camps, facing widespread hunger. The latest deadly strike comes as US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators continue to push to narrow gaps between Israel and Hamas over a proposed deal for a three-phase ceasefire and hostage release plan in Gaza. Elevation Worship - "When Wind Meets Fire" | Merge PR CHARLOTTE, NC / NASHVILLE, TN (JULY 12, 2024) GRAMMY Award-winning group Elevation Worship releases their new live album, When Wind Meets Fire, with 14 new songs. The album features Elevation Worships Chris Brown, Tiffany Hudson, Jonsal Barrientes, Jenna Barrientes, ELEVATION RHYTHM's Bella Cordero, and Pastor Steven Furtick along with collaborators Chandler Moore, Leeland, and Joe L Barnes. Marking the groups 17th album, When Wind Meets Fire continues the collectives tradition of writing songs for the church. Listen to the new album here. The foundational title cut attempts to encapsulate the sensory experience depicted in the book of Acts when Paul describes the hurricane-force power of the Holy Spirit. Elevation Worships Chris Brown echoed the songs lyric, God is Wind and Fire, the Author of life and an all-consuming fire. Whatever He speaks is done, whatever He touches lives. From bold declarations to comforting ballads, Elevation Worships latest endeavor sits at the crossroads where Gods life-giving wind meets His life-changing fire. This is a fresh batch of songs that offers a taste of the transformation thats happening every week at Elevation Church, tried and true selections theyve been singing for the better part of 14 months, and anthems that are making their mark in real-time. Elevation Worship kicks off its nearly sold-out Praise Party Summer Tour this month offering eight outdoor major-market shows and three indoor venues. The summer tour is titled after the groups hit song Praise, which continues to be No. 1 after 11 weeks on radio and the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart for the last 18 weeks. This fall, the group will continue the Elevation Nights tour with Pastor Steven Furtick and ELEVATION RHYTHM on the West Coast in September and October. Tickets for both tours are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting ElevationWorship.com. A father and son died after their home was engulfed by flames in Melbournes east on Saturday morning. Emergency services were called to the Craig Road home in Donvale following reports of a large fire about 3.45am. Firefighters survey the damage following a house fire in Donvale on Saturday morning. Credit: Eddie Jim When firefighters arrived, the multi-level brick and steel property was fully alight. Crews aggressively attacked the fire, a spokeswoman for Fire Rescue Victoria said. The home has been destroyed by fire and the roof has collapsed. A builder fought off five other buyers to secure the keys to a run-down Coburg home on Saturday, paying $965,000 at auction. The three-bedroom house at 5 Ryan Street was a deceased estate: the walls were cracking, the wallpaper peeling and the carpets worn and stained in places. The home sat on 435 square metres of land. Ray White listing agent and auctioneer Raphael Calik-Houston said the home would have needed some work to be liveable. The quoted price range was $800,000 to $880,000. Literally has had no work done to it since pretty much being built. So it does have some wear and tear, he said. Migrants from Central America are seen before crossing illegally to the United States to turn themselves in to request asylum to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in El Paso, Texas, in this picture taken from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico April 2, 2019. (Photo: REUTERS) As dawn breaks at the base of Otay Mountain, the oppressive heat already engulfs the landscape. Even in the early morning, temperatures near this 3,500-foot peak soar into triple digits, a harbinger of the deadly conditions awaiting migrants attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. This part of California is under an excessive heat warning, exacerbating the perils for those making the treacherous journey. Into this harsh environment venture volunteers from Borderlands Relief Collective, a San Diego-based group dedicated to delivering water and first aid to migrants. Almost immediately upon beginning their ascent, they encounter Taleb, a man from Mauritania, sitting despondently by the roadside. Dehydrated and wearing ill-fitting shoes, Taleb breaks into tears at the sight of the volunteers bearing water. His plight is a stark reminder of the extreme dangers faced by those crossing the border under such conditions. California's record-breaking temperatures this summer have pushed parts of the state to their hottest ever recorded, creating a humanitarian crisis along the border. The combination of extreme heat and stringent new asylum restrictions has turned the region into a deadly gauntlet for migrants. Over the course of the day, the volunteers encounter dozens of individuals like Taleb, all suffering from dehydration and exhaustion after enduring miles of grueling travel. Many migrants report being advised by coyotes to travel at night to avoid the peak heat. However, the difficult terrain often forces them into the scalding sun, with insufficient water to sustain them. The United Nations has identified the U.S.-Mexico border as the deadliest land route for migrants globally, a grim designation underscored by rising death tolls. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), migrant deaths in the San Diego sector have surged, with 39 fatalities recorded last year compared to just four in 2018. The overwhelming majority of these deaths are attributed to environmental exposure and heat. David Greenblatt, a surgeon and volunteer, expressed deep concern about the coming months. "It's just going to get hotter and hotter and hotter," he warned, highlighting the urgent need for more resources and support to mitigate the crisis. Immigration analysts predict that recent restrictive policies from the Biden administration will only exacerbate the situation, pushing more migrants to attempt crossings through hazardous areas. Near the border wall on the U.S. side, a family with three small children rests in a makeshift tent, surrounded by the detritus of previous travelers. The buzzing of a nearby power line adds to the eerie atmosphere. This family, fleeing cartel violence in Michoacan, Mexico, epitomizes the desperate measures people are taking despite the dangers. Javi, a seven-year-old boy clutching his teddy bear, speaks to the harsh reality they face. "Caluroso," he says, describing his bear as feeling very hot. Javi's mother, Jazmin Mora, recounts the dire circumstances that drove them to risk the perilous journey. Threats and extortion left them with no choice but to flee. "Why would anyone put their kids through this?" she asks, voicing the anguish and desperation felt by many. The searing heat, which often makes it difficult to breathe, only adds to their suffering. Despite the unbearable conditions, Mora insists that the dangers of remaining in Mexico outweighed the risks of crossing into the U.S. This sentiment is echoed by many migrants who find themselves at the mercy of the elements as they seek safety and a better life. The extreme weather conditions are part of a broader pattern affecting much of the western U.S. A powerful heat dome has shattered temperature records across California and Nevada, with cities like Palmdale, Redding, and Palm Springs experiencing unprecedented highs. AccuWeather expert meteorologists report that more than 50 locations have tied or broken all-time record high temperatures between July 1 and 5. The National Weather Service forecasts a brief respite with temperatures dipping slightly before rising again. However, the relentless heat poses a continuing threat to migrants and underscores the urgent need for a humanitarian response. As temperatures remain dangerously high, the plight of migrants like Taleb and Javi's family highlights the urgent need for action. The Borderlands Relief Collective and other volunteer groups continue to provide critical support, but the scale of the crisis demands a coordinated effort to address the humanitarian needs of those caught in the deadly heat of the borderlands.